Chapter 717: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (25)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 717: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (25)
Two hours had already passed since the third round of the main tournament began.
The time felt even longer just sitting here. And yet…
“Woooooah—!!”
The air around me was still thick with fervent heat.
Kwoong—! Kung! Kung—!
“Hyaaat!”
A tempest of fierce internal energy raged on the stage.
The sounds of powerful kiai shouts and the clash of blades filled the air. Even as the color of the sky began to shift, the intensity showed no signs of waning.
“The Wind Wave Fist… I’d only heard rumors. He is truly a formidable martial artist.”
“…I’d love to face him one day.”
“The Gyeongseon Sword would surely be fired up by this.”
Some were gathering information, their admiration for the duel evident in their voices. Perhaps because everyone here had participated in the tournament, their eyes for skill were exceptionally sharp.
Moreover, reaching the third round of the main tournament was proof of considerable strength, so merely watching these bouts could lead to enlightenment. That was why the martial artists hadn't lost their passion despite sitting for so long. It was also why the spectators could cheer tirelessly, getting to witness duels between such masters.
Of course...
‘How boring.’
From my perspective, it was nothing but a tedious affair.
The reason being…
‘The gap in skill is just too wide.’
For starters, the matchups were terribly unbalanced. I’d been watching for two hours, and while there had been a few Fusion Realm martial artists, their opponents had been exceptionally weak. Perhaps because they sensed the difference in level, there was no real sense of desperation. Instead, it felt like they were just trying to learn a thing or two from a stronger opponent.
‘Is this some kind of training session?’
It wasn’t fun. There was no killing intent, no desperation, no sense of a life-or-death struggle. This was a duel, so this was probably how it was supposed to be, but…
‘Something just feels… dull.’
Watching this was making me yawn.
‘…I must be going crazy.’
Finding a peaceful duel boring. So what, would it only be fun if they were beating each other to a bloody pulp, trying to kill one another?
‘Well, it’s true.’
Imagining it, that did seem more entertaining.
‘Yeah, I must be crazy.’
I must have been living my life all wrong.
I turned my head to the side. The Poison Fist, Tang Soyeol, and Seomwolgeom, Wi Seol-Ah, were sitting quietly, watching the duels. Their expressions didn't seem particularly lively either. The only difference between them and me was that they seemed to have at least a shred of interest.
‘Well, of course.’
As they were both martial artists who had reached the Fusion Realm, a somewhat lukewarm reaction was to be expected.
And just like that, two hours had passed.
‘At this rate, it might have been better to stay with Moyong Hi-ah or Namgung Bi-ah.’
Moyong Hi-ah was having her busiest days since the tournament began. The appearance of martial artists who had been in hiding prompted her merchant association to make moves, which in turn caused the White Flower Merchant Association to stir. As its leader, Moyong Hi-ah was swamped with work.
Namgung Bi-ah had simply skipped out, saying it sounded boring. Thinking of them, I felt a pang of belated regret.
‘I should have just trained.’
Why did I come here to watch this?
‘If it wasn't for that bastard Seong Yul, I wouldn't have come.’
I had come because he looked like he was up to something and it bothered me, but it seemed I didn't need to come at all.
‘He would have handled it on his own if I'd just left him alone.’
I had even told myself to leave him be. Why I had been so nosy was a mystery.
‘And after I told Cheol Jiseon not to bother with such trivial things, too.’
A contradictory act. Knowing this myself made me feel even more uneasy.
“Hmph.”
As I was stewing in my discomfort and let out a small sigh—
“Next.”
The previous duel ended, and the next pair of martial artists appeared. Seeing them, I slightly adjusted my posture. A telepathic voice had just reached me.
— Posture. Sit up straight. It's bad for your back.
“...”
I scowled but did as I was told.
“Wooooooooah—!!”
A middle-aged man with a massive build appeared from the entrance. An enormous roar of cheers erupted instantly. This was probably the most anticipated match of the day.
“It’s the Dao King!”
The Dao King, Peng Jeowoo.
The Lord of the Peng Clan, the guardians of Hebei. One of the six great figures in the Central Plains, the Six Seats, had appeared.
— Waaaaah!
