Chapter 372 – Sacrificial Ceremony (2)

A single challenge letter posted throughout the city.

It spoke of an unprecedented martial arts competition. Words calling forth peerless masters.

Who could refuse?

It shook the entirety of Sichuan Province’s twelve prefectures and seven districts, and had power to spare.

It was a declaration of war that continuously spread, setting ablaze not only Sichuan but the lands beyond.

Rustle.

The Golden Wing Sect Leader’s snow-white index and middle fingers caught the letter that flew toward her, trapping it between them.

Simultaneously, the Buddha statue that had been bouncing madly and spinning in the air on the opposite side suddenly fell with a thud. As if the invisible hand holding it had abruptly disappeared.

“One-on-one? Or consecutive victories…?”

She muttered in a small voice. The end of her words rose slightly. She seemed to have lost interest in the Buddha statue she had been toying with.

The dense wine fragrance spread from the jade gourd bottle in the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s hand. Her body momentarily raised hazy energy waves like clouds.

As the Golden Wing Sect disciples around her flinched.

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader… How audacious. Truly audacious.”

Iron Pillar Divine Sword Jin Hui-che thrust the great blade he was holding in reverse grip into the ground with a bang—!

In that moment, blue light flashed along the veins of his unusually powerful forearms for his age, then disappeared. It was internal energy powerfully manifested in physical form.

“This is absurd. He must not know what he’s done.”

The old man muttered as if spitting out the words. He had scanned all the lines of the letter in the brief moment it flew toward the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s hand.

Meanwhile, the man from Yu Ling had been blankly staring at the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s form standing in the bright sunlight before coming to his senses with a start.

It was because of the old man’s rough outburst.

The man inwardly cursed.

‘Uncultured old man.’

Iron Pillar Divine Sword Jin Hui-che.

He was a great master of blade techniques capable of founding his own sect. Within the Golden Wing Sect, he was famous as a supreme master who could withstand the most of the Sect Leader’s techniques.

Unlike Wind Lord Li Shi-ming, who had been playing the role of an attendant, bewitched by the Sect Leader’s beauty.

He wielded considerable influence in the Golden Wing Sect, even directing hunts for mystical creatures including dragon-catching, and went as far as commanding faction wars to thoroughly crush enemy sects.

He was also the one who had contributed the most to the Golden Wing Sect’s burning of Emei Sect a few days ago and their continued stay there.

“He’s already burdened with unforgivable karma, yet he’s practically begging to be killed. He’s merely a subordinate of the Divine Sword Group Leader.”

Jin Hui-che muttered.

Though it wasn’t clear who he was addressing, the man from Yu Ling had to respond. It was difficult to converse directly with the Golden Wing Sect Leader for various reasons.

The man interjected abruptly:

“A Black-rank of Desolate Fortress is hardly a lowly position anywhere. Just recently, the Ten Perfections Sect Leader and Pure Demon Alliance Leader withdrew rather than clash with the Radiant Demon Wing Leader…”

“There must have been circumstances beyond our understanding.”

“I suppose so.”

“He’s not purple. There’s no need to play along with such petty games. It’s beneath our dignity. To think that such a young whelp would dare summon the Sect Leader…”

As Jin Hui-che’s hand tightened on the blade handle, the man from Yu Ling inwardly shook his head. No, that won’t do.

“This has already captured the attention of the entire martial world. In the martial world, where rumors spread quickly, they’re even calling it the ‘Divine Martial Grand Tournament.'”

“Divine Martial Grand Tournament?”

Jin Hui-che repeated. The man nodded slowly.

“A competition where peerless masters fight life-or-death duels. The stage has been set quite naturally. It’s extremely rare for the leaders of major factions to personally move, you know.”

“The Sect Leader is not some marketplace performer.”

Jin Hui-che was about to dismiss it as worthless when the man from Yu Ling spoke again, with a somewhat serious expression.

“It might actually be better for the Golden Wing Sect Leader to attend. This is what I wanted to tell you.”

“Why is that?”

“Don’t you see? Something very strange is happening. The Ten Perfections Sect and Golden Wing Sect, Pure Demon Alliance and Yu Ling, even some of our subordinate sects—haven’t their forces been mysteriously disappearing here and there? …We should have long since eliminated the four forces of Sichuan’s righteous path sects and Desolate Fortress.”

