Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Ace Showdown
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With over a hundred people in attendance, the banquet was held outdoors.
Workers from the Righteous Path Alliance quickly and skillfully set up the venue. The chefs split into two groups, one preparing temple cuisine and the other banquet dishes, while servants brought out plenty of wine to fill the tables.
After all the preparations were complete, the Alliance Leader and other high-ranking officials of the Righteous Path Alliance arrived.
"Ahem, to the proud warriors of the Righteous Path Alliance who uphold the banner of the righteous faction..."
"In the Way, there is the sword, and in the sword, there is the Way..."
"The Buddha taught us not to kill and not to harm. Therefore, in our pursuit of martial arts..."
The tedious speeches from the Alliance Leader, the Wudang Sect Leader, and the Shaolin Abbot began and dragged on for quite some time before finally ending.
As soon as they finished, the members of our delegation, who had been sitting together, immediately left their seats and headed toward the young warriors of the Righteous Path Alliance.
It seemed they were either meeting with warriors they already knew or trying to forge new connections.
After a short while, only the elders of the Righteous Path Alliance, Bukgung Baek, and I remained at the head table.
Why did I stay, you ask?
*Munch, munch.*
The food here looked the most delicious.
In particular, the seasoned vegetable dish, said to be made by a chef from the Shaolin Temple's kitchen, was truly breathtaking.
‘Wow, this is insane...’
To think that mere plants grown in the dirt could have such a refined taste.
I think I might have to send Myo Hyang to study abroad at the Shaolin Temple.
As I was busy eating and drinking, Bukgung Baek, who was sitting next to me, started to chide me.
"...This seems like a rare opportunity. Why don't you go and build some connections too?"
"Mmph, it's fine. We'll probably never see each other again after today, so what's the point of making friends? I'll just eat here."
In a world without cell phones, let alone a post office, what's the use of a friend two thousand li away? This wasn't some epic journey to find a long-lost companion.
As I buried my head in my food again, the Alliance Leader decided to go on a "back in my day" rant.
He said it with a rather displeased expression, as if something was bothering him.
"Ahem, I'm deeply concerned about the youth of today. Back in my day, we wouldn't hesitate to walk thousands of li to befriend someone we admired... What are your thoughts, Hall Master Bukgung?"
In response to this classic old-timer talk, Bukgung Baek replied with uncharacteristic eloquence.
"The Alliance Leader is right. Perhaps it's because the young warriors of today are more individualistic?"
And that answer was the signal for the other old-timers sitting at the table to join the fray.
"It's the end of days, I tell you. The martial world is meant to be lived in together..."
"This humble monk has heard such things as well. What is the martial world coming to... Amitabha."
"Hah, the very spirit of the martial world has been disturbed!"
What does the spirit of the martial world have to do with this?
The old-timers' chorus didn't stop there.
"Young man, are you married?"
It had escalated to a line I'd only expect to hear during the holidays.
And it came from a Daoist priest who had likely never even held a woman's hand, let alone gotten married!
"Pardon? Are you talking to me?"
I tried my best to feign ignorance, but.
"Who else here is of marriageable age but you?"
It didn't work at all.
"I'm not married yet..."
"A young man being so dissolute! When you come of age, you should hurry up and get married to become the head of a household, not waste your time like this!... Tsk, tsk."
"The future of the martial world is truly worrisome!"
I couldn't keep my wits about me under the relentless assault.
‘Is this hell?’
I'd rather fight Baek Ja-cheon again. That would be far easier.
*Chatter, chatter.*
After chattering amongst themselves for a while.
"Why don't we create an opportunity for the young ones to step forward? Something like a martial arts tournament, where they can demonstrate their skills to one another..."
"Hmm, a tournament... Hall Master Bukgung's idea is truly excellent."
"Having the young people demonstrate their skills to each other will help restore the spirit of the martial world."
"This humble monk also agrees. Amitabha."
"What are your thoughts, Alliance Leader?"
