Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 242
Chapter Title: The World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament (5)
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A duel between martial artists is always a fierce affair, even with a rule against killing.
It’s probably because they know a single exchange of blows could leave them crippled for life, and because they need to prove the worth of the martial arts they’ve dedicated their lives to.
Above all.
*Crack! Thud!*
“Ugh!”
“I can read your every move. Just give up.”
“Hah! Don’t be ridiculous. How can I surrender in front of my fellow disciples and the people from my hometown!”
“Then I have no choice. Don’t blame me for what comes next.”
“Of course! Haaah!”
It’s because not only their own names, but the reputations of their sects are on the line.
*Clang, clang, clang, clang.*
My thoughts on watching these dramatic, action-packed scenes are always the same.
‘What a load of crap.’
After all the trouble they went through to learn martial arts, they should be thinking about staying healthy and supporting their families. What’s all this nonsense about proof and honor?
If they show off and get an arm lopped off, they’ll spend the rest of their lives unable to earn a living, just being a burden on their families and sect brothers…
However, contrary to my feelings, the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament continued to be a roaring success.
“Waaaaah-!”
“Win! Win!”
“Aah! Please marry me, Sir Warrior!”
A huge number of spectators gathered around the tournament grounds, street stalls in canvas tents lined the area outside the outer fortress, and warriors of the War Dragon Hall patrolled frequently to maintain security.
Naturally, the economic effect was enormous, and the Grand Chancellor, who had nearly fainted from the initial cost, was now all smiles. I heard the finance scribes were in heaven for the first time in a long while.
Whether in the modern world or the martial world, money is king.
Of course, we were the ones who enjoyed the economic benefits the most.
“Fufufu, to think we could make the name of the Weststream Merchants known to all with such a paltry sum. It's truly like a dream.”
The Weststream Merchants, established with the assets of the Baek Family, provided the tournament grounds' flags, cloth fences, and the stalls' tents, becoming the official sponsor of the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament.
Given that most travelers in this era were influential figures back in their home regions, the promotional effect was bound to be massive.
For a very small cost, the name of the Weststream Merchants was made known far and wide.
That wasn't all.
The War Dragon Hall collaborated with the Red Dragon Hall to open a duel betting pool, agreeing to take half of the profits.
I had originally intended to do it alone, but I chose to collaborate because I had no information on the participants and no know-how in the betting business.
Yong Ma-san's Underworld Sect didn't have the capacity, after all.
*Rustle.*
“Hohoho, look at this, my lord. The main matches haven't even started, and we've already made this much? Oh my, Sister Myo was here too? You're so plain I almost didn't recognize you.”
“I almost didn't recognize you either, Young Lady. I thought a little child had walked in.”
The problem was that the person in charge happened to be Jeok Hwa-ran.
*Fwoosh.*
A sharp energy surged from the catfight between the two.
‘Master, just how much did you sell me for?’
The woman who had already sealed the deal, and the woman who believed she had sealed the deal thanks to my master's meddling, were glaring daggers at each other.
For now, victory belonged to Myo Hyang, the one who had actually sealed the deal.
“Hmph, with a body so childlike, I wonder if you can even handle our Lord. He's unusually strong, you see. Fufufu.”
“Wha-what? Handle what? Strong? Unusually? No?”
You could think of it as the difference between possibility and certainty.
‘Sister, what on earth are you saying to a kid…’
Leaving behind Jeok Hwa-ran, who had been thoroughly broken by the suggestive attack from Myo Hyang—her senior by five years—I turned my gaze to the tournament grounds.
The indomitable challenger who had been going on about his sect and relatives earlier was now being thoroughly beaten.
*Crack.*
“…I have lost.”
Unable to hold on any longer, the challenger sheathed his sword and declared his surrender.
‘That's a relief, at least.’
He had wounds all over, but he had held on well enough that there seemed to be no permanent physical damage.
“Red Martial Sword, Sang Jeon-ha. Victorious!”
