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Namgung Yurin defeated!
The self-destruction of Namgung Yurin—touted as a championship contender since the last Dragon-Phoenix Gathering—threw the Martial World into chaos. The Namgung Clan's prestige was simply too towering for the crowd to unreservedly cheer for a rising new female master.
"That Namgung fellow raised his sons well, but he clearly botched the daughter's upbringing."
"Her martial skill is excellent, but with that temperament, could she ever be counted among the Six Phoenixes?"
"A dangerous girl. Perhaps making her set down the sword is one answer."
Such remarks were openly exchanged at the gathering of sect leaders.
Had anyone from the Namgung Clan been present, the sect leaders might have held their tongues for appearance's sake, but the steward representing the Namgung Clan was too frantic dealing with the aftermath to attend.
"Still, the Namgung Clan did produce the Exploding Dragon, so perhaps this is a blessing in disguise? This is why you don't stake everything on one basket."
"The Namgung Clan doesn't favor sons for nothing. They dressed a daughter in ill-fitting clothes, and this is the mess it brought."
"Tsk, tsk. Such thick killing intent in the sword of one so young."
Some spoke pragmatically, some delivered sharp rebukes, and others sighed, lamenting Namgung Yurin's loss. Then, without pause, the praise for her vanquisher, Yoo Seol-ra, began to flow.
"The Snow Flower Flurry of the Cold Contenance Jade Maiden Sword! I never knew such a form existed."
"Exterminating Treasure Grandmaster. I remember her. Sixteen years ago, she was a woman whose fame rivaled that of Emei Peak. I heard she vanished without a trace, but..."
"A tiger leaves its skin when it dies, and a master leaves her martial arts before death! It is a blessing that Exterminating Treasure Grandmaster's true transmission has returned to the Emei Sect."
People spoke as if Yoo Seol-ra had already joined the Emei Sect long ago. Any remark about whether she was formally a disciple was entirely swallowed, depending on the Lust-Exorcising Abbess's actions.
"Hah. For a sect leader to rush onto the arena faster than anyone else... Emei Peak remains as fiery as ever."
"What does being a sect leader matter? A disciple of her sect could have died. Truly a great woman."
"During the Emperor Shaolie uproar, Qingcheng had a female disciple abducted, while Emei rescued theirs, didn't they? Hah, word in Sichuan is that Emei's going to be strutting about."
In the wake of Yoo Seol-ra's overwhelming victory, many felt tension at the Emei Sect's rising power. But they merely tensed; they did not scheme to check or hinder them.
—Quarterfinals, Match 2! Emei's Jeongjo, venerable master!
—Quarterfinals, Match 2! Emei's Jeongja, venerable master!
At this duel between members of the same sect, between senior and junior sister, many lamented. The two women who had once polished their martial arts together, sharing the sword, now climbed onto the arena as adversaries.
Some voiced misgivings. Perhaps Jeongjo, the venerable master, would throw the match with a forfeit or an easy victory to aid her junior in the next Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. In truth, regardless of who won, as long as they overcame their colleague Yoo Seol-ra, the Second Phoenix seat was guaranteed for Emei.
"A bout with no regrets."
"With honor."
But the two fought with everything they had. They shared the same master, and in displaying all they had learned from that master, they waged a prolonged engagement spanning over three hundred exchanges.
The victor: Jeongja, the venerable master.
The comparatively younger Jeongja could not be overcome. Jeongjo, the senior sister, bowed her head in the humiliation of defeat at a junior's hands, but soon offered genuine congratulations.
"Jeongja, my junior sister. You have bested me, so you must win the tournament."
"Jeongjo, senior sister...!"
Wah-rak. The two masters of Emei embraced each other tightly, displaying a deep sisterly bond.
Emei! Emei! Emei!
With the roar of the crowd, the first day's martial bouts concluded. They left a stain upon the Namgung name that could not be washed away—and produced the best possible outcome for the Emei Sect.
Yoo Seol-ra versus Jeongja, the venerable master.
Whoever won, the Emei Sect was now certain to claim the Second Phoenix's seat.
Most likely, alongside Dokgo Yeon, who was expected to sweep the other side of the bracket without a single loss.
Dawn broke.
Through the night, I had been administering the Buljusa treatment inside Yoo Seol-ra, scraping and collecting the internal energy from her body. The conditions were so favorable that by channeling the internal qi of the Ice White Divine Art, I could even produce ice crystals that hadn't existed before.
Pah-seu-seu.
Yoo Seol-ra slept deeply. Having demonstrated to Dokgo Yeon in minute detail how Doctor Mubung conducts an examination, she decided to spend the entire day recovering at the Dokgo Clan estate.
'She's worked so hard.'
Thanks to the performance Yoo Seol-ra had put on, Dokgo Yeon's impregnable defenses were beginning to show cracks. She was slowly starting to believe that absurd claim—that sexual acts were medical treatment.
