Chapter 459 – Heaven’s Movement (3)

Suddenly, Ming Cult Leader Invincible snickered beside him. Perhaps she had noticed the change in Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression. She turned her head without hesitation.

[I’d like to see the world fall to ruin.]

Her straight nose brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin’s cheek. A conduct that not only violated the unwritten rules of martial artists but utterly crushed the concept of personal space itself.

Like the Heaven’s Demon Mara described in Buddhist texts, she whispered in his ear with malevolent intent.

[Seeing how determined you are to leave this place, I suppose your thoughts differ from mine?]

Jeong Yeon-shin kept his eyes fixed on Taoist Three Peak’s iron sword, only opening his mouth to reply.

“Why should the world fall to ruin?”

[It’s about living according to the decree of heaven imposed on us by that damnable sky. As payment for being born with talents we never asked for, we’re destined to die young.]

Whether transcended or still living.

This was a gathering of three individuals with nearly equal talent unprecedented throughout history. The damp darkness of the cave unveiled the inner thoughts of the world’s finest genius.

The sound of dew dripping from some unknown stone wall. The Ming Cult Leader of this era finally began to reveal her true intentions.

“So?”

[When I pass away, the world will end too, but if I truly bring this world to an end before I die, it might ease my resentment. I have that ability. I don’t want to cross the Sanzu River in solitude either.]

Demon.

Ming Cult Leader smiled.

[Young boy, I truly perceive that heaven. The decree of heaven really exists. When the power of the upper dantian reaches its extreme, you realize that the fate of the entire world is like a tangled ball of thread. Our roles are not included in it. The heavenly mandate granted to Bodhidharma, Taoist Three Peak, and the first Heavenly Demon of our cult hasn’t been passed down to us. They were heroes of the age who rode even the currents of heaven, but we’re destined to disappear as mere stepping stones in history.]

Rustle.

She pushed Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder aside and stepped a few paces away. For a moment, as if her physical body had moved the same way, the white sleeve slightly rolled up.

By now, pitch-black demonic energy was flickering around her wrist. It was as dense as if she were the incarnation of a demon.

[The world continues even after we pass away. Could anything be more dreadful than that? We will feel nothing in the abyss of death, and the world we couldn’t fully explore due to our short lives will flow on like a river.]

“Stop saying ‘we, we’ all the time.”

Jeong Yeon-shin now understood to some extent. The reason why Invincible was cooperative with the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord. She seeks to take the world as her companion in death.

The Dragon Summoning Ritual Formation of Dark Heaven Emperor, said to summon a rain dragon, was one of those means. It seemed she had been postponing her death through some method and had now lost her mind.

She was a death-seeking heretic.

Jeong Yeon-shin casually opened his mouth.

“It seems you have no friends.”

[What?]

“It seems your parents who should be cared for have also passed away.”

Perhaps such thoughts were possible because she had nothing to protect. Jeong Yeon-shin made this conjecture while engraving Taoist Three Peak’s iron sword in his eyes.

And he turned off his awareness of the ghost of Invincible beside him. There was no point in associating with a madwoman.

Even as he did this, a sword was gradually becoming clearer in his mind.

A sword with chips in various places on the blade and most of its body rusted. The iron smell of the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword that Taoist Three Peak would have wielded with the Three Clear Powers in his lifetime penetrated his nostrils and mind.

[TL Note- Three Clear Powers term showed up previously, i forgot to add a note to it. Three clear powers represent Jin (creative energy), Qi (life-force energy) and shen (spiritual energy).]

He lowered his eyelids slightly and thought.

There is a limit to the amount of true energy a human can accumulate. Even though Ming Cult Leader Invincible seemed to possess nearly infinite demonic energy, being born human, this couldn’t truly be the case.

‘However…’

It was merely that her internal energy cultivation had reached such a level that it generated true energy like rays of light.

A case where the amount of true energy accumulation exceeds the rate of energy consumption. Moreover, Invincible transformed the energy she absorbed into demonic energy as naturally as breathing.

The former World’s Finest Genius, three years older than Jeong Yeon-shin, was indeed a monster.

And.

Taoist Three Peak must have been the same.

The Flexible Tendons and Four Exceeding Heavens Strength. The subtlety of flowing and managing tremendous power with just a handful of true energy. The founding patriarch of Wudang had consolidated such understanding of flow under the name of taiji.

Moreover, if he had built up a force like the Three Clear Powers to the limit of human capability, truly nothing would have been impossible for him. No powerful attack could have reached Taoist Three Peak.

That trace exists before his eyes.

Taiji, which has symbolized the origin of all creation since ancient times.

It was superimposed on the corpse of the serpent with only bones remaining.

The monstrous being of incredible strength, which might have become a dragon someday, resisted fiercely but ultimately succumbed to the single sword strike of Taoist Three Peak, who had drawn a massive circle.

The deeply carved ground around its long body stood out. It was the sword mark left by Taoist Three Peak’s powerful strike. It was also the contour of taiji.

All of it was visible.

The subtlety that broadly encompasses different flows. The renowned Wudang Cultivation Technique, counted among the divine skills and philosophical learning of all ages, must have originated from there.

‘This unworthy junior will receive a lesson.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

It was a sense of respect toward a great senior. Even without deliberate humility, he naturally became humble due to the strong sense of kinship.

What happened here, where did Taoist Three Peak disappear to after leaving the sword, and was it possible that he had been swept here from the river thanks to the fragment of the serpent’s inner core given by his maternal grandfather?

He put aside many questions.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

“…When sunset brushes by, another day is reduced.”

[Hm?]

Jeong Yeon-shin is a martial artist who breathes with divine skill. Even words he utters casually carry spirituality.

His quality is even more mysterious than the incantations uttered by practitioners of martial sorcery. With the Luminous Wheel in his heart not rotating now, his words were adequate to substitute for the driving force of energy circulation.

“The flow of sun and moon coming and going is like waves, but this body is not even as good as a salmon swimming against the rapids.”

The mantra of the Luminous Wheel Technique. It’s the introduction that empowers the breath control method. Since the foundation of the mental technique is based on the pupil, there’s no problem in opening his mouth during energy circulation.

Rather, it was possible to adopt the advantages of the incantations that practitioners of martial sorcery chant like Buddhist prayers.

Immediately, Invincible responded.

[You’re too bold, aren’t you?]

Jeong Yeon-shin did not concern himself with her.

These verses are useless without knowledge of the energy circulation pathway. Moreover, the Luminous Wheel Technique is completed by circling through the twelve meridians, three hundred sixty-five acupoints, and even more minute vessels.

He had no intention of explaining in which flow and with what intent this mantra was constructed.

Therefore, it was like muttering a diary.

“Desiring to defy heaven while following the principles of heaven. No matter how much I struggle, I cannot go against it.”

As he focused his intent on his words like a practitioner of martial sorcery, there was an immediate response.

Wooong.

The air in the cave gently vibrated. Soon after, a damp energy began to rise with his inhalation. Was it due to his body being emptied from recovering from the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s sword strike? The speed of energy circulation was unusual.

My troubles are solely the desire to burn through this short cycle of rebirth.

I will borrow Buddha’s wheel and use it as a stepping stone.

Invincible had stopped addressing him at some point. In her silence, only Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice resonated.

If predetermined fate is heaven’s law.

[……]

“I will always transcend that law……”

Hoowooong-

A whirlwind began to rise around his body. The serpent’s bones started to rattle slightly.

The air current raised by Jeong Yeon-shin drew circles along that long skeleton. The water vapor that had seeped into the cave floor spread in a whitish mist.

Conversely, in Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind, the image of the iron sword, the taiji beneath that sword, was seeping in.

A single massive flow took root in his body. The energy that had risen like a gentle breeze, albeit slowly, rippled through all the acupoints and minute vessels throughout his body.

[Transcend the law…?]

Invincible caught the end of his words in a strange voice, but Jeong Yeon-shin no longer recited the mantra. This was because his mental technique had gained momentum.

Kugung.

The serpent made of bones writhed before his eyes. It was the aftermath of his true energy.

But Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze remained fixed on the iron sword embedded in its skull. That gaze had never wavered.

“……!”

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly sensed two presences.

Not Invincible.

Two people standing upright on either side of him. One holding a fan, the other a sword.

The presences felt in his mind were as clear as that of the Ming Cult Leader. Despite being individuals who couldn’t possibly exist together.

Swoosh.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly rose from his seat. Soon after, the iron sword embedded in the serpent’s skull trembled.

* * *

It was a narrow path.

A young man chewing a red flower in his mouth suddenly stopped in place.

Though his eyes were deeply shaded, his gaze itself didn’t appear dull. His blue robe embroidered with the character ‘Desolate’ was as splendid as a noble young master’s attire. It was due to the young man’s intrinsic quality.

“It seems I’ve been caught by my senile grandfather.”

“Ha! Impudent fool, no matter where you go, you’ll eventually end up in my hands.”

A voice came from above the young man’s head. A man in a yellow robe, remarkably similar to him, was crouching on a tree branch.

“Since when have you been following me?”

“I’ve always been with you. Aren’t all prestigious families of the martial world equally obsessed with succession? More importantly……”

The former Hwangbo Family Head, Divine Hand Hegemon King Hwangbo Gon, grinned.

“Aren’t you going in the wrong direction? What are you trying to do in the north?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“As expected, Desolate Fortress is a troublesome sect. Even though Desolate Day Extinction has died, you still have to wander like this. Such an unreasonable duty to protect this vast world. I’ve thought this since I was a Rising Talent-don’t you even have time to mourn?”

“……”

Lazy Flame Dragon started walking again. But he couldn’t escape his grandfather’s scathing words.

“In the end, what remains? Your Squad Leader has sadly met his end at the hands of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader and Dark Heaven Emperor. I’d like to avenge him since I also received favors, but facing those two would be like carrying firewood and jumping into a fire hell. They were monsters even when I was in my prime.”

“He’s not dead.”

“What?”

“If anyone dies, it will be me first, not someone with a bright future like Desolate Day Extinction. He’s not someone who can be judged by a grandfather who doesn’t even have the courage to create descendants himself.”

“Despite running away, your tongue wags well.”

“Running away…?”

“Aren’t you afraid to confirm that boy’s death?”

“The north, Ice Palace.”

“……?”

“That’s my mission site.”

For a moment, Hwangbo Gon’s eyes widened slightly.

“…Ice Palace wouldn’t let you in. It was impossible even when our family was intact. What could a half-wit who can’t even use his own name do there? Someone with nothing but brutish internal energy who couldn’t even achieve Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.”

Lazy Flame Dragon didn’t answer but stamped the ground with his right foot.

Boom!

As dust rose thickly, his body shot away like an arrow. It was a lightness technique made possible by his tremendous true energy.

The vibration originating from the Hwangbo Family’s Beautiful Algae Heavenly King Technique stretched long toward the north.

“He must have something he believes in.”

Hwangbo Gon, with his hands behind his back, followed.

* * *

Long, white fingers drummed on the golden armrest.

Tuk, tuk.

The resonance was deep. The martial sorcery practitioners lined up like imperial ministers in the vast hall all bowed their heads.

Cho Il-seo, who had become the new Young Castle Lord as the grandson of Dark Heaven Emperor, was seated on the Taishi Chair. He displayed a long, red scar etched on one side of his cheek.

“Myriad Flowers Rain.”

He muttered.

“I didn’t expect the Tang Family Head to come. What a distance……”

From Sichuan to Hangzhou was practically crossing the entire country. For anyone but a martial arts master, it would be close to madness.

Even martial artists had to be cautious during this period. There was no telling what monstrous being of incredible strength they might encounter and die from.

“What are our targets doing?”

“They’re still occupying the marketplace where Demon Sword Remaining Thunder is stuck. No other movements have been reported. Both the Tang Family Head and Mount Hua Hidden Dragon are there.”

“Unless they’re insane… those people have come seeking death.”

A fierce smile formed on Cho Il-seo’s lips.

The martial sorcery practitioners he had been leading were all elite masters of Taimo Mountain Castle.

