Chapter 486: Wilderness Sunfall (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 486: Wilderness Sunfall (5)
A breath of wind gently rustled and dispersed, carrying a scent reminiscent of the light green hair of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, which always smelled of fresh grass.
Rustle.
A purple sleeve with a faint golden sheen lightly brushed against the tiles of the old roof.
Behind Jeong Yeon-shin, the Lord of the Desolate Fortress watched him quietly. With a subtle shift of her gaze, the surrounding atmosphere warped slightly.
The quiet roof they stood upon lost its sense of reality, fading into a dreamlike state.
But Jeong Yeon-shin did not look back.
He was afraid he might show some unsightly behavior. He truly wished to remain a gentleman. Baek Mi-ryeo's safety... He could not blame the Lord of the Desolate Fortress for what he himself had failed to achieve.
And yet, could he not at least ask?
"Master."
"Speak."
Her clear, resonant voice tickled his ears. Even then, Jeong Yeon-shin kept his eyes slightly lowered, remaining in a casual crouch.
"Do you know what became of the Sun Lotus Sword Enchantress of the Demonlight Wing?" he asked.
His voice was flat. He had tried his best to maintain his composure, and for a moment, Jeong Yeon-shin worried if his words sounded too cold to his master. But he did not let it show.
He asked not as her disciple, the Flash Art, but in his capacity as a Purple Rank of the Desolate Fortress.
As Yong Hee-myung, the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, had once said, only those clad in purple robes could discuss the major affairs of the Desolate Fortress on equal footing with the Castle Lord. This included his maternal grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok, Elder Council Head Shin Byeok, and of course, Jeong Yeon-shin himself. He had to exclude all personal feelings.
Then, her answer fell slowly.
"She said she would return her on a set date."
In the next instant, Jeong Yeon-shin appeared right in front of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. He spun like a flash of light, utilizing his Body Protection Scripture to leap toward her.
The backdraft from his sudden movement kicked up a wide cloud of dust, sending their differently colored hair whipping in opposite directions.
Step.
For the first time in a very long while, the master and disciple of the Desolate Fortress stood face-to-face. It was the first time since Jeong Yeon-shin had undergone Marrow Cleansing and Bone Rebirth.
"Who is returning whom? Are you saying the Leader of the Myeong Cult promised to return the Sun Lotus Sword Enchantress?"
Rustle.
At this moment, because his limbs had grown significantly longer, the forehead of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress almost touched his chest. Her disciple had grown taller. Jeong Yeon-shin naturally took a step back and met her eyes.
"...Master."
"You are correct. That is what was agreed upon," the Lord of the Desolate Fortress said, her lips parting slightly.
She stared quietly at Jeong Yeon-shin. Her eyes looked as if countless leaves had been melted and molded together. The deep green gaze that symbolized the Greatest Under Heaven dyed the surroundings in silence. The light in her eyes was like dew holding moonlight on a spring night.
"If you have more questions, ask them here. You must dissolve all the doubts in your heart to prevent a Heart Demon from taking hold."
Her manner was archaic and gentle. The voice of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress was as calm as ripples on a lake. Jeong Yeon-shin spoke immediately.
"They say the Heaven-Smiling Invincible is one who laughs even at the heavens. Can we trust such a promise? No... before that, I cannot believe that you, Master, made an agreement with such a person."
Indeed. The martial prowess of the Heaven-Smiling Invincible, with her restrictions released, was unfathomable. Perhaps one really had to consider Jeong Yeon-shin after some time had passed. But he had never once imagined the Lord of the Desolate Fortress losing to anyone. Even now, such a scene could not be pictured in his mind.
"That child of the Myeong Cult cannot defy me," the Lord of the Desolate Fortress said. Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent for a moment, silently wishing for his master to elaborate. It was, in essence, a silent demand. Soon, her lips slowly parted once more.
"...Because I am your master. Furthermore, she cannot force her will upon me through martial arts."
"She is not someone who acts out of affection."
