Chapter 116
Chapter 116
The Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden (2)
"My deepest apologies for making the Divine Maiden Sect Leader wait like this."
"Not at all. I am an unannounced guest who arrived without prior notice from the Alliance. It's only natural that I should wait. Please, don't trouble yourself on my account."
"Thank you for your understanding. I've already relayed news of your arrival as a top priority, so if you could just wait a little longer..."
"Very well. I appreciate it."
Hwa Wol Young waved off the concern with genuine sincerity, and the Sichuan Tang Family's steward, Son Geon, bowed respectfully before taking his leave.
She had originally intended to return to the Divine Maiden Sect after completing the purification of the lingering curse from the Kaifeng Blood Massacre.
But she had changed her destination to the Sichuan Tang Family instead.
On the day the purification ended, she had heard that the Alliance was providing the Tang Family with the Mystical Forge—and that her assistance would be required.
And so, upon arriving at the Tang Family estate, she had been guided to the guest hall, where she now waited for the family head.
Had this been any other sect, things might have gone differently.
The Divine Maiden Sect was not one of the Nine Great Sects or the Seven Great Families, but it was still regarded as a major sect of equal standing.
If the leader of such a sect had visited another faction, they would have immediately set aside all other guests and business to receive her.
But the Sichuan Tang Family did not treat her with any special distinction. She was given the same courtesy as any other guest.
Yet, as mentioned earlier, Hwa Wol Young did not feel slighted or disrespected in the slightest.
After all, she had arrived unannounced, without even a letter of introduction from the Alliance.
"How much longer must we wait?!"
"My apologies. But there are many guests ahead of you seeking an audience with the family head. There's nothing we can do."
"Ahem. Then... perhaps there's something you desire? If you could just move me up in the queue, I'd be happy to compensate you handsomely—"
"Are you suggesting that a warrior of the Tang Family can be bribed with money?"
"N-No, that's not what I— My apologies. I'll... I'll wait quietly."
The sheer number of people waiting to meet the family head was staggering.
Voices carried through the walls of the guest hall from the adjacent rooms.
The conversations between impatient guests and the Tang Family's warriors all sounded much the same.
'They say the Sichuan Tang Family's influence has soared to the heavens recently. It's truly astonishing.'
Hwa Wol Young discreetly marveled to herself while her disciple blinked innocently beside her.
After years of seclusion and training, she had descended the mountain to find the Tang Family not only restored to its former glory—but surpassing it.
The rumors didn't even begin to capture the reality.
After some time had passed in quiet waiting—
Knock, knock.
Son Geon reappeared at the door.
"Divine Maiden Sect Leader. The family head says his current matters will conclude shortly. If it is not too inconvenient, he asks if you would be willing to meet him at his current location."
"Hmm. What do you think, Master?"
Hwa Wol Young answered without hesitation.
"I've finished my tea, so I'll go to him now."
"Understood. Then I shall guide you immediately."
Son Geon led the way.
They left the guest hall in the outer estate and headed toward the inner quarters.
Yet even after walking for some time, the inner estate was nowhere in sight.
The Tang Family had undergone extensive expansion, and at this point, their halls could rival even those of the Namgung Family.
But it didn't feel like the gaudy mansion of some nouveau riche upstart.
The family had avoided ostentatious decorations, opting instead for a refined, classical aesthetic that emphasized practicality.
"All of you, focus! Is this how you intend to protect the family head?!"
"Our apologies, Head Instructor!!"
'Hm?'
Just then, the shouts of warriors reached her ears.
Turning her head, she caught sight of Tang Family martial artists training fiercely in a large courtyard, their bodies drenched in sweat.
Clang!
Whoosh!
'What in the—?!'
Her eyes widened in shock.
Even from a brief glance, she could tell that the skill level of the Tang Family's warriors was anything but ordinary.
Their lethal techniques and dagger skills, honed in near-combat conditions, seemed on par with the elite warriors of the Martial Alliance's inner city.
No wonder the Tang Family's escort missions had such a high success rate.
Now she understood why.
'Wait—what is that?!'
Then, Hwa Wol Young's eyes widened further.
She scrutinized the weapons the warriors were wielding.
...Were they really issuing treasures to ordinary warriors?
Indeed. Even the lowest-ranking warriors were armed with weapons that were, at minimum, low-grade treasures.
No other faction in the martial world could boast such a force.
It wasn't a matter of wealth.
Weapons of that quantity and quality couldn't be acquired with money alone.
She was still double-checking to make sure she hadn't misseen when—
"Divine Maiden Sect Leader?"
"!!"
Son Geon tilted his head at her, puzzled.
She inwardly winced.
Spying on another faction's training was a grave breach of etiquette.
