Chapter 511 – Sunset (2)

Right after exchanging one strike with the Gang of Demons Green Forest Grand Chief, Yue Shou-lin’s mental transmission penetrated into Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind.

—Close your eyes. I’ll stand guard for you.

It was seasoned advice.

Her words meant two things: the fact that it wasn’t a fight the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader was waging alone, and advice that this was a moment to cool both mind and body.

For a brief yet long time, Jeong Yeon-shin stood dumbly and calmed his interior.

Sound techniques and Myriad Flowers Rain.

He had deployed them on an unprecedented scale throughout his entire jianghu journey.

Nearly a thousand deaths. The price for driving two of the Thirteen Evil Sects to near-total annihilation with just those two techniques was naturally bound to be great.

The burden on his energy accumulation and the acupoints throughout his body was tremendous, and for the first time in a long while, tingling sensations were being transmitted from the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head.

Naturally, it would take not one period but half a day to fully recover his body.

Moreover, Martial Dragon Alliance Leader Helian Feng-yue’s gaze was continuously sweeping over Jeong Yeon-shin. While conveying the feeling of dragging the weary body of the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader entirely into a swamp.

Thus, Yue Shou-lin struck the ground hard with her spear shaft and glared at the two supreme masters of Gang of Demons Green Forest for quite a while.

Finally, just before Ultimate Martial Hall Leader was bounced to the castle wall by Helian Feng-yue’s palm technique, and Grand Chief Zhi Jiang-xian settled the recoil of the Transcendent Martial Art he had earlier unleashed himself, breaking the confrontation.

That’s when the unexpected change occurred.

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin gazed blankly ahead.

Step.

Against the backdrop of thickly risen earthen dust, a man standing up while treading the furrow he himself had created. His appearance wore a four-eyed demon mask and faded red general’s battle robes.

Just by him straightening his body, the void above tilted and warped, and even the air heated up hotly with a feeling that seemed to burn the skin. As if summer had been prematurely drawn forth.

For a brief moment, Jeong Yeon-shin thought that if Radiant Demon Wing’s poppy addict hadn’t neglected his training, he would look like that.

—Sea Overflow Fist Heaven. Myriad Upper Road Stronghold Leader. A person of concern who mixes imperial navy and northern jianghu martial arts with overwhelming skill…

Grand Administrator Lim Jin-myeong’s profound thousand-li mental transmission that struck down into Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears was cut off mid-sentence.

Had some incident occurred?

It was impossible to fathom now when he had to concentrate all his energy sense on the enemies.

The main castle that generously embraced ninety-nine halls was as wide as any nation’s palace court, and the distance from the main gate to the Administrative Office was also considerable.

‘…No good.’

Jeong Yeon-shin instantly recalled all the faces of the Administrative Office scholars, but didn’t reveal emotions on his face. He had to trust their resolve and the Eye Technique of Heaven-Reaching Bow Spirit.

And.

[The weeds of the jianghu…]

A somewhat playful yet languid voice rang out. From the woman who had her back to Jeong Yeon-shin while half-blocking Sea Overflow Fist Heaven with her considerable height at this moment.

[No matter how much you pluck them, there’s no end.]

She grumbled.

Rustle—

From her back fluttering purple garment edges emerged a temperament that overwhelmed people.

It was something beyond internal energy. Something Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t yet possess, an atmosphere not derived from mere strength alone.

“Could it be…?”

Behind him, Yue Shou-lin muttered to herself in bewilderment, and Jeong Yeon-shin quickly perceived the process that had occurred until the unfamiliar purple figure struck down Sea Overflow Fist Heaven toward them.

While gauging the traces of energy wave fluctuations that still remained faintly above their heads.

‘She brought him from the void.’

She had continuously bounced Sea Overflow Fist Heaven while successively deploying more than twenty-seven techniques at exactly the right times and places. Even with sorcery martial arts.

Absurd technique.

It was strange in a different sense from Invincible.

A feeling that she could smoothly smash any variable like flowing water. It was as if she were a person who had lived at the pinnacle of the jianghu for a long time.

