"It's truly impressive. An unbelievable level, considering your age."
Ma Yeonjeok marveled, stepping forward as if he had discovered a masterpiece.
When he examined Jung Yeonshin closely, his wrinkled face openly displayed admiration.
It was noticeable enough to make the handsome boy next to him visibly uncomfortable.
"Greetings to my grandfather. I am Jung Yeonshin of the Radiant Demon Squad."
He spoke calmly, offering a fist salute and slightly lowering his head.
"······?"
No sound emerged until he raised his head. The air itself conveyed it—curiosity, confusion, and interest.
The beard of Ma Yeonjeok, draped over the front of his purple long robe, trembled slightly.
"You are······"
The former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, Ma Yeonjeok, was a warrior of Desolate Fortress dressed in purple. He stood at the pinnacle of the white-blue-black-purple hierarchy.
It was said that the intuition of supreme masters, who opened their upper dantian by reaching the realm of ascension, was fearsome.
He glanced at Jung Yeonshin, who had called him grandfather, and the Lord of Desolate Fortress, who was faintly smiling.
It was impossible for nothing to come to mind.
"Jung, Jung clan. Jung Family."
"This is our first meeting."
While astonishment began to spread across Ma Yeonjeok's face, Jung Yeonshin remained composed.
No one from his maternal family had ever visited Xinye County.
Not even during the wedding. After his mother gave birth to him and passed away, there had been no contact.
It was the kind of story that belonged in idle gossip. Cutting ties with a daughter who married into a lower-status family.
Only the name "in-laws of the Desolate Ma Clan" remained.
"You're my sister's son?"
Looking to the side, Ma Jin's eyes were wide as if they were about to burst.
Come to think of it, their surnames were the same.
There was a reason Ma Yeonjeok and Ma Jin didn't exchange formal greetings, they were father and son.
'In martial families, the patriarch's word is law. Did they forbid meetings by family law?'
It seemed like a family high in prestige but lacking in foundation.
Jung Yeonshin let out a small laugh.
"You were speaking of a master earlier, but you must be my uncle. Or perhaps my eldest uncle? I know little of my maternal family's lineage, as I was disowned from my ruined household."
"······."
"I understand. Desolate Fortress in black. There wouldn't have been time to visit a family without daughters."
It was a sharp jab. Jung Yeonshin, who had just begun ascending into the ranks of masters, had sharp senses.
Even before reaching the door, he had overheard the conversation flowing out of the Desolate Fortress Lord's office.
'I heard you have a grandson.'
'Fortress Lord, it's enough that his lowly estate blood doesn't disgrace the Desolate Ma Clan. This child is our successor. Though from a collateral line, his talent is exceptional.'
It was a favor to him. Ma Yeonjeok's troubled face made that clear.
As a supreme master dressed in purple, he would have sensed Jung Yeonshin's accomplishments at a glance, and also realized he had overheard their conversation.
'Thanks to my maternal family, I survived the Tyrant Sword Tribe's grasp. That's enough.'
He was thriving as a legitimate martial artist of the Desolate Fortress. Even the Fortress Lord acknowledged his potential.
He would show respect, but nothing more.
The Desolate Ma clan didn't seem to know that the Jung family had collapsed.
Since they had completely cut ties, there was no reason to reestablish connections now.
Why cling to others when he could stand alone?
'Such complicated relationships are of no help to martial arts.'
This situation needed to be settled here. He gazed at the deeply contemplative face of the former Divine Sword Squad leader.
"······Fortress Lord, may I speak with this child alone?"
Ma Yeonjeok's request was immediately interrupted by Jung Yeonshin.
"I am the child of an out-married woman. As a martial artist of Desolate Fortress, I respect my grandfather's achievements, but any further personal conversation would be uncomfortable."
"······."
An 'out-married woman' referred to a daughter who, after marriage, was no longer considered part of her natal family.
That was how they had treated his mother. What more was there to say?
'A family desperate enough to adopt a successor.'
Immersed in martial arts, Jung Yeonshin didn't want to entangle himself in messy family affairs.
The hardships he endured growing up in the Jung family were more than enough.
Watching with interest, the Desolate Fortress Lord slowly opened her mouth.
"Lightning Genius of Radiant Demon Squad, your spirit is admirable."
Her slightly curved eyes were strikingly elegant.
Jung Yeonshin gave a slight bow.
