Volcanic Age

"Finally."

The Dark Heavens Association Lord's voice was filled with satisfaction.

"That annoying bastard is dead."

Zhou Xuchuan.

Just hearing his name made him angry. But now, a smile crept onto his lips as he received news of the death of the bastard who had caused endless trouble.

"Blessed Existence. You've worked hard."

"It was nothing. I just did what was necessary," Blessed Existence replied with a bow.

"As expected of the brain of the Dark Heavens."

Blessed Existence always made plans as if he could see the future.

The plan had been to boldly expose Avaricious Wolf and make their move, approaching Hong Gao and convincing him to form a cooperative relationship.

"Once someone sets aside their suspicions and looks elsewhere, deceiving them isn't difficult. In the case of the Divine Monk's disciple, he was so arrogant and blinded by the honor of the Shaolin Temple that it wasn't difficult to convince him."

It was a plan easier said than done. If they failed, they would have severe losses.

If suspicions about the Poison Dragon were confirmed, the Righteous Faction's movements would be severely limited.

"However, it's unfortunate that his body wasn't found."

"It doesn't matter. Avaricious Wolf poisoned him with Extreme Formless Poison. He confirmed that his heart was destroyed, even carved out a hole in his chest. Not even a god could survive that. I understand your caution, but there's still work to be done. Focus on that."

"I will follow your orders."

"I'll inform Destructive Soldier. In the meantime, tell Pure Faith and Warped Valor to proceed with their plans, making sure that there aren't any problems."

The Dark Heavens Association, which had defeated its enemy, spread its wings that had been folded for so long.

"..."

Blessed Existence nodded in agreement but was still lost in thought.

Yes. Common sense tells us that he couldn't have survived. He was only in the Harmony Realm. I'm just overthinking it.

The rumors that had shaken up the Central Plains murim had spread even to the Frontier. Even the Southern Jungles, which had driven out the major tribes, had become restless.

"What?" Ye Li, the Toho of Qinghua who had recently fought against the powerful tribes of the Southern Jungles and was gradually expanding his territory, shouted.

"The Hero has passed away?"

"That's right."

Yuan Cai's expression was grim.

The Qinghua region had grown a lot thanks to their subjugation of the major tribes. All that was thanks to Zhou Xuchuan.

Although it wasn't as focused on reciprocation as the Central Plains, the Southern Jungles also placed considerable importance on returning one's debts.

Ye Li hadn't forgotten this favor.

"Before you left, I told you to ask for help whenever you needed it…"

Ye Li muttered as if he was truly sorry for the loss.

"Is revenge possible?"

"It's impossible. That evil demon is no longer of this world, and the Demon Cult that had ordered the killing is based in Xinjiang. If they were in Yunnan or Guangxi, we might have somehow been able to dispatch our troops secretly, but anything further to the north would be impossible."

"Hmph."

Ye Li knew that this wasn't something he could be unreasonable about.

If he mobilized more than a certain number of private soldiers, this would no longer be classified as revenge but rather an invasion of the Central Plains.

"How heartless the heavens are! To take someone like that away!"

Ye Li beat his chest in frustration.

"I resent this hateful situation where I cannot be of any help to you at all! I will remember this slight and one day, I'll definitely proclaim our independence under the name of Dai Viet!"

Lhasa, Xijiang.

Mount Maburi to the northwest.

On a plateau seven and a half li above sea level, a huge palace built during the Tang Dynasty stood.

The Potala Palace.

It towered over the rocky mountain, leaving those who saw it in awe. Its white and red exterior walls blended in perfect harmony, giving the impression of an impenetrable fortress.

Though incredibly tall, it was even wider—stretching from east to west like a dragon resting atop the mountain.

The outer wall was built on a steep slope, and when one followed the passage, it led to an old monk sitting on the stone.

His most characteristic feature was that he was wearing a yellow-colored robe and hat.

The main schools of Lama Buddhism were Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya.

Tsongkhapa was a member of the Nyingma School, which was also known as the Red Temple, but had left after seeing the corruption of the Lama.

After leaving, he denounced and criticized the doctrines of the three major schools, including the Red Temple, and established a temple to correct the corruption of the Lama monks.

The temple he founded was Gelug, one that emphasized precepts and purity.[1]

Although the three major schools assumed that Gelug would disappear soon after being founded, that wasn't the case at all.

It seemed the people of Xinjiang had grown weary of the corruption that had plagued the Lama schools since the Yuan Dynasty, and as a result, Gelug quickly gained their support.

"Demon Cult, so the Demon Cult…"

The leader of the Gelug School, Tsongkhapa, fell into deep thought after receiving news from the Central Plains.

