Chapter 191: Chapter 191
Ten days later.
The rumor that the Four Supremes of the Divine Province had requested a martial arts competition with the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect for the hegemony of Shaanxi Province quickly spread throughout Shaanxi Province.
In particular, with Sayugok collapsed, the Four Supremes of the Divine Province moving first inevitably caused a great wave.
Some of the gossips said that the Four Supremes of the Divine Province had finally drawn their swords, and some predicted that with the collapse of Sayugok, they were driven into a corner and making a final desperate struggle.
Perhaps because of that, heated debates unfolded.
Some predicted that the Four Supremes of the Divine Province, who had previously defeated the joint operation of the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect, would win, but that was all.
The majority predicted the victory of Mount Hua and the Zhongnan, believing in the power of the Mount Hua Sect’s new martial force that had recently destroyed Sayugok.
The Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the newly emerging sect.
The difference was obvious.
For the most part, the prospect that the Zhongnan Sect and the Mount Hua Sect would win rather than the Four Supremes of the Divine Province was dominant.
And as if the public’s expectations were correct, the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect readily accepted the Four Supremes of the Divine Province’s request for a martial arts competition.
Meanwhile, at that time.
The elders gathered together at the Unjung Pavilion.
“Sect Leader.”
The Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion spat out in an agitated voice.
“This is a trick they plotted.”
He could not hide his excitement.
No, that was not all.
The expressions of most of the elders gathered at the Unjung Pavilion were no different from his.
The Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion raised his eyes and said.
“With the fall of the Sayugok Lord this time, they have been driven to the edge of a cliff. However, isn’t it strange that they are suddenly requesting a martial arts competition?”
His voice was stiff, as if he had forced down his rising excitement.
“Didn’t they realize that they would inevitably lose if they waged an all-out war, and chose a method that seemed to have even a slightly higher chance of winning?”
He poured out his words as if interrogating and glared at the Sect Leader.
Along with him, the elders’ gazes also shifted to the Sect Leader, and the air grew heavy.
Tension became pervasive in the Unjung Pavilion.
However, unlike them, the expression of the Sect Leader in the seat of honor was composed and calm.
Rather, he leisurely sipped his tea.
“Hmm, the tea fragrance is good.”
The Sect Leader, who was taking a sip of tea, wore a soft smile.
Slightly angered by such an attitude, the Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion frowned and opened his mouth.
“Sect Leader…”
“Haha, I am also well aware.”
The Sect Leader cut him off and set down his teacup.
“How could I not know that the letter requesting a martial arts competition they sent was a trick in itself?”
The Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion’s eyebrows twitched.
“Then did you accept it while knowing?”
“That is right.”
Along with his words, the Sect Leader scanned the elders who had expressions full of dissatisfaction.
“Everyone’s face is full of displeasure.”
At the words that hit the mark, a few elders flinched.
“I think you all must be quite displeased that I accepted the competition with an arbitrary choice without even holding a great conference, but…”
The Sect Leader added his words in a low voice.
“There is no overturning my decision.”
“Sect Leader!”
“How could you be so arbitrary…”
When most of the elders were having a hard time hiding their bewilderment at the firm tone.
“By any chance, is there a reason why you did so?”
Hyeon Heo asked cautiously.
“It is because the rumor that the Four Supremes of the Divine Province sent a letter requesting a martial arts competition has spread widely.”
The Sect Leader answered as if he had been waiting.
“If we refuse the competition in this situation, how would the public view us?”
His eyes grew serious as he spoke.
“They will think that the Mount Hua Sect is afraid of the Four Supremes of the Divine Province and is avoiding the competition.”
“If we win in an all-out war later, such rumors will disappear completely.”
Hyeon Heo spoke with emphasis.
His eyes were blazing fiercely.
He had constantly wanted to take down the Four Supremes of the Divine Province since the defeat of the joint operation.
However.
“An all-out war… Of course, as Junior Brother said, we could refuse the competition and still win an all-out war. But because of that, the disciples of our sect would get hurt. Do you wish to see such a sight again?”
The Sect Leader refuted his words.
“That is…”
Hyeon Heo’s mouth closed naturally.
Just as he said, they would achieve victory.
But it was only natural that the blood shed because of it would not be just a drop or two.
The Sect Leader continued to add his words.
“Do you think that would be all? Those unrelated to the Jianghu are wishing for the war to end even a day sooner. If we say we will refuse the competition and wage an all-out war in such a situation, what would they think?”
Hyeon Heo’s brow furrowed.
It was enough without saying more.
