WHOOSH!

The instant he broke through the sword qi with a wave of force from Formidable Wall and a single Evading Swift Step, Jung Yeonshin realized he had returned to the basics. He felt a mastery so complete that the formulas of his martial arts seemed to be engraving themselves into every meridian in his body.

Namgoong Hwashin's face came into view. Despite his clenched teeth, his pale complexion remained composed. Was it because he could overwhelm with strength even when outmatched in skill?

Yeonshin paid it no mind. He thrust his slightly inclined torso forward. Having just shattered the wave of force from his opponent's sword strike with his footwork, he now had room to maneuver with both hands—his left palm and his right-hand sword.

'Now.'

He had to settle the match here. His core energy was running dry. If he dragged this out, he would lose. He decided to bring it out once more.

The instant he thrust out the gleaming white Desolate Sword in his right hand, he activated the mutually opposing formulas in his left. His mind felt refreshingly clear. Internal energy unfolded from the Inner Pass pressure point below his wrist. He wrapped the Demon-Slaying Gentle Flowing Strike around the Blood Art's core energy as it began spreading unchecked.

WHOOOM!

He entrusted his fate to the unfinished fourth form of the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.

Just then, white sword light filled his vision. Having deflected the Radiant Sword Art's strike, Namgoong Hwashin was unleashing a counterattack. The martial force of the Boundless Heaven Technique surged toward him like invisible arrows. The air split into several streams with brief, shrill cries. Unconcerned, Yeonshin opened his palm.

SWISH!

In that instant, Hwashin's figure swirled like sleet, rushing in along a gently curving path. His movement technique was exquisite, combining evasion with counterattack. He seemed intent on slipping past the attack from the side and landing a blow.

'Young Master Namgoong would...'

Yeonshin had expected as much. The White Qilin was skilled enough to react immediately to even a slight opening stance. He could guess the thinking behind those Mobility Arts: Hwashin was wary of the fourth form's power. Yeonshin had used it once in this match. Hwashin did not know its flaws—not yet. That was enough.

WHOOM!

He bent his hand backward. He was not aiming ahead. Instead, he would release the palm force behind him. He filled the hand jueyin pericardium meridian, which ran from his shoulder through the center of his left arm, with core energy layered through the Classic of Initiating Transcendence. Without a moment's delay, he unleashed the palm technique that pitted Blood Art against Gentle Flowing Strike.

BOOM!

It felt as though a cannon shell had exploded against the arm he had braced with core energy. The scenery distorted like a storm as it swept across his vision. An enormous load bore down on his left foot, his pivot. He endured it with internal energy and spun.

"...!"

At the edge of his vision, he saw Hwashin's face, eyes wide. Having already changed direction once to execute his movement technique, even the White Qilin had no room to react again. The Boundless Flowing Body's rushing speed was truly astonishing. He was already thrusting his sword from close beside Yeonshin, but a single palm technique had changed their relative positions.

SWISH!

Yeonshin felt every instant of his body's full rotation. It was truly like a gale. All in a fleeting moment. His innate senses shone. The vortex of martial force he could not control seemed to guide his body of its own accord. He tightened the peroneal muscles at his ankle, redirecting the flow of power upward. It raced through his thigh and waist to his right arm in an instant.

CLANG!

A sword flew free. Its spinning blade flashed again and again before falling to the ground.

FLAP!

Yeonshin spun twice more with the Desolate Sword before coming to a halt. The hem of his blue robe fluttered once and settled. He still held his sword's hilt. Sunlight shimmered in a long line along the Desolate Sword's blade as it lowered in his right hand.

That last move was a technique he had first learned in the Radiant Demon Squad. Energy Accumulation Discharge. His own Silk-Reeling Force, learned by watching Chung Myung's swordsmanship. He had truly poured out every martial art he knew.

'That hurts.'

His grip ached. A numbing vibration traveled all the way up to his wrist.

"..."

Silence lingered for a moment. The spectators had all seen it clearly. The White Qilin, Namgoong Hwashin, had lost his sword. A gifted young man trained in the Eight Families' age-old divine techniques had fallen to an even younger expert. It was difficult to speak immediately. Anyone but the participants themselves would have felt that way. And so it was one of those participants who broke the silence.

