Dark Night War.
A rare and grand sect in the world.
A gathering of faded figures from noble clans, competing for the title of the most secretive under heaven.
Due to their supreme martial arts and profound techniques, their secretive archery skills were said to be deadlier than the strike of any assassin.
In reality, they filled their bellies through assassination. A sect proficient in taking payments from the wealthy to end lives.
It was only natural that they had many enemies. Using the secret arts of an esteemed clan skilled in concealment, they hid their sect so well that they never once revealed their main headquarters throughout the passage of time.
Even Hao Sect and Beggars' Sect were said to be unaware of them.
This meant their location itself was akin to a legend of the martial world. There were countless tales born from reverence and fear.
That they periodically descended from beneath the Northern Sea Ice Palace, that they were surely burrowed into the stump of the World Tree located in Beijing, lying hidden...
"The Dark Night War was in our city?"
"No way."
"What are their identities…? Rather than standing around here, shouldn't we be running for our lives?"
Amidst hushed murmurs, commoners discreetly pressed themselves against walls or crouched by windows.
Jung Yeonshin slightly lowered his brows.
As he ceaselessly channeled the radiance-born energy from his heart into his sword body, the air around him began to ripple gently.
The vibrations of power surging through his blade hummed with resonance. Sword Resonance—an ultimate technique he had devised after drawing inspiration from the imperial crown prince of this nation.
But he did not unleash it immediately.
This was Guizhou, a grand city. Even if this was merely an outskirt without city walls, it was still densely populated with commoners.
Before him stretched a barren plain, but with a cluster of homes at his back, he could not recklessly unleash Sword Resonance. He needed time to adjust his inner force.
'Only forward… This will take a while.'
Determining the directional range of a large-scale technique.
It was no simple task. A technique was originally meant to align the flow of inner energy to a set movement pattern.
Sword Resonance, imbued with the mysteries of Yin Energy, was inherently an indiscriminate formation, recognizing no distinction between ally and foe. Adjusting the trajectory of its Yin Energy at this stage was akin to rewriting its very mnemonic verse.
'Hold your breath.'
Jung Yeonshin murmured inwardly to his sword.
This was nothing like the past, when activating it would strain his Baihui Acupoint.
After experiencing Rebirth of Bones and Flesh and Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, he had been elevated to a supreme realm, carrying the weight of generations of peerless masters upon his body.
In his grasp, there was Martial Might.
KIIIIIIII—!
At that moment, the flow of energy undulating along the blade came completely under his control.
Every pulse of the resulting vibration followed Jung Yeonshin's will, drifting forth like the crisp echoes of a flute.
Standing close, Annihilation Squad's leader Shin Huang observed Jung Yeonshin intently.
"You've fully confined the energy waves within your sword body."
A hard-to-describe emotion flickered through his crossed arms and watchful gaze. He had discerned that, just like adding an intricate flourish to a woven pattern, the energy fluctuations were converging into a single point.
He had once seen Jung Yeonshin's Sword Resonance before—during the extermination mission of the Hwangbo Clan. It was the moment when the Lightning Genius, having just ascended to the blue rank, had dared to request a solo mission, showcasing his abilities.
'It's definitely different now.'
The difference was akin to coarse clay versus fine porcelain. That was the gap in their internal energy mastery. Shin Huang thought to himself.
This successor to the purple rank was unmatched when it came to explosive martial arts and precise energy conduction. If the surrounding black ranks provided the right support, an overwhelming spectacle would unfold.
"Quite poetic."
"Well, with that face, he'd make an impression even by playing a simple flute…"
It was Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader Cheon So-so and Dragon-Stepping Squad's leader Wei Ji-geuk, retreating silently alongside their fellow squad leaders.
Nearby, Ak Surim was beaming delightedly, only to be yanked back by Bukgung Ah, who grabbed her by the nape.
The senior black ranks simply observed. They neither interfered nor paid much heed to whatever their junior of equal rank was about to attempt.
They merely kept a close watch on Jung Yeonshin's every move—whether openly or subtly in secret.
Then, it happened.
A middle-aged man emerged from the crowd of spectators.
"Stop causing unnecessary anxiety. Outsiders drawing too much attention is already a problem. With the grain shortage worsening unrest, what reason do you have to draw your swords and perform circus tricks here?"
His voice carried authority, his tone admonishing.
