Chapter 348: Enemies in the Same Boat (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 348: Enemies in the Same Boat (4)
Jeong Yeon-shin strode on, but someone was right behind him.
With a long sigh, the Young Sect Leader caught up in wide strides. As he did, the hem of his thick cloak, which draped all the way to his feet, fluttered once, gently settling the dust Yeon-shin had kicked up.
Such refined control over his internal energy was second nature to the most noble figure in the Ming Cult.
"My friend," the Young Sect Leader said, catching up and placing a hand on Yeon-shin's shoulder. "This isn't what we agreed upon. Those bastards strut around thinking they're the greatest under heaven—I, too, want nothing more than to crash their lavish feast."
Unnaturally soft, snow-white fingers gripped the cloth over the character for 'Desolate.' It was a sign that he had trained the Bare-Hand Demonic Art to its absolute limit. To an ignorant observer, it would have looked like a delicate hand, but to Yeon-shin, who knew the man's identity, it was anything but.
"Let go."
A smooth voice overlapped with his own. It was the Seventh Apostle, muttering coldly from his side.
Her gaze swept down the Young Sect Leader's body, as sharp as a blade.
Shrugging his shoulders beneath the cloak, the Young Sect Leader lowered his hand.
"My lady, I ask for your understanding. Though the old sayings about a husband leading and a wife following have long lost their meaning thanks to the Brightfolk, I have urgent matters to discuss with your husband in private..."
With a rustle of fabric, the Seventh Apostle took a step back. She turned her body slightly and lowered her slender eyelashes.
Instantly withdrawing her interest, her breathing immediately deepened. She subtly shifted the tips of her toes back and forth, looking for all the world as if she had suddenly plunged into footwork training.
She was still an unpredictable character. At times, she showed a mad obsession and devotion; at others, she displayed the haughtiness and pride characteristic of the Blood Flame Cult nobility. Yeon-shin could rarely guess her train of thought. It was harder to decipher than any mnemonic he had ever learned.
This isn't an opera.
His anger faded. A sense of futility washed over him as he glanced at the Seventh Apostle's profile before turning his gaze back to the Young Sect Leader.
The expression beneath the silver mask caught his eye. The corners of the man’s mouth were curled in a crooked smirk, just as they had been when they first met. Even with Yeon-shin's outstanding discernment, it was an unreadable face.
"Before we get to the main point, allow me to offer some advice as a senior in the Jianghu."
"...?"
"The most precious thing heaven grants a mere mortal is time. For people like us, it is even more so. Though, just how many years you have left... I cannot quite see."
"I see you've achieved the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak," the Young Sect Leader said, a faint smile on his lips as he continued slowly. "Enjoy life. Leave no regrets."
His tone was strange, yet many complex emotions could be felt in those words. Despite his crooked posture, the Young Sect Leader rarely hid his feelings.
Yeon-shin did not indulge in sentimentality. He had gained too many precious relationships to pity his own innate condition.
Instead, he focused on another part of the man's words.
An absolute master who had even defeated the leader of the Pure Demon Alliance could not read his remaining lifespan.
He mentioned the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak.
It seemed the state of Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit shielded his physical condition from transcendental gazes. He had been worried about the prying eyes of the absolute masters he would now face as enemies, but it seemed that fear was groundless.
"A spawn of the Ming Cult talking about heaven's permission," Yeon-shin said flatly.
The Young Sect Leader merely raised one corner of his mouth, as if to say, And what of it?
Then, feigning ignorance, he pointed in a direction.
"See that village youth coming out of the butcher shop? He's pretending not to, but he's creeping over here. If you don't want me to catch and kill him, we should speak via sound transmission."
There were eyes and ears everywhere. The Sichuan Martial World was in utter chaos.
The Tenth Sect, the Pure Demon Alliance, the Golden Wing Sect.
The Tang Clan, the Emei Sect, the Qingcheng Sect.
This land was home to more great sects than anywhere else under heaven.
Even though the Pure Demon Alliance Leader had been burned to death by the Young Sect Leader of the Ming Cult, that was the extent of the damage to the Thirteen Heavens Lords of Sichuan Province. The Lord of the Tenth Sect, whose essence had once been drained by the Blood Flame Cult Leader, still reigned as an absolute ruler.
The Orthodox Factions were a different story.
A year ago, the Qingcheng Sect Leader was defeated and killed by the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
The Tang Clan Leader, who had suffered severe internal injuries from a family matter long ago, had exchanged blows with the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect in his diminished state and was overwhelmingly defeated.
Only the Emei Sect remained intact.
The situation in the Sichuan Martial World was heavily tilted in favor of the Thirteen Heavens. As the Young Sect Leader said, they had to be wary of eyes and ears in every direction.
"Sound transmission?"
The Seventh Apostle tilted her head slightly, her eyes still closed.
At the same time, Yeon-shin felt an invisible energy barrier envelop them in a hemisphere. It was the irregular energy wave unique to the Mara True-Blood Art. The outside noise vanished instantly.
The Young Sect Leader's eyes narrowed into crescents.
"Well then... Commander of the Demonlight Wing, as I briefly mentioned, this all revolves around the human offering. It's not a situation you can resolve by just barging into their meeting."
"With the three of us here, the balance of power is equal, no matter how many masters from the Golden Wing Sect and the Tenth Sect have arrived."
"Do you think that mad Lord of the Golden Wing Sect will obediently hand over the sacrifice? Or allow us to accompany her to the Flood Dragon?"
"We can stand on equal footing."
"I doubt it. It's highly likely that a massive grand formation has been deployed, centered on the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect—one that restricts the enemy's movement while making her own martial arts stronger..."
The formation arts of the Golden Wing Sect.
They were famous, even if their specific names were unknown. It was a supreme technique that allowed the formation to be moved at will while boosting the energy of any martial artist who had learned a certain mnemonic. Originally designed for large groups of martial artists to hunt giant spirit beasts, it was said to display terrifying power even in wars between great sects.
"Can't you just dismantle the formation on the spot, or even take control of it? I've done it before," Yeon-shin said in a somewhat disappointed tone.
In the past, he had spent several days at the Blood Flame Cult's main headquarters just to destroy the Dual Flame Blood Spirit Formation. Anyone who had mastered sorcerous martial arts should be able to do it in an instant, not days.
"Hmm."
The Young Sect Leader's head tilted slightly. So this is how my enemies felt.
"...The master of the formation is the problem. The Lord of the Golden Wing Sect is proficient in both sorcery and martial arts. She once blocked the Ten Stages of Brocade unleashed by an Ancient Sword of the Wudang Sect. They say that with a sorcery formation wrapped around one hand and a shockwave of martial arts erupting from the other, she was like a master of the Dual-Principle Mind Art. A sect leader of the Heterodox Sects who had never even touched the secret manuals of the Wudang Sect."
The Young Sect Leader's expression seemed to say, Even I can do that much, but the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect is no pushover.
Yeon-shin's reaction was indifferent.
"Excuses."
"In any case, you should abandon any thought of facing the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect head-on. Your martial arts are fundamentally opposed."
"Explain."
"The martial art of the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect is a discipline whose essence lies in hunting and killing the most auspicious spirit beasts under heaven. It is called the Heaven-Ruling Dragon-Slaying Art. It places all the Taoist and Buddhist internal energy of the world beneath its feet... and it will be especially fatal to your marvelous dharma power."
"Heaven-Ruling Dragon-Slaying Art..."
Yeon-shin muttered softly, the resonance of the words lingering in his mouth.
This was something he had yet to experience. Though he had often held the upper hand against his opponents, he had never faced an energy that was his natural enemy.
Staring at him with dark blue eyes, the Young Sect Leader concluded gently, "I'm saying it would be better for you to simply launch sword winds from behind me. While both of us can alter the structure of our internal energy, wouldn't it be faster for someone whose techniques aren't a natural counter to begin with? Besides, I am the one with deep knowledge of sorcerous martial arts. It's only logical that you follow my lead."
He delivered these raw facts in a quiet, gentle voice.
Yeon-shin felt as if he were looking into a cracked mirror. It was not a pleasant feeling.
* * *
Sichuan Chengdu.
A manor with walls as high as fortress ramparts.
On the plaque above the main gate, the words 'Golden Wing Sect' were written in sharp, straight strokes. It was said to be the work of the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect, who disliked the flamboyant calligraphy style known as 'dragons soaring and snakes leaping.'
Yet, the manor was crowded with people who stared up at the stark script in admiration. A crowd of hundreds lined up, creating a din of noisy chatter, dust, and the sound of sharpening swords.
"All martial artists who have come for the test, this way! Over here!"
"I'm first today!"
"Take this stone and crush it with your grip strength alone. That is all. There is no next step."
"Is that... the test?"
"Yes."
"You're only measuring internal cultivation, without any forms?"
"You saw correctly."
"I've never heard of receiving guests this way. Why measure a martial artist's realm with internal power alone, without a look at their forms?"
"If you lack confidence, leave. Or would you prefer to discuss our sect's rules with the elders?"
"No..."
Many entered with high spirits only to walk out without even drawing their swords. The martial artists standing guard and those taking the test acted with utter arrogance. Then again, no one considered the Golden Wing Sect to be an orthodox sect in the first place.
This was the scene the day after Yeon-shin entered the manor as a guest.
The Golden Wing Sect.
It was said they had been constantly accepting rogue cultivators for some time. It seemed they were to be used as human sacrifices.
"Your appearance is quite spectacular."
The voice was laced with admiration.
They were by a stream near a secluded building. Yeon-shin stared blankly at the martial artist in orange robes standing before him—a warrior of the Golden Wing Sect. He looked to be in his late twenties.
Yeon-shin had been called out just a day after sleeping in an unfamiliar guest room, with a message that there was work for him to do.
"Since you passed the test, you must have enough internal energy to back up your courage... A fine talent has arrived just in time."
"What is the task?" Yeon-shin asked abruptly.
His mood was extremely foul. He'd been this way ever since he parted with the Seventh Apostle—who had to feign blindness to conceal her identity—and it hadn't improved during his brief stay in the Golden Wing Sect. It's not because of her, Yeon-shin told himself.
With a chuckle, the warrior's mouth curved into an arc. It was a smile that carried the free-spirited temperament unique to the Heterodox Sects, or those who walked the line between orthodox and unorthodox.
"Your tone lacks respect... but given the task you'll be undertaking, I can overlook it. Follow me. We are going to the Sect Leader."
His attitude was that of someone addressing a common rogue cultivator, even though the term "guest" was originally meant for a precious visitor.
But something more important was at hand.
"The Lord of the Golden Wing Sect?"
"You have been assigned as her attendant."
Yeon-shin didn't answer, merely blinking once. The warrior added with an understanding look, "The Sect Leader has mastered a Dynamic Cultivation Art and never stops her breathing exercises. Without decent internal cultivation, it is literally difficult to even approach her. You can consider the Imperial Sword Form, famous in Southern Zhili, to be constantly active around her."
"If it's the Sect Leader's attendant, shouldn't you use someone from within the sect?"
"Our sect disciples must focus on their training without exception. That is a sect rule. It is also why we bring in people from the outside."
The warrior replied calmly. His speech was logical, suggesting he had some education. He gestured for Yeon-shin to follow.
"It won't be that difficult. You just have to do as you are told."
"I don't know why you chose me."
"Your looks."
He glanced back at Yeon-shin.
"The Sect Leader prefers things that are pleasing to the eye. Both in her martial arts and in her daily life."
Yeon-shin stopped thinking.
He recalled his conversation with the Young Sect Leader.
—To put it bluntly, let's say we have an exceptionally good day. Let's say I, who am infinitely close to the Heavenly Demon, and you, who are far stronger than I was at your age, sweep away both the Tenth Sect and the Golden Wing Sect. But what if those bastards run away? If the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect, who is said to have walked upon an Imugi's scales as if strolling through her own garden, decides to shake us off, can we catch her? To ensure the safety of your companions, we must first enter the formation they open up.
—So, we infiltrate the Golden Wing Sect under a hidden identity?
—If it's you, you can easily deceive any absolute master. Your skill in hiding your energy is top-notch. I'd believe it if you said it was a branch of a divine art.
—Hmm.
—That's the first time I've seen you smile so warmly. Anyway, I will connect myself, you, and your lady with the Earth-Following Demonic Art. It's a shadow technique. When the time comes, send your true qi beneath your feet.
Step.
Just then, the warrior led Yeon-shin to a pavilion with reddish-gold roof tiles. The area was as quiet as ice.
"Soon, the Tang Clan Twin Siblings will arrive to see the Sect Leader. You have permission to be rude to them. Don't think of them as the young master and young lady of a noble family. Even if you openly spill tea, the Sect Leader will tolerate it."
And then, the Six Harmonies Sound Transmission rang out.
[Come in.]
A woman's voice shattered the surrounding silence.
It was the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect.
The voice of the absolute ruler, said to govern the life and death of all things Strange, Violent, Chaotic, and Supernatural, was remarkably dry.
An attendant.
Yeon-shin slowly took a step toward the strongest figure in the Sichuan Jianghu.