CHAPTER 147

It was seamless.

Massive tents were erected in a circular formation in the central training ground of the main fortress.

The area was originally intended not just as a training ground but also for various ceremonies, including promotion rituals.

Hundreds of people were seated, facing the center.

"A little more to the left!"

"Lift it on three!"

"One of the stone pillars is missing. Bring a medium-sized one!"

Dozens of servants, nameless disciples, and white-robe warriors carried stones and raised massive carpets.

In Desolate Fortress, cutting and using wood was rare—a gesture of consideration for the noble lineage of the Fortress' Lord.

Constructing the site using only fabric and stone was no small task, but the nameless disciples and white-robe warriors displayed formidable strength, raising stone pillars throughout the area.

It was an impressive collaboration, faster than the labor mobilized by most government offices.

"I never thought even chores like this would resemble military work. Back when I was the family's troublemaker, I couldn't have imagined it. Amusing. No, actually, not amusing at all."

It was Flame Dragon, speaking whatever came to mind. Some members of the Radiant Demon Squad's faction had also been drafted as laborers.

Heon Wonchang glanced at him briefly.

Flame Dragon was carrying a stone pillar as large as his body.

Despite his complaints, he single-handedly accomplished the work of more than three white-robe warriors.

Walking lazily with his feet angled outward like a carefree nobleman, his balance never wavered.

"An odd way to train footwork."

Heon Wonchang, who had been watching Flame Dragon, smirked slightly.

The hero's headband tied around Desolate Fortress' Sacred Warrior's forehead was covered in dust—a sign of prolonged labor.

"It's impressive you even recognized that, senior Heon Won."

Beside him, Shin So-bin chuckled, lifting a stack of stone slabs with surprising strength.

As much as many younger martial artists cared about their appearance, she too had neatly braided hair that reached past her waist.

Unlike Heon Wonchang, she looked pristine—a sign that she excelled in energy-preserving techniques.

The three of them had been drafted as the youngest members of the Radiant Demon Squad's group.

Their age and rank made it difficult to refuse such tasks, leaving them no choice but to comply.

"You could lift more, but you're not pushing yourself. And they say you were the top young talent in Jinan."

Heon Wonchang grumbled, prompting Flame Dragon's lips to curl into a smirk.

"People only work as much as their rank demands. A sect leader must balance martial arts and reputation, but you wouldn't expect a novice disciple to even perfect the horse stance. Considering our position, the nameless disciples are already doing enough. If anything, shouldn't it be embarrassing for a white-robe warrior to underperform?"

"Are you challenging my authority?"

"Don't take a straightforward comment so personally. Stagnation can rot a sect, like my family did. I warned them that forcing commoners into labor was madness, but they treated me like a stray dog instead. Such disgraceful disregard."

"A straightforward comment?"

"A very soft one, wouldn't you say? It doesn't seem like you're anywhere near the temporary leader's level."

"So you're saying this is provocation? A nameless disciple challenging a white-robe warrior?"

Flame Dragon's sly words earned an immediate response from Heon Wonchang.

Perhaps they tacitly agreed on the matter. Flame Dragon merely raised his eyebrows slightly and parted his lips. Ah, so that's how it is.

Thud!

He drove the stone pillar into the ground and spoke again.

"Anyway, the fortress' stubborn insistence on using only stone led to all this trouble. Martial artists are supposed to refine their skills and pursue virtue, but here we are, drafted to carry materials, and no one complains. Truly bizarre."

He sounded like the heir of an old-fashioned noble family. Oddly enough, the slow tone suited him.

Shin So-bin shook her head.

"This isn't just any occasion—it's the promotion ceremony for the black rank. No matter the outcome, the ceremony itself is monumental."

"I see. So that's the fortress' stance."

"Isn't it obvious? Imagine selecting the head of the Eighteen Arhats of Shaolin or the leader of the Plum Blossom Swordmasters of Mount Hua. No, the promotion test for the main fortress' squad's leader is even more significant than that."

"Hmm."

"Where else is there a sect bigger than ours? This is bound to be one of the grandest events in the martial world. External factions are undoubtedly paying attention too."

"True enough. Still, it's strange to see warriors who are treated as elites outside acting like laborers. It's hard for me to slack off when even they aren't. Oh? That guy over there—his balance looks shaky… No, never mind. He has some decent footwork."

"The Fortress' Lord will be attending in person. Who wouldn't do their best? There isn't a single master here who doesn't admire her."

"Well, she was overwhelming when I saw her too."

Flame Dragon had grown skilled at speaking in half-muttered sentences since joining Desolate Fortress.

Perhaps his greatest improvement since entering the stronghold.

He glanced at the upper seat—the white marble chair prepared for the Fortress' Lord.

It sat atop several layers of marble steps, resembling an altar.

It had been built long ago, perfectly positioned to overlook the training ground.

Centered around the Fortress' Lord's formal seating, the area was transforming into something akin to a banquet hall for great sects.

The black rank promotion test. It foreshadowed a grand ceremony.

"Get back to work."

Shin So-bin didn't bother saying much more. Hwangbo, the young master, had a knack for staying within bounds.

Even as the cherished daughter of the Shin clan, she had little to criticize. She had likely given up.

Flame Dragon ignored her words. Instead, he asked abruptly,

"Has the Desolate Fortress' Law Enforcer(Leader of Law and Order Squad) ever lost in such tests? She rarely appears outside the martial world, so my family only knew she was powerful."

Rumors had already spread.

Since the moment the Law Enforcer's name was mentioned, interest in the match had skyrocketed. It was expected to be a rare and extraordinary duel.

"Once."

As Heon Wonchang also approached, Shin So-bin spoke.

"The current Divine Sword Squad Leader defeated her. Aside from that, she's undefeated. The leaders of Obeying Heaven Squad and Heavenly Squad both lost to her and took considerable time before challenging others again."

"She must be incredibly strong. Heavenly Squad's leader is an exceptional swordsman I've seen before."

Flame Dragon stroked his chin.

"Of course. All squad leaders are exceptional. Even among the Black, there are high-level experts, but they're beyond our reach. More importantly…"

"There's more?"

"The very nature of the Leader of Law and Order Squad is the problem. She supposedly knows the techniques of all martial artists in the fortress. She has to, to easily subdue those who break the law."

"Like my family's judicial office. It was terrifying."

"The Law Enforcer has it all—beauty, character, martial skills, and counter-technique mastery. She's an idol for female martial artists here. Even Miryeo Senior wouldn't deny that."

Shin So-bin's focus seemed to waver momentarily, as if she were lost in thought.

Watching her, Flame Dragon shook his head slightly. The heirs of noble families were always eccentric.

"So, you're saying the temporary leader's chances aren't high?"

"That's hard to say. For reasons I can't share."

Her eyes sharpened again.

"Do you and Jung have a secret?"

"Senior Lightning Genius said so."

Shin Sobin murmured,

"Revealing the martial arts technique wasn't just about accumulating merits. It's because he's hoping for a countermeasure to emerge."

"Of course. That makes sense. Even I've heard about it."

Heon Wonchang turned away, his steps light and without hesitation.

The way he walked, unburdened and carefree, was fitting for someone who had declared himself Jung Yeonshin's devoted companion.

Only Flame Dragon remained, intent on hearing her explanation.

"Hoping for it? Why?"

"I'm not going to tell you."

Shin So-bin tilted her head coyly, her tone deliberately teasing as she slightly twisted her lips into a faint smirk.

Flame Dragon chuckled dryly, as though bemused by her playful act of pretending to lord over him.

Boom! Thud!

Time passed amidst their banter. Slowly, the venue for the ascension ceremony began to take shape.

Rather than using one of the many dedicated platforms in the vast fortress, the central training grounds were being meticulously prepared—a far more cumbersome process.

There was clearly a specific reason behind the choice.

The symbolism of a Black-tier master was that significant.

A sword entrusted with the mission of traversing the vast Central Plains.

It was a position that required the bearer to fully shoulder the responsibility of leading an elite group from the great sects.

The General Affairs Bureau proceeded with preparations at an astonishing speed. After all, they had practically lost two of their greatest Purple-tier masters.

A grand ceremony was an excellent means to draw the attention of countless martial artists and boost morale, thus creating an unprecedentedly large promotion ceremony.

Beneath the combat stage.

Hundreds had already taken their seats. A tremendous sense of pressure tightened the air in the ceremony hall.

The space was filled with excitement, curiosity, and tension.

The massive circular tents alone evoked the grandeur of royal ceremonies.

Sharply honed martial artists, meticulously dressed servants, artisans flaunting their craftsmanship, and various guests invited as spectators.

Naturally, it was incredibly noisy.

"Hup—! Hah—!"

At the center of the combat stage, a sword dance was heating up the pre-ceremony atmosphere.

About a dozen swords moved in perfect unison, tracing graceful arcs.

On one side, musicians residing in the main fortress played instruments and sang songs.

Verses praising the valor of warriors flowed in beautiful melodies, harmonizing with the sword dance.

However, the martial artists were too busy discussing to be attentive.

"If there's one defining trait of Lightning Genius' martial style, it's flow. The techniques aren't drawn out, but they're powerful."

"That matches what I observed. The strikes were brief and relied heavily on instinct to time their execution."

"It didn't seem focused on maintaining a continuous flow. Instead, it emphasized raw power."

"It's a style specialized for quick duels. Every technique is fast, almost as if it's being chased by something…"

"Exactly. They're all short bursts. Strong at the moment, but…"

"There's a clear weakness. Against a master, there are two things to keep in mind—don't prolong the exchanges, and don't give them time to adapt to the style."

"It's vulnerable to being disrupted. You'd have to overcome it with improvisation. It seems he've managed so far, though."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached the Black-tier promotion. It means they've seized decisive moments in every life-and-death battle. Without extraordinary instincts, that's impossible."

Sharp insights flickered through the crowd.

Not only the Blue-tier masters but also the rare Black-tier grandmasters discussed martial techniques.

Most of the senior martial artists in the stronghold dedicated their lives to protecting commoners and honing their martial arts. Events as intriguing as this were rare.

How advanced was Lightning Genius' martial art? Could it stand against the Law Enforcer's techniques, which included counter-strategy training?

Would a new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad emerge today?

It was the hottest topic. No one present could ignore it.

Even the elder masters, who had been indifferent to past Blue-tier ceremonies, showed up in large numbers.

"They're arriving early."

Annihilation Squad's leader muttered suddenly, seated near the bottom of the wide staircase leading to the upper seats. He was staring into the sky.

A slender figure was blocking the sun, growing larger as it elegantly descended with arms outstretched.

The sight of someone gliding through the air with such refined energy control didn't seem human—it evoked images of beings capable of skywalking.

Flap—!

With the sound of a black robe fluttering, the figure landed in the center of the combat stage.

The musicians and performers froze in place.

An exquisitely dressed noblewoman stepped lightly onto the marble floor.

Swish.

Her long, jet-black robe swept the ground like a palace curtain. The Law Enforcer was the first to appear.

The Black-tier leaders wore distinct uniforms tailored to their preferences.

Rumor had it that the Law Enforcer, who deeply revered the Fortress' Lord, requested her robe to be only slightly shorter than the Lord's.

It was the longest robe among the seventeen leaders.

"Oh."

A short exclamation escaped Heon Wonchang. Seated humbly in a corner due to his low rank, he quickly covered his mouth.

The appearance of a master who embodied the full legacy of her clan's martial knowledge. Silence fell instantly.

No one in the fortress dared to risk offending the Law Enforcer—not even the elders.

"..."

A moment of stillness lingered. Even the blazing sunlight seemed to freeze.

And then—

Step.

A boy in a blue robe slowly ascended the steps.

A path formed naturally as the performers withdrew.

Jung Yeonshin adjusted the hem of his blue sleeves and stepped onto the stage.

He wore two swords at his waist, just as he always did.

"Ha."

This time, it was Shin So-bin.

Jung Yeonshin had purified himself and composed his mind and spirit. He looked immaculate.

On the combat stage.

He appeared like a character from legend—a young swordsman.

His striking features, inherited from his parents, began to shine through at this stage of growth.

His slightly melancholic eyes, paired with sharply arched eyebrows and a straight, elegant nose, stood out.

Facing the Law Enforcer, whose rare beauty as a noblewoman was well-known, his figure was equally remarkable.

Jung Yeonshin briefly gazed at her before slowly turning his head.

"You need not observe formalities."

Before the boy could speak, a clear, resonant voice flowed out first.

At the edge of the inner fortress roof, the rising sun continued its ascent.

Beneath the shade of a thick cedar tree stood a marble seat.

The pure white sunlight glinted through the shadows and reflected faintly off the Fortress' Lord's hair, shimmering like green leaves.

Reclining with her legs crossed, the breathtakingly beautiful woman opened her eyes.

Her long lashes lifted, revealing deep green pupils.

"Save formalities for when you don the black robes. You may begin the duel now."

Her gaze, as she looked down, was profound. The Fortress' Lord's eyes remained unfathomable.

They seemed to ensnare the boy's upward gaze.

Swish.

Meanwhile, the Law Enforcer was already kneeling briefly before rising.

Unlike other nobles, her eyes were pure black. She turned her gaze toward Jung Yeonshin.

Her dark pupils were cold—not from emotion, but rather from detached composure.

She showed no particular interest in the boy, maintaining an air of indifference.

'A swordmaster of unyielding discipline.'

Jung Yeonshin thought as he met her gaze.

The very essence of a swordsman's virtue resided within her—a calm, mirror-like clarity.

"..."

Without a word, the two masters faced each other.

The duel began immediately.

Neither side saw the need for lengthy introductions.

Silence followed.

The air between them danced incessantly. The dry wind turned sharper.

The ground began to scrape as their auras stirred. It was a battle of those capable of unleashing force without even drawing their swords.

A clash between masters of the black tier.

Boom!

Suddenly, a powerful step echoed. It was Jung Yeonshin's footfall.

He drew the Desolate Sword from his waist.

As the white blade rose, distorting the sunlight, the Law Enforcer was already striking.

Clang—!

Jung Yeonshin's sword shattered instantly. It was a completely different level.

His trusted blade, which had accompanied him since his initiation, was destroyed in a single exchange.

Yet the boy did not flinch.

He reached toward the fragments of his fallen sword.

Light scattered like petals as his palm moved.

The beams of sunlight refracted in streaks, and divine techniques began unfolding from the very start of the duel.

Ring—!

In an instant, petals of light enveloped the Law Enforcer's entire body.

Many of the observing masters jumped to their feet.