Chapter 585 – Fierce Fire (9)

“This way. Why are you all so slow?”

“As Forest Treading Squad Leader of the Desolate Fortress, I declare that you have absolutely no authority to command us. No! It’s not even worth discussing! Isn’t your status ambiguous?”

“I’m Yeon-shin’s prisoner.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re nothing but a servant, not even a guest. Your rank as a blood demon is also lower than that of a Divine Sword Squad Leader.”

“If you insult me again, your forehead will get even wider.”

“That’s false.”

“A kid who serves Yeon-shin spoke through some strange telepathic transmission. He said he had surveyed the battlefield and asked us to listen.”

“True… truth.”

“Nether Stream Squad Leader Yun So-hyeon. It’s her dying words.”

“…Truth.”

“Follow me. Keep going this way.”

* * *

Two massive figures raced across the plain.

The empty field stretched out vastly, and only orange twilight filled the desolate northern land characteristic of the region.

Literary Star and Upright Star were racing through such silently clamorous sunset light.

It was as if iron towers were flying.

Bang!

Every time Literary Star struck the ground, small pools of blood burst forth beneath his feet like a chain.

It was bleeding from a transcendent with the strongest physique under heaven. Though he was an existence that could be called the pinnacle of external martial arts in the world, the amount of blood flowing was enormous.

Upright Star glanced at him and asked in a young voice that sounded old and weary.

“Why won’t it stop? I’ve been applying acupoint pressure the whole way here.”

She used the term acupoint pressure naturally.

The act of pressing blood vessels with internal power to achieve special effects. In this case, it was a question about attempting to stop bleeding, an expression common under the martial studies of the Ming Dynasty jianghu.

It was the Southern Emperor’s influence.

To establish a nation below the Great Wall, all teachings of the Fighting God had to be conducted in Chinese. So that they could rule at any time just by planting a flag in the Ming Dynasty.

It was a long-accepted argument.

Even the Six Star Lords like Literary Star and Upright Star agreed with it, and at this moment, various southern studies including Ming Dynasty medicine techniques were swirling within Literary Star’s massive body.

It was to improve his physical condition as much as possible with his internal energy called ‘Nine Marsh Power.’

Literary Star, covered in blood all over his body, slowly opened his mouth while racing with lightness skill.

“It seems… it’s because of those formless swords.”

“The ones held by those wearing black clothes?”

“Yes. They’re divine weapons created by the blood demon. The wounds that won’t heal now… are only the stab wounds from those. All the cuts and punctures.”

“A dangerous fellow.”

“He’s quite remarkable. His stealth techniques and life-saving ultimate techniques were the same.”

“I acknowledge it. He was even young enough to catch my eye. He’s definitely Yelu’s right arm.”

The massive Yao tribe woman carrying a large crescent blade on her back, Upright Star, spoke while rolling a dark pill in her palm.

Beneath her feet, the dry earth passed by quickly like a moisture-laden river. With nauseating air-tearing sounds.

“When we return to our dwelling, we must definitely devise a plan. A method to kill him with a preemptive ambush.”

Literary Star.

The one-eyed giant spoke in a low voice that rumbled like from underground.

One eye gouged out with blood. A dark red abyss had taken the place where his original eyeball had been.

Nevertheless, Literary Star calmly praised his enemies and consistently analyzed them like a scholar.

Soon their opinions converged. They decided to place the blood demon with the formless swords as their second priority for elimination. The first priority was naturally Yelu.

Literary Star and Upright Star.

Their discussion continued as if they were sitting at a military camp table. Even while racing so fast that the atmosphere burst in circular lines behind them.

They were discussing the world.

Then.

From afar.

Kwabang—!

Suddenly a reddish shadow struck Literary Star’s right shoulder, and as he reacted like lightning and shook off his arm, it was repelled with tremendous shock waves.

It was literally an instant.

The human shadow that had suddenly charged in, an absolutely beautiful woman wearing smooth red robes, became distant enough to turn into a dot in an instant.

This was because Literary Star and Upright Star’s lightness skill sprint didn’t stop even after exchanging one move. Only the afterimage of blazing red eyes remained long and became blurred.

Upright Star glanced back with mad eyes.

This had already been repeated several times.

“Certain. I can see the qualities of one who dominates battle.”

At Upright Star’s words, Literary Star nodded.

“Three have been confirmed from the south. King Yelu, the Ice Emperor’s husband, and that woman. Of course, the most overwhelming figure is King Yelu, but…”

“The blood demon girl is persistently targeting your right arm. How about ripping off her neck when she charges again?”

“Looking at her movements, it seems to be the Blood Flame Cult’s Graceful Body Technique, but if we attempt it rashly, we’ll be caught by the blood demon with the formless swords and the seven black-robed ones. They were chasing us with killing intent… The moment we stop here, we’ll have to fight another bloody battle.”

“Nothing we can’t do!”

Upright Star’s boldness was the greatest among the transcendents known as the Six Star Lords.

But Literary Star, a massive figure covered in blood as if risen from hell, smiled gently like a scholar.

“I’m in pain and struggling. Honestly, it’s burdensome. The combined attack was quite fierce.”

“Don’t exaggerate. What will you say as an excuse when you go to the Southern Emperor later?”

“I’m not going. I’ll collapse in bed as soon as I return, so tell him to come directly.”

“You personally designated the Southern Emperor as the founding emperor, so do you think such words and actions are reasonable?”

“There are ministers whom the king cannot summon. It’s the law.”

“What?”

“It’s a maxim of Mencius under heaven.”

“You Yao tribe b*st*rd…”

Bang! Kwakwabang—!

Even while the conversation continued, the True Blood Cult Leader’s attacks continued endlessly.

Among the shock waves bursting in layers, particularly distinct things existed.

Clothing edges rippling in bright red color, hands sharpened as if to crush Literary Star’s shoulder, madness filling her beautiful face…

But they couldn’t properly block the Six Star Lords’ retreat. It was already after the Southern Emperor had torn off the legs of the world’s fastest under heaven.

Now the northern six stars were the freest under heaven, unless they met death in battle.

As Literary Star’s bloody smell mixed with the north wind and became faint.

Upright Star, who had been kicking off the ground, suddenly muttered.

“Something… the direction is strange.”

“Please speak properly. My breathing is now labored due to blood loss.”

Upright Star casually ignored Literary Star’s story about his confused mind. And continued speaking.

“I feel like we’re being led by the blood demon girl. Is this also a quality of leading battle according to one’s will… It feels unpleasant.”

“Being led? Certainly…”

They were transcendents who had clashed in turn with the southern Sword Star and Divine Sword Squad Leader, seven black-robed ones, and the True Blood Cult Leader, yet their limbs remained intact.

But even their senses couldn’t remain completely whole.

Energy perception is like a sword—after using it intensely, it must be sharpened. Otherwise, it inevitably loses its original sharpness, even if temporarily.

At some point.

Near the entrance of grayish hills close to the edge of the plain.

They spotted a man casually sitting on a low rock.

His eyes were white. A blind man with a bluish sword and an old bamboo hat beside him.

The lightness skill sprint of the two people just before leaving Clear Light Plain was connected to a one-armed man who was practicing some sword technique at this moment.

The traces of sword cuts embroidered like threads beneath the rock stood out. It was an appearance as if he had come out for a jianghu tour.

“That person…!”

Before Upright Star could shout something.

As always, Literary Star’s gentle Six Harmonies Battle Voice spread to the one-armed blind man.

“I’m sorry to trouble you during precious time, but could you please step aside? We’re in circumstances where it’s difficult to take a long detour.”

“Hmm?”

The blind man seemed a bit flustered.

But that was only momentary.

Soon the corners of his mouth, which had pulled his bamboo hat down to cover his face, drew a smooth arc like a blade.

“Of course I should let you pass. I’m just an insignificant traveler after all.”

That was when it happened.

Literary Star suddenly glanced at the ground beneath the man’s feet from afar. Trajectories carved chaotically with irregular strength and weakness were gradually approaching.

They were traces of Variable Sword and Phantom Sword techniques.

* * *

The sword wind that rose from the edge of vast Clear Light Plain was a sword wind that cut through providence.

The fragments of that wind scattered in all directions, tearing even clouds apart, and some faint streams raced across the plain in an instant.

And they descended toward the center of Clear Light Plain before splitting transparently.

It was the point where Jeong Yeon-shin was tearing apart dark mist by rotating greatly once in the void.

He thought.

‘It’s no longer possible. The Southern Emperor is a wall.’

His consciousness became blurred.

He had exchanged countless moves beyond counting.

Even with his upper energy center’s senses, it was difficult to properly feel the flow of time.

Just as there was no being who could block the escape of the Five Swords under Heaven and Six Star Lords, the process of the Southern Emperor breaking through Jeong Yeon-shin, who was devoted to defense, with fist and palm techniques was also very long.

Bang!

