Sichuan is the land of ancient Shu. It was once an independent kingdom.
The Prefectural Judge and the Commander of the Capital Guards held the civil administration, finances, and military affairs of the entire Sichuan Province in their grasp.
They were akin to monarchs over their respective domains, and unless it was Beijing, there was hardly any need to curry favor with anyone.
However.
'The food that the Radiant Demon Squad's leader likes…?'
What kind of absurdity was this? The Commander of the Capital Guards furrowed his brows, opening his mouth to speak but stopping midway.
The Prefect glanced at him and subtly shook his head, as if to caution him against rash words.
'This man?'
Of course, the Commander of the Capital Guards had heard of Ruyi Spring Squad's leader, Bukgung Ah.
She was said to be an individual beyond reason, a woman who could bring down a cliff with a single punch and regarded high-ranking officials as nothing more than obstacles in her path.
But among the black-ranks of Desolate Fortress, who wasn't like that?
'They're all known for their belligerence and lofty arrogance.'
The Commander of the Capital Guards stole a glance at Ruyi Spring Squad's leader.
"Was he ever one to have a particular preference for food? He didn't seem like the type to openly display likes and dislikes…"
She spoke absentmindedly, as if talking to herself, exhibiting an air of absolute self-assurance.
Her eyelids lowered slightly in contemplation. Even though her eyelashes were long and dense, they couldn't completely obscure her sky-blue eyes.
They seemed to harbor a storm within them.
A piercing glare always lingered in those eyes, a testament to Ruyi Spring Squad's leader's nature, lineage, and inner cultivation.
The Commander of the Capital Guards quietly shut his mouth. A sudden, chilling realization crept over him.
There were thirteen leaders under the Divine Sword Order. This place was the most dangerous in all of Sichuan.
The Prefect standing opposite him let out a long exhale. It sounded like a sigh of relief.
"How regrettable. Someone of Ruyi Spring Squad's leader's stature would, of course, know…"
He spoke, and a flicker of doubt appeared in Bukgung Ah's eyes, which had been gradually sharpening with ferocity.
She was just beginning to furrow her brows, wondering why she was even considering this matter.
"Of course, I know?"
"Yes. Hmm… Since this is valuable information, it makes sense that you would hesitate to reveal it. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader is destined to become the nation's Divine Sword someday. How many opportunists will flock to him, seeking personal gain and power? Such knowledge should only be granted to one as exalted as Ruyi Spring Squad's leader. I fear I may have overstepped."
The Prefect added a polite apology before bursting into laughter.
His voice was measured and composed, exuding the dignity of a high-ranking official, but there was also a degree of ease—not entirely casual, yet not overly formal. It was different from how he had spoken in the carriage earlier with the Commander of the Capital Guards.
"That's excessive flattery."
Bukgung Ah lowered her brows. Her expression suggested she had seen something repulsive.
But the Prefect, instead of being offended, felt relieved. He had avoided the reaction he had originally feared.
Earlier, he and the Commander of the Capital Guards had discussed the disbandment of the Divine Sword Order. If Ruyi Spring Squad's leader's martial prowess was as formidable as rumored, she had likely overheard everything. His priority was to defuse the situation.
'Of all people, I had to first encounter Ruyi Spring Squad's leader, the most notoriously volatile among the Black Three Steels… But there's no choice. I must use her as a bridge to negotiate with the squad leaders of the Divine Sword Order. This is the best course of action.'
If he could truly uncover Radiant Demon Squad's leader Jung Yeonshin's preferences, that would be even better.
The Prefect was thinking long-term. Persuading the squad leaders to disband was one thing, but securing the favor of Radiant Demon Squad's leader—who was destined to ascend to Beijing—would be a tremendous advantage.
"This is not flattery. The esteemed figures of Desolate Fortress are incredibly valuable to us officials. Even if we occasionally face difficulties due to the Divine Sword Order's vigilant actions, it is something we must endure…"
"I don't talk to silver-tongued men like you. Never know when or how I might get ensnared."
Step.
Bukgung Ah cut off the Prefect's words and stepped down from the carriage.
She started walking forward without any sudden acceleration or movement techniques. It seemed like an unspoken command to follow her.
The Commander of the Capital Guards, who had been silently observing, spoke up.
"Would it be acceptable to bring soldiers along?"
"What?"
