CHAPTER 209

Jung Yeonshin clearly saw the words forming on the lips of the Blood Preservation Squad's leader. For a moment, he doubted his own eyes.

He was someone who filled a prestigious seat at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall. There was no way he would voluntarily lower his dignity.

'It must just be a bad day.'

That's what he decided to believe. A master of such caliber, someone at the level of a black-rank, could very well have a peculiar temperament.

In the distance, he saw Ak Surim waving and Xiahou Wei-Jin merely nodding. Suddenly, it all made sense.

He turned his gaze forward once more.

The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader did not dodge the blood-filled sneeze of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader.

Jung Yeonshin had been ready to support her in case she lost balance, but Cheon So-so maintained her dignity.

With her back straight, she silently gazed into Jung Yeonshin's eyes. The sunlight glimmered transparently within her blue eyes.

"…Let go." 

She said.

Both knew the match had been decided. Cheon So-so's internal organs had likely sustained significant damage.

If the Radiant Demon Squad's leader hadn't retracted the power of the Radiant River when the tenth layer of her Heavenly Ice Shield shattered, a major disaster could have occurred.

Just the residual shock from his palm brushing her abdomen had made her cough up blood.

It was a truly elegant palm technique. The rumor that it had been devised by the Lightning Genius seemed all the more shocking.

Among palm techniques, it could very well compete for the title of the greatest under the heavens.

'...Along with the Five Heavenly Palm Arts.'

Cheon So-so's mind flickered like a ray of light, listing five names.

The peerless palm technique of the Wudang Sect, the Ten Stage Brocade.

Shaolin's famed Buddha's Thousand-Hands Palm Technique.

The Tyrant Sword Tribe's Supreme Monarch Palm.

The Dark Heaven Hand Wall Form, created by the leader of the Ming Cult just before its downfall.

And even the Moonlight Piercing Art, renowned in the mystical sects of the Ming clans.

The years accumulated within the Radiant River didn't compare to those techniques, yet it had managed to defeat Cheon So-so, a black-rank master.

If the Radiant River were to encounter any of the Five Heavenly Palm Arts, countless martial artists would be eager to see the outcome.

If the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, clad in a black robe and still in his youth, aimed for the purple rank, confrontations would be inevitable.

'Ridiculous.'

Cheon So-so shook her head internally.

For now, she had to yield her blue-rank experts from the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad.

Determining the world's greatest palm technique was for martial arts enthusiasts to obsess over, not something she could concern herself with now.

'Three blue-rank experts… I didn't come here expecting defeat.'

Her gaze darkened.

Today, she felt as though she were the most unfortunate person in Desolate Fortress. The anticipated losses struck deeply, and resentment toward her subordinates surfaced.

The Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's Heavenly Star Palm Technique wasn't particularly lacking, so why had they gone after the Lightning Genius' lineage?

Meanwhile, Jung Yeonshin slowly released his grip on Cheon So-so's wrist. His thumb brushed lightly against her tendon.

It was a bundle of muscle known as the palmaris longus. Due to her internal cold energy, it was icy to the touch, sparking curiosity.

Was her martial art capable of protecting her body from within? If not, her body should have struggled to handle her ice-based techniques.

Under normal circumstances, grabbing the wrist of a black-rank expert was unthinkable.

It was against the etiquette of the martial world. The pulse meridians were sacred, said to be something not even clan members could touch.

Masters with sharp perception could analyze their opponent's entire body through their wrist, even disrupting the flow of internal energy, which is why it was taboo.

Jung Yeonshin, unintentionally, detected part of Cheon So-so's energy circulation path. He hadn't meant to observe it, her racing pulse during their match had revealed it.

'Ice-based martial arts...'

The Lazy Flame Dragon came to mind.

It was a deadly meridian condition known as the Solar Divine Meridian. The body couldn't handle the infinite flow of yang energy, leading to an early death.

While impurities in the blood vessels and meridians would be burned away, granting extraordinary martial talent, it came with the constant struggle against searing pain.

That bastard, a former young lord of the Hwangbo Clan, had enjoyed all manner of indulgences.

The Hwangbo Clan was a powerful aristocratic family.

In the regions below Beijing, they often lived like royalty. Their wide-ranging experiences reflected this.

They wouldn't have overlooked the principle of water overcoming fire.

They likely tried teaching him yin-based martial arts to counteract his condition.

The clan must have gathered many formidable arts of yin-based energy.

'It probably wasn't enough. No amount of acquired training could overcome his congenital condition.'

Jung Yeonshin thought to himself. Could there be anything he could do about it?

He had often pondered this. Sitting on the Lazy Flame Dragon's grave while chewing poppy seeds seemed one option, but he figured it would be better to live well and die of alcohol poisoning instead.

Just moments ago, he had experienced Cheon So-so's ice-based martial arts. Soon, he would help Ma Yeonjeok absorb the Grand Revitalization Pill.

Experience was said to expand with time. Perhaps, one day, he would find an answer by observing countless bodies and energies.

Jung Yeonshin was organizing his thoughts when—

"Look at me." 

Cheon So-so said calmly.

"You shouldn't disregard a defeated opponent like that. It could be taken as an insult."

"An insult?"

Jung Yeonshin didn't bother hiding his surprise. For a moment, as he had been lost in thought, he found something to learn from the martial artist Cheon So-so.

Although Jung Clan Movement Arts had an advantage against yin-based martial arts, even in a rematch, Cheon So-so's indomitable spirit wouldn't be easily broken.

"I've learned from your spirit. As a junior, I'm in awe."

He spoke with measured sincerity.

To eventually become the leader of the Divine Sword Squad, he needed widespread recognition.

Today, no matter the result, he intended to create a positive narrative.

For instance, senior and junior masters admiring each other's martial arts and spirit.

Such a display of bonding through martial arts would leave a good impression on everyone. He had also prepared polite words, just as he had for the scribes of the General Affairs Bureau.

'I didn't need to. Senior Cheon is a true martial artist.'

Admiration and curiosity stirred deep within him, showing on his face.

The Radiant River was a martial art with extreme tendencies, prone to many flaws.

He hadn't expected a black-rank expert to withstand its second strike. Her spirit was truly remarkable.

'Had I not held back, I would have been struck during her counterattack.'

It was a fearsome defensive aura. The tingling rebound traveling up his wrist told him as much.

Channeling the Radiant River's second strike into the inner Neiguan acupoint was no easy feat. It required enduring immense strain from within the body.

It was an idea he had developed after hearing about Cheon So-so's Heavenly Ice Shield from Chung Myung.

Even though the Jung Clan Movement Arts had refined his acupoints, the burden was significant. Using such an attack more than twice in one battle would be difficult.

"..."

Cheon So-so pressed her lips together, momentarily lost in thought as she gazed at Jung Yeonshin.

She couldn't quite grasp the intent behind his admiration.

To praise her spirit, was he mocking her?

As a squad leader, she had placed too much faith in her defensive aura and taken the hit directly. The outcome made her susceptible to ridicule.

That's why the genuine expression on the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's face confused her.

'This boy's nature is both pure and peculiar. It suits his outstanding talents.'

She thought to herself. He would certainly be a formidable adversary to Desolate Fortress' enemies.

A strange warmth rose from the Yin Crossing Meridian in her aching abdomen.

She had diligently maintained her discipline as a member of her clan, but the feeling was unfamiliar.

Was it irritation or anger? She couldn't tell.

Cheon So-so worked to maintain an indifferent expression.

Looking down slightly, she saw that the fabric around her abdomen was completely crumpled. It was the mark of the Radiant River.

The explosive force had created whirlpools like those of the Limit Releasing Technique. If the power hadn't been withdrawn, the fabric might have been torn to shreds. It was a sight that demanded respect.

Slowly, she parted her lips.

"…Hong Hye-sword Do Yun-myeong, Moon Bow Demon Wei Ye-ryeong, and Heroic Blade Jeong Jun."

Cheon So-so spoke softly.

"Their epithets have all been officially recognized by the General Affairs Bureau. They're all blue-rank experts. They've each mastered the Radiance Sword Style, Splendid Wings Step, and Limit Releasing Technique. I'll handle the paperwork with the General Affairs Bureau and send them your way."

"Yes, thank you." 

Jung Yeonshin replied plainly.

Cheon So-so closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

"…The three of them are mixed-blood members of the Ming clans. They're all upright and exceptionally talented, so please treat them well. It's not my place to say anymore, but…"

"Yes."

"You don't need to force their training. Just impart a bit of guidance, and they will grow endlessly. They are all highly experienced. They'll be especially useful when facing the Thirteen Celestial Demons, given the martial arts they've mastered."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Jung Yeonshin, responding briefly, raised his fist in a respectful gesture. He tightened his arms to hide the fatigue.

