Arrival at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly
Chatting idly about this and that, we gradually made our way toward the Murim Alliance. With our schedule delayed, Elder Hyun-gong urged us to use lightness skills to race ahead and arrive near the Alliance before they did, and without a second thought, we bolted toward Henan.
Sure enough, Elder Hyun-gong recognized the movement technique I was using at a glance. But what had I learned since coming to the Mudang Sect? "Didn't Lone Traveler Hero personally teach it to me, and now it's in my hands? Isn't it Mudang Sect martial arts now?" At my words, Elder Hyun-gong's eyes gleamed, his face blooming into a full smile. How could he not be thrilled that the Beggar Clan's secret lightness skill, famed as one of the world's finest, had rolled right into his lap? The justification was crystal clear, so of course he was delighted.
'Punk-ass beggars.'
Using lightness skills like that, we pushed on night after night without proper rest, targeting the Murim Alliance—and we arrived looking just like beggars again. Was it because we had swords at our waists and zipped around like we were flying over the ground? I couldn't help but feel disappointed that we hadn't run into any of those cliché green forest bandits from wuxia tales.
'These kids nowadays got no grit.'
The gloves I'd named Daedal trembled faintly in my hand. Ignoring that, Elder Hyun-gong approached the gate guards at the Murim Alliance's main entrance, brushing off the surrounding murmurs with one ear.
"This one is Hyun-gong, 35th-generation disciple of the Mudang Sect. We've come to attend the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly on behalf of the Mudang Sect—would you kindly inform those inside?" He was dressed in his Taoist robes and subtly showed off the sword sheath stamped with the Mudang Sect's insignia. Confirming that this was an elder from a major sect who had reached the Superb realm, the guard became extremely deferential and began escorting us inside.
Connections were everything, after all.
"For the Mudang Sect, you'll be staying in this Heavenly-grade guest quarters. You've had a long journey—our apologies for the trouble. Then... this lowly one will take his leave." As one of the Nine Great Sects, we were shown to the top-tier accommodations. We immediately unpacked and straightened our clothes. It was because we'd rushed here so suddenly that we looked disheveled—like total Beggar Clan rejects.
"You're all tired, but tidy up your appearances first before unpacking. Fortunately, we have time before the main hall event begins, so make sure to compose yourselves properly and avoid letting the Mudang Sect's reputation come under scrutiny."
""Yes, Elder!""
The guest quarters had private rooms for Elder Hyun-gong and the first-generation disciples, while the rest were divided among the second-generation disciples who paired up. The room I entered was luxurious, as if they'd smeared money all over it—wooden furniture dyed with vibrant natural colors, a bed with silk bedding, and even a small bathtub across the room.
I stripped off my travel martial robes and headed straight for the tub. No idea where they found the time, but it was filled with hot water. The hospitality system kicking in the moment the guard relayed the message sent shivers down my spine.
'They gotta be this disciplined or they'd actually drop dead if they screwed up?'
I couldn't help but admire the upside of these primitive ancients, who could end up limping for life if a joint popped wrong. Shouldn't we learn from this?
Lost in such random thoughts, I splashed water on myself, and finally felt human again. 'People gotta wash up... What was that camping bullshit?'
During the day, we'd flown around on lightness skills, covered head to toe in dust; at night, we'd gathered grass like real beggars and camped out. The memory made my body tremble. Even the Academy hadn't trained us this harshly.
'These barbarians...'
Grumbling, I changed into a neat martial robe I'd prepared in advance and stepped out. A few second-generation disciples approached hesitantly.
"Martial granduncle. May we explore around the guest quarters?"
It was their first time at a major event since joining the sect, so their ears were red with excitement—and it made me uneasy. Fine, whatever, but if my lackeys caused trouble, it'd be on me.
"I'd love to let you roam free, but reckless actions could harm other sects. If the second-generation disciples want to go out, pair up with a first-generation disciple. And if you do go, report to me separately."
It was conditional, but their faces lit up at the permission. None of them had expected to go out alone anyway. Nodding, I handled my juniors' requests and then lounged in the guest quarters' pavilion, enjoying the breeze and scenery.
This world's natural environment was one thing I genuinely liked, so whenever I had a moment, I'd do this.
That was when it hit.
Hyeon Yeon (Muae Seongseung)
A chill ran down my back, cold sweat trickling. Muae Seongseung Hyeon Yeon—the current Murim Alliance Leader and Shaolin Abbot, a titan among titans. A Fire Realm expert on par with sect leaders, and all I could see was his nickname floating over the building—no actual figure.
'These old fogeys are all pervy creeps. Fuck.'
He'd probably come to check on the disciple connected to Divine Monk. I tensed up for a moment but quickly feigned nonchalance, admiring the view. I hadn't done anything wrong, right? That bald monk should just chant his sutras...
Nothing happened the whole time in the pavilion, so bored and confirming the Alliance Leader was gone, I headed back to my room. No watchers around. I was itching to test Daedal's performance anyway.
The laptop battery was plenty charged.
+++
Woooaaah!!!
The grand hall erupted in cheers at the dazzling display of martial arts from the various matches. "Ming-do, what do you think?"
"These are the disciples we've poured our hearts into training, including myself and the first-generation. In terms of realm, barring a few major sects, no second-generation from other schools can match our Mudang."
"Excellent!" Elder Hyun-gong nodded repeatedly, beaming with pride. Kids always shine in Seoul, right? A short while after we arrived at the Murim Alliance, the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly finally kicked off.
Whether following the game's main story or because we players were NPCs, nothing notable happened to our Mudang group while waiting. Word was the Namgung young lord had dueled heirs from various sects, and I felt a pang of regret for missing out.
Glancing around the crowd, I turned toward the Namgung family retainers.
Namgung Hyo (Young Lord)
Among the Namgung folk in sky-blue martial robes, a strikingly handsome young man stood out. Looked like heavy customization.
'Bastard... Custom's best left stock.'
In the game story, the main stream kicked off here at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. Early game, you honed skills within the Namgung family, fulfilled the family head's requests to build fame and proficiency, then participated in this event—where the plot branched big time.
I glanced toward the area with unclear sect affiliations, and amid the nicknames, one blood-red stood out.
Dokgo Hwaryeon (Little Heavenly Demon)
True to "Little Heavenly Demon," she was one of the least fitting figures here. Dokgo Hwaryeon had come to gauge the righteous sects' strength. She'd assess the balance via the young heirs, then the classic Murim Alliance raid. In the original story, most young heirs got slaughtered.
'Superb at around 20? Fair enough for a final boss... Fucking annoying.'
The secluded Cheonma was the in-game final boss, but righteous experts schemed to pin him down, so players called Dokgo Hwaryeon the true boss since you'd fight her directly. A Superb expert in a field of first-rates. Disappointed by the heirs, she'd normally rampage before the main rounds, but now she stayed quiet amid scattered red-nicknamed Demonic Cultists.
The biggest variable? Me.
'Heard the rumors about me?'
By now, any elder-level figure would know. Would the Demonic Cultists miss it? Beggars had no privacy. If they heard the Divine Monk's successor reached Peak at 20, they'd want a spar. No reason for a Superb to fear a mere Peak... Or more likely, as the disciple of the guy who clashed with the Demonic Cult's supreme, she'd want to declare on the duel stage, "Divine Monk's actually chump change."
'My popularity's no joke.'
Despite my calm demeanor, my mind raced. As the sect leader announced, I could probably exchange blows with a Superb, but survival—not victory—was guaranteed. Realms weren't swapped like snacks... All I could trust was the upgraded Sipdan-geum's unified energy and my Awakener body.
Sighing from stress, the duels ended, and second-generation disciples started returning to their sects.
"Well done, all. Don't rest on these victories—strive further so you'll lead the Mudang at the next Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. Once more, great work."
""Yes, Elder!""
As predicted, our Mudang second-gen put on a stellar show. They puffed out their chests and necks ridiculously, but considering their cocky youth, it was inevitable.
'Our cafeteria kids are hyped.'
The crowd nodded approvingly at our proudly lined-up second-gen disciples.