Chapter 385
Translator: penny
Chapter: 394
Chapter Title: The Demonic Sword
Heo Won, the Daoist Master, let his gaze sweep across the sparring arena of the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.
The spectator stands arranged on three sides were packed with throngs of people.
Even the slightest movement of heads sent ripples through the crowd like waves on the ocean.
Even the smallest noises gathered and swelled into a thunderous roar.
Over a thousand pairs of eyes and more than a thousand mouths buzzed in all directions.
This was an arena grand enough to have served as the venue for the junior disciple tournaments once hosted by the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.
Nearly as many people had gathered as back then, and the murmurings echoed endlessly.
It was the result of opening the gates of the Orthodox Heaven Alliance, bringing together the residents of both the inner and outer citadels.
On top of that, visiting guests to the alliance had flocked in upon hearing the bizarre rumors, filling the three sides to the brim.
With only the lack of drums and gongs distinguishing it, the atmosphere felt so much like the start of a real tournament that it could fool anyone.
"The Apprehension Squad caught the Radiant Dragon, right? It's true?"
"What's going on?"
"It's no ordinary matter. When have they ever paraded someone caught by the Apprehension Squad in public like this? And with all the elders gathered together."
"Hmm! If even the Nangong Clan can't protest..."
Amid the hubbub, all sorts of speculations flew wildly.
The Radiant Dragon—second young master of the Nangong Clan and hailed as the world's greatest junior expert—had been captured by the Apprehension Squad and made to stand in the arena.
With the elders of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, the true powers behind the Orthodox Heaven Alliance, watching solemnly, a taut tension hung in the air.
What crime could he possibly have committed to drag Nangong Hyeok into such a public spectacle?
As Heo Won listened to the crowd's doubts and guesses, the corner of his mouth twisted subtly.
He raised his hand lightly.
It was a gesture made while buried in his Daoist robes, yet the murmurings of those watching the head seat gradually died down.
"Then."
Heo Won's voice spread calmly through the hush.
His gaze swept over the elders seated at the head table.
The elders' expressions shifted in a rainbow of reactions.
Some showed displeasure, some couldn't hide smug smiles, and others wore inscrutable looks.
Heo Won spoke.
"If there's no objection, this old Daoist would like to question the boy directly. Is that acceptable?"
The expressions of the Five Great Clans' elders changed once more.
Their eyes turned to Elder Nangong Sang.
Nangong Sang looked at Heo Won and opened his mouth.
"Why must the Daoist Master handle it personally?"
"Because it's that important, and this incident originated from the Wudang Sect, did it not?"
"So there could be ill feelings involved, no?"
"Hahaha! Ill feelings."
Heo Won chuckled lightly, then spoke quietly but firmly.
"The Wudang Sect steps forward because we are parties to the incident, and to make a public declaration. We merely intend to convey the facts as they are! There are no ill feelings. This is all in accordance with the alliance's will!"
"Then why confirm such a crucial matter in this public forum without any prior consultation? You've gathered all these spectators!"
Nangong Sang made no effort to hide his irritation.
Heo Won stroked his beard and smiled gently.
"To ensure fairness."
"Fairness? You call this fair?"
"Indeed. With so many people here, would this old Daoist possibly show ill feelings as Elder Nangong suggests?"
"Th-that..."
"Why get so worked up? Isn't it just a simple confirmation now?"
"When did I get worked up!"
As Nangong Sang ground his teeth, Heo Won smiled faintly.
"It's something that can be proven before everyone's eyes. We're merely confirming the seed of unrest to address it, aren't we?"
"..."
"Then I'll take that as agreement from all. People are watching. Haha."
Heo Won naturally obtained the elders' consent and turned his body.
The Five Great Clans' elders sighed at his slyness, merely watching on.
'How is that man a Daoist? Slyer than a serpent.'
'He's used the spectators to eliminate any room for rebuttal.'
'The initiative has shifted. Raising our voices won't help... damn it.'
'To bind our hands like this.'
The Five Great Clans' elders stared at Heo Won's retreating back with sunken faces.
He turned his gaze leisurely to the seat on the left.
Heo Jong, the Sect Leader of Wudang, nodded slightly with a soft smile on his lips.
*Begin.*
Receiving the signal, Heo Won lowered his eyes.
In the center of the vast arena stood Nangong Hyeok.
Puhaham.
Yawning expansively with a bored expression, he stood cockily as Heo Won's eyebrow twitched faintly.
He showed no sign of pressure under countless gazes, not even a hint of intimidation.
'Let's see how long you can keep that up.'
He would slowly, but surely, tighten the noose.
Heo Won clasped his hands in a fist salute and raised his voice toward the gathered crowd in the arena.
"This old Daoist is Heo Won of the Wudang Sect!"
His strong, resonant voice boomed through the arena.
The voice, clear even to the far side, revealed the profundity and excellence of his internal energy.
All eyes focused on Heo Won.
"The reason we are gathered here today is for this old Daoist to confirm one thing."
Heo Won said.
"Those who should know already do, but there was a minor incident between our sect's disciples and the Nangong Clan's junior experts."
Murmur murmur.
The spectators began buzzing again.
No one present was unaware of the incident between the Nangong Clan and the Wudang Sect.
At least anyone in Hubei, anyone with enemies in the Orthodox Heaven Alliance, had been chewing over the tale of Wudang's first and second disciples losing to junior experts as lively gossip.
But why bring up that story in such a public setting?
Why expose their own shame like this?
'Did the Wudang Sect capture Radiant Dragon Nangong Hyeok over that?'
'Using the alliance for personal grudges?'
'No way the renowned Wudang would do that. There must be another reason. Then how do you explain the Apprehension Squad's involvement?'
'No idea. What exactly is he trying to say?'
The crowd held their breath.
Heo Won continued with a gentle smile.
"The Wudang Sect must confirm why that minor incident occurred."
"..."
"Our sect's disciples witnessed something at the Ironclad Gate. I could hardly believe it myself, but today we shall verify it."
The people grew even more confused.
What on earth could it be?
As doubts swirled, Heo Won's eyes gradually darkened.
"The Orthodox Heaven Alliance has upheld the order and justice of the martial world for nearly a century since the Demonic Blood Cataclysm."
He paused to catch his breath, surveying the assembly before continuing.
"We have severely punished those who plunge the world into chaos, prevented countless bloodbaths, and restored order from disruptions!"
The Orthodox Heaven Alliance had always done so.
From the blood-soaked Demonic Blood Cataclysm to the present, it had existed and acted under the banner of "exterminating evil and fighting for justice and righteousness."
Countless demonic fiends had lost their heads to the alliance's swords, and it had intervened in upheavals that shook the world, thwarting the forces of evil.
Under the name of Orthodox Heaven, it had established justice and order.
"Today is no different. This boy is merely a promising leader of the future martial world and scion of one of the Five Great Clans."
The Five Great Clans' elders bit their lips tightly.
He was deliberately invoking the Five Great Clans and proclaiming to the spectators that this was a rightful exercise of the alliance's authority.
Heo Won said.
"That is why I must ask. Why do you possess such an item?"
With a solemn expression, he took a step forward.
Slowly.
Deliberately unhurried, he descended to the arena floor.
As if intent on drawing all eyes, Heo Won took ample time to walk toward Nangong Hyeok.
By the time the gazes converged and halted, Heo Won stood before Nangong Hyeok.
Though Heo Won was a head shorter than Nangong Hyeok, his presence enveloped the entire arena and more.
The aura emanating from an elder of the Nine Great Sects was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Nangong Hyeok eyed Heo Won cockily.
Heo Won called to him softly.
"Youngster of the Nangong Clan!"
"What?"
"Show me that sword."
His low but clear voice sent tremors through the spectators' pupils.
Sword?
What sword?
For a martial artist, especially a swordsman, demanding their sword was tantamount to demanding their life.
What madness prompted Heo Won to make such an outrageous request?
No matter that the opponent was young, he was undeniably blood of the Five Great Clans.
No one had the right to treat the second young master of the Nangong Clan—one of the pinnacle orthodox clans—like this.
Yet Heo Won's following words left everyone speechless.
"That sword at your waist! That demonic sword!"
A suffocating tension descended upon the arena.
Heo Won said quietly.
"Our sect's disciples testified that they sensed a foul demonic energy from the sword you carry. And that your gang attacked our disciples who came to retrieve it?"
"So what if we did?"
"Insolent! You speak as if it's the most natural thing!"
"No, if some long-nosed bandit bastards try to steal my property, am I supposed to just hand it over? If you can beat me, then beat me!"
"Wh-what?! B-bandit? L-long-nosed?!"
What kind of absurd punk was this?
Calling the world-renowned Wudang Sect long-nosed bandits!
"You impudent whelp! It's a demonic sword! A demonic sword! Retrieving that demonic sword is to uphold the justice of the martial world..."
"Hah, really!"
Nangong Hyeok snorted derisively.
"It's just a blade at the end of the day. So what? Does carrying a sharp edge make it go around killing people on its own? Oh wow, a sentient sword, a sentient sword!"
"Our disciples said they had never seen such a vicious demonic sword! Surely, it will erode the user's mind with demonic qi, drive them mad, and unleash a storm of blood!"
"If it makes you lose your senses with sword qi, then you shouldn't wield a sword in the first place. That's just a lack of cultivation, a lack of cultivation."
"Wh-what did you say?"
What kind of guy was this?
No, wait.
Why did he keep getting drawn into this punk's words?
*Stay calm, stay calm. Just inspect the sword!*
No, judging by the punk's attitude, he absolutely wouldn't hand it over.
He'd surely make excuses or refuse!
If so...
*I'll make you spew blood from all seven orifices.*
Opposing the alliance's proceedings meant being prepared for the consequences.
It would provide justification for whatever followed.
That's why they had made it public in the arena before thousands!
What happened afterward would be entirely on the punk.
*Your arrogance pierces the heavens! But it will push you, your clan, and the Five Great Clans over the cliff!*
Just his refusal to submit to inspection and possession of the demonic sword would give grounds to topple not just his status in the martial world, but its very foundations.
The Orthodox Heaven Alliance had that power.
A subtle killing intent flickered in Heo Won's eyes.
"Therefore! Are you refusing to hand over the demonic sword?"
"You want the demonic sword?"
"Your eyes are already tainted by its demonic qi! What scheme are you plotting with that demonic sword..."
"You could've said so earlier."
"...What?"
"Speak up quicker. I wouldn't have had to come all the way to Hubei!"
Huh?
...He's handing it over?
...For real?
Nangong Hyeok drew the demonic sword from his waist sheath and all.
"A long-nose touching it won't wear it out."
Whoosh!
Nangong Hyeok tossed the sheathed demonic sword toward Heo Won.
"Catch."
In that instant, Heo Won and the spectators' mouths gaped wide open.