WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Order

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Heaven-Slaying Sword ◈

Chapter 63: Chapter Seven - Murim Alliance, Founding (6)

──────

Wuhan was in an uproar on the day of the founding ceremony.

And it was not just the area surrounding the Martial Alliance.

The entire sprawling city had been swept up in a fervor that bordered on madness.

The Dragon Phoenix Unit's founding ceremony was more than the creation of a new unit.

"It's unprecedented. Haven't all the Dragon Phoenix talents of this generation joined the Martial Alliance?"

"Except for the Immortal Dragon."

"Well, I trust the Immortal Dragon will join them once the war begins. More importantly, do you see those people over there? They're masters of the previous generation."

The streets held not only martial artists of the current generation, but masters of the past who had long since retired from the Martial World.

Whenever they passed, no one dared raise their voice. Naturally. The veteran masters of the Martial World were the heroes who had stood at the forefront and slain Demonic practitioners during the Blood Heaven Cult's rise.

Their expressions were grave. On the day the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, silent for nearly a century, revealed itself and the declaration of war against it was made, the veteran masters had come to see the present state of the Martial World they had defended.

"It's rather grim."

"But I'm not worried. Is this generation's Dragon Phoenix cohort anything like those of other eras?"

Namgung Jin-cheon, the Sword Dragon and bearer of the Imperial Ruler Star. Dang Hwa-seo, the Poison Phoenix, with Immunity to Ten Thousand Poisons. Il-un, the Fist Dragon, Shaolin's prodigy of the century. Hye-un, the White Phoenix, hailed as the greatest heroine of her generation. And Jegal San, the Strange Dragon and son of the Formation King.

That lineup alone was dazzling beyond measure, yet one name stood above them all.

"After all, hasn't a man appeared who may one day contend for the title of greatest of all time?"

Ink Dragon Mok Ri-won.

Though he bore no other extravagant byname, everyone who had watched the Dragon Phoenix Gathering's final with their own eyes said the same thing.

He might one day become a martial artist worthy of contending for the title of greatest of all time.

"I'm glad this founding ceremony is a public event. At last, I'll get to see the Ink Dragon."

"Ah, you didn't watch the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, did you?"

The man who had predicted the Ink Dragon's victory at the gathering chuckled at his friend.

"You can look forward to it. His martial arts are one thing, but the Ink Dragon is so handsome he would make even another man stop and stare."

"Hmph. What impression could a handsome man possibly make on another man?"

"You'll see."

Somewhere on the bustling streets, that same conversation was being repeated once more.

* * *

Within the Dragon Phoenix Unit's hall, Mok Ri-won put on the uniform he had been issued and excitedly called out to Dang Hwa-seo.

"Mi, Miss! Look at this! There's gold on the uniform! Real gold! Not gold thread, actual gold!"

"Yes. These uniforms were sponsored by the Woonseong Escort Agency, which accompanied us to Wuhan before."

"Ooh...!"

Mok Ri-won's eyes sparkled as he repeatedly stroked his uniform. Gold adorned the white garment, making it both neat and splendid.

It looked good, but that was not all. Unlike the gray uniform he always wore, the fabric was exceptionally fine and breathable, and that alone lifted his spirits.

Dang Hwa-seo chuckled at the sight as she straightened his clothes.

"It's white, so you'll get it dirty if you keep jumping around like that. You won't have many chances to wear it except at public events, so you should take care of it, shouldn't you?"

"I understand! By the way, Miss, the uniform suits you wonderfully too!"

Mok Ri-won beamed. Dang Hwa-seo always wore red or black, so seeing her dressed in white for the first time felt unfamiliar.

"White suits you too, Miss! I suppose it's because your skin is so fair."

The moment he said that, Dang Hwa-seo's face turned red. So red that Mok Ri-won, who had merely remarked on her fair skin, felt embarrassed himself.

"W-What are you saying...? Stop talking nonsense and go bring that Jegal fool! We can't be late today!"

