Reincarnation of the Cloud Dragon - Chapter 106
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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 106.
The Demonic Path Seven Dragons.
That title was among the most coveted honors bestowed upon the rising talents of the Demonic Cult.
The Ten Demon Sects, the Dharma-Protecting Clans, the special branches of the main sect.
Among them, only those worthy of representing an entire generation earned the name of a dragon.
And now.
The eighth dragon, newly ascendant in the age of the Demonic Path Seven Dragons.
That name descended upon the Grand Martial Arena like frost crystals settling across the Combat Platform.
The Black Dragon, Yun Cheon.
Not a soul present voiced any objection.
They merely anticipated the ripples and consequences that would follow from this proclamation.
“The Demonic Path Eight Dragons, then…”
“The underground sects will be in turmoil.”
“Will the existing Seven Dragons remain idle?”
“Idle or not, after today, no one can ignore that name.”
Whispers exchanged through the crowd.
I listened to the commotion with composure.
“Then now… I shall present the rewards!”
At those words, the murmuring of the assembly gradually subsided.
As Yalü Jin gestured, the Butler of the Guangfeng Yalü Family ascended, bearing a jade tray lined with crimson silk.
Upon the tray rested two celadon boxes.
Though their lids remained sealed, a subtle azure fragrance wafted forth.
Strangely, the scent was not overpowering.
Yet once inhaled, it seemed to purify the deepest recesses of one’s lungs.
“First, to the runner-up, the Young Sect Master of the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect, I bestow the Guangfeng Clan’s Fengling Pellet. May it aid in the restoration of your sect.”
Nak Wol slowly raised both hands to receive the jade box.
Her face was bare, without any veil.
Her visage remained breathtakingly beautiful.
Her eyes held a melancholic depth, beneath which lay an unwavering resolve.
As she accepted the box, her gaze slowly turned toward me.
‘You said anytime, did you not? I will not forget those words.’
That is what her eyes seemed to say.
I met her gaze directly.
Nak Wol’s lips curved into the faintest smile.
Then she clasped her hands deeply and offered an elegant bow to the assembly.
The second jade box was placed before me.
The Butler’s voice rose another octave.
“To the champion, the Master of the Black Dragon Gang, Yun Cheon, I bestow the Guangfeng Clan’s Fengling Jade Dew Pellet.”
The Fengling Jade Dew Pellet.
The lid of the jade box opened, and a single luminescent elixir revealed itself.
A pale cyan crystalline substance.
A fragrance drifted forth as if the wind from the mountain peaks at dawn had been condensed within it.
Deep within my lower dantian, my qi responded with the subtlest of tremors.
I accepted the jade box slowly.
The Wind Spirit Pill was indeed a precious elixir.
Yet when the name Wind Spirit Jade Dew Pill was spoken, the murmurs among those gathered grew even more pronounced.
“They’re truly giving away something so precious.”
“To an outsider, no less?”
“An outsider, perhaps, but didn’t he soar forth from the Guangfeng Yalü Family’s Combat Platform?”
“As his renown rises, won’t the Guangfeng Yalü Family’s Combat Platform be mentioned all the more?”
Low voices continued their exchange.
A pill known to settle turbulent true qi, mend internal injuries, and cleanse the scattered meridians—such was its reputation.
For a young cultivator in the late stages, it was a treasure that could enable a deeper layer of cultivation.
“I accept with gratitude.”
The Butler’s voice then spread low across the Grand Martial Arena.
“Furthermore, as promised. I grant to Yun Cheon of the Black Dragon Gang the privilege of private audience with the Clan Master, and access to the Secret Library of the main house.”
An even greater stir erupted than before.
“Private audience with the Clan Master…”
“They’re opening the Secret Library as well?”
“The Secret Library of the Yalü Family is a place layered with ages. It is no mere martial archive.”
“This surpasses even the treatment of a champion.”
“The Yalü Family has become a picture of grandly celebrating the dragon’s ascent.”
I secured the jade box within my robes and clasped my fists once more.
“Your generosity overwhelms me.”
“Not at all. You have shown the dragon’s ascent, so if anything, this is insufficient.”
Clan Master Yalü Jin spoke without concealing his intent.
“Many of the Seven Dragons connected to the main house exist, yet a dragon that has soared forth from the main house itself—this is the first. The more your renown rises, the more the Guangfeng Yalü Family’s Combat Platform will be spoken of.”
At those words, several of the elders present nodded quietly.
A dragon that had soared forth from the family’s Combat Platform.
Those words elevated me while simultaneously raising the name of the Guangfeng Yalü Family.
‘Truly, he is a Clan Master.’
Yalü Jin was not merely bestowing rewards upon me.
He was elevating the prestige of the Combat Platform itself.
The victor’s renown was also the renown of the one who had opened the stage.
I received Yalü Jin’s words in silence.
Unvarnished pragmatism.
Yet there was no vulgarity in the manner in which he spoke such practicality.
I clasped my fists briefly.
“I shall ensure I do not bring shame to that name.”
“That is sufficient.”
Yalü Jin nodded with satisfaction.
“With this, I hereby declare the Guangfeng Yalü Family’s martial exhibition concluded!”
Yalü Jin announced the closing of the exhibition to the assembled crowd.
The attendees rose slowly from their seats.
The Butler then stepped forward to guide them.
“Now that the exhibition has ended, we shall carry forward its fervor with a grand banquet! Honored guests, please proceed to the Grand Banquet Hall.”
The awards ceremony had not taken long.
Yet in that brief span, the eyes of all gathered in the Grand Martial Arena had transformed noticeably.
Black Dragon Yun Cheon. The eighth name among the Demonic Path Eight Dragons.
That name was already taking root in the hearts and minds of the people.
Kang Hui clenched his fists in the spectator stands.
“Black Dragon…”
He murmured softly.
The epithet of the sect leader he served.
That single fact alone set his chest ablaze.
Then Yalü Jin spoke to me once more.
“Master of the Black Dragon Gang.”
“Yes.”
“The awards are concluded. We shall proceed with the private audience as promised shortly. This won’t take long, will it?”
“I understand. I shall follow at once.”
I followed a warrior of the Guangfeng Yalü Family deep into the Inner Hall.
The fervor of the Grand Martial Arena faded behind me.
A man awaited me in the middle of the Corridor.
Yalü Cheok, the Young Master of the Guangfeng Yalü Family, bowed respectfully to me.
“Master of the Black Dragon Gang.”
I returned a brief bow.
“Young Master.”
Yalü Cheok’s gaze lingered briefly on the sword sheath at my back.
“That was an excellent exhibition.”
“You are too kind.”
“I begin to understand why she remains at your side.”
I regarded Yalü Cheok quietly.
Though he remained concealed in the shadow of the Clan Master, it was evident he had attained considerable martial prowess.
“The Clan Master awaits. Allow me to guide you.”
The Clan Master’s Quarters reflected his restrained temperament—far from ostentatious.
Tea had already been prepared on a low table.
Yalü Jin sat before it.
“Please, be seated.”
I bowed respectfully and took my place.
Yalü Cheok withdrew quietly into the background.
A faint aroma of tea drifted through the air.
Yalü Jin regarded Yun Cheon for a moment before speaking first.
“Typically, it is the one with desires who requests such a private audience.”
Yalü Jin set down his teacup.
“So I shall ask first. Does the Clan Master desire something from our family?”
Yun Cheon did not answer immediately.
Wisps of steam rose above the teacup.
A private audience with the Clan Master.
Within the inner sanctum of the vast Guangfeng Yalü Family.
To ask what one desired in such a place was far more than mere courtesy.
It was an offer to open the board.
And simultaneously, it was a test to see what ambitions would be revealed upon that board.
Yun Cheon set down his teacup.
“I have already received more than enough.”
Yalü Jin’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“The Fengling Jade Dew Pill, access to the Secret Library, and even this private audience with the Clan Master—you desire nothing more?”
“That is true, but…”
Yun Cheon’s gaze turned toward Yalü Jin.
“I dislike incurring great debts.”
Yalü Cheok’s eyes shifted subtly beside him.
His words were calm for one speaking before the Clan Master.
Yet they were not disrespectful.
Yalü Jin actually laughed softly.
“A debt, you say.”
“Yes.”
“You would view the goodwill of the Guangfeng Yalü Family as a debt?”
“I am grateful for your kindness. However, I have no further requests to make of you.”
A brief silence fell.
Yalü Jin’s fingers tapped lightly against the rim of his teacup.
