Chapter 198

Chapter 198

What is a major sect?

People who cling to this simple proposition invariably say one thing. That it’s a sect so enormous that it has the character for “great”  attached to it.

However, to be precise, that’s not wrong, but it’s not completely right either. Among the sects people call major sects, those that are truly overwhelmingly large in scale are rare, and some sects are recognized as major sects even though their size is only a few hundred members.

Then what is a major sect? How does one become one?

As the head of a sect, I too couldn’t help but think about that topic. Eventually, I arrived at my own answer. That is.

The greater the influence one has on the world, the more one is recognized as a major sect.

To be recognized as a major sect, one must become the hegemon of a region.

“……There are many.”

“There are indeed many.”

On the day of the Opening Gate ceremony.

Looking at the number of people gathered, I too nodded at Seohwa’s humming. Even for me, this was the first time seeing so many martial artists gathered in one place.

‘It’s like a forest of swords.’

In the fairly spacious plaza in front of Sado Alliance’s main gate, people filled the space. Each one was a martial artist with a sharp sword-like aura.

“It’s Hwasan Sect.”

“Pardon?”

“Can’t you see the pink plum blossom robes  over there in the distance?”

“Ah…….”

I smiled slightly while looking at the Plum Blossom Sword Masters  radiating a majestic aura up ahead. At the very front, Hwasan Sect’s Sect Leader, Jeokhajinin, who noticed me and was subtly smiling with her eyes.

Is this the first time I’ve seen her in almost ten years?

I exchanged eye greetings with Jeokhajinin and slowly continued speaking.

“Next to Hwasan Sect, the Taoist priests in blue robes are Qingcheng . They’re renowned for their clear and upright swords.”

“What about those in white robes next to them?”

“The ones in front are Emei , and the ones behind are Zhongnan . It seems the Taoist sects have gathered together. Normally they’re not particularly close with each other but…….”

Since they’re challenging Sado Alliance’s trials, they probably think it’s better to stick with acquaintances since they don’t know what might happen.

“The Unorthodox Path side seems to be keeping distance from each other, but it looks like everyone who should have come has come.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You know about Cheolhyeolmun  and Hyeolgeommun, and those holding great swords over there are Gwillanggok . Behind them, those with prayer beads on their wrists are Yeomwangjeon . Jeokrim  has also come.”

All the notable major sects of the martial world have gathered, checking each other. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this place is the headquarters of the Central Plains martial world.

“Will we be able to survive?”

“Why are you suddenly becoming weak?”

I chuckled at Seohwa’s suddenly uncertain expression and ruffled her hair with my hand.

“Sado Alliance Leader isn’t someone without thoughts. Rather, you could say he’s someone with deep schemes. He would know that maintaining balance is most important at such an event.”

“Then?”

“That means he would have coordinated the event so that even those with small numbers like us can fully enjoy it. Though I don’t know if it’s an event meant to be enjoyed.”

When it comes to displaying power, the most direct thing is scale, but pressuring opponents with scale actually has little meaning. Because one can think, ‘If it’s the same scale, I would win.’

What truly breaks a martial artist’s spirit is only when they meet a martial artist of a higher class than themselves.

Then Sado Alliance Leader likely laid out a stage where individual capability is more important than simple scale. Even if not, well, it shouldn’t be a big problem for us.

“Let’s approach it with the mindset of gaining experience.”

“……Yes!”

I chuckled at Seohwa who firmly pressed her lips together as if making a resolution, and looked ahead. A familiar figure standing on the fortress wall of Sado Alliance’s main gate, having climbed up at some point.

“The Alliance Leader has arrived-!!!”

The two gatekeepers shouting from both sides were silenced with a hand gesture by Sado Alliance Leader, Manwang  Mumyeong , who looked down below with a slight smile and spoke, imbuing his words with inner power.

[Welcome to this one’s nest. Comrades of the martial world. It’s truly a magnificent sight to see so many outstanding martial artists gathered.]

Is it Yukhapjeonseong ?

At the profound voice filled with power coming from all directions, the martial artists let out small gasps of admiration. A technique impossible to even attempt with ordinary inner strength.

[Before conducting the Opening Gate ceremony, there’s something I must explain first.]

After pausing briefly, Sado Alliance Leader glanced around at the crowd and made a mischievous smile. Then his lips began to move.

[This Opening Gate ceremony has certain prizes at stake as previously explained. You already know the list of prizes, so there’s no need to specifically mention them.]

[And there’s only one way to obtain those prizes. Points.]

Points?

[Inside the gate is a formation. It’s the same type of formation that constitutes Heuksi , so if you enter through different gates, you’ll end up in different zones.]

[When you enter different zones, points will be assigned to each of you. And those points increase the more people you capture. You can use the accumulated points to obtain the items you want.]

[You don’t necessarily have to capture others to earn points. In each zone, there are objects that give points when obtained and missions that give points when completed. If you’re at a disadvantage in direct confrontation or don’t want to fight, you can gather points this way.]

Ah, so that’s the method.

I nodded, thinking about Sado Alliance Leader’s rough intention. This way, places with little power would accumulate fewer points, so they’d rarely become targets.

