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Of course, Qin Fang didn't really care about this. He wasn't the kind of person who was overly picky. Since he was here, he might as well settle in, naturally, he wouldn't mind.

"Please take your seats, judges..."

As the steward of the Fu family, Steward Fu was responsible for handling specific affairs, and this swordsmanship tournament was hosted by the Fu family. Naturally, he would also play the role of the host.

With his resounding voice, the originally chaotic scene suddenly calmed down, becoming silent in an instant, as everyone focused their gaze on the judges coming onto the stage.

This swordsmanship tournament had a total of eight judges. Most of them had already met each other during the meal in the front hall earlier.

Perhaps these people weren't very familiar with each other, maybe some were quite familiar, or even had some conflicts or grudges.

However, no matter what, they were invited by the Fu family and the Cui family to serve as judges for this swordsmanship tournament, and any conflicts must be put aside for the sake of these families.

Though neither family was extraordinarily powerful overall, they were still notable martial arts clans in Korea, with strong heritage most would respect, and the judges likely had reasonable ties with these families.

These eight judges came from various areas, representing martial arts forces of different nations. Their skills were exceptionally robust, and though no grandmaster-level expert was present, they were undoubtedly elite.

The people who came to witness the ceremony were mostly martial artists, including several master-level experts. Yet, they looked at the eight judges with considerable reverence.

Since they were invited to serve as judges, naturally, they must possess the strength and prestige to command respect. Otherwise, not only the participants but even the audience might not accept it.

This is one of the reasons why the swordsmanship tournament invited so many famous figures in the martial world...

The eight judges walked slowly toward the judging table, usually accompanied by one or two attendants, mostly younger individuals, to add prestige and have someone to serve tea.

However...

"Eh? Who's that kid?"

The first seven judges had nothing peculiar about them, but Qin Fang, walking at the back, immediately caught the attention of many present.

The first seven judges were elderly seniors, with the youngest already in his forties...

The attendants behind these judges were mostly young, in their twenties or thirties, generally juniors to these judges.

Yet, when it came to Qin Fang, the scenario seemed completely reversed. Others had the judges in front and the attendants behind, but for Qin Fang, the young one was in front, while the elder followed.

"Isn't that kid too arrogant and unruly?"

Seeing this scene, many couldn't help but murmur, and some even booed, with quite a few flipping the bird.

But such a scene did not affect Qin Fang's mood; he walked forward as if he didn't see it at all, while Liu Xianhe behind him looked very embarrassed.

The observers were quite sure of their thoughts, believing Liu Xianhe was the actual judge and Qin Fang was just an attendant, thinking Qin Fang was too out of line to walk in front of Liu Xianhe.

"Eh, why is he sitting at the judging table?"

However, this surprise reached its peak when the eight judges each reached their positions, and everyone uttered such an exclamation almost simultaneously.

For sitting at the judging table was not who they imagined to be Liu Xianhe, but rather the one they thought to be the attendant, Qin Fang, a shockingly young man, arguably younger than most of those present.

In contrast, Liu Xianhe stood obediently behind Qin Fang, hands at his sides, clearly in the role of an attendant, which immediately caused an uproar among many.

"Damn, what is the Fu family doing? Have they lost their minds? How could they let that kid sit at the judging table? Why isn't anyone doing anything about it?"

Some of the more incensed observers couldn't help but curse loudly. If not for the divide between the audience and judgment areas, it seemed like they would rush over and give Qin Fang a piece of their mind.

Despite the audience's agitation and anger, Qin Fang remained seated at the judging table like a serene monk, his eyelids drooping slightly, as if disregarding all those people.

"Silence!"

Beside him, Steward Fu, acting as the host, seemed to have anticipated this outcome. Not only did he refrain from explaining, but he also infused his voice with inner strength, letting out a loud shout.

A powerful wave of energy surged forth, echoing and overpowering the noise of hundreds of spectators, and the venue suddenly quieted down.

"Would the competitors from both families please step onto the stage..."

Steward Fu's shout proved very effective in subduing the commotion on the scene. However, he did not offer any explanations but directly adhered to the swordplay tournament's process, inviting contestants from both families onto the stage.

