CHAPTER 143

Shortly after, the perimeter around Ma Yeonjeok's carriage dissolved.

With an expression difficult to read, the Lord of Desolate Fortress stepped out and entered the Elder Council's Leader's carriage.

Two of the three unparalleled masters in purple within Desolate Fortress were now being transported on stretchers. It was a critical matter for the clan.

Given the gravity of the situation, as the leader of the sect, she needed to assess the condition of her disciples.

"The Lord must be under immense pressure."

"That's not for us to judge."

Witnessing the affairs of the fortress' highest ranks up close, even Jung Yeonshin's seniors found the situation extraordinary.

Whenever the Lord appeared, an oppressive silence fell over the crowd, and only when she boarded the Elder Council's Leader's four-horse carriage did everyone start speaking again.

"That must mean they'll now focus on recovery."

"Exactly. I can't even fathom how much of the fortress' strength has been lost."

"Just think—two grandmasters of an orthodox sect suddenly retiring. No, even that's hard to imagine."

They were talking about Ma Yeonjeok and the Elder Council's Leader.

Geumbun Sesu referred to a martial artist's retirement from the Murim.

Jung Yeonshin looked around at his seniors, scattered casually nearby.

About a dozen experts in blue discussed the fortress' future with grave expressions. Their tone was far from cheerful.

Purple.

It was the symbolic color of Desolate Fortress and served as a deterrent, preventing unruly martial artists from acting recklessly.

"How rampant will the jackals become now?"

"There are already sects in the region openly targeting the fortress."

"I've heard rumors that communication with our branch in the Xinjiang area has been cut off. They say a descendant of the Ming Sect, who has mastered sorcery and martial arts, is incredibly powerful. The sorcery world calls him a talent unseen in a thousand years."

"We need to start by addressing the Murim Alliance. It's not even the orthodox clans but rather the families leading it. It's bound to be corrupt before the assembly even begins."

"Um, excuse me, but there are masters from the Mount Dianqing Sect present..."

Heon Wonchang cautiously pointed out that this wasn't the appropriate place to discuss the fortress's internal affairs.

At that moment, three masters from the Mount Dianqing Sect, who had been talking amongst themselves, slowly raised their heads.

One of them, Little Sword Queen, smiled at Jung Yeonshin. It was a somewhat naive smile.

Perhaps it was because she hadn't seemed concerned by the hostilities of Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's followers.

Now, the Mount Dianqing Sect's top swordsman among the younger generation openly expressed his admiration for Desolate Fortress' Lightning Genius.

The Little Sword Queen spoke up.

"We're very tight-lipped, you know. We aren't particularly close to the families, either. The one I'd like to befriend is you, Jung master, looking sharp in your black robe."

The boy ignored him.

He knew thoughtful individuals like Wei-Ji Myohwa from Zhongnan and Yoo Hyun from Mount Hua.

While Little Sword Queen didn't seem like a bad person, she also didn't appear to be someone worth wasting time establishing connections with.

"We've arrived safely at Yangyang, so it's fine."

A middle-aged expert in blue, Wu Yu-xiang, shook her head as she spoke.

With a faint smile, the woman, who treated Jung Yeonshin and Heon Wonchang like her own sons, added,

"The matters concerning the two in purple can't be hidden anymore. How many martial artists from the Blood Flame Cult, the Ten Perfection Sect, and the Tang Clan are there? And how many family members? Our Lightning Genius brought along the Mount Dianqing Sect's martial artists to delay rumors and to ensure our safe return. Isn't that right?"

She smiled gently and asked, nodding toward Jung Yeonshin.

The boy, leaning silently against a tree like the Fortress Lord, gave a small nod. Wu Yu-xiang's smile deepened.

"You've done well as the acting leader. We're grateful. Thank you for guiding us safely to Yangyang and for ensuring we reached the Lord. Truly remarkable."

"..."

"When you officially join the black rank, it'll be harder to speak so freely. So I'm expressing my gratitude now."

