Chapter 75. Enemies (Grudges), and the Primal Source (5)
Tssst!
A blaze of fiery energy rose from Myeong Cheon's body as he sat cross-legged.
Hmm.
A look of ecstasy spread across Myeong Cheon's face. Crimson energy surged from his dantian, flooding his entire body in an instant. The energy coursing through his Eight Extraordinary Meridians was nothing short of extreme yang—pure, unadulterated.
The pinnacle of yang was the symbol of an emperor. As the energy swept through even the finest meridians and acupoints, converging toward his heart, he felt fuller than ever before.
The heart was the source of life. A strong heart meant robust vitality.
As expected!
At last, Myeong Cheon was certain. His ancestor's martial art was the key to breaking the curse that had devoured his family.
The Myeong family's exclusive art for its patriarchs, Myeong-ryeon Nam-hwa Gong, was a supreme technique worthy of the world's best. Yet it couldn't escape the curse of short life. Even the longest-lived predecessor had barely reached a full jiazi—sixty years. The average was just shy of knowing heaven's will at fifty.
Myeong Cheon was already past fifty. How many years had he lived in dread, wondering when death would come?
With this, the curse plaguing the main house ends!
Flash!
His eyes snapped open, blazing like the sun. His body burned hot. He could feel his life force surging stronger than ever. Overflowing with power, he itched to swing his sword right then and there.
He raised his right hand.
Woooong!
Whoosh!
Crimson energy flickered, then actual flames erupted. Astonishingly, his hand remained unscathed beneath the blaze enveloping it entirely. The abundant energy perfectly shielded his flesh.
"Phoenix Flame…… Indeed, this hand technique alone could claim the title of world's best."
Myeong Cheon burst into laughter.
"Kuhahaha! Now I can truly place the Central Plains beneath my feet as the supreme martial artist."
The Phoenix Divine Art was the mightiest and most exceptional among the Four Great Divine Arts. Ranked first, it boasted unparalleled might as expected.
For now, he'd cultivate the Phoenix Divine Art to bolster his vitality, then methodically master the rest.
The remaining three—Spirit Ghost Divine Art, Responsive Dragon Divine Art, and Qilin Divine Art—might fall short of the Phoenix, but each could dominate an era.
Myeong Cheon intended to master all Four Great Divine Arts. To etch his name in martial history as the ultimate warrior.
As Myeong Cheon laughed long, lost in ambitious dreams—
"Patriarch."
Myeong Cheon replied calmly.
"Enter."
Creeeak!
The door opened, and Myeong U-san stepped in.
"What is it? I said not to disturb me during training unless it's dire."
"My apologies. It was rather urgent."
"Urgent?"
Myeong Cheon's eyes flashed.
"It couldn't be about that Yeon Hojeong brat, could it?"
"No, not that."
"Then?"
Myeong U-san drew a neatly folded letter from his robe. The envelope gleamed with luxurious gold.
Myeong Cheon's eyes lit up.
"Isn't this a sealed missive from the Mu Rim Meng?"
"Yes."
"They have a building, but no elected Alliance Leader. Not even an interim one. Who sent this?"
"The Moyong patriarch."
Myeong Cheon frowned.
"Moyong patriarch? Why?"
"Please read it."
Surprise flickered in Myeong Cheon's eyes as he unfolded the letter.
"They're invoking the Great Assembly Authority?!"
"Yes."
The Great Assembly Authority was convened by the heads of the Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families for critical matters. It was rarely used—failure meant footing astronomical costs.
Why on earth?
Tilting his head, Myeong Cheon noticed the letter had two layers. Their usual method for secret correspondence.
He peeled back the reverse side and read the hidden message, then erupted in mad laughter.
"Kuhahaha!"
Myeong U-san cocked his head.
"What does it say to make you……?"
"Haha! As expected of the Moyong patriarch. He doesn't hold back once allied—pushes with full force."
"Pardon?"
Myeong Cheon grinned.
"It's about the Yeon family."
"Yeon family?"
"Starting with that insolent Yeon Hojeong, wipe out the Yeon family. I've painted him as a vile villain, so he'll publicize it and burn them down himself."
Myeong U-san's face brightened.
"Unexpected aid."
"Indeed. Help at such an unforeseen moment."
Truly pleased, Myeong Cheon's smile lingered.
"Someone showing this level of camaraderie—why not make it family through marriage?"
"More than sufficient."
"I've long admired his daughter, Yeonhwa. Exceptional girl. She'd make a fine match for my heir."
"Moyong Yeonhwa's intellect rivals her father's—best of her generation. She'd benefit the young master greatly as a daughter-in-law."
"Exactly."
Myeong Cheon set the letter down.
"After this, send a matchmaker. My son would be pleased with Moyong Yeonhwa."
"Congratulations in advance."
"Heh heh heh!"
The two exchanged endless laughter.
"Ah! What will you do?"
"About what?"
"With the Moyong patriarch invoking the Great Assembly Authority, all White Path leaders must gather. Though the truly busy ones might skip."
Myeong Cheon smirked.
"I've just channeled all my energy into the Phoenix Divine Art. After advancing, I'll tackle the others."
Myeong U-san smiled.
"I'll inform them you're regrettably unable to attend due to duties."
"Do that. The Moyong patriarch leads this, so he'll understand."
"Likely."
