Chapter 170
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: First Round Concludes
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Clang clang clang clang clang!
'Ugh!'
Moyong Jae had no chance to catch his breath amid the relentless barrage of sword strikes.
'This swordsmanship is utterly ridiculous!'
Waaaaah!
"Twin sword technique!"
"Did Wudang have a sword art like that?!"
"What flashy swordplay!"
To the spectators outside, it looked like Yu Jeong was gracefully drawing endless circles with her twin swords. But for the one on the receiving end, it was pure agony.
Seol Hwa-un closely observed Yu Jeong's swordsmanship.
'Mianmian Bucue. That's the perfect way to describe this sword art.'
The Taegeuk Twin Sword, which flowed on endlessly, was a rare sight.
It was notoriously difficult to master, so even in Wudang's history, few had truly perfected it.
That's why, aside from Seol Hwa-un, many others watched Yu Jeong's swordplay with gleaming eyes.
'Indeed, an outstanding sword art. If fully mastered, she'd have few equals. But it's still a bit immature, which is a shame.'
Seol Hwa-un had only heard the name Taegeuk Twin Sword before; this was his first time seeing it in either his past or present life.
Still, having faced Wudang swordsmen often in his previous life, he quickly grasped its nature.
'It centers on the harmony of offense and defense, unified through the Taiji principle...'
However, Yu Jeong's current swordplay leaned too heavily on speed.
'The easiest way to bring out the Taegeuk Twin Sword's strengths, though.'
In short, it was still immature, so she was relying on a shortcut.
'If she'd trained five more years, she could've shown the real thing.'
Given her age, it wouldn't have been odd for her to appear in the next Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
'Wudang must be getting anxious.'
They'd been overshadowed in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournaments several times already, so this time, their determination to surpass the Eight Great Families was palpable.
Meanwhile, Moyong Jae, pushed into a defensive corner in an instant, kept retreating until he reached the edge of the arena.
"This is...!"
"It's over, Dao."
Her twin swords traced another massive circle. Moyong Jae swung his sword with all he had, but it was his limit.
Clang!
"Ugh!"
In the end, Moyong Jae was forced off the arena once more.
'Immature as it is, it's still highly threatening to later-generation talents.'
"Out of bounds! Victory to Wudang's Yu Jeong Dao!"
Cheers erupted from the spectator stands at Seol Hwa-un's declaration.
Waaaaah!
Buoyed by the string of victories, the Martial Alliance supporters were thoroughly energized.
"As expected of the traditional Nine Great Sects! The Eight Great Families are no match!"
"Exactly! They were just going easy before."
"Tch! Don't get too cocky. The final match is still ahead!"
The last bout of the first round pitted Hwangbo Family's young lord Hwangbo Young against Jongnam Sect's third disciple, So Jeong-bong.
So Jeong-bong was a later-generation talent who had faced Ma Seong-gyun directly at the prior Flower Clan Tournament.
Though he'd lost, he was a prodigy who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with any other genius, save Ma Seong-gyun.
So Jeong-bong stepped onto the arena with a resolute expression.
'I'll definitely win.'
He glanced toward Ma Seong-gyun, watching from the participants' waiting area.
'We'll clash again in the finals, Ma Seong-gyun. This time, I'll crush you.'
For the past three years, So Jeong-bong had trained with grueling intensity, all to 'topple Ma Seong-gyun.'
The opponent before him, Hwangbo Young, wasn't even on his radar.
'A mere fist master? Piece of cake.'
It was understandable for him to think that way.
Yuanming the monk's win had been a surprise, but aside from him, Hwangbo Young was the only fist master in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament main draw.
The rest all wielded swords, sabers, or other weapons as their primary arts.
That was because fist or bare-hand experts only overcame weapon advantages after reaching a certain realm.
Attaining such proficiency took considerable time, and it was exceedingly rare among later-generation talents.
It was for this reason that Shaolin, the pinnacle of martial arts, rarely dominated the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
But when So Jeong-bong faced Hwangbo Young, who had opened his pores, he had to revise his assumptions.
'Is this really the aura of a later-generation talent...?'
The overwhelming presence was too much for him to handle. He couldn't believe it came from a peer.
So Jeong-bong gritted his teeth.
'I'll acknowledge your internal energy. But battles aren't decided by that alone.'
Shing!
Drawing his sword, he slowly assumed his stance.
"Begin!"
Even after the start signal, So Jeong-bong didn't move right away.
'Considering the internal energy gap, rushing in could backfire. Fist masters need to close distance anyway, so I'll exploit the opening then...'
But as if mocking his thoughts, Hwangbo Young thrust his fist from where he stood.
'Huh?'
Pang!
Kwaang!
A heavy fist wind burst from his punch.
'No way?!'
So Jeong-bong couldn't hide his shock. Fist wind required a realm where one could emit fist qi at minimum.
'This guy's internal energy is just the start!'
No time to daze. He swiftly employed Jongnam's secret footwork, the North Dipper Heavenly Gang Step, to evade the fist wind.
