Chapter 607 – Intoxicated by the Starry Night (9)

When a voice mentioning naadam (festival) was heard in the mountains.

The moment Jeong Yeon-shin sensed the Unorthodox Finest Sword, he changed his face and bone structure. It was the face-changing art he had once learned from Divine Sword Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo.

—Everyone has their natural bone joints, so you can’t greatly change your skeleton. Unless your opponent is blind, don’t face them for long. Of course, the same applies even to those who cannot see. They’ll discern the opponent through energy waves… It probably won’t be of much use.

—Yes, senior. I’ll keep it in mind. Thank you for the teaching.

—Fundamentally, the General Administration Office tends not to assign missions like infiltration to the Divine Sword Squad, but may I ask why you specifically requested to learn this?

—Because you learned it, senior.

—Hm?

—Isn’t it stylish?

—Isn’t the Dark Night Brilliant Blood Demon Sword enough…?

—What’s truly lacking is this junior, as I haven’t yet forged a proper formless sword. I can only feel ashamed.

—The Acting Leader has been given much time.

—With winter, the nights do seem long. I have some Shaoxing yellow wine that Lazy Flame Dragon hid away – may I arrange a gathering? A drinking session between the Acting Group Leader and Divine Sword Squad Leader.

—There is much time. I’ll send word sometime later, but today let’s leave it at…

—Ah.

It was a time when the pressure of having to replace Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hye-myeong was unknowingly weighing down.

Though he never managed to share a drink with the contemporary Divine Sword Squad Leader, it had become a great strength at this very moment.

The information derived from his senior’s experience, various small yet profound techniques – everything he had shared.

“A member of the household?”

The Vast Wind Curtain Lord asked back.

Before they knew it, the Vast Wind Curtain Lord’s head was turned toward the Blood King, while conversely the Blood King was glaring at Jeong Yeon-shin with eyes that seemed ready to drop blood for some reason.

Thus the gazes of the three parties formed a continuous chain.

Because Jeong Yeon-shin was looking not at the two Northern Kings but at the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

“Don’t look at a blind man like that.”

Heaven Conquering Sect Leader Wan Hui said, faintly raising the corners of his mouth.

“You might invite unnecessary misunderstanding.”

A quiet mountain path.

Only then did the Blood King speak to the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

“The southern Unorthodox Finest Sword? There wouldn’t be another peerless swordsman of such appearance.”

“You must be the Blood King.”

“Why did you entrust yourself to the Vast Wind Curtain?”

“Swordsmen are naturally drawn to those who wield blades. If another person joins the path I’ve devoted my life to, wouldn’t it be human to feel kinship, whether giving advice or becoming special? Especially if the opponent is a blade-wielder who has achieved Crimson Moon Dance.”

“Preposterous.”

“It’s something I hear often.”

Though it was a brazen answer, there was definitely a temperament that overwhelmed those present. It was the aura of a madman who had walked only one path.

The Blood King closed his mouth.

Of course, bewilderment crystallized in Red Dawn’s eyes.

Meanwhile.

“The Vast Wind Curtain Lord is a descendant of Yuan Dynasty military that lost honor, said to enjoy human flesh during famines.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly continued speaking.

“Did you become a guest of the Vast Wind Curtain knowing this?”

“Are you insane? Even if that’s the truth…”

The Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord muttered from one side.

She was lying sprawled on the Ferghana horse’s saddle, seeming to regard Jeong Yeon-shin as quite a worthless person. Even now, the Vast Wind Curtain Lord was only engaging in a staring contest with the Blood King.

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader smiled slightly.

“I can’t see anything.”

“There’s no parasite quite like you.”

“That’s also correct. I’m a bug holding a blade.”

The blind man in the bamboo hat continued in a plain tone.

“Pest, vermin. I became that long ago. But since there’s no one to step on me, what can I do? I have to live like this.”

“You.”

The Blood King grabbed Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder and said.

“You shut up now. Provoking our family’s enemies isn’t your only skill.”

Perhaps because he was a figure who ascended to the position of Northern King as a blood demon? The strength of his grip was tremendous. Wrinkles formed in the common clothes, and tremendous weight pressed into his shoulder.

Along with sound transmission as sharp and cold as icicles.

—Do you know? How red eyes of blood demons are treated in the Ming Dynasty! Why our family, originally with the Blood Flame Cult, was pushed all the way up to this demon realm to live among Yao tribes! Whatever connection you have with my second daughter, that cannot determine our family’s survival!

The voice poured out desperately before the great enemy scratched at Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

The Blood King was a father who had lost his child, a king trying to protect his territory, and also a clan leader and grandmaster leading his people.

Each had their own life.

The fetters of life that Jeong Yeon-shin found difficult to fathom.

As long as one is born human, everyone carries some kind of burden through life.

Each neglecting others from their position, wandering to find their life’s destination, bearing the weight of life they had come to shoulder whether they wanted it or not.

It was like making one’s way through a dark, dense forest.

Originally, it would have been a weight difficult for mayflies who would soon die to measure.

‘But…’

It was no longer so for Jeong Yeon-shin.

Because much baggage had also been loaded onto him. Whether he had shouldered it himself, the jianghu had casually thrown it at him, or the burden straps that the old swordsman, large as the night sky, had gently tied for him.

The weight of life is the same.

Length and brevity don’t matter.

So now many things were his concern.

Though countless jianghu people each carved their path with their own swords, it could be said the same twilight spread over the dense thickets above.

The duty to be protected under the same sky. A great righteousness that definitely existed.

It was the great cause.

Therefore, if one showed courage for duty, that could be called chivalry. And Jeong Yeon-shin’s chivalry was courage to advance even if much was lost.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly took a step. The strategy was surprisingly perfect. Except for the Blood King father and daughter, at this moment the people on the mountain path were strangely convinced he was a blood demon.

‘I have been contaminated by Seventh Apostle’s temperament.’

Step.

—I told you not to step forward!

As soon as he took one step, the Blood King’s sound transmission burst like thunder.

—A strong person like you clashing with that blind man? The earth veins of this rarely fertile land will be severed! That earth energy will be used for your energy accumulation! Can you solve our hunger? Is anything other than destruction possible with petty heroic spirit? I must turn him away with bluffing and eloquence…

—Such things won’t work on that person. He’s also a great figure who must be stopped here.

—Our family comes first for me! I am a Northern King! The harm that blind man will bring to the world is secondary…!

—I will…

He took another step and said.

—Take you in as well.

Step.

It felt like the downhill path had narrowed. So the road was clearer. His heart, which had been floating somewhat from the Great Wall to the demon realm, had finally come down to earth.

Northern region, demon realm, Northern Kings, clans, Six Star Lords, Five Swords Under Heaven, warlords, great sects, Qing Dynasty, Ming Dynasty…

Under the same sky.

No need to think confusedly.

Because wherever he stepped was jianghu.

Swish swish.

Amidst dry grass blades entrusting themselves to the cold wind and dancing here and there, two pairs of riders blocked the narrow path.

Northern King Vast Wind Curtain Lord and Great Warrior Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord. They seemed not to want to create troublesome matters for their guest.

They greatly minded the one-armed blind man.

Was it to use him for more important matters?

It also felt like they were trying to carefully manage one of the Five Swords Under Heaven, said to be no less than the Six Star Lords. At this moment, the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader was definitely dominating the space.

“A discarded card? Something’s strange…”

The Vast Wind Curtain Lord muttered.

The Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord beside him parted her lips indifferently. While kicking the side of the Ferghana horse she rode.

“Let’s clear it up and think. It’s already a day with many variables.”

Snort—

The Ferghana horse snorted lowly and walked toward Jeong Yeon-shin. The clip-clopping hoof sounds were like the dignity of Grudge Blood Valley’s two great powers.

Originally, core figures of great forces could be absurdly reckless or thorough in everything.

Or they could be both depending on their mood or physical condition that day.

Because they were human.

Jeong Yeon-shin had experienced many such people. His knowledge now equaled that of any seasoned jianghu veteran.

And at this moment, the Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord was both thorough and reckless. Perhaps because it was right after exchanging techniques with Red Dawn? She seemed somewhat intoxicated by her own talents.

She created sword shields with her narrow blade while saying pitifully.

“Red Dawn, Red Dawn. If you needed a younger sibling to replace your lost sister, you should have adopted a girl… Fine. Why don’t you just tell us honestly? What calamity befell the Crimson Blood King Family?”

“What would you do knowing?”

Whoosh!

Red Dawn pushed Jeong Yeon-shin back with formless energy waves and retorted. Perhaps she had sensed something from him as he spoke about Seventh Apostle – unlike the Blood King, her attitude was to send him forward.

Transcendent Martial Art like the Divine Sword Squad Leader.

Blood technique energy waves.

Clumsy disguise.

Jeong Yeon-shin advanced step by step down the completely narrowed mountain path. No one bothered to interfere. Perhaps because of Red Dawn, the successor, even the Blood King now seemed to have given up.

The Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord laughed.

“What would we do knowing? Ridiculous. How can we completely drive the Red family from Grudge Blood Valley without knowing properly?”

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin was looking over the Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord’s shoulder. Beyond the Vast Wind Curtain Lord positioned behind her, the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader who had somehow tilted his bamboo hat-wearing head suspiciously to the side.

Ten steps at large strides.

Now it was enough.

He could reach.

“Even with the sword body reaching, quite a lot would remain. Hey, do you know how wide a mounted warrior’s combat range is?”

The Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord raised her narrow blade overlaid with starlight at an angle. Humming resonance followed that gesture, and her Ferghana horse exhaled thick breath.

Supreme Righteousness Eternal Art

Divine Horse Three…

Crack!

Suddenly sword-blue flames not only shattered the warhorse’s head but pierced through the Vice Curtain Lord’s abdomen, leaving a ringing aftereffect as they penetrated straight through to the Vast Wind Curtain Lord’s lower belly.

In an instant, space distorted three times this way, belatedly spitting out hazy shock waves a breath late.

Kurrung!

Blood-stained flesh fragments finally burst out like firecrackers before crumpling inward.

“…!”

In the Vice Curtain Lord’s pupils as she quickly turned her head back, the Vast Wind Curtain Lord who had lost half his lower energy center was reflected. He was laughing emptily as if he had detected the attack a bit too late.

“All sorts of things happen…”

At the same time, the Vast Wind Curtain Lord’s face was blocked by Jeong Yeon-shin’s back view. The scene of sword-blue sparks scattering from his right hand. He had passed the Vice Curtain Lord in one step.

The pinnacle of sword energy martial arts.

It was a formless sword.

Crack—

The recoil from the attack was great.

The face-changing art that had been slightly twisting his skeleton rapidly unraveled. He was just before revealing his true appearance. But the Vast Wind Vice Curtain Lord’s vision met rough ground instead of Jeong Yeon-shin’s front view.

Thud.

She lay sprawled under the Ferghana horse’s body, spitting out quiet curses. It was literally a dying voice.

“Damn it…”

* * *

Everyone realized.

That the Vice Curtain Lord had not been in Jeong Yeon-shin’s consideration.

“The owner of that sword strike was that fellow…?”

The Vast Wind Curtain Lord muttered while pressing acupoints around his lower belly with one hand. Actually, it was a thought he had already had, but the opponent’s Transcendent Martial Art was more profound than imaginable, so it couldn’t be helped.

A surprise attack more perfectly executed than any blood demon.

He was the incarnation of short decisive battles.

Even Literary Star among the Six Star Lords famous for such martial arts, and even the Fighting God, would find it difficult to link such Complete Return to Truth with such formless swords.

At this level, one would have to be caught even knowing.

‘Unless one abandons territory and flees.’

Since he had no such intention from the beginning, it was a meaningless thought. The Vast Wind Curtain Lord had been neutralized without even a chance to deploy Crimson Moon Dance.

If he had concentrated on Jeong Yeon-shin from the beginning, he might have at least exchanged hands.

“My naadam is…”

Outside this valley.

Separate from such mutterings from the Vast Wind Curtain Lord, the flow Jeong Yeon-shin had created was gaining momentum.

The Divine Sword Group Leader had revealed his martial prowess.

Everything inevitably had to become fast. A very natural thing.

The mountain path torn up in all directions.

Several streams of blood trickled down the dark red-stained dirt ground. The chilly northern wind scraped the ground, fanning those flows.

Two of the Five Swords Under Heaven faced each other on the mound of the narrow downhill path.

Jeong Yeon-shin was above, albeit diagonally, and the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader was below.

“Hmm.”

The one-armed man who had been staring up at the transcendently beautiful youth for a while tilted his head.

“I can’t believe it even seeing it. Why are you here…?”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s answer was calm.

“I’m still pondering. I don’t know what would benefit the world.”

“Hm?”

“Should I cut off your head here after all? Or would it be better to spare you for a while?”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader smiled broadly.

“Separate from whether you can really cut my neck, you’ve also changed much. Is that something the purple rank of the Desolate Fortress should say to the leader of unorthodox demons? You can’t even draw your sword without question.”

“That’s right. Because embracing one blood demon would be easier than weighing your usefulness.”

But Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes were different from his words.

They were desolate.

There was some distant quality.

They seemed filled entirely with a pitch-black sky. His black pupils were like night. Much favor had lost its light, leaving only people like scattered stars.

A chivalrous person.

Can set aside private grudges.

Sees completely the great cause.

“……”

Suddenly.

For some reason, the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader turned his words for the first time.

“I stopped by out of curiosity about the Vast Wind Curtain Lord’s sword shield techniques, but having seen you, I should retreat. I can’t abandon my wife, after all.”

The sight of him fiddling with the bluish Winter Dream Sword’s hilt. There had been words he once spoke to Jeong Yeon-shin in Hangzhou, intoxicated by insights into left-hand swordsmanship. A promise not to lay hands on the Lightning Genius lineage in the future.

And Jeong Yeon-shin was the incarnation of the Lightning Genius lineage.

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader didn’t draw out long words anymore.

“See you again. Stay well.”

Woooooong!

When had he drawn his sword?

Suddenly a semi-transparent sword path was carved before him holding the Winter Dream Sword downward. The only swordsman among the Five Swords Under Heaven who freely toyed with space. At this moment, the atmosphere torn away completely was revealing its colorless flesh.

He deployed Form-Shifting Void with a single blade.

He hadn’t even swung it much this time.

“Three times. Quite lucky.”

It was when the grinning Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s touch reached the semi-transparent crack. Instantly, Jeong Yeon-shin, who had closed the distance with advancing steps of Radiant Wing Five Steps, also grasped the same trajectory.

With a bluish circle of Southern Splendor Radiant Taiji inscribed on the back of his hand.

“Hm?”

When the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader uttered a questioning exclamation.

First was grasping the true energy structure of the trajectory with his thumb in detail.

Meanwhile, he embedded the sword pressure of Thunder-Annihilation Sword Style Judgement Qilin on his index finger, the repulsive force that returned the opponent’s true energy with Thunder-Annihilation Sword Style Nine Verdant River on his middle finger, and the tremendous pressure of Azure Flame Eclipse on his ring and little fingers.

The small, faint circle inscribed on the back of his hand.

The blue taiji completely dissolved the pressure rushing into his grip. It was shaped like a dragon’s grip, and it was only an instant until the technique was completed.

‘Eternal Blossom Fist, Fifth Technique.’

Heaven Breaking.

Kiiiiing—!

As he pulled it like that, the trajectory of Form-Shifting Void was dragged like a bow. Surprise crystallized in the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s eyes.

“What…?”

Before he could swing Winter Dream again, the Form-Shifting Void shattered inside Jeong Yeon-shin’s clenched fist.

Kurrung!

A roar identical to thunder followed the gesture of Eternal Blossom Fist’s Heaven Breaking. The scene of colorless true energy fragments scattering beneath Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

One breath of time stopped.

The blind man in the bamboo hat seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

“You can’t leave without permission.”

“……”

There was silence that continued separate from Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice. The sound of dry shrubs rubbing against each other stood out, and among the high-level jianghu people on the mountain path, no one spoke.

Until some pine cone fell with a thud in the sudden northern wind and rolled around.

Only after several breaths did the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s mouth open.

“…Let’s calm down first.”

“You calm down. My recent equanimity is close to a clear mirror-like mind.”

“If we fight, one of us will die and the other will definitely be crippled. Mutual destruction is worth considering. Aren’t we both nominally ‘Five Swords Under Heaven’?”

“My thoughts are different.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly clenched and opened his right hand. Many people were speaking to him from within his hand. People who had chosen death themselves, people who didn’t need to die.

—It’s a flower many jianghu people can make bloom with just a little courage.

Jeong Yeon-shin showed courage.

The courage to suppress the resentment boiling in his heart telling him to kill that person, the courage as the noble Divine Sword Group Leader to use even evil people for great purposes.

Of course, a hierarchical relationship had to be established, even if slightly, through martial prowess. Because they were jianghu people.

“If the only swordsmen you acknowledge are the Five Swords Under Heaven.”

Sword-blue flames flickered and disappeared in the form of a single blade from Jeong Yeon-shin’s grip. The oppressive feeling that pressed even against skin filled the vicinity and subsided simultaneously.

Formless sword, Starry Night.

“I am the greatest sword under heaven.”