Chapter 411 – Beijing (3)

The voice that penetrated his ear was quite welcome, but Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head very slowly.

‘Alcohol is truly the greatest poison of all time.’

This was true for both body and mind.

Those who touch their brain with primal energy in an attempt to rapidly refine their upper dantian, and are lucky enough not to die but instead go insane, are called demonic people.

At this moment, despite his head pounding as if it would split open, no proper remedy came to mind.

If he had expelled the alcohol energy from the moment he started drinking the night before, it might have been different, but there was nothing he could do about the alcohol that had created swelling in the blood vessels of his head overnight and then disappeared. Just like Jeong Yeon-shin’s Baihui acupoint.

It could be called self-inflicted. After all, he had deliberately not circulated his energy after ingesting the poison.

“Hey, Jeong Yeon-shin! I finally caught up with you!”

A boy wearing a Taoist robe embroidered with plum blossoms was running toward him from a distance.

With each step he took, the distance rapidly closed, yet no footprints were left on the dirt ground. There was no sound either.

It was Mount Hua Sect’s lightness skill, Dark Fragrance Step.

Beyond his shoulder, two more Plum Blossom Swordsmen could be seen standing still.

Jeong Yeon-shin flinched slightly as he glimpsed his friend’s appearance.

Unlike him, Yu Hyeon, Mount Hua Sect’s first disciple with relatively short limbs, was quite a presentable young Taoist.

Just like the old Wudang immortal who had suddenly exchanged moves with Jeong Yeon-shin and disappeared yesterday.

“Were you going to leave without saying goodbye? There were things we needed to discuss.”

“What’s there to talk about when we’ll see each other again soon?”

“I mean the Mount Hua Agreement. When you first activated it, you mentioned the Divine Sword Group Leader as a purple-rank noble, but the situation is different now. Great Hero Yong has only inherited the Entering Divine Sword from Tyrant Hero. On the other hand, you’re the blood descendant of the original party to the Mount Hua Agreement… So you’re the one participating, right?”

Yu Hyeon, who had reached the inn, asked while catching his breath. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slowly.

“Of course I’ll participate.”

“Well, naturally. You might even end up facing my master. She’s talked about you a lot. Well… I’m not exactly sure how the Nine Sects will select their representatives, but…”

Yu Hyeon added. He said that even as a Plum Blossom Swordsman, the atmosphere suggested he would barely be selected if he won the competition.

“The Mount Hua Sect Leader has talked about me?”

“She owes you a life debt. Mount Hua doesn’t forget such things. She said your back was broad despite being narrow.”

Though looking at you now, she couldn’t say it’s narrow— Yu Hyeon grumbled sullenly.

A warm feeling blossomed in Jeong Yeon-shin’s chest.

It was like the warmth that had seeped into his back when he once carried Brilliant Jade Sword God, who had been injured by the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader, down from the dragnet.

But Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

“If I face Mount Hua, I’ll learn a thing or two from Sword Saint… Taoist Cheon Ju. I’m already looking forward to it.”

“Huh…?”

“The Dark Fragrance Immovable Flower was incredibly beautiful. I saw it at the Martial Alliance gathering.”

“……?”

“Hmm?”

The two stared at each other blankly.

Suddenly, the early morning breeze rushed across the river opposite, then wrapped around them as it passed. The wind that lightly lifted both their sleeve hems brushed coolly against their skin.

Yu Hyeon, who had been staring up at Jeong Yeon-shin for a moment, nodded roughly.

“I won’t leave empty-handed. I have something to report to my sect.”

“I see.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly.

They say large-scale faction wars and martial competitions are conducted in such a manner.

First, one thoroughly assesses the opponent’s temperament, habits, and martial arts they’ve cultivated. Only then do they send out disciples to engage in the competition.

‘I wonder which venerable will come out.’

The person who would face the current Jeong Yeon-shin would likely need to possess four things.

Deep internal energy, solid protective techniques, lethal counter-techniques, and a state of unity of essence, energy, and spirit.

These were the conditions for increasing one’s chances against a martial artist with swift and fierce strikes.

For the Nine Sects, which could be called the orthodox lineage of proper martial arts, there must be more than one or two immortals who met those conditions.

“We must both aim for victory. Whether it’s a sect leader of the Nine Sects or a purple martial artist from the main fortress, we shouldn’t move according to others’ wishes given our positions.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke gravely.

By now, quite a lot must be known about him anyway.

Many factions must be aware that his martial arts were based on swift sword techniques and that he preferred short decisive battles. This would be even more true for major factions that were close to the Beggar Sect or Hao Sect, or had spies.

“That’s quite the evil path way.”

“What did you say?”

Yu Hyeon shrugged at Jeong Yeon-shin’s question.

“Nothing. Since I’ve seen your face, I think I’ll head back now. My master will be worried.”

“You should go then.”

