Chapter 466 – Peerless Grand Battle

The ancient-styled circular window was pure white.

This was because the transparent sunlight flowing in was blocked.

It was situated in the room’s interior with the most vivid color, like a scroll painting depicting someone’s face. The room’s owner had arranged it that way.

In the chamber where demonic energy flowed like a hazy fog.

Baek Mi-ryeo sat cross-legged beside the bed.

With eyes closed as if in meditation, her exceptionally black hair covered her back in a blue martial uniform and reached the floor. On both knees rested the long Desolate Sword. She was a swordswoman.

The magnificent bed with its golden carpet showed no indentation from use. This contrasted with the state of Radiant Demon Wing’s Baek Mi-ryeo’s mind.

“……”

Her white eyelids trembled slightly. It was something that happened intermittently.

―The newly appointed Purple Rank is dead.

Words that Invincible had once bluntly stated upon entering her room.

He had even shown her the situation using strange martial sorcery techniques like a mirage in the great desert.

The flowing river, a blind man with a conical hat walking on water, a massive ice mountain, Dark Heaven Emperor… and Jeong Yeon-shin. At the marketplace from which she had been silently dragged away with her meridians sealed by Ming Cult Leader, the divine sword Remaining Thunder stood firmly planted.

She had also frequently heard that Taimo Mountain Castle had secured Lotus Nezha’s divine sword.

After that, she was imprisoned again.

She was at the center of the Ming Demonic Heaven-Severing Formation that Invincible himself had reportedly deployed. True to its name, it was a formation that seemed to sever space, and escape was impossible with the Desolate Fortress’s blue rank martial prowess.

Suddenly, Baek Mi-ryeo’s internal energy breathing became irregular.

It was a deep contemplation of demonic nature.

“Young Cult Leader, your morning meal is here.”

A respectful voice of a middle-aged woman resonated from outside the door. The energy waves emanating from her presence were formidable.

She possessed internal energy worthy of wearing a blue robe in Desolate Fortress. Moreover, there was even a faint trace of demonic energy characteristic of the unorthodox path.

This was because, despite her identity as a Ming Cult attendant who concealed her true nature, she possessed formidable martial arts.

She regarded Baek Mi-ryeo as Invincible’s successor, following the current Ming Cult Leader’s will. This was despite the fact that she should rightfully despise Baek Mi-ryeo, who was originally from a branch martial lineage and the Pure Demon Alliance.

“……”

But she did not open her closed eyes at the attendant’s call.

Baek Mi-ryeo’s meditation did not stem from martial arts. Deep guilt and a pitiful feeling of having nowhere to go rippled in her mind.

Like Jeong Yeon-shin’s Desolate Sword and Northern Light Sword that had shattered during a mission.

The sin of leading the Squad Leader to his death.

The sin of not taking her own life before his eyes.

How could she atone for the sin of preventing him from fully living out his already short life? The vast world that the young Squad Leader never got to see still stretched out endlessly.

‘…The sin of being defeated by a stale past.’

As Baek Mi-ryeo’s contemplation deepened.

Suddenly, the hinge of the door across from her made a “creaaak-” sound. Leather shoes covered with ebony and embroidered with golden dragon tassels stepped in with a thud.

“Are you ready for revenge?”

A voice that seemed to smoothly glide through the dark mist.

It belonged to a woman.

Only then did Baek Mi-ryeo open her eyes.

“Ready?”

“Ready to accept this cult leader’s martial arts. My demonic arts on top of Jeong Yeon-shin’s martial arts. Thinking about it again, it’s an excessive blessing for you.”

There was a face that even the black mist of demonic energy couldn’t obscure.

Literally mysterious features like Jeong Yeon-shin’s. Ming Cult Leader Invincible Yelu Zhen was looking down at Baek Mi-ryeo with one corner of her mouth faintly raised.

“……”

“I can’t wait forever. You might think differently, but I’ve shown you respect in my own way. A palace-like room in the Primary Flesh Forest, the conduct of underlings… After all, you too are a master of the Radiant Art Bond.”

Her black hair flowing over both shoulders was darker than Baek Mi-ryeo’s.

More than human hair, it had the presence of a crown permitted only to the Emperor. Her prominent nose, which elegantly repelled the hazy fog, revealed an arrogant disposition.

Perhaps Jeong Yeon-shin might have been like this if he had lived a few more years. This was the only thought that flashed through Baek Mi-ryeo’s mind at this moment. She slowly parted her lips.

“…I will not regard you as my master.”

A cold voice.

Instead of an answer, a low laugh resonated.

Rustle.

The next moment, Invincible, who had vanished from Baek Mi-ryeo’s sight, sat cross-legged behind her.

Several strands of her tall, black hair brushed against Baek Mi-ryeo’s shoulder before falling away. Baek Mi-ryeo flinched slightly.

“It shouldn’t be inferior to what that ‘brother’ of yours created. Well… not that your evaluation matters, unless it were his own.”  

A voice that caressed the nape of her neck like a whisper, despite not being mixed with particularly many breaths. It was the demonic nature of the Ming Cult Leader. Baek Mi-ryeo’s eyes slowly closed.

* * *

Mu Family Estate in Hangzhou.

It was an enormously large estate. It was also one of the most bustling places in the eastern land.

The wall that rounded the estate was low but sturdy like a fortress wall, and the crowd that encircled it in yet another layer created a tremendous sense of pressure.

They were mostly wandering swordsmen hired by large landowners and wealthy merchants. In some cases, they served as voluntary guards for the local sects of Hangzhou, and the interior of the Mu Family Estate was just as crowded as the outside.

Over a hundred commoners actively moved around the courtyard and inner garden.

“Divine Physician! I’ve brought a bundle of Opening Herb, where should I put it?”

“The elder is currently in the inner quarters. For now, place it in the storehouse over there.”

“Ah, today the manager is Scholar Yun! Then tomorrow……”

“Master Yeonam of the trade group will be handling affairs.”

The estate of the one with the epithet Eternal Candle Divine Physician.

It was called the Mu Family Estate because the physician’s surname was Mu. It had been built voluntarily by the wealthy merchants of Hangzhou and numerous crowds. Though it was constructed in a short period, it had long since become a famous attraction with more visitors than West Lake.

This was despite having already virtually cured all the Hangzhou residents with strange ailments through his peerless medical skills.

It was to repay his kindness.

Some stayed at the estate, regarding the Divine Physician as a transcendent being higher than even Dark Heaven Emperor, seeking blessings. Each voluntarily took on all sorts of menial tasks.

Everyone was from Hangzhou.

In a situation where they naturally had to be wary of outsiders regardless of what chaos was unfolding outside, gazes naturally converged toward the group walking toward the entrance of the Mu Family Estate at this moment. The footsteps of the martial artists gradually slowed.

Thud.

A party with a large coffin loaded on a cart.

Disciplined footsteps accompanied by dust. They were undoubtedly warriors of the righteous path.

Mostly dressed in green and blue martial uniforms, their once neat appearance was now covered in sword marks and dust.

A scholarly girl led the vanguard. It was Tranquil Gaze Zhuge Qing-ya.

A few steps behind, a young noble with a sword at his waist walked as if escorting her. With short-cut hair and a light green silk martial uniform, he was the Young Clan Leader of the Gong Family, also a branch of the Eight Families.

“If only the horses hadn’t died……”

Gong Min wiped his face, with dark circles under his eyes, with the back of his hand. Zhuge Qing-ya shook her head at his words.

“It was the Horse Bandits of Myriad Upper Road with the Myriad Streams Water Formation. Considering we’ve broken through a group counted among the current Thirteen Evil Sects, we’ve arrived early. Rather, it’s fortunate we didn’t encounter any high-ranking figures.”

“The Young Clan Leader of the Zhuge family is correct, but……”

They still maintained their dignity. However, their current appearance was closer to that of defeated soldiers.

Suddenly, at Zhuge Qing-ya’s gesture, a martial artist rapidly approached them from a distance. He appeared to have returned from scouting.

Zhuge Qing-ya, while advancing toward the Mu Family Estate, immediately asked him:

“What I asked you to find out? Starting with Master Jeong’s whereabouts.”

“Based on rumors, he seems to have arrived here in about three days. According to the warriors of Desolate Fortress, it had been three days since the newly appointed Purple Rank had a confrontation with King Qiong-ming after the Bewitching Sword Demon incident. That was the beginning. After Master Jeong departed, it took another three days until most of the Five Central Swordsmen and the original Young Castle Lord of Taimo Mountain Castle were killed. Master Jeong’s activities ended in a total of six days.”

“How could he at such speed……”

One of the party members exclaimed before falling silent. This was because they knew that afterward, Taimo Mountain Castle had widely proclaimed Jeong Yeon-shin’s death.

“……”

The Martial Alliance warriors each observed Zhuge Qing-ya’s expression. None were unaware that the temporary commander general had been a guest warrior under Radiant Demon Wing for a short time.

If Zhuge Qing-ya had learned even one technique from the newly appointed Purple Rank during that time, she would have to be considered, at least lightly, as having a master-disciple relationship with him.

The death of Desolate Fortress’s newly appointed Purple Rank.

Jeong Yeon-shin was a figure controversial in many ways. Starting with his martial prowess that had rapidly grown formidable in a short period.

There were rumors that he had created numerous martial arts with heaven-bestowed qualities, and even dangerous talk that Jeong Yeon-shin was the author of the “Evil Path Annihilation Compendium” that had been spreading throughout the martial world recently.

There was also the wild rumor that, born with an undying body, he had reappeared in Hangzhou.

These were chaotic times when it was difficult to access clean and definitive information. No rumor could be easily believed.

A brief silence flowed, but Zhuge Qing-ya did not stop walking. On her shoulders rested the lives of many people, including Sword Star Hyeon So-baek.

That responsibility was like a weight. It was identical to what Radiant Demon Wing Master Jeong Yeon-shin had once carried on his back.

“By the way, I’ve heard the Divine Physician’s temperament is quite extraordinary… Of course, this is entirely the commander general’s responsibility, but I don’t know how to broach the subject. There must be many patients already in line.”

Gong Min said while fidgeting with the sword at his waist. It was a weapon that Lotus Nezha had once borrowed, now a somewhat faded memory. It was also a family heirloom of the Gong family.

“We’ll have to wait. We can’t cut in line.”

Zhuge Qing-ya, having replied briefly, strode forward.

It didn’t take long for the Martial Alliance party to speak with the scholar who served as the estate’s manager, settle accounts, and be assigned a pavilion to stay in temporarily.

The Martial Alliance party silently entered the pavilion assigned to them in one corner of the estate.

Only then did the tongues of the Mu Family Estate commoners loosen.

“As expected of the righteous path.”

“They seemed to have several martial noble families mixed in, so I thought they might make a big scene.”

The people who had been wary of the obviously unusual outsiders breathed a sigh of relief. This was because there were many martial artists who would barge in and demand treatment for internal injuries and the like.

Even now, there were quite a few sword-carriers lurking around. The atmosphere in the vicinity was as tense as a sword blade.

And so the day began to wane.

* * *

It was evening.

The orange breath of sunset fell gently over the wall.

Amidst this.

Suddenly, a man forcefully knocked on the door of the pavilion where the Martial Alliance party was staying. The eyes of the martial artist standing guard right in front of the door widened.

He had not sensed any presence passing by his side. It was like a branch swaying in a gentle breeze.

‘A master…!’

He was even more surprised when he saw the intruder’s face. Long ears and a beautiful face that transcended the mortal realm.

It was the rumored Eternal Candle Divine Physician.

Despite wearing a dust-covered yellow robe, he had the presence of a great tree. It was literally the wood energy that a large tree might emit.

The Martial Alliance martial artist with proper energy sense felt an extremely refreshing energy.

“Come here!”

The Divine Physician called for the leader of the party, saying he would test whether those who had caused a disturbance deserved his medical skills.

With the Martial Alliance leader’s life at stake, the guard dared not act rashly. The Divine Physician’s harmonious features and herb-like scent contributed to this attitude.

Zhuge Qing-ya immediately came outside. The other Martial Alliance warriors also quickly gathered their weapons and rushed out of their rooms. Gong Min did the same.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“You’re going to break the door completely. I assume you’ll compensate before leaving?”

The Divine Physician clicked his tongue and added. This is why martial artists are…

“Ah.”

Before Zhuge Qing-ya could even speak, the Divine Physician, who had suddenly let out a low exclamation, gestured with his chin toward the widely opened door.

