Chapter 680 – Three Emperors of Martial World (3)

There was no one’s head in the chest.

Fighting God’s meaning was clear. It meant he would transcend resentment. By not venting anger on any of those in his grasp, including Ma Jin and Shin Byeok.

Conversely, it was also making him realize how great Southern Emperor had been to him.

Glug glug.

Mare’s milk wine flowed along the dry stone floor. All around had become quiet. The sound of water hitting wet earth and stone continued for a while.

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin’s breathing was becoming noticeably heavier.

“……”

His front robe rising and falling slightly, torn here and there. Though he wasn’t gasping like low-level martial artists with poor internal energy cultivation, he greatly needed the Luminous Wheel that Transcends Law Technique’s internal energy breathing.

‘I drew, but I lost.’

This happened as soon as the artificial luminous wheel unification was released. It was natural if you think about it. If the martial arts borrowed from Lady Lu Xian had been perfect and flawless, he could have competed with Fighting God for seven days and nights.

In contrast, Fighting God was monstrously calm.

“How foul. The steppe fellows must have had quite hard lives too.”

Only criticizing the mare’s milk wine with an indifferent tone.

Despite being covered in wounds all over, there was virtually no change in his breathing. Stamina like the world’s Northern Blade. No method of killing him came to mind.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. In what manner did grandfather activate Transcendent Martial Art against Northern Blade? There had been no time in the Black Capital.

‘Even when evenly matched, creating openings and landing Transcendent Martial Art… this too is another ability.’

He felt this keenly in this battle.

Even the internal energy operation of Enter The Dao Transcend Together was constantly blocked. Compared to most peerless masters, it could be called ‘instant activation.’

It was then.

Fighting God suddenly turned the gourd bottle upside down and asked.

“Is your mind intact?”

“Perfect condition.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied indifferently.

Had he seen through that his whole body was in tatters? Fighting God looked disbelieving. The words he spat after shaking out the remaining mare’s milk wine from the bottle were the same.

“If you feel like you might faint, tell me. I have nothing to discuss with someone whose consciousness is dim.”

“……”

A moment of silence fell like a northern cold wind.

Because Jeong Yeon-shin had remained silent in denial, but Fighting God seemed to take it differently.

“You’d be poor company for drinking. Good thing I let the earth drink it.”

He meant he was a taciturn fellow. Jeong Yeon-shin consistently maintained his silent response.

By then Fighting God’s gaze had moved to the opposite side. Toward the hills surrounding the vicinity, none other than toward those who had followed Jeong Yeon-shin.

Fighting God’s mouth moved slowly.

“Would you be different?”

It was talk about loss. Naturally, things came to mind without any particular elaboration. Not only Southern Emperor but also the Northern Kings including Divine Theif and the clan. Even the land he couldn’t protect from the Divine Sword Group.

Instantly Fighting God swept over Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder with his lusterless black eyes. The burned character for Desolate. Fighting God’s large hand clenched into a fist.

“You’re already the same as me. Isn’t that right?”

“……”

“Now open your mouth.”

“I’ve lost enough.”

At Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, Fighting God’s thick lips rose slightly. Suddenly, nearby stone pillars were shaved by the intensified pressure.

Crack—

“Human fate doesn’t set limits on what one will experience.”

Instantly Jeong Yeon-shin felt it. That Fighting God’s essence, energy, and spirit were still extremely elevated. A being who destroyed surroundings unintentionally, wielding such martial power at all times.

He truly was a god. Literally the incarnation of battle.

Fighting God slowly moved his mouth.

“I will kill your former master.”

His voice was very calm. Fighting God casually spoke the most definitive statement Jeong Yeon-shin had ever heard in his life.

“If your shallow great cause stands in the way… I will mourn my departed friend again. That it was a meaningless death. And I will pluck your head.”

“……”

“Desolate Fortress Lord is the sword of the great tree, so she must now disappear.”

Whether possessed by the great tree or with her mind remaining—

Fighting God, who concluded slowly, turned around leisurely. The series of conduct was never favorable toward Jeong Yeon-shin. Just the feeling of doing what must be done. All his actions were like that.

“If you plan to train with me, I would welcome it.”

He had been gauging that Jeong Yeon-shin would inevitably have to oppose World Tree from the beginning.

Sheath.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently put Enter The Divine Sword into its scabbard.

‘He’s too well-informed.’

Wasn’t he even seeing through World Tree’s affairs?

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly turned his eyes to the opposite hill.

The drunk noble clan who had carelessly opened his front robe, Hao Sect Master, was making a greatly dismayed expression. Then when his eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s, his face quickly changed to a smiling one like face-changing opera.

Soon he raised both hands toward Fighting God who was striding up like a dark path ruffian.

“At this age, my vision has broadened. It was a battle that will never exist again in the world.”

“It won’t be the last.”

“Pardon?”

“The world is becoming stronger. Gather armies.”

“As you know, there are many warriors who admire Fighting God, but most particularly strong jianghu people are with the Great Obedience Orthodox Alliance…”

“Third-rate wanderers are fine too. If they’re my companions, they are “

Fighting God, who had climbed the hill, placed his hand on Hao Sect Master’s shoulder. The difference in build was tremendous, covering his entire shoulder blade with hand to spare.

“…already Yao tribe.”

Instantly, Hao Sect Master’s body was overlaid with translucent internal energy clothing. With sounds like iron scales covering in succession, it felt like decadent green robes transforming into a general’s battle robe.

Northern Strength Mixed Origin Desolation.

“Companions, you say…? A loyal dog would suffice.”

Hao Sect Master made barking sounds with a serious expression. Fighting God silently passed him by, and Hao Sect Master immediately followed his master.

And he left a sound transmission to Jeong Yeon-shin.

—First, I must apologize. For the lowly Hao Sect Master to dare speak to the Divine Sword Group Leader once more. If that new strategist you’re said to have taken in had come along, I would have conveyed my meaning to that strategist… but for some reason, Fighting God didn’t show me your letter. It must be due to insufficient trust yet. Well, time will solve that matter. And I also apologize for mistaking Desolate Fortress as World Tree’s lackeys and training with the Seven New Enemies of The Defeated Desolation. Honestly, considering Desolate Fortress’s decisiveness until now, wasn’t it reasonable?

—Just the main point…

—The alcohol is sobering me up. The point is this. I’m terrified of facing you again. Anyway, Central Plains is tremendously vast, so let’s continue moving separately like this. I don’t want to clash unnecessarily. Ah, and…

The words trailed on long. In a brief moment, Hao Sect Master seemed to have gone through dozens of considerations.

—Please don’t interfere with us. I believe that you, who embraced even Blood Flame Cult’s True Blood Lord under the pretext of great cause, won’t stand on Fighting God’s side swayed by private feelings. The world is chaotic enough with just the Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance that has embraced all the former Eight Family Heads. It’s hard to distinguish friend from foe. If these words displease you now, please dismiss them as the howling of a mangy stray dog. I don’t want to earn more resentment from a monster like you…

—Too many words. Go.

—Woof…!

Jeong Yeon-shin silently watched their retreating figures, then kicked the ground. Toward the edge of twilight.

* * *

“Were you watching the whole time?”

As soon as Jeong Yeon-shin landed on the hill, he asked Namgung Hwa-shin, but there was no answer. Because he was sleeping while standing.

Annihilation Squad Leader Shin Hwang beside him said.

“I carried him here. I thought he would surely be helpful.”

Not just Shin Hwang.

Hyeon Won-chang, who had always been sharp in observation, was there along with Divine Sword Group masters. Shin So-bin who had stepped on Jeong Yeon-shin’s shadow before anyone knew, Yeon So-ha pretending indifference, left-handed swordmastee Oh Wol-hyang and April Bow Ghost Wi Ye-ryeong.

While Shin So-bin began poking Jeong Yeon-shin’s back vigorously with her fingertips, Jeong Yeon-shin frowned at her Pressure Point Meridian technique and said.

“I told you not to come…”

“Though Desolate Fortress may be like a military sect, Wish for Peace Sword Hall doesn’t operate that way. Only those who can disobey the Divine Sword Group Leader can sit in those positions. We can only apologize to the Group Leader.”

Shin Hwang bowed his head.

Since Jeong Yeon-shin trusted him second only to Jin Myeong-jo, he was shocked, albeit slightly. It was similar to the emotion Elder Council Leader Shin Byeok had once shown by misunderstanding his nature.

“From now on.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment. It would be right to say he felt bewildered. He had just realized Fighting God’s words that the whole world was becoming stronger while competing with the very person who said it.

Desolate Fortress Divine Sword Group.

Reliable enough to move on their own.

Yet precisely because of that, they had also reached a rather unsettling state.

The bond between the current Divine Sword Group and Jeong Yeon-shin was as thick as master-disciple relationships, but Desolate Fortress martial artists were fundamentally difficult-to-control geniuses at their core. To Ma Yeon-jeok, Shin Byeok and Yue Shou-lin were like that, and to Yong Hui-myeong, Beigong Ya and Iron Demon Spring Leader were such beings. Besides them, all kinds of black ranks had moved according to their own beliefs and produced optimal results.

