Chapter 10
Chapter 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Meeting (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bai Duanxian clicked his tongue, as if he had expected as much.
“Do your other senior brothers no longer even register in your eyes?”
At the words “other senior brothers,” Ouyang Jue’s mind raced.
“...It seems I wasn’t the only one recommended.”
“Indeed.”
Ouyang Jue felt his spirits sink.
The Nine Dragons Tournament could be summarized in two points.
It was a secret competition that had been held for some time, and the pride of the participating sects was fiercely on the line.
Naturally, they would choose the most highly regarded and outstanding person within their age group.
Furthermore, the Nine Dragons Tournament was a competition that took place outside of Mount Hua.
No matter how powerful the Sect Leader was, he couldn't act like a lone tyrant.
‘I must obtain Severing Manifestation.’
Ouyang Jue looked at the sword in his hand with bitter disappointment.
Both Song Muk, who had recommended him, and Bai Duanxian, standing before him, held his martial arts in high regard.
If his skills were lacking, they wouldn't have even brought up the Nine Dragons Tournament.
But that didn't guarantee they would send him.
‘To put it bluntly, I don't exactly have the best personality for a daoist.’
In that respect, Ouyang Jue was at rock bottom.
He was already infamous for his thuggish nature; how could he possibly win the support of the other elders?
Ouyang Jue asked with a serious expression.
“Does the Sect Leader’s recommendation count for more than two votes?”
“Even as the Sect Leader, I cannot force every major and minor decision.”
From Bai Duanxian’s words, Ouyang Jue sensed that he, too, had a favorable opinion of him after the Golden Ring Merchant Guild incident.
That must be why he hadn’t flatly refused, even when Ouyang Jue had shown his ambition.
But the subtle nuance in his tone suggested there was someone with even greater support.
“Is it Senior Brother Liu?”
At the name that immediately came to mind, Bai Duanxian’s expression turned somewhat uneasy.
He was concerned that this matter might cause Ouyang Jue to harbor ill feelings toward Liu Zhangming.
‘His personality is so...’
Although his view of Ouyang Jue had shifted slightly for the better because of this incident, how easily could a person change?
For now, Bai Duanxian felt it was necessary to calmly observe Ouyang Jue's transformation.
“Jue, listen without misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? It’s the natural conclusion.”
Bai Duanxian let out a sigh of relief at Ouyang Jue’s composed expression.
“I am glad you think so.”
‘...Did he think I was going to throw a fit or something?’
Bai Duanxian’s thoughts were so clearly written on his face that Ouyang Jue’s brow furrowed slightly.
Ouyang Jue knew it well.
Unlike himself, who had been a problem since childhood, Liu Zhangming was a born daoist through and through.
Moreover, his swordsmanship was so outstanding that it would stand out in the entire martial world.
He remained a rising star only because he hadn't often revealed his skills to the outside world.
‘Come to think of it, didn't Senior Brother become incredibly famous around this age?’
The Nine Dragons Tournament.
It might be a far greater competition than he had known in his past life.
Ouyang Jue smiled faintly and said.
“But Sect Leader, nothing has been decided yet, has it?”
“The matter is already halfway settled. Even if I alone were to reverse it now...”
Just then, Bai Duanxian stopped mid-sentence at a telepathic message from someone.
-Sect Leader, please reconsider.
Without realizing he had fallen silent, Bai Duanxian focused on the message.
-Master of the Disciplinary Hall, why do you defend Jue so strongly?
-Because I like the boy.
Bai Duanxian found that hard to believe.
‘Just thinking about what that brat has done until now is enough to make even me scowl...’
How could the head of the Disciplinary Hall say he liked Ouyang Jue?
And how could he nominate Ouyang Jue before the elders based on such a personal feeling alone?
A corner of Bai Duanxian’s mouth twitched.
-Set aside your personal feelings and give me a reason. Surely you understand the gravity of the Nine Dragons Tournament?
-It’s where the representative rising stars of the nine sects in the Martial Alliance compete. I know that. But...
Song Muk paused his reply, then smiled faintly as he saw Ouyang Jue cross his arms.
‘He really is no ordinary fellow.’
No matter how quickly telepathic messages were exchanged, there was always a slight time lag.
But for masters like Song Muk or Bai Duanxian, that lag was but a fleeting moment.
