Chapter 723 – Great and Small Affairs (3)

Desolate Fortress Lord’s office.

Aside from the wide-open window area without even window frames, everything was made of marble.

To Jeong Yeon-shin, it was a place where his master seemed like she would forever lie diagonally. Using the tree branches that had penetrated into the room as a bed, while spreading the gentle fragrance of grass leaves.

Jeong Yeon-shin practiced internal energy breathing as if tracing his master’s traces, but what was sucked in with his shallow inhalation was completely different air.

Only thick ink fragrance.

Even the tree branches were nowhere to be found. Everywhere he looked were only white or yellowed papers. Not only on the marble desk, but also the scene of them piled densely like towers on the floor.

They were documents that had come up saying Desolate Fortress Lord should examine them. Said to contain the situation under heaven.

The pagoda forest of Shaolin he had seen before was only sacred and magnificent, but the paper layers of the office had an aspect that seemed to suffocate even a peerless master’s breathing. The paper smell that occasionally permeated like a lush forest was the same.

‘Paper Forest.’

[TL Note- Paper Forest is a wordplay on Murim which means Martial Forest.]

As he sat in the seat of the current world’s greatest faction leader, words flowed out naturally. It was toward Great Administrator Lim Jin-ming standing before him.

“…When my master was here, it didn’t seem like this.”

“It was an age of great peace.”

The corners of Lim Jin-ming’s mouth rose ambiguously. A smile that seemed to cover a refreshing feeling with solemnity.

“It was a time when the balance of power fell into place and major sects recklessly acting up were rare, so ordinary matters couldn’t even reach the previous lord’s presence. Most were handled at the level of the previous Yong family leader, and even slightly bigger matters I handled representing the lord’s full authority. Even that was work encompassing all under heaven.”

“Please continue doing so.”

“I became a super master by putting burden on my upper energy center from excessive work. If you don’t stop pondering with internal energy, the spirit at the Baihui acupoint naturally grows.”

“……?”

“The current lord will read documents well.”

Come to think of it, Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen his master working here.

“Do you hold resentment toward my master…?”

He asked while trailing off, but Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t receive an answer.

It was because Lim Jin-ming’s characteristically bushy beard had come down. His lips had suddenly become serious.

“Actually, regarding the documents that suddenly filled the office… the General Administration estimates Hao Sect bears great responsibility.”

“Hao Sect Leader entered under Fighting God’s command.”

“They’re conducting disruption tactics throughout the Central Plains. Unconfirmed information circulates as if it were serious fact. For example, all those are rumors the General Administration reviewed, but some circles accept them as truth.”

Lim Jin-ming pointed at papers scattered like trash under Jeong Yeon-shin’s desk and recited.

“Wandering Star is pursuing new marriage alliances as four wives are insufficient. Desolate Fortress was influenced by the Southern Emperor and imprisoned the Ming Emperor. World Tree is just a big tree, and hammering sounds are heard from inside. Lightning Genius was expelled because the Wei family’s martial god held romantic feelings rather than master-disciple affection for her disciple…”

He already knew because he had seen them. There were even more dismal contents.

Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

“Are there people who believe such stories?”

“Their capabilities are extraordinary. Hao Sect members have taken root in various identities in inns, marketplaces, wine houses, all manner of scenic spots, even in the estates of those who were high officials and the domains of martial forest nobles.”

Hao Sect.

It was called the lowest power in the world.

Therefore everyone trampled on their mouths and eyes. Making rumors into established facts was easy as pie. Even more so in chaotic times when messenger pigeons and information sources were increasingly scarce.

“Those who move most readily to such information are, paradoxically, the strong. For peerless masters who fly around, there’s nothing to restrain them. Before the chaotic times, the aftermath was the problem, but now Hao Sect is also one pillar of the four great powers under heaven.”

Chaotic Heaven Emperor Wei family’s martial god’s World Tree.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s Desolate Fortress.

Li Chuang’s Great Righteous Alliance, who suddenly proclaimed founding a nation.

And Fighting God.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t bother questioning why Hao Sect Leader was captivated by Fighting God. Because he recalled himself standing in the reed field of Southern Emperor.

Lim Jin-ming’s lips, which glanced at such Jeong Yeon-shin with a strange expression, moved.

“Such seemingly ridiculous rumors are… surprisingly like catapults on battlefields. Wandering Star’s support base is the birth families of the Four Great Wives, and Desolate Fortress loses righteousness the moment it turns its back on Ming Dynasty. In a similar context, there are many things that are big problems for the Unified Noble Clans. Then if the movements of the three places become entangled in fatal false information someday.”

“Fisherman’s profit.”

“Hao Sect Leader is probably aiming for the right time. Dispatching a couple military forces to South Zhili to catch Hao Sect Leader like catching mice is also worth considering…”

Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

“Won’t Wandering Star or the noble clans’ chieftain do that? I want to focus full effort on finding World Tree. No matter how fast the movements of the tree with legs, given that size, someday…”

“I’ll make it possible to discover quickly.”

When Lim Jin-ming answered with a satisfied smile, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly rose from his seat. It was because many matters were piled up enough to recall the northern battles. Seventh Apostle, who had been standing by his side like a ghost from some point, was mild in comparison.

She moved her lips.

“Done with work?”

Jeong Yeon-shin glancingly avoided the lips that seemed soaked in blood. Perhaps because he had been apart from her, they appeared particularly bright red. There could be no reason other than achievement in blood arts.

“Work is just beginning. If you’re bothersome at all, there’s the option of sending you to the thunder prison.”

“Don’t interfere either.”

“With what?”

“My steps.”

Rustle.

As she approached lightly, her long legs gently sank into Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow. Close enough that she could burrow in with Shadow Stealth Art at any time.

‘She calls me great master though.’

The conduct of being careful not to step on even the great master’s shadow was nowhere to be found. Come to think of it, it had been long since she has called me great master.

“Yeon-shin.”

“Speak.”

“I like it here.”

As if dipping feet in a river, Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow rippled around her calves. The small wiggling foot movements appeared absurdly joyful. Jeong Yeon-shin thought himself insane.

“…Think of nothing else and follow along.”

Seventh Apostle didn’t answer. She only raised the corners of her mouth slightly. That alone naturally made his mind scattered.

‘Star…’

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t bother observing how Lim Jin-ming’s expression changed.

Even when Desolate Fortress shook with a thud while leaving the lord’s office, and reports came in that Blood King Jeok Family’s Blood King had been intercepted by Yue Shou-lin’s thrown spear while illegally crossing the fortress walls.

Lim Jin-ming followed beside him and asked.

“What shall we do?”

“I was aware. Senior Blood King was bounced toward the vicinity of Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal. First give the Jeok family a guest hall and have them stay, then soon we’ll coordinate with the Elder Council and bring them in as a subordinate family.”

“I’ll assign a place with a roof. I’ll also handle the matter of Northern Dharma King’s visit that Radiant Demon Wing Leader Cheong Myeong reported. Then, about the former Divine Sword Vice-Leader…”

“I’ll speak to her.”

Yue Shou-lin, who had grown through bone transformation, had become a difficult person for Jeong Yeon-shin, like her matured voice. To the extent he hadn’t properly tried speaking to her yet. Because she appeared combative and taciturn like the incarnation of battlefield martial art Yue Family Spear.

‘I heard people around her started calling her by the courtesy name Dream Flight.’

Jeong Yeon-shin carefully sent out sound transmission. Toward the presence who caught like a painting and then grasped downward the spear that bounced after hitting Blood King, in the direction of Desolate Xiahou family’s estate.

– Senior Yue.

– Lord, speak.

– Could you come to Wish for Peace Sword Hall ? Along with the other Black rank seniors. If you could also inform Elder Council Lord Shin…

– I’ll bring him.

Three words from Jeong Yeon-shin were enough for Desolate Fortress’s core members, who had each been too busy spending time, to gather at Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

* * *

An eighteen-year-old Desolate Fortress Lord.

It was a story anyone would scoff at.

Only when that person was Jeong Yeon-shin was the case different. Three-plus years that felt like thirty years. Anyone in jianghu martial circles would empathize.

“Because Desolate Day Extinction is a peerless master of a hundred battles.”

Words he heard from Desolate Fortress Gentleman Ma Se-in, who got magnificently drunk at the inauguration ceremony. He wasn’t that pleased.

Now it was different.

Because he faced the most important matter currently under heaven.

‘System reorganization.’

Stone seats surrounding a huge marble round table. Each with grayish-white backrests exceeding an ordinary man’s height, filled only with familiar figures. Black ranks stationed in the fortress and Elder Council Lord Shin Byeok, even some Blue ranks unsuited to Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

Naturally, the largest seat of honor was Jeong Yeon-shin’s place.

“That what’s-it, I heard that fellow called the faded monarch and Sword Venerable are waiting together with Martial Dragon Alliance Leader. For the lord…”

A voice so cheerful it seemed ready to kill about one person with a smiling face. Dragon Treading Leader Wei Ji-zhi was looking at Lim Jin-ming standing beside the seat of honor.

Lim Jin-ming shook his head.

“The lord will handle it. Just publicly certify the immediate matters.”

“Let’s do so.”

“First is the pardon decree that came down by imperial command.”

“Pardon?”

“Zezhou, Lu’an Prefecture, Liaoshan, eight Blood Flame Sect branches in Shanxi Province. Zhangde Prefecture, Weihui Prefecture, Huaiqing Prefecture, five Blood Flame Sect branches in Henan Province. And six counties and twelve prefectures in Sichuan Province, the Thirteen Prefectures of Jiangxi Province, and Blood Flame Sect branches in all cities of Zhejiang Province that were clan-exterminated.”

“……?”

“Moreover, tracing back the story of one who challenged World Tree’s main trunk with inhuman tyrannical energy and was defeated, that is the actions of the so-called Seventh Apostle, Jeok family someone.”

A massive question arose in the hall, but Lim Jin-ming mutely moved his mouth.

“This is a matter of the nation, so there’s no time to calculate merit and demerit ledgers. Good karma is good karma, and bad karma is bad karma. And conscription in chaotic times is carried out regardless of good and evil, sin and karma. As long as she’s under Desolate Fortress Lord Lightning Genius’s command, Jeok family someone is a seat of Ming Dynasty’s military merit soldiers, and only I and Desolate Fortress Lord can question that crime.”

The pathological obsession of Emperor Longzheng, who had lived more than seventy years as crown prince. If it was something he could do himself, he would reach out without hesitation.

It was an edict targeting Hao Sect and Great Righteous Alliance. So that even when trying to tarnish the current Desolate Fortress Lord’s righteousness and legitimacy, they would be blocked by the wall called flawlessness.

The reaction was cold.

Not welcomed by anyone in the assembly, only Jeong Yeon-shin’s stone seat shadow dimly sloshed.

“There’s more.”

Lim Jin-ming turned the letter.

“Ming Emperor accepts Six Star Lord Literary Star’s surrender. The status of enemy nation’s great general should naturally be respected. The crime of infiltrating Ming Dynasty at thirteen years of age, passing the imperial examination, and lowering the Ming Imperial Family’s national dignity shall also be pardoned. The name he wrote himself that day is also recognized. Literary Star Li Chun-gap shall fulfill his duty as Desolate Fortress Lord’s strategist.”

It was the same case as Seventh Apostle.

Not accepting the imperial command was the same. Literary Star was staying shut in his quarters, and likewise the assembly showed no particular reaction.

Rather, the atmosphere was slightly colder than when hearing the imperial command about Seventh Apostle.

‘Something to endure.’

When Jeong Yeon-shin signaled to Lim Jin-ming, Lim Jin-ming nodded to serving woman Dan Jeong-jeong at the entrance. Dan Jeong-jeong, holding three sets of black long robes, placed them in the arms of three people.

To Hyeon Won-chang holding a treasured sword, Shin So-bin sitting cross-legged on a stone seat, and Baek Mi-ryeo who had collapsed in a posture unrestrained as a Heavenly Demon.

Bewitching Sword Demon Baek Mi-ryeo, who had embraced First Heavenly Demon, was still sunk in sleeping demons. A body appropriately gaunt enough to only appear healthy compared to her starving period. Heavenly Demon No Meridians was that strange.

Lim Jin-ming, who alternately looked at Namgung Hwa-shin sleeping while seated and her, shook his head.

“Blood Guardian Leader Hyeon Won-chang, Burning Abyss Leader Shin So-bin, Neither Stream Leader Baek Mi-ryeo. As it’s wartime promotion, we’ll substitute the test with achievements and martial prowess. Any objections?”

“None.”

Elder Council Lord Shin Byeok said.

The old man looking disapprovingly at Seventh Apostle hidden by Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow. He also had an air of waiting for something.

The greatest matter.

The position Jeong Yeon-shin had so earnestly desired.

“Two people have been nominated as candidates for Divine Sword Group Leader’s seat.”

Lim Jin-ming’s voice was calm, but contained the matter Jeong Yeon-shin had fiercely pondered. Because of the two people sitting side by side across from Jeong Yeon-shin at this moment.

Jin Myeong-jo with a stiff face as if feeling weighty responsibility as soon as he walked to Wish for Peace Sword Hall. Yue Shou-lin Dream Flight, who had now become difficult to read.

Different qualities of expressionlessness. Even if it was hard to discern the reason, it felt that way.

“May I offer a word to the lord?”

An aged voice. Again Elder Council Lord Shin Byeok. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded his head.

“I’ll listen.”

“There’s no question about the achievements and martial prowess of the two, but they are those who haven’t even ascended to Purple rank yet. Moreover, the position of Divine Sword Group Leader requires even more consideration and consensus than completely changing Divine Sword Group’s organization. Even the previous lord needed imperial approval…”

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly lowered his eyelids.

“I don’t need it. I’ve been delegated full authority.”

“I’d like to carefully submit that it’s not a matter to decide unilaterally. There is such weight in the name Divine Sword Group Leader. Of course, the lord would agree too.”

“It’s chaotic times. Have you perhaps seen the oral instructions of Radiant Arts Bond?”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

“…Have you, perhaps, already decided?”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded, and by then Dan Jeong-jeong was already struggling to bring a long iron case.

For a moment, Jeong Yeon-shin and Jin Myeong-jo’s eyes met. Originally Divine Sword Group Leader was a person who inevitably had to be closest to Desolate Fortress Lord. When Jeong Yeon-shin nodded, Jin Myeong-jo’s eyes sharpened like blades.

That trajectory.

It was a nation’s divine sword.