Chapter 173 – Autumn Sword

The white light’s afterimage passed by. The wind that had raged like a typhoon scattered.

There weren’t even screams. Only silence sank deeper.

Thirty more corpses were added to West Peak Road’s clearing. Along with the fishy smell flowing from the blood that stained the vegetation crimson.

It was a sight that didn’t feel real. After all, they had been elite masters leading the Heart Martial Alliance’s military force in life.

“…”

A chilling stillness flowed.

All had fallen to a single sword strike. Every corpse bore just one straight wound line.

Usually, quick and decisive battles are tactics used by those in unfavorable conditions against relatively relaxed enemies. But looking at the results, it was as if they had been defeated by a peerless swordsman who seemed carefree.

For Desolate Fortress, it would have been a group mixed evenly with blue and white ranks.

Shing.

The boy swordsman standing alone in the center slowly sheathed his sword. His pitch-black sleeve rustled.

Desolate Fortress’s black rank. The only supreme master here. The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader presided over the gloomy atmosphere.

Zhuge Xian and Yue Yu-lin were at a loss for words.

‘Was that really energy waves extending from his sword just now? The trajectory was incredibly strange too. Without manifesting mental imagery as sword paths, how could such sword techniques exist under heaven…?’

‘What was that? What was it really?’

It was truly shocking. Even after seeing all sorts of sword techniques at the Martial Alliance.

It didn’t feel like human swordplay. It seemed to have something mysterious, like the prestigious families’ clan abilities.

Only one sword technique reaching the realm of supernatural abilities existed under heaven, as far as they knew.

The Namgung family’s Emperor Sword Form.

It was a sword technique famous for displaying one-man army might through sword energy waves.

They said even elf clan swordsmen who freely wielded wind couldn’t escape the emperor’s domain.

Not just the Namgung clan head and “Namgung’s First Sword’s” techniques. Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin’s Emperor Sword Form was also called the ultimate technique.

A sword unique under heaven. Sword techniques that made swordsmen appear inhuman.

Not anymore. It wasn’t unique.

Mystery bloomed from the upper stance shown by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Even with the Zhuge family’s secret eye techniques, Zhuge Xian couldn’t analyze 30%.

He didn’t want to try either. It felt like seeing Azure Qilin’s legacy.

‘The Radiant Demon Wing Leader inherits and breaks free from Azure Qilin.’

He had become an eternal rival. From now on, Namgung Se-jin’s level would endlessly rise.

Tap.

Zhuge Xian, who had fully spread his fan, stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Was he organizing his insights? The boy had his head lowered with his hand on the sheathed sword’s handle.

At his feet lay a middle-aged man wearing black gloves, his face frozen in shock.

He hadn’t comprehended the sword technique until death. He seemed to have only realized he was an incomparably weak one. That’s how he went.

“I’ve now woven one form.”

The boy who opened his eyes quietly muttered.

It was unnecessary to say. The overflowing spirit power in his body had drawn out even his voice.

In that moment, Zhuge Xian doubted his ears.

‘Woven?’

If it meant creating sword forms here, it was the realm of supernatural powers.

Unless he was the reincarnation of Bodhidharma or Zhang Sanfeng, it made no sense.

It seemed possible he might be the first Ming Cult leader’s avatar, who had come riding the wheel of reincarnation.

Yue Yu-lin also wore an expression of disbelief.

The boy paid no mind to their reactions.

BOOM!

He kicked off the ground as is. Energy waves spread with the dull vibration.

It was a sudden start of lightness technique sprinting. Zhuge Xian and Yue Yu-lin hurriedly followed.

“You think Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost headed to Seven Multitudes Gorge?”

Zhuge Xian asked. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded without even turning his gaze.

“The one with gloves was quite strong. Worthy of being trusted by a Heart Martial Alliance elder.”

“Given he hasn’t appeared until now, certainly…”

Zhuge Xian’s expression darkened. He couldn’t help worrying about Murong Ming-jun and Gong Sun-min’s safety.

