Creating martial arts for others.
It was a difficult task.
He had never done it before. This was the path the grandmasters of previous generations walked in their later years. For someone not even in their twenties, it was almost unimaginable.
'Martial arts are the culmination of studying the human body.'
One had to master the 365 acupoints, the twelve meridians, and countless smaller veins beyond those. Without sufficient insight, the body could be ruined.
Even the first step, safely refining the path for circulating energy to prevent any disruptions, was extremely difficult.
Harnessing the flow of inner power to achieve a specific effect was even harder.
'It shouldn't be something only I can achieve.'
Jung Yeonshin was aware that his senses were exceptional.
Though he didn't constantly acknowledge it, within three years, his talents could rival those capable of reaching for the fruits of the World Tree.
He couldn't rely on sacrificing lifespan. It wasn't an acceptable solution. Who would accept it if he became the example? It was an injustice ordained by the heavens.
From the moment he secluded himself in the pavilion of the Radiant Demon Squad's main base, nine days passed.
As twilight filtered through the cracks in the door for the ninth time, Jung Yeonshin fixated on one core thought.
If there were seniors or juniors who could not benefit from the new martial art, then this entire effort would be meaningless. It had to be accessible to everyone.
No one in the Radiant Demon Squad could be left behind. The worst outcome would be losing someone during a mission.
He did not want to experience what leader Cheon So-so of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad had suffered—having subordinates taken from her. Nor did he wish to face the same conflict Ha Do-un of the Obeying Heaven Squad had when caught between White Qilin Namgoong Hwashin.
'I'm not as generous as Senior Jin of the Blood Preservation Squad. My heart is too small. I don't want to send anyone away.'
Jung Yeonshin reflected.
Sitting in a cross-legged posture, he unraveled all the martial knowledge stored in his mind. He had to create a martial art accessible to anyone within the Radiant Demon Squad and those practicing the Lightning Genius' lineage.
—Let's think of it as teaching a monkey.
This thought distilled into a single conclusion.
He simplified it. For every line of the mnemonic verse, he added annotations.
—The Radiant Demon Arts are about learning how to use your body. It's a comprehensive study of what can be achieved with human hands and feet. Since the guiding principle instinctively leads to optimal techniques, it encompasses everything—from close-range strikes to mid-range spear combat, excluding bows.
With swift, flowing strokes, he wrote. He recalled the time he learned the Radiant Demon Arts from Ma Jin.
He paid close attention so that even if he died on a mission or succumbed to age, the secret manual would feel as warm and personal as if an uncle had passed it down.
—The Radiant Demon Arts are like a treasured sword to martial artists with exceptional senses. However, for those bonded to this art through fate, you must doubt your instincts. Your senses are dull and slow. They don't align with what this art demands. Instead of finding fatal techniques, it's better to use this mnemonic to unlock other martial arts. That's the purpose of this art.
'Since this is the core instruction, I need to emphasize it. Martial arts thrive on following the mind's imagery.'
—Engrave this core teaching into your heart. Repeat to yourself, 'I am wrong'. This will enhance your progress. The senses of those bonded to this art are very dull. This secret manual's mnemonic is correct. Just follow this core teaching.
He wrote with an elegant hand, in a style reminiscent of the calligraphy standards of the Ming Dynasty.
The words unfolded in a remarkably calm tone.
—If you carry this in your heart, the rest will naturally follow.
He twisted the core technique of the Radiant Demon Arts and linked it to the Lightning Genius' lineage. Integration was the proper term.
When one reached out with their existing knowledge, the techniques of Infinite Blossom Fist and Radiance Sword Style naturally emerged, while the steps of Splendid Wings Step and the inner power layering of the Limit Releasing Technique seamlessly combined.
The mindset was simple: the optimal technique is my martial art.
Jung Yeonshin didn't consider this arrogance. He pondered calmly. Wasn't it the truth?
Unobstructed Flow.
There were no obstacles, and the flow remained unbroken.
The Radiant Demon Arts, which didn't break during the development of techniques, seamlessly linked with the Lightning Genius' lineage. His uncle's teachings and his own studies had merged.
Light sprouted. Inner power, enhanced by the Limit Releasing Technique, fused with the sword strikes of Radiance Sword Style.
The white glow thickened. The waves of radiance emanating from his body became the defining trait of the newly created martial art.
Nine days later.
In the grand martial training hall, Jung Yeonshin stood, showcasing its unique characteristics.
Saaa—
The aftermath of energy surged through his sword-wielding grip, scattering into strands of brilliant white light.
From the black sleeves that gently rested on his arms, the glow extended up to the tips of his shoulder-length hair.
As the fragments of radiance slowly faded, they shimmered with the orange hue of the setting sun.
Jung Yeonshin, leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, was ecstatic.
He was truly, deeply satisfied. Though his expression didn't show it, he fully indulged in this first-ever sensation of joy from creating martial arts.
'This is well-made. It's a great martial art.'
It gave him more satisfaction than any martial art he had ever devised. This was a creation for his people.
At this moment, he confirmed it. A fortress had been built to protect the Radiant Demon Squad.
