Chapter 692: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Half an hour after parting ways with Wi Seol-ah.

I had to regret the situation greatly.

‘A mistake.’

The reason is none other than this.

The line was too long.

Though the line didn’t look that long, perhaps because I came late, I had to stand for quite a while.

I should have gotten in line sooner.

I ended up in this state after just spacing out and watching.

I should have gone ahead when the line suddenly grew, but because I was a little late, I had to stand in line for half an hour.

“Gu’s Gu, Gu… Yangcheon. Confirmed.”

The League member checking the name tag paused.

Why does everyone pause when they see my name?

‘This feels strange.’

I haven’t done anything wrong ‘yet’. What could possibly be the problem?

Anyway.

After standing in line for about half an hour and getting my name tag checked, I followed the sign.

Entering the gate revealed a wide field that had been artificially arranged.

By the time I entered, a multitude of people had already gathered besides me.

Well, considering I stood in line for that long, it’s only natural.

Even a quick glance showed the number exceeded one hundred.

They divided it by three days and even by color, but if this is the number, how many people are there in total?

Furthermore.

‘What are they trying to do?’

Even after dividing them, can they really filter through this many people in a single day?

Although the preliminaries supposedly have second and third rounds, I’m curious about how they plan to do it.

The inside already had a line formed, so I joined the queue.

After waiting a little longer.

“White Group (白色組). Total one hundred seventy-two people. All have arrived.”

Words reached the Sword Corps member standing in front.

‘…That’s a hell of a lot.’

Nearly two hundred martial artists are gathered in one group.

Just looking at it makes me want to laugh emptily.

What are they really trying to do?

Are they going to make us fight in groups?

‘That would be the easiest way.’

It was a method I often used in my past life and still do.

It’s the best way to reduce numbers, but…

‘These guys have standards, so they probably won’t do that.’

For all their righteousness as a major sect, they probably won’t resort to ‘violent’ methods.

And as expected.

Kiiigik-!

The sound of something being dragged could be heard.

“What is that?”

“Huh? Something’s coming?”

The martial artists widened their eyes, looking in the direction of the sound.

Several Sword Corps members were carrying something huge.

Seeing that, I widened my eyes too.

“That… why…”

Why would it suddenly appear here?

Many were flustered, not knowing the identity of the object, but I knew.

How could I not know?

‘It’s an item I brought. There’s no way I wouldn’t know.’

It’s an item I painstakingly searched for and sold after going all the way down to the Guangdong region.

Thanks to that, I ended up with more money than I could handle, so of course, I’d know.

The item’s identity is none other than.

‘Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron (萬年寒鐵).’

It is the hardest metal among all metals existing in the Central Plains.

It was the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, said to have disappeared entirely in the past.

“Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron?”

I heard someone else notice it and exclaim in surprise.

“Are you saying that pillar is Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron…?”

“One that big?”

“Surely it’s just mixed with a little bit of other iron, right?”

It looked about fifteen feet (十五尺) in size.

Everyone thought it was nonsensical for it to be entirely Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

And for good reason.

‘If that much is all iron, how much money would that be.’

It’s an era where Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron is incredibly rare.

Even the Tang family, known as the clan of iron, cherishes it enough to mix some Cold Iron when crafting masterwork weapons.

Surely it’s not entirely Cold Iron.

Just as everyone was thinking that.

“This is Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron mixed with about half its weight in other iron.”

As the Sword Corps member began explaining, everyone gasped.

As expected, it was mixed with other iron.

However.

“Half? All of that…? That’s impossible…!”

“Where on earth did they get that much…?”

“Did they find some kind of vein or something?”

“…Ahem”

I let out a cough at the last voice.

‘I already got a call saying someone bought a large quantity. Was it the Murim League?’

I knew because the party who entrusted me with the sale had informed me.

So it was the Murim League.

‘I wondered what they planned to do with so much….’

The amount entrusted for sale was one-third of what I discovered.

The rest is stored elsewhere.

It would be somewhat convenient if I sold it all to fill my pockets, but.

‘I have uses for the Cold Iron.’

Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron has its uses, so I couldn’t sell it all.

“The Murim League has truly made tremendous preparations.”

“It seems they have high expectations for the Martial Arts Competition.”

Others were already fired up just by the appearance of the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

Did the League anticipate this and proceed accordingly?

‘Probably.’

To dazzle opponents and gain political advantage.

This was something the League did best.

While everyone was distracted by the Cold Iron.

“Thank you all for gathering.”

Someone appeared and spoke.

Everyone’s attention instantly focused on the voice filled with confidence.

“That person is-!”

“It’s the Grand Master…! The League’s Grand Master.”

A man appeared, fluttering the white robe symbolizing the Grand Master.

He wore an unknown mask, but it was obvious he wasn’t an ordinary martial artist.

He had easily surpassed the Hwa-gyeong realm and was a martial artist perfectly settled in his cultivation.

His unique weight and presence were palpable.

“I am Song Yu, the Grand Master of the League’s Red Dragon Squad (的龍隊).”

‘Ah.’

Only after hearing the introduction did I recall.

‘Isn’t that the Underworld Archer (冥弓)?’

The Red Dragon Squad is one of the eight battalions within the League.

It’s where those who use special weapons gather.

The Grand Master of the Red Dragon Squad, Song Yu, was an archer.

I heard he was a master marksman who never missed his target, even in spaces devoid of light.

I don’t have much contact with him.

‘He probably died when the Heavenly Demon appeared.’

When the Heavenly Demon descended upon the heart of the Murim League, a total of four Grand Masters died, and the Underworld Archer was among them.

“I plan to personally oversee this White Group preliminary round, so please bear with me.”

Whispers began to spread at the Underworld Archer’s explanation.

“For the Grand Master himself to appear from the preliminaries.”

“With the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron too, it seems the League has really set its mind on this.”

The eight Grand Masters who support and protect the League.

In the righteous sects, this position was considered immense honor.

One must not only be an outstanding master, capable of ranking among the top hundred experts, but also possess significant influence to obtain such a position.

A trial overseen by such a Grand Master right from the preliminaries…. What could they possibly be planning? Everyone looked at the Underworld Archer.

So the Underworld Archer opened his mouth.

“The first trial, being the preliminaries, is something simple.”

Tuk tuk.

The Underworld Archer tapped the Cold Iron pillar planted in front of him with his hand.

“Each person will come forward and leave a mark on the Cold Iron.”

‘Hmm?’

Hearing this, I frowned.

It was because I had heard something like this before.

“If the depth of that mark exceeds the standard, you will be considered passed.”

‘Wow.’

Hearing the Underworld Archer’s explanation, I sneered inwardly.

I wondered what they’d do with the Cold Iron, but.

‘It’s a rehash.’

It was the same principle as the trial held at the Dragon God Pavilion previously.

The difference is that back then, a very small amount of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron was mixed in.

And they had enough quantity to keep changing the iron.

‘The fact that they prepared only that single pillar…’

Is it confidence that the Cold Iron won’t break no matter what?

‘If it’s Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, that’s possible.’

Even half of it is Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

It meant that even considerable energy would barely scratch it.

‘I thought they’d start with fighting, but it’s really simple.’

It means they’ll filter based on one’s confidence and cultivation level first, rather than martial arts skill.

“Now.”

And so.

“We will now proceed with the preliminaries of the Dragon God Martial Arts Festival. Come forward one by one.”

As the Underworld Archer finished speaking, the breaking of the Cold Iron began.

---

Kwahng-! Kwadeudeuk-!

Kwoong-!!

Around the time past noon.

Roars echoed continuously across the wide-open plain.

“Uaaaaah!”

A large man swung his fist with all his might.

Kwaang-!!

An immense sound erupted, releasing wind pressure.

In terms of energy, it was strong enough to easily shatter rocks, but.

“Failed. Next.”

The evaluation was incredibly sharp.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace on the surface where the fist had hit the Cold Iron.

“No, no way…!”

Seeing that, the man wore an expression of disbelief.

“It must be some kind of mistake…! J-Just one more time….”

Unable to accept it, the man whined pitifully to the Underworld Archer, who was the examiner, but.

“I clearly stated.”

The Underworld Archer’s voice was incredibly cold.

“There is only one chance, and the moment you touch the Cold Iron, there are no second chances.”

At the firm words, the man’s face flushed red.

“What kind of dog-like rules are these! I won’t accept this. There’s no way I, Pal Godon, wouldn’t even pass the preliminaries- cough!”

The man, who had been shouting at the top of his lungs, suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed.

Those who saw it flinched.

In that brief moment, the Underworld Archer had knocked the man out by hitting his jaw.

Most likely, most people didn’t even perceive the movement.

Members of the League appeared and carried the collapsed man away.

“Next. Number ninety-two.”

The Underworld Archer spoke without even looking.

At his words, a martial artist standing in line stepped forward with a determined expression.

Tension began to spread across the faces of others as well.

“If that was Pal Godon… isn’t he the young master of the Guangdong Ink-Blade Sect?”

“There were many rumors that he’d reach the peak soon…. To think he couldn’t even leave a scratch on it.”

“Over ninety people have gone already, yet fewer than twenty have passed…. Is that truly Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron?”

One hour since the preliminaries began.

By now, nearly a hundred people had taken the test, but only nineteen had passed.

Not even half had passed.

‘Two individuals close to Hwa-gyeong, six perfected peak masters. Eight regular peak masters, and three at the tail end of the first-rate.’

Among those first-rate martial artists, three used condensed martial arts.

They barely passed because they used martial arts that gathered energy at one point and then unleashed it.

Seeing that.

‘The standard is peak level.’

I could tell the test was calibrated to peak level in terms of confidence and utility.

‘Let’s see then.’

I glanced around and calculated in my head.

‘Since the total number was one hundred seventy-two…’

Calculating based solely on cultivation levels among them….

‘Roughly fifty people.’

That seemed about right for the number who would pass.

Kang-! Geugeugeugeuk–!!

An irritating sound spread; I felt the energy from afar and nodded.

‘Passed.’

After guessing just from the sound, I looked at the Cold Iron.

A slender man was holding a sword in a stance, and clear sword energy was gathered on the blade.

Furthermore, a sword mark about five inches (五寸) thin was visible on the surface of the Cold Iron.

Seeing that, the Underworld Archer said.

“Number ninety-six. Passed.”

“Thank you.”

Hearing the Underworld Archer’s confirmation, the man bowed respectfully and moved away.

He headed towards the place where the successful candidates were gathered.

“As expected, it’s the Innate Martial Light Sword (先千武光劍)… I knew that fellow would pass.”

“Promising individuals look different even at a glance. Such sharp sword strikes!”

Hearing the nickname of the successful candidate, I tilted my head.

‘I’ve heard that nickname somewhere? Ah.’

I remembered.

It was a nickname I’d heard around when I went to register.

They said he was a famous martial artist from Qinghai.

The nickname was ridiculously long, so I remembered it, and it seems we’re in the same group.

‘He looks like a perfected peak master.’

His skill is worthy of his fame.

His unwavering stance showed signs of rigorous training.

Not bad.

Just as I was acknowledging the skill of this ‘Innate Something’ fellow.

“Next, number… one hundred and one.”

The Underworld Archer paused briefly while mentioning the number.

Others did too.

“…He’s here.”

“To be in the same group as him of all people…”

As the man stood before the Cold Iron.

Voices filled with fear and awe began to emerge.

Blade King (刀王) Peng Zhou.

He was also in the same group as me.

And with a number right before mine.

He was number one hundred and one, and.

I was number one hundred and two.

So, I was looking at Blade King’s massive back when.

“You’re quite unlucky too.”

I shifted my gaze to the voice approaching from behind.

I saw a man of average height with a sly impression.

He was the person with the number right after mine.

“To be right after Blade King, of all people.”

I nodded at the man’s words.

“What do you mean by that?”

As I voiced my question, the man added as if he’d been waiting.

“No, I mean Blade King. He’ll likely shatter the Cold Iron and then some…. Being right after someone like that means you’ll be subjected to all sorts of comparisons, doesn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

“You look like a young fellow. Even if you fail the test, think of it positively. You get to see a good show.”

I’ll fail, for starters.

He said it with such certainty.

“Compared to you, I’m fortunate. At least I’ll avoid some embarrassment.”

And he was subtly provoking me.

What is this guy.

“Hey old man, you seem pretty skilled?”

“Ha. Boy, do you not know who I am?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“…You?”

The man’s expression crumpled, seemingly displeased with the informal speech.

“Boy, you’re quite short with your words.”

“You are too.”

“Well, obviously, since I look like a senior to you by a long shot…”

“Enough. I asked if you know who I am?”

“…I don’t know you.”

“Then how would I know you?”

After a brief conversation, the man’s brow twitched slightly.

Then, as if resigned, he spoke to me.

“I am the Sword of Eternal Justice (久道正義劍) active in Xi’an.”

Oh, I see.

“So?”

“…Huh? Are you pretending not to know even after I told you my nickname?”

No, I really don’t know.

‘Gu Dao…. Gu what?’

I thought about it again, but I still didn’t know. It was truly a nickname I’d never heard before.

At my reaction, the ‘Gu Dao’ guy’s frown deepened.

“This fellow truly has terrible manners….”

