Chapter 329 – Grandson (2)

A stage of experience prepared for the grandson who must now accumulate great merits after donning the purple robe, attaining the rank of Divine Sword Group Leader, and becoming the master of the Entering Divine Sword.

For a moment, it was as if a typhoon had descended.

The passage of upper dantian ability collided with Ma Yeon-jeok, but the shockwave actually flowed from Jeong Yeon-shin.

The fierce wind that seemed to tear through space was tremendous.

Whoosh!

The spirituality of the upper dantian instantly transformed into a violent wind. Though different in nature from true energy, it blew in all eight directions like energy waves.

The yellowish dirt of the clearing was overturned, and thick dust rose as if a thunderclap bomb had exploded.

The formless passage crumpled. It shattered as it struck Ma Yeon-jeok’s head.

Amidst this, for just a moment.

An enormous presence arose from Radiant Demon Wing Leader Lightning Genius’s entire body.

It was as if an invisible dragon had suddenly coiled itself. Such a vast shadow fell over the mountain peak before disappearing.

For an instant, an incredible sense of release brushed Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body. A feeling as if his innate senses and internal energy within his body had completely unified.

But it was brief. It immediately dissipated.

Even that was enough to make the sword light filling Jeong Yeon-shin’s vision vanish.

The Murong family head had withdrawn his Flowing Star Sword technique with tremendous internal energy manipulation. Only fragments of sword strike energy waves mixed with white and colorless light fluttered in the air.

They say the bodies of peerless swordsmen are in a state like mind-controlled sword. It means their unconscious translates directly into lightning-fast sword draws.

With no limit to how fast their minds can move their bodies, some renowned clan supreme masters with terrifying levels of internal energy cultivation are rumored to be able to kill with just energy waves by willing it. The reverse was also possible.

The moment Star Radiance Great Sword Lord Murong Jung-rak’s mind hesitated, his sword strike was withdrawn.

That’s why Jeong Yeon-shin was unharmed. He remained standing motionless with his eyes slightly lowered. Only his long black hair below his shoulders fluttered wildly.

“……”

Murong Jung-rak stared blankly at the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Then he shook his sword once in place.

Swoosh!

“Your technique is quite ingenious,” he said.

“It’s worthy of being called extraordinary. I heard there was a sect that conquered Hangzhou with martial arts of empty bravado, is this a technique created after hearing that rumor?”

The Murong family head who had stopped his attack.

His previous behavior was clearly that of someone concerned about a counterattack. It was unbecoming of one of the Eight Clan Leaders, whose every technique was said to sever life threads like natural law.

It could be called a rare marvel. The brief change in the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s energy waves had been incomprehensibly mysterious.

The Fan Dragon Treading Lotus Technique that had collided with Ma Yeon-jeok and dissipated was perceived differently than reality. Rather than some decisive secret skill, it appeared to be a means of interrupting the opponent’s offensive rhythm.

Since it used the upper dantian’s ability of spirituality without energy waves, it may have been interpreted as a type of spell martial art.

‘Spell martial arts. It may not be that different.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he gripped the lowered Northern Light Divine Sword.

In any case, it was a failure. The Fan Dragon Treading Lotus Technique did not work on his grandfather. Something incredibly powerful enveloping his entire body had pushed away the dragon created in his mind.

In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin felt a certain standard. It seemed like something his grandfather had mentioned when feeding him a piece of the Heaven-Reaching World Tree’s fruit.

The realm of Divine Sword Group Leader.

‘Where might it be?’

As Jeong Yeon-shin met the Murong family head’s blue gaze, he tried to gauge where that realm might lie beyond.

Perhaps because he had briefly resonated with his grandfather’s spirituality, it felt extremely distant yet somehow close.

It was then.

From the slope below.

“Huh.”

The Tyrant Hero let out an exclamation.

His folded arms loosened slightly. Then he raised his eyes as if examining his own crown.

In that moment, his long pink sleeve hem fluttered like an immortal’s garment. It seemed his mood had affected his internal energy.

It was the conduct of an absolute being.

“What an incredibly marvelous divine skill. I can even sense an outstanding spirit.”

