Chapter 441 – Sunset Flag (3)

The procession escorting Jeong Yeon-shin came to a halt.

About thirty jang away from the large main gate of Desolate Fortress’s inner castle.

They stared blankly at the woman in Wudang Taoist robes blocking their path. The dust in the air twisted and swirled like smoke due to the supreme Wudang protective energy technique.

It made a soft sound like paper rustling. The trace of profound Taoist internal energy. Also called immortal energy.

“Cloud-Stepping Technique.”

Cheong Myeong muttered beside the palanquin.

The Phoenix Palm of Wudang had literally dropped down suddenly. As if she had been waiting for Jeong Yeon-shin’s party for a long time.

“……”

She gazed intently at the palanquin with her face covered by a translucent veil.

As if searching for something in the newly appointed Purple Rank.

Soon, her eyes met with Jeong Yeon-shin’s, who was looking down at her calmly. It was but a moment. When their gazes met, Phoenix Palm Zhu Shi-hua’s body trembled slightly.

“Tried to test the waters but saw the abyss instead.”

Lazy Flame Dragon sneered, reclining against his fine horse’s neck.

His posture was as carefree as if he had mastered ancient Yuan dynasty horseback martial arts.

Throughout the journey from the Jeong Family estate to Xiangyang, he had maintained a human-horse unity posture, watching the rear while chewing opium poppy.

Even now, he didn’t bother to turn around.

Namgung Hwa-shin, the highest in rank, took the lead.

“I greet your noble bloodline. May I inquire about your business?”

“Since when do we know each other well enough for such formality?”

“…?”

“I am a martial artist. Don’t address me as a Zhu family.”

Zhu Shi-hua spoke gently. Despite cultivating Wudang divine techniques, her manner exuded nobility rather than transcendence.

The temporary Obeying Heaven Wing Leader immediately nodded and changed his tone.

“The Purple Rank of the inner castle is passing through. If you have no specific business, I believe it would be courteous for a martial artist not to block the way.”

“…I have nothing to discuss with you. I’ve come to meet Master Jeong.”

“Without prior notice, he cannot grant an audience. The Purple Rank’s time is not equivalent to your years.”

“Can’t I give notice here? Just turn around and relay my message. I am qualified to stand before your superior.”

“It would be best not to jest rashly in this place. I don’t demand respect from you. Just send formal communication later.”

“I don’t understand. Is this the Namgung clan’s excessive formality?”

“I’m simply upholding the dignity of the inner castle.”

Thanks to his continuous practice of Judgment Qilin while traveling, Namgung Hwa-shin was now emitting a subtle pressure from his right hand.

Zhu Shi-hua casually deflected the formidable flow of power as if it were a gentle breeze.

It was a conversation between first-rate supreme masters. Neither side would back down.

This standoff would have continued indefinitely unless someone drew their weapon or the severely injured Jeong Yeon-shin intervened directly. That was until three figures appeared behind Zhu Shi-hua.

Tung-

A silver spear shaft was placed on her shoulder. Accompanied by a clear metallic sound.

“The inner castle tends to respect the rules of the Sword Releasing Pool, yet here’s a young Wudang colt making a scene in someone else’s front yard? Does this make sense?”

A girl dragging the hem of her black robe on the ground approached with a grin.

Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin had placed her spear on the Phoenix Palm’s shoulder. It was a movement without even a sound of splitting air.

Zhu Shi-hua was not easily subdued. She gripped the spear shaft with both hands, which she had been raising even before the spear approached.

She did this while generating the energy waves of Wudang’s most famous martial art, Taiji Fist. From her grip, translucent currents spread out in spirals with a soft rushing sound.

Despite performing the Golden Silk Net, the energy waves of Taiji Fist emerged. She could freely transition between spear and fist techniques.

“Even for a Purple Rank, this is practically like dealing with royalty. How can delivering a simple message be so difficult……”

After muttering to herself, she was about to strike back at Yue Shou-lin behind her with the spear, but stopped.

Regardless of whether her counterattack would succeed or not, she had to stop.

On either side of Zhu Shi-hua.

On one side was an elf clan woman with an indifferent expression, gripping her sword hilt at her waist.

On the other side, a large man with ears as sharp as a treasured sword looked down at her.

It felt as if deep shadows had fallen despite the clear night. It was Law Enforcement Squad Leader and Forest Treading Squad Leader.

That wasn’t all.

Beyond Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder, who was now dozing with his head nodding in his seat, another scene unfolded.

The commoners who had followed the palanquin, holding purple lanterns, were looking innocently at Zhu Shi-hua.

No one dared to hurl insults at the Wudang immortal. They merely stared.

That sight weighed on Zhu Shi-hua’s shoulders. At least here in Xiangyang, there was no place for the Nine Great Sects’ immortals, nor the prestige of the Zhu imperial clan.

It was not a place where she could demonstrate the divine techniques and philosophy of Wudang’s Zhang Sanfeng that she had cultivated throughout her life.

In these chaotic times when face was more important than ever.

It was as if Wudang had been defeated once.

“…I shall speak here.”

Zhu Shi-hua slowly moved her lips. Widely spreading the energy field around her and the Desolate Fortress warriors. No one stopped her, and soon the surrounding sounds became distant.

“Master Jeong.”

On the palanquin pulled by the fine horses.

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his eyes naturally, as if by magic. Not as if he had succumbed to sleep, but as if he had been in sacred meditation.

Unruffled gentlemanly conduct was a virtue that the Purple Rank should rightfully possess.

“I am Zhu Shi-hua of Wudang. First, I congratulate you on your promotion.”

“……”

“You need only listen. I simply… wish to convey advice to you on behalf of the Nine Great Sects, who maintain the balance between supernatural powers and the mortal world. It is for the sake of the common people under heaven.”

Zhu Shi-hua continued slowly.

“Master Jeong, though you now have the status to go anywhere, you should not step just anywhere. This is because your well-being now has profound implications for the entire world.”

“Did you cause this commotion to spout things everyone already knows?”

Yue Shou-lin’s spear tapped her shoulder repeatedly.

Zhu Shi-hua showed no particular reaction. The rogue hero from Shandong Yue Clan had been famous even before she ascended Wudang Mountain.

Rather, she was more concerned about the whisper from Jeong Yeon-shin that faintly brushed her ear.

It sounded like ‘Still, I’m better than a monkey practicing Tao,’ but she must have misheard.

“If you would repeat yourself, I will listen attentively.”

“……”

“I see I must send formal notice next time. Assuming you are listening, I shall repeat. Please refrain from going to Zhejiang for the time being.”

“Is a Wudang Taoist placing restrictions on the movements of the inner castle’s Purple Rank?”

The internal energy in Forest Treading Squad Leader He Hou Wei-jin’s voice shook the air. It was a voice revealing tremendous energy accumulation.

But Zhu Shi-hua dispersed that energy wave with just a shake of her round shoulders.

“Information has reached us that the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord has visited the Heaven Conquering Sect. Since the message came from Divine Beggar Zhu Guang, it is likely true.”

Beggar Sect Leader and Taimo Mountain Castle Lord.

And Heaven Conquering Sect..

The atmosphere in the venue instantly grew heavy. Yue Shou-lin removed her spear from her shoulder.

“Tell me more.”

“The Taimo Mountain Castle Lord, who has achieved great success, is roaming this land with supernatural abilities. As if he has mastered the legendary earth-shrinking technique. While rumors spread that the old monster appeared in Hanzhong, where the Sword Star’s Martial Alliance is based, now there is intelligence that he is building a large magic formation in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, attempting to summon something. According to Divine Beggar Zhu Guang, it does not seem to be defensive magic like barriers.”

“This requires verification.”

Law Enforcement Squad Leader Yun Xiao-yu addressed Jeong Yeon-shin. It was the first time she had shown such respect to her senior from the Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

Yun Xiao-yu’s face, bathed in the faint moonlight, was extremely calm. The demeanor of one who upholds Desolate Fortress’s laws. She ensured that the words of a single Wudang supreme master would not dictate the Desolate Fortress’ movements.

Jeong Yeon-shin acknowledged her with a nod.

“Take all the time you need to verify. Elder Divine Beggar also said it’s not something that will be completed in a day or two. However, our sect, Shaolin, and some other mountain sects have decided that regardless of what rumors emerge, Master Jeong should not set foot there.”

“This is crossing the line, the more I hear it.”

Lazy Flame Dragon, who had been lying on his horse’s back, tried to rise but was stopped by Hyeon Won-chang.

The Desolate Hero pressed the opium addict’s solar plexus, forcing him back down. He added that a mere Blue Rank had no place to intervene.

Zhu Shi-hua didn’t even glance at them.

“The Taimo Mountain Castle Lord is like a natural enemy to those who have deeply cultivated their upper dantian. Sometimes he even uses their spirituality in reverse, as if wielding energy absorption techniques as sorcery. He turns the power of others’ cultivated upper dantian into fuel for his strikes. Before him… even a supreme master who has deeply trained external martial arts might move more freely than a peerless master with mysterious skills. Above all, if you’re not careful, you might accelerate the completion of unknown sorcery……”

“He’s not invincible.”

Finally speaking, Jeong Yeon-shin cut off her words.

“I’ve never heard the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord mentioned among peerless masters who can discuss the fate of the world.”

“That’s likely due to the weakness of those who specialize in sorcery martial arts. They’re different from peerless masters who can freely race across the wilderness with their bare bodies. Sorcery practitioners can hardly move unless the timing and environment align properly.”

“Is the timing right now?”

“It may seem so, but since Elder Divine Beggar has already noticed his movements, it will soon change.”

“Why?”

“Because the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects will be heading to Hangzhou.”

The implication that the world’s immortals would collectively take martial action gave even Desolate Fortress’s Wing Leaders pause. Zhu Shi-hua continued.

“There is no need for the newly appointed Purple Rank to involve himself. Since our Nine Great Sects have primarily handled matters of supernatural powers, you should look after the common people under heaven. No matter what rumors you hear from Hangzhou, Master Jeong must not confront the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord. Even if he summons a rain dragon, the Nine Great Sects will face him with full force.”

Mount Hua Agreement sparring competition.

At the very least, the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects had discerned that the deity residing in Jeong Yeon-shin’s upper dantian was exceptionally large among the trinity of spirit, energy, and body. Nothing else would explain Zhu Shi-hua’s visit.

She and the Nine Great Sects truly acknowledged the new Purple Rank and were concerned for his well-being.

“Also, since we’re discussing sorcery martial arts……”

“…?”

“Beware of Yelu Zhen. Whether woman or man, even the exact level of martial prowess is unknown, yet this person killed two Pure Demon Sect Leaders. Normally, upright individuals do not hide their true form, and this person clearly worships the Heavenly Demon as a demonic path practitioner. Someday, they will inevitably clash with Desolate Fortress.”

The world was approaching Jeong Yeon-shin.

The Nine Great Sects’ warning to take care of himself meant nothing. To the newly appointed Purple Rank, it sounded more like an invitation to walk to Hangzhou and to not mind entanglement with Yelu Zhen.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Tell Taoist High Sword I appreciate his advice.”

Clatter.

The palanquin moved forward with Jeong Yeon-shin’s gesture.

“…!”

It was truly an unremarkable hand movement. But Zhu Shi-hua couldn’t take her eyes off Jeong Yeon-shin’s right hand.

As if showing it in return for hearing good information, the newly appointed Purple Rank’s hand was completely suffused with a bright white radiance.

It left a pale white afterimage in the air as it moved away with the palanquin.

Saaa-

The wind blew.

Extremely auspicious energy waves spread in all directions. The white breeze, split into several streams, soon swept over the commoners who had followed the palanquin.

Simultaneously, exclamations erupted from all around. The Phoenix Palm almost lost strength in her legs.

Due to the supreme pleasure that came like washing her internal acupoints transparently. It was a sensation she had only felt when she first encountered immortal energy techniques.

Demon Extermination Light Trace.

Jeong Yeon-shin had already faced Yelu Zhen. He must have deeply contemplated techniques that could counter someone he might meet as an enemy in the future.

And a grandmaster’s thoughts inevitably became absolute techniques.

“This, this is…!”

As Zhu Shi-hua turned her head.

Creak-

It was the sound of hinges.

She was too late, having rarely lost her composure. The palanquin, escorted by four Black Ranks, two on each side, was disappearing through the gap in the massive gate. Along with the warriors accompanying it.

Boom.

The gate closed firmly.

“……”

The world’s foremost faction had embraced Purple Rank Jeong Yeon-shin.