"All right!"

Mok Ri-won dashed out of the Division Leader's office in a flurry of excitement and headed for the quarters.

Only then could Dang Hwa-seo calm her pounding heart.

'I can't let my guard down!'

If he kept catching her off guard without even realizing it, she wished he knew how wildly her heart raced whenever she faced him. Yet that thought quickly faded, because she wanted Mok Ri-won to remain unaware of just how handsome he was.

Her heart was truly strange and fickle. Dang Hwa-seo pressed her palms to her cheeks and scolded herself.

'Get a hold of yourself. Today isn't just any occasion.'

Hup!

Dang Hwa-seo took a deep breath and composed herself.

The occasion itself was important, but many distinguished guests would be attending. She could not allow herself to make a poor showing.

'This will be my first time meeting the Alliance Leader.'

Today, she was also scheduled to dine with the Martial Alliance Leader, whom she had not yet greeted because their schedules had never aligned. Dang Hwa-seo let out several sharp breaths, calmed her heartbeat, and left the Division Leader's office.

Il-un stood outside.

"Ah, are you leaving now?"

Even Il-un wore the unit uniform rather than his monk's robes today. Dang Hwa-seo had worried whether a monk should wear something like this, but it seemed Shaolin was flexible enough to allow it.

"Where is the Sword Dragon?"

"Outside. He's holding Nun Hye-un back."

"...Is that bitch planning to wander off again?"

"Ha ha..."

A vein stood out on Dang Hwa-seo's forehead.

'That bitch, I swear!'

Without question, Hye-un was the Dragon Phoenix Unit's greatest troublemaker.

The instant Dang Hwa-seo thought of Hye-un, her blood pressure shot through the roof, and she ground her teeth.

"...Let's go. I need to give her a piece of my mind."

Il-un pressed his lips together and took a step back.

By now, he knew that once Dang Hwa-seo set her mind to scolding someone, she would go on for at least two hours.

'There are about four hours left until the ceremony.'

He should probably hide somewhere else for a while.

* * *

Dang Hwa-seo's scolding ended only after exactly three hours had passed.

The other members, horrified by her lecture, had tried to sneak away, but Dang Hwa-seo would not allow it. Bringing up Hye-un, she redirected her fire at them.

"You mustn't behave like this either!"

What else could the result have been? Drained by a lecture they had not even needed to hear, the members turned resentful eyes toward Hye-un. Hye-un stuck out her tongue at their stares and moved to Dang Hwa-seo's side.

For all her complaints, Dang Hwa-seo was the only shield Hye-un had.

"You've arrived."

In the waiting room of the venue where the founding ceremony would be held, Military Strategist Jegal Mu-yeon greeted the members.

He smiled faintly as he looked over the members in their fine uniforms.

"Seeing you all together, you're quite an impressive group."

"You flatter us."

"Flattery? Impressive hardly begins to cover it."

As Jegal Mu-yeon spoke, his gaze settled on Mok Ri-won.

He was a handsome man better described as beautiful than merely good-looking, as though he had stepped from a painting. The confident smile on his face and the lively sparkle in his eyes naturally drew admiration regardless of one's gender.

"...How is the event proceeding?"

Dang Hwa-seo noticed Jegal Mu-yeon's gaze. Only then did he say, "Ah," and continue.

"The formal rites are underway. There is still some time before your turn, so please rest a little."

"I'm hungry."

"Brother Mok, hold on a little longer and a lavish feast will be laid out before us. Did you hear? The person responsible for today's banquet once served as an imperial chef."

Mok Ri-won sucked in a breath.

"Even someone like that...!"

"I'm looking forward to it. A banquet is where delicious food, drink, and new encounters await, is it not?"

For some reason, Jegal San's eyes gleamed suggestively. Jegal Mu-yeon sharply furrowed his brow.

"...I will not tolerate conduct that disgraces the Alliance."

