Jung Yeonshin's eyes widened.
The halo of the winter sun shimmered faintly, causing a momentary dizziness.
With the grand, antique purple sandalwood gate behind them, a man and a woman clad in red martial robes stood before the scholar Go Jin, each wearing a distinct expression.
Come to think of it, they exuded an air of refined elegance. It was the dignity of a noble lineage.
'Are they direct descendants of the Gongya Clan?'
He did not hastily dismiss them. He believed they would possess a natural instinct.
They were children of a noble family. They could not be compared to the Jung Clan, which lacked martial traditions.
He had heard they were a renowned aristocratic clan in Shaanxi. As direct heirs of a prestigious clan, even if their bodies were not honed properly, their instincts would make up for it.
It was not something to be disappointed about so easily. His mind, guided by Hye-ah and the Azure Qilin, told him so.
"Master Go!"
"You are safe!"
The young noblewoman and nobleman welcomed Go Jin. Their light and agile movements showed excellent mastery.
As they swiftly approached, their flowing red robes stirred up dust from the ground.
Step.
They set foot before him, their faces showing clear relief.
The siblings resembled each other. Their sharp, blade-like eyes and well-defined jawlines suited their crimson robes.
There was an innate confidence unique to those raised in nobility, evident even in the way they adjusted their garments.
The woman, with slightly longer hair than her younger brother, was the first to speak.
She appeared to be around twenty years old. Her overall posture was more stable than her younger brother's, exuding a bold presence. She was the eldest daughter of the Gongya Clan.
"You had not returned even after dawn, and we were greatly concerned. We were just about to set out in search of you, but seeing you here brings us relief."
Her voice was pleasantly low and refined. The younger brother's tone, however, was slightly higher.
"There are many enemies in the area. You should have brought an escort next time. Those who left the military in disgrace have formed the Green Forest bandits. The roads are treacherous."
The long-haired young noble inspected the scholar's body closely, seemingly checking for injuries.
It appeared Go Jin commanded great respect. He chuckled awkwardly.
"I apologize for the concern. I was simply meeting an old acquaintance…"
"That was something we were curious about as well. Even from a distance, your striking figure caught our attention."
The eldest daughter and Jung Yeonshin locked gazes. Their eye level was nearly the same.
Jung Yeonshin flinched slightly on the inside. He had been caught off guard. Her obsidian-like eyes felt unexpectedly deep.
As the heir of her clan, she seemed to silently convey a message, one could not measure a person solely by their martial prowess.
Even for a brief moment, he found himself reflecting inwardly.
"He is my benefactor. On my way to take the imperial exam, he cut down the Green Forest bandits who attacked me. More than once, he also drove away blood demons."
"I am Geom Un-bi, the leader of the Mystic Heaven Sect. I am searching for the inheritor of the united martial veins."
Jung Yeonshin clasped his hands in a respectful martial salute.
The eldest daughter reciprocated immediately, bringing her hands together in a formal gesture.
"I am Gongya Jung. Regardless of age, you are an esteemed figure of the martial world. If you are Master Go's benefactor, then you are like a dear friend to our clan. Please, stay as long as you wish."
Her voice was gentle, yet her words were formal and rigid.
Although the Gongya Clan was not considered one of the Eight Great Noble Clans, in Shaanxi, where no major sects dominated, they were widely acknowledged as a prominent noble house.
Her weighty position had clearly shaped her manner of speech.
Her demeanor prioritized her aristocratic status over the etiquette of the martial world.
A master of an obscure sect could not expect to receive full honorifics from the heir of a great martial aristocracy. Such was the harsh reality of the martial world, hardened by years of famine.
Ironically, the younger brother's speech was far more relaxed. His wide eyes were brimming with curiosity, unburdened by formality. He seemed to be around the same age as Jung Yeonshin.
"I am Gongya Su! Do you happen to have any noble ancestors?"
"No, I do not."
"How remarkable! You will surely bring pride to the Han people! I'd love to introduce you to my friends! If you don't have a title yet, may I bestow one upon you? How about 'Jade-Faced Divine Sword'?"
"Not necessary."
"You are modest! How about we go boating on North Lake? You have the kind of face that will attract all the young martial artists! And the 'Divine Sword' part, well, that's just a common phrase."
"That would be inappropriate."
And indeed, it was. The current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad did not fall into Gongya Su's playful manner of speech.
The title he had casually suggested was not one to be given lightly. It was a name reserved only for those who had reached the final stretch of their martial journey.
No one in Desolate Fortress would dare to use the title "Divine Sword" frivolously. It was a name permitted only to the Order's leader.
Beside them, Go Jin's smile stiffened slightly.
"The eldest daughter has personally invited him, considering her concerns. He has graciously accepted, despite his esteemed position. I assure you, this will be a fateful encounter."
"Concerns and fate, you say…?"
Gongya Jung slightly furrowed her smooth brow. Go Jin waved his hands as if to dismiss the tension.
"I have yet to broach the subject with Sect Leader Geom. However, I believe your assumptions are correct. Just consider that the scholar has brought a new form of knowledge with him."
"I am still unsure. This is all rather sudden… but I will ensure he is properly accommodated."
She changed the subject. At the same time, Go Jin turned to Jung Yeonshin, feigning an apology.
"I hope the Sect Leader does not take offense. There are certain confidential matters within our clan that I could not disclose. I ask for your understanding."
"It is not an issue. I shall impose upon you for the time being."
Jung Yeonshin composed himself as the dignified leader of Mystic Heaven Sect.
He had already discussed matters thoroughly with Ak Surim. She had advised him that it was acceptable to act with a degree of boldness, given the circumstances.
She had also warned him not to dwell on the Nine Great Sects. She had stressed that in the lower ranks of the martial world, an air of confidence was just as important as modesty.
Jung Yeonshin interpreted this as meaning that in the rougher circles, one's boldness was often seen as proportional to their martial skill.
'This is difficult.'
That kind of hearty demeanor still eluded him. He did not naturally possess the qualities of gallantry, boldness, or arrogance.
He was too preoccupied with carrying out his mission with humility.
However, judging by the expressions of the eldest daughter and the younger nobleman, they seemed to accept his demeanor as natural.
That, at least, was a relief.
Gongya Jung turned away.
"You will stay in Master Go's annex. Welcome."
Her voice carried a graceful resonance, sweeping through the air. It held the refinement unique to the heir of a noble clan.
In the crisp winter air, the four of them stepped forward.
Jung Yeonshin asked in passing.
"Where are the real gatekeepers…?"
"Ah, I suppose I should recall the warriors we sent to search for Master Go. Quite a few were sent out."
Gongya Su responded nonchalantly. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader remained silent.
Jung Yeonshin unpacked his belongings in a cozy room.
The subtle scent of wood tickled his nose. The tea table and bed frame were made of smooth, polished timber.
As his gaze lingered on the silk-filled quilt woven with blue fabric, a knock came at the door. Go Jin had come to see him.
"Sect Leader."
"Scholar Go."
Jung Yeonshin gestured for him to take a seat. They would be working closely together for the time being.
Having concealed his identity for now, he would have to rely on Go Jin to handle many affairs within the estate.
"Time is precious."
"With your martial prowess, it is only natural to feel that way."
"It is like being a substitute duelist. I have never experienced something like this before."
Would it not be better to disguise himself and enter the martial tournament directly?
But that was impossible. A mere disguise could be easily seen through by a skilled warrior.
Moreover, the martial tournament in Shaanxi was said to be more of a social gathering than a true competition. It was merely an event for known figures to assess one another's skills.
'I wonder if I can turn the gatekeepers into elite warriors…'
Jung Yeonshin questioned himself inwardly. Though he showed no reaction, the shock was significant.
Should he have entrusted this to more reliable seniors?
Yet, Ak Surim appeared younger than Jung Yeonshin, despite his own considerable growth. The Blood Preservation Squad's leader was also a problem.
The tense atmosphere made it difficult to earn trust. It was a statement that made little sense to the current leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. They were so refined, after all.
"Are their talents sufficient? I hope they have real combat experience."
"From what I've seen, they are exceptional. The eldest daughter has never once had her position as heir challenged within her family."
"I see."
"That is fortunate."
Go Jin smiled slightly.
Then, with some hesitation, he carefully studied Jung Yeonshin's face.
It was still hard to believe.
Gongya Su, the second son, was still a pampered child, beloved by his entire family. Meanwhile, the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad had pulled out an astonishing level of energy and mystical techniques from the same river of time.
It was a staggering contrast.
'Shanxi has rarely been the center of the martial world…'
A duel of life and death between the Zhuge Clan's leader and the three black rank elites of Desolate Fortress.
It was a scene difficult to even imagine, yet it sent shivers down his spine.
How would it unfold? Who would witness it? The moment it became known, the entire martial world would be set into motion. It would be an event of great upheaval.
"The fact that the Sect Leader has arrived must have reached the Gongya Clan's higher-ups. I have praised you multiple times, so at the very least, for the scholar's sake, they will welcome you once. That may be where they test your abilities… It would be best to prepare proper attire for the banquet."
"Alright."
"Hm? You can leave it to a servant. They will take care of it."
"Understood."
Jung Yeonshin withdrew his hand, which had been reaching for his travel bag.
This was the first time he had stayed at an aristocratic manor since leaving the Jung Clan. There was a peculiar atmosphere.
The noble young lord and lady, who had seemingly grown up surrounded by boundless affection, and the desolate yet extravagant annex.
'I should sharpen my Radiant Wheel Technique. There's a chance I might face the Zhuge Clan's leader.'
After sending Go Jin away, Jung Yeonshin sat down in a meditative posture.
* * *
The sunlight and moonlight clashed four times.
Geom Un-bi, the leader of the Mystic Heaven Sect, had stayed in the unfamiliar annex for four days.
The food was excellent. As the scholar's benefactor, he was treated with remarkable hospitality.
But that was all. No one from the Gongya Clan sought him out.
Another two hours, and it would be his fifth day. By now, it was difficult to tell whether he was being neglected or welcomed.
Yet, he was quite used to this.
It felt like being back at the Jung Clan. The same distant silence.
Aristocratic families with much to protect tended to be highly cautious. Only Go Jin, the scholar from Desolate Fortress, occasionally visited, bowing apologetically.
Even if he was known to be highly skilled, his young age made it unclear whether it was appropriate for him to disregard formalities and seek instruction.
Considering that the eldest daughter was the heir, it was an even more delicate matter.
"..."
The dark red wooden floor of the annex stretched out before him.
Jung Yeonshin blankly watched as the winter sunlight faded into twilight.
For a moment, he didn't mind feeling like he had returned to the Jung Clan. The warmth of the Jung Clan's Movement Arts spread vividly through his body.
The presence of his mother, an image created within his own mind, always shielded him from solitude.
Instead, he felt the absence of his fellow warriors from Desolate Fortress.
He was the founder of the swiftest technique. He was weak to feelings of emptiness.
'Still… work must be done.'
Swish.
He slowly rose from his seat. The time for contemplation on how much to reveal had ended.
* * *
"White Cat of the Shin Clan, your blanket is sticking out of your travel bag. It's an eyesore. Blue suggests you tuck it in properly. And step lightly. You're a martial artist serving the Lord, after all. You're ruining the aesthetic of the mountain path."
"I find the sound of you chewing on grass more irritating."
"Enough. I understand Zhuge, but why is the long-tongued swordsman making such a grim face too? Hey, at least say something ridiculous like you usually do."
"..."
"Without the squad leader, everything feels off. Maybe I should refine my energy. Create something entirely new, something extraordinary."
"What?"
"That star-positioning technique, was it called Ten-Li Radiance? It made our family's Yejo Celestial King Steps look weak in comparison. It was electrifying."
"Brag all you want. If creating techniques were that easy, even Poppy Senior would be the squad leader."
"White Cat, White Cat. Didn't you expand your horizons thanks to my Radiant Arts Secret—Flame River?"
"Even without that, the squad leader's martial arts are perfect."
"Fine, fine. Anyway, in Shaanxi, we're the ones standing out, aren't we? It's strange that the estate is staying so quiet, as if they don't know what Zhuge is up to. In the end, this mission means we're moving around more than the squad leader."
"Yes. And if we happen to run into the squad leader, we act like we don't know him. Not that we would enter the Gongya estate without a reason."
"With the squad leader's temperament, anything could happen. If he were my younger brother, I would have handed over the heir's position long ago and retired in peace. Instead of being called the Hwangbo Scoundrel, I would have risen as the Hwangbo Heavenly Demon. A decade from now, I bet the squad leader will be called the Desolate God-Demon."
"Don't assume you can measure the squad leader's patience with your flimsy judgment."
"Isn't Desolate Fortress all about causing mayhem? I plan to vent all my pent-up frustration here in Shaanxi, so imagine how much the squad leader must be holding back. It's better than getting neglected by the Gongya clan. With his age, it's no wonder they underestimate him."
"If that were truly the case, Poppy Senior wouldn't have a place to step in."
"You've got some fierce spirit. Fine, whatever you say."
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