Chapter 803 – Side Story – Become Indifferent to This Land

The angry grasslands.

It was Literary Star’s subject. He looked utterly insane. Just as he said he’d kill the land, he acted like an avatar of vengeance.

“He doesn’t know the Thousand Character Classic…? Do he at least know how to breathe?”

“How is killing a Northern King a problem? I merely crushed a cannibal monster, not killed a king. Even Mencius didn’t treat the unrighteous King Zhou as a monarch, so my actions were justified…”

“Make jianghu people who commit atrocities while complaining of no food taste each other’s fists with their mouths. Common people must hone their rhetoric like martial arts to survive chaos. I will compile phrases to cleverly scratch warriors’ pride. Spread thinly compiled books widely so farmers can read them…”

“Farmers don’t know the Thousand Character Classic? Do they at least know how to breathe…?”

He experienced many errors.

A failed scholar. A man who only went between his study and door.

Though he passed the provincial examination in the Ming Dynasty, he couldn’t be called a complete scholar. After repeating radical words and actions, the Southern Emperor banished him from the Black Capital.

[You must first govern your territory well. Only then can you plan for the Great Wall.]

Instead, food was given.

Literary Star had to return. To the land where he studied literature with his dead wife’s help. Naturally with his only son.

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin sensed the Southern Emperor’s other intention. He must have intended to temporarily separate Fighting God and Literary Star.

Because of Fighting God’s bold thick skin.

Jeong Yeon-shin had already heard much of their conversation.

–Do you know that after you achieved the Nine Marsh Force, countless Northern Kings besides us six watched you from afar? Even before I made connections with the Southern Emperor, there was much conflict beneath the surface. Among Northern Kings coveting your qualities.

–…I was always a spectacle regardless of Gates or the south. How else would I have encountered Nine Sects’ sect leaders?

–I repelled the especially vicious ones. Those who tried to swap the bride with their wives or daughters on your wedding night.

–Northern Kings are…

–Anyway, I’ve faithfully implemented in my body the sight of your physique changing with age. The shape of muscles, the energy waves of meridians I vaguely sensed, for so very long… The result is now, so my feelings are strange. Like finally reuniting with a brother. No one resembles me more than you.

–Isn’t that constant bone transformation? Not something possible with a human body…

–So they call me a god? In truth, I’m a wretch who doesn’t hesitate to peek at filthy things.

–Why did you pretend not to know me we first met?

–Because I saw filthy things too.

Fighting God and Literary Star were gradually growing closer, and the more so, Literary Star’s logical speech also gained strength. Enough to give Fighting God fresh enlightenment.

It was about none other than Martial Star’s cannibalism.

–Don’t you know?

–I know.

–Why do you leave him be?

–I never left him be. I beat him to pulp at least once every meeting. He’s just as useless as a disobedient younger brother.

–You have many brothers. But if I had such a brother, I would have protected his honor with one fist before his karma grew larger. The Southern Emperor understands this but leaves him be due to his utility as a short decisive battle weapon. Truly a harsh emperor.

–Mm.

Failed scholar Literary Star’s words were never wrong except when discussing governance. It must have been quite troublesome for the Southern Emperor, who was facing countless challenges from northern jianghu.

Therefore.

‘He was demoted as soon as he was appointed.’

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at the despondent Literary Star. In the barren garden without a single blade of grass, Literary Star’s son was carefully speaking.

“Father.”

“…Speak freely.”

“I distributed the food obtained from the Southern Emperor to the common people.”

“Well done. Your discipline is worthy of discussing Great Warriors. Your mother will smile.”

But Literary Star’s face was still shadowed. He asked quietly.

“Did you eat some too?”

“How could the honorable Northern King’s son enjoy such luxury? This child tore apart and ate Father’s Four Books, the Analects and Great Learning.”

“Don’t call me father anymore.”

“My king, we still have Mencius and the Doctrine of the Mean.”

Literary Star studied deeply.

Perhaps because the books his wife protected disappeared into his son’s stomach? He no longer looked at books.

He observed the northern common people’s lives.

