The expressionless faces of the rising talents and Hwangbo family guard unit instantly vanished. Dozens of faces changed one after another.

“Desolate Sect? Why Desolate Sect…?”

“What energy wave.”

“Desolate Sect’s blue ranks? Isn’t that Radiant Demon Wing!”

“Isn’t it said that they are comparable to a minor sect? With that energy wave and black martial clothes, aren’t those Desolate Sect’s squad leaders? How are there three of them…!”

Those from family sects who claimed they could discuss matters of the world couldn’t hide their inner thoughts.

Even Domineering Sword Hwangbo Jun* hesitated. There was raw bewilderment showing. They all seemed to harbor questions and shock.

T/Note- I translated Domineering Sword as Tyrant Sword in previous chapter. I changed it to avoid confusion with the Tyrant Sword Sect (one of evil sects).

“At that age, Desolate Sect blue rank… I’ve heard of it.”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s lower lip trembled. Her continuing voice did too.

“Lightning Flash… You, Gu Gwa… you were Desolate Sect’s Lightning Flash?”

“It’s not a name that should have spread to Shandong. Isn’t that quite far?”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered, slightly puzzled. He seemed to have heard of people like Hwangbo Myeong-rin.

Those who collect rumors with interest, even about martial artists who don’t influence the major currents of the martial world.

The well-known places were said to be Beggar Sect and Hao Sect.

Desolate Sect was a place watched by the entire martial world. She seemed to have encountered the title of Lightning Flash while looking into emerging masters.

“Why, why? We would have treated you better than anyone.”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s question was rather perplexing. Jeong Yeon-shin conveyed what he had heard.

“Better treatment is a laughable story. Everyone knows the martial world treats Desolate Sect coldly.”

“…What was the reason for hiding your identity?”

“I’m a Desolate Sect warrior. What other reason could there be besides the mission?”

“Mission?”

The Domineering Sword cut in. The appearance of the middle-aged swordsman who had been emanating overwhelming presence disappeared.

On his gravely sunken face, his eyes, repeatedly scanning Desolate Sect’s masters, shook anxiously.

That’s when it happened.

“I-I failed to recognize the imperial clan!”

One of the rising talents abruptly knelt. The dully echoing sound was unusual.

Those nearby tried to stop him with bewildered faces.

“Young Hero Cheon, what are you doing? What imperial clan?”

“If he’s the direct disciple of Desolate Sect’s lord, isn’t he of the imperial clan! I heard it’s been that way for generations. Looking at this, he’s not even from a noble family, how could Desolate Sect’s lord pass down martial arts to a commoner?”

It was an amusing commotion. Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer and turned his head.

His eyes met with Ma Jin, who had somehow approached his side.

The scar across his face seemed to contain concern.

It appeared to be because Jeong Yeon-shin’s appearance was that bad. Bad enough to know at a glance even without being from a noble family.

“…Even I hadn’t anticipated multiple thunderclap bombs. Is your internal injury alright?”

Ma Jin asked, slightly distorting his lips. Jeong Yeon-shin readily nodded and spoke.

“You came after understanding the situation in Huizhou. By chance, do you know what happened to Yu Hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect?”

“You mean the youngest disciple of Mount Hua’s sect leader? The Namgung family responded immediately to protect him. That young Taoist Yu Hyeon, I know he’s already destroyed a couple of Blood Flame Sect branches along with the Plum Blossom Sword Masters. The Mount Hua Sect left Huizhou long ago.”

“I see.”

He had been concerned about their indefinite separation in the chaos.

While greatly relieved, Jeong Yeon-shin was inwardly surprised.

Even though Yu Hyeon was one of his few close friends, they hadn’t shared friendship for long. He felt there was more affection than expected.

‘Perhaps because he approached warmly saying he’d come to Desolate Sect.’

Come to think of it, he could count his close peers on one hand.

Crown Prince Ju Yun-myeong wasn’t yet among them. Perhaps only Yu Hyeon, Shin So-bin, and Ma Se-in of the Desolate Sect Ma family.

Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myo-hwa of the Zhongnan Sect was considered a sister somewhere between them and Baek Mi-ryeo.

It was like making one friend each time he went on a mission. Thinking about it now, it wasn’t too bad.

Even if he died without eating the World Tree fruit, there would be people who would remember him.

‘Not something I particularly want to think about.’

That’s when Domineering Sword Hwangbo Jun stepped forward.

“Hearing the conversation, you’re not of the imperial clan. You b*st*rd, no.”

His words, ignored by Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Jin, were briefly cut off. It seemed like the first humiliation in his life.

He took a long exhale and composed himself.

“Young Hero. And Great Hero Ma.”

He raised a formal cupped fist salute. His attitude had completely changed.

If it were just Radiant Demon Wing, a family of the Eight Great Families wouldn’t have bowed like this.

He seemed to have guessed something after seeing the gathering of three Divine Sword Group military forces. Cold sweat was visible on his nape.

“I’ve long heard the great name of Radiant Demon Wing. This Hwangbo Jun failed to recognize the direct disciple taken in by Desolate Sect’s lord and spoke false words. I hope you can forgive me.”

“What false words?”

Ma Jin asked briefly. For a moment, there was no answer.

“Mongrel, lowborn, one without roots!”

Shin So-bin, who quickly cut in, chirped. She seemed very excited.

“Aren’t these all insults to the Squad Leader? I know Senior Lightning Flash is also of Desolate Sect Ma family bloodline. He became famous during the main family’s coming-of-age ceremony, right? This is the martial world! They say he downed the Thunder Spirit Treasure Wine in one go while declaring that.”

“……”

Ma Jin’s face froze coldly. The aura rising like frost from his scar was extremely cold.

By now, those who should know were aware that the Lightning Flash was Desolate Sect Ma family’s reverse scale.

They said Ma Jin, unlike his appearance, was a warm person full of affection. He wouldn’t forgive anyone who spoke of bloodlines.

“Hwangbo family.”

Ma Jin opened his mouth with an expressionless face.

“The crime of a mere noble family forcing citizens into labor is heavy. The number reached one thousand.”

“……”

“You asked about the Lightning Flash’s mission. It was to create rifts between the Hwangbo nobles who rule Jinan with force. He made it possible to secure justification for extermination. He completed it excellently. Aren’t you all here?”

“What…”

Hwangbo Jun swallowed hard.

It was words from a Squad Leader under Desolate Sect’s Divine Sword Squad. No one would consider it false words.

However, admitting the crime was another matter. Even if decisive evidence had been taken, they had to deny it.

Whether people or documents, it was so. Unless one was naive, they wouldn’t admit it in this situation.

Even Jeong Yeon-shin, with his shallow martial world experience, could understand.

He turned around. He gave a cupped fist salute while taking in Ma Jin, Annihilation Team Leader, and Azure Sky Squad Leader at a glance.

“I dare to ask. May this junior announce the start?”

“Hmm.”

It was the Annihilation Team Leader, so skinny that his black robe’s wide cut stood out.

To combine three military forces, the chain of command needed to be unified.

He heard the Annihilation Team Leader temporarily held command authority. They said it was because of his age near fifty and long years as Squad Leader.

Ma Jin and Azure Sky Squad Leader were in their thirties. They said that was quite young for Squad Leaders.

“Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash. I watched your rank promotion test from the side. It was quite impressive.”

The eyes of an internal energy master who had reached the extreme carefully observed him.

The moment Jeong Yeon-shin met the pitch-black gleaming spirit light, he couldn’t help but feel tense.

Unlike Desolate Sect’s lord who completely contained his energy, he could fully sense the martial might.

‘Still far to go. Squad Leaders are completely different.’

It was when he was realizing the realm of Desolate Sect’s black rank. The Annihilation Team Leader slowly opened his mouth.

“Announcing the start… that was your mission. I permit it.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, maintaining his cupped fist salute, slightly bent his waist before lowering his arms.

Step.

He turned around again and stepped forward alone. He put the Clear Righteousness pill he held in his left hand into his mouth.

Like Lazy Flame Dragon who enjoyed chewing opium poppies, he roughly chewed while continuing to walk without stopping.

He headed straight for where the rising talents and Hwangbo family warriors were gathered.

‘They said there’s no need to circulate qi. Indeed.’

They said it combined noble family secret techniques and Shaolin Medicine King Hall’s medical techniques.

There was a feeling of refreshing energy rising from all his body’s meridians. Mysterious efficacy spread throughout his body, healing his internal injuries.

Until then, no one had dared to act rashly. The three military forces of Desolate Sect exerted terrifying suppressive power.

He passed by the Domineering Sword. He ignored Lazy Flame Dragon too.

Originally, Jeong Yeon-shin had intended to take the neck of the Domineering Sword, the strongest among the enemies. Hwangbo Myeong-rin was next.

However, after facing the Annihilation Team Leader’s intense spirit on the battlefield, his thoughts changed.

He was a blue-ranked warrior under the black-ranked Squad Leader.

Exchange swords with the Domineering Sword for dozens of moves? It was merely reckless bravado blinded by merit.

With the Squad Leaders’ martial might, they could kill someone like the Domineering Sword in a few moves.

In a position aiming for the Divine Sword Squad leadership, he couldn’t risk falling out of favor with the Azure Sky and Annihilation Team Leaders.

‘Now I’m incorporated into the mission to strike the Hwangbo family. It’s enough to make myself remembered.’

Jeong Yeon-shin approached to three steps in front of Hwangbo Myeong-rin.

He had come so deep inside that it would be hard for anyone to imagine him acting alone recklessly.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Let’s settle our grudge.”

“What did you say?”

“You may reply comfortably. I will say my piece.”

“……”

“You told me to offer my arm. You said you’d behead me after interrogation. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering too. Shin So-bin could have died. That would have happened if I hadn’t saved her.”

