It lasted only a moment. The prescient vision from the upper dantian vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
The images that had flashed through Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind scattered like dust into the void.
What was that?
He quickly regained his composure. The spiritual energy of the Baihui Point, which had whispered the word “divine technique,” had now left his head.
But that wasn’t the most pressing issue. The image of Ma Gwang-ik was what troubled him—he couldn’t tell if it depicted the present or the future.
It’s impossible to discern.
The power of the upper dantian had always been this way. Transcendent senses, such as foresight or panoramic observation, never appeared as one wished, nor in the form one desired. Often, they would show irrelevant or confusing scenes, as if mocking the boy from above.
Sssk.
His body swayed briefly. The residual sensation beneath his crown felt like the pain of a burn.
As time passed, the sensation grew worse. The stronger the power of his upper dantian, the closer he came to death. It was a stark reminder: he had only about three years left to live.
I know.
He repeated the thought silently, feeling as though his mind was rapidly drying out.
“Master Commander, is something the matter?” Namgung Hwa-shin’s voice came immediately, sharp and reactive, as though he had sensed something.
“It’s nothing,” Jeong Yeon-shin replied aloud. “But we must hurry.”
“It feels like we’ve entered the domain of a mystical formation. The darkness here is unnatural. Even with energy techniques, visibility is almost zero,” Namgung Hwa-shin noted.
He was right. The area around them was pitch black, as if they had entered an abyss. Jeong Yeon-shin raised his hand and looked down at it. Nothing was visible—not even his own hand, which was inches from his face.
The air pressing against his shoulders felt heavy. There was undoubtedly something here, something deeply unnatural. The suffocating darkness was palpable.
We’ve come to the right place.
The boy unconsciously thought of the Bloodflame Cult’s formations, particularly the Dual Blood Spirit Array (이염혈령진).
That mystical formation had divided the Bloodflame Cult’s main headquarters from the outside world by creating strange harmonies through sorcery. The darkness brushing against his skin now exuded a similar mysterious quality.
“Creepy,” Tae Yeom-ryong remarked nearby. His usually lethargic tone carried a hint of intrigue.
“Master Zongshi, when visibility is compromised, it’s best to disperse your internal energy,” advised Hong Jugeom, stepping closer as if to shield Jeong Yeon-shin’s back. His counsel was borne of years of experience as a seasoned martial artist.
Even though it was impossible to see, Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
“Everyone, release your energy.”
At his brief command, energy waves rippled outward from the warriors of the Hwanik Unit. The gusts of internal energy brushed against their skin, allowing them to sense one another and regain some spatial awareness.
This was the power of a highly skilled group.
No matter the situation, they could respond with composure. Even with their sight stolen, not a single martial artist here panicked.
The Beggar Sect warriors were no exception. Everyone present belonged to the elite of their respective factions.
“Does anyone have a Luminous Pearl?” Tae Yeom-ryong asked.
“You shorten your lifespan if you carry those things,” one of the Beggar Sect members interjected.
“Typical of beggars to deal in knockoffs. Stones that store sunlight are harmless,” Tae Yeom-ryong retorted, his voice carrying a smug air.
“It’s easy to be smug when you’re the fallen young master of a wealthy family.”
The Tang siblings also followed Jeong Yeon-shin’s instructions. Energy waves, wispy like heat haze, extended from their bodies.
Their internal energy control clearly showed the traces of poison techniques they had mastered.
“This feels oddly familiar.”
“I’ve heard faint echoes of such a place before, but I never thought it truly existed,” said Toxic Dragon, Tang Yuhwa, and Toxic Phoenix, Tang Leryeo, respectively.
“Why didn’t you come down to check it out?” Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
There was the faint rustle of clothing as Tang Leryeo turned.
“Our father left traces here. The men guarding us are our grandfather’s warriors, but he hates our father for abandoning the family. The laws of the Tang Clan are strict, and those who break them are never forgiven.”
“Our grandfather would probably kill him if he found him. When we were practicing the Thousand Blossoms in the Rain above, we’d send the guards away and just pretend we didn’t notice anything,” Tang Yuhwa clarified, bluntly summing up his sister’s vague explanation.
Their childlike candor made their account surprisingly straightforward.
“I see.”
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded curtly. It was clear that the strange rumbling sound they had heard upon arriving was not a coincidence.
The siblings’ story made sense.
“As expected of the Tang Clan. What a ruthless family.”
“Should the descendant of the Hwangbo Clan really be saying that?” Tang Leryeo shot back, referencing Tae Yeom-ryong’s ties to the infamous Hwangbo family.
Jeong Yeon-shin ignored Tae Yeom-ryong’s laughter and the brewing argument between him and the Tang siblings. He closed his eyes, focusing his energy.
“Silence.”
Namgung Hwa-shin’s voice rang out, clear and refreshing. It indicated that he had noticed Jeong Yeon-shin’s subtle shifts in focus.
At that moment, Namgung Hwa-shin was like a calm and boundless sky, steady and unwavering—a stark contrast to Tae Yeom-ryong, whose presence felt like an uncontrollable blaze.
In such moments, Namgung Hwa-shin’s reliability was invaluable.
Jeong Yeon-shin adjusted his internal energy paths. Instead of employing Jeong Clan’s Foundational Martial Art, he utilized the supreme energy absorption method gifted to him by the Fortress Lord of Ipwang: Moon Spirit Harmony Technique (월령조화결).
As the technique activated, a cool and transparent sensation coursed through his entire body. Though he couldn’t fully manifest its potential, his precise control over internal energy allowed him to use the technique to the extent needed.
Woong—
Energy gathered at the outer corners of his eyes, concentrating at the Tongziliao Points (瞳子髎穴). This was the manifestation of the Yin Energy within the Moon Spirit Harmony Technique.
The night was considered a time when Yang Energy waned, giving way to Yin Energy. As Jeong Yeon-shin refined the Yin energy with his martial arts, his vision became faintly illuminated.
“You’ve altered the nature of your energy? Master Zongshi can even refine Yin Energy?” Tae Yeom-ryong remarked. Though his tone was playful, there was a trace of genuine surprise.
Swish!
A faint blue glow flashed through Jeong Yeon-shin’s vision. Gradually, the jagged walls of the cliff came into focus.
“Follow me,” Jeong Yeon-shin commanded.
Step.
He had confirmed the presence of a vast underground space through his upper dantian. Now, he moved to find the entrance.
Understanding the situation, the Hwanik Unit warriors and other martial artists followed the flow of Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy.
I need to use both sight and energy perception.
Jeong Yeon-shin continuously spread his internal energy outward, embedding intent into the waves to enhance his spatial awareness. By detecting the feedback from his energy hitting surfaces, he sought to locate the hidden entrance in the cliffside.
Meanwhile, at the rear, one of the Beggar Sect warriors was deep in thought.
He refined Yin Energy?
The Hwanik Unit’s commanders were among the most exceptional martial artists, with all seventeen of them recognized as supreme masters. Though Jeong Yeon-shin was only an interim commander, the eighteenth member, he was already leading warriors like the White Qilin and Tae Yeom-ryong.
If even Tae Yeom-ryong didn’t know this, it must mean Yin Energy isn’t his primary focus.
The warrior silently recorded his observations mentally.
He doesn’t appear to have studied stealth techniques, yet he managed to suppress the Tang siblings’ movements. His sensory abilities are extraordinary. In a battle of pure skill, none could match him. And with those two swords at his side, his swordsmanship must be deep. His movement technique resembles that of the famous Ironblood Clan.
The warrior concluded, his mind racing to document every remarkable detail.
Information was being engraved piece by piece. The collective intelligence network of the Beggar Sect, said to encompass the entire martial world, had been constructed in this very manner.
For matters requiring action, Hu Gae always took the lead personally. This moment was no exception.
“Ipwang Fortress’s Seomye. Though many in the martial world have yet to see his face, he already stands at the pinnacle of the younger generation’s prodigies. This isn’t a matter to leave to the elderly veterans, nor is it something for my dying master to handle. It’s my responsibility.”
Hu Gae was conducting a real-time evaluation of Jeong Yeon-shin’s value as he observed him.
It was then that Jeong Yeon-shin’s calm voice broke the silence.
“Here. This is the entrance.”
At the front of the group, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly extended his arm.
With his right arm imbued with powerful internal energy, he reached for the boulder that concealed the stone wall, covering the entrance.
Boom!
With a heavy rumble, the rock was pulled away, revealing a hidden cave.
***
"Nothing here," Tae Yeom-ryong's voice echoed, carrying a lazy tone.
It was now an hour since the group had ventured into the cave. The narrow passage barely allowed five people to walk shoulder to shoulder.
Jeong Yeon-shin led the way, with Tae Yeom-ryong and Namgung Hwa-shin flanking him at the rear. Behind them were the Tang siblings, Toxic Dragon, Tang Yuhwa, and Toxic Phoenix, Tang Leryeo, followed by the elite warriors of the Hwanik Unit.
"This place is so long and deep. It’s already extraordinary in its own right," Namgung Hwa-shin remarked.
"True," Tae Yeom-ryong replied with his usual indolence, to which Hong Jugeom added, "We must remain cautious. If a battle breaks out, release your energy waves constantly to sense the terrain. It seems our Master Zongshi has already mastered this, but it might pose a challenge for the White-Rank warriors."
"We’re fine," came the response from behind. It was the White-Rank warriors of the Hwanik Unit.
