Chapter 50: Dragon and Phoenix Gathering Part 22

After the grand spectacle of the finals had ended, those who had unfortunately been defeated in the round of 16 were given one last chance.

Originally, the consolation match was supposed to be held with eight participants, but due to Jegal Yeon Ji withdrawing under the excuse that her injury from the previous match had yet to heal, the match was reduced to seven competitors.

After a fierce battle, Peng Ja In, the daughter of the Peng clan who had lost to Baek Woo Jin in the round of 16, and a student who had also lost to Namgong Soo in the same round, were elevated to the positions of Dragon and Phoenix.

The student was named Kang Jin and he hailed from Jade Dragon Sect; it was a small sect in Shandong whose name was more grandiose than its actual size. After his humiliating defeat to Namgong Soo, he reappeared in the consolation match with a somewhat changed demeanor and he drew the curiosity of many.

“Doesn’t that guy seem different from before?”

“Yeah… something about him feels off, kind of dark.”

Baek Woo Jin, who had been casually watching the match while pinching Jegal Yeon Ji’s cheek after she withdrew from the fight, also found it strange.

Something feels strange.

His fighting style had become extremely vicious. It wasn’t unusual for someone to change their approach after reflecting on a loss or learning from it. However, every time Kang Jin attacked his opponent, he could see a glimpse of demonic energy in his eyes, and it was enough to give anyone goosebumps.

“We shall now begin the awards ceremony!”

With the conclusion of the match between Peng Ja In and Kang Jin, the positions of the Dragon and the Phoenix were fully filled, and the awards ceremony began.

The main focus of the ceremony was simple. It was to bestow titles upon the ten Dragons and Phoenixes.

The task of naming them was given to the audience, who had watched their matches.

Since titles are not born from the decision of a single person but instead are solidified when many people begin to call them by a certain name, the traits most frequently mentioned by the spectators became their official titles.

Myeong Jin of the Shaolin Temple was called the Buddha Dragon.

Han Baek of the Wudang Sect was given the title of the Gentle Dragon.

Namgong Soo of the Namgong Clan was given the title of the Sword Dragon.

Jeon Rang, the wandering martial artist, earned the title of the Revolutionary Dragon.

Hwangbo Jun Geol of the Hwangbo Clan was given the title of the Tyrant Dragon.

Kang Jin of the Jade Dragon Sect was given the title of the Strange Dragon.

Ja Ryeong of the Emei Sect was given the title of the Graceful Phoenix.

Yoo Hwa Yeon of the Yoo Clan was given the title of the Sword Phoenix.

Peng Ja In of the Peng clan was given the title of the Falling Phoenix.

These nine students, who had achieved remarkable scores among the two hundred chosen students from across the vast Central Plains, were now granted their titles.

Finally, the student who had risen to the highest place stepped forward.

Hyeon Hak, the leader of the Moorim Alliance, who had been calling out each title to the crowd, looked at Baek Woo Jin with a warm smile. Like that of a kind grandfather.

“Baek Woo Jin of the Shaanxi Baek clan! The Jade-faced Divine Dragon!”

The audience erupted in cheers following that resounding proclamation.

“Hoo!”

Baek Woo Jin let out a sigh of relief.

He had been anxiously worrying that a strange nickname might stick, thanks to the antics of those who came up with phrases like “Drunken Fist” and “Drunken Fire Spit”. Fortunately, it seemed the name pushed by the female audience had been chosen instead.

It was at that moment.

“Waaaaaait!”

A loud voice tore through the noisy crowd.

“I object!”

A man dressed in black martial robes and a black hat pulled low over his head flew through the air and landed on the stage; he displayed impressive flying techniques.

The guards standing beside the Moorim Alliance leader Hyeon Hak moved swiftly and exuded sharp energy as they blocked his path.

The man paid no mind and dramatically tossed aside his black hat to reveal a handsome face beneath.

Facing the audience, he clasped his fists in salute and shouted.

“Greetings! I am Do Gyeong of the Wind Blade Clan!”

The Wind Blade Clan!

A one-man martial sect that would occasionally emerge in the righteous Moorim to perform acts of justice and honor before disappearing again.

“A descendant of the Wind Blade Clan!”

“The last one appeared 20 years ago… has someone taken over since then?”

Those who carried the name of the Wind Blade Clan were all known for their outstanding chivalry. This was why the audience was intensely curious about why this man named Do Gyeong had interrupted the martial arts competition.

“I ask you, esteemed martial artists! What exactly is a ‘Divine Dragon’?”

The Divine Dragon.

It was an honorable title bestowed upon the most outstanding among the next-generation leaders who would guide the future of Moorim.

“The Divine Dragon I know is a name given to someone destined to become the pillar of the righteous Moorim. Is that not true? But!”

He paused briefly to make sure that all eyes were fixed on him before continuing.

“Why must this prestigious title of Divine Dragon be given only to the students of the Jeongmu Academy? I simply cannot understand it!”

The audience began to stir.

“Indeed, that’s true…”

“No matter how exceptional those students are, they aren’t the only ones…”

It was a valid point. While the two hundred or so students gathered at the Jeongmu Academy had certainly been admitted for their recognized potential, there were others outside with equally remarkable reputations.

As the murmurs grew louder, the leader of the Moorim Alliance Hyeon Hak felt the need to quell the rising tension. He lightly lifted his foot before placing it back down.

Boom.

A wave of energy rippled out from where his foot touched the ground, silencing everyone.

In the now quiet atmosphere, Hyeon Hak asked Do Gyeong,

“So what exactly is it that you wish to say, young hero?”

Do Gyeong swallowed nervously. In the once calm atmosphere, a sharp blade now seemed to be pointed at him.

“I do not want the name Divine Dragon to remain confined within the Jeongmu Academy. Therefore, I humbly request a duel with the Divine Dragon!”

The bold statement caused the previously quiet audience to stir once again. After all, these were people who had come seeking entertainment. A duel between the descendant of the Wind Blade Clan, who were known for shaking the world with their chivalrous deeds, and the Divine Dragon was more than enough to excite them.

“I agree!”

“That’s right! Why should the Divine Dragon belong only to the Jeongmu Academy?”

“The Divine Dragon is a symbol of the righteous sects! Everyone should have a chance!”

Hyeon Hak shook his head at the outcry of the eager audience.

“He played me perfectly, haha.”

It was not a situation that could be calmed with just a word. Trying to suppress it by force might only lead to bigger problems.

Hyeon Hak raised his voice and declared,

“This isn’t something for me to decide.”

Then after pointing to Baek Woo Jin who was staring in confusion, he continued,

“We will leave it to Baek Woo Jin, the one who bears the title of Divine Dragon.”

All eyes now turned to Baek Woo Jin. If he agreed, another exciting duel would surely unfold.

“Accept it!”

“A true Divine Dragon should be able to handle this!”

“If he doesn’t, he’s no man! Take his pride!”

“Haha.”

Suddenly finding himself in danger of losing more than just his pride, Baek Woo Jin let out a dry laugh as he met Do Gyeong’s gaze who was looking at him with a triumphant expression.

Baek Woo Jin found himself drawn to a beautiful figure who was in no way inferior to him in appearance. Delicate, fine eyebrows, long lashes, and sparkling eyes. It was a face so beautiful, one could easily mistake him for a woman.

Which is why Baek Woo Jin was dumbfounded.

They really think that’s a man?

In novels, there’s often a female character disguised as a man. Even though it’s obvious to anyone that the woman’s disguise is unconvincing, everyone around her believes she’s a man, while only the protagonist sees through it.

The Do Gyeong standing before him was exactly that kind of character. No, rather, her true identity was neither the successor of the Wind Blade Clan nor anything of the sort.

She’s got guts, coming all the way into the heart of the orthodox martial arts world.

Her name was Do Gyeong.

She was one of the two great rivals of the orthodox martial sects, alongside the Heavenly Demon, and the leader of the Black Lotus. She was also the only daughter of the Black Snake Emperor, one of the three great masters known as the Three Sovereigns, and ranked as the top among them.

The situation had already shifted entirely in her favor.

Fighting another duel wasn’t particularly difficult, but Baek Woo Jin felt only regret.

Is fate really something that can’t be bent?

From the moment he inhabited “Baek Woo Jin’s” body, he thought he had caused several events, both minor and major, that could have altered fate. But the truly significant events had remained unchanged.

Do Gyeong’s appearance was another inevitable encounter. She had arrived just as the novel’s plot had foretold, down to the smallest detail.

“I accept your challenge for the duel.”

“Waaaaaa.”

Cheers erupted.

The duel was set.

The leader of the Moorim Alliance sent everyone, except Baek Woo Jin and Do Gyeong, down from the martial arts stage.

“I suppose I can act as the judge?”

“Yes!”

Do Gyeong responded with a strong voice to Hyeon Hak’s question.

“Hah.”

Baek Woo Jin found it amusing. Even though she had such a thin voice, no one seemed to suspect she might be a woman.

Do Gyeong glanced over at him.

“Thank you for accepting the duel.”

Though her words were spoken in a manly tone, everything about her seemed awkward in Baek Woo Jin’s eyes.

“It’ll be over soon anyway.”

Baek Woo Jin’s indifferent tone made Do Gyeong’s eyebrows twitch. She was clearly offended by his dismissive word. It felt as if he saw her as far beneath him.

“Well then, let the duel begin.”

At Hyeon Hak’s signal, both of them drew their swords.

Baek Woo Jin stood casually without even assuming a stance, while Do Gyeong immediately gathered her internal energy. Sword energy surged from her blade.

The audience gasped in shock at the appearance of another young master at the peak master level. This was the third one they had seen today.

Do Gyeong asked him in a confident voice.

“How about it? Doesn’t this prove I’m more than qualified to fight you?”

She thought that Baek Woo Jin would finally take her seriously, but he didn’t react at all.

He still maintained his indifferent attitude.

“Impressive. You’re pulling out sword energy effortlessly, even though you’re not using your main weapon.”

His seemingly sarcastic tone made Do Gyeong look at him with slight surprise.

“What do you mean by that?”

Baek Woo Jin smirked as he replied.

“Who knows.”

Do Gyeong quickly steadied her mind, which had begun to feel uneasy. She had watched all of his duels up to this point and knew he was good at unsettling his opponents with words.

I can’t fall for it.

Do Gyeong was the first to move. She used Wind-Crossing Steps, the signature movement technique of the Wind Blade Sect, and charged swiftly at Baek Woo Jin.

A dazzling display of swordsmanship followed. One of the techniques from the Wind Blade Sect’s secret style, the Twelve Wind Techniques, which was called Gale Slash, unfolded before her.

It was a swift and brilliant technique, almost too fast for the eye to follow, but Baek Woo Jin didn’t miss a single movement and saw right through it all.

With just a few light steps, he neutralized all of her attacks and then spoke.

“If you really want a proper fight, come back when you’re able to use your full strength.”

“What did you …!”

Do Gyeong’s mind wavered for a moment.

Baek Woo Jin didn’t miss the opportunity.

The lightning-fast sword technique he had shown during his duel with Myeong Jin touched her chest.

“Ah, sorry.”

Baek Woo Jin was surprised and lowered the tip of his sword slightly.

Do Gyeong looked at the sword that had barely grazed her chest, then stared blankly at Baek Woo Jin.

“You…?”

His reaction meant he had realized she wasn’t a man but a woman.

Caught between the disappointment of the duel ending so easily and the fear that her identity might be exposed, Do Gyeong had no choice but to clasp her hands and admit defeat to Baek Woo Jin.

“As expected, you truly are the Divine Dragon!”

The audience’s disappointed cheers were quickly drowned out by voices starting to criticize Do Gyeong.

Though she felt regretful since she wanted to talk more with Baek Woo Jin, she gave him one last glance and threw a token she had been carrying toward him.

“I’ll come to retrieve it soon, so wait for me.”

She left the stage in a hurry, leaving only those words behind.

Baek Woo Jin looked down at the token he had received in surprise. It was a wooden plaque with the character “peach” engraved on it.

This is a bit different.

The duel had been the same as before but with a different result. Using the information he knew about her, he had been able to unsettle her and secure an easy victory, and as a result, he now held this token.

Baek Woo Jin tucked the wooden plaque into his robe. He found himself looking forward to the day they would meet again.

Her chest was… more voluptuous than I expected. How did she even hide that?

He still couldn’t quite understand how she had managed to conceal such a full figure, which he had briefly felt at the tip of his sword.

After the brief commotion, the award ceremony that had been interrupted resumed.

“To student Baek Woo Jin, the Jade-faced Divine Dragon, we present the Immortal Carp Pill as a reward.”

When he received the wooden box that emitted a fragrant scent, Baek Woo Jin’s lips twitched slightly.

“With this, the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering comes to a close!”

Amidst the cheers and excitement of the crowd, the long and eventful Dragon and Phoenix Gathering finally ended.