It was noon.
The blazing sky spread like a vast roof overhead. It was strikingly blue.
On the elegant curve of the tiles, the indigo hue extended gracefully, exuding an ancient charm. This place carried the dignity of a renowned family.
Thud!
A white shoe stomped on the ground of the martial training yard, creating a deep imprint. The power expelled from the Yongcheon acupoint on the sole of the foot was precise.
The image of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader overlapped with the young girl performing her martial arts. Her straight punch followed suit.
Boom!
Her fist pierced the air. The flowing sleeves extending from her wrist fluttered in white.
It was an intense movement. The recoil from her small fist spread through the atmosphere like a powerful gust of wind.
Formidable Wall. It was the second technique of the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.
It didn't stop at just one strike. The martial art continued seamlessly.
Whoosh!
The spinning vortex of Limit-Releasing Technique burst forth.
After releasing the energy that scattered even the dust beneath her feet, she immediately executed the third technique.
Flower Strike. Taking a step forward, her outstretched fist bloomed like a fully blossomed flower.
The formless wave of energy encasing her right arm scattered in all directions, while the piercing sound of air splitting continuously struck the atmosphere.
Paak!
Then, as soon as she released her tension and aligned her feet, the transparent energy collected in her right arm dispersed into shreds.
Her long braided hair was lifted momentarily by the faint breeze, gleaming as it rose.
The girl stood upright with composure, lowering her hands.
Even the recoil from finishing her strike had to be carefully adjusted through her entire body. That was because every single move held power.
The Infinite Blossom Fist Strike fundamentally pursued swift, decisive, and powerful strikes.
Its core lay in precise and rapid mnemonics. If carelessly concluded, it could overburden the body.
Shin So-bin of the Radiant Demon Squad deeply understood the essence of the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.
'The more I train, the more I feel it. This technique is about using the body to its fullest. I must master it.'
As her martial arts deepened, she felt increasingly connected to her senior.
She fully understood the essence of the martial principles he pursued, along with the intentions embedded within them.
The mnemonic verse discussed the explosive force of strikes with calm intention.
Such a straightforward and intuitive technique wasn't easy to master.
It required the practitioner's heightened sensory awareness. For this reason, the martial artists of the Lightning Genius' Lineage were generally known for their exceptional talent.
Among them, Shin So-bin stood out as extraordinary.
She had not yet reached the pinnacle. She hadn't fully grasped its intricacies or filled each movement with maximum internal energy.
Only the creator of this martial art, Senior Jung, could achieve that. It was a relatively new technique, after all.
However, she was satisfied with her accomplishments.
She had attained mastery over the eight levels of the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike and could skillfully unleash the Splendid Wings Step.
If one were to pick the best among the Lightning Genius' Lineage, she wouldn't hesitate to choose herself.
Even blue-ranked experts would struggle to surpass her understanding.
"Ah, so you've reached the stage of Fist Shadows. A very impressive achievement."
A woman with distinct eyes slowly rose from her position by a tree at the edge of the training yard.
"That martial art suits you well. I can tell just by the solid shadows of your strikes. I was worried at first, but with this level of mastery, I can be somewhat reassured. Above all, the one who created this martial art is your direct superior."
Shin So-bin turned her head toward the woman and remained silent, not answering immediately. She merely observed the elder of her family.
A middle-aged woman in splendid attire with a white treasured sword at her side.
Her calm, composed aura was evidence of her accomplished skill as a swordswoman.
The orange cloak adorned with white lines shimmered silver under the sunlight, creating an elegant and noble sight.
It harmonized perfectly with her tranquil presence.
"Yet you speak as if you haven't accepted me."
Shin So-bin said, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Isn't that why you've detained me here? Because you're displeased that I abandoned the Heavenly Balance Martial Canon and chose a martial art without history?"
"It's not that I look down on the Lightning Genius' Lineage. It's simply a matter of priority regarding the martial arts that the clan's direct descendants should focus on."
A gentle reply came.
The head of the Desolate Shin Clan, Lady Shin Seol-ha, was known as a remarkable woman who had elevated her family's prestige.
Swaying Moon Jade Sword, Shin Seol-ha.
She was both an accomplished swordswoman and a renowned instructor who nurtured her clan's talents.
Unlike other family heads, she gained respect without officially joining the martial hierarchy of the Desolate Fortress. Privately, she was also Shin So-bin's mother.
"Think about it. Our clan has produced countless martial experts over generations. Each of them filled the ranks of the Divine Sword Order. They shed the name of the Shin Clan and took on the elite identity of groups like the Divine Sword Unit and the Annihilation Squad. Naturally, that's how it should be. It's the duty and reason for the existence of prestigious clans under the main branch. However…"
Shin Seol-ha's gentle gaze suddenly hardened.
"If even the direct line becomes like that, won't the clan name fade away? The lineage of martial clans is preserved through their martial arts. You reached white rank at the same age as the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. You have the potential to surpass blue rank and aim for black. Can't you see how significant your name and achievements will be?"
As she spoke, she approached Shin So-bin.
Her words were directed at the golden child of the Desolate Shin Clan. But Shin So-bin, a white-ranked warrior of the Radiant Demon Squad, didn't agree. Instead, she scowled slightly.
"That's exactly what belittles me. You're implying that our squad leader's lineage doesn't hold enough value to surpass the family's martial legacy, and that I should focus on glorifying the clan's name instead, aren't you?"
"You remain as stubborn as ever."
"That's exactly what I'd like to say to you."
"The history behind our clan's Heavenly Balance Martial Canon is profound. It's certainly not inferior to the unique techniques of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. Our family's cousin even used it as a foundation for his martial path. You haven't forgotten that the Annihilation Squad's leader is your maternal uncle, have you?"
"But he's a master of the Twin Flame Divine Hands, not the Heavenly Balance Martial Canon. According to you, he merely used it as a foundation. He reached black rank later than our squad leader."
"The martial arts of the Lightning Genius' Lineage won't guarantee the same level of growth as the Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
Shin Seol-ha's lips pressed firmly together.
Shin So-bin sighed.
"How long do you intend to keep me confined?"
"Until you reflect on yourself. I've told you this before, but even your tone hasn't improved. They say the demeanor of the Radiant Demon Squad is rough, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. Show proper respect to your clan's leader."
"I can't agree with your decision. Even the reasoning behind it. My older sister insulted my superior first. I merely disciplined her as a warrior of the Radiant Demon Squad. It was a fair duel. How many times must I explain this? Won't outsiders criticize us for this?"
"I've heard enough of your reasoning. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader will likely come to retrieve you. I will have a conversation with him directly."
"Our squad leader?"
Shin So-bin's face turned somewhat pale. Even her neatly arched eyebrows twitched slightly beneath her black bangs.
Embarrassment and concern were clearly written on her face, as if her expression spoke exactly what she felt.
"I've heard that he's a man of principle. I've been told that he even goes out of his way to show proper courtesy to the scribes of the General Affairs Bureau. His reputation is very good."
"..."
"Though there were concerns due to his lineage from the Tyrant Hero's bloodline, they have all been dispelled. People say he's a vessel worthy of becoming the future leader of the Divine Sword Order in a few decades. I'm sure he will understand what this clan head has to say. I will meet him with proper respect."
Shin Seol-ha spoke with a smile.
A brief silence followed. Shin So-bin didn't respond.
'A clan head and a squad leader… this is beyond me.'
The girl recalled an old principle. From the perspective of the martial world, the Desolate Fortress was a major faction where hierarchy dictated every relationship.
This was perfectly suited for her squad leader, known as a storm incarnate in recent times.
* * *
Jin Myeongjo, the Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood, opened his eyes halfway. He was seated cross-legged.
A dim light filtered through his barely opened eyelids. The sunlight casting shadows by the window of Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall touched his skin softly.
The sensation on his skin was new.
Of course, it was unusual. It wasn't the kind of place where one should maintain their composure.
The Chief Administrator was speaking while holding a document covered in green silk.
"It's a proposal regarding the number of weapons to be supplied to each military unit..."
"Skim through it."
The man, once known as the Tyrant Hero, spoke. His youthful appearance made it hard to believe at first, but that doubt was short-lived.
His words and martial presence left no room for doubt. If not him, who else could be the Tyrant Hero?
He didn't treat all matters equally, but his repeated behavior was consistent.
No one could object. The dignified atmosphere of Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall remained intact.
Xiahou Wei-Jin and Ak Surim, who used to maintain order, seemed completely disengaged from the meeting. They either kept their heads down or fidgeted absentmindedly.
"..."
Xiahou Wei-Jin sat with both hands on his knees, unmoving.
It was as if he were a monk from the famed Shaolin Temple, meditating in front of a wall for decades.
His usual audacious and eccentric behavior was nowhere to be seen.
It seemed that his past as a subordinate under the Tyrant Hero still held sway over him.
Ak Surim was even worse. Seated as far from the Tyrant as possible, she had dragged the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader to sit next to her.
During the time it took to finish a cup of tea, she kept stealing glances at him.
Among the black ranks, she was the most advanced in terms of internal energy. For her, time felt different.
She didn't take her eyes off her junior even for a moment, her slightly upturned eyes giving her an almost pitiful look.
This was the scene: the formidable Thousand Fist Dragon Force Minister and the Desolate Divine Spear subdued in the same room. No one could have imagined it.
Even Cheon So-so, the leader of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad, and Un Soyu, the leader of the Law and Order Squad, had their gazes lowered throughout the meeting.
Gone was the animosity they had previously shown toward Jin Myeongjo due to his lineage. They now sat with graceful composure, mouths shut tight as if adopting a new image.
'Ha!'
Jin Myeongjo inwardly scoffed. There wasn't a single senior here who could stand tall against the Tyrant Hero.
Still, he wasn't free from discomfort either. The broken roundtable had brought everyone closer together.
The subtle energy emanating from the Radiant Demon Squad's leader tingled against his skin.
He couldn't afford to show any discomfort.
He had already reduced the number of blue-ranked experts sent with the letter from three to two. He had pretended to be a senior while cutting costs.
That audacious move had earned him some success. But if he showed any weakness now, he would likely receive a duel challenge.
'Damn it...!'
With a calm face, Jin Myeongjo straightened his posture. He sat as elegantly as possible, his refined demeanor making him stand out.
Immediately, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's gaze locked onto him. His jet-black eyes seemed to gleam.
Even so, the Desolate Divine Spear was expertly avoiding eye contact.
"Is the Shaanxi mission being handled solely by the Radiant Demon Squad?"
Jung Yeonshin suddenly asked.
The Chief Administrator nodded vaguely.
"Officially, yes. However, we're more concerned about the leader of the Tyrant Sword Tribe than the high-level expert impersonating the leader of White Sun Sect."
"Shaanxi is vast, comparable to a small nation. Isn't that concern excessive?"
"Shaanxi is indeed large, and White Sun Sect is located at the northern end, making such an encounter unlikely. However, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader represents the future of the main branch. Sending a scout would be prudent. We're considering sending the Blood Preservation Squad's leader. With her exceptional sensory range due to her innate yin energy, she could detect any potential encounters with the Tyrant Sword Tribe and retreat in time."
"Hm...?"
Jin Myeongjo's crossed arms twitched.
Struggling internally but maintaining a composed face, he spoke up.
"That seems excessive. Is the General Affairs Bureau underestimating the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's capabilities? With the sensory and defensive abilities of the Lightning Genius' Lineage, few in the world could harm him. I see him as an equal leader, not someone who needs supervision."
Jung Yeonshin's lips twitched slightly.
Receiving such recognition from a main-branch family member filled a void within him, a lingering emptiness from his time at the Jung Clan.
This warmth, something he hadn't imagined as a child, was the reason he didn't mind the grandfatherly affection of someone like Ak Surim.
He appreciated his seniors' kindness. Even Ak Surim's occasional sharp glares seemed somewhat endearing.
'If Senior Ak or Senior Jin were to scout, that would be ideal.'
At that moment, Ma Yeonjeok revealed a rare expression of satisfaction.
"I admire your view. The new Tyrant[Divine Sword Order's leader] certainly has a talent for gathering good people. While I've been focused on the Divine Sword, he's picked someone capable."
He chuckled and continued.
"Go ahead."
"..."
The Chief Administrator beside Ma Yeonjeok flipped through the documents, smoothly moving on.
"Lastly, we have a proposal regarding the promotion exams for white and unnamed ranks. These are major events, tied to promotions from white rank to blue. Would the Radiant Demon Squad's leader be willing to oversee them? Leaders of the Forest Striding Squad and Immortal Spirit Wood Squad need to depart immediately for the Ming Sect due to an urgent matter with the Obeying Heaven Squad's leader."
"I'll do it."
Jung Yeonshin nodded without hesitation. When he was at the white rank, he had taken the blue promotion exam under the observation of the Annihilation Squad's leader.
Now, he was in the position of overseeing exams as a leader himself. He had already recommended promotions for Heon Wonchang and Lazy Flame Dragon.
The Chief Administrator smiled.
"Efficient, as always. Let's conclude the meeting here."
"Thank you for your efforts, Chief Administrator and seniors."
He stood up without delay. His sudden exit was due to his grandfather's unexpected interruption, making him restless.
He could clear up any misunderstandings regarding the Comprehensive Overview of Destruction later. For now, his priority was to avoid embarrassment.
Step.
Jung Yeonshin walked away, heading directly to the Desolate Shin Clan.
He intended to retrieve his junior, Shin So-bin, and resolve the conflict between their factions.
"Yeonshin, why are you leaving so hastily? I worry that your impatience will lead to misfortune. I'd like to teach you the art of tea."
"Next time, Grandfather."
Without looking back, he left the room.
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