Chapter 197
Chapter 197
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Departure for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Once we cross this pass, we'll be at the Baek Clan Manor, right?"
The young leader of the renowned Dang Clan, Dang Gun, paused for a moment and wiped his forehead with his hand.
His sister immediately chimed in with a retort.
"Brother, you're not even sweating, so why pretend like you are?"
Dang Gun gave an awkward smile as he looked at Dang Yeon.
"Yeon, people often express their feelings through actions. Anyway, it brings back memories."
"What does?"
"This road. It's changed so much from before."
The path they were walking on was one he had traversed countless times between the Dang Clan and the Baek Clan.
Yet the reason it felt so fresh was that none of the past incidents had repeated themselves.
"True enough. We haven't run into a single bandit the whole way here."
In the past, Gangseo was a land where the unorthodox and orthodox paths coexisted, with the unorthodox holding the stronger influence if anything.
As such, bandits were a common sight when crossing passes.
Not quite on the level of true brigand bands, but small-time mountain thieves were everywhere under heaven.
Yet this time, not a single one had appeared.
"There are probably several reasons."
"But the biggest one is obvious."
Both their gazes turned to the signpost planted at the road's bend.
Baek Clan Manor (蓋氏世家)
>Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon (昇天劍龍)
It bore only those eight characters.
"We can safely say Gangseo is the Baek Clan's territory now."
Strictly speaking, there were still regions where the unorthodox held sway.
But it was an undeniable fact that the Baek Clan was Gangseo's premier martial house.
It meant their fame alone—marked by that single signpost—could scatter bandits like rats fleeing a burning house.
"Which is only natural. They're called the Baek Clan Manor now."
To be called a "clan manor," one needed recognition not just from Gangseo, but from all under heaven.
Now, three years on, the Baek Clan was hailed as the Baek Clan Manor just as often as the Open Heaven Baek Clan by people across the land.
"And Brother Yang-hui's reputation must have played a part too."
"Naturally. I've heard the title 'Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon' grows more fearsome by the day lately."
Of course, fearsome from the perspective of the unorthodox and evil factions.
Rumor had it he'd crushed over a hundred such foes in the past year alone.
"You're right, Brother. Things have really changed. We heard so much about it on the way."
At every inn they'd stayed, they'd overheard people invoking the name Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon.
Undoubtedly, he was currently Gangseo's most famous martial artist.
"Well, it's still just a nickname circulating in Gangseo."
"Impressive is impressive all the same."
"Agreed. Though the dragons and phoenixes of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans would scoff."
In the martial world, nicknames ending in "dragon" or "phoenix" were reserved for the rising stars of the later generation.
Dang Gun and Dang Yeon themselves had recently earned Silver Venom Dragon and Heaven Venom Phoenix.
But to be truly acknowledged as such, one needed fame resounding across the land.
Proof of worth was required.
"Some kid from a minor border clan daring to claim a 'dragon' title? They'll pick a fight for sure. With Yang-hui's temperament, he won't hold back. Can't wait to see it."
"Hm. Can't deny that. My head's already starting to ache..."
From the moment they entered Gangseo, they'd heard "Open Heaven Sword Dragon" repeated ad nauseam.
Before that, crossing Hubuk, they'd barely heard it at all.
In other words, to the major sects' dragons and phoenixes, he might seem like a frog in a well crowing like a dragon.
"Probably because he focused solely on stabilizing Gangseo's security without venturing out into the wider martial world."
"Explaining the circumstances at length isn't Yang-hui's style."
"He'll use that silver tongue of his to provoke them first. Gives him the justification."
Yang-hui's gift of gab wasn't mere eloquence.
It was pure tongue-lashing mastery.
To the pampered heirs of great sects, a mere scratch would topple them.
"Then, when they challenge him to a duel, he'll smash them flat."
"Ah. The future's already clear."
Dang Yeon giggled, then suddenly posed a question.
"Come to think of it, isn't Yang-hui hiding that he's Disciple Sound Demon's apprentice?"
"Given how quiet it's been despite the huge fuss over Xueha of the Zhuge Clan becoming Sound Demon's disciple, yeah, he's probably keeping it under wraps."
"See? He's already preparing for it."
"Hm..."
If word got out that he was Sound Demon's disciple, challengers would dwindle dramatically.
"No way he's hiding it just to bait fights."
"You really think that?"
"..."
Dang Yeon stared pointedly, and Dang Gun fell silent.
"...It might be one of the reasons."
"You think so too, Brother?"
At any rate, one thing was crystal clear.
"This Dragon-Phoenix Assembly will shake the heavens with the fame of the Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon."
"Ah, that's already set in stone."
As they chatted, they arrived at the Baek Clan Manor.
The grand black hardwood gates bore elegant carvings.
The gatekeeper spotted them and cried out in surprise.
"Who might this be? Heirs of the Dang Clan!"
"Ah, it's been a while. Could you send word inside?"
"Of course!"
The siblings were promptly escorted to the clan leader's office.
"Gun, and Yeon. It's been too long."
