Chapter 524: The Southern Venerable (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 524: The Southern Venerable (3)
A subtle scent of ink drifted on the wind stirred by the internal power waves. Mingling with the white dust motes floating in the air, the fragrance lent the room a quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
At least, that was how Jeong Yeon-shin felt.
"..."
The proposal of the Acting Commander was laid out in the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall.
At this moment, not only the silent gazes of the Unit Commanders but the eyes of the entire world were focused on the outcome of this proposal. It detailed the new face of the world's greatest sect.
All kinds of factions and people from all walks of life would be on high alert.
They would watch to see if there were any changes, however slight, to the specific martial units—those whose primary missions were rooted in their own territories. They would scrutinize the origins, character, and martial arts of the newly replaced members.
Furthermore, Im Jin-myeong had said:
—You will also run into other questions.
Just how much stronger had the Divine Sword Squad of the Divine Sword Corps—whose mission area was infinitely vast—become? Or had they perhaps grown weaker than before?
'Nonsense.'
Jeong Yeon-shin had exercised the authority of the highest position in the Desolate Fortress with the intention of fully retrieving the Sword of Divine Attainment, the most famous precious sword under heaven.
It was a decision that would affect the personal safety and status of every expert in the Main Fortress.
The scroll placed on the gray marble round table was still slowly, yet endlessly, unfurling. It looked as if it would spill over the edge.
That was how many names filled it in neat, black regular script.
Those whose faces he had become familiar with through various events and missions, and those listed in the register sent by the Chief Steward's Office. They were all Jeong Yeon-shin's family.
Sliiiide.
First, he checked to his right. The Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, the Divine Blood Radiant Star. Did he not like the title given to him after much deliberation? His face, paler than usual, stood out.
Jeong Yeon-shin called out to him carefully.
"Senior Jin, I don't believe there is any issue with the title I bestowed upon you."
"..."
The man stood up, lightly pushing back his heavy marble grandmaster's chair.
Jin Myeong-jo's gaze was fixed solely on the scroll of names. His look was so heavy that Jeong Yeon-shin almost swallowed hard. The evaluation of a respected senior was heavier than anything else.
Soon, Jin Myeong-jo spoke.
"By any chance..."
"Please, speak freely."
"Did you receive the letter I sent you?"
It was a smooth and polite question. His inner thoughts were completely unreadable, making it feel as if one were dealing with a noble from Beijing.
However, Jeong Yeon-shin's expression actually brightened.
"I received and read it while waiting after delivering the mobilization order. It was my first time encountering such an elegant mnemonic. This junior of yours has truly had his eyes opened."
"Mhm."
"I was planning to express my gratitude after the meeting concluded, but if I may take this opportunity..."
Jeong Yeon-shin's words trailed off. Jin Myeong-jo had slightly shaken his head.
"That letter is the last of my usefulness. Though it may sound highly presumptuous, there has never been a case where someone from the Bloodkeeper Unit joined the Divine Sword Squad."
"Why is that...?"
It was not Jin Myeong-jo who resolved Jeong Yeon-shin's question. Hahu Wi-jin, the Commander of the Forest-Treading Unit, spoke up from one side in a gruff voice. An iron bar was bound to his thick arm like a splint.
"Because they don't fit in a joint attack. It has always been an unnecessary assignment."
Sitting beside him, Un So-yu, the Commander of the Law Enforcement Unit, chimed in quietly.
"The Divine Sword Squad must be the closest thing to absolute perfection in the entire Main Fortress. Even if the Bloodkeeper Unit draws Innate Qi from the blood of beasts instead of humans, if their martial arts and behavioral patterns clash even slightly with other martial artists, it is only right to exclude them from the selection."
In her eyes, a pitch-black light flickered like sword qi.
This was the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall, where the greatest affairs of the Jianghu were discussed.
Not a single person spoke in a soft voice.
And indeed, it was only natural.
While Jeong Yeon-shin was undeniably the strongest individual force in the Desolate Fortress today, he was still no match for the combined strength of the Unit Commanders gathered here.
Furthermore, unlike Jeong Yeon-shin, who had only one body, they could disperse to all corners of the world.
The same went for Cheon So-so, who had switched to respectful speech toward Jeong Yeon-shin the moment she sat down in the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall.
"When missions drag on in remote lands, we have to trade with civilian households for supplies."
