Chapter 198

Chapter 198
# Chapter 198: Shinju’s Shadow

Baek Yang-hui turned the golden plaque over in his hands, studying it closely.

A youth’s token.

A rush of new and tangled feelings washed over him. In his past life, he had left his clan behind at this very age, setting out to wander the wide world. This time, things were different—yet he stood just as surely at the threshold of a new beginning.

The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly would mark a turning point of immense weight. And he would see to it that it did.

A knowing grin tugged at his lips as he watched Chui-dal exchange greetings with Tang Jun.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been tardy in introducing myself, Young Clan Leader. You may know me as Yi-hu—the Phantom Eagle Hero!”

Tang Jun blinked, looking thoroughly confused as Chui-dal bowed formally and spoke his full name.

“Chui-dal, old friend… was your name always Yi-hu?”

“That is correct.”

“Not Chui-dal?”

“Yi-hu is my true name…”

“Goodness, I never had the slightest idea.”

Chui-dal shot Baek Yang-hui an aggrieved look, but Tang Jun pressed on.

“Regardless, what’s with all the sudden ceremony? As you well know, I am Tang Jun.”

“Understood perfectly. And by what title are you known, Young Clan Leader? I am the Phantom Eagle Hero!”

Chui-dal had repeated himself word for word, and only then did Tang Jun catch on.

“Ah, I see. Word has reached my ears that you recently earned that fine new nickname—congratulations to you.”

Phantom Eagle Hero: a title that spoke of vanishing like a ghost and striking with the speed of a diving eagle. He had not yet even reached fifteen, and already he bore such a distinguished title—no wonder he walked with his head held high.

“Thank you. From now on, please call me Eagle Hero instead of Chui-dal.”

Baek Yang-hui had no intention of letting that slide.

“Chui-dal it is—‘Chui’ meaning disgrace, and ‘dal’ meaning otter. You, who haven’t seen your fifteenth birthday, strutting about calling yourself ‘Eagle Hero’?”

The old Chui-dal would have exploded on the spot, shouting, “Quit calling me that!” But this Chui-dal? He reacted in a wholly different way.

“Heh heh heh… call me whatever you like.”

Tang Jun stared, bewildered all over again.

“Has that title gone straight to your head? You’re taking this far differently than you ever did before.”

“Not at all. I’ve simply realized complaining changes nothing. Heh heh heh…”

It was a low, chilling cackle that sent a prickle down the spine. Come to think of it, there was something distinctly off about him.

“Chui-dal, my boy… why do you look so…?”

“Heh heh heh… a great deal has happened.”

“Tsk. And you, little brother Hui—just how hard did you push him these last three years?”

Baek Yeon-yeon spoke up before Baek Yang-hui could answer.

“I’ve heard him beg for death more than a hundred times, at the very least!”

“People are not made of iron. You drove him without mercy.”

“One must meet what is expected of them. How could I hold back, Brother Tang?”

It was not only Chui-dal—Baek Heon-so, standing nearby, glared at him as well. It was hard to reconcile this with the boy who had once looked up to him as his hero.

“Only because you are my brother! If not for that, I would never have endured it!”

“You push even those of genuine talent past their breaking point, then grow angry when they cannot keep pace?”

“I see your point, little brother Hui. It must be galling when those around you lag behind.”

Tang Jun—who had never in his life been outshone by anyone—had shattered their budding sympathy with a single quiet remark.

Baek Heon-so and Chui-dal turned to stare at him, their thoughts plain to see.
*Heavens… why was I never gifted with such talent?*
*If only I could land just one solid strike… that would be bliss…*

“Speaking of which, I was surprised to see little sister Yeon traveling with you. I had heard she chose scholarship over martial practice.”

“Brother, are you displeased to have me along? How cold of you!”

“That’s right! I feel slighted!”

As Tang Yeon and Baek Yeon-yeon teased playfully, Tang Jun found himself floundering.

“Yeon wished to witness the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. How could any fond brother refuse his dear little sister?”

“…I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Pardon? Are you asking to be poisoned?”

Baek Yang-hui smirked at Tang Yeon’s indignant reaction. In truth, bringing Yeon served another purpose entirely.
*I will nip in the bud whatever brought about her end in my past life.*

Much had already changed. He had cured his mother’s lingering illness and slain Hyeong-san Yin-hyeol, his father’s sworn enemy, to name but two things. Yeon’s fate might already have shifted course. But why rely on hope? Far better to tear the problem out by the roots while he could.

*The trouble is, it all began after she left the clan in my past life—I have no clear leads.*

All he knew was this: a prominent young man from Shinju Province, who attended Yangsu Academy alongside Yeon, had conceived a dark obsession with her. And from that obsession came disaster.

*In the end, it was her beauty that drew him.*

As bright blossoms draw every bee, so too did Yeon’s beauty draw trouble. She had grown into a woman of striking grace in this life as well—and the danger remained. Before their journey ended, he would find the one responsible and eliminate him completely.

“Yeon—you mentioned a powerful family’s son studies at Yangsu Academy with you, did you not? Which clan is it?”

“Oh? The Ju Clan Manor, of course!”

They were not a martial house, but one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Shinju Province, with generations of power behind them—great landowners, comparable to the most noble clans.

“Spending the night there sounds ideal.”

“Yes, I am certain they will welcome us.”

Just then, the bushes rustled violently nearby. More than a dozen figures burst from cover.

“Hahaha! Look at this lot!”

“Who gave you permission to pass through these lands?!”

The bandits stopped short, their laughter dying as they took in the group.

“What are you all staring at?!”

“Never met mountain heroes before, have you?!”

“Quit trembling, children! Hand over a fitting tribute, and we may even let you live!”

Baek Yang-hui’s party simply stared back in silence. Chui-dal was the first to speak.

“Bandits. How quaint.”

Baek Heon-so nodded in agreement.

“Real ones, at that.”

“When was the last time we saw any of these?”

“Not since Baek Clan lands were secured—at least a year ago.”

“It feels almost… welcoming to see them again.”

Baek Yang-hui flicked a finger, his expression utterly bored.

“Tiresome. We step into Shinju, and pests appear immediately. You have one incense stick’s length to be gone.”

***

Shinju Province’s busiest hub was Sangyo County. The group walked its crowded streets, looking this way and that.

“Such a nuisance—we are late now.”

“Calling at this hour would be discourteous. We should seek an inn or tavern instead.”

Their plans had been delayed. He had intended to present himself at the Ju Clan Manor and deal with the troublemaker straight away. Tang Jun too looked concerned.

“Calling so late would be improper. Camping is an option, though we have little coin between us.”

The bandits they had defeated had carried considerable wealth—yet after sharing it with the villagers, their purses were nearly empty.

“Sleeping outdoors when there is a tavern to be found? I would not mind, but Yeon is with us.”

“Looking out for me, little brother Hui?”

“Not her family’s Yeon—our Yeon.”

Tang Jun laughed. Then Chui-dal stepped forward, confident as ever.

“Leave it to me. We shall take the finest rooms available.”

“Chui-dal… we have no money, remember?”

“I have funds.”

He held up his pouch—one they had seen emptied in the village, now bulging with coin. And it was a different pouch entirely.

“Trust me and follow! Hahaha—drinks are on me tonight!”

Tang Jun watched him stride ahead, shaking his head. The boy had changed beyond recognition—once so principled, so devoted to doing what was right.

“Little brother Hui… your brother seems to have lost his way.”

“We are all shaped by our trials, are we not? What you call strange, I call strength.”

Baek Yang-hui smiled as he walked on behind Chui-dal. Tang Jun watched him go, struck by a sudden realization.
*He has always been like that, hasn’t he? Truly extraordinary.*

“Ho there, innkeeper! We have arrived!”

They claimed a large table and ordered feast after feast.

“That reminds me—I nearly forgot.” Tang Jun reached into his robes and drew out three tokens, handing them to Baek Heon-so and Baek Yang-hui. “Entry plaques. Required for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. Chui-dal… I did not request one for you.”

“I will not be competing. That is not my path.”

“Then what is your path?”

“Acquisition.”

A path, certainly—though hardly an honorable one.

“Pay him no mind, Brother Tang. Chui-dal has other matters to attend to. Not all of us need enter the arena.”

“But without a plaque, you would miss every event held during the Assembly.”

“Is that so? I had not heard. Then Yeon will need one as well.”

Baek Yang-hui turned the plaque over in his hand, unimpressed.

“Human-grade.”

“Precisely. Earth-grade plaques require a place among the realm’s hundred most distinguished sects.”

Dragon-Phoenix plaques were tiered: Heaven, Earth, and Human. Human was the lowest and most common—and privileges varied widely with rank.

“Hardly worth having. Though missing the formalities may prove more enjoyable anyway.”

The reason was simple: plaques were designed to foster competition even before the Assembly began.
*They double as entry to the preliminary rounds.*

Tens of thousands of gifted youths gathered each year. Only three hundred and sixty would advance to the final arena. Those bearing Human-grade plaques faced the first round; Earth-grade, the second; and Heaven-grade holders proceeded straight to the finals.

He disliked unnecessary fuss—and when the chance arose, he would avoid it entirely.

A man approached their table.

“Pardon the intrusion… are you of the Baek Clan, if I may ask?”

“I am. And you are?”

“Good heavens! The Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon in the flesh!”

Baek Yang-hui nodded, and the man’s voice rose in excitement.

“To meet the heir of the Baek Clan in person! It is an honor to see Gangsuh’s foremost young hero!”

Shinju was not Baek territory—he had never traveled here before. Yet word of his arrival spread quickly through the tavern.

“The Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon is here?!”

“Where—truly! I saw him once at a banquet hosted by your clan!”

“Such presence! Truly the bearing of a hero!”

In wider circles, Silver Venom Dragon Tang Jun and Heaven Venom Peak Tang Yeon were better known. But in Gangsuh, none outshone the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon.

“You are too kind—your praise does me honor! Drinks for all present, on my behalf!”

The room erupted in cheers. Funds were short, but that was no matter—Chui-dal had long since mastered the Money Duplication Divine Art.

“To the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon!”

“Your health!”

As the crowd gathered, their host turned to the rest of the party.

“Greetings to the heir and second son of Baek, and to the young lord and lady of Tang. And to you, Miss Baek… it has been some time.”

“Young Master Ju Jeok-yeon. It has.”

The Ju Clan. Instinct blared a warning. This was the man—the one who had troubled Yeon. And a twist he had not expected: the fellow was not merely a scholar, but trained in martial arts. Dark arts, even. Perhaps beauty had not been the only cause of what had happened.