Chapter 457 – Heaven’s Movement

The land of Hangzhou is enormously vast.

So vast that it has three courier stations within the city itself.

Originally, it wasn’t like this.

Before the founding of Ming, there were cities called Jiaxing and Shaoxing above and below Hangzhou, but during the founding period, they were reduced to ruins in a battle between a monstrous being with a body as large as a mountain and the elf clan empress of founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

That’s how they became incorporated into Hangzhou.

Moreover, at that time, the ground rose from the sea that had surrounded the three cities, and Hangzhou transformed into an overwhelmingly vast metropolis encompassing all of Zhejiang Province.

The imperial family didn’t divide it into separate districts. They needed to observe the people’s sentiment.

Hangzhou, famous since ancient times as a wealthy land, could not be distinguished from the nearby ruins.

Founding Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang did not divide the prefecture, instead making Hangzhou a thoroughly pleasant place to live.

That’s why the current Annihilation Team Leader was still alive.

Even while being pursued by martial artists of Heaven Conquering Sect and Taimo Mountain Castle, he was wandering around Hangzhou. The immensely vast land made it possible.

Thud.

Wet footprints were left behind.

It was the dock where the absolute masters of the martial world, including Jeong Yeon-shin, were said to have fought. Crowds had gathered like clouds.

Swordsmen examining the surroundings hoping to discover traces of peerless sword masters, poets and scholars who had walked here after hearing rumors that the highest echelon of the martial world had stayed here, wealthy young men accompanied by various bodyguards searching for rare sights, and merchants tightly securing their pouches while selling pancakes or sweets among them.

The murmuring voices were noisy, and the shopkeepers’ customer solicitations were cautious due to fear of robbery. The sound of gently flowing water mixed with it all.

Few people were unremarkable.

Unless they were severely starving, those who could truly be called common people tended to be cautious.

“Did heavenly deities really exchange blows here?”

“Isn’t the dock cleanly cut off? It must be the energy wave unleashed by the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader. You know, they say he deflected Lotus Nezha’s divine sword all the way to the city center…”

“So that’s what happened!”

“Sweets, buy some sweets! I have precious sweets…!”

Annihilation Team Leader Shin Hwang stood silently among the crowd.

He had a travel pack slung over one shoulder and wore an extremely common yellow robe.

His long, skinny limbs were exposed along with the rough cloth edges. It was the physique of an internal energy master with a long stride.

His face was hidden by a bamboo hat. The appropriately wide brim created shade.

Shin Hwang felt no aversion to disguise. This was because he prioritized mission success above all.

Though the Annihilation Team Leader of the Divine Sword Group was famous in the martial world as a figure symbolizing lofty dignity, he had never particularly strived to maintain appearances during any martial journey.

It would be correct to say he was indifferent in that regard.

He thought of Lightning Genius.

The boy he had watched since his bright White Rank days.

Back then, there had been a competition among the Squad Leaders for Namgung Hwa-shin, who already held the title White Qilin, and Jeong Yeon-shin, who was said to possess incredible talent.

It was a sparring match that combined betting and training.

Now deceased former Obeying Heaven Wing Leader Ha Do-woon won against Azure Sky Squad Leader by half a second and took Namgung Hwa-shin, and Harbinger of Death Ma Jin shook the composure of Law Enforcement Squad Leader Yun Xiao-yu with provocation worthy of the Desolate Ma blood, securing victory.

Jeong Yeon-shin going to Radiant Demon Wing was the result.

Shin Hwang didn’t join the competition. His existing colleagues were enough. Among all the martial forces of the Divine Sword Group, the Annihilation Team had the most survivors.

Harbinger of Death Ma Jin might be a genius of chaotic battles, but he hadn’t properly taught his subordinates how to complete missions safely.

‘I should have taken him then.’

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin.

From the first time he saw him, Shin Hwang found him strange. This was because the features on the young White Rank’s face seemed familiar.

