The Second-Rate Warrior Who Dominates the Exam
Tae-eul Gate was abuzz from early morning with the arrival of unfamiliar visitors. Dozens of people dressed in identical uniforms swept through the sect grounds, cleaning and preparing meals. The aroma of a whole pig boiled in a massive pot roused the children from sleep, and even the outer disciples entering with heavy hearts soon forgot their worries, their faces lighting up as they sniffed out the source of the savory scent.
"What the hell is this?"
My mutter drew a cute giggle from Wang Soso standing beside me.
"It's from my father. He said we need a hearty meal on exam day."
"From the Wang Merchant Group Lord?"
"Yes."
"Isn't this too much trouble for him?"
"Hehe, I had to talk him out of slaughtering an ox for a feast and hosting the inspectors in Tae-eul Gate's name."
"......Tell him we're grateful."
"Father said to drop by the Wang Merchant Group sometime. He wants to treat you to a private meal."
"I'll make time soon."
All of Tae-eul Gate's members gathered in the dining hall. Before each person sat a simple but hearty bowl of meat stew, and the children were already swallowing hard, eyes fixed on the sect leader.
"Let's eat with gratitude for the Wang Merchant Group Lord's generous meal."
""Thank you!""
No sooner had the sect leader finished than the children chorused in unison. Wang Soso just smiled faintly and nodded.
The kids fidgeted, waiting in vain for Gye Cheolyeong's usual swagger. Normally, they'd be fawning over his boasting by now.
"Aren't you all eating?"
At Wang Soso's words, they hesitated before finally picking up their utensils. The dining hall buzzed with unprecedented warmth.
As everyone finished and prepared for the exam, people from the Gye-ryong Merchant Group strode in. Gye Yeonseok and Gye Cheolyeong, plus three distinctive newcomers: a scholarly man, a martial artist woman, and a middle-aged fellow with an oddly ambiguous air. They resembled the inspectors' lineup.
"Hmph! Did you cheapskates slurp down some fishy stew? The whole place reeks."
Gye Yeonseok pinched his nose, prompting Wang Soso to tilt her head.
"No way. Father specially sourced green mountain pigs from Zhejiang Province—no fishy taste there."
Green mountain pigs were fed Anji white tea and bamboo salt liquor from Zhejiang. No wonder the broth was so rich without a hint of gaminess.
"......"
Unable to retort to Wang Soso, Gye Yeonseok turned his ire on me.
"Guzzling meat stew before an important exam?"
"Better than pigs bred for banquets and culled after popping out litters—their broth doesn't sit heavy."
I jabbed at his habit of buying those disposable sows for parties.
"You sure you're okay with this? Cheolyeong might fail. Shouldn't you hit a temple and pray?"
"Hmph! You haven't heard the rumors, have you?"
"Rumors?"
"That man in the middle of those three is the famous one-shot tutor, Jang Sagun."
Gye Yeonseok gestured, drawing the children's eyes to Jang Sagun's group.
"He's never failed to get a student into the special track. No matter your tricks, Tae-eul Gate's just a sideshow for my Cheolyeong."
The kids wilted, heads drooping one by one.
"Looks like you're really cutting ties with Tae-eul Gate."
"Hmph! No need to deal with people who ditch bonds over a bowl of stew."
I let killing intent trickle out at his words.
"Think carefully. For all his show, Senior Brother Cheolyeong is a lay disciple. Leaving on a whim demands a price."
Gye Yeonseok paled under the pressure. Then Jang Sagun stepped forward.
"Haha, bullying a civilian after learning martial arts? What a disgrace. Is that Tae-eul Gate's teaching?"
I shot back without flinching.
"A gentleman trading knowledge for coin is no gentleman—just a merchant."
Jang Sagun flushed but quickly regained composure.
"Even you take stipends to feed disciples while teaching."
"They say the one-shot tutor gets a mansion as his fee?"