His right hand, which had just unleashed the Radiant River, throbbed with a stinging pain. Even though the exchange had been brief, it left this much of an impact.

Was it because his opponent was a squad leader of equal rank? The strategy of keeping the fight short seemed to have put more strain on his body.

"I talked too much."

Cheon So-so returned the fist gesture.

"..."

Even then, the area around the duel stage remained silent. The crowd was engulfed in a heavy silence, and no one dared speak.

It had only been two exchanges.

Some spectators had placed bets on the outcome.

However, none had wagered their silver on such a brief exchange.

A short-term battle between evenly matched opponents was said to transcend the level of martial skill, yet the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's combat style, accompanied by his profound techniques—produced an outcome that defied conventional expectations.

Even masters who had witnessed multiple promotions under the Lightning Genius remained quiet.

Only after a while did murmurs begin spreading among the crowd.

"...It's becoming hard to consider the Radiant Demon Squad weak. The squad leader is already this formidable. I had only seen him as a promising new black-rank, but the speed of his growth is beyond comprehension."

"They may clash with the Profound Martial Alliance during group missions. Has the Lightning Genius Squad Leader ever failed a mission before? I sense some extraordinary events coming."

"There was one time, the capture of the Seventh Apostle. She was a peak-level expert of the Blood Flame Cult."

"But back then, they were under the former Radiant Demon Squad's leader. That failure can't be pinned on him."

The duel had taken place under the mantle of the Lightning Genius. It had drawn even more attention than today's crowd.

Could the Radiant Demon Squad restore its former glory?

At one point, it had been considered the strongest combat unit outside of the Divine Sword Squad.

Desolate Fortress' combat units operated like small independent sects. What the new squad leader accomplished was of the utmost interest to all.

"See you at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall."

Leaving those brief words, Cheon So-so turned and walked away.

Swish.

Her departing footsteps were different from those during the duel.

The light, leaf-like grace of her steps now carried a certain heaviness. Her mind seemed troubled.

The handover of three blue-rank experts was no small matter.

For Jung Yeonshin, it brought immense relief, though even the word "relief" felt inadequate.

The feeling that filled his heart resembled satisfaction, almost as if it were expanding into a radiant wheel within his chest.

Three treasured swords had entered his hands.

It was a feeling more fulfilling than when he had created a new martial art. He was now one step closer to the purple rank.

The day was approaching when he would lead twenty-four blue-rank experts and race across the martial world. Jung Yeonshin wanted to give the Radiant Demon Squad the moniker "Invincible", carrying the legacy left by his uncle.

'I need to recompile the Radiant Demon Arts, tying together all the martial principles of the Lightning Genius' lineage.'

Relaxing his fist gesture, Jung Yeonshin began searching for his next opponent.

The murmuring spectators no longer held his attention.

His priority was to find the Blood Preservation Squad's leader. As a squad leader, he couldn't call out multiple senior members at once.

He didn't want to appear too arrogant. The only name posted on the duel board had been Cheon So-so's. He needed to designate the next target.

Then, a flicker of confusion crossed Jung Yeonshin's face.

'Where did he go?'

Blood Preservation Squad's leader Jin Myeongjo had disappeared.

Did something urgent come up?

Even when he heightened his senses to scan the surroundings, he couldn't detect any trace of energy waves.

It was as if he had vanished without a trace, using a stealth technique. Even though two squad leaders had been in the same place, Jin Myeongjo had disappeared without a sound. His martial prowess was astonishing.

'I need to reinforce the connection between the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel and the Demon-Slaying Azure Palm. If I fine-tune the mnemonic verse, I could speed up their execution.'

Jung Yeonshin decided to head toward the Desolate Ma Clan.

A major task awaited him upon his return.

Thanks to the Jung Clan Movement Arts, he needed to help his maternal grandfather absorb the Grand Revitalization Pill.

* * *

Xian, Shaanxi Province.

The rays of sunlight stretched into the alleyways, even as autumn reached its end. Despite the bright sunlight, the streets were cold enough to prick the skin.

A woman with ash-gray short hair stood with her arms crossed, looking down at a kneeling disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.

"I could kill you."

The woman, with a divine sword at her waist, parted her lips.

"Or perhaps, I should become the child's protector."

A hint of shame crept into her furrowed brow. The untouched divine sword at her waist seemed ready to unleash hundreds of sword beams at any moment.

Her surging emotions had reached a state of resonance with her blade.

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