Do Joon-soo's face grew somber as he turned back to Yi Ji-won. "Ji-won, there's something else you need to know," he said. "It's about your father."

Yi Ji-won tensed, sensing the gravity in his tone. "What is it? Is he alright?"

Do Joon-soo took a deep breath. "Alchemist Yi... he's been imprisoned. Wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit."

The color drained from Yi Ji-won's face. "Imprisoned? But... how? Why?" Her voice quavered, tears threatening to spill.

"I don't have all the answers yet," Do Joon-soo said. "But I swear to you, I'll uncover the truth. Your father is a good man. He doesn't deserve this injustice."

Yi Ji-won's shock gave way to determination, her jaw set as she met Do Joon-soo's gaze. "We'll clear his name," she said firmly. "Together."

Do Joon-soo nodded. "I won't rest until your father is free and his honor restored. That's a promise."

Do Joon-soo left Yi Ji-won to rest. She needs to recuperate if she plans to involve herself in this battle. The road would be treacherous and they need to consider all possible outcomes.

Meanwhile, Joo-won's brow furrowed as he paced the room. It’s quite funny how a 10-year old kid shoulder the weight of their predicament.

"We can't just stand by and watch the alchemy world crumble," he said.

Still, with his judgment and they way he acted, Do Joon-soo did not treat him like a kid, He nodded, his fingers drumming anxiously on the table.

"But what can we do? We're outnumbered, outgunned..."

Alchemist Joo cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "There might be another way," he said, his eyes glinting with a mixture of hope and caution. "The Underground Faction – the Hidden Path."

Do Joon-soo's head snapped up. "The black market folks? That's... risky."

"Sometimes the greatest risks yield the greatest rewards," Alchemist Joo mused, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. "If we could get them on our side...

They're not as powerful as the other factions," Alchemist Joo continued. "But they have... unique skills. And they understand the common people's struggles better than most. After all, most of them are banished members of the Elixir Society"

Do Joon-soo chewed his lip, weighing the options. "It's dangerous," he admitted. "But sitting back while the Poison Alchemists destroy everything? That's even worse."

Joo-won nodded. "Then it's settled. We reach out to the Hidden Path."

In the world of cultivation, where power could shift in the blink of an eye, sometimes the most unlikely alliances proved to be the strongest.

Do Joon-soo's brow furrowed as he absorbed Alchemist Joo's words. The Hidden Path could be a powerful ally, but aligning with the underworld came with its own risks.

Joo-won leaned forward, his eyes glinting like that of a curious kid. "Tell us more about these poison alchemists," he urged.

Alchemist Joo's voice dropped, as if afraid the very walls might be listening. "The Poison Alchemist faction is led by Alchemist Poong, but it's the 'Five Poisons' you really need to watch out for."

He ticked off names on his fingers, each one sending a chill down Do Joon-soo's spine:

"Alchemist Mang-Dok, master of snake venom. His concoctions can stop a man's heart in seconds."

"Geum-Bi, the spore specialist. One breath of her creations can melt your lungs from the inside out. But his real skills is through mind control"

"Lee Dok-Hwa, the plant poisoner. Even the most beautiful flower becomes deadly in his hands."

"Seok-Dok, who turns harmless rocks into poisonous weapons."

"And finally, Go Eun-Chong, the insect whisperer. Her poisons mimic the most vicious stings nature has to offer."

Do Joon-soo imagined the devastation these five could unleash. Yet, Alchemist Joo's final words caught him off guard:

"But here's the tricky part – they're not just destroyers. These poisons, in the right hands, can heal as well as harm. We might be able to convince one of them, given the right circumstances."

Joo-won's eyes gleamed with determination. "We need intel," he declared, pacing the room. "Every poison, every recipe, every secret these alchemists guard. We'll turn their own creations against them."

Do Joon-soo frowned, doubt creasing his brow. "But they're notoriously secretive. How can we possibly—"

A sly grin spread across Alchemist Joo's face. "That, my young friends, is where our shadowy allies come in. The Hidden Path has eyes and ears everywhere."

