Chapter 395: Carpet (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 395: Carpet (4)
The sequence of events had passed like a raging tempest.
It began with tracking the Thirteen Heavens using the Sapling of the World Tree in Cheon So-so's possession. That led to the discovery of the Dark Night Hall's main headquarters, the capture of their Young Lord, and the interrogation of the sect's remnants. And finally, it culminated in the Sect Leaders of the great Orthodox sects tearing through the formation art to descend upon them.
The sleeves of a scrawny Buddhist nun fluttered in the wind.
A certain divine grace lingered in the recoil of her landing. Though the sleeves of her monastic robe were excessively wide for her frail frame, they did not look the least bit unsightly.
The Buddhist Exalt, Thunderbolt Guanyin.
Abbess Baekyak of the Emei Sect had manifested.
Step.
With a single step, the surrounding air grew heavy. Even the rustling of the bushes died away.
The martial arts of the Orthodox Buddhist sects generally exuded a solemn and majestic momentum. The Emei Sect, standing alongside Shaolin as one of the Buddhist orders among the Nine Great Sects, was no exception.
Though she seemed to have no such intention, Abbess Baekyak dominated the surroundings simply by taking a step toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
"..."
Wiji Geuk, the Commander of the Dragon-Treading Unit—a man who hadn't hesitated to hurl sarcasm at the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress—fell silent. The Young Lord of the Dark Night Hall, slumped at his feet, also snapped his mouth shut.
Why would the world-renowned Buddhist Exalt personally...?
The Young Lord's eyes, dull as burnt ashes, swirled with doubt.
Why would such undeniably noble figures travel all this way just to seek out the Imperial Family's Black Sword? It was by no means a short distance.
"It has been a long time. I followed because I have an urgent matter to discuss with you," Abbess Baekyak spoke gently.
Wuuuung—
The air rippled at her voice, which sounded elderly yet unshakeably solid. It was a resonance that naturally revealed the internal energy mastery of a supreme expert of the Nine Sects.
Beside her stood the Qingcheng Sect Leader.
"As expected, there was no need to give chase in such a hurry."
He was a Brightfolk Taoist with the appearance of a young man. Clad in a white robe embroidered with blue tassels, a gentle breeze seemed to drift from the precious sword at his waist.
His momentum was peerless and transcendent. Even if it paled slightly compared to Abbess Baekyak's singular presence, few would ever dare to look down on him.
Perfected Cheongsu, the Twin-Wall Sword Lord.
It was said that although the Qingcheng Sect had lost its former Sect Leader to the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect, they were rapidly reclaiming their prestige. This was all thanks to this new Sect Leader, who had attained peerless enlightenment through that very tragedy.
"With the Black Ranks of the Desolate Fortress moving as a group, this outcome is only natural. Even more so when considering your martial prowess," Perfected Cheongsu said.
The eyes of the Young Lord of the Dark Night Hall widened slightly.
As the casual greetings dragged on, the reality of the situation finally sank in. None other than Thunderbolt Guanyin and the Twin-Wall Sword Lord had come together just to meet someone.
The Sect Leaders of two of the Nine Great Sects—figures who stood at the very pinnacle of the martial world.
"If you came here thinking it was a good opportunity to wipe us out since the eyesore Unit Commanders of our fortress are gathered in one place... wouldn't it be rather awkward with just the two of you Sect Leaders?"
Perhaps trying to alleviate the crushing pressure, Wiji Geuk blustered. Tension flickered in his sharp eyes, keen as ever.
The sight of two supreme experts of the Nine Sects standing side by side was truly overwhelming.
Even before calculating martial compatibility, numbers, or overall combat power, the sheer presence of these two Sect Leaders clashing against the Unit Commanders of the Divine Sword Corps was fundamentally staggering.
Although there was no overt hostility in the Sect Leaders' demeanors, their very existence weighed heavily on the soul. It was the crushing spirituality of peerless masters.
Perfected Cheongsu glanced at Wiji Geuk.
"An unnecessary worry. I have no business with you, so you need not step forward."
Even his casually spoken words carried a mysterious, compelling force.
The corner of the Dragon-Treading Unit Commander's mouth curled up.
"Didn't you just greet our youngest? When the old fogies of the Nine Sects—who are experts at ignoring the livelihoods of the common people—personally grace us with their presence, how can I just sit back? How am I supposed to know what kind of clever tricks you might pull if I just stay out of it?"
Wiji Geuk was a veteran of a hundred battles.
As the older brother of Sword Dragon Wiji Myo-hwa, the first disciple of the Zhongnan Sect, he had accumulated countless achievements against the Northern Demonfolk without suffering a single defeat. He was even discussed as a prime candidate for the next Three Black Strengths despite his young age.
He would not falter at a single word, even if his opponent was a peerless master. He merely needed his comrades or his Commander to help disperse the pressure exuded by the leaders of the Nine Sects.
Step.
Just then, the other Unit Commanders who had been cleaning up the devastated Dark Night Hall slowly gathered. They approached, their black robes fluttering silently in the wind.
"These are far too grand of guests to welcome without prior notice."
