svetikya Chapter 197 : Chapter 197
Chapter 197 : Chapter 197
Chapter 197 - The Angriest Person
“W-wooooooow!”
A cheer that could make the entire martial arts arena shake rang out.
Because they had never dreamed they would see the ultimate technique of Shaolin's Supreme Divine Art at a martial arts tournament.
“This can’t be. That golden radiance is surely from the Supreme Divine Art, isn't it?”
“I can’t believe it. How many monks in Shaolin now can use the Supreme Divine Art?”
“Moreover, the technique Jin Hwi used is called the Supreme Grand Divine Energy. It is absolutely… absolutely not a technique a later-generation disciple should be able to use…!!”
“Shaolin has raised another monster!”
Although it was a short match, the crowd's excitement did not subside for a long time.
A place where all the people of the orthodox sects, including the Nine Sects One Union, were gathered.
Each sect might have its own identity, but the center of this place, no matter what anyone said, was Shaolin.
It wasn't just because the tournament was held on Mount Song.
Shaolin was the most friendly group among the Murim Alliance organizations to the common people, and it had the symbolism of being the best among the prestigious sects.
There was a reason why people were enthusiastic about Jin Hwi’s victory, or rather, Shaolin’s victory.
“Tsk.”
“Ahem.”
Some of the sect leaders clicked their tongues, and some cleared their throats.
Although their reactions were different, their feelings were all the same.
‘This time too, we’ve become a sideshow to Shaolin.’
Each sect must have come here with their own ace up their sleeve.
Imagining the rising star their sect had ambitiously nurtured winning the tournament and eating the precious elixir.
But in the end, the probability that this tournament would also be Shaolin's solo stage had increased.
Because no matter how good Biyoung's skills were, there was no later-generation disciple in this world who could defeat the Supreme Grand Divine Energy.
“Congratulations, Abbot. A new rising master will soon appear in the martial world.”
“Congratulations. Perhaps because the energy of Mount Song is good, a distinguished figure appears at every tournament.”
“Amitabha. The final match is not over yet, is it?”
Deokdam showed modesty, but no one took him seriously.
“It is the Supreme Divine Art, not some other martial art. There will be no later-generation disciple in the world who can stand against this martial art.”
“Another auspicious event will occur in Shaolin tomorrow.”
As one gets older and their position rises, caution is bound to increase.
How much more so for a sect leader?
But despite that, the majority of the sect leaders were already treating Jin Hwi's victory as a foregone conclusion.
That was how absolute the meaning of the Supreme Divine Art was.
“Hehehe.”
While everyone was offering their congratulations to Deokdam, a coarse laugh was heard from one side.
That voice, without a doubt, belonged to Gwangyo.
“Even I, who am utterly insignificant, look at the ground when I fall down, but I do not know why the sect leaders keep repeating the same mistake.”
“What do you want to say now?”
“Haven't you been wrong more often than right regarding the Diancang Sect so far? Yet your haste to jump to conclusions is quite impressive.”
It seemed polite on the surface, but it was actually a statement close to ridicule.
One of the sect leaders asked Gwangyo.
“So, are you saying our prediction will be wrong this time as well? That Young Hero Biyoung could defeat Jin Hwi?”
“There’s a saying that’s been repeated ad nauseam throughout history. You have to measure it to know if it's long or short.”
“…………!”
“Of course, if I were to place a bet, I would bet on Jin Hwi. But how much can a beggar bet? However, the people here seem to be a little different.”
“A little different?”
“Didn't you all bet the stake called the Great Buddha Gold Pill?”
“!”
“If, by some chance, someone who is not from the Nine Sects One Union comes to possess the Great Buddha Gold Pill, wouldn't it be like a stray cat running off with the stakes, or like making porridge for a dog?”
After saying that, Gwangyo came down from the seats of honor without even waiting for a reply.
“………….”
Most of the sect leaders looked like they had eaten something foul.
They wanted to beat him up with every word he uttered, but he wasn't wrong.
If the Great Buddha Gold Pill fell into Shaolin’s hands, they could at least understand that, giving him the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over.
Since it was an elixir made with jointly invested funds, they had a stake in it, and in the grand scheme of things, it would help the overall strength of the Nine Sects One Union.
But Biyoung?
The Diancang Sect hadn't contributed any money to the elixir's production, and there was no guarantee they would be cooperative with the Nine Sects One Union even if he ate the elixir.
‘No. Far from cooperative…’
He might use that elixir as wings and turn his sword against the Nine Sects One Union.
Asking where everyone was when Diancang was in crisis.
That was why Gwangyo's words about making porridge for a dog didn't just sound like a joke.
“Amitabha.”
Would it go to the cherished child?
Or would it go to the dog?
Only one match remained to find out.
***
“Oh my…!”
Solbo’s already large eyes widened even further.
He swore he had never seen a larger crowd in his entire life.
“This is really amazing, Brother Eung. Aren't there more people than on the first day of the tournament?”
“It seems so. But it's not particularly surprising.”
“Pardon?”
“Seeing the masters of the sects with one's own eyes is, of course, a spectacle. But for people, the biggest interest is ultimately the final one, isn't it?”
“The final one…!”
The final one must mean the winner of the Later Generation Martial Arts Tournament.
Just as Eung Gajin said, the people gathered at the scene were each mentioning the names of Jin Hwi and Biyoung and passionately debating.
One could guess just by looking at the expressions of the gathered people.
Beyond anticipation and excitement, there was even a sense of impatience at the fact that the number one later-generation martial artist in the world would soon be decided.
“This year's winner is undoubtedly Jin Hwi. Having learned the Supreme Divine Art at such a young age, who could be his match?”
“Did you not see Young Master Tang get defeated one-sidedly? The Jade Face Quick Sword has not even shown his true skills yet!”
“No matter what, Shaolin is Shaolin. Are the rising stars produced throughout its long history ordinary masters?”
“People are drunk on the name value, but I see their skills as being evenly matched!”
“Who knows? In response to Jin Hwi’s Supreme Grand Divine Energy, perhaps Young Hero Biyoung will also show a legendary technique!”
“A legendary technique?”
“I'm talking about Soul-Stealing without Awareness!”
“Soul-Stealing without Awareness… what's that?”
“Wow. To think I was having a conversation with people so ignorant of the history of the Jianghu martial world. What a waste of time!”
“Stop being so arrogant and tell us. What is Soul-Stealing without Awareness?”
“It's the technique that pierced through the Body Protecting Aura of that great Heavenly Demon.”
“!!!”
“Then, the World's Fastest Sword’s?”
“That's right. If Jin Hwi is unleashing the Supreme Grand Divine Energy, what can't Young Hero Biyoung do?”
Due to the loud chatter everywhere, the Diancang Sect party could also hear the conversation clearly.
Solbo and Uma’s gazes turned to Eung Gajin.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Because it seems like you would know, senior brother. Do you think Biyoung can use Soul-Stealing without Awareness?”
At Uma’s question, Eung Gajin was lost in thought for a moment.
Soul-Stealing without Awareness was an ultimate secret of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art that had been passed down like a legend even within the Diancang Sect.
A powerful quick sword that could pierce the Heavenly Demon’s Body Protecting Aura, even for a fleeting moment.
It was the pride of the Diancang Sect and a technique that was like their spiritual pillar.
“I think it’s still too early.”
“Aww…”
Solbo’s eyes filled with disappointment.
He had been thinking that perhaps Biyoung might be able to do it.
“Honestly, I can't be sure of his skills either. In the more than a year we've been together, he has never once shown his true strength.”
“However…”
“Even if we set aside the other Sun-Shooting Sword Arts, Soul-Stealing without Awareness is difficult. Because it was a technique that only the World's Fastest Sword could impart.”
Biyoung had brought them most of the secret manuals, but Soul-Stealing without Awareness was not a technique that could be learned just by reading a manual.
Unless the practitioner who had mastered the technique taught it directly, it was impossible to learn.
Eung Gajin was pointing out that very fact.
Regardless of Biyoung’s innate talent, there was no one to teach him.
“But if by some chance…”
“?”
“Truly, if by some one-in-a-million chance, Biyoung knows how to use even Soul-Stealing without Awareness.”
In the middle of the martial arts arena, crowded like a cloud.
Looking at the two people standing side by side, Eung Gajin continued his words.
“The Great Buddha Gold Pill will be eaten by Biyoung.”
***
An enormous cheer.
A fiery heat.
A countless crowd of people.
Biyoung, standing in the martial arts arena, looked around the area as if he were a tourist.
At least for this moment, the Murim Alliance was the master of the world, and there was an atmosphere that no Unorthodox Faction force could touch.
So, he really didn't like it.
“Damn it.”
Biyoung spat out a curse.
Where did this peace and prosperity come from?
It was achieved by the past masters who laid down their lives.
For a long time, most of the sects had reaped the rewards of that sacrifice.
Support from the common people for the sects increased, and they expanded their businesses into areas that were not originally their role.
But unfortunately, there was just one place that could not.
The Diancang Sect.
They had committed ninety percent of their strength to the Great War against the Heavenly Demon, but all that returned was utter neglect.
“This is wrong.”
The world was clearly going wrong.
Therefore, he would have to correct things one by one, starting now.
For Biyoung, this martial arts tournament was not just a fight between the young blood.
The first correction to fix what was wrong.
That was Biyoung’s mindset as he prepared for the final.
“Amitabha. I am Jin Hwi.”
“Biyoung of Diancang.”
“It is an honor to meet the Jade Face Quick Sword of Yunnan…”
“Cut the crap and let me ask you one thing.”
It seems a person with a strong will can also endure rudeness well.
There was not a single tremor in Jin Hwi’s eyes as he looked at Biyoung.
“Please speak.”
“Where is Great Zen Master Jeongjin now?”
Jin Hwi’s facial muscles, which had not flinched even at the crude provocation, moved slightly.
Because mentioning Great Zen Master Jeongjin was something of a taboo in all of Shaolin.
“Are you referring to Fist Peak, Great Master Jeongjin?”
“Yes. He was one of the Ten Great Masters of Jianghu in the past, and he made great contributions in the Great War against the Heavenly Demon, right? But I haven't seen him once here on Mount Song.”
“I too wish to see Great Master Jeongjin, but his current whereabouts are unknown. Therefore, I also do not know where he is…”
“As someone who has lived a little longer, let me give you a piece of advice.”
This time, Jin Hwi’s expression changed more noticeably.
No matter how he looked at it, he seemed to be older, so what was with those arrogant words?
At the same time, he felt a strange sensation.
Unlike his appearance, his attitude and way of speaking, which looked down on him, were too natural.
As if he were truly a person who had lived longer than him.
“A sect that forgets history and truth has no future. While I'm eating the Great Buddha Gold Pill tonight, you'll have to chew on those words.”
“Amitabha. I appreciate the advice, but such a thing will not happen.”
An enormous energy flows from Jin Hwi’s body.
Although he didn't show it much on the outside, it seemed he was quite angry.
What had made Jin Hwi angry?
His presumptuous tone?
The advice given as if he had lived through everything in the world?
Or the statement that he would be defeated?
‘It doesn’t matter what it is.’
At this very moment.
Among all the people gathered here, the angriest person was Biyoung himself.
“Begin!”
As soon as the judge’s signal fell, the two young futures kicked off the ground and soared into the air.