Chapter 53: Competition (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Competition (1)
The competition to determine who would attend the Mount Song Gathering had begun.
A crowd even larger than the one for the entrance exam had gathered, and for good reason. The Rising Stars in this contest weren't just fighting for themselves; they were representing their respective halls. This was an arena where the Ten Halls pitted their juniors against one another.
The veterans of the Ten Halls, who filled the spectator stands of the Great Training Ground, were already making bets among themselves.
"How about a round of drinks on it?"
"Just drinks? On a rare occasion like this? We should at least wager the Spirit Elixirs we've been hoarding."
"Spirit Elixirs? Isn't that a bit much?"
"Heh. I take it the Rising Stars from the Crushing Hall are lacking this year? Is that why you're so hesitant?"
"Ha! Bring it on. My White Purification Pill is on the table. What are you putting up?"
In stark contrast to the lively, boisterous atmosphere in the stands, the air where the competitors gathered was incredibly heavy.
"What's this, Senior Heo? Are you shaking?" Man Ye-won asked, glancing at Heo Il, who stood silently, a far cry from his usual self.
"Lady Man, please be quiet. I am currently consolidating the insights I gained last night."
"Hmm. Looks to me like you're just shaking."
Man Ye-won restlessly toyed with her scabbard, her eyes darting between Namgung Jun and Heo Il. Seeing her anxious state, Namgung Jun spoke in a low voice.
"Have some confidence. Just like when you challenged me to a duel out of the blue at the Self-Reflection Martial Repository."
"Hey! That was—!"
Man Ye-won started to protest, but Namgung Jun had already turned away. He felt a familiar presence from the opposite side, one he hadn't encountered in a long time.
"It has been a while, Young Brother."
There was only one Cloud-ranked member in the Azure Heaven Association who called him "Young Brother."
A tall, handsome young noble. It was Baekri Cheong.
"Young Hero Baekri."
Baekri Cheong also had two clouds embroidered on his sleeve. Judging by his aura, however, three clouds would have suited him better.
He grows quickly.
Just as Namgung Jun was marveling at Baekri Cheong's progress, Baekri Cheong seemed to feel the same, staring at Namgung Jun with eyes full of surprise.
"I have heard much of your exploits, Young Brother. You have certainly changed. It seems you are shedding the look of a boy."
"Is that so? That is encouraging."
"Let us do our best in this competition."
"Indeed."
As the two swordsmen exchanged greetings, new presences began approaching the Heavenly Sword Hall's area. To be precise, they were all heading toward Namgung Jun.
At the same time, Heo Il, who had been leaning against a wall, moved to stand by Namgung Jun's side, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
"It seems they are interested in you as well, Young Brother," Baekri Cheong noted, turning his head.
Namgung Jun looked past him. A group was walking toward them. They were clearly participants, and every single one of them possessed an extraordinary aura. It was a display of power befitting the Rising Stars chosen to represent the Ten Halls.
This competition will be more interesting than I thought.
Quickly scanning their faces, Namgung Jun cupped his fists toward the group.
"Greetings, seniors."
The approaching Rising Stars returned the courtesy.
"I am Samyeop of the Flying Swiftness Hall."
"I am Jang Mun-hyeok. You recognize me, don't you? I watched you train in the Iron Tower Hall."
Baekri Cheong, Samyeop, and Jang Mun-hyeok. All of them were Rising Stars from the Three Powerhouses and were the favorites expected to be selected in this competition.
"Lately, our junior here has been called Azure Heaven's Number One Rising Star, which is a bit hard to accept," one of them said.
"We'll settle it once and for all this time. We'll see if you can back up that title," another added.
The eyes of the seniors were filled with curiosity and anticipation. Their gazes were pure, showing not a shred of envy or jealousy.
Namgung Jun gladly met their competitive spirit.
"Let us have a good contest. I will not hold back."
At Namgung Jun's hearty reply, the other Rising Stars burst into laughter.
Boom! Boom!
The sudden, thunderous beat of a drum seized the attention of everyone in the Great Training Ground, from the competitors on the field to the Cloud-ranked members in the stands.
On the central platform sat a beautiful middle-aged woman. The pure white sleeves of her scholar's robes fluttered with her gestures, and the iron fan in her right hand seemed a natural extension of her arm.
"Everyone, take your places. We shall begin the competition."
The beautiful middle-aged woman needed no introduction. Everyone present knew who she was.
Namgung Jun was no exception. He already knew who was presiding over this competition.
Divine Mechanism Hall Master Jegal Mu-ran.
The Divine Mechanism Hall was a group composed of masters of Fan Techniques, Eye Techniques, and Formations. Rumor had it that their leader, Jegal Mu-ran, could deploy profound formations using nothing but her footwork.
"I will personally judge every duel fairly and impartially."
As Jegal Mu-ran’s gaze swept over the competitors, her eyes shimmered with a deep golden light.
The Golden Star Eye Technique of the Divine Mechanism Hall.
He had heard it was an eye technique of the Jegal Clan, which had been exterminated by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
They say the Jegal Clan also donated some of their family martial arts to the Azure Heaven Association to help bring down the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
Jegal Mu-ran's golden gaze swept over all the participants before finally stopping on Namgung Jun.
"There are thirty participants in total. The format of the competition is simple. Over the course of fifteen days, every participant will fight a total of twenty-nine duels."
At the news that everyone would fight twenty-nine times, the participants exchanged glances.
Seeing this, Jegal Mu-ran nodded.
"Each participant will face every other opponent once. We will record the wins and losses, and the two with the highest win rates will be selected."
It wasn't a simple tournament where the two finalists would be chosen. Was there a specific reason for encouraging so many duels?
Jegal Mu-ran immediately perceived the unspoken question and answered it.
"This is not merely a competition to select the Azure Heaven's Number One Rising Star. It is no easy feat for all of you, who will carry the future of our association, to gather in one place like this. Approach this as an opportunity to interact and hone your skills together."
To know oneself and one's opponent through endless clashes of martial prowess. This was the primary hope of the Hall Masters who had organized this event for the Rising Stars of the Azure Heaven Association.
May today's competition serve as a new starting point, a turning point for someone.
Although such events were no longer held due to the current chaotic times, the Righteous Faction used to periodically host tournaments and banquets for promising young experts. Those events were called the Gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes and the Banquet of Dragons and Phoenixes, and Jegal Mu-ran hoped today's competition would serve a similar purpose.
"Now, shall we begin?"
Jegal Mu-ran's clear voice announced the start of the competition.
* * *
The first duel of the competition was about to begin. Not only the veterans in the stands but also the other competitors watched the dueling platform with sparkling eyes. It was partly because it was the opening match, but also because the matchup itself was highly intriguing.
Wi Hyeon-su of the Martial Conquest Hall.
The competitors were most wary of the Rising Stars from the Martial Conquest Hall. Since it was considered one of the strongest of the Ten Halls, many speculated that both representatives selected from this competition would come from there.
"Wi Hyeon-su is the oldest among the Martial Conquest Hall's participants. His Internal Energy, experience, and technique must be the most mature."
"In half a year, the title of Rising Star won't even suit him anymore. He won't be an easy opponent."
The veterans of the Ten Halls seemed to view Wi Hyeon-su not as a Rising Star, but as a seasoned master.
Yet, no one was quick to predict his victory. His opponent was a rookie whose reputation was not so easily overshadowed, even by Wi Hyeon-su's martial prowess.
"The Azure Star Sword, Namgung Jun."
"I've only heard rumors. Now I finally get to see his skills."
"I heard that there are few swordsmen left in the Heavenly Sword Hall who can match him."
Namgung Jun of the Heavenly Sword Hall. The boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, once hunted by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, had now become a Rising Star representing his hall. His journey had been so extraordinary, so wondrous, that his rise was like a blue star streaking across the night sky.
The Cloud-ranked members of the Azure Heaven Association intended to see with their own eyes just how brightly this rumored blue star would shine.
Ting!
Jegal Mu-ran's iron fan vibrated slightly, releasing a clear metallic ring that signaled the start of the duel.
"Namgung Jun. I heard you have a deep understanding of the Heavy Sword."
"I am not lacking."
"Indeed. Let me gauge your Sword Force."
Boom!
The moment the match began, Wi Hyeon-su charged forward with an Earth-Trembling Stomp. Channeling the strength of his entire body into the stomp, he raised his broadsword high.
Hummmm!
In an instant, the hazy white energy enveloping his broadsword let out a violent roar. It was the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula of the Martial Conquest Hall.
The Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula was not restricted by weaponry. It was a martial art that transcended the classification of weapons, encompassing various principles with the sole purpose of achieving victory, oppression, and annihilation.
Thus, the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula was extremely domineering. There was even a famous anecdote where Daoist Master Hyeon-pung, the leader of the Wudang Seven Swords, was pushed back five steps after receiving a single strike from the Martial Conquest Hall Master.
Screeech!
The intense Qi Wave radiating from the broadsword carved fine cracks into the floor of the dueling platform. The pressure radiating from Wi Hyeon-su was far beyond what a mere Rising Star should be able to produce.
Fierce and heavy.
A momentum akin to a massive boulder rolling downhill constricted Namgung Jun's entire body.
Yet, Namgung Jun merely raised his sword into the Upper Stance, as he always did. His blue eyes closely observed Wi Hyeon-su's movements. His center of gravity was shifted heavily forward, and the flow of the Qi Wave surged toward the sky around the broadsword, causing a powerful vibration.
Does he intend to settle this in a single clash?
He wasn't underestimating Namgung Jun. Rather, his eyes burned brightly with competitive spirit. It seemed he intended to purely test the power they could each pour into a single strike. Namgung Jun gladly answered the challenge.
Whoosh!
Layers of sword wind overlapped around his blade. The distinct strata of wind created the illusion that the sword itself was expanding.
"I've never seen such a technique for manipulating sword wind!"
"So that is the rumored Heavenly Wind Sword Technique!"
Ignoring the exclamations from the spectator stands, Namgung Jun met Wi Hyeon-su's charge head-on.
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique.
Layer-Filling Great Wind.
From the Upper Stance to the lower, the simple, vertical Sword Path he drew left a thick scar in the air.
The moment the Sword Path drawn by Namgung Jun's sword collided with the broadsword Wi Hyeon-su swung with all his might—
BOOOM!
A deafening roar filled the Great Training Ground, ringing in everyone's ears. Even those who had protected their ears with Internal Energy had to wince.
Through the thick cloud of dust, the silhouettes of the two men were faintly visible.
Both Namgung Jun and Wi Hyeon-su stood with their backs straight.
However, everyone present quickly realized who had gotten the worse of the exchange.
Blood dripped from the web of Wi Hyeon-su's hand holding the broadsword. Not only that, but he had also been pushed back four steps. It was a stark contrast to Namgung Jun, who hadn't retreated a single inch.
"Phew."
Exhaling a hot, ragged breath, Wi Hyeon-su slowly lowered the broadsword he held in both hands. He did not take his eyes off Namgung Jun.
Although he had been at a disadvantage in the first exchange, the duel was not over. Internal Energy, experience, and technique—Wi Hyeon-su, the senior, clearly held the advantage in those areas. If he utilized his strengths and continued the duel, he still had a decent chance of winning.
Everyone watching thought so, but Wi Hyeon-su thought otherwise.
"I surrender."
Silence fell over the Great Training Ground at his declaration. Several Cloud-ranked members looked puzzled.
"He's admitting defeat just like that?"
"Isn't that a bit hasty?"
But the Cloud-ranked members soon began to understand why Wi Hyeon-su had made such a choice.
Thud!
A dull thud echoed across the dueling platform.