Chapter 445: The Sunset Flag (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 445: The Sunset Flag (7)
Soon after, a young girl's voice rang out.
"If you've seen enough, get lost."
Her tone was incredibly overbearing.
Thud.
A spear shaft planted itself right in the middle of a deeply cratered patch of ground.
"Xiangyang is not a place where martial artists can just wander in and out as they please."
The girl, standing deftly upon the tip of the banner-bearing silver spear, looked down at the group from the Martial World Alliance.
As she slowly turned her head, the tips of her black hair brushed against her neck with a soft rustle. A formidable amount of internal energy was infused into every single strand.
Meanwhile, the pitch-black sleeves covering her arms draped almost all the way down to her feet. Seeing the character 'Hwang' emblazoned on her shoulder, a few martial artists' faces lit up with hope.
"Elder Ak...!"
A man blurted out, overcome with emotion, only to collapse with a heavy thud. His forehead had been struck by the invisible shockwave of an Air-Hitting Palm.
The expressions of the Martial World Alliance members, previously filled with relief, instantly twisted in shock.
"Why are you doing this?!"
"To strike without a single word of explanation...!"
Ak Su-rim snorted as they drew their weapons in unison.
"A chaotic age is indeed a chaotic age."
"What...!"
"The prestige of our fortress must have fallen quite a bit. In the past, no matter who they were, they would back down the moment they saw this banner."
She lightly tapped the spear shaft beneath her feet with the toe of her leather boot.
"Greetings, Divine Spear. I am the Young Master of the Jegal Clan."
Jegal Cheong-a quickly dismounted and clasped her hands in a respectful greeting toward Ak Su-rim.
Though she was breathing heavily from the long pursuit, her salute was flawlessly composed. She was fulfilling her duties as the Young Master even after losing all her direct kin. A strange gleam flickered in Ak Su-rim's eyes as she glanced at her.
"I've seen you before. You were under our Flash Art before returning to your main family, right? Are you the Young Master now?"
"I understand why you are angry. However... I earnestly beg of you, could you please consider our circumstances...?"
"You tried to bring those things into Xiangyang. I planted this banner to tell you not to come, yet you still tried to cling to us, bringing up 'Elder' this and that."
Ak Su-rim pointed over their shoulders.
In the distance, a pale gale was rapidly growing in size and density.
A low, rumbling vibration rippled across the plains. It was the aftermath of a large-scale lightness skill deployed by the sorcerers of Taemo Mountain Fortress.
Creating a storm akin to a natural disaster with nothing but their propulsion shockwaves was proof that more than a few individuals among them had mastered formidable sorcery martial arts.
A few who had protested against Ak Su-rim, relying on the righteousness of the Jianghu, furrowed their brows. Some of their faces dawned with sudden realization.
"Get lost. Right now, the Desolate Fortress has no leeway to mediate disputes between Jianghu sects. Especially not in a place like this, where the common folk won't be immediately swept up in the crossfire."
"Forgive my impudence, but you mentioned a lack of leeway, Divine Spear. Why is that?"
Jegal Cheong-a asked cautiously. For a moment, Ak Su-rim's brow furrowed slightly.
"Being short-handed is nothing new, but a Purple Rank of our fortress might end up clashing with a famous feudatory king. I can't tell you any more than that, so turn back now."
Her seemingly casual words carried the heavy pressure of someone who had long navigated a forest of blades.
The overwhelming mastery of internal energy possessed by Ak Su-rim—who had reclaimed her position as the strongest of the Black Rank in the Desolate Fortress—perfected that oppressive aura.
"This is bad..."
On one side, dismay flickered across the youthful face of Gongson Min, the Young Master of the Gongson Clan, as he warily scanned their front and rear.
He began to anxiously fidget with the precious sword at his waist.
The Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress had drawn a clear line. No one dared to counter her by pointing out that the Shandong Ak Clan was also a pillar of the Hanzhong Martial World Alliance.
After all, when Ak Su-rim left her family home long ago, she had even been hunted by several famous spearmen of the Ak Clan. No clan would simply stand by and watch the departure of a powerful member who held succession rights.
[That is the most welcome news I have heard today. In that case, may we take them with us?]
