Surviving as a Rival in a Martial Arts Novel

Chapter 81 – Battle of Heaven (02)

I was surprised to see that there were five people on our side. After coming to my senses, I looked around to understand the current situation.

“What is it? What happened?”

As usual, if I had food, I would have asked what happened, but since food is currently being held, I had no choice but to ask someone else who could hear the news quickly.

Seolhwa, Namgungjeon, and Master, who were traveling with me, obviously didn’t know this and had equally dumbfounded expressions, so the only person I could properly ask was the guide of the Murim Alliance.

“I don’t know either. Cheonbong suddenly handed me a nameplate this morning and told me to put it up…”

In fact, he was explaining in gibberish as if he was embarrassed.

Cheonbong Zhuge Yanji, who was in charge of the Cheonmyeong Daejeon, confirmed that no one had been saved by Jinshi today, and ordered an empty nameplate to be hung. The guide hung the wooden nameplate that she personally handed over.

As it got closer to O’clock, the start time of the Battle of Heaven’s Mandate, colors began to appear, and at the end, the name Zhuge Yanji was revealed.

Thanks to this, the condition that all participants’ name plates would be hung up until the start of the competition was met, and the Cheonmyeong Daejeon began. The guides who had predicted that it would be canceled were urgently gathering people and going around to confirm the facts with Cheonbong.

And after a while, the guide who had gone to check the facts approached us with a mesmerized expression and said.

“The fifth person… Confirming Cheonbong Zhuge Yanji… I will guide you to the waiting room.”

‘Is it right for me to participate?’

Everyone, including me, followed the guide with a puzzled expression as we walked in. Renowned masters from the Murim League were watching on all sides, and there was a wide unarmed area to prevent foul play or inappropriate moves, and a thick wall that prevented anyone from seeing or attacking each other. I saw a waiting room that was blocked off.

And there sat Zhuge Yeonji, wearing an ordinary military uniform rather than her usual fancy attire.

‘Which one?’

“……I never thought it would end up like this.”

I guess it’s my younger brother because he frowns as soon as he sees my face.

“I gave you so many opportunities, but in the end, you couldn’t save someone, so you ended up like this. I, the Jade Dragon God Sword, thought you would find a better participant.”

“The Murim Alliance tied it all up, right?”

In fact, I tried to contact Maeryong through Namgungjeon, the Geomryong, who could be said to be the leader among the previous five dragons, but he was still in detention.

From Noble mtl dot com

Except for Maeryong, the other Five Dragons were all on the Murim Lord’s side or declared vague neutrality, not wanting to be openly hostile.

Of course, even if we contacted Maeryong, there was no guarantee that he would join forces with us.

“Is that why you came?”

“If you cannot compete in the Battle of Heaven and withdraw due to lack of personnel, do you think there will be another opportunity?”

I think so too.

If you can’t even fill the number of participants in the first challenge, the next challenge is bound to be even more difficult.

“I thought it was the Murim Lord’s henchman.”

“That’s right. Is there any problem?”

“Is it okay to be so openly hostile to the Murim Lord?”

“So, I tried to handle it secretly behind the scenes, but whose fault is it that led to this situation?”

I don’t think it’s my fault.

“I gathered people who had a rebellious spirit against the Murim Lord, but I had to persuade them with lies. To defeat the Black Moon Party, I had to lie…”

“I’m not telling a lie that I can’t handle. I just thought it would be better to tell the truth even if it’s difficult right now.”

“……”

The reason why I immediately challenged the Murim Lord was because he manipulated the story by mixing lies.

He was guaranteed a position as the Murim Lord and had to ask for my help, but he told a lie that he couldn’t handle and ended up falling behind me. If I saw that and still lied to him, he would be crazy.

“And I’m not really good at lying.”

“Yes, yes. I guess so.”

In the end, I and Zhuge Yanji could be said to be opposites of each other. Such opposing tendencies that no matter what happens, they cannot understand each other.

But nevertheless, we can join hands to achieve the goal.

“It only fills the number of participants. I will surrender as soon as I leave.”

No one had expectations of Zhuge Yanzhi’s martial arts skills anyway. Because he had such abilities that it was obvious that he would lose even if he fought Sik Bong.

Her martial arts skills were barely on par with those of a top-class expert, so it was enough for her to register us so she could participate in the Battle of Heavenly Destiny.

Anyway, if just three of me, Seolhwa, and Namgungjeon win, that’s enough.

Instead, there is a problem that no one should lose.

“Do you have any information about the other person?”

“It was all out in the open, but no one saw it?”

I and the other party members were so surprised when we saw Zhuge Yanji’s name that we didn’t have time to check the number of people the Murim Lord had brought in.

I tend to check and talk about these things, especially since I was confused for a while.

“If one of the members knows, just tell them and that’s it.”

As if she had already prepared, Zhuge Yanji clicked her tongue and continued speaking.

“Originally, the order is decided through consultation… But since this submission is delayed, there is nothing we can do. However, they also have to go through consultation.”

I originally thought about adjusting the win rate higher after looking at the opponent’s entry, but since it was a prestigious faction, it seemed like they decided on the opponent evenly.

‘Are you saying that a surprise strategic victory is impossible?’

Zhuge Yanji called the name of the person written on her note in order.

“I’ll tell you in order. Jeonryong Cheongsang is the vanguard. Geombong Han Soso is the second leader. Cheolryong Ban Gyu-seong is in the middle. Mubong Jinhongseon is the deputy leader. Cheonwonsangjon Jin Cheon-ho is the leader.”

