Chapter 255: New Justice Festival (1)
The New Justice Festival—the grand martial tournament—required an immense amount of preparation. Since it was a space where masters would continuously clash, the training ground floors and surrounding walls had to be coated with stone slabs mixed with ground diamonds to ensure durability. Spectator stands also had to be constructed. On top of that, complex formations had to be designed and installed to ensure that shockwaves and sword qi would not affect the audience.
And was that all? Guest quarters had to be prepared for the distinguished visitors, and the interiors of the buildings had to be cleaned until they shone. Including all the other minor chores, the sheer volume of work was enough to make one’s mind unravel.
“How many participants are there in total?”
“Over a hundred,” Namgung Hwi replied.
“Considering Wudang Mountain has been packed for days, that seems like a relatively small number.”
“We only accepted those who could leave a mark on the diamond-coated stone. If we had accepted everyone without condition, we wouldn’t have slept a wink for a month.”
Namgung Hwi let out a weary laugh. Although Peng Chae-hyang’s face was hidden behind her veil, she was likely in just as much of a mess as he was.
Working under Muk Hui-yeong demanded an intensity of labor that was far beyond imagination.
Had Namgung Hwi not possessed such a deep personal respect for Muk Hui-yeong, he would have fled immediately.
What was even more astonishing was that even though Muk Hui-yeong was handling more work than the two of them combined, he showed not a single trace of exhaustion.
“The more I see Master Muk, the more remarkable he seems.”
“You address him as ‘Gege’ to his face, so why do you call him ‘Master Muk’ behind his back?”
“I am embarrassed.”
“If you are embarrassed, why not simply call him ‘Master’ from the beginning?”
“If I do that, it feels as though I am drawing a line.”
It was a peculiar sense of distance. Since Chae-hyang seemed to have her own unique criteria, Namgung Hwi decided not to pry any further.
Besides, they were far too busy managing their assigned tasks to meddle in such things.
“Still, the Wuhan Money House seems to possess far more wealth than I anticipated. Obtaining enough diamond dust to coat the entire training grounds is something even our clan would find burdensome.”
“The money house is likely making an investment upon which they have staked their entire destiny.”
“Is that so? The martial world is indeed in a state of turbulent change in many ways.”
“Yes. But considering the temperament of martial artists, I think a turbulent era like this actually suits us better.”
Namgung Hwi agreed with Chae-hyang’s words. Indeed, seeing the stagnant martial world begin to move filled him with a sense of vitality.
Even looking at the faces of those submitting applications for the tournament, everyone wore expressions of excitement and anticipation. Martial artists were indeed a breed that could only truly live when wielding their martial arts.
“Is there anyone we should keep an eye on in the Heaven Group?” Chae-hyang asked. Since Namgung Hwi had personally received the applications, he would know best.
Just as Muk Hui-yeong had planned, the tournament was divided into groups based on age.
The Heaven Group consisted of mature martial artists of forty years of age and above.
The Earth Group consisted of martial artists between twenty and forty.
The Human Group consisted of younger generation talents of twenty and under.
Since a martial artist’s prime was usually reached around fifty years of age, the Heaven Group would undoubtedly be the core of the tournament. It was for this reason that Chae-hyang had asked about them first.
“The Fighting Exalt has arrived.”
“The Fighting Exalt?” Chae-hyang’s eyes widened.
The Fighting Exalt was not only one of the Eight Exalts, but also the Grand Chieftain of the Green Forest, making him a prominent figure of the unorthodox sects.
For one of the strongest masters of the unorthodox path to submit an application for an orthodox-hosted tournament was indeed something worthy of close attention.
“What could he be thinking?”
“He likely just wants the treasures. What else would be on his mind? In truth, many other unorthodox martial artists have applied as well.”
“Well, that was our objective from the start, after all.”
As they conversed, a gong resounded from the peak of Wudang Mountain. It was the signal to allow those waiting outside to enter.
“Our path of suffering has officially begun,” Namgung Hwi’s face contorted.
While Chae-hyang had been busier until now, the moment the outsiders set foot on Wudang Mountain, Namgung Hwi’s workload would multiply exponentially.
“Good luck.”
“You too, Lady.”
