The Desolate Ma Family’s heir’s expression changed as soon as he saw Jeong Yeon-shin. Complex emotions were plainly visible.

It seemed not just anger and shame. One could tell just from the words he spoke after approaching.

“Would you match swords with me?”

“Your name?”

“…I am Ma Se-in. We couldn’t even exchange names then.”

“Seems there’s been a change in your mindset.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly at his maternal grandfather’s adopted grandson.

They said he was defeating white-level martial artists one after another in the Martial Arts Training Ground.

Though he should be proud, he maintained courtesy with a haggard complexion.

Was this how famous families’ power stemmed from self-reflection?

It was unknown what he thought seeing Jeong Yeon-shin’s skill and talent.

Ma Se-in clasped his fists.

“I learned a lesson then. I gained a lot. Give me another chance.”

“Well…”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who first returned the greeting, pondered.

He needed to definitely complete the next mission. To get the blue martial uniform immediately without wasting time, he had to.

Whether the youth before him would provide another inspiration was a secondary issue.

‘I can’t fill in the framework of the Radiant Sword Style with inferior inspiration.’

It was different from when creating Eternal Blossom Fist. The Radiant Sword Style was a sword technique inspired by the sword path of the Sword Master, a supreme master of the previous generation.

There was a martial arts library that Desolate Sect martial artists could access.

Jeong Yeon-shin must have visited. He wasn’t just using martial arts he created himself.

Beyond newly created martial arts, Desolate Sect martial arts were melted into all his practical movements.

He had stripped away all martial principles, martial theory. He had built the foundation to create new things.

The Elf clan’s movements that Cheong Myeong had inspired were also taking the form of peerless body techniques.

However, martial arts that perfectly fit his body like the Radiant Sword Style, Radiant Wing Step, and Eternal Blossom Fist couldn’t be created just because he wanted.

It was a different matter that martial arts recorded in books were dead.

It was just that there was no inspiration worthy of weaving into a martial arts system that would satisfy Jeong Yeon-shin.

He needed lightning striking his mind. But divine thunder didn’t fall whenever.

“I could broaden my knowledge.”

Ma Se-in’s sparring proposal wasn’t bad.

The Desolate Ma Family’s sword techniques would be martial arts hard to see even in Desolate Sect.

Just then, a light wind arose. Jeong Yeon-shin felt his clothes flutter slightly.

“Isn’t he a newcomer? Try crossing hands with me.”

Cheong Myeong, who had approached before they knew it, patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder and looked at Ma Se-in.

The black eyepatch on his left eye had quite a classical charm.

Ma Se-in’s face brightened.

“Blue Eyes Demon Sword…!”

“Now it’s One Eye though.”

Cheong Myeong smiled playfully and turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Is it okay if I do it?”

“Do you come to the Martial Arts Training Ground often?”

“If not, I’ll fall behind. It’s a sect with so many monstrous masters.”

“Because of your eye?”

“Yes. Need to slowly raise my senses back. A swordsman’s vision is halved.”

Cheong Myeong speaking with a smile even seemed cheerful.

An outstanding white warrior would make a good training partner. Jeong Yeon-shin agreed.

It was when watching the two walking side by side to a corner of the training ground.

Do Yu-won beside him muttered.

“Strange. The rumors must be true. They said Blue Eyes Demon Sword treats people differently according to talent.”

“Senior Cheong Myeong…?”

When he asked puzzledly, he nodded repeatedly.

“He is truly a cold person. You can tell just from the records. They said he applies merciless standards to martial artists who aren’t commoners. Both talent and character. Openly treating people poorly is common, and there have been many times when orthodox sect martial artists showing hypocrisy had their heads fly. That’s why he’s called Demon Sword. Those standards are harsh.”

“I can’t tell at all.”

“That must be because your talent is tremendously outstanding. Other blue-levels mostly avoid dealing with him. No need to mention white-levels. The Desolate Ma Family’s heir picked wrong.”

