Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 135

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 135

The Asian regional preliminaries were being held in Sichuan Province, China.

I was flying there on a private jet, listening to Jung Jin-soo’s explanation.

“I apologize for the late arrangements. The situation has been complicated in many ways.”

Jung Jin-soo handed me some documents on the plane with a tired expression.

“What do you mean by a complicated situation?”

“This tournament… it will be different from ordinary martial arts tournaments in many ways. Even if you are young master, you may need to be careful.”

“Explain in detail.”

At my words, Jung Jin-soo nodded.

“I gathered information through my personal channels and from the Black Turtle Association. What’s certain is that this will be somewhat different from the first Grand Tournament.”

I gently placed the bird, which had fallen asleep, on the seat next to me and focused on Jung Jin-soo’s story.

The World Martial Arts Grand Tournament’s origins weren’t as grand as one might think.

It started in Northern Europe.

A friendly competition to promote camaraderie between the successors or disciples of various regional powers was the precursor to the Grand Tournament.

Various parties began expressing their intention to participate in this friendly competition, and soon, not only Europe but also other cultural spheres joined in.

That was how the World Martial Arts Grand Tournament was born.

From the perspective of several large forces, it was an opportunity to make their next generation’s names known to the world, to gauge the strength of the next generation of opposing forces, and to scout talented individuals hidden in the shadows, so there was no reason to refuse.

In addition, companies that smelled profit began to invest, and more and more large forces expressed their intention to participate. The first Grand Tournament ended much more successfully than expected.

“That’s how it’s known publicly, but in fact, the first Grand Tournament was poorly prepared in many ways, and there were many problems. Because of this, the successors of the forces that participated in the last tournament seem to be sharpening their swords this time.”

I turned to the first page of the document Jung Jin-soo handed me.

“As written there, the tournament actually revealed many problems. The regulations and rules were ambiguous, so it was essentially just a slightly cleaner fighting arena. There were even cases of ambushes between those with grudges.”

It was something I could roughly guess.

This was because the tournament itself wasn’t thoroughly prepared and held under the leadership of a large association or country from the beginning.

“In addition, there were quite a few accidents. Security and protection weren’t properly implemented, so participants’ food was poisoned or drugged, or disputes arose between organizations with grudges… It may have improved a lot for this tournament, but there will still be dirty tricks.”

I frowned.

In my past life, the tournament had a very clean image.

I never imagined it would have such a past.

But.

“That’s not enough to tell me to be careful, so why did you bother to say it?”

Jung Jin-soo nodded and continued.

“Yes, that’s true. It’s because this tournament is an extension of the last tournament.”

“Extension?”

“We predict that it will go beyond a simple martial arts tournament and become like a proxy war with young successors from each force. In addition, revenge matches and settling grudges will follow. This is the common opinion of the Black Turtle Association and me.”

“…….”

I understood as soon as I heard it.

As a world-renowned martial arts tournament, it couldn’t simply be a friendly competition where everyone laughs and jokes.

Rather, from the point of view of the successors, it was a tournament where the levels of the next generation of each force could be assessed.

‘It would be best not to participate in such a battlefield…’

That couldn’t be the case.

This is because it is an extension of the first tournament that Jung Jin-soo mentioned earlier.

Forces that lost or were subjected to dirty tricks in the first tournament will grit their teeth and try to even the score.

The winner will be branded as a coward if they don’t participate.

“As the competition became overheated outside of the matches… there was even public opinion that forces that didn’t want to participate at all were cowards. People who cannot be seen as ordinary martial arts tournament participants have already decided to participate.”

The next page listed the faces, names, and affiliations of the participants.

‘Starting with the Vatican’s preliminary paladin… this person went up to 2nd class warrior in his past life, and the successor to the French Rose Knights? The disciples of the Nine Dragons Stronghold… the Yin-Yang Order? Isn’t this side the occult world, not the martial arts world?’

There were many names and forces that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

In fact, has there ever been a time in history when so many successors of such large forces have gathered?

‘From the main family… only the eighth is here after all.’

As expected, none of my family members, who don’t care about such public opinion, participated.

Even if a branch family or vassal family participated, they wouldn’t have done so under the name of the Soongmoo Lee family.

“As you can see, it’s essentially an individual competition, but it’s no different from a team competition. Because of what happened during the first tournament, it may unexpectedly turn into a mud fight. People who participate individually may think they are safe…”

“It’ll be the opposite. They’ll drop all the guys who get in their way to get a spot in the finals.”

The participation requirements for the World Martial Arts Grand Tournament were quite simple.

Anyone with a confirmed identity, under the age of 20, and with international hunter qualifications of 9th grade or higher can attend regardless of gender, race, or country.

The problem is that the number of people who can advance to the finals is limited.

Only 15 people from the Asian regional preliminaries can go to the finals.

From the perspective of the major forces in Asia, they will use all sorts of tricks to get that spot in the finals.

“Anyway, I understand. Thank you.”

At my words, Jung Jin-soo had a hesitant expression.

