Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Martial Arts Tournament (2)
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“The one recommended by your uncle?”
The patriarch of the Ha Hoo Clan, Ha Hoo On, asked while sipping his tea.
“Yes. That was the condition for sending Yeon out there.”
Ha Hoo On couldn’t hide his surprise at Ha Hoo Seung’s reply.
“I never imagined it would be someone recommended by your uncle. Did you find out who it is?”
“Our distant uncle warned me not to pretend ignorance, so I didn’t dare investigate.”
“Good call. We don’t want to unnecessarily provoke him and end up with headaches for ourselves.”
“Either way, it’s fortunate. Yeon did well, but the appearance of that Black Wolf fellow completely ruined the Five Great Clans’ plans.”
Ha Hoo On nodded as he set down his teacup, then asked with a smile.
“So you think Yeon can’t beat that Namgung Hak kid.”
“Honestly, yes. I know Yeon’s skills, but even breaking the Paeng Family’s representative was questionable.”
“True. That Paeng Family rep was impressive in my eyes too. And yet Yeon still won.”
A smile naturally crept onto Ha Hoo On’s lips.
The thrilling sensation that had enveloped him the moment Ha Hoo Yeon unleashed the Nine Dragons Strike and defeated her opponent still lingered.
“But Namgung Hak is different.”
“Different?”
“Yes. Yeon absolutely can’t beat Namgung Hak.”
Ha Hoo On didn’t respond much. He knew it, but didn’t want to admit it.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have her forfeit, following the usual conventions?”
Ha Hoo On shook his head with a wry smile at Ha Hoo Seung’s words.
“Forfeiting only works when everyone acknowledges that our clan’s child has the skill to win. But what about now? Not only Namgung Hak, but that Black Wolf and the Tang Clan participant all have astonishing skills. No one thinks Yeon will take the championship. You don’t either, right? Forfeiting in this situation? We’d just invite the crowd’s ridicule and tarnish our clan’s reputation on top of that.”
“The match against Namgung Hak is a guaranteed loss.”
“It’s better to face it head-on and shatter than to cowardly avoid the fight. Besides, he’s the Sword Saint’s descendant, isn’t he? Even a loss wouldn’t be too shameful. If she shows a decent performance, it might even boost our clan’s prestige. The Sword Saint’s fame stands alone, regardless of clans or sects.”
As Ha Hoo Seung’s face darkened endlessly, Ha Hoo On chuckled heartily.
“Don’t worry too much, though. Even if Yeon loses, I doubt that Namgung Hak kid will win the tournament.”
“Do you think Father believes that Black Wolf fellow can beat Namgung Hak?”
“Of course. Didn’t you see it? The overwhelming skill he used to toy with the Young Ho Clan’s fighter.”
“That’s true, but…”
Ha Hoo Seung acknowledged his father’s words to some extent, but his expression suggested it wouldn’t play out that way.
His impression from investigating Namgung Hak had been that intense.
“It’s the Sword Ghost’s recommendation, a name that doesn’t pale next to the Sword Saint. If your uncle recommended him, there must be good reason.”
Ha Hoo On leisurely picked up his teacup.
Unlike the anxious Ha Hoo Seung, he had absolute faith in Ha Hoo Gok.
After a short break of about half a shichen, the match between Namgung Hak and Ha Hoo Yeon began.
As a clash between top contenders, the judges, esteemed elders from various sects, and even the crowd watched with eager anticipation—and true to their expectations, the duel unfolded more fiercely than any before.
Cheol Woo approached Sima Geon’s waiting area and sent a transmission.
[Namgung Hak.]
[Really? That Ha Hoo Yeon kid seemed pretty skilled earlier.]
[Didn’t you see Namgung Hak’s match?]
[It was already over when I arrived. I saw the last two: the Tang Clan guy who’ll face the captain, and the Ha Hoo Clan kid winning. Anyway, like the captain said, that young punk does look pretty composed.]
A glint flashed in Cheol Woo’s eyes.
Unlike Ha Hoo Yeon, who was giving her all, he had discerned that Namgung Hak was appropriately rationing his strength.
