Chapter 462 – Heaven’s Movement (6)

The sword that had raced across the sky penetrated the ground and disappeared without a trace.

Immediately after, the earth’s axis shook violently, and the shockwave that had descended from the high sky in succession collided with the ground.

Hwaaaaaaak―!

The reverse wind of the collision drew a faint concentric circle.

Was it mixed with the spirituality characteristic of a divine sword? It appeared to the eye like a wind emitted by a martial artist using martial arts.

“……”

The conical hat that had fallen behind the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s back rattled.

Several strands of Brilliant Jade Sword God’s damp hair that had been watching him silently fell over the back of her ear, and the figure of the Seventh Apostle on the tree had vanished at some point.

Sabak.

The spot where the sword had burrowed into the ground. A black leather shoe stained with reddish bloodstains stepped on the ground.

The hem of an intensely red robe fluttered on the ground. The Seventh Apostle, the owner of Blood Flame Church’s Pure Blood Robe, slowly parted her lips.

A blood-red madness flickered in her single eye. It was the radiance of Blood Core True Energy.

“…Remaining Thunder.”

Just after she muttered this.

“Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.”

Brilliant Jade Sword God, who had been seated at a distance, called out to the blind man with the conical hat.

“What are you planning to do?”

“Ah.”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s lips curved into an arc. He untied the string of the scabbard at his waist, then immediately gripped his sword with its scabbard.

As if he might jump into a lake or something similar at any moment.

In reality, for him, there would be no difference between underground and underwater. After all, he was the peerless swordsman said to cut even the principles of all creation.

“Isn’t this a strange event? I shall go down and check it myself. It seems that a new tale will be added to this storyteller’s collection.”

The demeanor of the blind man known as the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword was subtly different from before.

A face with a hint of disbelief, and an expression somewhat excited as if a long-awaited event was approaching.

Originally, the newly appointed Purple Rank was a man who would write legends with a single sword, but due to his presumptuous actions, he met his death.

It was one of two possibilities. Either he had not measured his own limits, or he had prioritized the lives of commoners and Brilliant Jade Sword God over his own.

Either way, he was nothing short of a fool.

“I had always felt uneasy about not showing a path of single-minded dedication to a junior who was good with a sword. Even if that might be called the unorthodox path from the outside, if one is born with such talent, shouldn’t one see the end of the sword?”

Kung.

A faint energy wave burst from the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s entire body. He had momentarily drawn upon tremendous internal power.

He is the one who first inflicted defeat on Jeong Yeon-shin during a mission.

The connection of a life-and-death duel is deeper than any other. He could be said to have shared the deepest communion with Jeong Yeon-shin in the land of Hangzhou.

“Don’t do anything.”

It was a warning from Brilliant Jade Sword God, who had been seated.

But the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader merely smiled faintly.

“If he was truly alive, he revealed his presence too early. As one who bears the title of leader of the Sima unorthodox path, how could I turn away?”

He should have recovered more before coming out.

Those were his added words. At the mention of ‘recovery,’ a purple gleam flashed across the eyes of Brilliant Jade Sword God, which had been stained with silent anger, bewilderment, a certain excitement, and perhaps even hope.

Just as the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader raised his sword above his head as if to cut through space itself.

An untimely sunset descended upon the scene. A subtly spreading red light. It was right after the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader had taken an exaggerated sword-drawing stance as if in a Chinese opera.

Kwaaaaaang―!

Within that red light, a sudden explosion erupted, and the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s figure was flung far away like a cannonball.

Brilliant Jade Sword God, who had somehow already drawn her sword and struck out, chased after him, disappearing over the ridge of the mountain.

As if she had infused even her internal energy for drying moisture into her sword strike and lightness technique, she left only a few spots of water and a mist-like purple energy wave on the ground.

It was a preemptive strike by the Mount Hua Sect Leader.

If Jeong Yeon-shin was truly alive, if he was indeed rising from a depth where not even energy waves could be felt, he needed time to regulate his breathing and acupoints.

And so the two disappeared.

The Seventh Apostle didn’t even glance in the direction they had vanished.

Kugugung…. The earth was still shaking.

After staring blankly at the ground beneath her feet, she swung her hand downward. Instantly, the ground was hollowed out with a boom.

