Chapter 130 – Azure Flame (3)

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Poison Lord Tang Yun-hwang’s Myriad Heavens Flower Rain shredded Ge Siliang’s entire body.

It didn’t stop there. The steel flower rain tore into the remaining Thirteen Evil Sects warriors.

That’s when Myriad Heavens Flower Rain’s true strength was revealed.

It manifested as catastrophe for those who hadn’t reached a certain level of martial prowess. It swept through them all.

By then, Su Jin-lang had lost his will to fight at Jeong Yeon-shin’s hands.

As heir to the Ten Perfections Sect, his heart was stained with emotions he had never experienced before.

Absolute terror. He had to flee as he was told.

Though he suspected there were schemes involved, a demonic path young talent’s survival came first.

And now.

In the mountain woods where the cold wind rustled dead leaves.

The sound of rolling leaves was quite eerie.

The footsteps that had been crunching stopped before Su Jin-lang.

A crimson robe fluttered with a dark texture. It was the Blood Flame Sect’s Seventh Apostle.

Her white face held a bewitching air, but her expression was emotionless as if she had never smiled.

She stared at Su Jin-lang while parting her lips.

“I wonder if your twenty years amount to even one year of that child’s time. You spoke so well without knowing anything? Be grateful. Your lifeline has been extended by half an hour. Because our Grand Master’s qi sense has broadened.”

Her slender fingers opening and closing had a strangely bewitching quality.

Colorless waves of power spread irregularly from each joint of her hand.

Though her words and actions suggested she could kill at any moment, it didn’t feel unnatural at all.

Su Jin-lang knew too. The Blood Flame Sect’s Seventh Apostle was famous.

They said she was noble from birth.

Born with innate blood technique true qi, she was a supreme master who had reached the rank of apostle at a young age.

Even among Blood Flame Sect nobles, she was a martial talent chosen by heaven.

It was said that her mother died smiling right after giving birth to her.

The Seventh Apostle tilted her head slightly.

“Well, this should be far enough. How should I handle you to show my devotion? Our Grand Master, I mean. No, the more carefully I handle this, the more he’ll likely despise me. With those eyes that hold such brilliant talent… Ah? That’s thrilling too…?”

Her words grew increasingly incoherent. That’s how it seemed to Su Jin-lang.

Did she not care at all about the Ten Perfections Sect’s Spear-axe Sword? She wasn’t in her right mind.

“What on earth are you…”

He instinctively felt terror.

Blood Flame Sect’s Seventh Apostle. She wasn’t someone who would care about the position of a Thirteen Evil Sects leader.

From what he heard, she seemed to have ties with Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin, which was shocking.

Could Desolate Fortress’s youngest black-rank supreme master, their future, have connections with a Blood Flame Sect apostle?

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly white hair fluttered behind the Seventh Apostle. Beside her shoulder.

A stunningly handsome man with white hair slowly poked his head in, without making even the slightest sound.

“Though his mind is full of defilements, his qi accumulation is considerable. Seventh Apostle, this offering is quite pleasing. Though I was delayed coming from afar, the long journey was worth it.”

The man’s voice rang out sweetly.

Though he must be a demonic path master to be with the Seventh Apostle, his use of Buddhist terms like “defilements” didn’t feel out of place.

Su Jin-lang’s murim knowledge was too broad for that.

He knew the Blood Flame Sect’s origins.

It was said that the Grand Master of Blood Energy had borrowed parts of the widespread Indian Buddhism to propagate the Blood Flame Sect.

“Blood Flame Sect Leader…?”

Su Jin-lang’s voice trembled faintly. His lips convulsed.

Anyone would react that way upon encountering the Seventh Apostle and Blood Flame Sect Leader in some unknown mountain.

They were calamities that had cut through the darkness.

“Offering? How crude.”

The Seventh Apostle spoke in an indifferent tone. She didn’t even look at him. It didn’t seem like how one would address their sect leader.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader smiled faintly. He seemed like a father dealing with a pouting daughter.

“You can say that because you haven’t experienced the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s sword. Originally, I should have had the advantage over that existence’s yin energy. Where else in the world are there those more yin than you and I?”

“Then why did you lose?”

“Her martial prowess transcended the principles of energy compatibility. Though it wasn’t dharma power that blocks regeneration abilities, many died to her pure sword strikes.”

He spoke in a plain, archaic tone, discussing the pinnacle of the martial world.

Su Jin-lang trembled for a moment.

