The official road was bustling with crowds.
But it was quiet.
The presence of merchant caravans carrying somewhat empty carts, vendors standing at sparsely stocked fruit and grain stalls, and a few waiters soliciting customers while dodging wandering swordsmen near the inns faded from Jeong Yeon-shin's mind.
The young man recalled the steps of the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader.
The air rising on both sides following the toe of her foot. The energy waves that crumbled along with her leg muscles.
He thoroughly analyzed the footwork technique that had been modified as the parent of the Radiant Wing Step. The kindly added incantations flowed naturally into his mind in reverse.
The structure of the footwork energy waves felt somewhat dull at first glance, but that's why it was even more excellent.
There was a regularity to the energy intertwining above and below the kneecap. It felt like intricately arranged gears.
'How far did she lower her standards?'
It was different from the freedom of the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader. The way it didn't follow natural sensations was like teaching a beast how to drink water.
'She set the axis of the center of gravity in six directions, and drew out the Yongquan acupoint energy waves to the subtleties of the three calamities. Narrowing the range of movement to make it easier to enter…'
The Radiant Wing Step that Jeong Yeon-shin originally created was structured so that its subtleties could be applied in all directions. Countless variations were possible depending on the situation. It wasn't difficult to step backward and unravel the opponent's momentum. This was because the use of internal energy changed each time.
The steps of Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader Beigong Ya were different.
She had set a direction. To make entry and mastery easy, she limited the footwork directions to six. She consolidated the energy waves that generate propulsion into three forms.
She had narrowed the range of applications and focused on achievement. Only the echoes of simple forward and backward movement and leaping were felt.
'They say Beigong senior is the first innate talent.'
Jeong Yeon-shin was inwardly amazed. Was she a living Buddha?
He recalled the story of Wei Ling Gong from the Analects he had read at the Jeong family estate. It was the attitude of sacrificing oneself for others.
She had killed her own dignity to teach her subordinates. The image of enduring simplicity like a rock came across as boundless consideration.
'To compete for the Group Leader position with someone like this…'
Jeong Yeon-shin was momentarily stunned.
He felt an unexpected difference in capacity. He had never thought of such incantations. The Radiant Art Bond was his limit.
They say that among the peerless masters of purple, one with high popularity sits in the seat of the Divine Sword Group Leader.
The wall of the Three Black Pillars, which he had thought he might at least be equal to, suddenly felt higher.
'Hmm?'
Suddenly, Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly tilted his head to the side. Then what about his maternal grandfather…?
"Hey, are you meditating? Do you need time?"
Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader Beigong Ya slightly raised her chin. It was a gesture of urging. White light fell on her distinctly prominent nose bridge.
The belligerence characteristic of the royal family from the north shone through.
It was natural that she couldn't sense Jeong Yeon-shin's energy waves.
Similarly, he had never felt the internal energy fluctuations of Blade Venerable Jin Min.
Having learned how to conceal energy waves by observing the Seventh Apostle beside him and practicing through guesswork, Jeong Yeon-shin was confident he could completely conceal his internal energy fluctuations even before the Divine Sword Group Leader.
"Let's do it next time."
"What?"
Jeong Yeon-shin's refusal was close to a short answer.
Though it wasn't the demeanor of a subordinate addressing a squad leader of the black rank, his posture as he raised both hands in a fist-palm salute was impeccably neat.
Admiration that he didn't particularly try to hide seeped through.
"Thank you, Senior Beigong. I have gained insight into your character."
He had seen the bottom of the bottom. He learned how detailed the martial arts incantations he had created could become. While confirming the vast capacity of the senior he had only heard about.
Having broadened the scope of his mental imagery, it would someday come as inspiration.
If she weren't a fellow disciple of Desolate Fortress, he would have called her a great hero. Just as he had done with Cloud Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myo-hwa of the Zhongnan Sect.
At the same time, one of Beigong Ya's eyebrows rose slightly. She seemed to have heard something unexpected.
The upper dantian energy sense of a supreme master close to the highest black rank directly accepts the other's feelings. The inner thoughts embedded in her expression were clearly visible.
'What's this? It seems sincere.'
'It seems the changed Radiant Wing Step pleased the squad leader. She's always wanted to spread martial arts widely. And the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader is…'
Hyeon Won-chang, who had been blankly watching them from the side, guessed at the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader's confusion.
As far as the Desolate Divine Hero who thoroughly knew the news of the main fortress was aware, Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader Dragon Fist was famous for having a temperament close to that of a hooligan.
It was said that the Wish for Peace One Sword Training Ground had been destroyed several times due to her frequent outbursts as if she had cultivated demonic arts. Yet she was an eccentric who slept in the ruined black rank meeting hall.
'They say she doesn't have many close acquaintances.'
When the previous Radiant Demon Wing Leader's skills were at their peak, some even put Ma Jin's name among the Three Black Pillars instead of Beigong Ya.
It was due to personal feelings. Just like how the top ten masters in the world are listed differently in each region.
The expressions of Hyeon Won-chang, Lazy Flame Dragon, and Shin So-bin were each strangely subtle. This was because the squad leader's appearance reminded them of a Buddhist seeing Maitreya.
[TL Note- Maitreya is a bodhisattva, a spiritual being who is on the path to enlightenment, but postpones their own enlightenment to help others. ]
"You, what's your name? …No."
Beigong Ya, who had suddenly closed her mouth, had a bluish light gleaming in her eyes. Her gaze, which had swept over the young man's entire body in a short moment, took on an unusual color.
"Your body, it can't be that of an unknown foot soldier. I want to examine it closely."
"I understand you are inspecting Xiangyang. This junior is deeply fatigued from travel, so let's make an appointment. I will send you a message in the near future."
Jeong Yeon-shin apologetically changed the subject. And with the elbow that was undoing his fist-palm salute, he lightly pressed down on the sleeve of the Seventh Apostle who was about to raise her hand.
She had been about to draw her sword at the words wanting to see a well-trained body.
At the same time, the Seventh Apostle trembled slightly as if lightning had brushed her arm.
Jeong Yeon-shin paid no attention.
'I'll be able to see Senior Beigong again at the Wish for Peace One Sword Training Ground.'
The fact that he had undergone bone transformation shouldn't be revealed now. It was a story that would inevitably cause a small commotion. It was right for it to be resolved after arriving at the Radiant Demon Wing hall.
Bringing the Seventh Apostle to the squad leader's office came first. That would ensure at least minimal safety.
'Tyrant Hero…'
He recalled his maternal grandfather who had unhesitatingly closed the dantians of collateral royal family members.
Could he now conduct himself like his grandfather? Rather than being swayed by missions and circumstances, adjusting them according to his will…
"It was an honor to meet such a renowned senior. Your mental and physical cultivation is truly worthy of your reputation."… Jeong Yeon-shin bowed respectfully as he passed by the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader. Admiration lingered like an echo in his clear voice.
Where did he find that admirable? Beigong Ya, usually called a burning hooligan, looked at his back with a puzzled expression, but her innate northern senses stopped her.
There was no pretense like that felt from flatterers. Only the free-spirited quality characteristic of the Radiant Wing Step clung to the young man's heels.
Saaaa—
As the wind that scattered the feather decorations of nearby stalls brushed up her eyebrows.
Jeong Yeon-shin's group safely set foot at the main gate of Desolate Fortress. The white marble fortress bathed in sunlight welcomed them. As always, with a quiet appearance.
***
***
Jeong Yeon-shin entered the main fortress without revealing his identity. This was possible thanks to the well-established identities of those accompanying him.
Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon were Blue-rank masters capable of solo missions, their rank itself constituting a major force of Desolate Fortress.
White Cat Shin So-bin, as a direct descendant of the Desolate Shin family, was more widely recognized than most official martial artists. In Desolate Fortress, where all sorts of people came and went, her presence alone was enough to guarantee the identity of these few strangers.
Unlike Lazy Flame Dragon who was somewhat kept at a distance, Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin had many acquaintances. Their connections extended beyond Radiant Demon Wing to other squads and the Administration Office.
"Great Tongue Sword is back. Everything went well?"
"You don't know how quiet the main fortress has been. It seems the Radiant Demon Wing Leader is attending to other matters?"
"White Cat has grown even more."
"Wait, who is that woman…?"
Martial artists with the rough character "Desolate" engraved on their forearms approached the group. Their faces were filled with delight.
Martial artists typically remember others by their build and physique. It's not easy to recall someone who had been a boy suddenly experiencing bone transformation and rapid growth.
In the absence of the intimidating youngest Black-rank, casual words were exchanged.
Hyeon Won-chang subtly stepped forward to block their view.
"Let's catch up later. This mission was extremely difficult."
"I've heard the stories. Rumors that started in Shanxi have reached here. So, is it all true? That…"
"Let's talk over drinks. I'll prove my seventy percent restriction wasn't a lie. With my changed drinking capacity."
"Still saying that?"
Lazy Flame Dragon smirked among the passing crowd, as if hearing nonsense. There was quite a lack of trust.
After glancing at them, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth while looking sideways at the Seventh Apostle. Even after entering the main fortress, she kept her entire body's energy sense directed at Jeong Yeon-shin.
Energy waves fluttering like down feathers could be felt right beside him, along with her bright red fluttering sleeve hem instead of her pure blood robe.
"You."
"Tell me."
"Wait quietly in my office."
"Office? Your room?"
"My companions will guide you. Don't cause trouble. I'll tell you the incantation when I return."
"The incantation, from the first line?"
"Yes."
"What if I forget again due to madness? Will you tell me from the beginning again?"
Her lips moved.
"I told you it's not to be passed down. Something like a secret manual shouldn't be left behind."
Her repeated whispering seemed bewitching. Though her eyes were covered with soft cloth, a reddish gleam seemed to shine through.
"…Wait quietly without causing trouble."
After entrusting her safety to Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin, Jeong Yeon-shin turned away.
The power of Blood Flame Cult's dharma treasure was truly remarkable. The other companions at the main fortress saw not the Seventh Apostle but Miss Ye.
It seemed that only someone with the status of a peerless master from a renowned clan could see through her identity. Now, the only person to be mindful of regarding the Seventh Apostle was Zhu Lianting.
"I'm going to the Administration Office."
Leaving these words with his companions, he quickly moved on.
He didn't want to waste time being caught by the fortress's martial artists, but looking around the inner fortress now, it seemed fine to mix Ten Li Gentle Light skill with Radiant Wing Step.
Whoosh!
Familiar energy waves could be felt throughout the fortress. Many of those passing through his vision used a familiar gait.
All were using Radiant Wing Step. Despite his martial art having little utility for those who couldn't control their bodies well.
'How impressive.'
Jeong Yeon-shin freshly felt the influence of Senior Beigong. It was as admirable as Senior Jin of Blood Extreme Demon.
Wish-fulfilling Spring.
It means nothing desired would be unattainable. It was known to be the second most powerful after the Divine Sword Squad within the Divine Sword Group.
It was said to be a squad difficult to rank against the Annihilation Team.
Could he surpass those two squads and the Divine Sword Squad with Radiant Demon Wing? Even if he became the Divine Sword Group Leader in the future, he intended to keep Radiant Demon Wing as his direct command.
'Radiant Art Bond… there's room for improvement.'
The Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader had shattered the common sense of the Radiant Demon Wing Leader. Having learned the level of the abyss, Jeong Yeon-shin tried to shake off his heavy heart as he stepped onto the roof of the Administration Office building complex.
His movement was swift even without properly deploying lightness skill.
His completely transformed body occasionally gave him a dreamlike sensation.
It felt as if his entire body was immersed in a dream where nothing was impossible. This feeling only faded when the unity of his entire body was occasionally broken.
'I heard the Wish for Peace One Sword Training Ground was destroyed again, so they must be gathered at the Administration Office.'
The energy waves rising along the rafters were heavy. He could feel it in his toes.
What could be happening?
There was an unprecedented number of presences worthy of discussing Black-rank.
The Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader, Blood Guardian Leader, Law Enforcement Squad Leader, plus one presence both strange and familiar, and another completely unfamiliar one. Adding the Wish-fulfilling Spring Squad Leader who was outside the fortress gate, that made six.
It was truly overwhelming.
Were they preparing for a faction war? Including Jeong Yeon-shin, whose return was anticipated, there would be seven.
It was then.
A faint cry reached Jeong Yeon-shin's ears as he was momentarily lost in thought.
[So I'm asking for an explanation! I don't know how many days I've been requesting this. Where is the revered Desolate Fortress Lord that people can be treated with such disregard? Proper reception should be conducted with dignity befitting one's status…]
In that moment, the Luminous Wheel in his heart rotated. The state of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. True energy raced through his entire meridian system following his mind.
Kwaaaang!
From Jeong Yeon-shin's toes, roof tiles rose like waves and spread in all directions.
Following the shockwave, the shattered roof rose in a massive concentric circle along with whitish dust.
He landed in the magnificent hall while erasing the image of his maternal grandfather that had flashed through his mind with shame.