Chapter 160
CHAPTER 160: Dragon-Phoenix Assembly (2)
[That fool. What's his deal?]
Pa Cheon clicked his tongue as he stared blankly at So In-gyeol, whose eyes had gone completely vacant.
'Simple reason.'
Right now, So In-gyeol was sitting with us in the special tent reserved for the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
He must have figured it would be awkward cramming everyone around one table, so at first, there were individual tables set up perfectly for Dang Si Hyeok—the young master—plus the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, and oddly enough, Paeng So So to make the numbers match.
But the moment Yi Seong Ryeong and I both seemed to have business with So In-gyeol, Dang Si Hyeok immediately added a seat for him right there on the spot.
Thus abruptly added and sticking out like a sore thumb next to me, So In-gyeol had started off fidgeting like a puppy desperate to poop, but now he looked like he'd just checked out entirely.
The pressure must be immense.
There weren't overt rankings by numbers like in the Divine Cult, but the martial world had its invisible hierarchies all the same.
And those unseen ranks were arguably more vicious than the Cult's blatant ones.
They judged people not by skill, but by appearances, backing, and fame.
'A minor clan from a backwater like Taeryeong County has nothing to boast about.'
Calling it a "clan" was almost embarrassing; it was more like a modest estate manor.
He'd probably been ignored even among peers in his generation.
Wasn't the country bumpkin getting dissed in the big city one of wuxia's classic tropes?
[Tsk tsk. What a pathetic guy. True to his name, so very small.]
'That pathetic guy is our lead.'
Truth be told, there was no reason for the North Sea Ice Palace's little palace lord to have any interest in some random kid from an obscure Taeryeong manor.
Unless her goal was Baek So Hyang. She'd asked about the ice crystal before and knew about the Little Witch of Frost.
But the problem was, only Sa Wol and I knew that the Baek So Hyang in question was that Baek So Hyang.
Paeng So So, who'd fought alongside us, had never seen the original in Taeryeong County, and even if she had, the original had absorbed the ice crystal and turned into a grotesque monster—unrecognizable.
Which meant...
'Jo Yang.'
Jo Yang, who'd tried reviving Baek So Hyang with the ice crystal for revenge on Paeng So So.
Or...
'Cheon Gi-ja.'
Cheon Gi-ja, who'd told Jo Yang about a being defying heaven's will.
If it was the former, there wasn't much to gain. Jo Yang was already dead.
But the latter? That changed things.
My hunch was right. Cheon Gi-ja, who knew everything in this world, surely knew how I could return to my original world.
The Muhonjibyeok left by the First Heavenly Demon proved it.
[So, depending on what Yi Seong Ryeong wants from So In-gyeol, we can figure out who's behind it? Something like that?]
'Exactly.'
[Clever woman, then.]
'Isn't she?'
Because Yi Seong Ryeong was sitting right next to So In-gyeol, quietly smiling.
She'd said since I seemed to have business with him first, I should go ahead, and she'd speak later.
It was about sequencing to hide her true intent.
So I hadn't said a word after dragging him over either.
So In-gyeol didn't strike me as the steadfast type who could keep a secret if I spilled. Otherwise, he wouldn't look so fragile.
Besides...
'She's smiling on purpose.'
Yi Seong Ryeong's moniker was Heavenly Ice Jade Phoenix. Fittingly, she was famous for exuding a chilling aura everywhere she went.
Yet here she was, smiling. Deliberately sitting by my side. The reason was obvious.
[You sure know how to pick 'em.]
Namgung Jin, seated across from me, was glaring daggers my way.
Well, technically at So In-gyeol. But his vacant look had started right after locking eyes with Namgung Jin.
Yi Seong Ryeong clearly knew Namgung Jin was into her too.
Anyone halfway perceptive would notice someone crushing on them.
[That's why you're no human—you're a fox spirit.]
'What now? Picking a fight?'
Paeng So So, next to him, was shoveling food into her mouth like a squirrel now that Namgung Jin was quiet.
She looked so carefree. Wish I were from the Paeng Clan.
Anyway, long story short, I felt bad for So In-gyeol but chose to stay silent. It wouldn't hurt him in the end.
Even if we said nothing, to outsiders it would look like the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had specially invited him.
No more getting dismissed as a small-town hick.
That's when, as I was watching him...
Two men approached our table: Kunlun's Divine Dragon Un Yeop Ja and Jeomchang's Sword Dragon Jang Yeong-o.
I kept my mouth shut and loosened my tongue a bit. Talking with Un Yeop Ja called for a more refined tone.
