CHAPTER 315

The young men of the Yoo Clan, who had been scolded by Shin So-bin, frowned.

"Radiant Demon Squad? Lies!"

"Why would they come here from a place like Desolate Fortress?"

Shin So-bin's round eyes narrowed slightly.

"You guys, are you really from the Slaughter Sect? You need to be better at gathering intelligence than martial arts if you want to survive. Do you think the harsh world of Murim is a joke?"

"Enough."

The Yoo Clan's leader silenced the children and took a step back, his expression turning grave.

"Did you say, Radiant Demon Squad?"

His light green silk robe was swept by the dust. The heat radiating from the folded hem, which reached down to his feet, was intense.

It was Blazing Solar Energy, a power so formidable that even highly skilled masters struggled to wield it. Considering how difficult it was for a human body to refine such a distinctive energy, it was easy to guess the opponent's identity.

"The arrogant scion of the Hwangbo Clan, reduced to the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's lackey… so the rumors weren't baseless after all?"

"That old man is crossing the line."

Lazy Flame Dragon smirked, tilting his head slightly.

His gaze swept over the sprawled elder of the Slaughter Sect.

The blow he had just delivered wasn't even a formal technique. He had simply struck out in anger with full force.

And yet, his energy had responded. The Blazing Solar Energy coursing through his body had immediately reacted to his fury, pulling the elder toward death.

As if the Solar Divine Meridian itself was telling him that was the proper way to use it.

Energy follows essence. Lazy Flame Dragon murmured inwardly.

Come to think of it, he hadn't caused much destruction since joining the Radiant Demon Squad.

Back at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, when he had beaten up that brat known as the Hidden Dragon of Mount Hua, he had wielded his energy without restraint.

'I heard the Seventh Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult is younger than me.'

And yet, she had already reached the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown stage.

There were few with whom he could have serious discussions about martial arts, aside from Jung Yeonshin.

At best, Lazy Flame Dragon himself, the unsettling Chung Myung, and the overtly cold Baek Miryeo.

He had heard the squad leader mutter about the Dormant Essence Refinement technique a few times. At the time, he had held back laughter, but now, he found himself considering it as a serious topic.

Not bad. Since he was already on this path, there were few ways left to tease the younger squad leader.

The kid's standards were ridiculously high.

'The detestable Hwangbo lineage is all but wiped out, so the Radiant Demon Squad is my crossing point over the River of Three Crossings, huh?'

The casual strike he had just thrown made him realize that fact all over again.

Just as when the Slaughter Sect elder had dared to speak of lineage in front of the Radiant Demon Squad, just as when that naive Hidden Dragon of Mount Hua had tried to lecture him about the nature of the Solar Divine Meridian—both times, similar bursts of decay had surged forth.

At this point, the Radiant Demon Squad was as much a sect as any other. Lazy Flame Dragon acknowledged that fact with a clean acceptance.

'Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. Perfect.'

If the rumors from the Zhuge Clan and Lotus Nezha were true, then even the squad leader had developed an impressive technique.

It was unfair that even a grandmaster, born with extraordinary talent, struggled to reach the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown stage.

But if Lazy Flame Dragon himself could truly unify his essence, energy, and spirit, then Jung Yeonshin's reaction would be worth seeing.

The young squad leader's presence had driven him to train more deeply. Originally, he had just drifted through life, making the transformation all the more significant.

If he refined his body a little further here, if he tempered his mind into a poppy flower's serenity…?

Could he succeed?

As the corners of his lips curled up slightly—

"Mind your conduct."

The Yoo Clan's leader stepped forward with a displeased expression.

"Our clan is indeed a branch of the Slaughter Sect, as you have found out. This esteemed elder, Jin Hyungwon, has guarded the main sect for over seventy years. Attacking him so suddenly is not the way to seek something from us. If you truly wish for something, I will allow the direct lineage of the Kim Clan to face your test."

Shin So-bin tilted her head sideways with a cynical smirk.

"Weren't you trying to avoid getting involved with the Slaughter Sect? And now you care about appearances."

At that moment.

"Blasphemy… You wretched fools dare to speak such blasphemy!"

A hoarse cry erupted. From Lazy Flame Dragon's feet, a cloud of dust billowed up.

They had said this old man had trained for decades in the Slaughter Sect guarding the Heavenly Demon Tomb, and indeed, he had not fainted from a single strike.

"How dare you! How dare you!"

The elder of the Slaughter Sect suddenly shot upright like a reanimated corpse.

It was a peculiar movement, rising perfectly vertical as if his feet were glued to the ground. The deep imprint of an assassin's martial arts was evident.