"By the way."
Myeong Cheon tilted his head.
"What of Yeon Hojeong? I heard you fed him to the Azure Division."
"Half a shichen ago, I sent Hak, Hwi, Heon brothers with the White Dragon Army. By dawn tomorrow at latest, we'll have him in custody."
"Kuhahaha!"
Whatever amused him so, Myeong Cheon's laughter showed no sign of stopping.
Smiling along, Myeong U-san suddenly tilted his head.
Hm? What's this?
He noticed a vein bulging prominently above Myeong Cheon's heart, at the center of his loosened collar.
A vein?
As Myeong U-san opened his mouth—
"Well, I'm in high spirits, so tend to your duties. I must train more."
"Pardon? Ah, yes! Understood."
In the end, Myeong U-san left without voicing his concern.
On the way to his quarters, gripped by needless unease, he glanced at his own chest.
Hmm.
He too cultivated the Qilin Divine Art, one of the Four Great Divine Arts. Fortunately, all was well.
Myeong U-san cleared his throat.
I've been overly worried lately.
If he was fine, so was the patriarch. He believed that.
Whistling lightly, he entered the steward's office. Since cultivating the Qilin Divine Art, his occasional coughs had increased, but he dismissed it.
* * *
This can't be!
Thud thud thud!
The axe swung with monstrous speed, like a typhoon, sweeping away the sword force of Phoenix Flying Heaven Sword entirely.
Unbelievable power. Despite clear internal injuries, the force from Gwangryongbu grew fiercer with time.
And that wasn't all.
Craaaack!
Myeong Hwi's face twisted. His world-shattering blade of flame, meant to incinerate any foe, crumbled in a single exchange.
Even at the peak of his Phoenix True Qi, he was overpowered. Pushed back—not just steps, but flung three zhang through the air.
Drip drip.
The hilt grip tore. In five years honing his swordsmanship, it had never happened.
"Kraaah!"
Splaaat!
As Myeong Hwi retreated, Myeong Heon charged. He too cultivated the Phoenix Divine Art and its hand technique, Phoenix Flame Hand.
His advancing steps blazed like fire, swift as light—Phoenix Flight, a transcendent lightness skill.
Following came a bizarre palm strike.
Whoooosh!
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed. North Heaven's axe swung heavily, carving a vast circle.
Craaaack!
"Kuhk!"
Myeong Heon fared no better. No matter how fierce the Phoenix Flame Hand, it couldn't pierce the North Heaven Twelve Walls of Black Tortoise Qi.
Water Qi countered fire by nature. To breach the Water God's art with pure yang required overwhelming force—beyond their level.
Boom!
Defense yielded to offense. Unmoving Mountain Step shifted seamlessly to White Tiger Overlord Step, summoning ironclad advance.
The Mountain King's claws shattered steel.
The savage might of Tiger King Nine Thunder Strikes poured onto Myeong Heon.
Craaaack!
Spluuurt!
"Kraaaak!"
Myeong Heon screamed. The axe cleaved his left upper arm. Not severed outright, but as good as—blade slicing outer flesh, muscle, bone. The dangling limb dangled in agony.
"Y-You bastard!"
Myeong Heon stared at Yeon Hojeong in horror.
Unexpectedly, Yeon Hojeong's expression was ambiguous. No smile, no rage—just profound indifference.
An aura defying challenge. Like a sect elder who had mastered world's-best arts.
Even in excruciating pain, Myeong Heon unwittingly shut his mouth.
Then Myeong Hwi charged again.
"Monster!"
Flash!
Faster than Myeong Heon. Approaching at terrifying speed, he unleashed Phoenix Flying Heaven Sword.
Full power—searing fire qi, unrestrained destruction.
Boom!
Wuuuung.
Yeon Hojeong's charge toward Myeong Heon slowed for an instant. Slow, fluid—like flowing water. Natural.
Unmoving Mountain to White Tiger Overlord, then back. Entirely different arts adapted flawlessly, changes lightning-quick and seamless.
The Four Gods Martial Arts were bonding through real combat.
Just half a shichen ago, such footwork shifts were impossible.
This was battlefield-honed Four Gods Martial Arts. Its cultivators grew steeper the more they risked life.
Heavy axe met light, flashy sword head-on.
Craaaaaang!
Myeong Hwi spat blood, reeling. Now even in raw power, outmatched. These superior foes, like rats before a cat, couldn't budge before weaker Yeon Hojeong.
"That's not how you use it."
Thud!
Yeon Hojeong lowered his stance.
"Blood Wing Swing Heaven is an extreme killing step. Using it as lightness skill only invites ruin."
"Y-You!"
"That art is far beyond you."
"Raaaaah!"
Myeong Hwi and Myeong Heon roared, lunging.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
Whoooosh.
His body slipped between them.
As they thrust sword-palms simultaneously, tilting heads in confusion—
Spluuuurt!
Their bodies split diagonally.
Yeon Hojeong's gaze chilled.
"As expected. At your level, Vermilion Bird Qi won't awaken."
He looked up. The three hundred White Dragon Army stared in shock.
Yeon Hojeong gazed at the night sky. Late hour, white moon and stars twinkling like a downpour.
Thud!
Hanging Gwangryongbu on his shoulder pauldron, he lowered his head to the White Dragon Army.
"Fetch the patriarch."