Tap.
A small sound.
Yet the air in the room grew still at that single note.
Yalü Jin spoke.
“Then what is it that you desire?”
Yun Cheon answered briefly.
“A connection unmarred by shame.”
“…”
“It would be sufficient if we need not draw blades against one another when necessity calls.”
Yalü Cheok regarded Yun Cheon.
A slow smile spread across Yalü Jin’s lips.
“You speak as though you ask for little, yet in truth you seek something quite difficult.”
“Is that so?”
“In the martial world, a bond that leaves no shame is the hardest to forge. Interests shift, justifications crumble, and people change their words with circumstance.”
Yalü Jin took a sip of tea before setting down his cup.
“Yet your answer pleases me. A bond of such quality—I would seek it for my own clan as well.”
Those words carried weight.
A promise spoken directly by the Clan Master of the Guangfeng Yalü Family.
At the very least, a connection had been forged between the Guangfeng Yalü Family and the Black Dragon Gang—one that would not easily draw blades against the other.
For Yun Cheon now, that was enough.
I clasped my fists in salute.
“I am grateful.”
“There is no need for gratitude. You have proven it yourself. Yet from this day forward, your name shall reach even the ears of the Seven Dragons who came before.”
A faint smile crossed Yalü Jin’s lips.
“Those who bear the title of dragon rarely permit another to dwell in the same sky. Today you have earned the name of dragon. And those who earn a name must inevitably face trials.”
I was not ignorant of this truth.
In my past life, when I was called Yun Ryong, I had experienced it often enough.
To gain the epithet of dragon meant not only honor, but also accepting troublesome burdens.
“I need not seek confrontation, but should it come, I will not flee.”
“Are you perhaps thinking of the Demon Sage Tournament?”
Yalü Jin lowered his voice and cut straight to the heart of the matter.
I nodded.
“I received hints about it from Saengsa Jjon. I am preparing.”
“Heh… as I thought. Then you shall surely face them at the Demon Sage Tournament. Even this Clan Master is curious to see who shall be the sky of the next generation. I wish for your success. And….”
“…?”
Yalü Jin suddenly paused.
His gaze flickered briefly toward the window before returning.
“Please look after Hui.”
Yalü Jin did not elaborate.
It was a father’s single request.
After a moment, I lowered my head.
“I understand.”
Only then did Yalü Jin smile faintly.
“This private audience has been sufficient.”
He turned his gaze toward Yalü Cheok, who stood at the door.
“Cheok.”
“Yes, Clan Master.”
“Guide the Master of the Black Dragon Gang to the Secret Library.”
I left the Clan Master’s Quarters.
“Indeed, I wonder what you shall obtain in the Secret Library.”
Yalü Jin murmured to himself, his thoughts lingering on me.
“A person reveals themselves not only through how they fight, but also through what they read.”
* * *
After leaving the Clan Master’s Quarters, Yalü Cheok led the way in silence.
It was only when Yalü Cheok drew near the Secret Library with Yun Cheon that he spoke softly.
“To my knowledge, this is the first time an outsider has ever been admitted to the main family’s Secret Library.”
A thick iron-wood door.
An ancient lock.
The quiet presence of martial artists standing before the entrance.
Yalü Cheok withdrew a small token from his sleeve.
“I should mention beforehand—the main family’s hereditary martial techniques are not contained within this place.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Yalü Cheok’s gaze grew distant.
“In the desert where the main family’s origins take root, even the wind that passes leaves traces that linger for ages.”
He gazed upon the firmly sealed door of the Secret Library.
“Over the long centuries, there are surely many martial techniques whose masters have passed, leaving them forgotten in the memories of men. Should you awaken one of them, the main family would be pleased.”
Creak—
The door to the Secret Library swung open.
The scent of aged paper.
The smell of oil-treated leather.
And threading between them, a breath of wind so faint it was almost imperceptible.
I stepped forward into the chamber.
Whisper—
A breeze brushed against my nostrils, reminiscent of the green fragrance I had sensed from the Jade Dew Orb within my robes.
In that instant, the Primordial Ice Heart Method deep within my lower dantian responded with the subtlest of vibrations.
My cold inner energy traced the texture of the wind.
I perceived it then.
‘It exists.’
Within this place.
Something resonating with the Primordial Ice Heart Method.
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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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