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“Heavenly Yin Body!”

‘Ah, I remember that!’ My memory clearly recalled the incident when Namgung Hwan, of the Namgung Clan, drunkenly boasted about his fiancée, Mo Yong-yeon, being a Heavenly Yin Body. As a result, he fled with her, seeking refuge with his friend Jin So-cheong. I ended up getting tangled in that mess, fighting off Jianghu people trying to assault Mo Yong-yeon.

But here I am, now trying to contact Jin So-cheong because of it? It felt a bit off. I glanced at Mangnyang with confusion.

“Hmm. You thought Mo Yong-yeon followed Namgung Hwan for love, huh?”

“Uh?” I replied.

“That’s what Jin So-cheong told me, so I believed it.”

“It’s not that simple. You and Jin So-cheong are both rather naive…” Mangnyang mumbled while flicking the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line.

“Considering the timing, I think it’s about a month away. You’ve optimized the speed to gather opportunities, so it aligns perfectly.”

“Really?”

“To know for sure, we need to gather information at Zhao Family Estate. Let’s go.”

I headed towards Zhao Family Estate with Mangnyang. Zhao Family, one of the Six Great Families of Guanzhong, had previously provided refuge to Namgung Hwan and helped Jin So-cheong. I had memories of extracting secrets from them to track down Namgung Hwan.

As we arrived near Zhao Family Estate, Mangnyang said, “Baek Woong, use the Concealment Technique.”

“I’m not confident…” I scratched my head. Sure, I could manage basic techniques and wasn’t lacking in power thanks to the Law Book and Xu You, but concealment was pretty tricky. I had failed often when practicing it.

Then Mangnyang smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. If you have great potential, everything else will work out. You’re not the same as before.”

“Hmm… I got it.”

Moments later, I executed the Concealment Technique. Holding hands with Mangnyang, we slowly moved past the gatekeepers of Zhao Family Estate, who showed no reaction. I could clearly see Mangnyang and myself, but no one else could perceive us.

‘Did we succeed?’ Eventually, after passing the gatekeepers and reaching the courtyard, I spotted Hwa Jun, the chief of Zhao Family Estate. He was someone who had once hinted at Namgung Hwan’s whereabouts during a verbal tussle with me.

This was the area right in front of the guest room. Next to Hwa Jun stood a middle-aged man with a catfish beard. He spoke to Hwa Jun, “Chief Hwa, it’s time to let out the Azure Dragon of the Sky.”

“Lord Zhao, I thought the same.”

“I’ll go in and rest, so I leave the rest to you.”

“Yes.” The middle-aged man likely was the lord of Zhao Family Estate. He walked into the guest room with a somewhat displeased expression.

“Hoo. Namgung Clan… why do they have to cause trouble here too?” Hwa Jun sighed, grumbling as he walked off elsewhere. Mangnyang gestured for me to follow Hwa Jun, and I nodded, trailing behind him.

Hwa Jun reached a deep part of the building. He stood in front of a door and called out loudly, “Azure Dragon of the Sky! I have something to discuss.”

After a moment, Namgung Hwan stepped out, looking as stunningly handsome as I remembered, but his expression was dark. In the room behind him, I caught a glimpse of Mo Yong-yeon, who was looking at him with disdain.

“I’d like you to pack up and leave soon,” Hwa Jun said.

Namgung Hwan remained silent before replying, “Can’t I stay a little longer? I have nowhere else to go…”

Hwa Jun didn’t hide his irritation. “Namgung Clan and Zhao Family have no ties. You’ve been pushing your weight around using the Namgung name, but the Jianghu thugs tracking you are swarming Guanzhong. Zhao Family has no reason to take on your mess.”

“If you kick me out like this, you’ll regret it.”

“Ha! The rumors of the Azure Dragon of the Sky being a principled late-stage expert in Jianghu are laughable. We have our own background set up, so drop the useless threats.”

“……”

“Let’s see how long you can hold out.” With that, Hwa Jun turned and walked off briskly. He seemed harsh and petulant, but if you listened to the conversation, it didn’t seem so cut and dry. Especially in that moment where Namgung Hwan threatened Hwa Jun, I felt a touch of bewilderment.

‘What? Really, the pot calling the kettle black…’ The stark contrast to the Namgung Hwan I had seen before was shocking. As he glared at Hwa Jun’s retreating figure, Namgung Hwan muttered, “Damn it… How can I, the heir of Namgung Clan, be treated like this?”

Then he continued with an expression that made me widen my eyes. “Once I return to the clan, I’ll wipe out Zhao Family’s lineage.”

A moment of shock hit me. Did he really just say that? This was indeed one of the strongest late-stage experts among the Orthodox Sects, an heir to one of the Five Great Families, and a peerlessly handsome man! Even considering his famed righteousness, that was an outrageous thing to say. Plus, the intensity in those words carried a genuine killing intent; I could sense he might act on them.

