Chapter 123: Compatibility, Counter-Compatibility (1)

The Jianghu Murim is a place where one cannot help but weigh gains and losses in events of scale like the New Star Exchange Meeting.

Although it is on the better side, even for the Righteous Faction, it wouldn’t be much different.

Since the Jianghu Murim was a place where those who pursued only pure goodwill were long ago stabbed and fell, it would be right to say it is an inevitable result.

Anyway, if we weigh gains and losses, the ones who benefit the most from the New Star Exchange Meeting would be the new martial artists of the Nine Sects.

This is because the essence of the New Star Exchange Meeting is an event for the majority of the Nine Sects’ new martial artists who have not experienced the martial arts of the secular world.

Of course, the fact above does not mean the unilateral gain of the Nine Sects.

Since the Nine Sects can be called the representative of the Righteous Murim, their growth is directly connected to the peace of the Jianghu Murim.

In addition, since the martial artists of the secular world obtain the honor of being invited to the Nine Sects, it would be reasonable to evaluate it as mutual aid.

Therefore, the spars did not take on an overheated aspect and proceeded smoothly according to the match schedule.

A Qingcheng martial artist and a Tang Clan martial artist, an Emei martial artist and an Eon Clan martial artist, a Diancang martial artist and a Moyong Clan martial artist sparred in turn.

Everyone was equal, and everyone exchanged fierce offense and defense, but in all three matches, the martial artists of the Nine Sects seized the victory by a hair’s breadth.

“Hmm.”

As said before, there is no absolute in a spar or a life-and-death duel.

Although I raised the question of whether the achievements of the recent Nine Sects prodigies were insufficient based on the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, it would be right to evaluate it as literally a hair’s breadth difference.

The dignity of the Nine Sects that I captured in my eyes upon entering the Wudang gate was indeed worthy of its reputation, so even if they win consecutively, it can be said that it is not strange.

Perhaps because of that, the martial artists of the Clans also did not raise issues, although they might regret the repeated defeats.

However, my suspicion detected the moment I saw the match schedule was gradually turning into conviction.

Against a Tang Clan martial artist specialized in poison arts and hidden weapon arts, a Qingcheng martial artist specialized in detoxification arts and defensive sword arts competed.

It is a matter that does not even need to be mentioned that the Nine Sects member most knowledgeable about the Tang Clan’s poison arts because they are located in the same Sichuan is Qingcheng.

The fact that an Emei expert specialized in palm arts was assigned against an Eon Clan martial artist specialized in weapon-breaking fist and kick arts is also so.

Even setting aside the point that palm inherently possesses a compatibility advantage over fist, because weapon-breaking became useless, the Eon Clan martial artist seemed unable to fully display his capability.

Against a Moyong martial artist specialized in variable fast sword, a Diancang expert of extreme fast sword seized the victory at once.

I know the fact that it is the general opinion of the Jianghu that the easiest way to suppress profound variable speed is striking first to dominate the enemy, that is, extreme speed.

……Is this truly just a coincidence?

“You, your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Ah, I was just concentrating.”

Brother Chun-baek spoke to me, but I didn’t tell him my thoughts in detail.

It was because I couldn’t gauge how Brother Chun-baek, who fundamentally takes heroism and chivalry as his basis, would respond.

“Is that so?”

“It’s not a big deal, so don’t mind it.”

I said earlier that compatibility exists in martial arts.

Since martial arts is not something that delves into only one path or characteristic, I know the fact that in this thing called compatibility, the phrase ‘absolute advantage’ rarely exists.

However, this meant that there is ‘relative advantage’.

It means that at least among martial artists walking in similar realms, this thing called compatibility causes a meaningful difference.

Judging by my estimation, it would be right to evaluate that match schedule as being organized strictly based on compatibility.

To be precise, so that the matches proceed with the martial artists of the Nine Sects having a compatibility advantage.

Since it is analyzed from the standpoint of Myeong-gae who memorized the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu entirely and knows the characteristics of all sects, there would be no mistake.

“Peng Clan’s Jinhu. Come out.”

Breaking the thoughts, Cheon-am Jin-in’s call followed.

“Hahaha. I will be back. Even if we aren’t on the same side, shouldn’t we uphold the face of the Clans?”

