One Day Before
One day before the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, countless young rising stars gathered in Dengfeng County, and a diverse crowd from all over flocked to witness the spectacle. The tournament grounds for the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering were located at the foot of Mount Song, home to the Shaolin Temple, right in the heart of Dengfeng County. Originally a dense forest, the land had been completely cleared to make way for a massive arena. Reflecting the grand scale of Central Plains architecture and the immense prestige of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, the arena was built to a colossal size. Naturally, a bustling commercial district had flourished around it, playing a major role in expanding the overall size of Dengfeng County. Thus, despite the massive influx of people from all over, the heart of Dengfeng County was more than spacious enough to accommodate them. In particular, the grand avenue north of the arena was a popular gathering spot for the young rising stars of prestigious orthodox sects, primarily because it was lined with shops specializing in weapons and martial robes. Yeon So-o had also come here to sharpen her sword and have her martial robes neatly tailored. Although the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering primarily mandated the use of wooden swords during spars, making a sharp blade unnecessary for the tournament itself, she had ventured out because Dengfeng was famous for its exceptionally sharp weapons and master blacksmiths.
"It really starts tomorrow."
Looking around at the sea of young martial artists, the reality of the situation finally began to sink in. Though they wore vastly different uniforms, their expressions and fierce spirits were remarkably alike.
As So-o was taking in the sights, a group approached from behind and shoved her shoulder.
"Ugh!"
The force of the impact was so sudden and heavy that So-o, caught completely off guard, stumbled forward. She quickly spun around, only to find a very familiar face staring back at her.
"...Yeon Gang-rang?"
"Ha! Still as insolent as ever, I see."
Her half-brother and the eldest son of the Yeon Family, Yeon Gang-rang, stood behind her with his entourage. The men looked down at her, their faces twisted in mocking sneers.
"..."
Back when she lived in the Yeon Family estate, Gang-rang had been the worst of her tormentors among her siblings. Ever since he was a child, he had dragged a pack of sycophants around to flaunt his status and power, and clearly, nothing had changed.
"I hear they're calling you the 'Sword Flower' these days. Heh, must be exhausting trying to live up to a title that doesn't suit you at all."
As Gang-rang sneered, the men surrounding him snickered in unison. So-o looked at them with utter disdain and spoke coldly.
"You haven't changed a bit. You've grown older, yet you haven't made a single shred of progress."
"Ha!"
He let out a scoff of disbelief, his eyes narrowing into a threatening glare.
"Watch your mouth."
"You were always like this. Throwing around empty threats and acting all high and mighty."
A vein instantly throbbed on Gang-rang's forehead.
"Why, you little bitch...!"
Just as Gang-rang raised his hand to strike her, So-o let out a soft smirk.
"You going to hit me here? I see you still don't care about making a scene."
Gang-rang stiffened, glancing around. He quickly realized that the surrounding crowd was starting to stare.
"Ahem."
"Pathetic."
"Are you participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering?"
"Obviously."
At her confident reply, Gang-rang and his lackeys cackled.
"Pfft, I don't know how much of an embarrassment you'll make of yourself—considering you couldn't even hold a sword properly back then—but sure. I'll be sure to watch."
"Have you thought about how pathetic you'll look when you're miserably defeated by the very sister who couldn't even hold a sword properly? Now that sounds like a real show."
"Y-you dare...!"
Thump.
So-o lightly tapped Gang-rang's chest with her fist.
"Don't get worked up. We'll have plenty of good opportunities once the gathering begins anyway."
"...I won't go easy on you. Look forward to it."
"Likewise."
Gang-rang growled, his face contorted in rage. Mindful of the onlookers, he began to back away with his gang, but paused to speak one last time.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot to tell you."
"...?"
"Father and Mother are here. And your mother, too."
"..."
In an instant, So-o's face drained of all color. In truth, Gang-rang and So-o were half-siblings, sharing the same father but different mothers. Gang-rang was the son of the legal wife, while So-o was the sole child of a concubine. Because of this, So-o's mother had placed immense expectations on her, which only meant her disappointment had been equally crushing. The legal wife, naturally, had no love for a concubine's child either, and had frequently tormented So-o, using her innate Yin energy as an excuse. Thus, the news that the parents who had constantly berated and abused her had arrived made So-o's entire body tense with anxiety. Logically, she had known they would come, but hearing it confirmed out loud made the dread terrifyingly real.
"Look at that lovely complexion. Heh."
He glared at So-o with venomous eyes until the very moment he vanished into the crowd. So-o could only stare blankly at his retreating back, utterly dazed. Only when he was completely gone did she finally gasp for air.
