Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit, Cheon Ga-rak
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After returning to the family and settling in, I went to the Heavenly Dance Family Head's office.
“Father, I have something to tell you.”
“Speak.”
I wondered what his reaction would be.
The time had come to find out.
“I wish to participate in the upcoming Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“What?”
The Heavenly Dance Family Head, Baek Gun-hak, was taken aback.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Mu-heun, do you know about the Divine Dragon Assembly?”
“Only the basics.”
“The Divine Dragon Assembly is not something anyone can enter. You can only participate after passing a rigorous preliminary screening.”
“Then can’t I just take the preliminaries?”
“No, you don’t need to take the preliminary screening.”
‘…Is he telling me not to go?’
“…May I ask why?”
“You know of the major powers within the Divine Cult, I presume?”
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult revolves around the Cult Leader.
However, the Cult Leader cannot handle everything himself.
Administrative tasks such as regional management, diplomacy, market supervision, and balancing urban development and architecture were quite decentralized.
Then there were the twelve Elders and the Three Palaces and Five Pavilions…
“I know the basics.”
Recently, I had also heard detailed information about the Three Great Hidden Palaces.
The Sacred Fire Palace.
A group of priestesses centered around the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden. They rarely fight, in times of peace or war, but they are masters of a powerful ice art, making them contenders for the championship at the Divine Dragon Assembly.
However, no one truly knows how strong they are.
The Killing Palace.
A group specializing in assassination that handles various matters, large and small, outside the Cult’s main territory. They are known as the hidden blades of the Divine Cult, and its Palace Lord, Cho Seon-neung, has reportedly never revealed his skills except when killing a target.
Thus, no one besides the Cult Leader knows his true strength.
The Law Palace.
The department that defines and enforces the laws of the Divine Cult.
They conduct audits of the various factions and mete out punishment to those who commit crimes within the Cult.
Its Palace Lord, Cheon Ji-gyeong, once had a conflict with an Elder over a matter of internal criminal law and ended up killing the Elder, who was at the Initial Demonic Realm at the time, in an instant.
That incident revealed to everyone that he was an Apex Demonic Realm master.
“The twelve Elders, the Three Great Hidden Palaces, and the Five Pavilions—the Supreme Emperor Pavilion, the Red Demon Pavilion, the Ghost Lord Pavilion, the Dream Pavilion, and the Reverence Pavilion—are also formidable powers, the very pillars of the Divine Cult.”
“Yes.”
“Therefore, these twenty factions can participate without going through the preliminaries, but each faction is limited to only three participants.”
“What does that have to do with us…”
“You fool, I am Baek Gun-hak, the Head of the Heavenly Dance Family and the twelfth Elder.”
“……Huh?”
Impossible… I heard the leaders of the twenty factions were at least at the Initial Demonic Realm…?
“Why? You don’t believe me?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Reading the bewilderment on my face, my father narrowed his eyes and gave me a look that said, ‘I knew it.’
“Hahaha, it’s alright. It’s only natural that you didn’t know.”
“No, it’s just… haha.”
“And even more so because I don’t look like I’ve reached the Initial Demonic Realm, right?”
“Ha, haha, well…”
It was true. Not only his appearance, but I couldn’t sense any aura emanating from him either.
‘No, wait… I can’t sense it? Come to think of it, he emitted a powerful aura during the Heavenly Dance Festival, so why can’t I feel anything from him now?’
I focused again, trying to sense my father’s energy, but still, I felt nothing.
‘How can this be? I’ve reached the Transcendent Peak Realm myself. Yet, I can’t read even the faintest trace of his energy? Could it be that Father has reached the Apex Demonic Realm?’
Well, it wasn’t impossible. Just because they were a family of dance, not martial arts, didn’t mean they had to be weak.
Just then, my father spoke.
“Haha, you look like you can’t believe it. Are you confused because your own level has risen so much, yet you can’t sense any aura from me?”
“…You knew.”
“Shall I tell you the secret?”
“The secret, you say?”
“Yes. Watch closely.”
My father rolled up his sleeve and showed me a talisman on his wrist. The words ‘Demon Seal Talisman’ were written on it. Without hesitation, my father tore the talisman.
And then…
“Th-this is…!?”
It was an aura on par with the Blade Leaf Demon’s—no, even greater.
‘So he was concealing his energy with that talisman. How novel.’
I also needed to perfectly conceal my energy until the Divine Dragon Assembly. In that regard, the Demon Seal Talisman was a truly timely discovery.
‘I should ask for one and study it.’
It was surprising that my father was one of the twelve Elders, but that raised another question.
“But in that case, isn’t this even better? Pa-sun, Un-pyo, and I will participate.”
“Mu-heun.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You can’t always have things your way in this world.”
“……”
“Our family is not one of martial arts, but one that focuses on scholarship. For generations, we have been under the protection of the Azure Dragon Unit, as decreed by the Cult Leader. Therefore, the Azure Dragon Unit can also be considered part of our faction, and traditionally, they have sent three of their most promising members to the Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“So you’re saying it’s not a hierarchical relationship but a mutually dependent one, so we can’t just unilaterally change the arrangement without a good reason.”
“…That is correct.”
“In that case, this is for the best.”
“For the best?”
“Yes. The three promising warriors from the Azure Dragon Unit and myself, Un-pyo, and Pa-sun can have a preliminary duel. The strongest will then participate.”
“Hah.”
I made the proposal calmly, and my father seemed at a loss for words at my confidence.
“You would do that?”
“Yes. Please grant me your permission.”
“The Azure Dragon Unit is not to be underestimated. I might not worry about you, but I can’t say the same for the men you brought with you.”
“Won’t it simply be a matter of the stronger ones participating?”
“Kekeke, you’re right. That would be fair. Very well. I will speak to the Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit and arrange the duel.”
“Thank you.”
Just as I was about to conclude, a brilliant idea struck me.
“Father. Could you possibly summon the Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit to my room tomorrow night? I would be grateful if you told him I have something to discuss regarding the duel.”
“Alright, I will let the Commander know.”
“Thank you.”
And so, it was decided that Pa-sun, Un-pyo, and I would first have a duel with the Azure Dragon Unit.
The Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit, who had been giving me such sharp glares just a moment ago…
‘Let’s see what the Azure Dragon is made of.’
***
By the time I finished touring the rest of the family estate, night had fallen.
The hour of the Pig had passed, and the hour of the Rat was approaching. It was time to return to my quarters. As I passed through the garden gate of my residence…
“Pa-sun, Un-pyo.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I had given them an empty annex near my chambers and told them to rest comfortably… but these guys were waiting for me, wide awake.
“What are you doing up?”
“We were waiting for you, my lord.”
“Hah, honestly.”
I wasn’t sure whether to find this admirable or…
“I have something to tell you both.”
“Just give the word.”
“You know the Divine Dragon Assembly will be held in about a month, right?”
“Of course.”
Pa-sun and Un-pyo spoke as if their participation was a given.
“However, the Heavenly Dance Family can only send three people.”
“That’s the three of us, isn’t it?”
“No. We have to compete with the Azure Dragon Unit.”
“We have to compete with the Azure Dragon Unit to represent the Heavenly Dance Family?”
“Yes. It’s been done that way for generations. If we want to go, we have to fight and win against the promising warriors of the Azure Dragon Unit.”
“Haha! How is that a problem? We are the ones who crossed the line between life and death in the Blade Leaf Valley.”
“That’s right. Those who have only trained leisurely at the main headquarters are no match for us.”
Pa-sun and Un-pyo were full of confidence.
‘What on earth are these guys basing this confidence on…’
“In three days, there will be a duel with the Azure Dragon Unit. Don’t get complacent. Prepare yourselves.”
“Understood!”
“Alright, it’s late. We’ll talk again in the morning.”
“Yes, have a peaceful night.”
***
-The next day, in Mu-heun’s personal storehouse.
“We will train here until the duel with the Azure Dragon Unit. It’s a bit cramped, but bear with it.”
“Yes, understood.”
I taught Pa-sun the spearmanship I had painstakingly researched.
“The basic principle is to condense your internal energy in both hands and rotate it. Channel that rotating energy into the spear, then make it explode at the tip.”
“Yes!”
“When the rotating energy imbues the spear, it will come alive. Use this duel as an opportunity to develop a free-form spearmanship, unbound by convention.”
“Yes!”
To Un-pyo, I taught a footwork reminiscent of the Heavenly Dance Family’s movements, one that could be used alongside his domineering saber techniques.
“Move more fluidly, as if you’re flowing.”
“Yes!”
“I’ve heard the Azure Dragon Unit has traditionally subdued their enemies with swift spears. They also use a sword style that is like flowing water, so be aware of that.”
“Yes!”
Pa-sun and Un-pyo’s growth had slowed, unlike in the beginning. It was clear they had become arrogant. If they were to defeat the Azure Dragon Unit easily, they would only become more so…
I was slightly worried, but…
‘If that happens, I’ll just have to crush them myself.’
I heard that the Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit, Cheon Ga-rak, was at the Transcendent Peak Realm. Since we would only be fighting his subordinates who had not yet reached the age of thirty, it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Probably…
“In your duel with the Azure Dragon Unit, do not hold back under any circumstances. Do not use your personal weapons, the Pa-sun Spear and the Black Cloud, but give it your all.”
“Yes, my lord!”
I had devised the most effective way to reveal myself.
Upon returning to the main sect, I had a direct audience with the Cult Leader and was recognized for my contributions. Since the Cult Leader himself bestowed a reward, the advantage of not drawing attention was gone.
However, people don’t easily believe what they haven’t seen with their own eyes. No, they believe only what they want to believe.
‘That will be the same for the Azure Dragon Unit’s Commander and the other factions within the Cult.’
So, I will use everything at my disposal.
The black sheep of the Heavenly Dance Family.
The sheltered scholar who had never learned martial arts.
The one who almost died after being attacked while causing a ruckus in a brothel.
No matter what accomplishments I had, they couldn’t help but be suspicious.
The plan I came up with was a smokescreen: the classic ‘fox borrowing the tiger’s might.’
The quick-witted ones would have already taken notice of me and placed me under surveillance. It was inevitable for a rising star.
And at a time like this, I’m dueling the Azure Dragon Unit for a spot in the Divine Dragon Assembly?
Of course they’ll come to watch.
But if I’m going to reveal my skills, I must do it decisively.
A half-hearted reveal would be more poison than boon.
‘Now is not the time.’
I will prop up Pa-sun and Un-pyo as much as possible, and I will hide myself. I’ll make them perceive me as a mere fox, riding the coattails of the tiger known as the Blade Leaf Demon.
***
The Heavenly Dance Family Head, Baek Gun-hak, visited the Azure Dragon Unit.
After exchanging light greetings with Cheon Ga-rak, he got straight to the point.
“Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit, Young Master Sa wishes to duel your unit for a spot in the Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“……!”
“I know it sounds absurd from your perspective, but how about treating it as an experience?”
“…Understood.”
‘Hoh.’
“You agreed surprisingly easily?”
“I too was curious about the Young Master’s martial prowess. I wanted to confirm if the Young Master Sa I have known is truly the one who defeated a Transcendent Peak master in cooperation with the Blade Leaf Demon.”
“……”
“So, I am merely grateful that you have made the request first.”
“I see. Young Master Sa said he has something to discuss with you regarding the duel, so please pay a visit to his quarters.”
“Understood.”
Cheon Ga-rak readily accepted.
Normally, it would be proper etiquette for Young Master Sa to visit the Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit.
Yet, the fact that the Head of the Heavenly Dance Family was personally asking him to go meant there was some ulterior motive.
It was painfully obvious.
‘That troublemaker, Young Master Sa. He has something to discuss with me about the duel? I can see right through him. He’s obviously going to try and persuade me to send out my weakest men. That’s why he’s summoning me to a place where we can talk alone.’
The Family Head was concerned by the Commander’s demeanor, but he stood up to leave without another word.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
“Take care, Family Head.”
After the Family Head left, Cheon Ga-rak remained alone.
He gritted his teeth and muttered.
“Young Master Sa. The Divine Dragon Assembly is not some tournament you can enter for fun. You’ve picked the wrong opponent this time.”
But one never knew the outcome until the blades were crossed.