Leaving Cheonmu Academy (3)
Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun hadn't gone all out, but neither had I. To put it simply, we'd sparred with our guards half-up, excluding killing blows, and I'd only been pushed back by a move or so. Not a bad result at all.
No, I'd achieved my goal.
I'd gotten the answer to how far I had left to reach the Entry to Divinity realm.
"You've learned so much right up to the end here at Cheonmu Academy."
I spoke with genuine sincerity and respect.
Baek Ho Jun could have beaten me anytime he wanted. And yet, he'd guided me step by step, like an instructor in a formal spar or a master showing a novice the path.
I knew that full well.
"That's the academy's purpose and our duty. I'm proud to hear you say you've learned well."
Baek Ho Jun patted my shoulder with a bright, refreshing smile.
His words touched me deeply. From the academy head down to Vice Head Dan Ri-cheong and all the instructors, they'd poured their all into teaching us. We'd thrown everything we had into grasping even one more insight, leaving no regrets.
"Well, that's everything. Once the year ends, you're free to leave the academy."
Baek Ho Jun and Dan Ri-cheong approached us for final farewells, followed by the upper-class instructors wrapping things up with their own goodbyes.
"Thank you... truly, thank you."
Little Affectionate Swordsman Meng Yuon, who'd seen the steepest rise at Cheonmu Academy, finally shed tears.
"I'll never forget Cheonmu Academy."
Even Little Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon, who rarely got emotional, reddened at the eyes.
And I felt the same.
"We've learned so much here."
We exchanged final bows with all the instructors, then mingled with the upper-, middle-, and lower-class cadets who'd come to see us off.
And so, as the year's end approached...
"The day has finally come."
It was the day I'd awaited, yet secretly hoped might never arrive.
The academy was already on break, its instructors and leaders off on sweet vacations, leaving the place unusually desolate.
"Only Cheonmu Squad 3 remains."
We'd gathered in my private quarters inside the academy. Having said goodbyes to everyone else, now it was time for Cheonmu Squad 3 to part ways.
"We probably won't meet again easily."
Peng Jincheon spoke with a bitter tone. As the scion of a great clan, he knew the ways of the martial world all too well. He'd be swamped inheriting the Northern Peng Clan in Hebei, and Meng Yuon would be just as busy building up his small Fighting Sword Sect. It might be years before Cheonmu Squad 3 reunited after graduating.
"I'll be at Fighting Sword Sect in Sichuan Province. My goal is to become vice sect leader by my elderly master's side and rise as one of Sichuan's top masters."
Meng Yuon shared his aspirations first. Modest, but achievable for him now.
"I'll return to the Northern Peng Clan in Hebei. I'll surpass my brothers and direct-blood cousins to become the official young clan head, and after that... I'll claim the title of strongest among the Five Great Clans."
Peng Jincheon, who rarely opened up deeply, revealed his grand ambitions. Far more challenging than Meng Yuon's.
Because the Five Great Clans include the Nangong Clan and Sichuan Dang Family.
Becoming their strongest meant ranking in the top tier of the Ten Great Warriors Under Heaven.
"Your turn, Cheon Myeong."
"I'm dying to know your next goal."
Having shared theirs—easy to guess from their sects—the two turned to me.
I was different. In the best light, unbound and free; in the worst, an orphan with nowhere to go.
"After graduating Cheonmu Academy, for now..."
The moment I started, they stared intently.
Love it or hate it, I was Cheonmu Squad 3's leader and core.
Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon were dying to know my next move.
"I'll roam the martial world freely, gathering all sorts of experiences."
Compared to building a sect like family or elevating a clan to the top, it sounded modest and small. But I meant it.
"Aw, come on, that's it?"
"Not like the Jade-Faced Divine Saint."
My friends teased playfully, probing my true intent.
"For real. This vast, fantastical martial world, all of the Central Plains—I'll wander it, sometimes thrilled, sometimes pained, sometimes joyful, growing all the while."
Not just aimless wandering, of course.
I planned to claim all the fortuitous encounters yet to come, resolve major events, and steadily remake my destiny.
My path was humble, but my goal dwarfed theirs.
"And my aim is..."
Mine had always been one thing.
"To become the world's greatest. The greatest in history, judged strongest across all ages."
No bluff or joke. To complete the remake of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King, I had to become the supreme warrior first.
Ooooh!