Just as the old man, shaking with rage, reached for his sword—

With a whisper of fluttering fabric, the Chivalrous Slayer casually slung an arm around his shoulder.

"Smiling Sword Elder. I understand your concerns about our lineage…"

His voice, tinged with laughter, carried an eerie chill.

"But to ignore my stance so completely—doesn't that, too, cut at the dignity of our absent sect leader? The position has been vacant for over a decade."

"…Sect Leader."

The elder could not act recklessly. His wrinkled face stiffened, and he kept his mouth shut.

Chivalrous Slayer chuckled.

"Go ahead and issue your test, Yoo Clan's leader. Our Seon-hwi will answer it all. No matter what sort of nonsense people spout, he is the only remaining direct descendant of our main sect. The pillar of the Slaughter Sect."

The Yoo Clan's leader could not respond.

He had already witnessed the undeniable martial prowess of Lazy Flame Dragon, who now acted entirely as a member of the Radiant Demon Squad.

And Chivalrous Slayer, Kim Jon-hwi, was another serious problem.

There was nothing else to be done. The only option was to guide them to the clan's training grounds.

They requested a duel, and after enduring fifty moves against Heon Wonchang, they admitted defeat, acknowledging that he was qualified to guard the Guardian's Secret Arts.

"If you gave the mnemonic verse incorrectly, and if the Wonchang's tongue is tainted by Energy Deviation because of it…"

Lazy Flame Dragon smiled as he issued the warning.

"Lotus Nezha will come here."

"…We are not so destitute as that. Just leave already."

Thus, the journey of the Radiant Demon Squad, Chivalrous Slayer, and the unwelcome elder of the Slaughter Sect continued.

Yoo Clan.

Chosen Mist Sect.

Gubo Mountain Manor.

They broke through each checkpoint one by one, tracing a large circle around Taiyuan.

In the end, they had to return to Taiyuan to gain the recognition of the elders, in order to obtain the last mnemonic verse preserved in the main sect of Taiyuan.

And so, as soon as they completed the tour and entered Taiyuan—

"Hm? This doesn't look like the usual street."

Unlike his usual easy going manner, Lazy Flame Dragon spoke with unusual gravity.

The entire street was lined with nothing but extremely skilled swordsmen, numbering at least a hundred and twenty.

As soon as they stepped in, every individual turned toward them, their eyes flickering with traces of sword energy.

It was the Heaven-Spanning Net of the Murong Clan.

Their group had walked into a forest made of swords.

* * *

Three martial artists, a young Taoist, and an aristocratic monk.

Wherever the five of them went, they attracted attention. Not only were they all striking in appearance, but the energy surrounding them was anything but ordinary.

Some martial artists, upon noticing the plum blossom embroidery on Yoo Hyun's robe, flinched and hurriedly avoided them.

Each time it happened, Yoo Hyun clicked his tongue. He muttered that they were undoubtedly part of the Demonic Faction.

Swoosh—

Even now, in this rain that fell like a cascade of glass beads, the same pattern repeated. In the lawless world of Murim, the reason Sensory Martial Arts had developed was to allow warriors to recognize their opponents.

"It just keeps pouring."

There was irritation and frustration in Gun Yurin's voice.

Although she had been greatly pleased to bring Lotus Nezha into their group, she had spent the entire journey wary of Shaolin's Four Great Diamonds, her mental strength wearing thin.

She had made no effort to hide her distrust toward Tian Po, watching him with sleepless eyes for days.

Naturally, the one-armed scholar, Tian Po, was uneasy.

Holding a bamboo umbrella covered in oiled paper over his master's head while standing in the rain himself, he looked utterly pitiful.

"My lady, please… If the leader finds out, my head will roll. This humble Tian Po will get you the finest meat, so please, let go of your resentment—"

"Shut it. What kind of master accepts anything from a beef-thieving rat that tarnishes their honor? I'd rather fill my belly with the wine given by my beautiful guest. Their face is a delicacy, so even if it's poisoned, it'd taste divine."

"Men are not acceptable! It will hinder the grand cause—!"

"Then go fetch me a stunning young lady!"

The rain drizzled delicately over the entire Taiyuan region.

The white expanse of the snow-covered plains slowly blurred. This rain was neither the last of winter nor the first of spring—it was something in between.

The winter that had begun last year was drawing to a quiet close in the sound of falling rain.

In the near distance, a village of considerable size came into view.

"Why is the town so empty? Feels like we've walked into a village that needs an exorcism."

