Chapter 445 – Sunset Flag (7)

Soon after, a youthful girl’s voice rang out.

“If you’ve seen it, then get lost.”

It was an extremely imperious tone.

Thud.

The spear shaft stuck in the deeply sunken ground at the center.

“Xiangyang is not a place where martial artists can freely come and go.”

The girl, who had nimbly stepped onto the flag-like tip of the silver spear, surveyed the Martial Alliance party.

As her slow head movement caused the ends of her black hair to brush against her nape, it made a soft swishing sound. This was because powerful internal energy permeated each and every strand.

Meanwhile, the sleeve covering her arm in black reached almost to her feet, and seeing the character “Desolate” written on the girl’s shoulder, several martial artists’ faces lit up with joy.

“Master Yue…!”

A man who had blurted out his welling emotion collapsed with a thud. His forehead had been struck by an invisible wave of palm energy.

The expressions of the Martial Alliance party, who had been wearing looks of relief, changed dramatically.

“How could you do this?!”

“To strike without a word of explanation…!”

In response to their outcries as they drew their weapons, Yue Shou-lin snorted derisively.

“Chaotic times are chaotic times.”

“What…!”

“The prestige of the main fortress must have fallen quite a bit. In the past, just seeing this flag would make any kind of person yield.”

It was just as she was tapping the spear shaft below her feet with the tip of her leather shoe.

“I pay my respects to the Divine Spear. I am the Young Clan Leader of the Zhuge family.”

Zhuge Qing-ya, who had quickly dismounted, raised both hands together toward Yue Shou-lin.

Despite her rough breathing due to the long chase, her cupped fist salute was immaculate.

She was fulfilling her responsibilities as Young Clan Leader despite having lost all her direct lineage. Yue Shou-lin’s eyes showed a glimmer of interest as she glanced at her.

“You’re a child I’ve seen before. Weren’t you under our Lightning Genius before returning to your family? Now you’re the Young Clan Leader?”

“I understand why you’re angry. However… I earnestly implore you to consider our circumstances…”

“You tried to enter Xiangyang dragging those things behind you. I planted the flag telling you not to come, yet you still tried to cling to us, mentioning masters and such.”

Yue Shou-lin pointed beyond their shoulders.

In the distance.

A whitish gust of wind was rapidly growing larger and darker.

Even the vibrations rumbling across the plains were spreading out. It was the aftermath of the large-scale lightness technique being deployed by the martial sorcerers of Taimo Mountain Castle.

They were creating storms approaching natural disasters with just propulsive energy waves. It was a sight that proved there was no shortage of practitioners of extraordinary martial sorcery.

Several who had resisted Yue Shou-lin while relying on the principles of the martial world furrowed their brows. Some of them wore expressions of sudden realization.

“Get lost. The main fortress currently lacks the resources to mediate disputes between martial sects. Especially in places where common people aren’t immediately affected, like here.”

“Forgive my shamelessness, but Divine Spear, you mentioned resources. Why is that?”

Zhuge Qing-ya carefully asked. For a moment, Yue Shou-lin’s brow furrowed slightly.

“While being short-handed is nothing particularly new, our Purple Rank of the main fortress might clash with a famous vassal king. I can’t tell you more than that, so turn back now.”

Despite her seemingly casual demeanor, it carried the pressure of someone who had long traversed forests of blades.

The overwhelming internal energy cultivation of Yue Shou-lin, who had reclaimed the position of Black Rank First of Desolate Fortress, completed such a temperament.

“Oh no…”

On one side, the Young Clan Leader of the Gong family, Gong Min, who had been alternately watching the front and back, showed dismay on his youthful face.

He began nervously touching the treasured sword at his waist.

The Desolate Divine Spear had drawn a clear line. And there was no one who could claim that the Shandong Yue family was also a pillar of the Hanzhong Martial Alliance.

After all, when Yue Shou-lin left her family long ago, she had even engaged in a chase with several famous Yue family spear wielders. No family would simply stand by and watch the departure of a powerful clan member with succession rights.

[What a pleasant thing to hear. Then may we take them with us?]

It was an aged, hoarse voice. Instantly, Yue Shou-lin’s palm struck the air, and a translucent palm energy tore through the atmosphere in a straight line, accompanied by the fluttering sound of her sleeve.

[Oh my.]

With an exaggerated exclamation, a pure white light flashed in the air, collided with Yue Shou-lin’s palm energy with a bang, and disappeared.

Simultaneously, the figure of an old man was revealed beyond it. It was as if the invisible clothing or something similar that had been concealing him was stripped away by a single exchange.

“Celestial Star…!”

Zhuge Qing-ya groaned and muttered. At the same time, the Martial Alliance party began to stir greatly, each uttering “Three Arts Grand Seat” with astonished voices.

The Three Arts Grand Seats of Taimo Mountain Castle.

It’s a term collectively referring to the three immortals led by the Castle Lord. In the upper echelons of the martial world, they are known as decisive weapons in factional battles.

Each with knowledge and experience in martial sorcery not inferior to the Zhuge family head, they became legends in the martial world thanks to the tale that the three of them were able to block the Diancang Sect Leader’s Transcendent Martial Art.

They were also called the real power behind the Thirteen Evil Sects’ Taimo Mountain Castle, often acting in place of the Castle Lord, who preferred to travel alone.

[Hmm.]

An old man with kindly eye wrinkles looked down from midair.

His appearance was peculiar.

He was wearing a robe typically worn by Taoists, but the collar was so high it touched his chin.

On either side of the nearly pure white lower hem, phoenixes with wings fully spread were drawn as if molten gold had been used. It would be no exaggeration to say it was a ceremonial robe too elaborate even for a king to wear.

Yue Shou-lin tilted her head at an angle.

“…Void Soaring Step?”

[No. The practitioners of our immortal realm do not use energy in such an uncivilized manner. This is merely an art of controlling the wind with martial sorcery.]

Practitioners of the immortal realm.

The venerable master of Taimo Mountain Castle, walking on air, claims to be an immortal with a resonant voice.

Who wouldn’t believe him if he showed such conduct even in front of commoners? Even with the famine being as severe as it is, there would be countless people bringing food offerings of their own accord.

The common people would each pray for their own blessings, so they wouldn’t harbor resentment either.

Therefore, Taimo Mountain Castle never plunders civilian homes. They simply fill the castle’s granaries naturally through deception.

One corner of Yue Shou-lin’s mouth turned up slightly.

“Who are you calling yourself an immortal in front of? Are you habitually deceiving people?”

[Originally, this shore and the other shore are divided according to human perception. If I believe this cloth is an immortal’s body, then the divine skills and philosophical learning this body has cultivated respond to that belief. The same goes for the commoners who consider the main fortress as the land of immortals. They simply believe it to be so. The main fortress in these chaotic times does not needlessly betray their hopes…]

“You pretend to be an immortal yet spout words like ‘this shore’ and ‘the other shore’ like a Shaolin monk. Old man, your cultivation is too shallow for me to listen further, so just get lost.”

[……]

Celestial Star gazed at Yue Shou-lin with clear eyes. Perhaps because he was floating in midair looking down, the energy waves flowing from his body and scratching the surrounding air became even more bizarre.

It was enough to make some of the Martial Alliance martial artists scratch their skin, unable to endure the writhing air.

Despite having a mortal enemy right before their eyes.

But Yue Shou-lin merely returned Celestial Star’s gaze with wide, defiant eyes.

“What?”

[…I will withdraw for today. If you were to summon the newly appointed Purple Rank behind you, I would have to use the secret technique I’ve been saving here. I am satisfied with just taking the token that they are guarding.]

“Did the old man also bring something like Form Shifting Void? You couldn’t deploy it alone, could you?”

[Your skill at estimation is quite good. But do not try to flip over the immortal’s cards. You might have to offer that hand as a sacrifice for your foolishness.]

At the same time, without taking his eyes off Yue Shou-lin, Celestial Star slightly raised one hand.

Following that seemingly insignificant gesture, the coffin in the middle of the Martial Alliance party floated up.

It was an extremely profound control of objects in midair.