Thanks to successfully hosting the Tournament of the Nine Dragons, Geum Geom-jin of the Gold Dragon Hall, who was once again the MC, made the declaration, and the crowd roared.
“Waaaaah-!”
The spotlight shining on the winner was the same in the future as it was now, but in this tournament, the loser was also given a decent opportunity.
*Shuffle.*
“I am from the Golden Gate Sect. May we speak for a moment?”
“Hah, wasn't I here first? I am Ki Jin-mok of the Red Dragon Hall. They call me the Twin Sword Slayer.”
“Won't you come swing a pickaxe with us at the Gray Dragon Hall?”
It was bold headhunting by the sects belonging to the Inner Fortress.
Traditionally, the only way for the Righteous Faction to urgently recruit manpower was to receive disciples from affiliated secular families. This was not much different for the great martial clans.
Because of this, they were always short on numbers compared to the Unorthodox Faction, who would immediately recruit anyone they found useful. But not anymore.
Because they now had the all-powerful sword of contract work.
That’s right.
This demonic concept, first born in Hanzhong, had finally reached Nine Dragons Fortress.
Of course, the system had been well-established from the start, so the treatment was far better than in the modern era.
Thanks to this, they were able to alleviate the recent manpower shortage to some extent, so one could say the benefits were greater.
‘Anyway…’
Even though it wasn't a standard tournament format, neither the main star of this competition, the Lord of the Mountain Kings, nor even his subordinates were anywhere to be seen.
‘You'd think they would do some preliminary investigation…’
Was it a display of confidence, or were they playing it safe?
While I was pondering, the MC's eloquent voice rang out.
“Who will be the next opponent for the Red Martial Sword! If no one appears by the count of ten, I will use my authority to send the Red Martial Sword to the final round.”
A professional MC truly was on another level.
***
After that, the tournament proceeded smoothly, becoming more and more entertaining to watch.
“Mountain-Shattering Fist Elder, Nam Ji-sip. Victorious!”
An unfamiliar man, whose name, let alone reputation, I had never heard, advanced to the final round by showing off an unbelievably powerful martial art.
“Gah! I did it!”
“Saber of Jeongsan, Geum Ho. Victorious!”
A young martial artist, whose hard work was evident, overturned a disadvantageous match.
“Bamboo Sword, Blood Saber Yu Myeon. Victorious!”
Yu Myeon, who had recently signed a slave contract with me, advanced to the final round.
And then.
“Goksan Blood Saber. Victorious!”
“Water Killing Sword. Victorious!”
“Blood Mountain Tiger. Victorious!”
The warriors of the Mountain King Assembly and the Water Dragon Gate began to appear one by one.
The spectators were initially flustered, not expecting to see them in Nine Dragons Fortress, the territory of the Righteous Faction. But since it was an enjoyable sight, everyone seemed satisfied.
One day passed, then two, and on the third day.
The true star of this tournament appeared.
*Murmur, murmur.*
It was the appearance of the Great Demon of Ultimate Slaughter, Im Jeong.
When the leader of the massive sect called the Mountain King Assembly, one of the Ten Great Masters of the World, appeared, everyone in the tournament grounds began to whisper.
*Step, step.*
He couldn't be called large by any means. But his very presence was so strong that just watching him walk felt overwhelming.
*Gulp.*
Even the veteran MC, Geum Geom-jin, could only swallow hard and say nothing upon seeing him step onto the stage.
*Glare. Glare.*
I could feel the sharp gazes of the Hall Masters, asking why such a man was allowed to participate.
The Blue Dragon Hall Master, in particular, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, as if he wanted to challenge him right then and there.
‘Good grief…’
Thanks to that, I had to send telepathic messages in all directions, explaining that this was a plan pre-arranged with the Grand Chancellor.
Of course, I also had to stop the Blue Dragon Hall Master, who was burning with fighting spirit.
Just as everyone was staring at the stage with tense eyes.
“I am Im Jeong.”
“…”
A powerful voice echoed.
‘Hmm…’
You don't necessarily have to cross swords to grasp an opponent's martial prowess.
