Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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I followed the Black Society Lord to an abandoned house devoid of any human presence. But after taking just a couple of steps inside the rundown place and passing through a small room, a neatly organized space appeared—one that was unmistakably the base of a murim faction.
The Black Society Lord sat down in a chair, flanked by his subordinates, and spoke.
"Young hero. Come to Gabi Pavilion two days from now at the hour of the亥. Say the code phrase, 'I want to drink plum wine soaked to the brim as much as I like,' and you'll be led straight into the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly."
I memorized the time, place, and code phrase he mentioned. My memory was sharp, so I wouldn't forget something like that easily. I repeated it to myself inwardly before asking in return.
"What do I get if I win at the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly?"
"Kekeke... Aren't you a bit late asking that? So the young hero really accepted my offer just to fight purely, huh."
The Black Society Lord chuckled as if it was the funniest thing. Then he chugged a bottle of liquor from the table and continued.
"I like guys like you, young hero. You give off the vibe of being one of our kind."
"Shut up and answer my question."
The Black Society Lord shrugged.
"Fine, fine. The Arcane Martial Fight Assembly consists of five rounds and is held irregularly. To be precise, it only happens once all participants are gathered. It takes thirty-two warriors for the Fighting Demon to decide to hold it. You're the last one I recruited, young hero."
"So what do I get for winning?"
"Secret manuals, elixirs, treasures!"
".......!!"
"That's why even public enemies of murim stake their lives to join. Tempting, isn't it?"
The Black Society Lord's words were shocking.
To think they'd offer secret manuals and elixirs—as precious to murim folk as their own lives—along with treasures? And from a leader of one of the Eight Demonic Sects, no less? It was hard to believe.
"Secret manuals, elixirs, treasures. If they exist, shouldn't the Fighting Demon keep them for himself? Why do something good for others?"
The Black Society Lord smirked and explained.
"It sounds like a lie, but it's true. The Fighting Demon is a battle maniac who loves fighting himself and watching others fight. That's why he used his influence to pull in Luoyang's power brokers and high officials to create the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly. All to watch fierce warriors clash in pure, life-or-death battles, free of grudges."
"That doesn't fully explain it."
"Yeah, yeah. Truth is, those rewards aren't from the Fighting Demon. Rumor has it some shadowy power broker helps him run the assembly. The Fighting Demon wouldn't even dream of pocketing the prizes, so that power must be immense."
"Hmm... Is that real?"
"Yeah. The secret manuals, elixirs, and treasures are all genuine."
The Black Society Lord chugged another bottle of liquor as he spoke.
"For reference, the last winner got the Wheel Blade Art, Silver Bell Fruit, and Violet Spirit Dark Moon Blade. Incredible prizes, even now."
"......"
"Heh heh. Want to know this round's prizes? Toss me one more gold ingot, and I'll tell you the prizes plus the entrants' backgrounds."
Kwang!!
"Ugh...!!"
The dagger slipped from my hand and sliced through the air, severing the neck of the bottle the Black Society Lord was drinking from. It smashed through the wall with a roar, still carrying enough force to fly over ten張 away. His Black Society underlings drew their weapons and charged me all at once, but when I unleashed my Thunder Cloud Palm, they were caught in the palm force and sent flying back.
"Uwaaaak..."
A cloud of dust rose, and in its midst sat the Black Society Lord—face slightly pale—holding the severed bottle neck. I pointed my sword at him coldly.
"Don't mess around. One gold ingot is enough. If you think you can't pay up, know that I'm ready to take your head anytime."
"...Got it. It was just a joke, so put the sword away."
Sring.
As I sheathed my sword, the Black Society Lord raised a hand to halt his men. I was fully prepared to take on the whole Black Society right there, and he had sensed my battle intent. He spoke as if intimidated.
"Doesn't the young hero Baek Woong value his life at all?"
"What?"
"Even if we all died, one of your limbs would go with us. Why keep shoving your head into a tiger's mouth?"
I unleashed my killing intent.
"You think I came this far without that resolve? Looks like you need to die to wise up."
Zing.
"Ah, I get it! Stop. You're a scary one, young hero."
As I drew my sword again and summoned the Heavenly Thunder Energy, the Black Society Lord panicked and waved his hands frantically. Having spent years in the unorthodox paths, he had an instinct for distinguishing bluffs from genuine threats. Seeing I was dead serious the whole time, he decided to drop the empty threats.
But that was only natural. In dealings with the unorthodox or evil sects, showing even a hint of weakness means getting devoured. The Black Society Lord might look lighthearted and sly, but he'd surely resort to any dirty trick if pushed. After catching his breath, he spoke.
"...Anyway, I was planning to bet on you, young hero, so I'll give you the entrants' info and prizes."
"About time."
"The entrants' details are in this booklet. Check it later."
I caught the thin booklet he pulled out and tossed my way. Sure enough, it listed the famous names and signature techniques of various murim experts. Likely the profiles of those competing in the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly.
"And the winner's prizes are the Yang Family Spear Art, Kunlun Immortal Medicine, and Seven Treasures Blood Sword."
