I. The Jianghu Arena: The Proving Ground for the Young Generation
The drums of Shaolin thundered three times, marking not just the start of the ceremony but also the commencement of the Murim Association Friendship Tournament. This tournament was an arena for politics and a display of power, where every major sect and prominent family staked their honor and future on the shoulders of a single young martial artist. One champion represented each of their respective factions.
This event was the main stage for the New Generation of the Jianghu, showcasing the superiority of the next generation of each sect. A victory at Shaolin could transform an ordinary disciple into a legend overnight. The sect elders and family heads seated in the honored podium observed every movement closely.
This year, twenty young martial artists from the leading sects and great families competed for recognition. The tournament used an elimination system, where ten matches were held in the first round, filtering the participants down to ten winners, who would then proceed to the subsequent rounds.
Tournament Participant List (20 Martial Artists):
Shaolin Temple
Monk Huan Jing: Represents the Shaolin Temple as the Host/Iron Defense. His fighting style focuses on an impenetrable defense, typical of Shaolin teachings, making him a difficult opponent to breach.
Monk Zhi Shan: Also from the Shaolin Temple, he is known for Formation/Flexibility. He uses fluid movements and tactical formations to confuse opponents and exploit their weaknesses.
Wudang Sect
Feng Yu: From the Wudang Sect, he masters the Tai Chi Sword/Balance. His expertise lies in using the opponent's strength against themselves, always seeking perfect balance in a duel.
Liu Zhen: The second martial artist from Wudang, known for the Purple Dragon Sword/Ambition. His fighting style is aggressive, ambitious, and uses powerful, direct offensive sword techniques.
Emei Sect
Mei Lin: Represents the Emei Sect, her style is the Flower Finger Sword/Grace. Her attacks appear graceful, but her finger strikes pierce meridian points, making them deadly beneath the beauty.
Shi Meng: Also from Emei, he focuses on the Beauty Maiden Palm/Internal Strength. He utilizes great internal strength (Qi), channeling it through a soft yet devastating palm technique.
Mount Hua Sect
Bai He: From the Mount Hua Sect, his advantage is the Plum Blossom Wind Sword/Speed. He moves extremely fast; his sword attacks come like a sudden, hard-to-avoid Plum Blossom snowstorm.
Qing Li: A comrade from Mount Hua, known for the Cold Jade Sword/Precision. He fights with deep focus and calm, every swing of his sword calculated to hit vital points with lethal accuracy.
Great Families (Jianghu Clan)
Tang Bo: A member of the Tang Family, his specialization is Hidden Weapons/Cunning. He relies on sly tactics, traps, and a variety of unexpected secret weapons.
Murong Wei: From the Murong Family, he is skilled in the Shadow Palm/Phantom Swordsmanship. His style is one of illusion and speed, making it difficult for opponents to distinguish real attacks from shadows.
Namgung Min: The representative of the Namgung Family, he uses the Namgung Lightning Sword/Extreme Speed. He is known for his incredibly fast combat speed, as quick as a lightning strike.
Dongfang Lie: From the Dongfang Family, his style is the Rising Sun Fist/Brutality. He fights with raw, brutal strength, relying on hard and explosive fist attacks.
Other Sects
Tan Long: The young leader of the Kaypang Sect (Beggar's Sect), he masters the Dragon Subduing Palm/People's Strength. His style is immensely powerful, representing collective strength and solidarity.
Lin Xiu: From the Kunlun Sect, his style is the Kunlun Moonlight Sword/Calmness. He fights with deep serenity, his sword reflecting the moonlight—calm but with the potential for great destructive power.
Han Ji: Represents the Huashan Sect (Minor), he is skilled in the Autumn Wind Sword/Agility. His movements are nimble and unpredictable, like a leaf carried by the autumn wind.
Peng Yu: From the Kongtong Sect, he uses the Seven Injury Palm/Lethal. His attacks are designed to inflict seven different types of internal injuries, making them highly lethal.
Liu Bao: Represents the Liu Family (Sichuan), he uses the Nine Venom Finger/Defense. He combines martial arts with the use of poisons, often employing a passively deadly defense.
Zhu Lan: From the Zhu Family (Gusu), his fighting style is the Eight Extremes Fist/Endurance. He focuses on physical toughness and resilience, capable of withstanding brutal attacks and counter-attacking with powerful fists.
Yue Fei: From the Yue Sect (Hunan), he specializes in the Golden Spear/Long-Range Expertise. He is adept in long-range combat using a long weapon like a spear.
Gong Wei: Represents the Lion's Head Sect, he is known for the Lion's Head Fist/Power. His main focus is great physical strength, with every punch mimicking the roar and strike of a lion.
II. The Shaolin Kitchen: The Front Line of Logistics and Espionage
Under the roar of the drums and the cheers of the audience, Zhao Huo led the kitchen in preparing the banquet. He used this work pressure as an observation post, scrutinizing every logistical security flaw.
When Tang Feng from the Tang Family entered the kitchen, he immediately handed over a pouch of herbs. "Head Chef Zhao Huo. I need a decoction of these herbs, immediately," he said.
Zhao Huo sniffed the herbs. "Cynanchum... a very rare antidote for the Seven Star Poison. Has someone been injured?"