Do Yu-won clicked his tongue.

‘He didn’t treat Master Hyeon badly either.’

While mulling over his words, the match was decided.

Ma Se-in tried to dig into Cheong Myeong’s left field of vision that would be dyed black, but blue-level martial prowess was indeed different.

Cheong Myeong seemed to have reached the level of replacing blind spots with energy sensing.

His left palm that struck without even looking hit Ma Se-in’s solar plexus. It was an amazing palm technique. Ma Se-in coughed up a handful of blood and collapsed.

That’s when it happened.

Perhaps he had realized something from Cheong Myeong’s move.

A smile formed on Ma Se-in’s lips as he suddenly sat cross-legged.

Anyone could see it was the sight of gaining insight.

As soon as he collapsed, martial artists in orange uniforms flew in from everywhere and surrounded them. They seemed to be Desolate Ma Family’s guards.

Cheong Myeong, who had stepped back slightly, returned with a smirk. He glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin and said.

“That friend. Not quite useless.”

“This is Desolate Sect. Everyone is talented.”

“Though Radiant Demon Wing loses its light with just you, there are many so-called talents.”

Do Yu-won, who had stepped back as if uncomfortable dealing with Cheong Myeong, gave a slight bow.

Jeong Yeon-shin returned it and freshly realized Desolate Sect’s potential.

Cheong Myeong who lost an eye hadn’t greatly decreased in power, and Ma Se-in who seemed just an arrogant young master had immediately changed as a person.

His character becoming humble, he gained enlightenment more easily.

It was incredible to the point of being hard to believe. It seemed impossible for a person to be like that.

‘It wasn’t time to judge the level of inspiration.’

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately stepped onto the Martial Arts Training Ground training ground.

* * *

“The sect leader wishes to commemorate your coming of age.”

When he returned to the Radiant Demon Wing pavilion wearing sunset light as an outer garment, Ma Jin’s suddenly brought up unfamiliar words.

“You mean Desolate Sect will oversee my coming of age ceremony?”

“Yes.”

When Ma Jin nodded, Jeong Yeon-shin’s brows furrowed.

‘The General Administration Office asked about the ceremony…’

The coming of age ceremony, first of the four ceremonies of life performed according to Zhu Xi’s Family Rituals.

The Great Ming Empire’s scholars held coming of age ceremonies at twenty. The murim was different.

The harsher the local murim they settled in, the earlier they held coming of age ceremonies. The standard age varied by place.

They said the martial world was mysterious. When a sect’s prestige was high, enemies also became powerful existences.

An early coming of age ceremony meant to quickly leave footprints as an adult since one never knew when death might come.

However, it wasn’t Jeong Yeon-shin’s concern. For him, life itself was his footprints.

“When is the next mission?”

Ma Jin sighed.

“The sect leader set it. She’s acknowledging your talent and potential.”

“Well…”

He couldn’t guess the Desolate Sect Lord’s thoughts at all.

Acknowledging his talent? Then she should just take a fruit from the World Tree and bestow it to him.

Making such a clear distinction between public and private in this matter didn’t leave much room for other interpretations.

Either she wanted Jeong Yeon-shin, pressed for time, to reach the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s hierarchy himself, or Desolate Sect’s martial power was already sufficient and felt no lack.

It was unknowable now.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t want to rely on vain hope.

The Desolate Sect Lord was an old absolute being. Though she seemed to show goodwill, her lines were clear.

One could tell just by how she treated Ma Yeon-jeok, said to be like a decades-long friend, like a sword.

“I don’t particularly want to. In one hour I could comprehend dozens of sword technique variations. Please decline.”

“She seems to know you better than I do. She said to tell you the reward. It’s wine whose properties don’t overlap with any miraculous medicine in the world. Called Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine. One cup is enough for long life without illness.”

Even martial artists weren’t free from illness. Starting with blocked meridians.

Thus, the medical arts of doctors called divine physicians in the murim were active in many areas.

They didn’t just treat internal and external injuries from battle.

Long life without illness, she said. Even without great expectations, it wasn’t words Jeong Yeon-shin could pass by.

“I’ll do it.”

His attitude changed drastically.

“…Only one among those having the coming of age ceremony together can drink it. Desolate Sect’s ceremony is a place to elevate oneself through martial arts. Most times it was competition between children who couldn’t become white-level, but this time is different. They say a couple white-levels from famous families who are conscious of you are participating. They’ll be two or three years older than you.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

He didn’t care about Ma Jin’s flustered face. You never know. Whether he could slow the opening speed of the baihui acupoint even a little.

* * *

“The sect leader interferes.”

Ma Yeon-jeok, sitting at the far end of the upper seats arranged on both sides of the vast and luxurious banquet hall, muttered.

His splendid purple robe completely covered the armrest. Below, Ma Jin’s scar wrinkled.

“Were you planning to hold it at the main family?”

“Not a matter of face to consider.”

Ma Yeon-jeok replied nonchalantly.

Meanwhile, the boys and young men were following procedures vastly different from scholars’ coming of age ceremonies.

Though there were complex forms like divination, hair binding, and cap bestowal, the content was different.

Was it martial artists’ unique magnanimity? The atmosphere wasn’t even solemn.

Starting with attire being just Desolate Sect martial uniforms, among them Jeong Yeon-shin in white clothes under a blue robe particularly stood out.

After long procedures, they went up to the platform one by one.

The Desolate Sect Lord wearing green ceremonial clothes personally bestowed caps.

Among twenty-five people, only three were white warriors.

Most had grown up in Desolate Sect from the start. Cases like Jeong Yeon-shin or Ma Se-in who entered through the Desolate Exam were unusual.

“Congratulations.”

The Desolate Sect Lord moved her red lips. Her mouth corners rose smoothly after stroking Jeong Yeon-shin’s cap once.

“Lightning Flash will not take a courtesy name.”

At her clear ringing voice, the spectators showed signs of agreement.

It meant he wouldn’t create a new name to use as an adult.

Some martial artists who gained titles early took those names as their courtesy names.

For Jeong Yeon-shin, Seomye was like that. It had become a name he would carry for life.

When the ceremony concluded, people began chatting lightly. There seemed to be quite many who came to relieve boredom.

“Now the last part.”

“The finishing touch remains.”

“Wonder who will drink this year.”

“Looking at achievements alone, there’s hardly any white-level who can match Lightning. Hasn’t he run without rest? I heard even White Qilin Namgung Hwa-sin only just completed one mission.”

“Even so, murim family potential is tremendous. The talent of the Desolate Ma Family and Shin family heirs should be beyond imagination.”

They seemed somewhat excited. Jeong Yeon-shin returned to his place and stared at the platform.

Before they knew it, the Desolate Sect Lord was tilting a jade bottle into a white wine cup.

‘Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine.’

Life returned to his eyes.

Even meeting the Desolate Sect Lord’s deep green eyes, his momentum wasn’t pushed back. She smiled slightly and opened her mouth.

“This is celebratory wine for you all. I will gift it to whoever takes it first.”

The Desolate Sect Lord’s clothes began to flutter. An illusion arose as if green waves were spreading from her body.

“Try to take it as you can.”

Whoosh-!

Tremendous momentum pressed in. It felt like being pulled into a deep swamp.

Taking a step became frightening. It was enough to make him laugh inwardly.

Yet the Desolate Sect Lord hadn’t even revealed a tenth of her true martial power.

‘It probably wasn’t this level last year?’

Those who hadn’t yet become formal Desolate Sect martial artists were pushed back and collapsed.

He thought it remarkable that she didn’t cause internal injuries. Looking around, it seemed the seated guests weren’t affected.

It was power control reaching the realm of divine skill.

“Kuk!”

Someone let out a groan.

At this moment, those still standing were Jeong Yeon-shin, Ma Se-in, and one young master said to be from the Shin family.

