Chapter 488 – Desolate Day Extinction (7)

While Jeong Yeon-shin went out to deal with the uninvited guests.

There were few left at the Mu Family Estate. This was because the common people had earlier left the estate.

Those who remained here now were only the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects, the Desolate Fortress Lord, the Divine Physician, and Beggar Sect Leader Divine Beggar who had belatedly slipped back into the estate.

Not one was ordinary.

—First, I should show proper etiquette to the imperial envoy.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s calm voice.

The absolute masters listened to the voices from outside from their seated positions. Each had their doors wide open while seated in the main hall, or stood blankly on one side of the inner quarters’ rooftop.

“…So.”

Divine Beggar, roughly crouched on a tree branch, opened his mouth.

“That fellow is the future of Desolate Fortress, is that what you’re saying?”

He asked as if talking to himself.

But each merely sensed the presences outside with different expressions, and no one immediately answered.

Only Lu Xian slightly raised her eyelids and parted her lips softly.

“…It’s not the future but the present. Isn’t he the peerless swordsman who took the right hand of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader? He’s the only one among the purples who actively operates in the jianghu.”

“Truly dismal…”

Divine Beggar couldn’t finish his words and closed his mouth.

He glanced at the Desolate Fortress Lord who had been standing quietly until then, then suddenly shouted at the Divine Physician who was sprawled carelessly on the dirt ground using it as a bed.

“Isn’t this enough?! I too am running around for the sake of the world! Do you intend to leave me here to die?!”

Divine Beggar stroked his abdomen while arguing. Faint bloodstains drew diagonal lines on his extremely worn rags.

It was a sword wound he had received from the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader somewhere near Hangzhou.

The Divine Physician didn’t move a finger. He remained in the same exhausted state as before.

“Die my foot. Old beggar, how long were you exposed to that Little Overlord’s dharma power? The evil energy has all drained out and new flesh is growing.”

“So that’s why it was itchy.”

Divine Beggar replied nonchalantly.

He had already known. A peerless master of movement technique who could run faster than Desolate Day Extinction couldn’t possibly be unaware of his body’s condition.

He had simply deflected the conversation because of the Desolate Fortress Lord’s presence.

Beggar Sect had received great grace.

Divine Beggar intended to help Jeong Yeon-shin in some way someday. He could at least accomplish greater things than a fallen Tyrant Hero.

‘Wasn’t he a child who lived his whole life in Xinye County without ever seeing his maternal relatives’ faces even once?’

He tapped the bottom of the gourd bottle at his waist and slowly looked around. The faces reflected in his pupils were truly tremendous.

“There will be great backlash.”

He muttered.

The time that those who should stably suppress the vast regional jianghu had spent in Hangzhou was enormous.

Absolute masters who had to prevent monstrous beings of incredible strength like flood dragons or human-faced spiders from wandering around in broad daylight.

The disciples who would be blocking the ‘gates’ in their stead would also make it difficult to see the Nine Great Sects’ leaders in the jianghu martial world for some time.

They would all have to seclude themselves in their main temples.

The same applied to the Desolate Fortress Lord.

An absolute master who single-handedly sealed the ‘Great Gate’ that had poured out all sorts of clans during the founding period.

Being here like this didn’t make sense in itself.

Even if she took Jeong Yeon-shin to World Tree for some purpose, she wouldn’t be able to continue the journey with him for long.

“In the end, what remains… will be only the purple and Desolate Fortress under his command.”

Now they had no allies.

Great families sought their own prosperity and put common people second. That’s how they had maintained their prestige for so long. Even the Tang Family had only their family head come to Hangzhou alone.

The massive Sima unorthodox path called the Thirteen Evil Sects was needless to say. They were clearly enemies that gnawed at the nation.

“With the late Emperor having passed away and Beijing placed in mortal danger… Desolate Fortress’s position has also become very difficult.”

Divine Beggar glanced at the Desolate Fortress Lord as he spoke. But she didn’t answer.

“Why is that?”

Qing Shu suddenly asked. Divine Beggar clicked his tongue at the young Qingcheng Sect Leader.

“Desolate Fortress is truly the world’s foremost faction in name and reality. But unlike other jianghu sects, they don’t establish branch families or collect seat fees… in bustling cities. They don’t receive offerings like Taoist or Buddhist sects either. Even though their size is tremendously massive.”

The old beggar shook his head as he continued.

