Chapter: 701
Countless crowds of people gathered.
Although it seemed like everything was tightly packed together, there was definitely space to breathe.
“Did you hear? I heard that the Taoist King participated in the preliminaries yesterday.”
“Yeah, I’ve already heard a lot about it. How lucky I am that I’m not in the same group as him….”
“I wonder what on earth happened.”
The head of the Peng family, who reached Hwagyeong.
King Peng Zhou participates in the martial arts competition.
That fact alone was enough to ignite a fire of excitement all around.
That’s why many were curious about what happened on the first day that the Taoist King entered the fray.
“Even if you want to know, you won’t find out.”
“That’s true enough.”
There was no way to find out.
Before entering the preliminaries, the warriors received a ban from the Maeng side.
It was a strict prohibition against revealing anything about what would happen in the preliminaries.
Thanks to that, the other warriors were left in the dark about what happened yesterday.
“What difference does it make if I know?”
“At least you can prepare yourself mentally.”
“Since the Taoist King is participating, it’s obvious he’ll win anyway, so what’s the point?”
The head of a prestigious family and the owner of one of the four great clans had arrived on the battlefield.
Because of that, many skeptical glances were cast.
“I doubt that a guy like him can actually run Shinryongdae.”
“It’s strange for someone of his stature to even participate in the first place.”
What is the point of having a famous family head compete when there are independents and newcomers trying to make a name for themselves?
There were definitely people looking at it that way.
But.
“But there’s no rule saying the family head can’t participate. That’s just prejudice.”
“Right. Regardless of being the head of the family, they are still fighters too.”
Before blaming the organization, there was an opinion that, since they were also fighters, it was entirely possible.
As these conflicting opinions clashed, they eventually turned into a debate.
“Ha, so it’s okay for the Three Noble Ones to participate as well?”
“Why are we even discussing them here?”
The Three Noble Ones, called the absolute beings of the Central Plains.
Would those lofty figures looking down from the heavens really care about such a trivial festival?
“It’s literally a playground for them. They’d probably just mingle with the kids.”
“That’s right. Why would those great and noble beings bother? Your example is utterly insignificant.”
“What!?”
The lighthearted conversation began to heat up with emotions.
Since they were all warriors, raising the temperature could easily turn into a fight, but with the ban on fighting before the martial arts contest, they barely managed to simmer down.
And.
A young man watching from a distance stifles a cough that’s on the verge of bursting out.
…Ugh.
The young man with black hair listened intently, feeling an indescribable emotion wash over him.
The young man’s name is Bi Ui-jin.
Known as the dragon born of the rain.
Furthermore, he was originally called Paejon.
“A playground for kids.”
Paejon swallowed a laugh at that painfully accurate remark.
It’s true.
A dusty floor where kids who haven’t even dried up yet wander around.
That was how Paejon viewed the value of this martial arts contest.
Hmm.
No matter how much he thought about it, he just couldn’t bring himself to feel it.
Just being in a place like this felt like an insult to him.
A martial arts contest… who would’ve thought he’d find himself in something like this in his lifetime?
What is this, because I took on one troublesome disciple?
Back in his day, while he was a late bloomer, they occasionally held martial arts contests unlike now, but he had never participated in anything like this.
Fighting in front of a crowd.
He couldn’t fathom how that was any different from performing clown tricks.
He had spent his life honing his skills, solely focused on mastering his martial arts.
The only fights he had were ones that mirrored the reality of life.
Win, and you live.
Lose, and you die.
That was the cycle of his existence.
That’s what the heart of a conqueror looks like.
There has to be sincerity behind every punch.
Such actions lack that sincerity.
That was how Paejon perceived it, but—
Tsk.
Even with those thoughts, he found himself here.
What can he do?
It’s all because I took in that strange kid.
The one he barely managed to take on is proving to be quite the handful, so he must step in as the teacher.
Moreover.
Surprisingly, it’s not so bad.
Regardless of his reluctance, there was an undeniable intrigue.
A crowd full of warriors. The warmth generated from that.
Paejon was savoring the air mixed with longing that he hadn’t felt for a long time.
There are some promising individuals, too.
Paejon nodded as he observed those around him.
Being ‘promising’ didn’t mean they reached a certain level.
It referred to those who could potentially blossom.
With talent from all corners of the Central Plains gathered here, there were indeed many who caught Paejon’s eye.
But the more he observed them, the more one thought lingered in his mind.
Still, no one compares to that kid.
As expected, there’s truly no one who measures up to his disciple.
Not in physical prowess or the glint in their eyes.
Tsk.
It felt great to have a truly remarkable disciple.
But the nagging reminder of his troublesome disciple brought his mood down again.
How could there still be such an incompetent candidate left around?
While a means to fulfill my foolish pride, it’s quite perplexing.
He’s a kid with too many secrets.
The more one possesses, the more secrets they carry.
His disciple was precisely that kind of enigma. Unable to lie, the truth is always apparent on his face.
Why does he always look tired as if he’s hiding something?
While there were many times he found himself suddenly curious, Paejon decided not to dwell on it.
The only thing that matters is whether he can help fulfill my ambitions.
The culmination of the Heavenly Dragon arts.
Can he break through to the end and shatter his limits?
That’s all that piqued Paejon’s interest, so he didn’t mind the secrets his disciple held.
Thus, whether he was secretly using him didn’t concern Paejon at all.
If you’re going to use me, then by all means, go ahead.
He wouldn’t care if that worthless notoriety were tossed to the ground.
Even if he didn’t particularly like it, changing disciples now would be an impossible task, given he had taught him countless things along the way.
One had to possess a body capable of receiving the essence of the Heavenly Dragon arts, alongside the mental fortitude to endure the pains necessary to acquire it.
To develop the mind, one needed to be physically youthful.
The condition boiled down to finding someone young, physically adept, and mentally resilient.
Where could such a person be found?
Paejon considered it a miracle that he had found his disciple.
Of course.
There are roughly similar candidates.
While they might not match in mental strength, there were still individuals fitting the physical criteria.
Though hard to find, if one searched diligently, they could undoubtedly discover them.
Isn’t there one right here?
Paejon glanced to a certain area.
Was it called the Divine Dragon?
A young man standing far away, garnering all the attention from those around him.
A person regarded as the hope and miracle of Shaolin.
It was the Divine Dragon.
Seeing him caused the corners of Paejon’s mouth to curl upward.
You raised him well.
He found himself unexpectedly impressed.
Not quite as jaw-dropping as when he met his disciple, but still incredibly remarkable.
It feels like I’m looking at my younger self.
Paejon’s youth.
A tale from days when he was called a madman obsessed with martial arts.
Even back then, whispers labeling him as a monster echoed.
The young man’s appearance echoed his past.
The trained physique of the Divine Dragon resembled finely forged metal.
And the aura radiating from him was infused with the unique brilliance of Shaolin.
One flaw.
His eyes look dead.
Though possessing strength, his gaze felt strangely empty.
How could a young warrior have eyes like that?
Could it be some sort of psychological issue?
Paejon lamented as he observed his rather pitiable junior.
I can’t use him.
He must be unfit as a disciple.
As he concluded this, he quickly shifted his gaze away.
Even if he were raw talent, those eyes reveal the ending.
Exhaustion should evoke passion, but since he’s failing to do so, the Divine Dragon’s worth to a conqueror was just that little bit.
I’m not interested.
Once he reached that conclusion, the excitement drained from his eyes as he glanced at the Divine Dragon.
Rather, that kid in front seems more useful than him.
As the gaze of the vanquished moved towards the Divine Dragon, he shifted his attention to the other young man standing opposite him.
While that young man’s physique and skill might not seem on par with the Divine Dragon’s, his eyes still sparkled with life.
The embroidery of plum blossoms on his white robe caught the eye.
The lofty guardians from Shaanxi, where his friend was the chief.
Volcano.
Plum Blossom Sword, Youngpung.
Currently, he stood confrontationally against the Divine Dragon, Yuyeon.
*
Many felt the weight of many gazes upon them.
Despite that, the miracle from Shaolin.
Divine Dragon Yuyeon steadied his breath as he faced the figure before him.
The fragrant scent of flowers wafted at the tip of his nose.
As the Divine Dragon peered ahead, sensing an unfamiliar fragrance, he noticed someone standing there.
“It’s been a while.”
A handsome man with a refreshing look approached the Dragon.
“Do you remember me?”
Yuyeon nodded at the bright smile that accompanied the words.
“Of course, I remember. The Sword Dragon Dojo… .”
The Sword Dragon of Mount Hua.
He was one of the five who were touted as the greatest among the apprentices, expected to one day become the Sword King.
He was also one of the representatives of the current post-war index known as the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.
Upon hearing Yuyeon’s words, the Sword Dragon smiled widely, clearly pleased.
“Oh my, I can’t believe you remember me… I don’t know how to respond.”
