CHAPTER 74

He had been disregarded by a boy far too young. The woman had called him "you" at their first meeting.

Jung Yeonshin thought, A noblewoman of a prestigious family, highly skilled in martial arts, could not possibly endure such disrespect.

"I am indeed that boy's mother. My name is Zhu Yeon-jeong."

She smiled gently. The sudden change in her demeanor was somewhat shocking.

'Ju clan?'

Her elegance brought forth a peculiar assumption. Jung Yeonshin immediately asked,

"Are you of the Imperial family?"

"I am."

Even after hearing the answer, it was difficult to comprehend. Ma Se-in's father, too, was from a collateral branch.

If he were a man remarkable enough to marry into the Imperial family, he would already be well-known.

It was impossible to guess what circumstances had led to this.

"You seem confused. Few know of my origins in my own clan. I ask for your understanding."

Her hair was styled with jade ornaments, and her Han Chinese rounded ears were prominent—a sign that she was of distant imperial lineage.

The last emperor to take concubines was the founding emperor. It was said he had over forty consorts.

Direct imperial descendants were different. They did not take secondary wives or concubines.

Instead, they took a single noblewoman as their spouse.

On the other hand, countless collateral descendants, with no ties to imperial authority, were free to marry multiple wives and concubines.

Zhu Yeon-jeong seemed to be the daughter of such a person.

"I greet Lady Ju."

He paid respects but did not bow to the ground. Married daughters were considered outsiders. Even if she bore a trace of the founding emperor's blood, it was still the case.

She was no longer a member of the imperial household in the Forbidden City. If she had left Beijing and married, she was now a person of the Desolate Ma Clan.

In other words, a martial artist.

"What an audacious one."

Zhu Yeon-jeong's lips curled upward.

Jung Yeonshin calmly lifted his head. Her reaction was unexpected.

Given her earlier manner of speech, he had thought her a woman desperate to secure her son's inheritance rights. Perhaps he had misjudged.

The surrounding retainers, too, refrained from acting rashly. They merely observed Jung Yeonshin in silence.

"Be seated comfortably. This gathering is for you."

"...Then, I humbly accept."

He briefly bowed and took a seat at the banquet table. Ma Se-in quietly followed and sat beside his mother.

Musicians entered. The hall's spaciousness allowed them to play from afar.

Their refined melodies gently filled the space, adding an air of dignity to the occasion.

"I wanted to test your character."

Zhu Yeon-jeong broke the silence.

"It has been twenty years since I left Beijing, yet I remain this way. The authority ingrained in my conduct sometimes offends others, so I ask for your generosity in overlooking it."

"..."

Her words were unconventional. Jung Yeonshin fell silent for a moment.

'What is this?'

The setting was vastly different from what he had imagined. What was her true intention?

While the soft sounds of zithers and flutes harmonized, those seated at the banquet remained silent.

Only the music persisted. In the world of martial masters, things were different.

Jung Yeonshin could feel threads of internal energy constantly scanning him.

They were so subtle that only someone with a high level of martial perception could detect them. He chose not to react.

"I am curious about your purpose."

Jung Yeonshin spoke directly.

Both sides had concealed their intentions. However, this meeting had been requested by them, so there was no reason for him to yield.

A smile formed on Zhu Yeon-jeong's lips.

"I am accustomed to speaking in a roundabout way. Martial speech always feels unfamiliar to me. Many have praised you. They say you are the pillar of Desolate Fortress... It seems they were right. Radiant Demon Squad's disciple is said to be exceptionally formidable."

"..."

"I heard your martial arts are quite refined, unmatched among your peers, perhaps. Many are curious. The martial techniques of the Jung family are unremarkable, so how did you attain such skills? And..."

Reaching for a white jade flask, she smiled.

"During the coming-of-age ceremony, why did you refuse your family's succession rights?"

With just a few words, Zhu Yeon-jeong revealed much information. Jung Yeonshin confirmed two key points from this meeting.

First, it was indeed about martial arts. Many were curious about the origins of his techniques.

He had long known this. Rising to a blue rank at the youngest age ever recorded naturally drew attention.

