Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

Chapter 40: Contesting with Force

At this moment, Yin Tianzheng ordered Ming Sect disciples to bring forward a large iron cauldron filled with charcoal. Members of the Fierce Flame Flag lit a raging fire inside it, flames reaching over ten feet high, radiating intense heat even from a distance.

Yin Yewang threw the Dragon-Slaying Saber into the cauldron. After a long while, the Saber remained as black as ever, completely unchanged. Yin Susu placed the Heaven-Relying Sword in the cauldron, and it too showed no change.

The crowd marveled, praising the Saber and Sword as true treasures.

Ling Yihan turned to the gathered martial artists, laughing boldly.

“Now that you’ve seen the authenticity of the Dragon-Slaying Saber and Heaven-Relying Sword, as the legend says: ‘He who wields both commands the martial world.’ Does that mean I should be recognized as the supreme leader of the martial world?”

This statement caused the faces of the Central Plains martial experts to shift.

Kunlun Sect Leader He Taichong couldn’t help but say,

“Leader Ling, your invitation to this Martial Arts Conference mentioned a public election for the martial alliance leader, with the winner granted the Saber and Sword. So how is it that you’ve proclaimed yourself the alliance leader?”

Ling Yihan chuckled.

“Master He, you’re absolutely right. I did say the alliance leader would possess the Saber and Sword. Since I now hold them both, doesn’t that mean I am already the alliance leader?”

“You… you’re twisting words! Even if you proclaim yourself leader, who here would recognize you, Ling Yihan?” He Taichong protested angrily.

Shaolin’s Kongwen nodded.

“Amitabha. Master He speaks the truth. Leader Ling, simply possessing the Saber and Sword does not compel Shaolin to recognize you as our alliance leader.”

Extermination Master Tai chimed in,

“Master Kongwen speaks wisely. We righteous sects cannot accept a Devil Sect leader as our alliance leader! Don’t even think about it!”

“You old nun! Watch your mouth!” Daiqisi cursed furiously.

“Hmph! Your Devil Sect’s infamy has spread far and wide across the Central Plains. Am I wrong? And it’s also known that the Heaven-Relying Sword originally belonged to my Emei Sect, yet your Devil Sect has taken it—such dishonorable conduct! What right do you have to lead the martial world?” Extermination Master Tai replied coldly.

Ling Yihan sneered.

“Master Tai, is your memory failing? Didn’t I explain at the inn that I seized the Heaven-Relying Sword from Prince Ruyang’s estate? It has nothing to do with your Emei Sect. But if you insist it’s yours, let’s settle this—if half the sects here acknowledge the Sword belongs to Emei, I’ll hand it over to you right now. How about that?”

Under Ling Yihan’s questioning, only Shaolin and Wudang supported Emei’s claim, while Kunlun, Huashan, and Kongtong remained silent or evasive, refusing to recognize Emei’s ownership. Minor sects like the Beggars’ Sect, Sea Sand Sect, Giant Whale Sect, and Divine Fist School outright denied it. Emei Sect was left humiliated and dropped their demands for the Sword.

“Heh… Master Tai, it’s not that I’m unwilling to give you the Sword. But since so few acknowledge it as yours, how could I go against their wishes?” Ling Yihan added pointedly.

Extermination Master Tai snorted in anger, offering no response.

Ling Yihan then addressed Kongwen and Song Yuanqiao.

“Master Kongwen, Hero Song, Shaolin and Wudang have always been respected as the pillars of the martial world. Do you have any suggestions for electing an alliance leader? I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Song Yuanqiao replied solemnly,

“Leader Ling, we in the Central Plains have always looked to virtuous figures as role models. To be elected alliance leader, one must be upright and chivalrous. A person of high martial skill yet wicked in character is unfit to lead the martial world.”

Kongwen nodded.

“Amitabha. I agree wholeheartedly with Hero Song. Only a righteous person could be recognized as the supreme leader of the martial world.”

Ling Yihan smirked.

“Chivalry? Righteousness? That’s simple enough…”

He pointed to Hu Qingyang beside him.

“Standing here is Miss Hu Qingyang, sister of the famous Butterfly Valley healer Hu Qingniu. Everyone knows how many lives Master Hu has saved, and I’m sure many disciples here have sought his treatment. His sister Miss Hu has also healed many people—truly a chivalrous and righteous person. So if I entrust her with the Saber and Sword, would you accept her as the alliance leader?”

Hu Qingyang and Daiqisi covered their mouths, stifling laughter, while Ming Sect members chuckled softly.

“This… Leader Ling, please don’t joke. The alliance leader position is too important to be given to a young woman,” Kongwen replied, visibly uneasy.

“So, that won’t do either? Are you mocking me?” Ling Yihan’s eyes flashed coldly.

“Five Element Flag Commanders, where are you?”

“Present!”

The Five Element Flag commanders knelt before Ling Yihan, responding in unison.

“Form the formation!” Ling Yihan commanded, his voice icy.

“As you command!”

At Ling Yihan’s order, the five commanders waved their flags, and immediately, five units of Ming Sect disciples surrounded the Central Plains sects.

The Sharp Metal Flag disciples wore white headbands, the Giant Wood Flag disciples wore green, while the Flood, Flame, and Thick Earth Flag disciples wore black, red, and gold headbands, respectively.

Under Daiqisi’s training, they moved in sync, deploying the Peach Blossom Island Twenty-Eight Star Formation.

The martial artists of the Central Plains were alarmed. Ming Sect’s Five Element Flags not only had vast numbers, but each unit alone could rival any of the Six Great Sects. It was no wonder that in the original tale, only a united effort of all six sects could attack Bright Summit.

Song Yuanqiao exclaimed,

“Leader Ling, this is a Martial Arts Conference—are you truly prepared to face us with force?”

Ling Yihan sneered.

“Hero Song, I have treated you and the Seven Heroes of Wudang with respect and have been discussing the election of an alliance leader courteously. But since you repeatedly refuse, I have no choice but to use force to claim the position!”