Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Insight (2)

She soon had a dazed expression on her face, a look unimaginable from her usual demeanor. Baek Mir-yeo, renowned both inside and outside the Desolate Fortress as a bold and cold swordswoman, now looked bewildered.

“Internal force. The Inner Family Heavy Unarmed Arts.”

She didn’t get angry right away. Instead, she stroked her lips with her long fingers, silently lost in thought.

“It’s hard to accept. If a master focused on internal energy, the Inner Family Heavy Unarmed Arts would be a basic technique. Do you take me for a fool who doesn’t understand her own qi?”

‘No, but it seems like you are.’

Yeon-shin couldn’t voice his thoughts this time.

In his view, Mir-yeo’s qi method was subtle, and her qi mobilization speed was faster than that of other seniors, but it was meaningless if she didn’t realize it herself.

He didn’t feel the need to continue the conversation.

“I apologize. I shouldn’t have disturbed you with unnecessary words.”

They weren’t close enough for him to insist on his advice at the cost of offending her.

However, his overly bland attitude seemed to provoke Baek Mir-yeo. Her smooth forehead creased.

An experienced master in the martial world would also excel in psychological battles.

Realizing that his inner thoughts had been read through her change in attitude, Yeon-shin slowly spoke.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“…Yes. I’m sorry. And thank you.”

Turning away from her, he headed back to the Small Training Hall. If she didn’t accept it, that was enough.

Given her apology and gratitude, it didn’t seem likely, but if she held a grudge for no reason, she would be no different from the brothers of the Jeong family.

There was no need to waste energy on such a person.

Since entering the Desolate Fortress, his martial arts had been improving day by day, he was just waiting for a chance to prove himself.

‘I’ll start training the combination of the Charged Strike.’

Yeon-shin completely pushed thoughts of Baek Mir-yeo out of his mind.

“Master.”

“Speak.”

“Did you ever mention my martial arts origins to Lightning Flash?”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Do you think that makes any sense?”

At the Demon Wings Hall, with the surrounding energy forming a barrier to block the sound, Ma Jin frowned.

Mir-yeo, sitting across from him, had a serious expression.

“If not, then how…?”

“It seems you misunderstand what happened.”

Seeing her murmur, Ma Jin opened his mouth.

“He must have seen through the martial arts you’ve been modifying. Lightning Flash is special. Even in the vast martial world, it’s hard to find such talent… But there are such figures in the world. The Ming clan, the Iron clan, the absolute masters who claim to be the strongest in the world. Lightning Flash possesses inexplicable talent like them.”

“……”

“Do you think practicing the lost Heavenly Demon Divine Art is a reason to avoid Lightning Flash? He is Undoubtedly the future of the Desolate Fortress. I don’t know what others who haven’t seen him think, but there’s no reason to dismiss his words as the advice of a novice. Such talent is unheard of.”

“I understand that too.”

“If there’s anything to be concerned about, it’s his nature. Fortunately, a small mission has come up. It’s something two Blue Uniforms can handle alone, so having two Blue Uniforms and two White Uniforms from the martial world isn’t a bad idea. Watch how Lightning Flash crosses life-and-death situations with his companions. See if he’s trustworthy.”

“If his nature is good, should I even discuss the Heavenly Demon Divine Art with him?”

“Your self-study has its limits. I don’t have the luxury of time. If it’s just about refining the Divine Art, it’s right to seek Lightning Flash’s help. He’s fundamentally different. He adapts everything to fit himself. He has the potential to become a grandmaster.”

“A grandmaster…!”

Her eyes widened. Ma Jin continued speaking calmly.

“You don’t need to worry about your legitimacy. Lightning Flash will develop his own unique martial path. You can see it from how he mastered the Demon Wings Formation. I’ve never seen anyone practice it like that.”

“It is indeed astonishing.”

“Astonishing? That doesn’t begin to describe his talent. He even enjoys martial arts.”

“Hmm…!”

Baek Mir-yeo sighed deeply. Ma Jin declared firmly.

“Within five years, Lightning Flash will become the leader of Demon Wings. Go and observe the nature of your future superior.”

* * *

The next day.

Yeon-shin, along with Hyeon Won-chang, were summoned to the Great Training Hall.

There were only three people in the spacious area. Baek Mir-yeo, Cheong Myeong, and Ma Jin, whom he had started to feel a bit awkward around.

“It’s a mission.”

Ma Jin’s blunt words made Hyeon Won-chang’s body tremble with excitement.

“Finally, we’re going into the martial world…!”

“Don’t get too excited. You might die out there.”

“Oh, yes!”

“Baek Mir-yeo, Cheong Myeong, Yeon-shin, and Hyeon Won-chang. The four of you will go. It’s related to the Blood Flame Sect. Prepare yourselves to leave the Desolate Fortress.”

Ma Jin said. At the mention of the Blood Flame Sect, Yeon-shin’s eyes darkened.

A burning manor, blood dripping from the doorsteps, red clothes, and red hair…

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Are you saying that for a matter involving the Thirteen Heavens, we’re sending two Blue Uniforms and two White Uniforms?”

“You should hear the background. Strictly speaking, it’s not the main branch of the Blood Flame Sect. We don’t even know where that is.”

Ma Jin’s explanation wasn’t long.

“You’re aware that the famine isn’t just a problem in Ho-gwang, right?”

The Jeong family’s Shinya was relatively well off, but the broader region of Namyang was different.

He had heard that arable land was dwindling across the entire Hanam Province.

According to Ma Jin, the situation was similar in Shaanxi Province.

“A few years ago, during a poor harvest, starving villagers raided a local lord’s manor. They didn’t just take food. The household was driven out violently. Recently, it seems the lord’s eldest son returned, with red hair and dressed in bright red.”

“He pledged allegiance to the Blood Flame Sect…!”

Hyeon Won-chang muttered in disbelief.

The Blood Flame Sect was particularly notorious among the Thirteen Heavens of the Demonic Sect.

There were many rumors, but the one widely accepted was that they produced warriors through the power of blood, which bordered on both magic and martial arts.

“Like other demonic arts, it seems the eldest son of that manor quickly mastered the blood arts of the Blood Flame Sect. He settled in the village, periodically slaughtering livestock and destroying crops.”

“Destroying crops?”

Cheong Myeong, wearing a hood, murmured. Yeon-shin remembered that he was from the Ming clan.

“Does he only target livestock and crops?”

“Yes. He uproots all potential crops and kills all the livestock… Before waiting for them to grow before doing it again.”

“Sounds like he’s not right in the head. Not like any Blood Flame Sect member I know.”

Won-chang said, his eyes wide with surprise. It was as if he had never heard of such a thing before.

” …You’ve never heard of a lunatic before? Are you serious?”

At Ma Jin’s question, Won-chang immediately looked embarrassed. Baek Mir-yeo looked at him with a pitiful expression.

Ma Jin spoke again.

“It’s in Zhenping County, southern Shaanxi. Normally, the Shaanxi branch would handle it, but recently, a case involving the theft of elixirs from the Mount Hua Sect has escalated to involve the entire martial world in Shaanxi. They’re short on resources and have asked our main sect for help.”

“The Mount Hua Sect had elixirs stolen? Are you referring to the Grand Violet Pill, said to be comparable to the Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pills?”

Hyeon Won-chang asked with wide eyes.

“That’s why it’s causing such an uproar. That case might also come to our main sect soon. For now, focus on the immediate mission.”

“Yes!”

He answered energetically.

Various matters from the martial world were flowing in.

Even Yeon-shin, who usually remained calm, was now acutely aware that he would soon be directly involved in the martial world, so it was easy to guess how Hyeon Won-chang felt.

Ma Jin seemed concerned about this aspect as well.

The zeal of youth entering the martial world for the first time, combined with martial skills and a sense of belonging to the Desolate Fortress, could lead to anything.

“Cheong Myeong, Baek Mir-yeo, make sure to take care of the White Uniforms. Ensure they return safely.”

“Yes.”

“I will do my best.”

Mir-yeo’s indifferent expression contrasted with Cheong Myeong’s smiling face.

Yeon-shin quietly grasped his sword, thinking of the Blood Flame Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect’s slaughterers.

He still didn’t know why they had attacked the Jeong family.

But now it didn’t matter. The annihilation had already occurred, and even the estranged members of the Jeong family now harbored a sword in their hearts.

He would kill them if he encountered them.

‘I sincerely hope your necks are clean…’

He stroked his sword.

The four of them quickly left Yangyang, heading northwest at a fast pace.

It was a grueling march that silenced even Won-chang, who seemed eager to experience the martial world.

They said this was always the case with missions from the Desolate Fortress.

They had free access to relay stations across the Central Plains and could ride horses for extended periods using the power of qi. Sёarch* The NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

There was no leisure.

However, there was no relay station route from Ho-gwang to Shaanxi, so they had to conserve the horses’ strength.

They reached Zhenping County from Yangyang in ten days.

“Huff…”

As the local magistrate welcomed them, Hyeon Won-chang dismounted weakly.

He seemed more mentally exhausted than physically. Mir-yeo clicked her tongue.

“You can’t imagine what it’s like when martial artists use the relay station routes.”

“…!”

Yeon-shin glanced at Hyeon Won-chang, whose face had turned pale, then turned his attention to the magistrate.

‘Doesn’t seem like he’s starving.’

The magistrate’s round face didn’t look undernourished, only lacking in luster.

However, his expression, looking at them, was a mix of relief and annoyance.

“I sent the message long ago, and you’re only arriving now? How frustrating!”

“…?”

“Now that you’re here, get down quickly! I thought I’d give you respect as swordsmen of the Great Ming Empire, but you took your sweet time! Can you even catch that person? With just the four of you?”

“What’s this about?”

Yeon-shin asked Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo.

Their familiar expressions showed indifference.

Tapping the back of his hood, Cheongmyeong slowly spoke.

“There are ignorant officials among the magistrates. These guys think the Desolate Fortress is their broom… But they only act like this once, during their first time. There are many counties in the Central Plains, and many have never seen a real martial artist.”

“What… What’s this?! You insolent brat! How dare you speak like that!”

“Can I use the mute acupoint?”

“Yes. Let’s get this over with quickly.”

“What nonsense…!”

Before Cheong Myeong finished speaking, the magistrate’s voice was cut off.

Yeon-shin’s hand, filled with qi, pressed the point between his spine and skull.

Being taller than the magistrate, Yeon-shin looked down at him indifferently.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

Sweat formed on the magistrate’s forehead. He turned away, trembling.

Cheong Myeong and Mir-yeo looked at him with satisfied expressions. He suddenly felt embarrassed.

“Lord Jeong, do you also practice acupoint techniques? Amazing.”

Won-chang exclaimed.

Acupoint techniques involved precise stimulation of a person’s acupoints with a qi-filled hand.

Not all martial artists could perform these techniques, but for Yeon-shin, who had mastered the Jeong Family Dynamic Training art and understood the human body thoroughly, it was a natural study.

“I’ve thought about it for a while, but it’s becoming harder to call you Lord. From now on, I’ll call you Young Hero. Young Hero Jeong!”

“Call me whatever you want, Desolate Hero.”

Even a light joke made Desolate Hero’s lips curl into a wide smile.

As they tied their horses in the government office’s stable and went down, Cheongmyeong draped an arm around Yeon-shin’s shoulder.

“Do you know the saying, ‘The government is untouchable’? We’re actually freer than other martial artists when it comes to the government. The imperial family allows it. We can suppress idiots who think we’re shackled. That’s the kind of sect the Desolate Fort is.”

“A mute acupoint is quite a gentle touch, isn’t it?”

Hyeon Won-chang added.

“Even so, it shouldn’t be overdone.”

Mir-yeo, walking alongside, said. She then added quietly.

“You did well.”

“Thank you.”

The time spent traveling with Mir-yeo to Zhenping County had somewhat alleviated the awkwardness.

Feeling a bit more relaxed, Yeon-shin suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“There, below the village.”

“Hmm?”

“Blood Flame Sect members.”

Before finishing his sentence, he kicked off the ground and started running.

Footnotes:

We’ve gone back and retconned quite a few terms from the previous chapters. If some of the terms here are confusing or seem like they pop up out of nowhere, that’s probably why (This was done on June 28, 2024).