Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Top Scorer Emerged from the Eon Family (5)
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As applause continued to ring out, instructors in azure robes and senior helpers in somber gray uniforms herded the disqualified examinees out of the academy square.
"Ahem. The chief supervisor has already explained the reasons for selecting this term's top scorer, so I assume no one has any further objections on that matter."
With the crowd freshly invigorated after those utterly vile scum were chased away, Im Tae-ok, the head of admissions, spoke up.
"Candidate Eon Yong-un. I just handed over the student badge on behalf of the president, but this time, allow me—Im Tae-ok—to congratulate you once more."
In response, I offered some honeyed words with a sly smile.
"Thank you. It's all thanks to your clear guidance on the exam tasks, Director."
At my words...
My master, at my waist, grumbled.
'This is just formality. At best, it's like giving an extra rice cake to someone you dislike. How could it compare to my feelings for you, Master?'
'Good grief. Should I switch to utmost honorifics from now on? Have you partaken of the Nine-Turn Returning Vitality Elixir, Master? How's the temperature inside the sword sheath?'
While exchanging a few thoughts with my master like that, Im Tae-ok spoke again.
"Haha, no need for such words. Now then, our current top scorer candidate, please return to your seat and listen attentively to the remaining announcements."
No era ever dislikes flattery.
Im Tae-ok chuckled heartily as well.
I gave him a courteous fist-and-palm salute with a bow, then returned to my spot.
The group immediately chimed in one by one.
"A perfect solution. Wow, to draw those words from Professor Jeon Gal-min himself—truly worthy of you, Brother Yong-un!"
"I agree. And congratulations once more, Young Hero Eon."
"Brother Eon, I heard the top scorer's student badge has the name in gold—is that true?"
Instead of matching their excitement, I brought my index finger to my lips, signaling them to quiet down first.
"Ahem. Now, onto the remaining announcements. As you know, the blackboard here records the top 160 rankings out of all the examinees for this entrance exam, and those 160 were to be this year's admissions quota. However, three students tied for 160th with 11 points each, and all showed promising potential for the future, so we've decided to pass them all, making the total 162."
Meanwhile, Im Tae-ok spoke once more.
"Examinee number 666, Mu Gil, whose name is on the board; number 712, Seok Ho-yeol; number 99, Woo So-rung—and all other examinees listed on the board—your statuses are hereby changed to candidate students."
No matter how routinely the announcements flowed from the admissions head's mouth, this was news I couldn't let pass.
I lowered the finger from my lips.
And patted So-rung's shoulder.
"Congratulations."
"Young Hero Woo!"
"Little Brother So-rung!"
"It's all thanks to Brother Eon and everyone!"
To cross from Hebei to Liaodong, one must pass through the famously positioned Shanhaiguan at the northeast edge.
On the other hand, heading south.
Especially if going to Hubei Province via Henan Province, one must first head to Shijiazhuang.
Because the trade caravans gather there initially.
Shijiazhuang.
The name sounds like a clan village or manor where the Shi family lives, but in reality, it's a major city in Hebei second only to Beijing and Tianjin, where trade caravans converge—and the Shi family had nothing to do with why it's called that.
That said, Shijiazhuang does have the Shi family clan.
And in that Shi family manor right now, Peng Mu-hyeok—who was an absolute master among the world's wanderers and publicly the head of the Hebei Peng family—was tilting wine cups with Shi Jin-bi, head of the Shi family, while waiting for someone.
"Hahaha! Drinking here in the Shi family manor in Shijiazhuang—doesn't this make me in the true Shijiazhuang of Shijiazhuang?! Uhahaha!"
"...Ahahaha. Head Peng is ever the same."
"Calling a martial artist 'ever the same'—is that an insult?"
"Of course not. I meant your wit is as sharp as ever."
"Ahahat. Just joking, joking. Ah, where was I?"
"You were talking about whether a puppy or a milk cow would win in a fight, and I said the milk cow might."
"Ah, right. You're wrong, Brother Shi. The puppy wins. Because the puppy says, 'I'm stronger!' and the milk cow goes, 'Then I lose!' Uhahaha!"
"...Ah, ahahaha."
It was then.
Just as Shi Jin-bi's facial muscles were starting to ache from forcing smiles at Peng Mu-hyeok's uncle-level dad jokes, unfit for his massive frame.
"Family Head. The head of the Pearl Eon Family has arrived."
"Bring him in quickly! Hurry! I can't be the only one suffering..."
The man Peng Mu-hyeok and Shi Jin-bi had been waiting for.
Eon Jeong-ung arrived.
"Brother Yi, it's been a while."
"Indeed. I've got time to spare, but you've always been too busy to show."
"My heart was willing, but duty kept me tied up. Long time no see, Head Shi."
"Yes, Family Head. We've been hearing good news from Hubei—must be why you look so well."
"Good news? News to me."
"I'm talking about why such esteemed guests have honored my home today. Didn't your son pass the Righteous Martial Academy?!"
Eon Jeong-ung, Peng Mu-hyeok, Shi Jin-bi.
The three, once called the Three Heroes of Hebei in their youth, used to meet regularly, but as age and family duties mounted, "regular" became a hollow word.
"Head Peng's children and Head Shi's son passed too—what's so special about that?"
