Chapter 400
Chapter 400
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 400
Chapter Title: The Tournament of Masters
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Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and calmed his mind.
‘I must not get excited.’
A battle between a Ten Demon Disciple and a Grand Master was inevitable.
Besides, hadn’t Yeong Mun-ho intentionally taken a blow from Cheon Hwa-in’s sword to escape the shackles of the Ten Demon Disciples?
In the end, losing his martial power was Yeong Mun-ho’s choice; there was no reason to blame Cheon Hwa-in.
‘But I can’t help it.’
No matter how rationally he tried to think.
When he recalled Yeong Mun-ho’s face as he died screaming, he couldn’t help but resent Cheon Hwa-in.
—Hahaha. If it wasn’t for the commander I saw back then…
Regardless of Bu Eun-seol’s inner thoughts, Cheon Hwa-in’s voice grew louder and louder.
And around the table where he sat were figures who appeared to be from the Nine Great Sects and One Great Union.
Cheon Hwa-in was loudly boasting of his connections, seeking the attention and envy of those around him.
—Since I already handpicked competent individuals in advance… it’s just for show, but I’m sure you’re more than capable of shattering their little scheme, aren’t you?
Recalling the Diviner’s words, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
‘Then that man must be the pre-selected candidate.’
Cheon Hwa-in had originally been considered the next Sect Leader.
There was no reason for a heavyweight of the younger generation like him to attend a Tournament of Masters to aim for a mere Third-Rank Commander position in the Martial Alliance.
‘Which means… the rumors of him being pushed out of the line of succession must be true.’
Recently, unpleasant rumors about Cheon Hwa-in had been circulating in the martial world.
It was said that his true nature, long hidden, had been revealed upon attaining a high position.
He was arrogant to his superiors and harsh to his subordinates.
He had commanded the first-generation disciples of his peerage as if he had already been confirmed as the next Sect Leader.
The rumor was that his supporters in the Mount Hua Sect, unable to watch any longer, had all turned their backs on him.
‘Since he has no chance of becoming the Mount Hua Sect Leader, he plans to make a name for himself in the Martial Alliance.’
“You seem envious.”
Just then, a young man with long, clear eyes approached Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring at Cheon Hwa-in.
“Well, he is a former Grand Master and was a candidate for Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect… You could call him a young great master rather than just a rising star.”
The man seemed to think that Bu Eun-seol’s intense gaze was born of envy.
As Bu Eun-seol looked up, the man met his eyes and smiled, revealing a set of white teeth.
“I am Tae Mu-ryong.”
Tae Mu-ryong of the Red Star Rake.
He was a disciple of the Sacheong Sect, a righteous faction, and a rather famous figure.
Although his sect walked the path of righteousness, its primary weapon was the rake, a tool used for tending to gravesites or digging the earth.
Furthermore, the way the rake was wielded involved many bizarre techniques, enough to be called an unorthodox art.
But contrary to its martial techniques, the Sacheong Sect was a truly righteous sect, one that had consistently revered the path of justice.
Tae Mu-ryong himself had also done many good deeds, which was why he had been invited to this Tournament of Masters.
“My name is Seon Wu-jin.”
“Seon Wu-jin, if you’re Seon Wu-jin, then.”
Tae Mu-ryong tilted his head for a moment, then his eyes blinked.
“The Heaven’s Edge Flying Saber, who made a name for himself outside the Central Plains! So you’re the heir to the Seonhwa Merchant Guild.”
Though he exclaimed in admiration, a flicker of disappointment crossed Tae Mu-ryong’s eyes.
The grand moniker of Heaven’s Edge Flying Saber had been given to him simply for dealing with numerous bands of bandits.
From a martial artist’s perspective, he was not from a traditional martial family, and he was the descendant of a merchant guild that primarily operated outside the Central Plains… a man of no great background.
“That is correct.”
As Bu Eun-seol smiled and cupped his hands, Tae Mu-ryong’s eyes sparkled.
He had clearly seen his own disappointed expression, yet a smile remained on this man’s lips, and his face showed an air of natural acceptance?
‘He’s no ordinary man.’
Tae Mu-ryong was not only intelligent but also possessed exceptionally keen powers of observation.
He perceived that the man before him was far from ordinary and felt a great sense of favor towards him.
“Come, come, let’s not just stand here. Let’s get up.”
Tae Mu-ryong rose from his seat and tugged at Bu Eun-seol’s sleeve.
“I myself am but a nameless novice, but I have been fortunate enough to make a few friends. I would like to introduce Young Master Seon to them.”
Leading Bu Eun-seol, Tae Mu-ryong began to introduce him to several martial artists he was acquainted with.
‘He’s killed two birds with one stone.’
A subtle light flickered in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes as he was led around by Tae Mu-ryong.
By introducing Bu Eun-seol to others, Tae Mu-ryong had drawn people’s attention and also won Bu Eun-seol’s favor.
‘At this rate, his martial arts must have reached a considerable level.’
To master superior martial arts, one needed not only a good physique but also outstanding insight and intellect.
Judging by Tae Mu-ryong’s eyes, his wisdom and perception were substantial. He must have mastered martial arts far greater than what was publicly known.
‘And he must be desperately aiming for the commander position.’
From Tae Mu-ryong’s demeanor, Bu Eun-seol could even discern his inner thoughts.
The founder of the Sacheong Sect had been a cemetery keeper.
The founder, Son Sam-muk, had achieved great enlightenment while tending to graves and digging the earth, and founded the Sacheong Sect. His main weapon was the rake he always carried.
However, in the martial world, those who used such unorthodox weapons as the rake were not well-regarded.
The disciples of the Sacheong Sect carried an inferiority complex due to their founder’s origins, seeing themselves as a sect of cemetery keepers.
The same must be true for Tae Mu-ryong.
He intended to use this opportunity to become a commander in the Martial Alliance and make a resounding name for himself in the martial world.
“Hahaha. I never knew Brother Tae was such an interesting person.”
Before long, laughter bloomed at the table where Tae Mu-ryong sat.
He was not only handsome but also a gifted speaker.
It was only because of his origins in the Sacheong Sect that he had not mingled with many people.
But now, leading Bu Eun-seol around, his eloquence had been unleashed, and he quickly became the center of attention in the banquet hall.
“So the great disciple of the Sacheong Sect is here. A pleasure to meet you.”
Just then, Cheon Hwa-in, who had been sitting on the opposite side, suddenly approached Tae Mu-ryong and spoke.
The attention that had been focused on him had shifted to another, piquing his curiosity.
And upon learning that this person was the great disciple of the Sacheong Sect, he approached him with a peculiar smile.
“I am Cheon Hwa-in.”
“Tae Mu-ryong.”
“This Tournament of Masters is truly a fine thing.”
Cheon Hwa-in said in a gentle voice.
“To be able to meet old acquaintances who are rarely seen in the martial world, all at the same time and in the same place.”
For a moment, Tae Mu-ryong’s face stiffened.
The phrase ‘old acquaintances who are rarely seen’ implied that Tae Mu-ryong was an unknown novice.
Moreover, the look on Cheon Hwa-in’s face as he looked down on him was exceedingly arrogant, and Tae Mu-ryong’s pride was wounded.
“Indeed. I, too, have long admired Elder Brother Cheon of the One Sword of Mount Hua, whose fame resounds across the four seas. It is an honor to meet you like this.”
But Tae Mu-ryong used an extremely respectful title for a peer and politely cupped his hands.
Cheon Hwa-in, the first disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, was in a position closer to a next-generation master than a mere rising star.
“Indeed, Brother Tae. Since fate has brought us together, accept a cup of wine from me.”
Cheon Hwa-in smiled like an elder and extended his right hand.
At that, a wine cup on the opposite table floated into the air and slowly flew towards Tae Mu-ryong.
Making a wine cup fly through the void was no great feat.
But to send it at such a slow pace required immense internal energy.
With this single move, Cheon Hwa-in was showing off his internal energy to everyone around.
‘Damn it.’
But Tae Mu-ryong’s complexion changed drastically.
‘Was he planning to humiliate me?’
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he watched the slowly approaching cup.
The weapon techniques of the Sacheong Sect, which handled the rake, could be called the best in the martial world, but their internal energy cultivation methods did not match.
