Ch.43Chapter 43 – Inflection Point (2)

# The Dragon and Phoenix Tournament

The Dragon and Phoenix Tournament proceeded as I had predicted.

‘The Tang Clan of Sichuan with the Poison Dragon and the Namgung Family with the Infinite Sword Emperor…’

These were powerful families featured in the original novel “Diamond Fist King.” Originally, they were characters who joined hands with Kim Hyul to fight against Bi-wol, the Heavenly Demon.

Though the situation has changed now, their presence was evident even during the past war between the righteous and evil factions.

“What is martial arts, and what is chivalry!”

During the war where the Righteous Alliance and the Four Great Sects fought to determine who would rule the martial world, I was classified as part of the evil faction because I fought for the weak, like wanderers and the sick.

“Why are you considered evil? Your heart seems closer to the righteous path.”

I tried my best to minimize casualties during that incident.

I begged the Divine Doctor countless times, bowing my head repeatedly for days, and gathered various medicinal herbs from the Divine Thief’s Hidden Cave to prepare treatments for people.

Originally, this was just mentioned briefly in the story, but I never expected it to actually happen.

“Well now, Bing-yeon, was it? Watching your actions, I see many differences.”

In the end, I managed to resolve the war between the righteous and evil factions as smoothly as possible. For surviving that battlefield and in recognition of my contributions, I received the title “Ice Dragon.”

The fact that I, from the evil faction, could participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament hosted by the Righteous Alliance leader showed how things had changed, with both sides acknowledging each other’s existence.

“Master, your Bi-wol has returned with victory!”

As if to visually demonstrate this change, Bi-wol came running toward me so quickly that I could hear her footsteps from afar.

With her arms spread wide as if wanting to embrace me and a bright smile on her face, I didn’t know where to look and shifted my gaze to the floor.

“…Well done.”

“Why won’t you embrace me!”

I pressed my forehead firmly as I blocked Bi-wol’s approach, and she complained with dissatisfaction.

“You’re no longer a child.”

Bi-wol, mature enough to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament—who should have been revered as the Heavenly Demon and leader of the Demon Sect—was now just an innocent person demanding my affection.

“Then, are you accepting my feelings?”

Bi-wol smiled mischievously at me while rubbing her face against my hand. She seemed to be arguing that after bringing victory at the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, I should at least allow this much.

“…Do you know the term ‘Deceiving the Master and Destroying the Ancestors’?”

I recited the principle to her. There were three major reasons why I couldn’t accept Bi-wol’s feelings right now.

“Isn’t that about insulting or deceiving one’s master or the founder of one’s sect?”

“Yes, and it also includes when a disciple and master form an inappropriate relationship. How can one be called human if they don’t understand propriety and righteousness like beasts?”

First, there was public perception.

In the martial world, it was considered a grave crime—worse than betraying one’s sect or colluding with another—for a disciple and master to marry or form an inappropriate relationship.

If caught doing such things, one would immediately have their energy center destroyed and be crippled as punishment.

“…What if I were no longer your disciple?”

After hearing my words and pondering briefly, Bi-wol threw out a sharp remark that seemed unlike something she would come up with.

“Are you saying you’ll leave the sect?”

“Yes, if that’s the only way I can fully give my love to you, Master.”

Bi-wol smiled slyly, as if showing that I was in the palm of her hand. I felt a slight chill seeing her smile.

“We belong to the evil faction under the Four Great Sects. We don’t need to concern ourselves with what the world considers improper.”

She loosened her collar slightly, and when I directed my gaze to the ground, she smiled with composure.

“Besides, no matter how much the righteous factions preach about propriety and righteousness, how can they compare to your benevolence, Master?”

Confidence radiated from Bi-wol’s face. As she said, I was probably the only one in my sect who gathered and treated the sick and unfortunate.

There were places like the Beggar Sect that mostly consisted of beggars, but no other sect was as obsessed with saving people as mine.

Even the Divine Doctor called me crazy when he saw me.

“But I’m a dying man. I might not even last this year, let alone the next.”

Second, I was living on borrowed time, with my meridians twisting whenever I used even a little internal energy. Due to my Severed Nine Yin condition, cold energy accumulated in my body, preventing me from living long.

Reaching the age of 20 was already something of a miracle.

“That’s why you’re entering this martial arts competition, to obtain the 10,000-Year Ultimate Blood Treasure, isn’t it?”

“Since it’s related to an Outer God, it might not be so easily cured. Even with a medicine containing extreme yang energy.”

I shook my head, tempering Bi-wol’s expectations. While it was my last hope, what if my body couldn’t be cured even after using it?

Bi-wol might resort to taking lives, searching the entire martial world to save me. Even now, her eyes were sharper than anyone’s in her quest for victory.