He only later learned who Jeong Yeon-shin’s mother was. A woman with whom he had once exchanged marriage talks over a decade ago, Desolate Ma Family’s Ma Yeon-sang.

The Ma Family, Shin Family, Xiahou Family, and the Yun Family of the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, among several prestigious families under Desolate Fortress, had been forming marriages with each other for generations.

It was for easily preserving the quality of martial arts. The duty of being born into a prestigious family of the main fortress. The marriage between Shin Hwang and Ma Yeon-sang, who overlapped slightly in age, was close to a foregone conclusion.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I can’t do it.”

“Is marriage to me so disagreeable?”

“I hate predetermined engagements. I will go out into the world, look around more, and if someone catches my eye along the way, I’ll take them as my partner. Brother Shin will just remain my brother.”

Her temperament suited Beijing.

Ma Yeon-sang argued with her father with the spirit of a great general commanding imperial troops.

She had raised her voice to Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok. The Desolate Fortress that day was extremely quiet.

Throughout this process, Shin Hwang took no particular action. It was fine either way.

Before obtaining the position of Annihilation Team Leader, in his younger days, he was already married to martial arts.

However, he did feel some affection.

It would be correct to say he had a sense of responsibility.

Whenever he passed through Henan Province during missions, he would pass by Xinye County from a distance. This was because Shin Hwang had more freedom than Ma Jin, who was bound to the family as a direct descendant.

In this way, he was able to catch glimpses of Ma Yeon-sang about once every ten visits. She appeared happy alongside a man with a face as brilliant as the sword strike of the Desolate Fortress Lord.

That was enough.

After Ma Yeon-sang died, Shin Hwang no longer visited Xinye County.

He had no expectations for the martial talent of the Jeong Family Head, and above all, the affection he had silently harbored extended only to Ma Yeon-sang.

This remained the same even after Jeong Yeon-shin’s identity was revealed.

At Blue and White Rank, he was a promising subordinate; at Black Rank, a colleague with overflowing talent; at Purple Rank, the next Divine Sword Group Leader.

Shin Hwang was straightforward.

He remained so until he witnessed the death of Taoist High Sword of Wudang.

“I saw Taoist Three Peak in that child. Of course, I’ve never directly seen the founding patriarch of our sect, but you know how it is. Sometimes, while practicing secret martial arts, you can feel the sect elders. I sensed a similar spark in the new Purple Rank.”

Words he had uttered while striving to separate the common people from the inhuman martial sorcerers of Taimo Mountain Castle.

“The Divine Sword Group of Desolate Fortress must live for that child. Though I gave the new Purple Rank the epithet Desolate Day Extinction, I had a strong desire that the child who will firmly grasp this chaotic era with martial arts should not go astray. Ah, the story about the epithet is a secret, so take it to your grave.”

Taoist High Sword had said. He himself was together with Original Shadow, making two, but someday the new Purple Rank would become four High Swords.

Along with these words, he mentioned that the boy, visibly starved for affection, should not witness any more deaths of those around him.

“This presence… Heaven Conquering Sect Leader is coming too. He’ll arrive in less than a quarter-hour.”

“If we join forces, we can win. Discard your dignity.”

“Dignity? Well… What about those commoners? I’m sorry, but unlike mine, your martial arts aren’t well-controlled. This would be especially true when facing a peerless master. And if I were to leave this place, trampling on our sect’s philosophy, the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword would surely summon this old man by beheading everyone here. I should have come with all the sect leaders… Many things have gone awry.”

“Taoist.”

There was nothing wrong with his words.

But Shin Hwang was the Annihilation Team Leader. He was the sword of the country in a different way. He knew that the life of one Black Rank was equivalent to thousands of common people.

Someone like Taoist High Sword might surpass ten thousand. Consider how vast the power and numbers of the monstrous beings that the Nine Great Sects repel each year.