Tang Feng smirked. "Yes, we found traces of that poison in Master Namgung Min's room. The goal was to ensure Namgung Min loses in the first round."
Zhao Huo nodded, realizing the implication that the Tournament had been poisoned. "I will prepare a stronger antidote, using our Snow Ginseng, Sifu Tang. Master Namgung must remain strong."
"Good work, Monk Chef," Tang Feng said.
III. Duel One: Grace Against Brute Force
In Arena 2, Mei Lin (Emei) faced Tie Zhong (Hebei Iron Fist).
Tie Zhong roared and launched his signature move: "Pure Iron Fist Shatters the Mountain."
Mei Lin stepped aside with the "Goose Step Over Water" movement, evading the punch. As Tie Zhong lost his balance, Mei Lin touched his shoulder with her finger.
Whoosh!
The Emei move: "Flower Finger Sword." Mei Lin's internal Qi felt like a needle of ice, piercing Tie Zhong's external defense.
Mei Lin launched a flurry of attacks with the "Six Sword Shadows Technique" aimed at the meridian points. After fifty moves, Tie Zhong's defense collapsed.
Mei Lin's final strike succeeded in sending Tie Zhong falling out of the arena.
Winner: Mei Lin (Emei Sect).
VI. Duel Two: Taoist Balance Against Extreme Power
In Arena 1, Feng Yu (Wudang) faced Zhu Lan (Zhu Family Gusu) with his "Eight Extremes Fist."
Feng Yu held his Wudang Sword, his face as calm as water, reflecting the philosophy of Tai Chi.
As Zhu Lan's punch came, Feng Yu performed the move: "Cloud Hands Push the Wind," diverting Zhu Lan's energy.
Feng Yu then moved to attack. His sword, arcing in the air, launched the Tai Chi Sword. This move aimed to eliminate balance. His sword moved slowly, yet was unavoidable.
Zhu Lan tried to strike the sword, but Feng Yu's Sword followed his force, swirling back and hitting Zhu Lan's wrist, throwing him off balance due to the pain.
"Surrender," said Feng Yu.
Winner: Feng Yu (Wudang Sect). The balance of the Wudang Tai Chi Sword proved superior to pure aggression.
V. Duel Three: Dragon Ambition Against Autumn Wind
In Arena 3, Liu Zhen (Wudang) faced Han Ji (Huashan Minor Sect).
Liu Zhen leaped with his aggressive sword technique: "Purple Dragon Sword Splits the Sky."
Han Ji used the "Autumn Wind Sword," famous for its evasive movements.
Liu Zhen gave Han Ji no space, immediately launching his ultimate move: "Purple Dragon Sword Destroys the Formation," a spinning sword attack aimed at cutting off Han Ji's defensive lines.
Han Ji tried to parry, but Liu Zhen's strength was too great.
CRACK!
Han Ji's sword was thrown away. Liu Zhen launched a kick into Han Ji's chest.
Han Ji was thrown out of the arena, coughing.
Winner: Liu Zhen (Wudang Sect).
VI. Duel Four: Lohan Zen Against Moonlight Sword
In Arena 4, Monk Huan Jing (Shaolin) faced Lin Xiu (Kunlun Sect).
Lin Xiu launched the "Kunlun Sword Greets the Moonlight."
Huan Jing used his bare hands and relied on his "Golden Lohan Fist" and "Zen Finger," parrying every attack.
Lin Xiu launched his strongest move: "Moon Falls from the Sky."
Huan Jing retaliated with two fingers aimed at Lin Xiu's sword: "Zen Finger Splits Metal."
CRASH!
Lin Xiu's sword was knocked out of his grip.
Winner: Monk Huan Jing (Shaolin Temple).
VII. Meals and the Kaypang Information Network
As the four matches of the morning session concluded, the commotion in the temple reached a fever pitch. Zhao Huo, from his kitchen, had gathered data on the Seven Star Poison sabotage and the spies roaming around, all threatening the stability of the logistics.
As an assisting monk entered, he whispered to Zhao Huo. "Sifu Zhao Huo, someone from the Kaypang Sect requested food to be served in a remote area outside the temple, among the local beggars. The young leader of Kaypang, Tan Long, sent the message."
Zhao Huo paused. He knew that among the Ten Great Sects, the Kaypang (Beggar's Sect) was the most expert organization in intelligence gathering. Although they looked like a group of beggars, their widespread network across the entire Jianghu granted them access to incredible information, often rivaling or even surpassing the Hao Sect in detail and speed.
This request from Tan Long was not merely an act of charity, but a signal.
If anyone knew who had introduced the poison, or if there were suspicious movements threatening the Alliance guests at Shaolin Temple, the information would certainly flow through the Kaypang network.
Zhao Huo knew, serving them outside the temple walls was a golden opportunity. The food service he provided would be the key to obtaining information he would never hear within the halls of honor.
"Prepare six portions of our best Enlightenment Tofu and Snow Ginseng Porridge," Zhao Huo commanded. "I will deliver it myself."
He picked up his staff, concealed the antidote beneath his robe, and stepped out of the kitchen. Zhao Huo, the chef, now stepped onto the field of intrigue and shadows.