The newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad did not concern himself with the peculiar expression on the Desolate Shin Clan's head's face. He knew what she was thinking. Even her muttered words confirmed it.
'There are many cases where the opposite happens, too.'
If Jung Yeonshin had been a woman, she would have mentioned sons. The leaders of the world's great factions had, since ancient times, built alliances through marriage.
Their clans were of utmost importance. If one was a warrior of turbulent times or a master of unrivaled martial arts, gender didn't matter.
The martial world thrived on survival of the fittest. It was a world where the honor of one's group and its consolidation of power were all-consuming priorities.
Such matters didn't concern Jung Yeonshin. The only thing that mattered was filling the ranks of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Family, and home.
The incident in Sichuan Province's City of Master Craftsmen had made this crystal clear. The deaths of his senior comrades weighed heavily on his mind.
The loss he had tried to ignore had branded itself into his heart like a searing brand. This incident opened his eyes.
From now on, everyone must remain accounted for. Unless absolutely necessary, there must be no vacancies.
The warmth he had belatedly experienced was like seawater he had never tasted before, the more he drank, the thirstier he became. The Radiant Demon Squad's members were no different.
They were alive. Unlike Jung Clan's Movement Arts master, who pursued the soul of his deceased mother, they were tangible, real.
'I won't lose any more of them.'
The behavior of Desolate Shin Clan's head, Shin Seol-ha, only further cemented Jung Yeonshin's determination. The seeds of leadership sprouted like flower buds within his heart.
Even the absence of a single subordinate like Shin So-bin had led him to reflect on the past. He didn't need prior experience leading large groups.
It was enough that he had realized their worth anew.
'Seniors, peers, juniors—they must all grow stronger. Strong enough to hold on to me on their own.'
So that none of them would ever leave the embrace of the Radiant Demon Squad.
The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, Jung Yeonshin, resolved this within himself.
It felt as if the upper dantian in his mind was being filled with a small, radiant glow. This marked the first time he had ever made up his mind to create a martial art specifically for others.
From the depths of his being, the martial genius of Henan Province, once known as the Savior of Sichuan and now leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, quietly began sculpting himself into a master of an entirely new caliber.
From the lonely, muddy years at Jung Clan, he bloomed like a lotus flower emerging from a swamp.
A small catalyst had triggered a monumental change. He realized it suddenly, he had never created a martial technique for anyone else.
Not once.
Until now, all his talent had been used solely for himself. And even with that, he had formed an unparalleled martial lineage.
'But creating a martial art isn't about expecting immediate results.'
He delved deeper into thought.
'I'll need a technique that can represent the Radiant Demon Squad from the very beginning…'
He decided it would be best to intertwine the essence of his own martial knowledge with the teachings of Radiant Demon Arts. This way, it could be practiced universally by both mid-level and newly recruited members of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Moreover, it needed to embody elegance and refinement. Just as the masters of the Radiant Demon Squad were compared to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, so too should this martial art be held in the same regard as the Plum Blossom Swordplay. That was what it meant to be the Radiant Demon Squad.
"Leader Jung?"
Shin Seol-ha's voice broke his meditation.
He raised his head. Her curious expression entered his line of sight.
"Very well, I'll take her with me."
He said calmly.
He stood up. A rough noise briefly filled the room.
It was the sound of the stone chair, unique to Desolate Fortress, scraping against the floor. In the otherwise quiet hall, it was particularly sharp and distinct.
"...."
A hint of surprise crossed Shin Seol-ha's face.
She was a master of her clan. She had a keen sense for shifts in the temperament of those she faced.
Jung Yeonshin's demeanor had changed, as subtle as it was. The atmosphere surrounding a martial grandmaster, one who breathed life into their internal energy, reflected their inner state.
Even his smallest gestures now carried a strange dignity. He was the Lightning Genius of Henan Province and the Dark Flame King of Sichuan Province.
Until the moment he stepped outside.
Shin Seol-ha remained silent from that point on. Her instincts, honed as the head of her clan, dictated her actions.
Any unnecessary words could invite calamity. No one knew better than the people of Desolate Fortress how to respect the dignity of an elite warrior clad in black.
Jung Yeonshin was the first to speak.
"As Shin So-bin's superior, I extend my respect. You raised a precious subordinate. It's something I'm grateful for."
"Our family has long produced elders for Desolate Fortress. If the bloodline of our most prestigious clan couldn't accomplish that, it wouldn't be worth mentioning."
Shin Seol-ha said with a slight smile.
Jung Yeonshin didn't look at her. His attention momentarily focused on the void. The moment he heard the phrase "the most prestigious", he couldn't help but be cautious.
It felt as if no one was there. But that didn't mean much.
If his maternal grandfather had concealed himself, Jung Yeonshin wouldn't be able to detect him. For now, it was enough that no immediate crisis loomed.
"I will send you spiritual herbs and internal medicine as a token of support. It will be invaluable."