It was an elderly voice. In an instant, Ak Su-rim's palm struck the air, and a translucent palm force tore through the atmosphere in a straight line, accompanied by the fluttering of her sleeves.
[Oops.]
With an exaggerated chuckle, a pure white light flickered in the air, vanishing the moment it clashed with Ak Su-rim's palm force with a loud bang.
At the same time, an old man was revealed beyond the collision, as if the invisible garment concealing him had been stripped away in that single exchange.
"Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace...!"
Jegal Cheong-a muttered with a groan. Simultaneously, a great commotion broke out among the Martial World Alliance members, many of them uttering the words "Three Arts Great Seats" in stunned voices.
The Three Arts Great Seats of Taemo Mountain Fortress.
This was the collective term for the three immortals commanded by the Fortress Master. In the upper echelons of the Jianghu, they were known as the ultimate weapons in a great sect war.
Each of them possessed knowledge and expertise in sorcery that rivaled even the Jegal Clan Leader. They had become legends of the Jianghu after the three of them successfully blocked the Diancang Sect Leader's Unified Martial Transcendence.
They were also called the true power behind the Taemo Mountain Fortress of the Thirteen Heavens, acting on behalf of the Fortress Master, who preferred to travel alone.
[Hmm.]
The old man, with gentle wrinkles around his eyes, looked down from the air.
His appearance was bizarre.
He wore a Taoist robe, but the collar was so high it brushed against the tip of his chin.
On both sides of the near-pure white hem, phoenixes that looked as if they were painted with molten gold spread their wings wide. It was no exaggeration to say it was a ceremonial robe so luxurious that even a king would not dare wear it.
Ak Su-rim tilted her head to the side.
"...Void Treading?"
[No. We practitioners of the Immortal Realm do not employ our energy in such an unsophisticated manner. This is merely an art of controlling the wind with sorcerous power.]
A practitioner of the Immortal Realm.
The old master of Taemo Mountain Fortress, standing in midair, claimed to be an immortal in a resonant voice.
If he behaved like this in front of the common folk, who wouldn't be deceived? No matter how severe the famine, countless people would willingly bring and offer their food to him.
Since the people would only pray for their own blessings, he would never incur their resentment either.
Thus, Taemo Mountain Fortress never plundered civilian homes. They simply filled the fortress granaries naturally by deceiving the masses.
One corner of Ak Su-rim's mouth curled upward.
"Who are you spouting this immortal nonsense to? You're just a habitual con man, aren't you?"
[Originally, this shore and the other shore are divided only by human perception. If I believe this flesh to be the body of an immortal, then the divine ultimate techniques mastered by this body will also respond to that intent. The same goes for the common folk who regard our fortress as a land of immortals. They simply believe it to be so. Our fortress merely chooses not to betray their hopes in this chaotic age...]
"Pretending to be an immortal while spouting Shaolin monk nonsense like 'this shore' and 'the other shore.' Old man, your attainment is too shallow for me to listen to, so just get lost."
[...]
The Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace stared at Ak Su-rim with clear eyes. Perhaps because he was floating in the air and looking down, the aura emanating from the old man's body and scraping against the surrounding air grew even more bizarre.
It was to the point where some of the Martial World Alliance martial artists, unable to bear the writhing atmosphere, began scratching at their own skin.
Even with a mortal enemy right before their eyes.
Yet Ak Su-rim merely met the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace's gaze with clear, unblinking eyes.
"What?"
[...I shall withdraw for today. If you were to summon the new Purple Rank behind you, I would have to use the trump card I have painstakingly prepared right here. I am content with merely taking the escort goods they protect.]
"Did you bring something like Void Displacement too, old man? You wouldn't be able to cast it alone, though."
[Your guesswork is quite impressive. But do not try to force an immortal to show his hand. You might have to offer that hand of yours as a sacrifice for your foolishness.]
At the same time, the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace lightly raised a hand, never taking his eyes off Ak Su-rim.
Following that seemingly casual gesture, the coffin in the middle of the Martial World Alliance group floated up into the air.
An extremely profound Void Grab.
One of the Martial World Alliance members, who had been watching the confrontation between the two supreme masters with bated breath, immediately spoke up.
"The Alliance Leader of the Martial World Alliance!"
It was Jegal Cheong-a. She raised her voice, a rare occurrence for her.
"The Sword Saint is alive inside there!"
[You truly seek your own death!]
The Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace roared.
However, he did not strike at Jegal Cheong-a.
Instead, his priority was keeping the most dangerous person present in check—the strongest Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress, who was capable of charging through the chaotic Jianghu with nothing but a single spear. He drew a sheet of yellow paper.
Sophora Paper.
Paper soaked in water infused with pagoda tree flowers and then dried.
To practitioners of sorcery martial arts, it acted as a weapon; paper dyed with pagoda flower water was exceptionally effective at gathering true qi.
This was especially true for those who referred to internal energy as sorcerous power and used it to perform bizarre miracles.
Naturally, it was the primary weapon of the Taemo Mountain Fortress of the Thirteen Heavens.
"The Sword Saint? If it's that old man, that changes things."
The moment Ak Su-rim stepped down from the banner and kicked the spear shaft, the silver spear planted in the ground kicked up a cloud of dust with a loud bang and vanished from its spot.
Whoosh!
The thrown spear, propelled by her kick, pierced straight through the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace.
Simultaneously, the old master's body blurred. In a movement akin to Transposition, the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace materialized behind Ak Su-rim like a summer mirage.
The bright daylight momentarily grew even brighter.
Crimson flames blooming from the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace's hand had completely engulfed Ak Su-rim's body.
Instantly, the crackling sound of baking dry earth echoed, and soot began to spread.
Shocked by the sight, the Martial World Alliance martial artists took a step back. Normally, a Jianghu martial artist trained in weapons could not wield such a powerful Samadhi True Fire, let alone control it so freely.
Naturally, it was also far from a swift strike. This was something possible only for certain practitioners of sorcery martial arts who claimed to be immortals. Because of this, some in the Jianghu used to point fingers at those who practiced sorcery martial arts, calling them closer to scholars than martial artists.
Their school of practice was fundamentally different from those who trained both mind and body simultaneously.
[Since the Brightfolk descended from the heavens and founded this nation,]
Before anyone knew it, the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace was floating in the air once more. Even after unleashing the flame flower to burn the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress, he never let his guard down.
[the practice of prioritizing the microcosm of a single body over the harmony of great nature has gradually become an outdated martial art. Only our fortress and the Ming Cult realized this truth early on. Even Emperor Geonreung, who holds all the secrets of the world in his hands, is busy showing off his physical body at Shaolin. It is truly a deplorable state of affairs.]
Rustle, rustle.
Several sheets of Sophora Paper appeared once more between the old man's fingers. His other hand pointed toward Ak Su-rim's position, increasing the pressure of the heat.
With a heavy boom, the soot on the dirt ground formed concentric circles.
He continued speaking, staring intently down at the massive, blazing fireball.
[If you wish to so much as touch the hem of my robe, bring the Yeongcheon Sword Ghost of the Deep Martial Alliance here. Or find a supreme master who can wield the mysteries of Sword Control with a spear. Even then, they would not be able to do anything to this immortal, who has prepared for every variable. The recently deceased Jegal Clan Leader was a great object lesson. At any rate, now that our fortress has stretched its limbs to pacify this chaotic age...]
[That is enough. There is nothing to be gained by further provoking the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress.]
Beside the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace, a man suddenly appeared with a clear voice.
Unlike the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace, he had a face closer to that of a young man, with features that could even be described as beautiful.
He wore an ink-black robe that contrasted sharply with his pale skin, which looked as if it had never been exposed to a single ray of sunlight in his entire life.
His mere manifestation caused the late summer heat to cool down chillingly. Around his black robe, blue sparks of lightning crackled and popped continuously.
He was the one considered the foremost among the three immortals of the Taemo Mountain Fortress Master.
"Heavenly Market Demon Star..."
Now, even Jegal Cheong-a took a step back.
He was a direct disciple of the Taemo Mountain Fortress Master—who had lived as a member of the Brightfolk since before the founding of the nation—and his age was said to rival that of the Shaolin Abbot.
While his master's age was among the greatest in the world, the Heavenly Market Demon Star himself was treated as a senior anywhere in the Jianghu.
It was widely assessed that, had it not been for the Young Fortress Master of Taemo Mountain, he would have inherited the sect long ago.
Sring—
Gongson Min barely managed to draw his sword with trembling hands.
The appearance of both the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace and the Heavenly Market Demon Star proved one thing: the death of the Gongson Clan Leader, who had been guarding the rear of the group. The Three Arts Great Seats, as supreme masters of sorcery martial arts, were exceptionally skilled at joint attacks.
If the two of them joined forces, slaying even one of the Eight Great Families' heads was not an impossible feat.
Though their appearance was far too neat for having just killed the Gongson Clan Leader, that was precisely the way of Taemo Mountain Fortress.
They possessed regenerative arts akin to divine ultimate techniques and were famous for being extremely obsessed with outward appearances.
[Do not resist. I do not wish to lose the precious attainment of the Jegal Clan.]
The Heavenly Market Demon Star, Hyeokryeon Daeso, gently advised them.
"This is pretty good."
The voice echoed from within the fireball trapping Ak Su-rim. It was an innocent murmur. Immediately after, a bright red streak of light shot toward the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace.
Thud!
The Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace's body lurched forward.
Before anyone realized it, a spear had pierced through the exact center of his abdomen, stopping halfway.
It was wrapped in the flame flower. An incredibly fierce shockwave from the spear strike blazed in a translucent hue alongside the flames.
It did not even allow the body to bleed, emitting only pale white smoke.
Cough!
As the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace coughed up a mouthful of blood, Hyeokryeon Daeso, who had witnessed the strike from right beside him, burst into admiration instead of anger.
[Did you transfer the art of Samadhi True Fire onto your spear as protective qi? Your internal energy barrier is impressive enough, but your manipulation of true qi is truly magnificent. Indeed, you are worthy of being called the finest black sword of the Desolate Fortress.]
The Heavenly Market Demon Star, Hyeokryeon Daeso.
The practical representative of the Taemo Mountain Fortress Master.
Leisure flowed from his demeanor, to the point of appearing elegant.
Whoosh—
Within the weakly dying flames, Ak Su-rim's lips curved into a smile.
"They say there's no shortage of fools obsessed with martial arts."
[Reason is the very first virtue that the masters of our fortress must cultivate.]
"Oh, please."
[I am by no means looking down on your martial arts. It is simply that what we have prepared is just that grand. Healing Taemi here is not difficult either. You should have cut off Taemi's breath with life-or-death determination instead. Had you done so, my expression might have changed slightly.]
Hyeokryeon Daeso spread his arms.
Beyond the gorgeously fluttering sleeves of his robe, he suddenly held four sheets of Sophora Paper in each hand. The way he had them slotted between his long fingers looked incredibly relaxed.
The Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace burst into a hearty laugh.
[You have no spare spear, and the distance is... too far to use Void Grab. Does your combat interval happen to surpass that of the Shaolin Abbot?]
He managed to finish his sentence, his voice constantly interrupted by dry coughs. It was the height of vanity.
Having fully revealed themselves like heroes born in a chaotic age, Taemo Mountain Fortress looked down arrogantly on all the martial artists of the Jianghu, even though this was the entrance to Xiangyang.
Hyeokryeon Daeso tilted his head.
[We came knowing that the Lord of the Desolate Fortress is not in Xiangyang. Fortunately, we have cut off the pursuit here, so perhaps we might even be lucky enough to take the Divine Spear's head back with us...]
His words cut off.
He suddenly saw a young man standing on a sword right in front of the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace. His sheer presence demanded absolute silence.
An expressionless face.
The midday sun poured down like iron bars.
Beneath it, his purple robe shimmered with a golden light.
Swoosh—
The young man reached his hand toward the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace's face, yet no one could react. The movement of his hand seemed to drift along an entirely different axis of time.
It was not even a fist technique.
The moment his slowly moving palm touched the forehead...
Splat!
With a dull thud, the Celestial Star of the Supreme Palace's head shattered. Pale fluid, blood, and bone fragments sprayed violently in all directions, catching the sunlight like a dream.
His eyes wide with shock, Hyeokryeon Daeso unleashed an internal power wave from both hands. It was a technique universally recognized as a divine ultimate technique, meant to call down a bolt of lightning in broad daylight.
But only for a moment.
[What...?]
Nothing happened.