Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Kids Grow Up So Fast When You're Not Looking
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'What the hell am I supposed to talk about...?'
We faced each other awkwardly, lost in thought. Even though I'd seen their faces once four years ago, they'd all grown so much that they felt utterly unfamiliar.
To be precise, we hadn't gotten particularly close back then either. And understandably so—four years ago, the relationship between me and the Wudang Sect's third-generation disciples was strictly that of the beater and the peacemakers, nothing more or less.
The awkward atmosphere blanketing both sects was shattered by a single greeting from one of the Wudang guys aimed at someone from Mount Hua.
"Haemin! Long time no see! You joined Mount Hua Sect, huh!"
"Not Haemin anymore. It's Bihwan now."
Bihwan stepped forward with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head as he brightly replied.
I scanned the guy's face, brimming with delight, and blinked at the strange sense of familiarity.
Those slanted eyes... they looked just like fox eyes...
Wait, isn't that him? The trash with the personality of a novice swordsman from the backdoor admission bird—fox eyes!
His body had grown, but those slanted eyes were the same, making him easy to recognize.
"Too bad. If that exam back then had been fair, you'd be standing where I am right now—"
"Enough about the past. I like where I am now."
Bihwan cut him off decisively. For a fleeting moment, fox eyes looked proud.
But then, at the way he'd especially lit up upon spotting Bihwan and now the distance Bihwan was keeping, fox eyes looked oddly miffed. I blinked.
If the reason he'd been so harsh on backdoor admits and kept his distance wasn't some failed personality unfit for a major righteous sect, but more because he'd seen a friend he'd made during the entrance exam get rejected due to admission corruption...?
Ah, so this is what it feels like to have your image run through the washing machine?
"Hey, you."
But that washing machine ground to a halt the moment fox eyes spotted me and jabbed a finger my way.
Looking at that mug, yeah, it's definitely just a personality issue. Bullying and exclusion can't be justified no matter the reason.
"That puny commoner kid from back then?"
"Yeah, long time no see. The very same puny commoner kid who beat the crap out of you."
At my reply, fox eyes smirked in that same mocking way that hadn't changed a bit in four years.
"Wearing Mount Hua robes, so I guess you officially joined. Blood is thicker than water, huh? Even Mount Hua couldn't resist."
He raised his voice plenty loud, clearly intending for the Mount Hua non-core disciples on either side and behind me to hear. I ignored him and just dug in my ear with my pinky.
Unfortunately for him, everyone here knows I grew up in Mount Hua from childhood. Even the malcontents got reformed with some fists and wooden sword whacks.
My nonchalant attitude only deepened the smirk on fox eyes' face. He swept his gaze over the Mount Hua side and shrugged.
"By the way, do they know you're a backdoor admit?"
Looks like he still held a grudge from getting thrashed by me four years ago. He was trying to screw me over right to my face.
Before I could even say I'd passed the entrance exam fair and square and topped it, the Mount Hua non-core disciples erupted first.
"Uwaaaah! Please, just stop saying that word!"
"Who is it?! Who's spouting 'backdoor admit'!"
"Aw, man, quit with that backdoor admit crap!"
"Even if you guys have them, Mount Hua doesn't do admission corruption!"
The Wudang third-generation disciples flinched at the explosive overreaction. Fox eyes clammed up, overwhelmed by the momentum.
"Why are they like that...?"
"No idea...?"
As the Wudang third-gen side buzzed in confusion, I blew on my pinky and kindly explained.
"'Backdoor admit' is a forbidden word in Mount Hua. I have no idea how it became one, though?"
They shot me looks screaming, *You should know better than anyone*, but I brazenly continued undeterred.
"Four years ago, some folks kept throwing 'backdoor admit' jabs at my martial siblings, and it really stuck with my young heart. Made me vow I'd live without ever hearing that word."
That set off murmurs from our side this time.
"So that's why they freak out so much at that word..."
"No wonder they thrash around like salt-sprinkled earthworms whenever they hear it..."
"Ahh, so that's why we got beat up so bad—because of that jerk?"
"If the senior brothers hadn't used 'backdoor admit,' they wouldn't have gotten thrashed like me, right?"
"You think that's the point right now, you punk?"
The Mount Hua disciples ground their teeth, glaring at fox eyes like mortal enemies. The Wudang disciples subtly gathered around him protectively.
Was this the opening of the Second Petite Dragon-Tiger Assembly?
All I needed to do was clench my fist, smash it into fox eyes' face, and kick off a bloody开幕 ceremony?
