Chapter 692: King of the Sinners (3)

A disgracefully gaunt old man backs away vertically from the fortress wall. Body movements that seeped semi-transparently into the air like premature twilight. For an instant, he looked so ethereal he didn’t seem human.

Rebel Fist Emperor Yan Yuan-cheng.

Former Yan Family Head.

He based all martial arts fundamentals on the Yan family.

A mysterious business that transported large quantities of corpses to graves using necromancy during the Yuan Dynasty, but when that profession became despised with the arrival of the Ming Dynasty, they changed their surname from Speech Yan to Scholar Yan and delved into Divine Art Fist Techniques.

Among the Eight Families, it was counted as the most unconventional.

Like securing an escape route first.

“Elder, suddenly why…?”

“This is Desolate Fortress. If you let your guard down even a little, you’re bound to meet great misfortune.”

For instance, like meeting Annihilating Seat and Tyrant Hero in the same place. Yan Yuan-cheng trailed off his words. Before he knew it, he had opened a gap of thirty or so paces.

[TL Note- Although a bit late but Annihilating Seat is former Divine Sword Group Leader Shin Cheon-hwa’s nickname.]

From the nine-foot giant who had emerged through the fortress wall with bizarre naturalness.

“……”

The woman who had accompanied Yan Yuan-cheng all the way to Desolate Fortress, Great Righteous Fourth Wife Lady Gao, had the giant body’s outline filling her monocle completely. Her left eye, which was bare, flashed with colorless light.

“…His energy waves are extremely faint. It’s certain his external cultivation has been refined to an amazing level, but I can’t gauge his realm.”

“I dishonorably left the family and wandered many places… but at least this old man had never heard of Yao tribe who mastered Return to Origin. Today’s fellow is the first I’ve seen.”

Yan Yuan-cheng’s words were slow.

He seemed to have seen something extremely bizarre.

“You’re correct. It’s not our tribe’s discipline.”

The giant spoke politely.

Unlike the two standing upright on the fortress wall’s side with mysterious body techniques, he casually stepped on the debris of crumbled stone walls. Because of this, the three figures seemed like people from completely separate worlds that would never mix.

Yan Yuan-cheng asked.

“Don’t the Yao tribe consider night raids and ambushes shameful? From what I’ve heard in passing, the reason Divine Thief’s name wasn’t listed in the northern rankings for decades was also because of that.”

The giant smiled broadly. He seemed somewhat satisfied that the old man and woman had recognized his return to origin state.

“His Majesty the Northern Emperor tends to favor those with deep knowledge of return to origin. In pursuing great undertakings, wouldn’t someone’s right arm be better than left arm?”

He babbled incomprehensible words.

But Fourth Wife Lady Gao’s lips curved up smoothly. As if she had heard the story she’d been hoping for.

“Northern Emperor? You call the Divine Sword Group Leader that?”

“When he’s not present, yes. Actually, the position of Divine Sword Group Leader doesn’t have much meaning to me…”

“Really.”

Lady Gao’s smile deepened.

“Really fortunate.”

“You…?”

When Yan Yuan-cheng looked at her questioningly, Lady Gao smiled brightly.

“Great traitor Profound Alliance Leader and Northern Six Star Lords Martial Star entered our alliance, yet only Divine Sword Group was flawless unlike us? Even after achieving northern conquest…? Honestly, it couldn’t be. The people’s hearts we’ve held onto with such difficulty have begun stirring, so Divine Sword Group also needs at least one major flaw for balance. Today I caught that proof.”

She mentions Northern Six Star Lords Martial Star like a boast, which is sufficient personnel selection. If you include not only former Eight Family Heads but also those who dominated jianghu like Wandering Star, that military power would already be like a great nation rather than a martial sect.

Yan Yuan-cheng shook his head.

“You said you’d make Wandering Star emperor, yet you’re still in this situation…”

“If Divine Sword Group went north to befriend the Yao tribe, even coming down together, the story is different. Before such circumstances on both sides, even Honorable Martial Dragon Alliance Leader’s joining would pale. I can’t help but say it’s fortunate.”

Lady Gao said with a smile.

“Northern barbarian, it’s fortunate you’re here.”

The giant gazed at her steadily then slowly opened his mouth.

