Chapter 97

Chapter 96. It's just a joke. (1)

"I'm very much looking forward to it."

"Hahaha. Thanks to Mr. Huang, I get to see all of this. Thank you very much."

Huang Wenyao smiled at the praise pouring in from all sides.

"I should be the one to thank you for accepting my invitation. You came all this way, didn't you?"

"Hahaha. I couldn't miss such a rare spectacle."

Pleasantries were exchanged back and forth. However, Huang Wenyao did not miss the fact that the officials were closely observing those who would participate in the competition.

It was unlikely that the people gathered here had come such a long way just for entertainment.

Their interest lay in the future generations of the two sects, especially the young talents of Zhongnan.

Though the upper echelons and the martial world seemed distant, they were actually very close. The upper echelons, which had to constantly face bandits, were always sensitive to the dynamics of the martial world. A strong sect was itself an investment opportunity.

After all, power attracts money.

They were here to evaluate the young talents of Zhongnan through this Huazong Branch Meeting and gauge the future of Zhongnan.

"The competition between Zhongnan and Huashan. It's a bit disappointing, isn't it?"

"You're right. If it were closer, we could have had Gongsun or Wudang. How could Huashan be a match for showcasing one's true abilities?"

The people lowered their voices to speak.

'This must be an objective evaluation.'

Huang Wenyao did not think their assessment was wrong.

A hundred years ago, perhaps, but the current Huashan was no match for Zhongnan. Zhongnan, which firmly held one of the nine major sects, could not be compared to Huashan, which had been expelled from the nine major sects and was on the brink of collapse.

However...

Huang Wenyao's gaze turned to the Huashan disciples gathered on the opposite side. When he couldn't see Qingming, he frowned slightly.

'He doesn't seem like someone who would back down.'

Then, does he have some kind of secret strategy?

Huang Wenyao smiled.

'It's not pleasant when others rush to a place I've already secured, but for the sake of recovery, Huashan's reputation needs to spread. So, this time, I'll cooperate without hesitation, Little Sect Leader.'

Huang Wenyao's heart swelled with anticipation.

Indeed, he was looking forward to what would happen today.

Yunyan, standing in the center of the training ground, signaled to the Huashan and Zhongnan disciples who were facing each other and then spoke. Although the sudden appearance of an audience was a bit disconcerting, the Huazong Branch Meeting had been consistently held, so there was no significant difficulty in proceeding.

"First, the representatives of the second-generation disciples of each sect will engage in one-on-one matches. Ten representatives from the second-generation disciples will each participate in ten matches."

Yunyan announced firmly.

"Vanguard!"

As soon as he finished speaking, one person from each side stood up.

Jin Jinxiong and Bai Qian.

They were the leaders among the second-generation disciples of their respective sects.

"Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother, may you win!"

"You must win!"

Bai Qian took a deep breath, listening to the cheers of his juniors. His stiff face revealed how nervous he was.

He turned to look at his juniors once more before advancing to the training ground. On the opposite side, Jin Jinxiong was walking over with a very relaxed demeanor.

The two met in the center of the training ground.

"Indeed."

Wei Zikai, the head of Da Peng Trading Company, one of the ten major trading companies in Shanxi alongside the Silver River Trading Company, exclaimed upon seeing Jin Jinxiong.

"Jin Jinxiong is said to be the talent who will usher in Zhongnan's golden age, and indeed, his demeanor is impressive."

"He truly embodies the image of a young hero."

Jin Jinxiong, dressed in a white martial robe and holding a wooden sword in one hand, certainly had a presence that captured people's attention.

"But, if we only look at demeanor, isn't the one on the opposite side also excellent?"

"Looking at them, they do seem similar. Black and white. It's quite a picture."

Bai Qian, dressed in a black martial robe, stood confidently against Jin Jinxiong.

"Indeed, the anticipation is rising, but can Huashan's disciple really match Jin Jinxiong?"

"Who knows? While it's true that Huashan has suffered a significant decline, recent developments might be different. Even a rotten fish can still be a mackerel. Considering Huashan's past, there might be a surprise."

Although they said that, no one really believed Bai Qian could defeat Jin Jinxiong.

The current Huashan was not the same as the past. Wasn't this proven by the fact that the people here had long severed their ties with Huashan? If they thought Huashan had a chance of revival, they wouldn't have completely cut ties.

What the people here were looking forward to was how strong Zhongnan would show itself to be.

Sima Sheng, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation from the side, slightly stiffened his face. He knew it was just a formality, but such words still made him feel terrible.

'Show them, Jinxiong.'

Show them the reality that Huashan can no longer be mentioned in the same breath as Zhongnan.

Xian Zhong also tightly closed his lips and looked at Bai Qian.

'Show everything you have.'

Without any regrets.

Amidst the concentrated expectations and concerns, Jin Jinxiong and Bai Qian, who were facing each other, looked at each other intently.

Jin Jinxiong was the first to speak.

"Good to see you didn't run away."

Bai Qian replied with a firm expression.

"I am Huashan's chief disciple. I wouldn't run from a sect like Zhongnan."

"You still have some spirit."

Jin Jinxiong raised his sword and pointed it at Bai Qian.

"Dogs are naturally good at barking."

"Would you like to be bitten by this dog?"

"I made a mistake. You're not even fit to be a dog."

"Y-You..."

"Come on, try. I'll show you just how insignificant you are, as I said yesterday."

Bai Qian did not bother to respond. Instead, he subtly turned his gaze toward where Xian Zhong was sitting.

'The sect leader is watching.'

Now is the time to set aside personal grudges and biases.

'I am Huashan's second-generation chief disciple, Bai Qian.'

Bai Qian stared at Jin Jinxiong with a determined look and raised his wooden sword to point at him.

Everyone watched the two with tense eyes.

One represented Huashan, and the other represented Zhongnan. According to tradition, the two who should have faced each other last were the first to meet.

In a way, the outcome of this match would almost determine the result of the Huazong Branch Meeting. How could they not be interested?

Just as someone was about to speak, Bai Qian moved.

Whoosh!

The sound of his feet pushing off the ground echoed clearly.

Bai Qian rushed forward at an incredible speed, thrusting his unadorned sword straight at Jin Jinxiong's neck.

Swish.

Jin Jinxiong did not resist the incoming sword but dodged to the side, avoiding it.

Clang!

Bai Qian's sword quickly pursued Jin Jinxiong. With a slight flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword multiplied into dozens.

The training ground was covered with the unique, flamboyant techniques of Huashan.

"Wow."

"Amazing!"

"Huashan's disciple is also very skilled."

The onlookers couldn't help but marvel at the flamboyant techniques.

Although it was a wooden sword, the precision was no less than that of a real sword. Even the great Jin Jinxiong seemed to have no proper way to counter these flamboyant techniques, continuously retreating.

The second-generation and third-generation disciples of Huashan clenched their fists tightly, watching the scene.

Zhaoge, excited, shouted.

"Of course, it's Senior Uncle Bai Qian! His Tiger Subduing Qingyang Sword is truly a masterpiece!"

The Huashan disciples couldn't hide their excitement.

They knew how hard Bai Qian had trained.

After the humiliation at the last Huazong Branch Meeting, Bai Qian had dedicated himself to training without rest.

He had even volunteered to close himself off for training. The person who could live the most joyfully and flamboyantly in Huashan had cut off all social interactions and devoted himself solely to the sword.

How could they not cheer for such a person?

He pressed on.

Bai Qian's sword shadow pressed Jin Jinxiong with its brilliance and sharpness. Each shadow was filled with a sharp edge, and the real and fake techniques were so intertwined that it was impossible to distinguish which was which.

Xian Zhong clenched his fist tightly, watching the scene.

'When did this child reach this level?'

At this level, he could almost match Yun Zibai. I knew he was talented, but I didn't expect this!

The eyes of all the Huashan disciples watching Bai Qian's performance were filled with hope.

Perhaps...

Perhaps this time, it might be different.

Yun Zhong couldn't hide his excitement.

"Qingming! Senior Uncle is pressing him!"

"Right."

"Maybe he can win!"

"Really?"

"Uh?"

Yun Zhong turned to look at Qingming. Qingming, leaning back in his chair, said indifferently.

"Does it matter whether he wins or loses? He can't even graze him."

"But the momentum..."

"Does Senior Brother look like someone who has the upper hand?"

"Uh?"

Yun Zhong turned back to look at Bai Qian, and his expression couldn't help but stiffen.

Bai Qian's face was contorted with effort.

'Why?'

Bai Qian swung his sword with all his might.

His feet stomped the ground forcefully. The energy gathered from his firmly planted lower body surged to his fingertips. Finally, he poured all his strength into the sword, imbuing it with energy.

Lightly, and again, lightly.

Like a butterfly flying in, light but sharp!

But the light and sharp sword never touched Jin Jinxiong's body.

'Why can't I even graze him? Why?'

It was overwhelming.

The opponent in front of him was too overwhelming. It was like looking at a sheer cliff soaring into the sky.

A cliff that he dared not climb or cross.

Drenched in sweat, Bai Qian didn't even think about wiping the sweat from his eyes and shouted.

"AAAAAAA!"

A desperate strike!

At the same time, Bai Qian's sword, covering twelve directions, flew toward Jin Jinxiong.

At that moment.

Clang!

Jin Jinxiong's sword, swung for the first time, deflected Bai Qian's sword.

As the sword stopped, the sword shadows covering the training ground disappeared. Only then could Bai Qian clearly see Jin Jinxiong's face.

Unlike Bai Qian, who was drenched in sweat, Jin Jinxiong, not even breaking a sweat or losing his breath, looked at him with a mocking smile.

"Did you have enough fun?"

"…You."

"Stupid fool. No matter how much you master Huashan's martial arts, do you think you can touch even a hair on my head?"

Jin Jinxiong's sword stabbed at Bai Qian like a flash of light.

Thud!

Bai Qian, stabbed in the shoulder, fell to the ground without even a scream.

"Ugh..."

He groaned and forced himself to get up.

When he raised his head, he saw Jin Jinxiong approaching him with a relaxed smile.

"Learn from this body. Just how stupid you are."

Jin Jinxiong's sword mercilessly struck Bai Qian.