He could see the rumor rapidly spreading that the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, was a sect that did not care about the common people.
“So that is why they spread the rumor…”
“Truly cunning.”
Groans flowed out from here and there.
Only then did the elders also seem to understand why the Sect Leader had accepted the competition.
Around the time when shadows fell over their expressions as they realized the opponent had used their brains better than expected, the Sect Leader parted his lips.
“But it might be an opportunity.”
“An opportunity…?”
“What do you mean by that…”
When the elders asked with puzzled expressions, the Sect Leader half-closed his eyes and answered.
“If we accept the competition they want and instead overwhelmingly crush them… wouldn’t we gain a prestige in Shaanxi that no other sect could ever follow?”
The elders’ eyes changed.
The anger and fury toward the Four Supremes of the Divine Province that had settled on their faces slowly disappeared, and instead, swelling anticipation took place.
At that time, the Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion opened his mouth again.
“Then, who will go out in the competition?”
Instantly, everyone became quiet.
The Sect Leader’s words were correct at first glance, but for that to happen, one thing was absolutely necessary.
Victory.
Only by unconditionally winning could all the things the Sect Leader had said come true.
“Isn’t Hyeon-do at the Alliance?”
The Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion spoke as if he was worried.
And the only person in the Mount Hua Sect currently who could give such certainty was Hyeon-do.
“Could it be that the Sect Leader will personally…”
“It is not me.”
The Sect Leader cut in firmly.
At the same time, he raised the corners of his mouth.
It was a bright and radiant smile, as if illuminating the world like the sun floating above the Unjung Pavilion.
“The person who will fight in the competition is Cheon-hwi.”
* * *
After the great conference ended.
Returning to the Purple Mist Pavilion, the Sect Leader silently gazed at Cheon-hwi, who was waiting for him.
‘Haha, it is just as Cheon-hwi said.’
He, who couldn’t help but smile just by looking, opened his lips and spoke.
“It went just as you said.”
“It was a predetermined sequence.”
Cheon-hwi spoke calmly, but inside he was harboring a sneer.
‘To think they would actually make a self-destructive move.’
Driven to the edge of the cliff, their choices were limited.
Either cut off their tail and abandon it.
Or risk all their martial fortunes like this.
However, perhaps feeling it was a waste to boldly abandon it, they made a self-destructive move.
‘Of course, not all of them…’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
The thoughts of the bastards hiding in the background, putting up the Four Supremes of the Divine Province, were glaringly obvious.
Cheon-hwi moved his lips.
“When is the competition?”
“Four days later.”
“That is fast.”
“Wouldn’t they have done it on purpose?”
The Sect Leader’s eyes half-closed.
The glint flashing through his long trailing eyebrows seemed to stare beyond Cheon-hwi, rather than at him.
“Because they aimed for a time when Hyeon-do is not here.”
“But you still accepted the competition.”
“Are you not here?”
“Huh? Am I doing it?”
“Do you hate it?”
“Rather than hating it, it is bothersome.”
Cheon-hwi, who spoke with a bothered expression, suddenly recalled something and opened his mouth.
“But it is a bit surprising. I remember you telling me not to do such conspicuous things before…”
“In all honesty, even now I do not want to make you do conspicuous things, but…”
The Sect Leader smiled bitterly.
“Do they not say it is like an awl in a pocket? A genius like you will eventually be revealed to the world even if we try to hide you.”
The more he spent time with Cheon-hwi, the more he came to a great realization.
‘He is not a child I should worry about.’
At first, he thought of Cheon-hwi as the last gift of his youngest Junior Brother and considered him a child that the Mount Hua Sect and he had to protect.
However, that was a misguided thought.
Cheon-hwi was rather an existence who protected Mount Hua and himself.
‘We were the ones rather confining him.’
Having realized that, the Sect Leader made a decision.
To let go of Cheon-hwi from his embrace.
So that Cheon-hwi, who had been trapped in the birdcage called Mount Hua, could freely fly in the sky.
“And if you are going to be revealed to the world anyway, wouldn’t it be better to be spectacular?”
The Sect Leader looked at Cheon-hwi and said.
“Show off your active role in this competition.”
“Tsk, it is bothersome.”
Cheon-hwi scratched his head.
It was quite a bothersome task.
Nevertheless, he did not refuse.
It was because him stepping forward was the most certain method in a situation where they didn’t know what kind of act the enemies would commit.
“How does the format of the competition go?”
“It is a format where a total of three people are selected from each side to compete.”
“It is ambiguous.”
Cheon-hwi frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Even if I win, if the other two lose, we would helplessly be defeated.”
“Haha. Do not worry about that.”
The Sect Leader continued his explanation.
“This competition is in a format where the winner can continue to fight until the end.”
“What does that mean?”
“For instance, the first person to step up could defeat all three and win, or conversely, the third person to step up could defeat everyone.”
“Oho. That means the side whose all three people are defeated first loses.”
‘I don’t know who decided this, but isn’t it helping me?’
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
When it came to a competition between sects, it was common for each side to put forth one person each and judge the result.
However, this competition was different.
Like fighting a life-or-death battle, the victor would continue to step forward in this format.
It was a format that showed their confidence that they would unconditionally win if Hyeon-do and the Sword Saint were absent.
‘They made a truly stupid choice.’
Cheon-hwi burst into internal mockery.
Because the confidence that they could win as long as those two were not there ended up helping him.
How could he not laugh at them?
Cheon-hwi, who was smiling, stood up.
“You said the competition is four days later, right?”
“Where are you trying to go?”
When the Sect Leader asked as if puzzled, Cheon-hwi wore an even deeper smile.
“I am going to prepare some things for the aftermath just in case.”
* * *
The time of four days flowed by like an arrow, and the day of the competition arrived quickly.
Befitting the topic of interest that had recently been heating up the entirety of Shaanxi Province, Cheongyapyeong Plaza, the location of the competition between the two forces, was greatly bustling with numerous people.
The faces of those gathered were diverse.
Martial artists, escort warriors, beggars, commoners, merchants, etc.
Not only Jianghu martial artists, but even commoners who had never learned martial arts.
Those curious about where the current hegemony of Shaanxi would go between the two had flocked together without exception.
“What do you think?”
A man among the murmuring crowd spoke to the man next to him.
“What are you asking? Of course Mount Hua and the Zhongnan will win.”
At that, the man who asked the first question frowned and retorted.
“However, didn’t the Four Supremes of the Divine Province recently defeat the Zhongnan and Mount Hua? Moreover, looking at them sending a letter requesting a competition like this, wouldn’t it be because they have confidence?”
“But that is also in the past. Recently, didn’t Sayugok touch the Hwayu Escort Agency and get completely destroyed by the Mount Hua Sect instead? And yet, you are saying the other three sects can defeat Mount Hua and the Zhongnan?”
“But this is a martial arts competition.”
“That is why it will be Mount Hua and the Zhongnan!”
“But you never know! Didn’t the Flowing Cloud Swordsman also suffer a great defeat?”
The verbal argument between the two gradually grew larger.
“Hey! Are you underestimating the Nine Great Sects and One Gang?”
“Even so, with the current strength of the Four Supremes of the Divine Province!”
However, it was not just those two.
While heated debates about who would win were already unfolding in various places, in one spot, a middle-aged man opened a gambling board.
“Come, come! It’s not a business that comes every day! Depending on the result of this competition, it’s a very good opportunity to make money!”
“Ahem, an opportunity?”
“Hmm, hmm. Shall we take a look?”
At the words of the middle-aged man who opened the gambling house, those who had been observing crept closer.
And they cautiously bet their money.
One person, two people…
As the number gradually increased and the money piled up, the eyes of those who had just been watching changed.
“I, I will also bet ten nyang on Mount Hua and the Zhongnan.”
“Ehew! Adding five nyang on the Four Supremes of the Divine Province!”
At the moment when the competition was getting increasingly fierce.
“Gasp!”
Along with the sound of someone swallowing their breath, the area in front of the middle-aged man split wide open.
“Huh? Did something hap…”
The middle-aged man lifted his head at the suddenly changed atmosphere and froze stiff.
Step, step…
Through the parted crowd, a young man wearing the Taoist robe of the Mount Hua Sect was approaching.
‘M-Mount Hua Sect?’
The middle-aged man who had set up the board gulped dry saliva and stared at the young Taoist.
‘Damn it! Business was going so well!’
Thinking that the young man had come because he was angered by someone doing business using his sect as the subject, the middle-aged man shrank his neck and spoke.
“Ha, haha. I-I am sorry. I will quickly close up the business and return the money…”
At the moment when he was about to hurriedly close up the board.
Ssu-wook…
The young Taoist extended his hand.
On top of his palm, something shining with a golden light was placed.
‘Huh? T-this is a gold ingot…?’
As he blankly stared at the gold ingot, a calm voice was heard from above.
“One gold ingot on Mount Hua and the Zhongnan.”
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