Every three years, the Fu Family and Cui Family hold a swordplay tournament. Both sides determine the winner through bouts, each sending ten contestants who face off in pairs. The side with the most victories is deemed the final winner.

As for the tangible benefits of winning, only the Fu and Cui families know. For many years, no one has known the details anyway.

With Steward Fu's words, the representatives of the Fu and Cui families began to make their way to the stage, their attire markedly different, clearly delineating their affiliations.

On either side of the judging panel sat the members of the Fu Family and Cui Family, each occupying a position, while the contestants aligned themselves with their respective families.

When all the contestants were on stage, the leaders from both sides returned to their family camps. The subsequent matches would proceed according to the formal process.

"Why was he invited?"

Cui Zheming, the leader on the Cui side, had been at the back until the contestants stepped onto the stage. Only then did he come forward and, as soon as he sat down in his position, he noticed Qin Fang sitting on the judging panel. His expression subtly changed, becoming both surprised and deeply furrowed.

"Zheming, what's going on?"

Beside him, Cui Zhehan noticed Cui Zheming's reaction and couldn't help but ask, finding it odd. Cui Zheming was known for his wisdom, and it was rare to see him with such an expression.

"That young man at the end of the judging panel..."

Cui Zheming did not hesitate and pointed towards Qin Fang over at the distant panel.

"What's wrong with him? Is there a problem... What on earth is the Fu Family thinking, inviting such a young person as a judge? Is Fu Qinglin out of his mind?"

In fact, Cui Zhehan had already noticed Qin Fang. However, the judges for each swordplay tournament were jointly invited by both families, each inviting half, so the Cui Family wasn't aware ahead of time who the Fu Family had invited.

Nonetheless, there are still no limitations. Both families ensured these judges were sufficiently respected, as being excessively biased would be disgraceful rather than cheating.

Yet, no one expected the Fu Family to invite someone as improbably young as Qin Fang this time. Not only did the people present find it unacceptable, but even members of the Cui Family thought the Fu Family was acting shamelessly.

"You're wrong! Fu Qinglin's mind is perfectly normal, and exceptionally so..."

But Cui Zhehan was surprised when Cui Zheming didn't agree with his words. Instead, he said with resignation, "Do not underestimate that young man; he's the one who destroyed the J Family, the Dragon Country's Qin Fang..."

"Uh... is he that Qin Fang?"

Cui Zhehan was momentarily stunned, looking in disbelief at the young, somewhat immature Qin Fang sitting on the judging panel. He couldn't connect this youth with the infamous Qin Fang who single-handedly destroyed the J Family.

However, Cui Zhehan knew very well that Cui Zheming wouldn't joke about such matters, especially since Cui Zheming was present at the scene back then and witnessed everything firsthand.

"Could it be as legendary as you say? Even if he came from those ancient sects of the Dragon Country, it seems improbable for him to reach such a level at this age, doesn't it?"

Cui Zhehan scrutinized Qin Fang, who was calm and composed on the judging panel, unable to discern any hint of a master's aura. He felt that Qin Fang was merely a young kid yet to reach full maturity.

"Although I've never fought him, I have a feeling... that he's far stronger than me! Even Shi Yuan Yilang might not be his match..."

Cui Zheming shook his head and said bitterly.

Among the eight judges, seven were familiar figures, and people generally had a grasp of their strength.

Old Ghost Shi Yuan, though a person of extremely poor character, possessed commendable strength, considered the strongest among the eight judges.

This is why, during the meal in the front hall, only he dared to make a move against Qin Fang, while others showed no reaction. Even Fang Zonglin, who didn't get along well with Shi Yuan, refrained from starting a fight. This was because Fang Zonglin was slightly weaker than Old Ghost Shi Yuan.

Old Ghost Shi Yuan's prowess was undoubtedly at the pinnacle of the Grandmaster Level, almost invincible among his peers. Even so, Cui Zheming's high regard for Qin Fang was astonishing to Cui Zhehan.

He evidently harbored skepticism, finding it unlikely that Qin Fang, even if trained from the womb, could stand on equal footing with an old master-level expert like Shi Yuan at such a young age. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you're welcome to vote and support on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation.)

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