At the Grand Martial Arena of the Radiant Demon Squad.
It was wide enough to accommodate at least 500 people, with various weapons arranged neatly on marble stands.
The expansive floor had been polished until it was rock-hard, a testament to the countless intense movements it had endured.
Swish! Bang!
Martial artists swung their weapons all around. Sharp energy bursts exploded continuously amidst the disorganized formations.
Men and women alike displayed powerful skills. There was no one here who wasn't a master.
"I heard the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong is in chaos?"
"There's a rumor that a bolt of lightning struck in broad daylight. I'm worried about the squad leader, though."
"Don't be. Is the black-rank elites something to be concerned about?"
"The mid-tier squad leader should be handling it. The defensive techniques of the black-ranks can endure heavenly punishment without issue. Even with mediocre internal cultivation, they've already reached the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, so the moment they decide, they could raise a shield of inner energy."
"Our squad leader might be a little worrisome, but given his instincts, he'd have responded somehow. There are seniors with him, and isn't the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong guarded by the secret formations of the noble clans?"
"What if it wasn't a lightning strike but an intruder?"
"Then it's their bad luck. There are currently six squad leaders stationed at the First Sword Hall. The Chief Administrator himself has also reached the Three Flowers Gathering, so you could count that as seven. That's a rare gathering. It's one of the most dangerous places under heaven right now."
"If it were something major, the Lord would have appeared by now."
"The alarm bell hasn't rung. Let's refocus."
The atmosphere was both free and orderly. The martial robes, a mix of rough-hewn fabrics and clean white and blue uniforms, added to the refined vibe.
The flowing garments, fluttering in a dignified manner, had been meticulously pressed and maintained, not something one would typically see from martial artists.
The visible handiwork of servants emphasized the might of Desolate Fortress.
"Fall back from the rear line."
"Why don't you switch it up? Your energy waves are strong, but they seem less effective in initiating attacks compared to a Swift Sword approach."
Many groups were training in tandem, preparing for collective combat. They practiced closely, drilling quick offensive moves.
Some perched on rooftops with their arms crossed, while others sat casually, engaging in energy circulation exercises.
No one feared internal injury. They simply kept a subtle watch on their surroundings.
"The atmosphere of the Radiant Demon Squad is quite free-spirited."
A woman in sleeveless blue martial robes remarked.
Her ears pointed sharply, resembling a sword tip. Standing with her arms crossed, her demeanor was graceful and aloof.
As a master archer, the smooth curves of her trapezius muscles accentuated her trained physique.
This was Wei Ye-ryeong, the Moon Bow Demon, who had supported the rear defense of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad. Her affiliation had shifted following Cheon So-so's defeat in a martial match.
Next to her, Baek Miryeo roughly brushed aside her jet-black hair.
"The discipline of the martial squads depends on the squad leader. Since they haven't worked under the new squad leader for long, this disorder is inevitable. With time, the hierarchy will stabilize."
"It seems the Wave Swordswoman cherishes the young squad leader a great deal."
Wei Ye-ryeong commented, her smile faint like a thin crescent moon.
Baek Miryeo glanced at her briefly before turning her head back. Her lips opened nonchalantly.
"That's a misinterpretation. It's the squad leader who treasures me. And…"
The corners of her lips lowered slightly.
"Young squad leader? Don't let me hear that term again. It's an irksome label. Isn't that bow of yours made of precious ebony wood? It'd be a shame if it snapped in half."
"I misspoke."
Wei Ye-ryeong said, her smile deepening.
That was all.
She didn't yield an inch in their subtle clash. Wearing a blue robe, she wasn't one to back down easily.
Even if the Wave Swordswoman, known to rival even the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman, was considered one of the strongest in blue, she didn't overpower her opponent by much.
They were elite experts of Desolate Fortress.
Masters who possessed the supreme martial prowess of blue, making it hard for anyone to find a worthy opponent.
Groups like the Thirteen Celestial Demons or the Nine Sects and Eight Clans represented only a small fragment of the martial world's upper echelons.
For the elite of the Radiant Demon Arts, individuality and pride came naturally.