Her lips parted as her jade-blue eyes reflected Jeong Yeon-shin.
"The kids from the Bloodkeeper Unit have to stay separated, even if they cover their faces. Otherwise, the commoners shrink back in fear and freeze up."
"And that often becomes a tempting opening. For enemies looking to launch a surprise attack, it's a golden opportunity."
Those were Hahu Wi-jin's words. His low voice carried the weathered experience of a martial artist, sounding somewhat weary.
These were not words born of personal feelings.
Jeong Yeon-shin clearly felt that. However, he absolutely had to place Jin Myeong-jo in the position of Vice Commander.
"That won't be an issue. The Return to Simplicity achieved by Senior Jin is a realm that even I find difficult to match. There is no way he would strike fear into the commoners."
It was not out of personal respect.
It was because he was the only senior capable of keeping up with the speed of the Ten-Mile Light Grace, the lightness skill that had grasped the threshold of the next realm beyond the door.
At best, Namgung Hwa-shin, who was said to have fully assimilated most of the spirit medicines he had consumed in his clan, and the sole member of the Divine Sword Squad's lowest rank might be able to follow.
'...Since the Commander of the Searing Abyss Unit has passed away.'
Above all, the master of the Dark Night Radiant Blood Magic Sword was free from the fluctuations of Dharma Power.
It had been that way since their very first meeting. His facial expression and the breathing of his divine art were like the immovable Clear Mirror, Still Water.
Unlike the Seventh Apostle, who seemed to enjoy pain, Jeong Yeon-shin did not even need to suppress his internal power waves around him.
'I cannot decide this arbitrarily. But I must make it happen.'
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced across the table.
A dignified middle-aged man dressed in long black robes was sharing a light conversation with a handsome young man also clad entirely in black.
They were none other than the Master of the Martial Apex Hall and the temporary Commander of the Heaven-Aligned Wing, both of whom looked to have difficulty moving.
They were in need of healing. It was the aftermath of the Great Sect War.
"Je Un-jong of Wudang has pierced through all the boundary networks of the Inner Castle. Truly a genius sense... no less than yours, Hwa-shin."
"He was blocked by the Commander of the Azure Sky Unit."
"That standoff won't last long. That fellow Changcheon hasn't fully absorbed the medicinal energy of the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine he received from the Acting Commander. He needs to spend more time on Qi Healing."
"I will bring back the intruder's head."
"Hmm? He is a disciple of Wudang, which just lost the Perfected Ancient Sword. There is no need to go so far as to take his head."
"No matter the circumstances, the Main Fortress is currently at war. We have already suffered immense damage. If he has rummaged through the interior of the Main Fortress without proper notice and procedures, then even if he were Zhang Sanfeng himself, it is only right that he forfeit his head. There must be no exceptions to the rules."
"Hey, where are you going?"
"Intrusion is a breach of etiquette. Since the opponent's conduct has strayed far from propriety, is it not only right that my sword also stray from the enemy's limbs to their neck? I, Namgung of the Divine Sword Squad, shall return before the Acting Commander finishes persuading our seniors."
The White Qilin, Namgung Hwa-shin, bowed politely to Jeong Yeon-shin. However, his name was definitely not on the roster of the Divine Sword Squad.
"White Qilin, my friend, I was looking at you as the sole light of the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall... Hey!"
Soon after, shaking off the Master of the Martial Apex Hall's attempts to stop him, he turned around and walked straight through the wall. Needless to say, the hall vibrated slightly with a loud splintering crash.
The pressure of Qilin's Judgment rose fiercely even without a sword being drawn. The Master of the Martial Apex Hall, whose body was still not fully recovered, could not stop him.
"The Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall never changes, no matter how much time passes. The location really has bad energy."
Hahu Wi-jin's murmur carried the characteristic transcendental temperament of the Brightfolk.
"At any rate..."
However, his manner as he once again brought up the disqualifications of a Bloodkeeper Unit alumnus serving as the Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps was anything but transcendental.
He was highly active in his opposition. Yet, at the same time, he maintained strict, razor-sharp politeness toward the Acting Commander.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly recalled a conversation he had with Yong Hee-myung. It was after he had been hit by the Great Rainbow Palm.
—If I were to compare the Unit Commanders of the Main Fortress to sword moves, they are nothing but heavy swords.
