Chapter 1 The Martial Arts Tournament

The weather was fine, with a clear blue sky.

At the foot of Hao Mountain, outside Ten Mile Town, over ten thousand martial artists had gathered.

The Emei Sect, the Kongtong Sect, the Hengshan Sect, the Songshan Sect, the Taishan Sect, the Wudang Sect, the Beggar Clan, Shaolin...

All the famous orthodox sects that one could name,

As well as some Jianghu gangs,

Such as the Divine Fist Gate, the Golden Saber Stronghold, and the Giant Whale Gang, had all sent representatives to participate in the martial arts tournament.

Southern Ridge swordsmen, Northern Desert heroes, Northwest caravan guards, and sea-faring gangs,

All sorts of heroes and chivalrous figures, with weapons at their waists or on their backs,

Either stood on the solid yellow earth,

Or sat under the temporarily erected wine tents,

Looking at the high arena in the center of the crowd.

"White Deputy Chief of the Xuanwu Branch of the Hai Sha Gang, eliminated!

Linghu Chong of the Huashan Sect, wins!"

Along with the referee's loud announcement,

A middle-aged figure in blue was thrown from the arena, somersaulted in the air, and landed on the ground with a slight stagger.

The victor on the arena, a young swordsman with a rectangular face, sword-like eyebrows, and thin lips, smiled slightly, sheathed his sword, and cupped his fist at his opponent in a friendly manner, "Deputy Chief White, you yielded."

"Good!"

The surrounding martial artists cheered loudly.

Today was already the second day of the official martial arts tournament, and the arena competition had finally moved on from the previous day's sword fights between young侠客 (xia ke) and侠女 (xia nu) to

Representational fights between major gangs, which were much more exciting than before.

The martial arts tournament was founded over a hundred years ago by Jianghu giants such as the Beggar Clan, Shaolin, and Wudang.

The purpose at the time was to quell the endless feuds and bloodshed in the martial world,

And to elect a nominal martial arts盟主 (meng zhu) (leader of the martial arts alliance) to mediate disputes between the various forces in Jianghu.

However, times had changed. The court was昏庸无能 (hun yong wu neng) (incompetent and fatuous), the government was dark and corrupt, and the world was turbulent,

Which also made the Jianghu people, who used martial arts to break the law, restless.

The current martial arts tournament was more like a place to coordinate disputes and distribute benefits—

There were many purposes for learning martial arts: to secure a foothold, to protect oneself, to satisfy ambition, to wield power, to obtain gold, silver, and beautiful women, and to enjoy wealth and glory...

Very few people simply wanted to strengthen their bodies and prolong their lives.

The fist is power, and with power, one seeks profit. The major gangs, through relatively civilized competitions, elected the martial arts盟主 (meng zhu),

And divided the strength of the sects into first, second, and third classes to distribute benefits.

Recruiting disciples, accepting students widely;

Escorting merchant caravans, transporting镖银 (biao yin) (escorted silver);

Purchasing land, hiring tenant farmers;

Guarding homes, pursuing suspects;

Even smuggling salt, iron, and tobacco, colluding with officials.

The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for profit. So it was with the Jianghu people.

Previously, they resolved matters through feuds and bloodshed, but now, they used arena competitions at the martial arts tournament to negotiate "civilly," with the loser making a graceful exit and the winner distributing the benefits.

Of course, civilization was only relative.

The arena used real swords and guns, and those who participated in the arena also had to sign a life-and-death agreement.

"Young侠客 (xia ke) Linghu has good skills!"

"Young侠客 (xia ke) Linghu has good swordsmanship!"

"Young侠客 (xia ke) Linghu's Huashan swordsmanship is light and ingenious, just like a pair of swallows dancing in the willows in spring, high and low, left and right, turning as desired. His swordsmanship is exquisite and has reached perfection!"

All kinds of praises rang out from under the arena. The white-clothed young侠客 (xia ke) Linghu Chong on the arena cupped his fists around him with a slightly shy and innocent expression, then sheathed his sword and walked towards the Huashan Sect's direction on the east side of the arena.

