Sword Among Us

Goryeo was the current North Korea and South Korea.

Since their population was smaller and the region was not large either, the resources in Goryeo were comparable to the size of a county. However, there were plenty of youngsters there, and they chased after all forms of entertainment. They were especially interested in the culture of the world of martial artists in the east, which had recently risen in popularity, along with the world of martial artists based on Goryeo according to historical literature and by gathering a pool of resources about them.

There were not many famous sects in Goryeo.

The ones that stood out were Bright Sword Sect, Furious Wind Dao, and Rain Listening Pavilion!

Bright Sword Sect was guarded by the master of Bright Sword Sect, Fu Cailin, who commanded the entire region with his Bright Sword. He was one of the Grandmasters of the world of martial artists, and his reputation was very great. It was rumored that his skills in Go and the sword were exceptionally great.

Furious Wind Dao and Rain Listening Pavilion might not be as great as Bright Sword Sect, but they were not far behind.

Fuso and Daiei were the current Japan…

Ever since the Tang Dynasty, quite a number of China’s martial arts had entered the island, and all sorts of sword techniques and saber techniques became popular there. At the same time, karate, which was derived from Shaolin Temple martial arts, was born.

Sometimes, one or two genii with matchless talent would appear!

Thailand and Vietnam were poor and lagging behind. However, the weather in the countries with tropical rainforests developed fighters who had pretty good endurance. Their fist techniques had form, and they were fierce and domineering. Their blows were like gunpowder, and they exploded on touch.

Compared to the impressive techniques from China where the skills were combinations of fierce and soft techniques, their style, where all power in the body would be directed to one strike, and the things they learned due to the accumulation of culture, was completely different.

During the later half of the three years in Happy’s previous life, those two countries enjoyed a period of glory. They had more than one person who entered the top one hundred during the Sword Among Us Tournament at Mount Hua.

*****

“The distribution of territory in World of Martial Arts in China has just been decided. The three great forces have split up the land in the game evenly, and Mu Clan is stuck between them. It’s not easy for us to develop, and we absolutely need a breakthrough, but we don’t intend to take that silly step and force Towering Palace to side with Class One Hall.

“I believe that Dream Clouds wishes for us to do just that. With Clear Music’s level-headed and cautious personality, she certainly wishes that no one will bother her right now so that she can develop her palace in peace.

“If we attack Towering Palace at this moment, those with little power will just be asking for their own deaths. Chivalry Sect and Class One Hall are wary of taking action because they’re worried of the backlash.”

Phoenix Dances’ words dragged Happy back to the present from his memories of his previous life, and he nodded in praise.

“If you can see this, it proves that you can already see the whole picture of the current Chinese world of martial artists. Next time, when you become independent of Mu Clan, you can be even better than before.”

When Phoenix Dances heard this, she quickly shook her head.

“The past is the past, and the present is the present. I’m not a kid, and I can tell, you know? It’s the best if Mu Clan is united right now! Once it’s divided, we might give a chance for Class One Hall to break us. Besides, Mu Clan is about to become the fourth top sect. Our demand for people, branches, and top-class fighters is very high. If we split up, we won’t be intimidating at all.”

She paused for a moment before she looked around and said earnestly, “That’s why there will no longer be any Beautiful Robes Faction in the future, just Beautiful Robes Hall…”

Happy said nothing, just cast a deep glance at Phoenix Dances. He felt that after this girl had experienced so many things, she had become much more mature and level-headed than before. She had gradually gained outstanding abilities and knowledge.

“We came here because we thought of another path to take, and we want to suggest it to you, but it has already been rejected by Big Brother Thunder.” She stopped talking for a moment again, and then, resolution appeared in her eyes. “But we think that while Big Brother Thunder’s idea of developing steadily right now is correct, our plan isn’t considered risky, which is why we decided to talk about it with you. If you think that it’s suitable, please help us persuade Big Brother Thunder as well.”

“Hmm?”

When Happy heard that they did not intend to snatch resources from Towering Palace, he could not help but be interested.

“What is it?”

Phoenix Dances, the Three Lonely Wolves, and Tea Words sat up straight. “This is what’s going on. We’ve discussed this, and we plan to station a small group of people in Western Region and set up an independent branch over there.”

“Independent branch?”

Happy frowned slightly.

True to its name, an independent branch was a stronghold that was outside the clan’s protection zone and was self-sufficient.

Even though it retained Mu Clan’s name and intimidating prestige, since it would be too far away, its intimidating force would be largely reduced, and there was even a possibility that it would not compare to a large sect in the local area.

“What’s the reason behind it?”

“I want to train up the actual combat abilities of those in Mu Clan’s War Hall,” Phoenix Dances explained.

“Most of Class One Hall’s great players have all reached Life and Death Realm! We’ve made some calculations, and aside from crazy players like One Emperor who are abnormalities, the players will need at least nine months to be able to move from Life and Death Realm to Moksha Realm.

“If being honest, they’ll probably need even longer, because mastering one single Life and Death Realm martial art requires at least three months.”

Happy said nothing.

“That’s why, for the foreseeable future, it will be the world of Life and Death Realm players. Whoever is powerful will climb to the top. We will move from determining fights with qi realms to determining the victor through actual abilities. Those abilities include equipment, martial arts, medicinal pills, and other aspects.”

Happy recalled the situation in his previous life.

‘She’s right!’

Over three years, only a few people managed to reach Moksha Realm. Besides, the difference between Moksha Realm and Life and Death Realm was not great. A Life and Death Realm player with around five hundred to six hundred qi points was the same as someone who had practiced a supreme grade Life and Death Realm martial art.

They were very powerful, and if they had fourth-echelon equipment, then even if they could not fight against Inaction Realm martial artists alone and kill them, they had the ability to protect themselves. And the players needed to practice a Moksha Realm martial art for at least half a year before they could officially claim to be Moksha Realm players.

Hence, before Happy left, during the time the Sword Among Us Tournament at Mount Hua became popular in World of Martial Arts, the game was still in the era of Life and Death Realm.

Phoenix Dances and her group’s hypothesis and theory were right.

With various main quests, martial art manuals, refined equipment, medicinal pills, and wars of varying scales affecting and influencing them, no one wanted to just focus on practicing martial arts for a year or two and doing nothing else but pushing their qi points up.

Happy was somewhat convinced by their thoughts, but he could not help but ask some questions. “Why Western Region? Class One Hall’s branches are in Western Region, and that place is not peaceful. It’s also beyond the area where we can provide reinforcements. You can get actual combat experience anywhere, you know?”

“There are many hidden experts in China. Besides, fighting among players has become the main trend, but frequent battles will just drag a sect into a muddy swamp. If we’re unlucky enough to run into people who have inherited ultimate techniques like Lu Mingyue, it’s also something troublesome, but it’ll be different at the borders.

“It’s normal for players between countries to engage in PVP. The players who can enter our country from Western Region are definitely extraordinary. They can be a match for our elites, and when we kill them, we won’t have to be worried.

“As for Class One Hall, they will also have trouble providing reinforcements for their people in Western Region. Even if we fight, we might not lose!”

Phoenix Dances paused for a moment before giving her second reason. “Also, foreigners have been coming over for our quests, especially those that provide ultimate techniques. I’m not pleased with that. Why can’t they just get their own country’s ultimate techniques? Why do they have to come for ours? What the heck is wrong with them? Aren’t they blatantly trying to steal our stuff? That’s why we have to send them back! We can’t let any of them in!”

Happy was convinced, regardless of whether it was because of her first reason or second reason!

“I’ll go and tell Thunderous Battle later so you’re moved to become the second clan master of Mu Clan! You’ll be in charge of that branch, since I know that you’ll personally go there. I won’t stop you, but remember this—you must be careful.”

When Phoenix Dances heard Happy’s resolute answer, she was pleased before she quickly shook her head. “No can do. Thunderous Battle already said that the second clan master’s position is reserved for you.”

Happy instantly laughed.

“There’s no need for that. Everyone knows that I’m from Mu Clan now. Even if I don’t have that title, it doesn’t make a difference, while you have the ability to take up that position. You can share some of Big Brother Thunder’s burden as well. He’s under quite a lot of pressure right now, and I’m constantly away, so I’ll have to trouble you.”

“I understand!”

Phoenix Dances stood up in surprised delight. “I absolutely won’t embarrass Mu Clan!”