The rising star ascended to the Black Rank of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Rumors spread like wildfire, accompanied by whispers that his age had barely surpassed adolescence.
No one had ever heard of such an extraordinary event.
Even in Jianghu, a world brimming with mysteries, it was exceptionally rare. His talent, achievements, and martial prowess were all unprecedented.
The commotion spread to the urban center of Yangyang Province, which was only natural.
A master comparable to the leaders of the Nine Great Sects' martial divisions had been born.
It was an event that would draw the attention of powerful sects across Zhongyuan, far beyond the borders of Huguang Province.
Such was the stature of a Squad leader of Desolate Fortress.
"Hmm."
Jung Yeonshin sensed that the world around him had changed. He felt it through the meticulous touch scanning his entire body.
A middle-aged man, clad in silk robes, examined the boy's physique as if refining an intricate craft.
"Please extend your arm this way."
Despite his rugged face, the man spoke with courtesy, as though addressing a noble.
Jung Yeonshin silently raised his right arm. With a slight gesture, the man bent his knees to measure the length.
Using a silk thread, he carefully aligned it from the boy's shoulder to his wrist.
His hand movements were exceedingly precise, showing no signs of carelessness.
"You seem experienced."
The Chief Administrator remarked. The corners of his thick black beard lifted slightly.
Jung Yeonshin did not reply. There was nothing more to say.
He had come at the summons of Chief Administrator Lin Jinming.
After tallying his astonishing achievements at the main hall of the Administrator's Office, he had arrived at this annex, only to face this situation.
The fragrance of fine wood filled the annex's office, which felt distinct from usual. A tailor from Yangyang's finest fabric shop awaited him.
Ordinary merchants dealing in textiles would typically stick to buying and selling cloth, but the standards of logistics and lifestyle in Yangyang Province were highly advanced.
This was due to the presence of the colossal Desolate Fortress.
Even the wages of the white-robed martial guards were paid in silver. It was no surprise the city bustled with life.
"Come to think of it, I heard the Squad leader grew up in a wealthy landlord's household, so…"
"I'm merely feigning composure."
Jung Yeonshin responded quietly.
The Chief Administrator's casual mention of the Jung Clan Manor didn't offend him.
Rather, it made him feel more at ease.
The head of the General Affairs Bureau, who sat observing the boy, was an experienced man.
His tone and phrasing calmed the young master's nerves.
It was enough for the boy to voice a minor concern.
"Lately, I feel my cultivation has stagnated. It's been a small source of worry."
The Chief Administrator chuckled while seated.
"At your age, that's only natural. It's the season of spring in your life, after all. It's also a time when one may develop resistance to logic, especially in a martial world brimming with proud warriors.
It's the same age where many aspiring talents with great ambitions fall, followed closely by less promising ones."
"Fall in battle…"
Jung Yeonshin repeated the words.
"In my experience, that's how it often goes…"
The Chief Administrator's smile deepened as he gazed at the boy.
"But such concerns are more fitting for other youths of your age. Your martial arts are already formidable, far beyond your years, and your status is unparalleled."
"It's too early to call my skills formidable."
The boy thought of the other Squad leaders as he spoke.
The Chief Administrator shook his head.
"The martial arts of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader are naturally among the elite, even within the vast expanse of the martial world. You'll never need to share a table with younger, aspiring talents at the Murim Alliance gatherings. That alone is sufficient. Surely, you wouldn't speak rudely to the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects or the Thirteen Heavenly Pillars?"
"…"
His words gave the boy something to ponder.
As Jung Yeonshin fell silent, the tailor stepped back.
"It's finished."
The middle-aged tailor spoke.
"If the robe is to be made from celestial silkworm silk, it will take about a month, but since your mission is urgent, I can shorten it to seven days. I'll make it possible if I set aside all other work."
He was said to be an unparalleled artisan. All the black robes in Desolate Fortress were woven by his hands.
He produced garments impervious to blades, so even ordinary swords would leave no scratch.
In the presence of the Chief Administrator and the Radiant Demon Squad leader, he maintained a humble posture, but among the commoners of Yangyang Province, he was a wealthy craftsman with no rival.
"Thank you, Master Jang."
Jung Yeonshin raised his hands in a formal salute.
"The honor is mine. I'm well aware of your exploits, having cut down countless bloodthirsty foes. It's my privilege to work on the attire of such a noble and gallant hero."
Master Jang bowed with a composed expression.
The flattery left Jung Yeonshin feeling slightly embarrassed. He turned to the Chief Administrator.
"My height and arm length keep changing. Even if we tailor this robe now, I'll soon need another. Would it be acceptable to keep repeating this process, especially with celestial silkworm silk being so rare?"
"As the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, that's not something you need to worry about. The wealth of this city draws from all corners of the world, and with the Emperor on our side, a few rolls of silk are trivial. Squad leaders don't just fight overwhelming battles all the time, after all."
The Chief Administrator spoke in a calm tone, prompting the boy to nod.
While commissioning the new robe, Jung Yeonshin fully grasped the status of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
He had completed the review of his accomplishments in Sichuan and received advice for his next move.
It was said that an unprecedented reward awaited him.
His residence would soon overflow with treasures, including a premium elixir sent by Chung Myung, the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman.
'Ordinary elixirs won't help much anymore. My cultivation density in Radiant Techniques is already too high.'
The boy thought to himself, wondering if a premium elixir might be different.
After expressing gratitude to the Chief Administrator, he left the office.
It was said the rewards had already arrived at the hall and were guarded by the enforcers of the Law and Order Squad.
He felt sorry for his seniors who had to stand alongside those dreaded executioners.
However, Jung Yeonshin's steps led him in the opposite direction of his residence.
Step.
His footsteps echoed.
The Squad leaders of Desolate Fortress were not entirely free. Unlike his days in the blue rank, his schedule was now set.
This time, he had to attend the Squad Leaders' Assembly.
It was to be held at Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall, located deep inside the city—a place where he had once faced off against Obeying Heaven Squad's Leader.
'The mission is assigned, and now it's time to discuss the details.'
Now recognized by all the warriors remaining in the city after his Black Rank induction, he walked under the gaze of countless onlookers.
Some whispered with flushed faces, including girls of his age and seasoned martial artists polishing their swords.
Unlike in his Blue Rank days, no one dared to challenge him to a duel out of competitiveness, nor did anyone recklessly approach him.
Feeling slightly pleased, the boy continued walking.
'No nuisances. This is convenient.'
The rank of a Squad Leader commanded respect.
* * *
Typically, only three martial divisions under the Divine Sword Squad were stationed in the city at any given time.
Some argued even that was excessive for policing the vast Jianghu.
It was not uncommon for Squad Leaders to never cross paths during their service.
The number of Black-ranked masters currently gathered in Desolate Fortress was extraordinary.
Vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad, Leader of the Law and Order Squad, Radiant Demon Squad Leader, Heavenly Squad Leader, Obeying Heaven Squad Leader, and Annihilation Squad Leader.
Including the previous Radiant Demon Squad leader, there were seven Black ranks in total. Combined with their subordinate forces, it was an unparalleled power in all the lands.
Some of the leaders stationed outside had returned to the main fortress for a reason. Discussions regarding the Murim Alliance were necessary.
The justification for forming the alliance stemmed from Desolate Fortress' show of force.
With famine and the rapidly changing circumstances in Jianghu, leaving three empty seats in Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall was not an option.
Yet, there was an uninvited guest. At least, that was how Jung Yeonshin saw it.
"Dianqing Sect?"
The boy murmured.
In front of a large round table surrounded by eighteen stone seats, a woman from the Dianqing Sect sat in a separately prepared chair, smiling at him. Her beauty was striking.
Sunlight streamed in from the windows, casting reflections off the marble chairs.
The light hit her cheek, illuminating her features.
"Nice to meet you. That was an impressive duel."
She waved her hand in a seemingly innocent manner. She was the Little Sword Queen, Chui So-ok.
Since accompanying him on the journey back from Sichuan, she had even attended his Black-rank promotion ceremony.
She showed no signs of leaving, but Jung Yeonshin found it somewhat fortunate.
The Murim Alliance was an unknown territory, teeming with orthodox martial artists he had never encountered.
Having the successor of the Dianqing Sect as an ally could be useful, especially after safely escorting the purple-robed elders back to the fortress.
'It's enough if she supports me when needed. As a successor of one of the Nine Great Sects, her voice will carry weight in the alliance.'
He gave her a slight nod, to which her lips curved upward in a curious smile.
She seemed somewhat excited—a peculiar person indeed.
Though her inner thoughts were hard to read, she displayed open affection toward Jung Yeonshin.
She overlapped with memories of the Seventh Apostle.
'…I shouldn't let my guard down. No asking favors, either.'
He had already received unexpected help several times from someone he considered an enemy. He didn't want to complicate things further.
He turned his head away, almost as if ignoring her.
His uncle's smiling face entered his view.
"Chui So-ok of Dianqing Sect is here as an observer. Yeonshin, take your seat."
Ma Jin patted the seat beside him. Unlike Little Sword Queen, this meant taking a formal position at the stone seat.
It was only natural as a black-rank of the fortress. Jung Yeonshin sat down next to his uncle.
"The robe suits you well."
A woman's voice rang out. Her tone carried firm breath control.
One sentence was enough to reveal how deeply she had cultivated her internal arts.
Jung Yeonshin turned his head, slightly surprised.
Law and Order Squad Leader, Un Soyu stared at him with her pitch-black eyes.
It was a formal greeting. Perhaps his prior efforts to act respectfully, recalling Heon Wonchang, had yielded results.
The boy was once again conscious of his attire.
His black robe, with its left sleeve partially torn, had been specially requested from his uncle instead of borrowing a new one.
"It complements your unique presence. It's not unsightly. Along with your signature techniques, it could become a symbol of its own."
"My presence, you say?"
"It's dry and still. Like that of an elder who has lived their life."
She gave a brief reply before falling silent.
Looking around at the other leaders and his uncle, Jung Yeonshin realized he was the only one who disagreed.
Recently, his heart had been constantly stirred by storms and tempests.
'Again.'
Suddenly, he felt a chill in both knees.
His brows furrowed slightly. The cartilage that had only hurt in his childhood was acting up again. It wasn't enough to hinder his martial arts.
However, in the realm of masters, even a slight difference could determine life or death. He had to constantly adapt to his changing height and reach.
The need had become more urgent recently.
'I'll also need to focus on the Radiant Demon Squad footwork technique. Longer legs are advantageous for nerve flow and strength, but…'
He was sighing inwardly when—
"Let's start since everyone's here."
A short-haired girl who had been watching him with sisterly eyes spoke.
She was the strongest master among the seven black ranks present.
Desolate Divine Spear, Ak Surim. Her youthful appearance belied her true age, yet her mischievous smile remained.
"We've already decided that Lightning Genius will be the one to stir up trouble at the Murim Alliance, right? Anyone object?"
Her carefree manner of speaking reflected the Divine Sword Squad' unique style.
It suited someone who was already being considered as the next leader of the Divine Sword Squad.
[NOTE - Divine Sword Squad is like the main squad of the Desolate Fortress which further has seventeen divisions like Radiant Demon Squad, Heavenly Squad, etc. So the leader of the Divine Sword Squad is only second to the lord of the fortress in martial prowess.]
Jung Yeonshin thought to himself.
Since she put it that way, there was no need to focus solely on reconnaissance.
'Loose mission rules are better. As long as we don't cause any accidents.'
Within his thoughts, Lightning Genius seemed ready to dance. He tried to ignore the urge.
"…"
While no one responded to the question about objections, one man raised his hand.
Obeying Heaven Squad leader Ha Do-un. Unlike the loose fit of the black robe, his tight sleeves revealed his muscular build.
He was the superior of Namgoong Hwashin, the White Qilin, and had shown hostility toward Jung Yeonshin.
His expression was unusually stiff.
"Still no objections? Lightning Genius, do whatever you want! Dismissed!"
Ak Surim slammed the floor with her spear, its sound echoing through the hall.
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