Chapter 701 – Desolate Fortress Lord

Today’s jianghu.

Everywhere under heaven has long since transformed into a battleground of the strong devouring the weak. With the seemingly eternal Ming Dynasty completely collapsing, it was only natural.

Great events never ceased.

The hegemonic struggles of reclusive hermit masters frequently occurred, and divine martial arts never before heard of raised their fame. It was natural that many sought to understand the flow of great powers in order to survive safely amidst this.

“…History throughout ancient and modern times was like this too. When countries became chaotic, countless people never seen or heard of before would burst forth, overturning the Central Plains magnificently with skills learned from who knows where, wouldn’t they?”

It was the words of a middle-aged man dressed in fine silk blue robes.

He was lying slanted on a small hill. While leading two people whose attire suggested they might or might not be disciples.

None other than the Hao Sect’s Dengfeng County branch leader.

His nickname was Pacifying Bodhisattva, which was a half-mocking name. It meant he had become as genteel as a devotee by living quietly as a mouse before the sects of Shaolin, the foremost orthodox sect.

However, recent events had made him an important figure. This was because all kinds of orders and questions had poured in from the Hao Sect headquarters that had moved its main base to Nanzhi Province.

“Of course, since one of the One Emperor Three Sovereigns is Divine Sword Group Leader of the northern expedition, I don’t know what will become of jianghu and the Central Plains in the future. Among the four absolute beings, isn’t he the only one trying to maintain order under heaven?”

[TL Note- One Emperor Three Sovereigns was previously mistranslated as Three Emperors of Martial World.]

Among the two people listening silently, a Hao Sect member in merchant attire asked.

“If three of the four are the opposite, wouldn’t it be a matter of time before the Central Plains is overturned? Even now with Great Sequence and walking trees, the whole world seems turned upside down. All the sword-wielding fellows are rushing to Nanzhi Province…”

Pacifying Bodhisattva smiled slyly.

“Do you know why all under heaven began calling them One Emperor Three Sovereigns?”

“Isn’t it because they’re the strongest beings throughout the sickeningly vast Central Plains? Fighting God and Divine Sword Group Leader are already Martial Gods yet their achievements never cease in incomprehensible mystery, and Wandering Star Emperor Li Chuang is one of the World’s Five Swords himself while those under his command are overwhelming…”

“It’s because such people cannot mix.”

Pacifying Bodhisattva spoke while shrewdly scanning the surroundings.

“World Tree stands alone and complete, Fighting God is following exactly what Divine Sword Group Leader did in the north, Wandering Star is trying to make the now empty lands his own country, and in Divine Sword Group Leader’s eyes, all of this must appear as tyranny that should be suppressed.”

Just then, bare and empty thickets on one side swayed like ghostly gestures. Pacifying Bodhisattva immediately stopped speaking, and after only spring breezes blew gently, he slowly sighed. It was because this was a time to be careful of World Tree’s noble clans or Divine Sword Group’s Nether Stream Squad listening.

“…In any case, our sect’s rise and fall depends on the relationship patterns of these people. We must walk the tightrope very well. Right from here, right now.”

“Right now? A tightrope?”

The Hao Sect member in merchant attire asked again.

“Hasn’t the sect master already served Fighting God as lord? What do you mean tightrope?”

“Of course we are loyal Hao Sect members. We must completely follow the sect master’s will. But… isn’t planning the survival of Hao Sect’s Dengfeng County branch entirely our responsibility? When has the sect master ever arranged allowances for us going in and out of Shaolin’s extremely dangerous grounds? Isn’t that right?”

Contrary to Pacifying Bodhisattva’s words, Shaolin’s grounds weren’t particularly dangerous. Since there were originally many visitors who had learned martial arts, the Hao Sect members’ energy waves weren’t particularly unusual, and regardless of their martial prowess, it was a place where monks were polite and devotees became docile.

In the end, it was Pacifying Bodhisattva’s greed.

“The Great Merchant Alliance has moved. Noble families and merchant groups claiming their granaries smell of grain are all flocking to Mount Song. They probably intend to make a big bet on whichever side gains power here. The One Emperor Three Sovereigns can’t remain four forever.”

Such was the current situation.

