Chapter 401
Chapter 401
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 401
Chapter Title: The Final Match
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Silence fell around the dueling stage.
Cheon Hwa-in was a first-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and a martial prodigy talented enough to be chosen as a Grand Master.
Having entered the Transcendent Realm and mastered various advanced martial arts from the Martial Alliance, there was no one here willing to challenge him.
“Brother Tae. Come forward.”
Cheon Hwa-in's gaze was fixed on Tae Mu-ryong.
It seemed he still held a grudge for the humiliation at the banquet.
“Very well.”
Tae Mu-ryong stepped onto the stage without hesitation.
He was already prepared for defeat. However, even in loss, he wanted to show a dignified front.
“Then, you may begin.”
At Yuk Cheong-a's shout, Tae Mu-ryong drew the rake from his waist.
But Cheon Hwa-in, with his hands clasped behind his back, spoke with a relaxed expression.
“You may strike first.”
“Young Master Cheon, you should also draw your sword.”
At Tae Mu-ryong’s words, Cheon Hwa-in’s lips curled up as he shook his head.
“If I were to draw my sword, you would not be able to execute even a single move.”
Tae Mu-ryong bit his lip.
Cheon Hwa-in's attitude was arrogant, but he was not bluffing.
The sharp aura emanating from his body was already causing the taste of blood to rise in Tae Mu-ryong's throat.
“Fine.”
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Tae Mu-ryong began to spin the rake with dazzling speed.
A typical rake has five or six teeth. However, the rake of the Sacheong Sect had ten sharp teeth.
And from each tooth, it could shoot a different sharp energy, unleashing a barrage of linked attacks.
“Hah!”
With a kiai, Tae Mu-ryong executed the technique of Three Ponds, Four Directions.
It wasn't proper to immediately unleash a sharp technique against an opponent who hadn't even drawn his weapon.
His plan was to first use the threatening opening move, Three Ponds, Four Directions, and then follow up with the ultimate technique of a Thousand Ways, a Hundred Schemes, to launch a continuous assault.
“Hmph.”
But Cheon Hwa-in let out a short scoff and instantly closed the distance, appearing right in front of Tae Mu-ryong.
‘What?’
Tae Mu-ryong was greatly flustered, not expecting him to break through the shadow of the fiercely swinging rake and close the gap in a single breath.
At the same time, a white light erupted from Cheon Hwa-in's palms.
It was not a martial art of the Mount Hua Sect, but a technique from the Manifesting True Light Palm, taught to him by the Martial Alliance.
*BOOM!*
The Manifesting True Light Palm consisted of simple moves.
However, its advantage was that immense internal energy could be imbued into each move, and the palm force could be released with incredible speed.
Greatly flustered, Tae Mu-ryong swung his rake wide to dissipate the palm force.
*CRASH! Szzzzz.*
But when the rake and the palm force collided, a loud explosion erupted, and Tae Mu-ryong was pushed off the stage.
Cheon Hwa-in had poured all of his internal energy into that single palm strike and unleashed it at once, and Tae Mu-ryong, unable to block it, was sent flying.
“This match goes to Young Master Cheon!”
Climbing back onto the stage, Tae Mu-ryong said loudly in response to Yuk Cheong-a's words.
“What are you talking about? I can still fight.”
He felt it was terribly unfair.
He had only been pushed back by the torrent of energy because his own internal energy was shallower.
If they had truly fought it out, even if he lost in the end, they could have had a fierce exchange.
But to stop the duel before he could even fight properly?
“Young Master Tae. As I said, this is not a life-or-death battle, but simply a test to determine the level of one's martial arts.”
But Yuk Cheong-a was firm.
“This match is over. Please return to your seat.”
At that, not only Tae Mu-ryong but all the other contestants waiting for their duels stiffened.
If the duel was stopped the moment a difference in skill was shown, who could possibly stand against Cheon Hwa-in?
They would be pushed back in a single move from the start.
*Murmur, murmur.*
Sounds of discontent echoed through the arena.
Despite this, no one challenged Cheon Hwa-in, and in the end, he advanced to the main tournament with ease.
“Are there any other challengers?”
*Fwoosh—*
Just then, a man in splendid silk clothes stepped onto the stage.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
“Seon U-jin of the Seonhwa Merchant Guild.”
*Whir!*
Then, as if he had been waiting, a man wearing unique gauntlets on his fists leaped onto the stage.
“Jo In-ung of the Mountain-Shattering Fist Sect.”
His eyes flashing, Jo In-ung took his stance.
Bu Eun-seol also lowered his stance and faced him.
Once the two were ready to fight, Yuk Cheong-a did not delay.
“Then begin!”
Simultaneously with her shout,
*Woooong!* A powerful vibration emanated from Jo In-ung's body.
At the same time, a sharp wind began to pour toward Bu Eun-seol's face.
