A middle-aged man exuded an aura reminiscent of the Blood Master Swordsman.
Jung Yeonshin swiftly closed in on the man's back. It was impressive, even if it was a result of exploiting a moment of carelessness, as he always did.
His speed was on a different level. He anticipated encountering a completely new type of power.
'But.'
The energy radiating from the downward strike was unexpected.
Even as he delivered a fatal blow to the man's head, it felt strange. The martial art he had anticipated didn't appear.
The strike had been purely physical. Yet, that alone was monstrous strength.
Thud!
Struck in the head, the man fell face-first. His entire body twitched.
He was already dead. It was just the spasms of his final moments.
"To think you took down someone like that in one strike…"
"Such an exceptionally refined martial technique!"
The admiration of a junior disciple from the Profound Martial Alliance and Hyun Yoo-ryang meant little to him.
The speed that had felt faster than before was merely the result of refining his technique and improving the efficiency of his core energy.
Jung Yeonshin's intuition dismantled the phenomenon completely. He understood immediately.
The new technique he was trying to perfect was still incomplete. The connections were not yet seamless.
What he needed was inspiration to unify everything into a single art.
It was always like this—a flash of lightning that wove scattered techniques into one cohesive martial art. That was all Jung Yeonshin needed.
'I'll have it soon.'
He wasn't impatient. It was said that when the upper dantian communicated with heaven and earth, foresight sometimes came.
He felt that he would soon create a martial art of divine power. It could even be today.
Jung Yeonshin turned to Hyun Yoo-ryang.
"The Blood Flame Cult has infiltrated the escort bureau. Can the Yitian Clan handle it?"
"Of course. Matters concerning Peongjung Mountain are as much our concern. We are simply grateful that you brought this to us."
Hyun Yoo-ryang once again cupped his hands respectfully. He was also an heir of a noble family.
His competence in handling matters reflected that. It was the kind of refinement that came naturally to the direct descendants of prestigious clans.
It was something Jung Yeonshin, the black sheep of the Jung family, had never possessed.
Yet, Hyun Yoo-ryang's gaze toward him was curious. It didn't seem like simple admiration.
"Forgive me, but may I ask your age?"
"…I'm sixteen this year."
"You're of proper age. If you're not engaged, may I introduce my younger sister? She's very beautiful and kind."
Hyun Yoo-ryang spoke in a casual tone.
What did he just say? Jung Yeonshin was momentarily flustered, though he didn't show it.
'Marriage?'
Could there be anything farther from his reality? A life of raising children and growing old with someone—it felt like something out of a dream.
He politely declined.
"I appreciate the offer, but I barely have time to focus on my sword. I wouldn't make a good match. My family was wiped out, after all."
"A promising martial artist of the Desolate Fortress is a great match in itself. I hope you'll consider it over time."
Jung Yeonshin dismissed Hyun Yoo-ryang's smiling words. He turned his gaze northward.
It was time for the Radiant Demon Squad, who had scattered earlier, to regroup.
* * *
"You're alive! You did a splendid job, Young Hero Jung!"
Between several large and cleanly constructed buildings, Heon Wonchang welcomed him.
His body bore many wounds. Perhaps due to injuries inflicted by blood energy techniques, even the bleeding hadn't stopped completely.
Despite blood seeping through the bandages wrapped around him, he was grinning.
After a brief exchange, Jung Yeonshin asked,
"No internal injuries?"
"Fortunately, no. You look perfectly fine yourself."
"I escaped through the perimeter and boarded a boat."
"Ah! And you captured those despicable juniors from the Profound Martial Alliance. Well done!"
Heon Wonchang laughed heartily. Even though the motion seemed to aggravate his wounds, making him wince briefly, his smile didn't fade.
The reason the major unorthodox sects were grouped under the Thirteen Heavens varied.
Jung Yeonshin recalled seeing Sword Blossom slaughter a woman without hesitation.
Although Heon Wonchang had long harbored hostility toward noble clans, his current laughter seemed to be that of a righteous man walking the proper path.
Jung Yeonshin walked alongside Heon Wonchang, passing through beams of sunlight streaming between the buildings.
He had just refused the Yitian Clan's offer to assign him attendants.
Heon Wonchang, having already eaten several meals, recounted the recent events.
The remaining Radiant Demon Squad had broken through the encirclement and pushed straight into Peongjung Mountain.
Baek Miryeo had worried about Jung Yeonshin but felt reassured after interrogating a captured Blood Flame Cultist.
Everyone was certain. The half-trained juniors of the Profound Martial Alliance could not possibly handle him.
Before long, Jung Yeonshin reunited with Ma Jin and the seniors of Radiant Demon Squad.
The scar on Ma Jin's chin lifted slightly as he smirked.
"You even managed to earn merit in that situation."
"How is the leader? What about the head of the Seventh Apostle…?"
Jung Yeonshin asked calmly. The Radiant Demon Squad captain, also called the Butcher of the Abyss, turned his gaze.
"That witch's movement techniques are poorly matched against mine. If Chung Myung were at my level, we could have killed her."
"Is that an excuse?"
Chung Myung scolded him with a grin.
Baek Miryeo, who had been inspecting Jung Yeonshin's body like an older sister, nodded.
"You're almost excessively healthy. It feels like your meridians are changing again. At your age, most focus on refining their foundation, but you keep advancing."
"…Thank you, senior."
She had taken to treating him like a younger brother. Feeling both grateful and awkward, Jung Yeonshin subtly stepped away from her touch.
He shifted his gaze.
"So what happens with the mission to exterminate the Blood Flame Cult? It seems the Seventh Apostle knew about the headquarters."
"We wait. We'll coordinate with the Yitian Clan."
Ma Jin briefly explained further.
"The Seventh Apostle felt unusual. They also seemed to have orders to eliminate us. From the perspectives of Desolate Fortress and the Blood Flame Cult, this is a local skirmish, but for us, it's all-out war."
"Do we know when it'll happen?"
"That's the problem—we don't. That's their strength. We'll counterattack. We have a plan. The Yitian Clan's mechanical formations will prevent ambushes."
It was said that noble families' estates were built upon piles of corpses and rivers of blood.
Prestigious clans had many enemies. Naturally, they developed countermeasures against infiltration.
'Mechanical formations.'
Jung Yeonshin had heard of them—mysterious devices that blended engineering with the principles of nature to create extraordinary phenomena.
Naturally, minor clans like Jung's had nothing of the sort.
"Master artisans of the Iron Tribe personally came to construct it. The Blood Fiends won't know about it."
With Ma Jin's lighthearted comment, the sun began to set.
After greeting Radiant Demon Squad's members and the steward of the Jung household, Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong, Jung Yeonshin went to his quarters.
He didn't go to sleep immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his bed.
'Let's organize the techniques.'
He meditated under the moonlight, unmoving until dawn broke and sunlight replaced the moonlight.
After breakfast, Jung Yeonshin received an invitation from Hyun Yoo-ryang. The message was intriguing.
It mentioned that his younger sister would be present and politely asked him to mind his manners.
Hyun Yoo-ryang even sent splendid silk robes, as if determined to see his words through.
Jung Yeonshin grasped the silk garment between his thumb and index finger. It was at that moment, as he stared at it curiously—
"Radiant Demon Squad!"
Ma Jin's voice, brimming with energy, resonated through the room. The well-crafted wooden door trembled.
The air seemed to boil for an instant. It was a summons from the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad. It signaled an enemy attack.
Jung Yeonshin immediately grabbed his Desolate Sword. Sunlight glinted menacingly off the black blade and sheath.
He stepped out of the room, already prepared.
The senior members had gathered in the courtyard. Heon Wonchang also came rushing in.
Before Ma Jin could explain the situation, Heon Wonchang, mid-sprint, caught a flying dagger aimed at his head.
His lips curled upward.
"Interesting."
He shattered the long, gleaming blade in one hand and smiled.
"This time, it'll be different."
Glancing at Jung Yeonshin, he muttered.
Ma Jin lightly patted Heon Wonchang's shoulder and spoke in a gritted tone.
"Explosives went off at the south gate. These maniacs must have destroyed the entire formation."
"They don't care about the Imperial family or anything else."
"There were rumors about this. Did the Tang Clan really lose their minds and create these weapons? Or was this one leaked?"
Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung added their comments.
By then, they were already facing the Blood Flame Cult disciples, who had gracefully breached the back gate.
Beyond them, an overwhelming number of Blood Master Swordsmen and Blood Flame Cult disciples filled the area—easily two hundred strong.
"No way."
The elegant stride of the Seventh Apostle drew everyone's attention. Slowly, her lips parted.
"The Tang Clan is supposed to be righteous."
Her smile was enchanting. Crimson.
Ma Jin stepped forward.
"Spreading doubt, are you? Witch, you don't need to bother. The Desolate Fortress observes all the clans of the world. We always have."
"All the martial sects and noble families in the world, Desolate Fortress—clinging to power and refusing to let go. Such hypocrisy."
"A witch from an evil cult speaks too boldly."
"The Blood Flame Cult shall cleanse the world. Even in death, we shall witness the era of blood."
Jung Yeonshin wondered if all zealots spoke like this.
The Seventh Apostle silenced her laughter and arrogantly gestured with her chin.
Immediately, the overwhelming momentum unique to the Blood Flame Cult pressed forward like a military formation. The battle had begun.
Clang!
Concentrated energy tore through the earth. Ma Jin clashed with the Seventh Apostle.
Martial artists from the Yitian Clan and monks from Shaolin joined the fray, along with the Radiant Demon Squad.
Jung Yeonshin kept his eyes on the two top-level masters from the start. The enemies who struck with explosives showed fierce momentum.
Waves of energy surged, stabbing at his skin.
Heon Wonchang blocked the sword of a Blood Master Swordsman, while Baek Miryeo passed by, slicing the enemy's neck.
It was life and death. In group battles, the martial world's emphasis on honor seemed absurd.
Slash!
Jung Yeonshin severed the arm of a Blood Flame Cultist.
Wielding the Desolate Sword, he moved like falling leaves in the wind, cutting through the battlefield.
Even so, he never took his eyes off Ma Jin and the Seventh Apostle.
The wind occasionally carried a strong scent of blood.
'Over there too.'
Reinforcements joined the Seventh Apostle, encircling her and Ma Jin. The three Blood Master Swordsmen displayed extraordinary techniques.
Their precise strikes, delivered only during collisions, seemed to disrupt Ma Jin's focus. They were clearly elite among the cult's swordsmen.
"Good."
Jung Yeonshin muttered under his breath.
He began to step forward slowly, twisting his body lightly as he moved.
The weapons of passing Blood Flame Cultists seemed to hesitate, reflecting their unease.
His evolving footwork neared perfection, inching closer to the azure realm.
Step. Step.
As he approached, the Seventh Apostle' energy began to pierce his body intensely. Was it the voice of Buddha?
A new thought emerged, guiding his energy.
The storm of sinister energy propelled Jung Yeonshin toward another level.
Clang! Boom!
The concentrated energy from the two masters swept through the area.
Jung Yeonshin entered the scene calmly. The Blood Master Swordsmen, assisting the Seventh Apostle, inadvertently dispersed the residual energy, clearing a path.
Ma Jin's eyes widened, and the Seventh Apostle' lips curled slightly.
"How foolish."
Her slender fingers glowed with energy. Despite exchanging attacks with Ma Jin, she exuded immense density in her strikes.
She even had the leisure to casually fend off Jung Yeonshin with her left hand while focusing on Ma Jin.
For Jung Yeonshin, this was ideal. Her hand was already too slow.
His upper dantian at Baihui Point burned white-hot.
His mind crackled with inspiration, merging Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong's martial art, the Shaolin monks' teachings, and all his techniques into a thunderous burst.
A blinding light forged a new martial technique in his thoughts, engraving five characters.
Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm.
Jung Yeonshin formed his palm and extended it. The sacred energy condensed into a faint blue glow.
Smash!
The Seventh Apostle' casual strike rebounded. It felt like her energy had been unraveled by sheer force.
Winds converged and scattered chaotically. Jung Yeonshin's hand connected with something solid.
At the end of the pale blue wave of energy was her left eye.
Slash!
"Aaaagh!"
It was said that cultivating blood energy heightened all senses. Did that include pain?
Jung Yeonshin recalled the first Blood Master Swordsman he killed. The man hadn't even realized a blade was buried in his stomach.
The Seventh Apostle, clutching her left eye, seemed no different.
Blood seeped between her pale fingers, and her slender frame trembled.
"You, you—!"
She could no longer handle Ma Jin. Using astonishing footwork, she retreated, widening the distance instantly.
It was an opportunity. Ma Jin swiftly cut down the three Blood Master Swordsmen, though even he couldn't hide the shock on his face.
Everyone's eyes gradually turned toward Jung Yeonshin.
Amid the chaos of the battlefield, silence spread.
"Did you say 'era of blood'? I suppose you'll only see half of it now."
Jung Yeonshin spoke calmly, flicking his left hand. The blood droplets, scattering in arcs, still lingered annoyingly on the back of his hand.