Chapter 20: The First Big Battle

The road stretched long before them, the dirt path illuminated by the morning sun. Zhang Ye's body still ached from the fight with the assassins, but the soreness was familiar proof he was getting stronger.

Master He walked ahead, arms crossed. "The Bai Clan's tournament will be packed with Murim's best swordsmen. You sure you want to throw yourself into that mess?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "If I wanted an easy path, I'd have joined a sect."

Wei Han exhaled. "You just fought off a group of assassins. Maybe wait a day before diving into another fight?"

Zhang Ye stretched his arms. "Nah. I'm warmed up."

Wei Han shook his head. "I regret following you."

Master He chuckled. "You knew what you were signing up for."

Zhang Ye's grin widened. "And we're just getting started."

Ahead, the road split.

One path led toward the Bai Clan's city, bustling with traders and warriors. The other curved toward the outskirts an open training field where fighters were already gathering.

The tournament grounds.

Zhang Ye exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

This was it.

His first real test in Murim.

He took a step forward.

Then a voice rang out.

"Hold it."

Zhang Ye turned.

A group of swordsmen in Bai Clan robes blocked the road, their arms crossed. Their leader, a tall man with a scar over his cheek, stepped forward.

"You're not Bai Clan. Outsiders aren't welcome in the tournament."

Zhang Ye smirked. "Then I guess I'll have to change your mind."

The swordsman's eyes narrowed. "If you want in, you'll have to prove yourself first."

Zhang Ye's hand rested on his sword hilt.

Master He chuckled. "Heh. That didn't take long."

Wei Han sighed. "Here we go again."

The Bai Clan swordsmen drew their weapons.

Zhang Ye grinned.

"Alright. Let's see what the Bai Clan's swordsmen can do."

The Bai Clan swordsmen spread out, their hands resting on their hilts. Their movements were sharp, controlled trained.

Zhang Ye could tell immediately. These weren't just guards. They were disciples.

The leader, Scarred Cheek, exhaled slowly, his eyes locked onto Zhang Ye. "You're confident for an outsider."

Zhang Ye smirked. "You're cocky for a guy who's about to lose."

Wei Han sighed. "I hate it when he talks like this."

Master He chuckled. "I love it."

Scarred Cheek's expression didn't change. "If you can defeat three of us, we'll let you in."

Zhang Ye's grin widened. "Just three? I was hoping for a warm-up."

Scarred Cheek finally drew his sword.

The air tensed.

Wei Han stepped forward, but Zhang Ye held up a hand. "I got this."

Wei Han raised a brow. "You're taking them alone?"

Zhang Ye rolled his shoulders. "I need the practice."

Master He chuckled. "Tch. Cocky brat."

Scarred Cheek gestured forward.

Three Bai Clan swordsmen stepped into the circle, drawing their blades in unison. Their footwork was measured, their grips solid trained killers.

Zhang Ye's heartbeat steadied.

The Bai Clan were masters of the sword. Their disciples trained relentlessly, each one carrying a blade that had seen real bloodshed.

This was the perfect test.

Zhang Ye slowly reached for his sword.

The moment his fingers touched the hilt they attacked.

Fast!

The first swordsman dashed forward, blade whipping toward Zhang Ye's ribs.

Zhang Ye twisted, his sword barely clearing the sheath in time to block

CLANG! Sparks flew.

But the second swordsman was already behind him slashing toward his back.

Zhang Ye smirked.

Instead of dodging he stepped in.

The second swordsman miscalculated. Their blade sliced through empty air

And Zhang Ye's elbow slammed into their jaw.

CRACK!

The swordsman staggered, blood dripping from his mouth.

Scarred Cheek's eyes narrowed.

Zhang Ye didn't stop.

He spun, twisting his sword low. His blade clashed against the first swordsman's, redirecting the strike.

The third fighter came from the side, aiming for Zhang Ye's exposed shoulder.

Zhang Ye smirked.

Instead of blocking he let the strike come.

At the last second, he twisted his body just enough for the sword to graze past him missing by a hair.

Then he countered.

His blade slashed upward.

SHING!

A deep gash opened on the third swordsman's arm.

They staggered back, clutching their wound.

Two down.

Zhang Ye turned toward the first swordsman, his smirk never fading.

The Bai Clan disciple's grip tightened.

Zhang Ye exhaled. "Your move."

The remaining Bai Clan swordsman gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance. His grip on the sword tightened, knuckles turning white.

Zhang Ye tilted his head. "Still want to continue?"

The swordsman exhaled sharply. Then he charged.

Fast. Faster than before.

Zhang Ye barely raised his blade in time.

