Chapter 543 – Jianghu Name Record (9)

Beijing’s Forbidden City.

Extremely quiet air flowed. As if all the palaces were completely empty.

Indeed, it had long been since many masters had headed to Mount Zhongnan following the new emperor.

But the golden rooftops inside the castle walls were still covered with semi-transparent energy waves, making all the roof tiles appear hazy as if they were covered with frost.

Not formations.

The power wave fluctuations of living masters.

Among those who had gone up to the northern jianghu to repel the Yao tribe invasion, hundreds of imperial masters had returned.

The force that preserves the Ming Empire in the land of martial world people called strange supernatural beings. Now the imperial palace truly deserved to be called a demon-subduing fortress.

In its depths was a garden blooming with flowers of five colors.

A scene spread out as if it were a space unrelated to the endlessly worsening famine. This was near the Forbidden City’s Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, the most secret path in the imperial palace.

None other than because it connected to the dwelling of the Ming Dynasty’s Grand Empress Dowager.

Step.

The gentle breeze from two people’s footsteps tickled the flower petals on the path to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

Each wearing Desolate Fortress black robes and blue robes. Among them, the youthful young man in blue long robes suddenly opened his mouth.

“For being bustling, it’s strangely lacking in vitality. Heavy and even scary… It’s strangely lonely that there are no high officials strutting around with protruding bellies.”

The Blue-rank warrior Yeon So-ha whispered.

A master who took part in the reorganized Divine Sword Squad, he had been the youngest blue rank before Jeong Yeon-shin’s promotion.

True to his Beijing noble family birth, his every step was extremely cautious, but in contrast his mouth moved endlessly.

“The arrogance of the imperial masters has all died off, that’s certain. What on earth happened in the north… I’d like to see even traces from afar. What state the battlefield between the former emperor and the Yao tribe chief remained in.”

“That land has now become a demon realm where rain, wind, and sunlight constantly alternate, they said. With your martial prowess, you’d have trouble even setting foot there.”

Divine Sword Deputy Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo’s cold answer.

His gait was lofty even in the heart of the Forbidden City. His leather shoe soles made heel sounds on the spot.

But his hair was different.

Saaaa—

Jin Myeong-jo’s white hair gradually turned black as they approached the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility. A type of transformation technique to hide his status as a member of the Blood Demon clan. Snow-white hair taking on the color of the night sky.

Unless it was a situation where he might meet common people, he rarely used it, but the scene proved he was extremely wary of what was about to unfold.

“Well, it would be a bit much for me to go. I heard the weather doesn’t just change but there’s thunder and lightning too.”

“Were you originally this talkative?”

“Yes, well. I’d only heard he was strong, but I never thought the former emperor’s martial arts were to that degree… Maybe the Fighting God didn’t leave a corpse at all and just disappeared? That’s why the northern monsters can’t find any traces either.”

“It’s not something you and I can guess. Now shut up.”

Before they knew it, it was a huge palace.

Before the main gate with eight thick red pillars erected like ancient trees.

Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

The companion of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor was inside.

Though for some reason she had not shown herself even when Emperor Qian-ling set out on campaign, it was said she had revealed her presence at his funeral and the new emperor’s coronation ceremony.

By shaking the entire Forbidden City into pieces with a huge flow of true energy like a natural disaster.

Because of this, rumors circulated that the Grand Empress Dowager would intervene in state affairs again.

This was why the imperial masters were being careful. Indeed, it was said that all sorts of letters flew up on their own from the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility daily and were delivered throughout the Forbidden City.

No one knew their contents except the officials who directly received the letters.

Because they themselves kept silent.

Creak—

The door that opened by itself.

The friction sound of large hinges followed.

Yeon So-ha flinched momentarily. Because he felt as if all directions were packed full with something. It had already been puzzling that there was no one guarding the vicinity.

Step.

The moment Jin Myeong-jo took the lead.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly Yeon So-ha blinked once, then immediately became aware of himself standing in the middle of the tranquil interior.

The memory of crossing the threshold and reaching inside the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility had been erased.

It was the price of having somehow struggled through an impossibly overwhelming presence.

“……”

He stared ahead blankly.

Wide and dense bamboo curtains were hung.

A human shadow was visible beyond them, looking like a statue made of wood.

Because the dim shadow was wearing clothing of an unfamiliar style. It looked like palace dress made of leaves.

‘Or maybe a monster person who is one body with trees…’

Yeon So-ha thought while smelling the fragrant leaf scent.

A specially noble clan like the Desolate Fortress Lord.

One who had founded the Ming Dynasty together with the founding emperor, who had once competed with Immortal Zhang Sanfeng and survived despite defeat, living until now.

In age, she wasn’t much different from Taimo Mountain Castle Lord Dark Heaven Emperor. Even without feeling special energy waves, he couldn’t help but be overwhelmed.

That’s when it happened.

“I pay respects to the founding ancestor.”

Jin Myeong-jo knelt on one knee and placed his elbow on top of it.

Conduct that looked exotic to anyone. To Yeon So-ha’s eyes, it wasn’t Ming Dynasty etiquette, but the human shadow beyond the curtains accepted it naturally and answered.