Baek Miryeo didn't continue the conversation. Managing the squad was the squad leader's responsibility, it was Jung Yeonshin's role.
The middle-rank prodigies from the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad, Blood Preservation Squad, and Forest Striding Squad, alongside the masters of Radiant Demon Squad, would soon fall into order under the Lightning Genius. It was only a matter of time.
Everyone had their own tasks. Baek Miryeo was no exception.
'Once the Lightning Genius gains some breathing room… then perhaps it'll be time to seriously consider the advice of the former squad leader.'
Her eyes dimmed in thought.
—The Wave Swordswoman, Baek Miryeo, secretly mastering the Heavenly Demon Sacred Arts? That's no reason to distance yourself from the Lightning Genius. He's unquestionably the future of Desolate Fortress. Anyone who hasn't seen his potential may dismiss his advice, but I see no grounds to call him a novice. I've never heard of anyone else possessing such talent.
Ma Jin's words were a long-standing dilemma, one she'd pondered over for years as she observed the Lightning Genius.
Now that he'd become a squad leader and led a squad resembling a family, Baek Miryeo had fully accepted him as her superior.
She couldn't afford to burden him.
For now, she would observe how he managed the Radiant Demon Squad to measure his capacity.
Only then would she seek his help, fully revealing the mnemonic verses but only to him.
Her brief silence passed quickly. There were too many outstanding martial artists here.
"Quite tyrannical. They say properly trained Radiant Demon Arts are formidable."
"It's a thoroughly practical martial art, practically instinctual."
"Combining it with other arts seems tricky. Both the Lightning Genius' lineage and Radiant Demon Arts are high-level systems. Trying to balance both without full dedication could lead to failure."
"That's no surprise. Seeing it firsthand just makes it more evident. This is why people are wary of switching to Radiant Demon Squad."
The masters who had transferred expressed their concerns. Six blue-ranked masters and two white-ranked martial artists were observing the Radiant Demon Squad's training.
They had set aside their previous techniques and embraced the arts of the Lightning Genius' lineage.
Once was manageable. They could tolerate the transition from their foundational techniques to a superior system. Even if the training was arduous, it was their choice.
Since the essence of the Lightning Genius' lineage was similar to their original pursuits but on a higher plane, the training felt rewarding.
But Radiant Demon Arts posed an entirely different challenge.
It transformed the squad into a singular, lethal weapon.
Its nature mirrored that of a military formation. Identifying the same weaknesses as your comrades, moving in synchronized patterns, and obliterating opponents with impeccable coordination, that was its power.
Its effectiveness in group combat was unmatched. Radiant Demon Arts was designed for that purpose, often drawing comparisons to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Even without formations like the Plum Blossom Sword Formation, it demonstrated equal prowess in large-scale battles.
"If they can't solve this, absorbing so many blue ranks will be pointless. They'll just end up on solo missions."
Nearby, the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman spoke to himself.
The bustling arena continued, but no one interrupted his monologue.
There was nothing surprising about his words. It wasn't even considered a problem, it was common sense.
"The thrill of charging across the plains with comrades is unmatched. The excitement of sweeping through enemies as a team, you all knew that would lessen when you joined. I'd like to ask the squad leader for guidance, but he's nowhere to be seen."
The Dawn Tree Swordsman, Kang Chang-mu, grumbled irritably.
He was a swordsman from the Forest Striding Squad, built like the Thousand Fist Dragon Force Minister whom he once served as squad leader. Even the sword case on his back was massive.
The dense and overwhelming aura emanating from him hinted at his vast energy reserves.
"Well, with your level of insight, that's probably your limit anyway."
A young man in a loosely worn uniform said, walking past Kang Chang-mu with his hands resting on the back of his head.
A blade of grass dangled from his mouth, giving him the appearance of a back-alley hooligan.
"Looks like you've half-learned the Radiance Sword Style. What a pity."
"What?"
"It may look flashy on the surface, but the sword art itself lacks compassion. You'll probably hit a wall around the ninth stage. It's not easy to develop your sword path with such limited intuition."