[The captain’s next opponent is the Tang Clan guy, right?]
[Yeah.]
[Shouldn’t the captain be careful? He seemed to be hiding a lot earlier. And you know the Tang Clan’s hidden weapons are famous. Heh heh heh!]
[…….]
[My bad.]
Cheol Woo quickly apologized.
With no reply from Sima Geon, he grimaced like the world had ended. His already foul expression grew even more unpleasant, causing those nearby to glance warily and quietly slip away.
“Waaaaah!”
Just as Cheol Woo was about to apologize again, a massive cheer erupted.
Turning to the arena, they saw Ha Hoo Yeon collapsed limply, in stark contrast to Namgung Hak standing tall, basking in the roars.
“I thought he’d drag it out longer, but he ended it quicker than expected. Fine, enjoy it while you can. It’s your last anyway.”
Cheol Woo sneered lightly at the arrogant Namgung Hak reveling in the attention, then turned to Sima Geon. But Sima Geon was already heading to the arena.
“Tsk tsk, rest in peace. Now I feel kinda bad for no reason.”
Cheol Woo looked pityingly at Tang Cheol Yeong approaching from the opposite side.
He figured his careless words might have brought trouble to Tang Cheol Yeong.
After a simple bow, Sima Geon and Tang Cheol Yeong’s duel began with Tang Cheol Yeong’s preemptive strike.
He knew well what had happened to the previous opponents who underestimated Sima Geon, and during the break, the clan elders had sternly warned him that this was no easy foe—go all out from the start.
The twelve darts Tang Cheol Yeong scattered moved organically, like living creatures, targeting Sima Geon.
Sima Geon’s sword moved slowly.
For the first time, the blade that had only thrust forward now swept sideways. Not some grand shift—just a simple left-to-right sweep, like cutting reeds blocking the path.
The exceedingly common Horizontal Sweep of a Thousand Armies from the Fifteen Sword Forms.
Despite its grandiose name—sweeping away countless soldiers in one strike—everyone knew it lacked such power.
“Insolent fool!”
Tang Ha Gyo, the Broad Heaven Poison Hand elder of the Tang Clan watching from his seat, openly showed his displeasure.
Many in the crowd voiced concerns as well. Yet, because it was Sima Geon who had won consecutively with such basic forms, they watched with bated breath, harboring faint hope.
Sima Geon did not betray their expectations.
Clang clang clang!
With sharp metallic rings, the darts flying at Sima Geon scattered in all directions.
As his sword swept back from right to left, the remaining darts flew off as well.
The darts, now beyond his control after bouncing off Sima Geon’s sword, left clear panic on Tang Cheol Yeong’s face.
Sima Geon, freed from the dart threat via Horizontal Sweep of a Thousand Armies, thrust straight forward.
The same Fifteen Sword Form that had subdued No Su and Yeong Ho Gyeol.
Sensing danger, Tang Cheol Yeong moved without hesitation.
The Tang Clan’s renowned footwork: Gazing at Clouds and Moon Step.
A leisurely gait like strolling while viewing the moon and clouds, embodying the beauty of slowness—elusive and profound, always just out of reach.
Yet Sima Geon’s dogged advance devoured even that subtlety.
‘N-No way!’
Tang Cheol Yeong, who absolutely trusted in Gazing at Clouds and Moon Step’s power, paled as he failed to shake Sima Geon.
Watching from below the arena, Tang Ha Gyo clicked his tongue.
“Pathetic! What good is showing the enemy such a face?”
As the Tang Clan retainers shrank back, barely breathing in the face of Tang Ha Gyo’s anger, Tang Cheol Yeong—who had been flailing wildly—finally showed signs of counterattacking.
Seeing his left hand dip into his robe, everyone anticipated he’d use the Swallow Tail Golden Needle, which had played a decisive role in downing the Evil Sword User.
The Swallow Tail Golden Needle was finger-length thin as a hair, allowing a substantial volley due to its slimness.
The oppressive sight of countless barely visible golden needles swarming was tremendous. Even the Evil Sword User, who fought so fiercely before, lost momentum to them and ultimately fell.
But what Tang Cheol Yeong drew was not the Swallow Tail Golden Needle.
A thick tube, about an inch thick and palm-length.
The aura was ominous.
Tang Ha Gyo shot to his feet in shock upon seeing the tube in Tang Cheol Yeong’s hand.
“W-Why is that…?”
Having recognized the tube, Tang Ha Gyo couldn’t continue.
The Tang Clan retainers, realizing it late, reacted the same.
Before the surrounding crowd could notice the Tang Clan’s extreme agitation, Tang Cheol Yeong aimed the tube at Sima Geon.
“No!”
A scream-like shout rang out as Tang Ha Gyo leaped toward the arena.
But it was too late.
By the time Tang Ha Gyo reached it, Tang Cheol Yeong had already infused inner energy into the tube. It shattered explosively, unleashing the three needles inside toward Sima Geon like a burst.
Ranked 9th among the Tang Clan's Ten Great Hidden Weapons.
Smaller than Swallow Tail Golden Needle, but propelled by explosive force incomparable in power. Crafted specifically to pierce protective auras.
The distance between Sima Geon and Tang Cheol Yeong was less than a zhang.
In an instant, that short space was overwhelmed by the three needles pouring from the tube.
Their speed was like lightning.
No matter how peerless one’s martial arts, dodging every one of Exploding Thunder Rain’s needles fired point-blank was impossible from the start.
In that desperate moment, Sima Geon was already leaping back while swinging his sleeve.
Infusing Heavenly Net Hand with the Plucking Flowers While Riding a Horse technique, the fiercely incoming needles were all caught in his sleeve.
Spinning around, a chill settled in Sima Geon’s eyes.
He didn’t know its name. But it was an exceptional hidden weapon, one he’d rarely encountered even on countless battlefields.
The ultimate assassination tool, crafted purely for killing.
Not something to use just to win a mere tournament.
“Idiot. He’s done for.”
Cheol Woo, grasping what Tang Cheol Yeong had done with his keen senses, sneered.
He’d mellowed since returning home and reuniting with family, but the Sima Geon he knew wouldn’t spare those who targeted his life. He fully expected Tang Cheol Yeong’s death, and Sima Geon had no intention of forgiving him.
Sima Geon swung his arm fiercely, sending the needles—still tangled in his sleeve—flying back at Tang Cheol Yeong.
Tang Cheol Yeong couldn’t react at all.
It wasn’t because the needles Sima Geon redirected were too fast or powerful.
His trusted attack blocked by Horizontal Sweep of a Thousand Armies, then pressured by a basic form even street thugs knew, had shattered Tang Cheol Yeong’s spirit.
He’d lost his reason and committed the unforgivable.
By Tang Ha Gyo’s shout, he realized what he’d done—but Exploding Thunder Rain was already aimed at his foe’s life.
Tang Cheol Yeong closed his eyes as the needles rushed at him.
Bracing for death.
‘I have to win the championship.’
Sima Geon bit his lip firmly.
The tournament’s iron rule—no taking lives, no matter the circumstance—saved Tang Cheol Yeong.
Sima Geon irritably swung his arm.
The abruptly redirected needles embedded densely at Tang Cheol Yeong’s feet.
As Tang Cheol Yeong opened his eyes in confusion, Sima Geon was already upon him, grabbing his collar. Simultaneously, his left foot swept Tang Cheol Yeong’s legs.
Crack!
The gruesome sound, audible to all watching the arena, twisted Tang Cheol Yeong’s face in agony. But Sima Geon gripped his collar so tightly that no scream escaped his gaping mouth.
Tang Cheol Yeong instinctively swung a fist to break free.
A clear mistake.
Bound by tournament rules from killing Tang Cheol Yeong, Sima Geon didn’t miss the opening from his reflexive counter.
Crack!
Another horrific sound, and the arm Tang Cheol Yeong had attacked with bent at an unnatural angle.
“Stop! That’s enough!”
Fearing Sima Geon might take Tang Cheol Yeong’s life, Ha Hoo Gok shouted urgently.