Chapter 267: The Master of the Martial Book (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: The Master of the Martial Book (4)
The single strike of the Mount Hua Sect Leader brought twilight to the mountain ridge.
An early-rising shaft of sunset forced a heavy silence. It meant the harmony of her sword strike was faster than sound itself.
Along the trajectory of the slash—which rose in a faint red light before instantly turning purple—the air of Mount Taibai belatedly surged, as if sucked into a vacuum.
The snowdrifts blanketing the ridge scattered like a dream. Immediately after, a monstrous explosion erupted.
KABOOM!
A gale swept through, scattering snow flurries in all directions and stripping the bushes and branches bare to reveal their winter-rusted brown.
Jeong Yeon-shin stared straight ahead, his eyes wide. To call it profound was an understatement. It was a truly transcendent sword move.
'A realm that could contest the world alongside the Purple Ranks of the main fortress...'
The Baihui Point at the crown of his head felt as though it were expanding into the distant horizon. When would he ever reach such a height? He could not even read half of the hundreds of variations contained within that single strike.
The sword strike, extending in a perfect straight line, held the inescapable mystery of the Dao. It was as if it declared that this was exactly how the peak of the martial world should be.
The Purple Mist Divine Art and the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword.
The strike of an ancient, peerless master did not permit deep interpretation by a lesser martial artist.
It was on a completely different level from how Jeong Yeon-shin had previously gained insight into bodies and true qi states.
'So that is the true utility of cultivation.'
He could see the passage of years within the strike. It was accumulated at a height far beyond his own vision.
A leader of the Nine Sects would not be dull-witted, either. Once, when looking at the internal energy mastery of Hahu Wi-jin, the Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit, he had been able to estimate the years of cultivation. Now, he could not even fathom it.
Both the depth of her forms and her internal energy were unfathomable. Would he be able to withstand such power by the time he turned nineteen?
He silently engraved the sunset-colored sword strike into his mind. The principles of Heaven-Alignment, the ultimate truth of the Taoist sect.
"There is no recoil."
Standing beside him, Lady Yul-ha shook out her sword. Her Sect Leader's robe whipped through the air with a brisk snap.
She had unleashed a powerful sword strike that would leave even seasoned experts dazed, yet there was absolutely no recoil from the form. The title of Saint Flower Sword God truly suited her.
'He's coming.'
Jeong Yeon-shin heard the sound of footsteps.
A heavy resonance gradually drew near. With every sign of mountain beasts having vanished, the crunch of dry grass and twigs beneath those boots sounded unusually loud.
The slowly ascending footsteps sounded bizarre. It felt like the approach of a condensed typhoon.
Soon, a massive shadow revealed itself.
The moment his head came into view, his entire body crested the hill.
Step, step.
He walked with strides as long as his massive frame, silhouetted against the sunlight bleeding over the ridge.
Though clearly human in shape, to Yeon-shin's qi sense, it felt as if a landslide of Mother Nature itself was approaching. The pressure brushing against his skin felt like it could physically push his body back.
The heavy waves of energy rolling off him were simply unrealistic.
Setting aside his martial arts level, a state of absolute selflessness emanated from his unwavering breath. He carried a silent temperament, as if he were walking a predetermined path. He appeared to be the very center of the world.
He held a massive greatsword, letting it hang loosely by his side.
Had he blocked Lady Yul-ha's strike head-on? White steam rose from the blade, likely the aftermath of their clash.
Jeong Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes, focusing clearly.
'The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.'
He felt different from when Yeon-shin had seen him at the Jeong Family Manor, and different from when they had faced each other at the foot of Mount Zhongnan.
Back then, Yeon-shin hadn't been able to see him properly. He hadn't even been able to clearly perceive his facial features. The gap in their energy levels had simply been too vast.
Between a newly recruited White Rank of the Desolate Fortress and an absolute master at the very peak of the Jianghu, there existed a gap as wide as that between a commoner and an immortal. It had been even worse when Yeon-shin was merely the black sheep of the Jeong Family Manor.
Now, it was different. He had filled his entire body with the Law-Transcending Halo Qi.
A person who breathed through a divine art possessed the right to scrutinize the leader of a great sect.
"Saint Flower."
It was a thick voice, echoing as if from a deep cave. The mouth that called out to the Mount Hua Sect Leader barely seemed to move.
He was said to be of mixed Brightfolk blood and the crown prince of the fallen Kingdom of Dali. His physique, visible beneath his yellow robe, was extraordinary.
The body of a practical swordsman with muscles woven like iron armor, and a jawline without a single speck of fat, proved his state of absolute physical perfection.
His nose, sharp as a blade, and his eyes, filled with a colorless light, made him exceptionally handsome.
'So that is how he built his body.'
It was the face of his sworn enemy. Jeong Yeon-shin did not blink.
The culprit who had destroyed his late mother's home and slaughtered her companions and beloved servants stood right there. Looking at him now, the gap between them was still excessive.
