Chapter 057
Time flew by quickly. Just three days before Christmas in the modern era, preparations for volumes 9 and 10 of "Wudang Sword Hero" were completed, and with the Dragon Gate Gathering's opening ceremony approaching, all of Luoyang was abuzz with excitement. Since Baek Sugyeong had announced in advance that he would release volumes 9 and 10 simultaneously, fans of "Wudang Sword Hero" were particularly enthusiastic. Adding to the excitement was the confirmation that Baek Sugyeong would attend the Dragon Gate Gathering as an honored guest, which significantly increased public interest.
"They said Teacher Sugyeong was in Luoyang, and now he's really coming to the Dragon Gate Gathering as an honored guest!"
"Didn't plenty of people see him at the Murim Alliance in Xuchang?"
"There were only vague rumors about him being in Luoyang, but nobody actually claimed to have seen him!"
"Maybe those who saw him just didn't talk about it?"
"Come on, if even one person had seen him, they wouldn't have been able to keep their mouth shut!"
"That's true."
Furthermore, rumors spread that the winner of the Dragon Gate Gathering would receive the title of "Dragon Phoenix," leading some to joke that the event should be renamed the "Dragon and Phoenix Gathering" instead.
"I'm worried that the Unorthodox Faction might cause trouble at this Dragon Gate Gathering."
"That's a concern. Didn't something similar happen with Wudang Sword Hero?"
"Exactly! That's probably why the Dragon Gate Li Clan is being so vigilant with security."
Indeed, all martial artists of the Dragon Gate Li Clan were strictly guarding the area around the martial arts competition venue. Many warriors from the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company were also providing support, along with martial artists sent by Luoyang's local sects that were helping with the event. The security was far more stringent than at previous Dragon Gate Gatherings, with thorough inspections at checkpoints. They clearly intended to leave no opportunity for the Unorthodox Faction or the Sun Moon Cult to infiltrate.
"With security this tight, what could possibly happen?"
"You never know. They say troublemakers broke through security like this during the Wudang Sword Hero incident."
"Only the Sun Moon Cult could manage something like that…"
"Have you heard the rumor? They say the Sun Moon Cult Master has gone mad—"
As people were chatting and making their way toward the competition grounds…
...
"Baek Sugyeong!"
On the path to the VIP seats of the Dragon Gate Gathering, after sending Namgung Somin and Gal Yerung ahead to participate in the competition, Baek Sugyeong was walking with So Ssanga when he encountered an unexpected figure.
Princess Nakhong, Ju Geumye.
She had come to see him accompanied by just one guard.
"Your Highness!?"
"Greetings to Your Highness."
Ju Geumye smiled gently at the two who hurriedly bowed in surprise.
"I heard you're attending as an honored guest to observe the competition. Shall we go together?"
"I'm honored by your invitation, but…"
"Hmm. So it's a refusal after all?"
When Baek Sugyeong subtly indicated his intention to decline, Ju Geumye clicked her tongue lightly as if she had already anticipated it. The face of the man who appeared to be her guard visibly hardened.
Baek Sugyeong discreetly avoided the gaze of the guard who wore what looked like a modified official uniform. Seeing his attitude, Ju Geumye sighed slightly and turned away.
"Well, that's fine. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. See you again, Baek Sugyeong."
"Please take care, Your Highness."
As Baek Sugyeong raised his head after paying his respects, So Ssanga spoke from behind him.
"Owner, you seem to meet quite remarkable people frequently…"
'…I think I'll need some Calming Powder.'
"I happen to have some. Would you like it?"
Baek Sugyeong nodded.
Getting entangled with martial arts figures was one thing, but why did a princess from the imperial palace have to show up as well?
Receiving the Calming Powder from So Ssanga, Baek Sugyeong downed it like a Gelphos. Frowning at the bitter taste filling his mouth, Baek Sugyeong continued walking.
...
"…Damn it."
At a hidden location in Luoyang.
The man in red martial attire gritted his teeth against the pain from a large wound that ran diagonally across his upper body from his left shoulder. Despite applying wound-healing medicine and taking internal remedies, there was no sign of improvement.
The red-clothed man looked at the martial artist in blue.
"I'm sorry, Cheongpyo. Because of my stubbornness, even the warriors from Guimungak…"
"…It couldn't be helped."
The blue-clothed martial artist, Cheongpyo, closed his eyes.
Red Tides, Cheongpyo, and Yajeop.
Though they were the three commanders representing the Hao Sect, they were powerless against the enemy they encountered at Mount Tianshan.
They had no choice but to be powerless.
They never imagined that Blood Cult martial artists would be lying in ambush at the ruins of the Tianshan branch.
Of course, they had approached with caution, considering the possibility, but even with the elite warriors of Guimungak and two commanders, they were no match for the Blood Cult martial artists, remnants of the Old Murim.
"If it weren't for that man, we might not even have been able to escape. Just surviving is a miracle."
"I agree. Damn it. I've heard the aftereffects of demon arts are severe, but the Blood Cult's demon arts seem even more vicious."
Red Tides grimaced sharply at the pain in his chest.
If not for that mysterious man at Tianshan, could they have escaped alive to Luoyang?
If that man hadn't single-handedly slaughtered the Blood Cult warriors, both Red Tides and Cheongpyo might have been lying there as corpses.
