Dragons and Phoenixes Gather (3)
At the words of the Haecheong Nun, his mother tilted her head. The nun smiled and spoke.
"Might you be the daughter of the Yeongseon Min Clan?"
"How did you...?"
"About twenty years ago, when I visited Gansu Province with my master, we stopped by the Yeongseon Min Clan."
"Ah..."
His mother smiled warmly.
"Now I remember. You were the one who came with Master Sujeong."
"Yes, that's right."
"The world is so small. I never imagined we'd meet again like this."
"I feel the same."
The Haecheong Nun wore a benevolent smile.
"It's a joy to encounter such an old connection."
"And to think you're my nephew's master! Fate is truly wondrous."
At that moment, his father spoke up gently.
"Why don't we catch up later? For now, shall we eat first? The disciples are waiting."
"Oh! Of course."
"That sounds best."
We all took our seats, and the food began to arrive—Sichuan dishes his mother had specially ordered.
Watching his mother converse with the Haecheong Nun, Eun Seo-ho fell deep into thought.
Yeongseon Min Clan.
That was his mother's family home.
But he'd rarely been there. He vaguely remembered visiting once or twice as a child.
After turning fifteen, he'd been too busy, and the distance was too great.
Later, he'd regretted it.
He wished he'd visited his maternal grandparents at least once more before they passed.
This time, he wouldn't make that mistake.
Yet the Emei Sect disciples weren't eating as heartily as expected. Only Sister Hyangok devoured her food like a whirlwind.
Why?
Martial artists were active folk—men, women, young, and old all ate like horses.
Doesn't it suit their tastes?
Just then, Sister Hyangok sighed and turned to him.
"Seo-ho."
"Yes, Sister?"
"Once you're done, head upstairs."
"Pardon?"
"You're making my junior sisters squirm with all this delicious food right in front of them."
He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
That's when Palgap jumped in with exaggerated fuss.
"Come on! Young master, seriously! What woman could stuff her face with a handsome guy like you staring so intensely?"
"That's... what it was?"
"In my eyes, even men couldn't eat like that."
"...Why bring up men now?"
"Anyway, that's the point. So don't ruin their meal—let's head up quick."
Thus, dragged by Palgap's hand, he headed to his room, glancing back.
Only now did the Emei disciples start inhaling their food. He felt a bit sheepish.
But Palgap, why are you so hyped?
After the meal, Haecheong led her disciples back to their lodging at Yuseol Guest Inn.
She'd planned to treat her hardworking disciples—who'd endured the journey here ahead of the preliminaries—to a hearty meal.
A full belly fueled strength, after all.
But they'd ended up as unexpected guests.
She'd heard how her disciples, sent alone to register for the tournament, had been insulted by ruffians.
She regretted not accompanying them with the sect leader's letter.
The letter could wait; she should have gone to teach those filthy scum a lesson.
Had I been there, would any scum dare wag their foul tongues?
She had one older sister.
Her sister had raised her with utmost care after their parents' early death.
That sister had been her whole world.
But a lecherous fiend had ravaged her, and Haecheong had nearly suffered the same.
Her master had slain the fiend and saved her.
She yearned for vengeance for her sister.
True, her master had avenged her, but the image of her dying sister haunted her.
More than that, she felt she couldn't survive without such resolve.
Her sister had always said: endure steadfastly, and happiness would come someday.
So promise me you'll live strong.
To keep that promise, she'd chosen the path of revenge.
Her master was an Emei Sect disciple.
She'd begged, and became a named disciple of Emei.
Fortunately, she had talent.
Her decent aptitude, fueled by venomous grudge, propelled her martial arts forward until she became a true disciple.
And her first Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament.
There, she'd crushed a mocking scion of some martial clan, announcing her name mercilessly.
The count of lechers she'd slain since had become her fame.
And... Hyangok's cousin...
Upon making Eun Hyangok a true disciple, she'd given her the dharma name Hyangok.
It suited her perfectly—and it was one condition for true discipleship.
Yesterday, seeing her cousin Eun Seo-ho, she'd been inwardly shocked, though she hid it.
He clearly cultivated martial arts, yet she couldn't gauge his realm.
Meaning peak or beyond.
Peak at his age? Unthinkable without extraordinary fortune.
But he's concealing it...
Otherwise, why use money to aid her disciples instead of raw presence?
He could subdue them with aura alone.
She'd subtly probed Hyangok, who feigned ignorance.
So Haecheong played along.
And today,
she'd met an old connection.
The Yeongseon Min Clan in Gansu Province, visited with her master.
The second daughter of that famed sword clan had talent rivaling any sect's later generation.
Her master had arranged a spar; Haecheong lost decisively.
She'd thought they'd meet again in the jianghu, but here she was a merchant's wife.
The love and trust in their gazes ruled out political marriage.
She abandoned her martial fame for love like that.
Suddenly, Haecheong envied her.
And Eun Seo-ho seemed to inherit his mother's talent.
But peak at his age? Impossible...
She had a hunch this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament would be entertaining.
Time passed, and registration closed.
Today marked the preliminaries' start—the true business boom.
A banner of cotton cloth, inscribed boldly in one stroke, fluttered in the wind before our tent.
Ansim Pills (安心丸) — Miraculous cure for tension-induced stomachaches, indigestion, headaches, and more!
Assorted first-aid remedies available
Palin Pharmacy had joined to capitalize on the tournament, taking my advice to produce remedies for stress-related ailments.
In his past life, he'd attended this event multiple times and knew tension felled many unexpectedly.
They'd profited handsomely from such meds back then.
This time, with Palin Pharmacy running the stall instead of Eunhae Merchant Group, he'd shared the tip.
The more they sold, the bigger his cut—win-win.
Seeing crowds at their tent, his advice had hit the mark.
Palin Pharmacy's manager, Yang Jinsu, met his eyes and nodded contentedly.
Eun Seo-ho smiled and nodded back.
Our Eunhae tent wasn't empty either.
Herbs and teas sold steadily.
Per Manager Yun, many were loyal Eunhae customers.
Grateful patrons who trusted and bought from them repeatedly.
"Once preliminaries kick off, herb sales will surge."
"Indeed."
"Preliminaries are starting soon—won't you watch?"
"Just about to head out."
Attending the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament was vital for merchants.
The winner dictated future strategies.
Scouting sponsorships early was key too.
Finals sufficed for that—no need to pay extra for prelims.
He knew the outcome anyway, planning personal training or paperwork instead.
But...
"Your mother wants to watch from the preliminaries. Go with her."
"And you, Father?"
"I have meetings with other merchant leaders."
The others lingered in Luoyang for the finals.
No reason to refuse, so he agreed readily.
Truth be told, he wanted to watch with her.
A moment later,
he set off with his mother, Palgap, and three guards—Seo-u Warrior, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, and another—for the prelim site.
He wished Jin Yu Warrior could join.
They headed to the rendezvous at Yumi Noodle Shop, linking up with Subunit Leader Bokyun's mother before proceeding to the venue.
The arena sprawled in the open ground before the Murim Alliance headquarters.
"Tickets, please."
They presented them.
The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament wasn't free; seats were tiered.
Prime front-row: Grade A seats.
Behind: Grade B.
Where fighters looked forearm-sized: Grade C.
C still allowed sitting,
but rear regular seats meant standing, fighters finger-sized.
Prices varied by grade; theirs were Grade B—the best purchasable.
Grade A went to prestigious clans and sects, not sold publicly.
Grade B tickets were silver plaques.
Grade A were gold, reportedly...
They showed theirs and entered, taking seats per the numbers engraved.
"Truly grateful for this viewing opportunity."
Palgap and the guards needed tickets too; this was their thanks.
To Seo-u Warrior's words, Eun Seo-ho grinned.
"It's an investment."
"Pardon?"
"You'll grow stronger from observing. For my safety—no need to overthank."
Meant as a joke,
but Yeo Eung-am Warrior replied earnestly.
"We'll repay our lord's grace."
Eun Seo-ho chuckled awkwardly and turned to the arena.
The platform was built of byeokgangmok wood.
Famed from highlands for toughness and resilience, it graced premium arenas.
Stone seemed sturdy, but never used.
Shards from breaks could injure spectators and fighters alike.
Repairs were a nightmare too.
Once, a clan made an iron one—dismantled after three years.
Maintenance woes, plus falls or weapon clashes harming wielders.
Thus, wood ruled modern arenas; byeokgangmok the pinnacle.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Drums boomed; preliminaries began.
"We now commence the preliminaries of the 36th Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament!"
"Who knows what rising stars will stir your hearts today."
"This is only my second time hosting—haha."
"First up...!"
The emcee brimmed with energy.
Of course—to hype the crowd.
He seemed frivolous, but a peak master nonetheless.
Long time no see.
Huashan Sect's expert, the Plum Blossom Sword Gentleman, who bloomed plum sword arts.
His techniques were profoundly steady, belying his light demeanor...
Wait—what'd he just say?
Second time hosting?
Ah, damn!
He barely swallowed a curse springing to his lips.