The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Mok Riwon felt his heart racing from the heat touching his skin.

Master! I’ve made a name for myself!

The first thoughts that came to mind were of his master Mok Seon-oh and Ma Il-seok, who was like family to him.

The emotion that welled up at the realization that he, too, had become renowned in the martial world like those he loved and respected was indescribable.

But that wasn’t all. The Dragon Phoenix Squad he had joined would be fighting at the forefront of the orthodox faction. The various events he would face in the future would shape him into a more chivalrous person. Only now did Mok Riwon fully realize that he had left that mountain valley in Jiangxi and truly stepped into the martial world.

Mok Riwon’s gaze turned forward. There stood Golden Sword, whom he had become acquainted with during his stay at the Martial Alliance.

What stood out was his gleaming golden scabbard.

I heard he did that to emphasize the value of drawing his sword!

This was another story he had heard from Zhuge San.

Golden Sword Gwon Pyowol was someone who said that pulling out one’s sword requires as much caution as spending a fortune.

As such, he was someone who wouldn’t draw his sword unless it was truly necessary.

How romantic!

Knowing how important it was for a swordsman to understand the weight of their blade, Mok Riwon’s eyes were filled with admiration.

[Captain, Poison Phoenix Tang Hwa-seo!]

As Gwon Pyowol called out, Tang Hwa-seo stepped forward. She turned to face the audience and made a fist-palm salute.

“Woooooaahh!!!”

Cheers erupted. Clear expectations were embedded in those shouts. Despite the pressure that would weigh heavily on her shoulders, Tang Hwa-seo’s face remained calm.

Mok Riwon stared at her as if entranced.

The Young Lady is truly beautiful!

He wondered if beauty was the right word to describe such dignity, but he couldn’t help it. Mok Riwon couldn’t think of any other sentiment when looking at Tang Hwa-seo besides her beauty.

Tang Hwa-seo stepped down. The introductions of other members followed. However, Mok Riwon was still staring at Tang Hwa-seo with sparkling eyes. When she finally noticed, she smiled awkwardly and signaled him to compose himself, but unfortunately, Mok Riwon was far from perceptive.

She grew anxious, worried about what would happen if Mok Riwon couldn’t contain himself and made a fuss.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Tang Hwa-seo’s anxiety didn’t last long.

[Ink Dragon Mok Riwon!]

Mok Riwon was startled, looking up upon hearing his name called.

Golden Sword Gwon Pyowol was in front of him. And on all sides, countless people were looking at him.

It was different from the Dragon Phoenix Tournament, where he had been focused on the upcoming matches. Mok Riwon swallowed hard, and then he stepped forward.

“Woooow!!”

“Kyaaaah!!!”

As usual when it was Mok Riwon’s turn, piercing screams from women erupted along with the cheers. But Mok Riwon couldn’t pay attention to that.

S-So first, I step forward! Then I make a fist-palm salute!

Mok Riwon hurriedly recalled what Tang Hwa-seo had taught him.

Unlike the other Dragons and Phoenixes, he had never learned such formalities before, so there was an unavoidable awkwardness, but no one viewed it negatively.

In fact, among the old masters, this demeanor was quite welcome.

The masters who had lived through the era of bloodshed valued purity in martial arts and chivalry more than empty formalities.

“Haha, seeing him so shy on stage, it seems he’s only ever practiced swordsmanship.”

“Indeed, who cares about formalities? Chivalry is completed through an upright heart and experiences gained from cutting through the years.”

“I’m worried. That young man shouldn’t lose such purity by getting drunk on empty fame.”

There was concern, expectation, and satisfaction.

His noble-like appearance contrasted with his innocent smile, his unwavering qi, and the old sword at his waist that bore the marks of time.

All of these were incredibly welcome sights to those who had lived through the years.

[With this, we conclude the introduction of the members! Next, we'll have a speech from the captain!]

Tang Hwa-seo stepped forward again and stood on the podium. Then she continued with a powerful voice.

Though it was another tedious ceremony, those present didn’t complain.

The future of the orthodox martial world.

The ambitions of those called by this title were like a guiding light for the next generation, so everyone simply listened attentively.

The inauguration ceremony was coming to an end.

* * *

After the ceremony was over, it was time for the banquet.

Having shed the pristine white uniform and returned to his usual attire, Mok Riwon stuck close to Tang Hwa-seo and began to cause a belated disturbance.

“Young Lady! You were so cool and beautiful! I went blank the moment I stepped on stage, but how did you not get nervous at all? I was shocked that your voice didn’t tremble at all and even carried such strength! I really think it was right for you to be the captain! You’re so wise...”

“E-Enough! Please stop!”

Tang Hwa-seo’s face was already bright red. It wasn’t just a figure of speech; she felt like her head might explode if someone were to poke her cheek right now.

The truth was, Tang Hwa-seo wasn’t thick-skinned enough to respond shamelessly to such pure admiration that didn’t have even a speck of ulterior motive.

“I just did what I had to! With thorough preparation, it would be strange to make mistakes!”

“As expected! Young Lady is so thorough in her preparation...”

“Pleaseee…!”

Tang Hwa-seo covered her face with her hands. The other members watched this scene as if enjoying an entertaining show.

Although such banter was common enough that they should be used to it by now, Tang Hwa-seo’s reactions were always so good that it was amusing to watch every time.

However, they couldn’t let this continue forever.

Il-woon stepped between the two with a gentle smile. In such a soft atmosphere, even he could fulfill his role as vice-captain.

“Come now, let’s stop and head out. We have an important matter ahead of us.”