One of the Martial Alliance members who had been watching the confrontation between the two supreme masters in silence immediately spoke up.

“The Leader of the Martial Alliance!”

It was Zhuge Qing-ya. She rarely raised her voice.

“Sword Star is alive in there!”

[You are asking for death!]

Celestial Star let out a roar.

But he did not strike at Zhuge Qing-ya.

Instead, he first drew out a yellow piece of paper and directed it toward the individual he needed to check most urgently in this place-Desolate Fortress’s Black Rank First, who could race across the chaotic martial world with just a single spear.

Locust Yellow Paper.

Paper that has been soaked in water infused with pagoda tree flowers and then dried.

It is like a weapon for practitioners of martial sorcery, as paper dyed with pagoda flower water excels at gathering true energy.

This is especially true for those who refer to internal energy as martial sorcery and use it to create strange harmonies.

Naturally, it is the primary weapon of the Thirteen Evil Sects’ Taimo Mountain Castle.

“Sword Star? That’s different then.”

The moment Yue Shou-lin, who had descended from the flag, kicked the spear shaft, the silver spear that had been stuck in the ground spat out dirt and dust with a bang and disappeared from its place.

Swiiiiish-!

The spear, thrown from the kick, pierced through Celestial Star and passed by.

At the same time, the old master’s body blurred slightly. A movement like Form Transformation. Celestial Star revealed himself behind Yue Shou-lin like a midsummer mirage.

The bright daylight momentarily grew even brighter.

This was because the red flame that bloomed from Celestial Star’s hand engulfed Yue Shou-lin’s body.

Immediately, the sound of dry earth cracking echoed. Even the soot spread out.

The Martial Alliance martial artists, greatly shocked by the sight, took a step back each. Generally, martial artists who have trained with weapons cannot wield such powerful Samadhi Flame so freely.

Naturally, it is far from swift strikes. It’s only possible for martial artists of certain martial sorcery who claim to be immortals. Because of this, in some corners of the martial world, those who wield martial sorcery are pointed at as being closer to scholars than martial artists.

It’s said that they differ in sect fundamentally from those who train both mind and body simultaneously.

[Since the elves descended from heaven and this country was founded.]

By now, Celestial Star had risen into the air again. Even after igniting the flame that burned the Desolate Divine Spear, he did not let his guard down.

[The study that values the small universe of one body over the harmony of great nature is gradually becoming outdated martial arts. Only the main fortress and the Ming Cult realized this fact early. Even the Imperial Archive Director, who holds all the secrets of the world in his hands, is busy showing off his body in Shaolin, truly a lamentable state of affairs.]

Rustle, rustle.

Several more Locust Yellow Papers emerged from between the old man’s fingers. The other hand was increasing the pressure of heat, pointing at the spot where Yue Shou-lin was.

With a booming sound, the soot on the ground formed concentric circles.

He stared down at the large burning fireball and continued.

[If you wish to even grab my hem, bring the Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost of the Profound Martial Alliance here. Or find a supreme master who can wield the mystery of mind-controlled sword technique with a spear. Even then, this immortal, who has prepared for all variables, would not be easily dealt with. The late Zhuge family head was a great negative example. Anyway, now that the main fortress has stirred to calm the chaotic times…]

[That’s enough. There’s nothing to gain by further provoking the Desolate Divine Spear.]

Next to Celestial Star.

A man suddenly appeared with a clear voice.

Unlike Celestial Star, he had a face close to that of a young man, with features that could be called beautiful.

He was wearing an ink-black robe that contrasted with his white skin, as if it had never been exposed to even a speck of sunlight throughout his life.

The mere appearance of this man caused the late summer heat to cool down eerily. Blue lightning constantly crackled and rose around his black robe.

He was considered the foremost among the three immortals of the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord.

“Celestial Aid Demon Star…”

Now even Zhuge Qing-ya took a step back.

As an elf clan member who had lived since before the founding of the country, he was the direct disciple of the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord, said to be comparable in age to the Shaolin Abbot.

While his master’s age was one of the oldest in the world, Celestial Aid Demon Star also received senior treatment wherever he went in the martial world.

