The young man who had broken through the round table of Desolate Fortress's leaders.
He was an uncommonly handsome man. His eyebrows and eyes, as if drawn with a brush, drew the attention of everyone present.
Sunlight poured over his distinct features. A dreamlike quality. His high nose bridge and calm lips stood out.
Though he had just experienced a fierce exchange, his neatly flowing hair added to his deep impression.
Colorless lightning constantly flickered at the ends of his black hair that reached below his shoulder blades.
It was the aftermath of the techniques he had unleashed.
"..."
The gathering, each with their extraordinary appearance, maintained a long silence. If the confrontation had been head-on, the result would have been different.
There's a great difference between evading a formation and properly handling it.
But what if that space had been filled with Desolate Fortress's Black-ranks?
A flash of light crossed Zhu Zhe's eyes as he faced Jeong Yeon-shin.
Though his dignity accompanying the title of Sword Prestige Duke had been damaged like drought-stricken rice straw, he first needed to assess the ruffian who had taught him a lesson.
How many in Desolate Fortress could recreate what had just happened here?
Zhu Zhe read the turning atmosphere while quietly tending to the acupoints that had been swept up in the shockwave of the single exchange.
He had clearly seen it.
Blood Extreme Demon and Desolate Divine Spear hadn't raised a finger toward the intruder. Unlike him, Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu, who had successfully drawn her sword, also flinched strangely after exchanging a single move.
Even Grand Administrator Lin Jin-myeong, with his powerful martial arts, was solely focused on examining the opponent.
It meant he wasn't an enemy.
The implications were significant.
'Such a person exists in the Emperor's loyal arsenal?'
The intruder who had displayed arrogant conduct so naturally was merely a young man who appeared to be around twenty.
It meant he was someone who couldn't be measured by ordinary standards. A talent comparable to the mysteries of Azure Sky Essence or Flood Dragon.
He had heard of it.
"The current Radiant Demon Wing Leader… I heard he was a young boy."
Zhu Zhe spoke as if muttering, spitting out saliva mixed with blood.
But the young man merely glanced at him once before turning away. The unfamiliar handsome man met the eyes of the girl who had been staring up at him intently.
"Are you well?"
Asking about the physical well-being of the world-renowned Desolate Divine Spear.
He seemed to naturally possess information difficult to access. Only those in the know were aware that she had suffered serious internal injuries from the breaking method of the Yue family spear technique.
The rumor that had spread to the public was only that three Black-ranks of Desolate Fortress had killed Zhuge Clan Leader.
Zhu Zhe was certain. The conduct characteristic of arrogant Black-ranks who disregarded him, the eldest legitimate son of the Qiong-ming Royal Palace, emanated from the young man.
Having come from the royal palace, he knew the entire roster of Desolate Fortress's high-ranking officials by heart. No one came to mind except the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.
'But how…?'
It was extremely confusing. Both the young man's martial prowess and appearance that far exceeded expectations, and the sight of Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin, who had ignored him as a member of the royal family, exclaiming with eyes like jade beads.
"It's Lightning Genius, right?! What happened to your voice?"
Rustle.
She approached with one step of her not-so-long legs.
Her hair, barely covering her nape, shook slightly. It seemed to be due to fragments of powerful internal energy flowing out. The state of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown wasn't being properly controlled.
"Didn't it hurt? I thought I was going to die."
Yue Shou-lin extended her small hand, almost but not quite touching the young man's face.
Her gesture of tracing along his jawline in the air contained astonishment close to shock. The Luminous Wheel energy that had been flickering like mystical smoke distorted along her fingertips.
The surroundings stirred.
Anyone could read between the lines. It was as good as mentioning bone transformation.
"Fortunately, Grandpa Ma isn't visible in your face. If you just eat regularly from now on, won't you become prettier than Sichuan's most beautiful Golden Wing Sect Leader? Though she got that way thanks to her rain dragon inner alchemy."
"My companions said I've become more manly."
"How can you compare fledglings? Are their eyes the same as a senior's?"
Her chattering with a bright smile was heartwarming.
Jeong Yeon-shin was inwardly relieved to see his senior looking well. It was because the image of her during the life-or-death battle with Zhuge Clan Leader was still vivid in his mind.
The scene of her taking the ultimate move of the Yin-Yang Divine Whip on behalf of her junior occasionally came to him even in his sleep.
"Squad Leader Jeong! Squad Leader Jeong has…!"