CLANG!

The impact sent vibrations through his arms. This guy was stronger than the others more refined, more disciplined.

Tch. He was holding back.

Zhang Ye smirked. "Finally taking me seriously?"

The swordsman didn't respond. He just pressed forward, his blade moving in a precise, unrelenting rhythm. Strike. Step. Strike. Step.

It was a textbook Bai Clan sword form. Clean. Efficient. Unforgiving.

But Zhang Ye could see the pattern.

He let the swordsman advance, absorbing the attacks without overcommitting to a counter.

One step back.

Another.

Baiting him in.

Scarred Cheek watched, eyes narrowed. He could tell Zhang Ye wasn't panicking.

He was waiting.

Then Zhang Ye moved.

He suddenly stopped retreating, shifting his weight forward.

The Bai Clan swordsman's eyes widened.

Too late.

Zhang Ye parried the next strike with a sharp deflection. His blade twisted around the opponent's guard

And slammed into the man's wrist.

CRACK!

The swordsman let out a strangled gasp, his sword flying from his grip.

Zhang Ye's blade stopped inches from his throat.

Silence.

The fallen swordsmen groaned on the ground. The remaining Bai Clan fighters watched with tense expressions.

Scarred Cheek's smirk faded.

Zhang Ye grinned. "Three down."

Master He chuckled. "Hah! You lot need better gatekeepers."

Wei Han exhaled. "Well, you won. Can we go inside now?"

Scarred Cheek was silent for a moment. Then he sheathed his sword.

"Fine," he muttered. "You earned it."

He gestured toward the entrance. "Welcome to the Bai Clan tournament."

Zhang Ye smirked, rolling his shoulders.

First fight won.

Now the real challenge began.

The Bai Clan's training grounds stretched wide before them a massive courtyard, surrounded by towering stone walls. Warriors from all over Murim gathered, some sharpening their blades, others meditating in silence.

The air was thick with tension.

Zhang Ye grinned. "Now this is more like it."

Wei Han eyed the competition. "Careful. This isn't just a tournament it's a battlefield."

Master He chuckled. "Tch. And that's exactly why he's excited."

Scarred Cheek, still rubbing his wrist from their earlier fight, led them toward a tall wooden board. Names were inscribed across it, along with match pairings.

Zhang Ye scanned the list.

His first opponent: Bai Zian.

Scarred Cheek noticed and smirked. "Unlucky for you. Bai Zian isn't just a random participant. He's one of the Bai Clan's strongest disciples."

Wei Han glanced at Zhang Ye. "Think you can handle him?"

Zhang Ye rolled his shoulders. "I guess we'll find out."

Master He grinned. "Heh. Brat, you better not lose. That'd be embarrassing."

Zhang Ye exhaled, feeling the weight of his sword at his back.

The Sky Piercing Sword was getting closer.

But first, he had to survive.

A drum boomed in the distance.

The tournament had begun.

The thunderous drumbeats echoed through the Bai Clan's courtyard, signaling the start of the tournament. Warriors gathered around the central arena, a massive stone platform surrounded by towering torches.

Zhang Ye rolled his shoulders, stepping forward. His body was still sore from the last fight, but the pain was fading replaced by excitement.

The Bai Clan didn't hold back. Their disciples were strong, disciplined, and relentless.

Good. That's exactly what I need.

Across the arena, his first opponent, Bai Zian, stepped onto the platform.

The crowd murmured.

"That's Bai Zian?"

"He's one of the top five Bai Clan disciples."

"He's already mastered the Flowing Sword Technique. This outsider is finished."

Zhang Ye smirked. They always talk like that before a fight.

Bai Zian was tall and composed, his sword resting lightly in his hand. His expression was unreadable, but his stance spoke volumes no wasted movement, no hesitation.

A true swordsman.

Scarred Cheek stood at the edge of the arena. "First match Zhang Ye versus Bai Zian!"

The crowd fell into tense silence.

Zhang Ye's grip tightened on his sword.

The Bai Clan wasn't just testing him. They wanted to break him.

He exhaled. Not happening.

Scarred Cheek raised his hand. "Begin!"

Bai Zian moved instantly.

Fast!

His sword blurred, a silver streak cutting through the air. No wasted movement. No hesitation.

A textbook Bai Clan attack elegant and deadly.

Zhang Ye's instincts screamed. Move!

He sidestepped barely.

The blade sliced through his sleeve, just missing his ribs.

The crowd gasped.

Wei Han muttered, "He's faster than the others."

Master He smirked. "But not fast enough."

Zhang Ye's smirk widened. Time to see how good he really is.

He stepped forward and attacked.