"From now on, with the exception of Lady Yang of the Mudeok Sect, a secular family of Emei, who has won the first bye, the ten warriors will begin one-on-one matches according to the tournament bracket they have each drawn!"

Ilhae shouted loudly from the center of the competition stage.

"The first match is... hahaha! My goodness, he's already a candidate for the championship?"

He looked at the paper with the tournament bracket written on it, burst into laughter, and raised the audience's expectations.

"One of the Twelve Dragons of Sicheon, and the successor of the Geumcheon Saber Style! Jin Haseong!"

"Waaah!"

Jin Haseong, whose name was called, climbed onto the competition stage.

Seeing that the cheers were not small, it seemed that there were quite a few people cheering for him.

Cheonyeong smirked and looked at Ilhae.

He's good at managing.

If he hadn't become a Taoist, he would have had the talent to be an auctioneer in the black market.

"The opponent facing him is! The one who needs no explanation~ the Beggar Dragon of the Beggars' Sect, Baekta!"

The tournament bracket was already posted as big as a door next to the competition stage, but the atmosphere of the audience changed from cheers to murmurs.

It was because of Baekta.

A great hero of the martial world has been born.

But he could tell how much of a presence Baekta occupied in the hearts of the audience.

"Cheonyeong, I'll be back."

"Go and observe well. Don't get beaten up by being careless."

"Keuk."

Not telling him to win, but to go and observe well.

Anyway...

As Baekta greeted Cheonyeong and headed to the competition stage, the waiting participants turned their heads and looked at Cheonyeong.

What is this?

The Beggar Dragon and the Cunning Dragon of Sicheon are exchanging such friendly greetings?

Did they have a prior relationship?

But their interest was brief, and their gazes were fixed on the two people facing each other on the competition stage.

Because Baekta was, no matter what anyone said, a candidate for the championship of the Assembly of Elders.

Only Cheonyeong was indifferent.

Eoseungbaek.

Anyway, the victory is Baekta's.

It was a foregone conclusion.

How could the unprecedented hero who would lead the Beggars' Sect in the future, the Drunken Immortal Jang Myeongseon, lose to a mere Twelve Dragon of Sicheon?

The important thing was to confirm whether Jin Haseong was an assassin or not.

"Family Head Tang."

"Oh, is that you, Cheongik?"

As the match began and the atmosphere became much freer, Lee Cheongik approached and spoke to him.

At that sight, the participants seemed surprised again.

Not only the Beggar Dragon, but he's also close to the Lee Family's Sword Dragon?

That's the kind of look it was.

These punks, do I look that pathetic?

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"About Baekta-nim."

"He'll win."

"You think so?"

"There's no need to doubt the obvious."

At Cheonyeong's smile, the participants turned their heads and looked at him again.

These punks, really...

What are you so surprised about?

I can't even talk because you're bothering me.

"Oh? It's starting."

At Cheonyeong's words, Lee Cheongik hurriedly stared at the competition stage.

Cheonyeong smiled wryly at the sight of the two who had started the match.

Baekta was relaxed, and Jin Haseong was tense.

"Young one, I have heard much of the Beggar Dragon's high reputation."

"Don't mention it... The reputation of your esteemed father, the Golden Sword Knight, is renowned throughout the world. I am already thrilled to be competing against Young Master Jin, who has succeeded him."

"I am grateful that the Beggar Dragon thinks so highly of me. I will do my best."

"As will I. Then, shall we begin, as everyone is waiting?"

"Yes!"

Jin Haseong first takes out a thick wooden saber and aims it.

In contrast, Baekta just lightly took a stance, with his Beggar's Staff still tucked away.

"Hoo."

Jin Haseong's momentum, as he slowly controlled his breathing and prepared for the first move, faintly bloomed and spread.

"Here I come!"

Kung!

Jin Haseong kicked off the ground and flew high.

His appearance, as he rushed towards Baekta, blocking the sun, was like a falcon flying towards its prey.

Shwaaak!

Baekta took half a step to the side and dodged the wooden saber that was swung as if it would split a rock in one blow.

Pat!

As if he had expected him to dodge, the wooden saber that had stopped in the middle turned at a right angle and pursued Baekta.

