Thud.
Yi Gok’s lifeless body collapsed, his face smashing against the floorboards. A suffocating silence instantly descended upon the inn.
Click.
But Bu Eunseol, as if nothing had happened, sheathed his sword and descended the stairs.
A master of swift swordsmanship has appeared.
The martial artists in the inn watched Bu Eunseol’s retreating figure with gleaming eyes. A new prodigy had just been added to the list of ones to watch at the Elite Martial Arts Tournament.
“Hehehe.”
The young man who had been watching Bu Eunseol leave nodded to himself.
“A unique fast sword. Unleashed using reflexes as quick as lightning… interesting.”
The young man had instantly grasped that Bu Eunseol’s strike was unlike ordinary fast swords; it relied on elastic muscle power and honed reflexes.
“But it’s hard to survive in this place with just a fast sword.”
While others stood with their mouths agape in shock, the young man remained calm. In fact, watching Bu Eunseol’s back, he wore a mischievous smile. “Since his future seems promising…” he muttered, picking up his cup and draining the liquor in one go. “I suppose I’ll have to save a life.”
A wide square in the heart of East Drifter, West Wanderer.
In the vast open space, easily capable of accommodating thousands, large structures had been erected: the martial arts stage and spectator stands.
Generally, martial arts stages were built very high, forcing spectators—excluding distinguished guests—to look up at the fights. But the stage constructed by East Drifter, West Wanderer was sunken, with stone tiers built around it, allowing anyone to easily view the matches.
Just looking at the stage, you can see East Drifter, West Wanderer’s meticulousness!
Martial artists visiting the tournament for the first time nodded, murmuring their admiration.
East Drifter, West Wanderer was expanding its influence by accepting prominent martial artists and wandering vagrant alike. Just by looking at the arena they had built, one could gauge their financial power and influence.
“Greetings, fellow martial artists.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man standing in the center of the stage spoke.
“I am Cho Mun-cheon, General Manager of East Drifter, West Wanderer.”
Lightly clasping his hands, he spoke again.
“The Elite Martial Arts Tournament hosted by our East Drifter, West Wanderer has now reached its fourth iteration. This is all thanks to you, fellow martial artists, who have looked upon East Drifter, West Wanderer with favor.”
Though Cho Mun-cheon’s voice, carried by internal energy, was not loud, it rang clearly in the ears of everyone filling the square.
“This tournament serves solely as a platform to widely disseminate East Drifter and West Wanderer to the Murim; there’s no other objective behind it.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Consequently, regardless of martial arts proficiency, age, or origin, anyone is eligible to participate. However, please be aware that all actions taken here are solely your own responsibility!”
Cho Mun-cheon spent some time explaining the rules of the tournament.
First, anyone who revealed their name could participate without restriction. However, any issues arising here were entirely their own responsibility.
Second, to pass the preliminaries, one must defeat challengers three times or more. Or, if there are no challengers after waiting for half a gak (about 7.5 minutes), one passes.
Third, once thirty-six qualifiers are filled, a bracket will be drawn, and the tournament will proceed twice a day.
Fourth, anyone who interferes with East Drifter, West Wanderer’s business or harms its wandering vagrant will not be given the prize even if they win.
“Now then, let the 4th Elite Martial Arts Tournament begin!”
—Waaaaaaah!
Gong.
As the gong set up on one side of the stage rang out, thunderous cheers erupted.
However, even as the shouting continued for a while, no one stepped onto the stage. Perhaps it was natural. Even for a veteran of a hundred battles, stepping onto the stage first was quite burdensome. One could easily make mistakes in the unripe atmosphere.
Whoosh.
At that moment, a young man wearing worn grey clothes stepped onto the stage without hesitation.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“I am Bu Eunseol.”
When Bu Eunseol revealed his name, Cho Mun-cheon’s eyes flashed.
The fast swordsman who cut down Yi Gok in a single move at the inn earlier.
