Chapter 9 – Entrance (1)


    “…You say he is of your bloodline?”


    “It seems you already know. You’re quite bold.”


    The green eyes of the Lord of the Deste Fort Sect were calm. Overwhelmed, Yeon-shin slowly nodded.


    “He is indeed the descendant of the former leader of the Divine Sword Brigade. He is my grandson.”


    “He is about to take the seat of the head of the Elders, yet he is stubborn. You bear some scars.”


    “It’s not something the Lord should be concerned about. Just a trivial family matter.”


    “Such things are not trivial. They are just hidden under a well-groomed body. You seem to be about fifteen years old. However… it is true that an outsider cannot interfere. Blood rtives should resolve their own matters.”


    “I apologize.”


    Yeon-shin spoke without any hint of remorse or difort.


    He believed that the transcendent presence of an absolute ruler and discussions of family affairs were separate matters.


    Sensing his thoughts, the Lord of the Deste Fort Sect’s lips curved slightly.


    “I like you. Despite your intentions, you do not bow down, which is quite amusing.”


    ‘As expected, she saw through it.’


    He was not surprised. That his Baihui acupoint was abnormally open? Yeon-shin himself had realized this about his constitution.


    It was not unusual for a peerless master like the Lord of the Deste Fort Sect to see through it at a nce.


    “Can someone like me survive if I consume the fruit of the Heavenly Tree?”


    “Though its efficacy may be exaggerated, yes. You can achieve what you desire.”


    “Is it possible to obtain it?”


    Her smile deepened at Yeon-shin’s bold question.


    “It depends on you.”


    “That’s all for now. Thank you.”


    Yeon-shin sped his hands in salute. He asked again.


    “Am I now a warrior of the Deste Fort Sect?”


    “Yes. You may go now, future leader of the Divine Sword Brigade.”


    It was hard to tell if she was teasing him or genuinely acknowledging his potential.


    It seemed she was implying that he could obtain the fruit of the Heavenly Tree if he became the leader of the Divine Sword Brigade.


    Leaving behind the slightly yful smile of the Lord, Yeon-shin exited the office filled with trees.


    As he descended to the first floor, Won-chang greeted him with excitement.


    “What on earth happened up there? Please tell me! You took particrly long. What did the Lord of the Deste Fort Sect say? Did you pass?”


    “It’s personal, so I can’t share much. But yes, I passed. Why are there so few people here now?”


    “Except for Namgung Hwa-shin, everyone else left! I’m really nervous!”


    Apparently, everyone except for Namgung Hwa-shin had left.


    As he turned his gaze, Hwa-shin, who made eye contact, smiled and nodded in greeting.


    Yeon-shin reciprocated the nod, then saw Won-chang, looking almost lifeless, climbing the stairs.


    “It’s nothing much. Go on.”


    Won-chang weakly waved his hand at Yeon-shin’s encouragement.


    “Hahaha! Deste Fort! I am now a warrior of the Deste Fort Sect!”


    Won-chang had passed. Given the location, his celebration in a whisper seemed unreliable.


    Though it was a good thing since they had formed a brief camaraderie, Yeon-shin honestly couldn’t understand the passing criteria at all.


    “The gates of the Deste Fort Sect are more open than I thought.”


    “What do you mean?”


    Won-chang blinked in confusion.


    Yeon-shin did not bother to exin and instead observed a middle-aged man approaching with a schrly demeanor.


    “Wee to the Sect. I am Gi Dae-seung, subordinate to the Chief Steward. I will show you to your quarters until your assignments are decided. Please follow me.”


    “When will the assignments be decided?”


    Yeon-shin asked.


    “The masters will select you, and it will take about seven days. As you are now warriors of the main sect, I will exin more… Ah, let’s discuss it on the way.”


    Yeon-shin, Hwa-shin, Won-chang, and another passing swordsman followed Gi Dae-seung.


    “Do you know the main activities of the Deste Fort Sect?”


    “Preventing rebellions by martial artists?”


    “Hyeon Won-chang is correct, but that is more of a constant task rather than an assignment. We primarily prevent or suppressrge-scale conflicts in the martial world. White Qilin would know. The Namgung family has often been hindered by the Deste Fort Sect.”


    “Yeah.”


    Namgung Hwa-shin nodded briefly.


    Seeing his rtively calm expression, Yeon-shin found it intriguing.


    Leaving a prominent family must involve circumstances unknown to outsiders.


    Moreover, Gi Dae-seung, who made such remarks in front of them, was no ordinary person.


    “Conflicts in the martial world can escte unpredictably. Even a rumor about the discovery of the Heavenly Demon’s tomb could bring a bloodbath to the Central ins. It’s fine if those seeking supreme martial arts manuals and elixirs only fought among themselves, but the movement of warriors from various ces is itself a problem.”


    Gi Dae-seung continued after a brief sigh.


    “The atrocitiesmitted by vicious martial artists do not discriminate between other martial artists andmoners. The chaos inw and order makes it feel like a world separate from the Ming Empire. It is as if the unknown tomb of the Heavenly Demon summons the King of Hell.”


    “The Heavenly Demon Tomb Incident…”


    Won-chang muttered, his face somehow heavy.


    Gi Dae-seung nodded.


    “It has been seventeen years. The problem isn’t just the Demonic Sect. Power struggles over benefits are alsomon among the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families. Mid-sized sects or schools that pass down martial arts to a few are even more so. The groups are diverse, but the individuals within are even more varied. If left unchecked, the people suffer, and if the public sentiment sours or tributes are not delivered on time, it disrupts governance.”


    “……”


    “That is why the imperial family provides immense wealth, elixirs, martial arts manuals, and experts to the Deste Fort Sect. Your job is to eliminate the martial artists who disturb the public order.”


    “I already knew that, but why tell us this when I asked about our assignments?”


    Won-chang asked.


    “It means we are short on people. To be precise, weck talented individuals with great potential who are also reliable. There is too much work and the areas to manage are vast.”


    “Many were indeed eliminated today. But I made it.”


    “…Therefore, it takes time to properly distribute the selected talents. About seven days. Ah, we’ve arrived.”


    Gi Dae-seung, who had briefly looked discontented, pointed to a building. It was a luxurious hall.


    ‘Compared to this, the Jeong family house was like a stable.’


    While Yeon-shin was thinking, Gi Dae-seung saluted them.


    “Good luck. The attendants inside will guide you.”


    Seven days and nights passed.


    The hall where they stayed was even more luxurious than it appeared, and each person had a fully opulent room to themselves, demonstrating the immense support of the imperial family.


    There was even a training hall behind the building, allowing for constant training.


    Finally, they moved to their assigned quarters.


    Having been assigned, they headed to the exclusive residence and training hall of the respective Seventeen Divisions.


    “Good luck.”


    “Hwa-shin, may you seed as well.”


    After exchanging greetings, they parted ways.


    During their stay, a strange rumor had spread in the Deste Fort Sect.


    It was said that the masters of the seventeen armed divisions under the Divine Sword Brigade had engaged inbat to recruit new warriors.


    “Some of my subordinates went crazy after seeing the Deste Exam. They insisted we must recruit either the White Qilin or the Blink Sword.”


    Ma Jin (馬眞), the leader of the Demon Wings, was a man with a dreadful scar.


    The scar, a diagonal line from the left to the right side of his face, was so severe that it was a wonder he was alive, and it bestowed him with a rough and powerful aura.


    “You, Blink Sword.”


    He looked at Yeon-shin.


    The sharp gleam in his eyes suggested immense internal power, but Yeon-shin had spoken his mind to the Lord of the Deste Fort Sect without hesitation.


    “Yes, sir.”


    A calm response. Ma Jin nodded at Yeon-shin’sposed demeanor.


    “You have spirit. A guy like you won’t easily die.”


    They were in the Demon Wings’ training hall.


    The wide area, capable of holding five hundred people, was filled with a variety of weapons disyed on one side.


    The adjacent hall was significantlyrger than the waiting area they had used.


    Around them, thirty men and women sat or stood, observing the two new recruits.


    “The armed divisions under the Divine Sword Brigade are like a martial sect of the Central ins. You will learn martial arts and carry out missions here at the Demon Wings. Everyone here is your senior brother or sister.”