Her words were filled with genuine warmth.

The seniors nearby nodded in agreement.

Compliments soon followed—comments about his exceptional potential as a new black rank, observations that he had stood out since his initiation under Radiant Demon Squad, and remarks about how intimidating he was when challenging Pure Demon Alliance's Leader.

"I'm looking forward to the Black Rank Promotion Ceremony. It's a rare, grand event in the fortress."

Chung Myung, who had loosened his headscarf, sat lazily on a tree branch.

Leaning casually amidst sunlit leaves, he didn't look like someone recovering from injuries.

The renowned swordsman, who had guided the boy during his white rank days, flashed his signature dazzling smile.

It was his way of showing pride.

Even among the fortress' martial artists, ties of gratitude formed.

Now was the time to acknowledge debts and express intentions of repayment.

The high-ranking masters of Desolate Fortress, once towering figures above Jung Yeonshin when he was merely the third young master of the Jung clan, now figuratively placed him above themselves.

Though invisible, it was something he could feel.

It was separate from the uncertain future of Lightning Genius's martial lineage.

Radiant Demon Squad's seniors were beginning to accept the transition of leadership.

It was the most important matter.

"The air is suffocating." 

Flame Dragon muttered, glancing briefly at the expressionless acting leader.

For a moment, Jung Yeonshin sensed a hint of envy in his voice but didn't question it. He already understood.

The boy, too, occasionally imagined it.

Dying alone after living the life granted by heaven, without anyone to mourn him.

Suppressing the familiar thoughts, Jung Yeonshin looked around.

The scenery he had helped shape came into view.

A wide clearing in the forest near Yangyang.

Masters of the fortress stood atop high branches with their arms crossed or sat leisurely in scattered spots.

"..."

The brief silence didn't feel awkward.

Bright sunlight filled the surrounding leaves with vivid green, as if painted by a skilled artist.

A breeze swept through, binding together the masters—not warriors or officials but something beyond.

The birth of the new Black Rank Leader had already occurred, even before returning to the fortress.

No one in the fortress knew, but it happened faster than anything else.

* * *

They arrived at Nanzhang, located at the outskirts of Yangyang.

It was a thriving city, greatly developed by the local magistrate and district head.

Well-paved yellow roads stretched in all directions, and the walls of neat buildings echoed with the sounds of hawkers and merchants.

With the Fortress' Lord present, they required appropriate lodging.

The government guesthouse was small, as expected of an area known for its honest officials.

As they neared Desolate Fortress, this became increasingly apparent. Jung Yeonshin relied on the expertise of Crimson Noon Sword, as the leader of Returning Wings Squad.

A middle-aged expert in blue representing Lightning Genius' lineage, Crimson Noon Sword excelled in diplomacy.

They rented out the entire five-story pavilion of Yonghwa Inn—a structure resembling the estate of a wealthy local.

This was to accommodate the seniors in purple and the Fortress' Lord.

By tomorrow, they would reach the fortress.

Even the Radiant Demon Squad and the injured members of the Returning Wings Squad finally had a chance to rest comfortably.

"People say martial gods have descended. Heavenly maidens and divine generals are staying here."

The outside grew noisy. Dozens of people had gathered at the entrance.

"They mentioned Desolate Fortress? Someone saw the character 'Desolate'."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

Their group already drew attention. It started with Little Sword Queen, who was eager to talk to the Fortress' Lord.

Even without mentioning her fame as a swordmaster or her extraordinary looks, she attracted gazes.

So did Jung Yeonshin, Flame Dragon, Namgoong Hwashin, and even Heon Wonchang.

Their striking appearances made them stand out.

If Chung Myung hadn't remained in the carriage, it would've been even more noticeable.

"They say a fairy has descended?"

"Watch your mouth. It's the manifestation of the Jade Emperor."

"No, it's the guardian who has appeared—the Fortress Lord of Desolate Fortress."

Unparalleled beauty attracted as much attention as unparalleled martial arts.

