I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel 41: <em>Flame Tiger Double Claws</em> (1)
Thanks to my unparalleled performance, the exchange match between Cheonmu Academy and Taecheon Academy ended in our complete victory.
It wasn't long before the news spread.
The cradle of the righteous sects crushed the cradle of the evil factions!
It was a true display of the difference in levels!
They say some nameless student named Cheon Myeong put on a mad display— no one knows his sect or origins!
This monumental news swept through not just Hebei Province, where Cheonmu Academy was located, but the entire martial world like a gale. Even my name had spread a little, which was nothing short of astonishing.
In the original story, around this time, the protagonist Cheon Myeong would have been framed unjustly, expelled from Cheonmu Academy, and reduced to a wretched state quarreling with the Beggar Gang's beggars. This was a complete reversal of fate.
"Cheon Myeong, Peng Jincheon, and Meng Yuon, who shone in the exchange match with Taecheon Academy— report to the academy head's office."
The summons came from an upper-class instructor. It was the academy head, Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun, calling for us three.
Unable to contain our excitement, we donned our neatly pressed academy uniforms.
"I wonder what reward the academy head will give us?"
I was obviously getting the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo technique, but I was curious about my two friends' rewards.
"Who knows. He's such a hearty fellow, so we can probably expect something good."
Even the usually composed Peng Jincheon couldn't hide his anticipation, which was rare for him.
"I lost anyway, so even a simple plaque of thanks would be more than enough."
Meng Yuon was satisfied with anything, figuring it was all profit no matter what.
We hurried straight to the academy head's office, and sure enough, Baek Ho Jun was there along with Vice Academy Head Dan Ri-cheong and the other top brass, waiting to greet us.
"Wow, the heroes of the exchange match!"
"Your performances were incredible."
"You're the pride of our academy!"
They each chimed in, reliving the thrill of that day.
In truth, life at the academy had become far more comfortable since the exchange match. Students who had been on bad terms with us or refused to acknowledge us now bowed and scraped in apology. With the academy head's direct order to treat us three well, even the regular instructors didn't dare raise their voices at us.
"So, have you all been doing well?"
Three days later, Baek Ho Jun's face was so kindly it made his fearsome title of Flame Flower Divine Army seem out of place. And why not? Everywhere you went, people were talking about Cheonmu Academy's triumph— it had even become a hot topic in the Martial Alliance, the gathering of the righteous martial world.
"Of course."
"We've been training diligently without getting carried away."
We grinned and offered polite clasped-hand salutes.
"Alright, the reason I called you three today is to keep my promise from before."
Baek Ho Jun was a terrifying figure when angered, but just as straightforward and hearty. He might hurl insults, but he never broke his word— a man of unyielding integrity.
"First, to Cheon Myeong, who put on the greatest show, I'll pass down one of my signature techniques as promised: the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo."
We all knew that much already. The question was the rewards for the other two.
"And to the two who participated in the special match..."
Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon's eyes sparkled as they leaned in. Even Meng Yuon, who hadn't expected much, was glued to every word— it was hilarious.
"The academy will provide you with Class 2 spirit pills we produce here: Cheonji Dan!"
Ooooh!
Gasps of admiration erupted from everyone the moment Baek Ho Jun finished speaking.
"Cheonji Dan!"
"Those precious things normally given only to the top ten graduates at the final ceremony..."
Meng Yuon and Peng Jincheon, who knew all about the Cheonji Dan, beamed with uncontainable joy.
As Meng Yuon had said, these Cheonji Dan— Cheonmu Academy's own spirit pills— were special privileges reserved for the top-performing graduates. Handing them out like this was extraordinarily rare, practically unprecedented treatment.
'Especially in these times when spirit pills are so scarce... giving out even Class 2 ones so generously means...'
It was as good as declaring us— not just me, but Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon too— as promising young talents worth watching in the righteous martial world.
"Here you go— take good care of them."
Baek Ho Jun boisterously handed over the rare pills right then and there.
"Thank you!"
"We'll redouble our efforts!"
The two, who had received such an unexpected treasure, carefully stowed the wooden boxes containing the Cheonji Dan. For Meng Yuon especially, from the minor Sword Throwing Sect, whose inner energy was lacking, it was the perfect reward.
"Now, I'll personally teach Cheon Myeong the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo, so everyone else, please leave us."
With my friends' rewards settled, it was my turn. Once everyone had gone, Baek Ho Jun praised me once more before his expression turned deadly serious.
"The Yeom Ho Ssang Jo is essentially part of my prized Flame Flower Divine Art. Can you swear never to reveal it to outsiders?"
To a martial artist, a sect's signature technique was more precious than life itself. It was only natural.
"Of course. I swear on heaven, earth, and the gods— if I break this, may my three generations suffer unimaginable torment."
Satisfied with my solemn vow, Baek Ho Jun broke into his usual hearty smile.
"Good. Then I'll teach it to you. I have many forms and techniques, but this Yeom Ho Ssang Jo is my favorite."
As one of the Ten Great Warriors of the world and possessor of the hottest fiery yang energy in the land, he taught me with utmost seriousness.
"It's like a flaming tiger raking fiercely with both front paws..."
He demonstrated personally.
Whoosh!
Something astonishing happened. The moment Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun focused, an indescribably ferocious fiery energy surged through his entire body. It was so intense that the room's temperature skyrocketed in an instant.
And the real marvel came next.
Yeom Ho Ssang Jo!
Fwaaah!
He raised his glowing red fingertips and raked savagely forward. Space itself seemed torn asunder, ferocious shockwaves ripping through the air alongside a surging wave of flames that boasted tremendous power.
"Whoaaa!"
I couldn't help crying out in awe at the sheer might.
'This is the world's greatest fiery yang art!'
Though just one form, it let me glimpse the essence of his fiery yang power.
"Haha, I hope it suits you."
After his passionate display, Baek Ho Jun laughed heartily as if the blazing aura had never been.
"It's truly the pinnacle of techniques."
I meant every word— it wasn't flattery.
'It fits me perfectly right now.'
Especially if combined with the Naeng In Jang; the temperature contrast would offer endless advantages.
"I'll teach you the incantation. But I can only spare two days. If you don't master it by then, I can't teach more."
Two days? I wasn't worried at all.
I knew Protagonist Cheon Myeong's talents well. With his innate martial genius, and after consuming the Millennium Snow Ginseng for a full hwan-gol-tal-tae transformation, he was now the ultimate prodigy. Two days was more than enough.
"Of course."
And so began two days of one-on-one instruction from Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun.
Surprisingly, he was a gentle teacher, holding nothing back— from minute details to hard-earned insights.
By past midnight.
"Let me give it a try."
At my words, already attempting the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo, the corner of Baek Ho Jun's mouth twitched upward.
"There's still a full day left. Don't rush it."
He didn't yet grasp my genius. He even chuckled, thinking my youthful hot-bloodedness was making me hasty.
But what could be done? I was truly confident.
"Huuuup."
I calmly regulated my breathing, openly preparing to execute it.
"Hmmm."
Resigned, Baek Ho Jun widened his eyes and watched intently.
'I've already memorized the incantation.'
Mastering a profound martial art wasn't just about rote memorization. It required perfect understanding, grasping its mysteries and interpretations before it could manifest in motion.
Baek Ho Jun knew this well, so while he admired my quick memorization of the complex incantation, he expected me to falter and watched patiently.
But who was this Cheon Myeong?
Yeom Ho Ssang Jo!
Cheon Myeong, protagonist of the Seven Falls, Eight Rises: Invincible Fist King world, and a genius rivaling Baek Muhon in talent since starting the remake.
Right before the original master of the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo, Flame Tiger Divine Army Baek Ho Jun, I unleashed it flawlessly.
Fwaaah!
Blazing hot fiery yang energy roared forth, like a tiger lunging with savage front paws— a ferocious claw technique executed to perfection.
In other words, I had perfectly performed the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo.
"...What?"
Baek Ho Jun's reaction was short and stunned. His eyes bulged so wide they refused to contract.
It made sense— mastering even one technique required countless processes and repetitions.
'Normally, it takes tens, hundreds, thousands of failures to perfect a single motion.'
Yet I'd replicated it perfectly on the spot, like copy-pasting. His shock must have been doubled.
"My god! Cheon Myeong, you really are..."
Finally snapping out of it, Baek Ho Jun eyed me up and down with newfound respect. He'd known I was strong and talented, but not this much.
"You're a true-born genius."
Speaking from the heart once more, he even went on to say:
"Ahem, I shouldn't make this offer to a student, but... would you consider becoming a disciple of our Flame Flower Sect, passed down through one line?"
His proposal shocked even me.
Poaching someone already enrolled at Cheonmu Academy was the ultimate taboo— and for the academy head himself to break it showed just how impressed he was.
"It's not the right time yet."
I smiled warmly and politely declined.
"I see, fair enough."
Baek Ho Jun nodded regretfully, clearly disappointed.
"You've mastered the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo perfectly, so any further development is up to you."
Despite his overzealous offer, Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun was truly a respectable senior martial artist and leader.
I offered him another deep clasped-hand salute and vowed:
"I'll strive with gritted teeth and iron will to become a warrior who honors this Yeom Ho Ssang Jo and more."
I meant it sincerely. With the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo as my foundation, the path ahead was long— this was just the beginning.
"Good. Just looking at you makes me feel secure."
Academy Head Baek Ho Jun smiled contentedly.
In fact, it wasn't long before I had a chance to test the Yeom Ho Ssang Jo I'd learned from him in actual combat.