Chapter 796: Side Story – A Promise Remains |
Jeong Yeon-shin paused his steps for a moment. Because he’d inhaled a familiar scent. It was air more precious than even Xinye County now.
‘Xiangyang Fortress.’
The western gate of Xiangyang. Literally in front of the west gate. Shadows of the fortress stretched into the deep moat, and the everyday bustle of the great city gently drifted over the walls.
“Lightning struck yesterday. At Desolate Fortress…”
“What’s new about that? Must be the old age ailments of Elder Golden Thunder, who supported Desolate Fortress during the Great Tree Battle. As long as no one died, it’s fine.”
“I heard from our tavern that a new white warrior got struck by lightning. Iron Demon Spring Lord was chuckling when he told us.”
“Oh dear.”
“Still better than the day before. When Pangu Giant went bouncing out of the fortress in broad daylight, my spine ran cold…”
The people’s livelihood was very peaceful. As Sword Star once said, being protected by the swords of courageous jianghu people occasionally stirred great emotion. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.
“Really…?”
Turning his back on Yelu Zhen’s puzzled face, Jeong Yeon-shin handed Baek Mi-ryeo a piece of dried meat. Natural as when they traveled together as newcomers to Radiant Demon Wing.
‘Brother Hyeon Won and I used to handle supply duties as the youngest members.’
Baek Mi-ryeo silently received and ate it.
That too was conduct as casual as during Radiant Demon Wing days. Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
“It hasn’t spoiled yet, right?”
“It’s fine.”
Only after hearing Baek Mi-ryeo’s answer did Jeong Yeon-shin also tear off and eat a piece of meat. Because he’d been worried, having received it from his second brother Jeong Jung-san.
Back when chased by terminal urgency.
Jeong Yeon-shin used to make Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo his health touchstones like this. In case there were foods that might adversely affect his Hundred Meeting Point.
Of course, he stopped when both learned of Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution. It had been awkward, and self-consciously, Cheong Myeong’s eye-smile sometimes approached cold as metal.
‘Still, those days were good.’
Jeong Yeon-shin thought while handing Baek Mi-ryeo another piece of dried meat. Soon turning his head, he saw Yelu Zhen’s strange expression.
She bluntly said.
“Like siblings.”
“Of course.”
Jeong Yeon-shin’s matter-of-fact words. It had to be different from Yelu Zhen. Because this was Radiant Demon Wing.
During their journey, Baek Mi-ryeo’s impulsive actions had been virtually nonexistent. Perhaps because she’d greatly drawn upon memories of once saying she hoped juniors would join. Just Jeong Yeon-shin caring for her like in old Radiant Demon Wing days made her calm.
Baek Mi-ryeo’s madness had a clear cause unlike Desolate Fortress’s ordinary madmen. Demonic energy was substituting for dead Pure Demon Alliance Lord Baek Seo and Desolate Fortress colleagues.
And Jeong Yeon-shin knew how to treat madmen possessed by heart demons. He’d experienced it much. Like Radiant Demon Wing, being together with her was enough, following the protective instinct that shadowed Baek Mi-ryeo.
‘Demons are governed by people.’
When Jeong Yeon-shin was certain of this, Helian Feng-yue, who’d been watching Baek Mi-ryeo, smiled and said.
“Truly a warrior. He must have been like this when facing World Tree’s majesty alongside Blue Eye Demon Sword and Lazy Flame Dragon. The spirit embedded in his body leading his techniques…”
“A fleet-footed one discusses warriors.”
Baek Mi-ryeo spoke in a flat tone, then extended her hand once more. Jeong Yeon-shin silently placed dried meat on it. Like his white-rank self addressing blue-rank seniors.
It was ingrained affection.
Hwangbo Geon-ryun, carried on his back, said.
“Come to think of it, Radiant Demon Wing never retreats regardless of color, and Martial Dragon Alliance survives regardless of battlefield.”
“That’s also old talk. Most of Martial Dragon Alliance died during the Desolate Fortress Great Battle.”
“Ah, Lord Jeong’s words are right. Middle Hero Helian deserves praise for his series of sword strikes.”
The long line of people stretching to the gate. They were mixed among citizens waiting for inspection. Helian Feng-yue interjected.
“Middle Hero? What’s Middle Hero?”
“Too old to call Young Hero while contributing to the Great Tree, but his actions have been too petty to discuss as Great Hero.”
Originally Hwangbo Geon-ryun, true to his northern birth, revered and respected the strong, but from Jeong Yeon-shin’s back he tended to look down on masters. Helian Feng-yue, like other jianghu people, briefly stared at the child then stopped.
Around then, the crowd that had been murmuring at seeing Jeong Yeon-shin became more boisterous. The news of Desolate Fortress Lord’s homecoming seemed to have reached the gatekeepers.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
‘I was planning to make Geon-ryun experience inspection…’
Since his father was who he was, there was a high chance he’d grow into a man who ignored the nation’s laws. Jeong Yeon-shin waved his hand at the gatekeeper who’d rushed over asking them to enter inside.
“How could a gentleman skip proper procedures? Remove etiquette and rules from Jeong Family courtesies, and nothing remains.”
“Haha, Lord Jeong is even joking.”
“……?”
“Growing up as a hero of the world, even your eloquence is exceptional. Well, there was an incident in the fortress the day before yesterday. I hope Lord Jeong’s complexion stays peaceful… In any case, we’ll be waiting slowly!”
The gatekeeper departed with laughter. Jeong Yeon-shin quietly watched his hearty retreating figure. While hoping Hwangbo Geon-ryun wouldn’t pull out the Jianghu Directory.
“Lord Fortress Master, did you get married recently?”
One of the citizens who’d been murmuring with puzzled expressions asked. A middle-aged man Jeong Yeon-shin knew. A tailor from Xiangyang’s fabric shop.
Jeong Yeon-shin answered.
“No.”
“My goodness, how did you become so dignified? It seems like yesterday when you were weaving black robes. You’re truly stately.”
It was when Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s eye level, still being carried on his back, involuntarily rose proudly.
Not just the fabric shop’s middle-aged man, but many citizens spoke casually. Most were people who’d welcomed Jeong Yeon-shin’s promotion with purple lanterns.
“About Sword Star Elder, we’ve been offering condolences too.”
“You’ll be staying in Xiangyang now?”
“Occasionally leaving Xiangyang to tour jianghu would also seem good. When Lord Jeong comes, Xiangyang’s housing prices will bounce up again like being hit by a flood… It’s hard on the young folks.”
Xiangyang’s people were different.
A tradition of treating Desolate Fortress familiarly. Even high-ranking warriors, they knew what state they’d rolled around in during white-rank days.
The wretched appearances when they drank at inns before entering the fortress after returning from missions were also inevitably familiar. Battered beggars. No matter how wide Xiangyang was, it was a sight often seen.
Therefore, citizens always hurried home after great battles to help Desolate Fortress rebuild.
It was the same during the Desolate Fortress Great Battle. Impossible for Hwangbo Family who practiced forced labor or Heretics Path whose livelihood was unearned profit.
Perhaps because of this.
Helian Feng-yue seemed lost in thought. While dodging stones that had begun flying from all directions.
“That bastard there… isn’t he from the Helian Family? He was in the ‘Wanted Faces Collection’ distributed by the General Administration! That slippery face is identical!”
“Revered Traitorous Monster Helian Feng-yue?”
“Why is that guy crawling into Xiangyang? Did he think the Desolate Fortress Great Battle would be forgotten!”
Whoosh! Thud! Thunk!
Bold stone-throwing drew gray trajectories. Without any fear. Xiangyang’s citizens were safer than the emperor and bold enough to arrange marriages for Jeong Yeon-shin.
Jeong Yeon-shin said calmly.
“Don’t draw techniques. It’s fine to die.”
“…Just allow footwork.”
Dust accumulated on Helian Feng-yue’s robes.
Along with Xiangyang’s life stories. As the inspection line shortened, Jeong Yeon-shin heard many compliments. One woman tried to introduce her daughter, then backed away after glimpsing Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow.
Among them was a man who introduced himself through energy transmission as being from Martial Dragon Alliance. When asked about his business, unexpected words returned. Shouldn’t Literary Star’s examination success be prevented?
“What?”
–Isn’t he a major force that should be within the Lord’s sight? If such a person becomes a lackey of imperial power again… truly frightening. He could be reborn as another Wei Yan. The deceased Grand Dowager, I mean.
Jeong Yeon-shin asked Helian Feng-yue, who was still avoiding stones.
“Isn’t he your subordinate?”
“Martial Dragon Alliance no longer moves according to my will. Since it’s a faction completely ruined by the Desolate Fortress Great Battle, my disciple is accepting commissions like a wanderer and moving his martial lineage.”
“Were you expelled?”
Helian Feng-yue didn’t answer.
Then came the inspection. The man who’d earlier spoken of exceptional eloquence to Jeong Yeon-shin.