“You will know the price of my time. Do not speak indirectly about your business.”

Yeon So-ha had never heard such a low voice before. Though it was clearly a woman’s voice, it rumbled like wind that had entered the bark of a massive ancient tree.

And it heavily pressed down on the listener’s head. As if trying to block the natural flow of thought.

‘What is this?’

Yeon So-ha began inwardly reciting the formulas of the new ‘Divine Sword Group Radiant Art Bond’ just in case.

—I am wrong.

Martial arts he had recently begun training. None other than what Squad Leader Jeong had left in the Desolate Pavilion when departing for Mount Wudang. Like the Desolate Shin Family’s Heaven-Reaching Martial Scripture, it was a form where heart techniques and attack techniques were woven together.

Anyway, was it because the Baihui acupoint was heated with mild fever at this moment?

‘I think my mind is clearing up a bit…?’

Achievement was fast like unorthodox techniques but stable like orthodox martial arts.

Proof that it was divine ultimate learning. Unlike the Dharma and Zhang Sanfeng martial lineages, though it might be vulnerable in one-on-one prolonged battles, there was no longer need to cling to Great Hero Yong with excuses like the martial arts of the Dragon Ring Sect not matching people.

Meanwhile, Jin Myeong-jo was speaking quietly with his head slightly bowed.

“There are many in this country who place restrictions on movement for the main fortress’s Lightning Genius. That’s why I requested an audience. In these chaotic times, please grant boundless freedom to Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Squad.”

Meaning that from now on, Desolate Fortress would place imperial commands as a lower priority.

“…!”

Yeon So-ha’s mind snapped to attention.

He thought it was a mission to liberate Wish Fulfilling Spring Leader and Dragon-Treading Squad Leader from Beijing’s prison, but listening now, it wasn’t that at all.

Come to think of it, the main fortress’s Administrative Office had only told him to assist the Divine Sword Deputy Squad Leader.

He cursed inwardly in bewilderment. Damn scholar wimps.

‘It was a mission to go die, wasn’t it?’

When Yeon So-ha’s complexion turned pale.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s voice flowed out eerily through the curtains.

“Yu-ji is a child hungry for imperial power. Since the previous emperor was on the throne for seventy-two years, even if I permit it, Yu-ji would not accept it.”

Emperor Long Zheng Zhu Yu-ji.

Son of the former emperor Qian-ling, who had been crowned crown prince early and lived seventy more years. And he had gradually become despised by civil and military officials for his increasingly disabled appearance.

Naturally, he couldn’t help but be extremely sensitive to current imperial power. He was sensitive to everything.

“He is one who cannot stand alone relying on legitimacy. As long as the Grand Empress Dowager exists, he will remain in shadows forever. He is different from the former emperor.”

Jin Myeong-jo’s voice was low.

Now Yeon So-ha was inwardly screaming. The Blood Guardian Squad Leader he knew was someone who pursued his own safety, but now he seemed to have lost his mind.

‘Wasn’t self-preservation first except for common people…!’

Thud!

It was a sound from Yeon So-ha’s body. A feeling that the atmosphere had become heavy. The Grand Empress Dowager’s power had permeated the palace, and the scent of wood wafted from all directions with a whoosh.

“According to rumors circulating, you are the right hand of the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader, so I permitted this meeting.”

“……”

“Your spirit is remarkable. Is it because the imperial family that lost the former emperor looks incompetent?”

“Desolate Fortress is not a place that guards imperial power, but a faction that looks toward something more fundamental.”

That was the beginning.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s voice, cool like the friction of leaves at dark dawn, and Jin Myeong-jo’s smooth voice became entangled.

Every bit of it was talk that extinguished Yeon So-ha’s breathing.

“I understand that the Fortress Lord has vacated her position. Setting aside everything else, do you have the authority to decide such matters in the first place?”

“The main fortress has only one military force. Therefore, the Divine Sword Group Leader is Desolate Fortress itself.”

“How presumptuous. The imperial family cannot help but be concerned about overstepping authority. Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Squad… even when the nation gives freedom, will you properly fulfill your duty?”

“I will not ask for what reason the Grand Empress Dowager has pushed the duty of the strong to the back and is secluded in the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility. However.”

Jin Myeong-jo’s red lips then moved slowly.

“Due to imperial dignity, two Squad Leaders are imprisoned, and thus the prestige of the main fortress’s black has fallen to the ground. Also, it’s unclear how far the former emperor’s will reaches, binding the feet of the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader. The roof of the Forbidden City makes anything plausible, so who knows when it might be entangled with treason again.”

“Your words are excessive. Lightning Genius Jeong is upholding the former emperor’s will, so this is simply something to be grateful for, not something to mention binding feet.”

“I’m sorry, but the imperial family is an obstruction.”

Yeon So-ha’s breathing stopped.

Flap!

Letters came flying from various parts of the palace. Yeon So-ha momentarily thought the Grand Empress Dowager was greatly angered, but the moves of the oldest person in the Ming imperial family were not accomplished so easily.

“Whose diary is this?”

Papers floating in the air along with her words. Crude handwriting came into Yeon So-ha’s view.

