CHAPTER 204

"Huu—"

A sigh escaped from Xiahou Wei-Jin's lips, sounding almost like a breath of exasperation.

His large waist bent backward.

The leader of the Forest Striding Squad showed no interest in the book Jung Yeonshin had pulled out. Kneeling on one knee, he kept his gaze fixed solely on the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.

As if the curve of her lips was an unparalleled spectacle in the world.

"...?"

Ak Surim, standing next to him, slightly raised an eyebrow. Her pitch-black pupils shifted from above to the side.

Her gaze alternated between the Desolate Fortress' Lord and the title 'Comprehensive Overview of Destruction'. With keen eyes, she seemed to be guessing the mood of the Fortress' Lord and the meaning behind the title.

Neither of the two masters clad in black could hide their surprise.

Jung Yeonshin, silently gripping the book, was perplexed. Just how rare was it for the Fortress' Lord to smile like this?

'She's always smiled kindly since the first time we met.'

The newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad quickly brushed off his doubt, thinking there must be another reason.

He paid no attention to his seniors in black and simply raised the Comprehensive Overview slightly higher.

Simultaneously, the book floated on its own.

It was a mysterious sight. They called it Void Grasp, a level of mastery that allowed one to touch objects without physically touching them.

Having refined the Sword Thunder Flash Art, Jung Yeonshin now felt a particular flow of energy.

The energy emanating from the Fortress' Lord, like a spring breeze, was gently enveloping the book.

It was a remarkably transparent sensation. Unlike the technique of Full Sky Flower Rain, this was far more natural, like an extension of one's own limbs—a true expression of internal energy mastery.

It was akin to the full-body energy manifestation he had developed with his own martial path, only far superior.

Though he had witnessed it several times before, it still sent shivers down his spine. It was as if she had no distinct acupoints within her body.

Had she refined her entire body into a single energy core? The technique with which she regulated her external energy was equally inexplicable.

It was as mystical as a tree with spiritual awareness moving its branches at will.

Perhaps she could command techniques like Full Sky Flower Rain or Sword of Heart effortlessly, even without any specific mnemonic verses.

'The higher I climb, the more I see.'

Jung Yeonshin thought this as he watched the Fortress' Lord's face skim over the title written on the book.

When he was still at the white rank, she seemed like an unapproachable absolute existence. Now, she appeared as a peerless martial master worthy of all admiration.

It was proof of how much his perspective had elevated since becoming the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

As he became acutely aware of his tremendous growth, he eagerly awaited her words. He felt the thrum of the aura wheel in tandem with his heart.

A mix of anticipation and anxiety. Sensing his feelings, the corners of the Fortress' Lord's lips lifted slightly higher.

"Comprehensive Overview of Destruction."

Her lips parted.

"Concise, yet grand."

Without a word, Jung Yeonshin lowered his gaze.

For the first time, he regretted the hastily chosen title. His thoughts scattered like dandelion seeds swept by a breeze.

Was it because his growing limbs were accompanied by an overflow of thoughts? No, it was because the person before him was the Desolate Fortress' Lord.

His lifeline. His salvation.

The one person in the world he had to impress the most.

He never imagined she would give her thoughts on the title. The name came from a technique designed to dismantle the orthodox martial arts of the orthodox factions, hence Destruction Overview.

What part of it did she find grand? If her words were literal—

'Is it the word Overview that's strange?'

Jung Yeonshin pondered. But it wasn't strange.

He quickly reasoned it out. Since it was a technique meant to dismantle the orthodox faction's martial arts (Destruction) and incorporated insights from various sects (Overview), the title fit.

Even though he had named it hastily, it didn't seem grand enough to warrant that comment.

Just as he was about to sink deeper into his thoughts—

"I understand your achievements. I don't need to read it thoroughly to get a sense. As for your decision to not ask for any specific reward…"

The Fortress' Lord quietly moved her lips.

"It is logical."

She spoke while the Comprehensive Overview floated above Jung Yeonshin's head. The book, hovering in midair, created an almost dreamlike image.

She didn't bother to ask what it contained.

She didn't even flip through its pages.

She, who could discern his potential more deeply than anyone in the world, merely smiled faintly.

She seemed to grasp the content and context of the document without needing to confirm it.

She showed no doubts about the level of the work.

"I will notify the Chief Administrator. You deserve to receive many things."

"How about this…?"

Jung Yeonshin asked cautiously, referring to the fruit of the World Tree.

The fragment she had given him before couldn't be consumed because his level of skill had been too low.

Would it be different this time? Now that he had created the Sword Thunder Flash Art?

Suppressing his anticipation, he met her gaze.

He didn't notice her extraordinary beauty, which attested to her peerless martial prowess. He simply stared at her eyes, which shimmered like gems crafted from leaves.

He didn't need any other reward. His grandfather had the Revitalization Pill, and his uncle would soon have an artificial arm.

When it came to a reward for himself, the fruit she guarded naturally came to mind.

'Even just a fragment.'

He tried to calm his mind, but it wasn't easy. Even with the radiant wheel within him, his heart pounded intensely.

The Desolate Fortress' Lord surely sensed everything. Her small smile gradually faded.

"You are breathing through a sacred technique now, so you should understand."

Her tone was gentle.

"You must cultivate your essence, energy, and spirit in harmony. I realized this after what happened between us before."

She mentioned the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

Only after unifying essence, energy, and spirit could one begin to consume the fruit.

It was a realization Jung Yeonshin had come to after reaching the black rank. At this moment, her words helped him understand it intuitively.

The divine fruit of the World Tree influenced the body, energy, and soul as one.

Practitioners who hadn't harmonized these aspects wouldn't be able to absorb its effects.

Jung Yeonshin understood.

He wasn't greatly disheartened. Suppressing expectations and avoiding disappointment was, in terms of martial arts, a level of mastery in itself.

He had been like this ever since he lived at the Jung Clan's residence. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader muttered to himself as if it were nothing. I see.

'Training will solve this.'

He saw it as part of the process, a checkpoint along the path leading to the fruit. Achieving the unification of essence, energy, and spirit was essential.

To accumulate further achievements, he would inevitably have to pass through this stage, especially if he intended to don the purple robes.

"Don't be discouraged. You'll reach it, eventually."

The Desolate Fortress' Lord spoke slowly.

Her voice carried a strange transcendence. The hem of her robe brushed against the roots of a tree firmly embedded at the pinnacle of the world.

A soft green hue trailed behind her.

Rustle.

"I'm late in congratulating you."

The Fortress' Lord extended her bare, snow-white foot and descended slowly. She bent her waist toward the kneeling leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

Sunlight shattered around her transparent face.

Her flowing hair glimmered with a leaf-like hue, and the breath of her sacred technique gently dispersed over Jung Yeonshin's forehead.

"Well done."

Her brief words resonated with a crystalline echo.

At the same time—

Swoosh.

A warm touch descended upon Jung Yeonshin's forehead. Slowly, fingers combed through his hair strand by strand.

Even the descent of her hand was soft and attentive. It was strange. The rise and fall of her hand, though brief, felt eternal.

The Fortress' Lord gently stroked the head of the newly appointed leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

As Ak Surim and Xiahou Wei-Jin raised their eyebrows in shock, Jung Yeonshin closed his eyes without meaning to. A dreamlike sensation flowed from his crown downward.

This had never happened before. As the warmth from his head reached his heart, it transformed into a deep calm.

It felt as though the fatigue he hadn't even realized he was carrying melted away. In an instant, he was at peace.

The human heart was truly mysterious, sometimes possessing abilities even more enigmatic than martial arts.

"If you continue your training, you will surely reach that realm. There is no need for despair."

"...Yes, my Lord."

* * *

The Comprehensive Overview of Destruction was placed in the hands of the Desolate Fortress' Lord. It would be stored in the highest section of the Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal within the fortress.

It was accompanied by her words that those in the purple and black ranks would be granted priority access.

—There will be an internal announcement.

That was what the Fortress' Lord had said.

The vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad, the leader of the Forest Striding Squad, and the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad silently walked out through the main gate. Ak Surim and Xiahou Wei-Jin did not ask about the Comprehensive Overview.

It was the dignity of leaders. Since the Fortress' Lord herself had spoken, they knew that the announcement would be made faster than any other matter.

It could very well happen as early as the next day.

For Jung Yeonshin, that was fortunate. He could savor the warmth that had seeped into his mind a little longer.

"The reward will be delivered through the General Affairs Bureau, but... it feels like I've already received it."

The corners of the Radiant Demon Squad leader's lips twitched slightly.

"Congratulations on your safe return."

"We pay our respects to the leaders."

The guards greeted the leaders with clasped fists. The only one to return the gesture in kind was Jung Yeonshin.

Ak Surim and Xiahou Wei-Jin merely nodded their heads slightly, as if lost in thought.

By now, the sunset had settled over one side of the inner city.

The shadows of the fortress walls and people were cloaked in the orange hues of twilight.

The silhouettes of warriors moved with disciplined precision in the tranquil silence. It was an ancient scene. The Desolate Fortress always looked like this at sunset.

"A messenger from the General Affairs Bureau is here. They said the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad should follow them..."

A girl in a blue martial uniform greeted them. She was a martial arts expert who had been brought into the Radiant Demon Squad at the Fortress' Lord's command.

Lady Ye was not present, but Zhuge Qing-ya explained the situation with an indifferent expression.

As a representative of the Murim Alliance, she had gone straight to the General Affairs Bureau, guided by the scribes of the fortress.

"Should I address you as 'Leader'?"

"Yes."

Jung Yeonshin nodded absentmindedly, recalling the rumors he had heard.

'Fast.'

It was about how quickly things were handled within the uppermost layers of the Desolate Fortress. They said the Fortress' Lord could give orders to the Chief Administrator from her bed.

The message would travel from the peak of the inner fortress directly to the General Affairs Bureau.

Even the martial arts prowess of Lin Jinming, the Chief Administrator, was said to be impressive. They claimed he never missed a single command from the Fortress' Lord.

Only someone who had mastered Sense Refinement to a considerable depth could achieve such a feat.

There were many rumors that his level of martial arts was comparable to those in the black rank. Like most leaders, he had likely cultivated his essence, energy, and spirit in harmony.

'I still have a long way to go.'

Jung Yeonshin thought.

There was much to be done, even beyond helping his grandfather consume the Revitalization Pill.

When he returned to the headquarters of the Radiant Demon Squad, he had two tasks to focus on.

One was to take former Radiant Demon Squad members as his disciples to enhance their skills, and the other was to fill the gaps left by the lack of blue-rank experts.

While reorganizing internally, he would also have to participate in sparring matches. How well would his Sword Thunder Flash Art fare against black-rank masters?

He quietly set a goal for himself. Defeating two would be enough. For now, that would be sufficient.

'How many leaders remain?'

The black-rank members of the Desolate Fortress were always on the frontlines.

As high-ranking assets in the battle against rival factions, it was unthinkable for them to waste away in the main fortress.

The General Affairs Bureau had been sending them out as much as possible, and recently, it had increased even further. This was due to the chaos brought on by the recent famine.

Jung Yeonshin suddenly recalled Lady Ye's words.

'She said she realized how short-handed the main fortress is.'

A sense of doubt arose.

The cryptic conversations between her and the Fortress' Lord, Lady Ye's unconventional behavior, her familiar posture, and her habit of constantly training even during ordinary times.

'Is it possible for a high-ranking member of the Blood Flame Cult to pose as a soldier of the Murim Alliance? Even the Sword Saint said nothing.'

Whatever the case, the Fortress' Lord had accepted her into the main fortress. Premature suspicion should be set aside.

For now, it was enough to remain cautious and observe. They would cross paths eventually.

At that moment.

Suddenly, Xiahou Wei-Jin looked down at the new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. They were in the middle of walking when this happened.

"The rumors were true. The Fortress' Lord favors you."

"That's an uncomfortable thing to hear."

Jung Yeonshin responded calmly, thinking how pointless it all was.

They hadn't said much while descending the stairs of the inner fortress, but it seemed Xiahou Wei-Jin had been reflecting on the earlier events.

The same was true for Ak Surim of the Divine Sword Squad.

"No, the big guy didn't say it quite right, but the Fortress' Lord's reaction was definitely unusual. She never showed that kind of affection even to the imperial disciples. Even toward the other leaders, she's never done this. When I achieved Rejuvenation, she merely smiled once."

She muttered as if to herself.

"She only said I had potential to be the next squad leader... but I couldn't tell if she was sincere. Her tone was so casual."

Xiahou Wei-Jin's lips pressed downward.

"The vice-leader of the Divine Sword Squad can't distinguish between formal compliments and genuine remarks, it seems."

He continued.

"There's no way that minor clans would climb the ranks to the position of Divine Sword Squad leader three times."

His voice, characteristically deep, seemed to strike downward from above due to his large physique. There was a hint of suppressed irritation.

His words made it clear that even among the leaders, competition was fierce. Jung Yeonshin felt it keenly.

"The same applies to the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. Just because the Fortress' Lord finds you appealing doesn't mean you can afford to be complacent. The spectacle you showed during the Murim Alliance's meeting was exciting, but it's not nearly enough for us to hand over our subordinates."

The leader of the Forest Striding Squad spoke in a growling tone.

"Win through battle. If you lack the skill, you'll have to find another way to impress us. But even that won't be easy. Forcing your will through martial prowess would be the faster option."

His archaic tone was strong and unyielding.

It was true. The black-rank members of the Desolate Fortress were top-tier masters who roamed the world. This generally meant their knowledge and experiences were vast.

It would be difficult to open their hearts with ordinary means. Resolving matters through sparring was inevitable. Jung Yeonshin agreed.

Suddenly.

The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad stared intently at Xiahou Wei-Jin's legs.

"Your footwork resembles that of the Myung Clan."

"Hm?"

"If you adjust it slightly, it could be even lighter."

Jung Yeonshin remarked.

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