"Un Yeop Ja. And Jang Yeong-o. You've arrived."
I rose to greet them. Yi Seong Ryeong elegantly inclined her head. So In-gyeol sat there dazed, so I lightly tapped his shoulder.
He jolted up like a startled recruit and clasped his hands in salute toward them.
Jesus, not some green private fumbling his drill.
"Please, sirs, take a seat. Care for a drink?"
"I'm fine."
"Pour me one."
Un Yeop Ja declined, but Jang Yeong-o accepted.
Made sense. Kunlun Sect felt far more Daoist than Jeomchang, which leaned worldly.
Even Jang Yeong-o, Jeomchang's top young expert, lacked a Daoist title.
He didn't look the part either. Daoists usually had that mystical vibe, but Jang Yeong-o felt like a honed blade—sharp and direct.
As they sat, So In-gyeol looked utterly soul-lost, while Yi Seong Ryeong wore an amused smile, enjoying the turn of events.
"We met before, but duties kept us apart until now. It's been too long."
Un Yeop Ja said with his usual gentle smile.
"Indeed. I've kept such esteemed guests waiting amid my busyness."
"No blame. Heroes are always short one body as it is."
"Hero? You're too kind."
"When tales of young hero Kim echo everywhere? Ha ha ha."
His words were honeyed, but unlike others, Un Yeop Ja spoke without falsehood or pretense.
Which made him all the more intimidating. A man of pure goodness like that? Though in this Martial Returnee world, it was just the setting.
"I heard you've been roaming the jianghu. All well?"
"A few amusing incidents. The world is vast indeed. And in the process, I met this friend. Ha ha ha!"
Un Yeop Ja pointed at Jang Yeong-o.
Come to think of it, they stuck together like best buds.
Fitting, really—similar ages, both Daoist sword sects, same weapon.
"He mentioned having business with young hero Kim?"
"With me?"
As my gaze turned, Jang Yeong-o spoke.
"Heard the Dao King gave you his teachings."
"Heavens no. I received his guidance."
"I was there that day. When the Dao King declared he'd become your sword."
"He merely praised my humble skills."
"One like the Dao King doesn't speak idly."
With that, Jang Yeong-o addressed me directly.
"So, may I request a spar?"
"......Pardon?"
"True men clash blades and share words. I, Jang Yeong-o, ask as one warrior."
But you're a Daoist, nearly slipped out. Sounded like something from the Paeng Clan.
"Ooh! A spar? Spar time?"
Speak of the tiger—Paeng So So popped her head in, making a fuss.
Drawing all eyes our way.
Awkward.
I'd resolved to be a warrior. I'd even requested a bout with a monster like Paeng Yu-gun.
But circumstances differed now.
'Paeng Yu-gun could toy with me safely.'
His overwhelming superiority minimized risks.
Not Jang Yeong-o.
Per Pa Cheon, he'd just hit Super Peak.
Obviously clumsy with power control.
'Jeomchang arts are linear and aggressive.'
Sun-Shooting Sword Technique.
A style inspired by the legend of shooting down nine suns with arrows.
Blazing speed and devastating power were its hallmarks.
For me, who had to watch and react constantly, it was a bad matchup. My style thrived on one-strike kills too.
A deathmatch might be fine, but a spar? Tricky.
Plus...
[Facing a Super Peak master, my reserves are iffy. Don't we need the Red Dragon's thunder qi for the journey ahead?]
Back-to-back with Paeng Yu-gun had drained Pa Cheon's stored qi.
I could siphon Jang Yeong-o's bit by bit, but at Super Peak, he'd notice instantly.
'No excuse to refuse.'
With his name on the line, turning him down was a total snub.
Like saying, "You're not worth my time."
Even I couldn't pull that on Jeomchang Sect's top young gun—one of the Nine Great Sects. Unless in full Sado Hwan mode.
[Choose, fox spirit. Spar, and we'll empty the tank.]
'Hold on.'
Any clever way out?
One that saved Jang Yeong-o's face, satisfied him, but let me slip free.
The answer lay in this world's knowledge I held.
Original Mu Jin had navigated without martial arts—a worse handicap than mine.
'...Got it!'
A brilliant ploy hit me.
How original Mu Jin survived spars with experts!
"Regrettably, I took internal injuries sparring the Dao King. A proper bout is out."
"Mm......"
Jang Yeong-o's face hardened. He wanted to snap but swallowed it since I'd pled injury.
So I continued.
"However, as you say, true men must cross swords."
"You mean...?"
"We'll spar."
I added,
"Through sword discussion."
—Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon—