Chapter 201

Chapter 201
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**Chapter 201**
**The Dragon of the Namgung Clan**

The Azure Heavens Namgung Clan.

Deep within their sprawling estate—so vast it resembled a city more than a mere village—lay hidden training grounds. A middle-aged man stood watching a young man practice his sword, a look of quiet satisfaction settling over his features.

“That’s exactly it, Cheon-yeong! Magnificent!”

The youth appeared to be barely past his early twenties, yet the swordsmanship he wielded was anything but ordinary. Brilliant blue sword aura, vivid as the open sky, poured endlessly from his blade—an achievement far beyond what anyone of his years could ever hope to attain.

Shaaaak!

No blade could truly cut through the air itself, yet Namgung Cheon-yeong’s strike tore through the very atmosphere as if it were solid. His expression remained stern, unyielding.

*The boy who once treated martial arts as nothing more than a game now carries the intent to kill. Who could possibly keep pace with how quickly he is growing?*

Pride welled within him, deep and boundless. Yet beneath it lingered a sharp, unspoken regret: the son who should have stood highest of all had been broken, brought low in shame.

Cheon-yeong, the one born to reign supreme beneath the heavens, was flourishing exactly as he ought.

*Thank you, Cheon-hu. Your absence is what has made him whole. Perhaps this was your way of serving the Namgung Clan after all.*

Namgung Cheon-yeong had been born a prodigy, destined to stand above all others. But now he no longer saw martial arts as a source of joy; it had become a tool, a means, a weapon—something he wielded with desperate purpose toward a single, unwavering goal.

The surest way to change the world is to change what lies within your own heart. With his mindset transformed, Cheon-yeong’s progress accelerated beyond all comparison. Every step forward served one end: to bring the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan to account.

“I draw to a close, Father. My technique feels complete at last.”

“I have no doubt of it. At this year’s Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, the title of Supreme Dragon will belong to you!”

The most outstanding rising talent to claim victory in the assembly’s martial tournament earns the name Supreme Dragon if male, Supreme Phoenix if female. In Namgung Il-geom’s eyes, there was never any question—this generation’s Supreme Dragon could be none other than his own son.

“Good… yes. I must claim that title. It is the only way to soothe, even a little, the lingering resentment my brother left behind.”

Namgung Cheon-hu had also set his sights on becoming Supreme Dragon at this very gathering—until the day his path was cut short by that terrible accident.

“When will my brother… ever come home?”

“Cheon-yeong.”

“I am here, Father.”

The words of rebuke died on his lips; he had meant to scold such weakness, but held his tongue instead. *Tch. Cheon-hu, my son… even if you returned now, nothing would truly change.*

Namgung Cheon-hu had slaughtered the entire escort of Azure Heavens Sword Guards assigned to bring him back, then vanished without a trace. The clan had mobilized every resource at its disposal to find him, yet not a single clue had ever surfaced.

*If not for Cheon-yeong, Cheon-hu would have been the perfect heir. I am certain he had some secret plan, some hidden advantage he meant to reveal.*

“Focus only on refining what you have learned. Unrivaled might is the only path that leads truly right.”

“I will not fail.”

“Reach the very peak of martial skill, and take your place above all others.”

*Not just Supreme Dragon—you will be the greatest in the world. I will make certain you are the one who raises our clan to absolute supremacy.*

Unlike his brother, Cheon-yeong had never been taught the duties of a clan heir, even as he entered adulthood. No one had ever intended for him to learn them.

“Father… is it truly right that I spend all my days training? I am the Young Clan Heir now.”

A heir destined to lead a great house must know its affairs—every matter, great and small. Yet Cheon-yeong did nothing but cultivate his skills from dawn till dusk.

“Do not trouble yourself. There is wisdom in placing the right person in the right role. Even at the assembly, all such trivial matters will be seen to by your Uncle Sa-geom, who will travel with you.”

“Ah! With Uncle Sa-geom at my side, I can focus entirely on what matters.”

*That is exactly as it should be. Devote yourself only to martial arts. Become the sharpest, surest blade our clan could ever ask for. That is your purpose.*

Others might look askance, say he was treating his own son as nothing more than a tool. But such was the fate of every child born to the direct line of the Namgung. Il-geom himself had fought alongside his brothers—the First through Fifth Swords—under a father who saw his children first and foremost as instruments of the clan. He had survived, and in doing so, become the leader his people needed.

All of it served one end: to etch the Great Namgung Clan’s name above every other. To that purpose, anything within reason was permissible.

*At the very least, you will never have to raise your hand against your own blood. That, too, is how I love you.*

Of those five brothers, only the First Sword—himself—and the Fourth, who had stood by him from the start, remained.

“Cheon-yeong.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You will cross paths with the young heirs of the Baek and Tang Clans when you reach the vast gathering at Wuhan.”

Cheon-yeong’s eyes blazed instantly.

“I will.” He ground his teeth hard, then spoke with iron resolve. “I will make those who framed my brother answer for their lies.”

“You will. That is your right—and your duty.”

Il-geom stroked his beard, well pleased. *In truth, I owe the Baek Clan a debt. Thanks to them, Cheon-hu was removed without trouble. And now they serve as the perfect fuel to make Cheon-yeong burn brighter still. When the time comes, I will repay them well—not by destroying them, but by making them serve us. They claim descent from the greatest heroes the world has known; their name carries weight. They will make loyal, obedient hounds for the Great Namgung.*

“Go, then. Show the world how high our name was always meant to rise.”

“It shall be done. The Young Clan Heir of the Namgung Clan accepts your command.”

Cheon-yeong bowed, fists clasped, his gaze heavy and dark.

—

The shortest route from Jiangxi to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly ran straight north across the Yangtze. Yet Yang-hwi had led his party off course, turning instead toward Lake Taihu in Anhui. From there they would travel downriver to approach Wuhan from the south, then turn north again. His reason was simple enough.

-Kiyaaah!

“You’ve returned.” Yang-hwi tossed a strip of seasoned dried meat to Won-u, who perched comfortably on his forearm. The young hawk preferred cured meat to fresh prey; he flapped his wings eagerly, bobbing his head as he ate.

“I told you, it won’t work if you don’t focus. Link with me now.” -Kiyaa.

As their minds connected, everything Won-u had seen from high above flooded into Yang-hwi’s awareness.

“Hm. About twenty li northwest beyond the pass. Chudal—you can handle this alone.”

“Understood. Should I show myself again this time?”

“Yes.”

Chudal sped off, moving with the lightness of a leaf on the wind. The rest continued their journey; with Won-u watching from above, there was no need to linger idle.

About half a shichen later, Chudal returned, handing over two invitation plaques.

“Human-grade again. Well, it can’t be helped.” Yang-hwi stowed them in his pack, where more than a dozen others already rested.

“Brother Hui, I know you have your reasons… but this is dangerous. Seizing plaques from every traveler we meet will earn us the enmity of the Baek Clan and all the great houses.”

Yang-hwi knew this. But he saw no other choice.

“I won’t let innocent people be murdered by Blood Cult dogs.”

“That may be true, but still…”

Word from the teahouses said Blood Cultists were lying in wait for arriving guests—robbing them of their tokens, even killing them and taking their faces to slip into the assembly unseen. Taking the plaques first was the surest way to stop them.

“We do what is right. A bad reputation is a small price to pay for saving lives.”

“Hm. And I suppose it’s just coincidence we can sell whatever we don’t need in Wuhan for a handsome sum?”

*How did he guess?*

Without a plaque, there was no entry. And extras would fetch good money—enough to cover all their expenses, and then some. He had intended to hunt for a Heavenly-grade token anyway; this served two purposes at once.

“The trouble is, every single one we’ve found so far is Human-grade.”

“There are only three hundred and sixty Heavenly-grade plaques in the entire martial world. The odds of finding one by chance are almost none… hm?” Tang-gun narrowed his eyes, watching him closely. “Brother Hui.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not one to miss the obvious. Is this detour to Anhui because…?”

Yang-hwi grinned.

“What? You think I plan to take the Heavenly-grade plaque meant for the Namgung Clan? Who knows. I haven’t decided yet.”

He had already clashed with Blood Cultists three times: in Xinju, in Nanchang, and at the Sword King’s Tomb in northern Anhui. Their influence seemed strongest across Jiangxi and Anhui. He would clear the region, securing tokens to keep them out—and if he happened to cross paths with the Namgung Clan along the way, so much the better.

“There is another reason as well… but that one stays secret for now.”

“You really are something else. Always chasing the next great storm.”

Yang-hwi smiled as Tang-gun shook his head. “Keep moving. We should gather at least three officially issued plaques to feel truly safe.”

They had been traveling through Anhui for some time now; unlike remote Jiangxi, this was central territory, and opportunities to intercept tokens grew more frequent with every mile.

Several days later…

“Yeon, since we are here, would you like to see Lake Taihu?”

“I would love nothing more, brother!”

“If my Yeon wishes it, how could I refuse? Come, then!”

They stood at the shore of the great lake, famed throughout Anhui—until a group stepped out to block their path. Most were traveling to the assembly, judging by their dress; their varied robes showed they belonged to no single sect.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“You—halt!” The man at the front shouted loud enough for all to hear. “You are the heirs of the Tang and Baek Clans, are you not?”

Yang-hwi tilted his head. *He speaks as if he knows us personally.*

“We are. What of it?”

“What of it? You are shameless! Your crimes have spread far and wide!”

“Crimes? You mean the plaques?”

“Exactly! Why stoop to such cowardly, underhanded tricks?”

Yang-hwi glanced at Chudal, who spoke immediately.

“That is Yang Heon-seung, latecomer from the Yang Clan of Anhui. His is an officially issued plaque.”

“Ah. A distinguished local family. Ours may be common Human-grade, but yours is genuine?”

Yang Heon-seung sneered.

“You think the Baek Clan’s name carries any real weight? People praise you with titles you have done nothing to earn, and you let it go to your heads. But a dragon born in a mud puddle is still nothing more than a common lizard.”

Instead of anger, Yang-hwi felt only curiosity. *What gives him such nerve? Anyone who knew we had taken more than twenty plaques in a matter of days would think twice before speaking like this. He has powerful backing.*

“The overlord of Anhui stands behind us! Even the Young Clan Heir of the Great Namgung himself has seen what you do and will not suffer it to continue!”

*There it is.*

Strong presences drew near, sweeping across the lake shore. Several figures appeared, clad in sky-blue robes—one an older, distinguished elder, and beside him…

*Namgung Cheon-yeong!*

His pulse raced. *Forgive me, Best Sword Among Wanderers. Your talent is too great to let live.*

He saw it all again—the final moments of his past life, clear as day.

*Namgung Cheon-yeong. At last we meet.*

Then something shifted. *This is going to be interesting. Truly.* He should be the one burning with rage. Yet it was the other youth who looked ready to ignite.

“Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon Baek Yang-hwi. I have heard so much about you. Far too much.”

Sching!

Without warning, Cheon-yeong drew his sword. The elder behind him frowned, clearly taken aback—this was not part of their plan.

“Let me see if you live up to all the praise.”

Yang-hwi did not answer immediately. He studied his opponent, then the ground around them, taking everything in.

*Forgive me, Brother Tang. Emotions do cloud judgment.*

But then again… *What is a man, if not for his heart?*

In his past life, Chudal had died here—his throat cut, right before his eyes. This time he would not be so cold. He would act like a human being.

“People of the Namgung,” he called out, loud and clear. “Where is your Young Clan Heir, Namgung Cheon-hu?”

At the same time, he sent his voice directly into Cheon-yeong’s mind.

*You brandish your teeth at me, little cub? Have you forgotten how your brother’s life was ruined when he crossed me?*

Cheon-yeong’s face twisted into a look of pure, unbridled fury.
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