The women making a name for themselves in the Yong Bong Gihwa are called something something Bongs, derived from the word for phoenix (鳳).
Originally, only one person should be victorious in the Yong Bong Gihwa, but special rules have been applied for this tournament.
“Isn’t this the first time all three of us are receiving congratulations like this? Come, feel free to join us more!”
“I’m glad! We’ve fought amongst ourselves, but now we’ve reconciled and joined forces for our master, haven’t we!”
“…But I fought the hardest, you know.”
Azazel, Verdandi, and Bi Wol were conversing on the stage while I stood back, observing the scene.
To be honest, it was a result that was far from my expectations.
No matter how much they learned martial arts under me, Verdandi and Azazel had simply not enough time.
To be able to grasp the subtleties of martial arts and use them straight away in such a short period is the result of innate talent and hard work. After all, martial arts are only completed through countless repetitions.
“Master! You should also come over here!”
“Me?”
Verdandi waved to me from a distance. As if to keep me in check, Bi Wol silently approached me and folded her arms.
“Indeed. We owe it all to your grace that we could stand here, so how could you miss out on this moment?”
A soft and steady touch brushed against my arm. Bi Wol, seeing my flustered expression, slightly raised her lips, exuding confidence.
While I was still panicking about the sudden physical contact from Bi Wol, I felt another arm embracing the other side.
“Brother, in the end, I played a significant role in securing our victory, didn’t I? Hurry and praise me.”
The identity of the person who immediately crossed their arms like a rival to Bi Wol was Azazel. She went further, rubbing her head against my shoulder as if asking to be petted.
Her light pink hair flowed, and a soft fragrance began to rise. It was a smell that couldn’t be obtained in this martial world, and my eyes widened momentarily.
“Master? Why are you giving your attention to another woman instead of me?”
“Ah, no, it’s just the fragrance…”
“Heh, what’s wrong? Are you speechless because I’m too pretty?”
Just as I was about to make excuses, Azazel intentionally interrupted me. The grip of the two on my arms tightened, and the sensation of our already close bodies pressing together increased.
“This vile she-wolf…”
“Is your only response jealousy? Do you think someone like that would catch my brother’s favor?”
Azazel declared firmly to Bi Wol. I found it odd to see the two final bosses from the original novel squabbling over me.
“What did you say…?”
“I mean it. If you want to monopolize my brother, shouldn’t you cultivate more cuteness or the skills of nurturing?”
Isn’t it weird that the Saint is now saying something to the Heavenly Demon, who is stronger than anyone?
I found Azazel’s sudden change in attitude awkward.
Because just a few days ago, she had been hissing like a motherless kitten pining for Kang Si Woo, but now she was acting like a completely domesticated cat.
“…If I think about it, that’s a fair point. If you excel more than others, then there’d be no need for my master to look away.”
Bi Wol nodded, showing a surprising willingness to accept Azazel’s opinion. It didn’t seem like they had fought and reconciled again in my absence.
Just thinking back to the time when Bi Wol and Azazel were pulling each other’s hair made my entire body shiver.
“Indeed. Fighting is meaningless; to defeat that wicked woman, we must cooperate.”
With a serious statement, Azazel took a step forward. I wondered who the wicked woman they were referring to might be.
‘Could it be Seolhwa?’
To them, it was like she was a mother, my ex-girlfriend, and a woman I had promised to marry in the real world.
As if she could see through that fact, Azazel glared at Bing Seolhwa, who was clapping in the audience.
“Are you talking about that Bing Seolhwa?”
“Exactly. If we combine our strengths, we’ll be able to separate her from my brother. That monster who is favored by the Outer God.”
In fact, it would have been strange not to have figured it out by this point. Bi Wol, Kim Hyul, Verdandi, and Zikhart had discussed before the martial contest.
I sighed deeply, contemplating how I would eventually tell them the truth. Right now, Seolhwa and I would look like siblings sharing the same blood to anyone who saw us.
Born of North Sea Ice Palace blood, blessed with identical white hair and blue eyes. I had to tell them about my past life and that she was my ex-girlfriend.
‘…Will I be able to do it?’
While I was worrying, my feet were already on the stage. Bi Wol and Azazel had pulled me up with their sheer strength.
“I’ll join too!”
Even Verdandi hugged me from behind, and I ended up being a ridiculous sight with my three disciples clinging to me, walking up to the stage.
If someone who didn’t know anything saw this, they would simply think it was a bonding moment between master and disciples. It looked as if the Yong Bong Gihwa was about to hand victory over to me.
“Finally, the winners from the Yong Bong Gihwa, which heated up the Central Plains, have been revealed!”
The commentator, Cheoncheonmu, used sound waves as he loudly congratulated me and my fellow disciples.
I thought I would be labeled as a madman willing to do anything for victory since I took in students from the Western Region.
“All of you, please give applause to the disciples of Bing Yeon Blossom Heart, showing that even the lowly esteemed third-rate martial arts can reach a higher realm!”
I guess teaching Verdandi and Azazel the Six Harmonies Sword Technique and Six Harmonies Fist had gained recognition from the other martial artists.
In this world, while the West and Central Plains were aware of each other’s existence, they hadn’t exchanged enough to truly understand one another.
In fact, even though the use and application methods of Qi and mana differ, they closely resemble each other.
Woooooaaahhh!
Cheers erupted, resonating loudly around, and countless applause poured towards us.
“Then, it’s time for the Martial Alliance Lord to grant the three a title of the phoenix (鳳)!”
Ko Tae Ho, a character from my original novel King of Diamond Fist, who was originally killed while opposing the Heavenly Demon Bi Wol, was now about to directly bestow a title upon her. Indeed, life is full of surprises.
“…You all did well. Especially the two young ladies who seem to have come from the Western Region.”
Ko Tae Ho remarked, looking astonished at Verdandi and Azazel. It must have delighted him that these girls from the West won using martial arts instead of magic.
The Yong Bong Gihwa was also an event focused on fostering successors by showcasing the abilities of the later generation. Such competitions are necessary so that each sect or family can strive to raise their disciples correctly.
“Am I not getting any praise?”
Bi Wol countered, seemingly determined not to be outdone by the other disciples.
“Oh, of course, you’ve also worked hard, Bi Wol. You’ve overcome the legendary Diamond Indestructible!”
Only then did Ko Tae Ho laugh heartily and praise Bi Wol. She was already quite famous in the Central Plains martial world, so it was no wonder he might forget to mention her.
“I would like to name you as the Little Sword Phoenix (小劍鳳), Little Plum Phoenix (小梅鳳), and Little Heavenly Fist Peak (小天拳峰). Is that alright?”
Ko Tae Ho looked at Bi Wol, Verdandi, and Azazel in turn, addressing them. The title bestowed directly by the Martial Alliance Lord had the character for “little” (小) before it.
It seemed they didn’t think it appropriate to grant a title of Dragon (龍) or Phoenix (鳳) since it was not a major event like the War of Good and Evil, but rather a tournament among the later generations.
“Heh, this means we can take a step closer to the same position as you, Master.”
“I don’t know what kind of beast a phoenix is, but if it’s a match for you, then I’m happy too!”
Bi Wol remarked, finally feeling satisfied, her face blooming with a smile, while Verdandi vigorously nodded, raising her arms high into the sky.
“Brother, this is something we’ve all achieved by putting in our efforts. Please be a little happier.”
As I made a slightly disappointed expression at the ‘little’ title, Azazel noticed and held my hand with both of hers, speaking softly.
The warmth of her hands rose through my skin, and at that moment, something ticklish began to bloom within me.
“Now then, I’d like each of you to express your thoughts briefly.”
Ko Tae Ho cleared his throat and stepped closer, signaling me to say something. Such interest was necessary for the Yong Bong Gihwa to continue in the future.
“This victory is achieved through the grace of our master, who has nurtured and guided us. Even if they are third-rate martial arts, we understand now that mastery comes from endless repetitions and hard work.”
The first one to speak was Bi Wol. Having achieved a great feat by defeating Kim Hyul using the Three Talented Sword Method, confidence emanated from her face.
“I learned martial arts for the first time this time, and I truly find it fascinating! No matter how weak the swordsmanship is, I’ve realized that there’s something incredible at its end!”
Next to speak was Verdandi, who had reached the realm of plum blossoms in spring with Hwasan Sect’s Six Harmonies Sword Technique. If the Sect Leader of Hwasan saw this, he would pay any amount to take her in, but I had no intention of letting Verdandi go.
“We all carry a certain anxiety within us. Though we can’t erase bad feelings like worry, sadness, and jealousy, my master has shown me that we will need a moment of facing them directly someday.”
The word ‘master’ slipped from Azazel’s lips for the first time. Usually, she addressed me as brother.
“…Thus, this victory would not have been possible without my master.”
With an appearance befitting the name Saint, she put her hands together as if in prayer. It felt like there was a bit of faith embedded in her actions.
“You have fine disciples, Bing Yeon.”
“…They are undeserving disciples for me.”
The Martial Alliance Lord smiled happily, patting my back in encouragement.
“Now, it’s time to present the prize.”
At that moment, a beautifully adorned box appeared. Decorated with gold and shells, it showcased its worth.
“…As promised, it’s the Everlasting Ultimate Blood Elixir.”
The elixir I had considered my last hope to change my constitution,
The Everlasting Ultimate Blood Elixir, formed slowly over a millennium through prolonged high heat and pressure, was now here.
