CHAPTER 142

"The sword of the heart. You are too hasty."

The Pure Demon Alliance's Leader repeated the words of the Lord of Desolate Fortress and smiled.

His black robe, as dark as Jung Yeonshin's jet-black cloak, rippled in the wind. It carried an aura as if he were wrapped in hellfire.

The final gate before the return was vast and formidable. The last leg of this mission turned out to be a challenge named Pure Demon Alliance's Leader, the seed of Sichuan's calamity.

His composure gradually grew more relaxed.

—Saaaa—

Amid the steam of Three Samadhi True Fire, some of the bloodstains on his abdomen evaporated. At the same time, an odor, perceivable only to those of high skill, filled the air.

The source was clear—no other place. It seemed he had applied Three Samadhi True Fire directly to the sword wound on his abdomen.

It was the scar inflicted by the Lord of Desolate Fortress's Moonlight Divine Sword technique, stretching from near his ribs to his hip bone.

As it was not a wound that could be stopped by merely sealing pressure points, he had cauterized the long gash on his abdomen, sealing it shut.

Jung Yeonshin's eyes widened slightly. It appeared to be a makeshift solution brought forth by the exceptional physical and energy control of a supreme martial artist.

Remarkable.

His faint smile, formed as he bit his lip, was equally so. With his sharp features, he radiated the dignity of a lion.

A master of dark arts. Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's impromptu remedy, displayed in the midst of a life-and-death duel, was befitting of a leader in the sect of heretical arts.

He spoke.

"The rumors that the Lord of Desolate Fortress' martial boundary is beyond the heavens have echoed throughout the world for ages. But I did not expect you to be my equal. Listen, child."

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's gaze lowered, landing on Jung Yeonshin. His blue eyes curved into a smile.

The chilling, mysterious texture of his azure gaze was unsettling.

"If I were your elder master, I would have taken you in and trained you myself. A master must wield both the sword and words to survive in this turbulent world, but your teacher seems too virtuous to even debate half as well as you."

The term 'elder master' refers to a female senior in the sect, someone akin to an aunt in the martial lineage—a title reflecting familial hierarchy within the sect.

His blunt speech revealed just how audacious he was.

"To speak of divisions while showing such disrespect to a senior in the martial world—how astonishing."

Jung Yeonshin spoke slowly, gripping the hilt of his sword. He infused sincerity into his words as he assumed the preparatory stance for his blade.

"The side effects of your dark arts are fascinating. It seems many of your cerebral channels are blocked. Is there a separate method in your techniques to constrict pressure points? If you share it, I might even consider accepting you as my junior."

"..."

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader was the sovereign of the Thirteen Heavens—an exalted rank.

Though his remarks were unrestrained, he refused to respond to any rudeness directed his way, as if it was beneath his dignity.

"You fool."

Even as he hurled insults at the sect leader, Jung Yeonshin remained composed.

At this point, not only Heon Wonchang but also Flame Dragon, who stood beside him, subtly shook their heads and assumed defensive stances.

They were preparing for the possibility that the Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's attack might be directed at them.

"It seems this temporary leader is not particularly afraid of dying young. I, on the other hand, find it rather terrifying. Surely I'm not the odd one out?"

Unfazed, Jung Yeonshin slowly circulated his energy. His heart tingled, the sensation stemming from the radiant wheel of light within him.

To completely suppress the energy and save Ma Yeonjeok in this situation, the Lord of Desolate Fortress's swordsmanship had to eliminate Pure Demon Alliance's Leader without causing a clash of energies.

He needed to skillfully manage the seemingly tranquil standoff.

—Ssss—

While Pure Demon Alliance's Leader continued speaking, a formidable surge of energy began radiating from his entire body. Had he bought enough time?

In contrast, the Lord of Desolate Fortress remained silently gazing into the distant forest.

If a fatal strike was not already prepared, Jung Yeonshin was ready to hurl his blade to create an opening.

'My defensive energy is lacking. How can I counter the void-breaking techniques of these supreme masters?'

He had pondered this question even during his previous encounters with Ma Yeonjeok and the Blood Flame Cult Leader.

Carrying this puzzle in his mind like unfinished homework, he glared at Pure Demon Alliance's Leader.

His senses already triggered the Radiant Wheel, prompting the optimal trajectory in his thoughts.

And then—

"It is done."

Suddenly, the Lord of Desolate Fortress spoke.

It was several breaths after mentioning the 'sword of the heart'.

Her pale green sleeve rippled once.

Like an illusion, she stepped forward and gently lifted her sword.

It was aimed at the Pure Demon Alliance's Leader, who stood suspended in the air through his void-breaking technique. The sword strike shimmered white, tracing a graceful arc.

It seemed meaningless.

No—it wasn't.

Far from meaningless.

Though Jung Yeonshin stood at a distance, he heard an inaudible sound. It reverberated in his mind.

A faint noise, like something being sliced, burrowed into his head.

It traveled all the way to his upper dantian. Strictly speaking, it wasn't a sound but a phenomenon that he sensed.

Did she truly cut through the heart?

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader let out a sharp breath. His disheveled black hair scattered wildly in the air.

His figure, suspended midair through void-breaking energy, swayed drastically. And it wasn't over. He plummeted nearly three meters.

Another meter, and he would fall into sword range.

Jung Yeonshin's eyes gleamed. The sword aura of his treasured blade, Beiming, shone white at his waist.

But he didn't get the chance to draw.

The Desolate Fortress Lord's second strike followed immediately. This time, it was visible.

—Flap!

Her wide sleeves, colored like the forest, rippled.

Above her small, green-haired head, the sword that had risen in an upward slash descended once more.

One strike.

It was unclear whether she was slashing or performing a sword dance.

Her movements were elegant, almost mesmerizing. At the same time, a faint brilliance flickered from her blade. It shone like a streak of light.

It was an otherworldly sword technique, distinct from the rare art of sword energy.

It felt more mystical and far more transcendent.

Jung Yeonshin could hardly follow the sequence of her strikes.

All he remembered was the moment when moonlight burst forth, taking the form of a long slash.

A direct hit.

It shattered the dark energy armor protecting Pure Demon Alliance's Leader, scattering fragments of light from his abdomen.

Frozen mid-strike, with his hand still reaching out, Pure Demon Alliance's Leader stopped moving altogether.

—Boom—

What profound principles of martial arts had driven this strike?

The shockwave of the impact resonated solely within Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's body, so faint it could barely be heard.

A single sword technique had embedded the force entirely within him. It seemed to be a deliberate move to preserve Ma Yeonjeok's stability.

'Wow.'

A gasp escaped Jung Yeonshin's thoughts.

Never in his life had he witnessed a sword strike more refined than this. Even with his eyes, he couldn't fully grasp its mystery.

It left an even deeper impression than the first move, the so-called 'sword of the heart'.

And then—

Boom!

An overwhelming surge of energy erupted from Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's plummeting body.

At the same time, a black aura, as dark as the night sky, enveloped his entire frame, radiating waves of force without end.

It was overpowering, as though it could flatten mountains and rivers alike.

Was this the true strength of the Pure Demon Alliance's Leader? Clenching his teeth, he steadied his posture and resumed his void-striding technique.

A burst of black energy exploded from his back, and his body shot diagonally upward once more.

Even Jung Yeonshin could sense that he was forcibly drawing out his energy—risking a backlash that could cause him to go berserk.

'It's over.'

The boy thought to himself.

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader had made his decision swiftly. His aerial trajectory seemed unusual.

—Whoosh!

He soared far above, higher than his head. His silhouette briefly eclipsed the sun, then passed beyond the battlefield.

It was an escape route.

"Pure Demon Alliance's Leader is fleeing!"

Heon Wonchang, who stood beside the boy, shouted with both hands cupped around his mouth. His keen intuition seemed to grasp the flow of the confrontation.

His spirited voice, infused with energy, contradicted his earlier hesitation to restrain Jung Yeonshin.

He was warning any of Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's subordinates who might still be rushing to support him.

—I will not forget this day!

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's voice echoed from afar. He had already grown small in the distance.

Even as he faced Lord of Desolate Fortress, the supreme master of the heretical arts remained wary of Jung Yeonshin's sword, never once stepping into its range.

'I need to find a way to counter void-striding and aerial stepping techniques.'

It was another challenge left for the boy, who was soon to rise to the black rank.

Despite having spoken the name of Baek Miryeo and revealing himself, Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's retreat did not appear disgraceful.

He remained a supreme master that Jung Yeonshin could hardly rival.

If they met again in the future, he vowed to stand in the role of a squad leader.

'The Black Rank encompasses even broader territory than the Blue Rank. It must surpass it by far. If my uncle or the Annihilation Squad Leader had possessed Radiant Wheel, they might have been able to confront him. Perhaps I should first focus on mastering Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.'

As the boy organized his thoughts, a melodious voice rang out.

"I need to see the wounded."

—Rustle.

Lord of Desolate Fortress approached slowly, heading toward the three covered wagons guarded by Jung Yeonshin's group.

She did not spare a glance at Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's retreating figure, nor did she seem inclined to pursue him.

Unaware of the exact condition of Ma Yeonjeok, she appeared to refrain from acting rashly.

Her demeanor showed no signs of attachment. Even the master of the heretical sect seemed to be no more than a provincial clan leader to her.

To the boy, who had struggled through the treacherous paths of Sichuan, she revealed a new world through her very presence.

"You protected me."

With a small remark, the Lord of Desolate Fortress brushed past Jung Yeonshin.

The faint scent of fresh grass tickled the boy's nose. Her voice carried a subtle hint of laughter.

It was truly over.

The final gate before returning from their mission had crumbled.

* * *

Shortly after Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's retreat. 

The Lord of Desolate Fortress entered the wagon to examine the condition of her old companion.

The covered wagons were once again shielded by veils of energy, resembling silk spun from moonlight as they encircled the space.

It was an extraordinary sight.

It was impossible to discern what was being discussed inside.

"They say witnessing the duels of supreme masters alone can drain one's spirit."

"Let's take a break, temporary leader."

Heon Wonchang and Flame Dragon shared the same sentiment.

The dynamic between them was peculiar.

Though they seemed distant, Heon Wonchang occasionally glanced at the unassuming Flame Dragon, as if gauging his mood.

Meanwhile, Flame Dragon simply lounged comfortably, chewing on poppy seeds.

No one paid attention to the small-sword troupe idly standing nearby.

"We'll rest."

Jung Yeonshin spoke, extending his senses in all directions.

Even with the Lord of Desolate Fortress present, he could not afford to let his guard down. Instead, he needed to project the composure of a leader.

'I handled myself well back at headquarters.'

Back then, he had interacted with the clerks of the General Affairs Bureau, who held command over personnel, and took pride in his diplomacy.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress stood above them all. He had to earn her trust by demonstrating reliability.

'Merit, results.'

His mind eased. The safety of his grandfather, which had been his greatest concern, was now assured.

"Look at our young leader. He seems more fitting as a leader than most leaders themselves."

Wu Yu-xiang, his senior in the blue rank, teased him, simultaneously mentioning Jung Yeonshin's and Ma Jin's statuses. The boy shook his head slightly.

The seniors of the Radiant Demon Squad stepped out of the wagon one by one, sitting idly here and there.

Chung Myung climbed a tree, while Ma Jin fixed his gaze on the wagon the Lord of Desolate Fortress had entered.

Only Baek Miryeo did not appear.

Pure Demon Alliance's Leader had referred to her as a sister.

Jung Yeonshin didn't dismiss it as a baseless lie. Baek Miryeo had also cultivated dark arts.

They resembled each other in appearance, too. Yet, the seniors—Ma Jin, Chung Myung, and others—remained calm, as though already aware.

'They said they brought Senior Baek from Xinjiang. And my uncle became crippled during that time.'

Xinjiang was where the headquarters of Ming Buddhism had once stood. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, its remnants had scattered.

Some had moved to Sichuan and became monks, while others wandered Xinjiang, seeking to revive the sect or resorting to banditry.

The boy recalled the map briefly shown by Crescent Moon Sword of the Ten Perfection Sect.

He had claimed it marked the tomb of the Heavenly Demon. It seemed likely to be connected to Baek Miryeo.

It was then—

"You seem preoccupied."

Ma Jin's voice broke his thoughts.

At some point, he had come down from the wagon and seated himself beside Jung Yeonshin.

His heels brushed the sand softly as he balanced himself, despite lacking his left arm.

"You don't need to concern yourself with Miryeo. At least not yet. Perhaps once you've risen to the rank of squad leader, but for now, it's unnecessary meddling."

"Understood."

The boy nodded slowly. It was a calm acknowledgement. There were too many immediate issues at hand.

The black rank promotion, the formation of the Murim Alliance, the Murim Alliance Grand Tournament—everything beyond his control had to wait.

Ma Jin gave a faint smile.

"There will likely be a meeting for squad leaders as soon as we return. It'll probably discuss the formation of your black rank squad and determine the roles of Returning Wings Squad and the Radiant Demon Squad."

Jung Yeonshin simply nodded again. Then, a trace of concern crossed Ma Jin's face.

"The seventeen squad leaders of the Divine Sword Squad are highly individualistic. It won't be easy."

"What kind of difficulties?"

"It's the Returning Wings Squad. Your division's fighters are elite warriors drawn from the seventeen squads, right? If we reorganize the structure, do you think the other leaders will stand idly by? They might not even recognize you."

"..."

"They're all extraordinary martial artists and leaders, not bad people—but plenty of them are eccentric. Be cautious."

Ma Jin's advice was gentle.

After a brief silence, Jung Yeonshin slowly spoke.

"I must learn the Sword of the Heart. By tomorrow, from the Lord."