42 - Dragon Phoenix Assembly (15) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Dang Hwa-Seo regained consciousness the day after she collapsed during the martial arts competition. Clutching her throbbing head, she opened her eyes. "Are you awake?" The voice she heard in that moment belonged to Mok Riwon. Dang Hwa-Seo's gaze shifted towards him. "Mok... Suh-Hyup…?" "I was so worried about you lying there all day! Do you feel any discomfort?" As soon as he spoke, Dang Hwa-Seo felt a throbbing pain in her left arm. And that wasn't all. Why were her meridians in such a twisted mess, leaking poison with every breath she took? Startled by this, Dang Hwa-Seo tried to hold her breath, only to see Mok Riwon gesture reassuringly. "I'm fine, so breathe easily! I can push out this level of poison with my internal strength!" "Ah…." Dang Hwa-Seo exhaled dully. It was only after a brief moment that she remembered about the martial arts competition. Her memory of falling was faint. She remembered seeing a blurry landscape, reaching out her hand, and unleashing her internal strength. What followed was a sense of liberation and the discovery of a new poison she had never encountered before. "The competition…." The cracked voice with which she spoke brought a bitter smile to Mok Riwon's face. Dang Hwa-Seo laughed hollowly. "Yes, I lost." "It was a splendid battle. Lady, you've shown the most magnificent performance among all I've seen since joining this Dragon Peak Assembly." Dang Hwa-Seo’s fingertips twitched. 'I lost….' She had reached her peak. The barrier that had been blocking her path had crumbled, and she had stepped into a new realm. She was now undeniably a 'superhuman.' But, what use was it? 'A loss is still a loss.' She had failed to keep her promise to herself. Her fist clenched involuntarily, a strength she couldn't place fueling it. A latent anger started to frost over her face—it was anger for not reaching Namgung Jincheon in the end. "…Perhaps I expected too much. After all, while I was stagnant, he must have been growing constantly." "It was an admirable battle." "But a defeat is still a defeat." Regret appeared on Mok Riwon's face. 'She's deeply upset.' It was a battle without the hope of victory. It was an unwinnable fight, no matter how much she struggled. Dang Hwa-Seo knew this too. Yet, she stood up and faced the outcome until the very end. Mok Riwon did not wish to see someone who had proven herself enveloped in sorrow. "Lady." "Yes?" "What was the favor you wanted to ask?" Dang Hwa-Seo looked at him. 'Ah, he's trying to comfort me.' She realized immediately. Seeing her dejected, this naively kind man must be fishing for words of comfort. 'There's no need for that.' Defeat was defeat, whatever the case. Dang Hwa-Seo wanted to humbly accept the outcome. "It's alright. Since I didn't achieve my goal, I don't prefer to lean on sympathy to make my request." "Why do you think you didn't achieve your goal?" Confusion flickered across Dang Hwa-Seo's face. "Because I lost." "That's true. But your goal and the outcome are two different matters, you know." "What do you mean…?" "Didn't you initially set a condition with me that was different? You told me your condition was to 'achieve a good result in the competition.' And breaking through your barrier during the competition is undeniably a noteworthy achievement, making you fully qualified." Dang Hwa-Seo was stunned. 'That doesn't make any sense….' It was wordplay. Based on the context of their conversation, the 'good result' she referred to meant 'victory,' and Mok Riwon knew it. "Now, lady. What was your request?" Despite this, he said so. With a bright smile, with a warm voice. At that, Dang Hwa-Seo felt a deep sigh pressing down on her. "You're really something." "Eh?" "How can you always find the exact words to charm people? Mok Suh-Hyup, I'm beginning to wonder if you're perhaps a fox in disguise." Mok Riwon was taken aback. "I don't quite understand what you mean." "Sure you don't." A suppressed chuckle escaped Dang Hwa-Seo's lips. Mok Riwon's confusion deepened, and Dang Hwa-Seo inadvertently grabbed onto his hair that had fallen on her fingertips. 'So soft.' His hair felt like silk, smooth and causing her mood to brighten as she touched it. Lost in this sensation, Dang Hwa-Seo twirled his hair around her fingers, prompting Mok Riwon to tilt his head to make it easier for her, confusion written all over his face. "So the favor is…?" "Later." Murmuring this, Dang Hwa-Seo smiled. She was deeply grateful for his kindness, and even though she wanted to rely on him, she believed she shouldn't just follow her emotions blindly. "Later, after the Dragon Peak Assembly has ended, may I speak to you then?" Making such a request might trouble him, especially now, as he was preparing for the important finals. This thought led her to respond that way, and Mok Riwon, clueless, nodded. "Alright! Then I'll also set a condition!" "A condition, you say?" "If I win the assembly, let’s have it serve as your request!" "How is that a condition? It offers no benefit to Mok Suh-Hyup." "Why would it offer no benefit? If it's like this, wouldn’t Lady fervently support me? With you cheering me on, I would be motivated to put even more effort into my martial arts contest. Thus, I believe I've proposed a fairly reasonable condition for my victory." He was truly devilish. Dang Hwa-Seo felt momentarily breathless at his bright smile and pursed her lips. How could such a seductive creature exist? Despite maintaining an appearance of innocence, the sweet words he uttered made one's breath hitch. It was another moment of self-reproach for Dang Hwa-Seo. 'Was it really his face?' Was the reason she fell for this man truly his appearance? She wanted to deny it, yet couldn't. Indeed, denying it seemed impossible when Mok Riwon’s face was so handsome. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason, but regardless, she felt utterly embarrassed. She aimed to look away from Mok Riwon, but the words that emerged did not stray far from her thoughts. "Mok Suh-Hyup." "Speak!" "Don’t smile like that wherever you go. You might get kidnapped by a demoness." Her playful jest layered over her true feelings. Mok Riwon’s face turned pale. Even though her body throbbed with pain, Dang Hwa-Seo laughed with a shake of her shoulders. Dang Hwa-Seo selfishly hoped. She truly did not wish to share his bewitching smile with anyone else. * The Dragon Peak Assembly was nearing its end. Yet, the discussions about victory and defeat were burning fiercer than they had in years. It was expected. Was this edition of the Dragon Peak Assembly just an ordinary occurrence? Talk of Mok Riwon was everywhere to the extent of being ear-grating. And the tales regarding Dang Hwa-Seo also became a hot topic. The scene of a martial artist reaching their zenith. It was a spectacle so rare and invaluable that tales of the internal power and poison that erupted from Dang Hwa-Seo never ceased. However, as those stories grew, so did the brilliance of another. Namgung Jincheon, who had faced that overwhelming poison head-on and achieved victory with grace. It was he. "Truly speechless over the Sword Dragon." "That is truly a monster. The talk of the next Supreme Under Heaven isn’t just for show." "Ah... I’m envious. Truly envious." The reactions varied. Some admired, some revered, while others dared to be jealous. Everyone was astonished by his profound power that seemed to crush the prospect of any anomaly. Namgung Jincheon once again displayed his matchless martial prowess. And Mok Riwon, who had to face him. The fervor surrounding their upcoming clash only grew hotter by the day, and, surprisingly, the gambling odds were at 1:1. "We'll know come next week." "I’m too excited for the finals. I was going to leave after the semifinals, but it’s become too thrilling to depart." And amidst such fervor, Mok Riwon carried on his usual routine. "I'm sorry!" The greed of the prominent houses grew more intense by the day. To evade them, Mok Riwon was on the run once again, heading towards where Dang Hwa-Seo was recuperating. Mok Riwon remained a righteous warrior, never forgetting the requests made by Dang Hwa-Seo. Turning into an alley as he dashed through the streets, Mok Riwon leaped onto the rooftops and hopped across them. Upon reaching the grand entrance of the estate, "Silent Blade." A deep voice halted him. Mok Riwon instantly paused. The one who had called him was not someone to be dismissed lightly. "Spear Saint?" Spear Saint Namgung Un. The nephew of the Sword King and uncle to the Sword Dragon. And one of the supreme masters proudly claimed by the Namgung family. He approached Mok Riwon with a smile. "You seem busy once again. Heading to where the Poison Phoenix resides?" "Ah, yes…" Mok Riwon scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. Namgung Un chuckled at his flustered state, continuing, "Don't be tense. My visit isn’t for reasons similar to those other families. After all, the Namgung family doesn't have a daughter to offer for your consideration." "That's not…." "Silent Blade. Do you have a moment?" Mok Riwon blinked. "Time? Not that I don't have any, but…." "The Family Head wishes to see you." There was a moment of stillness. The Family Head of the Namgung clan. There could only be one person that title referred to. "The Sword King wishes to see me?" Sword King Namgung Hyeok. He wanted to meet Mok Riwon. * The estate where the Namgung family resided was located prominently in the center of Seohyeon. As Mok Riwon entered, he couldn't help but let an exclamation of admiration slip. "Such an elegant space." "Thank you for your kind words. The Family Head would be very pleased to hear them." "The Family Head?" "Yes, it's my elder brother’s work. He designed this estate. He adores the pine trees of Huangshan so much that he had several of them transplanted here to surround this pond." Mok Riwon's gaze shifted towards the giant pond located at a corner of the estate. True to his words, several majestic pine trees wrapped around the pond were immediately noticeable. "I see…" "Enough chit-chat, let’s move on. Do you see that building ahead? The Grand Elder resides there. Have a good time." Namgung Un left after giving Mok Riwon a hearty pat on the shoulder, his departure devoid of any reluctance. Left alone, Mok Riwon then felt a surge of nervousness. 'The Sword King is….' Dryness swallowed Mok Riwon’s throat. The Sword King, Namgung Hyeok. Beyond being a symbol of the righteous path, he held a special significance for Mok Riwon. 'The revered master from a previous generation, still remembering my master.' During his youth in the rural mountains of Gangseo, Mok Riwon had endured Ma Ilseok's incessant stories. "He’s an arrogant one. Do you know how high his nose is? I had my own temper in my youth, but compared to him, I must have seemed like a celestial being, so wicked he was. How could heaven be so indifferent, granting him not just talent but a powerful family as well, making his malevolence utterly detestable?" According to Ma Ilseok, among the masters of the righteous path, he was the most vicious. Mok Riwon pondered over the reasons this man would seek him out. Maybe it was an attempt to coax him into allegiance or to assess the competitor of his grandson in advance. Several reasons came to mind, but one seemed most plausible. '…Perhaps he recognized my martial arts.' There were unspeakable incidents between his teacher, Mok Seono, and the Sword King Namgung Hyeok, he had heard. Thus, the thought that he could have recognized the Seryeon Spirit Technique and the Comet Seven Sword Technique during the duel occurred to him. In other words, 'He might know of my destined star.' Mok Riwon's expression hardened. His heart began to pound with anxiety. If Namgung Hyeok had called him here, aware of his Heavenly Killing Star, his intentions could be harmful. Mok Riwon steadied his breath and hardened his resolve. '…I'll know if I find out.' There was no point in running now. Mok Riwon chose to face the situation head-on. He walked towards the building Namgung Un had pointed out and upon arrival, a warrior opened the door. "Please, come in." A grand old man seated in the center spoke. Mok Riwon could sense not a hint of internal energy from him, which confirmed his assumption. ‘Returning to Simplicity and Truth.’ A state that appeared as if one has no internal energy due to their immeasurable power. It was the unequivocal proof of 'Transcendent Realm'. As Mok Riwon stepped inside, the door closed behind him with a ‘clack’. The space became charged with a profound silence. In that vast room now filled with silence, Namgung Hyeok finally addressed him. "Where is the Sword Sage?" Their gazes locked. Upon hearing his question, Mok Riwon clenched his fist, recognizing his speculation was correct. 'He indeed knows.' Then, what should he respond? What truly was the intent behind that question? Amid such thoughts, Mok Riwon quickly realized there was something more crucial he had to do first. '-Hide your Sect. There are still those who remember the Blood Oath and might discern your identity through it. Among them, there surely are those who consider your destined star a threat.' Ma Ilseok had admonished hiding his sect, to conceal his Celestial Killing Star beneath the pride of that sect. But look, was there a reason to hide it now? No. Especially not now. It was perhaps right, even necessary, not to hide it. The giant before him was someone who already knew his identity, someone who prioritized his teacher's well-being first and foremost. Then, what was required was to show due respect. "I pay my respects to the Sword King." Mok Riwon took a formal martial stance. "Disciple of the Eleventh Generation of the Starlink Gate, Sect Leader Mok Riwon." For the first time in this martial world, Mok Riwon proudly declared his sect.