Promotion Exam (1)

I'd spent a sweet vacation with Peng Jincheon, then returned to Cheonmu Academy to throw myself back into training. Winter was coming soon, bringing the upper-class promotion exam, so we had to prepare thoroughly.

In that short time, I'd focused on mastering the Moon Palace Finger and achieved decent results.

And then the big day arrived.

-Cheon Myeong and Peng Jincheon, come to the upper-class building.

At Vice Academy Head Soft Wind Silver Sword Dan Ri-cheong's summons, the two of us warmed up calmly as we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠headed over.

"How's your condition?"

"Not bad at all."

Fortunately, both Peng Jincheon and I were in better shape than ever, and neither of us was shaking much. Not just me—Peng Jincheon had spent the vacation back home at the Hebei Peng Clan, honing his secret techniques, so he had no worries either.

'Of course. Peng Jincheon was a character who kept rising steadily in the original story.'

In the original, he'd shone at Cheonmu Academy even if he fell short of Baek Muhon. No need to worry about him. I trusted my own skills too, so I was treating this upper-class promotion exam lightly.

"You've arrived."

Upper-class training at Cheonmu Academy happened in a separate annex, so when we got there, Yagul Daehwi was there along with Dan Ri-cheong and several other instructors.

And it wasn't just them.

'Those are the upper-class students of Cheonmu Academy!'

Behind the instructors sat a group of students, all brimming with talent and spirit—the elite who would lead Cheonmu Academy's future. Some of them even played major roles in the mid-to-late parts of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King, so knowing their futures added a fun layer of anticipation.

"As mentioned before, today we'll hold the upper-class promotion exam. Our challengers from the intermediate class are Peng Jincheon and Cheon Myeong!"

At Dan Ri-cheong's introduction, Peng Jincheon and I cupped our fists in greeting without missing a beat.

But the response was ice-cold.

Competition among upper-class students was fierce even just to graduate from Cheonmu Academy, so it was unavoidable.

"Today, there'll be matches between the intermediate-class reps and upper-class students... but if we just do it normally, it'll be boring."

Cheonmu Academy's eccentric—some called him a madman—Dan Ri-cheong flashed his signature smile, eyes twinkling.

The original plan was to pit the top intermediate students like us against the bottom upper-class ones, but that had changed?

"I'll grant the intermediate-class top reps, Cheon Myeong and Peng Jincheon, the right to personally nominate their upper-class opponents."

Ooooo!

The room heated up at that bombshell statement.

Wasn't this just like the entrance exam?

"Upper-class students have no right of refusal, so nominate freely, Cheon Myeong, Peng Jincheon."

Dan Ri-cheong said it with a grin, and the moment I saw his expression, I understood why he'd set this rule.

'I see. Dan Ri-cheong already knows we've surpassed upper-class level.'

Fighting the bottom upper-class students as planned would be predictable and dull, so he'd made this rule for some entertainment. It probably meant "pick the strong ones to amuse me," demanding the best show possible.

"Nominate, huh."

Peng Jincheon looked surprised, like he hadn't seen it coming.

"Then Peng Jincheon, why don't you go first?"

Dan Ri-cheong suggested it casually to the flustered Peng Jincheon, his playful side impossible to miss.

"Hmmm."

Peng Jincheon calmly scanned the upper-class students, pondering his choice.

He was polite and subtly kind by nature, so he hated picking without good reason. Just look at how he'd nominated me during the entrance exam.

As he hesitated, I whispered advice from behind.

"If you can't decide, how about picking one of the blade users?"

It'd be a good chance to prove who was the strongest blade master in Cheonmu Academy.

Smirk!

Like he'd found his answer, Peng Jincheon grinned in satisfaction and pointed without hesitation.

"I nominate Five Curve Blade Hwang Yapa."

As expected, he followed my advice.

Five Curve Blade Hwang Yapa wasn't from one of the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Clans, but he was a promising young talent from the Curve Blade Sect, as renowned as the Moon Maiden Palace.

This Curve Blade Sect uniquely wielded curved blades that twisted like wriggling earthworms, unlike the straight blades common in the Central Plains.

Don't underestimate them—they'd produced the world's top blade master more than once, so they had real power.

"A Hebei Peng Clan junior picks a Curve Blade Sect junior as his equal!"

"A duel to decide Cheonmu Academy's number one blade master!"

"Hwang Yapa's one of the top ten in our upper class..."

The upper-class students, who'd been quiet, now had eyes full of fire. They'd expected him to pick the weakest bottom-ranker, but no—Peng Jincheon wasn't one to take the easy path. He craved fights with meaning, battles of value.

