Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Dragon-Phoenix Tournament (1)
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A long line stretched out in front of the city gates.
Amid the people waiting for inspection, an odd murmur rippled through the crowd.
It was a dazed exclamation of admiration, all directed toward a single man.
“Wow….”
“Ooh….”
He was dressed in black silk robes.
His hair shone jet-black, like it had been woven from the night itself, contrasting sharply with his snow-white skin and the high bridge of his nose.
His downward-gazing eyes held a scholarly melancholy, complemented by full red lips.
If beauty took human form, it might look just like him—standing there with eyes closed, as if detached from the world, radiating an otherworldly glow.
“What do you think? Pretty convincing, right?”
Jegal San whispered to Dang Hwa-seo.
He was disguised as a filthy beggar, smeared head to toe in grime.
Dang Hwa-seo let out a disbelieving chuckle.
‘Who knew this would actually work.’
Disguise Mok Ri-won as a noble young master to breeze through the checkpoint.
It had sounded absurd, but now it somehow felt plausible.
- Brother Mok, just keep your mouth shut and stare at the ground. Let your big sister do all the talking. If the guards ask anything nosy, just frown a little.
- Got it! Trust me!
- Young Hero Mok, do you really think this will—
- Trust me!
Memories of the recent exchange flashed by.
Dang Hwa-seo glanced at Mok Ri-won, who remained expressionless.
He really was handsome.
But there was more to it than that—something she could sense.
‘He’s dying of boredom.’
The twitching corner of his mouth betrayed boredom beyond the ordinary.
No wonder. A guy who could chatter nonstop all day was being forced to clamp his lips shut. It had to itch.
The sight was pitiful yet comical, so Dang Hwa-seo gently gripped his arm.
“Young Hero Mok, just hang in there a bit longer. It’ll be our turn soon.”
“Got it…!”
When she spoke to him, he nearly broke into a grin before catching himself and stiffening up.
It was so funny that Dang Hwa-seo smiled faintly.
Even so, her gaze avoided his.
Naturally. She lacked the confidence to meet his eyes.
‘This is fun.’
Jegal San stifled a laugh at Dang Hwa-seo’s fidgeting.
But a pang of regret bubbled up—he hadn’t managed to dress Mok Ri-won as a woman.
‘Tch, that would’ve been hilarious too.’
They’d tried, but Mok Ri-won’s vehement refusal had killed the idea.
-W-Woman’s clothes? You want me to dress like a lady?! Hey! Brother Jegal! How dare you insult me like that!
Jegal San couldn’t fathom such fierce opposition.
He didn’t know how much teasing young Mok Ri-won had endured from Ma Il-seok over his girlish looks as a child.
“Next!”
A guard’s voice rang out amid the tension.
Jegal San looked up, realizing it was their turn, and said to Dang Hwa-seo,
“Let’s go.”
“Right.”
Step-.
Dang Hwa-seo stepped forward, tension etched on her face.
*
Go Chang, a warrior of the Jang Clan.
Bearing wounds from a recent bandit attack, he eyed the trio before him.
He steadied his surprise.
‘Damn, he’s ridiculously handsome.’
The woman beside him was stunning enough to make eyes pop, but even she couldn’t draw his gaze away from the man.
The grubby servant behind them didn’t even register.
An appearance that screamed he belonged to another world.
And the clothes—what about them?
As a warrior serving a wealthy estate, Go Chang could spot the price tag at a glance.
‘At least a few gold nyang worth of silk.’
Tension gripped him.
Whoever this guy was, his background was no joke. Better not mess with him.
“Ahem. Then, for the inspection—”
“Hoo….”
The man sighed, frowning.
‘What the—!’
A flurry of thoughts hit Go Chang.
Had he offended the man somehow?
Or was the man just annoyed at having to line up for inspection?
Go Chang’s heart pounded as he fought to compose himself.
But that didn’t mean he’d push the inspection.
Why bother?
Irritating a highborn-looking noble would only bring trouble.
The Jang Clan had money, sure, but they wouldn’t clash with types like this over one guard.
“Uh… the insp—”
“Hoo….”
“…….”
The man—Mok Ri-won—sighed diligently.
He was following orders to the letter.
But it was awkward.
Dang Hwa-seo sensed that if she didn’t intervene, the guard would notice something off. She spoke up.
“The young master’s nerves are frayed from the rush. Please understand.”
“Oh, no probl—”
“My husband couldn’t sleep after that morning disturbance.”
Dang Hwa-seo’s cheeks flushed slightly.
Indeed.
They were playing a married couple.
Her acting was so stiff she could barely say “husband,” but luckily, Go Chang bought it.
‘Well, with a husband that handsome, who wouldn’t blush?’
She had every right to giggle shyly.
“No, no, my apologies.”
“No need to worry. Now, if you’d just let us pass? As I said, we’re in a hurry.”
“Ah, yes, sir!”
Go Chang quickly stepped aside.
Dang Hwa-seo smiled faintly and hooked her arm through Mok Ri-won’s.
“Good work.”
With that, they exited the gate, servant in tow.
Only after they vanished from sight did Go Chang realize he’d forgotten to ask their identities.
‘…Nah, couldn’t be them.’
“Never assume the worst” was a saying for a reason, but Go Chang had too many more to inspect.
*
“We did it! We’re out of the city safe and sound!”
The moment they were clear of the city, joy erupted.
Mok Ri-won shed his dignified air like a second skin, beaming like a child.
“As expected of Brother Jegal! I knew I could count on you!”
