Chapter 174 – Autumn Sword (2)  

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost Baek Seo-gun was from Xinye County in Henan.  

She worked as a servant at the Jeong Family Estate. Her treatment wasn’t bad.  

[TL Note- It wasn’t ever noted that Sword Ghost was a woman until now.]

Having lost her parents early, the estate master and mistress took pity on her.  

Baek Seo-gun served the estate’s eldest son, a boy born ten years after her.  

Her young master was called Pan Yue more often than his given name, Jeong Dae-myeong.  

[TL note- Pan Yue was a famous handsome and elegant writer who lived from 247-300 CE during the Western Jin dynasty, it means Handsome Man in chinese culture now.]

He was a handsome young noble from childhood. He was also generous, never stingy with silver.  

Flower Prince Jeong Dae-myeong, or Jeong Pan Yue.  

The young master had relationships with many women. Baek Seo-gun played a key role.  

She would deliver Dae-myeong’s love letters to maidens in neighboring villages and bring back their replies.  

The rewards were always generous. Baek Seo-gun received very substantial pocket money—all in silver.  

Though Baek Seo-gun’s beauty was also remarkably outstanding, Dae-myeong didn’t see her as a woman.  

He viewed her as a young nanny. That was enough for Baek Seo-gun too.  

Sometimes there were rejection letters that upset the young master’s mood. Even on those days, pocket money was given.  

Young Noble Jeong Dae-myeong had strange superstitions from childhood. It was close to obsession.  

One of his beliefs, as heir to a wealthy landowner, was that using people without compensation brought misfortune.  

Few servants disliked the young master.  

There wasn’t much need to be wary of the young master regarding love letters, thanks to his world-class appearance.  

The young master’s facial features and looks were unrealistically outstanding.  

Once he joked about trying to seduce women from Desolate Fortress, but none of his friends or servants laughed it off as empty words.  

This was when he had just turned thirteen. He had both family background and appearance.  

She wasn’t particularly envious.  

By then, Baek Seo-gun was secretly training in martial arts.  

It was her tenth year of cultivation. The Jeong estate was a third-rate martial family. They hadn’t discovered traces of her divine techniques.  

She had spent years with peerless secret manuals she obtained. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, she discovered a cave after accidentally falling into a ravine formed by battles between strange beings.  

A book lay before the corpse of a prestigious family member sitting in meditation.  

Neither the corpse nor the manual had decayed. It was a mysterious realm.  

The moment her eyes met the prestigious family member’s, spirit power was engraved in Baek Seo-gun’s dantian.  

It felt like containing a handful of sun. A mysterious sensation filled her lower abdomen.  

‘I am meant to race across all under heaven.’

She faced the inexplicable. She had to view it as heaven’s mandate.  

She wasn’t meant to end her life in Xinye County. Her life was meant to unfold toward the martial world.  

—Train power here, then join a major sect.  

That’s what she decided. After harboring such grand ambitions, her personality became livelier.  

She got along well with Young Master Dae-myeong too. The ten-year-old young master even taught Go to his twenty-something servant.  

That’s when she learned the Ten Rules of Go.  

“Don’t ‘Sacrifice Stones to Take Initiative’ and ‘Don’t Be Greedy’ contradict each other? It says to discard stones for initiative, but also not to be hasty?”  

“How foolish. Why would they contradict? It means take initiative without tension. Even if you sacrifice some stones, don’t be impatient.”  

It was good teaching. She thought if the young master had children, he would raise them very well.  

Even while secretly cultivating internal energy techniques, Baek Seo-gun didn’t neglect the young master.  

Until she secretly left the Jeong estate on a night when clouds covered the moon.  

“Thank you for raising me.”  

She gave a martial salute toward the vast estate. She had reached the fourth level of Eight Illusions Divine Technique.  

She had cultivated with talent more extraordinary than anyone’s. She believed no martial genius in Xinye County could match her.  

Her thoughts proved correct.  

It was martial arts that worked even across all under heaven.  

No wanderer could withstand one strike. This was true even when she was inexperienced in actual combat.  

By the time she encountered Heart Martial Alliance’s masters, she had reached the sixth level of Eight Illusions Divine Technique.  

Any sect wanted to recruit her as an elder or protector.  

She rejected all offers and stepped into the Heart Martial Alliance. It was a demonic path sect supported by the regional king.  

Befitting a sect with conditions that shouldn’t exist combined, they possessed tremendous wealth and authority.  

She enjoyed it for a long time.  

She was like other elders of the Thirteen Evil Sects. Baek Seo-gun gradually transformed into a monster of the martial world.  

Wealth and tyranny made her so. Before she knew it, she had become a supreme master with decades of training.  