Yet Ouyang Jue stood with his arms crossed, waiting for the conversation happening in a place ‘he couldn't know’ to end.
This was something that even Bai Duanxian, who was communicating with Song Muk, hadn't noticed.
‘I thought something was strange when he brought up the hermitage, and this was it.’
Song Muk formed a hypothesis.
‘I may have to completely re-evaluate Ouyang Jue.’
A thuggish personality, an untrustworthy mouth, and a tendency to let his fists do the talking.
Ouyang Jue had been in and out of the Disciplinary Hall as often as the unpleasant rumors attached to his name suggested, and his time spent in punishment was long.
So most people thought of him as a brat who acted cocky, relying on the prestige of Mount Hua without having any real skill.
With the exception of Liu Zhangming and a few others, all the daoists in the Mount Hua Sect thought poorly of him.
Even Bai Duanxian, who should have remained neutral as the Sect Leader, had looked upon Ouyang Jue with concern and a degree of distrust before he resolved the guild's corruption.
But.
What if everything he had done until now had been a disguise?
Song Muk recalled their spar from a short while ago.
‘Decisive attacks, and eyes that showed no fear, even when facing a martial artist far superior to himself.’
Moreover, Song Muk was famous for his martial name, the Hundred-Man Slayer.
This was neither a boast nor arrogance.
For a daoist who had never truly tried to kill a person, especially one who had not yet stepped into the martial world, it was normal to freeze up under the weight of the name ‘Hundred-Man Slayer’ and be unable to display their true skills.
‘But Ouyang Jue was different.’
He had looked at Song Muk with eyes full of interest.
Song Muk had sensed Ouyang Jue’s intent to block his semi-serious attack and look for a chance to counter.
And what about now?
Not only had he noticed the time lag from the telepathic message, but he was also waiting calmly for it to end.
That was neither the skill nor the behavior one would expect from someone of his age.
Furthermore, Ouyang Jue seemed to be calmly observing Bai Duanxian’s expression to infer the contents of their conversation.
Song Muk was deeply impressed.
-Sect Leader, look to your side.
-...?”
At those words, Bai Duanxian turned his head as if bewitched.
At that moment, Ouyang Jue grinned.
“Is it over?”
“...Ahem, hmph! Hmph!”
Bai Duanxian let out a loud, fake cough and asked, feigning anger.
“Over? What do you mean by that!”
“Weren’t you just speaking with someone?”
“Speaking with someone!”
Ouyang Jue tilted his head.
“Weren’t you talking with the elder who recommended me earlier?”
“...Keh-hmm. Yes, and what if I was?”
“I don’t intend to do anything. I just hope to hear how the conversation concluded, and... that I might be given a chance.”
“A chance?”
“Yes.”
Ouyang Jue turned his head in the direction where he presumed Song Muk was.
*Rustle.*
For a moment, Song Muk missed his step, and a leaf under his foot scraped against the ground.
Song Muk’s eyes glinted sharply. That was Ouyang Jue asking him for help.
Help to break free from his past self.
As his martial uncle, Song Muk was more than willing to help.
-How about we have Jue and Zhangming spar to determine who is superior?
Bai Duanxian pondered the telepathic message for a moment.
Frankly, the fact that Song Muk was defending Ouyang Jue wasn't a significant consideration.
It was, after all, just one person's support.
It couldn't overturn the will of over ten elders.
However...
Bai Duanxian reflected on the feeling of awe he had experienced for a moment.
‘Have I ever seen a boy like that among all the ones I’ve known?’
Hearing his words just now, Bai Duanxian began to think differently of Ouyang Jue.
Skill.
Or experience.
Seizing control of the Golden Ring Merchant Guild without any disturbance, with only one or two people alongside Liu Zhangming, was a testament to the former.
And resolving the matter under the guise of a merchant named Bai Chuan, despite having gone on behalf of the Mount Hua Sect, was clear evidence of the latter.
‘He supposedly went to the Plum Blossom Hall after gaining suspicion of the Golden Ring Merchant Guild’s corruption.’
This meant he was also knowledgeable in various other fields.
Bai Duanxian sent a subtle telepathic message to Song Muk.
-Indeed, Master of the Disciplinary Hall, you are right. There is reason to have expectations for Jue.
-...
-Master of the Disciplinary Hall?
At those words, Song Muk withdrew his senses from Ouyang Jue.
