Chapter 76
The first match ended with Baek Cheon-Sang’s victory. The spectators gave Cheon-Sang thunderous applause for the unexpected performance that he had shown.
“Patriarch Baek’s skills are truly amazing.”
Yong Gun-Seong did not feel mortified at all even though he was defeated. Cheon-Sang’s abilities were so overwhelming that he had no choice but to admit it.
“Haha, I’m honored to receive such praise. You’re also amazing enough, Patriarch Yong.”
“You don’t have to comfort me. That aside, if Patriarch Baek becomes the champion, I will keep my end of the promise. You won’t have to worry.”
“Thank you. The Baek Sword Sect will not forget your loyalty, Patriarch Yong.”
After a short conversation with Gun-Seong, Cheon-Sang returned to the waiting area prepared for the martial arts tournament’s contestants.
“Great work out there,” Mu-Gun greeted Cheon-Sang.
“That’s just the beginning, so don’t celebrate just yet. Anyway, how did I do?”
“The harmony between the Heavenly Sea Goliath Cultivation and the Celestial Moonlight Sword wasn’t bad.”
“That means it’s still not good enough, then.”
“Your current skills are more than enough to win the martial arts tournament. Since Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art can maximize the Heavenly Sea Goliath Cultivation’s effect, it would be best for you to focus on the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art rather than the Celestial Moonlight Sword.”
“I understand. By the way, it seems like Byeok Cheol-Gun’s aura is out of the ordinary. What do you think?”
“In my opinion, I think his level has definitely improved compared to the last time we saw him. However, I doubt he has become a full-fledged Absolute Realm master yet. Unless he uses some sort of special divine art, you won’t lose to him, Father. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t let your guard down, though.”
“That won’t happen, so you don’t have to worry.”
“I’m just saying. Ah, it seems like the second match is starting now.”
Amid their conversation, the second match’s contestants, Byeok Cheol-Gun and Jo Jin-Myeong, went up to the arena.
“There’s no chance that Patriarch Jo will win, is there?”
“Although Patriarch Jo’s skills have improved a lot, it still isn’t enough to defeat Patriarch Byeok. He won’t go down easily, though.”
“I hope he doesn’t bring it to a tight match and end up injuring himself.”
“Patriarch Jo probably won’t overdo it either. And Patriarch Byeok’s perspective won’t humiliate himself by needlessly injuring his opponent since he has to win the support of the majority of the Ten Clans.”
“You’ve got a point. We can be at ease and watch their match, then.”
“Yes.”
The match between Cheol-Gun and Jin-Myeong had begun. As expected, Cheol-Gun had the upper hand. However, Jin-Myeong didn’t back down without a fight. He confronted Cheol-Gun with his newly acquired martial arts. Despite having the upper hand, Jin Myeong’s counterattacks that used the Divine Swift Wind Spear Art, which had a fierce whirlwind-like penetrative force, made Cheol-Gun falter every now and then.
Rather than stemming from Jin-Myeong’s skills, it was more accurate to say that it was the result of the Divine Swift Wind Spear Art’s power itself, which exuded a unique aura called the Swift Wind Helix Qi. The Swift Wind Helix Qi possessed a powerful crushing force that pushed back Cheol-Gun, who couldn’t properly respond to this power he had no information about.
The other patriarchs were surprised to see Jin-Myeong putting up a good fight but also doubted the sudden improvement of his skills. However, it was different for Yong Gun-Seong and Kang Won-Hee, both of whom already knew the reason behind it. When they saw Jin-Myeong displaying a completely different martial art, they realized that the Baek Sword Sect had really improved the Flying Lance Sect’s martial arts. Witnessing Jin-Myeong making rapid progress just by having their sect’s martial arts revamped made the two jealous and greedy.
Would they also become stronger just like him if the Baek Sword Sect improved their sect’s martial arts? On the other hand, their disappointment toward the Wind Saber Sect deepened. The Baek Sword Sect provided practical assistance to those that decided to support them, namely the Justice Martial Sect and Flying Lance Sect.
Meanwhile, the Wind Saber Sect didn’t give the Draconic Tiger Gang or the Kang Household anything. They just promised to appoint them to important positions and help them in terms of physical and mental aspects if the Wind Saber Sect became the Alliance Leader. In fact, even if the Wind Saber Sect became the Alliance Leader, it was questionable whether they would really keep their end of the promise.