Jung Yeonshin had demonstrated his martial skills publicly on several occasions, but none matched the techniques of the Desolate Ma Clan.

Even before being taught by the Lord of Desolate Fortress, this had been the case.

His recent mission further fueled speculation, especially due to the Lord's state upon returning.

'Why bring me back to the Fortress...?'

His gratitude outweighed any complaints, so he had never voiced dissatisfaction.

The second point was likely the real purpose.

"You asked about my intentions."

Jung Yeonshin spoke calmly.

"I believe I already made my stance clear that day. My aspirations lie in the martial world and this fortress. I see no reason to remain tied to a prestigious maternal family. Ma Se-in will make an excellent heir."

"You are quite bold."

Zhu Yeon-jeong covered her mouth and laughed. Her demeanor was graceful.

Jung Yeonshin quietly observed her. She had referred to the Desolate Ma Clan as her own.

A distant imperial descendant had firmly established herself as the matriarch of the Ma family.

That suited him well. It meant there was no need to make enemies.

Drawing a line would suffice. Jung Yeonshin parted his lips as if he had more to say.

"Therefore, I hope to sever ties with your family. Avoiding involvement will prevent unnecessary conflicts."

"..."

A brief silence followed. Zhu Yeon-jeong's smile vanished, and Ma Se-in's expression stiffened.

The banquet hall fell quiet, save for the gentle melodies of the instruments. Their reaction was strange.

Shouldn't it be them demanding separation?

Jung Yeonshin pressed on, ignoring the atmosphere.

"Your family has already severed ties with my mother, haven't they? Answer me. Speak officially before I tarnish Ma Clan's reputation."

He deliberately spoke harshly. Yet Zhu Yeon-jeong's face only showed puzzlement.

"How could you think that? Do you believe the techniques taught by the Lord of Desolate Fortress guarantee your power? You are mistaken. Desolate Fortress is not such a place."

"I intend to live solely as a warrior of the Radiant Demon Squad, so I do not wish the title 'Lightning Genius' to be associated with the Desolate Ma Clan. Shouldn't this please you?"

"You speak of difficult matters so casually."

Zhu Yeon-jeong spoke slowly.

"Why is that?"

"The moment you excelled as a descendant of Ma Clan, you stepped into its political struggles. Some want you as the heir, claiming you should raise the family's honor. Others, including us..."

She gave a faint smile.

"Either way, severing ties will provoke turmoil. To avoid backlash, anything is possible."

"How absurd."

"Are you not the Lord's direct disciple? Child, your existence is already too significant. Even if you speak of severance, the family will cling to you."

"This is unbearable."

Jung Yeonshin rose abruptly. No one rebuked him for his rudeness.

In the realm of politics, they were undoubtedly masters.

The unchanging melody of the musicians saw him out.

* * *

Seven days and nights passed.

He focused on recuperation in the Radiant Demon Squad hall. Meanwhile, the faces of Zhu Yeon-jeong and the Ma family elders filled his mind.

Their schemes were not shallow. They had picked a fight of a nature he hadn't experienced before.

Those of high authority putting all their effort into entangling him. It was a big problem.

'What should I do…'

He lay on his bed lost in thought. Originally he had intended to pick a fight and become an enemy they couldn't associate with.

He thought it would be enough if he experienced prestigious family martial arts in that process.

Not now.

Their sophistication far surpassed Jung Yeonshin. They had an attitude of accepting whatever happened.

A completely different kind of conflict

High-ranking figures continued to obstruct his path. At this point, Jung Yeonshin's concerns were proving to be valid.

The time he would be entangled with the Desolate Ma Clan far outweighed the support he might gain from accepting them.

For a fleeting moment, he even considered revealing his constitution and shortened lifespan to his maternal grandfather.

'I can never trust him.'

He immediately discarded the thought.

Jung Yeonshin had grown up as an outcast in the Jung family manor. His maternal relatives had never extended a hand to him. That was how his childhood passed.

Once he entered the martial world, he witnessed the conduct of the Hwangbo Clan.

They called themselves the pillar of the righteous martial sects yet used force for personal gain.

And what of the Namgoong clan, hailed as the greatest family in the orthodox world? They had tried to exploit Jung Yeonshin after he helped them.

