The Black Flame Dragon in Golden Clothes (3)
After the results of the Murim Alliance entrance exam were announced across the land, the city of Hebi in Anhui Province was abuzz with the name atop the list.
“Tae-eul Gate? Was there even a sect like that?”
“You mean that Tae-eul Martial Hall place?”
“Tae-eul Martial Hall? Come on! Don’t you know about the proper Tae-eul Gate?”
“Hey, you punk! You think I didn’t hear you mocking them with all that Taecheong Sword Emperor crap?”
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Tae-eul Gate had posted a notice and gone into secluded training, leaving people’s curiosity unsatisfied. But that didn’t mean the sect itself ignored it. On the contrary, a grand celebration was underway inside Tae-eul Gate.
“Kuhuhu, our little Sowoon ended up as top scholar after all.”
“Didn’t Lord Gang Chaeseok always badmouth Senior Brother Sowoon?”
“Hey, you punk! That’s just how much affection he has for him!”
“Then he must not care much for Junior Sister Soso. He’s never once badmouthed her in front of her.”
“Get over here. You mastered the Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion yet?”
“Who trains at a party?”
All the division lords and disciples had gathered, along with the disciples’ parents. Among them, the ones drawing the most attention were the parents of the gold-silver-bronze brothers, who ran a mill.
“Congratulations. How did you get all three sons into the Murim Academy? Share the secret, please.”
“Ah… We just worked hard, that’s all…”
“Oh my, so the kids were motivated by seeing their parents’ example. How did you do it?”
“Ah… Well, we just told them to listen to their seniors and masters…”
The parents of the gold-silver-bronze brothers, who had faced subtle disdain their whole lives running the mill, were too dazed by the situation to respond properly, merely nodding along.
“Phew… With Big Senior Brother entering as top scholar, our shoulders just got heavier from here on out.”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
Gwak Samnam glanced at Wang Soso and Jegal Cheongi, who were munching on chicken skewers.
“If anyone from Tae-eul Gate doesn’t score as high as Big Senior Brother from now on, we’ll get flak for it, right?”
“I’m not taking the Murim exam.”
“What?”
Gwak Samnam’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s at Wang Soso’s words. She’d started learning martial arts later than him, but her progress had skyrocketed—especially her internal energy cultivation, which was overwhelmingly superior. Even though he could probably beat her in swordsmanship or footwork, her waves of profound inner force had never let him win even once. And now she was saying she wouldn’t take the exam?
“I’m going to the Murim Alliance for mandatory service.”
“…As a low-grade warrior?”
He’d heard the Wang family treasured Wang Soso so much they’d kept her locked away in her room her whole life. And lately, rumors said she was helping with family business and raking in huge profits. For someone like her to join the Alliance as a lowly warrior?
“That way I can work with Big Senior Brother.”
“…”
At that moment, Jegal Cheongi chimed in while chewing his skewer.
“I’m going in as a low-grade warrior too. Samnam, you’ve got a heavy load on your shoulders.”
“What do you… Wait, then me too…”
“No way! We’re lay disciples. You have to take the exam.”
“Where’s that rule?”
“Right here. Where else?”
“Then send Yuseong in my place.”
“Me?!”
Gang Yu-seong jumped in surprise while handing food to his younger sisters.
“You entered later than me, but your skills are way better.”
The Tae-eul Gate kids who’d gone to the Moyong family as exchange students with Paegum had returned vastly improved. And though Gang Yu-seong had started the Tae-eul True Scripture later than the others, he was already on par with Gang Chaeseok.
Gwak Samnam patted Gang Yu-seong’s shoulder.
“You’re the one who’ll spread Tae-eul Gate’s name in the next round. Take care of it, Yuseong.”
“No, I… I want to go as a low-grade warrior too…”
Gang Yu-seong’s face scrunched up like he was about to cry, while Gwak Samnam, Wang Soso, and Jegal Cheongi exchanged glances and snickered.
A short distance away from the four.
“Why are you sitting alone?”
