* * *
Splendid Wings Five Steps .
A technique involving five miraculous foot movements.
Jung Yeonshin took inspiration from the traces of the Diamond Immovable Body Technique.
He envisioned completing Splendid Wings Step up to five steps, and that sudden goal was already achieved by the time he came to his senses.
It was a movement technique he devised when he was still in the white rank.
At the time of creating the first step, he thought that with Splendid Wings Ten Steps, he could pass as the Divine Sword Order's leader.
Splendid Wings Step, which had stagnated at two steps, suddenly advanced three more steps, thus it became Splendid Wings Five Steps.
It was a martial art that seized control of spacing, and by the time it reached seven steps, he might be able to completely control his opponent's breathing.
It was a great achievement, worth contemplating as he looked at the sky turning dusk at this moment.
"How dare you, how dare…!"
Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign was subdued by Enlightened Monk Wonjeok.
Jung Yeonshin's landing caused a tremendous impact. It was because he followed the Diamond Immovable Body Technique exactly and stepped down.
A foot strike carrying immense leg strength traveled through the Glazed Spirit Sword and severed the tendons in Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign's arm. By the time he came to his senses, even the sleeve of his martial robe had been torn off.
In that brief moment, Jung Yeonshin and Enlightened Monk Wonjeok had enough time to exchange a few words.
The saying "seizing the initiative ensures victory" fit perfectly.
Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign.
He had allowed the first strike from two supreme masters. A swordsman who lost his sword power could not stand against the Four Great Diamonds of Shaolin.
He couldn't even chase after Jung Yeonshin, who wavered down from the Glazed Spirit Sword.
— You! What technique was that just now…!
— Seems like you were right. It wasn't difficult.
Jung Yeonshin's casual response caused Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign's swordplay to lose its precision. While fending off Enlightened Monk Wonjeok's staff techniques, his hands quickly became unsteady.
That was when Jung Yeonshin lost interest in him. It seemed he had been negligent in training his endurance.
Though an intense battle had taken place in the process of subjugation, it left no deep impression on Jung Yeonshin, who had already witnessed several supreme masters of the purple rank.
Only the occasional exquisite execution of Enlightened Monk Wonjeok's techniques made his toes twitch slightly.
On one side, shattered rock fragments.
Saaa—
A thick cloud of dust swirled around, blurring the vicinity. It was the aftermath of the brief battle.
Surprisingly, gathering the villagers beyond the distant hill using Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign's life as leverage took far longer than the fight itself.
No one was injured. Likely because they responded obediently upon seeing the warriors of the Profound Martial Alliance.
Wisdom resided in the village. Their way of handling matters was commendable.
Even so, they were lucky. Had Jung Yeonshin's party arrived even a little later, who knew what might have happened?
"You have looked after us ignorant folk like this… Truly, truly, we are grateful."
"Thank you, handsome immortal monk. Amitabha…!"
"You fool! A temple is not Taoism! That young Taoist from the Great Mount Hua over there is the immortal!"
"I would like to at least hold the hand of that noble gentleman over there. How can one be so good-looking?"
"They say the people of Shaanxi are generally bold… Step back! The martial army of the Profound Martial Alliance is still present! It would be wise to lock your doors and not come out until sunrise!"
Yoo Hyun glanced at Jung Yeonshin as he pushed the villagers back. He added that it was all thanks to his friend and the monk.
Though he seemed troubled, his dismissive gestures were firm.
From the murmuring lips of the villagers peeking from afar, words like the Four Great Diamonds and Lotus Nezha could be heard.
Gun Yurin and Tian Po did nothing.
They were of the demonic faction. Gun Yurin's attempt to feign surrender to Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign likely had nothing to do with duty.
She valued her dignity, pride, and face immensely. Her attitude towards Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign was no different—she resembled an aging noble heir burdened by wounded pride.
She only expressed gratitude to Jung Yeonshin, glancing at him repeatedly with newly astonished eyes.
Gun Yurin had now gone to inspect the martial army.
The warriors of the Profound Martial Alliance.
They had arrived shortly after Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign was taken hostage.
Beyond the dense forest. They had witnessed their leader's defeat while still alive. Thus, they did not recklessly approach.
The reverence for the top three martial artists within the Profound Martial Alliance was evident, but their sheer numbers prevented even Enlightened Monk Wonjeok from making rash moves.
It was only natural. It was said that the power to face a thousand alone was something only the Shaolin Abbot possessed.
On days when large-scale battles broke out, one had to account for the impact on the populace.
Even now, the unique presence of the Profound Martial Alliance was continuously gathering, tearing through the mountains like a swarm of ants.
"Amitabha… What should be done with these sentient beings?"
Enlightened Monk Wonjeok's towering presence alone was enough to keep the martial army at bay.
He stole glances at Jung Yeonshin whenever he found the chance. His expression suggested he had much to discuss regarding martial arts.