Thus, Tae Mu-ryong had always achieved victory through unpredictable techniques, never by leveraging superior internal energy.
What if he failed to catch the cup in front of all these people?
Not only would it be the height of humiliation, but he would also be branded as having lost to Cheon Hwa-in.
He would have to leave the Martial Alliance in tears without even needing to participate in the tournament.
‘I have to try.’
With a grim expression, Tae Mu-ryong gathered his internal energy and reached out for the incoming wine cup.
But no matter how much energy he mustered, he couldn’t slow the cup’s leisurely approach.
‘Oh, no.’
Just as the cup, its speed not diminishing at all, was about to spill onto his chest,
*Zhiiing.*
A low vibration and a strange internal energy blossomed throughout Tae Mu-ryong’s body, and the speed of the wine cup began to gradually decrease.
*Tak.*
The cup landed on Tae Mu-ryong’s outstretched hand with perfect naturalness.
It looked as if he had exerted powerful internal energy to receive the cup with ease.
“...!”
Cheon Hwa-in’s eyes changed slightly as he watched.
It might have seemed like he had casually sent the cup, but he had actually imbued it with over a hundred years’ worth of internal energy.
Yet this man had received it so slowly and effortlessly?
‘How did this happen?’
Meanwhile, Tae Mu-ryong, who had caught the cup, was dumbfounded.
Just as he was about to be pushed back, unable to repel the cup, someone had infused him with internal energy by projecting power through his body.
‘Who in the world?’
Tae Mu-ryong discreetly glanced around, but no one gave him any sign.
‘Could it be?’
He looked at the heir of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild, Seon Wu-jin, who was sitting calmly beside him.
Could he have used his power to help him?
‘That can’t be.’
No matter how he looked, there was no trace of Seon Wu-jin having exerted any internal energy.
Besides, hadn’t he been sitting there nonchalantly, without even lifting a finger?
If he had performed such a feat of power projection, a powerful shockwave would have formed around his body.
In the end, Tae Mu-ryong couldn’t figure out who had helped him.
‘I don’t know who it is, but they’re helping me.’
Tae Mu-ryong’s martial arts weren’t the strongest, but he was quick-witted and perceptive.
Realizing that someone was secretly aiding him, he acted with confidence.
“That was a fine drink.”
After downing the cup in one go, Tae Mu-ryong sent the cup flying back at him.
However, his internal energy wasn’t that great, so compared to the cup sent by Cheon Hwa-in, it was nothing more than a powerless push.
*Zhiiing.*
But with a low vibration, the cup began to crawl forward like a veritable snail.
*Slowly, slowly.*
Its speed was a tenth of the speed at which Cheon Hwa-in had sent his.
Cheon Hwa-in was greatly surprised, but like the Grand Master whose fame shook the world, he immediately deployed his Plum Blossom Dissipating Hand to neutralize the force of the incoming cup.
No matter how much internal energy was infused, the Plum Blossom Dissipating Hand, with its ability to disperse energy, should be able to handle it lightly.
But how could he have known?
That the person who had sent the cup to him was a next-generation martial arts great master, one of the Seven Kings of the God of Death.
*Whoosh.*
Suddenly, the cup trembled faintly and lightly scattered the power of the Plum Blossom Dissipating Hand.
‘Ugh.’
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Amazingly, the cup was alternating between a pulling force and a pushing force.
*Thud.*
In the end, pulled forward and then pushed back by the force in the cup, Cheon Hwa-in stumbled and fell, landing on his bottom.
“...”
A deathly silence fell over the hall.
Cheon Hwa-in was considered to have the most outstanding martial arts among all those who had attended this Tournament of Masters.
For him to fail to catch a single wine cup and fall on his rear?
*Tap, tap.*
Quickly getting to his feet and brushing off his clothes, Cheon Hwa-in’s expression hardened.
No matter how much power was contained in the cup, if he couldn’t block it, he could have simply avoided it.
But who would have thought Tae Mu-ryong would infuse multiple streams of internal energy to unleash a powerful alternating force of attraction and repulsion?
“I see. You’ve been hiding your skills until now.”
Having been utterly humiliated, Cheon Hwa-in’s eyes blazed as he spoke gravely.
