His True Identity (4)
After reveling in a day-long mad feast of celebration, I returned to my routine, pouring every ounce of effort into my martial arts training.
Best of all, I no longer had to train in the bustling practice grounds with the other students. Now I honed my skills in my own private training hall.
"Exactly like this...!"
Pabababang!
With no one around to watch, I freely practiced the techniques from the Illusion Ghost Technique Manual, integrating them into my fist and leg arts without restraint.
The joy of training didn't stop there.
Srulk!
I also devoted much effort to the Illusion Disguise Technique, the Southeast Color Demon's specialty. In truth, it required more skill and flair than deep inner energy or realm attainment, so I mastered it with relative ease.
I was lost in the Illusion Ghost Technique Manual when—
"Cheon Myeong! The Martial Alliance has finally sent people to bestow your rewards!"
At Dan Ri-cheong's call, I halted my training and turned my head.
The news that martial artists from the Martial Alliance had arrived sent me rushing to grab a fresh training robe and head straight to the academy head's office.
"Ah, there you are. Come, make your greetings. This is Azure Dragon Corps Leader and Qingyun Sword Sect Won-gwang, the great hero who commands the Azure Dragon Corps."
Ooooh!
The entire Cheonmu Academy—not just me—buzzed with excitement at the arrival of such a high-ranking figure.
And for good reason. The Azure Dragon Corps was one of the Martial Alliance's elite Four Divine Corps, boasting exceptional prowess among them.
But what truly shocked me was—
'In the mid-arc of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King, this Qingyun Sword Sect Won-gwang becomes the ninth Martial Alliance Leader and rises as the most influential power player in the righteous sects!'
Won-gwang was a warrior from the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, who had scripted a legendary tale of meteoric rise.
If I had to sum up his character simply, he was like Cao Cao from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
'In other words, the type who adores the talented and despises the incompetent.'
He had personal charm and intellect beyond mere martial prowess, but above all, he cherished and coveted talented individuals.
Perhaps that was why he'd spotted raw gems early, placed them in key Martial Alliance positions, and soared alongside the able-bodied. It was his innate gift.
"Greetings. I am Cheon Myeong, an advanced class student of Cheonmu Academy."
The Azure Dragon Corps Leader's position rivaled the academy head's, so I offered a respectful cupped-fist salute.
"So you're the famous Cheon Myeong? Far younger than I expected. I figured you were well past twenty."
Won-gwang eyed me with a gaze brimming with discernment.
It carried a warmth, yet I couldn't shake the feeling he was scanning me from head to toe.
"I'll turn twenty soon."
"Excellent. The age when your talent explodes and your body reaches completion."
He seemed thoroughly pleased with me, flashing a satisfied smile.
"The reason I've come all this way is that I've been keenly watching your exploits. From your duel with Patcheon Academy to capturing the Southeast Color Demon Hwa Wol-un single-handedly—I was stunned."
"You're too kind. It was just good fortune."
I remained polite to the end.
In truth, my specialties had shone against Patcheon Academy students, and Hwa Wol-un's massive complacency let me overpower him far easier than his skill warranted.
"I don't believe in luck. Even if it exists, drawing such great fortune to yourself is skill."
Won-gwang patted my shoulder, his eyes gleaming with the ambition unique to him.
"Now, time to announce your rewards. First, the bounty on Southeast Color Demon Hwa Wol-un's head: two hundred gold taels!"
Woooow!
Gasps erupted anew at the mention of two hundred gold taels.
That sum could make one wealthy in a decent county, enough for a comfortable life.
"After a small contribution to Cheonmu Academy for producing you, you'll still walk away with about one hundred fifty gold taels."
A portion went to the academy, but I felt no regret. Without them, there'd be no honor or reward in the first place.
"Thank you."
"Too early for thanks. The imperial court has exceptionally granted you a major honor."
"Pardon? The imperial court?"
Even I, rarely surprised, couldn't hide my shock.
'The imperial family, for me?'
The reason was simple. By unwritten rule, the court and the martial world maintained a strict separation—officials and warriors do not infringe.
So why would they reward me?
"It turns out Hwa Wol-un didn't just prey on powerless commoners—he even targeted young palace boys serving the court. They've been after him since Emperor Yongrak's reign, before the current Emperor Jincheon."
Ah, that explained it. Since I'd caught him, the exceedingly filial Emperor Jincheon was honoring his father's will with a grand reward.
"So they asked me, as I was delivering the Alliance's bounty, to handle theirs as well. The Martial Alliance often liaises with high court officials, after all."
Qingyun Sword Sect Won-gwang spoke true. Every high official had ties to the Alliance; routing the emperor's reward through him was natural.
"Now, this is the imperial court's reward, not the Alliance's. Ahem!"