"I heard you've been running wild like a mudskipper lately, yet your sword force has grown even deeper. It is an aura that makes one reluctant to clash blades."
Lady Yul-ha spoke with feigned slyness and took a step forward.
Swoosh.
In an instant, the ground seemed to shrink. Her Dark Fragrance Drift advanced ten zhang before coming to a sudden halt.
No answer came. The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect merely stared at her with somewhat lonely eyes.
The Mount Hua Sect Leader and the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect stood facing each other.
Such a confrontation rarely occurred.
If it were to become widely known, the Jianghu would be shaken to its core. It wouldn't be strange for someone's head to fly off the moment they took their eyes off their opponent.
It was said that the higher the level of the masters involved, the shorter and more decisive their life-and-death duels became.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.
"Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect."
"...Whelp."
A response came. The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect replied without even looking at the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not mind.
"There was someone who raised me at the Jeong Family Manor. I called him Uncle So. I wonder if he was similar to your Ghost Soul Divine Sword."
"……"
"I heard she was your wet nurse. I hope she wasn't just your right hand. She ought to have been your very heart."
He spoke in a flat, monotonous tone.
The emotions he had compartmentalized in a corner of his mind during the annihilation of the Jeong Family Manor began to crawl up—a burden too heavy for the boy who once envied nothing more than a swing on the Dano Festival.
Vwoom.
The Upper Dantian nestled in his mind exhaled once more. A deep blue sensation rose like a wall, clearing away his unnecessary thoughts.
He did so of his own volition. He temporarily locked away the heart that his comrades at the Desolate Fortress had managed to open.
"You have grown well, Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress," the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect said.
His face was expressionless, and he still did not look at Jeong Yeon-shin.
"What?"
"Though you may be a vessel that amounts to nothing once dead, I will accept a duel anytime. Come and take your revenge."
Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes darkened.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Growing on your own even without being watered, you are superior to the World Tree. Had you not met my expectations, I would have killed you to appease my wet nurse's soul."
The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect slowly continued.
"But there is no need for that now."
A brief silence fell.
The presence of the snow falling bit by bit from the sky was clearly felt.
—What could be the reason he spared you, when it was obvious his enemy's strength would grow? Because he was moved by a child's character? That's absurd.
The words of Baek Seo-gun, the Yeongcheon Sword Ghost, flashed through Jeong Yeon-shin's mind.
—Your entry into the Desolate Fortress isn't necessarily a good thing for the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. If we were to compare the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect to an animal, he would be a clever bear.
Right then—
"Does the Mount Hua Sect have no manners? Striking out of nowhere... no matter how much you fear our Sect Lord."
It was the voice that had previously announced the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect's arrival. The voice was extremely clear and open, showing no hesitation in criticizing the actions of Lady Yul-ha, the Saint Flower Sword God.
Rustle.
Suddenly, a young man landed a step behind the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
He had a large travel pack slung casually over his shoulder, seemingly carrying his Sect Lord's belongings.
He had eyes as sharp as sword blades and a well-honed body, typical of the warriors of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
The waves of energy emanating from his entire body were exceptionally strong for his age. A brilliant, precious sword was tucked into the waist of his stained blue martial uniform.
"I almost died."
Muttering to himself, the young man suddenly looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.
"So you're the Flash Art? I was in closed-door cultivation during the Zhongnan incident, so I didn't get to see you. I should have taken your head back then, but now you're a Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress... Hearing about it after coming out left me dumbfounded. Mu-hyeok and Grandpa Rakshasa Sword must be laughing in the afterlife."
"Who are they?"
"...Well, at least they fell to the hands of a master like you. I had no idea until the Young Lord of Lingering Spirit sent word. Who would have thought the Commander of the Demonlight Wing was the Lord of the Vast Art Stronghold?"
A brilliant light from an Eye Technique flashed in his eyes as he scanned Jeong Yeon-shin. Soon after, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"Your physical condition isn't intact, is it? Your energy wave is quite a sight. You look like you're on the verge of Qi Deviation. Well, having beaten Elder Ghost Soul Divine Sword and Shaanxi's Number One Demon to death... it's not just your body, but your achievements that are bizarre. Are you the reincarnation of the Ming Cult's Founding Ancestor or Zhang Sanfeng? That's how you look to my eyes. As someone who absolutely must be killed."
"You talk too much," Jeong Yeon-shin spoke half-heartedly.
He did not take his eyes off the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect, who was still facing Lady Yul-ha.
Rumble! Rumble—
Invisible lightning flickered in the gap between the two peerless masters. The fight had already begun. It was a clash of wills between those who had long surpassed the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak, vying for control over the combat interval.
Though no physical strike had been made, waves of energy that felt like actual whips tore up the ground and lashed against their skin.
"Gi Do-hyu. I am the Sect Lord's direct disciple."
Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head at the untimely self-introduction. If he was the direct disciple of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect, he was at least worth a glance.
