Royal Road
Chapter 109
Chapter 109 – Divine Technique (3)
***
“What about me?”
A girl peeked in with the dim light of dawn.
She crept in like a cat through the bedroom door, and Jeong Yeon-shin almost attacked, thinking it was Shin Bin-bin.
Her eyes were bigger. It was Shin So-bin, his direct junior.
Shin Bin-bin and Shin So-bin. Though they recently split into Radiant Demon Wing and Obeying Heaven Wing, they were sisters who trained together in childhood at the Shin family.
Their presences were similar. If Jeong Yeon-shin had been deeper in meditation, he would have really reached out.
Having just finished his meditation, he unfolded from his lotus position and stood up.
‘We can depart right away.’
It was time. Everyone should be gathered as promised.
“Senior Lightning Genius, what about me?”
Shin So-bin followed him persistently until he left Radiant Demon Wing’s quarters.
Even as Radiant Demon Wing’s unnamed disciples bid farewell to Jeong Yeon-shin, she kept staring at his face.
“Brother, you must beat them all up!”
“Cut down all those Sichuan peasants if they get in the way! Show them how great Ma Family energy is!”
“Please bring back the other brothers too. I miss brother Myeong-myeong and brother Chang…”
The girl’s voice was sorrowful as she mentioned Cheong Myeong and Hyeon Won-chang.
Cheong Myeong had been at Radiant Demon Wing for a long time.
Being from an elf clan and handsome, he was nicknamed affectionately by the unnamed disciples.
Hyeon Won-chang was also popular for his uniquely friendly personality.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently looked over the children one last time before heading out.
At that moment, Shin So-bin gently grabbed his sleeve and followed.
“Take me with you too. I’ll definitely be helpful.”
“You need to look after the children.”
He replied calmly.
As Shin So-bin’s eyes drooped sadly, Lazy Flame Dragon, who was beside Jeong Yeon-shin, chimed in.
“You’re going to be left as a nanny? And you have to look after the kids’ martial arts training too. Well, that’s how it is being the youngest. Ah… just talking to myself.”
“An unnamed disciple dares…”
“A girl as big as an iron pole.”
“What did you say?”
Even as the two bickered, Jeong Yeon-shin’s steps didn’t stop.
Soon, they arrived at the main gate of Desolate Fortress. Two people from Obeying Heaven Wing approached them first.
It was Namgung Hwa-shin and Shin Bin-bin.
“Bin-bin. How far do you plan to follow?”
Namgung Hwa-shin turned and asked indifferently. But Shin Bin-bin’s demeanor was calm.
“To Sichuan, oppa.”
“The unnamed children must have held you back.”
“What can they do if I say I’m going? The family brought in servants and warriors to take care of them, so I’ve clearly done my part. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Her face was very proud. But her dignified attitude only lasted until then.
The moment she saw Jeong Yeon-shin, who had approached, Shin Bin-bin’s face turned pale.
She revealed all sorts of emotions in an instant. Not only fear and helplessness, but shame could be seen in her slightly flushed expression.
The boy thought she must have heard about what happened from Namgung Hwa-shin.
There was no need for further discussion. Jeong Yeon-shin slightly bowed his head to Namgung Hwa-shin.
“Sir Namgung.”
“Sir Jeong.”
Namgung Hwa-shin bowed back and spoke again.
“You are the leader of this military force. As discipline must be maintained, if any of our Obeying Heaven Wing warriors disobey orders during the mission, I will personally deal with them.”
Having a righteous character didn’t mean being weak. He had a demeanor tempered like a sword.
Shin Bin-bin also kept her head bowed without showing any other reaction.
“…Yes.”
Jeong Yeon-shin answered briefly and passed by them.
While Shin So-bin strangely looked at her sister’s face, Lazy Flame Dragon gazed peculiarly at Namgung Hwa-shin.
“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed.”
It was said that Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin was Lazy Flame Dragon’s close friend. Namgung Hwa-shin and Lazy Flame Dragon also seemed to be acquainted.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly wondered what Lazy Flame Dragon thought about Namgung Se-jin’s death but pushed it aside for now.
Swish swish swish―
The display of qi energy filling his open view was tremendous.
As soon as Jeong Yeon-shin appeared, they showed their inner force and spirit.
All the warriors of the Lightning Genius lineage were gathered. Though they came earlier than the promised time, everyone seemed to be present.
The horses whinnying and stamping were also ready. All preparations were complete.
“Grandmaster.”
“You’ve arrived.”
Their martial salutes were like mechanical movements.
