Chapter 171
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Alliance Leader Candidates and Quarterfinals
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Yu Gong-seon said with shining eyes.
“The Alliance Leader, the Immortal Divine Monk, has been missing for a full ten years now. We can’t leave the position vacant forever.”
Some might think the North Heaven Hall was showing excessive interest in the Martial Alliance’s affairs.
However, it was none other than the leader of one of the Three Great Powers under heaven. No sect in the Central Plains could claim to be unaffected by its influence.
The North Heaven Hall was particularly close to the Martial Alliance. Naturally, who became the next Alliance Leader would send ripples their way.
“The current leadership, including Wushang and Literature Hall, is friendly toward us, but there are still many who aren’t. If the Leader comes from their side...”
“It would have a negative impact on us.”
“That’s right.”
“So, have you identified the candidates?”
“Yes. It’s similar to what the Hao Clan reported before. The Wushang Sage Myeong Hyeon-ja, Mount Hua Sect Leader Yu Byeong-geon, and Kunlun’s Cloud Dragon Feathered Master Bok Cheong-ja.”
Cloud Dragon Feathered Master Bok Cheong-ja was the former head of Kunlun Sect and was highly popular among the sects affiliated with the Martial Alliance due to his outstanding character.
Mount Hua, currently one of the top three sects among the Nine Great Sects, had been built into what it was by its current leader, Yu Byeong-geon.
“Hmm.”
“It’s not just about martial prowess anymore. The current trend seems to prioritize the ability to properly manage a massive organization like the Martial Alliance.”
After the Justice Heaven Alliance split off, the Martial Alliance appeared to be gripped by a sense of crisis.
‘They’re definitely thinking differently from the Justice Heaven Alliance.’
The Justice Heaven Alliance, which delayed the election to make the Blade King their Leader, versus the Martial Alliance, which wanted a Leader skilled in practical affairs.
At first glance, the Martial Alliance seemed more rational, but it was hard to say which was right.
In the martial world, martial arts always took precedence above all else.
“Who’s the frontrunner?”
At Seol Hwa-un’s question, Yu Gong-seon replied.
“Myeong Hyeon-ja is the most likely, but it’s not overwhelming. That said, we’ve detected recent active movements from his side, as if they’re trying to solidify the momentum.”
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
‘So he’s finally revealing his ambitions.’
Personally, Seol Hwa-un didn’t care for Myeong Hyeon-ja, but the Martial Alliance had no choice but to see it differently.
His martial arts were strong, and as a Wushang, his capabilities and reputation were solid. Objectively, he was a pretty good choice.
‘The sticking point would be his age.’
The Martial Alliance was extremely conservative on that front.
Myeong Hyeon-ja had just turned fifty this year, the age of knowing heaven’s mandate, but many said he was still too young to lead the Alliance.
‘That’ll sort itself out if they just stall and keep the other candidates in check... but I doubt that man’s greed will let him wait.’
If Myeong Hyeon-ja, who had shown subtle hostility toward them, became Alliance Leader, it would spell trouble for the North Heaven Hall in many ways.
‘Hmm.’
For now, there was nothing Seol Hwa-un—or the North Heaven Hall—could do.
‘He hasn’t become Leader yet. No need to worry ahead of time.’
They could just respond appropriately to whatever moves were made.
“We’re first assuming scenarios for each candidate becoming Leader. Since we can’t directly interfere in the election, we need to prepare for what comes after.”
“As expected of the Chief of Staff. I’ll count on you.”
“Yes, Hall Leader.”
* * *
The second day of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament dawned.
With the eight Dragon-Phoenix finalists set, all eyes were on who would claim victory.
Having shown impressive skill in the previous matches, predicting a winner wasn’t easy.
“Still, it has to be the Mount Hua Sword Spirit, right?”
“Yeah. He struggled a bit in the first round, but that was because the Shanxi Sword Wave was so strong. Anyone else would’ve lost ages ago.”
“What are you talking about? There’s Namgung Seo-ha of the world’s top family!”
