Episode 82. People’s Earth Dragon (人中之龍) 2014.06.14.
Tap, tap.
The group of martial arts officers was hurrying along the Guando route.
The atmosphere wasn’t very good, but it wasn’t bad either. It was obvious that the other disciples were dozing off on their horses.
It may have been because of playing all night for the past few days, but it may also have been because many students had to sleep crumpled in a small room.
“You lost in the first fight again.”
Jeok Se-ho muttered quietly. It was a voice full of regret, but it wasn’t a very calm one either.
“It’s okay, brother. In the first official dance, Shaolin was the opponent, and Dae Jinwoon was bad. Besides, as is customary, Shaolin doesn’t compete anymore after the first dance, right? “It’s better than watching the person who beat me win.”
As befits monks and monks who do not care about worldly fame or profit, it was customary for the participants of the Four Great Political Schools to decline participation on their own after winning the first official dance.
The Gangnam Yongbong branch is ultimately a venue for competition among the major families.
“I don’t know how long the four major political factions will continue to do so. “It is said that shamans have already begun to actively expand their scope.”
There is no telling when Shaolin, Hwasan, or Ami, stimulated by the unconventional actions shown by shamans in recent years, will begin to expand their power. There are also loud voices calling for more active activities of the four major political factions within the Murim Alliance.
The shaman’s unconventional actions are also largely thanks to him. Even if the identity of the Taoist sect is still being debated internally.
“You sometimes say such harsh things without hesitation.”
Confucius Jeok Se-ho smiled bitterly. His younger brother, Sehwa, cannot control him even as his older brother.
Sometimes he seems bold and smart, but at other times he is downright fierce. Then, she suddenly makes a big deal out of nothing.
‘Now that I think about it, the Gangnam Yongbong branch passed without incident.’
Last time, it was said to be quite powerful, of course it wasn’t a martial family, but it wasn’t an uproar as it slapped a family member’s face and poured tea on him.
It was fortunate that the other person was drunk and things went smoothly, but it could have been a serious situation.
“Did anything happen this time?”
That was just a question I asked in passing, out of curiosity. However, Jeok Se-hwa’s reaction was unexpected.
“yes? ah… … .”
Jeok Se-ho turned his head and looked at his sister in response to her reaction that seemed to have caught him off guard.
“Why, what happened?
Jeok Se-hwa smiled brightly at his brother.
“No, nothing happened.”
“okay? “Then I’m glad.”
Jeok Se-ho nodded obediently. Because he knew very well that nothing special had happened.
“You’re lucky too. Even though such a big incident occurred at the Tengwang Pavilion banquet hall, he was safe and uninjured. Do you know how surprised I was when I heard the news late? Oh, did your friends you brought with you get back well?”
After kicking out his disciples and occupying several of their rooms, Jeok Se-hwa claimed that he had brought over his friends whom he had met at the Tengwanggak banquet hall.
Jeok Se-ho asked if they should at least say hello, but Jeok Se-hwa told them not to come near the girls who were shocked by the tragedy and were resting.
Actually, it wasn’t a lie because he had two young ladies, but he didn’t say that he also had Sinui or Namaknogun.
‘Maybe there was no need to sprinkle scented perfume on it.’
I even sprinkled powder in front of the door just in case.
In any case, Jeok Se-ho, who did not want to be hated by his younger sister for meddling, and other students who knew Jeok Se-hwa’s personality, did not even come near him.
After two days like that, they quietly disappeared.
“Oh, and you said Prince Sun also left first, right?”
“yes. “He said he met some nice acquaintances for the first time in a very long time.”
Son Bin followed Jeok Se-hwa’s advice and left with them. For that group, it would be a piece of cake to get out of the male brothel without being detected.
“The Gangnam martial arts area is really chaotic these days, so I shouldn’t encounter any trouble, but I’m a little worried. “If possible, it would be better for you to accompany us.”
Jeok Se-ho felt truly sorry. He seemed to quite like Sonbin, who had a calm personality.
‘You won’t have to worry about that.’
Jeok Se-hwa replies like that in his mind, and Jeok Se-ho continues.
