The Crown Prince approached closer.
Jung Yeonshin stood still, holding his sword.
A swordsman. At this very moment, the foundation of skill capable of handling a group was being built.
"We'll meet again from time to time."
Crown Prince Zhu Yun-myeong said.
That was it. The Crown Prince did not show any further emotions. It seemed that was how he had lived his life.
'Is he telling me not to die a stray death somewhere?'
Jung Yeonshin raised his head after bowing. The Crown Prince had already entered the armory.
Chung Myung slowly approached and placed an arm around Jung Yeonshin's shoulder.
"Human goodwill is like that. It's not something you can earn all at once. If you want the position of the Divine Sword Squad Leader, goodwill alone won't be enough. You need to build trust. Consistency is the key."
"You're right. Anyway, building merit comes first."
Jung Yeonshin replied nonchalantly.
He sheathed his sword and fastened it to his waist along with the Desolate Sword. Swords were consumables. A blade that never dulled was said to be a rare treasure in the world.
The cold touch of the newly acquired Beiming sword felt pleasantly chilling.
"Go ahead. I have somewhere to be."
"Alright."
Chung Myung responded calmly and turned away.
Demonic Sword Chung Myung. Though he seemed warm, he was a person who never clung to anything.
Jung Yeonshin watched his back for a moment before starting to walk.
As the sunset approached, the appointed time felt right. At the end of his steps, treading through twilight, lay the main residence of the Desolate Fortress's lord.
He entered without much obstruction and climbed the stairs.
After becoming a blue rank, he felt completely assimilated into the Desolate Fortress.
"Lightning Genius…"
He unconsciously spoke the honorific name that had become his courtesy title since the coming-of-age ceremony.
At that moment, the thick stone door of the lord's office opened by itself. It was the same as during the Desolate Fortress Trials.
Now, he could faintly feel the energy waves.
It was called Void Grasp—a realm where one could touch all things without laying a hand.
Was this a glimpse of the martial prowess that single-handedly annihilated the royal family of the Dali Kingdom?
It was said that the founding years of the Ming dynasty were times of upheaval.
Despite being able to enter the imperial palace, the Lord of the Desolate Fortress never married anyone.
Even when the previous Empress Dowager, still healthy, repeatedly recommended it, she declined.
Instead, she lived as the divine sword of the Ming dynasty, teaching the heirs of the Emperor as the Grand Swordmaster.
Such overwhelming strength of the Desolate Fortress's lord had been forged in this manner.
'I must increase my core energy after all.'
Jung Yeonshin thought. He envisioned himself, as the leader of the Divine Sword Squad, wielding two swords suspended in midair.
If the swords could move on their own while his main body deployed the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, it would be immensely useful.
With that level of skill, he wouldn't have to worry about martial prowess when building merit. It was a distant goal.
"You seem more relaxed. Thinking about something else right in front of me."
A clear voice resonated, pulling his gaze.
The thick tree trunks piercing through the office were always a strange sight.
Perched diagonally on the tree was a woman.
Her presence remained overwhelming.
Though she looked only four or five years older than Jung Yeonshin, her beauty was said to symbolize immortality.
Her deep green eyes, intense enough to stiffen one's soul, were overpowering—different from the piercing gaze of ordinary martial masters.
Her long, pale-green hair did not move an inch. It meant she had completely retracted her energy.
'And yet, her aura is palpable. Just what level has she reached?'
Jung Yeonshin first offered an apology.
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress slowly began to speak.
"It seems you've made up your mind."
"Yes. I request a mental cultivation technique, one that speeds up the absorption of energy."
He had come to demand the martial arts promised earlier.
Thanks to the reckless duel demanded by Ma Se-in of the Desolate Ma Clan.
Because of the friendship between his late grandfather, the previous leader of the Divine Sword Squad, and the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, he had earned this compensation. There was no need to delay any further.
Jung Yeonshin was now fully aware of his greatest deficiency.
"A mental cultivation technique. Indeed, the amount of inner energy is crucial. After polishing the vessel, it must be filled."
She smiled as she spoke.
"You already have an idea. Come closer."
"Yes."
Jung Yeonshin moved without hesitation.
He had already perfected the foundation of martial arts. The Jung Clan's Dynamic Technique was ideal for refining the body.
However, the world held various methods for accumulating energy. It was called Energy Accumulation—the process of storing inner energy.
'I need to create a mental technique that quickly accumulates energy.'
This wasn't something that could be learned by observing someone else's breathing technique.
It was best to experience one directly, to understand the subtle principles of rapidly gathering the world's energy.
