Chapter 252: High-Level (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: High-Level (2)
The feeling was sublime.
The air caressed the skin of his right arm like fine down. It felt as if he were performing a sword dance in a dream.
His strike was not aimed at Shaanxi's Number One Demon.
He didn't even see Wi Geuk-sang as a person—just an obstacle between him and his niece.
It didn't matter how powerful his opponent was. He was sick and tired of the great evils of the Jianghu trampling over his mother's homeland and harming the people he held dear.
As a Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress, it was time to declare his invincibility.
His vision blurred. Only the faint silhouette of Shaanxi's Number One Demon registered in his sight. The painkiller’s effects were potent.
It’s fine.
He simply swung, his blade tracing a thread of light that shimmered in his mind's eye. He reached out, aligning his sword’s path perfectly with the streak of radiance.
The sword seemed to move on its own, pulling his hand forward. Jeong Yeon-shin's talent, erupting through his entire body, guided the strike.
A Life-Saving Herb. It was a treasure exclusive to prestigious sects, used to shatter impossible situations.
It was a sword path of lightning.
Phosphorescent Light Sword.
Whirrr!
The profound essence of the sword style flowed from the crown of his head to his fingertips. It was the mental image of a thunderclap—free, wild, and unstoppable.
‘A downward snap in the center, then an upward slash...’
As the Northern Light Sword extended, drawing a dazzling arc, a dreamlike light coated the blade like a will-o'-the-wisp.
This was the fourth form of the Lightning-Flash Sword Ridge Style. It twisted unpredictably, like the drunken wave of a hand.
At its end…
…came the groan of Shaanxi's Number One Demon.
"Kheheh…!"
The dreamlike world shattered as the lightning-patterned trajectory flickered out. His vision cleared, focusing on the tip of his sword. Blood sprayed first, splashing violently before his eyes.
The strike had bypassed the Black Sword's defense. A red line was drawn across Wi Geuk-sang's chest—a long, deep gash.
Dark blood spread from the wound, a testament to the rampaging sword force that had shattered even his Body Protection Qi.
The Law-Transcending Halo Qi infused in the blade had finally bored into the demon's body, and the result was terrifying.
"A bastard… who was practically dead…!"
Shaanxi's Number One Demon, Wi Geuk-sang, staggered back, his mouth twisted in a snarl. His yellow robe, which had been puffed out by his immense internal energy, deflated limply. He looked utterly defeated.
Huuup—
Jeong Yeon-shin held his breath, barely managing to stay on his feet. The petal only numbed the pain; he still had to exert force throughout his entire body just to maintain his balance.
The hilt in his grip felt scorching hot. The Lightning-Flash Sword Ridge Style's Phosphorescent Light Sword was a counter-attacking form.
The more deeply their forms entangled, the more lethal the single strike that would shatter the stalemate.
A sword born from the Path of Senses. It was a technique that drew out one's innate talent to its absolute limit. Unlike the second form, Nine Azure Rivers, which required perfect physical condition and the accumulation of shockwaves, this move seized a single, fleeting instant.
For any ordinary genius, such a strike would have been a one-off fluke, executed in a daze and never to be repeated.
Though it came from his own body, it was almost a coincidence. Normally, an insight born in a fleeting moment was impossible to recapture.
This was why martial artists of prestigious sects frequently immersed themselves in meditation.
But the Flash Art was different.
‘With the mental image of summoning lightning from a clear sky...’
He committed every flow of true qi, every minute muscle contraction, to memory, forging them into a sword form.
He could recall even the sensations that had escaped his conscious control. For him, letting go of an enlightenment once obtained was simply impossible.
The fourth ultimate move of the Lightning-Flash Sword Ridge Style was now fully his.
His combat capabilities had grown more versatile. Jeong Yeon-shin had taken another step toward becoming a complete martial artist.
"..."
Meanwhile, silence fell over the area. The movements of everyone fighting or watching nearby ground to a halt.
The miserable state of the Demonlight Wing Commander and the clear gap in their martial prowess had created an unspoken expectation.
Everyone had assumed he would be defeated and killed by Shaanxi's Number One Demon. Wi Geuk-sang himself had been acting on that assumption when he was struck by the counter-attack born from the Life-Saving Herb. It was a sword path no one could have anticipated.
The only ones whispering were the experts of the Demonlight Wing, some squeezing through the encirclement to get closer, others keeping watch on the surroundings.
"…Did you see that?"
"You mean the Commander's body?"
"I mean the sword move. I can't believe it… but at least I can breathe a sigh of relief."
"You sword-obsessed fool, just get the Golden Sore Medicine!"
In the center of it all, Shaanxi's Number One Demon staggered, clutching his chest. An immense amount of blood poured through the gaps between his fingers.
