Chapter 443: The Sunset Flag (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 443: The Sunset Flag (5)
In an instant, the surroundings descended into chaos. Three figures, circulating supreme Body Protection Scriptures, closed in right next to Jeong Yeon-shin.
A sharp tearing sound erupted from the backdraft kicked up by two black robes and a scholar's robe—a howling gale that threatened to rip the very air apart.
Ak Su-rim, Hahu Wi-jin, and the Grand Steward had all stepped forward to act as his guardians.
Only Un So-yu, Commander of the Law Enforcement Unit, remained standing at a distance, her long hair fluttering as she gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Do not act rashly," Shin Byeok commanded, his aged voice carrying undeniable authority.
The old man's expression remained remarkably calm. He was the Elder Council Head of the Desolate Fortress. Even if his personal martial arts had waned with age, he was a man who had worn the purple robe for decades. It was no exaggeration to say his knowledge and insight reached the heavens.
He naturally understood better than anyone else in the room just what kind of talent Jeong Yeon-shin possessed, and the extraordinary senses he lived with.
"The new Purple Rank has inherited the Moon Spirit Harmony Art directly from the Castle Lord. Naturally, nothing that happens here should surprise you. Two of you, go down and soothe the warriors of the main fortress."
Even as he spoke, the room continued to shake violently.
The chairs and tables rattled continuously, the ceaseless vibrations swallowing the quiet night air with a low, rumbling groan.
"..."
Ak Su-rim cast aside the playful, exaggerated respect she had been joking with earlier. The dark eyes of the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress, now filled with gravity, stared up at Jeong Yeon-shin's profile.
The young man—his long hair fluttering alongside his purple robe—placed his hand on the Lord of the Desolate Fortress's wooden bed. A brilliant, white-hot glow radiated from his eyes.
It looked as if a flower made of pure light was blooming within his pupils.
Ak Su-rim slowly parted her lips.
"...Old Man Shin."
"What you are thinking is correct," Shin Byeok said. "We will finally hear news of the Castle Lord after all this time. The new Purple Rank will soon have a great deal of work to do."
"Well, isn't that obvious?" someone chimed in. "He's the only active force of the main fortress among the current Purple Ranks."
"Quiet, big guy. The adults are talking. For a member of the Brightfolk, your vision is shorter than mine..."
"Isn't what's truly short the combat interval of the soon-to-be-dismissed Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps' fist and leg techniques?"
While the veterans of the Desolate Fortress suppressed their shock with light banter, Jeong Yeon-shin was experiencing something entirely different.
What is this?
He felt as if his very consciousness was being sucked into the Lord of the Desolate Fortress's bed. It was a sensation similar to when he had consumed the fragment of the World Tree's fruit that the Castle Lord had personally handed him.
His mind narrowed into a long, fine thread, boring its way toward some impossibly distant place.
It was entirely different from what he had anticipated. He had thought he would simply obtain the Castle Lord's vision, allowing him to look down upon Xiangyang from where she lay. Instead, his senses—which should have spread in all directions like water soaking into tree roots—raced endlessly toward an unfathomable destination.
It was a phenomenon so mystical it could easily be counted among the greatest wonders of the martial world.
And then, finally.
Thump—
Rushing forward blindly, he felt as if he had bumped into someone's body. It was soft and yielding.
In this dreamlike realm of mental imagery, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt a distinct intent wash over him.
—...You.
It was a voice he recognized the instant he heard it. Its deep, resonant echo sounded in his mind rather than his ears, yet it felt as though it were gently brushing against them.
—You have reached me.
Jeong Yeon-shin knew instinctively.
It was the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.
The supreme mystery of the World Tree.
How could such a thing be possible? There were truly countless bizarre wonders under heaven. Even if he was a prodigy who vied for the absolute peak among his peers, his horizons were still narrow, even now that he had achieved the Purple Rank.
With a slightly trembling heart, he tried to project his thoughts, as if casting the Wisdom Light Mind Speak—a technique he had never even used before.
—Castle Lord...?
—You have done well.
It felt like bathing his entire body in gentle moonlight. No one could ever mimic this dreamlike disposition. It was her. There was no doubt.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt a rush of excitement for the first time in a long while. How many things did he want to say to his savior, his master? How many stories had piled up in her absence? This moment felt like a far more valuable reward than any formal promotion ceremony ever could.
—Have you been well all this time? I missed you dearly.
He spoke with the exact same reverence he had felt when he pictured the Lord of the Desolate Fortress in place of his maternal grandfather during his Marrow Cleansing and Bone Rebirth.
A low chuckle tickled his ears.
His heart grew light in turn. Suddenly, Jeong Yeon-shin realized just how long it had been since he had last seen his master's smile.
—I am currently wearing the purple robe. The Emperor personally draped it over my shoulders.
—My will aligns with his.
Her voice gently massaged his mind, as soft and comforting as a ball of cotton.
—I fully permit your promotion.
That single sentence.
Ah.
All the weariness that had unknowingly accumulated within him melted away completely. In this moment, he couldn't even feel the severe injuries he had suffered at the hands of the Diancang Sect Leader.
What more could he possibly need? After gaining the recognition of the imperial court and the common people, he had now received the acknowledgment of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress herself.
Jeong Yeon-shin replied without thinking.
—Is this not a major affair of the fortress? Is it truly alright to decide this without even seeing me in person?
—Your hair must have grown quite long, the Lord of the Desolate Fortress whispered gently.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had originally intended to ask when she would return, proudly replied that it had indeed grown quite long. He felt he could finally carry himself as a proper martial artist before his master, just as she had once told him to.
At this point, haven't I become a master in my own right? Though I'm still a long way from reaching Master's level...
Although he had recently survived a brush with death against the Diancang Sect's Shooting Sun Sword Technique, he had, at the very least, reached a level where he could sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the leaders of the Nine Great Sects.
He wanted to show the Lord of the Desolate Fortress his long hair draped over the back of his purple robe.
—Actually, I intended to borrow the power of the World Tree's trunk to survey all of Xiangyang. The rebels are targeting our fortress from outside the city...
—Your heart is commendable.
—But it is not working well. Perhaps because I am not of the Brightfolk, I feel as if I am blocked by something.
—In the affairs of the world, one's clan does not matter. She slowly continued. —You need only exert yourself a little more.
—Is that truly so?
—Are you not already speaking with me like this?
Encouraged by her words, Jeong Yeon-shin maintained a rare, excited mood. Though he did not openly show his emotions on the outside, he began to share many things with the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, ranging from martial arts insights to personal matters.
Perhaps because his martial arts had deepened since their last meeting, or perhaps because there was no pressure of facing her directly, all sorts of stories flowed out effortlessly.
She answered each one slowly and thoughtfully. They even shared trivial conversations, like the recipe for the Five-Rhyme Mountain Herb Dish.
Jeong Yeon-shin even went so far as to ask if she had ever ridden a swing during the Dano Festival.
—I recall hanging from one in my childhood. The children around me tried to stop me.
—May I ask where you are currently located? I have heard rumors of the World Tree, and that you are wiping out the strange, violent, chaotic, and supernatural in their den... I might be of help.
—You will know soon enough, the Lord of the Desolate Fortress replied in a whisper.
That was not all. Jeong Yeon-shin had so much more he wanted to say. His only remaining close elders were the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps and his maternal grandfather, but both had long since departed for some unknown pandemonium.
The one practically leading the Desolate Fortress now was Jeong Yeon-shin himself. This was exactly what his grandfather, Ma Yeon-jeok, had conveyed in his letter.
—Castle Lord, I...
—Go to sleep now. You look weary.
—I still have so much to tell you.
—I know your journey has been very long. We shall speak again later.
Whoosh—
In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin's consciousness snapped back to reality. His vision blurred as if shrouded in fog. Before he knew it, he realized he was lying on the Lord of the Desolate Fortress's wooden bed.
The leaders of the main fortress, including the Grand Steward and Ak Su-rim, were looking down at him with worried expressions.
"You met with her?" The voice of Elder Council Head Shin Byeok drifted from afar.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded weakly from where he lay. "...She permitted my promotion to the Purple Rank."
"That is of little surprise. What is truly astonishing is that you made contact with the Castle Lord at all. What today's event signifies... No, rest for now. What you have done is clearly a miracle. The backlash your body must bear will not be small."
It was just as the old man said.
On top of the severe injuries inflicted by the Diancang Sword Empress, an overwhelming fatigue washed over his consciousness.
Everything began to fade into a blur. The ceiling covered in tree roots, the senses he had deliberately kept razor-sharp, the voices of his fellow leaders echoing in his ears...
Young Castle Lord...?
Amidst his fading thoughts, his consciousness sank into a deep sea of sleep.
* * *
When he finally awoke, seven days and nights had passed. To him, it felt like only an instant.
This was the price of facing the Sword Empress of the Mount Hua Agreement head-on. The aftermath of his internal injuries—including his heavily damaged Eight Extraordinary Meridians and multiple puncture wounds—was beyond imagination.
Because the shockwave of her thousand-year martial arts was so heavy, it had taken a long time for the restorative power of the Jeong Family Dynamic Art to exert its full strength.
Still, I'm fine now.
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately felt his body grow lighter. Unlike many of his peers, his body possessed an outstanding, almost supernatural ability to remember its original, uninjured state and restore itself.
"Lord Jeong...? Why are you up already?"
"Grand Steward, is there anything in particular I should know?"
"There are some things I have been organizing, but..." The Grand Steward, who had just entered with an armful of rolled-up documents tucked under his arm, trailed off. He mentioned that the physician had visited several times, only to tell them to wait and see.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded vaguely and began to receive the Grand Steward's report.
Seven days and nights.
It was an immense period of time, especially in these troubled times. The situation in the martial world was shifting rapidly in the wake of the Mount Hua Agreement.
Countless branches of the Blood Flame Cult had risen up across the land to secure food and resources. Meanwhile, the remnants of the ancient Ming Cult, having swallowed the Pure Demon Alliance in Sichuan, had officially declared a Demonic Realm.
Furthermore, the Lord of the Martial Dragon Association claimed to have synthesized all the martial arts in the world to create an unrivaled technique. He was reportedly going around smashing the signboards of every sect, indiscriminately targeting the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions alike.
From the north, rumors spread that the northern border had been breached, allowing a handful of elite demonfolk masters to descend into the Central Plains.
Alongside all this, whispers swirled that Heaven's Bane and the Taemo Mountain Fortress had taken up arms to claim the title of the world's greatest.
"This is the new organizational structure of the Divine Sword Corps, drafted after much deliberation by the Chief Steward's Office. It can be altered in any way according to your wishes, Lord Jeong."
The Grand Steward handed over a scroll fitted with iron rods on both ends. Even at a glance, it was an extremely luxurious document.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently accepted and unrolled it.
He quietly exchanged opinions with the Grand Steward. The discussion took quite a long time.
"In that case, regarding the new Vice Commander who will stand by the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps... Well, I shall carry out your orders for now."
"Though I dare not judge my seniors, character and temperament must be considered above all else," Jeong Yeon-shin said.
"I suppose so."
The Grand Steward nodded. Jeong Yeon-shin found it strange that a man usually so prone to blunt advice was agreeing without a second word, but after glancing down at his own purple sleeve, he understood.
"The world is in great chaos, but you may now choose where to march on your own, Lord Jeong. However..."
"Speak."
"Someone has arrived from the Palace of the King of Fathomless Light."
"Who...?"
"The King of Fathomless Light himself. He arrived quite some time ago. He insists on meeting either Unit Commander Yong or you, Lord Jeong..."
Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head slightly. "Is it an urgent matter for the fortress?"
"That depends entirely on your perspective, Lord Jeong."
