Chapter 741 – What Remained After Burning (2)

Dali Kingdom’s royal palace.

Another inner palace assembly. This time the civil and military officials came to observe the Desolate Fortress visitors. That was only fitting for the Divine Sword Group Leader.

Ma Yeon-jeok didn’t kneel before the throne. He also didn’t unbind the Enter The Divine Sword at his waist. He merely casually raised both hands together.

To the Dali King who looked down at him with calm eyes.

“Desolate Fortress, Ma Yeon-jeok.”

It was as if he was treating a jianghu person.

Yet no one pointed out such an attitude from the Divine Sword Group Leader. That was how those who had pointed fingers at Dan Seong-eum conducted themselves.

They said the Enter The Divine Sword at Ma Yeon-jeok’s waist didn’t touch the ground. The rumor was it was the same even before Emperor Qian-ling who had solidified imperial authority with decades of reign. The excuse was that he was always kneeling because he was one with the common people.

Perhaps because of that.

“Welcome.”

Dan Seong-eum’s father king appeared calm even before such irreverent conduct.

“I’ve long admired the martial name Tyrant Hero, yet only today do we meet face-to-face. I didn’t know your bearing would be so magnificent. Indeed, only when people flourish does the nation rise.”

“I’ve heard much of Dali marble’s fame. The stone is truly beautiful as the name suggests.”

“…To see your vitality still bright at that age, truly light is light. The nation is very bright indeed.”

It was a strange conversation.

One side unilaterally matched the other’s mood.

The ministers said nothing. Though they had interfered with every action of the Dali King until now, they were excessively observant at this moment.

The atmosphere was different from usual. Invisible anxiety pervaded the hall.

“……”

The closed palace.

Humid wind brushed skin.

Dan Seong-eum felt his sideburns swaying faintly. It was energy wave tremors. Certainly flowing out from among the civil and military officials who had learned martial arts.

Though the boy still hadn’t opened his upper energy center, there was something he felt.

The upright Dali Kingdom officials.

Were reading the situation.

Just like Dan Seong-eum himself.

“……?”

Though he had heard of Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok’s notoriety, the Divine Sword Group Leader essentially protected common people. He wouldn’t rashly harm another nation’s royal family. Unless offended first.

‘But why?’

Then the father king’s question pierced the eerie silence.

“So, what brings you here? Bringing along a promising rising talent as well.”

“I’ve come to save lives.”

“Why such righteous words…?”

Though the father king questioned, Ma Yeon-jeok’s words only fell indifferently like the Enter The Divine Sword.

“Is it true you communicated with the north?”

“……”

The breeze in the hall dispersed.

The only thing moving was the disheveled boy rubbing his own eyes. Desolate Fortress guest warrior Yong Hye-myeong. With a face covered in soot like grime, and a rebellious impression like a beast’s cub.

“The Transformation Art oral instructions are easy… but why won’t this work as I want? Gramps, can I give up?”

“Your life? Pathetic fellow.”

“You said I could live meaningfully. If I hide my eyes, will meaning that didn’t exist appear?”

In the hall, only Yong Hye-myeong didn’t listen to Tyrant Hero’s words even halfheartedly.

Dan Seong-eum perceived. That boy who seemed to be the same age at a glance. His eyes didn’t contain Dan Seong-eum himself, nor the father king, nor various ministers.

‘Next world’s greatest sword.’

Perhaps eighteen?

The boy they said Tyrant Hero had picked up from some remote village one day. Close to his first time in jianghu. But his martial arts were already deep, so they said he might be able to discuss swords with Sitting Discussion Sword Hero Wan-hwi.

No different from Lu Xian.

A monster.

Compared to them, Dan Seong-eum was like the azure dragon sculpture in the middle of the royal palace. The Eastern Azure Dragon that must submit not only to Ming Dynasty but also to Ming Dynasty’s jianghu.

‘…Even so.’

He would have to first become proud toward Dali Kingdom.

He had no right to give up. He had to fulfill his responsibilities. As much as, or more than, the strength of a nation his father king had poured into him.

Meanwhile, the father king’s mouth who had been watching the Divine Sword Group old and young’s conversation opened slowly.

“The north… you mean Demon Realm jianghu? To stop by just to ask such a question. Tyrant Hero, aren’t you not Ming imperial family’s representative?”

“Am I right or wrong?”

Cutting to the chase. An indifferent tone.

The father king didn’t answer. Even if there really had been exchanges with the north, he could just deny it. But Dan Seong-eum soon realized on his own.

‘Lies aren’t permitted.’

The Divine Sword Group Leader’s upper energy center emitted insight that transcended even tribal limits. A world where martial clans with noble clan bloodlines paternally or maternally had come to act like gods. Tyrant Hero had trampled such families like snowflakes.

They said disaster upon disaster.

At the end of such submissions continuing was now. Ma Yeon-jeok’s lips moved like a lion.

“Yao tribe bastards eat people.”

“…I only heard rumors. Did you see directly?”

“It was Beijing’s outskirts. A northern king who had a human head in his mouth was trampled by me. He worried about other things more than his head about to be crushed. He jabbered about regretting what he himself had done. While wearing strange protective strong energy and even learning Chinese.”

“……?”

“If this battle becomes known, Bayagas will be disappointed… That was his last words. The Dali King must have heard that strange name too. ‘The north’s fighting demon’ or some such.”

“…Northern Rising First.”

The father king’s groan.

Ma Yeon-jeok sneered.

“What rising talent. Such words are only attached to even younger and more immature fellows.”

Thwack!

When he flicked his finger, a knuckle sound burst from Yong Hye-myeong’s forehead. The boy who had been standing carefreely naturally bent at the waist.

“Ah, seriously!”

“Slacking off again? You really haven’t grown up.”

“It’s been ages since I passed coming of age…”

“What can be done about your body not keeping up with your age? Looking at you now, you’ve only grown as much as your mind. You half-baked imugi, do you still intend to jabber nonsense that martial arts are learned by weak fellows?”

“Don’t hit me. Your back will hurt, gramps.”

Dan Seong-eum gazed at the two strange beings calmly. He didn’t envy their affection like Lu Xian or Yong Hye-myeong’s talents. He had nanny Lady So-hyang. Deeper, more wonderful affection.

That’s what raised affection was.

Rather, the problem was the officials’ atmosphere that had grown serious. The father king couldn’t hide his expression either. Naturally it must have caught Ma Yeon-jeok’s eye.

“Your Majesty, speak.”

“…I did converse with the north. Ming imperial family’s tribute demands became excessive, so I wondered if Ming Dynasty intended to drain this nation. I didn’t intend to receive great things. Just a formation that accomplishes true energy supply with towers of useless corpses, for my son, our prince, Dan Seong-eum…”

“The price?”

“A long detour attack route penetrating Shaanxi.”

Was it because he couldn’t withstand the transcendent pressure? The father king had admitted it. That Ming Dynasty’s vassal state had communicated with Demon Realm.

Before Tyrant Hero’s face.

“What, how…!”

“Your Majesty!”

The ministers showed greatly flustered expressions. The hall stirred.

Dan Seong-eum was also hearing this story for the first time. He couldn’t understand at all. Were the tributes paid to Ming imperial family really excessive?

No.

Emperor Qian-ling was preparing for famine. That much was fact. But it wasn’t to the extent of dealing with Dali Kingdom’s wealth. There would have been no problem if only the father king hadn’t massively purchased Azure Stone Oil recently.

‘In the end…!’

Round and round, it was Nation Devourer.

Step.

Dan Seong-eum stepped back. He moved without knowing it himself, and his eyes met Yong Hye-myeong’s as if by chance. Vertically sharpened pupils. Suddenly vertigo came. As if he were Ming Dynasty’s sword.

“……!”

Was it demon possession even briefly? He felt as if exposed to blade energy difficult to handle.

It was the gaze of a genius scattering powerful spirituality in all directions. The nation’s trash had no choice but to find it difficult to handle. At this moment, Nation Devourer with the lowest martial arts in Dali Kingdom’s inner palace. Nation Devourer who ultimately tilted the nation’s fortune, yet receiving the father king’s favor…

His vision blurred, and thoughts in his mind became muddled. The feeling of dreaming while standing. Various voices swept through his mind.

“That guy’s eyes are weird?”

Yong Hye-myeong’s muttering was the beginning. In the conversation between the father king and Ma Yeon-jeok that soon followed, only Ma Yeon-jeok’s voices were heard clearly. As if he alone existed under heaven.

