32 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

### Chapter 32: The Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix (5) * * * The moment Mok Liwon met the deep blue eyes, he felt a peculiar sensation. A sense of time stretching infinitely. And as if he and the other person were the only ones left in this world. The emotion that arose within him was something even Mok Liwon found difficult to define. If he had to liken it to something, words like heat, combative spirit, and attraction might come to mind. This sensation, beyond his control, continued to pound in his heart, urging him. To devour. To consume. ‘The Emperor Star(帝王星).’ The star of monarchs. The star of rulers. And the star of blessings. The appearance of this new star on a completely opposite extreme caused the star residing in his mind to awaken. At the end of Mok Liwon's gaze, Namgung Jincheon’s brows slightly furrowed. Then, regaining his original complexion, he looked away from Mok Liwon. Only then did Mok Liwon feel the sounds and sensations that had faded return. "Young Master Mok?" "...Ah, no. I just zoned out for a moment." Mok Liwon replied to Tang Hwaseo’s call with an awkward smile. Then, he glanced one last time at Namgung Jincheon before averting his eyes. Tang Hwaseo let out a chuckle and spoke. "Do you wish to spar with him?" "Hmm?" "You had that exact expression." Mok Liwon touched his lips and realized he was smiling. "Ah..." So that's what it was. "That might be the case." Mok Liwon nodded in agreement. His hands itched. Facing someone who had accumulated such martial arts at that age made him want to train for some reason. When Mok Liwon thought about what a duel with Namgung Jincheon would be like, he found it difficult to control his body. "There are many extraordinary people here." "That's why it's the 'Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix(龍鳳會)'." The gathering of dragon and phoenix. Indeed, it should be said. "Hmm, but you know." Mok Liwon grinned. And then, so that only Tang Hwaseo could hear, he whispered softly. "I don't think I would lose." His sincere words, ensuring not to offend those present. Tang Hwaseo widened her eyes, then let out a soft laugh. "Typical of Young Master Mok." "Miss, if I were to defeat them all, would I earn the epithet of 'Dragon(龍)'?" "You wouldn't have to defeat everyone, just prove it, and it's possible." "Hmm! Very well!" Mok Liwon straightened his posture, speaking with a confident smile. "I shall take on the title of 'Heroic Dragon(俠龍)' starting from this Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix!" That infamous heroism. Tang Hwaseo couldn't help but smile as such thoughts crossed her mind. Listening to the conversation, Zhuge San chuckled and said to Mok Liwon. "Well, as you know, nicknames aren't given just because you want them. In my opinion, if you were to earn the title of dragon, it might be 'Jade Dragon(玉龍)'." "Oh! Zhuge, you're too much! I prefer heroic over jade!" "Of course, you would." Laughter bloomed among the three of them. Watching from the side, Baekbong Hyewoon felt a peculiar sensation at suddenly being left out of the group. If one had to express it, it would be like this. Daring to talk about something else in front of me? ‘Really….’ How amusing. Indeed, something like this makes it all the more worth conquering. Hyewoon looked directly at Mok Liwon, with a smile that seemed dangerously playful. Only then did Mok Liwon recall Hyewoon with a jolt as she furrowed her brows. He instinctively tried to hide behind Tang Hwaseo. "It's a splendid goal. Ah, I hope the match lineup comes out soon." With a crescent moon-like smile, Hyewoon’s eyes narrowed. "I'd also like to experience the skill of Young Master Mok's sword." A shiver ran down Mok Liwon’s spine. "Is that so...?" Like a rabbit left before a hungry predator, Mok Liwon trembled as he clung to Tang Hwaseo’s sleeve. Hyewoon felt a tingling thrill down her back. As a natural progression, anger appeared on Tang Hwaseo's face. "The lineup will be announced soon enough, there's no need to press." "I was merely expressing my anticipation." "Well, for some reason, it seems Young Master Mok won’t have to face the monk." Tang Hwaseo’s fist clenched tightly. Zhuge San made a small sound at the sight of the bulging veins on her hand. "It seems the monk will face me before meeting Young Master Mok." "I'll defeat you and advance. It's what I'll do." "Confidence and arrogance are different concepts." Even the Fist Dragon Il-un was nervously swallowing dryly as he watched the unyielding verbal exchange, while Hyewoon, smiling, added. "Yes, that would be interesting too." Hyewoon tapped her lips with her index finger. She then scanned Mok Liwon with her eyes and let out a soft chuckle as she withdrew. "Ah, then I shall see you. I need to greet the others as well." "Take care." Go and step on some dung. Tang Hwaseo inwardly cursed, glaring at the retreating Hyewoon. "…Young Master Mok." "Hmm…?" "If that vixen approaches again, just run. Better yet, come to me. Her gaze is not ordinary." Mok Liwon nodded as if mad. * Thus, the assembly came to an end. The next morning, Mok Liwon stopped at the mansion's gate and exclaimed, "Oh!" as he looked at the posted match lineup. "Senior! Where is Miss Tang…." "I'm in the third group." Tang Hwaseo replied while keenly scanning the match list. Searching for one name, somewhere in the list was Baekbong Hyewoon’s name. After quickly scanning with her eyes, Tang Hwaseo finally found Hyewoon's name and smiled brightly. 