Chapter 198: Let's Begin

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Crowds gathered in black like a giant circular formation atop the endlessly vast plains created stir after stir.

“Yeo Yong-jeo…!”

“Right, is that the man? The one who killed an unorthodox powerhouse who was among the Six Polar Stars a few years ago and took his place…”

“That’s right. Golden Spear Fortress Lord Jade Qilin. At that time, the famous villain On Mu-hyeong, called Treacherous Sword Head, was defeated and met his end before Fortress Lord Yeo’s hand.”

“Wow, look at that shining golden spear.”

“He’s as cool as they said. Really a tiger-like man.”

Drawing everyone’s gaze like that, Jade Qilin Yeo Yong-jeo quietly took position in one spot.

Unlike yesterday, he wasn’t alone.

The elite force and uppermost masters of the Golden Spear Fortress, the so-called seven pillars called the Golden Spear Seven Pillars, also stood right behind him.

Soon, the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect group led by Hungry Wolf Blade Demon Jinjo Jeok-je appeared as well.

“Sect Leader Jin Jo came over there.”

“That person boasts bladework as terrifying as a starving wolf… His eyes alone are somehow scary.”

“I already saw him yesterday.”

“But Jong Pyeong, who was knocked out in one blow by Sect Leader Cheol, came along too? It must be a bit embarrassing…”

“Shh, shh. Keep your voice down, man. He might hear.”

Jong Pyeong, hearing the murmuring sounds, clenched his molars as he walked.

‘TSK, what humiliation…’

His reputation had fallen overnight.

Until now he had taken exceptional pride in his personal alias of Violent Wolf Blade, but now he had become even more famous as a defeated loser who had suffered disgrace.

At that moment, Jinjo Jeok-je spoke.

“It’s not just you.”

He meant that since several famous masters of the Hunan region including Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo had suffered the same defeat, he should shake off the shame in his chest as quickly as possible.

“Master. I will definitely show you revenge.”

“It’s impossible for now. He’s the real deal.”

“Yes… I know.”

“Did you say it felt like he displayed perfected-level internal power in a brief moment?”

“That’s what it felt like somehow. Something that doesn’t allow even a moment to prepare… Could it be an internal energy cultivation optimized for instantaneous surprise attacks?”

“My guess is similar. The essence and wondrous function of quick resolution by pouring out maximum internal power in a short time… That’s probably why you were taken down so futilely. However, if he faces a powerhouse with a similar manner of power release, that essence and wondrous function will inevitably reveal its limits.”

“Ah, do you mean Severing Finger Sword Venerable?”

“Yes. His famed Rending Splitting Great Six Swords technique has truly destructive power. Although his total internal energy may not reach Black Silken Sword Sovereign’s level, they say the magnitude of power displayed through the famous Earth Severance and Heaven Severance is enough to rival the top of the Six Polar Stars.”

“The key to the match is… Cheol Ryu-heun’s endurance.”

“As they say, it’s a contest of pure strength. At most fifty exchanges or so – that’s my prediction.”

Jinjo Jeok-je trailed off and quietly recalled a scene he had seen yesterday.

The scene where the Jackal Fang Squad Vice Squad Commander Eom Baek-sang had boldly charged toward Cheol Ryu-heun’s face and bounced away from a momentary strike…

Setting aside the swift speed, it wasn’t ordinary internal power.

That, as his disciple Jong Pyeong had said earlier, felt like an enormous force of perfected level had been displayed in a single move.

‘The opponent is Severing Finger Sword Venerable. He won’t be able to throw such moves ceaselessly.’

There was already precedent.

Seven years ago, Valiant Purple Sword Gwol Jung-san had also been a possessor of aggressive, destructive swordsmanship that poured maximum internal power in a short time, but he had departed this world due to So Cheon-ak’s terrifying Rending Splitting Great Six Swords.

He had been a powerhouse of orthodox origin who was ranked among the Six Polar Stars at the time.

But in the end, he became a sacrifice used to raise So Cheon-ak’s reputation, and afterward that empty seat was filled by Giant Roc Saber Gate Leader Tai Saber Kun Yuk Geum-gang, who was a late bloomer.

‘They commonly say Valiant Purple Sword’s martial prowess during his lifetime was stronger than Blue Robe Sword Noble’s. Anyway, I’ll soon find out. Whether Cheol Ryu-heun’s martial might is truly at a level that can fully handle Severing Finger Sword Venerable or not…’

At that moment, Yuk Geum-gang appeared at a nearby position with a few subordinates.

Following that, when Black Silken Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong appeared not far away, the crowd’s voices grew even louder.

“It’s the Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace Lord!”

“Where, where?”

“His presence is exceptional!”