—Heavy swords?
—They are good for drawing once and striking down hard. But it is difficult to mix in variations. If you try to introduce subtle changes or bend their direction, your entire body might end up thoroughly exhausted. Your head will spin, too.
—Ah.
—But as they say, 'First set the house in order, then govern the state.' Only after putting your house in order can you control the Jianghu, so you should suffer a bit too.
The people he had to lead from now on.
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced to his right.
The Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, who was on the verge of being dismissed, looked more peaceful than anyone else in the world. He seemed to have already let go of many things.
He had no intention of arguing. He was the most aloof of them all.
'No.'
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
Would he have to engage in another tedious struggle? And with the seniors of the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall, no less?
Even if it was just an argument, it would inevitably drain his mental energy. Furthermore, what would be waiting for him once he overcame this adversity?
His mind felt somewhat faint. However, Jeong Yeon-shin tried his best not to let it show as he opened his mouth.
It was then.
"However, even so..."
Hahu Wi-jin slowly continued.
"Jin Myeong-jo is on a slightly different track. That is our conclusion. The points raised earlier were merely noise we had to cover and move past beforehand. There are many powerful figures who will nitpick every single move of the Main Fortress."
"What?"
For a moment, two voices questioned in unison, but Jeong Yeon-shin paid them no mind. The corners of Hahu Wi-jin's mouth were curving into a hearty smile.
"We witnessed the rare mnemonic of the Invisible Sword being handed over right before our eyes. The former Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit is worthy of assisting the Acting Commander. He has thrown everything he has into the Main Fortress."
Thus, three people expressed their approval. They were Hahu Wi-jin, Un So-yu, and Cheon So-so. The Master of the Martial Apex Hall also nodded with a faint smile.
"Actually, while there are differing opinions regarding the composition of the Divine Sword Squad... the Acting Commander must have had deep thoughts on it. Rebuilding such a roster in this short amount of time is no ordinary feat. And it's not just one or two people, either."
The Master of the Martial Apex Hall spoke as if to himself. Jeong Yeon-shin returned his praise with a silent bow.
'There is more... besides the Divine Sword Squad.'
The eyes of the Chief Steward's Office were vast.
Even their resourcefulness was the exact opposite of the Lazy Flame Dragon's.
First, they had immediately assessed the damage from the Great War of the Desolate Fortress. And they were competent enough to reflect it directly into the existing reorganization plan.
The original list had already been drawn up before Jeong Yeon-shin set foot in Hangzhou. It was the result of him and Im Jin-myeong putting their heads together.
In this way, Jeong Yeon-shin had been pondering the new organization of the entire Divine Sword Corps for quite some time.
Since he had poured his heart and soul into it, he had naturally expected there to be no objections.
It seemed he had miscalculated.
The elegant voice of a girl ringing out from beside him was proof of that.
"I object."
But no one listened to Ak Su-rim. For her sake, Jeong Yeon-shin pointed to the words 'Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit' and 'Chief Guardian of the Elder's Council' on the scroll one by one, and then raised his head.
He looked toward the wall that Namgung Hwa-shin had just smashed through.
A person's shadow was faintly filling the gap. The fluttering of their robe made them look like an immortal shrouded in clouds and mist.
[Lord Jeong.]
A woman's voice rang out loudly. It was a voice familiar to Jeong Yeon-shin.
Long Staff Ju Se-hwa. Unlike when they first met, she held a sword pointing downward, and spiral gusts of wind were radiating from her shadow.
[You must come to our sect's Sword-Releasing Pond.]
At the same time, another wind swept past Jeong Yeon-shin's side. In an instant, a pitch-black shadow crossed the space and grabbed the intruder by the throat.
"A mere martial artist of the Jianghu."
The voice of the current Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps sank chillingly.
Truly overwhelming spirit. The killing intent was so thick that even Jeong Yeon-shin flinched for a moment. It was a level of martial prowess that clearly began to transcend the Black Rank.
"How dare you dictate the movements of a Purple Rank?"
Jin Myeong-jo asked.
Long Staff could not answer.
It was only natural. Strictly speaking, she was not a senior figure of Wudang, but closer to a rising star. Compared to the Divine Blood Radiant Star, she fell far short.
'As expected.'
Ak Su-rim and Namgung Hwa-shin slipped from Jeong Yeon-shin's mind.