—Ooh.
Gasps of admiration erupted from around the stage.
He had only taken a stance without even performing a technique, yet he was projecting such a powerful aura?
If he were to actually use his fist techniques, wouldn't he unleash a mighty force capable of shattering the heavens?
‘The True Mountain-Shattering Fist.’
Bu Eun-seol gave a wry smile.
He had identified Jo In-ung's fist technique in an instant.
True Mountain-Shattering Fist.
It was the ultimate fist art of the Mountain-Shattering Fist Sect, said to be able to unleash a fist energy capable of toppling Mount Tai upon reaching mastery.
However, it was incredibly difficult to learn, and the number of moves one could perform was limited by their level of internal energy.
Because of this, despite possessing an outstanding fist art, the Mountain-Shattering Fist Sect's influence was waning day by day.
But Jo In-ung possessed exceptional talent and had cultivated profound internal energy, allowing him to master over eighty percent of the True Mountain-Shattering Fist.
And now, he intended to become a Grand Elder of the Martial Alliance and elevate the honor of the Mountain-Shattering Fist Sect.
“Be careful.”
Jo In-ung, who was exuding a tremendous aura, said to Bu Eun-seol.
“My fists have no eyes.”
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly,
*Step, step.*
He suddenly began walking slowly toward Jo In-ung, slowly extending a finger toward his chest.
*Flinch.*
But Jo In-ung didn't move, only glaring with wide eyes.
—Why isn't he dodging?
The onlookers wore puzzled expressions.
Why was Jo In-ung only projecting a terrifying aura and not using his fist techniques, even as his opponent approached?
*Thud.*
Eventually, Bu Eun-seol's finger touched an acupoint near Jo In-ung's chest.
“Do you concede defeat?”
If Bu Eun-seol were to immediately pour energy into his finger, Jo In-ung would suffer a grave injury.
*Shudder.*
Jo In-ung trembled, unable to do anything.
But now that his opponent's finger was touching his body, no matter what he did, it was as good as a loss.
“I have lost.”
Jo In-ung cupped his fists with a shameful expression.
And he hastily left the stage.
—Incredible.
The crowd gasped, their mouths agape.
Jo In-ung's aura as he held his fierce stance had seemed capable of splitting the heavens and shattering the earth.
Moreover, he was a renowned master in the Haeju region, an undefeated fist fighter who had never lost a single battle.
Yet he had been frozen in place, unable to dodge the finger of Bu Eun-seol, who had calmly walked up to him?
Could it be that his martial arts had reached a divine level, allowing him to subdue Jo In-ung's acupoints with his aura alone?
‘I feel a bit sorry about this.’
Watching Jo In-ung hastily exit the stage, Bu Eun-seol smacked his lips.
‘But through this, he must have realized the weakness of the Mountain-Shattering Wave Form.’
The reason he was able to defeat Jo In-ung in less than half a move.
It was partly because his own martial arts were superior, but also because he had perfectly mastered the same True Mountain-Shattering Fist that Jo In-ung had learned.
Because the True Mountain-Shattering Fist was included among the secret manuals in the Martial Emperor's archives.
‘The Mountain-Shattering Wave is a technique that should never be used in a real fight.’
The Mountain-Shattering Wave Form of the True Mountain-Shattering Fist was its most powerful technique, but the motion to gather internal energy was far too long.
To hide this weakness, it included an opening move that generated an immense aura throughout the body.
But Bu Eun-seol, who had already seen through the Mountain-Shattering Wave technique, was not deceived by the opening move and calmly extended his hand to subdue him.
He did not do it to humiliate Jo In-ung, but to make him realize that the Mountain-Shattering Wave Form should never be used in a real battle.
“He knew the technique and seized the initiative.”
Yuk Jang-cheon, in the viewing seats, nodded.
He had instantly recognized that Bu Eun-seol hadn't used some extraordinary martial art, but had simply identified and exploited a flaw in Jo In-ung's fist technique.
“Are there any other challengers?”
At Yuk Cheong-a's shout as she stepped forward again,
*Whir.*
A man as thin and long as a skewer stepped onto the stage.
“I am Hae Jang-cheong.”
When his name was announced, a gasp went through the arena.
The Severing Hand Sword, Hae Jang-cheong.
He was a master of the swift sword, very famous in Shaanxi.
Although he had only been in the martial world for about a year, he had already fought thirty duels with the masters of the Shaanxi region.
And he had always won with a single strike of his sword.
He was known only as a brilliant swift swordsman; Hae Jang-cheong's sect was unknown.
However, seeing as he was invited to the Grand Scholars' Assembly, it seemed certain he was a descendant of a righteous sect.
“Begin!”
At Yuk Cheong-a's shout, Hae Jang-cheong extended a hand.
“You may make the first move.”
