A single notice was posted throughout the capital.
It spoke of a martial arts tournament, an event unlike any in recent times. The words summoned the greatest masters under heaven.
Who could refuse?
It was a declaration of war, shaking the twelve districts and seven provinces that made up the vast land of Sichuan—and more than that, stirring even the lands beyond.
Swish.
A letter flew between the snow-white index and middle fingers of the leader of Golden Wings Sect.
At the same moment, a wildly spinning Buddha statue in the air abruptly fell with a loud thud, as if the invisible hand that had held it had suddenly vanished.
"One-on-one? Or a winning streak format…?"
She murmured in a small voice, the tail end of her words lifting slightly. She had lost interest in the Buddha statue she had been toying with.
A deep fragrance of alcohol wafted from the jade flask in her other hand, momentarily shrouding her in a mist-like aura.
As the disciples of Golden Wings Sect flinched in unison—
"Radiant Demon Squad's leader… how arrogant. Truly arrogant."
Armor Piercing Divine Sword, Kim Hui-chul, slammed the hilt of his massive saber into the ground with a resounding bang.
In that instant, veins bulged along his unnaturally thick forearm, glowing momentarily with a piercing blue light before fading away—a manifestation of his immense internal energy.
"This is ridiculous. That bastard has no idea what he's just done."
The old man spat the words out like venom. In the brief moment the letter had been passing into the sect leader's hand, he had already scanned every line.
Meanwhile, a young man of the Yeoryeong Sect found himself absentmindedly staring at the radiant figure of the leader of Golden Wings Sect, who stood basking in the sunlight, before quickly snapping back to reality.
The old man's furious outburst had shaken him.
Silently, he cursed.
'Ignorant old fool.'
Armor Piercing Divine Sword, Kim Hui-chul.
A grandmaster of the saber, capable of establishing his own martial sect single-handedly. He was famed within the Golden Wings Sect as the one who could withstand most of the sect leader's techniques.
Unlike Spirit-Melting Divine Fist, who fawned over the sect leader's beauty and willingly played the role of her attendant, Kim Hui-chul wielded considerable influence within the sect. He even led their elite beast-hunting unit, responsible for tracking and subjugating the great spiritual creatures known as dragon-slayers.
It was Kim Hui-chul who ruthlessly commanded the extermination of rival sects during the Great Sect War.
Just a few days ago, it was his efforts that ensured the destruction of Emei Sect, allowing Golden Wings Sect to remain there unchallenged to this day.
"That wretch was already beyond redemption, and now he's practically conducting his own funeral rites, begging to be put to death. He's nothing more than a subordinate to the leader of the Divine Sword Order."
Kim Hui-chul muttered, seemingly to no one in particular.
Yet the young man of Yeoryeong Sect was expected to respond. Direct discourse with the leader of Golden Wings Sect was nearly impossible for someone of his standing.
So he spoke up, casually throwing in his comment.
"If it is the Desolate Fortress's black rank, then his status is far from low. Just recently, both the leaders of Ten Perfection Sect and Pure Demon Alliance withdrew rather than clash with the Radiant Demon Squad's leader…"
"There must have been circumstances beyond our understanding."
"That is likely."
"That bastard is nothing exceptional. We need not stoop to entertain his petty provocations. And yet, he dares summon the sect leader at will… utterly insolent."
Kim Hui-chul's grip tightened on the hilt of his massive saber.
The young man glanced at him and shook his head inwardly. No, this won't do.
"This matter has already drawn the attention of the entire martial world. In the fast-moving circles of the upper echelons, they're even calling it the Grand War of the Martial Gods."
"The Grand War of the Martial Gods?"
Kim Hui-chul echoed.
The young man nodded slowly.
"A martial arts tournament where the highest-ranked masters engage in duels to the death. The stage has been set, naturally and effortlessly. It is a rare occurrence for the leaders of the great sects to leave their seats."
"The sect leader is no street performer."
Kim Hui-chul scoffed in disdain.
But the young man, his brow furrowed, spoke again, his expression turning serious.
"It may be far better for the leader of Golden Wings Sect to personally attend. That is the point I wished to make."
"And why is that?"
"You are well aware, are you not? Something strange is unfolding. The Ten Perfection Sect, Golden Wings Sect, Pure Demon Alliance, the Tyrant Sword Tribe, and even portions of Yeoryeong's forces, along with numerous subordinate sects—all have begun to disappear mysteriously. We should have long since crushed the righteous sects of Sichuan and the Divine Sword Order's four martial divisions, yet we have not."
"Hm."