The Grand Administrator, who had burst into exclamation as if sighing in wonder at what had happened, was pushed aside by Yue Shou-lin's busy gestures.
Soon after, she poured out various words like a lark, appearing exactly her age despite her appearance.
How did you weave your body when you were already like steel before growing taller, I'd like to compare you even with a Shaolin divine monk, what happened after you left the Zhuge family, if you leave again with just a message next time then…
'Senior Yue and Grandfather. If mental cultivation follows physical condition…'
Jeong Yeon-shin was certain. He had truly become an adult. It was a fact that wouldn't change no matter who denied it.
He carefully skipped the long stories and answered the short questions one by one, then turned his head toward the Grand Administrator.
Now Yue Shou-lin's small head couldn't block his view. It meant that words like "hey, where are you looking" couldn't hold an adult's gaze.
"I came to report my return. All Radiant Demon Wing martial artists accompanying me are safe, and the mission…"
"Was successful."
The Grand Administrator continued with a smile.
"The Administration Office obtained the information long ago. Zhuge Clan Leader's death has been shaking the entire martial world. Even though Shanxi is so vast, rumors are leaping from city wall to city wall."
"Has it reached Xiangyang?"
"It's spreading at an unprecedented speed. Unlike Hwangbo Clan Leader who was killed by mid-level Black-ranks, the fact that the youngest Black-rank beheaded Zhuge Clan Leader who had built formations… There were quite a few sects that witnessed the scene. The story that Military Governor Jiang Shuihui wants Radiant Demon Wing Leader Lightning dispatched to the north also had great impact."
Jeong Yeon-shin didn't respond. He was conscious of the gazes of his seniors scanning his profile and back, but it was time to move past the awkward conversation and get to the main point.
"Shouldn't we follow the proper procedures for meritorious service to uphold the main fortress's laws? I heard the Fortress Lord is away, so I should properly report to the Grand Administrator…"
"A written report will suffice. Since there were no casualties, there's no reason to keep you here. First, return to the Radiant Demon Wing hall and rest comfortably. You can send the mission scroll through your subordinate."… Grand Administrator Lin Jin-myeong tends to be excessively courteous to Jeong Yeon-shin.
It had been this way since he was appointed as the direct disciple of the Desolate Fortress Lord. Even now, he was providing small conveniences in front of the other squad leaders, and his manner seemed extremely natural.
Jeong Yeon-shin was skilled at reading the atmosphere through energy sense. It was an achievement gained from the Jeong family estate. After discreetly scanning the mood of his respected seniors, he parted his lips.
"…Very well."
If he were to bring up the Murong family head's matter here, Yue Shou-lin would likely torment him for quite some time. The man called Sword Prestige Duke, who was emitting the heavy energy waves characteristic of imperial martial arts, was also irritating.
Though they say rumors are faster than feet, they can't outpace the lightness skill of masters.
The distance from Taiyuan in Shanxi to Xiangyang in Huguang was enormous. It would make sense if news of the Murong family head's death hadn't reached here yet.
When Jeong Yeon-shin faced a deadly crisis from him and achieved bone transformation, the only outsiders present were people from the Slaughter Sect.
'My white swallow was taken by the Divine Sword Group Leader's divine eagle.'
Like the swallows that squad leaders use as messengers, the Divine Sword Group Leader also had a snow-white hawk with intelligence.
A spirit beast called a divine eagle. It had suddenly appeared in the sky, let out a long cry to call the white swallow, and then flown away together.
This had happened while Jeong Yeon-shin was coming down to Xiangyang with the Seventh Apostle. It seemed something had occurred, so he had left it alone for a long time.
"One thing before I go."
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had turned to leave, opened his mouth again while facing the Grand Administrator.
At the same time, he nodded respectfully to Blood Guardian Leader Jin, but Blood Extreme Demon, who had been the first to recognize his identity, had turned away, perhaps bothered by the partially destroyed roof. It was the dignity that the young man aspired to emulate.
"The Group Leader's divine eagle came to me…"
"It came to us too. We were discussing that matter."
Yue Shou-lin, smiling brightly, placed her hand on Jeong Yeon-shin's side and pushed him. He didn't resist and stepped toward the door. Having experienced much, his mind was more tired than his body.
"You can rest for a while, so return to your hall. A squad leader returning from an original mission should focus on meditation rather than going to the Wish for Peace One Sword Training Ground."
"There are still seniors I haven't greeted… Why are you coming with me?"
"To watch you eat. The Radiant Demon Wing cooks' skills must have been good, right?"
"I'll eat on my own."
"Kids your age say that and then skip meals until they become thin."
No one spoke until the young man and the girl disappeared from the meeting hall. The Grand Administrator and squad leaders seemed to be digesting the shock that wouldn't easily subside.
"The Tyrant Hero's grandson."
Sword Prestige Duke Zhu Zhe was different.
"They said the next purple would be one of the Three Black Pillars."
He muttered, disregarding the gazes around him.
He recalled the rumors prevalent in the imperial court and the royal mansions below it. They said the Tyrant Hero's bloodline had become so strong in the current generation that it might surpass his grandfather.
What the Radiant Demon Wing Leader had done today.
He had engraved his presence at the highest level of Desolate Fortress with a shocking manifestation.
A figure who should have emerged in the next generation after the next had displayed his martial prowess and rank before many seniors. By unhesitatingly striking out against an imperial master.
It meant he had rapidly risen not only toward the purple rank but also toward the position of Divine Sword Group Leader. That noble rank was attained through various procedures, including a majority vote from the squad leaders.
From now on, when discussing the next generation of Desolate Fortress, the name Jeong Yeon-shin would inevitably be mentioned.
Even if the time he had spent accumulating achievements was absurdly short compared to other renowned clan Black-ranks.
'Despite being of the Ma family bloodline, he's remarkably calm. His mental and physical cultivation is truly astonishing.'
Zhu Zhe thought. That he needed to be chosen by that young man.
A squad leader of Desolate Fortress can choose which missions to take among various tasks.
Some high officials and nobles who have martial world troubles occasionally give enormous wealth to those connected with Black-ranks. Along with requests to convey messages well.
"We should continue this discussion tomorrow. I will return to my quarters."
"As you wish, Sword Prestige Duke."
The Grand Administrator raised both hands with a rare smile. It must be because he had gained the Radiant Demon Wing Leader who had undergone bone transformation as a card. Zhu Zhe, inwardly clicking his tongue, turned away.
Thud.
A wind tinged with spring brushed the floor. The dust in the hall scattered upward toward the wide-open sky.
***
***
Radiant Demon Wing Leader's office.
It was a place where the scents of metal and ink harmonized. The wall racks filled with precious swords of the Desolate Ma family emitted the smell of oil.
Until the young man seated at the marble desk ground ink and wrote on a scroll, the Seventh Apostle, reclining on the bed opposite, engraved Jeong Yeon-shin's image in her bright red demon eye.
Then, whenever the young man raised his head, she would smile brightly and pretend to look away.
'I need to do something about that woman too.'
A day had passed. The current Radiant Demon Wing Leader had heard many stories.
While he had been experiencing fierce battles, many of Desolate Fortress's martial artists had endured difficult times while training in the Radiant Wing Step.
The number of those dying in missions had increased enormously.
Not only White-rank martial artists who mainly captured wandering swordsmen engaging in plunder, but many Blue-rank masters who had been dispatched on solo missions to small and medium-sized sects also hadn't returned.
The famine had taken away the fear from martial artists.
The fear of starvation had defeated the fear of being punished and killed. It was something that could only approach Desolate Fortress as a disadvantage.
They had been compensating for their insufficient numbers with the prestige of being the martial world's greatest major faction, but now martial artists throughout the world were beginning to disregard them.
Obeying Heaven Squad Leader Ha Do-woon.
Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader Cheon So-so.
Forest-Treading Squad Leader Xiahou Wei-jin.
There had been no news from the three who had gone to capture the Young Sect Leader of Ming Cult.
It was a story he had first heard through Yue Shou-lin's tongue loosened by alcohol.
The fog said to be spreading from Xinjiang across Qinghai to Sichuan was likely related, but they couldn't withdraw forces due to some of the Thirteen Evil Sects targeting the main fortress, as if they had noticed the Desolate Fortress Lord's absence.
'I need to go and rescue them.'
Jeong Yeon-shin deliberately set aside thoughts about his seniors' life or death as he stood up.
In one hand, he held the report of the Shanxi mission. A scroll plainly describing matters concerning Zhuge Clan Leader, the Martial Alliance, the powerful clans of Shanxi, and the Murong family.
It was an item that would serve as his declaration of intent.