"This is no real battle, after all," Hwashin said slowly. "It would be petty to prolong the exchange with fist and palm arts."

The corners of the handsome young expert's mouth lifted slightly. Suncheon Wing's most promising warrior raised his hands in a martial salute without hesitation. Did the outcome not trouble him? He must have worked so hard to win, yet he smiled as though satisfied with the match itself, regardless of the reward.

"Young Master Jung, that was an excellent match. I concede."

He looked just as he had when acknowledging defeat during the desolate fortress trial. His bearing was upright, the very model of an orthodox martial artist. Yeonshin found him immensely admirable.

'During the entrance examination... it was my sword that went flying.'

A strange emotion stirred within him. Was this what it meant to feel that an age had passed? He vividly remembered losing his grip on his sword, unable to withstand Hwashin's sword force. It felt like only yesterday that he had depended on the White Qilin's generosity during the entrance examination, yet now this day had come. It was proof of his growth.

Yeonshin spread core energy throughout his meridians and straightened his posture. The fierce battle had left his body stiff. Throughout the match, he had endured force beyond the capacity of his own internal energy. Hwashin seemed in better physical condition despite his defeat, but fortunately, Yeonshin managed to return the martial salute without showing his discomfort.

"You have taught me much. I can only thank you."

The Radiant Demon Squad's Lightning Genius and Suncheon Wing's White Qilin raised their hands in mutual respect. The future of the Desolate Fortress stood saluting one another. Only then did the spectators react.

Some discussed where the two would go from here. Born martial artists could not conceal their excitement over the martial principles the young experts had displayed. Others gathered their swords, seemingly unable to resist the urge to train... Amid them all, praise and cheers filled the central training grounds.

"I never thought I'd find myself saying something so trite. Our fortress has a bright future."

"The White Qilin would have shone even among the orthodox martial world. His magnanimous nature is a delight to behold."

"I'm curious about the Lightning Genius's personal martial arts. I hear one of his Buddhist arts has entered the martial library, but its structure is exceedingly complex..."

"Even the captains couldn't master the basics, they say. I'd like to know what the others are like. If he created arts of that caliber alone... he could establish a school right now."

"Perhaps that would be better than serving on the front lines. If he loses his life-and-death match against the Namgoong clan, won't those precious supreme arts be lost? Of the Blue and White Twin Qilins, the Blue Qilin has trained several years longer than the White Qilin."

The man speaking of defeat in one corner had to shut his mouth at once. The former Divine Sword Squad Leader was gazing steadily at him. With his eyes alone, he exuded a presence so deep and still that it imposed silence. It belied the rumors that his martial prowess was declining rapidly now that his prime had passed.

A small disturbance arose. But it had nothing to do with the center of the training grounds.

STEP.

The Annihilation Squad captain approached Yeonshin and Hwashin. He seemed indifferent to the commotion. His gaunt body remained clad in powerful waves of qi like iron armor, an imposing sight. This was the man who had beheaded the Hwangbo clan head, who had reportedly concealed a secret technique. He seemed to have grown even stronger since then.

"The Lightning Genius will face the Namgoong young clan head," he said. "White Qilin, take the head of the Changnyeong Flower Mistress."

He meant Hwashin's younger half sister by a different mother. It was just like the Annihilation Squad captain. His impassive expression as he spoke of kin slaughtering kin was striking. He was said to have roamed the martial world for nearly twenty years as a black-robed expert of the Desolate Fortress. Yeonshin had even heard it said that molten iron ran through his veins instead of blood.

"... I accept the outcome of the competition." Hwashin offered a martial salute, his face stiff.

What could possibly have happened? He was among the fairest and most honorable people Yeonshin had ever met. For once, Yeonshin found himself curious about someone else's affairs.

'It's a long way to Southern Zhili.'

Before the match, they had agreed to tell each other their stories. He would be able to hear it on the journey. They were martial artists. Neither had to say it to know: crossing swords had brought them closer.

"Lightning Genius." The Annihilation Squad captain called to him, a curious look in his eyes.

"I watched you refine your martial arts here today. Such supreme arts would be a shame to bury. If you were to write a secret manual, many would shed blood to possess it. I mean when you venture into the martial world."

The thought had never occurred to Yeonshin. He remained silent.

"Take care to safeguard your martial arts." As he offered that advice, his hand tightened slightly on the boy's shoulder. The Annihilation Squad captain looked at each of the two rising talents, then turned and walked away.

Hwashin shrugged and approached. "His words seem worth heeding. Extraordinary martial arts invite bloodshed. Hasn't the tomb of some nameless Heavenly Demon been dug up time and again?"

"I've heard the stories often." Yeonshin nodded quietly.

Looking considerably more at ease, Hwashin gave a short laugh. "I've suffered consecutive defeats. At the hands of one young master."

"Who can say what would happen if we crossed swords again?"

"For now, perhaps. But do you know something? I have experienced your growth firsthand. During the desolate fortress trial, and now." He grinned. "In another year or so, you'll be facing different opponents. Whether from the Thirteen skies or the Nine Sects and Eight Families. At the very least, I doubt they'll be your age."

"..."

Yeonshin felt awkward replying, but Hwashin was not wrong. That was what it would take to reach the Divine Sword Squad Leader's level. He would need martial might capable of crushing the countless established experts whose names already resounded throughout the world.

"But the present is the present. If I may offer some advice, Young Master Jung, you should further hone that unusual palm technique and your sword formulas. Increase your internal energy as much as possible, too. Whatever spirit pills you must use." Hwashin's expression grew serious.

"My elder brother... is a powerful man in his own right. So are his martial arts. I never once defeated him before leaving our house. You would do well not to think of besting him with internal energy. Considering all the spirit medicine he has consumed as the Namgoong clan's legitimate eldest son, he must rank among the greatest of his generation in that regard."

"I'll keep that in mind." Yeonshin dipped his head. He had already found his path. What he needed was time.

"The days have grown long," Hwashin murmured, returning his silent bow.

As though announcing that the summer solstice had passed, the blazing sunset remained vivid. People began leaving one by one amid the red shadows, with no sign of dusk approaching. Some, however, remained.

"I knew this would happen!"

They were his Radiant Demon Squad comrades, including Heon Wonchang, and the experts of Suncheon Wing. Across the grounds, Shin Binbin sat on the steps with a complicated expression. Beside her, Yeonshin spotted his junior from the Radiant Demon Squad, Shin Sobin. Her large, round eyes were unchanged.

Binbin and Sobin. The two were plainly sisters, and he thought he could guess what they had said to each other. Shin Sobin alone was smiling. Her look of gleeful satisfaction was rather comical.

As attendants tidied the grounds, the Desolate Fortress's Chief Administrator approached with a smile. His gaze seemed full of satisfaction as it moved between Yeonshin and Hwashin.

"That was an impressive match."

"Chief Administrator."

"My respects, Chief Administrator."

His smile deepened at their martial salutes. "Delivering the official documents will take time. We must first declare war on the Namgoong clan. Still, you should have the results in seven days at the latest."

His commendation marked the conclusion. The competition, at once long and short, had come to an end. It was a day when several names, including the Radiant Demon Squad's Lightning Genius, were firmly engraved upon the vast Desolate Fortress.

* * *

Afterward, time passed in a blur. Visitors began arriving in numbers the very next day. The repercussions were different from those of his coming-of-age ceremony or his promotion to blue robes.

A considerable number of the Desolate Fortress's experts took an interest in those who would face the Namgoong clan. It was inevitable. The greatest clan under heaven. The unorthodox Thirteen skies might deny it, but whenever orthodox martial artists discussed the greatest lay martial house, Namgoong was always mentioned. Among the secular martial houses, it was the clan spoken of as the strongest of the orthodox path. One-on-one matches between Namgoong and the Desolate Fortress would shake the entire martial world.

'Later. There are only a few days left.'

Yeonshin avoided going outside whenever possible. He mostly remained secluded, seated on the floor of his room. Through repeated regulated breathing and circulation, he cycled core energy through his major and minor meridians again and again. He devoted all his efforts to bringing his body's interior into peak condition. He also worked to hasten the absorption of the wound medicine applied to his external injuries.

Sunset faded day after day. He waited for the half-moon to put on flesh made of radiance.

'Soon.'

Each time he completed a greater circulation through the pressure points of his upper body, one person's face came to mind. A supreme being, in both status and martial might. The full moon was approaching.