Chapter 454: Den of Demons (7)

The waterway stretching far beyond Hangzhou, reaching the horizon.

The Zhejiang River.

At this moment, the widely flowing river was no different from the sea. From its extremely calm water sounds to its whitish-tinted surface.

It merely reflected the deep blue sky, moving its gentle waves here and there without revealing the deep bottom. Much like the martial world with its alias “Jianghu”.

[TL Note- Jianghu also means rivers and lakes.]

Splash.

A youthful boy sitting at the edge of the dock kicked his feet.

The surroundings were quiet.

The Zhejiang River passing through Hangzhou was originally bustling with all sorts of vessels, but it had long been blocked by the Myriad Upper Road Stronghold, which had been rampaging in the water like the Green Forest bandits newly ranked among the Thirteen Heavens.

A faction strongly contending for position among the Thirteen Heavens in these chaotic times.

Bandits skilled in formidable martial arts.

Originally, passage fees are properly collected only when merchant ships operate well.

But the Myriad Upper Road Stronghold had intermittently blocked various waterways as if to engrave their power throughout the world.

Evading the pursuit of the navy and Desolate Fortress with extraordinary water techniques and steering skills. Even Hangzhou was within their sphere of influence.

Because of this, a mysterious sight entered the eyes of the child who had been spending a long time in boredom.

Four human silhouettes had fallen at a distant point.

The distance was truly vast, and their worlds were entirely different.

Beyond the smoothly flowing waterway like a faintly white silk cloth, past the rocks that had risen prominently in various places due to fights during the founding period, and stretching far out to the middle of the river bathed in white sunlight.

It was the upper echelon of the martial world.

Splash.

A person’s foot treads on the water’s surface without sinking. White socks belonging to a woman whose appearance and attire resembled a Taoist deity.

Brilliant Jade Sword God Lady Lu Xian effortlessly displayed the marvel of walking on level water.

It was a footwork technique that literally stepped on water as if it were flat ground, not like floating duckweed. Only the ends of her flowing pale pink Taoist robe were soaked in the river, becoming deeply dyed.

Next was Jeong Yeon-shin.

Splash!

He landed, roughly tearing up the water’s surface.

His long hair rippled, scattering the sunlight, and beneath it, his purple robe occasionally showed a golden hue. It was the harmony between the brilliantly pouring sunlight and the purple hem of Desolate Fortress.

Two people were reflected in his eyes.

A blind man with a conical hat treading on the river as casually as if he were strolling in a marketplace.

A man in white clothes of the noble clan, floating without wanting to dirty his clothes in the waterway.

[The Nine Great Sects, Desolate Fortress.]

The noble clan man, the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord, slowly opened his mouth. The sun pattern engraved on one side of his chest shone with a brilliant golden color.

[Arrogant youngsters.]

Dark Heaven Emperor Cho Yeol had the right to speak such words. Because he was a giant from the era of Wudang’s Taoist Three Peak.

One who looked down even on the Desolate Fortress Lord in terms of martial world seniority.

Like the name Heavenly Demon passed down through generations, martial artists who had openly been called Dark Heaven Emperor all showed great respect to Cho Yeol as a grand master.

It was the same even when he was secluded in Taimo Mountain Castle.

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind.

He simply silently examined the two formidable enemies. To capture the flow of energy waves and subtle habits.

And the Mount Hua Sect Leader stood beside him.

“After activating such an absurd thing as the Dragon Summoning Ritual Formula…”

Lady Lu Xian spoke while fidgeting with her sword handle. She gave a slight chin gesture toward Cho Yeol.

“Are you truly not concerned at all? You should have considered that the Nine Great Sects would definitely move.”

[There was no need to think about it.]

A prompt answer came back.

Dark Heaven Emperor Cho Yeol’s voice was solid like a drum resonating in a cave. Transcending his age, his facial features, exceptionally beautiful even among the Noble clan, were secondary.

A blue light flowed from his eyes, reminiscent of a distant comet, as he took in Jeong Yeon-shin and Lady Lu Xian at a glance.

[All sorts of monstrous beings and bandits claiming to be heroes from across the world, the powerful Green Forest bandits born in chaotic times, the common people who became mountain bandits with plows wrapped in straw mats, thieves among wandering swordsmen and minor sects, and commoners drifting like duckweed among them…]

He continued slowly.

[Take a hundred steps, and one person falls into distress. Both marketplaces and mountain paths are like that.]

“I thought you were living leisurely in Taimo Mountain, but you know the state of affairs better than I expected.”

[How could the Nine Great Sects, which discuss principles and martial arts together, turn away from the common people? They would help them even if it meant breaking promises like eating meals.]

“……”

[So did Wudang’s High Sword. He stood alone to block the path of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.]

For a moment, Cho Yeol’s gaze brushed past Jeong Yeon-shin.

