Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Fifth Chapter - Dragon-Phoenix Tournament (17)
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It might sound ridiculous, but Mok Ri-won had his own sense of romance.
The first martial tournament he had attended since entering the jianghu.
The romance of crossing swords with the masters he met there, debating righteousness and chivalry.
When it came to this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, Namgung Jincheon was undoubtedly the right opponent for that.
That was why Mok Ri-won couldn't hold back his anger.
No, he couldn't contain his injustice.
To be misunderstood as a pedophile by the very person he wanted to discuss righteousness and chivalry with—it was enough to drive him mad.
“No! I truly don't have that kind of taste! I like mature, sharp-featured beauties!”
His shout was like squeezing out pent-up frustration from deep within.
The servants who had belatedly followed Namgung Jincheon began whispering among themselves.
“Sharp and mature...”
“This guy's totally Poison Phoenix...”
“He's gone. Completely smitten.”
Mok Ri-won's face turned beet red at the servants' words.
“Ah, no... that's not what I meant...!”
“Look at his face turning red.”
“Oh my god...”
Mok Ri-won wanted nothing more than to hang himself in shame.
But he couldn't do that in someone else's estate.
Just as a desperate wish for someone to mediate this situation filled his heart,
“So-a, go to your room.”
Namgung Jincheon stepped forward.
With his usual impassive expression, he handed Namgung So-a to a servant and waved his hand dismissively.
The servants departed.
Namgung So-a glanced at Mok Ri-won while muttering words like “mature” and “sharp.”
“Sword Dragon! I really don't have that kind of taste...!”
“No need to explain. I'm not curious.”
Namgung Jincheon said that and turned to leave.
“W-wait a moment!”
“What is it?”
“I'm too wronged to let this go! I clearly told So-a that I could never be her husband!”
“I said I'm not curious. Whether you have strange tastes or So-a sees you as her husband.”
Mok Ri-won froze.
His expression began to furrow in confusion.
It was due to the inexplicable sense of dissonance rising within him.
“...Even with your little sister? You have no interest in So-a's matters?”
That must have been why.
Though they shared blood, Namgung Jincheon seemed utterly devoid of any emotion toward his own sister.
No, looking back on everything so far, he rarely showed any emotions at all.
It was as if all his feelings had dried up completely.
“Should I be curious?”
Namgung Jincheon's icy blue eyes pierced Mok Ri-won.
Unsure how to respond, Mok Ri-won scratched his cheek before hesitantly speaking.
“Hmm... She's still family by blood. Isn't a little interest natural?”
“Does that make it a reason?”
“I think so. They say blood is thicker than water. A true hero should protect his family first and foremost. That's what I believe.”
“I never said I wanted to be a hero.”
What did that mean?
That question arose in Mok Ri-won's mind.
Not pondering the hidden implications, but a fundamental doubt about the words themselves.
His head tilted.
“If you're not going to be a hero, then why learn the sword?”
“Strength is a means. The stronger, the better. Especially in this martial world.”
“...A means to what?”
“The world.”
Namgung Jincheon spoke dryly.
“A means to grasp what I naturally deserve.”
Mok Ri-won's eyes widened slightly before settling.
His curled fingers clenched into a fist.
A hint of undisguised disappointment seeped into his words.
“...You're just honing a sword to cut with.”
“All swords exist to cut. Lives, honor, status—whatever it may be.”
“There are swords for protecting.”
“That's deviating from the sword's purpose. Swords exist to cut.”
“The one wielding it is human. If the swordsman picks up the sword to protect, it becomes a sword of protection.”
“Inefficient. If you truly want to protect something, pick up a shield instead. Or build an impregnable fortress no one can breach.”
“That's why we embrace the inefficiency—to become heroes.”
“I've said repeatedly, I never claimed to be a hero.”
Mok Ri-won finally understood the man called Namgung Jincheon.
He was heartless.
No, emotionless.
He reminded Mok Ri-won of words he had once heard from Mok Seon-o.
—A sword has no eyes. It doesn't discriminate against opponents, nor does it judge good from evil. To a sword, there is only the swordsman wielding it.
Words spoken to console him when he realized his true nature, a memory resurfacing now.
—So what if it's a somewhat wicked sword? Or an ugly one? If you, the wielder, understand chivalry, isn't that enough? Then wouldn't it be a hero's sword?
As Mok Seon-o had said, the swordsman defines the sword. His would be an emotionless one.
His values directly contradicted everything Mok Ri-won had learned in life.
Of course, Mok Ri-won had no right to meddle.
People's values varied as much as there were individuals.
Yet, he still felt pity.
“Why do you say such things?”
He pitied that the Sword Dragon, Namgung Jincheon, held such views.
He was the Emperor Star.
A name destined to rule this land.
Yet, the one who should overflow with love for the common folk was so heartless—it was regrettable.
“The Sword Dragon could bestow blessings. You have the ability, status, and power to do so.”
Wasn't he much the same?
Born under a star, he received the expectations and blessings of all.
With those blessings, he could make the world more righteous.
“Gathering strength just to wield it... that's...”
Mok Ri-won hesitated.
He knew the words would be rude.
But in the end, he spoke them.
“That's the kind of thinking the Black Dao would have, isn't it...?”