As I stood there dumbfounded, Mangnyang wrote something on my back with his finger.

‘Enter’

Realizing that meant we should go inside the room, I took Mangnyang’s hand and slipped in like a shadow using the Soul Removal Technique. Namgung Hwan shuddered momentarily as some eerie vibe rushed past him, but he didn’t seem to think much of it.

After a while, Namgung Hwan closed the door with a bang and muttered frustratedly, “What should I do? If Jin So-cheong doesn’t show up in time…”

“Is Jin So-cheong really able to save us?”

“Jin So-cheong’s martial arts are amazing. No one in our age group can match him in Jianghu. He’s the direct disciple of the Four Great Experts’ Qinglong.”

Namgung Hwan spoke with remarkable confidence and trust. I couldn’t help but internally remark, ‘Wow, Namgung Hwan really knows Jin So-cheong’s abilities!’ He must have an inkling about the nature of absolute peak martial arts, being the heir of the Namgung Clan.

Namgung Hwan then affectionately brushed Mo Yong-yeon’s cheek. “By the way, are you still feeling unwell?”

Mo Yong-yeon flinched at that and replied, “Yes… please bear with me during intimate moments.”

“It’s hard to just leave someone as beautiful as you.”

“Can’t you love me enough to endure?”

“Hmmm… I suppose.” Namgung Hwan licked his lips and stood up. “Then I’ll go outside for a bit. I need some fresh air.”

“Be careful.”

“Yeah.” Namgung Hwan shut the door and left. A while passed before Mangnyang subtly revealed himself.

“Mo Yong-yeon.”

“Ahhh!!” Mo Yong-yeon was startled when the Concealment Technique faded, revealing me and Mangnyang. She opened her mouth to scream, but I quickly rushed over and applied pressure to her acupoint. Though an accomplished martial artist, she had no chance against our deceptive movements fused with the Soul Removal Technique.

Once I subdued her, Mangnyang said, “Baek Woong, check her Virgin’s Blood.”

Stunned by the unexpected request, I glanced back at him. “Mangnyang, that’s…”

“Hurry.”

Feeling bizarre, I poured my energy into her Virgin’s Blood to diagnose it. Then, scratching my cheek, I said, “… She’s inexperienced.”

“Just as I suspected.”

“……!!”

Virgin’s Blood is the pulse used to check if a woman is a virgin or not. What Mangnyang just asked me to confirm about her was essentially asking about her status as a Virgin Earth Goddess! Mo Yong-yeon’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger, ready to explode, but Mangnyang leisurely continued speaking.

“Mo Yong-yeon, we’ve come to seek your cooperation. We suspect you have something hidden.”

At Mangnyang’s signaling, I released her acupoint. She cautiously looked around and asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m Mangnyang, and this is Baek Woong.”

“Let me go!”

“We’ll let you go. Once we confirm our suspicions.”

With that, Mangnyang flicked the Seven Fires, Seven Golds Line and spoke with piercing eyes. “Be honest, Mo Yong-yeon. You suspect Namgung Hwan, don’t you?”

“……”

“On the surface, you treat him as a true love, but you refuse to give your body because you think he has ulterior motives. That’s likely tied to the relationship between Mo Yong Clan and Namgung Clan, as well as the secret of your Heavenly Yin Body.”

Mo Yong-yeon stiffened, as if struck where it hurt. Mangnyang continued without hesitation.

“I reckon you find yourself in quite a dilemma. Regardless of whether Jin So-cheong rescues you or not, you are being sold off to the Namgung Clan. You want to confirm Namgung Hwan’s true intentions, don’t you?”

“Th-that’s…” Mo Yong-yeon finally lost her composure and blurted out.

“What gives you the right to interfere in my affairs! I am a proud descendant of Mo Yong Clan! I’m not so pitiful as to rely on strangers!”

Mangnyang provoked her, “Pitiful, huh… then you don’t mind letting things continue this way?”

“……”

“Think carefully. We have business with Jin So-cheong, and we came here to share information with you. If you help us, it could be beneficial for both sides. We know a thing or two about how you ended up chasing after Namgung Hwan in Jianghu.”

Then Mangnyang revealed how Namgung Hwan had let slip the secret of the Heavenly Yin Body, leading both of them to be hunted in Jianghu. Hearing this, Mo Yong-yeon’s expression softened a bit.

“You need to see Jin So-cheong?”

“Indeed. Our goals don’t conflict, so we can help each other.”

Mo Yong-yeon seemed to contemplate for a moment before finally asking, “How do you plan to confirm Namgung Hwan’s true intentions?”

“This way.” After a moment’s explanation from Mangnyang, Mo Yong-yeon looked as if she was drawn in. Understanding the plan, she firmed her resolve and said, “You’re right, I do suspect the Azure Dragon of the Sky, Namgung Hwan.”

“Just as I thought.” Mo Yong-yeon sighed heavily.

