Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Palms Together
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After the considerable uproar caused by Un-yu's speech came to an end.
The atmosphere, which had been fervently enthusiastic just moments ago, had sunk into a gravely heavy mood with no trace of it left anywhere, and somehow, the Yongbong Conference curtain finally rose.
"Ahem, well then! We shall reveal the bracket for the Yongbong Conference!!"
After Un-yu was carried out by the disciple attending him, the Wudang Sect disciple who stepped up to manage the situation cleared his throat lightly and unveiled the large paper bearing the bracket.
Within it were listed the names of the later-generation talents who had survived the fierce preliminaries over the past few months and advanced to the main tournament.
For reference, the later-generation disciples dispatched from the established powers—the Nine Great Righteous Sects and Five Great Families—advanced straight to the main tournament without needing to compete in preliminaries, so none of the possessors had undergone them.
After all, possessing a good background was a skill in itself.
Among the thousands of later-generation disciples gathered from across the nation, these were the 32 most outstanding prodigies.
Every single later-generation talent whose name appeared on that bracket could truly be called the future and hope that would one day lead the righteous martial world, without exaggeration.
'That's why the Wheel-Breaking Temple is scheming at a time like this.'
Baek Hyun finally couldn't hold back and popped a salvaged dumpling into his mouth as he thought that.
The righteous faction's most promising and vital later-generation talents—not just one or two, but 32 of them—were gathered in one place.
It was akin to placing countless eggs in a single basket.
If those fragile eggs all shattered in an instant, the righteous faction would lose its 'future' and plunge into utter chaos and despair.
Once that happened, with the righteous faction already infiltrated by a significant number of spies, completely falling to the Wheel-Breaking Temple would be only a matter of time.
No matter what, that alone had to be prevented.
Baek Hyun steeled his resolve and scanned the names on the bracket.
'Pretty much every famous sect and power is represented.'
The bracket included the names of all later-generation disciples from the Nine Great Righteous Sects and Five Great Families, including his own.
Disciples from slightly less prestigious factions compared to the Nine Great and Five Great—like Qingcheng Sect, Hainan Sect, Shandong Yak Clan, Murong Clan, and the like—were also scattered throughout.
Very rarely, even warriors from mid-to-small sects who had truly risen from rags to dragons caught the eye.
'Well, even so, they're all much of a muchness.'
However, Baek Hyun held little interest in their actual strength.
Ever since realizing that Nangong Hwi—the one hailed as the finest talent among later-generation disciples—was only at that level, his expectations for ordinary later-generation disciples had bottomed out.
If they could at least serve as warm-ups before facing the other possessors, that would be a blessing.
His attention was focused solely on the other three possessors.
"Oh, the first match looks like it'll be quite the spectacle?"
Baek Hyun grinned with anticipation as he checked the first names on the bracket.
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제 1경기
First Match
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A traditional crowd-pleaser matchup.
A clash between brute-force fighters.
"Senior Un-yu's health seems to be deteriorating further. It's about time, but it leaves a truly bitter taste."
"Still, his mind remains as sharp as ever. He'll hold out for a few more years yet."
In the absolute uppermost seat, set apart even from the elders of the other Nine Great Righteous Sects.
There, two peerless masters were conversing.
Nangong Cheon, the current Martial Alliance Leader and head of the Nangong Clan.
And Un-hak, co-host of this Yongbong Conference and Wudang Sect Leader.
"By the way, where's the Chief Strategist? He was here just moments ago."
"He said he had someone to meet and stepped out briefly. He mentioned he'd return soon."
"I see... then it's none of my affair. More importantly, quite an intriguing match is kicking off right from the start. Who do you reckon wins, Sect Leader?"
After exchanging brief pleasantries, they shifted their focus to the captivating duel unfolding before them.
Mujin of Shaolin Temple, pillar of the righteous peaks.
Huangbo Ilmun of the Huangbo Clan, renowned for his innate divine strength.
Among the later-generation disciples bursting with individuality from each faction, these two giants—each with standout traits—faced off, radiating subtle battle intent.
Un-hak observed them quietly for a moment before speaking with a regretful expression.
"It's unfortunate for Huangbo Ilmun, but if they clashed 100 times, Mujin would win every one."
"Hoo, what makes you say that? Huangbo Ilmun has roamed the jianghu since youth, amassing more combat experience than any other later-generation disciple here. His cultivation is even at a level to reach Peak Realm within a year or two.
In contrast, Mujin has never once stepped beyond his temple's walls... With all those differences, wouldn't it still be a close fight?"
Yet Un-hak rebutted all those advantages with a single phrase.
"'Diamond Indestructible Divine Body'."
For the current Huangbo Ilmun, it was no exaggeration to say there was zero way to land an effective blow on that overwhelming presence.
