"What do you mean, white isn't enough?"
"Oh, don't misunderstand. I don't have the authority to give you a blue martial robe. That goes for our master as well."
"Then?"
"Hold on."
Chung Myung turned to rummage through his belongings. Ma Jin and Baek Miryeo watched with understanding expressions.
Soon, Chung Myung pulled out his blue long robe and approached Jung Yeonshin.
"I'll lend it to you."
The robe billowed widely.
Jung Yeonshin glanced at the blue garment draped over his body and looked up. He was visibly puzzled.
"I don't understand what this means."
It was Baek Miryeo who spoke.
"A white martial robe with a blue robe of Desolate Fortress. It means you are recognized as a rising star of Desolate Fortress, with honor guaranteed by blue."
Rising Star. In the martial world, the term rising star wasn't used lightly. It carried significant weight.
It meant being the most outstanding among younger martial artists.
Since he had earned this title in less than half a year after entering Desolate Fortress, it carried even greater significance.
She smiled. It was a captivating smile, free of any ulterior motives.
"You now have the authority to give orders to all white-robed warriors of Desolate Fortress. I was planning to give it to you myself."
"But your robe is too narrow at the shoulders."
Chung Myung grinned and looked at Jung Yeonshin.
"If anyone asks, tell them that Radiant Demon Squad's Demonic Sword acknowledged you. That should keep most trouble at bay."
"You can even use the nickname 'Wave Swordswoman'. Consider it as if I've handed you my robe too."
"…Thank you."
Jung Yeonshin bowed slightly. The unfamiliar fluttering in his chest felt strange.
Ma Jin, who had been watching with a somewhat concerned expression, nodded.
"It seems settled now."
"The matter of the Mount Hua Sect…"
"We'll handle it. Whether you return first or the Plum Blossom Pill incident is resolved first, we'll see."
At that moment, Heon Wonchang cautiously raised his hand.
"Would it be alright if I accompanied Jung Warrior? I may not be much help to the master and the blue ranks, but Jung So-Warrior could benefit from my assistance."
"…Permission granted."
Ma Jin, after brief consideration, agreed it was reasonable.
"Don't forget that the Zhongnan Sect's matter has also become Radiant Demon Squad's mission. Keep an eye on the fight between the Tyrant Sword Tribe and the Zhongnan Sect, and consider the impact of their war on civilians. Intervene as needed, but prioritize your lives."
"We will follow your orders."
Jung Yeonshin and Heon Wonchang clasped their fists in salute.
Jung Yeonshin's gaze, now sharper than before, turned toward the southern window.
Mount Zhongnan, where a branch of the prestigious martial sect resided.
It was where his second eldest brother and young nephew were training in martial arts. Was Hye-ah doing well?
'The annihilation of the Jung family. Elder Yeo Il-shin should know if I go find her, right?'
The war between the Thirteen Skies and the Nine Great Sects. It was also an opportunity to see how far his martial skills could stand in the world.
* * *
Mount Zhongnan was two days away. The two men changed into their Desolate Fortress martial robes after two nights of travel.
It was out of consideration for the reputation of the Mount Hua Sect.
Heon Wonchang of Desolate Fortress let out a cheerful laugh.
He alternated glances at the character 'Desolate' embroidered on both shoulders, a grin spreading across his face.
"This feels good."
"…"
Jung Yeonshin wore the blue robe Chung Myung had lent him over the white martial robe of Desolate Fortress.
Before he knew it, Heon Wonchang was looking at him with envy.
"A blue robe over white. It suits you well."
"It feels a bit awkward."
"You'll get used to it quickly, Master Jung."
"Thank you, Master Heon Wonchang."
"Hm? It wasn't just flattery."
Jung Yeonshin smiled faintly.
He was a grateful person. It wasn't easy to accompany someone on a task unrelated to one's main mission without genuine care.
Before long, the two arrived at the foot of Mount Zhongnan.
From a distance, the towering, imposing mountain range was awe-inspiring, but upon reaching the entrance, they could feel the stern atmosphere unique to sects in the martial world.
Martial artists stood guard.
"They must be Zhongnan warriors. The rumors about their conflict with the Tyrant Sword Tribe must be true. Coming all the way down to the base of the mountain like this…"
Heon Wonchang whispered.
As the two approached, two of the four guards stepped forward.
"Please state your sect, name, and purpose."
"As you can see, we're from Desolate Fortress."
Heon Wonchang replied casually, slightly revealing his shoulder and giving Jung Yeonshin a glance.
It seemed to imply entrusting responsibility to him as Desolate Fortress's rising star.
At the mention of Desolate Fortress, even the guards in the back stepped closer. Jung Yeonshin spoke.
"I am Jung Yeonshin of the Radiant Demon Squad."
"And I am Heon Wonchang of the Radiant Demon Squad as well."
"Hmm…"
The guards, after inspecting their attire, murmured.
Their reaction said it all.
Desolate Fortress, established to keep the martial world in check, was not a place warmly welcomed by other sects.
"Do you intend to prove your identity with just your robes?"
One of the Zhongnan Sect disciples asked, his tone subtly sharp.
The two from the Radiant Demon Squad took out their golden identity tokens from their robes.
The Desolate Fortress' Tokens, with intricate golden patterns engraved on wood, were revealed in their hands.
It was said these were crafted by ironworkers rarer than nobles themselves.
The intricate and elegant patterns engraved on the tokens left no room for doubt.
"Desolate Fortress is a mighty sect. Are we supposed to believe that young martial artists like you act independently? Who would…"
Before the sharp-tongued disciple could finish, someone who appeared to be his senior stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, but our sect is currently in a state of war. Surely you understand that we cannot simply take strangers at their word."
"What are you saying!"
Heon Wonchang flared up, releasing a burst of energy that rippled through the air.
Having passed Desolate Fortress' trials and adapted as a white-robed warrior of Radiant Demon Squad, he was no longer the lighthearted man he appeared to be.
"…!"
"So they're truly from Desolate Fortress?"
Heon Wonchang was pleased with their reaction, but one of the retreating Zhongnan disciples shouted.
"How dare you spout such nonsense in Zhongnan Mountain!"
"Who do these people think they are…"
Heon Wonchang looked incredulous.
Meanwhile, Jung Yeonshin, who had been observing quietly, felt a sense of déjà vu.
He was reminded of the Jung family manor.
When he had first spoken of learning martial arts, the expressions of his younger siblings weren't disbelief, they were shock and envy.
Just like these men.
'Their conflict with the Tyrant Sword Tribe must not be going well. With the pride of the Nine Great Sects already wounded, seeing young warriors claim to be from Desolate Fortress must be infuriating.'
Heon Wonchang's display of strength had only worsened the situation.
The martial artists of the Nine Sects were reputed for their composure, but these Zhongnan disciples, driven by circumstance and youthful vigor, seemed no different from worldly martial artists.
"We can't trust you. How can such young men act as warriors of Desolate Fortress, especially in these troubled times?"
Their tone grew firmer, making it hard to breathe.
While guarding the sect was an important duty, those stationed at the gates were all young.
Their youth gave them vitality, coupled with the pride of being disciples of the prestigious Zhongnan Sect.
"This is…"
Perhaps the thought of having kin here crossed his mind.
Seeing Heon Wonchang suppress his anger for Jung Yeonshin's sake was commendable.
Jung Yeonshin was about to step forward when—
"It's a problem even if you really are from Desolate Fortress. How could anyone trust you two to be sent to Great Zhongnan? It seems Desolate Fortress' renown has faded."
A sharp voice broke the tension.
The speaker, with narrow, glaring eyes, was clearly no ordinary man.
He had crossed the line.
Jung Yeonshin reached for the sword at his waist.
"You might want to reconsider your words. You've insulted warriors of another sect without any justification."
His voice was calm.
* * *
Jung Jungsan was a young man with a rugged face, dressed in plain martial robes.
He was the second son of the Jung family and a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.
Lately, he often wondered how his life had come to this.
The destruction of the Jung family was like a natural disaster, yet human emotions didn't work that way.
Though not a Buddhist, he found himself contemplating karma.
"Perhaps it was my foolish and incompetent elder brother that brought misfortune."
He talked to himself more often now.
Jung Jungsan was seated on the ridge of surveillance pavilion, leaning back.
The scenery before him was utterly peaceful.
Feathered clouds rippled gently across the blue sky, the long ridges of the Qinling Mountains stretched below, and a few bamboo stalks rose above the fences.
He tapped his foot against the roof tiles, enjoying the crisp sound of the stones clinking.
At that moment, a gruff voice erupted below.
"You rascal! I told you to fetch water for the rice, yet here you are idling again!"
"Ah!"
Startled, he quickly jumped down and bowed to the scolding elder.
The old swordsman, seated cross-legged in the hall, stared at him disapprovingly.
"My apologies, Elder."
"This sect is falling apart. Its swordsmanship and disciples are in shambles."
Such words could only come from someone of high status.
Jung Jungsan bowed deeper.
Despite the sect's war with the Tyrant Sword Tribe, he wasn't skilled enough to be counted as part of the Nine Sects' forces.
Naturally, he ended up serving the elder.
The old man clicked his tongue.
"The sect is struggling with supplies, so go down the mountain and fetch some grains. I can't waste any more food here. We need to wipe out those scoundrels from the Tyrant Sword Tribe quickly."
"Yes!"
"Elder Jong is always so harsh on poor disciples."
A woman's voice suddenly interrupted, and the elder's expression softened.
"Myo-Hwa, you're here."
"Huh?"
Jung Jungsan's eyes widened as the approaching woman came into view.
She was around twenty, transitioning from girlhood to womanhood.
Her beautiful features and sharp eyes were striking.
The first thing he noticed was the strange feathered ornament in her jet-black hair.
Her flowing blue martial robes fluttered in the wind as she walked.
A jade belt adorned with a white sword hung at her waist.
Wei Ji Myohwa of the Zhongnan Sect.
Also known as The Cloud Sword Dragon.
In this era, the title dragon was reserved for men.
Yet she was different—Zhongnan Sect's strongest rising star, feared despite being a woman.
Jung Jungsan couldn't even meet her gaze.
"I need someone to carry supplies. You, Jung… what's your name again? Come with me."
She turned without waiting for an answer.
With a glance from the elder urging him to hurry, Jung Jungsan scrambled to follow.
They descended toward the mountain's entrance in silence.
Jung Jungsan felt intimidated by her fame, while Wei Ji Myohwa seemed entirely uninterested.
"Huh?"
Jung Jungsan suddenly gasped, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
They saw senior disciples confronting guests, and the atmosphere was growing tense.
But that wasn't what shocked him.
"Yeonshin?"
"You know them?"
Wei Ji Myohwa finally showed interest.
"Uh!"
What he saw next left him speechless.
Before he could even see the moment the blade was drawn, his younger brother had already sheathed his sword—while his senior's sword had been sent flying.
A sudden gust of wind swept by. Wei Ji Myohwa dashed forward, launching herself into action.