Iron Skin Art
To achieve that dream, he headed to the cave. Whenever he finished his work and came here, a cozy, comfortable feeling washed over him. He lounged on the stone bed for a bit before sitting cross-legged and beginning his meditation.
About an hour later, he sensed someone approaching and opened his eyes to find Moyong Wol standing right in front of him.
"Wol, did you get the silver armor?"
She slipped off her top and showed him the silver armor underneath.
"I heard from Master. Senior Brother Baek made this silver armor, right?"
"Yeah, I commissioned him."
She struck various poses, clearly delighted with the armor.
"Yuseong, you did great!"
She gave his butt a light pat.
"Yuseong, how much vacation time do you have left?"
"About a month, I think. I plan to take one more mission before heading back."
"A mission? What kind?"
"Something like demon beast hunting or escort duty—anything doable within a month with decent rewards."
Moyong Wol stroked his head as she spoke.
"Yuseong, don't take anything too dangerous."
"You think too little of me?"
"No, it's just that Qi Refining disciples often get hurt or die on missions. Maybe a group mission would be safer than a solo one."
"Group mission? Those have too many people, so the rewards get split..."
"You gonna ignore your senior sister?"
She was at the 8th star of Qi Refining, while he was at the 7th—a clear gap in their realms.
"Senior Sister Moyong, got it. But if there's no group mission, I'll take a solo one."
"Fine, but make it a safe group mission."
Her concern touched him deeply. He pulled her into a fierce embrace and kissed her. As always, they finished by circulating the Yin-Yang Art together, purifying each other's qi.
Come morning, he hurried to the Mission Hall. The early bird got the worm. Even at this hour, a long line snaked in front of Senior Brother Park.
With spirit resources in short supply, everyone was desperate for missions. It made sense—the Gaun Mountains brimmed with spiritual energy, and the Unkak Sect sat at the foothills. But other sects and clans dotted the range, gobbling up spirit herbs faster than they could regrow. The mountains couldn't sustain so many cultivators, so those short on resources ventured deeper or left entirely.
The deeper you went, the fiercer the demon beasts. Only the strongest sects could establish bases there. One such was the Gaun Mountains' top sect, the Illusory Beast Sect.
The Unkak Sect had just one Spirit Severing Supreme Elder, but he'd heard the Illusory Beast Sect boasted five. Two of them could wipe out the Unkak Sect single-handedly.
Even the top sect avoided the mountains' deepest recesses. Rumors spoke of an evil spirit dwelling there. Eight thousand years ago, a Spirit Severing cultivator had gone exploring out of curiosity and never returned. After that, the Illusory Beast Sect sealed it with forbidden formations, declaring it off-limits. No one who entered ever came back alive. They called it the Valley of No Return.
By now, the line had shortened, and it was his turn.
"Senior Brother Park, quite the crowd today."
"Tell me about it. Here for a mission, Junior Brother?"
"Yes. Any group missions available?"
"Group mission? There's one leaving in five days. Stationed in Yunnam Village, help out if trouble hits."
"How long in Yunnam Village?"
"Two years."
Two years? Way too long. He needed something wrapped up in a month.
"Any group missions ending within a month?"
"Group missions are usually long-term, end date unknown. Hard to find ones finishing in a month."
"Then something solo with good rewards, please."
Park Eung flipped through the ledger quickly.
"Oh, you're on leave from the Medical Hall, right? Perfect—this one's for you. Test subject for the Medical Hall Lord's new pill?"
Test subject for a new pill? What if it killed him?
He asked hesitantly, "What's the reward?"
"The pill itself. It's for body hardening, so if it works, you'll have a body as tough as tempered leather."
A body-hardening pill... Probably no major side effects. Besides, Jo Mihyeon had sliced off his hand effortlessly before. He needed toughness. And she was Wol's master—surely she wouldn't let him die.
"I'll do it."
He handed over his identity token. Park Eung wrote "Yuseong" in the ledger and "Medical Hall Lord Test Subject" on the token.
Seeing "test subject" on his token made him feel like a lab animal. He took it back and headed straight to the Medical Hall.
So Mu stood at the entrance.
"So Mu, here for the Hall Lord's mission."
He showed the token. So Mu's eyes widened in shock.
"Eek! Medical Hall Lord test subject!"
"..."
So Mu looked at him pitifully.
"How'd you end up with this mission?"
"Felt the need for body hardening..."
So Mu glanced around and sent a transmission.
"I've seen a demon beast explode after eating a new pill."
"The Hall Lord's a Core Formation master. How'd you see that?"