He was clad in a luxurious orange robe over what seemed like a body lightly washed with ashen gray.
At his waist hung an ornamented sword sheath decorated with jade, an unmistakable mark of his noble status.
"Sword of Just Judgment! So you really made it back safe after traveling up to Guangxi on business. Truly, your name isn't for show."
"I wonder how much profit he made…"
"There'll be another wave of thieves tonight, for sure. Trying to sniff out where the Sword of Just Judgment stashes his wealth."
Many among the city folk recognized him, murmuring in admiration. Even some bystanders let out low exclamations.
Those whose epithets contained the character 'Judgment' were usually well-known figures with broad influence and an established reputation.
Sword of Just Judgment squared his shoulders, clearing his throat with a false air of modesty.
"The Dark Night War is operating in our city? I don't know which dark faction you all belong to, but if you're using the Thirteen Celestial Demons as an excuse to settle here and leech off the people's blood, you've gravely misjudged your place."
His voice, strengthened by profound internal energy, swelled in volume, nearly drowning out the resonance emanating from Jung Yeonshin's sword.
"Even if you truly possessed the Desolate Fortress decree that grants you the authority to inspect any corner of the world, it would still be an issue! The whole world knows Desolate Fortress has abandoned the commoners, and now, you come stirring up this peaceful city, threatening to plunge the region into chaos! Of all things, you dare speak of the dreaded Dark Night War! Just how great of a disturbance are you planning to cause?"
Voices of agreement rose from all around.
He felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward Yeoryeong.
The Black of Desolate Fortress were ghostlike figures, appearing and disappearing at will. Among the armed forces of the Divine Sword Order, there were hardly any commoners who would immediately realize that the Grandmaster had completely detached himself.
The power of the Thirteen Celestial Demons' Yeoryeong Sect was immense. They had secretly spread the word far and wide.
"If you see a group passing by with the character 'Desolate' engraved on their shoulders, check if there are warriors in black robes among them. Desolate Fortress has abandoned the livelihood of the people for their own selfish reasons."
Rumors sowing distrust were slowly filling the vast world.
It was a year of famine.
People, already resentful even toward the heavens, had no reason to look favorably upon those they had cause to hate.
Even if an excuse was given, it was valid. It was the inevitable backlash against the squad leaders' assembly.
"This is a land barely enduring the famine. Yet, suddenly, outsiders have arrived, drawing their swords and displaying bizarre martial arts? The martial world of Guizhou, the common folk, the officials, and even I, Sword of Just Judgement, have every reason to watch you all closely. Come, let us have a talk."
The Sword of Just Judgement shook a pouch of salt, proof of his trade.
They were in the middle of a bustling crowd. The day had already brightened.
The attention of the masses would soon turn into power. For a martial artist who had lived in Guizhou for a long time, this was even more so.
However, the black ranks paid him no heed. They only stared at Jung Yeonshin, gripping their swords downward, some folding their arms, others standing rigidly.
"It was likely plundering, not trade. The scent of blood seeping from the sword strikes is anything but ordinary…"
Scorching Abyss Squad's leader, Yoo Jung-myung, tapped the ground lightly with his long legs, muttering. Beside him, the Supreme Martial Hall's leader chuckled.
"A pawn of Dark Night War. Seeing him this anxious, it seems that the Celestial Commander has struck the mark. Let us simply watch how Grandmaster Jung executes his techniques. I'm quite eager to see what unfolds."
Sword of Just Judgement, who had aimed to justify the crowd's rejection of the outsiders with just a few words, faltered on the spot.
Despite having the hands of a swordsman honed over many years, he hesitated to draw his blade.
As soon as he heard the monologue of the tall noble, he became certain—the opposing group was no ordinary assembly.
The reason he never maintained a separate granary despite frequent trade expeditions. It was because the Sword of Just Judgement was a supply agent for the Dark Night War.
'A Commander and a Grandmaster. Could it really be Desolate Fortress? Are the Divine Sword Order's Grandmaster-level supreme masters truly gathered here…?'
His face hardened with resolve. It was the determination of a clan member. He could die here, but he had to stop the youngest among them from attempting anything.
No matter what strange tricks were at play, they were standing precisely before the vital entrance of the Nine Provinces Resplendent Scepter Formation of Dark Night War.
