38 - Dragon Phoenix Assembly (11) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Mok Riwon's advancement to the final stirred not just Seo Hyun but the entire region of Anhwi. The swordsmanship he finally unveiled was nothing short of miraculous. An unconventional sword technique that could only be reached through sheer talent. And despite his young age of 18, he had reached the pinnacle of overwhelming internal power. For the prestigious clans of Jungwon aiming to dominate the next generation, not attempting to recruit him would have been the real oddity. The prestigious families were ceaselessly active. Some prepared wealth, some prepared elixirs, and yet others prepared secret manuals. However, amidst all that, there was one thing they unfailingly prepared together. "A marriage proposal… you say?" Marriage. One of the most solid contracts in this land, cemented by the merging of bloodlines. To secure Mok Riwon, they presented their daughters. Perhaps what made this situation particularly unusual was that, unlike typical proposals, the daughters of each prestigious family eagerly threw themselves at him. "What a bunch of utter nonsense." At Seo Hyun's inn. Dang Hwa-Seo explained the current situation to Mok Riwon, her expression filled with disdain. Her look was so formidable that Je Gal San found himself quietly sipping his drink, unusually reserved for the day. "I… I find such marriages appalling…!” Mok Riwon expressed his strong aversion. "Marriage is not about a man and a woman being together for eternity without love! I wish to marry the person I love!" Mok Riwon crossed his arms, puffing through his nose. Seeing this, Dang Hwa-Seo couldn't help but feel a profound sense of satisfaction. She soon brushed off her emotions and nodded in agreement. "Yes, if Master Mok wishes so, I won't worry too much. However, you must still be cautious." "Hm?" "As I mentioned before, daughters of prestigious families tend to indulge in frivolous acts. The moment they learn of Master Mok's naive side, they would drool non-stop, attempting to snag you by any means necessary." "Naive, you say….” "Master Mok." "Ah! Speak your mind." "Do you remember what to do if approached by an unknown woman?" "Say I'm busy and run away! And then tell the lady!" "Well done." Dang Hwa-Seo smiled warmly. Mok Riwon was simply happy to be praised, while Je Gal San thought to himself, 'Little brother Mok, by acting so, you’re just setting yourself up for manipulation.' In this moment, Je Gal San could be considered the most rational among them. He knew well. Dang Hwa-Seo, under the guise of concern, was effectively barricading his path to marriage. She was practically ridding him of any female presence. 'Well, the lady seems unaware of it herself.' Unconsciously warding off rivals, what a terrifying nature. Indeed, the sect of Dang from Sacheon. Indeed, the Dang sect's insidiousness. Je Gal San shivered in fear. "Ah, is it not in five days that the lady’s duel takes place? How are the preparations going?" During the ongoing conversation, this topic came up. Dang Hwa-Seo’s fingers twitched, then, drawing a smile, she said, "I’m preparing with all my might." "I’m really looking forward to it! I will support the lady to the very end!" "Having too much expectation…" Dang Hwa-Seo started to say something but stopped and ended up laughing helplessly. What followed was a statement uttered in disappointment. "...No, right. Let's give it a try." Dang Hwa-Seo sipped her drink. 'Right, how can I feel fear and contemplate giving up before even trying? I should do as much as I can.' On reflection, that was indeed the case. This Dragon Phoenix Meeting was where she aimed to showcase her martial prowess, and choosing one’s opponent selectively in such a contest would be a mistake. Dang Hwa-Seo encouraged herself and firmed her resolve. Then, she said, "Let's set aside that talk for now and drink today. Master Mok has made it to the finals, and we haven't even celebrated yet." "Ah, that sounds wonderful!" Mok Riwon smiled in response, but it wasn't a smile of genuine joy. His expression was often crossed with a bitter smile. 