“Who are you?”

Right after Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.

Swish.

The woman who had been blankly gazing at the distant horizon turned only her head slightly to the side.

Naturally, her blade-like sharp jawline stood out prominently, while her lips moved without restraint.

[There’s no Enter the Divine Sword. You’re not the Divine Sword Group Leader.]

“……”

[Has the Ma family brat washed his hands in the golden basin?]

At that moment.

The axe that had been rotating like a typhoon in the hands of the Gang of Demons Green Forest Grand Chief sitting on his warhorse suddenly stopped.

Thud!

Intense reverse wind arose as the area beside the horse’s hooves was deeply carved. Tremendously heavy vibrations spread. Simultaneously, Grand Chief Zhi Jiang-xian looked down at them diagonally and opened his mouth.

“If you are Senior Tyrant Hero of the Desolate Ma Family, it has been long since you showed your countenance to the jianghu…”

As he slowly continued speaking, ghostly perception flashed in his face.

“What might your name be? I never dreamed there would be another purple in Desolate Fortress.”

[Regrettable.]

The woman smiled faintly.

[You’re not qualified to hear it.]

“……”

Soon after, she turned her head a bit more backward. It was a gaze looking at Yue Shou-lin standing beside him, not at Jeong Yeon-shin.

[Shou-lin, you look just the same as before.]

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced to the side.

The expression of his senior, who had been standing guard in the most reliable manner under heaven, was colored with shock.

Not the appearance of a seasoned veteran jianghu warrior, but like a girl as she appeared to the eyes. It was somewhat similar to when he had once seen his maternal grandfather regain his youth.

‘An ally.’

It was when Jeong Yeon-shin briefly concluded.

“Indeed, the world’s greatest fortress.”

The Martial Dragon Alliance Leader who had been standing aside clapped with a deliberately admiring expression.

“They keep popping out endlessly. From the east over there, lightning suddenly struck… It’s truly a demon-subduing battle aiming to overturn the jianghu. Truly frightening.”

Was it a precursor to protective divine technique? He spoke while lightly tapping the ground with his tiptoes, but the purple woman’s gaze turned to Jeong Yeon-shin again.

She asked.

[What is your position?]

“…Acting Group Leader.”

[I’m curious about your temperament. Shall we join hands?]

She proposed cooperation.

Even without emitting particularly powerful energy, she was leisurely calming the atmosphere of this battlefield.

Unlike Jeong Yeon-shin, who had earlier deployed wide-area supreme techniques as his heart moved.

“You’re curious about Desolate Day Extinction’s temperament? I who have experienced it firsthand can tell you.”

Zhi Jiang-xian interjected with a refined voice.

Had the suddenly appearing woman in purple robes approached as a massive variable? At this moment, he seemed to have decided to wait for the jianghu martial artists who were crossing the distant horizon beyond the main castle’s main gate.

“He is certainly an absurdly outstanding person as a martial artist. In the distant future, he might even be able to contend with that northern land’s Fighting God.”

Soon a thick and resonant voice flowed from his lips bearing a dignified smile.

“But as Divine Sword Group Leader, he could be called the worst material throughout history. Unable to overcome his own anger, he created such a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, and anyone could guess and more about how much energy was wasted there. If such a person gets the entire Divine Sword Group of Desolate Fortress in his grasp… well, I’ll speak only up to here.”

[A bandit ruffian chatters like a scholar.]

“I’m a mountain bandit.”

The Grand Chief’s answer was brief.

The woman in purple robes glanced at the severed heads in Jeong Yeon-shin’s hands.

[Comrades?]

“…Burning Abyss Squad Leader and Nether Stream Squad Leader.”

Wuung.

Jeong Yeon-shin answered while sending their heads flying to the castle wall with gentle Void Grasping.

The Gang of Demons Green Forest supreme masters, a man and woman each wearing silver armor who had been blocking the rear, didn’t prevent this.

Whether it was because a clash was imminent, or because the words praising the two Squad Leaders earlier had been sincere, was unknown.

Meanwhile.

[These damn b*st*rds…?]

The purple woman rarely hid her inner thoughts. Starting with the extremely dismayed expression she was making right then.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t say more and moved his steps toward the Martial Dragon Alliance Leader, Sea Overflow Fist Heaven, and White Axe King.

Step.

He advanced toward the three absolute masters without hesitation. Without even coordinating verbally with the unknown purple figure.

Behavior that made no sense unless there was some meticulous plan.

“Even though I just pointed out Lord Jeong’s qualifications as Divine Sword Group Leader…”

Zhi Jiang-xian’s lips twitched. It was a face where one couldn’t tell if he was smiling or frowning.

“That momentum is certainly frightening. I thought of exchanging pleasantries with whoever you might be until reinforcements arrive, but it seems you are Desolate Fortress warriors to the bone. Too selfish, unable to understand the contingencies of war.”

His long words broke the prolonged standoff.

Bang!

Suddenly, one of Gang of Demons Green Forest’s supreme masters who attacked Jeong Yeon-shin was hit by Yue Shou-lin’s immediate spear throw and bounced away.

Thud— A ripple heavily disturbing the void. Simultaneously, the armored supreme master who had rotated from beside with a hair’s breadth difference kicked away Yue Shou-lin’s raised forearm along with her entire body.

Kwaaaaaang—!

A joint attack with the military temperament characteristic of disrupting the enemy’s formation.

But he couldn’t see to the end Yue Shou-lin bouncing and scraping along the ground like a pebble skipped on a lake.

This was because Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been walking toward Zhi Jiang-xian, had returned to his original position as if by magic and grasped the leg that had kicked Yue Shou-lin in that instant. It was retreat footwork as if time had been rewound.

Radiant Wing Six Steps.

The Martial Dragon Alliance Leader, who had been watching like a bystander with his arms crossed, slowly uncrossed his hands and muttered. It’s not Vajra Immovable Divine Technique…?

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

It was the voice that leaked from between Jeong Yeon-shin’s teeth.

“…!”

According to reports from Desolate Fortress’s Administrative Office, the silver-armored supreme master who had suddenly appeared and gained the epithet Axe Moon Longevity before becoming difficult to find opponents for in the mountain martial world widened his eyes.

Crunch!

Jeong Yeon-shin crushed his leg in one handful and raised his head.

The massive form riding a warhorse was casting a huge shadow while falling from the void.

In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin, who had rotated hazily in place, threw Axe Moon Longevity leg and all, embedding him into the castle wall with a bang! Right beside him, Azure Sky Squad Leader, who had been sitting diagonally like a corpse, very naturally lifted the Desolate Sword he held in reverse grip and struck down at that throat.

Splurt!

The black-robed swordsman of the Divine Sword Group who had only moved his hand while still deeply lowering his head as if unconscious.

His arm was immediately the Acting Group Leader’s arm.

Thanks to this, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t waste energy needlessly and could raise his palm toward the man and horse covering his head at this moment.

Brilliant River immediately exploded.

Zzzzzzzzzing—!

A tremendous shock wave arose. Threads of grayish energy waves swept in all directions along with fierce wind.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin was flashing ghostly blue eye light while repeating only the same thought.

Kill the jianghu.

No matter how much he calmed his mind and body, the composure of the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader, who would turn eighteen when tomorrow’s sun rose, was extremely shallow.

Like the moat surrounding the main castle. Now without even moisture because Sea Overflow Fist Heaven had evaporated it.

Crack!

While the ground Jeong Yeon-shin stood on cracked finely, the protective energy that had been surrounding Zhi Jiang-xian and his warhorse was torn up entirely like mist.

The next moment, he had stepped aside while pulling Remaining Thunder above his head.

It was a combination of Radiant Wing Steps and Judgement Qilin, and the grayish trajectory of that sword strike roughly grazed the warhorse’s torso.

Purrrrrrr!

The warhorse’s body tearing apart in all directions as if swept by artillery.

[…I know Lord Jeong’s terrible physical condition.]

