The mission’s destination was the martial world of Sichuan, and naturally, it involved the Tang Clan.
Under the support of the Central Bureau, the Hwanik Unit had prepared numerous antidotes in advance. However, poison techniques were an unpredictable aspect of martial arts. Even if they encountered only a handful of the Tang Clan’s masters, it was critical to avoid any reduction in combat strength. This meant avoiding conflict unless definitive information surfaced.
“If it’s the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique, perhaps I could garner their cooperation.”
Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t dissipate the energy swirling in his hand. The reactions of the two masters from the Hwanik Unit were faster. Tae Yeom-ryong stroked his chin as he stared blankly at the rotating fragments of stone in Jeong Yeon-shin’s palm.
“Thousand Blossoms in the Rain, you say?” he muttered.
“Are you telling me you pieced together its formula just from hearing the technique’s structure?”
Even Namgung Hwa-shin, who had maintained a reserved stance, opened his mouth to speak. Though still wrestling with his previous frustrations, he retained the demeanor of a martial artist with exceptional talent. His attitude when discussing martial arts formulas was no different from the White Qilin of before.
“How is it even possible to manipulate energy to achieve that? It’s not like it’s Telekinesis.”
“If your inner energy has matured enough... it might actually be possible to summon a storm of debris. Although controlling it to such a scale is another matter entirely.”
Both hailed from Shanxi and Nanjili, regions known for their martial traditions. Their interest was piqued.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. So this is what they mean by ‘Zongshi,’ a true master,” Tae Yeom-ryong said, his face alight with curiosity. Jeong Yeon-shin ignored the comment.
“Tang Clan. While this isn’t exactly like your family’s secret techniques, it should be enough to serve as a reference,” Jeong Yeon-shin said briefly, his gaze fixed on the twin siblings known as the Toxic Dragon and Toxic Phoenix.
“...”
The boy and girl, hybrids of the Ironblood race and humans, were the younger generation’s prodigies.
Toxic Dragon’s lips parted slightly, while Toxic Phoenix’s eyelashes trembled. They stared at the swirling stone fragments in the boy’s hand. The arrogance of finding the world too simple had vanished from their faces.
And yet, this reaction also highlighted their talent. Had they not felt anything at all, they might have dismissed Jeong Yeon-shin with the haughty pride of those who wield inherited skills. But they couldn’t.
The subtle oscillations of energy waves, the vortex of debris, and the delicate manipulation of inner energy hidden within the phenomenon—they couldn’t ignore it.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke again.
“It’s just an imitation of the basics. The Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique must have dozens of variations in its applications and forms.”
The statement was true. But this was no ordinary imitation. It was close enough to be considered the precursor to the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain. Its resemblance to the foundational forms handed down through secret manuscripts and oral traditions was uncanny.
Toxic Dragon, slowly overcome with astonishment, gaped even wider. Toxic Phoenix swept back a lock of hair, her pale hand trembling faintly. Both twins recognized the immense value of what they were witnessing.
‘This... This makes no sense...’
Toxic Phoenix alternated her gaze between Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand and his face. Her pitch-black pupils darted up and down.
To recreate the formula of a martial technique just from hearing about its structure? That was already the realm of true masters.
And this wasn’t just any technique. Jeong Yeon-shin had built the foundation for an unparalleled skill on the spot. While the martial world had its share of eccentrics, this was beyond what could be considered humanly possible.
It was a bitter humility she was being forced to accept. Toxic Phoenix was renowned as a once-in-a-century prodigy in Sichuan martial arts. The realization was not one she welcomed.
“Not just an aspiring swordsman, but someone from Ipwang Fortress researching ways to challenge the Tang Clan...”
Toxic Dragon’s trembling voice trailed off, interrupted by a sharp blow to the back of his head. Toxic Phoenix had struck him.
“Snap out of it! Are you an idiot? If numbers alone could solve anything, would the Tang Clan have lasted this long? Don’t cause trouble unnecessarily. Keep your mouth shut!”
She whispered harshly, gripping her twin brother’s ear as though she might tear it off. Then, catching Jeong Yeon-shin’s calm gaze, she quickly clasped her hands in a demure gesture.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
“Apologies for showing such unseemly behavior on our first meeting. You mentioned you wished to know about our father?”
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.
“His preferred martial techniques, regions in Sichuan where he might reside, and his connections in the martial world—tell me everything. If the Tang Clan’s former leader is as innocent as you claim, then there should be no problem sharing this information.”