With a boisterous laugh, Mad Tiger Blade Peng Jin-hu stood in the center of the training ground.

Peng Jin-hu’s opponent, walking confidently, was…….

“Mount Hua’s Cheonggang, come out.”

It was a martial artist of Mount Hua known to have completed the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art.

.

.

.

“Euratcha!”

Clang—!

“Keuk!”

The strong strike of the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade finally knocked on the Plum Blossom Sword.

A moan that couldn’t be endured burst out from the mouth of the Plum Blossom Swordsman who barely blocked it, so at a glance, one could say Peng Jin-hu looked dominant.

But this is not the truth.

The reason I said ‘finally’ was there.

The reason was that Peng Jin-hu clashed weapons with Mount Hua’s Cheonggang for the first time after unfolding a total of one hundred and thirty-seven moves.

Swish—

The Plum Blossom Swordsman’s footwork moved nimbly to pull his body out.

It was the movement art of Dark Fragrance Drifting, which had no choice but to be expressed as truly elusive because it aligned with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art.

Trying to manage the shock, the Plum Blossom Swordsman widened the distance, and Peng Jin-hu, who couldn’t miss the opportunity, rushed roughly.

Thud!

However, the Peng Clan’s movement art, Seven Stars Blunt Step, would be a movement art that had some difficulty chasing the traces of Dark Fragrance Drifting. At least in terms of pursuit, it had no choice but to be so.

Since the Plum Blossom Swordsman was also a martial artist who reached the Peak, he didn’t need that much time to manage the shock.

When five breaths passed, his slightly trembling grip became firm again.

“Hat!”

Shoosh—

Towards the move of the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade chasing him, the Plum Blossom Sword fluctuated again.

I guess it was the Plum Blossom Nine Changes, which can be called one of the supreme techniques of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art.

Even among the sword arts of Mount Hua dotted with change, speed, and illusion, it was a move where the range of change was particularly large.

“Keut!”

Whoosh—!

Sensing the crisis, Peng Jin-hu roughly unfolded the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade, but there was a bit of insufficiency to chase the Plum Blossom Nine Changes.

“……I lost.”

Unlike Peng Jin-hu’s blade which was deceived by the feint and tore apart the empty air, Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword was accurately aiming at Peng Jin-hu’s neck.

“The winner is Mount Hua’s Cheonggang.”

With Cheon-am Jin-in’s declaration as the background, Peng Jin-hu took a fist and palm salute and stepped back.

“Kuhaha. Indeed, Mount Hua’s sword is difficult.”

Although it was Peng Jin-hu laughing boisterously, I could guess his imagery from the fist he clenched tightly.

Knowing the fact that clumsy consolation is not right for a martial artist resentful of himself, I couldn’t say any words to Peng Jin-hu.

“You worked hard.”

I just said that and tapped Peng Jin-hu’s shoulder twice.

Sometime ago, Uncle Yeo Baek did that to me, and there was an experience where I received great comfort.

Peng Jin-hu’s gaze touched me, but I decided to ignore it.

Because I have no hobby of exchanging hot gazes between men.

“Namgung Clan’s Tan, come out.”

Again, Cheon-am Jin-in’s voice rang through the venue, and Namgung Tan, who was seated far away, stood up.

He glanced at me and Dancheon Hak for a moment, then headed to the sparring stage.

Although I don’t like the human character called Namgung Tan, I know the fact that he didn’t learn martial arts in vain.

But he will also fight a not easy fight.

“Wudang’s Musang. Come out.”

It was because the opponent was a martial artist of Wudang.

In reality, compared to the previous fights, it could be said that Peng Jin-hu and Namgung Tan are fighting difficult battles.

Peng Clan’s Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade and Mount Hua’s Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art, Namgung’s Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art and Wudang’s Flowing Cloud Sword Art, the reason is that it is right to evaluate them as extreme counter-compatibility.

Whoosh!

Rustle—

Indeed, my guess was not wrong.

The fight between Heavy Sword Namgung and Soft Sword Wudang had no choice but to proceed as a truly one-sided development.

“Haat!”

Whoosh—!

It is a fight between the ceaseless offensive of the Azure Sky Boundless Sword and the Flowing Cloud Sword that ceaselessly flows it away.

Those who don’t know martial arts will admire Namgung Tan’s one-sided offensive, and those who know martial arts will admire the profundity of Using Softness to Overcome Heaviness that Musang unfolds.

After a long time of the Heavy Sword, which should crush Mount Tai, flowing away like clouds.

“Haa. Haa.”

Slowly, the watershed of victory and defeat was revealing itself.

It was because of Namgung Tan, for whom managing his breath began to be burdensome.

In the majority of cases, the one attacking depletes true energy and stamina faster than the one defending, so it became so.

Moreover, if it is the profundity of the Heavy Sword, the ups and downs of stamina would be much larger.

Even wielding the sword properly until now can be seen as possible because Namgung Tan did not neglect stamina training meanwhile.

It’s a natural thing, but Namgung Tan also knows the current situation.

“Be careful. There is no back to this move.”

Namgung Tan spoke with a voice containing the dignity of a famous clan, quite different from when he was being annoying to me.

Originally, announcing and using the final supreme technique would be right to evaluate as bluffing, but recalling the fact that it is a spar, I can package it as the dignity of a famous clan.

Anyway…….

Bluffing is bluffing and skill is skill. At least Namgung Tan was a person who possessed skills equal to that bluff.

Rumble—

A new spirit seeped into Namgung Tan who was unfolding the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art.

Namgung’s supreme art, Emperor Sword Form.

I am someone who witnessed him unfolding the form of the Emperor Sword Form during the test of the Dragon and Phoenix in the past.

Since his Emperor Sword Form had made a stride forward compared to then, it meant that Azure Dragon Namgung Ho also made bone-carving efforts meanwhile.

“Come without minding.”

Musang Jin-in also took a proper starting stance for the first time as if sensing something unusual.

Supreme Ultimate Wisdom Sword.

The footprint of Grandmaster Sambong Jin-in revealed its appearance here.

“If you block this, it is my defeat.”

Namgung Tan said.

“Then I must block it.”

Musang answered.

Regardless of compatibility, at least for this moment, it was an occasion where the intact spirit of young martial artists full of vigor was felt.

Kwa-gwa-gwa—

When the Emperor Sword Form unfolded by Namgung Tan stretched straight tearing the space.

Slide—

The circulating Supreme Ultimate embraced the Emperor’s violence.

To express it in words, it is the union of Heavy Sword and Soft Sword, but only after a total of twenty exchanges of variable moves mixed within did the two widen the distance again.

It would be right to evaluate it as the struggle of complete martial artists who had already shed the frame of new stars.

“…….”

“Keuk.”

Silent Namgung Tan and quietly moaning Musang Jin-in.

But the result was different from what was seen.

“……I lost.”

Since the Emperor Sword Form ultimately failed to cut off the continuity of the Supreme Ultimate Wisdom Sword, there would be no error in that declaration.

Namgung Tan, who took a fist and palm salute, stepped back quietly.

“Hmm.”

Only then did moans flow out from here and there in the crowd of the Clans.

Because they all began to realize slightly.

The fact that the New Star Exchange Meeting so far consisted of the Nine Sects’ complete victories.

Originally, since the Nine Sects were the apex of the Jianghu Murim, their dignity would not be surprising, but even from the position of the Clans, a complete defeat in the New Star Exchange Meeting would be a difficult thing to accept.

Wouldn’t it be that the martial artists of the Clans also came to exchange, not to receive education?

“Hmm.”

Even I, who dislike Namgung Tan, felt an inexplicable resentment at his defeated appearance, so how much more would others feel, that is what I mean.

“Dancheon Hak’s Hak, come out.”

Dancheon Hak stood up.

His posture gripping the sword handle of the Dancheon Sword even before climbing the sparring stage was arrogant.

“Big brother.”

“Why do you call?”

Dancheon Hak answered without even looking back at me. I realized the fact that his concentration had truly reached its peak.

“Win.”

Originally, it would be right not to give pressure to a martial artist facing a match, but I decided not to mind.

Because I knew the firmness of the time my brother Dancheon Hak had fiercely accumulated to be shaken by mere pressure.

“Hmph.”

Dancheon Hak snorted and continued his words…….

“Even if you didn’t say it, I intended to do so.”

Indeed, it was a spirit befitting the legitimate son of the Dancheon Clan.

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