MTL NOVEL Chapter 56
The rules of the Qiłhua Tournament are simple.
“Do not use lethal techniques.” That is all.
It is not merely a sparring competition but a gathering for orthodox sects to strengthen their bonds and exchange martial arts skills.
However…
“This madman!”
Ami’s Snow Flower could distinctly feel a ‘murderous intent’ emanating from Jade Flower standing before her.
As if her life meant nothing, Jade Flower was launching aggressive sword strikes.
It wasn’t just Snow Flower who was sensing this.
Swish-!
“Ughgk…!”
Jade Flower’s Great Void Dragon Slaying Sword technique came hurtling towards Snow Flower with sharp precision.
The intent contained within the strike was different from what the Great Void Dragon Slaying Sword should naturally possess.
Much more savage and powerful.
Not only that, but it also carried a wrath and murderous aura that should not appear in a friendly sparring match.
Strong enough for everyone watching to notice immediately.
This was because Jade Flower’s mind and spirit were deeply perturbed.
To the eyes of those unaware, it merely looked like Jade Flower was bullying Snow Flower, who was seemingly much weaker.
‘Why… why are you here, Sword Sage…!’
Jade Flower’s sword blade cut past Snow Flower’s neck by a mere sliver.
A panicked Snow Flower could only run away, unable to muster any of Ami’s sword techniques.
Ignoring all that, Jade Flower continued with her violent movements.
Even though she was so agitated, the lack of any noticeable flaws in her movements was testament to her skill – a divine might that would’ve been impossible for anyone other than her.
‘Sword Sage! I clearly warned you that I’d kill you if we ever met again!’
But despite these perfect movements, her mind was riddled with restlessness.
‘Sword Sage! Sword Sage!! Sword Sage!!!’
Was it anger?
No, it was fear.
‘The Sword Sage!’
Fear – primal fear – of an enemy stronger than oneself.
Fear that the one she had let live out of pity would come back stronger, turning into a new terror.
Jade Flower tried to explain it to herself as anger and consternation, but the fear and panic she was feeling gradually transformed into urgency.
Just like now.
Whoosh-!
Jade Flower’s sword slashed down vertically.
Knowing that her clumsy tricks would never work against it, Snow Flower raised her sword horizontally to block from the front.
Clack-!
“Kkkkk…!”
A powerful current coursed through Jade Flower’s sword that was locked in a struggle against Snow Flower’s.
Snow Flower attempted to fight back with her own energy, pouring it into her sword despite her situation.
‘Sword Sage!!!!’
Like a frightened animal baring its claws, Jade Flower used her maximum internal energy to overpower Snow Flower, as if mistaking her for the Sword Sage.
Crunch-.
Snow Flower’s knees, which were struggling to hold on, slowly bent.
Fine cracks began to appear on the stone floor beneath her.
Even still, Jade Flower did not halt her energy battle, and her sword, hovering above Snow Flower, enveloped the sparring grounds with a blue current of energy as mist.
Just from seeing the color of what should’ve been sky-blue energy turn to blue, it was clear how overwhelmed Jade Flower was by her emotions.
“Disappointing.”
“What? What is?”
Lightly clicking his tongue upon seeing such a sight was Byul Rak.
“Hadn’t I heard that he had entered seclusion? But it seems there hasn’t been the slightest improvement.”
“Yeah? To me, it just looks overly flashy.”
“Though she shows great talent, instead she’s regressed. Evidence of this lies in her inability to control her own mind despite reaching the level of a peerless master. If only Snow Flower had the eyes to see, she wouldn’t be in such a predicament…”
“Hmm… Even I don’t see a thing…”
“You’re still young, Miss. Don’t worry. By the time you reach Jade Flower’s age, you’ll definitely surpass her.”
“Heh heh… So, you’re promising to stay by my side until then?”
“Does that matter?”
Unaware of the conversation between Byul Rak and Gayoung Jin, Jade Flower pressed down on Snow Flower even harder.
One of Snow Flower’s knees was already fully bent, blood trickling from her nose due to her straining to continue the energy match.
Clang-Clash-!
“Agghh…! I… will not retreat, absolutely…”
Finally, the sword that was sustaining the fight under her pride broke apart.
Kaboom-!
“…”
The sight of a sword, which is akin to a martial artist’s second body, breaking was the worst shame imaginable.
But that was not the big issue.
Whoosh-!
Due to residual momentum, Jade Flower’s sword which had split Snow Flower’s sword continued downwards.
“Ah…?”
Though trying quickly to stop the sword, once it had already been unleashed, it was not so easily stopped.
Especially when wielding an excessive amount of energy beyond one’s control, as was the case with Jade Flower.
Huuuung-!
Jade Flower’s sword eventually reached right in front of Snow Flower’s face.
Thud.
Fortunately, her sword stopped just before touching Snow Flower’s forehead.
“It seems the match is over.”
It was because the Heavenly Lord had just intercepted and stopped Jade Flower’s sword in the last moment.
Drip, drip-.
Plip.
Thanks to this, the blood from the Heavenly Lord’s torn palm stained Snow Flower’s face red, but he only chuckled.
“Jade Flower of Kunlun has won. Snow Flower, though defeated, has successfully displayed Ami’s remarkable sword skills. A bit regrettable, but I hope to see an even better performance from you during the next sparring.”
“…”
This was not a comment worthy for someone who hadn’t displayed Ami’s techniques even once, but Snow Flower quietly left, wiping her face with a cloth handed to her by her senior disciples, only after realizing belatedly.
She seemed to be suffering from considerable panic, as if she’d just visited the Three Sacred Heavens.
“You there! No matter what, you should bow and then leave!”
“Ugh…”
Though reprimanded by Ami Sect’s leader, no one made an issue of Snow Flower’s behavior since everyone had seen it.
They had all witnessed Jade Flower’s excessively savage form.
The reason not a single cheer escaped even after the sparring had ended was also due to this.
“…”
Silence, and an oppressive atmosphere.
In the midst of it, the Heavenly Lord alone maintained an awkard smile while whispering to Jade Flower.
“Jade Flower.”
“…Heavenly Lord.”
“Throughout today’s sparring, you never once announced your technique’s name.”
“I apologize.”
“There’s no need to apologize to me… Just calm your mind a little. It’s truly fortunate that we haven’t reached the point of weapon energy manifestation.”
“…”
Aware of her faults, Jade Flower descended from the sparring grounds without elaborate excuses.
That day, her gaze was locked onto Byul Rak throughout, regardless of whether the competition was in progress or not.
“Hem, there was a bit of an incident… but like this, the first sparring match has concluded with Jade Flower’s victory.”
The Heavenly Lord, who had sealed the blood vessels to stop the bleeding, calmly proceeded.
It was the first measure taken knowing well that blood brings excitement, and excitement brings confusion.
“Now then, let’s welcome Thunderflower Namgung and White Flower from the Mount Hua Sect to the stage. And don’t forget to run the energy briefly before stepping up.”
Following his call, Thunderflower Namgung Su-a and White Flower climbed onto the stage from the same direction.
Due to the earlier consideration by the Tang family, Namgong and Mount Hua had remained connected.
Thus, they climbed the single flight of steps side by side.
White Flower whispered something quietly to Namgung Su-a that only the two of them could hear.
“Have no shame, do you? How dare you look so dignified with such a father.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Know your place, you daughter of a turncoat mother.”
“…”
Namgung Su-a had no interest in White Flower, whereas White Flower had a significant interest in Namgung Su-a.
Because she had detested Namgung Su-a’s mother, Yu Soeun, from long ago.
According to the Mount Hua tradition, proper disciples, unlike lay practitioners, could never leave the sect.
If one wished to leave the mountain, or more accurately, switch “affiliation,”
then following the rationale that they might泄露 Mount Hua martial arts to another sect, their four limb meridians would be severed, and their dantian destroyed.
This was the representative ironclad rule of all sects, not just Mount Hua.
Yu Soeun was the singular exception to this unyielding rule.
Due to being the Sect Leader’s daughter.
“My mother has no reason to endure such remarks from you.”
“I…!”
“Time isn’t something that can be wasted so carelessly; it’s not without value. Let’s go up.”
Since she couldn’t bring herself to say, “I envy the fact that while I sacrifice so much to practice martial arts, your mother married into a great household like the Namgong family while remaining unharmed,” White Flower had to swallow her words.
In the end, all she could do was nitpick.
Meanwhile, Namgung Su-a had already climbed the stairs and was standing on the sparring ground.
“You don’t seem to know proper conduct in speaking. Was this your habit all along? You’re just a green youth.”
“I merely followed the Namgong family’s rule of maintaining civility with outsiders under any circumstances, but if you found it disrespectful, I sincerely apologize.”
“What, what? Apology? Are you apologizing?”
Though the unexpected display of humility from Namgung Su-a caused a bit of confusion.
“Hmm, both of you seem ready. Let’s begin immediately then. The two of you, please move to the opposite ends of the sparring ground.”
Sensing the unusual tensions building between the two, the Heavenly Lord quickly stepped in as a mediator.
– You won’t be leaving intact today.
With an evil grin, White Flower sent a mental transmission.
– I’ll ensure one of your limbs is broken; be prepared.
Whether Namgong Su-a had properly understood this or not, she merely narrowed her eyebrows slightly without showing any response.
“Namgong family, Thunderflower.”
“… Mount Hua, White Flower.”
The respectful half-fist salute from Namgong Su-a and the perfunctory salute from White Flower crossed paths.
The focus of everyone gathered at the Wudang Sect was drawn directly to them.
“Wow, so we’ll get to see the Emperor Sword Form and the Solitary Peerless Sword today?”
“The absolute best will be decided. It’s quite a sight.”
“Unfortunately, the Solitary Peerless Sword won’t be seen. It’s only passed down to the chief disciple, and Hua Mountain has a separate chief disciple.”
“Ah! That’s true… Nevertheless, this battle between the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swords and the Emperor Sword Form won’t be any less impressive.”
Everyone was curious to see just how long the prodigy Thunderflower, who was only fifteen years old, could hold out against White Flower, who was clearly older.
The previous bout between Jade Flower and Snow Flower was really just about “how much Jade Flower would let up.”
Thus, while everyone was certainly interested in Jade Flower herself, they had little interest in the match itself.
“Miss, Thunderflower Namgong Su-a.”
Of course, there were exceptions, like Jin Gayoung, who was only interested in Namgong Su-a.
“To this person! Absolutely! Absolutely cannot lose!”
“Alright, now both of you, draw your swords.”
Swoosh-
Clang-
The heavy sword of Namgong Su-a and the feather-light sword of White Flower faced each other.
“Then, begin the sparring match-!”
The Heavenly Lord’s solemn cry rang out.
Simultaneously.
BOOM-!
“!”
Namgong Su-a’s forcefully swung sword clashed with White Flower’s sword.
At that moment, everyone present saw it clearly.
Crack-!
Namgong Su-a’s heavy sword managed to push White Flower’s sword back by two inches.