Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: The Dragon and Phoenix Assembly Begins (2)
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“I hereby declare the start of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
As the Namgung Family was hosting this assembly, the one to announce its commencement was the Sword King, Namgung San.
Following the announcement, the martial contests began in earnest.
These were duels between those who had received bronze and silver invitations.
“They’re desperate.”
Woryeong’s eyes gleamed as she watched two people fighting for their lives.
The Successor Beggar, standing nearby, grinned.
“They have no choice.”
“Why is that?”
“Because they have to win three times to go up there.”
“Up there?”
“Yes. Over there.”
The Successor Beggar pointed to a certain spot.
It was where those who had received gold invitations were gathered.
They felt worlds apart, as if they were in a completely different space.
“It’s always been this way, but this year’s Dragon and Phoenix Assembly is especially blatant.”
The Successor Beggar was still smiling, but his expression was anything but bright.
The rules of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly changed every year.
However, the rules for this assembly were so transparent in their intent that even the Successor Beggar, who had seen his fair share of dirty dealings, had to shake his head.
“You said they have to win three times?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why they’re fighting so desperately?”
“Because it’s the only way to serve their family or clan.”
“…”
They had a reason they had to win.
Only by winning three times could they earn the right to participate in the main tournament of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
It meant that only by advancing to the main tournament could they mingle with the gold invitation holders at the banquet and, of course, be given the chance to cross blades with them directly.
“Tsk.”
Cheon Muryang, however, was not pleased.
“I feel like we’ve been made into a spectacle.”
The condescending gazes of the privileged class, looking down from above, were sickening and unpleasant.
The reason it bothered him so much was that he, too, could have been part of that group.
But he didn’t want to be.
At that, the Successor Beggar asked with a meaningful smile.
“What will you do?”
“Unfortunately for them, this is the first I’m hearing of such a rule.”
There was no way such an explanation would have been written on the invitation.
Besides, what kind of scoundrel would obediently do as he was told?
Cheon Muryang watched the laughing and chatting group above with his characteristic smile.
“Following the rules isn’t the way of a scoundrel, is it?”
The Successor Beggar wanted to ask what he meant, but the Wandering King let out a long yawn first.
“Yaaawn.”
“…”
“Gods, this is painfully boring.”
Though the fighters were desperate, it was only natural that there was nothing to capture the Wandering King’s attention.
“So, when are you going to make your move?”
“Now.”
“Is that so?”
The Wandering King let out another deep yawn.
“Then do it before I fall asleep.”
“That’s the plan.”
He waited for the duel to end.
Just then, a fighter who had won three matches emerged, leaving one of the stages empty.
As the others hesitated, Cheon Muryang stepped onto the dueling stage.
“…”
Those who were about to step forward flinched.
Most of them remembered the righteous sword he had displayed before.
“My name is Cheon Muryang.”
Cheon Muryang introduced himself briefly.
“I hear one must win three times to be able to go to that place.”
‘That place’ referred to where the gold invitation holders were gathered.
Cheon Muryang lifted his head.
He could see Paeng Dohyeok glaring at him with murderous intent.
“I also hear that those who received gold invitations are exempt from this requirement.”
It was clearly unfair.
A flaw that no one had dared to question.
*Swoosh!*
A wind blew from somewhere.
The dust on the training ground floor scattered low.
For some reason, the atmosphere in the grand training ground grew heavy.
Cheon Muryang, standing at its center, remained unfazed and smiled.
“To be honest, I’m not a fan of that rule.”
“…!”
Gasps followed.
Cheon Muryang was openly declaring that the rules of this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly were unjust.
“Therefore.”
Cheon Muryang raised the Heavenly Light Sword.
In that instant, a heavy pressure crushed the entire area.
“I would like to ask if those people truly possess the qualifications to deserve such a privilege.”
*Fwoosh!*
The Heavenly Light Sword moved.
A bluish energy bloomed in streaks along its blade.
“Do you all agree?”
“…”
Silence fell.
Cheon Muryang nodded.
“Since ancient times, silence has meant consent. I’ll take it that you all have given your permission…”
Silence is consent.
Interpretation was a matter of perspective.
“I will ask them on your behalf.”
“Ask them what?”
the Successor Beggar asked.
Cheon Muryang smiled and replied.
“Whether they truly have the right to be sitting in those seats.”
With a triumphant smile, Cheon Muryang aimed the Heavenly Light Sword at them.
“Who wants to fight me?”
“…!”
*Gooooo!*
He looked ready to strike at any moment.
Cheon Muryang was openly provoking them.
‘So, this was it.’
The Successor Beggar, impressed, observed the reactions of those on the platform.
As expected, the hot-headed ones were the first to take the bait.
*Grit.*
*Grind.*
The sound of teeth grinding could be heard even from here.
However, even they couldn't move rashly.
An invisible hierarchy.
There was an order to things.
‘Let’s see… Where’s Paeng Dohyeok?’
The Successor Beggar searched for Paeng Dohyeok.
Everyone was watching Paeng Dohyeok’s reaction.
He was easy to find, given his large frame.
‘Ah, so you’re not a tiger after all.’
The Successor Beggar smirked.
Paeng Dohyeok merely feigned anger and ground his teeth, unable to move.
A tiger without its teeth.
As Paeng Dohyeok remained silent, the others cautiously watched the situation unfold.
They were not unaware of the rumors between him and Cheon Muryang.
‘Could that rumor have been true?’
‘Or does he have some kind of leverage over him?’
The reason didn't matter.
What was important was that Paeng Dohyeok was not stepping forward.
‘I’ll snatch the title of Dragon Slayer.’
‘A mere scoundrel like him…!’
‘There must be some other reason!’
They were less concerned with the truth of the rumors and more with the prize they could gain by defeating Cheon Muryang.
Who knew, they might even be able to seize the title of Dragon Slayer that Paeng Dohyeok held.
A strange ambition began to stir.
*Glance.*
The gazes that had been subtly fixed on Paeng Dohyeok shifted to Namgung Sang-hyeok.
For a moment, all eyes were on the Sword Dragon, wondering how he would react.
“…”
Namgung Sang-hyeok also remained silent.
‘Since the tiger and the king remain silent.’
Even among those who received gold invitations, there were different levels.
‘The wolves and vassals below them would see it as an opportunity.’
The Successor Beggar could predict how they would move.
‘I wonder who will step up?’
The opportunity fell to those below, the foxes and vassals who coveted the king’s throne.
‘Now is the chance.’
‘There must have been some kind of secret pact. Otherwise, that scoundrel wouldn’t be acting so bold.’
The Successor Beggar smiled faintly.
He could see their thoughts clearly.
‘Right. Of course, they wouldn't believe it.’
Rumors are bound to be distorted.
Thus, they refused to believe the rumor that Paeng Dohyeok had lost to Cheon Muryang.
In fact, the Successor Beggar himself had already taken steps to ensure that distorted information reached them.
‘Wait a minute.’
It was in that moment.
The Successor Beggar questioned himself.
‘Why did I arrange for distorted information to flow to them? Why?’
*Shudder!*
At that moment, a chill ran down the Successor Beggar’s spine.
‘D-Don’t tell me he knew this would happen… f-from the very beginning?’
*Whip!*
The Successor Beggar’s head snapped around.
He saw Cheon Muryang staring at him with that scoundrel’s smile.
“Ha, hahaha…”
*Thump!*
Was it because his legs gave out?
The Successor Beggar collapsed into the chair next to the Wandering King.
Waking from his slumber, the Wandering King nagged him.
“Tsk. I told you not to play petty tricks.”
“Yes. I’ll be sure to remember that from now on.”
The Successor Beggar laughed bitterly.
Woryeong, oblivious to the reason, suddenly asked.
“Huh? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
“It’s just something.”
“…?”
“Young Master Cheon Muryang is truly incredible.”
“Of course. You have no idea how amazing our Young Master is.”
Woryeong beamed with excitement.
The Successor Beggar remained silent, waiting to see who would step forward.
‘Whoever it is, I’ll pray for their soul.’
It was then.
The one for whom the Successor Beggar was praying stepped forward boldly.
“Where do you think you are, committing such insolence! Master Cheon!”
“Ah.”
Those who had hesitated let out short sighs.
*Whoosh!*
After a few flips in the air, he landed on the dueling stage. He was Eon Somyeong of the Jinju Eon Family.
Like Paeng Dohyeok, he was one of the group who had insulted and tormented the pig-like Cheon Muryang of the past.
Perhaps for that reason, Cheon Muryang felt a surge of anger just looking at Eon Somyeong’s face.
‘I feel an urge to beat him up.’
Of course, he didn’t know who the man was.
So, he asked.
“Who are you?”
“You don’t recognize me?”
“I asked who you are.”
“I am Eon Somyeong of the Jinju Eon Family!”
“Right. Eon Somyeong.”
“…?”
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Did you bully me too?”
“Wh-What are you—!”
“Looks like you did.”
Cheon Muryang nodded.
It seemed he wouldn’t be satisfied until he vented this baseless anger welling up inside him.
“Let’s begin.”
“W-Wait a minute!”
Cheon Muryang took his stance and immediately charged at Eon Somyeong.
Eon Somyeong, who had intended to present himself with dignity, was terrified by Cheon Muryang’s ferocious charge.
“Hah!”
He was fast and powerful.
Embodying that simple principle, Cheon Muryang’s sword drew a noble arc as it surged forward.
“How dare you!”
As the saying goes, even a rotten fish is still a fish.
As if to prove why he had stepped forward so boldly, Eon Somyeong quickly took a stance and threw a punch.
*Kwoong!*
The force of his stance, as he stepped forward to punch, was so strong that it dented the floor of the grand training ground.
In the air, sword and fist met.
*Craaash!*
A deafening roar echoed through the grand training ground.
It was like steel clashing against steel.
*Woooong!*
A tangible energy, enveloping Eon Somyeong’s fist, shimmered faintly.
The Heavenly Light Sword was repelled.
“Is this all you’ve got?!”
Eon Somyeong shouted triumphantly.
He seemed to have regained his confidence, as if certain that the advantage in strength was his.
‘Now’s my chance.’
With his opponent’s balance broken.
Eon Somyeong judged that he couldn't give him time to recover.
Therefore, Eon Somyeong immediately rushed forward.
It was a movement unique to fist fighters, meant to close the distance and nullify the range of a sword.
‘Yes. This is more like it.’
However, Eon Somyeong didn't know.
He didn’t know that Cheon Muryang was smiling.
The Heavenly Light Sword being repelled was merely a test of Eon Somyeong’s level.
‘But compared to Paeng Dohyeok and Namgung Sang-hyeok… he seems to be a notch below.’
*Thud!*
Thus, Cheon Muryang regained his posture faster than Eon Somyeong had anticipated.
‘Th-This is!’
The center of gravity he thought had been shattered was as firm as a rock.
And so, the Heavenly Light Sword thrust forward a beat faster than Eon Somyeong had expected.
*Shhhk!*
Fist and sword crossed paths.
*Paaat!*
Something was cut.
“…”
Near Eon Somyeong’s heart.
Two sword marks remained.
*Tuk.*
Conversely, Eon Somyeong’s fist could advance no further.
“R-Reflective Aura…”
It had struck an invisible wall.
That wall was called Reflective Aura, and Eon Somyeong had not yet gained the power to break through it.
It was a clear defeat.
However, Eon Somyeong could not accept it.
“Normally, I would have beaten you up a few times.”
“…!”
Eon Somyeong’s body trembled.
‘Wh-What kind of gaze is that!’
It felt as if that gaze alone could kill a man.
“I’ll be satisfied with this.”
“Wh-What did you say?”
It was then.
“Ugh!”
Eon Somyeong felt a twisting pain in his organs.
“Cough!”
Blood surged up his throat.
In the end, Eon Somyeong had no choice but to vomit a mouthful of dark, dead blood.
*Fwoosh!*
Leaving Eon Somyeong behind, Cheon Muryang stood once more in the center of the training ground and spoke with cold eyes.
“Next.”