Chapter 21: I Won the Dragon's Alias

All three tests were over.

“All Dragons and Phoenixes, please gather.”

The Abbot of Shaolin, Great Monk Beomgak; the Sect Leader of Wudang, Taecheong Jin-in; and Manbakja were all present.

As the representative, Great Monk Beomgak, who held the highest seniority, stepped forward.

“Jin-hu of the Peng Clan, Unso of Shaolin, Tan of the Namgung Clan, Hak of the Dancheon Clan, and…”

Great Monk Beomgak’s gaze turned towards me in slow motion.

“First Seat. Myeong of the Dancheon Clan, please step onto the platform.”

Among the rising stars of the Jianghu known as the Dragons and Phoenixes, only five would earn the alias of a Dragon.

There was no hierarchy or ranking among them.

That was the tradition.

However, Great Monk Beomgak deliberately called me the First Seat.

As if there were no objections, Taecheong Jin-in and Manbakja also nodded their heads beside him.

The five Dragons stood on the platform.

Great Monk Beomgak's gaze swept over the Dragons on the platform, then took in the crowd of aspiring Dragons.

“These are the candidates who will receive the alias of the Dragon. If there are any objections, speak now.”

“……!”

With his declaration, a tense silence fell over the venue.

As I mentioned earlier, the Dragons and Phoenixes were officially selected through tests of movement arts, swordsmanship, and internal energy.

Of course, there was a reason the word ‘officially’ was attached.

Could all the rising stars truly accept that someone with a better test score was superior to them, without ever having crossed hands?

No matter how strictly and fairly the tests were conducted, dissent was inevitable.

Because, in the end, they were all martial artists.

How could the organizers of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly not know this?

Although they restricted sparring and duels for safety and various other reasons, they also knew that they could not eliminate duels entirely.

This was because martial artists were beings who ultimately proved themselves in actual combat.

A duel.

It was by no means encouraged, yet it was an indispensable procedure in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

Everyone knew that true recognition could only come after all grievances were aired.

In other words, it meant that one had to go through this unofficial procedure to be acknowledged as a true Dragon.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

“……”

Objections did not come as easily as I expected.

It was because it was not easy to raise an objection to the candidates selected by Beomgak of Shaolin, Taecheong of Wudang, and Manbakja.

Just then.

“I have an objection!”

A valiant voice shattered the silence.

All eyes turned towards the platform.

Because the one who raised the objection was standing on the platform.

“I cannot accept the fact that Dancheon Myeong is the First Seat, so I request a duel with him!”

The one shouting with a dignified voice was Namgung Tan, who was shooting a smirk at me.

Great Monk Beomgak’s gaze turned to me.

“Myeong of the Dancheon Clan. Do you agree to the duel?”

“I agree.”

I had been wanting to teach him a lesson anyway, so this was a welcome development.

An unprecedented duel had been arranged.

In truth, most objections were raised by those who failed to become candidates in order to bring a candidate down.

But for a rising star nominated as a Dragon candidate to challenge another Dragon candidate, it was bound to attract the utmost attention.

The center of the training ground.

Namgung Tan and I stood facing each other.

And between us stood Great Monk Beomgak.

“As you all know, there are no rules in a duel. Furthermore, for any physical or material damages that occur during the duel, neither the opponent nor the organizers can be held responsible.”

After saying so, Great Monk Beomgak looked at Namgung Tan and me once each.

“However, conduct yourselves as befits the pillars of the orthodox Murim.”

It was a statement with many implications.

To put it plainly, it meant not to use dirty tricks and to refrain from using blatantly lethal techniques.

“Yes.”

We nodded.

It was a rule established from long experience, knowing that restricting the use of internal energy or imposing other limitations for the sake of a duel would also become a source of dispute.

Sreung.

Namgung Tan drew his sword.

“Ooh.”

It was a divine weapon that drew the admiration of the rising stars, the eighth sword of the Heavenly Artisan.

As I was briefly examining his sword,

“Why? Do you think it’s unfair?”

Namgung Tan asked arrogantly with a cynical smile.

That fellow seemed to have forgotten that I had cleanly cut through Hundred-Refined Steel.

I calmly shook my head.

“No. Is not a weapon also part of a martial artist’s skill?”

Sreung.

The Dancheon Sword in my hand was the posthumous work of the Heavenly Artisan, which was the same as saying my skill was superior to his.

“Hmph! I will reveal your true nature!”

Saying so, Namgung Tan leaped into the air.

I had no idea what true nature he was planning to reveal, so I decided not to worry about it.

Tat. Tat.

Namgung Tan’s figure rushed towards me, treading an exquisite footwork.

Woowoong.

A chillingly blue sword qi formed on his blade.

As expected of a direct descendant of the prestigious Namgung Clan, it was a flawless sword qi.

However.

There was the fact that Namgung Tan's skill was far inferior compared to that of Uncle Yeo Baek, and…

“Take this!”

…the important fact that what I held in my hand was the Dancheon Sword.

Woowoong.

The Dancheon Sword accepted my internal energy.

Indeed, the sword of the master craftsman, the Heavenly Artisan, lived up to its reputation.

As if doubling my capabilities, an extremely refined sword qi formed on the Dancheon Sword.

And then.

Changkang!

A sound that could not have been made by two swords clashing rang out through the venue.

The venue was engulfed in astonishment.

My Dancheon Sword had shattered the Heavenly Artisan’s eighth sword.

Indeed, I could see that the eccentric genius, the Heavenly Artisan, may have been a madman, but he was not a man who made empty boasts.

“What is this…!”

I saw Namgung Tan, unable to accept reality.

There was a fact that the dumbfounded man had forgotten; the duel was not yet over.

Great Monk Beomgak had said to act as befits the pillars of the orthodox Murim.

I was not so cold-hearted as to shoot sword qi at a martial artist who had lost his sword.

Swish.

My kick flew towards Namgung Tan’s face.

-You bastard son of a bitch!

Oh, dear.

I could not deny the fact that a little more strength went into my kick because I was suddenly reminded of his past words and actions.

Kwazak!

My kick and his face met.

Kudangtang!

Namgung Tan’s body was sent flying to a corner of the training ground.

Fortunately, Great Monk Beomgak did not intervene, perhaps judging that it was not a life-threatening blow.

In any case, it was right to consider the duel over at this point.

Pretending to be calm, I looked around.

“Is there anyone who still has an objection to me being the First Seat?”

None of the aspiring Dragons answered.

***

Of course, I seemed to have fought five or six more duels after that.

Naturally, I won them all.

“Hoo-”

As I was catching my breath after all the duels, my older brother Dancheon Hak approached me.

He, too, had overcome several fierce battles, so he looked tired.

He stared at me with an expressionless face and suddenly opened his mouth.

“Congratulations.”

“……!”

I was shocked by Dancheon Hak’s unexpected words.

I swear, I had never been this surprised since I regressed.

It was because I had assumed he had come to pick a fight with me.

I truly did not know he would say such a thing to me.

“……You too, congratulations, Senior Brother.”

“Hmph. I didn’t want to hear that from you.”

I did not know why he was acting like that after he had congratulated me first.

Nevertheless, his annoying demeanor somehow made me smile.

My prediction that Dancheon Hak would never bring honor to the clan was wrong.

Even with the variable of my existence, he had managed to win the Dragon’s alias just as he had in his past life.

However, that honor would not be the same as in his past life.

The reason was that I, his competitor, had achieved a greater result.

With hundreds of beggars from the Beggar's Gang listening in on the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, the events of today would soon be known throughout the Jianghu Murim.

Dancheon Hak hardened his expression and continued solemnly.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Whatever you’ve achieved, the position of Clan Head will be mine.”

Saying so, Dancheon Hak turned on his heel and walked away.

I stared blankly at his retreating back.

I felt that it was here, at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, that I had properly faced the person named Dancheon Hak for the first time.

When I proved myself, he did not scorn me.

He stopped looking down on me and treated me as his rival.

Perhaps we could have built a better relationship in our past lives.

That thought crossed my mind.

Dancheon Hak was right.

The position of Clan Head was still far closer to Dancheon Hak than to me.

This was because one could not occupy the seat of Clan Head simply for having outstanding martial arts.

To be precise, it would be correct to say that now, having obtained the Dragon’s alias, I had barely caught up to Dancheon Hak’s heels.

After all, he and I had different starting lines.

Nevertheless, thinking of Uncle Yeo Baek waiting for me back at the clan put my mind at ease.

The Dancheon Myeong who left the clan all alone in his past life and the me of today were different people.

For now, that was enough.

***

Not just me, but all the Dragon candidates won their duels.

In truth, it was because the preceding three tests were not entirely baseless.

Even Namgung Tan, who had lost to me, with his face swollen and having lost the Heavenly Artisan's sword, managed to defeat the other rising stars, proving that his skills were not a lie.

With all the duels concluded, all procedures were truly finished.

“You are the pillars who will lead the Jianghu Murim from the forefront in the future.”

After a brief courtesy, Great Monk Beomgak asked.

“Myeong of the Dancheon Clan. What alias do you desire?”

Having achieved overwhelming results, the opportunity came to me first.

What alias should I get?

This had already been decided before I came to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

“I…”

The one I had desperately wanted.

“I desire the alias of Severing Dragon.”

I would have it.

I saw Dancheon Hak’s expression distort.

I am sorry, Senior Brother.

But I have no intention of yielding either.

I swallowed those words inwardly.

***

“Myeong, congratulations. No, should I call you Severing Dragon now?”

“It’s awkward, so please just call me by my name.”

As I came down from the platform, Lee Chun-baek greeted me.

Come to think of it, there was another.

Besides Uncle Yeo Baek, a friend with whom I could open my heart.

Was it because I had come to treasure him?

I felt even more regret that Lee Chun-baek had given up his spot among the Dragons and Phoenixes.

“One of those spots should have been yours, Brother Chun-baek.”

“Haha. What’s so important about that? I’m fine.”

The Lee Chun-baek who said he would regret giving up the third test was no more.

As if he had completely sorted out his feelings, Lee Chun-baek looked relieved.

“Then I’m glad.”

If he was fine with it, then that was all that mattered.

The crowd of rising stars gathered around those who had earned the aliases of the Dragons and Phoenixes.

In particular, the atmosphere among the rising stars based in Anhui was almost festive.

It was because they had produced the most Dragons.

“Great Hero Sword Dragon, congratulations!”

“Hahaha. Thank you.”

“Congratulations to you too, Great Hero Azure Dragon!”

“……Yes.”

Namgung Tan, whose face was still swollen from the mark of my kick, was also seen responding.

Dancheon Hak’s alias became Sword Dragon.

This was because I had taken the alias of Severing Dragon from him.

And Namgung Tan, who had the alias of Sword Dragon in the past life, became Azure Dragon.

It was likely taken from the first character of Azure Heaven Namgung.

I observed their faces.

They were the ones who had been with Dancheon Hak when I first arrived at the assembly.

Since they had already formed a friendship, this was a natural result.

Since I had no Dragons or Phoenixes with whom I had already formed a friendship, no one came looking for me despite having obtained the alias of Severing Dragon.

Ah, no.

There was one person.

“Shouldn’t that spot have been yours? You are the First Seat, after all.”

It was Lee Chun-baek.

“Haha, what’s so important about that? I’m fine.”

“Then I’m glad.”

A familiar conversation was exchanged again, only with the speakers switched.

Lee Chun-baek and I looked at each other and smiled.

However, the atmosphere was strange.

“Why do those guys keep glancing our way?”

It was true; I could feel them subtly paying attention to us.

Even Dancheon Hak.

I could also tell that Namgung Tan, who was overtly ignoring us, was the most conscious of us.

“It must be because I’m handsome.”

“Puhat.”

I liked Lee Chun-baek, who had no immunity to such silly jokes.

I was reminded of the time I left the Dancheon Clan.

Dancheon Hak was seen off by dozens of clan members and elders from the council, while Uncle Yeo Baek came to my side as I stood alone.

With his presence alone, I no longer envied Dancheon Hak.

And now.

There was Dancheon Hak, being congratulated by various rising stars from Anhui, and next to me was Lee Chun-baek.

I did not particularly envy Dancheon Hak anymore.

Precious things are made one by one.

Isn’t a journey of a thousand miles started with a single step?

“Brother Chun-baek, thank you.”

“For what?”

“It’s because you saved me at the tavern that I was honored with becoming a Dragon, isn’t it?”

“Puhat. Myeong, you’re getting funnier and funnier.”

“……It’s just that your threshold for laughter is low, Brother Chun-baek.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve grown up to be a serious man whose laughter is precious.”

“Puhat!”

I had somehow come to resemble his laughter.

“Anyway, thank you.”

For now, expressing my gratitude to this extent would be enough.

“I guess we’ll be parting ways now.”

Lee Chun-baek said with a hint of disappointment.

“We will meet again.”

And I replied with conviction.

That was the nature of fate and relationships.

Since both he and I were figures who would one day make our names known in the Jianghu, we could find each other whenever we set our minds to it.

“Yes. Let’s definitely meet again.”

Lee Chun-baek and I shook hands.

This was enough.