Meng Yuon (1)
I chose the Naeng In Jang technique without a moment's hesitation.
The Naeng In Jang created a storm of freezing yin energy that could encase enemies in ice—a terrifying art that had fallen out of use lately due to its harsh cultivation conditions. This was another perk exclusive to the Cheonmu Academy, and excluding the final graduation reward, it was one of the most helpful techniques available.
But Dan Ri-cheong and Peng Jincheon's reactions weren't good at all.
"What? You're serious?"
"Naeng In Jang only unleashes its power if you've consumed a cold-natured spirit medicine or possess an inner cultivation method of equivalent quality. And you're picking that?"
My bizarre choice, beyond all expectations, left them stunned, mouths agape. Peng Jincheon especially kept signaling with his eyes for me to pick something else.
In truth, the technique itself wasn't bad, but the restrictions on learning it were the issue.
"Haha, that's surprising."
Even Dan Ri-cheong, who rarely showed shock, nodded as if I'd caught him off guard this time. He even went on.
"Cheon Myeong, think it over again. Even if our Cheonmu Academy's arts have shortcomings compared to the greater martial world, picking Naeng In Jang is a bit much. Without meeting the prerequisites, it's no better than a third-rate technique—worse, even."
"The vice head's right. You need to choose more carefully."
Dan Ri-cheong, who usually respected my decisions without a word, and Peng Jincheon both tried to dissuade me in unison.
"No, this is exactly what I need."
But my stubbornness wouldn't bend.
'Pick something else? Are you crazy?'
Deep down, I was frustrated having to deal with these two right in front of me.
I'd consumed the Millennial Snow Ginseng, the world's strongest spirit medicine for cold and yin energy. What did that mean?
'I can easily master any technique involving cold, yin energy, or the water attribute!'
So for someone like me who'd eaten the Millennial Snow Ginseng, cultivating Naeng In Jang would turn it into an immediate combat asset—a perfect finishing move. Difficult techniques like this unleashed monstrous power once the conditions were met.
"Haha, if you're this certain, there's nothing for it. Let's respect Cheon Myeong's choice."
Dan Ri-cheong spoke up, and Peng Jincheon calmly nodded.
"Well, this guy's always exceeding expectations... He'll probably master it someday."
Thanks for understanding.
"Alright, now that you've both made your choices, I wish you the best in your advanced classes and graduation."
With that, the perk selection ended.
After selecting Naeng In Jang, I threw myself into mastering it without holding back.
And I'd chosen well, for sure.
"No way!"
Even studying alone, I'd already achieved the first stage of proficiency right from the start, and it was improving daily. I'd learned plenty of techniques before, but this was the fastest progress yet.
'This is the power of spirit medicines and knowledge.'
I felt firsthand why I had to monopolize these fortuitous encounters. I vowed not to miss any major ones or perks, even if I overlooked the minor stuff.
That was another reason—and goal—for advancing to the upper class.
"You little punk, who do you think you are?!"
Thud! Thwack!
Wherever the strong gathered, the weak suffered—that was inevitable. Even in the Cheonmu Academy's upper class.
Several students were bullying a naive one, and the reason was simple.
"Acting all high and mighty when you're from some no-name sect like the Fighting Sword Sect?"
"Know your place!"
He was one of the few from a small sect in the upper class.
The lower and middle classes had plenty from mid-to-small sects, but the upper class promotion difficulty spiked exponentially. Most were from the Nine Great Sects, One Gang, or Five Great Families, with a tiny handful from comparable mid-tier sects.
'But the Fighting Sword Sect is a tiny outfit with barely thirty members...'
Some couldn't stand the mismatch and picked on him. Not all orthodox successors were like that, but in a crowd, weirdos were bound to show up.
"Cut it out."
I intervened the moment I saw it.
"You think the Moon Maiden Palace has your back?"
"No Peng Jincheon watching your back this time?"
We'd happened to split up from Peng Jincheon that day, so they were bolder than usual. I was new to the upper class, while they'd been here for years, acting untouchable.
"I'm Namgung Cheol from the Namgung Family, and this guy's from the Jeon Gal Family."
"Telling on Peng Jincheon won't help. He'd probably side with the Five Great Families alliance anyway."
The bullies were students from the Five Great Families. The Namgung Family especially treated even the Nine Great Sects like jokes, so no one dared stop them.
"I-I'm fine."
The bullied student struggled to his feet and spoke to me. Small build, shaggy hair, round eyes peeking through—adorably innocent-looking.
'This pure, cute kid on the surface...'
Turns out to be one of the mid-story's top villains, the greatest antagonist.
The upper-class Fighting Sword Sect student: Little Affectionate Swordsman Meng Yuon.
Timid and weak normally, but he snapped into madness when excited. That's why he endured the bullying—to avoid causing trouble.
Just reaching the upper class was a huge win for his sect, so he held back.
"Don't hold it in—fight back."
I scratched my head and advised Meng Yuon, who insisted he was okay. In the original story, relentless bullying at the academy awakened his demonic nature, dooming him. He failed to graduate, leading to the Fighting Sword Sect's destruction and dispersal.
'And with the evil demonic sword in hand, Meng Yuon became the mid-story's supreme martial menace, the Sword Ghost.'
The Sword Ghost slew countless martial artists and even massacred civilians as offerings to his blade. I wanted to avert that horrific future.
If someone had reached out during Meng Yuon's tormented academy days, when no one else did, maybe that nightmare wouldn't happen?
"Ha, haha! No, thanks for checking on me."
Despite my words, Meng Yuon laughed it off innocently and tried to leave. I could see him forcing it.
To revive his tiny Fighting Sword Sect, graduation was essential. So he smiled through every urge to snap.
"I didn't say you could go, you nutjob?"
Crash! Bang!
The rowdy upper-class students wouldn't let Meng Yuon brush it off. Classes were over, no instructors around—they'd picked today to really lay into him.
'Or maybe it's a warning to me, the nobody.'
Showing what happens if you rely on Peng Jincheon or the vice head and act cocky.
"Gack! Cough!"
Finally, Namgung Cheol planted his foot on Meng Yuon's body. Even without the demonic sword, this scene showed why anyone would snap.
Crack!
Seeing that snapped my last thread of reason.
-Wolgungji!
I unleashed a finger wind from Wolgungji straight at Namgung Cheol.
Whoosh!
The sharp, piercing finger wind slammed into his back.
"Argh!"
"This lunatic!"
"Using martial arts on a fellow student?"
Outside class or sparring, using techniques on each other was against the rules, so they frothed in outrage.
"Bullying's fine, but martial arts aren't?"
My eyes were bloodshot; I was ready to take them all on alone. About ten of them—not easy, but I wanted to change Meng Yuon's tragic fate.
He'd fallen due to bad circumstances, not evil nature. I believed in him.
"Cheon Myeong!"
Just then, as tension peaked between me, Meng Yuon, and the Five Families alliance, someone called my name.
It was none other than...
"Peng Jincheon!"
The Little Dragon Blade himself. He swung at the Five Families students blocking his path.
Thud! Thwack!
"Outta my way, you bastards!"
I didn't know when blade class ended, but he'd rushed over upon seeing this.
Seeing me in trouble, he didn't hesitate to punch his own alliance members.
"Th-this crazy bastard?"
"We're the Five Great Families successors."
"As a Hebei Peng Clan member, you should be on our—"
Led by Namgung Cheol, Jeon Gal Family and Sacheon Dang Family students glared and threatened.
But Peng Jincheon didn't stop.
"This is the Cheonmu Academy. Students prioritize the academy over their sects. And..."
Shing!
He drew his blade and continued.
"Cheon Myeong's like my other self. Hurt him, and you go through me first."
Peng Jincheon was truly cool. He chose his friend over Five Families harmony.
And more.
"Should I send official letters to your family heads? Tell 'em I fought to stop you bullying a small-sect student?"
"Ugh!"
"Th-that's...!"
Mentioning their patriarchs deflated their momentum.
"So let's call it even and forget this happened."
Peng Jincheon was my savior. I wasn't scared of those punks like Namgung Cheol; I just dreaded academy discipline. He'd smoothed it over.
"...We'll see about this, Meng Yuon. And Cheon Myeong."
Namgung Cheol glared murderously as they left. He had no idea he was the one who'd regret it.
"Meng Yuon."
I ignored those nobodies and turned to him.
Meng Yuon, who became a demonic fiend and martial world's enemy due to misfortune and the demonic sword.
Becoming his friend could sever that future.
'And purely on talent, he's a top-three sword genius in the world. I could recruit him to my crew.'
His brilliance could be channeled for good.
"You know the final graduation project requires teams of three, right?"
Me, the protagonist Cheon Myeong; Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon; and Sword Ghost Meng Yuon. We could achieve the impossible.
Maybe even paint a better picture than my original plan.
"Wanna team up with us?"