Chapter 640 – Big Dipper Hundred Stars (3)

Deep silence bloomed.

Jeong Yeon-shin was slightly surprised at himself in the strange silence. Because he felt no particular emotion. He had clearly mentioned World Tree fruit with his own mouth.

“……”

Meanwhile, all eight directions were dim and dark.

No light entered at all. Even the edges of the sunset that had been hazily spreading from outside couldn’t reach here.

Underground of the Forbidden City’s Martial Splendor Hall.

That is, beneath the palace where emperors had practiced divine arts and ultimate techniques for generations.

World Tree branches had burrowed down to the depths as if craving darkness instead of light, and their thickness and length resembled a dragon’s torso.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood in the middle of the massive tree trunk like a dragon’s body, holding Enter The Divine Sword. While feeling the lingering traces from Ma Yeon-jeok, Yong Hye-myeong, and Divine Beggar Zhu Guang’s energy waves.

‘Everyone…’

They’ve really left.

Rather than feeling impatience toward Desolate Fortress Lord who gave no answer, he greatly felt the absence of the former Divine Sword Group Leaders and Divine Beggar Zhu Guang. Jeong Family Head Jeong Yeon-shin and Divine Sword Group Leader Lightning Genius were different like this.

—These traces. They certainly originated from Fighting God’s hands, but why was only this branch left completely intact…

Literary Star’s muttering echoed from above the ruins. There were no other sounds besides that. Because only Jeong Yeon-shin had descended from ground level to below.

World Tree fruit.

It was said one could only obtain it with recognition from all noble clans. Since even mentioning it was a grave matter, there was no need to feel disappointed if an immediate answer didn’t come.

So Jeong Yeon-shin silently waited for Desolate Fortress Lord’s answer.

Silence like an abyss continued.

It was time that seemed trapped in distant sword strikes.

Soon Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips in the darkness.

“Who are you?”

What returned to those words was a pleasant whistle. A feeling like soft leaves tickling inside the ears with wheek, whoo sounds. It was also Desolate Fortress Lord’s real name he had once heard.

Though Jeong Yeon-shin learned this belatedly, originally the name Wei Gun-hye was a title bestowed by the state.

It was also said to be traces of the Grand Empress Dowager’s failed attempt to promote marriage talks with the imperial house or granting the Zhu surname.

In the end, what Desolate Fortress Lord directly shouldered from the Ming imperial house was only three characters of a name easy for common people to call.

Therefore, the real name of the most noble person under heaven was the whistle just heard. There wouldn’t be many who knew it, and the voice was the same too.

But Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head. Because of his intuition as a disciple who had long revered her, before his upper energy center’s insight. It was clearly heterogeneous.

“You’re not her.”

—Wrong but correct. I too am your master and salvation.

Around that time, Jeong Yeon-shin was recalling something else.

A woman standing on a large cut tree stump. An existence that was entirely white light, who looked like a wooden statue at first glance but was surprising for having acupoints.

A wooden statue in Desolate Fortress Lord’s form that he had once seen in World Tree’s city.

That had been no different from a person.

“World Tree’s true spirit…?”

Right after Jeong Yeon-shin quietly uttered this.

Suddenly the other party’s atmosphere changed.

A presence growing endlessly massive from within the silence. It was from beyond the space where the two people’s conversation had been taking place.

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly recalled the word infinite.

Because it felt like a giant tree whose size was hard to fathom was growing in his mind as if to burst his head at this moment.

‘Mins Sword…!’

He realized simultaneously.

That cloud mist rising white like dawn fog was penetrating his protective energy and seeping into his entire body.

Whoosh!

The world’s greatest person’s technique.

It was connected to the principles Desolate Fortress Lord had once taught Jeong Yeon-shin long ago. It was indeed her Mind Sword.

Meanwhile, various noble clans’ voices were somehow striking his ears. Voices, reports, concerns, anger, bitterness and such flowing from World Tree branches throughout the Central Plains to the true spirit.

—It seems to be the Divine Sword Group Acting Leader, but did he really succeed in northern expedition…? How could such small numbers handle Black Capital and Six Star Lords…?!

—Anyway, since the main tree made effort to open sound winds, may we first report our side? The situation is not good. Mount Heng Sect and Four Province Martial Alliance are neglecting the clans…

—Stop. Divine Sword Group Leaders have always been those who prioritized people’s livelihood over clans. Don’t carelessly release information.

—Correct words. How dare one so easily mention World Tree fruit…!

—I’m sorry.

Only the old woman’s voice that rang last was familiar to Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

‘Heaven Pillar Sect Leader… Elder Cheong Bo-hwa.’

Heaven Pillar Sect. The lake water sect he had visited during black rank days for Yong Hye-myeong’s escort mission. It was also Radiant Demon Wing Leader Cheong Myeong’s sect.

That is, Jeong Yeon-shin was standing in a meeting place encompassing the Central Plains. Noble clans who had shouldered clan responsibilities since the Ming Dynasty’s founding would have been connected through World Tree.

But Jeong Yeon-shin’s question was one. Where was his true master?

“You people.”

He slowly moved his lips.

“Are you so composed even knowing that person is fake?”

—…You can speak in the Mind Sword’s domain?

—As a clan elder, I advise you to be careful with your words and look after your own safety.

—It would be a hard situation for Han people to understand. If it had been Yong Hye-myeong at least, we would have spoken to him without hesitation…

—The one speaking with you is also no different from your master. She has inherited all her memories.

‘Radiant Star.’

Starting with the name Precious Radiant Star Heaven, the protective energy formula that naturally remained only two characters after traveling to the north.

Woom!

He endlessly raised the true energy density of his internal energy barrier.

Suddenly, clothing seemingly woven from grayish starlight was overlaid on his purple robe, completely cutting off the Mind Sword’s mist that had been penetrating his body.

Thud—!

Fragments of true energy that had risen from World Tree fell while filling the darkness with white light. White light shimmered even in the crevices of tree bark smooth and beautiful as dragon scales.

The noisy voices quieted at once.

At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the other party’s faint exhale. Breath where light surprise and deep interest seeped out like dew.

—Your protective energy is mixed with Heaven Steel Light Armor’s principles. It seems you experienced hardships in the north.

“Still acting as my master?”

—With your nature, you would have already come to where I dwell, but the reason you cannot do so now lies with me.

Her words were correct.

Originally, Jeong Yeon-shin could deploy limited Form-shifting Void with the transcendent form of Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword and senses gained from World Tree. It was a technique of walking from World Tree branch to branch.

‘Not now.’

He knew without attempting futilely. It felt like all passages had collapsed.

Saaaa…

The spirituality that had been filling the vicinity with sacred feeling scattered away. Not only Form-shifting Void’s sword strikes through World Tree branches, but even ultra-long-distance sound transmission was being blocked.

Naturally overwhelming.

It literally felt omnipotent.

—Your achieved merits are certainly worthy of taking the fruit, and that is what I have been waiting for since nineteen years ago. However…

At the end of her words, another melody-like whistle rang. She who had played Desolate Fortress Lord’s real name on her lips like a dream continued speaking with a voice tinged with small laughter.

—The other me has a heart that doesn’t welcome that unity. Even blocking your Form-shifting Void any further is entirely out of concern for you alone. Heretic way techniques inevitably return as corresponding karma.

“Did you just say ‘the other me’?”

—It’s an interesting and pitiful matter. Though she would be dulled to all emotions… ultimately, the part where our opinions reached agreement is only blocking your Form-shifting Void.

A voice gradually becoming smaller like sweet dew scattering in transparent sunlight.

Soon the wind stream of sound transmission would be cut off. Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brow for the first time.

“Whether you’re my master’s soul garment or World Tree’s true spirit, I’m not interested. Even if you’re both, I don’t care. Is my master in the great Gates?”

But the other party only unfolded her own story in an archaic tone.

—Unlike your master, I intend to block your eyes and mouth too. So only look at me and come only to me.

—Yes, with a complete body.

Soon she spoke gently as if addressing the past Jeong Yeon-shin.

—Even if the world is chaotic, it should be discussed after your heavenly punishment is resolved. I’m cutting the sound transmission passage meaning you must not turn your gaze to chaotic times, so please understand generously.

“Don’t discuss the world? You think my power is only divine spirit martial arts.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly tilted his head sideways. But no answer returned. The mystical energy always felt from World Tree branches was also nowhere to be found.

Completely blocked.

The same was true for Desolate Fortress main castle where another World Tree branch was rooted. A situation where he needed to exchange correspondence with Chief Administrator Lin Jin-ming.

It was a big blow to Jeong Yeon-shin who had an information gap. Because he had become accustomed to quickly obtaining information through Bright Wind Cave.

He spoke without delay.

“Literary Star.”

The moment a reaction was felt from above the ruins.

Crash!

With tremendous explosive sound, one side of the deep roots was completely crushed. Dust rising thickly even in darkness. Colorless eye-light flickered calmly from some giant single eye.

The Divine Sword strategist spoke simultaneously with landing.

“The circumstances can be reasonably guessed. It’s like Bright Wind Cave being blocked, isn’t it?”

“Over there.”

Jeong Yeon-shin pointed to the middle of the tree bark.

A space where sacred wind streams were scattering even slightly. It was the point where World Tree’s spirituality was blocked by something.

As blue-green veins split along Literary Star’s thick neck briefly, the moment he opened his mouth, the underground darkness flickered colorlessly and fell in all directions like reed leaves.

Sound wave energy that made light and dark meaningless.

It was a tremendous roar.

For an instant it seemed space was torn apart, and small blood streams burst and flowed from Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears too.

‘Educated and mad giant.’

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t show his inner thoughts on his face.

At the same time, voices calm as spring breeze returned to Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears. They were the voices of those who had been lecturing him earlier.

—Henan’s Profound Martial Alliance’s movements are unusual. From rumors that the one who blocked old Dark Dragon and Dark Heaven Emperor and slept in Xinye County has risen again and made contact with Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost, to reports that Profound Martial Alliance Leader Gun Wi-hu finally achieved molting and emerged from seclusion in the main alliance…

—The one who tore off the arm seems to have given great inspiration. Who could it have been… Then what about Shaolin? Isn’t Henan their domain?

—Abbot Beom-heo is still strong but not like before. And Shaolin’s other peerless master… that is, Hell Deviation Beom Ryeol’s whereabouts are still hard to fathom. Whether he’s inside Mount Song’s Gates or came out to the Central Plains, we can’t be certain at all…

—New news came from the Great Wall. They say Hengshan Sect Leader came down to Juyong Pass with orthodox sect juniors. They say he departed and arrived only after the ‘Bright Light Plains Battle’ ended, but we can’t know how the Divine Sword Group Acting Leader reached Beijing first.

—Frustrating business. It’s not like Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager can always deploy Wind King… whether she has reached World Tree by now.

—You all must have heard rumors about the cripple. We must confirm their truth.

—Since all news from Beijing was cut off, hearing from the Divine Sword Group Acting Leader was best… What about Shaanxi? Zhongnan Grand Elder Yeo Il-shin.

—…Ming Cult Leader Little Heavenly Demon Invincible might summon the first Heavenly Demon.

—What?

A feast of overwhelming information.

Stories encompassing the vast Central Plains penetrated Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

He maintained silent silence even as all the world’s noble clans spewed out cannonball-like news. While not revealing even a trace of presence through Jin Myeong-jo’s rebellious spirit suppression.

At this moment, the names of all Divine Sword Group military forces, Desolate Jeok Family, and purple-rank colleagues were weaving and unraveling repeatedly in his mind.

What composition to send where, what orders to issue.

‘…When organization is finished, I’ll need to discuss with Literary Star too.’

Now that it was hard for words to reach Desolate Fortress Lord, the Divine Sword Group Leader was Desolate Fortress itself.

His master’s safety.

The identity of the one impersonating Desolate Fortress Lord.

He temporarily erased both from his mind.

Originally, being the world’s greatest person meant an existence surpassing all trickery. Having walked the purple jianghu and experienced even Six Star Lords and Fighting God made him more certain.

‘I do what I must do.’

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly lowered his eyelids.

* * *

The ruins of Beijing where all castle walls had collapsed.

While the moon seemed to use darkness as a blanket and couldn’t be seen, the Divine Sword Group forming various clusters began scattering to different places. It was a night when star clusters shone noisily.

Thus.

Jeong Yeon-shin opened the chaotic era.