Even in this situation, he shuddered once.

Sect Leader and Fortress Lord.

The Blood Flame Sect said to have the most extensively spread power among the Thirteen Evil Sects, and Desolate Fortress established as a great mountain in northern Huguang Province.

The battle between the Blood Flame Sect Leader and Lord of Desolate Fortress had just shaken the entire murim.

Their decisive battle hadn’t just drawn the attention of martial artists.

Even the flow of goods from Huguang Province to the South Zhili was disturbed. They were absolute beings.

‘How, how…’

Even Su Jin-lang, son of the Ten Perfections Sect Leader, found it hard to maintain composure here.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader was said to be a monstrous deity in human form.

Just having his slight attention directed at him made Su Jin-lang’s mind grow dizzy.

“I had to use the qi absorption technique of the Demon Roaring Blood Technique given to the apostles. Without absorption, I couldn’t recover. Fortunately, the energy of spiritual medicines this defiled one has consumed is considerable, so now I can fully act as sect leader. This works out well. I was bothered by Ma Yeon-jeok’s energy.”

“Ma Yeon-jeok? That old man?”

“Yes. Ma Yeon-jeok’s prowess had returned surprisingly well. But that wasn’t all. I felt something somewhat concerning. Since my body wasn’t whole, I avoided him for a while. In my view, our Grand Master seems to have done something. After obtaining the blood technique verses that precious boy altered, we should carefully discuss how to handle him.”

“…”

“Simply trying to bring the Grand Master back would only repeat what happened at the headquarters. The Lord of Desolate Fortress would personally come again. She seems to care quite a bit. It’s rare for the Fortress Lord to draw her Extinction Sword. Originally the last time was when destroying the Dali Kingdom royal family.”

“The Lord of Desolate Fortress cares for him?”

The Seventh Apostle’s eyes rose.

The conversation between madmen was hard to follow.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader didn’t bother answering.

While brushing back his silk-like white hair, he smiled with demonic energy.

“Speaking of the Grand Master.”

“…?”

“What was the reason for omitting the report?”

He asked rather languidly. For a moment a chilling silence swept by.

The night wind was cold. They were words that called for the Seventh Apostle’s silence.

“I heard they were annihilated after meeting Lightning Genius in the City of Renowned Craftsmen. I received reports that the boy’s martial prowess had reached black rank. Hearing about the Kuizhou branch incident, I thought it might be true. But did our subordinates really… die by the Grand Master’s hand there?”

“…”

“Look at me.”

“Such ugly eyes. Unnecessarily red.”

At her casually thrown words, the Blood Flame Sect Leader’s lips drew a faint arc.

“Do you covet the sect leader position? That would be a rather enchanting sight in its own way. Since your bloodline is the noble true blood lineage, if you sat on the throne you would become the True Blood Sect Leader. Aren’t your achievements advancing rapidly with the verses received from the Grand Master? If you took the sect leader’s divine artifact you would advance even further.”

“Not particularly interested.”

“You should be interested. Something unfortunate might happen to me. The power of the entire world is rising. They say the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader killed the Qincheng Sect Leader.”

“The Qincheng Sect Leader, you mean Crimson Mist Sword Saint? The Tyrant Sword Sect Leader alone?”

“He was originally a peerless master and is growing further. They say the Mount Zhongnan Sect Leader is next. The Tyrant Sword Sect Leader… A half-blood noble of humble talent is using time as his whetstone. After being defeated at Mount Zhongnan he went into seclusion and came back enlightened.”

As he spoke, the light faded from Su Jin-lang’s eyes.

He stood blankly before collapsing lifelessly in the passing wind.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader had already gripped the crown of his head.

“First we must go to the Tang Clan. I will personally protect the Lightning Genius’ Great Technique.”

The sect leader spoke slowly.

The Seventh Apostle said nothing.

While brushing her long fluttering black hair behind her ear, she only lowered her red eyes as if deep in thought.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The news of what happened on Kuizhou’s main road spread like wildfire.

It was a rare battle between major factions.

The alliances between Ten Perfections Sect, Pure Demon Alliance, Desolate Fortress and Tang Clan immediately drew the attention of Sichuan’s vast murim.

“Can such a young supreme master exist?”

“Hundreds witnessed it directly. While martial artists debate whether it was two or three exchanges, to us commoners it was just one instant. Lightning Genius killed Sword Fist Demon in one move. I heard he also killed Pure Demon Divine Hand and Sword Scorpion Demon.”

