Chapter 802 – Side Story – By Reattaching the Torn Answer

The Ming Emperor.

The continent’s foremost person.

Strength must befit the throne. As long as martial arts exist. That is the proper condition for one bearing the imperial seal.

Those who couldn’t were swept into history books through all sorts of bizarre assassinations.

Conversely, some names remained like reefs. The most complete person Jeong Yeon-shin knew, Emperor Qian-ling. Though debatable, many connoisseurs still evaluate him thus.

Without even raising energy waves, countless high officials submitted themselves. There was no reason to release mysterious Return to Origin.

‘Unless in extreme combat stance.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

Whoosh!

Emperor Qian-ling’s imposing presence encompassed the Forbidden City. Emperors were called Sons of Heaven. Literally a heaven-like presence enveloping even Beijing.

The massive dragon robe seemed to defensively embrace the city. A precursor to Transcendent Martial Art? Intent to protect leaked out.

He was wary of Jeong Yeon-shin.

Step.

Footsteps. Ancient feeling like treading palace grounds. Though within white clouds above, gradually approaching.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently turned around.

About a hundred steps ahead.

Shadowy forms stained the cloudy mist. Human shape. Sleeves wider than any garment, beaded curtain hanging to the forehead below the ceremonial crown, high-rising ears.

“You didn’t come for me.”

Emperor Qian-ling’s voice. Naturally he’d manifested himself. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Are you worried about that child?”

Emperor Qian-ling’s gesture pointed earthward. Jeong Yeon-shin also lowered his gaze.

The examination hall where the metropolitan examination had unfolded.

Boom!

Literary Star had leaped.

Having instantly jumped over the examination hall’s walls, he passed palaces standing throughout the city one by one under his feet. His temples beading with moisture, his back turned to torn examination papers for a long while. Could those be tears?

‘I can’t tease him about that.’

Literary Star might request arm wrestling.

That being rather troublesome, Jeong Yeon-shin gave up on witnessing the spectacle. Better to get heart demons playing go with Yong Hye-myeong. At least that would be less harmful to the body.

Then Emperor Qian-ling’s voice rang out.

“That Demon Realm Child.”

Jeong Yeon-shin raised his eyes. Clouds reflected in Emperor Qian-ling’s transparent gaze. Face carefully observing Jeong Yeon-shin as if he were this rainy season’s typhoon.

“He will live anyway. That is my intention.”

Emperor Qian-ling said.

Feeling like discussing something very natural. Jeong Yeon-shin had to ask back.

“…Don’t you see him as material to become a great enemy in the future?”

“As you well know, masters who’ve cultivated the upper dantian read the future. Beyond discerning opponents’ techniques, sometimes going further without particular reason.”

“Ah.”

“Rarely, very far ahead.”

Meaning upper dantian foresight.

Strange tone. Manner suggesting Jeong Yeon-shin would have experienced it often. Even an ambiguous atmosphere as if Jeong Yeon-shin seemed both unfamiliar and not.

Different from Desolate Fortress Lord Wei Gun-hye, who’d recognized herself as a being in memories.

‘How…?’

Did he sense such doubt?

Emperor Qian-ling slowly moved his lips. As if using the white sea of clouds as soundproofing.

“I saw a giant contributing to Tree Severing.”

“…Countless masters of the Ming Imperial soldiers will die. Including one seat of the Three Direction General, truly many.”

At Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, Emperor Qian-ling drew a faint smile.

“You speak as if you’ve seen it.”

“……”

“Of course it’s not fine. The Great Wall’s military force are like my children. Naturally I’ll strive to save them and will be very regretful though without regret. I’ll frequently face heart demons. However.”

He continued calmly.

“I’m emperor because I choose great righteousness.”

Now he understood. Even before Jeong Yeon-shin aimed for the fruit, Emperor Qian-ling had seen the World Tree as enemy.

Jeong Yeon-shin was momentarily dismayed.

‘Then the entire world would be enemies. Jianghu, the north, World Tree…’

A person who cultivated himself against the 108 Arhat Formation while devoted to state affairs. Even now training while assuming such isolated battlefields. At least Jeong Yeon-shin had nothing to add to Emperor Qian-ling’s choice.

Rather, Emperor Qian-ling spoke again.

“I know you.”

Rumble!

