Chapter 308 – Hyeon Won (3)

A tremendous roar echoed.

It sounded like successive thunderclaps overlapping. Powerful vibrations violently shook the ground.

The explosive force raced across the vast expanse of land, so intense that even the Gongya family martial artists who had been fleeing ahead forgot their roles and turned to look.

They had just received instructions from the Deputy Commander to lure the aristocrats away.

“Young Family Head, over there…!”

“I see it!”

Whoosh!

The lightness skills of the seven Gongya martial artists who had applied their brakes created a backlash of wind. Thick dust erupted from beneath their feet.

But it was insignificant compared to the enormous cloud of dust that had risen before their eyes.

“The aristocrats’ energy waves have all disappeared…”

“…Total annihilation.”

Words mixed with astonishment flowed out. The eyes of the family members, including Young Family Head Gongya Jeong, were wide open.

They had been concerned even while luring the powerful aristocrats away.

Anyone who had witnessed Zhuge Clan Leader’s death would naturally assume that the condition of Desolate Fortress’s black-ranks was far from ideal.

“Check whether they’ve been properly paying their taxes… and prepare relief rice to distribute to the common people. This time, no one in the family will oppose my words.”

Gongya Jeong muttered.

It was something that had faced opposition numerous times before.

The Gongya family did not engage in base acts like plundering. However, they were not a family that showed compassion for the common people.

They merely took it upon themselves to host banquets when other aristocrats organized martial arts tournaments, in order to prevent the exploitation that would result from the consumption of resources.

They did not regularly open their granaries during the prolonged famine. Because days would come when food would be more precious than gold.

But now, no one objected to her orders.

The Gongya family leadership remained silent. They had no choice after seeing Radiant Demon Wing Leader emerging through the dust.

Crunch.

The semi-transparent energy strands were disappearing from his lowered hand, and their effect of temporarily wrapping the hazy dust like threads made him resemble Yama.

Even the blood dripping from under his sleeve was threatening. The wounds inflicted by Zhuge Clan Leader seemed to have burst open from the recoil of his technique.

Saaaa—

As a dry wind pushed away the dust, the scene behind him slowly revealed itself.

Beyond his shoulder, an extremely wide pit in the ground appeared sinister like a corner of hell.

He had taken the masters who had led the exploitation to the netherworld. Without even giving those who had ruled Shanxi for long years a chance to leave final words.

Steam rose from various parts of the small basin. It was a bleak scene.

“They say he’s the prince who descended on a lotus, the incarnation of Nezha…”

As one of the Gongya family elders muttered as if in a trance.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been approaching with neat footsteps, suddenly staggered.

“Sword Master!”

Gongya Jeong, startled, quickly stamped the ground.

The Gongya leadership, equally alarmed by the acting family head’s movement, followed her in launching themselves forward.

They too were powerful aristocrats. They quickly reached the battlefield that had concluded in an instant.

By then, Jeong Yeon-shin had glanced at them and straightened his posture. He was recalling the bearing of his senior Jin Myeong-jo.

If he maintained the lofty dignity like Divine Blood Extreme Demon in any situation, even after the activation of time-limited secret techniques like Ultimate Thunder and Fan Dragon Treading Lotus Technique had ended, his enemies would not act rashly.

‘The cervical spine should be slightly curved backward rather than in a straight line. While applying force to the psoas major muscles on both sides of the waist.’

Even bluffing was a skill. One must never be looked down upon by anyone.

Swish.

He assumed his posture, ignoring the lightning-like pain flashing throughout his body. The internal and external injuries inflicted by Zhuge Clan Leader would not recover with just a day or two of rest.

Seeing the Gongya family leadership flinch from a distance, it seemed to have worked somewhat.

While feeling somewhat pleased, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the need for a shield.

More than protective energy, he craved people. Perhaps because his body was exhausted.

The path he would have to navigate in the future was treacherous. There were many groups united in the vast martial world.

After painfully defeating a peerless master, he would have to withstand the anger of those who had lost their leader. He had been unusually fortunate when facing Zhuge Clan Leader.