There was never a day when gossipmongers’ mouths stopped, and under the bright blue spring sky, the wings of an unprecedented number of carrier pigeons fluttered.

Among them, there was one place that attracted the most attention.

Central Peak Mount Song.

The mountain where countless gossipmongers and noble families still debated whether Divine Sword Group Leader had truly ‘severed the gate.’

The Hao Sect members had positioned themselves in one of the relatively open viewing spots among the seventy-two peaks. In terms of location, it was a mound where Shaolin’s mountain gate could be seen very faintly in the distance. Naturally, it wasn’t prime real estate.

“It should be about time they come.”

Pacifying Bodhisattva muttered. His face looked somehow anxious, and the Hao Sect member in merchant attire asked with an even more worried expression.

“Branch leader, may I ask what we’re waiting for now? As you know, this place will soon become a living hell.”

“Ah! There she comes.”

The Hao Sect member who turned his head was immediately shocked. Another Hao Sect member who had been silently maintaining his sword regardless of the surrounding chatter, a young boy with dark skin, also flinched for the first time.

Step.

It was a footstep that rang out in their midst.

Even that was because the withered thickets had bowed their heads only to straighten up again. The slender shadow fell across the faces of the Hao Sect members who witnessed grass-skimming lightness technique before their eyes. Even the sharp shadow of her ears standing alert like spear points.

She was a World Tree noble clan member.

“Hao Sect, correct?”

The Hao Sect members all lowered their eyelids in unison. It meant they wouldn’t confirm the opponent’s appearance as information merchants.

“Yes, yes that’s right! We requested contact for matters unrelated to Fighting God! Naturally the headquarters doesn’t know about this!”

Pacifying Bodhisattva’s words wouldn’t work on most jianghu people, but the Hao Sect member in merchant attire suddenly went “Ah” as if realizing something. A being who could transcendentally discern principles stood before them.

“Hand it over.”

“Here…!”

Pacifying Bodhisattva held out a rolled letter, and it disappeared before it could even fully emerge from his grasp. It was a noble clan’s Golden Bird Hand technique.

But Pacifying Bodhisattva knew what he had written.

1. Whether the rumor that the gate disappeared is true.

2. Whether it’s fact that Divine Sword Group Leader cut that gate.

3. What the reason is for Divine Sword Group Leader’s seclusion.

4. Whether there are additional forces serving Divine Sword Group Leader besides those openly revealed.

5. What the current state of the Great Righteous Alliance based in Luoyang is.

Not only that.

Through this, Pacifying Bodhisattva had reached one judgment. That Shaolin had long since destroyed World Tree’s branches on Mount Song, World Tree’s information network in Henan had become pitifully weak, and Shaolin and World Tree would now find coexistence difficult.

Yet he never showed this.

Since masters under the One Emperor Three Sovereigns were death gods to anyone.

Pacifying Bodhisattva asked very carefully.

“Is the Chaotic Heaven Emperor in meditation before the great battle…?”

“The only name you dare speak is Praising Earth Sword Duke. He is the new era’s Divine Sword Group Leader, so spread this widely.”

“Divine Sword Group Leader… Yes, yes!”

“I’ll come again.”

These were the words left by the noble clan member who confirmed the contents on the spot. Where she had been, only murky dust swirled like a whirlwind, with the same sudden lightness technique as when she first came.

Pacifying Bodhisattva, whose bones had turned cold, muttered quietly. Amitabha.

The Hao Sect member in merchant attire asked after several deep breaths.

“…Will it be alright?”

“There were no definitive statements in the letter. Just degrees of ‘this is presumed’ and ‘that is thought.’ Even that alone is big information for jianghu people who aren’t locals. If they have brains, they wouldn’t kill the chicken to get the eggs by wanting more.”

“Do we even amount to chickens to the One Emperor Three Sovereigns?”

“Of course. At least for now.”

Half a day later, another figure arrived.

A man who, though not a noble clan member, had ghostly grass-skimming lightness technique, and though he possessed a slender frame like a noble clan member, an inexplicable strength flowed from his entire body.

‘Jeong Family Dynamic Technique…!’

It was Divine Sword Group’s Nether Stream Squad.

He had such ordinary features that one wouldn’t recognize him if they met again in the marketplace. His level of Concealing Truth and Returning to Simplicity was considerable enough that anyone below a Hao Sect branch leader would find it difficult to assess his martial prowess.

