Tak Hwaryeon
The demonized messenger ignored the stamped magic tool and transformed his body into droplets of blood in an instant, rapidly closing in on the archer-clad woman. It was the Blood Escape Art, a technique commonly used by Blood Shadow Sect messengers.
The archer-clad woman deployed a blue protective barrier with her spirit plaque magic tool and summoned the stamped magic tool before forming hand seals to layer on multiple barriers of various colors.
Her identity was still unknown, but judging by the power of the magic tools she wielded, she clearly had an impressive background.
"Kekeke!"
The demonized messenger cackled maniacally and thrust out his arm. His ten fingers pointed at the barriers, then exploded into blood-red beams that shot forward in a straight line, slamming into them.
Kwakakang!!
The barriers blocking her path shattered at once, and the blood-red beams pierced into her body. She was hurled back thirty zhang by the impact.
Looking closely, her archer robes were torn, revealing a golden armor that shone brilliantly beneath. Even I would have struggled to block that blood-red beam attack.
Without that armor, she would have been in grave danger.
"Kikiki…."
The demonized messenger let out a grotesque laugh and opened his mouth wide. A blood-red mist poured out, enveloping his hand as his fingers regenerated.
The archer-clad woman sighed at the sight.
"What a pity, but no choice."
She pulled a antique golden talisman from her storage pouch and cast a spell at it. The talisman was densely inscribed with ancient script.
Could you even use ancient script to make talismans?!
I quickly deciphered the largest inscription: Heavenly Thunder Spirit Talisman.
Spiritual energy from heaven and earth gathered into the talisman, and the clear sky began to darken. Suddenly, a gale whipped up, shattering nearby trees and rocks.
This was no mere elementary thunder talisman—it was on an entirely different level.
A streak of golden lightning struck down on the head of the female messenger, who had desperately spread her wings and fled using the Blood Escape Art.
Kwarururung!!
With a deafening roar that stung the ears, the golden lightning reduced the demonized messenger's body to ashes. Even her nascent soul couldn't escape and was obliterated by the thunder.
The power of a talisman inscribed with ancient script was astonishing. The golden talisman had expended all its spiritual energy, its color fading.
I committed as much of the ancient script on the talisman to memory as possible, planning to study it later.
The archer-clad woman stored the golden talisman back in her pouch and said, "How long do you plan to hide and just watch?"
My heart sank. Had she spotted me?
I didn't know her identity, but since she'd killed a Blood Shadow Sect messenger, she might not be from the Gaun Mountains sects—possibly an outsider.
I stayed put for now. But when she stared directly at my hiding spot, I decided to reveal myself.
Even if I couldn't win in a fight, I was confident I could escape.
I pulled out my spirit plaque from my storage pouch and said, "Senior, I'm Yuseong of the Unkak Sect. I was just passing by and heard the sounds of battle, so I stopped to watch for a bit. I'll leave quietly, so could you let me go?"
"Unkak Sect? Why are Unkak Sect disciples heading south?"
"I'm on sect orders, heading to Takga."
The archer-clad woman tilted her head and showed me her spirit plaque.
"Takga? I'm a Takga disciple—what business do you have there?"
The plaque read Tak Hwaryeon.
Good—she wasn't from outside the Gaun Mountains after all. This might actually work out well. Traveling with her to Takga would make crossing the mountains safer.
"On orders from Pavilion Lord Yeop Inyeong, I need to meet someone named Tak Gyeong."
Tak Hwaryeon's suspicious expression finally eased.
"I know that Elder Tak Gyeong is close with Unkak Sect's Pavilion Lord Yeop. Since we're heading the same way anyway, bring out your flying magic tool."
"Got it."
I took out the boat-shaped tool from my storage pouch, had Tak Hwaryeon sit behind me, and soared into the sky.
She seemed to have depleted much of her magic power in the recent fight and sat cross-legged at the back, meditating to recover.
As I piloted the boat, a faint floral scent wafted from behind, making me sniff appreciatively. It was different from Nae Cheonha's cool fragrance. I closed my eyes, savoring it.
The world is vast, and full of beautiful women. Meeting women each with their unique charms is one of life's great pleasures.
Flying with a beautiful Takga female disciple made my spirits soar. The cool breeze, floral scent, and the mystical scenery of the Gaun Mountains made me envy no immortal.
Once she'd recovered some magic power, she suggested switching piloting duties.
As her meditation ended, I asked about the Blood Shadow Sect female messenger.
"Senior, if I may ask—how did you end up fighting that Blood Shadow Sect woman?"
Tak Hwaryeon chuckled softly.
"She saw me kill a Rank 3 demon with my stamped magic tool and tried to kill me out of greed for it."
It was understandable—the stamped tool's power was tempting indeed.
Since she answered straightforwardly, I pressed further.
"And that thunder-summoning talisman—did you make it yourself?"
"How could I craft a spirit talisman like that with my skills? It was given to me by my clan, of course."
If her clan had given her something as powerful as the Heavenly Thunder Spirit Talisman, Tak Hwaryeon must be a promising disciple among them. It was far too potent for an ordinary clan member.
Tak Hwaryeon piloted from the front, and I admired her back view from behind. Gazing at a woman with a beautiful figure is always a joy.
As we flew south, I shared trivial stories about the Unkak Sect. Like me visiting Takga for the first time, she'd never been there either, so she listened attentively.
Chatting inside the flying tool melted away the awkwardness, fostering a sense of familiarity.
Before long, we entered Takga territory. Villages inhabited by mortals appeared below—far larger and more populous than those under Unkak Sect control.
Passing those, we continued south until a grand fortress rivaling Dancheol Fortress's Black Iron Citadel came into view. Towering, endless walls blocked the southern Gaun Mountains.
Entering Takga proper was easy. The guarding Takga disciples bowed respectfully to Tak Hwaryeon without even checking her plaque and let us through. They didn't ask for mine either.
Still, I showed my spirit plaque to the guards and entered Takga with her.
Takga's interior was vast, dotted with tall, ornate halls. Compared to Dancheol Fortress's architecture, Takga emphasized splendor, while Dancheol focused on practicality.
Broad streets brimmed with halls, stretching endlessly. Far more mortals and cultivators than at Dancheol Fortress bustled about.
Takga's reputation as the greatest of Dae Yeon Kingdom's three major cultivation clans was no exaggeration. We couldn't compare to its past glory, but its current might was impressive.
"Senior Tak, I can see why Takga's fame spreads to neighboring kingdoms."
Tak Hwaryeon replied with a haughty expression.
"Back in Dae Yeon Kingdom days, it was even larger and more splendid."
She led the way toward the central area. Following, I asked, "Now I need to meet Elder Tak Gyeong—how do I get there?"
"Elder Tak Gyeong is at the central Taepyeong Hall. Follow me."
"Understood."
She kindly guided the way. Could she have taken a liking to me? Moyong Wol's looks had improved thanks to the Yin-Yang Art, but my own average face was getting handsomer too, so it was possible.
My skin was bronze from the Iron Skin Art, but it highlighted my healthy masculine physique—no complaints there.
Tak Hwaryeon suddenly stopped.
"Ho ho, is that your cultivation partner behind you? I thought you hated men, but apparently not."
A middle-aged man in a blue robe smirked lecherously.
"…No time for games—move aside."
"Such rude speech to an elder. Don't get too cocky just because the clan head favors you. You're still just Core Formation, after all."
The middle-aged man unleashed his Nascent Soul aura, pressing down. Tak Hwaryeon dropped to her knees, coughing and gasping.
The sudden act stunned nearby mortals and cultivators, but no one intervened. Fearing backlash, they all fled.
Tak Hwaryeon's face reddened, her eyes darting in agony.
A true man would step in to protect a woman from such bullying. But the opponent was a Nascent Soul Takga elder. How to intervene?
"……."
Right—a real man knows when to step in and when to hold back. Interfering now with my power would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
I stood silently behind, watching her suffer. It pained me to see such a beauty writhe.
Apologize already, you fool! Bow your head, beg forgiveness, and live to fight another day!
Tak Hwaryeon trembled violently, rolling on the ground, lips clenched, refusing to speak.
Good grief, how has this stubborn woman survived the cultivation world?
The middle-aged man pointed at her with a finger, manifesting his divine sense. Unlike Hwang Danha's gray threads, his was shaped like black hidden weapons.
Was he really going to unleash that on her? She wouldn't die from a divine sense attack like that, but the pain would be excruciating—might as well.
"Senior, I think she's learned her lesson by now."
Something boiled inside me, and I stepped forward unthinkingly.
The middle-aged man glared murderously and redirected his aura at me.
"Kuh… kuhuk."
My body froze instantly, magic power blocked. I hurriedly circulated the Iron Skin Art to resist, but I still dropped to one knee, breathing labored, eyes bulging.
How had Tak Hwaryeon endured this? It felt like a mountain crushing my entire body.
Suddenly, the man withdrew his aura and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! So you're not a coward hiding behind a woman!"
He approached and clapped my shoulder.
"I like brave ones. A Qi Refining kid with guts to interfere with a Nascent Soul cultivator—impressive."
He kept slapping my shoulder, laughing madly, then left.
I sighed in relief and tried to help Tak Hwaryeon up.
She refused and stood on her own.
"…Sorry, but I have to go ahead."
She staggered up and flew off with an escape art.
What a fool. The wise know when to bend.
