CHAPTER 146

A few people let out brief laughs at Heon Wonchang's words, who stood escorting Jung Yeonshin.

However, most of them simply exhaled quietly and let it pass.

That was how the black-robed masters were. Even the six masters seated as the leaders' guards did not move their lips.

They simply gazed at Heon Wonchang silently.

Just as Jung Yeonshin had brought him along, the martial artists standing by the Squad leaders' side as escorts exuded a uniformly heavy presence.

"Ahaha!"

Only the girl sitting near the empty seat of honor laughed without restraint.

She held the spear propped against the armrest of her seat, shaking her hair tied in a single braid this way and that.

There was no malice in her laughter. It merely seemed that she found the situation amusing.

'Senior Ak.'

It was a familiar face even to Jung Yeonshin.

Desolate Divine Spear Ak Surim, vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad's Divine Sword Unit.

She had briefly fought alongside him during the match against the Namgoong clan.

It was said that a certain level of internal cultivation could reach the peak state of 'refined as a furnace,' allowing one to reverse the flow of age in their body.

The girl, who appeared to be Jung Yeonshin's peer in age, was clear proof of immense martial strength. She was a master who had achieved the art of reversing aging.

"That guy, he's so funny! Dressed in white but so bold! He'd make a good aide for Lightning Genius, who challenged Azure Qilin to a duel. Hey, Do-un, when was the last time you were treated like this?"

She said this while gesturing with her slender finger toward her eyes. It was a world short on amusement, and it seemed she had laughed so much that she nearly shed tears.

"That should be enough."

Obeying Heaven Squad Leader Ha Do-un spoke.

His expression changed for a brief moment but quickly returned to calm.

A renowned swordsman's composure was like a clear and still pond.

Given that his swordsmanship was said to rival that of Radiant Demon Squad Leader, it was only natural that his mental fortitude matched his level of martial cultivation.

Despite his sharp disposition, his mind was solid.

'Obeying Heaven Squad Leader… He noticed me. He's an incredibly strong master.'

The boy thought to himself.

The black-robed figures were indeed different. With just a glance and a sense of energy, they seemed to guess the origin of his techniques.

It was the Lord's heocho technique—something to be handled with care. It was not a sword technique that benefited from being widely known.

Jung Yeonshin steadied the momentary unease he had felt. He did not let it show.

He slowly walked with Heon Wonchang and sat next to Ma Jin, who had arrived earlier.

His uncle attended the gathering as the Radiant Demon Squad's Leader.

—Was that a move you learned from the Lord?

It was Ma Jin's transmitted voice.

—It seems like a technique that facilitates energy manipulation. Quite advanced. You managed to draw that level of reaction from a master like Obeying Heaven Squad's Leader.

—It's incomplete.

Jung Yeonshin gave a brief response.

He had been quite surprised when the feint technique successfully executed the flow of energy.

He had only started learning it yesterday. The opponent had also been a high-level master in black.

He had not expected success. It had to be considered a stroke of luck.

It still did not seem very useful. Ha Do-un's reaction had been too brief.

'It's hard to use in actual combat.'

Even if the technique was executed properly, it would be difficult to apply. The opponent's immersion was insufficient for it to be a true feint.

With the level of focus Jung Yeonshin had devoted, he might as well have attacked with another decisive technique during a duel.

'I can't end up like Beiming Sword in the past. That was a vicious cycle. I kept relying on my familiar Desolate Sword and fell behind.'

He resolved to devote time to training.

"Anyway…"

Ak Surim spoke up.

There was still a faint smile at the corners of her lips, and her eyes, as she looked at the boy, seemed to sparkle with slight amusement.

"Ma Jin's recommendation to name you as the next Radiant Demon Squad's Leader has been accepted. If it weren't for you, Chung Myung, the Azure-Eye Demonic Swordsman would've been the likely choice. But I heard he conceded without even competing."

The surprising statement flowed out from her smiling lips.

Jung Yeonshin remained silent for a moment.

He hadn't expected such discussions to have taken place. Chung Myung was Radiant Demon Squad's top swordsman.

He was more than capable of being considered for the next leadership. His accumulated years and reputation were unmatched compared to Jung Yeonshin.

There wasn't much reason to overthink it.

The boy bowed his head slightly. Chung Myung knew his own limitations. Naturally, it weighed on his mind.

'What can I offer to my seniors?'

The slight lowering of his eyelids conveyed a mix of gratitude and self-reproach.

The six leaders and their six martial escorts quietly observed the boy for a moment.

They had all lived long as the swords of Desolate Fortress in the center of Jianghu.

Their expressions showed a variety of emotions—curiosity, interest, indifference, boredom...

"Your accomplishments and character have already been approved directly by the Divine Sword Squad Leader. It seems he even made personal inquiries to those who've carried out missions with you. That sly snake moves fast. Now, all that's left is to prove your strength before the people of the fortress."

Ak Surim said. The boy nodded.

"I understand."

"Good. But there's one more thing. Black-level duels are different from those of lower ranks."

"What do you mean?"

"It's not a match between equals. As a blue rank, you need to be acknowledged by the squad leaders. Your martial cultivation must be proven. In front of everyone, someone of black rank will face you."

"I know."

"That's why you were invited to this gathering despite not being a leader yet. They've been gathering volunteers for a match, and everyone unanimously agreed they wanted to see you. They want to see how well your body has been tempered, what kind of martial arts you've cultivated, and how much you've grown if they know you already."

Clang—

Ak Surim flicked the shaft of her spear with her fingers.

She gestured with her chin toward the six leaders sitting around the hall.

"They're all the kind who won't bother unless something interests them."

The boy's eyes followed her slight movement of the chin.

The lean swordsman was the leader of Heavenly Squad, and the sharp-eyed, gaunt middle-aged man was the leader of Annihilation Squad.

Jung Yeonshin had already encountered them several times, though this was his first time seeing them since the mission at the Hwangbo clan.

The way they looked at the boy was peculiar. Both seemed to sense his refined cultivation and recent progress through his aura.

"Personal feelings of the Obeying Heaven Squad Leader are irrelevant."

The leader of the Annihilation Squad spoke.

"He personally oversaw Lightning Genius' promotion to blue rank. It's only fitting that he sees it through to the end. I will stand in for the other leaders and take on this task."

He declared that he would be the one to face Jung Yeonshin.

Three seats down, the leader of Heavenly Squad opened his mouth.

"This junior will speak. The leader of Annihilation Squad should rest after returning from a mission."

"Hm."

"This Han contributed to Lightning Genius's development. During his initiation, he overcame a trial through Radiant Demon Squad Leader, but I never expected him to cultivate such remarkable martial arts."

"State your true intentions, Heavenly Squad Leader."

"I wish to spare the senior's efforts. Since I personally aided in his foundation, I believe it is my duty to confirm whether Lightning Genius' martial arts are sound."

"I heard about this before. Didn't you lose a bet to Ma Jin? That's all it was, as far as I know."

"...."

Taking it upon themselves, they wished to duel the boy.

Heavenly Squad Leader and Annihilation Squad Leader.

They were the ones who, along with Ma Jin, annihilated the Hwangbo clan.

Though their refined manner of speech disguised their ambition, it did not come across as amusing. Instead, Jung Yeonshin felt bewildered.

'What is this?'

While the tempestuous youth muttered inwardly—

"I'd prefer we wrap this up quickly. This isn't something that should drag on for so long."

A noblewoman, sitting upright in the corner, spoke.

Her long, jet-black hair flowed down her back, and sharp, blade-like ears rose above it.

Her elegant features paired well with her calm expression.

She had remained silent, maintaining an air of indifference throughout, but Jung Yeonshin knew who she was.

'The Leader of Law and Order Squad.'

She bore the same unchanging appearance as the first portrait he had seen when entering the Radiant Demon Squad.

