Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: The Hidden Sword Scheme (3)
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The duel schedule between Guo Family Manor and So Family Manor proceeded without a hitch. It was the effect of spreading the rumors beforehand. It was too late to back out now. The news had spread far and wide, turning all of Jiangsu Province into a buzz beyond Danyang.
The duel arena was set up at Luoshen Plain, on the border between Guo Family Manor and So Family Manor. They cleared the reeds and woods from the flatland and even built spectator stands.
On the appointed day, crowds poured in after hearing the news, packing the place shoulder to shoulder. Not missing the opportunity, Guo Family Manor mobilized merchants to set up stalls and open food vendors. Though a one-time event, it maximized the impact.
They especially allowed gambling on the sly. That was the big draw. It was betting on the duel outcomes, and since it was best-of-five, hitting the winner right meant multiplying your stake several times over.
No one in the world hates gambling, and few can resist the allure of a big score. To ensure fairness, they paid a fee to the Continental Arena and brought in their people.
Roar of voices!
Guo Family Manor and So Family Manor set up temporary tents on either side of the arena. Time was short, so they didn't raise the platform high.
"It's been ages since a duel this vital to our clan's fate."
"Who do you think will win?"
"So Family Manor picked the fight first. That settles it."
"Word on the street is Hebei Peng Clan is backing them."
"This is my chance to make some coin."
"Nine out of ten here are thinking the same as you."
They say the world's best entertainment is watching someone else's house burn or a good brawl. Especially when clan honor and destiny were on the line. All eyes were naturally drawn. The more desperate the clash, the louder the crowd's cheers would roar.
"So Family Manor's here!"
"Guo Family Manor's arrived too!"
They planted flags emblazoned with their clan emblems to flaunt their prestige.
Until the day of the duel, both sides had kept their skills tightly under wraps. Now they finally faced each other.
They had to sign the pre-drafted documents before the duel. Having reviewed them in advance, it didn't take long to read through.
So Uncheon took center stage, surrounded by So Family Manor's key leaders.
"A pity we meet like this."
"Bit late for regrets, wouldn't you say?"
Guo Cheol-yong didn't hide his unease. Backed by Hebei Peng Clan and greedy for more, yet pretending otherwise—it was infuriating hypocrisy.
"True enough. Still, quite bold of you. Not like your usual self."
"People change. So Family Manor, on the other hand, seems unchanged."
"Confidence is key. Hope it holds."
"Spare me the platitudes."
Even with Guo Cheol-yong's sharp tone, So Uncheon stayed cool. Desperate bluster from a cornered man was just clumsy posturing.
Hm?
But there was this guy behind Guo Cheol-yong who'd been nagging at him since earlier. The others seemed clustered around him, like he was the real center of Guo Family Manor.
"And who might you be?"
"News travels slow in these backwoods. Shouldn't a celebrity like me be recognizable on sight?"
So Jeong-mu and the elders scowled at Mujin. The punk was mouthing off. As they bristled to snap back, So Uncheon raised a hand to stop them.
He wanted to watch and see how this played out. Cool reason forged over decades suppressed his instincts.
"My apologies for not recognizing you. At my age, even yesterday's news slips my mind. Care to enlighten me?"
"If you insist. I'm Kang Mujin."
"...?"
Even after hearing the name, they all tilted their heads. They signaled if anyone knew, but shook no. Despite looking the part, he came off as some fame-hungry fool.
"You're really out of the loop on jianghu news. My moniker is Heavenly Fist. Ring any bells?"
"Heavenly Fist?"
"...!"
No light moniker that. It suited a master of fist arts embodying heavenly principles. Yet no current jianghu warrior claimed it.
So Uncheon asked his son.
"Know him?"
"Not Heavenly Fist, but I've heard of Lucky Fist. That bluster? Definitely him."
Thinking Lucky Fist instead of Heavenly Fist, they all scoffed in disbelief. No one acknowledged it, yet he coined his own title. One character apart, Heavenly Fist and Lucky Fist were worlds different. He'd lucked into fame, now scamming with a knockoff moniker.
"Lucky Fist? I'm Heavenly Fist, Heavenly Fist! What era's relic are you dredging up?"
Mujin hammered the point, visibly irked—a warning against loose talk.
'What a brazen punk!'
So Uncheon's moniker was Crimson Wind Blade. Even after decades, he hadn't earned Divine Blade. Monikers had ranks: below Divine were king, lord, marquis, sage. Not handed to just anyone.
A pup fears no tiger, they say. The brat's arrogance pierced the heavens. So Uncheon had no desire to bicker long with him.
"Forgive my ignorance of the famed Heavenly Fist. But what brings you here with Guo Family Manor?"
