Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: The Solitary Black Dragon
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A black dragon coiled around the violet sun in the sky, compressing it. The highly condensed sun made a crushing sound.
*Crr-unch, crr-unch, crr-unch*
Soon, the violet sun, now a fist-sized orb, rested on the tip of Mu-heun's sword.
"Here I come."
"Come."
Mu-heun and Seol Ha-ryeong kicked off the ground and rushed toward each other.
On Seol Ha-ryeong's fan rested a full moon of extremely condensed yin energy, while on the tip of Mu-heun's sword was an extremely condensed sun.
Presently, the tips of the fan and sword met, and the sun and full moon collided.
One Point Hundred Flowers Full Moon Art versus the Violet Sun Art.
The collision of the two orbs
*Whoooom—*
warped the atmosphere, creating a phenomenon where space itself seemed to be sucked in.
And then...
*CR-ACK!*
A bizarre and massive explosion erupted, shaking the Heavenly Mountains as if an earthquake had struck. In some places, ice formed, while in others, fire blazed.
The tournament stage was blown to smithereens.
It was a monumental clash, an explosion incomparable to any other seen in the Divine Dragon Assembly's duels thus far.
However, the power of the violet sun was enough to shatter the full moon. The black dragon circling the sun ferociously devoured the broken moon, and soon, its cold energy slowly melted away.
Finally, an explosion of violet flames echoed across the summit of the Heavenly Mountains.
Seol Ha-ryeong, who had always maintained a relaxed smile, was sent flying helplessly and plunged straight into the lake.
*Splash!*
Mu-heun immediately ran and dove into the lake. As he submerged and pulled Seol Ha-ryeong up, he felt a strange sensation. The black dragon in his dantian, formed from the transformation of his Heavenly Demonic Energy, had absorbed a portion of the Full Moon Art, causing yin energy to flow into his dantian.
Heavenly Demonic Energy was fundamentally of the extreme yang attribute. With the addition of yin energy, an energy of the extreme yin attribute settled in one corner of his dantian.
It was something he had never heard of from his Heavenly Demon master, and even as a Divine Doctor who had studied various disciplines, it was a completely new phenomenon.
‘How strange.’
Grabbing the sinking Seol Ha-ryeong, he swam back to the surface.
"Puhah!"
Once out of the lake, Mu-heun lifted Seol Ha-ryeong out first and handed her over to the medics.
Then, he walked up to the center of the shattered tournament stage. Seeing him, Gu Yeom, now with an expression of sheer disbelief, shouted.
"The... the winner of the Divine Dragon Assembly is!"
The one once notorious as the Heavenly Dance Family's troublemaker. The youngest participant, just past the age of twenty. The one standing alone on the ruined stage after all the other young successors of the Demonic Cult had fallen.
Gazing upon that solitary, noble figure, he yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Baek Mu-heun of the Heavenly Dance Family!"
*Clap, clap-clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!*
*Clap, clap-clap-clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!*
*Waaaaaaaaaaah!*
It was the same thunderous roar and applause as always, but it was louder and more magnificent than ever before. Everyone in the audience stood up, clapping until their palms stung, shouting until their throats were raw.
This was the moment the 17th Divine Dragon was born.
The ones most overjoyed at this moment were Pa-sun, Un-pyo, and the Heavenly Dance Family Head, Baek Gun-hak.
Family Head Baek Gun-hak had always admired and been grateful for Mu-heun's transformation. Yet, he couldn't shake off his constant anxiety.
‘What if he reverts to his old self?’
He blamed himself for Mu-heun going astray, believing he had failed to guide him properly. Because of this guilt, he had unconditionally listened to and trusted Mu-heun's words. Though he worried Mu-heun might stray again, he never showed it in front of him.
Hot tears streamed down Baek Gun-hak's face.
"You've surpassed even me now. You have truly taken flight."
Having shed the dishonorable title of the troublemaking Fourth Young Master and won the final match of the Divine Dragon Assembly, Mu-heun strode confidently to the center of the demolished stage.
The one left standing alone on the stage to determine the final Divine Dragon was the Heavenly Dance Family's genius Fourth Young Master.
Now, only the closing ceremony remained.
And,
from the highest point of the Sun and Moon Palace, where he had been observing the duels, Cult Leader Cheon Mu-jin showed a faint smile for the first time.
"I've found the right one."
***
-The Divine Dragon Assembly Closing Ceremony
The atmosphere was nothing short of a grand festival.
The ceaseless applause and cheers were a given. Whistles, the sounds of drums, gongs, hourglass drums, and small gongs all blended together, while the melodies of ancient zithers tied all the sounds together, elevating the mood.
Mu-heun stood on the now-fragmented stage, receiving all the praise, as the Cult Leader descended from the summit of the Sun and Moon Palace.
The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord and the Grand Protector used psychokinesis to lift the shattered stage, and their subordinates swiftly cleared it away. The Heavenly Lake was clean once more, and the three Palace Lords were bringing in the stage for the closing ceremony.
All the Elders and Pavilion Lords who had been seated in the VIP section came down to help with the preparations. The three Palace Lords, who had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts, used psychokinesis to move a wooden stage and float it on the lake.
*Splash!*
As the stage for the closing ceremony landed, the Heavenly Lake churned violently.
The wooden stage floated on the lake's surface, and the Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord Jin Mu and Grand Protector Yu Jong stepped onto it. By channeling internal energy into their legs, they held the stage steady on the water as if it were fixed to the ground.
Then, every cult member on the Heavenly Mountains turned their gaze to one spot and applauded. A gentle breeze blew, and from the top floor of the Sun and Moon Palace, a figure fully revealed himself.
Descending from the summit of the Sun and Moon Palace, the Cult Leader flew through the air, a single sword beneath his feet.
Using Sword Flight, he gently descended from the palace's summit to the stage on the lake. As soon as he landed, the Cult Leader's sword moved as if on its own, returning to its sheath.
"The winner will ascend the stage."
In the meantime, Mu-heun, who had changed into a clean set of clothes, walked onto the lakeside stage amidst cheers and applause, knelt on one knee, and lowered his head.
*Thud!*
Then, as if he had practiced countless times for this very moment, he spoke.
"The Divine Cult shall not be defeated, the world shall submit to the Demonic Path, and this glory shall last for generations to come."
He then cupped his fist and raised his bowed head, sharply declaring.
"I greet the Cult Leader, the sky of the Divine Cult! As a member of the Divine Cult, I will do my utmost!"
Mu-heun recited the lines he had memorized the previous night without a single mistake, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
‘Perfect.’
But the Cult Leader's expression remained impassive, showing no change.
‘W-Was that not it? My father definitely told me to do it this way...’
Strangely, Mu-heun always felt nervous in front of the Cult Leader.
‘Is it because he resembles my Heavenly Demon master...’
Just then,
"Well done."
the Cult Leader offered a brief compliment.
"Cult Leader. This is the 17th Divine Dragon Plaque."
The Radiant Heavenly Demon Lord presented a red box to the Cult Leader with both hands. The box was open, revealing a golden plaque resting on black silk.
A golden plaque engraved with a dragon.
It was the Divine Dragon Plaque, given only to the winner of the Divine Dragon Assembly. The Cult Leader picked up the plaque, and Mu-heun, still kneeling, raised both hands above his head.
*Tap.*
In that instant, the Divine Dragon Plaque passed from the Cult Leader's hand to Mu-heun's.
"Rise."
"Yes, sir!"
Mu-heun rose, and the Cult Leader had him stand by his side before addressing the Heavenly Mountains, his voice imbued with profound internal energy.
[ The winner of this Divine Dragon Assembly is ]
Though he spoke with a relaxed expression, his voice resonated throughout the entire Heavenly Mountains. But it was a familiar echo. It was the three-syllable name that no one in the cult did not know now, the same name that had been called when the Divine Dragon Assembly first began.
[ The Heavenly Dance Family's Fourth Young Master, Baek Mu-heun. ]
*Waaaaaaah!*
*Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!*
Everyone on the Heavenly Mountains knew.
The winner of the 17th Divine Dragon Assembly was Baek Mu-heun.
Mu-heun stood proudly before everyone, receiving the cheers and applause. He clenched both fists, beat his chest, and began a chant.
*Thump!*
"Divine Cult, Unbeaten! Myriad Demons, Submit! Demonic Host, Eternal! Heavenly Demon, Reborn!"
In response, everyone on the Heavenly Mountains chanted back.
*Thump!*
[ Divine Cult, Unbeaten! Myriad Demons, Submit! Demonic Host, Eternal! Heavenly Demon, Reborn! ]
*Waaaaaaaaaaah!*
The cheers were endless. The Cult Leader watched Mu-heun quietly for a moment before speaking.
"I will grant you your reward. Come find me when everything is settled."
"Yes, sir!"
With those words, the Cult Leader departed.
And then, a group rushed toward Mu-heun...
*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud*
*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud*
"My Lord!"
"Young Master!"
"Fourth Young Master!"
"Fourth Brother!"
The members of the Heavenly Dance Family and the Azure Dragon Unit.
"Fourth Young Master!"
"Family Head, let's go together!"
It was the Heavenly Dance Family Head Baek Gun-hak, several Elders, and Pavilion Lord Bul-wi of the Dream Mist Pavilion.
"E-Everyone, please calm down. Calm..."
*Clatter-clatter!*
"What happened?"
"D-Did you enter the Transcendent Demon realm?"
"Fourth Young Master, are you even human?"
"Why were you hiding so much?"
"Just how much of a genius are you?"
Amidst the clamor, he felt other gazes. They were the participants of the Divine Dragon Assembly, the young successors of the Demonic Cult, watching from a distance, wanting to approach but not daring to.
And he saw a somewhat familiar face. It was a female martial artist, her expression a mix of anxiety, nervousness, and guilt.
But most of the participants were hesitant. Seeing them, Mu-heun remembered the promise he had made in the waiting room.
"Enough!"
Mu-heun shouted, his voice laced with internal energy, and everyone quieted down.
"Now, now, let's save the detailed stories for later. I'm not going anywhere. For now, please return. I have things to attend to as well."
"Ah, understood."
After sending back the members of the Heavenly Dance Family and the Azure Dragon Unit, he greeted the family heads who had come with his father and the Pavilion Lord of the Dream Mist Pavilion.
"I enjoyed the final duel. I've never seen a master of your age at such a level in my entire life."
"Haha, you flatter me."
"Fourth Young Master! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I was so surprised my heart nearly leaped out of my chest!"
"Haha, wasn't it entertaining?"
"What? Kuhahahaha! Of course, it was entertaining!"
"More importantly, Elders, and Pavilion Lord of Dream Mist."
Mu-heun spoke quietly so that the sound wouldn't carry.
"Did you receive the letters?"
*Nod.*
Instead of answering, the Elders and the Pavilion Lord of Dream Mist nodded.
"Haha, thank you. Let's talk at length when all this is over."
"Understood!"
"Kuhahaha! I thought he was a tiger cub, but he was a divine dragon all along!"
He then sent the Elders and the Pavilion Lord of Dream Mist on their way.
"Hohoho, Fourth Young Master. That was a fine display. You've become unrecognizably strong."
"Haha, I was just lucky. Experiencing the martial arts of the Sacred Fire Palace firsthand has left my hands still trembling."
The Sun and Moon Divine Maiden said with a laugh. Behind her, he could see Killing Palace Lord Cho Seon-neung and Law Palace Lord Cheon Ji-gyeong.
"Then, I will greet you properly later."
"Of course. Let's see that child, Ha-ryeong, then as well."
"Excellent."
After the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden left, Mu-heun approached the Killing Palace Lord and the Law Palace Lord, cupped his fist, and greeted them.
"Greetings to the Killing Palace Lord and the Law Palace Lord!"
The Killing Palace Lord, Cho Seon-neung, was pleased with my respectful attitude.
"Hohoho, your martial prowess is astounding. A fine display! I'd like to have you face our Gu Yang-baek. What do you say? Would you visit the Killing Palace when you have time?"
"Haha, yes. I will be sure to do so."
Next, the Law Palace Lord, Cheon Ji-gyeong, tilted his head and mentioned U Mu-gyeong, who had lost to Mu-heun.
"Ahem! Fourth Young Master. How was U Mu-gyeong's skill? Was it decent?"
"Of course. If I were to pick seven individuals who could aim for victory in this Divine Dragon Assembly, U Mu-gyeong of the Law Palace would be one of them. In fact, I believe there are few as powerful as him."
"Kuhahahahahahaha! Now this, this I like. Come visit the Law Palace sometime as well."
"How could I refuse?"
He finished greeting the other Pavilion Lords as well.
He had more or less greeted all the VIPs from the Sun and Moon Palace.
With the exception of five people.
Mu-heun smiled warmly and approached the young successors who were still hesitating. The reason they couldn't come closer was that the side of him he had shown so far had been utterly terrifying.
The members of the Heavenly Dance Family and the Azure Dragon Unit had seen his gentle scholar act for so long that they felt no hesitation even after witnessing his brutal duels, but the others were different.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself once more. I am Baek Mu-heun, the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family. It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
Mu-heun added a smile to his handsome features and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Once things are settled, I would like to invite all of you to the Heavenly Dance Family estate. How about we all talk together then?"
"Uh, y-yes, that would be great!"
"I-I would like to go too!"
"P-Please invite me as well!"
The young successors finally relaxed and rushed forward, each asking for an invitation.
Mu-heun treated them all warmly, greeting them and promising an invitation.
Just then.
Figures who made all the young successors of the Demonic Cult tense up walked over.
"Such a disrespectful brat."
Along with those chilling words, a powerful energy pressed down on Mu-heun and all the other young successors.
A pressure so intense it made their hearts sink and goosebumps rise was felt, and fear filled the eyes of everyone present.
Even Mu-heun, who had demolished the tournament stage, couldn't help but tense up. The owner of that internal energy was none other than the first of the Cult Leader's five disciples, the Sword Demon.