Chapter 427
Chapter 427
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 427
Chapter Title: Waves (1)
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Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven.
The weight of the word casually uttered by Woo So-ryeong brought silence down upon the assembly.
"……."
The Eon brothers each swallowed dryly for a moment.
Jang Seon broke the silence with a question.
"…Uh. Does that mean Brother Yong-un has become one of the top ten martial artists in the world?!"
Paeng So-jin answered Jang Seon, who was all brawn and no grasp of worldly affairs.
"It excludes Taoists, fist fighters, spearmen, archers, and the like, so strictly speaking, it's a bit different. Of course, each of the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven is the sort whose name or title inevitably comes up when debating the world's greatest."
Mo Yong-gil, who had been listening, crossed his arms and tilted his head.
"…Hmm. Isn't Eon Yong-un quite there yet?"
Cheon Jang-ho, sitting across from him, spat as he shouted.
"Sheesh. Brother Yong-gil. Get a grip."
"It's Mo Yong… Sigh. What are you suddenly talking about?"
"No, you've been a bit roughed up by Brother Yong-un, so you're still sulking and badmouthing him like that, aren't you?"
"Who do you take me for, a sore loser? It's not like Eon Yong-un singles me out. I know I have my shortcomings. I wouldn't hold a grudge over that."
"Then why are you grumbling?"
"I was just thinking aloud. Eon Yong-un is the sharpest among us, sure, but think about the people called the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven."
At those words, Eun Ha-seong began folding his fingers one by one.
"Among the professors, Professor Chang Ryang and Professor Mo Yong-rin. Then Senior Infinite Sword, Brother Gung Yun's grandfather and father. Mount Hua's Martial Pavilion Master, the Plum Blossom Sword Sage. And the Murim Alliance Leader, and…."
As Eun Ha-seong's fingers reached the seventh fold.
Yin Xia Lian unfolded her fingers one by one, naming the remaining three.
"Kunlun's Martial Pavilion Master, Virtue Sage. Zhongnan's Sect Leader, Yellow White Moon. And as the last, the unaffiliated hermit swordsman, Langya Sword Jang Cheol-han. Quite the stellar lineup, indeed."
At those words, Jeong Hyeon let out a faint breath and spoke.
"…But Bright Shadow Four Hundred Birds has lost his internal energy. And I hear Langya Sword hasn't appeared in the martial world for the past five years or so. In a way, doesn't that mean vacancies have opened up?"
As Dang Ok-gi, who had been listening, added a word.
"Yeah. It does feel like there's a bit of a vacancy."
I spoke up in a firm tone.
"What vacancy? The other day, I saw Senior Infinite Sword standing with sword in hand from behind. His swordsmanship was so flawless that for a moment, I forgot he had no internal energy. He'll recover anytime, so don't spout such nonsense."
"Ah! That's why I said 'a bit'!"
As Dang Ok-gi protested loudly at my words.
I continued, staring at the others.
"The rest are the same. Don't make a fuss over Baek Gwang-ho probing to see if I'm getting ahead of myself."
However, Senior Ye Hae-su held up her palm to cut me off.
"No."
"Pardon?"
"It's not something to dismiss as fussing."
"…What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"You made a request to me, Junior."
"A request? Ah. You mean scratching the underbelly of the Jianghu folk?"
"Yes. The Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven. We can use this to light a fire in the hearts of the martial artists. Junior So-ryeong. Could you hand me that brush?"
"Pardon? Ah! Yes! Here!"
With that, Ye Hae-su took the brush from Woo So-ryeong.
And began dashing off the gazette article in one go.
* * *
📰 Gazette Article Will the forward waves of the Yangtze be pushed back by those behind? The Righteous Martial Academy is hosting a Martial Grand Assembly of unprecedented scale, far surpassing the last Purification Tournament. Sword Emperor Namgung Won, Medicine King Oh Gyun-cheon, Shanxi Golden Peng Lee Gil-hwan, Southern Jiang Merchant King Eun Se-pyeong. With luminaries like these as sponsors, the event promises to be a true forum for martial arts, setting aside factions and origins. Monster Dragon Eon Yong-un and other rising stars, along with Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Swordsmen, have declared their participation. Who knows—one seat among the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven might change hands. Ye Hae-su's scribbled gazette flew far and wide.
The Namgung family of glasses received one such copy.
Namgung Won, upon reading it, broke into a broad smile.
"Kehahaha. This guy's at it again with something fun. Makes me glad I reversed my retirement. Entertaining. What a fun fellow. Kehahaha."
Unlike Namgung Won, who laughed upon reading the gazette.
In Qinghai's Kunlun Mountains, someone crumpled theirs the moment it arrived.
None other than Kunlun's Sect Leader, Virtue Enlightened One.
"…Heh heh heh. Pump him up, and the Monster Dragon's gotten too cocky."
At Virtue Enlightened One's words.
Virtue Sage, one of the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven and Kunlun's Martial Pavilion Master, spoke up.
"He rampaged through the Demon Subduing Vanguard without regard for Kunlun's circumstances… His arrogance knows no bounds. Sect Leader Brother. It seems we must correct this one's manners. Permit the disciples' descent into the world."
"No issues on the Demonic Cult front lines?"
"The defenses will loosen somewhat. But recent demon movements suggest it'll be fine. And a tree rotting from within crumbles on its own, doesn't it? Best to set it straight while we can."
"Hmm. The demons are busy with their own internal crackdowns too… Go ahead."
Thus, in Kunlun, the gazette was crumpled.
The one arriving at Zhongnan Mountain was being torn to shreds.
Riiip—
Zhongnan's Sect Leader Hwang Baek-wol, who tore the gazette to pieces in one go, opened his mouth in a fury.
"What?! The rear waves of the Yangtze pushing out the front? A seat among the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven changing?!"
Hwang Baek-wol's junior brother, Baekbon Conference Vice Chairman Jang Son-rip, hurriedly spoke.
"Calm down, Brother."
"How can I calm down?! Say the Pearl Eon Family's scoundrel has reached a level to challenge the Ten Great Swordsmen Under Heaven! With Infinite Sword having lost his internal energy and Langya Sword unseen in the martial world for ages, there are really two vacancies… But pinpointing one seat changing? Who do you think this is aimed at?! I've never suffered such an insult in my life!"
"…That's why I said we should've nipped it in the bud ages ago."
"You're the one who set the stage for him to strut around while saying that?!"
"…Th-that was."
"No need for excuses. Write a letter declaring our participation in the academy event. Summon the Yuun Swordsmen right now!"
As reactions split among those who regularly received the gazettes.
There were also bamboo hat travelers tearing down and reading the gazettes posted for the common folk at government offices.
"…Monster Dragon."
As the one watching the notice with him remarked on the bamboo hat traveler's action.
"Hey. I was reading that—ripping it down… Huh? Where'd he go?"
The culprit had vanished.
* * *
To successfully host the grand martial event named the Heavenly Martial Grand Assembly, the student council began bustling about.
However, our goal wasn't merely to pull off the event flawlessly.
The real aim was to draw in the White Path sects and unaffiliated experts who had been lukewarm on the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult issue into the Eastern Path Society through the assembly.
Thus, personal training could not be neglected.
Clang! Clang!
Ka-clang! Kaaang!
Sparring sessions with Jeong Hyeon and Won-cheol became key routines.
"How is it, Monk Won-cheol?"
As usual, after finishing sparring, I asked.
Won-cheol scratched his forehead sheepishly.
"You feel a bit lighter than right after returning from Manyeop Mountain."
"Seems a little improved. About that much, right?"
At my words, Won-cheol cupped one hand in salute and spoke.
"My master taught that the higher the realm, the harder it is to temper the mind rather than the body. Like trudging through a swamp. You're handling it well. Aren't you stepping out of the swamp one foot at a time?"
As Won-cheol finished and saluted once more.
Jeong Hyeon, wiping sweat nearby, asked me.
"Is it thanks to the meditation you do after training lately? You sweat more than when sparring with us."
"…Something like that."
As I answered.
Professor Chang Ryang approached from afar, his black robe billowing.
I straightened my attire and cupped my fists.
"Greetings, Professor."
"Training hard, I see."
"Yes. But what brings you here, Professor? Aren't you busy with the Heavenly Martial Grand Assembly preparations?"
"That's why I'm here. To inform you of the finalized details."
Come to think of it, Professor Chang Ryang held what looked like an official letter.
"You could've sent someone or called us."
"Some matters need direct delivery."
Is it something requiring a private talk? I asked immediately.
"Ah. Should I send these two away?"
But Chang Ryang shook his head.
"Haven't they finished training? It's not urgent, no need."
"Ah. Understood."
And he brought up the gazette.
"By the way. Saw the gazette. You really went all out, huh?"
"Ahem. Well, among the White Path warriors, there are those who won't move for prize money or goods alone. It was a desperate measure…."
"I didn't bring it up to hear excuses. It has to be that big to make those making excuses and standing by come running with gritted teeth. Anyway, here's the executive committee's decision."
The document Chang Ryang handed over detailed how to determine the tournament winner.
"…Team battles, then. Like the group tasks in the entrance exam gateway, multiple forming one team to decide victory?"
"Yes. That proves the time you've invested, doesn't it? Individual spars don't fit the assembly's banner of preparing for the coming chaos, and the victor's glory could be chalked up to personal talent. Hence the decision."
This was good news.
After all, my Eon brothers and I prided ourselves on team coordination rivaling even the Alliance Leader's strike force.
"We're all for it, but… this seems heavily in favor of me and my brothers?"
The thought slipped out unwittingly.
Chang Ryang gave a dry chuckle and replied.
"When facing situations in the Jianghu, how can we quibble over participant advantages? Winter must pass for spring to come, the seasons cycle for plum blossoms to bloom. Those who've wasted time will feel that pain to their bones."
He then directed pointed words at me.
"But it won't be easy. You might be the ones enduring that harsh winter."
"……."
"I know the storms you and your brothers weathered weren't easy. But a warrior's fame isn't lightly built. Long-established sects' power is even more so. Deep-rooted trees don't sway in ordinary winds. Keep that in mind."
With that, Chang Ryang turned to leave, business done.
I cupped my fists toward him again and thought.
'He's right.'
It was advantageous for me and the Eon brothers, no doubt, but complacency was forbidden.
'The Eon brothers must fulfill their roles. And I need to shake off this heaviness dulling my body.'
To that end, I called Jeong Hyeon and Won-cheol.
"Let's meditate. I'll go first, then Jeong Hyeon, then Won-cheol."
And sinking my consciousness into the inner landscape, I called for my master.
'Master, come down here a bit.'