"Haha, if we're going to do it, we should do it properly. Even if it's an impromptu tournament, since it's being held within the Righteous Path Alliance, how about we offer some prizes?"
"Hah! I hadn't thought of that. My thinking was truly shortsighted."
"The young warriors of the martial world will sing praises of the Alliance Leader's generosity."
They reached a conclusion in a very strange way.
***
When the high-ranking elders from each sect stepped forward to announce the tournament, the atmosphere instantly heated up.
In a martial world with so little entertainment, it seemed their hearts were pounding at the prospect of a new diversion.
To me, however, it was just another hassle.
‘Once I reach the Profound Realm, I'm dealing with that Bukgung fellow first.’
I told him to stay put, but he just had to go and cause trouble.
I couldn't help but grind my teeth.
Thanks to him, I, who hadn't rested a single day since arriving at the Righteous Path Alliance, was now set to waste another one.
Of course, the others who came with me thought differently.
Having been cooped up in their rooms the entire time at the Righteous Path Alliance, they were itching for some action and began preparing for the tournament with great enthusiasm.
As soon as the banquet ended, they not only checked their own martial arts but also gathered in a corner of their lodging to discuss strategies.
"We will return victorious, no matter what."
"Uooh!"
Dan Un, who had been chosen as the temporary leader, drew the Black Steel Divine Sword he had won at the Nine Dragons Contest and raised it high into the sky. Everyone raised their hands and let out a battle cry.
Watching them, their eyes blazing like generals before a duel, I could only shake my head.
‘They sure make life difficult for themselves...’
Still, what could I do?
What's done is done.
I left them to it and went into my room.
As I was resting alone, Jeon Muk opened the door and came in to inform me.
"The Righteous Path Alliance is sending out two people from each sect, for a total of six. Which number will you be, Brother?"
What number?
"Tell them to have fun without me. This big brother is going to get some rest."
Of course I'm not participating.
Jeon Muk nodded firmly.
"So you're saying we should handle the small fry on our own. I, Jeon Muk, understand perfectly."
"......"
He hadn't understood at all, but that was fine. As long as he didn't bother me, I didn't care.
The night passed, and as day broke, preparations for the impromptu tournament began in the grand training ground, just as announced yesterday.
When the sun reached its zenith, countless warriors from the Righteous Path Alliance had gathered.
And then.
"To the esteemed members of the Righteous Path Alliance..."
With the Alliance Leader's speech, the ace showdown between the Nine Dragons Fortress and the Righteous Path Alliance began.
For the record, the rules for this tournament, being a friendly match, were supposed to ensure no one got hurt. But that was a load of crap.
It was decided that, just like in the Nine Dragons Contest, the participants could fight to their heart's content, as long as they didn't kill their opponent.
Amidst all this, our vanguard, Geum Pil-dae, stepped onto the dueling stage.
*Thud. Thud.*
He must have imbued his steps with internal energy, as the training ground shook with each footfall.
‘That bastard is showing off his money even here.’
Even though everyone knew that most of his internal energy was built from elixirs bought with money.
When the Shaolin martial monk from the Righteous Path Alliance side appeared, Geum Pil-dae tilted his head in confusion.
I felt the same way.
The opponent sent by the Righteous Path Alliance was a young monk who looked no older than fifteen, if that.
Moreover, unlike us, who stared at the young monk with eyes full of doubt, the warriors of the Righteous Path Alliance looked on with complete confidence.
Just as my curiosity was about to burst, I heard the voice of Jeok Il, the most knowledgeable among us about the figures of the martial world.
"Divine Step Fist, Gwang Jeon. He is one of the Eighteen Arhats of Shaolin."
"Even though he's so young?"
"He is older than I am."
"...They say living in the mountains helps you stay young. I guess it's true."
I suppose this is why people return to farming when they get old.
"It just means his internal energy is that pure."
Jeok Il spouted some nonsense.
If pure internal energy made you look younger, then what about Bukgung Baek's face, which looked like it was on its last legs... I was about to argue, but.
*Shwing.*
I immediately shut my mouth upon seeing Gwang Jeon slice through Geum Pil-dae's large, thick sword energy with the edge of his hand.
The difference in the density of their internal energy was enormous, even at a glance.
And that was what made such a feat possible.
Geum Pil-dae, flustered, activated his Body Protection Force.
"Kuhk."
He let out a groan and readjusted his grip on the Gold Dragon Hall's treasure, the Golden Jointed Whip-Sword.
*Shwiiik. Shwing.*
Once again, the air split as golden sword energy shot up sharply.
However, his opponent was also a peak master.
He calmly used his Body Protection Force to evade Geum Pil-dae's sword energy.
*Kwang.*
He split it apart.
*Baaang!*
Seizing a momentary opening, he thrust his fist through the air.
The Hundred Pace Divine Fist, one of Shaolin's seventy-two ultimate arts, had been unleashed.
The sight that followed was enough to astonish us all.
"......"
Geum Pil-dae's body shot backward like a cannonball, smashing through the training ground wall.
He didn't seem seriously injured as he got up and flew back to the training ground, but the match was already over.
"...I have learned much."
It seemed even Geum Pil-dae couldn't act tough in front of Shaolin, as he conceded defeat and bowed his head.
"I, too, have learned a great deal. I hope we have the chance to spar again in the future."
Like a true Shaolin martial monk, Gwang Jeon responded with perfect courtesy.
Everyone was speechless, as the match had been completely one-sided despite them being at a similar level.
Although Geum Pil-dae was considered the weakest of the six Heavenly Kings who had come along, he wasn't someone who should have been defeated so easily.
"Hmm."
Dan Un looked at the next weakest, Silver Dragon Spear Lee Jong-san, with a grave expression.
Holding an ironwood shield and a short spear, he spoke with a confident look.
"Don't you worry, brother. I'll be back with a win in no time."
"I'll trust you."
His demeanor was much more relaxed than during the Nine Dragons Contest.
I found the reason in the muttering of Jeok Il, who was serving as today's TMI provider.
"I heard he's been learning the Meteor Spear from the Silver Dragon Hall Master. No wonder he's so confident."
This could work.
If the Galaxy Spear laid the foundation for the Silver Star Escort Agency, the Meteor Spear was what turned it into the greatest escort agency in the world, leading to the creation of the current Silver Dragon Hall.
In other words, it could be called a divine ultimate art.
"Hryaaat."
Sure enough, Lee Jong-san landed in the center of the stage with a hearty cry.
His opponent, a Daoist from Wudang, watched him with a solemn gaze.
I was curious who he was and asked Jeok Il, but he shook his head, apparently not knowing either.
It meant he was a new master who had never shown his face in the martial world before.
"Come at me!"
Lee Jong-san's shout echoed.
I could feel his determination and confidence to crush whoever his opponent was.
However.
"...I'm sorry."
He was the one who came back crushed.
The Meteor Spear couldn't break through the Wudang Sword Art's Pear Blossom Graft.
And the Wudang Sword Art had succeeded in splitting Lee Jong-san's ironwood shield.
‘This is actually pretty fun to watch.’
Maybe it was because this world had so few spectacles, but watching this was quite entertaining.
I glanced up and saw that Dan Un's aura had become explosive.
With a 0-2 record, he seemed to be feeling the pressure.
I placed a hand on his shoulder as he looked ready to jump out at any moment.
"Don't worry too much. The two who just lost are the 'weakest' among us."
Hearing my words, Geum Pil-dae and Lee Jong-san's faces turned beet red, but what could they do?
If they didn't like it, they should have won.
"...You're right."
My consolation seemed to work, as Dan Un's intense aura subsided.
"Anyway, who's next? It feels like it's about time we got a win..."
"That would be me, Brother."
A young warrior carrying a greatsword on his back stood up and spoke.
It was Gray Dragon Saber, Jeon Muk.