The Black Flame Dragon Playing with the Dragon and Phoenix (2)
In my past life, my dream was to enter the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
The honor of being a gathering of the greatest talents of the era, the responsibility of punishing those who committed evil deeds, and even the reverence they received from men and women of all ages.
Before we learned reality, the dream of every child of the Taeul Sect, including me, was to belong to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
After training ended, we would gather in small groups and play Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
The boys would take the role of dragons, and the girls would take the role of phoenixes, nurturing our dreams.
When I heard they were coming, I tossed and turned in bed for a week, and carefully kept the paper for receiving their seals so it would not crumple.
But contrary to my expectations, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering that visited at that time threw the Taeul Sect into a pit of despair.
I do not know what he was thinking.
Hwa Jeongsan, the Divine Plum Blossom Sword of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
That swordsman, whom I liked the most, asked the sect leader for instruction, and the sect leader, unable to receive fifty techniques from a young talent twenty years younger than him, eventually overexerted himself and fell into qi deviation.
“Tsk, even if you remain in the One Hundred Eight Peaks, you will not be of much help.”
That was what Hwa Jeongsan said while looking at Hong Mungi, who was vomiting blood from internal injuries.
He miraculously survived, but Hong Mungi, who had lost all his internal energy, could no longer move around as he had before.
Hong Mungi entrusted internal affairs to Jin Taesan and external affairs to Gye Cheolyeong, who had been at the Martial Academy at the time.
Gye Cheolyeong brought all the Taeul Sect disciples, who had not even fully matured yet, to the Murim Alliance and used them like his servants.
“Even thinking back on it now, it was like hell.”
I cannot say it is the same as my past life.
Starting with Gye Cheolyeong, the Taeul Sect had already changed.
But even so, if their attitude was the same as in my past life, I had no intention of leaving even the slightest respect I once held for the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
“At this speed, I will have enough time.”
Instead of riding a horse, I was running by unfolding the World-Solitary Divine Movement.
If I rode a horse, I would have to follow the road, but if I unfolded the World-Solitary Divine Movement, I could run in a straight line and reduce the time.
As I was running so fast that the fierce wind struck my ears.
I heard a scream from far away.
“Hm?”
[Is anyone there! Please save me.]
It was the voice of a woman who seemed injured.
The distance was quite far, but with the World-Solitary Divine Movement, I still had time, so I immediately changed direction.
#
Men and women of all kinds were leaving Hefei.
Their clothes and weapons revealed their individual personalities.
In a way, they could have looked like children of a noble family traveling, but at their waists, they each wore something that looked like a weapon, such as swords and prayer beads.
They were a peculiar group whose only common trait could be called their outstanding appearance.
“What a shame. When it comes to Hefei, it should be the Iron Sword Sect.”
A man wearing a martial uniform harmonized in black and white spoke while smacking his lips.
“Why did the Taeul Sect have to be selected for inspection?”
Originally, they had been planning to receive lavish hospitality from the Iron Sword Sect and move on to the next province.
But the order that had come down urgently from the alliance stated that they were to “inspect” the Taeul Sect, one of the One Hundred Eight Peaks.
A man wearing monk robes stiffened his expression and said.
“This is not good for the Taeul Sect either.”
If an “audit” mission was merely a matter of showing their faces and further strengthening the bond between the Murim Alliance and the One Hundred Eight Peaks, then an “inspection” required them to coldly evaluate whether a sect of the One Hundred Eight Peaks had the qualifications.
This randomly assigned “inspection” mission was ultimately an important matter that determined whether to exclude those who had been allies from the One Hundred Eight Peaks.
“The Taeul Sect’s reputation has improved recently. Why are they going out of their way to ‘inspect’ them?”
A beauty in white fur clothes asked from behind.
“It is probably because of that reputation.”
The man in the black-and-white martial uniform seemed pleased that the beauty had spoken to him, and he spoke with a deep smile on his lips.
