Chapter 60: Hero of the Desolate Fortress (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: Hero of the Desolate Fortress (3)
Xuzhou had always been a massive city.
Right now, it was bustling with even more vitality than usual. A fresh rumor was spreading like wildfire.
A young expert from the Desolate Fortress had provoked the Blood Flame Cult. It was a tale guaranteed to capture everyone's attention.
He was said to be a Blue-Ranked Expert, not just a White-Ranked Warrior. This detail only poured oil on the fire, accelerating the rumor's spread.
"They splashed water on him, and sure enough, he was a Blood Flame Cultist. That dye of theirs is truly deceptive."
"I heard he struck down a Blood Master Sword in a single blow!"
"They say a Blue-robed Warrior of the Desolate Fortress is a rare expert in this world, but still..."
All sorts of stories flowed through the streets.
The incident had taken place in a courtesan house right in the middle of a banquet for Jianghu martial artists, meaning there was no shortage of onlookers.
The chatter was so loud that it eventually reached the ears of the subject himself—Jeong Yeon-shin.
"Still, to draw blood so suddenly... He must look down on us."
"Does he think the Desolate Fortress is the only faction fighting the Blood Flame Cult?"
"It would have been better if we had joined forces."
They said the Jianghu was home to all kinds of people. Naturally, there were those who couldn't bear to watch someone else make a name for themselves right before their eyes.
These were superhumans who possessed the mysterious power of martial arts. Many of them acted as if they were the center of the universe.
'I heard that small and medium sects confined to narrow horizons were like this.'
Jeong Yeon-shin was currently gaining experience in the Jianghu. Most of the battles he had fought so far had been massive clashes.
Though he had survived life-and-death struggles worthy of a promotion to the Blue Rank, his actual knowledge of the martial world was narrower than that of an average White-Ranked Warrior.
He stayed the night at an inn next to the courtesan house.
With silver coins in his pocket, he was quite well-off, but he had no desire to sleep in a luxurious courtesan house.
He figured that if it was the Blood Flame Cult, they would find him on their own, no matter where he was in Xuzhou.
'I wasn't hoping for uninvited guests, though.'
While eating his meal, Jeong Yeon-shin looked up at the people standing across from his table.
"Greetings to the renowned warrior of the Desolate Fortress."
"We came wishing to discuss martial arts with you. Is it true that you struck down a Blood Ghost in a single blow? This is our first time meeting someone from the Desolate Fortress."
There was one woman and two men. All of them wore swords at their waists.
Contrary to their polite words, their primary interest didn't seem to be Jeong Yeon-shin's identity.
To local martial artists like them, the nearby Namgung Clan was the greatest power in the Jianghu, rather than the distant Desolate Fortress located in Huguang.
'There's no goodwill on their faces.'
Was this the territorial pride typical of local martial artists?
Jeong Yeon-shin had crushed the head of the Blood Master Sword in a place filled with all kinds of sects and martial families.
Eradicating the Blood Flame Cult was a great honor for orthodox martial artists. Having done it more than once or twice himself, he knew this well.
Since he had made such a scene, it was only natural that people like this would seek him out.
He slowly rose from his seat and clasped his hands in a traditional greeting.
"I am Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress's Demonlight Wing."
They had spoken to him abruptly without even introducing themselves. Only after seeing Jeong Yeon-shin's polite gesture did they offer their own names one by one.
Unfamiliar titles spilled from their lips.
They were Seol Yu-yu of the Eulso Sword House, Jeong Cheol of the Hwa Sword Gate, and Gwon Chun of the Flying Dragon Martial Hall.
They were, respectively, the eldest daughter, the young sect leader, and the head disciple of their factions.
Jeong Yeon-shin listened to their identities carefully. Merely asking the local authorities about the Blood Flame Cult was not enough.
The eyes of martial artists were bound to see things differently.
When looking at another warrior, they naturally observed their build, physical balance, and gait. Their perspective would be invaluable.
'He said that if you need something from someone, you should flatter them. But not excessively.'
He recalled the social wisdom he had learned from Heonwon Chang.
"It is an honor to meet the heroes of Southern Zhili."
Jeong Yeon-shin bowed his head slightly, showing them respect.
"Mmm...!"
The narrow space between the brows of Gwon Chun, the head disciple of the Flying Dragon Martial Hall, relaxed slightly. Despite being a Blue-Ranked Expert, the youth's demeanor was highly respectful.
Many in the Jianghu kept their distance from the Desolate Fortress, but none could deny its prestige and martial prowess.
The martial world was a place where people staked their lives on their honor. No one would feel displeased when treated with respect by a warrior whose status was recognized by the entire world.
Gwon Chun cleared his throat and spoke.
"Knowing that our own martial arts still have many shortcomings, would you be willing to engage in a sword discussion with us?"
"A sword discussion?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked reflexively.
It was a practice of describing martial arts forms verbally to conduct a simulated duel.
Jeong Yeon-shin had tried it a few times at the main fortress and found no interest in it.
He had even lost to Heonwon Chang multiple times. After all, verbally, there was no sword move one couldn't execute.
'This will be good for humoring them.'
He ordered three bottles of liquor and some side dishes to set the stage.
There were largely three ways to obtain detailed information in the Jianghu: the Beggar Sect, the Hao Sect—which employed people working in all sorts of places like courtesan houses and inns—and finally, the local martial artists.
Beggars could be found even in Beijing, but they were strangely absent in Xuzhou.
As for the Hao Sect, they were hard to trust due to their frequent entanglements with the Blood Flame Cult. Thus, there was no choice but to rely on the martial artists established here.
"...If I unleash a horizontal shockwave with Sweeping a Thousand Armies there, wouldn't it neutralize your attack? If I then exert Silk-Reeling Power, its power and speed will be further enhanced, leaving no direction for you to step, Young Hero!"
Jeong Yeon-shin suffered defeat after defeat.
A sword discussion was merely a verbal dispute given a fancy name by martial artists.
The side with less will to win was bound to lose, but Jeong Yeon-shin naturally learned the ways of the world in this place.
He wondered if entertaining guests was always this easy.
'Would this work on the Lord of the Desolate Fortress too? If the Lord is in a good mood, perhaps...'
Was defeating a Blue-Ranked Expert of the Desolate Fortress—even if only in words—really that satisfying? The complexions of the three martial artists were incredibly bright.
This remained true even as the liquor flowed continuously. Jeong Yeon-shin found himself amazed anew by the culture of the Jianghu.
'So people can actually enjoy things like this.'
If the Blood Flame Cult did not come today, he had planned to search for them himself.
But it seemed that wouldn't be necessary. The three, whose moods had softened after sharing a table, freely shared a great deal of information.
"If you hadn't crushed the crown of that Master Sword's head, Young Hero, we would have done it."
"We were the ones who guided those Blood Ghosts to the banquet yesterday. We never dreamed they were Blood Flame Cultists," Seol Yu-yu and Gwon Chun said.
Seol Yu-yu, the successor of the Eulso Sword House, was a swordswoman whose palms were covered in thick calluses.
Her sharp, rigid eyes softened gently every time she won a sword discussion against Jeong Yeon-shin.
Only now did he realize it. These three had come to clear their own honor.
"It is understandable. They seemed adept at concealing their energy. Especially that Blood Master Sword. I could only sense his unique aura right before he drew his sword."
Jeong Yeon-shin calmly covered for their mistake.
This was enough. In response to his careful questions, the three answered in detail.
First was where they had met those bastards.
They told him which paths they had recently seen people with similar gaits taking to hide their appearances, and what kind of hushed rumors their families whispered about the Blood Flame Cult in Xuzhou.
These three were the rising stars of this city.
The information they could access and their insight far surpassed those of the local soldiers.
Jeong Yeon-shin mentally gathered the useful pieces of information.
Yesterday, he had let some Blood Flame Cultists live and even tailed them. Combining that with this new knowledge, he could now easily map out the locations that needed to be destroyed.
Meanwhile, the three martial artists had become quite drunk.
Perhaps because Jeong Yeon-shin had easily subdued the Blood Flame Cultists yesterday, they didn't even use their internal energy to dispel the alcohol, acting as if no one in Xuzhou could harm them while he was around.
All of their faces were flushed red.
"This might be a slightly rude question, but are the martial arts of the Desolate Fortress... always a bit loose like yours?"
"Having engaged in this sword discussion, I can't help but wonder."
"Me too. Even if it's just a battle of words, I didn't expect the sword techniques of our Eulso Sword House to work so well against the Desolate Fortress."
These words were meaningless now.
Their alcohol-scented chatter failed to register in his ears. He did not have much time to spare.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was about to rise from his seat—
"Loose? How could that be? Especially when he has newly created a sword technique as profound as the secret arts of the Nine Sects."
The words came from right beside them. A clear, melodious voice seemed to sweep away everyone's drunkenness in an instant.
Indeed, a powerful yet gentle true qi was carried within her voice.
Rustle.
She approached with an astonishingly light movement technique.
Only now did Jeong Yeon-shin sense her presence. Even considering he had been deeply immersed in the drinking session and his own thoughts, this was no ordinary feat.
Turning his head, his eyes widened.
"Great Hero Sword Dragon?"
Her beautiful features and clear eyes were familiar.
The feather ornament atop her ebony hair, which fell in long strands, remained the same.
The hem of her sky-blue robe fluttered with the lingering momentum of her lightness skill.
A precious white sword hung from her waist belt, which was adorned with blue jade.
It was said to be the divine sword that symbolized her status as the successor to the Zhongnan Sect Leader.
The Sword Dragon, Wiji Myo-hwa, curled the corners of her lips slightly. It was a smile so beautiful that the three martial artists sitting at the table stared, utterly spellbound.
"I was on my way to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. I came up here because I heard the rising stars were being hunted, but..."
As she spoke slowly, her smile deepened.
"...the rumors of the Demonlight Wing's Flash Art are widespread throughout Xuzhou."
"Did you come looking for me directly?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked, recovering from his surprise.
Wiji Myo-hwa tilted her fair neck slightly. Her attitude was ambiguous.
"I heard you killed a Blood Master Sword in a single move, Young Hero. The speed at which the rumors spread must have been faster than my lightness skill. It's almost hard to understand why the Blood Flame Cult is staying so quiet."
"They must have some scheme. I am glad to see you again, but I have no time to wait. Young Hero Heonwon Chang has been captured."
"Ah." Letting out a short sigh, she nodded. "I will help. The Zhongnan Sect owes a debt to both of you."
Those who spoke of the romance of the Jianghu would surely have loved this moment. The elegant grace of a beautiful hero was on full display.
In the early evening, he had gained the equivalent of an army of a thousand men. Jeong Yeon-shin did not refuse.
After paying the inn waiter, he left the establishment with Wiji Myo-hwa.
They left behind the three local martial artists, who were still staring blankly while muttering the words "Sword Dragon" and "Zhongnan Sect."
The pursuit quickly gained momentum.
"We might have to track them for quite a long time. Will you be alright with just this?"
Wiji Myo-hwa turned her body slightly, as if to show off her attire.
A single sword and a small knapsack on her back. It was incredibly simple. Indeed, she was a true disciple of the Nine Sects.
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.
"We might not need to take that long."
*
The Jianghu was vast. The size of the Central Plains was the size of the martial world itself. It was endlessly wide.
That was why even the unoriginal schemes of strategists could work against opposing forces.
The Blood Flame Cult was a faction where spies could not be planted. It was said that the moment one accepted their Blood Art, they became a fanatic.
It belonged to the realm of sorcery. That was why anyone entangled with the Blood Flame Cult was helplessly outmatched in the information war.
But now, things were different. The one running rampant was Jeong Yeon-shin.
Crash!
The shockwave of the Infinite Flower of Time Fist's second form, Advancing Thunder, exploded at the gate of a certain house.
As debris scattered in all directions as if struck by a typhoon, Jeong Yeon-shin stood there, his eyes flashing with a sky-blue light.
Thud!
The shockwave of the Demon-Quelling Azure Steel Hand swept through the safehouse of the Blood Flame Cult branch. Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he crushed the head of the last bastard.
'Is this my Heavenly Mandate?'
At this moment, the foresight of his Upper Dantian was flashing. It was like a sudden bolt of lightning striking from a clear blue sky.
It felt almost like destiny. It seemed to be a reaction to widening his Baihui Point through the reckless execution of his sword techniques.
Perhaps it was also because Wiji Myo-hwa, who possessed a profound aura, was stimulating him from nearby.
This was already the fifth place. Every single location he entered was a branch of the Blood Flame Cult.
'There are four more.'
The information gathered from various government offices and martial artists harmonized perfectly with the foresight of his Upper Dantian.
His tracking speed was completely godlike, and his martial power had been transformed by his Blue Rank.
Even Wiji Myo-hwa, despite her deep cultivation, could not hide her shock.
"Let's go."
Glancing at the collapsed Blood Master Swords and Blood Flame Cultists, Jeong Yeon-shin kicked off the ground.
There was no room for Wiji Myo-hwa to intervene.
Jeong Yeon-shin's short-range lightness skill, which utilized the true qi overlapping of the Scripture of Initial Overcoming, was fast enough to rival hers, but his Demon-Quelling Azure Steel Hand was on another level entirely.
It displayed a majestic power that bordered on absolute invincibility specifically against the Blood Flame Cult.
'As long as I don't run into an Apostle.'
He thought of the Seventh Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult, who surely held a grudge against him.
At the same time, the heavenly energy passing through the crown of his head whispered teasingly.
There is no need to worry today.
Whether that was truly the case remained to be seen.
"The sixth," Jeong Yeon-shin muttered, facing a mundane-looking pavilion.
A warrior of the Desolate Fortress did not care about the local authorities.
It was a disturbance that could not fail to draw attention. It was a truly massive uproar.
A Blue-robed Warrior of the Desolate Fortress was racing through Xuzhou alongside a beautiful young expert.
At the end of his ruthless strikes, completely destroyed Blood Flame Cult branches were exposed to the world.
Victims withered from having their true qi drained, and corpses with blood-red hair.
"Crazy... They kept talking about the Desolate Fortress, and now look."
"Isn't he practically a monster?"
"Watch your mouth. He is a great hero."
Xuzhou was said to be a place with many martial sects. Those who had come out to see what was happening began to follow them one by one.
The gathering crowd grew larger by the moment.