Chapter 552: The Demon Realm (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 552: The Demon Realm (7)
As soon as Jeong Yeon-shin seized full control of Yeokru Fortress, he marched toward Chigeuk Fortress, a half-day's journey to the northwest.
Moving the army was not difficult.
By beating the Flame Heat God King to death with his bare hands, he had won the utter devotion of the martial arts army. It was an incredibly simple yet difficult feat—an act said to perfectly embody the nature of the Demonfolk.
The Northern Gatekeeper had already spread the vivid details of that event far and wide. Thanks to that, the monsters of Yeokru Fortress were now more than willing to follow Jeong Yeon-shin.
Thus, across the land of King Chigeuk, who had built her castle with earthen walls, thunder rumbled for two days straight.
Every rumble originated from Jeong Yeon-shin's incomplete fist and foot techniques.
The resistance was fierce.
Not only did the Demonfolk defending the castle possess profound martial arts, but the old woman presiding over Chigeuk Fortress's rituals proved to be a major obstacle.
"Who are you?! How dare you disregard the will of the God of War! If a Northern King wishes to strike another Northern King, he must not step forward himself! He must put forward a proxy warrior...!"
She possessed an unrivaled sorcery martial art, and she did not fight alone.
She defended the castle by utilizing all kinds of Dharma treasures, formation arts, and countless commoners as human sacrifices, employing a vile method that extorted their Innate Qi.
Scaling the castle walls proved difficult.
Whenever the warriors of Yeokru Fortress's martial arts army leaped up, they were met by a barrage of razor-sharp winds and slammed back down to the ground.
Ultimately, she could only be killed after he unleashed the Ultimate Lightning.
With a movement that split an instant into a fraction of a second, Jeong Yeon-shin ruptured her heart. Before she could even widen her eyes in shock or utter her final words, his right hand—enveloped in colorless, transparent petals—had already struck.
'I cannot use the Sword House techniques, and it is best to refrain from Sword Kinesis. As for Brilliant River ultimate techniques like the Ultimate Lightning... I must first scan both allies and enemies, then use it for only a hundredth of a blink of an eye.'
He was the Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, currently masquerading as Northern King Yelu. His true identity absolutely could not be revealed. The moment his disguise was blown, he would inevitably draw the lethal attention of all the Northern Kings.
Each of them was a veteran general of a hundred battles, a titan of the Northern Jianghu, and a true king. There were said to be at least a dozen of them.
In Southern Jianghu terms, one had to assume they possessed a level of danger equivalent to the bloodlust-steeped Sect Leaders of the Nine Sects, the Lords of the Thirteen Heavens, or—at the very least—the Heads of the Eight Great Families.
Furthermore, there was no guarantee that there wasn't someone as exceptionally powerful as the Namgung Clan Head among them. It was, quite literally, an entirely separate martial world.
The Demon Realm.
Even if the absolute masters of the northern lands feuded among themselves, they would not hesitate to join forces to kill Jeong Yeon-shin.
There was no one under heaven who could withstand such a situation alone. It was something entirely unprecedented throughout history. Who could possibly handle the most powerful martial world in history all by themselves?
Without a doubt, Jeong Yeon-shin would meet his demise if his true identity were ever exposed.
That was why he had to exercise the utmost caution in this mission. Yet, it was certainly a task worth attempting for the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
If he succeeded, the world—currently plagued by war and famine—would be freed from the ravages of conflict. At least for the time being.
"Playing a Northern King isn't so bad," Jeong Yeon-shin muttered quietly from behind his mask.
He was enveloped in a translucent energy barrier inside a crudely constructed barracks. They were currently en route to their next destination after leaving Chigeuk Fortress.
Suddenly, there was a faint sign of presence. It was Shin So-bin, sitting cross-legged beside him. Her exhalation made a muffled sound as it hit her silver mask.
Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly, "What are you unhappy about now?"
"This entire situation. We should be keeping a low profile, yet you've drawn the attention of the entire Northern Jianghu. I'm just a mere Blue Rank nobody who could easily die on some random hill, but what if something happens to you, Unit Commander?"
Her words poured out like a chirping lark. She was like the younger sister Jeong Yeon-shin had never had. Shin So-bin had indeed grown quite nagging lately; Jeong Yeon-shin usually listened in silence, only pointing out the parts he found unacceptable.
"Not Unit Commander. Commander."
"Right, that."
Shin So-bin readily conceded the point. However, she wasn't about to let the rest of her argument slide.
"Do you know who's outside right now?"
"Ma Ma-gwang-myeol, the former Yeokru Fortress Lord, and the Northern Gatekeeper. And further away, North Blade is probably watching us," Jeong Yeon-shin replied instantly.
"So you do know!"
Shin So-bin suddenly stretched her legs out, abandoning her cross-legged posture.
"If the four of them gang up on us, do you think we can make it out alive? We're talking about three peak experts and a peerless master on par with the Five Great Swords of the World...!"
"We could still escape. As for the Unity of Man and Horse mounted martial arts that North Blade trained in, its speed isn't exceptionally fast. It's just incredibly powerful."
Jeong Yeon-shin pondered how he would fight North Blade if the man were riding that monstrous warhorse.
In a head-on clash, he might be pushed back. North Blade's mounted martial arts was an ultimate technique that combined the formidable physical strength unique to the Demonfolk with the power of a spirit beast steed.
'If I fight him, I should execute most of my forms in curved trajectories, except for the feints.'
He figured that if he drove gently curving variation techniques into the flank of the horse and rider, an opening would eventually present itself.
Of course, if he were hit by a counter-strike instead, things would become truly troublesome.
However, North Blade would not try to do anything to Jeong Yeon-shin until the Fighting God appeared. That much was an absolute truth.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. "We just need to properly blend into the Northern Jianghu. That is the path to safety."
"And war is your means of blending in?"
"They say the voice transmissions of the Northern Kings can traverse a thousand miles. Since I've already killed the Flame Heat God King, fleeing now would only arouse massive suspicion, and we would eventually be hunted down."
His rather long explanation unfolded quietly. Shin So-bin did not interrupt, and he calmly continued.
"Even if I manage to take the heads of one or two pursuing Northern Kings, that would be the limit. Ultimately, we would be trapped in a Net of Heaven and Earth woven by peerless masters. If we are ganged up on, it's over. It is far better to display the same temperament as them, just like this."
As the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, Jeong Yeon-shin was looking at his situation with absolute clarity.
The Northern Kings of this land were similar to the Lords of the Thirteen Heavens, yet different.
Though they normally coveted one another's interests, they would unite as if by magic when the time came to contest national power, such as in a war against the Ming Dynasty.
They were peerless masters intimately familiar with the battlefield.
— Even though each of them possesses the Unified Martial Transcendence, the vast majority of them never hesitate to gang up on an opponent. The Three Great Masters of the Imperial Family and the Three Defense Generals had to run around so frantically that sparks practically flew from their Yongquan points. Keep in mind that those damn Demonfolk are all martial artists, yet they are also plunderers and generals.
This was the advice of Grand Governor Jeon U-rip. It was the most terrifying aspect of the North.
'Even looking back at what happened in Hangzhou...' Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
What would have happened if he had faced the Dark Sky Emperor and the First Sword of the Outer Paths without the help of Abbot Beomheo, Lady Yul-ha, Ju Gwang-singae, and Perfected Clear Water?
And what if he had faced the Lord of the Golden Wing Sect, the Leader of the Pure Demon Alliance, and the Lord of the Tenth Sect all at once in Sichuan, without Abbess Baekyak and Perfected Clear Water?
"So-bin, let's tread carefully."
"..."
Shin So-bin parted her lips slightly as if to argue, but ultimately closed them again.
Jeong Yeon-shin guessed her thoughts. There were simply no flaws in his logic as the current, de facto Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Perhaps he had taken a step closer to Yong Hee-myung—a man who, despite appearing sly and careless at first glance, always managed to bring about the best possible outcome on a grand scale.