“I've always been curious about the Sacheong Sect's ultimate rake technique, said to unleash ten streams of cold light in a single move.”
In that instant, the people in the banquet hall felt as if all the air had vanished, feeling a suffocating pressure.
*Gulp.*
Tae Mu-ryong also swallowed dryly.
The tournament would begin tomorrow anyway.
But the impatient Cheon Hwa-in wanted to settle the score right here and now.
‘If I intended to avoid this confrontation, I wouldn’t have come to the Tournament of Masters in the first place.’
His internal energy level might be lacking.
But his Sacheong Rake Technique had never once tasted defeat.
Having made up his mind, Tae Mu-ryong was about to open his mouth when,
*Swish, swish.*
With light footsteps, a woman in white robes, accompanied by two maids, walked into the banquet hall.
Her eyes were as clear and transparent as meteors, but her entire being was filled with an unapproachable aura.
It was Yuk Cheong-a, the only daughter of the Master of the Martial Hall, Jang-wang Yuk Jang-cheon, and the newly appointed, youngest Hall Master in the Martial Alliance, the Hall Master of the Training Hall.
Yuk Cheong-a looked around at the assembled crowd and cupped her hands.
“A pleasure to meet you all. I am Yuk Cheong-a, in charge of the Training Hall.”
Stepping onto the platform set up in the banquet hall, Yuk Cheong-a cupped her hands and spoke in a clear voice.
“As you may have already heard, the Alliance plans to select the commander for the newly established Third-Rank Brigade from among those of you who have participated in this Tournament of Masters.”
She swept her gaze over the seated figures once more and said.
“All of you who have been invited to this Tournament of Masters possess talent and fame so outstanding that it is impossible to judge superiority. Therefore, the Alliance has unavoidably decided to distinguish the jewels from the stones through a simple martial arts tournament.”
As this was information that had been announced beforehand, everyone in the audience nodded.
However, among them were some who held great dissatisfaction. They were the rising stars from small and medium-sized sects.
The position of a commander in the Martial Alliance was one that could only be attained by demonstrating outstanding abilities in various fields, not only martial arts but also character, integrity, strategy, and military tactics.
Yet they were going to select a commander through a martial arts tournament?
Moreover, they had invited a former Grand Master, a man for whom the term "rising star" hardly seemed to fit.
By including a new-generation master like Cheon Hwa-in… it could only be seen as an intention to select him from the start.
“Of course, participation in the martial arts tournament is voluntary.”
Yuk Cheong-a seemed to sense the dissatisfaction of some in the hall and wore an embarrassed expression.
“Those who wish to challenge for the position of commander, please come to the tournament stage set up at the west gate of the Alliance tomorrow at the Hour of the Snake.”
Finishing her words, she cupped her hands and exited again.
“...”
A strange silence filled the hall.
The gazes of the crowd soon turned towards Cheon Hwa-in and Tae Mu-ryong, who were sitting in the middle of the banquet hall.
Now that Yuk Cheong-a had left, they were curious if the two would resume their fight.
“Hmph.”
Cheon Hwa-in let out a grunt.
If he were to fight Tae Mu-ryong even after hearing that the tournament was about to begin?
If that rumor spread, it would not leave a good impression on the leadership of the Martial Alliance.
“I look forward to tomorrow’s match.”
Muttering coldly, Cheon Hwa-in rose from his seat and immediately walked out of the hall.
Then, the people who had been sitting around Cheon Hwa-in also followed him.
Seeing their subservient attitude, as if they were his underlings, it seemed they were certain that Cheon Hwa-in would be chosen as the commander.
“So that’s how it is.”
Once Cheon Hwa-in’s group left, a man carrying a three-pointed, double-edged glaive burst out in frustration.
“I was wondering why a former Grand Master would attend a Tournament of Masters like this…”
“Exactly. If they were going to do that, why not just quietly appoint him? Why bother holding a tournament and making such a scene?”
As another person shouted, a man with a uniquely shaped saber at his waist stood up and spoke.
“Did the Martial Alliance not learn a great lesson after arbitrarily appointing a man named Cheon-geom to a commander position?”