"Even you were White-Rank not long ago, Hong Jugeom," another joked, lightening the mood.
Jeong Yeon-shin was acutely aware of the long procession trailing behind him. The fact that he now led so many people felt surreal. It had been less than two years since his trial at Ipwang Fortress under the watchful eyes of senior warriors.
They’re a reliable force... but...
He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The Hwanik Unit members were under his command, and he had to ensure their safety. This responsibility bore down heavier than the oppressive black air brushing against his skin.
It was then that Tang Yuhwa and Tang Leryeo’s voices rang out.
"Wait—what’s that?"
"There!"
Their reactions were sharp and quick, befitting their reputation, but Jeong Yeon-shin had already noticed. He was already sprinting through the darkness, his azure robes fluttering behind him.
Whoosh!
The cave contained no formation to block their energy senses, allowing the masters to use their detection techniques freely. Jeong Yeon-shin, still employing the Moon Spirit Harmony Technique, could see as if it were daylight.
Thud!
He exploded energy from the Yongcheon Point in his foot, propelling himself forward. His sharp vision locked onto a figure partially hidden between the cave walls—a small frame.
Ironblood!
He closed the distance with certainty, and the figure seemed to realize too late that escape was impossible. A hoarse shout erupted.
"Betrayers! Traitorous scum! Is it the Thirteen Heavens again?! Or perhaps those hypocrites from the Middle Path sect, stabbing the Ipwang Fortress in the back?! You—cowards of the unworthy clans!"
The voice, trembling with fear yet filled with defiance, belonged to a man of diminutive stature. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately suppressed his aura and approached calmly. The small man continued to shout.
"You’ll never breach our city, no matter how much you desire it! Even if we’ve already lost the Treasure Token, you’ll never enter—not over my dead body!"
"I am Jeong Yeon-shin of the Hwanik Unit from Ipwang Fortress," he declared.
Whoosh!
A strong wind lifted his robe’s hem as he stepped forward, halting just before the stranger. Jeong Yeon-shin looked down.
The man, whose height barely reached Jeong Yeon-shin’s waist, instinctively recoiled, his bearded face contorted in fear. His short limbs and stocky, muscular frame were similar to the Ironblood warriors of Ipwang Fortress, his arms bulging like stones bound together. Yet his tattered clothing set him apart—uncharacteristic for a clan known for its wealth and craftsmanship.
"Ipwang Fortress...?" the man repeated slowly. His eyes, gleaming with a hint of internal energy, scanned Jeong Yeon-shin.
Jeong Yeon-shin shifted slightly, revealing the Hwang character etched onto his shoulder. Then, reaching into his robe, he pulled out the golden insignia of Ipwang Fortress—the Ipwang Badge. It was a rare sight for anyone to see.
The golden emblem shimmered faintly in the darkness, its intricate wooden pattern gleaming faintly.
"This... this is no Han craftsmanship," the man muttered.
It was a tone of arrogant certainty, characteristic of the Ironblood Clan. This was a race that, alongside the Ming people, had founded the Ming Dynasty and received preferential treatment unlike the foreign Sogdian people of the West.
Despite the empire’s tight oversight of their settlements, Jeong Yeon-shin hadn’t expected to find an Ironblood city hidden in a place like this.
This is a lead.
He paid no attention to the stranger’s arrogance. Instead, he cut to the chase.
"I mentioned Ipwang Fortress. Are they inside?"
The man did not answer immediately, pursing his lips with a stubborn expression.
That’s fine.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought to himself. He had already learned plenty: the existence of an Ironblood underground city, connections to the Thirteen Heavens, the Middle Path sect, betrayal, and even Ma Gwang-ik...
Many threads were tied together, much like the energy currents swirling within his body.
Suddenly, the vision from his upper dantian resurfaced: the brutalized backs of his seniors, Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheongmyeong’s broken forms...
Woong!
His energy stirred violently with his mounting emotions.
The pure energy of Jeong Clan’s Foundational Martial Art clashed with the spiritual force of Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm, roiling in his lower dantian. Meanwhile, the Yin energy left by the Moon Spirit Harmony Technique coiled outward like a frost-laden mist.
Even the remnants of the Mara's Roaring Blood Technique spilled out in eerie, cold waves.
No.
Jeong Yeon-shin exhaled deeply, forcibly suppressing his energy. He was acutely aware of the danger of internal deviation—losing control could have catastrophic consequences.
Unregulated energy could spiral out of control in unpredictable ways.
It was then that Tang Leryeo’s voice broke the tense silence.
"Just now... what was that?" Her tone trembled with confusion and alarm.
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The Tang siblings, who had arrived alongside Tae Yeom-ryong and Namgung Hwa-shin, stood frozen, staring blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin.