Chapter 238: Awakening (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 238: Awakening (2)
It was the quietest spot on the battlefield.
Crowds lined the canyon, watching with bated breath. The number of spectators far exceeded the actual members of the heterodox sects.
The leaders of the Seven Great Sects of Xi'an had orchestrated this spectacle to solidify their dominance.
“……”
Wi Il-hwa could not find the words to answer.
Her enemy had seen right through her. Her ultimate eye technique was famous throughout the lands of Xi'an. Yet, even while engaged in a life-or-death struggle with the Sword Demon Sect Leader, he had been keeping a close watch on her—the Lord of the Exalted Remaining Lands Sect.
The sun, drifting far past midheaven, hung heavy in the winter sky. The thickets nestled at the bottom of the canyon swayed in rhythm with the screams of her disciples being slaughtered behind her.
A dry vitality pulsed through the parched canyon. The ridge line stretching from the Great Moon Gorge to the Guanzhong Plains gleamed as sharp as a blade.
That move just now.
That feast of countless afterimages.
It had absolutely nothing to do with his cultivated internal energy.
The very way he used his body was on a completely different level. Her Dark Movement Time-Transcending Vision had seen it clearly. With a physique honed through unknown means, he executed countless postures with flawless stability. This wasn't merely skill; it was a matter of pure, terrifying innate talent.
To call him a genius was a gross understatement. Unprecedented throughout the ages. That was the only phrase fit for him.
An entirely inappropriate surge of jealousy washed over her. Just how did a bastard with such monstrous senses experience the world?
And so, Wi Il-hwa, the Lord of the Exalted Remaining Lands Sect, was forced to acknowledge her enemy's true identity.
He was undoubtedly a commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
The Sect Founding Ceremony held in Hanzhong had made the moniker "Flash Art" famous. Since the headquarters of the Alliance was located in Hanzhong, Shaanxi, the rumors had naturally reached the ears of the local sect leaders.
Among those hard-to-believe rumors was one regarding his age. It was said that the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing was absurdly young.
Even now, many refused to believe it. The world was vast, and information was often unreliable.
But what if it were true?
If he had truly attained the Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress at such a young age, his talent had to be monstrous. No matter how illustrious his background, it didn't change the facts. He was a bona fide marvel of the Jianghu.
The person standing before her was living proof. Through his physical talent alone, he had completely bypassed her Dark Movement Time-Transcending Vision. And his handsome features still held undeniable traces of youth.
The barrage of light swords that had manifested before him, accompanied by the piercing shriek of whistling arrows, were undoubtedly the elites of the Desolate Fortress.
If this bastard wasn't the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing, then no one was.
Some half-baked martial artist had just ruined her life. A gray figure, straddling the line between the imperial court and the martial world, had boldly intervened in the affairs of the Xi'an Jianghu.
Acting as if he owned the heavens, he had dared to interfere with the business of the Seven Great Sects.
“You…”
Wi Il-hwa's eyebrows shot up fiercely. Her rage finally eclipsed her panic, twisting her aging face into a demonic scowl.
“Did you not expect things to turn out this way? Even after ruining the livelihoods of the common people so thoroughly?” Jeong Yeon-shin, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, asked calmly.
He, too, harbored anger.
He had no interest in these lowlifes. He was merely carrying out his mission. Originally, he had hoped these bastards would draw out the Elder Council Head of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
The Ghost Soul Divine Sword, Yeo So-hyang. She was widely known as the overall leader of the Hegemon Sword Sect's heterodox factions.
If it were her, she would surely know the whereabouts of the missing Zhongnan disciples.
Even if she acted like a transcendent immortal indifferent to the mortal realm, she would be forced to show herself once he finished cleaning up the trash gathered here.
The very person who examined the ley lines of the Jeong Family Manor.
This was a personal grudge, entirely separate from his enmity with the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
At this moment, the only person on Jeong Yeon-shin's mind was the Ghost Soul Divine Sword. The eye technique he was on the verge of completing was entirely focused on crushing her.
