Chapter 133 – Azure Flame (6)

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

A vast vortex unfolded around Jeong Yeon-shin.

All sorts of stone fragments and leaves scraped across the training ground floor.

The noise blended with the sound of hammering on divine swords from a distant forge.

“Quite the commotion, huh?”

It was Lazy Flame Dragon.

He casually stamped the ground beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

With his qi sense fully spread, he rolled his shaded eyes around.

He stood guard with a truly languid posture.

The affairs of murim were truly strange. He was entrusting his life to the Hwangbo young master whom he had met as an enemy.

But Jeong Yeon-shin and Lazy Flame Dragon paid no mind to such things. They were both numb to sentiment.

The boy felt kinship with this opium addict who lived a short life, while the opium addict found the boy’s martial talent to be a novel stimulation.

It was a superior-subordinate relationship between a young commander and jaded subordinate. Strange yet simple.

“Let’s flee.”

Lazy Flame Dragon suddenly said. Though his expression was quite serious, that was all.

The way he chewed on the opium poppy made it hard to take him seriously.

Still, he continued.

“This isn’t a stage we can handle. I’ve thought it through quite well, but the outcome won’t change.”

Few could match Lazy Flame Dragon when it came to innate sense.

He was so naturally gifted that Jeong Yeon-shin had deliberately provoked him by calling him dull.

He was capable of imagining battles with the Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders.

He must have seen scenes of complete defeat. Just as Jeong Yeon-shin had.

Including himself, putting in Commander Jeong Yeon-shin, deploying the Tang Clan Leader and Tang Clan experts with full force.

“This makes no sense. Isn’t Desolate Fortress supposed to prioritize greater justice over keeping faith with mere families? Our commander will save many lives in the future, yet we stubbornly hold out here? Above all, this hastens my early death.”

The former young master of the Hwangbo family, Lazy Flame Dragon shook his head.

It was because he had assumed the worst case.

He had imagined facing the Pure Demon Alliance Leader and Blood Flame Sect Leader simultaneously.

They had to be considered a level above the Hwangbo family head.

Hadn’t his own incompetent father been killed by three black-rank supreme masters including Radiant Demon Wing Leader and Annihilation Team Leader?

The Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders counted among the top of the demonic path would have at least maintained parity.

“Look here, Commander. The Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders are like the Nine Great Sects’ leaders. They are monstrous beings that one might only see once in a lifetime. “

Lazy Flame Dragon swallowed the opium he had been chewing.

Then opening his eyes languidly, he slowly continued.

“Forget nobodies like me, even a commander who just borrowed his uncle’s robe is still far from ready. The gap between a major faction’s sect leader and a mere military force commander is enormous. Though… well, your achievements are unprecedented for your age…”

“It’s too late.”

The boy said.

He sensed a powerful cluster of energy. It was charging straight for the Tang Clan estate’s main gate.

The thundering footsteps of Body Protection Technique seemed to reach here.

The opium addict beside him furrowed his brow.

Lazy Flame Dragon must have also sensed it with his innately broad qi sense.

But before he could reply, the boy continued speaking.

“Let’s devise a simple tactic. For when chaos breaks out.”

“Hmm?”

“You hold back the Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders with the Tang Clan experts. From what I see, there’s only one.”

“You call that a plan…?”

“I’ll quickly deal with the rest and join you. I’m not saying I’ll take them all on. If I can overwhelmingly defeat one supreme master, excluding the sect leader, the battlefield’s energy should settle.”

“Isn’t this completely reckless? Commander, did you learn from the former Divine Sword Group Leader instead of the Fortress Lord? They say his temperament was like fire.”

“Learn from him?”

“These days they say many strange sects perform nine ceremonial bows at once. Seeking authority, they say.”

“Keep quiet if you’re going to speak nonsense. Just like an opium addict.”

Crack!

The two had already begun deploying their lightness techniques. This is how it went when situations actually arose.

Lazy Flame Dragon who had spoken of fleeing followed Jeong Yeon-shin well. While putting another piece of opium in his mouth.

“I should have spoken earlier.”

“If we abandoned the Tang Clan who just became allies, the main fortress wouldn’t be pleased either.”

“Well. This is just the commander’s chivalry. Desolate Fortress would rather be displeased about a promising young talent from the main fortress being placed in mortal danger.”