This was far from true. Every detail he requested was precisely what assassins investigated before carrying out their missions. But Jeong Yeon-shin had no qualms about being shameless. The whereabouts of Ma Gwang-ik hinged on this clue.
And if necessary, he could be even more brazen.
It wasn’t just Namgung Hwa-shin who was changing. The deeper Jeong Yeon-shin delved into the martial world, the more he was becoming one of its people.
If he were to die without obtaining or accepting the fruit of the Heavenly Tree, his only wish was to leave behind his precious ones and his martial arts intact.
“Such...”
Even so, Toxic Phoenix refrained from raising her voice.
She couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t possible. The Toxic Dragon and Phoenix were martial artists of the Tang Clan, after all.
To receive even the basic guidance of the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique was an invaluable opportunity.
The secret techniques that symbolized prestigious martial families were priceless treasures that could not be bought with gold. For techniques as famous as this one, the value was immeasurable.
“To... to think you want us to sell out our father...”
Toxic Dragon’s eyes burned with resentment, but the flames dimmed quickly. Even before his sister tugged at his sleeve, his hostile tone had already faltered. The value of the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique was too great to risk losing over indignation.
“We should be bowing down in gratitude instead.”
Toxic Phoenix cast a disdainful glance at her twin brother before addressing Jeong Yeon-shin again.
“I am ashamed of my earlier remarks about your talent.”
“Does that mean you accept my proposal?”
Jeong Yeon-shin asked, indifferent to the apology. Toxic Phoenix stepped forward.
Sabak.
“Toxic Phoenix of the Tang Clan greets you.”
Tang Leryeo, the Toxic Phoenix, bowed gracefully, her fingers forming a steeple. Her dark hair and the hem of her green robe flowed softly with the movement, the fabric appearing remarkably fine.
Despite her small frame, her demeanor exuded refinement.
This was no martial artist’s bow. The gesture was the Pogwon Salutation—an ancient civilian tradition in the Ming Dynasty, used to express deference and respect.
“‘Greet?’ This is an exchange. Don’t call it gratitude. Make this a transaction that matches the value of what you’re getting,” Jeong Yeon-shin corrected. Suspicion toward the Tang Clan still lingered in his mind.
He wasn’t about to form ties with them under the pretense of instruction.
Even being hailed as Zongshi by his comrades in Ipwang Fortress felt burdensome.
Yet Tang Leryeo shook her head.
“The Tang Clan holds nothing equivalent to the value of Thousand Blossoms in the Rain. You will gain much from us.”
“I’m not interested. Does this mean you agree to my terms?”
“Yes. I will tell you whatever you wish to know.”
Even if it meant selling out her father, she was prepared to accept the instruction. The Tang Clan’s reputation for ruthlessness was well-deserved.
For Jeong Yeon-shin, this was an unexpected boon. A technique created on the spot had managed to untangle the conflict between the Tang Clan’s Toxic Dragon and Phoenix siblings.
Standing nearby, Tae Yeom-ryong gave a faint smile. He gestured to the Tang Clan’s guards, who were blocked by Hwanik Unit warriors.
“If necessary, we could’ve tortured them. Killed the lot, too.”
“Are you a demonic cultivator?”
Namgung Hwa-shin muttered while still stroking his sword. Jeong Yeon-shin found his presence increasingly reassuring.
No matter how formidable the Tang Clan’s traditions or Sichuan martial world seemed, the Hwanik Unit was already prepared to oppose them head-on.
“They call her the Dawn Flower of the Tang Clan.”
A boy who resembled a slightly larger Ironblood hybrid introduced himself as Toxic Dragon, Tang Yuhwa.
Before saying the word "Tang Clan," he deliberately prefixed it with "Sichuan," implying that the treacherous road to Sichuan symbolized his family. It was the kind of pride unique to the ostentatious people of Zhongyuan.
Yet, he couldn’t hide his deflated demeanor. After witnessing Jeong Yeon-shin’s technique, his gaze remained slightly lowered.
His sister, Toxic Phoenix, Tang Leryeo, seemed to think this was for the best.
"Keep your mouth shut. You can’t even grasp the basics," she chastised her brother before turning her head. When her eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s, she gave him a composed smile.
"Master Benefactor, we will share what you seek to know. We can receive instruction in martial arts later. What would you like to ask?"
Her words were laced with cunning wisdom. She seemed intent on providing a satisfactory answer first, securing Jeong Yeon-shin’s goodwill before asking for proper instruction.
It was at that moment that Jeong Yeon-shin caught an unusual sound emanating from the depths of a dark, sheer cliff below—a faint thunderous noise breaking through the empty void where only the wind had echoed. It was like hearing actual thunder.
