Immortal Paladin

071 Ironmoor City

071 Ironmoor City

The Floating Dragon hovered above the treetops, circling the outskirts of the city like a hawk sizing up its prey. From my vantage point on the deck, I got my first look at Ironmoor City. The name fit. The entire place looked like it had been hammered out of the earth itself—tall, grim stone walls reinforced with streaks of dark iron, squat buildings packed tightly together, and a web of narrow streets winding between them like cracks in a boulder. Smoke curled from dozens of chimneys, blending into the grayish haze that hung over the city. Even in the early morning, the streets bustled with movement.

Ren Xun stood near the control panel, eyes sharp as he scanned the horizon.

"Ironmoor City," he announced, hands resting on the wheel. "Originally a mining settlement, but it grew into a trade hub thanks to the iron veins running deep beneath it. The city’s got a reputation for being rough, but it's orderly enough. The local sect keeps a tight grip on things—Black Anvil Sect, known for their craftsmanship and, well, their tempers. They control the forges and set the prices on iron and steel. You want quality weapons, you go to Ironmoor."

He adjusted the ship's altitude, lowering us slightly. "The market district is right near the main gate, easy to spot from up here. Beyond that, you’ve got the Black Anvil Sect’s compound taking up a huge chunk of the city’s western quarter. There’s also an arena in the center—fighters from all over come here to test their skills, settle disputes, or just put on a show."

I leaned over the railing, watching the streets below. "Sounds lively."

Ren Xun snorted. "Lively is one word for it. Dangerous is another. If you know the right people, you can find almost anything here, but the Black Anvil Sect doesn’t take kindly to troublemakers. They don’t bother with formal trials. If you break their rules, you get exiled, beaten, or buried."

That was good to know. Not that I planned to cause trouble.

"So," I said, "where’s the best place to eat?"

Ren Xun gave me a flat look. "Senior, with all due respect, do you ever think about anything besides food?"

I grinned. "Of course. But food is still a top priority."

Lu Gao let out a chuckle. "There’s a famous tavern near the market called The Iron Kettle... or so I've heard. They serve Black Iron Stew—said to put hair on your chest and steel in your bones. Never tried it myself, but I hear it’s a favorite among the miners and blacksmiths."

I nodded approvingly. "Sounds promising."

Gu Jie, who had been silent until now, leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the streets below. "We should be careful," she said. "The Black Anvil Sect won't be the only power here. There are mercenary groups, rogue cultivators, and traders with too much greed and not enough sense in the world. I knew that for a fact. If we’re not careful, we might find ourselves entangled in something we don’t want to be part of."

Hei Mao looked uncertain. "So... should we go in disguised?"

Ren Xun smirked. "That depends. Do you want to cause a scene or slip in unnoticed?"

I clapped my hands together. "Let's get a closer look first. No need to rush in blind."

Ren Xun nodded and adjusted the controls.

Lu Gao whistled low as we approached Ironmoor walls. "I heard stories about this place, but damn... I didn’t think the walls would be this high."

He wasn’t wrong. The city was surrounded by an imposing black stone wall, easily five times my height, reinforced with dark iron plating at key points. The whole thing looked more like a fortress than a trade hub. Watchtowers loomed at even intervals, each manned by armed sentries, and beyond the walls, the city stretched out in a mess of squat, sturdy buildings packed tightly together.

Ren Xun was standing at the helm. He glanced back at us. "That’s because the city isn’t just protected by its walls. It’s policed by Black Clan cultivators. There is prestige to this city in a sense."

Gu Jie raised a brow. "Black Clan? And what’s their connection to the Black Anvil Sect?"

Ren Xun scoffed. "It’s in the name, isn’t it? Black Anvil Sect—Black Clan. The sect isn’t just a group of blacksmiths and fighters; they’re the Black Clan’s enforcers in this region or the closest thing to it. The two are practically one and the same."

That explained a lot. The iron grip on the city, the no-nonsense reputation, the fact that they didn’t tolerate troublemakers. It wasn’t just a sect throwing its weight around—it had the backing of an actual Imperial House.

I turned back to Ren Xun. "Have you been here before?"

"Twice," he admitted. "This is my third time."

I filed that away for later. Ren Xun had connections in more places than he let on. Well, he was the second son of an imperial prince, so I shouldn’t be too surprised.

Eventually, Ren Xun guided the Floating Dragon to a halt just outside the city walls. We weren’t the only ones with a flying vessel—several other floating boat-like artifacts were docked nearby, their hulls shimmering with defensive formations. Armed men and women stood guard around them. Some wore uniforms I didn’t recognize, but Ren Xun pointed out a few uniformed cultivators.

"The local militia," he said. "They help keep the peace, but only when it’s convenient."

Hei Mao, to his credit, didn’t even flinch. He simply returned the bow and said, "You’re doing good work. The city’s security is in capable hands."

The guards puffed up a little at the compliment, nodding in satisfaction.

“Just want to clarify something, but...” Ren Xun squinted at the city gates. "What's up with that? Why are they closed? Last time I was here, while the boat inspection was pretty much mandatory, I don’t remember the gates being closed in this time of the day.”

The leader of the guards straightened his back. "Ironmoor City is on high alert."

That immediately set off alarms in my head.

"A Demonic cultivator and a Buddhist fanatic have been stirring up trouble for the Abyssal Clans and some affiliated sects," the guard continued. "Until the situation is under control, all entrants need a permit in advance."

I exchanged a glance with Ren Xun. That was an odd combination—demonic cultivators and Buddhist fanatics weren’t exactly known for getting along. Even I knew that. But I wasn’t about to pry when the guards were already being cooperative.

The leader of the guards nodded reassuringly. "That said, we can expedite the process for you."

I had a strong suspicion that was thanks to Hei Mao’s presence.

"The boat has to remain outside," the guard added. "But with your permission, we can post a guard here."

Ren Xun cupped his fists and offered a respectful nod. "We appreciate the generosity."

One of the other guards produced a small, official-looking document and handed it to Ren Xun. "Just show this to the gate guards, and they'll let you through."

Simple enough.

The guards finally departed, one of them assuring us that they’d send someone to watch over the boat. Ren Xun handled the formalities rather competently. The kid might have been a self-proclaimed wastrel, but he knew how to work a situation.

Gu Jie turned to me. "Master, permission to investigate and arrange a room while we wait here?"

I nodded. "Go ahead."

Summoning Dave for backup wouldn’t hurt. I raised a hand and activated Summon: Holy Spirit. A golden light pulsed, and Dave materialized beside me, standing tall in his knightly armor.

"Dave, go with her," I instructed.

Gu Jie cupped her fists and bowed in my direction. "Understood."

Dave performed a knight’s salute, thumping his chest. "By your will, My Lord."

Gu Jie retrieved the permit from Ren Xun. "How long is this good for?" she asked.

Ren Xun shrugged. "The permit’s reusable within the day, so no problem there. You can come back and pick us up at your leisure."

"Good," I said. "While you’re at it, keep an ear out for any cultivators using black masks."

Hei Mao perked up. "I'll go too!"

I gave him a look. "No."

He deflated a little but didn’t argue.

Before she left, I added, "If there's an emergency, feel free to rely on Dave."

Gu Jie nodded. "Of course."

With that, she and Dave finally left for the city, disappearing past the gates.