Black-robed and unnamed forms cut through the air. They displayed supreme Body Protection Technique even while conversing.

Toward the Tang Clan estate’s main gate.

The Tang Clan experts also seemed to have detected the enemy’s appearance, as there were many presences gathering from all directions.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind, driven by a countercurrent, struck their ears.

With each step, the training ground floor seemed to be pushed back.

Meanwhile Lazy Flame Dragon’s voice rang out cheerfully. As if trying to lighten the mood.

“By the way, they say that old man the former Divine Sword Group Leader once walked the path of tyranny. The commander’s tactics are just like his match. Rather than the Fortress Lord, haven’t you inherited your maternal grandfather’s legacy?”

“Nonsense.”

“Just saying since we desperately need fighting power. Where on earth has our purple-rank master popped off to? Surely he hasn’t died in this Sichuan backwater?”

“He’ll come at the right time, so you’d better worry about your own safety. That’s what my intuition says.”

“These ones coming now don’t have the qualities of demonic or blood techniques. No matter how I look at it. Isn’t this the worst case? It seems the Ten Perfections Sect came first.”

Lazy Flame Dragon who had been chewing opium frowned.

Jeong Yeon-shin had felt the same.

Strictly speaking, the Ten Perfections Sect’s Myriad Primordial Origins Technique wasn’t a demonic path mind method.

They merely adopted demonic sect behavior patterns.

Meaning it wasn’t opposed to the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law.

The enemy he had tried to delay by letting Spear-axe Sword Su Jin-lang live had come first.

“At least this side is fully prepared? Family types are quicker than the Nine Great Sects. That’s somewhat fortunate.”

Lazy Flame Dragon said.

The Tang Clan estate’s outer courtyard. It was the space right inside the main gate for receiving guests.

Beautifully landscaped groves surrounded the area, but now they felt desolate, brushing against each other.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had stamped the ground, focused his gaze on the center.

Tang Clan experts wearing green martial clothes and equipped with various hidden weapons and tools were visible.

At the front were the Clan Leader and Dragon Phoenix Twin Poisons siblings… Sharp. Their energy was venomous, as if questioning when they had last displayed their divine might.

The boy descended among them with Lazy Flame Dragon. Their black and unnamed robes fluttered.

Thud.

“Teacher.”

The Tang Clan experts performed martial salutes simultaneously. The Tang siblings and Tang Yun-hwang did the same.

The sight of respectfully clasping hands to their benefactor while facing powerful enemies.

It was bearing that revealed the dignity of a prestigious murim family.

“I’ll take the vanguard.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said. It was a rational decision. Tang Clan martial arts were optimal for support.

For joint attacks, it meant they could place those who practiced close combat martial arts in front, while deploying poison and hidden weapon techniques from behind.

“We’ll follow teacher’s will. Though we dare not request… there is nothing better. We are truly grateful.”

Tang Yun-hwang performed another martial salute.

Poison Lord, the small middle-aged man’s expression was complex. A face mixing reverence and guilt. He was a family’s clan leader.

Being in a position responsible for his family members’ lives, he couldn’t readily refuse the kindness offered by a powerful benefactor.

Step.

Jeong Yeon-shin who had replied with cupped hands asked while slowly stepping forward.

“Ten Perfections Sect?”

“Indeed.”

The enemies’ presence was clear. They had now reached just outside the gate.

Among those who didn’t bother concealing their energy was an especially powerful being.

A terrifying energy wave.

It seemed to batter the gate and pierce the flesh. It didn’t feel like human energy.

Finally.

Having just reached the black realm, now facing Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders. Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy was rapidly expanding.

The boy maintained a calm expression while taking the lead.

The rational decision to annihilate two of the Thirteen Evil Sects here, and the banner of chivalry raised by Azure Qilin transformed into firm qi.

―Eternal Blossom Fist, Brilliant River. If anyone asks, say this.

―Good…

—It seems you wish to make it widely known. I, too, must traverse the entire martial world. It’s my innate nature. I can’t help it.

―Yes… do as you will. Quite freely…

‘Freely.’

Jeong Yeon-shin hadn’t expected the Tang Supreme Elder Tang Tai-du’s incident to be resolved so easily.

Originally it should have taken long years of searching. It was time to repay Tang Yun-hwang’s shown loyalty.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The Tang Clan members watched the back of the boy wearing a pitch black robe.

