I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel 24: Promotion Exam (2)
"What?"
"You want to nominate an expert from the Mount Hua Sect?"
"Hahaha! This is getting interesting. Maehyang Ilgeom Ja-cheong outranks even Huangbo Taeung of the Crooked Sword Sect."
The crowd leaped to their feet in shock at my utterly unexpected choice. Even Peng Jincheon, who had just claimed victory with such majestic poise, was stunned.
The only one not surprised, laughing heartily instead, was a single man: Dan Ri-cheong, the madman with those clear eyes.
"Why is that?"
Ya Hul Daehwi glared at me with both eyes full of disdain as he demanded an answer. He was asking why I'd deliberately pick a junior from one of the Nine Great Sects—someone as renowned in the mighty Mount Hua Sect as Ja-cheong—when there were easier paths.
From Peng Jincheon onward, the unspoken vibe from the group screamed that they'd all lost their minds.
"It's said the swords of Mount Hua carry the fragrance of plum blossoms, right? I wanted to witness that famous technique firsthand."
I offered a roundabout excuse that sounded plausible, but of course, it was bullshit.
In the original story, the protagonist Cheon Myeong faces two major crises early on.
Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King had driven away readers with its cancer-inducing plot, and true to its infamous reputation, Cheon Myeong endured crisis after crisis.
The first was the leg amputation at the hands of those servant bastards I'd already overcome. The second was none other than this Maehyang Ilgeom Ja-cheong.
In the original, even after losing his leg, Cheon Myeong didn't quit his job at Cheonmu Academy. The more inconvenient his leg became, the prouder he felt working alongside the academy's shining elite students.
Then, Cheon Myeong became Ja-cheong's personal servant where he was staying, and everything went smoothly until a massive incident exploded.
Ja-cheong's lodgings weren't properly secured, thieves broke in, and various valuables—including his personal items—went missing.
The protagonist Cheon Myeong protested his innocence, insisting he'd locked the door tight, but he was ignored and beaten with clubs.
Turned out Ja-cheong was a womanizer who couldn't last a day without one, dragging courtesans into his private quarters every other night.
Cheon Myeong had locked the door properly, but Ja-cheong had opened it at dawn to fuck a bunch of courtesans. That was the truth.
"I-it's all that damn crippled servant's fault!"
But Ja-cheong pinned it all on Cheon Myeong and swept the incident under the rug.
I had no idea what my maternal uncle was thinking when he wrote that shit.
"Hahaha! This is fun. Nominating me, of all people."
Ja-cheong fiddled with the plum blossom tassel symbolizing his Mount Hua Sect affiliation and let out a clear, ringing laugh. He was a tall, handsome man with dazzling white teeth, but inside, he was a scumbag who chased women and personal gain.
In the original, he never once defended Cheon Myeong during the beatings that nearly killed him or even visited.
He'd made the protagonist's misery complete by saying to just toss the body far away if he died.
Now that I'd transmigrated, Cheon Myeong's fate had changed, but because of the original story, I hated this bastard Ja-cheong.
Perfect timing for a nomination duel—I'd crush him properly.
"I heard a former servant's been rising fast... Can you handle it?"
Ja-cheong flashed his signature refined, friendly smile. It looked like concern on the surface, but I saw through it. He was pissed that a mere servant dared challenge him.
"What does the past matter? It's the present that counts."
I smiled back, matching his tone and twisting the knife into his ego.
"Maehyang Ilgeom Ja-cheong, do you accept?"
Dan Ri-cheong gazed back and forth between us, his face alight with fascination.
"No choice, I suppose."
Ja-cheong replied politely as if reluctant, then drew his sword adorned with the plum tassel.
Shring!
Setting aside his shitty personality and lust, Ja-cheong's skills were no joke. Lately, the Mount Hua Sect's growth and popularity had been skyrocketing across the Central Plains, and while he wasn't the top dog, he was one of their standout juniors.
In fact, he was stronger than O Gu-do Huangbo Taeung, whom Peng Jincheon had just faced.
I grinned as our eyes met, and Ja-cheong smiled back sweetly. He was pretending, but I could see the raging fury inside.
"Prepare."
As Ja-cheong and I stepped onto the training ground, Ya Hul Daehwi raised both hands to signal readiness.
In that brief moment, Ja-cheong, who'd been smirking, muttered just loud enough for me to hear.
"You... made a big mistake."
Now his true colors showed. Up close, I spotted cracks in his expression control. Getting nominated by a servant like me in front of everyone must've pissed him off royally—it was hilarious.
"We'll see."
I shot back curtly, then focused harder than ever.
"Begin!"
The duel was declared, and unlike his mild facade and speech, Ja-cheong poured his rage into his first strike.
Maehwa Cheonpung!
One of the Central Plains' hottest techniques lately, the Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Swords unfolded in flashy, beautiful variations. It suited Ja-cheong perfectly—prioritizing looks over substance.
Pabababang!
Regardless of the user's character, the Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Swords was no laughing matter. Mount Hua's swordsmanship had long been famed for its elegant forms and lingering plum fragrance; lose focus for a second, and sharp cuts would pierce your body.
This guy's pissed.
Ja-cheong executed the move like a lofty scholar, but he couldn't hide the fury embedded in his blade tip.
Tu Gye Byeon Bo!
Normally, I'd probe first, gauge my opponent, but today I was more aggressive than ever. I countered his fighting cock stance with my own.
Kwang, kwagagagang!
Sword qi and fist qi tangled in midair, exploding violently.
The orthodox way against a sharp swordsman was calm defense for a fist and leg master. But today, I couldn't fight by the book.
How I'd ground my teeth reading Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King?
He drags women in, fails to secure the door, thieves break in—and blames the servant? Because of that, protagonist Cheon Myeong gets kicked out of the academy he admired, ending up on the streets. That kicked off his whole saga of suffering, so calling Ja-cheong the root cause wasn't an exaggeration.
"Hmmm."
Our first clash ended in a draw, and Ja-cheong's eyes widened in surprise as he unleashed even sharper sword paths. The rumors of him being top-tier even among upper-class students checked out.
Maehwa Bi-geok!
The plum blossom swordplay really did carry that fragrance. Ja-cheong's sword qi, sweet yet subtly eerie with a pink edge, surged toward me.
Paaaang!
Ja-cheong wasn't ordinary; he blasted sharp sword qi along a vicious trajectory. For a promotion exam, this felt laced with killing intent—but I welcomed it.
Now I can beat the shit out of him without holding back.
He'd swung first with near-lethal force, so I had the justification. From here on, I could go overboard—the line was crossed on his side.
Banbo!
I stepped back, signaling counterattack. My backstep sliced through empty air with his Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Swords qi, and I wasn't one to miss the opening.
Tu Gye Gwangsu!
Like a frenzied fighting cock, I closed in and unleashed both hands like a madman.
Peok, peuk!
At point-blank range with Tu Gye Jin Kwon forms, Ja-cheong couldn't even react. Normally, you'd wait for him to retreat and kneel, but not today.
"Ugh!"
A groan escaped Ja-cheong's lips—it sounded so damn good. All the frustration from reading the original was finally digesting.
He'd let his guard down and taken it full-on.
Maehwa Tu-ryong!
Refusing to go down, Ja-cheong unleashed plum-scented attacks even in his wobble. To others, it might've been the pinnacle of beauty and fragrance, but to me, it was just cheap car air freshener.
The sweetness came from the man, not the technique.
Kwang, kwaaang!
I wrapped my fists in inner energy and smashed wildly to cancel it out. Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong protected my body, and my monstrous inner energy from the millennial snow ginseng made it possible.
Even just unfolding Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong with this insane qi would've kept this punk from touching me.
Teorup!
Now it was my time. I grabbed Ja-cheong's nape with both hands.
If he collapsed exhausted already, it'd be no fun—the fun was just starting.
"L-let go!"
Ja-cheong still had breath to speak, flaunting his arrogant pride as he tried to shake free. For someone obsessed with appearances even on death's door, having his nape gripped by the lowly servant he'd underestimated was utter humiliation.
Ban Yong Seul!
Since he could still talk, time to make breathing impossible.
Peurururuk!
I held his nape to prevent escape and for prime Ban Yong Seul knee uppercut execution. Plus, with Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong hardening my whole body beforehand, no need to hold back.
My reinforced knee slammed his side, producing a satisfying crack.
"Aaaak!"
Ribs shattering and stabbing organs made Ja-cheong's form waver like a drunkard already.
Ooooo!
In a blink, Mount Hua's junior Ja-cheong was getting pummeled—the crowd was too shocked for reactions. The outcome was obvious, so they could've stopped it, but Dan Ri-cheong was laughing, and Ya Hul Daehwi was frozen.
Even the heavens are on my side.
If we're remaking for revenge, might as well do it right. I'd oblige.
Ban Yong Seul!
Peok, peururuk!
Another double knee uppercut from Ban Yong Seul. Ja-cheong was soul-lost, out of it completely. Passing out on the spot wouldn't have been weird.
One more to go.
To the barely conscious Ja-cheong, I thrust my finger.
Wolgungji!
On such a fine day, how could I skip testing my new technique? Time for real combat XP.
Paaaang!
My inner energy-charged Wolgungji finger art spun fiercely, striking his acupoint!
"Grrruuuk!"
Ja-cheong convulsed, collapsed pathetically backward, out cold.
Could there be sweeter revenge?
"Mid-tier class Cheon Myeong wins!"
As I savored the victory, Dan Ri-cheong shot up, clapping as he declared it.