Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: After the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly
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The Soul-Stealing Immortal's disciples took their positions throughout the VIP seating. They had cast a formation around the Fierce Sword Sect's seats, blocking both sight and sound, which allowed for the quiet arrest of the Seven Asura Melodies disguised as the Fierce Sword Sect.
Thanks to this, the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly continued without any disturbance.
However, Eon Hwa-taek was disqualified for the crime of killing Jo-gok during the tournament.
The announcer approached Family Head Eon Jwa-ryang to inform him of Eon Hwa-taek's disqualification, but he remained surprisingly composed, stating that it was his own fault for failing to manage his disciple properly and that the disqualification was deserved.
Then, as he was about to go to the Fierce Sword Sect to offer a formal apology, Paeng Mu-seon, the head of the Hebei Paeng Clan, stopped him.
"The Fierce Sword Sect is not in a position to receive your apology at the moment."
"Pardon...? Not in a position to receive an apology? Has something happened to the Fierce Sword Sect?"
"Well..."
Paeng Mu-seon was already aware of the situation. After all, the Beggars' Union Chief and the Underworld Sect Leader had gathered in a secret room of the Martial Alliance to explain the plan, and he had heard that it all originated from Baek Mu-heun of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Although he didn't fully trust Baek Mu-heun, a man from the Cult, he had decided to follow the plan.
The reasoning was simple: if the Underworld Sect Leader's information was correct, the Seven Asura Melodies had infiltrated this place. Their target, Baek Mu-heun himself, had volunteered to lure them out... There was no reason to object.
Furthermore, if everything went as planned, it would prove his capabilities to some extent, regardless of whether he was a trustworthy person.
"Family Head Paeng. What on earth is going on? Please, tell me as well. At this point, aren't the Eon Clan and I involved?"
"No, it's just..."
"Perhaps you can't tell me because the Eon Clan isn't one of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans?"
"Hah... No, that's not it..."
Paeng Mu-seon was truly at a loss.
As the head of the Hebei Paeng Clan, Paeng Mu-seon had always walked a path of dominance. However, he was also one of the leaders representing the Orthodox Sects of the martial world.
Realizing that there were unusual movements throughout the Central Plains, he had begun to change his mindset.
Why were the Orthodox Sects called the Orthodox Sects?
Even if they growled at each other like mortal enemies, it was only natural for them to unite when a crisis befell the Central Plains, just as they had during the past wars between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, and the Orthodox and Demonic.
This time, it was the greatest crisis in history, one that might even require them to join forces with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Given the circumstances, Paeng Mu-seon wanted to mend his strained relationship with the Eon Clan.
Just then, Family Head Eon Jwa-ryang spoke with a sorrowful expression.
"Heh, heh... It's not wrong to say we aren't one of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans. The Eon Clan can't compare to the Hebei Paeng Clan, and the Paeng Clan doesn't look favorably upon us."
"No, that's not... Family Head Eon."
Why had the relationship between the Paeng and Eon Clans soured?
In truth, there was no reason for them to be on good terms. The Paeng Clan wanted to display overwhelming power in the lands of Hebei so that no one would dare challenge them, and the Jinju Eon Clan was the perfect sacrifice for that purpose.
His father, the previous family head, had blatantly provoked the Eon Clan at every opportunity, leading to frequent clashes between the two families.
His father had said it was necessary for the Paeng Clan to completely rule Hebei.
If one were to name the two strongest families in Hebei, the Hebei Paeng Clan would be first, followed by the Jinju Eon Clan.
Moreover, both the Paeng and Eon Clans were composed of belligerent martial artists. There were many reasons for them to clash within the same region. In his own youth, whenever he saw a martial artist from the Jinju Eon Clan, he would do everything in his power to put them beneath his feet.
However, the problem began when the Jinju Eon Clan officially challenged the Hebei Paeng Clan to a duel. Perhaps having gained some confidence in their skills, they acted boldly against the Paeng Clan.
The rivalry between the two families reached its peak, and they ended up holding a grand duel, gathering all the merchant guilds and influential figures of the Hebei region.
The result...
was a victory for the Hebei Paeng Clan.
The Jinju Eon Clan was defeated spectacularly in front of all the influential figures of Hebei.
After that, the Jinju Eon Clan gradually changed. Once the second most powerful family in Hebei after the Paeng Clan, they were soon reduced to a family that was nothing compared to them.
Large merchant guilds, escort agencies, and influential figures began to cut ties with the Eon Clan and side with the Paeng Clan, and the martial sects of Hebei naturally started to align themselves with the Paengs as well.
The sharp confrontation had ultimately pushed the loser into a dark pit.
Since then, the Paeng Clan had truly reigned as the hegemon of Hebei, just as his father had said.
However, he himself was deeply troubled by the Eon Clan's situation. But after he became the family head, the Eon Clan had avoided the Paengs completely, leaving him no opportunity to apologize.
He had let it be, as there was no good reason to seek them out...
but it had always weighed on his mind.
"It is alright. Whatever happens in the Orthodox Martial Alliance, small and medium-sized sects and clans like ours simply have to wait until we are told. Besides, your strength and wisdom far surpass my own, Family Head Paeng. I trust you will handle things well."
"No, Family Head Eon, are you not at the Transcendent Realm? How can you say such things..."
"Even so, I am no match for you, Family Head Paeng."
To Paeng Mu-seon, Eon Jwa-ryang was a fellow practitioner he had known since before he became the family head. In truth, though he called him a fellow practitioner, he had always been a childish martial artist who felt inferior to him.
When had he become such a composed family head, subtly revealing his emotions while maintaining his etiquette? It was at this moment that Paeng Mu-seon's guilt towards Eon Jwa-ryang reached its peak.
As if sensing the subtle shift in atmosphere, Eon Jwa-ryang's expression changed completely as he spoke.
"Family Head Paeng. Can you not just close your eyes and tell me this once? Although the Eon Clan is weak and has fallen compared to the Paeng Clan... are we not still martial artists walking the same righteous path?"
"Hmm... A fallen clan? That is absolutely not the case."
"Then what is the reason I cannot be told?"
"Your words are not wrong. However..."
"If something is happening, wouldn't it be easier to prepare if we know together? Please, do not refuse my request."
"Ahem. Very well."
Thus, he could not refuse Eon Jwa-ryang's request.
'A man of Eon Jwa-ryang's caliber should be fine knowing this.'
He too was a martial artist who had reached the Transcendent Realm. The clan's power may not match the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, but he was undoubtedly a necessary asset.
'Eventually, all of the Orthodox Sects will find out anyway...'
"Then, you alone must know this, Family Head Eon."
"I swear I will not tell another soul. Thank you, Family Head Paeng."
"In truth, for some time now, strange phenomena that defy common sense have been occurring throughout the Central Plains."
"Strange phenomena?"
"Indeed. The Beggars' Union Chief and the Underworld Sect Leader have verified it, so there is no doubt."
"When you say strange phenomena, what exactly are you referring to?"
"Well... I only heard this information today myself."
"Please, tell me."
"It is said that a figure from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult recently defeated monsters in Okhwa Prefecture."
"M-Monsters?"
Eon Jwa-ryang's expression suddenly began to stiffen.
"Is... Is that... certain?"
"It is. The matter has been cross-verified, as Gu Pae-seon, the Cloud Dragon of Kunlun, was also present."
"S-So what then?"
"They are not the end of it. Monsters, Ghost Spirits, and Evil Gods."
"A-An Evil God!?"
"Indeed. It was written as such in the Three Books on the Advent of the Chaotic Heavens' Inhuman Beings, which that martial artist from the Cult received from an Arhat long ago."
"...!?"
The color drained from Eon Jwa-ryang's face.
"Family Head Eon, what is the matter?"
"Haha, it's just... a truly unbelievable story."
"I suppose it is. I felt the same way. That is, until the other great sects began to support that martial artist from the Cult."
"...Family Head Paeng. By any chance, where is that martial artist from the Cult?"
"That, I do not know. However, the Martial Alliance Leader proposed that he prove his skills by dueling the four rising stars who reached the semifinals of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly simultaneously. I expect we will see his face then."
"The rising stars? Does that mean the martial artist is not yet thirty?"
"That is correct."
"I see... Can I watch that duel as well?"
"...Hmm. I will ask the Martial Alliance Leader and confirm it for you."
"Thank you. And if his skills happen to be superior to those of my disciple, Eon Hwa-taek, I would like for him to receive a lesson, to teach that boy some humility."
"Hmm..."
Paeng Mu-seon hesitated for a moment. Wasn't Eon Hwa-taek the one who killed the rising star named Jo-gok? Even if accidents resulting in death sometimes occurred during duels, and that fellow Jo-gok had used a killing technique first...
Someone who had killed his opponent?
It was fortunate the opponent wasn't a true member of the Orthodox Sects but a descendant of the Unorthodox Sects; otherwise, the matter could have escalated.
However...
'Wouldn't it be fine?'
If he were to lose to the likes of Eon Hwa-taek, it would be even more unbelievable that he could become the focal point to unite us all in a great war.
It would be good to test him once.
'It doesn't matter even if it doesn't work out. I'm just making a suggestion.'
"Very well. I will suggest it. However, I can do nothing if the other party does not accept. I am merely making the proposal."
"I am grateful for your consideration, Family Head Paeng."
"Think nothing of it. Let us interact more often from now on."
"Of course."
With that, Paeng Mu-seon finished his conversation with Eon Jwa-ryang and turned to meet the Martial Alliance Leader.
And an owl, soaring through the sky, was listening to the entire conversation.
***
*Screech!*
[ Master, I think it's going according to plan! ]
[ Yes, the pieces are falling into place, one by one. ]
***
Three days had already passed since the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly began.
Night fell upon Wuhan, and the fierce Dragon and Phoenix Assembly was drawing to a close. And at the end, four remained.
Namgung Yeon of the Namgung Clan.
Baek-ryeon of the Mount Hua Sect.
Dang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Man-jeok of the Wudang Sect.
Each of them was a master who had reached at least the Peak Realm, but Dang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan alone had reached the Divine Realm.
Thanks to the lanterns that illuminated the surroundings more brightly than the moonlight, the semifinals were visible.
Baek-ryeon, the second-generation disciple of the great Mount Hua Sect, walked onto the dueling stage. Opposite him, Namgung Yeon of the Namgung Clan, known as the King of Anhui, ascended.
"Duel! Begin!"
The duel began with the announcer's shout.
Plum blossoms bloomed in profusion.
The Emperor's Sword carved up the dueling stage.
Hundreds of exchanges passed in an instant.
As it was the semifinals, the formidable skills of the participants delighted the audience. The excitement in the Heavenly Dragon Fortress's spectator seats showed no signs of cooling.
However, the blooming plum blossoms knelt before the Emperor's Sword. Baek-ryeon, the Sword of Mount Hua who had aimed for victory, could only be thwarted before the Emperor of Namgung.
-Waaaaah!
A thunderous roar still echoed from the audience.
The next semifinal stage immediately followed.
Dang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan versus Man-jeok of the Wudang Sect.
The Wudang sword was truly beautiful. The swirling harmony of yin and yang created dozens of storms, and the stage soon began to shatter under the shower of tempests.
However.
Dang So-so's throwing daggers were like a phoenix playing in the storm. The Phoenix Daggers would ride the storms before suddenly changing direction and rushing toward Man-jeok.
The divine internal energy contained within a single dagger. Daggers that exploded on impact raged from all directions.
Man-jeok was so flustered he couldn't close his mouth.
"What! I thought she only used poison!"
That was why he thought creating a storm would blow away any poison. However, it was he who was on the receiving end.
The Phoenix Daggers poured down from all eight directions,
*Kwaaaaaang!*
Man-jeok was caught in the explosion and collapsed.
-Waaaaaaah!
The audience became a cauldron of excitement.
The announcer, also caught up in the excitement, shouted.
"T-The winner is! Dang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan!"