Chapter 399 – Carpet (8)

The mountain path was quiet.

Only dry leaves rustled and rolled on the even drier ground.

The early summer breeze that occasionally brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin’s skin carried the heat and dryness of the famine year. Only the bright sunlight was noisy.

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin stared beyond the shoulder of the young man who had greeted him.

The more he focused on one spot, the hazier his vision became. At its center, a withered tree weakly swayed its bare branches, and the sun hung in the sky without a single cloud, painfully bright.

Suddenly, all the tangled thoughts in his mind faded away. Was the Group Leader safe? If the Mount Hua Agreement was activated, who should we send as Blue and White-rank….?

He sensed an unnatural silence.

A formation, spread out so widely its size couldn’t be estimated, was concealing the presence beyond it.

It wasn’t as elaborate as Dark Night Palace or Blood Flame Cult’s formations. It was just enough to deceive lost travelers or ronin searching for wild ginseng.

But it was sufficient to hide from the world’s eyes.

This was because the place was close to a remote mountain valley.

A spell formation large enough to be considered quite sophisticated, in a land where human footsteps rarely tread. It would be difficult for any faction’s spies to find it.

“…Taimo Mountain Fortress.”

The young man immediately reacted to Jeong Yeon-shin’s muttering.

“Was it you? I thought your appearance wasn’t that of a common person… Ah, I meant that in a good way. I eat rice from Yu Ling. I’m not a direct disciple, but……”

Despite his seemingly friendly words and actions, his expression looked displeased. This was because Taimo Mountain Fortress was different from other Thirteen Evil Sects.

It was a faction with sharply divided perceptions even among the Sima Evil Path.

The spell martial arts major faction that split from the Mount Mao Sect always carried strange rumors.

That they offered common people’s blood to temples to make meat, or that they stole the energy of famous mountains with evil techniques for bizarre tasks.

Thud.

The disheveled-haired young man took half a step back.

“Anyway, there was no need to come out specifically. As you know, this is the Eighth Village. It’s quite far from the Seventeenth Village where the commotion is happening, but there are weird rumors that Taoists from the Nine Sects have appeared in nearby villages… Be careful too. Whether it’s the Plum Blossom Sword or the Taiji Sword, they don’t discuss the Way when facing us, do they?”

His tongue is long. He’s definitely a martial artist from a major faction.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently stared at the young man’s face. If they had truly arrived at the right place, he was a villain who deserved to die. It meant he was helping in the hunt for the Divine Sword Group Leader.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“How large is it inside?”

“Hmm? It’s a formation created by spell masters from your sect…? You don’t seem to be of spell master rank, though.”

The young man revealed his suspicion.

[TL Note- the new guy is from Yu Ling and thinks JYS is from Taimo Fortress.]

A moment of silence passed. His pitch-black gleaming eyes scanned the Young Palace Leader and Jeong Yeon-shin alternately.

He soon looked at the Young Palace Leader with his faded noble clan appearance and seemed to understand something.

At that moment, he failed to notice the sword handle at Jeong Yeon-shin’s waist moving slightly on its own.

“Judging by your clothes, you must be a noble one. That bow and skin, those fearsome calluses… You’re from Dark Night Palace. Is Taimo Mountain Fortress your guide?”

“…Useless questions. How long will you keep us standing here?”

The Young Palace Leader urged him in an archaic manner.

He was someone who greatly valued the common people of his clan.

This was evident from how he had been cooperating with Jeong Yeon-shin since the Netherworld Flow Squad Leader secured the Dark Night Palace martial artists in Guizhou.

“Well, excuse me. This way.”

The disheveled-haired young man who had been grumbling turned around. There was never any faded noble clan member who was friendly toward Desolate Fortress.

Since their very skin symbolized the bloodline of traitors who had interfered with the founding of the country, they should rightfully be more trusted than the ronin inside the formation.

“Try to follow properly. Watch your step.”

Rustle.

The young man’s footsteps quickly grew fainter. He had activated his lightness skill toward the life gate of the formation.

As he emitted faint energy waves from the Yongquan acupoint on his sole while advancing, he left no footprints in the dirt.

It was an unfamiliar place. Properly understanding the geography and situation should come first.

Jeong Yeon-shin followed him and parted his lips.

“I asked how large it is inside.”

“Must you know? I’d advise you to stay in the Eighth Village if possible. If you go poking around other villages, you won’t see anything good.”

“……”

“The ronin here were all invited by Yu Ling. They hired selectively, so they’re all somewhat skilled with blades. Plus, they’re in a state where their eyes are red with hunger for salt or meat that they can never get enough of. Unless you’re someone of your master’s caliber, they won’t even be afraid…”

“I won’t say it a third time.”

“…It’s incredibly vast. Since it’s a dragnet created following ‘that person’s’ movements, or predicting them, it’s not an ordinary size. I think it will be used as a residence even after this is over. It’s more abundant than most cities.”

“That person?”

“The owner of the Entering Divine Sword. The monster with the surname Yong.”

