Chapter 380 – Under Heaven (4)

It was a highly surreal scene.

A person emerging from a shadow was strange enough. Though they say that in chaotic times, all sorts of mystical creatures, extraordinary powers, and spell martial arts confuse the world, such sights were still rare.

The Pure Demon Alliance Leader was the most surprised.

‘Come back…!’

The old man sent a mental command to the weasel.

Demonic weasel. A spiritual creature without mind or body.

Its form composed entirely of spirituality, allowing it to move freely in and out.

It was like a Mind-controlling sword that required little effort to wield. Especially effective against masters engaged in energy regulation.

As a demonic creature and divine beast of the Pure Demon Alliance, it should rightfully return to its master, yet the old man’s hand remained empty. Only a cool breeze brushed against his skin.

A gulping sound was heard. The snow-white throat of the woman who had suddenly appeared visibly bobbed for a moment.

Haa—

A breath of satisfaction brushed the air. A reddish light flickered in her single red eye. She seemed quite pleased.

To the Pure Demon Alliance Leader, she could only appear as living lightning. The wrinkles at the corners of the old man’s eyes rose sharply.

“How dare this filthy thing…!”

“Filthy thing…? That’s not something I should hear from an old Pure Demon man. I am a legitimate heir of a lineage, while you are, hmm…”

The Seventh Apostle, who had been speaking in a whisper, let her words trail off. She was mocking the Pure Demon Alliance, a splinter sect of the ancient Ming Cult.

Though this was common knowledge, it was hardly something one would dare utter before an absolute being of the demonic path.

Boom—

Once again, the sky darkened.

Shadows spreading from the demonic energy. The way it blocked the sunlight was ominous.

At this moment, the whites of the Pure Demon Alliance Leader’s eyes turned completely black, which was also quite grotesque.

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin was looking at the Seventh Apostle’s flowing hair from behind.

He slowly parted his lips.

“You.”

The Seventh Apostle’s slender shoulders trembled slightly.

She didn’t turn around.

It was difficult to discern the reason.

Whether it was because she could guess Jeong Yeon-shin’s feelings about the Tang siblings’ deaths, or because the Pure Demon Alliance Leader’s gaze was overwhelmingly intimidating, or because the sect leaders of Emei and Qingcheng standing as Jeong Yeon-shin’s guardians had turned to look at her.

“Amitabha.”

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader, it seems the Blood Flame Cult’s nobility is targeting the Flower Shadow King. I will handle the Pure Demon Alliance Leader, so you should take care of that blood ghost…”

Woong—!

Powerful energy waves began to flow from the bodies of Venerable Cypress Flame and Two Walls Sword Lord.

The dust on the ground spread in a massive circle. Suddenly, dirt and dust rose in all directions.

Two Walls Sword Lord’s reaction was befitting the righteous path.

Unlike Venerable Cypress Flame, who had already suspected the Seventh Apostle’s presence, he had just noticed her.

The mental imagery of destroying evil and eliminating demons extended as sharp energy waves, suggesting he might strike at the Seventh Apostle rather than the Pure Demon Alliance Leader.

“Blood demon, do not act rashly.”

It was a warning from the Qingcheng Sect Leader. He spoke without even turning around, focusing solely on the Pure Demon Alliance Leader.

In a place where many were watching.

Suddenly, the Seventh Apostle let out a smooth laugh.

“What a shame. I could have sunk my teeth into the Flower Shadow King’s neck.”

She was pretending to be an enemy.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s brow furrowed, and Venerable Cypress Flame’s eyes flashed with insight.

Two Walls Sword Lord, as if this were expected, shook his sword once and took a step toward the Pure Demon Alliance Leader.

It was then.

A heavy shockwave roughly swept the ground, and the Pure Demon Alliance Leader’s form distorted and vanished from his spot.

Simultaneously, the Seventh Apostle kicked the ground and launched herself high into the air.

Whoosh—!

[I was aiming for you all along!]

It was the void.

The Pure Demon Alliance Leader’s robe hem fluttered violently in the fierce wind pressure. His palm, imbued with tremendous power, rushed toward the Seventh Apostle’s face.

Pure Demon Alliance Heavenly Demon Force. True to its name of cultivating divinity.

The old man’s palm technique was incredibly fast. It split the space without any resistance.

In that moment, the Pure Demon Alliance Leader’s eyes widened.

The indifferent face of the Flower Shadow King was reflected in his completely blackened eyes.

The energy waves sprouting from his widely spread hands were clawing at the space with a semi-transparent quality. Even before contact, continuous explosive sounds were tremendously loud.

Brilliant River.

[…!]

The Pure Demon Alliance Leader hastily pulled back his hand. At the same time, he unleashed ten layers of energy waves at that spot, creating a dark sphere in front of his body.

He had compressed the air with foot energy. Tremendous power swirled within the sphere.

A response worthy of a peerless master.

It wasn’t demonic energy but pure energy.

“Such petty tricks.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had muttered this while extending his hand, triggered a shockwave that encompassed the entire peak from the point of impact.

