Chapter 33
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Martial Contest Between the Two Pavilions
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Seonwoyong nodded.
The affairs of the merchant pavilions were still part of the jianghu. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable proposal at first glance.
“So, you’re saying I need to step up as well.”
“That’s how it’s turned out. Their proposal is to exclude the clan members from both pavilions and have only the guests compete. They say there’s no need to shed blood between the two families and ruin the harmony between the pavilions... but their real intent is to sideline me.”
The three men, excluding Jin Ichang, all nodded.
No matter what anyone said, Jin Ichang was the strongest expert in the entire Shenzhou Pavilion.
If the contest proceeded without him, the Excitement Sun Pavilion would hold an absolute advantage.
“No doubt those two shady bastards from yesterday will show up, but who else?”
Jin Ugwang tossed out the question while gauging Jin Ichang’s expression.
“Besides those two from yesterday, that man will probably appear.”
“That man??”
Sa Hongcheon, who had been sitting silently, asked.
Jin Ichang nodded with a grave expression.
“No way he’ll show up, right? It’s already been five years since...”
Jin Ugwang asked in bewilderment.
“Would the Excitement Sun Pavilion just leave him be? That man?”
It was a situation where Jin Ugwang and the others knew the man, but only Seonwoyong did not.
“Who exactly is this person you’re talking about?”
Seonwoyong asked Jin Ichang, but it was Sa Hongcheon who answered.
“Young Hero Seonwo, have you heard the rumor that there’s a madman among the experts of Xi’an?”
Seonwoyong shook his head.
“Madman—you mean a true lunatic?”
“Not quite. He’s simply obsessed with gambling to an extreme degree, earning him the moniker Gambling Maniac.”
“Hmm... I’ve heard there are gambling-obsessed experts all over the jianghu...”
Jin Ichang began the explanation.
“There’s a top gambling den here in Xi’an. It doesn’t even have a name. The Excitement Sun Pavilion runs it. In a way, it might be their true bottomless source of wealth. But about ten years ago, that man showed up there.”
“And then?”
Seonwoyong pressed.
“From then until now, he’s been gambling there nonstop. Haha...”
“What? He really is a gambling fiend. But why would he draw his blade for the Excitement Sun Pavilion?”
“That’s the condition they’ve offered him. Even as a gambling maniac, his skills at the tables are poor, and he’s racked up a huge debt. In exchange for occasionally wielding his blade at their request, they forgive some of his old gambling debts.”
Seonwoyong nodded.
The jianghu was full of all sorts of people.
“Then what’s this man’s level of martial prowess?”
“To my shame... five years ago, I took a loss against him.”
Jin Ichang gave a wry smile as he answered.
“Ugh... I couldn’t match him either.”
Even Sa Hongcheon shook his head with a wry smile.
Yet amid all this, Jin Ugwang’s face had flushed red as he hung his head low.
“This fellow got hooked on gambling for a while. Haha...”
Jin Ichang’s smile grew even more bitter.
Seonwoyong could roughly piece together what had happened.
Jin Ugwang must have gotten addicted to gambling and squandered money at that den. Unable to stand it any longer, Jin Ichang and Sa Hongcheon had gone there, leading to a clash.
It would be odd to pry for details, so Seonwoyong simply nodded.
“But you said it’s been five years already?”
When Seonwoyong asked, Sa Hongcheon answered this time, his face full of shame.
“We vowed never to cross blades with him again and to yield. In return, I ended the bout without a single hair out of place. For all his madness, he goes to extremes to avoid killing.”
Sa Hongcheon’s face heated up, and he trailed off.
It wasn’t just the Jin father and son—even for Sa Hongcheon, he was someone he truly wished to avoid.
“So in the end, I’ll have to take him on?”
“To our shame, that’s how things are shaping up. I’m sorry... to you.”
Jin Ichang was genuinely apologetic toward Seonwoyong.
“What’s there to be sorry about? I’m actually quite intrigued.”
“That man’s swordsmanship is truly fearsome. You plan to face him with just your fan, as usual?”
“Who knows. I don’t see any reason to treat him specially.”
“Very well. Then I’ll inform them that our side will field the four heroes here, you, and Pagoda Uprooter Kang Pyo.”
“But when will the matches take place...?”
“Why drag it out? Tomorrow at the latest.”
“Understood. I’ll proceed on that basis.”
“If we get a good outcome this time, I really plan to shower you with bolts of silk.”
“Just give me a good deal on the price...”
“How could we do that? A discount is a given. I’ll give you a hundred bolts, win or lose. And if you win, another hundred.”
“In that case, I’m grateful... Well, I suppose I’ll have to win then. Haha...”
* * *
The day of the martial contest arrived the very next day—and early in the morning at that.
The central area of the public square in Golden Hound Market had been cleared, surrounded by throngs of spectators.
It was splendid weather, and the onlookers seemed as cheerful as if they were out on a picnic.
Even the vendors hawking snacks were calling out, adding to the festive air.
A canopy had been erected in the center of the square, where chairs and small tables were set up for the branch officials of Xi’an and other referees.
On either side of the square, separate canopies had been prepared for the Shenzhou Pavilion and the Excitement Sun Pavilion.