"Focus on your training. The day will come when you, too, must reveal your martial prowess. Perhaps in the near future."
"...Me?"
That was the end of their conversation.
Thud!
Suddenly, a wave of energy struck the barracks. It was a crude manipulation of True Qi that showed little regard for manners, yet the density of the internal power was as thick as that of any Brightfolk Unit Commander in the Desolate Fortress.
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately dissolved the energy barrier.
"King! O King!"
A gruff voice shook the tent. It was a voice laden with incredibly heavy internal energy, belonging to none other than Ma Ma-gwang-myeol, whom Lingering Thunder had ultimately failed to cut down when it had charged out alone.
Hum—
Lingering Thunder vibrated faintly at his waist. Ever since it had failed to pierce Ma Ma-gwang-myeol's body protection Qi, it would occasionally react like this. It was clearly worried that it might end up like the incompetent Lazy Flame Dragon.
"I'll pretend to be asleep," Shin So-bin whispered, slipping back into a cross-legged position and quickly shutting her eyes.
"King! I am coming in!"
A massive figure entered without hesitation, brushing aside the entrance of the barracks.
At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin casually propped one foot up on his chair. Leaning back at an angle, he looked down at the uninvited guest from his relaxed posture.
"Your business?"
It was a demeanor reminiscent of the Ming Cult Leader, the Heaven-Smiling Invincible—a posture that somehow felt comfortable to adopt. It was also a stance that made it impossible for anyone to guess Jeong Yeon-shin's true identity.
The figure stepping into the barracks froze the moment he saw him. It was likely because he felt that a single wrong move could cost him his life.
"...Morale is low. Plundering is the most important thing in the military camps of this land, and until now, no king has ever directly forbidden it. Not until you stopped the plundering of Chigeuk Fortress."
He was a man of massive build, reminiscent of the Demonfolk.
Like Jeong Yeon-shin and Shin So-bin, his face was concealed behind a plain, patternless mask. This was likely because he was a turncoat from the south who had been staying in Hocheon Fortress, near the Great Wall.
He carried a saber as massive as his own body on his back. Rumors followed him that he had committed a grave crime in his youth within the Hebei Peng Clan and had been banished.
However, no one in Yeokru Fortress knew what that crime actually was.
He appeared to be in his forties. This made him roughly the age of an uncle to Peng Ya, who was famous as one of the Five Bright Vessels. This implied he might be a close relative of the current Peng Family Head, but Jeong Yeon-shin had other priorities.
'I need to make him entirely loyal to Northern King Yelu... but he is an elusive character.'
Yet, he was an indispensable asset.
— How many renowned experts do you have under your command?
This was a question directly tied to a Northern King's authority. At the same time, it was a factor that determined the movements of the other Northern Kings.
Jeong Yeon-shin had to firmly establish himself as one of the pillars upholding the order of the Northern Jianghu.
At the same time, he had to ensure that multiple Northern Kings would not rashly target him. After all, he could not hide his true ultimate techniques forever in battles against peerless masters.
The saber guest before him was more than capable of helping with that. At least in terms of martial prowess and reputation.
"You had better think deeply about this. The Yeokru Fortress army you dragged along is muttering because they missed out on their rightful spoils. Your qualifications as a Northern King are being questioned."
His tone was blunt. It was unclear what he had heard from the Northern Gatekeeper, but even though Ma Ma-gwang-myeol had followed Jeong Yeon-shin, he had not been particularly cooperative.
Naturally, he seemed to view Northern King Yelu as an interloper who had simply rolled in.
Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head slightly. "Are you always this dissatisfied with everything?"
"No. Not at all. At least, not until that damn Acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps currently holding the Great Wall blew me and Hocheon Fortress away with his Sword Kinesis."
"Ah, because you lost your home as the Lord of Hocheon Fortress?"