The Elder Council Head of the Hegemon Sword Sect, and the wet nurse of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
The so-called Seven Great Sects of Xi'an were merely stepping stones that deserved to be punished. He had long since seen through their scheme to offer him up as a sacrifice to secure their absolute rule over Xi'an.
They had treated the lives of the common people like dirt. He had to end things here and force the Ghost Soul Divine Sword to come looking for him.
Thud.
He kicked a fragment of the sword left behind by the Sword Demon Sect Leader. The sunlight, which had seeped into the grains of sand like molten gold, scattered in all directions.
Suddenly, Wi Il-hwa shrieked hysterically.
“This is utterly outrageous! How dare an outsider martial artist presume to—!”
“Our confrontation has dragged on too long,” Jeong Yeon-shin said, completely ignoring her as he drew his sword and pointed the blade downward.
Xi'an, Shaanxi, had served as the capital of various dynasties. It was certainly a fitting mission site for a commander-level expert. The heterodox Seven Great Sects were also highly renowned in their own right.
Because the scale of the affair had grown so massive, it was taking an unusually long time to conclude a single mission.
This would not do. Swift, decisive battles were the core principle of Jeong Yeon-shin's life.
Swoosh.
Under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands from the great city of Xi'an, he raised his sword toward the top of the canyon. The pure white blade of the Northern Light pointed straight to the heavens.
He took a high-guard stance, the hilt brushing past his sideburns. The shockwave erupting from his body blasted the light dust away in all directions.
Lightning-Flash Sword Ridge Style, Qilin's Judgment.
“From now on,” Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips, “I will not take more than ten breaths.”
* * *
Xiangyang, Huguang.
The Desolate Ma Clan had undergone a massive upheaval.
Ju Yeon-jeong, who had used the imperial martial art, the Golden Immortal Eight Methods, as leverage, had been ousted. She was completely driven out; to merely call it a fall from power would be an understatement.
Her status as a collateral member of the imperial family was entirely meaningless now. This was because the prestige of the Supreme Elder, who had successfully reversed his physical age, was absolute.
An event no one could have ever anticipated had occurred.
The Hegemon Hero, Ma Yeon-jeok, had fully returned. He was a peerless master forged of steel, appearing exactly as he had during his absolute prime in years past.
“W-What on earth is…”
“Heavens, so it was true.”
“Was what I witnessed actually real?!”
“How in the world?”
“You guys know nothing. The current Commander of the Demonlight Wing…”
“Shut up! Do you want to bring disaster upon us with your careless words?”
An old divine sword had been reforged, imbued with immense power. His return was kept strictly confidential. For now, the world must not know.
The Hegemon Hero's martial arts would inevitably yield infinite utility across the entire Jianghu.
He would become the most powerful hidden sword in the world. At a time when the Desolate Fortress was at a disadvantage, they had suddenly gained an overwhelming force.
Only the members of the Ma Clan knew of the Hegemon Hero's rejuvenation.
Even those who had followed Ju Yeon-jeong had their dantians sealed with a single word from the Supreme Elder. There was no need to worry about anyone leaking the secret. Their silence was guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Ma Family Head Ma Jin stood at a crossroads.
He was deep in thought as he walked, his empty black left sleeve fluttering in the wind. The promotion tests had finally concluded, and the remaining martial artists of each unit were beginning to set out on their respective missions.
Just as the thoroughfares of the main fortress had grown desolate, Ma Jin's heart felt similarly empty.
The Jeong Family Dynamic Art…
The book tucked firmly under his right arm felt heavy. It was a manual newly written by his nephew, Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was not the original version that detailed all the fine meridians and acupoints of the entire body. It only recorded the basic framework that formed the main flow of the dynamic art. In truth, it was closer to a highly degraded copy.
It had been created specifically because his uncle and grandfather were reluctant to spread the youth's divine art to the rest of the clan. Jeong Yeon-shin had gifted it to them as a compromise.
— In fact, this might be better. It is much easier to learn. I guarantee even a monkey could master it.
It had been sent along with a letter written in calm, steady handwriting. It arrived the day before his nephew was scheduled to act as an examiner for the promotion tests in his capacity as the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
Because of the gravity of the matter, the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword, Cheong-myeong, had personally delivered it.
