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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Geum Sihyeon's Advance
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It had been a long time since the status window last appeared, back when I caused that collision with the young lady. Its sudden reappearance left me momentarily dazed.
"What is this, now?"
I can check the location of a streamer who's currently live?
Does it mean I should go meet them for a real-life fight if I'm annoyed?
It's a skill, if you can call it that.
But I had no idea how to use it.
When I launched MooTube.
[New Feature: Live Broadcast Update!]
[Capture your martial world life vibrantly and share it with viewers!]
"Hmm…"
A new tab called 'MooTube Live' had been added.
Well.
It's not like I'm going to stream.
The tab was empty, perhaps because no one had officially started streaming yet, but soon, one or two people would issue challenges and usher in an era of warring heroes.
Live broadcasts, being raw and unfiltered, would probably feel different from the already established MooTube, so they'd likely become popular.
Memories of my past life resurfaced.
Actually, I wasn't someone who watched internet broadcasts often.
Only when I was bored, or specifically to watch high-level gameplay of games I enjoyed.
There were a few streamers I remembered.
Like No***d, the original streamer who enjoyed greatsword play and maintained an anonymous expert concept.
Or Vol***s, who was terrible at games but had such good banter that I somehow got hooked and watched him.
Or Mun***hyeon, who had beastly physical prowess but used language worse than a beast.
"What a god-tier ability."
If I'd had this ability in my past life, I would've tracked them all down and had them arrested.
In the end, only the undisputed Queen of Thieves survived.
Thief-thief, you're the best.
Anyway, that's all in the past now.
"You bald bastard, you're mine."
I checked the bracket that had arrived via message and smiled.
Indeed, like the crazy old hag Grand Devil she was, Venerable Master had a deep understanding of how to take down baldies, and I had already voraciously absorbed her know-how.
It was a bit disappointing that I couldn't watch the live broadcast of this first match in the Round of 16.
This was an opportunity to prove to the whole world that the baldies' martial arts were by no means superior to mine.
I also looked at the other participants.
Had she somehow adapted to that bulging physique?
Young Lady Iljangchunmong Ruri had advanced to the Round of 16.
The fact that she hadn't given up her avatar until the very end even made me feel a hint of madness.
And Seol Nuna, the one-of-a-kind legend of twin swords, Gumilbokgeom, had also proudly listed her name in the Round of 16.
If I won, the two of them would face off in the quarterfinals, and the survivor would then compete against me in the semifinals.
Most of the people who felt tricky in the upper ranks had also survived, so it seemed like it wouldn't be an easy fight.
But I couldn't give up the Grand Rejuvenation Pill.
* * *
On the day the live broadcast of the Round of 16 matches began.
Despite the previous festive vibrancy, an eerie silence hung over the streets of Baekhwa Academy.
However, unlike the quiet streets, the dormitories, Simnyeongak, and the taverns of Baekhwa City were brimming with an explosive energy.
Though they enjoyed their leisure, at their core, they were martial artists.
People who revered martial arts enough to reach the first-rate realm before turning twenty would certainly not miss such a spectacle.
Moyong Taek and Unhak also found seats in a tavern and were engrossed in their smartphones.
Desperation even flickered across Moyong Taek's face.
"Please, this time, please…"
"Brother Moyong. Who did you bet on this time?"
"There's a saying: 'All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin.' This match will go to Hokse Mumin. My gambler's intuition is screaming it…!"
Unhak let out a deep sigh.
If Geum Sihyeon had been there, they could have teased him together, but he had disappeared, claiming business at his family home, leaving Unhak alone and outmatched.
Instead, Unhak focused on his smartphone.
After a short waiting period.
A large live broadcast notification popped up.
"Let's go!"
Ignoring Moyong Taek's crazed shout, Unhak absorbed the streamed video with his eyes.
First, two people appeared on screen.
"Fellow practitioners of the martial world, greetings. I am Jang Geon, the Vice-Leader of the Martial Alliance, and I will be commentating on today's Round of 16 matches of the Mind-Image Duel Tournament."
A middle-aged man with a very serious expression, stroking his beard, and…
"Hello everyone! I'm Jegal Ryeong, the technical advisor for the Martial Alliance, and I prepared today's live broadcast! It's been a long time since MooTube was born, and it's a tremendous honor to finally unveil the live broadcasting technology we've been preparing for you all, and—"
She was a woman whose appearance would make Geum Sihyeon exclaim, 'Wow, look at that walking encyclopedia!' if he saw her, and she spoke far too many unnecessary words.
At the same time.
- Guys, can you see my message?
- Shaolin will win anyway!
- There's chat too, holy cow.
- Your righteous murim is doomed! From now on, the Demonic Cult will rule here!
- First?
- [Message deleted by administrator.]
- Wow, boobs pufferfish.
- The stars of the prairie flow in my soul...
Along with the live broadcast, the activated real-time chat function also began to explode.
"Ah! Those who type disrespectful chats will be punished! Everyone, please maintain the dignity of a martial artist and be careful with your words and actions! As for the criteria, well, lewd comments are obviously prohibited. Excessive slander will also be deleted, and also—"
"Ahem, your preamble is getting too long. I can't proceed. Preparations are almost complete, so everyone, please focus on the match."
Jang Geon skillfully proceeded, controlling Jegal Ryeong, who would impulsively burst out with all sorts of TMI at every opportunity.
He was indeed a legendary figure who had risen from a minor sect to the position of Vice-Leader.
This pattern repeated a few times.
Finally, it was just before the actual match began.
Unlike the matches up to the Round of 32, which were single elimination.
A new rule was introduced for the Round of 16: the first person to win two out of three battles would be declared the victor.
"Then, let's see the match!"
With Jegal Ryeong's cheerful shout, the screen changed.
Two martial artists faced each other, maintaining some distance.
It was the common scene just before the start of a Mind-Image Duel.
"The waiting time is almost over! We've internally confirmed that Player Hokse Mumin already overwhelmingly defeated Player Samseong Gano in the preliminaries! Vice-Leader, please share your esteemed opinion on how this duel will unfold!"
"Hmm. Player Hokse Mumin will likely try to maximize the advantages of a martial artist, constantly forcing close-quarters combat. The key will be how well Player Samseong Gano has prepared his countermeasures for that."
"Yes! As I speak, the match begins, and Player Hokse Mumin charges at Player Samseong Gano!"
As Jegal Ryeong said, Hokse Mumin's body rushed forward swiftly, as if scattering light.
Closing the distance as if using the Shrinking Ground Technique, Hokse Mumin unfurled his palm.
CLANG—!
With the majestic ringing of a bell, the Buddha's Palm extended, but it soon collided with an invisible, formless palm force, causing a massive explosion.
"That palm technique is more amazing every time I see it! A formless palm force, it must be incredibly tricky! Vice-Leader, how does it compare to your Jang Clan's Tai Chi Palm or Jang Clan's Eight Trigrams Palm?"
"Hmm. The Buddha's Palm goes without saying, but Player Samseong Gano's palm technique is also an extremely profound method. Especially considering that recent martial arts in the martial world have developed in a direction that pursues flashiness, such a technique can actually be even more dangerous."
As Jang Geon said, most martial arts of today were exceedingly flamboyant, and Shaolin's martial arts, in particular, boasted a splendor so dazzling they could blind you, even with a slight exaggeration.
With every step, Hokse Mumin moved with a weight as if lotuses bloomed beneath his feet, and his skin shimmered as though entirely covered in gold.
Against this advancing Golden Buddha.
Samseong Gano was pushed onto the defensive, scrambling to parry.
CLANG!
Even though sword and fist collided, a powerful metallic clang echoed, and sparks flew.
"Distance! He's closed the distance! Player Samseong Gano can't shake him off! Aaaah!"
Jegal Ryeong shrieked.
* * *
Up to this point, everything was going according to plan.
That arrogant baldy was probably convinced of his victory by now.
Because it was almost identical to the setup where I had been defeated last time.
But this time was different.
The moment I intentionally exposed a slight opening, the baldy's kick flew towards my side.
"Secret Killing Technique: Ankle Twist!"
Of course, my voice wouldn't be transmitted, but I shouted with full spirit, rolled my body sideways, and simultaneously unleashed White Rainbow Palm Force with both hands.
Whoosh!
As I felt my internal energy subtly draining from my body, the palm force, rising stealthily like a snake, surged forward to twist the baldy's ankle.
One kick was dodged, but the other struck his left ankle precisely.
The moment I caught the baldy's stance faltering, I rose and slammed my shoulder into his solar plexus.
"Ugh."
What, was his body really made of iron?
Was that it?
Like, 'My body is made of swords' or something?
I quickly dismissed the thought and pressed both my palms against the baldy's chest.
- Adamantine Body, huh. Then, instead of slashing with a sword, using the Internal Heavy Hand Technique would be much more effective.
Venerable Master's words were vague, but my unparalleled, best-in-all-ages brain created its own breakthrough through transcendent interpretation.
Enduring a headache that felt like my brain was burning, I channeled Yang-strength energy into my right hand and Yin-cold energy into my left, pushing them in simultaneously.
The two opposing energies clashed, instantly freezing his body, then melting it, then burning it, then freezing it again—
As I felt a kaleidoscope of changes being wrought, I retreated my body.
Voice wasn't supported, clearly.
But it felt as if my opponent's screams echoed in my ears like a phantom sound.
What a relief…!
From now on, he wouldn't be able to rely solely on his Adamantine Body and recklessly close the distance in combat.
Filled with boiling rage, I delivered the finishing blow.
WHAM!
My palm landed squarely on Hokse Mumin's shiny, bald skull.
His composure, enough to maintain his Adamantine Body, had seemingly run out.
With that single strike, the baldy's form crumbled.
[Victory!]
Yeah, that's more like it.
Since it was a multi-match format, I wouldn't be able to use the same method again, but I had successfully seized the initiative.
With a satisfied smile, I lightly bounced my hips once, teabagged him, and then exited the waiting room.
The next match was in 10 minutes.
I planned to grab a quick drink in the meantime.
After preparing.
Before the second match began.
"Hmm…"
The baldy I met again had changed a little.
He held a stone staff that looked remarkably similar to Unhak's weapon, 'Unbreakable Conviction'.
I sighed, looking at Hokse Mumin, who was radiating killing intent even before the match began.
It seemed like it wouldn't be an easy fight.