Chapter 670 – Desolate Banner (14)

Empty fortress walls.

Normally, banners of the Divine Sword Squad’s seventeen great units should have been fluttering in rows, but all flagpoles were broken.

Like saplings facing famine.

It was the first thing those who had occupied Desolate Fortress had done.

“……”

After a brief silence, a spear lying on the training ground floor rose up with a whoosh. Yue Shou-lin, lightly gripping the long spear, smiled.

“I guess you’ve gotten impatient. The fellow who was hiding and playing melodies finally crawled out.”

Whoosh—

The rusted spear spun stylishly, but the wind that spread from the spear shaft couldn’t shake off the oppressive feeling emanating from the two Thirteen Evil Sects leaders.

‘Damn.’

She knew too.

Just from seeing Wol-yo’s smooth smile.

“It was my oversight. I realized it wouldn’t do to just play melodies from afar.”

Thirteen Evil Sects leader. Jianghu’s uppermost level.

Even moving alone could cause storms on flat ground in chaotic times. Even if they had been hermit masters until before the Divine Sword Squad’s vacancy period, it was the same. Even purple ranks had to be wary of the combined attacks of those who had established themselves as leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects. Because Elder Council Leader Shin Byeok had fallen so low.

If there were two Thirteen Evil Sects leaders appearing in the masterless main fortress, it would be another Great Desolate Battle. Moreover, one that had to be fought without any purple ranks.

‘One step.’

Yue Shou-lin thought.

If she could advance just a little more, it seemed she could pour her fairly long life entirely into one spear—

It was then.

“A world where earth energy has risen unprecedentedly. And Thirteen Evil Sects leaders who plot against even the Divine Sword Group Leader when two or more gather.”

Shin Hwang’s mouth moved slowly.

“Those who originally had only one step left to peerless realm sometimes made great progress, each raising the name of different martial arts. So famine isn’t only because of World Tree. The world is just like that.”

Yue Shou-lin newly wondered at his relaxed breathing. Why was he so stable, and how had he become unnecessarily more substantial?

Moreover, Namgung Hwa-shin’s energy waves resembled Shin Hwang’s. He was clearly not in his right mind, yet somehow she felt Jeong Yeon-shin.

Before she knew it, the two men were naturally standing side by side with their backs to Yue Shou-lin.

“Senior Shin. I’ll take the front.”

“Namgung Hwa-shin, you know too. We must clarify the seventeen great leaders’ roles here.”

“Enough with the obvious words, I’ll take the vanguard…”

“If such a thing happens again, what will become of Lord Jeong’s composure? He’ll be competing with people like Fighting God in the future. It could lead to fatal results.”

Crash!

Namgung Hwa-shin’s single sword that kicked the ground raced toward Wol-yo’s face. In the instant when dust clouds flipped in a straight line, Wol-yo’s lips moved peacefully.

“The fame of the Twin Qilin brothers has disappeared, and some madman is here. Is Lightning Genius lineage a place that ruins people?”

All those syllables overlapped as semi-transparent waves, manifesting divine art absolute learning, and the atmosphere throughout all of Desolate Fortress cracked as if struck by a massive earthquake. The moment Namgung Hwa-shin was stopped in midair, Sky-Trampling Palace Master rose from his flank.

“Excuse me.”

“……!”

That happened suddenly.

After Sky-Trampling Palace Master struck and broke Namgung Hwa-shin’s elbow, he grasped his neck before the Desolate Fortress sword could even fall. Simultaneously pushing up his instep with his heel to flip him over, he drove his head toward the ground neck-first.

Crash—!

Namgung Hwa-shin coughing up blood. It was a moment when Dynamic Technique’s energy circulation was momentarily cut off.

Tremendous spirituality dwelt in every technique. As if embracing the ‘earth energy’ that had been scattered from dead Thirteen Evil Sects leaders.

[I ask.]

Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s colorless eye-light, sitting on top of Namgung Hwa-shin, flashed purely. His upper energy center spirit was simultaneously elevated by strong excitement.

[What happens if you’re hit by Transcendent Martial Art in that state?]

Then Yue Shou-lin was blocked by Wol-yo’s sound technique energy waves, and Shin Hwang was striking down with Divine Flame Twin Hands toward Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s spine.

But the peerless master was faster.

Whoosh!

Sky-Trampling Palace Master pulled up his hand that had become hazy like sunlight flickering on valley water, and bright red blood scattered. Belatedly, explosive force that had even penetrated the ground shook the earth.

“……!”

Only then did Yue Shou-lin’s eyes widen as she tore through sound technique energy waves with her spear blade. She had clearly seen in that instant. Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s hand blade had deflected off the Desolate sword drawn by void grasping technique.

With just that, the Desolate sword had been cut in half like rotten wood, but Namgung Hwa-shin had been pierced through the side rather than the heart. Gripping what had become a half-sword.

[Those Seven New Enemies of Defeated Desolation fellows called my final ultimate technique Transcendent Martial Art, but actually I had no intention of using it against you.]

Sky-Trampling Palace Master, who had spun away like a pinwheel with silk-reeling force rotation evasion, raised his lips. He seemed delighted even though his back had been scooped out by Shin Hwang’s palm technique.

[Even if I die, I’ll die to the Divine Sword Group Leader. To the incarnation of martial arts that history has proven.]

“Crazy bastard…!”

Even Yue Shou-lin’s curses brought deepening laughter. From then on, five figures drew whitish trajectories throughout all of Desolate Fortress.

Because some massive presence of crowds had begun surrounding the city. Nearby sects that had gauged the strange atmosphere for three days, and the communication networks of forces that had originally occupied Desolate Fortress were approaching Xiangyang one by one.

Everyone became urgent.

Crash crash! Crackle!

The scene of two black ranks frequently crossing while trailing afterimages of Form-Changing Position-Switching and whitish radiance of brilliant techniques. Reminiscent of comets curving in the night sky, they were establishing battle with two peerless masters as if accustomed to chaotic combat.

The more so, the deeper Yue Shou-lin’s doubts became.

‘What is it? Why…’

What had they experienced in the north?

Clang!

Meanwhile, as she flew on her spear with heavy body to cut through Wol-yo’s sound technique energy waves, taciturn Shin Hwang and mad Namgung Hwa-shin rippled their eye-light slightly as if admirable.

Yue Shou-lin had no great expectations. This too was unfamiliar to her.

Flash!

Then Namgung Hwa-shin being swept away by Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s palm wind. As if intending to kill him outright, Sky-Trampling Palace Master followed Namgung Hwa-shin while distorting the atmosphere with his left fist. Yue Shou-lin, who had burst out collapsing Azure Sky Squad’s hall roof with a rumble, blocked him simultaneously.

[Hmm?]

Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s fist was pushed back by the spear extended outward, the long spear pulled back inward hooked his body to break even his nervous system balance, while in an instant securing distance with retreating footwork through void treading, she thrust like a light beam.

It was her final ultimate technique.

Crackle!

[Oh my!]

Empty Hand Enters White Blade.

The moment Sky-Trampling Palace Master caught the spear blade with bare hands, Yue Shou-lin realized she had become like a burden to her juniors. Simultaneously, her lips drew a bright arc.

“Jianghu is in big trouble.”

[To think basic Blocking-Grasping-Thrusting spear technique is this much, the technique’s completion is far higher than mine… Hmm?]

“The other black ranks have become this strong. And Lightning Genius is now eighteen… what will happen when a purple rank of that age grows older?”

There’s no way he’d die away from home— Yue Shou-lin uttered as if deliberately provoking. Simultaneously releasing her spear and stepping backward, her hair scattered forward like ebony.

Rustle.

With the scene of Namgung Hwa-shin’s back filling her vision as the end, her consciousness became dreamy as if falling into dreams. Fierce battle continuing for three days right after flying from Shandong to Xiangyang. At this moment, her vision couldn’t help but blur.

The only somewhat clear things were her two juniors’ movements and Wol-yo’s sound technique voice.

“Since ancient times, the world has been the land of those who like to show off.”

“Now truly everyone has been mixed into the melting pot called Central Plains. It’s time for you to put down your arrogance too.”

“Even if the Divine Sword Group returns completely and purple ranks fill all five fingers, they won’t be able to oppress the world like before. Moreover, black ranks…”

“Let’s count them. Since the Divine Sword Group accomplished an unprecedented return march, now there are imperial family’s military kings and Three Direction Generals who will oppose you, and Imperial Three Great Masters.”

“Also former family heads of the Eight Families who joined Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance, our Seven New Enemies of Defeated Desolation and emerging Thirteen Evil Sects leaders, World’s Greatest Sword Tyrant Sword Sect Leader, and judging by rumors, those who will follow Fighting God like Yao tribe in the future.”

“Even World Tree’s noble clans are hostile to everyone. Among them, the Four Great Dharma Protectors seem to be pure monsters, do you happen to know?”

“Anyway, it seems the world’s eyes that came to Xiangyang now have swarmed. Just from the presence, it’s like being surrounded by a great army.”

“Will it be alright? In front of that, even if the Divine Sword Group Leader shamelessly attempts siege warfare to reclaim his own home…?”

Sound technique words plotting listeners’ heart demons.

Around then, Namgung Hwa-shin was enduring tremendous pressure in shadows created by Sky-Trampling Palace Master’s hands. While his whole body convulsed as if heat had reached his hundred acupoints from ceaseless sound technique whispers.

Atop the particularly large Forest Treading Squad hall’s roof.

Trajectories of sword and fist tangled whitishly like hundreds of thread bundles, and all their impact points burst sparks only at Namgung Hwa-shin’s close range. The scene of Swift Sword Technique Judgement Qilin Technique being successively blocked before it could gain speed. The aftermath had explosive force storms noisily wrapping around the inner castle.

Crash!

He would die soon.

When Namgung Hwa-shin’s sword path finally swelled like clouds creating countless variations, Wol-yo, who had been harmonizing with Shin Hwang in dance-like balance, laughed.

“In the end, Azure Sky Boundless Sword. No matter how great Lightning Genius lineage is, Desolate Fortress was just a dream for you after all.”

“Just as Ming Dynasty dreamed of northern expedition for hundreds of years but couldn’t do anything about current Northern Kings, Six Star Lords, and Fighting God.”

It was an instant.

Suddenly the wind subsided.

Everyone’s movements also stopped inexplicably. Because of the feeling that their necks would fly off in true vacuum the moment they moved even a hand.

“……”

There’s a saying: when things reach extremes, they reverse.

When someone’s hardships and adversity reach extremes, they inevitably experience reversal.

The same was true for the mind. Adding shock to shock and stirring demon to demon, some madmen sometimes regain their sanity when suffering becomes excessive. The principle of common people who stop getting angry and go to bed when irritation becomes extreme.

If an originally righteous-hearted super master who had cultivated his upper energy center with good qualities, he might be able to inflate the spirit of his hundred acupoints. Like World’s Fastest Zhu Guang Divine Beggar who had become strong by stimulating his upper energy center with alcohol.

Yue Shou-lin gazed ahead in time stretched like an eternal swamp. Namgung Hwa-shin was gripping a half-sword with clear eyes.

[Resonance Spirit Squad. Supply true energy to me.]

The power that had been forcibly filling Yue Shou-lin’s body drained out like an ebb tide. She intuited. At this moment, Namgung Hwa-shin’s life was about to unfold from the half Desolate sword he gripped.

Something no one expected.

Hahah.

Wol-yo made a hollow laugh with sound technique. What could there be even if a young loser’s life was gathered in one move, and there hadn’t been time for him and Sky-Trampling Palace Master to load Transcendent Martial Art.

Namgung Hwa-shin asked.

[Does swift sword need preparation? Lightning Genius lineage doesn’t teach so.]

Around the time his appearance of lowering his posture while taking the half-sword behind his waist as if hiding it caught everyone’s attention.

An extremely brief intention rang out.

[Profound Victory.]

Instantly, the cut surfaces of banners that had been broken in rows on the fortress walls became level. It was amid silence without any headwind.

“What the…?!”

In an instant, a bloody horizon deeply penetrated the chest of Sky-Trampling Palace Master who had sidestepped. Naturally, as soon as his middle energy center’s true energy circulation momentarily stopped, he was caught by Shin Hwang. Sky-Trampling Palace Master turned his head toward the opposite fortress wall.

Crack—

Namgung Hwa-shin pulling up the head from Wol-yo’s already severed neck. Wol-yo’s black hair that had rippled with smooth luster was crushed in hands white as a noble young master’s.

But Wol-yo was alive.

An era when all the world’s earth energy was being sucked into a few strongmen. At this moment, Wol-yo’s innate energy could even create speech with sound technique.

His head spoke.

“…It’s not ordinary Transcendent Martial Art.”

[I made the sword technique most precious to me my life.]

Upper energy center intention holds no lies. A fact known by any master who has experienced ascension.

Wol-yo’s head made a twisted smile.

“You forced through a wall. The backlash will be great.”

[Those words are also right. With heart demons gone, I seem to be troubled by sleep demons.]

Namgung Hwa-shin spoke while lifting eyelids that seemed about to fall at any moment. Facing such sleepy eyes as if about to doze off right before him, Wol-yo’s face contorted.

“As I’ve said until now, the world’s order has been completely reorganized while you were absent. You mere remnant of defeat…!”

[Listen.]

Step.

Namgung Hwa-shin turning toward the main gate while holding Wol-yo’s head high. Countless human shadows were overlaid on vast Xiangyang’s horizon.

Noble families’ scouts surrounding the great city like ambush soldiers. Then prestigious great sects, heretical path Thirteen Evil Sects, Four Province Martial Alliance, Murim Inspection Alliance, Seven New Enemies of Defeated Desolation, and of course Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance including commercial circles and other huge forces. Even noble clans and Ha Sect disciples whose affiliation was hard to gauge from appearance as if they were immortals…

It was an era’s gaze.

[Winter of Gyeongjin year. Led by Divine Sword Group Leader Lightning Genius, a total of five hundred eighty-six Desolate Fortress warriors walked to the demon realm that had disturbed this land’s people’s livelihood for hundreds of years. Starting from this year of Sinsa…]

When intention amplified by Resonance Spirit Squad’s true energy supply spread like Six Directions Sound Transmission, Namgung Hwa-shin slowly continued.

[We accomplished northern expedition.]

Truth. Focus disappeared from Wol-yo’s eyes.

“……”

The horizon that had been faintly writhing with human shadows froze. Simultaneously absorbing the sunset’s tail end. It was already night.

[Central Plains will know.]

Namgung Hwa-shin’s voice overlapped with dusky twilight.

[What we sacrificed in that land, and how the Divine Sword Group Leader was transformed.]

* * *

That dawn.

A purple-ranked handsome youth descended riding moonlight. Even at a glance, he brought an overwhelming force with him.

Xiangyang’s horizon stirred.

“Divine Sword Group Leader’s representative returns.”

“Accompanied by unidentified Yao tribe and True Blood Cult Leader, White Qilin declared success of the Northern Expedition Plan. Essentially a victory proclamation…!”

“Transfer of Enter the Divine Sword confirmed!”

“Request appearance records of demon realm jianghu people from the main squad.”

Sound transmissions repeated like beacons leading to other sound transmissions. Countless messenger birds flew up from encirclements that weren’t encirclements, scattering ink fragrance and feathers in all directions.

Not a single strand of those wingbeats’ winds reached Desolate Fortress. Not even a bit of spring breeze entered the castle.

But the Divine Sword Group Leader entered.

Flutter—

While banners of the seventeen great units hanging on fortress walls suddenly fluttered noisily, rumors that spread in all eight directions in an instant transformed into tremendous oppressive feeling and began pressing down on the world.