Chapter 542: The Jianghu Roster (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 542: The Jianghu Roster (8)
The Supreme Clarity Palace of Mount Wudang.
Famed as the residence of the Wudang Sect Leader, it stood like a palace above the clouds to the people of the Jianghu and the local commoners who visited the temple.
Though the Wudang Sect warmly welcomed the common folk, the Supreme Clarity Palace remained strictly off-limits to most. For while the Dao does not discriminate, the one chosen to occupy the seat of Sect Leader was selected with the utmost care. The grandeur of the temple matched the immense responsibility borne by the current Acting Sect Leader.
Sssss—
Right now, the sanctuary was draped in a blanket of hazy white mist, the flow of air visibly thicker than usual.
It was entirely cut off from the outside world.
This was an energy barrier, laid down along the ancient walls stone by stone by the Wudang immortals who had served as Sect Leaders throughout history. A lofty technique unique to the Sambong martial lineage that manipulated natural Qi, it was a profound art bordering on sorcery.
Its activation signified a matter of grave importance—one severe enough to warrant sealing the deepest sanctuary of the entire Wudang Sect.
Gathered within the Supreme Clarity Palace beyond the clouds were the highest echelons of Wudang's leadership. Led by Acting Sect Leader Jade Cliff, low murmurs passed between the white-bearded elder Taoists of the Hyeon generation and the Ok generation Taoists who had achieved the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak.
"...My upper dantian detected no falsehood. The same goes for those among our sect's disciples with keen ears."
"He isn't the type to lie in the first place. The lineage of the Desolate Ma Clan has always been like that. Rather than allowing themselves to look pathetic, they prefer to make their opponents look miserable. With their hands, of course, not their words..."
"But given the gravity of the matter, shouldn't we be absolutely certain? We must establish the truth here and now so that no disputes arise in the future."
"I agree."
"But that blue Taiji..."
"Since when has Taiji been the exclusive property of our sect? It is merely a principle studied in temples across the land long before the Wudang Sect even existed. It is only right that we take our time to deliberate."
The interior of the hall mirrored the outside, faintly shrouded in white mist. This was a byproduct of the conversation between these Jianghu immortals who had mastered Wudang Qigong; with every breath, many of the Taoists unconsciously exhaled clouds of True Qi.
But the conversation soon fell short.
Jade Cliff, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.
"To this humble Taoist, it appears to be the genuine article."
His gaze rested on a long object lying atop the central table.
It was a sword.
The blade was chipped in several places, and the majority of the steel was rusted. Yet, the hilt, engraved with a pine motif, remained perfectly intact. A faint scent of pine even lingered around it—clear proof that a peerless swordsman had wielded it for so long that it had transcended into a Dharma treasure.
"Through its power, he beheld the Nascent Soul of our founding ancestor..." Jade Cliff murmured. "It cannot be dismissed as a mere fairy tale. To Ancestor Sambong, who united the countless Taoist martial lineages scattered across the foothills of Mount Wudang under a single name, what could possibly be impossible? Furthermore, the most brilliantly shining talent in the world today has stayed upon our mountain. Jeong Yeon-shin, the Flash Art. Indeed, no matter what transpired, it would not be strange."
A faint, sky-blue glow shimmered in the eyes of the Acting Wudang Sect Leader. Looking closely, it resembled a blazing fire. His energy wave was like a pure, clear flame—as if the aura of the deceased Ancient Sword and the departed Flash Art had perfectly blended within him.
"Primordial Pacification Mantra."
The Taoists in the hall softly chanted the mantra. By now, everyone realized that Jade Cliff had begun to step into the peerless realm.
The bushy beard of a Hyeon generation elder Taoist twitched as he spoke slowly.
"The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps is a position that must wield its sword in the very heart of the mortal world. Decide carefully. Do not forget that our sect's influence, great or small, reaches across the entire world."
The elder Taoist's words were measured, but Jade Cliff's reply was calm and swift.
"It is not a matter of decision, but of acknowledgment. Did our founding ancestor and the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps truly share a bond? And did realizations of martial studies pass between them within that connection?"