Baek Mu-ryang, seated as clan leader, regarded them with deep, profound eyes.
In the past, he'd insisted on half-formal address as "Young Leader Dang" and "Lady Dang."
Three years had changed even that.
Now, more intimate and casual—like speaking to a friend's children.
"Yes. I hope all has been well."
"As if."
"Fair enough."
The saying went that a tree with many branches knew no calm days.
This house had but one branch, yet knew no peace.
'Still, Clan Leader Baek's aura...'
Dang Gun was genuinely awed.
Even without emanating any overt pressure, Baek Mu-ryang's realm was palpable.
Hard to believe that just over a decade ago, he'd been a mere second-rate warrior.
"Congratulations on your achievement, Clan Leader."
"Hm? Ah, it's still immature enough to show. Thank you."
They exchanged pleasantries and caught up.
"So, you've come to take Hui to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly."
"Yes."
To participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, one needed an invitation plaque.
It was called a gathering of all later-generation talents, but really a feast for the invited only.
"I personally handled the plaques for Hui and So."
"My thanks. Never having attended, I didn't even know they were required. Ah, I should catch up with Hui too. He's probably at the training grounds now."
"Understood. We'll see you at dinner then."
Leaving the office, the Dang siblings hurried along.
Baek Yang-hui, benefactor of the Dang Clan.
Baek Heon-so, direct heir of the Baek Clan.
Setting that aside, the thought of reuniting with dear friends after so long lightened both hearts and steps.
"Wonder how much Hui's changed."
"I'm more curious about So. How much has that cute kid grown?"
"So's already over six feet tall, and you call him cute... Well, at your age, I suppose he is."
"Brother, you courting death?"
"Have mercy... Hm?"
As they neared the training grounds, noisy sounds grew louder.
To be precise, wails of agony.
"Aaaagh! Mercy, big brother!"
"Aaaagh! Spare me too! No, just kill me!"
The Dang siblings exchanged glances.
"..."
"..."
"Hahaha."
"Ahahaha."
"Same as ever."
"Yeah, Brother. So much has changed, yet..."
"Some things stay the same."
"Well, they say people don't change, or they die."
At the training grounds, Yang-hui was thrashing Baek Heon-so and Chui-dal.
A familiar sight.
"You idiots! Why can't you do this? Why?! If you can't, make up for it with your bodies!"
"Brother, ack, Brother! We'll really die!"
"So's right! We'll all die!"
"I won't!"
Thwack!
Chui-dal flew through the air from a mighty blow, landing at Dang Gun's feet.
Only then did Yang-hui notice the siblings.
"Ooooh, Brother Dang! Sister Dang!"
"Brother Hui!"
"Hahaha! Missed us, little brother?"
"How long's it been?!"
Their last meeting had been parting at the Dang Clan—three years by the calendar.
Not a full three years to the day, but plenty long.
"Hahaha! So glad to see you! Whoa, both of you are radiating some serious presence."
"Your senses are as sharp as ever, brother."
"How'd you miss us approaching with senses like that?"
Yang-hui scratched his head.
As Dang Yeon said, normally he'd have detected them blocks away.
"Today's training was special, so I sealed my senses. Anyway, not important."
"Right. Not important."
Dang Gun nodded and proffered a wrapped package.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
He unwrapped it swiftly.
Inside was a plaque of pure gold.
Baek Clan Heir Yang-hui Comes of Age (蓋家之子陽輝弱冠)
Reading the inscription, he looked at Dang Gun.
"What's this plaque?"
"Brother Hui, you've passed your twentieth year."
Coming of age—the age for the capping ceremony.
Marking true adulthood, twenty had always been special.
"Wanted to give it in person when we met again. You've shown prowess beyond adults since childhood, but indulge this foolish brother's whim."
Perhaps he'd worried that, given Yang-hui's feats as a child, no one had bothered with a coming-of-age gift.
The thought warmed him deeply.
"A gold plaque instead of the usual hat. Money's the best, huh? You know me well, Brother Dang."
Grinning, Yang-hui continued.
"You came all the way from home just for this? Bringing Sister too? Too grateful."
"Hm? What're you talking about?"
"Hm?"
"Little brother Hui. Don't tell me you've forgotten... the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is soon?"
"Ah."
Come to think of it, this was the year.
He hadn't given it a thought.
Not that he'd lost track of time in training...
"It was so obvious, I didn't bother thinking about it."
"Obvious? What?"
"Winning."
The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly's tournament was for the finest among all later-generation talents.
In other words...
"I'm already the best of the later generation under heaven. I just slip in when it starts and take the win—no big deal."
Arrogant to the point of madness.
Yet to Dang Gun and Dang Yeon, it was utterly Yang-hui.
But.
"Won't be that easy. I haven't been slacking either."
"True, we've never had a real match."
"Hm? You're right. If we meet there, it'll be our first true clash."
Hailed as top talents of Baek and Dang, the pair shared combative grins.
"This'll be fun."
"Indeed. In earnest."
That day, six later-generation experts departed the Baek Clan.
To attend the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, where all the world's young talents gathered.