Chapter 229
The Black Lotus Sect, which in many ways imitates the precedent set by the Murim Alliance, naturally followed suit with something like the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting.
You could think of the Black Heaven Festival as the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting of the unorthodox martial world. Though, if you look closely, there are quite a few differences.
First, the rule that participants must not kill each other is the same, but the sheer savagery of the attacks—so long as one doesn't die—makes it clear how loosely it's applied.
Unlike the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting, where the prizes are usually martial arts manuals or rare elixirs, the Black Heaven Festival simply offers an enormous amount of gold as the championship reward.
There are also differences in the purpose for holding the event on a regular basis.
“You’re well-informed, Young Lord Cheon.”
“Well, Zhejiang Province is my hometown.”
In my previous life, I was a member of the Black Lotus Sect, and though I never won, I had once participated in the Black Heaven Festival, so of course I know it well.
But since I couldn’t reveal that, I just shrugged and continued my explanation to Tang Sowol.
“First of all, the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting is meant to promote harmony among the sects under the Murim Alliance, and to resolve potential conflicts or ego clashes through matches between the younger generation rather than having the elders fight.” “That’s right.”
Given that many of the orthodox sects have such long and storied histories, conflicts between their factions are inevitable.
But they can’t exactly go around killing each other with swords, so unless it’s something extreme, old grudges are settled through the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting.
That’s why, at its core, it’s a festival for the Nine Great Sects and Five Supreme Clans, and it’s rare for a wanderer to make a name for themselves there.
“In contrast, the Black Heaven Festival is not a festival for harmony. Honestly, do you think unorthodox martial artists could sincerely cooperate with each other or resolve grudges in a friendly match?”
“That’s quite the harsh critique... though I’m sure you know this better than I.”
“Then what’s the reason for holding the Black Heaven Festival?”
“It’s simple. First, it’s a way to throw a bone to the established unorthodox sects. They get to show off their strength, and if lucky, sweep up a lot of gold.”
“It sounds like there’s a second reason, too.”
“That’s probably the real reason. The Black Lotus Sect Leader wants to strengthen his own power by gathering talented late-stage practitioners under his wing.”
The Black Lotus Sect isn’t a tightly-knit organization. Unlike the orthodox factions, which unite for the sake of their ideals, the Black Lotus Sect is loosely bound together by shared self-interest and the personal strength of its leader.
Because of this, the unorthodox world has far fewer clans or sects worthy of being called prestigious.
But does that mean the unorthodox martial world is small? Not at all. When someone gains martial arts or power, it’s natural to want to use it for oneself.
The unorthodox world is just overwhelmingly filled with wanderers with no affiliations.
And the majority of them, like I was in my previous life, are obsessed with obtaining powerful martial arts or rare elixirs.
Most started learning martial arts late and didn’t receive proper training, so they inevitably hit a wall unrelated to talent.
“And the Black Lotus Sect Leader provides those people with what they need, and demands loyalty in return.”
“Does that loyalty really mean anything?”
“No, it does. Those who would have stayed stuck at the first-class level for life might break through the Peak Stage, and sometimes even reach the Sub-Perfection master realm.”
“Ah.”
Our group’s strength is generally high, but for most martial artists, it's extremely difficult to surpass the first-class level.
Talent, luck, and superior martial arts—at least two of the three are required to break through to the Peak Stage.
And from the Peak Stage onward, people’s attitudes change dramatically. It's no exaggeration to say your life changes.
Would a wanderer from the unorthodox world, who’s never been treated with respect in their life, just let that pass?
Even if they prioritize self-interest over ideals, in the end, they're still human. It’s not strange to show loyalty to someone who changed your life.
“Of course, it's rare for a wanderer to actually win the tournament, though.”
“Still, a prestigious lineage is a prestigious lineage.”
Tang Sowol nodded. As she said, it’s not easy for someone with no background to overcome a person who’s trained in advanced martial arts since childhood.
Those from prestigious families participate aiming for the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s generous rewards, while wanderers join seeking a path upward, and the Black Lotus Sect Leader sees it as an investment to build his own power.
That’s the Black Heaven Festival as I know it.
“Obviously, anyone who gains a new nickname after standing out at the Black Heaven Festival isn’t going to be ordinary. At the very least, they’ll have a ruthless edge.”
“They certainly look like it...”
Tang Sowol scratched her cheek awkwardly, and with good reason. Right now, the so-called ruthless participants of the Black Heaven Festival were frozen solid, completely powerless before Seol Lihyang.
“Hmph! Is that all? The nickname ‘Blood Serpent Sword’ is wasted on you.”
“Y-You witch…”
The man with the sharp eyes collapsed with clenched teeth.
He had been a Peak Stage expert capable of wielding a softsword freely, but—
When Seol Lihyang entwined her whip with his softsword and used her bewitching techniques, he had no way to counter and was taken down just like that.
Apparently, he lacked the skill to endure the extremely refined yin energy and shake off the cold that penetrated his body.
The defeated Blood Serpent Sword was dragged out of the arena by the referees.
Seol Lihyang, now beaming with confidence, placed her hand on her hip and shouted in a deliberately arrogant tone.
“The Sect Leader said you were all outstanding, so I had high hopes… but I guess it can’t be helped. The rest of you, come at me together!”
“How arrogant!”