–Catch him! The mad Demon Clan member is fleeing!

–The Eastern Depot says if we reattach the torn answer and burn it completely, he’ll return!

Young Literary Star was piercing through thick walls with his whole body fleeing. Though most imperial masters were at the Great Wall, allowing such breakthrough was strange.

Even if Literary Star’s Nine Marsh Demon Force Step was the pinnacle of advancing footwork, even if he truly fought no more than one exchange with anyone like a scholar, even if that age’s Literary Star was already tougher than Jeong Yeon-shin with full Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

‘…Is it not that strange?’

It was when Jeong Yeon-shin questioned. Emperor Qian-ling spoke nonchalantly.

“Once I glimpsed the World Tree’s memories. You were there.”

“How?”

“The Noble Clan village is desperate to not let the emperor move at will. Private visits aside, they can only watch helplessly as I pluck a branch and return. Naturally they didn’t know. That I’d mobilize not only Zhu family sorcerers but even Mount Mao experts to dismantle the main tree’s branches.”

Then Emperor Qian-ling tapped his own head.

“Objects thick with spirituality convey vivid memories like ‘Earth King’ itself. Of course, presupposing adequate upper dantian study.”

“……”

“Through fragmented memories I saw you. Robes that didn’t exist then, martial arts that weren’t there… The more I recall, your existence isn’t a threat. Close to a divine being protecting this land. Yet you feel very young, truly strange.”

Gaze briefly sweeping the character for Wilderness.

Jeong Yeon-shin briefly fell silent.

Various thoughts swirled in his mind. Emperor Qian-ling was first with footwork walking the past. This made guessing difficult. With what resolve he’d blocked the north before returning to heaven.

Emperor Qian-ling’s voice carried faint amusement.

“What’s interesting is, the World Tree didn’t know memories carved on its own body. The Grand Teacher thoroughly blocked unification. Truly worthy of being the world’s foremost.”

The Grand Teacher he mentioned was Wei Gun-hye.

In the end, Emperor Qian-ling was like her. He saw through Jeong Yeon-shin.

By different means, arriving at the same result.

It was Jeong Yeon-shin’s turn to ask.

“If you let that failed scholar escape like this, Grand Dowager Wei Yeon’s rebuke…?”

“I rarely reveal weakness. She’ll bite and tear upon return from the village. But it’s fine. If I appoint several from the Noble Clan village to the Eastern Depot, she’ll withdraw quite satisfied.”

At this time, Wei Yeon seemed temporarily staying in the Noble Clan village. Heavenly fortune for Literary Star, misfortune for the Noble Clan.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.

“Consider me something like sunset. Unreachable, only sensible… To share many stories, there are things I must see.”

“Not a national threat. That’s sufficient.”

Rustle.

Emperor Qian-ling turned his back and descended. Disappearing between golden roofs. Though he should express many thoughts or doubts about Jeong Yeon-shin’s martial arts, Emperor Qian-ling truly didn’t look back as if severing interest.

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly agreed.

‘Though I can’t precisely gauge his cultivation, he’s already perfected unique martial arts to the great accomplishment realm.’

Not a level where Jeong Yeon-shin’s advice would improve his martial arts. Also, the emperor’s Eye Technique would have perceived.

They might only meet again once on a distant future day in this time period. Jeong Yeon-shin turned. Literary Star, who’d already flown to Beijing’s gates with a few leaps, was visible.

***

Jeong Yeon-shin silently watched. Literary Star returned north and immediately buried himself in the wilderness. Literally a remote countryside.

Truly like a failed scholar.

Days reciting texts in a shabby thatched hut, occasionally gathering wild plants to eat.

Yet his body grew increasingly robust. Enough to kill green giants charging out of Gates with one hand.

“You’ll hurt yourself doing that.”

Literary Star married a woman his age when she brought him wild boar. In northern custom then, he should propose.

Literary Star’s wife was a natural hunter, and thanks to her he became complete in both civil and martial aspects. Several Northern Kings sent messengers wanting him as great warrior.

Literary Star refused all.

“Bright Wind Cave Lord lacks benevolence, the newly made Ice Palace Lord only seeks husbands. Also Lava Castle Lord is too heavy-handed, and entering under Dragon Sound Sasa King might mean taking a horse as second wife. None worth following.”

Then Fighting God visited.

Not limping, both eyes intact. Even looking very young, appearing barely as Literary Star’s elder brother. Jeong Yeon-shin silently looked down at the scene.

Fighting God was speaking.

“I heard rumors. A strong tactician wasting precious power. Indeed worth arm wrestling with me.”

“No need. Though you’d be stronger discussing martial arts, how could you match me in strength?”

“Then let’s tip fine wine from the world. Brewed with precious rats, have you heard of Northern Rat Wine drunk by northern beggars? Drink this and join me making the Southern Emperor the Central Plains’ emperor.”

“These northern barbarians… Among those making names, there’d be no such person in the south, truly lamentable.”

“I’ll make you pass the imperial examination. Prime Minister would be a good position.”

“……!”

Literary Star almost seemed to follow.

But he didn’t. He remained beside his wife to the end. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded. Because he realized Literary Star wasn’t material for Desolate Fortress purple rank from the start.

‘He doesn’t neglect family.’

Young Fighting God departed.

Whoosh!

Jeong Yeon-shin advanced Literary Star’s years.

Literary Star underwent closed-door training in Gate and literature. Naturally growing rapidly strong as if learning demonic arts.

When later Six Star Lords Martial Star and Severing Star visited, he’d finally gained terrifying martial arts. Even Martial Star’s words about dried meat being delicious didn’t work.

“You made her the wife of a southern swordsman who likes to blabber. You probably haven’t seen that in your territory, which has no southerners, right? How is it?”

“…Disgusting. What do you want?”

“You know that older brother recently called Fighting God? After great match with that brother, drink with us too.”

“Such scheming.”

Jeong Yeon-shin turned another page of years.

After dimming then brightening on the grassland, Literary Star’s wife was heavily pregnant.

She was different from Literary Star. She had no talent for eating natural energy and inflating her body. Just massaging her round belly with a gaunt frame.

Great Master Beom-heo, who came hearing rumors, gave her alms rice. Though entirely rotten and worm-infested, worth its weight in gold.

“Amitabha, seeing your body, the child seems safe too. Why wouldn’t a child born with Tendon Changing Classic digest insects.”

“…Thank you.”

Whoosh!

Another page of time turned like a book, and in the briefly bent spacetime Literary Star also bent. Carrying a child about eight years old on his back, before the Southern Emperor.

The massive Black Capital Old Palace.

The Southern Emperor asked.

“Only now?”

“Receiving Yu Ling’s help on imperial examinations is like Central Plains people hiring Hao Sect. Having legitimate dealings with the Qing imperial family that made Yu Ling, I don’t follow you owing debt. Without reason I just want to kill this land, which is angry for no reason.”

After Literary Star’s wife starved herself to death without cannibalism. Jeong Yeon-shin had his back to the blackish universe to avoid being caught in the formation the Southern Emperor spread.

That day Literary Star drank Northern Rat Wine. With Six Star Lords and Wolf Star Fighting God.

Fighting God asked.

“Does it taste foul?”

“……”

Jianghu people who pretended to be the Big Dipper Seven Stars.

Fighting God wasn’t enjoying himself, the Southern Emperor silently tilted his cup.

Martial Star was secretly eating human flesh as drinking snacks. Old Integrity Star patted Literary Star’s back, and Severing Star had long since sprawled on the floor with no presence. Northern Blade in the distance gauging how many cups could be drunk.

Beside him were Snow King with dangling neck and Beggar King licking her lips. People constantly unpleasantly stimulating Jeong Yeon-shin’s upper dantian.

‘Definitely them.’

Jeong Yeon-shin pondered.

Should he even watch? How Snow King and Beggar King, the Southern Emperor made Great Master Beom-heo disabled.

Also, how did the now-absent Snow King and Beggar King die? How far does Jeong Yeon-shin and Literary Star’s metropolitan examination answer go?

“Please stop turning now…” Literary Star’s mental transmission hummed.

Jeong Yeon-shin hesitated while trying to advance spacetime once more with his thumb. Seemed caught seeking only interesting things. Rather embarrassing.

“If you keep that up, even walking the past might become tedious. How will you view future fortress administration work?”

“My defending the world’s foremost position is administrative work…”

When Literary Star’s sigh cut off his words, Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth.