Chapter 701: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival

Countless gathered crowds.

Though they seemed packed without a single gap, space clearly existed.

“Did you hear that? They say the Sword King appeared in the preliminaries yesterday.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard plenty already. How fortunate it is that we weren’t in the same bracket…”

“I’m curious about what exactly happened.”

The head of the Peng family, who had reached the Hua Realm.

Sword King Peng Zhou is participating in the Martial Arts Tournament.

That fact alone was enough to heat up the surroundings.

Therefore, many were curious about what happened on the first day Sword King participated, but…

“Even if we wanted to know, we couldn’t, could we?”

“That’s true.”

There was no way to find out.

Before entering the preliminaries, martial artists receive a prohibition from the organizing committee.

It was a prohibition against revealing what would happen in the preliminaries.

Thanks to that, other martial artists couldn’t know what happened yesterday.

“Would anything change even if we knew?”

“At least we could prepare ourselves mentally.”

“Besides, now that Sword King is participating, it’s obvious he’ll win, so what’s the point?”

A prominent family, the head of a pillar once called one of the Four Great Families, had entered.

Because of that, skeptical gazes were abundant.

“I doubt if someone called a Family Head can even manage the Divine Dragon Competition.”

“It’s strange for someone of Family Head caliber to participate in the first place.”

With unaffiliated martial artists or those just making a name for themselves appearing, what meaning is there in a Family Head with established fame participating?

There were definitely those who viewed it that way.

However.

“But there’s no law saying Family Head level experts can’t participate. This is just prejudice.”

“That’s right. Leaving aside their status as family heads, they are martial artists too.”

There were opinions that before blaming their position, it was perfectly possible since they are martial artists.

As these opinions clashed, it eventually turned into a debate.

“Ha, so you’re saying it’s okay for the Three Venerables (三尊) to participate too?”

“Why are those people being brought up here?!”

The Three Venerables, called the absolute rulers of the Central Plains.

Would those who float in the sky and look down care about such a small festival?

“It’s obvious it’s literally a children’s playground for them. Would they mingle with the lower beings?”

“That’s right. Why would those lofty and great individuals get involved? The example is utterly trivial.”

“What did you say?!”

The conversation, which started lightly, gradually became emotional.

Since they were all martial artists, getting heated often led to combat, but fighting before the Martial Arts Tournament was forbidden, so it barely reached a stalemate.

And then.

A young man watching from afar suppressed a cough that was about to burst out.

“…Keugh.”

The young man with black hair, listening to the conversation, rubbed his dry face with an unidentifiable emotion.

The young man’s name was Bi Yizhen.

Known as the Twin Dragon born of rain.

Furthermore, he was originally a figure called the Hegemon.

“‘A children’s playground.'”

The Hegemon swallowed a laugh at the bone-chilling words.

It was true.

A dirt floor where those who haven’t even dried their blood are running around.

That was the value of the Martial Arts Tournament in the Hegemon’s eyes.

‘Hmm.’

No matter how much he thought about it, he wasn’t inclined.

Simply being in a place like this was something else for the Hegemon.

A Martial Arts Tournament… To think he’d end up doing something like this in his life.

‘What a mess I’m in because of one wrong disciple.’

During the time when the Hegemon was a Late-stage Master, martial arts tournaments were held occasionally, unlike now, but he had never done anything like this.

Engaging in martial duels in front of many spectators.

He didn’t see how that differed from being a clown.

He had lived focusing only on perfecting his martial arts.

The duels he engaged in were only battles resembling life itself.

If you win, you live.

If you lose, you die.

It was a life repeated with such fights.

That is the Hegemon’s heart (心).

The tip of the fist must contain sincerity.

Such acts do not contain that sincerity.

That was the Hegemon’s perspective, but…

“Tsk.”

Despite holding such thoughts, he was here.

What could he do?

‘It’s because I took a strange fellow as my disciple.’

Since the one disciple I barely managed to take isn’t right, the master has to step in, what else can be done?

Besides.

‘It’s unexpectedly not bad, you know.’

Separate from not being inclined, his interest was piqued.

Countless martial artists. The heat that accumulated from that.

In the air mixed with longing, felt after a long time, the Hegemon was enjoying himself in his own way.

‘There are some decent fellows too.’

Looking at the surrounding martial artists, the Hegemon nodded.

Decent doesn’t mean their cultivation level.

Potential.

It meant fellows who showed what is commonly called potential.

As it was a place filled with talents gathered from all over the Central Plains, there were many decent individuals even in the Hegemon’s eyes.

The more he saw such people, the more one thing he felt.