Bidding Chae-hyang farewell, Namgung Hwi headed toward Wudang’s main gate. There, Wudang disciples were struggling to guide and control the incoming crowd.
Of course, the control was far from smooth. Unlike the Gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes, which only permitted members of prestigious families to participate, this tournament welcomed orthodox and unorthodox alike. A chaotic mess had been entirely foreseeable.
However, this situation was also something Muk Hui-yeong had fully anticipated. Hui-yeong, Namgung Hwi, and Chae-hyang had spent their spare moments discussing potential scenarios and drafting countermeasures.
“You hypocritical orthodox dog!”
“You trash of the unorthodox sects!”
With such a massive crowd gathering, and consisting solely of masters, many of them already knew one another.
And where there were old acquaintances, there were bound to be grudges. It was a highly complicated situation that had never occurred during the sterile Gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes.
“Everyone! Please follow my guidance!” Namgung Hwi shouted, using the Six Harmonies Voice Projection to ensure his words carried. Yet in a chaotic situation where even the presence of Namgung Jin-hyeon, the Namgung Patriarch, might have been ignored, the words of the much younger Namgung Hwi were hardly going to register in their ears.
“From this moment on, if you fail to follow my instructions, your qualification to participate in the festival will be immediately revoked!” Namgung Hwi bellowed once more. This time, there was a reaction.
The vast majority of these people had come seeking the treasures offered by the New Justice Association. Having traveled from afar, the revocation of their qualification was a massive punishment.
Of course, there were still those who protested.
“Are you threatening This Seat right now, boy?”
“You insolent brat!”
Namgung Hwi felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine, realizing just how much of a greenhouse flower he had been.
The current Namgung Clan was not the untouchable clan of the past, and once one stepped outside of Anhui, even the direct descendants of the Namgung family were easily looked down upon in the harsh reality of the martial world.
If this were a peaceful gathering consisting solely of orthodox masters, it might have been different, but this was a turbulent era. In a place where unorthodox masters gathered in droves, the name of the Namgung Clan carried very little weight.
“By the way, this New Justice Festival doesn’t start for another half-month. Why did you demand we arrive so early?”
“Do you think we have nothing but time on our hands?”
As the anger of the crowd turned toward Namgung Hwi, he wiped away his sweat and recalled the answer Muk Hui-yeong had prepared for him.
“It is to prevent any potential foul play. We must conduct physical examinations beforehand and verify if hidden weapons are installed in your blades.”
“Are you saying you wish to confiscate and inspect our weapons right now?”
The atmosphere grew even more hostile. To unorthodox martial artists who barely listened to their own parents, the mention of physical examinations and weapon inspections was more than enough to trigger a violent reaction.
Namgung Hwi racked his brain to find a way to soothe them, but no suitable solution came to mind.
Fortunately, the one who stepped in to assist him was, ironically, an unorthodox master.
“Alright, alright! Stop the noise and follow the rules. I absolutely despise the rattling of empty carts, and my first instinct is to crush them.”
Standing a full head taller than anyone else and clad in a sleeveless yellow robe, Jang Gwang-yeong, the Fighting Exalt and Grand Chieftain of the Green Forest, let out a murderous grin.
No matter how formidable the gathered masters might be, the Fighting Exalt was a figure whose eccentric temperament and monstrous martial arts made him someone everyone wished to avoid provoking. Those who harbored grudges against him ground their teeth in silence, but no one dared to raise their voice further.
—Thank you, Great Hero.
—Tsk. To think you cannot even manage a simple task like this on your own.
Namgung Hwi sent a message of gratitude via telepathy, but received only a sharp rebuke in return. As expected, common sense did not apply to these people.
“Then, I will guide you all inside.”
Though the New Justice Festival had not even officially begun, it already felt incredibly creaky. Harbinger of anxiety in his chest, Namgung Hwi began to lead the crowd.
Although the martial artists engaged in subtle psychological warfare as they ascended the mountain, they continued to follow Namgung Hwi. Jang Gwang-yeong didn’t even bother to pay attention to their posturing, yawning lazily as he climbed.
At one point, the bickering grew so intense that it seemed a battle might erupt at any moment. Yet the moment they reached the main compound of the Wudang Sect, every single one of them was struck utterly speechless.
“What in the name of heaven is all this…?”
Even Jang Gwang-yeong, who had been climbing with a thoroughly bored expression, muttered in disbelief.
The scenery of the Wudang Sect was indeed beautiful, but the martial artists hadn’t been rendered speechless by the natural beauty.
What welcomed them was, in every sense of the word, a festival. Brilliant, multi-colored banners fluttered in the wind, musicians held various instruments, massive decorative fans lined the pathways, incense lamps cast a warm glow, dancers performed on colorful stages, and Wudang disciples stood dressed in formal ceremonial robes. The scene was tens of thousands of li apart from the austere image one usually associated with the Wudang Sect.
What was even more shocking was that the musicians and dancers hadn’t even officially begun their performances. They were merely preparing for the arrival of the guests. Yet even that preparation was incredibly grand.
“Is this Wudang, or is this Beijing?”
Although it was situated halfway up Wudang Mountain, what lay before them was a bustling, vibrant street filled with the lively atmosphere of a festival.
Moreover, a rich, sweet scent of food that one would never expect to drift from a Daoist sect hung thick in the air.
“Hey, what is that smell?” the martial artists asked, licking their lips.
Namgung Hwi shrugged and replied, “It is the scent of the meal you will soon be enjoying.”
“Ah, I see. Ahem. You have prepared quite well.”
In truth, most martial arts tournaments were bleak affairs where warriors simply clashed blades and departed.
To offer such a feast, accompanied by musicians and dancers, was something entirely unprecedented in the history of the martial world.
“Now I see why it is called the New Justice Festival,” Jang Gwang-yeong remarked, and everyone nodded in agreement before they could even think.
This wasn’t a rigid, stiff assembly, but a celebration to be thoroughly enjoyed.
It was a concept that could never have originated from the traditional, weight-conscious factions of the martial world.
“Heh. As expected, that fellow is truly something else,” Jang Gwang-yeong chuckled softly. He had realized the boy was extraordinary back when they met in Shaanxi, but he was far more insane than he had initially assumed.
“What could he possibly be thinking by designing it this way?”
“How should I know?”
Some of the martial artists were even seriously worrying if these colorful decorations were secretly catalysts for a grand formation, unable to comprehend why they were seeing such a bright, cheerful sight in a place where they had come to fight.
“…My word. To think he prepared such a thing.”
Watching the flustered martial artists struggle to adapt to the unfamiliar environment, Namgung Hwi marveled inwardly.
Muk Hui-yeong had assured him that no matter how much the martial artists rioted, bringing them inside would resolve everything, and his prediction had proven entirely correct. Some said that certain people could see a thousand li while sitting and ten thousand li while standing, and Muk Hui-yeong was precisely that kind of person.
“Come, let us head to the dining hall. You must all be hungry.”
Taking advantage of the softened atmosphere, Namgung Hwi guided them toward the dining hall.
It was a massive hall created by completely gutting and renovating an entire pavilion. The moment they stepped inside, a plethora of mouth-watering aromas filled the space, instantly stimulating their appetites.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed their saliva reflexively.
Among the martial artists, rogue warriors often struggled to find decent meals, traveling the Central Plains while surviving solely on dried jerky and fasting pills.
To them, the rich, savory scent of this food was not just tempting—it was downright devastating.
And the arrangement of the dining hall was equally extraordinary. Because the Central Plains was vast, the preferred flavors varied wildly from region to region.
Muk Hui-yeong had specifically designed the menu to cater to the distinct culinary preferences of every single region in the land.
Whether it was Sichuan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, or Liaodong, the guests gasped in wonder as they saw the local delicacies of their hometowns, sparking deep nostalgia, while simultaneously salivating over unfamiliar dishes from regions they had never visited.
“The dining hall is open at all hours. You may come and eat whenever you wish.”
As Namgung Hwi delivered this final blow, the guests threw their dignified prefaces to the wind and let out exclamations of pure delight.
Yet, this was merely the very beginning.
Knowing that this was merely the tip of the iceberg, Namgung Hwi, who was the only one present to know what lay ahead, smiled inwardly as he anticipated just how astonished they would be.