Boom—!

The space at the collision point distorted.

White and black energy waves mixed, repeatedly crumpling and undulating.

Then, when Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand, imbued with the Brilliant River, mercilessly shattered the sphere, several semi-transparent spheres spread outward from the three people suspended in the air.

Boom!!

As the entire peak beneath their feet shook, two figures were flung in completely opposite directions at terrifying speed. They had used the entire shockwave as propulsive energy.

The Pure Demon Alliance Leader and the Seventh Apostle. Some among the crowd who had been blankly looking up pointed their fingers.

“He’s fleeing… the Pure Demon Alliance Leader is running away!”

“What is this…!”

“Instant victory! The Flower Shadow King has won again!”

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Huguang Xiangyang. Desolate Fortress.

Elegant desks were arranged in long rows. The deep reddish-brown luster of sandalwood was prominent on every surface.

This was the Grand Administrator’s hall.

Originally, dozens of scholars should have been holding brushes here, but they had all moved to the central training ground long ago.

Even the thick scent of ink that usually permeated the place had faded to a subtle fragrance.

Swish.

Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming gently stroked his beard before suddenly lowering his hand. It was a habit from his days as a novice scholar.

He would unconsciously stroke his beard to strengthen his spirit. Since taking the position as head of the Grand Administrator’s Office, this had rarely happened.

The cause was clear.

It was because of the elderly man who was sitting in the host’s seat, displacing the rightful owner.

He was the Elder Council Head of Desolate Fortress.

“I’ll have some Dragon Well tea brought…”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The Elder Council Head cut off the Grand Administrator’s words. The imposing aura emanating from his elderly body was remarkable. Still maintaining his large frame and wearing a purple robe, his face was wrinkled but unusually cold, as if covered in frost.

He was normally known for his kind demeanor and leisurely bearing, commanding great respect.

But after recently suffering misfortune at the hands of the Ten Perfections Sect Leader, Blood Flame Cult Leader, and the Tang family’s Grand Elder, he was unlike his usual self.

The Grand Administrator carefully opened his mouth.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the Head. How have you been lately?”

“I’ve been practicing external techniques. They suit my body quite well.”

“I’m glad to hear your condition has improved.”

“Yes, I’m quite envious of the external technique said to have been passed down from the Radiant Demon Wing Leader to the Ma family. I heard that even impetuous youngsters have become absorbed in training… I’ve been struggling not to ask about the technique. By the way, has the Radiant Demon Wing’s marriage been arranged?”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“Then I have nowhere else to ask. At least not now.”

“……”

“Because the main fortress is empty. It feels very hollow.”

The main point had been reached. The Grand Administrator slowly nodded.

“Yes, this is my first experience with such a situation.”

“The Elder Council is in an uproar.”

“…I expected as much. I had already anticipated it.”

“This incident has lowered the prestige of the main fortress to the level of martial ruffians. The Group Leader Yong  occasionally showed a temperament even fiercer than that old Ma fellow, but it erupted in a place where it should never have happened. I never thought he would abandon the common people like this.”

His voice was dry, clearly suppressing anger.

The Elder Council Chairman was a martial artist who had lived in the same era as Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok.

He was someone who could casually refer to both the previous and current Divine Sword Group Leaders without fear of reprisal. Even after losing his martial arts, his influence on Desolate Fortress’s internal affairs remained enormous.

‘There was hardly anyone as benevolent as him under heaven.’

The Grand Administrator thought.

The summons issued to the seventeen squads of the Divine Sword Group.

Squad leader assembly.

The Elder Council Chairman, who normally greeted even the White-rank Martial Artists with a smile, was now emanating an icy temperament. This was the reason.

The Divine Sword Group Leader’s order was itself a massive event, and opinions within the main fortress were sharply divided on the matter.

“Protect their safety? This shakes the very foundation of the main fortress. It’s not just the old men of the Elder Council who are furious. This old man is also barely containing his great anger. Those black-robed fellows who rushed out as if they’d been waiting for this, I’d like to find them immediately and finish them…”

The Elder Council Chairman straightened his back but suddenly stopped.

A dull sound rang out from near his lumbar spine around the Ming-men acupoint. The old man furrowed his brow as if enduring pain.

“While some old men are enjoying excessive good fortune in their twilight years, flying about vigorously…”

“If you’re referring to the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, he is the good fortune of Desolate Fortress.”

“I won’t deny that.”

The Elder Council Head answered.

“There’s no need to discuss the value of the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader at this point. I’ve come to discuss another matter.”

“What kind of…?”

“The next Divine Sword Group Leader.”

The old man said briefly. A swallowing sound escaped from the Grand Administrator’s mouth.

“I’ve thought about it, but the matter is too weighty…”

“Indeed. It’s as significant as gathering all seventeen squad leaders in one place.”

