Chapter 554: Five Swords, Six Stars
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 554: Five Swords, Six Stars
A peerless master who had dissolved his entire life into a single stance.
One who possessed the Unified Martial Transcendence.
Such a being could never serve under a Northern King or become a lord under his command.
Having attained the status of an absolute master, his only choices were to ascend the throne as a Northern King himself or wander the northern lands alone.
It was the same logic that dictated two kings could not rule a single territory. No monarch wished to keep a lethal threat so close to their own bedchamber.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
'The climate is different.'
To retain a peerless master as a Great Warrior was entirely unprecedented. Doing so would make a Northern King truly invincible.
Moreover, the Sword Saint had always been one of the finest swordsmen under heaven.
He had once been compared to the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps himself. Even now, he was a powerhouse whose true depths could not be measured in just a few exchanges.
It was only natural for Northern King Yelu to abandon his military camp and rush over. Yet now that they were face-to-face, Yeon-shin was at a loss for how to persuade him.
Hummm!
Jeong Yeon-shin first cast a wide, translucent energy barrier over their surroundings.
"Do you recognize me?"
At his question, the Sword Saint nodded.
"Though the Alliance exists only in name now, I learned of it through the Jegal Clan's information network. Your Marrow Cleansing and Bone Rebirth."
The old swordsman patted Jeong Yeon-shin on the shoulder. At some point during their exchange, he had sheathed his iron sword with ghostly speed.
"I also know you saved my life by sending the Master of Taemo Mountain Fortress to his grave. That audacious boy has become a man. And I, embarrassingly enough, have merely become an old man."
"Your current state is my dream, Elder."
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke with absolute sincerity. The old swordsman, having reclaimed his rightful years, did not look shabby in the slightest.
Rather, he was cloaked in a gravity that only time could bestow. To Yeon-shin, it felt like looking at a precious treasure he could never have possessed in his childhood.
"...How pitiful."
The corners of Sword Saint Hyeon So-baek's eyes reddened. It was just like the time he had recognized Jeong Yeon-shin's constitution at a single glance so long ago.
The old swordsman was still brimming with affection.
"But you have become far too great a figure for this old man to merely pity. Tell me, may I embrace you?"
Back at the Martial World Alliance, he had tried to embrace Jeong Yeon-shin without even asking.
Although the current Jeong Yeon-shin was not going through as turbulent a phase as he had back then, he still felt slightly embarrassed and changed the subject.
"I am glad to see you in such good health. I wish to take off my mask and show you my face, but please forgive me. Eyes follow me wherever I go..."
"Your mind has no room for rest. Yes, I have heard of that guise here in the North. Northern King Yelu. Is that not an extremely dangerous identity?"
"Are you not surprised?"
At Yeon-shin's question, the Sword Saint smiled faintly.
"I have experienced far more absurd things. So much so that I wouldn't even be surprised if you asked me to become a lord under the Northern King right now."
"Please become my Great Warrior."
"……."
At those calmly delivered words, the surrounding silence became absolute. The Sword Saint slowly closed his mouth. For the first time in a long while, Jeong Yeon-shin felt anxious.
It was a proposal he could only utter because he considered himself the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Prioritizing his mission over shame and dignity.
The silence stretched on.
* * *
A massive stone chamber bathed in broad daylight.
The ceiling was wide open, yet a cold darkness drifted through the hall. This chill did not originate from the northern wind; it was the lingering aftermath of a martial art.
"The Southern Emperor, second only to the Fighting God... They said you could summon the night with a single fist, and the rumors were not exaggerated. A martial art that repels the sunlight itself. What is its secret?"
An elderly beggar dressed in patched, shabby robes muttered. He stood deeply immersed in the dark air.
Soon after, a man's voice rumbled, filling the hall, despite the fact that absolutely no one else could be seen besides the old beggar.
Only one thing was clear.
Just as the North Blade had prioritized targets for slaughter using the Jianghu Roster, the Southern Emperor was the one whose name sat at the very top of the Great Ming Empire's kill list. With the Fighting God vanished, he was the current Number One of the North.
[Leader of the southern beggars, you are as fearless as our land's God Thief.]
The voice felt like crushing frost. In an instant, one of the rays of sunlight piercing down from the sky transformed into dark smoke.
It slowly descended into the open-roofed stone chamber, deepening the darkness within the hall.
It was a sight that distorted the very laws of the world.
Though it was but a single sentence, it carried the weight of a peerless sound art.
Anyone well-versed in the history of the martial world would have instinctively compared it to the 'Sword House' of Flash Art, the Lotus Nezha. Ju Gwang-singae, the Leader of the Beggar Sect, was precisely such a person.