“They took the great-grandmaster’s sacred relic from the Iron Sword Sect and saved the precious daughter of the Wang Family Estate, did they not? Moreover, recently, there was even a rumor that they saved people at Maling Plateau. Is our Dragon-Phoenix Gathering not being criticized because of that right now?”
To be precise, Yong Soa was being criticized, but considering that Yong Soa was the symbolic figure of the current generation of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, it was not pleasant to be devalued together with him.
“That is probably why the Murim Alliance is telling us to inspect them. Was it not thanks to the lie about the Taeul Sword Emperor that they entered the One Hundred Eight Peaks in the first place?”
“What does that mean?”
“For example, as the Iron Sword Sect grew frighteningly, the Taeul Sect, feeling a sense of crisis, might be spreading lies again like before…….”
“That is nonsense.”
“I said, for example. For example.”
“Then I will conduct this evaluation.”
At the words of the beauty in white fur clothes, the brow of the man in the black-and-white martial uniform furrowed slightly.
“What do you mean? We agreed that I would handle this kind of thing.”
“Young Master Hwa, your methods are too cruel. An ‘inspection’ may be a mission, so that can be helped, but you should not leave injuries on the opponent.”
“……What do you mean? If anything, I try to go easy.”
“Do you think I do not know that you deliberately lure the opponent to draw them out to their limit?”
The man called Young Master Hwa gave an awkward smile.
“But if I do not do that, I cannot know the opponent’s ability, can I?”
Young Master Hwa turned a gaze toward the man in monk robes, asking for help.
Since Yong Soa was absent now, that man was practically the leader of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
“……I also think it is right for Hwa Jeongsan to step forward.”
“What do you mean…… It is not as if it is decided.”
“The Murim Alliance contacted us. They told us to let Hwa Jeongsan evaluate them.”
The beauty in fur clothes looked back and forth between Hwa Jeongsan and the man in monk robes with complicated eyes.
Yong Soa and Hwa Jeongsan were close friends, and the man in monk robes did not have a short connection with them either.
There was surely something she did not know, but when the man in monk robes even brought up the Murim Alliance, the beauty in fur clothes could no longer insist on her opinion.
“Understood.”
And at that moment, she saw Hwa Jeongsan and the man in monk robes exchange meaningful glances.
#
“Damn it…….”
The road back to my sect was not as smooth as expected.
“Seriously, I cannot exactly run while blocking my ears and eyes.”
I already knew that as my internal energy rose and I underwent transformation through the Mita Divine Water, my five senses had improved.
But after gaining enlightenment, the problem was that their range had become much wider than before.
No matter how far away the sound came from, I could hear it clearly, and as I ran as if flying from high places, the world seemed to enter my sight all at once.
First, I saved a woman who had fallen from a cliff, and second, I saved an herbalist being chased by a wild beast.
The third was a man whose leg had broken after being pinned under a horse, and the fourth was a child who had almost drowned while playing in a valley.
“At this rate…….”
No matter how fast the World-Solitary Divine Movement was, I might not arrive on time if this continued.
But I could not simply ignore people dying right before my eyes and pass by.
“This will not do. I need to run as fast as possible.”
Just as I was about to increase my speed, thinking that if I buried myself in the sound of the wind, I might not hear voices calling for help.
[P-Please do not do this! We already gave you everything we had!]
I heard the voice of a young man.
I tried not to, but my head turned on its own, and when I focused my eyes, I saw a young man and an old man being oppressed by bandits.
“Haa…….”
My feet immediately headed toward the place where the young man’s voice had come from.
Without even having time to grasp the situation, I used Thousand-Jin Drop in midair and landed on the ground.
Thud.
Clods of dirt scattered in all directions, and silence briefly settled over the scene.
On one side were, as expected, a young man around my age and an old man.
On the other side were bandits holding swords and axes.
“Who are you!”
Even at my sudden intrusion, the bandits did not look surprised.
I had thought that a method like Thousand-Jin Drop would be enough to make clumsy bandits flee as if their tails had caught fire, but my prediction was completely wrong.
“I am Jin Sowoon of the Taeul Sect. Are you bandits?”
