Paeryong (Dominant Dragon)
The Hebei Pang Clan, located in Yeongcheong County of Hebei Province.
Paeng Gang-hwi, the second son of Clan Leader Pang Su-gwan, finished his qi circulation and smiled faintly.
'All that relentless effort over the past few years wasn't in vain.'
His Hunyuan Thunderbolt Divine Art had reached a considerable realm.
He was still far from thirty, yet this was an extraordinary achievement.
'Whoops. Can't get arrogant.'
Paeng Gang-hwi shook his head to dispel the smile.
He couldn't afford to be satisfied yet—not when he still had so far to go.
A certain someone's face came to mind, the one who inspired such thoughts.
'Will he come to the main house?'
It had been a while since the letter from his father arrived.
It said the guy had fled from the Murim Alliance.
If he showed up at the main house, capture him without fail.
Paeng Gang-hwi smiled for a different reason this time.
'Me? How exactly?'
The man was like a divine dragon soaring through the clouds.
No matter how much stronger Paeng Gang-hwi had become, restraining him was impossible.
'From Father's and big brother's letters, it seems he's grown even stronger since then...'
Even back then, his realm had been unfathomable.
Now, after time had passed, it must be more so.
'I wish he'd come.'
Then he could show off his achievements.
Not just his improved martial arts, but his broadened mind as well.
He wanted recognition from him.
'Guess I can only wait.'
As he shook off stray thoughts and rose to his feet—
A voice came from outside.
"Brother. It's Kang-hyeon."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Someone's here to see you, so I came to let you know."
No way?
Paeng Gang-hwi asked urgently.
"The world's most handsome guy?"
"Pardon? H-he's handsome, sure, but not that level..."
Paeng Gang-hwi sighed inwardly.
'Not him, then.'
Of course not.
What were the odds it'd line up so perfectly?
Chuckling wryly, Paeng Gang-hwi suppressed his disappointment and asked again.
"Who is it?"
"Well... he didn't give a name. But he didn't seem like someone we could just chase off—his bearing was extraordinary. He asked me to pass this message to you."
"...?"
As Paeng Gang-hwi looked puzzled, Paeng Kang-hyeon awkwardly opened his mouth.
"Remember slowly pulling me up to the tenth star? Tap. Tap. Tap."
"...!"
Paeng Gang-hwi's eyes widened.
Memories from the past flooded back.
Tap!
'Urk! W-what are you doing?'
'Listen up. From now on, raise it to the tenth star nice and slow.'
'Why hit my head...'
'Because I need to. Every ten breaths, one star. Got it?'
'Ugh.'
'Don't wimp out just 'cause it hurts—break through!'
And then...
He had shattered the long-blocked and severed meridians like crumbling walls.
Memories from years ago on Kunlun Mountain...
Paeng Gang-hwi shot to his feet.
"Where is he?"
"At the main gate..."
"Hurry and bring him... no, I'll go myself!"
Paeng Kang-hyeon stared at the overly excited Paeng Gang-hwi with bewilderment, then his eyes bulged.
Paeng Gang-hwi's figure had vanished from the room.
'Why's he suddenly like this? Who the heck is he?'
As Paeng Kang-hyeon shook his head in confusion, Paeng Gang-hwi was unfolding his movement technique toward the main gate.
'He's here!'
His heart pounded fiercely.
'I can show him my progress!'
His fist clenched tight.
'A chance to grow even more!'
Just like on Kunlun years ago, it would be the same this time.
Reaching the main gate, Paeng Gang-hwi flung open the massive doors and shouted.
"You've come!"
"Yes."
"It's been so long—huh?"
About to embrace the young man before him, Paeng Gang-hwi froze.
This wasn't the 'him' he remembered!
...Come to think of it, Kang-hyeon said he wasn't the world's most handsome.'
The young man was certainly handsome, but he couldn't compare to the one in his memories.
'Good-looking, sure... but you can tell he's got a nasty personality.'
And he wasn't alone.
A dumb-looking young man and an utterly ordinary middle-aged guy were with him.
Paeng Gang-hwi's excitement deflated, and he sighed—then his eyes gleamed.
'Hold on. The message he passed on—wasn't that exactly from back then?'
At that moment, the nasty-looking young man spoke.
In that clear voice from his memories.
"You called, so I came. Why the silence? Can't recognize me with this face?"
"...Are you really him?"
"Yes."
"...Then why the face..."
Paeng Gang-hwi was overjoyed yet wore a suspicious expression.
Seeing this, the young man—Jeong Gwang—smiled slyly.
"There's a reason. Let's talk inside."
* * *
Leading Jeong Gwang's group into a room, Paeng Gang-hwi immediately asked.
"Tell me, True Jade Dragon. Why the plain clothes instead of Taoist robes, and the disguise to boot?"
"Let's eat and drink first. I'm starving and thirsty from rushing here."
"Very well. I'll have them bring vegetable dishes and tea."
"Pardon?"
As Jeong Gwang looked baffled, Paeng Gang-hwi cautiously asked.
"...Did I say something wrong?"
Of course.
Vegetables and tea for a martial artist? What blasphemy was this?
"Meat and liquor, please."
Paeng Gang-hwi, still baffled, nodded in understanding.
"...Is that why the plain clothes and disguise...?"
"Among other things."
"...Then what's the real purpose?"
Jeong Gwang just smiled without answering.
He couldn't very well say it was because Sima Lian's pig had come to Hebei, and it seemed related to the Pang Clan.
Staring at Jeong Gwang, Paeng Gang-hwi chuckled.
"Fine, I get it. I'm just grateful you came."
"No big deal."
"Haha. Anyone outside?"
Paeng Gang-hwi called a servant to fetch what Jeong Gwang requested.
Moments later, the table groaned under meat and liquor.
"Infinite blessings. Let's eat."
Jeong Gwang clasped his hands like a proper Taoist, then devoured the meat and liquor like none.
Baek Seung-mu and Jao followed suit, their hands a blur—they must have been famished.
Watching them, Paeng Gang-hwi muttered.
"How long have they been starving...?"
"Two days."
"Two days? Why so long?"
"To get here fast. Let's talk after eating."
Paeng Gang-hwi picked up his chopsticks with an awkward smile.
As time passed, the table cleared of dishes.
Jeong Gwang patted his belly contentedly.
"Ahh. Feels like I'm alive."
Paeng Gang-hwi, who'd been waiting for the meal to end, asked.
"True Jade Dragon, who are these two?"
"Oh, my bad."
Jeong Gwang pointed to Baek Seung-mu.
"Baek Seung-mu, known in the jianghu as the Golden Sword Hero. My junior brother."
"...Golden Sword Hero?"
"Yeah. You know him?"
"Heard the name recently. But..."
Paeng Gang-hwi turned to Baek Seung-mu.
Baek Seung-mu blushed and bowed his head; as Paeng Gang-hwi leaned in, he got a good look.
And his impression was...
"...I heard he looked like a young nobleman."
Jeong Gwang answered for him.
"He looks dumb, right?"
A normal person might deny it, but this was the Hebei Pang Clan.
Full of bold, straightforward men!
Naturally, Paeng Gang-hwi was too.
"Hmm. Sorry on first meeting, but yes."
"It's a disguise. He's not that ugly normally."
"Ah, got it. Pleased to meet you, Golden Sword Hero. I'm Paeng Gang-hwi. Looking forward to working with you."
Paeng Gang-hwi, who held the seat of Paeryong (Dominant Dragon) among the Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes.
Called by such an overly grandiose nickname, Baek Seung-mu's head drooped near breaking.
"...I-I look forward to working with you too."
Paeng Gang-hwi's gaze shifted to Jao.
"And this one?"
Jeong Gwang introduced again.
"Jao right now. Gak-eung in the future."
"...So he's a crow now, hawk later?"
Unlike Baek Seung-mu, Jao replied calmly.
"True Jade Dragon says he'll make it so."
"Ah! I'm jealous!"
Paeng Gang-hwi slapped his knee, genuinely envious.
He believed Jeong Gwang could turn not just a crow, but a sparrow into a hawk.
Jao continued calmly.
"Want more details?"
As Paeng Gang-hwi nodded eagerly, Jeong Gwang cut in.
"That'd take too long. Let's stop here."
"How long could it be? I want to hear."
"Tell him when you're alone later."
"Mm. Fair enough."
Baek Seung-mu shot him a pitiful glance, but Paeng Gang-hwi didn't notice.
With rough introductions done, Paeng Gang-hwi brought up what he'd held back.
"True Jade Dragon, I've missed you terribly."
"Huh? Me too."
"Oh! You too? What joy is this! Hahaha!"
Bursting into laughter, Paeng Gang-hwi continued.
"I've been dying to show you my progress, and you wanted to see it too!"
"Uh? Not quite."
"...Then?"
Seeing Paeng Gang-hwi's disappointment, Jeong Gwang decided to grant his wish first.
'Gotta loosen him up. Might as well.'
Standing, Jeong Gwang said.
"Let's see it. Where?"
Paeng Gang-hwi's face lit up.
"Training ground right behind us. This way."
* * *
Facing Jeong Gwang, Paeng Gang-hwi eyed the Yunryong sword closely.
"Where'd you get that blade?"
"Oh, Yunryong?"
"Great name. Not overly flashy, but clearly forged by a master craftsman."
"Yeah. Spot on."
"Ho. If you praise it so, it must be exceptional. Mind if I inspect it?"
Jeong Gwang rolled up his sleeves.
"If you're worth drawing a sword for, I'll show you whether you like it or not."
Baek Seung-mu and Jao's eyes widened watching.
It was a grave insult to any martial artist.
But Paeng Gang-hwi was different.
"Hahaha! Haven't changed a bit."
Laughing heartily, he drew his dao.
Its fierce edge gleamed—no ordinary blade.
"Huh? Using the dao? What about Chain Ring Tyrant King Fist or Iron Blood 148 Legs?"
As Jeong Gwang looked puzzled, Paeng Gang-hwi grinned wryly.
"You remember all that. Today, I'm going all out from the start. Gotta make you draw your sword."
"Bold. Let's begin."
"...Hold on. Can we skip that weird starting stance?"
Jeong Gwang, standing bow-legged with a wagging finger, replied.
"You saw it before and didn't complain then."
"Sigh. Still can't get used to it after all this time. Fine, let's go."
"Call your technique?"
"As if. You hate that stuff."
"Praise?"
"Here I come!"
Paeng Gang-hwi charged, swinging his dao.
Shiiing—
The blade sliced air and Jeong Gwang's neck at blinding speed.
But no one in the yard was surprised.
Jeong Gwang wouldn't fall so easily.
As expected, he left an afterimage and retreated.
"Oho. Faster and stronger."
"Not yet!"
As Paeng Gang-hwi said, the next strike was quicker. The one after, even more so.
A storm of dao strikes!
Fierce chaining blows poured endlessly.
The Hebei Pang Clan's proud technique, Geon-gon Yeon-hwan Tal-baek-do, unfolded!
Jeong Gwang acknowledged Paeng Gang-hwi's growth.
'He's improved a lot.'
Impressively so.
Clear signs of bone-grinding training over the years.
Jeong Gwang decided to engage more earnestly.
'Time to see Pang Clan arts again.'
Dodging here and there, Jeong Gwang began countering.
Pushing with palm, flicking with backhand, stabbing with fingers.
Whenever a gap opened, he thrust fists or slapped with palms.
Paeng Gang-hwi dodged with footwork, protecting himself with the dao blade.
Then swung again.
The momentum grew fiercer with each exchange, seemingly endless.
Even Jeong Gwang found it odd.
'Sustaining this assault? Can't be just internal energy.'
Yet Paeng Gang-hwi pressed on.
Vast inner power and sharp focus made it possible.
And fighting spirit!
His eyes burned unwavering!
Jeong Gwang murmured softly.
"You've really improved."
"...!"
A casual compliment.
Yet cracks formed on Paeng Gang-hwi's stern face.
A smile!
Like a wildflower blooming in a rock crevice.
'Finally!'
How long had he waited for this day!
Recognition from Jeong Gwang at last!
Suppressing his bursting chest, Paeng Gang-hwi leaped back.
Bowing politely with clasped fists.
"True Jade Dragon! Thank you for acknowledging me! It's all thanks to you!"
"In the middle of a fight?"
"What do you... urk!"
Jeong Gwang was suddenly in his face, fist flying.
It filled Paeng Gang-hwi's vision, growing massive.
Kwang!
"Kuhuk!"
Paeng Gang-hwi crumpled to the ground, consciousness fading.
'T-this isn't...'
Jeong Gwang clicked his tongue at the sight.
"Tsk tsk. Good that your skills match your relaxed mind..."
Paeng Gang-hwi heard it all before blacking out.
"But dropping your guard like this? How can you call yourself a martial artist?"
Utterly wronged, Paeng Gang-hwi fainted.