The Dragon Phoenix Assembly
Namgung Sang was in an excellent mood.
The banquet tables had been laid out in the rear garden of the Mong Family Villa, and he occupied the seat of honor. Normally, that position should have belonged to Mong Yeo-rin, the host of the gathering. Yet she had yielded it to him without hesitation and withdrawn to a modest seat farther away. The thought that she acknowledged his superiority kept a broad, unstoppable smile on Namgung Sang’s face.
All manner of exquisite delicacies covered the tables. Everyone sipped their wine and conversed in warm, harmonious tones.
“Haha! As expected of the Wudang Sect. How could you come up with such brilliant improvisation in a situation like that? Truly impressive.”
“Indeed. Your reputation is well-deserved.”
The young elites of Wudang and Mount Hua had gathered together—the future pillars who would one day carry their sects and families on their shoulders. It was a meeting that perfectly embodied the true spirit of the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.
Namgung Sang turned his jade cup with an air of leisurely confidence.
“You all flatter me. I hardly did anything special.”
His words were humble, but he leaned deeply into the back of the head seat as though it had always been his by right. His gaze swept across the lower end of the banquet hall, savoring the respectful looks directed his way.
After all, his father would soon become the family head, and he would inherit the position of young master. The Namgung Family had never once lost the seat of primacy among the Five Great Families, which only deepened his pride.
“Come, everyone, let’s have another drink.”
At Namgung Sang’s invitation, they all raised their cups.
It was then that the steward of the Mong Family Villa cracked the door open halfway and spoke.
“Forgive the interruption, but an honored guest has arrived.”
“Oh? Who could it be? Is there anyone who hasn’t come yet?”
Namgung Sang glanced around with a generous smile.
All the young talents from the Five Great Families were present, along with many heirs from other prestigious clans.
“The youngest young master of the Ju Family of Jiangxi has arrived.”
“Ah!”
Exclamations rippled through the room.
The Ju Family of Jiangxi.
Though they were not counted among the Five Great Families, they possessed power equal to or greater than many that were. Based in Gangnam—specifically the Jiangxi region that belonged to the black path—they had maintained order and balance for a long time. They were known as the undisputed sword of the white path.
“Quickly, invite him in.”
The young geniuses from Wudang and Mount Hua rose to their feet in unison. Regardless of sect or family ties, they paid respect to the clan of the Sword Sovereign, the man who had claimed the position of supreme ruler among all swordsmen.
The heirs from other great families, however, reacted far less enthusiastically.
“The youngest? That guy, right?”
“Has to be. That good-for-nothing.”
Paeng Uk chewed loudly on a piece of meat and answered gruffly.
Namgung Sang smiled faintly.
In his eyes, the Ju Family was nothing remarkable. After all, didn’t the Namgung Family also have one of their blood—Ju Sang-jin? A worthless insect who would have been discarded long ago if not for his grandfather’s interest. Moreover, Ju Woo-jin’s infamous reputation only made the Ju Family look even more pathetic.
“They say he’s obsessed with women, don’t they?”
“From what I’ve heard, yes.”
The one who answered Namgung Sang’s question was Jegal Young-jun, a prodigy of the Jegal Family and eldest son of the Divine Machinery Elder Jegal Gun. He was the leading candidate to become the next young master.
“Not only women—he’s greedy for money, associates with the black path, and never turns down a brawl. A complete layabout, they say.”
“What a pathetic bastard. He’s single-handedly ruining the family’s name.”
“And that playboy is coming here?”
Jegal Young-jun covered his mouth with his fan and chuckled.
“Haven’t you heard the rumor? He once ran away from a brothel after paying his tab by stripping off his clothes.”
“Puhaha! The Ju Family has truly reached rock bottom. Sending someone like that to the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.”
The entire hall rippled with mocking laughter. Even Paeng Uk clicked his tongue while tearing into a chicken leg.
“How tasteless. If it ruins my appetite, who’s going to take responsibility?”
Right at that moment—
BANG!
The closed doors of the banquet hall burst open as if they might shatter.
A figure strode straight in.
It was Ju Woo-jin, who had just finished dealing with Paeng So-ryeo’s drunken antics.
The instant he entered, silence fell over the room.
“What the… a beggar?”
“Ugh, the smell!”
“Is he from the Beggars’ Sect?”
Woo-jin’s appearance was indescribable. He had ridden without rest, so he was covered head to toe in dust. His eyes were sunken, and the stench of sweat reached all the way to Namgung Sang in the seat of honor.
“Whew. Am I a bit late? Or not?”
I tilted my head.
They were in the middle of the banquet, so I seemed late, but the food hadn’t diminished much. It couldn’t have been that bad.
“Well, since I’ve shown my face, I’ll go wash up first.”
I gave a half-hearted fist salute and turned to leave.
As the great elder had instructed, I had shown my face at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly. Now I wanted to change out of these sweat-soaked clothes and wash the dust from my body.
I hurried the steward along to prepare a bath.
* * *
“What was that?”
“Something just went by…”
Meanwhile, the young geniuses stared blankly at the door through which Woo-jin had vanished. Whatever it was had only shown its face for a moment before disappearing.
The Wudang and Mount Hua prodigies who had stood up remained frozen, completely at a loss.
“Everyone, please sit. That’s just how he is. He’s never learned manners in his life, so don’t pay it any mind. Let’s continue our conversation.”
Namgung Sang guided the others back with a kindly smile.
Once everyone was seated again, he extended his cup. No one spared another thought for Woo-jin’s brief appearance.
* * *
“Ah, that feels refreshing.”
I stepped outside after finishing my bath.
As I roughly shook out my damp hair and lifted my head, the steward standing by the door gaped at me.
“Y-Young Master?”
The steward rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The mud-covered beggar who had entered earlier was gone. In his place stood a noble young master.
The sharp, water-slick jawline, the deepened gaze, and the refined aura flowing from his red martial robes were enough to overwhelm even Namgung Sang.
“Is something wrong? Did I miss a stain?”
“N-no, not at all. Ahem. I was being rude… Actually, I was waiting because I have a message for you.”
“For me? From whom?”
“From the Ju Family’s great elder.”
“The great elder? What did he ask you to tell me?”
“To be precise, it was a matter he conveyed to our villa lord…”
What now?
What else has he prepared?
“What is it?”
“Keep a close eye on that absolute scoundrel so he doesn’t run away until the meeting ends.”
“……”
Hah. What is this now?
I hadn’t planned to run away in the first place, but why go this far?
“I won’t run. Don’t worry.”
I was turning away after speaking when the steward continued.
“He also said this: Try to form good connections at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Ah, he also said… that since you are currently the face representing the family, he trusts you will conduct yourself appropriately…”
Is the Dragon Phoenix Assembly really that important?
I couldn’t understand it, but what could I do?
“I don’t know about forming connections, but… I suppose I have no choice. I’ll impose on you a little longer.”
“Yes. Please rest comfortably.”
The steward finally looked relieved and bowed with a smile.
I walked slowly toward the rear garden.
The Mong Family Villa was neither excessively large nor too small. However, its interior landscaping could rival any in the martial world in beauty. It seemed the villa lord, Great Hero Mong Yu-baek, possessed exceptional aesthetic sense.
I admired the scenery of the Mong Family Villa as I made my way back to the garden.
* * *
The banquet was reaching its peak.
The young geniuses, pleasantly drunk, chatted lightly with the sect’s wise elders who drank grain wine instead of stronger spirits. Everyone displayed outstanding beauty and grace, but among them, Mong Yeo-rin stood out as truly peerless.
Even the Taoist priests kept stealing glances at her.
Perhaps tired of the atmosphere, Mong Yeo-rin rose from her seat and approached the door.
“Where are you going, Miss?”
Namgung Sang quickly asked when he noticed her.
With a smile, Yeo-rin turned and bowed her head.
“I thought I might step out for some fresh air. I didn’t want to spoil this lovely mood, so I planned to return quietly.”
“Haha, Miss, you truly have a kind heart. I was feeling a bit stifled myself. Shall we go together to sober up with some—”
“No, that’s all right. I also need to visit the privy.”
“Ah, I see. My apologies. Haha.”
Namgung Sang grinned foolishly and stepped aside.
Mong Yeo-rin gave him a quiet bow, opened the door, and stepped outside.
“Hoo.”
After leaving the garden and walking a short distance through the courtyard, she finally felt like she could breathe.
“So tiresome.”
Though it only happened once a year, occasions like this were pure torture for her. The fake smiles, the careful behavior to please others, and the men who approached her with obvious ulterior motives—it was all too transparent. Forcing herself to keep smiling was nothing short of torment.
While she walked through the courtyard, she suddenly paused.
“Hm?”
Another man was walking toward her from afar.
“Who is that?”
Tall with broad shoulders. A bright face and sharp jawline that perfectly displayed masculine charm.
“Greetings.”
I bowed my head immediately upon seeing Mong Yeo-rin.
I had been walking slowly when I spotted her coming from a distance. Even from afar, her appearance shone as if illuminated by a halo.
“Ah… the young master of the Ju Family?”
“Yes. And you are…?”
I had never met this woman before.
She was devastatingly beautiful, but… truthfully, I had more unpleasant memories associated with women of such striking beauty. That very beauty had become a weapon that tightened around my throat more than once or twice.
“Ah, I am Mong Yeo-rin of the Mong Family Villa.”
I had heard the name before—in my previous life and in this one.
Mong Yeo-rin was an extremely famous woman. Once called the greatest beauty of Hubei, she later earned the titles of the greatest beauty under heaven and even the greatest beauty of all time. Even now, at such a young age, her overwhelming beauty and allure could not be hidden.
They said any man who met her eyes would become bewitched and bedridden for days.
She really is something.
Her appearance was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Yet it stirred no particular feelings in me. There was something far more significant.
In the future, after the Demonic Cult’s rampage, she would be captured by the demons. Rather than suffer humiliation, she would crush her own skull and take her own life.
A truly tragic fate.
“What are you doing out here?”
She smiled sweetly and spoke to me.
To others it might have seemed an impossibly enchanting smile, but to me it was clear.
False smile.
A perfectly crafted one, at that.
This woman called Yeo-rin knew very well how beautiful she was. And she knew exactly how well that beauty worked on men.
In my previous life, I might have fallen for it and grinned like a fool, but not now.
“I was on my way to attend the gathering. What about you, miss? Why have you come out?”
“It felt a little stuffy inside. I came out for some air.”
The moment she spoke, her delicate scent wafted toward me.
Whoa.
I quickly calmed my qi and suppressed my heightened senses to the minimum. In moments like this, such sensitive perception could become dangerous.
“Then I’ll head inside first. Enjoy your walk.”
I offered a swift greeting and continued down the path she had come from.
“Not ordinary at all.”
I smirked and muttered to myself.
Mong Yeo-rin.
I’d better remember her properly.
Before I could even properly enjoy the Dragon Phoenix Assembly, I had already found a very interesting opponent.