Chapter 501 – Desolate Great War

In the mountains cut through by a tranquil mountain path.

This was a main road that common people avoided, not knowing what calamity might befall them. Though the width was narrow and the winter mountain’s tree branches were sharp as swords, for those possessing the lightness skill of Grass Flying Steps, it was like well-paved stairs.

Since it was even one of the paths leading to Desolate Fortress, it was known as a strategic point among various warlords, foreign forces, and major sects.

Thud.

A middle-aged man covered in scars who had been standing there with his eyes closed suddenly threw his scabbard to the ground. Then, gripping only a single sword, he began to run.

Whooooosh!

His rough blue martial robes wrinkled even more due to the strong wind, and the footwork of this blue-robed warrior Crimson Day Sword grew faster as the headwind intensified.

It was lightness skill mixed with the mysteries of ‘Wind God,’ unique to Desolate Fortress’s Lightning Genius martial lineage.

[TL Note- changing Wind Body to Wind God.]

He crossed the mountain path like a favorable wind, where only bare wind blew instead of the leaves that should have filled the mountains, but soon three human shadows that had begun pursuing him were no slower than he was.

This was happening simultaneously in all directions—north, south, east, and west—around Desolate Fortress at this moment.

“They’re imitating the elf clan. The intelligence was accurate.”

The lead pursuer spoke with a voice filled with curiosity.

She wore a light green archery outfit with pure white cotton clothing over it. Her hair, reaching down to her waist, rippled jet-black due to her lightness technique sprint.

Black hair creating a mysterious harmony with white skin. She was using eye technique to sharpen her gaze as she looked at Crimson Day Sword’s back while continuously kicking the ground.

Thwack!

With light footwork that propelled her more than three zhang in a single bound. Naturally, Crimson Day Sword’s back was rapidly approaching.

She was Hwa Yeon-bi, the top disciple of the Martial Dragon Alliance Leader, and one of the squad leaders who would receive non-frontal strikes in today’s ‘Desolate Fortress Annihilation Great War.’

Her role was to smash the last information network of Desolate Fortress, which had locked its gates while leaving only minimal personnel.

Meanwhile, an elderly man in yellow robes who was leisurely following behind Hwa Yeon-bi with his hands clasped behind his back gestured with his chin toward Crimson Day Sword.

“Is that the Lightning Genius martial lineage?”

“Yes, Crimson Day Sword of the Annihilation Team. Looking at his movements, he definitely learned directly from the Grand Master. Yu Ling certainly doesn’t mix jokes into their intelligence these days.”

Her insight contained amazement. These were words difficult to be certain of without properly penetrating the limits of the opponent’s qualities.

—The practitioners of our lineage respectfully greet the Grand Master.

Crimson Day Sword.

He was the martial artist who announced the birth of the Lightning Genius martial lineage. At that time, high-ranking officials and merchants staying in Desolate Fortress had spread that anecdote.

Crack!

Similarly, a white-robed man who was cutting through the strong wind with lightness technique along with Hwa Yeon-bi and the elderly man suddenly asked.

“Didn’t you encounter Lotus Nezha on the day the direct descendants of the Namgung Family died? How strange to speak of intelligence now.”

“What I met was the rising talent. Not one of the jianghu’s Five Greatest Swords under Heaven. Those two are different people.”

She continued slowly.

“The Grand Master of that school affects life-and-death duels even when absent from his position. That’s what living teachings are like. If it’s that martial lineage, it’s right to carefully understand everything.”

“…I wonder. According to Yu Ling’s intelligence, the main castle of Desolate Fortress currently has not even a single peerless master… it’s no different from a pavilion built on sandy plains, isn’t it?”

It was the white-robed martial artist’s counter-question.

Speech and conduct that revealed the temperament of the faction called Martial Dragon Alliance.

Those who broke the taboo of the jianghu martial world that valued teacher-student relationships more than blood relations and shared all sorts of martial arts. The Thirteen Evil Sects’ Martial Dragon Alliance questioned freely like this and sought answers they could personally accept.