She was the leader of the Law and Order Squad, which executed the laws of Desolate Fortress.

It was said she was close to no one, revered within the fortress.

'I heard it's impossible to count the number of people she's arrested.'

No martial artist within the fortress liked the Law and Order Squad or its leader.

They were regarded the same way orthodox martial artists viewed the enforcers of justice.

While her upright nature and impeccable swordsmanship commanded respect, the role she had devoted herself to drew aversion. It was inevitable.

The Leader of Law and Order Squad slowly parted her lips.

"If you're so eager to exchange blows, then request a private duel. The Obeying Heaven Squad Leader should also refrain from involving himself further. Once may be excused as a mistake, but if such actions are repeated here in the Main Hall, I'll have no choice but to arrest you and bring you in as protocol dictates."

She spoke firmly.

Ha Do-un's hand, which had been fidgeting with the hilt of his sword while staring at Jung Yeonshin, froze.

It seemed he had intended to intervene in the argument between the Heavenly Squad Leader and the Annihilation Squad Leader.

"Uh…"

Obeying Heaven Squad Leader Ha Do-un opened his mouth but quickly shut it again.

"Words that block the discussion itself are no better."

"To receive and respond to the refined martial skills of a junior before the gathered martial artists of the fortress is an honorable act. Be understanding."

The Heavenly Squad Leader and the Annihilation Squad Leader spoke calmly.

Thump.

Ak Surim tapped the armrest of her chair with her index finger. It rang out as though imbued with internal energy.

The sound spread widely, as if the armrest were hollow, bringing silence to the hall.

As expected of a top master and the leading candidate to become the next leader of the Divine Sword Squad, she effortlessly took control of the gathering.

She opened her lips again.

"It seems the three of you are all connected to Lightning Genius in some way. Whether directly or indirectly. Obeying Heaven Squad Leader leans a bit toward the bad end of that connection. Well, even I would be tempted if it were the White Qilin we were talking about."

"..."

"All of you, step back. No personal feelings should be involved in the promotion ceremony. That applies to Ma Jin and myself as well. Even if it was just once, we've carried out a mission together. The Leader of the Law and Order Squad will handle it."

"I accept."

The Leader of the Law and Order Squad responded immediately.

Her refined face showed no trace of emotion. She appeared to have no particular interest in Jung Yeonshin.

She seemed to be that type of person by nature.

Her expression was so devoid of feeling that Ak Surim appeared to find her the most suitable candidate.

It was a decision that anyone could see was fair.

None of the leaders objected, not even Obeying Heaven Squad Leader Ha Do-un, who slowly nodded.

"Resolve your grudges as a leader, after the day you become one."

He spoke while looking at Jung Yeonshin. The boy silently gave a slight nod and then turned to face the Leader of Law and Order Squad.

She was already the first to stand, sword in hand.

Without looking back even once, she walked out, her ebony hair swaying indifferently.

"This is bad."

Ma Jin muttered beside him. Jung Yeonshin turned his gaze toward him.

Now speaking entirely as an uncle, Ma Jin's words flowed easily.

"Why?"

"The Law and Order Squad deals with martial artists of the fortress. They have the authority to freely access all levels of the Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal. It's for the purpose of analyzing and breaking down the techniques of the fortress."

"So?"

"I heard your martial arts were recently classified as upper-level. They're now regarded as advanced techniques that lower-tier martial artists can't learn. Techniques like Splendid Wings Step, Limit Releasing Technique, Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm, Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, and Radiance Sword Style—all manuals that can rival those of Jianghu's finest. The Law and Order Squad must have studied them thoroughly."

"Ah…"

A soft gasp escaped the boy's lips. His voice carried a slightly dazed tone.

Ma Jin, whose scarred face bore traces of worry, turned to Jung Yeonshin and flinched.

Even Heon Wonchang, who had been leaning slightly toward the boy after hearing the words of the leader still known as Radiant Demon Squad Leader, reacted the same way.

"Leader, your nephew is smiling?"

Heon Wonchang said.