CLS-Chapter 232

Chapter 232

“The participants in this tournament seem to be of a high level.”

Dang-myeong, who was representing the Heavenly Justice League and serving as one of the pillars of the tournament, looked at the martial stage with satisfaction.

“Since these are children who have been prepared for a long time, it’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Cheong-yeong-ja agreed with Dang-myeong’s opinion.

It wasn’t just empty words—this tournament really was of a high level. Quite a few high-quality scenes were emerging that would be hard to consider as matches between later-generation disciples.

“It seems the martial world has prepared extensively.”

“Mount Hua is the same, isn’t it?”

“Haha, normally at times like this one should display modesty, but I’m afraid that showing false modesty now might not look good later.”

Cheong-yeong-ja’s face showed undisguisable pride.

‘With So-ha’s level, he can naturally aim for victory.’

Jang So-ha, who was waving his hand on the martial stage, was a talent that Mount Hua had poured their heart and soul into nurturing.

The title of Mount Hua’s First Sword, which had skipped a generation from the Sword Venerable to connect with Gong-mu-jin, would someday pass to Jang So-ha. Jang So-ha was such an outstanding talent that Cheong-yeong-ja could take such pride in him.

‘If only that fellow hadn’t said such things, I could have been purely happy about this.’

In Jang So-ha’s appearance as he cleanly subdued a later-generation disciple from a joint sect in just twenty-odd seconds, anyone could feel the bearing of a hero. Anyone who saw his sword would not hesitate to place him as a championship candidate in this tournament.

But such a So-ha couldn’t even measure up to one-tenth of Wei San-ho?

‘What nonsense.’

He knew that Gong-mu-jin wouldn’t speak carelessly, but he simply couldn’t believe those words. No, if it had been just those words, he might have forced himself to believe them even if he didn’t want to. But what?

‘Someone stronger than himself?’

Cheong-yeong-ja shook his head.

‘That dim-looking fellow?’

The person Gong-mu-jin said they absolutely must not be wary of was none other than Wei Yan-ho.

Not ‘should be wary of’ but ‘must not be wary of.’

Since it was already beyond the level that could be handled through wariness, they shouldn’t create problems, and shouldn’t even show interest.

Did this even make sense?

Cheong-yeong-ja’s body trembled.

If he could have his way, he’d like to show that spoiled rich kid who left his manners back in Guangdong a lesson, but his position wasn’t so easygoing.

He wasn’t in a position where he could cause trouble, let alone fail to prevent problems created by others.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Cheong-yeong-ja waved his hand dismissively.

“Why wouldn’t you have many thoughts? If things go wrong, a Mount Hua disciple will win at a tournament hosted by Mount Hua. If that happens, won’t you have to stay up drinking celebratory wine for three days and nights? So of course you’d be worried.”

“Haha, if it’s that kind of celebratory drinking, I should gladly do it for seven days and nights.”

At the words of Changgwang-su-sa Go-hoe, Cheong-yeong-ja broke into a pleased smile.

The upper seats prepared above the martial stage were occupied by representatives from each sect, but all of them showed signs of admiration for Jang So-ha’s martial prowess.

‘Better than expected.’

‘Mount Hua has harbored a treasure.’

While words of praise were being exchanged verbally, rapid calculations were beginning internally. Joy and sorrow were being divided based on the tournament bracket, and they were comparing whether their sect’s disciples could face Jang So-ha.

“But it won’t be easy. Our children are no pushovers either.”

“I don’t think it will be easy. I never thought it would be easy from the beginning, but watching these matches makes me think it will be even more difficult. The children have grown so well.”

“Mm, I completely agree with that.”

Cheong-yeong-ja couldn’t help but admire the later-generation disciples.

‘Troubled times create heroes, but peaceful times create abundance.’

He had thought they might have become weak since they hadn’t experienced proper combat, but the results were completely opposite.

In a world where there was no time to pay attention to later-generation disciples, and where those painstakingly raised would just die off, proper education was impossible.

Those who survived that fierce environment on their own became heroes, but most did not.

However, when peaceful times arrived and conflicts between sects subsided, an era naturally came when they could focus on successors. This was the result. If these people continued to grow like this, the martial world would be able to enjoy unprecedented abundance.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of excellent performance the next participant will show.”

At Cheong-yeong-ja’s words, someone spoke up.

“I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. My son will be going out.”

“Oh?”

Cheong-yeong-ja looked at the person who had spoken.

“If it’s the young master of Taishan Fist Hero, isn’t that Wind Shadow Fist, who has been building a remarkable heroic reputation in Henan recently?”

“He has merely gained excessive fame.”

“Excessive, you say? Isn’t Wind Shadow Fist’s pursuit and destruction of the rampaging evil cult still being talked about in the streets? If that’s empty reputation, then this old man who has accomplished nothing at this age would be too ashamed to show his face anywhere.”

“The sect leader is gilding this fellow’s face. I do think his fame is excessive compared to his achievements. However, his skills have certainly not been passed down in vain.”

Undisguisable pride bloomed on Taishan Fist Hero’s face.

‘What need is there to speak of his skills?’

Just the fact that someone from the small sect of Taishan was participating confidently in this tournament was enough to guess his abilities. Among those remaining in the main tournament, there were only three from small and medium sects. All three of them had proven their skills.

Wind Shadow Fist, being one of them, couldn’t be weak.

“Who is the other person?”

“From the Righteous Alliance… Wei Jeong-han, where did this fellow go? Who from the Righteous Alliance?”

“Wei Yan-ho, it’s Wei Yan-ho.”

Instantly, Cheong-yeong-ja’s eyes trembled slightly.

“Wei Yan-ho?”

