Chapter 172
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The High-Stakes Wager
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In the end, Namgung Seo-ha forfeited the match.
"Victory to Shaolin Yuanming!"
Waaaaah!
Amid the thunderous cheers, Yuanming quietly chanted a Buddhist invocation and cupped his hands in salute.
"Amitabha."
He then descended from the arena as if nothing had happened.
Seol Hwa-un couldn't hold back his admiration.
'The power was far greater, but that was the same fist technique that took down Moyong Je yesterday.'
To shatter a sword wrapped in sword qi.
Its instantaneous destructive power was on a level few fist techniques in the world could match.
'It seems to come with significant restrictions, but for a one-strike kill, that's no issue.'
It might even serve as a reference for the new fist technique Seol Hwa-un was reconstructing.
With the final match of the eight strongest approaching—Wudang's Yu Jeong versus Hwangbo Young—a short break was granted.
Pung Jinja, seated beside Seol Hwa-un, spoke up.
"Heh heh, this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly has truly been bountiful and of high caliber. Unexpected events occurred, but overall, it's been quite enjoyable to watch."
Moyong Yang nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. It's surprising that Mun Ichon from an unknown sect made it this far... and the later-generation disciples of the Nine Great Sects are standing out as well."
His expression carried a hint of discomfort as he spoke.
That was understandable. The unexpected strong showing from Shaolin and Yu Jeong's Tai Chi Twin Sword alone made it clear they had prepared thoroughly for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
"Heh heh heh, is that so? I was quite shocked myself. How could such jewel-like talents emerge from them?"
Yet Pung Jinja, despite belonging to one of the Nine Great Sects, genuinely seemed unaware.
'It seems only the major sects gathered and made a pact.'
The Kunlun Sect, ever indifferent to fame and power, might have been excluded from the start.
It was then.
"May I join the conversation?"
Seo Hong-rak had approached at some point, wearing a faint smile.
Pung Jinja asked without a hint of tact.
"You seemed dejected yesterday after your sect's disciple was eliminated. Feeling better now?"
Seo Hong-rak forced a laugh, caught off guard.
"Ha, haha. Of course. Dejected? Hardly. It's just the later-generation disciples competing, after all. Upsets can happen anytime."
But his eyes told a different story.
'What an oblivious old fool! Fine. My purpose is something else anyway.'
Seo Hong-rak quickly composed a relaxed expression.
"Coincidentally, the next match is another clash between the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families. What do you all think?"
Pung Jinja chuckled.
"You seem to have forgotten—we're neutral judges who must remain impartial."
"Hahaha! I'm not asking for biased judging. What's the harm in a little prediction?"
"Hmm."
Seo Hong-rak gazed at Seol Hwa-un as naturally as possible.
"I hear the North Heaven Fortress Lord is acquainted with young master Hwangbo?"
"That's right."
A sly smile crept across Seo Hong-rak's face.
"I'm quite curious. Who does the North Heaven Fortress Lord think will win the next match?"
"......"
Seol Hwa-un read Seo Hong-rak's eyes.
'He's up to some scheme. Alright, shall I play along for now?'
"Regardless of our acquaintance, I believe young fortress lord Hwangbo will win."
Seo Hong-rak brightened.
"Oh! Perfect! I was in a bind because the numbers didn't match up."
"......?"
"Haha, truth be told, we elders made a little wager among ourselves for fun."
"A wager?"
"It was even enough before, no issues. But this match is leaning heavily one way."
"You mean more people bet on Daoist Yu Jeong?"
"Sharp as ever. Yes. Including me, eleven bet, but it ended up nine to two. The gap's too wide—either those who bet on young master Hwangbo up their stakes, or someone else joins..."
Seo Hong-rak trailed off slyly.
'That confident, is he?'
Likely trusting Yu Jeong's Tai Chi Twin Sword.
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
'Hmm. Trying to fleece me and teach me a lesson? No reason not to play..."
Hiding his thoughts, he feigned reluctance.
"What a shame—it's a great opportunity, but as a judge, I can't wager on the outcome."
Seo Hong-rak replied as if he'd anticipated it.
"Don't worry about that. There's a rule: if a sect's own disciple competes, the judge from that sect steps down temporarily for fairness."
"Young master Hwangbo has no ties to my fortress."
"I understand it applies the same for close acquaintances. The head judge decides that."
Seol Hwa-un chuckled inwardly.
'He's come prepared to drag me in no matter what.'
Pung Jinja laughed at Seo Hong-rak's words.
"Hahaha, this'll be fun. Very well. As head judge, I'll exempt the North Heaven Fortress Lord from judging just this match."
"No issues with that?"
"I'll take responsibility. You just place your bet."
No matter how oblivious Pung Jinja was, he couldn't miss Seo Hong-rak's intent at this point.
He sent a transmission to Seol Hwa-un.
[He's getting on my nerves. Give him a proper thrashing.]
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly and nodded.
"If you insist that much, fine. How much is the wager?"
At Seol Hwa-un's question, Seo Hong-rak smirked triumphantly.
'Kekeke, he's finally hooked!'
Controlling his expression, he said,
"One hundred silver taels per person. To balance, you'd need to stake seven hundred alone. Alright with that?"
It was a hefty sum for a casual bet. But Seol Hwa-un had other ideas.
"One hundred taels. Elders of sects with such small ambition? Let's raise the stakes. Triple it to three hundred. How's that?"
Disbelief crossed Seo Hong-rak's face.
