CHAPTER 56

The ceremonial robe of Desolate Fortress bore rough yellow silk threads on both shoulders and the center of the back.

It was difficult for those viewing from the front to recognize it, unless they were quite knowledgeable.

"Are you truly the magistrate of Pingyin County?"

Jung Yeonshin asked quietly.

He had heard it was an old operation. There had been many stories about it.

Desolate Fortress had investigated everything possible and dispatched armed units under the Divine Sword Squad.

This included gathering information on the Hwangbo Clan's main family, as well as the branch families and their martial arts characteristics.

"Shouldn't it be obvious? I am rather well-known, after all."

The nobleman responded with a smile.

His official attire appeared noble enough to match his strikingly handsome features.

Even as he accepted drinks served by women while gazing at the unfamiliar warriors, the grace in his hand holding the cup was evident.

Despite merely being a carefree nobleman wearing a crown, his presence carried a different level of dignity.

The nobleman's gaze brushed past Jung Yeonshin and Baek Miryeo, eventually settling on Chung Myung.

"Ah, a fellow clansman is here. Could it be that you, too, are playing at being chivalrous? I'd advise against it in advance."

"······."

Chung Myung remained silent, wearing a peculiar expression.

The atmosphere in the manor was strange.

The scent of alcohol filled the air, and yet everyone walking about looked at the magistrate with reverence.

Some even sent similar glances toward Chung Myung.

'It's common for Han people to admire noble clans, but this…'

Jung Yeonshin thought. Was this what decadence looked like? It was a demeanor he had never encountered even at the Jung Manor.

He stepped forward slowly and spoke.

"I know that the head of the Pingyin branch of the Hwangbo Clan is your first wife. Bring her here."

"How rude. Have you never studied Confucian teachings? Is this how your parents raised you?"

The noble magistrate replied with a leisurely smile.

"A magistrate colluding with martial clans—hardly the behavior of a gentleman. What respect should you expect?"

At Jung Yeonshin's calm reply, the woman who had been massaging the magistrate's arm stood up. She appeared to be around thirty.

Her languid eyes left an impression, and the red battle robe she wore slowly revealed a strong aura.

"I am Jin-lang's legitimate wife. If you are from Shandong, you must have heard of me—Deep Abyss Sword, Hwangbo Mei-wei."

This implied the magistrate's surname was Jin, and "Lang" referred to her husband.

With the founding of the Ming Dynasty, noble clans had risen to power.

It was said that, unlike during the Yuan era, women now occupied many key positions in both government and martial sects.

But that hardly mattered at this moment.

"As the head of the Pingyin Hwangbo branch, I command you to restrain your insolent words. No, words are now useless. What could have ended with an arm will now cost a head."

As her aura grew stronger, more warriors emerged from the surrounding halls.

There were over twenty of them. Their words belittled him, but their actions showed they did not underestimate the boy who broke down their gate.

It was proof they truly belonged to a distinguished branch of the Eight Great Clans.

Five warriors from the Hwangbo branch began approaching first.

Despite appearing suddenly, their firm presence exuded an iron-like refinement, honed through rigorous training.

Even as a branch, they made it clear their roots lay in a noble martial lineage.

Jung Yeonshin ignored them and fixed his gaze on Hwangbo Mei-wei before speaking again.

"Do you know Hwangbo Myeong-rin?"

"What?"

"Your words about arms and necks sound just like his."

"You seem to know something. He's talented enough to attend the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. But—"

A red smile spread across Hwangbo Mei-wei's lips, as though painted with rouge. She continued.

"Did you think claiming to know a direct descendant would earn you leniency? Ridiculous."

'What nonsense. A martial artist should focus on training.'

Jung Yeonshin couldn't help but recall words often spoken by the elders of various sects.

Along with this, the image of Desolate Fortress' lord surfaced in his mind. Having reached an absolute realm, she exuded elegance without any adornment.

For martial artists, refinement came from transcendent skill.

He spoke again.

