Jung Yeonshin stood ten steps away from the two men. Standing idly with his arms crossed, he looked anything but awkward.
Only fragments of air currents spread like the wind brushed past the hem of his dark sleeves.
"Tsk."
Kang Un-chan lifted his head. He stood right in front of Heon Wonchang.
Full Chariot Sword Kang Un-chan.
A faint, bitter smile formed on his face. The nickname suited him, implying that his cart was filled with books he had devoured.
As a warrior guarding the General Affairs Bureau, this fit his character. He consumed both martial and literary scriptures indiscriminately as his sustenance.
Kang Un-chan was a master challenging the blue-rank. No casual strike could easily shake his protective energy.
Not even if his opponent were a top-tier master of the black rank.
The force applied wasn't enough to break through his internal defense. It felt more like the caprice of many warriors prone to such behavior.
A scenario very familiar to the experts of Desolate Fortress.
The vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order, the Forest Striding Squad's leader, and the previous leader of the Divine Sword Order, all eccentric figures ran rampant here.
They fully enjoyed their positions, given by the logic of survival of the fittest and hierarchy. Moreover, Lightning Genius was a bloodline of the Desolate Ma Clan.
Few expected anything from the nature of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. Only the new leader remained unaware.
"This Kang is rambling too much."
Kang Un-chan scratched the back of his head. He had delayed starting the duel himself. Since it wasn't a clash that erupted during combat, fairness was hard to discuss.
"Despite the Radiant Demon Squad's leader mentioning it, you call it troublesome."
He fixed his gaze sharply on Heon Wonchang. His hand, which scratched the back of his head, moved oddly slow.
It was a gesture aiming to peel away the essence of the air's flow.
Obsessed with martial arts. It was said that among the warriors of Desolate Fortress, there were no talentless ones. He was curious about the technique from earlier.
He simply couldn't ask directly. His curiosity was similar to that of the murmuring warriors around. What technique had been used?
"Do not delay. I have commanded you repeatedly."
Lightning Genius, the leader of Radiant Demon Squad, spoke.
"My experience as squad leader is shallow, so I am not skilled in provoking opponents with words. However, I do know what methods are useless in a duel. Compete with martial arts. When it comes to martial prowess, I will judge fairly."
A calm voice flowed, sincere and composed. The air of a squad leader lay within his firmly chosen words.
"My apologies."
Kang Un-chan reached for his sword wave as he spoke. Heon Wonchang, standing with an odd expression, drew his own sword.
Sunlight danced noisily along the two blades. The silent sword light flickered.
Jung Yeonshin briefly reviewed his technique while observing the two men.
'So, the energy wave compresses at that range.'
Creating mid-range air pressure wasn't difficult.
It embodied the principle of striking a bull beyond the mountain. Striking the mountain to hit the bull on the other side. With a short strike, Jung Yeonshin hit the air.
He struck violently with compressed waves. The wind followed, delivering the impact. It was similar to the method favored by the Myung Clan.
'Is this how Shaolin's Hundred Steps Divine Fist unleashes its mysteries?'
Jung Yeonshin delved into the profound logic of martial arts.
For the effort he put into the strike, its utility wasn't significant. The Hundred Steps Divine Fist wasn't a technique to be casually used in anger.
As a divine martial art renowned throughout the world beyond the martial realm, Shaolin's thousand-year-old secrets surely lay within it. But now wasn't the time for deep contemplation.
'I must ensure no one in this fortress gets hurt.'
Jung Yeonshin lifted his head.
Clang—!
A sharp, metallic noise rang as if brass had been struck. The clash of swords had erupted. The shockwave rushed through the air, scraping past their skin like a biting wind.
Heon Wonchang and Kang Un-chan's wrists trembled as veins protruded. The energy embedded in their swords was exceptionally powerful.
As if summer heat had been summoned, the air shimmered in colorless waves.
Beyond the sword blades, Kang Un-chan's lips curled slightly.
"Heon-won, your swordsmanship is quite impressive."
"What's impressive is your protective energy. The shield behind your head must be as thick as your face. You bring misfortune upon yourself and still stand perfectly fine, I truly admire Kang martial artist's ability."
Heon Wonchang replied, his eyebrows arching slyly. His words came as he vied for strength.
His internal energy and breathing were remarkably deep. His long-winded words indicated he had breath to spare.
Kang Un-chan's eyes widened slightly.
So did those of the spectators below.
Standing beside Lazy Flame Dragon, Zhuge Qing-ya showed faint interest on her otherwise indifferent face. Her eyelashes rose slightly.
"His breathing isn't proportional to his gathered internal energy. His depth is significant."
"He's a suspicious loafer."
Lazy Flame Dragon said with a lifted lip. Even as Zhuge Qing-ya shook her head, he casually plucked a red poppy bloom.
"He's not transparent like me. He has a shady, sinister side, the complete opposite of this noble self."
