Chapter 56: The Hwangbo Clan (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: The Hwangbo Clan (4)
The martial uniforms of the Desolate Fortress bore tassels embroidered with the character 'Hwang' on both shoulders and at the center of the back. It was a detail few would notice from the front without a keen eye.
"Are you the County Magistrate of Pingyin County?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.
He’d heard this was a long-standing operation. The Desolate Fortress gathered thorough intelligence before deploying the martial units of the Divine Sword Corps. Their targets included not just the members and martial arts of the Hwangbo Clan's main branch, but its offshoots as well.
"Can't you tell by looking? I'm quite famous around here," the Brightfolk man replied with a smile.
He was a strikingly handsome man, and his official robes appeared almost noble on his frame. Even as he sized up the unfamiliar warriors, he was being served wine by courtesans, holding his cup with an air of refined elegance. Though he was just an idle official in a magistrate’s cap, his presence felt entirely different.
The Brightfolk County Magistrate's gaze swept past Jeong Yeon-shin and Baek Mi-ryeo before landing on Cheong-myeong.
"A fellow clansman, I see. Surely you aren't playing the hero alongside them? I wouldn't recommend it. Allow me to offer some advice."
"..."
Cheong-myeong did not reply, his expression unreadable.
The atmosphere in the manor was strange. The scent of alcohol filled the air, and everyone wandering about looked at the County Magistrate with expressions of deep adoration. A few cast similar glances toward Cheong-myeong.
Han people who admired the Brightfolk were a dime a dozen, Jeong Yeon-shin thought. Is this what true debauchery looks like? It was a scene unlike anything he had ever witnessed, even back at the Jeong Family Manor.
He slowly stepped forward. "I know the head of the Pingyin Hwangbo branch family is your first wife. Bring her out."
"How insolent. Did you never study the classics? Is this how your parents raised you?" the Brightfolk County Magistrate retorted, his easy smile never faltering.
"A County Magistrate colluding with a martial clan is hardly the conduct of a gentleman. What respect do you expect?"
At Jeong Yeon-shin's calm reply, the woman who had been massaging the County Magistrate's arm stood up. She looked to be around thirty. Her languid, heavy-lidded eyes were striking, and a powerful aura, matching the red light armor she wore, began to emanate from her.
"I am the first wife of Lord Geum. Any warrior of Shandong would have heard of me. I am Hwangbo Mi-mi, the Deep Hanging Sword."
This meant the County Magistrate's surname was Geum. With the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the Brightfolk had risen to power. From the lowest government offices to key positions in the various sects of the Jianghu, women were frequently seated in power—a world away from the era of the Yuan Dynasty.
But right now, none of that mattered.
"As the head of the Pingyin Hwangbo family, I command you to cease this insolence. No, it's already too late. What could have ended with just an arm will now cost you your neck."
As the woman's aura intensified, warriors began to emerge from the various pavilions. There were over twenty of them. Though they spoke dismissively, they were not taking the warrior who had shattered the main gate lightly.
They were indeed worthy of being a branch of a prestigious clan.
Five of the Pingyin Hwangbo warriors began to approach, their presence as solid and unshakeable as tempered steel. It was as if they were proving that even a branch family had its roots in one of the Eight Great Families.
Jeong Yeon-shin ignored them. He stared quietly at the Deep Hanging Sword and slowly spoke.
"Do you know Hwangbo Myeong-rin?"
"What?"
"The way you talk about arms and necks is exactly the same."
"It seems you've heard of her. She is indeed an outstanding child, talented enough to attend the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. However..."
A crimson smile played on the lips of the Deep Hanging Sword, Hwangbo Mi-mi, as if she had just applied fresh rouge. "Did you think I would show mercy just because you know a direct descendant? Foolish."
What a decadent age. A martial artist should focus on training. Jeong Yeon-shin found himself echoing a complaint common among the elders of many sects.
At the same time, the image of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress naturally came to mind. Having reached the absolute realm, she was beautiful through sheer elegance alone, without any need for adornment.
