–Where are the two rabbits going?
A pair of voices, one male and one female, swept through the dense forest. The gust of sound was a ripple of energy carried by their sonic technique.
The green leaves of the evergreen trees trembled in succession, and the silence of the mountain slope was shattered in an instant.
Their voices were sinister.
–Do the disciples of a ruined sect have a place to rest?
The man and woman's voices blended into a rhythmic chant. There was a hint of mockery in their tone, resembling wildcats toying with their prey.
The taunts were repeated over and over.
A highly refined sonic technique, put to use for provocation and pursuit, echoed faintly behind the woman carrying a sword.
Her jet-black hair, adorned with feather ornaments, fluttered frantically, unlike its usual calm state.
Tap.
Dew from the morning grass splashed underfoot.
A branch, struck by the force of energy carried through the air, bent like a bowstring, and the droplets of water scattered into the mist like shattered pearls.
The broken branch, as if indignant at being trampled upon, snapped back upward after the figure passed.
But the owner of the blue-clad leather shoes had already torn through the fog and leapt into the air.
A continuous stream of light-footwork carried her forward.
The evergreens, draped in the silvery mist, swayed in unison as if dancing. The sound of tapping accompanied the spectacle.
The trespasser, wrapping her toes in invisible energy, leapt past and shook the branches in her wake.
Shaanxi's most promising rising star, Cloud Dragon Sword Wei Ji Myohwa.
'They're getting closer.'
She ran while holding Jung Hye-ah in her arms, slicing through the trees with the speed of the Zhongnan Sect's secret technique, Cloud-Chasing Step.
Even with a young girl in her embrace, she moved as if walking on air. But her movements betrayed her growing anxiety.
Morning light painted the faint mist with a tinge of orange.
They were in a valley within the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province.
The ridges were long, and so too was this prolonged chase.
The mountain range extending from Zhongnan Mountain was high and treacherous.
So much so that the myth of the giant Pangu lying down seemed believable. The streams flowed like his veins, stretching out in every direction. Wei Ji Myohwa had crossed several cliffs that hugged the streams.
And yet, she hadn't shaken off her pursuers.
She was not of a divine bloodline. There were limits to how much she could suppress the signs of her light-footwork. Even as the Cloud Dragon of the Zhongnan Sect, known as one of the strongest young swordsmen in Shaanxi, this was the case.
Her enemies weren't ordinary rising stars either.
'The Radiant Sound Twin Demons.'
Masters from the Demonic Faction's Sect, supporting the Tyrant Sword Tribe's campaign.
They had perfected the art of using their voices as sonic weapons. The malicious twin siblings were infamous.
Together, they had reached the level of middle-ranked masters. Although Yeoryeong Sect specialized in covert tactics, the Radiant Sound Twin Demons were an exception due to their notorious reputation.
Their sonic techniques were dazzling and carried a certain charm. Like commanders in a military campaign, they often drew attention to themselves.
–Where are the two rabbits going!
Their sonic attack erupted once more. The wind, seemingly brushing against her blue hem, was fast approaching. The bushes behind her rustled wildly.
The echo of their voices gradually embedded itself into Wei Ji Myohwa's mind. Their voices carried shulryeok, a mystical power. It felt like foreign objects were burrowing into her brain.
A sinister form of mystical arts.
Was this the mind-control ability said to often afflict assassins and hidden swordsmen? Their sonic technique exuded a demonic aura.
'I must not let them touch me.'
She had to distance herself as much as possible. The moment her body came into full contact with the ripples of their voices, she would be discovered.
Once her location was pinpointed, she wouldn't be able to handle it. Even the elders of the Nine Great Sects didn't underestimate the combined sonic technique of the Radiant Sound Twin Demons.
Wei Ji Myohwa bit her lower lip. A sharp pain spread.
In her arms, Jung Hye-ah had her eyes tightly shut. She was just a child, her soft lashes trembling slightly.
For now, she had managed to maintain her composure, thanks to the protective energy Wei Ji Myohwa had wrapped around her ears.
The granddaughter of the Jung Clan's head, the niece of the current Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
She had already endured two clan exterminations at a young age.
Even after entering the Zhongnan Sect, she often sought out Jung Yeonshin rather than Jung Jungsan. Her martial talent was so exceptional that the Sword Immortal had personally bestowed techniques upon her, yet her nature was gentle.
She was cherished by many disciples of the Zhongnan Sect. Even when she became a disciple of the Sword Immortal and shared the same rank as the headmaster, no one envied her.
Jung Hye-ah, despite her rank, treated others with respect. She even called junior disciples "sir" in secret, without the knowledge of the Sword Immortal or the elders.
She treated Wei Ji Myohwa the same way.
'I must protect this young master at all costs.'
A fierce determination formed in her beautifully arched eyes. It was a conviction as sharp as a treasured sword.
Tap.
Wei Ji Myohwa kicked off a branch, steeling her resolve.
–I heard the Cloud Dragon of Zhongnan wields a fearsome sword, but it seems those who say so never saw her running like a rabbit. They should've called her the Running Dragon instead.
–Her presence is becoming clearer. She should throw that child away right now! Even if she's the disciple of Zhongnan's old man, she's just a lowborn brat!
–Not lowborn. Isn't she related to the current Radiant Demon Squad's leader?
–In that case, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader must be lowborn too. Don't argue with your sister.
Wei Ji Myohwa ignored the repeated taunts from the Radiant Sound Twin Demons.
'I can't tell exactly where I am.'
She thought for a moment.
The closest major sect was Mount Hua.
However, the demonic factions targeting Zhongnan Sect wouldn't sit idly by and allow Mount Hua and Zhongnan to cooperate.
Yeoryeong Sect's masters had secretly blocked the mountain roads leading to Huayin County and other major routes before the Tyrant Sword Tribe's sudden assault on Zhongnan.
They had been caught completely off guard.
The combined assault of the two members of the Thirteen Celestial Demons was terrifying.
The sword strikes of the Tyrant Sword Tribe's masters had overwhelmed the Zhongnan disciples, while Yeoryeong Sect's warriors formed the Heaven-Spanning Net. It was a tightly woven trap.
Wei Ji Myohwa had to head southwest, towards Yangyang in Huguang Province.
Huguang was where the Radiant Demon Squad's leader Jung Yeonshin resided.
If the niece of someone of his stature was in danger, even Desolate Fortress, a royal faction, would take action.
Wei Ji Myohwa hoped that the secret agents of Desolate Fortress would relay the news and send the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
'Seeking help from secular sects will only lead to more casualties.'
It wasn't a distance she could cover in a day or two.
But she had to try.
A hum resounded as she channeled energy through the Yongcheon acupoint in her soles. She minimized the flow of energy as much as possible.
She extended her legs and surged forward. The wind buffeted her fiercely. In her arms, Jung Hye-ah's lips quivered.
"Master…"
"It'll be okay."
Wei Ji Myohwa responded with a silent smile.
Then, it happened.
–Huh? Look, sis, I recognize that person.
–A strong swordswoman, gray hair. The Sword Demon of the Profound Martial Alliance.
The Radiant Sound Twin Demons' voices rang out. Their voices were always laced with power.
Masters of the demonic faction often asserted their dominance through such childish tactics.
–A noisy tune lured me here… Just now, did I hear you call her a lowborn?
Another voice interrupted. It was louder, overpowering the voices of the Radiant Sound Twin Demons.
The one who had suddenly blocked their path seemed to be just as temperamental as the Twin Demons.
Eternal Heaven Sword Demon of the Profound Martial Alliance, Bai Seo-gun.
If it was the Sword Demon of the Profound Martial Alliance, Wei Ji Myohwa knew her. Bai Seo-gun, the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon, was said to be a terrifying master of the Sword Possession technique.
Wei Ji Myohwa kept running but listened closely. The Sword Sovereign of Henan soon spoke.
–What is it that you lot are chasing?
–That's none of your concern, sword ghost...
The male twin of the Radiant Sound Twin Demons, the Sonic Demon Jin So-jun, replied.
–Whatever your business is, ours is more urgent. I suggest you step aside. One day, I'll compose a fine melody as a gift to you. Seeing you up close, you seem like someone worth connecting with through music.
–Connect through music? We're not in the mood! We'll step aside this time, but if you block us, consider it a declaration of war against the Yeoryeong Sect! You should also know that the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader is currently on Zhongnan Mountain!
The older twin sister, the Radiant Demon Jin So-ryeong, shouted. Her voice pierced sharply.
A calm reply came back.
–That's none of my concern. I already asked, did you just call her lowborn?
Bai Seo-gun's voice continued.
–-If you plan to pass without answering, be prepared to be split in half.
For a moment, even Wei Ji Myohwa's stride faltered at the weight of her voice.
* * *
Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall.
Jung Yeonshin's gaze swept across the spacious interior. It was his second visit.
The first had been when he took over the responsibilities from his maternal uncle, Ma Jin. Now, he entered fully as a squad leader.
This was the uppermost echelon of Desolate Fortress.
The domain of the full-fledged squad leaders. A peculiar sense of emotion washed over him.
Among those seated around the circular table, there wasn't a single person who wasn't immensely powerful. This was the supreme faction of the martial world.
Each individual had gathered their rippling energy into thin, dense layers. The atmosphere was stifling, as if the air itself had been stretched taut.
Vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order, Ak Surim.
Leader of the Forest Striding Squad, Xiahou Wei-jin.
Leader of the Blood Preservation Squad, Jin Myeongjo, the Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood.
Leader of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad, Cheon So-so, the Ice Soul.
Leader of the Law and Order Squad, Un Soyu, the Black Cloud Sword Master.
Radiant Demon Squad Leader, Jung Yeonshin, the Lightning Genius.
"A magnificent sight, one rarely seen in recent times."
The Chief Administrator, Lin Jinming, murmured softly from one side of the round table.
Six black-clad martial masters.
No peerless martial artist, no matter their skill, would dare step into this circle unless they were the squad leader of Desolate Fortress themselves.
The Chief Administrator Lin Jinming had long harbored a grand ambition. It was audacious.
He dreamed of gathering this level of power into a single force and crushing all enemy factions. Had the world been just a bit smaller, he might have tried it.
"If only the martial world wasn't so vast, and if the Central Plains weren't filled with countless cracks and hidden threats..."
There was no doubting the strength of this group.
Black-clad grandmasters were the ultimate weapons in a sect war. As long as the Thirteen Celestial Demons didn't form an alliance, victory was assured.
Desolate Fortress hadn't made a move due to past experience.
They had once emptied various sectors of the martial world and gathered five squads under the Divine Sword Order for an operation.
The result had been overwhelming, but the backlash was catastrophic.
It was a long time ago.
'It's not feasible now.'
The Chief Administrator reflected on the past and shook his head internally as he observed the round table before him.
Six black-clad grandmasters, seated with a certain distance between them.
The waves of energy radiating from them pricked at the skin like needles.
Previously, he had gathered five of them to reveal the Comprehensive Overview of Lightning Genius.
Even then, the resulting waves of true energy had resonated with immense power. Now, the atmosphere was even denser. The reason was clear—the addition of a new squad leader.
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, Jung Yeonshin.
His sharp jawline tilted downward as if lost in thought, his youthful face adorned with a neutral expression.
The torn black sleeve of his long robe added an oddly fitting touch.
'A practitioner who breathes through their martial arts.'
The Chief Administrator smiled with satisfaction.
Grandmasters of this caliber were rare. Most martial artists of their level either founded their own sects or established themselves as rulers.
The departure of the previous Radiant Demon Squad's leader had been a painful loss, but his nephew had filled the gap seamlessly. It was astonishing, admirable, and deeply appreciated.
Just watching them interact was satisfying.
"Hey, Radiant Demon Squad's leader, I'm not trying to rush you. I'm just cautiously asking… that Comprehensive Overview of Destruction of yours, it seems absent."
"It's far from ready."
Jung Yeonshin's curt response made Xiahou Wei-jin raise an eyebrow. He looked genuinely taken aback.
The Chief Administrator had never seen a newcomer speak to the leader of the Forest Striding Squad so bluntly. What had happened?
"Is there really that much to include?"
"There's a lot to be done."
Jung Yeonshin answered briefly again.
He had taken Ak Surim's advice to heart.
This was a battlefield.
He had to bring in newly appointed warriors from the Desolate Entrance Test, oversee the promotions of his subordinates, assign suitable missions, and allocate resources accordingly.
The annotated version of the Comprehensive Overview of Destruction wasn't a priority. The original copy was already held by the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
The black-clad veterans could memorize any mnemonic verse instantly. Annotations wouldn't be necessary for them. It was only logical.
"There are no juniors or seniors in this place."
Ak Surim's advice echoed in Jung Yeonshin's mind. He felt a tinge of guilt only toward his maternal grandfather, who had probably heard about his grandson's departure when he stopped by the Radiant Demon Squad's Pavilion.
'He'll be here soon.'
He pushed the thought away.
His duty as a squad leader came first.
Just like when he was out in the martial world, his face became devoid of emotion.
To Xiahou Wei-jin and the other mid-level black-clad grandmasters, his demeanor conveyed one clear message.
–If you want anything, prove your worth.
The meeting of Desolate Fortress squad leaders had begun.
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