Chapter 742 – What Remained After Burning (3)

—So you intend to kill Wei Gun-hye. Seeing directly, it’s certainly not a killing intent that can be forgotten. Huhu, this is why half-hearted mercy is worse than none.

That day.

Many survived. Attendants, servants, guests, and the ministers’ family members. The moonlight’s sword descended avoiding common people.

—Ah. Hey, can you hear me? Ming Cult’s martial learning isn’t a calligraphy collection. This should be enough.

The ruined palace.

White wind blew from the remains of Dali marble.

—Only an instant passed outside, but my mind wasn’t like that. I have to keep checking what happened to my younger brother. How about coming out now?

Dan Seong-eum lifted his eyelids. Literally the feeling of using eye muscles. Everything approached as unfamiliar sensations.

“……”

On the other hand, his father king’s eyes were closed. Though only an instant had passed outside. The last Dali King’s will had already been concluded.

He had disowned his son.

Thanks to that, from now on, Dan Seong-eum would be able to use Dan Family Time Moon Method like martial arts. Without any particular inner demons.

He opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Nanny.”

Instantly the warmth embracing Dan Seong-eum disappeared. Because somehow Lady So-hyang had shot up like lightning. A peerless master’s movements were still difficult to sense.

“True Heavenly Demon! True Heavenly Demon Desolate Fortress Lord…!”

Her temperament had sharpened. Soon even energy waves exploded tyrannically with a bang. Dan Seong-eum’s intuition followed of course. He wasn’t the only one who had spent long years.

‘So that’s why she suddenly fainted.’

Despair was the opponent. Many Affections Sword Lady So-hyang couldn’t see a chance of victory. Thus she made the same decision as Dan Seong-eum.

Dan Family Time Moon Method, on herself.

A training method abandoned even though many Dali Kingdom masters had attempted it. Lady So-hyang, after enduring such a long time, had her upper energy center spirit prevail.

“Come out, you thing I’ll tear to death! No one shall harm the prince! Did you hide in the wind! Receive this sword!”

She paid the price.

Dan Seong-eum silently looked up at Lady So-hyang amidst the stillness created by corpses.

Nanny was no longer affectionate.

* * *

It wouldn’t take long. Until Emperor Qian-ling made Dali Kingdom’s lands into Ming Dynasty’s Yunnan Province. They said it was a name that had been discussed long ago anyway.

Before escaping the capital.

Dan Seong-eum collected the Azure Dragon flag from the outer palace’s ruins. A banner with a large azure dragon drawn on it. Evidence of submission toward the east. Around then, nanny Lady So-hyang who had regained some sanity asked.

“Why that…?”

“A signpost.”

Time was an eternal liar.

It deceived anyone.

Much would be forgotten and dulled. Even more so for practitioners of Dan Family Time Moon Method.

“A flag’s original purpose. I need a signpost to remind me.”

That his goal was killing the world’s greatest person.

Dan Seong-eum became a vagrant.

Together with nanny. The destination was also decided. Any sect that possessed sword methods fitting himself and nanny was fine.

‘Diancang won’t work.’

Sword Empress Jin Xian-xian was excessively upright. A master of orthodox martial arts who activated Rejuvenation like techniques. Though he didn’t know the exact reason, even Divine Sword Group Leader Tyrant Hero avoided her according to rumors.

Diancang Sect’s Sun-Piercing Sword Method, which precisely focused sensation to a single point, was also overwhelming for nation’s trash Dan Seong-eum.

He walked to Shaanxi.

Lands where formidable sword sects existed. Closest to Dali Kingdom. The principle of hiding under the light.

Lady So-hyang said Tyrant Sword Sect would be better.

“Zhongnan’s sword is too empty, and Mount Hua’s sword is too complex. At least those two places definitely don’t suit the prince.”

“I see.”

“Immortals who only like good things… No one will take the prince into their sect anyway.”

“Mount Hua is worth visiting. They might hide me.”

“Hide? Why hide? The prince is an upright person. This nanny will protect you, so don’t hide. You did nothing wrong.”

“Nanny?”

“Those beasts! I must kill those beasts for you to live!”

Lady So-hyang had developed madness.

Perhaps because she had already lived long years. Or it might be because she was exposed to True Heavenly Demon Wei Gun-hye’s sword energy.

