Chapter 339 – Tyrant (4)

The Desolate Fortress promotion ceremony is conducted under the supervision of the Fortress Lord.

It’s like the palace examination of the imperial civil service exam that the Emperor personally oversees. Since this applies to everyone from the blue robe rank upward, one cannot discuss purple robe promotion without the Desolate Fortress Lord’s presence.

Even with the Tyrant Hero’s revered name, he cannot disrupt the regulations.

This was why the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader could refuse the robe of the previous Divine Sword Group Leader. The color was also burdensome. The current plain black robe was preferable.

It was what he had received from the Gongya family’s young lady after his original robe was torn by Zhuge Clan Leader.

Ma Yeon-jeok’s lips curled upward.

The pink robe in the young elder’s hand looked more splendid than ever today.

This was because the marvel he had displayed had pulled the starlight from the night sky like threads.

“Five Qi Returning to the Origin, Transcendent Martial Arts. You’ll think differently once you can penetrate all the martial arts you’ve created. You’ll likely wear the purple robe before that happens… but let’s postpone it for now.”

Jeong Yeon-shin watched silently as he put the robe back on.

“When will I see you again?” he asked.

He asked because his grandfather seemed to be preparing to leave.

This was after he had briefly explained the purple realm of the martial world to Jeong Yeon-shin.

He called it a demon-subduing battlefield. It sounded like he traveled around confronting monstrous beings with incredible power who had appeared with the Ming people during the founding era.

Since he had come a long way after hearing about his grandson’s crisis despite his lack of time, it was right for him to return as quickly as possible.

Ma Yeon-jeok patted his grandson’s shoulder. Tap, tap, a warm energy transmitted from his large hand.

“This old man cannot interfere with your martial world journey again. While I’ll exert my influence from afar for your promotion and lifespan, I cannot turn away from the world’s welfare. This old man has always been the Divine Sword Group Leader. Even after passing the Entering Divine Sword to that Yong fellow, even when sending off my daughter…”

It meant he had many pending matters.

After trailing off briefly, he removed his hand from Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.

“We’ll meet again when you rise to purple and take on the same duties as this old man. Though situations requiring two supreme masters are extremely rare… in chaotic times like these, one never knows what might happen.”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

As the proud grandfather and grandson shared a smile.

Woong—

The distorted void suddenly returned to its original form.

The mandala-like patterns of light straightened and faded, and transparent winds once again moved across the night sky that had felt like blocked iron bars.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked up at the scene intently. He felt he needed to experience more supreme masters.

‘Transcendent Martial Arts.’

A mental imagery encompassing all techniques one possesses.

A life-saving ultimate move difficult to deploy even once in a life-or-death battle without profound cultivation.

The Murong family head’s sword domain was a marvel that enhanced sword speed.

He could only create that space after exchanging many techniques with Jeong Yeon-shin. By his count, it was at the 325th exchange.

“Your Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown will truly not take long. Even now, I can clearly feel the repetition of unity and separation.”

Rustle.

The pink robe hem brushed against the ground. Ma Yeon-jeok, who had risen from his seat, continued.

“Eat as much as you can. Bone transformation is truly a marvelous change. While it strengthens the body’s vitality, it also consumes energy, so putting on some weight will naturally lead to unity of essence, energy, and spirit. Seeing your thin face makes me uneasy. It’s fortunate that your muscle bundles have thickened… the more I reflect on it, the more astonishing it is.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had also risen, changed the subject out of embarrassment.

“The wild boars you caught, are they all for me…?”

Ma Yeon-jeok nodded.

“I had hoped to see your promotion. But it seems the timing isn’t favorable. At least fatten up to ease this old man’s mind. You learned how to smoke meat from your uncle, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“With fuller cheeks, you’ll become an extraordinarily handsome man. Taking after your mother, comparable to Song Yu and Pan… well.”

Unable to utter the name Pan Yue, Ma Yeon-jeok turned away. Song Yu and Pan Yue were legendary handsome men cited in ancient tales.

“I wish you well until we meet again. Having beheaded two of the Eight Clan Leaders, the main fortress martial artists must be eagerly awaiting your return. They won’t mind how much you shake the martial world.”

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed to him.

The late winter wind was warm. Just as he was about to express his wish for his grandfather’s well-being, Ma Yeon-jeok’s presence soared into the void with a hearty laugh.