That cheerful, bright, yet strangely sharp Brightfolk swordsman had worn a bizarre expression, looking as if he were simultaneously smiling and frowning.
Ma Jin hadn't paid it much mind. As a former commander, he was used to Cheong-myeong's eccentricities; the man's inner thoughts were always hard to read. They had parted ways after exchanging brief pleasantries.
Now, he deeply regretted it.
Thinking of his nephew, Ma Jin sighed inwardly. I should have at least seen his face.
He had been incredibly busy lately. He had spent a great deal of time purging Ju Yeon-jeong's faction and carefully assessing their merits and faults.
It was a necessary step to restore the clan's prestige. Only now did he finally have a bit of breathing room.
Step.
He entered the now-quiet inner castle of the main fortress. His vision brightened as pure white marble walls surrounded him on all sides.
He had arrived at the Lord's residence, the place where the deepest silence in the Desolate Fortress resided.
Swoosh.
Six gatekeeper warriors saluted him with a silent, cupped-fist greeting.
He merely nodded and passed them by. Ma Jin, the Naraka Reaper, was fundamentally an arrogant, top-tier expert. That was his true nature. He only fumbled and hesitated in front of his nephew, who stirred up a deep, old guilt within him.
The warriors lowered their hands, entirely accustomed to his demeanor.
Ma Jin paused for a moment.
Wait… Did Yeon-shin learn that from me? I've heard people say he acts just like a true Ma…
Chuckling at the silly thought, he climbed the stairs. The winding staircase ended at the top of the inner castle, where a massive stone gate stood. It, too, was made of marble, carved from the finest black stone used only by the fallen Dan royal family. Its deep, abyssal blackness perfectly suited the profound silence of the inner castle.
The Lord's office.
With a heavy rumble, the door opened. It was an incredibly natural, effortless display of Void Grab. Even Ma Jin, who had once been strong enough to challenge Ak Su-rim, felt a fresh sense of awe.
It has been a long time since I was last here.
Adjusting his empty sleeve, he stepped over the threshold.
The fresh scent of vegetation immediately washed over him. Before his eyes, massive tree trunks twisting like dragons filled his vision.
Even though the onset of winter had passed, they proudly stretched their vibrant green leaves in all directions. The lush scent of grass was fragrant without being overwhelming.
Familiar figures sat to his left and right.
However, Ma Jin looked only straight ahead. He knelt on one knee and brought his hands together, strictly observing the etiquette of the Desolate Fortress.
“I pay my respects to the Lord.”
“Ma Family Head.”
A clear, resonant voice rang out.
It was the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.
She was sitting askew on a thick tree trunk. Her cascading green hair possessed a quality that went far beyond mere luster, instilling a profound sense of supreme nobility in anyone who looked upon her.
The same was true of her eyes, which seemed to hold the ancient depths of a primordial forest. Within her deep green pupils, the very principles of all creation seemed to swirl.
Ma Jin bowed his head deeply.
“The reporter is here?”
A cheerful voice rang out from the left. Ma Jin shifted his gaze slightly. It was a young woman wearing a black robe, sitting cross-legged. A long spear lay carelessly behind her back.
She, too, glanced at Ma Jin, the sunlight rippling gently through her pitch-black short hair.
It was Ak Su-rim, the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress.
Ma Jin furrowed his brow.
“What brings the Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps here?”
“I'm being punished. Haven't you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“I had a bit of a clash with that Ye family kid from the Alliance. She was hovering around Flash Art. She's been getting on my nerves ever since she behaved rudely to the Lord,” Ak Su-rim spoke nonchalantly.
The crease between Ma Jin's brows deepened. “Someone from the Alliance was hovering around Yeon-shin?”
“It was quite a spectacle. If you want to act like a proper uncle, you'd better ward them off yourself. Just the other day, the Shin clan was talking about sending a matchmaker. You do know that unless someone is exceptionally noble and open-minded, they won't be nearly enough of a match for him, right? Do a good job. Though, of course, our Flash Art's own wishes are what matter most.”