There was more. From the Blood Flame Cult, he saw the depths of human depravity. It was nothing but an abyss.

...Distrust. Only distrust remained.

'They're targeting the Elder Council of the Desolate Fortress?'

His maternal grandfather was a man who craved power. Even after cutting ties with his daughter, he sought to claim her son as his grandson.

It was because he saw usefulness. Holding Jung Yeonshin's weaknesses, there was no telling how he might manipulate him.

'Should I seek out the Fortress Lord? But would creating more debt be wise? I need to build my own merits.'

The sixteen-year-old martial prodigy struggled with his thoughts.

Swish.

He burrowed deeper into his bedding. Even the faint sunset glow seemed too bright now.

The Radiant Demon Squad's quarters were his sanctuary. It was the only place where he could lay down his martial spirit without worrying about appearances.

Here, he did not have to force himself to ignore his limited time.

Slowly curling his body, as he always did, he gazed blankly at the fading orange edges of sunlight.

He did not know how much time had passed.

"Young Hero Jung! Young Hero Jung!"

A familiar voice pierced his consciousness. It was Heon Wonchang.

A surge of turbulent energy swept toward the Radiant Demon Squad's quarters. He could sense the presence of his senior martial artists as well.

The ones who had escorted the Fortress Lord and him earlier had returned.

Creak.

Three people entered immediately—Heon Wonchang, Chung Myung, and Baek Miryeo. Jung Yeonshin, already sitting up, greeted them with a faint smile.

They were comrades who had come all the way to the Blood Flame Cult's main stronghold to rescue him. He was sincerely grateful.

"What's the matter?"

Heon Wonchang, who had been quietly observing him, asked suddenly.

Jung Yeonshin slowly parted his lips.

What compelled him? Perhaps it was the thought that if even these people could not be trusted, there was no reason to cling to illusions.

Alcohol was unnecessary. The tranquil evening air served as both drink and side dish.

The moment he began to speak,

Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo raised their internal energy barriers. It was an internal energy screen—no sound could escape.

Jung Yeonshin spoke.

He shared his family matters, his constitution, the time he had left, and the Desolate Ma Clan.

"..."

A silence as calm as the sunset followed. Before he knew it, Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo's faces had turned expressionless.

Heon Wonchang silently shed tears.

The elder martial artist sniffled once and then said,

"...First, let's go to the Ma Clan. I have an idea."

"What?"

"Just hear me out."

He began whispering for quite some time. Even with the solid energy screens of the two blue-ranked masters, he kept his voice low.

It seemed as though he was plotting mischief.

And in fact, that was exactly what he was doing.

"Let's go!"

Heon Wonchang wiped his eyes with his sleeve and stood up. The other three followed.

At the same time, Chung Myung lightly tapped Jung Yeonshin's shoulder, and Baek Miryeo embraced him briefly from behind.

No words were needed. It was the concern of comrades who had risked their lives together and the understanding of martial artists who lived by the sword.

Jung Yeonshin awkwardly shook his head and followed Heon Wonchang's lead. For a brief moment, he truly felt like the youngest of the group.

The four of them soon arrived at the Desolate Ma Clan's residence. Two gatekeepers stepped forward.

"State your identities and purpose."

"Ah, the Young Master Lightning Genius is here. Open the gate."

Ignoring the guards, Heon Wonchang shouted loudly.

"Yeon-jeong—!"

His voice, amplified with internal energy, shook the twilight air.

Few people knew Zhu Yeon-jeong's origins.

There must have been some delicate circumstances. However, the senior martial artists of Radiant Demon Squad had no reason to care about that.

"She's still under the Fortress Lord anyway. Even the Crown Prince bows before him. A married collateral princess? Who cares..."

Chung Myung grinned slyly and tapped the ground. It was already well-known that the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman came from pure noble bloodlines.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Do you even know who you're calling out to?"

The gatekeepers rushed forward in confusion. Heon Wonchang used a movement technique with no discernible traces.

Brushing off their attempts to stop him, he continued shouting Yeon-jeong's name.

A ruckus broke out in the middle of the night.

Turning slightly, Jung Yeonshin acted as if he was not part of the group and looked away.