Chapter 272: The Master of the Martial Book (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 272: The Master of the Martial Book (9)
Six sects suffered devastating losses, bordering on annihilation. The thousand-year-old capital was shaken to its core.
From the perspective of the entire Shaanxi Province, however, it was merely an incident confined to a single major city.
Even a prefecture as massive as Xi'an was rare, but that didn't change the fact that this was just a conflict within one region's Jianghu.
Everywhere, martial artists from small and medium-sized sects occupied and divided the lands.
Instead of relying on the government army for protection, they used their Body Protection Scriptures to appear and disappear like ghosts, extorting protection money and ambushing travelers.
A dozen or so swordsmen marched forward.
The plum blossom embroidery on the hems of their white martial robes fluttered as their footsteps on the lightly fallen snow echoed with disciplined restraint.
They moved as one, like a single, magnificently forged sword. A solemn atmosphere emanated from their formation as they escorted a lone carriage.
"Plum blossoms—it's the Mount Hua Sect!"
"...Is that the smell of blood? One of the immortals must be injured."
"Sigh, I hope nothing terrible has happened."
"For the Taoist masters to be in such a state, especially in times like these..."
They were on an official road bustling with travelers on the eastern edge of Shaanxi. The experts of the Mount Hua Sect drew no small amount of attention.
The footprints they left were exceptionally faint, and the energy radiating from their bodies was as sharp as a divine, icy wind.
Their temperament was like a sword's edge, honing the immortal Qi of Taoism. This was the unique aura of internal power from Mount Hua, a great and prestigious sect that had existed since before the Ming Dynasty.
To low-level martial artists ignorant of the world or to the common folk, they were no different from immortals. It had been that way for a long time.
No one dared to approach them.
This was precisely what the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect intended.
The Plum Blossom Sword-wielders and the Hwasan Sword Excellence had just suffered a major defeat at the hands of unorthodox experts led by the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
With the Mount Hua Sect Leader having suffered extremely severe wounds and barely able to move, the ones escorting her were not the sect's absolute strongest forces.
"We will reach Huayin County soon. Look, over there. I can see Lotus Peak."
"Don't let your guard down. We still have a long way to go."
"Being too rigid might just make the commoners uneasy. The idea that Shaanxi belongs to the unorthodox sects is a thing of the past, isn't it? We haven't faced a single threatening ambush..."
"That's a misconception. It only seemed safe because we were strong enough to overcome any threats."
A young Taoist boy sitting on the roof of the carriage waved a book.
He had a languid air about him, and from time to time, he yawned widely as if everything in the world was a triviality.
This was Mount Hua's Hidden Dragon, Yu-hyeon. He was the most promising young swordsman in Shaanxi, and despite his young age, he held an absurdly high generational rank that put him in charge of the group.
"This insight is unbelievable."
Yu-hyeon scanned the writing on the cover as if seeing a wondrous treasure for the first time.
Compendium of Demon Extermination. It was a peerless secret manual that had allowed his older martial nephews, with their clumsy Plum Blossom Sword Technique, to cut down experts a level above them.
He muttered to himself.
"It's incredibly kind. Uncharacteristically so, for him. I still can't believe something like this exists."
"Martial Uncle, do you know the creator of this martial scripture?" the white-robed swordsman walking beside the carriage asked abruptly.
Yu-hyeon replied nonchalantly. They had already fought many fierce battles, and he needed to let them catch their breath for a moment so they wouldn't collapse before reaching their destination.
"The Master told you, didn't he? He's a friend of mine."
"I asked if you know him well. His status is different now. The current Commander of the Demonlight Wing can hardly be called a mere rising star anymore..."
"Are you trying to pick a fight again? You slowpokes are still a good ten years away from even being called Plum Blossom Sword-wielders. Just keep your mouths shut."
"Do not worry. I would die before I sold out our benefactor's name. More importantly, I heard the Commander of the Demonlight Wing suffered significant injuries. I wonder if he is alright..."
"A useless worry. Even battered and broken, that friend of mine is probably stronger than you are in perfect health."
The rugged spirit of West Peak Mount Hua was evident even in their lighthearted banter. It was just as they were exchanging jokes in hushed whispers.
"That story."
Suddenly, an imperious voice cut through the air from above.
"Tell it again."
The moment Yu-hyeon snapped his head up, the sun was blocked.
A woman stood atop a divine sword that seemed to drink the very light from the sky, a testament to the profound internal power she had cultivated.
She radiated the threatening aura of a supreme swordmaster. Her short, gray hair tickled the sunlight.
Yu-hyeon's eyes widened.
"Sword Saint... Yeongcheon Sword Ghost...!"
"Speak. I will not strike down those who can barely move."
Her face, as sharp and smooth as a blade, was cast in shadow. Even her voice was grim.
"Lately, the affairs of the Jianghu have not been proceeding as I wish."
* * *
"It has been a while, kid of the Jeong family."