The gesture of raising both hands clasped together while bowing their heads happened simultaneously, reminiscent of the Vazra Bronze Men said to be at Shaolin Temple’s Eighteen Halls.
Though inexperienced, he vaguely thought it might be like that. Their respectful conduct appeared quite solemn.
“…Well well. It actually happened.”
Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming sighed.
It wasn’t just warriors who had gathered. The civil officials of the Administration came to send off the rescue team.
They had received the departure list from Jeong Yeon-shin, who returned last night, and gave conditional approval while being uncertain.
Saying they would recognize it as a temporary military force if the listed numbers were true.
“The Lightning Genius martial lineage…”
Looking at the bowing warriors, the Grand Administrator muttered while stroking his beard.
This was definitely a rare occurrence.
Though there were many who had contributed martial arts to Desolate Fortress’ Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal, there had never been a case of people serving someone as their master like this.
The Grand Administrator turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.
“Sir Jeong.”
“Yes, Grand Administrator.”
“When you return, bring these people back safely, and if your achievements and merits grow greater…”
What scene did he imagine in his mind?
For a moment, a strange light seemed to flash in the Grand Administrator’s eyes, but he eventually trailed off and shook his head.
“I cannot burden you, so I formally authorize the mission departure.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yeon-shin replied immediately. The Grand Administrator smiled faintly.
“As it is a temporary military force, I shall name it the ‘Return Wing Corps’ in hopes of Radiant Demon Wing’s return. The best outcome is returning with Radiant Demon Wing, the second best is… finding the identities of the assassins. I will submit documents for these two objectives.”
“We should accomplish both.”
Jeong Yeon-shin answered.
Perhaps sensing the killing intent mixed in his calm voice, several people with keen qi sense flinched for a moment.
In reality, the boy had a third objective in mind that the Grand Administrator hadn’t mentioned.
‘Revenge.’
The Grand Administrator nodded without showing any particular reaction.
‘It’s also important to show that our foundation remains strong. Whether this heaven-sent talent
will accomplish that far, or all fall together in the treacherous land of Sichuan is yet unknown…’
He was already a Blue-level expert. It was a rank where independent action was acceptable. And he was creating a new martial lineage.
***
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Translated by Nine Heavens!
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***
Though the Administration could approve missions, they weren’t in a position to arbitrarily define Jeong Yeon-shin’s code of conduct.
His standing had risen immensely.
The Grand Administrator watched Lightning Genius’ back as he turned and walked away.
Soon the backs of the official warriors following him were added one by one.
Amidst the brushing of martial robes, only the clanking sounds of sword guards at their waists rang out.
It was a scene that gave off a desolate charm.
Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming’s lips parted slightly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
“Sir Jeong.”
“…?”
Jeong Yeon-shin turned slightly. The Grand Administrator continued speaking.
“The Lord is currently up in Beijing, but sent a message to his disciple. It arrived at dawn.”
“Please… show me it.”
“Here.”
A rolled-up paper emerged from the Grand Administrator’s chest. He casually tossed the letter toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
It flew straight as if imbued with inner force.
The warriors of the Lightning Genius lineage scattered to avoid it.
Jeong Yeon-shin caught and unfolded the paper, his eyes scanning the contents.
It was written in regular script. Neat yet flowing.
[Embed your intention into the flow you create. If you can breathe with this divine technique, you will rise to the sword’s realm.]
“…”
Her crystal-clear voice seemed to ring in his ears. It was a strange feeling.
“What does it say?”
Lazy Flame Dragon poked his head out, and Shin So-bin pulled his hair.
Despite her violent gesture, with sadness in her eyes she said,
“Senior Lightning Genius, please take care.”
“I will.”
Jeong Yeon-shin turned around after tucking away the Lord of Desolate Fortress’ second teaching. At last, it was time to depart.
* * *
Thud thud thud!
The hoofbeats roared like thunder. The sound was familiar now. He had been hearing it for over half a month of continuous horseback riding.
‘Thank you.’
Jeong Yeon-shin stroked the neck of the horse, its eyes rolling back. At the same time, he spurred its back and leaped up.
It was time to switch modes of movement. The roads in Sichuan were treacherous. From now on, using lightness skill would be more efficient.
Pak!
Footprints were left behind on the ground.
The warriors who had followed the boy leaped and landed in unison, also switching to lightness skill.
‘We’re here.’
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
They were passing through Sichuan’s Jizhou Prefecture. This meant they had reached the entrance to Sichuan from Huguang Province in the east.
The group had been switching horses constantly. Any horse that exhausted its strength before reaching the next post station was abandoned.
Step! Step!
Their sprinting was relentless, each step stamping into the earth like an arrow in flight.
