Eight Corners Society (4)

Aside from our schemes, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering went on. We stood before the notice board displaying the match brackets, discussing the current matchups.

"Well, this certainly produced some interesting matchups."

"Perhaps it could even be considered fortunate."

After all the group matches ended, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering reshuffled the brackets based on the winners. This was apparently a consideration for rookie martial artists who might forfeit out of fear of their next opponent, or lose because they couldn't concentrate on their match.

"Indeed. Rather than facing that brute in the quarterfinals, it might be better to face an opponent against whom one can truly demonstrate their skills."

And on the newly posted quarterfinal bracket, the names of two people we knew were placed side by side.

Hengshan Sect Im Seo-ryeon / Yang Family Taijiquan Gate Yang Hong-ye

Zhuge Yeong-yu looked at me and asked.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Wouldn't it be Miss Im Seo-ryeon?"

I had learned a great deal from Hong Ye, but judging solely by the energy I could sense, Im Seo-ryeon's inner power was deeper. Moreover, though I had never seen Im Seo-ryeon at her peak, she too was a cultivator of the Daoist lineage. Zhuge Yeong-yu asked.

"Why do you think so?"

"Personally, I believe the advantage of Taijiquan is best demonstrated when the opponent is unaware they are facing a Taijiquan practitioner or is ignorant of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠its subtle principles. But Miss Im Seo-ryeon is a Daoist cultivator. I imagine there are areas where her understanding of Taijiquan and its martial subtleties would overlap. In that case, she would find it relatively easier to devise countermeasures. However, I doubt my wife would have much knowledge of the Hengshan Sect's sword techniques."

It wasn't meant to dismiss Hong Ye. But she had only been in Sichuan before I brought her out into the world, so it seemed unlikely that she had deeply pursued any martial art other than Taijiquan. In contrast, Taijiquan was one of the most widely spread martial arts in the Central Plains. Even outside the Yang Family Taijiquan Gate and the Chen Family Taiji Sect, there were many Daoist-affiliated sects that studied simple stances or principles of Taijiquan as part of their curriculum.

This was a unique characteristic of Taijiquan, which had originally branched out from its source in countless ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠directions, with each lineage developing its own broad interpretations. Zhuge Yeong-yu likewise agreed with my words.

"It is true that martial artists of the Daoist lineage often go to various training halls to learn Taijiquan. Take the Wudang Sect right here in Hubei Province—I've heard they briefly teach Taijiquan because their founding patriarch, the sage Zhang Sanfeng, once researched Taijiquan and attained its principles. However, those who believe they understand it merely through such shallow teaching often end up with a bloody nose."

But his conclusion was different. Zhuge Yeong-yu spread his hand forward and said.

"They say all streams return to the source, but just because the destination is the same doesn't mean the starting points can be alike. Does the Heavenly Dragon Axe Technique that you practice, Great Hero, share any similarities with the Hengshan Sect's sword techniques? The same goes for Taijiquan. Even under the same name, the Chen Family Taiji Sect and the Yang Family Taijiquan Gate walked different paths, and the Taijiquan learned by Daoist sects also transformed into something else with their own interpretations added. Taijiquan studied as an academic pursuit and Taijiquan honed for self-defense are of entirely different calibers. If you only half-know it, you'll end up bleeding instead."

Zhuge Yeong-yu turned to the betting board. He dropped a coin onto the slot where Hong Ye's name was written. Then, flashing me a grin, he said.

"The winner buys the drinks. What do you say?"

"Don't ignore my intuition."

I decided to accept his challenge.

Ttaenggeurang.

A coin fell beneath Im Seo-ryeon's name.

*******

The heat of the martial arena was intense again today. The match between the two of them was drawing even more attention than expected. Hong Ye was the first Southern Barbarian to participate in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering and was achieving high results, while Im Seo-ryeon was attracting a peculiar sort of anticipation due to the rumor that she was a relative of that Heavenly Demon.

"I heard a rumor that the Heavenly Demon could wield the Wudang Sect's Taiji Sword stances from the age of three, and at seven, she fought a direct disciple and won."

"You know how Mount Hua's valley came to be? They say it's a mark left from the Heavenly Demon practicing her swings."

Of course, the rumors about the Heavenly Demon were utterly absurd. I snickered at the ridiculous jokes coming from beside me, and Zhuge Yeong-yu, not bothering to hide his smile, said.

"As expected, distorted rumors are running rampant. From what I know, the Heavenly Demon was a martial genius, but not to that degree."

"Right. No matter what, does it make any sense that she beat a direct disciple at age seven?"

Zhuge Yeong-yu nodded and said.

"Nonsense. In the first place, the Heavenly Demon wasn't even at Wudang Sect at age seven. She entered Wudang at fourteen and the following year, she beat down a direct disciple with the Taiji Sword."

"...."

I had just thought she was a genius, but she was an insane genius. She learned the Taiji Sword for one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠year ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and used it to pummel a direct disciple who had trained in it his entire life? If she had been born in this era, she would have absolutely massacred the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

The Murim Alliance Leader, who had been the champion of the first Dragon Phoenix Gathering, came to mind anew. How had he beaten such a genius? Was the Heavenly Demon secretly maneuvering because she was afraid of him?

"The current Murim Alliance Leader must have been quite formidable too. To have won the Dragon Phoenix Gathering when such a genius existed."

Zhuge Yeong-yu shook his head.

"Before the first Dragon Phoenix Gathering was held, the Heavenly Demon had already fled the Wudang Sect. So officially, there is no record of the Murim Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon ever having fought."

"Are you saying there's an unofficial record?"

Zhuge Yeong-yu nodded. He casually scanned the martial arena as he spoke.

"It's not a precise record, but there is something. In Hubei Province, Namgung Gi-hwan, who was a rising star at the time, was found collapsed after being ambushed by someone. He himself refused to reveal the culprit, but traces of the Taiji Sword having been unleashed remained intact all around the scene. After that incident, the Heavenly Demon Im Ha-ryeong vanished without a trace. Though nothing is said outright, people speculate that she was the one who ambushed the Murim Alliance Leader."

Whether he was ambushed or fought on the spot was unknown, but at any rate, Namgung Gi-hwan, who would become the Murim Alliance Leader, had once fought the Heavenly Demon.

The question of 'why did they fight?' circled in my head, but even if I echoed a question that had no answer, there was no way a reply would come back.

"Red! Yang Hong-ye of the Yang Family Taijiquan Gate!"

When Hong Ye's name was called, cheers along with idle chatter and mockery were heard, but she maintained an expressionless face as she greeted those around her. Her fingers, struggling to appear brusque, twitched nervously, and a faint blush could be glimpsed on her ears. I laughed and said.

"She's nervous."

"Wouldn't anyone get nervous standing on such a grand stage? I get nervous every time I have a match myself."

I nodded at his words, then remembered that Zhuge Yeong-yu had a match scheduled for tomorrow. With a match tomorrow, was it really fine for him to be leisurely spectating like this?

"By the way, aren't you preparing for your match?"

At my question, a beat late, Zhuge Yeong-yu answered dismissively.

"I forfeited. Even if I drew attention for my martial skills, it would only become bothersome. This much is enough to maintain face without drawing attention."

It seemed he had bowed out appropriately, since if word spread that his martial arts were strong, more eyes would be on him. From the standpoint of the Zhuge Family, which operated in the shadows behind the martial world, it was a natural choice. Of course, it was the same from my position, as I didn't want him fighting my women.

"Blue! Im Seo-ryeon of the Hengshan Sect!"

When Im Seo-ryeon's name rang out, a faint murmur spread. Though it was buried by the cheers, there were many skeptical reactions and idle comments. I couldn't help but scowl. Were they that afraid of a woman who had fled the Central Plains before Im Seo-ryeon was even born?

And so they vented their anger on Im Seo-ryeon?

I rose from my seat, then deliberately let out a loud voice.

"Waaaaaaaah!"

I imbued the sound with a touch of inner energy, spreading it so that it reached even the martial arena. At the clearly heard voice, both Im Seo-ryeon and Hong Ye simultaneously turned their heads. The two of them started to wave their hands toward me, then glanced at their opponent again and faltered.

Hong Ye silently pointed a finger at herself, and Im Seo-ryeon shook her head. Then Im Seo-ryeon pointed at herself and nodded. Hong Ye shook her head more vehemently, then greeted me. When Hong Ye greeted me, I smiled and waved my hand at her.

Hong Ye smiled, just lifting the corners of her mouth. When she looked back at Im Seo-ryeon with that expression, I could see Im Seo-ryeon's shoulders flinch. Im Seo-ryeon made a somewhat uncomfortable expression, then twisted her lips and took her stance. Zhuge Yeong-yu said.

"As expected of a Taijiquan master. I had no idea, but Madam Yang is quite skilled at psychological warfare."

"...I had no idea either."

Whatever it was, that one move seemed to have succeeded in unsettling Im Seo-ryeon's composure. Im Seo-ryeon was hurriedly taking deep breaths with a frown, while Hong Ye had closed her eyes in a considerably more relaxed posture.

The two of them spoke at the same time.

"I humbly request a lesson."

"I request a lesson."

And Im Seo-ryeon's aura was sharp. Drawing her sword, she took her stance and said.

"The Hengshan Sect also teaches the subtle principles of Taiji. You will not handle me so easily."

With her eyes still closed, Hong Ye shifted her stance fluidly and replied.

"I understand. Those overflowing with pride in their Awakening are usually prone to such delusions."

"...Tch."

Im Seo-ryeon's face crumpled again.