-It is nothing. I am just grateful that you think so as well, Sect Leader.
-I have also come to see you in a different light, Master of the Disciplinary Hall.
Song Muk blinked once.
-I am not sure what you mean...
-I am speaking of your attitude, treating Ouyang Jue, who could be considered our biggest problem child, not just as a ‘problem child’ but as your own disciple.
Bai Duanxian felt proud of Song Muk.
-The fact that you are my junior brother, that you have grown into a daoist who sees people more righteously than even I, and that you are in the Disciplinary Hall... it is truly reassuring today.
Bai Duanxian’s words moved Song Muk deeply.
So much so that he completely forgot that Ouyang Jue had glanced in their direction for a moment.
Just then, Ouyang Jue asked Bai Duanxian.
“Um... May I go and speak with my senior brother for a moment now?”
“Yes. I will hear the outcome from you and Zhangming directly.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader.”
Bowing with his hands clasped, Ouyang Jue took a step back and went to find Liu Zhangming.
* * *
A disciple told Ouyang Jue that Liu Zhangming was training, so he headed there.
He had no intention of going easy on him.
Now that he had a chance to quickly regain his skills, he was determined to defeat Liu Zhangming, no matter what it took.
‘Though it’s not like my current self is in any position to be going easy on anyone.’
A drop of nervous sweat trickled down Ouyang Jue’s fist.
Just as he had shouted at Zha Meng, Liu Zhangming’s internal energy was already at the very edge of the first-rate.
He was at a point where he could immediately ascend to the peak realm if he just attained an enlightenment about strength.
The difference in their current levels, though both were first-rate, was like heaven and earth.
‘He’d be truly great if he just got rid of that pushover personality.’
Ouyang Jue felt both proud that such a legend was his senior brother and a surge of competitive spirit.
As if sensing this, the ceaseless ringing of the sword ceased, and Liu Zhangming turned his head.
“Jue, what brings you to the training grounds?”
“Senior Brother, about the Nine Dragons Tournament...”
“Ah, there was something like that. Why do you ask?”
“I want to go. So...”
“You do?”
Liu Zhangming replied refreshingly.
“Then you should go.”
“Let’s have a spar... what?”
‘What did Senior Brother just say?’
Ouyang Jue was momentarily dumbfounded and tilted his head.
‘Does he even know what he just said?’
Even when Ouyang Jue asked again, Liu Zhangming’s answer was concise.
“I said you should be the one to go.”
Liu Zhangming waved his hand dismissively.
“I’ve lost interest in such things. I would rather you go and gain experience with the martial artists of other sects.”
“What is the reason?”
“Right now... I feel I want to organize my thoughts here at Mount Hua rather than go outside.”
“...I see.”
Hearing that, Ouyang Jue thought he understood why Liu Zhangming had yielded.
Did he think Liu Zhangming had never attended other competitions or gatherings before?
Of course, he must have met all sorts of people for various reasons.
‘He must have only met people who were falling over themselves to be nice to him.’
What would one think after only meeting people who sought to curry favor?
Liu Zhangming’s words pointed to that illusion.
The martial world was not a place governed by reason and justice.
It was a harsh society ruled by the unforgiving law that only the strong survive, far from a place of peace and security.
He had realized that through the incident with the Golden Ring Merchant Guild.
‘Senior Brother is lost in thought.’
Only then did Ouyang Jue understand why Liu Zhangming was yielding to him so readily.
Liu Zhangming’s character was certainly great.
If he were a petty man, it would have been revealed in his past life.
There were very few martial artists who would remain with a collapsing sect to the very end, prepared even for death.
Especially if that person possessed the skills to be revered as an absolute master, they would be inundated with temptations, such as requests to become a guardian of a great sect.
But Liu Zhangming had held on until the end.
This was a competition he was participating in, in place of such a man.
Ouyang Jue spoke with a confident voice.
“I will return having elevated my own honor and that of Mount Hua.”
“My, my, wanting to raise your own honor too. My junior brother is quite full of ambition.”
*Drip, drip.*
Liu Zhangming smiled faintly, even as beads of sweat rolled down his face.
“I’ll trust you.”
With those words, Ouyang Jue immediately descended from Mount Hua.
And four hours later.
Ouyang Jue did not hide his annoyance at the rat-like figure before him.
“You, what the hell are you?”