CHAPTER 53

The expressions of the rising talents and the Hwangbo Clan's guards vanished in an instant. Dozens of faces changed one after another.

"The Desolate Fortress? Why the Desolate Fortress...?"

"What kind of banner is that?"

"The Desolate Fortress' blue color? Isn't that the Radiant Demon Squad!"

"They said it was a mid-sized sect? But with that banner and black martial attire, aren't they the masters of the Desolate Fortress? How could there be three of them...!"

The clans, who prided themselves on discussing the world, could not hide their inner turmoil.

Even Hwangbo Jun faltered. His raw bewilderment was apparent. They all seemed to harbor questions and shock.

"That age and the Desolate Fortress's blue... I've heard of it before."

Hwangbo Myeong-rin trembled, her lower lip quivering. Her voice wavered as she continued.

"Lightning Genius... Gu Gwa, are you telling me that you are the Lightning Genius of the Desolate Fortress?"

"That name shouldn't have spread as far as Shandong. Isn't it too distant?"

Jung Yeonshin responded somewhat perplexed. He seemed to have heard of figures like Hwangbo Myeong-rin.

Those who took interest in gathering rumors, even about martial artists who didn't influence the grand flow of Jianghu(martial world).

The well-known groups were the Beggars' Sect and Hao Alliance.

The Desolate Fortress was closely watched by Jianghu. It seemed that while investigating rising experts, the name Lightning Genius had been noted.

"But why? Why? I would have treated you with the utmost respect."

Hwangbo Myeong-rin's question seemed odd. Jung Yeonshin relayed what he had heard.

"Respect is a laughable claim. Everyone knows that Jianghu looks down on the Desolate Fortress."

"...Why did you hide your identity?"

"A Desolate Fortress martial artist. Could there be any other reason besides a mission?"

"A mission?"

Hwangbo Jun interrupted. The commanding aura of the middle-aged swordsman had dissipated.

His face, now weighed down with unease, swept nervously over the experts from the Desolate Fortress.

At that moment—

"F-forgive me for failing to recognize a royal!"

One of the rising talents suddenly dropped to his knees. The dull thud was anything but ordinary.

Those nearby looked at him with bewildered expressions, trying to stop him.

"Young hero Cheon, what are you doing? A royal?"

"If he is a direct disciple of the sect leader, then isn't he of royal blood? That's what I've always heard. How could a commoner possibly learn martial arts from someone like Desolate Fortress' Lord?"

It was a ridiculous commotion. Jung Yeonshin turned his head without answering.

His eyes met Ma Jin's, who had quietly approached.

The scar that crossed Ma Jin's face seemed to carry concern.

It appeared that Jung Yeonshin's condition was poor enough to be noticed immediately, even without being of noble blood.

"...I didn't anticipate such an onslaught of Thunder Explosives. Are your internal injuries all right?"

Ma Jin asked with a slight twist of his lips. Jung Yeonshin nodded calmly and spoke.

"You've come after grasping the situation in Huizhou. By any chance, do you know what happened to Yoo Hyun of Mount Hua Sect?"

"The youngest disciple of the Mount Hua Sect's sect leader? Namgoong Clan responded immediately and protected him. That Yoo Hyun, the young Taoist, already smashed a few branches of the Blood Flame Cult along with some Plum Blossom Swordmasters. Mount Hua Sect has long since left Huizhou."

"I see."

He had been worried about parting ways during the chaos without any clear plan.

Jung Yeonshin felt a wave of relief but was also somewhat surprised.

Despite not having spent much time with Yoo Hyun, they had become close friends.

'Maybe it's because he was so friendly, even suggesting coming all the way to the Desolate Fortress.'

Come to think of it, he had only a handful of peers he was close to.

Crown Prince Zhu Yun-myeong wasn't there yet. Yoo Hyun, Shin So-bin, and Ma Se-in of the Desolate Fortress came to mind.

Wei-Ji Myohwa, the Sword Dragon of Zhongnan Sect, felt like a sister somewhere between them and Baek Miryeo.

He seemed to make a new acquaintance with each mission. Thinking about it, it wasn't so bad.

If he died without eating the World Tree fruit, at least there would be people to remember him.

'Not that it's something I want to dwell on.'

At that moment, Hwangbo Jun stepped forward.

"After hearing this conversation, it seems you're not royalty. You—no."

His words faltered momentarily, seemingly ignored by Jung Yeonshin and Ma Jin. It was likely the first humiliation he had experienced.

Letting out a long breath, he straightened his posture.

"Young hero, and Ma Hero."