"You and your kind are simply too powerful. Even the slightest flick of your fingers could generate a force that might injure us. It would be natural for us to feel intimidated before engaging in a discussion. And with the safety of this land at stake…"
Bukgung Ah, her back turned to them, burst into laughter.
"As you please."
Her response carried not a hint of tension. The government soldiers remained silent.
Led by the Prefect and the Commander of the Capital Guards, the government troops followed Ruyi Spring Squad's leader and stepped over the threshold of the Ten Perfection Sect.
It was an expansive location.
The land was vast, with multiple training grounds scattered throughout. Each grand pavilion they passed had towering, tiled rooftops.
The sheer magnificence of the architecture was a direct reflection of the deceased sect leader's taste.
Warriors dressed in white martial uniforms could be seen here and there. They seemed to be from the Sichuan branch of Desolate Fortress.
"There is a scent of blood."
A military officer whispered as he approached the two high-ranking officials from behind. There was no need to speak aloud when he could have transmitted the words directly, but he did so intentionally—to sharpen his comrades' vigilance.
"Of course. Do you think the ones who originally lived here left without resistance?"
Ruyi Spring Squad's leader replied without even turning around.
The two officials swallowed their unease. The annihilation of the Ten Perfection Sect, once part of the Thirteen Celestial Demons. They had heard of it, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter.
A mere handful of individuals had toppled three pillars of the demonic faction. It was true.
'The grandmasters of Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall… Truly fearsome.'
Any who wielded power would inevitably regard them with caution. Even the imperial family would be no exception.
The Prefect carefully composed the words he would speak once seated. One thing was certain—he couldn't allow the Commander of the Capital Guards to be the first to speak.
The Prefect glanced at his companion.
"Watch my flank."
"Of course."
The Commander of the Capital Guards tapped his sword guard lightly as he responded. As a military examination graduate, he had risen to the highest military post in Sichuan Province.
Though not as formidable as the black-clad warriors of Desolate Fortress, his martial prowess was still considerable. If he disregarded his life, he could at least attempt to maintain his dignity.
"Hold your position firmly."
"...?"
The Commander of the Capital Guards couldn't bring himself to question the Prefect's words.
On the bloodstained ground, where corpses had likely been dragged away, a strange figure was perched atop a pillar that seemed to serve as a watchtower.
His entire body was wrapped in ashen bandages, draped in a jet-black long robe. His frame was sharp, yet not small. Two things could be inferred—he was male, and he was clad in black.
"Dark Current Squad's leader...!"
The Prefect whispered. Beside him, the Commander of the Capital Guards flinched, gripping his sword guard before hesitating.
The figure's gaze lowered toward them.
"..."
Even though his face was wrapped in bandages, concealing his eyes, his gaze was still palpable.
The Prefect trembled slightly. The surrounding air felt as if it was scraping against his skin.
'That man is no different from a supernatural fiend…!'
The only one who remained unfazed was Ruyi Spring Squad's leader.
"Nothing from above?"
She asked. It was a cryptic question, yet the Dark Current Squad's eader nodded slowly.
"Got it. Keep up the work."
Bukgung Ah didn't wait for a response before striding forward. Her long legs moved with the ease of someone stepping into their own home. The now-silent government soldiers followed behind her.
"That man, is he the Heavenly Squad's leader?"
It was the voice of the Commander of the Capital Guards. The Prefect lifted his head.
A man was leaning against the main gate of a pavilion, cradling a longsword. His limbs were as long as a monkey's, yet he exuded dozens of needle-like strands of sword intent.
The surrounding air constantly wavered, turning semi-transparent, as if his entire body was honing his sword energy.
He was immersed in training.
His unwavering gaze into the distance gave him a lofty presence, as if he were waiting for something.
'What is he looking at?'
The Prefect followed his line of sight—then abruptly halted.
Directly opposite, atop the pavilion roof, stood a pale-faced man, his posture ramrod straight.
He was wrapped in a jet-black long robe that billowed like bat wings.
The oppressive aura radiating from the government troops dissipated like mist, as if forcibly suppressed.
Blood Preservation Squad's leader, Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood.
Among the leaders of Desolate Fortress, Dark Current Squad's leader and Heavenly Squad's leader were considered the most composed when dealing with the government.
But the Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood was different.
He was utterly elusive. His actions in Hainan had been so ruthless that tales of them reached Beijing's Forbidden City.
Not just Sichuan and Shaanxi, but Guangxi and Guangdong bore their own unique stories about him. And in every single one, the common theme was bloodshed.
"I will hold my position with weight."
The Commander of the Capital Guards released his grip on his sword guard entirely.
Beyond the pavilion where the Supreme Demon of Sacred Blood stood, several black-clad figures were gazing in the same direction as the Heavenly Squad's leader.
The government soldiers no longer took notice of them.
This place was a den of demons. If one wished to survive, they had to ignore the overwhelming martial auras pressing down on them.
* * *
Sunlight scattered against the paper windows.
Jung Yeonshin suddenly opened his eyes. The bed supporting his entire body felt strangely unfamiliar.
"A military force has arrived, about thirty strong..."
He spoke, having sensed the uniform fluctuation of their combined energy. The disciplined martial aura of trained soldiers seeped past the threshold.
Their energy was refined in a straight, precise manner—designed for formations and joint assaults.
It was formidable.
Beside him, Ak Surim idly nodded, her face buried in a book.
"They've trained in the Auxiliary Bright Heart Technique. Word already came while you were asleep."
"The government troops?"
"Yeah."
Her response was indifferent.
Jung Yeonshin glanced down at her.
She showed no sign of removing her feet from the edge of his bed.
A demeanor closer to that of a loafer. Her toes moved playfully, as if stepping through an imaginary footwork technique.
"So this was structured like this… Yeoryeong really does have all sorts of obscure techniques. And they're calling this the 'Mosquito's Wingbeat'…?"
Ak Surim muttered to herself.
Lately, she had been engrossed in reading a copy of the Comprehensive Overview of Demonic Factions' Annihilation. She had gone through complicated procedures to obtain it from Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal.
Since Jung Yeonshin had begun focusing on his recovery, he hadn't seen any of the other squad leaders.
Only the medicinal herbs and elixirs left in his grasp reminded him of his seniors' care.
From the moment he had arrived at the Ten Perfection Sect until now, no one had visited him.
Jung Yeonshin slowly parted his lips.
"They're all cavalry on fine warhorses. If they're from the government, I can guess their purpose… The one leading them must have a high status, wouldn't you agree?"
"Status? Our Bukgung brat alone surpasses that. She may act like a thug, but she's still northern royalty."
"Senior Ak, aren't you the de facto leader of the group?"
"There's no such thing among the black-clad. At Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall, I just manage things because if left alone, it'd turn into a mess. But..."
Ak Surim's forehead slightly lifted above the book.
"How's your body? Can you move now?"
"Yes, I feel much better. I thought I'd need a long recovery period, but..."
It was thanks to the bundle of elixirs the senior squad leaders had given him. Their effectiveness was truly remarkable, without even a proper method of intake, simply circulating Jung Clan Movement Arts continuously had healed his internal injuries.
The scars carved into his skin like blade marks were meaningless from the start. They didn't interfere with his ability to stir his energy or move his body.
"Is that so…?"
Ak Surim responded.
After her forehead, her eyes followed. Her gaze slowly rose over the book and scanned Jung Yeonshin's entire body, assessing his condition.
"How much better?"
"I can operate the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel at its peak."
"So you're completely fine now…?"
"We can now discuss matters of movement. Our current gathering, and how it influences the global situation..."
"No, not happening."
At that moment, an unseen curtain enclosed the room—energy suppression surged from Ak Surim's body.
How long had she been holding back her words? The way she closed her book and tucked it away was careful, yet the way her calm expression suddenly transformed was as explosive as a thunderbolt.
"How did you fight against the Golden Wings Sect's leader? I've got a lot to ask you first…!"
—Huh? What? Why so sudden!
A deep, commanding voice, like that of a high-ranking official, echoed through the room.
The fact that it was heard the instant Ak Surim's energy suppression took hold meant it had already been breached.
In the next moment, Jung Yeonshin saw black silhouettes surrounding his bed.
Fwaaaaah!
The violent backlash of supreme lightness techniques shattered every wall.
A rumbling tremor surged from the floor up to the ceiling, while clouds of dust swelled, blurring the surroundings.
"Any black-clad who arrived with reckless intent, halt. The Radiant Demon Squad's leader has spoken of world affairs."
It was the voice of the Annihilation Squad's leader.