Chapter 159: Dragon-Phoenix Conference (1)
“Hand?”
It felt like a keyword that should jog my memory, but nothing came up at all.
My mind was completely blank, without a trace of unease.
“I have no idea what that was.”
Did you suffer some great shock or something?
“How could just seeing a hand shock me?”
Perhaps it was merely an illusion.
“Hmm.”
It didn't feel like a mere illusion. If hallucinations were possible, it was odd that nothing had happened during the countless times I'd drawn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy up to my eyes.
“The way to verify it is simple, actually.”
…That's madness. Planning to summon the old monsters again?
“Still better than unknown variables. What if it happens mid-fight?”
Yokai. What are you so afraid of?
“Hm. That obvious?”
A little.
I let out a long sigh.
“To survive in a den of monsters, you've got to stay on edge every second—and even that's not enough.”
I was tightrope-walking a line where one slip meant plummeting a thousand feet.
In that scenario, even a brief memory lapse was like doing it blindfolded.
If Paeng Yu-gun hadn't generously misunderstood on his own just now, I'd have been forced to muddle through vaguely.
Naturally, muddling like that would poke holes in my logic eventually, crumbling all the trust I'd built.
“That's why I need to check it out. Right? Tell me those acupuncture points from earlier again. Can't remember.”
Sigh. Be careful, yokai.
“Yeah.”
I guided the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy as Pa Cheon directed.
…Yokai?
Pa Cheon called cautiously.
I spoke up.
“So, how about now? Anything happen again?”
Nothing. What'd you see?
“Nothing on my end either.”
I shook my head. Nothing appeared. The energy simply flowed through the meridians as I directed, then returned.
What manner of sorcery is this? Did a true immortal descend or something?
“No clue. But something has changed.”
What?
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
I drew up the energy.
“Its circulation is faster now.”
!
“More precisely. Hold on.”
I pulled a mild poison from the Tang Clan's poison pouch—one that caused skin rashes, relatively gentle among toxins.
I poured it onto the back of my left hand.
What are you doing?
“Just wait.”
The skin reddened, blisters bubbling up slowly. It itched, stung, and hurt like hell.
Right then, I sent the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy to my left hand.
As expected, the energy lunged to devour the infiltrating poison.
In that instant.
Stop.
I projected my will.
The energy halted dead. I felt it clearly—like it was tossing its head in discontent, snorting.
But before, control wasn't even an option; it'd have rampaged freely.
When the pain grew unbearable, I released my hold.
Like a beast starved before prey, it devoured every trace of poison, and the blisters subsided in moments.
“My control over the energy's improved. Something definitely happened.”
Control over the energy…
Pa Cheon muttered briefly before speaking.
Yokai. Anything else feel different in your body? Like sensing nature's vast energy, senses oddly sharp, clearer vision?
“Nah. Why?”
Is the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy ordinary?
“Total pain in the ass.”
To wield something like that to that degree…
“Meaning?”
Your energy control's hit at least Peak realm level.
“…No way. Me?”
I'd learned from Pa Cheon, but it was all hackwork.
What I could manage: Domination Step-Thrust Fist, sword draw, horizontal slash.
Less martial art, more game character spamming a few moves.
No deep insight into any technique, no battle-hardened experience.
Not proper Peak realm, obviously. Just control-wise. Blocked meridians stay blocked anyway.
“Yeah. Still jammed.”
Even so, boosted inner energy control's a massive win.
I nodded.
The toughest part of chaining Domination Step to Thrust Fist? Controlling the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy on command.
Especially splitting energy between stepping foot and swinging arm—now, directing to each limb separately was easy.
Hell, sending to fingertips, impossible before? Now doable.
I lightly gripped the bedpost's corner.
Crack.
It crumbled.
This body's tough, sure—but not superhuman strength.
That's first-rate external arts training level.
“Means I can handle lightness skills decently, right?”
Not fancy ones. You learning? Eons.
“Just cut sleep a bit.”
Felt it anew.
Process unknown, but this world clung fiercely to cause and effect.
Risk your neck, get rewards to match.
Simple, brutal truth.
Only hitch: that hand.
“Anyway, Pa Cheon.”
Yeah?
“Gotta hunt more Muhonjibyeok.”
This anomaly stemmed from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. The walls where the First Heavenly Demon chronicled his tale might hold clues.
Full circle to Shaolin?
“Shaolin and Hwasan.”
Jan Hon Do's Muhonjibyeok mentioned leaving similar traces there.
You sure? Murim Alliance turf, Sado Gwang's backyard.
“Yeah. Know the risks. Worth it, though. Worst case, Paeng Yu-gun's got our back.”
Taking Paeng Yu-gun along?
“Well, sweet-talk Paeng So So right, we could tag-team travel?”
Paeng Yu-gun shunned family business anyway—lure him with “scenic spots”?
Song Mountain, Hwasan—two of the Five Peaks. Old man's taste?
Caution with Paeng Yu-gun, though. Acted boisterous, simple—but eyed my identity. Dang Mugi too. Old murim freak trait.
“After Dragon-Phoenix Conference first.”
Actually going?
“Gotta read Yi Seong Ryeong's mind. Ice Palace moves too.”
And so, Dragon-Phoenix Conference day dawned.
Attendees numbered around a hundred.
Five Dragons, Three Phoenixes—plus righteous young blood from across the jianghu.
Tang Clan threw daily banquets pre-event, fostering bonds for early arrivals.
Not all pure motives, of course.
“Hahaha! Really? Dongting Lake trip sometime—sounds perfect!”
“I'll bring rare brew then. Century snake wine.”
“Hell yeah!”
Local bigwigs' heirs, sect successors, power kids.
Dragon-Phoenix: politics in miniature.
Link up to exploit, flaunt, fake awe.
“Sigh.”
Among them: So In-gyeol, young master of Taeryeong County's Somyeongjang.
So In-gyeol sighed gloomily.
Back home, his cough drew wary eyes.
Here?
“Taeryeong County? Where's that?”
“Taeryeong… Never heard.”
“Somyeongjang, huh. Nice.”
Introductions met shrugs.
Taeryeong decent size in Cheonghae—but fame? Only Kunlun's Un Yeop Ja.
Wanted to flex Un Yeop Ja ties. Barely existed.
Fought Black Shadow Corps together—after he'd chewed him out prior.
Even that battle.
All Dongbang Geom-ryong.
So In-gyeol bit his lip—not anger, regret.
Against hundred demonic elites: unflinching back, shielding others—hero incarnate.
Him? Frog in a well.
Regretted arrogance from ego, envy, tiny clout.
Blind to true worth, picking fights.
Tang Clan's scale? Unseen grandeur. Daily feasts for masses, no strings.
Proud Somyeongjang? Shabby ruin by comparison.
Sigh.
Taeryeong turbulent. Glory blocking Demonic Cult faded; Baek So Hyang vanished. Dotting patriarch cracked; Baek Clan crumbled.
So In-gyeol aimed to flip it: befriend heroes, invite, revive buzz. Huge sendoff support.
Snag Odae Sega scion? Jackpot.
But this way… tongue-tied on return.
Odae Sega aside—unknown heirs ignored him.
Hesitant, sighing, turning away—
“Well met?”
Before him: heavenly silver-haired, silver-eyed beauty, descended from paradise.
“Ch-Chun Bing-ok-bong?”
“Undeserved honor, that title.”
“What brings Chun Bing-ok-bong…?”
Words faltered. Not speechless—but North Sea Ice Palace sub-lord, Five Dragons Three Phoenixes star. Banquet eyes locked on him.
“Matter to discuss. A moment—?”
“You've arrived, young miss.”
Sudden: tall, handsome man. Beside him, eye-candy stunner.
“Changcheon Il-ryong… Okmyeon Geom-ryong?!”
So In-gyeol's soul fled.
Not over.
“What's this? Fun happening?”
“Sis, manners!”
“Here you all are.”
Paeng golden child, Mansang Ji-bong, Tang young master.
Untouchable elites clustered. So In-gyeol shuddered, sweat iced.
Leagues apart.
Terror dawning—
“Long time.”
Low, serene, velvet voice.
Man with abyss-deep eyes dominated, presence eclipsing all—including Five Dragons Three Phoenixes.
“Dongbang Geom-ryong…!”
And Dongbang Geom-ryong.
“Young master So In-gyeol, long time no see.”
Greeted him.
“U-eh?”
So In-gyeol yelped weirdly, ass-planting.