"The leaders of Qingcheng and Emei are still standing, and now even the Radiant Demon Squad's leader of Desolate Fortress has thrown his hat into the ring. This is an event that must not be missed. Since it has been officially declared a martial arts tournament, it cannot be a trap. There would not have been time to devise such a scheme beforehand."
Qingcheng Sect had already lost a sect leader to the Tyrant Sword Tribe.
Tang Clan was too busy recovering from the losses inflicted by the Ten Perfection Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance. Their stores of poison and concealed weapons were likely running dangerously low.
Emei Sect had fared even worse. Their sect leader had returned from a long journey only to be defeated by the leader of Golden Wings Sect, and their sacred Mount Emei, renowned for housing countless relics, had been seized.
As for the Radiant Demon Squad's leader, there was little need for discussion. The Divine Sword Order of Desolate Fortress was known to be fragmented and disorganized.
'The only uncertain factor is whether the Heavenly Forest Squad and the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad, who were meant to be part of the Flood Dragon Formation, will interfere…'
Certainly, there were variables.
But compared to the Ten Perfection Sect, Pure Demon Alliance, and Golden Wings Sect, which still retained their leaders, those variables were insignificant.
'A martial arts tournament to bring down the Thirteen Celestial Demons?'
The young man of Yeoryeong Sect smirked.
'They may be attempting to reverse the tides, but Dragon-Slaying Arts is not a martial art meant for mere humans.'
His gaze fell upon the leader of Golden Wings Sect.
With slender fingers, she traced over the characters of the letter penned by the Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
Her jet-black hair, flowing like obsidian, shifted gently with her movement.
It was an utterly unremarkable gesture, yet somehow, it carried the grace of a phoenix in human form.
"Hui-chul."
"Yes, my lord."
"You said it was a winning streak format. I'll go see for myself."
"…I shall obey your will."
Kim Hui-chul responded in his weathered voice.
He lowered his head slightly. The power he wielded only existed because the leader of Golden Wings Sect had little interest in managing external affairs.
The young man of Yeoryeong Sect murmured internally.
It will be interesting to see how the righteous sects of Sichuan meet their end.
The same discussions were undoubtedly taking place in the Ten Perfection Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance.
The Radiant Demon Squad's leader's challenge, which likened martial artists to mere insects, was an affront no one could ignore. It had been meticulously designed.
'With words like those, even the righteous sects won't look kindly on him… but he must have judged that the benefits of a proper martial arts tournament outweigh the risks.'
Someone so young could not possibly possess such unbridled arrogance. Each stroke of ink had been placed with careful precision.
That brilliant mind should have come to Yeoryeong, the young man thought, suppressing his regret.
* * *
The challenge issued by Jung Yeonshin was spreading across the martial world, reaching every sect.
Even the Beggars' Sect and Yeoryeong Sect, known for exaggerating and distorting rumors, were unable to stop its momentum.
This was due in no small part to the support of the Tang Clan, the aristocratic family that had ruled Sichuan's martial arts for generations.
"It's truly fortunate. Whether it's handling gold or commanding people, the Tang Clan alone surpasses all of our combined secular branches."
"Indeed."
A man and a woman strolled through a garden filled with rare flowers and plants of every hue.
Little Sword Queen, Chui So-ok, and Radiant Demon Squad's Leader, Jung Yeonshin. Behind them, a young man in a white martial robe followed cautiously, his steps careful as though he were a servant to Jung Yeonshin.
It was white-robed warrior, Su Ilsu, who had narrowly escaped death at the hands of the leader of the Pure Demon Alliance.
"By the way, the Tang Clan offered to assign you an attendant, yet you chose him… I've never seen an elite warrior of the Desolate Fortress' white rank serve another person."
Chui So-ok glanced at Su Ilsu as she spoke.
Jung Yeonshin nodded slowly.
"It is a great kindness."
"I requested this myself! For those of us scattered across the world in the regional divisions, at least one of the seventeen black ranks is a figure of admiration!"
Su Ilsu shouted with a grin.
Jung Yeonshin slightly turned his head to the side—to avoid showing the awkward expression that briefly crossed his face. Admiration, huh…
At that moment—
—Adorable.
A voice echoed from the shadow beneath his feet.
It was a whisper smooth as silk, accompanied by the faint rumbling of hunger. Both mysterious and utterly trivial at the same time.
Jung Yeonshin had known hunger before.
Around the age of seven, just after hearing that his father would personally read Classic of Mountains and Seas and Great Ming Chronicles to his elder brothers.
He had begged to hear stories about his mother and was locked in seclusion for four days. A martial family's child was not allowed to throw tantrums.