“Do you know something?”

“……?”

“When the surroundings are exceptional, the center also looks light.”

“Indeed, Desolate Fortress has different foundations, experiencing precious things right after arriving. Even seeing Yao tribe advising on politics.”

“Long ago, Wandering Star who came seeking to broaden his knowledge with Yao tribe martial learning was both humble and ambitious, and though Han Chinese, was very much like Yao tribe.”

The giant continued with a smiling face.

“You are Han Chinese.”

“My husband sought you out? When my husband toured the north, he only met Northern Kings…?”

“Information sprouts well like spring shoots in a good harvest. Though we were sounding each other out, this exceeds expectations.”

Swish.

In an instant, the giant’s shadow fell across Lady Gao’s face. Forward movement technique that tore through space faster than sound. There was no time to react.

“Nine River Demonic Power Steps!”

The moment Yan Yuan-cheng stepped away, shock waves belatedly crashed down, collapsing fortress walls in a row. Following behind the giant who had already lifted Lady Gao’s both wrists with one hand. Dark blue sparks scattered like petals here and there from thick afterimages.

Lady Gao’s eyes also widened as if tearing.

“Northern Six Star Lords, Literary Star…!”

Instantly both wrists snapped like twigs in the giant hands, and the voice that had been muttering the opponent’s identity like a chant turned into a scream.

“I look forward to conversation with the lady.”

Giant Literary Star’s laughter seeped into it.

“I never looked down on Great Righteous Alliance to begin with, but thanks to the lady informing me of Martial Star’s news, my mind is fully alert. Your husband’s name, those three characters Li Zicheng, seems pushed by history. Truly unreasonably so.”

“Let go…!”

He subdued Great Righteous Alliance’s Fourth Wife with brute force as if he didn’t know pressure point techniques.

A situation where she let her guard down against someone who achieved Return to Origin and gave an opening to the world’s greatest external cultivation master. Any strong person would have to start fighting after their arms were crushed first.

“The prison happens to be empty. Seven New Enemies of Defeated Desolation… that is, next to Heavenly Fortress Master wouldn’t be degrading, so you’ll be satisfied.”

“So popularity wasn’t only with Wandering Star?”

Yan Yuan-cheng asked as if to himself. Literary Star slowly turned his body and answered.

“Popularity? Though the Northern Emperor is interesting in many ways, at least until now it’s difficult to say we’ve shared special communion. Probably will be so in the future too. Well… I don’t know what the future holds.”

“Then why do you follow?”

“The Northern Emperor also seemed to see rippling reed fields.”

It was a calm answer.

Soon after, Literary Star moved his steps inside the fortress walls. While smiling gently at the dozen or so Desolate Fortress warriors who had climbed up to the ramparts.

Rustle.

He dragged Lady Gao, whose arms were crushed to the bone, like a sack of rice. Blood traces extended long on the previously bone-dry dirt floor. The feeling of some monster emerging from its den, seizing prey, and disappearing.

“……”

Former Yan Family Head abandoned rescuing Great Righteous Alliance Fourth Wife, and Northern Six Star Lords Literary Star didn’t act like the world’s fastest against the peerless master who had already created distance. There was no sign of falling into any lure.

As if there was no need for killing and annihilation.

This was why Great Righteous Alliance accepted Martial Star. Now among the four great forces of ‘Three Emperors of Martial World,’ only World Tree lacked Yao tribe.

“Damn, this is serious trouble.”

Yan Yuan-cheng’s mutter as he disappeared from the spot. What remained where the main fortress masters’ gazes were fixed was only dusty wind, scattering chaotically like the era that had begun stirring.

* * *

Sunlight caught on elegant wind.

It was bright noon.

Literary Star suddenly stopped walking. It was the path leading to the Heavenly Martial Arsenal, where some old man was silently watching him. Naturally wearing purple robes like ceremonial garments.

“Desolate Fortress Elder Council Leader? Could you walk on your own…?”

Lady Gao’s words, who had been dragged on the ground, stopped with a loud crash.

Because Literary Star had struck her head to knock her unconscious. Separately from that, the giant’s lips drew a respectful arc.

It was a smile of proper respect for elders.

