A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 30

◎The rules of the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament, and the order of appearance~◎

Because Tang Fei was seriously injured and Zhuque had spent the entire night healing her companion, her body was too weak to move, so Xifeng, Jinse, and Xue Qianxun had to temporarily bid them farewell. However, just then, Zhong Gui leaped out, struck his bell with a hong sound, and said, “Since your team is, rarely, complete, I hereby announce one thing: the prelude to the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament ends here. The main show is about to begin.”

Xue Qianxun said, “What did the previous events count as?”

Zhong Gui gave a weird, sinister laugh, and said nonchalantly, “The prelude, it can also be interpreted as a warm-up before the official tournament. You can treat it as a game. But, from now on, you must be prepared at all times for the possibility of losing your lives here. Below, I will introduce the rules of the tournament. First: Life-or-Death Duel. During the tournament, regardless of life or death, only victory or defeat is judged. The victorious side has the right to kill their opponent. This rule is almost universally known in the jianghu, and I presume you considered this when you accepted the invitation from the Palace Lord Xinghai.”

Jinse laughed, “Of course. The outcome of almost every Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament is the complete annihilation of the invited participants. It would be hard not to know this rule.”

Xifeng said, “During the prelude, you also seemed to hold the conviction of putting us to death.”

Zhong Gui laughed heartily: “That was just for show.”

Xifeng said, “The Old Undying is dead, and Charming Purple and Gorgeous Red, Fifth Charm, and you all failed to succeed, so we won’t pursue it for now. But,” Xifeng glanced at Tang Fei, “was that person named Zhang Yongle also just for show? When Tang Fei’s life was hanging by a thread, Charming Purple and Gorgeous Red not only didn’t stop it but even took our companion’s severed arm and impatiently came to deliver the bad news.”

Zhong Gui said, “Tang Fei encountering Zhang Yongle was purely accidental. To be honest, we also didn’t want outsiders to enter the forbidden area of the Water Moon Palace. All the blame lies with the Charming Purple and Gorgeous Red sisters. If your side refuses to drop the matter, our side will immediately execute the four of them. No matter what, the reputation of the Water Moon Palace’s Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament is paramount.”

Before his voice faded, Jinse calmly interjected, “Very well, execute them then.”

Xue Qianxun immediately said, “No!” She looked at Jinse with a strange gaze and murmured, “Since Tang Fei is still alive, and Zhang Yongle is also dead. Let the four of them go.”

Jinse’s expression did not change in the slightest. She didn’t even look at Xue Qianxun, as if she hadn’t heard what she said.

Xifeng said to Tang Fei, “What is your opinion?”

Tang Fei pulled at the corners of his pale lips and said, “If I were to seek revenge, Tang Fei wouldn’t trouble others to do it.”

Zhuque looked at Tang Fei, her gaze complex. Tang Fei smiled gently at her and said, “The only time Tang Fei fought fiercely with a woman was the duel with Xifeng. I hope that was the last time too.”

“Heh heh, I thank the four sisters of Charming Purple and Gorgeous Red on behalf of Tang Fei for his magnanimity.” Zhong Gui gave a dry laugh and continued, “In short, during the prelude stage, it was possible for us to be multiple against one, but in fact, it was more alarming than dangerous for you. And in fact, the price was paid by us, wasn’t it?”

“In fact, you were trying to expose our true capabilities to the maximum extent.” Xifeng smiled coldly and said, “During the combat, someone was constantly monitoring in secret. You won’t deny this, will you?”

Zhong Gui curled his lip: “You said you’ve found out. Do I have any room for denial?” He then continued as if nothing had happened: “Rule number two: Right of Refusal. There are five of you who accepted the invitation, and five of us who will participate in the combat. Each duel is one-on-one, and companions are not allowed to assist during the process. The right to choose the opponent belongs to our side, and your side has the right of refusal. It must be pointed out that our side only accepts the refusal from the person selected. After being refused, our personnel will continue to select. If everyone refuses, then the last person selected will be forced to accept the challenge. How about it? This rule is very beneficial to your side, isn’t it? Which means that everyone on your side has a chance to survive until reaching Heavenly Origin Peak, as long as they figure out a way for their companions to accept one more duel.”

Xifeng and the others fully understood the insidious nature of this rule. Although it could protect the weak members of the team, it was more likely to sow discord among the companions.

“Ahem, rule number three: Contest for Name Tokens.” Zhong Gui took out five copper tokens from his pocket and threw them over. “These are your ‘Name Tokens’ (mingjian). Keep them safe.”

The crowd received the copper tokens engraved with their names. Every stroke of the characters matched the handwriting on the “Enrollment Scroll.”

Zhong Gui explained: “The victorious side can consider sparing the opponent’s life, but they must take the opponent’s Name Token. A person eligible to climb Heavenly Origin Peak must not only keep their own Name Token but also possess at least one Name Token from our personnel. – The means of acquiring the Name Token are not restricted.”

This rule implied two things: first, the Name Token could be inherited from a companion; second, it could also be snatched from a companion—of course, if there was enough temptation to force them to snatch it.

“The rules have been stated.” Zhong Gui paused and added with a meaningful tone: “By the way, anyone who reaches Heavenly Origin Peak can demand any treasure from the Water Moon Palace. Of course, whether they will live to take it after the duel with Palace Lord Xinghai is another matter. Heh heh, I wish you good luck.”

Xifeng sighed softly and said, “Life-or-Death Duel, Right of Refusal, and Contest for Name Tokens. It seems that what leads to the complete annihilation of the invited participants is not only the powerful strength of the Water Moon Palace but also the result of these three rules.”

Xue Qianxun asked in surprise, “Has no team ever left the Water Moon Palace victorious?”

Zhong Gui said, “I’ll give you some hope to hold onto. In the history of the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament, which spans over a century, only a few people have achieved victory. The last winner came from the family that has been invited the most times by Palace Lord Xinghai and also refused the invitation the most times – the Susha Family.”

Everyone present was shaken. Xifeng and the others were of the younger generation and did not know about this.

Jinse asked, “When was that? Who were the participants?”

“Twenty-four years ago, after refusing Palace Lord Xinghai’s invitation three times, the Susha Family finally sent two people to accept the fourth invitation from the Water Moon Palace. They were: Susha Xingjian and Susha Xingzhi – a pair of sixteen-year-old dragon and phoenix twins.”

No one was more shocked than Xue Qianxun. First, she never knew her father had participated in the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament and won; second, her father was a twin?! She had never met the person named Susha Xingzhi.

Zhong Gui said, “So, the rules are fixed, but it depends on how you interpret them.”

Jinse said, “How can there be rules without an arbitrator? We are deep inside the Water Moon Palace, fighting alone.”

Xifeng said, “I also heard that the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament has an arbitrator, but unfortunately, the challengers who leave the Water Moon Palace alive are extremely few, and the arbitrator’s identity has become a mystery.”

Zhong Gui laughed, “Is it that hard to guess? Have you all forgotten that there is a singular person in the world? A divine brush that records all the secrets of the jianghu. Tell me, with so many interesting moments during the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament, how could that person be willing to miss out? The arbitrator of the Water Moon Palace’s Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament is—”

“The Jianghu Brush—Nangong Qing!” The five people realized at once and exclaimed in unison.

The Jianghu Brush can be said to be one person or a special sect. They are largely hidden from the world, their movements secret, and their whereabouts constantly changing. Their sect’s origins and succession system are little known. As the most objective recorder of the magnificent jianghu, hidden behind that just divine brush, they must be absolutely powerful martial artists. The year the first generation of “Jianghu Brush” emerged is unknown. Nangong Qing is the eleventh generation, and his name has resounded throughout the world for over ninety years.

Zhong Gui made no effort to suppress his triumphant expression, nodding with a leisurely smile, and said, “The Eleventh Generation Jianghu Brush Nangong Qing has witnessed almost every Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament of our Water Moon Palace.”

Xifeng couldn’t help but murmur, “No wonder! A tournament initiated by a mere sect has been able to continue for nearly a hundred years. It turns out it has the Jianghu Brush as its arbitrator.”

Tang Fei raised an eyebrow, a look of keen interest appearing in his eyes, and said, “What good is it if you just say it out loud?”

Zhong Gui laughed heartily: “Indeed, there’s no one in the martial arts world who doesn’t want to witness Nangong Qing’s demeanor with their own eyes! It’s just a pity…” At this point, he shook his head meaningfully, then turned to the empty space and said loudly, “Jianghu Brush, my mission is complete. The rest is up to Mister Nangong’s sacred judgment!” After speaking, he flashed away.

A suffocating silence ensued. Everyone sensed the slightest movement around them, trying to detect Nangong Qing’s location. However, after a brief silence, a sentence that sounded as if it were close by reached everyone’s ears—”Hmm, please first confirm your opponents.” The voice was clear and mechanical, as if it had sprung out of nowhere, making it unbelievable that Nangong Qing’s body was not within their sensory range.

“Behind!” After a moment, Xifeng suddenly gave a soft shout. Everyone looked in the direction Xifeng pointed. They saw the grass move slightly, and a person lying flat and concealed within slowly sat up, then stood up stiffly. A large, multicolored parrot suddenly flew down from the sky and landed on the person’s shoulder.

