Chung Myung's sect and homeland, they said.
Radiant Demon Squad's Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman was openly referred to as the greatest blue-rank swordsman.
A mysterious master who always seemed cheerful but at times exuded a frosty aura. Though he had enough achievements and reputation, he never competed with Jung Yeonshin for the black rank.
There wasn't even a hint of regret. It meant he was of a different caliber.
"Nothing's changed. It's always been like this."
Upon returning to his homeland, Chung Myung looked up with a slightly reluctant expression. It was a rare sight to see him visibly uncomfortable.
Jung Yeonshin followed his gaze. They were looking toward an entrance that was far too mysterious to be considered the gate of an ordinary sect.
'The sect of the noble clans.'
Towering cliffs flanked both sides, rising high like natural fortifications, while in the center, sunlight scattered in a leaf-green hue.
Thick vines were woven together like walls, standing at least five zhang high, appearing both bizarre and perfectly natural. It carried an overwhelming sense of grandeur, as if the dignity of nature itself resided there.
Without Chung Myung's guidance, they wouldn't have recognized it as a gate at all.
It was closer to a formation in its function. No one would easily find it.
"I never thought I'd visit the Tianzhu Sect in my lifetime. One could pass by without even noticing, even with the Heaven-Spanning Net deployed."
"So this is what they call a natural fortress."
Lazy Flame Dragon and Heon Wonchang spoke, each carrying one end of a small palanquin per the squad leader's orders.
Inside, the Divine Sword Order's leader was seated, and Lazy Flame Dragon, following the squad leader's command, seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
Their task was to replace the recuperating Divine Sword Order.
They had been ambushed by archery techniques from the Dark Night War Sect, which pushed the limits of stealth and efficiency in combat. Normally, the Divine Sword Order would accompany the Order's leader.
However, the Radiant Demon Squad's recovery was prioritized, and the Tianzhu Sect was not a sect that permitted the entry of large groups.
"And so,"
Lazy Flame Dragon glanced at Chung Myung,
"how do we get in?"
"They have to open it from inside."
Chung Myung replied leisurely, then turned to Jung Yeonshin.
"My sect is inherently arrogant. They might act extremely rude."
Since the Divine Sword Order's leader was present, Chung Myung naturally used formal speech, as it was not a private occasion.
Jung Yeonshin nodded calmly.
"Those who are dull must at least have patience and wit. Did you think I wouldn't know that? The great warriors of the world have the right to act arrogantly. Moreover, we are the ones requesting the Tianzhu Sect's help."
Chung Myung smirked.
It was the same expression he had worn when he patted Jung Yeonshin on the shoulder back when he was still clad in white, as if watching a younger brother go through an unusual phase.
"Then, let's call them."
"Alright."
The moment the squad leader gave his approval, Chung Myung pursed his lips and whistled. The sound, clear and resonant like a finely played flute, carried waves of internal energy.
He seemed to be using a special mnemonic verse. As the energy rippled up the verdant wall, leaves danced along its path.
Beside Jung Yeonshin, Shin So-bin let out a small gasp of admiration.
They waited for about a quarter of an hour.
"Expelled disciple, Chung Myung."
A clear, old-fashioned voice rang out.
It came from the top of the fortress of ancient tree trunks. A man stood upon an angled, jutting tree, looking down at them.
A bow slung across his back and a sword fastened at his waist, he carried both with a natural ease. His long, deep-green hair cascaded down the side of his pale face.
He spoke.
"What brings you back to the sacred sect?"
His tone was archaic, the pronunciation between syllables flowing like a melody.
It was different from the standardized speech that had been widely adopted during the founding era of the Ming Dynasty, when imperial authority was strongest. It seemed to be a dialect unique to them.
"Expelled disciple?"
Heon Wonchang muttered blankly.
Lazy Flame Dragon, who had been idly gripping the handle of the palanquin, raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You, Senior Demonic Swordsman?"
Shin So-bin, standing beside the squad leader, slightly parted her lips.
Among the experts of the Radiant Demon Squad, she seemed the most surprised. The only one who remained composed was Jung Yeonshin.
