Chapter 225: Nation of Mechanical Marvels (4)

Jang Woo-hyun was only able to return to the Roaring Thunder Fortress after the conversation with the Three Master Craftsmen and Cho-yul had concluded.

“We’ll meet again later. I’ll call for you once everything is ready.”

Since they couldn’t forge weapons immediately, it was decided that Jang Woo-hyun would be summoned again when everything was prepared and his presence was required. The Three Master Craftsmen and Cho-yul departed to make preparations.

Returning to where he had been before, Jang Woo-hyun descended from the Roaring Thunder Fortress. From the direction of the city, he saw members of the Annihilation Squad running toward him.

“What’s with them now?”

Mak Ya-wol looked at the approaching subordinates with dismay. Every single one of their actions seemed so frivolous.

“Captain!”

The martial artist at the front of the group shouted when he saw Jang Woo-hyun.

“Captain! Please give us some money!”

“We need money!”

The martial artists, who had used movement arts to approach quickly, stopped in front of Jang Woo-hyun.

“We need to buy weapons, but we don’t have any money.”

“That’s right! Please, give us some money.”

At their shameless demand for money, Seo Ryeom stepped forward.

“Hey, you bastards. You’re not vagabonds, so why the hell are you asking for money?”

“……”

“Are you mercenaries who fight for money? Did you deposit some cash with the Captain or something? You think the Captain’s a joke? Looks like I really need to teach you some manners.”

Seo Ryeom, clearly irritable from their earlier journey through the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, scolded the subordinates with a burst of anger.

His words were certainly reasonable. But they didn’t get through. The subordinates had already lost their minds after seeing the fine weapons in the city.

“We should at least be allowed to buy weapons!”

“That’s right! It’s not like we’re asking for luxuries. We just want weapons. Isn’t that fair?”

“If you had just saved the money you earned till now, you’d have had enough.”

“Save for what? We might die any day!”

“Exactly! Do you have any money saved up, big brother? Let’s see how much you’ve got!”

As Seo Ryeom raised his voice, the other martial artists began shouting as well.

The argument heated up until insults like “you bastard” and “that bastard” started flying. Before long, they drew their weapons and began brawling among themselves.

Despite the escalating chaos, Jang Woo-hyun didn’t pay much attention to the commotion. It was a familiar sight.

He simply regretted that he himself didn’t have anything to offer them.

“That’s enough.”

The one who stepped in to quiet things down was Cho-su.

“I said, enough.”

Cho-su spoke calmly. But no one listened.

“If you don’t quiet down, I’ll make sure none of you are allowed to buy anything.”

When his voice rose slightly, the brawling martial artists froze in place. After traveling together for a while, Cho-su had learned how to manage them.

“What is it you all need? Did you already pick what you want?”

The martial artists nodded their heads fervently.

“Cho bro, don’t listen to these fools. They’re probably just trying to buy useless junk.”

“Useless? What kind of martial artist calls their own weapon useless!”

“Seriously. What a weirdo.”

As the noise started to rise again, Cho-su quelled them with just a look.

“Got a plan?”

“There are still some materials left over from when we took over the Roaring Thunder Fortress. We also have some things from the Five Elements Cult. And there was some stuff inside the Spirit Treasure Pagoda we brought. These are all quality materials, so we can probably trade them for Dharma Treasures or weapons.”

“Oooh!”

The martial artists of the Annihilation Squad cheered quietly. Under Cho-su’s guidance, they headed back into the city.

The city had a similar yet entirely different impression compared to the other cities they had seen in the Central Heavens.

Automatic puppets.

Towers rising here and there.

These two features gave the city of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels a wholly unique atmosphere.

“Underneath those towers are solar furnaces. The towers themselves store solar power. And that energy is used to create things.”

Listening to Cho-su’s explanation, the group made their way toward the Craftsmen’s Street.

Though new people had entered the city, the residents of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels showed little reaction. They had already seen the Wind-Passing Great Sage earlier; mere humans no longer piqued their interest.

“Stand in front of the item you want. I’ll make the rounds and negotiate. Don’t expect to get everything, though. Some things you just won’t be able to get.”

“Yes!”

They answered in unison and scattered in different directions.

Not long after, Cho-su approached the martial artists standing in front of their desired items like eager children, and began negotiating with the sellers.