I thought they would have chosen one of the Demon Dragons, the Wise Dragons, or a suitable expert from the Murim Alliance, but I couldn’t hide my embarrassment when an unexpected person was called.

“Wait a minute. Cheongsang?”

“The Kunlun Sect’s defense line was lifted and Kunlun Sect members arrived at the Murim Alliance for follow-up measures. After that, the last time participants were recruited, they were summoned by the leader.”

Now that the threat of the Demonic Cult had disappeared, there was no need for the Kunlun faction to maintain a defensive line.

“Furthermore, it is a condition that the Kunlun faction can never accept, so it is a sufficient justification for participating in the Battle of Heaven’s Mandate.”

“……”

I don’t know about other sects, but the Kunlun sect would not be able to accept the conditions I put forward because they are a sect that has been at odds with the Demonic Cult.

‘It’s not like I betrayed him, but it feels a little… Strange that the guy who used to be my brother and brother has become my enemy.’

“What are you going to do?”

“Umm…”

First of all, I must deal with the Murim Lord.

If I don’t defeat the Murim Lord with my skills, the meaning of the Battle of Heaven’s Mandate will be greatly diminished.

Assuming I go out in the last 5 rounds, if I want to place Seolhwa and Namgungjeon to Han Soso and Cheongsang respectively to have the highest win rate, I can definitely win.

‘There is no way Namgungjeon will accept it.’

The reason I followed you here in the first place was to defeat the Iron Dragon, Ban Gyu-seong.

Seolhwa will not be dissatisfied whether it is assigned to Geombong Han So-so or Mubong, but…

‘I really… Am I just being a fool like the Murim Lord?’

First of all, I trust the people gathered here. Zhuge Yanji doesn’t trust me yet, but if he says he does trust the rest…

“I guess I’ll have to go out to the regular table.”

How much can you persuade people by crafting an entry with a high win rate? In particular, I have to use tricks against the hard-headed old bastards of the Murim Alliance to win before they will listen to me.

So, I spoke to the teacher who was awkwardly looking at Seolhwa’s eyes while scanning his beard.

“Master. Please lead the way.”

“Ugh… I know that Jeonryong is a peak expert…”

It was a difficult opponent for Master, a top-class expert, but he did not want to win.

Anyway, the others were at least at their peak, and although Han Soso seemed the weakest, it didn’t make much of a difference as she also reached her peak position with ease.

“Still, I can’t show my ugly side in front of the martial arts students.”

“Cheonbong is the best. Let you stand.”

“I’m going to declare abstention as soon as I go in anyway.”

I have no expectations.

“In the middle of the pack, it’s Namgung. Are you confident that you can beat Ban Gyu-seong?”

At those words, Namgungjeon held up the black iron sword with the red dye still on it from last time and smiled.

“Seolhwa is the manager. It’s you.”

Nod.

I didn’t say it was a win. In any case, she will desperately fight against the martial arts jinhongseon.

“Finally, I will be the leader.”

I was the only one here who could deal with the Murim Lord.

And since I have gathered them, I will have to take responsibility and bear the most difficult burden.

After the list was written and handed over, the servants of the Murim League went over to the other side and checked the list of players on this side, and after a while, a gong rang, meaning that the mutual agreement had been reached.

Kurkrung ……!

With a heavy sound, the wall of the waiting room split in two and the training hall leading inside began to appear.

Waaah–!!

A huge gymnasium reminiscent of the Colosseum from the Roman era. However, in order to prevent cowardly use of sand or dirt, the floor was covered with large bricks, and across from them, the participants of the Battle of Heaven prepared by the Murim Alliance were waiting for us.

Cheongsang, the vanguard, who is mourning his death, Han Soso, who is very angry with Chabong, and Bang Gyu-seong, the middle player, who is looking at me with moist eyes.

Jin Hong-seon, who has a bandage wrapped up to his forearm with an expectant expression, and finally…

Even Jin Cheon-ho, who maintains his position not as the Murim lord, but as Cheonwon Sangjon, a warrior.

The full-fledged Battle of Heavenly Destiny was about to begin in the gymnasium, where the famous masters of the old factions who lived in the Murim League and who had come after hearing the rumors gathered to watch and the general audience was densely packed.

The onlookers don’t know it yet, but it was an incredible dance with a total of four masters at the highest level.

“Then, from now on, the Battle of the Mandate of Heaven will begin!”

An old monk with thick eyebrows and eight seals on his forehead who appeared to be from the Shaolin Temple came out as judge and host and called us.

“Then, Seonbong! One of the five dragons called the Jeonryong, the golden master from the Kunlun sect, Cheongsang!”

Waaa-!!

When the Jeonryong Cheongsang, famously known as the Five Dragons and Seven Peaks, appeared, the cheers of the people rang out to the point where it was deafening.

“The vanguard of the challenger, Ok Cheon-woong of the Cheongshim Glass Gate, commander of the 3rd division of the main team!”

When people heard the name Sujakdae and Cheongsim Glass Gate, people were buzzing and not recognizing who it was, while Master was standing on the non-stage holding his sword.

“Master. If it’s dangerous, you can abstain right away.”

“Hmm…”

At my words of concern, Master shrugged his shoulders and pointed to Seolhwa, who was peeking at the two of us from the corner.

“After all, shouldn’t I show a nice side in front of my daughter?”