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Yeon-shin thought.

If the wind blowing through the valley had a color, it would be ash gray.

The people of the Jeong family, who once ruled the county, now lay beneath the soil, under the seeds that would sprout next year.

They spent the night carrying and burying the bodies.

Yeon-shin, the Chief Steward, a few surviving workers, and Joong-san with the Zhongnan Sect warriors were all covered in dirt.

His niece, huddled in a corner, alternated between crying and falling asleep.

Yeon-shin glanced at Hye-ah and spoke.

“It’s over.”

“Yes. It will be a sad mountain. It didn’t even have a name.”

The Chief Steward agreed. Yeon-shin shook his head.

“No, the Jeong family is finished.”

“……”

“Cliff Edge Sword, Tranquil Fist. Once again, I thank you for your help.”

Leaving the sorrowful Chief Steward behind, Yeon-shin bowed to the Zhongnan Sect warriors.

Despite being covered in dirt, their eyes were full of energy.

They responded with genuine respect, showing that they held even a boy in high regard.

“Now, it’s a family of disciples, so it’s not a big deal.”

“Moreover… it’s hard to say it’s not our responsibility for failing to stop it.”

Tranquil Fist spoke after Cliff Edge Sword, his thick eyebrows showing gravity.

Joong-san, ready to leave with the Zhongnan Sect warriors, held his niece and looked somberly at his younger brother.

He seemed changed after experiencing the bloodshed.

“How can I apologize for what took years to build in one sentence?”

Joong-san spoke with a weary face.

“When we meet again, I will act as an older brother should. I’ll try, so you must survive.”

“You’re joining the Zhongnan Sect late, and you don’t have exceptional talent. That’s how I see it.”

For the first time in his life, Yeon-shin spoke honestly to his older brother.

He felt a sense of relief he hadn’t expected.

“You’ll have to train until you die. Take good care of Hye-ah.”

“….Got it.”

With that, the Zhongnan Sect warriors, his second brother, and his young niece departed.

Turning around, he saw the Chief Steward with a bundle and the workers standing there.

“Where will you go, Chief Steward?”

“You said you were setting up an information network. There are small branches of the Jeong family in various parts of Namyang. As long as the Jeong family bloodline remains, I should support them with the remaining assets.”

“The Jeong family has fallen.”

The Chief Steward smiled faintly.

“The family owns extensive farmland. The Jeong family’s properties aren’t limited to Xinye.”

Yeon-shin hadn’t realized how loyal he was. He seemed almost too good for the Jeong family.

“You know I’m going to the Desolate Fort Sect. I hope we can see each other occasionally.”

“Of course.”

The Chief Steward also knew martial arts. He would manage.

“I hope you live a long life, Chief Steward. Take care of yourself.”

“I wish you the best, Young Master.”

It was a farewell to the Chief Steward and the Jeong family. The Chief Steward silently watched the boy’s back as he walked away without looking back.

‘I hope you live a long life… Have I ever heard such words from a member of the Jeong family after receiving grace from the ancestors?’

Yeon-shin felt the gaze but did not turn his head.

He walked through the grass, feeling the fresh air.

It was his first time outside Xinye County.

He could have followed the main road with detailed directions from the Chief Steward, but he inevitably drew a lot of attention.

At some point, the sun rose, and the dusty road welcomed the sunlight.

The road connecting Namyang and Yangyang also connected the Hubei and Hoguang provinces.

Not far away was the main road to Shaanxi, and he had to keep checking to make sure his belongings were intact.

He encountered many people.

“His clothes don’t look ordinary for a beggar.”

“Isn’t that silk? Using silk for martial arts clothes?”

“Silk? But look at his appearance…”

The whispers of the escort company caught his attention.

He had heard that traders or escort companies could turn into bandits on the road.

Yeon-shin kept his hand close to his sword and walked silently.

‘It’s troublesome.’

He couldn’t use the deserted mountain paths either.

But being new to the world, he lacked experience. Getting lost would be disastrous.

But being cautious wasn’t enough.

Wolves were everywhere, looking for clothes and wealth. It was a world where robbery and murder were common.

He ended up clashing with wandering swordsmen who underestimated him.

Compared to the warriors of the Thirteen Heavens, they were laughably weak.

‘What gives them the courage to attack?’

Even among the wandering martial artists on the roadside, few had properly learned inner energy.

Learning was rare in this world.

From Xinye to Yangyang.

For masters skilled in the art of lightness, it was a short distance.

However, Yeon-shin, lacking proficiency in movement techniques, experienced the inconveniences and bloody battles of the martial world.

Among those he fought, none could block even one move of his speed sword. As he cut down the wandering swordsmen, the Jeong Family Dynamic Training merged with his swordsmanship.

It was different from training his body alone.

Wielding the sword in actual combat and utilizing dynamic techniques changed his body once again.

His muscles adapted to explosive power, and his flexibility increased.

Speed sword, speed sword, and more speed sword.

The originally quick speed sword technique became so swift he couldn’t see it himself.

As his body, the foundation of martial arts, actively changed, the efficiency of his qi naturally increased.

‘They call it a divine art.’

Having achieved mastery through a lifetime of training, the Jeong Family Dynamic Training visibly transformed his body.

One week.

It was a time for firsts. His first night outdoors, his first time sleeping on hard surfaces, and his first time enduring the cold night air.

“Haah.”

The boy sighed as he entered an inn and set down his bundle. He had arrived in Yangyang.

A city that had prospered and flourished since the establishment of the Desolate Fort Sect.

