Late Departure, Early Arrival.
Even if one sets out late, they can arrive first.
Earlier, Jung Yeonshin had inserted his hands and feet into the three streams of energy that Bukgung Ah had unleashed forward, using them as his own propulsion waves. It was a kind of Harmonious Balance.
In the blink of an eye, he calculated his position.
Moving while mapping out his trajectory in his mind was not difficult. Just as he had once followed behind Master Wonjeok, utilizing the path of the Diamond Immovable Body Technique.
Now, Jung Yeonshin's Splendid Wings Step carried a different sensation.
It was no longer just about accelerating his body with energy waves or using his footwork to dissipate power fluctuations.
He overlaid an incredibly powerful will onto his steps, shortening the time required to complete his advancing footwork to an extreme degree.
The method he employed was akin to the profound mysteries attained by the martial arts of the Taoist and Buddhist sects, having immersed themselves in the currents of time for centuries.
His five steps were eerily fast and uninhibited.
'Bukgung senior was remarkable as well.'
To him, it was merely a difference of one move. While untying her hair ribbon and briefly maneuvering left and right to strip her long coat, she had failed to guard her waist.
Had it been an actual battle, she would have sustained a significant injury. That is, after completely killing Bukgung Ah.
Swoosh.
Jung Yeonshin gathered the hair ribbon and black robe he had been holding in both hands into his right hand.
The sensation was peculiar. The ribbon, as if new, was smooth as it brushed against his skin, while the robe, having endured the battle of the Black Three Steel, was rough at its edges.
His older brothers, Jung Namsan and Jung Jungsan, had once shown off trinkets or wooden swords they had taken from the children of martial families across the river, saying,
"The village kids will come storming in to take these back, so we need to be prepared."
It was the childhood play of Xinye County, backed by the wealth of the Jung Clan Manor, a great landowning household.
Whenever such games of taking and reclaiming unfolded among the children, Jung Yeonshin would merely peek over the wall, silently observing the scene of pursuit and capture.
'I had only ever watched from afar.'
He thought to himself, this is quite entertaining.
"..."
Only the faint sound of pebbles rolling echoed in the duel stage.
The audience held their breaths, each revealing their own expressions of shock and confusion.
The fact that the Radiant Demon Squad's leader had his treasured sword taken was of no consequence.
After all, the most renowned ultimate technique of Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin was Radiant River, not Sword Thunder Flash Art, which had yet to surpass the name given by Azure Qilin.
On the other hand, the black robe of Ruyi Spring Squad's leader in his grasp remained disturbingly intact. He had stripped it with his own hands without even tearing the outer garment.
An unbelievable feat. He had seized three vital points—both arms and the back of the neck—in a single move.
The ability to discern victory and defeat was no different between masters and novices.
The sight of the long robe and hair ribbon fluttering silently in the hands of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
"You, this is…"
Bukgung Ah, now clad only in a thin black martial uniform, stood dazed, gripping Jung Yeonshin's sword.
Rustle.
The Dark Current Squad's leader, who had been watching from the side, moved.
His entirely bandaged body swayed, and the hem of his pitch-black robe brushed the ground. In the blink of an eye, a shadow stretched ominously from beneath his feet, reaching right in front of Jung Yeonshin.
No presence could be felt.
A level of ascendance. It was the Protective Energy Technique, an art akin to sorcery-infused martial skills. The bandaged hands of the Dark Current Squad's leader extended in utter silence.
There was none of the distinct resistance in the air that typically accompanied palm strikes. It was as if his palm imprint had already been carved into space itself.
His aura leaned heavily toward assassination—one-strike, certain-kill. Despite having launched his attack in broad daylight, under the scrutiny of the crowd.
'This was always a feigned duel masked as a chaotic skirmish.'
Jung Yeonshin twisted the energy at the Bubbling Spring Acupoint on the sole of his foot, shifting it to his heel.
Activating Splendid Wings Step once again, his body spun naturally, bringing him face to face with the Dark Current Squad's leader. His shoulder's 'Desolate' character was mere inches from being torn by the palm strike.
As soon as he raised his left hand, a faintly glowing aura arose from his palm and clashed against the Dark Current Squad's leader's strike, smearing it apart.