As Youngpung felt a twinge of embarrassment, Yuyeon was about to respond.
“Of course you would remember… After rolling around and getting beaten like that.”
“Was the defeat a bit ugly? It got so bad that you ate dirt.”
“When I think back to that time, I feel so embarrassed I could die.”
The other disciples from Mount Hua standing behind Youngpung began to join in merrily.
Hearing that made Youngpung’s expression shift to one of distress.
“… Four hundred gentlemen…”
When Youngpung turned to look behind him, his fellow disciples seemed shocked.
“Hey, doesn’t that kid look like he’s glaring at us? Isn’t that a bit absurd, Hyung-nim?”
“The volcanic hierarchy has indeed gone down. It must’ve fallen along with the sand during that roll.”
“In my day, I couldn’t even lift my head in embarrassment. But this kid… He’s so brazen. Oh my.”
“…”
Youngpung wiped his face as he endured the barrage without pause.
The Four Hundred of Youngpung.
The very reason the outstanding disciples of Mount Hua were making fun of him was none other than this.
It stemmed from a friendly match with Shaolin that took place about a year ago.
During which Youngpung faced off against Yuyeon, leading to the Sword Dragon’s loss to the Divine Dragon.
“It wasn’t just a loss; as the kids say these days, you got utterly trampled.”
“Trampled, indeed! You were crushed, rolled up, and spread like dough… it was beyond ridiculous.”
“It was to the level where I was embarrassed to claim I was a Mount Hua disciple, let alone a Sword Dragon.”
“Not, not that badly!”
Unable to take it anymore, Youngpung snapped, prompting peals of laughter from the other Mount Hua disciples.
“What is this atmosphere?”
Yuyeon, perplexed, had trouble processing the situation while trying to maintain decorum.
Seeing as Youngpung had come to greet him first, it had seemed only polite. Yet, he felt overshadowed by the atmosphere from the other sect.
Moreover, why exactly did Youngpung want to greet him?
What could possibly motivate the one who had defeated him to approach?
Maybe it’s to seize the initiative?
On one hand, he thought that could be it.
Unknowingly, he found himself listening intently to the ongoing chatter.
“It was a fair match, and it was hardly such a devastating defeat…”
“Right, but you lost, didn’t you?”
“…”
“Ultimately, you lost, right? You even showed all the techniques you were taught and still lost, didn’t you? The plum blossom leaves got shattered in front of the Baekboshin Kwon, right?”
“You got called in by the master afterwards and got an earful, didn’t you? I know I saw it!”
“…Is that true? Did Shin Seok call Youngpung to get scolded?”
“Yep. I witnessed Youngpung kneeling before Shin Seok on the back mountain.”
“Oh dear, how embarrassing… Youngpung, just tap out. I’ll encourage you to go ahead.”
“Hahaha!”
“… Four hundred gentlemen… please.”
With a woeful expression, Youngpung cast a glance at the disciples, aged in their mid-twenties, grinning broadly.
Yet, they retained their cheerful expressions.
What was so delightful about the representative of the three great disciples losing to Shaolin?
Yuyeon looked at them, totally bewildered.
While Youngpung was inundated with mockery, one of the highly-ranked disciples spoke to him.
“And yet you say you followed in the footsteps of the clan leader.”
“This crazy bastard.”
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Someone landed a slap on the head of the disciple about to speak.
It was none other than Plum Blossom Sword, Shin Hyeon.
The strongest of the disciples from the Yidae and one of the champions representing Mount Hua.
“Get a grip. How far are you taking this?”
Shin Hyeon frowned as he watched from behind.
It’s fine to be excited, but such careless words could lead to big trouble.
There was no way to overlook the fact that they were about to expose Youngpung’s secret.
“…I’m sorry. My mistake, Hyung-nim.”
Realizing his blunder, the disciple who had spoken quickly apologized.
“Should you be apologizing to me? Of all people, the clan leader is right here.”
With surprise coursing through his face at Shin Hyeon’s words, Shinyeok hurriedly glanced over.
His gaze landed upon an old man standing solitary behind the muscular youths.
That man drew far more attention than Yuyeon and Youngpung combined.
The 16th clan leader of Mount Hua, known as Plum Blossom Immortal Dohwa, also referred to as the Seven Iron Three Swordsman.
The old man’s identity was exactly that.
Shinyeok approached the old man carefully to express his respect.
“Clan Leader… I’m truly sorry. My disciple did wrong…. Clan Leader?”
Repeatedly offering apologies, he suddenly noticed that Maehwaseon was gazing elsewhere.
“Clan… Clan Leader?”
He tentatively tried calling Maehwaseon a couple more times, and only then did the elder respond.
“Oh.”
Perhaps realizing he had been called too late.
Maehwaseon replied with a warm smile.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch that. It’s been a while since I spotted someone familiar.”
“Someone familiar? You know someone here?”
The disciples’ gazes zeroed in on where Maehwaseon was looking.
Like before, they noticed the group of people staring this way, yet it remained unclear who Maehwaseon was addressing.
At that moment.
“…I, the disciple of Shaolin, offer my greetings to the Clan Leader.”
Yuyeon approached Maehwaseon, bowing respectfully.
The other disciples from Shaolin did likewise.
While exchanging greetings, Yuyeon still felt a tad flustered.
‘Why would Clan Leader be here?’
The disciples might have come for the tournament, which was understandable.
But why would the clan leader personally come this far?
He couldn’t wrap his head around it, yet the clan leader was from the Volcano clan. Showing courtesy seemed necessary.
“Ah, it has indeed been a while.”
A kind smile lit up Maehwaseon’s face in response to Yuyeon’s greeting.
“A child from Shaolin, if I remember correctly, is named Yuyeon?”
“…Yes, Clan Leader. I am Yuyeon…”
As he spoke, Yuyeon felt a gentle petting on his head.
Maehwaseon was stroking Yuyeon’s hair.
“…!”
Startled, Yuyeon’s eyes widened.
“You seem to have gone through a lot for someone your age. Is it tough for you?”
“Ah… No… not at all.”
“No, it’s definitely a challenging but wonderful age. I hope you can build good relationships with our children.”
“…”
Gulp.
Yuyeon, for some unexplainable reason, found himself biting his lip.
“Thank you for your kind words…”
Before Yuyeon could utter more to Maehwaseon—
“Sister! I envy that grandpa!”
A loud voice rang out from somewhere.
It was loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.
“Miss Bong…! You mustn’t! You’ll get in trouble with the prince…!”
Another woman hurriedly tried to intervene, stifling the sharp proclamation.
“I wanna touch it too!”
“No—! Wait…!!”
“I want to touch the bald head too!!”
With that unexpected exclamation, everyone present had to hold their breath.
In particular, the expressions of the Shaolin warriors stiffened in disbelief.
Did I just mishear? Did she just say ‘bald’…?
Doubt filled their expressions, as though they couldn’t fathom it.
“I want to! I wanna feel that shiny bald head!”
“…Please, just… keep quiet.”
“It’s like an egg! Really round!”
“Oh my god… This is bad.”
The woman who had managed to block her before now hid her face, utterly distressed.
The woman with black hair bolted forward and stood defiantly before Maehwaseon and Yuyeon.
“Hi?”
“…”
Yuyeon stood speechless before the sunny greeting.
He hadn’t fully processed this ludicrous situation.
“Nice to meet you.”
“…Yes…?”
“I’m Bong-soon.”
The woman introduced herself nonchalantly, then directed a question at Yuyeon.
“Uh, can I touch your head too?”
“…Young lady, what do you mean….”
Yuyeon glanced nervously at Maehwaseon.
“I want to touch your head too, oppa! It’s my first time seeing a bald head!”
“…!”
At that moment, Yuyeon’s heart raced wildly!
Oppa…?
Did she just call him oppa?
While Yuyeon was trembling from the unexpected shock, other warriors surged forth to obstruct the woman.
“Sir, what are you doing?”
“Miss… I don’t know who you are, but how can you be so rude? Even the heavenly deities would be furious!”
What kind of fearsome and pitiable words are these about wanting to touch the bald head?
Even those disciples from the Hwasan sect, who had enjoyed teasing Youngpung, now bore expressions of horror as they tried to dissuade the woman.
Yet, she continued speaking, entirely uninterested in the rest.
“Is it not allowed? I just wanna touch it once. I won’t ask again…!”
Her tone was filled with desperate pleading.
Hearing her words, the others squeezed their eyes shut in dread.
At the same time, Yuyeon braced himself, preparing to explode with anger.
No matter how composed Yuyeon was, there was no way he could remain calm after such an offense.
Everyone stood on edge, ready for a potential confrontation.
Soon, with his expression hardening, Yuyeon began to speak to Bong-soon.
“…Feel free.”
What will the Divine Dragon of Shaolin say?
All eyes narrowed in focus as they awaited his words.
“…Please, feel free to touch my head.”
A rather lackluster response floated through the air.
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