The Privilege of the Eight Demonic Families
The Sword Saint smiled as he watched Seo-ah stammer in confusion and the senior members of the family stand there with their mouths agape. 'Lucky me.' That was what the Sword Saint thought. In truth, he had intended to register Seo-ah’s name in the family registry at this very gathering anyway. It wasn't because the Fast Sword Sect Leader was right about her being an outsider, nor was it out of fear that she might turn her back on the Cult. If that were the case... no, that would have been closer to meddling. She might not have even wanted it, and it wasn't the primary reason either. Therefore, it didn't matter.
Regardless, the main reason was to utilize the privilege granted to the Eight Demonic Families, the greatest contributors to the current Cult. It was the privilege that allowed each of the eight families to send exactly one person directly to the main tournament of the Divine Maiden selection competition, bypassing the preliminary rounds.
Seo-ah had only just begun to learn martial arts. With so little time to train and catch up to others, she couldn't afford to waste her precious practice time in the tedious and unhelpful preliminary rounds.
The Sword Saint scanned his surroundings. The people present were still unable to speak, flustered by his sudden declaration. But soon, they would realize. 'That my words were nothing more than sophistry.' If she were the type to turn her back on the Cult after receiving his teachings, it would be strange for her to be loyal to the family and the Cult just because her name was on a registry. But that fact wasn't important. The Fast Sword Sect Leader had uttered plausible words to induce an answer from him, and the Sword Saint had responded with equally plausible words to shut the mouths of the Sect Leader and those who agreed with him.
For now, they seemed unable to think clearly, but they would soon realize the truth. However, by then, it would be too late. 'The people in this room aren't the type to easily retract words they’ve carelessly spat out.' Still, one could never be too sure. There might be someone who would thoughtlessly throw away their dignity and pick a fight with his logic. So, the Sword Saint hurried to launch his second attack to achieve his original purpose.
"Hmm... come to think of it, you all know that the Divine Maiden selection competition is coming up soon, right?"
Everyone looked at the Sword Saint with puzzled expressions and nodded.
"As it happens, such an outstanding young girl, one who has become a disciple of the Ten Great Sages, has joined our family. What do you all think?"
My disciple. Give her the privilege to advance to the main tournament. That was what the Sword Saint was saying.
At the Sword Saint's words, most of the people maintained their silence. It meant they would let him have his way. Who would dare to voice opposition against his safety? Originally, it was right for the most outstanding child in the family to participate, but... that was none of their business. Most of them were far removed from this privilege anyway. However, those belonging to the Fast Sword Sect were different. They just stared blankly at the Fast Sword Sect Leader, whose face was twisted in embarrassment, not knowing what to do. After all, the child who was supposed to receive the privilege for this selection competition was the Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect.
The Fast Sword Sect Leader immediately stepped up to oppose him. The thought of inheriting the Sword Saint's teachings? That had long since been erased from his mind by the Sword Saint's sudden declaration. He couldn't let go of a privilege already in his grasp to chase after something uncertain that hadn't even touched his hands yet. Above all, the thought of his daughter losing that hard-won privilege to a girl who had been a mere maid and had only just started learning martial arts was too horrific to even imagine.
"That is absurd!"
"Absurd, you say?"
For a moment, the agitated Fast Sword Sect Leader raised his voice, but the Sword Saint’s following words cooled his head instantly. To raise my voice in front of the Sword Saint... The Fast Sword Sect Leader spoke calmly again, though the lingering excitement still seeped into his voice.
"Ahem. Yes. Has the privilege to compete in the main tournament of the selection competition not already been granted to the Young Sect Leader of this sect?"
"That was a story from when I didn't have a disciple."
"That privilege is given to the most outstanding person within the family. It is not meant for a child who has only just begun to learn martial arts."
"Hmm..."
Perhaps realizing that the Sword Saint knew he was being unreasonable, he simply let out a low hum and stared straight at the Fast Sword Sect Leader, as if telling him to keep talking. Since there was no sign of anger, the Fast Sword Sect Leader gained confidence and continued.
"Of course, I do not mean that the child is lacking. She is the Sword Saint's disciple, after all. How could she be? But that is the case for now. Please, I beg you to reconsider."
"My thoughts are a little different."
"Pardon?"
"Is that the point? That my disciple is weaker than the Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect, so she cannot go to the main tournament."
Everyone in the Family Head's hall watched the Sword Saint's reaction and nodded slightly. What would happen if the privilege to go to the main tournament were given to a child who had only just started learning martial arts? It was clear she would be eliminated immediately without even being able to swing her sword properly in the main tournament. If that happened, people would doubt the Sword Family's judgment for giving such a privilege to such a child. Of course, it was a gaze that would disappear after a moment, so it didn't really matter, but it was certainly an unpleasant affair. That was why they didn't vehemently oppose him, but nodded slightly while reading the room.
The Sword Saint continued.
"However, my disciple is by no means inferior to your daughter. At least, not as a swordsman, if not as a martial artist."
At the Sword Saint's words, the Fast Sword Sect Leader's face flushed red. No matter how much of a legend the Sword Saint was, he could not insult his daughter, who had swung only a sword for years, by comparing her to that child who had just begun her training. The Fast Sword Sect Leader revealed his anger.
"What are you talking about! No matter how much of a Sword Saint you are, you cannot insult the Young Sect Leader of this sect like that!"
"It is not an insult. It is merely a fact."
The Fast Sword Sect Leader glared at the Sword Saint with wide eyes. Has the Sword Saint gone senile? How can he spout such nonsense! To think he looks down on our Fast Sword Sect this much!
The Sword Saint continued.
"But I understand that you are not convinced. I understand your anger. So, why don't we show everyone?"