Cheongpyo said:
"We can't be certain we've completely shaken off their pursuit yet. We suffered too many casualties on the way to Luoyang. I'm ashamed to face the Sect Leader."
"Damn it… Who would have thought they'd be lying in ambush there? Why did they suddenly appear there anyway?"
With the communication from the Tianshan branch cut off and already suspicious, both Red Tides and Cheongpyo were limited in their ability to deduce the full picture.
If they simply wanted information, a deal would have sufficed.
The Hao Sect was a group that would deal with anyone, orthodox or unorthodox, to survive.
Though now part of the Ten Unorthodox Sects, during the Old Murim era, the Hao Sect literally sold information to everyone in the world.
Cheongpyo said:
"The problem is if those mad wolves chase us all the way to Luoyang."
"…Kuk. Any contact with Yajeop?"
"I sent a message to the Luoyang branch. I don't know what will happen."
"I hope it ended with that man."
Cheongpyo's face showed agreement with Red Tides' words.
That overwhelming martial prowess—a man who not only stood alone against Blood Cult warriors that the Hao Sect could never hope to match but even slaughtered them.
They had never heard of such a man living in seclusion at Mount Tianshan.
Cheongpyo said:
"For now, focus on your treatment. Improving your condition is the most important thing right now."
"…Understood."
...
"Namgung, if you get eliminated in the preliminaries, you'll regret it."
"Look who's talking,"
The conversation between Namgung Somin and Gal Yerung seemed to be throwing sparks.
Even Baek Sugyeong, who had come down from the VIP seats to meet the two before their competition, wore a deflated expression.
"I can't tell if you're encouraging each other or fighting."
"It's encouragement, I suppose. Though I'd be happier if Namgung gets eliminated."
"Hmph. I'll win by any means necessary and advance."
Baek Sugyeong shook his head, and So Ssanga could only offer an awkward smile.
The two women's decision to settle their differences at the Dragon Gate Gathering was entirely due to their disagreement.
Namgung Somin respected Baek Sugyeong's opinion that it wasn't necessary to learn martial arts.
Meanwhile, Gal Yerung insisted that she should at least learn energy cultivation to have minimal means of self-protection.
Since both arguments had merit, while Baek Sugyeong was deliberating, they ultimately decided, as befitting martial artists, to settle it through combat.
'…These martial artists are such a headache.'
They weren't duelists or anything.
It was truly baffling how everything always led to martial arts competitions.
"Miss Namgung is in the Heaven group, and Miss Gal is in the Cloud group, correct?"
"Yes, Master. The second branch is in the Heaven group, and the third branch is in the Cloud group."
Baek Sugyeong nodded at Yi Jonhwi's words.
"Both of you, don't get hurt. Safety comes first, and second. Though saying this to martial artists might be considered an insult."
Baek Sugyeong addressed Namgung Somin and Gal Yerung as they looked at him.
"Remember this. Absolutely no fighting so intensely that you get injured. This is just a competition, not a duel to the death. Keep that in mind."
"Teacher…"
"Baek Teacher really is a strange creature."
Baek Sugyeong gave a bitter smile as he watched Gal Yerung click her tongue and turn away, while Namgung Somin looked touched.
His gaze shifted to Yi Jonhwi.
"Young Master Ahwi must be busy too. You should return to your post. I heard you're in charge of managing the Heaven group's arena—is it alright for you to be here?"
"Well, things won't fall apart just because I'm away. Besides, my presence there doesn't really help anyway."
He's changed so much.
Baek Sugyeong had this thought as he watched Yi Jonhwi shrug his shoulders in response.
"The people managing the arena would probably find my presence more uncomfortable. What good is having someone without ability there?"
"Still, the Minister must have recognized Young Master Ahwi's worth to give you that position."
"Actually, I partly ran away because I wanted to watch the competition from the VIP seats."
"Being too honest can be poisonous, Young Master Ahwi."
Yi Jonhwi scratched the back of his head at Baek Sugyeong's remark.
"Anyway, I'll be by your side throughout the Dragon Gate Gathering. Please help keep my father at bay, Master."
"You've become quite shameless in many ways, Young Master Ahwi."
"Having thick skin is my only strength, isn't it?"
What kind of resolution did he make afterward?
His personality had become much more outgoing.
Turning his gaze away from Yi Jonhwi, who was joking around, Baek Sugyeong looked back at the two women.
"Miss Gal, Miss Namgung. I wish both of you good luck."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Now that I have Baek Teacher's support, I can't possibly lose."
Namgung Somin and Gal Yerung looked at each other.
"Don't embarrass yourself by getting eliminated in the preliminaries after receiving Teacher's encouragement."
"Look who's talking. Namgung, you'd better not get eliminated from the Heaven group."
Watching the two turn even words of encouragement into a source of conflict, Baek Sugyeong felt dizzy.
"Guild Leader So."
"Yes, Owner?"
"Please give me some Calming Powder."
It seemed that, for the time being, Baek Sugyeong's addiction to Calming Powder would not end.
Firecrackers brilliantly lit up the sky, announcing the opening of the Dragon Gate Gathering, and thunderous cheers erupted.
The Dragon Gate Gathering had begun.