Chapter 239 The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament (2)

Chapter 239: The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament (2)

“Does it have to be right now?”

“Yes, it must.”

“Hmm…”

I had no intention of taking advantage, but now I was in a bit of a bind.

As Yu Xiaoping had written in his letter, the cession of territory south of Gansu had left them severely short of soldiers.

Moreover, with the establishment of the Dragon Guard, the three hundred Black Dragon Guards were now stationed here at Nine Dragon Fortress, meaning the manpower shortage would undoubtedly become even more severe.

‘That’s why we’re gathering slaves…’

When I showed my unease, Yongmasan nodded as if he understood.

“I know the situation is difficult.”

“…It is a bit difficult right now. Ah, of course, I have no intention of taking advantage.”

We received Hao Wen’s assistance during the last war.

They provided real-time enemy positions, mapped out anticipated routes, and supplied provisions.

Thanks to them, our forces carried out operations safely and well-fed, while Hao Wen lost over a hundred disciples.

I’m not so shameless as to take credit for such a feat.

“It’s the price of life, isn’t it?”

“…I appreciate you acknowledging that.”

“Thank you? I should be thanking you. Our boys survived because of you.”

I filled Yongmasan’s cup with wine.

“I can accept Hao Wen’s blood debt even if it means pushing myself too hard. But honestly, I’d prefer if you could delay it a little.”

“I’m sorry, but it must be done now.”

“I see.”

“Instead, there’s no need to use the power of the former royal gate.”

“Hm?”

When I looked at him in puzzlement at the unexpected answer, he continued speaking while drinking his wine.

“The target is coming here. To challenge the Jin Gate Master directly.”

“What? Why?”

“Lord Jin, do you know what two things martial artists risk their lives for?”

“How could I not? Martial prowess and fame, right?”

For someone like me, money is the top priority, though.

“Exactly. Then what do you think is the fastest way to gain fame in the current martial world?”

“Well… through a duel… Huh?”

“You’ve caught on, I see. That’s right. Defeating Jin Munju has become the surest way to gain fame in the martial world today. He’s the only one among the Seven Factions who accepts challenges, and his whereabouts are known.”

“……”

“And given his youth, it’s only natural to harbor hopes.”

“…I suppose I underestimated him quite a bit.”

“But you don’t necessarily need superior martial arts to win, do you?”

“True.”

It’s a laughable notion, but duels aren’t always fought fairly.

All sorts of underhanded tactics run rampant—like poisoning opponents with premeditated schemes or staging secret duels under the pretext of not wanting to reveal martial arts techniques.

However.

“Is there anyone who would dare do such a crazy thing to me now?”

As the first disciple of the Supreme Leader of the Nine Dragons Republic, I believe there are none who would dare commit such an act against me.

“But what if the opponent is worthy? What if they possess the strength and background to do it, and are also skilled at backroom maneuvering?”

“……Who do you mean?”

“The Mountain King Association and the Water Dragon Sect.”

“……!”

I couldn’t help but be shocked by the name that came from Yongmasan’s mouth.

Of course.

The Mountain King Sect, with its headquarters at the Green Forest Eighteen Huts, is a major sect that commands the Mountain King Signpost Bureau, which stands as a twin pillar alongside the Silver Dragon Hall’s Silver Star Signpost Bureau.

The number of its affiliated agents alone exceeds a thousand.

The Water Dragon Sect is no less formidable.

With the Zhangjiang Waterways as their foundation, they formed a vast merchant fleet based on the mighty Yangtze River, commanding over five hundred warriors.

Above all.

“…Aren’t they part of the Lion Alliance?”

Like the seven factions of the Nine Dragons Sect, they are also a major pillar forming the Lion Alliance.

“That’s right.”

“…But you said they weren’t anything special before.”

“Well, that was because we had a plan.”

“What kind of plan?”

