Chapter 220 – Flash (7)

It was truly a shocking manifestation.

Six Leaders had gathered for the meeting. There was no concern for their safety.

Their combined strength, for a moment, approached the absolute, making it difficult for anyone to deny the sense of security.

Even in a chaotic era of survival of the fittest, one could speak of safety.

It was said that just three black-ranks together could claim invincibility. This was not a baseless claim. Even if exaggerated by rumor-mongers, it held truth.

Yet.

A faint rustling sound spread.

The man who had slammed Forest-Treading Leader’s head into the ground bore no dust on his clothes.

Despite the hazy dust spreading around, his vivid pink robes remained pristine. His protective aura even enveloped his garments.

It signified that not a single gap existed in the energy shrouding his body.

He knelt on one knee, pressing Xiahou Wei-zhen’s head down.

It did not feel real. Even as he slightly bowed toward Forest-Treading Leader, he exuded arrogance.

An unbridled presence flowed from him. The colorless, pulsating waves were both immensely powerful and unrestrained.

“Did I not ask? What is truly lowly?”

His voice rumbled like a lion’s growl.

Xiahou Wei-zhen could not respond.

The mouth that had berated a junior was now crushed against the floor. His lips dug into the marble.

Had his constant internal armor not been active, what might have happened?

It was a strike capable of shattering the mouth of a black-rank, whose body was filled with energy, in one blow.

“I listened quietly, and it was quite a spectacle. I should have come down sooner.”

The man muttered as if musing to himself.

No one replied immediately.

Wish for Peace Sword Hall was a place known in the martial world only through rumors.

No other location gathered so many of Desolate Fortress’s black-ranks. It was likely the most dangerous place in the world.

Until the ceiling collapsed.

No one had reacted in advance.

It was an almost impossible occurrence. A disaster in its own right.

Unless the intruder’s internal mastery had reached the realm of returning to simplicity, it made no sense.

A state where extreme refinement allowed one to act ordinarily.

“…”

A brief silence fell.

Immortal Tree Spirit Leader Cheon So-so widened her clear blue eyes.

She gazed at the man, restraining her energy with the stillness unique to ice techniques.

Her aura, embodying the subtlety of stillness within motion, was cold and formidable.

Woon So-yu, who had drawn her sword the moment the ceiling cracked, aimed it at the man.

Even amidst the storm, her long black hair remained calm. She had honed her noble clan’s abilities alongside her swordsmanship.

A supreme master who wielded wind with mystique.

A rustling sound emerged.

Jin Myeong-jo, Divine Blood Extreme Demon, sharpened the energy in his crossed arms. His expression remained unchanged despite the astonishing event.

He stood cloaked in irregular, thick waves of energy, exuding a refined demeanor. The dignity unique to Blood Guardian Leader.

Though seasoned in immediate combat, the Leaders could not strike at once.

Assessing the opponent took precedence.

There was no misjudgment in Desolate Fortress Leaders’ senses. Xiahou Wei-zhen, Thousand Fists Dragon Vassal, had been subdued effortlessly.

The advantage of a surprise attack was significant, but this was not an opponent to underestimate.

“Follow my lead.”

Jin Myeong-jo spoke briefly.

His words were a feint. The effectiveness of a joint attack depended on the compatibility of their techniques. A collaboration between Blood Guardian Leader and noble clan Leaders was the worst match.

It was not about coordination but rather, “Strike first, and I’ll seize the opening as it comes.”

Cheon So-so and Woon So-yu did not reply.

This was unrelated to their usual disdain for Jin Myeong-jo’s lineage.

The intruder had deceived the senses of black-rank supreme masters. He had completely concealed his energy.

A supreme master. He could mimic, even slightly, the natural presence of the Desolate Fortress Lord.

They had to assume death and meticulously analyze him with their perception.

Yue Shou-lin, having drawn her spear from her back, frowned slightly.

“What is this?”

She gripped her black spear with one hand. The transparent shimmer enveloping her was no ordinary stance.

A tremendous force surged from the spear shaft rising behind her slender frame.

Her Yue Family Spear Technique was the most renowned weapon art in the martial world.

Once ranked alongside Yang Family Spear Technique as one of the two greatest, it became history in her hands.

The might of Divine Sword Spear surpassed Yang Family masters by far.

“The energy feels familiar yet strange. Very unpleasant. Is this an unseen Thirteen Evil Sects Leader? If not, headquarters couldn’t be breached like this…”

Yue Shou-lin muttered, her eyes fixed on the figure pressing Xiahou Wei-zhen’s head.

The intruder’s face was not visible. He had bowed toward Forest-Treading Leader as if admonishing him.