I glanced at Jung Jin-soo.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you going to be okay?”

“About what?”

“There are too many variables, such as numbers, poison, and ambushes… Moreover, the preliminary round is being held in the Nine Dragons Stronghold’s sphere of influence, not the Soongmoo Lee family’s sphere of influence, isn’t it? I’m not doubting you, young master, but I’m a little worried.”

I smiled as I looked at Jung Jin-soo, who was frowning.

In fact, Jung Jin-soo was now my right-hand man, but that didn’t mean he knew everything about me.

“Watch this time. See what will happen.”

At my words, Jung Jin-soo silently looked at me and let out a hollow laugh.

“I’m scared every time you do that, young master.”

“Scared? Of what?”

“Every time you show that side of you, you accomplish amazing things.”

At Jung Jin-soo’s words, I chuckled and looked out the window.

The plane will arrive soon.

China, Sichuan Province.

The preliminary round of the tournament will be held in this city with a long history.

* * *

To participate in the preliminary round of the tournament, you had to apply at a building in downtown Sichuan Province.

The first impression of Sichuan Province, a beautiful city where long history and modernity coexist… was not good.

“Kahaha! I’m going to win this tournament!”

“Ah, you’re being so loud.”

“What? Where are you from, you little punk!”

This wasn’t the outskirts of the city, but one of the major downtown areas of Sichuan Province, and it was full of guys who were openly showing off that they were warriors.

Because it was a tournament that anyone with international hunter qualifications could participate in, even riffraff participated.

The guys who were only carrying swords and were worse than the Soongmoo Lee family’s students were causing a commotion as they headed towards the preliminary registration desk.

‘It’s crowded.’

It was known that more than 3,000 warriors participated in the Asian regional preliminaries.

All of them had come to apply for the preliminary round, so the area was chaotic.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

Sometimes I saw rich kids riding in fancy imported cars, and I also saw warriors dressed quite plausibly.

‘And… even warriors belonging to the Nine Dragons Stronghold.’

I looked at the Nine Dragons Stronghold warriors who were making a lot of noise in groups.

I stood in the long line and waited for my turn.

After waiting for 30 minutes, I finished registering and was finally able to get out of this noisy place.

After that, I immediately moved my steps.

But.

‘…What is it?’

I felt a strange sensation.

If I was being followed, I should have felt like I was being followed, but it wasn’t that kind of feeling.

I immediately stopped walking.

The presence that was following me disappeared.

Swoosh-.

And I felt an ominous warning that the presence would suddenly come from behind me.

Swish!

I turned around and immediately tried to draw Black Night [my sword].

However, as soon as I saw the face of the person who appeared right in front of me, I stopped drawing my sword.

“It’s been a while.”

Jang Han was standing there.

* * *

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Jang Han.

‘Even though he’s from a killer clan, his stealth skills are amazing.’

I eventually noticed, but I couldn’t guess when he started following me.

If Jang Han had attacked first, I would have been caught off guard.

“To notice that I used Dark Shadow Step [a stealth technique]. Your achievements in the meantime are terrifying.”

However, Jang Han looked at me with a surprised expression.

“Don’t you want to say hello? Why are you looking at me with such a sullen expression?”

At Jang Han’s words, I sighed and pushed the half-drawn Black Night back into its scabbard.

“Yes, it’s been a while. How about coming to see me in a more normal way next time?”

“I’m sorry about that. I was trying to figure you out in my own way. In just about a year… it’s really amazing.”

Was Jang Han trying to gauge me in his own way?

He was still expressionless, but there was a strange light in his eyes.

I also had strange feelings as I looked at Jang Han.

It’s only been a year since I met Jang Han.

I think my achievements in that one year are great, but it seemed that Jang Han felt the same way.

“More than that, what’s going on? We’re not on terms to talk like this, are we?”

“Of course not. I just came to warn you.”

“Warn?”

Jang Han pointed his chin towards the back.

The still chaotic registration desk was visible.

“The direct disciple of the Nine Dragons Stronghold has participated. Do you know?”

“Yes, I know.”

The information about the Nine Dragons Stronghold Lord’s disciple was written in the data that Jung Jin-soo gave me.

However, Jang Han shook his head.

“No, you won’t know. I said the direct disciple.”

“……?”

After looking at Jang Han for a moment, I remembered one person.

“Are you talking about the Demon Sword Master?”

“Your intelligence is quite impressive. That’s right.”

The successor that the Nine Dragons Stronghold Lord had raised until he took Jang Han as his disciple, the Demon Sword Master.

He was famous as a disciple who was secretly raised. He was also a guy who had never been revealed to the outside world.

“So what?”

To be honest.

Even if the Demon Sword Master grew up receiving all kinds of support from the Nine Dragons Stronghold Lord, he didn’t seem to be as good as Jang Han.

“Yes, I knew you would say that. He may not be a big problem. But the problem is the 2,000 disciples who followed the Demon Sword Master.”

2,000 people……?

For a moment, I couldn’t help but doubt my ears.