Chapter 219

Chapter 219
# Chapter 219
## Chapter Title: A Wager with the Great Sea Dragon King Sword

As things stood, among the Nine Great Sects, Wudang wielded the greatest power. Yet without a standing and authority that every corner of the world unreservedly acknowledged, Wudang could not rightfully claim the title of the world’s preeminent sect. That was precisely why it was seizing this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering as its moment to stake that claim.

Turning to the Five Great Clans, which stood as the strongest—the true supreme clan under heaven? The answer was beyond dispute: the Peng Clan, north of the Yellow River.

The reason was straightforward. The Peng Clan’s retired head, Peng Beom, was none other than the Great Sea Dragon King Sword, one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords.

*“The Ten Heavenly Martial Lords… even the weakest among them can stand toe to toe with a full faction of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans, and still have strength to spare.”*

Put plainly, the Peng Clan north of the Yellow River boasted fighting power equal to two typical Five Great Clans combined—and all of that stemmed solely from the presence of the Great Sea Dragon King Sword. Since none of the Five Great Clans held such overwhelming dominance as Shaolin did among the Nine Great Sects, the Peng Clan stood without peer as the world’s foremost clan.

And so… the Peng Clan north of the Yellow River was also the most formidable obstacle standing in the way of Baek’s ambition. It was the rival that absolutely had to be surpassed if the Baek Clan was ever to rise as the supreme clan under heaven.

And the man who had forged the Peng Clan’s golden era, the true master behind the world’s mightiest clan—the Great Sea Dragon King Sword, Peng Beom…

*…is asking to take me as his disciple?*

This was no offhand comment, either.

“Come now! Say yes already! If you agree willingly, even Yin Hou will have little ground to object!”

His sincerity rang out clear and unfeigned—ten out of ten, without a doubt. It was an earnest, almost desperate plea, one that cast aside the dignity and prestige befitting one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords as if they weighed nothing.

No, at this point it was less a request and more outright entreaty.

*This is baffling. Is my talent truly so extraordinary?*

He had long considered himself the greatest prodigy of his generation, but this was remarkable: Yin Hou, whom he had first met as a boy, had invited him to join Shaolin the very day they met, and now the Great Sea Dragon King Sword was doing the same?

With gifts such as these, why had no one in his past life ever sought to take him as a pupil?

…Ah, of course. He had never crossed paths with any of them back then.

“Young one. You must become my disciple. I, Peng Beom, am the only one who can guide you to the summit of all under heaven!”

Instead of answering straight away, he studied Peng Beom, gathering his thoughts. Composed as Yang-hwi was, it was no small thing to keep his calm when one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords suddenly stepped forward and offered to become his teacher.

*…The Great Sea Dragon King Sword, Peng Beom. Born into the Peng Clan but cast to its margins, he scaled the heights of martial arts entirely through his own brilliance, surpassing even the heavens themselves—a legend among legends.*

Because of his humble origins, Peng Beom was also the most widely known of all the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords. The Peng Clan’s symbol was the tiger, clearly reflected in their signature technique: the Five Tigers Severing Gate Blade. Yet his title spoke of seas and dragons, not mountains and tigers. Why? Because of all that composed the warrior Peng Beom, the only thing he shared with the Peng Clan was his surname.

“Allow me to offer my proper respects first.”

From what Yin Hou had told him, the two were close friends. Setting everything else aside, as the disciple of his mentor’s associate, observing proper courtesy was the only fitting course.

“I am Yang-hwi, eldest son of the Baek Clan of Gangseo, and lay disciple of Sky-Splitting Sound Demon Yin Hou—who also ranks among the Ten Heavenly Martial Lords.”

“I know full well! Do you think I would have sought you out otherwise? My interest in you began with Yin Hou from the very start.”

It was true; even if he had begun to make a name for himself among the rising generation, counting his accomplishments on three fingers would never have caught the eye of a Heavenly Martial Lord who had lived more than a century. Especially not when he had lately been saddled with titles like “pillar husband” or dismissed as a fortunate pretender with nothing but a hollow reputation.

“Even so, a junior must still observe what is proper.”

“Fairly spoken. You’ve been well taught.”

“That is thanks to my father, a martial artist, and my mother, daughter of a scholar—they raised me with care.”

“Haha, and you say this though you were once an orphaned beggar from the back alleys.”

At first hearing, it might have sounded like mockery of his childhood, but Peng Beom’s tone held only admiration.

“An adopted son who shows such deep respect? It is plain to see you serve your master with all your heart.”

Perhaps not quite, Yang-hwi thought, recalling all the trouble he had put Yin Hou through.

“Be that as it may—this is why I must speak plainly. I am deeply honored by your generous offer, but I am already the lay disciple of Yin Hou, who is your friend, Great Sea Dragon King Sword.”

“Tch! Yin Hou is particular about what she calls friendship—think of us more as drinking companions.”

That still sounded like friendship to him. And from what Yin Hou had shared, she seemed to regard him as such too.

“…Very well, honored senior. Since you have made this proposal, have you spoken of it with Yin Hou?”

Peng Beom shook his head as if the answer were self-evident.

“Of course not! She would have my ears off the very moment I brought it up. Why trouble myself?”

“But if you were to take me as your disciple, I would gladly spend the rest of my life deaf! We could speak through Mind-Transfer Voice Telepathy instead!”

“I do not know that technique.”

“I would teach it to you within days! Then we might face Yin Hou together afterward.”

He spoke as if the formal rites of discipleship had already been settled.

*Becoming the disciple of the Great Sea Dragon King Sword… there are far worse prospects. Yet to do so would deeply wound Yin Hou.*

From a purely practical standpoint, accepting the Great Sea Dragon King Sword as direct master would hold greater advantages than remaining Yin Hou’s lay disciple. It would also tie him closely to the Peng Clan. But Yin Hou had done so much for him—favors that could not be counted on one hand or two.

*If you have any gratitude at all, you do not forget those who helped you.*

He could not betray Yin Hou’s trust. Nor did he wish to become a disciple who made his master feel overlooked or diminished.

*Still, to turn down a titan like the Great Sea Dragon King Sword… it is hard not to feel what a loss it would be.*

A truly exceptional talent always sought a way to gain both ends without compromise. Perhaps there was a way to test the waters gently.

“What if we were to speak with Yin Hou first? This has all happened so suddenly—it leaves this junior in a most difficult position.”

He framed it as a plea for order and propriety. Peng Beom rejected it outright.

“No.”

“Forgive me—but why?”

“Not because she would never allow it—though she would never willingly hand over a talent she broke sect tradition to claim as her own! Knowing her, she would never consent.”

That much was true. His master was a woman of noble character, though one could not exactly describe her as even-tempered. Yang-hwi nodded before catching himself and offering a measured reply.

“Then I fear I cannot accept your most generous offer, honored senior.”

“Hmm. You adhere strictly to the proprieties between master and disciple, I see.”

To his relief, the Great Sea Dragon King Sword showed no sign of displeasure. Perhaps this was the moment to voice what was on his mind.

“If I may ask—and forgive my boldness—what is it you see in me that makes you so eager to take me as your disciple?”

Peng Beom’s eyes widened slightly as he leaned forward.

“There are unique reasons, it is true—but honestly? What master of any standing would not wish to claim you upon seeing what you are capable of?”

Yang-hwi considered this. “That is… fair.”

“And you simply agree as if it were obvious.”

“I was taught to show deference when my elders speak.”

Peng Beom laughed heartily. “You do not strike me as one who simply follows what he is told. Young one—you have great confidence in your own gifts, do you not?”

He did. Frankly, was his talent not the finest in the world? There were others his age who stood out—Adu, for one—but he had no doubt he would surpass them all if given the same training and resources.

“Confidence would be a strange flaw to lack,” Peng Beom continued. “And then there are your achievements at so young an age.”

For a heartbeat, a presence swept over him—vast and deep as the open ocean itself.

“Young one—how did you come to be saddled with that foolish ‘pillar husband’ title? Or did you set those rumors in motion yourself? If so, your aim is clear: to build your renown for what lies ahead. Quite the calculating candidate for a disciple, are you not?”

There was no easy reply to that. He simply bowed his head. “Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”

“Natural talent for martial arts, and a mind that sees far ahead… you are an intimidating young man to behold. That old Sword Elder must be grinding his teeth! He set his plans believing his pupil would stand above all others as the dragon of the age—only to find rivals emerging not just from Shaolin, but from a clan no one had ever heard of before! Kahahaha!”

When his laughter had faded, he went on, his tone still bright.

