touchnovel Chapter 196 : Chapter 196
Chapter 196 : Chapter 196
Chapter 196 - As Expected
“Abbot. Jin Hwi has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
A young monk with a sturdy build appeared in Deokdam's quarters.
His exceptionally dark eyebrows and deep, clear eyes.
His long nose and firmly closed, thick lips were like looking at a ship that would not be shaken by any storm.
Wasn't this the kind of character one must possess in these times?
Deokdam thought so as he looked at Jin Hwi.
“You have worked hard to reach the semifinals.”
“Amitabha. Is it not thanks to the abbot’s care?”
“Hoho. Spare me the pleasantries. It is the result of your talent and effort.”
Jin Hwi was a prodigy of Shaolin who had shown a talent for martial arts from a young age.
He was a child blessed not only with talent as a martial artist but also with the equally important persistence and diligence.
Goengho, the master of the Martial Pavilion, who was famous for being brusque, kept him by his side every day.
“So. Is there any particular discomfort?”
“I have no injuries. I did use more than eighty percent of my internal energy in the quarterfinals, but I have now almost fully recovered.”
“More than eighty percent…?”
Deokdam recalled the quarterfinal match.
Jin Hwi had exchanged blows with the female swordsman from the Diancang Sect, Jeong-i, for over two igak.
He had thought Jin Hwi had deliberately dragged out the time simply to observe the Diancang Sect’s sword.
But from what Jin Hwi said, it seemed he had also gone through quite an ordeal.
For the Diancang Sect's female swordsman to draw out most of Jin Hwi’s internal energy.
That was quite a shock to Deokdam.
“In many ways… what a remarkable sect.”
That was Deokdam's honest assessment of the Diancang Sect.
All their members advanced to the round of sixteen.
A staggering four made it to the quarterfinals, and they ultimately put their name in one of the final spots.
He could understand if they had struggled after meeting Biyoung, giving them the benefit of the doubt.
But even a female swordsman who had never shown her face in the Jianghu martial world was threatening Jin Hwi’s position.
Yes.
It was because the Diancang Sect’s momentum was so great that he had summoned Jin Hwi here.
The championship of the martial arts tournament must belong to Shaolin.
And.
The Great Buddha Gold Pill awarded to the winner must also belong to this young man.
He couldn't help it even if he was criticized for being biased.
In these suspicious times for the martial world, it would be too much of a waste for the Great Buddha Gold Pill to fall into someone else's hands.
Because the Great Buddha Gold Pill was an item that could elevate a decent master to the level of a peerless master.
“Last night, I had a chance to witness a technique of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art by chance.”
A strange light appeared in Jin Hwi’s clear eyes.
What on earth could have happened to allow him to see a technique of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art?
Deokdam’s face stung under Jin Hwi's gaze, but he couldn't explain all the circumstances.
“You may have understood much while fighting Miss Jeong, but this is a technique you have never seen before.”
Deokdam took Jin Hwi outside and reenacted the movements of the Shooting Rotation Reversing Shift.
Naturally, the movements were incredibly slow compared to the original Shooting Rotation Reversing Shift.
What he held in his hand was not a sword but just a long tree branch.
However, Jin Hwi soon nodded his head.
“I think I know what it feels like. It’s a technique that counters the opponent's attack.”
Indeed.
He was a disciple worth teaching.
Was this how Goengho of the Martial Pavilion felt when he taught Jin Hwi?
“Unfortunately, this is the only technique of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art that this old monk witnessed. This is all the advice I can give.”
“I have already received too much.”
Jin Hwi bowed his head deeply to Deokdam.
This was the abbot of Shaolin, of all people.
It was an honor just to be called separately for encouragement, but for him to personally demonstrate the martial art of his opponent.
Although Jin Hwi was clumsy with expressing his emotions, his body was already trembling slightly with gratitude.
“I will definitely seize victory in the martial arts tournament.”
Even though his semifinal opponent, Namgung Chu, still remained.
Jin Hwi was looking only at Biyoung, as if the final was already a foregone conclusion.
And,
“You are dependable.”
Deokdam's thoughts were no different from Jin Hwi's.
***
The morning of the semifinals.
The spectators who came to the martial arts tournament with excited hearts soon had to open their eyes wide like owls.
Because an entirely unexpected notice was posted on the large bulletin board.
“Fo-forfeit????”
“What! What is going on?”
“A bye? Where did Young Hero Siban go?”
“Let’s see. It says his accumulated injuries made it impossible for him to compete.”
“Even so, he just leaves without saying goodbye? Sheesh. I cheered for him so much!”
“Actually, we should consider it amazing that he lasted this long. If he were an ordinary person, he would have had a dozen funerals by now.”
“True. He fought such a bloody battle in every match. It wouldn’t have been strange for something to go wrong at any time.”
The crowd smacked their lips in disappointment at Siban’s withdrawal, but at the same time, there was an atmosphere of acceptance.
If one were to write down all the injuries he sustained on his way to the quarterfinals, a single book wouldn't be enough.
“W-wait. If this happens… one of the final matchups is already decided!”
“Oh! That's right! Young Hero Biyoung of the Jade Face Quick Sword was Siban's opponent, wasn't he?”
“Wow! A later-generation disciple of the Diancang Sect has reached the finals of the martial arts tournament!”
“Isn't this a true revival? Weren't they a sect that had their main mountain taken by bandits not long ago?”
“For such an excellent later-generation disciple to be born from a destroyed sect. It's a moving event. My nose is even getting stuffy.”
“It will be interesting to see how the future of the martial world unfolds. Not only Young Hero Biyoung, but all of the Diancang Sect’s later-generation disciples are formidable.”
“There's an even more surprising fact.”
“A surprising fact?”
“Apparently, at the Diancang Sect’s main mountain, there are more martial artists who are just as good as the later-generation disciples here.”
“What? Is that true?”
At someone’s leak of heavenly secrets(?), the crowd's eyelids shot up to the sky.
“It's true. They say there are at least three more masters who are on par with the later-generation disciples we’ve seen.”
“Wow. That's astonishing!”
“Three more… They almost filled the entire quarterfinals with the Diancang Sect!”
“It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the future of the martial world rests in the hands of Diancang!”
The interest of the crowd who had checked the notice naturally shifted from Siban to the Diancang Sect.
Praise for Biyoung, who had advanced to the finals, and for the Diancang Sect continued endlessly.
“Kekekeke.”
Gwangyo, sitting in the seats of honor, chuckled continuously as if he was greatly amused.
His gaze was directed at the sect leaders of each sect sitting in front of him.
‘Idiots. Pretending not to know.’
As they were figures who had risen to the rank of sect leader, the chatter of the crowd would naturally reach their ears.
But they were feigning ignorance as if they couldn't hear the praise for the Diancang Sect.
“Siban’s case is unfortunate. He was an entertaining fellow to watch.”
“Then only one match will be held today.”
“Although Jin Hwi is a rising star that Shaolin boasts of, Young Master Chu’s martial arts level is also extraordinary. At times, he even reminded me of Young Master Chu's grandfather.”
Jin Hwi and Namgung Chu.
Even among the people in the seats of honor who had a good eye, opinions were divided on who would win.
Since the head of the Namgung Family Clan did not attend the tournament, the gazes naturally turned to the head of Shaolin.
“Hoh hoh hoh.”
The abbot of Shaolin, Great Master Nanbyeol Deokdam.
He was just showing a warm smile without saying a word.
Was it the confidence of someone certain of victory?
Or was it simply the attitude of enlightenment pursued in Buddhism?
Gwangyo found it hard to guess, but it didn't matter much.
Because the judge’s declaration signaling the start of the match had just rung out.
“Begin!”
***
“Haaap!”
“Tahat!”
Every time Namgung Chu and Jin Hwi clashed, a loud roar and a fierce wind erupted.
“Woooooooo!”
It was truly an exchange that could set the audience's hearts ablaze.
It seemed that even if one were to remove the first four characters from ‘Later Generation Martial Arts Tournament,’ there would be no sense of incongruity.
Amidst the hot cheers and applause coming from all sides, Biyoung asked in a low voice.
“Senior Sister.”
“Yes.”
“What did it feel like when you fought him directly? That guy, Jin Hwi.”
“Hmm…”
Her eyes, calm as a lake, were directed at Jin Hwi.
She had lost to Jin Hwi in the quarterfinals, but she had no injuries.
She had just used up all her strength and collapsed from exhaustion.
But Jeong-i seemed to dislike that even more.
“He didn't use all his strength. Throughout the entire match.”
“Really? It looked like Jin Hwi was also sweating quite a bit.”
“He was only overexerting himself by deliberately trying to counter my techniques. He could have ended it whenever he wanted.”
“You’re quite composed.”
Biyoung whistled at her firm self-assessment.
“Because that's the truth. In particular, the Great Heaven Guanyin Hand that Jin Hwi used was a technique a level higher than my Flowery Chaotic Dance Sword. If I'm right… I'd say it's on par with the Sun-Shooting Sword Art.”
The Great Heaven Guanyin Hand, called the ultimate art of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.
Even to Biyoung, it looked quite difficult to overcome.
“So that's what I'm curious about.”
“Yes?”
“Once you’ve mastered the ultimate art of one martial art, wouldn't you want to learn the next stage?”
“The next stage… Don't tell me…”
This time, even Jeong-i couldn't easily agree.
That was because, among the Shaolin martial arts known as the Seventy-Two Ultimate Arts, there was only one that could come after the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.
“Chahahat!”
At that moment, a strange cry, which could have been a yell or a laugh, burst from Namgung Chu’s mouth.
Biyoung and Jeong-i’s gazes simultaneously turned to Namgung Chu.
Because it was a characteristic yell that only came out when he was using his full strength.
“The Emperor's Brandishing Penetration Art!!”
It could be said to be somewhat surprising.
Not even an igak had passed since the match began, yet Namgung Chu had brought out his secret technique.
Was he confident of victory?
Or did he think he had no chance of winning if he didn't decide the match early on?
Soon, a slashing attack in the shape of the character for Emperor poured down on Jin Hwi.
Smirk.
‘Is he smiling?’
Two deep furrows were carved into Namgung Chu’s brow.
He thought Jin Hwi was mocking his ultimate technique.
However, that was a misunderstanding.
Jin Hwi was holding Namgung Chu in higher regard than anyone else.
‘Abbot. It seems the world is wider than I thought.’
Both Jeong-i and Namgung Chu.
To think he would meet such skilled practitioners before reaching the finals.
With that thought, Jin Hwi closed his eyes.
“!”
Closing his eyes while a slashing attack was flying towards him?
It was an act no different from suicide.
Was he trying to give up, intimidated by the fierce momentum of the Emperor's Brandishing Penetration Art?
Just as most of the crowd was suspecting so,
Gwoooooh…
Jin Hwi’s body began to be tinged with a sacred golden light.
“…………!”
At that moment, Biyoung wore a devilish smile.
As expected.
There was no way those cunning bastards would have revealed their true strength.
Thud.
There was nothing particularly new about Jin Hwi’s movement.
It was the half-palm stance commonly taken by Shaolin monks.
The only difference was the sublime and holy golden wave shining around Jin Hwi’s body.
The Supreme Grand Divine Energy.
The ultimate technique of the Supreme Divine Art, the highest martial art of the Shaolin's Seventy-Two Ultimate Arts, began to illuminate the entire world.
WHOOSH!
“!”
The golden wave spreads in all directions, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
The large character for Emperor flying towards Jin Hwi begins to crumble like salt in water.
Namgung Chu fought back against the Supreme Grand Divine Energy with bloodshot eyes, but his body also could not resist and was engulfed by the golden wave.
“Kuaaaah!”
BOOM!
Namgung Chu’s body, caught in the enormous flow of energy, was completely embedded in the outer wall of the martial arts arena.
Making a mockery of the semifinal match, a one-sided result had emerged.
At this sudden development, everyone in the crowd was unable to speak easily.
The first person to break the silence was none other than Jeong-i.
“…I think I know why you said Shaolin is the most cunning.”
“I told you so.”