Jung Yeonshin's eyes carried a trace of concern. His niece's words had delivered a shock that still lingered in his mind.
Even if the handwriting of Ak Surim, the Desolate Divine Spear, was somewhat playful, it was not something to be taken lightly.
'The Order's leader, along with two of the Thirteen Celestial Demons…?'
If this became widely known, the entire Murim would be shaken. Battles between the heads of major sects were not something that happened easily.
The mere clash between the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader and the Starlight Sword Deity had been as impactful as the news of the grandmasters slaughtered on Mount Taebaek.
For a brief moment, he felt a warm fondness at Ak Surim's wish to see him.
'An escort to a recovery site, huh?'
Jung Yeonshin calmly considered it. It was best to sort out the remaining matters in order.
He should not waste his attention on insignificant affairs.
He activated Wind Body, a movement technique, only faintly at his feet.
The soft wind of the Guardian Meridian, pushed through the Yongcheon Acupoint on his soles, swept across the dirt ground. At the same time, he stepped forward, heading toward his top priority.
Whoosh.
In the distance, a small figure was walking with light steps.
Through his blurred vision, her form grew larger. The transparent wind brushed against his skin just before she came into full view.
"Hye-ah."
"Mm?"
Jung Hye-ah turned around immediately. Their gazes met up close, her round eyes blinking.
The child merely pursed her lips, showing no reaction to the Protective Energy Technique. It was understandable—she had grown up in the Zhongnan Sect.
"I misspoke earlier. I was harsh, and I'm sorry."
Jung Hye-ah beamed. Then, she moved her small lips, forming words with careful deliberation. Even from a young age, she had a nature that was clear in matters of gratitude and resentment.
"Mm! I'm sorry too, for saying I wouldn't play with you."
"Alright."
Jung Yeonshin bent down, gently patting his niece's head.
"Let's try again. Once you master the Jung Clan Movement Arts, you'll be able to have fun even with Zhongnan martial arts."
As he ruffled her soft hair, the child nodded.
Jung Yeonshin felt a quiet relief as he eased his lingering doubts.
Had she been offended by the word "monkey"? Perhaps his problem was looking down on certain warriors.
'Either way, I must be mindful. Being born dull is no sin.'
Through a brief reflection, Jung Yeonshin came to another realization, people of the world had long lives.
Most were far superior to him, and he was nothing more than a fool who feared his predetermined death.
He had been born weaker than others. If he could not be humble, he had no right to belittle other warriors. Yes, an adult should remain humble.
At the same time, his heart trembled.
Vwoom—
The radiant wheel of divine energy rotated even more grandly. It grew firmer, solidifying within him.
It was the radiance of the divine in his upper dantian, directly linked to his spirit. It was the core of his combat techniques, reacting to his moment of self-awareness.
This was one of the ways an inner master refined their martial prowess. Depending on the characteristics of their mastered arts, their cultivation deepened.
A surge of energy, now stronger than before, flowed from his fingertips. The experience tempered through battles with the Thirteen Celestial Demons and the adversaries of Mount Taebaek shone through.
"Hye-ah is teaching her uncle something valuable."
The weather was pleasant.
They moved their feet in all directions, repeatedly using their arm muscles in different ways, guiding each other through the techniques. They also practiced ways to perceive meridians and blood channels differently.
"This is hard…"
"This technique is for when you reach the tenth level of the Jung Clan Movement Arts and feel that your strength is lacking."
"The name sounds weird."
"A great hero came up with it."
Sunlight shattered across the white snowflakes falling gently, and the young uncle and niece huddled close, whispering the words that would be passed down in the name of the Jung Clan.
From afar, Jung Yeonshin's second elder brother watched, his strong features betraying a mix of emotions.
They remained like that until dusk.
That night, the current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad passed down the Jung Clan Movement Arts and Radiant River technique to Jung Hye-ah, a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect, before retiring to his quarters.
The room was empty. White darkness seeped through the paper-covered windows.
Sssk.
Leaning against the opposite wall, Jung Yeonshin lowered his gaze.
Even after returning from Mount Taebaek, he had not let down his guard. He had examined Jung Hye-ah's body, as she had absorbed the demonic arts of the Yeoryeong Sect.
She was still a very young child. No one could predict what symptoms might arise when he tried to purge the demonic energy using sacred power.
He had restructured the circulation paths for the Taiyi Heart Technique of the Zhongnan Sect, all thanks to Wei Ji Myohwa's permission.
He ensured that demonic energy would not take root in his niece's mind.
Using the secret techniques of Radiant River, he stabilized her body, though it resulted in her growing stronger in proportion to the demonic energy she carried.