Ma Yeon-jeok burst into laughter. Intense interest shone in his eyes, befitting his temperament.

“I was worried about you and sought to obtain a Jiao dragon’s inner pill or some such, but already you’ve progressed this far… I’m curious about your recent achievements. And to see that secret technique deployed in person.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, facing the Murong family head in the clearing above, immediately sensed it. His grandfather, savoring the aftermath of the technique, had seen through his secret skill.

He praised the Fan Dragon Treading Lotus Technique’s principle of creating the same conditions as the opponent, calling it an outstanding spirit.

These were words from the previous Divine Sword Group Leader who had surpassed the peak of skill. It gave him a strange feeling.

“This is irritating. Let’s begin.”

Murong Jung-rak suddenly began striding forward. Rather than some monster of incredible power, he furrowed his brow slightly like a person.

Was he displeased at seemingly becoming a spectator? It was something unlikely for the master of one of the Eight Great Clans.

His footsteps were equally unhesitating.

Thud.

He closed the distance without considering proper spacing. It was as if he were saying the world was his sword domain.

Indeed, the pressure advancing like an imperial sword form was tremendous. Semi-transparent heat haze flowed in streams from the peerless swordsman of the Murong family.

It was a realm of laying down a sword’s domain without any particular movement. Whether swift sword or illusion sword, it created a space where any type of technique would become faster and freer.

Eight Clan Leader, Liaoning’s number one.

Thud— Thud—

His footsteps gradually deepened. With each step, thread-like sword energy rose from the ground that sank beneath his feet.

A realm where even just laying down his sword domain shook the surrounding space. Even the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s robe clung tightly to his skin, constricting him.

Anyone could see this was no joint attack. It was one-on-one with the Eight Clan Leader Star Radiance Great Sword Lord.

This was something that would inevitably draw attention not just from a regional martial world, but from the entire martial realm spanning nine provinces.

A thunderous rumbling arose beneath Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet.

It was Ultimate Thunder.

The transparent flower cluster enveloping and extending from his body bloomed fully. It came with vibrations that finely shook the earth.

The lotus-like petals glowed transparently, and emitted an empty rumbling like lifeless lightning.

Wooooong—

The aftermath of full-body protective energy that filled his entire body and overflowed outwards.

Tremendous vitality dwelled within his body. Along with pain as if all the blood pathways and small vessels in his body were being torn, Azure Qilin’s spirit surged forth. The air distorted above the back of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand gripping the sword.

Murong Jung-rak paid no heed. He merely furrowed his brow slightly as he continued forward… Even marvels that would be revered as mountain gods by commoners became ordinary sights in the eyes of an Eight Clan Leader.

“Lotus Nezha. Yes, let’s see.”

He immediately swung down his raised sword. It was an arm movement with a magnificent rhythm.

Bang!

An explosion of shockwaves erupted before Jeong Yeon-shin’s palm. His sleeve instantly rolled up.

He had burst protective energy with his left hand not holding a sword, but sharp sword energy completely crushed the palm technique’s energy waves and embedded itself in his palm.

The recoil traveling up his arm was tremendous. It reverberated numbingly up to his elbow.

It couldn’t be helped. He needed time to activate the Fan Dragon Treading Lotus Technique again. This was because it was a martial art that contracted his upper dantian like a muscle.

‘Ugh.’

As soon as he pulled out his hand with a large swing, his vision flashed white. It was the Flowing Star Sword’s second strike.

Amid the spurting blood from his palm staining one side of his vision, Jeong Yeon-shin formed the mantra of the Thunder Annihilation Sword in the acupoints of his right hand. Judgment Qilin. Fierce energy waves roughly arose throughout his body.

He used the Radiant Wing Step while spinning backwards. With his hand, he struck out with a swift sword drawing a circle. In that moment, the lotus petals surrounding his entire body resonated.

Jjeojeong—!

It was a sword strike delivered along with the rotation of an evasive footwork technique. It properly deflected Murong Jung-rak’s sword.

In this moment, the intense vibration arising in his grip gave him a strange satisfaction. He was not far behind in sword striking power.

‘This should be fine.’

The Murong family head was different from Zhuge Clan Leader.

Zhuge Liang on the verge of death had been lucky. He had possessed the counter method for the Yue Family Spear while facing Yue Shou-lin.

But the Murong family head had no breaking method for the Lightning Genius martial lineage. Even if he did, it would only serve as a stepping stone for Jeong Yeon-shin.

Haha.

Murong Jung-rak laughed. He did not advance again. He merely slowly twisted his sword-holding hand back and forth.

It was as if he were savoring Jeong Yeon-shin’s sword power. He truly was obsessed with swords.

“Indeed, you’re quite good. The Tyrant Sword Madman’s Path has guided you well.”

It was the alias of the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader. Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips curved down coldly.

“Are you acquainted with the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader?”

“I saw him from when that slow-witted fellow begged Mount Hua’s Lu Xian while being chased as the crown prince of a fallen nation. It didn’t suit him at all. Lu Xian shone brightly even then.”

Mount Hua’s Lu Xian referred to the Mount Hua Sect Leader. Plum Blossom Sword Immortal Lu Xian. Perhaps they had become acquainted at some dragon-phoenix gathering of their generation.

[TL Note- Reminder that Mount Hua Sect Leader and Tyrant Sword Sect Leader were acquainted when they were young.]

“Slow-witted…?”

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth again.

“Do you know more?”

“I know well about that fellow’s worthless dream. He was consumed by impatience.”

The corners of Murong Jung-rak’s thick lips rose slightly.

“But it doesn’t seem to be the time for you to be concerned about that.”

“…?”

“How do you plan to survive here?”

Woong.

White light suffused Murong Jung-rak’s sword. The quality transmitted through the air was chilling.

It felt as if the entire world had been moved to a different land. For a moment, the sky darkened. It was the same as when his grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok had manifested. Energy waves had obscured the sunlight.

Blue light flashed in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

He stared at the inner pass acupoint of the wrist that writhed along Murong Jung-rak’s fingers gripping the sword. While scanning the heat haze of energy waves that would boost the Flowing Star Sword’s strikes surrounding him.

The moment Murong Jung-rak flicked his wrist, Jeong Yeon-shin perceived the sword path that would thrust forward in a straight line. His nerves were extremely focused.

Lowly Revelation Technique.

This was a place where he needed to employ all the martial arts he had created so far. He would be killed the moment he allowed a single sword strike.

Though his grandfather had stopped the Profound Martial Alliance, if this place were merely a dueling ground, it would be difficult to make a breakthrough. This was why his grandfather, who had flinched when blood burst from his left hand, ultimately did not intervene.

‘Now I must rise.’

To purple.

The stones and earth scraped beneath his feet with a rough sound, and simultaneously the blurred figures of the two men collided in the center.

Jjeojeong—!

In that moment, the aftermath of energy waves that spread like a storm pushed back even the trouser hems of the mounted martial artists on the slope.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

“…!”

The Profound Martial Alliance’s martial forces.

The masters who were periodically sent to the north like tribute could not hide their surprised expressions. Some even raised their eyebrows in clear shock.

It was an expression difficult to show before their king-like Profound Martial Alliance Leader.

Goon Yu-rin, standing right beside her father, paid no attention to her subordinates’ reactions. She stared at Jeong Yeon-shin while roughly scratching her long black hair with its coarse texture.

The one-armed Jeon Baek following her was the same, his slightly open mouth making it difficult to find any scholarly dignity.

Lotus Nezha crossing swords with Star Radiance Great Sword Lord.

Were they comparing energy? The flow of air that seemed to creak spread down to the slope. An impossible thing was happening.

With his pitch-black robe hem and hair fluttering, he didn’t seem human. The weight of his somewhat childish alias came across literally.

Whoever had given him that name was incredible. Even while constantly being pushed back, something was changing in a way that even novices could see. It was a marvelous sight.

‘How old was he again? Is that even human?’

Goon Yu-rin was endlessly amazed while also concerned.

This was because the white fur of the fur coat worn by her father, the Profound Martial Alliance Leader, at the head of the line of martial forces, had begun to stand on end.

Saaaa—

Overwhelming formless energy waves rose stealthily. Just brushing against a single strand made one’s skin tingle.

Lotus Nezha’s petals had withered then bloomed again, and now they were undulating as if about to lift the fur coat like a flag. The ground beneath their feet seemed about to split at any moment.

At this moment, Goon Yu-rin could recite her father’s thoughts exactly.

‘That fellow is dangerous.’

She could easily guess. Given the relationship between the imperial court and the Profound Martial Alliance, anyone would know that harming the Radiant Demon Wing Leader here could cause a great disaster.

However, Desolate Fortress was also a faction that constantly hindered the Profound Martial Alliance’s activities. The relationship between martial sects and Desolate Fortress was inevitably like this.

He must be weighing the pros and cons.

The image of Lightning Genius in about ten years. The imperial court’s punishment that the Profound Martial Alliance would have to endure if they beheaded the Radiant Demon Wing Leader here.

It must be weighing on her father’s mind.

The current Profound Martial Alliance Leader, Military King Martial Emperor Goon Wei-hu, was a peerless master. His mind moved instantly to plant his foot on the mountain peak. It was a realm where the strike arising in his mind was immediately manifested in his body… No matter how powerful the intruder standing in the middle with folded arms was, he would be able to reach the Radiant Demon Wing Leader with one move, and that technique would be a fatal strike for Jeong Yeon-shin who was struggling against the Murong family head.

Swoosh.

The moment her father’s figure finally blurred, Goon Yu-rin’s eyes wavered slightly.

She thought to herself: I had grown somewhat fond of him.

Whoosh!

From the slope to the peak, the air crumpled as if surrounded by city walls. It was the trace left by the Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s passage.

The Military King’s Martial Brilliance Technique is a divine skill. It absolutely does not allow the opponent to evade.

A martial art called the extreme of blunt methods. Rather than an Emperor sword form, the direct emission of energy came first.

It is a divine skill that weaves internal energy into natural qi to create an incredibly powerful void absorption, using that force to pull the opponent and oneself together to collide shoulders.

The peerless energy waves condensed with extreme subtlety in the shoulder once shattered the internal energy barriers of hundreds of northern demon clan members. It was said that in Henan, only the Shaolin abbot could be considered a match.

Kwaaaang—!

Belatedly, circular shockwaves exploded and surged in layers.

The sparse vegetation that had been peeking out was completely uprooted and sent flying, and dust rose like a tidal wave, thickly coloring the surroundings.

To Goon Yu-rin’s eyes, trained in the Profound Martial Alliance’s Life-Controlling Eye Technique, her father’s back was clearly visible as he carved a straight furrow up the peak. He looked like an unstoppable comet.

The translucent, colorless internal energy barrier surrounding his entire body was incredibly dense. The protective energy Brilliant Shining Divine Armor. Even at a glance, it was over ten layers thick.

It seemed fully prepared for the protective techniques of one who had killed a hundred martial forces. His posture suggested he could afford to allow one strike.

He judged it advantageous to kill the Lotus Nezha without sustaining a fatal wound.

The Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s Brilliant Shining Divine Armor was both protective energy and an offensive technique. This was because the life-controlling technique was an ancient method. Now that he had approached his target, it was enough to shatter Jeong Yeon-shin’s back and more.

Suddenly.

Until a hand wreathed in fragments of bright azure flame grabbed the Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s forearm. It was a large hand, big enough to wrap around the thick arm.

It was instantaneous. The colorless, transparent Brilliant Shining Divine Armor crumpled. Along with a friction sound that seemed to tear at the ears. Blue sparks flew in all directions from the unfamiliar hand.

The Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s jet-black eyebrows twitched.

“You misjudged.”

It rang out beside him as he floated in the air.

It was a man standing proudly, wearing a deep pink robe. His voice seemed to press down on the atmosphere. A seething power could be felt.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

In that moment, the Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s arm was lifted up, following Ma Yeon-jeok’s hand that had twisted at the waist. Before he or anyone else could widen their eyes. The veins on the back of Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok’s hand bulged.

In the instant the energy condensed like flames in his blue blood vessels released a dragon-like roar, with a ripping sound of flesh tearing, the Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s arm was torn from his body.

[TL Note- This arc is on fire.]