Yoo Hyun, walking alongside Jung Yeonshin, muttered under his breath.

Jung Yeonshin, who had been half-closing his eyes in meditation on Sword Projection and Protective Energy, slightly lifted his gaze.

"Does Mount Hua Sect practice sorcery-based martial arts?"

"It's a Taoist sect, so of course. There are several Taoist temples built in Mount Hua. It's just that since spell-based martial arts aren't as mainstream as sword techniques, they're less known."

"What's their proficiency?"

"If I scribble a few characters on Pagoda Tree Yellow Paper, I can earn my meal…? I mean, I'm amazing at writing 'Swift as the Law Commands'. Just writing that much is enough to make it look like a real talisman."

"…What?"

"I'm telling you, my calligraphy is phenomenal. Ever heard of Dragon-Serpent Soaring Script?"

"Don't go around scamming people."

"I'm telling you, it actually works. If I say I'm Mount Hua's Hidden Dragon, nobody will think I'm some shady con artist."

Just then—

"Amitabha."

Step.

The Shaolin monk's footsteps were heavy.

A long-eared monk stepped in between the two.

As a high monk known as the Embodiment of Martial Arts, he moved with an ease that suggested his body had long mastered Immovable Diamond Steps.

The way he naturally nudged Yoo Hyun aside with his back was seamless.

"The Immortal Energy Martial Arts of Mount Hua Sect are an exceptionally rare and advanced study. However, if this young master personally presses ink to paper with the power of Buddhist law, then… what we will see is a Talisman of Demon Subjugation. Its efficacy, in proportion to the effort spent, will be extraordinarily high."

"I appreciate the monk's guidance. Are you suggesting that I have the ability to create sacred relics?"

As Yoo Hyun, startled, pulled his body back, Jung Yeonshin raised one hand respectfully and asked. It was a Shaolin etiquette he was familiar with as someone from Henan Province.

Heh.

The corners of Shaolin's Four Great Diamond lips stretched wide as they caught a glimpse of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's half-raised palm.

"Indeed. The ghosts and heretical demon cultivators that swarmed the founding era would shy away from it. The wisdom of the common people spans vast lands, and their words were right when they said the Prince Nezha of Shaanxi had manifested."

The way Wonjeok treated the owner of sacred power was remarkably unique.

Even Yoo Hyun, a disciple of Mount Hua Sect, grumbled as he instinctively distanced himself for a moment. Has he mastered the Bone Shrinking Technique or something?

Even though the Nine Great Sects had a strict hierarchy, figures like Mount Hua's Head Disciple and Shaolin's Four Diamond were not bound by formalities in private settings.

They simply acted as they pleased.

It was for this reason that Wonjeok, a master of profound age and rank, as a monk, addressed Jung Yeonshin with such deference.

"The divine nature within your sacred arts…"

As the group entered the quiet village, Wonjeok continued speaking slowly.

"…is among the most extraordinary of all mystical abilities known under heaven. Most arts merely serve to elevate one's internal energy, but sacred power allows for much more. You, who have earned the epithet Nezha, have surely gained great benefits through martial strength… but if I may humbly speculate, you may also be capable of other feats. Creating sacred relics, rarely seen in Murim, may be one of them."

"How…?"

"Obtain a sheet of Pagoda Tree Yellow Paper and keep it close, day and night. If you occasionally run your hand over it, your spiritual essence will gradually seep into it. Someday, you will find a use for it. You may even develop a rare ability."

"Is it really that simple?"

"It is difficult to call anything involving sacred power simple. Even now, I cannot fathom what kind of perception led to its creation."

The wrinkles at the corners of Wonjeok's smiling lips carried the weight of years.

Although he appeared, at a glance, to be a young monk with a freshly shaven head, there was an undeniable sense of weariness and experience about him.

Jung Yeonshin turned his head.

And he stopped walking.

He followed Gun Yurin, who had come to a sudden halt.

A massive boulder was situated by the roadside. It seemed to be a long-standing part of the village's modest history, now standing in the midst of a silent, lifeless town.

Atop it sat a man, resting casually with one knee drawn up to his chest.

He wore a white cloak, now stained in places with grime. Long, unkempt hair dripped with rainwater, the droplets falling steadily from the strands.

One of his hands, supporting his weight, lay sprawled across the rock's surface. Beside it, a sword hilt lay abandoned.

"This village is dead." 

The man said.

[T/L: Please support me AND read further chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans.]

[Additional Info: If anyone is facing the issue of payment on Ko-Fi, please contact me on revengerscans1@gmail.com]