The hierarchy of the murim was like the Yangtze River. It meant the upper and lower positions didn’t change.

No matter how strong one’s martial arts, one couldn’t stand above masters, senior uncles, and master uncles.

Desolate Sect was different. They called it the Great Ming Empire’s sword.

The word “promotion” was alien. The term itself revealed Desolate Sect’s unique aspect.

They highly valued sharp swords. That’s why they forbade master-disciple bonds and introduced promotions.

“It’s like the Desolate Exam. It proceeds in two tests.”

He was a middle-aged man with a skinny build and sunken eye sockets. His black robe was loose.

His thin body was more pronounced but no one laughed. They called him the Annihilation Team Leader.

They said his martial arts prowess rivaled the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

The Desolate Sect Lord closed her eyes again after declaring the test’s opening. The Annihilation Team Leader was in charge of the test.

“Discernment and martial power. Other items are substituted by merit records. I will present the problems.”

Perhaps due to Desolate Sect’s unique origins? It resembled the civil service examination for recruiting officials.

Those seated in long lines received blank paper. Jeong Yeon-shin too sat in the middle and spread out paper.

The brush and ink beside him felt unfamiliar. Was it because he hadn’t held them since the Jeong family’s annihilation?

Suddenly Cheong Myeong’s words came to mind.

‘They said it was nothing special.’

It wasn’t. All sorts of stone tablets, rocks, or tree bark were lifted up.

White warriors had to look at the marks on objects and guess which sect’s what martial arts left the traces.

Since famous martial arts generally had distinct characteristics, it was a test asking about eye technique achievement and depth of experience.

It was a place watched by seniors with higher eye technique realms. There was no leisure to roll eyes elsewhere.

Jeong Yeon-shin with narrow murim knowledge got three problems right.

The Zhongnan Sect’s Heavenly River Thirty-Six Swords and Taiji Formless Sword, and the Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword.

The benefit of staying at Zhongnan Sect and interacting with masters was great.

‘I saw Blood Flame Sect too.’

There were cases where he knew the sect but not the martial art’s name.

After finishing the first test, he briefly returned to the Radiant Demon Wing group.

Cheong Myeong shot arrows with a smiling mouth. Out of twenty questions, getting three wrong was said to be at a failing level.

Unless he got near perfect results in the second, that is.

“It can’t be helped.”

“Blue level is reached only after broadening knowledge for at least ten years.”

“Since there’s no precedent like Lightning Flash.”

Radiant Demon Wing seniors patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders in consolation. Radiant Demon First and Second Teams were different.

The faces having casual conversation showed not a trace of worry. Even when others asked, they just smiled slightly.

“Go ahead. I’ll follow soon.”

Hyeon Won-chang said. His expression was full of determination.

His heart had aspects hard to grasp, so Jeong Yeon-shin often just thought “whatever.”

He had seen him handle killing swords several times. It was still unclear which was Hyeon Won-chang’s true self.

Jeong Yeon-shin smiled slightly.

“Seems we’ll do the next mission together too.”

“Hm? How does Sir know that?”

“Just a feeling.”

He brushed it off vaguely. As his upper dantian grew, sometimes a kind of premonition stimulated his mind.

Usually they came true. From utterly trivial matters to inspiration about martial arts acquisition.

It wasn’t a very good feeling. Because it felt like heaven was giving alms before early death.

“The opponent is decided. A guy called Crimson Day Sword from the Annihilation Team, not good at all.”

A junior brought news. She was a girl with impressive clear eyes. They said she was the same age as Jeong Yeon-shin.

That’s right. While carrying out several missions, juniors appeared under Jeong Yeon-shin.t

Rumors were widespread about her being a once-in-a-generation talent following Lightning Flash. She didn’t even borrow family power.

They said she entered after taking this Desolate Exam.

‘Shin So-bin was it?’

They said she was the sister of the Desolate Sect’s Shin family heir. Jeong Yeon-shin had seen the young heir too.

At the recent coming of age ceremony, he had withstood the Desolate Sect Lord’s momentum along with Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Se-in.

He thought her beautiful facial lines and high nose bridge resembled his.

“Crimson Day Sword? First time hearing it.”

“Of course for senior. He is quite famous to people like me who practically lived in the main fortress.”

Shin So-bin chattered boldly. She gave the impression of having grown up deeply loved by everyone in a famous family.

She came across as the embodiment of the phrase “precious jade leaf.”