He was a bit surprised by the apparent approval, yet the Fortress Lord's support eased his mind.
It was then—
"I cannot accept this! How can someone like him claim to be the direct descendant of my grandfather? How dare he be so disrespectful to the former Divine Sword Squad captain!"
It was the boy who had been visibly uncomfortable the entire time.
His angry gaze was sharp, and he seemed unaware that he was speaking in front of the Fortress Lord.
"I don't need your approval. I'm not a member of the Desolate Ma Clan. I am the Lightning Genius of the Radiant Demon Squad."
Jung Yeonshin remained calm.
He suddenly recalled Heon Wonchang's words—how the martial world was full of shameless people who introduced themselves by their titles.
"How dare you!"
Jung Yeonshin's faint laugh was apparently taken as provocation. The enraged boy turned to his step-grandfather.
"Please permit a duel! I will prove that he holds no value as a blood relative!"
"There's no need."
Jung Yeonshin responded.
"If you ask me for guidance, I'll oblige. But I have no obligation to prove my worth to you or your family. Not even the Fortress Lord can give such a personal order."
His tone was entirely condescending.
Jung Yeonshin's white robe fluttered slightly as he stared at the boy.
Even without trying, his aura exuded strength, marking him as a rising master.
While Ma Jin remained silent, the boy sneered as if finding it absurd and raised his hand as if ready to attack.
'He's trained in the recommended techniques.'
Jung Yeonshin's eyes glinted. The pair of short hand spears hanging at the boy's waist caught his attention.
At the same time, Jung Yeonshin withdrew his aura, which dissipated instantly—a sign of skillful core energy control.
"I apologize for my rudeness. I displayed an undisciplined attitude."
He clasped his hands together and bowed to the Fortress Lord, apologizing for revealing his energy carelessly.
Ma Jin looked proud despite the confusion, while Ma Yeonjeok's face grew darker.
"End this argument here."
The Fortress Lord softly parted her lips.
"Yeonjeok is my long-time confidant, and Lightning Genius is a promising talent. This discord is troubling, so resolve it as martial artists. Place your stakes. Do you agree with my suggestion?"
Jung Yeonshin gazed at the Fortress Lord's beautiful yet unreadable face.
She smiled.
"Lightning Genius, I know this offers you little benefit. As a friend of the former Divine Sword Squad captain, I will grant you one request regardless of the outcome."
"Even that one?"
Jung Yeonshin boldly asked. He was referring to the World Tree fruit.
The Fortress Lord's smile deepened.
"That one is still difficult. Even if Yeonjeok asked, the answer would be the same. He has already been rewarded for his achievements as the Divine Sword Squad captain. However, I can teach you one of my secret martial arts techniques."
"A martial art······!"
The story of learning under a peerless master, one close to being the greatest under heaven.
A rare opportunity that's scarce in the world was being discussed right before their eyes.
Even for the adopted heir of the Desolate Ma Clan, it was no ordinary matter.
The expression of greed that surfaced on the boy's face next to the shocked Ma Yeonjeok made it clear.
He seemed more inclined to demand martial techniques than to follow his step-grandfather's will if he won.
'I can read him like an open book. This maternal family is amusing, taking in someone like him as their successor.'
Was his talent really that exceptional? Either way, the terms had certainly become more favorable, so Jung Yeonshin nodded without hesitation.
"I accept."
* * *
They headed to the training grounds behind the main castle.
The rare sight of the Fortress Lord stepping outside drew attention, but no one dared to follow.
Ma Yeonjeok tried to approach and strike up a conversation, but Jung Yeonshin boldly stuck close to the Desolate Fortress Lord instead. She smirked.
"Relax. It's a place I use alone."
Her training hall was incredibly lavish. Even the flooring was extraordinary.
Various weapons, seemingly priceless, were lined up on stone racks, and the expansive floor was entirely made of marble.
It almost felt too precious to set foot upon.
'Spoils of war from conquering the Dali Kingdom of Yunnan.'
The Desolate Fortress Lord was called the Emperor's Divine Sword.
She had destroyed royal families of rebellious minor kingdoms and wiped out large sects on multiple occasions.
That was why her name was never left out in discussions of the greatest under heaven.
It was hard to imagine where such overwhelming divine power could reside within her slender frame.
"This should be a good spot to watch."
The Fortress Lord stopped quietly at one side of the training grounds.
Her long eyelashes cast shadows like paintings, and her light green robe, flowing down to her ankles, rippled softly in the spring breeze.
'Huh?'
Jung Yeonshin froze for a moment. Only then did he notice the treasured sword hanging at her waist.
Up until now, he had perceived it as part of nature rather than a weapon. It was far beyond the level of sword unity he had achieved.
'This is chilling. What kind of realm is that?'
Just then, their eyes met as the Fortress Lord turned her head. Her crimson lips curved into a smooth smile.
"You have sharp eyes."
"My apologies."
The boy standing at the center of the training grounds with Jung Yeonshin sneered.
He was already wearing elegant black combat gloves on both hands—equipment befitting the heir of the Desolate Ma Clan, famous for its fist techniques.
"Were you ogling the Fortress Lord's beauty? You lowly fool."
"Aren't you from a collateral line?"
"How dare you······!"
Jung Yeonshin didn't bother replying further and instead closed his eyes slightly.
'This mission made it clear.'
The certainty he gained after killing the Blood Master Swordsman.
He could claim the World Tree fruit with his own strength.
Martial training was said to be like climbing a thousand-foot cliff barehanded—a common saying among orthodox martial artists.
Techniques like sorcery, blood arts, or demonic arts, which harmed others and even oneself, weren't even considered proper martial arts.
Only through steadily building pure martial power could one fully attain the ultimate realm, akin to a spiritual pursuit.
But for Jung Yeonshin, it was different.
It wasn't a steep cliff but a well-paved staircase. In the domain of martial arts, he breathed like a fish swimming in the depths.
'Radiant Demon Squad is enough.'
The vast martial landscape he was cultivating at the Desolate Fortress was fertile beyond imagination, capable of growing anything he sowed with seeds of his own making.
That's why he didn't need the Ma Clan.
"Come."
Opening his eyes, Jung Yeonshin gestured slowly.
"Hup!"
The boy, burning with rage, didn't hesitate. He shot forward, driving his core energy through an unfamiliar technique.
'Energy is flowing out through all four limbs.'
Thud!
Jung Yeonshin deflected the rapidly thrusting fist with the back of his hand, but the force of the shockwave was incredible.
He had to instantly reinforce his elbow strength.
Whoosh!
The sweeping residual force of the attack tore at his garments. The boy's core energy clearly surpassed Jung Yeonshin's, perhaps enhanced by consuming rare elixirs.
Jung Yeonshin immediately channeled the principles of the Limit Releasing Technique into his energy.
Layers of core energy accumulated to amplify his strength in moments requiring full-body circulation.
From then on, it was pure instinct. Following the techniques of the Radiant Demon Arts, his strikes began to dismantle the boy's martial arts piece by piece.
Smack! Smack! Boom!
The Desolate Ma Clan's fist techniques were straightforward.
Each strike was heavy, and their combinations flowed seamlessly.
Even when it seemed like full force had been committed, bursts of power would suddenly explode from the opposite hand.
Their seamless harmony made them feel all the more formidable.
'So this is what true strong fists feel like.'
Despite his reckless personality, the boy had properly mastered the techniques of a renowned lineage.
Occasional flashes of high-level movements left a strong impression, even inspiring new insights within Jung Yeonshin.
"Why don't you draw your sword?"
"Because your fist techniques are impressive."
Jung Yeonshin responded casually as he twisted like a leaf, elbowing the boy mid-motion.
He was analyzing the techniques.
Seeing how his opponent generated force, he deduced that such movements were possible and adapted his own energy circulation accordingly.
It was completely reversed.
"You bastard!"
Boom!
The marble floor cracked.
The force of the punch, launched with explosive footwork, sent a gale rushing through the air.
But Jung Yeonshin merely sidestepped lightly, as if riding the wind.
"I've figured out a strong fist technique too. Ten moves should be enough now."
His eyes gleamed with a faint blue spark.
From a distance, three martial masters observed the duel.
Watching Jung Yeonshin's defensive movements, reminiscent of noble lineage, each wore a different expression.
Ma Yeonjeok furrowed his brow with a troubled look.
"He claims ten moves are all he needs? No matter how extraordinary his talent······"
"No, I think······"
Struggling to find words, Ma Jin finally spoke again.
"He doesn't mean he'll finish in ten moves. I think he means······ he'll create them within ten moves."