“Cho-su, isn’t it? I heard you were coming.”

Some of the sellers recognized Cho-su and offered slightly lower prices.

One by one, the martial artists began obtaining new weapons.

It was then.

A luxurious carriage approached Jang Woo-hyun, crossing the wide street. As expected of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, the carriage moved silently on its own.

Two citizens of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels sat in the coachman’s seat. They wore subtly glowing armor and were laden with unidentified weapons.

“Hmm.”

The aura emanating from the two made the nearby martial artists of the Annihilation Squad tense up.

‘Are their entire bodies equipped with Dharma Treasures?’

The power wasn’t coming from the martial artists themselves—it came from the Dharma Treasures adorning them. Just like when they had fought Myo Cheon-pung.

The energy from the Dharma Treasures was immense. Ordinary Annihilation Squad members wouldn’t stand a chance.

‘We’d need someone like Senior Maeng to handle them.’

Only someone of that level could fight those two.

“Are you the Cheonrin Sword Alliance?”

The larger of the two men addressed Jang Woo-hyun.

“Yes.”

“The King has summoned you. We ask that you accompany us.”

At the word “King,” Cho-su’s eyes widened.

The domineering tone also caused Mak Ya-wol, Seo Ryeom, and the rest of the Annihilation Squad to subtly move, gripping their weapons.

They didn’t even speak a word—but soon the squad had completely surrounded the carriage.

“If anyone moves further, there’ll be no weapons for them.”

As soon as Cho-su spoke, everyone who had been subtly shifting froze in place as if paralyzed.

Once he had stopped the Annihilation Squad from causing trouble, Cho-su approached the carriage.

“You’re saying the King summoned Woo-hyun?”

“Yes. He wishes to meet him in person. He doesn’t mean any harm—he simply wishes to talk. There’s no need to be so tense.”

‘Tense, my ass.’

Cho-su clicked his tongue inwardly at the envoy’s words. Did he know who he was standing in front of?

If Cho-su hadn’t intervened, the Annihilation Squad would’ve already attacked the two who dared look down on their Captain.

Perhaps sensing Cho-su’s thoughts, Jang Woo-hyun shook his head slightly at the group, indicating that it was alright. Only then did the martial artists release their grip on their weapons.

“What do you want to do?”

“I’ll go. I don’t think it’s anything serious. Cho-su, you stay here. I’ll go alone.”

“I’ll go too.”

“I’m coming as well.”

“So am I.”

Jin Ha-un, Mak Ya-wol—who had their own weapons—and Maeng Ye-ju—who didn’t use weapons—decided to follow Jang Woo-hyun.

“We’re not going to fight, so don’t worry. Finish up things here.”

“……”

Cho-su found the part about “not going to fight” particularly irritating. Jang Woo-hyun might be more normal than the Annihilation Squad martial artists, but in the bigger picture, there wasn’t much difference.

If things went wrong in a meeting with the King, an incident could easily occur.

Cho-su looked at Jin Ha-un, the most sensible one.

“Ha-un, you need to make sure the others don’t act up.”

“Huh? Y-yes.”

Understanding Cho-su’s intentions, Jin Ha-un nodded seriously. The four of them, including Jang Woo-hyun, climbed into the carriage.

“It’s incredibly extravagant.”

Jin Ha-un’s words echoed everyone’s sentiments.

The palace of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, befitting a nation of craftsmen, was the pinnacle of splendor.

Unknown jewels adorned the walls and ceilings, and every pillar was etched with intricate, complex patterns.

Even the puppets moving about the palace were ornate. Compared to the garments of the automatic puppet guiding them, Jang Woo-hyun’s group looked like they were wrapped in rags.

Following behind a dog-shaped automatic puppet walking on two legs, the four of them proceeded deeper into the palace and arrived at a large door.

On both sides of the door stood two people wearing armor similar to those who had brought Jang Woo-hyun’s group here.

As the man on the left gently stomped his foot, the door slid open with a soft sound. Inside, they encountered some unexpected people.

“Master Jang.”

“You’re here.”

Wind-Passing Great Sage and Seon Tae-gyeong, who had been the first to head to the city.

The two were seated in front of a massive table. Opposite them sat a white-haired citizen of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels.

As the four, including Jang Woo-hyun, stepped into the room, the man stood up from his seat.

