Chapter 790: Side Story – Always |
Certain stories never leave the jianghu.
The world of mad blade-wielders.
Famous martial bloodlines always came with all sorts of debates. Needless to say for the current world’s foremost martial bloodline.
The neighbors next to Xi’an Jeong Family were the same.
“Isn’t the legitimate successor Shin So-bin?”
“There’s no room for disagreement. Didn’t Jeong publicly call her his foremost disciple?”
Guests who sat on the front yard, roof, and walls as chairs. A scene of spirited discussion over a single cup of wine.
“Shouldn’t the most promising disciple and the sect’s legitimate successor be different? If they were the same, wouldn’t Martial Dragon Alliance Leader’s foremost disciple Hwa Yeon-bi have inherited from the Helian clan? The Hyeol-ryeon family wouldn’t have been annihilated either.”
“Then what does Sam-bok think about who the legitimate successor is?”
“The Group Leader…?”
“I think it’s Senior Tyrant Hero.”
“Pardon?”
“He underwent complete transformation through Jeong Family Dynamic Technique and Great Rejuvenation Pill. The Fortress Lord even personally guided him. How much longer do you think he’ll live?”
It was while several were debating rapid retirement.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly approached them. To greet the wedding guests.
He opened his mouth with difficulty.
“There must have been many missions.”
Yeon So-ha, the handsome young swordsman of Divine Sword Group, answered with a smirk.
“That’s why most couldn’t come. The Qing imperial family demands so much that there are countless tedious hardships. Two weeks ago, someone even disguised as a bandit and was almost killed by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”
“Disguised as a bandit?”
“It was a theatrical performance ordered by the new emperor to display the stability of his reign. Strong bandits being defeated by the imperial family’s overwhelming elite warriors… In any case, he seems to have many worries too. The imperial dynasty was replaced too smoothly, so there’s nothing to display?”
“Now I understand why Literary Star would do that.”
“Preparing for the civil examination? Even so, that’s pushing it…”
Yeon So-ha shook his head.
Beside him, the composed young man Sam-bok was wiping his mouth with his blue robe sleeve. He seemed to have prepared a report quite carefully.
“I’ll report on Jeok Family’s Second Young Miss’ situation. It seemed you were searching urgently, so I prepared it.”
“Me?”
Jeong Yeon-shin listened intently, and Sam-bok’s report continued.
“She’s already at Wudang Mountain. She seems to have gotten involved in the Winter Dream Blood Matter, though I couldn’t discern the reason. The only reason a jianghu person would jump into it is for the Unorthodox Path Finest Sword’s Winter Dream Sword.”
“There’s no reason to covet a divine treasure.”
“The Winter Dream is quite special. Apparently it naturally initiates entrance into many unorthodox techniques like Form Shifting Void and Heaven Soaring Sword. Thanks to the divine essence that permeated when the Unorthodox Path Finest Sword died, it supposedly doesn’t require much mystical knowledge… Of course, for those without talent it’s drawing on water, but ‘I’m different’ is the principle of jianghu martial arts, isn’t it?”
“…Among blade-wielders it’s certainly intense enough for bloodshed. But why her?”
Jeong Yeon-shin recalled Seventh Apostle.
A martial fanatic who would concentrate only on martial energy even seeing great treasures. She doesn’t seem like she’d have petty greed. When she was still Pseudo-Heterodox Sword, she was like that only toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
‘Why not now?’
As thoughts flowed strangely, Sam-bok’s report continued. It was also about the Winter Dream Blood Matter.
“Only a few main fortress warriors were dispatched, and we’re only preparing for possible contingencies. Currently, there’s no clear justification for intervention.”
He said the reason jianghu people hadn’t touched any common folk was like being possessed. They seemed extremely wary of Desolate Fortress’ involvement.
Yeon So-ha interjected.
“It’s a legendary demonic sword treasure. The main fortress also has much debate. Whether to find it and take it, give it to Wudang who claims ownership, or somehow controlling this matter might plant the seeds for another Desolate Fortress War…”
“Well, we’ll leave it at that. Let’s raise our cups.”
Quick-witted Sam-bok spoke. His expression showed this wasn’t a topic for a wedding feast.
And timely raised his cup. This was because Wu Yue-xiang, the Saber Wielder of the Radiant Demon Wing, looked ready to strike them with her single arm like a little mother of the family.
“Well, blessings aside, demonic swords and such…”
Then she asked Jeong Yeon-shin like a typical sister-in-law from any family.
“Fortress Lord, when are you getting married? You’re already past the proper age, and I thought you’d bring something from the north. I was pleased thinking the Hwangbo child was a result.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“You couldn’t handle it yourself before. Should I help?”
Only people strong in various ways had come.
Originally, after competitions were held by hierarchy of white, blue, and black ranks, only the winners participated. Because Desolate Fortress couldn’t be completely empty.