That was the beginning.

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang―!

Each time the palm energy emitted by both hands synchronized with the vibrations rising from the ground, the Seventh Apostle’s pale face brightened.

A maddened ecstasy. There was even an air as if she were panting with some pleasure. A sensation as if joining hands with someone stirred the red sleeves of her garment.

She was completely immersed. It was a state of no-self.

“I’ll help you, I’ll help you……”

Everything was pushed out of the Seventh Apostle’s world. Her martial talent that had reached the extreme, her madness, and her obsession accumulated over long years narrowed her field of vision.

The engrossment of a mad genius who had reached an unparalleled state disregarded even the presence of the group approaching from nearby as nothing more than insignificant stones.

Jeobuk.

About thirty martial sorcery practitioners including the Young Castle Lord of Taimo Mountain, fifty-nine corpses risen with the martial sorcery techniques of Reversal Heaven, and additionally the masters of the Thirteen Evil Sects’ Heaven Conquering Sect rushing in from another direction.

Despite their approach, the Seventh Apostle didn’t even lift her head.

* * *

It was a space entirely filled with stone and earth.

It was damp. The eight directions were dark.

[Why isn’t it coming? Did you call it properly?]

“I told you to shut up.”

Jeong Yeon-shin was vividly sensing it. The presence of Remaining Thunder, which had flown high into the sky and then begun to burrow into the ground as soon as it found the earth’s vein.

The blade made from the calluses of the Tang siblings was now completely like his limbs. It could be specifically called the unity of body and sword.

[I know a thing or two about sword spirits. How about having a sword discussion here with this cult leader? Until the life threads of humans who are about to die anyway are cut off.]

Invincible raised one corner of her mouth and added. That would have its own charm.

Her semi-transparent body was surging up alongside Jeong Yeon-shin.

At some point, she had once again donned the pure white wind-flowing robe embroidered with long black silk threads. Her leisurely posture with hands behind her back resembled that of an idler.

But Jeong Yeon-shin focused only on ascending. He kept Brilliant River constantly activated in both hands.

His appearance was reflected in Invincible’s dim eyes.

It was like the sight of a monstrous being made entirely of light elegantly swimming through the abyss.

Kwaaaaaaaaaa―!

Each time he swung his arms widely from top to bottom, the rock wall was split as if it were water. His body, surrounded by a faint cluster of light, effortlessly deflected falling rocks and the like.

It was protective energy. Some rocks fell toward Jeong Yeon-shin’s head but instead shattered into pieces due to the rebound effect.

‘It’s… possible to get out.’

What mattered most right now was the strength energy that had been stacked after repeated hand gestures dozens of times.

Kugugung―

A tremendously loud buzzing sound, like an almost infinite swarm of bees nestled in his hand, gradually shook the underground.

The subtlety of Thunder Annihilation Sword Style’s Nine Verdant Rivers, which accumulated energy waves, had taken root in Brilliant River. More precisely, in the palm gripping Brilliant River.

Jeong Yeon-shin had realized some principle from the traces left by Taoist Three Peak 

And at this moment, as he navigated through the underground whose depth was difficult to gauge, he was gradually embodying that subtlety. Every moment could be called training.

[Appearance and bearing are important, after all. If the old man of the Beggar Sect had done like you, it would have been quite undignified. Apart from the formidable strength of Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.]

“……”

[Listen, handsome young man, the mantra you composed is quite intriguing. As they say, there’s no worse villain than a writer who only writes the beginning. So I was wondering……]

Invincible, who had been repeatedly jesting, whispered subtly.

[‘I will always transcend that law…’ Would you be willing to tell me what comes after that?]

She was directly asking about the mantra of a divine skill. A boldness befitting a Ming Cult member. But Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer.

He merely slowly raised both arms and released the power condensed in his grip.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa!

A thick pillar of light shot up from around his body.

Simultaneously, a sword with wave patterns engraved on it burrowed through it and fell down like a stream of rain.

It was the divine sword Remaining Thunder.

‘How many more times will I have to do this?’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he watched the illusion of the Tang siblings descending toward him.

* * *

Taimo Mountain Castle and Heaven Conquering Sect surrounded the Seventh Apostle.