“How much money would it cost to constantly maintain the countless elixirs, food, clothing, supplies, and countless weapons in their current state? How much monthly salary would be needed to feed so many masters and their families, or disciples?”

“Naturally, the imperial family secretly provides…”

Qing Shu was continuing when he said “Hmm” and closed his mouth.

Emperor Qian-ling’s death.

Yao tribe masters who had reached the very chin of Beijing.

The nation’s funds that had flowed as massively as the Yangtze River’s current couldn’t be the same as before. It wouldn’t be strange if they were cut off at any time.

Even if Beijing’s Crown Prince made special efforts, it would be difficult to transport materials as before due to the Military Horse Green Forest and Myriad Upper Road Stronghold that had been stirring with tremendous power recently.

The situation of chaotic times where those who had learned martial arts were transforming into highway bandits would also be a problem.

This was why Desolate Day Extinction outside the main gate of the Mu Family Estate hadn’t driven away the ‘Guan Xu Merchant Alliance’ even while enraged.

The flood dragon had disappeared.

Now they had to live in the present world.

“Still, that child is better than that old Ma fellow. At least as someone who became purple, he clearly distinguishes between public and private matters, doesn’t he?”

Divine Beggar concluded with hearty laughter. It was accompanied by the sight of him carefully stroking his abdomen.

In that way, with no one agreeing, Qing Shu rose from his seat.

“Qingcheng will be returning now.”

Around that time, the imperial envoy’s words were being heard from outside.

—To the nation’s sword, Lightning Genius of the Jeong family, I proclaim.

It was a story left by Emperor Quan Ling before setting out to campaign against the Fighting God of the north, whom only he could oppose.

The voice of the imperial envoy, also of the noble clan like the imperial family, flowed out as clearly as winter air.

—You alone must not come up to the north.

—What nonsense…

Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice sounded and then stopped.

The imperial envoy’s words were the Emperor’s speech and conduct.

For a moment, Divine Beggar saw for the first time the Desolate Fortress Lord’s dense eyelashes rise minutely.

It was accompanied by a feeling as if the air inside and outside the great gate froze and then thawed.

The imperial envoy’s voice continued at length.

—It has been long since the imperial troops who learned martial arts have withdrawn from the people’s livelihood like a receding tide. I gathered them north and used them as swords. This is due to the inadequacy of this body whose individual skill has reached its limits, and along with the severe famine, the people’s suffering has reached its peak. I find it difficult to urge them to endure further desolation, so with the jianghu martial world existing in the realm, I cannot take away even the one remaining purple from this land that is already a mountain of swords and forest of blades. How could a parent discuss only great causes while leaving their children behind? Moreover, Lightning Genius, you must not yet face the chieftain of the northern clans. You are too young for that, and have too many duties.

—…….

—I have long withdrawn my hand from state affairs. Don’t the Crown Prince and Qiong-ming hold all the people in their hands? Therefore, this body intends to personally take up the sword after thoroughly examining both national crisis and people’s livelihood.

The absolute masters of the Nine Great Sects and One Unorthodox Faction fell silent.

Especially Divine Beggar’s and Qing Shu’s eyes grew larger as the story continued.

Though the imperial envoy’s voice carried solid internal energy, apart from that, it was content that demanded attention.

Among all the transcendent peerless masters, how many could receive letters directly from Emperor Qian-ling? In Hangzhou right now, it would be impossible unless it were Beomheo.

‘To receive such an imperial decree from the late Emperor…?’

From today onward, no one in the government offices including the Zhu royal family would try to oppose Desolate Day Extinction. All sorts of noble figures would be the same.

Rather, those who would approach to share in the symbolism that Emperor Qian-ling had bestowed upon him would emerge.

It was like pacifying the government with a single letter.

Thus, Emperor Qian-ling’s message that had given Jeong Yeon-shin a tremendous position without any official post reached its end.

—The place where I now have brush, ink, and paper is a military camp table. I can feel the fierce energy waves of the mounted barbarians. When the sun sets, I will fight a battle here. The wind is quite cold, so the blade should cut quite well. While you guard my nation, this body will become a sword that blocks the north as an emperor mad with competitive spirit.

That was all.

“……”

The silence in the hall rapidly deepened.

Divine Beggar estimated without looking.

That Prince Hong Huang’s eyes, who had been trampled under Jeong Yeon-shin’s foot, must have shaken greatly. The momentum that had earlier threatened Blue-Eyed Demon Sword would have disappeared without a trace.

* * *

The imperial envoy vanished like wind as soon as he delivered his message. He seemed unusually pressed for time, apparently with many affairs in Beijing.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought deeply.

‘I want to pretend I didn’t hear it.’

The story about not going north. If it hadn’t been the Emperor’s words, he wouldn’t have even pretended to listen. Being restricted in freedom of movement was enough during his days at the Jeong family estate.

Nothing should be blocked in advance.

They say a gentleman wants to go even more when told not to go. This was especially true if the matter concerned Yao tribe masters. Beings he had heard about countless times.

‘There are common people in the north too.’

Crack!

He put force into his leg while casually opening his mouth.

The heavy groan that sounded from beneath his foot was crushed by the heavy winter wind, and Jeong Yeon-shin could nonchalantly feign ignorance.

“Perhaps because the imperial envoy was so busy with public and private affairs, his pronunciation in delivering the imperial decree was very unclear. It was difficult to understand.”

This place.

There were few who could exchange words with him on equal terms. Naturally, it was close to talking to himself.

“I memorized it all. Please don’t worry, Master Jeong.”

Hyeon Won-chang interjected with a bright smile. He seemed very pleased with what the imperial envoy had conveyed.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt a tactless older brother in his appearance. Very occasionally, at times like this, he thought of Lazy Flame Dragon too.

He didn’t know why a person about to die would wander around so energetically.

‘There’s also the Ice Palace in the north.’

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

“…I’ll review it myself. You don’t need to tell me.”

Toward him, the leader of the Guan Xu Merchant Alliance took a step closer. The way he stepped on the ground was very cautious.

“We have a proposal for Master Jeong.”

“What is the price?”

He didn’t show any sign of bewilderment at Jeong Yeon-shin’s quick counter-question. Rather, he answered as if he had been waiting.

“The Guan Xu Merchant Alliance was formed by an alliance of twenty-one major merchant groups south of the Yangtze River, including our Xu Guan Trading Company, and we intend to spare no support so that Desolate Fortress can manage the next year without any deficiencies.”

“What price must the main fortress pay?”

“It would be sufficient for five Divine Sword Squad military units to permanently reside in eastern regions of the nation including Zhejiang, South Zhili, Jiangxi, and Fujian.”

The alliance leader concluded calmly.

Jeong Yeon-shin casually glanced at his sleeves. Purple light was shimmering in the transparent sunlight.

“…The main fortress’s military units.”

He continued slowly.

“Are invincible even with just three gathered.”

“That’s precisely why we dare to seek help.”

The alliance leader spoke with a faint smile.

It meant buying military force with financial power. While martial artist Desolate Day Extinction could refuse, it would be difficult for purple Jeong Yeon-shin to do so. This was because he now had to look after Desolate Fortress.

The main fortress located in Xiangyang would soon face chaotic times with its whole body.

Because no force is maintained by military power alone.

Considering Desolate Fortress’s scale, it had to be so. Given the current world’s disorder, it was too much to look only to the imperial family without preparing alternative measures for supplies.

Jeong Yeon-shin almost turned around but stopped.

‘Is this something I should handle…?’

He inwardly hoped for the Desolate Fortress Lord’s advice, but no words were heard. Her presence was as empty as a leaf leaning against the wind.

Come to think of it, when discussing the main fortress’s major and minor affairs, the only person besides the Grand Administrator was the Elder Council Head.

The Desolate Fortress Lord, his maternal grandfather, the current Divine Sword Group Leader.

Not one of them could be pictured directly managing Desolate Fortress’s livelihood. They were merely productive blades. Only regarding this nation’s safety.

‘Ah.’

Jeong Yeon-shin received a great shock.

Even the Desolate Fortress Lord had matters she couldn’t trust.

Then.

“Ahem.”

One of the leaders among the few remaining groups cleared his throat.

Supreme Commander Kang Su-hwi.

A figure with whom Jeong Yeon-shin had briefly formed friendship after killing the Zhuge Family Head, he was a handsome man wearing wild fur clothing over his official robes.

The third most dignified person in the military.

An official of the first rank.

But he had long since descended from his four-man sedan chair, and unlike before, the height of his eyelids had also lowered somewhat.

