Chapter 674 – Divine Sword’s Domain (4)

General Administration meeting hall.

Literary Star was not present. Was it because he had gone on other business? What actually welcomed Jeong Yeon-shin at the large round table was only Wol-yo’s severed head.

“Desolate Divine Spear had me delivered.”

Wol-yo, decorating the center of the round table like an orchid, smiled like a painting.

“She said she couldn’t do closed-door training because my stories were troublesome… but originally for those who have difficulty concentrating, even a cuckoo’s chirping becomes an excuse. It’s a pathetic matter.”

Then he clicked his tongue as if pitying, which was fully visible to the World Tree noble clans and Shaolin high monks who had followed Jeong Yeon-shin.

“……”

“Hmm, distinguished guests indeed.”

Wol-yo nodded in greeting to them.

“I was the master of an evil musician sect called Divine Demon Mad Silence Sect, but now another divine musician will have taken the sect master position, so I could be called the former sect master. In any case, I hope you all will safely return alive from this demon-subduing fortress called Desolate Fortress…”

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly lowered the sword hilt at his waist and turned away from the table. Of course, he spoke like making excuses while leaving behind Wol-yo who had been pushed away like a flower pot after being hit by the sword pommel.

“He’s an emerging Thirteen Evil Sects leader who usurped the main fortress, a precious war trophy of Obeying Heaven Wing Leader.”

“You won’t even allow rest…?”

Hell Deviation Beom-ryeol turned his gaze from the stairway where he had left Golden Thunder Viscount behind. His face showed some admiration for the Divine Sword Squad’s viciousness.

Master Beom-heo only smiled benevolently.

“Has Patron Namgung overcome long hardships and finally achieved great merit? Truly excellent, this too is the Divine Sword Group Leader’s fortune.”

“Are there only crazy people here?”

It was when a voice like Golden Thunder Viscount’s sleep talk rose from below the meeting hall.

Jeong Yeon-shin took in the sight of Grand Empress Dowager Wei Yan already sitting in the seat of honor. With extremely natural movement, it seemed she would become the world’s greatest assassin if she went on a killing spree.

Wei Yan spoke with an aged voice.

“I have a proposal.”

Not only the four noble clans who had followed to the meeting hall, but even Shaolin’s high monks stopped mid-way while sitting. They had felt the shape of her mouth with energy perception before her words had even become sound.

“Become Desolate Fortress Lord.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently stared at her lips moving lifelessly like leaves swaying in gentle breeze.

“There were many decisions at the Main Tree. If you agree, we will give you the Enter the Extinction Sword currently stuck in the garden.”

Main Tree or Root Tree.

The name noble clans used for World Tree’s city. In sect terms, it was the main headquarters, where everything of the unified Four Great Dharma Protectors as well as noble clans gathered. Naturally, it had become the overwhelmingly greatest power in Central Plains.

‘Master of Ming Dynasty…’

Those who hadn’t interfered in the world as if hidden by clouds were said to have become so as soon as they rose up starting from last winter.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat across from the old noble clan absolute being and asked.

“Is it Master’s will?”

[That couldn’t be. They’re trying to bind Sword Heaven’s status. To prevent a new imperial dynasty from opening in the currently collapsed Ming Dynasty.]

Literary Star’s sound transmission rose from the floor. But there was none of the Divine Sword Strategist’s characteristic massive presence.

Considering that the scribe impersonator’s Returning to Origin level was hard for even the Divine Sword Vice Leader’s heels to follow, he must be speaking from underground in the General Administration now.

‘Using halls like the Grand Administrator.’

Some of the Strange Gates formations spread beneath the General Administration blocked energy waves. A function to protect Desolate Fortress scribes so they could safely command the main fortress during wartime. It was said that reinforcements by various predecessors including Divine Heaven Flower and former Grand Administrators had been repeated since very long ago.

Instantly, Literary Star’s and Wei Yan’s words crossed.

