Chapter 122 : Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Wudang (2)

I inherently like the Peng Clan.

Perhaps it’s because their unique boisterousness reminds me of the bastards of the Beggar’s Gang who are rude inside and out.

“Uncle Ga-heon told me repeatedly. He said that since he received grace from the Divine Dragon of Dancheon, I should treat you as a benefactor if I meet you in the Jianghu. Hahaha.”

In this moment, I mean that the appearance of Mad Tiger Blade Peng Jin-hu creating a string of connection through Unrestrained Saber Peng Ga-heon is quite pleasing.

It is also because no evil intent is seen at all in Peng Jin-hu’s pure eye light.

“If it is Great Hero Unrestrained Saber, it would be right to say that I received grace instead.”

And in fact, I did receive grace from Unrestrained Saber Peng Ga-heon.

During the Ice Palace incident, how could I forget that boisterous strike that blocked the Formless Sword of the Supreme Strength Martial Emperor?

But Peng Jin-hu shook his head at my praise.

“Hearing it directly from my uncle, your words probably aren’t true. My uncle isn’t one to speak empty words.”

“Then let’s say it is so.”

As if he liked my response, Peng Jin-hu laughed heartily again.

A link of information clicked into place in my head.

Mad Tiger Blade.

It means a crazy tiger, and I thought it resembled the alias of Peng Ga-heon, the Shanxi Branch Lord of the Murim Alliance, which is Unrestrained Saber.

Perhaps Peng Jin-hu’s martial arts received influence from Peng Ga-heon throughout.

From the fact that he could take the tiger, the symbol of the family, as his alias, I also know that Peng Jin-hu is the next leading runner widely recognized by the Peng Clan.

“Did you prepare a bit?”

Peng Jin-hu asked implicitly.

“What preparation do you mean?”

“I mean preparation for the spar.”

“Since surviving in the Jianghu Murim is a path through mountains of swords and forests of blades, isn’t every day a preparation?”

“Hah! Your words are right.”

Even though it wasn’t that funny, Peng Jin-hu burst into a broad smile.

He must also be a man with a low threshold for laughter, just like Brother Chun-baek.

“I have to admit it. You might be more of a martial artist of the Peng Clan than me. My uncle’s words were right.”

Peng Jin-hu gave me the highest praise he could give.

For the pride of the Peng Clan family members in their clan is something acknowledged even in the Central Plains.

“Are you sufficiently prepared, Brother Peng?”

“Martial artists of the Peng Clan exist to fight.”

Because there was no error in those words, his spirit was already lacking nothing to be evaluated as fully prepared.

“It will be an enjoyable occasion.”

“I hope so.”

“See you later.”

“Let’s do that.”

Small talk was exchanged, and Peng Jin-hu’s gaze turned towards Namgung Tan who was far away. Namgung Tan only glanced at us and didn’t approach until the end.

“Brother Namgung!”

Perhaps pitying Namgung Tan’s alienation, Peng Jin-hu went to Namgung Tan.

“Is there a spar?”

Brother Chun-baek, who was quietly beside me, asked me.

“Did you come without knowing?”

“My ears aren’t as bright as yours.”

It means Brother Chun-baek made the long journey to Wudang without even knowing the reason.

“Then why did you readily attend?”

“Because you were going, I thought it would be fun.”

“Hmm.”

It might be a sufficient reason.

Anyway…….

The biggest difference between the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly and the New Star Exchange Meeting lies here.

That is, if the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly avoids sparring, the fact is that the New Star Exchange Meeting is literally a place created for sparring.

* * *

Martial Scripture Pavilion.

In Wudang, which investigates the Dao through Martial Arts, manuals are like scriptures, so it was called the Martial Scripture Pavilion.

Fitting for its name, the Martial Scripture Pavilion was a place that managed the manuals of Wudang supreme arts, which had value impossible to convert into money.

In addition, it was also a place that oversaw the martial artists registered in Wudang.

Although the root of Wudang is in the Dao, isn’t it ultimately an organization where people live?

Therefore, Wudang’s system and ethos couldn’t solely touch upon the Dao.

Facts such as the Finance Pavilion responsible for Wudang’s livelihood being the most powerful, or the Martial Scripture Pavilion managing martial arts following behind, were more suitable to be expressed as human affairs rather than the Dao.

Anyway…….

Since the Martial Scripture Pavilion was the place overseeing Wudang’s Martial Arts and one of the groups with the greatest power, it was close to inevitable that the Martial Scripture Pavilion would take charge of this New Star Exchange Meeting.

“Lord, will it be alright?”

Cheon-am, the Lord of the Martial Scripture Pavilion, looked at his sect nephew Jinsu who was expressing concern.

Since Jinsu was the person who would become the Lord following him when Cheon-am passed the Martial Scripture Pavilion Lord position and entered the Council of Elders, he was not a figure he could treat carelessly just because he was a sect nephew.

It means it is a difficult situation to ignore that concern as something nonexistent.

“Jinsu.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“What is the problem?”

At Cheon-am’s question, Jinsu’s gaze turned to a large paper.

The diagram decided to be called the Match Schedule was there.

Jinsu, who carefully reviewed the names once again, spoke.

“……It is not fair.”

“What is?”

“Isn’t it a match-up where our intentions are reflected?”

“Hmm.”

Since Cheon-am was a Daoist who had polished himself in Wudang all his life, he barely held back the urge to click his tongue.

And then he continued his words.

“Even humans are merely products of nature, so how can you call it artificial just because our intentions are reflected?”

“Still…….”

When Jinsu tried to present some counterargument, Cheon-am raised his palm. It meant he had words left so wait.

Cheon-am himself knew.

That the logic he was speaking was in reality nothing more than a forced argument.

However…….

Sometimes there are things one cannot back down from even while knowing it is wrong.

Especially if it is for the sake of the great sect, it might be something one ought to do.

Towards the hesitating Jinsu, Cheon-am reinforced his logic once again.

“Then do you think deciding matches by rolling dice is fairness?”

“That is not it, but…….”

Although he answered no for now, Jinsu still seemed to not agree.

“It is not that it isn’t.”

In Cheon-am’s evaluation, Jinsu was an upright and excellent martial artist.

He was also a Daoist who was yet less stained by the dirt of the secular world.

Normally, he noticed that merit and selected him as the next Martial Scripture Pavilion Lord, but there were still many things to teach.

It wouldn’t be a matter that could be called a problem.

Because it is a problem Cheon-am can solve by keeping him close and teaching him.

“In my judgment, it is for the smooth execution of the New Star Exchange Meeting, so it is a matter that cannot be called a violation. You should trust and follow me, the Lord.”

“…….”

Jinsu, who paused for a moment, asked.

“Does the Sect Leader know?”

“He does not know.”

In the first place, both Cheon-am and Jinsu knew the fact that the Wudang Sect Leader Taecheong Jin-in would not allow such a thing.

Cheon-am met Jinsu’s gaze.

“Are you going to report the current situation to the Sect Leader?”

“Absolutely not.”

Jinsu’s eyes, waving his hand, were speaking the truth for the first time.

“Just trust this Lord and proceed as is.”

When Jinsu hesitated, Cheon-am emphasized again.

“I, this Daoist, will take all responsibility. Do you understand?”

“……Yes.”

Jinsu Jin-in nodded powerlessly.

* * *

Wudang’s Great Training Ground.

In this space filled with Wudang martial artists polishing themselves even in normal times, an unusually large number of people gathered.

Thanks to the special event called the New Star Exchange Meeting, the Great Training Ground, which can be called the heart of Wudang, was opened to outsiders after a truly long time.

“I welcome the fellow Daoists of the Jianghu who have attended the New Star Exchange Meeting. I hope it becomes a meaningful occasion for mutual improvement.”

Wudang’s Sect Leader Taecheong Jin-in, whom I had seen at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly before, left a plain congratulatory address and exited.

Although they said there are no factions in the New Star Exchange Meeting, the training ground right now was largely divided into two factions.

Nine Sects versus the rest.

Or it would be correct to express it as Nine Sects versus the martial artists of the secular world.

Even if they are called the rest or martial artists of the secular world, since the majority of them are children of famous clans, in reality, it would not be unreasonable to express it as Nine Sects’ martial artists versus Clans’ martial artists.

In the first place, since the purpose of the New Star Exchange Meeting was for the martial artists of the Nine Sects and the martial artists of the secular world to share each other’s martial arts, it would be called a natural result.

“Nice to meet you. I am Cheon-am, the Lord of the Martial Scripture Pavilion.”

Leaving behind Taecheong Jin-in who exited unpretentiously, a martial artist who introduced himself as Cheon-am stepped forward.

“This would be today’s match schedule.”

Matches to Cheon-am’s words, a notice was hung behind the platform.

Although the distance was far, since everyone participating here was a master of martial arts who had trained their eye techniques, there was no difficulty in recognizing it.

‘Hmm?’

I, who analyzed the match schedule, had no choice but to notice an uncomfortable fact.

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In reality, I didn’t have much interest in the New Star Exchange Meeting.

Although there is nothing about me better than the talents of the current generation, anyway, thanks to the regression and the miraculous encounter of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, the realm I built up is high, not befitting my age.

My realm, which has reached the Fifth Stage: Union, has achieved Five Qis Courting the Origin and is close to the position of ‘All Under Heaven’, so wouldn’t it be difficult to pay attention to competition with those who have just taken off the frame of a prodigy and are wearing the name of ‘New Star’?

The reason I readily attended the New Star Exchange Meeting was not elsewhere.

I just attended because the New Star Exchange Meeting was held in Wudang, and I needed Wudang’s divine object, the Taecheong Pill.

Because I held information that a ‘big event’ where I could take the Taecheong Pill would happen in this New Star Exchange Meeting.

But…….

Seeing the match schedule, such thoughts fled completely.

It was because Myeong-gae’s keen information analysis ability had thoroughly grasped the intentions hidden in the match schedule.

‘Wudang, huh…….’

I thought that maybe, just a little, it would be okay to be serious about the New Star Exchange Meeting.

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“We will proceed with the spars according to the match schedule. Participants, please make full preparations.”

Cheon-am Jin-in’s voice rang through the venue.

“This is the sparring stage.”

The sparring stage spread out behind Cheon-am Jin-in guiding the audience was truly wide.

Although not officially defined, it was a well-known fact that all the faces invited here were those who had obtained the alias of Dragon or had skills equivalent to it.

Since masters from the mature Peak to the Transcendent Peak, and the State of Harmony were scheduled to spar, it is inevitable that the sparring stage is vast.

Especially since martial artists talented in movement arts lose their skills the moment their space is restricted, it would be right to do so for fairness.

“In an event like today, there shouldn’t be any unsavory incidents. Do your best, but we request that you strictly forbid lethal techniques.”

Simultaneously with Cheon-am’s words, old masters revealed themselves around the sparring stage.

“Thirty-six elders of the Nine Sects have volunteered. These people plan to protect the safety of the participants, but we also ask that you protect your own safety.”

Thirty-six elders.

It meant that the elders of the Nine Sects seized all directions of the thirty-six directions and would help with safety.

Since the elders of the Nine Sects are faces who have each entered the State of Harmony or possess martial prowess above that, it would be right to think that safety above a certain level was guaranteed.

But I know that this is also nothing more than a formality.

Although it was under the pretext of safety, in reality, to my eyes, it only looked like a device to show off the magnificent dignity of the Nine Sects.

That impression existed because I saw the match schedule, so it was considered not an excessive thought.

The Jianghu Murim is like that.

The only existence deserving of protection is a prodigy.

If a prodigy returns with an arm cut off from the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, it would be a big trouble, but if a martial artist who has debuted in the Murim returns with an arm cut off, it is just that they were lacking.

It meant that unless it was truly an intentional lethal technique, those old masters would not move.

Who here wouldn’t know the fact that intervening carelessly and getting into a dispute over victory or defeat is the most troublesome thing?

Anyway…….

“Then now, we will start the main event of the New Star Exchange Meeting.”

Cheon-am Jin-in’s solemn voice announced the start of the New Star Exchange Meeting.