Ak Su-rim, who had been frowning moments before, curled the corners of her lips into a teasing smirk.
Even as a dry cough resembling a tiger's growl erupted from the opposite side of the room, she did not lose her bright smile. She was nothing if not resilient.
Isn't she just talking about herself?
This was a side of her Ma Jin knew all too well. The Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress had been exactly like this back when she served under the Hegemon Hero. She simply could not discard her rebellious streak, even if it killed her.
Considering his father's explosive temperament and Ak Su-rim's peerless talent, it was only natural they clashed.
“Did you kill her?” Ma Jin asked.
“No. Her martial arts were ridiculously strong. If I had gone all out, I probably would have crippled one of her limbs, but I stopped halfway. It wasn't my intention, but…”
Ak Su-rim trailed off, turning her gaze forward. With the silent Lord of the Desolate Fortress seated in the center, the Hegemon Hero, sitting cross-legged on the opposite side, was glaring sharply at her.
A thick, unyielding stubbornness seemed to overflow from his handsome, sharp facial features. It was Ma Jin's father, having fully regained his youth.
It seemed his father had stepped in to mediate the incident. He had likely just sent her a chilling telepathic transmission.
How dare you break the law in the presence of the Lord? I shall punish you severely.
Ma Jin could easily picture the exact words without needing to hear them. His father had always been that way.
The one who needs to be punished first is himself…
Ma Jin shook his head inwardly. How could someone with such a volatile temperament be trusted with missions directly linked to the nation's security? The only proper, level-headed person in the entire Ma Clan was the current family head—himself. It was a truly lamentable fact. He wasn't even curious about why they were having a joint audience with the Lord.
“I have come to make a report,” Ma Jin said, addressing the Lord. “Our clan has newly adopted a family martial art. As this is a matter that must be officially recorded, I have also come to inquire after your well-being.”
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress was the Martial God. She oversaw all martial arts incorporated into the main fortress.
She possessed the absolute authority to inspect all the martial arts within the Gold-Piercing Martial Library, the Divine Sword Corps, and the various clans serving under the main fortress. The same rule applied when creating a new martial art and bringing it within their walls.
It required the explicit permission of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. This system had been established to consolidate the martial arts of the main fortress during its founding, shortly after the establishment of the empire.
Now, however, it had become a mere formality.
“It is a great blessing for the Ma Clan,” she murmured softly. “Tell me what it is.”
“…It is the Jeong Family Dynamic Art,” Ma Jin answered, bowing his head in prostration.
The Lord's eyes were briefly veiled by her slender eyelashes as she slowly blinked.
The sunlight, scattering through the canopy of leaves, settled around her eyes, casting deep, shimmering shadows beneath her beautiful eyelids.
An ethereal beauty flowed from her pale face, a testament to her peerless martial arts.
Her expression remained impossible to read.
Parting her lips, she asked, “Do you speak of Flash Art's technique?”
“Yes. The Ma Clan has been the beneficiary of his grace.”
“You are correct. It will suit the Harmonious Bloom Divine Art well.”
“I am deeply sorry that I cannot stay longer, but pressing matters within the clan require my attention. Having made this brief report, I shall take my leave.”
A formality was just a formality. The Lord stood above the law. Once the various commanders and family heads reported a new martial art, that was usually the end of it.
She did not actually review every single manual submitted to her. It was a purely ritualistic report.
That was also far more comfortable for her subordinates. The Lord's direct evaluation was something that made even top-tier experts sweat with tension.
Swoosh.
Holding the book securely, Ma Jin stood up.
Even if it was a degraded manual, it was still the Jeong Family Dynamic Art. The preface establishing the core intent of the martial art was completely identical to the original.
It was identical to the first page that Ma Jin and Ma Yeon-jeok had read together back in Sichuan. This meant his nephew's deeply personal history was described within its pages.
The Ma Clan's shame may become known to the world. But the core principles containing Yeon-shin's intent… Yes, he said it was like a diary.
Ma Jin felt a premature sense of relief wash over him.
That was, until the Lord's clear voice suddenly rang out.
“Bring it here.”