Won-gwang cleared his throat and drew forth a radiant golden missive from his robes.
It was an imperial edict.
"Student Cheon Myeong of Cheonmu Academy's advanced class, hear this."
Won-gwang's recitation of the edict stood in for the emperor and his officials, so I dropped to one knee, offering utmost reverence.
"We highly commend your merit in slaying the wanted criminal Southeast Color Demon Hwa Wol-un, who disrupted the Middle Kingdom's order with his vile deeds."
Who could've foreseen rewards from the imperial court on top of the Alliance? I listened humbly, joy swelling in my heart.
"First, to the exemplary Cheonmu Academy that produced such a warrior: five hundred ge of rice and nearby lands as a grant. Furthermore, to student Cheon Myeong..."
Now came the real jackpot.
"We bestow the rank-eight official position of Honorary County Lieutenant."
Woooaaah!
A mere novice student, not even a full-fledged martial wanderer, had secured a genuine rank-eight imperial post from the emperor himself.
This honorary county lieutenant oversaw a county—the unit of a large village—enforcing discipline as second only to the county magistrate.
"Unbelievable!"
"A rank-eight? Even county magistrates can't ignore that..."
"How do we even treat a rank-eight student?"
The academy's haughty instructors and leaders were thrown into confusion by my sudden elevation.
"Though honorary, this title carries the emperor's prestige and holds wherever his name reaches. Regard it as great honor."
"Emperor Jincheon, long live! Long live! Long, long live!"
I completed my imperial salute once more and carefully tucked away the official commission document.
The rice and land for Cheonmu Academy were immense boons too, ensuring my eternal place in its storied history as a benefactor.
'This is fun.'
To leave my name forever at Cheonmu Academy, the cradle of protagonist Cheon Myeong's dreams, rewards and perks in hand. It was profound honor, an enduring legacy for generations.
"Congratulations. It's exceedingly rare for a martial artist to receive an honorary official post."
Having delivered the full edict, Won-gwang helped me to my feet, heaping praise.
Some stubborn martial folk might disdain such titles, but most cherished them. Life wasn't solved by force alone; such a post proved useful in time.
"With that... all rewards are bestowed. Now, to the reason I came personally."
I'd been thrilled, but his words sparked curiosity. The tone suggested someone else should have come instead.
"As you know, I'm the Azure Dragon Corps Leader. We compete—and sometimes cooperate—with the White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird Corps in friendly rivalry. Securing talent is key."
His explanation made his visit crystal clear.
'As expected of talent-hoarding Qingyun Sword Sect Won-gwang—he's come recruiting me himself.'
And sure enough—
"Cheon Myeong, if you wish, after graduating Cheonmu Academy, I can arrange your entry into the Martial Alliance and the Azure Dragon Corps. And if you achieve monumental feats or record-breaking results in the finals... we can treat you as a full-fledged member, no 'newbie' label. What say you?"
"...!!"
Direct entry into the Azure Dragon Corps was reserved for prized talents from the Nine Great Sects, Five Great Families—those proven through trials among the elite.
Yet this leader coveted my talent enough to scout personally.
"A splendid offer."
"Cheon Myeong, refusing this would be foolish."
Even my supporters Baek Ho Jun and Dan Ri-cheong urged acceptance.
But I thought differently.
'Sticking to one group or organization? My Cheonmu Academy days suffice.'
I'd entered for its perks, growth, and original Cheon Myeong's dream. No more was needed.
Now a peak transcendent master, I had the strength for independence.
'Better to roam the Middle Kingdom freely, monopolizing every perk and fortuitous encounter in this world.'
After deep deliberation, I responded to the Azure Dragon Corps offer:
"I appreciate the proposal, but I'm still young and lacking. As a martial artist yet to even properly debut, my experience is scant. So..."
I wisely declined while floating a compromise.
"After graduating Cheonmu Academy, I plan to wander the jianghu learning the ways of the world for a year or two. If I still catch the Azure Dragon Leader's eye then, would you consider the offer anew?"
Having navigated real-world society, I knew the play. With naive youth, you'd reject outright—but not me.
Decline politely, yet keep the door subtly ajar.
"Of course, absolutely. In my youth, I roamed the Middle Kingdom too, gaining experiences and memories."
Surprisingly, Azure Dragon Leader Won-gwang nodded readily.
And not just him—
"Right after academy graduation, that's prime wandering age."
"Touring the world is a grand lesson at that stage."
With Baek Ho Jun and Dan Ri-cheong's backing, I wrapped it up smoothly.
The Cao Cao-like talent lover, Qingyun Sword Sect Won-gwang, seemed reluctant to the end, earnestly imploring me before departing:
"If you change your mind, contact me anytime. The Azure Dragon Corps doors are open."