Chapter 449 – Den of Demons (2)

Taoist Two Walls approached the blind man slowly.

“You truly are a madman. Just as the rumors say.”

Somehow, the symbolic treasure sword of the Qingcheng Sect Leader was already gripped in his hand like an illusion.

A blade that emitted milky-white sword light. Soon after, clouds of dust began to rise like clouds with each step Taoist Two Walls took.

Swish, swish-

Within that dust, flashes of blue light occasionally gleamed. The sword energy had permeated the translucent dust particles. A transcendent sight. It was the Azure Cloud Sword Technique of Qingcheng’s secret teachings.

“Is it proper for someone who claims to have been unfairly listed among the Thirteen Evil Sects to stand guard for the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord? Why are you buying time until he completes his earth-shrinking sorcery?”

He did not hesitate in his steps.

For some unknown reason, the opponent had been waiting to block the path that Lady Lu Xian would take, and had done so faster than her.

If a confrontation wasn’t risked here, innocent commoners’ lives might be threatened. That was the nature of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

What were the odds of victory?

Even Taoist Two Walls didn’t know. This wasn’t something to debate in the first place.

“Ah, Fourth Uncle! Don’t you want to know too?!”

“Be quiet.”

Taoist Jinmu, who had been asking the storyteller questions, disappeared into the bushes, dragged away by his fourth uncle.

At the same time, the commoners who had been retreating hesitantly began to flee, turning their backs. The storyteller with the Register of Martial Heroes was among them.

“Don’t push! Don’t push!”

“The immortal of Qingcheng will vanquish the sword Demon, so why… hmph!”

“Such ignorance! Hurry up! Quickly!”

Sounds of feet urgently pressing against the dirt ground. Somehow, Qingcheng’s Jinmu and Qing’en had quietly mixed among them, helping fallen people up and assisting in their escape. Thus they departed.

Swish.

Fortunately, the blind man wearing a conical hat paid them no attention. He merely kept fidgeting with his sword handle.

“A madman, is it… How can you be so certain?”

“What?”

“I am not a madman. Rather, isn’t it the entire world, including you, that has gone mad, worshiping something like the World Tree? If it were me, I would rather bow to a Buddha statue of the Heavenly Demon in meditation. Hmm? But was there such a thing? A Buddha statue of the Heavenly Demon?”

The blind man, tilting his head quizzically on his own, concluded his words slowly.

“Well… in Xinjiang, Buddha and the Heavenly Demon might not be so different.”

“Sword-obsessed fool. You know nothing.”

“Ah, my insult toward the World Tree just now was sincere. I am a man who bows to blades, after all.”

“I hadn’t heard your speech was so filthy.”

“Isn’t a single sword embodying profound principles better than a monstrous entity that drains all the world’s intellectual energy? And I am quite a clean swordsman.”

“Madman.”

Taoist Two Walls didn’t even snort in derision.

There was no truth in the blind man’s words.

Even his talk of acknowledging the Divine Sword Group Leader, Martial Dragon Alliance Leader, and Tyrant Sword Sect Leader was a lie.

This blind man literally saw nothing, and he wasn’t one to acknowledge anyone in terms of swordsmanship.

The statement about being a clean swordsman was equally false.

He knew how the swordsmen of the Thirteen Evil Sects’ Heaven Conquering Sect were raised.

Kidnapping, teaching, mutual slaughter, survival in perilous lands.

Even the Five Central Swordsmen, said to be among the top five in the sect, were like that.

Their temperament and fighting methods were notorious for being no different from those who had mastered demonic arts. There were even rumors that they wielded their exceptionally sharp sword energy like demonic energy.

“Let’s move elsewhere.”

“Hmm?”

“There are many passersby. You wouldn’t want imperial pursuit either.”

“Ah, many passersby? What an excellent Zen koan. Yes… in a world where everything is white, perhaps I am the mad one for seeing only black… Ha! Indeed, the insight of a Nine Great Sects leader is well-deserved. A flavorful teaching.”

