The siblings of the Tang Clan, Tang Yuhwa and Tang Leryeo, stared at Jeong Yeon-shin with expressions that could not be mistaken for the way one looks at another human. Both gazes brimmed with awe, as if witnessing something divine—or monstrous.
Jeong Yeon-shin ignored them entirely, exhaling deeply and calming his mind.
“應無所住 而生其心” (Respond without dwelling, and allow the mind to arise.)
He recited the verse from the Diamond Sutra that he carried with him. It was a reminder to release attachments. The closer he felt to death, the more poignant its wisdom seemed.
Lifting his head, Jeong Yeon-shin caught sight of the Ironblood man, who was staring at him with a look of astonishment.
"That Yin energy... is it the martial essence of Ipwang Fortress's Martial God? Are you... royalty?" the man stammered.
The title Martial God clearly referred to the Ipwang Fortress Lord. Recognizing the distinct Yin energy of the Moon Spirit Harmony Technique, the Ironblood man had a sharp eye, one capable of discerning that the students of the fortress lord had often come from royal lineage.
"How can you harbor such diverse energies in a single body...?" Tang Leryeo murmured, her voice trailing off. Her words betrayed an extraordinary perception. She had sensed all of Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy flows—each layered and unique.
Her green-tinged eyes, reflecting the Tang Clan's venomous techniques, shimmered briefly before returning to normal. Tang Yuhwa, too, trembled slightly, his lips quivering as he spoke.
"Each one is profound... None of that is the result of ordinary training. There was even something I couldn’t identify—like power beyond internal energy..."
Tang Yuhwa and Tang Leryeo’s keen senses had pinpointed the mystical force of the Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm, a power steeped in sacred energy. For Tang Yuhwa, who prided himself on his innate talent, this realization left him awestruck.
“How is this possible?”
Despite wielding such diverse energies, Jeong Yeon-shin's body bore no sign of strain. Tang Yuhwa could only speculate:
“Either he was born with a divine ability to control internal energy, or his body was tempered by a supreme cultivation technique.”
If he possessed both, then within a few short years, he could surpass even the masters of the Nine Great Sects—a terrifying, otherworldly prospect.
Even the slight instability in Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy earlier was insignificant. The strength of his martial foundation exuded a calm, steady pressure that revealed no openings.
“He’s nothing like us.”
Unlike Jeong Yeon-shin, the Tang siblings practiced the Reverse Origin Triple Yang Technique, which infused their bodies with three types of venomous energy. Tang Yuhwa’s energy was purely Yang-aligned, while Tang Leryeo’s was Yin. Their energies were homogenous, unlike Jeong Yeon-shin’s complex, multifaceted flows.
"I... I wish I could invite you as a guest," Tang Yuhwa mumbled, his shoulders slumping. His sister, Tang Leryeo, moved to his side, her green-tinged eyes intermittently glancing toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
"We had hoped to invite you to our main house if things went well," she said softly. "But it seems that may not be possible for someone like you."
"Why wouldn’t he be welcome at the Tang Clan?" Tae Yeom-ryong interjected, his curiosity piqued as he studied Jeong Yeon-shin.
Tang Yuhwa spoke with a sullen expression. "Our clan is full of old monsters. Starting with our grandfather, they might try to use him as a cultivation resource. They’re obsessed with extraordinary lifeforms... and Jeong So-hyeop wouldn’t be much different from a mythical creature to them."
"So, they’re not righteous at all, these noble clans," Tae Yeom-ryong said with a faint, mocking smile. "How could they be? Pursuing worldly success in a chaotic world like this. Righteousness is a word fit only for the old Nine Great Sects."
He spoke with a tone of dry self-deprecation, the burden of being the last scion of the ruined Hwangbo Clan evident in his words.
The Tang siblings offered no response, their expressions subdued. Even Namgung Hwa-shin remained silent.
Jeong Yeon-shin, meanwhile, turned his gaze back to the Ironblood man and spoke.
"I’m not royalty, but I was taught by the Ipwang Fortress Lord."
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His tone shifted, adopting a more formal manner as he noticed the Ironblood man’s hostility melt away. Anyone who respected the Fortress Lord deserved consideration.
"I apologize for my earlier rudeness," the Ironblood man said, stepping back and bowing deeply. He clasped his hands together before his face and bent his waist, exuding respect.
"I am Jang Jong-myung of the Ironblood Clan, born in the province of Noju. I honed my craft as a blacksmith in my homeland until I was invited to join the artisans of this place... the City of Master Craftsmen. It has been nearly thirty years since I made it my home."
"The City of Master Craftsmen exists here?!" Tang Yuhwa exclaimed, his voice echoing through the cave.
The revelation left everyone stunned, from Hong Jugeom to Namgung Hwa-shin and Tae Yeom-ryong. Tang Leryeo, too, let out a soft, disbelieving sigh.
Jeong Yeon-shin, however, maintained his composure and asked calmly, "What is the City of Master Craftsmen? Forgive my ignorance."
If Ma Gwang-ik was here, Jeong Yeon-shin needed to understand the city’s significance to better aid his senior.
Hong Jugeom answered immediately. "It is exactly as the name suggests—a sanctuary for master artisans."
"It’s a city where Ironblood artisans not subservient to the Ming royal court gathered," Tang Leryeo explained. "I’ve only heard of it in stories... I never imagined it would be so close to our family’s territory."
Jeong Yeon-shin was already staring past Jang Jong-myung, his gaze drawn to a wall at the far end of the cave. It was the first dead end they had encountered since entering, and it bore a circular stone door adorned with intricate patterns.
"It cannot be opened. We can only wait for someone inside to emerge," Jang Jong-myung said hesitantly, noticing Jeong Yeon-shin’s interest.
"It’s sealed by an advanced mechanical formation. The key required to activate it—the Treasure Token—was stolen by the Thirteen Heavens!"
"How long have you been waiting?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
"Three days. Our people tend to be reclusive... Once inside, they rarely come out."
"And this matter... How is Ma Gwang-ik involved?" Jeong Yeon-shin pressed, his tone calm but authoritative.
Perhaps mistaking the question for an order, Jang Jong-myung responded with deference.
"We invited the exiled Tang Clan leader to serve as our protector. However, the Ten Calamities and the Shadow Mara Sect caught wind of it and tracked him here. When Ma Gwang-ik arrived, he seemed to be questioning the Tang Clan leader about something..."
"..."
"Amidst this, the Thirteen Heavens and various Sichuan sects launched a combined assault. Ma Gwang-ik... he was dragged into the fight. It spilled into this place, and though I observed from afar, I could not prevent the Treasure Token from being stolen."
His voice was heavy with regret.
"And now... everyone is inside the City of Master Craftsmen?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
"Yes! It seems the battle has reached our sanctuary!" Jang Jong-myung trembled, his fists clenched. His defeated posture exuded helplessness.
“The Thirteen Heavens targeted the City of Master Craftsmen, while Ma Gwang-ik sought the Tang Clan leader for information on the Thunderbolt Bomb.”
Jeong Yeon-shin reflected in silence. The Tang Clan leader, a hybrid of Ironblood lineage, was a master blacksmith and a martial powerhouse—someone who naturally attracted both covetousness and conflict. It all seemed to converge here.
At that moment, Namgung Hwa-shin stepped past Jang Jong-myung and approached the stone door. His hand traced the recessed groove at its center.
"If this is an Ironblood Treasure Token mechanism," Namgung Hwa-shin began, "it’s designed to channel internal energy into a specific pathway, which activates the mechanism to open the door."
"And we can’t break it?" Tae Yeom-ryong asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hong Jugeom spoke abruptly, stepping closer. Namgung Hwa-shin shook his head slightly, his expression grave.
"It’s not something to be taken lightly," Namgung Hwa-shin said. "The Ironblood blacksmiths often pass down their unique forging techniques across generations. They don’t just create sacred swords; many of them are fascinated by dangerous mechanical formations."
Tang Leryeo interjected, her tone calm but edged with caution. "This is a place sensitive to intrusion. If we attempt to breach it forcefully, the entrance might collapse. And I doubt this is the only tunnel they’ve carved."
Jang Jong-myung, who had been silently observing her, nodded reluctantly. "Indeed, the tunnels are vast, and I’ve been paralyzed here, unable to proceed or retreat."
"Wait," Jeong Yeon-shin ordered briefly, stepping forward. He approached the stone door, standing shoulder to shoulder with Namgung Hwa-shin.
"Leader?" Namgung Hwa-shin addressed him, but Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t respond. Jang Jong-myung’s words resonated with him—time was of the essence. There was no room for hesitation.
Without a word, Jeong Yeon-shin extended his hand and placed it on the recessed groove at the center of the stone door.
Focusing his internal energy, he channeled a precise thread of Jeong Family Martial Arts qi into his fingertips. As the energy flowed through the stone’s surface, it mapped the intricate mechanism hidden within. His heightened senses, honed through extraordinary training, captured every faint trail left behind by the formation.
Buzz!
Within moments, he deciphered the formation’s logic and reconstructed the pattern of qi necessary to unlock it.
Raising his hand, he projected a strand of condensed energy into the groove.
Rumble...!
A faint light emerged, dancing along the edges of the door. Slowly, the massive stone slabs parted, revealing a passageway beyond. The movement was smooth yet mesmerizing, a testament to the craftsmanship of the Ironblood artisans.
Jang Jong-myung’s face twisted in shock. "What... what technique is this?!"
"You extracted the energy blueprint of an Ironblood mechanical formation? Truly?" Hu Gae, standing at the rear, murmured in disbelief. Even the Tang siblings widened their eyes in astonishment.
The warriors of the Hwanikdae wasted no time. Moving with synchronized precision, they surrounded Jeong Yeon-shin, stepping into formation. Their disciplined footsteps echoed through the now-opened passage.
"Leader, the area beyond is undoubtedly chaotic," Hong Jugeom said, his gaze fixed on the slowly widening doorway. "Remember, our priority is Ma Gwang-ik’s survival. The Ten Gates, the Shadow Mara Sect, and possibly even the opportunistic sects of Sichuan may all be present. If Ma Gwang-ik was their target, the battle must be fierce. Do not let compassion cloud your judgment."
His tone carried the weight of both respect and concern. It was advice from a seasoned veteran to their young leader, spoken with a genuine desire to guide.
"Please!" Jang Jong-myung cried out, regaining his composure. "Our city is home to countless commonfolk. I beg you—protect them! The wretched Thirteen Heavens... there’s no telling what atrocities they may be committing!"
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded but froze mid-motion. Though the passage was underground, a strange light illuminated the descending path. It was an unnatural glow, one that piqued his curiosity.
Could this be a product of the Ironbloods’ mysterious techniques? he wondered.
However, he quickly dismissed the thought. There were more pressing concerns.
As the path widened, an oppressive atmosphere enveloped the air. Sinister waves of energy churned below, suffocating in their intensity.
The presence was unmistakable—it was the corrupted internal energy of demonic practitioners. Magic Qi.
Could this be the work of the Shadow Mara Sect’s devout practitioners?
Jeong Yeon-shin’s focus sharpened. Amid the overwhelming malevolence, he detected a single, familiar energy.
‘Hyeon Won-chang...’
Boom!
With a deafening stomp, Jeong Yeon-shin propelled himself forward, his body vanishing like a streak of wind. Utilizing the Leaf Step Technique, he compressed distances with supernatural speed, his movement a whirlwind of precision.
The further he descended, the clearer the sounds of pursuit became. Voices, mocking and scornful, echoed through the cavernous space.
"Ma Gwang-ik, you’re quite nimble for a lowly wretch! Scurrying like a rat, aren’t you?"
"How long will you keep running? Is Ipwang Fortress truly so pathetic?"
"Look at you, boasting so proudly just a moment ago. Now you flee like a coward!"
The last voice rang out unmistakably—it belonged to Hyeon Won-chang.
‘There they are.’
At that moment, his vision cleared, revealing a chaotic scene ahead. Hyeon Won-chang, bloodied and battered, was fleeing from a group of enemies. Leading the pack was a martial artist clad in an armor-like aura of Magic Qi. His presence was suffocating—clearly a high-ranking member of the Shadow Mara Sect.
Behind him trailed a host of opportunistic warriors, their expressions brimming with arrogance.
"Ah?" Hyeon Won-chang’s exclamation was tinged with surprise as his eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s.
It was but an instant.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s right foot slammed into the ground, creating a deep crater beneath him.
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, his blue cloak billowed as he surged forward. He darted past Hyeon Won-chang and came face-to-face with the Shadow Mara Sect elite.
The man’s Magic Qi roared like a hurricane as he prepared a strike. His hands lashed out with a sinister aura, his attack straightforward but overwhelming in force.
‘Strong.’
Even at a glance, it was clear this was no ordinary opponent. His lackeys followed closely, their expressions betraying no fear despite Jeong Yeon-shin’s sudden appearance.
Within a fraction of a second, Jeong Yeon-shin activated the principles of sacred energy within him.
‘Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm.’
A divine radiance coalesced on the edge of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand, forming a concentrated blade of azure energy. Unfazed by the demonic practitioner’s attack, he brought his palm down in a decisive arc.
Boom!
The clash was catastrophic. Jeong Yeon-shin’s strike tore through the demonic energy, shattering the man’s defensive aura with ease.
Before the enemy could even process what had occurred, the blue blade of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand connected with his skull.
Crack!
The man’s head caved in, shattering like a brittle stone under the weight of divine power.