'Should I be happy…' Despite trying to push it from his mind, Mok Riwon had his own concerns. Hyun Gong had come to that place intending to lose. And the reason behind his killing intent, he still hadn't figured out. Given that the victory left him feeling more unsettled than joyful, Mok Riwon too felt dissatisfied. "Come on, little brother Mok. Drink up in one shot." Considering that showing such worries would seem deceitful even after winning, Mok Riwon accepted Je Gal San’s words and drank. * Mok Riwon was the target of the prestigious families’ grasp. Although Dang Hwa-Seo had warned him about this, there was an inevitable situation. "It’s Paeng Do Wol." A man who reminded one of a tiger blocked Mok Riwon's path in the middle of the street. Mok Riwon, upon hearing his name, exclaimed, "Ah!" and smiled. "Are you the great hero whose name I know! The rightful heir of the North River Paeng family who won the Dragon Phoenix Meeting 10 years ago?" "Remembering me is an honor indeed. Would it be alright to have a word with you?" "To speak with me?" Mok Riwon tilted his head curiously. Behind his large frame, a young woman, whose youthful aura had not yet faded, sprang forth. Paeng Do Wol, with an awkward smile, said, "It’s my sister. She was deeply impressed by your duel and insisted on having a conversation. Could you perhaps understand the position of an older brother just this once?" "I am Paeng Ji Wol…!" She murmured shyly, her cheeks flushing with color. At that, Mok Riwon felt an inexplicable shudder. - If an unknown woman approaches…. Dang Hwa-Seo's advice repeatedly flashed through his mind. ‘What should I do….’ Mok Riwon was in a dilemma. Naturally, following Dang Hwa-Seo's words, he should run away immediately, but the person in question was no ordinary individual. Paeng Do Wol. The significance of his name in the current martial world of Jungwon was something Mok Riwon was all too familiar with. Moreover, setting that aside, rejecting the friendly approach of someone was not proper etiquette. Hesitantly, Mok Riwon took a step back, a pitiful smile etched across his face. “Ah….” That even his pitiful smile could be considered beautiful was ironically funny. "I, I have someone I’m supposed to meet…." "I implore you." Paeng Do Wol was adamant. Though he had come out at the insistence of his younger sister, from his perspective, Mok Riwon was a talent he desired as well. ‘Mukgeom cannot be stolen.’ More precisely, it should not be stolen. His sword skills and the talent he possessed were so dazzling that the Paeng family desired to hold onto it, if possible. With barely a three-year age difference with his sister, who had little interest in martial arts, hence her negligible martial prowess, she was still a Paeng. The combination of her inherent martial talent and Mok Riwon's could potentially produce a hero for the next generation. Within the strangely flowing atmosphere. Suddenly, the person Paeng Do Wol didn’t want to see and Mok Riwon had been eagerly waiting for appeared. "It's an honor to meet Master Paeng." It was Dang Hwa-Seo. A frosty light, similar to everlasting snow, hung over her face. Her gaze, cold enough to freeze someone to death, was directed specifically towards Paeng Ji Wol. "Eek!" Paeng Ji Wol hid behind Paeng Do Wol's back. With a look of regret, Paeng Do Wol responded to her greeting. "It's been a while." "Yes, six years indeed." "I’ve heard. You've established a good relationship with Master Mok….” Paeng Do Wol’s mouth shut tight. It was because of Dang Hwa-Seo’s glare. ‘That look as if saying, do you know you’re meddling right now?’ Hmm, truly a daughter of the Dang clan. Her gaze alone was enough to send shivers, a marvel in itself. "Let's not see it that way. I too couldn't refuse my sister's request." Ignoring Paeng Ji Wol's backslapping, Paeng Do Wol continued, "We’ll take our leave for today. Mukgeom, until next time." He then turned to leave. With lingering eyes full of regret, Paeng Ji Wol glanced at Mok Riwon, eventually cowering under Dang Hwa-Seo’s gaze and hurriedly followed her brother. * Dang Hwa-Seo’s interference continued. Beginning with the North River Paeng family that formed one of the Five Great Noble Families, various clans and sects commanding each region, and even couriers and merchants to some extent. She kept busy day in and day out, repelling those drooling over the name Mukgeom. ‘Why am I….’ Why was she doing this? Such questions occasionally bubbled up, but strangely, she hadn’t thought of stopping. This too was a petty aspect of Dang Hwa-Seo’s heart, lacking the courage to self-reflect. Fending off those targeting Mok Riwon and devoting herself to personal training, then, on the night two days before the semifinals, Dang Hwa-Seo encountered someone she didn’t wish to meet. "It has been a long time, Clan Leader." In the dimly moonlit night that faintly illuminated the streets, a group of people emerged from an alley. Five martial artists with refined auras. At their forefront was… "...Dang Yun-kyung." Her half-brother, Dang Yun-kyung. Dang Hwa-Seo's expression turned stern. Yet, Dang Yun-kyung, smiling and walking forward, stopped right in front of her without losing his grin. "Did you enjoy your travels?" "…." "I was truly surprised. That the Clan Leader, who hadn’t disclosed your whereabouts for so long, suddenly appeared at the Dragon Phoenix Meeting, and how pitiable our Pae San had become." His whispering voice carried a clear reproof. Dang Hwa-Seo looked at Dang Yun-kyung and the martial artists behind him with a subdued gaze. ‘…Yes, it’s about time they came.’ Each one of them was a martial artist at the pinnacle, elites of the Sacheon Dang clan. Were they here to take her away? ‘No.’ That couldn’t be it. Given the Clan Leader's personality, it wouldn’t be feasible to retrieve her in such a public manner, so their goal must lie elsewhere. ‘Persuasion, or perhaps a threat.’ So, which one would it be? "Speak plainly." "Ah, to think there’s no courtesy even among siblings." "Were we ever so close? I had no idea. Underneath our Clan Leader's rule, enduring such hardships, you only seemed to be giggling away." "It was an expression of affection." "To express affection while watching someone suffer, I didn’t realize my brother had lost his mind." Dang Yun-kyung's eyebrows slightly raised. With that, his already sly demeanor turned a bit more ferocious. "Isn’t it enough running away?" "Is that a threat?" "No, persuasion." Dang Yun-kyung straightened his back. Then, deepening his smile, he continued, "The Clan Leader is very pleased. Who knew the runaway Clan Leader could secure such a remarkable individual." "What did you say?" "Mukgeom." In an instant, Dang Hwa-Seo's breath stopped. Dang Yun-kyung further added, "Admirable. Surely, you did it for the clan. The Clan Leader eagerly wishes to meet Mukgeom. How long has it been since I saw him smile like that. Ah, my ears still ring with his joy. With Clan Leader and Mukgeom, the next era of martial arts will be under the Dang clan’s name, he was so delighted." Dang Hwa-Seo felt stunned by his shamelessness. "The Clan Leader, you say." "You should say Clan Leader." "That mad old man, he’s entangling me and Master Mok like this?" With a hollow laugh, she continued questioning, feeling an eerily cold sensation in her mind. The suppressed hatred from within surged up, choking her throat. "By what face did he dare spout such nonsense?" Dang Hwa-Seo stepped forward. A dark green aura began to emanate around her. "It’s so unlike you. Wasn’t it you who embedded that energy within the Clan Leader? And now to speak like this…." "Yes, it was embedded against my will." Before today arrived, Dang Hwa-Seo had thought. Maybe the Dang clan would not come for her. Perhaps they had recognized her intentions upon seeing her return as Pae San. Maybe they finally felt guilt. 'I’ve become soft.' Having been with Mok Riwon, she entertained such hopeful thoughts. "Rot in hell." Dang Hwa-Seo glared at Dang Yun-kyung and the warriors behind him. Her gaze was filled with hatred and layered curses. "If it wasn’t for this damnable Mandoogbulshim, I could have forgiven the Clan Leader." Dang Hwa-Seo was someone who couldn’t forgive the Sacheon Dang clan. Her early sufferings alone were not enough to justify her loathing. "I really can't understand. How could the Clan Leader even say such a thing to me?" Dang Hwa-Seo took another step forward. Only then did Dang Yun-kyung wipe all smiles off his face and looked down at her coldly. Feeling an overwhelming resentment, she spoke. "To rob me of a future, even the chance to bear children. How dare you entangle me with a man." The truth she finally voiced out loud was heavy. And it was shameful. Dang Hwa-Seo's veins flowed not with blood, but poison. Her body was filled with venom, making it impossible for anything but poison to reside within. This was why she couldn’t forgive the Dang clan. Amid the heightening tension, Dang Yun-kyung spoke, "...What can’t be done?" "What?" "What is it that can’t be done?" Dang Hwa-Seo's face went blank. Dang Yun-kyung, with his frosty demeanor, hurled sharpened words like daggers. "Clan Leader, the Dang clan has many women. Women who can bear children." "What are you…." "There are women willing to take Mukgeom’s seed in your stead. The whole Dang clan will turn a blind eye. Surely, the Clan Leader can raise such a child as your own." Thunk-. Dang Hwa-Seo felt as if her heart stopped. Not just her heart, but every organ inside her seemed to halt its function at that sentence. If there was a way to kill a person with words, it would exactly be like this. If there was ruthlessness that could crush even the smallest hope, it would exactly be like this. Dang Hwa-Seo looked at Dang Yun-kyung. In her eyes, the man before her no longer appeared as a relative or even a human. Hence, she couldn’t find the words to retort. There’s no dialogue to be had with something non-human, only a wrenching pain in her chest. The aura dissipated. Her thoughts scattered. And her being hollowed out. In that moment, "...I can't listen to this anymore." A voice, exquisitely beautiful, pierced Dang Hwa-Seo’s ears.