Chapter 526 – Honoured One of the South (5)

A land filled entirely with twilight.

A house-sized ball of fire was burning bright blue.

Occasionally letting out long roars like a dragon’s cry. But even that was brief, as the blue flames soon swelled explosively and suddenly vanished.

Soon after, a thick scream descended to the ground like a shadow before scattering into nothingness.

Something had been annihilated in the fire. Simultaneously, one giant arm rolled across the ground.

Thud!

Dark green skin. The contoured muscle fibers from the upper arm down to the forearm were as deep as furrows in a field. Even at a glance, it was a form that proved transcendent strength.

Step.

A man in pink robes landed on that large back of the hand. It was beneath a middle finger joint wider than both his feet.

The monster of tremendous strength that had just died was no different in size from Pangu’s child from ancient legends.

“Weren’t you unnecessarily enraged? Just because that thick fist luckily managed to touch the previous generation elder’s bosom.”

It was above Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok’s head.

Another man looked down at him with a spinning smile.

Sitting askew on a floating stone grand master’s chair. His somewhat faded scholar-style purple garment edges fluttered coolly as if to provoke his opponent.

Ma Yeon-jeok replied bluntly.

“Is it only in my bosom?”

“Seeing how you cherish it, it’s no different from a ancestral tablet. No matter how much it’s Strange Yellow Paper that your grandson carries around.”

“Didn’t you also take a share of one?”

“No one would refuse a talisman with clearly good efficacy. If your descendant’s vigorous fortune also reaches me, this Enter the Divine Sword won’t hold its position for long either, will it?”

Yong Hye-myeong flicked the sword hanging at his waist with his finger.

But not even a tapping sound came from the blackish sword hilt. As if it swallowed up all sorts of miscellaneous sounds.

“It’s no different from a demon sword.”

Yong Hye-myeong chuckled and muttered.

Ma Yeon-jeok did not deny those words. He just threw out a brief remark.

“Prepare yourself. More will come.”

“That’s certainly so. These days have become quite apocalyptic. Anyway… that friend.”

Yong Hye-myeong continued speaking slowly.

“The previous generation elder felt it too, didn’t you? Seeing up close, the spirit in his upper dantian was emitting tremendous pressure… to the degree that it’s questionable how he maintains unity of essence, energy, and spirit.”

As always, the common topics between the two men were few. One of them was Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin.

Ma Yeon-jeok immediately snorted.

“It’s a sensation he’s already experienced once. Unlike you, Yeon-shin never misses even fleeting enlightenment. Would that child lose a realm that has been embodied for so long?”

It was a tone that brooked no argument. Upon hearing those words, Yong Hye-myeong immediately changed his leg position on the grand master’s chair. Then he countered with a dry voice.

“Holding onto the state of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown with sensation and talent alone? Since when has such a thing been possible?”

Suddenly Ma Yeon-jeok’s mouth closed.

Yong Hye-myeong did not.

“Is that talent? No. It should be called divine power that covets the Buddha’s realm.”

“……”

“Bodhidharma’s nine years of wall-gazing.”

Yong Hye-myeong continued speaking while turning his gaze to the distant horizon.

In the dusky wilderness, a clear resonance like a flute was already rolling in with a whoosh. The energy waves of other monsters and demons.

“What if that wall-gazing cultivation, the most famous throughout ancient and modern times under heaven, was to maintain his own sanity? From the power that filled his head.”

He concluded his words.

Soon after, Ma Yeon-jeok slowly shook his head.

“He’s fundamentally strong. There’s no way he’d be devoured by his own qualities.”

“I hear Ming Cult’s Little Heavenly Demon has already lost her mind. If she hadn’t completely lost her sanity, she couldn’t have committed such acts in Hangzhou. Perhaps Yeon-shin and that friend too…”

“Isn’t the seed different?”

Ma Yeon-jeok asked back. He had brought up his own bloodline.

Yong Hye-myeong, who had momentarily lost words, suddenly extended his finger.

“Let’s count once. That reckless junior. From his family that’s worse than nothing, to his maternal relatives who didn’t actually exist.”

