Chapter 175
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: The Youngest Finalists
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One of the spectators spoke up.
“Now that you mention it, aren't those two the youngest finalists in the history of the tournament?”
“Hmm?”
“As far as I know, Hwang Bo-young is only nineteen, and the Mount Hua Sword Eagle is just twenty-three. In a tournament where participants can be up to thirty.”
Of course, it was rare for anyone to enter the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament only at twenty-nine or thirty.
Still, considering that most of those who had advanced to the main rounds in the past were in their late twenties, it was truly unusual for later-generation talents who had made it to the finals to be this young.
“You're right! This is a historic matchup.”
“Quite the spectacle.”
Upon hearing their chatter, the gazes of several martial artists turned toward Seol Hwa-un.
‘This is all thanks to the North Heaven Dragon, no doubt.’
Those with keen insight and knowledge of the current state of the martial world knew that Seol Hwa-un's influence was far greater than most people realized.
Three years ago, Seol Hwa-un's journey to the Central Plains had delivered a massive shock to the existing later-generation talents and their sects.
As a result, this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament had become one of the most fiercely contested in history.
Currently, seated behind Seol Hwa-un for the first time in a while was Yu Gong-seon.
At her request to the Martial Alliance—since she had come this far and wanted to watch the finals— she had been given a seat in the VIP section.
[How intriguing. For two later-generation talents influenced by the Palace Lord to reach the finals, of all things.]
Seol Hwa-un replied to his transmission.
[Isn't that a bit of an overinterpretation? I've never given them any special guidance.]
[Simply witnessing the Palace Lord firsthand and receiving that intense stimulation would have been a tremendous influence on them.]
Not only that, but the Mount Hua Sect and Hwangbo Family, having directly or indirectly witnessed Seol Hwa-un's prowess, had heightened their vigilance and focused on nurturing talent.
In the end, over those three years—short if short, long if long—they had achieved nearly a decade's worth of training in that brief span.
What was interesting was how similar the situations of the Mount Hua Sect and Hwangbo Family were.
[You could say those two represent their rising families and sects in the current martial world.]
Both groups had significantly expanded their influence in recent years, but their martial strength had lagged somewhat behind.
Fortunately, with prodigies like Hwang Bo-young and Ma Seong-gyun in their ranks, they could concentrate all their accumulated resources on them.
[At most ten years. Within that time, the Hwangbo Family and Mount Hua Sect will each make their mark in their own ways.]
Yu Gong-seon gave a faint smile.
[And by then, this Palace Lord will be able to make very good use of the gratitude plaque received from the Hwangbo Family.]
Seol Hwa-un nodded silently. True to form as a strategist, Yu Gong-seon was viewing things from a long-term perspective.
[Indeed. But can't we discuss that later? Their match is about to begin.]
At Seol Hwa-un's transmission, Yu Gong-seon looked sheepish.
[Ah, I've gone and spoiled the fun. My apologies.]
[Haha, no need to apologize. That's just the strategist's job. For now, let's focus on the duel.]
[Understood.]
With that, the two turned their attention to the duel stage.
Ma Seong-gyun took the initiative. He unleashed sword qi straight at Hwang Bo-young.
Considering the duels Ma Seong-gyun had fought so far, it was an unexpected move.
‘It must mean he acknowledges Hwang Bo-young that much.’
Shuuu!
Even as the sharp sword qi flew toward him, Hwang Bo-young's eyes remained calm.
“......”
Then, in an instant, he shot forward like lightning and thrust out his fist.
Kwaang!
The powerful fist strike shattered the sword qi. Without stopping, Hwang Bo-young charged and swung his fist again.
Shuuk!
But Ma Seong-gyun was no pushover. He widened the distance and swung his sword once more.
Shuuu!
Though it was a single sword stroke, two streams of sword qi burst forth.
“......”
Hwang Bo-young didn't hesitate for a moment, enveloping both fists in fist aura and swinging them alternately.
Kwaaang!!
Once again, the sword qi shattered futilely. But Hwang Bo-young's expression soon hardened.
“......!”
Plum blossoms were flying toward him.
‘Already!’
Though sudden, his response remained composed. This time, he extended his palm instead of a fist.
It was the Hwangbo Family's signature palm technique, Thunderbolt Divine Palm.
Kwaaaaang!
The palm force was tremendous, successfully destroying the plum blossom sword qi. But he couldn't avoid being pushed back by the impact.
