Chapter 93

For the first time in his life, sharing a warm embrace, Mantian is now in the arms of another woman.

[I understand you’re angry… but maybe calm down a bit?]

Despite the black snake’s plea echoing from within, Guhae’s body moves first, unable to tolerate the situation.

“Guhae, Guhae-ya?!”

Before Jiegal Yeon can even stop her, Guhae leaps from the railing in one swift motion.

“Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms – Flying Dragon in the Sky!”

Kwa-ang!!

Dust rises as she lands, splitting the martial stage.

“You… are the Jiegal Family’s Yuryong?”

Somehow, a menacing aura emanates from her.

“……”

Sososo, recognizing the sudden intruder, pulls Mantian closer, protecting him in her arms.

Guhae’s brow furrows naturally at the provocative action.

As she prepares to unleash the Dragon Subduing Palms with a flash of blue light in her eyes.

“…Guhae? Guhae-ya!!”

Is it fortune or misfortune?

Mantian, who had been cuddling in Sososo’s arms, suddenly stands up and pulls Guhae into a strong embrace.

From baby mode to master mode, it’s a class change.

“……!!”

Guhae’s body is almost lifted, buried in Mantian’s chest.

Though they exchanged letters.

This is their first meeting in five years since they parted as children.

Though both have grown and changed over time.

There was no way they wouldn’t recognize each other.

“Your face is half gone?! Did Jiegal Yang not feed you?! No… your cheeks have thinned.”

Well, it’s Mantian and Guhae (Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea).

For Mantian, who once treated martial arts as mere play, Guhae was the first to make him feel a sense of responsibility, the desire to grow stronger, and the need to protect someone precious.

“I wanted to come earlier. But there were more things than I thought. Still…”

It’s not just Guhae who sees Mantian as special.

Their existences have become inseparable.

They’ve influenced each other.

Like water and fish, a symbiotic relationship.

“I really… really missed you.”

At the soft voice that comforted her as a child, a light gradually returns to Guhae’s blue eyes.

“Ah, by the way… I’m Mantian. Remember? You didn’t forget your master’s face, did you…?”

Guhae’s hand, which was about to strike with a palm technique, hesitates in the air, then slowly releases the internal energy she had gathered.

“Yeah… I missed you too.”

She wraps her arms around Mantian’s back, hugging him tightly.

…Though the smell of another woman is quite unpleasant.

Feeling the strong arms holding her tightly, she enjoys the joy of reunion.

“Lord Sima…?”

…But Sososo, who had to watch this scene from beginning to end, couldn’t be happy.

The purpose of the journey and the reunion with a long-lost friend.

She should be happy for Mantian, celebrating as much as he is.

…But she can’t. She doesn’t want to.

Sososo’s face hardens.

Just moments ago, Mantian was in her arms, but now he’s embracing another woman. Her heart, which had been pounding, feels like it’s tied to a heavy lead weight, sinking down.

Dark emotions cloud her mind.

“I understand you’re happy to meet your friend, but your injuries are severe. Let’s treat them first.”

She forces an awkward smile and cautiously reaches out towards Mantian’s back.

*Thud-!*

“……?!”

Guhae slaps away Sososo’s approaching hand.

Peeking out from Mantian’s embrace, she reveals her sharp blue eyes, issuing a warning.

“Don’t touch. He’s mine.”

Dragons are sacred but greedy creatures.

She won’t allow a thief’s hand to touch her precious treasure.

…But Sososo can’t tolerate this either.

At the absurd nonsense, the little empress’s brow furrows.

“……Huh?”

She can no longer control her expression.

‘Lord Sima… is hers? What is this woman babbling about…?’

Mantian doesn’t belong to anyone else.

He’s the one who carved out his own destiny, who came for her in her despair…

Her calm eyes, tinged with a soft jade color under the light, grow cold.

…He’s my hero.

She meets Guhae’s gaze head-on without flinching.

The hidden sword in the room, Danlu, resonates with its master’s energy, humming and ready to move to Sososo’s hand at any moment.

Two girls, with one man between them.

“……”

The dragon and the king emit an invisible, massive current.

·

·

·

…And in the seats where the elders and executives of the Martial Alliance are gathered, an unusual atmosphere flows.

“Sigh… I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks heartwarming!”

Suddenly, Zhuge Biying, the deputy leader of the Flying Dragon Squad, stands up and applauds Mantian and Guhae, who are embracing each other.

“Let’s cheer for them heartily-!!”

Clap clap clap-!

“Hey hey~ You look great together! Be happy!!”

A line of cold sweat runs down Zhuge Biying’s jawline.

The young man who caused a major incident at the Dragon and Phoenix Association.

Sima Mantian.

He’s also the son of a friend and the nephew of a deceased first love, so he tried to let it slide naturally…

“Stop talking nonsense! Drag that brat down here! Catch him!!”

Of course, it didn’t work at all.

Starting with the shout of an elder with a long beard and age, everyone begins to chatter.

“Leader! The Sichuan Tang Family, the Huangbo Family, and the Zhongnan Sect elders have arrived!”

Even the executives of various families and sects have come to address this matter.

“Leader! I heard you brought that cripple here!!”

“What are you scheming! What do you want by causing such a stir!”

“The martial arts displayed at the end were Taijiquan from the Wudang Sect! Is he your hidden disciple?!”

“Speak up! Are you trying to monopolize the position of Martial Alliance Leader with the Wudang Sect?!”

Are they trying to steer the conversation favorably with baseless slander? Or do they really suspect this?

Either way, it’s a headache.

“Sigh… I don’t want to be the leader anymore…”

A sigh escapes Jaro’s lips.

It was fun watching the chaos, but cleaning up is always his job.

He rubs his temples with his thumb.

‘Zhang Family Taijiquan.’

The image of Mantian, who truly made Taijiquan his own, flashes by.

…Well, at least I got a good show this time.

Though her expression is a bit scary, he looks at Sososo, who has started to show various emotions, with satisfaction and stands up.

“If you’re not going to keep arguing here, let’s move.”

I’ll handle the cleanup.

***

Inside the Martial Alliance’s meeting hall.

Not just the sects that made it to the top eight of the Dragon and Phoenix Association, but also the executives of various sects currently gathered at the Martial Alliance discuss Mantian’s treatment.

However, one of the absolute powerhouses of the righteous faction, among the top ten martial artists in the world.

“Is there really a need for a meeting? He didn’t use any dirty tricks. He took down seven in a row, so he’s the winner.”

The elder of the Jiegal Family, Mantian’s Go friend.

“Am I wrong?”

Zhuge Yang, the strange dragon of the Jiegal Family, actively steps forward to defend Mantian.

“Well… rules are meant to be followed. If we make someone who acts recklessly the winner, discipline will fall apart.”

The opposition, who wants to punish Mantian, can’t push too hard.

There are some of the same rank, but the difference in strength is too great.

Regardless of factions, the martial world fundamentally respects strength.

Without a strong justification, the strong naturally have the upper hand.

The elders of various sects exchange glances.

Moreover, Zhuge Yang is a madman.

Even among the top ten martial artists, Jaro, as the leader, tries to resolve things with words.

But that madman doesn’t care. If he’s upset, it’s straight to the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.

Come to think of it, during a previous Dragon and Phoenix Association, a participant.

“Enough. I’ve seen your skills. I’m bored, let’s play Go.”

-said, and then took down all the top sixteen participants.

That participant was Zhuge Yang.

Though he’s calmed down compared to his youth, he’s still someone to be careful around.

…And also, as Zhuge Yang said, the fact that the top participants from each sect, except for Binglong, were taken down so easily was a big factor.

“He’s exceptional for his age…”

“But still, a cripple of unknown origin shouldn’t get the title of dragon.”

With the atmosphere like this.

“If he has a master, he’s a disciple of the Jeonjin Sect, though it’s a ruined sect.”

“But as you said, we can’t give the title of dragon to someone who didn’t formally apply. So here’s the thing…”

Alliance Leader Jaro subtly sides with Mantian while appearing neutral, trying to find a compromise to handle the situation smoothly.

“Dog Chasing Stick Technique.”

The elder of the Hebei Peng Family, who had been silent until now, speaks up.

“The Dragon and Phoenix Association is irrelevant now.”

The fifth son of the previous family head, Peng Wuxun, has a murderous glint in his eyes.

“I don’t know about other martial arts, but the stick technique he used was definitely the Dog Chasing Stick Technique.”

Given that only the family head of the Beggar’s Sect learns it.

Few in the righteous faction have actually seen the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, but there’s no mistaking it.

“I’m curious how he learned the Dog Chasing Stick Technique.”

Well, the martial world’s public enemy, the Eight-Foot Old Freak, beat the previous Hebei Peng Family head like a dog until he fainted.

And the martial art that made him stay locked in his room to this day is the Dog Chasing Stick Technique.

“Isn’t he a disciple of that Eight-Foot Old Freak?”