"Yang Family Spear Art!!"
I flinched at the name.
'The Three Great Spear Arts of the World!'
Lee Gwang had always said it: While his Thunder God Style spear was the best under heaven, if there was anything comparable, it was the Emei Spear and Yang Family Spear. Those three were the Three Great Spear Arts of the World. The Emei Spear was the pinnacle of Buddhist spear arts, and the Yang Family Spear the apex of practical combat techniques. For the prideful Lee Gwang to name them alongside his own style meant they were peerless supreme arts.
The Black Society Lord scratched his head.
"I don't know much about the Yang Family Spear Art, but the Kunlun Immortal Medicine rivals the Shaolin Great Return Pill. And the Seven Treasures Blood Sword is a supreme blade worth an entire city."
"You don't know?"
"Whether it's that great or not, who knows? The Fighting Demon's eye wouldn't fail, so I just accept it."
"......"
I realized the Black Society Lord truly didn't grasp the Yang Family Spear Art's value. It contrasted sharply with Lee Gwang's praise as one of the Three Great Spear Arts. There seemed to be a huge gap between Lee Gwang's knowledge of supreme arts and the world's common understanding. Perhaps the Yang Family Spear Art had never gained much fame.
The Black Society Lord crossed his arms.
"Oh, and just in case: Don't even dream of disrespecting or attacking the Fighting Demon. No one in the world would survive that place if you did."
I smirked.
"That's not quite right. Probably because your head would roll too, huh?"
"......"
I'd hit the nail on the head, leaving him speechless.
"Are you sane, young hero? You know I'm the Black Society Lord ruling Luoyang's underworld, and you still provoke me like this? Insane!"
"You're just a subordinate force of the Asura Gate. If I'm scared of you, how can I enter the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly?"
"Haa... Impressive, really."
The intimidated Black Society Lord waved it off. He seemed done talking, as common sense didn't apply to me.
"One more thing I'm curious about: Does the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly require killing the opponent to win?"
"Not necessarily. Breaking their will to fight or getting their surrender works. But most prefer death over that."
"Why?"
"Losers have their limb muscles severed and internal energy sealed, then sold as slaves. Female murim warriors get shipped to southern pirates as lifelong sex slaves on ships. Who'd surrender to that? Beheading is more merciful."
"......"
I frowned. The Arcane Martial Fight Assembly was far more brutal than I'd imagined. From the way he spoke, it had been held multiple times, with plenty of losers made examples of. I nodded.
"Alright. See you later."
The Black Society Lord said.
"Anyway, see you in two days. I wish you victory, young hero."
I left the Black Society and headed toward the Han family manor instead of going straight home.
'First, let's check the situation.'
With my schedule unexpectedly shifted, I felt the need to scout the Han family's movements. No guard warriors stood at the Han family gates, but guests were watching my actions from various spots.
Swaek.
"Halt right there."
A black-clad man appeared via agile lightness skill, blocking my path into the Han family manor. He was one of the Hunwon Sword Disciples, the juniors among the murim guests.
"Why block me?"
"You've been picking fights with the Beggars' Sect and Black Society. What are you thinking? If you hadn't come, we Hunwon Sword Disciples were about to hunt you down."
Sususu.
The rest of the Hunwon Sword Disciples revealed themselves. They surrounded me with heavy wariness. Glancing at them, their apparent leader spoke.
"We've no issue with you joining the Imperial Palace Fish Banquet Tournament alongside Lord Qi Dragon Divine Army. We have no desire for such events. But stirring trouble everywhere and dragging the Han family into it? We can't allow that."
"I'm not involved with the Han family. I'm just doing my own thing, so move."
"Can't do that. We'll give you a harsh lesson so you can't act rashly."
Wooong.
The Hunwon Sword Disciples summoned blade energy in unison. Their internal energy didn't match mine, so the Four Phenomena Array's pressure felt minimal. Yet each was an elite expert, so fighting them all would be a headache.
As I scowled, a clear voice rang out.
"Stand down, you thunder baldies."
I'd heard that voice before. From the Han family building, a black-haired beauty with a stern expression slowly walked out. She was Han Baekryeong, the Han family lord—a transcendent expert who had returned to youth.
Spotting Han Baekryeong, the Hunwon Sword Disciples sheathed their weapons.
"Sorry, matriarch."
"I appreciate your loyalty, but no need to make a fuss over this. Tell the other guests to stay calm too."
Sususu.
I sensed presences fading from various spots. I'd realized at least a dozen of the Han family's elite guest experts had surrounded the area alongside the Hunwon Sword Disciples. If they'd all attacked at once, I'd be dead.
I swallowed hard as Han Baekryeong glared at me.
"You, follow me."
"Understood."
I cautiously followed Han Baekryeong into the inner buildings. The Han manor was subtly vast, with wide corridors sprawling like a maze once inside. After trailing her for about an hour, we reached the pond manor I'd seen before.
Han Baekryeong spoke.
"You must really have a death wish. How could you think of entering the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly?"
"How do you know that?"
"Hmph. Even sitting here quietly, I get more info than the Beggars' Sect. You've been causing a real ruckus these past few days because you want to die that bad."
"......"
Having sharply rebuked me, Han Baekryeong stepped onto the small wooden bridge over the pond. After admiring the koi for a while, she said.
"Sigh. I didn't realize your passion to grow stronger was that intense. Keep training diligently for ten years like this, and you'll match a Nine Great Sects sect leader. Why rush so?"
Unexpectedly, Han Baekryeong's voice held little killing intent. After a moment's thought, I answered seriously.
"Because my target enemies are even stronger than that."
Han Baekryeong's eyes gleamed with surprise.
"Not many like that out there. Who exactly are you planning to fight?"
"......"
"Hmph, doesn't matter. I can guess a few."
Muttering that, Han Baekryeong continued.
"But get a grip. You're entering the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly to gain combat experience? Fat chance. At your level, you'd drop before round two."
"What? I don't think my skills are that lacking."
"Oh? If so, take this."
Han Baekryeong raised her hand.
Kugugugu.
"......!!"
I widened my eyes. Just like our first meeting, the palm force—layered in three folds, enough to shatter my arm—took visible, corporeal form, flashing white. I hastily drew my sword and unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Energy with all my might to defend, whereupon Han Baekryeong lightly pushed the palm force toward me.
Ku-ku-kwang!
With the explosion, a freezing white chill enveloped my body as I skidded back across the ground. Frost seemed to cover my front entirely. Even through numb, frozen skin, I realized I'd been pushed three張 despite defending with Heavenly Thunder Energy.
Incredible supreme art!
Han Baekryeong smirked.
"In the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly, at least three or four can dodge or block that technique more cleanly. By murim standards, they've surpassed Peak Expert into Transcendent realm—former great demons of the evil paths or hidden fiends."
"Those kinds of experts are competing?"
I couldn't believe it. Transcendent Experts weren't commonplace. They were on par with Nine Great Sects sect leaders. Even for evil path great demons, having three or four in one tournament was insane!
"Drawing them out is part of the Eight Demons' goal too. Won't go into details, but there's backstory."
"......"
"Even trying to leverage your internal energy advantage against them, you'd likely get slaughtered without moving. They're battle-hardened veterans."
"Wha... what? How do you know about the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly?"
"Told you. Sitting here gets me info rivaling the Beggars' Sect."
As I shook off the clinging frost with Thunder Spirit Finger, Han Baekryeong crossed her arms.
"Darkness is always more dangerous than light. Your skill would place decently in the Imperial Palace Fish Banquet Tournament's Gold Guard ranks, but it's perfect for getting butchered in the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly."
"Are you stopping me to protect the Han family's honor?"
"That's part of it. Your arts resemble the Azure Dragon too much. If an acquaintance notices, it'd be troublesome, so I've decided to protect you."
"What..."
As I gaped in disbelief, Han Baekryeong said.
"Mark my words, fledgling. You're at least ten years too early for the Arcane Martial Fight Assembly. Didn't it occur to you why an ambitious sort like the Black Society Lord would bet money instead of chasing the manuals and elixirs? To win it, you need Grandmaster level."
"Kuh..."
"If you get it, hole up in the annex. Before I really kill you."
I couldn't budge under Han Baekryeong's threat. She was truly a Transcendent Expert like the Triple Excellence Lee Gwang—untouchable. To resist formless energy like that, I'd need to raise my own cultivation to a similar height.
I'd come this far staking my life, so I shot back in frustration.
"Then don't just talk—help me! Help me get stronger!"
"Help you? Why?"
"I have things I must do. If I don't grow faster, I might never achieve them. Ever felt the despair of someone who must always clash with death?"
"......"
Han Baekryeong fell silent.
After a long pause, she spoke.
"Fine. If you're that desperate, I'll grant your wish."
Sususus.
Using void-grasping, Han Baekryeong summoned a pair of azure-red twin swords from somewhere. Holding them, she assumed a sword stance, eyes gleaming.
"Watch this technique closely."
Chiring—!!
It was like a massive bird taking flight. I saw azure flames and crimson flames intertwining in hundreds, thousands of strands, with a single majestic east wind slicing through. More precisely, amid a shower of fully blooming sword qi, an immeasurable colossal force split heaven and earth in two.
Under that immense pressure, my pores opened wide, my senses inverting. The two opposing energies compressed and crossed irregularly—impossible to track. Finally, a sword line that warped space itself slashed through the air.
Heaven-Severing.
"......!!"
A clear rift scarred the space. The phoenix-like sword qi brushing over it afterward seemed illusory. Having never seen such powerful, ever-changing swordsmanship in my life, I could only stare in awe.
Such sword arts existed in this world?
Pebok.
Finishing the display, Han Baekryeong controlled the twin swords with sword control arts and hurled them at a rock. The blades pierced it like tofu. Having demonstrated that much, Han Baekryeong spoke.
"If you're any kind of swordsman, you felt something from that."
"What sword art is that?"
"Fire God Style: True Night Moon Shadow."
With those final words, Han Baekryeong walked away.
"It's perfect for fixing your pathetic flaws."