If they acknowledged this fact, the greatest sword sect of the present era would officially stand behind Jeong Yeon-shin, the Flash Art.
That was the nature of a sect. A gate of a household, a branch of a stream. Those bound by martial arts shared a tie thicker than blood, placing immense value on the connections of their predecessors. That was why it was called the Murim—the Martial Forest.
This held even truer the deeper a sect's history ran, and it went without saying for the Wudang Sect, which had opened its gates long ago during the founding era of the nation.
"..."
The sword-bearing Taoists fell silent for a moment. They knew well the power Wudang possessed.
As one of the head temples of Taoism, it exerted vast influence not only over the Murim but across the entire world. This was why they had always maintained their distance from the Desolate Fortress—the most secular of secular factions. The same was true for all the Nine Sects.
But now, faced with the name of Zhang Sanfeng—a name that stripped away all sense of reality—anyone in the Wudang Sect had no choice but to exercise extreme caution in discerning the truth.
"Let us do this," Jade Cliff said firmly. "If this Songmun Ancient Sword is definitively proven to belong to our founding ancestor, then all the words of the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, who is already known for his honesty, will be accepted as absolute truth. However, since our own knowledge is insufficient to clearly verify this..."
"Are you saying we should call upon the Taoist disciples?" asked a young Taoist woman, her face veiled in silk. Her long hair flowed gracefully between the folds of her Taoist robes. It was Ju Se-hwa of the Long Staff.
'Taoist disciples' referred to the immortals who had ascended Heaven-Pillar Peak of Mount Wudang to cultivate the Dao. Though they did not focus on martial arts, they were rumored to be so thoroughly versed in the secret arts of the immortal path and all manner of miscellaneous studies that they rivaled the Chief Steward's Office of the Desolate Fortress.
They would surely be able to uncover the origin of the ancient divine sword. They could undoubtedly determine which era's style the pine motif engraved on the hilt belonged to.
"This is a matter of utmost importance. It will determine where we direct the remaining strength of our main mountain in the future. Is there anyone here who would object to the findings of the Taoist disciples?" Jade Cliff asked, speaking of mobilizing their spare forces even though the current Sect Leader, Hyeon-gong, had already departed for Mount Zhongnan.
"..."
There was no answer.
The mist that dimly filled the hall merely drifted in silence. The world's greatest sword sect was quietly rising to its feet.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the military camp that had unexpectedly received the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps...
Vitality breathed into the dry northern wind. Even the pebbles rolling aimlessly across the ground bounced erratically, disturbed by the internal power waves of the various experts present.
Their control over their True Qi had slipped due to immense shock.
"This way, please come this way!"
These were the first words uttered by the master of the barracks the moment he saw the Desolate Fortress Token engraved with a golden tree pattern.
"I have long heard of your esteemed name! But to think you would set foot in a place like this...!"
The man introduced himself as Jeon U-rip.
He was a middle-aged man with venomous eyes and a robust build, clad in rusted silver armor. He was the superior of Super Tiger Great General Hyeokryeon Mu-jeong, who had gone to fetch the Wudang Sect Leader.
In other words, he was the Grand Governor.
The absolute pinnacle of the Ming military. He was the only man who, despite not bearing the imperial surname Ju, could command the Super Tiger Great General directly under the imperial family.
The military hierarchy, which traditionally ended with the Left and Right Governors of the senior first rank, had long since birthed a new office to deal with ongoing famines and the rise of the northern Jianghu.
A golden battle-axe, said to have been personally bestowed by the late Emperor Geonreung, hung from the middle-aged man's waist.
Grand Governor Jeon U-rip.
The master of the Golden Battle-Axe, the most dignified axe in the world.
He was a figure Jeong Yeon-shin had only ever heard of in passing. Rumor had it he was an eccentric who had survived even after taunting the Northern God of War about the well-being of his parents. This meant that despite holding the lofty title of Grand Governor, he personally engaged in field battles.
Much like the Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, Jin Myeong-jo, not a single trace of energy could be felt from him. It was a certainty that he was a master who had achieved the state of returning to natural simplicity.
A flicker of approval passed through Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes.
I heard he is a great man. There is no way he is as frivolous as he appears...
Slipping the Desolate Fortress Token back into his robes, he glanced around.
The camp was a world of its own. Barracks lined up like a sprawling complex of pavilions. Furthermore, as befitting a battlefield populated by martial arts experts, there were numerous dwellings constructed of solid wood and stone.
They were utilizing this vast territory like a single, fortified city. The dry air flowing through the camp was saturated with energy waves thicker and more intense than on any official road in the world.
"..."
All kinds of martial artists stared intently at Jeong Yeon-shin's group. Most wore slightly surprised expressions, but their gazes were fundamentally hardened and dry. Their temperament was entirely different from the experts of the southern lands.
There were no refined or orderly internal power waves here. The energy emanating from them was as harsh as the northern gale. Yet, at the same time, the distinct individuality of each person's internal cultivation method was palpable.
There were military martial artists and generals, bands of vagabonds carrying bizarrely shaped exotic weapons, and even Taoists and monks who possessed relatively clean energy waves.
Shin So-bin whispered by Jeong Yeon-shin's side.
"The Mount Heng Sect is here too. Why are those lofty Taoists, who should be down in Jiangnan, all the way up here...?"
—Then is that group over there from the Kongtong Sect? Their temperament is similar, yet distinct, Jeong Yeon-shin asked via telepathy.
—If their opponent is a demon, they would definitely be stronger. Perhaps even more so than the Taoists of Wudang.
It was a technique to convey words without ever moving one's lips. Though his skill was inferior to the profound attainments of Abbot Beomheo and Perfected Mystic Concord, it was undeniably useful.
The Murim Jianghu was full of strange people. They craved public reputation, yet simultaneously shunned the spotlight. That was why such secretive methods were necessary.
This is the proper conduct of the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was feeling satisfied with his own mindfulness, the voice of North Blade rumbled from behind him.
[Correct. It is the twelve sects.]
Taoists in indigo robes stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin's group from the roof of a simply constructed wooden pavilion. They were the group Jeong Yeon-shin had guessed to be the Kongtong Sect, one of the Nine Sects.
It was a sect led by the peerless Taoist, Hucheon Gwangseongja.
With his eyes slightly cast down, Jeong Yeon-shin walked quickly, following the Grand Governor.
For a moment, the energy wave emitted by his Radiant Wing Step formed an invisible stumbling block, but it was silently crushed beneath the front hoof of North Blade's warhorse. The pair of man and beast followed Jeong Yeon-shin with perfect composure.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly, regardless of whether North Blade was listening.
"Grand Governor. He is someone whose safety I cannot guarantee."
"Do you mean North Blade?" Grand Governor Jeon U-rip smiled faintly. For a moment, the sly smile of the late Emperor Geonreung—whom Jeong Yeon-shin had seen once before—overlapped on his lips. Yet, the energy gathered around his eyes was as sharp as a divine sword. "It is fine. Actually, I was just contemplating whether it would be better to kill him right here and now with our combined strength, Lord Jeong."
"The demonfolk possess elusive movements and employ all kinds of treacherous means. You would be surprised if you saw them yourself, Lord Jeong. That is why such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is rare."
"I am willing to lend my strength."
[Six.]
Before they knew it, they had entered the largest barracks in the military camp. Ignoring North Blade's remark, Jeong Yeon-shin sat down side-by-side with Shin So-bin.
Meanwhile, Jeon U-rip ordered his adjutant to bring tea. He didn't seem particularly concerned about the extremely precious map lying openly in the center of the table.
The whereabouts of the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps were practically a state secret.
Fwoooosh!
A cold, strong wind rushed into the barracks, but the map remained firmly secured to the table.
Jeon U-rip was the first to speak.
"Super Tiger Great General Hyeokryeon Mu-jeong must not have been able to keep up with your lightness skill, Lord Jeong? She is quite fast on her feet, earning her the deep trust of the imperial family... but her footwork is hardly comparable to the Ten-Mile Light Grace."
Suddenly, the advice of Yong Hee-myung, which he had once heard from beyond a door, flashed through his mind.
—If you must deal with someone through conversation, first offer them a sincere compliment. If their swordplay is terrible, praise their footwork; if they have a flawed appearance, say their gaze is intense... Usually, it works wonders. It makes it easier to maintain a working relationship for a long time.
Conveniently, Jeong Yeon-shin had something he wanted from the Grand Governor.
"She had a quick tongue."
"...She was eloquent?" Mumbling for a moment, Jeon U-rip gestured with his eyes toward Shin So-bin. "And who is this?"
"A colleague from the main fortress."
"Did you just say colleague?"
"Since she has learned my martial studies, our coordination is excellent. She is likely only slightly inferior to my two seniors, the Lord of the Wish-Fulfilling Spring and the Commander of the Dragon-Treading Unit."
"Unbelievable. Is the young heir of the Desolate Shin Clan truly at that level?" Jeon U-rip asked.
He already knew. He knew everything about Shin So-bin's identity and martial prowess. This man, residing at the northernmost edge of the vast Ming Dynasty, was intimately informed about the affairs of the south.
The surroundings fell quiet.
Only the occasional snorting of North Blade's horse outside the barracks rumbled like distant thunder.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin observed Jeon U-rip, the one and only Grand Governor in the world was casting an equally intense gaze upon the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.
"Since we share the same martial lineage, our coordination is bound to be excellent. That is the essence of a combined attack born from shared training."
"Is that also the case for the Lord of the Wish-Fulfilling Spring and the Commander of the Dragon-Treading Unit of the Desolate Fortress?"
"Since they have learned my footwork and hand movements respectively, it is only natural. Those two possess profound martial arts, while So-bin possesses a deep understanding of my martial arts."
"Ah." Jeon U-rip smiled broadly. "So you have come to make a request of me, Lord Jeong. To release those two from the Thunder Prison of Beijing."
Jeong Yeon-shin was not a free man. Not as the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, nor as Jeong Yeon-shin the individual.
Due to his lofty position, he could not afford to be associated with treason, and the late Emperor's final decree strictly forbade him from crossing beyond the Great Wall.
Moreover, if he rashly went to meet the Ju imperial family, it would cause an absolute uproar. The Unit Commanders under the Divine Sword Corps were currently imprisoned in Beijing; an absolute powerhouse of Jeong Yeon-shin's caliber could only make a move in situations completely free from any suspicion of treason.
"Regrettably, the same goes for me. I do not wield much power down there." Jeon U-rip's finger tapped the table rhythmically. At the same time, his firm voice flowed out. "Those Beijing nobles are exceedingly stubborn, so it is impossible to pull those two out. No matter what price you are willing to pay, Lord Jeong."
"..."
"No, wait. Time. Yes... you only need to pay the price of time. Breaking two of the nation's Black Swords at a time like this would be purely self-destructive. No matter how foolish those Beijing bastards are, they wouldn't do something that stupid. Just wait a little while. It will be a year at most."
"Isn't that practically a steal?"
Just as Jeon U-rip finished his words with that question...
On the table—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a blue flame erupted from the large map, burning away the entire upper region of the Ming Dynasty in an instant before vanishing.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke. "This way will be faster."
"...What do you mean?"
"I intend to go alone, but if you support me with manpower, I won't refuse. The Lord of the Wish-Fulfilling Spring and the Commander of the Dragon-Treading Unit would coordinate quite well with me."
His last words were barely a murmur, but there was no one in the room who failed to hear them.
"Where are you going...?"
"The Northern Expedition."
The northern gale swirling around the barracks rumbled fiercely.
Sssss—
Near Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulders, blue sparks and charred ash blended together, drifting out of the barracks on the wind.
* * *
On the day the Grand Governor of the Ming Dynasty met with the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps...
Even though no enemy had appeared, numerous alarm bells rang out across the massive military camp. In their wake, all kinds of spirit beasts, messenger pigeons, and courier horses raced across the sky and earth.
Their numbers easily reached into the dozens. It was a volume that guaranteed at least one message would ultimately be delivered, no matter what happened along the way.
Their destinations were Beijing and Mount Zhongnan.