A chill permeated their bodies.

“He, he, he, he…” Tang Fei couldn’t help but exclaim, “Isn’t he the Old Undying?!”

Xue Qianxun couldn’t believe her eyes. Was this why he was called the “Old Undying”?

Jinse walked towards the Old Undying. She saw that his eyeballs were entirely dark red, his skin waxy, and a bl00d-red, unknown gem was embedded in his throat, which Xifeng’s finger-sword had pierced. At this moment, the Old Undying’s arms suddenly lifted, drawing a circle in the air. Then his fingers plucked, as if playing a zither. His eyeless eyes were directly focused on Jinse, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly, revealing a bizarre smile. Jinse paused slightly, then gave a faint smile, turned to her companions, and said, “The arbitrator is indeed the Jianghu Brush Nangong Qing.”

Zhuque asked, “Has Jinse met the Jianghu Brush before?”

Jinse gently shook her head and said, “To say I’ve met the Jianghu Brush is a bit far-fetched.”

The parrot suddenly spoke: “It would be better to say that Nangong Qing has met Jinse. On the day she turned fifteen and became a true Beast Master.” It then said to Jinse, “Long time no see. You’ve grown up. You’re no longer a crybaby, are you?”

Jinse’s cheeks flushed. She then pointed at the grotesquely looking Old Undying and retorted, “Long time no see. Your taste is still so unconventional.”

Xifeng’s gaze at Jinse was somewhat complex. Her lips moved, but she did not speak. She examined the Old Undying carefully before saying, “Jinse, you are certain the arbitrator is the Jianghu Brush, based on just this?”

Jinse said softly with an implicit meaning, “Xifeng comes from a famous family. She should know the martial arts style of the Jianghu Brush, shouldn’t she?”

Xifeng smiled faintly, admitting, “The Eleventh Generation Jianghu Brush is a Corpse Shaman. But this is the first time I’ve witnessed a ‘Walking Corpse’ with my own eyes.”

The parrot flapped its wings and said, “Can the verification of my identity as the Jianghu Brush come to an end? May I continue?”

Xifeng respectfully said, “Please proceed, Senior.”

The parrot’s voice was clear: “The order of the final battles is as follows. The first match: the Beast Master Little Wolf Cub chooses Jinse. Refusal?”

Jinse said solemnly, “I accept.”

The parrot continued: “The second match: the Puppeteer Fifth Charm chooses Xue Qianxun. Refusal?”

Xue Qianxun immediately said, “I accept.”

“The third match: the Bladesman Yin Nu chooses Yixin Ci. Refusal?”

Xifeng and Jinse were both secretly startled upon hearing this. It was said that Yin Nu had already become famous thirty years ago, but he was extremely low-key. Not only were few people aware of the origins of his martial arts style, but even those who had seen his face were few and far between. It was unexpected that he, who had been absent from the jianghu for decades, had taken service under Xinghai in the Water Moon Palace.

Yixin Ci took a deep breath and said calmly, “I refuse.”

A physician’s “Restoration style” martial arts has virtually no chance of winning against an “Attack style” bladesman, and given that her zhenqi was currently exhausted, there was even less need to show off her temporary skill.

The parrot paused, then asked again: “The third match: the Bladesman Yin Nu chooses Xue Qianxun. Refusal?”

Xue Qianxun was startled. Xifeng glanced at her and gently shook her head. Xue Qianxun bit her lip and said softly, “I, re, fuse.” She was annoyed at her own weakness, which forced another companion to face this duel.

The parrot asked again: “The third match: the Bladesman Yin Nu chooses Tang Fei. Refusal?”

Tang Fei saw Xifeng and Jinse shaking their heads simultaneously, so he said, “I refuse.”

The parrot continued to ask: “The third match: the Bladesman Yin Nu chooses Xifeng. Refusal?”

Xifeng said, “I accept.”

The third match was settled.

“The fourth match: the Demon Slayer chooses Xifeng. Refusal?”

Xifeng said, “I accept.” A thought flashed in her mind: Demon Slayer? His martial arts style cannot be determined from the name.

“The fifth match: Lou Wailou chooses Tang Fei. Refusal?”

Another opponent whose martial arts style could not be determined. Xifeng sighed softly and glanced at Jinse. Jinse smiled faintly and shook her head at Tang Fei again.

Tang Fei said resolutely, “I accept.”

The Old Undying clapped his stiff hands twice, and the parrot’s voice was loud and clear: “The eleventh year of Huading, the first day of the second month, during the hour of Chen (7 am to 9 am), the Heavenly Origin Martial Arts Tournament, begins.”