Jeong Yeon-shin incorporated the subtle movements Cheong Meong had taught him into his lightness skill. It was the Body Protection Technique, a technique that propelled him forward like a gale, tearing through the air.
The qi of the experts following him was equally remarkable. These warriors, part of Desolate Fortress’s Return Wing Corps, moved with an aura of dominance.
As they entered Sichuan’s Shu Road, word began to spread:
Experts from Desolate Fortress were crossing Sichuan Province with fearsome momentum.
“Hey, Acting Commander.”
Lazy Flame Dragon suddenly appeared on Jeong Yeon-shin’s right.
With his Scorching Divine Meridian, a force said to grow infinitely, and the Hwangbo family’s supreme learning techniques that he had cultivated longer than Jeong Yeon-shin, Lazy Flame Dragon looked entirely at ease, even while using lightness skill.
“Speak.”
“We’re almost there, but there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Tell me.”
Jeong Yeon-shin’s reply was short and to the point. Lazy Flame Dragon responded with a faint smile.
“I’ll speak casually, as you’ve permitted. Well, it’s about my situation.”
“…”
“As you know, because my damn family committed treason, Desolate Fortress dealt with the Hwangbo family. Normally, someone like me—who was nearly the young master—wouldn’t have survived.”
Jeong Yeon-shin had wondered about this himself.
No matter how talented Lazy Flame Dragon was, his life should have been short-lived.
This was well known. The term Scorching Divine Meridian was practically synonymous with a doomed future.
“I survived somehow, even while captured and waiting for death. But my position remains ambiguous. Frankly, how many people in Desolate Fortress trust me? They follow the Lord’s orders, sure. But living the rest of my short life under constant suspicion? It’s not exactly pleasant.”
“…So?”
“I need to prove my worth—to our Lord Lightning Genius.”
Lazy Flame Dragon’s smile deepened. Fixing his gaze on Jeong Yeon-shin, he added,
“Don’t be surprised by what I do next.”
“…”
They sprinted for another half day.
Only then did Jeong Yeon-shin begin to understand Lazy Flame Dragon’s earlier words.
When the Return Wing Corps arrived at a cliff where knife-like winds howled, the trail of Radiant Demon Wing had disappeared.
There, a group of beggars sat waiting.
“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”
One young beggar stood and spoke, his greasy face shining. A faint smell of meat clung to him.
The Return Wing Corps warriors didn’t dare look down on him. The cord tied at his waist displayed six knots.
“Six Knots. He’s a minor master of the Beggar Sect. Master, that man is a Senior Beggar.”
Crimson Day Sword whispered softly from behind Jeong Yeon-shin.
The Beggar Sect.
It was one of the major sects, collectively known as the Nine Sects and One Faction.
They were known for weaving an intricate information network, gathering beggars trained in martial arts from all over the world.
“Yesterday, the genius twins from the Tang Family came through, and today, the precious imperial swords make their appearance.”
The Senior Beggar spread his arms exaggeratedly as he spoke.
The phrase precious imperial swords, coming from a martial artist, wasn’t a compliment.
Since the Ming imperial court and Desolate Fortress publicly denied any external affiliations, it was clear these words carried hidden barbs.
But Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t interested in quibbling over such details.
“Tang Family?”
He recalled the Administration’s report:
Traces presumed to belong to the Tang Family had been found near the end of Radiant Demon Wing’s trail.
The Myriad Heavens Flower Rain, a divine technique known to every martial artist across the Central Plains, had been identified.
“Oh, White Qilin and Scorching Dragon are here too. The rumors were true. White Qilin is even more handsome than they say, and Scorching Dragon here looks fresh with his opium poppy.”
The Senior Beggar’s grin widened as he glanced at the Return Wing Corps. His tone and demeanor were hard to decipher.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze darkened.
And then it happened.
Tak—!
The Senior Beggar’s head jerked down suddenly. Lazy Flame Dragon had moved, now standing beside him, whispering.
“So, who are these Tang Family geniuses? And why were they here?”
“What are you—!”
The Senior Beggar’s voice was cut short as Lazy Flame Dragon’s palm struck his head again.
This time, the air itself seemed to distort from the heat.
Thud!
The Senior Beggar crumpled to the ground like a frog. Even the protective qi he had hastily raised was utterly shattered.
The vibration that followed resonated through the earth.
Crouching next to the Senior Beggar’s fallen form, Lazy Flame Dragon smirked.
“Opium poppy users always flail around uselessly like this. First time seeing it?”
That was just the beginning. The Return Wing Corps had entered Sichuan’s murim, their swords sharpened for revenge.