40. Blade Spirit Test (1)
In the operations room of Security Team 3, the TV was broadcasting the news.
Supporters argue that Korea now needs access to premium security services,
while opponents warn that the entry of a global security giant will shrink the domestic market……
As the news wrapped up, Team Leader Kwon Hyeok-su spoke up.
"A foreign company like that must pay insane salaries. Benefits probably better than ours too. Ah! I wanna go!"
"Is SGC really that famous?"
"You bet. It's where world-class celebrities and VIPs hire their bodyguards."
"They must be pretty skilled."
"They've got ranks there too, I'm sure. No way a huge company like that survives just guarding the elite, no matter how much they charge. They probably do a ton of regular security gigs."
Lee Yeon nodded. VIP protection would boost the company's profile big time.
Just hearing who SGC was guarding this time would be massive publicity.
"If a scout came and asked you to join, would you go, Team Leader?"
"If the offer's better, sure."
"For real?"
"Obviously. Why? You wouldn't?"
"I couldn't decide that easily. How could I leave after getting in here?"
"How'd you get in? It was worth it, so you did. It'll be worth leaving, so you will."
Kwon Hyeok-su let out a sigh and added,
"Getting in isn't the issue. It's always leaving that's the problem."
Lee Yeon sensed his words went beyond just joining and quitting jobs.
"You're the lighthouse of my life, Team Leader!"
"Lighthouse? More like a lantern that might flicker out any second."
"And I'm the little lost boat under it."
The two shared a laugh. Bantering like this with Kwon Hyeok-su always put her at ease.
If she ever had to switch jobs, leaving him would hurt more than leaving the company.
"Exam's tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"Give it your all, Yeon."
"I will. I'll pass for sure and protect that lantern myself!"
"I believe in you!"
The next morning, Lee Yeon arrived at the Korea Murim Alliance.
It was the day of the BST finals—the decisive moment at last.
Just seeing the massive parking lot nearly full hinted at the electric atmosphere.
Stepping out of her car, she stretched and threw a few punches.
"Lee Yeon, let's do this!"
She had already passed the first written exam and second physical test. Despite her short training period, she'd cleared the physicals without issue.
Today came the third form test and fourth inner art test. Tomorrow: fifth practical application and sixth sparring.
She was confident in the form test. It judged how precisely you could execute standard forms—basic ones listed on the Murim Alliance website.
Separate from whatever personal martial arts you'd learned: simple cuts, thrusts, dodges. Purely testing foundational solidity.
The problem was the fourth test: demonstrating inner energy control. That's where she'd failed before.
Her heart art and techniques weren't flawed. She'd trained at a reputable prep academy specializing in BST.
Plenty of others with the same training had passed. It had to be psychological—too much tension.
The Korea Murim Alliance entrance buzzed with examinees and supporters. Dodging the crowd, she headed in when someone called her name.
"Lee Yeon!"
Startled, she turned to see unexpected faces waiting at the entrance.
Park Gwang-cheol and Hwa-ran.
"Unnie?"
"You got this—pass for sure!"
"Park CEO?"
"Gotta cheer on the actress who's gonna carry Park Enter's future. Fighting!"
This straightforward support from Park Gwang-cheol? Really?
"Thank you. But how'd you know to come?"
Hwa-ran glanced back.
"That guy over there told us."
Lee Yeon looked: Jang Cheon and Kwon Hyeok-su pasting sticky rice cakes on a pillar by the entrance.
"Whoa."
Finishing up, the two approached. Kwon Hyeok-su grinned.
"You made it? Nothing beats sticky rice cakes for passing prayers."
"Team Leader?"
"Gotta light a lantern for my junior's future. I spread the word to everyone."
But the real surprise was Jang Cheon being there.
"Why are you here, Jang Cheon?"
"To cheer you on, obviously. We were partners who solved that case together."
The unexpected support left Lee Yeon flustered—and touched.
Then cheers erupted nearby for another examinee.
Not to be outdone, Kwon Hyeok-su signaled: one, two, three.
"Lee Yeon, fighting!"
Their roar echoed louder. The other group yelled back bigger; they yelled even louder.
Lee Yeon choked up. Jang Cheon aside—a chaebol heir, a celebrity, her direct boss. Had she ever gotten cheers like this? Would she again?
"Thank you. Really, thank you all."
She poured out her genuine gratitude.
"Gotta head to work. Crush it, Yeon. See you later."
"Yes, Team Leader."
Kwon Hyeok-su paused, mustered courage, and approached Hwa-ran.
"I've been a fan for ages. Honored to meet you. And thanks so much for the autograph."
Lee Yeon had gotten it for him from the Murim Alliance concert.
"I should be thanking you."
Hwa-ran offered a handshake; he took it eagerly.
