Chapter 7: Let’s Do It, One More Time (3)
Chapter 7: Let’s Do It, One More Time (3)
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Patrick.
Then, Patrick spoke…
“What? I get hives whenever I’m in a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.”
“……”
“……”
Just what kind of personality did one need to have to react like that?
As the pitying stares intensified, Patrick cleared his throat and spoke.
“Ahem, anyway… let me introduce us properly.”
Patrick straightened his posture, extended both hands forward in a fist salute, and said, “My name is Patrick Schneider. And this is…”
Persona also performed a fist salute with both hands, just as Patrick had taught her, and gave a light bow.
“I am his disciple, Persona the Lord.”
At that, Go Seok-hyeon returned the fist salute and spoke.
“I am Go Seok-hyeon, the Sect Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect.”
“I am his disciple, Moon Yul. I am truly grateful for your grace in saving my master.”
After the formal introductions were finished, Go Seok-hyeon spoke to Patrick.
“Judging by your appearances, neither of you seem to be from the Central Plains. Have you perhaps come from the World Beyond?”
“The World Beyond, huh…”
Patrick let out a smirk.
“Yeah. In a way, I suppose I am someone from beyond this world.”
Patrick spoke with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Go Seok-hyeon asked again, “Then, for what reason have two people from the World Beyond come to know the martial arts of our Twin Dragon Sect? And what is your purpose for visiting our sect?”
I knew this question was coming.
Patrick unraveled the explanation he had prepared in advance.
“The answer is simple. It is because I, too, am a member of the Twin Dragon Sect.”
“…?!”
“And our purpose for visiting is, naturally, to save our sect from crisis and restore it to its former glory. That is why we have traveled this long way.”
At Patrick’s words, Go Seok-hyeon fell silent, entering a long period of deep contemplation.
After thinking over and over to choose the right words, he finally spoke cautiously.
“…As far as I know, there are no members like you two in our Twin Dragon Sect.”
“We split off two hundred years ago. Since then, we have independently practiced and developed the martial arts of the Twin Dragon Sect.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a lie.
If the man pressed further, Patrick was ready to weave a magnificent backstory to persuade him.
A story of hardship that one couldn't hear without shedding tears—starting from when Patrick Schneider was ten years old, raising his family, founding a kingdom, and eventually saving the world…
“Two hundred years?”
However, Go Seok-hyeon seemed most shocked by the mention of two hundred years.
His eyes widened, and he began to stammer.
“Then, could it be… could it be…”
Go Seok-hyeon was so agitated that he could barely speak. Finally, managing to compose his emotions, he asked, “Are you saying… you have inherited the martial arts of the Great Master, the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon?”
In that instant, the corners of Patrick’s mouth curled upward.
This was going to be much easier than he thought.
He puffed out his chest and spoke with confidence.
“Precisely. I have inherited the martial arts of the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon.”
It wasn't a lie.
Surprisingly, it wasn't a lie at all.
“Ohhh…”
Go Seok-hyeon was deeply moved.
How could this be?
The Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon.
He was the warrior who led the Twin Dragon Sect through its golden age, the pride of the sect who was once called the greatest swordsman in Gansu Province.
His late master used to lament whenever times were tough.
[If only his martial arts had been passed down, the status of our Twin Dragon Sect would be different than it is now…]
That was how much the name of the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon meant to the Twin Dragon Sect.
“You mean you have inherited the insights of that great man?”
“…What did you just say?”
“Pardon? His insights…”
“No, before that.”
“You mean… that great man?”
Patrick’s lips twitched.
“Who did you say he was?”
“I am speaking, of course, of the Great Master, the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon, who brought glory to our Twin Dragon Sect during its peak…”
Patrick’s grin now reached from ear to ear.
“Hahaha! Was the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon really such an incredible person?”
“How can you even ask that?!”
Go Seok-hyeon didn't quite leap to his feet, but he spoke with enough vigor that it felt like he might.
“He was the great warrior who, for the first time since our Founding Patriarch, fully mastered the Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles.”
“Kuuu… Right. He was amazing. And what else?”
“It is said that he traveled the Jianghu and engaged in a hundred duels, winning the vast majority of them.”
“Hehehehe… And?”
“Several of the Ten Great Evils, who were giants of the Unorthodox Faction and agents of chaos at the time, were defeated by his sword.”
“He lopped those bastards' heads right off. And what else?”
“In his final moments at the Battle of Nakbong Slope, he fought against three hundred experts of the Unorthodox Faction and died a heroic death. Because he held back the enemies there…”
“Uh… wait a second.”
“What is it?”
“Wasn't it three thousand, not three hundred? That’s what I heard.”
At that, Sect Leader Go Seok-hyeon gave an embarrassed look and spoke cautiously.
“To be honest, that is how I heard it as well. But…”
“But?”
“Well, honestly, that would be a bit of an exaggeration.”
“……”
“How could one person face three thousand? And these weren't just random thugs, but three thousand elite experts handpicked from the Unorthodox Faction…”
“……”
“I suspect there was a bit of hyperbole involved.”
“……”
This damn descendant…
He lacks faith. He lacks faith.
Patrick was displeased, but the man’s condition was so poor that he might die if Patrick tried to "educate" him now.
He had no choice but to let it slide.
Regardless, even after two hundred years, the Twin Dragon Sect remembered the name of the Radiant Dragon Hero as a symbol of glory.
Patrick glanced at Persona and said, “Did you see that?”
“Yes, yes. Good for you.”
Seeing her master’s face practically screaming, ‘This is the kind of person I am,’ Persona let out a sigh.
Even without him showing off like this, she knew better than anyone what a great hero Patrick was.
He was the man who had defeated an Outer God and saved an entire world.
How could she deny that greatness? And yet…
“He was righteous and full of chivalry…”
“Mm-hmm. He was. He definitely was.”
“Furthermore, he was a true hero who never forgave evil and could not stand idly by in the face of injustice…”
“Kuuu. That’s also true. Absolutely.”
Looking at how he’s acting right now, I can’t believe a word of it.
* * *
It took over an hour to explain the greatness of the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon.
Actually, even that wasn't enough, but…
“That’s enough. Can we please get back to the main point? Please?”
The conversation only returned to the matter at hand after Persona intervened.
“Ahem, anyway, we are descendants of the Twin Dragon Sect from a distant land. And it is true that we have inherited the martial arts of the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon.”
After listening to Patrick, Go Seok-hyeon thought for a moment, let out a sigh, and spoke.
“I apologize if this is rude to the benefactors who saved my life, but is there any way you can prove it?”
“Prove it?”
“I know it is disrespectful. However, given the gravity of the situation, I need reliable evidence before I can recognize you both as fellow disciples.”
As he spoke, Go Seok-hyeon’s eyes held a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
In truth, whether they had inherited the Radiant Dragon Hero’s martial arts or not was secondary; it was clear that the two before him were far greater masters than himself.
In the Jianghu, for the weak to demand proof from the strong was more than just rude—it could be the spark for a provocation. However…
“I suppose a Sect Leader of the great Twin Dragon Sect needs that level of caution. A wise thought.”
Patrick wasn't offended at all.
In fact, he seemed to like Go Seok-hyeon’s words.
Hearing the pride for the Twin Dragon Sect dripping from those words, Go Seok-hyeon felt a sudden surge of emotion.
He was deeply moved that someone recognized the pride of this dying sect.
Then Patrick spoke.
“The only way I can prove myself is through the sword.”
“If that is the case…”
“Let’s go outside.”
A short while later.
They passed through the slums and out the south gate to an empty lot on the outskirts of Cheonsu County.
Since it was a place with few people, it was perfect for Patrick to demonstrate his martial arts.
“Cough, cough.”
“Master?”
“I am fine. Do not worry.”
Moon Yul was reluctant to let his master, who had just risen from his sickbed, walk all the way here, but the master had insisted.
“Step aside for a moment.”
Persona asked for Moon Yul’s understanding, then took Go Seok-hyeon’s wrist and began to funnel her energy into him.
“Mm…”
Go Seok-hyeon was greatly shocked as a massive surge of energy rushed into his body like a rising tide.
She looks like such a young woman, yet the depth of her internal energy is beyond measure.
Because she called Patrick "Master," he hadn't rated Persona’s realm that highly.
Didn't she look like a young girl at first glance?
But it was clear that she, too, was a master far beyond his comprehension.
As the True Qi filled his body, Go Seok-hyeon’s complexion improved.
After watching the scene unfold, Patrick calmly began to speak.
“Originally, the sword styles of the Twin Dragon Sect were the Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles. However, I now use the Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles, which have been developed to a higher level.”
“The Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles… Could that be?”
“Yes. It was created by the Radiant Dragon Hero.”
“Ohhh…”
Go Seok-hyeon was struck with awe.
“Then, I shall begin.”
Patrick drew his sword.
The moment the Black and White Twin Dragon Swords revealed themselves from their scabbards, Go Seok-hyeon gasped involuntarily.
They are famed swords of the highest caliber.
Just drawing the swords sent a chill of razor-sharp killing intent toward him.
Then, Patrick moved.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
First Form.
Black and White Twin Dragon Dance.
The left-hand sword and the right-hand sword drew lines in the air with completely different properties.
Between the heavy, domineering sword qi drawn by the Black Sword, the White Sword wove in rapid yet elegant strands of sword qi.
In an instant, a perfect, seamless black-and-white sword net unfolded around Patrick. Then…
“Hup!”
Patrick leaped into the air and swung his swords grandly toward the sky.
Once horizontally.
Once vertically.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Second Style.
Great Dragon Cross Sword.
In an instant, a massive cross of sword qi erupted toward the heavens, as if it would split the sky into four pieces.
Since he was performing it as a demonstration, he suppressed the power as much as possible, but because the nature of the style itself was rooted in raw strength, the power was still immense.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Third Form.
Flash Dragon Strike.
The technique that was the very symbol of the Radiant Dragon Hero, needing no explanation.
The very sword style that had allowed Patrick to take the Heavenly Demon’s head and, if only for a moment, step into the Transcendent State.
Patrick’s body transformed into a streak of lightning, flashing as it descended to the earth.
KWA-AAANG!
The moment his feet touched the ground, Patrick’s sword split into countless strikes.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Fourth Form.
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance.
Dozens, hundreds—no, countless strikes, too many to count with the naked eye—eventually created a domain of the sword.
An absolute sword domain that cut down everything within it occupied a ten-meter radius around Patrick.
Immediately after the countless afterimages of the sword vanished…
“Hup!”
Patrick’s body spun.
Simultaneously, a whirlwind of sword qi enveloped his body as he ascended toward the sky.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Fifth Form.
Dragon Scale Whirlwind.
The only defensive technique of the Twin Dragon Sect.
Patrick ascended into the sky, his body wrapped in the whirlwind of sword qi. And then…
Tap.
He landed lightly on the ground.
Anything more than this might be dangerous, right?
The Sixth Form, Nine Dragons Under Heaven, involved manifested aura.
Its power was too great to be suitable for a mere demonstration. And above all…
“I assume that was enough.”
Patrick’s gaze fell upon Go Seok-hyeon.
Go Seok-hyeon was looking at Patrick and weeping.
The thick tears streaming down his cheeks contained joy, awe, and a multitude of indescribable emotions.
He knelt on the spot, raised both hands above his head in a fist salute, and spoke.
“Go Seok-hyeon, the current Sect Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect, greets the successor of the Radiant Dragon Hero.”
“Do you recognize me, then?”
“How could I deny it? Having seen that sword style, which contains the very essence of the Twin Dragon Sect, how could I possibly deny it?”
Go Seok-hyeon’s body trembled.
The true sword styles of the Twin Dragon Sect, which he had only heard of through legends, were right here.
The Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles?
Though the name had changed, it was unmistakably the Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles.
Still kneeling, he spoke.
“Great Master, please… lead our Twin Dragon Sect.”
Go Seok-hyeon had accepted Patrick as a member of the Twin Dragon Sect.
Beside his master, Moon Yul also knelt and bowed his head.
Just two of them?
During the peak of the Twin Dragon Sect that Patrick remembered, the number of disciples exceeded a hundred.
But thinking back, that Twin Dragon Sect had also started with just his master and himself.
So, what was the problem?
Let’s do it. One more time.
They would start again from here.
A new legend of the Twin Dragon Sect.
And then, a blue quest window appeared before Patrick’s eyes.
[Quest Complete]
Acquired 500 Causality.
Current Causality: 2,000.
The quest to rebuild the Twin Dragon Sect has been completed.