Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Resurrected Ban Yue
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The audience erupted in excitement at Unhwi's appearance.
"Oh, there he is at last."
"They say that guy's the one who took down one of the Demon Dao's Ten Lords...!"
"Yeah, that's him. The heir to the Nine Dragons Branch Family."
Unhwi's reputation, which had already been spreading quietly, exploded into widespread fame thanks to this event.
In particular, the representatives from various sects who had come to meet the Dark Lord were renowned figures in the martial world.
As the name Dang Unhwi etched itself into their minds, public opinion began to surge like a raging current.
And amid all that, Unhwi finally earned a proper nickname.
"Resurrected Ban Yue!!"
"I wondered how handsome he had to be for a nickname like that... but damn, he really is!"
"Ban Yue of Jin was a genius in literature, but this Ban Yue of Shu reveals his worth in martial prowess!"
Ban Yue was a famed Confucian scholar of the Western Jin era, celebrated for his pure and elegant literary style.
Resurrected Ban Yue meant he was Ban Yue reborn.
It was also a testament to just how striking Unhwi's features were.
Some criticized the emphasis on a warrior's looks when he should prove himself through martial arts, suggesting nicknames like Cold Wind Knight or Wind-Breaking Venom Dragon instead—but the one on everyone's lips was Resurrected Ban Yue.
Perhaps because of that, the stands overflowed with women who had come just to catch a glimpse of his face.
"Eek! Eeeeek!"
"Look over here!!"
Yet when his appearance proved even more stunning than the rumors suggested, cheers exploded from every corner, creating utter chaos.
Skin as white and flawless as if it had never seen the sun.
Eyes brimming with decadent allure.
Lips curved in what looked like a smirk, yet exuding a strange charisma.
A slender frame overall, but packed with muscles as unyielding as armored steel.
A subtle fragrance wafted from the fan he waved languidly as if fending off the heat, stirring the heart in mysterious ways.
In contrast, his bold strides carried a power that made hearts race.
That was why even the men were in awe.
"I heard he took a major injury fighting the Seven Fleeting Lives... but he's fully recovered already?"
"Word is the Dark Lord personally treated him."
"Even so, to recover this much in such a short time... His spirit is so firm and upright. Whew—"
"It means his fundamentals are rock-solid. They say his poisons are curse toxins, and he's got real skill in the Hundred Strikes and evasion techniques too."
"He's a jack-of-all-trades, a true all-rounder."
The warriors felt a fierce rivalry toward Unhwi.
The emergence of a new powerhouse always stirred them.
"Come to think of it, he hasn't even hit thirty yet, right? Bet marriage proposals are pouring in from all sides soon—"
"No one's mentioned a girlfriend, but has anyone heard about any formal talks?"
Among the notables, talk of Unhwi's marriage prospects dominated.
Securing someone like him as a son-in-law would be a massive boon for any faction.
Everyone's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Hmm... I wouldn't get too greedy if I were you."
"Why not? With looks and talent like that—"
"It's not confirmed, but the rumors say—"
"W-what? Is that really true!?"
"Shh! Keep it down! That's why I'm saying it's unconfirmed. But think about his relationship with the Dark Lord and Blue Phoenix. Do you think it's ordinary?"
"Damn...! Even so, Ban Yue and a phoenix? What the hell is the Tang Clan—"
Untraceable rumors circulated under the radar, cooling some of the enthusiasm.
In any case, leaving the commotion behind, all eyes focused on the stage.
Unhwi began ascending the stairs.
Step!
The first step unleashed an even louder roar of cheers.
Step!
The second made every heart pound.
A rising star versus the unrivaled sovereign of the Central Plains martial world.
The outcome was obvious, but curiosity about the process snowballed.
In that moment, the fear of the Demonic Cult dissolved into thrill.
Step!
With the third step, Unhwi fully mounted the stage.
The Lion Blade King, already waiting, greeted him with a beaming smile.
"You're here?"
* * *
"Truly, what a massive crowd has gathered."
"For a match between one region's martial sovereign and some young upstart, why all this fuss? Tsk tsk—"
"At least it's the perfect stage to spread the Young Lord's fame far and wide."
While the spirits spectated the packed stands, I slowly made my way up to the arena.
Countless gazes locked onto me.
Far more than when I'd sparred with Dang Yu-chang or Dang Gyu-jin.
Among them were the three women who'd acted as my temporary master for the past few days, the worried stares of my clan retainers, and the razor-sharp eyes of the Daoist squad eager to gauge the impudent fool daring to point a blade at their lord.
"You're here, little brother? You've changed again overnight. Even 'new every day' has its limits—this is ridiculous."
Once I'd fully stepped onto the stage, the Lion Blade King eyed me up and down with a wry chuckle.
The audience stirred at that.
"W-what? Did you hear what the Lion Blade Sect Leader called Young Master Unhwi?"
"He definitely said 'little brother'...!"
"H-how is this possible? Am I hearing things?"
"Nah, I heard it clear as day. And he's smiling about it!"
They were shocked by the breach of seniority norms.