Still, he had gained something small from the experience.
During that time, he grasped the essence of emptiness, an insight that later became part of the mnemonic verses for Jung Clan Movement Arts.
'By emptying, one fills even more.'
The Seventh Apostle couldn't possibly be weaker than Jung Yeonshin had been at seven years old. They were human enough in intelligence and potential, far from being mere beasts. There was no reason for them to starve.
Jung Yeonshin mused. If he pricked his finger and let a single drop of blood fall, wouldn't it emerge instantly?
The memory of the Apostle's cold fangs pressed against his nape was still vivid.
"Leader Jung… Leader Jung?"
"Hm?"
"We're here. Just turn and it's the first room."
Chui So-ok said.
Raising his head, Jung Yeonshin saw a pavilion with green-tiled roofs. It exuded an ancient elegance.
They had arrived at the separate residence designated for honored guests of the Tang Clan.
It had taken some time to get here, as Jung Yeonshin was currently staying in the inner quarters reserved for the Tang Clan's direct lineage.
His gaze settled on the tranquil pavilion.
"Abbot Thunderous Avalokiteshvara is inside…?"
It was the epithet of the leader of Emei Sect.
His Dharma name was Baek Yak.
Jung Yeonshin had received word last night that, while he was welcoming Xiahou Wei-jin and Cheon So-so and reuniting with his two seniors, the high-ranking warriors of Emei had entered the Tang Clan's domain.
He had heard that they had been thoroughly crushed by the Golden Wings Sect, and that the sect leader himself had requested a meeting with the Tang Clan's leader regarding Jung Yeonshin.
"Is he here to discuss the order of matches in the tournament?"
Jung Yeonshin pondered as he walked.
As the youngest son of a great landowning family, he had originally been closer in nature to the common folk.
The martial arts of his lineage were at best third-rate, something he had played with on his own. Like the ordinary people, he had always respected monks and Taoists.
The leader of Emei Sect would surely converse comfortably with the Abbot of Shaolin. An exalted figure, revered regardless of martial prowess.
"Leader Jung."
"Hm?"
"Before you go in, may I say a few words?"
"…Go ahead."
Lost in thought, Jung Yeonshin nearly told her to just spit it out without thinking.
The sharp energy emanating from Chui So-ok's qi had unconsciously put him on edge.
He had met far too many uncouth martial artists recently.
"I must be careful not to become tainted by them."
With that resolve, he pushed aside his thoughts.
He was about to meet a high monk, a man deeply immersed in Buddhist law. His heart beat slightly faster.
Wooooong—
Suddenly, an invisible wave of energy surrounded both Jung Yeonshin and Chui So-ok.
The source was Chui So-ok's body. A suppression technique.
As Jung Yeonshin looked at her curiously, she spoke, almost as if in excuse.
"I was worried that unnecessary conflict might arise."
"Conflict? I've heard that Master Baek Yak possesses deep spiritual power."
Chui So-ok didn't immediately respond.
She swallowed dryly, seemingly holding back words she wanted to say.
Jung Yeonshin's colorless gaze glimmered like stars.
"Is he fiery-tempered? I've heard of monks like that—ones who channel their worldly attachments into bursts of anger. Even Shaolin's Wall Climbing Gecko Fist…"
"No, it's the opposite."
"What?"
"Abbot Thunderous Avalokiteshvara is called the Immovable Buddha even among the demonic factions. His mind is so unshakable that nothing can disturb his composure. Even the young Invincible Laughing Heaven once attempted to play the role of the Heavenly Demon before him, only to flee. They say he deflected Celestial Joy Arts, the supreme technique of seduction, without even using his internal energy…"
"Impressive."
Jung Yeonshin, who had secretly begun to regard his maternal family's bloodline with wariness after reuniting with his niece, let out a short exclamation.
I must meet him at once.
Chui So-ok's expression showed a hint of urgency.
"I overheard his conversation with the Tang Clan's leader. It seems he is skeptical about your participation in the martial arts tournament. He is a man solely devoted to orthodox Zen Buddhism and enlightenment. So if he momentarily disregards you…"
"That is an odd thing to say."
Step.
Jung Yeonshin brushed her words aside and stepped forward, shattering the energy barrier.
The remnants of energy scattered like fragments of light, trailing behind his jet-black hair.
Chui So-ok almost found herself staring in a daze.
"At least let me finish—!"
She instinctively reached out, then hesitated.
Faint traces of spiritual energy seeped from beneath Jung Yeonshin's dark robe, drifting like smoke before vanishing.