麻豆工作室

The Dragon Phoenix Tournament had ended, but also hadn’t ended.

What came after were the young experts who would lead the future of the martial world showing off their skills. It was the desperate struggle of those who couldn’t reach a glorious placement.

“Hah!”

“Heuh!”

Duels between those who had once been spectators continued endlessly here and there on the streets of Shexian.

They had one purpose.

They showed off their skills to try to catch the eye of the famous families here, hoping to be invited as martial artists by those families.

This year’s tournament was particularly chaotic. Originally, less than half of them were trying to recruit male martial artists, but this time, all of them remained in Shexian.

From the perspective of causing the commotion currently, the golden rope that could save their situation had doubled compared to usual.

And the reason why they stayed… what more needed to be said?

Ink Dragon Mok Riwon.

They desired him.

“The Ink Dragon is saving many people.”

“Did you hear that story? The one about the Flashing Blade, the Ink Dragon’s first opponent the other day. I heard he was invited as a martial artist of the Peng Clan.”

“How could I not know? So did you hear about this? You know, Wanghyung, the one we had drinks with two days ago. That guy was invited as a martial artist of the Cho Family.”

“Ah, damn it. I’m so envious. I need to join someone soon too.”

“Well, what can we do? We can only hope for the best and that the Ink Dragon stays here for even a day longer. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get a chance these coming days.”

The martial artists who hadn’t found an affiliation yet hoped.

That the Ink Dragon would stay in Shexian for just one more day.

And that he would hold the feet of the renowned clans for them.

However, contrary to such expectations, the rumors circulating now were desperate.

“...There’s a rumor that the Ink Dragon will join the Martial Alliance.”

“It’s not certain yet. It’s just a rumor after all, isn’t it?”

“But it’s not completely unbelievable. I have a reliable informant, and he said that the Ink Dragon is planning to establish a new group in the Martial Alliance together with the Poison Phoenix.”

“Who the hell is spreading such information? Even if they know, they should keep their mouth shut!”

“T-That’s not something you should say to me…”

The Ink Dragon wished to join the Martial Alliance.

At those rumors, all of those trying to recruit him in Shexian were exhibiting a constantly unsettled atmosphere.

The Ink Dragon’s desire to join the Martial Allianced caused a constant unease in Shexian, especially among those hoping to recruit him.

It was natural.

The Martial Alliance was a revered sanctuary in the Orthodox Martial World that must never be touched.

If the rumors were true, the positions of the esteemed clans here would become awkward.

A clan that reached out to someone who would become a talent of the Martial Alliance could be seen as challenging their authority which had been rising ever since the Bloodied History.

It was an awkward situation for both the clans and martial artists.

On the other hand, the root of the chaos was leisurely climbing Mount Huang and enjoying the scenery.

“Young Lady! Look over there! Two pine trees are intertwined with each other!”

Mok Riwon smiled brightly and pointed in a direction.

Tang Hwa-seo chuckled and replied.

“Yes, they are trees that get along very well.”

“Look over there too! That pine tree is much larger compared to the surrounding ones! From how straight it is, that tree is definitely the boss of this place!”

“It’s certainly a lovely tree. Could it be that it hasn’t been discovered because it’s in a remote place? If there were such a pretty tree, there would have been people trying to pull it out.”

They were showing their appreciation of the pine trees filling Mount Huang and resting on boulders that occasionally appeared.

Mok Riwon, Tang Hwa-seo, and Zhuge San continued their outing without even having an interest in what was happening elsewhere.

After walking for quite some time, the three of them had already reached the top of Mount Huang.

“Wow…!”

Mok Riwon was thrilled by the unveiled landscape.

The gorgeous pine trees sprouting between boulders, the clouds visible beneath their feet, and the view of Anhui spread out in the distance boasted the beauty of Mother Nature and moved their hearts.

Was this what the world of those immortal hermits would be like?

Mok Riwon was trembling from awe, thinking that it was a good decision to come here.

“Such a beautiful sight...”

“It’s a truly magnificent scene.”

Tang Hwa-seo responded.

A moment of silence descended upon them, moved by the breathtaking scenery from the top of Mount Huang, the three were rendered speechless.

The one who broke the silence was Zhuge San.

He smiled while enjoying that view and said to Tang Hwa-seo in a sly tone.

“So Sister, the rumor has been spreading rather far.”

“Hm?”

“You know, the one about going to the Martial Alliance. It was Sister who spread it, wasn’t it?”

Mok Riwon, who had been blankly staring until then, widened his eyes at those words.

“Y-Young Lady? What does that mean?”

He was surprised.

Even though she was trying to avoid her clan, the fact that she revealed her destination first raised questions, especially since his knowledge of the martial world was still quite basic.

Tang Hwa-seo answered him calmly.

“Why did I spread the rumor? Didn’t I mention it before? No matter how much power a clan possesses, they cannot act carelessly towards a martial artist belonging to the Martial Alliance.”

“Even if that clan is your original family.”

Zhuge San grinned.

Having learned a little about their circumstances while traveling together, he added happily.

“Sister, Brother Mok, may I join you on that path as well?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Tang Hwa-seo made a surprised expression as if that were unexpected; Mok Riwon did the same.

They had expected he wouldn’t like being tied down somewhere due to his disposition which enjoyed wandering around.

Zhuge San spoke playfully as if he had anticipated their reactions.

“It’s fun being with you two. And it’s about time for me to settle my wandering life, isn’t it?”

“That’s a great idea!”

Mok Riwon exclaimed joyfully, having previously felt regretful about his parting with Zhuge San, whom he had truly become attached to.

“Then the three of us will go to the Martial Alliance together! We’ll devote ourselves to righteousness and chivalry!”

His eyes were shining like the stars, overcome by emotions while imagining himself making a name as a chivalrous hero of the Martial Alliance.

However, Tang Hwa-seo’s expression darkened.

‘…An unnecessary disturbance.’

Such thoughts came to mind.

The journey to the Martial Alliance would not be short, and she had secretly hoped for a chance to spend time with Mok Riwon along the way.

So for her, Zhuge San’s presence was nothing short of unpleasant.

Tang Hwa-seo didn’t know, however, that his desire to travel together was influenced by her cunningness.

‘Still, I must take care of my brother.’

Their bond as sworn brothers was formed by chance, but nonetheless, that relationship was precious.

Zhuge San didn’t want to see his innocent younger brother being corrupted by that wicked Tang Hwa-seo.

“Well then, I’ll be in your care!”

When he laughed, Mok Riwon also laughed heartily.

Tang Hwa-seo just clicked her tongue as if dissatisfied, then nodded her head.

Well, she couldn’t deny that the more on their side, the better.

With that, at the top of Mount Huang, two men and one woman promised to travel together, creating a warm atmosphere.

The time of departure was quietly approaching.

* * *

In the courtyard house of the Namgung Clan, a man was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the training ground, meditating.

He was a handsome man with sharp features.

A chilling blue qi rippled around him, exerting heavy pressure on everything it touched.

It was Namgung Jincheon.

The memories of the finals that day left lingering doubts in his mind, and he was deep in thought.

‘What was the problem?’

Where did it go wrong?

Namgung Jincheon continued to ponder.

Recalling the fight that day, reflecting on his life, and thoughts of Mok Riwon.

‘If...’

A hypothetical situation arose.

‘…In that duel, I had gone all out from the start and overwhelmed the Ink Dragon before he could even resist…’

The result would have been different.

No matter his talents as a swordsman, it was clear that he was superior in weight class.

‘If I hadn’t fallen for the Ink Dragon’s provocation…’

Supposing he hadn’t responded to the taunting of the battered Ink Dragon and continued to suppress him, the result would have been different.

No, even before then, everything would have been different.

Then, Namgung Jincheon reflected on himself.

‘I thought it was a perfect plan.’

He thought the road gifted to him by the Emperor’s Star was the most perfect path.

Regardless of how fast or slow, he thought that if he just followed this path, he could reach the Highest Realm.

But what was the reality of it?

‘It was wrong.’

The path led by the star was wrong.

There was no perfection.

There was no supremacy, either.

What the star gave him was one thing.

‘Arrogance.’

He was arrogant.

He was foolish.

He was cruel.

In the end, he was one thing.

‘I must have been a frog in a well.’

He decided to acknowledge that fact.

Namgung Jincheon faced the sense of defeat that was strangling his neck, reaching out, grabbing it, and then twisting.

‘The martial world is vast.’

As he recalled the words of his grandfather, the Sword King, his qi rippled once more.

‘There are strong rivals.’

As he thought of Mok Riwon’s sword, his qi quietly subsided.

The pressure within his qi vanished.

Arrogance, the hallmark of the once boastful and oppressive qi, started to wane.

And the viciousness diminished.

In its empty place, something manifested.

‘I haven’t shown anything yet.’

What Mok Riwon had said in the arena, the emotions contained in his words, his spirit.

The desire to win had taken over.

Namgung Jincheon opened his eyes.

His icy blue eyes were shining with a light they had never shown before.

“The time has come.”

He rose to his feet and left the training ground, heading to the inner quarters of the courtyard.

Those who encountered him in the hallway were startled by the change in his demeanor and bowed their heads in respect.

Receiving reverence from all those present, Namgung Jincheon reached the inner quarters where he came face to face with Sword King Namgung Hyuk.

“State your business.”

Namgung Jincheon kneeled.

“I want to learn.”

For the first time in his life, he uttered such words.

Namgung Hyuk raised his eyebrows and asked back as if intrigued.

“Learn what?”

“The sword.”

Namgung Jincheon looked at his grandfather.

There he was, the supreme being who had once been praised as the greatest sword in the world of martial arts.

“I want to learn the Sword of the Emperor.”

Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon requested to be taught.

To make the snake kneel.

To become the greatest frog.

To ascend to the place he rightfully deserved.

“Teach me the Form of the Emperor’s Sword.”

At last, he left the well of arrogance.

* * *

Who were the ones that dominated the financial power of the Central Plains?

If you asked the people of the Central Plains, one answer would return one hundred out of one hundred times.

The Heavenly Merchant Group.

That was the answer. They were the undisputed number one merchant group in the Central Plains, having not been overtaken from their position at the top even once in the past fifteen years.

There was no business their hands had not touched.

There was no place free of their traces.

The Dragon Phoenix Tournament here in Anhui was no exception.

It was without a doubt that their reach extended to even this splendidly held festival of martial artists.

About a two-day ride from Shexian, someone arrived at a huge branch of the Heavenly Merchant Group.

A Daoist entered the courtyard house which supported the Dragon Phoenix Tournament this year.

It was a memorable man with a forlorn atmosphere and frail appearance, Immortal Dragon Hyungong.

As soon as the guards of the branch saw him, they bowed their heads.

Hyungong naturally accepted them and headed to the inner quarters.

Click–

When the door opened, a terrible scent fiercely wafted out.

The scent was so potent that upon inhalation, it instantly made one’s head spin and, for some reason, made their insides feel hot.

For a moment, Hyungong’s brows furrowed.

It was because he already knew that the incense in this room was due to drugs.

However, his annoyance was only for an instant.

Hyungong straightened his expression and wrapped qi around his body as he headed deeper into the quarters.

“…You’ve come.”

A voice that sounded like a beast’s cry echoed throughout the room.

At that moment, Hyungong immediately knelt down and lowered his head.

A man was there.

He had a messily disheveled head of hair, no clothes on him, and even dazed, unfocused eyes.

The man looked down at Hyungong with naked women by his side and said.

“Did you find him?”

“Yes.”

“Name?”

“Mok Riwon. He received the title of Ink Dragon in this tournament.”

Mok Riwon.

The man who repeated that name blankly looked up at the ceiling.

“He has a fortunate fate.”

Hyungong merely lowered his head, unquestioning of anything.

Because that was the most basic etiquette he had learned since he was a baby.

The man continued to move his lips and mumbled something.

As if he was lost in thought, he continued that action for a long time.

At the end of his contemplation, he opened his mouth.

“…It’s about time to move.”

The man raised his hand and placed it on the head of the woman hugging his waist.

Splat–!

The woman’s head exploded.

Even though blood was gushing out like a fountain and chunks of flesh were decorating their surroundings, no one cared.

It was natural.

Except for the man and Hyungong, all the women were courtesans from somewhere.

They, who knew nothing of martial arts, had already been bewitched by the drugs that filled this room and lost their mind.

“Prepare.”

The man wiped away the blood while brushing back his hair.

His eyes which had been hidden behind his hair revealed themselves.

The color of his irises, which were murkily settled in a dark red, somehow resembled dried blood in hue.

“The stolen star must be reclaimed.”

At the man’s chant, Hyungong pressed his head to the floor.

Immediately after, he shouted in a loud voice he had never used in the Central Plains.

“All demons shall worship and submit to the Heavenly Demon!”

In his voice was reverence.

“I obey the command of the Cult Leader.”

Hyungong felt like his long wait was finally over.

From now on, everything would change.

Those accustomed to peace since the Bloodied History would be reminded once more what kind of place this martial world was.

The martial world would return to its roots.

The time of peace had come to an /genesisforsaken