Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Scattered Talismans
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They might dress like Taoists and call themselves that, but at heart, they were rough-and-tumble martial artists of the jianghu.
"Especially to the Plum Blossom Supreme Elder who has graciously agreed to serve as witness. On behalf of the Qingcheng Sect, allow me to express our deepest gratitude once more."
Endless applause and cheers erupted.
Chae Geuk-ik rose from his seat with a satisfied expression, raising his hand to acknowledge the crowd.
Seo Ui-jae spoke again.
"And now, we shall commence the selection of the 43rd Sect Leader of the great Qingcheng Sect, renowned for its long history and traditions, in the format of this sparring tournament."
- Wooah!
Thunderous roars and applause once more filled the arena.
If I wandered around selling chicken and beer here, it'd be perfect, Han Ibi thought to himself.
Seizing a lull in the cheers, Seo Ui-jae continued.
"Today's matchups will proceed as predetermined. The first bout: Son Bu-yang versus Yun Bang-mun. The second: Seong Chun-don versus So Eun-ri. And the third: Elder Nam Cheol-hong versus Elder Bok Yeon-hwa."
Cheers filled with anticipation exploded once again.
Such 'uproar' was somewhat at odds with the Qingcheng Sect's usual strict discipline... but hey, wasn't the joy of a festival all about that bit of 'indulgence'?
Today, even the notoriously rigid old Taoists of Qingcheng were turning a blind eye to the youthful vigor and passion.
Seo Ui-jae spoke again.
"The side that wins two out of the three spars will have its leader naturally elevated to Sect Leader. Should the first two bouts decide the victor, the final match will be canceled."
At that moment, a voice rang out.
"That rule seems a bit off. Doesn't that mean the next Sect Leader could be decided by a fight among the juniors?"
A provocative tone.
It came from Ji Mo-han, leader of the mid-tier sect Hong Rae Association, who had been listening from the guest seats.
He was the type who was naturally prickly and loved picking fights.
Sure enough, the faces of many Qingcheng disciples hardened at his rude remark.
Seo Ui-jae responded with a good-natured smile.
"Indeed. The reason we hold the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament this way is to examine our potential leaders from every angle. If we left such a crucial decision—one that will shape Qingcheng's future—solely to martial prowess, what would set us apart from mere beasts or bandits?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Huashan's Chae Geuk-ik, as if seeking agreement.
Chae Geuk-ik could only nod reluctantly.
No one knew what he truly felt...
But aside from the Qingcheng members, he was the most influential figure present today.
Yes.
Seo Ui-jae had politely shut down Ji Mo-han of the Hong Rae Association.
If he pressed further here, he'd be lumped in with 'beasts' or 'bandits.' His face flushed red with anger, but he said nothing more.
At that moment, Seo Ui-jae adopted a solemn expression.
"Very well. Let the 43rd Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament commence. First, we shall hear words from our current Sect Leader, the 42nd, Hong Gu-geum."
Hong Gu-geum leaped onto the arena with remarkable lightness skill, as if protesting, I'm still alive, you know.
The murmurs died down in an instant.
"First, my deepest thanks to Huashan's Plum Blossom Supreme Elder Chae Geuk-ik for gracing us despite the long journey."
Clap clap clap!
Thunderous yet mechanical applause.
Ever the political master, Hong Gu-geum never forgot his flattery.
After that came thanks to the guests, both internal and external...
And then... the lengthy address began.
How he joined Qingcheng, the hardships he overcame to reach this position, his thoughts on stepping back from the front lines...
It was no exaggeration to call it the era's greatest 'lullaby.'
Ah... What is this? Did this Sect Leader master some sleep-inducing demonic art?
Han Ibi had tried at first to listen attentively through the waves of drowsiness, but it grew so tedious he wanted to scream.
He shook his head side to side, mustering every ounce of willpower to endure.
Fortunately, everyone else seemed to share the sentiment.
They looked just like students listening to the principal's speech.
Unable to withstand the unified laser-focused boredom, Hong Gu-geum hastily wrapped up.
Clap clap clap!
- Wooah!
Thunderous applause and cheers.
Not because of the content's brilliance, but simply because the boring speech was over.
Thankfully, Huashan's Chae Geuk-ik declined to give remarks.
The atmosphere probably wouldn't have allowed it anyway...
Finally, Seo Ui-jae returned to the arena and announced.
"Now, let the Sect Leader Selection Tournament begin. No more delays—we'll proceed straight to the first bout. The two disciples called earlier, please take the stage."
Amid cheers big and small, Son Bu-yang and Yun Bang-mun ascended almost simultaneously.
Both were among Qingcheng's third-generation disciples, of equal rank.
Matching disciples of the same generation for spars was an unwritten rule of the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament.
Han Ibi watched the match with some tension.
According to the original story, Yun Bang-mun should lose.
Han Ibi gazed at them, thinking.
