Chapter 453: Pandemonium (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 453: Pandemonium (6)
Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly into the empty space.
'When will he arrive?'
He did nothing. What remained of the corpse had babbled on for quite a while, but from the very beginning, that body had been nothing more than a signal flare to summon the Master of Taemo Mountain Fortress.
It was no different from the Spirit Treasure Jade used by the Demonlight Wing.
Dark Sky Emperor Cho-yeol.
He had heard that this man was the Jade Emperor of the Brightfolk, a figure akin to a tyrant.
A transcendent being for whom nothing in the world was impossible. A peerless master whose achievements in Sorcery Martial Arts reached the heavens.
He was an old monster who had spent his youth during the era when 'Perfected Zhang Sanfeng' was the undisputed pinnacle of the martial world, a relic who had lived since before the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
'Who did I hear that from?'
Jeong Yeon-shin stood in a daze before blinking once. A short, silent exclamation escaped him. Ah, the Elder Council Head.
—Keep this in mind. Back then, Cho-yeol was far from the Unorthodox Factions; he was simply a walker of the White Path who had formed a connection with the founding ancestor of the Wudang Sect. He is an old monster who spoke directly with Perfected Zhang Sanfeng during his lifetime. Naturally, he is far older than even our Lord. Because of that, even when gossips discuss the generational hierarchy of the martial world, they always treat him as an exception.
—Then my maternal grandfather and you, Elder Council Head, are nothing but chicks...
—When one grows old, one's ears tend to fail. What did you say just now?
—I said that the Elder Council Head is currently in his prime.
The old man's laughter still rang vividly in his ears.
Elder Council Head Shin Byeok was only harsh toward Yong Hee-myung, who had previously issued the mobilization order for the Divine Sword Corps. Normally, he was a man of simple character, held in high esteem.
—Anyway, according to what I heard from the Elder Council Head of two generations ago, that man realized something profound after coming into contact with the Three Pure Powers of Taoism, which are said to be the most auspicious in the world. He displayed his divine might even during the golden age of Wudang and Shaolin. Yet, for some reason, his methods gradually grew more violent. As he drifted into the Unorthodox Factions, he reportedly slaughtered those who were the natural enemies of Sorcery Martial Arts instead.
This was the story Shin Byeok had poured out in anxious concern, holding Jeong Yeon-shin back just as he was about to depart after receiving the departure ceremony of the sunset banner.
Cho-yeol's sorcery, having once interacted with Zhang Sanfeng, could trigger natural disasters without being hindered by any opposing force.
It was said that a battle between some Strange, Violent, Chaotic, and Supernatural entity and the Dark Sky Emperor was what had completely altered and isolated the terrain of Xinye County in Henan, which had originally been a strategic hub for trade and transportation.
At such a level, he would naturally sense the death of his successor even from afar.
'Sooner or later.'
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly turned his head.
Lady Yul-ha was staring at him, surrounded by three swordsmen of Heaven's Bane.
Crackle—
Between them, several thread-like streaks of deep blue lightning flickered.
Even the swordsman who had previously suffered a deep laceration from Lady Yul-ha's strike was occupying one axis of the Sword Formation.
It was Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger of Heaven's Bane.
"It still stings."
She forced a bitter smile, as if her provocation hadn't turned out as planned.
To Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes, it was plain to see how her blood-stained abdomen had been treated.
After tightening the inside of the sword wound with her abdominal muscles, she had sealed the area using the True Qi of a Divine Art imbued with Spirituality.
Even if she might suffer from aftereffects someday, she had not been taken out of the fight for now. The words of the young brat who had compared them to three Desolate Fortress Black Ranks were not entirely an exaggeration.
However, at this moment, the swordsmen of Heaven's Bane were facing the Mount Hua Sect Leader and a Desolate Fortress Purple Rank simultaneously.
Yet they showed no sign of backing down. Gripping their sword hilts, they merely exuded the unshakeable poise of masters.
Perhaps they believed they could hold out for at least a quarter of an hour.
[May I ask how many of these you see?]
