A pitifully skinny old man retreated backward down the vertical city wall. His body seeped into the air like an early dusk, becoming almost indistinguishable from a person for an instant.

The Rebel Fist Emperor, Eon Wonseong.

The former Lord of the Eon Family.

All of his martial arts were rooted in the Eon clan. Originally, during the Yuan Dynasty, they were a mysterious group that transported massive numbers of corpses to tombs using Jiangshi techniques. But with the rise of the Ming Dynasty, their art was scorned, and they changed their surname from "Eon (言)" to "Eon (彦)" and delved into Divine Fist Techniques.

Among the Eight Great Families, they were counted among the most radical.

Just as now, securing a retreat first.

"Sir, why all of a sudden...?"

"This is Ipwang Fortress. Even the slightest carelessness can lead to disaster."

It was akin to encountering both annihilation and defeat in a single breath—Eon Wonseong trailed off. He had already opened a distance of thirty paces.

From the towering giant who had naturally emerged through the broken wall.

"......"

The woman who had traveled with Eon Wonseong to Ipwang Fortress, Lady Go, the Fourth Madam of Daesun, captured the giant's outline through her monocle.

Her bare left eye gleamed with a colorless light.

"...His internal energy is extremely faint. It's clear his external arts have been polished to a terrifying degree, but I can't gauge his level."

"I have wandered many lands after disgracefully leaving my clan... yet even I have never heard of a Yozoku who has mastered the Reverse Ghost March Technique. This is the first time I've seen such a one."

Eon Wonseong spoke slowly, as if he'd witnessed something monstrous.

"You are correct. This is not the skill of our clans."

The giant spoke politely.

Unlike the two who stood upright on the side of the wall through mystical techniques, he simply trampled over the broken rubble without care.

Thus, the three appeared like beings from separate worlds, never to intermingle.

Eon Wonseong asked,

"Don't the Yozoku find ambush and stealth disgraceful? From what I've heard, the reason the name of the Mad Blade Divine Tu wasn't listed for decades in the rankings of the Northern Desolate Lands was precisely because of that pride."

The giant smiled faintly, seemingly pleased that the old man and the woman had recognized his Reverse Ghost March Technique.

"The Northern Emperor favors those who are deeply versed in the Reverse Ghost March Technique. When pursuing a great enterprise, wouldn't a right hand be better than a left?"

He spoke words full of hidden meanings.

But Lady Go's lips curved smoothly upwards, as if she'd heard something she'd long wished for.

"Northern Emperor? Are you referring to the Divine Sword Master?"

"In places where he is absent, yes. Honestly, the title of Divine Sword Master holds little meaning to me..."

"Truly."

Lady Go's smile deepened.

"That is truly fortunate."

"You...?"

Eon Wonseong looked at her suspiciously, but Lady Go only smiled brightly.

"With the Grand Traitor, Sim Muyon, and Mu Gok of the Six Star Lords joining our Alliance, yet the Divine Sword Corps remaining clean? Even after achieving the Northern Conquest...? Honestly, that couldn't be allowed. The public sentiment we barely held together would have begun to waver. There needed to be at least one fatal flaw among the Divine Sword Corps. Today, we have secured that proof."

She spoke proudly of Mu Gok joining them — and rightfully so. Including not only the former Lords of the Eight Great Families but also martial giants like Nangseong, the power assembled was no longer a mere faction but akin to a great nation.

Eon Wonseong shook his head.

"You still talk of making Nangseong an emperor, even in times like these..."

"If the Divine Sword Corps ascended northward and formed ties with the Yozoku, and even returned southward together, the story changes. In the face of such circumstances, even the recent alliance of the Merchant Kings would pale. It is indeed fortunate."

Lady Go said with a smile.

"Barbarian of the North, I am glad you exist."

The giant gazed at her for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Do you know?"

"...?"

"When the surroundings are noisy, the center appears light as well."

"Indeed, the foundation of Ipwang Fortress must be special to grant me such rare experiences the moment I arrive. Even witnessing a Yozoku advising in politics."

