Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: World's Greatest Junior Expert (2)
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‘Step up as the vanguard.’
Nangong Yun spat out those exact words before heading into the tent flying the banner of Fragrant Orchid Hall, set up on one side of the training grounds.
Watching him go, my master at my waist clicked his tongue.
—Arrogant fool.
‘Tell me about it.’
—The Nangong clan spawn have always had this irritating lack of manners, past and present! Tch!
I couldn’t agree more.
The Fragrant Orchid Hall guys had a way of making you wonder if their signature scoundrel talk and disdain for Azure Bamboo Hall weren’t just ingrained the moment they slipped into those black uniforms etched with orchid patterns.
‘But that’s exactly what makes it fun.’
Guys like Un-hyeok’s crew or Mu-gil had this charm—you wanted to hear what nonsense they’d spout next, and it always drew a wry chuckle.
But this one? No fun at all. Just pure “I say jump, you jump” attitude. To put it bluntly, he was obnoxious.
‘What’s he think he is, some foreman?’
—…? What’s a foreman? Something from the southern barbarians you summon?
‘…Yeah, something like that.’
Well, having read the original novel, I could somewhat understand Nangong Yun’s behavior.
The Nangong family’s nickname, as described among the Murim Academy’s sword prodigies, was the World’s Greatest Clan.
‘As even Master acknowledges, it’s a household that’s passed down the pride of being the top clan in the world through generations.’
Nangong Yun himself, born as the eldest son of such a family, had awakened to the sword early on and grown up hearing titles like World’s Greatest Junior Expert and Flying Dragon Sword.
It was an environment that naturally produced walking emblems of Fragrant Orchid Hall like him.
‘Of course, Nangong Yun’s human too—deep down, he’s got his own backstory and worries.’
Having read the original, I understood the character Nangong Yun.
‘Ever since I became the current top cadet, whispers questioning if he really deserves the title of World’s Greatest Junior Expert have been popping up everywhere. So he’s seizing this chance to settle it once and for all.’
But that didn’t mean I’d play along with his plans.
‘Who decided that?!’
Who in the world lacks a backstory or worries?
—With your lip curling up like that, looks like you’ve cooked up another scheme.
I haven’t cooked up anything.
Nangong Yun just handed me the winning strategy straight from his own mouth.
The dormitory showdown’s sparring event was an individual tournament that doubled as a team match.
Three representatives from each dorm faced off in strict one-on-one duels, making it individual.
But no matter how the individual bouts went, the dorm that claimed the first win took the overall victory, making it a team event.
So before the real duels kicked off, they had to decide on vanguard, center, and rearguard.
‘Like picking your first, second, and third batters in a future baseball game.’
Naturally, the lineup stayed secret until the matches began, adding a psychological edge depending on each side’s strengths.
‘That’s why they set up these tents for both dorms.’
Anyway.
The Azure Bamboo cadets competing in sparring were me, Jeong-hyeon, and that Ha-seong guy—three in total.
Leading the three of us into the tent under Azure Bamboo’s banner, we were greeted by Gyeong-ryong hyung, who sat awkwardly grinning in front of paper, brush, and inkstone.
“…Phew. Haha. You’ve arrived?”
The man was tense.
“Why so nervous? We’re the ones fighting.”
“Haha. It hasn’t sunk in yet. You guys took your time coming in, so I was sitting here alone for a bit, and for a second I wondered if this was a dream. Seeing Azure Bamboo on the cusp of victory with my own eyes—it’s unbelievable.”
There’s one classic way to check if it’s a dream or reality.
Crack—
Crack crack—
If it doesn’t hurt when you pinch yourself, it’s a dream. If it does, you’re awake.
“Want me to test it for you?”
“…I already pinched myself. It’s real. Just hasn’t sunk in. Put yourself in my shoes. My goal was always just to witness Azure Bamboo win once. I wasn’t even sure it’d happen before I left the academy. And now, victory’s within reach.”
“Then dream bigger from now on.”
“You’re right. Oh, did you see outside?”
Outside?
“Uh, the audience?”
“Yeah. Remember what you said this morning? ‘When the pantry’s full, so is the generosity—money follows the heart.’ A lot of spectators bet on Azure Bamboo this time. The odds are close. Means more people expect and root for our win—even against Fragrant Orchid Hall.”
“You just said dream big, and now you’re dreaming small again. Close odds aren’t something to celebrate.”
“Hm?”
“Think of it as screwing over those who bet on ‘Azure Bamboo’s enemies’ one more time.”
—He’s corrupting them again! Corrupting them all!!
“R-Right. Screwing them over. Yeah. Ahem. Anyway, if we’re going with your plan, how should we set the lineup?”
At Gyeong-ryong’s question, I spilled what Nangong Yun had transmitted to me moments ago.
“Nangong Yun told me to lead as vanguard.”
Then Eun Ha-seong and Jeong-hyeon, who’d been quietly listening, piped up.
“Hah. This punk gets hyped as the World’s Greatest Junior Expert and forgets to fear you, Hyung-nim. Stick him in Azure Bamboo Hall for three days—let him eat, sleep, and get thrashed. He’ll realize how bloated his liver’s gotten.”
Ha-seong looked exasperated.
Jeong-hyeon narrowed his brows, piecing something together from my words and Ha-seong’s.
“Isn’t this him challenging you for the World’s Greatest Junior Expert title?”
“Seems like that’s what Nangong Yun had in mind.”
As I answered Jeong-hyeon,
Gyeong-ryong spoke up.
“So, what’s the plan, Yong-un? You going out as vanguard?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Not him?”
“Why, Hyung-nim? You gonna let Nangong Yun keep that empty title? I can’t stand it!”
“Why chase a meaningless boast?”
Winning it didn’t come with elixirs or rice cakes.
But leading Azure Bamboo to victory? That brought elixirs and rice cakes.
“With that in mind, the one who can’t stand it—Ha-seong—you’re our vanguard.”
“Me? Against Nangong Yun?”
At my words, Ha-seong jumped up like they didn’t make sense.
But Gyeong-ryong and Jeong-hyeon both exclaimed in admiration.
“This is it, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Young Master Eon’s thought of ‘that’ strategy.”
“What is it? Why am I the only one out of the loop?!”
“Well, Young Master Eun. There was once a strategist named Sun Bin.”
“The one who wrote Art of War?”
“That was Sun Wu. Sun Bin was his descendant.”
“Exactly, Young Master Eun’s right. Anyway, back then, chariot races were all the rage. He advised a general who kept losing: ‘Match your slowest chariot against the enemy’s fastest.’”
The so-called “scoop the general” tactic.
Of course, if Nangong Yun’s vanguard suggestion was all a Fragrant Orchid ploy to sow confusion, the plan would flop.
‘But no way.’
Fragrant Orchid’s style didn’t allow for it, and even if they suggested it, Nangong Yun wouldn’t bite.
‘He’s the noble young master incarnate.’
Anyway.
Even Ha-seong wasn’t a fool—with Jeong-hyeon explaining this far, he’d get it.
“Ah! If our rearguard faces their vanguard, our vanguard and center stay intact, so we win the last two for sure?!”
“Yes. It’s called the Three Chariot Method.”
“It’s like ripping out their spine from the start. Would’ve been easier if you’d just said that instead of Sun Bin and chariot races, Jeong-hyeon Dojang!”
He avoided books and didn’t use his brain much, but that was it.
“I-I’ll be careful, Young Master Eun. Anyway, President Bin is impressed by Young Master Eon’s mindset again today.”
“…What’re you on about now?”
“You’re the only junior expert in the world who calls the World’s Greatest Junior Expert title a sham. Viewing everything with that perspective lets you devise strategies like this, right?”
“You know it, Hyung knows it.”
“No offense to the president, but knowing and pulling it out are different.”
“No offense taken. I agree. So, vanguard: Ha-seong junior. Center?”
Vice president? Or disciplinary chief?
“Jeong-hyeon as center, me as rearguard.”
With the vanguard-center-rearguard discussion and submission done,
“The lineups from Fragrant Orchid and Azure Bamboo have just been submitted. Now, we commence the sparring event—the final category of this spring dormitory tournament!”
The administrative director, handling proceedings, bellowed like a lion to signal the semifinal start.
“Now calling the vanguards from each side! Called cadets, please ascend to the training grounds. First, Fragrant Orchid’s vanguard: Nangong clan’s Yun! Nangong Yun!”
I’d half-expected it.
Sure enough, Fragrant Orchid’s vanguard was Nangong Yun.
“Kyaaah! Nangong Young Master! You’re so handsome!”
“Flying Dragon Sword! Uphold Fragrant Orchid’s pride!!”
As a figure renowned across the land, Nangong Yun already had fans—cheers praising him rang out loud.
Ignoring the noise entirely, he approached the grounds with a sneer, eyes locked on me.
Convinced I’d step up.
‘Nope.’
Anyway.
The cries for Nangong Yun were so loud that when Ha-seong’s name was called,
“Next, Azure Bamboo’s vanguard: Eun clan’s Ha-seong! Eun Ha-seong!”
Azure Bamboo cadets’ voices and a few Southern Jiang allies from Unity First Inn were drowned out.
“I’m the guy who scored the finals goal in mounted polo!”
Ha-seong shot me a declaration of war, face full of indignation.
“Spine-ripper, Hyung-nim! I can’t take it anymore. Today, I’ll show that punk Azure Bamboo flesh isn’t soft!”
Tough luck.
‘Gained some guts from polo confidence, huh.’
Anyway.
As Ha-seong stepped forward, Nangong Yun’s face twisted like he’d been insulted.
What now?
Mad?
Yeah, he’s pissed.
‘But what can you do?’
Water under the bridge—the vanguards were called.
Nangong Yun bit his lip, drawing his sword. Ha-seong boldly followed suit.
Crackle—
Lightning unique to the Nangong swordsmanship gathered on both blades.
“Begin!”
Thus, their duel started.
Ha-seong pressed fiercely at first.
Clang!
Clang clang clang!!
Nangong’s famed hard strikes scattered lightning on clash, making the air boom-boom.
But Ha-seong’s resistance ended there.
Chclang!
He’d chased after me, gained thirty years of inner power, shored up his basics.
Clang!
Chclang! Clang clang!
But Nangong Yun hadn’t earned his title by luck—the gap in enlightenment and martial pondering was vast.
Chclang!
Clang clang clang!
Plus, when Ha-seong rampaged at Silver Radiance Merchant Group, his master was a Nangong collateral relative using their Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship—facing a perfect upgrade.
“Damn! I lost! Lost!!”
“Fragrant Orchid’s Nangong Yun wins!”
As expected, Nangong Yun took the win.
Fragrant Orchid claimed the first bout.
But that effectively ended the semifinal.
‘If Dang Ok-gi were here, maybe.’
Fragrant Orchid, annoyed by her hanging around Azure Bamboo with me,
had excluded her entirely from the spring tournament on various pretexts.
‘Plenty of excuses, but basically spy treatment—traitor vibes.’
So their reps were Mount Hua’s Jin-un, a young Daoist, and Mosan’s Mu-gil.
Both wielded solid sword styles, decent picks—but bad matchup.
Clang—clang clang!
Clang clang—clang clang!
Jin-un’s plum blossoms couldn’t breach Jeong-hyeon’s taiji.
“Azure Bamboo’s Jeong-hyeon wins! With one win apiece, the center bout decides the finalist! Mosan’s Mu-gil! Azure Bamboo’s Eon Yong-un! Step forward.”
Mu-gil again.
His forsythia bloom didn’t fully open.
“I’ll expose your true nature!”
Shrieeek!
Unlike last theory class with illusionary sword infused with sorcery,
he scattered forsythia-scented sword qi, more sword dance than technique.
Shrieeek!
But too many openings for real combat, wasteful steps.
I just watched, puzzled.
‘What’s this kid doing?’
—Looks like Peach Blossom Exorcism forms? That’s for chasing ghosts, not people… Hm? Why am I fine, then? Aren’t I a ghost too?
‘Sigh. I’m not sloppy with contracts. Back in my day… It’s complicated. Short of me dying or Master resolving grudges, no effect on you.’
Clearing Master’s doubt, I slotted Regret into Mu-gil’s Seven Star Sword without delay.
Claaang!!!
That was it.
“How?! How is this possible?! Why doesn’t Mosan sword work on you? Ghosts scatter, humans fall for the theory class trick!”
Sensing defeat, Mu-gil babbled, eyes shaking.
No reason to answer.
“You wouldn’t get it anyway.”
I sent his Seven Star Sword flying with a clang!
The administrative director declared my win.
“Mu-gil of Fragrant Orchid dropped his sword—Azure Bamboo wins! Eon Yong-un of Azure Bamboo victorious! Thus, Azure Bamboo Hall advances to the sparring finals!”