‘But…’

Would it continue to be so?

Unified noble clans and Four Great Dharma Protectors, Desolate Fortress Lord transformed into World Tree. The former Eight Family Heads said to be joining the Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance one after another, and even Tyrant Sword Sect Leader.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

If it had been Desolate Fortress Lord’s command rather than the Divine Sword Group Leader’s, could the black ranks have moved as they wished?

They wouldn’t have. This happened because both martial arts and position fell just short of being world’s greatest.

“…From now on, if not others, when Fighting God is the opponent, this won’t do. I become endangered.”

Even defensive techniques were like that. Rather than techniques to block something, they were all methods to grab and swing or strike back for counterattacks.

Every single strike was fatal to Jeong Yeon-shin.

What about unified Desolate Fortress Lord?

“……”

When the forms of Zhang Sanfeng and the first Heavenly Demon were drawn subconsciously in his mind’s upper energy center, suddenly Invincible’s voice descended.

“That giant is quite a future trouble.”

She seemed to have watched Fighting God and Jeong Yeon-shin throughout, even from afar. Of course, since she was the world’s greatest rebel who moved according to no one’s will, it was right to consider her practically outside their forces.

“Should I go chase and kill him now?”

She asked languidly.

At this moment she was floating cross-legged above the group’s heads, and her gaze looking down at Jeong Yeon-shin was strange. As if she had suddenly developed some desire.

“Stop it. You’ll die.”

Screech—

Along with Jeong Yeon-shin’s answer, White Sparrow’s cry spread from afar. The white spirit swallow rushed to his shoulder like Heaven-Reaching Bow Spirit’s arrow, and its body had grown larger, perhaps from being exposed to Jeong Yeon-shin’s dharma power at closest range.

Rustle.

When it released a message tube from its crane-like long legs, a fairly large letter remained in his hands. The handwriting was immediately visible, seemingly written very hastily.

—Northern Six Star Lords Martial Star and Heaven-Conquering Sect Leader Unorthodox Finest Sword have moved south to Henan. A route that may soon clash with Shaolin. Every land they pass becomes wasteland, and part of the Yangtze River’s tributaries were split by Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword Sword’s single sword and haven’t returned.

—Former Dali Kingdom’s prince, World’s Second Sword Dan Seong-eum joined the Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance with Four Provinces Martial Alliance. Additionally, Profound Martial Alliance, Yan Family, and Murong Family’s membership. Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance Leader Nang Seong’s new alias, Emperor Li Chuang.

—Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance First Dharma Protector, Martial Dragon Alliance Leader Helian Feng-yue’s name brought a duel invitation to the main fortress. Requesting observation duel with Divine Sword Group Leader. Discarded as he seemed unlikely to come to Xiangyang.

—New World’s Five Swords, Sword King Buddha is confirmed to have gone down to Sichuan and slashed Tang Family Pagoda. Sword King’s pacification of Sichuan martial world. Tang Family Head Poison Lord’s life or death unknown.

—Feudal kings discovered thirty thousand imperial troops that clashed with northern Fighting God. Most in disabled state. The situation where his reputation is dangerously rising due to rumors of bestowing such transcendentally overwhelming divine might and divine arts.

—World Tree noble clan forces announced visit in Fortress Lord’s name. ‘Immediately disbanding as Ming Dynasty’s people to protect them is one plan, and departing for northern expedition again against northern Yao tribes’ abnormal signs is the second plan. The main fortress must choose.’

—Lord Jeong’s position statement is urgent.

—Dragon-Treading Squad Leader Wei Zhi-ji and Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu discovered Sichuan-Shu Divine Doctor, immediately kidnapped him and are coming down to the main fortress.

—His Imperial Majesty has entrusted himself to the main fortress. Desolate Fortress Ma Family Head, Desolate Fortress Shin Family Head, and Elder Council Leader have returned together.

—Some giant is sitting in the General Administration hall.

It was Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming’s handwriting.

There was no particular content asking about Jeong Yeon-shin’s well-being. He seemed certain that he would definitely survive the battle with Fighting God.

Rustle.

Turning the page, there was one more. With a brief phrase.

[Now all that remains of my power is the status of having once been the incarnation of Great Ming Law and the voice I can raise to the world. Even this is now a grateful matter, so I convey it to you.]

The following phrase was stamped with the emperor’s seal.

[Ascend to the Fortress Lord’s seat and become Ming Dynasty.]