Tung!

Baekta lightly kicked the ground, and then stepped forward.

His body seemed to sway like a reed, and then he created several afterimages.

It was the Beggars' Sect's unique martial art, the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps.

It was a divine art of the Beggars' Sect that could create eight afterimages in one breath, and each afterimage's footwork had a different function.

However, the number of afterimages Baekta created was four in total.

Considering his age, it was a tremendous achievement.

"Waaah!"

Cheers erupted from the audience seats.

"Heh! As expected of the Beggar Dragon. To think his Drunken Eight Immortals Steps has already reached four afterimages."

"The name he earned in Yunnan was not for nothing."

Even among the masters in the distinguished guest seats, admiration for Baekta erupted.

"But, look! Jin Haseong's saber style is also not ordinary."

It was worthy of admiration.

Pursuing Baekta, who had dodged by creating four afterimages, Jin Haseong showed the true face of the Geumcheon Saber.

Seogeok! Seogeogeok!

At the change in the wooden saber, three of the four afterimages were cut down.

"Indeed! It's Brother Jin!"

The participants clenched their fists at Jin Haseong's good performance.

Fools...

Do you really think Baekta's skill is only that much?

Cheonyeong rested his chin on his hand and smirked.

Baekta hadn't responded at all yet.

He had just been dodging.

Because he had to observe.

He had just given him distance to check if Jin Haseong's face was real, from a closer distance.

And he was drawing it out.

The unique habits that martial artists have.

Whether the assassin's habits were contained in Jin Haseong's sword strikes.

Papak! Hoong!

Baekta narrowly dodged with the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps, and Jin Haseong pursued him with all his might.

Well, he's pretty good.

For a mere Twelve Dragon of Sicheon...

By the way, that saber style.

The quick transition between offense and defense is quite useful...

Cheonyeong shifted his gaze and swept over the audience seats.

Where is he? I don't know about the others, but I have to see that one.

Baekta's Drunken Eight Immortals Steps is difficult. His level, when he was serious, was higher than Yongcheon's.

But what about the Geumcheon Saber?

Since his skill is similar to Yongcheon's, he can see it well enough.

Cheonyeong's gaze, which had been searching for a long time, stopped at one place.

A place in the not-so-distant audience seats.

He saw Yongcheon.

And the one sitting next to him...

Cheonyeong hurriedly raised his hearing.

"Vice-Family Head, please have some of this too."

"This chicken leg is a real delicacy. I grilled it myself just for you, Vice-Family Head. You know, right? How hard it is to get meat in a Taoist temple?"

"Here, have some liquor while you eat."

Cheonyeong stood up abruptly without realizing it.

The flies who considered Yongcheon a lucky charm were preventing him from even turning his eyes to the competition stage.

Th-those punks!

At this important moment... you're disturbing Yongcheon?

You're seducing Yongcheon with food to look good?

How could Yongcheon, who would do anything for food, withstand their offensive?

He was laughing heartily and accepting whatever they gave him.

Ah, the Geumcheon Saber Style is flying away.

Although it wasn't originally the Tang Family's, Cheonyeong felt like he was losing a lot, sat down on the chair, clenched his fists, and trembled.

Damn bastards... I'll see you later.

As Cheonyeong suddenly ground his teeth, Lee Cheongik made a bewildered expression.

What's wrong with him?

But how could he even guess?

The fact that Gwak Wolhyeop, Go Yeonggil, and Lee Saek, drunk on the greed for enlightenment, had just knocked on the gates of hell...

In the meantime, on the competition stage, a match that made the audience's hands sweat was in full swing.

"Family Head! Family Head! Baekta-nim is in danger. The sword has been narrowly grazing him since a while ago."

Lee Cheongik's eyes widen and he makes a fuss.

Danger, my ass.

Ah, my Geumcheon Saber Style.

"Uh-oh? Uh-oh-oh?"

Stop it.

Is danger even a plausible word for Baekta?

He's just observing right now.

He just slowed down to get a little closer.

He hasn't even allowed a single attack yet, so what's there to worry about?

Ah, my Geumcheon Saber Style...

The transition between offense and defense was useful.