She became someone who readily grasped even the circumstances of the martial world’s highest levels.  

One day.  

She heard rumors of a rising master emerging from Desolate Fortress, along with Tyrant Sword Elder’s death.  

Only then did she learn of the Jeong estate’s massacre. While feeling some regret, she found it strange.  

‘The Tyrant Sword Sect Leader let Lightning Genius live? Impressed by his spirit and talent? He’s not that kind of person. He clearly has some scheme. The collapse of Desolate Fortress must be his life’s wish.’  

She somewhat wanted to see Dae-myeong’s son. It wasn’t a strong desire.  

In parts of Henan, she was called Sword Venerable rather than Sword Ghost.  

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost Baek Seo-gun’s life had long since diverged from the third-rate Jeong family.  

“To think he’d be Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”  

She was intrigued seeing the notices posted across the Central Plains.  

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin’s name was engraved among the list of masters invited to the Martial Alliance Opening Tournament.  

To relieve boredom, she requested permission from the Alliance Leader to travel to Shaanxi.  

It was readily granted. Even for a major sect receiving the regional king’s support, famine was no ordinary matter.  

To easily maintain military force strength, it was right to obtain supplies from outside.  

It meant the plundering in Hanzhong originated from Lightning Genius.  

‘I wonder how much our young master knows about the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader.’

Baek Seo-gun smiled while looking at the gorge.  

It was a face with a smile as deep as her internal energy. Her half-white hair was like a lion’s mane.  

The appearance of it flowing down to her shoulders suited her very well.  

Since Eight Illusions Divine Technique had deep traces of prestigious blood, her face had stopped aging after thirty, like someone who had cultivated reverse aging techniques.  

The whole-body muscles operating the Illusion Sword were the same.  

It meant every day was her prime.  

Thud.  

She stood on Seven Multitudes Gorge’s treacherous rocky mountain. Wind howled fiercely through her fingers.  

Rocky peaks spreading in all directions filled her vision like spears.  

She had come here after playing Go with her first disciple at West Peak Road, suddenly wanting to see the gorge’s scenery.  

She didn’t know why. Perhaps because the opportunity from Xinye County suddenly came to mind… They said at this age, the upper dantian communicated with heaven.  

There was also a saying about understanding heaven’s will at fifty. Since some fate might have led her, Baek Seo-gun stepped forward without much thought.  

A supreme master like her was free anywhere in the Nine Provinces Eight Wastelands.  

[TL Note- “Nine Provinces and Eight Wastelands” refers to a historical Chinese concept where the country was divided into nine major administrative regions (Nine Provinces) considered fertile and populated, and eight surrounding areas deemed barren and sparsely inhabited, known as the “Eight Wastelands.”.]

Those fools bound to Desolate Fortress at mere black rank were crazy. Chivalry? What a ridiculous virtue during famine.  

“I’m quite curious about his martial arts too. He wouldn’t have learned the Jeong estate’s third-rate techniques.”  

She was a monster of the martial world. Speaking alone to herself wasn’t awkward.  

She hummed while walking, speaking whatever thoughts arose. She had lived a life where none dared question even her soliloquies.  

Then a group entered Baek Seo-gun’s view. They were surrounded by subordinates at Seven Multitudes Gorge’s edge.  

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Powerful Scorching Divine Meridian and refined killing intent could be felt. As Sword Ghost, Sword Venerable, she couldn’t help but be intrigued.  

Soon the strangers’ voices reached her.  

“These guys treat Hanzhong like their own backyard? I didn’t expect to get caught like this.”  

The one with powerful yang energy spoke. While single-handedly handling seven warriors.  

He fought while wrapping formless blazing energy around both hands, but none could properly receive even one exchange.  

It seemed to be Lazy Flame Dragon of the Hwangbo family, known for his extraordinary talent and short life.  

According to intelligence, he moved together with Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin.  

There was also one showing mysterious sword strikes as if an assassin had learned orthodox sword techniques.  

Unlike his vigorous body protection technique, his eyes below the hero’s headband on his forehead were sunken. He seemed quite taciturn.  

There seemed to be a story that could add interest to Baek Seo-gun’s boring martial world.  

*‘Now that I look, treasure jars have walked right in.’*  

The appearance of a girl racing through the gorge showing ray-like thrusts also caught her attention.  

Because her sword energy honed to the extreme of her ability was outstanding, her jet-black hair flowing like ebony didn’t appear as a martial artist’s flaw.  

She was as beautiful as Baek Seo-gun herself.  

“Interesting. Even Diancang’s sword that pierces the sun.”  

Baek Seo-gun muttered with a smile. The remaining two weren’t bad either. They appeared to be martial lineages of the Gong and Murong families.  