“Nah, that guy’s just a little above average.”
“Among the later-generation disciples of the Eight Great Families, the Huangbo Family’s young lord caught my eye the most. You saw that last match, right? He completely overwhelmed the Zhongnan disciple.”
“I was rooting for the Peng Family’s young swordsman myself. He took down his opponent pretty easily too.”
Everyone argued back and forth, touting their favored later-generation talents.
Noon arrived amid the chatter, and after a brief greeting from Sima Won, the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament resumed.
Mui Cheon of the Mugeom Sect and Paeng So-yeon of the Peng Family climbed onto the arena for the first quarterfinal match. Though both were small in stature, their auras yielded to no one.
“......”
Seol Hwa-un quietly watched the two. More precisely, he focused on Mui Cheon.
‘How much did you grow from yesterday’s match, Mui Cheon?’
Mui Cheon was intensely focused from the start.
‘Is he aiming for something specific?’
As that thought crossed his mind, the match began.
Paeng So-yeon struck first. She thrust her massive blade forward with full power from the outset.
Shuwaaak!
Mui Cheon’s eyes flashed. He swiftly stepped back and swept his wooden sword upward from below.
Chaang!
“......!”
Shockingly, the heavy saber bounced away. Considering his weak internal energy, it was astonishing.
Seol Hwa-un saw through Mui Cheon’s technique.
‘Four Taels to Move a Thousand Catties!’
It meant unleashing the force of a thousand catties with just four taels—using the opponent’s power to generate even greater force.
Mui Cheon had barely managed to deflect the blade, but against someone like Paeng So-yeon, that was remarkable.
‘He even knows a technique like that?’
It must have been the result of agonizing over how to face Paeng So-yeon, a later-generation talent of the North Hebei Peng Family with her heavy saber and strong internal energy.
‘But he can’t use it multiple times.’
No matter how genius Mui Cheon was, he couldn’t repeatedly employ Four Taels to Move a Thousand Catties against an opponent of similar caliber.
It was truly a move of conviction.
As Mui Cheon dove into her guard right after deflecting the blade, Seol Hwa-un muttered unwittingly.
“You’re going for a quick win from the start.”
Mui Cheon’s wooden sword shot out at terrifying speed.
Shuwaaak!
The startled Paeng So-yeon belatedly tried to recover her saber to block, but it wasn’t easy.
Pukeok!
“Ugh!”
Her face twisted as her left side took a solid hit. At least two ribs seemed broken.
‘Good!’
Mui Cheon swung his wooden sword relentlessly. Paeng So-yeon focused on defense, but her injury made it difficult.
Chaechaechaeng!
Mui Cheon’s fierce assault continued.
Contrary to expectations, the one-sided bout left the spectators in awe.
“N-No way!”
“Overwhelming a Kongtong disciple and now a Peng Family later-generation talent!”
“Incredible!”
Objectively, Paeng So-yeon held the edge in raw power, but it wasn’t absolute. That’s why she had prepared her own strategy against Mui Cheon.
She planned to crush him with her strong internal energy and saber arts before he could showcase his talent.
But Mui Cheon had anticipated that.
With utmost concentration from the start, he executed Four Taels to Move a Thousand Catties, creating an opening in Paeng So-yeon and landing the blow.
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
‘Smart kid. Definitely has the instincts of a true competitor.’
Succeeding with the first strike had already tilted the match. The pain in her side burdened Paeng So-yeon’s movements, dulling her saber work.
And that wasn’t enough to face Mui Cheon.
In the end, Paeng So-yeon had no choice but to concede.
“S-Stop! I yield!”
Only then did Mui Cheon’s wooden sword halt.
His body was drenched in sweat. He had given his all to seize and hold this rare chance at victory.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
Catching his ragged breath, Mui Cheon soon steadied it.
‘I won!’
“With Paeng So-yeon’s concession, victory goes to Mui Cheon.”
Seol Hwa-un’s declaration unleashed a massive roar from the crowd.
Waaaaah!
“N-No, this can’t be! A no-name sect making the quarterfinals!”