At my grand declaration, they nodded in sudden understanding, murmuring in awe.
My two friends never mocked or belittled it. Even with the current world's greatest, Invincible Wind Cloud Sword Baek Taeryeong, still active.
"With you, Cheon Myeong, who knows."
"Yeah. The guy who turns heavenly luck into miracles."
Instead, Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon encouraged me, convinced I could do it.
We shared a simple final meal in my quarters.
Was it the looming farewell? Unlike our usual rowdy feasts, it was eerily quiet, only the clink of dishes echoing loudly.
Once the meal ended...
"Today marks the end of Cheonmu Squad 3."
Before sending them off, I spoke one last time as leader.
"No matter how far apart, we'll meet again someday."
The martial world might seem heartless and cold, but look closely, and boundless bonds flow through it. If fate connects us, reunion is certain.
"Farewell."
With that, Cheonmu Squad 3 officially disbanded.
* * *
"Huuu."
With no set destination, I saw Meng Yuon and Peng Jincheon off to the end.
First, I farewelled Meng Yuon, off on the long road to Sichuan Province.
"Swing by Northern Peng Clan anytime. I'll treat you right."
I saw off the reluctant Peng Jincheon too.
Looking back, I'd visited Meng Yuon's Fighting Sword Sect, but never the nearby Northern Peng Clan.
Hmm, no pressing place to go, no major encounters coming to mind. Maybe rest a bit, then head to Northern Peng Clan?
As I pondered my journey...
"What? You still haven't left?"
A voice suddenly came from my quarters.
I knew who without turning.
"Vice Head."
It was Soft Wind Silver Sword Dan Ri-cheong, the clear-eyed madman, visiting alone for some reason.
"What's this about?"
"What else? Came to check if you'd gone."
I didn't buy it. The academy head Baek Ho Jun and all the leaders had already left for vacation.
Dan Ri-cheong might seem a bit odd, but he never acts without reason.
Visiting me when everyone else was gone meant he had something urgent to discuss.
"Heading out soon. Got my stuff packed already."
I gestured to my now-spotless room, most belongings extracted. My gold was stashed in my spatial ring, travel bundle light—just a few martial robes.
It had seemed like a lot during cadet life, but packed, it was sparse.
"I see. Mind if I ask where to? Probably one of the Murim Alliance's messenger squads, right?"
Dan Ri-cheong probed slyly.
I'd considered it.
Even thought of joining Azure Dragon Squad under Azure Dragon Lord Won Gwang, who later becomes Murim Alliance Leader. Building ties early for mutual growth sounds fun.
But I'd passed for one reason: affiliation meant no true freedom.
Like being tied to Cheonmu Academy, unable to roam freely without vacation approval.
Azure Dragon duty might clash with must-have encounters, so I'd shelved it.
"For now, rather than the Alliance, I'll roam the world, gain experience, and savor the freedom I missed."
I laid it all out honestly. Dan Ri-cheong was trustworthy from what I knew.
"Good choice. Perfect. So you're free right now?"
"W-Well, yeah?"
Sure enough, his eyes gleamed—he had a favor to ask.
"Not forcing you, but could you do me one thing?"
"Let's hear it."
"Right. It's just..."
At my nod, Dan Ri-cheong brightened, pulling something from his robes.
Swish!
The final graduate list from two years ago.
Not last year or this—not the recent one. Why show me the one from two years back?
As I puzzled over his sudden move...
"Two years ago, there was a guy like you, Cheon Myeong. Not quite your level, but a fine top graduate... and poof, vanished 2-3 years ago after leaving. No trace."
Now it clicked why he'd brought the list.
He was asking me to find him: the missing top graduate from two years back, my senior at Cheonmu Academy.
"He wasn't the type to fade away pointlessly... but he vanished like he'd ascended to the heavens or sunk into the earth. Must've fallen to some demon's clutches!"
Dan Ri-cheong might act casual, but no one cherished cadets more. A top graduate vanishing before fulfilling his potential must've broken his heart.
But tracking personally would draw too much attention with all eyes on him.
Plus, vice head duties limited his movements.
"I investigated myself, even borrowed Beggar Gang and Haomun's aid, but nothing."
"Why ask me?"
No matter how skilled, I couldn't out-track Beggar Gang or Haomun. What was his angle?
"Jade-Faced Divine Saint Cheon Myeong, you've always turned impossible into possible. I'm betting on that miracle."