“...”

Jung Yeonshin stood in silence. The blood was too unsightly to keep displaying to the crowd.

He watched Lady Ye as she bowed her head toward him and wiped his abdomen. Her face was hidden behind her hair, which spilled down like ebony.

She had called him the only one. There had been something peculiar in her tone.

It could mean many things. Whether he realized it or not, Lightning Genius, captain of the Radiant Demon Squad, had become someone extraordinary.

Desolate Fortress’s youngest black-robed expert, the one who had shattered the peerless sword move Blossoms Adrift in Hidden Fragrance, the boy who had planted Desolate Fortress’s flag in the heart of the Martial Alliance, the martial artist winning match after match at the founding ceremony... He had already accomplished so much in Hanzhong alone.

They said his fame was spreading like wildfire. It could hardly be otherwise.

But Lady Ye’s words held more than that. He sensed a kind of reverence and affection.

The boy perceived it distinctly.

His Baihui point, which had widened further as his limbs lengthened, had lately begun catching fleeting traces of people’s emotions.

At this moment, the goodwill reaching his upper dantian’s energy detection was truly boundless.

It felt as though sweet candy were melting inside his head. Had someone besides Sage Cheon Joo read the intent within Jung Yeonshin’s sword move?

The cotton towel glided down, wiping the blood from his abdominal muscles. Her slender wrist moved cautiously, and her cloth-covered fingertips brushed gently against his abdomen.

Her touch was extraordinarily delicate, even allowing for the fact that she was tending to an honored guest as someone of appropriate standing.

‘The Ye family. She said her childhood name was Ye Harin.’

He had no debts or grudges with her. Her words and conduct reached him exactly as they appeared. She was transparent.

She showed goodwill without hesitation, and whatever her private intentions, her feelings reached all the way into his upper dantian.

He had met the outstanding young man called Fan Dragon, Zhuge Hyeon. He had also looked into Gongsun Min’s clear, unblemished eyes.

It was difficult now to greet someone with prejudice merely because they belonged to the Alliance. Even Sage Cheon Joo was trying to guide the Martial Alliance toward a fair and honorable cause.

The boy slowly parted his lips.

“Thank you.”

“... That’s the second time you’ve said that to me. Could this really happen? I feel a little strange.”

Her breathing stopped for a moment, then a faint laugh entered her quiet voice. She was certainly an unusual person.

The first time must have been after his meeting with the Sky-Swimming Sword Demon, Baek Seogun. She had told him in detail about Namgoong Hwashin’s circumstances.

Sage Cheon Joo, who had been watching the two quietly, spoke.

“I’ll see you later. I’ll send word.”

“Yes, Sage.”

“I hope you win the Great Restoration Pill. The noble clans must not win. Nor should Eon Hwaryeon be the one to take it. You should be capable of it.”

With those words of encouragement, he descended from the platform. His steps felt robust. He still held tremendous internal power.

It was likely the endurance characteristic of orthodox martial arts. Mount Hua’s spirit was so grand and unimpeded that it concealed even his internal injuries.

Yeonshin would have to surpass that realm to reach Purple.

Jung Yeonshin watched the Sword Saint’s retreating back, then lowered his gaze. Lady Ye’s hair filled his vision with black.

She was wiping the external oblique muscles along his side. It was taking a long time. Was that because the martial force of Blossoms Adrift in Hidden Fragrance had seeped into the wounds?

“That’s enough. My opponent is waiting.”

“... Mm, all right.”

Lady Ye’s hand slowly drew away. The sensation receded gradually, from her palm to her fingers and finally her fingertips.

Her small head slowly rose. The piece of cotton cloth in her hand was stained red with Jung Yeonshin’s blood.

He had not lost much blood, thanks to having stopped the bleeding at once with the Movement Art. The boy had sealed his own pressure points without so much as using his fingers.

He had been a master of his own body since his white-robed days. It was also the foundation of his repeated growth.

“Don’t worry about this. I’ll take care of it,” Lady Ye said.

With a soft rustle, she neatly folded the cloth soaked with the boy’s blood and tucked it into her robes. Her manners were exceedingly refined. Anyone would have taken her for the daughter of a distinguished household.

She smiled brightly.

“I think we’ll be seeing each other often even after the founding ceremony. There are discussions underway within the Alliance.”

“Assuming nothing happens to me before then.”

Jung Yeonshin answered calmly. At the same time, Lady Ye’s smile deepened.

“Such a fuss. Who could be a match for you now besides the Eon Clan’s Foremost Fist? It’s practically over. I’ll be going, then.”

“All right.”

“Don’t get hurt again. No, that’s not right. If you do, it can’t be helped. Just don’t suffer too much.”

“...”

“May victory be yours, young captain.”