For a martial artist, true beauty lay in the supreme height of their martial arts.
He spoke once more. "I saw the marketplace on my way here. You've been conscripting commoners for forced labor, using your martial might to oppress them. Do you feel no shame as people of the Jianghu?"
Meanwhile, Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo remained a step back. They had said they wanted to broaden their youngest Blue-rank's experience in the Jianghu and had agreed not to intervene unless the situation became exceptionally perilous. He couldn't begin to fathom how he would ever repay the kindness of his seniors in the Demonlight Wing.
Just then, everyone in the manor scoffed at Jeong Yeon-shin's words. The County Magistrate and the Deep Hanging Sword burst into loud laughter, not even bothering to cover their mouths.
"Child, you've listened to too many Jianghu rumors," the Deep Hanging Sword said with a broad smile. "Power is simply power. Separate the Jianghu from the lives of commoners? Who could possibly do that?"
The Brightfolk County Magistrate chimed in. "A martial clan is, in effect, a local aristocracy. What's wrong with enjoying the luxury befitting our history in the land we've settled?"
"A member of the Brightfolk, defying the laws of the Imperial Court. Your first wife's head rolls today."
Jeong Yeon-shin's reply only drew more ridicule. This time, even the advancing warriors burst into laughter.
"You know nothing of elegance. That's always the way with those who style themselves as heroes. Men!" the County Magistrate called out, clapping his hands lightly.
"Yes, Lord Magistrate!"
From all directions, musicians poured out and took their places, holding string and wind instruments, including zithers and jade flutes. It was a scene straight out of a play. At the Magistrate's gesture, the music began.
At the same time, the Hwangbo warriors drew their swords and closed in, treating even the clash of blades as mere entertainment.
Incredible.
Jeong Yeon-shin stood still. He recalled stories he had only heard because he was in the Desolate Fortress, where all the world's affairs gathered. They were anecdotes of high-ranking figures who had indulged in every pleasure imaginable, their ultimate amusement being to watch people get murdered.
The scene before him was exactly that. He could tell instantly this wasn't a recent development.
"A young swordsman capable of shattering the manor's main gate. What a waste of talent."
"But doesn't that make it all the more entertaining?"
Having seated herself once more, the Deep Hanging Sword shared a laugh with the Magistrate, even sharing a cup of wine.
How can things be so different? Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the simple rustle of grass that had welcomed them when they first entered the village. He had liked it. This place was different. It was suffocating.
"I can't stand to listen to this," he muttered to himself.
The melody drifting through the manor did indeed possess an elegance, just as the Magistrate had said. Even Jeong Yeon-shin, who knew nothing of music, could feel it. That only made it all the more repulsive.
Shandong Province was a vast place, and Jinan was its heart. There had to be countless local martial artists, and surely among them were the very heroes they mocked.
"Go in peace," one of the warriors said, raising his drawn sword. He seemed to feel a shred of guilt, but the distance between them had already closed to ten paces.
"You look accustomed to this," Jeong Yeon-shin said, his hand gripping the hilt of the Northern Light Sword. "I'll have to reconsider my opinion of the Eight Great Families. You're nothing but Unorthodox trash."
There must have been many righteous heroes who had come here, filled with indignation after seeing the forced labor of the commoners. And they had likely killed them all. The music flowed into his ears as the martial artists advanced, their footwork seemingly matching the rhythm.
He decided to strike first.
Thud!
He lifted his foot and stomped down. Concentric waves of wind blasted in all directions. The internal energy he channeled was denser than before. He had been constantly circulating the Moon Spirit Harmony Art while creating his new inner cultivation method, and the accumulated qi of a peerless divine art was on another level. Even now, he could feel a slight but noticeable change.
With that single stomp, everyone's expression changed. Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin's body shot forward.
Wind exploded past his ears as his vision expanded. His movement was instantaneous. Waves of true qi rippled from his hand gripping the hilt. In the blink of an eye, he was upon his enemies, circulating the true qi within his body according to the mnemonic.
