The Divine Sword Brigade (6)
The eyes of the Divine Sword Leader were penetrating through Jeong Yeon-shin.
His tone was calm, but his gaze was like lightning, enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The young boy immediately sensed it.
He knew that the Divine Sword Leader's words were not just skimming the surface.
It was because he had seen through his constitution and mentioned it in passing.
"……."
The short-lived are doomed.
The Divine Sword Leader had noticed. 'It could have been like this.' The Divine Sword Leader did not think that his internal energy was inferior to that of the Zhongnan Sword Immortal.
Just as the old immortal had instantly recognized Jeong Yeon-shin's constitution, it was not strange that the Divine Sword Leader also noticed the fate of Jeong Yeon-shin's short life.
He even directly touched the Baihui point on his head.
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at his grandfather inadvertently.
He had heard before meeting Mu Ryong-hui.
It was said that his martial prowess had declined in his later years.
It was because the peak of the martial arts he had cultivated as the former Divine Sword Leader was clear.
Due to past karma, Ma Yeon-jeok could not dare to lay a hand on his grandson.
Even the Lord of Yiphuang City remained silent, as there was no way to know about the constitution destined for a short life.
"The words of the young dragon are not entirely wrong. You must take care of your body," said his grandfather, meeting the boy's gaze.
'So the Leader's surname was Yong.' Jeong Yeon-shin realized anew that the name of the Divine Sword Leader was not well known compared to his reputation.
It was a strange thing.
While the boy harbored doubts, Ma Yeon-jeok wore a satisfied smile, as if agreeing with the Divine Sword Leader's words.
His white mustache curled upwards.
"Yeon-shin, you are truly the treasure of our family. The late bloomers who have just emerged and are raising their fame are the future of many sects."
"Former elder, surely you are not suffering from senility…."
The Divine Sword Leader furrowed his brows.
His words were completely different.
Jeong Yeon-shin watched the scene like a play, silently observing the conversation between the Divine Sword Leader and his grandfather.
The old master of Yiphuang City, Ma Yeon-jeok, continued speaking with his eyes wide open.
"Even if one cannot avoid the life-and-death decisions as a martial artist, life must be prioritized. It is not because Yeon-shin is my grandson. What is the value of Ma Gwang-ik's short-lived life? No matter the mission, one's nature must actively support standing in the position of victory…."
"It seems to be a different kind of senility. What a pity. I once aimed to catch up with the former elder."
"Such nonsense. You thunderous fool."
The Divine Sword Leader turned his head after hearing Ma Yeon-jeok's rebuke.
His eyes, gleaming with colorless light, seemed to ask, what on earth is going on? The boy, who silently received his gaze, only slightly lowered his head.
Did it appear as if he nodded completely? The Divine Sword Leader, clicking his tongue like an old man, shook his head.
"Well, how much karma has our old man accumulated…."
Ma Yeon-jeok of the Yiphuang Ma family does not know.
Perhaps it is due to his declining skills, as he said.
It was uncertain how he would react if he learned of Jeong Yeon-shin's constitution.
Would his extreme attitude suddenly change? Or would he actively try to save his grandson?
'Having even obtained a piece of the Heavenly Eye Fruit from the Lord, there's no need.' Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
There was no reason to get involved in troublesome matters.
It was not possible to advance in rank with merits accumulated by others.
Moreover, the rise in realm was entirely his own responsibility.
"You, were you the grandson of the Ma family? I never heard of someone like you in the Yiphuang Ma family."
Aksurim leaned in with a frown.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently nodded, and she shook her head.
"I quite liked you, but you have bad blood. What a shame. There are many people in the Ma family I can't associate with."
She seemed to pay no mind to Ma Yeon-jeok's fierce expression.
Her cheerful face naturally turned away from the former Divine Sword Leader.
It seemed to be due to her unrestrained nature, which was said to be the strongest in black within Yiphuang City.
As Jeong Yeon-shin inadvertently thought of the collateral royal family member Ju Yeon-jeong, Aksurim continued speaking.
"Well, the Leader and the old man are right. It seems our former Ma is indeed a fool reaching senility."
"……."
"Winning streak, you also overdid it. How many late bloomers can defeat the Blue Qilin unscathed? Even with martial prowess, luck must follow. There are days when fights go exceptionally well for martial artists, and today is one of those days, fortunately."
She, like the Divine Sword Leader, had many facets.
Her current expression was very innocent.
She looked even younger than Yeon So-ha, who had intervened from the side.
"I wasn't too worried about the Leader either. I once saw the head of the Zhuge family, and he didn't seem as impressive as I had heard. It was rather surprising that the head of the Namgung family made our Leader like that. I thought the head of the Eight Families was about half a step below the heads of the Nine Sects, but it seems the Namgung family wasn't."
"It's none other than Namgung. Among the Eight Families, they are considered outstanding. The martial arts level of the top masters is not significantly inferior to the Thirteen Heavens or the Nine Sects."
At the words of another master of the Divine Sword Brigade, Yeon So-ha nodded.
"Unless it's a place like Shaolin or Wudang… I was more worried when the short-lived faced the Blue Qilin, but you never know in the fights of the martial world. No one could have predicted it, right? There are so many variables."
"Your fame will spread tremendously. After some time, you might easily leap over two or three cities."
Aksurim chuckled as she tapped Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulder.
Now, she seemed to treat him like a rather pleasing plaything.
Should it be considered an honor to be favored by a black supreme master who had reversed aging? Jeong Yeon-shin stood quietly.
Yeon So-ha chuckled and nodded.
"Fame, indeed. There must have been more than a few who watched the martial arts match."
"That's right."
It was when the masters of the Divine Sword Brigade were lightly chatting with Jeong Yeon-shin between them.
"Short-lived, come here. Let's have a private conversation."
The Divine Sword Leader wiped the bloodstains from his lips with the back of his hand as he spoke.
It was as if he had vomited blood to his heart's content.
With a pale complexion, he gestured towards Jeong Yeon-shin, and Ma Yeon-jeok stepped forward among the Divine Sword Brigade warriors who were retreating with a calm demeanor.
His expression seemed displeased.
"Yong family brat. You wouldn't be making a rash proposal, would you?"
"Your senility is quite severe, it seems."
The Divine Sword Leader gave a short smile.
"It seems like Ma Jin cherishes this child, but I don't want to bring him along only to hear the eunuch's curses…."
"What did you just say?"
"It seems you are considering recruiting for the Divine Sword Brigade, but we don't particularly need the short-lived right now. It's an unnecessary concern. Perhaps it's because the Divine Sword Brigade was weak during the former elder's time. Wasn't it like that until I joined?"
"What?"
"You seem angry. What are you doing, short-lived? Let's hear your story."
The Divine Sword Leader gestured with a playful expression.
"Just the two of us."
The short addition carried weight.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.
It was a hall with stones emitting a soft light embedded in the ceiling.
Because precious night pearls hung like lanterns, it was bright as if the moonlight had been drawn down.
There were two visitors.
A man with a purple shadow draped over his shoulders led the way.
Thud.
The moment he took a step with dignity, the light of the nearby night pearl suddenly went out.
He was someone who treated the natural order of treasures like candlelight.
The man's hair, reflected in the light beam, was white.
The same thing happened every time he took a step.
The pitch-black darkness spread with each step like the breath of a great demon.
Even the phrase 'Sword Gate Shu Road, Tang Gate Heavenly Way' hanging on one side of the corridor was silently buried in darkness.
"Every time I come, something new is attached. I should have them all removed."
The man spoke softly.
"It's quite bothersome. The Tang Gate people particularly like bright things. It's a very unfitting behavior. Perhaps it's because they are dark themselves."
"……."
"Chilsa-do, why are you so silent? You keep doing that. Even after being saved by this cult leader."
"I'm just thinking a lot."
The woman's short answer made the man burst into laughter.
"Was the near-death experience shocking?"
"……."
"Come to think of it, you were born noble as well. You grew up particularly delicately in our cult."
"Delicately?"
"When would you have ever experienced an absolute master like the purple one from Yiphuang City? The realms of the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects' leaders are the same. They are among the few strong ones in the world. This cult leader acknowledges that. Do not be intimidated."
The man's languid yet enchanting voice continued.
All the night pearls they passed by had gone out.
The abyss-like darkness swirled around the man like silk clothes.
It was a scene beyond the mundane world.