When combined with unique status and power, it became a rare spectacle. Yet no one dared to make more of a commotion.

During this time, Jung Yeonshin stood face-to-face with the Fortress' Lord.

It was an open space located between the main building and the annex of the inn.

"Relax your body and mind. Think of it as lifting your spirit out of the chaotic world for a moment."

The Fortress' Lord's clear voice approached like a gentle breeze, softly wrapping around the boy's sharp senses.

Jung Yeonshin had been scanning the bodies of the people gathered in front of the inn using the energy of the Radiant Wheel.

Her words eased his vigilance, if only slightly.

'There doesn't seem to be anyone suspicious.'

Jung Yeonshin thought.

Vigilance had become second nature to him, honed naturally by the countless encounters with top martial artists during his journey through Sichuan.

He was always poised, like a drawn sword.

"You won't relax so easily."

The Fortress' Lord, who had been quietly observing him, shook her head slightly.

Her long hair, cascading along her elegant jawline, swayed with a green shimmer.

"It must be difficult. It's simply your nature."

"My apologies."

"It's fine."

The corners of her lips lifted slightly.

"It's because your goal lies far ahead. A master's temperament naturally softens with time, so today's lesson should help you, even if only a little."

Whenever Jung Yeonshin was alone with the Fortress' Lord, there were moments when his mind felt strangely distant.

This was one of those moments.

Her emerald-green eyes, which seemed to lay bare his very soul, were overwhelming.

She was an immortal master of unmatched skill. More than her martial level, she exuded a transcendent presence befitting the supreme figure of her clan.

Jung Yeonshin turned the Radiant Wheel within his heart.

The Radiant Wheel spun within him, circulating internal energy throughout his body.

The spiritual power of Transcending Law Radiant Wheel seeped into his heart and head. The boy barely managed to refocus his eyes.

When he took two breaths to calm himself while facing the Fortress' Lord, he saw the corners of her lips lift slightly higher.

'I didn't embarrass myself, did I?'

Jung Yeonshin briefly worried, but the Fortress' Lord spoke.

"You honed your vessel at the Jung family estate and breathed with divine techniques in Sichuan. Now, you've begun to fill it."

"The advice you gave me was immensely helpful."

The boy recalled the note the Chief Administratorr had given him just before his mission.

The Fortress Lord's handwriting still lingered vividly in his memory.

She smiled faintly.

"It's time to refine that breathing. Are you ready to accept a new sword technique?"

"Are you passing down the 'Sword of the Heart' to me?"

Jung Yeonshin answered her question with another question.

After a brief silence, she spoke.

"I know what you're thinking. You must have imagined Heart-Kill."

A legendary technique said to strike down enemies with a sword formed from one's mind—a skill of mythical proportions that existed only in rumors.

"Then...?"

"What I intend to teach you is different. You could call it a sword technique that deceives the senses. It is not a skill that cuts the heart. I created it recently, and you will be its first successor."

"A technique that deceives the senses…"

Jung Yeonshin repeated softly.

Her jade-green eyes gazed at the boy quietly. As usual, her expression barely changed.

It was as if she was asking whether he was disappointed, but Jung Yeonshin was not.

He had witnessed her destroy Pure Demon Alliance's Leader's empty void path with a single strike—a peerless sword technique.

"What is its essence? I felt nothing at that moment."

The boy asked boldly. The Fortress' Lord nodded slowly.

"It is Heocho—a technique that imprints sword strikes into your opponent's mind, intensely and vividly."

[Note- Heocho is the ability to imprint your move or strike into an opponent's mind without even physically striking.]

"How is that possible?"

"You need only act as the complete master of your energy and sword aura."

This was the Fortress Lord's teaching. It wasn't mere incomprehensible words.

"Come here."

Her lips moved.

They were already two steps apart. The boy hesitated for a moment.

Swish.

The pale-green shoes covering the Fortress Lord's feet brushed against the ground.

A supreme martial artist, one renowned as the greatest under heaven, was approaching.

The second lesson had begun.