Reincarnation of the Cloud Dragon - Chapter 92

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

Chapter 92.
Yalü Hee rose slowly from her seat.
The gazes that had been fixed on Yun Cheon’s path moments before now turned in unison toward Yalü Hee.
“Just now… she definitely said Yalü, didn’t she…?”
“She’s the Yalü Family’s daughter, but why is her affiliation the Black Dragon Gang?”
“Does that mean the main house doesn’t acknowledge her?”
“No, she must have chosen to stand there herself.”
Hushed murmurs leaked from all directions.
The audience’s reaction was far more than simple curiosity.
The family head’s daughter had stepped onto the Grand Martial Arena of her own family’s grounds, yet she had been announced not under the Yalü Family name, but under the Black Dragon Gang—a controversy waiting to happen.
“…Could it be? Was that rumor actually true?”
“What rumor?”
“That the Yalü Family’s daughter was cast out by her family….”
“I heard she left the family of her own volition?”
“…Either way, it’s clear there’s some rift between her and the family.”
Yalü Hee listened to the murmurs without so much as changing her expression.
She merely brushed her fingers across the hilt of the black blade at her waist and walked slowly toward the center.
Her steps did not waver.
She looked toward the judges’ platform.
Her father, Yalü Jin.
Her older brother, Yalü Cheok, seated to the right below.
The family elders and distinguished guests seated on either side.
Their gazes were fixed upon Yalü Hee, yet all were rigid and unyielding.
There had been a time in her childhood when they all smiled upon seeing her.
Two eras seemed to overlap briefly in Yalü Hee’s eyes.
Yet there was one thing that had not changed.
The face of Yalü Jin, the family head and her father.
Then and now, it remained the same—an impenetrable, rigid expression.
‘Father… you remain unchanged.’
As Yalü Hee stepped into the center of the Grand Martial Arena, she cast a brief glance at Yun Cheon.
The moment their eyes met, Yun Cheon said nothing.
He simply regarded her with eyes unchanged from any other moment.
In those eyes, Yalü Hee read trust.
“State your affiliation and name.”
The steward spoke formally.
Yalü Hee stopped in the center of the Grand Martial Arena.
“Black Dragon Gang, Yalü Hee.”
A brief and clear answer.
As those words fell, the murmurs from the audience grew louder still.
“Has she abandoned the name of the Guangfeng Yalü Family?”
“Born as a descendant of the Twelve Orthodox Families, yet I’ve come to nothing more than a remote branch in Qinghai….”
“Why such a choice….”
The steward’s question followed.
“Reveal your weapon.”
“The blade.”
A natural answer, yet even in that single syllable lay a subtle undertone.
The Combat Platform of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
One who bore the Yalü name, yet belonged to no family.
Yet her primary weapon was likewise the blade.
“Hah….”
At the center of the Combat Platform.
Yalü Hee drew a measured breath. Then she unsheathed her black blade.
Shing—.
A drawing stance.
The orthodox blade technique of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
The very posture she had repeated hundreds, thousands of times since childhood in the main house.
The blade’s edge angled diagonally upward, a single line connecting shoulder to wrist.
With that one movement alone, anyone could discern the truth.
‘…Truly trained in the main house’s way.’
‘In her youth, Hee’s talent was no less than Cheok’s or Hyeon’s….’
The expressions of the elderly elders of the Guang Feng Yalü Family in the judges’ section softened imperceptibly.
The reaction from the audience grew more pronounced.
“The blood of the Yalü Family never lies, after all.”
“Even after leaving the main house, what’s carved into the body remains.”
The assembly shared this same understanding.
A daughter of the Guang Feng Yalü Family displaying the family’s blade technique. That was how they received it.
Yalü Hee drew another breath.
And then — her feet moved first.
In that instant, the assembly’s perception of what they believed to be the main house’s technique fell out of rhythm.
It was not the true form of the Guang Feng Thirteen Blades.
Not the solid, grounded footwork, but rather a flowing, graceful step.
Yalü Hee’s feet glided across the sand without leaving a trace.
“…What is that?”
One of the elders leaned forward involuntarily.
The Dance of the Wind God.
A flowing, elegant dance as if the wind deity itself had descended.
It was difficult to call it merely a footwork technique.
Yet Yalü Hee wielded her blade in harmony with that movement.
‘This is… my conclusion.’
The blade cleaved through the wind.
The Guangfeng Thirteen Blades were renowned for their fierce and cutting momentum, earning the name “Guangfeng” itself.
Yet the blade technique Yalü Hee displayed now was entirely different.
Graceful, yet swift and fluid.
A blade method that resembled the wind, but produced a different result than the fierce Guangfeng.
This was the answer Yalü Hee had found.
Yalü Cheok, who had remained silent and motionless throughout, suddenly shot to his feet.
“…!”
Yet he was not alone in rising from his seat.
All those who leapt up in astonishment were members of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
The elders of other families, by contrast, looked bewildered.
“Why is the Guang Feng Yalü Family making such a fuss?”
“The blade technique is impressive, certainly… but not enough to warrant standing up like that, surely?”
“I agree. That man Yun Cheon displayed blade methods of seemingly higher caliber earlier….”
“Is there something in that technique that only the main family recognizes?”
Yalü Cheok nodded.
The reason they could not help but rise.
It was not merely a matter of martial skill level, but because the blade technique Yalü Hee had displayed was an entirely new form.
A contradiction in terms, yet simultaneously a form that all of them could recognize.
The first six forms of the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades.
Followed by the seven forms of the second half that should come next.
Yalü Jin, the family head, asked on behalf of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.
“Did you take this position to display that form?”
“Yes, I did.”
Yalü Hee nodded.
Then Yalü Jin pressed further.
“Is what you just displayed truly the seven forms of the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades?”
“That is….”
Yalü Hee hesitated before answering.
“It is and it is not.”
“What do you mean? Explain in detail.”
“First, what I have learned is only the first six forms of the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades. I have not mastered the Windsoal Step, nor have I learned the seven forms of the second half. So I do not know them. Therefore, it is not the seven forms of the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades.”
Yalü Hyeon drew a sharp breath.
‘Sister… was she trying to prove her own path without the Windsoal Step?’
The moment the term “Windsoal Step” left his sister’s lips, the weight of that footwork technique he had received from the main family as the legitimate heir suddenly felt real.
“However…?”
“But the six forms of the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades that I do know—the forms that should follow after them, which I created through my own contemplation—those are genuine. I wielded seven forms based on the Windsoal Technique, but since it cannot be denied that they are rooted in the Guangfeng Thirteen Blades, I cannot claim otherwise.”
“Then… are you saying you created the seven forms yourself?”
Yalü Jin asked, his expression unreadable—whether angry or astonished.
“…Yes.”
As Yalü Hee’s brief answer fell, gasps erupted throughout the Grand Martial Arena.
“What…?! She created the technique on her own?”
“It wasn’t some crude improvisation… It was an entirely new second half of the Guangfeng Thirteen Strikes.”
“…But if Yalü Hee created it herself, can we even call it the Guangfeng Thirteen Strikes?”
“However, as she said, the movements flow seamlessly from the first half of the Guangfeng Thirteen Strikes, do they not?”
“I’m not sure… Does her technique contain even more forms beyond this?”
“Indeed… We don’t even know which direction her martial path will take, whether it will conclude at thirteen strikes or finish with fewer…”
The elders of the Guangfeng Yalü Family exchanged opinions urgently.
The more they discussed, the more they realized that Yalü Hee’s martial technique transcended the simple matter of pass or fail.
“…Elders, please remember that the combat trial is still ongoing. Such matters should be discussed later, in a place without guests present.”
“Ahem… The family head is right.”
“Yes… That’s proper.”
Yalü Jin first calmed the elders of the main family.
Then he spoke to Yalü Hee with composure.
“…Yalü Hee. If what you say is true, you possess the qualities of a Sect Master.”
Sect Master.
A title bestowed only upon those who create a new lineage of martial arts.
The mere fact that such a word fell from the lips of a Twelve Orthodox Families family head caused some in the audience to unconsciously straighten their posture.
But the most shocked was Yalü Hee herself.
“…You honor me too greatly. How can a single technique warrant such praise?”
“Well… If creating something from nothing is the quality of a Grand Sect Master, then refining what already exists into something new is equally worthy of being called a Sect Master’s quality. In truth, most martial arts have been born and continued through such methods…”
The family head paused before continuing.
“However, this is merely potential. Whether it manifests properly depends on the future.”
A faint smile crossed Yalü Jin’s face.
“What is certain now… is one thing. You pass.”
Yalü Hee could not hide her astonishment and quickly bowed before returning to her seat.
Her father’s words echoed in her ears.
“Ah… Did I just… receive Father’s recognition?”
She sat beside Yun Cheon and exhaled a long breath.
“Yes.”
Yun Cheon nodded briefly.
No further words were needed between them.
The impact Yalü Hee left behind was considerable.
The commotion on the opposite side of the spectator section did not settle.
“Yalü Hee… Is her technique truly that remarkable?”
“Perhaps… They were surprised because she broke from the Guangfeng Yalü Family’s tradition?”
“Hmm… It’s just a single technique, is it not? Its practical application hasn’t even been verified.”
“To receive the title of Sect Master at that age. No matter how prestigious the Guangfeng Yalü Family is, they seem to favor their own.”
There were indeed doubts about Yalü Hee’s achievement.
“More than that… All three from the Black Dragon Gang passed…?”
“Kang Hui. Yun Cheon. And Yalü Hee as well…”
“A small backwater from Qinghai, and yet this happens?”
“…Are you saying all of them came from Qinghai together?”
Even among the late-stage masters, subtle differences in resolve rippled through the air.
In the spectator section where the late-stage masters from the Twelve Orthodox Families had gathered.
“Nothing but fools, it seems. Then again, most of them have never seriously studied martial techniques innovated by others.”
Ul Ji Geuk twisted his lips and threw out a remark.
“As the saying goes: ‘Buddha’s eyes see only Buddha, swine’s eyes see only swine.’ A Buddha perceives only Buddhas, while a pig perceives only pigs.”
A man wearing a sword scabbard etched with a crescent moon pattern nodded in agreement and replied softly.
“…She possesses remarkable talent indeed. The aptitude to refine the martial techniques that elevated the Guang Feng Yalü Family to the ranks of the Twelve Orthodox Families… I find myself coveting it.”
A giant wielding a heavy iron staff licked his lips as he spoke.
“Hehe… and she is beautiful besides. It is hardly surprising that the gazes of countless men waver.”
The Veiled Woman added quietly.
Her voice was captivating, yet for some reason, the men grew wary and kept their distance from her.
“…Will you be the only one doing this, sect master?”
“Stop toying with the men.”
“Hoho… do not be so guarded. My interest now is directed solely toward that man.”
The sect master’s gaze lingered briefly on Yun Cheon before withdrawing.
‘…What intrigues me more than her talent is the Black Dragon Gang that has gathered those with such talent. And you, who lead that Black Dragon Gang.’
Once the commotion had settled somewhat, the proceedings continued.
Perhaps because the standards themselves had risen after Yun Cheon and Yalü Hee had passed consecutively.
Few afterward received approval.
Even those who displayed reasonably impressive martial prowess received at best a provisional judgment.
Then the steward called the next candidate.
“…Yeop Cheong A of the Cheongrim Yeop Family.”
All eyes in the hall converged upon her for a moment.
Yeop Cheong A rose from her seat.
Neat martial robes and hair bound elegantly.
Her steps toward the Combat Platform were composed and steady.
“Cheong A, you can do this!”
Yeon Ha Ran called out loudly.
A faint smile graced Yeop Cheong A’s lips.
Standing in the center of the Combat Platform, Yeop Cheong A drew a slender sword.
Shring—.
The draw was precise and clean.
Yet as her blade began to move, a subtle killing intent peeked through that composure.
The sword’s point glided swiftly toward a single point in empty space.
Whoosh—.
One technique.
Yeop Cheong A sheathed her sword and bowed to the family head.
Throughout her demonstration, Yun Cheon in the waiting area had not once looked away.
‘…This blade is not what it appears to be on the surface.’
My breath settled briefly.
If I noticed it, the Family Head would have noticed it as well.
A brief assessment fell from the elderly elder of the Guang Feng Yalü Family seated at the judge’s platform.
“…A solid foundation. Unexpected for one from a minor family.”
The Family Head gave a brief acknowledgment.
“Pass.”
Yeop Cheong A bowed deeply and returned to her seat.
Her gaze brushed past me briefly before withdrawing. I nodded slightly.
The steward turned to the final page of the ledger.
Few names remained.
Brief verdicts fell—pass or fail.
The assembly no longer stirred at each judgment.
The Family Head’s words fell briefly.
“…Thus concludes the selection of those who will ascend to the main martial tournament.”
The air of the Grand Martial Arena settled once.
“A total of sixteen will take the main stage of the true martial tournament.”
At the number sixteen, the eyes of those who had received provisional or failing verdicts gleamed.
Fewer than ten had received clear passes.
The assembly’s gaze converged once more upon the Family Head.
“Four of them will ascend to the main stage of the martial tournament by special qualification.”
There were those who had sat in the spectator section without ever stepping onto the preliminary stage.
The meaning of those seats was revealed in this single statement.
The Family Head called the first name.
“Ul Ji Geuk, junior patriarch of the Pae Roe Ul Ji Family.”
A man wearing a lightning-patterned sword sheath rose and extended his fist upward.
“Dok Go Un, junior patriarch of the Cham Wol Dok Go Family.”
This time, a man with a crescent-patterned scabbard rose and bowed toward the assembly.
“Yalü Hyeon, junior patriarch of the Guang Feng Yalü Family.”
Yalü Hyeon, who had been seated in the spectator section, rose with the Cham Ma Blade slung across his back and bowed respectfully.
“…And Nak Wol of the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect.”
The assembly paused at the final name.
A slender veiled woman rose slowly from her seat.
Her mere rising seemed to settle the air of the plaza once.
Nak Wol.
One of the Ten Demon Sects.
The title by which the minor sect leader of the Nak Wol Bi Yeong Sect was called.
No one dared to voice any objection to those names.
Three junior patriarchs from the Twelve Orthodox Families and the minor sect leader of one faction among the Ten Demon Sects.
They had been selected as the main attractions of the martial tournament from the beginning.
Yet by a curious coincidence, every eye converged upon the same point.
‘Their gazes cut like blades….’
Yun Cheon accepted their stares without concern, meeting them with composure.
At that very moment, the family head made his announcement.
“Then, I shall now reveal the pairings for the Combat Platform tournament.”

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