‘Even so, there’s no one like that guy.’

There was indeed no one comparable to his disciple.

Their physical perfection and the gaze they held were like that.

‘Tsk.’

While it felt not bad to have such a splendid fellow as a disciple.

The fact that there’s no one but that piece of shit disciple again reminded him, and his mood seemed to drop.

How could it be that out of all the remaining ones, such a guy was left?

Although it’s a means for my lingering desire, it’s truly a peculiar aspect.

‘He’s a guy with too many secrets.’

Since he has a lot, he has many secrets.

His disciple was that kind of guy.

Amidst that, he can’t lie, so it shows on his face.

What could he be hiding that makes his face always look so tired?

There were many times he was suddenly curious, but the Hegemon decided not to bother paying attention.

‘The only important thing is whether that guy can fulfill my lingering desire or not.’

The end of the Twin Dragon Shattering Heaven Martial Art.

Can he break through that end and shatter the limits?

All the Hegemon is curious about is that, so his disciple’s secrets don’t matter at all.

Therefore, even if his disciple was secretly using him for it, the Hegemon didn’t care.

Use me as much as you want.

It didn’t matter if useless reputation was thrown to the ground.

Even if he didn’t like it, he had taught more than one or two things, so changing disciples now would be unreasonable.

He needed a body that could receive the Heart Technique of the Twin Dragon Shattering Heaven Martial Art, as well as the mental fortitude to endure the pain required to achieve it.

For the development of the Heart Technique, his physical age also had to be young.

It meant he had to be someone young, physically outstanding, and mentally strong.

Where would one find such a guy?

The Hegemon considered finding his disciple a miracle in its own way.

Of course.

‘There are similar guys, I guess.’

If not mentally, then physically, there were those who met the conditions.

It’s just difficult to find, but if you try to find them, you can.

Aren’t there some right here?

The Hegemon looked somewhere.

‘Was he called the Divine Dragon?’

A young man far away, receiving all the attention from his surroundings.

The figure called the hope and miracle of Shaolin.

It was the Divine Dragon.

Seeing him, the Hegemon raised the corners of his mouth.

‘I raised him well.’

He couldn’t help but admire him slightly.

Although the level was lower than the shock he felt looking at his disciple, even that much was quite amazing.

‘It feels like looking at my younger self.’

The Hegemon’s youth.

It’s about the time when he heard all sorts of things like ‘mad dog’ or ‘duel obsession’.

Even amidst that, it was the time when he was called a monster.

That young man’s appearance resembled his own back then.

The Divine Dragon’s trained body was like well-refined metal.

The aura felt was imbued with Shaolin’s unique brilliance.

However.

‘His eyes are dead.’

The gaze he held, unlike what he possessed, was somewhat empty.

How could a young martial artist possess such eyes?

Could there be some psychological issue?

Looking at the junior who seemed somewhat pitiful, the Hegemon thought.

‘He’s unusable.’

He’s probably a guy who can’t be a disciple.

Judging so, the Hegemon immediately averted his gaze.

Even if you call it a raw gem, with eyes like that, the end is visible.

Even if exhausted, the desire must burn fiercely, but since he couldn’t do that, regardless of potential, the Divine Dragon’s value was just about that much to the Hegemon.

Not interested.

Judging so, the interest disappeared from the Hegemon’s eyes looking at the Divine Dragon.

‘Rather than that guy, the one in front of him seems more useful.’

The Hegemon’s gaze shifted to the front of the Divine Dragon.

It directed towards another young man facing him.

His physique and cultivation level seemed lower than the Divine Dragon’s, but his eyes were alive.

The white robe with plum blossom embroidery stood out.

The proud guardians of Shaanxi, where my close friend is the sect leader.

‘Mount Hua.’

Plum Blossom Sword Dragon Yeongpung.

He was currently facing the Divine Dragon Yu Yeon.

---

He could feel the gazes of many watching.

Even amidst that, Shaolin’s miracle.

The Divine Dragon (神龍) Yu Yeon was steadying his breath while looking at the person before him.

A fragrant floral scent brushed against the tip of his nose.

Feeling the unknown scent, the Divine Dragon looked ahead and saw someone standing there.

“It’s been a while.”

A handsome man with a fresh appearance greeted the Divine Dragon.

“Do you remember me?”

Yu Yeon nodded at the words spoken with a bright smile.

“Of course, I remember. Sword Dragon…”

Mount Hua’s Sword Dragon.

Called Mount Hua’s top prodigy, one of the five designated to one day reach the Sword King (劍王) title.

And one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, representing the current Late-stage Masters.