A tall, well-built man raised a hand from the seat of honor among the massive stone thrones of the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall.
He gave the impression of a scholar. His purple martial robe was tailored to flow like a scholar's, yet he exuded no presence whatsoever.
His internal power was so perfectly concealed it was as if he had none to begin with.
His complexion was incredibly pale. Anyone would mistake him for a sick man.
I heard he dealt fatal blows to two of the Thirteen Heavens' Lords.
Jeong Yeon-shin couldn't begin to fathom the extent of the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps' internal injuries.
He had no idea how severe they were. But if they were talking about sending him to a sanatorium, his injuries had to be at least as bad as his own.
"I greet the Commander."
He clasped his hands in a formal salute to his direct superior.
With a pale face, the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps looked at his youngest subordinate with an amused, affectionate gaze.
"You made quite a grand return."
"Pardon?"
"Every time I did something like that, I felt the urge to run away using the Body Protection Scripture. But some people are just naturally suited for the spotlight. It seems the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing is one of them. Then again, your lineage is anything but ordinary."
"What do you mean by..."
"Ho, so it's no big deal to you. Your caliber is truly different. When I received the report of what you did in Shaanxi, I thought you were a madman. That was an achievement only high-ranking Black Ranks would dare dream of."
The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps spoke.
Jeong Yeon-shin just stood there blankly, not understanding what he was talking about.
It was then.
"Our Flash Art, don't just stand there. Sit down. There's no need to needlessly save face for that Yong fellow."
The girl sitting directly in front of Jeong Yeon-shin turned her head and called out to him. Holding the spear propped up beside her stone throne, she gestured with her other hand as if patting the air beside her.
Even in the Commander's presence, her own was vivid. She was a supreme master who had reversed the aging of her physical body, appearing as a young girl.
Ak Su-rim, the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress, smiled brightly.
"The Bloodkeeper and Searing Abyss Unit Commanders are on standby, but you're the only one we called. It was an order from the Lord of the Fortress."
"Senior Ak. I am glad you are safe."
Jeong Yeon-shin's tone became slightly more relaxed.
Ak Su-rim, playfully twirling her spear, beamed.
"I guess you really are glad to see me. Or is it because I mentioned the Lord of the Fortress?"
An unconventional aura emanated from her short, wavy black hair, accompanied by an incredibly dense wave of internal power.
However, it didn't feel as overwhelming as before. Jeong Yeon-shin thought that if he activated his Ultimate Lightning, he might actually be able to trade blows with her.
This was the first time since entering the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall that he felt confident in his own martial arts. Had his growth in power matched his newfound humility?
It would only be for a brief moment, but if luck is on my side, I might actually stand a chance...
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing tilted his head slightly.
Or was he wrong? Was it still too early? The power boost from Ultimate Lightning was so abnormal that his own judgment struggled to keep pace.
They said the world of experts widened like the horizon the higher one climbed, and the realm of the Black Rank, the stage right before the Purple Rank, was vast and expansive.
It was to the point where there existed supreme masters more than capable of acting on behalf of the leaders of great sects.
Just like Ak Su-rim, who was curling the corners of her lips in front of him.
"Look at this. My scalp just tingled."
"I don't know what you mean."
Jeong Yeon-shin, flinching inwardly, feigned ignorance.
Ak Su-rim narrowed her eyes with a mysterious smile.
"Weren't you sizing me up? I felt it all."
For a moment, it was as if pitch-black lightning flashed in her eyes. To Jeong Yeon-shin, this felt like a critical moment.
She was the strongest candidate for the position of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. The opponent whom Jeong Yeon-shin had secretly designated as his rival continued speaking.
"Our Flash Art, you don't seem to realize how intense your gaze is."
"Senior Ak's gaze is much more..."
"Playing sly, are we? You're so cute, like a little fox. Should I really make you my husband?"
She reached out. Her fingertips, which had been rising toward her junior's head, tapped his chest instead. Jeong Yeon-shin, who had grown taller, was now far taller than Ak Su-rim.
While the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing felt an unprecedented sense of achievement, Ak Su-rim let out an amused chuckle and lightly flicked her finger.
"At your level, you're qualified to escort the Commander. Though his body seems heavily damaged... it's not like you're setting off with a grand entourage anyway. You'll just bring a few subordinates along."
"I read Senior Ak's official dispatch, but where is this sanatorium?"
"It was a letter, not an official dispatch. Anyway, the Lord of the Fortress made this decision after hearing about your physical condition. You will go to the sanatorium with the Commander. Have you heard of the Gate of the Heavenly Pillar?"
"A sect exclusive to the Brightfolk that shuns the secular world... I suppose it actually existed."
"You must recuperate there. You've pushed your body far too hard."
"I am well enough to move."
"You're hiding the stiffness in your muscles and the strain on the meridians throughout your body, aren't you? Your primordial Qi must have been damaged. You know it's hard to exert your full strength after fighting one fierce battle after another, right? If you keep running without rest, you'll eventually collapse."
"..."
"Use this as an opportunity for closed-door cultivation while you recover. It's a sect that guards an important branch of the World Tree. There are many mysterious things there."
"Closed-door cultivation...?"
In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes gleamed. He had just realized how immensely effective the cultivation methods of wise martial artists could be.
He was intrigued. Although his internal injuries had subsided to an unusual degree since he woke up, he still needed a fundamental recovery, just as Ak Su-rim said.
The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, who had been slouched lazily on his stone throne, waved his hand.
"Just pick about four people, including the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword. Mix in one or two White Ranks as well. Yes, that should be enough. Most Blue Ranks stand out even if they disguise themselves."
"Why the blue-robed warrior Cheong-myeong...?"
"The Gate of the Heavenly Pillar is the hometown of the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword. It's a backwater I don't particularly care for, but if you bring someone from there, they might show us a bit of courtesy."
"With just me and four members of the Demonlight Wing, it is not enough. Wouldn't it be better to take absolute precautions for your escort?"
At the calm question, the corners of the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps' mouth curved into a smile.
"You see, I am quite popular in the Jianghu. Even the leaders of the great sects frequently come to meet me—with their blades sharpened to a terrifying degree."
"Ah."
"Flash Art. Once you reach my position in the near future, you will find yourself wearing disguises on a daily basis. You will also occasionally witness the horrific sight of people who call themselves grandmasters launching coordinated attacks against you. It's a Jianghu where you never have time to feel bored. It's harsh. Extremely harsh."
Ak Su-rim glared at the Commander as he shook his head.
"That's because that Yong fellow brought it upon himself. The Lord of the Martial Dragon Association had no hostile intentions in the first place. I could tell just by listening to the gist of it."
"He was sitting with that pointy-eared bastard from the Dark Night Hall. Wasn't it only right to strike first?"
"There's no point talking to you. Anyway, Flash Art, escorting the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps is a formal mission, so you'll receive merit for it. The Gate of the Heavenly Pillar is also famous for possessing the Moon-Preserving Piercing Method, one of the Five Great Palm Techniques of the World. Almost nothing else is known about them, but... you'll be able to broaden your horizons."
"The Five Great Palm Techniques of the World..."
Suddenly, Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Guardian Sword Reigning Palm unleashed by that disciple of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect. It wasn't all that impressive.
Ak Su-rim chattered on.
"It's an extremely exclusive sect. They distance themselves from the secular world immensely."
"Should I think of it as a countryside village with a folk religion?"
"It's more than that. The most obnoxious Brightfolk in the world have formed a village there. They don't accept any culture or goods from the Central Plains at all. Unless you are the Lord of the Fortress, you have to show them a martial art that doesn't exist in the Ming Dynasty to enter. But for you, that won't be a problem."
Jeong Yeon-shin listened to the summarized explanation.
The Gate of the Heavenly Pillar, located at the northern tip of Huguang Province. It was not very far from the Desolate Fortress.
It was said to be a sect that possessed a lake imbued with powerful regenerative properties. There were many other mysterious stories besides that.
If it has regenerative properties...
It would surely be useful for stabilizing his body and drawing out his potential.
The current Commander of the Demonlight Wing mentally selected three more members in addition to Cheong-myeong.
The scoundrel Lazy Flame Dragon, the White Cat Shin So-bin, and the Hero of the Desolate Fortress Heonwon Chang. These were the members who would head to the Gate of the Heavenly Pillar with the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
"Once you return, the Chief Steward's Office will have your mission rewards piled up. The Grand Steward was laughing while breaking out in a cold sweat, saying that five years' worth of budget for an average Black Rank would be paid out all at once."
Ak Su-rim tapped the armrest, beaming.
"Since the Gate of the Heavenly Pillar is a mysterious sect whose location isn't even well known, nothing much should happen while you recuperate. Just go and come back with a light heart. I have to guard the main fortress. There are too few people in the Divine Sword Corps lately."
"Is there any particularly bad news...?"
"None! Really, none! Just go with a peaceful mind!"
Jeong Yeon-shin had to return to change into a disguise right away.
* * *
Jeong Yeon-shin passed through the fortress gates, accompanied by his direct superior, who could barely support his own body.
He brought along four of his comrades from the Demonlight Wing, and an unprecedentedly peaceful journey ensued.
"What kind of trouble did you say Lazy Flame Dragon caused?"
"Are you talking about this young master? That's news to me... Why are you always picking on me?"
"The people of the main fortress were looking at me strangely..."
"They admire their young Unit Commander. How could they not, given how incredible your recent achievements were?"
"It is still not enough. Not by a long shot."
"Of course, it's still far from enough for our Unit Commander."
Sunlight filtered down through a canopy of green, fluttering around them.
After walking for seven days and nights, through sunlight and moonlight, they arrived at a fortress formed of mountain ridges and tree trunks.