Chapter 388 – Divine Sword Group (4)

Finally.

The squad leaders of the Divine Sword Group encountered one another.

They gazed at each other on the hill devastated by countless corpses and weapons. The sound of fluttering sleeve hems was heavy. None of the enemies remained alive.

It was an overwhelming sight.

The crowds situated on the mountainsides surrounding Yunhui Peak remained silent. The scene unfolding before their eyes demanded silence.

Those wearing silk clothes or carrying weapons, whose appearance suggested even a slight knowledge of martial affairs, didn’t move even a fingertip.

Only those ignorant of worldly matters exchanged whispers with astonished faces.

“The Golden Wing Sect Leader’s head has been severed…!”

“Is that true?”

“How could a phoenix that spread its nest be… by a human…”

The three major factions of the Sima Evil Path had suffered damage equivalent to annihilation. The Ten Perfections Sect and Golden Wing Sect would never rise again, and the elite demonic practitioners of the Pure Demon Alliance were also lying as corpses.

It was as if the Sima Evil Path had disappeared from the vast Sichuan.

This would bring dramatic changes not only to the immediate livelihood of the people but also throughout the martial world. Countless people held their breath, unable to move from their spots.

Meanwhile.

At this moment, on the hill where no one else could approach.

A girl who had been crouching on a diagonally planted spear shaft slowly opened her mouth.

The reddened ends of her short hair moved slightly over her small shoulders. As if her tension had finally subsided.

“See? I told you not to force your way in. Lightning Genius, they were trying to scatter your ashes. To raise their merits for making you the next Group Leader.”

Senior Yue, who had been glancing around, said to Jeong Yeon-shin.

Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader, Desolate Divine Spear.

She was the eldest among the squad leaders gathered in unprecedented numbers, and among the Desolate Fortress Black-ranks assembled here, there was not a single person who wasn’t superhuman.

Was she maintaining appearances?

Her expression was uncharacteristic, with tension at the corners of her small mouth.

Her eyes, blazing with pitch-black lightning, rolled like marbles between Jeong Yeon-shin and the Golden Wing Sect Leader. She seemed to be struggling to contain her excitement.

“Speak properly. Every time you thrust your spear from a distance, they would always glance your way.”

Crack—

The sound of bones and flesh being completely split.

From one side, a rope that had been penetrating the abdomens of ten corpses like a skewer was pulled out. It was a cotton rope lasso, one of the eighteen types of weapons.

A man who had retrieved the divine weapon, made of heavenly silkworm thread twisted into a single strand, grinned.

“I know you would have lost your spear if just half a moment more had passed.”

Blood Rope Strange Dragon Wei Zhi-ji. The Heavenly Dragon Squad Leader famous as a killing ghost in the northern martial world.

Thick bloodstains had formed on his sharp jawline, and earlier Jeong Yeon-shin had seen his rope binding the Ten Perfections Sect Leader.

“From the beginning, you made the Ten Perfections Sect Leader half-dead and defeated the Pure Demon Alliance Leader in one move. You shouldn’t have expected more.”

The Azure Sky Squad Leader with long arms said while sheathing his sword.

His gaze scanning the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s head was strange, as if confirming the rumors of her nearly killing him were true.

Senior Yue shook her head and jumped down from the spear shaft.

“I saw confidence in Lightning Genius’s eyes. You just didn’t know your junior.”

“You’re looking after him like a grandson you met late in life.”

The Heavenly Dragon Squad Leader Wei Zhi-ji said while winding the rope around one arm. Senior Yue’s brow furrowed as she moved toward Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Husband! Not grandson, husband!”

“May I vomit? It won’t even be noticeable here.”

His playful gesture of pretending to throw up was comical.

But Wei Zhi-ji’s eyes were different from his conduct. Astonishment flickered in his gaze that constantly emitted a bluish killing intent.

The scene reflected in his pupils. A young man who appeared to be around twenty standing motionless with the Golden Wing Sect Leader at his feet.

‘Alone, he defeated Sichuan’s foremost beauty…’

Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin.

His upper body exposed where his robe had been torn. Sharp lacerations were visible wherever the eye fell.

His entire body was covered in blood, but the elegant muscles like the blade of a divine weapon remained unconcealed.

None of the squad leaders made a fuss about their junior’s appearance.

This was because it was common to return in a battered state after carrying out various missions. They were all veterans of a hundred battles.

Rustle.

Amid this, only the sound of Senior Yue’s footsteps quietly echoed.

The atmosphere was heavy. The squad leaders either making jokes or staring intently at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Desolate Fortress is a faction at the boundary between the military and the martial world. It uniquely values external dignity in the martial world.

This is to give a sense of pressure to the martial world and trust to the common people, and this tendency was even stronger among high-ranking officials who occupied seats at the Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

There were many watching eyes.

