Ma Yeonjeok.
Once a peerless master who symbolized Desolate Fortress.
With the Fusion Fist Art of the Desolate Ma Clan, he once endured the Taiji Wisdom Sword of the former sect leader of Wudang.
The old swordsman of Wudang, once hailed as the world's greatest sword, was the first to utter the word "rest". At that time, Ma Yeonjeok was thirty-seven years old.
His gaunt appearance was irrelevant. After a few months of recovery, his body would become unrecognizable anyway. The problem was simply how youthful he looked.
"Didn't he mention the name of the Grand Elder?"
"Isn't this also a form of disrespect?"
"However, that robe is certainly..."
The faces of the martial masters of the Ma Clan were filled with deep confusion.
It was understandable. It wasn't something easily accepted.
Even among the sects of the martial world, where numerous top experts gathered, only Ak Surim had been chosen by the heavens in Desolate Fortress.
It was common knowledge but not something they were familiar with.
No one here had ever seen Ma Yeonjeok in his youth.
But at this moment, they felt the wind infused with an overwhelming power.
The intangible strands brushing against their skin passed like the edge of a sword. It was a force demanding understanding.
He didn't seem conscious of it. It simply spread solemnly.
Wuuuung.
The wave of power emanating from the man's body filled the air. Like the breath of a dragon, it spread with majestic, unobstructed resonance.
Even without wielding a sword, he induced Sword Resonation with his body. He had reached a realm where his entire being was a sword.
A purple-ranked master who could discuss the world while standing against the leaders of great sects.
His very existence was a mystery of the martial world.
"This...!"
Zhu Yeon-jeong's lips trembled. She couldn't speak for a moment.
Ever since Jung Yeonshin commanded the fighting to stop, the gradually diminishing presences had left the hall in complete silence.
The gazes of the Desolate Ma Clan and the Radiant Demon Squad masters were fixed on one spot.
He had called himself Ma Yeonjeok.
In the middle of the battlefield stood a man clad in an elegant robe.
The long, pink sleeves draped gracefully, imbuing the silk garment, typically worn by nobility, with a strange presence.
It was an aura as imposing as wearing martial attire or armor.
The man spoke again.
"This old man is your senior, your elder."
The genuine energy contained in his youthful voice pressed against the atmosphere. It was as if the seething power had been expelled directly into the air.
His face looked barely thirty. There wasn't a single wrinkle.
His slightly raised eyes resembled those of Lightning Genius, the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, who stood nearby. They conveyed a stubborn yet solitary impression.
He was a handsome man with defined, rugged facial features.
Ever since his arrival, his hand had rested on Lightning Genius' shoulder, showing no sign of moving.
No one laughed. It wasn't a comical sight.
His presence alone ensured that. The energy surrounding his body painted terrifying ripples in the air.
His jet-black hair and eyebrows, coupled with his wrinkle-free skin, extended outward like the transparent current of the Yangtze River.
"What...?"
Zhu Yeon-jeong, who had been holding her breath, let out a muffled groan.
The hand that had risen to cover her mouth halted mid-air, as if clutching at the void. It trembled as if affected by a nervous disorder.
She was witnessing something beyond common sense. That was the only way she could react. She couldn't outright deny it.
The man was proving himself with his aura, as if to declare, "I am the purple-ranked of Desolate Fortress."
A moment of silence followed.
"What are you doing?"
A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the man clad in the elegant robe.
He possessed a worldly demeanor beyond the mysteriousness of a peerless master. His gaze, sweeping over the retainers of the Desolate Ma Clan, reflected that.
His expression exuded a chill so cold it was almost palpable, akin to cold steel.
Suddenly, his voice erupted like thunder.
—Kneel and show your respect! To your benefactor and to this old man!
His fiery roar tore through the air, echoing in an instant like reverberating thunder.
The grass beneath their feet bent and bowed as if forced by an invisible hand. The shout was like the roar of a lion.