Once again, Late Departure, Early Arrival.
The Dark Current Squad's leader's breath hitched upon coming into contact with Golden Flow Hand, a technique of Transcending Law Radiant Wheel. Between their clasped hands, a pale radiance leaked in all directions for a fleeting moment.
Like the sound of countless teeth gnawing through cloth.
'Should I sever it?'
Jung Yeonshin could feel it clearly through his palm. The Radiant Wheel was shredding apart the Dark Current Squad's leader's energy, grinding it into dust with an overwhelmingly crude and destructive sensation.
From the observation stands, a refined aura flinched slightly, as if concerned for an ally's well-being.
Even in the midst of his counterattack, Jung Yeonshin sensed and grasped the nature of Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood Jin Myungjo.
But their clash lasted only briefly.
Before even a full breath had passed, the Dark Current Squad's leader took a step back.
Hoo—
A muffled exhale slipped from beneath the cloth wrapping his face. After staring intently at Jung Yeonshin for a moment, he wordlessly turned and stepped off the duel stage.
"..."
The silence among the spectators deepened.
"You, Ruyi Spring Squad's leader! That sword—does it belong to the head of the Murong Clan?!"
A booming question erupted.
A voice infused with inner power spread across the field.
All gazes shifted sharply toward Chief Administrator Lin Jinming, then quickly turned toward Ruyi Spring Squad's leader.
Even as the Dark Current Squad's leader vanished from the sparring ground, Bukgung Ah was still fixated on the sword. Slowly, she gave a slight nod.
She stared at Jung Yeonshin, whose gaze was above her own, with disbelief in her eyes.
"How… is the Meteor Sword in your hands…?"
"That's because the Radiant Demon Squad's leader single-handedly took the head of the Star-Radiance Grand Sword Lord! That is a trophy of war! Return it at once!"
This was a gathering meant to boost the morale of the Desolate Fortress warriors, who were surrounded on all sides.
The Chief Administrator grinned, nearly splitting his lips, and shouted once more. Around his beard, ripples of inner energy flickered.
"Radiant Demon Squad's leader Jung Yeonshin took the head of the Murong Clan's leader! He single-handedly executed him! As the victor of this duel, he rightfully has the privilege to choose any mission at his discretion! No one shall question his decision!"
The mastery of Art of Lip Synchronization was remarkable.
Converting his internal energy entirely into his vocal resonance, his voice rang out, resembling the future vision of the Radiant Demon Squad's Sacred Warrior.
It left an echo.
The warriors stirred in waves below the duel stage. It was the harbinger of chaos.
Those who had been unable to enter the central sparring ground, listening intently from beyond the walls—officials and merchants alike—scattered in all directions.
Even without focusing, the tumultuous auras could be felt. The same was true for the observation stands, the seats of honor.
"Whaaaat—"
Ak Surim, having leaped down, widened her eyes into perfect circles and bombarded Jung Yeonshin with a barrage of questions, while Ruyi Spring Squad's leader returned the Meteor Sword with a face full of unspoken words.
"How many steps?"
"Five steps."
Ah.
A brief sigh escaped Bukgung Ah as she slowly parted her lips, her tone subdued, unlike usual.
"There are still two rounds left in the duel… but the Chief Administrator has every reason to be making a fuss. I thought I would be next after Uncle Yongga."
Jung Yeonshin gave a short nod and sheathed his sword. Bukgung Ah was right. This squad leaders' gathering was said to be more competitive than ever before.
The six warriors clad in black were divided into two groups of three for the duels, and the winners of each group would then compete to determine the final victor.
At that moment, Jin Myungjo suddenly rose from his seat, calling it a waste of time. He announced that he would not participate in the duel and that he would leave the decision entirely to the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
Wrapped from head to toe in a black long coat like a noble bat, he glanced at Jung Yeonshin before looking down at the Chief Administrator.
"Faced with merits worthy of respect, I find myself unwilling to move. I shall take my leave."
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader, still suffering through Ak Surim's chatter, lifted his head.
A nobility he had never witnessed in his entire life.
At Jung Yeonshin's silent bow, the Blood Preservation Squad's leader gave a slight nod before leaping into the air and vanishing across the sky.
