Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Running Through the Skies (1)
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- ...No matter how I think about it, three straight "sunset" plays in word chain was too much.
Hey, there are way scarier words ending in 'neun,' but I went easy on you considering the era!
After exiting the Peach Blossom Formation, retrieving my exam slip, and returning to the dormitory to bathe and tidy my attire... let's see.
'About half a shichen has passed.'
Yet Master was still inside, replaying that word chain game in his head.
'Master's competitive spirit truly allows no rivals.'
That's why he reached the unofficial title of world's greatest swordsman, and that very 'unofficial' qualifier stems from his own dissatisfaction, keeping him in this world.
- Put your hand on your conscience and answer honestly. Don't you think so too?
'......'
Anyway.
Ignoring Master as he continued muttering, I stepped out of the dorm and started walking.
Not for any particular purpose, but to check the rankings and ponder how to tackle the next trial.
In front of the plaque at the main gate of the four major dorms, examinees who had passed the third trial before me gathered in small groups, their faces grave as they wrestled with the same worries.
"Ugh. I should have aimed for at least three points in the Martial Prowess trial, but fear made me pick too low."
"No, your choice was objectively fine. It's just that this batch of examinees is exceptionally strong."
Watching them, Master stopped his sunset grumbling and sounded puzzled.
- They all passed the third trial, so why the long faces? The vibe's totally different from yesterday.
'It can't be helped.'
After the dull first trial of entry, scraping through the second Martial Prowess trial, and beholding the Righteous Martial Academy's pride—the four major dorms—on that first day, every examinee's mind bloomed with dreams.
'On day one, they'd be thrilled imagining strolling the academy in dorm-colored uniforms they admired, roaming the world, and returning home in glory during breaks.'
But that lasts exactly one day.
After a night of excitement and passing the third trial, only two remain until the end.
'Now calculations get tricky. Fail to score enough on those two to hit the blackboard, and last night's dreams vanish like bubbles.'
That's why their faces are so serious.
Then.
As I chatted with Master about why the other examinees looked so grim.
"Ugh. At this rate, the average passing score will be at least one or two points higher than usual. If I fail, I won't have the face to see Master back home. Should I take a risk in the next Lightness trial?"
"Easy there. How can you predict the trial? Points matter, but flunking ends it all. There are ways to turn it around in group tasks, so think calmly."
"Ugh. Thanks for the advice."
The examinees' talk turned to me.
"Speaking of, that Eon Yong-un guy's enviable. Nine points already—basically passed. Bet his acceptance scroll's already inked and dry at the entry office."
"Yeah. Enviable for sure. But a mid-grade warrior scoring five in Martial Prowess and five in Formation Breaking? More impressive than enviable. Martial Prowess aside, five points in Formation Breaking means escaping the Peach Blossom Formation, right?!"
"True. I'm secretly rooting for him. He's second overall, but without the mid-grade penalty in entry, he'd be first! Crushing those arrogant scions of great clans after breezing through the first two trials—feels so good!"
So I glanced at the ranking slab.
2. Eon Yong-un / Mid-grade Warrior
Top to bottom once, bottom to top again.
Unlike yesterday when I couldn't find my name after two scans.
Today, mine sat right below the very top, just one name ahead.
'Second overall with nine points.'
As the chatting examinees said, passing is all but guaranteed.
The issue was rank.
'I planned to snag upper-mid scores for dorm picks and rewards.'
But recruiting Ha Seong and tangling with original protagonist Jeong Hyeon changed that.
'Can't settle now.'
I pondered, eyeing the rankings again.
1. Zhuge Seolji
2. Eon Yong-un
3. Jeong Hyeon
In the original, Zhuge Seolji held first, Jeong Hyeon second, until the final reversal.
But with me wedged between, no guarantee it'd play out the same.
Stories derail easily, leading to massive changes.
I mirrored Jeong Hyeon's early bullying scene closely, but outcomes were unpredictable.
So I couldn't just wait for Jeong Hyeon to overtake Zhuge Seolji and pick up scraps.
One path forward.
'Shove him in as I know from the story.'
Top spot it is!
I'll take first, give Jeong Hyeon his benefits, and claim the rest!
"Heh heh."
- ...Why the sudden grin? And why drool...?
Oh, but aiming for first, one thing nags me.
Ask the world's greatest around now, and opinions split on the supreme martial artist.
Some say Wudang's Tai Chi Sword Immortal, others Huashan's Plum Sword Immortal, or Shaolin's Merit Divine Monk.
Some cautiously pick the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's current leader for one-on-one prowess.
No consensus.
But the world's greatest thief? Unanimous.
Lightning Bat Woo Sa-in.
A man with no wall unclimbable, no lock unpicking, no speed unmatched—nothing unburiable.
Yet he didn't survive last winter.
Not poison or solitude, but liver flukes from stolen imperial raw freshwater eel, laughing at flailing chefs and maids.
Fitting end for the top thief.
Anyway.
He left a son and successor.
"...So-ryeong. Thievery is thirty percent hand skill, twenty lightness, fifty guts. Your hands and feet outpace my youth—grow that liver, surpass your old man. Greatest thief! Nay, unprecedented divine thief...!"
"...Ah, Father!"
Surname Woo, given So-ryeong (to surpass).
Woo So-ryeong.
"......"
"...He's gone. Truth be told, I never wanted to be a thief."
As the name implied, Lightning Bat wished his son to claim the title.
But Woo So-ryeong was timid, often pessimistic by nature.
He shunned thievery's razor-edge risks.
No alternatives though.
No proper skills from tagging along Dad, no kin, home, or land.
'If only he'd left money.'
Legends said his home brimmed with treasures, but the Woos were poor.
Lightning Bat's philosophy: full belly and back dull thieving hands.
'...Life.'
As Woo So-ryeong pondered survival, he heard tales.
Graduate Righteous Martial Academy, and every clan, including the Martial Alliance, begs you join.
Rumor: entry exam varies, but lightness skill alone suffices sometimes.
'This is it!'
Thus, Woo So-ryeong headed to Hubei Dan River District's academy with windswept dreams.
But exams diverged wildly from expectations.
Entry's light background check: Dad's rep meant prison, so orphan lie got ding-grade uniform and instant -1 point.
Trials forced trembling choices on timid him.
Result.
Heading to dorms post-third trial, slip read:
Woo So-ryeong / Mid-grade Warrior
'I'm done for. Probably...'
Looking back, two points in Formation Breaking might've worked, but timidity blocked it.
Then.
Shambling to dorms, Woo So-ryeong spotted a man's back pondering the ranking slab at the gate.
'N-number seventy-nine?!'
He gulped dryly.
He was among those witnessing the man shatter the power draw bow.
'Eon Yong-un, was it?'
Hypnotized, Woo So-ryeong hastened.
Scanning for the fresh name.
'Eon Yong-un. Eon Yong-un. Eon Yong-un.'
Instant find.
'...Second overall?!'
Second from top.
'And five in Formation Breaking?! You're incredible!'
Suddenly, morning's glimpse of Eon Yong-un flashed: shielding a bullied examinee from scary seniors, declaring them wrong—a heroic painting come alive.
'Should I... ask for advice?'
All white-uniforms here were rivals, but Eon Yong-un seemed to care like it was his own problem.
Steeling himself, Woo So-ryeong approached.
"...Um. H-hello?"
"Me? I'm fine, but why ask? Know me?"
First words dashed hopes.
'Hello?' should've got polite return; instead, sharp edge—like facing Black Path thugs in alleys.
"...Uh. W-well. Y'see."
As he stammered.
His slip whisked to Eon Yong-un's hand!
"...Woo So-ryeong?!"
"Yes? Y-yes! Forgot introductions, idiot! Sorry. I'm Woo So-ryeong..."
"Phantom Shadow Divine Thief Woo So-ryeong?"
"Pardon? What thief?"
"Oh, not yet, huh. Can't call you that—wow, Woo So-ryeong, you're here too?!"
In that instant, Eon Yong-un's eyes gleamed like a hawk spotting prey.
No further thoughts.
"Great to meet you, buddy!!"
"Yes?! B-buddy?!"
Eon Yong-un's arm slung over his shoulder.
"You started it—be friends?"
"Uh...? Maybe...?"
"Yeah yeah. Fresh from trials? Lunch, just us pals, constructive chat?"
Something felt off. Very off.