53. Azure Dragon Rite of Passage
"The Namgung Clan wants the unity of the Five Great Families more than anyone," Muhwa said.
At her words, Sun Wukong crossed his arms.
Muhwa, her mouth full of honey-glazed pastries, continued, mumbling as she chewed.
"The Murim Alliance is tightly bound together by the Nine Great Sects. They're righteous like us, but if it weren't for that shared banner, they'd have clashed in a big way by now. They don't get along at all."
"The Nine Great Sects... There are so many sects, yet they manage to stay united?"
"That's because they've always had two clear pillars."
"Shaolin and Wudang?"
"Exactly. The other sects don't let themselves be pushed around, but even so, they all tacitly acknowledge Shaolin and Wudang as the leaders."
"They accept that so easily? Aren't they all fiercely proud?"
"Those two sects were founded by the very prophets who created Murim itself."
"Bodhidharma and Zhang Sanfeng, right?"
"Yes. Those two, after years of cultivation, spread the methods for humans to train the Internal Qi that nature holds. Their status is on another level. It's not even wrong to say all martial arts originated from Shaolin."
As she spoke, Muhwa kept popping pastries into her mouth. Then, noticing Sun Wukong listening with his arms crossed, she hesitated.
It was the last pastry. After a moment's thought, Muhwa offered it to him.
Sun Wukong just smiled and waved it away.
"Not a fan of snacks, are you?"
"I'm not about to take the last one from you."
"Hmm."
Muhwa awkwardly laughed and popped it into her mouth. Her face melted with delight. Sun Wukong gave a wry smile. Unlike with Bajie, no matter how much he watched, he just couldn't see the shadow of his past life’s Zhu Bajie in her.
Sometimes, the difference in appearance made him doubt.
'But the way she eats... that's definitely not it.'
She’d just eaten porridge, now pastries, and she never stopped putting something in her mouth.
"Anyway, the Five Great Families are already few—just five clans."
"Compared to ten sects, that's exactly half."
"Right. In the past, the Namgung Clan alone could bridge that gap."
But not anymore.
The Namgung Clan was clearly weaker than in its prime.
"That's why uniting the Five Great Families is our most pressing task."
"But it's not just about coming together, is it?"
"True."
Muhwa sighed.
"The Namgung Clan has to be the center, like Shaolin and Wudang."
From that perspective, Sun Wukong had done the Namgung Clan a huge favor.
"First of all, our biggest rival, the Hwangbo Clan, has been forced to step back."
Thanks to Sun Wukong, the Namgung Clan had pushed aside their main competitor, the Hwangbo Clan. Who knows what tricks they might try in the future, but for now, they had no choice but to lie low.
"And honestly, bringing the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage into the Dragon Phoenix Assembly as an event was a stroke of genius."
Muhwa looked at Sun Wukong with admiration.
"Originally, it was a ceremony for the heir to build bonds and unity with the next generation of warriors. But making it a rite for all the Five Great Families’ successors..."
"Means the Namgung Clan will keep leading the Five Great Families from now on."
"And this kind of precedent matters. Once it happens, the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage could become a regular event at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly."
"Assuming the Namgung Clan secures its dominance by then."
"That's our challenge going forward."
"'Our'?"
"...I mean, the Namgung Clan's challenge."
Muhwa quickly corrected herself. Even if Sun Wukong felt like part of the clan, he was still an outsider.
"So the real issue is, how do we get the other successors to participate in the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage?"
Sun Wukong spoke as if it was someone else’s problem.
In truth, just suggesting this idea was enough—he’d done his part. Muhwa nodded.
"That’s where I come in now."
* * *
"The Azure Dragon Rite of Passage has always been a famous event."
"That's right, Young Clan Master. Only those who complete the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage are recognized as true members of the Namgung Clan."
Jegal Seo-seo nodded.
"It's an interesting idea. Inviting the successors of other clans to participate..."
"It turns the Namgung Clan’s event into one for all Five Great Families."
"Their unity will only grow stronger. And above all, the Namgung Clan will lead the others through hardship, emerging as the head of the Five Great Families..."
It was an unexpected move. When the martial duel was canceled, he’d wondered what would happen, but he never imagined this.
"We’re not aiming for the top seat, so it doesn’t matter to us. But will the other clans accept this?"
"Who knows..."
Normally, they wouldn’t. Jegal Seo-seo trailed off.
'The atmosphere has changed.'
Hwangbo Yong, who had been so aggressive—challenging with Sword Dance and all—had gone quiet.
'Something happened.'
Jegal Seo-seo was sure. Something must have gone down between the Namgung and Hwangbo Clans last night.
'The way the Clan Leader looks at Mr. Sun is different now.'
Sun Wukong, as an Observer, didn’t do much, but he showed his face from time to time.
Every time, Namgung Jin-Baek would also appear, and Jegal Seo-seo had seen the look in his eyes.
It wasn’t the look you’d give a mere Retainer. It was as if he was gazing at a precious treasure.
'Sun Wukong must be involved in why the Hwangbo Clan has gone so quiet.'
She thought about Sun Wukong for a while, then sighed. It was all speculation—she couldn’t draw any conclusions. The immediate issue was the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage.
This was the Namgung Clan’s confidence on display.
Their determination to claim the leadership of the Five Great Families.
Since coming to the Namgung Clan, Jegal Seo-seo had felt the source of that confidence.
'They may be few, but every one of them is a formidable warrior.'
The Namgung Clan was still the Namgung Clan.
By comparison, the Hwangbo Clan was rather disappointing.
Jegal Seo-seo felt it was time to make a choice.
"I’ll participate in the Namgung Clan’s Azure Dragon Rite of Passage."
* * *
The Tang Siblings of the Tang Sect of Sichuan were the last to arrive at the Namgung Clan, and they kept to themselves.
True to the secretive nature of the Tang Sect, they rarely participated in Dragon Phoenix Assembly events unless absolutely necessary.
But when it came to the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage, they showed unexpected enthusiasm.
"The Tang Clan will participate as well."
There’s a saying in the martial world: every Namgung Clan warrior emerges from the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage as a dragon.
The last time this event was held was over twenty years ago.
The Tang Sect had never really aimed for the leadership of the Five Great Families—just kept their name on the list.
But now, with the chance to join the Namgung Clan’s signature event, their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Next up was the Hebei Peng Clan.
Peng Zhihun considered the proposal for a moment.
"If the Hwangbo Clan accepts, we’ll accept too."
"But..."
"If the Hwangbo Clan goes along with it, it means they’re backing down. In that case, we should side with Namgung."
Peng Zhihun quietly glanced toward the hall where Hwangbo Yong was.
"Tsk. I was hoping those two clans would wear each other out a bit more."
If that happened, the Hebei Peng Clan might have had a chance to rise quietly.
'Hwangbo Yong isn’t a genius, but he’s not a fool either. Still, is he really going to just take this lying down?'
The Namgung Clan’s hidden strength? Their overwhelming martial prowess?
He’d already expected as much.
But there was one thing he hadn’t anticipated.
A flash of brilliant golden hair appeared in Peng Zhihun’s mind.
"That Mr. Sun..."
Peng Zhihun clicked his tongue.
"Retainer, my foot. What kind of Retainer shows up at every Dragon Phoenix Assembly event as an Observer?"
Peng Zhihun was sure. Sun Wukong wasn’t a Retainer. He was an outside Martial Master recruited by the Namgung Clan.
For the Namgung Clan—who are notoriously wary of outsiders—to bring him in, he must be truly exceptional.
'I’ll have to keep an eye on him.'
If the Namgung Clan started making serious moves, Sun Wukong would be at the forefront.
Even if Peng Zhihun didn’t want to, he’d have no choice but to pay attention.
* * *
"The Azure Dragon Rite of Passage? The successors are going to participate?"
Hwangbo Yong practically jumped out of his seat.
It was a humiliating proposal.
What was worse was that he had no choice but to accept. Who could have guessed that the Outer Hall Warriors he’d brought from the Hwangbo Clan were actually assassins targeting the Namgung Clan!
If that got out, Hwangbo Yong would be finished.
But if he just accepted the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage, it would be like admitting defeat.
"When the wind blows, you have to bend to survive. Like a reed."
"…Are you here to persuade me, Law Enforcement Hall Leader?"
Muhwa smiled faintly. Hwangbo Yong was uncomfortable around her—not because she was a great beauty.
She was the living witness to the assassins hidden within the Hwangbo Clan.
She’d been gravely injured by their poison. Her lips smiled, but her eyes were cold.
"I am here to persuade you."
"Or to threaten me? If the Law Enforcement Hall Leader herself comes, it must be serious."
"Do you really think the Hwangbo Clan brought in assassins to kill a member of the Namgung Clan?"
Hwangbo Yong flinched at her words.
Muhwa spoke in a gentle tone.
"Even if the Namgung Clan becomes the leader of the Five Great Families now, the Hwangbo Clan is more likely to lead in the future."
"…?"
Surprised, Hwangbo Yong met her gaze.
"The Namgung Clan has almost no new generation to speak of."
"That’s…"
"Whereas you, Young Master Hwangbo, are the future."
"What are you getting at?"
"If word gets out in the martial world that there were assassins, what do you think will happen to the Hwangbo Clan?"
"…"
"They won’t go so far as to start a sect war, but they’ll probably cut off a scapegoat."
"Are you saying I could end up taking the fall for all of this?"
"Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying."
Muhwa’s gentle tone vanished, replaced by a cold edge. Hwangbo Yong was momentarily speechless. She was a top Martial Master of the Namgung Clan. No matter how talented he was, he couldn’t match her.
"You have siblings, don’t you? And they’re quite skilled."
"…!"
"Will you fight the Namgung Clan, branded as the scum who used assassins against another of the Five Great Families? Or will you pin the blame on someone else and let the successor be replaced?"
Hwangbo Yong’s mouth hung open. Only then did he realize the situation he was in.
Muhwa gave a faint smile.
"But if you swallow your pride and just hold on to your position for now—"
"If I do?"
"In the future, when the Hwangbo Clan is full of young warriors, you’ll become the true master of the clan and a major force among the Five Great Families."
Hwangbo Yong fell silent. In the end, the Hwangbo Clan would have their day—she was telling him to yield just this once.
If anyone else from the Namgung Clan had said this, he wouldn’t have believed it. He would’ve thought it was just a ploy to manipulate him.
'But the Law Enforcement Hall Leader isn’t a Namgung by blood.'
Muhwa held a significant position in the Namgung Clan. Everyone there treated her like family. But to outsiders, it was different. Even among relatives, the distinction between direct and collateral lines was strict—sometimes even ruthless.
That’s how it was in all the Five Great Families.
And Muhwa wasn’t even collateral—she had no blood ties at all.
That made her words all the more convincing. And Hwangbo Yong realized he had no choice.
"…We’ll participate. In the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage."
"A wise choice."
Muhwa beamed.