Pacifying Bodhisattva was inwardly shocked. A mere member was at this level?

‘And this isn’t even a martial force focused on combat…’

Though his presence was fainter than the woman who had just arrived, he could undoubtedly kill the Hao Sect members with one move. Due to Nether Stream Squad’s characteristics, he wore colorless clothing, but it would be blue grade.

“A World Tree noble clan member came by earlier. I dare presume it was Northern Darkness Fist Marquis. Her lightness technique far exceeded even your level. She seemed like she could kill us with just her breath.”

Pacifying Bodhisattva brazenly laid out the facts.

A moment of silence passed. The Nether Stream Squad master looked at him quietly and said.

“When is the attack?”

“Forces have gathered sufficiently. Based on our estimates, it might be this very evening.”

Then Pacifying Bodhisattva added with a sly smile.

“As scouts, we can’t follow you, but we’re excellent at smelling the scent of grain in Dengfeng County.”

“I know.”

“Noble clan members don’t live without eating either. It’s about time food runs out. Perhaps because it’s truly a standoff between the One Emperor Three Sovereigns, they’re gathering full strength to ensure they cut off breath completely rather than quick decisive battles. Probably because the One Hundred Eight Arhats have been freely released from the gate, and there’s a high possibility they’ll try to protect Divine Sword Group Leader.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what, it’s all to curry favor. Isn’t it close from Huguang to Henan?”

The Nether Stream Squad master fell into brief thought, and Pacifying Bodhisattva casually asked.

“Is Divine Sword Group Leader in good health?”

“You’re crossing the line. I’ll pay handsomely for the information, so don’t probe anything.”

“Mm, I’ll watch my words.”

Great news had already struck the Central Plains long ago. The rumor that Divine Sword Group Leader Lightning Genius had been expelled by Chaotic Heaven Emperor Desolate Fortress Lord. It was spread by none other than World Tree’s noble clan members, and around that rumor, other rumors proliferated.

Whether he was expelled only as a disciple, or whether he had lost his qualifications as Divine Sword Group Leader. Those who spoke the latter were mainly forces aligned with World Tree.

But Pacifying Bodhisattva’s thinking was the former. The Divine Sword Group masters who had gathered at Mount Song were clearly wary of World Tree.

“As you know, the Great Righteous Alliance forces stopped their advance as soon as Praising Earth Sword Duke stepped toward Mount Song… but they’re also not requesting any special supplies in Luoyang. Since they have no intention of dragging this out, they’ll move soon. Whether aiming for the fisherman’s profit or taking one side’s part. In any case, an event that will sweep the entire Central Plains will soon break out.”

Then the dark-skinned young swordsman of Hao Sect pointed his finger below the ridgeline.

“Like that?”

“Yes, that’s catching evil sects, Soon-il. Like that… hm?”

Rumble…

Shaolin’s mountain gate, which had appeared small in the distance, rapidly enlarged in Pacifying Bodhisattva’s vision. It was naturally Hao Sect’s secret eye technique, but more important was the being approaching the mountain gate at this moment.

It appeared as a dark silhouette because it was a back view facing the sunlight. A distance with easily seven peaks between.

Yet there was pressure that seemed to weigh down Pacifying Bodhisattva’s shoulders. With manifestation, the bare spring forest seemed to regain its green color. Without drawing his sword, he was emanating sword power worthy of discussing supremacy under heaven.

Natural Sword.

The head seat of World Tree’s Four Great Dharma Protectors.

‘Crazy, Praising Earth Sword Duke…? How mighty is his spirit!’

What hung at his waist was Enter The Divine Sword.

Unlike information that it would show faded grayish-white when surroundings darkened, it was pure white throughout. However, that graceful form that had reigned as jianghu’s terror for hundreds of years was unmistakably identical.

Pacifying Bodhisattva unconsciously muttered.

“Saying Desolate Fortress Lord newly appointed him… planning to smash Lotus Nezha’s legitimacy first. Truly intending to conquer all under heaven.”

These were words he could speak because the Nether Stream Squad master had suddenly disappeared. He immediately gave orders to the two Hao Sect members in turn.