'Third group.' They were in the same group. Considering the order of matches, they'd meet in the finals of the third group. "Perfect positioning." Eududuk. As Tang Hwaseo cracked her knuckles, a menacing sound ensued. Mok Liwon, trembling, glanced at her and quickly turned away. "Hmm, Miss Tang and Baekbong don’t seem to get along." I better not provoke her. "I'm in the second group!" Zhuge San spoke with a broad grin. By his side, Il-un quietly smiled in response. ### "We’re in the same group as well. Ah, there's also the Radiant Dragon(仙龍) in our group." For some reason, Zhuge San felt a chill in the voice and forced a smile. "Uh... p-please go easy on us." "Is that really appropriate? It's a martial arts tournament; we must give it our all." "..." Why is this monk like this? Zhuge San had such thoughts crossing his mind. He would not know. At this very moment, Il-un was contemplating hundreds of methods to silence him. "Namgung Jincheon is in the first group." At Tang Hwaseo’s sudden comment, their gazes collectively shifted to the match list. As she mentioned, Namgung Jincheon stood alone in the first group, with no other notable contestant there. Zhuge San narrowed his eyes. "...Isn't this manipulated?" "Manipulated how?" "As you know, the Namgung Family is organizing this Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix." "Does Namgung Jincheon really need manipulation to succeed here? Even if they were to manipulate, that might be their intention." Tang Hwaseo's eyes narrowed. "...We’ll give you as much space as possible, so come up all the way if you can." Such an arrogant thought. Yet, it was an idea that could not be denied. Understanding this, those present chose to remain silent. Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon stood unparalleled. Among the younger generation across both orthodox and unorthodox factions, none could truly compare to him. Even if it were a manipulated match list, those present couldn't help but lean on such conceit. "Is he really that incredible?" Mok Liwon, watching the group forge a tense atmosphere among themselves, scratched his cheek while speaking. ‘I don't think he's unbeatable, though.’ To be sure, his inner strength was lacking. But a duel was not solely a clash of inner power, nor purely about comparing swords. From the perspective of martial arts application, it wasn't as if he would be utterly hopeless in a bout. Of course, yet to fully observe Namgung Jincheon's swordplay, it was early to conclude, yet Mok Liwon felt confident. ‘He's not up to Cha Seonggeom's level.’ Naturally, Namgung Jincheon was far inferior to Cha Seonggeom, who had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm. Thus, compensating for the lacking inner strength through swordsmanship was feasible. "...Even if it's Young Master Mok, I think it would still be a good match." Tang Hwaseo smiled bitterly, harboring a bit of concern inwardly. ‘I hope he won’t be too disheartened.’ Many who had not witnessed Namgung Jincheon's martial prowess had thoughts akin to Mok Liwon's. He assumed the fight was not decided by power alone, so there was a fighting chance. ‘…But because it isn't a power struggle, he can’t be defeated.’ Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon's true prowess lay not in the raw power approaching the pinnacle, but in the sword itself. * Four more days passed. The Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix commenced. "Waaaahhh!!!" Deafening cheers struck the eardrums. Moreover, the collective heat from the gathering crowd settled on the skin. Mok Liwon’s eyes sparkled as he took in the scene, grinning widely. "There are really a lot of people!" "Indeed, it's a relief to be a participant." Tang Hwaseo remarked as she settled into her relatively comfortable seat. Excluding the waiting area for participants on the northern side of the platform, people crammed together in all other directions, cheering vehemently with no room to sit. All those eliminated in the preliminaries, or spectators who had come from far and wide to witness this event. "The competition is structured with 64 participants. Sixteen will compete within each group, with the group winners advancing to the semifinals." "Good! Since both Zhuge and you are in different groups, we’ll all reach the finals." "As for Zhuge... well, I am definitely aiming for the semifinals." I shall rip Hyewoon apart and ascend. with such thoughts, Tang Hwaseo’s gaze sharpened. [Let us now begin the first match of the Assembly of Dragon and Phoenix!] Amidst the commotion, a mighty voice amplified by inner power reverberated throughout the venue. A natural surge of cheers and chaos filled the air. Within it, Tang Hwaseo spoke. "Watch carefully." Two men ascended the stage. [First up, Hengdao(橫刀) Yang He from Hebei!] A scruffy man in shabby clothing with a knife at his waist stepped up. He was a wandering martial artist from Hebei who had shown extraordinary prowess in the preliminaries. And standing across from him, [Facing him is the favorite to win this event! Known as the future of the White Sword Sect, a dragon among dragons!] A strikingly handsome man with sharp features and distinctive deep blue eyes wielding a sword stepped up. His entrance further elevated the arena's atmosphere. [Sword Dragon(劍龍) Namgung Jincheon!] "Waaaahhh!!!" Mok Liwon absorbed the entire scene with his eyes. ‘So this is the next greatest in the world.’ The thought of finally being able to experience his sword brought a peculiar tension within him. Crunch. Mok Liwon’s fist clenched tightly. [Let’s begin then!] The announcer raised a hand high. And then. Chaeeng—! The outcome was decided in an instant. * Overwhelming. And weighty. That was Mok Liwon’s assessment upon witnessing Namgung Jincheon’s sword. He wasn't referring to the clash of inner strength between the two martial artists. Nor was he speaking of the difference in their renowned statuses. It was purely an evaluation based on the sword alone. As the match began, Yang He’s sword, which shot forth like a beam of light, was cleaved in two by Namgung Jincheon’s sword that descended not too swiftly. The general spectators were busy cheering over the overwhelming victory, but those who had cultivated their power to some extent must have felt a wall in the profundity hidden in that single second. The sword of the Namgung Family is widely lauded. The sword of the emperor. They say it is a sword that reigns above this martial world. Namgung Jincheon’s sword was so overwhelmingly imposing that such descriptions perfectly aligned. ‘If it were me….’ Mok Liwon closed his eyes. And imagined. Himself wielding a sword like that. ‘…I can't.’ No, precisely speaking, it would only be a ‘mimicry.’ It was not a difference in talent, but a distinction in the martial methodologies learned and mastered. The Star Flow Paragon Art and the Seven Shooting Star Swords are forms of martial arts that take ceaseless flow as their foundation. Even if one forcibly infused inner power for momentary destruction, it would not be proper martial application. An admission was made. --- **Terms Translated:** 1. **Radiant Dragon(仙龍) (Original: 선룡):** A nickname indicating a highly esteemed individual, especially used in a martial arts context. - Alternate: Immortal Dragon - Literal: Sage Dragon 2. **Hengdao(橫刀) (Original: 섬도):** A specific weapon or person associated with the coursing knife technique or style. - Alternate: Horizontal Blade - Literal: Cross Blade A note of suggestion for change: "창성검보단 못하다" should be updated or expanded upon in the list above, with a detailed explanation of "Cha Seonggeom" or why this name/person is pertinent. Namgung Jincheon's sword is strong. However. ‘Does that mean the Starry Lotus is inferior to his sword?’ The question arose once more. And Mok Liwon was sure. ‘Absolutely not.’ The Starry Lotus is powerful. He and the teachings of Mok Seon-oh would not crumble before Namgung Jincheon's sword. [We shall now begin the matches of the fourth group!] A voice amplified with inner power resonated in his ears. Mok Liwon slowly opened his eyes and looked ahead. "I'll be back." "You have my full support." Mok Liwon stepped forward. He ascended onto the platform. [A new prodigy has emerged on this stage! A young master who dares challenge the ranks of the stalemate among the younger generation! The righteous hero who single-handedly eradicated the Black Bamboo Union in Xiuyang County of Jiangxi!] His name echoed across the stage. [Black Ink Sword(黑墨劍) Mok Liwon!] “Waaaahhh!!!” “Kyaaahhh!!!” The cheers pierced his ears. The noise grew so loud it resonated through his entire body. But in the midst of it, Mok Liwon only focused his settled mind straight ahead. And he continued to ponder. ‘I want to spar with him.’ To measure himself against Namgung Jincheon. If there were any deficiencies in himself, he felt he needed to duel with him to recognize and overcome them—a conviction that never left Mok Liwon's mind. [Facing him is Cho Ga-jang's eldest son, Cho Cheol!] Mok Liwon looked at his opponent. A young man filled with tension, glaring at him. ‘I apologize.’ Mok Liwon mentally apologized to him. For in Mok Liwon’s eyes, a young martial artist who had just entered the First Rate was hardly worth concern. Sreung— His sights were set much higher. [Let the match begin!] Mok Liwon intended to use him merely as a stepping stone. Chaeeng—! The moment the match began, Cho Cheol's sword was split in two. A half of the sword’s blade soared high into the air. Silence fell over the arena. “…” Decayed though they were, the martial artists who came to spectate this martial event all grasped the meaning behind that single move. A move similar to the one Namgung Jincheon used at the start of the festival. A move that overwhelmed the opponent with a weighted sword’s immense force. ‘A challenge.’ This was an act of a newcomer challenging the throne. Mok Liwon’s gaze found Namgung Jincheon. Namgung Jincheon, too, was now watching him with noticeably widened eyes. “Waaaahhh!!!” Cheers erupted again. It was the loudest cheer of the day.