“Welcome. I am Gwan Wi, the one who leads the Nation of Mechanical Marvels.”

Jang Woo-hyun received his greeting with a tense posture.

The aura he felt was ordinary. Weaker than any member of the Annihilation Squad.

Rather, the two standing outside, covered in various Dharma Treasures, were likely stronger.

However, the atmosphere he radiated was different from sheer strength.

Gwan Wi dominated the surroundings. Even with beings like the Great Monster of the Demonic Spirit Realm, Mak Ya-wol—formerly one of the Ten Elders of Radiant Light Sect and a powerhouse of Baekmu Society—present, the one with the greatest presence in the room was Gwan Wi.

‘The King of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels.’

A man worthy of the title “king.”

Even if encountered on the street by chance, one would instantly sense his uniqueness. It wasn’t about strength; his very existence was on another level.

Jang Woo-hyun, who habitually evaluated those around him, let out a slight chuckle.

The very fact that someone like him was standing so close to strangers implied he wasn’t ordinary.

‘He’s confident he can block any attack from anyone here.’

How he could do so, Jang Woo-hyun didn’t know. It might be Dharma Treasures or something else entirely. But Gwan Wi was confident enough to welcome them without guards.

Such composure and presence. He was truly a man befitting a king.

“Ah, greetings to the King. I mean, it’s an honor to have an audience.”

Overwhelmed by the atmosphere and presence, Jin Ha-un stammered.

“No need to be so formal. Though I am called King, I am merely the representative of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels.”

With a warm smile, he offered them seats. The group bowed and introduced themselves. Jang Woo-hyun also introduced himself and took a seat next to the Wind-Passing Great Sage.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just came to look for something.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Something. Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t cause any trouble.”

“I told you, I’m not fighting here.”

“You said they crafted a weapon for you, right? Then I suppose we’ve met before—whoever made it.”

“It wasn’t me who made the Great Sage’s weapon.”

“Huh?”

“It was crafted by the King before me.”

“Oh… it’s been a while then.”

Jang Woo-hyun nodded and turned to the Wind-Passing Great Sage again.

“Then why are you here?”

“Came because I needed something.”

“What is it that you need?”

As Jang Woo-hyun kept pressing, the Wind-Passing Great Sage poked Seon Tae-gyeong sitting next to him.

“I was looking for a Dharma Treasure to aid with recovery.”

In truth, he was trying to summon a new projection, but Seon Tae-gyeong covered it up.

“Oh right. If you get beaten up one more time, your projection will disappear.”

“Who got beaten? I won, okay?”

“Sure, you won. But you still got beaten up.”

Watching their bickering, Gwan Wi’s surprise grew. He had never imagined he’d see such behavior from the battle-crazed monkey monster.

Just as Jang Woo-hyun had been surprised by Gwan Wi, Gwan Wi was equally surprised by Jang Woo-hyun.

After a while of their back-and-forth, Jang Woo-hyun turned to Gwan Wi. Though he said nothing, his expression asked the question: why had he been called here?

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to thank you.”

As Gwan Wi slightly bowed his head toward him, the surprised Jang Woo-hyun also deeply bowed.

“I haven’t done anything worthy of such gratitude.”

“Thanks to you, those stubborn ones can now finally test their skills against each other. And you brought Divine True Steel as well.”

“That wasn’t me—it was all Lord Cho-yul’s doing.”

“But it all started because of you. I’m truly grateful. And there’s one thing I’d like to ask—will you answer honestly?”

Jang Woo-hyun nodded, indicating his agreement.

“Where did you obtain the Divine True Steel?”

In response to Gwan Wi’s question, Jang Woo-hyun told him about meeting Yang Jeon-gun in the Cultivator Realm and rescuing Lee Ahn, who had been captured.

“I received it as a reward for rescuing him—a man from the Bloodline Realm. Is there a problem?”

“Not exactly. It’s a rare item, so I just wanted to check if any complications might arise.”

“What kind of complications?”

“I was wondering if it might be related to beings from the Upper Realm.”

Jang Woo-hyun clearly denied that possibility.

“Then that’s fine. Do you know what Divine True Steel is?”

“I’ve heard it’s a mysterious metal.”

A divine metal, a fantastical metal—that was how Divine True Steel was known.

“It’s not an ordinary metal. In fact, it might not even qualify as a metal at all.”

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