Chapter 133

Originally, the main event was to hold one martial duel per day, but in the final round to determine the ultimate winner, an exception was made, and two duels were held.

For those who made it to the third round, it’s common sense that both stamina and internal energy would be significantly drained. Considering that, holding two duels in a single day was nothing short of brutal.

The Martial Alliance, aware of this, took several measures.

First, they split the duels into morning and afternoon sessions, and in between, they provided recovery medicine to aid in recuperation. While it couldn’t be called a miracle drug that permanently boosts internal energy, it was a high-grade elixir that helped regulate energy flow and restore vitality.

Since there was no separate 34th-place match, what remained was the final stage of this martial tournament.

The moment had come to determine the greatest Late Blooming Prodigy of the current era.

Martial artists gathered to witness with their own eyes who would ascend to this honorable position.

And whether they knew each other or not, as long as they had someone to talk to, they chattered away about who would claim the top seat.

“Who do you think will win, brother?”

“I believe the Faceless Sword Dancer from the Gogeom Sect will win.”

“Huh… Even though it’s the Saintly Scarred Nun?”

The Faceless Sword Dancer and the Saintly Scarred Nun.

The odds of victory for both sides were almost evenly split.

The skill the Faceless Sword Dancer displayed against Ak Cheol-bi was undoubtedly impressive, but the support for the Saintly Scarred Nun, a traditional powerhouse, was also significant.

Even in the last martial tournament, while Ak Cheol-bi only made it to the second round, the Saintly Scarred Nun advanced one step further to the third round.

With her background in the Emei Sect, which has never missed a tournament since the establishment of the Nine Sects, and her age nearing the peak of maturity.

Although she had to settle for the semifinals in the last tournament, it wasn’t due to a lack of skill but rather bad luck with her opponent.

If Namhwa-ok was known as the number one in the south, then Go-ok, the Saintly Scarred Nun, was said to be the number one among women. Despite the difference in nicknames and names, both had “Ok” (玉) in their names, earning them the title of the Twin Jades of Men and Women, a testament to their high reputation.

So, it wouldn’t be strange if she won this time.

“By the way, the martial world of Sichuan is truly remarkable. From Qingcheng, there’s Hagyeong Jinin; from Emei, the Saintly Scarred Nun; and from Jianchang, Namhwa-ok…”

“Isn’t Jianchang in Yunnan?”

“Yunnan’s martial world is too small, so it’s usually grouped with Sichuan, so it’s roughly considered that way.”

“That’s true. Anyway, the martial world of the southwest has grown stronger. It seems to have become stronger because the Ghost Gate opens frequently there.”

While the spectators exchanged such conversations, all preparations were completed, and the final duel began.

Two women stepped onto the martial stage.

One was clad entirely in black martial attire, while the other, fitting her nun status, wore yellow monastic robes.

Their clothing styles and colors were entirely different, but they had one thing in common.

Both wore veils covering their faces.

Faceless Sword Dancer. No one has seen her face, hence the name “Faceless.”

Saintly Scarred Nun. Possessing an impeccable character but born with a scar on her face, hence “Saintly Scar.”

Though their reasons differed, both women faced the duel with their faces covered.

“Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. I am Go-ok of Emei.”

“Jeokju of the Gogeom Sect.”

After a brief exchange of names, both sides took their stances.

Their main weapon was the sword.

The Saintly Scarred Nun Go-ok prepared her most confident technique, the Tiger Subduing Great Sword.

Thus began the duel.

Everyone expected a tight contest or a slight advantage for one side, anticipating a fierce battle. However, the final duel defied expectations and ended abruptly.

It was a crushing victory for Dokgo Bin.

Unlike against Ak Cheol-bi, Dokgo Bin exerted her full strength from the start, holding nothing back.

She even unleashed her true martial arts, which she had kept hidden until now.

For the Saintly Scarred Nun, who had anticipated Dokgo Bin’s martial arts based on previous displays, the seamless combination of the Above and Below Poison Step and the Lawless Heaven Sword Technique was like a dagger to her blind spot.

Had she faced a completely new opponent, she might not have lost so easily.

But the result remains unchanged.

Dokgo Bin’s sword, imbued with sword aura, sliced through the Saintly Scarred Nun’s veil, claiming victory.

“So, this is the scar.”

Dokgo Bin muttered as she saw the face hidden beneath the severed veil.

There were other ways to decide the victory, but cutting the veil was purely out of curiosity.

Dokgo Bin didn’t hide her curiosity. While trying to see Ak Cheol-bi’s One Inch Crimson would have been risky even for her, there was no such danger in seeing the Saintly Scarred Nun’s face, so she swung her sword to satisfy her curiosity.