"Hohoho! How can you leave so quietly? You should have at least told me if you needed me to be of service," Tsongkhapa muttered as if he was talking to someone.

Yunnan.

While the Righteous Faction murim was busy preparing for the Demon Cult's invasion, the Diancang Sect wasn't a part of those preparations.

It was the same reason why the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai or the Peng Family in Hebei wouldn't make a move if the Great War of Good and Evil were to break out. To defend the borders.

"That can't be true."

Duan Hecheng, one of the Seven Young Masters of Diancang, denied it.

"The Great Hero died after being attacked by a mere Demon Head? How can that make sense? That's just a rumor."

Although he had only seen it twice, Duan Hecheng knew that the swordsman's martial skills were real.

"You're right."

"After all, isn't he that monst… ahem, the Great Hero Zhou Xuchuan?!"

"It might be easier to believe if it had been the Heavenly Demon, but just a joint attack by some of the Four Great Guardians? Even if they died and came back from the dead, something like that would be impossible."

The disciples who followed Duan Hecheng also denied it.

None of them were trying to comfort him. They were all being sincere—especially those who had actually witnessed the fierce battles Zhou Xuchuan had with the High Priest or those other inhuman monsters of the Southern Jungles.

"So they're spreading false rumors to incite people in order to lower morale. They're trying to deceive them with nonsense! How ridiculous!"

Duan Hecheng snorted and ignored the rumors.

Yet, as time passed, the smile on his lips disappeared.

Mount Hua aside, even the Martial Alliance didn't make any announcements. It felt like they were hiding answers for fear of lowering morale.

While there were many people who didn't believe it, like the Diancang Sect, or rather, the Seventh Young Master of Diancang, even those believers started to sigh gloomily.

If this really was a false rumor aimed at inciting people, the Martial Alliance should have denied it instead of remaining silent.

However, no one gave any clarifying answers.

Zhengzhou, Henan.

Henan was especially noisy, as it was the home of the Shaolin Temple.

However, nothing that had happened had caused any issues with violence. The Shaolin Temple's stance was to rage like Asura after it lost the Divine Monk, and all sinners around lived in silent fear.

The same was true for the Xia Wu Sect, the representative faction of the Black Hand. Their silence was even more pronounced, as many of their members were criminals who had fled after committing crimes.

The Xia Wu Sect Master, Jiang Ningchu, sighed as he sat in his office.

"Zhou Xuchuan…"

He was more concerned about the death of the Righteous Faction hero than the problems with the Xia Wu Sect's activities.

Jiang Nengchu was one of the few who knew Zhou Xuchuan's various identities.

He couldn’t feel at ease knowing that someone he had once helped and worked alongside had died.

Above all, he couldn’t ignore the flood of requests coming from all over the world, all seeking confirmation of the swordsman’s fate.

I'm not the type to stay in debt.

While he didn't know how much he could do, he at least wanted to try.

He called over the Xia Wu Sect members as he thought about the Mount Hua Sect, the Gold Will Merchants, and other related matters.

Qinghai Lake.

It was the largest salt lake in the Central Plains, located in the northeast.[2]

Now, this area had been designated as the front line of the murim.

To the west lay many rugged mountain ranges, including the Kunlun Mountains, making it unsuitable for battle.

Although the Daoists of the Kunlun Sect could roam around the mountains like it was their own home, it wasn't a suitable battleground for the other Righteous Faction martial artists.

To the east lay the capital of Qinghai Province, Xining, making easy for them to get supplies in case of a prolonged war.

Since the city was also surrounded by mountains, they could also use it as an escape route in times of crisis.

Grumble.

"I wonder what's for dinner tonight."

"What are you expecting from the front lines? As long as it's not the same shit soup we had for lunch today."

"I saw it last night while I was on guard duty, but those bastards from the famous sects eat well."

"Haha, you idiot. They're from famous sects. Don't even dream about living like that when you come from a small sect. You lack the strength, so there's nothing you can do."

"Damn it, this dirty world!"

It was so noisy because there were so many people.

Now that all of the famed figures whom they almost never saw were walking around casually, many of the onlookers couldn't help but gasp in awe.

"Gasp! It's the Boundless Dragon!"

One of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, Boundless Dragon, Nangong Shanxu.

As the eldest son of the Nangong Family, he was also well known as the grandson of the current Martial Alliance Leader, Completion Sword Nangong Weiwu.

While he was in his late twenties, Nangong Shanxu had already achieved accomplishments far beyond his years.

"Kyaaaa!!!"

"Oh dear, oh dear! He's just as handsome as the rumors say."

"Wait, didn't he just look this way?"

The daughters of the murim families giggled as they looked at Nangong Shanxu.