"Do not worry."

Jegal San let out a hearty laugh.

Seeing the relatives begin another clash, Dang Hwa-seo quickly stepped in to mediate.

"I'll make sure he behaves. Military Strategist, shouldn't you be leaving soon as well?"

"...Please take good care of him."

With that, Jegal Mu-yeon left the waiting room.

Dang Hwa-seo let out a deep sigh and looked over the members.

'I did teach them, but...'

She had taught them the ceremony's etiquette, but every one of them still made her uneasy. Dang Hwa-seo prayed to the heavens, hoping they could get through the day without incident.

* * *

The venue was magnificent.

It was also grand.

Its grandeur proclaimed what it meant to be the heart of the White Path's Martial World.

[Then let us begin the founding ceremony.]

A deep voice filled the venue. The man serving as master of ceremonies was Kwon Pyo-wol.

He was the commander of the Martial Alliance's White Sword Unit, known throughout the Martial World of the Central Plains by the byname Golden Sword.

"Whoaaaaaa!!!"

The roar seemed to shake heaven and earth.

No, it truly shook the venue. Most of those gathered here were masters renowned throughout the White Path Martial World.

Their cheers carried Inner power, and together they released such overwhelming force.

Several rites took place before the main event. Then the invited masters of the previous generation delivered speeches.

At last, it was time for the stars of the occasion to appear.

[For that reason, the Martial Alliance has recognized the need for a new wind. To ensure that the Bloody Affair of over twenty years ago is never repeated, this time we shall raise our swords first. Allow me to introduce those who will stand at the vanguard!]

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Drums sounded as the tightly shut doors at the center of the venue opened. Six young men and women walked toward the stage.

All wore white uniforms, and all were martial artists with extraordinary bearing.

The venue erupted.

"The Sword Dragon! They said he might have fallen into a heart demon, but his presence has only grown deeper!"

"The Poison Phoenix is at the front! It seems she has become the Division Leader!"

"Is the Fist Dragon the Deputy Division Leader? Judging from his position, that must be it!"

A commotion broke out. Speculation flew over their bearing and the order in which they emerged. Naturally, the greatest commotion concerned Mok Ri-won.

"That man is the Ink Dragon!"

"Good heavens...!"

"So Jade-Faced Sword wasn't just empty talk. He looks like that, and his martial prowess is exceptional too?"

"His presence is razor-sharp. He looks innocent, but it seems his sword is anything but."

Various reactions followed.

Some focused on him as the Dragon Phoenix Gathering's new champion, others on his appearance, and still others on his martial prowess.

Admiration, envy, and tension blended in the air, but the masters of the previous generation reacted differently.

They watched Mok Ri-won with deeply satisfied smiles.

"I thought the White Path Martial World would remain dark for a long time after the Sword Star retired into seclusion."

"It seems our fears were unfounded. The Central Plains truly are vast. Every generation has them, do they not? Talents who appear from who knows where."

Mok Ri-won's smile reminded them of someone who had now hidden from the world.

Mok Seon-o, the Sword Star, the man who had shone most brilliantly over twenty years ago during the Bloody Affair.

It was an astonishing coincidence. That was surely the correct way to describe it, yet they could not help themselves.

Mok Ri-won wore the very same smile as Mok Seon-o.

"Well now, is it truly a coincidence?"

An elderly woman with a gentle face chuckled to herself. A master of the previous generation beside her cocked their head.

'Who is she?'

This section had been specially prepared for invited guests. She must have been a woman who had taken up her sword alongside the others during the Bloody Affair, yet the master could not recall anyone with such an appearance.

There was no need to say more.

It was Yeom So-so, the Killing Star.

Today as well, she had concealed her presence as she watched Mok Ri-won.

'When should I try speaking to him?'

She was waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity to have a private conversation with Mok Ri-won.

Author's Note

There was a scheduling mistake... I'm sorry.

Footnotes:

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried