CHAPTER 193

Receiving the sword of the Sword Saint.

It was a heavy task. Surviving in itself was an exceedingly extraordinary feat.

One must approach it with the mindset of enduring a calamity. From the moment he set out on his mission, Jung Yeonshin had thought so.

'This is the realm I must tread.'

There exist swordsmen who claim to divide providence with a single blade.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader, the Head of the Wudang Sect, the Master of the Heaven-Smiting Gate among the Thirteen Celestial Demons, and even the Tyrant Sword Tribe Leader, who recently slaughtered the Head of the Qingcheng Sect.

At the very least, there are as many supreme beings of the purple rank, wielding monstrous strength and chaos, as there are factions in the great sects.

They dominated their respective generations. That is why they are peerless masters.

Their names transcended ages. Enthusiasts did not hesitate to compare them to the absolute figures of the past, who left behind monikers in the annals of Jianghu history.

The prestige of Sword Saint Hyun So-baek was no different.

Among the common folk, he was considered the reincarnation of the Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin. Even when showing restraint out of courtesy to Jung Yeonshin, his sword strikes would be nearly impossible to withstand.

He did not know how many defensive moves he would need within a single exchange. It was the last obstacle remaining for the young man in the Alliance.

The moment Sage Cheon Joo declared he would provide assistance, two of the three esteemed guests flinched. The chief disciples of Dianqing and Mount Hua adjusted their postures.

Was this an unforeseen revelation from the Sage?

Beside the table where the four sat, the clear blue ripples spread across the pond. The vibration from a subtle presence formed concentric circles.

Upon the waves, carrying a few fallen maple leaves, the white and red sunlight wavered quietly.

As if reflecting the emotions of those present.

"…Oh dear."

A woman, possessing an outstanding energy presence, muttered.

She wore a crimson silk combat robe over a black scabbard, a jet-black sword tied at her waist. Her long, dark hair brushed against the sheath.

Her aura had been honed sharply, yet the gentle droop of her large eyes lent her a kind and virtuous appearance. She carried the noble spirit of a great sect warrior.

Little Sword Queen, Chui So-ok.

Alongside Hua Mountain's Hidden Dragon, Yoo Hyun, she had no choice but to straighten her posture.

For today, the Hua Mountain Sword Sage was discussing swordplay.

Sage Cheon Joo had previously expressed regret at not being able to name the Azure Flame. He had jested that there were countless people willing to offer entire granaries of rice in exchange for his naming.

Yet, a discussion of swordplay was an entirely different matter.

Mount Hua, alongside Wudang, was among the most renowned orthodox sword sects. The Sword Sage's insights were as valuable as relief food in troubled times.

Even supreme masters of equal caliber sought his teachings. Among Jianghu's myriad swordsmen, not a single one would not covet even a single word of his wisdom.

Chui So-ok gently parted her lips, her eyes widening.

"Should we leave? I was unaware of the Sage's intent in coming here."

"No need. When we practitioners travel through Yunan, we never do so without the aid of the Dianqing Sect. You are the Chief Disciple and direct inheritor of the Four-Sword Technique; if listening benefits you, then my efforts will have been worthwhile. It would also be advisable for the pillars of the Nine Great Sects to build rapport with the Radiant Demon Squad Leader."

Sage Cheon Joo spoke in a tone devoid of inflection.

His tone contrasted with his words. The swordsmen of Mount Hua were generally like this. Having trained in the perilous mountain ranges of the Western Peaks, they had developed a temperament akin to stone cliffs.

Their perpetually indifferent expressions became a defining characteristic of their swordsmanship. Yoo Hyun was an exception.

Chui So-ok smiled faintly.

"I appreciate your generous words. However, the truth is, Leader Jung and I are already quite close. We traveled together from Sichuan to Yangyang and even joined forces in the campaign to subdue the Profound Martial Alliance's forces. If anything, I have only received his kindness, never repaid it…"

Her slightly dazed smile carried a strangely mischievous air. Her gaze had already shifted toward the boy.

Jung Yeonshin found himself at a loss for words.

It was an awkward situation to simply say "thank you", yet too embarrassing to offer a direct expression of gratitude.

As he merely stared blankly at her, Yoo Hyun, seated cross-legged beside him, furrowed his refined nose slightly.