"And once we have that knowledge," Joo-won continued, excitement building in his voice, "we don't just counter their poisons – we improve them. Offer the masses with better alternatives."

Do Joon-soo nodded slowly. "We could sway public opinion..."

"Exactly," Alchemist Joo saidl. "Fight fire with fire – or in this case, poison with better poison."

…

The Hidden Path's secret tavern was a world unto itself, buried deep beneath the bustling streets of Yeongyak Do. As Joo-won and Do Joon-soo descended the creaky stairs, the air grew thick with the scent of stale ale.

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They found Hyeol-Ran at the bar, her single eye glinting dangerously in the flickering lamplight. Do Joon-soo stepped forward, his voice low but urgent as he laid out their predicament – Alchemist Yi's unjust imprisonment, the Poison Alchemists' iron grip on the city.

Hyeol-Ran's scarred face remained impassive. "Pretty words," she growled. "But if you fail, we're all finished in this town."

Do Joon-soo leaned in, his eyes blazing with determination. "We're offering you more than just survival," he countered. "Help us, and you'll have a seat at the table. No more skulking in shadows – a real voice in the Elixir Society."

The tavern fell silent, every eye fixed on Hyeol-Ran. She conferred briefly with her lieutenants, hushed whispers barely audible.

Finally, Hyeol-Ran turned back to them. "Fine," she said. "But we need proof you're not all talk. An alchemy battle – right here, right now. You win, you get our support."

Do Joon-soo and Joo-won exchanged glances. This was their chance, a high-stakes gamble with the fate of the city hanging in the balance. But after days of injecting qi in the body of Joo-won, Joon-soo is all spent. Joo-won understands that.

"We accept," Joo-won said, his young voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. This will be his very first battle.

The patrons of the tavern began clearing tables, creating a makeshift arena. As Hyeol-Ran's chosen champion stepped forward, cauldron in hand, Do Joon-soo felt a mixture of fear and exhilaration.

This was it – their first real test. Win or lose, after tonight, nothing would ever be the same.

The tavern's dim lighting seemed to pulse with anticipation as Joo-won stepped forward. His young face was set with determination, far beyond his age. "I'll represent us," he declared.

Hyeol-Ran's single eye narrowed, skepticism etched in every line of her scarred face. She turned to Do Joon-soo, voice dripping with doubt.

"You're staking everything on this... child?"

Do Joon-soo met her gaze unflinchingly. "I've seen what Joo-won can do," he said, pride evident in his tone. "He'll prove his worth, I guarantee it."

A ripple of murmurs swept through the gathered crowd as Hyeol-Ran laid out the challenge. Revival Pills – the lifeblood of mercenaries, prized for their miraculous healing properties. Three hours to create the highest quality batch possible.

He rolled up his sleeves, a fierce light kindling in his eyes.

The alchemy hall buzzed with energy as Joo-won and Hyeol-Ran took their places at opposite ends of the room. The judges, two weathered alchemists with eyes like hawks, settled in to watch the spectacle unfold.

Joo-won darted through the ingredient tables, his movements a blend of youthful energy and surprising precision. He snatched up oddly shaped herbs and glittering crystals with barely a second glance, as if following some internal recipe only he could see.

Hyeol-Ran's single eye narrowed as she observed her young opponent. There was something... off about his selections. Was this child truly skilled, or just fumbling in the dark?

With the grace of a seasoned alchemist, Hyeol-Ran glided between the tables. Her hands moved with practiced ease, selecting tried-and-true components for the Revival Pills. Blue crystals for stability, silver leaves for vitality, a rare purple mushroom to kickstart the healing process – each choice spoke of years of experience.

Yet as she worked, Hyeol-Ran couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. Joo-won's seemingly random selections belied a hidden purpose.

The hall fell into an uneasy quiet, broken only by the soft clink of tools and the bubbling of cauldrons. As steam began to rise from their workstations, both alchemists knew the true test was only beginning.

Joo-won's face was a mask of concentration, his young features set with a determination that seemed far beyond his years. Hyeol-Ran found herself wondering, not for the first time, just who this child truly was.