Someone approached Jin Taesan, who sat apart from the festive mood.
“Ah, you’re here, Lord Wang.”
Wang Geumsan stopped Jin Taesan from standing and sat beside him, setting down a bottle of liquor.
“This is Baekhwa Okroju.”
Jin Taesan’s eyes bulged. The imperial treasure made from a hundred flowers, right? A mysterious aroma wafted from the narrow mouth already.
“Perfect for a day like today, isn’t it?”
“Th-this is too much for me.”
Jin Taesan’s hands trembled as he took the Baekhwa Okroju. For a drunkard like him, it was priceless.
Wang Geumsan chuckled at the sight.
“Not happy?”
Jin Taesan froze midway through his first sip. Should he finish it or stop? He downed it all, then stared into the empty cup, either savoring the aftertaste or lost in thought.
“…What father in the world doesn’t rejoice at his son’s success?”
Regret filled Jin Taesan’s eyes as he gazed at the empty cup.
“I just worry he’s climbed too high and might fall hard.”
A child’s success ties to a parent’s anxiety. The fear of not being a safety net if they tumble. The worry that their own chains might limit the child’s potential. Parents reflect on themselves every time their child takes a big step.
“Isn’t that worrying too soon? He’s just starting to spread his wings.”
“I’m the guy who wondered if he could even handle being Outer Hall Lord. That’s the size of my vessel. But the kid flapped once and shook the heavens—how can I not be anxious?”
It was a ladder no normal path could reach. He must’ve taken huge risks and gambles. In life’s casino, with only your neck on the line, Jin Taesan didn’t want to imagine how many times his son had bet his life to get there.
“Is it because of his ties to the Black Path?”
“…”
That nickname Black Flame Dragon was a prime example. Jin Taesan gave a bitter smile and poured himself more Baekhwa Okroju.
“At least it’s good that the Black Path bigshots testified he has no connection to them.”
“Pfft.”
“Hey, that’s good liquor you’re spitting out!”
Jin Taesan stared at Wang Geumsan in dismay, his lips still fragrant from the spill. Who in the world would believe Jin Sowoon had no Black Path ties after seeing that spectacle? He himself was dying to know how the rotten kid got tangled up with them.
“…”
“Just kidding. Kidding.”
Wang Geumsan patted his shoulder and refilled his cup.
“…”
This guy was changing from their first meeting. He kept cracking silly jokes. His inherent dignity and seriousness made it hard to laugh even when he was joking.
“So Jin Division Lord should work harder. Be a solid safety net whenever he falls.”
“They say academy reps have to assemble a staff. Who’d help a kid with no money or background?”
He could send all the mine profits to buy a staff, but that’d uproot Tae-eul Gate’s foundations just as they were taking root. Impossible.
“If that’s tough, there’s an easier way.”
“What way?”
Wang Geumsan paused dramatically and poured more liquor. The aroma was divine every sip. Jin Taesan almost wanted to lap up what he’d spat out earlier.
“Have a drink first.”
“What’s the way?”
“…Listen while you drink.”
Jin Taesan savored the golden, shimmering liquor slowly.
“How about he marries into the Wang family? That’d give him a solid background.”
“Pfft!!!”
“You’re joking, right?”
“…”
He’d expected academy life wouldn’t be easy. But scheming like this before classes even started? The Murim Alliance and Academy were rotten to the core.
“Not funny. Just give me normal clothes.”
“…This is the normal attire.”
“…I should’ve warned you. I don’t like jokes.”
“…”
The maids’ stone-faced expressions made it clear this wasn’t a joke, heightening his unease.
“This is really what you wear to the banquet?”
The outfit was white silk embroidered with golden thread in flashy patterns. A ceremonial hat, gold-leaf belt, impractical white shoes—it looked like something celestials would wear.
That was fine. But…
“For real? Swear it?”
The problem was the massive golden “TOP SCHOLAR” embroidered across the chest. No matter how he looked at it, this punishment of an outfit was supposedly the traditional robe for past top entrants. He was dumbfounded.
“I’ll just wear my uniform.”
Better to go naked than this. As he tried to push past the maids for the banquet, the eldest-looking middle-aged woman blocked him.
“Every top scholar in history has worn this. You can’t take a single step out without it.”
“…Then I won’t attend the banquet.”
Wearing that would trash his hard-earned social cred and his authority as the revered big senior brother. No way in hell.
“What are you waiting for? Help the young master change.”
“Hey! What the—let go! I’m warning you, I just gained three years’ worth of inner energy!”
He resisted, but the relentless maids overpowered him.
“There, look how heroic our young master is.”
“…”
The head maid proudly held up a bronze mirror.
“I’ve seen this somewhere before.”
“Where, sir?”
“Street plays. The fool princes or spoiled nobles always wear stuff like this.”
The head maid ignored him lightly and nodded.
“Then enjoy the banquet.”
“My mood’s already ruined…”
“…Seeing how others admire you might change your mind.”
“Pfft!”
“Urk!”
Geum Pyo and Eunho turned red and bit their lips hard at the sight of me.
See? Told you I’d be a laughingstock.
“Laughing?”
“N-no. I was just thinking how proud the sect leader and everyone at Tae-eul Gate would be to see this glorious sight… Emotions got the best of me… Sniff. Sniff.”
Geum Pyo turned away, making an ambiguous sobbing-laughing sound. Eunho spoke up beside him.
“Big Senior Brother, can I borrow some silver?”
“For… what?”
“To fetch a fire artist quick…”
“Shut it.”
Dongryong and Moyong Jaehwa stared blankly.
“That weird?”
Embarrassed, I asked, and Dongryong shook his head.
“You look just like a prince from heaven.”
“Brother, it really suits you.”
“…”
Their sincere words made me even more mortified, and Geum Pyo and Eunho finally burst into laughter. I could barely stand it and changed the subject fast.
“Where’re the junior sisters?”
“Girls always take longer to get ready, right?”
Fortunately, the gold-silver-bronze brothers and Moyong Jaehwa shared a four-man dorm. Rooms were assigned by score, but Moyong Jaehwa, with his entry plaque, requested to room with them.
Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran got two-person rooms, but with others. At least not far away, so they weren’t too bummed.
“What about Saryeon?”
I’d tried to see Saryeon right after entering the academy. She’d shown her face to the brothers but avoided me. Not knowing why she wanted to meet at the banquet hall, I’d waited patiently since it wouldn’t be long.
“Junior Sister Saryeon will be here soon.”
“Everyone’s late.”
“Let’s head in first.”
“Yeah.”
The servants’ glances outside the hall irked me. Glowing alone in the dark, of course eyes gathered—but their weird smirks, admiration or mockery, grated enough.
Heading to the banquet hall, a long line snaked from the entrance. Everyone waiting for maids’ guidance, but their outfits were no joke. Me and the brothers wore academy-provided robes, but other students sported luxurious clothes emblazoned with family or sect symbols. As flashy as my “TOP SCHOLAR” gold lettering.
The brothers’ robes had “Tae-eul” but no huge labels, so students must’ve custom-ordered theirs.
“Hard to tell who the main character is now.”
As Eunho said, I looked like the clown, and they the stars enjoying the party.
“Jin Sowoon?”
At the line’s end, a manager-looking guy approached.
“This way. Top scholar’s seat is reserved separately.”
“Finally feel like the protagonist.”
Under his guidance, me and the gold-silver-bronze brothers skipped the line. Eyes from the queue bored into us—none friendly.
“Wait here. A maid will guide you to your seats.”
The manager vanished. At the front, the brothers gawked at the hall’s massive, ornate interior peeking through the entrance. I subtly admired it too when—
A familiar voice rang out.
“For the Murim Alliance’s top school, the facilities are disappointingly shabby, no?”
Confirming the owner, I suppressed my excitement.
“…You passed after all.”
“Tell me about it. When you took my entry plaque, I thought I was done for. But I got a rematch for revenge.”