Chapter 498 – Martial World

Hubei Province, Xiangyang.

In the pitch-black night sky, a crescent moon like someone’s nail marks cast dim light.

The palace complex of Desolate Fortress’s main castle, made of pristine white marble, absorbed even such faint moonlight like parched earth during drought. That’s why it remained pale even in the depths of winter night.

Radiant Demon Wing Hall was the same.

Rustle.

A swordsman wearing a dark hood and eyepatch entered the Wing Leader’s office. His black robe hem that reached down to his feet swept broadly once through the gap between doors.

“…Must we.”

Cheong Myeong, who had become Radiant Demon Wing Leader at midnight yesterday, muttered briefly.

But that was all.

—When I’m not here, you’ll ascend to the position of Radiant Demon Wing Leader, so please entrust the things written here to the Grand Administrator. Congratulations in advance.

The story Jeong Yeon-shin had conveyed before parting in Hangzhou.

The youngest of Radiant Demon Wing had spoken like a grown younger brother, even using the phrase “out with the old, in with the new,” meaning to discard old things and embrace new ones.

Words about completely emptying the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s office for the next leader.

This was why Cheong Myeong was separately gathering the previous Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s personal belongings at this moment.

Though it was difficult to entrust to servants, it wasn’t hard work.

Because Jeong Yeon-shin’s belongings were simple.

Swish.

First to emerge from the desk drawer was a round metal piece engraved with clouds.

Zhongnan Sect’s Gratitude Token. A gift from the deceased Sword Immortal of Zhongnan and the Zhongnan Sect Leader to their young collaborator.

Next was a cup issued when ascending to blue rank. A jade cup that Desolate Fortress warriors familiar with assassination and poisoning carried separately. He had used it when first sharing drinks with Azure Qilin of the Namgung Family.

That wasn’t all. There were several more things.

The White Crane Fan of the Fan Dragon that Zhuge Qing-ya had given when she declared she would become family head herself while temporarily serving as a guest warrior of Radiant Demon Wing.

Ma Jin’s black robe with one sleeve torn off and overall close to rags.

The secret manual of the deceased Fist Martial Arts Expert Yan Hwa-ryeon.

And the chest containing the head of Wudang’s High Sword True Man.

Especially the last item—Cheong Myeong had taken custody of it and placed it on the office desk, and contrary to worldly rumors about the Nine Great Sects, it hadn’t rotted.

The remains of an enlightened immortal remained in place without any scent. Waiting for the youth from his final story to someday climb Wudang Mountain with him.

—This is my task. I’ll return early.

These were Jeong Yeon-shin’s parting words.

Cheong Myeong was putting the few belongings into a bundle when he paused. The load was quite heavy, and it would be the same for Jeong Yeon-shin when he returned to the main castle.

Whoosh.

Suddenly flames erupted from Cheong Myeong’s grasp. It was Samadhi True Fire. But he soon shook his head and extinguished the flames.

Even if he burned the bundle, the burden already placed in a person’s heart couldn’t be incinerated.

He left the office as it was.

Passing the dozen or so memorial stones erected in Radiant Demon Wing’s training ground, black-robed Cheong Myeong headed straight for the Administrative Office.

Those who had gone ahead in Sichuan’s City of Renowned Craftsmen during his blue rank days, and three comrades who had gone on solo missions and returned as corpses, whistled. The night wind of the main castle was cold and transparent.

In contrast, the Administrative Office was ablaze with light.

Cheong Myeong roughly nodded to the guard warriors who greeted him with cupped hands, then opened the main gate himself.

Rustle, whiiiiiik—

Footsteps and wing-cutting sounds of non-human things. Spirit creatures tamed by the elf clan flew over roofs with communication tubes tied to their feet or held in their mouths.

Meanwhile, conversations between the Grand Administrator and various scholars spread elegantly like lantern light filling windows.

“Gang of Demons Green Forest’s White Axe King Zhi Jiang-xian has annihilated the Gongsun Family and absorbed nearby martial clans… effectively a new warlord. This is a matter requiring imperial army response.”

“Truly correct words. You’ve learned to read quite well sitting in your corner. Now think of proper countermeasures. Or shall you come north with me to see just how grotesquely distorted the faces of Yao tribe masters are?”

“The ninth communication to the Yangtze River Navy… ten days elapsed. Twenty-three Radiant Sword Wing personnel confirmed surviving upstream of the Han River, Wing Leader’s fate unknown. Given circumstances, we must consider the possibility of mutual destruction with Strange Sword King among the Twin Dragon Flow Kings under Myriad Upper Road Stronghold Leader.”

