Saaa―
Mist-like beams of light slowly scattered from Radiant Demon Squad's leader Jung Yeonshin's entire body. They crumbled like starlight over the hem of his pitch-black robe.
It was a sight contrasting with Lightning Genius' composed eyes.
Each supreme martial artist carried their own unique aura, and the energy exuded by the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader was both strong and mysterious.
To those well-versed in the martial world, it delivered an unpredictable sensation.
Without moving his lips excessively, he had already transmitted a sound through voice projection.
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader appeared as a taciturn witness cloaked in black, signifying that the tempestuous aura only affected Do Jin and Sansan.
'Witnessing a promotion ceremony as a squad leader is nothing special. I wonder if the Annihilation Squad's leader saw me like this too?'
Jung Yeonshin pondered silently. Was his presence here necessary?
'I should wrap this up and head to Shaanxi quickly…'
His lips stiffened slightly. Many of those with ties to the Zhongnan Sect were present, not just his kin, Jung Hye-ah and Jung Jungsan.
There were also figures like Zhongnan Sword Immortal, First Elder Yeo Il-shin, and Cloud Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myohwa, along with the disciples of the Zhongnan Sect, with whom he had fought alongside against the Tyrant Sword Tribe. His heart felt burdened.
"Huuu…"
At that moment, Do Jin's usually relaxed wrist stiffened. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, who was gripping the sword blade between his index and middle fingers, suddenly flicked them outward.
It was a nonchalant gesture.
Thud.
A resonating hum spread as the sword veered downward.
"…!"
Do Jin, who almost dropped his sword, instantly grasped his condition.
The knowledge he had honed through years of training within a renowned sword clan had vanished all at once.
A chilling sensation gripped his head. He was on the verge of panic, unrelated to avoiding disaster. Even if he tried again, it would be difficult to counter such a devastating blow.
For a swordsman, it was a significant shock. Perhaps he could take solace in the fact that his opponent was a supreme master of the black rank.
Lightning Genius, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, had become a familiar presence in Desolate Fortress.
'Worthy of the name.'
Do Jin silently acknowledged this fact. As a martial artist of the Law and Order Squad, he had grown curious about the supreme masters capable of overcoming his defense techniques.
His distraction stemmed only from personal matters.
Xiahou Sansan, who had been crouched, awkwardly stood up, swiftly bringing her hands together in a respectful martial salute.
Hoo—
She exhaled deeply, releasing the breath she had held for a short but decisive encounter. A faint trace of internal energy escaped with it.
Only now did she begin to breathe properly.
She had just experienced, up close, Radiant Demon Squad's leader's sword technique right after being startled by Do Jin's strike.
Even she admitted that it was overwhelming.
'To think he caught it with empty hands against a live blade…!'
She had just witnessed a technique nearly impossible to attempt without a significant skill gap. Using two fingers to catch a sword strike required mastery beyond imagination.
It involved fully understanding the opponent's sword path, dispersing the condensed force behind the strike with a single burst of energy, and then controlling the power of the opponent's sword with mere finger strength.
All of this had been accomplished in a fleeting moment.
The protective arts of the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader did not seem as intricate as the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader's Heavenly Ice Shield.
Instead, it indicated his confidence in executing the 'Empty Hand Against the Blade' technique flawlessly. His courage was extraordinary.
In either case, he was capable of suppressing even skilled martial artists.
A slightly awkward smile crept onto Xiahou Sansan's lips.
"Uh… Thank you, leader."
Her status as a bloodline member of the Xiahou family carried no weight before the black rank. Neither did the age gap matter. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader's position was far more prestigious than her noble heritage.
Even if she had witnessed Lightning Genius' entrance into Desolate Fortress as a white rank, showing disrespect was not an option.
She thought back. He had been so adorable then.
Had her thoughts shown in her eyes? The Radiant Demon Squad's leader's lips curled upward slightly, forming a crooked expression, a smirk with a hint of discontent.
"You must observe the enemy's path, not just aim for the target."
Jung Yeonshin spoke bluntly.
He had received words of thanks, but this made it harder to suggest they leave the stage.
As someone representing the black rank, he felt it was proper to give at least a brief piece of advice. They would leave on their own.
Swish.
Xiahou Sansan briefly waved her clasped hands, expressing her gratitude once more. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, who had grown at an unprecedented speed, was seen as a mysterious figure among martial masters from various squads.
Even a short conversation with him was considered a valuable experience.
Her lips curved into a slight smile.
"I've heard here and there that Radiant Demon Squad's leader possesses secret techniques, ones you haven't even shared with Lightning Genius' martial lineage. Is what you showed just now one of them?"
"Are you interested in my martial arts?"
