The matchups for the Yongbong Gathering’s finals were determined by a strictly random method.

While it might be permissible to manipulate the preliminary rounds slightly, interfering in the finals—where heirs of the Sixteen Great Houses gathered—would lead to severe consequences.

If manipulation were possible, matches between family members would have been avoided. However, as it wasn’t, a duel between siblings was set to take place.

“It’s been a while since we sparred, hasn’t it?”

Namgung Su-a offered a faint smile, to which Namgung Myeong responded with a grin of his own.

“Yes, Sister.”
“Could you go easy on me for old times’ sake?”
“Go easy? Compared to you, I’m the one who’s lacking, aren’t I?”
“Even saying that is kind of you.”

Namgung Su-a chuckled softly as she drew her greatsword.

Shing—

Her long blade emerged, scattering the sunlight that touched its surface into brilliant shards.

Namgung Myeong followed suit, drawing his sword and waiting for the referee’s signal.

Lately, Namgung Su-a had been undergoing rigorous training, likely resulting in a noticeable improvement in her skills.

Though Namgung Myeong believed he surpassed her in terms of proficiency with the Imperial Sword Form, he wasn’t certain about other areas.

Moreover, Su-a had spent most of her time secluded, leaving her skills only observable in the current Yongbong Gathering.

“Begin!”

Tap!

The moment the signal was given, Namgung Su-a charged forward.

With her superior knowledge of her opponent, she intended to avoid unnecessary probing and instead hide her true tactics.

Predicting this, Namgung Myeong maintained his high guard and waited.

Sizzle—

The lightning-infused greatsword drew a massive crescent arc.

Namgung Myeong didn’t retreat. He stepped forward and brought his sword down forcefully.

Boom!

The Imperial Sword Form unfolded, driving Namgung Myeong’s blade into Namgung Su-a’s greatsword and forcing it to the ground.

Flowing seamlessly, Myeong planted his foot on the flat of the greatsword, pinning it, then twisted his shoulders to slash upwards with his blade.

Namgung Su-a, however, wasn’t one to be underestimated.

She twisted her greatsword, raising its edge.

Crackle—

The lightning-infused blade threatened Myeong’s foot, forcing him to reinforce it with inner energy for a brief moment, though his stance wavered slightly.

This created an opening in his sword path, and Su-a twisted her body to take advantage.

Shhhk—!

Her blade grazed the air as she spun to free her pinned weapon.

“Hyaah…!”

Using the momentum, she swung her greatsword powerfully.

The greatsword’s reach far outmatched that of a standard blade, leaving Namgung Myeong with no choice but to duck to avoid it.

Su-a followed immediately with a kick, her rotating force propelling a strike straight toward him.

Thud!

The force of the spinning attack caused Myeong to barely block in time, yet he was pushed back several steps.

Namgung Myeong grinned brightly.

“Amazing, Sister!”

Even as he praised her, he remained cautious, mindful of her ultimate move.

The final strike she had demonstrated in her duel with Cheong Song.

If he weren’t vigilant, the match could end in an instant.

Namgung Su-a seemed aware of this as well and refrained from recklessly executing her ultimate move.

And so, the two continued exchanging blows.

Fifteen minutes passed, then thirty, yet neither had gained a clear advantage.

“Waaaahhhhh—!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers. Namgung Myeong steadied his breathing as he studied Su-a’s movements.

Namgung Su-a’s fighting style centered on fully utilizing the weight of her greatsword.

Instead of resisting the momentum of her swings with sheer strength, she surrendered to it, her body fluttering like a butterfly.

With her power, Su-a could easily wield the greatsword as if it were a one-handed blade.

Still, the elegance and precision with which she wielded her strength left Myeong in awe.

“Haa… haa… Be careful, Sister.”

Finally, Namgung Myeong decided to take the offensive.

A surge of energy burst from his entire body, dominating the surrounding space.

It wasn’t quite a domain, but it was certainly beyond what one would expect at his current level.

He had borrowed the prowess of the Imperial Sword Form.

Standing tall and resolute, he raised his sword high.

It was an utterly defenseless posture—arrogant, even, as though he hadn’t considered the possibility of a low attack.

Yet Namgung Su-a couldn’t recklessly aim for the opening.

The overwhelming aura radiating from Myeong was sword-like in its own right.

He embodied the very essence of the Namgung family’s heir.

Namgung Su-a smiled faintly, gripping her greatsword tightly.

“What an incredible younger brother I have.”

Unlike herself, who often felt like an unnecessary presence.

Shoving aside the creeping thoughts, she infused her blade with lightning.

Crack—BOOM!

The ferocious lightning storm seemed to rip apart the space dominated by Myeong.

Namgung Myeong remained still, gazing at the storm with serene eyes, before taking a heavy step forward.

Boom!

The skies seemed to shift around him.

A vibrant, life-filled blue sky imbued his sword, dyeing the ground below.

The Imperial Sword Form.

The sky fell, and the lightning surged upward.

Boom—!!

The initial clash was evenly matched.

However, the balance of power soon tipped, with the sky splitting the lightning apart.

As the shattered lightning dispersed, the sky descended.

“Ah…!”

A gasp of admiration escaped from somewhere in the crowd.

While many lamented Su-a’s apparent defeat, the expressions of the duelists themselves told a different story.

“Oh…!”

Namgung Su-a, who had deliberately unleashed the shattered lightning, released her weapon of her own accord.

The greatsword spun rapidly, ascending into the sky.

With her hands now free, she smiled faintly.

“Let me keep my pride just this once, little brother.”

There wasn’t enough time to launch an immediate attack with her fists. Both siblings knew the match’s outcome was already decided.

After all, the one Namgung Su-a had learned from was Seo-jun.

From her fingertips, a brilliant sphere of lightning radiated before shooting forth like a streak of light.

Thunder Spirit .

Zzzz—BOOM!

A sharp sound resonated as a bolt of lightning tore across the sky.

“The winner is… Namgung Su-a of the Namgung Family!”

The victor had been decided.

 

Seo-jun, who had been watching the duel, instinctively stood up and clapped his hands.

“Oh…!”

The Thunder Bullet Su-a had just unleashed was strikingly similar to the Mixed Origin Sun and Moon Art he had once used himself.

He hadn’t expected her to keep such a technique hidden.

As he marveled, the surrounding elders also began murmuring amongst themselves.

“Hrm… It seems the Namgung family will dominate in the next generation.”
“Both of them are promising talents for the future.”

While some were discussing the implications for the years to come, others expressed pure admiration.

“There’s no need to debate her title. Thunder Phoenix suits her perfectly.”
“Thunder Phoenix? That feels a bit uninspired. How about Radiant Thunder Sword Phoenix?”

In the Yongbong Gathering, the finalists were given honorary titles based on their performance, with distinctions between dragons (Yong) for men and phoenixes (Bong) for women.

Typically, the titles consisted of two characters, such as Sword Dragon or Divine Dragon.

‘So, would that make a woman using a staff… Staff Phoenix (Bong Bong)?’ Seo-jun mused.

While Seo-jun’s thoughts wandered, Namgung Myeong regained his composure and bowed respectfully to the crowd.

First, he directed his formal greeting toward the elders of the Sixteen Great Houses.

Seo-jun grinned and waved at him.

“Well done, little brother!”

With their greetings complete, Namgung Su-a and Namgung Myeong exited the martial arena.

The intense energy from the duel lingered in the air, leaving many in the crowd visibly exhausted despite not having participated themselves.

As Seo-jun crossed his legs with a satisfied smile, Hong Angae chuckled.

“Not feeling a bit envious?”
“Of what?”
“Honestly, the young master could have been a contender for victory, couldn’t he? If the matchups had been more favorable, you might have even taken the championship.”
“Well… that’s true, but…”

Although Namgung Myeong hadn’t made it to the quarterfinals, his skills were undoubtedly worthy of earning a dragon title.

“Still, Myeong will have other chances. But his sister… this is her last.”

By the time the next Yongbong Gathering is held, Namgung Su-a will have surpassed thirty, reaching the age of Irip (thirty years).

“Be careful not to say that in front of her.”
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
“I haven’t known you for long, but you seem capable of it.”
“I’m selective, you know…”

If Su-a were to hear such talk and start sobbing, Seo-jun wasn’t sure he could bear the guilt.

Besides, objectively speaking, Namgung Su-a wasn’t someone who deserved such treatment.

After all, beauty transcends age—she would always be a noona.

“Hoho, someone will surely like to hear that.”
“Who?”
“You don’t know? There’s a famous woman. Devoted her life entirely to martial arts, reached the transcendent realm, but never once held a man’s hand…”
“Gasp.”
“A woman’s body is full of mysteries. She looks young on the outside, but who’d have thought she’d already hit menopause?”
“Goodness… So, who are you talking about?”
“The Devoted Lotus Sage, of course.”

What an unfortunate title that was.

With a conflicted expression, Seo-jun asked, “That’s her title?”
“It praises her unchanging humility and dedication to great ideals.”
“Are you sure? You’re not teasing her?”
“Teasing? Why would I do that? Anyone who meets the Devoted Lotus Sage would never dare mock her.”

Hong Angae clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, last I heard, she’s striving to reach the Hwagyeong realm. Apparently, she’s hoping to reverse her aging and restore her reproductive abilities.”
“Uh… If you meet her, tell her I wish her the best.”
“Hoho, will do.”

As Seo-jun scratched his head, he recalled a remark Namgung Su-a had made in passing.

“I’m almost thirty myself. Honestly, I’m already a little late. At this rate, I’ll end up a grandma.”

Though she said it jokingly, there was probably some truth in her words.

‘If she plans to have children, maybe she should hurry?’

She was only twenty-eight now, but at this rate, forty or fifty would sneak up quickly.

“Hmph.”

Seo-jun swiftly stopped his train of thought and focused on the next match.

The upcoming duel was between Hwang Bo-hyeji and Eun Wi-ryong.

‘I wonder if Eun Wi-ryong has resolved his inner demon. From what I saw last time, it didn’t seem like he had.’

‘Who should I root for?’

A future sister-in-law? Or a youth chasing his dreams?

He wasn’t sure, but one thing was clear—he was eager to see the Four Suns Swordsmanship of the Jeomchang Sect in action.

Who knows?

He might even pick up something useful from observing it.

Having given Eun Wi-ryong some advice, Seo-jun hoped the young martial artist wouldn’t mind if he also gained some insights.