Three men make a tiger.
Starting with her life-saving benefactor Doctor Mubung, then the Taiji Flower, the Little Princess of the Demonic Cult, and now Yoo Seol-ra inserted midway—all managing their health with Mubung's long needle. How could Dokgo Yeon, trapped her whole life in a cage of protocol, not be deceived?
'Even a Celestial Maiden was tricked by a woodcutter just because of a lie.'
She would feel a sense of betrayal once she learned the one who stole the winged dress was a woodcutter, but by then she would have already borne his child.
'I'll become the woodcutter.'
Chyurip. Haljjak.
I wanted to pounce on Dokgo Yeon right there—as she held that wooden rod from below and licked away at the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Rod in her mouth—to force my fleshly rod down her throat. But I showed supreme patience and held back.
"Uung...."
A tree struck ten times will not stand. Dokgo Yeon was diligently sucking the Ice Fruit Bar, identical in shape to my manhood. Watching that sight, the faces of Sagong Hee and Lee Si-a overlapped in my mind, and my heart swelled with emotion.
'Seeking their cooperation really was the right call.'
Sagong Hee and Lee Si-a had actively helped distort Dokgo Yeon's common sense. Thanks to that, my member got no rest, but whenever it grew burning hot, I shoved it into the ice palace to cool it down.
Until the day Dokgo Yeon's Eighteen Yin Torment Severed Meridian is fully treated, I will refine and polish my manhood while lying in wait for the right moment.
"Young Lady Yeon. Is the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Rod tasty?"
"Yes. Doctor, may I take this outside with me to eat?"
"Th-that cannot be. It's a spirit medicine infused with my secret methods."
"Ah... I suppose it would be, yes."
Dokgo Yeon cast a meaningful glance that swept from my nether region to the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Rod and back. I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back, as though she were giving me a lecture.
"Y-Young Lady Yeon. If you stare so openly like that..."
"Doctor."
Dokgo Yeon approached me, her tone grave. She was far shorter than I was, and with a bold face, she looked up at me and continued.
"I... am going out for the quarterfinals today."
"I am aware."
"Will you pray for my victory?"
"Of course. With strength like yours, there is no reason you should fail to claim the Second Phoenix seat."
"That's not enough."
Wah-rak. Dokgo Yeon suddenly closed the distance and embraced me. I could have dodged the sudden hug, but I purposely did not.
Mung-keul. At the distinct, petite presence pressing against my abdomen, I gulped dryly. A floral scent wafted thickly from Dokgo Yeon's white hair, and caught in the sudden embrace, I had no idea where to place my hands.
'Why all of a sudden?'
The only thing I'd done yesterday was stir up the Ice Demon. There was no reason for Dokgo Yeon to suddenly act like this. I hoped she might say something.
Seup— ha— Seup— ha—
Dokgo Yeon remained still for a long while, breathing deeply. I recited martial arts formulas while staring up at the sky, then stealthily lowered my hands, intending to subtly grasp her waist.
"......Fuuh. Doctor, thank you."
I'm the one who's thankful. I swallowed my inner thoughts and tilted my head with a puzzled expression, as if I didn't understand.
"For what?"
"Thanks to you, Doctor, I was able to reach the quarterfinals. Just this alone is enough to satisfy me."
'What?'
That won't do. Dokgo Yeon needs to acquire a bit more taste for martial competition. And she must realize that the Eighteen Yin Torment Severed Meridian is holding her back, and of her own accord spread her legs and say, 'Doctor, I beg you, please treat me.'
"S-so, what I meant was, if by chance I get injured... will you also treat me the same way?"
"Of course."
"...I understand."
Dokgo Yeon turned away with a coy smile. That grin, paired with her hands clasped behind her back, left me completely spellbound.
She's like a Celestial Maiden.
"Then I'll be as careful as I can so I don't get hurt. Fufufu."
Like a Celestial Maiden...?
What's this? My intuition clearly says she's at least seventy percent won over, so why is she talking like that? I wanted some kind of answer, but seeing the Murim Alliance Leader and the Alliance warriors approaching in the distance, I bowed my waist and saw Dokgo Yeon off.
If I compare and contrast her words with the Murim Alliance Leader in my memories to read the meaning behind them...
'Wow, that's chilling.'
I shuddered at Dokgo Yeon's thoroughness. And at the same time, a smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"It's ripened."
The time for harvest was not far off.
"Yeon. Are you truly all right?"
"Yes, entirely. Doctor Mubung gave me an immense amount of medicinal energy to take along."
Dokgo Yeon clenched both fists, brimming with confidence. As a master of the Profound Realm, she knew all too well the overwhelming disparity in skill between her and her opponent, but worrying about his daughter was inevitable.
"Yeon, be careful of your opponent. It's not my place to say this, but you might end up like that young lady from the Namgung Clan."