Just as the man was about to utter more words in a sighing tone.

Gwooooooo–!!!

“Hut!”

“Heup!”

Suddenly, immense energy began to surge.

It was the energy felt from Peng Zhou, who stood before the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

“Hoo.”

Peng Zhou took a deep breath and gripped his greatsword, assuming a stance.

Instantly.

Gwaaaaaaa—-!!!

Vast energy gathered into his sword. The Blade King’s blade, the Ink-Blade (墨太刀), was infused with sword energy.

“Kkeu…. Such immense pressure.”

“Th-This is… the Blade King’s energy.”

Everyone reacted with surprise to the Blade King’s confidence.

Vibrations echoed, and the air shimmered; it was the aura emitted by a martial artist who had reached Hwa-gyeong.

Finally.

“Heup!”

Peng Zhou swung his blade into the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron with all his might.

Kwahng! Kwagagagagagang—!!!

As the heavy confidence touched the Cold Iron, it exploded at a single point, bursting outwards.

Kwoong-!!

Kwaaaaaaa—-!!

The wind surged, causing the gathered martial artists to sway.

Wind pressure incomparable to anything before.

Those with lower cultivation levels were even swept away.

What remained was.

“Whoa! Th-The Cold Iron.”

“How could that happen….”

“…The Cold Iron is dented?”

The largest mark left by any martial artist thus far.

A long, deep horizontal blade mark (刀痕) had appeared on the pillar.

The Underworld Archer looked at it silently for a moment, then.

“…Passed.”

He uttered the result with a slightly surprised tone.

As if it were an obvious outcome, Blade King nodded and walked away.

Even after he disappeared, the fervor of those waiting did not subside.

“The blade’s aura (刀鋼) is so clear. As expected, the head of a prestigious family is different.”

“My, my…. If it’s like this, isn’t the championship already decided? Blade King says it all.”

“I’m satisfied just having witnessed that sword strike. The world truly is vast.”

Was what I just saw that amazing?

The martial artists were hyping up the atmosphere as if they’d seen a deity.

‘It’s about time.’

“As expected of Blade King… If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have even dared to step forward. I must thank you for this…”

I ignored the fool babbling incessantly behind me.

I just stood there listening, then took a step forward.

“Next, number one hundred and two.”

By the time the Underworld Archer called me, I was already standing before the Cold Iron.

Whether I was in front or not, the area behind me was still noisy.

“The Peng family, as expected-.”

“If Blade King wins, then the Dragon God Squad…”

“The preliminaries…”

The mumbling voices were loud.

Ignoring them, I slowly reached out my hand.

Tuk.

My fingertips touched the Cold Iron.

I felt the cold sensation.

“Hmm?”

Seeing this, the Underworld Archer reacted.

“Number one hundred and two. You’ve touched the Cold Iron.”

At the Underworld Archer’s words, the surrounding noise quieted down for a moment.

“Didn’t I say it just before? Once you touch it, it’s over.”

Touching the Cold Iron means it’s over.

There are no second chances.

It was clearly a rule the Underworld Archer stated, yet here I was, my hand touching the Cold Iron.

“What’s that guy doing? Is he nervous?”

“To make such a mistake… Tsk tsk. This isn’t even a chance you get multiple times, and he blew it all.”

“Well, after seeing something like that earlier, how could anyone be fine?”

“Young hero. It’s okay-! We all understand!”

“Hahaha!”

I heard pity and ridicule.

I didn’t feel anything.

I had received reactions like those relentlessly in my past life.

If I were someone who’d falter at something like that, I should have died long ago.

“It’s a shame, but rules are rules. Number one hundred and two is…”

Just as the Underworld Archer was about to declare my failure.

Woong.

I wrapped my hand in energy and applied force.

At that moment.

Kwadeuk.

“Fai…?”

My fingertips pierced the Cold Iron.

Kwadeudeudeuk—!!!

It dug in not just my fingers, but my palm too. The cold, hard sensation filled it.

Just like that.

Deudeudeudeudeudeuk—!!!

I grabbed a chunk of it and pulled my hand out.

Tududuk.

As my hand was pulled out, fragments of Cold Iron fell to the ground.

“Hmm.”

I held a chunk of iron in my hand.

A fist-sized pit remained clearly visible on the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

The noise ceased entirely.

No one spoke.

It was a silence where even breathing felt cautious.

Feeling it, I asked the Underworld Archer.

“So. Am I accepted?”

“…”

I didn’t hear the Underworld Archer’s reply, but.

I already knew the result.