Linghu Chong was twenty-five years old this year, with outstanding looks and profound swordsmanship. He was not only the chief disciple of the Huashan Sect, but also had a chivalrous heart, was loyal, honest, and unrestrained. He had countless friends and confidants in Jianghu, which was why so many people were cheering for him under the stage.

Thinking of how he had just pretended to use a move called [Green Pine Welcoming Guests] to deceive his opponent's oblique slash, and then used a move called [White Rainbow Piercing the Sun] to directly attack his opponent's heart, forcing him to retreat and fly out of the arena,

A smile couldn't help but appear on Linghu Chong's face as he quickened his pace to a modest, refined, and righteous middle-aged man. "Master, your disciple has not failed his mission."

The middle-aged man was named Yue Buqun. He was the掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) of the Huashan Sect, proficient in the Zixia Divine Skill, highly skilled in martial arts, humble and powerful. He was known in Jianghu as "Gentleman Sword."

The two beautiful women on his right were Yue Buqun's wife, Ning Zhongze, and Yue Buqun's daughter, Yue Lingshan.

"Chong'er, your hand is red. Let master examine it."

Ning Zhongze saw a red mark on the back of Linghu Chong's hand, stepped forward, and examined it with heartache.

"It was just hit by Deputy Chief White's sword hilt. It's not a big deal."

Linghu Chong explained with a smile, raised his head, and met Yue Lingshan's eyes, and affection grew in their eyes.

Linghu Chong lost his parents at a young age and was adopted by Yue Buqun as the sect's chief disciple. He and Yue Lingshan were not only senior and junior brothers and sisters, but also childhood sweethearts.

They had naturally developed feelings for each other while living together day and night.

"Ahem,"

Yue Buqun seemed to notice the exchange of glances between the two and coughed lightly, "Chong'er, quickly come and greet the senior."

Linghu Chong turned his head and noticed that a 青衣 (qing yi) (blue-robed) Taoist priest with仙风道骨 (xian feng dao gu) (an ethereal manner) and a long sword on his back was standing next to Yue Buqun. It was Yu Canghai, the掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) of the Qingcheng Sect.

As the chief disciple of Huashan, Linghu Chong had naturally been led to meet the leaders of the major sects, but Yu Canghai's face was gloomy and his complexion was dark today. The hair at his temples was white, and he looked twenty years older. For a moment, he couldn't recognize him.

"Junior Linghu Chong greets 掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) Yu."

Linghu Chong quickly cupped his fists and paid his respects, but Yu Canghai just waved his hand gloomily and continued to talk to Yue Buqun in a low voice, "掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) Yue, I hope you can give more consideration to the matter of the Five Mountains Sword Sects..."

Just as the two were talking in low voices,

The next competition on the arena was being held non-stop.

It was a competition between a young侠客 (xia ke) from Wudang and a disciple from Songshan.

The second day of the martial arts tournament was much more exciting than before.

The Wudang swordsmanship used by the young俠客 (xia ke) from Wudang was flickering and unpredictable, gentle and tortuous,

The Songshan swordsmanship of the Songshan disciple was stern and imposing, like a spear or halberd.

The two moved back and forth, fighting in a colorful manner, which aroused constant cheers from the audience.

However—

Boom!

A loud noise broke the crowd's immersion in watching the sword fight.

A black shadow fell from the sky and crashed straight into the center of the arena, sending the two young侠客 (xia ke) who were competing on the stage flying out, rolling and falling on the solid yellow earth under the arena.

Who?!

After the smoke and dust on the stage cleared, the crowd with wide-open eyes finally saw the face of the black shadow on the stage.

It was a burly and tall man.

He was kneeling on one knee,

Wearing a close-fitting leather armor that was jet black and exquisitely crafted, with a cloak on his back and a mask with two sharp horns on his head, only revealing hard and thin lips like those chiseled by a knife and axe.

He wore a silver-white belt around his waist, with a black bat-shaped pattern inlaid in the middle of the belt.

Rather than saying he looked like a侠客 (xia ke) wearing night clothes, it was better to say he was a strangely dressed person disguised as a bat demon.

The scene was silent.

Judging from the trajectory of this person's descent, he had clearly fallen straight down from the sky.

But everyone present did not see his qinggong (light skill) trajectory.

Madman?

Idiot?

