Chapter 702 – Desolate Fortress Lord (2)

“Hey there…! You’re Hao Sect, right?”

“I’m an herb collector.”

“Judging by your mouse-like footwork, you’re definitely Hao Sect. As you might have guessed from my voice, I’m a eunuch. My name is Myeong-yeo. Anyway, fortunate to meet you…! Come here quickly.”

“…Jang Soon-il. But why are you alone, in such a state.”

“Help deliver the imperial decree. I’m being pursued by World Tree’s noble clans. By those martial ghosts trying to stop this…!”

“I heard His Majesty the Emperor is at Desolate Fortress. There’s no way he wouldn’t have attached guards to such important business.”

“There were, but they’re gone. They suddenly left. They told me to survive on my own. They even took the imperial secret communication network, the Divine Eagles. Not only their own but mine as well! If I had even those swift hawks, I wouldn’t need to be so careful.”

“What are you talking about? You seem to have lost your mind.”

“I still don’t understand. How, how could those who had always been Ming Dynasty’s bulwark…? In the hellish scene of the Great Wall created by the Six Star Lords under heaven, even though they lost their family-like subordinates for so long throughout their lives, yet remained unbroken like divine swords while maintaining their loyalty, how could they?”

“Stop rambling. I’m busy.”

“It was the Seven New Enemies of Defeated Desolation.”

“Pardon?”

“The Three Direction Generals.”

* * *

Vast mountain slopes.

Crowds filled it like a reed field in a good harvest year.

This was because countless multitudes had flocked from all sorts of regions. Gate Severer. Literally, one who severed a gate. What Divine Sword Group Leader Lightning Genius had done within Shaolin’s grounds possessed such tremendous impact.

Enough to establish a battle in a domain unprecedented throughout the Central Plains’ jianghu within a hundred years, right before Shaolin’s mountain gate no less.

“Disappointing.”

A voice flowed from beneath the blind man’s bamboo hat.

He had his back to the old mountain gate.

One arm and one leg. Standing on only his right foot, he forcefully pushed with his left hand against a bluish sword. Just with that, the sword touching the blind man’s blade was gently pushed back like a mechanical formation device made as one.

Squeak…

He even made the opponent’s sense of balance his own. It was supreme swordsmanship technique, and the blind man’s iron sword executed such methods with utmost naturalness.

Winter Dream.

A very famous sword. Famous enough to cause disturbances among the crowds surrounding Shaolin’s mountain gate.

“So it truly was Heaven Conquering Sect Leader…!”

“Did Unorthodox Sword Path forces imprison Divine Sword Group Leader?”

“Then isn’t the other side right? Two Wall Sword Lord is also trying to break through?”

Meanwhile, the fragments of sword energy that shot up with terrifying momentum like sparks of a tidal wave moved to the blue sky like lies the moment they touched Winter Dream Sword, bursting with muffled roars.

Using the oddly-shaped void of swordplay like Taiji Wisdom Sword as an absolute defensive technique.

“Your orthodox swordplay was quite interesting, but now it’s nothing but a monstrosity unlike what it was in Hangzhou.”

Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s voice tinged with laughter mixed beneath the faint roars above.

“Oh my, look at this perilous sword energy. Even Yuan Dynasty’s sword strength studies weren’t this much, yet you’ve become needlessly powerful. At this rate, my body might be torn apart by sparks.”

It was talk completely devoid of any sense of crisis. However, Taoist Qinshu, who had begun competing in sword power with him, wasn’t pushed back at all. He likewise had leisure to speak.

“A killer who reached that realm by belonging to Unorthodox Sword Path.”

“Hm?”

“Open the way. I have business with the former Divine Sword Group Leader. All your words are self-contradictory anyway.”

Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader, who had been tilting his head at the word “former,” glanced at Praising Earth Sword Duke’s waist as he stood dumbfounded trapped in the black flame mandala, then coolly nodded.

“Ah, since we both became powerful through unorthodox paths, should we shut our mouths? That’s also correct. Now aren’t both you and I madmen?”

The blind man laughed.

“Try some more of your greatly improved swordplay.”

The face of Qingcheng Sect Leader, Two Wall Sword Lord who appeared to be merely a young Taoist, remained consistently indifferent.

The hand gripping his sword was different.

As if memories of Hangzhou came to mind, it trembled faintly, then swelled blue and reddish sword energy like clouds from the sword hilt. Qingcheng Sect’s Azure Cloud Crimson Cloud Sword Energy. It was an instant before the oddly-shaped void’s mysteries that had been transparently condensed on Winter Dream Sword were swallowed up.

Without any particular sound.

Even the gravitational pull of the Thousand Pound Weight that had been maintaining Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s balance was torn apart and scattered.

It was a festival of invisible forces. Swordsmen of master level were like this.

The two were nearly buried in the surging sword energy, appearing only as hazy silhouettes like those who had crossed swords at dawn docks. Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s voice flowed out from within like weak sunlight, calm and composed.

“Truly a disruption technique just like you. No particular tricks, dignified and proper.”

“I am World Tree.”

“Your sword feel right now is exactly yours though.”

Pshh!

Blood spurted faintly within the cloud mist of sword energy. Following the playfully twisted trajectory of the sword. At the same time, Taoist Qinshu’s silhouette staggered then segmented like a ghost, cutting through Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s waist, and Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s panicked words mixed with the dozen drops of blood.

“Regeneration ability…?”

“I became a supernatural being following you. I would be like Blood Flame Cult Leader of years past.”

“Even so, it seems early to mention that fellow.”

Unlike the marketplace banter, the Azure Cloud Crimson Cloud Sword Energy surrounding them gradually thickened. Unlike Emperor Sword Formation, it was a technique that suppressed all directions with substantial sword aura. Even absolute masters would inevitably accumulate deep sword wounds just by entering the sword circle.

Rumble rumble rumble! Crash…!

Shock waves exploding ceaselessly with Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s silhouette as target. Tearing through and smashing his solid protective strong energy, bursting it to pieces. The deeply penetrating mist clusters were deflected and disappeared by the ghostly oddly-shaped void swordplay.

The aftereffects were enough to shake even the peaks that had supported thousand-year Shaolin, so the onlookers who had already retreated far away went down below the hills.

Qingcheng swordplay. Originally it was an all-directional sword energy domain that decided life and death in an instant. Naturally it was difficult to sustain for more than one breath. Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader’s reaction of finding it utterly absurd was for that reason.

“There would be no swordplay with such good compatibility with World Tree. With your underdeveloped middle energy center, it would have been difficult to deploy for long.”

That was as far as it went.

Taoist Qingshu didn’t mix more words. With movements that left pale afterimages, he only unraveled thread-like sword paths like disasters.

The clouds of Azure Cloud Crimson Cloud Sword Energy gradually began moving toward Shaolin’s mountain gate side. While completely trapping Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader.

The intention was clear.

“Mm, you have no interest in victory or defeat. You intend to reach Northern Emperor somehow.”

It was the giant Literary Star.

Thud!

Catching and crushing the azure-crimsonsword energy fragments that splashed toward him with bare hands, he applied world-opening power to his foot that stepped on the head of an unusually tall noble clan woman. The scene already unfolded by exchanging dozens of moves with World Tree’s Northern Darkness Fist Marquis.

The resistance was fierce.

Rumble…

The ground cracked apart, and residual shock wave storms arose along spider web-like patterns. Dust settled bleakly as well, naturally.

At that center.

“……”

Literary Star was stepping on the ancient boxing master like a stepping stone with one foot. While surveying the surroundings with the gentle gaze of a scholar.

“Please stay still. The battle situation is chaotic.”

Those blocking Shaolin’s mountain gate.

Literary Star was the center.

Unorthodox Finest Sword, still difficult to fathom, was hidden in the left-side mist. Taoist Qingshu’s sword energy storm could no longer advance from some point. Of course, it didn’t diminish either.

Meanwhile, on Literary Star’s right side, Little Heavenly Demon Invincible, even more mysterious than him, repeatedly appeared and disappeared behind Praising Earth Sword Duke’s orange-colored hem. Smooth black hair and transparent sunlight rippling on her silver mask surface, showing her engage in close combat with Praising Earth Sword Duke who had penetrated her concealment technique with one sword.

Crash crash crash crash crash!

Long limbs curved like whips, striking Praising Earth Sword Duke’s sword surface and knees before returning. The black shock waves that burst amid this scattered like flower petals, teasing the opponent’s eyes. Tremendous genius emanated from her appearance of not allowing even a single strike.

‘Is that Ming Cult’s Bright Phoenix Divine Form?’

Literary Star thought.

Little Heavenly Demon Invincible, Ming Cult Leader Yelu Zhen.

Soon to die. A figure extending her life against natural order through transcendent magical martial arts. Naturally, he thought she would show a more incompetent appearance than expected. Didn’t they say she was like Northern Emperor’s pathetic younger sister in the Jinling Mountain Range?

[Are you annoyed that you can’t catch me?]

She was displaying martial prowess beyond the power permitted to her. If struck even once by Praising Earth Sword Duke’s sword wind that seemed to condense countless earth-shaking sword winds, her entire body would be cruelly torn like Literary Star’s imperial examination papers at that instant.

That much.

Praising Earth Sword Duke was different.

The head seat of World Tree’s Four Great Dharma Protectors. Even though being toyed with by Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s dance-like movements at this moment, his expression was emotionless. Rather, as if imitating even Brahma Asura’s divine eye penetration, he merely stared across Shaolin’s walls while wielding Enter The Divine Sword in place without any footwork.

Whoosh…

The void distorted semi-transparently following all sword paths. The scene of space touched by the sword writhing like tree trunks.

[Oh my?]

Though a bewitching smile formed beneath Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s silver mask, her pure white hem didn’t enter the sword strike range even while dancing brilliantly. Every moment was a great evasion. As if wary of being sucked in bodily and then shattered.

Natural Sword.

‘If what we’ve analyzed in the Demon Realm to kill Desolate Fortress Lord is true…’

Little Heavenly Demon Invincible wouldn’t be able to endure long.

Could the world’s Ming Cult Leader really sacrifice even her lifespan to protect Divine Sword Group Leader? Literary Star inwardly shook his head. No, there was no way.

There was no way a mysterious person like Little Heavenly Demon Invincible would reveal her true martial power here. It was only a matter of when she would give up and descend the mountain.

Northern Emperor’s Six Star Lords were like this.

Completely ragtag. To properly use them, above all, Northern Emperor had to be firmly holding his position. It couldn’t help but be greatly regrettable even amid urgent circumstances.

‘Or to closest associates that even beings like Unorthodox Finest Sword and Ming Cult Leader could identify with Northern Emperor, Northern Emperor could delegate authority.’

Literary Star pondered. While spreading his energy sense wide across the seventy-two vast peaks below Shaolin.

The opponent’s thinking seemed different.

“With this level of military force moving, that place should have immediately fallen regardless of location.”

It was a voice from beneath Literary Star’s foot, but in a brief moment the source of the voice gradually rose higher. This was because Northern Darkness Fist Marquis was raising her body while keeping Literary Star’s foot on her head. A tremendous collision of forces. Literary Star’s foot and her head began trembling violently as if countless afterimages were overlapping.

Rumble, rumble…!

Cracks appeared here and there in the peak that had stood firm as diamond through Shaolin’s secret formation techniques. Their footing also began swaying unsteadily at the same time.

“Will it be alright?”

Literary Star asked calmly.

“You’re currently creating quite a humiliating appearance for yourself. There are many eyes watching too. From ridge to ridge…”

“Humiliation.”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis cut off his words.

Like all who had faced the foremost external power cultivator, her appearance showed burnt and torn sleeves and abdominal clothing, revealing bare muscle. Her hair was braided long so it could also be used as divine whip technique in emergencies.

At this moment, her eyes flashed like countless blue lightning bolts, but conversely her lips moved slowly.

“You don’t know true disgrace.”

Her voice was rough. A temperament like a black path scoundrel. She showed too distinct a personality to say she was unified with World Tree.

Literary Star showed interest.

“People with such inflated egos as you often form friendships with Northern Emperor. How about it? If you truly seek the infinite, it would be better to side with the current Divine Sword Group Leader rather than World Tree.”

“I despise Divine Sword Group Leader most.”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis, who had finally raised her body completely, said.

“……?”

Shock filled the eyes of noble clans and onlookers watching that scene from afar. This was because there was no change in Literary Star’s foot height. Northern Darkness Fist Marquis had risen while pressing the ground down, so her eye level was still lower than Literary Star’s foot.

“Divine Sword Group Leader’s grudges are truly well-deserved.”

Literary Star added as if he had no particular expectations. “It would be better if Enter The Divine Sword broke.”

Simultaneously.

That happened sequentially in an instant.

The presence of someone rising from deep within Shaolin’s grounds, and just that made the sky momentarily darken as if evening shadows had fallen.

A charge of soulless sword-body unity that suddenly began flying through the peak like an immensely giant sword without any human presence.

The scent of grass beginning to rise from underground as if responding to the evening shadows.

Fighting God’s roar bellowing thunder-like laughter while soaring as if immediately chasing that.

“……!”

Literary Star’s ears became muffled in an instant. The intense battle at Shaolin’s mountain gate also stopped momentarily. He filled his entire body’s meridians with his true technique Nine Pool Energy without any gaps and intuited.

‘It comes.’

Everything.