Chapter 53: The Hwangbo Clan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: The Hwangbo Clan
The blank expressions on the rising stars and the Hwangbo Clan escorts vanished in an instant. Dozens of faces contorted in rapid succession.
"The Desolate Fortress? Why is the Desolate Fortress here...?"
"What an overwhelming aura."
"A Blue Rank of the Desolate Fortress? Isn't that the Demonlight Wing!"
"They said it was a minor sect? With that aura and those black martial robes, aren't they Unit Commanders of the Desolate Fortress? How are there three of them...!"
The members of the prestigious clan, who prided themselves on their ability to sway the world, could no longer hide their inner turmoil.
Even Hegemon Sword Hwangbo Jun faltered, his raw bewilderment laid bare. Every single one of them seemed gripped by doubt and shock.
"A Blue Rank of the Desolate Fortress at that age... I've heard of him."
Hwangbo Myeong-rin's lower lip trembled. Her voice shook as she continued.
"The Flash Art... you bastard... You... you were the Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress?"
"My name shouldn't have spread all the way to Shandong. It's quite far, isn't it?"
Jeong Yeon-shin replied, slightly bewildered. He had heard there were people like Hwangbo Myeong-rin—those who collected rumors out of sheer curiosity, even about martial artists who had no influence on the grand currents of the Jianghu. The Beggar Sect and the Hao Sect were the most famous for this.
The Desolate Fortress was a place watched by the entire martial world. It seemed she had come across the moniker "Flash Art" while looking into rising experts.
"Why? Why on earth? We would have treated you more hospitably than anyone else."
Hwangbo Myeong-rin's question was rather baffling. Jeong Yeon-shin simply relayed what he knew.
"Hospitable treatment is a joke. Everyone knows the martial world gives the Desolate Fortress the cold shoulder."
"...Why did you hide your identity?"
"I am a martial artist of the Desolate Fortress. What other reason would there be besides a mission?"
"A mission?"
Hegemon Sword cut in. The middle-aged swordsman who had previously radiated an overwhelming aura was gone. His face was grimly solemn, and his eyes flickered with anxiety as he scanned the experts of the Desolate Fortress.
It was then.
"I-I failed to recognize a member of the Imperial Family!"
One of the rising stars suddenly fell to his knees with a heavy thud.
Those around him tried to pull him up, looking bewildered.
"Young Hero Cheon, what are you doing? The Imperial Family?"
"If he is the direct disciple of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, doesn't that make him a member of the Imperial Family? I heard it has been so for generations! He is clearly not of the Brightfolk, so how could a mere commoner receive martial arts from the Lord?"
It was a ridiculous commotion. Jeong Yeon-shin ignored it and turned his head.
He locked eyes with Ma Jin, who had slipped up beside him.
The scar running across Ma Jin's face seemed to carry a trace of worry. It was likely because Jeong Yeon-shin looked in such terrible shape—so much so that even someone who wasn't a Brightfolk could tell at a glance.
"...Even I didn't expect a bundle of Thunderbolt Bombs. Are your internal injuries alright?" Ma Jin asked, his lips twitching slightly.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded readily. "You've caught up on what happened in Huizhou. By any chance, do you know what happened to Yu-hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect?"
"You mean the youngest disciple of the Mount Hua Sect Leader? The Namgung Clan responded immediately and protected him. I believe that young Taoist, Yu-hyeon, has already smashed a couple of Blood Flame Cult branches alongside the Plum Blossom Swordsmen. The Mount Hua Sect left Huizhou long ago."
"I see."
He had been worried about them being separated amidst the chaos without any promise of reunion.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt a great sense of relief, but he was also secretly surprised at himself. Even though Yu-hyeon was one of his few friends, they hadn't known each other for very long. He wondered if he had always been this sentimental.
'Is it because he approached me so warmly, saying he would come to the Desolate Fortress?'
Come to think of it, the number of peers he was close to could be counted on one hand. Imperial Grandson Ju Yun-myeong wasn't quite there yet. Perhaps Yu-hyeon, Shin So-bin, and Ma Se-in of the Desolate Ma Clan. Wiji Myo-hwa, the Sword Dragon of the Zhongnan Sect, felt like an older sister somewhere between them and Baek Mi-ryeo.
It seemed he made a new friend every time he went on a mission. Thinking about it now, it wasn't bad at all. If he were to die without eating the fruit of the World Tree, at least there would be people to remember him.
'Not that it's something I want to dwell on.'
Then, Hegemon Sword Hwangbo Jun stepped forward.
"Hearing your conversation, you are not of the Imperial Family. You bastard—no."
His words, ignored by both Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Jin, trailed off. It seemed to be the first humiliation he had ever suffered in his life.
He let out a long breath and composed himself.
"Young Hero. And Great Hero Ma."
He offered a disciplined clasp of his hands. His attitude had completely changed.
If it had only been the Demonlight Wing, a pillar of the Eight Great Families would not have bowed like this. He seemed to have realized something upon seeing the gathering of three martial units of the Divine Sword Corps. Cold sweat beaded on the back of his neck.