His entrance was met with a deafening wave of cheers. Peng Jeowoo walked on impassively, seemingly unfazed by the adoration.
Thud—! Thud—!
Vibrations spread with his every step. It was as if a localized earthquake was occurring. The sight seemed to thrill the audience, who cheered even louder.
“Incredible—! Is this… the power of a Lord of the Four Noble Clans?”
“To cause such vibrations just by walking.”
While everyone was marveling, I had to make a sour face.
‘As if it's just from walking.’
Feeling the heat around me, I cursed internally. That man never changes.
‘He’s doing the same thing he did during the preliminaries.’
His internal energy was overflowing, and he was letting it explode in every direction.
“…Hah.”
“Ugh.”
Seeing this, Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-Ah let out low groans. They even averted their gazes as if they couldn't bear to watch. It was clearly just for show, an act that anyone who had reached a certain level of skill could see through.
The fortunate thing was…
“Waaaaah—!”
Judging by the reaction, it seemed to be working quite well.
The Dao King, radiating his energy, walked up onto the dueling stage. Someone followed quietly behind him. My gaze, naturally, was fixed on him.
A handsome young man, dressed in black from head to toe. It was the Dishonored Venerable, wearing the mask of the Dragon Warrior. With his hands clasped behind his back, the Dishonored Venerable walked in the shadow of the Dao King’s thunderous reception.
“...”
Even as he walked, the Dishonored Venerable’s eyes were on me. He had found me in an instant, even amidst this massive crowd. He had even sent a telepathic message before appearing, which meant he had sensed me from beyond the wall.
‘Terrifying old man.’
His senses were truly frightening. Just then, I overheard a conversation nearby.
“The Dao King’s opponent is the Dragon Warrior, right?”
“The Dragon Warrior… you mean the one they say is the descendant of the Dishonored Venerable?”
“That’s him. He’s become quite famous recently.”
They were talking about Bi Eejin. I naturally perked up my ears.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of him doing anything particularly noteworthy in this tournament. Are the rumors actually true?”
“You can’t say they aren’t. He came with the Dishonored Venerable’s recommendation letter, didn’t he? Besides, the fact that he’s made it this far is proof enough.”
“It’s just that his opponent is who he is… That’s a bit unfortunate.”
“That’s also true.”
The descendant of the Dishonored Venerable. The expectations that came with that title were beyond imagination. It was a testament to just how monumental the Three Venerables were to the Orthodox Faction.
It was just that… even such expectations had to face reality.
“His opponent is the Dao King, after all.”
“You never know, do you? Just look at Seomwolgeom… The Dragon Warrior might also be at an incredible level.”
At the mention of her name, Wi Seol-Ah’s ears twitched slightly. It seemed she was listening. As Wi Seol-Ah and the Heavenly Dragon had shown, even a young prodigy could be an incredible master. That was the topic of their conversation, but…
“Haha… that may be so. But you see…”
The martial artists who heard this were skeptical.
“No matter what… his opponent is the Dao King.”
“Hmm.”
His opponent is the Dao King. That single fact seemed to erase all other possibilities.
The Dao King. One of the six great figures in the current Central Plains, the Six Seats.
The Sword King of the Namgung Clan.
The Dao King of the Peng Clan.
The Poison King of the Tang Clan.
The Sword Queen of the Mount Hua Sect.
And the unaffiliated Yama King and the Bright Queen of Tibet.
These six individuals who held immense influence over the Central Plains were called the Six Seats. Though they were designated based on their standing and presence in specific fields, and not solely on martial prowess, it didn't mean they were weak. Every single one of them was a powerful martial artist.
‘I don’t know much about the Yama King or the Bright Queen, but they’re probably strong.’
Even excluding the ones I had never met in my past life… they were all strong individuals.
‘Though they're probably not on the level of the Ten Great Masters.’
Each one was a martial artist in their prime. None of them were to be taken lightly. The Heavenly Dragon and Seomwolgeom reached the Fusion Realm? That was astonishing, nothing more. That alone wasn't enough to reach the level of the Six Seats.
That was the common perception.
‘Yes, just a simple perception.’