"I used to be. But it's difficult to master. To be precise, I could train in it, but applying it practically was hard. I suppose it's different for your subordinates since you directly teach them, isn't it?"
Her tone was peculiar, as were her dark eyes observing Jung Yeonshin. It was as if she were testing a bothersome issue.
As part of a prestigious martial clan, Xiahou Sansan was not someone likely to change allegiances. There must be another reason for her inquiry.
Perhaps a small lingering attachment, or mere curiosity.
'No need to overthink it.'
Jung Yeonshin didn't answer immediately. After silently observing her, he slowly opened his lips.
"The gates of Radiant Demon Squad don't open whenever you want. There's no need for more. This is sufficient."
"Ah."
At her brief exclamation, Do Jin, who had been hesitantly lowering his sword, spoke.
"Thank you, Radiant Demon Squad's leader…"
"I said to leave."
"Yes."
Just as decisively as when he had launched his attack, Do Jin answered and withdrew.
The two then clasped their hands in salute and stepped off the stage.
In promotion ceremonies, the spotlight usually shone on the candidates, but the enigmatic aura of the new great leader had drawn most of the attention to the sparring platform.
Only a few eyes remained on the Radiant Wind Sword, Do Jin.
Rustle.
Jung Yeonshin, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, adjusted the flowing sleeve of his robe.
Unlike before, his demeanor now carried a chilling energy. His expressionless face complemented his pitch-black attire.
"Next."
He spoke, causing the promotion candidates to shrink back. A slight stir spread through the crowd.
Martial masters who had been absent on collective missions due to solo assignments hesitantly climbed the stage.
"I am Seon Siryeong of the Obeying Heaven Squad."
"I am Jong Hui of the Supreme Martial Squad."
The earlier display by the Radiant Demon Squad's leader had left a significant impression.
The promotion ceremony at Desolate Fortress proceeded at an unprecedented pace.
Though it wasn't Jung Yeonshin's intention, decisive victories were achieved one after another. Outstanding martial artists demonstrated their skills to the fullest before stepping down.
Each swift sword strike created an atmosphere as if the breath of the spectators was being held captive.
"The squad leader doesn't seem to be in a good mood."
"Indeed. His facial muscles are tense. I've never seen him like this, even briefly."
Beneath the sparring platform, Lazy Flame Dragon and Zhuge Qing-ah conversed in the middle of the audience.
Both were from prestigious clans of the Eight Great Clans. They shared the common background of being from local aristocratic clans and having followed Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin to Radiant Demon Squad.
"Something must be bothering him, but it's not my place to ask."
"As expected of the Zhuge Clan, you know how to act appropriately. That's right. Even this young master knows when to stay humble among lower rank disciples."
Lazy Flame Dragon didn't seem particularly concerned about his leader. Perhaps he had faith in him.
Chewing on a poppy seed, he lazily glanced toward the direction of Radiant Demon Squad Hall.
"Those tiny, fledgling things with years ahead of them…"
"…"
The girl from the Zhuge Clan slightly lowered her gaze.
Brushing her black hair tied in sky-blue silk to one side of her neck, she stared absentmindedly at Jung Yeonshin, who stood on the sparring platform, clad in black martial robes.
Zhuge Qing-ah, as a guest martial artist recognized by the Lord, could have worn the white martial robes.
However, she refused outright. It was to avoid standing out. To become closer to the core, one had to start at the same level. Naturally, she requested to wear the plain gray robes.
In truth, it hadn't been long since she entered, yet she had already gained the trust of the unnamed disciples.
Unlike Lazy Flame Dragon, she did not act arrogant. This, despite being from a distinguished clan rare in the world, possessing both high status and insight.
'Hwangbo's presence alone seems to help. Leader Jung's tacit approval is significant as well...'
In short, it was a comparative advantage.
While the Radiant Demon Squad's leader was swamped with his duties, Zhuge Qing-ah had already found her place in the Radiant Demon Squad in her own way. Her role was clear.
As an expert in formations, she could contribute to Radiant Demon Squad's power in various ways. The risk posed by mechanical traps seemed to have been resolved.
The unnamed disciple Zhuge Qing-ah cautiously reflected. The Radiant Demon Squad already possessed the power of an established martial clan.
'With me, who was once my clan's eyes, and Moon Bow Demon Wei Ye-ryeong adjusting distances in the field... The blue-ranked experts are exceptional. We no longer lack numbers. If the Radiant Arts Manual is added to this…'
The interlinked techniques of Radiant Demon Arts and Lightning Genius' martial lineage were truly remarkable. Even Zhuge Qing-ah, a direct descendant of one of the Eight Great Clans, found it extraordinarily impressive.