Krrr—
Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign lay collapsed, one leg twisted sideways, at the feet of Enlightened Monk Wonjeok, who stood with his staff planted firmly into the ground.
With both arm bones completely shattered, he could not support himself.
Jung Yeonshin sat on a less rubble-strewn spot.
This was after he had helped Yoo Hyun gather the villagers.
Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign's lifeless eyes did not fixate on Enlightened Monk Wonjeok, but rather on Jung Yeonshin. Yet Jung Yeonshin didn't even spare him a glance, focusing instead on his internal state.
'My bones and tendons nearly burst.'
Slowly.
He pulled his right leg up to his chest.
Sssk.
Only when he rested his elbow on his knee did the pain settle in. A sore sensation spread from his ankle tendons up through his calf muscles, thighs, and waist.
A warning sign. The price of forcing his body into the pathway of the Diamond Immovable Body Technique while still in poor condition.
'And yet.'
He felt good.
So much so that the word refreshing would be accurate.
He sensed a deep kinship with Enlightened Monk Wonjeok's martial arts.
As he observed the technique unfold, its historical essence seeped through in fragments, and Jung Yeonshin's perception alone traced it back to its origins.
It was as if he had found a comrade.
Even if Bodhidharma no longer existed in this world, it was a great comfort.
In a cold, dark room, like a single oil lamp flickering in the gloom.
'The Seventy-Two Supreme Arts of Shaolin.'
Which among them were the legacy of Bodhidharma?
Jung Yeonshin controlled his body with the smooth flow of the Jung Clan Movement Arts, pondering. He wanted to experience them all.
At that moment.
Whoosh—
A faint breeze swept past his eyes. Accompanied by soft footsteps. A familiar aura—serene, unrestrained. The distinctive presence of the Hidden Fragrance Drift of Mount Hua Sect.
"What was that movement technique just now? You, you vanished for a moment."
It was Yoo Hyun, back from the village.
Jung Yeonshin responded indifferently.
"Your eyes simply failed to follow. You need to train your sight arts more diligently."
"That's not what I meant. And damn it, if you keep speaking nothing but the truth like that, you'll end up making enemies among your sect's elders…"
Yoo Hyun frowned mid-sentence, his voice trailing off. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader was already an elder himself.
"Do you still have the Plum Blossom Pill? Keep it in your pocket too long, and it'll get crushed."
"I put it in my satchel."
"Don't mention such things carelessly in public. Something like the Plum Blossom Pill could throw the entire martial world into chaos. You're not the only one after it—walk around carelessly, and you'll be torn apart in no time."
"The satchels from Desolate Fortress are sturdy. They hold just about anything."
"Yeah, yeah. Like I have nothing better to worry about than the Lotus Nezha…"
Yoo Hyun flicked the embroidered plum blossom on his sleeve. A different kind of satchel hung over his shoulder.
Jung Yeonshin knew that inside that large pouch, there was nothing but a Fasting Pill. His friend, despite his flighty mannerisms, was a true Taoist.
"You leaving?"
"Yeah. I delivered the elixir, so I'm heading back. Thought about wandering the martial world with you for a bit, but the way of the squad leader of Desolate Fortress is still too much for me. Rather than be a burden, I'll just close myself off and train at Jade Maiden Peak."
"A burden?"
"I'm just another fledgling martial artist. This was a matter that even an old monster like the Blade Marquis of the Peng Clan or the Opium Poppy Sage of the Hwangbo Clan would struggle to meddle in. Let's catch up when things settle down. There's plenty of time."
"…Alright, let's do that."
"Drop by Mount Hua sometime. Leader has been asking about you."
"Send my regards to the Starlight Sword Deity."
"You take care of yourself too. To properly absorb the elixir, you need to heal your internal injuries first. Well, without the Violet Dawn Sacred Arts, you won't be able to draw out the full power of the Plum Blossom Pill anyway."
Jung Yeonshin simply nodded in silence.
Was it because he saw Twin-Winged Blood Sovereign holding the villagers hostage that he mentioned being a burden?
The gap in martial prowess was vast. Even if Yoo Hyun had made some progress, the difference remained.
With the major factions of the Slaughter Sect, the Murong Clan, and the Profound Martial Alliance entangled, stepping into the battlefield with them would only cause trouble.
Yet, his friend's expression showed no frustration.
Perhaps because he was certain that one day, he would reach a position where he could look down on the demonic faction.
Given enough time, he surely would. Like Yulha Nangnang, who wielded the sunset itself as her sword.
Yoo Hyun grinned.
"Take care."
"Travel safely."
The hem of his white Taoist robe fluttered carelessly.
And so, Jung Yeonshin's friend departed.
Before leaving the village outskirts, he exchanged brief words with Enlightened Monk Wonjeok, but the esteemed monk only offered a perfunctory bow. It was different from how he treated Jung Yeonshin.
Gun Yurin returned only after some time. One-armed Tian Po cautiously followed behind her, standing at attention, but she paid him no mind.
