Chapter 20
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Piercing Sword Sect Luoyang Branch
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"Huh?"
"No way, you really came here to take the test? After seeing that half-assed flyer?"
"Heh heh, well now."
"This can't be real. You think this actually works?"
Wang Mun-gi couldn't believe what was happening, letting out a stream of dry laughs.
"See? I told you, didn't I? Luoyang's in an uproar."
Moments ago, Yeo Chu-sam had been bouncing around like a frisky colt in place, but he'd switched gears in an instant, now strutting around with smug satisfaction.
"Senior brother, you gotta believe me when I say something. When have I ever bullshitted you?"
"Urgh."
"The drug's just starting to kick in, so crowds will start pouring in tonight, and by tomorrow morning, there won't be standing room left."
If no one had shown up, that'd be one thing.
But since someone had actually come after seeing that crudely made flyer, I had no choice but to concede a point for now.
"Senior brother, they say the first hand's always crap. Everyone knows that, right?"
"...Mun-gi, are you ribbing me right now?"
"Ahem! Would I ever?"
Realizing he'd accidentally poked my sore spot, Wang Mun-gi hurriedly changed the subject.
"Senior brother, let's just watch and see. It's only one guy so far, isn't it?"
"...Yeah, fine."
I relaxed my half-clenched fist and shifted my gaze to Yeo Chu-sam.
While Wang Mun-gi and I bickered briefly, Yeo Chu-sam was already sweet-talking the dark-faced man with his slick tongue.
"Alright, that's the gist of it. Let's head to the training ground and give it a try yourself. They say seeing is believing—a hundred explanations can't beat one look. And actually doing it beats just watching. Right?"
"Well, yeah, I guess..."
"Good. Let's go to the training ground then. This way."
Yeo Chu-sam flashed a triumphant grin, like a hawker who'd just reeled in a sucker.
He was crowing over landing his first catch on opening day.
"Ugh, that little punk..."
Wang Mun-gi clenched his fist, swallowing his irritation at Yeo Chu-sam's cheeky antics.
I felt the same urge to smack the back of Yeo Chu-sam's head just as strongly.
But for some reason, my eyes kept drifting not to Yeo Chu-sam, but to the dark-faced man.
"He looks kinda familiar... Where do I know him from?"
As I furrowed my brow and tilted my head, Wang Mun-gi finally asked if I knew the guy.
"It's... I swear I've seen him somewhere, but I can't remember where."
"Senior brother, why overthink it? Just go ask him."
"Yeah, you're right. But..."
Maybe I'd met him somewhere shady, not out in the open.
No, that was likely.
Ever since entering the compound, the dark-faced man had kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with me.
'Was it a gambling den? I remember all my opponents from those, but nothing clicks.'
I racked my brain for old memories, but nothing came up.
Then, as I thought beyond gambling dens, one place suddenly popped into mind.
'Hold on. Didn't I see him at the Black Society recently...?'
No matter how good my memory, I couldn't recall every low-level Black Society grunt.
But I'd been in and out of there the past few days, so I'd gotten vaguely familiar with the mid-level cadres and grunts' faces.
Thanks to that, I recognized the dark-faced man without needing introductions or prying into his background.
'Ah, yeah... The lowlife who stood guard at the gate whenever I visited. That's definitely him.'
I'd been agonizing over it, but once I pinned down his identity, the knot in my gut loosened like a tooth finally pulled.
Yet knowing he was Black Society brought a fresh wave of worries crashing in.
'Even without entry restrictions, is it okay to take someone with Black Dao ties as a trainee?'
Piercing Sword Sect might be a minor player, but it was still part of the Nine Great Righteous Sects and Eight Schools representing the orthodox factions.
'A martial artist with enemies in the righteous sects is one thing, but taking in Black Dao riffraff as a trainee is bound to cause trouble later...'
Of course, nothing was set in stone yet.
The dark-faced man had just picked up a wooden sword after watching Yeo Chu-sam's demo, looking dazed.
His grip on it was sloppy too, so he probably couldn't even manage one strike of the Ten Targets One Sword, let alone three.
He might try a few times, get frustrated, and just leave.
As long as he didn't out me first or blab about the King Yama Debt, I had no reason to step in.
'Best to stay quiet and observe for now.'
While Yeo Chu-sam guided the test, I'd already sized up the situation and decided my course.
