Chapter 41

"Uwaaa! I'll kill you!"

Jeok Leegeon exclaimed loudly, a red handprint still visible on his cheek.

Please, until that face calms down, don't attract attention. I'm embarrassed just standing next to him.

Jeok Leegeon was admiring the women's dance unfolding on a stage to the side. The women were performing a beautiful dance to the music of the musicians.

Jeok Leegeon was so loud in his admiration that the people around him giggled and stared.

Maybe I should wear a mask when I'm with Jeok Leegeon.

Without even eating breakfast, the two arrived at the Infinite Branch of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan. Of course, Jeok Leegeon dragged Jeong Charyeon along, saying there was somewhere to go.

A festival celebrating the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, which would be held tomorrow, was taking place here. The Infinite Branch had opened all the Martial Training Grounds and even turned the open space outside the branch into a festival venue.

"Waaaah!"

A shout erupted from one side.

The Northern Sky Hegemon Clan Martial Artists were performing a group dance. The audience cheered at their disciplined movements as they wielded their spears.

"It's finally tomorrow."

Was it the atmosphere? Jeong Charyeon's heart was also pounding.

It was her first time participating in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Her heart was naturally pounding with anticipation of what awaited her.

On another side, demonstrations by the Four Great Hegemons experts continued.

The audience cheered at the miraculous skill with which they cut rocks with their swords.

Hawkers selling various goods were doing business while avoiding the eyes of the patrolling Martial Artists. Young men flirted with the female Martial Artists, and on one side, old Jianghu veterans gathered in the sun to chat.

Even though it was morning, over a thousand Jianghu people had gathered. It was truly a lively and enjoyable festival.

In the midst of all this, Jeok Leegeon was diligently searching for something.

"Ah! There it is."

Jeok Leegeon scurried off.

It was the food area. Dozens of seats were prepared, and anyone who was hungry could take a seat and eat.

The tables were filled with alcohol and generous side dishes. Behind them, invited cooks and women were busy preparing food.

Jeok Leegeon took a seat.

"Ugh, you came all the way here just to eat again?"

Jeok Leegeon remained steadfast despite Jeong Charyeon's scolding.

"Festival food is always delicious."

Jeong Charyeon snatched the piece of meat he was tearing off.

"You'll be in big trouble if you only eat meat. Eat this."

Jeong Charyeon offered him a vegetable dish.

Jeok Leegeon pouted.

His pouting face was so cute that she barely managed to suppress a laugh.

"Still, no meat!"

"That's too much."

Even so, Jeok Leegeon munched on the vegetables.

Jeong Charyeon stared at Jeok Leegeon.

"You."

"What?"

"What's your real identity?"

"What are you talking about out of the blue?"

"Tell me properly."

Jeok Leegeon is not ordinary. Only a fool wouldn't know that.

Even in the fight with Kwon Hyuk-gi yesterday, the advice Jeok Leegeon gave was something only an expert could give.

Jeok Leegeon's expression became a little serious.

"I have nothing to answer."

"Why?"

"Since I met you, I've never hidden anything about myself. Maybe you just don't believe in me."

Jeong Charyeon was speechless for a moment. What if that was true?

Jeok Leegeon really dreams of Conquest of the World, and will win not only the Dragon Phoenix Gathering but also the Heavenly Dragon Battle.

But that doesn't make sense, does it?

Jeok Leegeon spotted someone in the distance, among the crowd.

"Let's go."

Jeok Leegeon led Jeong Charyeon away again. Jeong Charyeon was getting used to being dragged around without knowing why.

I'm not usually this easy!

"Where are we going?"

"There's someone I want to introduce you to."

"Who is it?"

"You'll see when we get there."

Jeok Leegeon took her to the opposite side of where the food was set up. There was a temporary tea house made of tents.

Three people were sitting in a corner of the tea house.

"Ah!"

Jeong Charyeon was surprised to see them.

It was the three old men she had met on the street before.

The Supreme Demon Queen Yang Hwa-young, Thunderbolt Sword Naeng Isang, and demon sword Cheon Mu-ak were sitting side by side, dressed as peasants.

They also seemed surprised to recognize Jeong Charyeon, whom Jeok Leegeon had brought.

"Oh ho, so you made a friend, and it's this child?"

"Huh? Do you know her?"

"Hehe, what a connection."

Yang Hwa-young chuckled. But in her small eyes, there was more interest in the fate brought about by inevitability than surprise.

As soon as she saw Yang Hwa-young, Jeong Charyeon bowed politely.

The three old men watched the scene silently.

After she finished bowing, Yang Hwa-young asked.

"Why are you bowing?"

"I gained great enlightenment from your teachings, Master."

"Oh ho!"

Yang Hwa-young looked pleased.

Naeng Isang, who was next to her, asked with a curious face.

"Did you know about Leegeon's relationship with her?"

"No. It was just a coincidence."

Naeng Isang shook his head.

"You're not reading Celestial Energy, are you?"

He said it like a joke, but it didn't sound like one. Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak inwardly guessed. Yang Hwa-young must have read some kind of destiny while looking at Jeong Charyeon.

Yang Hwa-young's wrinkled face created a kind smile.

"Child, since we met like this, let's join us and have fun."

"It would be an honor."

"You're such a pretty child the more I look at you."

Jeong Charyeon blushed at Yang Hwa-young's compliment. People tend to like those who treat them kindly. Jeong Charyeon didn't dislike Yang Hwa-young either. If her grandmother were alive, wouldn't it feel like this?

Jeok Leegeon, who was watching, pouted.

"You seem to like her more than me."

"You rascal, what's so pretty about you that you're comparing yourself to this lovely child?"

Jeok Leegeon pouted and sat next to Jeong Charyeon.

The three old men stared at the two of them. It was as if they were examining whether the two looked good together, which made Jeong Charyeon feel embarrassed.

Then Jeok Leegeon casually said.

"Ask if you have any questions."

Yang Hwa-young looked at Jeok Leegeon and smiled.

"Are you already taking care of your woman?"

"Of course not."

As he said that, Jeok Leegeon looked away.

In that moment, Jeong Charyeon realized. She had another opportunity.

What Jeok Leegeon was telling her to ask was not Yang Hwa-young's age or hobbies.

"I'm sorry to ask, but may I ask you a few questions, Master?"

"As much as you want."

Jeong Charyeon briefly explained only the important parts of the Crimson Snake Sword Art's mind techniques and stance operations. It was originally a family secret that should never be leaked, but Jeong Charyeon felt that Yang Hwa-young was an expert who didn't care about her Crimson Snake Sword Art. Indeed, Yang Hwa-young understood the essence of the Crimson Snake Sword Art at once with just a brief explanation.

'Father, I'm sorry.'

But her father would surely understand in this case as well.

"What causes the feeling that the flow is cut off between stances?"

It was a problem that arose after the Crimson Snake Sword Art reached the Seventh Star. Jeong Charyeon was guessing that the reason might be an important reason why she couldn't escape the Seventh Star.

Yang Hwa-young answered immediately.

"It's because you don't understand the stances well enough."

Jeong Charyeon tilted her head. She thought she understood the Crimson Snake Sword Art well enough. There was something else wrong.

"What does it mean to properly understand the stances?"

"Stop thinking that you complete a Martial arts by fitting the stances together like pieces. Understand that you complete a Martial arts by overlapping the stances."

"Overlapping the stances?"

Yang Hwa-young waved her hand.

Whoosh.

With the sound of the wind, a square line was drawn on the table.

"For example, there is this stance..."

She drew several different lines on top of the square line again. There were triangular lines, round lines, and long lines.

"You overlap these various stances like this."

Numerous lines were superimposed on the original square drawing.

"If you keep overlapping them, the stances will gradually decrease."

Indeed, the drawing on the table had roughly become a single, round circle.

Jeong Charyeon's face flushed. Her heart fluttered as if she understood but didn't.

It was said that true experts even forget the stances.

Wouldn't the beginning be this kind of realization?

Yang Hwa-young said calmly.

"When you master the Crimson Snake Sword Art, only nine sword paths will remain of the Seventy-Seven Paths of the Crimson Snake Sword Art."

"Ah!"

Jeong Charyeon exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Each word contained the deep understanding of a Martial Artist who had reached the pinnacle. Moreover, Yang Hwa-young explained it as easily as possible.

Even Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak, who were listening next to her, nodded and admired the teachings.

After being lost in thought, Jeong Charyeon asked again.

Yang Hwa-young answered Jeong Charyeon's questions without showing any displeasure.

"Ah!"

Jeong Charyeon's exclamations continued. Things that she could not understand no matter how much she thought about them or read Martial arts books were being solved in an instant.

It was not just about the Crimson Snake Sword Art. It was an enlightenment about Martial arts in general that would be the greatest strength for Jeong Charyeon as she lived, learning Martial arts.

It was a rare opportunity for Jeong Charyeon.

Not only Yang Hwa-young, but also Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak joined in and talked about Martial arts.

Jeong Charyeon asked questions in between their conversations.

The old men were also satisfied with Jeong Charyeon's intelligence. Jeong Charyeon had reached the Seventh Star of the Crimson Snake Sword Art at a young age. Even if she wasn't a born genius, her aptitude for Martial arts was very outstanding.

Jeok Leegeon, who was watching the discussion, quietly got up from his seat. Jeong Charyeon was so engrossed in the conversation with the three old men that she didn't notice him leaving.

Yang Hwa-young gave Jeok Leegeon a meaningful smile, and Jeok Leegeon chuckled.

Muyeong walked over from afar.

"What brings you here?"

"I came to see the elders."

"Wait a little."

Muyeong glanced at the tent.

"What's going on?"

Then he soon understood the situation.

"Hahaha, as the saying goes, a happy family brings success in everything."

Jeok Leegeon frowned slightly.

"I don't know yet. You never know."

"I'm sure."

"I'm not a playboy."

"Yes, yes."

In the end, the two looked at each other and laughed heartily.

After laughing heartily, Muyeong said.

"Ah, Ga has officially started working."

"So things are slowly starting to happen one by one."