“I say this now, but is it certain that damn Radiant Sword fellow went to the Yangtze? Why was someone who should assist Hidden Sword and the Group Leader fooling around there? Why don’t those black rank disciples of the Wish for Peace Sword Hall ever listen to scholars?”

“Recently, the Sima unorthodox path has been more actively taking common people hostage to expand territory…”

“I misspoke because the all-night work has been long. It’s not that they don’t listen to me—the times don’t listen to me.”

Administrative Office inner courtyard.

Only after concluding thus did the Grand Administrator turn his gaze to Cheong Myeong.

Against the backdrop of scholars and the Four Treasures of the Study filling dozens of long tables. The Administrative Office chief’s thick beard moved up and down briefly.

“That bundle?”

“Master Jeong’s belongings. As I mentioned before.”

Cheong Myeong spoke with melody in the word “belongings.” It was the speech pattern of the elf clan, famous for words like song lyrics.

Grand Administrator Lim Jin-myeong nodded roughly.

“Leave it. I’ll move it to the main castle storage. It’s about time to share storage space with the Group Leader.”

The elegant brushwork of several scholars stopped.

But even in that moment, voices that hammered into the Grand Administrator’s ears, a master of Upper Dantian martial arts, continued to ring out.

“Martial Dragon Alliance Leader Helian Feng-yue’s challenge letter has arrived again! This is the seventh time… likewise requesting a life-and-death duel with the Group Leader Yong! If refused this time, he threatens to assault the main castle alone…!”

“How can we summon someone who doesn’t exist? Don’t send a reply. The Group Leader and Hidden Sword cannot spare themselves from their situation.”

“Intelligence from Radiant Demon Wing’s Lazy Flame Dragon! Northern Sea Ice Palace has made contact with Yao tribe masters… the Yao chieftain who fought the late Emperor remains missing. Additionally, there’s mention of a marriage. Lazy Flame Dragon himself entered as the Ice Palace Lord’s fifteenth concubine…”

“What kind of dog-eating-grass nonsense is that? Is that fellow still chewing opium there too? First… classify it all as top-secret intelligence.”

Soon Lim Jin-myeong turned his head to another scholar and asked.

“The nine merchant groups classified separately?”

“No replies yet.”

“We must assume supply lines are cut. Beijing is in that state too.”

Lim Jin-myeong’s tone remained consistently calm throughout. Not because he was leisurely, but because he accepted all situations without blaming anything.

Cheong Myeong spoke up.

“Is the current Ice Palace Lord a woman?”

“Yes. But there’s never been anyone in the main castle who married during a solo mission. The intelligence’s credibility is questionable.”

“Master Jeong would be interested.”

Cheong Myeong asked briefly while stroking the Desolate Sword at his waist.

“My mission?”

His question was immediately answered by Lim Jin-myeong.

“Quickly rescue Radiant Sword Wing. They must return safely.”

“What about the main castle’s defenses?”

“…Don’t worry. We can still hold out.”

Light and shadow alternated densely over the window frames. The voices that had rung out in the Administrative Office faded emptily at the boundary line between the interior filled with light and the night air outside.

* * *

It was land that had suffered extreme drought.

The wide ground was cracked in all directions, and pale smoke rose lengthily from deeply hollowed earth in various places.

A blood-red grand master’s chair was placed there forlornly, adding to the eeriness. It was a very antique chair, where a red-robed woman with jet-black hair sat with one eye closed.

A mad ceremony. At this moment, her white face, whiter than the smoke brushing her skin, was completely bloodless.

Beauty that could topple nations.

“Seventh Apostle.”

A likewise chillingly beautiful white-haired handsome man looked down at her. Wearing ceremonial robes redder than Seventh Apostle’s robe, hands clasped behind his back.

“I didn’t expect you’d be caught so easily. You caused such havoc among our sect’s branches, yet in the end you relied only on your martial arts.”

He spoke in a smooth voice. Soon Seventh Apostle’s red eyes opened thinly.

“You mimic your predecessor well. Are you no longer First Apostle but Blood Flame Cult Leader now?”

She whispered.

An dizzying smile formed on the current Blood Flame Cult Leader’s red lips.

“The predecessor’s legacy that you rejected passed to me. Originally, the bloodline of Blood Flame Cult nobles is like that. Just as you can never control your own madness, the predecessor’s boundlessly vast spirituality didn’t completely disappear from the world but wandered seeking an owner before settling on me. Like the legend that Shaolin’s Green Jade Buddha Staff eventually returns to Mount Song no matter what trials it faces… Yes, recently your Grand Master’s Divine Sword did such a thing in Hangzhou. It returned to its owner on its own, didn’t it?”

He continued the story archaically.