His gaze was sharp and piercing. Bu Eun-seol nodded in response.
“Very well.”
*Fwap!*
And he lightly unfolded the fan he was holding to cover his face.
Hae Jang-cheong took his stance and waited, but even after a while, there was no sign of an attack.
Finally, Hae Jang-cheong, who had been waiting patiently, furrowed his brow.
“Are you forfeiting the match?”
At his words, Yuk Cheong-a stepped forward.
“Young Master Hae. You have lost.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Instead of answering, Yuk Cheong-a pointed to Hae Jang-cheong's sleeve.
He tilted his head in confusion and looked down.
“What.”
Hae Jang-cheong's eyes widened.
Sometime, somehow, his sleeve had been neatly sliced in two.
“Wh-when...”
“When you yielded the first move, Young Master Seon covered his face with his fan and threw a dagger. But you did not see it.”
For a moment, Hae Jang-cheong's eyes widened in shock.
He had only seen the motion of slightly covering the face with the fan. When could he have possibly thrown a dagger?
“...Isn't this a trick?”
Hae Jang-cheong bit his lip.
“To throw a dagger while pretending to cover your face with a fan? How can a righteous warrior use such a skill?”
“Young Master Hae.”
Yuk Cheong-a swept her gaze over him with contempt.
“The art of the throwing dagger is, by its very nature, a technique meant to be unleashed unexpectedly, so the enemy cannot predict it. The fact that you only saw the movement of the fan means you failed to detect Young Master Seon's move at all.”
She continued in a cold voice.
“If Young Master Seon had aimed for your neck, you would already be dead. Would you still call it a trick then?”
*Shudder.*
Hae Jang-cheong trembled slightly, then turned away with a humiliated expression.
“I have lost.”
And he slowly walked off the stage.
‘This isn't something I should be doing.’
Watching Hae Jang-cheong leave with his shoulders slumped like a failed scholar, Bu Eun-seol felt a little sorry.
No matter how it was dressed up as a 'Grand Scholars' Assembly,' it was ultimately a gathering of promising young talents of the new generation.
But he was a new-generation Grand Master, one of the Seven Kings of the God of Death. In terms of skill, he shouldn't be competing against them, but...
...against the likes of the Lord of Deungmu Hall, the Jang King, and Yuk Jang-cheon in those viewing seats.
Yet here he was, dueling with these youngsters. From his perspective, it felt like a grown adult bullying children.
“Are there any other challengers?”
When no one stepped onto the stage for a long while, Yuk Cheong-a shouted.
“Young Master Seon. You have passed the preliminaries.”
Bu Eun-seol lightly cupped his fists and descended from the stage.
“That man's martial arts aren't exceptionally high, but he is skilled in combat. He's calm, with no sign of tension.”
Watching Bu Eun-seol descend from the stage, Yuk Jang-cheon said to Gu In-jeong with an impressed look.
“Moreover, his method of secretly launching a throwing dagger can be called one of the best in the martial world.”
“He's dealt with countless hordes of bandits, so it's understandable.”
As he continued to praise him, Gu In-jeong spoke in a displeased tone.
“However, calmness and skill only work against opponents of a similar level.”
“Hmm.”
Yuk Jang-cheon hummed in agreement.
“Indeed, he has faced rather easy opponents.”
In the first match, Jo In-ung tried to show off his ultimate move and suffered an absurd defeat.
His second opponent, Hae Jang-cheong, also arrogantly yielded the first move and was defeated by a clever trick.
In reality, he had not yet properly demonstrated his martial prowess.
“Well, we'll see as we watch.”
Yuk Jang-cheon nodded and resumed watching the duels.
The duels of the Grand Scholars' Assembly were not for public record; they were more like an examination to select a third-rank Grand Elder for the Martial Alliance.
Therefore, even before a winner was decided, if a clear difference in martial skill between the two was apparent, the match was stopped.
As a result, the preliminary rounds, which would normally take several days, were over in less than half a day.
“We will now begin the main tournament.”
Since it wasn't a typical tournament, the proceedings began at a rapid pace.
Also, because of the rule to stop the match once a difference in skill was revealed, there were no tenacious battles, only a series of peaceful and, in a way, monotonous duels.
Bu Eun-seol fought smoothly in the main tournament as well.
There were occasionally unexpectedly skilled masters, but from Bu Eun-seol's perspective, it was like watching a child making clever attacks.
—His combat sense is excellent, and he handles everything with composure and calm.
That was the persona Bu Eun-seol had established for Seon U-jin.
Having dealt with hordes of bandits, he emphasized his rich combat experience and adaptability.
He was portraying a young talent who, through his calmness, could unleash power greater than his techniques would normally allow.
After a series of duels, two individuals finally reached the final match.
Seon U-jin versus Cheon Hwa-in.
These two were set to face each other in the finals.