"What business do a bald nun and a goat-nosed Taoist have here?"
It was the stern-faced Master of the Martial Apex Hall and Ak Su-rim, the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress, who approached while spinning her spear like a street thug.
The arrival of the Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects carried exactly that much weight. These were comrades who, if three of them gathered, could easily handle a peerless master and still have strength to spare.
As each of them drew closer, the oppressive pressure seemed to unravel thread by thread. Just as Wiji Geuk's eyes relaxed slightly—
"I am glad to see you are well. Have you been in good health?"
The moment Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands in a polite salute, the heavy air instantly lightened. For a split second, a soft whoosh seemed to echo in the clearing.
A gentle early summer breeze brushed against their skin. It was no exaggeration to say that breathing suddenly became much easier.
The approaching Black Rank seniors paused. The same went for Wiji Geuk, who had been trying to shoulder the burden of the supreme experts on behalf of his junior.
The Young Lord of the Dark Night Hall hid his shock behind a long, slow exhale of internal energy.
Only three people's expressions remained unchanged: Abbess Baekyak, Perfected Cheongsu, and Jeong Yeon-shin. The Sect Leaders of the Nine Sects and the Commander of the Demonlight Wing exchanged greetings in a manner that was neither too light nor too heavy—like individuals of completely equal stature.
"I was worried about your internal injuries, Twin-Wall Sword Lord. I have not seen you since the incident with the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect..."
"It is embarrassing. I owe you a great debt," Perfected Cheongsu said bluntly.
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head slightly and lowered his clasped hands, maintaining a perfectly straight posture.
The Nine Great Sects.
The leaders of the martial world, represented by the number nine.
Though all of them were peerless martial sects, they were also Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries. Because those who preached such noble teachings could also leap between mountain peaks and split boulders with a single strike, they naturally exerted a powerful influence on the minds of the common people.
It had reached the point where a Sect Leader of the Nine Sects was revered as a living immortal or a living Buddha.
Meanwhile, ascending to the seat of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps was heavily influenced not only by recognition within the Desolate Fortress and the approval of the Beijing Imperial Family, but also by the public sentiment of the outside world.
It was only right to leave a good impression. After all, there was no telling if one of these Sect Leaders might have a loose tongue, much like the poppy addict of the Demonlight Wing.
This was an extremely important matter.
He had heard that many of the Nine Sects were currently busy dealing with strange, violent, and supernatural anomalies under orders from the Imperial Family. Looked at another way, this meant there was active communication between the Nine Great Sects and Beijing.
Though this is incomparably more difficult than martial arts...
Jeong Yeon-shin had been skilled at showing proper etiquette ever since he had to navigate the scholars of the Chief Steward's Office who held the power of appointment. Treating others with the same humility one would show the common folk usually yielded positive responses.
"It feels like only yesterday that my eyes were opened by the Taoist Master's Azure Cloud Red Sunset Sword, so there is no need to speak of owing a debt. It was only what I ought to do," Jeong Yeon-shin said softly.
Protecting the common people was the duty of the Desolate Fortress's Divine Sword Corps. The red and blue sword shockwaves of the Qingcheng Sect Leader had flashed so brilliantly that they made his eyes, active with the Sight of the Lowly, sting. There was no falsehood in his words.
The corner of Perfected Cheongsu's mouth twitched faintly.
The current Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect was of the Brightfolk. He was a man who had inherited the bloodline of a noble clan and refined even his Upper Dantian to a peerless realm. Falsehoods could never slip past his ability to discern sincerity.
Within the Qingcheng Sect, he had been famous since his initiation as a disciple who could never be fooled by feints.
Perfected Cheongsu slowly opened his mouth.
"...When you blustered at Unhoe Peak, I thought you were exceedingly arrogant. But seeing you now, it seems you were merely wearing a mask under duress. To possess such youth, bloodline, and martial prowess all in one body, and yet remain so humble... Excellent, excellent indeed."
Beside him, Abbess Baekyak's eyes crinkled gently.
"Did I not tell you repeatedly on the way here? He is a benefactor who has refined Dharma Power. His character, which was the first to show concern for this poor nun's old body, is also truly admirable."
"The Abbess's words are not wrong. I was originally extremely reluctant to be bound by the promise of the previous generation... but with that level of martial arts and such character, it is indeed worth bringing up the matter," Perfected Cheongsu said.
Jeong Yeon-shin's head tilted slightly to the side.
"Is this about the 'Mount Hua Agreement' I heard of earlier?"
"Indeed. It is a promise that the various Sect Leaders and Elders of the Nine Sects made with the Former Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. Back when they were young," Perfected Cheongsu replied in a low tone.
Soon after, Abbess Baekyak let out a sly smile.
"Though it felt somewhat absurd and forced... a promise is a promise. I shall tell you, Benefactor Jeong."
* * *
The Chief Steward's Office of the Desolate Fortress.
Meetings of the leadership had been taking place day after day. This endless debate had started the moment the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps' Black Rank Assembly Order became widely known throughout the main fortress.
"This is a matter we can decide right here. We need decisiveness."