The young man's shaded eyes looked relaxed. With just a glance, the Lazy Flame Dragon gestured toward Wei Ye-ryeong.
He extended the same audacity to Na Il-cheon from the Blood Preservation Squad.
The twitch of his noble eyebrows reflected his aristocratic demeanor, befitting the young master of a prominent clan in Jinan.
"You too, you too. The Splendid Wings Step and Limit Releasing Technique aren't things just anyone should dabble in. Only someone like me could manage them."
Radiant Demon Squad's nameless disciple had been waiting for this moment. He couldn't stand the scene before him.
Especially when it concerned the techniques directly tied to the Radiant Demon Squad's martial heritage.
To him, it was all part of exploring the martial world of his life's final intrigue.
These halfwits, he thought, don't even know their place.
"So, you're the infamous scoundrel of the Hwangbo Clan."
Kang Chang-mu's temperament resembled that of his former squad leader. He said nothing further.
Punishment for insubordination wasn't considered a violation of the law in Desolate Fortress. Kang Chang-mu swiftly unstrapped the sword case from his back and drew his weapon.
A conflict erupted.
* * *
Jung Yeonshin fled from the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong as if running for his life.
Even when his maternal grandfather called out to him desperately, he didn't look back. He strode straight through the main road of Desolate Fortress.
With each step, he had to suppress the overwhelming shame gnawing at him. Before he knew it, he had crossed the threshold of the Desolate Shin Clan.
The large gray gate loomed grandly, rivaling the Desolate Ma Clan.
Inside, the gardens were exquisitely landscaped, with patches of winter orchids dotting the grounds, their red petals glowing under the sunlight.
"The Radiant Demon Squad's leader himself!"
The gatekeepers were shocked.
Jung Yeonshin had attended many of the main fortress' events. His presence had been publicly known during various ceremonies, his coming-of-age ritual, his ascension to the blue and black ranks, and even his martial match against the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader.
There were few within the main fortress who didn't recognize him, despite its vastness.
"Please wait a moment!"
He received the utmost respect. Even a blue-ranked escort was summoned to guide him. He was introduced as Shin Baek, a cousin of Shin So-bin.
Shin So-bin was Jung Yeonshin's subordinate. Despite being from a prestigious clan and possessing rare talent, she had joined his ranks under Desolate Fortress.
As a result, even the Desolate Shin Clan had to take the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's mood into account.
'So-bin belongs under my protection, it's only natural for the squad leader to take her. But more importantly…'
How could he face his senior black-ranked members after this? Jung Yeonshin's thoughts spiraled downward endlessly.
There was an abyss within the abyss. His voice, escaping from his lips, sank naturally.
"Take me to the clan head."
The masters of the Shin Clan flinched instinctively. There was no one in their pavilion capable of handling the wrath of a black-ranked expert.
The Elder Council Leader was in poor health, and the Annihilation Squad's leader was away on a mission.
No one dared meet the gaze of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader head-on. Even though the new squad leader was known for his upright nature, they remained cautious.
In the tense atmosphere, Jung Yeonshin's presence was striking, with his bare left sleeve emphasizing his missing arm. He strode into the Leader's Hall.
Shin Seol-ha waited, seated on the head cushion.
Her posture was straight, exuding a noble air.
"Forgive me for neglecting you after entrusting my daughter to you. Managing clan affairs has kept me too busy to properly host the Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
Shin Seol-ha said.
"I've come for Shin So-bin."
Jung Yeonshin replied as he sat down, his composure unwavering.
His demeanor matched the rank of a black-ranked expert within the Divine Sword Order.
In Desolate Fortress, only purple-ranked masters and the Lord herself held authority over a squad leader. A clan head had no say in this matter.
Still, the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader exuded a natural authority, appearing highly dignified.
Shin Seol-ha's eyes gleamed slightly.
"Straight to the point, as expected of the Lightning Genius' lineage. I had instructed my servants to prepare Dragon Well Tea, but it seems that was unnecessary. It's a rare tea leaf, you see."
"This is no time for tea. If you respected me as squad leader, you wouldn't have acted this way. You took a subordinate of the Radiant Demon Squad without my permission. I could punish this as insubordination right now."
Jung Yeonshin said calmly.
Shin Seol-ha's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"I have always respected you deeply, considering your past achievements. However, as So-bin's mother, I must ask, could you at least hear me out?"
"Speak."
"It's my daughter's martial arts that are the problem. She's excessively devoted—overly so—to the Lightning Genius' lineage. And yet, our clan possesses the remarkable Heavenly Balance Martial Canon."
Shin Seol-ha said, adjusting the orange sleeve of his robe. His distinct voice reminded one of Shin So-bin.
"A crow sharpening its claws cannot become an eagle, no matter how much effort it puts in. This is a truth separate from your extraordinary talent. The Lightning Genius' lineage is a supreme martial art meant solely for you, squad leader. The Heavenly Balance Martial Canon is designed for the Shin Clan's bloodline. So-bin has her own duties to fulfill. She must elevate the clan's name… a duty every direct descendant of a prestigious clan must bear."
"You underestimate her. So-bin is an eagle."
"That only strengthens my argument. If she masters the Heavenly Balance Martial Canon, she can reach the black rank. Your argument, squad leader, does not resonate with me."
Shin Seol-ha concluded with firm lips.
She had already resolved himself before meeting Jung Yeonshin. The duty of the clan head and the authority of the squad leader clashed head-on.
A heavy silence fell over the Leader's Hall. The air was dense and solemn.
Jung Yeonshin inadvertently recalled the Desolate Ma Clan. His first meeting there had been anything but pleasant, facing logic similar to Shin Seol-ha's.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ceiling shattered into countless fragments. Before the descending blow could fully connect, a pink lightning bolt surged downward like divine punishment.
The resonant sound of breaking air rumbled violently. It was a terrifying scene.
The whirlwind, as if transformed into a human form, barreled straight toward Shin Seol-ha.
Before confusion could even register on her face—
Crash!
The protective aura surrounding Shin Seol-ha shattered into pieces. It all happened in an instant.
The delayed gust of backlash swept up the fragments of internal energy like shards of broken glass. They shimmered like dust under sunlight.
With a dull thud, her body collapsed backward.
Even without checking her pulse, it was clear she had lost consciousness. She had barely avoided instant death.
"Pathetic."
A man in his thirties spoke coldly, standing tall by Shin Seol-ha's fallen body.
He had appeared suddenly, brushing off the pink sleeves of his robe in a mysterious manner.
Jung Yeonshin could no longer hold back.
"Grandfather!"
The Tyrant Hero turned his head immediately.
"Grandfather…?"
The young Ma Yeonjeok repeated, his response slightly delayed.
Jung Yeonshin realized his mistake. Slowly, he calmed his breathing and spoke with a deliberate, composed tone.
"When your grandson acts as squad leader, your interference tarnishes my dignity. You did the same at the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong. I didn't have the chance to mention how difficult it was for me, but I hope it doesn't happen again."
"…I see. That's right. You're correct."
Ma Yeonjeok quickly acknowledged him and continued.
"This is your grandfather's fault. I apologize, truly. I hadn't considered it fully. It's my temper that got the better of me. Your wisdom brings me great shame."
Ma Yeonjeok was smiling now. He seemed to be in an unusually good mood, his lips curling upward into a wide arc, a stark contrast to before.
"From now on, I'll think twice, even three times. Forgive me."
Simultaneously, Ma Yeonjeok's form vanished. His kind voice lingered briefly, then gradually faded away.
With unparalleled body-mastery techniques, he shot upward, his presence disappearing endlessly into the sky, a mastery of the Art of Void Traversal.
"…"
Jung Yeonshin slowly lowered his gaze.
He stared blankly at the fallen Shin Seol-ha. There was no sign she would get up soon. Outside, the clan's staff, who had belatedly recognized the commotion, were murmuring anxiously.
Because of the weight of the black rank's authority, no one dared to barge in. But it wouldn't be long before they did.
The sounds of weapons being drawn echoed from various directions. The cold sensation of steel crept in through the gaps of the doors, carried by the winter wind.
'I'll say it was my doing.'
The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader thought calmly.
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