"Haah... haah..."
Hearing the voice and seeing the face of the enemy who had tormented her more than anyone else in her childhood—the very catalyst that had driven her to run away from home—dragged up the dark past she had tried so hard to bury. At first, she had been nothing but a helpless victim, but right before she fled, she had rebelled against him for the first time. She had caught him off guard and won the fight, but terrified of her parents' retaliation, she had run away that very night. Yet, that single victory had not been enough to erase the fear rooted deep within her soul. The moment she saw Gang-rang's face and heard his voice, the childhood trauma that had lain dormant roared back to life like a violent wave. Desperate to shake off the agonizing memories, she took several deep breaths, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Fuuu... fuuu..."
After exhaling slowly a few more times, a semblance of calm returned to her mind and body. Staring in the direction her hateful half-brother had gone, she made a silent vow.
I must show them what I have achieved.
She was no longer the helpless little girl of her childhood. She was a master of the Peak Realm. Though her internal energy reserves were somewhat lacking compared to others of her rank, she had reached the late stage of the Peak Realm. In terms of martial technique, she was now more than capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest young rising stars of the generation.
Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt another tap on her shoulder. The sudden touch, so similar to before, made So-o flinch violently as she whipped her head around.
"Pfft! Why are you so jumpy? Did you see a ghost or something?"
Fortunately, it was Seo Ryeon, the martial artist of the Hainan Sect.
"Ahaha... Oh, it's just you, Sister."
"What's wrong? Did you really see something?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Hmm, highly suspicious."
Possessing incredibly sharp intuition, Ryeon immediately sensed that So-o's reaction and expression were far from normal. For a split second, So-o had looked absolutely terrified, though she quickly masked it.
"It finally starts tomorrow."
"Indeed. I never imagined I'd actually be participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering either."
To the youths of the Central Plains, the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering carried a weight similar to a life-defining college entrance exam—a monumental, distant event they had only vaguely dreamed of since childhood, now suddenly looming right before their eyes.
"Right. By the way, how is my dear husband doing?"
"Ex-excuse me?!"
When Ryeon gave her a downright greasy, suggestive look, So-o recoiled in sheer disgust, taking a hasty step back. At that reaction, Ryeon burst into roaring laughter and slung an arm around So-o's shoulders.
"Ahahaha! See? Why were you looking so terrified earlier? This kind of face suits you much better."
"...Who said I was terrified? I do not know the meaning of fear."
"Oh, please. There's no such thing as a person who doesn't feel fear, kiddo."
"But you don't fear anything, Sister Ryeon."
"Who says I don't? Of course I do."
"Wait, really?"
So-o was genuinely surprised. Since Ryeon always carried herself with such fierce strength and boundless confidence, So-o had assumed she was entirely fearless.
"What on earth do you take me for?"
"An iron woman."
"Ha! Well, thanks."
Ryeon gave So-o's shoulder a firm, friendly pat.
"Want to walk with me for a bit?"
With that, the two began to stroll down the street. After chatting about trivial matters for a while, Ryeon suddenly threw in a sharp question.
"So, what is it that has you so scared?"
"Scared? I told you, I'm not scared of anything."
"You just want to believe that."
"..."
So-o remained silent, realizing that Ryeon might actually be right.
"You were so full of confidence just a few days ago."
"I still am."
"Are you?"
Ryeon studied So-o's face for a brief moment, then offered a bright, warm smile.
"Well, that's a relief then."
Just then—
"Senior Sister! Senior Sister Ryeon!"
A loud voice called out from behind. Ryeon turned her head to see Chang-gung, a fellow disciple of the Hainan Sect, running toward them, completely out of breath.
"Senior Sister! Haah, haah! Where on earth did you disappear to?!"
"What's the matter?"
"What do you mean, what's the matter?! I told you Master has arrived! He's waiting inside right now! You said you were just going to step out for a second, so why did you wander off?!"
"Oh, did you? Right, right. Well, I can just go now."
"Ugh! Please, hurry up!"
Ryeon gave Chang-gung a dismissive wave, then patted So-o's shoulder once more before turning to leave.
"Alright, looks like I have to run. You remember what I told you before, right?"
She offered a gentle smile.
"There is no running from fear; the only way is to conquer it. It's a pretty cool line, so feel free to use it."
Hearing her words, So-o let out a soft chuckle.
"I've already used it a few times."
"Perfect! I'm off, then!"
"Goodbye."
After bidding her farewell, So-o stood alone, watching Ryeon's retreating figure.