Martial artists were generally susceptible to provocation. This was especially true of the orthodox sects, which valued face and prestige. And it was even more true for the Nine Sects One Gang, whose pride knew no bounds. They treated even a simple provocation as an insult they could not overlook, even staking their lives on their pride.
In contrast, unorthodox martial artists weren't afraid to flee or bow to the strong for their own safety.
However, Namgung Su was not finished.
"Am I not confident...? Hohoho..."
Seeing the Supreme Buddha's troubled smile, Baek Suryong expected him to take the bait.
This old man is Sage Jinyang of Wudang.
There's no way he can stand this, right?
The lowest-ranked of the Five Great Academies had thrown down the gauntlet to the Nine Sects, One Gang, who had reigned over the murim for centuries and were revered by common folk as divine hermits. From the Nine Sects' perspective, there was no reason to refuse. They might even welcome the chance to teach the Azure Dragon Hero a lesson and crush his spirit.
Every head turned to stare at him.
However, the answer that followed was not what Baek Suryong had expected.
"You're right. I am not confident," the Supreme Buddha calmly replied, deflecting the provocation. He took a sip of his tea, his benevolent smile betraying no trace of displeasure.
Baek Suryong laughed softly and pressed again. "Are you saying you're backing off because you think the Nine Sects One Gang will lose?"
"Hoho! That is part of it, but there is something more important than a competitive spirit. The big picture."
His words were self-deprecating, yet he was anything but servile. Rather, he seemed to embody the humility and consideration of the strong, likely because he genuinely thought of himself that highly.
Baek Suryong narrowed his eyes. This monk is one tough cookie. Is it because of his profound Buddhist beliefs, or is he simply cautious after weathering decades of storms in the murim? Either way, he's a formidable opponent.
"It is a shameful matter, truly," the Supreme Buddha lamented. "Martial arts were meant to guide the body and mind toward enlightenment. But somewhere along the way, people only cared about combat and ranking. Even among our disciples, most prefer training their bodies to chanting scriptures.
"To give a simple example, if no student belonging to the Nine Sects One Gang reaches the finals of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, how would you rank them against one another?"
To Baek Suryong, these words sounded like a reproach, as if telling him to be ashamed of trying to solve everything with violence.
"Of course, this too must be the flow of the times. It worries me. I wonder whether the coming war with the Blood Cult will plunge the world into an age of chaos..."
"Nevertheless, a tumultuous era is what fosters the rise of heroes and refines divine techniques," the Heavenly Martial Principal suddenly cut in.
The Supreme Buddha glanced his way, his eyes questioning the Heavenly Martial Principal's motive for saying such a thing.
However, the Principal merely shook his head. "Forgive my interruption. I was merely voicing a long-held opinion of mine."
"Hoho, not at all." The Supreme Buddha smiled gently and turned back to Baek Suryong. "Coordinating opinions within the Nine Sects One Gang was no easy task. Prideful martial artists dislike taking orders from other sects."
That was why, after long deliberation, the Sect Leaders had found common ground in the Heavenly Martial Festival. Their prodigies would compete there, and everyone would accept the results of that proxy battle.
"Had the key figures of the Nine Sects One Gang fought directly to settle a hierarchy, things would have grown too big. A rift of emotion between the sects might have turned into open conflict before the war even began. However..."
"A competition between prodigies settles it with only a slight bruising of the sects' pride. I get it," Baek Suryong said, silencing the high monk's unending rambling lecture. "I follow your meaning well, Reverend. So, to get to the point, you're saying you won't let the Azure Dragon Academy in on the Nine Sects One Gang's bet?"
"...Fine. I will meet with the Sect Leaders and discuss this again."
"...My apologies, but this humble monk does not wish to see the competition grow any more heated. I fear the disciples of the Nine Sects One Gang, who are lacking in discipline, might inadvertently harm the students of the Azure Dragon Academy."
"Well now..." Baek Suryong's lips curled into a mocking sneer. So he's saying that if the Nine Sects One Gang learned the Azure Dragon Academy had presumptuously joined their bet, they would grow angry and hurt our kids?
The Supreme Buddha realized that the martial arts instructor had seen through him, but the conviction in his eyes did not waver.
"I can guess what you are thinking, Master Baek, but my mind will not change."
Baek Suryong was left at a loss by the gentle yet firm refusal. He could tell that the Supreme Buddha of Shaolin was not an evil man, and that his wish to protect the murim was sincere.
The problem is that none of them realize how condescending they are being. Now, how am I supposed to persuade him?
Baek Suryong pondered how to shatter the Supreme Buddha's belief that the Nine Sects One Gang stood at the center of the murim.
"How about we put up a condition as well?" Yayul Hwang chimed in, subtly throwing his support behind the Murim Alliance Chief Instructor. "A bet should have stakes on both sides. What if the Azure Dragon Academy fails to win? Chief Instructor, what will you wager? My point is, shouldn't the Nine Sects One Gang also stand to gain something from a victory to make it worth their while?"
Yayul Hwang was often oblivious, but his words were enough to shift the dynamic. He had also made a surprisingly sharp point.
After a moment of thought, Baek Suryong proposed a shocking bet. "If the Azure Dragon Academy fails to win, I'll offer one of my unique martial arts to the Nine Sects One Gang."
"...!"
Every peerless master present widened their eyes in shock.
"Are you serious?"
"Whew...!"
"...Baek Suryong."
The people in this room understood the immense value of a peerless master's martial arts better than anyone.
"...Amitabha. Let us adjourn for today."
The Supreme Buddha's expression darkened. Shaking his head as if casting off worldly desires, he exclaimed, "Master Baek! Doing so will only further inflame the competition."
There was a saying that all martial arts originated from Shaolin. Indeed, Shaolin possessed countless ultimate techniques, including the famous Seventy-Two Supreme Arts. There were so many that no one could ever master them all.
Namgung Su sighed. "The Five Great Clans have no intention of getting involved in determining who commands the Nine Sects One Gang."
Nevertheless, not even the greatest Shaolin master could resist being momentarily swayed by the allure of the Azure Dragon Hero's martial arts.