The Victor of the Yongbong Gathering
The winner of the Yongbong Gathering was decided.
Geum Hui, of the Divine Sword Geum family.
The thunderous cheers from the massive crowd, as if all of Hanan had gathered, shook the heavens, heralding the grand revival of the Geum family.
Sniffling and wiping away tears, Chun-bong trudged forward when her name was called, standing before the Head Monk, Deokseong.
“Well done. Thanks to you, the revival of the Geum family will come much sooner.”
With a kind smile, Deokseong grasped Chun-bong’s hand and raised it high.
“With the victor of the Yongbong Gathering now decided, let all martial artists celebrate this moment together!”
It took quite some time to decide on Chun-bong’s title.
The abundance of suggestions made the decision difficult.
Given that the symbol of the Divine Sword Geum family was the Yellow Dragon, suggestions ranged from “Yellow Dragon Rising with the Phoenix” to “Golden Dragon Chun-bong.” Others supported titles like “Swift Sword Phoenix” or “Lively Sword Phoenix,” inspired by her fast and nimble movements.
In truth, among the phoenix and dragon titles, Sword Dragon or Sword Phoenix were generally considered the most appropriate. Consensus seemed to be leaning toward Sword Phoenix.
However, Deokseong had a different thought.
Having witnessed today’s duel, he was confident no one would oppose his choice.
Skipping flowery language, he went straight to the point.
“Geum Hui, the Phoenix Bearing a Dragon.”
A phoenix carrying a dragon within its heart.
Smiling warmly, Deokseong handed Chun-bong a small wooden box.
“Congratulations. May you walk the righteous path and proceed uprightly.”
The top eight participants of the Yongbong Gathering were called one by one, receiving their titles and rewards.
Thunderclad Phoenix: Namgung Sua Little Celestial Dragon: Jegal Hwi Blazing Sun Dragon: Yang So-hong Immovable Dragon: Hye-un Sword Dragon: Un-baek Resolute Phoenix: Hwangbo Hyeji Honorable Intent Dragon: Tae Byuk The Yongbong Gathering, intended to honor rising stars, avoided ranking the remaining participants beyond the top eight. Such distinctions would only serve as entertainment for the audience, benefiting no one else (largely due to the politics of the Sixteen Great Clans).
Amidst cheers from the crowd, the eight martial artists received their new titles, and the Yongbong Gathering, which had felt both long and brief, came to a close.
This marked the return of the elders of the Sixteen Great Clans to their places, with a final meeting before their departure.
Seo-jun scratched his head in frustration, already anticipating the hassle, as he approached Chun-bong and Namgung Sua.
Chun-bong ran up to him, clutching the small wooden box tightly, her face flushed with excitement.
“Did you see that!? Huh? You saw it, right?”
Chun-bong hopped up and down in place, her face glowing red. Seo-jun grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.
“Well done, Geum Chun-bong. No, wait… Phoenix Bearing a Dragon.”
“Ehehe.”
After glancing around briefly, Chun-bong coughed awkwardly before hesitantly approaching Seo-jun, holding out the wooden box.
“And this is… a gift!”
“Huh?”“A gift! That’s what it is!”
She shoved the wooden box into Seo-jun’s hands.
Seo-jun was slightly taken aback. This was definitely Great Rejuvenation Pill.
“Why are you giving this to me? You should take it yourself, Chun-bong, and grow even stronger.”
“It’s fine. I’ve had enough before.”
“No, no. Your brother is happy enough with the thought.”
He truly meant it. To think Chun-bong had grown so much that she was giving him a gift…
It felt like when a daughter buys a gift for her parents with her first paycheck. And she’d probably spent everything on it.
Feeling touched, Seo-jun looked at Chun-bong, clutching his chest, only for her to yell at him.
“Just take it already! I’ve been receiving so much, and when I think about everything you’ve done for me… Anyway! I’m giving it because I’m grateful!”
Having successfully shoved the Great Rejuvenation Pill onto Seo-jun, Chun-bong dashed off, giggling with pride.
Her adorable retreat was so endearing that Seo-jun stood frozen, unable to bring himself to stop her.
As Seo-jun smiled fondly, Namgung Sua tugged lightly at his sleeve.
“You’re a step ahead. I wanted to give you something too.”
Namgung Sua had received a Small Rejuvenation Pill. While not as powerful as the Great Rejuvenation Pill, it was still an exceptional elixir.
“Unni, you should take it yourself. You already got the Celestial Pill before; adding this would be a bit much for my conscience…”
“What are you talking about? Do you know how much Namgung has gained thanks to you? If anything, this is too little.”
She’d gained so much?
Hmm.
Seo-jun thought back and realized there was indeed a lot.
“Even so, it’s fine. Actually, this works out. If you take it and master Life-and-Death Transcendence Technique, it’ll be much easier to reach the pinnacle.”
“…Still…”
Seo-jun, sensing he might actually end up with the Small Rejuvenation Pill, quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, ‘Thunderclad Phoenix’—it’s a cool title. A phoenix commanding lightning with a dignified presence.”
“Isn’t it a bit too grandiose?”
Namgung Sua chuckled softly. Seo-jun finally felt a sense of relief as he casually draped an arm over her shoulder.
“Anyway, congratulations. You’ve worked hard.”
“…Thank you.”
Namgung Sua leaned her head lightly against Seo-jun’s chest. While she seemed a little disappointed about her loss in the finals, she didn’t appear to dwell on it, which reassured him.
Walking alongside her, Seo-jun checked on Hwangbo Hyeji’s condition using his qi perception.
“Look, Mother.”
But what could he even say about this…?
Something… something was happening.
+++++
Hwangbo Hyeji and Her Mother's Resolve
After receiving the title Resolute Phoenix, Hwangbo Hyeji walked straight toward her mother, each step firm and unyielding, befitting her new title that symbolized strength in martial arts.
“Mother.”
“Yes, Hye-a. Did you achieve anything?”
In the past, she might have felt disappointed by her mother’s immediate focus on results, but not anymore.
Without a word, Hwangbo Hyeji executed the Thunderous Fist of Mount Tai.
BOOM!
A thunderous roar erupted as the air seemed to split, her fist drawing an intense gravitational pull.
Hwangbo Seorin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Mount Tai Stands Firm, an ultimate technique of the Thunderous Fist, was something Hyeji could never have performed before.
“Yes, Mother. I achieved something.”
“…I see.”
Hwangbo Seorin’s gaze wavered, her mind clouded with conflicting emotions.
“Was I… wrong?”
She didn’t know what kind of miracle Jin Gijaecheon had worked, but it was undeniable that Hyeji had achieved significant progress in a short time.
Even so, while her belief wavered, her philosophy did not change.
She remained firm in her conviction: one must endure hardship to become a strong martial artist.
If Hyeji were to become complacent with this success, she would eventually fall behind. That was why Seorin chose not to offer praise, ensuring her daughter wouldn’t grow arrogant.
Instead, she gave guidance, pushing Hyeji toward greater goals.
“Now, let us return to the family. I’ve arranged for your uncle to assess your martial arts. Do not be satisfied here—train harder to…”
“Mother.”
Her words were cut short. It was unprecedented, and Hwangbo Seorin’s hands trembled slightly.
“What has happened to your manners…?”
“I’ve come to understand my will. I see my path now.”
Hwangbo Hyeji spread her arms wide, her eyes blazing with determination. She could see it: a vision of the Hwangbo family transformed by her aspirations.
“Look, Mother.”
Hwangbo Seorin didn’t know what she was supposed to see, but Hyeji didn’t care. She reached out and grasped her mother’s hand tightly.
“I will make it happen. I’ll fulfill your dreams, Mother.”
“Yes, but to do that, you must…”
“I will become the head of the Hwangbo family and turn it upside down. No, before that, I’ll slowly break apart this rigid structure.”
“What…?”
“You just have to follow me. I’ll pave the way.”
“Wait, Hye-a. What are you saying…?”
“It’s fine. Trust me, Mother.”
Hwangbo Hyeji’s eyes burned with unshakable resolve, contrasting sharply with Seorin’s confused and wavering gaze.
Hyeji smiled brightly.
“I’ll follow my heart.”
Though she couldn’t fully trust herself yet, she now believed she could continue down this path.
“Let’s start by picking up where you left off in martial arts.”
Gripping her mother’s hand tightly, her strength matched her burning passion. Hwangbo Seorin took a step back in hesitation, but Hyeji didn’t let go.
“I’ll teach you. I’ve learned so much.”
Seorin’s lips quivered faintly.
+++++
Listening to the conversation between Hwangbo Hyeji and her mother from a distance, Seo-jun chuckled to himself and headed back to the guesthouse.
That was when it all began.
Already back at the house, Chun-bong’s persistent gaze followed him like a shadow.
“Why are you staring at me…?”
“Did you eat it?”
“No, not yet.”
“Hurry up and eat it.”
“Okay…”
About five minutes later, Chun-bong peeked her head around the corner.
“Did you eat it?”
“No…?”
“Eat it already!”
“Uh, sure…”
And another five minutes passed. Chun-bong appeared again.
“Argh! Geum Chun-bong! What do you want to say?”
When Seo-jun abruptly stood up, Chun-bong puffed out her tiny chest confidently.
“What, what…?”
“Don’t you have something to say?”
“…Yes. Eat the Great Rejuvenation Pill already.”
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
As the leading authority on Chun-bong Psychology™, Seo-jun was certain. Hands on his hips, he stared down at Chun-bong, who snorted dramatically.
“The Great Rejuvenation Pill.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s precious, right?”
“It is.”
Was she regretting giving it to him now?
When Seo-jun held out the box containing the Great Rejuvenation Pill, Chun-bong quickly backed away.
“I’m not asking for it back!”
From behind a pillar, Chun-bong peeked her head out, grumbling.
“That’s one of the rarest elixirs in Zhongyuan, you know?”
“Of course. This older brother of yours lives every day in gratitude for Chun-bong’s generosity.”
“Good. You should.”
Clearing her throat, Chun-bong muttered.
“So, um… isn’t there a little something for me?”
“What? You wanted something? Why didn’t you say so?”
Surprisingly, Chun-bong rarely expressed her desires (except when it came to sugar-coated hawthorn sticks).
If she wanted something, Seo-jun could buy it, find it, or even barter for it.
“Well, it’s not a big deal…”
Twisting her hair nervously, Chun-bong continued.
“Now that we’ve set the groundwork for rebuilding the Geum family… and I’ve gotten stronger, so I won’t be beaten up anymore…”
“True.”
“But, you know, for a family, there’s a crucial element, right?”
Chun-bong’s cheeks flushed red.
“So, that…”
“That?”
“That, you know…”
“What is it?”
“Ugh! Damn it!”
Suddenly cursing, Chun-bong shouted.
“Close your eyes!”