CHAPTER 202

'If he died from opium clogging his throat, that'd be a disgraceful way to go.' 

Jung Yeonshin thought.

Lazy Flame Dragon had always been half out of his mind. He treated opium like air and enjoyed drinking on top of it.

The shadow beneath his eyes had deepened compared to before, but the words he had uttered in front of Hanzhong's top tavern weren't an exaggeration to Jung Yeonshin.

They called him the Flower Prince who had mastered all kinds of pleasures. There was no way he was sane.

Jung Yeonshin didn't bother paying attention to his strange behavior. Instead, he exchanged a knowing look with his reliable senior, Ak Surim.

Desolate Divine Spear did not react the same way. Her pupils rolled upward like jade marbles, as if she was struggling to think of something to say.

She appeared to be lost in deep contemplation.

Jung Yeonshin wondered if he had unexpectedly touched upon a blind spot. He couldn't have imagined she was simply hiding her embarrassment.

'Did I give her some insight?'

Essence, Energy, Spirit.

What becomes of the mind of a master who has reached Pure Refinement and attained Rejuvenation ?

It was not an easy question for anyone to answer. The realm of Essence-Energy-Spirit Unification , also known as Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, was said to be highly mystical.

Ma Jin had once told him that to achieve this, one must unify body and mind with inner energy and pass through the three dantian points: lower, middle, and upper.

'I need to reach that realm too.'

It was a serious thought.

The newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad held his position without possessing internal energy sufficient to match a true expert in black-level power.

This was thanks to his mastery of the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel, his innate instincts, and martial techniques perfectly suited to his body.

Both enemies and seniors were often shocked by him. The state of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown was profound and rare in the world.

It was naturally not a topic often contemplated.

So, why had Desolate Divine Spear, Ak Surim's demeanor lightened? Was her mind following her body?

What happens to essence, energy, and spirit when Rejuvenation is achieved in the state of Three Flowers Gathering? The thoughts swirling in Jung Yeonshin's mind only became more difficult to untangle.

"…No one knows that." 

Ak Surim finally said after a long pause, her calm gaze noticeably lowered.

Her young junior had pointed out behavior unfitting for someone of her seniority. Her barely concealed frustration made her seem even less her age.

Her small fist was clenched tightly, with veins bulging across the back of her hand.

Jung Yeonshin thought to himself, 'She's had some kind of epiphany.'

As he quietly listened, the laughter of Xiahou Wei-jin, the leader of the Forest Striding Squad, echoed in the background, accompanied by loud banter.

"This is interesting. You don't understand provocation, huh?"

"Pure Refinement and Rejuvenation don't come just because you're strong." 

Ak Surim said slowly, her tone somewhat restrained.

Jung Yeonshin, slightly encouraged, nodded. 

"I'm aware of that."

"It's fate, a form of heavenly luck. It's not something that can be achieved just through high-level martial arts."

"Then…?"

"There's a sense of perfect balance that comes when essence, energy, and spirit are precisely aligned. Those who cultivate this deeply acquire unique characteristics, and it just so happens that the ability I gained was Rejuvenation. As for the leader of the Divine Sword Squad, he became adept at wielding the Formless Sword."

Jung Yeonshin's eyes widened slightly. This was new information to him.

'So the senses remain applicable even after Three Flowers Gathering is achieved.'

He recalled the leader of the Divine Sword Squad's internal energy blade.

That was divine power.

The sight of him drawing a radiant sword to annihilate the Namgoong Clan Leader still burned vividly in Jung Yeonshin's memory. The Formless Sword, composed of seven-colored light, had seemed like the manifestation of a transcendent being's authority.

The martial prowess of an absolute master who had refined his energy to the extreme was truly mystifying.

Ak Surim watched Jung Yeonshin's contemplative face in silence.

"Let's go back to your question, does Rejuvenation affect the mind?"

"Yes, senior." 

He replied.

"Isn't that obvious? You've turned back time through heavenly luck. If you live like an old man in a youthful body, wouldn't that be more ridiculous? No one's ever complained when I decided to enjoy myself. The ones who did are no longer around."

Ak Surim chuckled with the face of a young girl, brushing her short black hair behind her ear.

She had regained her composure completely. Behind her, the sunlight gleamed sharply off the tip of her white-bladed spear.

'So she was being willful.' 

Jung Yeonshin thought. 

People said the martial world was full of eccentrics, and it seemed Desolate Divine Spear Ak Surim was one of them.

But she was different from his maternal grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok. There was no need to worry about her.

If anything, it was his grandfather who should hope to acquire a new Rejuvenation ability.

"Thank you for your advice. It's been very helpful." 

He said as he walked alongside her, offering a brief bow. Topics like Three Flowers Gathering and Rejuvenation were rarely encountered even in the martial world.

This was a conversation they could only have had as senior and junior within the Desolate Fortress. Even if it didn't provide immediate benefits, it was valuable knowledge from the realm of secret arts.

"There's no need for thanks. It wasn't much." 

She said, shaking her head. Her sleek black hair rippled with her small head movements.

"I just wish there were more Lightning Geniuses below me. I would've liked to collaborate with one of them." 

Ak Surim murmured to herself.

* * *

At a relay station in Hanzhong, they obtained horses. The relay station in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, was large due to its strategic location connecting Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Huguang.

By flashing the Desolate Fortress insignia, they managed to borrow over thirty fine horses, despite the station keeper dozing off.

Everyone mounted up. Jung Yeonshin's group, along with Ak Surim, Xiahou Wei-jin, and the warriors of the Forest Striding Squad, prepared to depart.

Each had completed their missions of escort and protection.

And so, their journey continued.

Clop, clop, clop—

Hooves pounded on fallen leaves, echoing through the air.

The group raced on, even with their fine steeds. The world was vast.

Even though the distance from Hanzhong to the Desolate Fortress in Yangyang was relatively short, they still had to pass under the moonlight many times.

During this time, Jung Yeonshin bonded with the warriors of the Forest Striding Squad.

They were as brave as their leader, Xiahou Wei-jin.

Their name, Forest Striding Squad, literally meant 'trampling through the forest', a reference to their role in carving a path through the martial world. Their dedication to the Desolate Fortress was engraved into their very beings.

Thanks to Heon Wonchang, who had admired them even before entering the fortress, establishing camaraderie was easy. The sacred hero of the Desolate Fortress acted as a bridge between the two sides.

"That time, this Heon Wonchang shouted, 'Jung Yeonshin of the Desolate Fortress has severed the head of a Tyrant Sword Tribe elder!'"

"So the rumors were true. I couldn't believe someone with a white-rank status could accomplish such a feat."

"With talent like that, it's no surprise he's now the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad."

They stopped their horses and gathered in a clearing, where a large bonfire roared.

Because the group consisted of high-level martial artists, the firewood was piled as high as an average man.

Crack, snap.

Sparks occasionally burst, dancing under the moonlight. In this dimly lit night, they were closing in on Yangyang.

They had been traveling for over eight days. After eight nights of constant movement, they were set to arrive at the Desolate Fortress tomorrow.

"Lightning Genius has a lot to do, huh? You're going to be swamped with work as soon as you return." 

Ak Surim said, resting her spear horizontally on her thighs as she sat cross-legged.

The spear's gleaming blade flickered with the light of the roaring fire.

She continued, 

"Reorganizing the members won't be easy. The martial units under the Divine Sword Squad are akin to the elite forces of a major sect. Changing the leader is almost like replacing the sect leader. You'll have to establish new rules that suit you, refine the squad's martial arts, and train your subordinates to achieve new levels of mastery."

"Yes, I'm aware of that." 

Jung Yeonshin responded, sitting with his back straight. 

Lazy Flame Dragon and Namgoong Hwashin flanked him on either side, with Lady Ye and Zhuge Qing-ya seated behind them.

Occasionally, he felt the weight of a gaze on the back of his head—a subtle, lingering presence. It wasn't Zhuge Qing-ya's but Lady Ye's stare.

Unlike when they were having a private conversation, her words were noticeably fewer, and the increasingly dense energy fluctuations seemed to affect only Jung Yeonshin. Was she being shy?

Jung Yeonshin opened his mouth without making it obvious.

"The reorganization of personnel is an issue. We need more blue-ranked masters to maintain the strength of the martial force…"

His words trailed off.

The Returning Wings Squad had long since disbanded after reaching Sichuan Province. Its members had returned to their respective units to carry out their duties.

Even if they had voluntarily joined the expedition to Sichuan as a courtesy to the Lightning Genius Division, transferring them to another unit was a different matter altogether.

It required not only their consent but also the agreement of the squad leaders.

Ak Surim smiled softly.

"You can challenge the squad leaders to martial duels. Like in the Murim Alliance's Opening Tournament.You showcase your martial skills and take whoever you want. I bet the main fortress is already preparing for such a tournament."

"I've heard of it before, but do I really have to defeat seniors to recruit subordinates?"

Jung Yeonshin thought of the gathering place for black-level masters.

Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall. The stone chairs surrounding the circular table were occupied by none but highly skilled individuals.

It was a reminder of the fortress' status as the strongest sect in the martial world.

'A battle against the seventeen division leaders of the Divine Sword Squad.'

It was a dream many martial artists longed for. But what if there were stakes involved in that battle?

All of them were peak-level masters who had achieved Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

'I've developed a sword art worthy of divine techniques, so I shouldn't be at the bottom anymore. Even if I win against just two or three, that would help greatly. I could bring in four or five blue-ranked masters.'

Jung Yeonshin thought.

The newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad had only recently been a blue-ranked master in the Desolate Fortress. He knew the martial prowess of those clad in blue robes.

They were fighters who rivaled the elite of the great sects.

'In the future, I'll have to manage an entire sect on my own.'

Be it the Thirteen Celestial Demons or the Eight Great Clans, he would face their elite forces, whether or not they directly invaded the main fortress.

It was fine. If he achieved his goal, he would gain strength befitting his position, enough to stand against any group. With the right masters of Radiant Demon Squad behind him, his breakthrough would be beyond imagination.

Then, he would truly become a protector of the people, guarding them from the dangers of the martial world.

"A bold junior, huh? I can see right through you." 

Xiahou Wei-jin, sprawled lazily across from him, said with a wide, toothy grin.

He looked like a ferocious beast. Watching Jung Yeonshin offer him a respectful bow, he added,

"Some of those guys already belong to your Lightning Genius' lineage. But if you want to take them, be ready. If you can't endure even three moves, I'll have them overhaul their martial arts."

Among the thirty or so masters of the Forest Striding Squad, three chuckled awkwardly, one blue-ranked and two white-ranked.

They weren't ordinary fighters; their refined energy was evident. One of the white-robed warriors had accompanied them all the way to the City of Master Craftsmen as a member of the Returning Wings Squad.

"Don't get your hopes up. Do you think I'd let them go that easily?" 

Xiahou Wei-jin scoffed.

He said that if it weren't for their current return journey, he would've fought them right then and there.

The Thousand Fist Dragon Force Minister was extremely proud of his squad and was known for treating non-squad members harshly.

His attitude toward Jung Yeonshin, however, was unexpectedly lenient.

That was because he had witnessed firsthand the feats the new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad had accomplished during the mission.

As a result, the journey had been peaceful.

Even as the sun rose, and they passed through the gates of Yangyang to arrive at the main fortress of the Desolate Fortress, that peace remained.

Jung Yeonshin gripped the reins and spurred his horse forward.

A few maple leaves brushed against his face, carried by the clear autumn breeze. The familiar scent clung to the wind, evoking memories of home.

Ahead, the towering white walls of the fortress drew near.

Desolate Fortress.

He had finally returned.

* * *

Ak Surim and Xiahou Wei-jin paid little attention to the other members of the delegation. Throughout the return journey, the two squad leaders spoke mainly with Jung Yeonshin.

Even after they passed through the main gate, leaving their subordinates behind, they continued walking alongside him.

"Squad leaders must report back upon return. After completing a mission, we always meet with the Lord of the Fortress."

Side by side with Ak Surim, Jung Yeonshin headed toward the inner fortress.

He didn't even have time to savor the familiar scent of the fortress. Behind him, the usually heavy footsteps of Xiahou Wei-jin had become cautious.

Zhuge Qing-ya was similarly silent, while only Lady Ye's light footsteps made soft sounds as they moved forward.

There were three known black-ranked masters. Despite entering with outsiders, the guards at the entrance to the inner fortress didn't stop them.

They only glanced briefly at Jung Yeonshin with curious and admiring eyes, something he had been told to expect as a new squad leader.

"You'd be surprised how much your influence has spread." 

Ak Surim said with a smile.

Step.

The five of them climbed the stairs. By the time they reached the ascending steps, no one spoke.

After climbing over a hundred steps, they finally arrived at the top.

In front of them was a large stone door, which opened on its own as they approached. The sight had become somewhat familiar to Jung Yeonshin.

Creak, creak.

A breathtaking scene unfolded before them.

Ancient tree trunks twisted and intertwined naturally, forming desks, tea tables, and beds.

Sunlight poured through a wide, open wall, its radiance as clear as glass. Within that light, a woman lay reclining, her figure captured in his gaze.

She had a beauty that symbolized immortality, and her eyes seemed to hold the principles of all creation.

Whoosh—

The wind blew gently from outside, brushing softly against Jung Yeonshin's skin.

However, the long, pale green hair spilling across the wooden bed remained unmoving.

The hair of the Lord of Desolate Fortress carried its usual dignified stillness.

Her long lashes curled upward, casting leaf-like shadows that shimmered with radiant light.

"…."

Her deep green eyes, capable of suppressing even one's soul, turned toward Lady Ye.

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