Chapter 693: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

Before monsters appeared, it was the primary material for weapons called divine weapons.

Unlike other types of iron, it possessed overwhelming durability.

It was so hard that unless one was an exceptional craftsman, they couldn’t even attempt to smelt it.

Centuries ago.

When the Demonic Gate opened and monsters poured out.

That era, known as the Age of Despair, began, and problems arose.

Even back then, it was extremely rare Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

But it was an era where survival demanded using it, so clans and sects alike had no choice but to extract the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron and forge weapons.

Why?

Because warriors with low cultivation levels needed even Cold Iron to hunt monsters.

Moreover, it was around the time when the number of renowned families and prestigious schools that were swept away while hoarding precious materials exceeded double digits.

It was such an era.

An era where you’d barely survive even if you grabbed onto anything and struggled with all your might.

This was also an anecdote that showcased the power of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

It made warriors of low cultivation levels even stronger.

That’s how superior and durable that steel was.

Steel Qi, manifested from the Peak Realm onwards.

Unless you reached that level, you couldn’t even leave a scratch on Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

That was the natural order of things, yet.

Hududuk-!

“…”

Song Yu, the Leader of the Crimson Dragon Unit and Underworld Archer of the Martial Arts Alliance, was speechless at the unfolding situation.

Fragments of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron fell to the floor.

Looking at them, he glanced at the pillar beside him.

A Cold Iron pillar marked with scratches, both small and large.

They were traces left by over a hundred warriors before him, but among them, one stood out distinctly.

A trace that was clearly a human handprint.

It was at a level where you could see it was literally grabbed and torn off.

The trace that had just appeared before his eyes made Song Yu unable to believe what he was seeing.

‘What happened…?’

It was that Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

A material that couldn’t be broken unless one was enveloped in Steel Qi and used their full strength.

‘Even if… even if it was mixed with other iron.’

Blade King Peng Zhou.

A warrior of the Flower Realm and the Patriarch of the noble family ruling Hebei.

Song Yu looked at the scratch made by the Blade King.

It was long and deep.

In terms of scratches, that one looked deeper, but it couldn’t be judged by that alone.

Song Yu had seen him swing with all his might.

If he had been hit head-on by that, it would have been enough force to leave no bones behind.

In the first place, the Blade King was an opponent Song Yu couldn’t be sure of winning against if they fought with full strength.

As such a powerful expert who wielded overbearing martial arts, it wasn’t strange for him to damage Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron like this.

Song Yu, who used archery, wouldn’t be able to leave such marks.

However.

‘What is this?’

What on earth was that just now?

Song Yu’s eyes darted as he looked at the hole pierced through the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

It was much smaller than the scratch made by the Blade King, but it was an even more shocking sight.

‘…He tore it off? That iron?’

Focusing his breath and condensing his energy.

Expanding his muscles and releasing them at a single point.

That was the full power the Blade King used to break the iron.

However.

‘There was no sign at all.’

Even the master known as the Blade King did so…

But just now, there wasn’t even a sign.

He lightly reached out, touched the iron, and then pushed in and tore it off.

There was no recoil to gather strength, nor any preparatory movements.

To exaggerate, it looked as if he were crushing tofu.

That iron, no less.

‘Is that possible?’

A fundamental question arose.

Can something that can only be broken with Steel Qi be crushed by hand?

He thought.

If it were himself.

‘Could I have done it?’

Song Yu immediately made his judgment.

Impossible.

He couldn’t do it.

Even as someone of the Flower Realm, Song Yu wasn’t specialized in external force.

He could imbue his Steel Qi into an arrow and embed it in the surface, but he couldn’t use such a crude method.

Then.

‘Could someone else do it?’

Could other warriors? Especially those in martial arts lineages with strong grip strength?

He wasn’t sure.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand what had just happened.

‘What method did they possibly use?’

He couldn’t do it.

He didn’t know if others could either.

Standing still, just reaching out and crushing the iron.

What would it take for this to be possible?

No, to what extent would one need to be?

As Song Yu pondered, a person flashed through his mind.

‘Would the Sword Emperor be able to do it?’

One of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains.

One of the Seven Iron, Three Fists, and the current number one sword of Hanam, the Guardian Unit Leader.

If it were him, it might be possible.

No, at his level, it would surely be possible.

‘That means….’

Does the person standing before me also possess that level?

It was an unbelievable thought.

As if sensing this, the other warriors watching let out suppressed sounds.

“…What happened?”

“Looks like he tore it off?”

“Tore off Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron? Don’t lie.”

The quiet silence was broken.

Song Yu swallowed dryly from behind his mask-like expression.

Just then.

“Excuse me.”

“…!”

Song Yu flinched at the voice.

He thrust the piece of iron in his hand forward and asked.

“Am I passing or not?”

“…Well…”

“I didn’t break the rules.”

“…”

It was true.

The rules weren’t broken.

One chance, and it was over once you touched it and let go.

However, since he pushed it in while maintaining contact, it wasn’t against the rules.

While this might present a problem according to the rules…

‘Who would dare object to this?’

If you dare, try doing it yourselves.

Would anyone be able to do so even if I said that?

“Number… one hundred and two.”

“Yes.”

Song Yu asked the youth in a hesitant voice.

“What is your name?”

“Hm?”

Abruptly asked his name, the young man tilted his head in confusion.

Then, he calmly replied.

“I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu family of Shanxi.”

“…!”

As the young man introduced himself, not only Song Yu but also the warriors behind him began to murmur.

“Gu Yangcheon? If it’s Gu Yangcheon…”

“It’s Little Yama.”

“Little Yama?”

“…The young hero from the Divine Dragon Pavilion? You’re saying that kid tore off the iron?”

Just as everyone was filled with surprise at Gu Yangcheon’s identity.

‘So this young man is that kid.’

Song Yu was surprised in a different sense.

Even if not as much as the Flying Dragon Unit, which served as the intelligence department, becoming a leader of the Alliance allowed one to hear various pieces of information.

He had heard a few stories about Little Yama here.

‘One of the people the Alliance and Shaolin are keeping a close eye on.’

He was originally scheduled for the Five Dragons, Three Peaks, but was added due to an unexpected incident.

Because of that, the Alliance was monitoring him in various aspects.

‘This is also why rumors don’t spread compared to his skill.’

Not only did he win the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, but he also made his presence known by stopping the Divine Dragon Pavilion attack incident.

Yet, the reason why rumors and impressions hadn’t spread as much.

It was said that the Alliance had collaborated with Kaibang to intentionally suppress the rumors.

‘Did they really have to do that?’

Regarding such matters, Song Yu showed a reluctant expression.

He didn’t know about the political aspects, but it felt utterly incongruous for the Alliance, which dealt with righteousness and chivalry, to act this way.

Blocking the path of a junior who was gradually shining.

There was nothing more unpleasant than that.

However.

‘The Alliance must have its reasons for doing things.’

As protectors of the Central Plains, they must have a reason to do so.

He convinced himself of that.

‘So… this means Little Yama is this young man.’

What should I say?

Ignoring the reactions of those present, Song Yu, who was observing Gu Yangcheon, bit his lip.

The reason was…

‘I can’t see anything.’

His life had been spent shooting arrows and hitting targets.

Observing and understanding someone, regardless of cultivation level, was something he was more confident in than anyone else.

Yet, looking at Gu Yangcheon, Song Yu had to frown at a sudden sensation.

A suffocating tightness around his neck.

A stuffiness rising from within.

All sorts of uncomfortable sensations began to dominate Song Yu.

‘This is…’

His toes tingled.

His body hair stood on end, and his sniper’s instinct told Song Yu.

The person before him was a predator.

And not just any predator, but a fierce one baring its fangs.

Ossak.

“…!”

A chill spread through his body, and Song Yu involuntarily took a step back.

Fortunately, it was a fleeting action, so he managed to control himself without being noticed.

Just then.

‘Did he smile?’

If it wasn’t Song Yu’s imagination, Gu Yangcheon seemed to have smiled at him.

Could it be, did he see right through me?

Feeling that tingling sensation, Song Yu was unable to utter a word.

“Examiner-nim. So, what’s the result?”

Gu Yangcheon spoke as if urging him, and Song Yu finally came to his senses.

“…You pass.”

Barely uttering the words, Gu Yangcheon nodded.

Then he looked somewhere and smirked.

“Hik!”

Suddenly, a startled cry was heard from among those waiting.

Who did he smile at?

Hwik.

Before the question could even form, he tossed the iron piece in his hand onto the floor with a thud and slowly walked away.

As he moved, the momentarily noisy crowd of waiting participants grew quiet again.

Gu Yangcheon seemed to enjoy this silence.

Not even a bit of tension could be felt.

The fact that the Blade King was there.

Or that he had taken the test in front of so many people.

As if completely uninterested, he calmly walked away.

Watching Gu Yangcheon’s back, a thought suddenly flashed through Song Yu’s mind.

‘A cone in a bag.’

The Alliance tried to hide him, but he was like an awl in a bag, trying to pop out.

In this brief moment.

With just a light movement, Song Yu could tell.

That person is an awl.

An awl so sharp that no matter what blocks it, it will eventually pierce through.

It was obvious even to Song Yu.

‘Does the Alliance truly not know?’

Or are they pretending not to know even though they do?

This was the thought Song Yu had immediately after Gu Yangcheon disappeared.

For a moment, doubt arose, bringing a strange feeling, but Song Yu immediately shook his head to disperse it.

‘Do not doubt the Alliance.’

Value righteousness and chivalry.

This was a resolution he had made from the moment he decided to place chivalry on the tip of his arrow.

The Alliance, which values such things, must surely have a reason. Recalling his resolve, Song Yu turned his head.

“Next, number one hundred and three.”

The test had to continue.

Whether it was the Blade King or Little Yama, Song Yu had a duty to perform now. Thus, he suppressed his emotions.

However.

Strangely, the next participant didn’t come forward.

“Didn’t you hear?”

It was impossible not to have heard.

It was so quiet, how could they not have heard Song Yu’s anticipatory voice?

“Number one hundred and three.”

As Song Yu mentioned it again, someone finally walked out.

It was a man with a look as if he were dying, for some reason.

“…Y-yes… yes.”

After the Blade King and Little Yama had caused such chaos.

All eyes were fixed on the man’s back.

Perhaps this person would show something too?

Their gazes were mixed with such expectations.

“Huuaak!”

The man swung his sword with all his might, but.

He couldn’t even leave a scratch on the Cold Iron and was eliminated.

---

Immediately after the first round of preliminaries ended.

I headed to where the successful candidates would be.

The distance wasn’t far.

Since the forest had been completely cleared out in the first place, it was clearly visible.

‘It’s a building.’

A wooden structure, neither too big nor too small. The structure at the end of the path seemed to indicate ‘come here’.

As I walked towards my destination, I recalled the events from a moment ago.

‘Underworld Archer, huh….’

Song Yu, the Leader of the Crimson Dragon Unit and Underworld Archer.

Even without that, he was a warrior who used the bow, which was rare.

And among them, he was an unusual figure who had reached the Flower Realm.

This was my first time meeting him face-to-face.

‘He wasn’t bad.’

In my evaluation, he was a decent person.

His cultivation level was stable, and…

‘His instincts were good too.’

The Underworld Archer tried to glance at me, but seeing the situation, he didn’t approach further and withdrew.

If he had come closer, I would have caught him off guard, but he seemed perceptive.

This meant he wasn’t letting his guard down.

As they say, he was indeed a decent asset, living up to his title as the Alliance’s best sniper.

‘Anyway, since he’s with the Alliance, he probably has no business with me.’

Other than that.

‘It seemed okay for show, but I wonder how it will turn out?’

I recalled breaking the Cold Iron with my hand.

‘I might have pushed it a bit, but judging by the reaction, it was better than expected.’

Originally, I planned to strike it forcefully and break it moderately to finish.

But the Blade King was acting like a lunatic in front, and that idiot behind kept annoying me, so I got a bit carried away.

Thanks to that, I had to use a considerable amount of energy.

‘Just doing it normally was too much.’

No matter how much it was mixed, it was still Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

What would it take to break it while standing still without any recoil?

‘What else? Just brute-force it by drawing out energy.’

I used enough energy to make it possible.

It was a simple principle.

The problem was that the possible energy was half of what I possessed, but ultimately, it was enough that it succeeded.

If there’s one thing that’s a bit heartbreaking amidst that.

‘…That I’m using the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron I sold off for such a thing.’

Did they really buy that expensive stuff just to use it for this kind of act?

If they were going to use it like that, they should have at least donated it to me.

Damn it.

“Haa.”

I let out a sigh and clicked my tongue briefly.

Regardless, I was quite displeased.

Even the test itself.

‘If the first round was this simple, what are they planning for the second?’

I heard they were holding two preliminary rounds today, right?

Since the first round finished faster than expected, it seems manageable, but…

‘This means they’ve prepared something that finishes quickly for the second round too.’

Which means it won’t be martial artists squabbling amongst themselves.

It’s absurd.

‘Why are they holding such a test in a martial arts competition?’

A martial arts competition is about fighting each other, yet why are they holding such trivial tests? I can’t understand it.

What on earth are they trying to do? It’s incredibly bothersome.

‘What can I do? If they tell me to do it, I have to do it.’

Ah, of course, if I endure it until I can’t anymore, I might just break something else. But that’s a story for later.

Uttuk.

I stopped walking.

Perhaps because I was lost in all sorts of thoughts, I had arrived at the lodging before I knew it.

Kkiyik.

Without hesitation, I grabbed and opened the door.

At that moment.

U-u-ung!

‘Hmm?’

Sensing a vibration, I only turned my eyeballs.

I quickly scanned my surroundings.

‘Mmm.’

After nodding slightly, I closed the door and went inside.

‘This is…’

At the same time, I covered my mouth with my hand and pressed down the corners of my lips.

I barely managed to hold back the urge to laugh.

‘I was wondering what they’d do for the second round…’

Whether it was fortunate or not, I found out what the second preliminary round was.

In addition,

‘Good.’

This too, seemed like a test where I could cause trouble.

---

Just as Gu Yangcheon entered the prepared lodging.

Hwareureuk!!

Suddenly, sparks erupted in the air.

It was too far for Gu Yangcheon’s energy sense to detect.

The abundant sparks soon gathered and began to transform into a human shape.

Eventually, the flames became a figure that opened its eyes.

The figure floated in the air and lowered its gaze.

It was directed towards Gu Yangcheon, who had just entered the building.

The red eyes, containing flames, stared intently at the black-haired youth.

Then, opening its wrinkled lips, it calmly uttered.

“Yes.”

The old man smiled.

“It’s you.”

Finally, he had found him.