"……."
His eyes trembled slightly, but only for a moment. The old beggar let out a hearty laugh.
"My luck is incredible today! To think the place I arrived at after shaking off the Dragon Sound Sasa King would be the residence of the Number One of the North? I felt a strange wave of telepathic energy connecting her to this place, so I made my way here. I wonder if even they would nod in agreement this time."
[I must change the path of the wind. Your words serve as a useful reference. Keep babbling.]
"Are you curious about who will nod in agreement? Don't be shocked when you hear it. It is none other than the leaders of the Nine Great Sects! Though they often avoid this old man, the Dragon Head Leader of the world, out of fear of my loose lips, their martial arts are second to none—not even to the Northern Kings of this land...!"
Steeped in the darkness, the Southern Emperor waited silently for Ju Gwang-singae to finish speaking before replying.
[Do you intend to flee to the south? I am well aware that your footwork is superior to that of the famous Five Swords of the South.]
"It is the Five Great Swords of the World."
[A name inferior to the Six Origins. At least, here in this place.]
"Do you mean the six Northern Kings who are said to be exceptionally extraordinary? I heard that you and the North Blade are included in that title... Your skin is thicker than I thought, isn't it? I'm sorry, but your names are the unfamiliar ones in our martial world."
[So you are truly that ignorant of our affairs? It seems it will be difficult for you to counter our sudden raid. Useful information. Spill more.]
His words sent a chilling shiver down the spine of the Dragon Head Leader, the Leader of the Beggar Sect, Ju Gwang-singae.
He was being analyzed down to the smallest detail.
The Southern Emperor was not arrogant. Everything he said was strictly factual. It was all for the sake of a single, decisive victory.
The old beggar fell silent for a moment, then stomped his foot hard against the ground, triggering the propulsion shockwave of his lightness skill.
Thud!
The dust kicked up by that stomp was instantly swallowed by the darkness in the hall.
Even the shockwave surging from the recoil was instantly shattered to pieces; it was a space that no longer permitted any form of Fa Jin.
Unified Martial Transcendence
South-Facing Emperor's Power
It was an ability activated without any warning.
A low rumble—kugugung—echoed from Ju Gwang-singae's stomping leg. It was the sound of his Body Protection Qi buckling.
"……!"
The absolute domain created by the current Number One of the North.
A technique of perfect offense and defense. No one who had ever tried to unravel its secrets had lived to tell the tale.
[You are the world's greatest master of movement techniques. Naturally, I do not expect to capture you alive. You will surely commit suicide. That is why your words right now are extremely precious.]
A forced smile formed on Ju Gwang-singae's wrinkled lips.
"...They say the right hand of the Fighting God prepares thoroughly even for the smallest matters. In any case, since you've even calculated my footwork, I suppose you also know that this beggar is about to show you his back?"
[Of course I know. I also know that if I break your sturdy legs, that lightness skill of yours will be rendered useless.]
"Though that is highly unlikely, are you saying you can achieve something that even the Hegemon Hero Ma Yeon-jeok would find difficult to pull off, even if he underwent rejuvenation and grew even stronger...?"
Crack.
Ju Gwang-singae lightly rotated his ankle as he provoked his opponent. Fortunately, the other party replied.
[I had an interest in him as well. It would have been nice if you had brought him to me.]
"I can assure you, you wouldn't have been able to face his Unified Martial Transcendence so calmly. This is no lie. It is an undeniable fact..."
[I will keep that in mind. Do you have anything else to say? I am listening. Hmm...? The beggar brought a tail along.]
The Southern Emperor muttered to himself, cutting off Ju Gwang-singae. In that instant, Ju Gwang-singae's smile widened.
"Ah, you noticed. He is one of the Three Great Masters of the Imperial Family. Do you think I brought up rejuvenation for no reason? Throughout the entire history of the martial world, there has never been an era with as many powerhouses as now, so I must naturally take advantage of the times..."
Just then, an extremely youthful boy's voice rushed down alongside the sunlight.
"Run!"
As if prepared long in advance, the technique was activated without a moment's delay alongside the crude shout.
Unified Martial Transcendence of the Imperial Court.
High up in the air, a child who looked to be about eight years old floated, blocking the sun. He was fully clad in armor.
He wore a red-and-yellow helmet symbolizing his noble status. His waist was twisted in a starting stance, like he was right about to throw a spear, his hand stretched far back.
[Heavenly Heart Overflows with One Feather.]
Immediately after, the unique intent of a peerless master overflowed from his body like an echo.
