Chapter 237

Chapter 237
## Chapter 237

You lack the capacity to comprehend because you are not a Peak Realm master.

Namgung Sa-geom’s eyes dilated as his teeth bared in fury.

These were remarks he could never let pass,

The very reason he had managed to survive the clan heir struggle.

The reason he, unlike his other brothers, had successfully served Clan Head Namgung Il-geom.

“Are you suggesting right now… that this elder cannot understand because he has yet to reach the Peak Realm?”

“Indeed. You cannot perceive the intent, after all.”

Within prestigious sects on par with the Nine Great Schools or Five Great Clans, even the elders resided at the Peak Realm at minimum.

Yet Namgung Sa-geom, an elder of the formidable Namgung Clan no less, remained merely at the First-Rate Realm.

It was a degree of martial deficiency that amounted to a curse for a direct descendant of a distinguished martial lineage.

This happened to be Namgung Sa-geom’s sole taboos as well.

‘You will not die a peaceful death. Never!’

Anyone who had dared utter such blasphemy up to this point had been torn to pieces utilizing the full might of his clan, regardless of their identity.

Consequently, this punk warranted the identical fate.

Yet the complication was…

The prevailing circumstances rendered it impossible to act upon it immediately.

An aura of slaughter emanated from Namgung Sa-geom’s entire physique in dense surges.

‘It tickles, Elder Namgung.’

What utility lay in projecting murderous intent?

For killing intent to materialize physically, one needed to master Intent Manifestation, integrating one’s resolve into their internal energy.

Judging by appearances, he hovered scarcely at the initial or intermediate stages of the First-Rate Realm.

‘I suspected as much from the moment I observed a Namgung elder possessing such meager capability. I knew he would snap if provoked.’

Given that realization, why refrain from applying a little more pressure?

“My apologies, but I must be impudent.”

He requested leave prior to unsheathing his weapon.

The blade immediately vibrated as pristine white sword qi erupted outward.

Sword qi, the definitive signature of the Peak Realm.

Even amidst his blinding rage, Namgung Sa-geom gazed upon the sword qi with desperate eyes.

“Transformation.”

A subdued whisper. The sword qi commenced shifting and evolving endlessly.

Resembling drifting dandelion seeds, immaculate white feathers fluttered from the pillar of sword qi.

Every single feather harbored its own distinct, infused intent.

“Everyone. Would you care to touch them?”

The feathers dispersed throughout the banquet hall. The esteemed guests extended their hands inquisitively to brush against them.

Namgung Sa-geom recognized he ought to refrain, yet he found himself compelled to bring his finger toward one as though hypnotized.

Elation. Fulfillment. And a burning competitive spirit.

Each feather transmitted a different tactile sensation.

“Ho!”

“Inconceivable! What a magnificent realm.”

“To have mastered Living Sword Qi at such a tender age?”

“One of the triumvirate already, at barely over thirty!”

The three revelations required to attain the Transcendent Realm.

Living Sword Qi, Void Grasping, Sword-Man Unity.

By exhibiting Living Sword Qi first, he established irrefutable proof that he had achieved that domain.

‘Well, it is not merely one, but regardless. At the very least, this dispels any suspicion that some obscure clan’s youth advanced through nepotism.’

“Living Sword Qi. When intent converges with energy to acquire vitality, words become superfluous. True adepts can decipher one another’s motives through a single exchange, entirely courtesy of this capability.”

“Baek Yang-hwi here, Mount Hua’s Okcheong. Shaolin’s Adu, and the Namgung Clan’s Namgung Cheon-yeong. All four of us have awakened Living Sword Qi.”

“Ooh!”

“The remaining two were anticipated, but even Young Master Baek and Daoist Okcheong have reached that plane.”

“The forthcoming pillars of the pugilistic world are truly exceptional, haha!”

Yang-hwi subtly elevated the corner of his lips as he cast a sideways glance toward Namgung Sa-geom.

The grievances he had voiced boiled down to three distinct points.

He had successfully vindicated his own credentials. Now for the subsequent matter.

“That we conspired behind the scenes to suppress the formidable contender, Young Master Namgung? Quite the contrary, in truth. Because we all felt it. Our mutual rivalry toward one another! We desired to contend at loftier altitudes, in a more liberated state free from constraints!”

He swiftly surveyed his surroundings. Since all present were martial artists, faint excitement and agitation flickered across their expressions.

It was an inevitability.

Encountering worthy adversaries at the summit and executing a bout together.

An aspiration any martial artist could instinctively comprehend and resonate with.

“It represents our avarice, admittedly. Yet surely this extent can be pardoned as martial artists’ amusement, can it not?”

“Indeed.”

“I would have acted identically.”

Murmurs of concurrence arose from various quarters.

“Fortunately, Pavilion Master Paeng graciously restrained himself during our wager and utilized it as a pretext to withdraw. For the sake of us juniors. Thus, I transferred the banner to Young Master Namgung.”

If it were not the case that Paeng Wang had deliberately conceded, then the grandson of the Great Ocean Dragon King would hardly succumb to some minor clan’s youth, correct?

Acknowledge it as reality, and the matter is settled.

A rapid inspection revealed Namgung Sa-geom with his jaw slightly slack.

‘Astonished that I conceded so readily?’

He had demonstrated on several occasions that his vanity caused him to lose composure when slighted, but genuine pride involved bending for advantage.

There. Now he could no longer implicate Paeng Wang or the Great Ocean Dragon King in the affair.

As though challenging him to dispute the claim, he flashed a look. Namgung Sa-geom ground his teeth and snapped back.

“Can that truly be deemed sincere? I was informed that Monk Adu explicitly stated he harbored no desire to combat you.”

Yang-hwi blinked in response.

“Monk Adu did not engage anyone in combat at that juncture, did he? What flaw is there in a monk circumventing conflicts?”

Facts. Adu had relinquished the flag and blindly charged in the general direction he vaguely indicated, ultimately locating it.

Namgung Sa-geom was left without a retort.

‘Now I can deduce his underlying motives.’

Raising an issue destined to evaporate the instant capabilities were manifested.

Instigating discord from the outset.

That was precisely why he had hazarded everything, even invoking the Ten Heavenly Martial Venerables.

‘Dragging my reputation through the mud and humiliating me served merely as a bonus.’

Whatever logic or ultimate objective Namgung Sa-geom pursued subsequently, he had unambiguously attempted to fling dirt.

In that case, it is only proper to return a greater measure than he intended.

“Ultimately, the essence of what Elder Namgung articulated concerns whether the match was impartial, correct? Permit me to pose a counter-question. Mount Hua’s foremost disciple. Shaolin’s supreme prodigy. The Namgung Clan’s youthful heir. The preceding generation’s premier dragon. And myself, the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon who shattered the Blood Sword Alliance in a single blow and remained at the epicenter of all rumors. Five out of thirty landed within the identical combat zone.”

In retrospect, it possessed profound significance.

“Elder Namgung. Are you insinuating that Mount Wudang rigged the brackets to diminish competitors? In that case, was my yielding of the flag to Young Master Namgung following its receipt from Pavilion Master Paeng likewise rigged?”

“Th-that is…!”

Namgung Sa-geom frantically cast a look toward the Taiji Sword Elder.

He had vented concerning the injustice Namgung Cheon-yeong endured, yet the argument had circled back to tournament bracket integrity.

Mount Wudang could not help but experience displeasure.

‘Well, it was fixed, obviously.’

Common sense: what were the mathematical odds of five individuals out of 350 falling into a single matchup?

Mount Wudang had unquestionably manipulated the strings.

Consequently, they would manage matters with heightened rigor henceforth.

“Upon the honor of Mount Wudang, there was zero bracket tampering.”

‘As expected. Even the Taiji Sword Elder could not remain silent.’

“I offer my apologies to the Sword Elder of the Namgung Clan. I never harbored such sentiments.”

Now for the final item.

“Ah, and I shall clarify why I specifically bestowed the banner upon Young Master Namgung. Even had I merely discarded it, it would have ultimately gravitated toward him regardless, so I elected to make him perspire somewhat during the process. Personally, I hold an aversion to the fellow.”

The banquet hall’s attendees widened their eyes in unison.

This was tantamount to the Baek Clan publicly declaring hostilities with the Namgung Clan.

‘Mention Namgung Cheon-hu’s antics here as well? Nay. That would disrupt the pleasant ambiance.’

Adhere strictly to addressing Namgung Sa-geom’s assertions.

And deliver a substantive blow to the Namgung Clan that attempted to fling mud during the procedure.

Conveniently, a flawless pretext presented itself.

Yang-hwi deliberately assumed a pathetic expression.

“How could I possibly harbor affection for Young Master Namgung? When he flaunted his clan’s prestige in my presence and harassed my betrothed.”

Not a soul present remained ignorant of the identity of the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon’s betrothed.

Jeong In-hwa.

‘Ah, humiliating an individual clinging to his woman. Any male would desire such a thing.’

‘Now that I reflect upon it, the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon must have grown thoroughly exasperated.’

‘So that preceding humiliation constituted a lovers’ squabble? Oh ho, this grows captivating!’

Namgung Sa-geom flicked his gaze back and forth between the Jeon Clan Head and Yang-hwi in profound shock.

Jeon Pae shook his head with an innocent demeanor, as though entirely uninvolved.

Regardless, the spectators’ expressions assumed a knowing, cunning cast.

There. Namgung Sa-geom’s logic stood thoroughly dismantled.

“He persisted in informing me that I lacked qualification and ought to step down. Consequently, I replied, very well, let us compete on equitable terms. In that spirit, I proposed the Yeonwol Corps. Although Young Master Namgung faltered against Daoist Hyeon-geom and failed to secure the post of Yeonwol Captain.”

This affixed the label of “the fellow who lost to Hyeon-geom” firmly upon Namgung Cheon-yeong while silencing Namgung Sa-geom permanently.

‘Proceed, wag your tongue further. Just as you dragged in the Great Ocean Dragon King, I shall incorporate the Taiji Sword Elder into the equation.’

Among the rumored elite contenders, solely Hyeon-geom remained absent from the matching zone.

Implying we received directives from Hyeon-geom?

A chaotic catastrophe would ensue!

Namgung Sa-geom would comprehend the implication.

“I perceive the situation. This Namgung was mistaken…”

Yang-hwi beamed expansively, resembling a magnanimous magnate.

“There is no necessity. It is entirely understandable. An unspoken accord existed among us, after all, and given that Elder Namgung has yet to attain the Peak Realm…”

My word, was that subtle remark delivered excessively loud with everyone gathered around?

Remain in a state of eternal wrath, Elder Namgung.

Following the resolution of Namgung Sa-geom’s grievances, the eve festival proceeded within a distinct atmosphere.

“An excess of… extraordinary talents among the subsequent True Dragon Tournament prospects than anticipated.”

“Shaolin and the Namgung aside, for the Baek Clan—only recently elevated to a Prestigious Clan—along with Mount Hua’s Okcheong to have mastered Living Sword Qi.”

“Nor is that all. Based on my observations during the preliminary rounds, Jeomchang fields two dragons as well. Neung-oh and Neung-wol.”

“Mount Wudang’s Hyeon-geom requires no elaboration, yet the Tang Clan’s two direct descendants cannot be discounted either. Absolute Strong Black Jia and the White Tower Sword Pavilion command attention as well.”

“Even a vagabond among their ranks? Nanghon or something similar.”

“Ah, that fellow. Formidable capabilities. I witnessed him.”

Mount Wudang had yet to unveil the True Dragon Tournament brackets.

Every qualifying participant aspired to secure at least one additional victory, ideally to claim the mantle of premier dragon.

Naturally, interest surrounding the bracket drawing was escalating exponentially.

… To the extent that the attending senior figures would readily unite in protest should Mount Wudang determine the matter unilaterally.

“I pose this to the Taiji Sword Elder!”

Ultimately, the tension erupted.

“How do you intend to structure the True Dragon Tournament brackets? If they are already finalized, announce them here!”

Although phrased with civility, not merely the inquisitor but all participants stood primed to articulate their dissatisfaction should the arrangement prove pre-determined.

‘Oh, matters are growing entertaining?’

Yang-hwi drained his beverage in a single motion, a smirk playing upon his lips.

Draw lots containing names from a receptacle? They would trigger a riot.

Every martial artist assembled here possessed ample scope for perceiving unfairness.

‘I wonder how Mount Wudang maneuvers this.’

Shortly thereafter, the Taiji Sword Elder stood.

“It appears all fellow Daoists desire brackets that universally satisfy everyone. How does this alternative sound?”

To encapsulate the Sword Elder’s proposition:

‘A popularity poll among the qualifiers against one another?’

Executing it through this methodology, is it.

Yang-hwi unconsciously assumed an intrigued expression.