Thirteen from the black division of Desolate Fortress.
What couldn't they accomplish?
The Nine Provinces Resplendent Scepter Formation of Dark Night War had once even absorbed the world-cleaving kicks of the Divine Beggar of the Great Wilderness, but if thirteen squad leader-level figures from a single faction were present, who knew what kind of unprecedented method of destruction they might unleash?
'That one is certainly gathering his energy. If a single hair is touched properly…'
Sword of Just Judgement's gaze shifted to the young man in the distance. A face reminiscent of the ancient tale of the Handsome Ban-ak. If the rumors were true, he was none other than Lightning Genius, leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.
Said to have an intuition keener than most noble warriors, disrupting his energy control would require an extremely discreet trick.
Fortunately, in Sword of Just Judgement's sleeve was a sacred object imbued with spiritual energy.
A feather from the Ominous Bird, a creature that could track the whereabouts of the Lord of Dark Night War no matter where he was in the land. Under the forced hands of enslaved Iron Tribe craftsmen, it had been refined into a projectile with a sharpness rivaling the hidden weapons of the Tang Clan.
'Dark Night Scatter Needle Art.'
A throwing technique that crossed mid-range distances without a trace. Despite never training in archery, this was how he had maintained his status as a direct disciple within Dark Night War.
The problem was the acute perception of the black division of Desolate Fortress. Could he manipulate his fingers while deceiving the senses of supreme masters who held dominion over the world? He would have to entrust it to fate.
Victory was not impossible.
The advanced supreme techniques of Dark Night War boasted unparalleled stealth for their initial strike.
The current leader of the Dark Night War was acknowledged as the greatest assassin in the world, even in this era where martial strength had reached its pinnacle.
The Sword of Just Judgement subtly raised his arm.
"Say something in response! Are my words so trivial to you?!"
A slender, nearly invisible projectile slipped naturally from his sleeve. It slithered forth, seemingly merging with the pointing finger directed at Jung Yeonshin.
At that moment, a triumphant gleam flashed across the Sword of Just Judgement's eyes. A solemn yet sublime radiance in his gaze.
'I will die here, but I shall fulfill my duty by sounding the alarm to the Young Grandmaster…!'
Zzzt—
A sound echoed from within the Sword of Just Judgement's body.
A sensation hot like karmic flames erupted from the Life Gate Acupoint at his lower back, spreading throughout his entire being. No, it was as if his meridians were being incinerated, yet simultaneously frozen to their very limits.
The only thing he clearly grasped was that his entire body had frozen in an instant.
'Ice Arts!'
The Sword of Just Judgement barely managed to shift his gaze sideways. Beside his shoulder, a breath of pure white mist dissipated.
Even amidst the rapidly diminishing sensations, he faintly perceived the delicate presence of a woman.
The overwhelming cold energy made her invisible, yet her identity was easy to guess. Immortal Spirit Wood Squad's leader, Cheon So-so.
"You are an example."
Her voice, resonant and jewel-like, was whispered softly.
"Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad is noble. The likes of you, fallen from grace, must not lay a finger on him."
Her voice grew fainter. Soon, the Sword of Just Judgement could hear nothing at all.
His vision blurred as if shrouded in mist.
Beyond the vast wilderness, he saw the Radiant Demon Squad's leader pointing his sword toward the Nine Provinces Resplendent Scepter Formation.
The sunlight streaming over his jet-black hair felt strangely detached from reality.
'Not… so easily…'
Suddenly, Sword of Just Judgement's field of vision expanded, stretching both above and below.
A colorless ripple spread from the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's sword strike, as if touching the surface of a lake. Concentric waves radiated ceaselessly, shattering the void into countless fragments.
Through those cracks, transparent rays of sunlight forced their way in, suddenly illuminating clusters of trees and grand halls that had appeared out of nowhere on the wasteland.
"...!"
With a single strike, he had destroyed an ancient formation.
The Sword of Just Judgement could not comprehend its intricacies.
The scream he ought to have let out echoed only within his heart. A cry meant for a single person—one more noble than any noble family in the world, a Young Grandmaster who would never hear his words.
Concealing the Ominous Bird from the squad leaders comes first.
Flee at once.
'Even if the One Kill Every Ten Li was prepared tenfold, you must never face him…'
With eyes wide open, the Sword of Just Judgement froze to death.