Martial sorcery practitioners with their hair tied up with transparent mesh headbands, corpses surrounded by a chilling blue light, and swordsmen of Heaven Conquering Sect who were said to have adopted the insights left by the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword, including Thunder Sword…

Hwung―

Just by standing in place, wind blew from the eight directions. It was due to the energy waves emitted by them. The air felt rough.

But while it appeared to be an encirclement, the reality was somewhat different.

Precisely, they had surrounded the ground where Demon Sword Remaining Thunder was presumed to have disappeared. They had no business with the Seventh Apostle, who was digging out the ground with her palm energy.

At least not for the moment. That was due to the encounter between Taimo Mountain Castle and Heaven Conquering Sect.

“We were a step too late. That monster is also coveting the demon sword.”

A boy seated in a palanquin muttered.

It was Young Castle Lord Cho Il-seo. He had no intention of witnessing the Seventh Apostle, who had nearly exterminated the Jiaxing branch of Taimo Mountain Castle, but he also had no plan to engage in more than two matters beyond his capacity at once.

The Seventh Apostle and Remaining Thunder?

Between the two, what was immediately important was the recovery of Remaining Thunder.

A weapon symbolizing that the Purple Rank of Desolate Fortress had been slain by their hands. A means to sweep up disciples and subordinate sects like a rake.

Anyway, Desolate Fortress would not be able to dispatch a significant force as far as Zhejiang.

That was their limitation, bound to the country. It had become even more evident after the previous gathering of the Black Ranks.

‘Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin has to mind King Qiong-ming. Even if she entered Shaoxing against the king’s will, she’s likely alone. This makes individual elimination possible.’

Cho Il-seo thought.

There is a tremendous difference between encountering a hostile supreme master in a foreign land and welcoming them in one’s own sect. The latter offers an overwhelmingly higher chance of victory.

And Hangzhou was close to the main branch of Taimo Mountain Castle. This was because they had buried treasures of martial sorcery skills in all sorts of official roads and mountains.

Moreover, if Net Blade Venerable of the Five Central Swordsmen brought the head of the Tang Family Head, things would become even easier.

“What should we do about that blood demon…?”

He deliberately muttered aloud and glanced to the side.

With sleeveless attire revealing her arms, Thunder Sword, in her white martial uniform, was gazing at the Seventh Apostle with deep eyes.

Was she assessing her achievement? Inwardly, Cho Il-seo clicked his tongue.

Though she emitted a sword energy as sharp as a divine sword, befitting the foremost disciple of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader, she was no match for the Pure Blood Body, who was a monstrous being by birth.

She merely possessed the potential to become a supreme master somewhat later.

“If you wish to capture her… joint attack is the only way.”

Cho Il-seo spoke forcefully.

“……”

“Pride is useless. Even the supposedly mighty Desolate Day Extinction didn’t become a giant of the age and died. At most, he made a great name for himself for just a year or two.”

“…Is he really dead?”

In response to Thunder Sword’s question, which sounded almost like a soliloquy, Cho Il-seo shook his head.

“The point is that the world has entered chaotic times. Those who survive inevitably become stronger, while the lives of those who die young stop there. But time is on our side, so someday you and I will look down upon today’s Desolate Day Extinction.”

Like Dark Heaven Emperor and the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

Cho Il-seo, with a faint smile, gestured forward with his chin.

“This might actually be fortunate. I’ll test the power of the One Yang Grand Method here. Despite appearances, these are much stronger than the old Mo Mountain Faction’s jiangshi.”

The jiangshi of the One Yang Grand Method were all present here.

They couldn’t endlessly create living treasures that imitated Vajra Indestructibility. Therefore, they were rare, and being rare, they were powerful.

“Does the main sect not need to lend a hand?”

Thunder Sword quietly asked. Cho Il-seo instead questioned her.

“Do you intend not to lend yours?”

“……”

“Disciples of the main castle, prepare yourselves. The jiangshi will take the vanguard.”

Kung!

As soon as his words fell, a thunderous sound erupted. This was because all the jiangshi lined up around had simultaneously stamped the ground.

Following the surge of the corpses, a bluish current was etched in the void.