But today, all three families' children had passed the Righteous Martial Academy entrance exam side by side, earning invitations to the entrance ceremony.
So they'd decided to spend time with old friends before heading to Hubei.
"Even with our house in decline, the renowned elders of the righteous martial world valued our past merits against the Demonic Cult and assigned my boy to the top grade. Truth be told, he swam with the current. Head Shi's son, starting from the lower grade and seizing a student badge—that's the real feat."
"Hohoho, you're too modest. I studied at the academy with you two in our youth, so I know the exam. Top-grade warriors aren't overwhelmingly favored. Even if he swam with the current, reaching the top deserves praise."
Then words from Shi Jin-bi's mouth filled their heads with question marks.
Eon Jeong-ung and Peng Mu-hyeok spoke up simultaneously.
"Hm? Did you just say 'the top'?"
"You said 'top.' What on earth do you mean, Brother Shi?!"
"Heh, you two must be out of the loop on details. Makes sense—your kids were bound to pass, so you tuned it out. And Hubei's closer to the academy than our parts."
"Just tell us what 'top' means!"
"Examinees are sworn to secrecy, so I don't know the details either, Head Peng. But that much is certain."
"What is it already?! You know I can't stand suspense—doing this on purpose?!"
"Yes, a bit. Revenge for the milk cow earlier?"
"...?"
"Ahem. Anyway, word from Hubei is that a top scorer emerged from the Eon Family!"
The Righteous Martial Academy entrance exam had ended.
The statuses of all examinees in the passing range were changed to candidates.
Why call new admits "candidates" instead of freshmen?
Because before enrolling freshmen, the academy takes a two-week spring break—fifteen days.
'...Well, clearing temporary buildings used as exam halls, maintaining facilities and teaching materials, refurbishing dorms, having cadets get new uniforms, and giving time for distinguished guests to arrive for the ceremony.'
From far-off Kunlun in Qinghai to deep Sichuan and Yunnan below, the so-called martial world luminaries would come for the entrance ceremony.
Anyway.
Right after the exam, we received oaths of secrecy and admonitions on conduct.
"Finally, one last thing to keep in mind. Your statuses are still candidates, not academy students. Academy students receive student council protection and formal discipline if involved in incidents, but candidates can have admission revoked at any time. Thus, two admonitions: First, do not speak carelessly outside about what happened here. Second, remember that Righteous Martial Academy students are the face of the righteous martial world—do not tarnish that dignity."
We each received an ivory status badge and were temporarily expelled from the academy.
Standing at the main gate where we'd lined up for the entrance trial, I pondered arranging lodging for the next fortnight.
A familiar old man waved at us.
"Friends of the Southern Jiang Divine Heroes, right?!"
Looking closely, it was the innkeeper from before the exam.
"Oh, Innkeeper! Got rooms? Looks like another two weeks. I'll pay handsomely."
"But you've got two more friends?!"
"Yes. Total four—no, five if Ha Yeon can't find a room. That okay?"
"Aigoo, my head. Of course! I cleared all rooms waiting for you! That Miss Ha Yeon arrived already!"
"Miss Ha Yeon? Well, she'd find us easily. But how'd you know we'd return?"
"Aigoo, we've run this place for years—no fooling us. Heroes of Southern Jiang and friends? You'd pass with flying colors and return in glory. Oh, and no charge!"
"Hm? But emptying rooms for us could mean big losses—why no pay?!"
"Short-term, yes. But post 'Past graduates stayed here,' next year I can double rates and folks'll fight for spots. So..."
"Out with it."
"When you enroll later, leave seals saying 'Rested well' or 'Ate well'?"
...That explained the faded seals on the inn walls.
Sharp operator.
Anyway, seals with clear subject and object can't be misused.
No reason to refuse.
"No trouble. We'll do it."
"Thank you! Thank you!! So glad you all passed—I prayed to the Heavens. Seeing folks leave grim-faced about the difficulty had me worried. But Miss Ha Yeon and you all made it somehow—feels rewarding."
With me, the top scorer, right there, hearing "made it somehow"...
At that moment.
Everyone around me burst into snickers.
Noticing, the quick-witted old innkeeper feigned gravity.
"Ho, hold on. Do I need to prepare Daughter's Red?!"
Daughter's Red is liquor.
A famed yellow rice wine.
Buried at a child's birth, opened at success or marriage—also called Champion's Brew or Success Wine.
So the innkeeper nailed it.
"...The Southern Jiang Divine Heroes indeed?! Aigoo, my voice... You—you topped the exam?! I believed in you, Young Master Ha Seong!"
But wrong target.
Grabbing Ha Seong's hand with sparkling eyes, the innkeeper made everyone erupt in laughter.
Indeed.
"Kuhahaha."
"Brother Eon, if you laugh that hard, I can't hold it... Heh. Kuhuhu."
"Kuh. First time seeing such a hilarious case of mistaken identity since getting my escort license."
"Di-did I say something wrong?!"
"Innkeeper... You'll learn the truth in time. Just remember one thing then. Tigers hide their claws for the right moment..."
Ha Seong muttered softly, and we all laughed heartily once more.
Well, today, we could afford to relax.
That night, we stayed up late, toasting with Daughter's Red.