Hearing the Divine Dragon’s words, the Sword Dragon laughed as if pleased.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect you to remember me… I don’t know where to put myself.”

As Yeongpung said that awkwardly, Yu Yeon was about to reply, but…

“Of course, you’d remember… after getting beaten and rolled around like that.”

“Your performance was a bit pathetic, wasn’t it? You rolled so much you even ate dirt.”

“I can’t live thinking about how embarrassing it was back then.”

Other Mount Hua disciples behind Yeongpung started adding excitedly.

Hearing that, Yeongpung’s expression turned sour.

“…Fourth Senior Brothers…”

Hearing the words, Yeongpung looked back, and the men reacted as if surprised.

“Wow, that guy seems to be glaring at us? Isn’t this a bit wrong, Senior Brother?”

“Mount Hua’s hierarchy has fallen to the ground. It must have fallen along with the dirt when the junior rolled.”

“In my day, if I lost like that, I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even lift my head. That guy has become shameless. Sigh.”

“…”

With the relentless nagging, Yeongpung wiped his face.

Yeongpung’s Fourth Senior Brothers.

That is, the reason Mount Hua’s second-generation disciples were nagging Yeongpung like this was none other than…

A friendly match with Shaolin about a year ago.

It was because Yeongpung and Yu Yeon had clashed there, and the Sword Dragon had lost to the Divine Dragon.

“It wasn’t just losing; in today’s slang, he got totally crushed.”

“He was crushed. Like dough, he was trampled, rolled, flattened, it was unbelievable…”

“It was to the point where it was embarrassing to say you were a Mount Hua person-“

“I-I didn’t lose that badly!”

Yeongpung, unable to stand it any longer, flared up, and the Mount Hua disciples who saw it burst into laughter.

What is this atmosphere?

Yu Yeon had to contain his utter bewilderment while looking at his opponent.

He had shown courtesy because they suddenly came to greet him. But he felt crushed by the atmosphere of the opposing sect.

Also, why exactly did Yeongpung come to greet him?

What good would it do to greet the one who defeated him?

‘Perhaps it’s to gain the upper hand?’

While thinking that might be the case.

He found himself unintentionally eavesdropping on the conversation happening in front.

“It was a fair match, in its own way, and not that devastating a defeat…”

“Yeah, and you lost, right?”

“…”

“In the end, you lost, right? You even used the techniques you learned and lost, didn’t you? All the plum blossoms were shattered before the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, weren’t they?”

“And afterwards, you were called by Master and got chewed out, right? I saw it!”

“…Really? Did Shinseok-hyung call Yeongpung to scold him?”

“Yes. I saw Yeongpung kneeling before Shinseok-hyung in the back hills.”

“Sigh. How embarrassing… Yeongpung, let’s just ascend. I’ll let you go first.”

“Hehehe!”

“…Fourth Senior Brothers… please.”

Yeongpung looked at the second-generation disciples, whose average age was past their mid-twenties, with a devastated expression, but…

They still had joyful expressions.

Why were they so happy that the representative of the third-generation disciples lost to Shaolin?

Yu Yeon couldn’t understand them at all as he watched them.

While being teased extensively, one of the second-generation disciples spoke to Yeongpung.

“Even after that, they say he succeeded the Grandmaster…”

“You crazy bastard.”

Slam!

“Gack!“

Someone smacked the head of the young man who was about to speak.

It was the Plum Blossom Divine Sword (梅華英劍) Shin Hyeon.

He was the strongest among the second-generation disciples and one of the current masters representing Mount Hua.

“Control yourself. How far do you intend to go?”

Shin Hyeon, who had been watching from behind, clicked his tongue.

It was good that he was excited, but he almost caused a major incident by not watching his words.

He was about to mention Yeongpung’s secrets, which was an incredibly serious matter.

“…I apologize, Senior Brother.”

Shinjeok, the second-generation disciple who spoke, also seemed to realize his mistake and immediately apologized.

“Is apologizing to me the right thing to do? Especially when the Sect Leader is watching, not somewhere else.”

At Shin Hyeon’s words, Shinjeok, with a surprised expression, moved quickly.

It was towards the old man standing alone behind the muscle-bound second-generation disciples.

The old man was a figure receiving far more attention than Yu Yeon and Yeongpung.

Mount Hua’s 16th Sect Leader and the Plum Blossom Immortal (梅華仙) Do Hwa, known as the Seven Iron and Three Fists.

That was the old man’s identity.

Shinjeok carefully approached the old man and spoke respectfully.

“Sect Leader… I apologize. Your disciple made a mistake… Sect Leader?”

While continuously apologizing, Shinjeok suddenly realized the Plum Blossom Immortal was looking elsewhere.

“S-Sect Leader…?”

After cautiously calling the Plum Blossom Immortal a couple more times, he finally reacted.

“Ah.”

Perhaps realizing he had been called.

The Plum Blossom Immortal said with a gentle smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you. I saw someone I know after a long time.”

“Someone you know?”

There’s someone here the Plum Blossom Immortal knows? The disciples’ gazes immediately turned to where the Plum Blossom Immortal was looking.

The crowds looking this way, like before, came into view, but it was impossible to know who the Plum Blossom Immortal was looking at.

Just then.

“…A disciple of Shaolin offers greetings to the Sect Leader.”

Yu Yeon approached the Plum Blossom Immortal and paid his respects.

The same went for the other Shaolin disciples.

Even while offering greetings, Yu Yeon remained bewildered.

‘Why did the Sect Leader come all the way here?’

It was understandable for the disciples to be here for the tournament.

But for what reason did the Sect Leader come all this way?

He couldn’t understand, but the other party was Mount Hua’s Sect Leader. First, he had to show respect.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

In response to Yu Yeon’s greeting, the Plum Blossom Immortal wore a benevolent smile.

“Child of Shaolin. Was your name Yu Yeon?”

“…Yes. Sect Leader. I am Yu Yeon…”

As he spoke, Yu Yeon felt a touch on his head.

The Plum Blossom Immortal had patted Yu Yeon’s head.

“…!”

Yu Yeon’s eyes widened at this.

“You seem to have gone through a lot for your age. It’s tough, isn’t it?”

“N-No… it isn’t.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s a prime age for hardship. Please, try to get along well with my disciples too.”

“…”

Squeeze.

For some reason, Yu Yeon bit his lip.

“Thank you for your words…”

Just as he was barely managing to speak to the Plum Blossom Immortal.

“Unnie! I, I envy that old man!”

A loud voice came from somewhere.

It was loud enough for everyone to look.

“Miss Bong…! You can’t do this! You’ll get scolded by the Young Master…!”

As the piercing voice sounded, another woman tried to quickly intervene, but…

“I want to do it too!”

“No-! Wait…!”

“I want to touch the bald head too!”

At the words that finally burst out, everyone nearby had to shut their mouths.

Especially the Shaolin martial artists’ expressions stiffened.

Did I hear wrong? Did she just say ‘bald’?

Everyone was about to express their disbelief, but…

“Me too! I want to touch that shiny bald head!”

“…P-Please, just stay still.”

“It’s like an egg! So round!”

“Oh my goodness. We’re screwed.”

The woman with light green hair, who was barely trying to hold her back, finally covered her face with a devastated expression.

The black-haired woman rushed forward as if bursting out and stood before the Plum Blossom Immortal and Yu Yeon.

“Hi?”

“…”

Yu Yeon couldn’t say anything to the bright greeting.

It was because he couldn’t properly comprehend this absurd situation.

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Yes…?”

“My name is Bong Soon.”

The woman introduced herself as if unbothered and then asked Yu Yeon.

“Um, you know… can I touch your head too?”

“…Miss, what are you saying right now…”

Yu Yeon spoke, glancing at the Plum Blossom Immortal in front of him, but…

“I want to touch oppa’s head too. I’ve never seen a bald person before!”

“…!”

At the words heard, Yu Yeon’s heart pounded.

Oppa…?

Did she say ‘Oppa’?

Just as Yu Yeon’s eyes were trembling from the unexpected shock.

Other martial artists appeared and started trying to stop the woman.

“Lay disciple, what is this behavior?”

“Miss… I don’t know who you are, but to act so disrespectfully. Even the gods of heaven and earth would be angered!”

To want to touch the head of a bald person, what terrifying and pitiful words are these.

Even the Mount Hua disciples, who had been teasing Yeongpung mercilessly just moments ago, tried to stop the woman with devastated expressions.

However, the woman continued speaking as if uninterested in the others.

“No? I’ll just touch it once. I won’t ask next time…!”

The tone was one of earnest pleading.

Hearing the woman’s words, the others shut their eyes tightly.

At the same time, they were preparing to intervene if Yu Yeon got angry.

No matter who Yu Yeon was, they didn’t think he’d stay quiet after receiving such an insult.

Fearing a fight might break out, everyone took a defensive stance.

Soon, Yu Yeon, with a heavily stiffened expression, began to speak to Bong Soon.

“…Please.”

What would Shaolin’s Divine Dragon retort?

The moment all attention focused.

“…P-Please, feel free to touch it.”

A somewhat anticlimactic answer was heard.