He planned to create his own technique, most suited to his body, afterward.
"What are you doing?"
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress asked. Jung Yeonshin had stopped in front of her, standing still.
"You told me to come closer."
"Closer."
"By closer, you mean…"
His puzzled response brought a faint smile to her lips.
"It seems this is your first proper lesson in energy circulation techniques. If manuals alone were enough, there would be no need for masters. Reciting formulas is not sufficient."
She slowly rose. Her long legs, once stretched out, folded inward.
The faint rustling of her pale-green martial robe brushing against the tree bark was audible.
She sat cross-legged, placing each foot atop the opposite thigh.
"Sit properly before me. I will guide your energy. This is how mental techniques are learned."
"Yes. But before that…"
Jung Yeonshin stepped back three paces.
He began to bow deeply.
In the martial world, martial arts carried great significance. In this era, the honor of a sect was valued more than personal advancement.
Passing down a skill that would endure in history—such a teacher could not go unrecognized.
Wasn't the Desolate Fortress's lord above the laws of the Fortress?
'She's not stopping me.'
It seemed like an acknowledgment. Jung Yeonshin bowed once and stood up.
That was enough. The living were not bowed to more than once.
This custom, rooted in Taoism, remained unchanged in the martial world.
Seated before the Lord of the Desolate Fortress, who wore a curious smile, Jung Yeonshin noticed her skin—astonishingly fair and translucent.
She let out a small laugh.
"That's not it. Turn your back to me."
A faint breath brushed against Jung Yeonshin's cheek—a barely perceptible exhale.
The depth of her breathing hinted at immense internal energy training.
Jung Yeonshin turned around, feeling a newfound reverence.
'I thought she'd recite the formulas first, then lead me through the energy guidance.'
It seemed she intended to finish the martial arts transmission quickly.
He recalled Yoo Hyun, a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect's leader, transferring the energy of the Plum Blossom Pill.
Jung Yeonshin guessed the Lord of the Desolate Fortress could likely speak while circulating energy, just like Yoo Hyun.
"This technique is called the Moonlight Harmony Technique. It is my unique martial art."
Her voice accompanied the touch of her hand on his back. It was incredibly warm.
Despite her sisterly appearance, he felt it might be what a mother's touch was like, something he had never known.
Woom.
A stream of internal energy, pure beyond imagination, penetrated his body.
It was as if it contained the essence of nature itself, a pristine flow that began to fill his veins and meridians.
It revealed the paths of energy circulation for the Moonlight Harmony Technique.
"This is how it's done. Feel it."
Jung Yeonshin calmed his mind, closed his eyes, and focused on the flow of energy, guided by her voice reciting the formulas.
As time gradually passed, his will began to circulate energy on its own.
"Yes. Just like that."
Her soft voice encouraged the flow.
Half an hour was enough.
The fingertips of the Desolate Fortress' Lord, which had been resting on his back, withdrew, and her inner energy dispersed.
Jung Yeonshin had mastered the divine technique through a single circulation guided by her instructions. Nothing more was needed.
A breath laced with laughter tickled the nape of his neck. Her whisper brushed his ear.
"If anything troubles you, come and ask."
"Thank you for the gift."
Turning to face her after stepping down, Jung Yeonshin offered a respectful salute. She smiled once more.
On the way to Radiant Demon Squad Hall after leaving the office, Jung Yeonshin felt elated. He was newly aware of how vast the world of martial arts truly was.
The method of drawing nature's energy and storing it within the body was distinctly different from the techniques of swordsmanship and fist arts he had learned.
Perhaps it was the lord's consideration, but the Moonlight Harmony Technique did not reject the energy cultivated by Jung Clan's Dynamic Arts.
It felt as though her energy embraced all things, much like her aura.
"This is wonderful."
The words escaped his lips unintentionally. He felt as though inspiration was surging within him.
It seemed as if he could already create a mental cultivation method surpassing the level of third-rate techniques.
'I miss Se-in.'
He suddenly felt grateful to his distant relative Ma Se-in and his incompetent grandfather Ma Yeonjeok.
* * *
Jung Yeonshin dedicated himself to refining and creating mental techniques until the following evening.
It was the first time since childhood that he had sat beneath his bed to cultivate inner energy.
Focusing solely on the energy breathing through his body felt surprisingly pleasant.
It was when he completed a full cycle of Great Heavenly Circulation. Do Yu-won from the General Affairs Office visited Jung Yeonshin's room.
"Congratulations. It seems another direct disciple of the fortress'lord has been born."
Do Yu-won said with a broad smile, carrying two sets of blue uniforms over his arm.