“Hmm.”

“If there’s an opportunity to kill the sect leaders of Qingcheng and Emei, as well as the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, all in one place… we must attend. Since it’s been publicly announced as a martial competition, it can’t be a trap. There’s not even time to devise any schemes before then.”

Qingcheng Sect had already lost one sect leader to the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader.

The Tang family would be busy recovering from the damage inflicted by the Ten Perfections Sect and Pure Demon Alliance. They would have barely any poisons or hidden weapons left.

Emei Sect was in even worse condition. The sect leader had been defeated by the Golden Wing Sect Leader while returning to the main mountain after a long journey abroad, and even Mount Emei, famous for housing all sorts of dharma treasures, had been seized.

As for the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, there was nothing to say. The Black-ranks of Desolate Fortress never unite.

‘The real problem is Forest-Treading Squad Leader and Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader who should have been in the rain dragon’s formation, but…’

There are certainly variables. But they’re no match for the Ten Perfections Sect, Pure Demon Alliance, and Golden Wing Sect with their leaders intact.

Especially with the support of numerous subordinate sects, the Tyrant Sword Sect, and Yu Ling.

‘Kill the leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects with a mere martial competition?’

The man from Yu Ling wore a meaningful expression.

‘They seem to be trying to reverse the situation… but the Dragon Manifestation Heaven-Shaking Cannon is not human martial arts.’

His eyes fell on the Golden Wing Sect Leader. The sight of her slender fingertips tracing the words written by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Her black hair, flowing down like ebony below her small ears, moved slightly with her gestures.

Her bearing was extremely insignificant, yet strangely appeared as the form of a phoenix in human shape.

“Hui-che.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Like I said before. I’ll go see.”

“…I shall obey your will.”

Iron Pillar Divine Sword Jin Hui-che answered in an aged voice.

While slightly bowing his head. His authority came from the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s lack of interest in matters outside the sect.

I wonder how the righteous path sects of Sichuan will be annihilated. The man from Yu Ling inwardly muttered.

Similar scenes must be unfolding in the Ten Perfections Sect and Pure Demon Alliance… The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s challenge letter, which described martial artists as rice worms. For those who value face, refusal was impossible. It was extremely well-calculated.

‘Writing it that way ensures even the righteous path won’t look kindly on him… he must have put a lot of thought into each character.’

The divination that should have come to Yu Ling. The man swallowed his regret.

***

The challenge letter posted by Jeong Yeon-shin was being delivered to all sorts of sects.

This was thanks to the help of the Tang family, the hereditary clan that had ruled Sichuan’s martial world for generations, despite the Beggar Sect and Yu Ling, factions skilled at spreading or greatly exaggerating rumors, not being particularly favorable toward the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

“It’s truly fortunate. Whether it’s writing with gold or commanding people, all the collateral branches of our family combined can’t match the Tang family alone.”

“Indeed.”

A pair of man and woman strolled through a garden filled with rare and precious flowers and plants of various colors.

Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu and Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin. Behind them, a young man in white martial attire followed Jeong Yeon-shin with careful steps like an attendant.

It was White-rank Martial Artist So Il-su, who had nearly been killed by the Pure Demon Alliance Leader.

“By the way, the Tang family offered to provide attendants, but you insisted on keeping him… I’ve never seen a White-rank elite from Desolate Fortress serving someone else.”

Qu Su-yu said after glancing at So Il-su.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.

“It’s truly a great kindness.”

“I requested it myself! Scattered branch office martial artists like me usually idolize at least one of the seventeen Black-ranks!”

So Il-su exclaimed with a smile.

Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head slightly to the side. It was to avoid showing an embarrassed expression to the two. What idol nonsense.

At that moment.

—How cute.

It was the realm of spell martial arts.

A smooth laughter seemed to come from the shadow at his feet. Along with the sound of hunger. Mystical yet extremely trivial.

Jeong Yeon-shin had experienced hunger before.

Around age seven, after hearing that his father was personally reading interesting stories like the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Great Ming Code to his older brothers.

He had been confined for four days after pestering his father to tell him about his mother. A child of a martial family shouldn’t throw tantrums.

Still, there was a small achievement.

It was then that he grasped the principle of emptiness among the incantations of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique he was already developing.

‘Empty to fill more. She should already know this.’