As she walked toward the door, Shin Seol-ha spoke. Jung Yeonshin quietly watched her back.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Repaying a debt. You've been out on missions constantly, leaving little time for me to repay my gratitude. If not for your contributions in Sichuan, the elder of Desolate Fortress might have suffered grave consequences."
"Your stance has changed."
"It should have, even apart from So-bin's situation."
Jung Yeonshin did not refuse. The spiritual herbs and internal medicines would be essential when the Radiant Demon Squad's members engraved the new martial art into their bodies.
The training of martial artists was akin to carving their bodies.
To quickly master a high-level martial art, proper nutrition and exceptional medicine were vital, especially during times when poor harvests had made food and supplies scarce.
Supplies like these, which could aid their health and recovery, were difficult to procure even from the General Affairs Bureau.
He had already requested them as part of his reward for completing the mission to dominate the Opening Tournament, but it was uncertain how much they would actually receive.
'The more, the better.'
He thought.
He needed to create that kind of martial art. Jung Yeonshin made up his mind.
A gentle laugh echoed ahead. It was Shin Seol-ha.
"Let's go."
He stepped outside through the door she had opened. There was a faint rustle of movement as someone quickly stepped back.
Shin So-bin's petite energy flow trembled slightly. It seemed her mind had wandered, lost in insignificant thoughts.
"Let's go."
He said, looking at her small face. Her eyes, bright and striking, were a defining feature.
Shin So-bin nodded slightly.
"It's been a while. I'm glad you're well."
"You've been refining your body with the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike. It's well-structured, and your energy is solid."
"You noticed right away."
She said, her lips curling into a smile. It was a rare joy for a martial artist to be praised by the founder of their martial art. Such moments were difficult to come by, as most grandmasters of prestigious techniques had long passed away.
Behind her, the blue-robed martial artist Shin Baek watched them with a complicated gaze.
As an auxiliary member of the Radiant Demon Squad, he had no authority to interfere with the leader's decision. Nor did he wish to.
But the warmth in Jung Yeonshin's voice, as he spoke of his subordinate as though she were a personal treasure, lingered in his ears.
'If only…'
Just as he was caught off guard by his own fleeting thought, the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad passed by him. The hem of his black robe fluttered slightly to the side.
It was the first time the black garment had felt so real to him. Jung Yeonshin was a man who roamed the vast martial world freely.
The overwhelming presence of a grandmaster brushed through the air like a winter wind before fading away. None of the gathered martial artists dared move.
"I won't be gone for long."
Shin So-bin said boldly. She looked up at family head Shin Seol-ha, her gaze steady and clear.
"If you ever reach your limit, don't hesitate to return and ask about the Heavenly Balance Martial Canon. There's no shame in it. No matter how much you master the Lightning Genius' techniques or Radiant Demon Arts, I won't interfere in that regard."
Shin Seol-ha replied with a surprisingly tender smile.
Swoosh.
Shin So-bin scoffed softly and turned around. Her steps, as she followed her leader, were light.
White and black, disciple and grandmaster, left the garden together.
The newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, having reclaimed his subordinate, did not emerge from his quarters.
Once he entered his residence, he stayed there, taking all his meals within.
Only the servants of the Radiant Demon Squad, who brought food to his chambers, saw him. Days passed without him showing his face.
It was seclusion.
Even the likes of Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo were taken aback by this unprecedented behavior. But there was nothing they could do.
He was their leader, and they had to obey his order to allow no one in.
The sun rose and set repeatedly. The shadows of dusk stretched across the martial artists of the Radiant Demon Squad nine times.
"It's already been nine days. Has he fallen into energy deviation or something?"
"It's possible. They say he fought a fierce battle at the Shin Clan. He could be silently treating internal injuries..."
"Maybe he doesn't want to worry us. It's just like our leader to hide everything, whatever it is."
Once again, the sun was setting.
Orange sunlight bathed the surroundings. The air, clear and cool, embraced the evening like a blanket of twilight.
Underneath the tall walls surrounding the Grand Martial Arena from three sides, the martial artists of the Radiant Demon Squad clashed their weapons or immersed themselves in training.
Many others watched from above. Some squatted on the high walls, while others stood atop the rooftops of nearby pavilions.
Those perched on the rooftops mostly focused their gazes on their leader's quarters. It was the nature of the Radiant Demon Squad, so unlike the orthodox sects.
About thirty members had gathered. Even those who had been sent on solo missions had returned.
"I heard the leader only fought with the head of the clan. There are rumors they faced each other one-on-one."
"Did the Shin Clan leader possess enough skill to inflict internal injuries on the leader? I thought she wasn't on par with a master of black rank."
"Still, she's the head of a renowned clan. She's probably hiding at least one life-saving secret technique. Maybe she activated a concealed mechanism formation."
"Enough about internal injuries. If that were really the case, the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman would've noticed it immediately. Let it go. Let's just help the others with their training. He'll come out on his own."
The group, conversing in their respective stances, turned their heads.
Their gazes converged on a scene.