Ak Surim's prattle lingered faintly at the trailing end of his robes.
"I won't do it either. How could I possibly match those steps? Unless today is the absolute peak of my condition and luck…"
* * *
Jung Yeonshin returned to the Radiant Demon Squad's Pavilion, avoiding countless bows and salutes from the warriors.
He exchanged all rewards for his merits into Golden Spear Pills and Refinement Elixirs. His accumulated energy had reached a point where he could no longer sustain it with mere supply pills.
The distribution of rewards was left to Baek Miryeo and Chung Myung.
"Murong Clan's leader, huh…"
"Look at this list. Even after supplying the white ranks, there's still more left over. We could fill dozens of satchels."
Chung Myung grinned as he spoke. The storage of the Radiant Demon Squad, once impoverished due to the losses from the City of Master Craftsmen, was now filled to the brim.
"Set aside what belongs to me separately. Right now. I've taken on a mission that will take me from Sichuan to Xinjiang. I plan to depart first."
The Obeying Heaven Squad's leader, Forest Striding Squad's leader, and leader of the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad had already departed for Xinjiang some time ago.
Now that even the abridged ceremonies had concluded, there was no reason to delay further.
— There is intelligence that the Young Lord of the Ming Cult has made contact with the Sichuan's Golden Wings Sect. He likely intends to consume the inner core of the Dragon of the Teaching to advance his martial arts once more.
It was what the Chief Administrator had said.
Jung Yeonshin intended to use this mission as his final task before speaking to the Lord of Desolate Fortress about his promotion to purple rank.
By then, she would have returned to Fortress as well.
There was much to do.
Back in his office, Jung Yeonshin swiftly processed the remaining work. As he did, he recalled Ma Jin, his uncle, whom he had not seen in a long time due to their mutual busyness.
— Yeonshin, your calligraphy is quite elegant. You'll have no trouble writing letters.
His uncle's praise had not been misplaced.
Assignments for his comrades, requests for supplies from the General Affairs Bureau, and overseeing the accomplishments of those who had trained in the Radiant Arts Secret—everything proceeded smoothly.
Regarding the Radiant Arts Secret, there had been no questions, likely due to the well-written martial manual. It was a gratifying outcome.
The Radiant Demon Squad was growing stronger, albeit slowly but steadily.
"I will act as the vanguard. Follow carefully behind me."
Among his subordinates, the only one capable of keeping up with Ten Li Radiance Step was Lazy Flame Dragon, who possessed an immense reserve of energy.
However, due to the recent dangers in the martial world, it was best for those under the Radiant Demon Squad's leader to travel together.
A true age of famine and plundering had arrived.
All of Jianghu had become the enemy of the Desolate Fortress.
As soon as Jung Yeonshin finalized the composition of the rear unit, which included Baek Miryeo, he departed the hall.
Sichuan, Qinghai, and Xinjiang—places where eerie mists were rising.
Of them, Qinghai and Xinjiang lay outside the country's borders, meaning the search range was extraordinarily vast.
Thus, a few squad leaders would be scattering to conduct the search. According to the Chief Administrator, two more were expected to join.
As the victor of the duel, Jung Yeonshin had strongly recommended Blood Preservation Squad's leader and Ruyi Spring Squad's leader.
Since he had proven his prowess by executing the Murong Clan's leader and was now tasked with the Invincible Laughing Heaven, the responsibility of safeguarding their fellow warriors should naturally fall to those with meticulous character.
As the Chief Administrator grimaced, Bukgung Ah, who had been listening alongside him, looked at Jung Yeonshin with a peculiar expression.
But she did not strongly object.
"Taesa… Yeonshin. Are we going to keep traveling together like this?"
"Only until your Energy Deviation is healed."
"What if it never heals?"
A figure, clad in a flowing white martial robe like a longbow, walked alongside Jung Yeonshin, her jet-black hair cascading down.
A blind woman of striking beauty, as if light circled around the tip of her elegant nose.
As the two, both of exceptional appearance, drew the eyes of passersby, their steps eventually led them to the front gate of Fortress.
"That's it. That's the one."
