Chapter 142

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 142

Chapter Title: Spectator at the Hundred Flowers Academy Entrance Exam (2)

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For a brief moment, my eyes met those of my future S-rank party member.

Not quite on the level of my own Jade Bone Whirlwind glow, but still, it was a face with plausibly stunning looks.

I shot her a glance laced with faint regret for my past self who hadn't checked the "exclude male characters" option when applying the appearance buff patch.

Or did I?

Did I really?

But still.

How should I put it?

A subtle sense of hostility etched into my very genes? A vague aversion?

It wasn't quite the urge to just smack her like I would Geum Siyu, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but there was this slight feeling of distance...

"...?"

Seemed like I wasn't the only one feeling it.

Baek Liyeon also furrowed her brow ever so slightly on her otherwise expressionless face before abruptly turning her head and walking off in the opposite direction.

Well now.

That's the way toward the other side of the academy.

Anyway.

Once I've marked that one, there's no escaping my grasp.

Even if things feel a bit off right now.

Guys are supposed to bond over meals, barbecue, booze, a good sauna sweat, and a few rounds of sparring with wooden swords anyway.

That's camaraderie for you.

Nod.

"Th-there are, uh, so many peopoooole...!"

"Sis! Don't worry, just trust me!"

After etching Baek Liyeon's retreating figure into my eyes for a moment, I resumed walking with the fangirls.

The grand main gate of the Hundred Flowers Academy soon came into view.

It looked like even more applicants than last year—a total sea of people.

Well, unlike our barren modern society, birth rates in the martial world were sky-high.

School-age population trending upward, orthodox faction market share growing, more players logging into the martial world. You could call it that kind of boom.

Maybe it was time to dip into the tavern business.

I'm selling booze, I'm all out of booze...

"Alright, you two, go line up."

"Was just about to. Narin sis, see you soon! We'll meet up again after registration!"

"Siyu can handle herself, Narin, you're this way."

If she'd been from the great Geumhyeon Sect, she'd qualify for the prestigious sect track, but Geum Siyu was a general applicant, so off she went that way first.

"Hngh... Hnghgh..."

I grabbed the shoulders of Dang Narin—who sounded like she was about to hurl a Hoe grenade any second—and dragged her over, flinging her toward the prestigious sect registration desk.

"D-D-D-Dang Sorin here...!"

She hadn't gone through the official name change yet, so Dang Narin gave her old public name.

The moment her voice rang out, a murmur rippled through the crowd.

"The Tang Family of Sichuan... that Poison Flower?"

"First time seeing her in person, but damn, those are some martial world top-five flowers...!"

"If we're judging by grandeur, doesn't Ice Flower fall a bit short?"

Rude whispers that would've had Seoldu-nim drawing her sword for a deathmatch if she'd heard them.

Couldn't argue with fact-based critique, though.

"Ugh..."

I just gave them a long stare, radiating quiet aura as my way of punishing their rudeness a hundredfold.

Anyway.

Baek Liyeon aside, kids these days.

*Ting*, *tsk tsk*, they see a senior like latte-is-the-sky and bend at ninety degrees, right?

"Th-thank you...!"

After finishing her ID check and registration, Dang Narin turned and tugged lightly at my sleeve.

Seemed like it was her first time with all eyes on her—her face was beet red by now.

I dragged the extreme introvert with zero social battery left to a quiet corner.

"Alright, deep breaths."

"Hoo, haa, hoo, haa."

I took in the majestic heaving with every breath for a second.

Then I said something I hadn't planned to.

"Narin. You do great in the gallery."

"Eek."

Her flushed face instantly drained of color.

...Harder smartphone addict than me, carrying four phones right now, and I thought she wouldn't notice? That's on me.

Anyway, if she kept Hoe-ing like this during the exam, she'd definitely bomb the written test.

I pulled a cherished item from my pocket.

"...This is?"

"I'm lending it for now. Like you felt last time, this jade mask has an enchantment that muddles the wearer's identity in others' minds... So, just relax like when you're stirring shit up in the gallery with clone jutsu."

"..."

She took the jade mask I offered, her face twisting into something profoundly weird.

Then.

"N-no way, d-did you, see the stuff I wrote as Jade Mask Prince too...?"

Oh yeah, she'd been grinding out those Jade Mask Prince lemons hard.

No point hiding it now.

I nodded quietly in affirmation.

And then.

"Kyuuuaang!"

Overloaded with shame, she started venting poison from her body, and the squirrel dozing in her pocket jolted awake in a panic.

"Mmph—"

"No poison terror in public. Mask first."

I shoved an antidote pill into Dang Narin's mouth and slapped the mask on her face.

Impressive.

The moment she put it on, her whole presence warped—like this was the Dang Narin I knew.

Well, with that level of grandeur, anyone with my discerning gentleman's eye would spot her instantly.

"My mind feels so calm...!"

Bound to be.

The antidote was packed with calming herbs from the Clarity Pill brew.

"Th-then I'll go...!"

"Lose that mask and you'll regret it big time..."

"Eeeek...!"

Shivering audibly, Dang Narin nonetheless trotted back toward the academy with much lighter steps.

With her exam ticket, ID checks would be easier now anyway.

She'd handle it.

Anyway, I'd done everything I could over the past two months.

For the internal energy measurement, I'd taught her to focus her qi precisely at the sensor point for maximum burst output.

For external power, real-combat-like training to shatter the stone slab most efficiently.

And finally, the written exam.

Geum Siyu would be fine—hate to admit it, but sharing my genes made her smart enough.

As for Dang Narin, who matched Myo Narang's intellect thanks to those genes too.

- Kyu-it! Hnghihi, just trust me!

I'd even hired the cheating expert squirrel.

If she flunked after all that, it'd be 100% her fault.

"Hoo..."

I let out a deep sigh, soothing myself for the hardship of tutoring these clueless kids.

Following Dang Narin's path, I headed back toward the academy too.

I had business inside.

And near the entrance.

"Come on, come on! This ain't an everyday chance! Cheer on the examinees, and if your pick aces it, payback time! Yeongtaek Toto—faith and credit guaranteed!"

"...Fucking lunatic."

Leopard can't change its spots.

Moyong Taek, who'd arrived in Xi'an just yesterday, was openly running a betting ring before the exam even started.

They'd even improved the system from last year.

Last year it was basically straight-up gambling UI.

This year, they swapped 1 silver tael for 1 vote ticket—like distinguishing paid from free currency—in slick marketing.

Plus the hype effect making it seem like stacking votes to top your pick boosted their pass odds.

And even.

This bastard.

Possessed or something?

I was speechless for a sec at the devilish idea channeling pure modern horse racing essence.

No matter how you slice it, abacus suited him better than dual blades.

As I sighed and stared at Yeongtaek, he looked my way, our eyes met.

: : Don't cockblock my business, fuck off. Got a ton riding on this...! : :

Hmm.

Cheeky fucker.

I clenched my fist tight, flipped him the bird in response, then whipped out my smartphone to snap evidence pics for Seol-nim.

And scanned the QR code.

Geumhyeon Sect construction had me strapped for cash anyway—gotta do what I gotta do...

One perk of student council president is free academy access even during these mega events.

I briskly strolled through, ears delighted by newbie chirps echoing everywhere, silent screams from instructors and admin staff.

Destination: main building, president office.

With former prez Gonau officially stepped down, it was my dedicated office now.

Great power, great responsibility.

Not thrilled about hauling ass to the academy during break for work, but...

"Sihyeon, you're here? Hehe. Where's Narin sis?"

"Eh... She'll manage."

Depends on who you're spending time with.

My number-one deputy Narang greeted me with a beaming smile from a mountain of paperwork.

Mid chit-chat while sorting docs.

"Oh, right."

Narang set down her papers and clapped.

And.

"Sect Leader-nim?"

"Gasp."

Instead of Young Master-nim, Sect Leader-nim hit my heart with instant arrhythmia.

Sect Leader-nim.

What sweet resonance!

But.

Before I could savor it, her follow-up struck.

"Heard you sniffed Narin's boob sweat?"

"Guh..."

*Flap—*

I dropped the stack of documents from my hands.