The World of Sound - Chapter 68



Only Krnovel

The martial arts competition was likely to be a feast just for them.

The reason for holding a martial arts competition was to naturally gather together the heads of large sects who would normally have difficulty gathering in one place, and to make various secret agreements among them.

In the end, their conversations and collusion among themselves are the true meaning of the martial arts competition.

If so, the reason for using the format of a martial arts competition when it would have been possible to meet separately is simple.

Even if just two or three of them meet separately, countless rumors will spread.

It was easy for it to cause other problems, and the strife that would arise between them was also a headache.

That is why the leaders of the large sects create these places to look after their own interests.

Instead, during the martial arts competition, if it becomes known who is meeting whom, problems can arise, so they prepare entertainment that will divert others’ attention and prevent them from being interested in their meetings or forming negative public opinion.

A representative example of this is the late index non-competitive competition.

The fight between the best of each faction is something that ordinary people cannot track down anyway, and their victory or defeat is a burden to the sect, so they are trying to have the later indices compete against each other to steal attention and raise the reputation of their own faction.

It wasn’t bad from the viewers’ perspective either.

Since the later index is ultimately the person who will lead the next generation, it feels like a glimpse into the future of a huge sect?

It was also a convenient event in many ways, as it meant looking ahead to those who would later be in positions where one would not dare to look.

Of course, the truly skilled late-game indices of the large sects have already secured their spot in the main tournament from the beginning and are fighting for the remaining spots, so people’s real expectations can only be achieved when the main tournament is underway. However, on the other hand, since there are no late-game indices of the large sects, there is no better opportunity for the late-game indices of mediocre sects to shake off their weaknesses and gain fame.

“Wow. This is really great! Doing it like this? There’s so much to learn.”

There was also more to learn from watching people of similar skill level rather than from watching the masters of distant past.

That is why, whenever there was a martial arts competition, many martial artists, in addition to the general public, gathered to observe their techniques, and Cheonhwa also walked around the village outside of Deungbong-hyeon where the martial arts competition was held, and was amazed again and again.

“I can’t help but spend money on this.”

However, what he is surprised by and wants to learn is not the martial arts skills of other poor later index players.

If the only entertainment at the martial arts competition was the non-martial arts competition, it would be very boring.

That is why Shaolin commissioned Haomen to fill it with countless things to see, enjoy, and eat, and what Cheonhwa admired was the composition of these things.

This is because it seemed to have gathered everything that even those who aren’t particularly interested in martial arts can enjoy, from games like throwing beads and threading that require quick hand movements and eye technique, to quick and precise swordplay that requires quick and precise swordsmanship, like breaking iron and showing off one’s strength, to small games that even the general public can enjoy, to unique restaurants and performances where one can sample food from all over the Central Plains.

I was truly impressed by Haomen’s money-making methods, which were full of experience and wisdom and seemed to be able to make a lot of money.

Non-commercial?

It was difficult for something like that to take away even a moment of Cheonhwa’s time.

Because the rumor that he was a two-strike fanatic had already spread, there were cases where his opponents would voluntarily forfeit, and even if they had the courage to fight, they would be knocked out with one blow.

“Eun-gong, it’s time to go.”

“You really are unpredictable. To think that you came all the way here to care about such things.”

The five-day preliminary round of the non-contest ended with a series of easy wins, and the sixth day finally arrived when the main event was held.

Although he had automatically qualified for the main tournament, today was the first match of the main tournament, and Bukgungyeon came to Cheonhwa with a light heart after fighting several rounds of Marjin and Bimu early in the morning.

It was quite different from how others conserve their strength for fear of not having enough strength to use in a match, but it was to the point where it was taken for granted.

Perhaps she is the only one who has reached the pinnacle of perfection.

Cheonhwa, it is already difficult to call it a later index, so let’s exclude it.

“It’s much more productive than watching little kids struggle.”

Thanks to the fact that they had been fighting every chance they had, not only today but also in the meantime, both Majin and Bukgungyeon had already stabilized their strength.

If we only look at absolute power, no matter how high he had reached, Bukgungyeon, who could be considered a kind of shortcut, was no match for Majin, but since what Majin needed now was not a stronger stimulus or opponent, they were able to help each other.

Bukgungyeon tested his limits by exerting all his strength, and gradually learned to control his strength with increasing sophistication.

Margin, too, was able to further solidify his Iron Man’s status by accepting the stimulation given by the Ice Spirit.

Since Cheonhwa personally helped them out from time to time, the two of them did not experience any additional level increase, but they were at least 20% stronger than before.