“The circumstances surrounding how my secret of being a Heavenly Yin Body leaked to Jianghu seem very strange. He claims it was a drunken slip, but that doesn’t add up. That’s why I’ve refrained from giving my body since we became lovers.”

“But this crisis is real. Do you think Namgung Hwan might have some hidden agenda?”

“I don’t know. He’s supposed to be my fiancé, so why would he…”

Mangnyang chuckled. “That’s why we should check it out. All you need to do is follow our plan.”

“… Understood.”

“It’s an alliance then! Soon, there will come a time to work together.”

We formed a temporary alliance with Mo Yong-yeon and planned our next steps. After exiting her presence, we headed towards an inn in Guanzhong City.

“With about a month left, now… ah, this isn’t the time for that.” Mangnyang, who had booked a room, was about to order up some chicken but suddenly reconsidered and canceled the order.

“We need to save time. Let’s handle other matters now.”

“Other matters, like what?”

“Let’s check out Guang Chengzi’s ruins. We need to know the location of the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate.”

“Aha!” I realized Mangnyang was keen on managing time tightly. He seemed to be in a hurry, probably due to past failures.

Pa-at!

Moments later, Mangnyang and I cast the Golden Lamp technique and made our way to the joint mountain. I had never been to the joint mountain personally, but I had retained the memories of Ji-seon Mang-nyang, allowing me to get to a nearby location. According to Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s memories, Guang Chengzi’s ruins were right there, and within was the legendary artifact known as the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate. Mangnyang led us to a dilapidated site at the mountain’s entrance and began chanting an incantation.

Pa-at!

Suddenly, a cave entrance appeared amidst the piles of earth and wood debris. Mangnyang gazed at the cave thoughtfully and said, “Inside here is the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate.”

“It’s a pity I’ve never been inside before.”

“True, last time was too urgent a matter.” Mangnyang murmured, sounding somewhat regretful. “But I believe we can accomplish everything in a single day.”

“I recall it took quite a bit of time when you went alone…”

“That was because I spent a long time coming from Jinrang Valley to the joint mountain and was lacking in both martial arts and techniques. Now that you’re here to whisk me away, a day should be enough.”

“Hmm, if you say so.”

We then entered the ruins cave. The cave had Tai Chi symbols etched all over, radiating a significant spirit energy. One thing for sure was that it didn’t feel evil, unlike when exploring ruins of the Otherworldly Race; instead, it felt charged with sacred power.

Whooo…

After a moment, Mangnyang’s expression shifted to concern. “Oh no! The formation is changing!”

He spoke hurriedly, “Baek Woong, use the Mind Control Technique to break that formation!”

“Got it!”

Bang!

As I swung the Water Element Divine Sword, the sound of a cave wall crumbling echoed. I continued smashing here and there as per Mangnyang’s directions for about an hour. Mangnyang, fatigued, finally said, “Phew… almost done.”

“Really?” Mangnyang wiped off the sweat pooling on his chin. “Breaking the formation wasn’t too difficult, but my lack of strength meant it took ages trying to do it the standard way. I must have endured much hardship while staying at this ruin. Now, with you breaking unnecessary parts with your strength, it seems we’re almost there.”

“……”

It seemed Mangnyang’s earlier confidence about obtaining the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate stemmed from extensive struggles.

Finally, as we completed the last formation break, an end to the lengthy cave maze appeared, revealing an exit. Walking towards the bright white exit, we found a scroll glowing with Divine Light hovering in the air. It seemed to radiate immense power at first glance.

“That’s the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate.” Mangnyang muttered before reaching out towards it without hesitation.

Shhhrrrrik!

The Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate changed shape upon Mangnyang’s touch, swirling as it was drawn into his fingertip. When it had entirely vanished, Mangnyang’s eyes widened as if struck by lightning.

After about a moment of being frozen, a crimson aura began to flow out from Mangnyang’s body. He filled his palm with the red energy and clenched his fists a few times, then broke into a radiant smile.

“Awesome! Now I am the owner of the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate.”

“That’s great!”

No kidding, Mangnyang’s spirit was remarkably elevated. When assessing a sorcerer’s level, one typically looks at the strength of their spiritual energy. Mangnyang’s energy, once indistinguishable from an ordinary person’s, had now become visibly powerful. For a martial artist, it was akin to gaining a fortuitous encounter that propelled them to peak expert status in an instant.

“We’ve stepped closer to our goal.” Mangnyang murmured, his eyes gleaming.

“Perfect timing. Right now, I’ll impart the Heavenly Secret Technique to you. After I teach it, it’ll align just right.”

“Heavenly Secret Technique?”

“It’s a secret art cataloged in the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate. And at this point, no Taoist Master or Immortal in this world knows it.”

Mangnyang beamed. “Should I say it’s a subpar version of the Self-Cultivation Feast? You can gain immense benefits from this!”

 

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