Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Passed Candidate 1
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Lee Yeon-seong briefly summarized the final report on Baek Moo-jin, stamped the document, and spoke to his subordinate.
"Deliver this right away."
"Right now?"
Lee Yeon-seong nodded, and the deputy supervisor who received the documents on Baek Moo-jin left the annex first.
Lee Yeon-seong called out to Baek Moo-jin again.
"With skills like that, you must have thought it would have been better to apply for Fourth Grade or higher."
Baek Moo-jin answered honestly.
"Well... I did think that."
"You'll come to understand why you set such a limit in time."
"Yes."
"Still, you're awfully calm. You passed the notoriously difficult Fourth Grade Warrior exam, yet you look like this was all par for the course."
"Ah, it's just that I'm a bit bewildered."
Only then did Baek Moo-jin smile brightly, and Lee Yeon-seong smiled back as he said,
"That's your schedule for today. For now, you'll have to stay in the waiting area. There are other exams ahead."
Lee Yeon-seong joked,
"If you're interested in the Execution Hall, speak up quickly. I'll put in an additional report."
"The Execution Hall?"
For some reason, just hearing the name made Baek Moo-jin imagine sitting at a desk buried in paperwork, so he shook his head.
"Truth be told, I don't even know what kind of work you do there. I want to gain experience in a combat organization first..."
Lee Yeon-seong laughed and continued,
"It was a joke. Even if you wanted in, you wouldn't be assigned to the Execution Hall right away."
Lee Yeon-seong looked at one man and said,
"Supervisor Jang."
"Yes."
"Escort Baek Moo-jin to the waiting area."
"Understood."
Lee Yeon-seong nodded to Baek Moo-jin, indicating he should follow Supervisor Jang, and added,
"Baek Moo-jin, one last thing."
"Yes."
"Since there's little information on your martial arts or the Snow Mountain Baek Family, investigators might visit Snow Mountain. I'm letting you know in advance."
"Ah, understood."
"Good. Rest easy."
"I'll see you again."
Lee Yeon-seong watched Baek Moo-jin leave the annex, then turned to the deputy supervisor at the end of the table with a hardened expression.
"Did you figure out his martial arts?"
The questioned man shook his head with a blank expression.
"No. We just learned about this Snow Mountain Baek Family place now—who would know the martial arts he used? We'd need the elders here for that. It was unexpected on our end."
Lee Yeon-seong, who had been offering Baek Moo-jin kind words like blessings, switched to a completely different tone the moment he was gone.
"I see. We'll need more investigation anyway. Send someone suitable. No one in the Alliance knows, so have them inquire around Snow Mountain."
"Understood."
"It's our responsibility if problems arise. Keep it quiet."
"Understood."
Lee Yeon-seong picked up another document and said,
"Who's next?"
"Fifth Grade Warrior applicant Seo Moon-geuk, followed by Fifth Grade Warrior applicant Joo Ja-woon."
"Seo Moon-geuk... you mean that Seo Moon-geuk who's always on people's lips?"
"Probably."
"This year really brings all sorts..."
"Tell me about it."
Lee Yeon-seong fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"If Baek Moo-jin turns out to be a problem-free talent..."
"Yes."
"Just how strong do you think he is? He didn't go all out earlier."
"Hard to say. He beat Deputy Commander Kang so easily—maybe even our commanders would struggle? Kang Yeop isn't weak by any means."
"Probably."
"Yes."
"The picture isn't clear yet, but keep him managed separately for now, away from external eyes. We need to verify his combat prowess more."
"Understood."
Lee Yeon-seong gathered his thoughts. Various ideas swirled chaotically in his mind. For starters, this young man was completely unknown outside. Very few would know of the Snow Mountain Baek Family. Lee Yeon-seong considered how versatile Baek Moo-jin could be if trustworthy— infiltrate rival organizations, or scout Black Path forces and troublesome gangs without revealing his identity.
'If we polish him right, he'd be useful... but we need to confirm his martial arts first.'
2.
Dam Ji-woon, commander of the Silent Sword Unit, who had rushed over after the report, looked down at Kang Yeop sprawled on the bed. A vivid red handprint marked his shoulder where the needle had struck.
Kang Yeop, lying face down, noticed the commander and spoke in a subdued voice.
"I'm sorry."
Dam Ji-woon didn't respond, just kept staring at the handprint. After a long silence, he spoke in a quiet tone.
"How does it feel to be laid up in bed after getting hit by an examinee?"
Kang Yeop replied, suppressing his irritation.
"What do you think? Like shit."
"Yeah. Like shit."
Agreeing with Kang Yeop's words, Dam Ji-woon unexpectedly continued,
"When I was your age, I fought someone during the Fifth Grade exam."
"As deputy commander?"
"No, before I was promoted. He was about my age, very polite. Passed the document review flawlessly, and his martial arts were stronger than mine."
At that point, Kang Yeop caught on.
"Ah, so the one you fought back then was you, Commander."
"Right, it was me. That guy was a spy planted by the Iron Blood Gang. We didn't figure him out until he walked out on his own. After that, we had to overhaul everything from covert ops onward."
Kang Yeop quietly waited for Dam Ji-woon to continue. Dam Ji-woon said,
"Like shit, right? Ice arts, they say? Let the Execution Hall handle documents and rumors. The one who got hit knows best. How was it?"
"Yes. It hurt."
"Want me to make it hurt more?"
"Do it. I'll get some good rest then."
Dam Ji-woon sighed and continued,
"Snow Mountain Baek Family? A place like that exists? Should I believe it?"
Kang Yeop quietly sat up and finally turned to look at Dam Ji-woon as he said,
"I understand what you're implying."
He paused, deep in thought, then shook his head.
"If one hit revealed his identity, I'd be the commander."
"Still got a knack for earning the rod."
"Commander, that Cold Ice Palm came to mind. Anyway, he was strong. Felt weird. Like my whole body was soaked in snow and heavy? That's it. He didn't hit hard; I think I'll recover soon."
"Noted."
"Anyway, that's just my feeling. Pushing it like this might cost us a good talent."
"Talent?"
"What's with you? When you promoted me to deputy, you called me Silent Sword Unit's talent. He just beat me."
"You clawed your way up from the bottom. He didn't. He doesn't look like talent to me yet. Anyway, the Execution Hall hinted they want more on his martial arts. Whether I step in or find another way, I need to see Baek Moo-jin with my own eyes soon. Rest up."
As Dam Ji-woon left, Kang Yeop called out,
"Send someone else."
Dam Ji-woon paused, and Kang Yeop added,
"He's stronger than you."
"Hah."
Dam Ji-woon snorted and walked out.
3.
Baek Moo-jin had arrived at the waiting area with the man who introduced himself as Jang Yoo-seung.
Jang Yoo-seung said,
"The attendants will take care of anything you need. You can eat or do as you like, but no alcohol."
"Yes."
Baek Moo-jin hadn't spoken a word the whole way here. Jang Yoo-seung smiled and asked,
"Are you always this quiet?"
Baek Moo-jin blinked and replied,
"Ah, no. Truth be told, it's been a long time since I talked this much in a day. Seeing so many people suddenly has me a bit out of it."
"Haha. I was the same at first. That said, your spar was impressive."
Baek Moo-jin, unsure how to respond, nodded but managed a curt,
"Ah, yes."
"Talking to a wall here... Come on in."
The two entered the waiting area. Jang Yoo-seung said,
"This building used to be the White Sword Unit's quarters. Suits you somehow. Snow Mountain Baek Family and White Sword Unit... right? Now that I look, the sword you're carrying matches the ones they wield. Even though you never drew it."
Jang Yoo-seung stared at Baek Moo-jin's sword for a moment, then looked at him and said,
"I'll head out now. If other passers come, don't be so stiff imitating Lord Nose—chat and get friendly. Comrades are precious."
"Thank you. For all the advice..."
Jang Yoo-seung finally smiled and teased,
"No big deal... You worked hard today. But what was that palm technique? The Silent Sword deputy couldn't even think straight."
Was it his imagination?
Baek Moo-jin felt Jang Yoo-seung's ever-smiling eyes flash sharply. Come to think of it, this man was a North Heaven Alliance martial artist too. He managed his expressions well during idle chatter, but when asking what he really wanted to know, even his gaze changed.
With no reason to hide it, Baek Moo-jin replied,
"White Flower Palm."
"White Flower Palm..."
Jang Yoo-seung nodded, savoring the words for a moment.
"First I've heard of it. Oh, one more thing."
Baek Moo-jin nodded silently, and Jang Yoo-seung continued,
"Once you pass, there's a waiting period. But looking at you, it'll be busy."
Baek Moo-jin nodded.
"Do you work during the waiting period?"
"No. Organizations interested in you might request to see Baek Moo-jin the applicant. You crushed that Silent Sword deputy, right? Overwhelmingly, in fact. Rumors spread fast here. The other deputies won't sit still. Or commanders might step in, and only after it gets noisy will the Alliance advise restraint."
"What do you..."
"Sparring. Common here. Lots suffer because of it. Happens all the time. Some openly say they're disciplining newbies."
"So that's how it is."
"That's how it is."
Jang Yoo-seung looked at Baek Moo-jin seriously, as if revealing something crucial, and pointed his finger downward.
"That's the North Heaven Alliance vibe. Not called the realm within the realm for nothing. They compete over everything, and higher-ups don't interfere unless it blows up. They think it keeps things lively."
Baek Moo-jin stared at Jang Yoo-seung.
"Do you do that too, Supervisor?"
"Me? No. I steer clear of those fights. Sounds like an excuse, but in the Execution Hall, this matters more than fists..."
Jang Yoo-seung tapped his temple.
"Fighting with fists or brains, same difference. Anyway, welcome to the North Heaven Alliance."
Sometime during Jang Yoo-seung's rapid talk, Baek Moo-jin found himself absorbing it all. He smiled and replied,
"Helped me get the lay of the land. Thanks."
"Rest well."
As Jang Yoo-seung nodded and left, Baek Moo-jin, alone in the waiting area, gave a faint smile.
Baek Moo-jin didn't take Jang Yoo-seung's words at face value. Especially not the part about him staying out of those fights.
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