“I don’t know what the Blood Dragon Gate is thinking of breaking into the banquet hall. Moreover, I cannot understand the Namgung family’s behavior of continuing the Yongbong branch even in such a situation.”
“I want to show that I will never waver at that level. And the Namgung family has already declared a severe judgment.”
After the Dengwanggak banquet hall became a mess, the Namgung family announced that they would severely punish the Blood Dragon Clan and its related sects in the name of the Murim Alliance.
The Sega clans, major clans, and influential families whose children were detained in the banquet hall took the Namgung family’s announcement for granted.
“However, a silence order was issued regarding what actually happened at the banquet hall. Maybe they don’t want to reveal their own shame. In any case, the moment the Yongbong branch ends, the Namgung family will take full action.”
“But will those factions quietly accept the sanctions? In particular, Geumgeommun openly states that the Namgung family is responsible for the mysterious death of Geum Sa-yul. Moreover, the whereabouts of the later leaders of the Sapa who stormed into the Tengwang Pavilion banquet hall are also unknown.”
The late leaders of the Sapa who stormed into the Tengwang Pavilion banquet hall were nowhere to be found. Not only the warriors of the Namgung family but also nearby cooperative clans came forward to keep a tight guard, but no one was found.
Geum Sa-yul, who died mysteriously the day after defeating Namgung-cheol, is already revered as a hero among some sects.
There are also many rumors about the disappeared Sapa late exponents.
And gradually, the rumor that the Namgung family had dealt with them in secret was gaining ground.
“Collision will be inevitable.”
Distrust between each other is becoming more prevalent, and the confrontation is becoming more and more sharp. A big gap has already been left in Gangnam Moorim, so it will not be easy to bridge the gap.
Especially in situations where neither side is willing to compromise or understand.
“Since the Revolutionary Family promised full cooperation to the Namgung Family, I am worried about the impact it will have on our Hoyeon military in the future.”
Jeok Se-ho said with eyes full of depth. Even as a Hoyeon military official who cannot escape the influence of the Revolutionary Family, this conflict is no longer someone else’s problem.
“It will feel like walking on thin ice for a while.”
Jeok Se-hwa said with a bitter expression. Powerless small and medium-sized military officers cannot even decide their own fate. That frustrating reality casts a shadow over Jeok Se-hwa’s face.
Tap, tap.
Suddenly, Jeok Se-hwa thought of Son Bin.
Even with such amazing abilities, the carefree appearance of Son Bin, who lives as if he is a step away from the turbulent waters of the martial arts world and laughing with the children in a shabby seowon, is automatically drawn before my eyes.
“Whoa.”
Jeok Se-hwa sighed. If possible, he wanted to live like that himself. A life like living a small military affair with your loved ones.
‘By the way, you are the lover of the Goddess of Swords… … . Eun Cho-bin also fell in love with a really great person.’
The more I thought about it, the more absurd it became. How could we have known that Sun Confucius, who had made a fuss about passing the civil service exam a few years ago, would have reached such a level?
‘Sun Gongja is like that too. I wondered where he came from and learned how to use a sword, but wasn’t it true that swordsmanship was his main occupation and studying writing was his hobby?’
If you passed the civil service examination through studying as a hobby, that is a great achievement.
“Now that I think about it, the final dance of the Gangnam Yongbong branch is in progress.”
Suddenly, Jeok Se-hwa spoke.
Since the situation in Gangnam Moorim was so critical, they had to return to Cheongwon as soon as possible. They cannot afford to watch the finals of the Gangnam Yongbong branch, which already has nothing to do with them.
“There will be no surprises this time either. “As always.”
Confucius Jeok Se-ho spoke in passing. Jeok Se-hwa smiled slightly at his brother’s words.
‘The strange thing has already happened.’
But her thoughts never came out in words. As the sunlight gradually waned, they hurried on their way with petitions.
* * *
Kaang!
A sharp sound of metal rang out from the battlefield in front of Deungwanggak.
The hot sunlight under the sunny sky was dazzling, but the unarmed people crowding around were watching the fight unfolding in front of them without even having time to wipe their sweat.
This is because the winner of the Gangnam Yongbong branch is decided in this dance.
Huh.
The sword containing the bet makes a sound as it cuts through the wind. As if to protest against the force, another sword plunges towards the opponent with all its internal power.
Quang!
A sound like an explosion of alcohol erupted. It was enough to make those watching flinch. And as a result of that clash, Bimu’s victory or defeat was decided.
“lost.”
Prince Hyukryeon of the Hyukryun family gritted his teeth and spoke briefly. His expression still seemed like he couldn’t give in, but the opponent’s sword around his neck told him that victory or defeat had been decided.
No matter how paper-thin the difference is, no matter how disappointing the match is, a loss is a loss.
Sreung.
Namgung Hoon of the Namgung family raised his sword. With him, Bimu’s observer loudly declared his victory.
“The victory of Confucius Namgung-hun!”
“Waaah.”
Even before the declaration of victory was over, people’s cheers rang out through the Deungwanggak.
This time, the Hyukryun family’s attempt to defeat the Namgung family ended in failure.
Zhuge Hui of the Zhuge family and Gongsun Pavilion of the Gongsun family, who were watching, also had expressions of regret.
How could it be just them? The faces of all the young people who attended the Gangnam Yongbong branch were full of regret. The only ones who seem to be unrelated to victory or defeat are the participants of the four major political factions.
“The person in charge of this Gangnam Yongbong branch meeting is Prince Namgung-hun of the Namgung family!”
The observer’s declaration was barely audible, drowned out by the cheers of the people.
Hyebul of Shaolin, representing the Murim Alliance, stood on the non-stage holding a large flag.
The flag, made with a long spear with a sharp sharp blade as the flagpole, was an honorary symbol awarded to the winner of the Gangnam Yongbong branch for generations.
Whoops.
A large, colorful flag decorated with gold thread fluttered fiercely in the wind blowing from Payang Lake.
The golden emblem, ‘People’s Earth Dragon (人中之龍)’, written in single strokes on a large flag as tall as a person, is displayed in front of people.
“Waaah!”
People cheered even more.
A philtrum jiryong originally meant a mysterious person who was difficult to meet, but it also implied that the winner of the Yongbong Jihoe was an outstanding person like a dragon.
With a similar meaning, women are given a flag called ‘Hwajungjibong (花中之鳳)’.
“It was a good dance. “I hope that Sohyeop’s outstanding martial arts skills will be used for the well-being of all living beings and the advancement of martial arts.”
With a calm smile, Hyebul handed the flag to Namgung Hoon.
However, Namgoong Hoon’s expression was not that bright.
The proud smile that every winner would show, or even the burning desire to win as if it was still not enough, was not visible.
Hyebul was puzzled for a moment, but had already handed the flag over to Namgung Hoon. After expressing his displeasure for a moment, he quietly left the stage.
“Wow.”
“Namgoong Hoon! Namgoong Hoon! Namgoong Hoon!”
Namgoong-hoon was the only one standing alone on the off-stage amidst the pouring cheers and cheers. The wind blowing from Payang Lake flutters the flag and reveals the four letters, ‘Injungjiryong’.
“I am.”
As Namgung-hoon’s heavy voice filled with history rang out, the cheers subsided as if it were a lie. The people who filled the area around the non-stage listened to the words of Namgung-hoon, the winner of this year’s Gangnam Yongbong Branch.
“You have no right to dare call yourself a human earth dragon.”
People were a little agitated by the unexpected words. However, I thought it was just an expression of humility and ceremonial humility.
Because Namgoong Hoon confidently defeated everyone with his skills and got to that position.
The strong wind of Payang Lake fluttered the flag. Namgung-hoon stood holding the flagpole as if holding a spear and spoke in a voice full of power as if making a declaration.
“So, I will dedicate this flag to the true dragon, the one who truly deserves to be called a dragon.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Namgoong-Hoon raised the flagpole and hit the floor.
thud!
A strong spear pierced the off-stage floor. Everyone remained silent at his actions. This is because I didn’t know how to accept Namgoong Hoon’s actions.
Is that a declaration of new victory, or does it literally mean a refusal to accept the award? So who is the true dragon?
Sreung.
Not only that, Namgung-Hoon drew his sword. And he slammed it down in front of the fluttering flag of the Earth Dragon.
Kaang!
A sword containing strong internal power was stuck in the rain stage. People were buzzing. This is because the fact that a warrior puts his sword into the ground can be interpreted in many different ways.
Jerk, jerk.
Just like that, Namgoong Hoon came off the stage. The cheering people all fell silent and whispered about Namgoong Hoon’s actions.
Not only the invited guests, but also the adults of the Namgung family also looked perplexed as to how they should accept Namgung Hoon’s actions.
It was then.
Jerk.
Hyukryunhu of the Hyukryun Sega ascended to the non-stage. At that moment, the people’s murmur grew louder.
Does that mean that the real winner of Bimu is Hyukryeonhu?
However, Hyeokryeonhu just walked in front of Ki and raised his sword. And just like Namgoong Hoon did, he plunged his sword into the off-stage floor.
Whoops!
Two swords were stuck in front of the flag like a symbol. And Hyukryeonhu left the stage without saying a word. Meanwhile, Gongsun Jue and Zhuge Hui were already coming up to the non-stage.
“As expected, you are young. “Everyone is full of energy.”
Namgungse and Ocheongju Namgungryeol said with a smile in mind.
People did not understand this situation, but they knew why Namgoong-hoon and the young late Jisoo behaved like that. Because they were the ones who ordered them to remain silent.
“A young person should have that level of spirit. “Isn’t it cute?”
Hyukryeonpil, the head of the Hyukryeonse family, said while stroking his beard. The external enemy known as the Blood Dragon Gate strengthened internal unity.
The conflict between the Namgung family and the Hyeokryun family, sparked by a secret agreement between Tangmun, will also subside for a while.
“If you think about it, that nameless guy’s behavior is extremely shrewd.”
Zhuge Sang, the ruler of the outer Qing Dynasty, said.
“By disappearing quietly rather than seeking fame, he became a hero to later generations. haha.”
Everyone sees the world the way they want to see it. Son Bin’s actions of quietly disappearing are considered by Sega representatives to be one level of clever behavior.
Just as Hyebul’s actions of striving to follow the right path are seen as nothing more than a check on power.
“But it will soon be forgotten.”
Namgung-ryeol said with shining eyes.
“People will cheer for the new young heroes who judged the Blood Dragon Gate.”
And at the center of it all will be the Namgung family. Namgungryeol was sure of that.
Tsk, tsk tsk!
Gongsun Jue and Zhuge Hui, who were on the off-stage, also put their swords in front of the fluttering flag of the Earth Dragon. Zhuge Hui’s expression seemed a little dissatisfied, but he also left the off-stage without saying a word.
They weren’t the only ones. Almost all later indexes who participated in the formal meeting followed suit.
Although no one could speak officially due to the decision of the Murim Alliance and Sega’s silence order, only they knew.
In this Gangnam Yongbong branch, who are the people who should truly be called the dragons of people and the best of flowers?
Zeng, Zeng!
The sound of swords being sheathed continued one after another. Before I knew it, the place where so many swords had been inserted looked like a tomb made of swords or a sword gun.
And now everyone could see.
It is the reverence of the latter-day exponents to the true dragon, the one who truly deserves to be called a dragon.
Huh.
A large flag flutters in the strong wind blowing from Payang Lake. On the flag that seemed to cover the numerous swords stuck on the ground, the four letters ‘Lord of the People’ were shining clearly.
∴
After that incident, the mysterious name of a person who truly deserves to be called a dragon, ‘人中之龍 True Dragon Daehyeop (人中之龍 True Dragon Daehyeop)’, began to spread throughout the martial arts world.
He was a mysterious Daehyeop, like a dragon in the clouds, whose name and clan were unknown. All that was known about him was that he was the lover of the Pageom Goddess and that he possessed an incredibly beautiful sword.
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martial arts,