A Desolate Fortress black-rank had taken position at the front of the Tang Clan experts.

Various emotions showed on the faces watching this rare sight in murim.

For the Poison Dragon and Phoenix siblings, it was pure admiration. Their expressions showed it.

“At least take the divine sword.”

Lazy Flame Dragon beside him stamped the ground.

At the same time.

Boom―!

The Tang Clan estate’s vast main gate exploded.

There were people emerging through the scattered wooden debris and dust.

Their seemingly leisurely steps were strangely swift. A spear-wielding figure appeared in the lead.

With just one swing, the force waves extending from the spear blade swept away the dust like a whirlwind.

“Is the murderer who killed Sword Scorpion Demon and Spear-axe Sword here?”

A woman’s voice rang out hoarsely. Her appearance was striking.

From the slanting spear to the steel blade, it was all one piece of metal.

Though the weight must be enormous, she held it like a bamboo stalk.

She wore a general’s iron cloak, which suited her well.

Her disheveled hair felt like a lion’s mane.

“The Ten Perfections Sect Leader was a woman…? I’ve never heard of that. Her energy is strange too.”

Lazy Flame Dragon muttered. Poison Dragon Tang Li-hua beside him shook his head.

“Among Sichuan’s Thirteen Evil Sect Leaders, only the Pure Demon Alliance Leader is female. That is Moon Gazing Spear Lu Zhu-xia. She’s the most famous for spear techniques in Sichuan. Renowned as a master. I heard she was in closed door training, but must have broken seclusion due to the severe blow to the sect.”

“She is Sword Scorpion Demon Du Gu-gwang’s lover.”

Poison Phoenix Tang Li-li added.

Even without that, Jeong Yeon-shin had been staring past Lu Zhu-xia’s shoulder.

About forty people had pushed in after breaking down the gate.

Quite a number of experts had already died in the City of Renowned Craftsmen and Kuizhou’s main road.

They seemed to have brought along warriors selected as suitable for large-scale battles between major factions.

Among them was one man.

Standing out alone.

His presence was striking.

The moment he entered, he seemed to conceal his energy, making it hard to tell if he had any martial skills at all.

That made him more terrifying. Because it proved he had reached the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown and Five Qi Origins where one could handle internal energy like limbs.

‘Ten Perfections Sect Leader…!’

The man just nodded once while standing still. As if indicating this wasn’t his time to act.

At the same time Moon Gazing Spear Lu Zhu-xia’s form blocked him.

“I asked! Is the murderer here?”

The behavior of an action commander. She had brought grudges to this place, and the Ten Perfections Sect Leader seemed to have permitted resolving them.

Settling grievances with one’s own hands. It was the foremost principle in the murim.

“No, there’s no need to ask further. It’s you, isn’t it?”

The spear pointed at Jeong Yeon-shin. Vanguard faced vanguard.

It was the moment the tactics discussed with Lazy Flame Dragon became meaningless.

The atmosphere of one-on-one life and death battle naturally formed.

“Yes. It was me.”

The boy answered slowly.

Though the situation involving Su Jin-lang’s life and death was strange, Sword Scorpion Demon Du Gu-gwang had certainly died by Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

The Ten Perfections Sect Leader had already appeared. There was no reason to quibble further.

Lu Zhu-xia’s eyes blazed with qi light.

“Your martial talent is extraordinary, isn’t it? Face me in a life-and-death duel.  Show me how Jin-lang died, how my dear Gwang perished.”

The character for “dear” was attached to Du Gu-gwang’s name. Her attitude was extremely belligerent.

Saa―

Even her energy waves seemed to resemble its owner.

Like a blazing flame, it spread towards Jeong Yeon-shin, causing his black robe to flutter violently.

‘Not just blue rank.’

The boy’s gaze sank.

They said originally major factions didn’t have more than two black-rank supreme masters each. Only the Blood Flame Sect was an exception.

But it wasn’t so. Facing her directly, it was different. Was she hiding her strength?

If all the Thirteen Evil Sects in the world were like this, Desolate Fortress might face an unprecedented crisis.

For now, it was manageable. Breaking Moon Gazing Spear’s shaft would cripple the Ten Perfections Sect. That alone would suffice.

“No words needed! Let martial arts speak!”

A shout imbued with powerful true qi burst from Lu Zhu-xia’s mouth.

The Ten Perfections Sect warriors standing behind her roared in response… Military sect qualities. They were like the Deep Martial Alliance experts Azure Qilin had killed.

Moon Gazing Spear Lu Zhu-xia. She was one worthy of being called valiant.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently drew his Desolate sword. Because the Northern Light sword’s divine weapon transformation hadn’t been completed yet.

Facing Lu Zhu-xia reminded him of Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin.

Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Group’s Divine Sword Squad. It was said that she had reached divine skill with his spear techniques after rejuvenation.

He couldn’t help comparing with the spear master before him.

Swish—!

A sharp light flashed. The spear blade, imbued with powerful internal energy.

The spear thrust was like a sword slash, tearing through the air with a tremendous sound.

Clang!

Jeong Yeon-shin raised the Desolate sword to deflect.

The moment he deflected the strike, a strong vibration coursed through his hand.

The force it contained was amazing. It reminded him of Sword Scorpion Demon Du Gu-gwang’s sword strength.

Under the raised spear blade, Lu Zhu-xia’s lips curled into a fierce sm

One hand, which had released the spear, was emitting a palm strike. It seemed she was trying to catch him off guard with this combination.

Woosh.

A resonating sound emanated from her clenched fist. It was a fist technique.

Shockwaves that seemed about to crush the opponent were just like Du Gu-gwang’s. It was extremely supreme internal energy control.

The spear master pulled the spear back while continuing the assault with her fist. The palm strike, capable of shattering steel.

Boom! Boom! Crash!

The ground shook as the distance closed in an instant.

Her blazing eyes were suddenly before Jeong Yeon-shin’s face. Below, Lu Zhu-xia’s fist strike seemed to suck in the air.

At the same time, the boy also struck with his empty hand. It was a gentle movement.

Swoosh.

His straight palm blocked Lu Zhu-xia’s fist while sweeping it aside.

In that brief moment, the colorless energy waves of the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law spread. His technique had reached the extreme.

It cut through the oncoming fist strike’s energy waves strand by strand.

It was energy control and movement that created its own domain.

A complete counter technique.

Those who used palm strike like Sword Scorpion Du Gu-gwang could no longer handle the boy.

Lu Zhu-xia’s eyes wavered for a moment.

Her heightened qi sense detected her neutralized fist strike. But it was too late.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand had already passed her fist and firmly gripped her wrist. He held it very tightly.

Her decisive fist technique was bound, and the spear she had turned behind her back aiming for close combat was far away.

In that moment the Desolate sword was falling from the boy’s right hand. He had deliberately let it go. It wasn’t the time for the sword.

‘Brilliant River.’

Rumble!

His pitch black sleeve fluttered violently.

A storm erupted from his palm. The swirling energy sent gate fragments flying in all directions.

“Kuk…!”

In the midst of the powerful whirlwind, Lu Zhu-xia raised her knee to strike. In the realm of supreme masters, the preparation time felt like an eternity.

She had instantly seen through the divine technique’s weakness. She dove in with a knee strike.

Thud!

Jeong Yeon-shin’s foot pushed away her shin. The impact was heavy.

The footwork from his sole also shattered Lu Zhu-xia’s knee strike.

Her response couldn’t escape the flow of the counter technique the boy had created.

In the brief moment until Brilliant River was completed and Jeong Yeon-shin’s right hand touched her abdomen.

As Lu Zhu-xia’s wide eyes hurriedly formed a colorless internal energy armor, the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law exploded in the form of a concentrated typhoon.

Crash―!

The ground shook for a moment.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the force in his palm more strongly than the earth’s trembling.

The sensation of tearing through her qi shield was clear.

The recoil force that could surpass a thunderclap bomb’s power swept once through his arm from his heart.

His left hand still gripped the enemy’s wrist.

The weight sagging downward foretold the outcome of the life-and-death duel..

Through the hazily rising dust.

Lu Zhu-xia’s dead gaze with wide open eyes was directed at Jeong Yeon-shin’s face.

“You asked how Sword Scorpion Demon died.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

He raised his right hand, which had unleashed Brilliant River, and gently closed Li Zhu-xia’s lifeless eyes..

“He died in vain. Just like you.”

The boy’s voice rang out calmly along with the chilly wind in the Tang Clan estate’s outer courtyard.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***