“This has to be the biggest upset of the tournament!”
“Amazing, Mui Cheon! Ride this momentum all the way to the championship!”
The shocking result forced even the dignitaries in the VIP seats to take a fresh look at Mui Cheon.
“Mugeom Sect, huh. Come to think of it, that name rings a bell.”
“Impressive. That level of skill at his age...”
“What a promising talent!”
Coincidentally, Mui Cheon had defeated one disciple each from the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families to reach the quarterfinals.
‘His next opponent is likely the Mount Hua Sword Spirit.’
‘Can that kid really surpass the Mount Hua Sword Spirit?’
Anyone comparing them now would favor the Mount Hua Sword Spirit, but there was no rule saying lightning couldn’t strike twice.
‘If he even beats the Mount Hua Sword Spirit...’
Mui Cheon could win the whole thing without it being surprising.
As the crowd buzzed with such thoughts, the second quarterfinal began.
It was Emei Sect disciple Jeong Hye versus Mount Hua Sword Spirit Ma Seong-gyun. Watching them, Seol Hwa-un looked slightly surprised.
‘Monk Jeong Hye’s aura is sharper than yesterday.’
Incredibly, she had grown in the interim.
‘They say every day brings new growth upon new growth. As expected of a talented later-generation disciple.’
What Seol Hwa-un didn’t know was that his own actions had greatly contributed to Jeong Hye’s progress.
Having witnessed him repel Bang Mu-jin up close the day before, Jeong Hye had unexpectedly gained a small insight and spent the night making it her own.
But that level of growth wasn’t enough to overcome Ma Seong-gyun.
Though Jeong Hye displayed Emei’s secret sword art, Disheveled Storm Sword, she was completely overwhelmed by Ma Seong-gyun’s Plum Blossom Sword.
A straightforward win for Ma Seong-gyun.
‘As expected, he’s on a different level from the other later-generation disciples.’
One thing nagged at him, though.
‘His left arm moved unnaturally during the match, ever so slightly.’
It was so subtle that only someone with exceptional observation skills would notice.
‘An injury from Jin Pyo yesterday?’
It didn’t seem like mere superficial damage.
‘It might become a variable.’
The first two matches had been short, so the third quarterfinal started immediately without a break.
It was Namgung Seo-ha versus Won Myeong.
‘Not quite on the level of Heavenly Dragon or Namgung Seo-ok, but Namgung Seo-ha is still a fine swordsman. A cut above the Jegal Pyo he faced before.’
Seol Hwa-un anticipated how Won Myeong would handle him.
‘It’ll be hard to win without using Blood Forest fist techniques.’
Surprisingly, Won Myeong climbed the arena holding a long iron staff.
Seeing it, Seol Hwa-un looked caught off guard.
‘I see. He’s facing him with staff instead of fists?’
Won Myeong was also highly skilled with the staff. He didn’t yield an inch to Namgung Seo-ha’s sword.
‘But he can’t win with that level.’
Namgung Seo-ha was employing Great Cyclic Sword Method, one of the Namgung Family’s signature arts, yet he hadn’t used the later advanced techniques.
‘If he deploys the advanced forms, ordinary staff work won’t hold up.’
Chachachachaeng!
After a fierce clash, Won Myeong was pushed back. At that moment, Namgung Seo-ha’s eyes gleamed.
His sword path shifted rapidly.
Shushushu!
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
‘Good judgment. This is the chance for an advanced technique.’
Shuwaaaak!
His sword, faintly cloaked in sword energy, plunged straight into Won Myeong’s guard.
“......!”
They were too close for Won Myeong to swing his staff freely.
In that instant.
Won Myeong dropped the staff and thrust out his fist.
Kwaaaang!
A massive explosion rang out, and instead, Namgung Seo-ha—the attacker—was sent flying back.
“Keuk!”
The impact staggered him momentarily, but he gripped his sword again, burning with fighting spirit.
“......!”
But glancing at his sword, he froze.
“No way.”
His blade had somehow been sheared in half.