Chapter 452: Pandemonium (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 452: Pandemonium (5)
A heavy, dull thud reverberated through the air.
It was the sound of sheared cast iron. Slashed in two by a single sword strike, the black mist scattered left and right, letting out a bleak, hissing whisper.
Beyond it…
Thud.
The intruder stepped onto a section of the floor that was still relatively intact.
He staggered slightly, like a drunkard struggling to find his balance.
If not for his long, sun-dappled black hair and the extraordinary quality of his purple robe, one might have thought Ju Gwang-singae—the Divine Beggar of the Great Wilds and leader of the Beggar Sect—had just appeared.
At least, that was the first thought that crossed the mind of So Mu-cheon, Lord of the Great Thoroughfare Sect.
Fortunately, the rooftop of the Yeomcheon Pavilion was as spacious as the building’s ceilings were high, providing more than enough room to support the handsome young man who had just burst in.
'Is he even human…?'
So Mu-cheon had heard of martial arts that stimulated the upper dantian by using the effects of alcohol. He even knew of sects that had refined such methods into divine techniques. The Dreaming Mortal Moon of the Thirteen Heavens, which ruled the far south, and the Beggar Sect, one of the Nine Sects and One Gang, were prime examples. Rumor had it that several lineages within the Hao Sect also possessed similar martial arts.
But no matter how he looked at him, the intruder’s face was far from that of a drunkard. His skin was so smooth it made him look almost inhumanly perfect. From what So Mu-cheon had heard, the faces of experts who mastered alcohol-based arts like the Drunken Fist were usually bloated and coarse.
This meant the monstrous display of power from moments ago had been achieved while the man was simply, genuinely drunk.
It was unbelievable. Even now, as he muttered to himself in the distance, he seemed anything but ordinary.
He was clearly heavily intoxicated.
'A natural disaster that can't even keep its own balance.'
This was a man to be avoided at all costs.
"You…?"
The voice belonged to Lady Yul-ha, the Saint Flower Sword God, who stood behind him. Were they acquainted? If so, that was a relief.
'I'll worry about the consequences later.'
So Mu-cheon let out a quiet sigh. This was all happening while the Five Sword Masters of the Heavens were glaring at him with terrifying intensity. If Cho Pae-gwang, the Young Lord of Taemo Mountain who wielded wide-area sorcery, had been among them, So Mu-cheon doubted he would have survived the battle’s aftermath.
He muttered to himself without thinking.
"Did he… get him?"
The intruder’s gaze immediately flicked to So Mu-cheon, who flinched and promptly shut his mouth.
'A peerless expert who's dead drunk… He’s going to haunt my nightmares.'
A pure white radiance clung to the handsome young man’s eyes, as sharp as the glint of a sword. He looked as if he had weathered countless battles, far more than his age would suggest. A sharp energy—an aura like a honed blade—radiated from his very being.
'Wait… those features, that attire…'
Just as So Mu-cheon’s eyes widened in realization, a smooth voice echoed from the remnants of the mist the intruder had sliced apart.
["Thanks to you, I died once."]
From the voice, So Mu-cheon sensed emotions he had never before witnessed from the Young Lord of Taemo Mountain: fluster, shock, and even relief.
It was mind-boggling. Wasn't this the Young Lord who ruled Hangzhou from the shadows like an emperor, granted absolute authority by the Dark Sky Emperor Cho-yeol? He was a man who treated anyone not of exceptionally high status as less than human. So Mu-cheon had never imagined the Great Black Divine Beast, Cho Pae-gwang, showing such personal emotion. He hadn't even bothered to snort when the Five Bright Vessels were mentioned.
'So his real body wasn't in the black fog. This is why I can't stand sorcerers…'
Experts who held dominion over vast territories naturally possessed immense pride in their martial arts. This was especially true for supernatural beings who could crush an entire inn with a single wave of their hand. Even when facing an unseen individual with a legendary reputation, an expert of this caliber would inevitably feel confident they could put up a fight. Such was the nature of a powerhouse who could roam an entire province at will.
The Five Sword Masters of the Heavens. The Young Lord of Taemo Mountain.
There were four people in this place alone who could claim to be the strongest in a small nation.
And now, Lady Yul-ha, who could look down on them all, and a drunkard—whom he now guessed was the newly appointed Purple Rank from the Desolate Fortress—had smashed through the floor and ascended to the rooftop.
What was about to unfold?
So Mu-cheon slowly withdrew his energy. He held his breath, doing his best to become nonexistent on the roof of the Yeomcheon Pavilion. It was a form of stealth, and he was highly skilled at making himself as insignificant as a pebble.
* * *
The atmosphere, which had been on the verge of exploding, grew bizarre.
