"I suppose I'll have to release some energy."
Xiahou Wei-Jin smiled as he spoke.
It was a rather feral smile. The corners of his mouth, lifted upward, gave him a savage appearance.
Wooong.
His broad black sleeves, as wide as his large frame, briefly stiffened. He was indeed releasing his internal energy, adjusting it.
As a member of the prominent clan, how much internal power had he cultivated? For a moment, the fabric of his sleeves felt like iron.
His mastery alone could repel a steel sword using only his robes. It was truly an impressive level of skill.
No one said anything. Even the Chief Administrator kept his mouth shut for a moment.
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader provoked him.
Just as no one reprimanded the newly appointed squad leader, there was no reason to interfere with how the future Forest Striding Squad's leader handled himself.
"You're right."
Xiahou Wei-Jin spoke again.
"The Comprehensive Overview of Destruction is an achievement in itself, destined to come back to us anyway. Your seniors ought to wait with black-clad dignity. Focusing on the current task is the right choice, a hundred times over. Here, it's enough to see whether your martial arts are as sharp as your tongue. There's no need to rush."
"…?"
Jung Yeonshin tilted his head slightly, confused. A sharp tongue?
The small tilt of the newly appointed squad leader's head conveyed a sense of innocence.
But to others, the way Lightning Genius carried himself could only be taken as provocation.
Xiahou Wei-Jin's smile deepened. From his mouth came the quaint tone of an elder.
"You never know which case will emerge."
The content of his words clashed with his tone. It was the competitive spirit characteristic of youthful masters who had preserved their vitality for many years.
"How uncouth."
The Blood Preservation Squad's leader, licking his lips with his tongue, leaned back slightly. His gaze, lazy and languid, shot a glance at Xiahou Wei-Jin before quietly lowering his eyes.
He exuded elegance. His pale face bore an air of heavy solitude.
He had already gained further respect from the newly appointed Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
That was why he ignored Jung Yeonshin's respectful nod. He appeared as a senior who strictly distinguished between public and private matters.
While Jung Yeonshin's eyes sparkled, Xiahou Wei-Jin furrowed his brow.
"What did you say?"
"I said nothing."
He answered without lifting his gaze.
Lightning Genius' few words had signaled the start of a psychological battle.
The First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong was a battlefield permitted by law. You could even call it a war zone.
The one who made the statement bore full responsibility for its consequences, whether by persuading their opponent with words or overpowering them through martial arts, it was their choice.
Survival of the fittest.
That was the governance style of Desolate Fortress. The decisions of the squad leaders mirrored a blend of military discipline and sectarian temperament.
Unless it was a highly unreasonable situation, the stronger party would naturally secure better missions and more exceptional subordinates.
"I have been curious about Lightning Genius' swordsmanship."
Ak Surim smiled faintly.
The gentle arc at the corner of her lips suited her youthful face. She was a supreme master of Rejuvenation known as the second-in-command of the Divine Sword Order.
Among the black-clad elites gathered here, she enjoyed the most freedom in handling the Comprehensive Overview. The reason was simple: her overwhelming strength.
She held that status as the vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order. The Divine Sword Order was a cut above other martial forces.
As the Divine Sword Order's vice-leader, she commanded this elite force. If weakened, the Radiant Demon Squad could be dealt with by her alone, maybe even more. Everyone knew this.
The reason Jung Yeonshin, the newly appointed squad leader, had not yet reorganized the internal structure was that he had only just taken office.
"Let's first examine the current situation in Jianghu."
The Chief Administrator gestured toward the round table.
There lay the privilege granted to the black-clad warriors of Desolate Fortress—a complete map of the Central Plains.
This classified document, off-limits to ordinary warriors, was an openly displayed map of the Ming Dynasty, slightly trembling as the Chief Administrator's finger traced its surface.
Its size was vast enough that one would need to spread both hands wide just to cover either side.
"Keep in mind the time lag in information due to the vast expanse of territory. This is not real-time data, so it's possible the situation has already changed."
His gaze brushed past the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, subtly offering advice to the newly appointed squad leader.
Jung Yeonshin nodded in acknowledgment. The corners of the Chief Administrator's mouth lifted slightly.
"Let's start with Sichuan, to the immediate west."
The martial world of Huguang, where Desolate Fortress was located, was the most peaceful in the land. This was largely due to Desolate Fortress being stationed in its northern territory.
Few incidents occurred that warranted the intervention of the martial masters from the fortress. Most were resolved by the Hunan branch of Desolate Fortress.