However, only one person lifted their foot to move.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the mysterious wind the Desolate Sect Lord emitted from her entire body.

The streams of momentum sweeping over his entire body made new thunder sprout in his head.

Amidst the feeling of his soul being sucked into the Desolate Sect Lord’s eyes, old techniques to break down energy barriers naturally flowed from his mind.

This was communion. Sky-blue light brushed past Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

The first step wasn’t Radiant Wing. He just stepped forward maximally conforming to the energy.

The purpose was different. Radiant Wing First Step was a footstep that created gaps.

Now the second manifested.

Step.

Energy waves spread centered on his stepping foot.

Colorless waves spreading in all directions gently pushed back the Desolate Sect Lord’s green wind.

Radiant Wing Second Step. A footstep that pierced through momentum.

His cap flew off and his long hair scattered wildly. By then, no one in the hall opened their mouth.

He finally stepped onto the platform along with his black hair settling strand by strand.

“You may savor it.”

The Desolate Sect Lord, slightly raising her mouth corners, stepped down from her seat. That’s when it happened.

“Supreme alone! All martial artists dream like you!”

Ma Se-in, kneeling on one knee while bleeding, shouted. His eyes were bloodshot.

It was unknown whether from straining to endure the momentum, or because some emotion welled up.

Perhaps because he had only walked the path of continuous victories. He didn’t seem in his right mind.

“But the murim isn’t like your thoughts! What do you think is the reason for creating sects, establishing families, and founding alliances?”

“……”

“I decided to uphold grandfather’s will. Aim for the Desolate Ma Lord position. With the main family behind you, your position will change once again.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jeong Yeon-shin was dumbfounded. It was a public place. Even the right words should be restrained in such a place.

Weren’t family matters involved too? Though he thought him quite unable to distinguish right from wrong, Ma Yeon-jeok didn’t stop his adopted grandson.

He just stared at Jeong Yeon-shin’s mouth.

Ma Se-in continued.

“Set a date and compete with me. Defeat me fairly for the future Desolate Ma Family Lord position. You can become the heir. It’s a position far surpassing the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine. Replace me. An individual who ate miraculous medicine? A position that can grasp a hundred swords alone is more valuable than any miraculous medicine.”

His emotions seemed heightened by another defeat. It was incomprehensible.

Were Ma Se-in’s words his own will, or Ma Yeon-jeok’s coercion?

Jeong Yeon-shin thought it might be both.

“…Grandfather wishes to change the heir to you. Don’t refuse. I know you don’t find it satisfactory. But there’s no reason for that. The position of group leader, master of a martial world family, takes precedence over anything. That was human affairs, and also the principle of the martial world.”

Ma Se-in took a long breath and concluded.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked at his collateral relative like looking at a madman.

Such talk here? Did they think it would be hard to refuse if offered in front of people who didn’t know the circumstances?

Whoever’s idea it was seemed to know no shame.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t nod. Because what he pursued was different.

‘I might have done so earlier. If I could obtain the World Tree’s fruit with one family’s prestige.’

The problem was that wasn’t possible. Also, being bound to a family wouldn’t let inspiration spread its wings.

Jeong Yeon-shin intuitively knew himself.

The Desolate Sect Lord was keeping silent about his lifespan even to Ma Yeon-jeok.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t want to beg others for his life without compensation. It didn’t seem like it would help much either.

He quietly opened his mouth.

“You said about the principle of the murim. I know too, having experienced it well. I’ll tell you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stood alone upright on the platform.

The sight of the youth looking down at the wine while wearing a blue robe was incredibly striking.

It reflected the bearing of a swordsman standing alone through the world’s harsh waves.

He slowly stretched out his hand.

“This is.”

He lifted the wine cup wrapped in his fingers. A cup he had seized himself.

“The murim.”

His words spread particularly clearly as he brought the cup to his mouth. Because the hall had become quiet.

In the silence, only the sound of the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine flowing down his throat began to ring.