Of course, individually, they were no match for the Tang Family Head. But once they activated the sect’s secret Thunderbolt Nine Desolation Formation, the story changed.

It was possible to escape even from the hell-like Myriad Flowers Rain.

They had retreated as one and yielded a small piece of land to the Tang Family Head and Mount Hua Hidden Dragon. Of course, the Tang Family Head couldn’t pull out the sword.

The deceased Desolate Day Extinction had been close to a monstrous being of incredible strength.

The beloved sword of Desolate Fortress’s Purple Rank would be more than enough to be a sacred treasure. It was too early for such a mysterious phenomenon to lose its efficacy.

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader could easily pull it out, but he showed no interest in Desolate Day Extinction’s weapon.

“What about the Castle Lord?”

“He’s still in seclusion.”

“Tell the guardian martial artists to be especially vigilant. From what I’ve been informed in advance, the Dragon Summoning Ritual Formation should be reaching its peak soon.”

“Yes.”

“The news must have reached Heaven Conquering Sect too.”

“There’s been no particular response.”

“Damned fools. What about the Five Central Swordsmen?”

“Thunder Sword and Net Blade Venerable went into brief seclusion after seeing Demon Sword Remaining Thunder. They’re expected to emerge soon.”

“The absence of the Three Arts Grand Seats is deeply felt……”

Cho Il-seo let out a small sigh but didn’t feel anxious.

They were all going to die anyway.

Taimo Mountain Castle had calculated the repercussions that would arise from Desolate Day Extinction’s death. Even if there were some miscalculations, they could handle the consequences.

In fact, the more that came, the better. Those internal energy masters who harbored grudges over Purple Rank’s death would have extraordinary true energy.

“Now.”

Cho Il-seo slowly opened his mouth.

“I will hear reports on matters I haven’t asked about.”

As soon as his words ended.

The martial sorcery practitioners standing with composed demeanors simultaneously raised their hands. It was the bearing characteristic of learned individuals. Unlike Heaven Conquering Sect.

The disciples of Taimo Mountain Castle possessed infinite curiosity about natural disasters, but they never rashly revealed emotions or moved without receiving orders. It would be correct to call it a formulaic dignity.

But Cho Il-seo furrowed his brow. This unprecedented sight caused him some unease.

Nevertheless, as someone who had been given full authority by Dark Heaven Emperor, he was effectively the ruler of the vast land of Hangzhou.

Cho Il-seo calmed himself and commanded. Speak one by one, he said.

The martial sorcery practitioners began to speak. Voices without high or low tones, devoid of emotion, flowed successively.

“News from old Shaoxing. The walls of Shaoxing City, including both outer and inner walls, collapsed with a single thrust of a spear. It is believed that Desolate Divine Spear, who is in conflict with King Qiong-ming, disobeyed the royal command.”

“Three hundred martial artists from the Jiaxing branch of our castle and subordinate sects under them-Black Construction Sect, Strange Tiger Killing Curtain, Bridge Remnant Faction, Rising Knife Gang, Plain Mountain Sorcery Sect, and others-have been slaughtered. According to intelligence, a woman with red fur and a single eye has made a mountain of their corpses and has been lying there for half a day. The Eye Law Master reported she is a peerless master.”

“Desolate Blue-Eyed Demon Sword has blocked the waterway of Zhejiang. Two ships of the Myriad Upper Road Stronghold were sunk with a single strike, suggesting he has reached the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.”

“A beggar with nine knots tied at his waist was spotted in Shun’an County. His destination is the same as the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader. They are expected to clash within a day.”

“Urgent news has arrived that the Shaolin Abbot is heading south. In Nanjing, the corpses of three human-faced spiders, each about ten zhang tall…”

“A formal letter of protest has arrived from the Governor of Zhejiang Province. It states that since they cannot gauge public sentiment, they will have to hold someone accountable.”

Unlike them, Cho Il-seo possessed emotions. This was because he had been raised as a successor rather than as a mere pawn. He had already picked up a brush and paper with a face that had turned pale.

Most Urgent.

That was the first phrase.