She slowly moved her lips.

“Jeong Yeon-shin, look properly.”

Her tone carried concern. Her lovely junior was ignoring the intruder.

“Ah.”

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s exclamation was dry. His thick eyebrows did not twitch.

His breath flowed thin and long beneath his refined nose.

His energy breathing had deepened remarkably, yet he seemed dazed, like someone his age. A rare occurrence.

Divine Sword Spear’s vision was broad. She confirmed Jeong Yeon-shin’s state without turning her gaze. She could not help but ask worriedly.

“Are you alright?”

“Senior Yue.”

Her junior began, head tilted downward.

“What? Tell me.”

Yue Shou-lin urged gently. Even facing a formidable foe, her demeanor was warm.

Truly a kind senior.

“Well…”

At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin felt isolated. His heart did. The expressionless face he forced masked deep shame.

An emotion only he knew. An unfamiliar, directionless embarrassment clouded over him. Accompanied by immense regret. He should have come together.

‘Ah…’

Still, he had to speak.

It seemed his grandfather had no intention of revealing his identity. He was engrossed in pressing Xiahou Wei-zhen’s head.

His behavior resembled a stubborn, righteous elder, oblivious to context.

Was his anger so great he could not look around? Yet his supreme presence, denying approach, was astonishing.

The black-rank seniors must not strike first.

A purple-rank supreme master clashing with four black-rank masters? Each capable of piercing steel with a single blow.

Regardless of victory, the outcome would not be clean.

Jeong Yeon-shin could stop his grandfather. But he could not counter the instant strike Tyrant Hero might unleash beforehand.

If this escalated further, attending Wish for Peace Sword Hall in the future would become difficult. He would not be able to show his face.

‘No.’

His heart rose, overcoming shame with effort.

As he opened his mouth.

“Hold for a moment.”

It was the Grand Administrator’s telepathic message.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze. He saw the Grand Administrator at once. Smiling.

The arc on his bushy beard carried a jovial air. An incomprehensible sight.

The Grand Administrator continued.

“After being summoned by the imperial family, he must serve briefly as headquarters’ hidden sword. It does not suit Tyrant Hero’s temperament. He must have pent-up frustration. We cannot easily halt what often occurs at Wish for Peace Sword Hall. Moreover… the clash you fear, young master, may not happen. Because none among our black-ranks lack extraordinariness…”

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Then.

Terrifying energy waves surged from the shattered edges of the round table. The Leaders had prepared to strike.

After a silent agreement, they circulated their energy in an instant. A realm of essence, energy, and spirit unity.

They were on the verge of unleashing supreme techniques with the attainment of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

No questions asked.

A clash had already occurred. Xiahou Wei-zhen’s life hung on. Yet it was clearly a hostile strike.

Desolate Fortress Leaders in combat mode did not converse with foes. A long-standing tradition ingrained in their conduct.

It was to avoid being swayed by the words of influential officials.

This was why Yue Shou-lin, though concerned for Jeong Yeon-shin, did not address the intruder.

‘That protective aura won’t yield to fist techniques.’

Jin Myeong-jo, Divine Blood Extreme Demon, thought.

His innate yin perception rivaled noble clans’. He instantly recognized the intruder’s energy cloak.

It was woven with extreme solidity, like armor of energy. Blunt fist strikes would struggle to breach it. He had no choice but to use his Blood Claw Technique.

‘If only that guy weren’t here…!’

Jin Myeong-jo’s ruby-like eyes flashed. They swept over the detestable new Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

The aura around him was profoundly divine. They said he created a mystical technique as a white-rank; now it seemed he wielded energy like magic.

Even from a distance, it felt life-threatening. Goosebumps rose on his smooth skin.

Could he fully execute his supreme moves?

‘Tyrant Sword Sect Leader is Shaanxi’s monster? Does that matter? Damn it.’

A monster of Desolate Fortress was right here.

He had to face the most dreaded figure at every meeting.

The unidentified intruder who did not kill Forest-Treading Leader outright was less threatening than Radiant Demon Wing Leader, whose very presence oppressed him.

Psychologically too. His heart tightened recalling the two blue-rank subordinates he’d reluctantly handed over. He was maddened by the loss.

Feng Lan, Luo Yi-qian. My loyal limbs.

‘And a joint attack? With Radiant Demon Wing Leader?’

Jin Myeong-jo glared unconsciously.

Immediately after, he flinched and lowered his lashes. That junior wielded mystical divine techniques.

Crossing him would make meetings unbearable. Sitting beside him might trigger a fit. Damn it.

‘Ah…’

His crimson gaze was interpreted differently by Jeong Yeon-shin.