“Though the self-proclaimed Southern Emperor tries to maintain dignity, jianghu is vast. More than half are fellows who can’t quite be controlled.”

“When borders are breached, common people are prey.”

“Emperor… no, Qian-ling has no human blood flowing in him. He’s a superman who cut off power-hungry relatives without caring at all for the Grand Empress Dowager’s opinion. The current reign was created that way. Excising Dali Kingdom would be easy.”

“I’m getting sick of this. Politicians do politics among yourselves. Do you intend to kill even Dali Kingdom’s common people with petty greed? Do you want to die by my hand?”

“This one’s offspring? Not for the likes of you to worry about. Anyway, my daughter…”

It felt like being swept up in a storm. The overwhelming atmosphere was like that. Close to unable to resist.

The blazing atmosphere subsided after a report entered the inner palace. Content that Diancang Sect Leader, Sword Empress Jin Xian-xian had entered the capital.

Since Diancang was the sword demons’ sect based in Dali Kingdom’s Cang Mountain. Sword Empress was a figure revered as Dali Kingdom’s current guardian deity. Whether she wanted it or not.

“That woman?”

Tyrant Hero who asked back blankly continued his words like a notification.

“I’ll be going now, but you’d better hope I come again. If the emperor finds out someday, the lord will visit first. So all matters are covered by only your deaths…”

Tap.

Dan Seong-eum woke at the hand that touched his shoulder.

‘Demon Sword Yong Hye-myeong…!’

The beast-like youth was making a pitying expression. It was a very close distance. He was a head taller than Dan Seong-eum.

“Having even a father like that is better.”

“I…”

“Your energy seems weak? This is my elixir, you eat it.”

A strange sensation was placed in Dan Seong-eum’s hand. Yong Hye-myeong’s quick hands. He only felt it after the move was finished. He wasn’t a match from the start.

“Don’t enter jianghu.”

Yong Hye-myeong left like that with Ma Yeon-jeok.

“……”

The palace became quiet. All that remained was the mouse corpse pressed into Dan Seong-eum’s hand.

* * *

“I almost struck that boy. Thinking it was a mouse carrying poison or something… He skillfully walked avoiding me.”

Unlike during Mount Hua Sect Leader’s visit, Many Affections Sword Lady So-hyang was in the inner palace. Because the father king had summoned her as soon as he heard news of Tyrant Hero’s visit.

“…If Tyrant Hero comes again.”

Dan Seong-eum asked while sitting cross-legged on the bed.

“Will nanny be enough?”

Lady So-hyang who had been combing his hair shook her head.

“We could only see a chance of victory by combining attacks with the general. Even that assuming one of the two survives Tyrant Hero’s preemptive strike.”

“Hadn’t he declined?”

“It was certain he was in a state where Three Flower Gathering at Crown should properly break. It seems he’s now holding on with terrifying senses. His body is the same. His innate bone structure’s robustness is, truly like diamond…”

Lady So-hyang didn’t bother continuing. Dan Seong-eum was also satisfied with that. Because he thought of it for the first time in his short life. The only thing only he himself could do.

“I must stop him.”

“Your Majesty? It’s about time for that. His wits have been greatly scattered.”

He had crossed the line.

It would be the common opinion of ministers. Touching the peaceful era Emperor Qian-ling had obsessively achieved over decades. Like beheading common people before Shaolin’s Heaven-Punishing Asura.

But Dan Seong-eum couldn’t remonstrate to the father king. Because some ministers blocked him. Those who rarely pitied Dan Seong-eum.

“Prince, please don’t speak.”

“Even the only legitimate eldest son mustn’t lose His Majesty’s favor. We will accomplish this matter.”

The ministers couldn’t accomplish it. Occasionally the father king’s roars burst from the royal palace’s inner hall. Saying he would confine them with Dan Family Time Moon Method.

For a fortnight like that.

[Southern Emperor.]

Suddenly all directions darkened, and all the palace’s rare plants and flowers bowed their heads like reeds. The voice that spread in four syllables seeped into the darkness.

The deepest place.

It was intent that rang from the Dali King’s quarters.

But Dan Seong-eum couldn’t run to the father king. Because outside his room, Lady So-hyang was confronting someone. It was hard to believe. Who would challenge a peerless master like nanny…?