As if it was nothing.
A wry smile formed at the corner of Chung Myung's lips.
"Jung Sache, your words are getting rough."
"You are no longer my senior. Did you not leave the sect forever? What face do you have to return?"
"Jung Nansong."
"You'd better answer properly. There are dark figures roaming our mountains, digging around like rats. Since you abandoned the duty of protecting the World Tree, for all I know, you could be a dog of the Dark Night War Sect. Who knows the truth?"
"Asking about the truth… That's not something our clan should be saying. Unless you've been neglecting the clan's hidden techniques."
"How ridiculous! You are right!"
The conversation ended there.
The man called Jung Nansong stated that he would consult with the elders of the sect.
With a swift turn, he descended from the wooden fortress, his movements fluid yet frigid.
It was a manner of speech and action rarely seen in the martial world. Even the Radiant Demon Squad's leader had no immediate response.
"Quite straightforward."
Heon Wonchang remarked, his expression somewhat dazed.
Chung Myung shrugged.
"I told you, they wouldn't be welcoming. As you can see, I'm practically a traitor to my sect."
"A traitor? Your limbs and meridians are intact. It's odd that you were expelled."
Shin So-bin rubbed her wrist as she questioned him.
Even Shaolin, known for its fairness and compassion, would destroy the dantian and sever the meridians of expelled disciples.
It was out of caution that their esteemed martial arts would not be misused. Many sects in the martial world were just as strict in matters of master-disciple relationships.
Chung Myung lightly touched the back of his head, tied with a cloth.
"Looks like they erased my name from the sect records after I left. It stings a little."
"You didn't even know you were expelled? Then it can't have been a serious offense, right?"
Shin So-bin furrowed her brows as if she found it absurd.
She then flicked her long braided hair behind her back, revealing her displeasure toward the Tianzhu Sect.
"That may be true, but I kind of deserved it."
"Why?"
"This sect is devoted to guarding the core of the World Tree. They consider it their sacred duty. It's something they practically worship. Their clan's identity and traditions stem from that. They even disapprove of the imperial family, which is mixed with Han blood. They don't treat the Desolate Fortress kindly either. White Cat, you must have heard something about it, since you're the Shin Clan's lady."
"Ah…"
"It's still a sect in the martial world, so there are always warriors who seek to transcend limits through real combat. They don't stop those who leave, but they don't welcome those who return either. Because it's a betrayal of trust. That vast village is shockingly closed off."
"Then isn't bringing Senior Demonic Swordsman here meaningless?"
Lazy Flame Dragon suddenly interjected, his expression one of irritation.
"Won't this just disturb the squad leader's recovery?"
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have even seen the gatekeeper's face. The formation had already been dispelled into a path for us from the base of the mountain. Our squad leader must have noticed."
"Hmm."
At Chung Myung's nonchalant response, Jung Yeonshin nodded, ignoring the commotion.
The direct superior of the Radiant Demon Squad was sitting cross-legged inside the palanquin, snoring. His energy was clearly depleted.
Shin So-bin spoke with a curious expression.
"The Order's leader must trust the squad leader immensely. He's not someone who usually lets his guard down like this."
"We've only met once."
Jung Yeonshin replied, his face showing disagreement.
The Divine Sword Order's leader's condition was worse than expected.
He occasionally coughed up blood. The price of breaking through the combined assault of the Thirteen Celestial Demons and even inflicting a fatal wound on them seemed heavy.
Even traveling a short distance required his utmost focus.
Then, it happened.
Saaaaa—
The thick vine wall in front of them split apart. It was an incredibly mysterious sight.
It moved as if it had a will of its own, peeling back to reveal the sunlight beyond. It was reminiscent of the inner sanctum of the Desolate Fortress' Lord.
For a moment, the sound of rustling foliage filled the mountain.
"A noble figure from the secular world has arrived."
An aged woman's voice rang out. Her tone was peculiar. It sounded as if she was saying that this person was only esteemed in the outside world.
"Young grandmaster, I am Chung Bohwa of the Tianzhu Sect. I act as the sect leader."
Through the gap in the disappearing wall, bright white sunlight poured in streams.
Jung Yeonshin looked directly at the person emerging from the light.
His Sight Arts, which refined his vision to its peak, rendered him immune to glare.
The elderly swordswoman standing upright was reflected in full, from her long white hair to her light, gliding steps of Grass Flutter.
Her blue eyes gleamed with wisdom, and her simple green martial robes suited her well.
'Strong. Incredibly strong. Just how old is she?'
The energy she emanated was immeasurable. The air distorted with her every movement, as if she had spent an immense amount of time refining her internal energy.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say her energy reserves had reached the limits of the human body. The mastery needed to control such a vast amount of energy like a gentle breeze must have been beyond comprehension.
He slowly parted his lips.
"…I am Jung Yeonshin of the Radiant Demon Squad."
"You are my great-grandson's superior. And that massive, unstable man must be the Divine Sword Order's leader."
Chung Bohwa stepped closer to Jung Yeonshin as she spoke.
Her voice carried the same lyrical quality as Jung Nansong's earlier, but her tone had a deeper resonance.
'She's Senior Chung Myung's great-grandmother.'
Jung Yeonshin alternated his gaze between the two, both expressionless.
There wasn't a trace of emotion between them. Their estrangement must have been profound.
Chung Bohwa, who had been watching Jung Yeonshin intently, finally spoke.
"This has happened once every few generations. It seems you've brought a martial art unknown to the Central Plains this time. A martial discipline that sprouted anew within the order of the Ming Dynasty."
"They say all the martial arts of the world originated from Songshan Shaolin. Perhaps it is not so new after all."
"In that case, I cannot let you enter the lake. That is the rule of our sect."
"Then I shall observe the insights of your sect."
"A fitting statement from a squad leader. I understand. Even the Desolate Fortress' Lord cannot forcibly alter the rules of our sect. That is because she still holds a sliver of conscience as a noble of our lineage."
Her words were resolute. Even as her lips moved, the faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes did not shift in the slightest.
Only her gaze, endlessly sharp and blue, flickered with intensity as she studied Jung Yeonshin.
Jung Yeonshin met her gaze silently.
"Would demonstrating the completeness of my martial arts in three bouts suffice?"
"Yes. Our sect has always advanced martial arts by distancing ourselves from foreign influences. The elders, who vividly remember the past, abhor the tyranny displayed by the Yuan, the Song, and the early Ming Dynasty. Even if this makes us like frogs in a well, it cannot be helped."
The acting leader of the Tianzhu Sect continued speaking at a measured pace.
"If your unique martial art has transcended the boundaries of our lineage… we shall compensate you accordingly for broadening our horizons. Allowing you into the lake is just one part of it. We shall offer you knowledge of things you have yet to experience."
"So be it."
Jung Yeonshin was about to assume his stance when Chung Bohwa shook her head.
"You bear the Desolate Fortress' black. We are well aware. This is unbecoming."
"I do not understand what you mean by unbecoming."
"Your stature is too high. If an adult interferes in a children's fight, it distorts the essence of the challenge. I sense a similar martial aura from the young ones accompanying you. The completion of martial arts should be judged not by a grandmaster but by a dedicated practitioner."
"Children and adults…"
Jung Yeonshin nodded and took a step back.
Beside him, Shin So-bin shot an incredulous glare at her fellow squad leader, but the Radiant Demon Squad's leader paid no mind to her reaction.
'If this is the martial arts of the mysterious Tianzhu Sect…'
Heavenly Dao Sword, Moonlight Piercing Art, and Samra Tree Steps were said to be the most renowned.
Each was famed for its refinement, comparable to the transcendent martial arts of the Nine Great Sects.
Now, it seemed their reputation had been built upon the skills of disciples who had left, accepting their expulsion as the price.
But what of the martial arts practiced solely by those who had remained in the sect, dedicating themselves to training alone?
Jung Yeonshin's martial arts were often discussed in the context of his sheer power.
This was the first time his unique martial discipline was being directly compared to others in such a focused manner.
"Let's begin."
The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, arms crossed within his pitch-black sleeves, spoke.
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