#60. The Black Flame Dragon Frolics with Dragon and Phoenix (2)
In my previous life, my dream had been to join the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. The honor of gathering with the greatest prodigies of the era. The duty of punishing evildoers. The reverence from men and women, young and old alike.
Before we knew the harsh reality, every child in the Tae-eul Gate, including me, dreamed of belonging to it. After training, we'd gather in groups of twos and threes to play Dragon-Phoenix Assembly games. The boys would play the dragons, the girls the phoenixes, nurturing our dreams.
Hearing they were coming, I'd tossed and turned all night for a week straight, carefully preserving the paper for the official seal so it wouldn't crumple. But contrary to my expectations, the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly that visited back then plunged the Tae-eul Gate into a pit of despair.
I couldn't fathom what they were thinking. Divine Plum Painting Sword Hwa Jeong-san of the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly—the swordsman I admired most—had asked our sect leader for guidance. Unable to withstand even fifty exchanges from a junior twenty years his junior, our sect leader overexerted himself and fell into qi deviation.
"Tch, staying among the 108 Peaks won't be of much help anyway."
Those were Hwa Jeong-san's words as he watched Sect Leader Hong Moon-gi cough up blood from his internal injuries. Miraculously, he survived, but having lost all his inner energy, Hong Moon-gi could no longer move about as he once did.
Hong Moon-gi entrusted internal affairs to Jin Taesan and external matters to Gye Cheolyeong, who was then at the Murim Academy. Gye Cheolyeong dragged all the still-immature disciples of the Tae-eul Gate to the Murim Alliance and treated them like his personal servants.
"Even thinking back on it now, it was pure hell."
This life wasn't the same as my previous one. The Tae-eul Gate had already begun changing, starting with Gye Cheolyeong. But even so, if their attitudes matched the past, I had no intention of leaving even a shred of respect for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
"At this rate, I've got plenty of time to spare."
Instead of riding a horse, he was dashing forward with the Heavenly Lone Walker God Step. Riding meant following roads, but this technique let him cut straight across, saving time. As he raced at a speed where the fresh morning wind whipped his ears,
a scream echoed from far away.
"Hm?"
[Hey! Is anyone there? Help!]
A woman's voice, sounding injured. There was still quite a distance, but with the Heavenly Lone Walker God Step, he had margin to spare, so he immediately veered off course.
A motley group of men and women was streaming out of Hebi. Clothing and weapons that highlighted their individual flair. At a glance, they might pass for young nobles on a journey, but each had a sword, prayer beads, or some other weapon dangling from their waist.
The only common thread among this peculiar bunch was their striking appearances.
"What a shame. Hebi should've meant the Iron Sword Sect."
A man in black-and-white uniform licked his lips regretfully.
"Why'd it have to be the Tae-eul Gate under inspection, of all places."
They'd originally planned to be wined and dined lavishly at the Iron Sword Sect before heading to the next city. But the urgent orders from the Alliance had singled out the Tae-eul Gate—one of the 108 Peaks—for "inspection."
The man in Daoist robes hardened his expression.
"This isn't good for the Tae-eul Gate either."
If "inspection" duty was just a courtesy visit to strengthen ties between the Alliance and the 108 Peaks, "audit" meant coldly evaluating whether a Peak sect still qualified. This arbitrarily assigned "inspection" was crucial in deciding whether to exclude former allies from the Peaks.
"The Tae-eul Gate's reputation has improved lately. Why inspect them now?"
A beauty in white fur asked from the rear.
"Probably because of that reputation."
The black-and-white uniformed man smiled deeply, pleased she'd addressed him.
"They took the Iron Sword Sect's grand ancestor's relic, saved Wang Geumsan's golden leaf daughter, and lately, rumors say they rescued people from the Ma-ryeong Plateau. Isn't that why our Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is catching flak right now?"
To be precise, Yong So-a was the one under fire, but as the symbolic figure of this generation's Assembly, it wasn't pleasant to be lumped in and undervalued.
"The Alliance probably ordered the inspection for that reason. Didn't they join the Peaks thanks to that Tae-eul Sword Emperor lie?"
"What do you mean?"
"For example, the Tae-eul Gate feels threatened by the Iron Sword Sect's rapid growth and spreads lies like in the old days..."
"That's ridiculous."
"Just for example. Hypothetically."
"Then I'll handle the evaluation."
The black-and-white man's brows furrowed slightly at the white-fur beauty's words.
"What're you saying? I was supposed to do it."
"Young Master Hwa, you're too ruthless. Inspection or not, you can't leave injuries on them."
"...What? If anything, they say I'm too soft."
"You think we don't know you lure them to their limits on purpose?"
The man called Young Master Hwa gave an awkward smile.
