* * *
It was after facing a peerless master widely known across the martial world.
The aftereffects were beyond imagination.
It was something he had to endure. After all, he had managed to kill an existence that should have towered far above him.
At the time, Jung Yeonshin had to withstand the sheer impact that seeped into his very bones each time he received the Divine Male and Female Whips of the Zhuge Clan's leader.
Even a mere fragment of the force carried the weight of a thousand jin. He couldn't channel it into Harmonious Balance. There was simply no room to do so.
The penetrating wound on his shoulder was the least of it.
The strike of a peerless master was highly sophisticated. A single blow never ended as just an external wound.
Internal Crushing Art—the energy waves that had entered his meridians tore through his body.
Without the Jung Clan Movement Arts, even standing would have been difficult. It was a confrontation that forced him to experience firsthand the depth of Ak Surim, who had faced the Zhuge Clan's leader, who had come wielding a counter-technique to Ak Clan's Spear Art.
Even his muscle recovery was slow.
It was said to be the effect of the Divine Male and Female Whips, a technique that functioned like a sorcery martial art. Senior Jin of the Blood Preservation Squad had once suffered from it as well.
Jung Yeonshin's energy flow and blood circulation had lost their elasticity. Even reaching Taiyuan felt somewhat strenuous.
Meanwhile, the Radiant Wheel, which had been pushed to its limits, was now spinning at a sluggish pace, incomparable to its full strength.
His accumulated energy had sharply declined. Recovery would take time.
There was no other choice.
Even with Gun Yurin, who was presumed to be the daughter of the Profound Martial Alliance's leader, and her subordinates standing right before him.
Buzz.
The chopsticks trembled faintly and slipped through his fingers. It happened just as he had aligned his spiritual energy in his upper dantian with his Baihui Acupoint.
A mysterious and wondrous sensation. Jung Yeonshin felt the long texture within his mind.
'Is this how it works…?'
The form of a sword flickered over the chopsticks. It seemed as though the sword body would overlay them, yet it never fully merged.
Even though he had the instinctive certainty that, at the moment of complete unification, a force surpassing Full Sky Flower Rain would emerge, it still didn't happen.
He could guess the reason.
Fan Dragon Lotus Binding Technique heavily relied on the upper dantian.
When he had slain the Zhuge Clan's leader, he had first executed the technique, placing extreme strain on his Baihui Acupoint. It had not yet fully recovered.
It was fine.
Buzz.
A single chopstick slowly lifted, floating toward the fan aimed at his forehead.
The reaction of the man who had pointed his Crane Wing Fan at Jung Yeonshin was half a breath too late.
By the time Gun Yurin, standing beside him, widened her eyes, the man was still meeting Jung Yeonshin's gaze, urging him for an answer, only to flinch belatedly.
"What kind of witchcraft…?!"
"You sound like some stuck-up orthodox fossil! It's nothing like that, you idiot!"
Even in the midst of urgency, the exchange between the subordinate and his master sounded like a comedy routine.
Jung Yeonshin's eyes narrowed slightly. He immediately sensed it.
The power infused in the chopstick was far too weak.
It was nowhere near the release chant of Full Sky Flower Rain when performed in his prime. A testament to the aftermath of the peerless master battle.
Should he force himself to unleash a fist technique inspired by Eun Hwaryun, the Fist Grand Duke? It would be a gruesome sight for the young innkeeper boy.
Then, at that moment—
Perhaps she had sensed something in Jung Yeonshin's expression.
"Wait a moment!"
Gun Yurin suddenly furrowed her brow and reached both hands behind her back. Immediately after, a large gray light fell from her grasp.
It was the blade shadow of a great dao.
A rapid unsheathing, executed in a rough, untamed arc, fell like a withered crescent moon, faintly flickering.
Swoosh—!
"Gaaaaah!"
Blood spurted forth.
The arm of the subordinate standing beside her was severed cleanly, still clutching the Crane Wing Fan.
With a dull thud, the severed forearm landed on the floor, and the blood trickling down its side stained the white fan a deep red. It had happened in an instant.
Whoosh!
Gun Yurin, who had risen alongside her blade draw, wore a bitter expression as she flicked her greatsword once.
Splattered blood seeped into the wooden floor, spreading in dark crimson patterns.
The face of the subordinate, now wheezing, was also a sight to behold.
For a brief moment, he couldn't hide his shock. But soon, realization dawned on him, and his dazed eyes rapidly regained focus as he swallowed back his groans.
It had all happened in less than three breaths.
The silence in the inn grew even heavier.
"If you lack the eye to judge people,"
Gun Yurin spoke, scratching the back of her head before continuing,
"then naturally, you deserve to die… But since I didn't draw my sword fully, I'll let you off with just an arm."
"You mean you failed to."
"Well, if you put it that way, I have nothing to say. But think about it. He's lost his main martial technique while serving his master. Isn't that even more miserable? It's not like he lost it fighting an enemy. How humiliating is that? And we're part of the Demonic Faction, remember? If anything, our sect's concern for reputation is worse than the orthodox sects. You know that, right?"