Now all that matters is the bracket.

If it weren’t for the fact that Bukgungyeon and Cheonhwa met before the finals, it would have been a given that they would have won the first and second place prizes in the non-contest.

“But is it really okay? It seems like the dirty things are spreading dirty rumors.”

At that time, Margin asked Cheonhwa with concern.

During the preliminaries, the rumor surrounding him grew louder as it became known that Cheonhwa was a two-faced maniac and an evil dragon.

But the direction of the noise was a bit strange.

Even though he had a notorious reputation as a two-man madman, the nickname of the Dragon was given to those who were the best among the later indexes, and the skills he had shown were also overwhelming, so his reputation should have grown significantly, but the things people were saying about Cheonhwa were quite negative.

Groundless and absurd rumors began to spread about Cheonhwa, such as that he was a fraud who had already conspired with his opponent to achieve victory, that he had used sorcery, or that he had secretly moved collaborators.

Although he didn’t necessarily want to know, Haomen relayed the news to Tianhua.

Who spread such a rumor?

Habukpengga and Moyongse.

They are the ones who, despite having received help from Cheonhwa at the Yongbongjihoe, were arrogant and said that they could have done it with just their own strength, and offered silver crumbs and a piece of silver cut in two as the price of their lives.

“It’s okay. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but I think we’ll meet soon.”

Shhh

However, instead of being offended, Cheonhwa smiled.

In his hands was the bracket for the Later Index Non-Mu Tournament that he had received from Haomun.

If the bracket is leaked in advance, there will be time to prepare for the opponent, so Shaolin strictly handles this, but it is not an illegal method.

It was only a little while ago that Cheonhwa received this.

Since Shaolin had already announced the confirmed match list, and by now Haomen was selling it so that many people would know about it and be interested in it without having to go through Shaolin’s Sanmun, there was no problem at all.

And there, Cheonhwa’s name was in the same group as those guys.

Also, fortunately, Bukgungyeon’s name was written on the opposite side.

If he continues to win as he wishes, his fight against Bukgungyeon will be the final.

“I don’t know who did it, but it was a really nice thing they did.”

Instead, some pretty interesting names were clustered on Cheonhwa’s side.

Perhaps the reason why Bukgungyeon was not put in the same group as himself was to prevent Bukgungyeon from clashing with those who were put in the same group to capture him.

Even before recovering from the Ice Age and reaching the pinnacle of his powers, Bukgungyeon’s martial arts skills were already outstanding enough to be ranked among the best of the later ranks.

But I still couldn’t have imagined that it would become my grave and hell.

“Let’s go. There’s something we have to do before the match.”

Cheonhwa, who checked the match table, smiled faintly and hurried his steps.

Today, Shaolin will be hosting the first main event of the martial arts competition, but along with it, the best entertainment of the martial arts competition is also prepared.

Just gambling.

A gambling place to predict the winner is opened at Haomen under the fancy name of Anmok Pumjeonghoe.

For that, Cheonhwa had gathered all the funds available.

He also borrowed money from Haomen up to the maximum limit he could afford.

What was the bet? It was obviously his victory.

There were also a few victories that his eyes had set on.

For the past five days, I have been closely watching the main players who are likely to cause an upset rather than the obvious winners with low odds.

Now it was time to make money.

***

The martial arts competition was held in the largest martial arts arena in Shaolin.

Since it was a martial arts competition held in front of numerous masters representing the martial arts world and influential ordinary people, the later ranks of the elites also looked quite nervous.

If you promote it here, it may raise the reputation of your sect, but it may also lead to continued support for the sect or for your personal interests.

Also, the prizes given to the 32 people were mouth-watering.

Those who made it to the finals were given a level of training equivalent to about three years of experience, so how great will the prizes be for those who place at the top?

As if living up to their anticipation, Namgung Se-ga-ju, one of the attendees of this year’s non-competition competition, announced the prizes for the top 32 winners and the top 4 winners one by one before the actual non-competition competition began.

“Ohhhhhh!!”

“In elixirs, in weapons… … You’ve really prepared well!”

“A chance to learn from one of the masters gathered here. That’s truly amazing! Isn’t this a chance to learn from a master of the highest level, or even a master of the highest level? Maybe one of the later indexes will break down the wall of the highest level and become a master of the highest level!”

“But, wouldn’t someone like that come from among the Sapa people?”

“Hey! You bastard. How could that be? The old family and the five great families are the same. No matter how powerful the Sapha people are, where will their power go?”

“Oh, those words are harsh. Isn’t it time for even the stagnant waters to be swept away? Just wait and see, the back wave of the Yangtze River pushes the front wave. The fire chief of Geumcheonbang is a truly outstanding person!”

There was a great commotion in the room with him.

The benefits given were so great that the hearts of both the reviewers and onlookers were moved.

Accordingly, there was a lot of debate about who would be the final winner, but most people only mentioned the later incumbents of the great sects of Gupa Ibang and Sapha.

“Then let’s begin. I hope we can learn a lot from each other.”

Soon, the main event of the non-contest began.

The 88 contestants who made it through the fiercely contested preliminaries and the 40 Jeongpa and Sapa contestants who automatically advanced to the main tournament lined up in the training grounds and stepped back from their seats while keeping a close watch on each other.

However, most of the first day’s matches had results that were actually quite predictable.

That is because none of the 40 finalists who automatically advanced to the main tournament faced each other.

As if to show why they got automatic qualification, they pitted those who made it through the preliminaries against them, and only 48 lucky ones got a chance to compete against each other and make it to the round of 64.

The eyes of the few who made it through the preliminaries were burning brightly because if they had just one more win, they would have advanced to the round of 32 and received great honor and prizes as a top winner.

And one more.

Even among those who automatically advanced to the main tournament, there were some who glared at their opponents with piercing eyes as if they were going to devour them.

“Habuk Pengga Sogaju, Doryong Peng Jinseong. Weapon is a sword. Confirmed. Go up.”

This is Peng Jinseong, the head of the Habuk Pengga clan and nicknamed Doryeong.

Although Habukpengga itself is known to be a very aggressive place, the reason he shows his anger like this over a mere 128 rounds is because of his opponent.

“The 7th lord of the Cheon-eum-mun, the evil dragon Cheon-hwa. His weapons are… …a flute and a pipa. Hmm? Are you bringing these up as weapons?”

“Yes, that’s right. Do I have to choose just one? Then let’s go with this one!”

Because the opponent was Cheonhwa.

No, that’s also it, but it was because of his words and actions during the confirmation stage before engaging in combat.

Silver crumbs.

One of the things that Cheonhwa brought up as a weapon was silver scraps.

Of course, it could be something prepared to be written as a memorization, but Peng Jinseong knows what it is.

He couldn’t help but know that these were the same things he had given him since the last Yongbongji meeting.

“No, that’s not it. Okay, I’ve checked. You can take them all up.”

Even if you had to choose one, you’d choose something like a silver shard? I don’t know if you did it to provoke yourself, knowing that I don’t care about the number or type of weapons, but I’ll show you an example.

Peng Jinseong gritted his teeth and once again burned his hostility towards Cheonhwa.

I faced Cheonhwa, clutching the sword of the Heavenly Wall Sword that I had brought from Samun for today in a crushing grip.

“You came up here with a piece of silver? Are you trying to insult me?”

When they stood on stage and faced each other, it was Peng Jinseong who bared his teeth first.

I was truly angry that he had brought up the crumbs of silver that were filled with memories.

“What’s wrong with that? It’s worth the life of a certain person. No. If I get hit with this, am I worth less than a piece of silver? Now that I think about it, I guess he had high self-esteem!”

“This kid!”

“Stop! The fight hasn’t even started yet!”

However, there was no way that words could overcome the disaster.

Cheonhwa simply smiled and replied, and Peng Jinseong was about to rush in at that sight, but was stopped by the referee, allowing him to calm down for a moment.

The moment the fight starts, I think I’ll crush that guy into pieces like silver chips.

“Please begin… ….”

The wait wasn’t that long.

Since the duel was going to start anyway, he put some distance between them and immediately declared the start of the duel.

“Commence the fight!”

“I’ve been waiting for this day. I’ll expose every single one of your lies!”

Along with him, Peng Jinseong came rushing in.

He stepped on the family’s sacred dharma, Miheo Shinbo, and pierced through the heavenly fire at lightning speed.

“Well. With your skills?”

However, Cheonhwa just laughs lightly and dodges away.

Unlike Peng Jinseong, who seemed to be giving it his all just by looking at it, I got out of the guy’s path with light steps as if taking a stroll, and the guy who was rushing at me forcibly broke my body that was shooting up by kicking the ground hard as if striking me.

He turned his body towards Cheonhwa as if he would not miss her and showed off his sword filled with great strength.

“Then shall I check it out? Are you worth more than these silver crumbs?”

Tuan!

At that moment, Cheonhwa’s fingertips, which were curled with his thumb and middle finger, flicked.

Tiny silver grains, too small to be seen with the naked eye, were shot toward the creature.