Hwa Yeon-bi smiled faintly.

Whooooooosh!

The air was surging. The reverse wind from Crimson Day Sword’s lightness technique began to flutter the robes of the Martial Dragon Alliance masters.

The distance had narrowed to about ten zhang. Now it was close at hand. Hwa Yeon-bi’s lips, which had taken on a deep red hue through the seven-star achievement of ‘World’s Greatest Energy Cultivation,’ parted slightly.

“Right now we’re plotting against the world’s greatest Desolate Fortress. Though our forces are certainly overwhelmingly superior, if we become too careless, we might suffer unexpected damage…”

Those words weren’t finished. She who had wrapped formless sword wind around her left hand set like a blade naturally struck down at Crimson Day Sword’s nape.

That alone caused a hazy whirlwind to split to both sides with a sharp sound, and dust was sucked in following the trajectory of her hand blade.

Bang!

Crimson Day Sword’s form bounced away spinning like a leaf caught in a strong wind.

But the Martial Dragon Alliance masters who had been pursuing him didn’t smile. Rather, they increased their speed even more, each extending fists, palms, and swords.

This was because they had noticed that Crimson Day Sword had deflected more than eighty percent of the force with Wind God’s movements and protective energy.

Grumble—!

Subtle orange-colored waves extended from the shoulders of the Martial Dragon Alliance masters, finely crushing dried tree branches and even shattering the ground.

It was the aftermath of energy emission that boosted the propulsive force of their attacks. At the same time, Crimson Day Sword, who had thrust his sword forward, spun like a whirlwind, and hazy clusters of light flowers bloomed following his long curved trajectory.

It was only an instant before the sword strikes of the Radiant Sword Style that Lotus Nezha had once comprehended at Zhongnan Mountain collided with the killing moves of the Martial Dragon Alliance masters.

Clang!

They clashed three times. While clusters of light bounced up like countless feathers, blood burst from Crimson Day Sword’s mouth.

He staggered briefly, unable to properly plant his feet on the ground that had even shaken.

Simultaneously, the Martial Dragon Alliance masters descended while surrounding Crimson Day Sword. Since they had all deployed Grass Flying Steps lightness skill, there was no sound at all.

In a factional war where both sides’ survival was at stake, maintaining concealed presence was basic.

“Would you just deliver one letter? We have no other business.”

Hwa Yeon-bi spoke gently.

“A letter? Scoundrels who struck first without warning speak of correspondence to me? Obviously you plan to use the brush like a sword.”

Crimson Day Sword muttered after spitting out blood. But Hwa Yeon-bi didn’t lose the graceful curve on her lips.

“We sent challenge letters to Desolate Fortress several times, but the Divine Sword Group Leader acted like a coward. Our Alliance Leader became displeased with such inappropriate silence. As his disciple, I must call out even Lotus Nezha, so please send a letter to that person. It seems Desolate Fortress plans to hide the sect’s hope in a battle with no chance of victory… shouldn’t we compete without leaving future troubles for each other?”

“……”

“The Martial Dragon Alliance Leader desires a fight befitting his status. This is a war that has drawn the attention of all under heaven. It shouldn’t end too blandly.”

Even while saying this, she didn’t show any particular anticipation.

The remaining forces of Desolate Fortress had already been nakedly exposed to the highest levels of the jianghu. This annihilation great war had been a grand plan arranged long ago.

Lotus Nezha alone couldn’t change the tide of battle.

Hwa Yeon-bi was satisfied with just maintaining appearances. Unlike the disciples of Martial Dragon Alliance who were only mad about martial arts, she somewhat cared about the world’s gaze.

“The same thing is already happening to Desolate Fortress’s ‘eyes’ like you in various parts of Xiangyang. If Crimson Day Sword of the Lightning Genius martial lineage dies in vain, how do you think Lotus Nezha will feel?”