"Heh, well now."

Hwang Yapa himself tsked and chuckled, surprised at being picked. His mouth smiled, but his eyes didn't.

'The Curve Blade Sect has long seen Hebei Peng Clan warriors as worthy rivals.'

Hwang Yapa must have been aware of Peng Jincheon deep down, but being called out like this? Unthinkable.

"Hwang Yapa, do you accept? If you're not feeling well or—"

Hwang Yapa was hot-blooded, especially against Hebei Peng Clan fighters. Dan Ri-cheong knew it and prodded him on purpose.

"Of course."

Stung by the bait, Hwang Yapa shot to his feet, claiming the training hall's center before Peng Jincheon even could. He drew his signature Nine Curve Blade, symbol of himself and his sect.

Normal spars used wooden weapons, but upper-class at Cheonmu Academy allowed real blades, so it was standard.

Clang!

Peng Jincheon, looking thrilled, drew his own wide, straight blade adorned with the Peng Clan's blue silk tassel.

Both wielded blades, yet one twisted serpentine, the other broad and straight—highlighting their differences.

"This'll be fun."

Dan Ri-cheong leaned forward, fully immersed, leaving judgment and oversight to Yagul Daehwi for a closer look.

"Then prepare yourselves."

Yagul ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Daehwi seemed puzzled by Peng Jincheon's pick. The Peng Jincheon he knew was mild-mannered, avoiding needless strife. Picking Hwang Yapa, who rivaled the Peng Clan? Unexpected.

"Why me? Think I'm an easy mark?"

As Yagul Daehwi feared, Hwang Yapa couldn't hide his anger, his aura turning feral with a hint of condescension.

"Not at all."

Peng Jincheon replied politely, adjusting his grip on his sharp blade with proper etiquette.

"I wanted to test myself against the strongest blade master among the blade users."

That was Peng Jincheon's true intent from my advice. Even in defeat, it would be a worthy fight.

"Heh heh heh."

Pleased by the answer, Hwang Yapa softened a bit and prepared calmly.

"Begin!"

At Yagul Daehwi's call, both lunged without hesitation, blades flashing fiercely.

'As expected, Hwang Yapa knows the Hebei Peng Clan's weaknesses well.'

The Curve Blade Sect was obsessed with defeating Peng Clan techniques, fully aware of their vulnerability to changes and lack of mobility.

Hadn't Little Blade Dragon Peng Jincheon fallen to me easily once I spotted it?

Even more surprising was Peng Jincheon's response.

Anyone who'd devoured Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King knew what kind of warrior Blade Dragon Peng Jincheon was. He learned more from defeat than victory.

Flash-flash-flash!

Incredibly, Peng Jincheon's blade thrashed wildly, perfectly shoving aside Hwang Yapa's twisting assault on his weakness.

'Yes!'

Watching it filled me with vicarious thrill. This was the original story's key, charismatic supporting character—my fanboy heart was overflowing.

'He could've countered with a stronger form, but reusing the one that got broken once...'

It meant facing it head-on, breaking through directly. Pure Peng Jincheon spirit.

Clang! Clang-clang-clang!

They traded over fifty exchanges in fierce back-and-forth.

Regrettably, the match ended sooner than expected.

Hwang Yapa, frustrated after failing his early weakness exploit, couldn't shake his impatience!

"Urgh!"

His Nine Curve Blade hit the floor, forcing him to face defeat.

Incredibly, the duel deciding the top blade between Hebei Peng Clan and Curve Blade Sect went to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Little Blade Dragon Peng Jincheon.

Woooaaah!

The upper-class erupted, joined by intermediate students who'd snuck in to watch, fists pumping in joy.

We were their reps, after all—they cheered us as one.

"Peng Jincheon's victory!"

Dan Ri-cheong named it himself, nodding in clear satisfaction.

'Congrats, Jincheon!'

I celebrated his win while scanning the upper-class students calmly—my turn next.

Who to pick? Too weak, and Dan Ri-cheong would be disappointed... Better go strong to make an impression.

Truth be told, no need to agonize.

'In the original, one of them framed the lame servant Cheon Myeong from Cheonmu Academy. I climbed to upper-class knowing this, craving revenge—not just revenge, but utter payback.'

"Next is Cheon Myeong's turn. Anyone in mind?"

As Peng Jincheon descended triumphantly, Dan Ri-cheong called me.

I replied with a meaningful smile.

"From the Huashan Sect... I nominate Plum Fragrance One Sword Ja-cheong."