The young man, having roughly answered, added as if for Jeong Yeon-shin to hear: If you behave this rudely in the village, they’ll teach you a lesson.

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent.

This too was the purple martial world. They had created dozens of outposts to kill a single Divine Sword Group Leader. It could be called a massive wheel formation.

Meanwhile, the Young Palace Leader following behind Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at him cautiously.

They had arrived at exactly the right place. It proved that he hadn’t been playing tricks with the grotesque bird.

—Would you convey a message well to your Netherworld Flow Squad Leader? I sold out the Palace Leader to ensure the safety of the common people. I deserve respect from you…

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer. It was because of Yue Shou-lin’s voice that had entered his ears along with the Young Palace Leader’s sound transmission.

—Did you hear him talking about the Eighth Village and Seventeenth Village? It seems they’ve set traps in advance at every place Yong might pass through. Formations, numbers, poison, even peerless masters, using all sorts of means to corner the Group Leader. We should probably split up.

—Are you suggesting we form teams, Senior?

Jeong Yeon-shin responded with sound transmission.

—Yes! How about four, four, three, and one? I’ll take the left village with Heavenly Dragon and So-so. I’ll tell the others to figure it out themselves.

—One is…?

—That’s you. Even when Yong was leading the Divine Sword Squad, he was alone as the First Sword.

—If we all scatter, how do you plan to enter the formation? My help…

—What?

Suddenly, a girl’s laughter tickled his ear. It was a voice that seemed to be admiring him.

—Well, you’re right. Even Yong would find it unfamiliar. He’s never had more than ten Black-ranks with him either.

—Pardon?

—Something like this would break with just a touch from Blood Guardian Leader. It’s a one-punch matter for So-so or Heavenly Dragon too. Plus, So-so has the World Tree sapling. That’s the best among dharma treasures used in formations, whether as a wall or a gate.

Yue Shou-lin said. Her voice was tinged with laughter.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t listen to her further words.

He recalled the elegant footwork of Blood Extreme Demon Jin Myeong-jo once and nodded in agreement. Anything would be possible.

—You’ve worked hard until now. This is the final mission before heading to Beijing.

The whisper that dispersed in the fresh early summer breeze. Finally entering the city of the dragnet that Yu Ling had created to deceive the world.

Jeong Yeon-shin left the Divine Sword Vice Leader’s praise behind and imprinted his footsteps in the dirt. Thud— The sound of his footsteps echoed, and behind it, the deserted path hazily receded.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The moment he stepped into the formation spread out in the remote mountain area, a noisy clamor struck his ears.

Drunken shouts, the sound of sharpening blades, loud snoring, and the voices of waiters calling for customers.

What appeared before his eyes was a proper village.

A shabby inn built with logs, a tavern emitting smoke though no food smell came from it, and martial artists sprawled all over the ground and roofs.

Most were carrying weapons like swords and sickles.

“……”

There must be something profitable happening. Or it could be about food. It would be right to say that in the martial world, massive grain carts follow great power.

If someone announced they were hosting a feast, contracts or master-servant relationships would typically form on the spot.

In one corner, ronin sitting around a bonfire were discussing the state of the martial world. They didn’t seem to care about Jeong Yeon-shin’s group.

“Is it certain that Desolate Fortress won’t provide support?”

“I heard there’s chaos in Sichuan. It’s quite far from here. It would take a long time to arrive, even changing fine horses multiple times.”

“What do you know about supreme masters?”

“Aren’t they human too?”

It was then.

Bang!

Some man landed roughly before them, displaying his movement technique.

He was wearing a deep blue silk robe with a decorated precious sword. Despite his appearance, his temperament was fierce, making him look like nothing more than a ronin.

“Why are you back so late! I thought something had happened!”

“Making a fuss over nothing. As you can see, there are some guests.”

The disheveled-haired young man who had turned his body showed Jeong Yeon-shin and the Young Palace Leader.

The ronin, who had flinched upon seeing Jeong Yeon-shin, nodded when he saw the Young Palace Leader. Dark Night Palace, I see.

“It’s fortunate you didn’t bring just anyone. There’s chaos in the Sixth Village.”

“What? The Sixth Village? But ‘that person’ was supposed to…”

“It’s not Desolate Fortress’s human dragon. It’s the Nine Sects. Mount Hua and Wudang. They’ve finally sniffed us out and crawled in.”

The ronin spoke as if chewing something. The disheveled-haired young man scratched the back of his head vigorously.

“That’s not good news… They’re not sect leaders, are they?”

“We’re at a standoff. It’s tense.”

“How many are there?”

“Five. One is very young.”

“The Leader will handle it somehow. Ephemeral beings like us just need to do our part. Let’s buy some time.”

At the young man’s words, Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyebrow twitched.

Thud.

He slowly moved his steps. Silently passing between the ronin and the young man. The disheveled-haired young man immediately reacted.

“Huh? Don’t approach rashly. I have a method. With luck, I might be able to handle five Plum Blossom Swordsmen somehow…”

“How many villages like this are there?”

“I don’t know. As you can see, they’re all hidden like this. What I know goes up to the Seventeenth Village.”