Fifty streams in total, accounting for about thirty percent of Taimo Mountain Castle’s forces, which had accumulated strength for a long time. In an instant, they surrounded the Seventh Apostle and struck out with their limbs.

Some even emitted formless leg strength energy.

Jjeojeojeojeojeong!

Dense red light splattered in all directions like lightning. For a moment, the Seventh Apostle’s figure staggered.

No matter how supreme a master might be, none would take the attacks of lesser skilled practitioners with their body. These were strikes allowed due to the madness of her state of no-self.

“The protective energy of Blood Core True Energy… it’s more formidable than I heard.”

The smile of Cho Il-seo, who had been watching from a distance, deepened.

A proper hit had been landed.

This was a very important matter. After all, when the enemy is a supreme master, properly landing the first strike is the most difficult.

‘The crack stemming from that will open the enemy’s internal energy barrier, and eventually allow for a fatal wound…’

Cho Il-seo’s thoughts could not continue further. This was because the ground, which had been vibrating since they had first arrived, suddenly shook violently.

There was no time to consider any predictions or methods. The earthquake-like strong tremor rapidly intensified in an instant, and then immediately reached its peak.

Kwaaaaaaaaang!

In a moment, one side of the open space collapsed in a large circle, and from the ground that opened its mouth like a ravine, an immensely thick colorless pillar rose up.

It was extremely high. It seemed as if it would reach the sky.

“……!”

Just as Cho Il-seo’s eyes, surveying the open space, widened.

A shadow faintly rose from the center of the encirclement, and the back of the Seventh Apostle’s shoulder touched the chest of that figure. In that instant, there was a slight “sarak” sound of garment friction.

It was a man whose upper body was nearly bare.

His features were not clearly visible. This was because he was with his back to the pillar of energy waves still rising up, blocking the bright sunlight.

Only fragments of faintly pouring sunlight mingled with his long black hair.

The figure slightly bowed his head.

“The village ahead must not be swept away.”

His breath that flowed from his lips brushed past the Seventh Apostle’s ear. In that moment, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her body was completely stiff.

“You’ll have to deal with these ones.”

“Huh…?”

“I’m short one hand. I’ll give you the mantra I promised.”

Speech and conduct with some flexibility.

Meanwhile, sweat had formed on Cho Il-seo’s hand that was now holding a gourd bottle.

As soon as the intruder rose from the ground, all the jiangshi froze like boulders.

A sight that made those who had mastered the magical studies of the old Mo Mountain Faction doubt their eyes. This was not something possible with mere strength alone.

“The principle…?”

Just as Cho Il-seo’s mouth slightly convulsed.

Jeobuk.

“Desolate Day Extinction of Desolate Fortress. There are many who have come looking for you.”

Thunder Sword stepped forward. With eyes flickering like flames. At this moment, her judgment shone brightest among those present.

“But this is a land that the world calls a den of demons. Therefore, to properly secure their safety, even with two of your bodies, it would be insufficient. Rather than rashly showing off your divine prestige, it would be better to arrange a separate place. We will guide you.”

There was no wavering in Thunder Sword’s tone. The figure, who had been staring intently at her, slowly opened his mouth.

“Where is the Mount Hua Sect Leader?”

“Her life cannot be guaranteed. No matter how powerful Brilliant Jade Sword God may be, she is no match for the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword. But if you wish to go there directly, first…”

At that moment.

The figure slowly moved his lips.

There’s no need to go.

“What did you just say…?”

Thunder Sword stopped mid-sentence and closed her mouth.

Somehow, a sword was floating beside the figure.

It was the divine sword Remaining Thunder, which had been at the center of the struggle. A strange sound began to spread from the wave-like silver blade.

A resonant sound like a serpent that had finally obtained a wish-fulfilling jewel crying out. It was a very heavy feeling. That resonance soon transformed into a melody without high or low tones and spread widely.

Wuuuuuuuuung!!

It seemed to be announcing his presence.

It wasn’t just Thunder Sword’s intuition.

In reality, the shadow that had broken through the ground and intruded into the open space, Jeong Yeon-shin who had returned to Hangzhou once more, at this moment imbued a similar mental image into his sword song.

An intent that masters with developed upper dantians could not help but feel.

―Come, all of you.