The Nine Great Sects might live leisurely in their mountains, but they are far from free.

“As you know, Wudang is very close to the imperial family, isn’t it? I even know what exchange took place between the Emperor and Desolate Day Extinction when he ascended to Purple Rank. Yes, the Emperor asked that child. What intention would he establish as the sword of the nation? The new Purple Rank’s answer to that question wasn’t very long, I heard. But it coincides with what this old man wants to tell you now.”

At that time, Taoist High Sword was smiling more joyfully than ever before.

The unparalleled hero produced by Wudang. The features of the boy who had undergone rejuvenation revealed an old man who had experienced chaotic times.

“Don’t compromise.”

“……”

Taoist High Sword added more. Ten people are no different from ten thousand; that is the nature of human life. In the end, it was a story about valuing what is right before your eyes.

The old Taoist of Wudang was literally a Taoist ascetic, and also infinitely close to being a martial artist.

“Now go.”

With Taoist High Sword’s final words, Shin Hwang awoke from his reverie. Only then did the voices of the crowd penetrate his ears.

“Is Lotus Pavilion still crowded?”

“Of course. A divine physician has been staying in Hangzhou for days; we should grasp at straws.”

“But I heard he won’t even take your pulse unless you pass his test? What kind of physician is that?”

“Hey, watch your words! How can you speak so carelessly about a person even the Thirteen Evil Sects won’t touch…!”

Shin Hwang silently turned around.

He didn’t believe that Jeong Yeon-shin was truly dead. Both Taoist High Sword’s intention and Shin Hwang’s wish were directed toward Desolate Day Extinction’s survival.

However, even if he were alive, his body would not be in a normal state. An arm might have been severed. Or his consciousness might be dim.

‘I’ll proceed on the premise that he’s alive.’

Thud.

He slowly moved his steps. This was to head toward the Lotus Pavilion in Hangzhou, where the world’s finest divine physician was said to be staying. Hoping that he wasn’t mistaken.

* * *

Taimo Mountain Castle widely announced Jeong Yeon-shin’s death.

Spreading news far and wide is nothing to those who have mastered martial sorcery techniques.

With just a single sheet of Locust Yellow Paper, they could raise their voices all day or create doppelgangers.

Or they could create messenger birds made of Locust Yellow Paper. In such mysterious and miscellaneous arts, they were incomparable to any great sect.

On the other hand, Heaven Conquering Sect maintained silence.

Those who learned swordsmanship under the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword never privately spoke among crowds.

They merely wandered the streets loftily, seeking out righteous faction martial artists.

The Thirteen Evil Sects noisily clamoring and actively moving about in Hangzhou were mostly martial sorcery practitioners who had twisted their hair up with transparent mesh headbands like Taoists.

“Do not approach.”

In the marketplace located in Kaiyang County, Hangzhou Prefecture.

The center of the crowd that filled the wide open space like clouds was completely empty. About twenty martial sorcery practitioners of Taimo Mountain Castle formed a circle, blocking the crowd.

Originally, no one would approach martial artists of the Thirteen Evil Sects, but Taimo Mountain Castle had personally created a light atmosphere by showcasing all sorts of rare marvels with martial sorcery.

They had attracted spectators by setting off fireworks or drawing images of cranes or deer with white radiance.

A sword was stuck in the center of the crowd.

From handle to blade, it gleamed with a brilliant silver color, appearing extraordinary even to those unfamiliar with bladed weapons.

The sunlight shimmering along the wave pattern running up and down the blade. It would appear as a divine sword to anyone’s eyes. Even the two characters neatly engraved on one side of the sword seemed auspicious.

Strong internal energy had been used to carve out the neat handwriting with utmost sincerity.

“Demon Sword Remaining Thunder.”

Atop a palanquin carried by martial sorcery practitioners.

A boy with long ears and a smoothly tapering chin was scanning the crowd as he continued speaking.

He was Taimo Martial Prodigy Cho Il-seo, who had become the Young Castle Lord after losing his father, Great Black Divine Hand Cho Baek-gwang, and was of the same age as the deceased Lotus Nezha.

“This is evidence that even the Purple Rank of the world could not overcome his nature.”

Words that made those familiar with worldly matters exchange glances. This was true even though Cho Il-seo was known for his talent with thunderbolt martial arts.

Even the grandson obtained very late by Dark Heaven Emperor was nothing compared to the Purple Rank of Desolate Fortress.

Though it was said that martial artists of Desolate Fortress were dying in all sorts of places, the story was different when their rank was Black or Purple.

This was especially clear with murder. In particular, Purple Rank was a status more noble than even the ordinary Zhu imperial clan.

That was their position in the martial world and the commoners’ perception. The imperial family would also knowingly or unknowingly protect them.

It meant that casually speaking about such matters could someday lead to being beheaded.

The vast Hangzhou.

Those who had come from afar after hearing rumors cautiously whispered to each other.

“Should we go back now…?”

“Are you sure the soldiers here are siding with the Thirteen Evil Sects? I feel very uneasy. Didn’t they originally keep that sword hidden for a long time before suddenly displaying it to everyone today?”

“I think it would be better to clean my ears and get some sleep…”

“Though it looks convincing… I’m not sure if it’s really the sword dropped by Lotus Nezha. I wonder if we’d just embarrass ourselves if we bragged about this elsewhere.”

Such behavior was possible due to the greatly relaxed atmosphere. Though they had lowered their voices considerably among themselves, it was meaningless to internal energy masters.

Cho Il-seo, who had been looking down at the crowd, suddenly twitched his eyebrows.

‘Worthless creatures.’

He was carrying out his grandfather’s orders. While blocking the approach of commoners entering Hangzhou, he was instead instructed to attract as many martial artists as possible.

Cho Il-seo didn’t understand but went along with it. It was enough to dishonor the murderer who had killed his father.

It was also an opportunity to solidify his position as the new Young Castle Lord.

“You, there.”

He pointed at a boy among the crowd who appeared to be around his own age. He had a somewhat youthful face and was tall.

“Try drawing it out.”

“……?”

“The spirit of the dead Desolate Day Extinction is mixed into this demon sword. It can be considered an ominous thought. In any case, due to this, the sword and the ground have stuck together by some mysterious harmony… You will never be able to draw it out, and that is the evidence that this demon sword is Remaining Thunder. I heard from some Iron Clan members that it’s a blade infused with the grudge of the Dragon Phoenix Twin Poisons of Sichuan Tang Family.”

Cho Il-seo smoothed his sleek black sleeve. By the time he finished speaking, he wasn’t even looking at the other person.

He questioned whether it was necessary for him to personally attend to such matters. There were more important things to do.

‘The air in Hangzhou is changing…’

The wide announcement of Desolate Day Extinction Jeong Yeon-shin’s death.

It was Dark Heaven Emperor’s instruction, unrelated to Cho Il-seo, and a kind of provocation. The Taimo Mountain Castle Lord truly hoped for many internal energy masters to enter Hangzhou.

The anticipated backlash might strike severely.

Already, news had come that flags symbolizing the seventeen squads of the Divine Sword Group had been spotted in several nearby regions.

Along with information that martial artists never seen before had entered Hangzhou. Among them were descriptions of people with appearances unrelated to Desolate Fortress.

‘I should finish this kind of thing quickly… Couldn’t we just have had flatterers do this in the first place?’

Cho Il-seo slightly lifted his chin.

“Are you lacking the courage to draw the sword because it’s the possession of a dead person? If that’s really the case, then another person…”

“Possession…?”

The person who had been singled out interrupts Cho Il-seo’s words.

And slowly steps forward, with leather shoes making no sound at all when touching the ground. Likewise, there was no trace of presence.

Hwak-

Only dust wind scraped across the ground.