"..."
To the surrounding martial masters, however, he appeared to be a manifestation of martial prowess itself.
This wasn't just a display of martial arts superiority.
Everyone present knew the martial styles of the Lightning Genius' lineage. They all understood the techniques being demonstrated.
They could see how naturally the fist and sword techniques flowed. Even as he unleashed consecutive strikes, the circulation of inner power never broke.
He had reshaped the very nature of the lineage. Despite the obvious drawback of rapid inner power consumption, the overwhelming force more than compensated for it.
He had become a grandmaster.
The wind brushed past the walls, its chill cutting against the skin like a shiver-inducing current.
A tense silence enveloped the field, suffocating the crowd until the dust at the tip of the Beiming Sword finally settled.
"The Radiant Demon Squad shall..."
As Jung Yeonshin sheathed his sword, he spoke. The white blade traced a smooth arc as it slid into its scabbard.
It was an elegant motion. The sword and scabbard aligned seamlessly beneath his grip.
The soft click of the blade locking in place echoed louder than expected, marking the end of his statement.
"...use your bodies like this."
"Ah…"
Gong Yami-ryeong of the Profound Heroic Fist, who had been sent by Xiahou Wei-Jin, let out a small gasp of awe.
Despite her reputation as a bold martial artist who kept her hair short for close-range combat, she couldn't help herself.
No one blamed her. She represented the collective reaction of everyone present. They had witnessed a martial lineage once known for explosive single strikes transform into a system optimized for prolonged battles.
The logic behind the dance-like techniques had seamlessly intertwined.
"Use our bodies like that?"
Shin So-bin suddenly asked.
Her tone of disbelief caught Jung Yeonshin's attention. Ever since the incident at Desolate Shin Clan, they had grown a bit closer.
Despite her bold personality, she seemed indifferent to any curiosity about martial arts.
For Jung Yeonshin, it was a satisfying scene. His chest swelled with confidence.
The corners of his eyes lifted slightly. His posture straightened even further.
"It's simple. I've written it all down clearly. Once you grasp the essence, it'll be easy. Anyone familiar with the Radiant Demon Arts or the Lightning Genius' lineage will master it quickly."
He thought of the manual he had left in the pavilion. Anyone who read it would be impressed.
They might even be so inspired that they would live in the training grounds for days, much like him. That's how accessible he had made it. Even a monkey could become a martial artist.
"Shin So-bin."
"Yes, go ahead."
"I left the secret manual on the desk in my quarters. It's dry enough, so bring it here right away."
He commanded.
There were four manuals. None of the official warriors in Desolate Fortress were known for poor memory, so it wouldn't take long for the Radiant Demon Squad to study them thoroughly.
With a light movement, Shin So-bin's white attire and braided hair fluttered as she leapt.
She stepped over the wall, her agile movements resembling a cat, befitting her nickname, the White Cat of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Ever since the incident at Shin Clan, she had acted like the squad leader's closest aide.
"It seems like this martial art is layered with new mysteries..."
Baek Miryeo, who had been standing to the side, trailed off before speaking again. As this was an official setting, she addressed him respectfully.
"What is its name?"
She asked.
It was a significant question. In the martial world, names alone could inspire fear in enemies.
Few sects didn't tremble at the thought of facing Shaolin's Hundred Steps Divine Fist or the Heavenly Demon Sacred Arts of the Ming Cult.
The ultimate techniques of prominent sects carried weight worthy of their names.
It didn't matter to Jung Yeonshin. This martial art wasn't created for achievements or public recognition.
'Just...'
A single character came to mind.
There are strange characters in the world. Some words embrace contradictory meanings within themselves.
The character 'Radiant' was one of them.
"Radiant" for emptiness, "Radiant" for brightness. It was a character that had been on his mind even before his seclusion. He had embraced that one character and retreated into isolation.
"..."
Jung Yeonshin closed his lips for a moment, gazing silently at the seniors and juniors of the Radiant Demon Squad.
These were the faces that turned the return journey from missions into the feeling of coming home. Whenever he spoke with them, he found a warmth that he could never find in the Jung Clan.
They were different from the blood-related siblings who had rejected him when he refused to follow the Jung Clan's martial arts.
These people, surely, would happily accept the martial art he created, like siblings bonded through the same sect.
'I hope they grow stronger and stay with me…'
It was a sentiment difficult for a leader to openly express.
—If you disappear, my heart will be left hollow. But through you, I am filled with light. You showed warmth to someone who left their family behind. I am grateful, with a debt I can never repay.
Thus, I offer you this martial art, created under the name you gave me, Lightning Genius.
A single phrase had risen within him.
"Radiant Arts Manual."
The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad softly uttered it, and the name of a new supreme martial art echoed through the air.
It was the time of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Standing at the side, Ak Surim smiled brightly.
A sense of warmth, like a ball of cotton, welled up in her chest, suppressing her curiosity. She thought to herself, 'I'll come back later.'
'Where did Jin Myeongjo go?'
Ak Surim tilted her head slightly in thought before she cheerfully walked away.
* * *
Three days passed.
