The distance between Wuchang and Yangyang was merely a single relay post away.
The return was swift. With a group comprising Blue, Black, and Violet-Rank masters, they traveled without pause, arriving at Yangyang’s Ipwang Fortress in no time.
The pace was refreshingly fast. The only one who didn’t seem pleased was Namgung Hwa-shin, who, still reeling from being struck by Ak Su-rim, wore a somber expression.
“I’ll handle the mission report. Along with Senior Ak.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke to him, offering a small gesture of consideration. The White Qilin of the Namgung family, Namgung Hwa-shin, had been unable to accomplish anything at his own family’s estate.
It was a humiliating situation. From the very beginning, even the path to Cheongya Valley, the site of their contest, had been fraught with anguish.
“...Thank you, Jeong So-hyeop.”
Namgung Hwa-shin nodded and turned away, the hem of his long blue coat drooping lifelessly as he moved. He seemed intent on heading straight to the guest room assigned to the Shunchun Wing to rest.
Jeong Yeon-shin watched him silently. What must he be feeling? It was hard to fathom.
“That was the best choice.”
Standing beside the boy, Ak Su-rim spoke as if dropping a casual remark.
“The leader of the Infinite Sky Sword Squadron isn’t someone a younger warrior could handle. He’s in the Black domain, comparable to the Plum Blossom Sword Masters’ leader. You or Namgung Hwa-shin would’ve died the moment you crossed swords with him. Neither of you would’ve lasted more than a few strokes. You had an excuse to withdraw, but to save Namgung Hwa-shin, I had to resort to force.”
She referred to the moment just before the contest when she knocked Namgung Hwa-shin unconscious.
Jeong Yeon-shin agreed.
“I don’t blame Senior Ak. At least, not me.”
He spoke with conviction.
“It’s just... it feels like Namgung So-hyeop believes he would’ve preferred to die there.”
The boy’s gaze lingered on Namgung Hwa-shin’s retreating back. He was a companion with whom he had sparred and undertaken missions.
Perhaps it was because of Namgung’s pitiable family situation. A peculiar sense of camaraderie made it hard for Jeong to turn away easily.
“Hmm.”
Ak Su-rim closed her mouth. She seemed to have no rebuttal.
“Yeon-shin-ah.”
The voice of an elder, brimming with vigor, called out. It was Ma Yeon-jeok, his maternal grandfather.
He paid no attention to Namgung Hwa-shin and addressed only his grandson.
“I know that Se-in’s mother offended you. It was right before your mission. I didn’t have the chance to make her apologize. Please visit the annex of the Ma Clan’s estate. The main family will welcome you sincerely.”
The mention of Ju Yeon-jeong crossed Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind. She was said to be a collateral member of the imperial family.
The heir of the Ipwang Ma Clan, Ma Se-in’s mother, had attempted to win over Jeong Yeon-shin, who bore Ma blood.
Now, however, he felt no particular emotion about it. That incident had allowed him to open up to Hyeon Won-chang, Baek Mi-ryeo, and Cheongmyeong.
“There’s no need—”
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was about to shake his head, Ma Yeon-jeok’s stern expression faltered. His urgency was plain to see.
“You’re worried, aren’t you? You fear the Ma Clan might drag you into their affairs, trapping you in familial bonds. I swear, that will not happen. Think of this as an old fool’s regret, a father who severed ties with his daughter—your mother—out of ignorance. Everything... was due to my failings.”
“Ah, I see.”
Ak Su-rim, who had been listening, nodded knowingly. Ma Yeon-jeok turned to glare at her, warning her not to meddle in family affairs, but she met his gaze with scornful defiance.
“No wonder I didn’t see you at the Ma estate. To think you’d raise a child like this.”
“Silence, you brat! How dare an outsider interfere in matters of bloodline?”
“Your tongue is still as sharp as ever. But is your skill the same? You were terrifying as the leader of the Divine Sword Corps, but lately, you seem... manageable.”
“Do you wish to die?”
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“Struggling because you couldn’t master youth-reviving techniques, aren’t you? I’m considering moving up to Violet Rank myself. Do you think the command center would recognize me if I thrashed an old man like you?”
As Ak Su-rim reached for the spear on her back with a wicked smile, Jeong Yeon-shin intervened.
“I’ll be on my way.”
He turned calmly, as if ready to leave at any moment.
The clashing aura of Black and Violet Rank masters dissipated at the right moment. His action, partially intentional, seemed to have had the desired effect.
The overwhelming pressure from the two experts vanished without a trace.
Before their junior, they had shown disgraceful conduct.
“I’ll consider Grandfather’s request.”
Jeong Yeon-shin bowed respectfully.