"Watch your words. The Divine Sword Order's subordinate combat units each function like a small sect. Radiant Demon Squad's subordinate, after all."
"That's why I'm speaking freely. Criticism is for enemies before they're killed. That one is supposed to have our squad leader's back, no?"
"..."
Thud! Clash!
The two's eyes remained on the stage. The loud sounds of foot-stomping and sword clashes echoed as the ground trembled.
The vibrations extended even to the space below the stage. Two swordsmen crossed paths, their white sleeves fluttering.
Dozens of sword trajectories intertwined and collided.
The crowd around Lazy Flame Dragon and Zhuge Qing-ya gasped softly.
"Full Chariot Sword's techniques are indeed marvelous. Did you see that upward slash just now? The air fragments filled every direction. The force exploded like petals, blocking all of Radiant Demon Squad's Radiant Demon forms."
"They say he's read all the scrolls in Desolate Fortress. Apparently, not just a rumor."
"He's supposedly gone through all lower and middle-level scriptures. Hence the nickname, Full Chariot Sword. Truly a talent."
"He likely enhanced his perception with unique training. His knowledge must be vast."
Heon Wonchang's sword force was being pushed back. His forward footwork had long ceased. He was stepping backward.
Anyone could see he was on the defensive, with a notable disadvantage in both sword power and observational skills.
Kang Un-chan, with a faint smile, spoke.
"You need to be more humble."
"Excuse me?"
"I know you secretly deny my words. Isn't that why you fail to fully bring out the capabilities of Leader Jung? The world doesn't yet know the true potential of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
Kang Un-chan's serious remark came as his sword slashed forward. Sparks flew as a metallic clang echoed.
No matter how deep Heon Wonchang's internal breath was, engaging in a war of words while on the defensive wasn't possible.
Heon Wonchang wasn't Jung Yeonshin.
He had entered Desolate Fortress less than two years ago. It was far too soon to discuss blue-rank mastery through sheer combat ability.
Even their age difference was stark. Full Chariot Sword Kang Un-chan was a seasoned swordsman in his early thirties.
Just observing his composure revealed his courage and capabilities. He embodied a swordsman's virtues in multiple aspects.
Thus, even when facing the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, he maintained his poise.
'Damn it.'
Heon Wonchang's gaze darkened.
As he kept stepping backward on the duel stage, Kang Un-chan's sword techniques swept past his ears and sleeves with an impeccable rhythm.
His efficiency in combining swordsmanship and energy projection was extraordinary.
'He could definitely reach blue-rank.'
Heon Wonchang wasn't flustered. What mattered today was the symbolic meaning of the martial display.
Whether Plum Blossom Sword or Shaolin's Five Fists, prestigious techniques gain their true worth through elite practitioners in the mid-tier levels. Combined efforts from elite Plum Blossom Swordsmen are said to even trouble Mount Hua's masters.
Radiant Arts should also establish itself at that level. It had to.
This was the first martial art created by his young peer.
Jung Yeonshin had developed it. Everyone would soon know. That was why he didn't care about the chatter of others.
"Radiant Demon Squad's strength has always been reputable... but how can hastily recruited forces synchronize? Heon Wonchang is no different. Big-Mouth Sword Heon Wonchang. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader is a hero beyond the grasp of ordinary men."
"There's hope for the future. It's just premature now."
"That's the limit of Radiant Demon Squad, reduced to something akin to a newborn force. There were so many casualties."
"Well, they managed to barely fill the gap. Now they only have to grow alongside the new leader. There's no reason to belittle them now, lest you insult the fallen warriors of Sichuan Province."
By then...
The trajectories of the sword strikes collided in their climax.
Boom!
As Kang Un-chan exchanged blows, he stomped his foot hard. From the Yongcheon Acupoint on the sole of his foot, a wave of internal energy exploded.
Colorless ripples spread from his ankle, fiercely cutting through the air.
The energy surged to his waist, enhancing his strength as he bent forward and unleashed an outward slash that tore violently through the air.
Kwaaaah!
The energy surrounding his blade seemed to chew through the void. At that moment, Heon Wonchang suddenly slashed his treasured sword downward from above. It was a direct counterstrike.
Just before the sword strikes crossed into a cruciform clash, a humming sound, like the cry of a swarm of bees, resonated.
The sound came from Heon Wonchang's grip, spreading with a glow surrounding the back of his hand.
White beams of light instantly coiled around his sword blade. For a brief moment, they scattered like threads unraveling under sunlight.
This was different.
The beams of light had not been seen before. They bloomed as Heon Wonchang generated his energy wave, tracing a beautifully extending trajectory.
"That...!"
Many people leapt to their feet from the viewing stands. Every martial artist with discerning eyes did the same.
An unexpected technique had emerged. It resembled the move previously displayed by Radiant Demon Squad's leader Lightning Genius.
A martial art they had dismissed as exclusive to Lightning Genius had now been performed by a mere subordinate.