Amid the scene of blood and flesh, bone fragments flying up while chaotically dispersing the transparent sunlight, there was Zhi Jiang-xian who had kicked off the saddle and soared up.

[I also know that every time you’re cornered, you create very new and strange techniques to defeat enemies.]

The intent that flowed out like light rays when Jeong Yeon-shin’s power was drawn to its limits.

It was clearly a precursor to Transcendent Martial Art. Since he had already deployed it once, he was clearly determined to completely destroy all eight extraordinary meridians.

[But that is merely an individual’s ability of no consequence unless one reaches the realm of Fighting God, and commanding groups comparable to armies is a completely different matter.]

Boooooom—!!

It was a strange sound like beating drums.

Perhaps because it was deployed alone without riding a horse. Vibrations that instantly surrounded his body and violently shook the atmosphere. It felt literally like an earthquake occurring in the sky.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Zhi Jiang-xian.

In the direction Jeong Yeon-shin had his back to.

A very similar resonance was felt from Sea Overflow Fist Heaven’s body, who faced the purple woman.

Energy waves that drew attention to the martial artists crossing over Xiangyang’s civilian homes with swift lightness techniques and tremendous numbers, and further powerfully boosted the energy of those who would soon set foot on the battlefield… That too was military temperament.

[Today Desolate Fortress will be annihilated, and the boundaries of all under heaven will disappear. The differences between nations and status, clans and Sima path will become meaningless before the famine that will soon cover the world. As the most lowly mountain bandit, I will seize the ‘gap’ you possess. This world, at least the jianghu martial world, must become one body.]

Zhi Jiang-xian’s intent poured down all at once like a waterfall. Along with vibrations creating tremendous suction around him.

Clearly a type of energy emission.

What he deployed when losing his warhorse would truly be a genuine life-or-death supreme technique.

Rumble!

Grayish ripples were drawn from beneath the feet of the martial artists who had approached to a not-distant distance from Desolate Fortress’s main gate.

It was a scene as if Star Absorption Great Method had manifested from a great distance, and all the propulsive energy waves of the lightness techniques they had been deploying began to be sucked toward Zhi Jiang-xian. Just as the powerful force of the earlier mounted charge had gathered to him.

“Hurrgh…!”

“What!”

Presences tumbling in disorder.

Simultaneously, two swords were respectively sheathed and drawn from Jeong Yeon-shin’s waist.

It was only an instant before the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword he grasped drew a sharp circle as if swimming through time.

The moment that sword point aimed at Zhi Jiang-xian, shock waves from all directions subsided and only the sound of skin tearing arose in one stream.

Thud—

A futilely weak collision sound.

It exploded from Zhi Jiang-xian’s body.

Soon after, Jeong Yeon-shin’s form, segmented in place like a mirage, pulled Zhi Jiang-xian down and stood stepping on his chest. It was movement that occurred in literally an instant.

Crack.

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at him with eyes rolled back blue. New techniques weren’t needed for inferior opponents.

Heh…

A hollow laugh flowed from Zhi Jiang-xian’s mouth, but it wasn’t loud because his chest was burst at this moment.

“Such profound… taiji. Forcing it, and forcing again… that crowd, how do you plan to handle all the jianghu under heaven…?”

That’s when it happened.

“Lord Jeong!”

A liquor bottle flew from afar.

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately caught it and glanced at the thrower. A youth with a languid impression wearing blue martial robes. He had seen him in passing once—Sam-bok of the Law Enforcement Squad.

A familiar wine fragrance came from the bottle.

Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine, known as an ancient miraculous medicine in Desolate Fortress, which he had drunk before the Fortress Lord when receiving someone called Lightning Genius.

‘End it here.’

Pop.

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately opened the cork and began drinking the wine.

While trampling the Gang of Demons Green Forest Grand Chief on land piled with mountains of corpses, not even hiding the gulping sounds going down his throat unlike usual.

It was completely the appearance of being possessed by battle.

“……”

The vicinity fell into silence.

The movements of martial artists charging in with lightness techniques also stopped.