“You go to Taishi Mountain to send a carrier pigeon, and Soon-il should act like a commoner at Shaoshi Mountain. Mix in among the spectators. Wait for my mental transmission. Though Fighting God’s whereabouts have suddenly become mysterious, it wouldn’t be strange if he suddenly sprouted from the ground in Shaolin’s grounds. If things go badly, lead the commoners of Dengfeng County down.”

Even while saying this, his gaze remained on Shaolin.

It would be right to say his eyes were glued like glue.

Two silhouettes were following behind Praising Earth Sword Duke. One was a woman with empty hands, and the spectacular sight of space distorting along her arms that were as long as her legs was the highlight.

“The one beside her is Qingcheng Sect Leader…!”

Twin Wall Sword Lord Taoist Qingshu.

When he drew his sword, the sea of clouds covering the sky split white. As if he had drawn out the sword energy the cloud sea harbored. Likewise at the Natural Sword realm.

‘The sect master’s words were true!’

The closer one was to World Tree’s branches, and the thicker the noble clan blood, the harder it was to resist ‘unification.’ Taoist Qinshu would be no exception.

A Nine Great Sects’ sect leader.

Had become World Tree’s lackey.

“This too must be treated as urgent news. In any case, Divine Sword Group would be overwhelmed just trying to check the Great Righteous Alliance.”

For some reason, the former Divine Sword Group Leader was holed up in Shaolin in seclusion. If they were people who found it this difficult to relocate their base, they would inevitably become the first target in a three-way battle.

When preserving strength wouldn’t be enough, the peerless masters they faced were Praising Earth Sword Duke, Northern Darkness Fist Marquis, and Taoist Qingshu in unified body state. Their martial power might equal three past Divine Sword Group Leaders. Especially Praising Earth Sword Duke’s divine might was still unknown.

“Soon-il, run quickly. Our curious Dengfeng County people might die without even leaving corpses. I told them not to go like that.”

“Is Chaotic Heaven Emperor Desolate Fortress Lord truly trying to play emperor? Planning to reveal herself only after suppression is complete…?”

Suddenly some rumbling arose from underground, but since it was such faint vibration, he ignored it. Surely Desolate Fortress Lord and Fighting God hadn’t begun a life-and-death battle in underground abysses.

‘At this rate, that Nether Stream Squad fellow I met earlier would be better off dying at Shaolin. Divine Sword Group can’t withstand the chariot battle between World Tree and Great Alliance.’

He had backed the wrong horse.

Hadn’t even all seventeen generations gathered? The ones who had first occupied Shaolin’s mountain gate were strange beyond comparison from the start. They were all madmen without friend or foe.

That was when it happened.

RUMMMMMBLE…!

Thunder-like rumbling rose beyond the mountainside to the sky. The sight of the cloud sea that had already been split in half scattering like mist. It was truly tremendous scale. As if Taoist Qingshu’s sword energy had been inexplicably transported along with space itself.

“What kind of unorthodox technique is that…?”

Pacifying Bodhisattva stopped mid-sentence and started.

Because some bamboo hat-wearing cripple was pressing his blade against Taoist Qingshu’s sword and leaning on it. It was a sight both comical and somehow eerie.

Praising Earth Sword Duke’s Six Union Formation roared.

[Those not belonging to Divine Sword Group, withdraw.]

It was truly a dry, emotionless voice. The temperament of an absolute being who looked down on nothing and took nothing seriously.

He didn’t even wait for an answer.

Praising Earth Sword Duke simply passed by Unorthodox Finest Sword.

And was suddenly trapped in a pitch-black prison. Some black flames were drawing a chaotic circular mandala. Precisely centered on Praising Earth Sword Duke.

It was clearly Ming Cult Leader’s characteristic black flames, but Pacifying Bodhisattva suddenly turned his gaze. Because a huge shadow had fallen over the silhouette that was definitely Northern Darkness Fist Marquis.

An unbelievably massive fist crashed down toward her crown.

BOOOOOOOOOM!

The sound announcing the start of the great battle was that tremendous. Literally a terrifying earthquake shook several peaks like carpets, and Pacifying Bodhisattva’s expression became strangely peculiar.

‘In the battle between Desolate Fortress and Divine Sword Group…’

There was no Divine Sword Group.