Chapter 529 – Honoured One of the South (8)

Wudang’s sword.

And the martial arts of the Wudang Sect Leader that had not been inferior to the Divine Sword Group Leader’s prestige for decades.

Before facing Profound Void Immortal, Jeong Yeon-shin had anticipated the sword technique of yielding to overcome the unyielding.

Sword forms that gently suppress any strong attack. Wudang’s studies were generally known to the jianghu in such terms.

Experiencing it firsthand, it was not so.

Profound Void Immortal’s Pine Gate Ancient Sword crushed Jeong Yeon-shin with overwhelming force.

With hand gestures that seemed to casually wave tree branches, all the nearby natural earth energy was sucked in, and that power wrapped around Jeong Yeon-shin’s protective energy in curved trajectories and smashed it to pieces.

It was like facing a materialized typhoon.

Lightning Genius Radiant Sword Style could not exert its strength within it.

Brilliant River was the same.

The Eight-Fold attack waves shattered at the palm’s edge. He didn’t even get to see Ten-Stage Brocade.

The explosive force of Brilliant River would often scatter into techniques that filled the gaps between those waves like wind streams. Things happened that were astonishing beyond belief.

Certainly the current Profound Void Immortal should have lower martial arts than Divine Monk Beomheo, and yet.

‘Have I also fallen into deviation of mind?’

Then Jeong Yeon-shin thought. Had something gone wrong with the precision of the most important sword forms? Otherwise it wouldn’t make sense…

Three days passed like this.

Time that flowed like water reached a cliff called Confusion Star Rock.

As its name suggested, a place so unusually high that one would suspect it was the entrance to the immortal realm.

It was somewhere in the deep mountain ridges of Wudang.

Pssss—

Stone powder flowed down like smoke.

The sea of pure white clouds below silently swallowed the dust.

Mount Wudang, where the roaring sounds had mysteriously subsided.

Profound Void Immortal was staring at Jeong Yeon-shin, who was embedded in the cliff. His eyebrows were raised so high that his forehead was deeply wrinkled.

Was this the expression of the supreme Wudang Sect Leader showing his disgust? It was completely different from when they first met, when he rarely showed emotions.

Rustle.

The old Taoist stepped back one pace while treading on air.

Then his face was clearly revealed under the sunlight.

His dry skin came first.

It was clear he hadn’t been eating properly, but there was a chillingly sharp energy gathered in his kindly curved eyes.

Even though his grayish-white hair hung down powerlessly like mountain Taoists.

Immortal Profound Void.

The impression of the absolute master said to be at the edge of immortal martial lineage resembled a noble lion.

They said that the Transcendent Martial Art of Lady Lu Xia, the ‘Crimson Border,’ was named with inspiration from Profound Void Immortal’s epithet.

—Will you do more?

He asked without even moving his lips.

Jeong Yeon-shin forcibly pulled out his right arm that was strongly embedded like an engraving in the stone wall. Instantly, cracks appeared in the cliff with a cracking sound.

Acting Divine Sword Group Leader.

The focus of his two eyes was somewhat misaligned, but his face exuded strange madness.

“I can do more for one year, two hundred and seventeen days.”

—Ah.

Profound Void Immortal continued speaking with an exclamation.

—You are mad from two things.

“I will certainly chase away the Sect Leader Immortal’s old spirit.”

—Must one limb really fly away for you to come to your senses? Not me, but you…

Suddenly the Wudang absolute master’s gaze slowly moved. Toward Jeong Yeon-shin’s left hand.

—……

In that grip.

A bundle without a speck of dust was held.

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin had been striving not to miss the mad Taoist’s gaze for three days. Naturally, he followed that gaze and his eyes widened.

“I have…”

Another hand, it seems.

Fresh muttering flowed from the Acting Divine Sword Group Leader’s mouth.

The box was safe even during the fierce battle.

He had made it safe. Naturally it had to be so. Though even the corpses of high officials were used to boost territorial power in this world, Wudang’s High Sword had the qualification to return to his sect’s embrace.

‘Intact.’

Haha.

Jeong Yeon-shin laughed with a newly relieved expression.

An unprecedented occurrence. The temperament of a proper madman. Conversely, Profound Void Immortal’s expression visibly hardened.

The host and guest had been reversed.

Which of them should have protected High Sword?

“Madman.”

This time it was spoken aloud.

“Why so…”

But Profound Void Immortal couldn’t finish his words. Hazy frost also gathered in his eyes that had been clearing momentarily. His wrinkled lips also locked in a stubborn straight line filled with obstinacy.

His mind was wavering.

It was a symptom of deviation of mind. Certainly madness.

A question appeared on Jeong Yeon-shin’s face. Lazy Flame Dragon?

—How pitiful.

Profound Void Immortal clicked his tongue. Having subdued Jeong Yeon-shin regardless of the process.

—All your sword forms were killing moves. Whether you came strutting from recent battlefields, or deployed them with such mindset for the future… it seems a few opportunities reached you through heavenly fortune, but Taoist Three Clear Powers will not be permitted to you. It’s a power of a different trajectory from that amazing dharma power.

