Chapter 569 – Contest (2)

In the Wish for Peace Sword Hall of the Desolate Fortress, there are eighteen chairs made of stone. This number includes the one belonging to the Divine Sword Group Leader.

Among these, the seat that gets filled fastest when vacant has always been determined, as it were.

That was the seat of the Nether Stream Squad Leader.

Literally because of immortality.

When the original Nether Stream Leader dies, the deceased’s spirituality is recovered into the Mysterious Formation positioned underground in the Desolate Fortress.

And the master designated as the new squad leader accepts it.

With a body on the verge of death.

The spirituality extending from the Mysterious Formation in the Desolate Fortress interferes with that dying body, holding onto life and achieving the state of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

A great technique passed down only to the Desolate Fortress General Administration scholars, Nether Stream Squad Leader, and Nether Stream Vice Leaders.

The value of the True Energy and mystical treasures of the Desolate Fortress General Administration scholars’ Remote Body Energy Transmission, and the mechanical formations consumed in this process, is close to the military expenses of one corner of the vast national border.

It’s not something that can be easily created artificially, like the black rank of the Great War’s decisive weapons.

Thus the Nether Stream Squad Leader spends their remaining life active in a corpse’s body. Naturally, there’s no need for eating, nor will the squad leader’s seat ever be vacant.

It’s just that since the spirit in the upper dantian doesn’t grow further, purple rank advancement is impossible, and having the skin all over the body fester and requiring bandages is the only major or minor problem.

“……”

The woman whose entire body, even her face, was wrapped in gray silk bandages was silent. She wore faded black robes over her body that drew sleek lines.

She was hiding in the wilderness with no cover.

She had wrapped hazy earth dust around the ash-colored bandages and black robes once more. The yellowish-brown dust flowing like clouds across the vast wilderness.

Squad Leader of the Nether Stream Squad.

The position through which all sorts of intelligence handled by the world’s greatest sect on the front lines passes.

Among the various squad leaders under the Divine Sword Group, it’s counted as a particularly important position. Along with the Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader and Resonance Spirit Leader. Naturally, this seat couldn’t remain vacant for long.

She was the new Nether Stream Squad Leader.

Kugugung!

Three Kings.

Even though King Yelu, Divine Thief, and the Fighting God’s strategist were colliding with earth-shaking vibrations at a distant point behind her, she didn’t look back.

It was because she had to cover Jeong Yeon-shin.

From the beings visible as two grayish-white dots on the opposite side, infinitely far away at this moment.

The Southern Emperor and Northern Blade respectively.

The Southern Emperor had draped black mist like clothing down to his feet, and the outline that was clearly the Northern Blade was looking down at the Southern Emperor from atop a monstrous warhorse.

The Southern Emperor’s black mist was billowing as if trying to surround the area like an energy screen, but it only managed to form circles due to the domineering aura that the Northern Blade and his warhorse constantly wore.

The Northern Blade was too famous for his fierce strength to be unable to deploy energy screens.

They were clearly in confrontation.

The Northern Blade was someone who had acted as the Fighting God’s left arm and then suddenly raised a rebellion. Whatever the reason, he had sufficient cause to be hostile with the Southern Emperor for now.

“……”

Their heads moved slightly from time to time.

What kind of conversation were they having?

Eavesdropping on such absolute beings’ conversation was something that required risking one’s life, but conversely, it usually had value worth risking one’s life for.

If.

If the Fighting God’s one and only right arm broke through the Northern Blade and charged toward Jeong Yeon-shin, or if the Northern Blade’s heart changed again here.

‘Catastrophe.’

She would have to read their expressions in advance and move even a moment earlier. Because they were beings against whom resistance was impossible otherwise.

Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon immediately moved forward silently. And she sensed the front with Thousand Li Hearing technique and lip-reading eye technique.

The two’s conversation began to be heard and read, however faintly.

In Manchurian, which was among the various northern languages within Yun So-hyeon’s knowledge, flowing low like water.

[TL Note- Yes, Manchurian here is correct. It’s called Manchu Language. Nothing to do with the dish.]

—…I know you came with steps that fold space. Originally your epithet Southern Emperor was praise that you would be the first to trample the Ming Kingdom… begging for teachings from the leader of the western demonic path.

—It was a transaction to the end. You still don’t understand such things. Fitting for a clan traitor.

—Aren’t those of Bright Wind Spirit the real clan traitors who harmed the clan’s soul? Of course, Wealth Preservation Star Southern Emperor cannot be an exception either.

—Northern Blade, have a bird of prey’s vision. The Ming Kingdom is absurdly large. To trample it as you say, the Northern Kings of this land must be intact.

—Why are those who don’t fight Northern Kings? They are no longer intact now. Be grateful that Ruinous Star King Yelu is reviving your spirits today.

—All words are useless. Now stand aside. Literary Star said so. That there are fragments of secret manuals that can cut Gates in Yelu’s body and bosom. That b*st*rd will become a clue to find the Fighting God after dying here.

—Finding the Fighting God…?

—Upright Star confirmed it. The Fighting God only disappeared to Emperor Qian-ling’s final technique, not exhausted of life energy like that Emperor Qian-ling. The Northern Blade, you who were busy blocking me at that time, wouldn’t have seen it.

—Wasn’t Upright Star also blocked by Yu Xiong-gong that day?

—It wasn’t to the extent of being unable to make sidelong glances. The head of the Ming Imperial Three Great Masters, that great Yu Xiong-gong, must be wandering this land in beggar’s attire having lost all power by now. He wouldn’t have been able to bear repeated internal injuries, and compared to that, Upright Star’s eye technique has never been wrong…

[The Fighting God is alive beyond the Gate.]

Perhaps due to the fearsome faith and obsession of the contemporary northern first person. The Southern Emperor’s last words were carved into space like Transcendent Martial Art’s mental command.

Naturally, Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon’s eyes widened slightly.

It was an instant.

Vibrations like a wasp’s wingbeats arose from the bandages wrapped around her left palm. It was the Nether Stream Squad’s secret divine technique.

Earth King Word Crossing Technique.

She formed brief phrases with explosive power, and as soon as she struck her left palm down on the ground, a storm swirled nearby.

The ground splitting into threads like unraveled yarn with fluttering sounds.

Suddenly, the enormous shadow of a warhorse that had moved an impossibly long distance fell over such Yun So-hyeon.

Hwaaaaaaak!

The whirlwind drawn by that heavy yet lightning-like charge bound all directions. It was clearly pressure loaded with tremendous internal power.

World-Opening Force.

The Fighting God’s left arm’s mounted martial art ultimate technique… Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon froze in the position of touching the ground. It was because the pressure emitted by the monstrous warhorse and the Northern Blade atop it in perfect unity had crushed her entire body.

Pureurung!

The atmosphere trembled at the rough neighing. The Northern Blade’s voice wearing a bamboo hat also resonated with rumbling simultaneously.

[I know you won’t answer even if I ask what you’ve done.]

The dry voice continued slowly.

[Desolate Fortress black rank. That energy sense and deployment speed corresponds to fifty-seven. Anyone would call it living up to the name.]

“……”

Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon circulated her entire power through the eight extraordinary meridians in silence. Following the formula of the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage Radiant Wing Two Steps.

She had once briefly greeted the black color Jeong Yeon-shin at the main fortress Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal and learned it.

Steps that break through momentum.

One step would unravel the pressure.

Though she had already set foot on death’s threshold, the squad leaders under the Divine Sword Group were black color because they created infinite variables like the night sky.

—Are you of the Desolate Fortress Yun family? If you’re a relative of Squad Leader Senior Yun, wouldn’t you also be family to me? I apologize if this is presumptuous, but…

Being able to project the founder’s image into divine martial arts is a great blessing for the practitioner.

It was like gaining appropriate mental imagery for internal energy operation, and that alone often made techniques become slightly more sophisticated.

‘Regardless of my life or death, you will not die.’

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin.

Though they weren’t deeply acquainted, that precious Acting Group Leader was still smiling at her in the form of a youth.

Simultaneously, Yun So-hyeon’s legs twitched. Her feet wrapped in bandages like every other part were just before taking one step.

Woong—

It was behind her.

Suddenly, pitch-black mist rose smokily.

Pueoeoeoeoek!

The Northern Greatest Southern Emperor grabbed and burst her head with one hand.

Simultaneously, his hand back, distorted with bluish-green veins, made a crackling sound like lightning. He had exerted full power in an instant.

The shattered skull and flesh fragments rolled around on the sandy ground. Mixed with originally dead black blood and grayish-white bodily fluids.

The northern earth that silently swallowed the sounds of thud, thud. Because extremely cold things touched each other, no white steam arose.

It was instant death.

The Fighting God’s two arms, being monarchs of nations before being peerless masters, don’t hesitate to combine attacks when their purposes align.

“Her resistance was one step too late. This is serious.”

The Southern Emperor clicked his tongue.

Meanwhile, the Northern Blade still mounted on his warhorse glanced toward King Yelu, visible as a dot.

[If it’s fifty-seven, she could compete with any great warrior. She must have done something.]

“Underground… the earth energy is vibrating. Energy waves like sound transmission. No, is it a technique close to Bright Wind Spirit?”

[I can feel it. It will go farther than sound transmission.]

“Too late. Don’t interfere any further. I must hurry the invasion.”

The Southern Emperor stomped his foot in place.

Kung!

Instantly, spider-web cracks appeared in the ground, and Yun So-hyeon’s grayish-white spirituality trampled by that foot was crushed as is.

It was the moment when the lineage of the Desolate Fortress Nether Stream Squad Leader was completely severed.

Passss.

Only the fragments of protective energy that had shattered like glass along with the bandages were spread on the dry ground.

Where sunlight began to shimmer faintly.

It was the Divine Sword Group’s territory.

* * *

A middle-aged scholar with a bushy beard was looking down with lowered eyes.

Though transparent sunlight was streaming down from above the hall that had no ceiling, the lantern positioned on one side of his desk still gave off faint light.

It was because he had stayed up all night.

The dozens of scholars positioned spread out in front of him were the same.

“The Annihilation Team has completely withdrawn from Changde Prefecture in Henan. Considering the number of broken secret lines, this happened easily four days ago. Of course, the Imperial Army entered to replace them.”

At the report from the Grand Administrator’s direct subordinate, Lin Jin-myeong nodded slightly.

“Next.”

“The Elder Council Head has again requested an audience. Regarding the matter of dismissing Deputy Group Leader Jeong and his official promotion to Group Leader…”

It was the next scholar’s report.

“What can we do when the Enter the Divine Sword is beyond the Gate? Will someone go in and bring it back? It seems we should recommend Elder Shin-chang as the next Elder Council Head…”

Soon after, Lin Jin-myeong turned his head to another person.

“This scholar?”

“Communication came from the old site of the Shandong Yue family. Elder Shin-chang could not find his family’s secret manual…”

“Tell him to return immediately. Make sure he doesn’t go up north alone without Transcendent Martial Art.”

Then someone opened the General Administration’s door and entered without even a presence.

The Grand Administrator who was about to issue a stern command hesitated.

“This place is always busily turning.”

Some man was walking toward Lin Jin-myeong crossing through the scholars, but except for his distinctive gait with robes fluttering above his trouser hems, there was no presence at all.

Protective energy that doesn’t allow itself to be caught by warriors’ energy senses as befitting noble status.

He wore the Four-Claw Dragon Robes that the dead Emperor Qian-ling had permitted to some kings.

Dragon patterns with four claws each were drawn on both shoulders and the center of the abdomen.

The man, Prince Qiong-ming, continued speaking.

“Probably the most magnificent place under heaven. Setting aside trees with legs.”

“Your Highness.”

Lin Jin-myeong completed his courtesy merely by bowing his head. Literally ultra-legal behavior. It was one aspect of the treatment that Grand Administrator Heaven-Measuring Brush Demon received from the imperial family after the Desolate Fortress Great War.

“It seems the time has come, so I stopped by. I thought it would be fine to fill the Desolate Fortress with the Imperial Army by now.”

His atmosphere, having become completely distant from imperial succession, was more transcendent than before. Though distant from the imperial throne, he felt like he had gained a more mysterious aura as a warrior.

He could substitute for the Desolate Fortress standing military force.

“The Grand Administrator’s efforts were great.”

Prince Qiong-ming, who had been looking around, placed his hand on Lin Jin-myeong’s shoulder.

“Completely handing over security duties is an extremely difficult task. How vast is this land? Even those distant Yunnan and Guangdong are close to completely different countries.”

The Desolate Fortress Grand Administrator deserved the king’s praise.

The task of handing over the territories of the Desolate Fortress warriors who had traversed under heaven with tremendous lightness skill mobility to the imperial masters… If he hadn’t properly conveyed the power structures and situations of all those lands, the current state of local sects, etc., and recognized the protective energy and martial strength of each Imperial Army individual to station them appropriately in each land, tremendous chaos would have ensued.

The Desolate Fortress Divine Sword Group could only move after all these series of tasks were completed.

Their chivalry was another word for responsibility.

And.

“The Grand Administrator’s orders have been issued.”

“The Radiant Sword Squad, Obeying Heaven Wing, and Blood Guardian Squad have withdrawn from Xiangyang. Led by Radiant Sword Squad Leader Hak So-seon, Obeying Heaven Squad Leader Namgung Hwa-shin, and Temporary Blood Guardian Squad Leader Hyeon-won Chang.”

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader Cheong Myeong confirmed complete mastery of all main fortress blue rank’s Radiant Art Bond… The Radiant Demon Wing masters who were taking on the duties of Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal instructors are also going up.”

“Confirming again. A letter from the Ultimate MartialHall in Guangdong arrived at the main fortress from Beijing. It is thought to have crossed the Great Wall now. Total Ultimate Martial Hall personnel: one hundred nine.”

“Each military unit’s lightness skill sprinting has broken through the limits of existing missions.”

“The main fortress’s communications no longer reach.”

The Grand Administrator gave no further instructions. He just listened silently. Even until the chief scholar sitting directly below him opened his mouth.

“Divine Sword Group.”

It was a calm voice.

“All military units head north.”