Three nights and days filled with alternating awe and astonishment.
For the first time since the new leader attained the black rank, training resumed. The Grand Martial Hall of the Radiant Demon Squad buzzed with unprecedented energy.
Masters gathered their attention. The previously carefree atmosphere during Jung Yeonshin's seclusion had vanished.
"Yes, lighter. Imagine transferring the full flow of energy from the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian to your fingertips. It will naturally flow backward and release smoothly."
The leader had Shin So-bin and Heon Wonchang standing side by side. Without touching their pulses, he assessed their internal power flow through energy waves.
Even for the skilled veterans of the Radiant Demon Squad, this was an astonishing sight. The boy who had joined as a junior still had a youthful face, but after witnessing his demonstration of Radiant Arts Manual, they eagerly sought his instruction.
Radiant Arts Manual was less of an entry-level technique and more of an advanced training method.
In just a few days, the task of enhancing their combat potential had been solved. They were already formidable warriors, but now, they could confidently compare themselves to the elite experts of the Nine Great Sects, like the Plum Blossom Swordsmen or the Eighteen Arhats.
"Time moves fast. We're already seeing the results..."
"A brat from the Golden Blade Clan tried to pick a fight with me. His character isn't bad, but he acts cocky because he's the son of a wealthy merchant."
"Isn't he from the Obeying Heaven Squad? Did he just return from a solo mission? What did he say?"
"He said it was fortunate to secure a spot under the Hwangbo Clan's spoiled brat. Thanks to him, apparently..."
"They must not know that our Desolate Fortress' restriction on the Seventh Seal has been lifted. Underestimating the Lazy Flame Dragon alone is going to cost them."
"True enough."
The veterans of the Radiant Demon Squad chuckled among themselves.
After the demonstration of the Radiant Arts Manual, time seemed to fly. Of the 23 warriors wearing blue and the 7 wearing white within the Radiant Demon Squad, a third had already reviewed the secret manual.
They didn't pass the manual around individually. The scale of the combat unit, as organized by the previous leader, allowed them to study it efficiently in teams. The Radiant Demon Squad's First Corps began first.
Their reactions were peculiar.
A mix of shock, admiration, and confusion. Even Chung Myung, the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman, shared this sentiment.
Desolate Fortress was nearly unparalleled in martial excellence. Every official warrior possessed exceptional talent.
There wasn't a single person in their hometown who hadn't heard them praised as prodigies.
"There's another one coming out. Look at that face, so strange."
Kang Chang-mu of the Dawn Tree Sword crossed his large arms.
That was the only way to describe the expressions of those leaving the leader's pavilion. They included warriors from the Third Corps and a nameless disciple.
All of them had slightly raised eyebrows and half-parted lips. They didn't look like confident martial masters.
It was as if they had suffered an unexpected blow. Their awe seemed to have softened the impact of their confusion.
The Lazy Flame Dragon was the only one smiling. His hands were clasped behind his head as he strolled leisurely.
"This is it."
He muttered to himself.
His voice didn't reach Kang Chang-mu.
"Even the Hwangbo Clan's spoiled brat makes that face."
Kang Chang-mu's eyes narrowed. He had previously been defeated by the Lazy Flame Dragon.
He was someone who judged a person's worth based on their talent, and seeing such an expression merely from reading the secret manual piqued the curiosity of the newly recruited middle-rankers.
"I don't even need to see it. The movements of those who started learning it have already changed. Their sequential strikes have improved noticeably since yesterday. There are limits, of course."
Wei Ye-ryeong, the Moon Bow Demon spoke.
She and Kang Chang-mu stood gracefully on the roof tiles of the leader's pavilion, which was built near the Grand Martial Hall.
The combat unit of the Radiant Demon Squad had begun training with the secret manual, and it was only natural for guards to stand watch.
Looking down at Jung Yeonshin, Wei Ye-ryeong parted her lips. Her blue eyes sparkled with the unique texture of the Ming Clan's lineage.
"The Lightning Genius leader is an intriguing figure."
"I know."
"This Radiant Arts Manual, you'll understand once you've mastered it, but it's beyond what you're imagining. The rumors about him being favored by the fortress' lord aren't false. He may one day handle matters within the territory of our clan."
"Are you saying the leader will be invited to the realm of the immortals?"
Kang Chang-mu raised an eyebrow.
From afar, a clear chirping sound resonated. A pure white swallow descended from the sky, its wings flapping at an incredible speed.
Its white feathers reflected the sunlight.
This creature, raised by the Ming Clan, was a spirit beast for the leaders of Desolate Fortress. To the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, it was known as Baiyan (White Swallow).
"That bird seems to be in a hurry."
Wei Ye-ryeong spoke in her melodious voice.
The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad raised his forearm slightly, and the White Swallow landed on it with its small legs.
Jung Yeonshin's lips moved.
"You said you'd be playing around, but you went to see the Chief Administrator."
"A message from the General Affairs Bureau...!"
Wei Ye-ryeong's sharp hearing caught the leader's voice.
Her eyes, sparkling with both curiosity and surprise, reflected her thoughts as she listened.
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