“In any case—the reason I seek you as my disciple is your natural aptitude.”

“My aptitude?”

Peng Beom nodded, then rested his hand upon the great sword strapped to his back. “Do you know the art I truly practice?”

“I believe so—your title speaks of it: the Great Sea Dragon King Sword Method.”

“That is correct. But it is not an art passed down through the Peng Clan. It draws upon its foundations, but I created it myself—and even the clan acknowledges it as my own.”

Which was only to be expected, he added silently—with him having served as clan head, with the next generation in his line, and most elders being his descendants, they had little choice but to acknowledge it.

“The Great Sea Dragon King Sword Method requires a specific innate quality to even begin. Do you know what it is?”

“A robust and powerful physique, is it not?”

“That is what the rumors say—and it is true, yet it is not enough on its own.”

“Then please enlighten me, honored senior.”

Peng Beom looked him over once more, smiling with evident satisfaction.

“Young one—your internal energy. At your age, it is already comparable to what most cultivate over three hundred years.”

Including his pure qi reserves, that was about right. He had benefited greatly from Spirit Pills, and the Heavenly Harmony Origin Art he had developed himself was a supreme technique that accelerated qi accumulation faster than any other. And then there was the spirit well he had discovered within the Tang Clan—thanks to that, the Baek Clan now stood stronger than at any point in its history. That newfound power was what had earned them recognition as a true clan.

*And yet… my own spiritual aptitude is limited, so common elixirs will no longer increase my strength. By that same measure, three hundred years’ worth of energy alone would never catch the eye of a Heavenly Martial Lord.*

“It is impressive, I know—but surely not impressive enough to draw your attention?”

“Taken alone? No. Five jia of accumulated energy can be amassed by anyone who gorges themselves on elixirs. But consider this—no sect in the world can produce a young expert whose dantian holds five jia at your age through cultivation alone.”

“Not even Shaolin?”

Peng Beom’s expression fell comically. “…Shaolin is the one exception.”

He leaned forward again. “Young one—when your elders and future masters speak to you in all seriousness, must you find fault with every word?”

“My apologies—it slipped out. My friend Adu also holds more than five jia in his dantian.”

“Ah, that boy. I already tried—he was beaten nearly to death begging Rakbul the monk to take him as a pupil on my behalf.”

So he had already gone to that trouble. And despite being turned away, he was seeking out yet another Heavenly Martial Lord. It was… admirable, in its own determined way.

“I cannot simply steal a disciple Shaolin is pouring everything into. I owe them too much. But!” His eyes lit up with excitement. “Yin Hou has claimed you as her own, yes—but only as a lay disciple, not a direct one! If I take you first and seek her forgiveness after—surely she will forgive me! And if not, my ears shall heal—no need to live in silence!”

His voice rose to a thunderous declaration. “I have found you at last! Decades have passed since I rose among the highest of the Heavenly Martial Lords, searching for a worthy heir—and never once have I been called ‘Master’! It is a bitter fate! I forged an art that surpasses the heavens, yet it risks vanishing entirely for lack of a pupil capable of carrying it forward!”

It was true—masterpieces crafted for the most gifted alone were often lost when no successor could match their height. That was why ancient traditions were so deeply cherished.

“And so—the reason I seek you is simple. Your dantian is strong enough to contain five jia of energy at an age when most have barely begun. And your body… it still holds room for more, does it not?”

“That is true.”

His body, endlessly refined by Heavenly Harmony Pure Qi, was approaching perfection. He suspected it might even resemble the fabled Heavenly Martial Physique spoken of in legends.

“Young one—have you heard of the Shedding Mortality Transformation?”

“Of course.”

It was the transformation that occurred upon reaching the Transcendent Realm—a sign of perfect union with the martial path, where every part of one’s body was remade and refined, where intent became flesh and blood, and one truly walked as one with heaven and earth.

“I believe you will not need to undergo it,” Peng Beom said firmly. “You already possess the ideal form. My Great Sea Dragon King Sword Method requires exactly such a vessel to reach its ultimate perfection.”

In other words—there was no other candidate in all the realms of martial arts. He needed Yang-hwi, and Yang-hwi alone. He had suspected as much in his past life, but hearing it confirmed by one of the greatest masters alive moved him deeply. It proved every effort had been worthwhile.

*His own pure qi is truly extraordinary,* Yang-hwi thought.

Peng Beom pressed on. “My