A demeanor of dual nature. Resolute yet refined.

As a taciturn senior, he spoke with his eyes. I’ll take the vanguard, entrusting the rear to you.

‘As reliable as Senior Yue.’

The shame from his grandfather, the guilt from his seniors.

Even so, he could not strike his grandfather. As Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed his anguish.

A voice brimming with rage resounded.

“You lot, dare to commit insubordination now?”

Finally.

The man in pink robes raised his head. It was after Xiahou Wei-zhen, subdued by a sudden grip on his neck’s vital point, had fainted.

A face with bold lines emerged, despite scant flesh.

Shockingly youthful.

Though not of noble clan, vitality seemed to overflow from him. The aura on his face bordered on ferocious.

A lion king galloping across the wilds stood apart.

“To strike now…”

Jin Myeong-jo, sharpening energy in his five claws, trailed off slowly.

He had cast aside the dignity of a black-rank. He intended to propose a joint attack. Any seasoned warrior would.

But he could not finish.

“You wretches?”

Jin Myeong-jo frowned. Yue Shou-lin, Cheon So-so, and Woon So-yu froze. As if petrified.

They seemed to have witnessed something unthinkable. Even their surging energy waves subsided.

All were veteran Leaders.

Divine Sword Spear had youthful rejuvenation, while Immortal Tree Spirit Leader and Law Enforcement Squad Leader were long-lived noble clansmen.

Unlike Jin Myeong-jo, who had joined recently and hastily taken a Leader’s seat.

He glanced at Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

‘What now…’

The new junior averted his gaze entirely. As if ignoring it.

Then.

“No.”

Yue Shou-lin’s lips trembled slightly. So did the grip on her black spear.

The momentum of Yue Family Spear Technique, once blazing like wildfire, vanished completely.

“No…”

She seemed the most shocked here. Stunned. Her lips parted, and her eyes, gleaming with supreme mastery, quivered faintly.

Her dark pupils darted between Jeong Yeon-shin and the intruder.

“What is this…”

She was visibly shaken, unmistakably so.

Swish.

Ma Yeon-jeok rose, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“I’ve long planned this since you spoke of my grandson as a suitor. Still, you had some discernment. Yue Family Spear Technique couldn’t dare rival my grandson, whose hands turned back my time.”

“Really, really… insane…!”

Yue Shou-lin’s reaction was intense. She had endured long years of toil under Divine Sword Group Leader Ma Yeon-jeok.

Her neatly raised lashes trembled.

Her short hair, usually swept back, fell past her ears, yet she did not raise a hand. Her eyes urgently sought her junior.

“That’s a joke, right? Elder Council Leader recovered and is teasing us, right? Wearing a human skin mask. It’s a terrible prank, so tell me now. I never thought I’d see that face again in my lifetime…”

“My grandfather achieved youthful rejuvenation.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke, barely hiding his embarrassment.

“You did it? You caused that mess?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re my enemy now…”

A dazed Yue Shou-lin muttered weakly.

The aftermath fell to Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming.

With the shock still lingering, they decided to continue the meeting seated cross-legged on the floor.

Ma Yeon-jeok took the head seat. The Leaders sat below him on either side. Yue Shou-lin dragged Jeong Yeon-shin to the farthest spot.

Cheon So-so, Woon So-yu, and Jin Myeong-jo looked bewildered. Only the degree differed. They had not fully processed Ma Yeon-jeok’s dramatic change.

It had been a brief moment. Xiahou Wei-zhen, rising late, sat silently with clear eyes.

His tightly shut lips were unlike usual. No trace of his fiery temper remained, as if he bore the deep calm of still water, hands resting on his knees.

Tyrant Hero paid no heed.

“We were discussing mission assignments. Yeon-shin, where do you wish to go?”

Jeong Yeon-shin shifted his gaze slightly. Worry loomed large. His grandfather had stormed his workplace, enraged over his affairs. How could he face the future?

With effort, he looked at Xiahou Wei-zhen and spoke.

“My skills are still lacking to handle a mission tied to Obeying Heaven Wing’s fate. That’s why I mentioned Shaanxi. I thought Shaanxi, with Zhongnan and Mount Hua facing Tyrant Sword Sect and Yu Ling, would be better. I repeat, it was Senior Xiahou’s misunderstanding.”

“Shaanxi? Fine. Radiant Demon Wing Leader will go to Shaanxi.”

Ma Yeon-jeok declared. It was nearly a proclamation.

“…”

The Grand Administrator, chuckling alone, opened the next document.

“And…”

The meeting progressed astonishingly fast. An unprecedented pace. Wish for Peace Sword Hall’s agenda began flashing by like lightning.