“Great Righteous Alliance Leader’s fourth wife. She tried to disturb Desolate Divine Spear’s seclusion while scouting here, so I intend to interrogate her in reverse.”

“Are you also in charge of the main fortress’s defenses?”

Elder Council Leader Shin Byeok asked. Literary Star shrugged.

“I think even I would be suspicious, but please rest assured. Aren’t five military units under Divine Sword Group and Desolate Ma Family, plus five black-rank masters stationed? With Grand Administrator Lim here too, it’s not a place one Northern Six Star Lords can handle.”

There weren’t even ordinary black-rank masters.

Temporary Blood Guardian Leader Hyeon Won-chang had once wounded Literary Star with strange Return to Origin and demon sword, and Desolate Ma Family Head Ma Jin, even having lost an arm, was a super-master of Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s true manual difficult to ignore. Not to mention the meticulous Annihilation Team Leader, and Yue Shou-lin who was hard to gauge how deeply his basic skills were cultivated.

Personnel where it wouldn’t matter if White Qilin of Pure Heaven Wing didn’t wake up. Desolate Fortress black-rank with military units wielded power equal to great sects. Rather, Literary Star was the one eating and sleeping in a forest of blades.

Shin Byeok shook his head.

“Ahead is the Heavenly Martial Arsenal. Freely entering and leaving the inner fortress is a different matter, isn’t it? Especially you of all people.”

“If you’re worried I might secretly learn Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, that too could be said to be valid concern. It would be better to avoid this path. For both our sakes.”

Literary Star laid out what he considered fairly interesting talk with a peaceful expression. Of course, Shin Byeok’s brow furrowed extremely deeply. This was the inevitable reaction of a purple-rank old master who had already heard the stories from the north.

“…I agreed not to interfere with Grand Administrator and Divine Sword Group Leader’s affairs, but at least I’d prefer you not to be conspicuous privately. It’s hard to hold my head up to the families of main fortress warriors who died in demon realm.”

“Don’t worry.”

Literary Star bowed while again dragging Lady Gao like a sack.

“If my strength isn’t needed for the famine to end and the world to stabilize, there’s no reason to stay in such a dangerous place. I’ll leave first anytime.”

“Remember that.”

There wasn’t particularly wasteful argument. Shin Byeok’s upper energy center was still purple, and naturally he could distinguish sincerity in all of Literary Star’s words and actions.

If he wasn’t needed, there was no reason to be at Desolate Fortress. It was natural. As Desolate Fortress forces scattered through winter gathered and Divine Sword Group became stronger, that day would approach too.

“Elite among elites.”

Literary Star slowly headed toward the General Administration buildings. While pondering what interrogation method would be effective on Lady Gao.

“Mister, want to arm wrestle with me? I think I’ll win.”

Words Shin So-bin offered as he passed Radiant Demon Wing training ground. With an expression so arrogantly brazen she didn’t look sane, her entire body surrounded by semi-transparent lotus flowers. Looking like she’d tear at Literary Star’s palm lines.

Ignoring and passing by, he saw Pure Heaven Wing Master sleeping ‘standing up’ in front of Divine Sword Group building’s main gate.

“……”

It was deep sleep whether the giant’s shadow fell before his eyes or not.

Literary Star tilted his head and headed to another building. A place with curved regular script like a drunk boy’s writing spelling out ‘Desolate First.’ It was under Blood Guardian’s signboard.

“You mean swing it like this? To kill more concisely and well…”

Hyeon Won-chang was flowing ghostly energy and killing intent like will-o’-the-wisp with bluish light from his eyes while asking questions of his sword. Like conversing with a blade that smelled of Unorthodox Finest Sword’s flesh.

“Yeon-sang, Yeon-sang…!”

From Desolate Ma Family came wailing desperately calling for Northern Emperor’s mother. With fierce energy waves as if creating internal energy arms. It was also difficult to understand at a glance.

[That damn bastard?]

From underground came a young girl’s voice ceaselessly cursing someone named Jeong Pan-yue, but it was clear she was absorbed in a realistic storybook rather than in seclusion training.

“Let’s go catch Fighting God.”

The story Literary Star heard from Lim Jin-myeong as soon as he entered the General Administration buildings. The giant pictured himself burying his bones at Desolate Fortress.

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