"With the war temporarily halted due to the clash between the Fighting God and Emperor Geonreung, no one in the Northern Jianghu expected a Purple Rank of the Desolate Fortress to suddenly unleash such absurd Sword Kinesis. It was truly a dog-like stunt fitting of his moniker. Yes, the Wilderness..."
Achoo.
Suddenly, Shin So-bin interrupted him with a small sneeze. Thanks to her, Jeong Yeon-shin was able to maintain his identity as Northern King Yelu.
'Do I really need this guy?'
This was what he was thinking as he looked at Ma Ma-gwang-myeol.
"And there is also this. It came from King Chigeuk... Aside from placating the warriors of Yeokru Fortress, you had better take this seriously."
Thud.
Ma Ma-gwang-myeol tossed a letter onto the table.
Unfolding the missive immediately, Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes scanned the long passage. It was a warning written in a cursive hand so bold it practically radiated intensity.
[To the hot-blooded one,
You have seated yourself on the throne of a Northern King, yet you shamelessly trampled upon my land as if you knew nothing.
Ignorant fool.
You have violated the laws established by the God of War.
To completely crush the formidable Southern Jianghu, we must suffer no loss of strength.
How many of our compatriots have we already lost to those selfish powerhouses of the south? Had the Northern Kings not stayed their axes against one another, every battle would have ended in absolute defeat.
Put forward a proxy warrior. Whether it is a descendant or a great warrior you have subjugated, it does not matter.
A Northern King must not fight a Northern King.
If you do not have someone to fully represent your prestige, dignity, martial arts, and name, then you are not qualified to sit on the throne yourself.
Bear this in mind.
You, Northern King Yelu, who has replaced the Flame Heat God King, will not be allowed to act in such a manner a second time.
Should you commit such a disastrous act again, every king of this land will ride the wind to descend upon wherever you stand.
Therefore,
I, King Chigeuk, ask you:
Are you a gust of our Northern Gale?
Or are you a southern sea breeze that can never wash away its salty stench?
Answer with your actions.
If you fail to put forward a proxy warrior, you will be deemed unqualified to be a Northern King. We will either turn you into a proxy warrior yourself or strip you of the throne you claimed. Not just I, King Chigeuk, but all the Northern Kings who follow the God of War.]
The moment Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze lingered on the end of the text, the eyes behind Ma Ma-gwang-myeol's mask caught his reaction with uncanny precision.
"It is a dangerous situation. No matter how you look at it, it bodes ill," Ma Ma-gwang-myeol said with a smirk, closely observing how Northern King Yelu would react.
However, Jeong Yeon-shin was feeling a novel sort of shock. It was the first time he had ever found himself on the receiving end of a threatening letter.
Furthermore, this King Chigeuk possessed a handwriting that utilized Hanja with far greater elegance than Jeong Yeon-shin's own.
'They said she is close to the God of War.'
North Blade had been the left arm of the Fighting God. Conversely, the Southern Emperor was said to be worthy of being called the Fighting God's right arm in terms of both strength and strategy. In truth, the current number one of the North was the Southern Emperor.
Yet, looking at it now, there were many other formidable figures besides them.
There was the God Thief, who was said to be capable of rivaling Ju Gwang-singae—the fastest under heaven—in lightness skills, and King Chigeuk, who had just sent Jeong Yeon-shin this threatening letter, was also no pushover.
King Chigeuk.
A strange, violent, chaotic, and supernatural being whose entire body was said to have turned transparent due to an achievement in body protection Qi that rivaled even the Fighting God's.
'If she challenges me, can I slay her without using Brilliant River?' Jeong Yeon-shin wondered to himself. It would be tough.
It was the first time such a thought had crossed his mind during this mission, which might very well be his last.
Had the vessel of the fifteen-year-old loner from the Jeong Family Manor truly grown wide enough to encompass an entire nation?
"I do not know," Jeong Yeon-shin murmured.
Instantly, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol burst into a hearty laugh, and the resulting wave of internal power slightly lifted the edges of the tent.
In that brief instant, a pale winter breeze slipped through the gap and brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's ankles.