It was as if he was suppressing laughter in front of his elder.

Ignoring his peer's antics, the boy spoke up.

"I am curious about the Sage's intent. Even if my swordsmanship remains incomplete, it hardly seems a sufficient reason for the Sage to bestow his grace upon a warrior from Desolate Fortress. The sect of your origin differs from the Nine Great Sects, and we are not fellow practitioners of the same path."

"Yuan Shi An Zhen(Primordial Calm Seal)."

Sage Cheon Joo murmured a Taoist honorific.

"You have forged a bond with Yoo Hyun. Did you not extend his life twice? The life of Mount Hua's Chief Disciple, a wielder of the Violet Dawn Sacred Arts, is not to be taken lightly. It is a debt to be repaid over a lifetime. But since Yoo Hyun lacks the skill to do so, I shall repay it in his stead."

Then, it was no longer a debt.

Jung Yeonshin allowed himself to relax.

After forming the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel using the assistance of the Seventh Apostle, he had become highly sensitive to matters of debt and obligation. Jianghu was a world of grace and vengeance.

All renown and power were born from grace and ended in vengeance.

Even the supreme masters of the unorthodox factions struggled to act freely in Jianghu if they repaid kindness with hostility. It was an unspoken law woven into the spirit of the era.

Now, as the squad leader of Desolate Fortress' martial force, he could not accept aid from just anyone.

Even if the benefactor belonged to the most honorable and upright orthodox faction, he could not.

He had to eliminate any factors that could influence his future decisions in order to wield his sword solely for the people.

The young Taoist beside him arched an eyebrow playfully, as if he understood his dilemma.

Jung Yeonshin simply nodded slightly and spoke.

"I will listen attentively."

"I would not even call it a teaching, just a minor training method."

Sage Cheon Joo, smiling faintly, gestured into the air.

Swoosh!

A formless wave of energy extended outward. An incredibly sharp surge of internal force grazed past the branches of a tree.

A single branch fell from a pine tree that had been casting a quiet shade over the pond. It was long and thick.

Sage Cheon Joo gently caught it.

"Our sect's leader is a most gentle person. He rarely disciplines his disciples. So, I did it in his stead."

At his words, Yoo Hyun flinched. However, no one paid him any attention.

Jung Yeonshin and Chui So-ok's eyes were fixed on the Sage's hand. The way his fingers brushed over the rugged pine branch was peculiar.

Swish.

With a single light stroke, an array of energy flows radiated outward. Waves of force crisscrossed in every direction.

It was like sunlight refracting into countless colors. The techniques unfolding in the Sage's grasp were numerous.

Yet, the thick branch was evenly trimmed into a straight, narrow form.

Calloused fingers shaped it into the form of a narrow blade. It was an act of mastery.

Sage Cheon Joo, without standing, had crafted a wooden sword.

It took less than three breaths. The bark that had fallen from his fingers had piled up neatly.

"From the first move of our Plum Blossom Sword Art, Plum Blossoms by the Roadside, to the seventh technique, Scattered Plum Blossoms, I stopped midway. I rapidly transitioned internal energy from one stance to the next, chaining my energy control techniques together."

A method to engrain the principles of sword chaining. A secret art, unmistakably a sect's legacy.

Jung Yeonshin's eyes gleamed.

"Will you give it a try?"

"Yes."

Jung Yeonshin nodded readily. His decision came separately from the energy perception in his upper dantian.

A sword technique without a refined sequence, without an essence that permeated all its forms, and thus, without a name—such a sword technique would surely be completed in the Alliance.

"It's fortunate that we have evergreen trees nearby. Pines are steadfast, but when you look closely, they are quite finicky. They are the best for polishing one's skills."

Sage Cheon Joo cut down another branch, thick like a club. As always, the razor-sharp energy wave sliced through the air.

This time, Jung Yeonshin raised it above his head. The rough texture pressed against his palm. It was immensely thick.

"Sharpen a single wooden sword perfectly. That's all. Your sword techniques will naturally unify into a single sequence. That is the true essence of a sword technique. I believe you won't take long."

Listening to Sage Cheon Joo's words, Jung Yeonshin activated his internal energy.

The radiance wheel rotated within his heart, and the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel energy surged straight into the center of his palm.