At those words, a heavy tension began to flow among the members.

As Il-woon said, there was someone they were about to meet at the upcoming banquet.

“…Spear Star.”

Spear Star Sa Baekwoon.

A hero from the Bloodied History twenty years ago, and one of the Four Stars who succeeded Buddhist Star Won-myung as the leader of the Martial Alliance.

From this moment forward, the Dragon Phoenix Squad had to meet him.

Tang Hwa-seo regained her composure at those words.

“…The Military Advisor said he’s an unpretentious person, so he won’t nitpick our behavior too much. However, that doesn’t mean we can act disrespectfully.”

As she said this, Tang Hwa-seo’s gaze was fixed squarely on Namgung Jincheon.

He simply looked down at her with an expressionless face, arms crossed.

“Why are you looking at me?”

It was a question that everyone present was aware of except for the person himself.

Tang Hwa-seo suppressed her rising anxiety and withdrew her gaze.

“…It’s nothing.”

What’s the use of saying more?

With that thought, Tang Hwa-seo stood up, and her gaze fell on Mok Riwon.

Mok Riwon seemed lost in thought.

“Young Hero Mok?”

“I-It’s nothing. I just remembered something.”

Mok Riwon smiled.

“Alright, let’s go!”

* * *

The stories about Spear Star Sa Baekwoon were quite familiar to Mok Riwon as well.

There was one reason for this. He had heard stories about the Ten Grandmasters of the Orthodox Faction, known as the Four Stars Six Kings, until his ears hurt from Ma Il-seok.

—Spear Star is quite a unique guy. He talks about the path of domination and pursues fierce forms of martial arts, but his nature is weak-willed. In other words, he’s a coward pretending to be strong. A real funny guy. But if we're talking about his qualities as a chivalrous hero... Yeah, he certainly is one. When the moment calls for him to step forward, he musters up his courage and charges ahead.

The Sa Baekwoon that Mok Riwon had heard about was quite a unique man. He was also someone who stimulated Mok Riwon’s admiration and sense of romance.

After all, how could someone who overcomes their inner fears and steps forward for the sake of righteousness not be cool?

However, despite this, Mok Riwon felt hesitant about meeting him.

There was a reason for this. Spear Star Sa Baekwoon was one of the four who had argued that he should be killed on that fateful day of bloodshed.

—...As I said, Spear Star is a coward. He easily becomes anxious over small matters and argues that potential dangers should be nipped in the bud before they can sprout. His vote against you that day was related to this aspect of his personality.

Mok Riwon remembered. The apologetic expression on Ma Il-seok’s face as he said those words.

—Spear Star feared your innate nature more than the possibility that you might become a chivalrous hero.

—…I see.

—You might resent him. But I hope you can understand. He’s a man who just loves this orthodox martial world so much that he can’t tolerate even the slightest threats.

Mok Riwon understood.

The nature of the Heaven-Slaying Star was difficult for even its bearer to grasp, so how could he expect others to understand?

Moreover, Sa Baekwoon was a man whom even Ma Il-seok praised generously. The very Ma Il-seok who usually decorated his descriptions of others with curses, showed consistent goodwill when speaking of Sa Baekwoon.

By Mok Riwon’s standards, he was a bonafide good person.

…I’ll have to hide it.

He was a comrade of his master, and a senior in the martial world worthy of being called a chivalrous hero. Nevertheless, Mok Riwon had to hide his true identity from him.

This fact was making him feel bitter.

“Young Hero Mok, are you alright?”

Tang Hwa-seo asked with a worried tone. Mok Riwon raised his head and realized he had already arrived at the banquet hall.

“…Ah, I’m fine. Just nervous about meeting the Alliance Leader!”

Tang Hwa-seo nodded at his words, which were spoken with a forced smile feigning calmness.

“Let’s go in now.”

Mok Riwon nodded in response and stepped forward.

In a quiet corner of the bustling banquet hall, where an inexplicable silence hung in the air, Mok Riwon sat down at the second farthest seat from the head of the table.

Sa Baekwoon hadn’t arrived yet.

“He has a last minute appointment, so he’ll be a bit late. He should be here soon, will you please wait a bit longer?”

Military Advisor Zhuge Muyeon, who was already there, said.

Tang Hwa-seo nodded in confirmation, and dishes began to be placed on the table one by one.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall changed just as a meat dish was being placed on the table.

A murmur arose. Somewhere, gasps could be heard.

A man was entering through the wide-open doors.

“Alliance Leader!”

Someone’s words acted as a fuse, igniting the atmosphere.

The gazes of the squad members and Mok Riwon also turned towards the entrance.

That must be the Alliance Leader.

The first noticeable feature was his build. His physique was so large that it seemed more suited to wielding an iron mace than a spear, making him the largest person Mok Riwon had ever seen.

The next noticeable features were his stern-looking expression, snow-white hair, and a stylish dark blue robe.

Like Sword King Namgung Hyuk, no qi could be felt from him. Only the protruding Taiyang point near his temples revealed that he was an expert capable of perfectly concealing his qi—in other words, a martial arts master at the Transcendent Realm.

Spear Star Sa Baekwoon.

He sat down at the head of the table where the Dragon Phoenix Squad was seated. Beside him was a small, pleasant-looking old woman, but the squad members couldn’t pay attention to her at the moment.

Meanwhile, Sa Baekwoon greeted them with a kind smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Seeing the future of the orthodox faction fills me with joy.”

His tone was imbued with the warmth of a parent addressing their children.

***

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