Chapter 579 – Fierce Fire (3)

Northern King Army.

A group of monsters capable of even performing equestrian martial arts and climbing steep slopes. The state of unity between man and horse makes the northern battle horses a force stronger than most experts.

Naturally, the Northern King Army led by the Northern King is known as a calamity to the mortal world.

Unrivaled, unstoppable.

It is not the power of a mere local lord.

It was a force that the Ming Empire had spent its entire history trying to block.

Without Shaolin’s One Hundred Eight Arhats Formation, no major sect’s formation could counter it in group battles.

Without Wudang’s Seven Star Sword Formation, there was nothing that could escape from within it.

This was the view of a very few connoisseurs who were well-versed in both the northern and southern martial worlds.

“……”

Under Ice Breathing Mountain.

Amidst the snowflakes that seemed to be caught in an invisible net and had stopped, the reason why the famous southern martial artists were silent was there.

Upright Star Army, Shame Extreme Army, and Shame Extreme King.

It was a force impossible to stop unless it was a martial army large enough to guard the Great Wall. It was more like a natural disaster.

However, Jeong Yeon-shin sent the Upright Star Army away from a position of strength.

It was a decision possible because there were no casualties on the Desolate Fortress side. Thanks to some method of the Divine Sword Squad’s Resonance Spirit Squad.

It was said that there was a divine skill that made it possible to endure even if they couldn’t win.

Looking around, all that was left were the corpses of Yao tribesmen and battle horses.

Perhaps because there were no maggots to penetrate the cold wind and snow-covered ground. White and red. Just the remains of the battlefield left in the cold.

Jeong Yeon-shin said quietly above it.

“This battle ends here.”

It was right to reduce the enemy’s strength as much as possible, but his physical condition was not good.

‘I have to take care of the seniors who are facing Literary Star and Upright Star first. Including the Sword Star elder.’

It was a point where even raising his vital energy was becoming difficult.

The words that began to be spoken in a low voice without echoing proved it.

The Enter The Dao Transcend Together performed with Radiant Taiji and the repeated fierce battle with the Divine Thief. Naturally, he didn’t even have the energy to perform sword riding.

The hundreds of mounted troops raised by Northern King Upright Star were each quietly greeting Jeong Yeon-shin as they left the battlefield. They were not hostile but revered him.

“Glory to the Dream King slayer.”

“The breath we share with you makes us stronger.”

An exotic climate. The northern martial world.

The Dream King was another name for the Divine Thief, the king of the Dream Demon Body.

There seemed to be no objection to this from Radiant Sword Squad Leader Hak So-seon.

Though she was not the type to be the leader of a martial force named “Sword of Wrath,” Jeong Yeon-shin felt a deep spirit from her. Along with her keen insight.

The black rank that his maternal grandfather secretly favored the most at the Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

She silently followed Jeong Yeon-shin’s opinion and asked about his safety through telepathy.

—To kill a powerful being like the Divine Thief under heaven, there are things that must be done first. The first is for the General Administration to thoroughly plan a strategy over a long period. From meal times, favorite techniques, general temperament, to even small gestures… The battle plan must be delivered to the Group Leader before the big event. But it seems the General Administration’s gentlemen had no time to do their job this time. They had time to enjoy the delicacies of the Desolate Fortress.

—Senior…?

—I heard that when the Dark Heaven Emperor and Heaven Conquering Sect caused chaos in Hangzhou, it was the same… They think the limbs of the main fortress warriors are just weapons to be supplied. They are madmen with characters filled with letters, not upper energy centers. The price of laziness ingrained in their weak bodies is the internal and external injuries the Group Leader is suffering now.

Her concern was right.

Both internal and external injuries were problems.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s body was in a mess as if all the blood vessels were about to be torn apart.

The meridians through which the Luminous Wheel Energy flowed, as well as all his muscles, were in the same state.

Especially the temporarily attached right arm could not lose focus even for a moment.

The strong energy connecting the muscle fibers and acupoints. It was an injury caused by the combined attack of Literary Star and the Divine Thief, and the life-or-death battle with the Divine Thief had worsened the condition.

—I am fine.

—Nonsense, you are not fine.

—What?

—I apologize. Please lean on my shoulder. Do you know what “shoulder-to-shoulder” means?

Most of the Desolate Fortress warriors now know about Jeong Yeon-shin’s past.

Among them, the black ranks have particularly broad access to information and have deeply learned about Jeong Yeon-shin’s life for various reasons.

Some to gain insights that might help with the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage. Others to deeply understand Jeong Yeon-shin, who will fully become the Group Leader.

If anything, Radiant Sword Squad Leader Hak So-seon would be among the former. Her achievement in Radiant Art Bond showed this.

‘Do you know what “shoulder-to-shoulder” means?’

Even those who have not read the simplified version of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, Jeong Yeon-shin sometimes felt as if he was stripped bare in front of his main fortress colleagues.

It was the same now.

Though he had fought close combat with the world’s fastest under heaven, he had never had the experience of putting arms around someone’s shoulders in his life.

“Am I still a Northern King?”

He asked Shame Extreme Son-in-law, trying to ignore Hak So-seon. He was afraid that his grief for Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon might fade.

Shame Extreme Son-in-law smiled.

“Of course, you should be treated as such. You have an army, martial power worthy of a king, and above all, you belong to Bright Wind Spirit and have been recognized by the Northern Blade under heaven. The Northern Blade has promoted you to Ruinous Star among the Six Star Lords. Unless that decision is revoked, you are still a Northern King.”

“Isn’t that sophistry to look after your own safety?”

“Did you say you’re looking after my safety?”

Shame Extreme Son-in-law’s mouth curved into a smooth arc. He had long since stopped paying attention to the Divine Thief’s corpse, but at this moment, his hand was reaching toward Shame Extreme King.

Rustle.

“She is the one who has completed the world’s best internal energy barrier. Privately, she is my mother-in-law. So I apologize for the rude words, but why would the already battered King Yelu be frightening? Even if your Great Warrior shows extraordinary martial power like just now, it won’t be enough to damage Her Majesty Shame Extreme King’s protective energy.”

Despite his eloquent speech, there was a sense of caution toward Jeong Yeon-shin.

Crack, crackle—

Even at this moment, the blue flame Taiji that was imprisoning Radiant Sword Squad Leader Hak So-seon and her subordinates. It was a technique that even Shame Extreme Son-in-law, let alone several Northern Kings, found difficult to understand the principles of.

It was also the reason for Shame Extreme Son-in-law’s suspicious gaze. Wondering if Jeong Yeon-shin was still in good condition.

Even if he might come to attack from behind with Shame Extreme Army in the future, for now it was worth seeking peace with Jeong Yeon-shin.

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin mulled over other words.

‘The best in the world…’

The northern Divine Sword Group Leader now understood the weight of the phrase “the best in the world.” The speed of the Divine Thief who had consistently overwhelmed him.

If Shame Extreme King’s protective cultivation was that deep, it was right to match that friendly attitude now.

“We may meet in another camp next time.”

The sleeves of Shame Extreme Son-in-law, who had clasped his hands together, slowly flowed down with a rustle.

Despite his slender figure, his arms stood out with bulging veins.

It was impossible to know how many had met death by those arms, but Jeong Yeon-shin had to think as the head of a sect, not as a solitary martial artist.

He turned his gaze to beside Shame Extreme Son-in-law.

A body that still transparently let the bright daylight pass through came into view. A woman with only black silk floating around.

It was Northern King Shame Extreme.

She was looking down at the Divine Thief’s corpse, but it was impossible to know what she was thinking.

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly asked while glancing at Shame Extreme Son-in-law.

“Is that person your mouth?”

“That’s right.”

Shame Extreme King’s answer was short and cut off in a low tone.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded and said.

“Now get lost.”

“…We shall do so, Divine Sword Group Leader.”

Shame Extreme Son-in-law, who had somehow retreated more than ten steps, answered smoothly. This time, the honorific title of Northern King was omitted.

Soon after, even Shame Extreme King turned her body, and Shame Extreme Army slowly retreated with heavy sounds. Unlike Upright Star Army, all the man-horse units were surrounded by semi-transparent protective energy, and they showed no special courtesy to Jeong Yeon-shin like Shame Extreme Son-in-law.

Clack, clack—

They just stepped aside.

Only then did the tension that had quietly surrounded the battlefield dissipate. The confrontation of the strong who dominated energy had subsided.

Immediately, winter sleet began to blow down between them.

Radiant Sword Squad Leader Hak So-seon cast her gaze at Shame Extreme Son-in-law’s back and spat out a word.

“A b*st*rd who won’t live out his natural lifespan.”

It was a remark directed at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Had he heard those words? Shame Extreme Son-in-law only turned his head slightly to the side and gave her an eye-smile.

“Be careful of your dreams.”

That was the end of his words.

What remained were the corpses of the Divine Thief and part of Upright Star Army. White snow was piling up softly on the blood-red corpses.

“Crazy…”

It was someone’s voice that flowed from among the southern martial artists.

Northern King Army.

The calamity of the mortal world was withdrawing on its own.

Hiss—

Semi-transparent heat waves flowed from the internal energy barriers of hundreds of mounted troops and mixed with the white snowfall. But that overwhelming feeling never manifested itself on the battlefield.

The Desolate Fortress experts who had somehow positioned themselves behind Jeong Yeon-shin.

The blue Taiji that surrounded them in a circle saw off the sounds of horse hooves.

It was an unbelievable sight even while watching.