It was a strange look. As if High Sword’s actions were somehow related to Jeong Yeon-shin.

[Child of Mount Hua, I didn’t even have concerns.]

Cho Yeol spoke as if chewing something.

[Just that you. Mad Taoists and monks with main sects in the four directions of the world.]

Wooong-!

Suddenly, a wave rose from one side of the river. It was due to the Six Harmonies Voice characteristic of martial sorcery practitioners violently striking the air.

[It is impossible for you to gather on the same day and hour to strike at me… You are a ragtag bunch. Yes, those who cannot even become mere soldiers, how could they handle this land? Before looking at the martial sorcery of my nature, you must first overcome the flow of the times…]

Ptui.

Suddenly, the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader spat out a reddish phlegm. Soon after, an awkward smile formed under the conical hat.

“I apologize. Blood stagnation rose up.”

[…Heaven Conquering.]

“Anyway, the many martial sorcery practitioners who disregard the world have a major flaw. That is, their tongues are too long.”

Cho Yeol did not answer. He simply approached beside the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader while maintaining his floating posture.

Flutter-

The blind swordsman shook his left arm holding the sword once widely. In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin saw it. The formless energy wave that had been coalescing on the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s arm rose like waves.

“Whom will you take?”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader asked, glancing at Cho Yeol.

[The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique is an extremely special martial art. At the point of achieving great accomplishment, spirit, energy, and body are not separated. It is already like a single tree.]

“Then you should face the Mount Hua Sect Leader.”

He responded in a playful tone. But Cho Yeol never lost his seriousness, and thus appeared even more lofty.

[Here, your demeanor shows no mixture of falsehood.]

“Well……”

[Do you covet the purple?]

“Didn’t that fellow thoroughly slaughter my precious disciples?”

Ptui.

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader spat out blood again.

A very thick blood clot spread on the water’s surface. Even black blood was mixed in.

“Oh dear, this is…”

But the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader was calm. He even slightly lifted the hem of his garment at his abdomen to show Jeong Yeon-shin and Lady Lu Xian.

“Take a look here. The so-called Second Sword of Wudang used his hands better than his sword.”

Abdominal muscles butchered with old scars.

In the center, a handprint was stamped.

It was small as if left by a child’s hand, but the sight of it deeply pressing into the abdomen like a seal was remarkable. To the point where it seemed strange that the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader was breathing.

Traces of the World’s Five Great Palm Techniques.

It was the palm mark of Top Ten Spiritual Golden Palm.

Jeong Yeon-shin sharpened his gaze, even as drowsiness crushed his mind.

What had happened? Did High Sword truly perish while saving commoners? With the body of a youthful boy, did he really engage in such actions far removed from military strategy?

If so, chivalry might actually be a banner that eats away at chaotic times.

It was like a major force being taken away due to actions stemming from an extremely narrow vision. That gentle elderly Wudang Taoist should not have died like that.

It was then.

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader, who had been looking at Jeong Yeon-shin with an interesting gaze, opened his mouth again.

“Great senior, fix it for me.”

[At this point?]

“I can’t bear it anymore. My bones are getting chilled.”

[Mysterious martial sorcery requires a corresponding price beyond internal energy. Your life thread will become quite short.]

“I believe I just said it, the major flaw of martial sorcery practitioners is……”

Suddenly, a dazzling light rose from Dark Heaven Emperor Cho Yeol’s hand. With a “wooong-” sound, an energy wave spreading irregular vibrations enveloped the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s body.

There was no need for lengthy observation to guess. It was surely a regeneration ability.

But that was only for a moment.

Suddenly, a person’s shadow fell over them. Jeong Yeon-shin, rushing in a single step, was striking down with his sword toward the Taimo Mountain Castle Lord.

The newly appointed Purple Rank of Desolate Fortress had no reason to wait for the completion of the sorcery.

That was the beginning.

Jjeeeeeong-!

Fierce waves rose to left and right.

The water swept up by the swift sword energy wave of Judgment Qilin distorted the sunlight.

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced down. The blind man who had blocked the Divine Sword Remaining Thunder with a single blade. The conical hat that the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader had been wearing was now hanging by its chin strap on his neck, fallen to his back.

At this moment, he didn’t seem to be exerting much strength in his arm.

“Your sword power is better than High Sword’s.”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader spoke as if finding it amusing.

“Let’s see about your technique.”

Suddenly, a chill ran up Jeong Yeon-shin’s spine. It was because of an indescribable gaze he felt.

The Heart Eye that was said to observe the world with the heart rather than the eyes. An eye technique passed down only through oral tradition seemed to be examining him.

‘His vision is… much deeper than mine.’

Jeong Yeon-shin applied great force to his downward-gripped sword and spun half a turn. Just slightly twisting the sword surface caused a storm-like rotational energy wave throughout his entire body.

Through the space torn apart with a “sswaek” sound, he glimpsed the sight of Lady Lu Xian, already wrapped in sunset glow, bouncing Cho Yeol up with a single strike and soaring into the sky.

The strong wind originating from her sword pressure greatly boosted Jeong Yeon-shin’s rotational force.

Hwaaaak!

A kicking technique striking backward drew a large circle. His leg, wrapped in an energy wave like compressed typhoon, etched a translucent trajectory in the air.

“These geniuses.”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s left arm, which had lightly bent his chest to avoid Jeong Yeon-shin’s kick, blurred. Along with the sword in his hand.

It was the attack initiation of the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword.

Flash!

A vertical beam of light pierced down from above. At a glance, it was merely a brilliant light rising, but it felt as if a thunderous sound had exploded.

The sight before his eyes was that impressive. The sleeve of Jeong Yeon-shin, who had barely twisted his body in midair, turned into purple powder and scattered.

Shwaaaaaaaa-!

A sound rising from below. The deep river water, split like a cliff to left and right, was not returning to its original state. It was a sword thrust that defied natural law.

“You have as good intuition as the Blood Flame Cult Leader. Your upper dantian seems particularly developed?”

The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader spoke with a slight smile.

How sturdy was his protective energy? Even the energy wave of the kicking technique enhanced by Lady Lu Xian’s sword pressure couldn’t tear off the front of his clothes.

“Blood Flame Cult Leader?”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had stepped far back, asked in response. The Heaven Conquering Sect Leader nodded slowly.

“Yes, even the one who was said to compete for the world’s finest in regeneration ability seemed somewhat wary of my swordsmanship. Someday I’d like to exchange moves again… Hmm?”

Kung- Kuuung-!

In the midst of Lady Lu Xian and Dark Heaven Emperor’s battle continuously dropping heavy vibrations from the high sky.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t even fully listen to the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s words before stepping forward.

He had only questioned to momentarily regulate his internal energy breathing, and had no intention of engaging in casual conversation. His mind had long been filled with killing intent and drowsiness.

‘Whole-body Brilliant River.’

The energy of ultimate thunder that filled his body with lightning-like intensity transformed Jeong Yeon-shin into a beam of light.

His form, bursting a huge wave with his heel, shot forth. He scraped the water’s surface with his lowered sword and in a flash reached the vicinity of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader.

Kwang!

White foam flew up from his upward sword strike. The body of the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader, who had blocked that sword thrust by stabbing his sword diagonally downward, was momentarily pushed back.

But the swordsmanship formed by the Unorthodox Path’s Finest Sword transcended human realms.

In an instant, he grasped the upper part of the sword handle in reverse, then deeply stooped his body and passed by Jeong Yeon-shin’s waist.

It was a form no different from a straight beam of light. Even its speed was reminiscent of a ray of light.

Jjeojeojojeong-!

A roar like a huge piece of metal being shattered. Blood burst belatedly from beside Jeong Yeon-shin’s abdomen.

It had not only severed all the muscles of his side but also cut away part of his internal organs.

But originally, that single strike should have bisected his waist. Because it was no different from the sword thrust that had created a cliff in the river water earlier.

“My wrist feels quite refreshing. How annoying, that protective energy.”

Just as the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader, who had thrown his sword up, properly caught the sword handle.

For the first time.

A crack appeared in his playful expression.

His eyes turned white as they met the pure white eye light emitted by Desolate Fortress’s Purple Rank.

Kwaaaaaaa!

Somehow Jeong Yeon-shin was now thrusting his sword tip into the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s chest. In an instant, the sunlight surrounding the blade of Remaining Thunder rippled in all directions.

Even the river water, furrowed like a field behind Jeong Yeon-shin, belatedly burst with a tsunami-like explosion. It was the aftermath of his crossing through an instant.

Thunder Annihilation Sword Style, Heaven Cascade.

From his extremely heightened upper dantian, an intent as cold and lightning-like as the Iron Clan’s Mechanical Formations flowed.

‘Side abdominal external oblique muscle connection with Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s true energy. Impossible. Possible to substitute muscles for about half a day by weaving the internal energy trunk passing in a semicircle through the Will Chamber acupoint beside the lumbar vertebrae and the lower dantian’s Sea of Energy acupoint. Maintenance of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown state is essential. Acupressure to suppress pain is unnecessary. Without further dispersing mental energy, newly establishing the Luminous Wheel Technique’s energy circulation pathway only through those meridians…’

This was not a sparring match.

It was a battle to kill. Jeong Yeon-shin’s face, from which killing intent had somehow been released, was slightly contorted.

Jjeojeojeong!

The formless protective energy surrounding the Heaven Conquering Sect Leader’s abdomen shattered against the sword tip.

Soon after, the ceaselessly pouring sunlight twisted in rainbow colors here and there, and fragments of the glass-like translucent internal energy barrier broke apart within it.

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