Chapter 91

Surprisingly, besides Tang Mirang, there were two more people who had a connection with Sima Mantian.

It was Dojun and Jeonjong.

“Lady Hwangbo! Jeonjong! Let’s cooperate! It’s not someone you can easily defeat alone!”

Dojun of the Qingsheng Sect, who had quickly finished calculating after seeing Jeongchuk and Tang Mirang being attacked in front of him, shouted loudly.

“……”

Jeonjong did not respond, and reluctantly, Hwangbo Seon of the Fist Phoenix and Dojun rushed in together.

Contrary to their usual calm and polite demeanor, their judgment was cold and bold.

I don’t think it’s particularly cowardly. Since they’re not official participants, there’s no need to fight one-on-one.

Dojun is smart.

From both sides, the martial arts of the Hwangbo Family and the twin swordsmanship of the Qingsheng Sect simultaneously unfolded, threateningly approaching.

…But they were too hasty.

Extending the staff, he lightly deflects Dojun’s sword to the side.

“……!!”

Naturally, the deflected blade blocks Hwangbo Seon’s fist path.

The advantage of the Hwangbo Family’s martial arts is its quick strikes. If it were an enemy, they could just charge through, but since it’s an ally, they can’t break through.

…It would have been better to fight separately.

A hastily coordinated attack that doesn’t sync well is worse than not doing it at all.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Beating Two Dogs

With one strike of the staff, two dogs are beaten.

The basic forms get tangled, creating openings, and with consecutive strikes to the heads of the two, they are knocked out, and he calmly walks away.

“What are you doing, getting in each other’s way?”

Late-stage disciple of the Qingsheng Sect, Dojun, and.

Late-stage disciple of the Hwangbo Family, Fist Phoenix Hwangbo Seon, defeated.

Now, three remain.

“If you didn’t join in because I’m your life’s benefactor, then there was no need.”

As he speaks to Jeonjong, who had been standing still and watching while the two were defeated.

“Zhongnan’s sword is the best in the world.”

Jeonjong answers with a resolute face.

“The best in the world doesn’t gang up three against one on a challenger.”

Raising the sword held in both hands high above his head, he advances with an unstoppable force to face the strong enemy.

“Come at me, Brother Sima.”

Even in this situation, he calls him ‘Brother’? It makes me laugh.

In a good way, or a bad way, he’s a stubborn guy.

Similarly, holding the staff in both hands, he raises it above his head, ready to strike at any moment.

Both are in an upper stance, exposing their torsos.

The match is decided in an instant.

The staff and sword strike down simultaneously.

…And Sima Mantian wins.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Slanting Strike on the Dog’s Back

Slantingly strikes the dog’s back.

Sima Mantian’s staff instantly twists its trajectory, penetrating and striking Jeonjong’s hand, deflecting the swinging sword in an odd direction.

“Gahk-!!”

“Fast and strong, I admit. But too honest.”

Fighting is about deception.

There’s no need to fight in the opponent’s strong suit.

“I’m not defeated yet…!?”

Enduring the pain, Jeonjong tries to lift his sword again, but a strike to the neck with the hand knocks him out, and he moves towards the next opponent.

Late-stage disciple of the Zhongnan Sect, Jeonjong, defeated.

“Keuk- Kuhahahahaha!”

Jindo of the Hainan Sect bursts into hearty laughter.

“Impressive guy! Not lacking as an opponent!”

Charging at Sima Mantian, he draws a unique Japanese sword different from the Central Plains’ swords. But…

“Draw-! Dooooot… Eh?!”

Thud-!

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Pressing the Dog’s Head Down

Pressing the dog’s neck down with the staff.

The casually placed staff, rendering the shout meaningless, presses down on the sword hilt, blocking the draw.

“Wa- wait-?!”

Jindo hurriedly tries to retreat, but it’s too late.

“?!?!?!?”

Hit by Sima Mantian’s fist from an unexpected angle, he rolls on the unarmed ground, losing consciousness.

A drawn sword is scary. Conversely, an undrawn sword is not.

No matter how fast you move, the act of drawing the sword is a prerequisite.

If the opponent’s movements are predictable, and there’s a way to block them.

Then it’s no longer about martial speed.

“…Where’s the idiot who waits for you to draw your sword right in front of you?”

Late-stage disciple of the Hainan Sect, Jindo, defeated.

The audience, who had been noisy until now, falls silent.

More precisely, their mouths don’t open.

Shaolin Temple, Sichuan Tang Family, Qingsheng Sect, Hwangbo Family, Zhongnan Sect, Hainan Sect.

The late-stage disciples of the great sects and families, known to all under heaven, were all helplessly defeated by the sudden intrusion of a cripple’s staff skills.

Six people fell in a row.

Now, only two remain on the martial stage.

A mysterious challenger and one seeking the name of the True Dragon.

Unable to intervene, maintaining silence.

The mastermind who created this spectacle.

They wait to see what Sima Mantian will say.

***

The two people, glaring at each other, were the first to speak.

“You sure know how to make an entrance.”

As if he had expected it to some extent but didn’t think it would really happen, he frowns with one eyebrow and asks.

“What’s the reason for going this far?”

‘The reason for going this far…?’

There could be many answers to that question. But he doesn’t say them.

Glancing at the audience filled with curiosity.

He didn’t want to bring up Sososo here and make her gossip material.

…And he’s a martial artist, I’m a martial artist.

Since the situation has come this far, there’s no need for trivial words.

He prepares to unfold his basic forms, getting into stance.

“Hey, you’re good at fighting, right?”

With wolf-like amber eyes shining, he bares his teeth.

“Let’s fight.”

That’s reason enough for a fight.

“What, what is that…?”

The audience, holding their breath at the absurd, incomprehensible words, stirs. But conversely…

“Keuk… Kgeukgeuk…”

Some martial artists watching the match desperately hold back their laughter.

They are all leaders of the righteous martial world who have surpassed the peak, and some even laugh heartily.

Well, of course…

‘I want to fight a strong guy.’

Where else is there such a clear reason for a martial match?

Despite their dignity, laughter flows.

“Ha! Bold, bold. Crazy guy… thinks he’s some Lu Bu.”

Of course, even the Martial Alliance Leader is no exception.

In the pavilion on the second floor where the high officials of the Martial Alliance are seated.

A faint smile forms on the lips of Jaro, the senior disciple, looking at his foolish junior.

Anyway, for Seol Modan, the opinions of outsiders were unimportant.

Defeating all who stand in his way, he seeks the name of the True Dragon.

Nothing changes.

“I’ve disliked you from the start. Even the Master calls himself an ordinary man.”

Cold energy flows from the sword in his right hand, and beautiful snowflakes begin to bloom.

“How dare a guy like you call yourself a genius.”

“Sigh…”

A sigh escapes. I’ve felt it before.

It’s not my place to say, but this guy is too obsessed with the Master.

Thus, as the senior disciple, I strike first, imparting a lesson.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Head Strike and Scolding

Strikes the head once to scold.

“The greatest filial piety to the Master is surpassing him, you fool.”

“……!!”

Kakaka-!

The swift staff technique, free from hesitation, clashes with the cold energy-wrapped sword.

***

Indeed, Sososo and Jaro weren’t making a fuss for nothing.

He’s on a different level from the other late-stage disciples I faced earlier.

“Haa… Haa…”

Even in midsummer, cool breath escapes Sima Mantian’s mouth.

Snowflake Sword Technique – Hundred Flowers in Chaos

A cold energy-infused whirlwind blows, and white snowflakes slash past Sima Mantian’s body.

His forehead is cut, and blood flows down.

…Showing the Immutable King’s Step at the inn earlier was a mistake.

After the first clash, he keeps his distance, only sending cold energy-infused sword winds.

He quickly unfolds his footwork, never allowing close combat. He doesn’t give a chance to gather energy for the Immutable King’s Step.

Is he planning to slowly drain my stamina and hunt me down easily…?

I think I understand a bit why Sososo said I couldn’t win.

Martial skill is one thing, but his situational judgment is quick, and he doesn’t hesitate to use any means to win.

“Hoo…”

Repeatedly clenching and unclenching his frozen hand, he regulates his breathing.

In other words, to win, I must also not hesitate to use any means.

Concentrating the King’s energy not in the legs but in the eyes.

『Immutable King’s Step』 – Eye

A world slowed down like a paused video unfolds.

He checks the positions of the pouring snowflakes.

‘…It’s going to hurt a lot if I jump in there, right?’

But I have to. If I stay like this, my stamina will drain, and I’ll be helplessly defeated.

Determination paves the way to victory.

The world moves again, and the snowflakes pierce through the clothes and into the flesh.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Flipping the Dog Skyward

Defending only the vital points with the staff, he deflects the pouring white petals and advances in one go.

At the end of the sword wind.

Right after unfolding the basic forms, he strikes Seol Modan’s head, which had an opening.

Thud-!!

…But the sound that resonates is unbelievable for a human body and staff collision.

The sensation in the hand holding the staff is different. It feels like striking steel.

He didn’t just keep his distance; he was prepared for this too.

A meticulous guy.

Frost Armor

A transparent ice barrier surrounds Seol Modan’s body like armor, protecting him.

“Gotcha! The Young Palace Master’s Frost Armor is invincible!!”

Perhaps because the desperate strike was blocked, a martial artist from the North Sea Ice Palace shouts, sensing Sima Mantian’s defeat.

Naturally, Sima Mantian’s brow furrows at the incomprehensible words.

‘Hmm… What is that guy talking about? Invincible?’

Exhaling, he gathers crimson King’s energy in his left fist and strikes out.

King’s Fist

That was the story until you met me.

Kakaka-!!

The name ‘invincible’ is ridiculed as the ice armor shatters like broken glass, scattering from the head.

“Keuk-?!”

Red blood flows from Seol Modan’s forehead, who had not taken any wounds during the Dragon and Phoenix Association matches.

…But he doesn’t fall.

Standing firm on both legs, he quickly assesses the situation.

Converting the scattered Frost Armor into cold energy, he concentrates it in his left hand.

A white storm, cold and rough like the North Sea, ready to freeze everything, begins to reveal itself.

“……!!”

A chilling sensation runs up his spine.

I’ve seen that before. It’s dangerous.

‘Damn… siblings giving me a hard time together.’

Without hesitation, he throws away the Dog Chasing Stick in his right hand and concentrates his energy.

Almost simultaneously, they unleash palm techniques towards each other.

Ice White Divine Palm / Frost Breaking Ice Palm

In terms of compatibility, the Frost Breaking Ice Palm, which uses vibrations to shatter objects, has the advantage from its name implying breaking ice.

Kwagagagagaga-!!

But the amount of internal energy and skill proficiency is higher with Modan. As it splits, it pours out cold energy.

Countless snowflakes scatter in all directions, blinding people’s vision.

“Who, who won…?”

As the snow fog is swept away by the wind, the result of the match is revealed.

“?!?!?!?!”

…No one has won yet.

No one has lost.

From Modan’s mouth, the name of the undefeated enemy flows.

“Haa… Haa… Sima Mantian…!!”

The proud genius forces his wounded body to stand.

“I warn you… if this is all you’ve got…”

Pretending to be at ease, he glares at the opponent.

With a sinister wolf-like face, he taunts.

“You… will lose.”