Chapter 92: Talent Show (1)
Without a doubt, Sa Biyeon had encountered an extraordinary opportunity at the tomb of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.
She had overcome two barriers at once—an encounter of such magnitude that even the protagonist of a martial arts novel would be envious. It was truly the greatest opportunity of ancient and modern times.
However—
‘The problem was that Sa Biyeon’s talent wasn’t quite on par with a martial arts novel protagonist.’
Of course, her natural aptitude was beyond question.
The mere fact that she had survived the demonic energy inside the Flowing Qi Formation meant that, among her peers in the latter-stage Qi accumulation realm, she ranked among the very top in terms of talent.
The problem was, that level of talent wasn’t enough to fully absorb the opportunity within the Flowing Qi Formation.
‘I can see the instability in her essence, energy, and spirit. She looks like she’s struggling.’
In a situation like this, with so many eyes watching, it would clearly be more harmful than helpful if she fought someone like Pa Yeongyeong.
Even if that weren’t the case, I had a rough idea of Sa Biyeon’s ambitions, and I knew it would be unwise for her true capabilities to be revealed in a place like this.
“Young Master Jin…”
Sa Biyeon looked like she wanted to say something, her expression hesitant.
But I deliberately ignored her gaze and kept my eyes fixed on Pa Yeongyeong.
“What will you do, Lady Pa?”
“You’re offering to fight in her place?”
She blinked and asked.
“Yes, I believe I’m more than qualified.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“Even if not me, any of the sons and daughters of the Six Great Demonic Clans here today would be suitable opponents for you. Don’t you think so, everyone?”
In an instant, the expressions of the others twisted. Several people glared at me, shooting accusing glances as if to say, ‘Why are you dragging us into this?’
And I didn’t care in the slightest about those looks.
‘Heh, none of you will step up, will you?’
They might want to challenge her in their hearts, but she was none other than the heir of the Pa Clan.
And publicly, she was considered the top contender among the Six Demonic Dragons.
Not even the Young Cult Leader, the host of the Exchange Ceremony, would casually challenge her. If someone were to recklessly challenge her and get beaten to a pulp, it would be more than just a loss of face.
At that moment—
“Even if I don’t fight, anyone who dares challenge the heir of the Pa Clan will leave a lasting impression.”
“…!”
Cheon Yura, seemingly catching on to my intention, chimed in with a casual tone, providing backup.
Just then, someone seated on the left began to rise but flinched and sat back down, seemingly after receiving a sound transmission.
‘Ma Jinyoon, huh?’
He must have been about to jump in out of youthful impulse, but someone had talked him down. Whoever it was, they saved him from disaster—he would have humiliated himself with his current skills.
After a moment’s thought, Pa Yeongyeong finally opened her mouth.
“I’m not interested in the others. The only ones who catch my eye are the Young Cult Leader, you, and that Sa girl.”
Clicking her tongue, she sat back down again.
“So I’ll pass.”
“Pardon?”
“If it were the Young Cult Leader or Sa Biyeon, maybe. But I don’t think I can fight you with my full strength here.”
‘Did she catch on?’
If Pa Yeongyeong and I were to go all out from the start, it would destroy the mood of the Exchange Ceremony—and even worse, it could overshadow the presence of the Young Cult Leader, who was meant to shine.
That was likely not what the Cult Leader wanted.
‘She might seem reckless, but she has quite the political foresight.’
Of course, without that level of insight, she wouldn’t have made it to the position of heir to the Pa Clan.
“I’ll be satisfied with just setting a promise here.”
“A promise?”
The people around us, unaware of what had passed between us, reacted with confusion.
As for me, a chill ran down my spine.
“So don’t disappoint me when the time comes.”
Her voice was calm, yet chilling.
“…Understood.”
Apparently satisfied with my answer, her tone turned cheerful once again.
“Since my original goal has fallen through, I’ll just hang around and enjoy the show. That won’t be a problem, right?”
Given that she was already disqualified by both her identity as heir to the Pa Clan and her gender, there wasn’t much else she could do here anyway.
“Pa Yeongyeong.”
But then—
Just when it seemed things would wrap up quietly, Cheon Yura suddenly turned a piercing gaze on Pa Yeongyeong.
“Your tone just now was unusual. What, Young Cult Leader? Are you trying to scold me?”
“No. Not to scold, but to give a warning.”
“A warning?”
“I’ll say just one thing to you.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I really hate having what’s mine taken away.”
“…”
“Just keep that in mind.”
Though there was probably a five-year age gap between them, there was no awkwardness at all in the way Cheon Yura faced Pa Yeongyeong.
Authority.
Cheon Yura radiated an authority that transcended age.
Of course, hardly anyone could understand why she suddenly said such a thing.
“Scary. So you’re already marking your territory?”
Pa Yeongyeong shrugged at the warning.
“What nonsense is that?”
“Deny it all you want. I don’t care. It’s not like I’m interested in that kind of thing anyway.”
“I hope that feeling lasts. But if you ever want to test it, feel free to come find me. I’ll make sure to quench your thirst completely.”
“Oh, that sounds delightful.”
Pa Yeongyeong’s eyes sparkled for a moment.
But that was it.
Almost as if prearranged, both she and Cheon Yura withdrew their gazes from each other at the exact same time.
Looking around, I saw many people wearing expressions that said, ‘What the hell just happened?’
In the middle of the sudden chaos, Cheon Yura raised her hand and spoke.
“Alright, a minor disturbance dragged things out a bit. Let’s begin the Exchange Ceremony now.”
No one objected.
And so, the second Exchange Ceremony began.
***
“…”
“…”
The Sa attendants brought out food and drinks to the large round table, while the musicians who had been prepared in advance began to play their instruments.
But that was it. At the round table where the main figures were gathered, there was nothing but a quiet silence—no meaningful conversation.
‘Is this hell?’
Cheon Yura, who was supposed to lead the room and lift the atmosphere, remained silent as she quietly drank.
It felt like she was saying, “I’ve done enough; I’m not doing anything more.”
If the Cult Leader saw this, he’d probably slap his forehead and launch into a long speech about what it meant to be a member of a cult.
‘I guess I’m the one who has to liven things up here.’
Even though I wasn’t hoping for a bloody Exchange Ceremony, I certainly didn’t want it to end like this either.
“Ahem!”
I cleared my throat and turned to the seat next to me.
“Brother So. Brother So!”
I jabbed the side of the person sitting next to me.
“Brother Jin?”
“Hahaha, no matter what, the atmosphere here seems a bit too down, don’t you think?”
A cheerful man greeted me with a somewhat awkward laugh.
It was So Jeongwon, a direct descendant of the Hidden Shadow So Clan.
“You’ve been well, haven’t you, Brother Jin?”
“Now you finally greet me! Even though you were right next to me, you were so cold that I was a little hurt, you know.”
“Ah, hahaha.”
The Hidden Shadow So Clan and the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan had always had a strong bond.
Naturally, there had been many exchanges between the younger generation, and as direct descendants of our clans, I and So Jeongwon were on fairly friendly terms.
However—
‘This guy leaves such a faint impression. He’s oddly forgettable.’
Maybe it was due to the unique martial art of the Hidden Shadow So Clan, but even after having a conversation with him, his presence somehow faded the moment you turned your back.
Maybe he was happy that I spoke to him first, but So Jeongwon began to talk more actively.
“I thought that day was the last time I’d ever see you, Brother Jin.”
It was good that he started talking, but he suddenly said something strange.
“Huh? That day? Last time? What are you talking about?”
The words could cause a weird misunderstanding, and some gazes turned toward us.
“You know… At the Tower of Demonic Heaven in Miok Fortress.”
“…Ah.”
“It’s been a while, so I can say this now, but when I saw the Jin Clan Leader’s procession on the street, I thought you were a dead man.”
“R-Right. Hahaha!”
I had forgotten, but this guy had been one of the later-stage Qi cultivators who attended that event at the Tower of Demonic Heaven!
‘I thought everyone had run away, but I guess a few stuck around nearby.’
“After that, you suddenly changed and started making major contributions…”
As So Jeongwon kept rambling, the previously tense atmosphere began to ease up little by little.
“Master Ma, how is the Second Son doing these days?”
“Ah, yes. My second brother is still as busy as ever.”
As the conversation picked up, the long-silent round table slowly began to come to life with more voices.
Cheon Yura still hadn’t spoken, but I saw Sa Biyeon give me a slight nod from her seat.
She was probably expressing her thanks.
“Hahahaha!”
“Master, have a drink!”
Indeed, the power of alcohol was formidable. Though Cheon Yura remained silent, as drinks started flowing, everyone gradually began to loosen up.
Clack!
Then someone roughly set down their cup and stood up.
‘That guy?’
He had been silently drinking the whole time with a sharp, cold look.
“I am Ryung of the Illusion Clan, Young Cult Leader.”
“Flying Phantom Sword, Hwan Ryung!”
“One of the top talents among the graduating class of the Demon Dragon Hall!”
Apparently, he was somewhat well-known, as people began to murmur his name in admiration.
I blinked in surprise too.
‘The Phantom Slayer Sword, Hwan Ryung?’
Though I’d never seen him in person, I remembered his name from my previous life.
He eventually became a top-level master who led the Dream Shadow Unit, a direct division of the Illusion Clan.
‘He’s not someone who usually leaves the Illusion Clan, yet here he is? They must really care about this event.’
Still, whether he was fit to be the Young Cult Leader’s husband? Hmm…
“What is it?”
“As Lady Sa mentioned earlier, the theme of this Exchange Ceremony is to appeal to the Young Cult Leader.”
“That’s right. So?”
“To liven up the mood, I would like to perform a sword dance. Would you permit it?”
The Illusion Clan was known not just for its formations and mechanisms, but also for its sword techniques, which emphasized transformation and illusion.
“There’s no reason to refuse.”
Cheon Yura gave a quiet nod.
With her approval, a faint smile crossed Hwan Ryung’s face.
“Then, allow me!”
He stepped into the small performance space beside the round table and drew his sword.
“My humble skills, but I shall perform for you.”
Chhhhh!
“Ooh!”
As he gripped his sword and began his flow of energy, thick mist began to pour out from his blade.
“That’s… the Mist Dance Sword!”
“Wow, to see the Illusion Clan’s secret sword art in a place like this!”
“Oh?”
Releasing sword qi in the form of mist was not only difficult but incredibly inefficient in battle.
But through their secret internal techniques and numerous refinements, the Illusion Clan had succeeded in turning it into a legitimate sword style rather than just a technique.
Each time Hwan Ryung’s sword moved, the surrounding mist shimmered and danced to match the movement.
Dreamlike. Illusory. Mesmerizing.
Everyone at the table became entranced by the sword display, and even the regular cultists far in the back shouted praise for his sword art.
‘Right now, he’s performing in a flashy way, but if he spreads that mist further… he could actually execute a one-man sword formation.’
That wasn’t ordinary mist. It was sword qi in the form of mist.
‘Regardless of efficiency, it would be a real pain to deal with in combat. The key would be figuring out how to break through the mist’s defense.’
While many people watched Hwan Ryung’s Mist Dance Sword and pondered how to counter it—
“Hoo… That’s all.”
He pulled back the multicolored mist and ended the sword dance.
“Wooooaaahhh!”
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted all around.
“What do you think, Young Cult Leader?”
Hwan Ryung’s swordsmanship was undeniably impressive.
But since I knew Cheon Yura’s personality, I could already guess exactly what she was about to say.
“Not impressed.”
“…”
Hwan Ryung’s expression twisted in disappointment.