“They say he manifested Myriad Heavens Flower Rain.”

“The Sichuan Tang Clan wants to take him as a son-in-law and serve him as teacher. It’s understandable. He’s an unprecedented prodigy. Who knew such a promising supreme master existed beyond the basin?”

“A black-rank of Desolate Fortress being just a boy. I find it hard to believe.”

Along with Poison Lord Tang Yun-hwang’s resurgence, Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin’s name grew with each passing day.

As days went by, the commotion in Kuizhou only intensified.

Letters from all the prestigious families of Sichuan poured into Desolate Fortress’s Kuizhou branch.

Rumors spread that Branch Leader Zhang Li-dao, who once wielded authority as a blue-rank master, couldn’t even take walks now as he was busy reviewing documents.

By then, Jeong Yeon-shin was already heading to the Sichuan Tang Clan.

It was after he had carefully regained composure and sent Su Jin-lang away, and bid temporary farewell to the Tang Clan Leader.

―Our family wishes to serve you with utmost respect.

Before turning away, Poison Lord Tang Yun-hwang had emphasized repeatedly.

He earnestly requested that his teacher visit soon, as it would only be a brief time until he regained control of the family.

He also mentioned preparations to transform the Desolate sword into a divine weapon.

There were two reasons.

To face the sect leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects who had lost their main forces, and to repay the grace of the Tang Clan’s teacher.

The Tang Clan was a sect of medicine, poison and hidden weapons.

This meant they were also proficient in forging. They were said to have countless extraordinary weapons.

‘He also told me to expect spiritual medicines.’

That’s why he was heading to the Tang Clan with a small group.

The bright faces of the Radiant Demon Wing seniors waving goodbye remained vivid.

Even Baek Mi-ryeo’s hand stroking his head had been unusually warm.

As a senior who had mastered supreme martial arts, they agreed to discuss the future of Ming Cult Leader’s tomb later.

Senior Beggar and the other Beggar Sect masters left promising to meet again.

Though not the cleanest farewell, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t particularly mind.

There were many matters he had to take responsibility for handling.

He left the majority of the Return Wing Corps at Desolate Fortress’s Kuizhou branch.

As temporary commander of the Return Wing Corps, he wrote a letter to the main fortress about the mission’s progress and finished treating his subordinates’ internal injuries.

He rode with Hyeon Won-chang, Lazy Flame Dragon, and Namgung Hwa-shin, along with the Tang siblings.

“We’ll arrive soon.”

Poison Dragon Tang Li-hua said while riding beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

Despite his small stature, he showed skill in horsemanship. The same was true for Poison Phoenix Tang Li-li.

Suddenly, he recalled the wrinkled face of the Supreme Elder standing blankly beside the Tang Clan Leader.

It had been an expression whose thoughts were hard to read.

‘What a strange old man.’

Amid the thundering hoofbeats.

While the heavy vibrations from the ground resonated up to their waists, Tang Li-li’s horse drew closer.

“Benefactor.”

The girl spoke.

Her way of addressing Jeong Yeon-shin had changed.

It had been since he passed on Myriad Heavens Flower Rain to the Tang Clan Leader.

The boy only slightly turned his gaze.

Tang Li-li hesitated to speak, her expression embarrassed.

The flush on her cheeks seemed to indicate shame.

Her small head bobbed slightly atop the horse.

Jeong Yeon-shin guessed the reason. It must be because of what the Supreme Elder had said earlier.

“Don’t worry. I have no thoughts of marriage.”

He was already at a crossroads in how to handle matters.

To deal with two of the Thirteen Evil Sects he needed the Tang Clan, but they were also the faction Radiant Demon Wing had investigated for suspicion of producing thunderclap bombs.

He couldn’t enter a political marriage with Poison Phoenix just to gain one major faction as reinforcements.

Things would become complicated.

Hopefully this wasn’t a path leading into a quagmire.

They had already discussed the thunderclap bomb matter when they first met.

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly turned his head forward.

With unwavering gaze he stared ahead. At last, the Tang Clan.

In the distance, rows of massive pavilion roofs were coming into view.

“…”

As Tang Li-li fell silent, Lazy Flame Dragon cut in.

Chewing on an opium poppy between his teeth with eyes half-closed languidly.

“For now, let’s have the Tang Clan handle the Thirteen Evil Sects, and afterwards our temporary commander can just take what he needs. Just passing on Myriad Heavens Flower Rain makes you their benefactor for a thousand years. If they’re honest they’ll open their forges, so you can decide after seeing that. Search every corner if needed.”

“I think those are wise words.”

It was Namgung Hwa-shin beside him.

She nodded heavily with her picturesque face.

Lazy Flame Dragon’s lips rose faintly.

His voice carried clearly through the rushing wind once more.

“He killed Pure Demon Divine Hand, Sword Scorpion, and Blade Fist Demon in succession. Being able to send off Fierce Sword Ge Siliang so easily was half thanks to our temporary commander. Well… it’s something only the head of the Shaolin’s Eighteen Arhats could do.”

“…”

“Divine weapon forging, spiritual medicines, warm bedding and world-class delicacies… let’s just take what we can get and leave. Who cares if their family prospers or falls.”

“Brother Hwangbo’s opinion isn’t wrong. Commander has fulfilled his duty.”

Namgung Hwa-shin replied again. His tone was indifferent.

This conversation was happening right in front of the Tang siblings.

While Lazy Flame Dragon’s conduct matched the rumors, the behavior of White QilinNamgung Hwa-shin by Jeong Yeon-shin’s side was truly unexpected.

Hyeon Won-chang who was following while holding his horse’s reins muttered.

“At least I should maintain my sanity.”

Half an hour later.

The group arrived at the Sichuan Tang Clan’s main gate and dismounted.

The high walls stretched endlessly left and right.

The summer sunlight brightly illuminated the walls like a symbol of power and wealth.

It was as rumored.

They said it was the most magnificent and massive estate in Sichuan Province.

Hyeon Won-chang looked at the Tang siblings anew.

“They really were rich kids.”

When they entered the Tang Clan’s inner courtyard, Jeong Yeon-shin received unprecedented hospitality.

Just seeing Poison Dragon Tang Li-hua’s surprised eyes was enough to guess the truth.

“We pay respects to our teacher.”

The smiling Tang Clan Leader who spoke couldn’t be properly seen.

It was because of those lined up on his left and right.

Masters arranged in two rows facing each other performed martial salutes as if conducting a ceremony.

A large empty space formed a single path between them.

It was the path leading to the high seats of the Tang Clan’s senior members including the Clan Leader.

“…”

It was excessive hospitality for Jeong Yeon-shin.

He walked the path made by the masters, ate meals sitting beside the Tang Clan Leader according to their reception, and appropriately dealt with the various Tang Clan branch family members and young talents who carefully approached.

Much time passed. But not much remained in his mind.

The boy suddenly raised his head. Dusk was seeping in.

The last rays of the summer sun that had raced through the day were beautiful.

The sky was wrapped in a subtle sunset glow like brocade.

Usually at this time, he would be curled up lying in bed at the main fortress.

“This should be good timing. I’ll give you something first.”

The Tang Clan Leader gestured for them to stand with his small hand.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s group stood up together with Poison Lord Tang Yun-hwang.

The Tang siblings, their expressions much brighter after properly reuniting with their father, joined them.

They seemed to be heading to the deepest part of the Tang Clan’s inner courtyard.

Namgung Hwa-shin standing to Jeong Yeon-shin’s left lightly gripped the handle of his Desolate sword.

They walked silently for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The sound of small birds chirping pleasantly broke the silence.

Jeong Yeon-shin arrived with them at a small garden.

An artificial mountain made of piled high quality gravel caught his eye.

It was in the center of a very small lake.

A modest stream of water circled the rock garden, and a mysterious mist faintly rose above it.

Splash.

“We promised earlier. To transform your sword into a divine weapon, benefactor.”

Tang Li-li took a step forward and slightly extended her arm.

It was a gesture from Jeong Yeon-shin toward the water’s edge.

“Just dip it in and take it out. Only one blade is possible.”

“…?”

After a moment of silence, Hyeon Won-chang spoke.

“Was the Sichuan Tang Clan a den of medicine peddlers? Are you selling medicine now?”

He seemed to have unconsciously spoken his thoughts.

Startled at himself, he covered his mouth with one hand.

Lazy Flame Dragon brought his mouth close to Jeong Yeon-shin’s ear.

“Though I’m not sure about the future of the Return Wing Corps, let’s exclude that fool first.”

The boy didn’t answer and slowly took a step forward.

While slightly lifting the side of his pitch-black robe at the waist, he alternately touched the cold blade of the Desolate sword and Northern Light sword.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***