The bastard smirked.
"What do you plan to do by glaring at my master with that broken body of yours? It's nothing but bravado. I heard you were quite prudent, but it seems you've lost your mind upon seeing your enemy."
CRA-AAACK!
Suddenly, thunder roared. The swords of the absolute masters, whose strength rivaled the Purple Ranks, had clashed. Along with an explosion that battered the ears, a faint ascending dragon of wind and snow arose.
Dry leaves and twigs soared in all directions as if swept up in the Myriad Blossoms Rain.
The ultimate techniques of the Hegemon Sword and the Plum Blossom Sword met.
Whoooooosh!
A massive vortex surrounded the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect and Lady Yul-ha. The domain of peerless masters had manifested.
It was no place for Jeong Yeon-shin, whose upper body was covered in blood that hadn't even dried yet. The acupoints throughout his body, where the Ultimate Lightning had dwelled and dispersed, were still tingling.
"Isn't it a struggle to move even a single muscle fiber? Your true qi won't circulate as you wish."
Gi Do-hyu smiled and took a step forward.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not refute it. It was true.
Rustle.
As the bastard approached, his eye level rose. The dry grass did not bend, instead supporting Gi Do-hyu's feet. It was not an ordinary Body Protection Scripture, but an extremely profound Grass-Gliding technique.
"I understand that the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, the Flash Art, has rarely faced difficulties until now. Are you not the darling of the Desolate Fortress?" the bastard said. "Did you realize after coming here how profound the coordination of the Thirteen Heavens is? Even those who are naturally incapable of uniting can move together. Do you not feel the terror that they might launch a joint attack under the banner of annihilating the Desolate Fortress? Today's event alone is no ordinary matter. Aside from the Blood Flame Cult at the foot of the mountain... the Wolf King, the Lord of the Beast King Sect, and even a master who was once the chief guardian of Lingering Spirit have graced us with their presence."
"They died in about three exchanges."
"……"
Gi Do-hyu shut his mouth.
He casually tossed his travel pack to the side.
Thud!
A heavy vibration traveled beneath their feet. The eye level of the bastard, who was executing Grass-Gliding, rose even higher.
"It won't be easy to find another day when the Commander of the Demonlight Wing is as weakened as he is today."
One step, two steps—the distance gradually closed. Gi Do-hyu showed no signs of stopping his chatter.
"My master is right. You are a vessel that amounts to nothing once dead. Let me test you. Is your Brilliant River comparable to the Five Great Palm Techniques of the World? The true value of an ultimate technique is only revealed in times of crisis."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer.
He merely stood still, staring blankly at the bastard, before suddenly parting his lips.
"You are blocking my view."
"You must have heard of it. Our sect's Guardian Sword Reigning Palm. Though I have not yet reached the stage of great completion with it."
The young experts only spoke what they wanted to say. Perhaps because of their strong pride, neither of them backed down until the distance narrowed to a single step.
Rumble—
Jeong Yeon-shin raised an eyebrow. Gi Do-hyu's palm approached, exhaling a deep resonance.
Rather than engaging in a battle of techniques with the youngest Unit Commander of the Desolate Fortress, he seemed to have judged it wiser to fully exploit Yeon-shin's near-Qi-Deviation physical state.
—You may dodge if you wish.
Gi Do-hyu's eyes gleamed with a smirk as he spoke.
At the same time, his hand pressed down toward the Commander of the Demonlight Wing's solar plexus. The moment his palm touched the blood-stained front of Yeon-shin's robe, a faint wave rippled outward in concentric circles.
It was a secret technique of the Internal Heavy Hand Technique. The weight pressing down from his palm was incredibly heavy.
Whoosh.
It landed perfectly. At this rate, recovery would be impossible. It might even lead to instant death.
"Ha...!"
Joy welled up in Gi Do-hyu's eyes. The Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress, dead by my hands...
His master had said it was fine to kill him. The current Commander of the Demonlight Wing was an enemy to the Hegemon Sword Sect as well.
How many masters had been slain by this boy? He was prey that had accumulated an immense reputation.
Keeping his arm tensed, Gi Do-hyu slightly raised his head. He had to see the Flash Art's face. What kind of expression would the peerless genius be making right now?
But then.
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing's figure vanished without a trace. It was as if he had never been there in the first place.
Belatedly, a leather shoe came into view. It was the source of the weight resting on his extended arm.
As he raised his gaze, a pitch-black robe filled his vision. He had no choice but to keep looking up until a smooth jawline came into view.
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing was standing directly on the back of the hand Gi Do-hyu had extended. His posture, with his hands clasped behind his back, was haughty and absolute.
Reflected in Jeong Yeon-shin's blue eyes were only the figures of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect and Lady Yul-ha.
Gi Do-hyu's lips trembled. His head and the Commander of the Demonlight Wing's leg were far too close.
"What... was that just now?"
"A Heart Sword feint," Jeong Yeon-shin said, without even looking down.