Thus, they moved straight to Sichuan.
"I believe no squad leader here is unaware that the Dragon Slayer Alliance has changed its name to the Golden Wings Sect. They transitioned from an alliance to a single sect, the only remaining faction of the Thirteen Celestial Demons in Sichuan."
The Chief Administrator stroked his thick beard.
"They lean more toward the magical arts than traditional martial prowess. Recently, they've been clashing fiercely with the Tang Clan. Although there have been no significant civilian casualties yet, damaged inns and homes are being compensated by the Tang Clan, and the increased flow of goods has made merchants quite happy. But I believe it's worth monitoring."
"They sought cooperation from the Tang Clan to capture strange creatures, didn't they? I doubt the Tang Clan would willingly comply."
Xiahou Wei-Jin asked, and the Chief Administrator nodded.
"Their actions are always predictable. It wasn't a request, it was close to coercion. As expected of the Thirteen Celestial Demons. I can understand, though. The Tang Clan Leader, Tang Yun-hwang, has mastered Full Sky Flower Rain, which could restrain any mystical being for a short while. To achieve their ambitions, they need wide-area restriction techniques."
"There's an expert who can use that technique here, isn't there?"
At Xiahou Wei-Jin's comment, the others turned their gazes.
The Chief Administrator and the black-clad masters looked toward the newly appointed Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
No one within Desolate Fortress knew exactly how Lightning Genius had come to wield Full Sky Flower Rain. There were only endless speculations.
Asking deep questions about mystical arts was taboo in the martial world. By now, it was simply accepted as one of the many mysteries held by the squad leaders of Desolate Fortress.
"Lightning Genius, be cautious when you venture out into Jianghu."
Ak Surim parted her lips, her smooth forehead slightly furrowed.
"I heard the Golden Wings Sect Leader's title is the Dark Flame King? There are many who claim to have seen him use Full Sky Flower Rain alongside Tang Yun-hwang. The Golden Wings Sect is a group of madmen. Don't be surprised if they extend their claws at you during a night walk."
"They refer to themselves as 'dragon hunters', not martial artists."
The Law and Order Squad's leader, Un Soyu, added calmly.
"Dragon hunters?"
Jung Yeonshin's eyebrow twitched.
This setting was entirely different from anything he had encountered before. In the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong, all sorts of questions were permitted, and mysterious knowledge was freely exchanged.
He couldn't help but ask.
"Do dragons exist in this world?"
"Not anymore. They say the last one ascended during the founding of the Ming Dynasty. It sparked a wave of bizarre superstitions, not just within the Buddhist and Taoist sects but also among countless minor cults. Even in Jianghu, it was a thing. Most of them were wiped out by Desolate Fortress, except for the tenacious Blood Flame Cult. Nobody knows how many branches they have."
Ak Surim answered nonchalantly.
"There are countless rumors. Some say the Lord of Desolate Fortress severed a yellow dragon's horn with a single strike."
"Did you ask her directly?"
"How could I dare ask the Lord such a question? Anyway, be careful. The Thirteen Celestial Demons aren't just called that because they're powerful, they're all insane. You must stay vigilant to avoid getting stabbed in the back during a mission."
"Thank you for the advice."
"There's no need to thank me. We're not strangers here."
Jung Yeonshin clasped his hands in a polite fist salute, and Ak Surim waved it off.
Her faint smile was the only indication of her mood. She was a senior who didn't hide her thoughts.
The Chief Administrator cleared his throat.
"It's a full-scale conflict between the Thirteen Celestial Demons and the Eight Great Clans. Even if the Tang Clan is containing civilian casualties, we can't ignore it. The General Affairs Bureau is already monitoring the situation. It's possible a mediation mission will be assigned soon, so the waiting squad leaders should be prepared."
He pointed upward from the map in a diagonal direction.
"Now, we'll discuss missions at the squad leader level."
"…!"
Jung Yeonshin's eyes gleamed.
There was no room for complacency. If he failed to secure a mission today, he would be stuck waiting at the fortress.
Among Desolate Fortress' standing combat forces, only two units fell under the Divine Sword Order's subordinates.
Ak Surim, as the vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order, was exempt from competing for missions, and Un Soyu, as the Law and Order Squad's leader, was responsible for enforcing internal law.
That left him competing against the Forest Striding Squad's leader, the Blood Preservation Squad's leader, and the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader.
They were all veteran squad leaders with extensive experience in handling high-level missions categorized as black.
'I have to win this.'
