Chapter 265: The Master of the Martial Book (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 265: The Master of the Martial Book (2)
The clamor that had filled the vast mountainside died down all at once.
Only the ominous, surging waves of energy from the unseen depths below remained.
A premature sunset had painted the sky, followed by a dull thud echoing from the opposite hill.
Heat radiated from the corpse, cleanly severed into upper and lower halves. The snowy ground gradually stained red.
Faint steam rose desolate over the blood of the Blood Flame Cult aristocrat. Yet the Mount Hua Sect Leader, the one who had unleashed that terrifying slash, seemed entirely unmoved.
She simply stood quietly behind the shoulder of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
Even after bisecting an Apostle in a single strike, her breathing remained perfectly steady. Jeong Yeon-shin could hear it.
The Saint Flower Sword God, Lady Yul-ha.
The honorific title of Nangrang, usually reserved for Taoist goddesses, felt profoundly real in her presence.
A supreme aura washed over him, feeling as though irresistible flower petals were brushing against his skin.
"..."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not move. He focused solely on sensing the Mount Hua Sect Leader's presence.
A peerless master who held the power of life and death over this place had manifested. He had just witnessed a strike that was difficult to comprehend at first glance, even with his own eyes.
Just before dying, the Fourth Apostle had uttered the name of a peerless secret technique: the Purple Mist Divine Art.
It was a martial art often referred to as the immortal sorcery of the Nine Sects' sages. This was the first time he had fully witnessed this divine art, having only heard rumors of it back at the Jeong Family Manor.
Though he had long been close friends with Yu-hyeon, who had inherited the Purple Mist lineage as a disciple of the Sect Leader, that Taoist friend possessed an incredibly long lifespan. It had been too early for Yu-hyeon to show Jeong Yeon-shin the sunset.
A blue light flashed in the eyes of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
'Though it closely resembled Brilliant River... its application was different.'
It was not a collision of two opposing true qis. The sensation of them drawing together like iron filings was closer to the principles of Taiji.
By conforming to the natural order, it had brought about a sunset-like union. In the sword path that had suddenly appeared like a horizon, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the meeting of heaven and earth.
It was far removed from techniques like Brilliant River and Ultimate Lightning, which placed a heavy burden on the body.
Unlike his own methods, which could burn away his very lifespan if he did not achieve great completion in the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, this technique possessed the profound mystery unique to Taoist sects.
'This is worth studying. I can't just stand by and be helpless once Ultimate Lightning runs its course.'
Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes gleamed. How did she do it?
It was then.
"How?"
It was Lady Yul-ha's voice.
It seemed she had scanned the pages of the book after pinning Jeong Yeon-shin in place with her overwhelming presence.
The pages of the Compendium of Demon Extermination were hovering in the air like a Myriad Blossoms Rain. Since each page fluttered on its own, they naturally caught her eye.
Jeong Yeon-shin carefully parted his lips.
"Did you see it?"
"Though it is not named, this is the Chungdan Desolation-Shattering Sword Technique," Lady Yul-ha said. "The described sword forms are identical. It is a martial art learned only by high-ranking figures even within the Hegemon Sword Sect. They do not admit just anyone into their ranks."
"The one who used it was said to be the wet nurse of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect," Jeong Yeon-shin replied.
"The great slash is Shattering Thunder, and the method of tempering sword qi with shockwaves is Gazing at Splendor. It is a sword of the tyrannical way that has slain at least hundreds of people... But this latter part... the section written despite not being part of the Chungdan Desolation-Shattering technique. The breathing pattern to deflect slashes, the application of shockwaves to crush sword qi... This... is truly practical..."
The Mount Hua Sect Leader's words trailed off for a moment.
She took a long, deep breath of internal energy, of a depth that even Jeong Yeon-shin could hardly fathom. What was she recalling? An abyss seemed to dwell within her breath.
Crunch.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly shifted his feet and turned to look at her.
The majestic appearance of the Saint Flower Sword God was just as it had always been.
She wore a long, flowing pink robe and only white traditional socks on her feet. Her appearance, looking as though she were enveloped in translucent flower petals, remained unchanged.
Her colorless, occasionally flashing Body Protection Qi was mystical, exuding an aura of transcendence.
"A counter-formula is written here that wouldn't even exist in the main texts of the Hegemon Sword Sect."
Taking her eyes off the book, Lady Yul-ha met Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze.
"It says it was written by Flash Art. That means you wrote this."
"Yes."
"I cannot believe it. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I cannot comprehend it."
"If one observes an opponent's martial arts closely, wouldn't anyone be able to figure it out? One only needs eyes that aren't dull. I understand that people in the Jianghu refrain from constantly countering each other out of a sense of martial morality... for the sake of pure martial competition..."
"I do not understand the context of your words."
"Even in our fortress, the only ones who study counter-formulas are the Law Enforcement Unit, who are in charge of enforcing the law. I intend to bear the shame myself to gain achievements and use these to crush my enemies. So please, do not look at me with reproachful eyes. You are not the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, after all."
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke in a low murmur. It sounded like an excuse.
'Even if the rest of the world doesn't, I must.'
It was possible because he had good companions.
Even when he was creating the Compendium of Crushing the Righteous, Heonwon Chang and the Lazy Flame Dragon had not particularly scolded him.
The Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress had kept his mouth shut from the very beginning. He likely did so because he knew Jeong Yeon-shin's sharp, keen eyes were fueled by his dwindling lifespan.
On the other hand, the Lazy Flame Dragon had suppressed his surprise with the relaxed air of a noble young master.
Since that scoundrel hailed from the Hwangbo Clan, he must have found it difficult to point out any breach of moral principles.
The White Qilin, Namgung Hwa-shin, who had been with them at the time, showed no particular reaction, as usual. He was a peer whose mind was extraordinarily deep.
It was also fitting for the future Commander of the Heaven-Aligned Wing. The Black-ranked seniors of the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall had, contrary to common sense, gladly welcomed the Compendium of Crushing the Righteous.
The boldness of the battle-hardened, peak masters of the Desolate Fortress was extraordinary. They had even offered him advice on the annotations.
Thanks to that, today's Compendium of Demon Extermination existed.
'I wonder if Senior Hahu and Senior Cheon have found Senior Ha and returned.'
He recalled the seniors who had gone to Xinjiang to protect the current Commander of the Heaven-Aligned Wing: Hahu Wi-jin, Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit, and Cheon So-so, Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit. They had said they would return after wiping out the remnants of the Ming Cult.
Jeong Yeon-shin soon brushed aside his thoughts and stared at Lady Yul-ha. He had to look out for himself first. If anything, his seniors were probably the ones worrying about him.
"..."
The Mount Hua Sect Leader's expression was somewhat ambiguous.
Her straight nose was slightly furrowed, and she had a detached look that seemed unbefitting of a peerless master. This made her appear all the more bizarre and terrifying.
For some reason, a chilling silence fell. It felt as though blades were permeating the very air.
It was said that the leaders of the Great Sects were mostly transcendent beings who had shed their mortal shells through martial arts.
Since they had cast off the limits of common sense like old clothes, there was no way to know what they were thinking. Even the sight of her sleeves fluttering in the wind felt like an incomprehensible movement.
"Since the Commander of the Demonlight Wing would not try to trade jokes with this poor Taoist..."
Lady Yul-ha slowly parted her lips.
"I shall take your words seriously and treat you with the respect due to a Grandmaster."
"That is a bit..."
Embarrassed, Jeong Yeon-shin slightly turned his head away. He did not wish to be called that for a book that merely compiled the weaknesses of various sects.
It was like showing the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, which contained his childhood diaries, to a complete stranger who shared not a single drop of blood with him.
'No. That would actually be far worse.'
Blinking once, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.
"They say the martial studies of the Great Sects are incredibly vast. Though these are counter-formulas, my knowledge is not broad, so they are limited to only a few main martial arts..."
"Unbefitting of a Taoist, I have considered your circumstances."
"...?"
"This part."
Lady Yul-ha's finger lightly brushed the cover of the Compendium of Demon Extermination. Her fingertip touched the words 'Written by Flash Art'.
"This must be erased. It was careless."
"Is that necessary...?"
The Mount Hua Sect Leader's lips curved into a slight arc. A purple sunset shimmered in her eyes.
"I would like to see a Compendium of the Orthodox Factions. Surely, it cannot be that only one side is possible."
"There is no such book..."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied reflexively. It was the truth.
Lady Yul-ha's smile deepened. In her flawlessly clear smile, the caliber of a noble hero was visible.
Were all Taoists who trained under the spiritual energy of West Peak Mount Hua like this?
"If there is none, then so be it. However, if you put your alias here, you will inevitably have to bear the weight of the entire world. Though a Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress is a sufficiently high position... it seems a bit too early."
Jeong Yeon-shin realized instinctively. He had just crossed a major hurdle.
"...I shall do so."
As he answered, he snapped his fingers.
With a sharp snap, sparks burst forth and scattered in all directions. The moment they touched the covers of the floating books, they left behind soot and vanished.
He had erased only the part that read 'Written by Flash Art'. It was a technique that melted sparks conjured from Samadhi True Fire into the airflow of the Myriad Blossoms Rain.
"Even your conduct matches your handsome face. To have such exquisite control."
Lady Yul-ha laughed, amused.
Jeong Yeon-shin paid it no mind and gave a brief wave of his hand.
"These are counter-formulas for certain Unorthodox martial lineages. Take one each."
Two books flew through the air and landed in the arms of Jang Sun-il and Bukgung Rin. The eyes of Marquis Bukgung and the rest of the group widened.
"Sun-il, I think it would be better for you to keep that hidden while you train. The temperaments of Jianghu martial artists are generally ferocious; they rarely tolerate others possessing what they do not. Consider reporting the identities of your enemies to the Desolate Fortress. I will step in."
"Travel companion. Why to us...?" Bukgung Rin asked, her white-and-blue hair fluttering.
Jeong Yeon-shin pulled out the bead the ice nobles had given him.
"You said there is Ice Essence in the North Sea. I will visit soon, so do not turn me away."
"Are you marrying me?"
"I hope all the martial artists of the Ice Palace learn it. The Compendium of Demon Extermination is not something to be kept as a secret transmission. Soon, many martial artists will know of it."
Jeong Yeon-shin opened his travel pack and prepared to descend the mountain.
Because he could have been struck down by the Fourth Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult, he packed all the scattered pages of the Compendium of Demon Extermination back into his pack.
He knew there was another root of Thousand-Year Fleeceflower Root near the peak of Seven Girls Peak. However, this was not the time to be greedy.
Lady Yul-ha had climbed this mountain to feed the fleeceflower root to the critically ill Perfected Heavenly Pillar.
With the Hwasan Sword Excellence having been severely wounded by the First Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult, it was hard to expect any concessions.
Even just turning a blind eye to the spirit herb currently in Jeong Yeon-shin's possession was a display of conduct worthy of the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
She showed no sign of wanting to extort anything. She was a transcendent being who moved strictly in accordance with righteousness and morality.
In any case, he could not challenge the leader of one of the Nine Sects in his current physical condition. Unless he activated Ultimate Lightning, he would find it difficult to withstand even a single strike from her.
"Thank you for everything."
Instead of packing away the last copy of the Compendium of Demon Extermination, he handed it to Lady Yul-ha.
"...This poor Taoist does not know how to decline."
It was then.
Rumble!
For a moment, the sky seemed to tremble. A wave of energy that had suddenly descended surged over the mountain ridge.
Like the precursor to a massive landslide, it felt as though something non-human had manifested. It was coming from the foot of the mountain.
A complex expression crossed Jeong Yeon-shin's face. Not today.
"I know the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect is coming up. Please block him."
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing presented an irresistible proposition to the Mount Hua Sect Leader. Her eyebrows, now bathed in the light of the setting sun, rose slightly.
"I would like you to test the counter-formulas."
Jeong Yeon-shin made his request calmly.
* * *
Mount Taibai in Shaanxi was incredibly vast. It was a branch of the expansive Qinling Mountains that led to the highest peak.
This meant there were countless paths leading to Seven Girls Peak, and consequently, many routes where the Dual Flame Blood Spirit Formation had been set up.
The white, sprawling mountainside rippled translucently in various places.
The grand formation that had once hidden the main headquarters of the Blood Flame Cult had now imprisoned Mount Taibai. Its scale was extraordinary.
Dharma treasures used for formations and rare sorcery martial artists had been mobilized. This was because the Second Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult had accepted the proposal of the Young Lord of Lingering Spirit.
— Assassinate the Commander of the Demonlight Wing of the Desolate Fortress.
There was no reason for the Second Apostle to refuse.
The Apostles, who worshiped blood and flame, enjoyed great freedom under the overarching doctrine.
They carried themselves with immense authority. Since each led their respective branches with independent power, cooperating with the Young Lord of Lingering Spirit was entirely the Second Apostle's decision to make.
"The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect has entered!"
"Close it now. The Commander of the Demonlight Wing must not escape."
The Second Apostle was an extremely slender man.
He had exceptionally pitch-black hair that hung down long, and irregular waves of energy shimmered visibly along his thin forearms.
Floating about half an inch off the ground, he seemed to have no need for physical strength. The Pure Blood Robe draped over his body suited him just as well as it did the Seventh Apostle standing beside him.
"So." He slowly parted his lips. "You are saying you were put on a pedestal regardless of your own will. By that bastard, the First Apostle."
"I have my interests elsewhere," the Seventh Apostle answered briefly, adjusting the eyepatch over her left eye.
The corners of the Second Apostle's mouth curled upward. "Why do you leave it unregenerated? Could it be that you harbor wicked intentions?"
"Wicked intentions?"
"I mean, do you not revere Flash Art, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, more than our blood and flame? I do not understand why you went out of your way to leave the First Apostle's side and come to me."
"Losing the Wolf King so helplessly makes no sense either. You had better clear my suspicions right here."
The surroundings fell silent.
It was a place littered with the corpses of Jianghu martial artists and commoners who had been wandering at the foot of the mountain.
The number of Blood Flame Cult experts, who had repeatedly slaughtered their way here, reached into the hundreds, filling the lower slopes of the mountain. Countless gazes stared at the Seventh Apostle, accompanied by a bizarre silence.
She spoke nonchalantly. "The Grand Preceptor is powerful. He has even refined Dharma Power."
"Opposing true qis only matter when a strike connects. Were the martial arts of our cult's Seventh Apostle truly so shallow? If you are going to make such nonsensical excuses, you might as well merge into me instead," the Second Apostle spoke in an archaic tone.
A brief silence ensued. It was a cold silence, yet one imbued with a certain heat.
The unique fervor of a heretical cult gradually began to fill the lower slopes of Mount Taibai. Had they been tipped off beforehand? More than a few were gripping their weapons.
The encirclement seemed endless. The Blood Flame Cult had long been a great sect famous for its sheer numbers. Crimson heads spread out, completely blanketing the snowy ground.
"Seventh Apostle, I am the one truly fit for the rank of Cult Leader."
The Second Apostle wore a strange smile.
With his arms crossed as if to spectate, he glided backward like a spirit. It seemed he intended to seize her blood energy once the Seventh Apostle's strength was depleted.
With the Dual Flame Blood Spirit Formation deployed over a wide area, they would immediately know where the Commander of the Demonlight Wing broke through using his Dharma Power.
A communication network of spirit beasts also linked the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Cult.
This meant his death was a foregone conclusion. It was a scheme orchestrated by the Shaanxi Thirteen Heavens.
The Seventh Apostle shifted her legs and muttered softly under her breath. A hundred-year-old fossil, sharp only in his cunning.
Crunch.
Over her lightly taken step, the image of Grand Preceptor Jeong Yeon-shin's leather boots overlapped. It was accompanied by his voice, which had been so mesmerizingly absolute.
— Do not carelessly appear before me. As long as you lead the Blood Ghosts, you and I cannot coexist. It is only natural.
A touch of madness settled on the Seventh Apostle's lips.