"What's that on the back of your neck? I feel a peculiar energy emanating from it. It looks like a fang mark."
"Hm?"
"Were you bitten by a spirit beast? That shouldn't be possible. With your senses, you'd—"
"It's your senses that are the problem. I told you to cut down on the opium poppy. Your deluded perception is seeing illusions."
Jung Yeonshin responded calmly as he stepped out of his quarters, deliberately ignoring the ambiguous expression on Lazy Flame Dragon's face, which flickered at the edge of his vision.
Ever since witnessing Flame River, he had uncharacteristically fallen into deep meditation. His senses had become noticeably sharper.
Unnecessarily so.
As Jung Yeonshin shook his head, Heon Wonchang, leaning against a stone wall, let out a dry chuckle.
"A poppy addict practicing meditation?"
"I thought he only knew how to get drunk off that famous fruit wine from the Tianzhu Sect."
Shin So-bin, watching her leader, swung her feet idly and smiled.
The Desolate Hero and the White Cat, their warrior's topknots and long braids swayed in hues of deep blue and black.
"We're heading back now, right?"
Shin So-bin stared directly at Jung Yeonshin as she asked.
From the moment she first entered the Radiant Demon Squad, she had never hesitated to make eye contact.
Rather than impudence, it was her innate confidence. She had the air of someone who had grown up receiving the love of a good family. To Jung Yeonshin, that alone exuded nobility.
He gave a quiet nod. He had a feeling that, soon enough, she would earn a fitting title of her own.
Her Infinite Blossom Fist Strike was worthy of contesting the throne of the simian kings.
"We're going."
It was an order.
The footsteps trailing behind him varied.
A leisurely, sauntering presence, a near-silent yet bold stride, and a small but firm step that adhered to a precise footwork pattern. Each belonged to comrades who bore the same banner.
Rustle.
Their quiet steps continued, dampening their soles with the dew resting on the blades of grass.
As they passed the resplendent blue mountain ridges, they arrived at the clearing where their last duel had taken place.
It was a direct route to the exit. But now, it was teeming with disciples of the Tianzhu Sect, their hair glistening in shades of black and gold.
"Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad."
An elderly voice resonated.
Stepping forward, Chung Bohwa, the sect leader, raised both hands. The flowing sleeves of her robe, woven from fine silken threads, draped gracefully downward.
A deep bow. A gesture both formal and respectful.
Swoosh.
At once, an inaudible presence stirred.
The elite disciples behind her mirrored the movement. As if ingrained in their very being, they moved with an air of refreshing clarity.
A faint smile crinkled the corners of Chung Bohwa's lips.
"For now, Dark Night War will be focused on reorganizing the sect. You've granted the main sect a breath of relief. It is a great kindness."
"We avenged our comrade."
"So, you took on their grievance?"
Her gaze shifted to Chung Myung standing beside her. In her aged eyes, various emotions flickered.
The great-grandchild who had broken the village's prohibition and left the sect had now avenged his fallen kin, shattering One Kill Every Ten Li in battle. With his footwork that seemed to console the spirit of Chung Su, who had perished amidst the war of the sects.
Chung Myung did not speak. He only glanced briefly at Jung Yeonshin, his lips curving into a faint arc.
The Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman's smile was clear. The end of his blue headscarf fluttered freely, heedless of the watching eyes.
Even as his fellow disciple, Jung Nansong, who had once spat sharp words at him, hesitated nearby, he remained unbothered.
Chung Bohwa's eyes held a trace of helplessness.
"The ways of the world are truly unknowable. Even after centuries, I cannot grasp them. I never imagined I would descend from my homeland to this land, nor that the child who left as if severing all ties would return to bring you along."
"What does it feel like to live so long?"
Jung Yeonshin asked casually.
Chung Bohwa's gentle smile deepened.
"It is like becoming a tree."
"I don't understand."
"There's no need to. Trust me."
Thus, their farewell with the Tianzhu Sect was made.
Neither they nor Chung Myung exchanged many words. They merely drifted apart, like the diverging currents of wind. A clan shrouded in mystery.
Chung Bohwa presented Jung Yeonshin with a small gourd bottle.
It contained an elixir concentrated from lake water, said to work immediately on internal injuries.
It was a treasure more valuable than any medicine in the world. The noble bloodline of the sect never offered gifts carelessly.
"I'm envious."
The Divine Sword Order's leader smacked his lips.
They had just left the Tianzhu Sect, yet his presence now felt utterly undetectable.
His purple robes, dignified as a scholar's, remained perfectly still, even against the howling valley winds. A sight that was both natural and transcendent.
"It's time for us to part. I must head straight to Zhejiang. Regardless, I appreciate it. And I found the merit you earned quite impressive."
"Do you have urgent business?"
"The purple rank has matters of its own. Maddening, and utterly fantastical ones at that."
The Divine Sword Order's leader smirked cryptically.
"I trust you'll lend a hand someday. Farewell."
"May you stay well, Order's leader."
As soon as Jung Yeonshin lowered his clasped fist in farewell, the Divine Sword Order's leader had already turned away, raising a hand in parting.
His footsteps were bizarre.
Treading upon snow-strewn earth, his steps differed even from those of the noble bloodline.
They seemed to fall leisurely—yet, in an instant, he was gone.
Jung Yeonshin quietly watched his retreating figure before turning away.
"Let's go."
Their brief mission had come to an end.
A crisp breeze swept past his crown.
Winter, too, was nearing its end.
* * *
The walls of Desolate Fortress stretched out in stark whiteness.
The midday sun in Desolate Fortress shone exceptionally bright. The marble composing the inner city reflected the sunlight, creating a vivid landscape.
Leaves swayed briskly, and people bustled to and fro.
Jung Yeonshin headed straight for the General Affairs Bureau upon arrival.
After reporting the mission's completion, he proceeded towards Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall.
Every duty assigned to Desolate Fortress' squad leaders carried weight. Orders were relayed within the Radiant Demon Squad or the General Affairs Bureau only to those still in the blue rank.
To take on his next mission, he had to attend the squad leaders' meeting.
'My body is in peak condition.'
At that moment, a sharp ache pulsed from his knee.
Jung Yeonshin paid no mind and stepped forward.
Now, he was certain.
It was the growing pain that would extend his reach.
For a martial artist, the length of their limbs greatly influenced power and agility.
But at the same time, it was also a premonition of death, confirming that his years were passing.
His Baihui Acupoint had grown increasingly sensitive, reminding him of his dwindling lifespan.
Two years and ninety-one days.
That was the time he had left.
He had confirmed it while recovering in the World Tree's lake.
"Lightning Genius! Your face looks much brighter!"
Lost in thought as he walked, Jung Yeonshin found himself inside the massive stone chamber of Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall. Ak Surim greeted him with a bright smile.
"The water there must've been good, huh? Shouldn't have let that bastard Yongga have all of it."
"Vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order, I report my safe return. What of the Order's leader…"
"I know, I know! Anyway, looks like you've gotten taller? In the civilian world, you'd be of marrying age by now. When should I get ready to be wed?"
"I'll think about it after I reach purple rank."
He had just been dwelling on death. Jung Yeonshin accepted his senior's joke with ease.
Ak Surim stared at him blankly for a moment, then let out a chuckle.
She flicked the ends of her jet-black bob and ran a hand over her pale nape, exuding a bold yet combative aura that created a strangely captivating atmosphere.
Her gaze, scanning Jung Yeonshin's entire body, held no sense of rudeness.
"So, you're saying you want to compete for the next Order's leader's seat?"
Ak Surim smirked.
Whoosh.
The air shifted.
A wild yet exhilarating sensation brushed against his skin, like an immense sword energy spreading over him like a blanket.
The intent infused into Ak Surim's true energy could be felt, she toyed with the spear shaft like a mischievous girl, yet there was an unmistakable languor, the kind only possessed by the truly strong.
She was undeniably the closest contender for the next leader of the Divine Sword Order.
There had been no competition when he advanced from blue to black. The strongest candidate, Chung Myung, had abandoned his claim despite his achievements and reputation.
But purple was different.
"Our Lightning Genius has grown at an absurd pace. Before, I could always visualize a winning strategy against you, but now… I can't quite gauge it. You're hiding something, aren't you?"
She chattered on, her small face leaning in close. Jung Yeonshin subtly leaned his head back.
Ak Surim didn't know about his lifespan.
That made her an even more formidable opponent.
An insurmountable wall that could only loom closer.
Now that he had founded Ultimate Thunder, putting himself in a state that could contend with Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, it was time to fully enter the battlefield of merit.
Jung Yeonshin changed the subject.
"The assembly hall feels empty. Are you the only one here?"
Whoosh.
Ak Surim withdrew her presence, her lips curling into a peculiar smile.
"Ah, Blood Preservation Squad's leader was just here. Jin Myeongjo, you know. The moment he heard you'd returned, he rushed out, saying he suddenly remembered urgent business at the main headquarters."
"Ah."
A flicker of disappointment crossed his face.
Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood, Jin Myeongjo. The senior he respected most in the Divine Sword Order. They hadn't seen each other since their mission in Shaanxi. The Blood Preservation Squad's leader was the epitome of a perfect martial artist.
"Our Lightning Genius really admires his seniors, huh? Good, good. So, do you want to head out on another mission soon—"
"Anything is fine. I'll leave immediately."
Jung Yeonshin's immediate response made Ak Surim laugh.
"Alright, then I've got a fitting job for you. Want to hear it?"
"Yes."
"I need a small elite unit. We won't be taking the entire Radiant Demon Squad. We'll assign preliminary tasks and send them out separately…"
She trailed off momentarily, watching her junior with an unreadable gaze.
"Are you any good at teaching? The target is an absolute grandmaster, so the intermediate steps might be a bit troublesome. We need to draw out a particularly devious bastard. Your job is to make sure the eldest daughter of Gongya Clan in Shaanxi wins a bimu tournament. Think you can handle it?"
"I will prepare for battle against an absolute grandmaster."
Jung Yeonshin answered calmly.
He didn't even acknowledge the part about teaching. It was an unspoken show of confidence. There was no point in debating whether it was possible or not.
He had lowered his perspective to the level of monkeys, expanded his knowledge by studying the noble Jade Silkworms of the Tianzhu Sect.
There was nothing below that.
'My luck is good.'
The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad thought.
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