A soft exclamation escaped the supreme authority of the Martial Alliance.

The old swordsman possessed an extraordinary eye. He could discern the frame of mind in which opposing swordsmen assumed their stances. Their grip on the hilt, their balance, the orientation of their footwork, the nature of the qi waves spreading from their bodies...

All these things allowed him to gauge an opponent. Peerless swordsmen could see through others regardless of their attainment in eye techniques. They could even estimate a person's character before exchanging a single stroke.

'How curious.'

Hyeon Sobaek carefully examined his young junior's opening stance. There was nothing ordinary about that high guard. The long black robe he wore fluttered ceaselessly. He had wrapped himself in waves of force, like clothing stitched from wind.

To the master of the blade known as the Sword Star, the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad's appearance suggested a defense mechanism against his limited lifespan.

Hyeon Sobaek saw no difference between martial arts created by prodigies and melodies drawn forth by performers. They shared something in common: both bore the deep imprint of their creator's inner world.

There was no telling how that sword would develop.

The Desolate Fortress Master was said to wield a sword like the stern forces of nature. Had the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad imbued his swordsmanship with wind to follow his teacher's example?

Outwardly, he raised a tempest, while his muscles and core energy moved without pause, like lightning. Within the shell of an outstanding genius crouched a human figure riddled with anxiety.

As a man, Hyeon Sobaek pitied the boy.

The Sword Star felt differently. The peerless swordsman admired his junior.

'Swift swordsmanship that truly uses the entire body.'

It was indeed a supremely refined form of rapid attack. He could feel its intent to strike first, wherever the target might be. The unrestrained waves of force unique to the newly appointed captain of the Radiant Demon Squad coiled through the surroundings.

The wind resembled an ability of the noble race, poised to bolster his sword force no matter where he struck. Red leaves swept chaotically away from his feet.

"What bothers me is that it doesn't bother me."

Seated behind Lightning Genius, Xiahou Weizhen, the Thousand-Fist, Dragon-Strength Retainer, raised one knee and rested his elbow on it. He snorted heavily. As a supreme master of a noble clan, he seemed to find the sight peculiarly moving.

"Qilin's Judgment."

Zhuge Cheonga murmured the words, her gaze fixed on the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad.

Ak Yerim, standing to one side, flinched. Conflicting emotions filled her eyes as she looked at Lightning Genius. The affair between the captain and the Zhuge Clan had put the final mark on all the confusion she had experienced.

It felt as though her entire world had collapsed. In martial prowess and chivalry alike, the rising warrior of the Desolate Fortress had utterly overwhelmed her.

The world of the righteous orthodox factions, so firmly established within her, had shattered. She no longer knew how she ought to conduct herself as the rightful heir to the Yue clan of Shandong.

'Lightning Genius...'

Meanwhile, the bout between old and young proceeded regardless of the spectators' thoughts.

"Take your time."

The Sword Star did not rush to attack. He waited for his junior to demonstrate his full ability. This was a prodigy who could control his entire body at will. The longer he honed the momentum of his sword, the more his displayed skill would change.

HUMMMM!

And so it did.

A pressure resembling that of the king-style sword arts began to emerge from Lightning Genius's body. Yet the Sword Star knew its formula was entirely different. He sensed that fact intuitively.

The martial arts differed greatly in temperament. This was not an intimidating presence emitted to affect an opponent. Rather, the waves of force extended simply to improve his own movements, and their pressure was a consequence. It was a proud, aloof sword art.

'He has tailored the sword's momentum perfectly to his body.'

The Sword Star ran his left hand along his beloved sword as he thought.

He recalled the verse that a young man called the great hero of Desolate Fortress had reportedly recited. It had become quite famous.

As a swordsman, he was more deeply struck by "A moment of youth is worth a thousand gold" than "Forever bound as worthy rivals of the sword."

These were sword moves that only the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad could properly use. With ordinary senses, one could scarcely even contemplate employing such waves of force in a sword strike.

His preparations to attack seemed complete.

As the youthful old swordsman briefly sank into thought, the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad rapidly swelled in his field of vision. He had leaped forward and was bringing his sword down. Sunlight gathered on the blade fell like a thunderbolt.

CLAAANG!

It collided violently with Hyeon Sobaek's sword.

A fierce shock wave spread in every direction. Masses of maple leaves surged upward, concealing the two figures. Holding the red-dappled sunlight, they swirled like sleet.

Then the new captain's gift for the sword revealed itself.

'Hm?'

Amid the scattering light and red leaves, the Sword Star's eyes widened slightly. His opponent was no longer in the same stance.

The white character for "desolation" spun between the leaves. Immediately after releasing his sword force, Lightning Genius had rotated his entire body. The waves of force from his movement technique joined with the recoil to raise a whirlwind. His robes flapped violently.

With truly instinctive movement, he unleashed a second swift strike.

'He isn't contesting strength. Wise of him.'

Northern Radiance traced a diagonal circle and came cleaving down once more. The white blade tore through the air as it bore in.

Though it was a repetition of the same form, its shape was entirely different. The diagonal strike was scarcely slower than the first. As though the high guard had merely been the opening stance needed to activate it, the sharp sword wind alone clawed at the Sword Star's sleeves.

Lightning Genius had no need to distinguish moves by their outward shape. Once he consolidated the principles of activation and the formula, he possessed the talent to deliver dozens of different exchanges using a single form.

After only two exchanges, the Sword Star's eyes curved in delight.

A sword prodigy. A true sword prodigy.

Forgetting even his pity, Hyeon Sobaek smiled in satisfaction. Gripping his wooden hilt, he slashed diagonally downward.

The principles of the Heaven-Reaching Martial Net Sword Art rode that simple trajectory. Seventh Form: Indestructible.

A colorless wave of force rose in a straight line, linking his arm to his sword tip in an instant. It was an unshakable, single-strike sword move.

BANG! SKREEE!

The colliding blades scraped against each other at length. Lightning Genius's descending stroke was driven upward. The two sword paths merged in a violent tremor.

So firm was the strength in the Sword Star's grip that even the orange sparks flew in smooth streams. The recoil returned entirely to his opponent.

RUMBLE.

The captain's sword hand shook violently. Merely retaining his grip was impressive, even allowing for the Sword Star's restraint as he sought to broaden the horizons of a junior to whom he felt indebted.

Hyeon Sobaek felt a rare exhilaration, but also profound astonishment. In an instant, he understood the Desolate Fortress Master's feelings.

Even she could have had no other choice. How could anyone turn away and pretend not to notice a child like this?

CLANG! CLANG-CLANG! SWISH!

Sparks scattered in every direction and faded like petals. The hems of black and white robes fluttered with the maple leaves.

Sunlight rippled along blades that skimmed past their collars. Long breaths of internal energy crossed. Footsteps and the noise of force waves from their footwork resounded through the ground, while fallen leaves rustled and crumbled beneath their feet.

Some of the spectators' eyes slowly widened.

The captain of the Radiant Demon Squad was fully capable of receiving the Sword Star's instruction.

Amid exchanges too brief to allow any large-scale form, he had produced thirty-five variations from a single move. Every trajectory was different. Unceasing sword strikes swept in from every direction.

Someone without a discerning eye might have mistaken that one form for an entire sword art.

'He is replacing prescribed shapes with intuition. That is a form no one could use even if they learned it.'

So thought Perfected One Cheon Joo, Mount Hua's Sword Saint. He worried that the sight might adversely influence Yoo Hyun, who stood slack-jawed beside him.

The foundations of swordsmanship were built by swinging a blade tens of thousands of times in all eight directions. Yet Lightning Genius's form followed short, instinctive combat paths, as if he had skipped that process altogether.

His body knew when to strike and in which direction. Otherwise, his manipulation of force waves in rapid attacks could never have been so natural.

In a battle of short strikes, he needed no fixed shape beyond the method of moving his martial power. His talent had transcended the years. It was an astonishing gift for the sword.

The Sword Star's attitude was astonishing as well. A broad smile covered his face as he parried Lightning Genius's moves. It hardly suited the eccentric peerless master who had refused even to appear at the founding ceremony.

Dozens of streaks of sword light intertwined gracefully. He was deeply absorbed in his exchange with his junior, as though nothing could bring him greater pleasure.

The Alliance's intention to humiliate the Desolate Fortress master had been shattered.

Without blinking once, Perfected One Cheon Joo spoke.

"Shouldn't the Alliance Leader take a disciple as well? I understand that the young talents of the noble clans are leading candidates. The Sword Star's martial lineage will become a symbol of the Alliance, but will a suitable successor appear...?"

"Who would rashly volunteer after seeing that?"

The Tang clan head answered, his short arms clasped behind his back.

At that moment, Jung Yeonshin realized the bout was approaching its end as he turned his body in a broad sweep with his sword.

The strain on the vessels throughout his body had reached its limit. The accumulated impacts of the force waves had constricted the fine meridians in his right arm.

The Sword Star was a peerless master. He had diverted every discharge of force produced in their fight into Jung Yeonshin. Even the protective force qi surrounding his body surpassed Yeonshin's. Yeonshin could not rely on his physical durability alone.

'One final exchange.'

The tendons along the back of his arm stood out. Qi waves rose along the elegant line descending from the triceps below his shoulder.

Transparent waves of martial power pulsed strongly. The band of muscle running down to the finger extensors below his thumb tingled.

These were the waves of force he had endured the burden of accumulating all this time, together with the Sword Star's sword force.

Hyeon Sobaek's eyebrows rose.

'He has gathered a harvest like a farmer.'

Unconcerned by the Sword Star's expression, Jung Yeonshin advanced. The hilt enclosed in his hand had grown fiercely hot.

Core energy exploded from the ground against which his toes pushed. He unleashed Northern Radiance.

It was a horizontal strike extending outward from close to his body. Maple leaves crumbled before the long radiance of white light.

Autumn dwelled in the sword's path.

ROOOAR!

Sword Star Hyeon Sobaek faced a form born of endurance. The peerless swordsman's eyes lowered.

'How could he conceive of such a thing...?'

It was a sword move that endured and endured before blazing with brilliant light. This was no blade to be wielded with such an indifferent expression, yet the form seemed to have arisen without any particular deliberation.

That saddened the Sword Star. The intent within it held that if one endured and persevered, an end would come, one way or another. He could feel the pent-up anguish.

In a single stroke, he understood the boy's attitude toward life.

The Sword Star did not parry.

He smoothly lowered his sword and employed evasive footwork. As though using an art that shrank distance, he scattered the heap of maple leaves underfoot and appeared to one side.

At the same instant, the terrifying wave of force from the sword strike swept past his flank.

WHOOOOSH!

Invisible sword wind raced onward. Bushes shredded to ribbons marked its sharply cut path.

The wave of force, unleashing tremendous destructive power, reached the garden's lakeside and drew a long ripple across the water. Only after lingering amid the clear sound of rippling water did the sword wind fade.

"..."

Silence fell.

The captain of the Radiant Demon Squad lowered his divine sword and furrowed his brow. He looked ready to demand an explanation, Sword Star or not, so Hyeon Sobaek had to speak first with an air of innocence.

"You used the same form throughout, then changed the sword's momentum at the end. What is the first form called?"

"... Qilin's Judgment."

At least he observes respect for his elders, the Sword Star thought, clasping his hands behind his back.

"And the second?"

"I haven't named it yet."

"How fortunate."

Sword Star Hyeon Sobaek smiled.

"What name would suit such sublime swordplay? I hope you will remain in autumn for a long, long time, never reaching frozen ground until you wish it. Still green, I mean."

"..."

He was speaking of the boy's lifespan, just as Heon Wonchang's verse had. Anyone who did not already know would struggle to grasp his meaning.

His words reminded Jung Yeonshin of how he had wanted to embrace him at their first meeting.

The Sword Star continued.

"Yes, 'a sword forever green' would be fitting. May that greenness flow as long and unbroken as the Yangtze. May I offer you the name Ninefold Verdure Becomes a River?"

So spoke the supreme master of the blade.

Nine was a much-loved number throughout the continent, for its pronunciation was nearly identical to the word for enduring length of time. It also carried the meaning of longevity.

A sword form that remained green for ages and flowed on like the Yangtze. Its feeling resembled the form's formula as well.

Jung Yeonshin slowly nodded.

"... I will accept it."

The Sword Star's expression brightened. Old age and boyhood seemed to coexist on his middle-aged face.

They said no peerless master was without eccentricities. Hyeon Sobaek, too, possessed a peculiar temperament.

And with that, the founding ceremony's final proceeding came to an end.

The bout between the Sword Star and the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad had been a matter of intense interest, but the masters gathered here occupied the highest strata of the martial world. Word of today's events would not spread as rumor.

Still, Jung Yeonshin had earned more than enough renown from his journey to the Alliance. He had also consolidated his swordsmanship.

SHING.

With the quiet sheathing of his blade, a dim radiance slipped into the scabbard. A faint vibration passed through his waist.

As he put away Northern Radiance, Jung Yeonshin sank into thought. The sword moves he had created in Hanzhong unfolded in his mind.

First Form: Qilin's Judgment.

Second Form: Ninefold Verdure Becomes a River.

Third Form: Blue Flame, First Form.

These three forms laid the foundation for the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad's Famed Ultimate Technique. There was no telling how many more trajectories would emerge.

It was a sword art of boundless possibility.

"It looks like the way you use your sword has completely changed."

Yoo Hyun approached without hesitation. Word of the friendship between Mount Hua's hidden dragon and the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad had already spread quietly. He was unlike the other young talents, who could not readily bring themselves to step forward.

"That's your own sword art, right?"

"Yes."

"What is it called? I think it's going to become famous. It definitely will, won't it?"

Yoo Hyun's question drew everyone's attention, and not just that of the younger generation. Even the supreme masters who had begun to leave could not help taking notice.

The newly appointed captain lowered his eyes slightly and considered.

'This sword art...'

Its temperament was distinct.

It blended subtlety into swift, destructive sword paths. It remained utterly faithful to the sword's essential purpose.

A method of making the blade a thunderbolt and driving it into an opponent. An intent to level the martial sects surrounding the Desolate Fortress like rugged hills.

The words slipped out unbidden.

"Sword Thunder, Ridge-Annihilating Sword."

It was a brief answer.

Suddenly, with a soft rustle, the autumn wind that had coolly caressed the flower garden drifted away. Fallen leaves, scattered like old cotton, covered the ground.

Some fluttered yellow and red before settling lightly on Jung Yeonshin's feet, as though announcing the end of his long mission to the Alliance.

At autumn's end, before the eyes of the gathered masters, the sword art of the captain of the Radiant Demon Squad made its name known.