Cheonyeong was more interested in the Geumcheon Saber Style than the outcome of the match.

"Ah, damn it! I'm going to go take a piss."

"Pardon? You're not going to watch?"

"Watch what? It's already over."

"Pardon? Over? The match is still in full swing."

"Full swing, my ass. It'll be over in about ten exchanges."

"T-ten exchanges?"

"Watch carefully. I'm about to die from having to pee. It's all because of those damn fools."

As Cheonyeong grumbled and left, Lee Cheongik couldn't hide his bewilderment and looked back and forth between the competition stage and Cheonyeong's back.

At that moment.

Jjeo-eo-eong!

A strong clash echoed throughout the competition stage.

In the quieted competition stage, Baekta was extending one hand.

"Keuk!"

Jin Haseong, with his face contorted, was retreating.

And the thick wooden saber that had been in his hand was rolling on the ground.

The moment he had launched a decisive blow through a momentarily visible opening, Baekta, who had been only dodging, had extended a palm and deflected the wooden saber.

"Hoo... that attack was quite sharp. If it had been a sharpened sword, it would have been dangerous."

Jin Haseong frowned at Baekta's comment.

If it had been a sharpened sword?

Would it really have been dangerous as he said?

Jin Haseong knew it wasn't.

Because it hadn't even grazed him.

He had known from the beginning that the difference in skill between him and Baekta was too great.

"What is this palm technique?"

Jin Haseong, who had barely shaken off the pain and stood up, asked.

"It is our sect's Dragon's Roar Twelve Hands."

"Dragon's Roar... indeed."

The Beggars' Sect's Dragon's Roar Twelve Hands.

Although it was originally known as a grappling technique, its power as a palm technique was also renowned.

But.

"It was an honor to witness a good martial art. But, it's not over yet, so let's start again."

"Yes."

Baekta smiled faintly at the sight of Jin Haseong taking a stance again and exuding fighting spirit, despite the great shock.

He was trying to do his best.

Even by clenching his fists in place of the wooden saber he had lost.

The opponent's best should be met with one's best.

That was the etiquette and duty between martial artists.

"Then, this time I will go first. Young Master Jin!"

"Yes!"

Kung!

Baekta, unlike before, stomped his foot hard and moved forward.

Drunken Eight Immortals Steps, Zhang Guo's Step.

Dragon's Roar, Trembling Rage!

Swi-ik!

It was a movement like a flash of lightning.

The footwork, created by imagining the appearance of the immortal Zhang Guo who was said to have run a thousand li in a day, was a terribly fast and quick step.

Jin Haseong's eyes widen at the sight of him closing the distance in a single step.

He hadn't even finished exhaling the breath he had inhaled...

If this continues, he will be defeated without doing anything!

"Ugh... ugh-aaap!"

Jin Haseong, who wanted to do his best even if he lost, drew out all his internal energy and struck down with the side of his hand like a sword.

Geumcheon Saber, Iron Lock!

The descending hand and the ascending palm technique clashed forcefully.

Kwa-deu-deuk!

But there was no way he could withstand the power contained in Baekta's palm.

Jjeo-eo-eong!

After deflecting his hand, Baekta's second attack, which followed immediately, flew at him as if a huge dragon were opening its mouth and swallowing him.

"Keo-eok!"

The internal energy penetrates, and Jin Haseong throws his head back and lets out a painful groan.

Teol-seok.

Jin Haseong weakly knelt down.

Barely holding onto his fading consciousness, he smiled at Baekta.

"Your best... thank you..."

Without being able to finish the sentence, Jin Haseong collapsed forward.

Teok.

But Baekta caught his body so that it wouldn't touch the ground.

"Your saber style was very threatening. I'll say it again, if it had been a real sword... I wouldn't have won so easily."

Baekta comforted the defeated him, not knowing if he could hear him or not.

And a faint smile was on the lips of the unconscious Jin Haseong.

"Waaah!"

"Jin Haseong! Jin Haseong!"

"Baekta! Baekta!"

At the thrilling match, the audience cheered the names of both the winner and the loser.

The first match announcing the main tournament of the Assembly of Elders was over.

(End of Chapter)