It was then.

The ronin who had been looking at Jeong Yeon-shin with distaste suddenly interjected.

“Someone high up said it’s a trap for ‘that person,’ which is good for us. In times like these, such remote mountain valleys have more food than mediocre cities.”

“Trap?”

“My lips are dry and won’t move well. You look like you have something substantial in your bosom, if there’s some wine…”

The sound of licking lips polluted the air. Strong presence. The rough energy waves of a predator caressed Jeong Yeon-shin’s robe hem. It was a hemp robe, not a black one, since he was in disguise.

After mentioning the Nine Sects’ threat, he asks for wine. Most ronin are like this. Beings who roam the famine-stricken land, plundering one day to enjoy one day’s pleasure.

In Jeong Yeon-shin’s view, they weren’t comparable to Radiant Demon Wing’s Scorching Divine Meridian. Unlike Lazy Flame Dragon, they were Sima Evil Path who had willingly wrapped themselves in the fate of ephemeral beings.

“I’m curious about Yu Ling Leader’s intentions.”

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered to himself. They couldn’t be planning to handle the Divine Sword Group Leader with these rabble. The main force seemed to be concentrated in other villages.

Regardless of his thoughts, the reaction around him was swift.

“What?”

The ronin’s eyes grew fiercely large. The gazes of the group, who had been uninterested in the new faces, gathered like blades.

A silence that fell like an invisible meteor. Only the eerie sound of sharpening whetstones echoed from various places.

“Hey.”

The ronin took a step closer.

“Which sect are you from? Those who have agreed to join this dragnet can’t casually mention a Thirteen Evil Sects leader…”

Dozens of people slowly rose from various spots.

Quite dense energy waves began to mix with the wind.

Unlike the young man who had served as a guide, these ronin who had survived in the martial world without the protection of major factions had keen instincts from the start.

Jeong Yeon-shin just stood there motionless.

With his eyelids slightly lowered. A faint smile had formed on his lips.

“Your identity is suspicious. Your bearing is unfamiliar. Though you don’t appear to be a peerless master…!”

The ronin in blue martial attire, who had been sizing up his opponent, suddenly drew his sword.

The sword draw made a “paang—” sound as it split the air.

The sword strike extended through the void, bending several times. It was an extremely practical variation. It was infinitely close to the realm of transcendence.

At that moment.

The trajectory aiming for Jeong Yeon-shin’s neck suddenly shook violently. It was due to the sudden intervention of a third party. A fist had embedded itself into one side of the ronin’s ribs.

Puhwak!

Purple energy waves flickered like scattering snowflakes. The strike pushed the flesh of the ribs all the way into the abdominal cavity. With a cracking sound, even the ribs were crushed by the side of the fist.

The ronin collapsed lifelessly to the side.

“Didn’t you know our sect had arrived? You shouldn’t be wasting energy here.”

A young Taoist grumbled as he dusted off his hand once. His white Taoist robe embroidered with plum blossoms fluttered.

He had suddenly appeared and delivered a single punch. It seemed to have been thrown without much effort, yet the fist technique itself was incredibly magnificent and beautiful.

“What’s this all of a sudden…!”

“Dark Fragrance Step with Plum Blossom Fist!”

“Mount Hua! It’s the Mount Hua Sect!”

In an instant, the sound of weapons being drawn filled the surroundings.

As the young man who had been Jeong Yeon-shin’s guide furrowed his brow and quickly retreated, a waiter from a crudely built inn nearby approached with two kitchen knives drawn.

The young Taoist opened his mouth wide.

Immediately, an exhalation close to a yawn flowed out. Internal energy breathing befitting his languid temperament. It could be called the leisure of a world-class genius.

“Mount Hua Hidden Dragon… the youngest of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.”

“The front seems to have been smashed. I told you not to be so relaxed…!”

“This is a place ‘that person’ has already passed through. We were just told to watch passing travelers carefully, and if a man with a scholarly appearance asked for water or such, to give him poison. There’s no need to risk our lives on such trivial matters.”

“I warn you, Master Yu Hyeon! You’ve become involved in a massive conspiracy! Dark Night Palace, Dragon Alliance, and Yu Ling are the main forces, with their subordinate sects and Taimo Mountain Fortress supporting this scheme! If you want to preserve your life, you’d better follow my advice!”

It was just as the ronin were whispering and the disheveled-haired young man was shouting.

Mount Hua Hidden Dragon Yu Hyeon leisurely looked around before turning to face forward. Jeong Yeon-shin, standing motionless, met his eyes.

“Yes, I am Mount Hua Hidden Dragon. What were you all doing here? No one seems to be answering…”

Yu Hyeon’s words stopped.

Purple light scattered from the young Taoist’s eyes. It was the eye technique of the Violet Mist Divine Arts. Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts rivaled those of Wudang Sect as immortals’ cultivation.

He recognized the familiar features of a friend he had considered his sole rival and had recalled many times, and the calm temperament of the contained Luminous Wheel that Transcends Law Energy.

Yu Hyeon wore a dumbfounded expression.

“Who are you…?”