"I am very much looking forward to this."
"Hahaha. Thanks to you, Master Huang, we get to witness such a spectacle. Thank you."
Amidst the praises pouring in from both sides, Huang Munyak smiled gently.
"I should be the one thanking you for accepting the invitation. You traveled a long way to be here, after all."
"Hahaha. One cannot miss such a rare sight."
Compliments exchanged back and forth.
Yet, Huang Munyak did not miss the fact that the officials were closely observing those who would participate in the martial arts competition.
The people gathered here did not come simply for entertainment.
Their interest lay in the future generations of the two sects, particularly the later disciples of Jongnam.
Though the Upper Realm and the Jianghu seem distant, they are closely intertwined.
The Upper Realm, which must constantly face rogues, is always sensitive to the situation in the Jianghu.
A strong sect becomes a target for investment simply by existing.
In the end, strength attracts wealth.
These individuals aimed to evaluate the later disciples of Jongnam through today's Huazhong Gathering, to gauge the future of Jongnam.
"The martial arts competition between Jongnam and Hwasan. The opponent is somewhat disappointing."
"Indeed. If it were a nearby sect like Gongong or Mudang, it would be different. Can we truly showcase our skills against Hwasan?"
The spectators lowered their voices. 'This must be an objective assessment.' Huang Munyak did not think their evaluation was incorrect.
A hundred years ago, it might have been different, but Hwasan today could not stand against Jongnam.
There was no comparison between Jongnam, which firmly held one of the prestigious positions among the Nine Great Sects, and Hwasan, which had been expelled from the Nine Great Sects and was on the brink of collapse.
However...
Huang Munyak's gaze shifted to the disciples of Hwasan gathered across from him.
Unable to see Cheongmyeong clearly, Huang Munyak frowned slightly. 'He doesn't seem like someone who would bet on losing.'
Then, did that mean there was some clever scheme at play? Huang Munyak smiled. 'While it is not pleasant for others to rush in on what has been claimed, for the sake of recovery, Hwasan's reputation needs to spread.
Thus, I have cooperated without hesitation this time, Sodojang.'
Huang Munyak's heart began to swell with anticipation.
He wondered what events would unfold today.
In the center of the training ground, Unam stood, signaling to the disciples of Hwasan and Jongnam who faced each other on either side, and opened his mouth.
Though he felt a bit flustered by the sudden crowd, leading the long-standing Huazhong Gathering was not too difficult.
"First, the representatives of each sect's top disciples will engage in one-on-one martial arts matches. Ten representatives from the top disciples will each fight ten matches."
Unam declared firmly.
"Frontline!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, one person from each side stood up.
Jin Geum-ryong and Baek Cheon.
They were the top disciples of their respective sects.
"Senior brother!"
"Senior brother, may you achieve victory!"
"You must win!"
Hearing the cheers from his fellow disciples, Baek Cheon took a deep breath.
His stiff face revealed just how nervous he was.
He turned to glance at his fellow disciples and then stepped forward into the training ground.
Across from him, Jin Geum-ryong approached with a very relaxed demeanor.
The two stood facing each other in the center of the training ground.
"Indeed."
Wei Zikai, the leader of the Dapeng Sect, known alongside the Eunha Alliance as the Shibadao Sect, exclaimed as he looked at Jin Geum-ryong.
"They say Jin Geum-ryong is the talent to usher in Jongnam's golden age, and indeed, his presence is remarkable."
"Truly, he embodies the image of a young hero."
Dressed in a white martial robe and holding a wooden sword in one hand, Jin Geum-ryong certainly drew attention.
"But if we are to speak of presence, the one across is also impressive, is he not?"
"Looking closely, they do seem similar. Black and white. Quite a picture."
Baek Cheon, clad in black, stood confidently against Jin Geum-ryong.
"Certainly, the anticipation is rising, but can Hwasan's disciple truly contend with Jin Geum-ryong?"
"Who knows? It is true that Hwasan has been wobbling greatly, but the recent Hwasan might be different. Even a rotten tree can bear fruit; considering Hwasan's past, perhaps there could be a twist."
Though they spoke thus, no one truly believed Baek Cheon could defeat Jin Geum-ryong.
Hwasan today was not the Hwasan of the past.
The fact that those present had severed ties with Hwasan long ago proved that.
If they believed Hwasan could rise again, they would not have completely cut off their connections.
What those gathered here hoped for was simply how strong Jongnam would appear.
Sama Seung, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation from the side, slightly hardened his expression.
He understood it was just polite talk, but such words still left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Show them, Geum-ryong."
Now, Hwasan was in no position to even be mentioned alongside Jongnam.
And Hyun Jong also tightly closed his lips, staring at Baek Cheon.
"Show everything you have."
So that there would be no regrets.
With everyone's expectations and concerns focused, Jin Geum-ryong and Baek Cheon quietly regarded each other.
The first to speak was Jin Geum-ryong.
"You've come out without running away."
Baek Cheon replied with a firm expression.
"I am the great disciple of Hwasan. There is no way I would run from Jongnam."
"Your tongue is still intact."
Jin Geum-ryong quietly raised his sword, aiming it at Baek Cheon.
"A dog is meant to bark."
"Do you want to be bitten by that dog?"
"I made a mistake. You are not even worthy of being a dog."
"This..."
"Come at me. As I said yesterday, I will personally show you how insignificant you are."
Baek Cheon chose not to respond.
Instead, he subtly turned his gaze toward where Hyun Jong was seated.
'The sect leader is watching.'
It was time to set aside personal grudges and selfish desires.
"I am Baek Cheon, the top disciple of Hwasan."
Baek Cheon glared at Jin Geum-ryong with determined eyes.
He too raised his wooden sword, aiming it at him.
Everyone watched the two with tense eyes.
One was the representative of Hwasan, and the other was the representative of Jongnam.
Normally, these two should face each other last, but according to the tradition of the Huazhong Gathering, they faced off first.
In a way, the outcome of this match would nearly determine the results of the Huazhong Gathering.
So how could it not draw attention?
Just as someone was about to speak, Baek Cheon moved.
Whoosh!
The sound of his foot striking the ground rang clearly.
Baek Cheon charged forward at an incredible speed, thrusting his sword straight at Jin Geum-ryong's neck without any hesitation.
Swish.
Jin Geum-ryong evaded the incoming sword effortlessly, sidestepping as if to avoid it.
Clang!
Baek Cheon's sword quickly pursued Jin Geum-ryong.
A slight flick of his wrist, and the tip of the sword multiplied into dozens.
The dazzling transformation unique to Hwasan enveloped the training ground.
"Oh!"
"Impressive!"
"It seems Hwasan's disciple is quite skilled!"
Those watching could not help but admire the splendid display.
Though it was not a real sword but a wooden one, its sharpness was no less than that of a real sword.
Even the renowned Jin Geum-ryong seemed to have no way to counter this brilliant display, continuously retreating.
The top and third disciples of Hwasan clenched their fists in excitement.
Jo Geol, seemingly thrilled, shouted, "Indeed, Baek Cheon is amazing! The Fuhuo Qingyang Sword is truly worthy of its name!"
The disciples of Hwasan could not hide their excitement.
They knew how hard Baek Cheon had trained.
After suffering humiliation at the last Huazhong Gathering, Baek Cheon had forgotten to eat and sleep, dedicating himself to training.
It was Baek Cheon who had voluntarily secluded himself.
The one who could have lived the most joyful and splendid life in Hwasan chose to cut off all interactions with others and focus solely on the sword.
How could they not cheer for someone like that?
He pressed on.
Baek Cheon's sword shadows fiercely and sharply cornered Jin Geum-ryong.
Each of those sword shadows contained sharp intent.
The real and the false intertwined, making it impossible to distinguish what was real and what was fake.
Seeing this, Hyun Jong clenched his fist tightly.
'When did that child reach such a level!'
At this point, he could rival even the likes of Unja Bae.
He knew Baek Cheon had talent, but he never expected it to be to this extent!
All the disciples of Hwasan watching Baek Cheon's performance were filled with hope.
Perhaps... perhaps this time would be different.
Yun Jong could not hide his excitement.
"Cheongmyeong! Senior brother is pressing hard!"
"Yes."
"Maybe he could win!"
"Surely not."
"Huh?"
Yun Jong turned to look at Cheongmyeong.
Leaning back in his chair, Cheongmyeong spoke with a nonchalant expression.
"Whether he wins or loses, it doesn't matter if he can't even land a hit."
"Still, the momentum..."
"Does that look like the face of someone who has seized the momentum?"
"Huh?"
Yun Jong turned his head back to Baek Cheon.
He soon found himself unable to maintain his expression.
Baek Cheon's face was twisted with strain.
'Why!'
Baek Cheon swung his sword with all his might.
His feet struck the ground with intensity.
The energy drawn up from his firmly planted lower body surged into his fingertips.
Finally, he poured all his strength into the sword, swinging it with all his might.
Lightly, yet lightly.
As if a butterfly was fluttering in, light but sharp!
But that light and sharp sword never touched Jin Geum-ryong's body.
'Why can't I even graze him? Why!'
It felt distant.
The opponent standing before him seemed too far away.
It was like looking at a towering cliff, so high that he dared not attempt to climb or leap over it.
Soaked in sweat, Baek Cheon did not even think to wipe the sweat trickling into his eyes and shouted,
"Aaaaaaaah!"
A desperate strike!
At the same time, Baek Cheon's sword, now imbued with energy, flew toward Jin Geum-ryong.
In that moment, clang!
For the first time, Jin Geum-ryong's sword deflected Baek Cheon's incoming sword.
As the swords stopped, the sword shadows that had covered the training ground vanished.
Only then could Baek Cheon clearly see Jin Geum-ryong's face.
Unlike Baek Cheon, who was drenched in sweat, Jin Geum-ryong stood without a drop of sweat, his breath steady, looking at him with a sardonic smile.
"Have you enjoyed yourself enough?"
"…You."
"You foolish one. Do you think that even if you mastered Hwasan's martial arts, you could touch a single hair on me?"
Jin Geum-ryong's sword, like a beam of light, pierced toward Baek Cheon.
Thud!
Baek Cheon, struck in the nape, fell to the ground without even a scream.
"Ugh..."
He groaned as he forced himself to rise.
As he lifted his head, he saw Jin Geum-ryong approaching him with a relaxed smile.
"Understand with that body of yours. Just how foolish you are."
Jin Geum-ryong's sword struck down mercilessly at Baek Cheon.