A translucent finger intruded into Jeong Yeon-shin's field of vision. The Heaven-Smiling Invincible, who was barely even a ghost now, waved a hand as white as snow.
Jeong Yeon-shin paid him no attention. It wasn't as if his vision was actually blocked.
The real problem was the drowsiness.
It felt as if soft clouds had settled inside his head. He was in the middle of digesting the fragments of the Imugi's inner core into his Upper Dantian, causing his bodily senses to repeatedly dull and sharpen at irregular intervals.
Occasionally, the surrounding scenery and the breeze brushing against his fingertips felt as hazy as a dream.
It couldn't be helped. He was always fighting against time.
"Now that things have turned out like this, I suppose it's a relief I'm not alone," Lady Yul-ha said, casually spinning her pure white precious sword.
Even though two lords of the Thirteen Heavens might descend upon them at any moment, her voice carried a hint of playfulness.
"As you must know by now... why are you looking at me like that? Has drowsiness overtaken you?"
"……"
"My friend."
"I am listening."
"Since you wear the purple robe, you must know by now. For generations, the Nine Sects have protected the world as mountain sects built upon sacred peaks overflowing with Natural Qi. We devote immense effort to dealing with the Strange, Violent, Chaotic, and Supernatural entities that appear outside civilian settlements."
"I am well aware of your great efforts, Sect Leader," Jeong Yeon-shin replied, circulating his Halo Qi within his body. He inwardly checked his senses just to make sure drool wasn't trickling from his lips.
"After the martial arts tournament ended the way it did, the Nine Sects that participated in the Mount Hua Agreement had to immediately check on their main mountains. Fortunately, my sect and Wudang were able to do so... but it was a different story for Qingcheng and Emei, whose main mountains are in Sichuan. Because a giant human-faced spider manifested in Sichuan, the Abbess of Emei went there directly, while the Qingcheng Sect Leader decided to first stop by a lay sect with an active messenger pigeon network to receive reports on Sichuan's situation. And then..."
"He ended up coming to this land of Hangzhou first, and almost met a sudden death at the hands of our Sect Leader."
A youth holding a sword from behind interrupted Lady Yul-ha.
It was Hidden Sword Absolute, one of the Five Sword Masters of the Heavens.
His languidly drooping eyes stood out, but in stark contrast to that lazy impression, the sword he held stretched in an elegant, perfectly straight line.
His age was impossible to guess, owing to the sharply pointed ears rising on both sides of his head. It was difficult to fathom just how long he had been refining his swordplay.
"Our Sect Leader will arrive soon. Is there any need for us to clash swords here? Our junior sister is also heavily injured," Hidden Sword Absolute concluded, swaying his body back and forth.
At this moment, he didn't even spare a glance at Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger, whose abdomen was currently drenched in blood.
The way he focused all his attention on Lady Yul-ha and Jeong Yeon-shin suggested that, contrary to his appearance, he possessed a razor-sharp sense of Qi.
Not a single one of them was an easy opponent.
This was Heaven's Bane, a faction said to stand as Wudang's equal as a sword sect.
Rumble—
A faint vibration spread across the ground from beneath the feet of the three peak masters. They had already fully activated their Sword Formation.
If they went on the offensive and heaven favored them, they might even take down the leader of a great sect. If they focused on defense, they might be able to hold out for three days and nights, even if they were destined to die eventually.
This was exactly what the Unit Commanders of the Divine Sword Corps would look like if they practiced their Combined Attack Formation for a long time.
"You may come."
The words belonged to Dragon Strength Sword Ghost, the hem of his robe now fluttering as sharply as a blade.
Lady Yul-ha slowly looked around at them.
She seemed to be searching for which part of the Sword Formation to break to quickly end this standoff. She spoke to Jeong Yeon-shin in a deliberately casual tone.
"What do you think of their words? Did Perfected Ancient Sword truly suffer a mishap at the hands of the First Sword of the Outer Paths?"
"Lady Yul-ha."
Her eyes widened instantly.
It was not because of the unprecedentedly familiar way he addressed her. It was because Jeong Yeon-shin had suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder and flipped backward through the air.
It was an incredibly swift somersault. At this moment, a pure white wave rippled out from his toes as they swept across the sky.
"Time is precious."
Radiant Wing Step.
Boom!
The moment Jeong Yeon-shin stepped past Lady Yul-ha and touched the ground, the floor rippled like water, emitting a heavy vibration.
At the same time, the translucent circular waves of Qi generated by the peak masters of Heaven's Bane scattered and blew away all at once.
"……!"
A step that rendered the efficacy of the Combined Attack Formation utterly meaningless.
Dragon Strength Sword Ghost, who stood at the forefront of the enemy formation, widened his large eyes. Because of that single step, he was forced to face the Desolate Fortress Purple Rank completely defenseless.
Rumble—!
Jeong Yeon-shin reached his hand toward the man's face.
A translucent whirlwind whipped around his arm, now wrapped in the spiral palm force of Brilliant River. He intended to crush the man's head in a single blow.
Just then.
"What a terrifying youth. Why don't you stop right there for now?"
The voice came from behind him.
It was a presence that hadn't been in the area a moment ago. It carried the coarse temperament of a middle-aged man commonly found in the marketplace.
Yet, it was impossibly dense. The sheer presence woven into the voice was extraordinary.
The seemingly ordinary words brushed against the back of his neck like a physical blade. It felt as if he would be hacked to pieces by an invisible sword if he did not withdraw his hand immediately.
Jeong Yeon-shin realized the newcomer's identity even as he unleashed his strike at high speed.
'The Lord of Heaven's Bane.'
A peerless swordsman said to be capable of severing providence with a single sword. A rebel cooperating with the Master of Taemo Mountain Fortress.
He was someone to whom one absolutely must not show any openings. Even if a golden opportunity had been seized, the correct choice was to withdraw for now.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not.
Splat—!
His palm swept through, bursting Dragon Strength Sword Ghost's face like a melon. It was the sevenfold layers of Brilliant River.
There was not the slightest resistance. The explosive sound of Body Protection Qi and flesh rupturing rang out dismally.
Immediately after, bone fragments and blood droplets caught in the vortex of palm force scattered in all directions with a wet, splattering sound.
Immense shock flashed in the eyes of Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger and Hidden Sword Absolute.
"...Excellently done."
It was the voice of the middle-aged man presumed to be the Lord of Heaven's Bane.
Because of the somewhat exaggerated tone, it was impossible to tell if he was sincere or feigning praise. It was as if he were executing a Changing Sword or Illusion Sword through his very words and actions.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly turned around.
Rustle.
A middle-aged blind man, his eyes clouded with white cataracts, lifted the bamboo hat atop his head.
In his other hand, he held a sword about four feet long, which Lady Yul-ha was currently blocking with her back turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.
A wooden box, seemingly brought by the blind man, rolled across the floor.
The lid popped open from the minor impact, and a person's face tumbled out. It was a face Jeong Yeon-shin knew.
It was incredibly familiar. In his hazy state of mind, he even wondered if this was truly a dream.
"...Perfected One."
Perfected Ancient Sword of the Wudang Sect.
Only his severed head remained, bearing the exact features of that young boy.
A heavy silence fell over them. Dragon Strength Sword Ghost and Perfected Ancient Sword. Though there might be a difference in their overall weight and standing, the moment the deaths of these two figures—both of whom had carved a massive presence into the history of the martial world—were revealed, Hangzhou was instantly transformed into the epicenter of a chaotic era.
"……"
Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his eyelids for a brief moment. When he opened them, a pure white light flared like a flame in his eyes.
The moment he gripped Lingering Thunder anew—
[Let us change locations.]
Another voice echoed from above.
At the same time, there was a sharp snap of fingers. In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the air beneath his feet compress before exploding like a thunderbolt.
Boom!
A massive explosion sent his body flying.
He felt literally like an arrow shot from a bow. In a flash, his figure was launched away from the top of the high pavilion, hurtling toward the distant waterways of Hangzhou. He felt a wild sensation of floating, accompanied by a fierce wind whipping violently against his ears.
Jeong Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes sharply in midair, looking back toward the top of Yeomcheon Pavilion, which was rapidly shrinking in his field of vision.
Crash!
He saw a man flying through the air like a thunderbolt, pursuing him. His appearance was completely different from the Lord of Heaven's Bane who had stepped forward first.
His ears, which rose sharply to the sides of the headband holding back his pitch-black hair, stood out prominently. A golden pattern resembling the sun was embroidered on his pure white robe.
His appearance perfectly matched the portrait Jeong Yeon-shin had received from the Chief Steward's Office.
It was Dark Sky Emperor Cho-yeol.
'That strike just now...'
It was an attack from the Master of Taemo Mountain Fortress, who had manifested without leaving even a trace of presence. Sensing the death of the Young Lord, the Master had ascended to Yeomcheon Pavilion.
The activation speed of his Sorcery Martial Arts was as fast as a beam of light.
It was a technique so swift that it rivaled the fastest swordplay Jeong Yeon-shin had ever experienced.
Its speed was perfectly tailored for actual combat, and his combat style—as estimated by Jeong Yeon-shin's sense of Qi—was not much different from that of the Heaven-Smiling Invincible.
"Look here. We could have had a quiet chat, but why did you have to kill both the Young Lord and Yong-ryeok the moment you arrived in Hangzhou?"
The blind man, pressing down on the crown of his bamboo hat with one hand, was flying some distance away beside them.
He seemed to intend to reach the waterways where the naval forces traveled. Behind them, the sparkling river rapidly drew closer.
Was there something precious near Yeomcheon Pavilion?
Or perhaps they simply could not afford to lose any more of the Five Sword Masters of the Heavens, who served as their decisive weapons for the Great Sect War.
Both possibilities were highly likely. Even for the Divine Sword Corps of the Desolate Fortress, which possessed seventeen Black Ranks, losing three Unit Commanders would put them in a critical situation.
And then, between the Lord of Heaven's Bane and Jeong Yeon-shin—
"Keep your wits about you. From now on..." Lady Yul-ha called out to him in a loud voice. She, too, had been flung back along with them.
While this gave a terrifying glimpse into the Master of Taemo Mountain Fortress's formidable sorcerous power, it also appeared that she had willingly surrendered her body to the explosion's momentum.
It was likely because she did not want to cause harm to the common people of Hangzhou.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt the same. The four of them absolutely could not fight among civilian homes.
Two lords of the Thirteen Heavens—who were already living legends of the martial world—and even a Sect Leader of the Nine Sects were involved. Even though he was experiencing blinding rage and heavy drowsiness simultaneously, he could still maintain his rational judgment.
He barely registered Lady Yul-ha's advice.
"Lady Yul-ha."
"Hmm?"
Jeong Yeon-shin swept his hand up her back.
Rustle.
They had already exchanged life-saving favors. Lady Yul-ha merely stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin as he drew the soft sword that had been bound around her waist.
"What are you trying to do...?"
Shring—
The white sword, which at first glance looked like a mere belt, bent flexibly. Perhaps due to the unique craftsmanship of the Ironfolk, it did not emit a single speck of luster.
Swords were inherently consumables, and Lady Yul-ha's belt served as a substitute for a spare weapon. Any peerless master with a keen eye would naturally notice this.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not hesitate to throw it.
Following his hand's motion, a straight line of light raced through the air.
Whoosh—!
Imbued with internal energy and held perfectly straight, the soft sword flew back along the exact trajectory from which Jeong Yeon-shin had been flung.
The Spirituality dwelling within the sword was so powerful that it did not lose its lethal force even as the distance between them widened immensely.
The distance was over ten li.
Lady Yul-ha's eyes gradually widened.
In an instant, the soft sword traversed the distance back to Yeomcheon Pavilion, bending like a whip as it swept across the necks of Drunken Sword Fierce Tiger and Hidden Sword Absolute.
Though the swords they swung like beams of light in that split second managed to push the incoming blade away slightly, the wave of energy that subsequently exploded from the soft sword tore open their throats, causing them to burst completely.
A sword song carried by Sword Control.
Severed heads, snapped back by the hazy shockwave, soared into the air.