"And those are…?"
"You received a new martial robe just days ago, but you'll need to wear this now."
With careful hands, Do Yu-won unfolded one of the garments he carried.
It was a martial robe, much like the blue robe the fortress' lord had bestowed upon him during the elevation ceremony.
The only difference was the color of the embroidered character 'Desolate' on the shoulders and back.
The character 'Desolate' was embroidered with golden thread.
"Those who learn the Fortress lord's martial arts carry a symbol that transcends the color of their robes. You'll inevitably become famous in the martial world. Therefore, it is proper for you to undergo a formal ceremony at the main residence, like other members of the royal lineage. The General Affairs Office has prepared this for you."
"I see. Thank you."
Jung Yeonshin accepted the blue robe adorned with golden embroidery.
At the same time, Do Yu-won, looking slightly flustered, added more explanation.
"To be honest, we kept an eye on His Highness, the Crown Prince. The Fortress' lord doesn't care for such things, but for us lower-ranked people, it's different. Yet, surprisingly, he let it go without issue."
Jung Yeonshin nodded calmly and saw him out.
He immediately changed into the new robe and left his room. He had been summoned by Ma Jin.
The golden embroidery stood out noticeably.
Senior disciples he passed along the way widened their eyes in surprise.
He brushed off their questions with a vague response and arrived at the Grand Martial Arena, where Radiant Demon Squad's group and Ma Jin were gathered.
His junior, Shin So-bin, who had been newly assigned to their unit, was also present.
"S-Senior! What's with that resplendent golden attire?!"
After hastily responding to Heon Wonchang's outburst, Jung Yeonshin turned to Ma Jin, who began to speak.
"I'll get straight to the point. We've already agreed on a short mission cycle. For now, under the command of blue rank Lightning Genius, Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin will take the lead. You three are most suitable—young faces are needed."
"Young faces?"
Jung Yeonshin quietly asked, suddenly reminded of the romantic ideals of young warriors mentioned by a Shaolin monk.
"There's a clan praised as an honorable and just martial family—the Hwangbo Clan. You've probably heard of them."
Ma Jin said, twisting the scar at the corner of his mouth.
"But the reality is different. Heavenly Squad already uncovered the truth long ago. Those bastards are using commoners to build their family's new estate—forcing them into labor without pay and disrupting their livelihoods. It's an unauthorized conscription."
"Despicable bastards!"
"It's common enough."
Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin had contrasting reactions.
In the martial world, masters of large clans were practically gods, wielding overwhelming power.
With laborers at their beck and call, there were always those who couldn't resist abusing their strength.
"Over a thousand forced laborers. Tax collection and people's livelihoods are sensitive matters. While we often turn a blind eye to local martial nobles, punishing a righteous sect requires careful handling. We need public support and trust."
Pausing briefly, Ma Jin continued.
"The Hwangbo Clan controls Jinan in Shandong. They act like royalty there, making it hard to expose their actions. Lightning Genius, you're key to this mission."
"What's the assignment?"
"Disguise yourselves and infiltrate the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. The Hwangbo heir will likely attend since it's hosted nearby in southern Zhili by the Namgoong Clan.
After a pause, Ma Jin finally gave Jung Yeonshin his fourth mission.
"Your job is to provoke him. Push him until he's desperate to destroy you—enough to mobilize the clan's full power. We need to create a crack in their dominance over Jinan."
"What happens if we succeed?"
"While you're in Zhili, we'll extract reliable witnesses and evidence. It's been long in preparation. Three units—Radiant Demon Squad, Heavenly Squad, and Annihilation Squad—will launch an attack against the Hwangbo Clan."
It was a shocking plan to eradicate one of the Eight Great Clans of the righteous sects.
Even the combined force of three of the Divine Sword Squad's combat teams was astounding.
There were thirteen demonic sects across the vast Central Plains. With seventeen teams spread out, gathering three meant an unmatched force.
'This is insane…!'
Jung Yeonshin felt a chill. Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin appeared equally stunned.
Maintaining composure, Jung Yeonshin asked the most critical question.
"What if the Hwangbo heir's behavior or circumstances make it necessary to kill him?"
"That's up to your discretion as a blue rank. The authority comes with the rank. Handle any outcome yourself."
Ma Jin replied with a grin. Beside him, Baek Miryeo looked worried.
"Lightning Genius, remember this is a very dangerous mission. Don't overreach. That heir is doomed regardless. He's famous for possessing exceptional talent but being fated to die young."
Chung Myung added,
"They say he's a genius with the Solar Divine Meridian. He'll be strong."