Especially Gong Sun-min, who was cherished by most of the Alliance’s martial artists. Everyone liked his bright and kind nature.

Both Gong Sun-min being killed and the aftermath affecting the Alliance Leader were concerning.

Zhuge Xian feared his father. It was because the clan head’s cold greater good had weighed on his childhood.

Only Sword Star could check the Zhuge clan head with his tiger-like nature, but he might incur great blame for ordering this mission.

They had to hope for heaven’s fortune.

“We must trust Lazy Flame Dragon.”

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader muttered. Zhuge Xian nodded.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Before Lightning Genius appeared, he had competed with Azure Qilin for the title of greatest of the rising talent generation.

They could only trust his qi accumulation from the Scorching Divine Meridian and sharp senses.

‘I repeatedly told them to avoid engagement. If they approached cautiously from the outskirts, they wouldn’t have clashed.’

The boy thought.

WHOOSH!

He rushed like a gale. While enduring the pain spreading in his organs.

Below his navel in the lower dantian and near his heart.

It was like the internal injuries received after the Divine Sword Group Leader subdued the Namgung clan lord in short breaths. He had overexerted himself with unfamiliar sword techniques.

It was because he tried to end the battle quickly. Closing his eyes briefly after fighting was to organize his internal injuries.

The gloved master killed by Jeong Yeon-shin was presumed to be Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s senior disciple.

He had guessed Sword Ghost’s whereabouts while wielding his sword. The decisive battle had to be finished quickly. Thinking of his companions, there was no choice.

He trusted Lazy Flame Dragon’s energy sense.

But the Heart Martial Alliance subordinates he had directly clashed with were unimaginably strong.

Though perhaps not like Hyeon Won-chang, who had hidden 70% of his true skill, the thirty masters he faced at the end were different.

If Seven Multitudes Gorge was the same, who knew what variables might occur. It wouldn’t be strange if they were already facing Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost.

‘If Little Sword Queen displays skill matching Cloud Sword Dragon, escape should be possible.’

Was it because they shared the commonality of being sect master’s disciples who possessed ultimate sword techniques as women?

Unlike Mount Hua and Diancang, Wei Zi Myo-hwa of Zhongnan, who hadn’t come to the Alliance, came to mind.

She might be acting as a hero somewhere now. The boy thought.

If there were more martial artists with kind hearts like her, even famine would be bearable.

BOOM!

He increased his speed by extending his legs. The sensation of stone and earth being crushed together pushed back against his leather shoes. It was intense. Energy waves from the Luminous Wheel’s rotation flowed out beneath his feet.

The two companions gradually fell behind. The difference in martial arts was clearly revealed.

‘No!’

Yue Yu-lin bit her lip while recalling the letter received from her aunt earlier.

Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin. She had been dumbfounded by words calling a boy not yet twenty her young husband.

Seeing the Radiant Demon Wing Leader today, she understood. He fully possessed the black rank’s level. Given her aunt’s eccentric nature, she might have been serious.

‘I need to see more of his character…’

She had just witnessed sword techniques reminiscent of her dead love. One sword strike that seemed to honor Azure Qilin’s soul.

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s words came to mind again. He had said he would treat him as an equal even at purple rank.

She wanted to see more. She had to see more.

WHOOSH!

But the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s black robe continued forward without pause. It was speed hard to catch up to.

She could only meet the wind that brushed his pitch-black clothes. Yue Yu-lin’s expression filled with bewilderment.

At this moment, she couldn’t reach out to call or grab him. The boy’s back receded indifferently.

‘At the Alliance Opening Tournament, definitely…’

Yue Yu-lin’s eyelashes slightly covered her pupils. She couldn’t follow right now. She would have to wait for later.

BOOM!

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind and put strength into the Bubbling Spring acupoint in his foot.

Though thinking he should repay Zhuge Xian for his enlightenment, he didn’t look back.

“Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s title varies by region and sect! In the Heart Martial Alliance and Henan area, he’s also called Sword Venerable! Since his sword style must be more seasoned than the Leader’s, it seems better to trust instinct over experience!”

Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian’s shout belatedly rang from behind.

Like that for two days.

He ran alone for two days and nights. It was stamina that surprised even himself.

The internal energy endurance granted by the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law was truly tremendous. It completely harmonized with his body trained through the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

His body racing toward completion along with his growth period could be clearly felt.

The boy reached the cliff winding with huge stone walls. He stood on one side of a low hill. Fierce wind cut through.

His black hair, grown for the Fortress Lord’s viewing pleasure, fluttered with his pitch-black clothes.

The view opened wide. Twilight was setting over the endlessly winding gorge below.

The red twilight’s rays felt especially cold.

‘Here.’

The boy stared intently ahead. Camps like the one seen at West Peak Road rose on each peak.

It was strict.

They had even raised flags like military soldiers. Why were they safe despite receiving support close to treason from a mere regional king?

It wouldn’t be strange for the imperial court to label them traitors.

They said it was hard to be free from political realms at black rank. It was worth considering since he had to be mindful of his conduct.

‘Not now.’

Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward without hesitation. He climbed the nearest peak.

He reached the lowest camp at Seven Multitudes Gorge’s entrance.

Wind hitting the gorge shook five tents. A massive stone wall rose on one side.

He was quickly discovered. It was because he hadn’t bothered hiding.

“An intruder. What brat?”

“You fool! Don’t you see that? It’s the ‘Desolate’ character!”

“Isn’t that Desolate Fortress’s Leader…?”

“Lightning Genius! It’s Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin!”

WHOOSH!

Over a dozen Heart Martial Alliance martial artists wielding spears and swords instantly revealed themselves.

They each landed on the stone ground with swift body protection techniques.

Their unified movements created powerful reverse wind. The black robe of Jeong Yeon-shin, who stood still, shook greatly.

“Reinforcements came early. While Sword Venerable is still enjoying himself.”

“Reinforcements, appropriate term. A Desolate Fortress black rank can certainly be considered a one-man army. Meaning he alone has combat power equal to our force.”

The martial soldiers wearing leather armor spoke. Their expressions were strangely relaxed.

Though belonging to the Heart Martial Alliance’s military force, they were fundamentally martial artists who had learned secret arts.

Their words had minimal refinement.

“Hide, young black rank. We’re willing to let you go for now since we fear your martial arts.”

“Sword Venerable is truly a terrifying supreme master. For a rookie Leader like you, it would be hard to maintain a long exchange.”

“No matter how high Desolate Fortress’s castle is, it can’t match our Alliance’s spirit. These camps encompassing Seven Multitudes Gorge’s cliffs are…”

It was an instant.

The black clothes closed three zhang distance in one moment. Jeong Yeon-shin grabbed the face of one soldier.

It was the one spouting whatever words to buy time. He hadn’t even perceived the Wind Body movement technique’s speed.

“…!”

As shock spread in all directions.

Tremendous force surged from the palm gripping the soldier’s face. One side of the peak shook violently.

It came with a rumbling sound. The gorge’s strong wind resonated with the fist technique’s energy waves.

The spiraling force waves mercilessly tore apart the advice to hide.

WOONG!

They said Sword Venerable was enjoying himself. It meant he was pressuring his companions.

Even one breath’s time was precious.

BOOM!

He kicked the ground. While gripping one man’s face. Along with wind brushing his cheek, he smashed the soldier’s head into the stone wall’s side.

Dull vibrations rang to his feet. Overwhelming power welled from the boy’s right hand. Finally, fear crossed the soldier’s face.

“Please reconsider…!”

He didn’t listen. He operated the Luminous Wheel’s mantras to the end. The blood energy and dharma power permeating the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law instantly reached their peak.

Jeong Yeon-shin opened the fist technique’s verses.

Blue veins writhed on the back of his hand. Irresistible power burst like lightning.

Boom!

Along with the roar, one side of the gorge shook entirely. Cracks raced along the firmly standing cliff.

Tremendous explosive force transformed into echoes spreading in eight directions.

It was the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s voice calling Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost.