Chapter 269: The Master of the Martial Book (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: The Master of the Martial Book (6)
"The Desolate Fortress! It's the Desolate Fortress's martial unit! Golden Hero! It's no use!"
"What kind of martial art is that?! It's the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword—I've never even heard of it!"
"Young Master! You must escape—Gasp...!"
Waves of brilliant light erupted, spraying blood across the snow. Twenty shockwaves from the Vast Art Formula formed a heavenly net, sweeping through the area.
Limbs flew through the air and heads were severed. The white snow was stained crimson, the color deepening with each new body that fell.
Clang! Thud!
The jackal-like gazes that had been fixed on Jeong Yeon-shin, waiting for an opening, shattered completely. Now, only panic and screams of agony filled the mountain air.
The faces of the Demonlight Wing experts were sharp and tense, filled with an unprecedented intensity.
The same could be said for Baek Mi-ryeo, who approached after cutting down ten rogue martial artists in a single, fluid motion.
She stared at Jeong Yeon-shin with an extremely angry expression, her naturally sharp eyes piercing like a treasured sword.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought to himself, Ah, she's mad because I left without a word.
"I have something to say, but first… am I allowed to act like your sister?"
"You are my sister. You always have been."
"Ah."
Baek Mi-ryeo's eyelashes fluttered. The tension at the corners of her mouth seemed to soften slightly. Perhaps she was momentarily at a loss for words. He didn't know why.
She's not going to scold me. Thank goodness.
Suddenly, a low chuckle echoed from behind him.
"The youngest Unit Commander… This is a heartwarming sight."
"Sect Leader."
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced back. Lady Yul-ha's long, flowing hair tickled his ear.
"Your breathing has grown deeper."
"The crisis has passed, thanks to you stopping the bleeding. Breathing with the Purple Mist Divine Art helped as well."
"I am glad."
"I can feel my disciples approaching—the ones I left behind in my haste. Unlike you, I'm not quite so beloved. I expect I'll be scolded the moment I return. If you have anything more to say, now is the time."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not decline.
"May I ask how you were pushed back so helplessly?"
"Cheeky. Is that truly how it looked to you?"
Lady Yul-ha laughed.
"If this humble Taoist had truly been defeated so helplessly, do you think that man would have simply walked away?"
It was a heavy question delivered in a light tone. Jeong Yeon-shin silently agreed.
What kind of thoughts does the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect live with?
"You must carefully ponder his schemes. But before that… when your martial arts deepen and you face him as a true rival, remember this: do not try to overpower him with a hard sword. It will backfire. You will need an original technique."
"…I understand."
"By now, he must be limping home on his right leg. The right side of his body is paralyzed from a severe blow from my Dark Fragrance Floating Flower. It is the first time in my life I have ever managed to accumulate so many shockwaves inside a rival's body. If I had just one more breath… this humble Taoist would have blown that bastard's head off while he was frozen in place."
"Your words have grown rough, Sect Leader."
"Have we not become quite close? We have shared a life-and-death crisis. What deeper bond could there be? Come visit Mount Hua whenever you wish. I shall dissolve a Purple Grace Pill in a cup of tea for you."
As they spoke, the sounds of fighting faded away.
A hazy wind swept through the highlands, carrying with it a profound silence. The effectiveness of the Vast Art Formula in group combat had been brilliantly demonstrated.
In the wake of the swirling light, only cold snow and corpses remained. The Demonlight Wing had not spared even those who fled. Such was the temperament of a military force.
"Unit Commander! What happened to your body again?"
"My apologies. If my last words had been a complaint about poppies, I would have regretted it to no end. Especially to someone with a far brighter future than this young master."
"Did you do this to get back at us? We already knelt and apologized for that whole 'Shaanxi's Number One Demon' incident…"
One by one, they began to approach Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I feel the energy of the Dark Fragrance Drift rising from below. Before that…"
Lady Yul-ha raised both hands and clasped them over Jeong Yeon-shin's right hand. A warm sensation enveloped the back of his hand and his palm. He flinched slightly.
"Thank you, truly, Flash Art Jeong Yeon-shin."
* * *
The great disturbance on Mount Taibai became a major topic of conversation.
In the martial world of Shaanxi, the topic was still being discussed four days later.
The martial prowess of the Demonlight Wing's Commander became a hot topic of debate across Shaanxi. Despite many having witnessed the Flash Art firsthand, heated arguments erupted over the truth of the rumors.
This began after the identities of the peak experts slain simultaneously on Mount Taibai were revealed.
Anyone who heard his age couldn't help but doubt their ears. The outcome of that life-and-death duel was nothing short of a miracle.
Thus, the overwhelming divine might of the Desolate Fortress's youngest Unit Commander garnered as much intense interest as the battle between the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect and the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
There was little disagreement that the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing was exceptionally powerful.
Such talk drifted down from the rafters of a quiet manor.
It was a manor with little sign of human presence.
"The fruit from the Lord of the Desolate Fortress is worth retrieving. The current Commander of the Demonlight Wing is a once-in-a-century Thunderbolt Bomb, destined to shatter the established order."
The voice was quiet and composed. A man wrapped entirely in black robes spoke slowly.
He stood tall on the edge of an elegant roof, wearing a bamboo hat that revealed only his lower face and a pitch-black beard.
"Indeed… This Lord of Lingering Spirit misjudged the Flash Art. You were correct. I admit my mistake. However, the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect is a different story. You should have killed her, just as you punished those bastards from Zhongnan and Qingcheng who lent their swords to destroy the Kingdom of Dali."
Directly below, the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect, leaning his massive frame against a pillar, spoke.
"She is the only Divine Sword remaining in Shaanxi. Without Saint Flower, I would have to wander in search of an expert of equal caliber. That would be highly inefficient."
"Did you not leave her severely wounded?"
"Saint Flower is one who breathes through the Purple Mist Divine Art."
"I feel I should bring up your past with her. Your relationship was quite deep, was it not? Even if it was just in your childhood."
"Blame my nature."
"Ridiculous, you unpredictable bastard. Did you not say you meditated for a hundred years using the Dan Family Time-Crossing Method right after your defeat by Zhongnan? You are utterly mad. You must have lost much of your humanity. It must be difficult for even you to fathom your own mind. Now, your moniker suits you far better than your name. Tyrant Sword Mad Dao, indeed. It is simply astonishing that any reason or desire for revenge remains within you."
"..."
"The Saint Flower Sword God… an opportunity like that does not come often. Mount Hua has closed its gates, and the Ancient Sword of the Wudang Sect went to protect them."
"The Ancient Sword?"
"It is too late, so don't harbor foolish thoughts. Since ancient times, when one of the Nine Sects closes its gates, it is always accompanied by a massive accumulation of strength. Practitioners who once focused on charity now hone nothing but their martial arts. The moment those mountain gates reopen, the plum blossoms will be in full bloom. Will you be able to handle the Saint Flower Sword God on that day? In terms of sword talent alone, she is considered among the very best of the Nine Sects' leaders."
"I would welcome it."
"If you merely need a touchstone to internalize your enlightenment, this seat could easily substitute for the Mount Hua Sect Leader. I have also been curious about the Dan Family Time-Crossing Method, which the Imperial Family ultimately failed to acquire. A great heart cultivation technique that plunges one's consciousness from a mere instant into eternity… I hear it was originally an ancient torture method of the Kingdom of Dali?"
"It cannot be you. Not unless it is someone who has deeply mastered orthodox sword techniques…"
Suddenly, the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect coughed up pitch-black blood. Amidst the vast expanse of the dirt courtyard, only a single spot was paved with marble.
Black blood dripped onto the square limestone, a bleak sight.
Above him, the Lord of Lingering Spirit raised his head.
"Look at you. No one in the world has ever managed to unleash the Dark Fragrance Floating Flower through the Internal Heavy Hand Technique. No matter how peerless an expert you are, it is difficult to defeat the current Mount Hua Sect Leader unscathed. Your arrogance was simply too great."
"That is why I spared her. The Lord of the Desolate Fortress understands all the martial principles of the world's orthodox factions."
"In any case, the larger the Flash Art’s vessel grows, the more embellished the stories will become. With the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing shining so brightly, the Lord of the Desolate Fortress—noble as she is—will inevitably be overshadowed. This seat has already completed preparations to cut down the Divine Sword Corps' 17th Unit one by one. The moment your pursuit of perfection starts to look like mere foolishness, this seat will wash its hands of the Hegemon Sword Sect. I will no longer sit idly by and watch your arrogance."
"You are the one who should be wary of the strange, violent, chaotic, and supernatural forces of the World Tree."
Answering calmly, the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect once again spat out a mouthful of dark blood.
Sssss—
Soon after, white steam rose from his lips. It was the Samadhi True Fire, burning away the stench of blood.
"Jeong Family Manor, Flash Art…"
He suddenly muttered in a low voice. The Lord of Lingering Spirit snorted.
"You mean the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing. It seems he overcame a difficult crisis upon descending the mountain, but he might have died had things gone slightly awry. Why not become the Flash Art's shadow guardian instead? Escort a boy who possesses the world-shaking talent you lack."
"If he grows up that way, he will never be able to contain the spirituality of the World Tree. I have said before that if he dies, he is merely a vessel of that caliber. I simply choose not to destroy his potential with my own hands."
"It was a joke, you stubbornly mad bastard. I will take no further action regarding the Flash Art for now. If he is swept away and dies in the storms of the vast Jianghu, so be it. Focus on your recuperation. It has become difficult to disrupt the earth's energy any further than we already have. Though we have done enough… a few places boasting impregnable defenses remain. Next is the Hebei Peng Clan."
"Leave."
The dismissal was quiet yet deep. The Lord of Lingering Spirit gave a noncommittal reply, his thoughts already turning to selecting a new Young Lord of Lingering Spirit.
Rustle.
The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect slowly sat cross-legged. As he closed his eyes, a gentle breath flowed from his sharp nose, scattering fruitlessly into the winter wind that swept through the quiet manor.
* * *
"Hearing the circumstances, those bastards from Lingering Spirit and the Blood Flame Cult must have been furious. Just when they thought they had joined forces to capture the Unit Commander, the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect slipped away."
"The Unit Commander's family… It's just like what happened back then, isn't it? I can't figure out why."
"That is why peerless experts are called eccentrics. Even the Purple Ranks of our main fortress are…"
The Demonlight Wing of the Divine Sword Corps returned to the Zhongnan Lay Sect in Xi'an.
They were at the Burnt-White Sect, the headquarters of Jang Gi-il—one of the seven great sect leaders of Xi'an. Its plaque hung over a complex of pavilions exceptionally large even for a major city in Shaanxi.
Deep within the manor lay a small pavilion, situated beside a clear, rippling lake.
"It is a pleasant sight."
"Indeed. They look like they're of a similar age."
"Maybe it's because the Unit Commander has grown so tall? It's strange. If you just look at their frames, they almost look like father and daughter."
The Demonlight Wing experts sat scattered about, some on the roof, others on the main hall floor or the ground.
The sunlight reflected off the lake shimmered, and the atmosphere was light.
Jeong Hye, having consumed a decoction of the Thousand-Year Fleeceflower Root, had regained consciousness. The long journey through Shaanxi had finally come to an end.
While the Demonlight Wing and Jeong Yeon-shin were throwing Shaanxi into turmoil, the Seven-Fingered Ghost Sword of Lingering Spirit, who had been posing as a fake sect leader at the White Sun Sect, had been slain by the Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit, Jin Myeong-jo.
Jin Myeong-jo did not show himself in person. He merely sent a letter apologizing for failing to properly block the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
He added a postscript saying that since he felt too ashamed to face his junior, he would at least find some spirit medicine to send.
[I withstood five hundred and seventy-nine exchanges before falling from the cliff of Guimi Peak. I lost consciousness immediately. It was certainly not a mere nineteen exchanges, but I am truly ashamed. I am glad you are safe.]
[I am learning much from you, Senior Jin, the Divine Blood Ultimate Demon. As a newcomer, I was filled with admiration for your martial prowess. I shall take your noble conduct, along with your martial skill, as a model for my own training. Thank you for your protection, guidance, and instruction.]
Having sent his reply, Jeong Yeon-shin checked on his niece. From a distance, his comrades watched him.
"No, a bit lighter."
"Like this?"
Jeong Hye replied in a youthful voice, her round cheeks twitching as she spoke.
Jeong Yeon-shin knelt on one knee to match Jeong Hye's eye level. His face, wearing a faint smile, was reflected in her bright, clear eyes.
He adjusted the shoulders of the black martial uniform tailored to his niece's small frame, gradually infusing her with his Halo Qi.
"From your dantian to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, you must form a continuously circulating circle. Then, the inside of your body will feel a bit warmer. Your true qi will become like a mother."
"Mother…?"
"…No, like Great Hero Sword Dragon."
"Martial Niece Wiji! Yes! I like Niece Wiji the best!"
Jeong Hye answered bravely, her eyes rimmed with red. Jeong Yeon-shin gently stroked his niece's head.
"If you gently touch the Qihai Point of your lower dantian with the feeling of Martial Niece Wiji, the true qi that swept down your body will return to the Mingmen Point on your back. In the meantime, your bones and muscles will grow strong, and your meridians will become resilient. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"Right. Because it moves without rest, it is a Dynamic Cultivation Art. You must guide your true qi while thinking of Martial Niece Wiji for it to take effect."
"I know the Small Heavenly Cycle! But the Mingmen Point is hard… Grandfather Sword Immortal used to do it with me."
Jeong Hye's small head drooped.
As she rubbed the ground with her foot, clad in a tiny silk shoe, the clumsy uncle realized his niece's loss anew. She had lost far too much at such a young age.
Jeong Yeon-shin applied gentle pressure to the hand holding Jeong Hye's shoulder.
"Even a baby monkey can do this. Though there might be a few dull martial artists who cannot, you will be fine, Hye-ah. Let us take it slow. It will be fun."
Jeong Hye did not answer for a moment.
The child's large eyes cast downward.
"Uncle."
"Yes?"
"It's strange."
"The mnemonic? Did you think of a different interpretation? Tell me whatever comes to mind."
"Your words have become mean. It's strange… but I'm not scared."
"What?"
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes widened, a swallow suddenly flew across the sky.
Chirp!
It dropped a message tube. It was a familiar spirit beast from the Chief Steward's Office. Perhaps because it had been raised by the same Brightfolk, its temperament was similar to the White Swallow that Jeong Yeon-shin had sent to Jin Myeong-jo.
Snatching the letter, he immediately broke the seal.
Rip.
A message written in dense cursive script unfolded. The content was ambiguous, hovering between an official document and a personal letter.
[The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps launched a solo raid on the meeting place of the Lord of the Martial Dragon Association and the Lord of the Dark Night Hall. This occurred immediately after members of the Divine Sword Squad were struck by the archery techniques of the Dark Night Hall. The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps returned to the main fortress after inflicting fatal wounds on both of the Thirteen Heavens Lords. Currently bedridden. Escort to a recuperation site is required.
Come and rest. You are the only sane one left. I miss you, our Flash Art.
—Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, Vice Commander Ak Su-rim.]