Chapter Fifteen: The Iron Fury Mercenary Corps

Qingshi Town.

Nestled at the foot of Cloud Crystal Mountain, the town bustled with life every day. Tens of thousands gathered here—locals and outsiders alike. The abundance of resources in Cloud Crystal Mountain brought martial artists, both lone adventurers and teams, seeking to hunt demon beasts, gather medicinal herbs, or mine cloud crystals. Rumors whispered through the town that somewhere in the mountain lay the legacy of a formidable master.

“Brother Wang Guang, I heard you struck it rich two days ago?” Two men conversed along the lively main street.

“Heh, Brother Jia, a few friends and I teamed up to hunt demon beasts in Cloud Crystal Mountain. We stumbled upon a Black Wind Bear that had just given birth. We cleared out the bear’s den, sold the mother and cubs on Trade Street for a handsome sum. Enough for us to enjoy ourselves for a while,” Wang Guang said with pride.

The Black Wind Bear was a peak first-level demon beast, capable of growing to the ninth stage of the post-celestial realm. Its immense strength and tough hide made it a dangerous adversary, even for martial artists of the ninth stage.

Brother Jia’s eyes shone with envy.

A Black Wind Bear fresh from birthing was weakened, and Wang Guang and his friends, all at about the eighth stage, had lucked into an easy victory. The bear cubs, raised from youth, could eventually become ninth-stage powerhouses.

Trade Street was the most prosperous avenue in Qingshi Town, packed on both sides with crowds. Most people, after gaining something from Cloud Crystal Mountain, chose to set up stalls here, awaiting deals with passersby. Trade Street was unique—no fighting was allowed. Should anyone break this rule, the crowd would unite and drive them out, regardless of reason. This tradition had been upheld for generations.

It was said that two years ago, an innate-level master coveted an item on Trade Street but offered too low a price. When the owner refused, the master tried to take it by force and wounded the seller. Chaos ensued. With thousands present, the entire street turned on the master, beating him to a pulp and tossing him out of Qingshi Town.

A figure in a black robe, embroidered with the character “Iron” on his back, wandered Trade Street. He noticed someone selling Earth Rhino Horn and smiled—such fine material could yield a superb blade at the town’s weapon shop.

Just as he was about to approach, a hand rested on his shoulder. “Hu Xingfu, the captain has urgent business with you.”

“Yes, vice-captain.”

The newcomer wore identical attire, the character “Iron” emblazoned on his back. With those words, he turned and walked away.

Hu Xingfu, upon hearing it was the captain, shrank back—he clearly feared the man. He followed the vice-captain, leaving Trade Street.

Soon the two arrived at their destination.

Before them lay a clearing of several hundred square meters, encircled by copper firs unique to Cloud Crystal Mountain. Across the clearing stood a row of buildings.

Weapon racks lined the open space, displaying all manner of arms. At the center, a great flag billowed in the wind, bearing five bold characters: Iron Mad Mercenary Company.

“Vice-captain,” the two mercenaries at the gate greeted in unison.

“Thank you for your hard work, brothers.” The vice-captain nodded and entered the hall.

“Captain, Hu Xingfu is here,” he announced to the hall and stood aside.

At the head of the hall sat a fierce, burly man, a knife scar crossing his face. Bare-chested, his hair draped over his shoulders.

Seeing them, the captain stood abruptly, muscles rippling.

“Hu Xingfu, I sent you and Luo’er to investigate that matter. You’ve returned—why hasn’t Luo’er come back?” The captain’s voice was cold, the scar twisting as he spoke, making his face all the more terrifying.

“What? The young captain hasn’t returned? That can’t be.” Hu Xingfu was clearly surprised.

“What’s going on? Were you following Luo’er’s orders or mine? If you can’t explain, I’ll cut you down!” The captain’s fierce voice echoed through the hall.

“It happened like this. Yesterday, on our way back, the young captain and I spotted a boy training from afar. He said he wanted to toy with him and told me to return first. The boy seemed only to be at the sixth stage of the post-celestial realm—nothing for the young captain. So I left ahead,” Hu Xingfu, terrified by the captain’s threat, dropped to his knees and spilled the entire story.

“If Luo’er had dealt with the boy, he’d have returned to the company, especially with the matter of the treasure map. But a whole night has passed. Could something have happened?” the captain muttered.

He knew well what his son intended in “toying” with the boy—it wasn’t the first time. Since cultivating the “Venomous Silkworm Technique,” his son had ensnared many; all died, without exception. Iron Luo never targeted strong opponents.

“Hu Xingfu, you remember that place, right? Take ten men and find Luo’er. Bring him back at all costs,” the captain ordered, unsettled by the situation.

“Yes, yes, I remember—it’s by Cloud Crystal River. I’ll go now,” Hu Xingfu responded, as if granted amnesty.

This man was Iron Mad, captain of the Iron Mad Mercenary Company.

“Captain, according to Hu Xingfu, the boy was only at the sixth stage. With the young master’s skill and the Venomous Silkworm Technique, surely nothing could have gone wrong?” After Hu Xingfu left, the vice-captain hesitated.

“Zheng Qi, I agree, but for some reason, my right eye has been twitching since last night,” Iron Mad said, uneasy.

“If I weren’t worried about attracting too much attention from the Flying Tiger Mercenary Company, I’d go myself. No need for all this trouble.” Mentioning Flying Tiger, Iron Mad unconsciously covered the scar on his face.

Qingshi Town was home to two major mercenary companies: Iron Mad and Flying Tiger. Many newcomers to town, unwilling to take risks alone, hired one or the other to venture into the mountain.

The two companies had clashed often over business and profits in recent years.

The scar on Iron Mad’s face was from a duel with Li Hu, captain of Flying Tiger, who nearly killed him with his great sword.

“Hmph, once I find the treasure, it’ll be Li Hu’s death day. The ancestors said that treasure was forbidden, but I don’t believe it,” Iron Mad scoffed at the family warning.

Their Iron family had once served as retainers to a powerful Earth King, a figure renowned even among Earth Kings. The Earth King practiced an advanced body-forging art; the Iron family’s “Iron Armor Art” was inspired by that technique and gifted to their forebear.

Legend said the Earth King, upon death, left all his treasures hidden in Cloud Crystal Mountain. The Iron family never knew the location—only a map remained, with a warning not to pursue the legacy.

“Fools. Once I obtain the Earth King’s inheritance, I’ll rule Qingshi Town. Li Hu? He’ll be nothing!” Iron Mad’s eyes blazed with crimson excitement.

Dreaming of gaining the Earth King’s legacy, his cultivation soaring, annihilating Flying Tiger, and unifying Qingshi Town, Iron Mad burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahahaha!”

His laughter echoed through the Iron Mad Mercenary Company.

The two mercenaries at the gate exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain what had amused their captain.

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