[TL Note- Chapter Title means Bitter Enemies working together.]
Later to start, first to arrive.
Earlier, Jeong Yeon-shin had inserted his hands and feet into the three streams of energy that Beigong Ya was projecting forward, making them his own propulsive energy waves. It was a kind of reflection technique.
In that instant, he calculated the directions.
Moving his body while mentally drawing the trajectory wasn't difficult. Like when he had once followed behind Won Jeok, using the passage of the Vajra Immovable Body Technique.
Now Jeong Yeon-shin's Radiant Wing Step carries a different feeling.
It wasn't limited to just accelerating his body with propulsive energy waves or unraveling energy fluctuations with his steps.
The marvel of adding an extremely powerful mental imagery to his footsteps, making the time needed to complete the forward step technique extremely short.
The technique he deployed was similar to the mystical quality obtained by Taoist and Buddhist martial arts that had been immersed in the flow of centuries.
The five steps were strangely swift and free.
'Senior Beigong was also impressive.'
To his perception, it was a difference of one form. While undoing her hair tie and briefly maneuvering left and right to remove her robe, she couldn't also defend her waist. In a real battle, she would have suffered quite a serious injury. After he had completely killed Beigong Ya.
Swish.
Jeong Yeon-shin gathered her hair tie and black robe, which he had been holding in both hands, into his right hand.
The tie that gently brushed against both sides of his skin as if new, and the rough-edged robe that had endured the battles of the Three Black Pillars.
The feeling was strange.
His brothers, Jeong Nam-san and Jeong Jung-san from his childhood, would occasionally show off ornaments or wooden swords they had taken from the children of martial families across the river to the village children, saying:
Those country bumpkins will come to take these back, so we must prepare defenses.
It was a childhood game in Xinye County, backed by the Jeong family estate, a major landowner.
When such games of taking and being taken played out among the children, Jeong Yeon-shin would just peek over the wall, silently watching the scenes of chasing and being chased.
'I only watched from afar.'
He thought. This is quite fun.
"..."
Only the small sound of rolling stone fragments echoed on the dueling platform.
Many in the audience held their breath. They each revealed their shock and confusion with their own expressions.
The fact that Star Radiance Great Sword Lord had his precious sword taken was nothing.
After all, among Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin's martial arts, the most famous ultimate technique was the Brilliant River. The Thunder Annihilation Sword Style had not yet surpassed the name given by Azure Qilin.
On the other hand, the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader's black robe in his hand was chillingly intact. He had removed the outer garment without tearing it.
Hard to believe. It meant he had claimed three critical areas—both arms and the back of the neck—in a single move.
The eyes that see victory and defeat are no different between masters and novices.
Considering what the black robe and hair tie in the Radiant Demon Wing Leader's hand signified, anyone would inevitably feel chilled.
"You, this is..."
As Beigong Ya, now wearing only a thin black martial outfit, stood dazed holding Jeong Yeon-shin's sword.
Rustle.
The Netherworld Stream Squad Leader, who had been watching them from one side, moved.
Black robe hems brushed the ground beneath his body completely wrapped in bandages, and in the blink of an eye, a gloomy shadow stretched out from his feet as he reached Jeong Yeon-shin's vicinity.
No presence could be felt.
The realm of ascension. A movement technique close to spell martial arts. The bandage-wrapped Netherworld Stream Squad Leader's palm extended silently.
With no characteristic feeling of foot energy tearing through air resistance, it was as if the palm technique itself was being engraved in space.
His temperament was close to one-strike-kill assassination. Even though he had struck in broad daylight under the gaze of the crowd.
'It was a competition disguised as a melee.'
Jeong Yeon-shin twisted the energy in the Yongquan acupoint of his foot toward his heel.
The Radiant Wing Step activated again. His body automatically rotated to face the Netherworld Stream Squad Leader. The "Desolate" character on his shoulder was about to be torn by the palm technique.
As soon as he raised his left hand, a faint cluster of light arising from his palm center was crushed as it met the Netherworld Stream Squad Leader's palm. It was again a case of starting later but arriving first.