Rustle!  

Her gray robe made a loud sound. After taking one step, her next foot landed three zhang ahead.  

Body protection technique that common people would mistake for teleportation. With hands behind her back, she advanced as if crossing space.  

At the same time, she drew and threw her sword.  

KWAAAA-!  

It was like the air being torn. Above the Heart Martial Alliance warriors’ heads, a brilliant sword trajectory was engraved in the air.  

It flickered white. Swimming Heaven, swimming through heaven was right. It was the skill of one who had earned the title Sword Ghost as a Heart Martial Alliance elder.  

Baek Seo-gun brought together her empty sword and middle fingers. It was the widely known Sword Formula Fingers.  

The moment her two fingers extended like daggers, energy waves arose from the sword hilt in the air.  

The presence was terrifying enough to seem to crush even the wind.  

“Sword Venerable!”  

“Sword Venerable? Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost…!”  

Joy and shock crossed their faces.  

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost Baek Seo-gun’s move casually descended.  

Energy waves extending from the sword in the air broke and unraveled all the energy in the scene.  

Wind fiercer than the gorge’s breeze arose. The sword strike hadn’t even touched. It was a move hard to understand by common sense.  

Supreme master.  

A being looking down on all masters from the realm of transcendence.  

It was a realm worthy of discussing all under heaven through martial arts. She could unfold her will against Desolate Fortress’s black ranks.  

A martial artist free from prestigious families’ oppression. She looked at the rising talents as the Thirteen Evil Sects’ hidden sword.  

Gong Sun-min and Murong Ming-jun flinched at her blank stare.  

Baek Seo-gun’s lips rose. It was a somewhat bored smile.  

“Follow me. I won’t kill you while you keep me entertained. Show me your martial arts over food and drink. I’ll behead you if you fail to amuse me.”  

“You think the martial world is in your hands? If we don’t follow, you’ll strike us down with these soldiers?”  

Lazy Flame Dragon retorted. He examined Baek Seo-gun with strange eyes. She was familiar with such gazes.  

It was the insight only thousand-year talents could possess.  

They skipped understanding martial arts through analysis, easily obtaining power transcending age’s limits.  

Baek Seo-gun herself was like that, and the Ming Cult’s young sect master who had visited the Heart Martial Alliance headquarters three years ago was too.  

‘It doesn’t make sense. The Jeong estate’s bloodline leads such a child? It’s hard to imagine if even a drop of Dae-myeong’s blood is mixed in.’  

She thought while unhesitatingly turning around.  

Thud.  

The sword swimming through the air returned on its own to Baek Seo-gun’s scabbard. The Gong family’s boy inhaled sharply.  

The others’ expressions weren’t good either. They were completely taken hostage.  

If Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost wasn’t someone with a strange temperament, it wouldn’t be strange for their heads to fly here.  

“I should have reduced them earlier. Without your subordinates, we might have had a chance to flee.”  

Only Lazy Flame Dragon was calm. Perhaps because he had accepted his short life. His deliberately bitter expression appeared leisurely.  

“I’ll get another lecture from the young Leader. That I’m incompetent.”  

“By young Leader, you mean Lightning Genius?”  

Baek Seo-gun asked without looking back.  

The encirclement moved with her steps. Lazy Flame Dragon’s group also had to follow Baek Seo-gun’s footsteps.  

“That’s right. And don’t try any tricks.”  

“Tricks?”  

“If you plan to use us as hostages to do something to the Leader, I’ll kill everyone here and commit suicide too. I was the Young Master of Shandong’s greatest clan after all. I have pride.”  

Lazy Flame Dragon spoke gently. Hyeon Won-chang beside him muttered about insubordination.  

Baek Seo-gun laughed as if finding it ridiculous, but she didn’t lay a hand on anyone for two days.  

As a Heart Martial Alliance supreme master who had enjoyed much and found everything boring, she focused on filling her empty heart.  

Like when she left the Jeong estate seeking a new world.  

She kept them in the largest tent among those erected at Seven Multitudes Gorge.  

She took them out one by one when she felt like it. She made entertainment of the major sects’ martial arts unleashed by the young martial artists.  

She pressured them like animals in a cage. When she received a small wound from Lazy Flame Dragon’s flames, she even laughed.  

“No matter how I look, I can’t believe it. How did the bloodline of the Jeong estate raise you?”… “You’ll see soon.”  

It was when Lazy Flame Dragon was languidly answering.  

KWAAANG-!  

Along with the roar.  

Overwhelming energy waves rose from beyond the peak. They were strangely auspicious. For a moment, strange light filled Baek Seo-gun’s eyes.  

Internal energy openly showing divine qualities. Old memories were pulled out.  