Even at a glance, his injuries were no less severe than Jeong Yeon-shin's. And this was a man who had reigned as the king of the Shaanxi branch of Lingering Spirit.
"How could this…"
"Lord Wi…!"
The dozens of Lingering Spirit martial artists could no longer hold back the Demonlight Wing.
Their will to fight evaporated, not least because the Mount Hua Sect Leader, who had suddenly appeared at the end of this life-and-death duel, was now standing elegantly to one side.
She watched the Demonlight Wing Commander quietly, her slender, pale chin tilted up like a white plum blossom.
As she stepped on the tips of the grass blades, her pink robe draped around her, exuding an aura completely detached from the battlefield.
It was an aura imbued with the transcendence of a peerless expert, combined with the mysterious Body Protection Scripture of Grass-Gliding.
"The Mount Hua Sect Leader… Did she chase after the Vast Art Stronghold and the Demonlight Wing?!"
"She must have appeared to investigate the rising unorthodox sect, and we just happened to get caught in the crossfire…"
"This is bad. It's over. We need to find an opening and escape. At least a few of us must get away."
Saint Flower Sword God, Perfected Yul-ha, was considered an overwhelmingly dangerous figure among the unorthodox sects of Shaanxi. Her portrait, beautiful as a painting, was like a portrait of King Yama to them.
She was the absolute ruler of the Shaanxi lands, which included Xi'an. In the neighboring Jianghu, the only one who could trade blows with her was the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
She was an opponent they could not possibly face.
The battle lines surrounding the Demonlight Wing Commander and Shaanxi's Number One Demon collapsed.
"Commander! Commander!"
"That's enough! The mission is complete! You won, Commander!"
The Demonlight Wing experts tried to push forward, but even then, Jeong Yeon-shin and Wi Geuk-sang were still glaring at each other.
With their upper bodies stained red, both held their swords low, their balance faltering as they struggled to remain upright.
The breath escaping Jeong Yeon-shin's mouth was shallow and ragged.
The hem of the black cape draped over the blood-red bandages on his torso fluttered with the rise and fall of his chest.
"..."
Life and death hung on a single sword stroke.
The concentration of these peak experts, entirely absorbed in their duel, was terrifying. They seemed completely oblivious even to the presence of the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
Then.
Keo-heok—!
Wi Geuk-sang coughed up a mouthful of blood. Dark, blackish blood flowed down his chin. The Demonlight Wing experts hesitated.
This was no ordinary sight. Normally, it took time for blood to turn black.
Even if struck by an Internal Heavy Hand Technique, one wouldn't spit out dead blood immediately. This had to be the result of clashing, incompatible true qi.
Shaanxi's Number One Demon twisted his lips with difficulty.
"You were born with talent for both martial arts and combat… It is Heaven's mistake."
He had poured his Dharma Power into that split-second strike. This meant his focus hadn't been solely on the sword path. It was a talent that turned a single clean hit into a fatal wound.
Was the current Demonlight Wing Commander destined to be my end from the moment I learned demonic arts? Wi Geuk-sang wondered.
He chuckled weakly.
"The dignity of a martial artist who dies in defeat depends on his opponent. By virtue of your status, age, and martial prowess, you are more noble than even the Brightfolk. The world must seem like a joke to you, but I pray you do not die young in this Jianghu. I sincerely wish you well."
"…There is some truth in your last words. Yes, Heaven did make a mistake," the Demonlight Wing Commander replied slowly.
At that, Wi Geuk-sang's smile deepened.
"I see the charm of the heterodox sects in you," he said. "You arrogant young noble of the Desolate Fortress. Your temperament is suited for the Tyrannical Way."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer.
Without a word, he slashed upward diagonally with his right hand, the Northern Light Sword a blur.
Swaaaak—!
Shaanxi's Number One Demon did not close his eyes. He stared straight at the relentlessly extending trajectory until the Commander's sword completely filled his vision with pure white. In an instant, the white sword light warped beneath his chin.
Finally.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt it clearly through his extended grip. He had completely severed the man’s neck, the sensation of ruthlessly tearing through the remaining Body Protection Qi registering vividly.
Thud.
The bastard's head fell among the blades of grass.
A brief silence ensued. The martial artists of Lingering Spirit remained frozen.
Swoosh—
A dry winter wind swept through the shattered underbrush.
By the time the cool air settled over the surroundings, which had been reduced to ruins by the shockwaves of peak experts, the demonic master’s body collapsed heavily onto the frozen dirt.
Thump.
That was the turning point.
Only then did the Demonlight Wing experts rush to Jeong Yeon-shin's side. The backdraft from his Body Protection Scripture pushed away the dust in all directions.
"We shouldn't have caused trouble for no reason!"
"How many fingers do you see? I've decided to be extremely careful with my words from now on."
"Can you move? Climb onto my back."
Calloused hands hesitated as they reached for their Commander.
The wounds were so severe it was a wonder he could even swing a sword; they were deep enough to expose his abdominal muscles. The skin visible through the cotton bandages was raw and crimson. No one dared to touch him.
"Commander, I am sorry. I have truly… committed a grave offense."
Even the Moon-Shooting Bow Ghost, Wi Ye-ryeong—the Brightfolk archery expert who always seemed so calm—clasped her hands and bowed deeply in apology.
"Stop making a fuss."
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head slightly and dismissed them with a small gesture.
He had to get to Hye-ah. He had ordered his comrades to search, but he needed to see her with his own eyes. According to Baek Mi-ryeo, who had tortured the Ghost Soul Divine Sword, she was here. She had to be locked up somewhere.
He took a slow step forward.
"Yeon-shin! Yeon-shin!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from afar. It was his friend, Taoist Yu-hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect, whom he seemed to find getting beaten up every time they met.
Mount Hua is indeed a great sect of Shaanxi. I made quite a name for myself at the Vast Art Stronghold, so he must have followed me after checking the inn.
Just as a hint of gladness touched his weary eyes…
"May this humble Taoist offer her greetings now? I have been watching for quite some time."
A clear, ringing voice sounded right beside him. Her Body Protection Scripture was terrifying.
The moment he turned his head, a fair, prominent nose came into view. She was so close that the absolute aura she radiated vibrated against his ears.
"Your sword is truly terrifying," she said in a casual tone, slowly locking eyes with the Demonlight Wing Commander.
"Dark Fragrance Drift, Lady Yul-ha."
"It would be best if the Sword God of Mount Hua kept her distance…!"
Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo approached rapidly, muttering under their breath. Their faces were filled with dismay. The approach of a peerless expert was difficult for even the Desolate Fortress's martial units to react to.
Moreover, the current Mount Hua Sect Leader was an absolute master who, despite being of the Han people, had reached the same heights as the Brightfolk. It was said she did not age, having mastered the Purple Mist Divine Art to its absolute peak long ago.
Only then did Jeong Yeon-shin properly register Lady Yul-ha.
"Thank you… for your help," he said, his words broken by his unstable breathing.
Lady Yul-ha wore an ambiguous smile. Various temperaments could be glimpsed in the upward curve of her lips. It was a smile that carried the refreshing air of a scenic mountain, yet also held the rugged steepness of West Peak Mount Hua.
"This Taoist did nothing. I merely grew curious."
"Speak."
"The Sword Ghost of the Deep Martial Alliance was watching you. Until this Taoist chased him away, the direction of his gaze was very clear. A deeply sorrowful feeling flowed into my Upper Dantian…"
She asked with a smile, "What is your relationship?"
"I do not know."
"Truly?"
"Yes. Furthermore… it does not seem to be something a Commander of the Desolate Fortress must report to the Mount Hua Sect Leader."
"..."
The heavy silence that suddenly fell was felt by everyone.
The status of a leader of one of the Nine Sects was high enough to discuss the world with even a Purple Rank of the Desolate Fortress. She was an absolute ruler of the Jianghu.
Had it not been for his battered body, the lingering effects of the painkiller, and his worry for his niece, Jeong Yeon-shin's words would have been more polite.
Yet, the supreme master of Mount Hua showed no sign of anger.
She simply laughed.
"One cannot easily overlook the spawn of the unorthodox and demonic sects. Since there is no telling what tricks they might play on your path in the future, this Taoist wishes to check beforehand if there is any impurity in you. To see if you have been stained. From the perspective of the Orthodox Martial World, it is not easy to trust you blindly. Though the Desolate Fortress looks after the livelihoods of the common people, in the Jianghu, are you not a sect that stands between the orthodox and unorthodox?"
"I am in a hurry."
"Please understand the position of the Mount Hua Sect Leader."
She waved her hand slightly. A faint, oppressive aura spread from her playful gesture. The prelude to an attack plunged the surroundings into silence. No one here could stop her.
At that moment, gasps arose from all around.
The Demonlight Wing Commander had firmly grabbed her hand.
"You spoke of stains."
He channeled true qi into the Laogong Point of his palm. Even as the flow of internal energy became clear, Lady Yul-ha merely stared at him quietly.
Her attitude suggested she was perfectly fine with receiving an attack at point-blank range. However, Jeong Yeon-shin merely channeled the Law-Transcending Halo Qi into his grip.
Hummm.
"Since this junior must find his kin…"
It was Dharma Power. An energy no less auspicious than the Three Pure Powers of Taoism—said to be the most sacred in the world—touched the Mount Hua Sect Leader's hand.
At the same time, a wave of white energy warped in all directions like a visible wind.
"I suggest you wash yourself with this."
Abruptly releasing his grip, Jeong Yeon-shin trudged past her.