The Netherworld Stream Squad Leader's breath momentarily stopped as he encountered the Golden Lotus of the Luminous Wheel Energy. Whitish radiant currents leaked in all directions through the gap between their two touching hands for an instant. Along with a sound like countless teeth gnawing on cloth.
'Should I separate?'
Jeong Yeon-shin clearly felt it through his palm center. The extremely rough and destructive sensation of the Luminous Wheel Energy shattering and grinding the Netherworld Stream Squad Leader's energy into pieces.
From one side of the viewing area, an extremely refined presence flinched as if concerned for the well-being of a colleague. Even while striking, Jeong Yeon-shin sensed and learned from Blood Extreme Demon Jin Myeong-jo's character.
But the time their hands met was brief. The Netherworld Stream Squad Leader stepped back before a single breath could finish.
Hoo—
The sound of exhalation came from the cotton cloth wrapped around his face. After staring intently at Jeong Yeon-shin for a moment, the Netherworld Stream Squad Leader silently turned and descended from the dueling platform.
"..."
As the audience's silence deepened.
"Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader! Is that sword truly the family treasure of the Murong family?!"
A resounding question erupted. A voice imbued with internal energy that spread in all directions. People's gazes immediately turned to Grand Administrator Lin Jin-myeong, then quickly moved toward the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader.
Beigong Ya, who had been busy looking at the sword until the Netherworld Stream Squad Leader disappeared from the arena, nodded slightly.
While staring at Jeong Yeon-shin, who stood taller than her eye level, with a look of disbelief.
"How did the Flowing Star Sword come into your hands…?"
"Because Radiant Demon Wing Leader Lightning Genius took the head of Star Radiance Great Sword Lord alone! That is a trophy! Return it quickly!"
The Grand Administrator, who had raised the corners of his mouth as if tearing them apart, shouted repeatedly in this situation where Desolate Fortress martial artists were surrounded on all sides. His beard area was tinged with hazy energy waves.
"Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin has taken the head of the Murong family head! He has killed one of the Eight Clan Leaders alone! As the winner of this competition, the current master of Radiant Demon Wing should rightfully choose his mission as he pleases! No one should doubt his choice!"
His use of oral technique was tremendous. Having completely converted his internal energy into volume, his appearance came close to the future of Radiant Demon Wing's Great Tongue Sword.
There was a reaction.
The main fortress martial artists below the dueling platform stirred like waves. It was a precursor to chaos… People from government offices and merchant guilds who couldn't enter the central arena and were listening from beyond the walls hurriedly scattered in all directions.
The presences that could be felt without even focusing were incredibly busy.
The same was true for the viewing area above.
With a "whaaaat," Yue Shou-lin jumped down and began bombarding Jeong Yeon-shin with all sorts of questions with her round, wide eyes, while the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader returned the Flowing Star Sword with a face that seemed to have much to say.
"How many steps did you use?"
"It was five steps."
Ah.
With a short sigh, Beigong Ya slowly parted her lips. With a subdued demeanor unlike her usual self.
"Two more competitions remain, but… the Grand Administrator has reason to make a fuss. I thought I would be next after Uncle Yong, but…"
Jeong Yeon-shin sheathed his sword with a short bow. Beigong Ya was right. This squad leader gathering was said to have unprecedentedly fierce competition.
The plan was to divide the six Black-ranks into groups of three for competitions, with the two winners determining the final victor.
At that moment, Jin Myeong-jo, who had suddenly risen from his seat, spoke of wasting time. Along with saying he would not participate in the competition and would defer the decision to the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.
Wrapping his entire body in a black robe like an elegant bat, he glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin and then looked down at the Grand Administrator.
"Facing merit that deserves respect, I find no desire to move my body. Let's return."
The current Radiant Demon Wing Leader raised his head while suffering from Yue Shou-lin's chatter.
A nobility he had never seen in his life. The Blood Guardian Leader, who had slightly nodded his head to his bow, disappeared across the sky with a leap.
Yue Shou-lin's chatter faintly remained at the end of his robe hem.
"I don't want to participate either. How could I handle those steps? Unless my physical condition or fortune is at its absolute peak…"
***
***
Jeong Yeon-shin returned to the Radiant Demon Wing hall, avoiding countless fist-palm salutes and greetings from the main fortress martial artists.
He exchanged all rewards for his achievements for Golden Cicada Medicine and Jade Frost Pills. His energy accumulation had now reached a level that couldn't be increased with regular supply elixirs.
He left the distribution of rewards to Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong Myeong.
"The Murong family head…"
"Look at this list. There's enough to supply even the White-ranks with plenty left over. It would fill dozens of travel packs."
Cheong Myeong said with a grin. This was why the Radiant Demon Wing's storehouse, which had become impoverished due to losses in the City of Renowned Craftsmen, was now full.
"Please set aside what I already have separately. Right now. I've been assigned the mission to go up from Sichuan to Xinjiang. I plan to depart first."
It had been a long time since Obeying Heaven Squad Leader, Forest-Treading Squad Leader, and Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader had headed to Xinjiang. With even the maximally abbreviated ceremony now complete, there was no reason to delay further.
—"Intelligence indicates that the Ming Cult's Young Sect Leader has made contact with Sichuan's Golden Wing Sect. He likely intends to enhance his martial arts again by taking the inner pill of a rain dragon."
These were the Grand Administrator's words.
Jeong Yeon-shin intended to discuss purple promotion with the Desolate Fortress Lord after this mission. By then, she should have returned to the main fortress.
There was much to do.
Returning to his office, Jeong Yeon-shin quickly handled the remaining work. While recalling his maternal uncle Ma Jin, whom he hadn't seen for a long time due to their mutual busyness.
—"Yeon-shin, your calligraphy is quite elegant, so I have no worries about you writing letters."
His maternal uncle's compliment wasn't wrong.
The assignment of missions to companions, supply requests to the Administration Office, and reviewing the achievements of colleagues who had learned the Radiant Art Bond all proceeded swiftly.
In the case of the Radiant Art Bond, there were no questions thanks to the meticulously written secret manual. This was very gratifying. Radiant Demon Wing was slowly but steadily growing stronger.
"I'll be the scout. I'll go first, so follow carefully."
The only subordinate who could somewhat keep up with the Ten Li Gentle Light lightness skill was Lazy Flame Dragon with his tremendous energy accumulation, but because the recent martial world had become extremely treacherous, it was right for those under the Radiant Demon Wing Leader to move together.
The era of full-scale famine and exploitation had arrived. The entire martial world was an enemy of Desolate Fortress.
Jeong Yeon-shin left the hall as soon as he had arranged the personnel for the second group, which included Baek Mi-ryeo.
Sichuan, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, where mysterious fog was said to be rising in various places.
Among them, Qinghai and Xinjiang were outside the country's territory. This meant the search area was incredibly vast.
That's why it was said that several squad leader-level personnel would be dispersed for the search. According to the Grand Administrator, a couple more would step forward.
Jeong Yeon-shin, as the winner of the competition, had actively recommended the Blood Guardian Leader and the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader.
While he, having proven his martial prowess by killing the Murong family head, would take on the Invincible Yelü, the role of looking after the well-being of fellow Black-ranks should rightfully go to those with meticulous character.
Beigong Ya, who had been listening to this with the Grand Administrator who wore a disgruntled expression, looked at Jeong Yeon-shin with a strange face for a while, but she didn't seem to strongly object.
"Grandmaster… Yeon-shin. Are we going to keep traveling together like this?"
"Only until your madness is cured."
"What if it never heals?"
Someone with ebony-like hair flowing down over the sleeves of a white martial outfit as spacious as a palace robe walked alongside Jeong Yeon-shin.
A beautiful blind person with light seeming to encircle her high nose bridge. As the two exceptionally handsome people drew the attention of those around them, their footsteps had already reached the main gate of the fortress.
"Yes, that's her. That's her!"
A voice suddenly rang out.
Among the man and woman blocking the wide fortress gate, a middle-aged woman pointed at the Seventh Apostle. One sleeve of her black palace robe hung down like a withered tree branch.
Her beautiful face contained both viciousness and nobility. The gaze that once seemed to look down on the entire world now felt somewhat insignificant to Jeong Yeon-shin.
"That lowly creature dared to commit such a terrible act against me, who inherited the blood of heaven's descendants. Without knowing her place, in the main fortress…"
The collateral royal family member. Zhu Lianting of the Desolate Ma family.
The man beside her was Sword Prestige Duke Zhu Zhe. His face lit up with delight upon seeing Jeong Yeon-shin, but then he furrowed his brow after hearing her words. Having already turned his head toward Zhu Lianting.
"You mean the noble person beside the next Divine Sword Group Leader?"
"Noble person…?"
"Of course she must be a noble. How could someone kept close by a hero be an ordinary person?"
Zhu Lianting, who had been blankly repeating the words "noble person," raised her eyebrows. Only then did Jeong Yeon-shin seem to enter her eyes.
The appearance of the Radiant Demon Wing Leader transformed by bone transformation was the talk of the capital within the main fortress.
After hearing the rumors, tracing back his previous features wasn't difficult, at least for masters who had cultivated eye techniques… Zhu Lianting's body stiffened with a jolt.
But Jeong Yeon-shin ignored her. He merely greeted Sword Prestige Duke with a nod, while fully displaying the characteristic temperament of the Desolate Ma family that Zhu Lianting belonged to.
Making matters worse, Zhu Zhe wished him well with a kind expression.
"I'll see you next time in the Forbidden City. I wish you success."
A candidate on the list for purple promotion faces the Emperor in front of civil and military officials. Zhu Zhe's words were an unprecedented blessing.
Jeong Yeon-shin, bowing again, calmly passed by the two.
Each step spread an enormous presence. It was so for Zhu Lianting. It was a weight close to a thousand jin.
A terrifying pressure locked her mouth, and for a moment, the image of the Tyrant Hero overlapped with the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.
—"There are many people with the surname Zhu in the world."
Rustle.
The Seventh Apostle, smiling slightly, poked Zhu Lianting's empty shoulder with her long finger before moving away.
***
From Huguang Province to Sichuan Province.
Many days had passed.
Now Jeong Yeon-shin no longer needed a fine horse.
The Ten Li Gentle Light lightness skill engraved constellations on the ground, and the Luminous Wheel residing in his heart continuously rotated, supplying propulsive energy waves to his heels.
The Seventh Apostle's body-lightening technique, comparable to the Void Treading Skill, could barely keep up.
They reached a snow-covered mountain range that seemed endless.
The two traveled together, maintaining some distance. Each day repeating the same routine: Jeong Yeon-shin would teach her the incantation, and the next day the Seventh Apostle would ask again.
And today at noon. The sunlight was brilliantly white.
Spring seemed not to have reached Sichuan Province yet.
Beneath a ravine surrounded by white ridges, only a stream that had somehow not completely frozen flowed leisurely.
It was a path that had to be crossed to enter the basin of Sichuan.
"Don't step on that ice over there. It's very thin. My servant had a mishap in the cold water."
In the shadow cast by the peak, a figure sitting leisurely with a bamboo fishing rod dipped in the icy water was visible.
A slightly raised chin.
The small lips revealed in the sunlight were crooked. The energy surrounding his entire body was strangely noble, with a smile that seemed to mock everything.
Because of this, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly thought of the term "laughing at heaven."
Along with a tremendous sense of kinship that struck his mind like lightning, he even felt the quality characteristic of Lazy Flame Dragon, as if he had let go of everything.
"I have a proposal for you. It's about playing a trick on the most greedy Golden Wing Sect Leader in Sichuan."
The figure, who had briefly shuddered, continued speaking with a snicker.
"Would you like to come hunt a dragon with me?"
"Damn it."
Jeong Yeon-shin said.