At the same time, the energy nestled in the Laogong acupoint of his palm stormed like the wind.

It was the first form of his nameless sword technique.

Rip!

The feeling of the bark being sliced away was vivid. However, the moment he gathered the residual energy to transition into the second form, the branch crumbled with a brittle snap.

A small cloud of dust brushed against Jung Yeonshin's hand.

Beside him, Yoo Hyun let out a gasp. His exclamation came in a quiet but astonished voice. So, there is something you can't do!

"Don't laugh."

The boy muttered as if cursing. Even though he had never made close friends his age, the reaction came naturally.

Yoo Hyun's smile vanished without a trace. Opposite them, Chui So-ok exhaled with a hint of laughter.

"Not so easy, is it? Even for you, this will be difficult. The more refined the technique, the more arduous the training."

"Even forming a single edge is difficult."

"Forget about a double-edged sword. Even crafting a single-edged wooden blade is already an impressive feat. Especially with your sword techniques. So, start by aiming for a single edge first."

"I am grateful for your guidance."

As Jung Yeonshin offered a formal martial salute, Sage Cheon Joo pressed his hands together in response. Even if he spoke informally due to their past connection, Jung Yeonshin was still the Radiant Demon Squad Leader.

Regardless of age, the Sage was treating him as an equal to the leaders of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

"It is hardly worthy of being called guidance. However, the hardship you endure will yield great benefits when you succeed. So, train with diligence as a small gesture of gratitude. The role of Desolate Fortress is more critical now than ever. With your level of martial prowess, you could save thousands of people."

Sage Cheon Joo's tone was grave.

And it was not merely referring to the Demonic Faction. The stance of the Murim Alliance was clear.

While the sages of the Nine Great Sects remained passive toward worldly affairs, the Alliance, which was predominantly controlled by noble martial families, sought the overthrow of Desolate Fortress.

Jianghu was supposed to be a world for free masters to roam.

Martial aristocrats were merely clans that gathered and dispersed in such a land.

They clashed with the Demonic Faction and earned their names. When circumstances allowed, they helped the common people and gained fame as heroes.

In places beyond the eyes of the world, they seized wealth through brute force.

They destroyed inns and ancestral shrines at whim, yet spoke of the doctrine of non-interference with the officials, walking above the clouds.

That kind of purity was the ideal world for the great martial families to amass names, power, and fortune.

However, after the expulsion of the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming imperial family had taken over. Local warlords who gained power through martial arts were now seen as a greater taboo than ever.

The razor-sharp blade of Desolate Fortress had forced Jianghu into silence. The order of civilian life had become the utmost priority.

The martial sects were being suppressed. Naturally, dissatisfaction had built up. The annihilation of the Hwangbo Clan and the near-extinction of the Namgoong lineage had caused massive ripples.

To the extent that martial aristocrats would no longer hesitate to resort to any means for their own benefit.

Jung Yeonshin only fully realized the weight of these circumstances after seeing off the esteemed guests of the Nine Great Sects.

It was immediately after he had succeeded in crafting a single-edged wooden sword on his second attempt.

"A wooden saber, really…?"

Before the pale-faced young Taoist's expression could even settle in his mind, the young Radiant Demon Squad Leader ushered Zhuge Qing-ya through the main gates.

He had told her to come humbly after the Opening Tournament had ended. This visit had been planned.

With the uproar over the fall of First Fist of Eun Clan to the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, a refined young clan leader and a tense girl now stood facing each other by the pond.

Brown, rust-colored pine needles scattered with the dry wind.

Beneath the exceptionally vivid blue sky, Jung Yeonshin, gripping the wooden sword in one hand, asked directly,

"Speak."

At the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's indifferent gaze, Zhuge Qing-ya trembled.

Was it because she had seen his duel with Eun Hwaryun? The lips that were usually pressed tight now seemed slightly dry.

Slowly, she parted them.

"If you listen to me, you will have to break through a large number of opponents in a short time. Renowned elite warriors…"

"Speak."

Suddenly, a dull ache throbbed in his knees, and Jung Yeonshin furrowed his brow.

It used to hurt mostly at night, but now it was happening in the daytime too. The familiar pain brought irritation.

Again, he'll have to switch his training method.