A sudden gust of wind caressed Jeong Yeon-shin’s head.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

When Jeong Yeon-shin descended to the village, familiar faces came into view.

The swordsman with the hero’s headband and the opium poppy-chewing ruffian.

They were confronting the black-haired, red-eyed woman who had risen, but only the Seventh Apostle appeared at ease.

The elegant shoulder line flowing gracefully from her bright red pure blood robe.

No energy wave flow was visible. Her appearance, wrapped in what looked like bedding, was far from serious.

She merely examined Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon’s energy waves intently with her red eyes. With a thin, red smile.

Suddenly her lips moved. I’m getting deeper.

It was a statement whose intention anyone could guess. She was comparing their martial achievement just by looking at them.

The Radiant Art Bond and Mara True Blood Technique. Both martial arts originated from the same person.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who was stepping forward, inwardly tilted his head. Why is she pretty?

[TL Note- is JYS finally falling in love?]

“Squad Leader!”

It was Shin So-bin’s cry as she stood back anxiously. The girl who had made eye contact with Jeong Yeon-shin waved her hand broadly with a delighted expression.

This was a situation beyond what the White-rank martial artist could handle.

“What should we do about this?!”

Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin’s body cut through the air.

Thud.

With the sound of his sleeve hem fluttering, he positioned himself between the two sides. He dispersed the heated air generated by Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon with his body.

Semi-transparent currents tore upward with a noisy sound.

‘It’s become heavier.’

Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed a small exclamation. Though his trouser hem that had shortened to his calves was somewhat bothersome, the wind of energy waves generated by his two companions was even more substantial.

They had been through much. The Radiant Demon Wing masters had continuously followed their squad leader’s achievements.

“It’s hard to adjust after just a few days. I almost didn’t recognize you.”… Hyeon Won-chang, relieved to see Jeong Yeon-shin’s intact appearance, eased the atmosphere.

It had been difficult to discern the squad leader’s form in the strangely distorted space, and the person who had once kidnapped Jeong Yeon-shin was calmly greeting them. They had no choice but to be wary.

“I just got here. The White Cat was about to tell me something, but there’s no time to listen. Not with such a demon in front of us.”

Lazy Flame Dragon, standing askew, spoke with a clumsy pronunciation.

This was right after confirming the squad leader’s well-being. The movement of his jaw chewing opium poppy slowed.

“As you know, she’s the Seventh Apostle of Blood Flame Cult.”

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth.

“She saved Radiant Demon Wing in City of Renowned Craftsmen. She’ll accompany us to the main fortress.”

“What did you just say…?”

Lazy Flame Dragon closed and opened his eyes once. Jeong Yeon-shin paid no attention to the opium poppy chewer’s dumbfounded expression.

“I need to cure her state of madness, but there’s no time. Cooperate with this act of gratitude.”

He didn’t speak at length.

Desolate Fortress was close to a military organization.

Though the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader rarely treated his companions as subordinates, the Radiant Demon Wing masters never objected to decisions he made.

This included Lazy Flame Dragon, who only became sharp when entering battle.

“If it’s an order, I must follow.”

The former young master of the Hwangbo family nodded matter-of-factly.

The Eight Great Clans had always advocated for the righteous path despite their worldly temperament.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been inwardly selecting persuasive words, felt doubtful. Had the time spent together and improved martial prowess transformed into trust?

“Will it be safe?”

“The Seventh Apostle is a novice. She’s only a master to you. Don’t worry.”

“A novice…?”

“We don’t need to procure food. We’re returning to the main fortress.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who glanced at the three wild boars sprawled around, said.

“Seventh Apostle, cover your eyes.”

“Okay.”

Rustle, the Seventh Apostle took out a white cloth from her bosom and covered her eyes. She was extremely compliant. It was hard to recall her past conduct.

As soon as the Blood Protection Silk Scarf, said to be a precious dharma treasure of Blood Flame Cult, covered her eyes, the irregular energy waves characteristic of blood attack techniques completely disappeared.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been staring at her blankly, suddenly parted his lips.

“The final incantation of the Mara Crimson Blood Technique is…”

“Hmm? Grandmaster, we haven’t even started yet. Why the final one? I only remember the first incantation?”

She says she hasn’t started yet but has received the first incantation.

The Seventh Apostle’s rambling was smooth, mixed with somewhat light madness. Jeong Yeon-shin had to ask.

“You’ve regained your senses, haven’t you?”

“Hmm?”

As her thin breath mixed with the night air.

He couldn’t interrogate her further.

He didn’t.

***

The journey down to Huguang where the Desolate Fortress main fortress was located.

There were many cities to pass through before reaching Xiangyang in Huguang Province. Naturally, many rumors reached their ears.

“Did you hear that Star Radiance Great Sword Lord died?”

“Are you talking about one of the Eight Clan Leaders? That’s nonsense.”

“No, I mean the noble son of Desolate Fortress. They say the young Radiant Demon Wing Leader took down the Flowing Star Sword.”

“The one who beheaded Zhuge Clan Leader…?”

“That’s right!”

As news of the Murong family head’s death spread gradually, shaking the vast land, they heard that the intensified conflict between the Tang family and the Golden Wing Sect was also stirring up Sichuan.

Along with rumors that Shaolin’s Won Jeok had killed a demon near the Gongya family estate in Shanxi.

“Won Jeok’s hand, I tell you, grew this big and shattered the demon’s spear and sword in one go! I saw with my own eyes how the Profound Martial Alliance soldiers suffered together!”

“They say White Qilin was active in the south… righteous path practitioners are truly different.”

“The only others are the Nine Great Sects and Desolate Fortress. I heard that in some villages, martial families pretending to be righteous have occupied government offices. Nothing’s reliable these days. If you’ve hoarded grain, guard it well.”

“They say a huge fog has risen from Xinjiang and reached Sichuan. I wonder what’s happening to the world…”

Among the many rumors, Jeong Yeon-shin confirmed Won Jeok’s well-being.

That was fortunate. He had been uneasy whenever the squirrel he had placed in Shin So-bin’s bosom along with the Lu Xian Pill occasionally popped up, tilting its head.

‘I’ll need to visit Shaolin someday to return the spirit beast.’

Rumors that made them realize the chaotic times continued until the five of them entered Xiangyang.

The crowded official road.

Martial artists with the character “Desolate” embroidered on their shoulders began to appear occasionally. Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin’s heart settled comfortably.

An incomparable sense of security compared to Xinye County where the Jeong family estate had been. He had finally returned home.

In the distance, a pure white fortress was visible.

They had arrived at Desolate Fortress. It was the end of their long journey to Shanxi.

“Grandmaster.”

“Don’t call me that here.”

“Yeon… shin. Yeon-shin.”

“Speak.”

“Something’s coming back to me. I think I cut off someone’s arm. Right here.”

“What?”

“It might cause trouble for you. It was a Zhu woman.”

“Zhu Lianting of the Desolate Ma family?”

“Yes, I think so. I heard she treated you badly.”

The Seventh Apostle’s hair brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder. That was why he had stopped.

Her words weren’t particularly shocking. A strange energy wave was felt throughout the main fortress. It was the energy wave of the Radiant Wing Step.

Simultaneously.

Someone was approaching them.

It was a woman with long, firm limbs. Passersby who had been glancing at Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon’s faces retreated with shrill sounds.

“Dragon Fist…?”

“It’s the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader!”

She had suddenly appeared. As if she had been watching the main gate of Desolate Fortress all day.

Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader Beigong Ya.

She wore an extremely splendid black robe. Its hem was split into several strands like some ceremonial garment, and the way it flickered in the air like black flames was impressive.

The gray martial attire covering her unusually long legs bore many small wounds, as if she had been through fierce battles.

Her approaching footsteps were strange.

Thud.

“…?”

To Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes, it was both familiar and unfamiliar. It was like seeing a strangely disordered Radiant Wing Step.

The woman parted her lips.

“Judging by your bearing, you’ve also mastered the Radiant Wing Step. Especially you. It’s surprising that I can’t sense your energy waves… Are you from the Netherworld Stream Squad or Blood Guardian Squad? The bats have been raising a hidden dragon.”

Her straightforward manner of speaking seemed natural. Jeong Yeon-shin’s group stopped in their tracks.

“Let’s compare our footsteps. If you can follow me for three steps, I’ll give you a precious internal injury pill. If you need rest because your journey has been arduous, I can understand that…”… The Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader said something.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t listen further. He fell into despair with an expressionless face.