Dan Family Time Moon Method’s backlash came periodically. Each time Lady So-hyang would fly somewhere riding her sword with Sword Flight. And the pattern repeated of only finding Dan Seong-eum after several days passed.

“Prince, I’m sorry. I’m sorry….”

Dan Seong-eum had to take out royal items.

He applied Dali Dan Family’s Tracking Fragrance. Not to Lady So-hyang but to Dan Seong-eum himself. So that nanny could find him anytime.

Traveling alone, essentially.

It was so even until reaching Shaanxi’s Qinling mountain range. First he passed Mount Zhongnan. Encountering Zhongnan Sect’s immortal was inevitable.

Zhongnan Grand Elder. Oak Sword Yeo Il-shin.

“You are…?”

Because she was a noble clan, facial beauty was nothing. Dazzling blonde hair was the same. Only her clear eyes captured attention.

A figure whose mental and physical cultivation could be felt to be refined. Though he already knew she didn’t suit him, boy Dan Seong-eum asked.

“Could I cut moonlight with Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven?”

“I don’t know that.”

Oak Sword Yeo Il-shin. The noble clan’s pupils rippled with luster. She spoke calmly.

“But together with fellow disciples, you could make moon halos bathwater. Because Zhongnan doesn’t discriminate among people.”

“The moon halo I saw….”

Dan Seong-eum briefly stopped his exhalation. Because Yeo Il-shin’s words were unexpected. The impulse to give up everything and climb Mount Zhongnan was an inner demon. He had to recall the Azure Dragon flag in his travel bag.

“…didn’t contain people.”

“That’s regrettable.”

Yeo Il-shin handed over the bamboo hat slung on her back.

The brim was wide. Enough to be perfect for hiding one’s face.

“Mount Zhongnan’s shade is wider.”

Dan Seong-eum received and wore the bamboo hat. And courteously clasped his hands. Yeo Il-shin smiled.

“My son… Zhongnan’s sect leader likes taciturn people like you. As long as you don’t walk wrongly, even if you don’t accomplish great merit, you can share a cup of tea. Come anytime.”

“I will definitely visit once.”

Dan Seong-eum realized. That Dali Dan Family’s internal energy had been read. That’s why she gave the bamboo hat.

It was the catalyst for deciding to remain in Shaanxi.

These people were soft.

Different from not only Dali Kingdom’s royal family but also Ming Dynasty’s imperial family. Perfect for building strength.

* * *

Next was Mount Hua.

They said some connections start like pure coincidences. And conclude like inevitabilities.

Lu Xian was so.

“Oh!”

A steeply rising peak. Where plum blossoms couldn’t be found at all, she was there like a flower. The sight of pointing at Dan Seong-eum.

“Hey, you’re alive!”

Was it that he wasn’t a prince anymore?

Dan Seong-eum made a serious face. Because he had almost smiled.

Even such faint lip corner movement couldn’t escape the girl’s eye technique. The genius’s face that had been slightly stiff bloomed brightly.

‘…Until nanny comes.’

If he camped outdoors, nearby would be good. That was his thought. But Dan Seong-eum soon changed his mind.

“You have nowhere to go?”

“Even Beggar Sect’s beggars would have better fortune.”

“My master is aging. His martial power doesn’t seem as strong as before.”

“He has lived long though. I’m a late last disciple. But my senior brothers and sisters say I should be the next sect leader. They say they should enter the Gate.”

“Oh, right. There was a great incident. They say Sitting Discussion Sword Hero sent a martial challenge letter to master. The adults doubted its authenticity.”

Stories poured out in half a day.

Dan Seong-eum organized his belongings, but couldn’t leave for several days. Because nanny Lady So-hyang’s return was delayed.

‘I mustn’t go farther away.’

Tracking Fragrance had limits. If at least one person held position, he wouldn’t lose nanny forever.

Below Mount Hua’s Lotus Flower Peak.

A cave existed bending into the cliff.

He learned of it through Lu Xian’s guidance. Dan Seong-eum made it his dwelling of course. He stayed much longer than originally intended.

Time passed.

“When will your nanny come?”

“I don’t know.”

“There’s a quite large guest hall in the main sect. How about staying there? I have some influence.”

“Your sect could suffer disaster.”

“I’ll bring blankets and Fasting Pills. Especially there are many Fasting Pills Wudang’s sect leader Taoist scattered. We were troubled about disposal.”