The movements of the martial artists here were all being tracked by East Drifter, West Wanderer’s informants. Hearing Bu Eunseol’s name, he nodded inwardly.
He will pass the preliminaries without issue. If he cut down the Changshan Ghost in a single move, his fast sword was at a level to make a name for itself in the Murim. Since he had revealed his skill in an inn full of martial artists, he would likely pass the preliminaries easily.
“Good. Young Hero Bu.”
Cho Mun-cheon shouted in a loud voice.
“Now, is there anyone who wishes to challenge this Young Hero Bu?”
He waited for a while, but as expected, no challenger stepped onto the stage.
“Then I will count to five!”
“Wait.”
At that moment, with a swish, a shadow leaped onto the stage.
It was a young man dressed in flashy silk clothes, wearing luxurious jewelry all over his body. It was none other than the young man who had shared a table with Bu Eunseol.
“Do you wish to challenge?”
At Cho Mun-cheon’s question, the young man nodded. “I do.”
“Please state your name.”
Straightening his shoulders, the young man spoke in a low voice.
“Yeong Ji-wi.”
At those words, the martial artists gathered in the square began to buzz.
—Yeong Ji-wi, the Master of Great Righteousness of the Diancang Sect?
The interior of the tournament grounds boiled over in an instant.
One of the Joint Successors raised with full support by the Martial Righteous Alliance. One of the eighteen Masters of Great Righteousness, whose whereabouts were always elusive like a divine dragon… to think he would appear at the Elite Martial Arts Tournament?
“You don’t seem very surprised, brother.”
Yeong Ji-wi was rather surprised by Bu Eunseol’s calm expression. Since coming out to the Gangho, he had never seen anyone who wasn’t surprised upon hearing his name.
“Did you know who I was?”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly.
“Only that you are from the Diancang Sect.”
Bu Eunseol didn’t know Yeong Ji-wi was a Master of Great Righteousness, but he had guessed he was a master of the Diancang Sect who possessed surprising bearing. Because masters of the Diancang Sect all carried swords with very narrow widths and short blades.
Ma Woon. He was also a master of the Diancang Sect.
Ma Woon, an enemy who sacrificed himself and took his own life without regret. Bu Eunseol felt a debt of heart to the spy of the Orthodox Faction who had always been somewhat playful. That was why, knowing the young man was a martial artist of the Diancang Sect, he had remained silent despite the man’s talkativeness and rude behavior.
“I understand. You truly have excellent eyesight, brother. Looking at Bu Eunseol, Yeong Ji-wi waved his hand. “Ah! Please don’t misinterpret. I didn’t mean to harm you; I simply wanted to protect you.”
Absurd words.
When Bu Eunseol frowned, Yeong Ji-wi scratched his head.
“As you’re aware, this tournament is a grueling one where survival is uncertain. Your swift sword is impressive, brother, but relying solely on it won’t suffice. Pausing for a moment, Yeong Ji-wi’s smile brightened. “I’m attempting to save you, not forgetting the kindness of sharing a table. Since there will be numerous opportunities in the future, I suggest you gain experience elsewhere, rather than participating in a tournament like this.”
Shing.
As Yeong Ji-wi drew his sword, a chilling aura spread in all directions.
The Master of Great Righteousness of Diancang, Yeong Ji-wi.
He became a disciple of the Diancang Sect quite late, around the age of fourteen. Nevertheless, he gradually distinguished himself with dazzling talent, and three years later, he participated in the Master of Great Righteousness Tournament as one of the ten disciples representing the Diancang Sect.
And as soon as he became a Master of Great Righteousness, he learned martial arts for about a year and immediately left the Martial Righteous Alliance. Though he was a natural martial prodigy, he strongly desired to wander the Gangho rather than study martial arts deeply.
“Then begin!”
At that moment, Cho Mun-cheon’s shout rang out.
Flash!
Yeong Ji-wi struck like lightning.
