Chapter 210

Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Battle for the Phoenix

“As everyone knows, marriage is one of life’s most significant undertakings, arranged by our elders. Yet should the wishes of those whose lives will be most deeply affected not take precedence above all else?”

The Taiji Sect Leader nodded in agreement with Yang-hwi’s words.

“You speak truly.”

Privately, had the proposed union involved the daughter of any ordinary distinguished household, he would never have given his approval so readily. For the heirs of great clans and sects, marriage served primarily as a tool to consolidate and expand family influence. Zhuge Seol-ha, however, was no ordinary match.

She was the personal disciple of one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables. To force an engagement upon her against her will would require the explicit consent of the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch herself.

*But Seol-ha has already made clear she does not want this marriage.*

Which meant the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch would never endorse a betrothal decided solely by the elders of the Zhuge Clan, disregarding her disciple’s own wishes.

—Seol-ha. It is time to claim some compensation for playing the part of my lover.

Her reply came at once through voice transmission.

—I believe I understand your meaning. It sounds thoroughly enjoyable. Let us begin immediately!

—Heh heh heh, we are perfectly of one mind.

—Naturally. We have been together for so long, elder brother.

With her agreement secured, it was time to set their plan in motion.

“Taiji Sect Leader. Seol-ha is the woman I love.”

Stating it aloud made his face burn with embarrassment, but he steeled himself and continued with unflinching resolve.

“I am well acquainted with her master, the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch. She will not oppose the bond between her disciple and myself.”

In that instant, the Taiji Sect Leader realized that a marriage alliance between Wudang and the Zhuge Clan was no longer possible. An involuntary sigh escaped him.

“Hmm… I see.”

“Yet there is more to consider.”

“Indeed?”

“For the heirs of distinguished families, marriage is also a duty—one I fully respect and understand.”

“Then what do you propose?”

“It is quite straightforward. Until the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament commences, we shall take up residence at the most prestigious inn in the city—one suited to receiving guests of noble lineage.”

Yang-hwi wore a knowing smile. For some reason, the Taiji Sect Leader felt a sudden, uneasy premonition.

“And Sword Immortal Hyun shall be invited to stay there as well.”

“Sword Immortal? That title is not one he merits—neither by ability nor by standing among us.”

He is quibbling over titles of all things, Yang-hwi thought.

“Very well—Daoist Hyun, then… though I wonder, are disciples of your order even permitted to marry?”

“Ahem. Wudang does not forbid marriage for those of the main sect.”

“Even so, to arrange this as some kind of pretense strikes me as rather…”

“Ahem! Let us set aside such trivialities. Now—why must Sword Immortal Hyun take up residence at this inn?”

“Seol-ha is the woman I hold dear… yet I have no wish to pursue this bond in defiance of the Zhuge Clan elders. Let us settle this honorably—let there be competition.”

The Taiji Sect Leader’s expression brightened at once.

“I see now! What truly matters is Lady Zhuge’s own heart. He who wins her affection shall win her hand. Haha! Young Master Baek, you do not seem the sort, yet you possess a truly generous spirit.”

His tone betrayed absolute confidence that Sword Immortal Hyun would undoubtedly win Zhuge Seol-ha’s heart once given the opportunity. Yang-hwi found it mildly irksome, but said nothing. We shall see how that plays out, he thought with quiet amusement.

“Very well. We shall proceed as you suggest.”

“It is agreed. I shall send word to the main sect as well. You must keep your promise without fail!”

With that, the Taiji Sect Leader departed, looking thoroughly pleased.

A brief silence followed. Then Dang-gun regarded Yang-hwi with a look of sympathy.

“You bore that with remarkable restraint. It must have stung your pride deeply.”

The Taiji Sect Leader’s manner had indeed been disrespectful. In effect, he had told Yang-hwi to his face: *She may be yours now, but she will belong to another once she meets someone worthier.* What made it worse was that he had spoken without malice—he simply had not understood.

Yet Yang-hwi remained unshaken.

“It did not trouble me in the slightest.”

Why let the words of someone so ignorant wound him? No matter how gifted Sword Immortal Hyun might be, he could never hope to surpass Yang-hwi.

“He is the prodigy for whom one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables broke longstanding tradition to take as a direct disciple—tall, strikingly handsome, widely admired. In secret, he is none other than the great scholar Ilpil Hwi-seo, celebrated throughout the realm. Heir to the World’s Supreme, and the most rapidly rising young master in the entire martial world. That is who I am. I bow to no one.”

For a moment, the room fell quiet—for altogether different reasons.

“All of that is true, yet…”

“When it comes to being unbearable, elder brother stands alone above all others.”

“I merely state facts, and I am called unbearable? Very well—I shall become the World’s Supreme Unbearable!”

Seol-ha burst into laughter, as if he had said the wittiest thing imaginable.

“Brother Hwi—you intend to invite the young heir of the Namgung Clan as well, do you not?”

The prospect of facing the Namgung Clan’s arrogant scions held no appeal, certainly—but if it meant seeing them utterly humiliated, the price was well worth paying.

“I do. And I shall spread word far and wide, so that every young man who seeks her hand may come forward.”

The daughter of a distinguished clan, disciple of a Heavenly Martial Venerable, and acknowledged as the World’s Supreme Beauty—all would learn that Zhuge Seol-ha’s future husband was to be chosen by contest. Once that news spread, ambitious martial artists would flock to the city like swarms of bees.

