Leaving Cheonmu Academy (1)
I spoke to Hak Dongrip, whose stance had completely crumbled.
Someone might point fingers at me and say I was even more arrogant than Hak Dongrip. But not a chance.
'I possess the skill to back it up, whereas Azure Cloud Single Sword Hak Dongrip does not.'
That difference might seem minor, but it produced vastly different outcomes.
Hak Dongrip, the most promising later-generation talent in all of Sichuan's martial world, had truly met his match today.
"Urgh..."
When I told him that if he still couldn't accept my fame and prowess, I'd gladly face him in a rematch anytime, Hak Dongrip looked troubled.
Normally, with his temperament, he'd charge in relentlessly until he won—but those words wouldn't come easily.
Why? 'He knows he can't win even in a rematch.'
No matter if it was ten or a hundred bouts, he lacked the confidence to claim even one victory. It was only natural that his courage faltered.
"Young hero Cheon Myeong... I... committed a grave discourtesy."
As expected, Hak Dongrip might be a bit arrogant and haughty, but he wasn't a fool.
From the start, it had been youthful hot-bloodedness and competitive spirit that prompted his challenge—he was far from a villain.
Once he recognized the cold reality, acknowledgment followed.
"My respected senior of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, Master Won Gwang, praised you endlessly, and I suppose I let jealousy get the better of me without realizing it."
Azure Cloud Single Sword Hak Dongrip spoke with complete sincerity, as if he'd cast everything aside. This was the difference between righteous faction and unorthodox warriors.
"No, no. I learned a valuable lesson myself."
I responded with equal courtesy and propriety.
This wasn't mere politeness. Through the duel with Hak Dongrip, I'd gauged the current level of later-generation talents and their capabilities.
"I'll acknowledge my defeat... and as promised, I'll cover the meals for all you spectators, plus compensate for the table and utensils I broke."
In stark contrast to his clean acceptance of the result—
Tremble, tremble!
When the bill came to over ten gold taels, Hak Dongrip's hands shook.
Despite all the back-and-forth, he was still just a later-generation talent, and for a Daoist like him, ten gold taels was no small sum.
Suppressing a laugh at the sight, I showed magnanimity.
"Where would a Daoist like you have money to spare?"
With those words, I dramatically pulled ten gold taels from my robe.
Then, I shouted to everyone present.
"With this, I'll treat all my fellow disciples to a meal and cover the damages to the innkeeper!"
And one more thing.
"Since we've crossed paths like this, it's fate—I'd like to treat the Qingcheng Sect disciples as well."
I had gold taels to spare anyway, so it was time to build rapport.
Some might froth at the mouth, asking why the victor was paying—but I saw it differently.
Instead of needlessly antagonizing the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, fostering harmony was the wiser path.
'Above all, I need to stay close to Azure Cloud Sword Sect's Won Gwang, the future leader of the Martial Alliance. Good relations with Qingcheng won't hurt.'
Besides, winning with martial prowess was fine, but demonstrating the magnanimity of a true man and embracing them—that was the greater victory.
"Eat your fill, everyone!"
* * *
Choosing harmony over enmity had been the right call.
As we left the inn later, I'd even become sworn brothers with Azure Cloud Single Sword Hak Dongrip.
—Please visit our Qingcheng Sect someday. I'll give you a proper welcome then.
Not just me—Meng Yuon and Peng Jincheon had grown close to Qingcheng as well.
For Meng Yuon in particular, who would soon establish himself in Sichuan's martial world, forging ties with Qingcheng was a massive boon and a perfect capstone.
Thus, after all the talk and turmoil in Sichuan Province, we returned to Hebei's Cheonmu Academy.
"We're finally back!"
"Long time no see, Cheonmu Academy!"
Having spent years there, Cheonmu Trio—we felt like we were returning home, brimming with joy.
Time had flown by like an arrow, and our vacation was nearly over. In the meantime, we'd apparently completed the final graduation exam we'd been exempted from.
"It's been a while."
Upon entering the academy, the first to greet us was none other than Vice Academy Head Soft Wind Silver Sword Dan Ri-cheong.
"Vice Head!"
"How did the final graduation exam go?"
We asked eagerly, full of curiosity.
Though we'd clashed with the upper-class cadets over various issues at first, we'd grown fond of them through our shared activities. They'd even cheered us on later and become friends, so we were keen to know their fates.
"Cheonmu Trio—excluding you three... regrettably, there are no final graduates."
The result was quite shocking.
"What?"
"I-Is that true?"
Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon were so surprised they asked again.
In truth, the final graduation hurdle was more grueling than anything else at Cheonmu Academy, so zero graduates in a year was common.
'Compared to that, the three of us passing makes this a decent year.'
Being a Cheonmu Academy final graduate meant you were an elite later-generation talent endorsed by the righteous factions.
Thus, standards were stricter than ever, with five graduates a year being a tall order.
It was regrettable, but this was the natural outcome.
"Yes. Those upper-class cadets who gave up have already gone back home, while those trying for another year are training hard."
Hearing that made me feel a twinge of guilt about disturbing their focused training.
"Oh, the Academy Head is looking for you. Especially you, Cheon Myeong."
Dan Ri-cheong patted my shoulder as if he'd just remembered, chattering nonstop.
"You've stirred up something enormous this time. Dismantling the Black Heaven Squad was one thing, but taking down even Black Heaven Sword Ghost Du Jeong-cheong?"
Dan Ri-cheong shook his head in disbelief, as if it still sounded insane.
Frankly, Black Heaven Sword Ghost was on par with Dan Ri-cheong himself.
Even in a direct clash, their odds would be about fifty-fifty, so his astonishment was all the greater.
Setting aside the surprise, we headed to the Academy Head's office, where Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun was in an even bigger uproar.
"Cheon Myeong, and Cheonmu Trio—the entire martial world is in an uproar right now."
Baek Ho Jun pointed dramatically at his desk.
It was buried under letters from across the Central Plains, in utter chaos.
"Can you believe all these letters are about Jade-Faced Divine Saint Cheon Myeong and Cheonmu Trio?"
Incredibly, they were all about us—Cheonmu Trio, especially me.
I blushed at my new moniker, but Baek Ho Jun pressed on undeterred.
"It's pandemonium out there. Even the Martial Alliance's White Tiger Corps and Vermilion Bird Corps have issued notices demanding we send you over."
"Aigoo, Academy Head—not just the Alliance. Even Tae-eul Seon-ong Jung Ri-dan, one of the Ten Great Warriors, and Ink King Ak Bu-yeong of the Sapa Chilwang have shown interest."
Baek Ho Jun and Dan Ri-cheong sighed in shared headache, nodding in commiseration.
From Azure Dragon Corps and Black Tortoise Corps to the Alliance's Death God Corps—all coveting the same talent? I was apparently the first.
Especially since, alongside the Ten Great Warriors of the righteous factions, the Sapa Chilwang were famed as the evil factions' equivalents—and now Ink King had his eye on me.
'Most of the Sapa Chilwang have reached the Entry to Divinity realm.'
Even those superhumans sending letters about me piqued my curiosity.
Ink King Ak Bu-yeong especially—he was a monumental figure in the unorthodox world.
The Invincible Fist King of the Seven Battles and Eight Banners taking an interest in me? I was steadily rewriting Cheonmu Academy's legends.
"Truly astonishing."
When I voiced my surprise, Dan Ri-cheong replied readily.
"Yes, utterly astounding. Most were offers to recruit you under them, and even the unorthodox side sent formal challenge requests."
Facing a Sapa Chilwang was still beyond me, so the thought sent chills down my spine—followed by laughter.
'I've really grown up.'
Leaving Cheonmu Academy, the entire Central Plains now curious and invested in me—a massive leap in just one or two short years.
"For now, we've turned them all down. Soon you'll graduate and leave our hands anyway."
Only after Academy Head Baek Ho Jun's words did it truly sink in: we were leaving Cheonmu Academy.
Winter had fully passed, the year turning—so the day of the new year would mark our departure.
"Thus, we'll hold a brief final graduation ceremony here."
Baek Ho Jun said this, calming the excited mood and shifting gears.
"Cheonmu Academy upper-class cadets: Cheon Myeong! Peng Jincheon! Meng Yuon!"
He called our names in a solemn voice.
"Yes, sir!"
We responded in unison, booming with our final display of spirit.
The time had come to bid farewell to our instructors and the academy leadership.
"The aforementioned three—known as Cheonmu Trio—have achieved accomplishments beyond words as members of Cheonmu Academy. Beyond their feats and merits, they've set an example for all, advancing by leaps and bounds. Your final graduation is the joy and fulfillment of every academy leader."
A lump rose in my throat. Memories of Cheonmu Academy flashed by like a lantern show.
From my servant days, learning martial arts from Gabul, the entrance exam, meeting these two friends—everything.
'So many people...'
I'd stayed longer than expected, but I had zero regrets.
By the original tale, I'd have been crippled by servant beatings and falsely accused, never even approaching Cheonmu Academy.
'Yet here I am, basking in this glory—I've assuaged the original protagonist's resentment at never joining Cheonmu Academy.'
What remake could be more perfect? I stood proud before myself and my maternal uncle, this world's creator, watching from afar.
"I hereby decree your final graduation from Cheonmu Academy. Wherever you go, remember that the academy's honor rests upon you! That is all."
Baek Ho Jun smiled warmly once more, reverting to gentleness.
"What I just said was my declaration as Academy Head. Now, as a martial world senior, I'll speak freely."
Ten Great Warrior Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun—he was truly exemplary.
To us departing, he offered heaps of well-wishes.
"If you ever face hardship or need the academy's aid, don't hesitate to reach out. We'll help no matter where in the Central Plains you are."
"If it's urgent, run straight to the Dan Ri Clan estate."
Baek Ho Jun was followed by Dan Ri-cheong joining our side.
Hearing them, I felt a sense of belonging I'd lacked—Meng Yuon and Peng Jincheon had their sects, but I'd had none.
Having earned the trust of two of Cheonmu's finest warriors, the Academy Head and Vice Head—I was no longer alone.
"Once you leave, the academy will get too quiet—what'll we do?"
Dan Ri-cheong smacked his lips regretfully.
After much back-and-forth, Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun suddenly made a proposal.
"Letting a special-grade graduate like you go feels like a waste, Cheon Myeong... How about one last spar with me before you leave?"