They couldn’t show disorderly conduct. The Divine Sword Vice Leader and Heavenly Dragon Squad Leader were unusual in this regard.

Even if the youngest Black-rank had achieved an incredible feat, the squad leaders needed to remain composed in front of the crowd.

‘Fortunate that nothing went wrong.’

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no attention. Since confirming the well-being of his seniors, he had been observing the interior of his own body.

The meridians and blood vessels throughout his body were in disarray from the aftermath of the battle. It felt as if his muscles were filled with a heavy, water-soaked quilt. It was extremely heavy.

He had just killed Sichuan’s foremost beauty. The internal injuries were to be expected.

It was then.

Cough—

A sharp sensation brushed the inside of his throat. He had unconsciously coughed up blood.

Simultaneously, a sound that tore through the atmosphere rang out from all directions. With a swoosh— sound of air being split, his vision turned black.

It took only an instant for his field of view to be filled with pitch-black robe hems.

“So-so, your internal energy is the purest, so check his vital acupoints. I’ll protect you.”

“Bring out the precious medicines you’ve been hoarding.”

“Am I the only one who received help from Lightning Genius here? In terms of pure energy, this pure-blooded Thousand Fists Dragon Power Duke…”

“Big guy, don’t interfere with his energy cultivation, just stand guard. Don’t you know the Law-abiding old fogey is watching?”

The senior squad leaders had surrounded him with nimble movement techniques. Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader Beigong Ya, who had uttered somewhat casual words, even pulled out Forest-Treading Squad Leader Xiahou Wei-jin.

Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was inwardly smiling.

Swish.

A cool fingertip touched his back. He could tell by the transparently spreading energy waves. It was Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader Cheon So-so.

“Well done.”

She whispered.

It was a single phrase mixed with gratitude and surprise. It carried the time from the rain dragon’s formation until now.

There was warmth like that of fellow disciples from the same sect.

Jeong Yeon-shin closed his eyes.

Woong— The true energy of Immortal Tree Spirit’s Cold Sky Unflowing Ice Technique penetrated through his vital acupoints.

Perhaps because the World Tree sapling was in Cheon So-so’s bosom. The astonishingly pure internal energy harmonized with the energy of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

The acupoints heated by the intense battle began to cool rapidly.

Around him, heavy energy waves formed a circular formation.

“That head should rightfully be displayed publicly.”

“Of course. The bird brain of Sichuan was known for her beauty, but she completely stripped Lightning Genius.”

“Senior Yue, if you want to stand guard, look outward, not inward…”

Perhaps searching for precious pills deeply hidden in their bosoms in preparation for intense battle. While many presences like the Azure Sky Squad Leader, Yue Shou-lin, and Burning Abyss Squad Leader were rummaging through their own clothes.

“A peerless master like you should be able to move even during energy cultivation. Take this. It’s Wudang’s Seven Stars Pill.”

Along with the clanking sound of an artificial leg, a medicinal pill entered his mouth. A dense medicinal fragrance deeply penetrated his nostrils. The Supreme Martial Hall Leader, whom Jeong Yeon-shin was meeting for the first time, had gifted him a mysterious pill.

The Seven Stars Pill was a treasure of the Wudang Sect, which competed with the Heaven Conquering for the top position among the world’s sword sects.

‘Thank you.’

As Jeong Yeon-shin moved his lips, a response tinged with laughter came back.

“I’m the one who should be grateful.”

“…?”

“Because of you, many things will happen.”

It was a meaningful statement. Jeong Yeon-shin engraved the Supreme Martial Hall Leader’s words in his mind while filling his entire body’s acupoints with true energy.

Time passed.

By the time the footsteps of the crowd carefully beginning to descend the mountain were transmitted through the soil.

‘That’s enough.’

Jeong Yeon-shin had regained his strength while standing. Proper recovery would require several more days and nights, but it didn’t take long to reach a state where he could move, albeit temporarily.

Flutter—

The moment he opened his eyes, a dark red robe flew in and draped over Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders. When he raised his head, he saw Blood Protection Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo with his hands behind his back in the distance.

It seemed he had thrown it with measured force rather than using void absorption that would require true energy, making the gesture of praise feel even more significant.

It was a refined gesture.

‘So this is another way to gain the favor of subordinates.’

Inwardly impressed, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly looked around. The brilliant senior squad leaders were gazing at him from nearby.

A strange feeling penetrated his heart.

He parted his lips with difficulty.

“How did you know to come?”

“We can talk about that later. Let’s go. Your recovery is more urgent.”

Yue Shou-lin, who had thrust her smiling face forward, said. Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes filled with puzzlement.

“Where to?”

“We occupied the Ten Perfections Sect on our way here. The conditions there are quite good.”

***

Four days had passed since the great battle at Yunhui Peak.

Connoisseurs who had been wandering through Sichuan’s marketplaces and inns had finally filled their purses. This was because there were more topics of conversation than ever before.

“So then, the Flower Shadow King took down the three Thirteen Evil Sects leaders one after another…!”

“With hundreds of terrifying masters on that hill, the pressure was immense. I would have believed it if they had marched north right then. Of course, if they had actually gone all the way to Beijing, His Majesty would have finished them in one move!”

“The divine presence of the Divine Sword Group squad leaders gathered in one place was truly overwhelming. It wasn’t a faction war but a one-sided annihilation.”

“The human phoenix who spread her mystical nest… the sight of the Golden Wing Sect Leader’s long lifeline being cut by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s sword…”

As is usual with rumors, there were exaggerated stories, but since an enormous number of people had witnessed the event, words close to the truth spread rapidly.

Sichuan was in shock.

All sectors of society had no choice but to show significant movement.

At this moment, even the carriage carrying the Regional Magistrate and the Provincial Administration Commissioner stopped at the gate of the Ten Perfections Sect on the main road where blue sunlight spread in all directions.

Inside the carriage.

“I should have seen it myself…”

A middle-aged man in a red official robe muttered.

He was the Provincial Administration Commissioner who oversaw Sichuan’s affairs and civil administration.

As a civil official well-versed in dealing with people, the wrinkles on his fleshy face never relaxed for even a moment.

“Don’t worry too much. Weren’t you preoccupied with administrative affairs?”

The middle-aged military official sitting across from the Commissioner, the Regional Magistrate, said. He was the chief responsible for Sichuan’s military affairs.

“None of those gathered beyond are purple-rank. At least our necks are safe for now. We are second-rank officials, after all.”

“That’s uncertain.”

The Commissioner shook his head and continued.

“I heard the testimony of a Court of Judicial Review Investigating Censor. What kind of speech and conduct the Radiant Demon Wing Leader immediately showed to the monster of the Golden Wing Sect… Regional Magistrate, you shouldn’t rashly put your mind at ease either.”

“How difficult could it be to mention disbanding? What’s most fearsome is the imperial court’s censure. As the highest local officials, how can we stand by while such enormous power gathers in one place? I guarantee we’ll be summoned by His Majesty to substitute for Shaolin’s One Hundred Eight Arhats.”

“……”

“Let’s ask them just one thing.”

The Regional Magistrate rose from the massive carriage while rattling the scabbard at his waist.

“When will they attend to the world that has fallen into misery due to the absence of the Divine Sword Group squad leaders? This is our only question, regardless of which Black-rank comes out. Whether it’s the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, Divine Sword Vice Leader, Annihilation Team Leader, or Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader… anyone.”

“Isn’t the lineup too illustrious…?”

“Even so, the question remains one. Please remember that.”

“…I understand.”

The Commissioner slowly nodded.

A firm resolve was exchanged between those governing Sichuan. Satisfaction bloomed on the Regional Magistrate’s face.

“Open it.”

He said.

A creaking sound rang out.

As the large door of the carriage was opened to the left and right, a cluster of soldiers emitting a stern atmosphere was revealed. They were with neighing warhorses.

It was a martial force he had personally trained.

Right after the Regional Magistrate’s lips formed a straight line.

Suddenly.

Black hair poured down like a waterfall at the entrance of the carriage. Someone seemed to be hanging upside down. An extremely beautiful face came down slightly.

Distinctively clear features, snow-white skin, and black sleeve hems flowing down on both sides.

There was only one Divine Sword Group squad leader with northern bloodline.

“Wi-Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader, Dragon Fist Beigong Ya…?”

As the Commissioner stammered, the martial soldiers around quickly drew their weapons. The sound of metal rang out loudly. Even then, the Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader said nothing.

She just stared blankly at the two men with her blue eyes. One of the Three Black-rank pillars of Desolate Fortress. The two officials’ hearts chilled at her quality that seemed inhuman.

“I’m at a loss for words with such a welcome.”

The Regional Magistrate cleared his throat and continued.

“Judging by your demeanor, you seem to dislike long conversations, so I’ll state my business first. Please listen.”

He then glanced at the Commissioner. There was a difference between himself, from a military background, and the Commissioner who had even experienced the Forbidden City.

Even the same words would be better conveyed by someone skilled in rhetoric. The Regional Magistrate was also burdened by the divine presence of the Desolate Fortress Black-rank.

A serious expression crossed the Commissioner’s face. He seemed to be deeply considering for a brief moment.

‘This is fortunate.’

The Regional Magistrate thought. Whenever the Commissioner wore such an expression, timely wisdom would emerge.

He had once diverted imperial grain meant for Shaanxi to Sichuan with just a single letter. He was someone who could avoid misfortune with a single word.

The Commissioner opened his mouth.

“May I humbly ask what delicacies the Radiant Demon Wing Leader enjoys?”

“I don’t… really know…?”

A look of bewilderment crossed Beigong Ya’s face.