Formation! Cheonmu Squadron 3 (1)
Leader of the Azure Dragon Squad, Won-gwang, was so reluctant to see me go that he departed with a half-threatening remark about how disappointed he'd be if I ended up in the White Tiger Squad, Black Tortoise Squad, or Four Divine Beasts Squad.
After that, I collected the massive rewards and converted them into banknotes at a reliable exchange in the field.
'I've received plenty of compensation, so now it's time to focus on martial arts.'
There was still so much I needed to master. Starting with medicine, then the Formless Poison Skill, the Illusion Ghost Technique Manual, and Illusion Body Flight—I couldn't afford to miss any of them.
Especially Illusion Body Flight, a critical footwork technique that would aid in evasion, escape, and even offense across multiple scenarios. I had to learn it.
Over the next month or so, I threw myself into training and achieved solid results.
"All upper-class cadets, assemble!"
At Vice Academy Head Dan Ri-cheong's sudden declaration, I rushed out from my private quarters where I'd been practicing alone, and soon grasped the reason for the summons.
'So it begins.'
Dan Ri-cheong hadn't gathered us for anything else.
"With just one month until the academy's final graduation exam, you all know the test involves teams of three, right?"
It was the day to form teams for the entire upper-class cohort ahead of final graduation.
The cadets buzzed with excitement. Many kids fretted about not being grouped together with friends they'd hoped to team up with, but Peng Jincheon, Meng Yuon, and I remained utterly relaxed throughout.
Why? Because we'd already secured confirmation from the academy head through our rewards.
"First, due to their tremendous achievements, Cheon Myeong, Peng Jincheon, and Meng Yuon will form one team. You three are Cheonmu Squadron 3. The rest of you, pair up with whoever you want to team with—in groups of three!"
At Dan Ri-cheong's words, the cadets quickly formed groups of twos and threes, but most teams were reformed under his orders.
After much adjustment to ensure balance...
"Thirty cadets challenging final graduation, in ten teams. Any objections?"
Thirty cadets fit perfectly into ten teams.
"These three will be your comrades until final graduation, so if you're not close yet, you'd best get friendly now."
Fortunately, the three of us were already best friends, so we had no worries there.
Though a month remained until final graduation, the reason for assembling us all to form teams was simple.
"With the final exam approaching, we're conducting training to build teamwork and unity among unfamiliar teammates."
Dan Ri-cheong said this as he signaled the upper-class instructors.
Crack! Snap!
The instructors immediately raised small blue flags and began assigning one to each team, from Cheonmu Squadron 1 to 10.
These were miniature versions of the traditional Cheonmu Academy flags we'd wagered in the recent bet against Taecheon Academy—uncannily familiar.
"The training is simple. Each team will receive one of these blue flags and must transport it to the final destination by the end of training without losing it."
Dan Ri-cheong explained the format of this pre-exam training in his calm voice.
In short, ten teams each holding a blue flag had to protect it until training concluded. If anything, it resembled an escort agency's mission—the flag was the cargo, and we were the escorts.
"Elect a team leader for each group, and have them collect the blue flag from the instructor standing before you!"
Many teams struggled with choosing a leader, but not us.
"Cheon Myeong, you're perfect for it."
"Yeah, not just leader—commander."
Peng Jincheon showed unshakable faith, and Meng Yuon bounced with excitement like a little brother heading out on an excursion, both backing me fully.
Other teams had cadets fighting over the role or shoving it onto each other.
Thanks to that, I stepped forward first to claim our flag.
Swoosh!
Even small, it was adult torso-length, impossible to hide in one's clothes. I gripped it like a sword or staff, using it as a walking stick.
"Everyone got theirs? Then I'll explain the rules in detail. See the instructors in front of each team?"
Grinning!
Once all teams had their flags, Dan Ri-cheong smiled with his signature glint in his clear eyes, clearly delighted.
"Those instructors will come at you with full force to seize your flags. But they'll also command subordinates and mimic all sorts of ambushes from the jangho martial world. Don't forget that!"
Oooooh!
The cadets erupted in admiration at the training's intensity, far exceeding expectations.
Who'd have thought the instructors handing out flags were the very enemies coming to steal them?
'And the balance is exquisite.'
Upper-class instructors ranged from peak Entry to Divinity entry-level at the lowest to high Entry to Divinity experts at the top.
They'd been assigned to match each team's strength—and since Cheonmu Squadron 3 had gathered the absolute best...
"Flying Dragon Hero Spear Huang Yi-cheon Instructor!"
Naturally, the instructor targeting our squad to snatch the flag was the upper-class's strongest: Huang Yi-cheon, the Flying Dragon Hero Spear who'd reached early Entry to Divinity with a single spear!
'This Instructor Huang Yi-cheon is no pushover.'
I subtly sized him up—a mild-mannered man of small stature who looked like a wealthy fabric merchant's second son, quick with jokes and lighthearted. But hand him a spear twice his height, and he transformed.
Surprisingly strong sense of justice too; he could've joined the Murim Alliance with honors. The sole reason he became a Cheonmu Academy instructor?
'He truly reveres Academy Head Baek Ho Jun, the Flame Flower Divine Army and one of the Ten Great Warriors of the World.'
In fact, in the latter half of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King's Seven Battles Eight Victories arc, he even takes Baek Ho Jun's place as academy head.
"Heh heh heh, we instructors really racked our brains over your team. We'll come at you with everything we've got."
Huang Yi-cheon, closest to Peng Jincheon and on great terms with me too, spoke freely without reserve.
"He's right. We planned two instructors just for Cheonmu Squadron 3, but the others protested it as reverse discrimination."
Dan Ri-cheong approached our team, unable to hide his interest.
Huang Yi-cheon was a match for me in a straight fight—not easy. But with three of us, the key wasn't defeating him with martial prowess; it was protecting the flag.
'Instructor Huang Yi-cheon will definitely deploy clever traps to lure us in.'
Then snatch it in the chaos—obvious.
"Now that you know your enemy, here's the full explanation. Each team departs Cheonmu Academy and heads to the academy's Henan branch. Safely deliver the flag there, and training succeeds."
Just like an escort agency's mission.
"Lose or get robbed of the blue flag midway? Failure. Fail to reach the Henan branch by training's end? Failure. Got it?"
Yes sir!
We answered in unison, most teams visibly tense.
In truth, our Cheonmu Squadron 3 was stacked with elites, but other teams could barely handle one instructor even combined.
"This'll be fun, huh?"
"It's been ages since the three of us traveled together."
Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon looked thrilled at the prospect. Beating one instructor with three of us bordered on impossible anyway, so excitement trumped tension.
"The route to the Henan branch and path choices are yours. Training ends at dawn one week from now."
Meaning we could detour to evade pursuit or traps, deploy any strategies or tactics.
"If you're ready... begin!"
At last, Cheonmu Academy's final training commenced!
* * *
"Obviously, we take the shortest route, right?"
As team leader, I made the final call and took custody of the blue flag. While other teams schemed roundabout paths or lingered at the academy to plan cautiously, we charged ahead.
"As the leader says."
"We're with the leader all the way."
Peng Jincheon offered steadfast trust, while adorable Meng Yuon hopped like an eager kid brother, following me loyally.
They trusted me, and I trusted them just as much.
"The fastest, most comfortable path."
No doubt Cheonmu Academy had traps there, or Flying Dragon Hero Spear Huang Yi-cheon lying in wait. But fear? None.
If anything, my body itched for action.
The shortest path from Cheonmu Academy headquarters to the Henan branch could've been done in four days flat—not by horse or carriage, but peak Entry to Divinity lightness skill users flying at full speed.
Snap!
Meng Yuon took point, me in the middle, Peng Jincheon at the rear—formation set.
At a glance, we looked casually arrayed, but far from it. Point was the swift-sword master Meng Yuon, small affection swordsman extraordinaire, perfect for rapid response and vigilance.
Middle: me guarding the flag while the strongest leader received protection.
Rear, the most perilous spot: next-strongest and most seasoned Little Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon covering our six.
"Then... let's go!"
A rare training outing beyond academy walls. Perfect weather, chill easing—ideal timing.
Great day, great company; I was so pumped I nearly forgot it was training.
Fwiiiish!
Other teams crept along with constant four-directions vigilance; we blazed like rampaging red steeds, charging headlong without a care.
Traps? Whatever. We barreled straight, and by sunset...
"Let's rest at that inn."
We'd flown so fast, headquarters was long out of sight. Nearly at Hebei's edge, everything smooth sailing—we decided to refuel at the inn.
"Small noodles and dumplings here..."
As Meng Yuon ordered, I raised a hand to stop him.
"Wh-what? Trap?"
Peng Jincheon tensed at Meng Yuon's fuss, but I just smiled.
"Nah... Don't you know I'm loaded now? We're out—small noodles and dumplings? Come on."
I flexed at the waiter.
"Bring your priciest dishes. Enough for three to stuff ourselves silly."
Ping!
Tossing a silver ingot without forgetting.
"Y-yes sir, right away!"
The waiter's face lit up as he hurried out lavish fare: ornate palace cuisine, rare regional specialties—so extravagant even low-appetite Peng Jincheon smacked his lips.
Just as we dove in carefree...
'Think I'd eat without checking?'
Slurp!
Applying the silver needle, the color changed. Truth be told, my inner Formless Poison Skill had warned me before I even drew it.
I tested with the needle just to convince the other two.
"Poison in the food? Even the expensive stuff."
"I'm a little pissed now."
I extended my hand toward the inn's patrons.
My instincts were ghostly sharp. Not just spotting the poison, but realizing every soul in the inn was an instructor's plant.
Crash! Clang!