Jung Yeonshin clearly saw the words the Blood-Preserving Squad Captain mouthed. For a moment, he doubted his eyes.

This was a man who occupied one of the stone seats in the Hall of the Sword That Seeks Peace. Surely he would not debase himself like that.

'He must be having a bad day.'

He decided to leave it at that. A master skilled enough to wear black robes could well have an eccentric disposition.

In the distance, he also spotted Ak Surim waving and Xiahou Weizhen merely nodding. That made it easy enough to accept.

He turned his gaze forward again.

The new captain of the Radiant Demon Squad had not dodged the Immortal Wood Spirit Lord's blood-flecked sneeze.

He had intended to support her if she lost her balance, but Cheon Soso maintained her dignity.

Standing straight, she gazed steadily into Jung Yeonshin's eyes. Sunlight shimmered translucently in her blue irises.

"... Let go."

She spoke.

They both knew the match was decided. Cheon Soso could have suffered severe damage to her internal organs.

Had the Radiant Demon Squad captain not withdrawn Radiant River's power the instant the tenth layer of Deep Jade, Heavenly Ice Shield shattered, the consequences would have been grave.

Merely touching her abdomen with a palm bearing the residual wave of force had made her cough blood.

It was an extraordinarily profound palm technique. The rumor that Lightning Genius had created it struck her anew as astonishing.

Could it contend for the title of the finest palm technique under heaven?

'... Alongside the Five Great Palm Arts.'

Cheon Soso's thoughts flashed like light, tracing five names.

The Wudang Sect's peerless palm art, Ten Lengths of Brocade.

The Thousand-Handed Buddha Palm, renowned among Shaolin's supreme arts.

The Tyrant Sword Tribe's Sword-Guarding Sovereign Palm.

The Dark Heaven Hand-Wall Stance, said to have been created by a later leader of the Ming Cult just before its destruction.

And the Moon-Guarding Piercing Art, famed within a mysterious sect exclusive to the noble race.

Radiant River lacked their long history. Yet, beyond its many other achievements, it had now defeated the black-robed expert Cheon Soso.

Countless martial artists would await the outcome if Radiant River ever met the Five Great Palm Arts.

If the Radiant Demon Squad captain, who had donned black robes so young, sought the purple robe, would he not eventually encounter them?

'What nonsense.'

Cheon Soso shook her head inwardly.

Right now, she faced surrendering blue-robed experts from her own Immortal Wood Spirit command.

Determining the greatest palm technique under heaven was something for idle enthusiasts to get excited about. It was hardly her concern at present.

'Three blue robes... I didn't come here intending to lose.'

Her gaze grew subdued.

For today, at least, she felt she might be the unhappiest person in the Desolate Fortress. The impending loss hurt keenly. She even felt resentment toward her subordinates.

It was not as though the Immortal Wood Spirit command's Astral Hand Art was particularly lacking. Why had they insisted on coveting the Lightning Genius martial lineage?

Meanwhile, Jung Yeonshin slowly lowered the hand that had gripped Cheon Soso's wrist. Her tendon brushed lightly against his thumb.

It belonged to the muscle called the palmaris longus. Perhaps because she had summoned her ice art, it was exceedingly cold. A question suddenly occurred to him.

Did the martial art possess some ability to protect the body's interior? Otherwise, her body would struggle to withstand the ice art.

Ordinarily, he would never have occasion to seize a black-robed expert by the pulse point.

It violated the martial world's etiquette. People said one did not entrust that point even to family.

A master with keen energy detection could examine an opponent's entire body through their wrist. They could also interfere with the circulation of core energy. That was why it was taboo.

Unintentionally, Jung Yeonshin had sensed part of Cheon Soso's energy-circulation route. He had not deliberately tried to examine it.

He had felt it plainly beneath the pulse pounding during their spar.

'An ice art...'

He thought of the Supreme Flame Dragon.

The man possessed a fatal meridian condition that would claim his life early: the Solar Divine Meridians. His constitution supposedly doomed him to an early death because he could not withstand the blazing yang qi surging endlessly from his body.

It burned away even the impurities in his pressure points and meridians, granting him exceptional martial talent. In exchange, he was fated to struggle with the pain of his entire body burning at frequent intervals.

As the Hwangbo clan's young clan head, he had indulged in every pleasure.

The noble clans were groupings of immensely powerful regional noble families.

In the provinces stretching south of Beijing, they frequently acted like royalty. That also meant they possessed extensive knowledge and experience.

They could not have failed to consider the principle of water overcoming fire.

Water qi could conquer fire. Desperate for talent, the Hwangbo clan must have tried teaching him martial arts based on yin qi.

Surely they had acquired numerous arts worthy of being called ultimate techniques.

'There must have been no improvement. Acquired cultivation couldn't contend with his innate constitution.'

Jung Yeonshin wondered what he could do.

It was something he was always considering. He could sit atop the Supreme Flame Dragon's grave chewing poppies, but he would much rather see the man live well and eventually drink himself to death.

He had just experienced Cheon Soso's ice art. Soon, he would go dissolve a Great Restoration Pill within Ma Yeonjeok's body.

Knowledge and experience were said to broaden with time. Perhaps an answer would emerge someday. If he kept gaining insight into different bodies and energies...

He was gathering his thoughts when she spoke.

"Look at me."

Cheon Soso suddenly addressed him calmly from right in front of him.

"You shouldn't turn away from a defeated opponent like that. It could be taken as an insult."

"An insult?"

Jung Yeonshin made no particular effort to hide his surprise. Even as he had briefly fallen into thought, he had found something to learn from Cheon Soso as a martial artist.

The Movement Art had a particular advantage against cold-yin martial arts, so he could expect a strong chance of victory even in a rematch. But the clear, unclouded spirit of Immortal Wood Spirit Lord Cheon Soso would remain unbroken then as well.

"Your spirit is worthy of emulation. As your junior, I am deeply impressed."

He spoke softly and evenly.

To rise to the Divine Sword Squad Leader's rank someday, he would need everyone's recognition.

Whatever today's outcome, Jung Yeonshin had wanted to present a favorable picture.

Senior and junior captains admiring one another's martial arts and spirit, for instance.

A scene of friendship forged through martial arts would appeal to everyone. He had even prepared to offer empty compliments, as he had when dealing with the Command Bureau's scholars.

'There was no need. Senior Cheon is a true martial artist.'

The admiration and puzzlement rising from deep within him showed on his face.

Radiant River had several weaknesses because its formula's principles leaned toward overwhelming force.

He had never expected a captain-level black-robed expert to take even the second strike head-on. Her spirit was truly remarkable.

'If I hadn't pushed myself, her counterattack would have caught me instead.'

Her protective force qi was fearsome. The tingling recoil creeping up his wrist told him so.

Loading Radiant River's second strike into his wrist's Inner Pass pressure point like an explosive projectile had not been easy. He had to withstand the buildup to that powerful blow from within his own body.

The idea had come to him after Chung Myung told him about Cheon Soso's Deep Jade, Heavenly Ice Shield.

Even with pressure points tempered by the Movement Art, he had to endure considerable strain. Using it twice or more in a single fight would be difficult.

"..."

Cheon Soso closed her lips and thought for a moment, gazing steadily at Jung Yeonshin.

It was difficult to fathom the intent behind his claim to be impressed.

A spirit worthy of emulation? Was he mocking her response?

Unbecoming of a captain, she had trusted her protective force qi too much and exposed herself to a powerful strike. Judging by the outcome alone, she deserved ridicule.

That was why the sincerity on the Radiant Demon Squad captain's face confused her.

'This Han man's nature is both pure and strange. A temperament befitting his exceptional gifts.'

She thought he would prove most effective against the Desolate Fortress's enemies.

A peculiar heat rose from the Yin Intersection point in her still-aching abdomen.

She had diligently cultivated herself, never forgetting her place as a member of her clan, yet a profoundly unfamiliar emotion arose.

She could not tell whether it was irritation or anger.

Cheon Soso struggled to maintain an indifferent expression.

Glancing down, she saw that her long robe was utterly crumpled around her abdomen. Radiant River had left its mark.

The violently exploding force had generated a vortex like Silk-Reeling Force. Had he not withdrawn his power, it might have been torn to shreds. The sight compelled her to concede defeat.

She slowly parted her lips.

"... Rainbow Wisdom Sword Do Yunmyeong, Moon-Shooting Bow Fiend Wi Yeryeong, and Chivalry-Loving Saber Jung Jun."

Cheon Soso continued quietly.

"Their epithets are all officially recognized by the Command Bureau. All three wear blue robes. They've learned your Radiant Sword Art, Evading Swift Step, and Classic of Initiating Transcendence, respectively. I'll complete the formalities through the Command Bureau and send them over. Keep that in mind."

"Yes. Thank you."

Jung Yeonshin answered simply.

Cheon Soso closed her eyes once, then opened them. Her long lashes trembled faintly.

"... All three have mixed noble-race ancestry. They have upright characters and exceptional gifts, so I hope you'll treat them with care. It's no longer my place to interfere, but..."

"Of course."

"... There's no need to force them to train, either. Give them even a little instruction, and they'll grow stronger without end. Every one of them has extensive experience. They'll be particularly helpful against the Thirteen Skies. The martial arts they practice are suited to it."

"I'll bear that in mind."

With that brief response, Jung Yeonshin raised his hands in a martial salute. He tensed both arms to conceal his exhaustion.

His right hand tingled from unleashing Radiant River in succession. He was in this state despite their brief exchange.

Was it because his opponent was a captain of equal standing? The tactic of ending the fight quickly seemed to put even more strain on his body.

"I've talked too much."

Cheon Soso returned his salute.

"..."

Even then, the area around the sparring platform remained quiet. Silence had swallowed the crowd. Not one of them dared speak carelessly.

It had taken only two exchanges.

Some had wagered on the outcome of the match.

No one had staked silver on it ending within just a few moves.

Though a swift decisive battle between equals did not necessarily reflect their relative martial attainment, the Radiant Demon Squad captain's fighting method, backed by a divine technique, had produced a result beyond common sense.

Even some experts who had watched Lightning Genius's promotion ceremonies time and again fell silent.

Only after a long while did a few begin whispering.

"... It'll be difficult to consider the Radiant Demon Squad weak now. Its captain is already that powerful. I thought he was merely a promising new black robe, but the speed of his progress defies belief."

"They might clash with a great faction on a joint mission. Has Captain Lightning Genius ever failed a mission? I suspect we may see something quite remarkable."

"Once. Capturing the Seventh Apostle. The Blood Flame Cult's supreme master."

"He was a white robe then. That failure belongs to the previous Radiant Demon Squad captain."

Lightning Genius had entered this match as captain of the Radiant Demon Squad. It had drawn attention from far more people than the crowd gathered here.

Could the Radiant Demon Squad recover its former prestige?

Once, it had been counted among the strongest combat units apart from the Divine Sword Unit.

Each Desolate Fortress combat unit was practically a small sect in its own right. What the Radiant Demon Squad would accomplish under its new captain was a matter of consuming interest.

"I'll see you at the Hall of the Sword That Seeks Peace."

With those few words, Immortal Wood Spirit Lord Cheon Soso turned away.

Her foot fell softly.

Her departing steps differed from those she had taken during the match.

A somewhat clumsy heaviness weighed on her gait, once like a drifting leaf. She seemed troubled.

Surrendering three blue-robed experts was that serious a matter.

It also brought Jung Yeonshin tremendous relief. No, relief was not enough to describe it.

The feeling welling up as though filling even the radiant wheel in his heart was closer to accomplishment.

Three treasured swords had come into his hands.

He felt more fulfilled than when creating most martial arts. He had taken another step toward the purple robe.

The day he would race through the martial world leading twenty-four blue robes was not far off. Jung Yeonshin wanted to bestow the name Invincible upon the Radiant Demon Squad, where traces of his uncle still remained.

'I need to synthesize the radiant demon arts anew. Weave together every martial principle of the Lightning Genius martial lineage.'

Lowering his clasped hands, Jung Yeonshin sought his next opponent.

The murmuring spectators did not enter his notice.

His first priority was finding the Blood-Preserving Squad Captain, whose gaze he had met earlier. As a captain himself, he had refrained from naming several seniors at once.

He had worried it would seem too presumptuous. Only Immortal Wood Spirit Lord Cheon Soso's name had appeared on his public challenge. Now he had to name the next person.

Soon, puzzlement entered Jung Yeonshin's eyes.

'Where has he gone?'

Blood-Preserving Squad Captain Jin Myeongjo had vanished.

Had some urgent business arisen?

Even when he heightened his energy detection and swept his surroundings, he caught no trace of that sinister qi.

The man had disappeared without a trace, as though using concealment arts, despite the presence of two other captains. It was remarkable martial prowess.

'I need to strengthen the connection between the Dharma-Surpassing Radiant Wheel Art and the Demon-Slaying Gentle Flowing Strike. A few adjustments to the formula could speed up their execution.'

With no other choice, Jung Yeonshin decided to visit the Desolate Fortress's Ma clan first.

The most important task since his return still awaited him.

He had to use the Movement Art to help his maternal grandfather absorb a Great Restoration Pill.

* * *

Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

Sunlight reaching from the very end of autumn swept into the alley. Yet even bathed in that bright sunshine, the passage was cold enough to cut the skin.

A woman with short, ash-gray hair stood with her arms folded, looking down at a kneeling Zhongnan Sect disciple.

"Should I kill you..."

The woman with a divine sword at her waist parted her lips.

"...and become that child's maidservant?"

Shame suffused her furrowed brow. Though untouched by her hand, the divine sword seemed ready to unleash hundreds of strands of sword qi at any moment.

She had reached a realm where her tumultuous emotions resonated with her blade.