Stopping belligerent Demon Realm commoners’ fights, helping rebuild whenever their huts collapsed, occasionally dislocating shoulders in arm wrestling and reattaching them…

Killing monsters emerging from Gates was routine. He easily accumulated countless combat experiences. Only the resulting damage and conflicts among commoners seemed difficult.

Literary Star began writing his own book.

Angry Earth’s Death Method.

It meant ‘how to kill the angry land,’ but actually discussed survival methods in chaos. Great anger was only in the brush strokes.

Meanwhile, he sometimes received help from Fighting God who visited occasionally.

“Rats.”

“Enjoy them. You can share with the common people too.”

“What are you writing so diligently?”

“Records of events. Obtaining monsters’ cores, bones, and meat is… ultimately like farming in Gates. Entering and exiting without disappearing depends on heavenly fortune.”

“I was lucky. Six of us barely caught one flood dragon and even ate its core.”

“The meat…?”

“I gave it to the Black Capital’s martial military.”

“They must have consumed vast innate energy. Unifying Gates isn’t far off.”

“No.”

Fighting God shook his head.

And said.

“Gates are small. It’s time to look at the Ming Dynasty.”

Only then did Literary Star stop writing. Fighting God he turned to see was one-eyed. He’d already lost an eye.

Literary Star expressed Jeong Yeon-shin’s question.

“To whom…?”

“Qian-ling.”

Fighting God grinned, then spoke with a voice tinged with excitement like blazing shimmering.

“I was inferior.”

Literary Star looked indifferent.

“Obviously… Emperor Qian-ling is the palace examination supervisor. He can’t be excluded when discussing the world’s foremost, so surviving an encounter is miraculous.”

“Is that so?”

“One eye is cheap payment. You’re blessed.”

“That’s somewhat comforting.”

Fighting God laughed heartily while brushing himself off and standing. And he offered a greeting.

“I’ll come again.”

That was it, but it wasn’t really the end. Around when food in Literary Star’s territory ran out, Fighting God visited again as he said.

Slide, thud.

Limping on one leg.

Literary Star folded the Four Treasures of the Study along with the paper.

And asked.

“Again…?”

“Yes, Qian-ling.”

Fighting God’s answer was calm. A challenger’s face disregarding injury. Literary Star asked back with an expression of disbelief.

“How did you survive? No, how many times did you go? You definitely invaded Beijing at least once, didn’t you?”

But Fighting God only released words matching his own pleasure. Like a drunkard intoxicated not by alcohol but by martial arts.

“My thigh was severed along with space, but I had no time and reattached it wrong. I used the energy waves that leaked out in that instant as propulsion. I also took the crown prince as protective energy then released him. Qian-ling’s flustered expression then.”

“You fight quite dirty.”

“It’s praise I always hear.”

So Fighting God would only exchange idle words then leave. He truly felt like he’d made Literary Star a brother.

Yet Literary Star couldn’t leave the garden.

He guarded the vast territory well everywhere, but at day’s end what he cared for was his wife’s traces. Hunting horn bow, worn clothes, the place she lay, the Angry Earth’s Death Method he wrote from her death.

Being demoted and returning only magnified his obsession. Shadows gradually swelling in size on his face. Literary Star couldn’t escape the past.

Jeong Yeon-shin clicked his tongue.

“He’s just like my father.”

“–How can you use such harsh words…?

“I said he’s like my father. My real father.”

–How can you compare him to that manure…?

Around that time.

Literary Star began avoiding even food. Unable to watch any longer, Literary Star’s son went so far as burning the horn bow and clothes.

But Literary Star didn’t get angry, only stroked his son’s head saying he was sorry. That head that would burst in one handful in his massive hand.

Jeong Yeon-shin clicked his tongue again.

“He’s incredibly angry. My father often spoke to me without saying a word with that expression too.”

–Can’t you just watch quietly?

The night was deeply silent.

As soon as day broke, the Southern Emperor’s message arrived.

[I advise the Northern Kings. Kill Shaolin’s Beom-heo.]

For those who pledged loyalty to the Southern Emperor it was an order, for anti-Fighting God Northern Kings it was meaningless talk to let flow through one ear and kill the messenger with one hand.

Literary Star held the former position.

Perhaps because of this? He asked the Demon Realm messenger with a solemn face.

“What’s the reason?”

“That monk doesn’t receive alms but conversely goes around offering food. Before massive mobilization, we must secure command. The people’s hearts mustn’t be drawn to the south’s peerless martial monk.”

“Is that the Southern Emperor’s message?”

“There’s more.”

The messenger continued.

“Many Great Warriors’ heads were shattered and swelled the Hundred Step Divine Fist’s force. Now it’s an achievement that might simultaneously face two or more minor Northern Kings. Nine days ago, Northern King ‘Dawn Spear’ died. He was snatching refugees’ water when his head was crushed by one clap of Buddha’s Palm.”

“……”

“Divine Thief’s movements are incomplete, so she can’t follow Beom-heo. If you can’t chase Diamond Indestructible Divine Method, at least tear off both arms. If it’s difficult to escape Heavenly Eye’s technique, at least crush one eye. Shaolin has been the Forbidden City’s faithful dog since the Ming founding. If we don’t properly catch and kill him, it will hinder disrupting the Ming Dynasty’s conquest.”

The messenger concluded.

Literary Star was impressed despite the serious situation.

“How did you memorize all that? When the nation stands properly, try the imperial examination. You seem to have talent.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not advice to hear from a failed scholar.”

Demon Realm members were difficult people to govern.

Nevertheless, Literary Star was recognized by the Southern Emperor. Along with the message to kill Beom-heo, he would return to the Black Capital again.

It was the Southern Emperor’s summons.

Literary Star packed, and Literary Star’s son refused to follow. The reason was that there were already commoners who revered them as royalty.

“I must protect them. This child received the Nine Marsh Force from the King, so I’ll remain as this land’s Great Warrior and achieve great strength. While building power.”

“…Do so.”

“And the place Mother laid her body isn’t here. It’s Father’s embrace.”

“……”

“Become indifferent to this land. Until you fulfill your aspirations and return, I won’t treat Father as my parent. If orders come down, I’ll only serve you as king.”

So it became Indifferent Prison. A prison the king’s attention left.

The son who became Indifferent Prison Lord was still tilling fields in Indifferent Prison when Jeong Yeon-shin observed three years’ mourning for the Sword Star. He sometimes exchanged letters with Jeong Yeon-shin.

‘He wrote so well.’

For example, like this.

–I humbly inquire about the Northern Emperor’s wellbeing. If my father continues working, Desolate Fortress will struggle to last fifty years, so you should always watch Xiangyang in Huguang Province.

–Put away your worries. Your father is excellent.

–I humbly can only be grateful for the Northern Emperor’s reply. But please keep two secrets in mind like martial arts. Dismissal and deprivation…

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered unconsciously.

“They say if even one family member takes imperial examinations for many years, the household becomes bleak…”

–What on earth happened? Since transcending lifespan, you seem to have changed somewhat.

“I’m still the same.”

–It seems like it, but.

“……?”

Meanwhile, Literary Star departed without looking back at his son. He was still a vengeful ghost. Wanting to tear apart and kill the land he stomped.

The barren mountain path stretched long.

Along with some cart’s wheel tracks. To the trail from Indifferent Prison to the Black Capital.

At its end, Buddhist chants could be heard ever so faintly. Nine Sects’ characteristic clear waves also spread.

Literary Star muttered.

“Energy waves at Nine Sects sect leader level, two, three, four…”

It was a terrifying confrontation. Northern Blade, Snow King, and Beggar King’s group’s energy waves were approaching while tearing clouds.

Already land near the Black Capital.

Before long, even the Southern Emperor’s black clouds were staining the earth jet black. Then Great Master Beom-heo’s lion’s roar pierced the blackish atmosphere.

[Amitabha, I heard many are starving. Please accept alms if you don’t want your heads crushed.]

[Madman.]

Northern Blade’s retort.