If only they had supported the Baek Sword Sect from the very beginning, they could have at least increased their abilities through the improvements done to their sect’s martial arts. It was much more beneficial for them to support the Baek Sword Sect instead of the Wind Saber Sect, and it still wasn’t too late to switch sides.
Gun-Seong and Won-Hee’s hearts gradually shifted toward the Baek Sword Sect.
As Mu-Gun had expected, Jin-Myeong put up a good fight against Cheol-Gun, but as Cheol-Gun directed all his efforts into the match, the tides slowly began to turn. Their battle lasted more than fifty seconds before Jin-Myeong eventually admitted defeat.
Despite emerging victorious, Cheol-Gun wasn’t in a good mood. He regretted being unable to overwhelm Jin-Myeong like what Cheon-Sang had done in the first match.
Still, his belief that he would become the champion remained firm. A short break was held after the second match, then the battle between the Wind Saber Sect’s Tae Gong-Pyo and the Iron Palm Sect’s Dam Hwa-Seong began. Those two were the most likely candidates to win after Cheol-Gun.
Although the public’s expectations had changed since Cheon-Sang showed unexpected skills in the first match, the match between the two drew considerable attention. After all, they were the second and third-most anticipated champion candidates. Furthermore, as everyone had expected, the battle between them was fierce and intense. Almost equal in terms of skills, their fight became extremely close. However, after a hundred and fifty seconds, Gong-Pyo claimed victory. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause to the thrilling match they displayed.
In the next match, contrary to expectations, the Justice Martial Sect’s patriarch, Jeong Won-Hyo defeated the Mei Household’s Mei Jung-Hak and became the last contestant to advance to the semi-finals. The other patriarchs were once again surprised, this time by Won-Hyo’s skills.
Now that all four semi-finalists had been decided, the lots for the semifinals were drawn. The audience watched the match-up lots being drawn as they were interested as to whether Cheon-Sang, who stood out the most in the quarterfinals, would face off against Cheol-Gun in the semifinals.
The Shaolin Temple’s Great Monk Gong Seon and the Putuo Sword Sect’s Jeong Ryeo-Gun did the lots by drawing from a tinted box with the names of all four contestants marked on a ball.
Great Monk Gong Seon was the first to draw a ball, finding the name written on it to be Tae Gong-Pyo. Ryeo-Gun then drew as well to decide who would become Gong-Pyo’s opponent. With everyone paying attention, the name on the second ball was revealed. It was Baek Cheon-Sang.
The first match of the semifinals was between Cheon-Sang and Gong-Pyo, making the second match naturally between those who weren’t drawn. It didn’t really matter to Cheon-Sang who his opponent would be. His aim was to become the champion. Hence, regardless of whom he would be up against, all that mattered was that he won.
The morning session’s schedule ended with that. The tournament was scheduled to continue after lunch. Cheon-Sang had lunch with Won-Hyo and Jin-Myeong at a restaurant in downtown Hangzhou. Mu-Gun ate with them.
“Come to think of it, I was the only one who was eliminated.” Jin-Myeong smiled bitterly.
“Wasn’t your opponent a favorite to win? Although you lost, everyone saw your outstanding skills, Patriarch Jo.” Won-Hyo consoled Jin-Myeong.
Jin-Myeong smiled at Won-Hyo to show that he was grateful, then proceeded to ask Cheon-Sang, “By the way, it seems like Patriarch Byeok’s skills are much better than expected. Can you win against him?”
“You don’t have to worry. I won’t let you two down.”
Jin-Myeong nodded in response to Cheon-Sang’s confidence.
“However, even if you win in the martial arts tournament, we still have to get the majority support of the Ten Clans. Only five clans support the Baek Sword Sect so far, including ours. We need at least one more to support us. What do you plan to do about that?” Won-Hyo asked.
“I’ll handle that.” Mu-Gun interrupted after listening from the side.
“Do you have a clan in mind?”
“I’m thinking of winning over the Wind Saber Sect to our side.”
“The Wind Saber Sect? I wonder if they’ll support the Baek Sword Sect.”