Or a member of the Demonic Sect who was imitating Wei Yixiao, the Green Wing Bat King of the Ming Cult?

Didn't he know that tens of thousands of martial arts侠客 (xia ke) were gathered here,

Not to mention a martial arts madman,

Even if Wei Yixiao, the Green Wing Bat King, were to come back to life, he would not be able to escape from here.

The two young侠客 (xia ke) who had been blasted away got up from the ground in surprise and suspicion.

The referee, who was the only one left on the arena, frowned deeply and shouted in a low voice, "May I ask what is your identity and purpose for breaking into the martial arts tournament?"

"..."

The brawny man dressed as a bat demon, or rather Lin Yu Lin Pingzhi, slowly stood up from the ground, speaking clearly, in a hoarse and deep voice,

"I am Batman."

Batman?

The crowd under the stage was surprised and puzzled. They had never heard of this name in Jianghu. Even if it was the Hundred Flowers Valley, their surname wasn't Hundred, right?

Besides, what did "I am" mean?

Could it be that this strange man on stage was a young俠客 (xia ke) who was madly in love with a young girl named Batman and wanted to find her at the martial arts tournament and had gone crazy for love?

"..."

The middle-aged referee on the arena groaned and exchanged glances with the leaders of the Songshan, Hengshan, and Shaolin sects under the stage.

After receiving their signal, he looked at the bat demon Batman and said in a deep voice, "This阁下 (ge xia) (esteemed guest), a martial arts tournament is being held here.

If you have an invitation, please state your identity and participate in the arena competition in order.

If you do not have an invitation and no elders from your sect recommend you, please forgive us for not being able to receive you..."

"Madness is like gravity,"

The man who called himself Batman slowly stood up from the ground and said in a hoarse voice, "All it takes is a little push."

"Hmm?"

The referee narrowed his eyes, his tone somewhat unkind, "阁下 (ge xia) (esteemed guest) is not giving me face?"

Batman still ignored him, raised his chin, looked around, and looked down on the vast number of martial arts heroes, muttering, "Everyone is guilty, committing different crimes. I can decide who is right and who should sleep. In the endless night, shut your mouth. The only grace is that those who stand in front of me are guilty..."

Batman's chanting-like soliloquy surprised the crowd under the stage and made them feel a little uneasy.

The referee on the stage changed his face drastically and shouted in a low voice, "I have always treated you with courtesy, but阁下 (ge xia) (esteemed guest) has ignored me time and time again.

It seems that you don't take my Ben Lei Hand (Thunderbolt Hand) Wen Tailai seriously!

Ha!"

The referee shouted loudly, swinging his arms heavily, clenching his fists,

And his uniform suddenly burst open, revealing strong and muscular muscles full of scars underneath.

"Ben Lei Hand (Thunderbolt Hand) Wen Tailai! It's him!"

An exclamation rang out from below the arena.

Wen Tailai was a master who had been famous in the Northern Desert for many years. His Thunderbolt Hand was invincible in the Northern Desert until he retired from Jianghu ten years ago and no longer showed his face in public.

Unexpectedly, he would come to preside over the martial arts tournament.

But thinking about it, the martial arts tournament was held for ten consecutive days every four years.

Those who participated in the arena included both俠客 (xia ke) and侠女 (xia nu) who yearned to become famous in Jianghu,

As well as fierce heroes who had killed countless people and were covered in blood.

Swords and guns had no eyes, and even if there was a purpose of "martial arts should value harmony,"

It was easy to fight until real fire broke out in the arena and people were killed,

Naturally, it was necessary to invite experienced masters to disguise themselves as referees to prevent too much killing in the arena.

"Drink!"

Wen Tailai, who had blown up his shirt, swung his palm out. The palm wind was as fast as lightning, and his momentum was like a rainbow.

One punch,

With just one punch,

The bat freak who called himself Batman used an ordinary straight punch to hit Wen Tailai's face,

The latter flew out without any resistance and fell to the ground,

With two teeth falling out and his entire face a bloody mess.

This!

The crowd below the stage widened their eyes. Wen Tailai's Thunderbolt Hand was as fast as lightning, and ordinary masters would definitely not be able to react. They could only dodge to the side.

But Batman on the stage easily defeated Wen Tailai's attack.

Pa!

On the north side of the arena, a wooden table was smashed to pieces by a palm. Zuo Lengchan, the掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) of the Songshan Sect, who was discussing matters with Ma Dayuan, the vice-掌门 (zhang men) (sect leader) of the Beggar Clan, and Xuan Ci, the abbot of Shaolin, stood up from his chair with a livid face and glared at Batman.

Everyone knew that the Songshan Sect was powerful and had a large number of people.

With the gradual disappearance of the former leaders of the Beggar Clan, Hong Qigong, the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, the Western Poison Ouyang Feng, the Southern Emperor Duan Zhixing, and the Central Divine Wang Chongyang,

The Songshan Sect was the most prosperous among the Shaolin, Beggar Clan, and Wudang sects, which were in decline.

Zuo Lengchan was the most popular candidate to serve as the leader of this martial arts tournament.

At this point in time, the appearance of a bat freak naturally made him angry and annoyed.

He immediately took half a step forward and shouted coldly in a loud voice mixed with deep internal strength, "閣下 (ge xia) (esteemed guest) is playing tricks, disturbing the order of my tournament, and injuring my friend Wen Tailai.

What is your purpose? Confess quickly!"

At the moment when the word "lai (come)" came out, Zuo Lengchan stamped his foot on the ground, and his figure fluttered up. He instantly flashed onto the arena, separated his left hand outward, and swept his right hand with his long sword to the right, using a move called [Opening the Door to See the Mountain] from the seventeen-style Songshan swordsmanship.

The crowd below the stage had also watched many arena competitions of the Songshan Sword Sect disciples these past few days, and could recognize some of the moves.

However, the swordsmanship used by Zuo Lengchan himself was more than ten or a hundred times stronger than that of his disciples.

It was as fast as lightning and as graceful as a startled swan.

With one sword strike,

Some martial arts masters under the stage

Mysteriously broke out in endless cold sweat from their backs,

As if just by watching this sword, they had been pierced through the chest by the blade.

Clang!

The sharp sound of gold and iron clashing rang out in the arena.

Zuo Lengchan's eyes widened, and like the crowd under the stage, he looked at the scene in front of him in disbelief—

Batman, draped in a bat cloak, clasped his hands together in front of his chest, steadily clamping Zuo Lengchan's long sword in his hands, without even changing his position under his feet.

Zuo Lengchan's heart suddenly stopped. At a distance of more than one meter, he could clearly see the eyes under the other party's bat mask.

Those were eyes that did not carry any emotion.

He could not see warmth, kindness, or even a trace of numbness.

It was as if Zuo Lengchan did not exist in front of him.

Even Ren Woxing, the former leader of the Sun Moon Divine Cult, who was once rampant and made the various sects of the martial arts world pale in fear, had never looked at him with such eyes.

However, Zuo Lengchan was, after all, a leader of a generation of sword sects. In the midst of shock and anger, he did not retreat but advanced. He gathered vast internal strength from his dantian, stamped his feet on the bricks, and stabbed out with his sword with force.

Sha—

Batman's palms rubbed against the blade of the sword, bursting out dazzling sparks.

This arrogant bat demon finally retreated a few steps with the blade clamped.

Unfortunately, these few steps back were not dodging, but yielding and waiting.

Block!!!

Batman's left chest was pierced by the tip of Zuo Lengchan's sword, but no matter how hard the latter tried or how much internal strength he exerted, he could not break through Batman's seemingly thin layer of chest armor.

"This is Kevlar material produced by DuPont in the Far West. Its full name is poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide, and its strength is five times that of steel of the same quality. It is invulnerable to swords and guns and impervious to water and fire."

Batman looked directly into Zuo Lengchan's eyes and said indifferently, "You lost, and it is not in vain."

After saying that, Batman suddenly stirred his palms, snapped Zuo Lengchan's long sword, and, under Zuo Lengchan's unbelievable gaze, swept out with a palm, grabbing Zuo Lengchan's neck as fast as lightning.

Raising the promising martial arts leader high, he looked down at the silent martial arts people below and said loudly, "You have all been hijacked by me."