[If you tear or cut off the cloth bracelet  each person wears, the points transfer. The bracelet is made so that those without one cannot inflict damage, so aim for the bracelet. If there’s someone who deliberately targets lives instead, this one will take responsibility and nicely cut off their head to send to their relatives, so be aware.]

[That is all. Any questions?]

At Sado Alliance Leader’s refreshing voice, one slender hand shot up from the front. Looking over, it was a familiar face.

“I have a question. Manwang.”

[By all means. What are you curious about, Geomhu?]

“Are there no other rules? Like alliances, or when it ends.”

[There are no rules to follow except the prohibition on killing. As long as you don’t kill, we won’t prevent alliances, betrayals, or hiding. The end point is…….]

Trailing off, Sado Alliance Leader stomped firmly on the upper part of the main gate with his foot and continued.

[When anyone offers ten thousand points to the altar in the central zone, it ends. The ten thousand points offered will disappear and become unusable, so keep that in mind.]

“……Then isn’t it disadvantageous for sects with few members? I don’t know how large ten thousand points is, but they won’t be able to finish easily and might be pushed back by large forces.”

[Must this alliance provide such conveniences as well?]

At Geomhu’s words, Sado Alliance Leader chuckled and shook his head.

[We’re not gathered here to play house. This was made as a stage for Central Plains martial artists to gain experience and compete in capability. To understand each other before the gathering.]

[If you’re truly scared, you can enter through that side gate. If not, you can shout surrender as soon as you enter. There are plenty of ways to enter Sado Alliance without participating in this event. But would there be anyone here like that?]

There couldn’t be. For martial artists, this opportunity is as precious as gold.

[Any more objections?]

“No.”

[Good.]

Then,

After quietly murmuring, Sado Alliance Leader jumped down from the fortress wall, approached the main gate, and placed his hand on it. And.

[I now conduct the Opening Gate ceremony.]

As Yukhapjeonseong rang out and Sado Alliance Leader pushed the gate.

Beyond the slowly opening gate, space began to distort.

[The gate is open.]

[I too am a target that can be captured, so those who wish to challenge me, do so. You’ll probably get the highest points if you capture me.]

Follow me in.

After fully opening the gates and waving his wrist as if a bracelet was attached, Sado Alliance Leader chuckled and disappeared inside. And watching this, Geomhu sighed.

“I don’t like this method, but…….”

“The stage is already set, so fine. Can’t be helped.”

I’ll aim to finish quickly.

Declaring that, Geomhu entered, and Seohwa stamped her feet watching. As soon as Geomhu entered, the major sects that had been standing in front began entering the gate.

“What do we do? Munjunim. Shouldn’t we enter first and secure a position?”

“Major sects would think so. That story doesn’t apply to us.”

“Major sects? Ah…….”

I nodded while looking at Seohwa who made an expression of understanding something. Entering early to secure a position is advantageous when you have the power to protect it.

“Any beginning is most chaotic. And in chaos, danger blooms along with opportunity.”

Small scale means few points?

That’s only a story for after clashing with each other and being able to judge the level of points. The major sects will probably focus on clearing their surroundings the moment they enter.

“Whether we enter first or later doesn’t make much difference. As long as we can exploit the gaps.”

“Ah…….”

While watching Seohwa nod with an understanding expression, I too fell into thought. Anyway, it was true that entering late or early didn’t matter. But there was something odd about it.

‘Would that Sado Alliance Leader have structured things this simply?’

Must such conveniences be provided?

Sado Alliance Leader said that, but the Sado Alliance Leader I’ve seen is by no means foolish enough to create rules advantageous to one side. Even Sado Alliance Leader wouldn’t want a stage meant for gaining experience and competing in capability to be decided by the size of forces.

Above all, what was concerning was the deep smile Sado Alliance Leader showed before entering. A smile that could have been hidden if he wanted to hide it, but he didn’t.

That smile was the smile of someone scheming something. Should I say it’s the smile a prankster makes when plotting something to tease someone?

‘There must be something additional.’

The Nine Sects and One Gang.

The Five Great Families.

The Seven Gates and Two Families.

Individuals from martial worlds beyond the borders.

While crossing my arms and glancing at the martial artists entering, I guessed. That there must be mechanisms beyond what was explained. That Sado Alliance Leader’s mechanisms wouldn’t end here.

“Munjunim. Shouldn’t we enter soon?”

“Yes.”

Finishing my thoughts, I nodded at Seohwa’s words. And shortly after.

“Namgung Sega and Uicheonmun, entering.”

“Keep your wits about you.”

As we were called and stepped into the formation entrance inside the gate.

The world inverted.

Lapping waves.

I looked around, facing an endlessly spread white sandy beach. The sight of a white sandy beach with no one, nothing except me.

“This is…….”

I see. So once you enter, everyone separates individually.

Certainly, if it’s this way, numbers wouldn’t have much relevance.

I nodded at Sado Alliance Leader’s arrangement and blinked as I tried to draw up my inner power.

Within clear sensations.

In my dantian  that should be filled with lightning energy .

I couldn’t feel any inner power.