Divine forms bouncing away in opposite directions. The sound of both sides scraping the ground deeply with both feet was thick. Dark clouds and purple clothing edges merged into one stream before confronting each other.

The ability of ‘Southern Face Capable Emperor’ that annihilated explosive force was resolved by Yong Hye-myeong’s intervention. It was because he had struck the impacts into Jeong Yeon-shin’s body rather than outside.

Thanks to the contemporary Enter The Divine Sword Master’s quick insight and inspired coordination, Jeong Yeon-shin had endured long against the northern strongest who was half a move superior.

A situation where his internal power had hit rock bottom. Only enduring was possible.

But this was as far as it went.

“Even after killing Divine Thief, to this extent… you are a wondrous military commander.”

The Southern Emperor stood blankly and spoke.

Jeong Yeon-shin had no strength to move his mouth. Since his whole body was literally soggy like waterlogged cotton, he only grumbled inwardly. Military commander—I’m not a general.

“Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin. You’re called Northern Emperor in the world. What determines the rank of the high and mighty is ultimately the gaze of gossips… so you and I are both kings.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

This time words came out easily. Perhaps because it was profanity his body felt unfamiliar with. But Jeong Yeon-shin was aware that his consciousness was rapidly becoming dim.

He couldn’t properly sense the presences around him.

First, he sent a telepathic transmission behind him where Yong Hye-myeong would be clashing with the Northern Blade.

—Senior, you must strike the back of my skull twenty breaths from now. I’ll immediately regain consciousness.

Meanwhile, the Southern Emperor’s words continued.

“In terms of immediate available forces and numerical battles, we’re tied. What remains is the virtue of rulers. Who commands stronger comrades.”

“Isn’t it me?”

“Bright Wind Spirit’s demon realm army and your Divine Sword Group. Both sides must have clashed once. Which side’s flag do you think will arrive first?”

“……”

“The faster side is the victor of this battle.”

It was an untimely wager.

At the same time, it was also correct. Because one or two peerless masters couldn’t handle martial army forces of the scale the Southern Emperor mentioned.

Only escaping from lightness skill sprints rushing like tsunamis was possible.

But Jeong Yeon-shin noticed that the Southern Emperor had entered the execution of some ultimate technique.

The northern strongest was loading several breaths of time like artillery.

The preceding display of Jeong Yeon-shin’s improvisation and sensory defensive techniques. An offensive technique that would shatter all of that at once and more was coming.

‘I’m going to die…!’

It was when Jeong Yeon-shin intuited this with a shudder.

—Hmm, Northern Kings of Bright Wind Spirit, please listen. Upright Star and I are in a very difficult situation. Oh my, just now my heart almost got pierced…

Literary Star’s voice rang out in Bright Wind Spirit. A voice that struck his ears quickly like the north wind. The Southern Emperor hesitated for a moment.

—Literary Star. What’s happening?

—We encountered a sword monster. His appearance is unmistakably the southern Unorthodox Finest Sword, but who knew he’d be wandering the demon realm.

—I know about him. You can face him.

—If I could take a nap and wake up, perhaps. But in my current state, even with Upright Star together…

Slowly.

Jeong Yeon-shin lost consciousness while listening up to that point. With his eyes wide open, keeping his breathing regular so that even his internal energy breathing remained the same as before fainting.

The Divine Sword Group is an unbreakable sword.

Just standing should be able to give pressure to the opponent.

“Hmm?”

Two voices overlapped before and behind him.

The Southern Emperor and Yong Hye-myeong. Transcendents who could notice any change in an instant.

That was when it happened.

Whiiiiiiiing—!

Some flagpole came racing through the void from afar and struck at the Southern Emperor’s feet.

Bang!

Fragments of frost on the ground bounced up.

Transparent ice pieces tapped and fell on the six characters “Divine Sword Group Radiant Demon Wing.”

That was the beginning.

Dozens of flags surrounded the battlefield as they were planted. In succession, drawing circles like prison bars.

Kwakwakwakwabang! Kugugugugung—!

Azure Sky Squad, Obeying Heaven Wing, Resonance Spirit Squad, Wish-fulfilling Spring, Annihilation Team, Burning Abyss Squad, Forest Treading Squad, Immortal Tree Spirit, Dragon Treading Squad, Ultimate Martial Hall…

At the end, a flag written “Blood Guardian Squad” was diagonally thrust down with a thud. Along with panting breath.

“Damn far!”

It was the grumbling of the youth who had thrown the Blood Guardian Squad flag. For a moment, the dry air of the north seemed to lighten.