"O King, I trust you will not make that insignificant girl your proxy warrior. Why not ask me instead, in exchange for your fist and foot techniques? I might consider it favorably."
"..."
"Listen. Rumors abound that the proxy warrior of the Dragon Sound Sasa King possesses a Half-Dragon Constitution just like the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. Furthermore, the representative of the Ice Palace Master, who is set to become a new Northern King, carries all the expectations of the Ice Palace on his shoulders..."
Regardless of what Ma Ma-gwang-myeol was prattling on about, Jeong Yeon-shin felt a familiar wave of energy from the wind that had caressed his ankles before vanishing.
Whether it was because it belonged to someone he had already crossed paths with, or due to the transcendental capability of his recently expanded Baihui point, he could not say.
A sword.
The mental image of a single blade resided within it.
It was different from that of the Lord of Heaven's Bane, which had been vast enough to form a tidal wave. This was, quite literally, a single sword. It felt like the chipped weapon of a wandering rogue.
Jeong Yeon-shin instinctively knew.
A star in human form had entered the North. In the south, he was otherwise known as the Sword Star.
Hyeon So-baek, the Leader of the Hanzhong Martial World Alliance.
— Yes, 'an eternally green sword' sounds fitting. I pray that its greenness flows endlessly like the Yangtze River. May I gift you the name Nine Azure Rivers?
He was an absolute master of the sword, a transcendent figure who had once bestowed a name upon one of Jeong Yeon-shin’s own sword moves. This was a man whose martial prowess was legendary across the central plains, yet he had recently been forced into quiet recuperation in Hangzhou. He had fallen victim to the devastating, world-shaking power of the Dark Sky Emperor's Unified Martial Transcendence, a blow that would have shattered the foundation of any ordinary martial artist. For such a revered and wounded figure to leave his sanctuary of healing was entirely unthinkable.
It was impossible to fathom just what reason could have driven him to cross the imposing, ancient stones of the Great Wall. The barrier between the central plains and the desolate northern wastes was not merely physical; it was a boundary that separated entirely different worlds of martial arts. For a southern master of his caliber to abandon his home and step into the brutal, unforgiving domain of the North defied all conventional logic and reason.
Thus, Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head, his mind churning with a myriad of unspoken questions. What on earth was happening in the south right now? Had the political landscape of the martial world fractured so severely that he was forced into exile? Or was there a far deeper, more insidious plot brewing beneath the surface, one that required the presence of a recovering yet indomitable sword master in these frozen lands?
‘It has been so long since we last met,’ Jeong Yeon-shin mused silently, the memory of their past encounter flickering through his thoughts like a solitary candle in the dark. ‘I wonder if he will still treat me with the same warmth as before, or if the harsh winds of time and tragedy have changed him.’
Pulling himself from his deep reverie, he abruptly shifted his focus. He turned his gaze toward his companion and suddenly asked Ma Ma-gwang-myeol a question that seemed to come entirely out of nowhere.
"Do the Northern Kings of late truly resolve all of their territorial disputes and blood feuds through contests between representatives? Is it solely because of the absolute decree of the Fighting God, who did not wish for his greatest warriors to die meaningless deaths?"
Ma Ma-gwang-myeol blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sudden pivot in the conversation, but he nodded slowly. "Indeed. That is the way of it."
"I see," Jeong Yeon-shin replied, his voice calm, flat, and entirely devoid of any readable emotion.
That was all he said. He offered no further explanation, no profound insight into the thoughts racing behind his dark eyes. He simply let the words hang in the frigid air, heavy with an unspoken, dangerous implication.
"What...?"
Only after a long, stretching moment did the true weight of the question finally settle in. Ma Ma-gwang-myeol's eyes suddenly widened, filling with a profound bewilderment as the terrifying possibilities began to dawn on him. He stared at the young genius, seeking some kind of clarification or reassurance, but Jeong Yeon-shin had already closed his mouth. He simply stared out into the distance, refusing to continue the conversation, leaving the suffocating silence to answer for him.