"But that's the only way to gauge their true skill."
He glanced at the robed man for support. Without Yong So-a, he was effectively the Assembly's leader.
"...Hwa Jeong-san should still take the lead."
"What... It's not set in stone."
"Word from the Alliance. Let Hwa Jeong-san handle the evaluation."
The fur-clad beauty glanced complexly between Hwa Jeong-san and the robed man. Yong So-a and Hwa Jeong-san were close friends, and the robed man wasn't far behind. Something was clearly afoot that she didn't know, but with the Alliance invoked, she couldn't press further.
"Fine."
And in that moment, she caught the meaningful glance exchanged between Hwa Jeong-san and the robed man.
"Damn it all..."
The road back to his sect wasn't as smooth as expected.
"Can't even plug my ears and eyes to run."
He knew his senses had sharpened after his cultivation advanced and surviving the demon essence water, shedding his mortal shell. But after his enlightenment, the range had expanded dramatically.
Sounds from afar rang crystal clear, and sprinting like flight from on high let him take in the whole world at a glance. First, he'd saved a woman fallen from a cliff. Second, a herb gatherer chased by a mountain beast. Third, a man with a broken leg under a horse. Fourth, a child nearly drowning in a valley stream.
"At this rate..."
No matter how swift the Heavenly Lone Walker God Step, he might not arrive on time. But he couldn't ignore people dying right before his eyes.
"No choice. Gotta push max speed."
As he tried accelerating, hoping the wind would drown out cries for help,
[N-no, stop! We've already given you everything we have!]
A young man's voice rang out. He tried ignoring it, but his head turned instinctively, eyes focusing to reveal a youth and elder harassed by bandits.
"Haa..."
His feet veered straight toward the voice. No time to assess—he dropped from midair with Golden Bell Iron Cloth momentum.
Thud.
Dirt exploded outward, silence blanketing the area. On one side, as expected, a youth his age and an elder. Opposite, bandits with swords and axes.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Despite his sudden intrusion, the bandits showed no surprise. He'd thought Golden Bell Iron Cloth would send run-of-the-mill bandits fleeing in terror, but his expectations shattered.
"Jin Sowoon of the Tae-eul Gate. Bandits, I presume?"
"We're from the Red Sand Stronghold—"
"Got it. Any chance you could just let us go? I'm in a bit of a rush."
"We ain't done talking!"
Realizing words wouldn't cut it, he was about to tell the elder and youth to fall back when the young man's stance, habits, and gait sparked a memory.
Moyong Jaehwa?
Moyong Jaehwa, son of Merchant Moyong and younger brother of Moyong Seol, whom he'd met recently. A closer look at his neck revealed subtle skin tone differences—human-skin mask to hide his identity.
What the...?
Moyong Jaehwa, trained in martial arts since childhood, had all his meridians sealed. Turning, he saw the elder also wore a human-skin mask, his restrained aura far from ordinary. And when their eyes met, the elder's habitual tic matched another memory.
Windbreaker Sword Saint. Moyong Gang.
A supreme expert rivaling the Creator Sword Immortal.
"No... what the hell..."
As he started to speak, bandits attacked from behind. He unleashed White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms to slam two into the dirt, then Socheon Sword Technique to parry an axe.
"Y-you... alright?"
The odd question landed right for Moyong Jaehwa.
"Thank you. We nearly had a disaster."
Terror genuine as death lingered on Moyong Jaehwa's face. The Windbreaker Sword Saint's, however, twinkled with mischief.
Even in his youth, he was called an eccentric swordsman...
Likely play-acting ignorance while wandering Jianghu with his grandson.
As the bandits hesitated at his prowess, he told the pair,
"I... can I go now?"
"What?! What do you—"
"..."
The Windbreaker Sword Saint was the type to get seriously playful, sulking if interrupted. Then Moyong Gang suddenly prostrated himself.
"S-spare us, great hero! Not me, but please save my grandson!"
"..."
Trembling in genuine-seeming fear as he kowtowed.
If I leave now, he'll throw a fit?
No need to leave loose ends in Wuhan. He'd play along and dispatch the bandits swiftly.
"All of you, scram. You're no match."
Subtly hinting at Moyong Gang's presence, but lifelong bandit scum couldn't grasp it.
"You damn punk! Got some moves!"
"Lads! Kill him!"
"Charge!"
"Waaah!"
Thirty charging heedlessly. Without pause, he stepped into Tae-eul Paeman Sinbo, weaving through them like a ghost, Black Dragon Sword flashing. In three breaths, back in place, the bandits blinked cluelessly.
"Eek!"
"Ack!"
"What the—?!"
Their pant crotches sliced, pants dropping to ankles simultaneously.
"Next time, it'll be a bit lower than your pant crotches. Keep going?"
Instinctively clutching their crotches, the bandits fled tails between legs.
Sheathing the Black Dragon Sword, Moyong Gang approached from behind.
"H-heuk. Truly grateful, great hero! How shall I repay this grace?"
"...How'd you end up in these deep mountains...?"
"Ah, teaching my grandson the herb-gathering trade."
"...Ha, haha."
Stooped back, shabby clothes, sack on his shoulder— the picture of a herb gatherer, clearly reveling in the act.
"...I see. Then I'll be off..."
"My lord!"
As he tried slipping away, Moyong Gang grabbed his pant leg.
"Wh-what is it?"
"Truth be told, one of this old man's lifelong dreams was visiting the Tae-eul Gate. We've met by fate—join us there?"
"...What? Visiting the Tae-eul Gate like it's Shaolin your lifelong dream?"
Ridiculous words left him dumbfounded, but the elder persisted earnestly.
"Hearing of the Tae-eul Gate shaking the world lately, I vowed to visit. How could an old man like me enter alone? Won't you accompany us?"
"...I'm in a hurry. I'll put in a word at the Gate. Come anytime with your grandson."
"No! My lord! This meeting is destiny! We must go now."
Where in the world does a herb gatherer nag a warrior like this?! The words rose to his throat but stayed down.
"Gramps, enough. You're troubling the warrior."
Moyong Jaehwa flushed crimson with shame—neck only, thanks to the mask.
"Quiet! Do you think you'll ever meet such a fine warrior again? Strike while the iron's hot!"
No backing down. He surrendered.
"Fine. Let's go together. Just to confirm—you don't know lightness skill, right?"
"..."
"...Heh heh, what kind of question is that for a lifelong mountain herb gatherer?"
"Got it. I'll carry you both."
Moyong Gang clapped in delight.
"Oh dear, can't do that. Truth is, I get motion sick from lightness skill. Go too fast, and I lose it."
"..."
Moyong Jaehwa stared at his grandfather like a madman.
"...So we're walking?"
"No choice..."
"Won't work. Sorry, gotta go ahead. Urgent business."
Walking would make him late for real.
"...But if there's a horse, I could ride."
"..."
"Of course, if my lord procures one..."
His patience frayed. With the sect elder on the brink of qi deviation, this fool risked antics for fun.
He tilted his head.
"Strange."
"What's strange?"
"How a mountain herb digger nags a warrior like this."
"Ahem! Wh-what? When did this old man nag... heh heh."
"Right? To nag a warrior like me, you'd need to be a Murim elder at least. Not some shabby, stubborn old coot."
"Ahem! Shabby and stubborn? That's a bit harsh."
Whatever the reason for his antics, eccentrics like Moyong Gang staked everything on them. He wouldn't drop the act short of a blade to the throat. Perfect window.
"Was I harsh?"
"A tad."
"Heh heh. Pointing fingers at a prideful warrior like me. Careful, or taste a fist that crosses mountains and rivers."
"Khm..."
Moyong Gang's face twisted.
Relishing shoving his head in the tiger's mouth and pulling back, he continued.
"Here's the deal. I'll lightness you to the nearest stable, then horse to the Gate. Bearable?"
"...Khm. If that's the only way, what choice do I have?"
Moyong Gang nodded reluctantly. Curiosity struck—what alias for his act?
"May I have your name?"
"Ah! I'm Gang of the Yong Clan. This here's Jaehwa."
"...Of course."
Which part was the real act?
"They're coming!"
All Tae-eul Gate disciples gathered in the grand courtyard. Division heads and elders awaited the Alliance guests. Uninvited children had dragged friends to gawk at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
"Everyone, take your places!"
Jin Taesan herded the wandering kids. Young disciples bustled, splitting to the sides, kicking up sand from entrance to Daehyeonjeon.
Should've watered the ground.
Even max prep felt insufficient for VIPs. Jin Taesan shook his head. As eyes pierced the hazy dust toward the gate,
a group of men and women crossed the threshold.
In that instant, Jin Taesan unwittingly circulated his qi.
Hm?
Unprecedented pressure blanketed the courtyard heavily.
Step. Step. Step.
With each advance, swirling sand slammed down as if crushed. Advanced ascension technique via qi. Young disciples gasped in awe.
"Whoa..."
But division heads and elders furrowed brows like Jin Taesan. Scattering qi everywhere upon entering sword-in-hand violated Jianghu etiquette. Pressing sand with qi boasted visual flair but intimidated foes. Unbefitting guests before sect elders of far higher standing.
As they neared Daehyeonjeon, sand settled fully. Amidst it stood dragon- and phoenix-like figures.
The lead robed man clasped fists in greeting.
"Il Myeong of Shaolin's Murim studies greets the Tae-eul Gate sect leader. Long time no see?"
Dragons clasped fists in unison behind him. Hwasan Divine Plum Painting Sword Hwa Jeong-san. Soaring Cloud New Wind Spear Jong Byeok-gi. Qingcheng Clear Wind Bright Sword So Je-ho. Ak Clan Heavy Spear True Man Ak Buk-san.
Phoenixes bowed demurely behind. Young Tae-eul Gate men's eyes locked on. Their entrance wafted spring blossoms.
The red-palace-dress woman with vivid lips and bewitching eyes was Soul-Capturing Seductress Seo Sa-ryeong, fourth phoenix. Beside her, the peerless azure beauty with a faint smile was Jade Face Little Laugh Hwang Bo-yeon, said to revive even molted Daoists. Next, White Hand Divine Maiden Dang Seo-hee, the poison genius who broke her clan's no-women-inheritance law. And behind, in white fur and half-face veil, Smiling Iron Sword Moyong Seol—beauty unmasked.
"""The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly greets the Tae-eul Gate elders."""
Their unified voice thrilled the children into cheers. As excitement ebbed and dragons raised heads, Hong Moon-gi smiled warmly.
"Welcome, weary from the long road."
Hwa Jeong-san in black-and-white plum-embroidered uniform stepped forward.
"Thank you. Seeing Tae-eul Gate disciples purging demons on the front lines melts away my travel fatigue."
Jin Taesan sensed oddity from Jong Byeok-gi smirking behind.
"Heh heh, is that so? Rest well regardless. I prepared fresh bedding in the quarters hearing you were coming. Modest, but stay comfortably."
"Grateful, but as Alliance affiliates, we can't burden the site. We booked an inn ahead."
"..."
Elders' faces stiffened at Hwa Jeong-san's words.
"Rude."
Jin Taesan turned at the murmur—Jegal Cheongi.
"Yeah, basic etiquette."
Wang Soso agreed. Geum Pyo, Eunho, Dongryong nodded beside. Only Gang Yu-seong, ignorant of Jianghu ways, tilted his head. The sole kids unexcited by the Assembly.
"Senior brother, what do you mean?"
"Alliance's Dragon-Phoenix visitors strengthen alliances by staying onsite—custom. Even otherwise, guests booking outside lodging is outright discourtesy."
"Ah..."
Hong Moon-gi spoke from afar.
"Is that so? Can't be helped then. No time for dinner?"
Unaware children grew uneasy at the busy Assembly's tale.
"Yes. Next schedule—must head out after greetings."
"Mm... Pity. I've received the Alliance's courtesy through you. We'll catch up next time."
As Sect Leader Hong Moon-gi turned to leave,
Hwa Jeong-san clasped fists again.
"One request first."
"Request?"
"Yes. Vital to this Hwa."
"Speak."
"Impudent as it is: My dream's always been sparring legendary swordsmen who've reached selfless purity. Hearing the Tae-eul Sword Emperor's blade endures here, I yearn to experience it. No telling when next chance—please, Sect Leader, grant this junior guidance personally."
"Heh..."
"Heh!"
Sighs rippled among elders. A foreign disciple challenging the sect leader directly? Peak rudeness.
"The gall!"
Jegal Cheongi rolled sleeves to advance. Wang Soso stopped him.
"Junior brother. Stand down."
"But senior..."
"He's from Hwasan, right?"
"Yes."
"Hwasan'll face money woes ahead."
Wang Soso gritted teeth emphatically. Her voice carried—Assembly might've heard—but Jin Taesan couldn't intervene. He felt the same.
How much mockery over the Tae-eul Sword Emperor. Elevating it now just shamed the Gate anew.
"Long road here, longer ahead. Lifetime chance—hence the plea."
Hwa Jeong-san's gaze fixed on Hong Moon-gi, all eyes following.
"..."
"Bestow ocean-like magnanimity; teach this fledgling swordsman."
No answer from the leader, Hwa Jeong-san knelt on one knee. Elders and Hong Moon-gi could no longer stay silent.
This'll end badly.
Hong Moon-gi couldn't beat Hwa Jeong-san, a Hwasan Dragon-Phoenix. Humiliation before disciples loomed, plus crushing the disciples' recently rising morale.
"...If you insist so, no choice. Fetch the sword..."
Half-resigned, Hong Moon-gi rose. Jin Taesan moved to stop him.
Smack.
Someone palm-slammed the grand gate hard. All eyes, Assembly included, snapped there.
"Haa, haa, haa... That request... haa, I'll... haa, take... haa, it."
The gate figure, dust-caked and heaving, caught breath long. When he finally raised his head,
the Tae-eul Gate disciples cried out in shock.
"Big Senior Brother!"