Her words spilled out rapidly, like a master archer's rapid-fire shots.
Thud, thud.
She kicked the man's shin repeatedly.
Was she trying to save him somehow? The way she kept glancing at Jung Yeonshin's face was more human than the Zhuge Clan's leader had been.
The subordinate, as if every word from Gun Yurin was a lethal strike, flinched repeatedly before quickly fixing his expression and prostrating himself.
His severed shoulder trembled violently from the spasms of pain, pooling blood seeping between the wooden floorboards.
Yet, his conduct remained remarkably proper.
"This humble Tian Po has failed to recognize the eminent one! I beg you, with the boundless mercy of a true sage, to spare this worthless life!"
He looked utterly pitiful. The overbearing attitude from before had completely vanished.
Jung Yeonshin remained silent for a moment.
'Gun Yurin… Is she really the child of the Profound Martial Alliance's leader?'
They were strange people. It felt as though he had just witnessed the true nature of the Demonic Faction.
If her lineage was true, then she was an uncommon figure in the martial world. Her judgment was as sharp and swift as a blade, her ability to maneuver through chaos akin to that of a monarch navigating turbulent times.
He spoke briefly.
"Get lost."
"Miryang was a refined yet righteous friend. Your hand is truly merciful."
Gun Yurin snapped her fingers.
Tong—
In an instant, a Finger Wind shot forward, distorting the air in a long ripple before striking Tian Po's shoulder.
The moment the dull impact sounded, the blood that had been pouring out abruptly stopped. A precise hemostatic technique.
After glancing at her staggering subordinate, Gun Yurin sat back down across from Jung Yeonshin.
She rested both elbows on the table and interlocked her fingers. The rough fabric of her sleeves scraped against the wooden surface, breaking the silence.
"Our nameless friend possesses the vessel of a great warrior. I saw how the innkeeper boy bowed and ran off at just your gaze. You treat people simply as people. With humility ingrained in you, it's no wonder you're unfazed even after stepping into the path of the sword. You're far removed from arrogance, only meticulous enough to be mindful of those around you."
Is this Sight Arts?
Jung Yeonshin was inwardly surprised at how accurate her words were.
"The eyes of the Phoenix-Killer Red Sword never miss. That's why I have a proposal for you… but I'll tread carefully."
Hwaak.
As she whispered, a semi-spherical energy wave spread from her body. An energy barrier formed around the table.
By the time the floating chopstick returned to Jung Yeonshin's hand, Gun Yurin, watching with admiration in her eyes, spoke again.
"There's no way someone like you hasn't made a name for himself. You must have come from far away, right?"
"Your insight is impressive."
Jung Yeonshin responded indifferently, though he had already been inwardly impressed since she began analyzing his character.
He was the black rank of Desolate Fortress. He couldn't simply let the direct lineage of the Profound Martial Alliance's leader pass by unnoticed.
It came down to two choices.
Either he ignored the internal and external injuries still numbing his body and captured Gun Yurin to extract information, or he continued concealing his identity to delve into the orthodox martial arts of the Profound Martial Alliance.
"I told you, my eyes don't lie."
Grinning at his remark, Gun Yurin tilted her chin slightly.
She no longer seemed like someone who had just severed her subordinate's arm. Her demeanor was refined enough to suggest her origins.
The one known as the Phoenix-Killer Red Sword was indeed a direct descendant of the Thirteen Celestial Demons.
"A formidable warrior with no ties to Taiyuan. I need someone like you. But don't worry. I wouldn't propose anything disgraceful to a man of honor that would make those orthodox fossils ashamed of themselves."
"I like your words. Speak."
Jung Yeonshin replied calmly.
He had grown disillusioned with the orthodox sects because of the great martial clans.
If he hadn't met Hyun So-baek, the Azure Qilin, and Fan Dragon, he would have dismissed the concept of righteous orthodoxy entirely.
"Listen to you. Acting all bashful."
The smile on Gun Yurin's lips deepened.
"Anyway, I don't care why you came to Taiyuan. Whether you're here on a martial pilgrimage or traveling for duels, it doesn't matter. What's important is that you're someone with nothing to lose in Taiyuan. Because soon, I'll be attacking the Grand Moon Slaughter Sect."
"What?"
"That damn father of mine is coming here soon. If I want to win the succession battle, I need to impress my esteemed parent. And what better tribute than the Slaughter Sect, who once sided with the Murong Clan? Truthfully, I'd rather do to my father what he did to my grandfather—cut off his head. But… with my current martial level, that's far beyond me."
Her muttered words carried a rough madness.
It was a world of its own.
After the previous leader of the Profound Martial Alliance was slain by the Sword Saint, a power struggle broke out within the alliance.
During that time, the current leader, Monarch of Infinite Swords, had supposedly snapped his own father's neck. The tale was widely known.
"Whether you seek martial improvement or fame, the Slaughter Sect is a worthy opponent. Right now, Shaanxi has been completely drained of martial talent after the Zhuge Clan's leader and that monster Lotus Nezha rampaged through it. Hm? Now that I think about it, the Lotus Nezha of Desolate Fortress was about your age too. Though there were no rumors of him practicing sword arts…"
"I know of him. More importantly, I heard that the Slaughter Sect is made up of chivalrous warriors."
"That's just one guy. The rest are nothing but Demonic Faction scum. Their leader, as a branch lord, is struggling against the elders. Well, the so-called Chivalrous Slayer is indeed an exceptional figure."
"You know quite a lot."
"My sect is quite influential, you see. For reasons unknown, the Imperial family even exempts us from tribute payments. And the sect I'm overseeing now? Just a single branch. A lot of forces will be mobilized to wipe out the Slaughter Sect. They've already started moving."
The two continued their conversation, concealing their true identities.
The other guests had fled the inn in horror after witnessing a severed arm twitching on the floor, leaving only Gun Yurin, her subordinates, and Jung Yeonshin on the second floor.
The dust drifting in the white sunlight hung in the air, undisturbed.
"If you agree to cooperate, I'll reward you handsomely! Gold, treasures, whatever you want, just name it. I even know a breathtaking beauty who wields the blade masterfully. Though, unfortunately, I've never been able to pierce her defenses… she's my master, after all."
"Can you provide elixirs? Strange medicines with exceptional effects."
"Of course, I can get them!"
She didn't claim to have them on hand immediately. She likely feared being robbed on the spot.
Despite her bizarre way of thinking, she was shrewd. She even had the boldness and confidence to reveal her covert plans to a stranger of considerable skill.
Their temperaments aligned surprisingly well. Jung Yeonshin found himself at ease.
Her rough demeanor, paired with her keen insight into people's natures, all contributed to that.
Gun Yurin smirked.
"You got hurt bad, didn't you? You smell different from our Tian Po's blood."
Had she picked up on the scent of his penetrating wound?
Jung Yeonshin's shoulder injury still tore open at random intervals.
Just earlier, when he had considered using his fist technique, the movement had immediately aggravated his deltoid muscle, worsening the wound.
Even if she had human-like qualities, she was still troublesome.
Jung Yeonshin changed the subject.
"Do you know the way? To the Slaughter Sect?"
The Azure Qilin in his sleeve had guided him with its long wings, but upon arrival, he couldn't sense the energy presence of the Lazy Flame Dragon.
Nor could he detect the energy waves of Heon Wonchang or Shin So-bin.
'I shouldn't have revealed my condition.'
Like he had done with Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo, he had disclosed his wounds too openly.
The subordinates, who should have been tending to their own injuries, had instead become overly concerned with their leader's well-being.
It was fortunate that Lazy Flame Dragon was around.
However, if the Profound Martial Alliance was targeting the Slaughter Sect, there was no room for complacency.
"I only know the approximate locations of suspected branch hideouts. One of the fools who got caught in my sect's Heaven-Spanning Net spilled some information. If we take them out one by one, we'll figure out the main base eventually."
Gun Yurin, her greatsword strapped to her back, spoke with a fierce grin.
Jung Yeonshin slowly parted his lips, completely ignoring the subordinate, who stood in silent suffering.
"You accept the proposal, don't you."
* * *
By the second day of travel, they had left footprints along the main road.
Tack, ta-tack.
A bonfire, its flames swirling, crackled as white snow swallowed the occasional burst of embers.
Gun Yurin was a skilled hunter. She caught beasts with ease, rendering her stash of dried jerky unnecessary, while Jung Yeonshin needed only to gather firewood.
"That white sword of yours, it caught my eye from the start. Have you only practiced sword arts?"
"I use fist techniques as well."
"A sword grandmaster who also uses fists?"
"Only the basics. The movements aren't too complicated."
"Your humility is blinding. You don't belong in the Demonic Faction. You fit in with either the neutral sects or the orthodox factions. Are you walking the right path?"
"Your Sight Arts are quite impressive as well."
Jung Yeonshin, leaning against a tree trunk, replied.
In the martial world, encounters were like the wind—they brushed past and drifted away.
Yet, despite his intent to maintain distance, he had spoken quite a bit with her.
Tian Po, now wielding a fan in his remaining hand, continued to act like a servant, constantly watching Jung Yeonshin for cues.
"Hehe, my lord, I believe we're a bit short on firewood… Of course, someone of your supreme cultivation wouldn't feel the cold, but wouldn't it be unseemly for your noble skin to endure the chilly wind?"
"Take care of it yourself."
"As you command!"
Just as the one-armed scholar turned—
Boom—!
His body suddenly twisted violently, sent flying backward.
A semi-transparent energy wave struck the air like scattering petals, followed by a clear, youthful voice.
"The divine creatures of Shaolin are truly unparalleled! Monk, this way!"
"Amitabha."
Mount Hua and Songshan.
Fate and coincidence intertwined.
The scent of rugged mountain air had found them.
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