“Everyone else will be nothing more than noisy, buzzing nuisances. Ahahaha!”

When Namgung Cheon-yeong and Sword Immortal Hyun learned of it, they would regret deeply having allowed themselves to be reduced to the level of ordinary suitors. Yet neither could withdraw—for Yang-hwi had already ensured that their own proposals of marriage were made public.

“To propose formally and then retreat once rivals appear? That would make them objects of ridicule throughout the realm.”

“Brilliant! Brother Hwi, you think of everything!”

“Kekeke!”

“Hehehe!”

Suddenly, Seol-ha’s laughter faded. She fixed him with a pointed look.

“By the way, senior brother…”

The familiar form of address had shifted, and Yang-hwi felt a sudden chill.

“Ilikmaeng…? I have never heard that name before…”

“Ah.” He had yet to speak of it to her.

“You have kept it from me… that hurts.”

It was not merely a matter of excluding her from discussions concerning the Zhuge Clan, one of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans. The name Ilikmaeng suggested an exclusive alliance formed between families—and Zhuge Seol-ha was altogether unaccustomed to being left out.

“It truly does hurt. I have half a mind to tell Master. If I play the part of the aggrieved junior while she scolds you, this matter will not end well.”

“…Please, be patient with me.”

He was already anticipating a severe reprimand from the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch.

“Very well—let us make a bargain. I shall ask for one wish, granted without question. Do we have a deal?”

“Could you not simply tell me now what it is?”

“To borrow your own words, senior brother—where would be the fun in that?”

He had little choice but to agree.

“Very well. One wish, granted. Are you satisfied?”

“More than, Brother Hwi. Ehehe.” Her warm, familiar manner returned at once.

Yang-hwi smiled in spite of himself.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

With the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament approaching, eager young martial artists and spectators alike had already filled every inn, guest house, and even private residence available in the city—all weeks in advance. Wuhan, this year’s host city in Hubei Province, stood upon the banks of the Yangtze and served as a vital crossroads of trade and travel. Already a major center of commerce throughout the realm, it now found itself playing host to the most anticipated event in the martial calendar.

“Have you heard the latest?”

“About what? Surely you mean the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix Jade?”

Rumors spread like wildfire, fanned by mounting excitement.

“It is all anyone speaks of! More than a hundred promising young masters have already arrived—they are calling it the Yeonwol Daejeop!”

It had become the talk of the city—a grand contest held before the tournament itself, to determine who would win the hand of the World’s Supreme Beauty, Zhuge Seol-ha. Those seeking to claim the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix Jade competed for her favor, and thus the name: Yeonwol Daejeop, the Grand Gathering of the Moonlit Phoenix.

“Who could have imagined so many would come to seek the hand of a single woman?”

“And these are no ordinary suitors, either!”

“Indeed! Namgung Cheon-yeong, heir to the Namgung Clan! And Sword Immortal Hyun, the most gifted young master of Wudang!”

Men who would never otherwise deign to acknowledge one another now vied openly for her favor—the story grew with every telling until it was known throughout the city.

“Have you heard the other part? It is said the Moon-Shrouding Phoenix already holds someone dear to her heart.”

“That they have pledged themselves to one another, you mean?”

“Oho—now this is interesting! Who is he? The man who has won the World’s Supreme Beauty?”

“Have you heard of the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan of Gangseo?”

“The Baek Clan—yes! The fastest-rising family in the realm today!”

“The very one. They are the only new house recognized as truly distinguished these past thirty years.”

“But how did the young lady of the Zhuge Clan come to be betrothed to the heir of a clan still establishing itself?”

“It is said the young master of the Zhuge Clan and the lord of the Baek Clan are sworn brothers. They have known one another since childhood.”

“Childhood friends… then perhaps the Phoenix follows her heart, and cares nothing for status.”

“Do not be so certain. Everyone in Gangseo knows the young master of the Baek Clan.”

“And why is that?”

“They call him the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon—or simply the Dragon from the Heavens, among those who know his true worth. His skill is said to be beyond compare for one his age.”

Yeonwol Daejeop became the single most discussed topic throughout Wuhan, and curiosity regarding Yang-hwi grew with every passing day. He was the man chosen by the World’s Supreme Beauty—how could they not wonder?

“The Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon is unmatched among the young of Gangseo. His achievements are spoken of with awe—even elders of the great sects praise his gifts.”

“And if the Breaking Heaven Sound Witch herself has given her blessing… he cannot be merely ordinary.”

Yet not all talk was kind.

“If there is to be a contest, does that not mean she leaves open the possibility of choosing another? Perhaps the Sword Dragon is not all he is claimed to be.”

“In the end, the greatest hero shall win the Supreme Beauty. That is what all believe.”

“And he whom she chooses shall be known as the Supreme Dragon.”

The title bestowed upon the winner of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament had become intertwined with this contest of hearts—he whom Seol-ha favored would be hailed as the true Supreme Dragon.

“They say he who wins Seol-ha’s hand wins the name of Supreme Dragon. It would be laughable, were it not so serious.”

In truth, there was nothing amusing about it—least of all for those directly involved. Yang-hwi, the man currently spoken of as the beauty’s chosen, sat facing two guests and smiled.

“Is that not so, Young Heir Namgung? And you too, Daoist Hyun?”