The alchemy hall crackled with energy as Joo-won and Hyeol-Ran began their battle in earnest. Joo-won's eyes danced across the ingredient table, lighting up as he spotted a rare herb nestled among the more common fare. With a fluid motion he snatched it up and tossed it into his bubbling cauldron.

His movements were a mesmerizing blur, each gesture precise yet somehow unpredictable. To the untrained eye, it might have looked like chaos, but there was an undeniable method to his madness.

Across the room, Hyeol-Ran was the picture of traditionalism. Her scarred hands moved with practiced efficiency, measuring each ingredient to the exact gram before adding it to her brew. Her single eye never wavered from her task, years of experience evident in every careful step.

Do Joon-soo watched from the sidelines with pride and concern etched on his face. He knew Joo-won was holding back, that the young alchemist was capable of far greater feats than what he was currently displaying. Yet even this restrained performance was enough to draw gasps of amazement from the Hidden Path members.

They marveled at Joo-won's apparent disregard for precise measurements, not realizing that his seemingly careless pinches and tosses were the result of countless hours of practice. Do Joon-soo alone understood Joo-won's skill – the ability to gauge ingredients by touch alone, a talent that took most alchemists a lifetime to master. Little did he know, Joo-won possessed alchemical abilities far more formidable than he had ever witnessed.

As steam rose from both cauldrons, filling the air with a kaleidoscope of scents, the contrast between the two alchemists couldn't have been starker. Hyeol-Ran, steady and methodical, versus Joo-won's controlled chaos.

The judges leaned forward, their eyes darting between the two competitors. It was clear that this battle would be anything but ordinary, and as the minutes ticked by, the tension in the room only continued to build.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Joo-won sent the flames beneath his cauldron roaring skyward. The sudden burst of heat hit the audience like a physical force, drawing gasps of awe and surprise. Sweat beaded on foreheads as the temperature in the room spiked.

Hyeol-Ran's single eye widened in shock, her own steady flame suddenly seeming pitiful in comparison. She gritted her teeth, pushing her own fire higher, but it was like trying to match a bonfire with a candle. Joo-won's control was otherworldly, as if the very elements bent to his will.

The two cauldrons became focal points of raw power. Joo-won's brew pulsed with golden light, waves of warmth radiating outward in mesmerizing patterns. His movements were fluid poetry, each gesture precise yet effortless. It was as if he danced with the very essence of alchemy itself.

In stark contrast, Hyeol-Ran's cauldron glowed a steady, subdued blue. Her motions were deliberate, each ingredient measured to the microgram, each stir of her ladle timed to perfection. There was beauty in her precision, a testament to years of hard-won skill.

The audience was transfixed, caught between these two wildly different approaches to the alchemist's art. Joo-won, the prodigy who seemed to defy the very laws of nature. Hyeol-Ran, the seasoned veteran, steady as bedrock.

Then, it was done…

As the judges examined the final products, their eyes widened in disbelief. Joo-won's Revival Pill gleamed with an otherworldly perfection – impurities all but nonexistent, its medicinal properties preserved at an astonishing 99%. It was a feat that bordered on the impossible, a pill that seemed to defy the very laws of alchemy.

Beside it, Hyeol-Ran's creation, impressive by any normal standard with its 80% concentration, suddenly seemed almost pedestrian. The verdict was clear, and the judges' announcement echoed through the stunned silence of the hall: Joo-won was the undisputed victor.

Hyeol-Ran accepted her defeat with unexpected grace. She turned to Do Joon-soo, her single eye glinting with newfound respect. "Your faction has our support," she declared, sealing an alliance that moments ago had seemed like a pipe dream.

They'd done it – secured an ally in their fight against the Poison Alchemists. The first piece of their audacious plan had fallen into place.

Hyeol-Ran approached Joo-won, a wry smile tugging at her scarred lips. "I'll admit, kid, I had my doubts. But you've proven me wrong in the most spectacular way possible. You have the skills that put every alchemists here to shame. Your teacher must be lucky to find an alchemist prodigy like you."

Joo-won ducked his head, a blush creeping up his neck. "I'm just glad I could help," he mumbled, unused to such praise.