Dragon-Phoenix Assembly: Unifying the Martial World
The Yongbong Assembly. Unifying the martial world. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the jianghu would spit out "madman" at such a deranged declaration.
How vast was the martial world? How many experts roamed it? And the hidden eccentrics and hermits—they were as numerous as grains of sand. Who could dare utter such a foolish dream?
But that was only part of it. The most unshakeable power in the martial world was the established order. An absolute force unbroken for centuries. The Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families. Even the Murim Alliance, their alliance. Since the decline of the demonic forces led by the Demonic Cult and the Evil Alliance, their might and prosperity had only grown stronger.
And yet, the master of a mere escort agency dared speak of unifying the martial world? It could only be madness.
In martial history, those who seriously raised unification as their banner and tried to make it reality were mostly lunatics. From the Heavenly Demon, called the martial world's archenemy, to the Blood Demon, the worst slaughter fiend. Each time, the jianghu drowned in rivers of blood.
Of course, the Golden Dragon Battlefield Master couldn't even be compared to such monstrous horrors. If anything, that made his words sound even more insane. Absurdly so.
"...What did you just say?"
Even Yu Seol-young had to ask for confirmation.
Bang So-un exhaled a slow plume of pipe smoke. Then repeated himself.
"Unifying the martial world."
She hadn't misheard. Yu Seol-young narrowed her eyes and stared at him intently.
"They say pipeweed can cause hallucinations."
"I'm perfectly sane."
Bang So-un protested as if wronged.
"Even Emperor Gaozu of Han, who had nothing going for him, saw Qin Shi Huang's procession and thought a real man ought to aim that high. So what reason do I have, a man with money to spare, not to harbor such ambitions?"
Quoting Emperor Liu Bang's anecdote, no less. This was serious. Seriously crazy.
Now Yu Seol-young finally understood what set the Golden Dragon Battlefield Master apart from the ordinary rabble.
He was different, alright. A madman.
"Why look at me like that? I'm neither crazy nor deranged. Just a man with big ambitions."
His usual lack of emotional control was showing. Especially while spouting such nonsense.
As Yu Seol-young swept back her hair, trying to compose herself—
"Don't tell me you're one of those dull, ordinary types, Miss Yu? Is that why you can't grasp it?"
Bang So-un twisted Geomgak's famous line back at her: the world overrun by mediocre men.
No one in the world had ever been like Bang So-un.
"..."
Her composure failed again.
"That would be disappointing."
"..."
His brazen attitude nearly made even the great Yu Seol-young wonder if she was the weird one. What kind of man...?
She knew she was an oddity compared to others, but this man was even stranger.
As the dumbfounded Yu Seol-young opened her mouth to retort a beat late—
Bang So-un strode off without a backward glance. Almost fleeing.
"..."
Yu Seol-young froze, face rigid.
He was the first in the world to leave her like this.
Achieving two feats at once, both incredibly difficult. Bang So-un would have been quite satisfied if he knew.
Meanwhile, Yu Seol-young stood blankly staring at empty air for a long while. Her mind seemed tangled.
Then she muttered.
"Hit and run, huh?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Jang Il, Jang Il."
"What is it, young master?"
"From now on, stop stirring up trouble."
"Pardon?"
Jang Il, rolling around naked amid the voluptuous bodies of peak female experts, blinked in confusion.
Bang So-un chuckled.
"Geomgak's moves are unpredictable."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You know 'hit and guts'?"
"Yeah? That's gambling slang, right?"
"Exactly. I went ahead and pulled that bold stunt on Geomgak."
"You what? You okay?"
"Of course. You think she'd turn me into a cripple like some pirate just for one shot?"
Bang So-un grinned slyly.
"No, no. Is that even something to joke about?"
Jang Il blinked in shock.
"Kidding, kidding. Just gave her a strong dose, that's all."
"...Whatever it is, I trust you handled it well, young master."
"Haha, that's the spirit. With those elite types, approaching straight-on means no hope forever. Need a special angle."
"But you can't predict her..."
"So let's sit tight and watch for now."
"Got it. I'll hold back."
"Good. Her response will come for sure. We'll wait."
A twisted smile played on Bang So-un's lips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
...But no response came, even upon arriving in Hangzhou.
Bang So-un even wondered if he'd misjudged.
Damn, did I overplay it?
Maybe too rash. He clicked his tongue bitterly.
Spilled water couldn't be gathered. And now in Hangzhou, he had to disembark.
"Let's go."
As Bang So-un shook off regrets and moved to step ashore—
A woman's figure popped out abruptly. Yu Seol-young.
"Eek?!"
Jang Il startled back.
But Bang So-un smiled, thinking finally.
"Well, Miss Yu. What brings you out so suddenly? Getting off here too?"
"Yongbong Assembly."
"Yongbong Assembly?"
Her abrupt words furrowed Bang So-un's brow in question.
"I'll be at the next one. Want to meet me? Come there."
"There?"
"Have a safe trip in."
Yu Seol-young vanished again.
"Hmm."
Bang So-un rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It had worked. Revealing her destination was proof.
The issue: it felt like more than that, but he couldn't decipher it.
"...What the heck?"
Jang Il gawked blankly.
"Beats me, for now."
Bang So-un shook his head.
"Let's get off first."
He stepped toward the dock.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"The Yongbong Assembly is the martial world's most prestigious gathering of young experts."
Eun Hwa-yeong explained politely. Of course, she was stark naked, forehead pressed to the floor.
Normally, after so long apart, he'd have fucked her like a dog first. But today's Bang So-un was calm. Too many thoughts.
"Hm, so that means I'm qualified too?"
"Yes, age-wise no issue. But qualifications..."
"Right, there must be some. What are they?"
"Disciples of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families qualify automatically. Otherwise..."
"Ha, the elite club, huh? Young folks playing so stuffy."
Bang So-un smirked crookedly.
He understood. Loose standards dilute prestige. Couldn't let in riffraff. Strict selection for top authority.
"So what for the rest?"
"Need three recommendation letters from current members."
"Three letters?"
"Yes. Letters recommending you as a member."
"Ah, that's how they gatekeep."
Bang So-un's eyes gleamed. He'd caught Geomgak's intent.
Come to the assembly if you want to meet meant: get three letters by then. Prove yourself. A test.
"Interesting."
He chuckled softly. Positive sign. If she'd wanted to cut ties after that, no interest. This reaction meant otherwise.
Prospects were inching forward.
"Next one's when?"
"One year from now, at the Tang family in Sichuan."
"Tang family in Sichuan?"
Bang So-un's expression shifted. Eerily coincidental.
"Of all places, that trash heap."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind."
"S-sorry, Master. This horny pussy fox bitch forgot her place..."
"Hm, no. On second thought, good for you to know too. Your pussy's useful, but so's that head of yours."
"I-I'm unworthy of such high praise, Master."
"Haha, just know it. Listen up."
Bang So-un began. First: the true culprit who killed Jeoldae Sin-ui Yu Baek-gi, master of Go-eui, was Tang Patriarch Poison King Dang Mu-ak. The real mastermind: Tang Great-Grandmatron Mo Yong-ryeo, twisted by rejected love into obsessive hate.
Second: why Muyeong Bido was forced into long seclusion—beaten like street thugs by Dark Severance Dang Cheol-san and Tang warriors.
Eun Hwa-yeong looked deeply shocked.
"H-how could they stoop to demonic scum tactics...?"
"Heh, that's why the jianghu's fun. Fun 'cause it's so filthy."
Bang So-un laughed leisurely. He was playing the long game. And honestly, the current power gap meant Tang could sneeze and he'd crumple without a peep.
No matter. Time was on his side.
"So it'd be a delight to deliver karmic justice with my own hands."
"This horny pussy fox bitch bows to Master's grand vision."
"Haha, still far off. First, snag those three recommendations. So—"
"Yes, Master."
"Gather every scrap of info on Yongbong members. Leave nothing out."
"Understood, Master."
Bang So-un's gaze fixed on those recommendation letters.