49 - Dragon Phoenix Assembly (22) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

It was splendid. The grand martial arts arena, decorated for today's festival, was adorned with all kinds of rare ornaments and sequentially placed banners of renowned martial arts families. Standing in the middle of it all was none other than the Sword King, Namgung Hyeok. His face stern, he continued his speech. The usual rhetoric about the successful conclusion of the Yongbong Assembly or the bright future of the martial world, despite knowing it was necessary, the audience couldn't deny the rising boredom. And why would they not? The reason they had gathered today was not for the Sword King's speech. The main characters of today's event had yet to make their appearance. The audience's attention was fixed in one direction. The door in the middle of the arena remained firmly shut. It was the gate through which the winners would emerge. [...Now, we will proceed with the main event.] Namgung Hyeok announced, followed by an indescribably huge roar filling the arena. Namgung Hyeok raised his hand with an indifferent face. Dong. Dong. Dong. The drums sounded. Then, the until-now sealed doors opened, and a pair of man and woman walked out. It was Dang Hwa-Seo and Hyeongong, the finalists of the four strong. They walked towards Namgung Hyeok, keeping a fixed distance from each other, and posed in a salute. In response, Namgung Hyeok encouraged the winners with a ceremonious attitude. There was no prize distribution. What they would receive was the sect's secret manual. They would choose what they wanted after leaving this place. The audience whispered among themselves as they looked at the winning pair. "The Lonewolf has made a splendid comeback. Now, no one would dare to underestimate the name of the Lonewolf." "Seonryong was also impressive. Given his opponent, it’s unfortunate he only made it to the semifinals, but if it wasn’t for him, Seonryong might have been in the finals." The mention of 'him' made those around nod in agreement. Mok Riwon. The biggest surprise of this Yongbong Assembly and a marvel in the Central Plains martial world. As his story continued, naturally, the audience's interest shifted to the next award recipient. [Next, the runner-up, Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon.] Namgung Hyeok recited with his profound internal power, even as he called his own grandson’s name, his demeanor remained professional. "Wooooah!!!" With the audience's cheers, a man ascended to the stage. A handsome man with deep blue eyes and sharp features, Namgung Jincheon. "His expression isn't great. Was the defeat that shocking?" "Stop it; do you know what’s the most frequently mentioned concern in Anhui? There's talk that the Sword Dragon might have sunk into a deep depression. Some even speculate he might never wield a sword again." "Ah, isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?" "One can never be certain about such matters." The whispering continued. Runner-up. While undoubtedly an achievement worth of praise, the problem was that it was the Sword Dragon. Accustomed to being an overwhelming victor, his fall was a spectacle, and as is the nature of those in the martial world who revel in gossip, they delighted in dissecting and indulging in this base pleasure. However, they weren't entirely wrong. Namgung Jincheon was indeed caught in a deep slump, unable to sleep well for several days. His first defeat. And the doubts that came with it were indeed gnawing away at Namgung Jincheon's previously unshakeable confidence. Namgung Hyeok looked at his grandson. The gloomy expression and the lackluster steps irked him. "...Stand up straight." Namgung Hyeok said softly. Namgung Jincheon slightly furrowed his brow but eventually followed the instruction. "I'm sorry." "Do not show weakness. The martial world is ruthless, and there is no sympathy for those who expose their vulnerabilities." With that, the conversation ended. Namgung Hyeok did not further reprimand, focusing instead on leading the event. [The prize is the Eternal Winter Metal. Sword Dragon, create the sword you desire with this.] A martial artist from a clan, holding a chest as big as the torso of an adult man, appeared behind Namgung Hyeok. As Namgung Jincheon posed in salute, the martial artist stood behind him. Together, they left the arena. [Next...] As his words reached that point, a silence enveloped the arena. The tension was not simply due to the anticipation of the main character of today's event. This moment signified the birth of a new Dragon. The anticipation was for what title, what Dragon Title, would be bestowed upon him. [...We will now begin the award ceremony for the winner.] Namgung Hyeok received a neatly sealed letter from a clan martial artist. Within it contained the title that would be bestowed upon Mok Riwon today. To predetermine and even seal the declaration of the title within a letter. No one questioned it. It was only natural. The Dragon Title is special. Being a testament recognized by the entire Central Plains martial world, its bestowal involves multiple discussions by masters from renowned families, due to its importance. One could only imagine the weight of this ceremony if the title of King (王) serves as another example. The audience's gaze fixated on the letter. Their attention glued to Namgung Hyeok's movements as he unfolded the letter. Above the hushed martial arts arena. Namgung Hyeok's lips quivered. [A new Dragon has been born.] An absolute ruler who once reigned as the king (王) of this martial world proclaims. [There's a newcomer with overwhelming skills. A martial artist who has proven himself with his sword.] He lists the feats one man displayed during this Yongbong Assembly. [At times ruthless, at times gentle, and sometimes brandishing a thrilling sword. Yet, amidst those, there is one quality he has always harbored.] He defines Mok Riwon. [The dragon that paints its residing place in ink, shining darkly, thus announcing its existence. From now on, the martial world shall refer to him as such.] He defines the quality that represents him. [Mokryong (Ink Dragon). Ascend to the platform.] Mok Riwon, now to be called Mokryong, emerged through the door. The silence that prevailed until then broke down. "Wooooah!!!" The space itself seemed to tear apart with noise. A heat as if skin could burn off burst forth. A man, showcasing a dazzling smile, dives into the middle of this frenzy. On the stage, Namgung Hyeok finally looked at Mok Riwon who had arrived before him and said. [Congratulations on your victory.] He said this and handed over the prize. What followed was a figure from Shaolin, Kwonryong Ilwoon. [The prize is the Sohwan Pill. Mokryong, receive this and strive for the justice of the martial world.] That was the end. Namgung Hyeok waved his hand, dismissing Mok Riwon, who then left the arena. However, the heat of the arena did not fade. Though the award ceremony was brief, the fervor lasted until the end of the assembly. No, even as the day passed, it did not extinguish. Today, a new Dragon has been born in the martial world. * Mok Riwon stood in the middle of a secret chamber with a beaming smile, inwardly shouting his title. 'Mokryong!' While he was slightly disappointed not to be called Hyoryong (Tiger Dragon), this was still quite something. After all, wasn't it the title of Dragon? A title that only the representatives of the righteous martial world could receive. From now on, wherever he goes, he will be called a Dragon. "The eastern part of the martial world calls me Mokryong!" he would have to say if someone asks for his identity. 'The eastern part of the martial world calls me Mokryong…!' Imagining that scene, Mok Riwon clenched his fists, trembling with emotion. He was moved. Kwonryong Ilwoon looked at him with a slightly awkward expression. 'He looks so happy….' It wasn't an unrelatable emotion. He too had struggled to sleep, grinning foolishly the day he received his title, Kwonryong. Of course, he hadn't shown his happiness as openly, but he empathized with the feeling. "Master Mok, congratulations on your victory." "Ah! Thank you! I got a bit ahead of myself in my joy!" Mok Riwon's cheeks flushed. Ilwoon gently smiled and pushed the chest towards him. "Now, shall we begin?" A chest as big as a human fist. The moment it opened, Mok Riwon let out an exclamation. "Oh…!" A biting fragrance filled the room. Simultaneously, a refreshing air penetrated his lungs. The Sohwan Pill. The phenomenon caused by one of Shaolin's renowned elixirs revealing itself to the air. Mok Riwon swallowed saliva and reached for the Sohwan Pill, neatly wrapped. "Should I consume it just like this?" "Yes, while you absorb the power of the elixir, I and my disciples will perform protection." "Understood! Then, please excuse me!" "By all means." Without delay, Mok Riwon crossed his legs into a sitting position. Carefully unwrapping the Sohwan Pill, he swallowed it. 'Hoh…!' The moment he put it in his mouth, 'hwahak', the fragrance erupted. The moment it touched his saliva, the elixir smoothly melted away. As the elixir moved down to his stomach, waking his senses, Mok Riwon quickly recited an incantation. Saaaa-. A stream of dark energy flowed out. Mok Riwon couldn't help admiring the purity he felt as the Sohwan Pill was absorbed. Indeed, it was a Shaolin elixir. 'How can it be so clear?' It was a purity unlike any other he had experienced, vastly different from consuming inner pills from people or beasts. There was no trace of harmful energy or unnecessary residue. Even though absorbing foreign inner energy typically yields friction, the Sohwan Pill seemed willing to blend with any inner energy, relinquishing its nature to become part of him. His dantian swelled. Simultaneously, the movement of the inner energy flowing through his meridians intensified. Due to his extreme physique, Mok Riwon's already explosive inner energy joyously surged stronger. 'Calm down, you little one.' Mok Riwon firmly held the reins of his inner energy and opened the world of his mind. There, a constellation of swords, still lacking in brilliance compared to others, existed. Mok Riwon pushed his rampaging inner energy into that constellation. Hwaaaak-! Instantly, the energy emanating from Mok Riwon became deeper. The completion of his fourth constellation expanded his mental world. But that was not the end. Seongryeong Divine Technique is a martial art of harmony. Now that the constellation of the sword was properly established, it needed to be properly connected to the other constellations. Just as when completing the previous three constellations, Mok Riwon paved a path between the third and fourth constellations. In doing so, he added one more rule to the orbiting constellations. Heaven (天), Earth (地), Man (人). And Sword (劍). The third and fourth constellations were defined at that junction. "Ssshhh…" Mok Riwon exhaled and opened his eyes. His gaze now held a clarity far surpassing what was there before. Now at the clear threshold of peak mastery. Ilwoon had to calm his startled heart at the sudden change in Mok Riwon's aura immediately after consuming the elixir. '...Somehow, it wasn't a lack of enlightenment but a lack of internal energy.' It seemed his martial skills outstripped his cultivation level. It was a situation occasionally observed. Unlike distinguished families who could consume elixirs matching their level of enlightenment at will, martial artists from smaller factions often faced difficulties due to a lack of internal energy to actualize their enlightenment. Suddenly, a bitter smile curled on Ilwoon's lips. 'I should be congratulating him...' It wasn't as easy as he thought. He was a martial artist himself. The sense of deprivation and envy that naturally arose when a peer of similar age advanced ahead was undoubtedly real. Such thoughts didn't befit a disciple of Buddha, so Ilwoon forcibly suppressed them and spoke. "Congratulations. You have made significant progress." "Thank you for standing guard! I seem to be continually in debt to you, monk!" To Mok Riwon's laughing response, Ilwoon once again gathered his resolve. "It's nothing. And thank you." "Hm?" "For that." He would not fall behind. If he lacked talent, he would compensate with effort enough to match. And thus, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with these radiant talents. Kwonryong Ilwoon. He was a man who, faced with towering walls, thought not of surrender but of challenge.