Chapter 46

Chapter 46 – Preparation (2)

The crown prince came closer.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood still holding his sword.

Sword song. At this moment, the foundation of an art that could handle groups was created.

“Let’s meet often.”

Crown Prince Zhu Lun-ming said.

That was all. The crown prince showed no more emotion. He seemed to have lived that way.

‘Does it mean don’t die elsewhere?’

Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head after making his courtesy. It was after the crown prince entered the armory.

Cheong Myeong who slowly approached put his arm around Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders.

“That’s how people’s goodwill is. Can’t be gained at once. Even goodwill is insufficient if you want the Divine Sword Squad Leader position. Because you need to build trust. Consistency is the answer, shall we say.”

“That’s right. Anyway, accumulating merit comes first.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered nonchalantly.

He sheathed the sword and wore it at his waist with the Desolate Sword. Swords were consumables. They said swords whose blades didn’t dull were rare famous swords under heaven.

The newly acquired Northern Light’s sensation came as a pleasant coolness.

“Go ahead first. I have somewhere to go.”

“Alright.”

Cheong Myeong answered simply and turned around.

Blue Eyes Demon Sword Cheong Myeong. Though seemingly just friendly, he was someone without much regret in everything.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched his back for a moment before moving his steps.

Since it was around sunset, the promised time was right. At the end of steps treading twilight was the Desolate Sect Lord’s main fortress.

He climbed the stairs entering straight in without any particular restraint.

Since becoming blue-level, he felt completely melted into Desolate Sect.

“Lightning Flash is…”

It was when he put the title that became his courtesy name since the coming of age ceremony in his mouth.

The thick stone door of the sect leader’s office opened by itself. It was like during the Desolate Exam.

Now he could feel the energy waves even if just a little.

They called it Void Grasp. It was the realm of touching all things without even touching them.

Was it a fragment of the martial arts that allegedly destroyed the Dali Kingdom royal family alone?

They said right after Ming’s founding was a turbulent period.

Though she could have entered the imperial palace, the Desolate Sect Lord married no one.

They said she refused even when the current empress dowager, still vigorous, repeatedly recommended.

They said she just lived as the Great Ming’s divine sword while teaching the emperor’s successors as grand preceptor.

The Desolate Sect Lord’s heaven-shaking martial power was created that way.

‘Still need to increase internal force quantity.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. He imagined becoming Divine Sword Squad Leader and floating two swords in empty air.

If swords moved on their own separate from his body deploying Eternal Blossom Fist, the effectiveness would be tremendous.

At that level, wouldn’t he not need to mind martial power in achieving merit? It was a distant matter.

“You’ve gained leisure. Having other thoughts before me.”

A clear voice rang and he turned his gaze.

The thick tree trunks piercing through the office were strange no matter when seen.

A woman lying diagonally on the tree entered his vision.

Still the same presence.

Her beauty looking just three or four years older than Jeong Yeon-shin was said to be a symbol of immortality.

Deep green pupils that seemed to stiffen souls were overwhelming. Different from other supreme masters’ eye light.

Her long pale green hair didn’t move at all. It meant completely containing energy waves.

‘Yet I feel the level. What realm could it be?’

First he greeted saying he was sorry.

The Desolate Sect Lord slowly opened her mouth.

“You seem to have made up your mind.”

“Yes. I request Internal Energy techniques from the sect leader. I would like martial arts with fast energy absorption speed.”

He came to request martial arts for the previous promise.

Thanks to the reckless sparring request from Desolate Ma Family’s Ma Se-in.

A reward given due to friendship between his maternal grandfather, the previous Divine Sword Squad Leader, and the Desolate Sect Lord. There was no need to delay further.

Because Jeong Yeon-shin clearly realized what he lacked most now.

“Internal Energy techniques. Yes. True energy quantity is also important. After polishing the vessel, it must be filled with water.”

She smiled and continued speaking.

“Something comes to mind. Come here.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yeon-shin moved without hesitation.

He had just completed his martial vessel. Jeong Family Dynamic Technique was perfect for tempering the physical body.

But under heaven there were various absorption methods for accumulating energy. Accumulating true energy. They called it Energy Accumulation.

‘Need to create mind techniques with fast energy accumulation speed.’

This couldn’t even take inspiration from seeing others’ energy circulation.

It was right to directly experience one divine technique. It was enough to know what principles quickly drew in the world’s energy.

Afterwards he planned to create Internal Energy techniques most suitable for his body.

“What are you doing?”

The Desolate Sect Lord asked. It seemed because Jeong Yeon-shin approached and stood blankly before her.

“You said to come.”

“Closer.”

“By closer you mean…”

At his questioning words, the Desolate Sect Lord’s lips rose slightly.

