Promotion Exam (3)
Woooah!
As Plum Fragrance One Sword Ja-cheong, who had carried himself with such dignified poise, collapsed unconscious, every person in the arena erupted in cheers. And why wouldn't they? Everyone—no exceptions—had expected Ja-cheong to claim an overwhelming victory. So when things unfolded in the exact opposite way, their shock was only natural.
"Haha! Haha!"
Even Dan Ri-cheong, who hadn't anticipated such a decisive win, beamed with delight, his face lighting up. But there was another reason for his surprise.
"That finger technique radiating such potent moonlight energy... it has to be the martial arts of the Moon Woman Palace!"
At the mention of Moon Woman Palace, all the students gasped in unison, every eye turning to me. The palace ruled the Golden South region and rarely showed itself to the world, which only amplified their astonishment. How could a servant-born warrior with no proper sect or clan background wield Moon Woman Palace techniques? Their gazes brimmed with bewilderment.
"I share a deep connection with them and learned a technique or two."
I answered readily, making it clear. I wasn't alone— the mighty Moon Woman Palace stood behind me. Don't dare look down on me. From the upper class onward, factions clashed fiercely in what was practically a miniature martial world, rife with discrimination.
I'd have to navigate upper-class life soon enough, surrounded by elites who could fly and burrow. It was obvious they'd shun a servant like me. That's why I'd deliberately used Moon Woman Palace arts right in front of them.
"My god! They never take outsiders."
"I got lucky."
Dan Ri-cheong eyed me curiously, dying to know how I'd forged ties with Moon Woman Palace, but he didn't pry. Questioning martial arts origins was the ultimate taboo among warriors, so he knew where to draw the line. I'd subtly signaled not to dig deeper anyway, and the perceptive vice headmaster caught on.
"Moon Woman Palace!"
"The renowned house that produces the world's top female masters!"
"Famous for their sword and finger arts."
"I knew he didn't look ordinary... but Moon Woman Palace? Who'd have thought."
Sure enough, the upper-class students who'd sneered at me moments ago were shifting their gazes. Most hailed from the Nine Great Sects, Five Great Clans, or famed factions, so they shunned anyone not on their level.
Moon Woman Palace—no one would dare mock someone tied to them.
The palace was a reclusive group of women that hadn't expanded further, but its status as an upright, prestigious faction was undeniable. Being connected gave me a huge edge.
"No way, Cheon Myeong! You're linked to that place?"
Even my best buddy Peng Jincheon gaped in shock. Today, I was the star of the show.
And there was more joy to come.
"Cheon Myeong and Peng Jincheon of the intermediate class have demonstrated outstanding prowess. I hereby approve their promotion to the upper class!"
Dan Ri-cheong declared it on the spot, filling us both with elation.
"Knew it!"
"Nice one!"
Peng Jincheon and I bumped fists, sharing our triumph. These memories were deepening our bond. In the original story, Peng Jincheon—Earth Dragon of the main supporting cast—had stood against the protagonist Cheon Myeong. Becoming his closest friend? I couldn't be happier.
And one more satisfying twist awaited.
"On the other hand! Hwang Yapa and Ja-cheong of the upper class have something to say as well."
After praising us, Dan Ri-cheong named them, turning the upper-class mood to gloom in an instant. They'd lost to intermediate students—not a single win or draw. Utter humiliation.
"Hwang Yapa put up a decent fight... but Plum Fragrance One Sword Ja-cheong of Mount Hua!"
Ja-cheong, unconscious and under treatment, jolted awake at his name.
"Ja-cheong didn't just fail to compete against Cheon Myeong—he collapsed in seconds. This shames not only the upper class but tarnishes Mount Hua's honor. We cannot overlook it. Therefore!"
Dan Ri-cheong's expression turned inscrutable as he addressed Ja-cheong directly.
"From this moment, Ja-cheong is demoted from upper class to intermediate!"
Ooooh!
The shocking turn stunned upper- and intermediate-class students alike, even the instructors including Ya Hul Dae-hwi. Demotions weren't unheard of, but for a Nine Great Sects prodigy? Unprecedented.
"D-Demotion?!"
As the first victim, Ja-cheong exploded in outrage and injustice. Losing to me was maddening enough; now this disgrace? No more facade of hypocrisy.