The Seventh Apostle couldn’t be less capable than a seven-year-old Jeong Yeon-shin. With her wits and talents closer to human than beast, she had no reason to be hungry like he was that day.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought: If I cut my finger and let a drop of blood fall, would she immediately emerge?

The cool sensation of the Seventh Apostle’s fangs against his neck was still vivid.

“Jeong… Master Jeong?”

“Hmm?”

“We’ve arrived. Turn at the corner and it’s the first room.”

Qu Su-yu said.

Looking up, he saw a pavilion with blue-green roof tiles. It had a very classical appearance. They had arrived at the guest house provided by the Tang family.

It had taken some time. Because Jeong Yeon-shin was currently staying in the inner courtyard used by the Tang family’s direct lineage.

His eyes took in the quiet pavilion.

‘Is Venerable Cypress Flame inside…?’

[TL Note- Cypress tree represents longevity. The whole name means a flame that burns forever.]

That was the alias of the Emei Sect Leader. Her dharma name was said to be Troubled Path Avalokiteshvara.

Last night, after receiving the news and going out to meet Xiahou Wei-jin and Cheon So-so, Jeong Yeon-shin had exchanged greetings with his two seniors while masters from Emei entered the Tang family compound.

He had heard they were utterly defeated by the Golden Wing Sect. The news also mentioned that the sect leader had personally requested a meeting with the Tang Clan Leader and the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

‘Does she want to determine the order of the competition?’

He thought as he walked.

Jeong Yeon-shin, as the youngest son of a large landowner family, was originally close to a common person.

This was because he had played alone with the family martial arts that would remain third-rate even if learned from someone else. Like ordinary people, he respected monks and Taoists.

The Emei Sect Leader would be someone who could speak comfortably even with the Shaolin Abbot. A truly lofty status. Regardless of his martial prowess, she deserved respect.

“Master Jeong.”

“Hmm?”

“Before you enter, may I say a few words?”

“…Go ahead.”

Lost in thought, Jeong Yeon-shin almost casually told her to speak freely. It was due to the sharp energy waves that Qu Su-yu couldn’t hide.

The influence of encountering so many uncultured martial artists recently had been significant.

‘Martial artists are unhelpful.’

With a resolve to be wary of guilt by association, he put aside his thoughts.

He was about to meet a high monk who had deeply cultivated Buddhist law. His heart was racing.

Woong—

Suddenly, invisible true energy waves enveloped Jeong Yeon-shin and Qu Su-yu. It was an energy barrier originating from Qu Su-yu.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked at her with confusion, and she spoke as if making an excuse:

“In case of unnecessary conflict.”

“Conflict? I heard Venerable Cypress Flame possesses profound Buddhist power.”

Qu Su-yu didn’t answer immediately. She seemed to be deliberately swallowing some words with a dry throat.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s colorless eye light shone like stars.

“Does she have a fiery temperament? I’ve heard of such monks occasionally. They say they send their troubles away on waves of anger. Even Shaolin’s Wall Gecko Fist…”

“No, it’s the opposite.”

“What?”

“Venerable Cypress Flame is known as the Stone Buddha even among the Sima Evil Path. She’s so indifferent to everything that her equanimity cannot be disturbed. When Invincible was young, he tried to play the role of a heavenly demon before her but had to flee. They say she countered the Joyful Heavenly Union Technique, which is said to be the best in the world at seducing people, without even raising her Internal energy.”

“Indeed.”

Having become wary of his maternal bloodline since reuniting with his niece, Jeong Yeon-shin uttered a brief exclamation of admiration.

I must meet him immediately.

Qu Su-yu’s expression became slightly urgent.

“I overheard her conversation with the Tang Clan Leader, and she seemed skeptical about your participation in the martial competition. She’s a person only interested in orthodox Zen Buddhist law that emphasizes enlightenment. So if you’re briefly ignored…”

“What strange talk.”

Thud.

Jeong Yeon-shin gave a perfunctory reply and walked through the energy barrier.

Following his footsteps, the fragments of shattered true energy remained like particles of light, rippling behind his black hair… Qu Su-yu almost lost herself staring at the sight.

“Let me finish…!”

She quickly reached out her hand but stopped short.

Faint dharma power true energy was flowing out from beneath the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s black robe and dissipating like smoke.