“... Isn't that excessive?”

Jung Yeonshin asked after a brief silence. Fifty taels of silver alone was an enormous sum. It would be enough to establish a household and live in idleness for years. Yet the rewards listed after it far surpassed even that.

'Robes of Thousand-year Silk, and the Divine Sword Squad Leader's martial arts...'

There was an expression: priceless treasure. Something whose worth could not be measured in money. Clothing that blades could not tear and martial learning from the very highest reaches of the martial world qualified. So did spirit medicine that an immense organization like the Desolate Fortress called high-grade.

“Excessive? Not at all.”

The Chief Administrator leaned his broad shoulders back slightly.

“If the Dragon-Phoenix Summit were all, perhaps. But destroying the Hwangbo branch family with only three blue-robed warriors was a considerable achievement in itself. I hear your unique martial arts made it possible. At the blue-robed level and above, we can ill afford to spare even a single warrior. Keeping the diversion of forces from the attack on their main house to a minimum ranks third among your achievements.”

“...”

“You seem unused to praise. How interesting.”

His smile deepened. The Chief Administrator seemed a more jovial man than his appearance suggested.

“Shall we discuss the second? You single-handedly defeated six Blood Flame Cult branches in Xuzhou. The region's blood fiends were exterminated. We even received a letter from the Xuzhou government office, extolling the Desolate Fortress as the divine sword of the Great Ming.”

He looked immensely pleased.

“Securing influence over government offices is one of our principal objectives. A blue-robed warrior earned the prefect's commendation all by himself? You would make a fine example for our warriors, who treat local officials like innkeepers. That is worth rewarding generously and publicizing widely.”

He was praising Yeonshin to his face. Yeonshin's expression stiffened slightly. Such lavish praise brought an awkwardness he had never experienced before.

Watching him closely, the Chief Administrator spoke.

“This was your first venture into the martial world as a blue-robed warrior, was it not? You must grow accustomed to this. As one of our blue-robed experts—and all the more as the Fortress Master's direct disciple.”

“... Thank you for the advice.”

“It was hardly anything.”

The Chief Administrator gave a small chuckle and continued.

“Foremost among your assessed achievements is the Azure Wild Valley incident in Southern Zhili. You intervened in the war between the Namgoong clan and the Blood Flame Cult. Young Master, you are a lawful guardian of the Great Ming Code serving our fortress. When a heretical cult designated by the imperial house is involved in a battle, you may intervene regardless of the circumstances. As such, Namgoong, a mere regional noble clan, ought naturally to have accorded you due respect.”

HUM.

A wave of qi stirred from his body. His mind and core energy moved as one.

Inwardly, Yeonshin was deeply startled. It meant that his command of internal energy had reached the realm of the Desolate Fortress's black-robed warriors.

“And those baseborn scum stood by and watched? Such are the vermin of the great secular martial factions. They regard our fortress as a thorn in their side. The welfare of the common people we protect rarely coexists with the interests of Murim's powerful.”

His words continued, laden with force.

“They meant to kill without bloodying their own hands. To kill a rising expert who would one day become our fortress's treasured sword.”

Fierce anger settled over his face. He looked frightening even while speaking of the past.

Yeonshin accepted a teacup from an attendant. Holding it lightly, he raised it to his lips and waited for the Chief Administrator's anger to subside. This was his first taste of the supposedly precious Longjing tea, but even after several sips, he could find nothing special about it.

'I suppose the way of tea isn't for me.'

This was tea meant to be savored at leisure. Once again, he realized it was a pastime unsuited to his life.

“Forgive that lapse in manners.”

The Chief Administrator inclined his head slightly before speaking.

“You killed a great many blood fiends, Young Master, but our fortress gained an even greater justification. We will put the Namgoong clan in the vanguard of our attack on the Thirteen Skies.”

“You mean to ask for their cooperation?”

The Chief Administrator shook his head at Yeonshin's question.

“I mean you have brought us grounds to compel them by force. We must consider the eyes of the martial world when subjugating an orthodox faction. This incident allows us to replace Namgoong's leadership. We intend to deal with those who stood by and watched you according to the laws of the martial world.”

Though his qi had subsided, his smile was chilling.

In this context, the laws of the martial world could mean only one thing. They would exercise the privilege of the strong. They intended to seize control of the Namgoong clan and drive it into the Thirteen Skies like a battering ram.

'Using the grievances of the Fortress Master's direct disciple as their pretext.'

Yeonshin felt the winter of the martial world. A bitter, freezing winter—even though this was his own side's plan.

He recalled the troubled Central Plains the Blood Flame Cult Leader had spoken of. The Desolate Fortress was already a major force within that turmoil.

The Chief Administrator spoke as though amused.

“Killing with a borrowed blade, or fighting poison with poison. Either description would do. Those scum sought to cut you down with the Blood Flame Cult's blade. They can have no complaints if we do the same to them.”

Yeonshin took his hand from the teacup.

“That, too, would be a mission?”

“Indeed. It will be a series of life-and-death duels rather than a war. We will bind Namgoong with our justification and cut off only its leadership. We are persuading experts from their collateral lines to take their places. We have told them to cooperate if they wish to preserve their clan, since fighting our fortress would mean certain destruction.”

“... May I ask when?”

The Chief Administrator smiled before answering.

“I cannot give you a definite answer yet. Defeat will not be tolerated on this mission, so if you wish to volunteer, devote yourself to recuperation. There may be competition for selection. Our warriors stake their lives on honor as well. They will not readily pass up a chance to see Namgoong's martial arts and cut them down. We may have to select participants through a contest of martial prowess.”

“Thank you. Then, regarding the Blood Flame Cult headquarters...?”

“It grows late. Let us first cross-check your written report alongside the achievements already assessed. I suspect the reward for that will not be something I can authorize myself.”

With a gentle smile, the Chief Administrator brought the audience to a close.

“We will send the silver and Thousand-year Silk robes to the Radiant Demon Squad's quarters shortly. The Divine Sword Squad Leader is away, so upon his return, our Command Bureau will send an order bearing the Fortress Master's seal. What would you like to do about the spirit medicine?”

“I will take it once I have finished recuperating.”

“Very well. I will leave it with the Medical Pavilion under the name of the Radiant Demon Squad's Lightning Genius. And...”

He stopped Yeonshin as he rose from his seat. An ambiguous smile hovered at his lips.

“Perhaps I am worrying needlessly, but I think you would do well to keep your distance from the Desolate's Ma clan.”

“Why...?”

Yeonshin gazed steadily at the Chief Administrator. Advising him how to conduct himself with his mother's family was another matter entirely. Had the man not crossed a line?

The Chief Administrator waved a hand.

“I fear you may misunderstand. I say this out of goodwill. Powerful, distinguished houses tend to be divided into factions... All I can tell you is that your recent journey has caused a great upheaval there. It would be awkward to say more about family affairs that are not my own.”

“... Thank you for the advice.”

Yeonshin inclined his head and cupped his fist.

Returning the salute, the Chief Administrator scratched his head. Many of his mannerisms seemed at odds with his age, stature, and martial prowess. That appeared to be his natural disposition.

“Take care on your way.”

The Chief Administrator saw him off with a broad grin.

* * *

On the way back.

He had been told the summer solstice was five days away. Was the fifteenth day of the sixth month this year closer to early summer than late spring? Dusk was already falling.

A faint sliver of scarlet sunlight soaked into his sleeve. The sunset colored his heart with unease.

'The Desolate's Ma clan... They keep holding me back. And now an outsider is warning me to beware of my mother's family.'

Yeonshin drew his robes closer as he thought. The wind brushing his cheek and slipping down to his collarbone was quite cold.

Every time he returned from a mission, he had to mind his conduct. It was unwelcome. He scarcely had enough time to focus on his merits and reputation.

'I made myself clear to my grandfather.'

He had told him not to use their blood ties to control him. Had he not stated it unequivocally after winning his spar against Ma Seyeon?

Yet the coming-of-age ceremony had made his ancestry public. The way people viewed him had changed. He was no longer a warrior from a rural martial household who would establish his own legacy, but a rising talent from a distinguished house, inevitably linked to the movements of the Desolate's Ma clan.

His Radiant Demon Squad senior's earlier mention of disputes between distinguished houses was another example.

This could not continue.

They said a family's affairs were never confined to one individual. He might be swept up in grievances that had nothing to do with him. He had little time left. He needed to keep such nuisances at bay before they arose.

