Chapter: 693
Eternal Cold Iron.
Before the emergence of spirits, it was the primary material for weapons known as Shingi.
Unlike other types of iron, it possessed overwhelming durability.
It was so hard that unless you were a master craftsman, even attempting to refine it was out of the question.
Several centuries ago.
In an era when the gates of the demonic realm opened, and monsters poured forth.
As the so-called Age of Despair began, problems arose.
Even back then, Eternal Cold Iron was a rare and precious treasure, but during these desperate times, whether it was clans or sects, one had to mine it out, braving any risk to forge weapons.
Why?
Because even a low-level martial artist had to use at least one piece of iron to hunt down a monster.
Moreover, it was around this time that the number of prestigious families and esteemed sects that vanished after hoarding valuable materials had exceeded double digits.
These were the times.
Times when one had to grasp at anything and struggle with all their might just to survive.
This was also an anecdote that showcased the power of Eternal Cold Iron.
It made even low-level martial artists significantly stronger.
It meant that this iron was extraordinarily fine and sturdy.
Steel wielding a powerful energy that manifests beyond peak level.
Unless you reach that level, you cannot even scratch Eternal Cold Iron.
That’s just common sense.
Thud—!
“…”
Song Yu, the head of the Murim Alliance, was left speechless by the unfolding situation.
A fragment of Eternal Cold Iron fell to the ground.
He looked at it and then at the pillar beside him.
An iron pillar with various small and large scratches all over it.
These were remnants left behind by over a hundred martial artists before him.
Among them, something was particularly eye-catching.
A clear imprint of a human hand.
It was obvious that someone had indeed grabbed it and ripped it apart.
The freshly made impressions right before his eyes made Song Yu question what he believed.
‘What just happened…?’
That piece of Eternal Cold Iron.
An object that could not be broken unless one used all their strength, surrounded by powerful energy.
‘No matter how… no matter how mixed it is with other types of iron.’
The Sword King, Peng Zhou.
A martial artist of Hwagyeong and the leader of a prestigious family in Hebei.
Song Yu gazed at the mark Peng Zhou had made.
Long and deep.
If evaluated by the degree of damage, it looked deeper, but one could not judge solely by that.
He had also witnessed him swinging his weapon with full force.
If he had received a full hit, it would have been a blow that could shatter bones.
From the get-go, if Song Yu had clashed with Peng Zhou at full throttle, victory would be uncertain.
He was a formidable opponent using transcendent martial arts; thus, it was no surprise that he left a mark like this on Eternal Cold Iron.
As a user of the archery techniques, Song Yu wouldn’t leave behind such traces.
But…
‘What is this?’
What on earth just happened?
As Song Yu looked at the hole in the Eternal Cold Iron, his eyes widened.
While it was much smaller than the marks left by the Sword King, it was more shocking.
‘…You actually ripped it apart? That piece of iron?’
He focused his breathing and concentrated his energy.
Muscles expanded, bursting at a pivotal point.
This was the strength that Peng Zhou had chosen to crush the iron.
But…
‘There were no warning signs.’
Even the Sword King had done the same.
Just now, there hadn’t even been a hint of that.
Calmly, he reached out, touched the iron, then easily pushed inside and ripped it apart.
There were no movements as a recoil or preparatory stance to gather strength.
To put it overly simply, it seemed akin to crushing tofu.
That piece of iron, indeed.
‘Is that even possible?’
A fundamental question lingered.
Can something, which could be shattered only by wielding energy, be crushed effortlessly?
He pondered.
If it were him.
‘Could I have done it?’
Song Yu quickly came to a conclusion.
Impossible.
He cannot do this.
Even as a flower practitioner, Song Yu wasn’t specialized in external techniques.
He could launch a strong charge to embed it in the surface, yet he cannot resort to such a ridiculous method.
Then…
‘Could it be possible for someone else?’
What about another martial artist? Especially those with strong physical power stemming from martial combat?
He wasn’t convinced.
No matter how he thought, he simply couldn’t fathom what had just occurred.
‘What method did he use?’
He couldn’t do it.
Maybe others could do the same.
Just stand there and stretch out a hand, crushing that iron.
What would one need to do to make this possible?
No, to what level would one need to reach to achieve it?
While he was remembering, a figure suddenly popped into Song Yu’s mind.
‘I wonder if the Sword Emperor could do it.’
One of the Central Plains’ top ten masters.
The current best swordsman in Hanam and the Lord Protector.
With him, perhaps it might just be possible.
No, if one reached his level, it was definitely achievable.
‘Does that mean…’
Does this suggest that the individual standing before him is also at that level?
What absurdity!
As if others were cognizant of this, the martial artists observing around couldn’t help but murmur the words they’d been holding back.
“…What just happened?”
“It looks like he ripped it apart?”
“You’re telling me he just took Eternal Cold Iron and ripped it? Stop fooling around!”
The tranquil silence was shattered.
Song Yu swallowed hard behind his mask.
At that moment.
“Hey.”
“…!”
Song Yu flinched at the voice of the person across.
He held out the piece of iron he grasped in his hand and asked.
“Did I pass?”
“…That…”
“I didn’t break any rules.”
“…”
That was indeed correct.
No rules had been violated.
The opportunity was singular, and once you touched it, it was done.
However, since it was done while making contact, it was not against any rules.
One could question this situation based on rules, but…
‘Who would dare raise an objection?’
If he wished, so could anyone else.
Could anyone muster the words to voice that?
“One hundred… the next time.”
“Yes.”
Song Yu hesitantly inquired of the other.
“What is your name?”
“Huh?”
The young man tilted his head confused when suddenly asked for his name.
Then, he casually replied.
“I am Guyangcheon of the Gu Clan.”
“…!”
As the young man introduced himself, not just Song Yu but others behind him also began to murmur.
“Guyangcheon? If it’s Guyangcheon…”
“He’s the Soyeomra, isn’t he?”
“Soyeomra?”
“…That young hero from the Shinryonggwan? Are you saying he just ripped that iron apart?”
At that moment, everyone was left astounded by Guyangcheon’s identity.
‘This young man is that guy.’
Song Yu was surprised in an entirely different way.
While it wasn’t as significant as the Bi-Dragon Clan, known as the Information Department, upholding his status as a lord among the blind allowed him to gather various insights.
He had previously heard tales about Soyeomra.
‘A person being closely watched by the Maeng and Shaolin.’
Originally entering the scene unexpectedly due to a situation at the Oryongsambong.
Thus, they’ve been monitoring him from various angles.
‘Perhaps that’s why his reputation hasn’t spread as far as it should.’
Even after he won in the Yongbong Club and showcased his prominence by thwarting the Shinryongwan’s attack.
The reasons rumors and impressions didn’t circulate widely.
It was said that this was deliberate, as the Maeng had joined hands to extinguish the spread of rumors.
‘Was it really necessary to go this route?’
Song Yu expressed his discontent towards this matter.
While the political angle is uncertain, it felt highly out of place coming from a faction engaged in negotiations.
The budding brilliance of the promising junior stands blocked.
Nothing could be more disheartening than that.
But.
‘There must be a reason for the Maeng’s actions.’
Being the guardians of the Central Plains, they’ll have their motives for these actions.
That was all he could convince himself of.
‘So… this young man is Soyeomra, huh?’
What was there to say?
While the crowd reacted with astonishment, Song Yu analyzed Guyangcheon and bit his lip.
The reason being.
‘He’s invisible.’
It was because Guyangcheon failed to reveal anything of substance.
Seeing as he spent his entire life shooting targets.
He had more confidence than anyone in observing and understanding others, yet…
As he looked at Guyangcheon, Song Yu crinkled his brow from a sudden sensation.
A suffocating tightness around his neck.
The rising frustration within him.
All sorts of uncomfortable feelings began to engulf Song Yu.
‘This is…’
His toes tingled.
His hair stood on end, and the instinct of a sniper warned Song Yu.
What stood before him was a beast.
A ferocious beast, baring its fangs.
Creepy.
“…”
Without realizing it, Song Yu stepped back, goosebumps spreading across his body.
Fortunately, it was a fleeting action, going unnoticed as he managed to control himself.
In that moment.
‘Did he just smile?’
If it wasn’t Song Yu’s misunderstanding, it appeared that Guyangcheon, before him, had smiled.
Could he have perceived something about him?
With the tingling sensation holding Song Yu speechless…
“Examiner, so what’s the result?”
Urging impatiently, Guyangcheon spoke, snapping Song Yu back to his senses.
“…You passed.”
As Song Yu barely uttered the words, Guyangcheon nodded.
Then, looking somewhere, he smiled slyly.
“Eek!”
At that moment, a slight gasp emitted from among the spectators.
Who was it that he laughed at?
Swish.
Before he could even wonder about it, he casually tossed the piece of iron onto the ground and began to walk away leisurely.
As he moved, the once noisy crowd became somberly quiet once more.
Guyangcheon seemed to relish the silence.
Not a shred of tension was felt.
The fact that a Sword King stood before him.
The fact that he took the test in front of such a crowd.
Yet, he walked calmly, as if entirely indifferent.
As Song Yu watched Guyangcheon’s back, a thought crossed his mind.
‘He’s proverbial needle in the haystack.’
While the Maeng had tried to conceal him, he seemed to pop up like a pin from a pocket.
In this brief moment.
Song Yu could easily tell with just a little movement.
The author was a literal awl.
So sharp that no matter what you used to block it, it would eventually pierce through.
Even Song Yu could perceive it.
‘Does the Maeng genuinely not know?’
Or do they know but choose to ignore it?
This was the thought that crossed Song Yu’s mind immediately after Guyangcheon vanished.
A curious doubt arose, a strange feeling blossoming, but Song Yu promptly shook his head to clear it away.
‘Never question the blind.’
Uphold virtue and collaboration.
That’s what he resolved when he first reached for the bowstring.
There must be justification for the values upheld by the Maeng, Song Yu recalled his promise and shifted his gaze.
“Next, number 103.”
The tests had to progress.
Whether it was the Sword King or the Soyeomra, he right now had to execute his duty, suppressing his emotions.
But.
Strangely, the following number never emerged.
“Did you not catch that?”
There was no way he missed it.
It was too silent; could he have actually not heard Song Yu’s voice, laced with challenge?
“Number 103.”
Only as Song Yu repeated it did one individual step forward.
For some reason, he wore an expression as if he had one foot in the grave.
“…Yes…yes.”
After the Sword King and Soyeomra had wreaked havoc and departed, all attention was now glued to the man’s back.
Could this person showcase something as well?
A glint of eager anticipation danced in their eyes.
Gaaaaah!
The man swung his weapon with all of his might.
But, he didn’t even leave a scratch on the iron and was thus eliminated.
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