“You’re a fierce beast that annihilated our main group, so your head should rightfully be severed… but if I go to Xiangyang and tell him your news, how will he react? If affection has grown, his expression will harden, and if not, he’ll rejoice that a stubborn leech has been eliminated. Which do you think it will be?”

Seventh Apostle kept her lips sealed.

Though she had no bonds, she couldn’t move. It was because she had been struck with demonic blood.

The Blood Flame Cult Leader, who had been staring down at her for a while, curved his lips in a grin.

“But how strange. You were caught too easily. I haven’t yet fully mastered the predecessor’s spirituality.”

“……”

“How did your body reach such a state? Who did you face before meeting me?”

Seventh Apostle didn’t answer this time either.

Moon-like energy was contained in the Qihai acupoint below her navel.

Originally a body born with cold power, the energy that had penetrated along with the world’s foremost Desolate Fortress expert’s strike was literally the extreme of yin energy.

Naturally difficult to handle like a powerful elixir, it was melting into her Blood Flame True Energy and causing strange changes.

She had spent time half-unconscious.

Time was needed, and heavenly fortune didn’t follow.

Rustle.

The Blood Flame Cult Leader brought his face close before her eyes.

Robe hem that subtly revealed the contours of his transcendently trained upper body muscles. His smile held demonic charm that bewitched people.

“What shall I do with this rebel? Actually, you know too. Your bloodline is too precious to kill rashly.”

“Yeah, don’t kill me. Grand Master would want that too. Wouldn’t you find me useful?”

Seventh Apostle looked straight at him and moved her lips. But somehow her tone lacked confidence, and the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s blood-red eyes caught that sign like a ghost.

He straightened his waist and laughed loudly.

“How pitiful indeed! You who lived as a noble have never experienced something in your entire life. Yes, who would attach affection to you?”

Rumble rumble rumble!

The ground shook as if responding to him.

Earth surfaces rose up everywhere, spitting out dust.

Because spirituality that amplified the power of true energy was overflowing from the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s head, along with that upper dantian ability, the irregular energy waves characteristic of Blood Flame True Energy were roughly splitting the ground.

“I’ll take you along on the way to Xiangyang! Your reaction interests me more than Lotus Nezha’s! Are you a burden to him, or a trivial object like our sect’s tribute? I’ll confirm it myself. It will truly be enjoyable amusement.”

“Like an idle young master. Why not plow fields with that time.”

Seventh Apostle slightly twisted up one corner of her mouth. While thoroughly seeing through the true energy structure of the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s demonic blood. It wouldn’t take long to unlock the acupoints herself.

“First Apostle, what happened to your subordinates?”

“Don’t play tricks. Those children can’t overcome their bloodline instincts. The moment they see you, they’ll be conflicted. Whether to continue serving me or follow you.”

“So you left them behind? Were you confident?”

“How could I claim to be cult leader if I couldn’t handle you alone? Originally this fight was a test for myself, but it ended too emptily.”

Suddenly the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s mad laughter stopped like a lie.

“Desolate Fortress will be annihilated.”

He said.

“It’s a grand plan prepared for a very long time. Of course, it will succeed even if I don’t go, but to expand the sect’s power again, I must contribute to such a historic occasion…”

Crack.

Suddenly the ground beneath his feet froze transparently.

“Hmm?”

The Blood Flame Cult Leader turned his head.

Rustle.

Figures walking from the edge of the desolate plain. Only three human shadows flickered with the smoke rising from the ground.

Black robe hems of slightly different shapes fluttered darkly.

“Desolate Fortress…?”

Doubtful words flowed from the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s red lips, and just as he was about to twist his foot to break the ice… in that brief moment, a giant man who had leaped over that short distance landed with a roar and struck the Blood Flame Cult Leader with a massive fist.

Kwaaaaaaaaang!

A direct hit to the abdomen. It was a fierce strike accompanied by a storm.

Ripples bursting in all directions poured out hazy sword winds. Clearly the energy emission characteristic of the elf clan, but the weight and elasticity flowing through the series of fist techniques was exceptional.

At the same time, the ice binding the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s foot made a crackling sound as it hardened. Preventing him from being completely knocked away. It was transcendent freezing martial arts.

‘Cold Heaven Flowing Ice Technique…!’

The secret divine technique of Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader.

Three people were reflected in the tilted vision of the Blood Flame Cult Leader. Those who had somehow approached within close range like a painting divided into several sections.

While Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader Cheon So-so looked at him with calmly sunken blue eyes, Forest Treading Squad Leader Xiahou Wei-jin loaded another straight punch at his waist like a cannon.

When the greatly angered Blood Flame Cult Leader’s expression contorted.

Swoosh!

From the side.

A sword strike that shot up in a straight line slashed his shoulder. Blood mixed with semi-transparent sword wind flowed out.