It meant ‘Is that Wei Yan-ho coming up?’ But those who didn’t know the full situation seemed to interpret it completely differently.

“Yes. He’s the second son of Righteous Hero Sword Wei Jeong-han.”

“He’s a child who hasn’t been known at all until now, but suddenly participated this time. His skills are unknown, but since he’s Wei Jeong-han’s son and Wei San-ho’s younger brother… he won’t be easy.”

‘Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that, you frustrating people?’

Of course he’d be strong.

How could someone be weak who had blown away those renowned later-generation disciples of the Righteous Alliance by himself like a tiger—no, like a shepherd boy jumping into a flock of sheep?

The problem was what level that ‘strength’ reached.

Cheong-yeong-ja watched with bright eyes as Wind Shadow Fist flew onto the martial stage upon being called.

Soon Wei Yan-ho would come up.

‘Let’s see.’

Whether Gong-mu-jin’s words were true or not. This match would make it perfectly clear.

Trudge trudge.

Wei Yan-ho headed toward the martial stage with heavy steps like a cow being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

People’s gazes turned to Wei Yan-ho in unison.

“Tsk tsk, he seems quite scared.”

“He looks really troubled.”

“Well, his opponent is Wind Shadow Fist—who wouldn’t lose heart?”

The spectators looked at Wei Yan-ho with expressions saying he was hopeless. A young man whose face was still full of youthful energy had to face that Wind Shadow Fist—it stirred pitiful feelings.

But the evaluation from Wei Yan-ho’s companions was completely different.

“Ah, Father! Brother is heading toward the martial stage at tremendous speed right now.”

“Except when he’s seriously planning to run away, this is the first time I’ve ever seen that fellow walk so fast in his life.”

Even Wei San-ho nodded.

“It’s a good sign. He’s overflowing with motivation.”

While the Guangdong Wei family listened to people’s conversations, Jang-il slowly moved away from them.

‘These people’s common sense is as far from ordinary people’s as heaven is from earth.’

The problem was that Jang-il was gradually coming to agree with their opinions. In his view too, the current Wei Yan-ho was burning with motivation like never before.

“Hey! Beggar!”

At that moment, Wei Yan-ho turned around and called Jang-il. Jang-il’s face contorted.

“Beggar, you say! That hurts the feelings of beggars who hear it!”

“Then what should I call a beggar if not a beggar?”

“I have a name—Jang-il!”

“Right, beggar.”

Jang-il’s face drooped.

‘Why didn’t I train harder?’

If he had been just a little stronger than Wei Yan-ho, he would have scratched that annoying face. Well, this wasn’t a difference that could be handled through training anyway.

“Fine… Why?”

“Isn’t there anything like betting money here?”

“Money gambling on sacred matches! What scoundrel would do such a despicable thing?”

“Doesn’t everyone do it?”

“Hey, you bastard! This is Mount Hua. If I did such a thing, I’d be hung at Mount Hua’s main gate.”

“…But I don’t think they’d hang a beggar? People would run away when they came.”

“Kraaaaaak!”

Watching Jang-il have a fit, Wei Yan-ho turned his head.

‘That guy has a weird personality.’

Wei Yan-ho, who had turned a normal person into someone with a weird personality in an instant, looked at Wind Shadow Fist Do Mun-wi, who was waiting for him on the martial stage.

“If you don’t want to come up, you can forfeit. If not, hurry up and come up.”

“I am coming quickly, though?”

“That’s?”

“Yes.”

At Wei Yan-ho’s nonchalant answer, Do Mun-wi’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“You’re quite good at provocation tactics, little one.”

“Um, but…”

“Hm?”

“I think I’m taller than you? I don’t particularly mind being called little, but hearing it from you… how should I put this, it seems not logically sound, so it’s irritating? Something like that.”

“This bastard!”

Do Mun-wi’s eyes blazed with fire.

His small stature was something he had always been dissatisfied with. To have it pointed out in front of all these people made him furious.

“You dare to provoke…”

“Ah, never mind.”

Wei Yan-ho raised his hand to stop Do Mun-wi’s words and stepped onto the martial stage.

“What you’re going to say is obvious anyway, so I’ll consider it heard. I don’t really like chattering before fights. So let’s start.”

“…”

Do Mun-wi’s face turned bright red. But if he said more here, he’d look like a petty person trying to have a war of words before fighting.

‘I’ll tear him to pieces.’

Wei Yan-ho glanced at the referee and shrugged his shoulders. Contrary to his hopes, the referee didn’t immediately give the signal to start.

When the referee, who had received orders from above, looked this way, Wei Yan-ho grinned.

“But, excuse me…”

Do Mun-wi’s eyes filled with puzzlement.

“Are you good at finding your way?”

“Huh?”

What was he talking about?

Before Do Mun-wi could open his mouth, Wei Yan-ho quickly said:

“You need to be good at finding your way to easily get back here.”

“What are you talk—”

At that moment, the referee shouted the start with a booming voice. The instant the words fell, Wei Yan-ho kicked off the ground.

“Huh!”

Something flashed white, and Wei Yan-ho appeared right in front, smiling and waving at Do Mun-wi.

“See you later then.”

“Wha—!”

Wei Yan-ho’s foot shot up at lightning speed and kicked Do Mun-wi straight in the solar plexus.

KWAAAAANG!

A person was kicked by a foot, but it made the sound of lightning striking. At the same time, Do Mun-wi’s body began shooting toward the sky like a cannonball.

“Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

With a desperate scream, Do Mun-wi’s body flew toward the distant sky.

Wei Yan-ho waved at Do Mun-wi as he grew distant.

It was the moment when Do Mun-wi’s body flew away along with Cheong-yeong-ja’s composure.