The rigid understanding they had, based on conventional wisdom, shattered like ice.
Kwaaaaah!
Heon Wonchang's treasured sword surged forward, enveloped in glowing currents of energy. His blade deflected Kang Un-chan's strike as it pushed past.
The force of the slicing air seemed to rake even their eardrums.
It was a tremendously fierce slash. Even in that fleeting moment, the nature of the martial art was palpable.
The temperament of the creator emanated from the linear trajectory of the sword as it extended forward. Even as it closed in on the opponent, the essence remained.
'Damn it!'
Kang Un-chan's eyes widened. His extended sword recoiled toward his chest, carrying Heon Wonchang's treasured sword on top of it.
He couldn't withstand the amplified power of the sword strike in such an instant. His body felt as if it would be split in two.
Beyond the elegantly glowing energy wave, Heon Wonchang's black eyes were chillingly calm.
Beneath the radiant heroic glow of his weapon, his half-closed eyes harbored killing intent. They were extremely sharp.
Even though the same martial art as Radiant Demon Squad's leader had been used, the difference in execution between the two was staggering.
Thud!
Heon Wonchang twisted his wrist, slamming the flat of his blade into Kang Un-chan's forehead.
A massive shockwave rippled outward. The heavy reverberation spread, while dazzling white beams of light danced erratically.
Each strand of light was a wave of sword energy, transforming into razor-sharp threads that shredded Kang Un-chan's upper garments to pieces.
Shraaak—!
Even the aftershocks of the energy felt like blades woven from threads. Heon Wonchang had struck with the flat of his blade, holding back significantly. He hadn't restrained the remaining energy waves, though.
He looked down at Kang Un-chan's finely conditioned body with a sense of disdain.
"Compared to our squad leader, your external technique is soft."
Heon Wonchang continued as he spoke.
"And your earlier statement was wrong. Just lucky to have met the right peer? No."
"..."
"No, I met an extremely good peer. Far beyond what your thick-headed self could comprehend."
Whip!
He lightly lowered his sword, as if dusting off debris.
Radiant Arts Manual.
Radiant Demon Squad's leader had founded this martial art as his signature discipline, and now, it had finally manifested.
Stirring the turbulent air with resounding energy waves, it disintegrated like a halo of dust between Heon Wonchang's fingers.
The once-bright light dimmed and scattered into fragments, as if it had never emitted such brilliance.
The scene exuded silence. It demanded stillness.
For a brief moment, the vast central sparring arena froze. No one in the crowd lacked insight.
"..."
Even without reciting the mnemonic verses, they understood.
—That's a sacred martial art.
The masters gathered at Desolate Fortress collectively concluded this. Even without imbued spiritual essence, it would soon be classified as such.
The Full Sky Flower Rain of the Tang Clan was a comparable martial art.
When Radiant Demon Squad's leader Lightning Genius had displayed it, the impact had been entirely different. The movements of a top-tier master were almost impossible to fully observe.
It was a matter of speed. But Heon Wonchang had shown everything clearly.
He had concealed an unknown technique, not revealing it from the start but hiding it like a dagger. It was the trait of an assassin, though he could not be categorized as one.
He had gathered waves of energy through ordinary stances and unleashed them all at once. This could only be explained by extraordinary talent.
He was far from the kind of sect that relied on lowly ambushes as their specialty.
Suddenly.
Lazy Flame Dragon's laughter broke the silence. The eyes of the warriors shifted between two places: Radiant Demon Squad's leader, who oversaw the match, and Heon Wonchang, who had triggered the unexpected twist.
"That…"
Kang Un-chan finally spoke. His face was devoid of expression, looking utterly dazed. Only his eyes sparkled with a star-like yearning.
"What is it?"
He asked.
Heon Wonchang's lips curled upward. As he spoke, he gathered internal energy into the Renying Acupoint on both sides of his neck and the Shuitu Acupoint right above his vocal cords.
[NOTE- Renying and Shuitu are acupuncture points in the front of the neck, at the level of the Adam's apple. It's located on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, above the common carotid artery.
It was a mastery of internal energy operation, close to the signature techniques of Desolate Fortress' grandmasters.
The fact that he had managed to reduce the intensity of the energy waves enough to maintain composure already spoke volumes. It wasn't a skill just anyone could mimic.
He spoke clearly. Not through sound transmission, but loudly enough for all the martial artists in the central sparring arena to hear.
—Radiant Arts Secret.
His refined voice echoed everywhere.
While the internal energy moved fiercely within his throat, his tone was steady and solemn, spreading heavily like the waters of the Yangtze River.
—The Radiant Demon Squad's leader created it as the official technique of our squad.
After finishing, Heon Wonchang spoke again, this time in his regular voice.
"It belongs solely to the Radiant Demon Squad. Search the Full Treasury of Martial Arts for a hundred days, and you won't find it there."
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