Tournament day arrived like a crash.
Leo was standing on the spectator seat with Anya. Though Tang Yao's invitation yesterday was out of his plan, the progression was just as he had expected, similar to the one in the novel.
'A sly snake tried to use me. Too bad I already have plans to use him instead.'
He smiled as he looked at the arena where two martial artists were fighting fiercely. Every blow was destructive and their fight created a cloud of dust from the destroyed ground below their feet. This was the level of 3 Stars martial art where they could realize Qi outside their bodies.
Soon, a clash occurred and the winner was announced, causing the crowd to go wild. These were not 5 Stars martial artists from large clans or sects but they still showed great performance. It was normal considering they had trained under a competent master that gave them proper guidance.
'The strongest people who entered this tournament are 5 Stars martial artists. But they are all still young. Those 6 Stars and above probably aren't interested with the reward Tang Clan prepared. That or training is more important to them.'
Leo looked at the center of the stage where a man bowed his head slightly toward the spectators, ignoring the cheers coming from them and the person he defeated at the same time.
"That's exciting, Leader. It's as if I am watching underground boxing with a special effect!" Anya exclaimed loudly next to him as she watched the match with sparkling eyes.
"I don't understand your reference, but it sounds fun." Leo chuckled softly at her reply. "Keep enjoying yourself then. We still have time to wait until Peng Li-Yue's turn."
Or until Nokrim's advanced in disguise strike, he added quietly in his mind.
So far, he had identified 50 of them in the spectators. The numbers roughly were the same as described in the novel.
"Gotcha!" She nodded her head before concentrating on the match that was about to begin once again.
Leo realized that he never had a peaceful life like this before he transmigrated into this world. Work and work everyday. Becoming a slave for a company that overworked its employees without remorse. He didn't have many friends or family either. They all died in some horrible way even when he worked for that company.
'At least, here, I don't need to worry about that.'
Surrounded by friends he could trust, Leo felt satisfied with his life right now. He didn't feel guilty when he had to do something with morally questionable contents because he learned from experience that being merciless was the best way to survive in a competitive society. That was why...
'Let's wait until Tang Yao makes a move before helping. Some people might die, but that's already part of his plan. Right, sly snake?' He looked at Tang Yao who sat next to his sister near the stage where they could move easily.
Tang Jiyuan, the third Young Master, sat on the elevated platform with his bodyguard. Peng Li-Yue had to stay next to the disgusting Young Master due to her position. Her expression was bad at best. A strained smile never escaped her face. However, Shui stood between them in case something happened.
The Swordsman from Hallowed Insects exchanged glances with Leo and nodded.
Now, what worried Leo the most was the City Lord, Qin Weiqi who sat on the opposite side of Tang Yao and Tang Soso but nevertheless acted very close to Tang Jiyuan. He had bodyguards, but they weren't that strong. When a fight broke out, he would definitely be the easiest target among any other important individuals in this place.
'Saving him isn't part of my job. I don't care if war breaks out too. That will only give us more jobs.'
There were six martial artists with a cultivation level of 5 Stars that might appear today as well. So, he was conflicted as to whether he should focus on stopping Nokrim or helping Tang Clan wiped them out instead.
'Or just watch. That's also an option.'
"Ah, the final started, Leader. Both of them look strong." Anya pointed at the two men standing on the stage opposite each other and starting to size up their opponent. "Come on! Come on! Fight!"
He sighed at her antics. But he was also curious.
'The first person is the original protagonist Kim Min-Gu's opponent in the novel, Tang Siyang.'
The Tang Clan member who was also a 5 Stars martial artist in the same generation as Tang Yao and Tang Soso. As their members' first priority was always about the clan's glory, Tang Siyang was someone who lived up to that.
His opponent was someone that Leo didn't know. A beautiful martial artist holding a silver blade in her hand. Her short brown hair, which was rare for girls in this world, rested on her shoulders. He recalled that her name was Mu Eunbi. From what he had researched, she was the oldest daughter of a minor clan living in Qin City. That was all to her.
However, the fact she was a 5 Stars martial artist should be enough for her to rise in fame and maybe join a bigger clan if she wanted it. Leo wondered why no rumors about her were spread.
"Both sides are ready?"
The referee of the tournament, a white-haired man wearing a green robe, checked both parties if they were ready. Both nodded their heads simultaneously after taking a stance.
"Fight!"
The moment that word came out, they moved immediately, intending to end this fight as fast as possible.
Mu Eunbi's sword was covered in a layer of icy cold Qi as she closed the distance between her and Tang Siyang in a blink of an eye, showing that she specialized in speed. Her blade was faster than any other weapons he had ever seen so far and it forced Tang Siyang to stay on defense.
A fury of slashes landed on his guard while Tang Siyang used his arms to protect himself from getting hurt. A thin layer of ice appeared on his arm with every touch of the blade but was removed quickly by his Qi.
"You're pretty good." Tang Siyang praised his opponent's swordsmanship while smiling in a composed manner. "Let me show you my level too."