The three swordsmen of Heaven's Bane remained still, surrounding Lady Yul-ha. While keeping all their senses focused on her, they watched Jeong Yeon-shin out of the corners of their eyes.
"The bastard who drew that man's portrait deserves to die," the Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger murmured with admiration. "If they'd captured even a fraction of his likeness, I'd have hung it up and drank to it instead of with you lot."
"So that is the rumored monster…" the Hidden Sword Absolute added in a low voice.
The Dragon Strength Sword Ghost, who carried a massive greatsword on his back, twitched the corner of his mouth. That simple action caused the air to shimmer for an instant.
"Is the Thousand-Fist Dragon-Strength Retainer doing well? I mean your Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit."
“……”
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been standing still like a man deep in his cups, suddenly turned his head toward Lady Yul-ha. A languid quality lingered in his eyes. He raised his hands in a martial salute, his clasped fingers trembling for a moment. A gentleman who maintained his manners even while drunk.
"I greet the Sect Leader."
"...It has been a long time, yet it also feels as though it hasn't."
"Have you been well?"
"If you master our sect's Purple Mist Divine Art, you will always remain healthy. Master it properly, and you won't even age. You endure, just like a plum tree."
"As you say, your complexion is excellent, Sect Leader."
"Yours, however, is a bit strange."
"Mine?"
"For someone who's downed several jugs of wine, your complexion is too clear. Yet for someone whose reason is intact, your eyes are too unfocused. I cannot tell what has happened to you."
"An… event occurred," Jeong Yeon-shin muttered.
Gazing at him intently, Lady Yul-ha spoke again. "I once said that one does not pry into the private affairs of another sect. At any rate, this seems to be no ordinary matter. The King of Fathomless Light and the Desolate Fortress would not have wanted to let you out."
"Well water does not interfere with river water."
"Hmm?"
"The government and the martial world do not interfere with one another."
“……”
"I have come for the affairs of the martial world. The government cannot intervene."
Jeong Yeon-shin seemed to be rambling, spouting whatever came to mind. His unfocused eyes were proof enough.
Just as Lady Yul-ha was left speechless, a young man with the air of a scholar floated up from beneath the eaves. He landed on the rooftop with a soft thud.
"I did not expect a Purple Rank to take the field. Since you only recently ascended to the highest echelon, I assumed you would be confined to Xiangyang."
Rustle.
"At any rate, this is fine. Please, have a seat."
Sleeves of blue silk draped elegantly from his outstretched arms. His demeanor was noble, a stark contrast to his frail first impression. He exuded both courage and grace.
“……”
Though Jeong Yeon-shin didn't spare him a single glance, the newcomer walked over and sat in a chair. It was at the edge of the roof, one of the few spots relatively intact amidst the tables that had been crushed and sent flying.
This was the Young Lord of Taemo Mountain, the Great Black Divine Beast Cho Pae-gwang. He was famous for casually wielding all kinds of mysterious sorceries. It was said that if not for Yelu Jin, the Heaven-Smiling Invincible of the Ming Cult, Cho Pae-gwang would one day have been hailed as the greatest sorcery user in the world.
'Of course, if anyone dared say that to his face, they'd be beaten to a pulp by his black fog and die…' thought So Mu-cheon, whom no one was paying attention to anymore.
Even as he stealthily backed away, a bizarre tension hung in the air.
The swordsmen of Heaven's Bane shifted their feet, keeping both Lady Yul-ha and Jeong Yeon-shin in their line of sight. They were already setting up their sword formation, a technique that amplified their shockwaves. Among them, the Dragon Strength Sword Ghost had once clashed with a commander from the Divine Sword Corps. He had fought Hahu Wi-jin, Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit, back when the commander was a newly appointed Black Rank who had just achieved the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. The two had nearly annihilated each other in what became a famous battle.
"There is a famous saying in the Jianghu," Cho Pae-gwang began, resting his elbows on the table and lacing his fingers. "If you encounter three of the Divine Sword Corps' Black Ranks at once, you should consider yourself facing the Desolate Fortress itself, not just three men in black robes… Something like that."
A mysterious aura emanated from his every word, making it seem as if he might vanish at any moment. It was a presence befitting the successor of a great sect that trained in sorcery.
Taemo Mountain Fortress.
All its disciples were called either monsters or immortals. On top of their bizarre sorcery, the martial power they wielded was exceptional. Their emergence into the Jianghu proved they were fully prepared as sorcerers, and a prepared sorcerer never lost their composure.
"What would happen if those three Black Ranks launched a coordinated attack? The martial arts of the Desolate Fortress differ across all seventeen units of the Divine Sword Corps, but Heaven's Bane is different. They master the same martial arts, the same sword formation." Having said that, Cho Pae-gwang picked up a white gourd bottle. "This is why our fortress sought their cooperation. Even if a peerless Purple Rank expert runs rampant, we may not win, but we can at least buy enough time for our Fortress Lord and the Lord of Heaven's Bane to arrive. Surely, Lady Yul-ha, you must agree."
