The ascension ceremony in Desolate Fortress is presided over by the Lord of the Fortress.
It is akin to the imperial examination's palace test, personally observed by the Emperor. This applies to everyone from those in blue robes and beyond, meaning that discussing the ascension to the purple rank without the Fortress Lord's presence is inconceivable.
Even if the name of the Tyrant Association is held in the highest regard, it cannot disrupt the established laws.
This was why the current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad could refuse the former Divine Sword Order's leader's robe. The color itself was burdensome. The plain black robe he wore now was much more preferable.
Originally, the robe he had worn had been torn apart by the leader of the Zhuge Clan, and the one he now wore had been given to him by the Grand Young Lady of the Gongya Clan.
Ma Yeonjeok's lips curled up.
The purple robe in the hands of the young-looking old man appeared even more resplendent today.
It was because of the technique he had invoked, pulling the starlight of the night sky together as if spinning threads into a bundle.
"Five Energies Returning to Origin, Surpassing Limits Martial Arts. Once you pierce through the martial arts you've created yourself, your perspective will change. Though, before that happens, I suspect you will be wearing purple. …But for now, let's postpone it to another time."
Jung Yeonshin, who had been quietly watching as the man donned his robe once more, finally spoke.
"When will I see you again?"
He asked because it seemed his grandfather was preparing to leave.
This was after Ma Yeonjeok had briefly explained to Jung Yeonshin the nature of the world of those clad in purple.
He had called it the Demon's Liar. It was said to be a struggle against monstrous beings and rogue gods who had appeared alongside the noble clans during the founding era.
Having come a long way upon hearing of his grandson's crisis, it was only right that he return swiftly.
Ma Yeonjeok patted his grandson's shoulder. Tap, tap, the warmth of his large hands was transmitted.
"This old man cannot interfere with your journey through the martial world again. While I will support you from afar for your ascension and survival, I cannot turn away from the fate of the world and retreat completely. I have always been the Divine Sword Order's leader. Even after passing the Transcendent Sword to that Yong brat, even when I had to let my daughter go…"
It meant that there was much left undone.
He trailed off momentarily before withdrawing his hand from Jung Yeonshin's shoulder.
"When you rise to the purple rank and take on the same duties as I do, that is when we shall meet again. It is rare for an era to need two supreme masters at the same time… but in chaotic times like these, one can never predict what may happen."
"I will see you again soon, then."
The proud grandfather and grandson exchanged smiles.
Wooong—
The distorted air suddenly returned to its original state.
Beams of light that had been tangled like a mandala straightened and dissipated, and the night sky, which had felt like an impenetrable iron cage, became once again open to the transparent winds.
Jung Yeonshin gazed intently at the sight. It made him realize he needed to encounter more supreme masters.
'Surpassing Limits Martial Arts.'
A singular will encompassing every technique one possessed.
A decisive move that was difficult to execute even once in a life-and-death battle unless one had reached a profound level of mastery.
The Sword-Fist Art of the Murong Clan's leader accelerated the speed of the blade.
Only after exchanging techniques extensively with Jung Yeonshin was he able to create that space. By his count, it was the three hundred and fifteenth move.
"Your Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown will not take long at all. Even now, I can clearly feel the repetition of unification and separation."
Ssshh.
The hem of the purple robe brushed against the dirt ground. Rising from his seat, Ma Yeonjeok continued.
"Eat as much as you can. Rebirth of Flesh and Bones is a truly strange transformation. While it nourishes the vitality of the body, it also depletes energy. If you put on some weight, your essence, energy, and spirit will naturally align. Seeing your gaunt face makes me uneasy. At least your muscles have thickened… but the more I think about it, the more astonishing it is."
Jung Yeonshin, who had also stood up, awkwardly changed the subject.
"The wild boars you caught, are they all for me…?"
Ma Yeonjeok nodded.
"I wanted to see your ascension. But since fate is not on my side, it seems I won't be able to. At the very least, put on some weight and ease this old man's heart. You must have learned how to smoke meat from your uncle, haven't you?"
"…Yes."
"If you fill out your cheeks a bit more, you'll be an unparalleled beauty. You take after your mother, and Song Yu… almost matches—"
Ma Yeonjeok turned away before he could utter the name Ban-ak. Song Yu and Ban-ak were historical figures known for their exceptional beauty.
"Until we meet again, I wish you victory. You have beheaded two of the Eight Great Clan's leaders, so the warriors of your homeland must be eagerly awaiting your return. They don't care how much turmoil you have caused in the martial world."
Jung Yeonshin bowed his head toward him.
The late winter wind felt warm.
Just as he spoke the words, "I hope you remain well, Grandfather", Ma Yeonjeok's deep laughter echoed as his presence soared into the sky.
A sudden gust of wind brushed against Jung Yeonshin's hair.
* * *
As Jung Yeonshin descended to the village, familiar faces came into view.
A swordsman from the Hero's Resolve and a loafer chewing on a poppy stalk.
Before them stood a black-haired, red-eyed woman who had already risen to her feet.
Only the Seventh Apostle looked at ease.
Wrapped in layers of crimson Pure Blood Robe, her graceful shoulder line flowed downward.
There was no visible trace of any martial art's distinct energy. Her posture, draped in fabric as if wrapped in a blanket, seemed far removed from anything serious.
Her crimson eyes keenly observed the energy of Heon Wonchang and Lazy Flame Dragon, maintaining a delicate red smile.
At that moment, her lips twitched.
'I'm deeper.'
It was a statement anyone could recognize as a provocation.
With just a brief glance, she had measured their martial accomplishments.
Radiant Arts Secret and Demon Roaring Blood Art—both had originated from a single person's martial prowess.
Jung Yeonshin, who had been stepping forward, inwardly tilted his head.
Why is she so pretty?
"Leader!"
Shin So-bin, who had been standing to the side restlessly, called out in distress. The girl, who had met Jung Yeonshin's gaze, brightened and waved her hand energetically.
As a white-rank warrior, this was not a situation she could intervene in.
"Please do something about this!"
At the same time, Jung Yeonshin's body sliced through the air.
Step.
With the fluttering sound of his sleeves, he landed right in the middle of both sides, dispersing the heated wind stirred by Heon Wonchang and Lazy Flame Dragon with his body.
The semi-transparent air currents tore upward with a deafening noise.
'It's gotten heavier.'
Jung Yeonshin swallowed a small exclamation. Though the shortened hems of his pants, now reaching his calves, felt a bit bothersome, the winds of energy generated by his two companions carried an even greater weight.
He had been through much. The masters of the Radiant Demon Squad had relentlessly kept pace with their leader's progress.
"Seeing you after just a few days, I almost didn't recognize you."
Heon Wonchang relaxed upon seeing Jung Yeonshin in good shape.
It had been difficult to make out the squad leader's figure within the strangely distorted space, and the very person who had once abducted Jung Yeonshin was now standing before them as if nothing had happened. It was only natural to remain wary.
"I just arrived. White Cat was about to tell me something, but I haven't had the time to listen. Not with a demon of this caliber standing right here."
Lazy Flame Dragon spoke with his usual slow drawl, tilting his posture.
He had only just confirmed the leader's safety. The movement of his jaw, which had been chewing on poppy stalks, slowed.
"As you know, she is the Seventh Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult."
Jung Yeonshin spoke.
"She saved the Radiant Demon Squad in the City of Master Craftsmen. She'll be accompanying us back to the main fortress."
"…What did you just say?"
Lazy Flame Dragon blinked once, then again.
Jung Yeonshin paid no attention to the stunned expression of the poppy addict.
"There's no time. She needs to be cured of Energy Deviation. Cooperate as a favor in return."
He didn't offer a lengthy explanation.
Desolate Fortress was a sect akin to a military force.
Although the current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad rarely treated his comrades as subordinates, once he made a decision, none of the masters of the squad would object.
Even Lazy Flame Dragon, who only sharpened in battle, was no exception.
"If it's an order, I'll follow it."
The man, once the eldest son of the Hwangbo Clan, nodded without resistance.
Though the Eight Great Clans had their worldly inclinations, they had always upheld the ways of the righteous sects.
Jung Yeonshin, who had been preparing to persuade him, felt a sense of puzzlement.
Had their time together and their increased martial prowess turned into trust?
"She'll be safe, right?"
"The Seventh Apostle is a mere low-level fighter. She's only a master compared to you. Don't worry."
"…Low-level?"
"There's no need to secure provisions. We're heading back to the main fortress."
Jung Yeonshin glanced at the three wild boars lying scattered around before speaking.
"Seventh Apostle, cover your eyes."
"Okay."
Rustle.
Without hesitation, the Seventh Apostle pulled out a white cloth from her robes and covered her eyes. She was remarkably obedient, so much so that it was hard to reconcile with her past actions.
The moment the Blood Preservation Silk Veil, a precious artifact of the Blood Flame Cult, wrapped around her eyes, the erratic energy of blood arts vanished without a trace.
Jung Yeonshin, watching the scene in silence, suddenly parted his lips.
"The last mnemonic verse of Demon Roaring Blood Art…"
"Hmm? Taesa, we haven't even started yet. Why are you asking about the last one? The only one I remember is the first."
She claimed they hadn't even begun, yet she had received the first verse.
The Seventh Apostle's rambling was oddly seamless, with a faint hint of light madness.
Jung Yeonshin had no choice but to ask.
"You've come to your senses, haven't you?"
"Huh?"
A faint breath of laughter dissipated into the night air.
He pressed no further.
He did not.
* * *
The road down to Huguang, where Desolate Fortress' main stronghold lay.
To reach Xiangyang in Huguang Province, they had to pass through several cities. Naturally, many rumors reached their ears.
"They say the Star-Radiance Grand Sword Lord is dead?"
"You mean one of the Profound Martial Alliance? That's absurd."
"No, not them. You know the young noble of Desolate Fortress? There's talk that the Meteor Sword obliterated him."
"You mean… the leader of the Zhuge Clan?"
"Yes!"
As news of the Murong Clan's leader's death quietly spread, shaking vast lands, the escalating conflict between the Tang Clan and the Golden Wings Sect was said to be rattling Sichuan.
Alongside this came a rumor that the Shaolin monk Wonjeok had slain a monster near the Gongya Clan's estate in Shaanxi.
"They say Wonjeok Monk's hand grew this huge and crushed the monster's spears and blades in a single strike! I saw it with my own eyes—how even the soldiers of the Profound Martial Alliance were caught up in the disaster!"
"White Qilin was said to be making a name for himself down south… The righteous sects really are different."
"The only ones left are the Nine Great Sects and Desolate Fortress. In some villages, clans pretending to be orthodox factions have seized government offices. These days, you can't trust anything. If you've stored any grain, keep it safe."
"They say an enormous fog has risen in Xinjiang, spreading all the way to Sichuan. Who knows what fate awaits the world…"
Amidst the countless rumors, Jung Yeonshin sought confirmation of Monk Wonjeok 's well-being.
It was a relief.
Before facing the Murong Clan's leader, he had placed Plum Blossom Pill and a squirrel into Shin So-bin's arms. Every time the little creature peeked out, tilting its head, he had felt uneasy.
'If I'm to return Galhon, I'll have to visit Shaolin someday.'
The rumors, painting a chaotic world, continued until the group of five arrived in Xiangyang.
The main road was packed with people.
Martial artists bearing the bold character 'Desolate' on their shoulders began appearing intermittently. At the same time, Jung Yeonshin's heart settled in ease.
Compared to Xinye County, where the Jung Clan Manor was, this place was incomparably more secure.
At last, he was home.
A pristine white fortress stood in the distance.
They had arrived at Desolate Fortress. The long journey through Shaanxi had come to an end.
"Taesa."
"Don't call me that here."
"…Yeon… Shin, Yeonshin."
"Speak."
"Something's come to mind. I think I cut off someone's arm. Right here."
"What?"
"You might be in trouble. It was a woman from the Zhu Clan."
"Zhu Yeon-jeong of the Desolate Ma Clan?"
"Yes, I think so. She acted rudely toward you."
The Seventh Apostle's hair brushed against Jung Yeonshin's shoulder. It was because he had come to a halt.
It wasn't the content of her words that shocked him.
A strange ripple of power was spreading throughout the main fortress.
It was the energy of Splendid Wings Step.
At the same time—
Someone was approaching. A tall, athletic woman.
Pedestrians who had been observing Heon Wonchang and Lazy Flame Dragon suddenly scattered, their shrill cries filling the air.
"Dragon Fist…?"
"She's the Ruyi Spring Squad's leader!"
She had appeared out of nowhere.
As if she had been watching the gates of Desolate Fortress all day.
Ruyi Spring Squad's leader, Bukgung Ah.
She was draped in an incredibly ornate black robe, its hem split into multiple sections that billowed in the air like dark flames.
Her ink-black martial garments, clinging to her unusually long legs, bore numerous scars, evidence of past battles.
Her approaching steps were peculiar.
Step.
"…?"
Jung Yeonshin found them both familiar and unfamiliar.
It was like watching a slightly distorted Splendid Wings Step.
The woman parted her lips.
"Judging by your posture, you all practice Splendid Wings Step. Especially you. It's surprising—I can't sense your energy at all… Are you from the Dark Current Squad, or the Blood Preservation Squad? Looks like the bats have been nurturing a hidden dragon."
She spoke naturally, as if addressing an acquaintance.
Jung Yeonshin's group came to a complete stop.
"Let's compare steps. If you can keep up for three steps, I'll grant you a rare item from my trade group. If, however, you're too exhausted from your journey and need rest, I can understand that…"
Ruyi Spring Squad's leader was saying something.
Jung Yeonshin did not listen any further. With an expressionless face, he sank into silent dismay.