Chapter 46

The Dragon and Phoenix Association (용봉지회).

It is a grand martial arts event where the rising stars of various sects compete to earn the titles of Dragon and Phoenix. A gateway for the nameless to rise to fame.

Among the countless rising stars, only one can claim the title of Dragon, and the runner-up earns the title of Phoenix. Thus, whenever the Dragon and Phoenix Association is held, the question of who from the Nine Great Clans or the Five Great Families will claim the Dragon’s title is always a hot topic.

“Who do you think will claim the Dragon’s title this time, young heroes?”

At the Baihua Inn in Baihua County, Hubei Province, young martial artists gathered to bond and engage in heated discussions.

“Of course, it will be Zhongnan. Zhongnan’s swordsmanship is unparalleled.”

In response to Tao Jun of the Qingsheng Sect, Quan Cong of the Zhongnan Sect answered with pride.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, opposing opinions emerged.

“While Zhongnan’s swordsmanship is indeed impressive…”

A beautiful woman with a mole near her eye, long black hair, and a curvaceous figure spoke up.

“One cannot discuss swordsmanship without mentioning Namgung.”

Tang Mirang of the Sichuan Tang Family, known as the Poison Phoenix, smiled slyly as she shifted her gaze. Following her lead, the others turned their attention to a young man quietly sipping tea.

“Indeed, we cannot leave out Namgung, who has already claimed the Dragon’s title.”

Quan Cong’s sarcastic emphasis on “young hero” was a jab at Namgung Sososo’s small stature and name. Namgung Sososo, the young master of the Namgung Family, forced a bitter smile and deflected the attention.

“…If we go by that logic, we cannot ignore Wudang and Huashan either.”

Wudang, Huashan, Zhongnan, and Namgung are the sects and families that are never left out when discussing swordsmanship in the righteous faction.

Especially Huashan and Zhongnan, both located in Shaanxi, are fierce rivals.

“Ha! Wudang is one thing, but Huashan is no match for Zhongnan!!”

As expected, when Huashan was mentioned, Quan Cong of Zhongnan reacted sensitively and began to explain why Zhongnan was superior to Huashan. Sososo sipped his tea again.

“I heard that Binglong is arrogantly participating in this Dragon and Phoenix Association to claim the title of True Dragon. Shouldn’t Jianlong show him what’s what?”

However, Tang Mirang didn’t let Sososo off the hook. Sososo, now back in the center of the conversation, sighed and put down his teacup.

True Dragon (진룡). A title given to those who have won the Dragon and Phoenix Association more than once.

While every rising star in the righteous faction desired the title, Jianlong Namgung Sososo, who was said to be the closest to becoming the True Dragon, showed little interest.

“…Even if it’s not me, there’s still the Young Dragon of the Jiegal Family.”

Young Dragon (유룡), Jiegal Guhae.

When Sososo mentioned that name, the rising stars present fell silent.

A monster who mastered both the Heavenly Mystery Step and the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. A martial artist who could wield different techniques with each hand, making him nearly invincible.

Truly, a spear and shield combined. A level beyond that of a rising star.

Whether they had experienced it themselves or witnessed it in combat, everyone knew the terror of the Young Dragon, so they remained silent.

‘Finally, it’s quiet.’

Sososo thought as he sipped his tea, but unfortunately, the silence didn’t last long. A new disruptor had arrived.

“Waiter! I’m starving, so bring me the menu quickly. I’m feeling dizzy.”

A man dressed in silk entered the inn long after lunchtime.

“Uh… Menu? What kind of dish are you referring to?”

“Ah, I misspoke because I’m hungry. Don’t mind me. What do you recommend?”

“Our inn is known for its delicious dishes, but the meat noodles are especially good.”

“Then I’ll have that.”

The awkward silence among the rising stars was broken, and they turned to look at the man who had entered.

Thick eyebrows, a sharp jawline, a well-defined nose, wolf-like amber eyes, a sturdy build, and a limp in his right leg.

Thump-thump.

The man was limping.

While the other rising stars quickly lost interest in the limping man, Sososo was different.

He set down his teacup and stared intently at the unknown man walking with a cane.

‘…His posture is well-balanced.’

Despite his limp, the man’s steps were regular, and his posture was straight. This wasn’t just good posture.

This was the gait of a martial artist who had trained since childhood, with a solid foundation.

It was rude to keep staring, but Sososo couldn’t take his eyes off the limping man.

Unconsciously, Sososo turned his head to observe the man, and their eyes eventually met.

“Ah…”

Sososo quickly stood up to apologize for his rudeness, but the man simply winked and smiled.

“It’s fine to keep staring. I know I’m handsome.”

“…Huh?”

The man’s attempt to reassure Sososo only made him more flustered. The man then introduced himself normally.

“I am Sima Mantian. I’m used to people’s stares, so don’t worry about it, miss.”

In an instant, the young master of the Namgung Family had become a “miss.” The other rising stars stifled their laughter, but Sososo didn’t mind.

“Thank you for your consideration, Sir Sima.”

Just as Sima Mantian was used to stares due to his leg, Sososo was often mistaken for a woman because of his appearance.

…And if you really thought about it, it wasn’t a mistake.

They were seeing him correctly.

***

Somehow, I ended up sitting with the rising stars of the martial world. But what was important to me now wasn’t that.

I carefully observed Namgung Sososo, who claimed to be the young master of the Namgung Family—in other words, a man.

Soft, pale skin that seemed to radiate a pleasant fragrance, a pretty face with delicate features, a petite frame just over 150 cm, and hair that was either light silver or gray.

Even his hairstyle was a braided bun, the kind usually seen on princess knights in comics.

Feeling my gaze, Sososo’s calm gray eyes met mine. His eyelashes were long and beautiful.

…At this point, it was practically screaming “cross-dressing woman.”

Should I acknowledge it? Or should I pretend not to notice? It felt rude to ignore something so obvious.

But then again, we were just passing acquaintances at an inn. Did it really matter?

So, I decided to set aside the gender issue and asked something I had been curious about since I first saw him.

“Forgive me if this is rude, but how did your hair turn gray, Young Master Namgung? Or were you born with it?”

Having been reincarnated into this martial world for eighteen years, I had seen blue eyes and red eyes, but gray hair and gray eyes were a first. I don’t think I had even seen it in my past life.

To my curiosity, Tang Mirang, who had been quietly listening, answered.

“Young Master Namgung’s hair turned gray due to the side effects of the Snow Ginseng he consumed as a child.”

Snow Ginseng (설삼) is a rare medicinal herb that grows in the coldest regions, where no other plants can survive. While its effects are potent, it has stronger side effects compared to refined elixirs.

‘Ah… So he ate some random root and ended up like this. That makes sense.’

I nodded in understanding.

Sometimes, elders say that nature is pure, so it’s fine to eat anything you find. But that’s a very dangerous mindset.

Everyone’s constitution is different. How can you know if something will be poison or medicine?

While natural elixirs are powerful, I think the refined elixirs created by scholars are safer and better.

In my opinion, someone—whether it’s Shaolin or Wudang—should set up an elixir factory and start selling frozen elixirs like instant noodles.

Otherwise, one day, martial artists’ hair colors will become as varied as characters in fantasy academy stories.

***

Sososo watched as Sima Mantian nodded in understanding and sipped his tea.

At first glance, he seemed like a carefree man, but there was also an air of nobility about him.

He was a truly peculiar man.