"Long ago, Nangseong came to expand his knowledge through Yozoku martial arts. He was both hollow and ambitious, and though Han Chinese, he resembled a Yozoku more than any Yozoku."

The giant continued with a smiling face.

"You people, however, are true Han Chinese."

"My lord? During his journey through the North, my lord only ever met with the Northern Kings..."

"Information flows freely like fresh sprouts in spring. Though we were testing each other, this exceeds my expectations."

Ssss―

In an instant, the giant's shadow swept over Lady Go's face. He advanced faster than sound, ripping the air apart.

There was no time to react.

"Nine Pooled Demonic Power Step!"

Eon Wonseong moved a beat later, as shockwaves crumbled the walls in a chain reaction.

Already, the giant had lifted Lady Go's wrists with one hand, dragging her along.

Dark # Nоvеlight # blue sparks scattered like flower petals from his trailing afterimage.

Lady Go's eyes widened until they seemed about to tear.

"Six Star Lord, Mu Gok...!"

Her wrists were crushed like twigs in his massive grasp, and the names she muttered in disbelief turned to screams.

"I look forward to our conversation, Lady."

The giant Mu Gok's laughter seeped into the air.

"I never underestimated Daesun Jeongmaeng, but thanks to you, my mind has been sharpened. It seems that your lord, Li Zicheng, truly has history itself pushing his name forward. How thoroughly unfair."

"Let go...!"

As if unfamiliar with acupuncture techniques, he subdued the Fourth Madam of Daesun Jeongmaeng purely with brute strength.

He had let his guard down against the Reverse Ghost March Technique and allowed an external arts master to seize control.

No matter how powerful a fighter, once both arms were crushed, the battle could only start from a severe disadvantage.

"The dungeon is conveniently empty. The Seven Sin Marks of the Overlord... well, the spot next to the Heavenly Palace Princess isn't exactly lowly, so she should be satisfied."

"Seems Nangseong isn't the only one with influence?"

Eon Wonseong asked as if muttering to himself.

Mu Gok slowly turned his body and answered.

"Influence? The Northern Emperor is an interesting person in many ways, but it's hard to say we've had any special connection. And I doubt that will change going forward. Well... who knows what the future holds."

"Then why follow him?"

"Because the Northern Emperor reminded me of a field of reeds swaying in the wind."

It was a calm answer.

Soon after, Mu Gok began walking inside the fortress walls.

He flashed a thin smile at the dozen or so martial artists of Ipwang Fortress who had climbed up to intercept him.

Shrrk.

Dragging Lady Go, her arms crushed to the bone, like a sack of rice behind him.

On the dry ground, a long blood trail stretched out.

It was like some monster from its lair had seized its prey and vanished.

The former Lord of the Eon Family gave up on rescuing the Fourth Madam of Daesun Jeongmaeng.

And Mu Gok, already keeping a safe distance from the supreme masters, did not act like a hasty braggart.

There was no sign of him being lured by any bait.

As if he didn't even need to bother with slaughter.

This was why Daesun Jeongmaeng had accepted Mu Gok.

Now, among the "One Emperor, Three Sovereigns" — the four great powers — only Cheonhamok remained untouched by the Yozoku.

"Damn it, this is bad," muttered Eon Wonseong as he disappeared from his spot.

Only a swirl of dusty wind remained where the main experts' gazes had focused, scattering messily like the trembling era itself.

A graceful breeze carried the midday sun.

It was a bright noon.

Mu Gok suddenly halted his steps.

The path ahead led to the Heavenly Gold Hall, and there stood an old man silently watching him.

Wearing a dark purple robe draped like a coat.

"Is that the Elder of Ipwang Fortress? I thought you couldn't even walk."

The dragging voice of Lady Go abruptly cut off with a loud crash.

Mu Gok had knocked her unconscious with a blow to the head.

Yet the giant's lips curled into a courteous arc.

A smile of proper respect.

"She is the Fourth Madam of Daesun Jeongmaeng. She attempted to obstruct Ipwang Shinchang’s closed-door cultivation and to spy on us, so I intend to interrogate her."

"Are you also responsible for guarding the inner fortress?"

Elder Shin Byeok asked.

Mu Gok shrugged.

"Even I would be wary, but rest assured. Under the command of the Divine Sword Corps, we have the five military forces, the Ipwang family, and even five of the 'Black Cloaks' stationed here. Not to mention General Im Hyeong is present. One Six Star Lord like myself cannot overturn this place alone."

And none of the Black Cloaks were ordinary.

The temporary Blood Protection Captain, Heon Wonchang, had once wounded Mu Gok with a strange Reverse Ghost March Technique and a demon sword.

Ipwang family head Ma Jin, despite losing an arm, remained a true master of the original Pure Ascendant Arts.

Meticulous Myulseomdae and deep-practiced Aksurim were also formidable.

Even without the White Kirin Namgung Hwaseon waking up, the defensive lineup was more than sufficient.

The Black Cloaks alone had the strength of a major sect.

Mu Gok was rather living among a forest of blades.

Shin Byeok shook his head.

"The path ahead leads to the Heavenly Gold Hall. Coming and going freely into the inner fortress is not a small matter, especially not for someone like you."

"If you worry that I might secretly learn the Pure Ascendant Arts, that is a reasonable concern. I suppose it would be better to avoid this path — for both our sakes."

Mu Gok spoke casually, even finding the situation amusing. The wrinkles on Shin Byeok's forehead deepened drastically.

There was no helping it.

The elder had already heard rumors from the North about this.

"...I swore not to interfere with the affairs of the General or the Divine Sword Master, but at least, I'd prefer not to see you wandering freely. It would be difficult to look my fallen comrades' families in the eyes."

"Rest assured."

Mu Gok bowed slightly while dragging Lady Go again like a sack.

"If my strength is not needed once peace returns after this famine ends, I will have no reason to stay in such a treacherous place. I will leave on my own."

"Remember that."

There was no unnecessary argument.

Shin Byeok’s upper dantian still glowed with a purple hue, easily discerning sincerity in Mu Gok’s words.

If not needed, he would leave.

It was only natural.

The scattered strength of Ipwang Fortress would soon be gathered again, and the Divine Sword Corps would grow stronger. That day was surely drawing near.

"Only the elite among elites remain."

Mu Gok moved leisurely toward the main hall of the General Headquarters, pondering what interrogation methods would best work on Lady Go.

"Uncle, do you want to arm wrestle with me? I think I’ll win."

That was Shin Sobyun’s suggestion as he passed Ma Gwang-ik’s Martial Training Grounds.

The boy wore a face so arrogantly smug he seemed insane, translucent lotus petals swirling around his body.

Ignoring him, Mu Gok continued toward the Divine Sword Hall.

There he saw Suncheon Ikju, the White Kirin, deep asleep at the front gate.

"......"

Even as Mu Gok’s giant shadow fell over him, the White Kirin remained in a deep slumber.

Mu Gok tilted his head curiously and headed toward another building.

The plaque was crooked, like drunken handwriting, reading "First of Ipwang."

It was beneath the Blood Protection Division’s hall.

"If I swing it this way, will it work? To kill more cleanly, perhaps..."

Heon Wonchang, eyes glowing with eerie blue light, was muttering to his sword like he was conversing with it.

A demonic aura and murderous intent oozed from him.

"Yeonsang, Yeonsang...!"

Meanwhile, from the Ipwang Family’s side, cries echoed desperately, calling for the Northern Emperor’s mother.

Accompanied by surging inner energy, it was a situation hard to understand at a glance.

—That bastard must die!

From underground came the voice of a young girl, cursing someone named Jeong Ban-ak.

Rather than cultivating in seclusion, it sounded like she was deeply immersed in a vivid storybook.

"Let’s go catch the Battle God." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

That was what Mu Gok heard from General Im Jin-myeong as soon as he entered the main hall.

The giant thought to himself:

Was he about to bury his bones in Ipwang Fortress for good?