Chapter 438 – Conclusion (3)

Green Jade Sword Manor was extremely crowded. It was not a suitable place for a supreme master with heightened senses to find peace.

After defeating the Sword Empress and losing consciousness, Jeong Yeon-shin was moved to Xinye County.

There was absolutely no risk of qi deviation during the transport. This was because the elf clan masters of Radiant Demon Wing, including Cheong Myeong, displayed exceptional stealth techniques.

It was just like when they carried the sleeping Jeong Yeon-shin on a palanquin, treating him like a triumphant general after punishing the Shaanxi Pseudo-Righteous Path. Only now the palanquin had been replaced with a stretcher.

An invisible supreme master watched over him, beyond the sight of Desolate Fortress warriors.

Former Radiant Demon Wing Leader vouched for the identity of this mysterious figure, who was surrounded by strangely distorted air, making their facial features and even clothing difficult to discern.

They said this person had been present when Jeong Yeon-shin killed the Mouyang Family Head.

The Hidden Sword of the main fortress, whose identity was kept strictly confidential.

The mysterious figure even presented the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s divine token, engraved with the World Tree pattern. There was no room for further doubt.

And so.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not wake up.

The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique is a martial art that moves on its own even when he is asleep.

To focus solely on managing qi deviation and repairing acupoints, it was best to allocate even the energy that would be consumed while conscious to the Dynamic Technique.

Moreover, the mysterious figure was the legitimate successor of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique who could assist with this qi circulation.

-“With acupoints so weakened, I trust there are no fools who would rashly administer elixirs.”

I will shatter the skull of any fool who shows such stupidity, so be warned.

Many people guessed the mysterious figure’s identity. They imagined an old man in a faded pink robe within that distorted space.

The warriors under the Purple Rank focused on escorting them. Even after reaching their destination.

The old site of the Jeong Family estate.

It had originally been the headquarters of a merchant company.

At some point, Jeong Yeon-shin’s second brother Jeong Jung-san, who had tried to protect his niece Jeong Hye while she was taken by Yu Ling’s Shaanxi First Demon, had sold the land.

But now, that was no longer the case.

A highly respected merchant guild leader had transferred all the buildings and land to Jeong Yeon-shin.

He had even restored the well-maintained garden and the swing in the front yard that was used during the Dragon Boat Festival.

This was thanks to inquiring about what the Jeong Family estate looked like just before it became ruins from the villagers of Xinye County.

Now the scenery was not much different from when the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique was first created, and until Jeong Yeon-shin established his own family, a few people would be stationed there as Desolate Fortress’s Henan branch.

It was the birthplace of the young grandmaster.

The warriors of Desolate Fortress frequently strolled around the estate. Some, including Hyeon Won-chang, even sprinkled salt in the quarters where the late Jeong Pan-yue had resided.

The elf clan masters marveled at the unusually rich earth energy they felt, calling it remarkable ground energy. It didn’t seem like an estate that had once been burned down by the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader.

Meanwhile.

“Wudang defeated the Six Kings Sect. I heard Ten Segment Golden Staff was incredibly impressive, but I’m disappointed I missed it. They say Taoist High Sword knocked out the Six Kings Sect Leader without even drawing his sword. The Taoist’s Pine Pattern Ancient Sword would truly shine if he met our Squad Leader.”

A small figure sat on the swing, moving back and forth while chattering away.

It was White Cat Shin So-bin of Radiant Demon Wing.

On one side of her hair, which now flowed in waves with a short cut, her left arm that had been badly broken during the fight with Little Sword Queen was now perfectly attached as if nothing had happened. Her firmly gripping both swing ropes with her hands proved her complete recovery.

This was thanks to learning the simplified version of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

It was said that Jeong Yeon-shin had ordered Ma Family Head to pass down the technique. This happened right after she ended the sparring with her serious injury.

-“Of course, the prerequisite is that it’s not passed on to non-humans. Since it’s not a martial art donated to the Heavenly Martial Arsenal. Anyway, you’re not even a Jeong… you’re quite fortunate.”

-“And you’re a Ma, yet…”

She learned quickly. Thanks to her outstanding talent no less impressive than Ma Se-in’s, along with her understanding of Jeong Yeon-shin. She had easily grasped the diary written by the grandmaster in his childhood.

The only problem was that her eyes became moist in the already humid summer day. She too had sprinkled salt in the room of the Jeong Family Head. A lot of it.

“No matter how Wudang won, this estate is truly a geomantically excellent location. With mountains at the back and the village and stream in front.”

“Perfect for recuperation.”

The Desolate Fortress seniors exchanged idle talk around the swing.

Though they spoke of recuperation, in reality their positioning formed a stringent defensive formation.

Even their seemingly leisurely strolls were arranged to guard against any possible enemy infiltration. After all, even without being the Divine Sword Group Leader, Purple Rank represented a high position in Desolate Fortress.

It was then.

“Huh?”

Shin So-bin narrowed her eyes without getting off the swing. She was in the middle of evenly adjusting the meridians in both arms by gripping the swing ropes tightly.

“They’re here again.”

Beyond the main gate, more than a dozen small figures could be seen.

All of them wore blue martial uniforms with ancient, precious swords at their waists. Their demeanor revealed the discipline and dignity characteristic of prestigious families.

Xinye County is a village in Henan Province, under Shaolin’s sphere of influence.

Unless they were deliberately planning something, no unorthodox paths could travel in such lavish appearance.

The Namgung Family.

This was possible because they were a righteous martial clan representing the vast South Zhili.

Shin So-bin made a tired expression. This was because their visits had not been limited to once or twice.

Now the Elder Council Head of the Namgung Family, who was the only one in the world currently learning the Emperor Sword Form, deeply lowered his waist as he led the Azure Firmament Sword Heaven Brigade warriors. To the illegitimate temporary Obeying Heaven Wing Leader.

She and other Desolate Fortress warriors had unintentionally overheard numerous persuasive speeches.

-“Return to the family and inherit the Emperor Sword Form. You need not dirty your hands. You will become the lord of South Zhili following your bloodline.”

-“With the direct lineage perished, South Zhili nearly collapsed. I and the other Namgung clan members are barely maintaining the righteous martial world of your homeland.”

-“It is the land your brother, Azure Qilin of the martial world, sought to protect. If you insist on not coming, it will become a living hell. The Heaven-Subduing Sword… please draw the Heaven-Subduing Sword of the main family.”

Namgung Hwa-shin did not go with them. But due to his inherently respectful nature, he couldn’t mistreat the elders of his blood relatives either.

He simply thrust the Heaven-Subduing Sword, scabbard and all, into the middle of the Jeong Family estate’s front yard. With the message to take it.

That was the response of White Qilin, who was no less of a heroic knight than Desolate Divine Hero.

“Hasn’t it been stuck there for three days already? How is it possible that not a speck of dirt has gotten on the sword?”

“People from the Administrative Office call White Qilin ‘the flawless Black Rank.’ They say he obsessively cleans everything he touches.”

“They say there’s not a speck of dust in his room. He’s incredibly fastidious.”

Dozens of Desolate Fortress warriors felt relieved by Namgung Hwa-shin’s conduct. The symbolism of Desolate Fortress’s Black Rank needs no explanation.

If he were to leave the fortress of his own accord, not dying during a mission, it would cause tremendous repercussions.

The face and honor of Desolate Fortress, as well as the morale of the main fortress warriors, were all at stake.

Meanwhile, Lazy Flame Dragon sat casually on the ground, looking up at Namgung Hwa-shin.

The temporary Obeying Heaven Wing Leader was drawing and lowering his Desolate Sword, unconcerned with his relatives’ approach. His slightly lowered eyes indicated mind cultivation.

“That sword technique, what does it feel like…?”

Lazy Flame Dragon asked while chewing on an opium poppy. It didn’t feel like he was rudely interrupting the training.

Prodigies like him and Namgung Hwa-shin could enter a state of no-self at will. Their upper dantian quality was different from ordinary people.

“…Fast, and then fast again. Thinking about withstanding the pressure of the energy waves emitted by this sword technique, I feel that one must never stop training the body even in old age.”

“What a troublesome martial art.”

For a moment, Namgung Hwa-shin’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Lazy Flame Dragon glanced away, indicating that his disrespectful comment had been a mere soliloquy.

This was to avoid receiving a lecture from his friend’s younger brother who had now become his superior. He deliberately cleared his throat.

“For those masters, martial arts and life are no different, so if one wishes to enjoy life moderately, there should be leisure in martial arts as well. But it seems no one in Radiant Demon Wing knows what our Squad Leader enjoys…”

It was then.

From the place where Desolate Fortress warriors had been gradually shifting their gaze away.

“The Mount Hua Agreement has ended! Quickly prepare your ranks! Thirty-some righteous martial factions have rebelled! It’s an uprising!”

A hoarse cry erupted from the front of the Namgung Family swordsmen. Deep internal energy created a heavy vibration. It was the voice of the Namgung Elder Council Head.

Events symbolizing chaotic times occurred thus suddenly.

Wheeeeee-!

A sharp whistling arrow sound echoed from the mountain behind the estate. It was a signal from Shooting Moon Bow Ghost Wei Ye-ling.

It meant enemies had arrived nearby. If she needed to shoot a whistling arrow, it meant that she and other Radiant Demon Wing masters couldn’t quickly block their approach.

Either due to large numbers or outstanding martial prowess.

The Desolate Fortress warriors immediately drew their weapons. A series of blade sounds rang out. Everyone rose from their positions.

“What’s going on? This is Xinye County, not Dengfeng County?”

“That’s precisely why it’s here! What benefit would there be in attacking where the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects are staying? They need to strike nearby to scatter us!”

“Who could these people be?”

“Probably those who couldn’t bear to watch one side taking all the benefits of the Mount Hua Agreement. There might be someone like Yu Ling behind this.”

Shin So-bin said as she sprang from the swing and landed lightly on the ground. She glanced at Namgung Hwa-shin.

“Please give us orders. How should we move?”

At that moment.

Woooong-!

From the distant peak of the mountain behind them, some object was fired.

Something whose identity could be immediately recognized by those with deep eye techniques and broad knowledge. It was a lightning bomb imbued with powerful internal energy.

The villains had acquired firearms with remarkable skill without considering the imperial court’s reaction. They could truly be called traitors.

“…!”

The target was the quarters where Jeong Yeon-shin’s mother had once resided long ago.

Now it was the place where the unconscious Jeong Yeon-shin was recovering. The thunderclap bomb fell with terrifying speed as if launched from a cannon.

It happened before Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo could throw their swords.

Just as the Radiant Demon Wing warriors widened their eyes, suddenly the black sphere disappeared from midair without any trace. As if swept away by an irresistible force.

But this did not prevent the following bombardment.

Whoooong-! Boom! Kwakwaboom!

Roofs exploded and dust erupted. The warriors’ shouts were swept away by the explosive sounds.

While the earth shook violently, the sky began to be dyed with black smoke.

“Those b*st*rds… it’s the Six Kings Sect!”

“Hwa-shin! Let’s take cover! There’s no way to counterattack here!”

The Namgung Elder Council Head, who had already crossed the main gate of the Jeong Family estate, shouted.

This was right after Namgung Hwa-shin had dropped his Desolate Sword while trying to forcibly strike up at a thunderclap bomb falling toward two white-clothed warriors. This happened because he was not yet accustomed to the scabbard.

Thud!

The sword body stuck into the ground. Right next to a clean and ornate sword with a red jade embedded in it. The Desolate Sword and the Heaven-Subduing Sword. At that moment, the Elder Council Head’s eyes trembled.

The old swordsman instinctively sensed that a moment had come that would determine the fate of the Namgung Family.

At that time, Namgung Hwa-shin was recalling the single word that Jeong Yeon-shin had conveyed along with the Heaven-Subduing Sword.

-“Permission.”

Permission for anything. An order imbued with tremendous freedom. It was reminiscent of Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin, who was said to have spoken of freedom before his death.

Crack.

Namgung Hwa-shin grasped the dirt-covered Desolate Sword.

Simultaneously, a faint sword wind swept in all directions, stopping more than ten thunderclap bombs that were falling from the sky like hail in midair.

Judgment Qilin.

“How…!”

Just as the Elder Council Head’s eyes widened in astonishment.

As if they had anticipated the combat strength of the Desolate Fortress warriors before the attack, those who had been throwing thunderclap bombs while lined up on the mountain behind the Jeong Family estate each pulled out a cannon.

In their other hands, instead of thunderclap bombs, they held large, round pieces of metal.

They intended to bombard the area.

The Desolate Fortress warriors knew they couldn’t leave the newly appointed Purple Rank behind.

From the Jeong Family estate, four people stepped forward. Namgung Hwa-shin, Lazy Flame Dragon, Cheong Myeong, and Baek Mi-ryeo. Each emitted sword pressure, heat, sword wind, and demonic energy to form a wall.

Hyeon Won-chang blocked the entrance to Jeong Yeon-shin’s quarters with eyes distorted by killing intent. At the same time, the elf clan masters of Radiant Demon Wing began climbing the mountain with blurred movements.

Not one showed any sign of dismay, only emitting their fighting spirit.

None of the Desolate Fortress warriors were strangers to sudden attacks. That’s why neither side backed down.

It was the chaotic martial world.

[Fire.]

When a middle-aged man with a spear slung diagonally across his back, the Second Sect Leader of the Six Kings Sect, issued the command.

Woong-!

A translucent lotus bloomed in the front yard of the ruined Jeong Family estate.

It was enormous. Large enough to spew forth an old monk with fluttering orange empty sleeves instead of pistils.

Shaolin’s secret technique, the Lotus Platform Nine Grades.

It happened in an instant. Divine Monk Beomheo had suddenly manifested.

Woooong-!

Golden light flowed from both shoulders of the Shaolin Abbot, taking the form of arms. The ultimate of martial arts. A truly transcendent sight manifested at the Jeong Family estate.

Soon after, his waist was slightly twisted and whitish for just a moment. Before long, the divine monk Beomheo’s golden fist was striking the sky diagonally with a heavy thud, creating a shockwave like a temple bell.

Simultaneously, the air rippled widely.

Divine skill secret technique, Hundred-Step Divine Fist.

The repercussions occurred on the mountain behind. The ridge where the cannons had been lined up suddenly flipped over completely.

It was as if an invisible Buddha’s hand had carved away and erased the entire mountain ridge. Dust rose vastly along the long ridge.

Only after a few breaths did the explosive roar travel down the sloped mountain path.

Kugugugugung-!

It was total annihilation.

The enemies who had mobilized firearms were gone with a single fist.

An extremely resolute act of demon suppression and eradication. Within the energy waves of the supreme fist strike, even the metal fragments of the cannons vanished without a trace, let alone the bodies.

An unbelievable silence fell. For a while, no one moved.

“……”

While everyone was speechless.

At some point, another figure was standing in the front yard. From within a strangely curved space, Ma Yeon-jeok with slightly raised corners of his mouth passed by Divine Monk Beomheo.

“I see the Emperor was not wrong. It seems fine to entrust the gate of Henan to you.”

“Isn’t that the duty of the Nine Great Sects?”

“I say this because there aren’t many who are devoted to their duties.”

“I cannot agree.”

“Especially Qingcheng should be sealed off. Mount Hua was somewhat worth expecting. That girl is better than her predecessor.”

“It’s not a matter of capacity. How can the world’s descent into chaos be blamed on any one person?”

“The bald monk’s words flow like a clear mountain stream.”

“How is Benefactor Jeong’s condition?”

“The qi circulation just finished. Now all that remains is for him to overwhelm you all as a proper Purple Rank of the main fortress.”

“…I hear that the sect leader of Diancang has awakened. Would you like to meet her?”

“Why should I say anything in front of a decrepit person? Wasn’t even her sword shattered by my grandson? I cannot hide my sympathy for those who will never know a grandfather’s joy until the day they die.”

“……”

“Is your business finished?”

“I had to intervene just now, but your daughter’s grave is safe.”

“I know.”

That was the end of it.

The next moment, the two people dispersed like smoke from their spots. And did not appear again.

Supreme masters, each with their own duties entrusted to them by the world. The longer they stay in one place, the deeper the world groans. Therefore, they were transient.

Whisk-

A wooden box with what appeared to be a letter tied to it fell toward Hyeon Won-chang.

When he quickly caught it, he saw that the outside of the letter had the words “For Yeon-shin to see” written in thick brushstrokes.

“Well…”

Hyeon Won-chang tried to appear calm as he spoke.

“Neither cursive script, nor regular script, but truly the most illegible of scrawls…”

“Stop the nonsense and let’s go. Leaving here comes first.”

With a cold voice, Baek Mi-ryeo passed by the Desolate Hero.

Doing what needs to be done.

The composure of the veteran masters of Desolate Fortress ran deep. They discreetly entered the hall, hoisted Jeong Yeon-shin onto their backs, and laid him inside a palanquin.

The supreme master, extremely sensitive to the killing intent of enemies, showed no reaction to the touch of his comrades.

So as the Radiant Demon Wing masters carrying the palanquin crossed the threshold of the Jeong Family estate following Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong Myeong tossed out a brief remark.

“A letter came from the Grand Administrator. They’re preparing a formal promotion ceremony at the main fortress. This works out well. The Henan branch of the main fortress will look after this place.”

“By formal promotion ceremony, you mean…?”

“They’ll restructure all the formations centered on the new Purple Rank. Radiant Demon Wing Leader will change, and some inadequate kids will find it hard to assist the Squad Leader, so be prepared.”

“Purple Rank promotion ceremony! Of course there will be the character ‘Desolate’ embroidered on the shoulders!”

It was a voice filled with strange anticipation. Hyeon Won-chang, completely ignoring Cheong Myeong’s latter words, followed the group with a relaxed stride. The sunset was falling in the direction they were heading.

At this point, Jeong Yeon-shin had about two years left to live.

The shadows of the Desolate Fortress group stretched long, clinging to the end of summer.