His face flushed like a ripe persimmon—he probably wouldn't wash that hand for days.
"Lee Yeon, fighting!"
One last shout, and Kwon Hyeok-su left first.
Hwa-ran handed Lee Yeon a thermos.
"All-day exams, right? This tea's supposed to calm the nerves. Sip when you're thirsty or tense."
"Thank you, Unnie."
Park Gwang-cheol chimed in.
"Entertainers who pass the BST? Super rare!"
He still hadn't given up recruiting her for Park Enter. Sobered up and serious about business, he genuinely wanted her now.
Lee Yeon looked at Jang Cheon. Without him, no Park Gwang-cheol or Hwa-ran ties. Probably no BST attempt either.
"Thank you, Jang Cheon."
"Since I'm here today, you'll definitely pass."
"Huh?"
"In Murim circles, some people just vibe energy-wise.
You haven't used inner energy, so you wouldn't know, but I've felt it. With you around, my energy flows smoother, more naturally.
You've been with me a lot, so it'll make your test control easier today."
"Whoa! I had no idea."
"Give it your all, Lee Yeon."
Park Gwang-cheol slipped in slyly.
"Perfect. Now if you fail, someone to blame. Gotta have a fall guy…… Ow."
Hwa-ran pinched his side, laughing.
"Heh heh, that's enough."
Lee Yeon bowed deeply, smiling.
"Thank you all so much."
She took a big breath and entered the Murim Alliance.
As she vanished inside, Park Gwang-cheol asked,
"That constitution thing real? Like soulmates or whatever?"
"No."
"What?"
"Even in Murim, that's not a thing."
"You lied?"
"It'll let her use her energy more smoothly today. She mentioned failing the heart art test last time. For average skills, mindset makes the difference."
"Whoa. Actor much?"
Park Gwang-cheol looked dumbfounded. Jang Cheon had seemed dead serious earlier—zero hint of a lie.
"You're lying to me now, right? There is such a thing? That's why you've been so nice and hanging around?"
Jang Cheon flashed a subtle smile and strode off.
Watching his back, Park Gwang-cheol said to Hwa-ran,
"Think he meant it back there?"
"Real or not, does it matter?"
"Huh?"
"What matters is she has people showing up at dawn to cheer her. You ever done that?"
"Crazy? I wouldn't even for my own exam."
"Me neither. Reason doesn't matter. The change does."
Park Gwang-cheol stared at her.
"You're scary smart sometimes."
"I'm a smart woman. Didn't go to college, though."
"Go now. I'll pay."
"Nah. Too late for that."
Hwa-ran's mood lifted. Park Gwang-cheol, who used to spew vulgarity, suggesting college?
Come to think of it, she hadn't said "sick of it" or "dump me already" lately either.
"Guess women are women."
"Huh? What?"
Hwa-ran smiled mysteriously and walked off.
"Skipped breakfast—starving. Let's grab haejangguk."
Park Gwang-cheol yelled after her.
"What's with everyone acting suspicious?"
She pretended not to hear, walking far ahead.
"They're all starting to look alike."
An hour later, Jang Cheon stood on the rooftop of a tall building overlooking the entire Murim Alliance grounds.
Exams raged on one side; on the other, the Alliance Leader's counterattack was underway.
He had no intention of helping the Leader. Win or lose, he'd stay out.
This was the Leader's mess to handle. Fail to reclaim control? His problem. Jang Cheon would adapt accordingly.
The real issue: Im Yeon-sin's backer.
Normally, they'd send someone immediately to rein in the Leader.
But this one was cautious, biding time to assess.
Even if they lost the Alliance, retaking it wouldn't be hard. They'd watch how the Leader did it—and who helped.
That would reveal Im Yeon-sin's killer.
Then Bishop called.
Bishop's voice sounded more excited than usual. Jang Cheon replied calmly.
"Bishop. Don't rush. Stay cool—the hotter the hurry, the calmer you go."
"Yes."
"This fight's a long game."
"Planning to end it for good."
"Yeah."
This wasn't just about the assassination.
As business expanded, clashes were inevitable. Their territories had finally touched.
"We'll clean them out for good this time."
Victory meant massive gains—their assets, ripe for the taking.
New ventures could scale up; power to face bigger foes.
Yet Jang Cheon showed no bubbling ambition.
"Bishop. Same as always: slow, one step at a time. No greed."
"Yes, Boss."
His gaze returned to the teeming crowds at the Murim Alliance.
Backers' watchers were surely among them.
With so many people, they'd move freely, surveillance impossible. But they hadn't counted on this.
"Satellites imaging now?"
"Yes, faces, movements—all captured."
"Feed footage to top freelance analysts ASAP. Facial rec, behavior analysis. Money no object—fast as possible."
"Yes, Boss."
One step ahead was enough for now.