The spiritual energy granted by the prestigious master who had left Eight Illusions Divine Technique in the cave had been like this too.  

“Ah, I really will get lectured.”  

“Is that the Radiant Demon Wing Leader?”  

She asked Lazy Flame Dragon, who was grinning.  

“Can’t you tell by sensing?”  

“Let’s go see.”  

A large movement occurred. The Heart Martial Alliance’s military force that had built the camp moved.  

Baek Seo-gun, called Sword Venerable here, disappeared first, and Lazy Flame Dragon along with Hyeon Won-chang and the Alliance martial artists followed her.  

Thanks to Baek Seo-gun’s eccentricity, they had freedom of movement from the start. None blocked their way.  

It was a short distance. Lazy Flame Dragon followed Baek Seo-gun to the source of the roar.  

He saw the young Leader facing off against her in brilliant crimson martial clothes.

[TL Note- Sword Ghost’s attire seems to be crimson martial clothes with a gray robe over it.]

How long had he run? His completely disheveled hair revealed his neat forehead.  

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s black hair falling to his shoulders matched very well with his pitch-black robe.  

Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze, watching Baek Seo-gun blankly, moved. His eyes met with Lazy Flame Dragon’s over his shoulder.  

“Incompetent fool.”  

The boy said immediately. Lazy Flame Dragon sighed.  

“Nothing to say.”  

“As you should.”  

Then Little Sword Queen arrived. Her steps, which had been racing with body protection technique, stopped upon seeing Jeong Yeon-shin.  

As Heart Martial Alliance military soldiers surrounded them, she moved her lips.

“If I become a hindrance, I’ll kill myself.”

Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu was no ordinary person either. As Diancang’s promising swordswoman, she valued honor above life.

It was the bearing of a orthodox path martial artist praised by connoisseurs. She was a warrior fitting the spirit of the times.

“I know shame too. Though I’m happy to witness the life-and-death battle between the Leader and an old monster.”

She spoke of face with a blank expression. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.

“I’ll avenge you.”

“That’s the warmest thing you’ve ever said. I’m quite happy.”

Little Sword Queen smiled brightly.

It was then.

“You wouldn’t have cultivated the Jeong Family Divine Sword? You seem to have reached a realm impossible with crude sword techniques.”

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost suddenly asked. It was after staring at Jeong Yeon-shin with a strange expression for a while.

“Jeong Family Divine Sword?”

The boy’s brow furrowed slightly. It was a name he hadn’t heard in a very long time. The Jeong family’s sword technique.

They said his grandfather had reworked what he learned from Zhongnan Sect as a secular disciple. It was just a third-rate sword technique with a grand name.

“You know the Jeong family?”

“Your disrespect irritates me. Arrogant brat. I must test your qualification.”

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost moved her hand while raising the Sword Control Gesture. Her index and middle fingers joined together to brush the sword at her waist.

At the same time her sword soared while emitting pure white sword light. It was the technique that many martial artists suspected to be sword control.

By then Jeong Yeon-shin had already raised the Northern Light sword above his head.

SWOOSH!

His black sleeve fell below his shoulder. His right arm was revealed. Along with muscles firmly trained from the back of his hand to his biceps.

The sword vibrated. It was like the sound of crying on its own. He had achieved unity with the divine sword while holding it straight up high.

Upper stance.

It was a calm stance. That made it even more chilling.

‘What is this?’

Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes widened slightly at the unfamiliar stance.

WHOOSH!

The Young Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s sword emitted invisible energy waves.

The density was incredible. Though invisible, it felt like translucent wind wrapping around the area.

Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s sword advancing through the air paused. A supreme master’s technique had stopped for an instant.

It clearly wasn’t voluntary. The pressure affecting the surroundings was tremendous.

Those with shallow internal energy cultivation would probably kneel before even receiving one move.

In that moment, without warning.

SWOOSH!

The boy and Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s forms crossed. Their positions switched in an instant.

THUD!

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader who had achieved extreme speed through whole-body footwork technique lowered his sword. Pure white sword light flickered belatedly.

A long trajectory was distorted behind him. Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost who stood to one side was also suddenly holding her sword.

It was an exchange between supreme masters that happened without warning. The Heart Martial Alliance warriors who dared not interfere held their breath.

Neither seemed to have received a fatal wound. Only Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s appearance had changed.

Her symbolic silver-white hair fell. The ends of her hair that had flowed long like a lion’s mane scattered like feathers.

They mixed with the sunset light riding the gorge’s endless strong wind.

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader turned while gripping his lowered sword.

While glancing at the scattered hair. Tilting his head slightly to the side, he slowly parted his lips.

“Short hair suits you.”

The boy said.

[TL Note- Again, he is just showing off now.]