[Though Grand Empress Dowager Wei Yan can see all the world with ‘Wind King’s’ abilities, if it’s such an absurd technique, it absolutely cannot be used carelessly. Moreover, my Heaven Steel Light Armor’s Annihilation Technique distorts eye technique vision like flames. Sword Heaven would know better.]

“It is Main Tree’s will.”

At this moment, Wei Yan seemed to feel that some report was coming to Jeong Yeon-shin, but the sound transmission energy waves filtered once through the main fortress’s Strange Gates formation couldn’t be eavesdropped by her.

As if pleased with such new civilization, Literary Star’s laughter-tinged voice followed.

[There were quite a few jianghu people drawing my appearance records in Qinling Mountain Range and Xiangyang, but I’ve made it as if they didn’t exist. The later it’s known, the better for my status. Of course, though the Profound Martial Alliance Leader is concerning… it should be fine for now. His ambition is too great to want to contact unified noble clans himself.]

‘Monster bastard.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled Literary Star’s Nine Marsh Demon Power Steps. As soon as he thought of that overwhelming advancing movement, his eyes met with the Grand Empress Dowager, and she seemed to have waited for Jeong Yeon-shin to organize his thoughts about his subordinate scribe’s report.

Her wrinkled lips slowly opened.

“Listening carefully to subordinates’ advice is very good. It could be called a virtue befitting the leader of forces supporting the current world. However, what’s important in this conversation is solely your will.”

“If you speak lightly of Enter the Extinction Sword before the Divine Sword Group Leader’s face, naturally no good conversation can pass between us.”

“I may do so.”

It was the words of a being who had lent a hand to Desolate Fortress’s founding as Desolate Fortress Lord’s guardian in the very distant past. Even the one who had granted the first Divine Sword Group Leader’s seat to the swordsman beside the young Desolate Fortress Lord was said to be the old noble clan before his eyes.

“As Fortress Lord’s direct successor, you received Qian-ling’s last words and succeeded in northern expedition. Symbolism and achievements that are difficult for anyone to approach.”

Wei Yan’s words continued quietly.

“That Enter The Divine Sword is a blade symbolizing ‘one who is always moving,’ and now it’s not an item suited to you. Unless you plan to harbor treasonous thoughts and ascend the imperial throne, if not, it’s right to refresh the chaotic times from your master’s vacant position. The position of Desolate Fortress Lord is such a place.”

“Master.”

Jeong Yeon-shin interrupted her words.

“Is she at World Tree?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been long since I’ve seen her. I should pay my respects, so may I walk to World Tree while considering the proposal?”

“Impossible.”

Wei Yan shook her head.

“I cannot let a master of chaotic battles like you into Main Tree. If you run around tearing up the city, there would be no way to catch you.”

Instantly, Wol-yo’s head trembled on the table. It was movement as if feeling delight at something.

“Language with the same context as Dongting Lake singers’ drunken ranting! Pouring out melodies, pretending not to hear off-beats… excellent speech that stirs up anger.”

By then, Master Beom-heo and defrocked monk Beom-ryeol were also seated at one side of the round table. Master Beom-heo closed his eyes as if he would pretend not to hear Jeong Yeon-shin’s private stories, and Beom-ryeol persistently fixed his gaze toward the stairway where Golden Thunder Viscount would be again.

“To continue the conversation.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said while keeping his gaze fixed on Wei Yan.

“First you must tell me how my master is doing.”

Rumble—

The hall shook slightly. Vibration like distant thunder echoing from far sky, which was none other than the precursor to Jeong Yeon-shin’s attack.

“…That too is impossible.”

Wei Yan’s answer. Simultaneously, Literary Star’s sound transmission followed to Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

[Among precious scriptures, the I Ching’s Lesser Excess hexagram says it’s better to have too little work than too much anger. If I must twist that old woman’s neck, I’ll step up.]