She merely cast careful glances between Jung Yeonshin and Enlightened Monk Wonjeok.
Her steps carried her toward Jung Yeonshin.
Thud.
The snow crunched deeply beneath her feet. The strength in her legs was different from before. Her posture alone conveyed that she had taken control of the martial army.
Indeed, behind her, the massive presence of the troops was receding into the distance.
Whether she had leveraged her lineage as the daughter of the Profound Martial Alliance's leader or employed some unthinkable method of negotiation, it was unclear.
She spoke.
"The young foal?"
"Foal?"
"My mistake. The young Taoist?"
"He left."
"So, something you were responsible for has vanished?"
"It just feels a bit empty."
Gun Yurin tilted her head slightly at his calm reply.
"You're quite skilled with words, aren't you? The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad truly is a man of many talents."
"The martial army?"
"As you can see, I made them withdraw. The Profound Martial Alliance can't engage in plundering in territories recognized by the Imperial family anyway. I'm taking only my subordinates to destroy the Slaughter Sect. Will you come?"
"Are you certain about their location?"
"Of course. I've spent years preparing for this. A few of their strongholds were caught in the Heaven-Spanning Net. Just now, I interrogated some of the men we captured, and they revealed that the Slaughter Sect has a hidden base in Taiyuan."
"Taiyuan?"
"Yes. Hidden right under our noses. That must be their main stronghold."
Before he knew it, a smirk had crept onto her lips.
"Let's head straight there. If we set Taiyuan as our destination, it won't take long."
Excitement tinged her voice. Was the merit of annihilating the Slaughter Sect and claiming the Heavenly Demon Tomb's legacy really so significant?
Jung Yeonshin stared at her in silence before parting his lips. They had traveled together for a long time. There were things that needed to be addressed.
"The faction you belong to is garbage."
"…That's rather blunt. Calling it the demonic faction would have been kinder."
"I know that your conduct is far from that of a mindless brute. But your goal is to take the throne among the garbage. To remove your brother from the race of hier."
"That's right. If I want to survive, I have to. Even if I renounce my claim to succession, my dear brother will surely come to eliminate future threats. He won't be able to rest until he takes my head."
"If what you say is not hypocrisy."
Snow crunched softly beneath Jung Yeonshin's foot as he slowly rose from his seat.
"Then you wouldn't care even if the Profound Martial Alliance suffers near-annihilation."
"..."
Gun Yurin was silent for a moment, wetting her lips with her tongue.
"…The Imperial family won't like that. As disgusting as my sect is, it's still a major pillar of the northern front. There's no ready replacement, which is why the military tolerates the martial army. And in any case, we're far from a force that could be eradicated so easily."
"I asked if losing this garbage mattered."
Jung Yeonshin cut her off, his voice quiet.
"..."
Amid the faint snowfall, silence drifted between them.
Gun Yurin had no answer.
* * *
A place far removed from Shaanxi.
A vast, pure white fortress.
Not a single piece of wood in sight.
The vast inner fortress walls were built by carving and stacking stone, and only the trees lined along the scattered lakes retained their natural vitality.
Even the passing servants each possessed at least one extraordinary trait. It was a place where even exaggerated words seemed reasonable, given the outstanding aura of those who walked its paths.
"Did you hear? A maidservant is learning martial arts."
"A maidservant who didn't know martial arts entered? That's quite unusual."
"I heard a black rank promotion ceremony is being held… It's unusually fast."
"Really? Did this come from the General Affairs Bureau?"
"Hush. It's far too soon for you. Are you thinking of biting off more than you can chew just because the Radiant Demon Squad's leader reached black rank…?"
"There was an explosion at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall! Let's go watch!"
Such was the true nature of Desolate Fortress. A place where its gates were always bustling with countless people.
Even as a dignified middle-aged man, accompanied by more than ten subordinates, crossed the street, the commotion did not subside.
Chief Administrator Lin Jinming furrowed his brow slightly.
"The great leaders currently seated…"
"Scorching Abyss Squad's leader, Annihilation Squad's leader, and Ruyi Spring Squad's leader."
A martial artist with the refined air of a scholar quickly stepped beside him. It was Kang Unchan, who had once engaged in a duel over the blue rank promotion with the Sacred Warrior of Desolate Fortress.
"Has Ruyi Spring Squad's leader had another outburst?"
"Judging by the circumstances, it seems so. He doesn't get along with the Scorching Abyss Squad's leader."
"Call the stonemasons. Have them bring in extra desks as well."
"I have already given the orders."
"I don't want to go. I finally received an unbelievable piece of good news, and now I have to bring it up at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall…"
The Chief Administrator trailed off.
In his hand, he held a scroll adorned with elegant calligraphy.
[Mission Report, Shaanxi Intelligence Update]
"No, no… This is a weapon that will press down on those troublesome pillars."
The veins on his clenched hand subtly protruded. Slowly, he muttered to himself.
It would be a hundred times better if this information spread quickly.
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