"I passed through the marketplace. It's true, isn't it, that you've been mobilizing commoners for forced labor? You've brought martial power into civilian affairs. As a martial artist, aren't you ashamed?"

Meanwhile, Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo had stepped back.

They had earlier agreed not to intervene unless the situation grew truly dire. This was to broaden the young warrior's horizons.

They had also discussed how to repay the kindness of their senior, Radiant Demon Squad leader, but could not yet find an answer.

At that moment, everyone in the manor laughed at Jung Yeonshin's words.

Neither the magistrate nor Hwangbo Mei-wei even bothered to cover their mouths, laughing loudly.

"Child, you've heard too many stories about the martial world. Power is simply power. Separating the martial world from the lives of commoners? How could anyone do that?"

Hwangbo Mei-wei said with a broad smile, and the magistrate added.

"A martial clan is essentially a noble family. What's wrong with enjoying luxury befitting our history in the lands we rule?"

"A noble denying the emperor's law. Today, your first wife's head will fall."

Jung Yeonshin's reply only drew more laughter.

Even the approaching warriors burst into laughter this time.

"You lack appreciation for elegance. That's typical of self-proclaimed chivalrous types. Now then."

The magistrate clapped his hands lightly.

"Yes, Magistrate!"

Musicians suddenly emerged from various corners, carrying zithers, flutes, and other instruments.

It resembled a scene from an opera performance.

At the magistrate's gesture, music began to play.

Simultaneously, the warriors of the Hwangbo branch drew their swords and closed in.

It was as if even a deadly clash of swords was mere entertainment to them.

'Incredible.'

Jung Yeonshin stood still.

He recalled stories he had heard about high-ranking officials indulging in extreme pleasures—stories he had only encountered in Desolate Fortress.

It was said that some went so far as to enjoy watching killings for amusement.

The current scene matched those tales perfectly.

He understood immediately. This wasn't their first time doing this.

"A boy swordsman who could destroy the manor's gate, what a waste of talent."

"Isn't that part of the charm?"

Hwangbo Mei-wei, who had returned to her seat, exchanged smiles with the magistrate and even shared drinks.

'What a stark difference.'

Jung Yeonshin recalled entering the village earlier.

The rustling grass that greeted them had felt simple and pleasant.

But this place was different. It was suffocating.

"I can't stand it."

He muttered to himself unconsciously.

The melody flowing through the manor had a certain elegance, as the magistrate claimed.

Even someone like Jung Yeonshin, who didn't know much about music, could feel it. That's why it was all the more unwelcoming.

Shandong was a vast region, and Jinan was said to be its center.

There were likely many local martial artists there, some of whom might fit the "chivalrous" image these people mocked.

"Go in peace."

One of them spoke, raising the sword he had drawn.

He seemed to feel a slight sense of guilt, but the distance between him and Jung Yeonshin had already narrowed to about ten steps.

"You seem familiar. I might have to reconsider the Eight Great Clans. Aren't they just a bunch of rogue scum?"

Jung Yeonshin spoke as he grasped the sword energy of the Beiming Sword.

There must have been many righteous warriors who, outraged by the forced labor imposed on the commoners, had come to confront them.

It seemed they had all been killed.

The music that naturally flowed through the air, and the warriors approaching in rhythm as if matching the melody with their footwork.

He decided to strike first.

Boom! Hwaaak!

With a light step, he stamped the ground. A circular blast of wind swept out in all directions.

The energy he unleashed was deeper than before.

He had constantly operated the Moonlight Harmony Technique while creating new internal energy techniques.

The reserve of energy from this supreme martial art was indeed different. The change was already becoming slightly noticeable.

With a single step, everyone's expressions changed. At the same time, Jung Yeonshin's body tilted forward.

A burst of wind exploded past his ears, and his vision expanded rapidly. The movement was instantaneous.

The waves of energy spread from the hand grasping the sword.

Before he knew it, he was right in front of the enemies. He circulated his internal energy according to the mnemonic formula.

At the tip of the sword drawn with the Radiance Sword Style, dazzling sunlight gleamed.

