'The black rank seniors...?'
Jung Yeonshin rotated the Radiant Wheel of his heart.
Soon, the faintly rising Radiant Energy soared upward.
It passed through his solar plexus, enhancing the internal energy flowing through the Fengchi Acupoint, where the meridians at the back of the head and below the ears met.
The veins surrounding the meridians sharpened his nerves. It was a technique for enhancing hearing perception.
The sounds entering his ears became amplified.
Even so, the conversation of the black ranks was faint. Only when he spread the Radiant Energy more densely did he manage to capture the sound.
Right after the outcry of the Forest Striding Squad's leader, it seemed they had set up a barrier using internal energy.
Xiahou Wei-jin only yelled with power once.
Afterward, he used his normal voice. Since it was within the energy barrier of the squad leaders, no one but Jung Yeonshin could hear them.
The pure capability of the Radiant Wheel energy faintly conveyed the voice of a young girl.
"…You insane idiot! What are you thinking, blurting out the secret manual's name?"
There weren't many people who could rebuke the Forest Striding Squad's leader like that.
It was definitely Ak Surim, the Desolate Divine Spear. She seemed to be running alongside Xiahou Wei-jin, her annoyed tone following behind.
"What's the problem?"
"I know you're not stupid, so why act like this? The name itself is the problem! It's provoking the white-ranks like you're one of the Lightning Geniuses."
"It's a well-made name, isn't it?"
"Wouldn't anyone know what kind of secret manual it is just from the name? Anyone with a bit of sense could guess it. Seriously, are you insane, you giant fool?"
"I simply dislike hiding things. This knowledge should be widely shared. Maintaining dignity and being overly cautious are two different things. Are we supposed to keep quiet because we fear the strength of outsiders? That's what truly undermines the dignity of the black rank."
"You're crazy. If you reveal it, do you know what will happen to the core teachings? Don't look at me like a bear, use your brain like a wise man! Do you think just mastering perception techniques is enough?"
"I can handle it. The Divine Sword Order is strong."
"Even if dozens of the purple rank and hundreds of the black rank attack together? Don't you understand what this situation is about? We're not talking about something the Murim Alliance can handle. This will involve forces far beyond that scale."
"The Nine Great Sects can be dealt with. You're overestimating the Clan Heads. Dozens of the purple, you say?"
"Stop arguing and understand the context. Am I wrong? If you can single-handedly take down any of the Eight Great Clan's Heads—just one—then I'll concede. But could you do it when you've failed for decades? And it's not just about large sects. What about the unrivaled masters who wander Jianghu without belonging to any sect?"
"If the seventeen squads of the Divine Sword Order unite as one..."
"Even when there were only three of the purple, we struggled to hold Jianghu together. And you're suggesting something impossible from the start. Would abandoning the people of the Central Plains still make it the Desolate Fortress?"
"..."
"You're hopeless. You're eating away your instincts and pride with misplaced arrogance. If you die on a mission, that'll be the reason why—mark my words."
"I have a plan. This knowledge shouldn't be confined to just the black rank warriors. We should aim to elevate the strength of the entire core."
"And what good would it do if rumors spread and we became stronger only within the orthodox factions? Do you think the Thirteen Celestial Demons will just lie down and roll over like dogs? Keeping this knowledge within the black ranks is the only correct path. Look at you, talking back like a fifty-move novice! Recklessly revealing things without proper discussion is what's insane."
"Is there any black rank member in Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall who would listen seriously to what I say? They would've dismissed me the moment I spoke. Besides, fifty moves? That doesn't match my memory."
"What?"
"Didn't I go up to at least sixty moves?"
At that moment, laughter echoed.
"Is having short breathing patterns something to be proud of? Your output is so inefficient, that's why you're a second-rate warrior!"
"Let's drop it. The Forest Striding Squad's leader was indeed reckless. It seems there will be repercussions. It's fortunate this happened in the dead of night."
The arguing voices grew closer.
By the time the elegant voice of the Law and Order Squad's leader, Un Soyu, reached him, three figures had come into view.
They were directly opposite the front gates of the Radiant Demon Pavilion.
Their body movements displayed distinct characteristics.
With a bang!
Ak Surim pushed off the ground with a light step, while Un Soyu's movements were soft and springy, making no noise.
In contrast, Xiahou Wei-jin's stride appeared awkwardly light.
To a seasoned eye, it looked clumsy. He was likely in the middle of training, following Jung Yeonshin's advice.
All three moved slower than their martial skill would suggest. As core members, they weren't showing their full speed.
Even so, they were black-rank warriors. The moment they came into view, they quickly drew closer.
The Radiant Demon Squad's pavilion's guards, who had been on alert, retreated toward the gates behind Jung Yeonshin.
The blue robes of Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo brushed past the shoulders of the two squad leaders.
Pung Ran, and Na Il-cheon, who were part of the Blood Preservation Squad, unintentionally joined the Radiant Demon Pavilion group.
In the midst of this, the three squad leaders arrived.
A strong gust of wind blew by, causing Jung Yeonshin's hair to flutter slightly backward.
"Greetings, seniors."
Jung Yeonshin offered a calm bow, observing the faces of his seniors.
Earlier, Xiahou Wei-jin had mentioned the Comprehensive Overview.
There had been a meeting at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall, suggesting that a carefully crafted secret manual had been revealed.
His curiosity grew. Could it be that the document's content had been insufficient?
'Come to think of it… I also dismantled the body movement techniques of the Ak Clan in Shandong.'
He recalled Ak Yerim, who was betrothed to the Azure Qilin and had apologized to Jung Yeonshin at their parting.
She was said to be the niece of the Desolate Divine Spear. Perhaps Ak Surim's martial techniques could also be dismantled in some ways, he wasn't sure how she would take it.
Just then,
Squeak.
Ak Surim descended before him with a bright smile.
"Our Lightning Genius looks more and more defined with each passing day. Your arms and legs just keep stretching, you'd better firmly grasp spatial awareness, kid. The sense of distance for a grandmaster is the lifeline, you know? A difference of even an inch changes the impact of force."
"Thank you for the advice."
"You already know all this."
Just as she lightly waved her hand, a massive shadow fell over Ak Surim's head.
In the bright moonlight of the evening, Xiahou Wei-jin's large frame stood out. Even his shadow appeared overwhelmingly robust.
He was a giant, standing seven feet tall. Known as the fortress wall of the Desolate Fortress.
Among civilians, he was believed to be a divine general who descended when granted heavenly fortune.
His presence matched the title of the Thousand Fist Dragon Force Minister. His years as a black-rank warrior far surpassed Ak Surim's.
"How can you observe and think like that?"
He asked abruptly. Jung Yeonshin responded briefly.
"Sorry?"
"It's remarkable how sharp your observations and ideas are, despite not training in perception arts. At your age, with your hands, you've created something even the inheritors of clan perception techniques haven't."
"You're too kind."
"I skimmed through the first few chapters and came here. So, first..."
Whoosh.
As he dragged out his words, a colorless ripple radiated from Xiahou Wei-jin's body.
The ripple brushed past Jung Yeonshin's face. A faint barrier was forming, a tangible manifestation of inner energy.
He extended his energy outward, creating a hemispherical sound barrier. It was not something achievable without considerable mastery.
The control over his energy showed the skill of someone in a state of mind-body unification.
"Let's head inside. The squad leaders have matters to discuss..."
"Comprehensive Overview? What exactly—"
The outside noises faded. Along with the voices of the Radiant Demon Pavilion's blue-rank experts.
Complete silence enveloped them.
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, the Law and Order Squad's leader, the Forest Striding Squad's leader, and the vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order.
Xiahou Wei-jin's sound barrier enclosed the four black-rank members.
It was a boundary separating the esteemed black-rank warriors from others. The faint hum indicated the depth of a top-class expert's inner energy.
Even with Jung Yeonshin's current stored Radiant Energy, he couldn't reach that level.
It was fitting of an elite clan. Their years of internal energy cultivation were on a different scale.
'Would I catch up if I rotated the Radiant Wheel nonstop for a year? It feels so distant.'
While Jung Yeonshin admired in silence, Xiahou Wei-jin looked down at him with a peculiar expression.
"Let's start with the Thirteen Ridge Sword Steps of the Murong Clan. The counter-technique was written quite briefly."
His deep voice carried a touch of heat.
Jung Yeonshin recalled the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit Leader, with whom he had crossed swords during the Murim Alliance's Opening Tournament.
The swordsman seemed to have some grudge against the Desolate Fortress. Representing the Murong Clan, he had sought ways to tarnish Jung Yeonshin's reputation.
It was an absurd display. He was defeated by Jung Yeonshin's sword techniques.
'His swordsmanship had some hidden brilliance. If we meet again, it won't be as easy.'
As Jung Yeonshin pondered this,
"That giant almost met his end in the Thirteen Ridge Sword Formation. They say he charged in alone to protect his subordinates. The Murong Clan's Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit, about thirty warriors of blue-level skill, was deploying the formation, and he thought he could handle it by himself."
Ak Surim, with her lips curved upward, continued mockingly.
"It's a wonder he didn't die. If they hadn't lured the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit Leader away, he would've truly met his end. As you can see, there are only a few sane people among your seniors. Probably just me and the Law and Order Squad's leader here."
Jung Yeonshin slightly lowered his eyelashes, pretending not to hear. He silently expressed gratitude for his unchanging external mentor's teachings.
"The key points have been adequately noted."
Xiahou Wei-jin said, his face stern.
"That's not incorrect. The Mnemonic Verse does address them. But there are aspects that only the author of the manual would understand. For example, when breaking the Murong Clan's distinctively solid sword stance... didn't it say to weave internal energy using the 'Long Stroke' method at the point of contact? And to apply about thirty percent more power to the lower part of the 'Resting Stroke' character. That's how it was written."
"The sword stance of the Heavenly Spirit Sword is inherently insidious."
Jung Yeonshin said calmly.
"The way internal energy surrounded their arms and swordplay was peculiar. There was a clear distinction in the intensity of the energy structure. To penetrate their thrusting strikes, the 'Long Stroke' is indeed appropriate. Relying on a single pinpoint strike leaves too much to chance. If you happen to hit a weak point in their energy flow by luck, it's good, but to maintain control of the battle, that's insufficient. By calibrating the dispersing force into two strokes, you can seize victory."
Slowly, Xiahou Wei-jin closed his mouth.
His thick eyebrows briefly twitched. It was a rare disturbance in the typically inscrutable expressions of the Desolate Fortress' squad leaders.
The change was noticeable due to the way his front hair was swept back from his forehead.
He didn't reply immediately. Neither did Ak Surim or Un Soyu.
It was a moment that reinforced their awareness.
The person who had written the Counter-Technique Manual from the Jung Clan was indeed their junior.
The owner of the Comprehensive Overview of Destruction. A rising black-rank warrior had achieved a feat surpassing mere martial prowess. It was no small matter.
Though his accumulated contributions couldn't yet compare to those of the mid-level squad leaders, was there any other black-rank warrior besides this Lightning Genius who had achieved such a singular accomplishment?
It was both astonishing and admirable. At this point, he was no longer just a promising junior but a potential rival.
They were racing along the path leading toward the purple robe of distinction.
It wouldn't be surprising for any of them to reach it first. At this moment, everyone realized it.
Xiahou Wei-jin slowly opened his mouth.
"You should take on something big for your next mission. A collaborative task with two martial units."
His voice was hoarse as if choked, paired with a stiff expression, trying to mask his astonishment.
It was a strange sight to behold. Jung Yeonshin's head tilted slightly. What, why?
"Anyway, let's return to the Thirteen Ridge Sword Steps."
Xiahou Wei-jin smoothly redirected the conversation, acting as if nothing had happened.
"I understand the part about the internal energy structure and adding thirty percent to the lower stroke. But if merely having strong internal energy were enough, there would be no need for a counter-technique. The key lies in how to distribute the total amount of power, doesn't it? There are omissions like that in several places throughout the Mnemonic Verse. Of course, given how busy you've been, I understand."
"Did you come all the way here just to ask about that?"
"Isn't it important?"
"I hadn't considered it. Isn't that just basic grounding work? There wasn't much room for additional notes. Besides, when engaging in actual combat, one just applies the method that seems sufficient…"
Jung Yeonshin trailed off as he noticed the changing expressions of his three seniors.
Their faces resembled those of warriors rudely awakened in the middle of the night by a sudden challenge.
Was this what top-class experts looked like after being struck by pillows in their sleep? The sight made his words falter.
'Is there a problem?'
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