"This is ridiculous! Unfair! Do you know who I am? I'm from Mount Hua! Is Cheonmu Academy picking a fight with mighty Mount Hua?!"
Ranting wildly, his true colors emerged. Not all Mount Hua disciples were like that, but Ja-cheong was a hypocrite drunk on empty prestige.
"Haha, you're quite upset."
Dan Ri-cheong smiled amiably, trying to soothe him, but...
"You think Mount Hua will stand by? If our sect leader steps in, a mere vice headmaster like you..."
Ja-cheong crossed the line in his frenzy. Clang!
Dan Ri-cheong drew his signature soft wind silver sword, symbol of House Dan Ri, radiating unyielding charisma unlike its flexible form.
"I understand your agitation, but mind your tongue—or face severe punishment."
A rumor swirled about Soft Wind Silver Sword Dan Ri-cheong: eccentric and quirky normally, but in rage, he made even the academy head and top ten masters struggle with his soft sword mastery.
The first-rate students and instructors froze under his gentle yet suffocating killing intent.
I felt it too.
Well-deserved reputation. The novel praised his skills often, but seeing it firsthand? Incredible.
I resolved inwardly to never irk him.
"Vice Headmaster. Ahem, my words went too far..."
Snapped back by the pressure, Ja-cheong pleaded desperately.
"Isn't demotion for one loss too harsh?"
No raging or name-dropping left; only appeals to sympathy. But against clear-eyed Dan Ri-cheong? Futile.
"It's not just the loss."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Did you think I didn't know you sneaked women and courtesans into the private dorms?"
Ja-cheong flinched as if stabbed in the lungs. I was stunned too.
"How did you..."
"Mount Hua sent a promising talent, so I turned a blind eye to minor slips. No more. Follow quietly before I expose every misdeed."
That shut him down.
"Ugh!"
He hung his head, tears flowing in hollow defeat. Face-obsessed, he trembled with shame.
"Everyone—students and instructors—take note. Bring outsiders into the grounds like this, and this is your fate."
Branded a miscreant example, it shamed not just him but Mount Hua.
"Cheon Myeong, Peng Jincheon—move to upper-class dorms."
Everything fell perfectly into place.
Thanks to our upper-class promotion duel victory, Peng Jincheon and I smoothly joined the upper class next semester.
And Ja-cheong of Mount Hua quit Cheonmu Academy voluntarily.
After such a spectacle, staying would be weirder. Demoted immediately, he quit to downplay it, but too many witnesses spread rumors beyond the academy to Hebei Province and Mount Hua.
The chilling gossip reached the academy, but by then, few remembered Ja-cheong. Once a flashy fool, he became a symbol of mockery.
"Congratulations on upper-class entry. As you know, from here, you can choose and learn one of our academy's top-tier martial arts."
Vice Headmaster Dan Ri-cheong visited us. Peng Jincheon and I exchanged thrilled glances.
This is it!
Entering Cheonmu Academy fulfilled protagonist Cheon Myeong's modest dream, but perks abounded. One was these top-tier arts—requiring upper-class status.
Reaching upper class in just over a year? Incredible speed!
I'd planned for 2-3 years minimum; under one year meant I'd maximized every moment.
"Here are the academy's top-tier arts you can learn."
Shhht! Dan Ri-cheong unfurled a prepared scroll, revealing the list. Footwork, sword arts, saber arts, special techniques—everything. Choosing just one felt criminal.
Compared to Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans' elites, they paled, but for upright warriors barred from other sects' arts, this was a rare exception. Many prestigious disciples came to fill gaps.
"Peng Jincheon first?"
Dan Ri-cheong suggested knowingly. A promising saber expert from Hebei's Peng Clan, his pick was obvious.
"I'll take Heavenly Vertical Earth Horizontal Step."
As expected, he chose mobility to complement Peng Clan arts. Perfect for expanding strike range and evasion, fixing his movement flaws. That's why elites still enrolled.
"Excellent choice."
Dan Ri-cheong praised Peng Jincheon's synergy, then turned to me.
"Cheon Myeong, what will you select?"
I replied without hesitation.
"I'll choose the Cold Seal Palm Method."