If you were to name one of the most dangerous places in Zhongyuan, the Hidden Mountain Valleys (Simsan Yugok) would undoubtedly make the list.

Why would a mountain be dangerous, you ask?

Some might point to demonic beasts as the reason.

And they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Occasionally, beasts that have cultivated for centuries to achieve lofty realms emerge from deep within the mountains.

But that’s not the main reason.

The most significant reason is the hidden masters.

These are eccentric experts who have retreated into the mountains to escape the worldly dust of human affairs.

While some of these recluses are merely mid-level masters at the apex stage, intoxicated by the aesthetic of seclusion, the real issue arises with transcendent (chujeoljeong) or even heavenly (hwagyeong) martial artists who shut themselves away for self-imposed isolation.

Rumor has it that there are more hwagyeong martial artists in seclusion in the mountains than actively roaming the martial world.

This claim isn’t without basis.

In truth, the deep mountains are home to a considerable number of hwagyeong martial artists devoted solely to their martial path, seeking divine enlightenment.

Most of these individuals place no value on human society, leading to drastically different worldviews. Encounters with them can often be life-threatening.

Another danger lies in the secret organizations.

Neither orthodox (jeong), unorthodox (sa), nor demonic (ma), these are groups that don’t fit neatly into the larger categories of the martial world.

However, facing them alone would quickly dispel any notion of them being insignificant.

Among these infamous groups is the Blood Cult (Hyeolgyeo).

A group of madmen obsessed with summoning their deity into the mortal realm.

In the past, they came dangerously close to succeeding. It took the combined efforts of the orthodox and unorthodox factions to utterly destroy them. (The demonic sects didn’t even bother to interfere.)

Their god’s descent would have annihilated hwagyeong and transcendent martial artists alike, making their unity inevitable.

The sheer height of the barrier that is the heavenly realm (hyeongyeong) added urgency to their efforts.

A god roaming freely in the mortal world was no trivial matter.

This was the first time in the history of Zhongyuan that hwagyeong masters from the orthodox and unorthodox factions joined forces—a fact requiring no further explanation.

In the Depths of the Hidden Mountain Valleys

In one such hidden valley, a man listened to the whispers of birds.

"So... you're saying traces of divine blood remain…."

The man entered a shabby structure.

Inside, he placed his hand on a crystal orb—a foreign device from the Western world—and relayed the news to his allies.

"The heir to divine blood still exists?"
"Yes. They say it’s a descendant of the Divine Sword Golden Family."
"What will we do? Remaining in Henan is far too risky."
"But we cannot leave the divine blood unchecked. What’s the plan?"
"Isn’t that why I’ve called this meeting?"

Silence filled the room.

Eventually, a gruff voice emerged from the crystal orb.

"I’ll go."
"You? Even for you, Henan is…"
"I’m not a fool. I’ll strike when they leave Henan."
"How about we gather more information before deciding?"

The man shared the details he’d learned from the birds—information about the heir to divine blood and those around them.

"The Fist King (Kwon Wang) Pae Jin-gwang? That old man is still alive?"
"They say his muscles have overcome aging. Incredible. Truly no ordinary man."
"Enough."

A voice interrupted from the orb.

"The Fist King and the Boundless Ocean. And this Jin Gi-jae-cheon?"
"He’s said to be the successor of the Divine Sword Golden Family."
"Does he use the Hwangwoon Divine Sword?"
"They say he’s a master of Qi Gong techniques."
"Qi Gong?"

The gruff voice scoffed.

"Perfect. That one isn’t worth worrying about."
"Carelessness invites danger. Remember Corpse Blood Floods the Sky (Si Hyeol Man Cheon)."
"Qi Gong is powerless against a higher level of Qi Gong. You know this."
"Fair enough."

Si Hyeol Man Cheon was a hwagyeong master. No matter how much fame Jin Gi-jae-cheon had recently gained, he would be powerless before a hwagyeong expert.

"Do you need reinforcements?"
"Nonsense. A few subordinates will suffice for such people."
"Above all, ensure there are no traces left."
"Naturally. That goes without saying."

A cold laugh echoed from the orb.

"It’s been a while since I’ve had a good warm-up."

 

Meanwhile, Elsewhere

"Why is my ear so itchy?"

Seo-jun scratched at his ear, earning a mocking laugh from Chun-bong, who was practicing her swordplay beside him.

"You must have plenty of people badmouthing you."
"Do I?"
"Probably?"
"Hmm."

Seo-jun was conducting an intensive crash course for Chun-bong and Namgung Su-a in preparation for the Yongbong Gathering.

The course focused on strategies for countering specific opponents.

For example, if they were to face Hye-un of Shaolin, Seo-jun would simulate the unique essence of Shaolin’s martial arts to prepare them in advance.

"Isn’t this cheating?" Chun-bong asked.

Seo-jun wagged his finger.

"No, it’s the privilege of having a capable older brother. The others are probably doing something similar."

The late-stage disciples of the Sixteen Great Houses received numerous advantages.

From birth, they were raised on carefully selected diets, consumed rare elixirs, and followed meticulously crafted training regimens, with direct guidance from their sect’s masters.

Their starting line was fundamentally different.

For martial artists from smaller sects, keeping up with them was almost impossible.

Among the top eight contestants, if there were any non-Sixteen Great House disciples…

"Yang So-hong."

That one person might be the exception.

The rest seemed content just making it to the Round of 16.

"Alright, so we now have six confirmed contestants in the top eight."

Chun-bong, Namgung Su-a, Hwang Bo-hyeji, Hye-un, and the winners of today’s duels, Jegal Hwi and Un Baek.

"Who do you think will be the toughest to face?"

Both Chun-bong and Namgung Su-a answered without hesitation.

"The Jegal Family, right?"
"Yeah, I think it’s the Jegal Family too."

"Exactly. Not necessarily the strongest, but definitely the most troublesome to deal with."

The reason was simple: unfamiliarity.

Hwang Bo-hyeji, Hye-un, and Un Baek all relied on traditional forms of fists and swords. Following their usual methods would suffice to counter them.

While knowing their techniques provided an edge, the outcome would still primarily depend on fundamental skill.

But Jegal Hwi was different.

"From what I’ve seen, he combines spell techniques with formations. It’s a real pain."

Seo-jun spoke from experience—not from facing it but from using it himself.

"And if you exhaust yourself breaking through that, then there’s the iron fan (Cheol Seon) to contend with."

The Jegal Family, renowned as the Ingenious Jegal (Shingi Jegal), was famous for its brilliance, but their martial techniques were equally formidable.

There was one certainty, though.

In a straightforward martial contest, Jegal Hwi stood no chance against Chun-bong or Namgung Su-a.

And so, the solution was simple.

"Come at me. I’ll only use spells and formations."

Jegal Seo-jun was ready.

 

Chun-bong stared blankly at the breathtaking display before her.

Wasn’t this sorcery based on the Five Elements? It truly lived up to its name.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.

The Five Elements filled the expansive space, swirling in a chaotic storm.

"What... is this?"

She knew Seo-jun was strong, but this was beyond her expectations.

"Come on, come on. I promise I won’t hurt you."

Seo-jun sat cross-legged in midair, his fingers casually flicking to weave spell after spell.

Chun-bong hesitated, her instincts screaming that charging in was pure madness.

"…Sister?"

Her eyes sought Namgung Su-a’s opinion. Su-a nodded decisively.

"Got it."

Got what?

Before Chun-bong could ask, Namgung Su-a leapt forward.

Kicking off the ground, she swung her greatsword in a massive arc.

Rumble! The lightning-infused blade shot toward Seo-jun, who watched calmly, even as Su-a followed up with another attack.

"Such obvious moves won’t work against a sorcerer."

Seo-jun extended his finger, pointing at the bolt of lightning. With a circular motion of his hand, the lightning followed suit, forming a ring.

Crackle—!

Su-a’s expression hardened as the lightning coalesced into a sphere that shot back at her.

Boom!

She narrowly dodged, glaring at Seo-jun with a look of frustration.

"You said you were only using the Five Elements…."
"Lightning counts as part of the Five Elements. It’s under Wood."

Seo-jun chuckled, turning his gaze to Chun-bong.

"Why are you just standing there, Chun-bong?"
"Not even Jegal Hwi’s grandfather could pull this off."
"For all you know, his grandfather might be hwagyeong."
"Ah, fair enough."

Feigning understanding, Chun-bong suddenly charged.

"Hyaaah…!"

Her form became wind itself, her feet pounding against the ground as she leapt high, aiming directly for Seo-jun.

"Careful of the formation," Seo-jun warned.

The moment Chun-bong’s feet touched the ground, a burst of radiant light erupted from where she had stepped.

To the east, Wood; to the west, Metal; to the north, Water; to the south, Fire.

At the center, her footprint completed the cycle with Earth, activating the Five Elements Formation.

"Ugh…!"

Twisting midair, Chun-bong swiftly swung her sword.

Swish!

Seo-jun had an annoying habit of treating the Hwangwoon Divine Sword as if it were a Qi Gong technique, but in truth, the Divine Sword Golden Family valued the logic of the blade above all else.

For the Golden Family, there was nothing their sword could not cut.

Slice—!

As Chun-bong predicted, the formation shattered instantly.

"Oh."

Seo-jun admired her work.

"But what about the follow-up?"

The Five Elements Formation had been prepared in advance, leaving time for Seo-jun’s Wood-based sorcery to ensnare Chun-bong.

"Oh, come on—!"

Roots burst from the ground, capturing Chun-bong and launching her skyward.

"Aaaahhhhh…!!"

Her scream echoed faintly as Seo-jun grinned at Namgung Su-a.

"Sister, want to give it a try? I can toss you up next."
"Hmm… I’ll pass, thanks."

Suddenly, Chun-bong’s distant scream grew louder again. Seo-jun stretched out his arms and caught her neatly as she plummeted back into his embrace.

"Alright, Chun-bong! Next is the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation!"
"The hell it is! Stop messing around!"

With a flurry of movements, Chun-bong broke free from Seo-jun’s grasp, executing a graceful somersault and landing a rapid series of kicks.

"Ow—! Why are you hitting me? You love this kind of stuff!"
"It’s fun…—was fun. Yeah."

In truth, being tossed into the air had been kind of fun.

But that didn’t change anything.

"You fight like a total jerk!"

Seo-jun’s infuriatingly underhanded combat style made her want to give him a good beating.