He may be a disciple of one of the Three Venerables, but in the end, he was just a disciple. He couldn't reach the Dao King.
In other words…
‘Can the Dao King reach the Three Venerables?’
Whether it was the Six Seats… or the Ten Great Masters… could a mere mortal rooted to the earth ever reach the heaven beyond heavens floating in the sky? Even if that heaven had been shackled and brought down to earth, could someone like the Dao King even dare to look up?
‘Of course not.’
The thought itself was laughable. He might be a foul, nasty, and utterly rotten old man… but even broken, he was still the Dishonored Venerable.
‘How dare someone like the Dao King.’
Worry? I wasn't worried in the slightest. As I said before, Bi Eejin is the Dishonored Venerable. That single fact resolved everything.
Therefore, my concern wasn't for the Dishonored Venerable's safety.
‘…Please, just go easy on him.’
I just hoped that old man would keep the trouble he caused to a minimum. That was my only wish.
* * *
Waaaaaaah—!!
Cheers echoed from all directions. Amidst the unceasing heat, two martial artists faced each other on the stage.
The middle-aged man stood with his arms crossed, staring at the young man. The young man stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed somewhere other than his opponent.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man, the Dao King Peng Jeowoo, furrowed his brows.
‘Where is he looking?’
With his opponent right in front of him, where was this young man looking? Deeply displeased by this conduct, Peng Jeowoo’s expression soured.
‘Tsk.’
Youngsters these days. Every single one of them had no manners. In front of a senior—and not just any senior, but him—what kind of behavior was this?
‘I was planning to treat him with some respect since he’s the disciple of the Dishonored Venerable.’
The Dishonored Venerable, Bijuu.
A man who had engaged in countless life-and-death duels, suffered innumerable defeats, yet survived to the very end. An old man who had ascended to the rank of Venerable by contributing greatly to the war against the Unorthodox Faction with the unique martial art he had created himself.
Peng Jeowoo clicked his tongue, recalling the old man.
‘The disciple and the master are equally displeasing.’
Peng Jeowoo had met the Dishonored Venerable a few times. He had met him as a child, following Peng Taewoo, and again when he was just past the age of twenty.
‘He had such shitty eyes.’
He still remembered the way the old man had looked at him. A gaze completely devoid of interest, as if looking at a pebble. That cold stare had intimidated Peng Jeowoo.
And of all things…
‘This kid’s eyes resemble his.’
Was it because he was his descendant? For some reason, he felt the Dishonored Venerable’s presence strongly from this boy called the Dragon Warrior.
The Dishonored Venerable had been a giant covered in scars. Unlike that old man, the Dragon Warrior was a fresh-faced brat, yet for some reason, he gave off the same feeling.
‘That bastard, and this one too… every single one of them.’
That son of Gu Cheolun, that bastard he could chew to death, was one. And this kid called the Dragon Warrior was another.
‘I’ll have to crush them in the bud.’
He disliked all of them. Even the fact that he was standing in this ridiculous place.
‘…Grind.’
Peng Jeowoo secretly ground his teeth. If the Alliance hadn't brought up his past, he wouldn't have had to come to a place like this. He lamented that he couldn't refuse.
‘How dare they think of using me, Peng Jeowoo, as a clown?’
He would never forget this humiliation. Peng Jeowoo continued to grind his teeth. He would definitely become the Alliance Leader and execute all those who had looked down on him. For that day, he would endure the present.
Peng Jeowoo repeated this to himself, cooling his anger as he looked ahead. The Dragon Warrior was still not looking at him. Normally, he would have been enraged, but Peng Jeowoo simply curled his lips into a smirk.
The reason was simple.
‘How fortunate that I get to fix that insolence of his.’
Right now, he was in a place where he could legally beat his opponent. It meant he could personally correct this young prodigy’s shitty attitude. So it didn't matter.
Be as arrogant as you want. The more you are, the rougher my hands will get.
With that thought, Peng Jeowoo drew his dao.
Kwoong.
The heavy blade revealed itself to the world. It wasn't the treasure the Dao King normally used, the Black Fang Ink Blade. Since treasures were forbidden in the tournament, it was a weapon provided by the Alliance, but in the Dao King’s hands, its value was different.
An immense pressure poured out from Peng Jeowoo as he held the dao.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
“…Hup!”
“Gasp!”
Groans erupted from all over. It was a pressure that was on a completely different level from the previous duels. To exude such a presence with just a preparatory stance—everyone’s eyes were drawn to the Dao King.
“Shouldn't you get ready?”
Peng Jeowoo said, radiating pressure. Only then did the Dragon Warrior’s gaze shift. His expression was still blank.
Seeing this, Peng Jeowoo had a belated realization.
‘Is he just overly nervous?’
Come to think of it, maybe he wasn't ignoring him but was too scared to look?
‘Right. So that was it.’
No wonder. It didn't make sense for a mere young prodigy to ignore him. If excessive nervousness was the problem, it was plausible.
“Don't worry. I won't go all out against a junior. This is also a rare opportunity for you. Feel free to spread your wings.”
He said with a smirk. Go ahead and try something. That was the meaning behind his words.
However.
“Hmm.”
Seeing this, the Dragon Warrior nodded his head and said,
“I see. Your father was much better. A shame.”
“…What did you say?”
Peng Jeowoo reacted to the muttered words, but…
“We will now begin.”
The judge’s words cut off any further questions.
What did he mean by that? Father? Peng Jeowoo was puzzled by the incomprehensible remark, but he decided to ignore it for now.
“…Third round of the main tournament. Peng Jeowoo of the Peng Clan versus Bi Eejin of the Xi’an Bi Clan.”
The judge raised his hand.
“Duel, begin.”
He swiftly brought it down, and the duel started.
Immediately after the duel began, the two stood still, observing each other without any particular movement. Seeing the Dragon Warrior standing motionless as if nervous, the Dao King spoke.
“As your senior, I will grant you the first three moves.”
“...”
Three moves. Hearing this, the Dragon Warrior’s eyes widened. Was he surprised by the Dao King’s consideration?
“…Ah, right. Senior… I see.”
“...”
He really did seem extremely nervous. He didn't seem to be in his right mind. After his eyes widened for a moment, the Dragon Warrior quickly assumed a fist salute and said to the Dao King,
“There was something I needed to check. Thank you for your consideration.”
What did he need to check? Just as the Dao King’s interest was piqued…
Step.
The Dragon Warrior began to walk. Slowly, one step at a time, he approached the Dao King. Seeing this, the Dao King let out a hollow laugh.
‘He’s walking?’
He should be charging with all his might, and he’s walking? This is absurd—
Swoosh.
Thwack—!
“!?”
It happened in an instant. The Dao King assessed the situation and controlled his breathing.
‘What was that?’
He had raised his arm without realizing it. He also felt an impact. What just happened? As the Dao King grasped the situation, he was even more shocked.
The Dragon Warrior, who had been walking from a distance, was now right in front of him. He had attacked him with a kick, and the Dao King had raised his arm to block it. A block made purely on instinct.
Having failed to properly perceive the attack, the Dao King was flustered. But the surprises weren't over.
“This one is too weak.”
The Dragon Warrior muttered as he retracted his foot. Then—
KUUUUNG—!
“Keuk!? Gack!”
Suddenly, a tremendous impact struck his abdomen. It was the same as before. A punch thrown by the Dragon Warrior had slammed into the Dao King’s stomach.
CRACK—!
His protective aura of Qi shattered.
Whoosh—! The giant’s body was lifted slightly into the air. The Dao King immediately circulated his Qi to land on his feet.
Stumble—!
He staggered back several steps, clutching his abdomen with a large hand.
“Heok… heok…”
He had to fight the urge to vomit.
“You bastard… what is this…!”
The pain was still knotted in his stomach. The Dao King asked, trying to still his trembling body.
“Hmm.”
The Dragon Warrior looked at him and nodded a couple of times.
“This one is too strong. Something in the middle should be perfect.”
Then, as if he had confirmed something, he smiled with satisfaction. He then beckoned to the Dao King with his finger.
“Three moves won't be necessary. Come at me now.”
The Dishonored Venerable was certain. Yes, this was enough. This level of power, he thought, was just right.
Just enough to beat the Dao King without killing him.