"Passed by the pill room when the door was open."
"...It was a demon beast. I'm human. The pill was probably meant for beasts anyway."
"If you're set on that, I won't stop you."
"Is the Hall Lord in her office?"
"Yes."
A uneasy feeling gnawed at him, but he headed to her office. The Medical Hall felt ominously gloomy today.
"Yuseong here to see the Hall Lord."
A soothing voice replied, "If you're here, come in."
He opened the door and sat across from Seong Yuhyang.
"Here for your mission." He showed the token.
She checked it. "Ho, you're the one testing my new pill?"
"Yes."
"Then we need to check your body's toughness first. Stand still."
He stood as instructed. She approached, touching his body.
"Take off the armor underneath."
"Yes." He removed the silver armor, left in his black robes.
Her hands roamed freely over his torso and legs.
"Hmm, not enough."
Seong Yuhyang looked dissatisfied.
"Train in a body-hardening technique first, then test the pill. At this level, it'd burst your body on contact."
She delivered the grim words softly.
"Cultivate the technique here during your leave." She handed him a worn ledger titled Iron Skin Art.
"Master it to the 10th star, and even against the strong, you'll survive."
"How many stars for the pill test?"
"At least 3rd star. Train in the cultivation room till then. No rush with your leave—focus solely on it."
And so he began cultivating the Iron Skin Art in the Medical Hall's training room.
He'd underestimated body refinement. The pain was beyond imagination. Circulating the incantation felt like his skin was burning.
He endured as long as he could, then plunged into the room's pond. Its waters healed and toughened the flesh, amplifying the technique's effects.
Three months of daily agony later, he reached the 3rd star of Iron Skin Art.
He swung Baek's dagger at his arm—clang. Not a drop of blood.
Finally. Recalling the ordeal, he clenched his fist and shouted,
"I did it!"
Maybe he had a talent for body refinement. He left the room, ready for the Hall Lord's pill.
He trusted her. A Core Formation master could save him if things went wrong. With a calm mind, he sought her out.
"Since you're here, you've reached 3rd star in Iron Skin Art."
"Yes."
Seong Yuhyang stood. "Then to my pill room."
He followed, admiring her swaying hips and rear—an artistic sight. He restrained the urge to grab her from behind like a beast.
They entered the 1st Pill Room, exclusive to the Hall Lord.
"We'll test here. Success means a Steel Body Pill as reward."
"Is that the pill we're testing?"
She nodded and opened the door. First time inside, he marveled at the vast, pristine space—ten times larger than others.
She handed him a vial of clear liquid. "Strip naked and rub this all over."
Whoa! Naked in front of the Hall Lord... Embarrassing, yet thrilling.
He stripped and applied it. A cool, filmy layer protected his skin.
"Sit cross-legged and swallow the Steel Body Pill."
She flicked it into his mouth. As it slid down his throat, his organs twisted in agony. His heart pounded wildly, blood raced, ears rang, vision blurred with heat haze.
Pain threatened unconsciousness. Then her thunderous voice: "Want to live? Circulate the Iron Skin Art incantation—now!"
He clung to fading awareness and activated it. His heart steadied, the turmoil eased.
Without the art, he'd have exploded instantly. He kept circulating, spreading the pill's violent energy throughout his body.
True to its purpose, the energy was explosive. He felt his insides and skin transforming.
Good call trusting her.
Danger passed; he cracked an eye. Seong Yuhyang watched intently, eyes sparkling.
As pain faded and tension released, her gaze on his naked body stirred blood southward.
No! Stop! Please!
His mind screamed, but his body betrayed him. It swelled uncontrollably. Shame and excitement burned his face.
What would she think? Should he just die here?
He peeked again. She stared fixedly below, cheeks faintly flushed.
"Success. Your skin's turned bronze—Iron Skin Art hit 5th star."
He opened his eyes fully. Indeed, bronze skin. The pill had boosted him two stars instantly—a miracle drug.
He dressed quickly. "Hall Lord, thank you. My cultivation advanced greatly."
She waved it off. "No need. You were the only volunteer."
"Really? With rewards like this?"
Her face fell. "Seems no one trusts me."
Her pout was adorable. He grinned. "I trusted you completely, without a doubt."
She brightened, handing him three vials of Steel Body Pills.
"Meant to give one, but your silver tongue earns three."
Jackpot! Three pills—who knew how far they'd push Iron Skin Art?
"Rest today. Start Medical Hall duties tomorrow."
"Understood."
He bowed politely and left.