“Just witness briefly.”

“Who would yield a child like a son to heaven’s Northern Blade?”

“The Life Record is a great matter. I know the power poured into Dali Dan Family’s Dan Seong-eum. It could be said a nation’s Transcendent Martial Art has seeped in.”

“……”

“A candidate who should properly be judged.”

The wall burst through with a bang. Nanny’s wrathful groan also flowed out. Hard to believe. The one capable of brushing aside Many Affections Sword Lady So-hyang at close range… in Dali Kingdom, there was only the military’s general.

Step.

A giant entered.

White smoke swirled in Dali marble dust, and just seeing the shadow, one could tell he was Yao tribe. His build was even larger than the current Divine Sword Group Leader.

He who looked down at Dan Seong-eum said.

“Heaven’s trash.”

Soon he disappeared again in retreating steps as if rewinding the steps he came. Retreating footwork like rewinding time. It was simultaneous that nanny Lady So-hyang embraced Dan Seong-eum in the blink of an eye.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

“Southern Emperor and Northern Blade came.”

Dan Seong-eum muttered.

Combining Southern Emperor and Northern Blade, that symbolism equaled and exceeded Emperor Qian-ling. Yet Southern Emperor went to the father king, Northern Blade to himself.

Each didn’t match their positions. It meant what they intended to give was that great.

‘…Father.’

Was it because of the pressure of ruining the nation through his son? The father king had fallen to demon possession, and ultimately even drew in the disaster called Southern Emperor and Northern Blade.

The prince devours the nation.

The words of various ministers and idle gossips were right.

Emperor Qian-ling would come. Leading the Four Direction Generals and Imperial Three Great Masters who were said to be formidable for generations.

* * *

When day broke, many ministers had left the palace on their own. The father king said again. Things to confine with Dan Family Time Moon Method. Naturally Dali Kingdom’s royal family collapsed like a jianghu sect.

The winter when various powerful figures came and went like storms.

After a few days?

The last thing that descended on the Dali marble azure dragon sculpture was soft moonlight. And the royal palace disappeared like a mirage. Leaving behind the general’s battle cries that rang about a dozen times like hallucinations, and the blood of royal masters that seemed swept up with brush strokes.

“True Heavenly Demon, Dark Kingdom Toppler…!”

It was the last words of one of them.

“……”

Dan Seong-eum sat collapsed in the middle of ruins. Together with the warmth of Lady So-hyang who had embraced him and fainted. At this moment, even though before the woman made of moonlight, he couldn’t escape.

Saaaaaa…

At the end of hair fluttering long in color he couldn’t tell was green or pale green, Desolate Fortress Lord spoke.

“Now war won’t occur. Only I bear the shame.”

At least Dali Kingdom’s royal family was formidable. Because the world’s greatest person had drawn then sheathed her sword.

Her gaze swept past Lady So-hyang. An old woman embracing a child. For a moment Dan Seong-eum thought a different old person brushed past Desolate Fortress Lord’s pupils.

Her lips moved.

“…Come to take revenge.”

With a martial god’s bearing, she spoke like a human.

And disappeared.

“Seong-eum, Seong-eum.”

“Your Majesty…!”

As soon as Desolate Fortress Lord’s bare feet disappeared, the revealed father king. Lying in a pool of blood, his breathing was rough. Desolate Fortress Lord who showed strange mercy seemed to have cleared a few breaths of life. The father king only turned his head to look at Dan Seong-eum.

The king’s mouth who at least hadn’t lost his child opened.

“You, only you…”

“Please speak. This son is listening.”

“If only you weren’t here.”

“……?”

“If my child weren’t you.”

The feeling of soul and spirit disappearing. He must cut off those words. But there’s no way. Where is a child who doesn’t attend a parent’s deathbed?

Even so, he should have fled.

Suddenly Revered Teacher Gong came to mind. His resentment-filled touch. The great technique ultimately engraved in acupoints.

Whoosh!

His vision blurred. Dan Seong-eum realized in an instant. If he buried his consciousness in time with nothing for a few years, his upper energy center spirit might bloom. That the spirit that made eternity a refuge was the only sword given to himself.

‘Fortunate.’

It was the first Dan Family Time Moon Method.

He was confined.