... Just then, a useful measure occurred to him.

And so...

“Yeonshin!”

He was glad to see the handsome boy rushing toward him.

It was a familiar white-robed warrior, displaying quite an accomplished lightness skill as he ran. A collateral relative whom he had defeated twice. There was no forgetting him.

'Ma Se-In.'

His grandfather Ma Yeonjeok's adoptive grandson, and heir to the Desolate's Ma clan.

He had encountered one of the culprits behind his troubled thoughts. A thread of cause and effect that heaven had seemingly tossed out without a care had come together here.

Something serious must indeed have happened, for Ma Se-In had come seeking him on the very day he regained consciousness. Had his careless uncle Ma Jin told him?

The day was just drawing to a close.

Yeonshin stepped forward and asked, “What do you want?”

“A moment, let me catch my breath...”

Ma Se-In stopped three paces away and steadied his breathing. In sheer reserves of internal energy, he far outstripped Yeonshin. Their circumstances had differed from birth, so he must have consumed spirit medicine like ordinary meals. He must have been running for a very long time.

Yeonshin waited for three exhalations.

“Now speak.”

“Uh, well...”

He seemed wary of Yeonshin's reaction, unlike his formerly prideful self.

Yeonshin silently urged him on with a tilt of his chin. Ma Se-In sighed and spoke.

“The elders of the family want to see you.”

“The elders?”

“The senior elders, and my mother...”

“Let's go. I can visit now, can't I? You seem to have come in a hurry.”

Ma Se-In looked rather surprised. He evidently had not imagined Yeonshin would agree so readily.

The two soon started walking together.

Yeonshin asked, “Isn't your home outside the fortress?”

“The main house is. But many members of the household followed Grandfather here. They're all staying in the fortress. We're using an entire hall, because Grandfather intends to become the Desolate Fortress's Elder Council Leader. We're here to lend him support.”

His tone was considerably gentler. He had been like this ever since the coming-of-age ceremony.

They exchanged a few more words. As they did, Ma Se-In kept glancing at Yeonshin's profile.

“I heard you suffered rather severe internal injuries.”

“And?”

“Your qi feels the same as before. Is that possible when you've weakened? No... Have you grown that much stronger? In so little time?”

“More importantly.”

Yeonshin avoided answering and changed the subject.

“Does my grandfather know you've been sent to fetch me?”

“... No. He went to the Fortress Master's office.”

Ma Se-In, too, seemed to sense that something was not quite right. But he appeared ignorant of the circumstances.

The corners of Yeonshin's mouth lifted slightly.

“Your forceful fist technique was impressive.”

He offered the remark casually to Ma Se-In, recalling the Formidable Wall form of his Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, which proved useful time and again.

“They say distinguished houses possess dozens of martial arts. Do the others in your household practice different ones from yours?”

“Naturally.”

“Interesting.”

That was all he said. Yeonshin spoke no further. They walked in silence until they reached the hall where the leaders of the Desolate's Ma clan were staying.

Ma Se-In signaled to the gatekeepers with his eyes.

“This is it.”

Even the main gate was enormous, nearly rivaling that of the Radiant Demon Squad's quarters. And this was only a borrowed residence. It gave some indication of how great their power was.

'Hmm.'

The instant he stepped inside, he felt eyes upon him. Not merely one or two pairs. Every gaze seemed charged with qi. The pressure was tremendous.

Had they been determined to meet him today?

Dozens of people sat in the front courtyard, which had been arranged as a banquet venue. It carried the refined air peculiar to distinguished houses. Even a cursory glance found not a single ordinary person among them.

One figure stood out above all the rest.

“You there.”

A middle-aged woman clad in jet-black court robes parted her red lips.

The silk enveloping her body had been dyed as black as pitch. Her beautiful face overflowed with elegance. She also exuded a lofty presence, as though she had cultivated some special qi art, and her gaze seemed to look down upon the entire world.

“Are you the child who bears the Jeong surname?”

She asked without rising from the seat of honor. Had she deliberately mentioned his surname? He thought he could glimpse something of her intentions.

Instead of answering, Yeonshin turned his head.

“Is she your mother?”

“... Yes.”

Ma Se-In answered uneasily.