Namgung Jincheon's eyebrow twitched slightly.
“It's different.”
“What's different?”
“They lack order.”
He continued as if stating an obvious fact, without the slightest emotional shift.
“They lack order. But I have it. Under an unshakeable order, I can establish my will, so what I achieve aligns with the righteous path.”
Mok Ri-won realized then.
‘Ah...’
He couldn't reason with this man.
He was arrogant and immovable, without a single crack.
But there was one fortunate thing.
Clench—
Mok Ri-won's fist tightened.
His lips set in a firm line.
With resolute determination in his eyes, he faced Namgung Jincheon.
“...Then the Sword Dragon must prove it.”
“Prove? I have no need to.”
“No, you must. To me, of all people.”
Namgung Jincheon observed Mok Ri-won's complexion.
Having never heard such words before, unfamiliar feelings stirred within him.
“Prove what?”
“That your ideals are truly right. That you have the qualifications to say such things.”
Mok Ri-won's aura began to leak out.
Along with unbridled emotions.
“This is the jianghu martial world, Sword Dragon. Prove your qualifications to me with strength.”
“That's no difficulty.”
“It will be.”
Mok Ri-won gauged it.
The gap in their levels—the vast difference in total inner energy where he lagged far behind, the techniques he'd witnessed, and even those yet unseen.
A smile formed on Mok Ri-won's lips.
‘I recall a scene.’
This too was a debate reminiscent of a passage from a book that governed his life.
He felt joy in it.
“The protagonist of Tales of the Jianghu Heroes, Chapter 1—the Sword Hero—once said,”
The most overwhelmingly popular protagonist from Chapter 1 of that pulp novel.
To an arrogant warrior, imparting a lesson, he declared:
“One who takes trials lightly can never become a true martial artist.”
What Mok Ri-won loved most was the Demonic Hero.
The great will that overcame even his own nature to achieve chivalry.
But for now, it was fine to be different.
He wanted to be the trial that would teach chivalry to the man who shone brighter than anyone.
“...Arrogant.”
Namgung Jincheon replied.
Not with displeasure.
“But I'll look forward to it.”
He expressed his own anticipation for this unprecedented provocation.
“Last three exchanges.”
With that, he turned and departed.
*
“What happened?”
Back at the estate's lodgings.
Dang Hwa-seo voiced her curiosity at Mok Ri-won's unusual expression.
He snapped his head up, shaking it side to side as he replied.
“Hm! Nothing. I just ran into the Sword Dragon for a bit!”
“The Sword Dragon? What did you talk about?”
“It was about the upcoming match.”
Dang Hwa-seo was surprised.
Not at Mok Ri-won, but that Namgung Jincheon had entertained such talk.
“Does he engage in that kind of conversation? That's surprising. I've never seen him discuss martial matters even once.”
“Hmm... it was more one-sided on my part.”
Mok Ri-won gave an awkward smile.
Dang Hwa-seo let out an “Ah” and chuckled softly.
‘I can picture it.’
That affable guy must have cornered Namgung Jincheon and chattered nonstop.
“You didn't cause any trouble, did you?”
Mok Ri-won flinched.
—That's the kind of thinking the Black Dao would have, isn't it...?
The words he'd blurted out mid-conversation, unable to restrain his emotions.
They carried clear insult.
Dang Hwa-seo's eyes narrowed.
Mok Ri-won frantically shook his head.
“Ah, it wasn't a huge blunder! The Sword Dragon didn't get angry at my words!”
“Not that he didn't show anger?”
“...”
Truth be told, there had been a hint of it, making Mok Ri-won break into a cold sweat.
Dang Hwa-seo sighed deeply.
“Reflect on it. And be sure to apologize.”
“Got it...”
Mok Ri-won looked dejected.
Seeing him like a scolded puppy, Dang Hwa-seo giggled, stroked his head, and continued.
“So, how's the preparation for the match going?”
“As always!”
“Good. I hope Young Hero Mok achieves great results in the tournament.”
“It'll happen. I think I'll win.”
“Confidence is good, but...”
“It's certainty.”
Dang Hwa-seo blinked.
Mok Ri-won asserted with his signature radiant smile.
“The Sword Dragon can't beat me.”
Dang Hwa-seo parted her lips, unsure how to respond.
Confidence was admirable, of course.
His bold smile before the match was quintessentially Mok Ri-won—refreshing to see.
Yet, there was the matter of skill gap.
Namgung Jincheon stood at the pinnacle of the Pinnacle Realm.
His inner energy already rivaled average Peak Realm experts.
Compared to him, Mok Ri-won's was merely one cycle—average for Pinnacle Realm.
His swordsmanship was undoubtedly superb, but in terms of aura refinement or explosive power, he fell short.
Thus, Dang Hwa-seo asked.
“...What makes you so certain?”
Mok Ri-won felt her hand pause on his head.
He read the worry in her eyes.
Smiling brightly to dispel it entirely, he replied.
“I never lose to someone who's not a hero.”
A quintessentially Mok Ri-won answer.
It was almost comical.
Both sides heading into the bout utterly convinced of their victory—an peculiar situation.
But a contest ultimately divides winner from loser.
Thus, after a week.
The final match of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament began, with victory still uncertain for either.