“Wait, those who came with him are…?”

“Black Stream Sword Assembly, which Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace boasts.”

Suddenly, surprised shouts from several people were heard.

“One of the Three Upper Seats of Guizhou came from over there!”

The supreme master of Three Upper Seats of Guizhou, representing Guizhou region right next to Hunan, had also appeared.

A woman in her early fifties wearing pink attire with extraordinary elegance.

It was Byeok Song-ha, alias Chrysanthemum Fragrance Sword Mother, Palace Lord of Chrysanthemum Martial Hall, the orthodox faction said to be the strongest among the Three Upper Seats of Guizhou.

There was no need for an introduction.

Setting aside the gorgeous attire densely embroidered with white chrysanthemums in full bloom, one could easily guess just by looking at the chrysanthemum hairpin fixing her neatly bound hair.

That was a hairpin symbolizing the current Palace Lord position of Chrysanthemum Martial Hall.

It was such a famous insignia that even the crowd recognized it at once.

Chrysanthemum Fragrance Sword Mother had probably come to this area on business and, upon hearing about the duel, had come out of curiosity.

Meanwhile, when the Two Dukes who rivaled for the pinnacle of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province – Taoist White Cloud Sword Duke Cheon Mu and Thunder Cloud Sword Duke – also joined, the atmosphere of the scene grew even hotter.

Soon, about ten martial artists of the Mount Heng Sect and about twenty martial artists of the Thunder Lightning Sect stood in a row, and cheers burst out from here and there.

“The presence of the Two Dukes lives up to their reputation!”

“Right? One looks like an immortal, the other like a war god.”

“Ooh, there’s the Mount Heng Sword Hero too.”

“Half of the Mount Heng Sect group are first-generation disciples. No one can casually approach them.”

“Are the people standing beside Sect Leader Wei Ji the Advancing Lightning Sword Squad?”

“Yes, the famous…”

“The Advancing Lightning Sword Squad has a total of two hundred members, so it seems they only brought some.”

Meanwhile, Jade Robe Swallow Lady Mae Yak-bang, who had been mixed in the crowd, was looking around left and right continuously.

‘Hmm… Has he not come? Should I move and look elsewhere?’

At that moment, someone’s voice leaked from behind her back.

“Haha. Are you looking for me?”

The moment Mae Yak-bang turned her head, she beamed.

“Ah! Sect Leader! You’ve come.”

A man in his fifties who came into her eyes.

On the left chest of his loose martial attire made of blue silk, two characters embroidered spoke to his identity and position.

Azure Heaven.

With handsome yet strong facial features, he was none other than Seol Hu-yong, alias Azure Prodigy Sword Master, the father of Azure Sword Seol Pan-gyo and the current Sect Leader of Azure Heaven Sword Sect.

At the appearance of another of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province, the surroundings stirred.

When Mae Yak-bang paid her respects, Moon Gleam Sword Wu Yong and Iron Brush Young Master Wan Ryeom beside her also greeted him respectfully.

Seol Hu-yong sent a hand gesture and casually said,

“I arrived late last night but… I’ve heard all about that matter.”

At that, Mae Yak-bang flinched and spoke while blushing.

“I’m… really sorry for disappointing you.”

“Not at all. Hasn’t Sect Leader Cheol already forgiven you? I wish that child would learn from this.”

“Young Master Seol is…?”

“Well. I don’t know either. What he’s doing and where.”

“Ah…”

“He doesn’t seem to be here, but perhaps he went to White Peak Sword Sect… Haha. Someday news will come.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“Of course – trust is greater than worry.”

“Pardon?”

“Trust that he will repent of his wrongs and grow. If it’s that child, he’ll do well. That’s what I’m thinking. As a father.”

“Yes, right. If it’s Young Master Seol, certainly…”

“I’ll head over there now. There’s more to discuss with Sect Leader Cheon Mu… Let’s have a meal together later.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Just as Mae Yak-bang, Wu Yong, and Wan Ryeom bowed their heads, Seol Hu-yong added.

“Even if something shocking happens today, don’t be too shaken.”

After Seol Hu-yong disappeared along with several sect swordsmen, Mae Yak-bang tilted her head.

‘What? Does he mean he’s predicting Sect Leader Cheol’s victory? Somehow it doesn’t seem like just that…’

Suddenly, the crowd’s cheers burst out again.

It was because of the appearance of an elderly man in his seventies with clean, handsome features in the far distance.

“WOOOAH!”

“It’s the Ten Ultimate Martial Saint!”

“Finally he…”

Wearing white attire with yin-yang patterns embroidered on both shoulders, he was none other than Immortal Muhyeon, the current Sect Leader of Wudang Sect, the holy ground of Taoist martial arts and a great star revered among the Nine Great Sects.

An unparalleled Taoist said to have mastered all supreme techniques including sword techniques, palm techniques, fist techniques, finger techniques, body techniques, footwork, leg techniques, arts and more, and a master who was in name and reality among the strongest ranks within the Six Extremes of Hubei.

Ten Ultimate Martial Saint Immortal Muhyeon, having visited this place together with over a dozen super-first-rate swordsmen representing Wudang Sect, the so-called Taiji Sword Group, naturally headed toward where the Mount Heng Sect group of the Nine Great Sects was positioned.

Thus the two Sect Leaders exchanged greetings.

“Sect Leader Muhyeon. Did you sleep well?”

“Hahaha. I couldn’t sleep. After hearing Sect Leader Cheol’s story when I met him last night…”

“Well, it’s understandable.”

“I’m looking forward to it. What kind of future this arena of surprises today will create going forward.”

Soon Immortal Muhyeon lightly exchanged greetings with Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong who were nearby, then stroked his white beard and fell into thought.

‘A new order in the martial world. Transcending orthodox and unorthodox… Yes, I’ll look forward to it. Sect Leader Cheol.’

Seol Hu-yong, who had been at the meeting last night, was also gazing with the same thoughts at the center open area where the two protagonists of the duel would soon set foot.

Before long, when Green Forest Alliance Leader Green Forest Martial Buddha Gung Roe arrived with over two hundred camp members, the atmosphere grew even hotter like lava.

And

STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP…

One of the two protagonists of the duel, the Sword Seal Sect Leader So Cheon-ak, appeared while radiating an imposing presence.

Every step he took, it felt like murderous intent was wildly squirming.

The Squad Commanders and the Vice Squad Commanders who had quietly followed behind, along with the subordinate swordsmen group of the Sword Seal Sect, mingled into the crowd.

Looking at it, not all of the leadership had accompanied him.

Several Squad Commander-level figures including Eum Seon, Single Blade Sword Soul, who was the Squad commander of the elite swordsman unit called Cruel Sword Squad and the sect’s second-in-command, were not at this gathering.

Seeing that, Wei Ji-am murmured quietly.

“Hmm, the absence of the Cruel Sword Squad Commander… Sect Leader Cheol’s prediction seems accurate.”

Taoist Cheon Mu, Immortal Muhyeon and others who heard that nodded slightly in agreement.

Finally, the other protagonist of the duel, Cheol Ryu-heun, appeared.

Behind him, the figures of Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon, and Beon Sa were also visible.

Amid the excited crowd’s loud cheers echoing in all directions, Cheol Ryu-heun stepped away from the crowd surrounding the vast field and strode toward the center.

The enormous space was prepared like a circular duel arena.

So Cheon-ak had already arrived at its center and was waiting for Cheol Ryu-heun while emitting killing intent and fighting spirit.

Beon Sa, standing mixed in the crowd, suddenly glanced at the faces of Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon beside him.

‘Both of them show no signs of nervousness. That must mean they trust Sect Leader Cheol’s martial prowess that much.’

Words Cheol Ryu-heun had said sometime ago came to mind.

-In any case, I don’t believe in talk of turning over a new leaf. I have no interest in whatever you do where I can’t see. However… Just don’t let my eye catch you doing something stupid.

‘Sect Leader So ultimately was caught by Sect Leader Cheol’s eye… And now he will receive the blade of that judgment.’

Before long, Cheol Ryu-heun stopped at a distance of about ten paces and expressionlessly gestured with his chin.

“Let’s begin.”

“GUT.”

So Cheon-ak twitched his mouth corners and smiled, then soon resonated using internal power-infused voice.

-This duel is a life-or-death match! The result and responsibility rest solely with the two parties, so no matter what dangerous situation occurs, do not intervene!

It meant that one side might die in the middle.

Immediately after.

SURREUNG-

So Cheon-ak, having changed his gaze, drew his sword, and the great plain sank deep into silence.

Right at that moment.

KUNG!

A thunderous sound of stamping feet.

Cheol Ryu-heun, having outpaced the sound, charged in like a tiger.

JJEOEOEOEONG- PEOEOEOENG!

Terrifying metallic and explosive sounds burst.

CHWAAAAAAAAT-

So Cheon-ak, wrapped in transparent energy waves, rapidly retreated a distance of over three zhang.

Footprints carved long while tearing up the ground.

WUNGWUNGWUNG…

The blade was trembling.

Because of the terrifying power of the single sword Cheol Ryu-heun had deployed.

Just as So Cheon-ak’s gaze hardened in a flinch, an indifferent voice reached his ears across the far distance.

“I will show you. The gap in power that cannot be closed even if you live for eternity.”