Ma Yeon-jeok, his face now flushed, nodded. The toll of maintaining his martial prowess was evident. The steady progression of orthodox martial arts was said to be slow but unyielding.
Masters of similar age in the Nine Great Sects likely had deeper internal cultivation.
“...Thank you.”
Ma Yeon-jeok bowed his head. He couldn’t guess what his grandson was thinking.
“What a shame.”
Even then, Ak Su-rim couldn’t resist taunting him. When the boy finally turned away and began walking, she chuckled and followed.
Jeong Yeon-shin headed toward the command center with Ak Su-rim of the Ipwang Divine Spear. He wasted no time.
As they arrived at the main command building, a man in a brown coat greeted them.
With a thick black beard and a robust build, it was none other than Im Jin-myeong, the Grand Commander of Ipwang Fortress. His wide smile, directed at Jeong Yeon-shin, was that of a jovial bandit.
“I’ve heard of your victory. Our Lord Sovereign’s foremost disciple performed admirably. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your return.”
“You’re showing respect to a Blue Rank as the Lord Sovereign’s disciple? The Grand Commander hasn’t changed a bit.”
Ak Su-rim’s familiarity with him was evident. It was only natural.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Ak Su-rim were guided directly to the annex of the command center. It was the same place where Jeong had previously discussed achievements with the Grand Commander.
The three of them sat around a plain, unadorned table.
There were no teacups. The urgency of the matter was clear. Only the faint scent of ink wafted over the empty tabletop.
Thud!
As soon as they took their seats, the Grand Commander brought up the topic of the Elder Council Leader.
“Senior Ak, I’ve received a letter. The Elder Council Leader has not joined us. It’s unclear whether the rumors that contact was lost while pursuing a Bloodflame Apostle are true...”
The fate of a Violet-Rank master was indeed a grave matter. Yet, at the same time, it wasn’t.
Such figures were enigmatic by nature, their movements inscrutable. Rarely would anyone worry about their safety.
“So, they haven’t returned to the main fortress.”
Both the Grand Commander and Ak Su-rim spoke with an air of uncertainty. It was hard to determine if the situation was severe or just another instance of an extraordinary figure going off the grid.
“Perhaps they’re simply enjoying some time away...”
The Grand Commander’s attempt to downplay the issue was met with a shake of the head from Ak Su-rim.
“Unlikely. If that were the case, they’d have at least sent a messenger. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent, deeming it inappropriate for someone of his rank to interject.
“Still, we can’t dismiss it entirely. We’ll need to send a tracking team. Skilled manpower is already scarce...”
The Grand Commander retrieved a sheet of paper from his desk and began writing with a steady hand.
Ak Su-rim observed him for a moment before voicing her concerns.
“The absence of key forces worries me. If the leaders of the Daebang Sect make a move, especially those from the Thirteen Heavens, it could spell trouble.”
“As long as it doesn’t become widely known, we should be able to manage.”
Internally, Jeong Yeon-shin agreed with the Grand Commander.
The strength of Ipwang Fortress didn’t solely rest on a handful of Violet-Rank masters.
These masters were symbols of the fortress, deployed for swift and decisive missions. They were not reliable for regular operations due to their rarity.
The core of the fortress’s power lay in the seventeen martial units under the Divine Sword Corps.
Each unit was equivalent to the elite forces of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters before they became renowned as one of the Nine Great Sects.
For Ipwang Fortress to boast seventeen such units was a testament to its might.
The Grand Commander’s words, though seemingly dismissive, carried weight.
Suddenly, the Grand Commander raised his head, his expression apologetic.
“I’ve been rude, Jeong So-hyeop. You came to report on your mission, didn’t you? The entire martial world nearby already knows the details, so consider the report received. Please rest and recover from your journey.”
“Yes. I’ll await the next mission at Ma Gwang-ik’s hall.”
The Grand Commander’s face twisted slightly in surprise.
“There’s no need... You’ve just returned... and the current mission’s accounting isn’t even finished.”
“I’ll await the next mission.”
Jeong Yeon-shin firmly reiterated his intention. Opportunities to directly express his resolve to the Grand Commander were rare.
The Grand Commander, now visibly exasperated, waved him off.
Ak Su-rim chuckled and added her own comment.
“Yeon-shin, I’ll visit Ma Gwang-ik’s hall soon. I plan to laze around for a bit before heading out.”
“Yes, please guide me when you do.”
There was no reason to decline. Jeong Yeon-shin decided to look forward to the visit of the Black-Rank master.
“Then.”
After bowing respectfully, he left the annex. As he stepped outside, several figures approached him.
The officials of the command center, who had been observing him favorably, rose to greet him one by one.
“Jeong So-hyeop, we’ve heard your name!”
“They say you killed Namgung So-ga-ju! You’re now undoubtedly a rising star of the fortress.”
“Your responsibilities will surely increase from here on out.”
Jeong Yeon-shin responded courteously to each greeting, mindful of their potential future influence. Only after that did he feel free to leave the command center.
Step.
The ground beneath his feet squelched. Perhaps it was due to the rain from the night before.
‘Time flies.’
It was already midsummer.
Whoosh.
A gentle breeze swept through, drying the damp earth and ruffling the boy’s hair.
It also carried his thoughts—a fear of the life he had left, now less than three and a half years.
‘By any twist of fate... I could have died.’
The White Qilin was strong. Namgung Ga-ju was formidable.
And the Divine Sword Corps Captain? He was supreme. His very presence commanded reverence. Even his moments of bloodshed felt majestic.
Jeong Yeon-shin had to release such futile emotions to the wind.
Failing to do so would only invite primal fear, a terror he could not afford if he wished to survive in the turbulent martial world.
His calm demeanor and resolute spirit were his greatest weapons. They were the sword he had forged for himself to win every battle.
“...”
Jeong Yeon-shin stood silently for a moment, emptying his mind of all thoughts. For a boy from Shinya County to survive in the heart of the martial world, he had to.
Thus.
This mission had come to an end.
As the lukewarm summer breeze returned, lifting the hem of his robes, it seemed to speak to him in silence.
You have survived once more, earned the merit of your deeds, and moved another step forward in life.
After a brief moment of silence, the boy nodded in agreement.
***
As Jeong Yeon-shin approached Ma Gwang-ik’s hall, he had just arrived when...
"Jeong hyung!"
"Seomye senior!"
A lively group emerged from the grand building, its ridgeline carved with intricate designs.
Most of them were young—boys and girls in their teens. Among the dozen or so gathered, only a handful were slightly older youths.
“They say you defeated the Namgung family’s young master! Hurry, tell us everything!”
“No, Jeong hyung needs to rest first!”
The way they clung to the hem of Jeong Yeon-shin’s blue robes and chattered warmly was endearing.
They were the trainee warriors of Ma Gwang-ik.
Though Ipwang Fortress classified its martial artists by the ranks of White, Blue, Black, and Violet, those ranks didn’t encompass all who practiced martial arts there.
Those who donned colored martial robes represented the higher echelons of Kangho society.
Even White-Rank warriors of the Divine Sword Corps’ martial units were formidable enough to stand above the third-rate wanderers of Kangho.
However, there were also those without ranks—the so-called nameless disciples.
“Orabeoni, can you teach me the Ultimate Polar Flower Fist? I read the manual, but I don’t understand it. And now they won’t let me see it anymore! That grumpy scholar said so.”
“You promised me first! Show me the Radiant Sword Style just once, please!”
The tugging on his robes was relentless, and their excited pleas were overwhelming.
These children had always adored Jeong Yeon-shin, but today their enthusiasm seemed heightened.
‘My exclusive martial arts.’
They were referring to the Ultimate Polar Flower Fist and the Radiant Sword Style. Both were techniques Jeong had decided to share to contribute to the fortress’s achievements and, perhaps, to better understand potential counters should they arise in the future. It seemed his decision was bearing fruit.
It was then that someone else approached.
“Seomye sunbae.”
A hesitant voice called out. The speaker was a young girl draped in a white robe that billowed like a bowstring.
Her steps were particularly soft and light, a sign that she had mastered an advanced level of movement techniques.
It was Shin So-bin, a disciple from Ipwang Fortress’s Shin Clan. She had joined as a junior martial artist under Jeong Yeon-shin.
A cherished scion of a prestigious family, her assignment to Ma Gwang-ik had once stirred significant attention.
“Congratulations on your successful mission.”
“Shin So-bin.”
Jeong Yeon-shin gave her a slight nod. A brief smile flickered across Shin So-bin’s lips before disappearing.
“I’m also practicing the Ultimate Polar Flower Fist. I think I’ve achieved decent mastery of the third form. The principles of the movements are incredibly novel. Thank you for allowing me to witness such a refined martial art.”
“Congratulations.”
Jeong Yeon-shin offered her simple praise.
Shin So-bin carefully observed his composed expression.
“Well, um, would it be alright to ask when the fourth form might be available? The flow of the movements seems to naturally extend further...”
Her expression turned earnest as she asked.
‘She must be referring to Whirl to Stonewall.’
It was clear that her intent revolved around that topic. Without meaning to, Jeong Yeon-shin recalled Namgung Se-jin’s face.
The way Namgung had spoken of the Three Paths River, the determined gaze fixed solely on Jeong, and the heroic spirit that spoke of freedom even in the end...
“I don’t plan to share that.”
Jeong Yeon-shin replied without hesitation.