The fist wind soon struck the empty air where he'd been.
Pang!
'Dodged...'
So Jeong-bong's face hardened just as relief washed over him. Hwangbo Young's form was already right in front of his nose.
"......!"
Hwangbo Young's fist flew mercilessly toward him.
Shuwaak!
So Jeong-bong raised his sword with all his might.
Creeeeng!!
Even as sword met fist, a sharp metallic clang rang out. Unable to withstand the internal energy in the fist, So Jeong-bong was sent stumbling back.
'Ugh!'
Countless fist shadows soon poured toward him.
So Jeong-bong's heart sank into despair.
'Ah......'
He desperately tried to block the onslaught, but he couldn't fend off every strike.
In the end, after taking several hits, he collapsed. It was Hwangbo Young's overwhelming victory.
Waaaaah!
"That's the Hwangbo Family's young lord!"
"He's huge, but doesn't look that old... insanely strong!"
"A powerful contender for the championship!"
Seol Hwa-un gazed warmly at Hwangbo Young, whose face flushed with pleasure.
'Congratulations, young lord.'
To him, it was a impeccably clean win. Not even a hint of the typical later-generation clumsiness.
'And he's taken quite a few spirit elixirs...'
Yet his internal energy wasn't excessively bloated. His martial attainment and internal energy were in perfect balance.
'Hwangbo Family Head, you've trained him masterfully.'
Better than expected.
'The match with Yuanming the monk will be key... but he could reach the finals without issue.'
It befitted the Hwangbo Family's rising prestige.
With all first-round matches concluded, Sama Won ascended the arena once more.
"It's always intense, but this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament feels especially fierce, doesn't it?"
The still-excited crowd shouted back.
"Yes!"
"What great matches!"
"Why end it already? How about an exhibition bout between the losers?"
Sama Won burst into laughter.
"Hahaha. Not a bad idea, but spare a thought for the losers who'd lose again."
"Fair point. That'd sting."
"The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament first round ends here. We'll resume this round at noon tomorrow—see you then!"
Thus, the first day of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament main event drew to a close.
* * *
The next morning.
As Seol Hwa-un waited for breakfast in the VIP pavilion's dining hall, Jin Pyo arrived late, bundled in travel gear.
He approached Seol Hwa-un and clasped his hands in salute.
"Truly, thank you, Sect Leader. I'll head back to the sect now."
"You won't watch the remaining matches?"
"Yes. I've realized how much I still lack."
"......"
"I thought I was always giving my all, but coming to the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament and receiving your guidance showed me it was just self-satisfaction."
"Not so, Vice Sect Leader."
Jin Pyo shook his head.
"No. Seeing those geniuses work so hard, I—a deficient one—should have trained several times harder. I haven't even fully mastered our sect's arts yet."
"......"
"I'll make that my goal and truly strive. So I need to return as soon as possible."
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
"With that resolve, you'll catch up to them someday. Just don't ruin your health. Remember that."
Warmed by Seol Hwa-un's concern, Jin Pyo smiled.
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"See you in Shanxi later."
With that farewell to Seol Hwa-un's group, Jin Pyo departed the Martial Alliance.
Yu Gong-seon asked,
"Sect Leader, can the Vice Sect Leader really surpass the later-generation talents of the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Families?"
Seol Hwa-un replied calmly.
"Probably not."
"Pardon? Then why say...?"
"I said difficult, not impossible. Miracles happen to those who prepare. As long as there's hope, the Vice Sect Leader won't give up. And if a true miracle occurs someday..."
"......"
"Jin the Vice Sect Leader could become one of the martial world's top masters."
Yu Gong-seon wore a bitter expression.
"So it ultimately requires a miracle."
"Harsh reality. But there are cases of small-to-mid sect disciples becoming top masters. So it's not entirely impossible."
"Hmm......"
Silence fell. They supported Jin Pyo wholeheartedly, but their help had limits.
Amid this, Seol Hwa-un suddenly asked Yu Gong-seon,
"By the way, how's that goal of yours coming along?"
"Pardon?"
"I know the Intelligence Hall Leader didn't tag along just to watch the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament."
"Hahaha, as expected of you, Sect Leader. You're right."
"What exactly are you up to at the Martial Alliance?"
He returned to the VIP pavilion evenings, but Yu Gong-seon was scarce during the day.
"Building connections with Martial Alliance personnel. Gauging the atmosphere too."
"......"
"Some things even the Hao Clan network can't uncover."
It was a fitting answer, but Seol Hwa-un wasn't satisfied.
"Be more specific. You're after something particular, right?"
Yu Gong-seon smiled faintly.
"Haha, sharp as ever. I've been cautious not to raise alarms, but yes, there's something I ultimately want to know."
"What is it?"
Yu Gong-seon's eyes darkened deeply.
"The selection of the new Martial Alliance Leader."
"......!"
"I'm trying to find out the timing and candidates."