“We’ll see each other again soon anyway. Even if I can’t participate in the Mount Hua Agreement, I’ll come to watch. How often do such events happen?”

“Right, then I might be able to gauge your skills a bit…”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s indifferent gaze alternated between Yu Hyeon’s arms and legs.

Yu Hyeon left while shaking his fist at him.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Things were wrapping up. Only the Divine Sword Group Leader would have to deal with the aftermath of the Black-rank gathering. He had just declared that he would make it so.

“Would you mind taking some of the beating with me? I’m quite uneasy about the imperial family too.”

Yong Hui-myeong said nonchalantly. It was an invitation to Jeong Yeon-shin.

The leader of the world’s finest Divine Sword Group.

He said he could decide the whereabouts of a single Black-rank at will, without seeking permission from Desolate Fortress’s Grand Administrator’s Office.

This was the power of the Divine Sword Group Leader that Jeong Yeon-shin had been eyeing.

—Since the Fortress Lord is away, it would be right to get the imperial court’s approval in advance. There’s much to explain anyway.

It was Yong Hui-myeong’s mental imagery.

The squad leaders had decided to return to their respective mission locations. They couldn’t leave the people’s livelihood unattended indefinitely.

“Don’t return that robe to the Yong fellow!”

Yue Shou-lin, who had been chattering about rumors of Beijing, concluded. Forest-Treading Squad Leader Xiahou Wei-jin burst into laughter as if supporting her well-wishes.

The two of them, along with Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu, were walking toward Xiangyang as the standing forces of Desolate Fortress.

The noble swordswoman Woon So-yu, who upholds the fortress’ laws, left a slight bow as a farewell greeting.

The Annihilation Team Leader and Supreme Martial Hall Leader said they were heading to Hangzhou in Zhejiang and Fuzhou in Fujian respectively. It was the far east.

“They say a faction that made empty threats as their principle has risen greatly in Hangzhou. These are chaotic times. When you go to Beijing, you’ll see the world at a glance. You need to think about how the power we possess should be used properly.”… “It will be hard to treat you casually next time we meet. I was curious about how the martial artists of your martial lineage receive instruction, but I haven’t been able to satisfy that curiosity yet. Let’s look forward to next time.”

Unlike the two Han squad leaders who had spoken at some length, Burning Abyss Squad Leader Yu Jeong-myeong with his long ears left only a somewhat awkward nod before departing.

He said he was going to investigate rumors of the appearance of some unknown heavenly demon’s treasure map.

“Are you going to Qinghai?”

“How did you…?”

“When I was handling the matter of the City of Renowned Craftsmen earlier, I obtained a treasure map from a minor leader of the Ten Perfections Sect. It had the name of a city in Qinghai… Xining written on it. I burned it on the spot, but I remember. It seemed to depict the underground of the city.”

“Xining, Xining… You’ve saved me a great deal of trouble.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin made a fist-palm salute and prayed for the Burning Abyss Squad Leader’s safe return.

Information about the graves of former absolute beings often brought bloodshed not just to the martial world but even to civilian homes.

Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Group had traditionally taken all sorts of measures to preemptively dispel rumors about treasure maps.

Factions dealing with demons and spell techniques must be flocking to Qinghai.

It was a mission that could only be entrusted to the Burning Abyss Squad Leader, whose lightness skill might surpass even Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

“You take care of yourself first. You’ll be exposed to the competitive spirit of peerless masters.”

Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader Cheon So-so had a talent for conveying warmth with her monotone speech. It was a fact Jeong Yeon-shin hadn’t known until he returned from the rain dragon’s formation.

She said she had received some kind of request from Henan Province. If it was Immortal Tree Spirit business, it must be related to earth energy.

“I hope you take care too, Senior Cheon.”

By this point, Jeong Yeon-shin was feeling an inexplicable sense of emptiness. Was it because he had filled all the warmth he couldn’t find in the Jeong family mansion at last night’s banquet?

If Cheon So-so’s lips hadn’t formed a barely visible curve, he might have had to secretly digest loneliness.

“Let’s eat again when you come to Xiangyang.”

“Pardon?”

“Five Rhymes Mountain Vegetable Dish. It was delicious yesterday.”

She patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder and left. A faint scent of grass remained along with the cry of an early cicada.

Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader Beigong Ya and Heavenly Dragon Squad Leader Wei Zhi-ji headed toward the border region beyond the northern edge of Shanxi Province.

They said the threat from the northern Yao tribe masters had even broken through the imperial army’s defenses.

Thus, the power of the Divine Sword Group encompassed all corners of the world.

It was an area Jeong Yeon-shin would have to take responsibility for in the future.

“Just think about the immediate matters for now. The nobles of Beijing are like monstrous powers in politics. If you let your guard down, you might get your nose cut off right in front of your face.”

“Strictly speaking, that’s Great Hero Yong’s business. At least until Group Leader Jeong receives the Entering Divine Sword.”