The Radiant Arts Manual, created by the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, greatly reduced the time needed for training.
It was only applicable to those who had already mastered the Radiant Demon Arts or Lightning Genius's martial lineage, but the martial artists under Radiant Demon Squad had already mastered one of the two deeply.
Their transformations differed by the day, displaying an awe-inspiring momentum. It felt as astonishing as the personal achievements of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader himself.
This was a change unknown to the world. Soon, many would venture into the martial world, and one could only wonder how it would react.
'Leader Jung mentioned he hadn't yet gone on collective missions...'
Setting her thoughts aside, Zhuge Qing-ah quietly spoke.
"Hwangbo, you don't seem worried, even though you'll need to surpass two levels."
"Me?"
Lazy Flame Dragon chuckled and gestured with his chin.
"That guy is more of a problem than me. Look over there, the one walking up now. Always slacking off, right from his conduct."
A tall young man with a sly smile was walking toward the sparring platform.
The sword at his waist was clearly no ordinary blade, and the blue silk headband he wore was impeccably neat.
The golden dragon embroidered at the center of his forehead gleamed ostentatiously. It was the hero's headband he often bragged about wearing during his first encounter with Lightning Genius at Desolate Fortress.
On the large central sparring platform, Heon Wonchang was walking up with his opponent. The promotion ceremony had been ongoing for quite some time.
Over an hour had passed. He was the first promotion candidate to come from Radiant Demon Squad.
"Radiant Demon Squad, Heon Wonchang."
Heon Wonchang nodded toward Jung Yeonshin as he spoke. Then, he faced his opponent.
"I am Kang Un-chan, from the General Affairs Bureau. I've seen leader Jung from afar a few times."
The man, who exuded a scholarly aura, clasped his hands and bowed in return.
His black-sheathed sword, an official blade of Desolate Fortress, hung from his waist, complementing his calm demeanor.
His presence was wrapped in tranquil energy. His white martial robes resembled those of a scholar's attire.
However, his thick eyebrows and well-trained body hinted at a fierce, primal nature.
In the brief moment of observation, the term martial and literary excellence would come to mind. His martial energy radiated substantial weight.
'He won't be easy.'
Jung Yeonshin thought, but as someone who had to remain neutral, he showed no outward reaction.
For a brief moment, he imagined a gust of invisible wind knocking Kang Un-chan off balance.
Lately, his thoughts had become more scattered, accompanied by stretching pain in his limbs.
'I'm not my grandfather.'
Jung Yeonshin silently reproached himself.
He wasn't prone to such quick tempers. He doubted he ever would be.
Since childhood, he had been humble and calm. As long as he remained committed to his duties, he believed that would continue.
Step.
He took a few steps back and spoke briefly.
"Begin."
"Thank you for your supervision."
Kang Un-chan respectfully saluted the Radiant Demon Squad's leader before turning to meet Heon Wonchang's gaze.
"I've always envied you. I'm sure I'm not the only one."
"What do you mean?"
Heon Wonchang raised an eyebrow as he asked.
"You had the fortune of meeting the Radiant Demon Squad's leader during your entrance into Desolate Fortress and joining the same martial squad. Riding the tides of fate is a martial virtue in itself. Heon Wonchang, you are truly remarkable."
His tone was sincere, without a hint of sarcasm.
It wasn't petty envy. He genuinely believed it. In a world where terms like destiny and fate were common, his words carried weight.
Heon Wonchang didn't take it too seriously. Today, the Radiant Arts Manual, taught directly by Jung Yeonshin, was being tested. Hundreds of people were watching.
He hadn't yet fully unlocked the seventh restriction. To avoid disgracing the Radiant Arts Manual or Jung Yeonshin's name, he needed to demonstrate his best.
'My senses are sharp. This feels good.'
He brushed off Kang Un-chan's polite remarks before the duel. Perhaps it was a characteristic of those in the General Affairs Bureau. Kang Un-chan seemed like a talkative person.
"Even enduring that envy is part of a martial artist's discipline. I've had many thoughts. If I had been alongside you, I could have grown stronger, achieved different heights. But such musings are meaningless. Ultimately, your place is yours."
At that moment—
Thud!
Kang Un-chan's head abruptly snapped downward. A formless wave of energy struck the back of his head, delivering a heavy blow.
The precise target was the back of his head. His lowered posture wavered, and he nearly collapsed, as if an invisible ceiling had crumbled on him.
Hoooong—
The remnants of the energy spread, causing a breeze that swept across the sparring platform. Dust dispersed silently, spreading an eerie calm.
Heon Wonchang glanced at his leader.
"..."
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, arms crossed, looked downward with half-lidded eyes. His demeanor remained as dignified as ever.
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