“We planned to split the Zhenwang Sect’s forces in two to seize the Sanwang Sect’s treasures and burn the Shulong Sect’s ships. Given the Zhenwang Sect’s mobility, it was a perfectly viable strategy.”

“But what if we got caught? Would the Lion Clan just stand by?”

“We planned to cover the Jeonwangmun’s tracks and publicly claim it was our doing. As you know, that sort of thing isn’t our specialty.”

“……But now the situation has changed?”

“Why choose the difficult path when an easier one presents itself?”

“……”

He was torn.

It was true he owed them a debt, but the Sanwang Association and the Suryong Sect were different matters entirely.

‘If we’re not careful, this could spark a war.’

It might just give the Lion Clan a reason to act.

As if sensing my concern, Yongmasan flashed his head.

“Do not worry. I will handle it so that what you fear does not come to pass.”

“Tell me.”

“Ah, the plan is this…”

I cut him off before he could explain the operation.

“No, tell me everything from the moment Hao Mun and those scoundrels first became entangled. That’s the only way I’ll be moved.”

“…This drinking session is going to run long.”

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of liquor.”

That night, I stayed up all night drinking with Yongmasan.

* * *

The atmosphere in the military department lately was like walking on thin ice.

The reason was overtime work.

With the incorporation of Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang provinces, the Military Affairs Department’s workload had more than doubled.

When people are tired, they get sharp.

Consequently, not only did the secretaries handling official documents grow increasingly irritable, but the secretaries who served as department heads also became more and more annoyed, while the ordinary secretaries were simply dying.

Then, an unexpected visitor arrived at this tense Military Department.

“A radio message has arrived!”

Tupa Jinmujon.

He reached the pinnacle of his power in his early twenties and soon after ascended to the rank of Seventh Master, just below the teenage masters—a truly remarkable figure.

That alone would be enough to make anyone arrogant, but not only did his own sect, the Zhenwang Sect, become a pillar of the Nine Dragon City, his master, the Fierce King, was elevated to City Lord.

In other words, he was someone opponents had to kowtow to of their own accord.

The clerks of the Military Bureau hurried out to greet him.

“Hehehe, what brings the Lord out today?”

“My, my! You look splendid as ever today.”

“What are you servants doing? The ‘Great Prince’ has arrived. Bring tea immediately!”

Countless scholars rushed to his side, rubbing their hands together eagerly.

“Oh? Isn’t that Scholar Jeong?”

“Hehe, you remember my humble name? What an honor!”

“How could I forget? Back when I was head of the outer court, didn’t Scholar Jeong nitpick every single thing and give me a hard time?”

“……”

“Hahaha, it’s water under the bridge. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, your magnanimity moves me deeply.”

“By the way, who’s in charge here?”

At the radio operator’s question, the old clerk raised his hand.

“This is me.”

“What is your name?”

“My surname is Ju, with the character for lake, and the character for brush. I serve as the Chief Clerk of the Military Affairs Bureau here.”

“I see. The reason I summoned Secretary Ju is simply because I believe the abilities of that scholar over there, Mr. Jeong, are quite exceptional.”

“Pardon?”

“Would it be wise to keep such a capable person here? He’d be better suited to overseeing the administration of a place like the Namman Jungle.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Then I entrust this matter to you.”

“Yes, sir!”

Leaving the pensive scholar behind, Moo-jeon strode purposefully toward Mun-sang’s office.

* * *

“Hmm…”

Meanwhile, Moon Sang, who had been reviewing documents for quite some time, suddenly rubbed his eyes.

“I’m getting old. I suppose it’s time to start looking for a successor.”

Just as Mun Sang closed his tired eyes for a moment’s rest.

Knock knock.

“The head of the Jeonryong Clan has arrived.”

“……Tell him to come in.”

News of an ominous visitor arrived.

A name that stirred unease just to hear it.

“What scheme is he plotting this time…….”

Mun Sang clicked his tongue, recalling the recent troubles caused by Muwon.

‘To execute a scheme of borrowing a knife to kill someone based on mere rumors.’

Moreover, the target from whom the blade was borrowed was the entire martial world—truly a display of profound strategy.

Of the over seven hundred members of the Baek family household, almost none survived—its cruelty knew no bounds.

Had he not been the Lord’s disciple, one might have considered him worthy of succession.

Then, that very Wu Tian opened the door and entered with a broad smile.

“My, my, haven’t seen you in a few days and your face looks half its size. Are you eating properly?”

“Hmph. I haven’t skipped a single meal. One can’t endure without eating, after all.”

“Hmm, for someone who claims to be fine, you look rather pale. I think you might need to take some medicine.”

“It’d be a waste for someone like me who can’t even practice martial arts to take it. It’d be more efficient to give it to the castle’s warriors instead.”

“Is that so? Hmm, then I brought this for nothing.”

Muwon pulled something from his robe.

An incredibly refreshing scent filled Mun Sang’s office.

“……”

Mun Sang knew. The moment he asked what it was, he’d be drawn into his words.

Therefore, suppressing his surging curiosity, he refused to look.

But that didn’t last long either.

“Have you ever heard of the sea god? You see, it’s made from the raw material of a hundred-year-old sea god’s… well, that part, dried thoroughly and ground into powder…”

His ears perked up at the salesman’s flowery rhetoric, reminiscent of a peddler.

Seeing Mun Sang’s reaction, the peddler grew even more animated in his explanation.

“Add century-old He Shou Wu to such precious ingredients, and the medicinal effects are beyond description. Just one pill will make a seventy-year-old man jump right up. You know? Jump right up.”

At the absurd claim, Mun-sang retorted.

“……Hard to believe. Would the head of the Myungsung clan really be such a braggart?”

“No, I’m telling you it’s true! I didn’t plan to mention this, but do you know who made this?”

“Well, how would I know?”

“Huh, I thought you might have guessed, Master Mun. There’s only one physician around me, after all.”

“You… you mean…?”

“That’s right. The renowned daughter of the Qing Family Patriarch and the century’s genius born from the Qing Family. That fame now echoes beyond the Nine Dragons Fortress, throughout all of Sichuan—no, across the entire martial world—thanks to Qinghua Xinnü, Qing Xiaosuo. Naturally, its efficacy is guaranteed.”

“Is that so?”

“What should we do? Should we take it back?”

“Guhk.”

Conflict raged within Mun Sang’s heart.

If he took it, he’d surely get entangled with that bastard. But refusing it meant his physical condition was beyond words.

And then.

After much deliberation at this crossroads of choice, Mun Sang reached a conclusion: he would accept the gift from the radio.

‘At least I haven’t caused any harm to the castle….’

Moon Sang-i held out his hand, and the radio operator quickly handed him the medicine.

“The effects will wear off over time, so take it now.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I clearly heard that once the seal is broken, it loses one point per moment.”

“Then it can’t be.”

Gulp.

Mun Sang swallowed the elixir in one gulp along with the tea in front of him.

Perhaps because it was the Qing Family’s secret elixir, the surging vitality made Mun Sang’s eyes widen in shock.

“This can’t be!”

“Well? Do you like it?”

“…I can’t lie about it. It’s as if I slept for three days straight—my whole body is buzzing with energy.”

“Hehehe, I’m glad to hear it.”

Moon-sang sighed as he watched Moo-jeon make a sly face.

It was time to repay the favor after all.

“Alright, what brings you here this time?”

“Nothing major, just a simple favor I’d like to ask.”

A wave of unease washed over him.

“……Go ahead.”

When Mun Sang spoke in a heavy voice, the radio chattered away and opened its mouth.

“As you know, when the Master took office as the city lord, there were various matters, weren’t there? So, about that…”

“Keep it brief.”

“Ahem, we’re considering holding a martial arts tournament.”

Yongmasan sneered as if it were no big deal.