I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel Chapter 9: Entrance Exam (1)
Cheonmu Academy was currently on break, and there was still a bit of time before it reopened. I couldn't afford to waste even those spare moments.
I focused on mastering the Mythic Divine Art I'd worked so hard to obtain, while never neglecting the special training for Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong.
As I continued my cultivation, I realized what I still needed to work on.
"I need a martial art that can actually attack."
The reason I was pouring my heart into this was all for entering Cheonmu Academy. During the entrance exam, prospective students often dueled one-on-one, and the problem was that I had no offensive techniques.
What would be good?
I racked my brains again, digging through my knowledge of the settings and memories, but nothing concrete came to mind. Fortuitous encounters and manuals didn't come every day—they depended on timing and fate.
Besides, there was no one around here who could teach me any martial arts. Gabul had already left.
"Sigh, no helping it."
In a situation where I couldn't learn from anyone or rely on encounters, I had only one option.
Buy a martial art!
It was the safest and most reliable method. I remembered some encounters, but the time until the exam was tricky. Better to play it safe.
"Luckily, thanks to raiding those water bandits' cozy hideout, I've got plenty of gold to spare."
Checking my pouch, I saw I still had a good amount left from the bandits. The issue was that most martial manuals for sale were either third-rate or low-level trash. But I had exclusive info and settings knowledge.
Not peak-level, but I know a first-rate one.
There was a manual on the market—not one I needed to curry favor to learn.
I sat calmly and reviewed the events and settings for the first year of Emperor Jincheon's reign.
"It hasn't hit the market yet."
According to my memory, it leaked out early in his reign and shook the world. Why did I remember it so well? Because it was the first martial art I'd ever devised as a kid.
-Hahaha! Brilliant! So fun. Alright, let's say a hidden expert who learned this art appears early in Emperor Jincheon's reign.
My maternal uncle had loved the idea and accepted it eagerly. Since it was the first concept I'd come up with as a child, the memory was crystal clear.
"Gotta hurry."
Decision made, I rushed into Hebei's city streets. Now that I was free, there were no restrictions on movement or identity.
The place I hurried to wasn't a bookstore stacked with martial texts or a rogue traders' market. It was a pawnshop.
"This ain't a place for a lowly servant like you."
As I approached, a few fierce black-clothed guards shot me menacing glares and growled.
"Ah, yes sir."
Not wanting trouble, I backed off casually.
Pawnshops were where desperate folks pawned valuables for silver or gold. And that's exactly why I was here—to buy a unique martial art from a warrior on the brink of starvation.
He probably didn't make it past spring.
I waited patiently. I wasn't entirely sure fate would align, but I had a conviction. As this world's protagonist, luck and bonuses followed me. If he held out, I'd get what I wanted.
And sure enough...
"Should I go? No... haaa, no."
Just two days into staking out near the pawnshop, a man paced back and forth at a narrow alley leading to it.
That's definitely him!
The moment I saw his face, I clenched my fist in certainty. Forgot his name, but the nickname was vivid: Fighting Cock Fist Guest!
His unique moniker fit—features bunched up, mouth protruding like a rooster's.
"Come to pawn your skills at that shop?"
I caught his attention and led him away from the pawnshop.
"That's right, but..."
Hit the nail on the head, he startled like a rooster, eyeing me fiercely.
"Ah, no need to be wary. I'm here to use the pawnshop too, but they pegged me for a scrub and tried to shake me down."
I launched into my rehearsed lines smoothly.
"Turns out it's got a bad rep. Buys low, sells high, that sort of thing."
By the setting, the Fighting Cock Fist Guest was a naive hermit who'd trained in a secluded temple his whole life.
"What?! Is that true?"
"Yes. I came to buy cheap since I need something, but they won't even talk. Total scammers."
I lowered my voice, glancing warily in case the guards heard.
"Oh no, what do I do?"
The naive man beat his chest in regret. I even knew why.
He needs to sell his lifetime creation to save his sick daughter.
The art was Tu Gye Jin Kwon—Fighting Cock Advancing Fist. As a kid, I'd loved cockfights and pitched it to my uncle. Couldn't make a one-legged real fight, so we kept the name and concept. Uncle turned it into a savage rooster darting out to strike dazzlingly. A first-rate fist art in this world. Memorable for many reasons.
"You look like a warrior... selling a manual, by chance?"
I eyed his anxious face and probed gently.
"Yes. My daughter's ill—have to sell the family pillar..."
He trailed off mournfully.
"Fist or leg art? Funny thing, I'm looking for a fist-leg manual."
I pretended coincidence, playing push-pull.
People love serendipity.
"Oho! Oh my!"
Spot on. He looked even more hooked.
"Fist art, oddly unique. But master it right, and it's top-notch, I'm sure."
He was right. In the original, a no-name low-class student at Cheonmu bought it cheap from the pawnshop—same manual. They sold it to him for profit. But then?
He mastered Tu Gye Jin Kwon, rose steadily, even reached upper class.
Literally turned his life around. Not hard to learn, huge potential if mastered.
"Sell it to me. I'll pay better than that shop."
I haggled smoothly.
Naive-looking, but he'd created a fine art—not a fool.
"Hmm, still, I should hear their offer first."
Perfectly reasonable. But if he went, he might see through my bluff. Time for the clincher.
"Not the original—copy's fine."
I offered a copy, not the true manual. Tempting for legitimacy and value.
And more.
"I'll memorize the copy and burn it there. Promise not to pass it on, only learn it myself."
Preserved his pride as a warrior and the art's worth.
"Haha, ha! Can't ask more... but who are you to want it so bad?"
I played the naive newbie.
"Heard Cheonmu entrance exam's soon? Wanna learn something good to pass."
"Hahaha!"
He burst out laughing. Ironically, he saw me as green, I saw him as sheltered—we both underestimated each other.
Thinks I'm a fool who believes one manual guarantees entry.
Many kids flocked dreaming of fame via the exam. He pegged me as one. It was tough—even sect disciples failed if lacking.
No way one manual sufficed.
"I see. That's why the pawnshop."
"Yes. Gotta pass this time—sell me something good."
"Why me?"
"You just look trustworthy, sir."
True—rooster face made him unmistakable.
"Hmmm."
He pondered long, staring. He saw me as dumb, but I had the high ground.
Won't master the formulas anyway—looks the type.
So, safe to sell.
"Deal. But... keep your promise. Or else!"
Whoosh!
He whipped fierce fist wind over my head—a mock threat.
"You'll regret it big time."
I shivered dramatically, replying in a foolish voice.
"M-man's word is gold! I swear!"
After the long tug-of-war!
"Fifteen gold. No less."
Whew, naive my foot—not a pushover. Original had it sold under ten, but he spotted weakness.
Whatever.
"Deal!"
Clap!
I agreed gladly, succeeding in copying Tu Gye Jin Kwon with him.
Finally, I held the first martial art concept from my childhood.