"It's laughable."
The Desolate Fortress' Lord slowly moved her lips.
"Unaware of your own downfall."
She lay reclined against the glossy bark of an ancient tree, using it as her resting place.
Her long hair flowed from her neck down to her back like a slender blade of grass, resting naturally. Despite her relaxed posture, there was no sense of vulnerability.
Even though her body was positioned in a way that defied conventional form, she exuded an unshakable calm.
Her slightly turned face radiated a serene disposition.
A gaze that evoked silence.
Her emerald eyes remained fixed beyond the shoulders of the three envoys, unmoving. In an instant, a terrifying tension filled the air.
It was as if the silence itself had weight. The surrounding atmosphere tightened as if being constricted.
'Downfall?'
Jung Yeonshin repeated the word internally.
She was a master revered as the most tranquil presence in the martial world.
Her insight, as a peerless expert, seemed no different from the World Tree's all-encompassing gaze—overseeing everything.
The Desolate Fortress' Lord's aura was both elegant and lofty. It was hard to imagine her harboring hostility toward anyone.
Even when she struck down the leader of the Blood Flame Cult and the Pure Demon Alliance, her demeanor remained the same.
It felt as if she were simply fulfilling a necessary duty, walking in a world apart from everyone else.
That's why the mention of "downfall" seemed perplexing.
Was it because the Murim Alliance envoys had provoked her? Or did she have a long-standing grudge against the Ye Clan?
"I'll have to question the head of the clan."
Lady Ye murmured from a spot slightly behind Jung Yeonshin.
Her tone was lower than usual, suggesting even she felt the weight of the moment—a rare occurrence given her typically self-centered and audacious nature.
Naturally so.
"We greet the esteemed Lord of the Desolate Fortress."
Swish.
The sound of fabric brushing against the ground.
Lady Ye bowed respectfully toward the Desolate Fortress' Lord.
Her movements were light, embodying the unique grace of her signature stealth technique as she raised her fists in a formal bow.
Despite having heard the word "downfall", she maintained her composure. Her poise was quite remarkable, given that death would be almost certain if the Fortress' Lord decided to act.
"I've heard much thanks to my noble upbringing. I wanted to see what you were thinking. By sheer fortune—truly, a stroke of destiny—I acquired a treasure. I'm very curious how you intend to keep it."
Lady Ye spoke.
"…"
Sunlight melted into the Desolate Fortress' Lord's eyes. Rays from outside cast a leaf-like glow upon her gaze.
Was she discerning the hidden intentions of the Murim Alliance envoys? Her presence felt like an overwhelming abyss. Her noble gaze seemed to make the very air around her more transparent.
She parted her lips.
"Speak more."
"If I die from your action now, it means I have impurity within me. But if I walk out of here alive, it means my intentions are pure. Your eyes are famously known for discerning people and time."
"You're judging me."
"Seeing you in person confirms the rumors. If you find no use for me in guarding your treasure, my life ends here. But if I live, I'll continue to observe you."
"You're bold. Do you wish to use my gaze as your mirror?"
"For me, such proof is worth as much as life itself."
Lady Ye's words were refined. There was an unexpected air of nobility to her tone and mannerisms.
Her smooth voice, unlike her usual light-hearted demeanor, even caught Jung Yeonshin off guard.
The Desolate Fortress' Lord tilted her head slightly.
"I can sense your foster father's remnants on your hands. What happened to him?"
"He's no longer of this world. He won't be laying a hand on my treasure again."
"I command you, do not call it your treasure."
"It's not yours either."
Lady Ye's voice was firm and concise. She responded as though challenging the statement, then closed her mouth.
It wasn't the kind of remark one should make to a peerless expert thought to be the closest to being the strongest in the world. The silence spread like a sheet of ice.
'What's going on here?'
The conversation instilled doubt in Jung Yeonshin. Lady Ye's words and actions felt oddly familiar.
Even if her voice and appearance were different, something about her rang a bell.
A hypothesis naturally came to mind, though it seemed too absurd to entertain.
Could the Blood Flame Cult's Seventh Apostle be the Murim Alliance's Internal Chief Commander? How could she conceal her nature and even evade the Sword Saint's eyes?
Even Jung Yeonshin, possessing the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel Technique, hadn't detected anything. Not even when they had touched hands.
'Could it be…'
Just as Jung Yeonshin's eyes narrowed.
"I've killed the one who granted me favor, so there's only one meaning left in my life. I… I wish to survive here. I wish for my intentions to be pure as I refine this treasure."
Lady Ye's voice caressed the air. It wasn't her usual confident tone. It carried longing and earnest desire.
It felt like surrendering her neck to an executioner's blade. Just hearing it painted an image of tightly pressed lips.
At that moment, a voice rang out, suffused with forceful energy.
"How impudent."
Shwick.
A terrifying crack of energy tore through the space. The scattered silver radiance brushed past the sunlight streaming through the window.
In the brief moment when Jung Yeonshin turned around, the edge of a spear touched Lady Ye's neck.
The Divine Spear, wielded by Ak Surim, had been drawn.
The unleashed energy dispersed, sending the hair of both women fluttering.
"Do not behave disrespectfully."
Ak Surim spoke, holding her long spear with one hand.
She was the vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad.
The aura emitted from her weapon was terrifying.
The spear's brilliant white light seemed to condense the sunlight into a dazzling glow.
Brandishing a weapon in front of the Desolate Fortress' Lord was not considered impolite. Unlike ordinary figures of authority, she couldn't be harmed by conventional means.
It was an ancient tradition. High-ranking masters had the discretion to judge situations and wield their weapons accordingly.
"Such crude speech. You are fittingly lowborn, just like those under our clan."
Forest Striding Squad leader Xiahou Wei-Jin stood behind Lady Ye.
His massive fist hovered slightly, ready to crush her head at any moment.
Colorless energy seeped from between his fingers, signaling that he was holding back due to the Desolate Fortress' Lord's willingness to engage in conversation.
This was the power structure of Desolate Fortress on full display.
Even Jung Yeonshin would struggle to survive in this setting.
If he were to switch places with Lady Ye, he'd have to prepare for death. Three black-robed experts and the Desolate Fortress' Lord herself.
This was undoubtedly one of the most dangerous places in the world. Ak Surim's previous kindness felt far more meaningful now.
Shuffle.
Behind him, Zhuge Qing-ya cautiously took a step toward Jung Yeonshin, clearly frightened by the unfolding events.
It was understandable. Even Jung Yeonshin hadn't anticipated things to escalate like this.
Amidst it all, the Fortress' Lord's voice resonated.
"You overestimate my gaze. The Extinction Sword is light—it moves according to my mood. Therefore, you must prove yourself useful."
"I'll do anything. As long as I can remain by your side."
Lady Ye replied.
The Fortress' Lord's luminous voice followed immediately.
"Endure in the main hall. You are to harm no one. Your treatment will be decided later."
It was a statement that she wouldn't be executed immediately.
"In your eyes, I am…"
Lady Ye spoke, lifting the corners of her lips into a slight smile.
"At least to you and your treasure, I am not an impure existence. That is enough for me. I am very, very pleased. To think I could feel such joy from you."
"Do not act so insolently."
Ak Surim scowled, still gripping her spear. The spear's energy scraped Lady Ye's neck, leaving a faint trace of blood.
Unlike the full-body force of the Radiant Demon Arts, this technique responded to her emotions, sharpening the spear with internal energy.
It was a demonstration of her mastery over the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.
Lady Ye remained unfazed. Even as the white and red contrast under her chin highlighted the situation's danger, she continued speaking.
In a calm, soft tone.
"I've learned two things. First, how understaffed Desolate Fortress currently is. Second, how much you value the treasure in your possession. I feel both comforted and uneasy, but for now, this will suffice."
She smiled sweetly.
"Thank you for showing mercy. I'll behave myself during my stay."
"Escort her down with the child of the Zhuge Clan."
"It's permitted."
The Fortress' Lord said with an expressionless face. It was a statement that finalized the fate of the Murim Alliance envoys, granting them entry into Desolate Fortress.
Ak Surim's spear drew a dazzling arc through the air as she retracted it.
"Try not to attract attention if you can help it."
She spoke bluntly, almost as if spitting out the words.
Lady Ye glanced at Jung Yeonshin with a silent smile before turning away.
The white end of her eyepatch fluttered gently as her obsidian-black hair cascaded downward. The more he watched her, the more her familiar demeanor stood out.
'Could it be?'
A spark of suspicion sprouted within the new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Swish.
Suddenly, Jung Yeonshin felt a light pull on his sleeve. He looked back and saw Zhuge Qing-ya.
The young girl, who had unconsciously grabbed the edge of his cloak, hesitated for a moment before nervously parting her lips.
She was on the verge of missing the chance to speak with the Desolate Fortress' Lord entirely.
"Greetings, Desolate Fortress' Lord! I am Qing-ya of the Zhuge Clan, and I humbly request to serve as a guest warrior under the Radiant Demon Squad!"
"Granted."
Zhuge Qing-ya's face brightened, and she quickly followed after Lady Ye.
She released Jung Yeonshin's sleeve in her excitement, looking as though she intended to wait below.
Just hearing that short response was enough. It demonstrated the overwhelming authority of the Fortress' Lord.
Her words stood above the very laws of Desolate Fortress.
She was upheld by absolute trust, and her gaze alone carried that weight.
Beneath her eyes, all deliberation and procedures within the fortress became irrelevant. This seemed to be common knowledge, even to the Murim Alliance.
"Such a chaotic mind."
Xiahou Wei-Jin muttered to himself.
At last, the scene settled.
Only the Desolate Fortress' Lord and her black-robed elites remained.
Neither Ak Surim nor Xiahou Wei-Jin asked about what had just transpired. This was the demeanor of the elite warriors of Desolate Fortress.
If there was something to be addressed, the Fortress' Lord would speak first. Otherwise, as subordinates, they wouldn't ask unnecessary questions.
Jung Yeonshin also resolved to set aside his doubts for now.
The new Radiant Demon Squad leader finally approached the Fortress' Lord.
Swish.
Jung Yeonshin slowly knelt on his left knee, joining the two senior warriors.
With one knee touching the ground and both hands raised in a formal salute, this was the posture warriors of Desolate Fortress took only before their lord.
"Vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad, Ak Surim, reports to the Fortress' Lord. Along with the Forest Striding Squad's leader, I have escorted the Radiant Demon Squad leader safely to the main stronghold. There are three injured within the Forest Striding Squad, but no fatalities."
"The Forest Striding Squad leader presents his report to the Fortress' Lord. There were no major issues."
The two leaders delivered their reports.
Desolate Fortress occupied a position between the government and the martial world. It embodied both the structure of the military and the spirit of Murim.
Although laws governed the fortress like a military camp, their debriefings didn't follow rigid formats.
The way Xiahou Wei-Jin casually presented his report reflected his personality. That was likely the most formal expression he could manage.
Jung Yeonshin found Ak Surim's professional demeanor to be refreshing. With her jet-black bob and flowing black robes, she subtly signaled for him to give his report next.
If Ak Surim were to become the next Divine Sword Squad leader, the squad's atmosphere would undoubtedly become more dynamic.
'Senior Ak is truly my strongest competitor.'
Jung Yeonshin thought as he began to speak.
"…The new Radiant Demon Squad leader reports. I have returned after winning the Murim Alliance's Sect Opening Tournament. The White Qilin, Namgoong Hwashin, and the other two guest warriors from the Obeying Heaven Squad have returned safely as well."
"You may raise your head."
The sunlight pouring directly from above was blinding. The dappled rays of the sun tickled his ears along with her soft voice.
"Look into my eyes, Radiant Demon Squad leader."
At last.
Jung Yeonshin lifted his head and met the gaze of the Desolate Fortress' Lord's pale face.
She slowly straightened her upper body and drew in her long, outstretched legs.
The wide sleeves of her light green robes brushed against the bark of the tree, producing a soft sound as she folded them in her lap.
The Fortress' Lord spoke slowly.
"You've accomplished merits worthy of praise. You may choose your reward."
Jung Yeonshin remained silent for a moment. He was familiar with her expression by now, but he still felt cautious.
Even without her demanding it, her presence alone made him pay attention to his words and actions.
Her features and aura, as if they had descended from a realm beyond the mortal world, created such an atmosphere.
However, there were things he had to say. The lessons he learned from the Desolate Fortress' Sacred Warrior and the Lazy Flame Dragon had taught him that much. The teachings of Zhuge Hyeon and Zhuge Qing-ya also guided him.
The new Radiant Demon Squad leader slowly opened his mouth, gazing up at the Fortress' Lord.
"I do not wish to choose. Could you give me everything instead?"
"...!"
Ak Surim's lips moved silently, forming the words, "Are you insane?"
Xiahou Wei-Jin turned toward the junior warrior with wide eyes.
But Jung Yeonshin remained bold.
With a small gesture, he pulled a book from his robes. In the quiet chamber, the sound of the paper's texture brushing against the black fabric was the only thing heard.
The Fortress' Lord's gaze briefly passed over the words, 'Comprehensive Overview written on the cover.
Then.
She smiled faintly.
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