"I have long heard of the great name of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing. I, Hwangbo Jun, failed to recognize the direct disciple taken in by the Lord of the Desolate Fortress and spoke out of turn. I hope you can find it in your heart to overlook my ignorance."
"What did you say?"
Ma Jin asked curtly. For a moment, there was no reply.
"Trash, lowborn, and a bastard with no roots."
Shin So-bin quickly chimed in, her voice chirpy. She seemed utterly delighted. "Isn't that an insult to you, Unit Commander? I believe Senior Flash Art is also of the Desolate Ma Clan's bloodline. He became famous during the main fortress's coming-of-age ceremony, didn't he? He shouted, 'This is the Jianghu!' and downed the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine in one gulp."
"..."
Ma Jin's face hardened into a cold mask. The aura rising like frost over his scar was bone-chilling.
By now, anyone who knew anything knew that the Flash Art was the reverse scale of the Desolate Ma Clan. Contrary to his fierce appearance, Ma Jin was known to be a warm and affectionate person. There was no way he would forgive someone who insulted his nephew's lineage.
"The Hwangbo Clan," Ma Jin spoke, his face devoid of expression. "The crime of a mere local aristocrat forcing the commoners into hard labor is heavy. Their numbers reached a thousand."
"..."
"You asked about the Flash Art's mission. It was to drive a wedge between the Hwangbo local aristocrats who rule Jinan by force. To secure a justification for your clan's annihilation. He completed it magnificently. Are you not all standing here?"
"What on earth..." Hwangbo Jun groaned.
This was spoken by a Unit Commander under the Divine Sword Corps of the Desolate Fortress. No one would take it as a lie.
However, admitting to the crime was a different matter. Even if fatal evidence had been stolen, they had no choice but to deny it. Whether it was people or documents, it was the same. Unless one was a fool, there was no way they would admit to it here.
Even Jeong Yeon-shin, with his shallow experience in the Jianghu, could tell.
He turned around. He clasped his hands, taking in Ma Jin, the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit, and the Commander of the Azure Sky Unit in a single glance.
"I dare to request. May this junior declare the start of the battle?"
"Hmm."
The Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit was so scrawny that the wide sleeves of his black robe hung loosely on him.
For three martial units to cooperate, the chain of command had to be unified. He had heard that the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit held temporary command. It was said to be due to his age, which was close to fifty, and his long years as a Unit Commander. Ma Jin and the Commander of the Azure Sky Unit were in their thirties, which was considered quite young for Unit Commanders.
"Demonlight Wing's Flash Art. I watched your promotion test from the side. It was quite impressive."
The eyes of the internal cultivation expert, who had reached the pinnacle, stared at him intently. The moment Jeong Yeon-shin met those pitch-black, flashing eyes, he couldn't help but tense up. It was different from the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, who completely concealed his energy. Here, he could fully feel the raw martial prowess.
'I'm still far off. The Unit Commander level is completely different.'
As he was realizing the true realm of the Desolate Fortress's Black Rank, the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit slowly spoke.
"To declare the start of the battle... That was indeed your mission. I permit it."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had kept his hands clasped, bowed slightly and lowered his arms.
Step.
He turned around again and took a step forward alone. He popped the Bright-Righteous Pill he held in his left hand into his mouth. Like Lazy Flame Dragon, who loved to chew poppy, he chewed it casually without stopping his steps. He headed straight for the place where the rising stars and the Hwangbo Clan's martial artists were gathered.
'They said there was no need for Qi meditation. Indeed.'
It was said to be a combination of Brightfolk secret arts and the medicine of the Shaolin Medicine King Hall. He felt a refreshing energy rising from the fine meridians throughout his body. The mysterious efficacy spread through him, healing his internal injuries.
Meanwhile, no one dared to make a rash move. The three martial units of the Desolate Fortress exerted a terrifying deterrent force.
He passed by Hegemon Sword. He also ignored Lazy Flame Dragon.
Originally, Jeong Yeon-shin had intended to take the head of Hegemon Sword, the strongest among the enemies. Next was Hwangbo Myeong-rin. However, facing the intense aura of the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit on the battlefield, his thoughts changed.
He was a Blue-ranked warrior beneath a Black-ranked Unit Commander. Exchanging dozens of clashes with Hegemon Sword? It was nothing more than reckless bravado blinded by the desire for achievements. With the martial prowess of the Unit Commanders, they could slaughter someone like Hegemon Sword within a few moves. Since he was aiming for the position of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, he couldn't afford to fall out of favor with the Commander of the Azure Sky Unit and the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit.
'I've been integrated into the mission to strike the Hwangbo Clan now. It's enough to make my mark.'
Jeong Yeon-shin stopped three steps in front of Hwangbo Myeong-rin. He had penetrated so deeply into their midst that no one could have imagined he would act alone.
He spoke slowly.
"Let's settle our grudge."
"What?"
"You can reply as you wish. I will say what I have to say."
"..."
"You told me to offer up my arm. You said you would interrogate me and then take my head. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was the same. Shin So-bin could have died. It would have happened if I hadn't saved her."
"...I acknowledge the reputation of a Blue-ranked warrior of the Desolate Fortress. Moreover, if you are the direct disciple of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, you may well be this arrogant." Hwangbo Myeong-rin straightened her back. A sense of dignity began to grace her shabby appearance, worn down by her long flight. "But you cannot make things up. I am clear of conscience. I have never done anything against the Righteous Path."
"You keep saying that. It doesn't matter anymore."
"...?"
"The remaining mission is the annihilation of the Hwangbo Clan. It means whatever bluff you pull is meaningless."
Jeong Yeon-shin tightened his grip on the hilt of his Desolate Fortress Sword. Instantly, a wave of energy erupted from the back of his hand, spreading in all directions. It was the precursor to a sword technique, right in the middle of the enemy camp.
Before Hwangbo Myeong-rin, her face filled with shock, could even reply, veins bulged on the back of Jeong Yeon-shin's hand.
Hwangbo Myeong-rin was a distant amateur compared to him.
In a split second, it showed on her face. The terror of a martial artist facing a matchless sword form welled up.
"What? Please...!"
At the same time, the Desolate Fortress Sword flashed. Fast Sword Form, Radiant Brilliance Sword Style.
At a speed impossible to react to, the blade blurred like a ray of light.
Swoosh!
A white bolt of lightning struck across her neck. It was a Fast Sword that had reached the realm of the Blue Rank. Hwangbo Myeong-rin's head remained in place for a brief moment. Even the panic in her eyes did not fade.
The blood erupted a breath later.
Spurt!
Her head rolled helplessly to the ground as her corpse collapsed.
Hegemon Sword was rushing in from behind in horror, but the experts of the Desolate Fortress were much faster.
Arriving first with a ghost-like movement technique, the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit grabbed the back of Hegemon Sword's head and slammed it into the ground.
Thud!
The internal energy concentrated in his slender arm was immense. The ground cracked and split.
"Myeong-rin!"
"My lady!"
"Leader!"
The Second Young Master and the Hwangbo Clan's escorts cried out. The rising stars seemed frozen in place. The faces that had been indifferent when discussing Jeong Yeon-shin's arm and neck were now filled with absolute desperation and terror.
Thud!
Ma Jin and the Commander of the Azure Sky Unit leapt into the crowd.
The two supreme experts radiated heavy waves of energy in all directions, drawing their saber and sword with picture-perfect grace. They didn't even bother to warn them. A destructive energy swirled from the saber and sword strikes that began to slash and carve through everything in their path.
Hegemon Sword, rolling frantically, barely escaped the grasp of the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit. The moment he grit his teeth and rose to unleash the Hwangbo Clan's sword technique—
Boom!
With a violent stomp, Ma Jin's figure tore through the air. He rushed forward at an explosive speed. In an instant, the pitch-black saber in his hand plunged into the center of Hegemon Sword's chest.
Squelch! Crack!
The penetration was only momentary. Ma Jin twisted his waist and sliced Hegemon Sword's upper body horizontally. With the sound of ribs splitting all at once, a massive torrent of blood erupted. The overwhelming force itself became an aura that seemed to freeze time.
"The, the Desolate Fortress. It was real."
"We can't fight them! We must think of escaping...!"
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing of the Desolate Fortress.
Hegemon Sword had died in such a futile manner. Ma Jin didn't seem to attach much significance to it. He immediately charged toward the Hwangbo Clan's martial artists again.
His blade severed five more lives in an instant. The black blade shadows, raging like a storm, left behind tremendous sonic booms as they slashed necks, hearts, and waists. Entrails and blood spilled from ruptured muscles.
It was terrifying. The word "tyrannical" truly suited him. Such was the attitude of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing toward those who threatened his only nephew.
Thud!
Even the dust left behind by his leap was torn to shreds.
The suffocating killing intent radiating from his entire body constricted all directions, and as it reached his saber, it converged into an overwhelming shockwave.
"Run! Escape!"
Eventually, some even turned their backs. It was an aura that seemed to completely dismantle the spirit of the martial clan's warriors.
The three Unit Commanders pursued and killed them. They ruptured backs with palm techniques and severed necks.
It was a scene that revealed the fundamental difference between them and ordinary Jianghu martial artists. They viewed martial artists who harmed the livelihood of the commoners strictly from the perspective of the Imperial Court. Thugs who didn't even pay their taxes properly. The Desolate Fortress's execution of justice against the nation's pests was merciless.
"The Unit Commanders don't leave any openings. Unless the target is quite large."
"We'll only be able to accumulate achievements when we strike the main house of the Hwangbo Clan."
"I envy the Flash Art. He has already done quite a big deed."
Only a tiny fraction of the members of the Demonlight Wing, the Azure Sky Unit, and the Thread-Annihilation Unit had joined the Unit Commanders. Most of them approached without even participating in the battle. Some apprehended and interrogated the rising stars.
"Ah, arrest me. I am indeed the heinous scoundrel, the Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan. Hm? No, not that. Please give me back my poppy, okay? Please..."
Among them was Lazy Flame Dragon.