Then Hwa Yeon-bi concluded with a voice mixed with downy laughter.

“Accept the proposal.”

“…Brat of the Martial Dragon Alliance.”

Crimson Day Sword’s mouth curved along with the scars beside it. From the sword hilt he gripped, sword energy unique to the Glossy Flower Sword Style seeped out like water mist.

“Without the three, can you spout the same words alone?”

“Kill him.”

Hwa Yeon-bi’s command was natural.

Unlike the elderly man in yellow robes who remained leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back, the white-robed man standing to the side immediately responded to her words.

He struck down briefly with his sword, intending to just split Crimson Day Sword’s crown and be done with it.

A reddish orange light flickered along that restrained trajectory.

Bang!

The sword surface bounced to the side with a small burst of shockwaves.

A human shadow that had rapidly charged from somewhere without any energy waves or sound had struck upward with a knee, and the intruder fluttered blue robes in mid-air before quickly landing and blocking Crimson Day Sword’s front.

Thwack.

He was a noble young master with thick eyebrows.

He had quite a tall stature, and his smooth cheeks showed he had been raised preciously. His face also looked young.

“Crimson Day Sword senior.”

The youth close to being a young man opened his mouth.

“I understand the reason for the retreat order. The main castle won’t open its doors for a while now. The atmosphere was such that it wouldn’t be strange if that place had turned into a battlefield.”

“Young Master of the Ma Family. How did you come alone without the guard warriors who were following you around?”

Crimson Day Sword, who had properly gripped his sword, asked.

“…It’s wartime. What distinction of noble and lowly birth is there?”

The youth, Ma Se-in of Desolate Ma Family, answered only thus with a somehow turbid voice. Then he silently drew the Desolate Sword from his waist with a ring.

Hwa Yeon-bi’s brow furrowed.

“That earlier technique…”

“Dynamic technique. I’ve already seen several Desolate Fortress fellows use it, but that one’s movements are a bit different. Much more detailed. It seems worth studying.”

The elderly man in yellow robes said while stroking his wrinkled chin.

Seeing him, Ma Se-in’s face quickly hardened.

A bare-handed old man wearing scholar-style clothing suitable for scorching heat in the middle of winter.

He had a gentle impression.

His demeanor stood out as if he would handle everything carelessly, but if his status was that of Supreme Protector of the Martial Dragon Alliance, his mere presence here was problematic.

This was because he was a supreme master of the previous era who should have already stepped down from the Elder Council. In Desolate Fortress terms, it would be like Yue Shou-lin from decades in the future acting as Divine Sword Group Deputy Leader without any position.

“Ah.”

Supreme Protector Burning Heaven Elder smiled broadly.

“Don’t mind this old man. Would I seriously exchange hands with you fellows?”

“……”

“Rather, you should prepare for the torrents of battle that might bring about unknown situations. Like all wars throughout history, from now on, Xiangyang’s history will change several times in the blink of an eye.”

Burning Heaven Elder’s presence differed from his speech and conduct. The pressure rising densely from his body as his aged voice continued.

The dust that had been rolling around hazily on the ground was pressed flat in an unnatural flow, and Ma Se-in had to raise energy waves together with Crimson Day Sword to resist the pressure.

‘They said he mainly learned righteous martial arts…!’

One of two things.

Death or capture.

Madmen who openly robbed martial arts secret manuals and exchanged discussions. Naturally, they could commit any deed.

It was when Ma Se-in, with eyes wide open, was deflecting the oppressive feeling with full-body energy emission.

“Yes, it’s none other than a factional great war of the jianghu’s highest levels. The battle situation that will unfold from now on will be extremely varied.”

Just like right now, Burning Heaven Elder concluded his words and suddenly extended both arms toward the sky.

Instantly, huge ripples arose from those two points like waves on a lakeside, and then a blue-green sword and a heel with a texture flowing like smooth metal were revealed from the center of each impact point.

Human shadows fluttering black robes in mid-air.

Desolate Fortress’s Azure Sky Squad Leader and Ultimate Martial Hall Leader had each delivered a single strike in an instant.

Grumble—!

The ground sank in a large circle with a thud. Something that happened suddenly.

The airflow that instantly began swirling like a typhoon continuously struck the ground while bursting with intense friction sounds, and immediately Ma Se-in, who had raised energy emission force throughout his body, was the first to escape from that pressure.

He was a blue-rank master.

“To the main castle!”

With a great shout, he swung his sword horizontally to shake off Hwa Yeon-bi and the white-robed man. This was because he was reading the Squad Leaders’ intentions.

Azure Sky Squad Leader and Ultimate Martial Hall Leader were special forces recovering the last main castle martial artists remaining in all directions.

Due to the communication from white-robed warrior Ma Ung, Desolate Fortress had finally decided to recall the eyes they had scattered throughout Xiangyang.

‘Must move quickly…!’

Ma Se-in turned around with Crimson Day Sword and kicked the ground.

It was very urgent.

Xiangyang had long since become land where strange beings wandered. Otherwise, the incomprehensible figures called peerless masters… The master of Dream Human Moon was freely roaming Yangyang like her own home with beautiful yet shabby appearance, and Gang of Demons Green Forest was arriving just before the main castle after smashing through all sorts of sects and civilian homes in a straight line without taking detours.

Myriad Upper Road Stronghold Leader Sea Overflow Fist Heaven had not only disabled Forest Treading Squad Leader’s left arm with one fist but had also completely evaporated all the waterways of the moat that surrounded the main castle, then leisurely returned saying he would come back when things got more interesting.

All of this had happened recently.

Besides that, martial artists of the Martial Dragon Alliance were also sporadically fighting in various outer areas of the main castle. Even the masters of Dream Human Moon and Gang of Demons Green Forest hadn’t properly arrived yet.

Several leaders of the major factions that had already arrived were planting terrifying pressure in the vicinity like fighting preliminary battles.

Thus, Xiangyang’s winter wind was very dry.

The Administrative Office predicted the moment Gang of Demons Green Forest’s mounted martial forces arrived as the beginning of the great war.

‘If we waste time in a place like this…’

The natural disasters called the Thirteen Evil Sect Leadersmight fall toward this direction.

Ma Se-in was wise. He knew it was better not to become a burden rather than clumsily lending a hand to the Squad Leaders.

“Two Squad Leaders seems a bit overwhelming. Especially Ultimate Martial… I didn’t know you could engage in joint attacks.”

Thwack!

Burn Heaven Elder’s voice faded distantly behind them. Ma Se-in kicked the ground even more vigorously. But his complexion only became extremely dark.

‘It’s coming…!’

From far away.

An energy like all the world’s gunpowder gathered together burst with massive waves. It was like a volcano erupting.

The words “impossible to oppose” came to mind first.

It matched the energy waves and characteristics of the Martial Dragon Alliance Leader that the Administrative Office had conveyed earlier. It was truly overwhelming.

‘Is this really martial arts that a person cultivated?’

Ma Se-in thought. Were peerless masters who weren’t allies such beings?

“It will engulf us! It’s already too late!”

It was when Crimson Day Sword applied brakes to his lightness technique sprint and whirled around.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the movements of all the martial artists filling the mountain path stopped in unison. They were all masters who had deeply studied the Baihui acupoint or had just entered the sensation of upper dantian.

Not only Ma Se-in and Crimson Day Sword but also the Martial Dragon Alliance masters and Desolate Fortress Squad Leaders descended to the ground while traversing the void.

Soon.

They all raised their heads toward the exact opposite direction of the presence presumed to be the Martial Dragon Alliance Leader. Each looked as if their heads were captured by some invisible something.

Ma Se-in dimly felt it.

“……”

Something like looking down at Xiangyang’s land from an immeasurably high tree.

Swish.

Some enormous gaze was directed at them like a thrill.