'Ah, I was so absorbed I didn't even realize!'
Her face flushed slightly.
"My apologies. I was simply... captivated by the sight."
"It's quite all right. It happens often with guests who pass through here."
"O-Oh, does it?"
"Indeed. Now, if you'll follow me inside."
"Of course. Thank you for guiding me."
She and Su-rin stepped inside.
She had expected to enter the family head's office or meeting hall, but instead—
Mantian Iron Hall.
An unfinished plaque lay on the ground, not yet mounted.
'...Where is this?'
Beyond the vast courtyard stood an incomplete structure, its skeletal framework still exposed.
Clang!
Clang!
The rhythmic sound of hammering echoed from within.
Following the clear, resonant strikes, the two women stepped inside—
'That person!'
'That's...!!'
Both were startled, though for different reasons.
First, Su-rin was stunned by the person she saw.
Though she had never met him before, he felt strangely familiar, as if she had seen him many times.
'Tang Se-woon!'
Do Ye-cheon, Peng Dae-ho, Jang So-pyeong—
Her comrades in the Cheoncheon Unit had spoken of Se-woon so often that her ears had nearly gone numb.
Unlike the rest of them, who were combat personnel, Se-woon was the sole support member of the unit.
And now, he stood before her, hammering away with almost supernatural precision.
Su-rin stared blankly, her eyes glazing over as she watched.
'...Why on earth was he assigned to support?'
She, too, was a martial artist before she was a spellcaster.
She couldn't possibly miss the profound martial depth in those fluid hammer strikes.
Meanwhile, Hwa Wol Young was shocked by the object Se-woon was hammering.
The young master of the Sichuan Tang Family was working alone on a massive iron structure.
The Mystical Forge.
She recognized it at a glance.
'...No, that's not the Mystical Forge.'
But she quickly dismissed her own judgment.
The more she observed the unfinished forge, the more she realized it was entirely different from the Alliance's Mystical Forge.
The exterior might look similar, but the internal structure was completely distinct.
'He's added his own interpretations to the spell formations engraved inside...??'
The design incorporated spellcraft she had never seen before.
It was clear his studies in spell formations were extraordinarily advanced.
Once completed, this unknown forge would likely produce at least twice the efficiency of the Alliance's Mystical Forge.
The realization sent a chill down Hwa Wol Young's spine.
She had already witnessed the Tang Family's military strength firsthand on her way here.
And now, with this new forge...
Wouldn't this give rise to an unprecedented force in martial history—one with explosive power never seen before?
Throughout history, whenever unworthy hands obtained uncontrollable power, catastrophe had always followed.
'...The Alliance Leader did say the Sichuan Tang Family would never be such a threat.'
Just as her expression darkened—
Clang!
The hammering finally stopped.
Noticing the two women, Se-woon's eyes brightened.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he was before them, bowing respectfully.
"Divine Maiden Sect Leader, it's an honor. I am Tang Se-woon of the Tang Family."
"Indeed, a pleasure. I am Hwa Wol Young, leader of the Divine Maiden Sect."
"...This is my first time meeting you. I am Seo Su-rin, my master's disciple."
"Likewise, Lady Seo."
After exchanging brief greetings, Hwa Wol Young couldn't hold back any longer.
"By the way, did the Alliance provide the blueprints for the Mystical Forge along with craftsmen? The progress seems remarkably fast."
"No, we received no such support. That's why I've only completed about eighty percent so far. Working alone has slowed things down considerably."
"Y-You... You built this alone?"
"Yes."
"?!"
Se-woon said it so casually that Hwa Wol Young looked at him as if he were insane.
But by the martial world's standards, this was insanity.
When the Alliance had constructed its Mystical Forge, dozens of top-tier blacksmiths had been mobilized for months.
She clicked her tongue in amazement.
"Everyone says you'll soon become a Divine Craftsman. It seems the rumors were true."
"You flatter me. I'm undeserving of such praise."
"Nonsense. I mean every word. The spell formations inside, the way you've integrated knowledge from multiple disciplines into your craft—it's extraordinary."
"I'm honored you think so."
Ah, wait a moment.
Then, belatedly, Hwa Wol Young realized something and glanced around.
She had been so absorbed in the forge that she'd momentarily forgotten her original purpose.
She had come to see Tang Mu-yeol, the Tang Family head—not Se-woon.
"Ah, it seems there was some miscommunication. I requested an audience with the family head."
"No, you've come to the right place."
"Huh? What do you m—!!"
Wait—could it be?
As the realization dawned on her—
Whoosh!
Se-woon clasped his fists and bowed once more.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Tang Se-woon, current head of the Sichuan Tang Family."