Chapter 355: Sprint (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 355: Sprint (4)
The Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit was worrying about the failing health of the former Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
It was a surprising sight.
Yet, there was no real sincerity to it. He was likely just asking a routine, polite question. Jeong Yeon-shin's Upper Dantian perceived it as exactly that.
He remembered Hahu Wi-jin fainting after being struck by Ma Yeon-jeok's surprise blow. It was an incident that had occurred during an argument over mission assignments at the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall. It had been deeply embarrassing.
‘He is a true gentleman. To ask after him even after experiencing such a thing.’
The young man was impressed. To wear the purple robe, one had to emulate such grand caliber beforehand.
The senior sitting in the seat of honor had shown the demeanor of a true gentleman. It was only right to return the courtesy.
"My maternal grandfather has not been rejuvenated for very long. Naturally, he is still in good health. Not long ago, he even defeated the Leader of the Deep Martial Alliance."
"What?"
"If you thought a long time had passed because of my appearance, you may lay your worries to rest. It is the effect of Marrow Cleansing and Bone Rebirth."
"Ah..."
"Is it not a great relief? I, too, was deeply worried when I first learned of such a Mysterious Place in the world. I feared that the flow of time here might differ from the outside."
"..."
Jeong Yeon-shin's words were unusually long.
It was because he was in a rather good mood. He had once again found something to learn from a Black Rank senior.
Unlike the monkeys that swarmed the Jianghu, the seniors of the Desolate Fortress often enlightened him in matters outside of martial arts.
Such realizations frequently served as inspiration for various techniques. His recent success in concealing his energy waves to deceive the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect was also thanks to the Divine Blood Ultimate Demon.
That empty yet heavy, highly paradoxical aura was currently exerting a major influence on the Body Protection Qi that Jeong Yeon-shin was designing.
"By the way, I understand you departed with your Forest-Treading Unit, but I do not sense the aura of any Desolate Fortress warriors. I am also curious about the well-being of the other two seniors," Jeong Yeon-shin said.
"Hmm."
Hahu Wi-jin fell into a deep silence for a moment, as if relieved by the former Commander of the Divine Sword Corps' good health, before speaking in a heavy voice.
"My subordinates went out to scout long ago. I ordered it. The Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit is wandering outside, trying to find a way back. She hasn't even entered the village for a month now. As for the Commander of the Heaven-Aligned Wing, I don't know. I couldn't find him."
"...Scouts, you say? Does that mean there are enemies?"
"Of course."
The corners of Hahu Wi-jin's thick lips turned down slightly. His gaze grew cold.
"The Three Lords and the Twin Kings. Those who arrived first."
His brief murmur carried a deep resonance. The explanation that followed was the same. His wariness was palpable.
The Three Lords, who claimed any land they set foot on as their own.
The Twin Kings, former heads of the Eight Great Families, who held the largest territory within the formation.
And other former masters who had traversed the Jianghu decades ago with nothing but a single weapon.
"Every single one of them is extremely powerful. I thought they had all washed their hands in a golden basin, but they were here. Rumor has it they made a deal with Taemo Mountain Fortress. I don't know the details, but those damn sorcerers unleashed these living ghosts upon this land long ago."
Jeong Yeon-shin's eyebrows twitched.
Taemo Mountain Fortress of the Thirteen Heavens.
The sect that, along with the Moyong Clan, had plundered the Tomb of the Heavenly Demon, which Heonwon Chang's family had guarded.
Having split off from the Maoshan Sect, which was once a pillar of the Nine Great Sects in the distant past, they now boasted a prosperity that surpassed their origin. It was said that all of their disciples were masters of extraordinary sorcery martial arts.
What was their reason for gathering powerful experts who coveted the dragon's inner core in one place?
There had to be some sort of scheme. However, it was not Jeong Yeon-shin's place to worry about that now. Gathering the seniors and the other warriors of the Desolate Fortress and leaving came first.
"This place is also the Jianghu."
"Yes. And it is a formation that is dying as its lifespan reaches its end. They say that starting from the lands furthest away, it is disappearing, shrouded in a strange fog. None of those caught in it have ever returned. Their survival is unknown. No one knows if they escaped the formation or returned to nothingness."
"Some of the former masters who have entered this land must be frantic to find a way out. It is truly a strange place."
"That is also true. It was absurd when those bastards calling themselves the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect and the Lord of the Tenth Sect were babbling about the 'Mysterious Place of the Flood Dragon' and whatnot..."
Hahu Wi-jin suddenly trailed off, staring blankly at his junior who had grown so much. He was suddenly reminded of the encirclement and the sorcery formation from that incredibly bleak day.
The land he had stepped on, surrounded by two of the Thirteen Heavens, was not the deep sanctuary of an elusive spirit beast, but a long-forgotten grave of ancient masters.
Neither he nor Cheon So-so had the right to belong to this purple Jianghu steeped in such mystery.
Far from leading the state of affairs, their limit was merely looking after a handful of commoners within the order established by those who had arrived first.
'Even now, we are being miserably pushed back.'
Would the Flash Art be any different?
Although the Black Ranks of the world were said to act as artillery in great sect wars to turn the tide of battle, that was only when the leaders of the great sects did not participate.
Among the Twin Kings and the Three Lords, three had been the leaders of giant sects, one was infinitely close to that level, and the last had long since become the hands and feet of the former Peng Clan Leader due to his deep infatuation with her.
And what of the former giants who did not belong to them? It was a situation that would be difficult to handle unless a Purple Rank arrived.
'And that fellow represents the hope of our fading main fortress.'
The Flash Art, Jeong Yeon-shin.
A providence mistakenly bestowed by the heavens. The strongest master among his peers. The one guaranteed to become the next-but-one Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
He must not be lost, Hahu Wi-jin thought.
He had no intention of sending Jeong Yeon-shin to the front lines. Even if all Black Ranks were equal, he intended to advise him as a senior.
To tell him not to throw himself into the harsh storms of the world, but to wait until Unit Commander Yong or the former Commander arrived—even if that wait lasted for decades.
The Purple Ranks would come eventually.
That was certain. Because that was simply the kind of people they were.
"If not through Taemo Mountain Fortress, you must have come through the Golden Wing Sect. No matter how you arrived, you have worked hard. Your travel fatigue must be immense, so take some rest and wait for the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit."
Hahu Wi-jin said. However, Jeong Yeon-shin showed no sign of backing down.
"Is Senior Ha safe? If Senior Cheon has also been missing for a month, shouldn't we consider other possibilities?"
"...The White Lightning Radiant Sword Force of the Commander of the Heaven-Aligned Wing is unmatched in the martial world. Who was it again, that highly promising rising star... Ah, yes, the White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin didn't become his subordinate for nothing. He will be fine. Put aside your worries about the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit as well. Have you not personally experienced her Celestial-Pattern Hand Art?"
Hahu Wi-jin spoke softly, as if trying to persuade his junior, which was unlike him.
The Body Protection Scripture that the Flash Art had modified had served as a life-saving herb on several occasions. He also knew that his junior's moniker was growing heavier by the day in the world.
Hahu Wi-jin considered safeguarding the Flash Art's safety to be a matter of utmost importance for the Desolate Fortress.
"I can see that you have become quite strong, regardless of how many years have passed. It would be wise for us to look for Ha Do-un together. Just wait a little longer."
"I have no fatigue to relieve. Since you are guarding this village, Senior, even if I must go alone..."
It was then.
"Chief! Chief!"
Suddenly, the side door burst open.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked down and saw a short old man.
With robustly developed upper body muscles and a thick white beard, he was unmistakably a pure-blooded Ironfolk. He held a letter in one hand.
"Ah, you must be the Flash Art. I am the one who sat in that seat before our bear-like friend Hahu took over as chief."
The Ironfolk old man said, pointing to Hahu Wi-jin's golden Grandmaster's Chair. He meant he was the former chief.
Then, he strode right between the two unit commanders and spread the letter wide.
"Take a look at this. Both of you."
There was no time for Jeong Yeon-shin to introduce himself. The old man's attitude was that of someone delivering urgent news.
Naturally, Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes drifted to the contents.
[On the day of Gyeongchip this year, Ice-White Cheon So-so shall become the companion of I, Peng Yeo-ran. You villagers must send envoys to bless this joyous occasion and present a phoenix crown.
—The Ghost-Howling Hegemon]
"What kind of dog shit nonsense is this from a bitch who doesn't even have a dick!"
Hahu Wi-jin's massive fist shattered the table. Boom! The echoing wave of internal power carried the instantaneous, explosive nature characteristic of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak.
Jeong Yeon-shin realized instinctively. The Ghost-Howling Hegemon, Peng Yeo-ran. The Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit, Cheon So-so, was held captive by that woman who was the former head of the Hebei Peng Clan.
"It seems she is after the Sapling of the World Tree. A pure-blooded Brightfolk with martial prowess on par with the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit is rare, and in this land, she is the only one. Only the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit can wield the sapling's power to its fullest," the former chief said. His tone was grave.
"What would be her reason for going out of her way to provoke us? She could have handled this in secret without anyone knowing," Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
"...They say none of the masters of the Divine Sword Corps are ordinary, and it seems they were right."
The old man turned his gaze toward him and gasped in surprise. The peerlessly handsome young man, who had been sitting just moments ago when they were reading the letter, was already standing.