When he turned his gaze, both Tae Yeom-ryong and Namgung Hwa-shin nodded.
"It's not a hallucination. There's something there," Tae Yeom-ryong remarked.
"I heard it too," Namgung Hwa-shin confirmed.
They had all sensed it.
Jeong Yeon-shin made a subtle gesture with his chin. This was where Ma Gwang-ik’s trail had gone cold. If something strange was happening, it was worth investigating.
"I'm going down. You’re coming with me," Jeong Yeon-shin ordered.
The Tang siblings, who were already startled, nodded instinctively. The boy had seized the initiative entirely.
This was an experience they had never encountered as direct descendants of the Tang Clan. Yet, with the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique at stake, they had no choice.
"Down we go," Jeong Yeon-shin said curtly.
At his command, the group began moving. Tae Yeom-ryong, Namgung Hwa-shin, Hong Jugeom, and the rest of the Hwanik Unit followed closely behind their young leader. They looked like an escort.
The Tang Clan’s bodyguards trailed cautiously behind the siblings, who walked between them. They too had witnessed the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique. The murderous aura that had once felt like the fierce winds of the canyon now dissipated like a gentle breeze.
"We can’t trust the Tang Clan so easily," Hong Jugeom cautioned.
"Master Zongshi, what if we split into groups and keep them positioned between our main forces?" he suggested.
"Do it," Jeong Yeon-shin replied without hesitation as he turned. Since taking temporary command as leader, he had been addressing the Hwanik Unit warriors with authority.
For the moment, he was the head of their combat unit, and clear hierarchy was essential.
"May we come with you? The martial world of Sichuan is unfamiliar territory. We’ll share any information we have, as long as it doesn’t threaten your group’s mission. Only until the fighting begins," said representatives from the Beggar Sect and the other followers.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded in agreement.
Step, step.
The group’s numbers swelled rapidly as they began descending toward the bottom of the cliff, traversing a narrow ledge.
To call it a path was an overstatement. It was little more than jagged outcroppings of rock, requiring them to leap and navigate precariously by balancing on footholds that barely jutted from the cliffside.
Whoosh!
Jeong Yeon-shin, Tae Yeom-ryong, Namgung Hwa-shin, and the Tang siblings descended first, their robes fluttering in the wind as they stepped carefully along the perilous drops.
Tae Yeom-ryong and Namgung Hwa-shin positioned themselves above the Tang siblings, ensuring no trust was extended without scrutiny. The Hwanik Unit left no openings.
Flutter!
Despite the precarious descent, Tang Leryeo and Tang Yuhwa displayed extraordinary skill, their light movements revealing their mastery of elegant techniques.
Even though Jeong Yeon-shin had previously suppressed their Yin Intersection Acupoints, they navigated the hazardous cliffside with ease.
As they descended, Jeong Yeon-shin listened to their explanation about their father, Ma Gwang-ik.
"My father has a smaller frame than us," said Tang Leryeo. "Our noble grandmother is an Ironblood, so the Ironblood lineage runs strong. Our mother is Han, but as you know, villains of the Thirteen Heavens..."
"He's also a brilliant blacksmith," added Tang Yuhwa. "The Divine Sword of Hongcheon was forged by his hands."
"He often visited Ironflower Forge in Sunkyeong Province," Tang Leryeo continued. "It’s a famous smithy in Sichuan, known for its white-hot flames. If you share the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain technique with us, our family will transform your Ipwang Sword into a divine weapon. I’ll personally see to it."
The twins’ personalities were starkly different. Tang Leryeo was the picture of a refined lady, while Tang Yuhwa was far more spirited and outgoing. Yet, both clung close to Jeong Yeon-shin.
Even as they reached the bottom of the cliff, where the surroundings grew pitch black, they stayed close.
Thud.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet landed on the ground. A peculiar sensation shot up from the soles of his feet—a dull, weighty pressure.
"...!"
In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin clutched his head. His Baihui Point flared fiercely, and visions flooded his mind.
Beneath the earth lay a vast, open space. Ma Gwang-ik was facing a group of small-statured Ironblood hybrids. It looked as though he had been betrayed—some of Ma Gwang-ik’s former comrades bore long slash marks across their backs.
Jeong Yeon-shin saw the white-clad back of Baek Mi-ryeo, pierced multiple times. Cheongmyeong’s abdomen bore similar wounds.
And then, there was a whispering sensation—a premonition. The glowing upper dantian confirmed what he sensed:
Today, a divine technique would be born.