Despite revealing the scar she had hidden all her life, Go-ok’s reaction was remarkably calm. One might even doubt if she truly wanted to hide it.

The lips of the Saintly Scarred Nun, covered by the scar she was born with, twitched.

“I sense impatience in your sword.”

“……”

“It feels like you’re being chased by something.”

“So?”

“Though I’m already defeated, as a lower-ranked martial artist, I dare to offer a piece of advice. If you continue to swing your sword so impatiently, you’ll eventually be consumed by inner demons. To overcome that, you must either change the direction of your sword or catch what’s chasing you.”

The Saintly Scarred Nun had already realized that Dokgo Bin’s background wasn’t the Gogeom Sect as previously mentioned. Their martial arts were entirely different.

But as a fellow swordswoman, and as a nun who vowed to follow the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva rather than just being a martial artist, the Saintly Scarred Nun honestly conveyed her thoughts.

Upon hearing this advice, Dokgo Bin lightly replied.

“I know.”

And then Dokgo Bin looked at a man watching her from afar.

“That’s why I came here.”

§

Meanwhile, those who witnessed the shocking conclusion of the final match exclaimed in astonishment.

“The Dokgo Family! Without a doubt! That footwork is the Dokgo Family’s Above and Below Poison Step!”

Those with considerable experience recognized the martial arts Dokgo Bin displayed.

All martial arts in the world have their own characteristics, and those with keen eyes can identify them by their sword marks. However, even without exceptional eyesight, the Dokgo Family’s martial arts are easily distinguishable.

Their martial arts are that distinctive. Just look at the Above and Below Poison Step.

Upon someone’s shout recognizing the Dokgo Family, the commotion spread even faster.

“Such an achievement! So, the Black Path has been nurturing a Dark Phoenix!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? The strength of the Dokgo Family is already well-known in the Jiangnan martial world. If anything, the rumors fall short!”

“Namhwa-ok should have been here…”

“Even Namhwa-ok might not have been able to win. Unless it’s Hagyeong Jinin…”

“Hagyeong Jinin has reached the peak this year.”

The shocking display of Dokgo Bin’s strength led the esteemed figures of the White Path Martial World, who had been enjoying the tournament, to voice their concerns.

“We were too complacent with Hagyeong Jinin’s appearance! We thought the next generation of the martial world would be dominated by the White Path.”

“Perhaps their aggressive methods are more suited to cultivating practical strength.”

“Enough of this foolish talk! Martial arts are about cultivating the inner self to reach further. How can you all speak like heretics!”

While some trembled at Dokgo Bin’s strength and worried about the future of the White Path Martial World, others focused on the reality and questioned Dokgo Bin’s participation in the tournament.

“Moreover, how can a member of the Black Path participate in the Martial Alliance’s tournament? She should be disqualified and expelled!”

“Stop talking nonsense. Where in the Martial Alliance’s rules does it say to exclude the Black Path Martial World?”

“So, you’re fine with a lackey of the Black Path winning our alliance’s tournament?”

It was utter chaos.

Various controversial topics and differing opinions intertwined, creating a mess.

The voices of dispute, which seemed endless, suddenly quieted. The Martial Alliance Leader, Gakwon, who had been maintaining his position fitting for the final match, exerted his profound internal energy and spoke.

[Everyone, quiet-]

Though not as thunderous as a lion’s roar, his voice resonated throughout the entire martial arena.

The voices that had been raised fell silent, and people sat back down.

Once again, Gakwon’s commanding voice echoed.

[The Martial Alliance encompasses both the righteous and the unorthodox. That’s how it was created, and that remains unchanged. Therefore, Dokgo Bin’s victory is legitimate. I, as the Alliance Leader, acknowledge it.]

Gakwon’s declaration was filled with a firmness that left no room for dispute.

Even those with lingering dissatisfaction could no longer argue against his authority.

Having quelled the commotion, Gakwon now turned to Dokgo Bin.

“The winner of the martial tournament has the privilege to challenge anyone present in Luoyang to a duel. Though not explicitly written in the rules, it’s a tradition inherited from the first martial tournament as an implicit ceremony.”

Dokgo Bin knew this.

She had heard it was one of Luoyang’s unique customs. In fact, she had come here for that very reason.

Dokgo Bin’s unsheathed sword pointed to a specific place.

“I said I’d remember your name.”

Namgung Woo of the Changcheon Pavilion.

No, the heir of the Namgung Family, Namgung Woo.