"······?"
"A sparring match between my disciple and the Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect. However, my disciple hasn't been learning martial arts for long. So, let's limit the internal energy. Half a gap would be good. My disciple has gathered about that much."
"What kind of nonsense is that!..."
The Sword Saint's proposal seemed quite reasonable, but it was utter nonsense. There was no benefit to the Fast Sword Sect in any of it; it was full of only losses. 'Was this the Sword Saint's true intention!' His real goal wasn't really to take the privilege away from his daughter, but to use his daughter as a sacrifice to raise his disciple's reputation and keep his sect in check. He didn't know why the Sword Saint had made such a decision. Perhaps he had sensed his dark intentions and wanted to make an example of him, or perhaps it was just a trivial whim. But one thing was certain: if his daughter and the Sword Saint's disciple, who had barely started learning martial arts, were to spar, it would become a subject of gossip.
'A disciple of the Sword Saint who just started learning martial arts sparred with the Fast Sword Sect's rising star over the privilege to advance to the Divine Maiden selection main tournament.'
Then many would think: 'Is the Sword Saint's disciple that outstanding?' or 'No, how pathetic must the Fast Sword Sect's rising star be for that to be possible?'
Naturally, the Sword Saint's disciple would be elevated, and his daughter's reputation would fall. Therefore, this sparring match, which seemed reasonable, must never, ever happen. For his daughter's sake, and for the sake of his sect's dignity.
However, his daughter didn't seem to think so.
"I am fine with it."
At the unfamiliar voice of a young girl, everyone looked at the child sitting next to the Fast Sword Sect Leader. It was the Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect. The Fast Sword Sect Leader couldn't hide his embarrassment at his daughter's impulsive behavior and stammered.
"No, what is this..."
Before the Fast Sword Sect Leader could say anything more, the Sword Saint quickly cut him off.
"I see. Since the parties involved have agreed, there shouldn't be anyone with complaints, right?"
Everyone nodded quietly.
"Good. Then let's meet at the training grounds around this time next week. Are you alright with that?"
The Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect nodded.
As everything proceeded like lightning, the Fast Sword Sect Leader was about to say that he couldn't agree even now, but it was too late. The Family Head spoke in a flat tone.
"Then let us move on to the next agenda."
"Bu... but!"
"I said we are moving on to the next agenda."
"······."
The Fast Sword Sect Leader eventually had to sit down without a word. Thus, the sparring match between Seo-ah and the Young Sect Leader of the Fast Sword Sect was decided.
After the gathering ended, Seo-ah left the Family Head's hall with the old man, her expression complex and subtle.
"No, I stayed still because the old man told me to, but..."
"But?"
"Are you sure this is okay? That kid called the Young Sect Leader... she's a first-class expert..."
"Your internal energy is being limited, isn't it? What does it matter?"
Seo-ah frowned and looked at the old man. Did that make any sense? Seo-ah had already exchanged blows with a first-class expert. Although she didn't think that child was better than that first-class expert, there was already a massive gap between them.
The old man continued nonchalantly.
"It wouldn't work now."
"Exactly! Just let me pass the preliminaries."
"No."
"Why!"
"A disciple of a Sage participating in the preliminaries? For the sake of my dignity, that cannot happen."
"·····."
"And... it's fine. In a week, you will have a chance to win."
"With just a week?"
"It's a whole week."
Seo-ah closed her mouth. Was he planning to teach her some secret technique that could defeat a first-class expert in a week? Seo-ah had many questions and many things to argue about, but she kept her mouth shut. She would know everything in the end anyway.
The old man chuckled as he watched Seo-ah’s struggling expression.
"Rather than that, would you prefer a daughter or a granddaughter?"
"·····"
"I suppose the age gap with a daughter is too big, isn't it?"
Seo-ah, who was already tense about what to do in the future, couldn't help but sigh at the old man's nonsense. "Sigh..."
The Fast Sword Sect Leader closed his eyes and recalled his conversation with his daughter.
— What is this madness!
— Father. Do you not trust me?
— This is... not a matter of trust. You know it too, don't you?
— ·····.
— You still haven't let go of your lingering attachment. Do you want to be the Sword Saint's disciple that much? If you show your sword. If you defeat that disciple. Do you think the Sword Saint would look at you?
— This time...
— I don't want to hear it! Get out.
The Fast Sword Sect Leader sighed as he looked at the door his daughter had left through.
"Haa. What should I do about this..."
In fact, the conclusion had already been reached. The event had already occurred, and the sparring match was inevitable. Of course... he didn't think his daughter would lose. But the fact that his daughter was obsessed with the Sword Saint's disciple position, and that she would be sparring with the Sword Saint's disciple, would itself become a subject of gossip... it was truly troublesome.
He couldn't do anything about his daughter's obsession with the Sword Saint. But... the sparring match was different. 'Is there only one solution...' To make this event as if it never happened. The Fast Sword Sect Leader opened his eyes and looked at the old man in front of him.
"Elder Sa. Can you do it?"
"Of course."
"You must handle it without any repercussions... without any repercussions... so as not to provoke the Sword Saint's temper. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Just trust me."
The Fast Sword Sect Leader continued to urge Elder Sa. To ensure he didn't provoke the Sword Saint's temper. In the room left alone after Elder Sa had departed, the Fast Sword Sect Leader closed his eyes once again.
'You are not worthy of being a martial artist of the Sword Family.'
To think he would resort to underhanded tactics out of fear of the surrounding reputation. But if it was for his daughter's future and for the Fast Sword Sect, he could throw away his personal feelings as much as he wanted. The Fast Sword Sect Leader let out a sigh filled with countless emotions and began to pour himself a drink alone. It was still before the sun had even set.