"If my body had been intact, I would have brought back the neck of the exhausted Divine Sword Leader. What a wasted opportunity. It's good that the owner of the Broken Sword moves according to this cult leader's will, but the problem is that it always ends with one time. It's truly regrettable."
"……."
"I hope the head of the Namgung family at least took one arm of the Divine Sword Leader. The conclusion should have been reached by now."
"Please let me know the result as well. It must be done."
Finally, Chilsa-do spoke.
Was it because he was pleased with her words? The following words of the Blood Flame Cult Leader carried a hint of laughter.
"I know you care for the young Taesa. I will do so. He is a boy who must be brought in someday."
With those words, only the sound of footsteps echoed.
The steps of those who preside over the world's fear of blood demons were each unique.
The Blood Flame Cult Leader's footwork was enchanting and mysterious, while Chilsa-do's steps were simply light.
Only their manner of moving through the darkness as if it were their home was similar.
It was when they reached the deep darkness of the hall.
"I have told you so many times, yet you do not listen at all. I asked you not to disturb my cultivation."
An old voice, carrying a small amount of anger, echoed.
It was a large stone chamber.
A room built with stones inside the hall.
An old man holding a small dagger glared at the Blood Flame Cult Leader and Chilsa-do.
His body was gaunt, but he wore silk clothes that seemed to be imbued with gold.
The light of the last remaining night pearl flowed over his eyes and the dagger.
In the center was a high-legged bed.
It was also made of stone.
The Blood Demon Sword, with crimson hair, was tied up with eyes wide open, and the tip of the dagger held by the old man was just touching his chest.
"Disturb your cultivation? How could that be? It is I who promised you full support."
Simultaneously, the Blood Flame Cult Leader dropped the person he was carrying on his shoulder with a thud.
He spoke.
"This is the former elder of Yiphuang City."
"What did you say? This is insane…!"
The emotion that spread across the old man's face was madness.
Disbelief flashed first, and within two breaths, it began to be tinged with joy.
The Blood Flame Cult Leader spoke.
"A supreme master of purple. Though he cannot be compared to the Divine Sword Leader, is he not an excellent model for your cultivation? I almost died again. My body, having suffered at the hands of the Lord of Yiphuang City, was not in good shape. If the owner of the Broken Sword had not arrived just in time, it would have been so. I heard he was defeated by the Zhongnan Sect and went into seclusion, but the swordsmanship he showed upon reappearing was astonishing."
"With this one, the great method will be greatly advanced."
The old man paid him no mind.
He hurriedly crouched beside the head of the former elder, muttering.
"I was just hoping to refer to a body that has reached the peak with orthodox cultivation. It is impossible to dissect your body, so I was greatly concerned. Your blood demon bodies are truly excellent. The regenerative abilities cannot be fully described in words for the progress they bring to medical arts."
"Your impudent words are delightful. You know the grace of this cult leader."
"The first to receive the great method will be my grandchildren."
"How many can benefit from it?"
"As I conveyed before, five is the limit. Even with all the medicinal materials we can gather, that's the case. You will have three, and we will have two. That was the agreement, was it not?"
The old man asked.
"Yes, indeed."
The Blood Flame Cult Leader's transparent gaze swept the interior of the stone chamber, then stopped at a large drawing attached to the middle of the wall.
It was a diagram of the human body.
It depicted everything from the structure of the muscles to the acupoints, the twelve meridians, and the eight extraordinary meridians.
Among them, the Baihui point at the top of the head was particularly wide.
The old man's lips twisted into a bizarre smile as he noticed the gaze.
"The short-lived of Yiphuang City."
The old man said with a mad laugh.
"That is… not our body. It is truly astonishing. Even including your Blood Flame Cult clan and the Ming clan riffraff, it is so. The great method is so anticipated that it drives me mad. The key to the procedure lies there. How closely we can emulate the body in that diagram."
"Not our body? What do you think?"
A heated voice flowed out.
It was the first time Chilsa-do had spoken since entering the stone chamber.
The old man eagerly continued.
"With a mysterious acupoint structure like a supernatural being, and even practicing the pupil techniques leading to the world's divine arts…."
The old man's breathing became rough.
His breath was filled with supreme desire and excitement.
"It is close to a spiritual being pretending to be human."