"Th-three hundred taels?!"
"Yes. I'll put up twenty-one hundred for the seven shares."
To prove it, Seol Hwa-un immediately pulled out two thousand-tael bills and one hundred-tael bill from his bosom.
The North Wind Brigade Leader had insisted on carrying ample emergency funds in case of trouble, but Seol Hwa-un hadn't expected to use them like this.
"Urgh!"
Seo Hong-rak groaned, unprepared for Seol Hwa-un to produce such a sum on the spot.
'The amount's bigger, a bit unnerving... but Yu Jeong's victory is certain. Fine, North Heaven Dragon. If you want to hand over that money, I'll take it.'
"Agreed! Let's do it."
But some elders balked at tripling the amount. In the end, only the seven who bet on Yu Jeong and Seol Hwa-un remained.
They grew busy.
Though they'd brought substantial sums for such occasions, three hundred taels was enormous—some fell short.
They borrowed from sect disciples and connections.
The wager was collected and entrusted to Ha Eun-eo-ong, the invited martial artist known for integrity.
"Kekeke. Feels like I've become rich for a moment. Don't worry—I'll hand it to the winner right after the match."
His reputation for fairness made everyone trust him.
An elder beside Seo Hong-rak said anxiously,
"Elder Seo, you're certain Yu Jeong will win? From the first round, Hwangbo Young's skill seemed no joke."
Seo Hong-rak exuded confidence.
"No need to worry. Do you know who Yu Jeong's master is?"
"Who?"
"The previous generation's Sword of Wudang, Mu Ryeong-ja."
Sword of Wudang.
A pinnacle expert representing Wudang, tasked with its protection.
Rarely venturing out, his prowess was little known to the populace, but anyone could guess he was among Wudang's elite.
"Mu Ryeong-ja?"
"He's the junior brother of the Sword Immortal Wu Heo, and rumor has it he's even stronger."
"Oh!"
"Yu Jeong inherited that Mu Ryeong-ja's Tai Chi Twin Sword. From what I gathered, he breezed through the first round."
"Hmm. That eases my mind a bit."
"Heh heh heh, you'll soon earn three hundred taels. Look forward to it."
* * *
The break ended, and finally, Wudang's Yu Jeong and Hwangbo Young ascended the arena.
'Will I see young master Hwangbo's true power?'
Seol Hwa-un was certain of Hwangbo Young's victory, yet he didn't underestimate Yu Jeong's martial arts.
'You can't win by holding back against him.'
With his keen eye, Seol Hwa-un had overheard Seo Hong-rak's talk. Even so, he had no doubt Hwangbo Young would triumph.
'For later-generation disciples of the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Families, who taught them matters less. There are simply too many excellent masters.'
In truth, Hwangbo Young had been meticulously trained not only by fortress lord Hwangbo Tae-neung but also by Heaven King Brigade Leader Hwangbo Tae-seong and even the previous lord.
There was no reason he should fall short of that formidable Sword of Wudang.
'In the end, the disciple who receives the teachings is what matters most.'
As Seol Hwa-un pondered, the match began.
Yu Jeong, clearly respecting Hwangbo Young, drew his twin swords from the start. Hwangbo Young assumed his stance, eyeing him sharply.
The mutual probing was brief. Suddenly, Hwangbo Young unleashed a thunderous fist wind.
Kuaaa!
But Yu Jeong, having seen the first round, remained unflustered and swung his twin swords.
Paaa!
The swirling twin swords erased the fist wind without a trace.
'Ho.'
A gleam lit Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
'This is a different level from yesterday.'
Yesterday's display had surely been intentionally restrained. He'd judged it sufficient to beat Moyong Je.
'Of course, up to this point, fully concealing one's power is key.'
That said, the Tai Chi Twin Sword wasn't fully perfected either. It was better than yesterday, but still lacking in Seol Hwa-un's view.
'Impressive that a later-generation disciple has mastered it to this extent.'
Kwaang!
A massive explosion rang out.
Hwangbo Young had closed the distance for a surprise fist strike, which Yu Jeong blocked with the Tai Chi Twin Sword.
Yu Jeong blocked the punch and countered with his other sword—a strike sharp enough to fell an ordinary foe unaware.
'Excellent harmony of offense and defense.'
Hwangbo Young's response was equally formidable.
Unfazed, he defended with a Mount Tai Heavy Hand from his left while attacking with Mount Tai Divine Fist from his right.
Kwakwakwa-kwang!
The two exchanged furious blows.
Surprisingly, qi gathered in Hwangbo Young's hands—hand qi and fist qi—rendering Yu Jeong's sharp sword qi harmless.
"Wow, incredible!"
"Is this really a later-generation clash?!"
The arena floor cracked under their sharp auras.
It was the fiercest match of this round.
Seo Hong-rak's pupils trembled as he watched.
'Unbelievable! A kid not even in his thirties with such prowess...!'
He'd thought Hwangbo Young, young as he was, had limits no matter how strong.
A complete misjudgment.
'...The Hwangbo family has produced a monster!'
But that wasn't the priority now.
'I acknowledge your strength. Still... Yu Jeong will win!'
Over four thousand taels were at stake. He couldn't lose.
Kwakwakwang!
After a fierce clash, the two paused to catch their breath. To all eyes, they were readying their final strikes.
"......!"
At last, Yu Jeong vigorously swung his twin swords, and in response, Hwangbo Young thrust his fist forward.
Kwaaaaang!