[Don’t spout sophistry. Stay there.]

While Jeong Yeon-shin controlled natural disasters, the dignified old noble clan woman naturally rose from her seat. Though she had walked a long way, she seemed to have no particular regrets.

“Fortress Lord has lived according to natural order and will continue to do so. But those like you despise submitting to fate. Just as Yue Feng did, and as Qian-ling did. Therefore, I cannot tell you.”

She turned her back to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I know your alias. Desolate Day Extinction… a name given by Wudang Sect’s High Sword, and having this private meeting, his insight seems to have been like Zhang Sanfeng’s. If you won’t inherit Enter The Extinction Sword, that’s settled. Main Tree will decide future matters in its own way. We’ll become strong enemies to each other.”

“…Taoist High Sword?”

For an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes wavered like sunset disturbed by storms, and Wei Yan stepped outside with the unified noble clans attending her. Simultaneously, the presence of noble clans who had disappeared like wind outside the door was naturally felt in Fortress Lord’s inner castle.

The group including Wei Yan.

Truly tremendously fast. The abilities gained from unification with World Tree seemed to be noble clans’ characteristic movements.

But before even blinking once, Fortress Lord’s inner castle was surrounded by Divine Sword Squad masters who had rushed in from various parts of the main fortress.

Crash!

Landing roars spread in chain reaction. Divine Sword Squad masters who had been stationed in the main fortress. Each in order of Divine Sword Squad, Burning Abyss Squad, Nether Stream Squad, Obeying Heaven Wing, Annihilation Squad, and Resonance Spirit Squad. Simultaneously, Radiant Art Formula’s characteristic whitish radiance naturally struck the fortress walls like waves.

Annihilation Squad Leader Shin Hwang’s presence was at the front.

[Group Leader, orders.]

[Let them go…]

Jeong Yeon-shin struggled to contain the sense of betrayal he felt for the first time in his life. Though his composure had never been shaken this much except by people’s deaths, even so it was a situation where he had to act properly as the Divine Sword Group Leader.

Because such an opportunity wouldn’t come again.

[Divine Sword Group Leader. Though you declared to me that you would walk your own path, can you harm your master?]

Wei Yan’s Six Directions Sound Transmission rang gently.

[Can the Divine Sword Group Leader, a being who must follow propriety and law more than anyone else, bear such great infamy?]

She continued slowly.

[Desolate Fortress Lord was a child who grew up wearing the tree’s original spirit like clothing. Though born human, her essence is World Tree. In other words.]

“……”

[She is fruit.]

Desolate Fortress’s time stopped.

[If you insist on making Main Tree your enemy, you must face the person most deeply imbued with World Tree’s will.]

At the words thrown like rolling leaves by World Tree’s leader-level figure, the main fortress began sinking into silence. In an instant, not many masters among those surrounding Fortress Lord’s inner castle were breathing properly.

[Fruit means a being World Tree made into a sword. Living to protect the tree roots that guard the world from Gates, living eternally with that greatest mystery of all time. Ignorant jianghu people have been saying it must be a spiritual medicine beyond Great Rejuvenation Pills without knowing anything…]

Wind sounds rumbled.

[Desolate Fortress Lord’s spirit was worn away by years, and she wished for anyone to substitute for her. Therefore, she had long considered you her intended successor… but her heart changed. In the end, she didn’t even call you.]

“Continue…”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly without any variation in voice tone or particular honorifics.

“Continue talking.”

[Now Fortress Lord shares leadership of Main Tree with me. She is simultaneously the world’s greatest person and privately your master. Where else would there be someone who could so bindDesolate Day Extinction’s spirit?]

“……”

[Should fortune become chaotic and you attempt unfilial conduct, the power of public sentiment that is concentrating toward you will also be disturbed.]

Think deeply about it—

Wei Yan’s words ended there.

Instantly, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the presence of space bending like taffy. It was a technique surprisingly similar to Form Shifting Void.

Wei Yan had opened something like Gates using World Tree’s branches as medium. Just as Jeong Yeon-shin had once imitated Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s sword strike from World Tree’s branches.

The unified noble clans’ presence disappeared one by one. Before long, even Golden Thunder Viscount’s energy waves stepped into Fortress Lord’s inner castle then scattered.

Where were they headed?

No need to think. Naturally it would be World Tree’s main headquarters. Truly the ocean Jeong Yeon-shin had been waiting for.

‘Ten Li Gentle Light.’

As soon as he took one step, the scene reflected in his pupils changed. Desolate Fortress Lord’s inner room full of tree vines.

Not something like Form Shifting Void, but he had struck through the instant with lightness skill dash. While the consecutively shattered hall walls caused roars.

Rumble!

Jeong Yeon-shin had entered the distorted space following the unified noble clans. The afterimage that had belatedly followed behind him was torn in the void like hazy light rays.

From Desolate Fortress’s inner castle.

To the middle of a green plaza on all sides.

It was immediately World Tree’s city.

“……!”

Jeong Yeon-shin stood in the middle of some garden with his whole body losing color like mist as before, and for the first time the unified noble clans’ shock rippled at close range.

Same as when he had briefly arrived at Desolate Fortress from Zhongnan Mountain. He looked like monster spirits inside Gates.

“Grand Empress Dowager! The Divine Sword Group Leader has…!”

“Oh, that’s Yue Feng, right?”

“I’ll respond!”

But there was only one person reflected in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes. At the center of flowers blooming luxuriantly like in a dream unrelated to famine, in the place he had reached after passing through all processes and results.

Desolate Fortress Lord was there.

“……”

Wearing light green martial robes hanging long like palace clothes, with twilight around her elegant nose bridge. Other scenery lost color. Now Jeong Yeon-shin could clearly see the sword tied at her waist.

‘Master.’

Belatedly realizing he couldn’t speak, he approached her quickly. Jeong Yeon-shin extended his hand to her in the completely differently flowing space-time.

Grrroan—

It was a sound like hinges breaking. Because he had forcibly moved his body.

At that sound.

Master turned her head.

There were no words.

Her pupils deep green like an abyss were no different from usual, but her pupils couldn’t be seen. Only the feeling as if souls would be sucked in remained the same.

Half a step distance.

Same as when he had once learned mind sword.

He felt breathtakingly long internal energy breathing, and it was a distance where her pulse sounds faintly tickled his ears.

Slowly.

Desolate Fortress Lord’s hand rose up.

————————————————!

Instantly, Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears became deaf from a roar like a dragon’s cry. Incomparable to when he himself moved, it felt like all the world was braking her body.

Touch.

Desolate Fortress Lord’s long finger touched Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder. The part where the character for Desolate (荒) was embroidered in gold. Instantly, Samadhi True Fire’s heat rose from her fingertip, and Jeong Yeon-shin’s clothing regained its original color only in that part.

It was a transcendent scene.

[What are you doing!]

“How can you move of your own will…?!”

Shock seeped from the cries of Wei Yan and other unified noble clans, and Desolate Fortress Lord’s finger began burning the gold to black as it traced along the Desolate character.

Hiss—

The Desolate character changed color instantly like her sword strike. The inscription symbolizing being Fortress Lord’s direct successor was burned completely black, and what remained was only the mixed smell of acrid burning scent and Desolate Fortress Lord’s grass-like body fragrance.

Very slowly.

Desolate Fortress Lord moved her lips.

“You.”

“……”

“Are expelled.”

The crystalline voice was briefly concluded.

The moment infinite freedom settled on the greatest Divine Sword Group Leader of all time who had succeeded in northern expedition. While the faces of unified noble clans standing noble like bamboo groves became blank.

Jeong Yeon-shin, with characters made of black ash carved on his shoulder, didn’t move from his spot for a long time.