Along with the evaluation that if there weren’t the Young Castle Lord of Taimo Mountain, he would have long since inherited the sect.

Sreung-

Gong Min barely managed to draw his sword with a trembling hand.

The appearance of Celestial Star and Celestial Aid Demon Star attested to one fact. The death of the Gong family head who had taken the rear of the party. The Three Arts Grand Seats, as supreme masters of martial sorcery, are exceptionally skilled in joint attacks.

When two of them join hands, even killing an Eight Families Head is not impossible.

Though they seemed too neat in appearance for having killed the Gong family head, that was precisely the Taimo Mountain Castle style.

They were famous for their near-divine skill regeneration studies and their extreme obsession with appearances.

[Do not resist. If you don’t want to lose the precious cultivation of the Zhuge family.]

As Celestial Aid Demon Star Huo Lian Da Xiao was calmly admonishing them.

“This is nice?”

It came from within the fireball confining Yue Shou-lin. It was a childishly innocent murmur. Immediately after, a bright red beam of light shot toward Celestial Star with a swish.

Puherk-!

Celestial Star’s body bent.

At some point, a spear had pierced through the center of his abdomen and stopped midway.

It was surrounded by flames. A formidable spear energy wave shimmered with a translucent color along with the flames.

It didn’t even allow the body to bleed, only emitting pale smoke.

Cough!

As Celestial Star spat up blood, Huo Lian Da Xiao, who had witnessed the strike right beside him, expressed admiration instead of anger.

[Did you transfer the art of Samadhi Flame to your spear as protective energy? Not only is your internal energy barrier impressive, but your true energy manipulation technique is truly remarkable. Indeed, you are worthy of being called the foremost Black Rank of Desolate Fortress.]

Celestial Aid Demon Star Huo Lian Da Xiao.

The effective representative of the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord.

His conduct exudes leisure. At a glance, he even appears refined.

Hwarak-

From within the weakly dying flames, the corners of Yue Shou-lin’s mouth curved upward.

“There really are people obsessed with martial learning.”

[Reason is the virtue that masters of the main fortress should cultivate first.]

“Well, well.”

[I am by no means looking down on your martial arts. It’s because what we have prepared is that significant. Even restoring Celestial Star here is not difficult. Rather, you should have cut off his breathing with a determination to die. Then my complexion might have changed a little.]

Huo Lian Da Xiao spread his arms.

Beyond the magnificently fluttering sleeves of his robe.

At some point, four Locust Yellow Papers were held between each of his hands. The sight of them inserted between his long fingers was extremely leisurely.

Celestial Star burst into a hearty laugh.

[No spare spear, either. And to use control of objects in midair… the distance is too great. Could your qi harmonization possibly surpass that of the Shaolin Abbot?]

He managed to finish his words despite his voice breaking with each cough. It was the epitome of keeping up appearances.

Like heroes born in chaotic times, Taimo Mountain Castle, which had now fully revealed itself, looked down arrogantly on all martial artists, even though this was merely the outskirts of Xiangyang.

Huo Lian Da Xiao nodded his head.

[We knew the Desolate Fortress Lord was not in Xiangyang. Fortunately, we’ve cut off the pursuit here, so perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to take the Divine Spear’s head and return…]

His words were cut off.

This was because he saw a young man standing on a sword in front of Celestial Star’s face. His presence demanded silence.

A face without expression.

The midday sunlight poured down like iron bars.

Beneath it, the hem of his purple robe sparkled with a golden hue.

Swik-

As the young man extended his hand toward Celestial Star’s face, no one could respond. The movement itself seemed to swim in an entirely different timeline.

It wasn’t even a fist technique.

The moment his slowly moving palm touched the forehead.

Puhwak!

With a bursting sound, Celestial Star’s head was shattered. The sight of pale fluid, blood, and bone fragments roughly bouncing in all directions brushed past the sunlight like a dream.

Huo Lian Da Xiao, with bulging eyes, burst energy waves from both hands. A technique recognized by everyone as supreme skill and learning. It was to call down lightning in broad daylight.

But that was just for a moment.

[What…?]

Nothing happened at all.