Kang Chang-mu, holding a large sword, was sparring with Wei Ye-ryeong, who wielded a curved bow. One was a large-built Han martial artist, the other a nimble master from the Ming tribe.
As their footwork entangled, the sword blade brushed against Wei Ye-ryeong's blue robe.
They were both blue-ranked masters known as the Dawn Tree Sword and Moon Bow Demon, respectively. The techniques they were displaying were the Radiance Sword Style and the Splendid Wings Step.
Boom!
Kang Chang-mu's large sword smashed downward. The force of his sword strike created a shockwave, splitting apart in two directions just before reaching Wei Ye-ryeong's feet.
Only a thin layer of dust touched the ground near her. It was an impeccable execution of the Splendid Wings Step.
The same could be said for Kang Chang-mu's Radiance Sword Style. A faint, shimmering aura enveloped the blade of his sword.
As he immediately swung the large sword upward, the sound of the blade tearing through the air was deafening. It was as if stone debris exploded outward in all directions.
"This is where the difference shows."
Wei Ye-ryeong murmured with her hands behind her back.
She didn't move. Standing with serene poise, she faced the shockwave head-on. Her sharp, piercing eyes reflected her fearlessness, befitting her reputation.
A fierce wind swept across her face, causing her pale blue eyes to glimmer with a cold intensity. It wasn't the force of a deadly sword gale.
Kang Chang-mu's lips curved slightly. Not out of joy, but in a faint, bitter smile.
"According to the teachings of Radiant Demon Arts, I should have struck upward…"
"I know. It's hard to maintain consecutive strikes."
Wei Ye-ryeong replied, crossing her arms.
Clack!
Kang Chang-mu lowered his head and sheathed his sword onto his back. His movements were swift and precise, as if he didn't even need to look.
The sword blade blurred momentarily before vanishing. It was a demonstration of expert sword mastery, proof of his refined swordsmanship.
He spoke again.
"You weren't exactly in a state to continue stepping through the Splendid Wings Step either."
"You're right. I had to spread my internal energy up and down from the Taixi Acupoint near my ankle, but I'd already used it once. My veins didn't respond in time. If it were a real battle, I would've relied on my primary martial art."
"Same here. My sword flow got blocked. I couldn't extend the strike any further. It wasn't an issue with my meridians but rather a muscle knot in my forearm. To continue a chain of strikes, you have to make fine adjustments to trigger internal energy discharge. That's what it takes to reach the tenth level of Radiance Sword Style. Turns out that bastard Hwangbo wasn't wrong after all."
Kang Chang-mu glanced upward as he spoke.
There, reclining on the edge of the roof, was the Lazy Flame Dragon, leisurely chewing on a poppy flower. He appeared to have made the roof tiles of the Radiant Demon Squad leader's residence his resting place.
Since his duel with Kang Chang-mu, he hadn't paid any attention to the Lightning Genius' martial lineage.
He merely lounged in a carefree manner, seemingly guarding Jung Yeonshin's quarters.
Wei Ye-ryeong uncrossed her arms.
"All martial arts from the Lightning Genius' lineage are like that. They emphasize singular, decisive strikes, so they tend to be momentary. The only one who can use them consecutively is the leader. It's a matter of innate talent… something you realize only after mastering it to a certain extent…"
She trailed off.
Terrifying energy waves emanated from beyond the Grand Martial Arena's walls. The intensity was beyond what could be measured by their level of mastery in the blue rank.
An overwhelming pressure briefly swept through the area like a blade, cutting across all directions.
In the martial world, there were those who manifested irresistible power despite their human bodies.
Those who served Desolate Fortress donned long, black robes. They were the elite masters of the black rank. Their formidable presence was unmistakable, even from beyond the wall.
"Is he really here? I can't believe he hasn't responded despite multiple messages. Is it because of that grudge I mentioned? What if that's actually the reason?"
"If he's in closed-door training, perhaps we should leave him be."
"Don't be ridiculous. So-yu, you were the one who insisted we come here. All because you couldn't resist that book… Sacred Blood Demon, say something too. Our dear youngest missed the assembly, after all."
"I have no interest in meddling. I'm merely concerned about the subordinates we sent to the Radiant Demon Squad. Since Leader Jung is in seclusion, I thought I might check in."
"Are you afraid of our Lightning Genius?"
"I merely respect a junior's personal time."
The voices and mannerisms were all too familiar.
It was the arrival of the vice-leader of the Divine Sword Order, the leader of the Law and Order Squad, and the leader of the Blood Preservation Squad. The members of the Radiant Demon Squad, who had been lounging freely, slowly stood up.
It was unthinkable to remain in a lax posture when welcoming leaders of other forces.
At that moment—
Perhaps in response to the overwhelming energy waves of the incoming leaders, a faint fluctuation of internal power stirred. It emerged from the gap in the massive door of the leader's quarters beyond the Grand Martial Arena's wall.
Suddenly, it was as if a spark of radiance ignited.
The energy even pierced through the roof tiles where the Lazy Flame Dragon lay.
Streams of light, composed of pure energy waves, began to flow outward like smoke.
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