At this moment, it was the sword strike of Law Enforcement Squad Leader Yun Xiao-yu, her long black hair fluttering like an immortal’s robe hem.

Soon.

The Blood Flame Cult Leader’s red lips curved in an arc.

“Laughable.”

Boom!

Following his hand stretched sideways toward Yun Xiao-yu, the atmosphere distorted.

A finishing move filled with killing intent. A tension that erased the space between them entirely in an instant, with faint blood color flickering.

Instantly the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s form was knocked backward with a bang. Xiahou Wei-jin, who had landed a direct punch, and Cheon So-so, who had extinguished the freezing energy at his feet, followed him like wind.

The Divine Sword Group’s elf clan Sqaud Leaders, masters of free-flowing joint attacks. While two black robe hems fluttered violently, Yun Xiao-yu’s left arm, naturally gripping her sword in reverse, became blurred.

Whooooooosh! Thunk—!

The sword that flew while bursting shockwaves pinned the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s body diagonally to the ground, and the dust that burst yellow from that recoil covered the four people’s forms.

Even in the midst of this, Cheon So-so’s ice technique activated with crackling sounds, slowing the regenerative abilities characteristic of blood demons.

“What, how…?”

Seventh Apostle made rarely round eyes.

The smoke rising from the ground grew thicker as time passed.

Crack crack crack! Bang!

Blood continuously spurted and semi-transparent energy wave fragments scattered in all directions.

When the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s laughter smoothly spread, the sound of flesh and bone being split rang out.

Hundreds of intertwined fist technique trajectories and sword strikes created friction with the atmosphere, heating the surroundings, while something froze and broke, causing cold air to ripple from the ground. Thus thousands of exchanges were mixed together.

“Worthless things are struggling!”

“You know, but don’t give him breathing space. Transcendent Martial Art will come out.”

In the urgent situation, only the Blood Flame Cult Leader and Cheon So-so could transform internal energy breathing into speech.

The cult leader through his transcendent martial arts, the Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader through the World Tree sapling in her embrace.

The sun gradually tilted, and before long, sunlight flickered like firewood on the horizon tinged with sunset. The fuel was time.

Hissss—

The dust that had continuously risen from the collision of powerful energy waves gradually subsided.

All four were covered in wounds.

Red and black robe hems were torn messily along with some flesh.

The ground had long since turned dark red, soaked with blood, and the Squad Leaders, bearing all sorts of cuts and penetrating wounds, observed the Blood Flame Cult Leader with quiet eyes.

A state where energy senses had dulled on both sides. A point where they had to rely more on eyesight.

Patter.

Ice fragments fell at the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s feet.

It wasn’t his usual elegantly upright posture. Instead of the bearing of Beijing nobility, temperament like a bat baring its teeth flowed through his entire body.

“Yes…”

He who had dropped his shoulders curved his lips low.

“Desolate Fortress’s foundation has changed. Starting with Yong Hye-myeong, no… the Yong Family fellow’s absence is already famous. Then indeed…”

Crack.

Suddenly a long, slender grip seized his crown from behind. The skin was pale. It felt like it had extended from the evening darkness.

“…!”

Before the Blood Flame Cult Leader could even turn his head.

Swoooooosh—!

A sword blade of dark red radiance completely slashed his neck, separating head from body.

The internal energy blade forged from sinister true energy didn’t lose its light even after completely severing the flesh that had allowed a single sword strike.

Even then, blood-red liquid dripped down the balanced body of the Blood Flame Cult Leader.

A brief silence flowed.

Xiahou Wei-jin furrowed his brow, and Yun Xiao-yu silently shook her sword once.

Step.

Soon the owner of the formless sword revealed himself. Pale skin with slender facial lines. A figure in black robe stuck to his entire body like bat wings.

“Divine Sword Group Deputy Leader.”

Cheon So-so, who had lowered both arms, suddenly spoke.

Blood Guardian Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo merely held up the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s head as if he hadn’t heard her voice.

The blood-red eyes hadn’t lost their light.

Still alive. The face had just returned to expressionless as if asking when he had been angry. Such was the existence of Blood Flame Cult’s transcendent master who had achieved enlightenment regarding blood and life and death.

“…Yes, this is what the martial world is like.”

Slowly.

The Blood Flame Cult Leader opened his mouth.

“You’ve accomplished quite a remarkable feat. But today’s events are merely heavenly fortune. The martial world, the entire Sima unorthodox path will soon attack you all at once…”

Splat!

His head was crushed before he could finish speaking. Blood Guardian Great Leader’s grip squeezed the pulverized bone and flesh.

“When was it not so.”

Jin Myeong-jo muttered lowly.