He was Jeong Jong-do, a disciple of the Iron Saber Sect, who, like Tae Mu-ryong, was highly skilled in martial arts but had a lesser reputation due to his sect’s origins.
“I heard that the Alliance Lord subsequently issued a strict order forbidding the appointment of commanders through connections and nepotism.”
Jeong Jong-do sighed as he looked at the open door.
“So even if they want to choose someone as commander… on the surface, they have to select them openly and fairly. Like with a martial arts tournament.”
Despite his rough appearance, Jeong Jong-do was well-versed in the news of the martial world and possessed excellent analytical skills.
At that, Tae Mu-ryong, who had been listening silently, added a word.
“Indeed. Cheon Hwa-in is a man who was pushed out of the succession line of the Mount Hua Sect. He must have many connections with the higher-ups… It’s possible that the participants in this Tournament of Masters were also adjusted to be manageable opponents.”
At those words, the atmosphere inside the banquet hall sank low.
Each of them had attended the Tournament of Masters with high aspirations, but in the end, were they nothing more than side characters for the sake of appointing Cheon Hwa-in as commander?
“So, are you all saying you’ll give up?”
Then, the man with the three-pointed, double-edged glaive, who had been listening silently, asked. Jeong Jong-do smiled faintly and shook his head.
“Not a chance. Whether it turns to porridge or rice, one must give it a try to have no regrets, wouldn’t you agree?”
Then Tae Mu-ryong also spoke in agreement.
“Hahaha. You’re right. I, too, must challenge him, if only out of sheer frustration.”
He smiled brightly and spoke with strength.
“Even if I lose, there will be something to gain.”
At that, several martial artists in the banquet hall clapped their hands in agreement.
“That’s right. We have to give it a try, don’t we?”
The conversation between the two men instantly changed the heavy atmosphere of the banquet hall.
‘A cut above the rest.’
Bu Eun-seol looked at Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do and nodded.
Ever since his time in the Hell of Blood, Bu Eun-seol had analyzed the characteristics and martial prowess of every individual whenever people gathered.
And that became valuable information that would help smoothen his future plans.
“Then let’s all toast to tomorrow’s victory.”
At someone’s shout, the people in the hall raised their wine cups.
Bu Eun-seol also quietly raised his cup amidst the boisterous crowd.
The next day.
Around the Hour of the Snake, near the west gate of the Martial Alliance.
A small tournament stage had been set up there, and in front of it, about forty martial artists had gathered.
They were the martial artists waiting to participate in the tournament.
Originally, there had been about fifty people, but about ten had given up on the competition and left.
On a platform opposite the tournament stage, a small table and chairs had been set up, and two figures were seated there.
One was a middle-aged man with a sturdy and stout build like a roly-poly doll, and the other was an old man in his early sixties with a goatee.
They were the Master of the Martial Alliance’s Martial Hall, Jang-wang Yuk Jang-cheon, and an elder of the Hall of Longevity, which corresponded to the council of elders of the Demon Faction, Gu In-jeong.
—So that old man is the culprit.
The martial artists standing around the stage discovered Gu In-jeong and shook their heads.
Gu In-jeong. He was an elder from the Mount Hua Sect and Cheon Hwa-in’s master.
“We will now begin the tournament.”
Yuk Cheong-a, standing in the middle of the stage, said.
“As you know, this tournament is merely a test to select the commander for the newly established brigade. Therefore, you must not use lethal techniques, and once a winner is decided, you must immediately stop your movements.”
She continued speaking in a clear voice.
“The preliminary round is passed by defeating three challengers. Those who pass the preliminaries will then compete according to a tournament bracket to determine the winner.”
In an instant, the eyes of the martial artists standing on the stage blazed with fire.
Although it was a small tournament, it was a competition to select a Third-Rank Commander of the Martial Alliance.
It was an opportunity that did not come easily, so they had to fight with their lives on the line.
“Now, will the first challenger please step forward.”
As soon as Yuk Cheong-a shouted, a man in blue robes with a Mount Hua sword at his side leaped onto the stage.
It was Cheon Hwa-in.
He swept his gaze over the martial artists below the stage, then smiled arrogantly and said.
“I will be the first to challenge.”