“Keep the praise coming!”
“The Jegal Clan’s reputation is well-earned!”
“More.”
“Amazing, astounding—I’m in awe!”
“Mm!”
It was pure slapstick.
Dang Hwa-seo watched with a blank stare as Mok Ri-won turned to her.
“You were incredible too, little sister! I’ve never seen acting like that in my life.”
Flinch-.
Dang Hwa-seo’s shoulders trembled.
His sparkling eyes fixed on her, she stared off into space.
“Oh, well….”
“Did you rehearse those lines? Or improvise on the spot? Mok Ri-won wants to learn from your performance!”
“Th-That’s….”
It was overwhelming.
No, flattering.
With that face gazing up at her in admiration, she couldn’t help feeling honored.
“Enough already. It was nothing special….”
“But it was amazing! What can I do?”
Mok Ri-won’s excitement showed no signs of stopping.
It couldn’t be helped.
Disguise and performance.
Escaping danger through them.
This was a step into the heroic rogue life Mok Ri-won had always dreamed of.
Just like the assassin protagonist in Chapter 5 of *Tales of the Jianghu Heroes*.
Mok Ri-won’s hair swayed with his enthusiasm.
His silk robe fluttered.
Black, of all colors.
It accentuated his pale skin so well that Dang Hwa-seo felt dizzy.
“How do you pull this off so well? How do you make that subtle smile? Like this? Or this?”
Mok Ri-won hooked his index fingers to his lips and leaned in.
His scent intensified.
Dang Hwa-seo felt her reason snap under a wave of embarrassment.
“St-Stop—!”
Thwack-!
“Guh…!”
Dang Hwa-seo’s fist sank into Mok Ri-won’s solar plexus.
He gasped, dropping to his knees from the sudden strike. She belatedly realized and apologized.
Right beside them.
Jegal San backed away cautiously, putting distance between him and Dang Hwa-seo.
‘Can’t she break that punch-first habit?’
He feared the arrow of her wrath turning on him.
*
Three days of travel later.
The trio reached their destination.
Beyond lay Huangshan, one of the Central Plains’ Three Mountains, its massive rocky peaks piercing the clouds.
“This is Huangshan! A must-visit spot in Anhui!”
“Ooh! My master told me about it! The elegance of befriending pines on its highest peak is supposed to be unparalleled!”
“Ha-ha! Your master knows his stuff!”
As Mok Ri-won and Jegal San chattered excitedly, Dang Hwa-seo focused inward to suppress her rising tension.
‘Finally.’
They’d made it here.
The first step toward no more running.
Here, they’d meet Fist Dragon Il-un and seek out the Shaolin Abbot.
Clench-.
Dang Hwa-seo balled her fists.
“…Let’s get going.”
“Up Huangshan?”
“No, not that. The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament is held in Xixuan here. No need to climb.”
“Oh….”
Disappointment crossed Mok Ri-won’s face.
Dang Hwa-seo chuckled and added,
“But if we have time, it wouldn’t hurt. Yes, I’ve never actually seen Huangshan myself, so I’m curious too.”
“Oh!”
Mok Ri-won’s face lit up instantly.
If he had a tail, it’d be spinning like a pinwheel.
His sheer excitement tugged at Dang Hwa-seo’s heart with inexplicable regret.
‘Soon….’
They might have to part ways.
The thought pricked at her oddly.
*
The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was a grand festival open to the murim’s young warriors—but not to just anyone of age.
True to its name, it was a contest to separate dragons from phoenixes.
It had minimum qualifications.
“But that doesn’t apply to us. A prestigious clan name opens doors like this.”
“What about me?”
“No worries. With recommendations from me and big sis, we can secure a spot for you. Though you’d pass any trial anyway—why bother with the hassle?”
“Right! As expected of Brother Jegal!”
“Ahem!”
In an inn at Xixuan.
The three, having registered for the tournament, sat chatting over food.
Mok Ri-won had thin noodles and bamboo leaf liquor.
Dang Hwa-seo, dumplings.
Jegal San, five-spice pork.
“Young Hero Mok, eat before your noodles get cold.”
“Oh, right! Got it!”
At her words, Mok Ri-won finally dug in.
As always, he slurped them down like soup, chased with a shot of bamboo leaf liquor, then sighed contentedly with a grin.
“Huangshan’s bamboo leaf liquor has a unique flavor!”
“You love that stuff, huh, Brother Mok? Try this—it’ll suit your taste.”
“Oh! Then….”
The meal progressed enjoyably.
As Dang Hwa-seo smiled softly at Jegal San and Mok Ri-won’s laughter,
“Welcome!”
The waiter shouted loudly.
It carried a tension never heard since they’d arrived.
It was enough to pique their curiosity.
Who could warrant such a booming greeting?
The three glanced at the entrance.
And were stunned.
“…Shaolin.”
Entering were four young monks with gleaming bald heads.
All in their prime, exuding profound inner strength—no explanation but Shaolin.
Even without that, Dang Hwa-seo and Jegal San spotted the giveaway.
The lead monk, taking a seat—his head square enough to crack rocks.
“…Fist Dragon Il-un.”
Dang Hwa-seo’s original target was right there.
The inn fell silent as they entered.
The trio tensed accordingly, but Il-un raised a hand from his seat.
“Hey, waiter. One plate of dongpo pork, please?”
He paused, lips moving as if pondering, then added,
“…Ah, hold the meat.”
Jegal San suddenly burst into laughter.