[TL Note- A koan is a paradoxical riddle or question used as a tool for meditation and spiritual practice. It’s not meant to be solved with logical reasoning but rather to challenge the mind and lead to a deeper understanding of reality. ]

Swoosh-!

The blind man drew his sword with both arms spread wide to either side. Conduct truly befitting a swordsman of the Dark Path. The blade pulled roughly from its scabbard spread a bell-like sound.

Slowly.

The corners of his mouth beneath the conical hat drew a thin arc like a blade edge.

“I’m curious about your swordsmanship.”

Taoist Two Walls judged the sincerity of those words with his innate intuition.

“This fellow……”

It meant he wasn’t particularly curious.

* * *

Jeong Yeon-shin’s dantian repeatedly filled with and emptied of internal energy.

In his heart, a double-layered ring of light continuously rotated, and among them, one layer that was originally faint flickered as if it would disperse at any moment.

It was due to sword-controlled flight.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not ride a fine horse.

He did not seek sleep either.

He simply rushed through the void standing on the Divine Sword Remaining Thunder, and just before the Luminous Wheel Technique was completely depleted, he would land and replenish his true energy through qi circulation.

He repeated this sequence day and night without distinction.

All the acupoints throughout his body corresponding to the circulation pathway burned as if on fire.

But he felt no pain.

This was because he had become half-entranced as soon as he left Desolate Fortress and was alone.

His maternal grandfather and the Group Leader had both departed on long journeys.

There was no support from the main fortress either. They were barely managing to protect themselves, and rightly so. The Black Rank seniors who remained in Xiangyang as standing forces could never leave the main fortress.

‘It’s okay. It will be okay.’

He focused only on flying forward, and thus, even before seven days and nights had passed, he was able to traverse nearly half of Zhejiang Province.

Finally, Hangzhou.

“Move aside.”

“What a filthy beggar…”

“Beggar? You, aren’t you that merchant who digs for plows at Great Heaven Sect? Do you know how much money I’ve made on the battlefields of Hangzhou?!”

“Didn’t you squander it all on gambling? Do you think there are only one or two people like you in this city? Hey, if you clench your fist here, you might face serious consequences.”

“Let’s just pass through. Yes, pardon me.”

Beggars messily coming and going on the official road, merchants pulling carts while habitually ignoring the squeaking friction of the wheels, and a few wandering swordsmen hurriedly glancing at piles of tea leaves and grains…

There was even a martial arts master watching all these scenes from atop the city wall, with his hands behind his back.

An elderly warrior with a dignified appearance and a beard grown down to his chest. At a glance, he appeared to be assisting the garrison soldiers.

Land of pleasure.

Amidst the cheers and screams from some distant place, mixed with the clatter of hoofbeats.

“Ugh…?”

“Herk!”

Jeong Yeon-shin knocked down several wandering swordsmen by the roadside with a gust of wind. They had been cautiously following some merchants.

Those who sold their swordsmanship for a few coins were now indistinguishable from bandits, he had heard. Jeong Yeon-shin verified the state of affairs at the entrance to Hangzhou with indifferent eyes.

“What… this is enough to make ghosts wail!”

While the people walking on the road stopped in great surprise.

Thud.

Leaping over the checkpoint in a single stride and entering the city, Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head upward.

This was because there were countless pavilions so tall it was difficult to count their levels.

It was like entering another world. Beyond the people freely wearing swords, silk, writing brushes, or bundles, structures exceeding ten stories were not uncommon.

Their height was also tremendous, comparable to the watchtowers or spires of Desolate Fortress’s main castle.

It would not be an exaggeration to say it was a place where Iron Clan artisans had displayed their magnificent skills without restraint.

Unlike Beijing or Xiangyang, which were military strongholds, this city had no restrictions on building tall pavilions.

‘What should I do first?’

He thought.

He had already surveyed Hangzhou with his energy sense.

Despite thoroughly combing through as far as his senses could reach, he couldn’t find any trace of Baek Mi-ryeo, let alone Ming Cult Leader.

This was quite natural.

Peerless masters can all be said to be geniuses of “return to origin.” It’s difficult to trace their whereabouts unless you’re face to face with them.

It was also natural that he couldn’t sense Baek Mi-ryeo’s energy, who might be under the pressure point control of Ming Cult Leader.

Swish.

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at the note in his hand.

It was a report. A letter received from White Lotus, whom he had dispatched the first time he performed qi circulation. The narrow surface was filled with dense writing.

[Heaven Conquering Sect Leader sighted.

On Kaiguan Road, one of the roads leading to Hangzhou. Traces of about two hundred commoners having their necks cut in one sweep discovered.

I report to Master Jeong.

At the fifth hour of the last full moon day, the Qingcheng Sect Leader engaged in battle.

The opponent was the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

Kaiguan Road is filled with traces of clumped Azure Cloud Sword Energy everywhere.

Deep pits have formed, making it difficult for people to pass through, and they are close in form to craters.

Judging by the size of one of them, it seems that even the life-saving ultimate technique of peerless masters, known as Empty Sky Severing Technique, was deployed. This is also Taoist Two Walls’ method.

However, there are no sword marks from the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader. Considering the unbelievable rumors about the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword, this is a point worthy of special note.

According to intelligence from a White Rank warrior of the main fortress infiltrated into the Beggar Sect branch, it seems that Brilliant Jade Sword God Lady Lu Xian and Mount Hua Sword Saint Taoist Cheon Ju intervened at the end of this life-and-death duel and took Taoist Two Walls away.

I regretfully could not acquire more specific information than this.

I beg your forgiveness, Master Jeong. Please take care of yourself.

With respect.

Desolate Fortress Hangzhou Branch Chief, Blue Rank Warrior Jeong Tae-gung.]

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his head. The back strap of the blindfold covering his eyes slightly draped over the nape of his neck. It was white cloth.

Once, at the Martial Alliance meeting, he had imitated the Seventh Apostle who was impersonating someone else, and passersby looked at him strangely as he read the letter with his eyes covered.

Jeong Yeon-shin moved forward with his eye technique activated.

Toward the sect he had seen when he interfered with Ming Cult Leader’s Form Shifting Void.

‘Great Heaven Sect.’

It was said to be a strange place.

There was talk of a martial lineage that cultivated imposing presence rather than martial arts.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not doubt this story. It was information he had heard from the current and former Divine Sword Deputy Leaders, whom he had inwardly acknowledged.

There was no room for doubt.

‘Could it be a sect related to Ming Cult Leader?’

Jeong Yeon-shin walked in search of his destination while lost in thought. Fortunately, the people of Hangzhou did not reject the unfamiliar blind man.

Perhaps because they were accustomed to foreigners. He could reach Great Heaven Sect without even needing to survey from above using sword-controlled flight.

Heaven Conquering Sect Leader, Taimo Mountain Castle Lord, Ming Cult Leader.

They were all in this land.

It was a city where he shouldn’t rashly cause disturbances. Jeong Yeon-shin searched within his garment while thanking the woman for her kindness without reward.

“Since you’ve been a guide, let me offer you some salt as a token of gratitude.”

The woman immediately waved her hands at him.

“No need. Rather, since you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll need to rest from your journey. If you insist on rewarding me, perhaps you could pour me a cup of Shaoxing wine…”

“I don’t drink alcohol.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied firmly, forcibly placing the salt pouch in the woman’s hand. It was more valuable than most coins.

“Thank you.”

Leaving the woman behind, he glanced up at Great Heaven Sect’s signboard.

大阡門.

It was extremely vigorous, with each stroke seeming alive. It was incomparable to the handwriting of Ma Yeon-jeok or Yong Hye-myeong.

It was then.

“Oh!”

From the main gate of Great Heaven Sect, which was surrounded by surprisingly small walls unworthy of its fame.

Suddenly, a man in yellow robes who had let out an exclamation approached Jeong Yeon-shin with determined steps.

Despite appearing to be a gatekeeper, his steps were uninhibited. There was even arrogance on his face, seeming to demonstrate the prestige of Great Heaven Sect, called Hangzhou’s foremost faction.

“I can tell just by your appearance! Some elder said that if someone with your appearance came, I should give you this!”

After handing Jeong Yeon-shin a long bundle of cloth, he anxiously looked around. He seemed terrified of the elder he had mentioned.

“……”

The sect’s discipline is in shambles. Normally, when something unusual occurs, the first step is to report to the sect elders.

But Jeong Yeon-shin focused only on the item handed to him.

‘Ming Cult Leader.’

Ming Cult Leader’s energy sense should not be inferior to his own. He must have noticed that Jeong Yeon-shin had seen Great Heaven Sect earlier.

The gatekeeper, who had been glancing at him, added:

“That… what was it? A dagger scabbard used by our sect’s founding patriarch, I think. There was a message that if you want to touch it, you should be thoroughly prepared…”

The first Heavenly Demon.

Most likely a treasure. What could be the scheme?

Swish.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently took out the scabbard from within the cloth.

He had no intention of being led around any further by guessing Ming Cult Leader’s intentions, but there was a need to use the clues left by a target that needed to be eliminated.

‘An item of the Heavenly Demon…’

There were no particular patterns on the scabbard. It just emitted a strong smell of old wood. Along with demonic energy that suddenly rose like wildfire and invaded Jeong Yeon-shin’s grasp.

Hwaaaaak-!

The formless energy intensely tickled his fingertips.

Its force was truly like flame. It seemed capable of tearing apart even the meridians of a master confident in internal cultivation. It truly seemed like a treasure with a fragment of the Heavenly Demon’s true energy.

Jeong Yeon-shin blew on it with an indifferent face.

There was a sound like glass breaking. Then the translucent, flickering energy disappeared without a trace.

The gatekeeper, who had been watching Jeong Yeon-shin with strangely covetous eyes, showed a startled expression.

“Just now, what…”

But Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t looking at him.

[I was just guessing.]

A human shape that rose up as soon as the demonic energy in the scabbard was extinguished.

Semi-transparent like a ghost, but apparently invisible to the passersby nearby. It was martial sorcery. It could also be called one of the mysteries of the martial world.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze sharpened.

The ghost’s appearance was the issue.

[This actually works…? What kind of internal energy is this?]

A melodiously resonant voice.

A woman who had wrapped her entire body in an extremely elaborate white windflower robe was alternately looking at her hands.

Hair as black as the night, flowing like a fairy’s trailing garment. She had distinct and dreamy features like Jeong Yeon-shin, but the feeling emanating from that harmony was not beauty but rather close to demonic nature.

A strangely crooked smile stood out.

A familiar smile. Unmistakably. It was Ming Cult Leader.

“……”

The gazes of the two people who were at opposite poles slowly met.

[Well… you can think of me as a spirit. It would be too troublesome to appear before you in my true form for various reasons.]

It wasn’t a voice altered by internal energy. It was speech derived from extremely smooth mental intent.

At the moment Jeong Yeon-shin formed a sword seal by joining his index and middle fingers.

“By the way, you’ve impersonated Desolate Day Extinction Jeong Yeon-shin remarkably well. Even with that blindfold, I’d give you ten points… no, full marks. Let me tell you in advance, this isn’t merely the judgment of a gatekeeper. I am the Outer Hall Master.”

The man from Great Heaven Sect began to pour out endless talk like a medicine peddler.

He was now flashing extremely deep, colorless eye lights.

“Looking at you from every angle, a master of transformation and disguise like you will surely be of great use in and around Hangzhou. I think you’ve come to become a guest elder of our sect. It seems the elder who gave you that scabbard has connected you with our sect, and although it may not seem so, Taimo Mountain Castle and our sect…”

Hangzhou, a Den of Demons where all manner of people live.