The world is not made up entirely of people who accept the results of one-on-one duels.

That’s why martial artists form sects.

Family sect. Branch faction.

People who cultivate the same spirit and share martial arts more important than blood. They are like family.

Like the family members standing behind Gongya Jeong, who was approaching him now. Like Radiant Demon Wing of Desolate Fortress.

“Are you alright? You should quickly return to the main house for treatment…”

“Young Family Head, I’m sorry.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said.

“For using your family in my mission.”

At that moment, Gongya Jeong’s red collar twitched. There was a strange power in the words of Tamed Nezha Lightning Genius.

His voice, which conveyed his intention to leave now, changed the atmosphere. Had this been his plan all along? It naturally became a scene of seeing off a guest.

She slowly opened her mouth.

“In the end, only Transcendence City Sect left behind by Zhuge Clan Leader and our Gongya clan remain in Shanxi, so the humiliation we suffered from the aristocrats is nothing. As long as Transcendence City Sect cannot move as it does now, this land will be peaceful for the time being. If only people don’t starve…”

“The burden on the Young Family Head will be great. I hope the Family Head recovers soon.”

Jeong Yeon-shin was right.

Young Family Head Gongya Jeong would have to handle the Shanxi martial world alone in the future. A martial world without martial aristocrats would not necessarily be peaceful.

Bandits from the green woods, evil sect martial artists from the Four Great Faction, and wanderers roaming the wilderness without law would target the vacant positions.

Although Lazy Flame Dragon and his group had gone with Slaughter Chivalry to attack Transcendence City Sect’s headquarters, it was no ordinary matter even excluding Transcendence City Sect.

Shanxi is vast. It’s a difficult task to shoulder as someone of later-generation status. It was a matter that would inevitably attract the attention of countless spectators in the martial world.

“…Hmm.”

There was no change in Gongya Jeong’s expression. Neither her thin, dark eyebrows nor her seemingly taciturn lips showed any change.

“My father was rather pleased. He said it was a succession lesson, an opportunity for me to stand alone. He’s right.”

“…Stone.”

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly muttered, looking at the Gongya Young Family Head with some fear or unease.

One who lives with a rock-like posture. She could be called the embodiment of a clear mirror and still water. Looking like a stone with no room to be carved, she once again aroused feelings of inferiority in Jeong Yeon-shin… It had been that way since the moment she had spoken of ten years of training in response to his single-breath sword strike.

What overwhelming composure. He hadn’t experienced this even from Zhuge Clan Leader.

‘Life…’

Jeong Yeon-shin etched the unfairness of life into his bones. He wanted to leave the place quickly.

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

He shook his head at Gongya Jeong’s question and continued.

“You have a good father.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke in a tone that seemed no different from usual.

The corner of Gongya Jeong’s lips rose slightly.

“Su wants to enter Desolate Fortress. If he takes the entrance examination someday, would you accept him into Radiant Demon Wing?”

She was referring to the cheerful second young master of the Gongya family.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded as he recalled Gongya Su. They say black-ranks sometimes engage in duels to compete for new recruits, but now he feared few besides the Three Black Pillars.

If it wasn’t Senior Jin, the Blood Guardian Squad Leader whose energy waves couldn’t even be read, he could probably take on most new recruits.

“I must go now.”

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly said.

He had just come out after entrusting a letter to a Gongya family servant.

It contained a message bidding temporary farewell to his seniors. It was right for Yue Shou-lin and Jin Myeong-jo, who found even moving painful, to return to the main fortress after recovery.

Although his seniors would gladly accompany him if he explained the situation, with their broad capacity and warm hearts, Jeong Yeon-shin did not want that.

Desolate Spear and Divine Blood Extreme Demon needed to look after the Divine Sword Squad and Blood Guardian Squad. As their parents.

‘They must not be injured further. Nor should they experience any unforeseen incidents.’

The defeat of Zhuge Clan Leader.

The squad leaders’ mission had ended.