Hundreds of hooks seemed to tear at their ears, causing dozens of masters to flinch and shrink back.
Hwaaak!
Dust clouds billowed upward.
Confronting the overwhelming wave of energy, they were distorted into irregular vibrations, a distinctive trait of the tyrannical structure of the Fusion Fist Energy.
It was as if their very skin had been branded. The sensation was intense and deep.
No one here could match this presence. Once again, he had proven himself.
Then.
A middle-aged man in a luxurious green martial uniform spoke.
"Grand Elder... Is it truly you?"
He was one of the senior martial masters of the Desolate Ma Clan.
His fingertips, clad in black gauntlets, trembled slightly, an unusual sight for a master of the Fusion Fist Strike.
Wrinkles formed on Ma Yeonjeok's otherwise smooth brow.
"Ma Jin-un, you've lost your senses. Shall I cleanse those foolish eyes of yours three times? I've already told you twice. If I have to repeat myself a third time, I'll punish you."
The warning slipped from his tense lips like a lion's roar.
Ma Jin-un's shoulders twitched.
There was no one else who could speak this way to a martial master of the Desolate Ma Clan. His demeanor was no different from the old master Ma Yeonjeok.
Standing beside him, Jung Yeonshin's face reflected a strange sense of relief, while many of the clan's martial artists rushed forward as if a thunderbolt had been dropped at their feet.
There were over twenty of them.
"These fools...?"
"Instead of restraining themselves, they charge forward!"
Just as the Radiant Demon Squad masters instinctively prepared to retaliate, Jung Yeonshin shook his head. At that signal, the blue-ranked masters' energy dissipated. Their hands, poised for destructive change, halted.
Reacting instantly to their leader, the Desolate Ma Clan masters planted their feet firmly into the ground.
Hwaaaaak!
They weren't preparing to attack. Instead, they extinguished their movement, dropping to their knees in a swift reaction.
They immediately bowed their heads to the ground, producing a dull thud. Dust, tinged with yellow, rose thickly around them.
"The foolish Ma Jin-un failed to recognize the Grand Elder!"
"We humbly greet the Divine Hero!"
Their voices carried a mix of emotions, unified and orderly in their act of submission.
But their expressions betrayed them, shock and confusion filled their faces.
Unable to hide their recognizable expressions, they lifted their heads toward their long-lost leader.
They had witnessed the impossible.
The body of Grand Elder Ma Yeonjeok had been refined through extreme power.
He had reversed the flow of time within his body. Like the chosen few grandmasters, such as those who wielded the Desolate Divine Spear, he had defied the years with a human body.
It was an event that would shake the martial world.
A miracle.
Someone had made this possible.
"... "
The gazes of the Desolate Ma Clan masters shifted toward the Grand Elder's side.
There stood the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.
The faint light of the moon spread like a halo through the twilight, casting an ethereal glow over the scene.
The light, as thin as a translucent veil, fell over Jung Yeonshin's face, accentuating the deep shadows beneath his thick lashes. His jet-black eyes shimmered faintly, and the moonlight reflected brilliantly along his high nose bridge.
He was indeed the squad leader of Desolate Fortress.
His aura radiated the mystique befitting his elevated rank, enhanced by the gentle moonlight.
His achievements were equally remarkable, as he had accomplished something close to a miracle. His extraordinary appearance seemed even more vivid now.
His appearance inspired both admiration and curiosity.
The eyes of the noble masters reflected awe, mixed with unspoken questions.
It wasn't just his decision to give the Revitalization Pill to his maternal grandfather; they wondered about the type of cultivation he had undergone.
For the warriors of the Desolate Ma Clan, decline was an inevitable fate.
While they looked down on sects outside Desolate Fortress and envied the orthodoxy of the Nine Great Sects, they recognized one truth:
Unlike their rapidly strengthening and declining soldiers, the monks and Taoists of the Nine Great Sects aged gracefully and became stronger with time.
"There was a rumor about a secret movement art that polished the Radiant Demon Squad leader in his youth."
"Could it be real?"
"Was this why the clan head was so reluctant to reveal it...?"
But none dared to ask.
They were no different from underlings awaiting a verdict from the King of the Underworld.
Following the Grand Elder, they bowed their heads to the Radiant Demon Squad leader. They lowered themselves deeply, murmuring sporadic apologies.
"...We greet the benefactor of the clan."
"We are humbled by the gift of your teachings."
"We owe the Radiant Demon Squad leader immense gratitude..."
Jung Yeonshin did not respond.
These people were worthless to him now. Instead, he was overwhelmed by the reality that he had revived his maternal grandfather.
After a brief moment of reassurance, a realization dawned upon him.
This was an achievement. An enormous merit.
Divine Sword Order leader, Elder Council's leader, former Divine Sword Order leader.
All of them were purple-ranked masters with their own missions.
The Fruit of the World Tree was a treasure personally guarded by the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
A mystical treasure revered by noble families across the Central Plains, said to be one of a kind in the world.
One could not claim the fruit just by completing one task, even if it were a mission suited to their rank.
The reward system would collapse if it were that simple.
"The noble families of the world must acknowledge it, you said."
To claim the fruit whole, not just a fragment...
Only after repeating numerous journeys as a purple-ranked master.
I understand. It's fine.
'I've already completed two of them.'
Comprehensive Overview. His grandfather's Revitalization.
Both were achieved while he wore black robes, bringing him two large steps closer to the fruit.
As a purple-ranked master, he had laid thick layers of justification to receive the Fruit of the World Tree. It had taken an enormous amount of time.
Now, it was a point where martial achievements mattered more than ever.
'I need to challenge the Blood Preservation Squad's leader to a bimu... No, I should finish the current matter first.'
Jung Yeonshin shook his head inwardly.
Dismissing the thought, he silently looked down at the martial artists of the Desolate Ma Clan.
He saw more than twenty bowed heads. They remained prostrated.
"..."
He had a guess about why they had caused such a commotion. Whether they were aligned with Zhu Yeon-jeong was unclear.
However, their actions had been in sync. It could have truly gone wrong. If they had circulated their energy with unstable heart techniques instead of using the Jung Clan's superior movement arts, it would have.
'Were they concerned about my grandfather's condition?'
A convenient excuse.
The justification seemed right, but the expertise of a martial master and a doctor differed.
Compared to the typical knowledge of internal martial arts, a doctor's expertise would have been more suitable for assessing Ma Yeonjeok.
Zhu Yeon-jeong was a meticulous individual. That had always been clear. Jung Yeonshin had heard her warnings countless times.
But anyone with common sense could read between the lines.
The commotion had been excessive.
The energy waves unleashed by the Desolate Ma Clan had been noisy, shaking the pavilion and garden with unusual intensity.
Jung Yeonshin felt blatant malice. It was as if they were asking, "Can you continue circulating your energy despite this?"
It was brazen and devious, akin to a plot worthy of the Imperial Forbidden City.
Everyone knew it.
Jung Yeonshin cast a sidelong glance.
If his grandfather's handling of Zhu Yeon-jeong and her supporters fell short, he intended to act as the squad leader of Desolate Fortress instead.
Radiance Sword Style or Infinite Blossom Fist Strike—either would suffice. These individuals had sought to harm both the black and purple-ranked members of Desolate Fortress. A normal punishment wouldn't be enough.
At that moment.
"Foolish, disloyal scum."
Ma Yeonjeok spoke through clenched teeth.
Step.
The pink hem of his pants shifted as he took a step forward, slowly lifting his hand off his grandson's shoulder.
The aura that had radiated from the youthful elder vanished instantly, making him even more terrifying.
He had fully gathered the overflowing energy from his Revitalization, condensing it like a flame.
His aged eyes flickered with a blue blaze, causing some of the martial artists to flinch.
Ma Yeonjeok paid them no mind. He had grasped the entire flow of the situation.
"How dare you."
His brief muttering carried the weight of his fury, once serene like the heavens but now tinted by the weariness of age.
The contrast between the pavilion's interior and exterior was stark.
Earlier, through his grandson's mystical arts, he had sensed his daughter.
The Jung Clan Movement Arts was a skill with flawed mnemonics. It depicted only his grandson's mother—Ma Yeonsang, Ma Yeonjeok's daughter.
He had encountered his daughter's essence.
It was incredibly warm. The energy of the Grand Revitalization Pill had filled his entire body.
He would never forget the sensation of the energy coursing through his meridians and cleansing every acupoint. It was a sorrowful comfort.
Thus.
Through his grandson's hand, time had reversed. He had returned to the day when he first cradled his newborn daughter in his arms, wrapping her in a purple cloak.
It was only natural that he had regained his prime. His Revitalization had seemed inevitable.
He raised his gaze and looked ahead.
Zhu Yeon-jeong stood with noble posture, her back straight as ever.
Had she already collected herself from her earlier panic? She merely clasped her hands in front of her and raised them toward Ma Yeonjeok.
"Congratulations on your great achievement."
She was of noble lineage. Members of the imperial bloodline did not kneel.
The expression disappeared from Ma Yeonjeok's face. With a gaze resembling his grandson's, he slowly took a step forward.
Step.
The first step marked the beginning. He began striding toward Zhu Yeon-jeong.
Even the warriors she had brought from her maternal family dared not block his path.
They hesitated and fumbled awkwardly.
"I understand why you are angered."
Zhu Yeon-jeong spoke with composure.
"This is a misunderstanding. Grand Elder, please calm yourself."
Her elegance remained unshaken. Her face was composed, and her demeanor graceful.
"Are you telling me to calm down? After scheming to harm my grandson?"
Ma Yeonjeok did not stop walking. The grass beneath his feet was crushed into formless fragments.
This happened despite the fact that no energy was being released. His fully refined aura naturally exuded the authority of a divine being.
Zhu Yeon-jeong's lips moved slightly faster.
"Please understand the circumstances. Everything was done out of concern for your safety…"
"If this scheme had merely endangered me, that would have been enough. But you dared to tamper with my treasure, so I must return the favor. You should be prepared, here and now."
Step.
The six-foot-tall Ma Yeonjeok now stood before Zhu Yeon-jeong.
He lowered his gaze and looked down at her. His eyes flickered with flashes of blue light.
Zhu Yeon-jeong's eyebrows finally shot up. A chill began to emanate from her lips.
"Don't do anything you'll regret. I will not let this pass quietly. Remember the dignity of the Zhu clan's noble bloodline, and recall that Desolate Fortress is the imperial family's sword. Your status is no different."
A rational threat.
The Ming imperial family had invested considerable effort in preserving the dignity of their lineage.
Even severing official ties with Desolate Fortress publicly was part of that effort.
Zhu Yeon-jeong continued calmly.
"If you harm me, the imperial family will naturally…"
Suddenly.
Boom!
Gugh—!
Zhu Yeon-jeong's waist bent sharply. A heavy shockwave exploded from her lower abdomen's dantian. It was an immensely powerful impact.
It was as if her core had been shattered in an instant. Blood poured from her mouth, an involuntary spurt that no willpower could prevent.
No one had seen Ma Yeonjeok make his move.
He merely stood there, looking down at Zhu Yeon-jeong as before.
Haaagh—!
Zhu Yeon-jeong gasped, expelling blood as she lifted her head abruptly. Her eyes were filled with unmistakable shock, disbelief etched across her face.
"A sword… has struck the imperial bloodline…"
"There are many Zhu clans in the world."
Ma Yeonjeek spoke calmly.
"But there is only one Ma Yeonjeok."
The youthful elder's fingertip pointed directly at Zhu Yeon-jeong's solar plexus.
It was the location of her middle dantian.
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