“We’ll teach you a lesson!”
Other late-stage disciples of the Black Lotus Sect stormed onto the arena in protest. Tang Sowol tilted her head and commented,
“Brother Cheon, I think Lihyang is getting a little too excited.”
“Let her enjoy it. Lately, she’s only been facing stronger opponents, so she needs to let off some steam.”
Just as Tang Sowol said, Seol Lihyang was riding high on her winning streak. That’s probably why she made that remark.
But considering there were only two opponents left, it wasn’t that arrogant a statement.
Whether Seol Lihyang was stronger than I thought, or the quality of this year’s participants was just poor, I didn’t know.
Either way, this level was well within her capability.
She had faced opponents far stronger than herself until now. In contrast, she lacked experience dealing with weaker opponents while trying to subdue them without causing fatal injuries. This was a valuable lesson.
While I chatted briefly with Tang Sowol, Seol Lihyang filled the arena with a humming melody that froze the surroundings, and then steadily took down her sluggish opponents with her whip and palm techniques.
The gap was greater than I expected. She was handling two at once with ease.
Only now did I understand what the Black Lotus Sect Leader meant when he said he would summon the late-stage disciples but not to expect much.
Having seen both sides in action and gauged their abilities, I could understand his reaction.
Still, we’d more or less accomplished our goal, so it was fine.
Seol Lihyang, who had been focused on expanding her internal energy to face stronger enemies, now seemed to recognize the need for refined control.
“This result isn’t bad at all.”
The next day, when rumors of Seol Lihyang spread throughout the Black Lotus Sect—
“My perfectly good nickname…!”
“Don’t let it get to you. In the unorthodox world, they like to include ominous words like ‘blood,’ ‘kill,’ ‘asura,’ ‘rakshasa,’ or ‘witch’ in nicknames.”
“This is totally your fault for setting up that duel, Cheon Hwi.”
Seol Lihyang pouted, half exasperated, half resigned, and just a bit resentful.
I lightly patted her shoulder and continued.
“Don’t be like that. ‘Demonic Sound Ice Witch’ isn’t so bad, is it?”
“It sounds way too evil! And what happened to my old nickname, ‘Pure Sound-Frostflower’?”
“Don’t worry. The orthodox side will still call you ‘Pure Sound-Frostflower’.”
“But the other half of the martial world will call me ‘Demonic Sound Ice Witch,’ right?”
“Sounds like a good match with ‘Bloodfire Sword Demon,’ doesn’t it? I rather like it.”
“Eh?”
When I brought up her previous-life nickname, ‘Demonic Sound Ice Witch,’ Seol Lihyang flinched slightly.
She muttered something to herself, then nodded with a gracious expression.
“Fine. Since you put it that way, I’ll accept the new nickname.”
“I’m honored.”
“By the way, Cheon Hwi, are you still using the same nickname? I thought since you’ve reached the Flowering Stage, you’d have a new one by now.”
“Nicknames stick when you make a strong impression. Sure, you can threaten people not to call you something, like how Seomun Hwarin said she’d never accept ‘Bloodfire Sword Demon’—”
“But even if they stop calling you that, it doesn’t mean the nickname itself disappears, right?”
“Exactly.”
Seol Lihyang frowned slightly, displeased with my answer.
“But Cheon Hwi, you’ve done quite a lot since reaching the Flowering Stage.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for one, you wiped out the Thousand Poison Sect singlehandedly after they kidnapped Sister Tang.”
“People might’ve calmed down once they learned the reason, but before that, the Tang Clan got flooded with complaints calling it a bloodbath. I guess it did seem like something a sword demon would do.”
“You stopped the awakening of Heaven-Slaughter Star, worked with Shaolin to find a secret solution no one else knew… That’s a good deed. Your nickname should change!”
“The matter of Heaven-Slaughter Star is a top secret only certain people know. It’s better not to spread uncertain information until Heo Soye passes away quietly.”
“Th-then what about defeating the Qing-White Flood Dragon in the Northern Sea?!”
“People in the Central Plains don’t really care about the outer martial world. And they probably wouldn’t believe in a Flowering Stage-level spirit beast anyway.”
After pondering for a while, Seol Lihyang patted my shoulder as if I were pitiful.
“Cheer up!”
“I don’t really care that much about nicknames anyway.”
Even in my past life, I was called the Sword Demon, so why would it bother me now?
But Seol Lihyang shook her head firmly at my indifference.
“I don’t like it. You’re not such a harsh person, Cheon Hwi. It’s a misunderstanding.”
“Heh.”
Honestly, I can be ruthless. I just choose not to be in front of people like Tang Sowol, Seol Lihyang, and Seo Mun Hwarin.
I also enjoy my current life and don’t want to ruin it.
Of course, I didn’t say all that aloud. Instead, I just tousled the top of Seol Lihyang’s head.
“Hey! Don’t— I’m not Sister Seomun, you know…”
She started off resisting, but quickly melted and leaned into my hand.
“Wait. So it’s okay to do this to Senior Seo Mun?”
“Sister Tang and I do it all the time?”
The morals of the martial world are in freefall.
***
A few more peaceful days passed in the Black Lotus Sect.
Finally, preparations for the banquet mentioned by Sama Yuryun were completed.
And then, rumors about the Sword Ghost began to spread.