Sssaaak!

In the flash of light, two heads flew off at once. They couldn't even scream.

'This isn't the end. There are too many enemies.'

A burst of energy erupted from Jung Yeonshin's body.

Part of the force surging in all directions reached the Beiming Sword, transforming into a chilling sharpness.

Once again, he took a step and swept his sword horizontally. The aftermath of the strike scraped across the ground.

The sensation of slicing through another enemy's neck carried into his palm.

Splash!

Jung Yeonshin's swordsmanship had now reached a level where blood sprayed a breath after each strike.

Amid the rising dust, he shouted.

"The Radiant Demon Squad of Desolate Fortress will judge you all!"

It was a shout imbued with internal energy.

Everyone in the manor flinched in terror. It was the very definition of panic.

In an instant, three corpses lay on the ground. It happened in the blink of an eye.

The lively music stopped abruptly.

"Desolate Fortress…! Wait, wait!"

The noble magistrate stood up abruptly, waving his hands.

Cold sweat, which had appeared out of nowhere, glistened on his handsome face.

"I-I have committed a great offense! Please forget everything I said until now! I am a nobleman! How could I possibly disrupt the order of the Imperial family?"

His eyes darted around quickly.

His gaze swept from Jung Yeonshin, who revealed the rough yellow insignia under his shoulder, to Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung, who stood calmly.

A trace of resignation seemed to form on the magistrate's face.

It appeared he was convinced after seeing Chung Myung, a noble himself.

"My wife acted under orders from the main family, and as the magistrate of Jinan, I could not go against the authority of the Hwangbo Clan."

"Do you even hear yourself? Aren't you ashamed of taking back your words so easily?"

"Please, show mercy. I believe you cannot kill an official of the Imperial family. If the members of the branch family and I join forces, it won't be easy for you to leave unharmed either."

As the magistrate finished speaking, energy surged from his right hand.

His deep internal energy immediately revealed his years of training.

"Now you're threatening us."

"How shameless."

At last, Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung stepped forward.

"If you've come from Desolate Fortress, you must know everything. I have no other choice."

The magistrate's smile regained its composure.

He gently patted the shoulder of his first wife, Hwangbo Mei-wei, who had been glaring fiercely at Jung Yeonshin.

"My dear."

"······Yes."

Hwangbo Mei-wei snapped her fingers.

The sound echoed as if infused with internal energy.

In an instant, more than thirty warriors poured out from the surrounding halls.

Being part of Jinan, a massive city, even a branch family overseeing a single county possessed considerable martial strength.

"······."

The silence that settled over the manor didn't feel like true quiet.

The oppressive aura of the Hwangbo warriors filled the space.

"Wouldn't it be wise to step back now?"

The magistrate spoke, looking at Chung Myung, who had stepped closer to Jung Yeonshin.

The magistrate's garments fluttered as if stirred by the full force of his internal energy.

His persuasion had turned into a threat.

"You spoke of elegance earlier."

Jung Yeonshin said as he glanced around at the warriors beginning to form a circle around them.

"I, too, have recently practiced a melody."

As he spoke, a vibration began to hum from the Beiming Sword.

The resonance gradually grew louder.

Jung Yeonshin operated his internal energy at full capacity and glanced briefly at Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung.

They nodded slightly.

Whoooosh!

A piercing wail erupted from the blade.

In that moment, invisible waves of energy surged outward, sweeping across the area.

"Huff!"

"What the…?"

It was a surreal sight.

With short cries, dozens of warriors collapsed in every direction.

The sound of dull impacts echoed throughout the manor.

Though the sword's cry faded quickly, its aftermath did not.

The encirclement crumbled entirely.

The warriors of the Hwangbo branch lay scattered on the ground, lifeless.

They stared blankly at the sky, their eyes wide open in death.

Only a few, including the magistrate and Hwangbo Mei-wei, remained standing.

"So these rogue scum understand elegance."

Jung Yeonshin spoke as he glanced around.

"You must have found it quite moving."

He said as he sheathed the Beiming.