“What do you mean by different trajectory?”

—One who hates something, one caught by killing intent and impatience… Buddhist dharma power would strengthen itself to try to diminish such feelings. But Taoist power is not water but wind. It does not remain with those who have stagnant hearts like a rotten well.

Thud.

The old Taoist stepped once in the void. Instantly, cold wind arose from the hem of his Taoist robes. Jeong Yeon-shin felt a threat to his life.

—Therefore, I have no interest in you…

“Please just take the bundle.”

—Go. Return and take care of yourself. I will not be bound by anything. Not the sect, not disciples, not fellow disciples…

The aged voice scattered faintly.

The moment Jeong Yeon-shin activated Lowly Revelation Technique, his eyes were dyed white, but.

Hwaaak!

Profound Void Immortal’s form scattered like mist as fleeting as fog. A Cloud Riding Technique that no jianghu person had ever heard of. The principles of movement techniques had certainly developed based on void treading.

And one more word remained.

—Don’t. Look. For. Me.

A voice breaking off in fragments. Very hoarse. Like the cliff where Jeong Yeon-shin was currently embedded.

“……”

Defeat Sword Sect Leader and Divine Sword Group Leader.

And following the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

Another defeat.

‘Am I the lowest of the five…?’

Though it occurred in a place no one could see under special circumstances, Jeong Yeon-shin felt heat spreading even to his head.

‘No.’

Though old enough to be aged, there was no one else who wielded a sword normally besides himself.

Pssss—

Meanwhile, the stone powder from the cliff bounced off the bundle in his grip as soon as it touched it. Thanks to a faint curtain of true energy.

The Tang siblings were protecting Taoist High Sword.

From the moment of drawing the sword until now.

Day and night continuously…

* * *

The Five Greatest Swords under Heaven.

The collective term for the peerless swordsmen who could be counted on one hand in the vast Ming Dynasty.

Those who possessed sword techniques equivalent to military forces. If one was a ruler commanding great power, naturally they had to watch their every move, and this was the same for the Thirteen Evil Sects’ Martial Dragon Alliance.

At this moment, a roster placed on a huge table.

Immortal Profound Void.

Desolate Sword Yong Hye-myeong.

Tyrant Sword Mad Blade Dan Seong-eum.

Heaven Soaring Guest Wan Hui.

Desolate Day Extinction Jeong Yeon-shin.

Ink fragrance was wafting strongly from the report close to a book. It meant it hadn’t been completed long ago.

The woman who glanced at it slowly parted her lips.

“There are no names one could have a conversation with.”

It was a definitive tone.

Swoosh.

Then she slumped carelessly against the backrest.

The front of her yellow martial robes was disheveled messily, and a large great sword was roughly leaning against her thigh. But no one in the hall pointed out that attitude.

Young Alliance Leader Gun Yu-rin.

She substituted for the Profound Martial Alliance Leader who had entered closed-door cultivation.

The successor who had both arms torn off by the pink-colored monster had long since crossed the Sanzu River.

Gun Yu-rin was also the master of thousands of martial forces as the unified successor of the major faction called Profound Martial Alliance.

“The imperial family’s pressure on our alliance has intensified.”

She who rested her chin on the back of her hand moved her mouth.

“Whether they’re cornered by Yao tribe monsters or finding it hard to control the chaotic times. Anyway, our alliance must also gradually decide our course, but I don’t know how many of those five will come to the north…? Whether it’s the symbolism that swords have or the military power of those five, we’re lacking in everything. If the northern front has really been smashed, it might be like pouring water into a broken jar.”

Words that didn’t end in muttering. A story asking for her subordinates’ thoughts. Gun Yu-rin’s gaze turned to the swordsman who was present.

Radiant Blade Lord Geum Min.

The greatest beauty of the Profound Martial Alliance. Her appearance with smooth yet disheveled hair behind which the hilt of a great sword protruded. Her intellectual eyes were lost in thought.

She was originally a strong person of upright conduct, but changed after seeing the scene where some monster killed the successor and vanished mysteriously.

She had fallen into heart demons while beginning to cultivate blade energy as fierce as flames.

“The one with possibility.”

Radiant Blade Lord opened her mouth.

“Would be Desolate Day Extinction. Though there was an imperial edict not to head north, that’s precisely why he’s someone who would head north anyway.

Due to his character revealed to the jianghu over a considerable period and his connection with Emperor Qian-ling.”

“That’s true.”

Gun Yu-rin nodded.

Because she had accompanied Jeong Yeon-shin for a brief time.

“But the northern jianghu is tremendously vast. One person alone would inevitably be insufficient. Among the peerless masters who penetrated the Yuan capital on this side, there were only High Sword Immortal and Ten Perfections Sect Leader.”

Gun Yu-rin’s question continued.

“So aside from that miraculous friend, what about the others?”

Radiant Blade Lord answered with a blunt face.

“Tyrant Sword Sect Leader is said to be living in seclusion in Shaanxi. There are rumors of encountering the Mount Hua Sect Leader, and gossip that Lotus Peak disappeared entirely at that spot… anyway, the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader is not one who would help this nation’s affairs. What could we expect from royalty of the former Dali Kingdom?”

“Mm.”

“Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hye-myeong’s whereabouts becoming mysterious is also not a matter of a day or two. At this point when it’s certain he’s crossed beyond the gates, he should be excluded from consideration.”

Swoosh.

Gun Yu-rin’s both hands went behind her neck.

“Our soldiers, shall we keep them to ourselves? The rest aren’t worth discussing. Wudang and Heaven Conquering.”

Her words and actions that showed respect to no one proved her status as a jianghu powerful clan that had begun to transition into a regional warlord.

“Now that even Sword Star Hyeon So-baek’s whereabouts have become mysterious… we should consider that there are no longer massive forces with symbolism equivalent to the Five Greatest Swords under Heaven in the Central Plains.”

“Morale boosting has gone down the drain. Our alliance’s martial forces will die off as soon as they arrive in the north. So no matter how I look at it…”

Gun Yu-rin raised her head to her teacher, Radiant Blade Lord, and whispered nonchalantly.

“It seems better to take advantage of the chaotic times to establish a small dynasty. Who would touch us? The imperial family is all collapsing, and they say Desolate Fortress is now in tatters too.”

“The Dali Kingdom was destroyed by the Desolate Fortress Lord for doing just that.”

“The circumstances are different. The Dali Dan Family joined hands with the Yao tribe.”

“Founding a nation is a heavier matter. It’s an absurd story to begin with.”

At Radiant Blade Lord’s assertion, one corner of Gun Yu-rin’s mouth rose.

“Well, I’m a bit suspicious. I wonder if there are constraints on the distance and time the Desolate Fortress Lord can move around. It’s been even more so since the famine. She hasn’t intervened in too many incidents.”

“Young Alliance Leader.”

“Anyway, our alliance absolutely must not become blind now. Send out subordinates randomly to watch all directions carefully. I learned that in such chaotic times, all sorts of incidents tend to erupt simultaneously. Especially these five.”

Tap.

Gun Yu-rin’s index finger swept down the roster of the Five Greatest Swords under Heaven. The friction sound of calluses against paper filled the quiet hall.

“They possess too great a combination of fame and military power. Naturally they’re names directly connected to the world’s political situation. If they contact each other without the imperial family’s or our alliance’s intervention…”

Her words were cut off.

It was because of a subordinate who had entered the room without permission. His footsteps were extremely urgent.

The secretary’s eye technique who gathered and organized the communications that regularly came into the Profound Martial Alliance from the endlessly vast land.

Gun Yu-rin was startled as soon as she received the communication from him. It was a scroll long enough to be used on battlefields.

Paper densely filled with rigid handwriting like that used in military documents.

—Shaanxi, the study room called Hibiscus Academy collapsed due to the palm technique of End Heaven Child Jeong Hye. Noticeable spiral palm marks similar to Lightning Genius martial lineage’s Brilliant River. Movement to covet divine skill formulas detected from nearby jianghu people.

—Shaanxi, Cloud Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myo-hwa killed about a hundred jianghu people who targeted Jeong Hye. Presumed to be the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown but confirmation needed.

—Shaanxi, Mount Hua Hidden Dragon Yu Hyeon inherited the Sect Leader’s Purple Mist Divine Sword.

—Shaanxi, Tyrant Sword Sect Leader heading southeast.

—Jiangxi, rumors that the main body of World Tree moved slightly.

—Huguang, the Desolate Fortress Lord’s absence continues.

—Huguang, Divine Blood Demon Jin Myeong-jo commanding Desolate Fortress forces as Divine Sword Deputy Group Leader. Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin’s whereabouts mysterious…

—Huguang, half of Mount Wudang’s peaks collapsed. Repeated landslides. Contact between Wudang Sect Leader, Acting Divine Sword Group Leader, and Heaven Conquering Sect Leader confirmed.

—Zhejiang, all sects in Hangzhou including Great Heaven Sect destroyed except Heaven Conquering Sect.

—Beijing, Wish Fulfilling Spring leader Beigong Ya and Dragon-Treading Squad Leader Wei Zhi-ji of the Divine Sword Group arrested to the Forbidden City as great traitors.

—Beyond the borders, Northern Sea Ice Palace. Ice Palace Lord pregnant.

—Beyond the borders, Northern Sea Ice Palace. Radiant Demon Wing’s Lazy Flame Dragon receiving Ming Cult Leader Young Heavenly Demon Invincible as the Ice Palace Lord’s First Husband.

—Beyond the borders, Northern Sea Ice Palace. Accidental martial contest between former Hwangbo Family Head and Ming Cult Grand Preceptor. Rumors of a draw.

—Northern Great Wall, Fighting God appearance.