Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Battle for the Phoenix
"As you know, marriage is one of the great human affairs arranged by our elders. But isn't the most important thing the opinion of those involved?"
The Taiji Sect Leader nodded at Yang-hwi's words.
"That's right."
Honestly, if the one proposing the engagement had been the daughter of some ordinary prestigious family, he wouldn't have nodded so easily.
For the heirs of great clans and sects, marriage was more a means to expand their house's power.
But Zhuge Seol-ha was different.
She was a disciple of one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables.
To push forward an engagement ignoring Seol-ha's opinion, they'd need the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch's permission first.
'But Seol-ha said she doesn't want the engagement.'
In other words, the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch wouldn't approve of her disciple entering a betrothal just because the Zhuge elders wanted it.
-Seol-ha. Time to claim some compensation for playing the part of my lover.
Seol-ha replied readily through transmission.
-I think I know what you mean. Sounds fun, so let's do it right now!
-Heh heh heh, we're totally in sync now.
-Of course. It's been ages with you, big brother.
With her agreement secured, it was time to set the stage properly.
"Taiji Sect Leader. Seol-ha is my lover."
Saying it outright made his toes curl in embarrassment, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on with shameless resolve.
"I'm acquainted with her master, the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch, and she won't deny the relationship between her disciple and me."
At that moment, the Taiji Sect Leader realized a marriage alliance between Wudang and Zhuge was impossible.
A groan escaped him involuntarily.
"Hmm... I see."
"But here's the thing."
"Hm?"
"For the heirs of prestigious families, marriage is also a duty. And I fully understand that."
"So what do you propose?"
"Simple. Until the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament begins, we'll stay at the most famous inn in town. We'll pick one fit for the guests of prestigious houses."
Yang-hwi grinned slyly. For some reason, the Taiji Sect Leader suddenly felt a surge of unease.
"Send Sword Immortal Hyun there as well."
"Sword Immortal? He's no mere youth to be called that. Not by skill, nor by seniority."
This guy's nitpicking the small stuff.
"Fine, then we'll call him Daoist Hyun... Wait, can a Daoist even get engaged?"
"Ahem. Wudang doesn't forbid marriage for disciples of the main sect."
"Still, using an engagement as a ploy feels a bit..."
"Ahem! Let's skip the trivialities. So? Why should Sword Immortal Hyun go to the inn you mentioned?"
"Seol-ha is my lover... but I don't want to continue our relationship defying the elders of the Zhuge Clan. So let's make it fair—let them compete."
The Taiji Sect Leader's face lit up.
"I see. What matters most is the heart of Lady Zhuge. The one who wins her should be the one betrothed. Haha! Young Master Baek, you don't seem the type, but you have a truly magnanimous spirit."
His attitude screamed confidence that Sword Immortal Hyun could surely capture Zhuge Seol-ha's heart if given the chance.
It irked Yang-hwi a little, but whatever.
Let's see how that turns out. Heh.
"Very well, we'll do that."
"Agreed. I'll send word to the main sect as well. Keep your promise, without fail!"
The conversation ended. The Taiji Sect Leader left the guest room beaming.
"......"
"......"
After a brief silence, Dang-gun looked at Yang-hwi with a hint of pity.
"You held back well. Must've bruised your pride quite a bit."
The Taiji Sect Leader's words and actions had indeed been rather rude.
Essentially, telling her current lover right to his face, "She's yours now, but she'll switch if she meets someone else."
And not even on purpose, which made it worse.
But.
"Didn't bother me at all?"
Why let words from someone clueless hurt him?
No matter how exceptional Sword Immortal Hyun was, he couldn't surpass Yang-hwi.
"The prodigy one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables broke tradition for, slobbering to take as a direct disciple. A fine six-foot frame with handsome features. Hidden identity: the great literati Ilpil Hwi-seo, famed across the land. Heir to the World's Supreme, and the fastest-rising young master of any clan in the current martial world. That's me. Nothing to bow to."
The room fell silent for a different reason.
"......"
"......"
"It's true, but..."
"When it comes to being unlikeable, big bro's the best in the world."
"Just stating facts, and I get called unlikeable? Then I'll be the World's Supreme Unlikeable!"
Seol-ha laughed as if it was the funniest thing.
"Brother Hwi, you're calling in the Namgung young heir too, right?"
Facing off with those Namgung bastards wasn't pleasant, but whatever.
If it meant humiliating them utterly, it was a price worth paying.
"Yeah. And I'll spread the word to draw in every junior who wants to marry you."
The daughter of a prestigious clan, disciple of a Heavenly Martial Venerable, and the World's Supreme Beauty—Zhuge Seol-ha's betrothed will be chosen!
Once that rumor spread, young martial artists would swarm like bees, wouldn't they?
"Everyone but Brother Hwi will just be a buzzing swarm. Ahahaha!"
Namgung Cheon-yeong and Sword Immortal Hyun would regret it once they heard.
Realizing they'd been demoted to mere bees buzzing around a flower.
But they couldn't back out.
Because he'd spread the word about their engagement proposals too!
"Propose an engagement, then pull out when rivals show up? That'd make them the laughingstock in an instant."
"Kya! Brother's got the best head around."
"Kekeke!"
"Hehehe!"
Suddenly, Seol-ha's laughter cut off.
She stared at him pointedly.
"By the way, senior brother."
The honorific changed to "senior brother." He felt a chill.
"Ilikmaeng...? First I've heard of it...?"
"Ah."
He hadn't mentioned it yet.
"I'm hurt..."
Not just trash-talking the Zhuge Clan (with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans).
The name Ilikmaeng sounded like an alliance between close-knit families.
All sorts of exclusionary vibes.
And Zhuge Seol-ha wasn't used to this kind of sidelining at all.
"Really hurt. Makes me want to tattle to Master. If I play wicked sister-in-law while she scolds you, this'll blow over."
"...Bear with me."
He was already in for a stern scolding from the Sound Witch.
"Let's make a deal. What do you want?"
"Grant one wish. Deal?"
"Can't you just tell me now?"
"Borrowing your words, senior brother—that'd be no fun."
"......"
He had no choice but to nod.
"Fine. One wish granted. Happy?"
"Yes, Brother Hwi. Ehehe."
The old honorific returned.
Yang-hwi chuckled too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Because of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, eager juniors and spectators had already booked out inns, guest rooms, and even small estates long-term.
In other words, with nearly a month left, the place was already buzzing.
And this year's host city, Wuhan in Hubei Province, bordered the Yangtze and was a key transportation hub.
Already one of the world's top logistics centers, now hosting the tournament too?
"Heard the rumor?"
"Of course! You mean about the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix Jade?"
Perfect conditions for rumors to spread like wildfire.
"Kya! Incredible!"
"Agreed. They say over a hundred young heroes have swarmed in already, and it's being called the Yeonwol Daejeop!"
A fun sideshow before the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
A public contest to choose the betrothed of the World's Supreme Beauty, Zhuge Seol-ha!
Those smitten with the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix Jade fighting over her—hence, Yeonwol Daejeop.
"A true daejeop, a grand battle."
"Who'd have thought so many men would flock for one woman's betrothal."
"And the contenders aren't lightweights!"
"Exactly! Namgung Clan Young Heir Namgung Cheon-yeong! Wudang's top junior, Sword Immortal Hyun!"
Men who'd never even make eye contact normally, competing for one woman's choice?
Prime gossip fodder.
The rumor spread like the sea and arrows, until everyone in Wuhan knew.
"Hey, know what?"
"What?"
"They say the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix already has a lover."
"And they're mutual lovers, at that."
"Oho! Fascinating! Who is he? The man who captured the World's Supreme Beauty's heart?"
"Know the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan from Gangseo?"
"Ah, the Baek Clan! The fastest-rising house lately!"
"Right. Only one new clan recognized as prestigious in the last thirty years: the Baek Clan."
"So why the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan suddenly?"
"Their young master is her lover."
"Ooh, how does the Zhuge Clan's precious pearl end up with a mid-tier clan's heir?"
"Heard the Zhuge young heir and Baek Clan lord are sworn brothers. They've mingled since childhood."
"Ah... childhood friends who fell for each other. The Phoenix seems sentimental."
"Nah. They say everyone in Gangseo knows the Heaven-Covering Baek young master."
"Why's that?"
"Nickname: Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon. Or Dragon from the Heavens for those in the know. Unbelievable skill for a mid-tier heir."
Yeonwol Daejeop. Perfect fodder for martial fans to chew over.
It sparked admiration and curiosity about Yang-hwi.
Inevitably so.
The man chosen by the World's Supreme Beauty!
Impossible not to wonder.
"The Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon is Gangseo's top junior. His feats are staggeringly extraordinary. Even elders from great sects praise his talent?"
"Hm... yeah, with the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch allowing her disciple to date him... he can't be ordinary."
Chatter about the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon filled the air.
But there were malicious rumors too.
"Yet with the Yeonwol Daejeop happening, doesn't that mean the Phoenix left room for others?"
"True. The Sword Dragon might be all hype."
Those discussing Yeonwol Daejeop and the Sword Dragon reached a conclusion.
"Well, the greatest hero will claim the Supreme Beauty."
"Right. The one she chooses is the true Supreme Dragon."
The man chosen by the World's Supreme Beauty would be the supreme junior—the Supreme Dragon.
The gossip from Yeonwol Daejeop now tied into the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament winner's title.
"The one Seol-ha chooses becomes the Supreme Dragon? Hilarious."
In truth, it wouldn't be funny at all. Far from it.
Especially for someone suffering from the rumors.
The man currently known as the World's Supreme Beauty's choice.
The closest candidate for Supreme Dragon, Yang-hwi, grinned at the two seated before him.
"Isn't that right, Young Heir Namgung? And Daoist Hyun?"