"That child will be different."
"I apologize, but I still do not understand."
"The emotions of a demon facing death are bound to be more primal and intense than anyone else's. That child values you more than you think."
In that moment, the name of the technique 'Ashen Smoke's Hidden Embrace' flashed through Jeong Yeon-shin's mind. A martial art that disrupted the naturally incompatible relationship between Dharma Power and demonic energy, it was an ultimate technique that interfered with a certain providence. With that method, the Heaven-Smiling Invincible had been able to clash hands and make physical contact with Jeong Yeon-shin. It was a divine art born of obsession.
'Demon' signifies an elusive possessiveness—a temperament that stops at nothing to obtain its desires. That was why the Leader of the Myeong Cult, the Heaven-Smiling Invincible, could not defy the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. She did not want Jeong Yeon-shin's sole master in this world to speak ill of her. She was pathologically averse to any third-party intervention in their relationship. Taking Baek Mi-ryeo was her own choice, but the words and actions of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress were an irritating variable she couldn't ignore.
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress continued.
"She already considers you a companion born under the same Heavenly Mandate. She is a demon who craves your understanding and recognition. Because she has mastered sorcery arts that emphasize mantras, she cannot speak lies, and I, as the guardian of the World Tree, must speak only the truth. Since we can both distinguish truth from falsehood through our Upper Dantians, we exchanged a firm promise."
Perhaps she sensed Jeong Yeon-shin's feelings, for her explanation was unusually long.
"You said Heavenly Mandate." After staring into the jade-like eyes of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress for a moment, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke slowly. "My Heavenly Mandate lies with you, Master."
"..."
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress fell silent for a moment. But Jeong Yeon-shin did not stop. "I still haven't heard your answer. Why did you let the Heaven-Smiling Invincible go?"
"You will grow greatly because of her. There was no reason to break your touchstone so early," she said.
His view was different. If it were him, he wouldn't have cared about any touchstone. The immediate death of the Heaven-Smiling Invincible was far more important. But he could not say anything. As a Purple Rank, he had failed the mission he had assigned himself. Moreover, he had received the grace of having his life saved. If he blamed his master here, he would be lower than a maggot.
He couldn't even argue about the duty of the Desolate Fortress. He had to bury the anger that flared up like a wildfire deep within his chest.
"...When will the Sun Lotus Sword Enchantress return?"
"She said she would return with the spring."
She meant the onset of spring. They had only just entered winter. It was too far away. It was so far off that there was no telling what Baek Mi-ryeo might go through in the meantime. Yet, the face of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress remained perfectly serene. Jeong Yeon-shin felt anger welling up once again.
It was anger directed at himself. If only he had been stronger. If only he had been more proactive in the combined attack with the Seventh Apostle.
The Seventh Apostle...!
He spoke immediately.
"What happened to that Blood Flame Cult aristocrat?"
"She followed too closely behind me as I held you, so I struck her until she lost consciousness."
"...You took action? Why?"
"She was bothersome," the Lord of the Desolate Fortress said briefly.
* * *
The main gate of the Mok Manor.
The eight groups who had come looking for Jeong Yeon-shin were still lined up in front of the manor. It looked almost as if they had formed a siege.
It was incredibly noisy.
Beneath the quiet wingbeats of a scops owl flying southeast for the winter, a white feather suddenly drifted down toward them, only to be swept away by a strong gust of wind.
Boom!
An explosion erupted in front of the main gate. Amidst it, a hearty voice rang out loudly.
"How can your hand be so lax!" shouted a man with sharply pointed ears.
He wore a long, dark blue ceremonial robe, but instead of the sun and moon symbolizing the Emperor, dragons were embroidered on his shoulders.
It was the attire of a Prince, positioned directly beneath the Son of Heaven. At this moment, colorless waves flickered along his incredibly solid-looking arms. It was the aftermath of a fist strike he had personally unleashed. He was Prince Honghwang, who ruled the western region of Guangdong.
Ssshh—
Opposite him, Cheong-myeong was pushed back, carving a long furrow into the ground before regaining his balance. The Blue-Eyed Demon Sword of the Demonlight Wing. He did not look defeated, but neither did he exude his usual murderous intent. He merely flicked his sword in silence to shake off the dust.
Rather, it was Prince Honghwang whose expression was lively. His features clearly reflected a bellicose nature. Beneath a nose bridge that strongly showed his Brightfolk blood, his lips curled slightly. It was a look of disappointment.
"I heard you were the right-hand man of the Jeong family's Flash Art, yet your spirit falls short of your reputation."
"..."
Cheong-myeong did not answer. The same went for Heonwon Chang and Shin So-bin, who stood behind him. Only Ak Su-rim almost shouted something, but facing the forces of two other princely estates in addition to Prince Honghwang's, she could only furrow her brow.
The pressure weighing down on the rough soil was immense. Among the crowds spread widely around them, the martial artists of the Four Provinces Martial Arts Alliance and the Gwanheo Merchant Guild were at a loss. The entourage of the Zhejiang Grand Coordinator and the martial arts army from the Five Military Commissions merely watched blankly.
The reason things had turned out this way.
It was a matter of face.
Even if everyone who had arrived here had business with Jeong Yeon-shin, it was not something for which they would cast aside their pride and bow their heads. This was especially true for the imperial family and government officials.
Ever since the Hegemon Hero of the Desolate Fortress crippled the former Head Eunuch, a web of mutual protection and alliances had been woven among the various imperial relatives. It was to guard against the Hegemon Hero's hand. To ensure no one else suffered such a fate, countless members of the Ju clan forged close ties and flaunted their collective power.
This was accompanied by constantly reporting their every move to the Emperor to avoid any suspicion of treason. Naturally, many kept their hands clean, and none lost their heads to the Censors anymore. Consequently, the Desolate Fortress had long lost any justification to act against them. Yet, the prestige of the imperial family remained intact.
They were inherently of higher status than the martial artists of the Desolate Fortress. This held true even for those who guarded the mainland with minimal forces, separate from the imperial experts mobilized in large numbers to the Northern Region.
"You guys get lost first, and you folks will have to wait a moment."
As soon as the leader of the Gwanheo Merchant Guild was rejected by Ak Su-rim, a warrior from Prince Honghwang's estate stepped forward.
"Are you planning to keep the Prince standing in the street like this?"
"The sword of this nation is currently healing from internal injuries. Surely you can understand this much? Or, if you promise to stay only in the outer courtyard..."
"Insolent."
Thus, the conflict was sparked.
In an era where martial arts ran rampant, formidable strength was the primal justification for rule. Naturally, none among the prestigious imperial family were weak in martial arts, and more than a few possessed exceptional talent and bellicosity. It was only because of their high status that they rarely stepped into the world of Jianghu martial artists.
"In particular, hasn't the Demonlight Wing of the Desolate Fortress been bestowed the Vast Art Formula by the new Purple Rank? Why do you not grant me the opportunity to broaden my horizons?" Prince Honghwang was no exception. He was fundamentally different from those who were born ordinary and rose to the ruling class by obtaining government posts.
"Since I already hold the Jeong family's Flash Art in high regard, the Flash Art must also respect my face," the young Prince Honghwang said. His expression had shifted, and he now glared fiercely at Cheong-myeong. In a world where rumors and reputation equated to power, being turned away at the door on the land of the Ju imperial family was unacceptable. Even if the opponent was a Purple Rank, it remained the same. With the Emperor dead and demonfolk experts moving south, it was a chaotic age of survival of the fittest.
"Choose one of two," he continued slowly. "The rumor that the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword under the Flash Art did his best to entertain this Prince. Or, the extremely common-sense alternative where you, on behalf of the Flash Art, welcome this princely estate with the utmost courtesy."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, dust spread wide like a fog. It was an internal power wave unleashed by Prince Honghwang. A golden radiance enveloped his body in five layers, emitting a low, resonant hum. It possessed an incredibly subtle yet ironclad quality. The Ju family's secret Golden Immortal Tiger Armor. It was an ancient, peerless Body Protection Qi.
"I am interested in both plotting political affairs with the Flash Art and personally experiencing the martial arts he created," Prince Honghwang continued quietly. "I know what you worry about. You fear the backlash that would blow in if even a small scratch were to befall us. However, this Prince will not pressure your superior using my status. It is a chaotic age anyway. I do not expect such things to work. It is all merely your needless anxiety."
His words pierced through the truth. This was the reason Cheong-myeong had blocked the way to prevent any harm to Jeong Yeon-shin's Qi Healing, yet had not been able to strike with full force. This opponent was of a completely different caliber than Ju Yeon-jeong of the Desolate Ma Clan, whose dantian the Hegemon Hero had once destroyed. An enfeoffed Prince. A king who ruled over land bestowed by the Emperor. Once one reached the Purple Rank, they could not remain free from the central politics of Beijing. If a subordinate rashly caused an incident, trouble would inevitably find its way to Jeong Yeon-shin in one way or another.
It was better for Cheong-myeong to repeatedly take lethal blows with his own body. Even Ak Su-rim was restraining herself, showing the discretion of a veteran of the Jianghu.
Slide.
Cheong-myeong silently adjusted his grip on his sword. In that instant, the corners of Prince Honghwang's mouth curled up faintly. His Body Protection Qi, glowing with a subtle golden light, had now risen to cover his face.
"If you have no intention of moving, you must prepare to die. Though the Flash Art is young, he should be able to distinguish between public and private matters of this scale."
This was something a warrior of the Desolate Fortress inevitably had to endure. Even if the opponent spoke of death without lowering his voice. The gap in status weighed heavily upon the Desolate Fortress. They were neither pure Jianghu martial artists nor government officials with official posts. Literally, they were caught between the government and the martial world. Strangers welcomed by neither side.
The sunlight pouring down alongside the dry winter wind stood like a wall in the air. It was of an extremely transparent hue. In an instant, the sky warped. A reddish figure plunged from the air like a divine punishment. There was not even the sound of breaking wind.
The sensation of an early-blooming sunset taking human form lasted only a moment. A silhouette tore through the atmosphere diagonally, trampling Prince Honghwang's chest as it collided with the ground.
KABOOM!
The internal energy barrier of the Golden Immortal Tiger Armor shattered into pieces. It was truly a split second. The gale that blew in late swept up the fragments of golden True Qi like dust. At the same time, a translucent shockwave spread outward like a wave, causing an earthquake-like rumble.
Cough!
Prince Honghwang, slammed back-first into the ground, coughed up a mouthful of blood. In an instant, the surroundings froze in shock. The young man who had suddenly intruded... Beneath his transcendent features, his purple robe fluttered. His identity was clear.
"...You, gasp..." Disbelief filled Prince Honghwang's eyes. "How do you... intend to handle... this...?" Gaps of breath mixed between his words. This was not something that should happen in broad daylight, in a place with eyes watching from all directions.
Even the members of the great merchant guilds, who had been watching the situation with interest, hastily averted their eyes.
"Handle?" the figure asked back.
"Are you saying... you didn't think... of the consequences?"
"You spoke lightly of the death of a Desolate Fortress warrior. Such words and actions are permitted only to His Majesty. I speak of the power over life and death."
"What an absurdly... theoretical argument..." Prince Honghwang was, by any measure, an extraordinary individual. This was evident from the way he scoffed even after being struck by an overwhelming, sudden blow.
"The late Emperor... chose me. A king who rules a corner of Guangdong. My bloodline... is different from yours. With a status that can never replace this Prince... how dare you..."
"In this world, of the Ju clan..." Amidst the fragments of the Body Protection Qi shimmering in gold under the sunlight, the figure muttered dryly. "Are you the only one?"