“It’s safe to say that if the Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch gets eliminated in the semifinals, there will be close to no possibility of the Wind Saber Sect becoming the Alliance Leader anyway. In the end, they would have to choose to either support the Baek Sword Sect or the Byeok Sword Manor. From their point of view, it would be better to support us than the alternative.”
“It would certainly be better to persuade the Wind Saber Sect once they can no longer become the alliance’s leader than to coax the clans that have already decided to support the Byeok Sword Manor.” Jin-Myeong agreed with Mu-Gun’s opinion.
“I’m concerned about Elder Brother Cheon-Sang being the opponent of the Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch in the semifinals, though. If he loses to Elder Brother Cheon-Sang, wouldn’t the Wind Saber Sect resent Elder Brother Cheon-Sang and refuse to support the Baek Sword Sect?” Won-Hyo voiced a different view on the matter.
“The Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch isn’t such a shallow person. If we offer to improve their martial arts and even give them spiritual pills in the future in return for supporting the Baek Sword Sect, they will eventually have no choice but to choose the Baek Sword Sect.”
“That will definitely make them more likely to choose the Baek Sword Sect.” Won-Hyo finally agreed.
The Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch wasn’t foolish enough to give up on the opportunity to become stronger just because he got eliminated by Cheon-Sang.
“Great. I also think it would be better to win over their support. Will you meet the Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch in person?”
“Yes.”
“Let me go with you. I would sound more trustworthy than you when it comes to discussions about improving their martial arts as well as talks regarding the spiritual pills.” Jin-Myeong offered.
“I’ll go with you too, then.” Upon listening to what Jin-Myeong said, Won-Hyo also volunteered to come along.
“You likely won’t have to.”
“Why not?”
“Since he has already seen your martial arts for himself this morning, he will believe me even if the two of you don’t come with me.”
“That’s certainly true.”
Jin-Myeong and Won-Hyo nodded, convinced.
“Then let’s leave meeting the Wind Saber Sect’s patriarch to Mu-Gun. When do you plan to meet him?”
“This evening, most likely.”
“I see, alright then. I’ll leave it up to you,” Cheon-Sang said, showing his faith in Mu-Gun.
It was a matter of course. This was all possible because of Mu-Gun. Having decided to persuade the Wind Saber Sect's patriarch Tae Gong-Pyo, the four returned to the arena after a light lunch. Cheon-Sang and Won-Hyo, who advanced to the semifinals, rested in the waiting area and waited for the afternoon session to begin. As the schedule of the afternoon session approached, the spectators who left for lunch returned and filled the seats one after another.
Great Monk Gong Seon and Ryeo-Gun, who were in charge of overseeing the tournament, also returned to the podium after having lunch and resting. The afternoon session’s schedule began soon after. The first contenders, Cheon-Sang and Gong-Pyo, went up to the arena when the host called them. As soon as they did, the audience applauded and cheered enthusiastically.
Cheon-Sang and Gong-Pyo cupped their fists at each other and assumed a combat stance. The host once again reminded them of the rules, then proceeded with the match. Having confirmed Cheon-Sang’s amazing skills in the quarterfinals, Gong-Pyo quickly went on the offensive as soon as the match began. He unleashed the ultimate saber art of the Wind Saber Sect, the 18 Wind Blades Saber Art, and a thin saber qi was launched from his saber. The multiple layers of thin saber qi fluttered like the wind as they flew toward Cheon-Sang. The 18 Wind Blades Saber Art was a very unique saber art that manifested layers of thin saber qi referred to as Wind Blades. The Wind Blades moved wildly like petals flying in the wind and enveloped the opponent.
However, the real threat of the Wind Blades was that they responded to the energy contained in the opponent’s attacks, avoided them, then dug into the gaps. It could make one think of it as an unbeatable martial art.
That wasn’t the case, however. Its most crucial flaw was that the Wind Blades’ movements were too dull and far from enough in numbers to be an invincible martial art. Therefore, they often failed to respond to high speed attacks and were often countered.
The Celestial Moonlight Sword Art was a martial art based on the variability of the sword, but it was also based on speed. Hence, Gong-Pyo’s Wind Blades couldn’t overcome the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art’s speed. Moreover, the Wind Blades weren’t that strong either. Hence, the 18 Wind Blades Saber Art failed to break through the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art’s sword qi.
As he repelled the Wind Blades, Cheon-Sang gradually suppressed Gong-Pyo.
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