“This seems to be your first proper guidance in energy absorption methods. If training manuals were enough, there would be no reason for masters to exist. Reciting old techniques is not sufficient.”

She slowly raised her body. She also drew in her legs that had been stretched out.

Her pale green martial clothes made small sounds brushing against the tree bark.

A posture sitting with each foot on the opposite thigh. Cross-legged.

“Sit properly before me. I will guide your true energy. Internal Energy techniques must be learned like this at once.”

“Yes. But before that.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stepped back three steps.

He slowly began to bow.

It was because of martial arts’ meaning in the martial world. It was an era where sect honor was considered more important than personal advancement.

Passing down martial arts that would long remain in history. One couldn’t help but take her as master.

Forbidding master-disciple bonds? The sect leader is above Desolate Sect’s laws.

‘She’s not stopping me.’

It seemed to mean acknowledgement. Jeong Yeon-shin made one bow and rose.

This was enough. One doesn’t bow more than twice to the living.

That was the custom of the Central Plains where Taoism took root. The martial world was still the same.

He sat before the Desolate Sect Lord wearing a strange smile.

Facing her up close, her skin was surprisingly white and transparent.

She smiled slightly.

“Not that. Show your back.”

Her faint breath brushed Jeong Yeon-shin’s cheek. It was a very thin exhalation.

It made one wonder how much internal energy training she had accumulated for such deep breathing.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt fresh awe as he turned his body.

‘I thought she would teach chants first then enter true energy guidance.’

She seemed to want to finish martial arts transmission quickly. He recalled when he transferred the Great Violet Pill’s energy to Yu-hyeon, the Mount Hua sect leader’s disciple.

Jeong Yeon-shin could circulate energy while speaking. The Desolate Sect Lord seemed capable of such things too.

“It is called Moon Spirit Harmony Technique. My unique martial art.”

Along with her voice, her hand touched Jeong Yeon-shin’s back. It was very warm.

Apart from her appearance seeming like a sister, he wondered if this was how an unseen mother would feel.

Boom.

Pure internal energy beyond imagination dug into his body.

A clear stream of energy entered as if containing nature’s energy directly.

All his body’s fine meridians and energy channels began filling in order. It was a movement showing Moon Spirit Harmony Technique’s energy accumulation path.

“This is how it’s done. Feel it.”

Jeong Yeon-shin closed his eyes while comfortably calming his mind.

Along with the Desolate Sect Lord’s voice teaching chants, he felt the flow of true energy.

As time gradually passed, his intent began circulating energy by itself.

“Yes. That’s it.”

Her low voice encouraged the flow.

Half an hour was enough.

As the Desolate Sect Lord’s fingertips pressing his back lifted, her internal force also dispersed.

Jeong Yeon-shin learned the divine technique with one circulation felt while hearing the old techniques. No more was needed.

A breath with laughter tickled Jeong Yeon-shin’s nape. Her whisper was heard at his ear.

“Come ask if there are blockages.”

“Thank you for the reward.”

Jeong Yeon-shin who came down and turned made a respectful clasped fist greeting. She smiled again.

On the path heading to the Radiant Demon Wing pavilion after leaving the office.

His heart was elated. Jeong Yeon-shin freshly realized how vast the world of martial arts was.

It was different again from true energy operation of various sword and fist-leg techniques.

He truly felt that supreme martial arts existed even in methods of drawing and containing nature’s energy in the body.

Was it the sect leader’s consideration? Moon Spirit Harmony Technique didn’t reject Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s energy either.

Like her energy that seemed to embrace all things.

“Very good.”

He unconsciously spoke to himself. It felt like all sorts of inspiration was surging.

It seemed he could create mind techniques far surpassing third-rate right away.

‘I want to see Se-in.’

He became very grateful to his distant relative Ma Se-in and inadequate maternal grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok.

* * *

Jeong Yeon-shin devoted himself to mind technique training and creation until the next evening.

It was the first time since childhood that he sat under the bed refining internal force.

Focusing only on the living breathing energy inside and outside his body came across not badly.

It was when he finished one major heavenly circuit of full body circulation. Do Yu-won of the General Administration Office came to Jeong Yeon-shin’s room.

“This is truly congratulatory. Another direct disciple of the sect leader has been born like this.”

Do Yu-won said with a bright smile. He had two sets of blue clothes on his arm.

“Those are…?”

“Though you received new martial uniforms the day before yesterday, you must wear different ones.”

Do Yu-won carefully unfolded one set of clothes in his bosom.

Looking at it, it was a martial uniform. There wasn’t much difference from the blue martial uniform the Desolate Sect Lord had put on him at the promotion ceremony.

Only the color of the ‘rough Hwang(荒)’ character embroidered on both shoulders and back was different.

‘Hwang(荒)’ was embroidered with golden thread.

T/Note- In case, if you have forgotten, Hwang means Desolate.

“Those who receive the sect leader’s martial arts instruction have symbolism regardless of uniform color. They’re bound to become famous in the martial world. Therefore Sir Jeong too should properly receive the main fortress’s ceremony like the many royal family members, so the General Administration Office prepared this.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin received the blue martial uniform with golden thread.

Simultaneously Do Yu-won made an “oops” expression and added words.

“Actually, we watched His Highness the crown prince who is already receiving instruction. Though the sect leader doesn’t mind, it’s different for lowly people like us. But for some reason they say he let it pass smoothly.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly nodded and saw him off.

He immediately changed clothes and left the room. Because there was Ma Jin’s summons.

The golden characters were very eye-catching.

Seniors encountered here and there widened their eyes.

Arriving at the main training ground while brushing off that it just happened that way, Radiant Demon First Team and Ma Jin were gathered.

Junior Shin So-bin who was newly assigned to First Team was also there.

“Si-sir! What is that glorious golden appearance?!”

It was after Jeong Yeon-shin roughly received Hyeon Won-chang’s fuss. Ma Jin spoke.

“I’ll speak comfortably. Since all agreed to short mission cycles. First under blue-level Lightning Flash’s leadership, Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin will initially set out on the mission. You three are suitable. Young faces are needed for this task.”

“Young faces meaning?”

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly asked back. Suddenly he recalled Shaolin’s Little Divine Monk who spoke of young martial artists’ romance.

“There are guys people call a righteous martial family. You’ve probably heard. The Hwangbo family.”

Ma Jin said. He twisted the scar at his mouth corner.

“The truth is different. The Azure Sky Squad already uncovered their secret long ago. Those guys are mobilizing commoners to build their family’s new base. Without payment, not even letting them engage in their livelihoods. They’re forcing labor not ordered by the imperial court. On the people.”

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“It’s common.”

It was a moment when Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin’s reactions contrasted.

Major sect martial artists are superhumans. In civilian life they possessed martial power to practically act as gods.

With manpower they could command with a finger spread everywhere, there were those who couldn’t help but wield power.

“Forced laborers number over a thousand. Civilian life directly connected to tribute is truly a sensitive issue. There’s a limit to turning a blind eye to local martial world noble clans. But since care must be taken in punishing orthodox sects, all public sentiment and perception must support Desolate Sect’s hand…”

Ma Jin who briefly trailed off continued speaking.

“They completely dominate Jinan territory in Shandong. Already acting like royalty. There’s a limit to exposing their behavior. Lightning Flash. You are important.”

“What’s the mission content?”

“Hide your identity and participate in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with two white-levels. This Dragon Phoenix Gathering happens to be held in South Zhili under the Namgung family’s supervision. Since Shandong is right above it, the Hwangbo family’s young master will come too.”

Ma Jin who briefly paused opened his mouth again, and finally Jeong Yeon-shin’s fourth mission dropped.

“Your mission is provocation. Scratch his nerves and make the young master go crazy. Make it so he can’t help but mobilize his family to eliminate you. You must make the Hwangbo family’s power move greatly. So gaps show in their dominance covering all of Jinan.”

“What happens if I’m successful?”

“While you’re in South Zhili, we’ll immediately extract reliable witnesses and evidence. It’s something long prepared. Three of the Divine Sword Squad’s Seventeen Squads will gather. All of Radiant Demon Wing with Azure Sky Squad and Annihilation Team will strike the Hwangbo family together.”

It meant annihilating one pillar of the orthodox murim’s Eight Great Families.

It was truly tremendous. The cooperation of three Divine Sword Squad’s martial squads was also so.

Since there were thirteen major evil sect branches just in the Central Plains, seventeen for carrying out missions across the vast world.

When three groups gathered, they could be called invincible.

‘Crazy…!’

Jeong Yeon-shin felt a tremor. Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin also widened their eyes seeming the same.

He opened his mouth with the most composed expression possible. Because he had to ask the most important thing.

“About the Hwangbo family’s young master. If the situation isn’t favorable, can I take his head?”

“That’s left to a blue warrior’s discretion. That’s what blue-level rank means. You can take responsibility for whatever happens.”

Ma Jin answered smiling. Baek Mi-ryeo beside him spoke with a worried expression.

“Lightning Flash. Be aware this is a very dangerous mission. Don’t overdo it. That young master, he’s fated to die anyway. He was born with a short-lived constitution in exchange for tremendous talent. Already famous.”

Cheong Myeong added a word.

“They say he’s a genius of the Solar Divine Meridian. He’ll be quite strong.”