"Don't worry. There is absolutely no chance of that happening."
He thought the same, but who could ever know the twists of human affairs? Dokgo Ja-yeong's lips would not part easily, seized by a creeping unease.
Intelligence report.
Information confirms that the Ice Demon of the Wild Three Demons has entered Xuchang.
The Little Princess of the Demonic Cult had boldly shown herself before his eyes. But she made no suspicious moves, and the Taiji Flower and Dokgo Yeon were watching over the Little Princess with wide-open eyes, keeping her in check.
"Yeon, be careful. If a stranger tells you to follow them, absolutely do not go."
"Father, I'm not a child anymore."
"To me, you always will seem like one."
"I'm an adult now. Of an age to marry."
Um-jjil. Dokgo Ja-yeong's mouth went dry at his daughter's words. He himself had jokingly raised the subject of marriage with Dokgo Yeon, but hearing the word from his daughter's own lips unsettled his heart.
'Could it be that Mubung?'
There were no other men around her. Even her reaction was unusual whenever Mubung was mentioned.
"Yeon, by any chance—"
"Dad."
"!!"
At Dokgo Yeon's single word, Dokgo Ja-yeong shut his mouth.
"...Dad, do you... really want me to be cured of my illness?"
"Of course. Yeon, this father of yours... wants you to look past Xuchang and set your sights on the entire world without the hindrance of constant minor ailments."
"......."
Dokgo Yeon nodded firmly.
"I understand, Dad. I was hesitating, but... it's best to follow my father's words after all, isn't it? I... I will tell the Doctor. He said the treatment process could be quite painful, but... it's all right. Since Taiji Flower senior and Little Princess senior also received the Doctor's help."
"Good. Doctor Mubung is the finest man there is in that field. Yeon, you can trust him that much, at least."
"......."
Dokgo Yeon's face reddened again. Seeing his daughter cherish a fondness for their life's benefactor deeply moved Dokgo Ja-yeong.
The Dugu Nine Swords is an art that, once it harbors a purpose in the heart, presses the offensive unceasingly until that will is realized. In his daughter, Dokgo Ja-yeong saw the blood of the Dokgo Clan—and within it, the image of his departed wife, which he often glimpsed, kept overlapping.
"A firm mental preparation seems quite necessary. Yeon, this father will always be rooting for you."
"Y-yes. ...I understand. Fuuh. I... will do my very best."
Father and daughter looked at each other and nodded. Faces near tears they could never show to others glistened together, but as the only two of the Dokgo Clan left in this world, they could feel their familial love for each other.
"Alliance Leader, the time has come."
"Understood. I shall prepare."
Dokgo Ja-yeong straightened his clothes, then knelt before Dokgo Yeon to meet her eyes.
"But Yeon, just once more, could you call me like you used to? Dad."
"Like before...? ...Ah."
Hwa-reuk. Dokgo Yeon fled the spot in quick, short-stepped strides. Even though she had become a maiden, this pure, childlike side of his daughter made Dokgo Ja-yeong's tears spill over.
"I could die now without any regrets, my wife."
Dokgo Ja-yeong wept silently for a long while, until the third and fourth quarterfinal matches began.
Jeo-beok, jeo-beok.
Waaaaaaah—!!
Amid the thunderous roar of the crowd, Dokgo Yeon drew her sword.
Her opponent was the Plum Blossom Swordwoman of the Mount Hua Sect. According to Alliance intelligence, she was clearly known as a first-rate warrior, but it was widely speculated that her true level was actually at the early threshold of the Peak Realm.
"Come, Dokgo. I'll show you the full honor of the Nine Sects and One Gang."
Sa-ah-ah—
Along with a dizzying floral scent, the plum blossom fragrance spread in all directions. Dokgo Yeon smiled at the scent that was practically the symbol of Mount Hua, and raised her sword.
"I'll send you off in a single stroke, so you don't get hurt."
Cheol-keok.
The light purple hue of Dokgo Yeon's eyes settled into calm.
"Without getting hurt..."
Seu-reuk. Out of view from others, Dokgo Yeon deliberately gripped her sword with a stylish flourish, slicing her own finger in the process.
"In a single stroke."
Beon-tteuk. The moment Dokgo Yeon's sword flashed, the plum blossom fragrance exploded entirely upon a wave of qi. Dokgo Yeon bowed her waist with a confident smile.
"Ah."
Ka-ang—!
The sword her opponent lost grazed past Dokgo Yeon's toe. Dokgo Yeon looked at the cut on her finger, where a thin red line had appeared, and let out a soft, bemused smile.
"I'm hurt..."
Even at a wound no deeper than a paper cut, Dokgo Yeon merely laughed lowly.
"I suppose... I'll need treatment...?"
The victor, Dokgo Yeon—!!
Dokgo Yeon advanced to the semifinals.