Jeong Yeon-shin passed white and blue figures laughing heartily on the main platform and roofs. Among them was Wei Ye-ryeong, whose originally sharp ears had become rounded, and Crimson Day Sword who was carefully pulling back Shin Bin-bin who was already drunk and trying to move next door.
Most Radiant Demon Wing warriors who’d previously attained first Radiant Art Bond study were also present. Even some who’d once been nameless Radiant Demon disciples and had grown.
On one side, the Blue-rank of Administration Office, Kang Woon-chan was drawing this scene.
“Where is So-bin…?”
At Jeong Yeon-shin’s murmur, Sam-bok answered immediately from afar.
“She was greatly afflicted by the Divine Sword Deputy Leader and is near death.”
“What happened?”
“That’s something to hear directly from the main fortress… In any case, she’s quite weakened, so she competed with the blue ranks. However, she was defeated by Ma Se-in, Great Gentleman of the Ma Clan, so the Grand Administrator hasn’t approved her departure.”
“Great Gentleman of the Ma Clan?”
When Jeong Yeon-shin questioned back, Ma Se-in, lounging freely on the tiled roof, waved his hand dismissively. He seemed reluctant to compete with Jeong Yeon-shin in the depth of the Four Books and Three Classics.
“Empty reputation. Just empty reputation.”
Desolate Fortress Lord Jeong Yeon-shin nodded and headed to the house next door.
That is, next to Xi’an Jeong Family and the one beyond it. Thanks to Hui Merchant Dai Quan Gang lending many civilian homes.
The headquarters of Desolate Fortress were already holding a drinking gathering there.
Thud.
The moment Jeong Yeon-shin crossed the threshold, a black-robed woman stood up with long legs.
“That limping fellow really left?”
Wish-Fullfilling Spring Leader Beigong Ya.
Her family was annihilated in the past by Fighting God’s Northern Unification March. Her clan had resisted fiercely. It was also one reason why Fighting God could only unify the north halfway. Her family was the prestigious Northern Royal House.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.
“Yes, he’s gone.”
Perhaps because it was Jeong Jung-san’s wedding day. Beigong Ya rarely seemed to have suppressed her fury. Only displaying many emotions on her face.
“Do you think we can find him in twenty years?”
At her words, Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth with difficulty.
“In my assessment, you’d need another thirty years of training to gain even slight chances of victory. Of course, heavenly fortune would be necessary as well. Meanwhile Fighting God will have become even stronger…”
“Isn’t he already as strong as the Fortress Lord, having reached human limits?”
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.
“His power may be, but the variety of techniques is different. Isn’t Go more difficult against opponents with more techniques? I myself would die if I miscalculated that fellow.”
Even with power close to being the greatest of all ages, there’s no certainty of victory. That limping fellow even made upper dantian prescience unsteady.
And formless techniques.
The number of strikes increases with Fighting God’s experience. Every strike is perfect, and his combat sense matched Jeong Yeon-shin’s.
Beigong Ya asked combatively.
“So you’re saying you’ll lose?”
“I don’t think so.”
But Jeong Yeon-shin would never fight that fellow.
The crutches in Fighting God’s pupils looked like reeds drawn from the Southern Emperor’s mental image. Having received it like an offering of harmony, he departed. Therefore, Jeong Yeon-shin hoped the limping fellow’s remaining years would be peaceful.
‘Chaotic jianghu.’
Most change factions like walking through formations, just like Hui Merchant Dai Quan Gang.
His current uncle Ma Jin was the same.
“Fortress Lord, so you defeated father with the Four Books and Five Classics…?”
“He was no match.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly.
Ma Jin’s scarred lips rose.
“It looks that way to me, but is your dark energy properly sealed?”
Suddenly Jeong Yeon-shin’s Void Grasping energy rushed to Xi’an Jeong Family’s library, but suddenly it was cut off and dispersed.
Looking back, Hyeon Won-chang was shaking his head. His spatial sword technique cut off the void grasp. The blade silently returning to its sheath was the mystical blade Spring Awakening.
Hyeon Won-chang laughed like a person gossiping at the feast.
“Is there reason to destroy a newlyweds’ house? Just offering blessings would be more than enough.”
“Uncharacteristically hasty, Fortress Lord.”
Dragon Treading Squad Leader Wei Ji-zhi spoke for Hyeon Won-chang.
The rope already extended to the soles as if to bind Jeong Yeon-shin at any moment. It seemed like he’d met his younger sister Wei Ji-myohwa already. Simultaneously, Annihilation Team Leader Silent Lord Shin Hwang nodded with sunken eye sockets.
“Fortress Lord, if you reduce your food intake, worry will also keep its distance. Failed love is no different.”
“You’re still talking about my mother?”
“Always a little.”
Meanwhile, the main platform belonged to Namgung Hwa-shin. Sitting with eyes wide open. His eye corners seemed fixed by acupoint pressing.
When Jeong Yeon-shin passed, Namgung Hwa-shin’s lips moved.
“…If one follows natural principles, it will be accomplished smoothly. Send a matchmaker to Desolate Jeok Family. A document listing what the Fortress Lord will give and receive would suffice.”
He spoke.
When asked why he woke, Jeong Yeon-shin’s matter was significant. When asked again about discourse with civil and military officials, there was no answer. He’d fallen asleep again.
Jeong Yeon-shin asked at the feast table.
“Will the marriage between the Obeying Heaven Wing Leader and Shin Bin-bin proceed properly?”
A refined middle-aged swordsman shook her head. Desolate Shin Family Lord Shin Seol-ha. Her breathing method seemed to have progressed. Her inner energy breathing had noticeably lengthened.
“…The reputation of Desolate Fortress’ Greatest Family seems to be gradually forgotten.”
A very serious face.
Even Ma Jin couldn’t hastily point out the term Desolate Fortress’ Greatest Family. Considering the recent Shin Family, it was inevitable.
The eldest of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique successors, Elder Council Head Shin Byeok who declared early retirement, Shin Bin-bin who confessed to Namgung Hwa-shin, the eldest son Shin Heon-bin who became first place in last year’s triple examination and teaches literary study to Literary Star, ‘Shin So-bin’, and Shin Hwang who always speaks softly about something.
The Shin Family had no successor to Supreme Heaven Martial Scripture.
It felt suffocating.
Jeong Yeon-shin came out soon.
At least Hyeonn Won-chang shared advice about romantic matters. It was the Wish for Peace Sword Hall where discourse actually happened.
‘A scenic view, wine, and a verse…’
He headed toward the cottage opposite Xi’an Jeong Family.
Hwangbo Geon-ryun, who followed him around, suddenly asked.
“Where might my father be?”
At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin had already lost his expression. He briefly tried composing a verse but his upper dantian was useless. Lazy Flame Dragon’s recent whereabouts came out mundanely.
“According to the Grand Administrator’s report, he didn’t obtain good results in the competition.”
“He lost in the purple rank competition? Ah, that’s why he wasn’t granted permission to visit?”
“Your father’s pride wouldn’t allow him to walk here after losing so badly. Now I’m curious what kind of face he has.”
“Even now Xi’an Jeong Family would be the world’s foremost power, so if we’re saving the imperial face, this much is right. Father received recognition as purple rank from civil and military officials even without the promotion ceremony…”
“The young one is quite clever. Are you planning to deceive with that cleverness?”
Muttering while recalling the flower palanquin and Jeong Hye, Hwangbo Geon-ryun flinched. Hot yang energy naturally rising from the child’s body made his goose-bumped arm smooth.
Then Hwangbo Geon-ryun tilted his head.
“But who did he lose to? Those absolute northern kings wouldn’t even start fights with father.”
“My maternal grandfather.”
“Is he safe?”
Ma Yeon-jeok came to Shaanxi but abstained from the wedding ceremony. Jeong Yeon-shin understood that too. What was really difficult to understand was the interior of the cottage they’d just entered.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked around absent-mindedly.
“Martial Dragon Alliance Leader?”
“It’s been long. Did the Sword Star pass away peacefully?”
A middle-aged man with a deep yellow robe tied at the waist, his torso exposed.
Clearly aged greatly while holding back the world tree, yet his face remained youthful. Jeong Yeon-shin asked with a confused expression.
“Did you recover your innate true energy? What sorcery?”
“You should know that only the Yong fellow is the world’s best at storing energy cultivation. The reason I long ago noted him as a worthy rival of my generation.”
“Yong senior inspired divine technique? When did that start?”
“…Always.”
Martial Dragon Society Leader Helian Feng-yue was surrounded by clouds white as a dragon.
He’d made his own energy pattern into a formation, fixing it in place. The subtle principle of constantly pulling surrounding natural earth energy to his body.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.
“I could make it bloom like spring by tearing with Time Flowing Water Piercing the Heaven.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Did you come to ruin the wedding?”
“I swear not. If I really intended that, wouldn’t those nine sects’ enlightened immortals have stopped me?”
Helian Feng-yue pointed behind his shoulder with his thumb.
Old Profound Void hazily counting clouds from senility became visible. Wei Ji-myohwa, who’d been angry at the old man, also stopped short.
Jeong Yeon-shin pretended not to see. Helian Feng-yue was the same.
Soon with a plain expression, Helian Feng-yue opened his mouth.
“Wake Yong Hye-myeong for me. I’ll reward you with my daughter.”
“… Seriously.”
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head. Such were jianghu people.