You can get a rough idea just by observing their demeanor.
In that sense, after observing Im Jeong, I was a little surprised.
‘…He's not as incredible as I thought.’
Of course, he was strong. So strong that I couldn't even fathom his depths.
However, compared to my master or the retired Great Pure Adept, who were also among the Ten Great Masters, I found myself thinking, ‘Is he really on their level?’
He was even less comparable to the deceased Lord of the Ten Demon Alliance or the previous Fortress Lord.
As my master said, he was indeed a martial artist far ahead of me, but I felt a newfound confidence that I could catch up to him someday.
Or maybe my standards were just too high.
Geum Geom-jin snapped back to his senses and shouted.
“This participant is the Great Demon of Ultimate Slaughter, Im Jeong! Is there anyone who will challenge him?!”
“…”
Everyone remained silent.
It was only natural.
The opponent was a martial artist at the very pinnacle of the world.
Excluding the hermits of the Silver Forest, he was someone that only my master or the Green Dragon Hall Master could face.
As the silence continued, I raised my hand high.
“I will challenge him.”
The reason was simple.
The teachings of a master are worth a thousand pieces of gold. A duel with one of the Ten Great Masters is even more valuable.
Furthermore, he wouldn't be able to harm me in the middle of Nine Dragons Fortress, so I could go all out while he had to hold back. It would be a kind of handicap match.
‘I can't pass this up.’
It would be a good opportunity to test my skills.
And if I could expose his true abilities in the process, all the better.
*Thud.*
As I leaped up and landed on the dueling stage, Im Jeong looked at me with a ‘What the hell is this guy?’ expression and sent a telepathic message.
[…This seems different from what we discussed?]
[I'm just here to build you up. Surely you're not frightened by this junior, are you?]
[Of course not. I just didn't expect you to step up yourself, so I asked.]
To his relaxed telepathic message, I replied while looking at the Hall Masters on the platform.
[Show them your might. So that the Hall Masters sitting up there won't dare to say a word against you.]
[Hoh, so you had a plan all along.]
[I'm the type who always thinks before acting.]
[Then, don't blame me if my hand is harsh…]
[Ah, of course, don't forget you must hold back. My master cares for me a great deal, so he won't stand by if I get hurt.]
[…]
After finishing the telepathic exchange, I looked at Geum Geom-jin, and he raised his hand to signal the start.
“Begin!”
*Crackle. Sizzle.*
I had already activated the Chain Ring Force before getting up here. As I steeled myself, a storm of force enveloped my body.
“Hoh, truly a presence worthy of being named among the Seven Hegemons.”
*Kwoooosh!*
Im Jeong also drew out his full power, and an aura like a great mountain filled the dueling grounds.
*Shinggg.*
At the same time, a long greatsaber was drawn.
It wasn't as thick as the greatswords of the Gray Dragon Hall, but you could feel its immense weight just by looking at it. It was clearly a treasured weapon.
“Come.”
*Thump.*
A probing attack would be meaningless against a martial artist of this level, unless we were evenly matched. The moment he finished speaking, I used Phantom Step.
*Whoosh.*
The moment I stopped, his saber flew at me.
*Kuaaaah!*
The Aura of the War Dragon unfolded and caught his saber.
“An excellent protective aura. It's almost like a martial art in itself.”
*Crack.*
When he applied force, the Aura of the War Dragon, which could devour most other auras in an instant, shattered.
*Pow!*
Not missing the opening, I slammed the War King's Thirteen Strikes into his side.
“Keuk.”
That sound didn't come from Im Jeong's mouth.
It was a groan that escaped my lips from the intense pain I felt in the fist that struck him.
“Be careful. My body is like a megalith aged for ten thousand years.”
Seeing his relaxed demeanor, a laugh escaped me.
*Pfft.*
‘This is fun.’
The more I learn about martial arts, the more puzzling it gets.
Training is a pain in the ass, but when you actually exchange blows with a strong opponent, there's nothing more exciting.