She slowly turned away. Her white sleeve, hanging long like that of a court gown, brushed Jung Yeonshin’s hand.

Its softness swept lightly across the back of his hand and passed. Soon Lady Ye was walking away with light steps.

What a very strange person.

The boy silently watched her retreating figure for a while. Then he slowly stroked his sword hilt.

With an impassive face, he looked to the side. A middle-aged saber wielder was approaching from across the platform. His eyes held a forbidding gleam.

He looked as though he had been waiting for this day alone. His neatly arranged yellow martial robes and spotless saber hilt stood out.

Most martial artists participating in the founding ceremony were similarly attired. The cheers from the spectators grew louder.

Sage Cheon Joo had been his first opponent today. Eleven more remained.

The middle-aged man stopped ten paces away and cupped his fist.

“Peng Munil. I come from Hebei. I have trained in the Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Saber.”

“Jung Yeonshin of Huguang Province. I created Blue Flame, First Form.”

With that brief reply, the boy gripped his sword hilt.

The Peng clan of Hebei was one of the Eight Great Families. With the world entering an age of turmoil, they had not sent a combat unit commander.

Experts in the Black realm were said to be rare even among the Eight Families.

But the Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Saber was an ultimate technique renowned throughout the world. He must not treat it lightly. Not for the sake of his Comprehensive Compendium for Breaking the Righteous Path, either.

“Come,” said the young captain of the Radiant Demon Squad.

Desolate Fortress’s flag was still planted at one side of the platform.

Just as the great hero of Desolate Fortress had boldly proclaimed, the Desolate Banner remained unbroken. It had now become one of Hanzhong’s famous sights.

WHOOSH!

A wave of qi spread between the two martial artists.

Heon Wonchang’s long white robe, tied to the flagpole, fluttered to reveal the character for “Desolate.”

* * *

The winning streak at the founding ceremony continued. The captain of the Radiant Demon Squad was building an undefeated record.

It was his third day.

Thirty-five opponents had fallen. Few among them were not renowned.

The founding ceremony had been underway even before Lightning Genius, captain of the Radiant Demon Squad, joined the competition. Now only one day remained.

That meant the wheat had already been separated from the chaff. It was why the young captain’s winning streak was stirring such tremendous excitement.

“I staked my whole fortune on the Sword Saint, and now I’m utterly ruined!”

“The odds on the Radiant Demon Squad captain have dropped enormously. They’re almost level with Heroine Eon’s.”

“Didn’t I tell you from the start that Lightning Genius would win? That rising talent is already a supreme master of a caliber rarely seen in this world. With even the generations eligible to compete restricted, who can stop his momentum?”

“Pour! Pour another!”

It was a refreshing evening. The building rose tier upon tier around a broad, square opening at its center.

It brimmed with life. The lanterns hanging in rows on every side seemed to have captured the sunset.

Blue Crane Tower. Hanzhong’s finest inn, it also served as a tavern.

The atmosphere was boisterous. Performers seated to one side were playing zithers, but their melodies struggled to make themselves heard over the din.

Refinement had long since become impossible to find here of late. Only the orange glow of the lanterns, driving back the dusk, remained gentle.

The people of this continent enjoyed gambling. It was an ancient tradition. Records of gambling dated back even before the distant Qin and Han eras.

The Martial Alliance’s founding ceremony was a festival like no other, and people sought to seize their chance at instant riches.

Fights often broke out amid the thick scent of liquor. Arguments were commonplace.

“Didn’t you see the Radiant Demon Squad captain’s sword light that day? The sight of Mount Hua’s swordsmanship collapsing all at once!”

“I heard from a martial artist I’ve known for years. He says the Sword Saint’s true prowess is far greater than that. Something bad must have happened.”

“Stop believing everything you hear. Are you saying a Desolate Fortress captain poisoned a Mount Hua Taoist?”

“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying the Eon Clan Fist can rival Mount Hua’s sword blossoms. Didn’t you see the captain’s bare body that day? You mustn’t decide the outcome so rashly!”

“Bare body? You saw his bare body? What was it like?”

“You’re jumping in at that part? What a lecher.”

Only one day remained before the founding ceremony ended. It commanded everyone’s attention, young and old, men and women alike.

All manner of stories blossomed. The drinking party on Blue Crane Tower’s top floor was no exception.

“So, what was his body like?”

The woman lounging in her seat posed the question. Her narrowed eyes looked languid.

The Eon Clan’s Foremost Fist. Eon Hwaryeon, the Lord of Martial Fists.

She sat before a lavish spread of liquor and food.

Her arm muscles stood distinctly defined from the deltoids down, with smooth, taut tendons plainly visible.

She wore sleeveless orange martial robes, one knee drawn up and the other leg stretched out loosely.

Resting an elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand, she looked across the table.

“He seemed to have trained in external arts.”

The woman with the long braid moved her lips. She was Ak Yerim of the Yue clan of Shandong.

“Or perhaps a movement art. It combines internal and external training, making it a higher form of martial learning. To distinguish oneself at such a young age, one’s foundational training must do its part. In any case, you mean his body is extremely well honed.”

“He’s strong. Even you would find it difficult to guarantee victory, Foremost Fist. Ten exchanges might not be enough to decide the match.”

“Was the boy’s sword that sharp? Sharp enough, you think, to cut through Jinju’s finest protective force qi?”

“I couldn’t say that much. My martial arts are far beneath his. Discussing him any further with my inferior judgment would only cloud your insight. But... the sword form that clashed with Sage Cheon Joo’s Blossoms Adrift in Hidden Fragrance was truly magnificent.”

“You judge yourself well. Your growth is remarkable. But seeing you after so long, you’ve lost much of your charm. It’s a little regrettable. It feels like only yesterday you were clinging to me and calling me your big sister.”

“... That was a long time ago.”

“Yes, a very long time indeed.”

Eon Hwaryeon lifted an entire large jade bottle to her lips.

As she gulped down the Dukang wine, several streams spilled from the corners of her mouth. The rich aroma characteristic of Shaanxi liquor wafted out.

“More importantly, Zhuge Cheonga said something strange. To the Radiant Demon Squad captain...”

“Would you shut your mouth for a moment?”

It was well known that the Lord of Martial Fists had a peculiarly rough manner of speaking and behaving. Powerful supreme masters each had their own distinctive habits.

Perhaps it was their temperaments, so difficult to understand by ordinary standards, that allowed them to attain such heights.

Ak Yerim obediently stopped talking.

A moment later, the corners of Eon Hwaryeon’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Listen closely. I spend all my time holed up here, but today I’ve stumbled upon an amusing experience.”

“Pardon?”

“I was just beginning to tire of the food here. Now some entertainment has arrived. I couldn’t be bothered to get up, but I did want to meet him.”

“What do you...”

“Circulate your internal power around your Fengchi points. You know what I mean, don’t you?”

Without a word, Ak Yerim activated the hearing discipline of the Way of Perception. At the same time, she frowned slightly.

The inn’s clamor battered her ears. Every sound became distinct. Voices from outside Blue Crane Tower mingled with them.

“... They said this is the best place in the city. Both the liquor and the food are supposed to be exquisite.”

“Did we really need to come to an inn?”

“If you need to relax your body because that ultimate move left your muscles stiff, then in my opinion, nowhere else will do. They have the finest delicacies under heaven, I tell you! Didn’t the Sky-Swimming Sword Demon say so last time? With a body trained to that degree, even ordinary alcohol’s toxins can act as medicine. With your internal energy, Captain, you should be able to loosen up quite pleasantly.”

“Pleasantly, my foot. You’re planning to pick up some poppies while you’re at it.”

“Don’t be so sarcastic. I’ve spent years exploring every kind of liquor and elegant pastime. I have my reasons...”

Ak Yerim raised her eyebrows. Those were the voices of the Supreme Flame Dragon and the Radiant Demon Squad captain. They came from the entrance below Blue Crane Tower. It seemed Lightning Genius had come for a drink at the urging of the Hwangbo clan’s wastrel.

‘That Hwangbo scoundrel, taking a young boy...’

The Supreme Flame Dragon and the Blue Qilin had been friends for years. As Namgoong Sejin’s former fiancée, she too was acquainted with the Supreme Flame Dragon.

Ak Yerim had been conflicted for a long time. She had spent day after day pondering Lightning Genius.

On West Peak Road, she had seen the boy talking to Zhuge Hyeon, and witnessed the shadow of the king-style sword arts unfolding from his raised sword.

It had been a sword form that paid respect to the Blue Qilin. Slowly, ever so slowly, she had been letting her heart soften. She could not help worrying that the Supreme Flame Dragon’s bad influence would rub off on him.

It happened then.

Eon Hwaryeon suddenly chuckled.

“There’s a layabout among them. He’ll grow up to be someone like me. His talent is outstanding, too.”

In that instant, Ak Yerim felt an unmistakable gaze. Eyes as sharp as blades settled upon them.

WHOOSH!

The source of the qi wave was exceedingly clear. It felt as though the young Radiant Demon Squad captain’s eyes had swallowed their entire surroundings.

The ripples of internal power slicing against her skin made it so. His presence was truly terrifying.

Within that unmistakable domain of a supreme master, a voice spoke.

“For the Supreme Flame Dragon, hasn’t he turned out rather well?”

The boy spoke calmly. His words were utterly unrestrained.