Reincarnation of the Cloud Dragon - Chapter 102

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This chapter is translated by Falnar Novels Team.
Support us by reading on our official site: https://falnarnovels.com
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Chapter 102.
The following day.
The midday sun poured down in a straight shaft across the Grand Martial Arena of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
The guests who had lingered late into the night discussing yesterday’s matches now filled their seats far earlier today.
The corridors, railings, and spectator seating on this level were so crowded that finding an empty spot was nearly impossible. The Combat Platform had been freshly prepared until not a speck of stone dust remained, and flags around its perimeter fluttered sharply in the wind.
Servants of the Guang Feng Yalü Family moved busily about, arranging seating, while figures from the Outer and Inner Halls, guests from external martial families, and women from the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect all sat in their designated positions, gazing down at the Grand Martial Arena.
If the Eight Strongmen and Four Heavenly Kings tournaments had been the preliminaries, then today was the true culmination of the Guang Feng Yalü Family’s martial tournament.
It was the day the finals would be held.
Because of this, not only those who had not attended until yesterday, but also those who had come solely to witness the finals, filled the sprawling estate of the Guang Feng Yalü Family with a sea of humanity.
Yet even before those countless spectators, the atmosphere within the Black Dragon Gang’s section remained composed.
Kang Hui sat with both hands clasped, his gaze fixed intently on the Combat Platform, while Yalü Hee occupied her seat with a face far clearer than the day before. The Secret Manual of the Feng Ying Scripture lay quietly upon her lap, yet her eyes were not upon the book but fixed upon the center of the Combat Platform.
“Sister.”
Yalü Hyeon from the adjacent seat called out carefully.
Yalü Hee answered without turning her head.
“What is it.”
“The Sect Master will win, won’t she?”
Yalü Hee laughed briefly.
“…I lost to the Little Sect Master, though.”
“Ah. That was… because you withdrew on your own. Since you hadn’t completed the technique….”
Kang Hui quickly made excuses while observing Yalü Hee’s expression.
She had lost yesterday. Yet there was no shadow of defeat upon her face.
Rather, her mind was clear only with the thought that she must recapture the threads of the Nak Wol Scripture and Bi Yeong Scripture, the Feng Shen Martial Art and Feng Ying Scripture, and the clues to the Eight Techniques whose names still lingered only at her fingertips.
Only then did Kang Hui, reassured, murmur softly.
“I wonder how far the Sect Master will demonstrate today.”
* * *
In the elevated seat sat Yalü Jin, the Family Head of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
Elders flanked him on both sides, while a little distance away, the Deputy Family Head Yalü Cheok sat in formal position.
Yalü Jin’s gaze swept slowly across the entire Grand Martial Arena.
External guests.
Figures from the Twelve Orthodox Families.
The Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect.
The Black Dragon Gang.
And Hee and Hyeon.
This martial tournament had already left behind more than enough.
Now all that remained was how to conclude its fruits.
The Butler stepped forward.
Before the finals could begin, there were matters to be settled first.
His voice rang out across the Grand Martial Arena.
“On this final day of the Guang Feng Yalü Family’s martial tournament, we extend our gratitude to all the honored guests who have graced us with their presence.”
The arena fell silent.
“Before the finals commence, I shall first announce the prizes bestowed upon those who have illuminated this martial competition. The patriarch himself will make the proclamation.”
Patriarch Yalü Jin stepped forward.
“First, to the runner-up shall be granted one superior elixir from our family stores, along with the honor of being received as a distinguished guest of our house.”
A brief murmur rippled through the assembly.
“Distinguished guest status, you say….”
“They would be treated as a visitor of the Guang Feng Yalü Family whenever they wish.”
“…Both finalists are still quite young in years, yet to receive such distinguished treatment. The Guang Feng Yalü Family could cultivate decades of relations with them.”
The patriarch paused for a moment.
“And to the champion shall be granted….”
Every eye in the assembly fixed upon the patriarch.
“…the Fengling Jade Dew Pill.”
“…!”
“The Fengling Jade Dew Pill…!”
“I heard the Guang Feng Yalü Family has precious few of those remaining?”
The murmur deepened into a more profound stirring.
The Fengling Jade Dew Pill was a superior elixir kept within the Library Archive of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
Particularly, for one who had cultivated inner strength governing the essence of wind, it was a treasure comparable even to the finest elixirs.
To bestow such a thing upon an outsider….
“How extraordinary…!”
Yet the patriarch’s words did not end there.
“…Furthermore, to the champion shall be granted a private audience with myself, and the privilege of accessing our family’s Library Archive.”
“…!!”
“A private audience with the patriarch…!”
“Access to the Library Archive…!”
The assembly erupted in tumultuous excitement.
“…Such magnificent prizes.”
“Whether it be the Black Dragon Gang or the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect, whoever emerges victorious cannot help but forge deep ties with the Guang Feng Yalü Family.”
“The patriarch’s public declaration itself is an expression of weight and sincerity.”
“Truly, the Yalü Family. They do not hold their martial competitions lightly.”
Yun Cheon, waiting at the side of the Combat Platform, found his attention drawn to the prizes.
Victory alone in this martial competition would not only reestablish the Feng Yun Ranking’s hierarchy but also elevate his renown.
‘A private audience with the patriarch. And the Library Archive of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.’
While family martial techniques would not be disclosed, the Library Archive of such an ancient house might contain techniques I had never glimpsed even in the Inner Library.
Especially since I had recently been contemplating various methods of wielding the essence of nature while contending with the Ultimate Frozen Heart Technique.
‘Yin-cold essence… thunder essence… and the wind of the Guang Feng Yalü Family….’
Martial techniques entirely different from those I had spent a lifetime learning at Kunlun.
Because the Demonic Cult was a realm dominated by the strong, many of its martial techniques had developed in sharper, more refined forms.
‘The prize is quite enticing as well. Moreover… a private audience with the patriarch. So Ryong and Elder Saengsa Jjon had also made their requests….’
I recalled their words from the day I departed the Black Dragon Gang.
[Master, if the Feng Yun Ranking lacks but one thing… it is authority. A martial competition hosted by the Guang Feng Yalü Family carries different weight. This is the perfect occasion for the Black Dragon Gang, an emerging force, to make its name known for the first time at the Tianshan headquarters!]
“Hmm… As the Saengsa Jjon of this sect, I could certainly arrange for you to compete in the Demon Sect Tournament. However, doing so would invite concentrated opposition from other factions. Thus, it would be far more advantageous to secure allied forces beforehand from among the Twelve Orthodox Families or the Ten Demon Sects.”
“Saengsa Jjon is absolutely right! If we forge ties with the Guang Feng Yalü Family, it will prove invaluable in the long run, Master!”
“Indeed. So do not simply send out Yalü Hee and call it a day. Win the tournament, and from that stage, make it known throughout Tianshan that I, the Saengsa Jjon, am backing the Sect Master.”
Saengsa Jjon’s hearty laughter and So Ryong’s excited voice overlapped in my mind.
I exhaled sharply.
They were right.
‘I must fulfill my duties as Sect Master… if I am to ascend above the Heavenly Demon.’
The Guang Feng Yalü Family’s martial exhibition was no mere final match.
It was the place where the Black Dragon Gang would leave its first seal—the name by which it would be known throughout Tianshan.
The Fengyun Jade Dew Pill was valuable, and the Bi ranking was coveted.
Yet what held my gaze longest was something else entirely.
A private audience with the Master of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
‘The Demon Sect Tournament.’
Those two words settled quietly in my mind.
The stage where the young blood of the Demonic Cult staked their names.
Not merely a martial exhibition, but a stage where all of Tianshan watched to see who would emerge as the center of the next generation.
Saengsa Jjon’s patronage alone could open the door, but it would not suffice.
A Saengsa Jjon’s backing is merely justification; it cannot substitute for factional support.
The Twelve Orthodox Families.
The Ten Demon Sects.
The Saengsa Jjons.
Only when official factions and informal patronage are woven together firmly does the Demon Sect Tournament transform from mere participation into true ‘entry’.
I gazed at the Combat Platform with an impassive expression.
‘That first step begins today.’
Then it happened.
The Butler’s voice rang out across the Grand Martial Arena once more.
“Before the final match, we shall present awards to the martial artist who claimed third place.”
The guests’ attention converged again.
Particularly toward Ul Ji Geuk and Yalü Hee.
Many had been privately wondering about this.
“Which of the two is third?”
“Could they be holding a third-place match first?”
But soon, servants emerged respectfully beside the Combat Platform, bearing two jade boxes and jade plaques.
“We present awards to the two martial artists who jointly claimed third place: Ul Ji Geuk and Yalü Hee.”
Ul Ji Geuk and Yalü Hee each stepped forward.
Ul Ji Geuk unfolded his crossed arms and smirked.
“Hmph. Third place.”
The words were curt, yet his expression was not entirely twisted.
There was displeasure, but no servility of defeat.
The Butler handed each of them a jade box containing three Essence Pills and a jade plaque of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
“Even an Jade Token. In the future, I may call upon the Guang Feng Yalü Family for a favor.”
“Generous terms for third place.”
“It’s not merely a prize—it’s a gesture of forging bonds.”
Ul Ji Geuk held the Jade Token up on his palm, examining it.
He traced his fingertip once across the token’s face where the Guang Feng Yalü Family crest was engraved, then silently tucked it into his robes.
For Yalü Hee, however, the family’s Jade Token carried a different weight.
Though she had stepped beyond the family’s bounds of her own accord, it felt like a symbol that the Guang Feng Yalü Family still regarded her as one of their own.
‘Do not forget your roots… Perhaps that is what she meant by bestowing this token upon me.’
Once the joint third-place awards concluded, the spectators’ attention naturally converged once more upon the center of the Combat Platform.
The final match of the tournament everyone had been awaiting.
The Butler’s voice rang out clearly.
“Now, we shall commence the championship finals of the Guang Feng Yalü Family tournament!”
The air of the Grand Martial Arena grew visibly taut.
The Butler extended his hand toward one side first.
“Black Dragon Gang Master, Yun Cheon!”
Yun Cheon rose slowly from his seat. The hem of his black martial robes stirred faintly in the breeze. With each step he took, the spectators’ gazes naturally fixed upon him.
He who had defeated Dok Go Un.
He who had surpassed Ul Ji Geuk.
No one could any longer call him merely the master of a frontier gang.
A foreign guest observing from the corridor murmured softly.
“Is that man truly just past twenty years old?”
An elder beside him let out a low chuckle.
“That’s what makes the martial world what it is. Youth does not mean weakness.”
Yun Cheon came to a halt beneath the Combat Platform without a word.
Then he lifted his gaze.
From the shadows of the opposite corridor.
A woman wearing a fresh veil emerged into view.
“Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect Lesser Sect Master, Nak Wol!”
Nak Wol descended with a far more composed gait than the day before.
Though only her attire had changed, the impression she gave was altogether different.
The exuberant air that had surrounded her had faded, replaced instead by a clearer, more substantial weight settling upon her shoulders.
The newly wrapped veil was a pale silver-grey. It gleamed white beneath the sunlight, and beneath it her eyes were barely visible, the fabric descending with meticulous thinness and precision. Though her face was concealed, that very concealment only deepened the intrigue surrounding her.
The distinctive martial robes of the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect also drew attention.
Over a pale blue robe tinged with black, silver thread that seemed to hold moonlight was delicately embroidered, subtly accentuating her slender frame.
The sleeves were long and flowing, yet with each step they parted ever so lightly at their hem, revealing that this was practical combat attire that would not hinder the concealed daggers or the movement of her wrists in the slightest.
Adornments were sparse. Only a silver-trimmed sash at her waist and the faint luminescence of hidden daggers within her sleeves spoke to the truth—that she was neither a mere noble lady nor merely a beauty.
A woman concealing much.
Yet all could perceive it.
Beneath that veil lay a beauty that would draw any man’s eye, and simultaneously, a woman whose daggers would sever the wrist of anyone foolish enough to linger with their gaze.
She did not look away even once until she came to a stop. Her eyes remained fixed solely upon Yun Cheon.
Yeon Ha Ran swallowed without realizing it.
“Wow… so beautiful….”
Even Yeon So Ran, who always maintained analytical distance, stood transfixed, her gaze fixed upon Nak Wol.
Yesterday’s Nak Wol had been a beautiful and dangerous woman.
Today’s Nak Wol carried something more—the resolve of a sect leader ascending the Combat Platform to represent her sect.
Yun Cheon and Nak Wol climbed onto the Combat Platform simultaneously.
The midday sun blazed fiercely upon the platform.
It was Nak Wol who spoke first.
“I’ve been waiting for this day.”
Her voice was low and gentle.
The same words I had heard yesterday.
Yet today, something felt different.
Yun Cheon regarded her quietly.
“Words I’ve already heard.”
Nak Wol’s eyes narrowed with a subtle smile.
“Yesterday, it meant my waiting had ended.”
A brief silence.
“Today, it means I can finally confirm it properly.”
“….”
“Your taciturn nature is quite appealing.”
She added in an even softer voice.
“Someone like you would be too precious to let slip away.”
Yet within Nak Wol’s gaze lay far more than a woman’s interest.
The eyes of a sect leader assessing a person.
The eyes of one who represented her sect, selecting the talent her sect’s future required.
“I, and the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect, desire you.”
The sect leader lifted the hem of her robe with grace and bowed formally toward Yun Cheon.
“Yun Cheon, Master of the Black Dragon Gang. By the authority granted to the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect, I formally request a Moon Beneath the Pact with you.”

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This chapter is translated by Falnar Novels Team.
Support us by reading on our official site: https://falnarnovels.com
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