“Surely we’ll find a way someday. Unlike before, I now have sworn sisters who share my cause.”

As she said this, Bi-wol looked around, exchanging glances with Azazel and Verdandi, who nodded in response.

“That’s right! If we combine our strength, such a thing won’t be a problem at all!”

“It’s annoying, but if brother dies, that bastard will start hitting on me.”

Azazel’s attitude had become unusually gentle. I swallowed hard, wondering what caused this change as I observed her transformation.

Seeing these women—who appeared as final bosses in the original novel—burning with determination made me feel uneasy.

“I raised you like a daughter. I’ve never once looked at you with sexual…”

Third, Bi-wol and my disciples were like daughters that Seol-hwa and I had raised together. As long as she was alive in this world, there should never be an inappropriate relationship between parent and child.

“I know. That’s precisely why I adore you even more, Master.”

Bi-wol chuckled and gently tickled my chin with her hand. She once told me that she liked how my gaze differed from the lewd looks of other men.

“Even when teaching me martial arts, you never once glanced at this large chest.”

“That’s only natural.”

After all, the beginning and end of martial arts training is proper posture. If the angle, applied force, or internal energy level changes even slightly, it loses its sharpness.

“In life-or-death battles, even a moment’s distraction can determine victory or defeat.”

“Hmm, I thought you might be impotent, Master, but perhaps not? You certainly know how to talk.”

“…”

After resolving her Inner Demon, Bi-wol began approaching me aggressively, as if she’d forgotten how to maintain proper distance. Whether this was good or bad, at least the future where she would be consumed by the Star of Heavenly Murder’s energy had disappeared.

“…Where did you learn to talk like that?”

“I learned it from Sister Azazel.”

Bi-wol stuck out her tongue slightly, smiling as if trying to tease me. Annoying behavior meant to make me acknowledge her feelings was indeed something Azazel excelled at.

Beh—

When I immediately looked to the side, Azazel was sticking out her tongue with the exact same expression.

* * *

After that little scene, I gathered my disciples to discuss the remaining main tournament.

“The Namgung Family is famous for their Absolute Sword Technique, thanks to their swift and heavy swords. But if you think about deflecting them using your wrists, it should be easy.”

Unlike the Infinite Sword Emperor who had reached the realm of formless swords, making it impossible to clash blades directly or target blind spots, these techniques could be countered relatively easily.

“However, once you use this method, they’ll catch on later, so you should only use the deflection technique once.”

The important rule was that unlike the preliminaries where matches were decided in just a few exchanges, the main tournament required each side to field three competitors, with the first to secure two victories advancing to the finals.

If not for this rule, any sect could bring in a powerful fighter disguised as a junior disciple and ruin the tournament.

“Then how should I handle them after that?”

“Good question, Verdandi. Look at this and you’ll understand.”

In response to Verdandi’s question, I picked up a brush and began writing on a bamboo slip. I meticulously recorded all the martial arts and techniques of the Namgung Family from the original “Diamond Fist King” novel.

“Master, what exactly is your identity? Knowing all this, the Namgung Family might send assassins after you.”

Seeing this, Bi-wol muttered in disbelief. I had written down even their secret family techniques that were passed down only within their clan.

Her reaction was actually quite normal.

“It’s a secret. When you’ve spent enough time in the martial world, you can come to know many things.”

After the war between the righteous and evil factions, the Infinite Sword Emperor of the Namgung Family had come to view me favorably, so this included even the techniques he had created himself, making it a complete compilation.

There were also techniques that deviated from the settings I had created as the author, with improvements to the martial arts, so relying too much on existing knowledge wouldn’t be enough to win.

“Anyway, from the second round, push with speed. If that doesn’t work, block their swords while looking for openings…”

“The Namgung Family’s swords are swift and heavy. This means the sword will either break after a few exchanges, or the match will be decided quickly due to their power.”

“I understand! You’re saying I have the advantage in a prolonged battle!”

Verdandi was a disciple who understood three things when taught one. Whether it was natural intelligence born from her purity or a resemblance to Seol-hwa’s love for puzzles and riddles, she was quick to grasp concepts.

“Do you have no advice for me?”

“…Azazel?”

The Saintess with pink hair who had approached me was showing interest in the upcoming tournament.

She could easily secure victory using Morgidian’s incantation without needing to use the tentacles on her back.

“Is there any need for that?”

“Yes, this is a place with many people gathered. If I reveal an Outer God’s divinity here, all spectators would be driven to madness.”

“That’s certainly a sharp observation.”

Given Azazel’s consistently cold attitude, I thought she wouldn’t listen to any advice I might offer.

“Brother, you let your guard down at times like this.”

I felt an odd sensation as something kept brushing against my shoulder.

“…A new rival?”

Hearing Bi-wol’s quiet murmur, I trembled with fear about what the future might hold.