The tension built until it felt like they might charge at each other any second. What broke it was a light scolding.
"Yeah, kid. Cut the backdoor admit crap already. Same as four years ago, picking fights with another sect? And how many times have I told you not to stir up trouble when I'm not around?"
A youth strode out from the back, clapping fox eyes hard on the back of the head with his palm, then planted himself in front of the Wudang disciples.
No, not a boy—a teen would fit better. He stuck out like a middle schooler among elementary kids.
"Everyone calm down. We've got official sparring scheduled later—brawling would look bad, right? Especially between prestigious righteous sects."
The vicious tension gripping both sides melted away like a punctured lung at his smooth, easygoing tone.
The teen who'd defused the powder keg with a few words scanned the Mount Hua side, locked eyes on me, and let out an impressed whistle.
"Wow, you've really shot up! You were seriously tiny back then."
He held his hand at about hip level, peering at it with narrowed eyes. I didn't think I was *that* small.
"Personality hasn't changed, though. Still won't back down from a word, then or now."
"Who are you?"
I tilted my head at the guy chuckling like he knew me well. Who was this uncle type dropping lines like he'd just reunited with a nephew who'd grown over the holidays?
My question left him with his jaw dropped in shock. He pointed at himself frantically.
"You don't recognize me...? The senior brother from Wudang's white-clad cohort you saw four years ago..."
Right after the first Petite Dragon-Tiger Assembly four years back—the boy who'd made fox eyes apologize and tried negotiating a truce with me. Memory clicked, and my eyes widened.
Four years was enough time for a five-year-old to become nine, but also for a third-grader to hit first-year middle school.
Whoa, insane.
Kids really do grow up in the blink of an eye.
I'd vaguely realized the four-year gap was big seeing Bihwan, but a five-year difference hit hard too.
As I dazedly looked up at the now-towering Wudang senior brother, he scratched his cheek and suddenly asked.
"Want me to show you around Purple Cloud Palace?"
Remembering Uijin's words about checking it out, I nodded. His face brightened noticeably as he crouched and spread his arms.
"Must've been tough climbing up. Legs hurt? Want a piggyback?"
I gritted my teeth at the desperate laughter-suppressing sounds from my martial siblings behind me.
Was he seriously suggesting I get carried around by another sect's senior disciple? Treating me like a kid? Besides, Wudang's stairs were a joke compared to the ones to Mount Hua's upper palace.
I crossed my arms and glared. He sheepishly withdrew his arms.
"Yeah, okay... Your opinions are crystal clear."
The Wudang senior brother gave an awkward smile and led us like a tour guide.
"This is Purple Cloud Palace's main hall, and the palace visible to the right is..."
I stifled a yawn watching Biryeong swat away the Wudang disciples crowding and pestering us with annoyed looks.
Beauty really is a hassle in life. No wonder they say fair maidens meet untimely ends.
My eyes started to droop, vision blurring.
First long trip must've worn me out plenty. Add the Wudang senior brother's dull explanations, and fatigue accelerated.
I shook my fogging mind as I walked, only for a hand to suddenly grab my waist, halting me forcibly.
"Watch your step."
Looking down at the empty space underfoot, I saw stone stairs.
Nearly cracked my skull in another sect's grounds. Rolling down stairs—Uiseong would chew me out as a martial artist's disgrace.
I yawned hugely, rubbed the tears from my eyes, and the firm grip spoke again.
"Tired?"
Too lazy to answer, I nodded. A gentle question followed.
"I can carry you on my back now. Want that?"
"...Now?"
I mumbled, latching onto one word slowly.
Sounded just like back then, when he'd tried once and failed.
"Yeah."
No need to ask—the affirmative came. Exhaustion and drowsiness won; I turned.
Tilting my head up slightly, droopy eyes entered my view. Where had I seen those before?
I blinked heavy lids at the gaze full of inexplicable delight. Our eyes met, and they curved into pretty crescent moons.
I stared hard, trying to remember, but sleep overtook me, and my eyelids dropped again.
"Give him here."
My body lifted effortlessly, soon settled on someone's back.
"Wow, must've been exhausted. Shouldn't have dragged you around."
"He's still a kid, after all. Youngest by age."
"Take him somewhere to rest easy. You guys rest too. My bad for lack of consideration."
The voices vibrating through the back let me know it was Bihwan carrying me.
I caught snippets of Bihwan and the Wudang senior brother's talk, pressed my forehead to Bihwan's back, and sank into sleep's depths.
A fleeting memory of being piggybacked by someone brushed past in my doze.