And just in case, before the real test began, when our eyes met briefly, I shot him a discreet warning.
One peep out of him about me, and I'd snap his neck.
Gulp!
The dark-faced man caught on quick, swallowing hard before nodding slowly.
Yeo Chu-sam, standing nearby, mistook it for nerves and boomed a laugh to lighten the mood.
"Hahaha, no need to look so grim. It's a super simple test."
"Ah, y-yeah..."
The dark-faced man gave an awkward smile, sneaking a glance at me before quietly asking—careful to avoid the crumpled flyer—
"So, really, pass this simple test and you teach me martial arts? No restrictions?"
"Of course."
"For real? No tricks later?"
"No way. Don't worry."
Even after Yeo Chu-sam's repeated assurances, the dark-faced man kept stealing looks at me.
He knew my secret, but I knew his too.
He was probably fretting I'd block the transmission later over his background.
'He wants confirmation from me.'
I stepped forward and gave the dark-faced man my word.
"Little brother, disciples of the Great Piercing Sword Sect don't go back on their word. I swear it on my sect's honor."
"Hm, if you say so..."
With my guarantee, he visibly relaxed, while Yeo Chu-sam looked put out.
Not knowing our connection, he must've misunderstood the vibe.
So I told him I'd explain later—just focus on the test for now.
Yeo Chu-sam nodded slightly in understanding, then dropped his stiff expression and donned his salesman smile again.
"Then let's begin the test."
"Ah, yeah..."
For a split second, the dark-faced man noticed Yeo Chu-sam's face harden then soften, realizing his slip-up and flinching.
But spilled water can't be gathered—you can't undo a mistake.
With that, the dark-faced man started the test, fidgeting like cattle led to slaughter.
Whoosh! Thwack!
The dark-faced man's wooden sword struck the wooden dummy's head with force.
For someone without formal sword training, it was a decent single stroke. But it fell far short of passing.
"Fail."
At Yeo Chu-sam's firm verdict, the dark-faced man blurted out without even catching his breath.
"O-one more! Please, just one more chance!"
"I've given plenty already..."
"One time. The absolute last. Give me one more shot, and I'll nail it!"
"Hm, what to do..."
"Please, I beg you. This is the first real chance in my pitch-black life. I can't just walk away empty-handed!"
Sweat poured down his forehead, blisters bulged on his sword-grip hand.
His legs shook like aspen leaves from exhaustion, so even one more try wouldn't get him through.
Yet he begged like grasping at straws, refusing to quit.
Yeo Chu-sam pretended to hesitate, then relented with a dramatic sigh.
"Fine, little brother. Since you're this desperate, one more chance."
"R-really? Thank you! So much!"
"Oh, and here—have some water before you go again. Catch your breath."
"Th-thank you."
The dark-faced man downed the gourd's contents in one go. It was a good amount, but he gulped it without breathing—must've been parched.
"Haa, haa..."
While he panted, Yeo Chu-sam offered simple advice.
"Don't think of thrusting the sword fast and hard. The moment you do, your grip tenses, and your arm and shoulder stiffen."
"Ah..."
"Relax. Feel the sword's weight. Then you can learn to shoot it out like an arrow—not swing or thrust with brute force."
"Like an arrow...?"
The dark-faced man looked puzzled, not grasping it.
Yeo Chu-sam just smiled faintly, offering no more.
"Alright, this time, show us your best. Good luck."
"..."
As Yeo Chu-sam stepped back, the dark-faced man gripped the wooden sword tight and gritted his teeth.
'This is my real last shot. Squeeze out every last bit of strength.'
Huuu.
He took a deep breath, glaring at the dummy like a blood-sworn enemy.
Then, ignoring the advice, he tensed up completely and thrust the sword with a mighty shout.
"Haaaaap!"
His yell echoed across the compound, but the sword's path through the air was pathetic.
Ignoring his fatigue, he'd swung with full tension—then his legs buckled, and he face-planted.
"Urk...!"
More than the pain of eating dirt, he seemed crushed by wasting his hard-won final chance. He didn't get up right away.
After waiting a while with no sign of him rising, Yeo Chu-sam approached quietly.
And whispered a proposal just for his ears.
"Little brother, register at the martial hall today, train for three months, and you can retake the test. Interested?"