The middle-aged man had emitted qi fluctuations strong enough to suggest he was a Blood Master Swordsman.

Jung Yeonshin had gotten behind such a man in an instant. Even if he had exploited a lapse in vigilance as he always did, it was a remarkable feat.

His speed alone had risen to another level. He had expected an entirely new kind of power.

'But...'

The wave of force released by his descending knife-hand was not what he had expected.

Even as he delivered an instantly fatal blow to the man's head, he felt puzzled. The martial art he had envisioned had failed to emerge.

He had struck with physical strength. That alone was monstrous.

THUD!

Struck on the head, the man fell chin-first. His entire body twitched as he lay facedown.

He was already dead. Those were his final spasms.

"Someone like him, in a single move...!"

"What truly sublime martial arts!"

The exclamations from one of the Martial Alliance's whelps and Hyeon Yuryang meant nothing.

Even the movements he had thought faster were merely the result of repeated insights improving the efficiency of his core energy.

Jung Yeonshin's senses, refined to the point of intuition, dissected every aspect of what had happened. He understood at once.

The new formula he had tried to bring forth was still crude. Its parts had not meshed precisely.

An inspiration that would run through everything and unite it.

It was always like this. A single bolt of lightning to weave the scattered formulas into one martial art. That was all Jung Yeonshin needed.

'It'll come soon.'

He felt no impatience. He had been told that when the upper dantian communed with heaven and earth, one sometimes entered the realm of foresight.

He had a feeling he would soon create a martial art imbued with Dharma power. Perhaps even today.

Jung Yeonshin addressed Hyeon Yuryang.

"The Blood Flame Cult has infiltrated the escort agency. Could the Heavenly Sword Clan handle the matter?"

"Of course. Anything that happens in Pingdingshan is our concern. We can only thank you for coming to us, Lightning Genius."

Hyeon Yuryang gave another clasped-fist salute. He, too, was the heir to a distinguished clan.

His deft handling of affairs was the sort of accomplishment expected of a properly educated direct descendant of such a family.

It was something Jung Yeonshin, the unwanted burden of the Jeong Clan Estate, lacked.

But there was something peculiar about the way Hyeon Yuryang looked at him. It did not seem to be simple admiration.

"Forgive the question, but may I ask your age?"

"... I am sixteen this year."

"A suitable age. If you are not already betrothed, might I introduce you to my younger sister? She is a very lovely, kind girl."

Hyeon Yuryang spoke as casually as could be.

What had he just said? For once, Jung Yeonshin was flustered. He simply did not show it.

'Marriage?'

Could anything be further removed from his life? Having children with someone and growing old together. He doubted he could reach such a life even in his dreams.

He declined politely.

"I appreciate the offer, but I scarcely have enough time for my sword. Nor could I be called a good match. My family was destroyed."

"A promising master of the Desolate Fortress is an excellent match in his own right. I hope you will take some time to consider it."

Jung Yeonshin let Hyeon Yuryang's smiling words pass him by and turned his gaze north.

It was time for the briefly scattered Radiant Demon Squad to reunite.

* * *

"I knew you'd be safe! You did splendidly, Young Master Jung!"

Heon Wonchang greeted him amid a complex of a dozen or so large, neat halls.

He had quite a few wounds. Perhaps because they had been inflicted by Blood Art core energy, the bleeding did not seem to have stopped completely.

Yet he was grinning even as blood seeped through the cotton cloth wrapped around various parts of his body.

After their brief reunion, Jung Yeonshin suddenly asked,

"Do you have any internal injuries?"

"Fortunately, no. You seem perfectly fine, Young Master Jung."

"I made my way to the outskirts and boarded a boat."

"Ah! That reminds me. I heard you brought back those wicked little Martial Alliance whelps. That was splendid work, too."

Heon Wonchang laughed with relish. Even when he briefly winced as though a wound had reopened, his smile remained.

Each of the great unorthodox sects had its own reason for being counted among the Thirteen skies.

Jung Yeonshin had seen Sword Flower attempt to kill a woman without a second thought.

Though Heon Wonchang had shown an inexplicable hostility toward prestigious great sects, Jung Yeonshin thought this smile belonged purely to someone walking the righteous path.

Jung Yeonshin walked beside Heon Wonchang, passing through shafts of bright sunlight streaming between the halls.

He had just declined the Heavenly Sword Clan's kind offer of an attendant.

Heon Wonchang, who said he had already eaten several meals here, explained what had happened.

The remaining Radiant Demon Squad members had broken through the encirclement and pushed straight on to Pingdingshan.

Baek Miryeo had worried about Jung Yeonshin, but what they learned from torturing a Blood Flame Cult member had put her mind at ease.

They had all been certain that the Martial Alliance's half-baked young talents could do nothing to Lightning Genius.

Before long, Jung Yeonshin saw Ma Jin and his seniors in the Radiant Demon Squad.

The scar on Ma Jin's chin lifted slightly.

"You managed to earn merit even in those circumstances."

"And how did you fare, Captain? The Seventh Apostle's head...?"

Jung Yeonshin asked calmly. The captain of the Radiant Demon Squad, known as the Hell Slaughterer, averted his eyes.

"That witch's movement technique is a poor matchup for me. If Chung Myung had reached my level, he could have killed her."

"You call that an excuse?"

Chung Myung rebuked him with a grin.

As usual, Baek Miryeo took Jung Yeonshin by the shoulders and looked him over before nodding.

"You're almost excessively healthy. Your bearing seems to be changing yet again. At an age when most are still building their foundations, you just keep advancing."

"... Thank you, Senior."

At some point, she had begun acting like an older sister. He turned slightly, freeing himself from her hands. He was grateful, but it still felt awkward.

Jung Yeonshin turned his gaze away.

"Then what becomes of our mission to hunt down the Blood Flame Cult? The Seventh Apostle seems to have information about their headquarters."

"We wait. I intend to coordinate our response with the Heavenly Sword Clan."

After that brief answer, Ma Jin continued.

"There was something odd about the Seventh Apostle's manner. They seemed to have orders to wipe us out as well. From the perspective of the Desolate Fortress proper and the Blood Flame Cult headquarters, this may be a localized conflict, but for us, it's all-out war."

"Do we know when they will come?"

"Our not knowing is their advantage. We must strike back. We do have a secret weapon: the Heavenly Sword Clan's trap device techniques. We shouldn't be caught by surprise."

It was said that a prestigious martial house was usually a palace built upon corpses and blood.

Distinguished clans had many enemies. Inevitably, they developed ingenious defenses against intruders.

'Trap device techniques.'

He had heard of them. They combined strange technology with the principles of nature to produce uncanny phenomena.

Naturally, a third-rate martial family like the Jeong Clan Estate had possessed nothing of the sort.

"They say the iron race artisans from our fortress came here in person to build them. Those blood fiends won't know about them."

The day drew to a close with Ma Jin's amused words.

Jung Yeonshin greeted Radiant Demon Team Two. They, too, expressed relief at their junior's safe return.

After also reuniting with the Jeong Clan Estate's Chief Steward and the little divine monk Gak jung, he retired to his room.

Rather than going straight to sleep, Jung Yeonshin sat on the bed.

'Let's organize the formula.'

He sat cross-legged, clothed in moonlight. His meditation continued until dawn.

He did not stir until the blanket enveloping him had changed from moonlight to sunshine.

* * *

After breakfast, he received an invitation from Hyeon Yuryang. The message was amusing.

It said that his younger sister would be present, and he would appreciate it if Jung Yeonshin took care with his appearance.

He had even sent a set of dazzling silk clothes. Apparently, he was determined to make good on his words.

Jung Yeonshin picked up the clothes between his thumb and forefinger. He had been regarding them with a peculiar look for a moment when a shout rang out.

"RADIANT—DEMON—SQUAD!"

It was Ma Jin's voice, laden with core energy. The door, fashioned from fine timber, rattled for a long moment.

For an instant, the very air seemed to seethe. The Radiant Demon Squad captain was summoning them. It was the signal for an enemy attack.

Jung Yeonshin immediately picked up the Desolate Sword. Sunlight glancing off its jet-black hilt and scabbard shimmered menacingly.

By the time he stepped out of his room, he was fully prepared.

His seniors had gathered in the courtyard. Heon Wonchang came rushing over as well.

Before Ma Jin could explain the situation, the running Heon Wonchang snatched a hidden weapon shot at his head out of the air.

The corners of his mouth curved smoothly upward.

"Interesting."

He crushed the long throwing needle in one hand and smiled.

"It'll be different this time."

He murmured the words with a glance at Jung Yeonshin.

Ma Jin gave the approaching Heon Wonchang a light pat on the shoulder and spoke as though biting off each word.

"An explosive went off at the south gate. They're completely insane. It will have wrecked the entire formation pattern."

"So much for respecting the imperial court."

"I'd heard rumors, but did the Tang Clan really go mad and make them? And the one that just exploded was leaked?"

Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung each offered a remark.

By then, they were watching the Blood Flame Cult Apostle approach with languid grace after smashing through the rear gate.

An enormous number of Blood Master Swordsmen and cultists spread out behind her. There looked to be a full two hundred.

"Surely not."

The Seventh Apostle's elegant gait drew everyone's attention in a peculiar way. Her lips moved slowly.

"The Tang Clan is orthodox, after all."

Her laugh was alluring. Her smile was red.

Ma Jin stepped forward.

"Sowing distrust, are you, witch? You needn't trouble yourself. The Desolate Fortress watches every sect under heaven. We always have."

"All the martial schools and regional noble clans under heaven, and the Desolate Fortress. Hypocrites who cling to the world and refuse to let it go."

"Quite a mouth on a witch from an evil cult."

"Our Cult's blood flames shall cleanse all under heaven. Even in death, behold the World of Blood."

Did everyone obsessed with an evil cult speak and act like this? Jung Yeonshin wondered to himself.

The Seventh Apostle closed her mouth, still smiling, and gave an arrogant jerk of her chin.

At once, the Blood Flame Cult's distinctive pressure surged toward them like an army's battle spirit. The fierce battle had begun.

CLAAANG!

Waves of qi made tangible clawed at the dirt. Ma Jin clashed with the Seventh Apostle.

The Heavenly Sword Clan's masters came running, and the Shaolin monks and Radiant Demon Squad mingled with the Blood Flame Cultists in combat.

From the outset, Jung Yeonshin kept the two supreme masters in his sights. Having caught them off guard with the explosive, the enemies pressed forward with ferocious momentum.

Waves of sinister core energy lashed against his skin.

While Heon Wonchang blocked a Blood Master Swordsman's blade, Baek Miryeo swept past and cut the man's throat.

This was a fight to the death. Even the pride of martial artists who valued fair play was a laughable thing in group combat.

SPURT!

Jung Yeonshin severed a cultist's arm.

With the Desolate Sword in hand, he drifted through the area like a fluttering leaf.

All the while, he never took his eyes off Ma Jin and the Seventh Apostle.

The occasional gust of wind was heavy with the scent of blood.

'Over there, too.'

The Seventh Apostle had gained support. The eye techniques of the three Blood Master Swordsmen surrounding her and Ma Jin were extraordinary.

They struck only when the two exchanged blows, seemingly dividing Ma Jin's attention. They were exceptional even among the Blood Master Swordsmen.

"Good."

Jung Yeonshin murmured under his breath.

Then he began walking slowly, lightly twisting his body this way and that as he went.

The cultists' weapons seemed to betray bewilderment as they swept past him.

His movement technique was gradually nearing completion. Before he knew it, he was acquiring prowess within reach of a blue robe.

STEP. STEP.

The closer he came, the more forcefully the Seventh Apostle's qi fluctuations stimulated his entire body. Was this Bodhidharma's voice?

An intent arose that guided his core energy in a new way.

The sinister power raging like a storm was carrying Jung Yeonshin into another realm.

CLANG! BOOM!

Into the range swept by the supreme masters' waves of force, Jung Yeonshin stepped serenely. He had the Blood Master Swordsmen to thank for dissipating the waves in their efforts to help the Seventh Apostle.

Ma Jin glanced at him, his eyes widening, while the Seventh Apostle's lips curved upward slightly.

"You don't know your place."

Core energy filled the Seventh Apostle's long fingers. Even while she exchanged blows with Ma Jin, its density was tremendous.

She had enough power to spare to throw out her left hand carelessly while concentrating on her opponent. The three Blood Master Swordsmen were directing their attacks solely at Ma Jin.

For Jung Yeonshin, this was welcome. The Seventh Apostle's hand had already slowed sufficiently.

The Baihui point of his upper dantian blazed white-hot at the crown of his head.

A cool sensation swept through Jung Yeonshin's mind.

The little divine monk Gak jung's fist and foot techniques, the Shaolin monks' sermons, and all the formulas he possessed intertwined and exploded like lightning.

The radiance rising in his mind forged a formula of light. Inspiration struck in an instant, flared, and inscribed five characters.

Demon-Slaying Azure Adamant Hand.

Jung Yeonshin formed a knife-hand and thrust it forward. A numinous energy gathered in the wave of force, glowing the faintest blue.

THWACK!

The Seventh Apostle's casually extended hand was knocked aside. It felt as though his force had unraveled hers through an absolute natural advantage.

Stormlike winds gathered and buckled all around him. Jung Yeonshin's hand continued straight ahead and met something foreign.

At the end of the straight wave of force, suffused with pale azure light, was her left eye.

SHHHRK!

"Aaaagh!"

They said practicing Blood Art sharpened every sensation in the body. Was pain the same?

It had been so for the first Blood Master Swordsman Jung Yeonshin killed. With a sword lodged in his abdomen, the man had been unable to regain his wits.

The Seventh Apostle, clutching one eye, seemed no different.

Blood seeped between her snow-white fingers. Her slender body trembled.

"Y-you...!"

She could no longer contend with Ma Jin. With an astonishing movement technique, she opened the distance. It all happened in an instant.

An opportunity. Ma Jin cut down all three Blood Master Swordsmen at once, yet even he could not hide the shock on his face.

The same was true of everyone who began turning toward them, one after another.

Amid the din of battle, silence filled the space around them.

"A World of Blood, was it? You'll only see half of it now."

Speaking calmly, Jung Yeonshin flicked his left hand once. Even after the spray of blood scattered, the residue on the back of his hand bothered him.