“He’s been a white warrior for twenty years. He’s quite venomous. They say he skillfully uses all sorts of miscellaneous techniques, even making the Lazy Donkey Roll into a killing move. Senior should be careful too!”

“Right. Thanks.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered calmly.

Using the Lazy Donkey Roll as a killing move? He could tell the master called Crimson Day Sword’s tendencies.

It meant rolling one’s body on the ground despite humiliation. It meant not caring about face.

Since they were rumors, there would be exaggerated aspects too.

But that was enough.

‘They said Desolate Sect has all kinds of martial artists.’

Going forward on missions, he would face all sorts of situations.

This promotion too would probably be good experience.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly to Shin So-bin. It was thanks.

Her face became strange.

“Senior, are you being cautious? You’ll have to catch hidden weapons too? They say someone with less murim experience is not a good opponent.”

“I’m always tense.”

“Well, yes. Senior has fame too. You’ll handle it well I’m sure.”

Other seniors seemed to watch the two young juniors’ conversation with strange satisfaction.

Jeong Yeon-shin moved his steps without minding. Already the Annihilation Team Leader was calling Lightning Flash’s name.

“Sir Jeong! Think of the celebratory wine!”

Hyeon Won-chang’s shout was heard from behind. Along with Baek Mi-ryeo’s scolding not to pressure him.

* * *

“Lightning Flash and Crimson Day Sword. The intention behind the match is visible.”

“A battle between shining new talent and seasoned combat techniques.”

“The odds?”

“Looking at merit, definitely Lightning Flash. But Crimson Day Sword’s accumulated years are thick too. Think he might become blue-level this year.”

People surrounding them and examiners watching with stern eyes.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt déjà vu. It was like this during the Desolate Exam too.

Not such an old matter.

He stood in such a place again before half a year had passed.

Even the fame of White Qilin Namgung Hwa-sin, his opponent then, hadn’t resonated at the time.

‘Much was unfamiliar.’

It was the day he knocked on the door just thinking he had to live. Now wasn’t any different.

The increased gazes and momentum couldn’t dig into his nerves at all.

Only one unfamiliar middle-aged warrior was captured in his vision.

Desolate Sect’s martial robe colors had standards. Unlike the murim’s vague realm distinctions.

A white warrior he hadn’t met. It was a chance to gauge his current position.

“Lightning Flash.”

Crimson Day Sword’s impression was different from expected. When hearing Shin So-bin’s words, he had imagined a despicable black path person.

It wasn’t so. Would a squad leader who went through thick and thin in the northern army have such energy?

It felt like a black path martial artist who had properly learned martial arts.

The warrior with scars all over his body continued speaking gravely.

“I’ve heard your fame. They say the rumors about you spreading in the murim don’t match reality, but our Desolate Sect is different. We accurately gauge your skill and merit. Everyone must feel the same. The emergence of an outstanding junior is delightful.”

“I’ve heard much of Senior Crimson Day Sword’s name too.”

“Thank you.”

He gave a bitter smile. And changed his expression.

“Therefore I will unleash the true techniques of all my martial arts. There may be much you haven’t experienced yet. You might be bewildered, even angered. Will you endure it?”

“Now it seems we should share friendship through swords.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered. Embarrassing words weren’t familiar.

Before they knew it, his hand going to his sword wave was calling for sparring. Simultaneously energy waves exploded from Crimson Day Sword’s body.

“Good!”

It was when the Annihilation Team Leader in the middle stepped back.

Crimson Day Sword took the initiative. Two daggers taken from his bosom immediately flew like lightning.

Didn’t expect him to use dagger techniques right away. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately stepped forward while drawing his sword.

Clang-!

He deflected both with one ring. It was because he properly drew the Radiant Demon technique sword path along with drawing the sword.

Master’s realm. The feeling rising through his grip was light. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately took a true step.

The training platform rang with a thud. Dirt dust rising from under his feet scattered at the tip of his rising sword blade.

There was sunlight gathering from the ground.

As Jeong Family Dynamic Technique and Fate Defying Scripture’s power sprouted, the Radiant Sword Style’s dim light clusters were unleashed at once.

Whoosh!

Jeong Yeon-shin’s footwork step taken with his sword strike transcended the realm of martial arts. Overwhelming genius.

He instantly occupied the distance where the opponent couldn’t properly apply force when drawing their sword.

Jeong Yeon-shin gave his all from the first move. He didn’t drag it into a battle of fundamental martial power.

He had already raised his upper dantian ability, bound by blessing and curse, to the extreme and completed his calculations of moves.

Seeing Crimson Day Sword’s technique speed and limb positions when throwing the dagger was enough.

Clang-!

It ended in one strike. Sword force transcending white-level sent Crimson Day Sword’s blade flying.

“What……”

A hastily drawn sword couldn’t handle the Radiant Sword Style.

Crimson Day Sword’s eyes widened seeing the sword placed at his neck.

The Annihilation Team Leader watching nearby was the same.

“…Not martial arts. Innate martial talent?”

Colorless light nets flashed in the Annihilation Team Leader’s eyes. He looked completely like a supreme master obsessed with martial arts.

“No martial artist of equal rank could possibly handle Lightning Flash. Is this Desolate Sect’s blessing? It’s my first time envying Ma Jin. Yes…”

His eyes met with Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

“You’ve won, Lightning Flash.”

“Thank you.”

“There will be no more matches for you. This promotion test is perfect. Crimson Day Sword, prepare for your second.”

“Yes, squad leader.”

Crimson Day Sword’s gaze turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.

He seemed to feel shame about mentioning his martial arts’ true techniques, but Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind and made his courtesy.

Crimson Day Sword finally smiled.

“Work hard for the civilians. Your talent can truly reach all under heaven.”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently raised his clasped fists.

The path returning to where Radiant Demon Wing gathered was quite quiet. Only whispers like ripples rang out.

It was a place with few martial artists of low discernment. Seniors from other martial divisions he hadn’t met before seemed newly shocked.

The white-level seniors who had shot out momentum also quietly closed their mouths.

Jeong Yeon-shin just recalled when his sword broke against Namgung Hwa-sin’s one strike. He felt the passage of generations.

“How did you do that? What footwork was that?”

Shin So-bin who ran up as if to grab Jeong Yeon-shin’s collar asked. She was even stamping her feet.

“No, what about the sword technique that scattered light? They were all martial arts I’ve never seen before. Which family are you from? Ah! Congratulations on winning!”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin lightly pushed away his frantic junior’s shoulders.

Her approach without hesitation despite not knowing him felt burdensome.

He turned his gaze. Several seniors including Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo were smiling. Hyeon Won-chang was the same.

“You made up for it.”

Cheong Myeong said. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.

The following promotion ceremony was quite grand. Artists like dancers and musicians danced and performed at the training ground.

Such was the meaning of the blue martial uniform. They said it was a symbol announcing one as Desolate Sect’s main force.

Cheong Myeong gave a hint that it was natural.

“May sunlight not fade from your path ahead.”

The Desolate Sect Lord recited a blessing unique to elf clan. And personally helped him put on the robe.

Her hand movements were delicate. It wasn’t Cheong Myeong’s clothes that were a bit big on him.

Even what he was already wearing was his own blue uniform.

Desolate Sect blue warrior.

They said it was a name that could act imposingly anywhere under heaven.

It was a level treated as a master anywhere in the murim.

They said discerning commoners often treated them with respectful thoughts.

“Congratulations.”

“Youngest and shortest time!”

The Radiant Demon Wing seniors welcomed him.

They said Radiant Demon Wing among the Divine Sword Squad’s Seventeen divisions was always short-handed.

It was an extremely strong force where individual blue-levels were known to match the Nine Sects’ elite.

‘I’ve heard much.’

They said being scattered across the world on missions was familiar.

Now he too was one pillar of that. He had become fully acknowledged.

“This way.”

General Administration Office scholar Do Yu-won guided. His mind was still scattered.

He suddenly had to confirm all sorts of etiquette learned since entering Desolate Sect.

Jeong Yeon-shin headed to yet another place as soon as he properly donned his clothes.

He was with others who were promoted together, but the destination was unfamiliar.

It was a deep place within Desolate Sect he hadn’t even known existed until now.

A very splendid pavilion.

The expressions of blue warriors who received hints about the final schedule weren’t good.

Visibly hardened faces. Only Jeong Yeon-shin alone maintained a peaceful appearance.

“He is someone with great changes in his heart. Please take utmost care with your attitude.”

Do Yu-won said.

They had come to meet the crown prince who was staying at Desolate Sect training in martial arts.

There were rumors he had heard in passing. They said the crown prince’s mood wasn’t good.

Because the Desolate Sect Lord, the Great Ming Empire’s grand preceptor and military king’s attention was directed at Lightning Flash.

‘What do they want?’

Jeong Yeon-shin was already thinking in an extremely martial artist-like way. He was surprised enough at the thought that came unconsciously.