"We cannot dismiss the master of the Sword of Divine Attainment so easily! Frankly speaking, what did he do so wrong? Do not just coop yourselves up in the Elder Council; read the situation of the Jianghu!"
"What did you just say?"
"For what reason do you think Hanzhong's Orthodox Martial World Alliance was formed? Right now, such alliances are springing up everywhere! If we stay still, we will surely be defeated one by one. How can you so misrepresent a reasonable command from the Commander?!"
"One must not forget the essence of our sect. Do you dare raise your voice at me, even knowing how Beijing views us right now?"
The fifteen figures gathered around the luxurious red sandalwood round table exuded an immense, overbearing momentum.
Several servants had long since fainted, unable to withstand the fierce pressure, forcing the remaining White-Ranked Warriors in the main fortress to take over their duties.
It was a tense standoff.
A middle-aged woman dressed in splendid orange attire, carrying a pure white precious sword, vehemently defended the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. Unlike her loud demeanor, her lofty, unshakeable poise proved her profound level of achievement.
She was the Head of the Desolate Shin Clan.
Shin Seol-ha, the Inviting Moon Cliff Sword. She led a prestigious family that had produced countless geniuses, including the current Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit and the White Cat of the Demonlight Wing.
She refused to lower her voice, even in the presence of the Desolate Fortress's Elder Council Head.
"To dismiss the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps right here and announce it to the entire world? I seriously doubt whether the Elder Council Head is exercising sound judgment right now."
A faint light flashed in the eyes of the Elder Council Head, a stout old man in a purple robe sitting upright in the seat of honor.
"My own daughter dares to speak to me like this?!"
"I will not entertain personal matters here. Are you unaware of the hardships the warriors of our fortress are facing throughout the world? Why would we detonate a Thunderbolt Bomb in an already unstable situation? Is there even a single warrior who dares to replace the Commander?"
"What must be done does not distinguish between order or weight! When the banner of our fortress is broken, what is more important than re-establishing our foundation?"
"Of course there is. As the Head of the Shin Clan, I now propose to submit an agenda to the Chief Steward's Office for the dismissal of the Elder Council Head. Someone who treats the morale of our fortress so lightly—let alone the position of the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps—belongs in the back garden of our family estate."
The mother of the Demonlight Wing's White Cat spoke in her official capacity as Clan Head. She was blatantly implying that the current Elder Council Head was only fit to be a retired old man confined to a back room.
Instantly, a furious roar erupted.
Such was the state of the heated debates raging within the hall.
When should they dismiss the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps? And if they did, when should they announce it? Shouldn't they be focusing all their strength on finding the whereabouts of Unit Commander Yong right now?
"Was it not an order given by the Commander to the Unit Commanders? How can we retract it? That is an absolute command," one of the seated individuals grumbled.
He was a man with ears as sharp as halberds and a massive frame that seemed ready to crush his chair. He was the Head of the Desolate Hahu Clan, and privately, the younger brother of Hahu Wi-jin, the Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit.
"In the first place, isn't the main fortress empty? Do you intend to hand over the Lord's residence to our enemies?"
"..."
Whenever the Lord of the Desolate Fortress was mentioned, the leadership's meeting hall had no choice but to fall dead silent. Only then did the Hahu Clan Head, rubbing his ears as if he could finally breathe, lean slightly to the side.
"Why is the Ma Family Head so quiet? If you speak up, your words would practically become the agenda."
"..."
The man with a diagonal scar slashing across his face did not answer. His eyes remained shut.
He looked as though he had fallen into an incredibly deep sleep. This was Ma Jin, the Naraka Reaper. From one of his pitch-black sleeves, a prosthetic arm gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
"Ma Family Head!"
"Hmm...?"
"Are you actually sleeping?"
"The Jeong Family Dynamic Art is indeed a divine art. Since there was so much useless chatter, I decided to engage in some important meditation."
It was practically a non sequitur, delivered in a lazy drawl that drifted from his thick voice. Immediately, a thunderous roar of anger erupted from the Elder Council Head's faction.
"Sleeping in a meeting where the future of our fortress is at stake?! You have truly lost your mind!"
The Elder Council Head was originally an old man famous for his gentle demeanor and broad popularity. However, his temper had recently turned foul because he believed the current Commander of the Divine Sword Corps had harmed the very foundation of the Desolate Fortress.
It was no exaggeration to say his reverse scale had been touched.
Yet Ma Jin's response was completely nonchalant.
"Considering the future of our fortress, this is much better."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?!"
"Rather than listening to the words of an elder who doesn't even have teeth left to grind, wouldn't raising my own martial arts be of more help to the fortress? The scent of ink from the Flash Art secret manual written by the Commander of the Demonlight Wing was just washing away the smell of your saliva, Elder."
It was a calm, devastating reply.
The Hahu Clan Head beside him burst into a rough laugh, while many others, including Shin Seol-ha of the Desolate Shin Clan and the Grand Steward, let out weary sighs.
"These Ma Family bastards are all, without exception...!"
The moment the Elder Council Head kicked back his chair and stood up, his eyes wide with fury—
Ppeeeeeeeek—
The piercing cry of a swallow rapidly drew near.