—The sun has set. Monsters with distorted faces dragged people away. The screams of the dying are heard outside the door. Fire that broke out in the castle comes through window cracks with smoke, making it difficult to breathe. I feel like sneezing but must endure it. Even by moving the brush like this.

—I saw through the window. By afternoon, corpses were piled like mountains. Today I lost my older brother and sister-in-law, and my younger brother and nephew. Their facial skin was torn off raw, and their ribs were stacked in strange tower shapes. Now only Chang and I, and my wife remain. I feel empty-hearted.

—Chang. To think that the drinking friend across from the market stall was a blue warrior of Desolate Fortress’s Famous Nether Stream Squad, it’s something to see in a long life, but now he too is holding his breath. Not that he lacks dignity though. Chang had a chance to flee with those quick legs but stayed to protect us.

—Northern Yao tribe. In the eyes of those beings with distorted faces, our faces are indistinguishable. So they kill all townspeople, or kill the old and children, leaving only young and healthy men and women.

—A question suddenly occurred to me. Aren’t they said to be northern jianghu people? Then they must surely possess something called energy sense.

—Do the beings currently slaughtering people outside the door know our presence or not?

That was all.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s words fell.

“This happens throughout the north, and it’s the reason you should exercise self-restraint. Imperial power must stand first for the imperial family’s martial military forces to completely follow behind. The world is vast but you of Desolate Fortress are very few. So you must not think the new emperor is obsessed with face-saving.”

Yeon So-ha suddenly smelled ink. It seemed like it hadn’t been long since the brush work was done. If it had been written in the distant north, this couldn’t be possible.

‘What is this?’

Then Jin Myeong-jo muttered as if to himself.

“…Some noble clan masters manipulate the spirituality dwelling in natural earth energy at their will. It seems the Grand Empress Dowager has made the Wind King her companion.”

Before such a Grand Empress Dowager. Yeon So-ha whispered carefully.

“Like Radiant Demon Wing Leader or April Palace Ghost seniors?”

“Those two are certainly useful, but the scope of vision would be different. The wind of the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility seemed to move following some unknown northern scholar’s brush work.”

In other words, she had copied the original written at this time while sitting in place. Yeon So-ha’s eyes bulged with shock.

“Then you’re saying she’s monitoring all under heaven…?”

His words trailed off, and the Grand Empress Dowager’s voice seeped through the gap.

“It’s just one of the duties given to me. I cannot follow the movements of masters who appear and disappear like ghosts. Anyway, well… How about the communication tubes the Great Wall soldiers are using? Will you look?”

One who does not permit secrets to allies.

No need to wait for communication tubes. Now Yeon So-ha was completely overwhelmed. His pupils had naturally become unfocused.

“……”

The spirited liveliness befitting his Beijing noble family birth had completely disappeared.

His assigned role as a Divine Sword Squad member was scouting and chaotic battles, but now that fundamental fear was reaching the verge of heart demons, who knew what would happen.

Saaaaa—

A brush boldly drawing strokes on empty paper that had been floating long in the air.

Endless scratching sounds echoed in the wide hall.

Characters gradually being completed in the palace filled with silence.

Was it a draft of a report? Written in completely different flowing cursive script from the handwriting shown before. The writing itself was also not organized.

—Acting Divine Sword Group Leader’s Remaining Thunder Sword advanced north. Repeatedly stating, Remaining Thunder Sword advanced north.

—Remaining Thunder Sword annihilated Yao tribe Bright Sky Fortress. Liberated prisoners from that fortress.

—Remaining Thunder Sword shattered Bright Sky Fortress Lord Demon Contempt Blade’s crescent blade and pushed him back over a hundred zhang along with his protective energy. Masters of eye techniques estimate one hundred twenty-three zhang.

—Three thousand Yao tribe from the military camp in that hilly area moved south.

—Suddenly annihilated. Happened right after Remaining Thunder Sword deflected the military lord’s crescent blade. The hilly area changed into a basin. Presumed to be sound technique.

—Remaining Thunder Sword passed Bright Sky Fortress and broke through Knee Sea Pass. Clashed again with Bright Sky Fortress Lord Demon Contempt Blade. Thunder-like battle cry. Demon Contempt Blade fell to a gorge three hundred zhang away. Remaining Thunder Sword ignored the rebound force of Heaven Silk Steel Armor…

—If Grand Commander permits advance, the area within five hundred zhang radius of the Great Wall’s Knee Sea point will be incorporated as our nation’s territory.

—Lightning Genius Jeong does not move…

The last sentence seemed to be unconsciously scribbled. Suddenly Jin Myeong-jo’s voice descended into the palace.

“Seems to be a spy of Beijing nobility reporting every move of Grand Commander Quan Yu-li.”

“……”

Saaaa—

In the dim silence, Jin Myeong-jo’s black hair turned snow-white again. It didn’t take long for his hair to return to its original white color.

He said.

“My business remains unchanged.”

The separation of the imperial family and Desolate Fortress.

Complete liberation.

“……”

While the silence of the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility deepened, Yeon So-ha’s eyes had somehow regained clear focus.