A sudden voice rang out.
A middle-aged woman among the man and woman blocking the wide city gate pointed at the Seventh Apostle.
The sleeve of her pitch-black long robe hung limply, like a withered tree branch.
On her refined face, elegance and venom coexisted.
A gaze that once seemed to look down upon the world now struck Jung Yeonshin as rather insignificant.
"That lowly wretch dared to commit such an atrocious act against me, a descendant of the royal blood. Without knowing their place, in Desolate Fortress of all places…"
A collateral royal. Zhu Yeon-jeong of the Desolate Ma Clan.
The man beside her was Zhu Zhe, the Duke Sword Authority.
His face brightened upon seeing Jung Yeonshin, but after hearing her words, his brows furrowed. Before he knew it, he had already turned his head toward Zhu Yeon-jeong.
"The distinguished person beside the next Divine Sword Order's leader, is that who you mean?"
"Distinguished person…?"
"How could they not be? Someone that Leader Jung keeps close could hardly be an ordinary figure."
Zhu Yeon-jeong, who had been blankly repeating the word distinguished person, raised her brows.
It was only then that Jung Yeonshin seemed to come into focus in her eyes.
His Rebirth of Bones and Flesh transformation had made him the talk of Desolate Fortress.
For those who had mastered Sight Arts, retracing his former features after hearing the rumors was not difficult.
Zhu Yeon-jeong's body stiffened for a brief moment. Yet Jung Yeonshin paid her no mind.
With only a glance of acknowledgment to Zhu Zhe, he left Zhu Yeon-jeong to display the unfiltered disposition characteristic of the Desolate Ma Clan.
As things grew increasingly interesting, Zhu Zhe merely wore a pleasant smile and wished him fortune.
"I suppose the next time we meet will be in the Forbidden City. I wish you success."
Those listed as candidates for purple rank would stand before the emperor, in the presence of all civil and military officials.
Zhu Zhe's words were an unparalleled blessing.
Jung Yeonshin bowed once more and passed by the two without hesitation. With each step, an immense presence radiated from him.
To Zhu Yeon-jeong, it felt as heavy as a thousand jin.
A terrifying pressure locked her lips shut, and for a brief moment, she saw the specter of a true Heroic Outlaw overlapping with the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
— There are many Zhu's in this world.
Rustle.
With a sly smile, the Seventh Apostle lightly poked Zhu Yeon-jeong's empty shoulder with his long fingers before walking away.
* * *
From Huguang Province to Sichuan Province.
Many days had passed.
Jung Yeonshin no longer needed a fine horse.
His Ten Li Radiance Step carved constellations upon the earth, and the Radiant Wheel embedded in his heart spun ceaselessly, supplying propulsion waves to his heels.
Even the Graceful Body Technique of the Seventh Apostle, which defied the void itself, could barely keep up.
They arrived at an endless snowy mountain range.
The two traveled with some distance between them.
Jung Yeonshin would teach the mnemonic verse, and the next day, the Seventh Apostle would ask again.
And so the cycle repeated, day after day.
Then, today at noon, under a dazzling white sun.
It seemed as though spring had yet to reach Sichuan Province.
Below the gorge, surrounded by snow-capped ridges, a single stream, not yet entirely frozen, flowed leisurely.
To enter the Sichuan Basin, one had to cross this path.
"Don't step on the ice there. It's thin. My servant once had an unfortunate incident with cold water."
In the shadow cast by a peak, a figure lounged idly, a bamboo fishing rod cast into the icy water.
A slightly upturned chin.
Lips twisted ever so slightly under the sliver of sunlight, wearing a smirk as though mocking everything in existence.
The aura that draped over his entire being was unsettlingly noble.
For a moment, Jung Yeonshin recalled the term Invincible Laughing Heaven.
A thunderous sense of kinship struck his mind like a bolt of lightning, along with the unmistakable air of Lazy Flame Dragon, a man who had seemingly discarded everything.
"I have a proposition for you. It involves making a fool of the greediest Golden Wings Sect's leader in all of Sichuan."
The figure trembled briefly before breaking into chuckling fits.
"How about we go dragon hunting together?"
"Fuck off."
Jung Yeonshin replied.