“Young Master Seon. Young Master Cheon. Please come to the stage.”
The final match, too, was swift.
The final duel to select a new Grand Elder for the Martial Alliance was beginning.
*Flick.*
As Bu Eun-seol used a light movement technique to ascend the stage, he could see the towering figure of Cheon Hwa-in.
“I look forward to a good match.”
When Bu Eun-seol offered a polite greeting, Cheon Hwa-in simply cupped his fists lightly without a word.
This wasn't a regular tournament to begin with; they were merely competitors vying for the position of Grand Elder.
Therefore, it seemed he felt no need to build rapport or exchange pleasantries.
「If you're a man of commerce, shouldn't you stick to your abacus?」
At that moment, Cheon Hwa-in's cold telepathic message echoed in Bu Eun-seol's ears.
「Don't get yourself seriously hurt by loitering around a tree you can't climb.」
Instead of replying, Bu Eun-seol wore a faint smile.
Cheon Hwa-in became extremely displeased.
Because that smile was far too relaxed and composed.
‘A pup that doesn't know to fear a tiger.’
He had been watching Bu Eun-seol's fights all along.
He had only won through his combat proficiency and dazzling techniques. His martial arts did not seem superior to his own.
Furthermore, his true skill wasn't with the fan, but the art of throwing daggers hidden in his sleeves.
Given the nature of the throwing dagger art, which requires silencing the enemy in a single move, the confined space of a dueling stage was an extremely disadvantageous location.
“Then, begin!”
Yuk Cheong-a's shout was heard, but the two men stood motionless.
*Shing.*
As Cheon Hwa-in drew his sword, sharp waves of true energy began to rise slowly from his body.
The air on the stage seemed to freeze, and a cold, murderous wind began to blow.
But Bu Eun-seol was not looking at Cheon Hwa-in; he was watching his hand.
The swordplay of the Mount Hua Sect is the most fluid and sharp among the righteous sects, and its techniques are unleashed with extreme suddenness.
If one's concentration wavered for even a moment, one's head could be lopped off without knowing why.
Of course, with Bu Eun-seol's true skill, there was no need to watch the hand at all.
‘He knows a lot about my sect's sword style.’
Seeing Bu Eun-seol staring intently at his hand, Cheon Hwa-in's lips curled up slightly.
‘But he shouldn't forget that I am a Grand Master.’
At that moment, Cheon Hwa-in's right hand flashed with a cold light.
The longsword he held suddenly shot out explosively, aiming for Bu Eun-seol's chest.
*Whoosh.*
As if unable to dare face the sharp technique, Bu Eun-seol quickly retreated a full ten feet.
But Cheon Hwa-in stuck to Bu Eun-seol like a ghost and began to unleash a torrent of sharp sword moves.
*Flash! Flash!*
Along with the brilliant flashes of light, a chilling sword wind that seemed to tear at the skin began to blow from Bu Eun-seol's left and right.
It was not the Mount Hua Sword Style, but the Seven Severances Sword Style, taught to him by the Martial Alliance.
‘It's been a while.’
Seeing the sharp sword moves, a faint memory surfaced in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Seven Severances Sword Style.
Wasn't that the Martial Alliance's sword style used against him by Yeong Ji-wi, the Grand Master from the Diancang Sect whom he first encountered at the Martial Arts Tournament?
*Taat.*
Knowing the sharpness of the Seven Severances Sword Style, Bu Eun-seol quickly leaped into the air to dodge the pouring sword energies.
*Swish!*
At the same time, a sharp glint flashed from his sleeve as two throwing daggers shot out, aiming simultaneously for Cheon Hwa-in's brow and lower abdomen.
*Clang!*
As Cheon Hwa-in deflected the daggers with his longsword, Bu Eun-seol landed safely back on the stage.
With a simple yet ingenious method, he had interrupted the endlessly flowing techniques of the Seven Severances Sword Style.
‘This bastard.’
Cheon Hwa-in's eyebrows shot up as Bu Eun-seol blocked the Seven Severances Sword Style with almost absurd ease.
‘Is he really going to try and fight me?’
Cheon Hwa-in's original plan was to display overwhelming martial prowess in the tournament to quell any gossip about this biased Grand Elder selection.
But if he were to engage in a fierce battle with the heir of some nameless merchant guild?
Not only would it inevitably lead to more talk, but he would also lose face with Elder Gu, who had trusted him and arranged this matter.
‘I can't drag this out!’
Cheon Hwa-in raised his sword high and gathered his energy.
He intended to end the duel in a single breath by unleashing his specialty, the Sword of the Lingering Dark Fragrance.
‘How dare he!’
In that instant, a flash ignited in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
To dare use the very sword style that had crippled Yeong Mun-ho right in front of him.
His chest grew hot as a furnace, and an uncontrollable killing intent began to erupt from within him.