After leaving Yong Hui-myeong and Yeon So-ha behind, Jeong Yeon-shin faced a man with snow-white hair flowing down about ten paces ahead.

Blood Guardian Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo.

While the fierceness of internal energy masters is usually revealed to some extent through their eye light, Jin Myeong-jo’s red pupils lacked even a hint of luster.

His bloodshot eyes were astonishingly turbid. It was the realm of returning to ordinary at the pinnacle that Jeong Yeon-shin always observed and learned from.

Jin Myeong-jo opened his mouth.

“Beijing is another world.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.

“I’ve heard as much. They say it’s not a land for humans.”

“You’ll need to prepare in many ways. Are you interested in formless swords?”

“More precisely, in the Dark Night Radiant Blood Demon Sword…”

“Observe the Group Leader’s every move. With your blood energy, you should be able to implement it and more.”

“Thank you for the advice. May I ask where your mission location is? Perhaps I could be of help…”

Jeong Yeon-shin trailed off. He might become the future Divine Sword Vice Leader. It would be useful to know his destination for potential assignments.

At that moment, a chilling light flashed in Jin Myeong-jo’s eyes.

“The death of Desolate Fortress martial artists is a common occurrence in war. Don’t seek to know. Even if one dies in the wilderness, it cannot be called a meaningless death.”

Soon after, he wrapped himself tightly in his black robe and vanished on the spot.

For an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin saw Jin Myeong-jo’s afterimage stepping back onto the sunlit river. It was an extremely elegant void treading technique.

“Myeong-jo spoke well. That’s the mindset of a Divine Sword Group Leader.”

Yong Hui-myeong placed his hand on Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.

“When you reach this position, you inevitably lose many martial artists under your command. After I wash my hands in the golden basin, I plan to visit their hometowns. There are many places I need to go.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded silently. Yong Hui-myeong, who had been quietly observing him for a moment, raised the corner of his mouth.

“Let’s get going. It’s quite a long journey, but in the blink of an eye, we’ll be facing the moat of the Forbidden City.”

* * *

From Wuchang in Hubei to Beijing.

It was a distance that required traversing half the country. Normally, it would be enough to carry out two or three long-term missions.

But the lightness skill of the Divine Sword Group Leader, who had recovered from his internal injuries, was truly monstrous.

With his extremely direct lightness skill sprint, he could overtake Jeong Yeon-shin several times even while carrying Blue-rank Martial Artist Yeon So-ha under his arm.

“Is that…?”

“I borrowed your inspiration when I was trapped in the dragnet. It was incredibly useful. If you find it bothersome, I’m willing to share a few words of my martial reasoning.”

“I’ll take it as is.”

“Hmm?”

They headed north at a terrifying speed.

They crossed forests full of yellow-brown branches and vast plains cracked without a drop of moisture.

Sunlight and moonlight alternately swept over Jeong Yeon-shin’s head several times.

“By the way, you should know this. Beijing won’t welcome us. We’ll be lucky if they don’t issue an arrest warrant first.”

“Because they suspect treason?”

“There might be some like that, but what I’m saying is a bit different. The gathering of the squad leaders itself will be viewed unfavorably by them. Regardless of your or my intentions.”

“……”

“Leaving such a power that could greatly threaten the capital quietly in the territory? Such a country is no longer a country. Much less an empire. Isn’t that why Desolate Fortress was created in the first place?”

“…I understand.”

Then one day, when he burst through the mist that had been wrapping around a steep cliff like a belt.

Far in the distance, golden roof tiles stretching endlessly forward were reflected in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

City walls revealing overwhelming majesty beneath the vast sky.

Beyond that, countless palace halls, crowds, and more crowds…

Beijing.

It was the capital of this country… The presence of the city itself was tremendous. How could such a prosperous land exist in the world?

It was then.

Whooooosh—!

A shadow shot straight towards Jeong Yeon-shin as he floated in the air.

It was an extremely long spear. For an instant, it was fast enough to evoke the Ten Li Instant Kill.

The trajectory of the thrown spear was followed by semi-transparent circular shockwaves bursting in succession, showing how powerful the primal energy imbued in it was.

It tore through space in an instant and reached right in front of Jeong Yeon-shin’s face.

“What a welcome here. First, let’s just…”

Yong Hui-myeong’s words as he treaded the air beside him came too late.

Jeong Yeon-shin grabbed the long spear and immediately spun around once in midair, throwing it right back.

Right after, a colorless energy rose like flames along his forearm. It was the trace of the propulsive energy wave Jeong Yeon-shin had burst in an instant.

Whooooosh—!

The sound of tearing through the air was different. It was incredibly heavy.

It happened in an instant.

The long spear that flew distorting the atmosphere plunged straight into the ground.

At that moment, a fierce vibration raced through the air. It swallowed up the “Hmm…?” sound that the Divine Sword Group Leader had uttered, along with a thunderous roar.