He raised a respectful salute. His attitude had completely changed.

If it had been only the Radiant Demon Squad, one of the Eight Great Clans wouldn't have yielded so easily.

Seeing three units from the Divine Sword Squads assembled seemed to have given him an idea of the situation. Sweat was visible on the back of his neck.

"I've heard of Radiant Demon Squad's great name. I, Hwangbo Jun, failed to recognize the direct disciple of the Fortress Lord and spoke rashly. I humbly beg your forgiveness."

"What rash words?"

Ma Jin asked briefly. Silence followed immediately.

"Lowly, wretched, and without roots."

Shin So-bin interjected swiftly, chattering as if thrilled.

"Isn't this an insult to the Fortress Lord? From what I know, Lightning Genius senior is of the Desolate Fortress's bloodline. He became famous during the coming-of-age ceremony. Didn't he shout, 'This is Jianghu!' and drink the Lei Xian Treasure Brew in one gulp?"

"..."

Ma Jin's face hardened coldly. The aura rising from the scar on his face was chilling.

By now, most people knew—Lightning Genius was the reverse scale of the Desolate Fortress.

Ma Jin was said to be warm and kind despite his appearance. He would never forgive anyone who disrespected lineage.

"Hwangbo Clan."

Ma Jin spoke with an expressionless face.

"The crime of a noble family forcing labor on the common people is severe. The number reaches a thousand."

"..."

"You asked about Lightning Genius's mission, didn't you? It was to create gaps within the Hwangbo nobles dominating Jinan with force. It was done to justify annihilation. He completed it splendidly. You're all here, aren't you?"

"What nonsense..."

Hwangbo Jun swallowed nervously.

This was spoken by a master of the Desolate Fortress's Divine Sword Squad. No one could dismiss it as a lie.

Still, admitting guilt was another matter. Even with deadly evidence, denial was inevitable.

Whether it was people or documents, no fool would admit guilt on the spot.

Even Jung Yeonshin, with shallow Jianghu experience, could grasp this.

He turned around, saluted Ma Jin, and spoke.

"May I announce the commencement of battle as a junior?"

"Hmm."

Annihilation Squad leader, the senior master of the black-robed sect, nodded.

"You may proceed."

"Thank you."

Jung Yeonshin stepped forward.

Jung Yeonshin, maintaining his cupped fist salute, slightly bent his waist before lowering his arms.

Step.

He turned around again and stepped forward alone. He put the Bright Pure Pill he held in his left hand into his mouth.

Like Lazy Flame Dragon who enjoyed chewing opium poppies, he roughly chewed while continuing to walk without stopping.

He headed straight for where the rising talents and Hwangbo Clan were gathered.

'They said there's no need to circulate energy. Indeed.'

They said it combined noble family secret techniques and Shaolin Medicine King Hall's medical techniques.

There was a feeling of refreshing energy rising from all his body's meridians. Mysterious efficacy spread throughout his body, healing his internal injuries.

Until then, no one had dared to act rashly. The three Divine Squads of Desolate Fortress exerted terrifying suppressive power.

He passed by Hwangbo Jun. He ignored Lazy Flame Dragon too.

Originally, Jung Yeonshin had intended to take the neck of Hwangbo Jun, the strongest among the enemies. Hwangbo Myeong-rin was next.

However, after facing the Annihilation Squad Leader's intense spirit on the battlefield, his thoughts changed.

He was a blue-ranked warrior under the black-ranked Squad Leader.

Exchange swords with the Hwangbo Jun for dozens of moves? It was merely reckless bravado blinded by merit.

With the Squad Leaders' martial might, they could kill someone like the Hwangbo Jun in a few moves.

In targeting the position of Divine Sword Squad Leader, Jung Yeonshin could not afford to fall out of favor with Heavenly Squad leader and Annihilation Squad leader.

'I've now been incorporated into the mission to eliminate the Hwangbo Clan. It's enough to make my mark.'

Jung Yeonshin approached within three steps of Hwangbo Myeong-rin.

He had come so close that it was hard to imagine he would act recklessly on his own.

Slowly, he opened his mouth.

"Let's settle our grievances."

"What did you say?"

"Feel free to respond comfortably. I'll just say my piece."

"..."

"You told me to offer my arm, then said you'd take my head after interrogating me. It was the same at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Shin So-bin could have died. If I hadn't saved her, she would have."

"...I acknowledge the prestige of the Desolate Fortress's Blue Warrior. Moreover, as the direct disciple of the Fortress Lord, I suppose you can afford to be this arrogant."

Hwangbo Myeong-rin straightened her back. Despite her disheveled appearance from prolonged flight, dignity began to surface.

"However, I cannot make up lies. I have nothing to hide. I have never strayed from the righteous path."

"You keep insisting on that. It doesn't matter anymore."

"...?"

"The remaining mission is the annihilation of the Hwangbo Clan. No matter what lies you tell, it's meaningless."

Jung Yeonshin tightened his grip on the blade of the Desolate Sword. A surge of energy burst from the back of his hand, radiating in all directions.

It was a sign of swordsmanship being unleashed. He stood in the heart of enemy lines.

Before Hwangbo Myeong-rin, her face full of shock, could even respond, veins bulged on Jung Yeonshin's hand.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin was a shallow river.

It was evident in the split second her expression revealed terror, a martial artist facing an overwhelming technique they could not resist.

"What? Please...!"

At the same time, the Desolate Sword flashed. Swift Sword Technique, Radiance Sword Style.

The blade shimmered like a lightning strike, moving faster than any reaction could keep up with.

Swish!

A white flash streaked past her neck. It was a quick sword that had reached the realm of blue.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin's head lingered momentarily in place. Even the panic frozen in her eyes did not fade.

Only after a single breath did blood burst forth.

Splatter!

Her head rolled lifelessly to the ground, and her body collapsed.

Hwangbo Jun, who had been shocked, charged forward, but the masters of the Desolate Fortress were far faster.

The Annihilation Squad leader reached him first with ghost-like footwork, grabbed the back of his head, and slammed him into the ground.

Bang!

The immense internal energy in his slender arm shattered the earth, leaving cracks spreading outwards.

"Rin!"

"My lady!"

"Leader!"

Hwangbo Clan's retainers and guards cried out. The rising talents froze in place.

The same faces that had been indifferent when discussing Jung Yeonshin's arm and neck now brimmed with vitality, desperation and fear.

Thud!

Ma Jin and the Heavenly Squad leader leaped into the fray.

The two high-level masters unleashed crushing energy in all directions as they drew their blades like works of art.

There were no warnings. They simply began cutting down everything in sight, their sword strikes and slashes exuding an aura of destruction.

Hwangbo Jun barely escaped the Annihilation Squad leader's grip, rolling desperately.

He gritted his teeth and prepared to unleash the Hwangbo Clan's sword techniques, rising to his feet.

Boom!

With a loud stomp, Ma Jin's figure tore through the air.

He shot forward at an explosive speed.

In an instant, his jet-black blade pierced Hwangbo Jun's chest.

Crunch! Crack!

It wasn't just a stab. Ma Jin twisted his waist, slicing Hwangbo Jun's upper body in half.

The sound of ribs splitting echoed, accompanied by a fountain of blood.

The overwhelming force itself froze time.

"The Desolate Fortress... it's real."

"We can't fight them! We need to flee...!"

Desolate Fortress's Radiant Demon Squad Captain.

Hwangbo Jun had died absurdly quickly. Ma Jin seemed to place no special significance on it.

He immediately charged toward the remaining Hwangbo Clan warriors.

His blade claimed five more lives in an instant.

The black sword shadows swept like a storm, cutting through necks, hearts, and waists.

Organs and blood spilled out through the ruptured muscles.

It was terrifying. The word "tyrannical" suited it perfectly.

The Radiant Demon Squad leader's actions reflected his attitude toward enemies who had threatened his only nephew.

Boom!

Even the lingering dust was torn apart by his leap.

The suffocating killing intent radiating from his entire body closed in on all sides, concentrating into a dominating shockwave at the sword's edge.

"Run! Retreat!"

Some began turning their backs to flee. It seemed even the fighting spirits of martial artists had been dismantled.

The three masters gave chase and killed them. They burst their backs with palm strikes and severed necks.

It was a clear demonstration of the fundamental difference between martial artists and these elite warriors.

From the Imperial perspective, they treated the offenders as mere pests.

Bandits who couldn't even pay proper tribute—the Desolate Fortress's punishment was ruthless.

"The masters are leaving no openings. Unless they have considerable numbers, that is."

"We'll only gain merit when striking the Hwangbo Clan's main estate."

"I envy Lightning Genius. He's already made quite an achievement."

Among the members of Radiant Demon Squad,Heavenly Squad and Annihilation Squad, few had joined the masters.

Most were approaching without even participating in the fight. Some were interrogating the rising talents.

"Ah, capture me. I'm the vile young master of the Hwangbo Clan. Hm? No, that won't work. Please return the opium, yes? Please..."

Among them was the Lazy Flame Dragon.