If the opponent simply relied on his innate constitution without skill, there might have been a chance, but...
"Moreover, his master is the 'Diamond Fist Monk', no less. It pains me to say it, but... even my own disciple would struggle to claim victory over Mujin."
Nangong Cheon couldn't conceal his momentary surprise at Un-hak—renowned for doting on his disciple—predicting defeat for him, but he had no choice but to concede.
Wudang martial arts were particularly late-blooming in nature, so at this youthful stage, they inevitably lagged behind other overwhelming later-generation prodigies.
And at realms below Peak—where no reliable counter to Diamond Indestructible existed yet—Mujin's presence was simply that dominant.
"Indeed... Even my boy, still shedding his rough edges, couldn't withstand him."
"Frankly... I believe that child has the highest odds of winning this Yongbong Conference."
"I agree."
They foresaw Mujin's utter domination.
Meanwhile, on the arena facing Mujin, Huangbo Ilmun felt immense pressure emanating from him.
'Hah, is that truly a human body?'
Huangbo Ilmun couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle at Mujin's colossal muscles, plainly visible even through his thick uniform.
He had sensed something extraordinary when they crossed paths the day before, but viewed up close, it was a physique utterly beyond reason.
Even he—who had devoted his life to the martial path and relentless training—had never beheld muscles so massively proportioned yet meticulously dense.
A form transcending mere training to attain the realm of art—perfection incarnate.
He, who had never yielded in external arts to any peer his age, was naught but a firefly's glow beneath the moon compared to the Mujin before him.
But.
"A man who retreats without even clashing—how could that be!!"
Huangbo Ilmun roared a thunderous kiai, assumed the Huangbo Clan's signature stance, and awaited the referee's signal to begin.
He knew instinctively.
If he held anything back from the outset, he wouldn't even get a chance to unleash his hidden trump before defeat.
"Ready... Begin!!"
And so, without the slightest hesitation the instant the match started, he unleashed it.
His secret weapon, undisclosed even to the heirs of the other Five Great Families.
The 'strongest ace' in his arsenal.
Heavenly King Three Fists (天王三拳)
Huangbo Clan's supreme martial art, passed solely to the family head.
For the immature him: Pour all dantian energy to unleash each form once—that's the limit.
Undoubtedly his strongest strike.
Thick veins bulged across Huangbo Ilmun's entire body as his internal energy surged endlessly, amplifying without end.
That colossal amplified energy flowed wholly into his right fist, forging extreme 'hardness'.
At that unmistakable sight, the spectators cried out.
"Th-the Heavenly King Three Fists! It's the Heavenly King Three Fists!!"
"Huangbo Ilmun inherited the Heavenly King Three Fists!!"
"The Heavenly King's aura, lording over all creation, shall crush you thrice. Endure if you can—!!"
The instant the energy condensed in his fist peaked, Huangbo Ilmun bellowed and lunged at Mujin.
The momentum bearing all of Huangbo Ilmun was ferocious enough to command the world.
Yet, with that overwhelming fist right before him, Mujin didn't so much as twitch an eyelid and murmured softly.
"...This is awkward."
It's supposed to be a handshake.
-Sususu...
In that moment, Huangbo Ilmun beheld it.
Mujin, moving with supreme grace even as Heavenly King Three Fists loomed before him.
It wasn't a counter or defensive motion.
A natural, ingrained habit for any monk—but in dire combat, an utterly needless action one must never take.
It was 'palms together'.
Huangbo Ilmun was left utterly dumbfounded by the bizarre-to-grotesque sight.
But the watching possessors grasped it instantly.
No—'recalled' fits better.
The meaning behind that palms together.
-Pak!
Before Huangbo Ilmun's full-throttle charge could even plant its foot.
In his perception, Mujin's languid hands finally met.
Huangbo Ilmun shoved aside the surging confusion in his mind and thrust his fist forward.
So what if the bastard completes his palms together?
No matter the freakish stunt, smashing him head-on ends it!!
Heavenly King Three Fists (天王三拳)
First...
-Thud
But in the instant the Heavenly King's first surge was set to unleash.
Mujin's diamond-hard fist struck Huangbo Ilmun's solar plexus at a speed beyond perception.
Great Power Diamond Hand (大力金剛手)
Mujin's fist connected with Huangbo Ilmun.
Huangbo Ilmun's did not.
-Kwajijijijeng-!!!
Huangbo Ilmun's massive frame hurtled at blinding speed, smashing into the wall before the spectator stands.
At that wretched sight, Mujin briefly betrayed a look of 'oops, slipped up,' but swiftly composed himself and spoke with feigned calm.
"Namo Amitabul."
Yongbong Conference, First Match.
Winner: Mujin (無盡).