As the Shenzhou Pavilion group, led by Seonwoyong, entered the square, the Excitement Sun Pavilion members were already seated on the opposite side.
Jin Ichang approached the opponents first to exchange greetings.
A middle-aged man in splendid robes stepped forward from their side.
“Haha... Pavilion Master Jin. It’s good to see your face, even under these circumstances.”
“Pavilion Master Yang looks even younger these days. Congratulations on entering a second youth.”
It was a jab at the rumor that Excitement Sun Pavilion’s current Pavilion Master Yang Dogo had recently taken a beautiful young concubine and secluded himself.
“Haha... What can I say? At my age, such fortune... Heh heh...”
By the customs of the time, this was no cause for shame, and Yang Pavilion Master accepted the greeting with a proud expression.
“I hope today’s matter concludes smoothly. For our Shenzhou Pavilion, we oppose market collusion and hoarding outright. I’m sure you understand that well, Pavilion Master Yang.”
“Well, our pavilion has pushed a bit hard to achieve favorable results in our own way. In any case, I too hope this doesn’t sour relations between us. We fight, but we don’t break the table—that’s our creed, isn’t it? Heh heh...”
The greetings between the two pavilion masters ended there.
Soon, several officials led by the branch grandee entered and took seats under the central canopy. The two pavilion masters went over to exchange various pleasantries.
Seonwoyong stared intently at the opposite canopy.
Han Sojung and Elder Jang had not come along.
There was no reason for them to show their faces in such a crowded place.
Moreover, neither Han Sojung nor Elder Jang cared much about today’s outcome.
They believed Seonwoyong wouldn’t lose, nor would he suffer any serious injury.
Thus, the result of the contest meant little to them.
As expected, No Deuk and So Myeongcho were seated side by side over there.
And a man in shabby attire sat apart, head bowed low.
He appeared to be the Gambling Maniac.
He didn’t look that old.
With his head down, it was hard to see clearly, but glimpses revealed a surprisingly handsome face, and though his clothes were threadbare, they resembled those of a scholar.
“That’s him. Gambling Maniac.”
Sa Hongcheon, seated beside him, spoke up.
“Why would an expert like that fall into gambling... But where’s his sword? You said he uses one...”
Strangely, there was no blade in the Gambling Maniac’s hands.
There was no page carrying one, nor was one propped nearby—it was truly odd.
Sa Hongcheon began to explain.
“It may seem strange. His sword is hidden in his sleeves.”
“What? So he uses a very short dagger?”
“Exactly. He wields two daggers, each less than a foot long, one in each hand. His skill is remarkably sharp, so be careful.”
“He really is an unusual fellow. I’ve never heard of anyone using daggers as their signature weapon.”
“Indeed. Even Pavilion Master Jin and I were quite taken aback at the time. His forms are utterly bewildering...”
At that moment, the Excitement Sun Pavilion masters emerged from the central canopy, followed by an elderly Daoist priest carrying a censer.
The crowd buzzed for a moment.
“Isn’t that Elder Jeonggwan of the Zhongnan Sect?”
“Looks like the Zhongnan Sect is refereeing today’s contest.”
The pavilion masters returned to their seats, and Elder Jeonggwan of the Zhongnan Sect stood in the center of the square.
“Fellow jianghu travelers, gathered in great numbers. I am Jeonggwan of the Zhongnan Sect, tasked with overseeing today’s martial contest between the two pavilions.”
Holding the censer, he offered greetings and then explained the rules of the contest.
“The purpose of today’s contest is for each pavilion to uphold its claims, so there’s no need to draw blood. Thus, we will compete solely with forms, without using internal energy. Victory is declared if a weapon or hand or foot touches the opponent’s vital points. Killing or inflicting a mortal wound results in immediate defeat.
Three experts from each side will compete, and the pavilion whose final survivor stands victorious wins. In other words, if one expert from one side defeats all three from the other, that side wins.
Order of appearance or re-entry doesn’t matter. This has been decided by both pavilion masters and others, so please take note.”
The spectators began to murmur.
“Wow, that’ll be fun. It’s a fight to the finish, right?”
“Exactly. No best-of-three nonsense—the strongest one wins. Heh heh heh...”
“A bit disappointing no blood will be spilled. Heh heh...”
“This is just the kind of contest I like. No need to think...”
“Indeed. That’s how it should be. Don’t you think?”
The packed crowd around the square always got more excited the more brutal, intense, and drawn-out the fight.
The atmosphere heated up like this.
“Senior Brother. Let me make the first move. Please wait a bit, both of you.”
Pagoda Uprooter Kang Pyo, who had been sitting silently, stepped forward first.
Since order meant nothing anyway, Jin Ichang readily nodded.
Kang Pyo removed the long robe draped over his upper body and advanced to the center of the square.
Under the bright morning sun of full spring, the bronze-skinned muscles of Kang Pyo’s bare torso gleamed.
“Pagoda Uprooter” meant uprooting a stone pagoda.
He was a giant over eight feet tall and four hundred pounds, yet not an ounce of fat could be found even if one searched with washed eyes.
Kang Pyo was martial brothers with Jin Ichang.
Though his taciturn and solemn nature made his presence almost unnoticeable, no one knew better than Jin Ichang how formidable his martial arts truly were.