“…I acknowledge the prestige of Desolate Sect’s blue-ranked warrior. Furthermore, as the direct disciple of Desolate Sect’s lord, you can be this arrogant.”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin straightened her waist. Grace began to show in her wretched appearance from the long escape.

“However, I cannot make up nonexistent words. I am upright. I never did anything against the righteous path.”

“You keep doing that. It doesn’t matter now.”

“…?”

“The remaining mission is the extinction of the Hwangbo family. Whatever boasts you make are meaningless.”

Jeong Yeon-shin put strength into his hand holding the Desolate Sect sword’s hilt. In that moment, the energy wave bursting from the back of his hand spread in all directions.

The precursor to sword technique manifestation. In the middle of enemy territory.

Before Hwangbo Myeong-rin, her face full of shock, could reply, tendons rose on the back of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin was a vastly inferior opponent.

It showed from her expression in that instant. The terror of a martial artist facing an insurmountable sword technique rose up.

“What? Please…!”

Simultaneously, the Desolate Sect sword flashed. The Swift Sword Technique Radiant Sword Style.

The blade distorted like a beam of light at a speed impossible to react to.

SWOOSH!

A white lightning struck and passed through her neck. It was swift swordsmanship that had reached the blue-rank realm.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s head stayed in place momentarily. Even the panic fixed in her eyes hadn’t faded.

The blood burst a breath later.

Splash!

As her head rolled down limply, her corpse collapsed.

The terrified Domineering Sword was rushing in from behind, but Desolate Sect’s masters were much faster.

With ghostlike body technique, the Annihilation Team Leader arrived first and grabbed the Domineering Sword’s back of head, slamming it to the ground.

BANG!

The inner power concentrated in his thin arm was tremendous. The ground cracked and split.

“Rin-ah!”

“Young Lady!”

“Family Head!”

The second son and Hwangbo family guard unit cried out. The rising talents seemed frozen.

The faces that were indifferent when discussing Jeong Yeon-shin’s arm and neck now showed unprecedented animation. It was desperation and terror.

THUD!

Ma Jin and the Azure Sky Squad Leader leaped into their group.

The two supreme masters radiated heavy energy waves in all directions and drew their blades like a painting.

They didn’t even give warnings. Destructive energy stormed from their blade and sword strikes that began cutting down everything in their path.

The Domineering Sword, who had hurriedly rolled away, barely escaped the Annihilation Team Leader’s grasp.

It was the moment he rose to his feet, seemingly about to display Hwangbo family’s sword technique.

BOOM!

Along with rough footwork, Ma Jin’s form tore through the air.

He rushed in with truly explosive speed.

In that instant, the pitch-black blade he held pierced straight through the center of the Domineering Sword’s chest.

CRACK! CRUNCH!

The penetration was brief. Ma Jin twisted his waist and horizontally severed the Domineering Sword’s upper body.

Along with the sound of ribs splitting at once, a large amount of blood spurted up.

The tremendous impact became spirit itself and stopped time.

“D-Desolate Sect. It was true.”

“We can’t fight them! We must think of escape…!”

Desolate Sect’s Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

The Domineering Sword died truly meaninglessly. Ma Jin didn’t seem to give it much significance.

He immediately charged toward the Hwangbo family warriors again.

His bladework cut off five more throats in an instant.

The black blade shadow that swept like a storm left tremendous air-splitting force as it cut necks, hearts, and waists.

Organs and blood poured out between ruptured muscles.

It was terrifying. The term ‘demonic blade’ truly suited it.

This was Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s attitude toward enemies who had threatened his only nephew.

THUD!

Even the remaining dust from his leap was torn to shreds.

Suffocating killing intent spurting from his entire body constricted all directions, and it converged into overwhelming force waves upon reaching his blade.

“Flee! Run away!”

Eventually some began turning their backs. It was momentum that seemed to completely dismantle even the spirit of martial arts family warriors.

The three Squad Leaders chased and killed them. They burst their backs with palm techniques and cut off their necks.

It was a scene revealing the fundamental difference from martial world practitioners.

They viewed martial artists who disturbed the people’s livelihood strictly from the imperial perspective.

Rogues who didn’t even properly pay tribute. Desolate Sect’s execution of the country’s harmful elements was merciless.

“The Squad Leaders don’t give any openings. Unless it’s quite a large scale.”

“We’ll only earn merit when striking the Hwangbo family’s main house.”

“I envy the Lightning Flash. Hasn’t he already done quite a big deed?”

Among the members of Radiant Demon Wing, Azure Sky, and Annihilation Team, very few joined the Squad Leaders.

The majority approached without even participating in battle. Some captured and interrogated the rising talents.

“Ah please arrest me. I am that heinously evil young master of the Hwangbo family. Hmm? That won’t do. Please return the opium poppies, eh? Please…”

Lazy Flame Dragon was among them.