"Then I shall contact him later. I still have unfinished business to discuss with the Castle Lord."
"You may put the King of Fathomless Light out of your mind for now. I shall see you at dinner."
As soon as the Grand Steward withdrew, Jeong Yeon-shin touched the Lord of the Desolate Fortress's bed. A heavy vibration rose once more through the bark.
It was truly unbelievable. He had never imagined he would be able to speak with his revered master at any time. It was a privilege granted to absolutely no one else.
—Castle Lord.
—You have recovered your strength. It is good to hear.
A slight flush of color returned to Jeong Yeon-shin's face.
Just as he was about to speak again, a faint trace of laughter mixed into the Lord of the Desolate Fortress's breath, as if she had sensed his intent.
Immediately after, the realm of mind-speak connecting the two shattered. It felt like a polite dismissal. Jeong Yeon-shin's consciousness was forced back to the outside world once more.
She wants me to focus on my duties.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had so many words lingering on the tip of his tongue, swallowed them with regret. Feeling his body grow slightly weary again, he readjusted his hand on the trunk of the World Tree.
Hum—
Even if he were to march out to war, he first had to put this city in order on behalf of the ruler of Xiangyang.
To root out the rogue martial artists who had infiltrated the great city, he needed to skillfully utilize the power of the World Tree. That was the role of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.
I don't think it will take long, Jeong Yeon-shin thought, his eyes half-open.
A strange sensation was rising. It felt as if his sense of Qi was extending past his fingertips, weaving through the trunk itself. It was incredibly bizarre.
At that moment, the image of the Desolate Fortress's pure white citadel basking in the sunlight flooded into his mind.
Suddenly, his eyelids shot open.
He felt it.
The presence of someone who absolutely should not be in the Desolate Fortress. It was extremely faint, yet it hid something intensely powerful within. There was no telling how long they had been inside.
While Jeong Yeon-shin had been asleep, it seemed that since he had not gone out into the martial world, the martial world had come to him.
Crazy...!
A sense of extreme urgency gripped Jeong Yeon-shin. He had never experienced anything like this.
The stranger in the Demonlight Wing pavilion flinched, as if sensing Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze expanding through the trunk of the World Tree.
Crash!
Jeong Yeon-shin shattered the ceiling of the Castle Lord's office on the spot, soaring into the sky. The faint, glowing trail of his Lightness Skill, Ten-Mile Light Grace, lingered in the air like smoke.
* * *
Boom!
Along with a deafening roar, stone fragments of all sizes scattered in every direction. Jeong Yeon-shin crashed down, bringing the entire roof with him, a deep blue light flashing from his eyes.
The scene that met his gaze:
Ebony hair swaying helplessly. A swordswoman with exceptionally pale skin, clad in a blue martial uniform, was pinned down.
Slide.
Holding the Sun Lotus Sword Enchantress, Baek Mi-ryeo, by the throat, a silver-masked figure turned her head to meet his gaze.
Beneath the silver mask, she wore a white, heavily patterned cape that resembled a luxurious ceremonial robe. Pinned beneath her, Baek Mi-ryeo could only glare with wide eyes, her acupoints evidently sealed.
The inner castle of the Desolate Fortress.
This was happening openly inside the office of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
The mysterious figure's hands were long and white as snow, their color almost matching the pale skin of Baek Mi-ryeo's neck. This was likely because both of them had reached the stage of circulating the energy of the Bare-Hand Demonic Art throughout their entire bodies.
Indeed, they shared the same martial lineage.
"My, my."
The red lips of the Ming Cult Leader, the Heaven-Smiling Invincible, curved upward like a painting. It was a dizzying smile, laced with a demonic charm—literally carrying the disposition of a devil.
"This is troublesome."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not speak.
Shring—
From his waist, Lingering Thunder unsheathed itself, revealing its wave-patterned blade.
It was a sword control technique bordering on the divine. Soon after, the new Purple Rank began to channel the shockwave of Brilliant River into his hands, which were clasped behind his back.
The ground trembled.