Chapter 583 – Fierce Fire (7)

Locust Yellow Paper.

Paper made from the locust tree. When infused with water made from flowers that bloom in summer, it becomes a weapon of sorcery martial arts that is good for embedding internal energy and will.

Like the two sheets of locust yellow paper inserted between Jeong Yeon-shin’s fingers at this moment.

“……”

Two human shadows flickered intermittently like smoke on either side of him.

One side showed a slender yet solid build like a scholar.

From the single sword at his waist, rainbow-colored air currents rippled, and his attire was splendid as if it had transcended the mortal world.

The human shadow on the opposite side was only blue like a will-o’-the-wisp, making it difficult to discern its form. It looked as if it had become the incarnation of blue flames upon entering some transcendent battle.

‘It’s warm.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The arrangement of Shin Cheon-hwa, who had now become the predecessor of predecessors. The two sheets of paper that Jeong Yeon-shin now held were treasures rarely seen in the jianghu.

They were created by a grandmaster who had sat in the position of Divine Sword Group Leader through sorcery martial arts, borrowing even the power of junior Divine Sword Group Leaders.

—Give it here. As if I could play around with this.

Her voice was clear in his ears.

Shin Cheon-hwa had embedded the abilities of Form-Shifting Void into the locust yellow paper that Jeong Yeon-shin had been carrying along with dharma power on the advice of Shaolin’s Master Won-jeok. So that Yong Hye-myeong and Ma Yeon-jeok could reach Jeong Yeon-shin, if only briefly.

The highest level of sorcery martial arts.

The locust yellow papers that had been bathed in Jeong Yeon-shin’s dharma power for a long time were already close to dharma treasures, and Shin Cheon-hwa had constructed mysterious sorcery within them.

—You want me and that Yong fellow to give out our innate true energy?

—Just a tiny amount will do. If even that doesn’t seep into these paper scraps, how could I connect you two? In short, it’s a medium.

—It’s not because my studies are lacking, is it? Internal energy would suffice.

—Yeon-jeok, your habit of asking back hasn’t changed. When your head was just growing big, it was annoying, but now it seems cute.

—Ha!

Three sets of purple long robes.

At this moment, the ground was crumbling under the Northern Blade’s momentum, but Jeong Yeon-shin felt extreme stability.

The feeling that his heart, which had been torn by Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon, was being sutured even a little. The ice sheets beneath his feet that were gradually cracking and splitting were nothing.

Since the energy remaining to Jeong Yeon-shin now was virtually nonexistent, projecting the shadows of Ma Yeon-jeok and Yong Hye-myeong was actually his limit.

—To properly activate this Form-Shifting Void, there’s something you must be prepared for. None other than requiring tremendous energy. Calling two Divine Sword Group Leaders from beyond the gate means that much. Without that much energy, you can’t summon them.

It was as Shin Cheon-hwa had warned.

Though the Luminous Wheel Energy squeezed out in minute amounts was seeping into the locust yellow paper, only the resonance that rumbled through the cold winter air was transmitted.

The two human shadows on either side did not materialize. They only flickered like mist.

It was natural.

Beings like Ma Yeon-jeok and Yong Hye-myeong could not be brought before one’s eyes without any price.

Naturally, the ‘power’ to activate the Form-Shifting Void sorcery that Shin Cheon-hwa had embedded was needed, and at this moment, the Divine Sword Group Leader had consumed most of his dharma power true energy as the price for killing the world’s fastest under heaven.

Jeong Yeon-shin was making the strongest bluff with empty hands. Along with the advice of Shin Cheon-hwa, which had now become a high-level enlightenment rather than qi deviation.

—Keep in mind. The Divine Sword Group Leader is one who suppresses even variables. You must always have composure.

He silently looked ahead.

While sending a telepathic transmission to Lazy Flame Dragon, who was stuck in the void like caught on invisible ropes.

—Can’t you escape from that?

—It’s difficult.

—Why?

—That Northern Blade is a monster that would rank within the top five fingers throughout all under heaven. The momentum that has bound me here is no less than the Emperor Sword Formation of the deceased Namgung family head.

Lazy Flame Dragon perfectly mimicked Jeong Yeon-shin’s characteristic traceless telepathic transmission.

Perhaps because he had experienced it once when they first reunited? He had penetrated the principles of the telepathic transmission method from the energy waves of Jeong Yeon-shin’s power that had pierced his ears.

Jeong Yeon-shin answered in a tone tinged with slight displeasure.

—Incompetent fellow.

—It’s the first time hearing it twice in one day.

It was a leisurely retort.

It would be for two reasons.

First, no matter how great the Northern Blade under heaven was, he couldn’t hold Lazy Flame Dragon for long with something that wasn’t a direct strike.

Second were the two human shadows flickering as if protecting Jeong Yeon-shin at this moment. Even Lazy Flame Dragon, born with battle instincts, believed that Ma Yeon-jeok and Yong Hye-myeong would manifest.

Perhaps because his senses were overwhelmed by the presence of the two predecessors.

For now, it was correct that no one could penetrate the truth.

[Form-Shifting Void…? Ma Yeon-jeok hasn’t fallen?]

It was a thunderous rumble with heavy resonance.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze toward the Southern Emperor.

The Northern Blade mounted on a giant warhorse, almost unified with it. The air under his bamboo hat was fluctuating semi-transparently like the expression of someone who had received very interesting news.

[The domain has already been deployed. A remarkable sorcery.]

“……”

[Ma Yeon-jeok’s rejuvenation is confirmed here. Wealth Preservation Star, don’t enter rashly.]

A figure who could call the Southern Emperor, known as the first among the Six Star Lords, by the second name Wealth Preservation Star and lower him.

He had said he wished for the mutual destruction of the Fighting God and the south.

He could strike the Divine Sword Group from behind at any time, like today, and adjusted the northern and southern jianghu according to his own standards.

At the foundation of his movements would be a mindset that fundamentally prioritized the safety of the clans.

Naturally, he had no choice but to constantly change sides while traveling between the Southern Emperor and Jeong Yeon-shin with monstrous mounted lightness skill.

When the Southern Emperor was superior, he would help Jeong Yeon-shin.

When Jeong Yeon-shin rose greatly, he would help the Southern Emperor.

A mediator. A being who desired balance.

Now he was an enemy.

‘Mounted lightness skill with explosive force is the problem. A fellow I must block the escape route and kill someday.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

At the same time, suddenly, a low voice flowed from the black mist surrounding the Southern Emperor.

“…Just now, a report came through Bright Wind Spirit. That you proclaimed yourself Divine Sword Group Leader.”

He doesn’t enter the domain.

He was wary of Yong Hye-myeong and Ma Yeon-jeok like a sword draw that might emerge from its scabbard at any moment.

Those dwelling in the peerless realm had no choice but to first watch for unexpected strikes above all else.

Even Jeong Yeon-shin had helplessly had half his right arm torn off by the combined attack of Literary Star and Divine Thief.

Flutter—…

The clouds that flickered like candleflames while hazily enveloping the forms of Ma Yeon-jeok and Yong Hye-myeong.

Those clouds would never be stripped away here.

The forms of the two predecessor Divine Sword Group Leaders would only remain as human shadows before disappearing. But the only being who knew this at this place was the contemporary Divine Sword Group Leader. At least for now.

The corners of Jeong Yeon-shin’s mouth rose slightly.

“A report from Shame Extreme Son-in-law?”

“I acknowledge you. Your martial arts, schemes, and preparations are all worthy of leading a sect. Divine Sword Group Leader… Yes, anyway, the Enter the Divine Sword is just a symbolic object.”

The Southern Emperor muttered.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the gaze that densely penetrated his skin. It was an absurdly thick exploratory look.

He was speculating.

Whether another process was needed to activate the sorcery of the locust yellow paper. Or whether he was aiming for a fatal ambush with already completed Form-Shifting Void.

The Southern Emperor said quietly.

“I know your true energy has hit bottom. Is that locust yellow paper a dharma treasure so complete that it doesn’t require the owner’s internal energy?”

Impossible.

It was because there hadn’t been time to construct such sorcery.

Shin Cheon-hwa at that time was already a figure who had passed away long ago, and her spirit was maintained only a little longer by Jeong Yeon-shin’s dharma power.

But Jeong Yeon-shin answered ambiguously.

“Who knows.”

It was to consider both his and Lazy Flame Dragon’s safety. For the sake of his Desolate Fortress colleagues.

If by any chance Jeong Yeon-shin’s head fell into the Southern Emperor’s hands here, the Divine Sword Group that had finally come north would inevitably face total annihilation.

A swordsman’s bluff is ultimately sword technique.

On the other hand, the bluff of one who now leads the world’s greatest sect could be anything. Martial arts, eloquence, worldly wisdom, empty bravado, tightrope walking under the blade-like gaze of the northern strongest.

Suddenly the Northern Blade’s warhorse took a step forward.

Whoosh!

[Tear those locust yellow papers here and send the Divine Sword Group back south. If you do so, I will not be hostile to you. I’ll even give you Wealth Preservation Star.]

“Northern Blade, don’t speak nonsense.”

The Southern Emperor’s Heaven Silk Steel Armor began to ripple strand by strand like black flames. At the same time, he took a step forward, and the oppressive feeling filling the area deepened.

Step.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not retreat at all.

It was while the Northern Blade and Southern Emperor’s eye techniques continued to burst tremendous energy waves. The ripples spreading semi-transparently from around their eyes were something Jeong Yeon-shin had never experienced in his life.

Movements that constantly swept over Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body with transcendent senses, trying to gauge truth and gaps from his breathing and the minute vibrations of his body’s acupoints.

Kiiiiiiing—

The heavy gazes clashed and entangled like invisible threads.

The Southern Emperor’s Wolf-Gazing Eyes, said to be able to see even the top of the Big Dipper clearly.

The Northern Blade’s Sharp Plow Divine Light, known to penetrate the moment one breath ahead together with his warhorse, using the eye technique of the destroyed Yuan Dynasty.

A battle was already taking place.

If they had moved their bodies, it could be considered that hundreds of exchanges had occurred.

Lazy Flame Dragon must be feeling it too. The Divine Sword Group’s poppy addict was also born with useful senses.

Jeong Yeon-shin said through telepathic transmission.

—The fellows who were serving as the Southern Emperor’s guardians, Literary Star Army’s encirclement is narrowing. They’re following the Southern Emperor’s order to kill you.

—I’ll survive on my own, so Acting Group Leader needn’t worry. Looking now, something seems strange. Is that locust yellow paper real?

Uselessly good intuition.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought of the last variables remaining on the battlefield.

‘Radiant Sword Squad and Resonance Spirit.’

They were just before clashing with Literary Star Army that surrounded the vicinity like a wall.

The Divine Sword Group Resonance Spirit’s Enter Dao Vast Arts had been blocked by the Southern Face Capable Emperor deployed by the Southern Emperor, but once the distance closed a little more, other methods would arise.

Even if there were no suitable methods, he intended to create new ones at this place.

Similarly, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t think the Desolate Fortress Divine Sword Group would just be blocked by the northern jianghu people flocking through Bright Wind Spirit. ‘Divine Sword Group Radiant Art Bond’ was such a martial art.

What was needed now was the naturally unfolding time of exploration like this.

If this moment continued just a little longer, the Divine Sword Group would be able to build another fortress in the demon realm as Jeong Yeon-shin wished. In the form of the Desolate Fortress that would suppress the northern jianghu.

‘But…’

Step.

Suddenly the sound from beneath the Southern Emperor’s feet mixed with the cold wind and fluttered ominously.

Had he finally completely analyzed the highest level sorcery martial arts that Shin Cheon-hwa had embedded? It was fast, transcendentally swift enough to be called so.

But even that seemed to be a very long time for the northern strongest, as the Southern Emperor began walking forward without hesitation.

It felt like the distant night sky was moving.

[Wealth Preservation Star, don’t act rashly.]

“Northern Blade, you are a bat, stupid, and even a coward. Stay back as you are. That fellow’s predecessors cannot come.”

[For the sake of the clans. Our bodies…]

The approach of the northern strongest.

From that moment, many things in Jeong Yeon-shin’s world became blurred.

The situation where time-buying had ended and he had to deal with the Southern Emperor with his remaining accumulated energy. While wearing purple long robes, he burned his upper energy center in his head white-hot.

Naturally, not only did nearby sounds disappear, but even his vision narrowed around the Southern Emperor.

Clatter—

Was it to eliminate variables? Finally the Northern Blade followed the Southern Emperor, driving his tremendously large warhorse. It was a situation where two transcendents were approaching together.

Suddenly a final thought caught in Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind.

‘One more.’

There was a case he had considered. His preparations didn’t end with what he had thought of earlier.

Timing.

That is, when the fortune of time was right.

The possibility that a figure who had become the target of Form-Shifting Void while possessing the world’s greatest accumulated energy would open the limits of the sorcery himself from a distant place and stand beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

Wheeeee—

A whistle sound spread faintly. It was a leisurely resonance like tickling the ridges spread in the distance.

To Jeong Yeon-shin’s right.

Before the Southern Emperor and Northern Blade could even hesitate.

Crack.

The mist that had been hazily flickering while enveloping Yong Hye-myeong’s form suddenly shattered into pieces.

“I wondered what was happening.”

Crash—!

Yong Hye-myeong manifested, shedding his shell from the middle of the faintly spread sunset glow. He had broken through the sorcery’s curtain with his true body’s internal energy, not Jeong Yeon-shin’s Luminous Wheel Energy.

It was a dreamlike scene.

The sight of a man wearing purple scholar’s robes completely regaining his color.

“You’re tall.”

He said, looking up at the Northern Blade.

“Get down first.”

Instantly, a rainbow-colored line was carved on the neck of the overwhelmingly huge warhorse, and blood burst out like a slash along that trajectory.

It was also then that the Southern Emperor and Northern Blade appeared again in positions before and behind the two purple figures like a lie. Now the Northern Blade had no horse.

In an instant, a confrontation of the peerless realm was established.

Flutter—

In the cool north wind, purple garment edges fluttered in pairs.

Predecessor and contemporary. Yong Hye-myeong and Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I can feel military energy from all directions. Where is this?”

“The north.”

“What?”

Before they knew it, the two Divine Sword Group Leaders were standing back to back.