Tens of thousands of people came and went daily, and thousands of goods were traded.

It was one of the top cities in the central plains in terms of trade volume and cultural level.

“It’s even busier now! They say there’s a shortage of alcohol!”

The conversation among the merchants caught his attention.

Yeon-shin ordered food from the waiter and listened.

“People from all over the central plains come with dreams of success. Some martial artists throw around silver. They say the taverns are always full.”

“The Desolate Fort Sect is truly great.”

“Indeed! It’s like a mother feeding its child until its belly bursts!”

“I must say, what an analogy! Hahaha!”

Yeon-shin agreed with the last part.

The exorbitant lodging fees indicated the high cost of living. Even with the money he brought secretly from the Sword Sect, it wouldn’t last a month.

Just then.

“Are you here to join the Desolate Fort Sect too, little brother?”

A young man with a friendly smile sat across from him.

The sword at his waist was no ordinary blade, and the blue headband he wore was impressive.

It was a decorative item known as a hero’s headband.

It was an unusual accessory these days, unless someone wanted to stand out. It was embroidered with a dragon in gold thread.

“And you are?”

“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself. Seeing a younger challenger piqued my interest.”

The young man continued with a smile.

“I’m Hyeon Won-chang. I came from far away in Shanxi.”

“I’m Jeong Yeon-shin from Xinye.”

“Xinye? Where is that?”

“It’s a county in Namyang, Hubei.”

“Not far then! The journey must have been easy. I fought bandits and swam against river pirates on my way! The river pirates’ water techniques were fierce!”

“Well… I guess it was easy for me.”

Yeon-shin replied vaguely.

“So, you must be here to take the Desolate Fort Sect entrance exam too.”

“What do you want?”

“Just to make acquaintances! Share information if we have any. Almost no one passes the Desolate Fort Sect exam on the first try. It’s a rare occurrence, usually requiring multiple attempts.”

“There’s an exam?”

His eyes widened, as if surprised by Yeon-shin’s ignorance. His exaggerated expression suited him.

“It’s called the Desolate Exam! The Desolate Fort Sect is different from ordinary sects. To join the official ranks, you need to take a civil or military exam. The Desolate Fort Sect has its own entrance exam.”

“So that’s why there are so many people…”

“Whether they have a foundation or not, once they join, they have access to learning and opportunities. It’s no wonder martial artists from all over flock here. Thousands train in various martial arts to pass the exam.”

Desolate Fort Sect.

A common saying was that if you wanted to dominate the world with a single weapon, go to the Desolate Fort Sect, where even officials might take notice.

It was a revered place that made anyone’s heart race.

As the royal family of the central plains established the Desolate Fort Sect to suppress martial sects, it gathered rare herbs and advanced martial arts from all over the nine regions.

“Some say the traditional sects are better. Nonsense. If a commoner sect were stronger than the Desolate Fort Sect, they would have founded an empire. How else could the Ming Empire maintain its power? These sects collect protection fees and donations, living like kings.”

“I see.”

Yeon-shin responded vaguely. He wondered if the man had a grudge against the large sects.

“Anyway, taking the Desolate Exam was a wise choice. If you can pass.”

Hyeon Won-chang suddenly looked gloomy.

Yeon-shin found him fascinating.

He had never met such a talkative person with such mood swings.

“If you pass, you’ll be renowned as the top rising star of your generation. Anyone your age in Desolate Fort Sect would be an outstanding new master!”

Won-chang’s tone became dejected again.

“But the walls of Desolate Fort Sect are as daunting as its reputation.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Just as Yeon-shin was getting weary, the food arrived.

Chicken and vegetable dishes, including Kung Pao Chicken.

The aroma was welcoming after days without proper meals.

As he ate, Won-chang spoke with a complex expression.

“So, how about we take the exam together tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

Yeon-shin replied casually.

He was glad to hear that he could join the Desolate Fort Sect through an exam.

He didn’t want to rely on his maternal family, whom he had never met or known.

Even if it was a matter of life and death, he wouldn’t become desperate.

The next day.

“You came prepared.”

Standing in front of the Desolate Fort Sect, Yeon-shin was no longer the third son of the Jeong family.

He was now a martial artist who had survived a particularly harsh week with his wealth intact.

‘It’s incredible.’

He admired the massive gate. The rumors did not do it justice.

The fortress, standing shoulder to shoulder with the blue sky, exuded grandiosity.

“It’s impregnable.”

Hyeon Won-chang murmured in awe beside him. Yeon-shin silently agreed.

The double-layered walls looked impenetrable.

It surrounded a vast area, with a wide moat around it.

The huge, open main gate was a testament to the confidence of the place claiming to be the greatest in the martial world.

Yeon-shin took a slow step forward.

Ahead, there was a fenced training ground. It was probably the first exam location Hyeon Won-chang mentioned.

“Let’s go.”

“Indeed.”

They approached the registration desk at the front and provided their details.

The clerk, dressed in scholarly attire, wrote them down and confirmed.

“Hubei Province, Namyang. Jeong Yeon-shin, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Enter the training ground.”

He handed over a round token with the number thirteen engraved on it.

‘It’s bustling.’

It wasn’t just examiners and candidates around.

There were spectators, merchants, and gamblers.

The Desolate Fort Sect didn’t prevent anyone from observing.

“Here.”

As they passed through the fence, a martial artist in charge of the exam called them.

His neat martial attire and concentrated aura were impressive, comparable to the warriors of the Thirteen Heavens.

The examiner spoke.

“The first exam revolves around the speed sword technique.”

“Excuse me?”