“The previous Taoist Xuan-gong? You mean the current world’s greatest sword?”

“Yeah, he’s been a bit strange lately.”

They naturally formed friendship. When those who were excessively unfamiliar coincidentally became close, they could become childhood friends. There were also inner feelings they could easily open up about because they belonged to different places.

“Could I cut the moon with Plum Blossom Sword?”

“Uh, hmm.”

“You think it won’t work with my aptitude.”

“I’ll try.”

She was an overwhelming genius, but not to the extent of cutting moonlight with sword strikes. She just rummaged through Dan Seong-eum’s luggage then performed a deceptive sword dance with the Azure Dragon flag. Precisely sword dance where her Sword Fragrance gradually deeply permeated because she put in desperate effort.

Each time the azure dragon flag fluttered hiding the moon halo, the moon’s shape also changed. From crescent moon to full moon, then crescent moon leaning to the opposite side again… Many moons were imprinted on the flag.

“Can’t see it? Can’t see it?”

Around then.

Dan Seong-eum’s upper energy center spirit amplified martial power. It was the result of continuously contemplating Lu Xian’s sword dance within Dan Family Time Moon Method’s mental image.

Lu Xian’s one day was ten days to him.

Even that couldn’t keep up with the speed Lu Xian’s sword dance became profound. Moonlight occasionally began rippling on the flag she wielded.

After endlessly extending a day, he was told he had corpse eyes. It was scolding for repeatedly pulling him up when he almost committed suicide unable to endure.

“I can’t come for a while. The Dragon Phoenix Assembly is soon.”

“……”

“Want to come? Huaiyin County is right nearby.”

He met Central Plains’ rising talents.

Only those already with deep martial arts. Brilliant Sword Dragon Murong Jung-nak, Small Crouching Dragon Zhuge Tian-shang, even Fist Joy Yan Hwa-lyeon.

The leader was a Taoist who had long passed middle age by the current era, Wudang’s Great Sword Taoist.

“Though Dragon Phoenix Assembly isn’t a place that discriminates in making friends, your human skin mask is very suspicious. May this poor Taoist remove it?”

“No? Because he’s an ugly friend.”

“Heavenly Dragon Lu Xian.”

“Because he’s a friend with severe burns.”

“…Only because it’s you am I overlooking this.”

He broadened his experience under Lu Xian’s protection. He also experienced all kinds of presences.

And competing in martial contests, he tumbled repeatedly. Mainly there was Murong Jung-nak’s contempt and Zhuge Tian-shang’s awkward laughter.

“I expected much because he’s Lu Xian’s friend, but he’s no help. I should have gone to Beijing instead… If the exam failure Li Chun-gap is that fellow I know, this is definitely time wasted.”

“Don’t say that. He’s a friend who’s different each day.”

“Brother Zhuge, I know you’re gradually wanting to leave. Someone who can’t endure a single day without his wife and son.”

Then the human skin mask tore. It was Murong Jung-nak’s sword energy. Girls the same age began taking interest in Dan Seong-eum, and Dan Seong-eum returned to Lotus Flower Peak with Lu Xian.

“You should have wrapped protective strong energy.”

“Then I was absorbed in Fish Leaping Sword.”

“You should be able to do both simultaneously. Right now it’s like swinging swords naked.”

“I’ll get naked and stronger.”

That day.

A vagrant attacked. Seemed to aim for a windfall.

The fellow tried to cut Dan Seong-eum’s neck from behind, but exploded from Death Sky Mirror’s rotating sword technique. A body and energy completed with national power from the start. Only geniuses’ senses could toy with Dan Seong-eum.

‘…That torn human skin mask then.’

Many confirmed Dan Seong-eum’s survival in Yunnan lands. Dali Kingdom royal family’s members who lost family because of his father king. A wanted poster with his appearance was drawn through their collaboration with Ming imperial family.

And Dragon Phoenix Assembly was bound to attract many spectators. It was impossible that not even one person recognized Dan Seong-eum.

“I must go. Tell those who interrogate you the truth. That Dali Kingdom’s prince begged from you… If it’s difficult, I’ll spread the rumor.”

“Where will you go?”

Zhongnan briefly flashed through his mind, but Dan Seong-eum inwardly shook his head. It was impossible for Nine Sects to oppose Ming imperial family.