The Boundless Dragon wasn't just a talented martial artist, he was also an incredibly handsome man.

With his tall stature and well-defined muscles that were visible through his clothes, he stood out effortlessly.

His face was equally striking—thick, straight eyebrows reminiscent of Dragon Eyebrows[/ref]Dragon Eyebrows are thick, straight, and impressive.[/ref], strong yet kind eyes, and sharp, well-defined features. His chiseled jawline left a deep impression.

"Where is he going?"

"...hmm?"

The people following Boundless Dragon's footsteps stopped.

At the end of their gaze stood Tactician Phoenix Zhuge Xiuluan, who was cold and inhuman, like a porcelain doll.

"Tactician Phoenix. It's already getting dark. Let's turn in for the night."

"..."

Zhuge Xiuluan turned slightly at Nangong Shanxu's call.

"Gasp!"

"Wow!"

The male onlookers looked dumbfounded.

With the setting sun casting a glow behind her, the Tactician Phoenix looked like a fairy from a story.

She frowned slightly, clearly displeased by the commotion, before letting out a soft breath and turning away again without a word.

"Are you still concerned about the Sword Dragon's life or death?" Nangong Shanxu asked softly so that only Zhuge Xiuluan could hear.

Showing a subtle reaction, Zhuge Xiuluan flinched.

"As expected…"

Nangong Shanxu let out a soft sigh.

Not long after the Righteous Faction gathered in Qinghai, news of the Divine Monk and the Sword Dragon's life or death came.

No, it wasn't life or death.

It was just death.

Being stationed on the front lines before the war even began made them especially sensitive to rumors. Right now, one rumor in particular was spreading like wildfire.

At the time, they had been in the middle of a strategy meeting. When Zhuge Xiuluan first heard the news, the always calm and calculating master had gone speechless.

Since then, she had frequently stood still like this, lost in thought, saying nothing.

"At times like this, you should come to your senses, Young Lady Zhuge. As the Tactician, you should know better than anyone what happened to the Sword Dragon."

"…Yes."

Zhuge Xiuluan nodded her head mid-sentence.

"I'm truly sorry, Young Lady Zhuge. I, as one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, also wanted to meet him. May the deceased rest in peace."

Instead of bowing, Nangong Shenwu clasped a fist in respect.

***

Smack!

Smack! Smack!

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Agh!"

Zhou Xuchuan's watery eyes shot open.

"Little Ghost, I'm awake…"

Smack!!!

"OW!"

He was alive and well.

1. Also known as the Yellow Hat School, Gelug is the newest of the Four Major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Tsongkhapa in the 12/13th centuries and has been the leading school of Tibetan Buddhism since the 16th century. If you've heard of the Dalai Lama, you've heard of Gelug. ☜

2. In Qinghai Province, directly under Gansu. ☜

Cyncoco's Thoughts

It's me, Cyncoco!

End of Book 10!!!

7 more books to go.

I hope all of you are enjoying this book, and thank you for all the comments!

The last few chapters have been WILD. Why do you do me like this, Hong Gao…

As a thank you for all of your support, I'll answer any non-spoiler wuxia/murim questions that you may have in the discord! Think—anything you may have wanted me to do a ref about, or a long tl/n about, etcetc.

I'm not 100% sure when this chapter is going to be posted, but the day this book is posted as an official chapter, I'll answer any question I am confident about answering for 48 hours.

Disclaimer, this isn't something WW is sponsoring officially, just something I'm doing on my own, so nothing I say should be taken as WW's official stance (especially because I'm just one person and while I've read a LOT of murim, there are thousands of stories posted every year I haven't read all of them.

I hope you all enjoy The Regressor of Mount Hua until the end!

P.S.

I just saw a comment that made me want to clarify something.

In Korean Murim novels, the concept of the Dao is more of an ephemeral ideology, in the Daoist religious sense, rather than the more commonly seen in Chinese Wuxia of a cultivation dao. That's why we don't translate it as the Sword Dao (except in very specific circumstances), for example.

So, to be specific, the Korean 'Path' is more akin to the Chinese Cultivation Novel version of the Chinese 'Dao,' while the Korean 'Dao' is more akin to the religion, Daoism.

You're not going to see the sort of— 'He cultivated the Dao of Swords, reaching xxx levels of power, etc, etc.' that you see in the Chinese cultivation novels.

In fact, the Path here isn't even the word for Path, to be honest. It's actually 심상 (心狀), or Heart/Mind/Intention + Form/Shape. Or, the 'Shape of one's Heart'. However, while Manifestation of One's Heart sounds fine, using Heart as a term on its own was difficult, so we(I, it was me) decided to use the more familiar Path to tie into WW's collective reading experience.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!