Doo-woong!

The drum sounds.

"Waaah!"

Twenty feet by twenty feet, perfectly aligned.

The voices of the spectators, who were packed around the huge competition stage, echoed much louder than the drumbeat.

Amidst the roar that seemed to shake the entire Blue Green Mountain, a middle-aged Taoist walked out, his sky-blue robe fluttering.

Suddenly, silence fell as if someone had gagged everyone's mouths.

All eyes were fixed on the middle-aged Taoist as if by agreement.

Although many Taoists followed behind him in two lines, people's gazes did not leave the one person in front.

A pure face without a single wrinkle under the Taoist hat embroidered with the eight trigrams in golden thread.

His eyes, filled with satisfaction, were as gentle as if they were caressing all people.

Changlim Sword Saint.

One of the Three Emperors of the West, and his appearance as a giant leading Sicheon was filled with admiring gazes.

Sa-bak, sa-bak.

Although his steps were as light as a gentle breeze that could even step on clouds, the small sound of him climbing the competition stage struck their eardrums like thunder.

People held their breath until the Changlim Sword Saint stopped walking.

That was etiquette.

The etiquette that should be observed for a giant of the era.

The Changlim Sword Saint, who had stopped in the center of the competition stage, turned his head from side to side and swept his gaze over the spectator seats once.

Those who knew him personally bowed their heads in greeting at his gaze.

And the Changlim Sword Saint, who had stopped his gaze at one place, clasped his hands and bowed his head politely.

The place where those with the most noble status among the spectators were seated.

Several people who were sitting in that place stood up and bowed their heads.

That too was etiquette.

Responding to the hospitality of the master of the Blue Green Sect.

After the greetings were over, the Changlim Sword Saint finally opened his tightly closed mouth.

"So many people have made the precious journey to the Blue Green Sect's feast, that this humble one, who is nothing but a novice, cannot suppress his overwhelming emotion."

A soft voice that humbled himself, but the power contained within it pressed down on the audience.

However, it did not suppress or pressure them.

Rather, the sound that echoed in their ears, filled with the energy of the Tao, made everyone's faces smile.

"Considering that the Assembly of Elders has not been held for a long time, our sect has held this tournament without distinguishing between the Orthodox and Unorthodox."

The Changlim Sword Saint's voice spread, caressing the hushed atmosphere.

"In response to the Blue Green Sect's call, many pillars have applied, but due to our sect's lack of capacity, we have selected only a part of them, so please do not blame us for our lack of virtue."

Although he bowed his head to convey his apology, there was no one who did not know the hidden meaning.

It meant that only those who were qualified to participate in the Assembly of Elders were selected.

Thanks to that, there would be many things to see.

"To allow the participants to do their best, the preliminaries were held by repeating rest and competition for eight days, and a total of ten main tournament participants have been decided. In addition, the Beggar Dragon of the Beggars' Sect, who has recently made a great name for himself in Sicheon, has participated, so this humble one cannot contain his joy."

As the Changlim Sword Saint mentioned Baekta in his opening speech, the hushed people turned their heads and murmured.

With the atmosphere like this, Baekta, who was waiting near the competition stage, could not remain seated.

"I am Baekta of the Beggars' Sect!"

"Beggar Dragon!"

"The Yeongin Negotiation!"

"The Nine Rumors of Sicheon!"

As Baekta revealed himself, the spectator seats stirred once.

It was a testament to how much fame he had gained recently.

"I cannot express my joy at the Changlim Sword Saint inviting me to such a good place. The Sect Leader was also pleased with this and told me to put on a good show."

His appearance, bowing politely to the Changlim Sword Saint and everyone in the spectator seats, was worthy of being called a successor of the Orthodox Faction.

"Waaah!"

"Baekta! Baekta! Baekta!"

As the people's cheers echoed everywhere and showed no sign of stopping, the Changlim Sword Saint who had introduced him smiled with satisfaction.

It was a good thing he had called Baekta.

How good was this?

Since so many people were cheering for him, if he were to be placed under his feet, Yu Seongyeon's future would be truly bright.

It was as if he could already see the future of the Blue Green Sect that Yu Seongyeon would lead after him.

"Hahaha! I can't help but be happy that the Beggars' Sect Leader was so moved. Now, then, what is the point of dragging this on any longer? We will now begin the long-awaited Assembly of Elders!"

"Waaah!"

At the words announcing the opening, the Blue Green Mountain was filled with a roar that seemed to tear it apart.

It was as if half of the success had already been achieved.

This Assembly of Elders would go down in the history of Sicheon.

The winner too...

As the Changlim Sword Saint headed to the seats where the distinguished guests were seated, another person climbed onto the competition stage.

"I am Ilhae, who is in charge of managing the Assembly of Elders."

"Waaah! It's the Blue Cloud Sword!"

The audience responded by shouting Ilhae's martial name.

"The main tournament of the Assembly of Elders will be held for the next five days, and on the first day, a total of eleven people will compete..."

Ilhae explains the management of the Assembly of Elders.

There were eleven participants.

For a fair and just operation, the winning warriors had to draw a new tournament bracket each time.

No one knew who would get a bye until the finals of the Assembly of Elders, or which participants would fight each other.

Neither the participants nor the audience.

Perhaps it was luck.

But for a martial artist, even that luck is a skill.

Although the audience and participants were listening intently, Cheonyeong was looking around his vicinity.

The tournament, he could just follow the Blue Green Sect's management.

He had never even thought of losing, no matter who his opponent was.

The important thing now was...

Which one of these many people is a Jingagu assassin? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Let's see.

That punk is from the Nine Dragons Faction, that punk is from the Black Heaven Sect, and that lady... is from a secular family of the Emei Sect.

"Why are you looking at me?"

As Cheonyeong kept glancing at him, a person frowned and got annoyed.

Did you think I was looking at you because I liked you?

What a funny punk.

Although they were in a proper posture, they had also been glancing at Baekta since a while ago.

Stop paying attention.

It seems you don't have any traces on you.

"I told you not to look."

"What a strange person... they're my eyes."

"What?"

"I can't walk around with my eyes closed, can I?"

"What did you say?"

The man gets angry at Cheonyeong's words.

My goodness, I told you I'm not interested in you anymore.

Move aside.

Let me see the other punks too.

As Cheonyeong dodged the man and peeked left and right, the participants smiled with ridicule.

Of course, Lee Cheongik and Baekta, who knew Cheonyeong's personality, just made awkward expressions.

He should have been quiet.

Because the explanation of the Blue Cloud Sword, an elder of the Blue Green Sect and a great elder of the Sicheon martial world, was continuing.

As a junior, it was polite to listen attentively.

But Tang Cheonyeong was not a person who cared about such etiquette.

At his behavior, the participants whispered in small voices.

"So that's him."

"He managed to get through the preliminaries. I heard he had a hard time."

"That's right. I don't know about the others, but the secular family of Jongnam or Hwang Deokchang wouldn't have been easy."

"He's the head of a sect, so he must have had a hidden move."

"A hidden move? Even if he's the head of a sect in some corner of the countryside, don't you know from the fact that he participated without any dignity? He's just trying to make the name of his insignificant family known."

Ridicule and mockery.

So what?

It's been a long time since he stopped caring about what others thought or said.

Getting angry over such small things would only have a negative impact on his mental health.

To live a long life, one must polish one's mind to be as clear and clean as a clear mirror and not be swayed by such words.

Aren't they all punks who will be eliminated anyway?

It's enough to catch the damn Jingagu assassin punks, make some money, and gain some fame.

"Why else would he be called the Cunning Dragon of Sicheon?"

But, he shouldn't have said that.

The thoughts that had filled his mind in an instant were completely blown away, and Cheonyeong looked at a man with a cold expression, and Baekta looked at him with a start.

The damn punk had boasted that he would step in and rip his mouth open first.

Well, the situation is the situation.

"Tsk tsk, look at the way he's looking. He must have used a cunning trick like his name in the preliminaries too."

Cheonyeong's eyes narrowed.

His eyes were so slanted that he looked exactly like a snake. He must be the kid named Jeokseong, who was said to have been sent from the Blue Serpent Sect.

Was this punk also one of the Twelve Dragons of Sicheon?