What if my appearance triggered a reversal? That'd be great. Even if I lose the second bout, it'd still give us a shot...
The two climbed amid applause and cheers.
Yun Bang-mun was the picture of a model student, while Son Bu-yang had a more roguish vibe...
But today, both looked utterly resolute.
And rightly so—they were candidates for the 'future Sect Leader and elders' chosen by the next leader.
It was more than just important; it was pivotal.
They knew it well, so their tension was inevitable.
Seo Ui-jae declared.
"We now commence the spar between these two disciples."
He suddenly flung his hand skyward.
Yellow papers with red script—neither letters nor pictures—fluttered around.
What the...? Not some zombie flick...
Yes.
They were Daoist talismans embodying the pursuit of the Dao, wish fulfillment, disaster aversion, and more—a longstanding Qingcheng tradition.
Seo Ui-jae announced.
"Per tradition, wooden swords will be used instead of live blades today."
Yun Bang-mun and Son Bu-yang faced each other.
The junior, Yun Bang-mun, assumed the formal stance first.
Son Bu-yang, however, stood stiffly with a somewhat arrogant air.
And so the spar began.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
From the start, the fierce clashes of wooden swords rang out.
Han Ibi thought.
Whoa. This is brutal...
The wood's screams rivaled steel on steel.
Even wooden swords—a solid hit could be fatal.
But despite the ferocity, it feels kinda... childish.
Han Ibi had recently clashed with masters in life-or-death battles.
And trained diligently too.
His eye for martial arts had sharpened considerably, though he hadn't realized it himself.
Growing bored, Han Ibi glanced toward Bok Yeon-hwa and So Eun-ri's tent.
Bok Yeon-hwa's low voice carried over.
"How's your body feeling?"
So Eun-ri replied.
"Much better... but not fully recovered yet."
Bok Yeon-hwa nodded.
"I asked just in case. Don't worry about it."
"I'm sorry, Master."
"What do you have to be sorry for...?"
No, this Bok lady... talking about no failures and all, but she didn't fully trust me. Still hung up on So Eun-ri to the end.
- Woooaaah!
The crowd's cheers erupted then.
Yun Bang-mun and Son Bu-yang were exchanging rapid sword forms.
It was the Qingcheng swordsmanship pinnacle: Swift Sword Form, 'Rain Clouds Vanish.'
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack!
Even skill, same forms—it was like one fighter mirroring himself.
A rare, nail-biting spectacle.
The watching disciples' cheers intensified.
Then Han Ibi nodded, as if resolved. He opened his status window.
Fierce eagle eyes filled his vision.
'Eagle's Eye Technique.'
The vision-enhancing skill.
Within its subtree lay a technique he'd never used.
Pfft. What the hell.
If you're gonna scare me off like that, don't include the skill...
But he had no other options now. It might prove useful later.
Han Ibi quickly activated Imprint Eye.
His vision turned entirely green. He focused utterly on the two fighters in the arena.
Their movements left afterimages, slowing like a slo-mo recording...
Both third-generation disciples lacked jianghu experience. They were clumsy with improvisation or variations.
Thus, their bout was like a Qingcheng swordsmanship textbook.
Han Ibi concentrated fiercely to memorize it, maximizing Imprint Eye's effect...
How much time passed...
Boredom crept over the crowd's faces.
No quick resolution.
Their mainstay Qingfeng Swordsmanship and Yunlai Swordsmanship were fully exposed.
As frequent sparring rivals, they knew each other too well.
'Stamina' and 'carelessness.'
Those two factors would decide the winner.
Yun Bang-mun knew it all too well.
He also knew So Eun-ri was injured.
And the opponent awaiting was Seong Chun-don, strongest of the second-gen.
Though same generation as So Eun-ri, Bok Yeon-hwa's direct disciple—even at full strength, her odds against a top second-gen were slim.
Thus, the tournament's fate hinged on this first bout.
Setting aside ignorance of Han Ibi's surprise entry, Yun Bang-mun grasped the situation perfectly.
But was it the pressure? Or overexertion from early anxiety...?
In stamina and technique, Yun Bang-mun gradually fell behind.
Veterans could now predict the outcome.
Bok Yeon-hwa sighed softly.
"At this rate... we have no choice but to send in Jong Ri-mae... The rest is up to heaven..."
Realizing Yun Bang-mun's slim chances, So Eun-ri nodded resolutely.
Then—
Crack!
A loud snap, and a wooden sword flew.
It clattered noisily to the ground.
Son Bu-yang's wooden sword rested on Yun Bang-mun's throat. Yun's face flushed with humiliation.
Son Bu-yang's unpleasant smirk. His triumphant expression.
Yes.
The match ended just like that.
The first bout of the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament concluded with victory for Nam Cheol-hong's faction.
As expected, a red flag lit up in the story.
Seo Ui-jae's voice rang out.
"The first spar concludes with victory for Qingcheng third-generation disciple Son Bu-yang."
(To be continued in the next chapter)