In that interval, Ma Seong-gyun regained his composure, created ample distance, and unleashed another barrage of sword qi.
Swaaap!
The same pattern continued afterward. Hwang Bo-young desperately tried to close the gap, while Ma Seong-gyun refused to give him an opening—their tense duel dragged on.
The spectators couldn't contain their excitement.
“For a later-generation talent to unleash such fierce sword qi!”
“And Hwang Bo-young? He's smashing every bit of it!”
“Both are incredible!”
The duel stage floor was already a mess, furrowed with countless gouges where the sword qi had swept through.
Though it was an even match, Seol Hwa-un sensed a subtle discrepancy.
‘Ma Seong-gyun.’
His sword stance was trembling ever so slightly. And as the duel wore on, it grew worse.
‘......An injury.’
It seemed the repeated hits to the same spot from Jin Pyo and Mun I-cheon had taken a heavy toll.
In contrast, Hwang Bo-young showed no signs of trouble.
In truth, he too had sustained a non-trivial injury to his fist in yesterday's duel against Won Myeong, but the Hwangbo Family had the Five Elements Pill.
Ma Seong-gyun had received treatment with the Mount Hua Sect's precious medicine, but it couldn't compare to the Five Elements Pill.
‘If it turns into a prolonged battle like this, Ma Seong-gyun will be at a disadvantage. He needs to go for a decisive move before it's too late......’
At that moment, as if reading his thoughts, Ma Seong-gyun suddenly surged forward and swung his sword.
Paaaa!
At the same time, countless plum blossoms formed, their buds opening into full bloom.
Papapapap!
Soon, each petal became a sharp dagger, raining down on Hwang Bo-young.
Shushushushu!
“......!”
It was Falling Plum Blossoms Like Rain, following Plum Blossoms Gradually from the Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Sword Techniques.
Ma Seong-gyun's most confident linked form in the plum blossom swordsmanship. A brilliant sword sequence showcasing his current abilities.
Facing it, Hwang Bo-young caught a faint plum blossom scent.
‘Faint, but...... this is unmistakable sword fragrance!’
It was the realm of sword fragrance that Mount Hua swordsmen dreamed of reaching someday upon mastering the plum blossom sword techniques.
Surprisingly, Ma Seong-gyun had already set one foot in it.
‘In that case, I'll show you mine.’
Hwang Bo-young filled both fists with the qi of the Hwangbo Family's secret art, Mount Sumeru Heavenly King Divine Art.
Paaaa!
Then he thrust both fists forward like thunderbolts.
‘Thunderbolt Divine Fist, Sixth Form: Thunderbolt Shocking the Heavens!’
Kuaaaaa!
Immense force swirled from his fists and burst forth.
Papapapapapang!
The raining plum blossom petals began to scatter. Seeing this, Ma Seong-gyun's pupils shook.
“......!”
It wasn't a flaw in Ma Seong-gyun's swordsmanship, but a difference in inner power.
Though Ma Seong-gyun ranked high in inner strength among later-generation talents, he fell short compared to Hwang Bo-young.
And for good reason—the Hwangbo Family had poured special effort into cultivating Hwang Bo-young's inner power.
For a family specializing in霸道 fist techniques, greater inner strength meant greater advantage.
Born with a vast dantian and sturdy meridians, Hwang Bo-young could efficiently absorb various spirit medicines.
Thanks to that, he possessed astonishing inner power unmatched among his peers.
This was Ma Seong-gyun's first time facing such formidable inner strength. Even the Mount Hua experts who trained him had only sparred at the level expected of later-generation talents.
They had never anticipated a later-generation talent possessing such profound inner power.
It wasn't Ma Seong-gyun's immaturity, but an inevitable limit of experience as a later-generation talent.
Even Seol Hwa-un hadn't expected Hwang Bo-young to be this strong.
‘Until now, he hadn't needed to reveal his full power.’
Ma Seong-gyun gritted his teeth.
‘But I won't back down!’
His sword created plum blossoms once more. This time, a massive bud incomparable to before took shape.
‘Plum Shadow River Creation!’
The most powerful form he could execute from the Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Sword Techniques.
“Ooooo!”
As the spectators marveled, Seol Hwa-un's eyes narrowed.
‘Hm!’
The vivid plum blossoms stretched forward in perfect form.
Kwakwakwang!!
The plum blossoms succeeded in nullifying the Thunderbolt Divine Fist's energy. But that was the end.
Having expended all its power, the plum blossoms vanished.
Paat!
And in that instant, Hwang Bo-young, who had closed the distance, halted his fist right before Ma Seong-gyun's nose.
“......!”
“This round goes to me, it seems.”
Ma Seong-gyun's pupils trembled violently.
‘Even giving my all......’
The wall named Hwang Bo-young was vast and thick.
He would be lying if he claimed no regrets, but he decided to accept the result.
“I...... concede.”
“......!”
Seol Hwa-un stood and declared.
“Ma Seong-gyun concedes! Victory to Hwang Bo-young!”
Waaaaaa!!
No sooner had his words ended than a roar erupted that seemed to shake the Martial Alliance.
“Hwang Bo-young wins!”
“Wahaha! What did I tell you!”
“So frustrating! The Mount Hua Sword Eagle loses!”
“Long live Hwang Bo-young! Long live the Hwangbo Family!”
Watching Ma Seong-gyun hang his head in despair, Seol Hwa-un felt deep regret.
‘So close. If only that final form had been just a bit more perfect......’
It wasn't a lack of proficiency in the technique itself.
The injury had made precise execution difficult, halving the sword sequence's power.
For a delicate technique like the plum blossom swordsmanship, that subtlety made all the difference.
‘Without the injury, if he had executed the form properly.’
Even Hwang Bo-young couldn't have guaranteed victory. He knew that fact well himself.
Perhaps that was why.
Hwang Bo-young raised his voice toward Ma Seong-gyun.
“Next time, let's fight without injuries.”
Amid the spectators' cheers, his words rang clear to all.
“What? The Mount Hua Sword Eagle was injured?”
“No wonder! He couldn't show his full strength!”
“Of course! Our Mount Hua Sword Eagle can't be just this good!”
“Truly a shame.”
Ma Seong-gyun gave a wry smile.
“Are you going easy on me now?”
“I'm disappointed too. And it's not a lie, is it?”
Ma Seong-gyun smiled faintly.
“Very well. Next time, let's have a real clash of steel.”
“Hahaha, you're welcome anytime.”
Watching this, Yu Gong-seon was impressed inwardly.
‘Whether Hwang Bo-young intended it or not, that was a perfectly timed remark.’
The championship went to one of the Eight Great Families, yet it left room for the claim that a Nine Sect could have won.
At the very least, no one could say one side overwhelmingly dominated the other.
It served as a buffer, preventing heightened rivalry between the Orthodox Heaven Alliance and Martial Alliance.
‘Moreover, the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament itself had more from the Nine Sects......’
It was a result both the Martial Alliance and Orthodox Heaven Alliance could accept with some satisfaction.
Afterward, Sima Won ascended the duel stage for the award ceremony. His face was wreathed in smiles, clearly pleased with the outcome.
“What a splendid duel. Everyone, once more, congratulate Vice Sect Leader Hwang Bo-young on his championship!”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
As the spectators' applause poured in, Hwang Bo-young cupped his hands in a respectful bow.
“The Dragon-Phoenix title will be officially announced tomorrow after deliberation!”
Soon, the prize—the millennium dew grass mushroom—was handed directly to Hwang Bo-young.
“And finally, let's hear some words from the champion!”
Hwang Bo-young smiled brightly and spoke.
“Thanks to all your support, I was able to win. Thank you so much.”
His gaze briefly turned toward Seol Hwa-un. Meeting his eyes, Seol Hwa-un tilted his head.
‘Hm?’
Hwang Bo-young continued as if nothing had happened.
“Though I won the championship, I'm left with a bit of regret. The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament aims to select the greatest later-generation talent, but the true greatest is someone else.”
Hearing this, Seol Hwa-un realized why he had glanced his way.
‘Heh, playing it that way, huh.’
“Everyone knows. The North Heaven Dragon seated in the judges' area—that is the world's foremost later-generation talent.”
The spectators nodded in agreement.
“True enough.”
“Impressive as the Mount Hua Sword Eagle and Hwang Bo-young were, compared to the North Heaven Dragon......”
Hwang Bo-young's eyes sparkled.
“So, I humbly wish to challenge him!”
“......!”
Seol Hwa-un and Hwang Bo-young's gazes met.
“Will you accept my challenge?”