Chapter 746 – What Remained After Burning (7)

It wasn’t empty bluster.

They said a Shaolin monk devoted to enduring couldn’t be broken through even by Radiant Demon Wing’s elite masters or Diancang’s Sun-Piercing Swordsmen of equal caliber.

“Try blocking?”

It was Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s retort.

Her emotionless gaze swept over the old monk. Eye technique without luster. A gaze like valley water without a single fish.

The old monk turned his body.

Rustle.

World Tree’s peerless fist martial artist who had refined water energy and Shaolin’s abbot faced each other.

Zhuge Qing-ya standing nearby felt something had begun. Because suddenly space rippled like summer sunlight.

‘Exchange fight.’

They began measuring each other’s openings. Energy waves collided and intents tangled. In a short moment, who knew how many exchanges were shared in mental space.

That’s right. Mental space.

They hadn’t clashed yet. Then Zhuge Qing-ya had to stop this fight. It was Shaolin’s abbot who decisively resolved Dark Heaven Emperor’s Hangzhou Great Battle. The price that greatly diminished Monk Beom-heo was also high.

She had just heard rumors that Jeong Yeon-shin entered World Tree.

Monk Beom-heo mustn’t pass away. Zhuge Qing-ya dared to open her mouth.

“Abbot Master, please promise another day…!”

“Namo Avalokitesvara. Benefactor Zhuge has now removed the coffin of afflictions. In about twenty years, your late father’s name will be gone from the world.”

Good fortune.

Monk Beom-heo’s faintly smiling lips went that far, but there was no voice. Because the vicinity had been surrounded by silence at Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s single step.

All sounds were crushed.

Not only the art technique incantations Zhuge Qing-ya had been secretly whispering, but also the Lion’s Roar that Monk Beom-heo soon unleashed like a shout. The only clear resonance was Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s intent.

[Will you bring out the Fallen Sword?]

All around became humid, and the degree of dampness was excessive. As if the rainy season had suddenly returned.

[I won’t permit it.]

Her body became heavy. The energy sensation touching skin also dulled. Martial arts that were natural enemies of sensory acuity.

‘Mist Melancholy Martial Scripture…!’

Though it must have been created long ago, it became famous recently with World Tree demon immortals’ rapid progress. Along with rumors it was a rare divine art using water energy.

As Zhuge Qing-ya perceived, it was techniques premised on true energy emission like Mount Hua sword methods. The feeling of water energy’s unique dampness seeping into the atmosphere. The difference from Mount Hua martial learning that drew sword energy’s flower clusters was that water energy pushed the practitioner forward like currents.

While suppressing the opponent’s energy sensation and lightness skill.

Swoosh.

Beom-heo’s pant hem fluttered, and even to Zhuge Qing-ya’s eyes it was discernible. Meaning it was absurdly slow.

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis was already striking up with her palm under his chin. The moment the palm technique hit with a bang, space burned achromatic along her elbow.

Kurururururung!

Transparent shockwaves followed toward Beom-heo’s body that shot up as is. Like skipping stones across a lakeside. Then they struck Beom-heo and crushed empty air.

Simultaneously, instead of roaring, a Buddhist cry spread.

[Amitabha.]

Beom-heo somehow surrounded by soft yellow-green light. He was smiling in the air. A posture like a half-manifested Buddha.

Zhuge Qing-ya looking up at Beom-heo assessed that at least four of the Seventy-Two Arts were operating simultaneously. Protective strong energy Indra’s Dharma Robe, Vajra Immovable Body Method’s rebound force reduction, Muscle Changing Classic’s minute release force, Iron Shirt’s external cultivation enhancement.

The word vajra was right. No matter the opponent, his body seemed like it wouldn’t shatter. At least Zhuge Qing-ya felt so.

‘They say even just ‘learning’ three of the seventy-two makes a martial monk of different caliber….’

The sight of slowly landing on the ground.

Solemn. An atmosphere like a fighting war god Buddha. The feeling of pressing down a body diminished to nothing with only martial realm.

Something only possible for a transcendent of Buddhist martial arts. No old master of the same generation could do this.

[Benefactor’s techniques are too flashy. It should be a realm knowing restraint.]

[Restraint?]

Nevertheless Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s eyes were withered. Not looking down on the opponent. Just that her mind and body had long become jaded from some excessive stimulus.

[Even as Shaolin’s abbot, you couldn’t know the world of infinite accumulated energy. You will die without achieving Gate Severing.]

[Were you influenced by Benefactor Yong? To become so stubborn.]

[A body not whole. Only your mouth lives.]

For the first time, Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s intent carried even faint emotion. She seemed for a moment like a figure outside World Tree.

And once more.

She was treading before his face before Beom-heo could even react. Martial arts lowering the opponent’s sensory acuity while boosting her own movements. Immediately Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s hand and foot shadows left afterimages like water mist.

“……!”

Long limbs began driving into Beom-heo’s body in short trajectories. To Zhuge Qing-ya’s eyes, only the afterimages of those fist and leg techniques dimly appeared much later.

There was no roaring.

The wasteland was only eerily quiet. Proof that in ultra-close range, Mist Melancholy Martial Scripture’s water energy was swallowing even Beom-heo’s martial power waves.

One-sided battering.

After her gaze was sucked into those distant trajectories for a moment, Zhuge Qing-ya suddenly realized. That the vicinity had darkened.

It was after a scene like martial ultimate’s feast had stolen long time. She had literally been entranced. Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s onslaught pouring like the Yangtze’s currents, Shaolin abbot’s defense solid like diamond even while being swept.

[Amitabha, by now word should have arrived.]

[The Great Gate will soon move. Heaven-Punishing Asura, you lack the strength to chase it. Admit failure.]

[Do you truly think the Fallen Sword shouldn’t emerge?]

[It’s a matter of conquering all under heaven. The Fallen Sword is like an avatar of disorder. Not at all helpful in chaotic times.]

[Isn’t the benefactor in your right mind? World Tree’s earth energy must be finite from the start. Though far more vast than limits permitted to humans… I doubt the tree would have used energy to make your mind its own.]

Because Beom-heo hadn’t fallen, their fight also didn’t end. Only sunset was beginning to settle on the distant ridge.

Zhuge Qing-ya couldn’t help but worry about the future.

‘World Tree’s Four Great Protectors… They said Heaven-reaching Bow Count and Golden Thunder Viscount were also monsters.’

She had received urgent intelligence that combined attacks would be rare because each one’s martial learning was greatly different. High-grade information at Great Sect level.

Nevertheless, formidable military strength.

No sect could handle it. Even if many formed alliances, the same. Because they even engaged in regeneration like Blood Flame Sect nobles.

Kwang!

Suddenly an explosion burst. It was the first time in Mist Melancholy Martial Scripture’s ‘water energy exchange.’ In that moment, to Zhuge Qing-ya’s eyes that activated eye technique to the extreme, she saw two people each retreating one step.

Beom-heo’s sleeve moved like an arm and wiped blood from his lips.

Conversely Northern Darkness Fist Marquis lowered her long arms. A face peaceful like mirror-like water. Not the slightest sign of exhaustion. World Tree’s true energy supply seemed truly infinite.

‘…That woman’s body receiving it was like that from the start. A completed fist martial artist.’

It was when Zhuge Qing-ya was thinking. Suddenly Beom-heo’s mouth opened.

“I’ll ask.”

“Speak.”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s conduct changed. It could only be expressed as respect. Beom-heo who smiled faintly asked.

“You claim to follow great causes, yet why don’t you recreate Gate Severing? Did you try requesting teachings from Benefactor Jeong?”

“An unnecessary matter.”

“Why?”

“Gates have been manifesting throughout all under heaven since ancient times. This wasn’t limited to the Central Plains, and now their numbers are difficult to count. On the other hand, all under heaven’s peerless masters are only a handful, so catastrophe is inevitable.”

It was the moment all under heaven’s scope expanded beyond the Central Plains. When Zhuge Qing-ya who had been standing far off drew a sharp breath, Beom-heo’s questions continued like a striking bell.

“In other words, Gate Severing is a dog’s death? Since monsters and demons will swarm from everywhere under heaven, there’s no need to save the common people before one’s eyes?”

“For a while many cities would gain great comfort, but that’s all. The spirits who achieved Gate Severing deserve respect, but likewise that’s also as far as it goes. The strong must see greater order. Aren’t there only one or two recently like Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance who eat people or collapse propriety?”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s words draped in water mist like a cloak continued lowly.

“Accept providence’s currents. Jeong Yeon-shin also complied.”

“Namo Avalokitesvara. Even if I suddenly vomit thin gruel, take it in stride. Probably the Fasting Pill and grain tea I had for breakfast.”

“…For one who is Shaolin’s abbot to speak and act so.”

“That’s enough. World Tree’s common people have realized Emptiness. Everyone is truly Buddha.”

“What?”

“A compromiser’s words are hollow.”

Beyond their shoulders.

The long ridge became hazy. Because cracks suddenly formed. Simultaneously there was a horizon breaking away like a blade.

‘The Great Gate…?!’

On Zhuge Qing-ya’s face with wide eyes, a massive shadow fell.

A shadow of monsters and demons.

A scene of a flood dragon flying with jaws open from shattered space. Time seemed to slow. Teeth lined up like Sword Tree Hell’s blades were first. Above the cave-like long snout, pupils like Formless Swords were vertically fixed.

Distant.

Beyond the mortal world. The feeling of seeing first the scenery all under heaven would face. The flood dragon’s head fell behind Zhuge Qing-ya’s back.

Kuguugugugugugugung!

It plowed through the ground and was swept away as is. Huge furrows were dug, and earthquake-like tremors pierced underfoot. The body wasn’t connected.

The moment doubt formed on Zhuge Qing-ya’s face.

“You must have been startled. Sticking your head into the Great Gate then suddenly Shaolin’s Lion’s Roar.”

A man with his back to the cracked sunset. Shabby scholarly-style robe hem dragging in the dusty wind, glimpsing pink. Beom-heo smiled without even bothering to look back.

“I merely spared you fellows from emerging at remote gates like Mount Everest. Before this poor monk closes the Great Gate.”

“Huh?”

“Think about it. How ridiculous would it have been? Trudging through snow.”

“Hard to believe, but is Gate Severing trendy…? Where did the One Hundred Eight Arhats and Hell Deviation go, leaving only the Abbot Master?”

“I sent them to the final battlefield.”

Instantly, Zhuge Qing-ya felt her skin submerge in cold water. Because humid energy waves like the long rainy season surrounded the man. A situation where it was even hard to guess how dulled his energy sensation had become.

“Yong Hye-myeong…!”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis charged at him.

* * *

Vertical pupils flashed. Eyes flowing with beast-like yellow color. Though she approached right before Yong Hye-myeong, Northern Darkness Fist Marquis felt her own slowed martial power before even entering close-range hundred strikes.

Like a deer’s backstep entering a flood dragon’s jaws. An instinct carved into her later in life.

‘Move…!’

The circulation of Mist Melancholy Divine Energy that should have already repeated acceleration ten times. At this moment, no different from a dried riverbed rather than rapids. So she closed her eyes. Because she just needed to not see the blade-like vertical pupils.

Wuuung!

Even in an instant she felt it. That she immediately improved. Anyway Yong Hye-myeong’s Myriad Intent Dragon-Restraining Sword’s single striking blow was shallow. Because she had reviewed for long years, she was confident. That response would be possible even with closed eyes.

Rainbow-colored radiance also intruded through the dim vision then. A sword path falling vertically like his pupils. She deflected it with a hand moving much faster than that, but it wasn’t pushed back at all. Rather it settled down heavily.

“……!”

Zzzzzzzzzzzing!

It carved through the collarbone together with protective strong energy and ruthlessly descended to the chest. Unmistakably the Formless Sword. Though ultimately blocked by the internal energy barrier wrapping the ribs, Formless Sword Energy roared out and shattered her lungs to pieces.

Her lips parted.

Terrible agony rushed through her whole body.

But greater than that was the shock of defeat.

‘I misjudged.’

If she had designed fist and leg technique sequences after assuming short decisive battles….

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis lifted her eyelids. Immediately it appeared dimly. Yong Hye-myeong was gripping rainbow-colored light in the form of a single blade. That sword radiance was still brilliant.

“There are thousands like that.”

The direction his chin gestured. Toward the flood dragon’s head that flew first. Leisurely words followed.

“Must abandon long battles. When I’m even desperate to save my own life. Now short decisive battles are jianghu people’s ultimate destination.”

[To the end… such, conduct.]

It rang in Northern Darkness Fist Marquis’s mind. Because speaking with her mouth had become impossible. Even that unstably stuttering intent was the aftermath of being hit by Dragon Ring Sword.

Yong Hye-myeong shrugged his shoulders.

“Mist Melancholy Martial Scripture is a rather refined divine art unlike the main sect’s stuffy Heaven-Offering Martial Scripture, but if you cultivated it targeting my past self… Well, can only say you fell behind the times.”

[That’s precisely going backward. You Desolate Fortress people. Madmen only chasing ideals. Going against the irresistible Yangtze….]

“Is there river water not meeting resistance?”

At Yong Hye-myeong’s words spat out while fluttering his tattered pink silk garments, Northern Darkness Fist Marquis fell silent. While assessing Form Shifting Void’s arrival point. Retreat was unavoidable.

‘Beyond this… the regeneration ability mustn’t greatly use the main trunk’s energy.’

She chose the outermost among World Tree’s numerous branches. In fortress or citadel terms, the outer wall. The Fallen Sword was a difficult-to-predict figure. She had to assume the case of following Form Shifting Void like Jeong Yeon-shin. They were all nothing but madmen.

Simultaneously when Northern Darkness Fist Marquis was constructing protective strong energy’s force field inside her body, Yong Hye-myeong conversed casually with Beom-heo.

“So, did the Abbot Master deliberately come to commit suicide? Like Zhongnan Sword Immortal?”

“Please call it nirvana. Where is Tyrant Hero?”

“The inside is quite spacious.”

“Bring him out quickly.”

“I wonder? Lightning Genius’s opinion is curious. To witness the Abbot Master’s suicide….”

The conversation cut off. At least for Northern Darkness Fist Marquis.

Whoosh!

Vision changed.

Air soft and refreshing like spring bedding. A cluster of leaves swaying as if tickling the night sky. In one breath it was World Tree.

Cough.

Only then did she vomit blood and collapse.

She needed recuperation. Among the Four Great Protectors, only Golden Thunder Viscount actively used regeneration ability. Even then the main trunk’s branches were spaciously like ramparts, good for deploying Lying Cultivation. Circulating energy cultivation while lying down for recovery.

“……”

Northern Darkness Fist Marquis couldn’t lie down.

She turned her gaze.

On branches thick like flood dragon bodies, seventeen flags were planted. Hundreds of pairs of eyes’ radiance brightened the dim forest. A scene of distant brilliance flowing like currents.

‘Radiant Art Formation.’

Power massively overlapped with ultra-long-range protective nerve.

The Divine Sword Group had invaded.