A stiff line carved into Ma Yeon-jeok’s lips. It was certainly far from a smile.

“Moreover, Radiant Demon Wing, which he entered calling it his true home… most of them met death in Sichuan’s City of Renowned Craftsmen.”

“……”

“The origins of Brilliant River and Fan Dragon Flower Treading Technique are known to anyone worth knowing among the people of this nature.”

“Even so, they were just Eight Family brats. Do you think those children’s deaths would have been a blow to Yeon-shin?”

“Let’s see more. When he was feeling belonging to the Wish for Peace Sword Hall, he thoroughly investigated Gong Yue-wu, who had sent former Obeying Heaven Wing Leader Ha Do-woon to the netherworld… He knows better than anyone what kind of force, what mysteries tore his senior’s body to pieces.”

“Stop it.”

Yong Hye-myeong didn’t even listen to his former superior’s words. Rather, he just burst out in hollow laughter.

“While in a position of responsibility, receiving reports of countless deaths of main castle warriors, he lost a subordinate who was like a sister right before his eyes to Ming Cult’s madman. The High Sword, with whom he once shared drinks and friendship, also met his end. He even tasted defeat during a mission.”

“……”

“And when he returned, the heads of Jeong-myeong and Hyeong-wol were hanging from some bandit’s waist, and the main castle people who followed him as purple and youngest were dying before his eyes…”

The Divine Sword Group Leader mentioned Squad Leader Yu Jeong-myeong and Nether Stream Squad Leader Hyeong-wol.

But Yong Hye-myeong’s expression was calm. As the current Enter the Divine Sword master, he was assessing the identity of the predetermined successor.

Naturally, he didn’t include personal feelings. Even until he finished speaking.

“In the midst of all that, the power of the upper dantian filling his head. Absurdly dense and mighty spirit.”

Yong Hye-myeong’s leather shoe heel tapped the grand master’s chair. The brown leather surface was somewhat worn, but Ma Yeon-jeok was the same.

The leather shoes of Shin Cheon-hwa and Jeong Yeon-shin, who were not in this place, were the same.

“I sent him because there wasn’t much time, but actually we should have been together a bit longer. Of all times, Bodhidharma’s wall-gazing cultivation comes to mind now.”

Yong Hye-myeong muttered. A face where one couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Only the sound of tapping behind the heel of the floating grand master’s chair rang out.

“……”

Yong Hye-myeong glanced at the silent Ma Yeon-jeok and opened his mouth again.

“Anyway, didn’t you tell him to meet Elder Profound Void? When your head is dizzy, there’s nothing like Taoist martial lineage energy cultivation. It would be best if that bearded old man has already awakened the Taoist Three Clear Powers, but even the lower-level Peach Garden Power or Southern Flower Heavenly Degree Power would be quite…”

“To properly converse with a madman, you must become a crazy person. That old man is of no help…”

Ma Yeon-jeok stopped speaking and shook his head. Then he added at some length.

“Don’t measure that child by age. His will is already stronger than this old man’s. Naturally, his reason will also be firm.”

“Well, I suppose I’m worrying unnecessarily. When I saw him recently, his mental state was no different from usual. Our junior isn’t the same as Ming Cult’s youngster…”

“Of course not.”

“Let’s handle our own business.”

Hwaaak!

Simultaneously, all directions were dyed white.

Suddenly all sorts of roars clamored, and hazy sword winds swept all directions like a typhoon in an instant.

The manifestation of another monster was that sudden. Including the scene where dry dust rose thickly to surround all directions.

“Three flood dragons. I’ll take two…”

“One is dead.”

Thud!

Before they knew it, the forms of both men had disappeared, mixed into the thick dust.

* * *

Xinye County is in southern Henan Province.

The distorted land borders northern Hubei Province. Naturally, there were bound to be many rumors about Wudang’s immortals.

And finally.

I set foot on Mount Wudang, which I had admired since childhood.

Even the streams were clear.