"Deep ties to my wife's family."
Deep ties? Since when did deep ties start with fists?
Not So Uncheon, but Guo Cheol-yong and the elders seethed inwardly. Just moments ago, they'd branded it worse than strangers, even threatening no mercy for slip-ups.
"So you're dueling too?"
"Rest easy. I'm sitting this out."
It just kept getting more absurd, utterly ridiculous.
To So Uncheon, this was an unknown species. He never imagined such a lunatic roamed the jianghu. In Sword Forest Mountain's world, he'd have hit the Yellow Springs long ago. Had the world changed? He itched to force him onto the stage.
"I'll guarantee the duel’s fairness as the next Heavenly God. Fight without worry."
"An honor. Nothing more to say—watch closely."
Heavenly God, no less. Lucky if he didn't get struck by heaven's bolt.
Growing weary of even talking, So Uncheon wrapped it up and turned toward So Family Manor's tent.
Ah!
Regret filled Guo Cheol-yong and the elders' faces. A bit more prodding might've dragged him into the duel—outcome obvious as fire. The flying-squirrel ploy failed. True to So Family Manor's old fox, intolerant of any variable.
Swoosh!
Whish!
As Mujin turned, Guo Cheol-yong and the elders gazed at distant mountains. Mujin's glare scared them more than the fate-hinging duel. If he went all out berserk, neither clan would remain.
"Keep trying to raw-dog it, and something'll go wrong."
"We don't fancy it raw!"
"Scared now that it's real?"
"Scared? We've got this!"
So Uncheon and So Family Manor brimmed with spirit, backed by Hebei Peng Clan. Their side had barely started the improved sword steps. Would it work? Lingering doubt.
"No worries. My guidance is flawless. No reason to lose. If you do, remedial training. Losers mandatory. Or I'll take you with me."
"We'll win, no doubt!"
"We'll chew So Family Manor to bits!"
Prior unease vanished in a flash. Minds snapped awake. Better dive into hellfire than remedial hell. Especially being dragged along. They steeled with do-or-die resolve.
'No losing!'
'Die first!'
'Anywhere but with him!'
Continent's number one no-travel buddy.
Mujin eyed So Family Manor's tent. He hadn't shown to avoid misconceptions, but refined energy lurked subdued.
'Won't change a thing.'
The duel: five selected per clan, first to three wins. Caution from the start. One loss snowballs.
Order set after each match, announced to host pre-start. Prevented swapping based on foe's cards.
"Duelists, take the stage."
As the host called, vanguards from each clan ascended.
Guo Family Manor: Pounding Sword Ho Il-do. So Family Manor: Mountain-Splitting Blade Yang Ho-pil. Both representative elders, long acquainted.
"Didn't expect you."
"Today'll be different. Brace yourself."
They'd clashed before. Ho Il-do always drank defeat's bitter cup. Reason for Yang Ho-pil's swagger.
"Duel begins!"
Dong-dong-dong!
Drums heightened tension. All eyes on them, crowd erupted.
Claaaang!
Ho Il-do's sword gong clashed with Yang Ho-pil's blade gong. Fierce air-ripping heralded the start.
'Your sword against me... Huh?'
After first clash, smug Yang Ho-pil paled. Sword aura exceeded expectations. Uncomparably denser than before.
Momentum flipped in a blink.
'Won't work on me!'
Startled but knowing Ho Il-do's weakness: when seizing advantage, he'd unleash Pounding Sword's killing move. Trajectory widened, exposing gaps. Unchanged across bouts. Unconscious flaw.
'Huh?'
Don't!
Contrary to expecting mid-sequence Pounding Sword, Ho Il-do stuck to basics. Yang Ho-pil, probing the flaw for counter, exposed himself instead.
Slaaash!
Sliced.
A bit deeper, fatal. But Ho Il-do gave no breather. Basic forms pressed, cornered him. Then unleashed Pounding Sword's killer: Returning Cloud Fall.
'Gotcha... Huh?'
Yang Ho-pil's waited Mountain-Splitting Piercing Heaven stabbed air. Ho Il-do feinted Returning Cloud Fall, twisting to blind spot.
Then swung.
Sweeeep, craaack!
Barely dodged lethal, but channel-twisting shock sent Yang Ho-pil reeling.
No reversal. Ho Il-do masterfully mixed basics and killer, shoving Yang Ho-pil off-stage.
"Guo Family Manor wins."
Rooooar!
So Uncheon, dazed by cheers, snapped to. He'd foreseen crushing victory; this upset was unthinkable. To Yang Ho-pil, Ho Il-do was easy prey.
That was when.