"We can't just leave that child alone like that."
An old voice resounded.
It was the Lord's office in Desolate Fortress.
An old warrior dressed in a purple long robe and Ma Jin, wearing a black martial outfit, sat respectfully before the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
Sunlight streamed through the completely open wall. A halo of greenish light reflected off the hair of the Fortress Lord.
Ma Jin glanced at his father.
"As we get closer, we may have to step back. He seemed to feel no emotional connection through blood. I can imagine how he grew after my sister left. He was practically abandoned."
"How dare the Jung Family."
Jung Yeonshin's maternal grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok, made the same expression as Ma Jin, one close to disgust.
"What right do we have to blame their household? We didn't even know their clan was wiped out until we saw his potential and spoke of blood ties. Considering he didn't hurl insults at a complete stranger claiming to be his grandfather, we can call him a gentleman."
It was in front of the Fortress Lord. Their voices were not loud.
Ma Jin maintained a cautious demeanor as he spoke sharply.
"He's grown into a proper martial artist, but he's not even twenty yet. Even so, he's rational and clearly distinguishes priorities, making him harder to deal with than most adults. Don't try to keep him in your grasp."
"The fact that he didn't try to benefit from a major family shows he knows it could backfire. He stands alone, unshaken by strong winds. But because of that…"
Ma Yeonjeok spoke firmly, word by word.
Eventually, his gaze settled on the Fortress Lord, whose expression was unreadable.
"We cannot leave him unattended. If the Emperor is the sky, then Yeonshin could become the brightest sun in that firmament. The current Divine Sword Squad leader isn't enough. Yeonshin could become a treasured blade at your side."
"That is for the Fortress Lord to decide. It's not something for a retired elder to discuss."
Ma Jin rebuked his father and shifted his gaze.
At the end of his sight was the most revered person—the absolute authority worshipped by everyone in Desolate Fortress.
The Fortress Lord's face showed little change. The stories of her favoritism toward Lightning Genius were not baseless.
She was like the radiance of the sun, seemingly warm but shining upon the world with indifference. She had always been that way.
Her unmoving red lips finally parted.
"Continue."
She said. Even while leaning casually against a tree trunk, her presence was different.
Ma Jin swallowed. Few didn't know of her absolute power, which even the greatest martial artists struggled to match.
Her unchanging, twenty-year-old appearance since the rise of the Ming Dynasty only added to her legend.
To the people of Yangyang, she was a living Jade Emperor.
"It's a distant matter for now, but it's already been decades since you spoke of retiring and enjoying a peaceful life."
Ma Yeonjeok stroked his white beard as he spoke.
"This is my thought. We should keep that child here for ten years instead of sending him on missions, training him to become a complete martial artist. That way, he won't be tainted by the shallow waters of the martial world too early. During that time, we can decide his marriage and help him build strength. Eventually, he will become a sword that only you can wield."
"Yeonjeok."
The Fortress Lord spoke. Her elegant face betrayed no emotion.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Is there no selfish intent in your heart?"
"Selfish intent, you say…"
"You are no longer the former Divine Sword Squad leader. You seem like just another member of the Ma clan, concerned with glorifying your family name."
"…"
Ma Jin knew his father's nature. Once he set his mind on something, he never failed to acquire it.
It was likely the same determination that allowed him to rise as Divine Sword Squad leader.
Suddenly, Ma Yeonjeok bowed his head.
"You are correct, my Lord. It has been difficult to endure. It was truly agonizing to hand over the Divine Sword Squad leader's treasured blade to the current leader. I have been your close friend for decades, so I'll speak honestly."
"Father! Mind your words!"
The large-framed Ma Jin grew restless.
"You've never acted this way unless it concerned your sister. It's fine if you don't forgive me. The family must endure. Even if we die and turn to dust, our name must remain revered, granting us immortality. After all, a person's name is all that lasts."
"That's enough."
The Fortress Lord's calm voice cut through Ma Yeonjeok's impassioned speech.
"The matter of Lightning Genius is mine to decide. Do not use your family authority again."
Her ethereal voice carried a strange transcendence. Her robes brushed against the roots of the towering tree where she stood.
Rustle.
The Fortress Lord stretched her bare, white feet forward and slowly descended.
Sunlight gently rested upon her transparent face.
"Radiant Demon Squad leader, you should set out now. Take care of Lightning Genius."
She addressed Ma Jin.
"I will obey your command."
Ma Jin adjusted his posture to be even more respectful and raised his fists in salute.
* * *
Jung Yeonshin stood still, lost in thought.
This was different from when he beheaded the rising talent Sword Blossom. Too many eyes were watching.
The main road stretching to Huizhou was vast, and the endless flow of passersby was overwhelming.
It was the territory of the righteous martial world. A killing here would lack justification.
'Even the Namgoong Clan might turn against me. I can't handle that in Huizhou.'
Killing him here wasn't an option. That's fine. Humiliating him would be just as good.
Jung Yeonshin recalled what the chief of the mission department had said.
Desolate Fortress often prepared facial sketches of their targets. It had been the same during the mission against the Blood Flame Cult's Seventh Apostle.
For a task planned this long, it was obvious.
A facial sketch was a drawing capturing distinctive features, and the face that came to mind resembled the man before him.
An unexpected encounter. He had been so surprised that he didn't immediately make the comparison.
'What if he had just passed by?'
Jung Yeonshin reflected. When weighing missions against martial arts training, missions came first. He mustn't grow lax in his surroundings.
While he was lost in thought,
"You're not curious about my title? Your words are laughable. An upstart without roots dares to show such arrogance."
A young man from the Hwangbo Clan sneered. Jung Yeonshin slowly shook his head and spoke.
"Stay grounded in reality. The Hwangbo Clan? You're insignificant in the grand scheme of things."
"…You must be insane. I can't deal with you normally."
The young man's lips twisted downward as he strode forward. His steps seemed random, yet they followed strict martial principles.
The flow of core energy in his movements was striking.
His gait exuded readiness for any attack.
'Interesting.'
Jung Yeonshin locked his gaze onto the young man, fully capturing his form. From the moment the fight began.
Despite the crowd's sympathetic looks, he paid them no mind.
Finally, he faced the martial arts of the Eight Great Clans of the righteous faction. He was curious about the strength of their so-called pinnacle techniques.
Jung Yeonshin stepped forward. The energy of Jung Family's Movement arts gathered at the bubbling spring point in his foot.
It was the first step of the Splendid Wings Step. Dust lightly rose from his heel.
Srrng! Kwak!
The young man from the Hwangbo Clan drew his sword and struck downward with a sharp advance.
From his bent waist, a dazzling blade rose like a flash.
The sword path traced an extremely narrow oval before extending outward.
Jung Yeonshin raised his right hand.
Clang—!
He deflected the flat side of the blade with the back of his hand. The eyes of the martial artists watching widened. It was an unbelievable technique.
Jung Yeonshin shook his hand. Despite the vibration and impact, the man's sword force felt light.
It was thanks to his diagonal step using Splendid Wings Step, completely redirecting the force of the sword strike.
"What!"
The young man's face froze, unable to process what had just happened.
This time, Jung Yeonshin advanced.
Boom!
With the amplified energy of Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, his left arm exploded forward, unleashing the force of Limit Releasing Technique.
The man reflexively raised his sword, but it was immediately knocked upward.
By then, Jung Yeonshin's energy had already spread throughout his entire body, surging through his meridian points.
The kidney point near his lower back flared with internal energy.
In an instant, his spinal erector and psoas muscles filled with overwhelming strength. The follow-up chain attack took only a fraction of a second.
Twisting his body, Jung Yeonshin drove his right fist straight forward. It struck the man's solar plexus with a thud.
It landed cleanly. The smooth fabric of the Hwangbo Clan's robe brushed against his fist as he felt the impact.
The explosive force of Limit Releasing Technique's Formidable Wall burst outward.
Crash!
The young man's body was flung like a cannonball.
Jung Yeonshin slowly opened his right hand and looked down. His movements were precise.
The Radiant Demon Squad's martial techniques were naturally blending into his unique style.
"The Hwangbo Clan's martial arts seem profound."
He said.
"But you're nothing special."
It was a calm remark, tinged with disappointment.
He was certain now—the man's face matched the fortress's description. Yet someone like this couldn't be the heir of the Hwangbo Clan.
They said the genius of the Solar Divine Meridian was unmatched. Even Namgoong Hwashin, the White Qilin he once saw, had avoided exchanging moves with the Hwangbo heir.
With the age gap, it was assumed he would lose outright.
"You can't be the heir. Maybe just the second son?"
There was no answer to Jung Yeonshin's question. Everyone remained silent, as if struck speechless.
Even with the growing crowd of onlookers gathered along the road, no one spoke.
He turned his gaze slowly. The woman who had been arguing alongside the young man looked utterly stunned.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she stared at the convulsing man on the ground.
"How could someone like you… This is ridiculous…"
"I didn't kill him. The Hwangbo Clan should have some miraculous medicine, right? He'll be up after taking it."
"You…!"
The woman's eyes flared as she snapped her head around. Her gaze was sharp enough to send chills.
"Remember this. I am Hwangbo Myeong-rin. Gu Gwa of the Chushil Sect, I won't forget this humiliation."
"I have time to deal with your skills as well. Should we continue the duel?"
"…."
"If the martial clans only send brats like you, where are the adults? Where's the heir?"
At that moment, someone grabbed Jung Yeonshin's arm. It was Shin So-bin, who had been watching with wide eyes.
Her lips moved, sending a wave of internal energy—a voice transmission.
—Senior, isn't this provocation too much? Look around. If the Hwangbo Clan gathers, we'll end up being chased.
Even though it was a voice transmission, she sounded like she was whispering in fear. Jung Yeonshin tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
'Provocation? What provocation?'
He hadn't even started yet. He took slow steps forward.
'Missions are everything.'
One thing he liked about serving Desolate Fortress was its clear justification, public welfare.
The merits required for survival remained pure. At least, so far.
Factions that couldn't be classified as either righteous or demonic were called neutral sects.
Jung Yeonshin's current group, disguised as Chushil Sect, was one such sect.
They avoided malicious behavior but didn't pursue righteous causes either.
They lived in the martial world for profit and fame.
'Then I should mimic that neutrality.'
Before he knew it, more retainers from the Hwangbo Clan had gathered. They surrounded the fallen young man and Hwangbo Myeong-rin.
Jung Yeonshin circulated his core energy throughout his body.
As his foot touched the ground, a breeze brushed past his ears.
Suddenly, the people of the Hwangbo Clan seemed to expand in size. Using footwork as light as leaves on the wind, he burst through their ranks.
"What!"
"Stop him!"
Various shouts and panicked movements trailed behind him.
Jung Yeonshin saw Hwangbo Myeong-rin feeding a pill to the fallen young man.
Her face contorted as she looked up at him.
"I challenge you to a duel as well. You were the one who spoke of lineage. If you're part of the martial world, accept it."
Jung Yeonshin grabbed Hwangbo Myeong-rin's collar and pulled her upright. His overwhelming presence silenced everyone.
Then—
"Wait. Let's end it here."
A voice called out, and a young man approached with a wine flask in hand. The smell of alcohol filled the air.
He looked about ten years older than Jung Yeonshin. Despite wearing silk martial robes, his appearance seemed ragged.
A poppy flower hung loosely from his mouth, and he had the look of a complete wastrel, though handsome.
The lazy smile on his face matched the shadowy darkness in his eyes.
"My younger siblings may have spoken out of turn, but this is too much."
The heat radiating from his body was overwhelming, as if he had mastered some scorching Yang technique.
Solar Divine Meridian.
The term flashed through Jung Yeonshin's mind.
His face perfectly matched the description from the fortress sketches.
This man was the heir of the Hwangbo Clan.