As if Taoist Three Peak’s internal energy was mixed into the stream water, the grassy scent came down the mountainside and tickled my nose continuously.

Hwaaaaaak!

Even in the middle of winter, Wudang’s vegetation had not withered. Though I was passing by quickly due to lightness skill, all the scenery scratched my vision with traces of brown and green.

The main mountain of the world’s foremost Taoist sect.

Beautiful enough that I’d like to discuss poetry with Brother Heon-won someday if my lifespan permits.

Scenery beautiful enough to recognize even without stopping. Moreover, my inner technique is made to completely capture the view in my head even while running with lightness skill. Because the Divine Sword Group Leader must always be moving.

[Jeong Yeon-shin.]

Someone called me.

It was the voice of the great senior from the main fortress echoing from below the mountain ridge. An immediate response was natural.

“Yes.”

[Don’t overdo it. Understanding the situation comes first. Not all missions are the same.]

“Thank you for the advice.”

I answered immediately without question.

You must bow to your seniors for the path ahead to open with complete success. It was always the words of a proud friend.

Yu Hyeon.

I must follow that fellow’s advice.

Despite having regrettable aptitude, he was selected as the direct disciple by Lady Lu Xian and ultimately became a famous Plum Blossom Swordsman, so he’s doing well. Fortunately, his limbs have grown quite long now.

‘He must be cultivating Purple Mist Divine Technique?’

Suddenly I wanted to see that simple face.

Mount Hua, Mount Hua Sect. Would Lady Lu Xian really dissolve purple pill ingredients in bath water? What would it feel like to soak in that and look down at Mount Hua?

I miss the Lady too.

[Six steps ahead, turn left.]

It was the great senior. Unlike Lowly Revelation Technique, with an eye technique that surveys all battlefields, she was watching my path ahead.

Kwak!

Following her words, I instantly moved my feet six times and turned left. Whoosh—a path that hadn’t existed before opened wide.

I only noticed when I was close, but it must be a formation that hides the Taoist temples from the secular world. I heard rumors that Wudang’s entire vast mountain ridge was no different from the immortal realm.

But.

Who gave the great senior her courtesy name?

My name is a bit shabby, but Cheon-hwa (Splashing Calamity) is also strange. Who scatters calamity? If only the surnames weren’t Ma and Yong, the Divine Sword Group Leader would be a blessed existence… I can only trust the Shin and Jeong surnames.

Suddenly I feel closer to her. To think she has a name as strange as mine.

Anyway, there’s no need to worry about the great senior’s original spirit.

She said it’s fine as long as we don’t separate by more than seventeen li. It was different in class from Invincible, who had made one of the military strategy’s Thirty-Six Stratagems her lifeline.

Then.

—Don’t. Look. For. Me.

The choppy voice of an old man.

“…!”

Kwaaaaaaa!

The stream water on the side shot up high. Like a wave. White foam created thick moisture. Meanwhile, I had to handle the voice that had suddenly pierced my mind.

It was a thunderous resonance.

Strong trembling was racing down my spine. It was tremendously eerie.

I had experienced something similar before.

Divine Monk Beomheo’s Wisdom Light Heart Speech was like this.

However, the monk’s voice didn’t affect the surroundings like this. It only pierced directly into my head. It was controlled.

And it was warm.

The temperament was completely opposite to now.

‘Where?’

I extend my energy sense in all directions.

But the only human presence caught in my senses right away was one hundred eighty-seven people. Since they’re all Wudang immortals including young Taoist boys, they all wear mysterious energy waves.

However, I couldn’t feel even a trace of a sword immortal’s presence that could vertically slice an entire mountain peak.

It was certainly close to the realm of Half-Step Return to Origin. I became a little afraid. I shouldn’t have to cross swords with such a person.

‘Anyway.’

This makes it hard to find them. It’s an extremely vast mountain ridge.

Then the great senior’s voice rang out.

[My energy sense also can’t reach. Let’s talk for a moment.]

I stopped immediately.

Only then did Wudang’s scenery properly enter my eyes.

Between the blue precipitous gorges, tranquil Taoist temples could be seen sparsely. Below them, a sea of pure white clouds was spread like a cotton blanket.

Leaves gently brushing against each other in the breeze. Perhaps it’s Wudang’s atmosphere. Even the small birds’ songs felt somehow warm.

After enjoying the scenery for half a moment like that.

Step.

The great senior approached with her hands clasped behind her back, her long sleeve edges fluttering behind her.

The three people who had accompanied us to Mount Wudang—Phoenix Palm as well as the two Taoists called Jade Face and Jade Radiance—also stepped onto the path.

“How did you know this path? It was hidden by our sect’s formation.”

Taoist Jade Radiance asked with wide eyes.

A person with laughter always gathered at the corners of his mouth. A middle-aged man with long legs like Squad Leader Yu, said to be a master of Wudang’s Five Elements Exhausting Foot technique that uses feet like swords.

‘Senior Yu…’

A person who died because the Acting Group Leader’s ability was insufficient. I have experience meeting mounted bandits. If I had taken that bastard’s head in advance…

‘No, have I only heard about it?’

Anyway, it’s my fault. He was my person.

“Lord Jeong…?”

Taoist Jade Radiance called. I didn’t bother hiding the truth.

“I came wherever my feet led me.”

—That’s the right judgment. No matter what, Wudang is still jianghu people. There’s no need to inform them of the main fortress’ eye technique.

Behind the great senior’s meaningless mental transmission, I conversed with the group.

It was a strange case. We had reached right beneath Wudang’s Taoist temples, but there was no one to greet us as guests. Phoenix Palm summed up the situation in one word.

“…It seems the Sect Leader’s heart demons have deepened.”

“Ah.”

No wonder the human presences filling the mountain ridge were moving chaotically.

Moreover, some of them were wandering here and there while coming down toward us. With mysteriously immortal-like steps.

I heard from Elder Divine Beggar when staying in Hangzhou.

When Seven Star Escape Form mixes with that Cloud Ladder, even Beggar Sect’s lightness skill masters find it hard to catch a Wudang disciple’s garment edge.

—Then what would happen if Wudang’s Sect Leader competed in lightness skill with the drunken Faction Leader? I heard Divine Beggar’s transformation techniques are the best under heaven.

—There would be no lightness skill competition. He’d sober up from the Ten-Stage Brocade that suddenly approached.

—What about with me…?

—Would Brilliant River be different?

The presences coming down to the path now numbered two. I could feel energy waves no less than Phoenix Palm’s.

[Yun-hyeon! You should have just brought that person up, but you stubbornly brought outsiders into the main mountain!]

One person’s voice spread through Six Harmonies Voice.

Kugugung—

The ground shook momentarily. It must be Wudang’s Supreme Harmony Seven Honor Stars. They might be able to deploy Cloud Ladder and Seven Star Escape Form simultaneously.

“Lord Jeong.”

Phoenix Palm, who suddenly spoke, looked this way. A slightly flustered expression could be glimpsed. Yun-hyeon is her Taoist name.

I glanced to the side.

[The sect’s position hasn’t been organized. For a place called the world’s foremost sword sect… that sect leader is completely mad.]

Her long black hair swayed minutely left and right.

The purple woman who had entrusted force to her immeasurably junior colleague before setting out. Interest seeped from her slightly raised lip corners.

[Still, let’s try calling once. After all, the only one who can communicate with a madman is a madman…]

“…?”

Receiving the former generation elder’s gaze, I turn my eyes south.

The direction where the main castle is. They say great achievement follows overcoming deep heart demons. White Qilin Brother Namgung would be the same.

If I awaken the Three Clear Powers here, it would be more than enough to restore his mind. The Divine Sword Group Leader’s duty to care for comrades lies there.

Swoosh.

I grasped Remaining Thunder’s sword hilt.

A method that was quite effective in Hangzhou. If the results are very good, it won’t be rude.

Since it’s the heart of the world’s foremost sword sect, someone might enjoy it. I might gain a kindred spirit.

Wuuuung—!

I recalled the melody of sword song.