CHAPTER 271

The General Affairs Bureau of Desolate Fortress occupied one of the largest palace complexes in the city.

It was an era where scholars were treated with unprecedented respect.

Even the path leading to the entrance, adorned with flowers blooming vibrantly despite the biting winter air, was proof enough.

A landscape bestowed upon the scholars of the General Affairs Bureau by the Lord of Desolate Fortress—a garden where literati could become poets and writers at any moment.

Step, step.

The footsteps of the four elite warriors of Desolate Fortress, carrying the palanquin, were exceedingly light.

If anything, their aura was so distinct that the petals of the blooming flowers swayed intermittently at their passing.

Only the one seated atop the palanquin, the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, remained utterly still.

The warriors tasked with escorting the leader had been summoned. The other elite members of the Radiant Demon Squad had already departed for their quarters.

"Hm."

A man of few words, carrying the rear leg of the palanquin, spoke up.

A blue-clad elite warrior, his skin as pale as that of the Blood Preservation Squad's leader, moved his unusually red lips like Blood Sword Ghost, Pung Ran, who had been deployed alongside him.

"Is this really acceptable?"

Na Il-cheon, the Demonic Spirit of Battle, glanced briefly at the back of the newly appointed squad leader, Jung Yeonshin.

Lazy Flame Dragon and Heon Wonchang carried the front legs of the palanquin, while Wei Ye-ryeong and Na Il-cheon supported the rear.

Lazy Flame Dragon, walking ahead, shook his head indifferently.

"What does it matter if it isn't? The entire city has already witnessed the squad leader's triumphant return, and even the venerable Lord has decreed it."

"The further we go, the more refined and distinguished the attire becomes. High-ranking officials are gathering inside."

Wei Ye-ryeong, who carried a large composite bow slung across her back, commented as she gazed forward with her striking blue eyes.

Heon Wonchang nodded.

"You hear it too, don't you? The murmurs are quite unsettling, it almost feels like an inquisition. At least they have the courtesy not to raise their voices."

The senses of the blue-clad elite warriors were exceedingly sharp.

Though the extent of their sensory refinement varied based on their training in the Path of Perception, merely passing the advancement trials required them to clearly perceive even the faintest rustling of falling leaves.

Thus, they heard it.

"The Chief Administrator has expressed concern. Martial artists have begun acting as bandits and raiders, yet there is little left to plunder in Jiangxi, only mounting casualties."

"The words of the Jiangxi Assistant Commissioner reflect our own situation."

"Now, even common folk who have never trained in martial arts are turning to banditry. The roads are swarming with them."

"We too, we too have suffered. Not long ago, three blue-clad warriors traveling to Sichuan's capital were slain by unidentified experts. With no reinforcements dispatched for some time, I had to travel all the way to Yangyang through perilous paths, only to find that the Tang Clan had already stabilized the region."

"Well, then isn't that good? Have you not seen the lower-ranking officials gathered outside? They are lining up to plead directly with the Chief Administrator of Desolate Fortress… It would be best if you could yield a place out of consideration for them."

"No, we also require a clear answer regarding the security of Jianghu. At this point, we find ourselves trusting local aristocrats and their 'Full Sky Flower Rain' more than the famed Azure Swords of Desolate Fortress… How can I simply leave? I've remained here solely to see the Chief Administrator. Yet, despite waiting half a day, he refuses to grant us an audience. Truly, he must be overwhelmed with official duties."

"Some have waited seven days and nights."

"Ha…"

"The refusal to let us in brings disgrace to the dignity of the imperial officials…"

It was a testament to the recent struggles of the Desolate Fortress' Divine Sword Order.

Inside the refined, elegant halls of the General Affairs Bureau, officials clad in robes of various noble hues debated the security gaps.

They maintained dignified conduct and calm voices.

These officials had all received notifications about their scheduled meetings but had deliberately left their chambers to gather here instead.

None of them raised their voices. They adhered strictly to decorum.

This was the domain of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, a figure who had been recognized as a military deity long before the current emperor ascended the throne.

The dozens of gathered officials knew to guard their tongues.

They merely discussed the facts in an even tone.

Even as the palanquin of the black-robed squad leader approached, they only glanced at it with composed expressions.

"I have heard before… The newly appointed squad leader under the Divine Sword Order is quite young."

"Sichuan's Dark Flame King. That arrogant posture suits him."

"He carries the presence of a supreme leader. He could be mistaken for a victorious general, despite his youth… or rather, his mere youth."

Each maintained their airs.

Though they had heard the continuous announcements of the Radiant Demon Squad leader's achievements from afar, they simply stepped back a few paces with detached expressions. It was all an act of keeping up appearances.

"Hah."

Heon Wonchang scoffed and spoke, passing through the cluster of officials with his comrades.

Despite their soft footsteps, the rhythm in their steps carried an unusual cadence.

[In times of famine, they dine well, wandering to the capital as if for leisure.

When they benefited from the warriors of the city, they sent no reports of gratitude.

They, of high birth, send no representatives.

Fearing it might hinder their careers, they dare not even plead for the imperial army's deployment.

Instead, they gather like a flock, opening their mouths like turtles, murmuring.

None from Shaanxi came to the gathering place where the Radiant Demon Squad once passed.

Yet here stands one who prospered by the Full Sky Flower Rain restored by the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.]

"This…"

Though the clear, resonant voice had delivered a sharp rebuke,calling them turtles—none of the officials could readily react.

Seated upon the palanquin was the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. This was not a place for reckless words or rash actions.

He had the authority to execute officials on the spot.

This was a well-known fact among the upper echelons.

Many of the officials fell silent, each with a different expression.

Then, from the top of the General Affairs Bureau's main hall, loud laughter erupted.

"Hahaha!"

A middle-aged man with a thick, black beard leaned out of a window, his face alight with amusement.

From the lower levels, several figures appeared in the window frames, warriors who had trained in martial arts. They chuckled quietly before withdrawing one by one.

The Chief Administrator bellowed,

"The famed Desolate Sacred Warrior is indeed the right hand of our youngest squad leader! That was thoroughly refreshing!"

"I am ashamed. I merely spoke whatever came to mind."

Heon Wonchang rubbed his temple needlessly, as if embarrassed.

The Chief Administrator smirked, his gaze shifting to the palanquin.

"Master Jung's breath has deepened immensely. No wonder he was able to eliminate such formidable opponents one after another. This case is on an entirely different level—when I received the report, I was truly astonished."

"…"

However, the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad merely rested his chin on his hand, offering no response.

With an indifferent expression, he kept his eyes closed, unmoved by all matters.

The winter sunlight highlighted his elegant features with an almost unnatural brilliance.

The officials murmured amongst themselves. It was said that the Chief Administrator of Desolate Fortress had reached the mid-tier of the black rank, yet this young man did not even deign to respond to his praise.

"Does he truly possess such stature?"

"Look at his bearing. It is incredibly natural, is it not?"

"There were rumors of him receiving favor from the Crown Prince as well."

"…What?"

No one paid heed to their whispers. Only Lazy Flame Dragon twisted his lips into a smirk.

As he watched the four blue-clad warriors carrying the palanquin, the Chief Administrator's lips curled upward.

He has surpassed even the lineage of the Demon Clan.

Among the deeply rooted officials of the realm, his prestige has soared. Though the martial world holds only perilous trials for him, whatever mission he embarks on next will only benefit from this reputation. Leader Jung truly aims for the purple rank at an exceptionally young age.

In these chaotic times, this will return to him in great measure.

The Chief Administrator slowly spoke.

"Proceed directly to the Lord. A solemn decree has been issued. I have no time at the moment, so we shall meet again at the gathering to evaluate your merits."

"Are you serious? Right away?"

Heon Wonchang asked back, but the Chief Administrator had already turned away.

The stairs leading to the inner sanctum of the Lord's domain were wide enough to carry a palanquin up.

Rumble—

The massive stone gate opened on its own, just as the palanquin procession reached the top of the staircase.

Beyond the gate, an open chamber with no walls was revealed, and from the vast, unbarred windows, a pale glow of twilight poured in.

Lazy Flame Dragon bit his lip slightly.

Even without the dim, flickering thoughts in his mind, the dreamlike atmosphere weighed heavily on him.

'One could lose consciousness here.'

A figure lay reclined against the trunk of a tree within the chamber.

The ends of green hair, tinged by the twilight, swayed long past the lower back.

She exuded no presence whatsoever, yet for that very reason, the surrounding scenery, the rustling leaves, and the whispering wind all felt unnaturally vivid.

Was this the realm that the most learned scholars of the world called the 'Natural Sword'?

Even as the great heir of an aristocratic clan that once ruled Jinan in Shandong, he found it impossible to comprehend.

"We pay our respects to the Lord."

From behind, the voice of Moon Bow Demon, Wei Ye-ryeong, rang out. Lazy Flame Dragon, feigning composure, repeated the greeting. We pay our respects to the Lord.

"Set it down."

A luminous voice drifted through the air.

And from that moment onward—

"Huh...?"

Lazy Flame Dragon was swept into an entirely different flow of time. It felt as though something overwhelming had pushed his mind aside.

Within this chamber, within this space, it was as if thought, reason, and perception were not permitted. His consciousness drifted as if in a dream.

The single step that echoed through the hall, the shadow of the Lord of Desolate Fortress cast over the palanquin, the way merely taking a step unsealed one's acupoints, the squad leader reclining backward as if struck, the Lord's slender fingers brushing against his pale cheek, gliding up to his forehead, radiating light like a blade of grass catching the sun, the soft exhale, the faintest breath slipping out, her fingertips brushing past the squad leader's gaze.

And that was it.

Nothing beyond that moment could be seen.

Not the Lord's swaying hair in the twilight, not the fleeting scent of grass that had touched his nose for an instant, nor the slight movement of the Lord of Desolate Fortress's lips, about to issue the command to leave.

Before they knew it, the palanquin procession stood outside the closed stone gate.

Suddenly, Jung Yeonshin opened his eyes.

As his vision returned, his focus snapped into place. He saw a familiar wall. It was the residence within the Radiant Demon Squad's Hall.

As he stretched his back, which had been slightly curled while lying on his side, the familiar scent of the stone walls embraced him warmly.

'I have returned safely.'

Nothing unusual had happened. It wouldn't have been surprising for adversaries to appear along the way.

It was thanks to the exceptional skills of his comrades. Even if an incompetent fool had been mixed among them, the Radiant Demon Squad had upheld their reputation with an impeccable result.

Rustle.

Jung Yeonshin adjusted his bedding neatly and donned a single-sleeved long robe over his left shoulder.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside. Some movements were even felt on the roof, indicating that guards had been stationed to protect the unguarded squad leader.

"He's awake!"

"Squad leader! It's all because of that damned Hwangbo scoundrel—!"

"You idiot! Shut up first! He doesn't know yet!"

Jung Yeonshin's lips curled slightly.

Back at the Jung Clan Manor, this kind of lively energy had never been directed toward him.

It seemed Lazy Flame Dragon had caused some trouble, but Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo would have handled it by now. His senior comrades' commotion only made him smile faintly.

It was warm, lively.

He murmured softly,

"Silence."

Though he hadn't infused his voice with internal energy, the entire Radiant Demon Squad's Hall was instantly submerged in stillness.

Only the occasional, youthful voices of the nameless disciples training in the distant courtyard and the opposite sparring grounds could be heard.

There was a reason he had silenced them. Jung Yeonshin swiftly adjusted his attire.

'North, the First Sword Hall of Wonpyeong.'

From the meeting place of Desolate Fortress' highest-ranking officials, an overwhelming presence surged forth.

Even as a black rank warrior, his growing martial sense reacted as if his skin had been pricked by a needle.

Unstable yet undeniably overpowering, a presence completely unlike the Lord of Desolate Fortress, whose aura was nearly impossible to perceive.

It shattered through the paper window above the door, surging like a tidal wave of light.

The current leader of the Divine Sword Order was calling for the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

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