“We are from Red Mountain Stronghold……”
“I understand. Could you perhaps just let them go? I am rather busy, you see.”
“I have not finished speaking yet!”
Just as I thought this could no longer be resolved with words and was about to tell the old man and young man to step back.
The young man’s standing posture, habits, and gait reminded me of someone in my memory.
‘Moyong Jaehwa?’
He was Moyong Jaehwa, the son of Moyong Sangwon whom I had met not long ago, and Moyong Seol’s younger brother.
When I quietly examined the area around his neck, there was a subtle difference in skin tone.
He was wearing a human-skin mask to hide his identity.
‘What is this?’
Moyong Jaehwa had also learned martial arts since childhood, yet all his acupoints were blocked.
I turned my head to the side and saw that the old man was also wearing a human-skin mask, and the energy he was concealing was far from ordinary.
Moreover, when my gaze touched him, he briefly showed one of his habits, and that appearance also belonged to someone in my memory.
Wind Earl Breaking Sword.
Moyong Gang.
A supreme expert who competed for the top rank as a swordsman together with the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.
“No…… What is this…….”
Just as I was about to speak, the bandits attacked from behind.
I immediately unfolded Lotus Flower, slammed two bandits onto the ground, and struck away an axe with the Small Heaven Sword Art.
“You are…… all right, are you not?”
I asked an odd question, but Moyong Jaehwa once again understood that odd question correctly.
“Thank you. We almost suffered something terrible.”
Moyong Jaehwa’s face was filled with fear, as if he had truly experienced death.
On the other hand, a bit of mischief began to appear on Wind Earl Breaking Sword’s face.
‘I heard that even in his younger years, he was called an eccentric hero…….’
Perhaps he was wandering the murim world with his grandson and pretending not to know martial arts.
While the bandits were hesitating because of my single move, I spoke to the two of them.
“I…… may leave now, correct?”
“Pardon?! What do you mean!”
“…….”
Wind Earl Breaking Sword was someone rather serious about pranks, and I had heard that he could be quite ill-tempered toward those who interfered with his pranks.
At that moment, Moyong Gang quickly lay flat on the ground.
“P-Please save us, great hero! Even if not me, please save my grandson at least.”
“…….”
The way he lay flat and bowed while trembling made him seem truly afraid of the bandits.
‘If I leave like this, will he throw a tantrum?’
There was no need to leave future trouble behind.
I decided to play along with his act and deal with the bandits as quickly as possible.
“All of you, leave. They are not opponents you can handle.”
I subtly hinted at Moyong Gang’s existence, but the bandit bastards, who had spent their whole lives living by the blade, did not understand.
“This damned brat! He has a decent move!”
“Boys! Kill him!”
“Strike!”
“Waaa!”
Thirty people swarmed in without warning.
Without delay, I stepped with the Taeul Eight Myriad Divine Steps and moved freely among them, swinging the Black Dragon Sword.
The bandits returned to their original places after only three breaths, seemingly unaware of what had happened to them.
“Heek!”
“Ugh!”
“What is this!”
At the same time, the waistbands of their pants were cut, and their pants fell down.
“The next thing to be cut will be a little below the waistband. Will you continue?”
The bandits each instinctively grabbed their groins.
They began running away as fast as their legs could carry them.
When I sheathed the Black Dragon Sword, Moyong Gang approached from behind.
“Huhuhu. Great hero, thank you so much! How could I ever repay this grace?”
“……How did you come this deep into the mountains?”
“Ah, I came here to teach my grandson how to become an herbalist.”
“……Ha, haha.”
His bent back, shabby clothes, and the basket strapped to his back.
Seeing him look exactly like an herbalist, I could feel that he was genuinely enjoying the prank.
“……I see. Then I will be going now…….”
“My lord!”
As I tried to leave quickly, Moyong Gang grabbed the hem of my pants.
“W-Why are you doing this?”
“In truth, one of this lowly one’s lifelong wishes was to visit the Taeul Sect. Since meeting like this is also fate, may I not go together with you to the Taeul Sect?”
“……It is not as if the Taeul Sect is Shaolin Temple. Why would visiting it be your lifelong wish?”
I clicked my tongue at his absurd words, but he still continued with an earnest expression.
“After hearing the fame of the Taeul Sect, which has recently shaken the world, I resolved that I must visit it. If this old man went alone, how could I enter the Taeul Sect? Could you please accompany me, my lord?”
“……I am in a bit of a hurry right now, so I will tell the Taeul Sect in advance. Please visit with your grandson whenever you wish.”
“No, my lord! Meeting like this is also fate! I must visit this time.”
The words, “What kind of herbalist in the world forces things this much on a warrior who has learned martial arts!” rose all the way to my throat, but I could not bring myself to say them.
“G-Grandfather, please stop. The warrior is troubled.”
Moyong Jaehwa’s neck turned red from embarrassment.
Originally, his face should have reddened as well, but that could not be seen because of the human-skin mask.
“Stay quiet! Do you think you will ever meet such an excellent warrior again in your lifetime? If not now, there will be no chance.”
When he showed no sign of backing down at all, I eventually gave up.
“Understood. Let us go together. I am asking just in case, but you are not practicing a lightness skill, correct?”
“…….”
“……Haha, what are you saying to an herbalist who has lived his whole life in the mountains?”
“Understood. Then I will carry the two of you on my back.”
Moyong Gang waved his hands in refusal.
“Oh my, that will not do. In truth, I get motion sickness from lightness skills, so if we run quickly, I will not be able to keep my senses.”
“…….”
Moyong Jaehwa was looking at his grandfather as if looking at a madman.
“……Then are you saying we should walk?”
“It seems we have no choice…….”
“That will not do. I am sorry, but I must go first. I have urgent business.”
If we walked, I really would be late.
“……However, I think I could ride a horse.”
“…….”
“Of course, if my lord provides the horses…… that is.”
I was slowly getting irritated.
The respected elder of my sect was in danger of falling into qi deviation right before my eyes, yet this man was being this reckless just to continue some eccentric act.
I tilted my head and said.
“How strange.”
“What is?”
“How someone who only digs herbs in the mountains can be this stubborn toward a warrior.”
“Ahem! W-What do you mean? When did this old man ever act stubborn…… haha.”
“I suppose so. To act stubborn toward a warrior like me, one would need to be at least a renowned elder of the murim world. There is no way a shabby and obstinate old man like you could be such an impressive figure.”
“Ahem! Shabby and obstinate? I think your words are a little harsh.”
I did not know why he was acting eccentrically, but most people who liked eccentric acts staked everything on their eccentricity.
If it was an eccentric hero of Moyong Gang’s level, he would not stop this act unless a blade was at his throat.
In short, it meant this was the only time I could be safe even if I kept sticking my head in and out of a tiger’s mouth.
“Were my words harsh?”
“A little, I think.”
“Haha. For you to criticize a prideful warrior like me. If you keep that up, you might taste the fist of a warrior who crosses mountains and rivers.”
“Ahem…….”
Moyong Gang’s face gradually began to distort.
Feeling as if I were repeatedly sticking my head in and out of a tiger’s mouth, I continued speaking.
“Let us do this. First, we will go to the nearest horse ranch using my lightness skill, and from there, we will ride horses to the Taeul Sect together. You can endure that much, correct?”
“……Ahem. If that is the only way, what power does this old man have?”
Moyong Gang nodded.
Suddenly, I became curious what name he used when doing eccentric acts like this.
“May I ask your name?”
“Ah! I am Gang of the Yong family. That boy is Jaehwa.”
“Ah…… of course.”
I could not tell which part of this eccentric act he was being sincere about.
#
“They are coming!”
All the disciples of the Taeul Sect gathered in the main yard.
The hall masters and elders had gathered for the guests from the Murim Alliance, and the children, who had not even been called, had gathered with their friends to watch the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
“Everyone, take your places!”
When Jin Taesan controlled the children running around, the young disciples moved busily and began splitting to both sides, and because of that, sand dust rose thickly from the entrance to Daehyeon Hall.
‘Damn, I should have sprinkled some water.’
Perhaps it was inevitable that no matter how much one prepared for the visit of such important guests, it still felt insufficient, and Jin Taesan shook his head.
While everyone’s gaze was directed toward the main gate through the pale dust.
A group of men and women were stepping through the gate of the Taeul Sect.
And at that moment, Jin Taesan unknowingly drew up his internal energy.
‘Hm?’
An unprecedented massive force began to spread heavily across the main yard.
Step, step, step.
Each time the group of men and women advanced one step, the sand dust that had been scattering wildly in all directions began sinking softly to the ground, as if pressed down by something.
This was an advanced method using internal energy.
At the mystical sight, the young disciples let out small exclamations.
“Wow…….”
On the other hand, the brows of the hall masters and elders began to furrow like Jin Taesan’s.
Those who crossed the gate carrying swords were scattering internal energy in all directions.
This was because it was not the etiquette of the murim world.
Pressing the sand down with true energy certainly boasted an excellent visual effect, but it was also an action more than enough to intimidate the other party.
Even leaving aside the qualification of visiting as guests, it was not something to do before elders whose standing in the murim world was far higher than theirs.
Around the time they approached Daehyeon Hall.
All the sand dust flying through the Taeul Sect had settled, and in the middle of it stood men and women with the bearing of dragons and phoenixes.
The man in monk robes standing at the front clasped his fists and greeted them.
“This junior of the murim, Ilmyeong of Shaolin, greets the sect leader of the Taeul Sect. Have you been well since we last met?”
With Ilmyeong at the lead, the dragons all clasped their fists at once.
Hwa Jeongsan, Divine New Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua.
Jong Byeokgi, Flying Cloud New Wind of Diancang.
So Jeho, Clear Wind Bright Sword of Qingcheng.
Ak Buksan, Heavy Spear True Man of the Ak Family.
Behind them, the phoenixes calmly lowered their heads.
The gazes of the young men of the Taeul Sect all turned toward them at once.
Their appearance made it feel as if spring had come to the Taeul Sect, carrying a rich floral fragrance.
The woman in a red palace dress with especially red lips and strange eyes was Seo Saryeong, Soul-Seducing Xishi, the second seat of the Four Phoenixes, and the peerless beauty in blue clothes right beside her was Hwangbo Yeon, Jade-Faced Little Smile, whose small smile was said to make even an enlightened Daoist return.
Beside her was Dang Seohee, White-Handed Divine Maiden, a genius of poison arts who had made the Tang Family itself break the family law that said women could not inherit their secret teachings.
And behind them stood Moyong Seol, Smiling Iron Sword, who wore white fur clothes and covered half her face with a white veil, though even that could not easily hide her beauty.
“““The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering greets the elders of the Taeul Sect.”””
When they greeted in unified voices, the young disciples were moved and shouted wildly.
After the brief excitement settled and the dragons and phoenixes raised their heads, Hong Mungi smiled kindly and said.
“Welcome, all of you. You must have worked hard coming such a long way.”
Hwa Jeongsan, wearing a black-and-white martial uniform embroidered with plum blossoms, stepped forward.
“Thank you. Seeing the disciples of the Taeul Sect carrying out demon-cleansing and evil-destroying work on the front lines makes all the fatigue I felt on the way disappear.”
Jin Taesan began to feel something strange as he heard Hwa Jeongsan’s words and saw Jong Byeokgi curling up the corners of his mouth behind him.
“Haha, is that so? Still, please rest well. When I heard you were coming, I told them to prepare new bedding for your lodgings. It may be lacking, but please rest comfortably before you leave.”
“Thank you, but as members of the Alliance, we cannot burden the field, so we reserved rooms at an inn in advance yesterday.”
“…….”
At Hwa Jeongsan’s words, the elders’ faces hardened.
“How rude.”
At the small mutter, Jin Taesan turned his head and saw that the one who had spoken was Jegal Cheon-gi.
“Exactly. This is basic etiquette.”
The one who answered was Wang Soso.
Beside her, Geumpyo, Eunho, and Dongryong nodded, while only Kang Yuseong, who still did not know the etiquette of the murim world, tilted his head.
They were the only children who were not excited even though the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering had arrived.
“Senior brother, what does that mean?”
“The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering dispatched by the Murim Alliance also has the aspect of strengthening alliances, so it is customary for them to stay at the place they visit. Even aside from that, the fact that guests who came to visit deliberately arranged sleeping quarters outside is already discourteous.”
“Ah…….”
From far away, Hong Mungi spoke again.
“Is that so? Then it cannot be helped. Do you not even have time to eat dinner?”
The ones growing anxious at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering’s talk of seeming busy were the children who did not know the circumstances.
“Yes. Since we have our next schedule, I think we must only offer our greetings and leave.”
“Hmm……. That is unfortunate. I have certainly received the greetings from you and the Murim Alliance. It is unfortunate, but let us share our feelings next time.”
Just as Hong Mungi, the sect leader, said that and was about to turn away, Hwa Jeongsan clasped his fists and spoke again.
“Before that, there is one request I would like to make.”
“A request?”
“Yes. It is a very important matter to me.”
“Speak.”
“Then I will speak despite my lack of shame. My dream has always been to spar with swordsmen who once reached the highest and purest realm. I heard that the sword of the legendary swordsman Taeul Sword Emperor has long been passed down in the Taeul Sect, so I deeply wished to experience it. If not this time, I cannot know when the next chance will be, so I earnestly ask that the sect leader personally grant me instruction this time.”
“Ha…….”
“Huh!”
Long sighs flowed from among the elders.
He was not even a disciple belonging to their sect, but a disciple of another sect asking to spar directly with the sect leader of one sect.
There was no rudeness greater than this.
“How dare he! That man!”
Jegal Cheon-gi tried to roll up his sleeves and step forward.
Then Wang Soso stopped him.
“Junior brother. Stay still.”
“But senior sister…….”
“He said that person is a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, right?”
“Yes.”
“From now on, the Mount Hua Sect will suffer many financial difficulties.”
Wang Soso spoke while gritting her teeth, as if making a vow.
“Ugh…….”
Wang Soso’s voice was fairly loud, so the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering might have heard it, but Jin Taesan could not bring himself to stop her.
Because right now, he felt the same way as she did.
How much mockery had the Taeul Sect received because of the story of the Taeul Sword Emperor?
In the end, had they not raised up the Taeul Sword Emperor as if he were so great in order to once again shame the Taeul Sect?
“We have come a long way, and we must go a long way again. I believe it is an opportunity I will never have again in my life, so I ask this of you.”
Hwa Jeongsan’s gaze turned toward Hong Mungi, and after that, everyone in the sect looked at Hong Mungi.
“…….”
“I ask you to show generosity as vast as the ocean and grant great instruction to a junior who has only just begun to hold the sword.”
When Hong Mungi, the sect leader, gave no answer, Hwa Jeongsan eventually knelt on one knee.
At this point, neither the elders nor Hong Mungi could continue remaining silent.
‘At this rate, things will become serious.’
Hong Mungi could not defeat Hwa Jeongsan, who was from the Mount Hua Sect and belonged to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
If things continued like this, he could suffer great humiliation before the other disciples.
Moreover, the morale of the disciples, which had only recently begun to rise, could be broken in a single blow.
“……If you go that far, then it cannot be helped. Bring my sword……”
Hong Mungi half-resignedly tried to rise from his seat, and Jin Taesan tried to stop him.
Bang.
Someone struck the gate of the Taeul Sect loudly with his palm.
The gazes of everyone, including the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, turned toward the gate.
“Haa, haa, haa, that request…… haa, I will…… haa, accept it…… haa, for you.”
The person standing at the gate was, for some reason, covered in dust from head to toe and gasping for breath as if he were about to collapse.
After he barely caught his breath for a long while and raised his head.
The disciples of the Taeul Sect shouted as if crying out in shock.
“Eldest senior brother!”
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