The coffin that the Martial Alliance party had brought like a precious treasure was there.

“Is that why you’ve come?”

“Yes, Elder Mu. I am called Qing-ya of the Zhuge family, and as the military commander of the Hangzhou Martial Alliance…”

“No.”

Zhuge Qing-ya’s words, as she was respectfully raising a cupped fist salute, were cut off. The man known as the Divine Physician was already shaking his head.

“There’s nothing medical skills can do. That’s the state it’s in.”

“…I’ve heard that the Eternal Candle Divine Physician wields mysterious martial sorcery techniques. If you would examine it directly…”

The Divine Physician’s brow furrowed at Zhuge Qing-ya’s words.

“You’re asking me to bestow such a precious skill on those who only engage in fighting in the martial world? Besides, I said this isn’t my domain? You need to find the one who made him like this for a solution. Or kill him.”

“That’s impossible. We are willing to pay any other price.”

“It wasn’t even your turn to begin with. I just came out for a stroll to clear my head and ensure my fingertips don’t tremble when applying acupuncture. Don’t waste time unnecessarily.”

It was then.

Suddenly, dozens of masked figures dropped from the wall. The soft sound of their feet touching the earth was subdued.

They had launched a night raid, taking advantage of the moment when the outer guards’ vigilance had relaxed. They were clearly trained in martial arts.

It was the kind of thing that could be expected.

Extraordinary skills naturally become objects of greed. This was especially true for medical skills that save lives.

It certainly wasn’t the first or second time this had happened.

The Divine Physician’s nonchalant attitude made this clear. Unlike the Martial Alliance warriors who had immediately reacted by gripping their weapons, he appeared very accustomed to it.

As if it were an event he experienced every time he went for a walk.

“The Divine Physician always says the same thing.”

One of the intruders placed his hand on his sword hilt. He seemed to regard the Martial Alliance party, who had just been refused treatment, as allies.

“Don’t waste time unnecessarily? What a ridiculous statement. Aren’t there hardly any patients left in the vicinity?”

“And?”

The Divine Physician, with his hands behind his back, asked. A few blades of grass that had just sprouted around his feet swayed slightly.

The impression emanating from his entire body was like an impregnable fortress wall.

“I’ve heard you can heal even severed limbs in just one hour. Hoarding such heaven-bestowed talent is a sin. I won’t tell you to come with us. Don’t discriminate against those who carry swords. Don’t push our names down the patient list.”

The Divine Physician laughed at the masked man’s words.

“Around this time, several commoners with food poisoning usually come up here. They are my priority.”

“Even severed limbs can be reattached in a day, yet you…! Are you truly toying with the martial world?”

“When a food-poisoned commoner sleeps soundly tonight, the next day rice ears will definitely sprout at least a couple of joints. Even in years of famine, that’s true. But what do you all create? How do you contribute to this country?”

The Divine Physician smirked. His manner of speaking sharply while keeping his hands behind his back strangely seemed beyond the mundane world.

From the perspective of Zhuge Qing-ya and the Martial Alliance warriors, the Divine Physician’s words and actions were clearly provocative.

Words that no martial artist could easily ignore. He was skilled at provocation. Even the masters who had come to ask for help with Sword Star immediately had their breathing disrupted.

Zhuge Qing-ya couldn’t bring herself to speak. The Divine Physician was of noble lineage. This meant that flattery or lies wouldn’t work with him. She had to ponder.

Whether there was any way other than force to gain the cooperation of this eccentric physician.

“Based on what I’ve experienced in my rather long life, martial artists are worse than cattle and horses. I am a healer. How could I prioritize killers?”

It was as the Divine Physician was smiling and speaking.

“A true physician.”

Suddenly, a murmur reached everyone’s ears. It was mixed with unfiltered admiration, like a soliloquy. Anyone could tell it was sincere.

It echoed from above their heads.

Their gazes all rose to the top of the wall.

An extraordinarily handsome young man was sitting on the wall. He had an arm, still full of vitality as if it had just been severed, slung over his shoulder.

Beyond him, the sunset was losing its light dimly. Whether he was using eye technique or not, whitish internal energy rippled continuously from his entire body, including the severed arm.

Transcendent.

His presence replaced the vast sunset.