"I hope you're chosen as my opponent. You remember Lee Ilpyeong, right?"

"Lee Ilpyeong?"

The Yin Hand Chamber's master?

Come to think of it, if it's the Blue Serpent Sect?

The Ghost Hand had said it then.

The Blue Serpent Sect was not involved in the destruction of the Mandeok Estate, but there were those who had lent their names.

"I don't know how much you offered Grandmaster No, but thanks to you, I was the only one who got scolded by my father. For the reason that Lee Ilpyeong had his back."

"Ah!"

Cheonyeong nodded.

So it was you? The punk who lent his name?

Good.

Very good.

Because of his promise with the Ghost Hand, he had tried not to make an enemy of the Blue Serpent Sect.

But now he had a chance to repay that debt.

Legally...

The Assembly of Elders, what a good place.

There were so many things prepared.

"What are you looking at? I'll gouge your eyes out!"

The kid from the Blue Serpent Sect openly threatened Cheonyeong, who had fixed his gaze on him.

As expected of a well-raised Unorthodox Faction member.

His way of speaking was completely improper.

I'll look forward to it too.

I hope you meet me.

And I'll cheer for you.

I hope you win and win and definitely meet me.

Cheonyeong hid his rising killing intent, smiled, and avoided his gaze. Because if he kept looking, he felt like he would use his fists before the match even started.

"You punk with no pride. You should have lowered your eyes earlier."

"Please be quiet. An elder of our sect is speaking."

A Taoist of the Blue Green Sect, who was on standby to manage the tournament, gave a warning in a stern voice.

He didn't remember what happened after that.

In Cheonyeong's completely empty mind, only the image of one person was filled.

An assassin?

I'll look for him a little later.

Right now, I only see you in my eyes.

You snake punk.

I'll show you hell soon.

He had clenched his fists so tightly that his joints were aching.

"What are you doing?"

Just as Cheonyeong was grinding his teeth and thinking about how to deal with the snake punk, he heard the Taoist's nervous voice.

"It's the Family Head's turn."

"...My turn?"

"Look. The five people in front have already drawn their opponents, haven't they? It's the Family Head's turn, so please draw quickly."

The Taoist glanced at the tournament bracket with the participants' names on it and held out a container with small wooden sticks in front of Cheonyeong.

"Ah! The tournament bracket!"

Cheonyeong, who had suddenly realized, looked at the snake punk. The punk showed him the stick he had drawn as if to show off.

The number seven written on the end.

The fourth match.

Although the bye spot, number eleven, was empty, he had to draw eight.

Cheonyeong grabbed a wooden stick with a trembling heart.

He covered the end with one hand and slowly lowered it, revealing the number little by little.

Those whose opponents had not yet been decided sent him gazes full of hope.

Please let Cheonyeong be chosen as their opponent...

Eight! Eight! Eight! Eight!

Cheonyeong also wished to meet Jeokseong in the first match and shouted in his heart with a prayer.

Please...

"You are number nine."

At the Taoist's words, Cheonyeong's face contorted.

Damn it.

I really have no luck.

"Tsk tsk, it seems you were aiming for a bye, but too bad."

Those who had misunderstood Cheonyeong's actions clicked their tongues.

"Phew... that's a relief."

"Me too."

Baekta and Lee Cheongik, who had already drawn their turns, were secretly sweeping their chests.

"What a pity."

Jeokseong was very disappointed.

And then.

"Yee-haw! It's ten! Ten!"

The young master of the Nine Dragons Faction, who had become Cheonyeong's opponent, shouted like a scream and made a face as if he had conquered the world.

Without even knowing that he had stuck his head in a tiger's mouth.

In fact, it didn't matter what the others had drawn, and he wasn't interested.

"Hey, Cunning Dragon."

"..."

"Your opponent is the Black Net Saber, so the chances are slim, but use whatever means you have to come up. I want to stomp on your face."

At those words, Cheonyeong smiled brightly.

Don't worry, you snake punk.

I only see you in my eyes.

It would have been much better if I had drawn 'eight', but delicious food is best eaten after waiting for it to ripen well.

Win the first match for sure and come up with a swagger after being properly aged.

Only then will the taste of beating you be twice, no, three times as good.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World