Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Exchange (5)
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The final day of the Righteous Martial Grand Tournament dawned.
The stands were packed tight with spectators.
A loud-voiced announcer began explaining the tournament schedule.
"The final day of the Righteous Martial Grand Tournament has arrived! Just like yesterday, the preliminaries for one event will run all day! The event is Martial Might! The format is consecutive victories..."
The Martial Might event had changed from the Spring Inter-Dormitory Tournament.
'Ah, not just the format—the name changed from Martial Arts to Martial Might too, huh?'
In the Spring Inter-Dormitory Tournament, three entrants each took one match, and the side that won first claimed victory.
But the Righteous Martial Grand Tournament's Martial Might was consecutive victories.
The winner stayed on the sparring ground to face the next opponent.
"...Thus! Even if you draw the short straw first, if the last one remaining scores three straight wins, it's a reversal victory! That's the system!"
Hearing that, my master spoke up, sounding displeased.
- That Yuan Zhe punk had some impressive aura. Is this Shaolin's influence at work?
'Hmm. It does favor Shaolin. But the format change was decided right after the Spring Tournament.'
Right after the Spring Inter-Dormitory Tournament ended with Azure Bamboo Hall's victory.
Fragrant Orchid Hall's student council president, Mae Jin-ak—who had accepted the worst results in history—proposed consecutive victories, and it was adopted.
The tournament committee had simply carried over that system.
'With one of Shaolin's precepts monks on the committee, you could say Shaolin had some pull.'
Anyway.
The new format reduced psychological warfare.
But it added concerns over injuries and stamina management.
"Group A Draw 1: Azure Bamboo Hall! Group A Draw 2: Southern Ning Escort Bureau! Group A Draw 3: Northern Sea Ice Palace! Group A Draw 4: Fragrant Orchid Hall! Now, drawing for Group B as well! Group B Draw 1..."
In the draw that followed, Azure Bamboo Hall's preliminary opponent was set as the Southern Ning Escort Bureau.
The Southern Ning Escort Bureau was based in Guangxi Province and had recently joined the Murim Alliance.
- Southern Ning Escort Bureau, eh? The one you sneaked into the other night, Yong-un. Their chief is one of the world's famed escorts, right?
'Yes.'
The Southern Ning Escort Bureau's chief was Nengyun Escorts' Lu Dan-ho.
Lu Dan-ho had earned his famed escort status by prioritizing trust and care for the people over profit.
His personal martial prowess was also rated among the world's top hundred experts.
'But that great hero of Nengyun Escorts isn't here in the VIP seats up high.'
Separate from Lu Dan-ho's stature as a Murim elder, the escort bureau's escorts lacked such skill.
Many had flocked due to his fame, but since the bureau was newly founded, talent management and training weren't systematic yet.
To put it bluntly, the Southern Ning Escort Bureau's deputy chief and young escorts were rated the weakest among the entrants.
In the tent provided to discuss our batting order, I voiced my thoughts plainly.
"We're lucky."
Jeong Hyeon cleared his throat and nodded at my words.
"...Ahem. Indeed, their escorts' auras feel less sharp than other groups."
Yin Xia Lian nodded too.
"We should consider the next match as well."
"Well said. We need to think ahead to the next draw. Northern Sea Ice Palace sent later-generation disciples more gifted in scholarly pursuits than martial ones, so Fragrant Orchid will probably advance..."
"High chance of that, right?"
"With that in mind, let's have Yin handle all three in this prelim."
"...Pardon?"
And so, Azure Bamboo Hall's first batter was Yin Xia Lian.
Soon, match time arrived.
"Next up: Azure Bamboo Hall versus Southern Ning Escort Bureau."
As Yin Xia Lian headed to the sparring ground, she glanced back at me and swallowed dryly.
"Um, Young Master Eon, if..."
"Tch. No 'ifs.' You can do it. And you will."
"......"
Yin Xia Lian let out a faint sigh and resumed walking.
Her opponent was the Southern Ning Escort Bureau's deputy chief, Lu Jing-zhen.
Facing each other on the sparring ground, Yin Xia Lian and Lu Jing-zhen seemed to exchange words before the match began.
Jeong Hyeon commented on the sight.
"Wonder what they're talking about."
"Most of Southern Ning's profitable jobs tie into the Southern Jiang merchants, so those two probably know each other."
"Makes sense. But..."
"But what?"
"Aren't you putting too much pressure on Miss Yin? She might overexert herself."
"Pressure brings out two types. Some, like So Ryeong, can't even half their potential. Others fully unleash theirs. Yin's clearly the latter. She even tends to think she's mediocre at martial arts."
Recalling the Southern Ning deputy chief I'd met the night before last, I continued.
"Plus, from meeting him that night, the guy's a bit frivolous. Hasn't accomplished much on his own but overconfident."
"How'd that come up?"
"He asked if it was true Yin overpowered an Emei inspector and fought on the front lines against the Demonic Cult."
"And you confirmed it?"
"Of course. It's easy to verify with a little effort, so no point hiding it. The merchant-looking guy couldn't believe it. 'That's not the Yin Xia Lian I know,' he said."
"Then Lu's in for a rough day."
As Jeong Hyeon and I talked, the duel began.
Swaaaa!
Yin Xia Lian swung her frost-wreathed sword and charged.
Lu Jing-zhen rushed to meet her, unleashing Six Escort Sword forms.
Clang!
Ka-ka-ka-clang!!!
It looked even at first glance, but the balance didn't last long.
Swish!
Yin Xia Lian flowed around Lu Jing-zhen's thrust with slippery Jade Maiden Steps.
Then added razor-sharp icicle edge to her own forms.
Swa! Swaaa!
Swaaaaa!
Lu Jing-zhen's movements grew frantic.
"Urk!"
Soon after.
Yin Xia Lian's sword carved a freezing scratch across his chest.
Splurt-
The wound was light.
Because Yin Xia Lian had held back.
And Lu Jing-zhen, of all people, knew it best—his heart sinking in that instant.
Retreating, he swallowed dryly, reversed his grip on his sword, and cupped his fists.
"I... I concede."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Yin Xia Lian defeats all three of Southern Ning Escort Bureau's later-generation disciples! Azure Bamboo Hall advances to the semifinals!!"
Yin Xia Lian had achieved three straight wins.
"Little Sword Phoenix! Little Sword Phoenix!"
Returning pale-faced and breathless, Yin Xia Lian shot me a glare.
"Haa. Can I rest now?"
"Yes. Jeong Hyeon and I will handle the semis."
As Yin Xia Lian and I predicted, Group A Draws 3 and 4 ended with Fragrant Orchid Hall's victory.
"Fragrant Orchid Hall's Dang Jun-gi defeats Northern Sea Ice Palace's three later-generation disciples in a row!"
In Group B prelims, Shaolin beat Cloud Plum Hall.
"Gak-sim Monk, yielding turn via Gak-won Monk's concession, sends Ho Yeon-chan flying! Shaolin takes three wins!"
Next was Yun National Hall versus Southern Sea Crimson Dragon Palace.
Yin Xia Lian had come to Azure Bamboo, and Peng So-jin was on leave.
Thus, Yun National Hall—much weaker than in the original—faced the tournament on good draw luck.
Their opponent was Southern Sea Crimson Dragon Palace.
If palace guard warriors lived on horseback, Southern Sea Crimson Dragon Palace disciples lived on ships.
"Je Gal-seolji secures three straight wins! Another solo three-win later-generation disciple in Group B!"
Unable to perform on solid land after battling rolling waves,
Je Gal-seolji's valiant effort broke Yun National through the prelims.
Lunchtime brought a brief rest.
Then semifinals began.
Unlike morning, Group B semis went first.
Booom!!!
"Yuan Zhe Monk, taking turn via Gak-sim's concession, sends Je Gal-seolji out of bounds! Shaolin advances to finals!"
Yun National had somehow reached semis, but exhausted Je Gal-seolji alone couldn't handle Shaolin.
With Shaolin reaching finals first,
Group A semis—our match—began.
"Now, Azure Bamboo Hall versus Fragrant Orchid Hall semifinals!"
I'd built some rapport with Professor Chang-ryang and such, and Nangong Yun had joined as a junior.
But between dorms, Azure Bamboo and Fragrant Orchid were bitter rivals, nothing less.
Stepping up as vanguard, I smirked.
'Fragrant Orchid first, then Shaolin. Draw luck isn't all good.'
But Shaolin thoughts would wait.
Focus on the foe at hand.
Fragrant Orchid's vanguard was student council president Mae Jin-ak.
'Mae Jin-ak.'
I'd seen many sides of him.
Baring fangs to crush Azure Bamboo and me.
Glimpses of his leadership as president.
'Rolled him in the dirt when he became an owl too.'
Many sights.
But today's Mae Jin-ak looked the most dangerous yet.
'Like a well-honed blade.'
No trace of Fragrant Orchid's president who once dismissed Pearl Eon Family's scoundrel.
Mae Jin-ak no longer underestimated me.
No complacency.
He came with full sincerity and power.
Creak.
Feet angled obliquely.
Left hand gripping sheath tight, right lightly on hilt—a unique stance.
My master commented.
- Sunshot Without Radiance? First time seeing that hawk wield a sword—turns out he's Jeomchang Sect.
'Yes.'
- Jeomchang swords are speed. And point. They turn foes to pincushions in a flash. No letting guard down.
'Of course.'
Answering, I drew Regret.
Shing-
Then Mae Jin-ak's right foot twisted further.
Pop!
Yellow sword aura-wreathed blade slid from sheath, thrusting at me.
Sun-Shooting Sword Technique.
Jeomchang's sword, inspired by Hou Yi's arrows that felled nine of ten suns.
Mae Jin-ak became a beam of light, hurtling at me with terrifying speed.
Swaaaaaaaa!!!!
But it was doable.
Peak focus split time via my senses.
Dust hung frozen mid-scatter in stretched moments.
I urgently stepped.
Twisting waist to evade Mae Jin-ak's sword thrust.
Swish!
"!"
Seeing me dodge his swift sword, Mae Jin-ak widened eyes but chained the next like machine-gun fire.
But my swung Regret, as I twisted, struck first.
Aura-clad, it smacked his blade flat.
Clang!
Mae Jin-ak's sword wailed, vibrating wildly.
Out of his control.
Riiiing!!!
No more pinpoint thrusts.
Mae Jin-ak retreated to readjust grip, but I exploited the gap, closing in.
And fed him Dragon Subduing Palm without delay.
Boom!!!!!
"Cough!"
That ended it.
Mae Jin-ak spewed blood, flying off the sparring ground to crash.
The referee raised hand toward Azure Bamboo Hall's flag.
Stunned announcer and crowd blinked, then roared.
"Eon Yong-un sends Mae Jin-ak out of bounds!!"
"One technique win?!"
"Two? No, three?!"
"Dunno! Too fast, missed it!"
"Anyway, Eon Yong-un beat Mae Jin-ak!"
"Azure Bamboo! Azure Bamboo! Azure Bamboo!"
"Monster Dragon! Monster Dragon! Monster Dragon!!"
Amid the cheers, I eyed Fragrant Orchid's waiting area.
"Who's next? You, Gong-yun?"