But the sword grazed past Bu Eunseol’s side, not his neck.
“My sect’s swordsmanship also primarily uses speed.”
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, Yeong Ji-wi assumed he was shocked by his fast sword and wore a faint smile.
“You should give up the tournament if you can. Is there a need to taste despair?”
No matter how outstanding his fast sword technique, from Yeong Ji-wi’s perspective, Bu Eunseol was just a novice fresh to the Murim. He couldn’t compare to a Master of Great Righteousness, the rising sun of the Orthodox Faction.
From his perspective, he meant it sincerely, but from Bu Eunseol’s perspective, it was ridiculous.
“You talk too much.”
“Then, shall we start?”
A genius swordsman who learned martial arts late but rose to become a Master of Great Righteousness, Yeong Ji-wi.
Wearing a confident smile, he extended a sword move.
“Be careful!”
Slash.
With the sound of wind splitting, a sword move like a ray of light dug toward Bu Eunseol’s chest. He had unfolded the supreme sword art of Diancang, the Shooting Sun Sword Art, which was not only as fast as light but could cut enemies regardless of distance.
Swish.
But Bu Eunseol moved his body lightly and dodged the sword move.
As if he expected that, Yeong Ji-wi moved his sword in a dizzying manner.
Tremble.
The lightly vibrating sword turned like mist and instantly sealed off Bu Eunseol’s retreat. It was the flawless killing move, Shooting Sun Must Kill.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol, looking at the pouring sword tips, moved his steps as if taking a leisurely stroll.
Whiz!
Each time he moved, sharp sword moves lightly grazed past Bu Eunseol’s body.
What? Watching this, Yeong Ji-wi widened his eyes. How does this guy know all the sword paths of the Shooting Sun Sword Art?
Bu Eunseol’s evasion movements were not instinctive or based on footwork. He had grasped all the moves and paths of the Shooting Sun Sword Art and was dodging them in advance.
There is only one possibility.
Yeong Ji-wi, slowing his offense momentarily, spun his brain fast.
This guy survived exchanging hundreds of blows with a master of my sect who used the Shooting Sun Sword Art.
The Shooting Sun Sword Art had never been leaked outside. Yet, to see through every move clearly meant Bu Eunseol had exchanged blows for a long time with a master who wielded it.
“Have you fought a master who uses the Shooting Sun Sword Art?”
Bu Eunseol, lightly dodging the storm of sword techniques Yeong Ji-wi poured out, nodded.
“I have. He used a bizarre weapon, not a sword.”
“Bizarre weapon?”
“Even so, the changes and speed of his moves were far more exquisite than yours.”
Flash!
Finally drawing his sword, Bu Eunseol dug into the opening of the Shooting Sun Sword Art Yeong Ji-wi had unfolded.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic sound, Yeong Ji-wi’s sword art was instantly halted.
To grasp an opening and break a move in actual combat like this was nearly impossible. Not only did one have to understand all the opponent’s sword moves, but one’s strike speed had to be twice as fast as the opponent’s.
Was he a master far superior to my estimation?
In fact, Yeong Ji-wi had entered the martial arts world late and, relying on his talent, hadn’t polished his martial arts deeply. But that was only in comparison to the Masters of Great Righteousness who looked down on the world. Ordinary masters of the Murim dared not even face him.
“I underestimated you too much, brother.”
The expression of Yeong Ji-wi, who had worn a smile until now, changed.
“Then shall we do this properly?”
Slash!
Suddenly, Yeong Ji-wi’s swordsmanship changed. It was a sword form that was sharp like the Shooting Sun Sword Art but hid countless follow-up moves.
A profound sword art.
For the first time, Bu Eunseol unfolded his footwork to dodge the sword moves.
Slash, slash, slash!
But the sword moves he thought he had dodged changed in the air again and began to pour down on Bu Eunseol’s body.
“It’s the Seven Severing Sword Form!”
Someone looking up at the stage shouted.