Jung Yeonshin’s long lashes lowered. Untroubled by the imperial grandson’s laughter, the boy cast his eyes down for a moment, lost in thought.

‘I’ve finally devised a formula for my movement technique.’

A fortunate encounter had allowed him to create another martial art. Was this what one called a stroke of destiny? He had heard that the Ming imperial family included many of the noble race, and he was grateful for the eunuch’s test, encountered as soon as he had risen to captain. Once again, he felt he had entered a different world. Perhaps that was inevitable for someone of Black rank.

‘There are so many arts left. Protective force qi, a lightness skill, an eye technique... I still have so much to create.’

Jung Yeonshin’s views on martial arts differed from those of most people in the martial world. Most martial artists took it for granted that they would master the arts handed down within their sects. They accepted it as a natural tradition. The boy was different. To him, it felt like inheriting clothes someone else had worn.

He had felt that way even when the Desolate Fortress Master passed the Moon Spirit Harmonization Art on to him, to say nothing of other arts. Even now, he was learning the fortress’s protective arts, Mobility Arts, and eye techniques. Yet none compared to the martial arts he had created and cultivated himself.

‘I’ll build them up, one by one.’

The rapid rise in Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin’s fighting strength stemmed from his many exclusive martial arts. Arts created to fit his body perfectly were fundamentally different from any others. This held true for both their forms and their core energy.

‘Because the imagery within a formula originates with its creator.’

The efficiency of his core energy use was different. It was enough for his arts to stand at once alongside supreme arts refined and developed over generations. There lay the boy’s path forward, for the disproportionately great spirit in his upper dantian made it difficult to unite essence, qi, and spirit and achieve Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. He would create martial arts suited to each situation to counter the way seasoned masters controlled and released their power.

‘The Law Enforcement Squad Captain showed me the weaknesses in my swordsmanship and fist and palm arts. There’s room to restructure the Radiant Sword Art and Infinite Blossom Hand. I should improve the core energy circulation of the radiant demon arts, too.’

There was much to do. Seen another way, that meant he still had ample room to grow. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. What inspiration would he find at the Martial Alliance? After all, orthodox martial arts from all across the land would be gathering there in enormous numbers.

Quite apart from his short-lived constitution, Jung Yeonshin enjoyed martial arts. It was a trait he had developed over time, ever since the Movement Art had begun to take the place of his mother’s warmth.

“I simply cannot believe it.”

In the brief moment he had spent lost in thought, Jung Yeonshin suddenly found his gaze meeting a pair of pitch-black eyes. The imperial grandson was looking up at him, a cool majesty in those dark eyes.

“Are you truly the young Blue-ranked warrior from that day? What astonishes me even more is how well the bearing of a battle-hardened supreme master suits you.”

“You honor me.”

Jung Yeonshin answered calmly. The imperial grandson gazed steadily at him.

“Such incredible talent and ingenuity. When we are alone, you may call me senior martial brother.”

He spoke with the last traces of laughter still on his face. Beside them came a conspicuous stir. Myeong Yeo, who had recovered his composure in the meantime, had raised his eyebrows. His position as an Eastern Depot eunuch merely made him appear coolheaded. Facing him at close quarters, Jung Yeonshin could tell that the noble-race eunuch was considerably surprised.

“By our standing in the martial lineage, you are indeed my senior martial brother,” the boy said slowly, blinking once.

The imperial grandson, too, had taken the Desolate Fortress Master as his teacher. He was also considerably older than Jung Yeonshin. Perhaps because the blood of the noble race ran particularly strong in him, he was merely short. Unlike Jung Yeonshin, who had lately been growing so much that he constantly had to adjust his combat distance.

The imperial grandson’s lips curved into the faintest smile before he spoke.

“Myeong Yeo. Give it to him.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Myeong Yeo seemed to have fully recovered from his internal injury. After bowing respectfully, he reached inside the front of his robe. Before he had even drawn his hand all the way out, wings began fluttering. Tiny white feathers drifted through the air. A bird the size of his hand emerged—a pure-white swallow. It resembled the one the Hwangbo clan’s second young master had once used.

“This creature was raised using my clan’s secret arts. It is exceedingly clever, and even circulates internal power through a small inner core. It is a spirit beast called a white swallow. We obtained it in haste as a gift for the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad.”

As Myeong Yeo spoke, the white swallow tilted its head and stared at the boy. That little tilt was rather endearing.

“I’ve seen members of noble clans use them. Is it a means of communication for the captains?”

Even faced with such a rare spirit beast, Jung Yeonshin asked calmly. Since the founding of the Ming, animals that understood human speech and displayed mysterious abilities were no longer confined to folklore. Myeong Yeo nodded.

“Yes. Despite its appearance, it is a bird of prey. It will not make a nuisance of itself, nor will you need to find food for it. This spirit beast can travel only between you and me, Captain Jung. When you require cooperation, simply tie a message to its leg and send it off.”

At that moment, the white swallow leaped toward the boy’s chest. Jung Yeonshin held up a hand beneath its feet. His upper dantian’s intuition told him what to do. He summoned the Dharma-Surpassing Radiant Wheel Art to the tip of his index finger and stroked the bird’s head. A faint ripple arose, as though their core energies had briefly resonated. At the same time, the white swallow burrowed inside the front of his long robe, as if it had found its nest.

Myeong Yeo’s eyes widened slightly.

“Forming a master-servant bond with a spirit beast is no easy matter... Your internal power must be exceptionally pure and profound, Captain.”

“So I send it to you when I’ve cut down an official?”

Myeong Yeo nodded at the matter-of-fact question.

“Yes.”

“Were you not introduced as the Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch’s trusted aide? My duties as captain of the Radiant Demon Squad take me all across the martial world. I wonder whether you can follow wherever I go.”

He had been described as the Eastern Depot grand eunuch’s right-hand man. The boy spoke with the imperial grandson’s introduction in mind.

“I did say that was more praise than I deserved.”

A smooth smile settled on the noble-race eunuch’s lips.

“Powerful men seldom have only one or two hands. His Excellency has countless right-hand men.”

Those words brought home the vastness of the world. The imperial grandson did not contradict him, either. He merely watched the conversation between boy and eunuch with a gaze that had already grown indifferent. Jung Yeonshin spoke without concern. It was time to conclude his business.

“I depart for Hanzhong tomorrow at noon. I will not be making allowances for the Eastern Depot on the road.”

The Murim of the Central Plains was a world apart from the interior of the Desolate Fortress. All manner of unpredictable factors abounded. Simply commanding his subordinates as captain of the Radiant Demon Squad and concentrating on the mission would demand considerable mental effort.

Myeong Yeo nodded.

“Your predecessor was the same. It is only natural. That is what we are here for—and what the Desolate Fortress is here for, too.”

“You may go now. I have kept you long enough.”

The imperial grandson spoke, his eyes already lightly closed. His behavior matched the longstanding rumors Jung Yeonshin had often heard. The third heaven of the Ming was said to be exceedingly fickle. No sooner did he show interest in something than he lost it.

‘Fine by me.’

The boy offered a brief cupped-fist bow as he thought. His connection with the imperial grandson would not end here. Might a day come when he was summoned to the Forbidden City? He would rather decline unless it would help him reach Purple rank. Even the imperial family was said to find it difficult to issue orders to the Desolate Fortress Master, guardian of the world tree. He felt no particular need to befriend the imperial grandson.

The hem of his black robe fluttered as Jung Yeonshin turned without hesitation after paying his respects. Glancing between the two boys, Myeong Yeo spoke once more.

“One final word, Captain. Though the secret agreement between the imperial family and the Desolate Fortress obliges the Eastern Depot to support you, it would be troublesome if you abused our services. Esteemed as the fortress’s captains may be, the Eastern Depot has duties of its own.”

“I act only under the banner of ensuring peace and stability for the people.”

The answer rang out clearly, imbued with core energy. His internal power gently filled the room, asserting its presence. Did he understand the value of his position as the fortress master’s disciple, his Black rank in the Desolate Fortress, and his absurdly formidable martial prowess for his age?

The new captain of the Radiant Demon Squad walked out without even looking back. His steps carried him over the threshold without hesitation. He had paid Myeong Yeo’s words little heed. Anyone could see it. He exuded the spirit of someone who would cut down whoever barred his way with equal indifference, be they official or martial artist.

STEP.

Fading footsteps brushed their ears. And so Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin was gone.

“What a spirited junior martial brother.”

The imperial grandson murmured with his eyes still closed.

After asking his leave, Myeong Yeo immediately sat at one side of the table and took out his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The Eastern Depot eunuch’s slender hand moved busily. Sitting upright, he held his brush perfectly vertical. The words he set down in flowing strokes recorded the particulars of a single individual.

〈 Jung Yeonshin.

Captain of the Radiant Demon Squad, Desolate Fortress.

Origin: Jeong Clan Estate, Xinye County, Henan.

Epithet and courtesy name are identical: Lightning Genius.

Courtesy name bestowed personally by the Desolate Fortress Master (the conferral of a courtesy name upon the participant by the person who arranges the coming-of-age ceremony).

Currently known by a separate epithet in Sichuan Province: the Hidden King Among Blossoms, for being a commandery prince in black robes who wields Blossoms Raining Across the Sky.

Inheritor of the mental cultivation method within the Moon Spirit Divine Technique.

Martial proficiency: Black rank.

Though slower to draw in and release internal power than the other Desolate Fortress captains, his internal energy possesses an exceedingly high degree of refinement for his age.

His adaptability, supported by sensory perception unparalleled through the ages, is at or above the Desolate Fortress’s Black-rank realm.

Creator of an independent martial lineage. Value rating: Upper-Upper.

Wields internal power seemingly influenced by the Orthodox Buddhist Sect and martial arts that discharge power in a single explosive strike. Refer to the attached investigation report on the “Lightning Genius martial lineage.”

Martial talent beyond assessment.

Exceedingly arrogant by nature, yet possesses a strangely repressed inner self.

The domestic environment of the Jeong Clan Estate is presumed to have been poor.

Further acquired factors appear to exist, but these require observation over time. The disposition of a proud, gallant hero.

Appearance comparable to the noble race. Aptitude for espionage. If commissioned into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he would wield considerable influence in political circles regardless of the other party’s sex.

Based on this assessment, Upper-Middle support is requested. Assisting the current captain of the Radiant Demon Squad is unlikely to require great effort.

Respectfully submitted, Myeong Yeo.〉

The eunuch Myeong Yeo’s blue eyes gleamed. Those eyes of his clan, said to perceive all things in creation, scanned what he had written. Then he nodded to himself, rolled up the letter, and sealed it inside a wooden cylinder. It was a top-secret document destined for the Forbidden City.

* * *

The next day.

The sun stood high in the sky on the appointed day of their departure. Only now was the late-summer heat beginning to subside.

Was it because he had fought fierce battles in Sichuan and even surmounted the hurdle of promotion? All this time, Jung Yeonshin had unconsciously assumed that summer would continue. Today proved him wrong.

A watery blue stretched across the sky. A gentle breeze stirred the hems of the young masters’ clothes. Gray cotton garments, white robes, and blue robes rippled up and down. At their head rode a figure in black. As the boy galloped along, autumn in its fullness stroked his hair. Sunlight struck the golden character for “desolate” that covered his entire right shoulder.

“Isn’t that a little too large?”

Jung Yeonshin felt Heon Wonchang’s gaze on him. He seemed to be referring to the new long robe Yeonshin had received just before departure. The embroidered character for “desolate” was certainly large. Only its bold, imposing calligraphy, like an insignia on a northern general’s armor, kept it from looking ridiculous. He had packed Ma Jin’s robe, with one cuff torn away, as a spare.

“...”

Holding the reins of his fine horse, the boy did not bother to answer.

He had been told that his robe could be made however he wished. The chief administrator had said so. That was why he had deliberately asked for enormous embroidery. He had found Heon Wonchang’s habit rather burdensome. For some time now, whenever the opportunity arose, Wonchang had taken it upon himself to lift and display the character on Yeonshin’s shoulder. Yeonshin found it embarrassing in his own way.

‘If it’s huge to begin with, anyone will recognize it immediately.’

He would conceal neither his standing nor his strength. The purpose of this journey into the martial world was to make his presence felt.

THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!

The horses’ hooves seemed wreathed in a gale. They raced toward Hanzhong, home of the Martial Alliance, raising clouds of dust. Not a speck clung to the black robe woven from Thousand-year Silk. Its pitch-black hem streamed endlessly behind the boy.

Another mission.

Jung Yeonshin, captain of the Radiant Demon Squad, had set forth into the martial world.