Jung Yeonshin resolved.
The Chief Administrator's hand moved diagonally northwest from Sichuan. That region was outside the Ming territory, straight toward Xinjiang.
"The Ming Cult has risen. Their young leader is gaining momentum. Rumors that he's a grandmaster of mystical martial arts have been confirmed. He's incredibly powerful."
The Chief Administrator fixed his finger on Xinjiang as he continued.
"Obeying Heaven Squad's leader, dispatched to wipe them out, has been out of contact for fifteen days. This is unprecedented. Two squad ;eaders must be sent. Fortunately, we have reinforcements available, unlike during the mission at the City of Master Craftsmen."
"Ha Do-un couldn't handle a rookie?"
The Blood Preservation Squad's leader, Jin Myeongjo, crossed his arms. His demeanor revealed a dual nature—both noble and wicked.
His robes had sleeves narrow enough to cling to his muscular forearms. The defined contours of his muscles were visible through the fabric.
He had the body of a supreme master of fist techniques. The sharp definition of the muscles extending from his wrists to his biceps caught Jung Yeonshin's attention.
Upon closer inspection, the lines extending from his forearms to his upper biceps were exceptionally prominent. His physique was clearly built for reaching strikes.
'If I can use this as a reference to adjust my body through the Jung Clan Movement Arts…'
While worrying about Obeying Heaven Squad's leader's safety, Jung Yeonshin stored the image of Jin Myeongjo's finely tuned muscles in his memory.
He could accelerate his progress toward mastering Radiant River.
Observing these senior masters not only taught him but directly enhanced his skills. They were worth emulating.
"That rookie is probably three or four years older than Lightning Genius."
The Chief Administrator said with a glance at Jin Myeongjo, shaking his head.
"Even so, it's hard to dispute his youth. But his potential is monstrous, akin to supernatural forces. He must have tapped into mystical arts. The Ming Cult's martial lineage, excluding the Heavenly Demon Faction, is practically the epitome of sorcery."
He ended his statement with a question directed at the squad leaders.
Silent agreements followed, with everyone nodding.
"In any case, that leaves two mission spots. As for the remaining one..."
The Chief Administrator's finger slid diagonally downward, toward the Central Plains. His finger stopped at Shaanxi Province.
"The Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader, who killed the Qingcheng Sect's headmaster, advanced north and clashed with twenty-four Plum Blossom Swordsmen. He shattered the Plum Blossom Sword Formation led by Sage Cheon Joo just before you took part in the martial arts tournament."
"…"
"The Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader's martial arts have improved drastically. It's clear. Had the battle taken place at Mount Hua's main peak, the massacre would have been catastrophic. Thankfully, it occurred below the mountain."
"Shaanxi's monster…"
Immortal Spirit Wood's leader, Cheon So-so, murmured.
The Chief Administrator nodded.
"That's how it's always been. While many supreme masters grow stronger continuously, the speed at which the current Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader improves is something else entirely. I'm bringing this up so you'll keep it in mind when heading to Shaanxi. Not just the squad leaders, but make sure your subordinates are particularly cautious when dealing with the Tyrant Sword Tribe's warriors. The momentum of those 'Sword Fanatics' must have intensified."
"Shaanxi was often left to the Radiant Demon Squad when the main forces weren't involved. We've long filtered out subordinates adept in softness overcoming hardness, selecting those trained in rapid-response martial techniques."
Xiahou Wei-Jin tapped the armrest with his thick fingers as he continued speaking.
"What's the related mission?"
"At the northern edge of Shaanxi, near the area of Gyeomyangbu, there's news of a Demonic Faction martial artist pretending to be from a righteous sect. It's suspected to be a high-level master from Yeoryeong Sect, wearing someone else's face. The letter from the branch leader states that the Zhongnan Sect and Mount Hua Sect don't have the capacity to handle it, so they're requesting a squad leader from Desolate Fortress. Apparently, they're using the reputation of the minor sect White Sun Sect in Gyeomyangbu as a front to plunder civilians."
Suddenly, the Chief Administrator furrowed his brows, an expression of concern crossing his face.
"Once we exclude our standing forces and those heading to Xinjiang, only one black-clad squad leader remains. It must be someone who can avoid danger from the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader. Luckily, the harvest season has just ended, so we have a bit of leeway."
Jung Yeonshin immediately spoke up after hearing those last words.
"I'll go."
It was a mission perfectly suited for him after reorganizing the Radiant Demon Squad, as the Chief Administrator had mentioned earlier.
Although the mission to check on Obeying Heaven Squad's leader deeply troubled him, Jung Yeonshin did not let his pride push him into volunteering recklessly.
His martial prowess was lower than Xiahou Wei-Jin's, and his experience fell short compared to the other squad leaders.
Ensuring the safety of Obeying Heaven Squad's leader was best left to more seasoned leaders. Unlike the mission at the City of Master Craftsmen, there were additional combat forces available this time.
Jung Yeonshin humbly acknowledged that neither he nor the Radiant Demon Squad was the optimal choice.
At that moment—
"I haven't known you for long,"
Xiahou Wei-Jin abruptly said, gazing at Jung Yeonshin, seated across from him.
"But I didn't think you were one to avoid risky missions. Don't tell me your earlier talk about the Comprehensive Overview of Destruction was all a setup for this? I had my suspicions and tried to suppress them."
The Forest Striding Squad's leader, the Thousand Fist Dragon Force Minister.
A terrifying gleam appeared in his eyes, and streams of colorless energy shot forth in sharp waves.
The faint sunlight that had been filtering into the room distorted alongside the swirling dust.
"Hah."
A soft breath escaped from the lips of Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader, Cheon So-so.
Her exhale, a mix of derision and sigh, carried a faint glimmer in her blue eyes.
"Things were going so quietly."
Cheon So-so brushed her pointed ear behind her.
Jung Yeonshin furrowed his brow.
"This is a misunderstanding…"
"A misunderstanding! Who would call your arrogant and insolent words a misunderstanding after hearing them firsthand?"
His voice, charged with immense internal energy, echoed throughout the room like a deafening rumble, filling the entire hall.
Even the ceiling quivered as if struck by an earthquake.
Jung Yeonshin instinctively realized—A challenge is incoming.
They say there's no such thing as an ordinary supreme master.
These martial elites, revered as living gods among the commoners, brimmed with vitality. Some were so awkward in conversation that they'd rather resolve grudges and misunderstandings with their fists.
Only those with shallow martial skills in the raw world of Jianghu cared about etiquette or thoughtful deliberation.
Xiahou Wei-Jin, being a powerful warrior, had no such need.
It was said that fights among the squad leaders often broke out in the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong.
They would nitpick over trivial remarks and use martial prowess to assert dominance, all to ensure smoother future meetings.
There was undoubtedly a mix of sincerity and pretense in Xiahou Wei-Jin's words. After all, this was referred to as a battlefield for a reason.
"I treated you as an equal, learning from you and granting you the courtesy reserved for members of prestigious clans, yet you still cling to the insignificance of your small clan roots!"
"There's no need for further words."
As Jung Yeonshin circulated the radiant wheel within his heart—
Before Ak Surim, seated at the head table, could intervene—
Koo-ru-ru-rung—!
A thunderous roar violently shook the ceiling. At the same time, hundreds of cracks raced along the marble walls in all directions.
Jung Yeonshin clearly felt it—the protective formation of the First Sword Hall had been shattered all at once.
No one in the hall had time to react.
Then—
Kwaaaang—!
The ceiling collapsed entirely with a tremendous crash. The impact was like a landslide.
Dust clouds billowed and spread like fog, quickly blanketing the area.
As the squad leaders unleashed their attacks—shattering, cutting, and pulverizing the falling debris—
"You fool!"
A man, with pink robes fluttering, descended and grabbed the back of Xiahou Wei-Jin's head.
Though gaunt, his large hands carried a storm of forceful energy, whipping through the surroundings like a typhoon.
A pale, swirling vortex swept away the rubble. It was a massive whirlpool that filled the hall in an instant.
"The only thing insignificant here is your jaw, you fool!"
The man pressed down on the back of Xiahou Wei-Jin's head, unleashing a ferocious surge of energy from his palm.
Even Xiahou Wei-Jin's Thousand Fist Dragon Force couldn't resist. His forehead slammed into the table.
Kwaaang!
The round table shattered into pieces, and the deafening noise shot upward, reverberating through the gaping ceiling.
It was an overwhelming shockwave, as if an invisible storm had just erupted.
[T/L: Please support me AND read further chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans.]
[T/L: Subscribe for a membership on my Buy Me a Coffee page and receive 15 extra chapters upon joining, along with daily updates of one chapter: buymeacoffee.com/revengerscans ]
[Additional Info: If anyone is facing the issue of payment on Ko-Fi, please contact me on revengerscans1@gmail.com]