“……”

“That Yong fellow has no choice but to step down. The Divine Sword of Desolate Fortress is that kind of position. Even an official of the first rank at the imperial court can be looked down upon, and any martial artist can be beheaded on the spot… but one must never prioritize one’s subordinate martial artists over the common people of this land. He has shaken the very essence of Desolate Fortress.”

“Is this the Elder Council’s decision?”

“Not just the Elder Council. Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu has taken the document of dismissal. There was no hesitation. Don’t you feel the same?”

The Grand Administrator didn’t answer.

It would naturally be so for the Law Enforcement Squad Leader. She wasn’t the type to overlook mistakes just because they were made by a superior.

The Elder Council Chairman’s words weren’t excessive either. The current Divine Sword Group Leader had issued an extremely unreasonable order.

The combined power of the current seventeen squad leaders was beyond the Grand Administrator’s calculation. If mishandled, the imperial court might view Desolate Fortress as an independent military faction.

Someone would have to take responsibility before the Emperor.

It couldn’t be the Desolate Fortress Lord. She had been away with Ma Yeon-jeok for a long time. It had to be the Divine Sword Group Leader who had issued the order.

Then.

Who would inherit the symbol of the Divine Sword Group Leader, the Entering Divine Sword?

“That’s my business. Recommend candidates for consideration.”

The Elder Council Head said.

The Grand Administrator’s Office, the Divine Sword Group, and the Elder Council. These were the core pillars of Desolate Fortress.

The Divine Sword Group was currently absent. The Grand Administrator’s Office and the Elder Council needed to advance this major matter.

“This old man has considered three people. When weighing both accumulated merits and experience, there are no others.”

The Elder Council Chairman handed over a small piece of paper. Three names were written on it.

[Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader, Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin..

Annihilation Team Leader, Silent Lord Shin Hwang.

Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader, Dragon Fist Beigong Ya.]

The paper carried the clean scent characteristic of mulberry paper. The Grand Administrator, who had been silently scanning the three names, opened his mouth.

“As expected.”

“Though their achievements may be somewhat lacking compared to the position they would inherit, all three possess limitless potential. They could break through the barrier in a relatively short time. Ten years at most…”

“That’s a long time in chaotic times.”

“What can we do? Filling the position and comforting the people is the urgent priority. A Divine Sword Group Leader who has lost the people’s hearts is no longer a Divine Sword Group Leader. That Yong fellow should just serve as a shadow sword.”

“The Group Leader’s whereabouts have been unknown for some time…”

“Don’t worry. He may be struggling somewhere, but he’s not the type to die away from home. Now, returning to the main point…”

The Elder Council Head, who had furrowed his brow, continued.

“I’m not particularly satisfied with anyone except the Annihilation Team Leader. They all have light rear ends. Just look at this summons—I can vividly imagine them happily rushing off to Sichuan.”

“Well…”

“Even those like the Master of the Supreme Martial Hall or the Leader of the Celestial Dragon Squad have strange personalities.”

“The Fortress Lord is not present. In a situation where the Group Leader’s orders must take priority, the martial artists of the main fortress are not at fault. How could they disobey orders?”

“Then let me ask you. Are the seventeen squad flags still stored in there?”

The Elder Council Head pointed to a long table in the center of the hall. The Grand Administrator remained silent for a moment.

Desolate Fortress was a faction close to the military. There were protocols.

When matters arose that required the main fortress’s name to be officially invoked externally, the seventeen squads of the Divine Sword Group would carry flags bearing the names of each martial force.

They had recently been used when the Annihilation Team, Radiant Demon Wing, and Azure Sky Squad annihilated the Hwangbo family.

“…There’s no need for you to check.”

“As I thought. Those rascals.”

“It means the squad leaders take the recent situation in the martial world seriously. To protect the common people, the martial artists of the main fortress must first remain intact, wouldn’t you agree?”

“How many did they take?”

The Elder Council Head’s question had implications.

The Elder Council of Desolate Fortress. A place where even Ma Yeon-jeok had once sought the leadership position.

It had now completely lost control over the squad leaders. This was because Desolate Fortress’s temperament, while close to the military, was fundamentally a martial sect.

The fallen Elder Council Head might still have significant influence over Desolate Fortress’s affairs, but he could no longer directly control the seventeen squad leaders.

The Grand Administrator couldn’t help but think: The Elder Council’s power has weakened unprecedentedly, so the ability to check the next Divine Sword Group Leader from within the main fortress has also diminished.

This meant that individuals with autocratic tendencies would be unsuitable. For instance, people like Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader Yue Shou-lin  or Wish-fulfilling Squad Leader Beigong Ya.

Swish.

The Grand Administrator picked up a brush and began to speak. Then he started writing a name at the bottom of the paper the Elder Council Chairman had handed him.

“Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin took all the Divine Sword Group flags.”

“…All seventeen flags…?”

“She carried them all in her short arms as she left.”

The fluid brush strokes glided across the oil-treated paper in a single flourish.

When the Elder Council Head suddenly lowered his gaze, he saw several names for a single person written in black ink.

[Lightning Genius, Flower Shadow King, Lotus Nezha.

Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin.]