“Tyrant Sword Sect. I can’t afford distant places. I also have to wait for nanny.”

“…You’ll end up fighting me.”

“Even better.”

Dan Seong-eum faintly raised his lip corners. It was the first time since his father king died.

“I’ll use you as a touchstone.”

“You might lose affection. Tyrant Sword Sect’s sword demons often kill even Mount Hua disciples. My senior brother recently too….”

He turned his back on Lu Xian.

It was also like fleeing.

‘It’s a predetermined matter.’

He felt that the deeper the Sword Fragrance on the Azure Dragon flag, the thinner its utility as a signpost. Same as when Yeo Il-shin recommended traveling to Zhongnan.

He killed many people.

A conspicuous departure. He dropped the Azure Dragon flag of course, and even lost his travel bag. Nevertheless, he was somehow at Tyrant Sword Sect’s main tower.

One person was waiting for Dan Seong-eum.

A gaunt old swordsman without dignity. He fluttered thin black robes like night’s hem.

‘…Sword Night Shangguan Huang.’

The current Tyrant Sword Sect Master. Long ago he killed the previous Wudang sect leader, and was pursued by Sword Star Hyeon So-baek. Now a has-been before decline.

“I watched your path here. Aptitude and achievement are at odds.”

“Could I cut moonlight with this place’s sword methods?”

“An easy matter.”

Tyrant Sword Sect Master spread his arms wide.

“If you behead your master, isn’t that cutting heaven? I will be before your eyes.”

“…Good.”

It was then.

—That’s enough. Stop moving so arbitrarily.

Some woman’s rebuke.

Whooosh!

Vision distorted dizzily. Sensation crumbled like a dream simultaneously. Then time began flowing rapidly. A feeling close to the exact opposite of Dan Family Time Moon Method.

All kinds of scenes advanced and vanished.

Tyrant Sword Sect of Thirteen Evil Sects, returned nanny, repetitive days, Lu Xian who lost her master, sword with tear stains, sword that cut master, Divine Sword Group’s Resonance Spirit Leader, Northern Blade who came again, the hat-wearing female commander by his side….

Training repeated. If ten days weren’t enough then one year, if one year wasn’t enough then ten years, fifty years, ultimately sometimes swelling to a hundred years.

The next moment.

Step.

His foot was stepping on rich soil.

Fertile land. A magnificent hall was also visible. With “Jeong Family Estate” written on the plaque.

“……”

A familiar moment.

This day.

Dan Seong-eum created another Dan Seong-eum.

His name was Jeong Yeon-shin.

* * *

Puhwak!

Blood splattered on the go board. Because a black stone had lodged in Dan Seong-eum’s forehead. Across from him, Ming Cult Leader Yelu Zhen was flicking her finger. A silver mask gaudily glittering in sunlight.

Her question was brief.

“Are you conscious?”

Dan Seong-eum nodded faintly.

“I’m indebted.”

“I thought you’d lost your voice. Just how dull can you be.”

Contrary to those words, Yelu Zhen was clenching and opening not her throat but her head. Dark blue veins appeared and disappeared on her white hand backs.

Dan Seong-eum slowly grasped his sword sheath.

“Is Form Shifting Void possible?”

“Shall we discuss the lifespan used to awaken you?”

“Then there’s no business.”

He rose from his seat. While planting the long Silent Merit Sword in the ground like a staff. Yelu Zhen looked up at him steadily.

Her lips moved.

“What will you do?”

“Kill Wei Gun-hye.”

“The foolish noble clans even provided justification. I won’t stop you. Do well.”

There was no answer.

Silent Merit Sword only rose by itself.

Wuuuuung…

Dan Seong-eum elegantly stepped on the blade like nanny Lady So-hyang. The sword rising buoyantly with Sword Flight. Instantly Dan Seong-eum glanced over his shoulder.

It was above the sword hilt.

Yelu Zhen stood upright like a crane with arms crossed.

She said.

“Let’s go.”

The vastly spread sky.

For a few absolute beings, no matter the distance it was the same space. Only time was the problem.

World Tree was the same.

Below the clouds where light streaks that had begun rushing from all directions at this moment would ultimately arrive crossing tremendous distances.

“……”

Enter The Extinction Sword Master Wei Gun-hye was awakening, and falling tree leaves had stopped.