It meant his movements were incredibly natural. The old man, who had not sensed his presence despite having deeply trained in blacksmithing martial arts, cautiously continued.
"In any case, among the Twin Kings, the Ghost-Howling Hegemon is an extremely worldly person. Even before becoming the head of the Peng Clan, she indulged in all kinds of pleasures. Yet, she still won the succession battle and purged all of her direct competitors. She was even called one of the Three Excellences of Divine Martial Arts, as her refinement, scheming, and martial arts were all outstanding."
"And?"
"It means she either has intentions we cannot fathom from here, or it could truly be nothing more than a boast. The Ghost-Howling Hegemon is famous for enjoying banquets, unlike most peerless masters. All while keeping her subordinates deployed in every direction."
"Does she have many subordinates in this land as well?"
"She built her power by subjugating the former masters who came here with her."
"A faction?"
"She calls it the Biyeok Peng Clan. It might be even more powerful than the real Peng Clan outside. It is crawling with old monsters who should have washed their hands in a golden basin long ago," the old man concluded.
By then, Hahu Wi-jin was silently clenching his fists.
He seemed to be agonizing. Whether he should protect the commoners here first, as he had always done as a warrior of the Desolate Fortress, or accept the Ghost-Howling Hegemon's invitation.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not care. He had finally arrived at his mission.
"Senior Hahu."
"Hmm?"
"Do you have any spare black robes for a unit commander?"
What did he sense in his junior's brief words? A sharp light flashed through Hahu Wi-jin's eyes for an instant.
The giant Brightfolk warrior asked a question with his gaze. Could it be that the Purple Rank I have been waiting for is...?
"Here."
Thud.
Onto the shattered remains of the table, a thick stack of folded clothes, over a span wide, was piled up. There had to be at least ten of them.
They were all the black robes of the Desolate Fortress, with the large character 'Hwang' (荒) embroidered in white on the shoulders.
"They get torn a lot," Hahu Wi-jin said, almost as an excuse.
Jeong Yeon-shin smiled faintly and picked up one of the robes.
Tup.
He broke off the tip of the armrest of the chair Hahu Wi-jin was sitting on, placed it on his index finger, and ignited the Samadhi True Fire. It was soft gold plating. Along with the intense heat, the gold melted.
The young man placed his fingertip near the shoulder of the robe and traced over the character 'Hwang'.
Sssss—
It was the color that signified the status of the direct disciple of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. Following the neat strokes flowing from his fingertip, the character was overlaid in gold.
"Even the former masters will recognize this, won't they?"
"Those bastards will know it better than anyone. They enjoyed their prime back when the Lord of the Desolate Fortress wielded her sword," the old man, the former chief, answered instead. He watched with a strange look in his eyes as Jeong Yeon-shin threw on the oversized black robe.
The Ironfolk old man's gaze also swept over the Meteor Sword that the Commander of the Demonlight Wing wore at his waist.
"Its condition is indeed unstable. No wonder the Tang Clan kids, who are quite outstanding blacksmiths, were arguing over who would forge a sword for their benefactor."
"I will be on my way. Please guard this place, Senior."
Step.
Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands in a polite bow to the two men and turned around.
Hahu Wi-jin could not bring himself to stop him.
He merely kept his heavy seat, watching his junior's retreating back. He remained bound by his duty to prioritize the safety of the commoners over the gathering of the Desolate Fortress's Divine Sword Corps.
'The Twin Kings and the Three Lords. A purple Jianghu...'
Leaving the pavilion, Jeong Yeon-shin leaped continuously from roof to roof with elusive movement techniques.
As he alternately executed the Radiant Wing Step, the Wind God Movement Technique, and the Ten-Mile Light Grace—all deeply imbued with the martial principles of the Brightfolk—no one could properly perceive him.
The same went for the Tang Clan twins, who were happily wandering around here and there with innocent faces.
Earlier, Jeong Yeon-shin had measured the siblings' lifespans using the Sight of the Lowly.
They were extremely short.
Their meridians and acupoints were incredibly weak; their bodies, unable to withstand the spirituality of their Upper Dantian, were collapsing from within.
It was a phenomenon completely opposite to the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak. It was the collapse of their essence, Qi, and spirit.
How could he ask them to forge a sword or the like? Especially in this place, where there were already countless others willing to strike iron for him.
'And stealing is out of the question.'
Jeong Yeon-shin passed by the weapons resting carelessly on the nearby racks.
Now, mere blades could no longer cause him any distress.
He had reached such a realm.
The heavenly mandate of the Tang siblings, the Twin Kings and the Three Lords, Ha Do-un and Cheon So-so, and the martial arts of the next realm swirled endlessly in his mind.
Until he walked through the bright sunlight and finally left the blacksmith village behind.