From now on, it was Radiant Demon Wing’s matter. He had long suspected that Blazing Moon Great Slaughter Sect and Hyeon Won-chang were connected in some way.

He also knew that Desolate Divine Hero’s hometown was Shanxi.

Since Hyeon Won-chang’s grudges were also Radiant Demon Wing’s grudges, it was right for the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader to investigate.

This was true even if Desolate Fortress blue-ranks had the authority for solo missions.

Rustle.

The sound of clothes overlapped. From Jeong Yeon-shin turning his feet and Gongya Jeong belatedly raising her clasped hands.

“I wish you success.”

“And to you, Young Family Head of Gongya.”

Tamed Nezha Lightning Genius turned completely and took a step.

At that moment, there was a fluttering sound from his bosom, and a small, pure white swallow soared high.

White Swallow.

A spirit animal handled by Desolate Fortress squad leaders.

Screech!

The bird, spreading its wings against the backdrop of the bluish sky, cut across the horizon.

It flew endlessly along the boundary of the wilderness, looking free. Its unwavering wing beats continued as if it knew its master’s destination.

Below it, the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader walked slowly. Leaving his footprints one by one on the yellowish earth.

Saaaa—

A dry, cool wind blew. The late winter breeze was transparent like ice.

The Gongya family aristocrats silently watched for a long time the back of the boy who had entered as a stranger and pacified the Shanxi martial world.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

“Look at that large pit. It’s truly a magnificent sight. It could be called the pinnacle of military-official collaboration. Who would have thought that a shower of thunderclap bombs could become so beautiful?”

“……”

“I played my cards well, didn’t I? Don’t you agree?”

“The Deputy Commander’s insight has never been wrong.”

“Haha, my friend, such flattery…”

“It is truly so.”

“He pierced through all the marvels of harmonious state raised by the aristocrat leaders. For all those bombs to reach their exact target points before exploding? That would work even on the harsh and vast northern border. It’s an inevitable skill. Listen, Military Officer Do.”

“Yes.”

“Go to Beijing. We need to prepare a memorial to the throne.”

***

The sensation against his back was hard.

“……”

Kim Seon-hwi opened his eyes.

Immediately, he saw a dark space. It was the bottom of the bed.

He had unconsciously come down from under the blanket while sleeping. To imprint in his senses a place where blades might spring out.

Familiar air coolly brushed against his skin. Killing intent, the smell of metal, the scent of withered wood…

Swish.

He was already standing in place.

Like a soul, his body had moved automatically the moment his consciousness awakened. Following the evasion mechanism engraved in his entire body since childhood.

He had to do this to avoid the Murong family’s River-Cutting Sword Style and the terrifying spell blades of Taimaosan City. It had been an endlessly long pursuit.

…Wait, Eight Clans and Thirteen Evil Sects. What time is it now?

‘Ah.’

Suddenly, he silently recited his name. Hyeon Won-chang, Desolate Divine Hero, Great Tongue Sword of Radiant Demon Wing…

Kim Seon-hwi, who had been the promising young master of the Slaughter Sect, was no more. The youngest son, whom the Slaughter Sect Leader had obtained late in life, was dead.

He had abandoned the Kim surname while escaping by heavenly fortune from two major sects that coveted the Heavenly Demon’s legacy. Because his family had abandoned him first.

Hyeon Won-chang’s lips stiffened somewhat.

“Is this a spell trance? My mind is so confused, it’s as if I’ve smoked dozens of opium pipes.”

“If your memories are a spell, then they are.”

A clear, crisp voice rang out. A man in a black hat was crouched at the corner of the bed, looking up at Hyeon Won-chang. His free-spirited yet leisurely posture matched the atmosphere perfectly.

Hyeon Won-chang was not surprised by the bizarre intrusion. The Kim family had always been that way, regardless of martial prowess.

This chamber was also similar to the site of the collapsed main house, located at the foot of a cliff.

“Is it morning?”

“You ask while knowing.”

Slaughter Chivalry Kim Jon-hwi laughed.

“You truly are talented. I didn’t expect the killing method to still emanate from your body.”

“Stop the nonsense.”

“It’s quite regrettable. Where has the cute Seon-ah gone, who would sweetly recite Du Fu’s poetry to comfort this elder brother? A direct line child consoling the sorrows of a collateral line brother.”

“Even so, I was treated as an illegitimate child because of my mother’s status. Kim Seon-hwi is no more, and you, brother, have achieved your long-cherished wish of becoming the Sect Leader. You’ve annihilated Transcendence City Sect, so we’ve both achieved our goals. Let’s go our separate ways now.”

“Your words differ slightly from last evening. Are you saying you have no interest in lifting your restriction?”

“……”

“I observed your superior’s physiognomy. His life thread is not long… unfortunately. As his subordinate, shouldn’t you become more powerful?”

Hyeon Won-chang’s lips hardened into a straight line… “When has your physiognomy reading ever been accurate? You’ve just slashed at assassination targets while saying ‘that fellow’s life thread is very short.’ It’s fortunate that they were all human scum.”

“Now you sound more like my brother.”

Slaughter Chivalry Kim Jon-hwi laughed melodiously.

With a small nod to keep the rhythm, he took something out from his bosom.

It was a short green scroll.

“This is the clue to lifting your restriction and contains the long-cherished wish of our sect. I had quite a struggle obtaining it from the stubborn elders. They all despise half of your bloodline even though they’re not direct line themselves. Ridiculous old men.”

“……”

“However, it’s sealed with a spell… and the incantation that would serve as the key has been lost. That day, during the chaos at the Heavenly Demon’s Tomb. Both of us were too busy escaping.”

“…Indeed.”

“I hear that the thousand martial forces of Profound Martial Alliance are targeting us. The Murong family’s movements are also suspicious. The strange fellows of Taimao Mountain Fortress are buying up enormous amounts of sophora yellow paper. They say there’s more to extract from the nameless Heavenly Demon’s tomb, or something like that.”

[TL Note- Changing the name of Heart Martial Alliance to Profound Martial Alliance.]

Sophora paper was made from pagoda trees and used as talisman material.

It was also the main weapon of Taimao Mountain Fortress of the Thirteen Evil Sects, which handled spell martial arts.

“Something is happening, and I feel our sect’s power is too weak. Wouldn’t it be killing two birds with one stone if we could greatly enhance your martial arts while solving our long-standing wish?”

“I am not a member of the Slaughter Sect.”

“Not yet. Well, you can do as you please anyway.”

Tap, tap.

Slaughter Chivalry tossed the scroll up and caught it with one hand as he replied.

His voice carried a strange confidence, which was also a quality that always emanated from his demeanor.

Hyeon Won-chang, who had been glaring at him for a moment, opened his mouth. He extended his hand forward.

“Let me see it.”

“Go ahead. It won’t be much anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told you it’s sealed with a spell. You can’t unroll it. It’s hardened like a club.”

Slaughter Chivalry spoke nonchalantly.

“Actually, this is also your first test. The energy of the elixir that the previous Sect Leader pounded into your body just before the annihilation… The old men of the Elder Council, worried about blemishes on my legitimacy, don’t want your restriction to be lifted. So I persuaded them. We haven’t been able to touch our sect’s long-cherished wish anyway, so if you somehow manage to unlock this while wandering around with me…”

Tap.

After handing the scroll to Hyeon Won-chang, he continued.

“Wouldn’t that also be fate? Keep it safe and prepare to leave. Your friends from the Hwangbo family and Desolate Divine family are already up. They don’t seem to have slept well?”

It was then.

Suddenly, a whitish current flowed like mist from Hyeon Won-chang’s hand.

Rustle—

The scroll unraveled like a thread. It was under the energy waves of the Luminous Wheel Technique, which carried extremely faint dharma power.

The smooth jawline extending from under the black hat stiffened. The energy that had been dominating the room wavered, creating silence.

Hyeon Won-chang’s chin lifted slightly.

“Hmm, they say the Divine Skill that Transcends Learning doesn’t distinguish between spells and martial arts.”

His self-talk flowed out like a boast.