Even the Lion Blade King's gaze toward me brimmed with goodwill.
"A geezer nearing sixty squirming to look even a year younger, ugh!"
"These Central Plains folks have no shame!"
"He's just trying to latch onto our soon-to-be-famous Young Lord! Hate that guy!!"
Our spirit elders bristled with dissatisfaction and jealousy for reasons unknown.
Whoosh!
I lightly unfurled the Fearwind Fan.
A black fan adorned with vivid red floral patterns.
At the same time, a breeze swirled from my toes, lifting my hair ethereally.
Gentle Breeze Armor.
The starter form of the Wildwind Dance, capable of unleashing gales or typhoons at will.
Snap!
The Lion Blade King assumed his own starter stance.
He might not know the full details, but he'd clearly sensed my utterly transformed aura.
He seemed to have detected the pure demonic essence cultivated by the Heavenly Demon Heart Technique—his demeanor was deadly serious as he prepared for the bout.
He intended to give his all, as promised.
Rumble!
Golden Lion Aura erupted from him like a spiderweb, shaking the entire arena.
Groooar...!
"Even just venting his aura creates this much pressure—"
"No denying it: a peak-level master is on another plane."
Even the spirits reverted to warrior mode, watching intently with solemn focus.
"No matter how much I improve day by day, chasing Brother Wiji's shadow is daunting enough. I wonder if this little brother can truly win your approval."
The surrounding buzz grew louder.
By responding in kind, I'd acknowledged the breach of protocol.
But the Lion Blade King ignored the stares and burst into hearty laughter.
"Of course you can't! How many years have I lived, and how many battles have I fought?"
His signature weapon, the Fierce Lion Blade, glowed golden and steamed with heat.
"So give it everything you've got, little brother. This foolish big brother will do the same. Fail to do so, and the bond we've barely built will shatter."
"I'll keep that in mind."
It was a call to unleash everything I had.
"I am Dang Unhwi, heir to the Tang Clan's Nine Dragons Branch Family. I learned the Wildwind Dance from the former Wildwind Squad, but my skills are lacking, so I have no nickname yet. I humbly ask for your guidance and instruction."
"I am Wi Ji-humyeong, sect leader of the Lion Blade Sect of Ghost Valley. A ronin who self-taught the Golden Lion Blade Arts and Golden Lion Aura without a proper master. The martial world has graciously bestowed upon me the overly grand title of Lion Blade King. Let us have a fine match."
The tips of the Fearwind Fan and Fierce Lion Blade lightly clashed in midair.
A sword salute signaling the start of the duel.
And then.
Boom!
Flash—
With the Lion Blade King's forward stomp, golden blade energy leaped from the tip of his blade.
To him, it was no more than a casual greeting.
But to me, it was unmistakably threatening.
A flash slicing toward my neck.
I swiftly opened all three dantian at once.
Ghost King Claw and Black Dragon Qi intertwined, awakening the Heavenly Demon Heart Technique for the first time after a night of refinement.
I swung the Fearwind Fan horizontally.
Immense demonic power infused it, maximally activating the Courage Force from the Demonic Might Divine Skill.
Clang!
Blade and sword energies tangled mid-swing, flinging the Fierce Lion Blade upward.
A glint of surprise crossed the Lion Blade King's eyes.
"Not bad—your sword force carries real weight. Let's see how far your strength can go, little brother?"
Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh!
The Fierce Lion Blade accelerated dramatically.
The power behind it was immense now—hard to track with the eyes, let alone block or repel.
But the Heavenly Demon Heart Technique was an enlightenment art.
Its extreme focus preserved absolute calm and immovability even in dire straits, ensuring I missed not a single motion of the blade.
My muscles strained to their limit, bolstered by surging demonic power and Courage Force, repelled the golden lion's savage claws without harming my body.
'I see it!'
I could read his intent.
My sharpened eyes and quickened arms crossed busily.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
In an instant, the blade winds of the Fierce Lion Blade and sword winds of the Fearwind Fan tangled like a snarled mess.
Blade and sword energies probed for vital points, lying in wait for openings.
My long robe tore in places, blood spraying.
Deep gashes marred my cheek and neck.
A half-beat slower in evasion, and I might have died.
Naturally, the Lion Blade King remained unscathed, without even a scratch.
"Th-that's—"
"Is this really a spar...? Life-or-death, maybe, but...!"
The spectators broke into cold sweats, watching my head as if it could roll any second.
True to his word, the Lion Blade King was going all-out against me.
He hadn't unleashed his full aura yet, but it was no different.
Yet his deeply sunken eyes conveyed a message.
—When will you show me your claws?
Heh!
I smiled.
If you want to see them that badly... here they are.
My razor-sharp focus transcended the trance state, reaching unity with all things.
The energies that had whirled through my body suddenly halted, slamming fiercely into my central dantian—straight into my heart.
Flash!
Sparks exploded in my vision.
Roar!
At the same moment, goblin flames erupted from the Gentle Breeze Armor enveloping me.
This was energy utterly opposed to the yin qi I'd mainly wielded until now.
Yang qi.
Pure fire qi.