Wei Ji Myohwa had seemed greatly shocked at this outcome, but Jung Yeonshin had not bothered to ask why.
In the end, it was the best possible solution. As long as his niece grew up healthy, that was enough.
'It's settled now.'
Suddenly, his body loosened. Was it finally time to relax? The pain he had endured since the Ghost Spirit Sword incident seeped deep into his bones.
His weary skull tingled. At last, the winter air pressed against his skin.
His eyelids grew heavy.
His vision blurred beneath his lashes.
"Benefactor."
A fragrant scent of tea drifted in, breaking the quiet stillness of the room. A luminous voice called him softly, more than once.
Half-asleep, Jung Yeonshin felt a warm touch. Then, the gentle sensation of a soft bedding embraced him.
'Right… I was supposed to have tea with the Cloud Dragon Sword.'
The one burdened with the duty of rebuilding the Zhongnan Sect.
The one he had forged a deep friendship with. The person who would also guide his elder brother and niece.
She had taught him the Taoist principles of the Taiyi Heart Technique, including its regenerative properties. It was clear that she had shared this knowledge not just for Jung Hye-ah's sake, but for his as well.
In his foggy consciousness, Jung Yeonshin murmured,
There was a copy of The Comprehensive Overview of Demonic Factions' Annihilation left on the tea table, but what truly worried him was the Cloud Dragon Sword, Hye-ah, and his elder brother.
He had told her they were always welcome to seek refuge in the Desolate Fortress, or something to that effect.
"It'll be fine. It's alright."
A soft whisper brushed against his ears for a while.
* * *
The Radiant Demon Squad departed Xi'an at once, moving as a force of over twenty, escorting their leader in a carriage.
The warriors bearing the character 'Desolate' carved on their backs drew many eyes as they surrounded a single carriage.
However, few factions remained in Shaanxi Province's Demonic Faction who dared attack the blue and white-clad warriors of the Desolate Fortress.
The absence of the slain grandmasters at the hands of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader had left a tremendous void.
Adding to that, the ominous rumors surrounding The Comprehensive Overview of Demonic Factions' Annihilation had spread, leaving Shaanxi's martial world in an unprecedented state of stagnation, just like Mount Hua's closure.
"Are we sure this is okay?"
"He's just completely drained. It's like he's naturally performing the Turtle Breath Technique. I mean, considering what he's been through…"
"This is the second day. Will he really be alright?"
"The flow of his pulse has changed, but his energy remains intact. He's just in a deep sleep."
"If anything, his energy is stabilizing."
A small cot had been placed inside the carriage.
Lying upon it, Jung Yeonshin drifted in and out of sleep.
At the center of the official road leading into Yangyang.
The road was incredibly wide. There were many escort bureaus, merchant caravans, and commoners coming and going from the city.
"The esteemed blue-robed warriors, so many of them…"
"They must be returning after accomplishing something great. With a force that large, it wouldn't be strange to see a black robe among them."
"That's why people are waiting, isn't it? Even those who appear and disappear like ghosts tend to show their faces in Yangyang."
The murmurs grew louder.
The crowd thickened by the moment.
Even on the vast snow-covered plains, all eyes were drawn to the Radiant Demon Squad. Some even recognized the faces of Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo.
The Radiant Demon Squad faced a new problem amidst the growing whispers of the people.
Baek Miryeo placed a hand on the side of the carriage.
"What should we do?"
It was the right moment to reveal themselves. If Jung Yeonshin sought the status of the purple robes, he had to make an appearance. The purple rank of the Desolate Fortress was a symbol of immense authority.
It was not something one could attain through sheer martial prowess alone. One also needed to be widely known, especially in Yangyang, the place of his roots.
Heon Wonchang nodded firmly.
"How much merit has he earned?"
"At this point, he's like a triumphant general. The rumors must have spread far and wide. We should seal it with certainty."
Chung Myung, standing on the opposite side, muttered under his breath.
However, the black robes of the Desolate Fortress had to remain unshaken at all times. They were the treasured blades of the Divine Sword Order. They could break, but they must never rust.
It was the fate of grandmasters who bore the 'Desolate' character, and yet, the breathing emanating from Jung Yeonshin inside the carriage remained steady and deep.
"There's one way we could do this."
Lazy Flame Dragon smirked as he spoke.
"What was that young lord fellow's appearance like? Let's pick four people skilled in Protective Energy Techniques."
A merchant caravan in the area had a palanquin for sale.
It had belonged to a sumptuously decorated merchant lord.
Though the owner had offered to give it away for free, they refused and paid full price in the name of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. Lazy Flame Dragon, now acting as field leader instead of a junior, took charge of everything.
Jung Yeonshin was seated inside the luxurious palanquin, crafted from red sandalwood.
Then, they positioned his arms to rest on the armrests, making it seem as if he were propping up his chin with his hand.
Even when his pressure points were sealed, keeping him in place, the current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad remained motionless.
It was a stark contrast to when he had awakened from the mere presence of a wild boar's killing intent. For the first time, even Lazy Flame Dragon hesitated for a moment.
"It's not that he doesn't sense killing intent, but that he's utterly exhausted."
Baek Miryeo, standing beside him, made a brief remark.
Moon Bow Demon Wei Ye-ryeong, Demonic Spirit of Battle Na Il-cheon, Lazy Flame Dragon, and Heon Wonchang shouldered the palanquin.
With refined expressions, they glanced at their leader, who sat still, eyes closed, his chin resting on his hand. At first glance, he resembled an indifferent nobleman.
Wei Ye-ryeong, of a distinguished noble lineage, and Na Il-cheon, from the Blood Preservation Squad, both looked uneasy.
"He never seemed like the type to enjoy something like this."
"It's a simple pleasure of life."
Lazy Flame Dragon brushed off Wei Ye-ryeong's remark as he stepped forward.
And so, the triumphant procession began. Heon Wonchang, for once in perfect sync with Lazy Flame Dragon, grinned widely and bellowed,
—The Radiant Demon Squad has annihilated the Sublime Land Sect, Absolute Severance Pavilion, Great Spirit Thunder Sect, Sword Demon Sect, and Heaven's End Sword Sect of Shaanxi! They have also slain the elder of the Tyrant Sword Tribe and Shaanxi's Number One Demon of the Yeoryeong Sect! Not to mention the Wave King of Shaanxi, the leader of the Suwang Sect, the former Grand Protector of the Yeoryeong Sect! And lastly, the young lord of the Yeoryeong Sect was beheaded in a single stroke…!
Even the seasoned martial artists around them showed expressions of shock at the depth of their accomplishments.
Then, a voice like the Lion's Roar of Shaolin tore through the air.
—The Radiant Demon Squad's leader is passing through!
The murmuring crowd stretched far down the road to the city gates.
The vast air of Yangyang seemed to ripple in its entirety.
"The Radiant Demon Squad's leader? Is that not Naraksal Ma Jin…?"
"Naraksal? That was long ago! It's Lightning Genius! The current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad!"
"So the rumors were true! They crushed Shaanxi completely!"
The masses split into two lines.
A triumphant procession of a high-ranking warrior of the Desolate Fortress was a rare sight.
Such ceremonies were typically held only when the Imperial Blades had accomplished a great feat. The last one had been when a former leader of the Divine Sword Order vied for a seat among the elders of the Desolate Fortress. In an instant, cheers roared through the sky.
Waaaaaaaah—!
Surrounding the Radiant Demon Squad's leader were blue-robed martial artists, some bearing expressions of disbelief, some appearing unsure.
Yet nearly half of them couldn't hide their amusement.
A golden opportunity had appeared—to tease their tempestuous young leader. It was one of the few sources of entertainment available to these elite warriors.
"This won't harm the leader's health, will it?"
"Did you never touch him in a duel? His muscles are like solid rock. This much won't make a difference."
It was an illusion crafted by the finest warriors of the world.
The blue-robed warriors skilled in Protective Energy Techniques carried the palanquin as steadily as if they were using the Grass Flutter technique.
The sight of their leader, chin resting on his hand, his lashes lowered, remained unchanged.
Jung Yeonshin, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, exuded an air of overwhelming arrogance.
His noble bearing, closer to a distinguished aristocrat than a common warrior, drew admiration rather than complaints. The cheers never ceased. How could he be so dignified?
"He's truly reliable!"
"Does he not carry himself as if no one in the world can rival him? He wears the jet-black robes as if he was born to!"
"In these chaotic times, Yangyang will be the safest place in the world! The swords of the Desolate Fortress will protect us!"
The procession continued even past the main fortress of the Desolate Fortress.
They had to stop at the General Affairs Bureau first. Inside, bureaucrats and officials from across the land sat stiffly, their expressions uneasy.
They blamed it on the recent unrest in public order. The room was filled with robes of every color, fluttering with tension.
Despite it being winter, the surrounding path was lined with unnaturally green foliage.
A blue-robed warrior walking beside the palanquin bowed in the formal Baoquan salute, then leaned toward Chung Myung at the front.
"Welcome back safely. Once you report your return to the Chief Administrator, you will be expected to visit the Lord of the Fortress immediately. There was an order for the Radiant Demon Squad's leader and his escorting warriors not to delay."
"Hmm?"
One of the palanquin bearers, Lazy Flame Dragon, raised an eyebrow slightly.
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