“……”

When the silence of Elder Council Head of the Namgung family, the middle-aged martial artist leading the Yan family warriors, and Zhuge Qing-ya surrounded by Zhuge family members deepened.

A young man’s youthful voice suddenly popped out from among them.

“Should we follow and kill them all now? Their movement pattern is strangely curved, so it looks like they’re trying to go around Ice Breathing Mountain to join another battlefield.”

He was showing outrageous bravado.

Several young people among the southern martial artists immediately reacted.

“Divine Sword Squad?”

“Divine Sword Broom…!”

“Broom? Calling someone a broom to their face? The way martial artists speak…”

A young man wearing an unusually bright blue long robe pushed aside the swordsman who had mentioned Divine Sword Broom and came forward. It was Yeon So-ha of the Desolate Fortress Divine Sword Squad.

He immediately walked up to Jeong Yeon-shin and clasped his hands together.

“I greet the new Group Leader! Divine Sword Group Divine Sword Squad, Yeon So-ha and fourteen others have gathered on the battlefield. We took charge of reconnaissance without gaps along the perimeter of Ice Breathing Mountain.”

He called him the new Group Leader. It was as if he had erased Yong Hye-myeong from the history of the Divine Sword Squad. He had gone even further than Jeong Yeon-shin.

But their interests were elsewhere.

“That person?”

“If you order us to pursue those b*st*rds, we’ll go and finish them off right away. Of course, not me, but Hidden Fist Sam Bok, Senior April Palace Ghost Wei, Wise Blade Oh senior, Uncle Crimson Day Sword, Divine Sword Squad Leader, and Red Robe Mad Blood… Huh? You mean that person…?”

[TL Note- Seems like Red Robe Mad Blood is Seventh Apostle’s new name?]

“Yes, that person.”

“Ah.”

Yeon So-ha scratched his head as if his upper energy center was itchy.

“If it’s Divine Sword Prisoner, she was asking who made the Group Leader’s right arm like that? To April Palace Ghost senior who has good insight. Then after hearing the answer, she disappeared.”

“…We move.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader said.

While the famous figures of the southern martial world were hesitating in place.

Whoosh!

The blue flame Taiji surrounding the battlefield blazed bright blue in an instant. It had the momentum to end all the fierce battles on the plain at this moment.

Rest was gradually becoming necessary.

Time to hear stories about her from those who had been close to the Nether Stream Squad Leader.

Thud.

The Desolate Fortress experts surrounding Jeong Yeon-shin, including Radiant Sword Squad Leader, took a step. Naturally, Yeon So-ha was with them too.

At the same time, the circle of the Taiji that had been coloring the vicinity dark blue also moved one step.

It moved exactly in step with the advance. The war martial art that had just delivered overwhelming divine power to Radiant Sword Squad Leader.

“…!”

In the sight of the southern martial artists whose eyes widened as if they would tear, the Divine Sword Squad advanced. Just a few dozen people were filling the area around Jeong Yeon-shin abundantly.

Blue flame shadows roughly flickered over the character “Desolate” carved on each shoulder.

Someone among those watching the scene in a daze muttered.

“…Northern Emperor.”

Crack—

Meanwhile, the experts of Resonance Spirit Squad who had not yet properly exchanged greetings were sharing grayish-white waves with Jeong Yeon-shin.

It was obviously the energy waves of Radiant Art Bond, and it felt like borrowing someone else’s energy center.

Perfect condition, and more.

The words of Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon inevitably crossed Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind.

—You will certainly experience mysterious abilities. This is also a result obtained from the General Administration scholars’ deep research into Radiant Art Bond.

It felt as if another luminous wheel had formed outside his body. It didn’t make sense. It was mysterious beyond belief, wonderfully marvelous.

“What kind of martial art is this?”

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head to the blue-robed warriors of Resonance Spirit Squad and asked.

They had ordinary appearances that could be commonly seen in marketplaces, but only their appearance of exhaling mist was more mystical than anywhere among the seventeen squads.

A particularly aged middle-aged warrior answered.

“By adding Radiant Art Bond to our squad’s Shared School Scripture and perfecting it, we named it ‘Enter Dao Vast Arts.’ As long as our accumulated energy, the Group Leader’s sense of handling energy waves, and both sides’ stamina allow… we will become another energy center for the Group Leader.”

“Enter Dao Vast Arts…?”

“It’s nothing special, just supply.”

The middle-aged blue-robed warrior really seemed to think so. It was also an attitude that one divine skill was just so-so as supply for the Divine Sword Group Leader.

Divine Sword Squad seventeen squads.

It felt like the eighteen types of weapons were gathering one by one.

Now there were no distracting thoughts in Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind. What filled his head at some point were other things.

The woman in beautiful red robes and seven seniors, Divine Sword Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo, Sword Star, Literary Star, Upright Star, and the Southern Emperor and Northern Blade under heaven.

Step.

The Desolate Fortress moved toward them.