In an instant, the sunlight that had gathered densely in the sky elongated like a spear, bursting into a circular shockwave from the child's palm and plunging into the hall.
BOOM!
The nearby ground was completely overturned like a tidal wave, blurring the surroundings in all directions. A deafening roar scraped across a wide area, the vibrations almost visible in the air.
It was a technique that harnessed the brilliance of heaven and earth as its source of Fa Jin.
In the space where the spear had heavily sliced down, the sunlight rippled like waves—a sort of internal power wave.
Just like that, the Unified Martial Transcendence of Eo Ung-gong, one of the Three Great Masters of the Imperial Family, did not end with a single strike.
An infinite succession of strikes followed. The solar shockwaves continuously hammered into the dark hall. Under their influence, thick, earthquake-like cracks spread far and wide around the stone chamber.
The area was turning into a hollowed-out crater.
Screeech!
While a bizarre screech of friction echoed from the infinitely concentrated pillar of brilliance, a low laugh from the Southern Emperor still leaked from the perfectly intact stone chamber.
* * *
A colossal mountain where cities nestled all along its mid-slopes.
It was a place where the distant roar of a lion routinely scraped against the atmosphere. Literally, a growling rumble spread faintly like thunder beyond the clouds.
Whenever that happened, small children would scurry into houses with sharp, black-cornered roofs.
The houses were built with many curves, the edges of their roofs rising sharply. They possessed a highly artificial yet combative appearance that blended perfectly with the rugged mountainside.
Ore-Soul Mountain.
Those overwhelmed by its sheer size also called it the Ore-Soul Mountain Range. This was mostly the case for the Han people who had crossed over from distant lands.
It flanked an extremely deep valley, yet not a single drop of water flowed there. It was a barren landscape where only yellow-brown soil was starkly exposed. Thus, it was not truly a valley.
Only the chilly air hung thick.
The same was true for one of the cities on Ore-Soul Mountain, which bore the name Soul Extinction.
Befitting its bizarre name, the locals stared blankly at the group entering the city gates at this moment.
"Their gazes are quite intense, aren't they?"
A girl, whose grey cloak draped loosely over her like a court dress, muttered.
She was tall enough to reach the shoulder blades of Northern King Yelu, who walked a step ahead of her. Her jawline fell smoothly to frame her silver mask, and she had rounded ears.
Anyone could see she was of the Han people.
It was Shin So-bin, currently using the name Lord of Heaven's Bane.
"Look at your appearance. Isn't that the attire of a fugitive who crossed over from somewhere below Beijing? It's a very typical outfit."
The middle-aged saber guest, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol, who was also wearing a mask, rebuked her.
However, Shin So-bin didn't bother to respond. It had been this way since the start of their journey.
Despite this, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol could not assert his dignity through any harsh means.
This was because all his attention was focused on the old swordsman walking side-by-side with Northern King Yelu up ahead.
The old man had barely introduced himself before insisting on following them all the way here. To the Ore-Soul Mountain Range—a place where two Northern Kings resided.
Glancing at the old swordsman, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol furrowed his brow.
'Is he really a Great Warrior?'
He had the demeanor of a wanderer, the single iron sword at his waist clattering with his steps. His body was miserably emaciated.
It was clear he had suffered severe hardships somewhere, or hadn't eaten properly in a long time.
Yet, it was difficult to gauge his realm.
A long, lightning-fast train of thought flashed through Ma Ma-gwang-myeol's mind.
'There are not many masters who have mastered Return to Simplicity as deeply as he has. Among those from the south who might come to the North, it would be the Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit of the Desolate Fortress, the Resonant Spirit Lord, the Jinju Eon Family Fist Dragon, or perhaps the eldest disciple of Mount Heng... There must be very few among the elder generation of the great sects who still maintain the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak. Where on earth did he find such a person?'
Aside from that unanswerable question, the goal of Yelu's group at this moment was singular.
The subjugation of the south.
Relative to the Great Wall, it was to the north—a land where no fewer than four Northern Kings, including King Chigeuk and the Dragon Sound Sasa King, resided. It was the southern territory of the vast Northern Jianghu.
Even though Ma Ma-gwang-myeol had asked several times out of sheer disbelief, it was indeed the truth.
Since the other lords had long established themselves as close aides to different Northern Kings, he had hoped to enjoy a position second only to one beside this new king.
He earnestly offered his advice.
"...Please reconsider, even now. Haven't you been avoiding the other Northern Kings quite well since the Flame Heat God King? I thought you had clearly realized how dangerous this land is."
Only then did Northern King Yelu's voice slowly drift out from beneath his silver mask.
"I merely stayed for a short while. But for some, staying is no different from retreating. I have hesitated long enough."
It was a calm statement.
By now, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol had distanced himself slightly from the group. He was slowing his pace using a Body Protection Scripture, moving with extreme naturalness in a stance somewhere between advancing and retreating.
'In the turbulent Jianghu, one must choose their side wisely.'
He was a master of survival.
It had been true when he was struck by the lightning-like sword kinesis of the acting Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, and it was true now, right before confronting the forces of another Northern King.
Fwoooosh!
Before they knew it, they had reached the entrance of the mountain city, which was filled with brave onlookers. It was a place where pale-faced, scar-covered demonfolk outnumbered the Han and Brightfolk.
[Behold, companions of Ore-Soul Mountain.]
A dark energy blanketed a portion of the blue sky, as if pushing it away.
It was clearly a wave of internal energy accumulated by a human. Yet, it also resembled the dark clouds that followed a flood dragon.
[An incompetent Northern King has finally abandoned even his own military camp and come here. As a lord and Great Warrior serving the Dragon Sound Sasa King, I now wonder if that man is truly a Northern King.]
The voice constantly echoed with the Six Harmonies Sound Transmission, powered by an absurdly massive accumulation of Qi.
Rustle.
A slender youth walked over the blades of grass.
Along with a voice that sounded as if it echoed from a deep cave, a large figure revealed itself.
Bright yellow eyes gleamed through the gaps of the dark smoke rising in tendrils. Within them were pupils slit vertically like northern spears.
His flawless physique looked as though he had undergone Marrow Cleansing and Bone Rebirth multiple times, and his skin was as spotless as white porcelain.
Geom-dan was his name.
A lord and Great Warrior known to possess a half-dragon constitution, much like the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Far behind him was his Northern King. Atop the shoulder of a colossal statue rising in the middle of the city, a woman lay cradling a warhorse in her arms. She was surely the Dragon Sound Sasa King.
At some point, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol had subtly stopped at a spot out of her line of sight.
Perhaps because Northern King Yelu had kept a low profile for a while.
The Dragon Sound Sasa King seemed completely indifferent to whatever Geom-dan was doing.
Had there been no faith in the laws established by the Fighting God, she certainly would not have allowed Geom-dan, a mere subordinate, to approach Northern King Yelu, who was clearly of higher status.
[How should we treat him?]
Geom-dan asked, looking around at the commoners of the city. Befitting a status that symbolized the caliber of a Northern King and was sometimes equated with the king he served, he drew the attention of the populace.
It was then.
Before Northern King Yelu could say anything, the old swordsman beside him stepped forward. Geom-dan's question immediately followed.
[Is this old man the Great Warrior?]
"Let us exchange a move."
[I cannot read you. You are a strong one.]
Instantly, Geom-dan's body was enveloped in dark smoke. An incredibly dense internal energy rubbed against itself within, producing a crackling sound.
Just like the Ultimate Lightning of Flash Art, the Lotus Nezha, which constantly unleashed immense power.
[Since I am younger, I shall strike first.]
Geom-dan's left foot whipped through the air.
An instant later, a dark shockwave erupted from his heel. The kick's trajectory flickered up and down half a dozen times in a blur—a supersonic strike packed with deceptive feints.
In response, the old swordsman’s hand shot upward.
Clang!
The back of his hand met the ankle with pinpoint accuracy. In that same moment, his fingers snapped into a rigid hand-blade and slashed at the Yongquan Point on the sole of Geom-dan's still-rising foot. With a sharp crack, the translucent body protection Qi shattered, and the old swordsman immediately swept his hand across the now-defenseless leg.
Fwoooosh!
A blast of sword wind sent Geom-dan flying, his kicking leg still extended. The air shrieked like a typhoon. Caught in the pale sword wind, a series of sharp pops, like roasting beans, erupted from his skin.
"You are too young for me to use my full strength," the old swordsman said, placing his hands behind his back. He then turned to the king. "King Yelu, did I perhaps do something wrong?"
"No," Northern King Yelu replied.
His demeanor was awkward, as if he were unused to the situation. He looked like the master of a manor hosting a guest far too distinguished for his halls. After a moment, Yelu asked, "May I know what martial art that was?"
"Of course. That was the Three Talents Sword, the foundation of all sword arts under the heavens. It can be performed with hands and feet, not just a blade."
"Ah."
At some point during their exchange, Ma Ma-gwang-myeol had moved to stand behind Northern King Yelu, his posture ramrod straight and attentive.
This was the rising Northern King faction.