Chapter 272: Meteor Generation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 272: Meteor Generation (1)
A heated discussion was underway at an inn in Henan.
“Did you hear the news?”
A man’s overly cheerful voice made the innkeeper, Bangdok, frown.
“Of course I’ve heard. Brother Chang tells me every single day. How could I not know?”
“Ah, I already told you?”
The man, Chang Euijin, smiled awkwardly as he recalled he’d indeed brought it up just yesterday.
The other men at the table, however, looked intrigued.
“What are you two talking about?”
Hearing this, Bangdok retreated to the kitchen, muttering, This is going to take a while.
Chang Euijin, for his part, was delighted. He loved nothing more than spinning a good tale.
“Brother Don, you know the Heavenly Dragon Academy is opening this year, right?”
“How could I not? I heard it’s the first time in four or five years.”
The Academy always opened after an interval, but this one felt particularly long.
“And do you know who’s been chosen to lead it this time?”
“Naturally. Rumor has it the leader of the Kunlun Sect will be presiding.”
They were part of the Ten Sect Alliance, the very coalition defeated by Qinghai.
The Qinghai Sword, Eui Bijin, head of the Kunlun Sect—he was the one said to be taking the helm.
While the Murim Alliance oversaw the Heavenly Dragon Academy, the position of Headmaster changed with each opening.
“If I recall correctly, the Head of the Wudang Sect was the last one.”
“Very few managed to graduate under his watch.”
This came as no surprise, given the infamous temperament of the Wudang Sect’s Greatest Sword, known throughout the Central Plains.
“Even so, look at the talents that emerged, like the Sword Phoenix or the Heavenly Dragon. It proves exceptional ones will always break through.”
“True enough… but is that the big news you were so excited about?”
“No, no, of course not!”
Chang Euijin waved his hands dismissively.
“If that was all, would I be in such high spirits?”
“Then what is it?”
“You know that a new Headmaster means new instructors will be selected, right?”
“That’s standard procedure. I assume they’ll be drawn from the Kunlun Sect as well?”
“Well, about that…”
Scooch.
Chang Euijin abruptly stood up and leaned in close.
“This is top-secret information, straight from the Beggar’s Sect.”
“And you’ve been leaking this ‘top-secret’ information for the past two days?”
“…Could you at least pretend to be interested?”
As Chang Euijin whined, the other man reluctantly leaned in with a frown.
Satisfied, Chang Euijin lowered his voice to a whisper.
“I heard the Plum Blossom Sword Saint herself will be among the instructors this time.”
“…What?”
That was genuinely shocking news.
The man was taken aback for a moment, then leaned back, his expression turning skeptical.
“Yeah, right. What possible reason would the Sword Queen have to become a mere instructor?”
“Well, why do you think the Qinghai Sword is going? Does he have time to spare?”
“At least he gets paid.”
“…Fair point.”
The position was not just about money; it was a great honor bestowed only upon those with the most esteemed reputations in the Central Plains. It signified the Orthodox Sect’s highest approval.
But the Sword Queen? That was different.
“She is far beyond being a ‘mere’ instructor.”
She was the heroine who represented the Central Plains, the youngest master of Mount Hua to ever earn the title of Sword Queen. Few spoke ill of her; most sang her praises. Her rare public appearances after years of seclusion were always met with widespread relief.
“She’s prestigious enough to be the Headmaster herself.”
“The Celestial Plum Blossom would have been offered that role instead.”
The Celestial Plum Blossom had declined the position multiple times, claiming he lacked the capability without the support of Mount Hua’s disciples.
Yet, the Sword Queen was supposedly content with an instructor’s role? And under the headmastership of the Kunlun Sect, no less?
“I find it hard to believe the Qinghai Sword would agree to this.”
It was one of the main reasons people doubted the rumor’s validity.
“Why is everyone so doubtful? Don’t come crying to me when it turns out I was right.”
“If you’re correct, I’ll buy you a drink.”
“The takings at this inn will double that day, I swear!”
Chang Euijin laughed heartily.
“Anyway, tell me something else.”
“Something else? Like what?”
“You said this year’s Heavenly Dragon Academy intake is shocking.”
“Aha.”
Chang Euijin nodded, understanding immediately.
This was the Meteor Generation, brimming with geniuses who appeared maybe once in a century. And even among those prodigies, a select few shone brightest.
They called it the Meteor Generation because geniuses seemed to be falling from the sky like shooting stars.
The Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
These nine were the most brilliant of them all.
“In the past, there were only two of such caliber. One Dragon, one Phoenix.”
“Right.”
“Wait, only two?”
“The Sword Phoenix and the Heavenly Dragon.”
To be precise, it was Peng Woojin, the Heavenly Dragon from the previous generation, and the current era's greatest young prodigy, the Sword Phoenix.
It had been a sensation back then. The Academy Head at the time, the Wudang Sect Leader, was notoriously harsh. So few prodigies from the great clans managed to graduate under his rigorous standards. Yet, the Sword Phoenix and Peng Woojin had achieved the highest scores in the Academy’s history—results so overwhelming they became legend.
“But this time… there are five of them.”
The timing was perfect. The situation was ripe, and the prodigies were all at the right age. Aside from the Sword Phoenix and Peng Woojin, every member of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes would be eligible to attend.
This led to a question on everyone’s mind in the Central Plains, a dilemma every martial artist pondered at least once.
“Who do you think is the greatest among them?”
Of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, who stood supreme?
Chang Euijin smirked at the question.
“Isn’t it obvious? The Sword Phoenix.”
“But the Sword Phoenix won’t be attending this time.”
“True. Then who would you say?”
The man fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“…The Sleeping Dragon?”
“You thought that long just to name that sleepyhead?”
“Even so, his talent is undeniable.”
The Sleeping Dragon was notoriously lazy. He slept constantly and loathed exertion. He was called the Sleeping Dragon because he was as still and deep as the ocean. He was supposedly too lazy to even breathe, let alone practice his swordsmanship, yet his innate talent was so immense it secured his place among the elite.
“Then what about the Lightning Dragon? He’s no slouch.”
“Please. Everyone knows the Lightning Dragon lost to an unknown newcomer in the last Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament.”
The Lightning Dragon, the next Young Lord of the Namgung Clan, had failed to distinguish himself for two years running.
“It’s still too early to judge the Snow Phoenix and the Poison Phoenix… and as for the Dragon Warrior, we know even less.”
“Then, what about the True Dragon?”
“Ah, the one who earned his title last time…? And who are you?”
As Chang Euijin was about to answer, he finally noticed the young man who had casually joined their conversation. He’d been talking to one person, but now a second face had appeared out of nowhere.
The young man smiled, picking up a chicken leg from the plate in front of Chang Euijin.
“Don’t mind me. The conversation sounded interesting, so I thought I’d listen in.”
“Uh… that’s my food…”
“I’ll cover the bill.”
“Well then… what was our new Brother curious about?”
The stranger was now ‘Brother.’ The young man smiled in response.
“The True Dragon. What are your thoughts on him?”
“The True Dragon… He’s a martial artist who hasn’t been seen much since his debut at the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament.”
Like the Dragon Warrior, the True Dragon had vanished after his first stunning appearance. What made people talk was the overwhelming strength he’d displayed. The rumors said he’d dominated the Lightning Dragon and toyed with the Meteor Sword, the previous tournament’s winner. It sounded like an exaggeration.
Furthermore, he was rumored to be the youngest of the group.
I heard he’s not even twenty yet.
It had to be a tall tale. But if it were true, it meant a monster called the True Dragon had been born, one who would shake the entire Central Plains. However, the Gu Clan, which both the Sword Phoenix and the True Dragon belonged to, had remained silent, leading most to dismiss the rumors.
“Still, it’s undeniable that he defeated the Lightning Dragon and the Meteor Sword. He must be incredibly powerful.”
“How would he fare against the Sleeping Dragon, then?”
“The Sleeping Dragon?”
The man stared at the young man, finally getting a proper look at him. He was strikingly handsome. Though his hair was unkempt and he looked like he hadn’t washed in days, his fine features overshadowed all that.
“Hmm… I’d still give the edge to the True Dragon.”
“I see.”
The young man’s expression turned strange—a mix of disappointment and excitement.
“Ah, Young Brother, since you’re paying, let me share another story. An even more interesting one.”
“Oh? What is it?”
The young man turned to Chang Euijin with keen interest. Pleased with the reaction, Chang Euijin opened his mouth to continue, but—
“Senior… What are you doing here?”
A new voice cut in. A young man approached the handsome listener and let out a deep, weary sigh.
The handsome young man winced. “Shoot. Busted.”
“It’s not about being ‘busted’… Why did you run off in the first— Senior, are you eating meat right now?”
“Junior.”
“Yes?”
“This is bean-curd ‘meat.’ It doesn’t come from an animal.”
“And that chicken leg you’re holding is made from beans, too?”
“Haha, Junior, your sense of humor is improving.”
“…”
“Fine. I’m coming.”
Seeing his junior’s stony expression, the young man stood up, scratching the back of his head. As he put down the chicken leg, Chang Euijin looked at him with disappointment.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for the meal. I heard a good story.”
“Ah, safe travels then. Oh, Young Brother, you look like a martial artist yourself…”
Chang Euijin spoke cautiously, noting the sword at the young man’s waist and the unusual aura he carried.
“I have some small skill with the blade.”
“Might you… have a title?”
“It’s nothing impressive, and not one I’m particularly fond of.”
The young man chuckled and tossed a money pouch—containing enough to cover the meal—to Chang Euijin.
“I enjoyed myself. My name is Woo Hyuk. Let’s meet again.”
With a final smile, the young man left the inn, his junior following close behind.
Left alone again, Chang Euijin and his friend stood in stunned silence for a moment.
“Woo Hyuk… Woo Hyuk?”
It was a name they both knew.
That young man was Woo Hyuk. And if they weren’t mistaken, he was Woo Hyuk of the Wudang Sect—a famous martial artist, a leading star of the Meteor Generation.
And his title was…
“…The Sleeping Dragon?”
The Sleeping Dragon of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes. It had been him all along.
“Haha.”
The other man paled, recalling what he’d just said about the Sleeping Dragon. Chang Euijin let out a hollow laugh, as if he’d seen a ghost, then suddenly spoke.
“…If I’d known it was him, I would have told him the most important piece of news.”
“You’re still on about your stories? That was the Sleeping Dragon! If I’d said anything worse… Ugh…”
Ignoring his friend’s fearful ramblings, Chang Euijin thought of the rumor he’d held back.
The descendant of the Sword Emperor has appeared.
He personally thought it was nonsense, but if he’d known he was talking to the Sleeping Dragon, he would have shared it just for fun. Now he had another great story to tell. Satisfied, Chang Euijin peeked inside the money pouch the Sleeping Dragon had given him.
“With this extra money, how about we make a night of it and…”
“Huh? Brother Chang, what’s wrong?”
Chang Euijin had frozen mid-sentence. His friend leaned over to look into the pouch.
“…Huh?”
The pouch did contain money—exactly two coins, not even enough to buy the cheapest bowl of noodles at the inn.
* * *
“Could you please not wander off on your own?”
“Junior, one must experience the world firsthand.”
“…Ugh… My head hurts.”
The junior shook his head as he walked. The Sleeping Dragon chuckled inwardly as he watched him, his thoughts drifting back to the conversation at the inn.
The True Dragon, huh.
He’d heard the name almost a year ago. A new Dragon had emerged, and this new Dragon had mentioned him.
I heard he beat the Lightning Dragon and the Meteor Sword.
The news left him unmoved. The Lightning Dragon was mediocre, and his opinion of the Meteor Sword wasn’t high either. He knew both were largely products of hype, labeled as masters by an adoring public.
How pathetic.
He felt no pressure, only a profound weariness.
“I’m sleepy.”
“…You slept the entire day yesterday.”
“Junior, no matter how much one sleeps, a person can always be tired.”
The Sleeping Dragon yawned as he walked, wondering how long it would take to get back to their lodges. He longed to lie down.
It’s so loud.
The ambient noise of the world grated on his senses. He hated it.
“Senior, isn’t it rather quiet today?”
“Is it?”
“Yes, for the streets of Henan, this is less crowded than usual.”
“The noise is the same to me.”
“Huh?”
The junior looked around, confused. The streets were relatively empty, the atmosphere almost desolate.
He says it’s loud?
The junior briefly wondered what his senior meant but didn’t dwell on it. His senior often said strange things.
“I just want to sleep for a good long—”
“Huh?”
As they approached the lodgings reserved for the Wudang Sect, both the Sleeping Dragon and his junior stopped short.
A familiar figure was walking toward them.
The Sleeping Dragon halted first. Recognizing him, the approaching figure responded with a faint smile.
It was a young man, as handsome as the Sleeping Dragon, dressed in immaculate white robes. Embroidered on his chest was the symbol of his clan: a beautifully blooming plum flower. Only one clan in the Central Plains used that emblem.
As the Sleeping Dragon’s expression turned peculiar, the handsome young man spoke, as if he had been waiting.
“It has been a while, Brother Woo.”
The moment Woo Hyuk heard that voice, a light, fleeting scent of plum blossoms washed over him.
* * *
Having just arrived in Henan after a long journey, Gu Yangcheon heard his servant report something utterly bizarre.
“…What?”
Thinking he must have misheard, he asked the servant to repeat himself. The answer was the same.
“The Sword Dragon and the Sleeping Dragon are sparring in the middle of the street right now…”
“…?”
Gu Yangcheon frowned. It was far too early in the day, and he’d just arrived. This story was difficult to digest.
…Those crazy fuckers.
What in the world were they thinking?