    “Master Jin, I have a question!”


    Won-chang, undeterred by the imposing atmosphere, was practically bouncing with excitement.


    “Speak.”


    Ma Jin nodded.


    Demon Wings had recruited two out of the four new recruits.


    Yeon-shin had heard that Ma Jin was considered the strongest among the Seventeen Division leaders under the Divine Sword Brigade, and today he thought it was not an unfounded rumor.


    Meanwhile, Won-chang, still excited, spoke up.


    “Thank you for allowing questions! When you say we’ll learn martial arts at the Demon Wings, does that mean we all share the same techniques?”


    “No. Your unique martial arts are your own. What you will learn and teach is only the Demon Wings’ martial arts. The rest is not mandatory.”


    “Ah! So, the famous Demon Wings Formation…!”


    His face filled with admiration. The golden hero’s band he never took off since entering the Deste Fort Sect fluttered as if reflecting its owner’s mood.


    ‘Demon Wings Formation.’


    Yeon-shin had also heard of it.


    Demon Wings was notably famous among the Seventeen Divisions under the Divine Sword Brigade.


    There had been an incident where they shed with twenty-four elite swordsmen from the Mount Hua Sect without suffering any casualties.


    It was a story that bolstered the im of those who called the Deste Fort Sect the best in the world.


    “You will need to diligently practice to survive.”


    Ma Jin spoke. His face was stern, resembling that of a general from the northern borders.


    “Though the Deste Fort Sect is an imperial sect, attacking its warriors is not considered treason. Therefore, you must train and grow endlessly strong. If you don’t, you’ll die.”


    “It’s not considered treason? Why is that?”


    Yeon-shin asked. Before Ma Jin could respond, Won-chang spoke up.


    “From the imperial family’s perspective, the crime of treason must be discovered and punished to the extent of exterminating nine generations. Otherwise, the empire’s dignity would be undermined, and the absolute authority of the imperial family would be tarnished. At least, that’s how they think.”


    “…Madman.”


    Ma Jin chuckled but did not interrupt the exnation.


    “But there are many strange people in the martial world. Those who lose their minds after mastering demonic arts, or those with extraordinary speed who can evade officials and escape into the deep mountains. This is why the Deste Fort Sect warriors, whose mission is to confront martial artists, cannot be granted the imperial family’s absolute authority.”


    Yeon-shin nodded slightly.


    Won-chang, despite his usually frivolous demeanor, had moments of sharp insight.


    This often happened when discussing the origins or power structures of sects.


    Predicting the intentions of the imperial court based on the state of the martial world was no different.


    His animosity toward major sects and the contrast with his usual lighthearted attitude suggested aplex background.


    “Won-chang is not wrong. That is why you must be strong. If you go on a mission and return wounded due to the Namgung First Sword (南宮第一劍), he can exin it better.”


    Ma Jin pointed to a handsome man in a blue turban lounging casually.


    With strikingly clear features and a gentle impression, his demeanor was carefree, and the ends of his turban fluttered continuously in the breeze.


    Even at a nce, he seemed extraordinary.


    “Namgung First Sword’s Sword Arts are incredibly terrifying.”


    He waved his hand and spoke.


    It was astonishing.


    Namgung First Sword was renowned as one of the best sword techniques in the world, taught only to the direct descendants of the Namgung family.


    Even though Yeon-shin lived in seclusion, he had heard of the name.


    ‘Moreover, Namgung’s First Sword is said to be among the top swordsmen in Namjik Rye.’


    Though the man’s internal energy did not appear particrly strong at first nce, closer inspection revealed a meticulously controlled energy flow around his body.


    Surviving an encounter with a grandmaster like Namgung First Sword was a testament to his skill.


    “Well then, shall we see what the Blink Sword is capable of!”


    The man in the bandana suddenly stood up. It seemed prearranged, as Ma Jin took a step back.


    The man approached Yeon-shin, his loosely tied sword at his waist swinging casually, catching his eye.


    He grinned.


    “Coming here at your age means you have considerable talent. Shall we check your aptitude with the sword. I am very good at recognizing such things.”


    “You say you are good at recognizing talent?”


    Yeon-shin asked without thinking.