“Lord Jeong, your business is…”
“Homecoming.”
“Welcome back.”
Just those words pushed up the corners of Jeong Yeon-shin’s mouth. Like a propulsive energy wave, it remained. Until the party passed through Xiangyang’s vast marketplace and reached the main fortress.
Creeeeak…
As the bridge lowered over the moat, Jin Myeong-jo, who’d come to greet them, appeared. Jeong Yeon-shin approached quickly like Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s brush strokes.
“Senior, have you been well all this time?”
“It’s been a while.”
“Because Senior was here, I could leave the main fortress. My heart was at peace… I’m curious about the children under your care. I’ll create suitable martial arts as gifts along with Pressure Point Pursuit.”
“There are six.”
“Yes, I heard. Another one increased. This junior wants to see them quickly…”
“If there are six children, that place is Wish for Peace Sword Hall.”
“I’ll see them later.”
Jeong Yeon-shin headed for the General Administration.
But he couldn’t immediately see Grand Administrator Lim Jin-ming’s face. Because it was hidden among thick ink fragrance and thick documents.
“Ah, Fortress Lord!”
Only his voice was heard. Feeling like welcoming someone who should be welcomed but wasn’t much help. Lim Jin-ming’s words continued.
“I’m truly sorry. You even captured Nether Stream Squad Leader Baek Mi-ryeo, but General Administration work is currently overwhelming…”
“Did something serious happen?”
“Isn’t there a city called Fancheng on the northern river? A huge commotion broke out. Literary Star landed there in a single leap.”
“Literary Star…? Why?”
“A new white warrior unexpectedly performed his mission well.”
“Excuse me?”
“That Literary Star fellow. No matter what terrible thing happened to him, I didn’t expect him to leap all the way to Beijing.”
After meaningless words came surprising news. That Literary Star had already left to take the imperial examination.
Soon it would be spring. The metropolitan examination would be held around then too.
Jeong Yeon-shin muttered.
“No wonder there were large footprints.”
“Still, wouldn’t there be a special reason? If it’s Six Star Lord Literary Star, he only had good rumors even in the north.”
It was Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s story. Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the message he’d received from the north.
“An envoy came from the imperial palace. Since ingenious cheating methods, mainly Eye Techniques, Sense Paths, and Energy Striking, are rampant in the imperial examination where many northern and southern jianghu nobles have registered their names, they hope the Lord would attend as supervisor to establish the examination’s dignity…”
“I should accept.”
How would Literary Star react if the examiner he saw at the test site was Jeong Yeon-shin?
He decided not to disturb his metropolitan examination studies until that day. One shouldn’t ruin what a person has made their life’s great work.
“First I’ll check the affairs that have accumulated meanwhile. Does the Grand Administrator have more to report?”
“Well, I don’t know when Tyrant Hero will follow Literary Star to Beijing. I heard he gained great insights…”
Jeong Yeon-shin decided not to worry excessively. Originally, no one knows what they’ll encounter on the journey to the capital. Tigers, typhoons, Tyrant Hero, rain and wind… The same would have been true for scholars who challenged imperial examinations until now.
“It must be fate.”
After greeting General Administration’s clerks, Jeong Yeon-shin headed for Yong Hye-myeong’s quarters. Because of massive natural earth energy pulsations. An accumulation of energy that no one in the world could dare discuss.
Only Yelu Zhen was calm. She clasped her hands behind her neck.
“I don’t know how this Sect Leader ended up here. The Desolate Fortress Lord whose words weigh as much as a thousand gold seems to have something to say to me…”
“Sister, sleep well.”
First sending Yelu Zhen to the Desolate Fortress Lord’s office, he only brought Baek Mi-ryeo and Helian Feng-yue. Of course Helian Feng-yue smiled.
“Finally…!”
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at Jin Myeong-jo.
“Senior can slowly leave. What serious matter could there be?”
“A promise remains.”
“A promise?”
“We agreed to drink fruit wine together. Since the other party is the Lord, it’s an extension of duty. My wife will understand. There’s also something urgent to tell you…”
Jeong Yeon-shin was greatly impressed.
“How could that be as important as family harmony? Senior seems like he’ll work at the main fortress forever. You always spur me on.”
At those words, Jin Myeong-jo finally seemed to lose his taste for drink. His pale face turned even whiter like snow. To Jeong Yeon-shin, he was a perfect man combining a family head’s sense of responsibility. Despite being the most capable purple rank in the main fortress.
‘I should be like that when I start a family.’
Finally, it was home.