“Don’t worry about Desolate Fortress’s funds. Thanks to the late Emperor not sparing military expenses, our Five Military Governor-General’s Office still has much military provisions piled up. Of course, transporting that to Xiangyang is another matter, but I can exert my influence, Master Jeong. Though I can’t give a definite promise right now.”

“You may speak as comfortably as before.”

Jeong Yeon-shin looked directly at him as he spoke.

“Mm, actually I had one request… I’ll carefully convey it when the timing is good.”

It was when the Supreme Commander pretended not to hear and concluded his words.

A group composed entirely of martial artists without any fine steeds stepped forward.

Colorful silk martial uniforms, and heavy internal energy waves that each emitted as if they were all masters. It was the Four Provinces Martial Alliance that had recently begun making a name for itself.

“You may view us as the Eastern Martial Alliance. My name is Li Da-ling.”

A middle-aged woman raised cupped fist salutes to Jeong Yeon-shin and spoke.

“Though silver isn’t abundant, we’ve accumulated enough, so please trade with us as well. It’s chaotic times when no one knows when the military and merchant groups will be scattered. Even we are wary of the Military Horse Green Forest and Myriad Upper Road Stronghold despite forming an alliance as a martial alliance.”

She spoke while carrying a narrow sword on her back, and a sternness that felt as if sword energy enveloped her entire body could be felt. She was no ordinary swordsman.

Immediately Hyeon Won-chang’s mental transmission struck Jeong Yeon-shin’s ear.

—Li Da-ling! A hero of wanderer origins who opened up sects. Known to have mastered fifteen types of swordsmanship. Her epithet is Su Ming Rakshasa… A supreme master of killing swords said to be as tenacious as Blood Flame Cult nobles.

It wasn’t his concern.

The problem was that she too had proposed a trade to Jeong Yeon-shin.

With extremely polite bearing, along with words that they too would contribute to guarding the four eastern provinces of the Central Plains.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been listening to the stories of the groups he faced, suddenly furrowed his brow.

There were more groups approaching the Mu Family Estate. At least six or seven more, and it seemed they would continue to flock here.

Very chaotic.

What other groups would request trades under what pretexts?

‘Is this inevitable?’

Jeong Yeon-shin understood.

Desolate Fortress was a faction of fighting demons. A purple with sound mind and body in the world had to be extremely precious.

Judging coldly from today’s events, it would be fair to say only Lightning Genius of the Jeong family.

“…Trade.”

He slowly parted his lips.

He had to devise a way to organize all such matters at once. He couldn’t waste any more time at the Mu Family Estate.

“Would you provide brush and ink?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked the Guan Xu Merchant Alliance.

The alliance leader, whose face brightened instantly, quickly brought paper and other writing materials. Such merchants didn’t like agreements made only with words.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought for a moment.

Unlike Hyeon Won-chang, he wasn’t good with words. He wasn’t skilled at provocation like Lazy Flame Dragon either.

But such incidents would occur countless times in the future. Desolate Fortress was rooted in the imperial family, and Beijing was now shaking entirely.

As the imperial family’s capacity weakened, more would try to grasp and exploit Desolate Fortress.

This had to end here.

‘Damn.’

Thinking about it, heat rushed to his Baihui acupoint.

Swish.

Soon after, brush and ink, inkstone and paper that had risen through the mysteries of Void Grasping Technique began dancing in the void.

[Personal message to all under heaven. To the strong ones.

What is a sword?

A blade that tears human skin.

Form is irrelevant.

A merchant’s money, an official’s brush, and a warrior’s iron are no different.

The financial lifelines of major merchant groups that move all sorts of materials are the lifelines of many common people, and the brief strokes of officials’ brushwork change this nation’s appearance.

Needless to say about scoundrels’ sword strikes.

In the end, great merchants, high officials, and jianghu warriors are the same.

You are all swordsmen. Very strong.

And Desolate Fortress is a faction that exerts force against the strong. With poor fortune, it’s difficult to show mercy even in private matters.

Those who seek profit using the nation’s survival as a condition appear as demon armies to me.

Therefore, I proclaim to those who hold swords in this land.

Do not act rashly.

If you maintain your proper duties, you will not meet with misfortune.

Acting Divine Sword Group Leader. Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin.]

“I’ll pay you generously, so write the same thing and spread it widely throughout the world. The merchant alliance should have that capability.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly proposed the trade.

The Guan Xu alliance leader who received the letter turned pale.

Before long, Hangzhou’s sunset settled low in crimson, announcing the end of the day.