A dazzling light, the signature of the Radiant Brilliance Sword Style, flared at the tip of his drawn blade.
Slash!
The light flashed, and two heads were instantly severed. They didn't even have time to scream.
This isn't the end. There are many more.
An aura exploded from Jeong Yeon-shin's body. Part of the surging momentum flowed into the Northern Light Sword, transforming into a chilling sharpness. With another stomp, the force from his horizontal slash gouged the ground. The sensation of the blade slicing through another neck vibrated all the way to his grip.
Spurt!
His swordsmanship had reached a realm where blood sprayed a full breath after the cut. He shouted amidst the rising dust, his voice infused with internal energy.
"The Demonlight Wing of the Desolate Fortress shall punish you!"
Everyone in the manor gasped in shock, utterly terrified. In the blink of an eye, three corpses had hit the ground.
The lively music stopped abruptly.
"The Desolate Fortress...! Wait, wait!" the Brightfolk County Magistrate scrambled to his feet, waving his hands. Cold sweat beaded on his handsome face, making it glisten. "I have committed a grave, a very grave discourtesy! Please forget everything I've said! I am of the Brightfolk! How could I ever disrupt the order of the Imperial Court?"
His eyes darted about frantically. He scanned Jeong Yeon-shin, whose shifted posture now revealed the character 'Hwang' below his shoulders. His gaze also fell upon Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong-myeong, who stood by indifferently.
A look of resignation settled on the Magistrate's face. Seeing Cheong-myeong, a fellow Brightfolk, seemed to confirm his worst fears.
"...My wife was acting on orders from the main family. As the County Magistrate here in Jinan, I couldn't go against the power of the Hwangbo Clan."
"Is that your excuse? You have no shame."
"And now the guilty party plays the victim," Baek Mi-ryeo finally spoke up as she and Cheong-myeong stepped forward.
"If you are from the Desolate Fortress, you must know everything. I had no choice, did I?" the Magistrate said, his smile regaining some of its composure. He lightly tapped the shoulder of his first wife, the Deep Hanging Sword, who was glaring fiercely at Jeong Yeon-shin.
"Wife."
"...Yes."
Hwangbo Mi-mi snapped her fingers. As the sound, infused with internal energy, rang out, over thirty more warriors poured out from the surrounding pavilions. Since Jinan was a massive city, even a branch family governing a single county possessed considerable martial strength.
"..."
A sudden quiet fell over the manor, but it was not silence. It was the oppressive weight of the Hwangbo warriors' combined presence filling the courtyard.
"I suggest you withdraw," the Magistrate said, looking at Cheong-myeong, who now stood beside Jeong Yeon-shin. His robes fluttered as he channeled his internal energy, his words carrying a clear threat.
"You," Jeong Yeon-shin said. "You spoke of elegance." He swept his gaze over the warriors slowly tightening their encirclement. "I, too, have a melody I've practiced recently."
As he spoke, a low hum began to emanate from the Northern Light Sword, a resonance that grew progressively louder. Jeong Yeon-shin pushed his internal energy to its absolute limit and glanced at Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong-myeong. They gave a slight nod.
Shiiiing!
A piercing cry erupted from the blade. In an instant, an invisible wave of true qi surged from him, sweeping across the courtyard.
"Ugh!"
"Argh...?"
Dozens of men collapsed with short groans. Dull thuds echoed from all directions. The Sword Ring subsided as quickly as it appeared, but its effect was absolute.
The entire encirclement had collapsed. Warriors of the Hwangbo branch lay scattered across the ground, their eyes wide and vacant as they stared up at the sky.
Only a select few remained standing, among them the County Magistrate and the Deep Hanging Sword.
"So, Unorthodox trash knows elegance after all," Jeong Yeon-shin said, casting a brief glance at the carnage. He sheathed the Northern Light Sword.
"They seem to have been quite moved."