"Do you think you can gauge me and that child?" Lady Yul-ha asked quietly.
Before anyone realized it, the hilt of the sword tied to her pure white sash had begun to rattle slowly. A dim twilight fell over the rooftop, as if sunset had arrived early.
Behind Lady Yul-ha, a swordsman in pitch-black martial robes brandished her sword provocatively. "You've been doing nothing but making threats. Do you lack the courage to make a move?"
It was the Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger of Heaven's Bane. Her physique betrayed no particular specialization, for she had mastered every sword technique taught by the Lord of Heaven's Bane without exception. Despite this, her skill ranked within the top five of Heaven's Bane, making her a decisive weapon for the Great Sect War.
Just then, the distant horizon deepened into a sunset glow.
Slaaaash!
With a sound like a thick sheet of paper being torn, a line of blood sprayed across the Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger's abdomen. She couldn't even let out a groan, her priority being to seal her acupoints to stop the bleeding.
"Shallow by about half an inch," Lady Yul-ha's voice rang out, tinged with amusement.
She was already striking toward the Hidden Sword Absolute, the young swordsman who had rushed in from her flank. It had been half a year since she had entered secluded meditation, consuming a Purple Grace Pill after her defeat by the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect. Now, as she swept her light pink sleeves and swung her sword, the pale veins on the back of her hand let out a low, rumbling roar.
Her internal energy and the shockwaves from her sword were monstrous.
Divine Art Secret Technique: Purple Mist Sword.
“……!”
As the Hidden Sword Absolute watched the purple sword tip approach, twisting like a petal on a sunset breeze, he recalled the rumor that the current Mount Hua Sect Leader’s talent for the sword was the greatest among all the masters of the Nine Sects. A talent that made it impossible to guess where her shifting techniques would strike next. His jaw tightening, the Hidden Sword Absolute swung his sword straight down.
The air vibrated with his fierce strike.
Whoosh—
There was no sound of impact. He had swung at empty air. He had aimed true, but his strike had missed completely.
Before he knew it, Lady Yul-ha was thrusting her sword from his flank. A purple hue rapidly filled his vision—the absolute sword qi of the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
Just then—
Rumble!
Lady Yul-ha’s body ground to a halt, a heavy vibration traveling up from the floor. Something had stopped her.
"Do not act any more foolishly," Cho Pae-gwang said as he poured wine into his cup. At the same time, a large amount of blood gushed from his mouth. He had halted Lady Yul-ha's attack using pre-arranged formations, dharma treasures, and talismans—a sorcerous art bordering on the divine.
He continued speaking slowly. "It is not just the three of them and me. All of the Five Sword Masters of the Heavens are here in Hangzhou, and the Dark Sky Emperor intends to conquer the world alongside the Lord of Heaven's Bane. It doesn't matter how powerful the Desolate Fortress's Purple Rank and the Mount Hua Sect Leader are. Wouldn't it be better to accept that this land is a death trap and figure out how to escape with your lives?"
Rustle—
The remnants of the black fog, which Jeong Yeon-shin had split apart, began to move. The faint smoke, which looked as if it might disperse at any moment, was sucked back toward Cho Pae-gwang. It was as if he were commanding internal energy imbued with spirituality, retrieving it at will.
"The internal energy possessed by the new Purple Rank… it was a difficult secret to uncover. Could it be Taoist or Buddhist? Even so, this makes no sense…" Cho Pae-gwang furrowed his brow. Far less energy was returning to him than he had sent out. Yet, he did not let go of the wine cup in his hand.
"At any rate, do not interfere. The Lord of Heaven's Bane must be on his way back with the heads of the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit and the Wudang Ancient Sword… If your hands are truly itching for a fight, you could share a drink with me before we test our skills. Whatever you choose, consider leaving our fortress alone. It would be better than facing both the Dark Sky Emperor and the First Sword of the Outer Paths after needlessly ruining our plans…"
Cho Pae-gwang's words cut short. He had just finished gathering the black fog.
"You…!"
A faint line of light etched itself between his wide-open eyes.
It was perfectly vertical. A thin line ran from his chest, past his neck, to his lips and forehead. A moment later, with a wet splat, his body split in two, collapsing to either side of the chair.
The trajectory was identical to the line of light Jeong Yeon-shin had carved when he first broke in.
The strike delivered to the sorcery had manifested upon the true body.
"Now," Jeong Yeon-shin said, gesturing with his chin toward the empty seat.
"Will the Fortress Lord be taking a seat?"
In that instant, even Lady Yul-ha's lips parted slightly in surprise.