His face turned beet red. His fame demanded exorbitant pay, a tolerated transaction—but hardly gentlemanly.
"Your tongue's sharp as hell. We'll see if your skills match when results come."
Then Gang Chaeseok bellowed across the yard.
"Enough chatter! Everyone gather! The inspectors have arrived."
The sect leader, elders, and hall lords were already assembled. As the children clustered, a small procession entered slowly.
"Murim Alliance."
Someone shouted, heads turning to the front. The leader bore the Murim Alliance banner, proclaiming their authority.
"Murim Alliance Inspector Yi Ja-gon greets you."
"Greetings."
Yi Ja-gon bowed to Sect Leader Hong Moon-gi, followed by his escorts. Eleven inspectors total, excluding guards: five scholars and five warriors, minus Yi Ja-gon.
"You've traveled far—thank you. We hope you select fine talents again."
"Selecting talents for the 108 Peaks is a grave duty for the Murim Alliance. We'll ensure a flawless exam."
The ten split off to prepare. The scholars unpacked wooden carriers from their backs, stacking exam papers dense with text on tables.
The disciples, facing their first written test, looked pale already. Gye Cheolyeong smirked at a palm-sized booklet of stitched papers.
"Scared of the exam?"
"......Aren't you, Senior Brother?"
"You're trembling 'cause you didn't prepare. If you'd studied like me, no fear."
His interlocutors were Geum Pyo, Eunho, and Dongryong—the youngest of the gold-silver-bronze brothers.
"If you're stuck on any, I can tip you off?"
"......"
Dongryong glared indignantly, while Geum Pyo and Eunho hustled him away.
As scholars readied the first test, warriors conferred with the hall lords.
"Just basic swordsmanship and heart method again?"
Gang Chaeseok asked, and the female warrior nodded.
"108 Peaks exams are standard: depth and application of basics. You'll learn advanced arts at the academy, but roots must be solid."
"Understood. We'll brief you on what our hall lords expect for basics."
She shook her head.
"We have full records on Tae-eul Gate's arts from the Alliance. No need—thank you."
Gang Chaeseok looked flustered. Even basics were best known by sect members—mastering them from documents meant these inspectors were leagues above.
"Ugh......"
He fell silent, watching preparations.
Yi Ja-gon scanned the setup, then widened his eyes at someone in the yard. The man nodded back.
"Senior, what brings you here?"
Attention shifted to Yi Ja-gon and Jang Sagun.
"Junior, doing well?"
"Of course—thanks to your thorough lessons, I'm an inspector captain."
"Knew you'd make it."
Overhearing, they seemed old comrades.
"Teaching any students this exam?"
"Ah, forgot introductions."
Jang Sagun gestured right.
"Tae-eul Gate lay disciple and Gye-ryong Merchant Group heir, Gye Cheolyeong. Not just Iron Sword Sect's twin dragons in Hefei—there's a hidden dragon here, so I came."
Gye Cheolyeong puffed his chest, stepping forward in a fist-and-palm salute.
"Gye-ryong Merchant Group's Gye Cheolyeong."
"A fine young man. I see why you chose him, Senior."
"Hahaha, all exams lately? Your silver tongue's sharper."
"Well, your students all passed into the academy. Makes screening easier for us."
"Kehkehke. Fair enough. Drinks after, if you're free?"
"I'd like that."
The groups weren't far; their talk reached us clearly. Wang Soso's eyes flashed.
"This is outrageous! I'll tell Father to protest."
She voiced our shared outrage, but I stopped her.
"No special favors yet—sit tight."
"Oppa, an examiner and examinee being buddies is unfair by itself!"
Hong Saryeon cut in.
"Senior Brother."
"Huh?"
"Call him Senior Brother, not Oppa?"
"Ah...... Sorry. Anyway, don't you think it's wrong?"
"Yeah. But big senior brother has a plan, right?"
Hong Saryeon glared, daring me to say otherwise.
"You both studied the book I gave?"
"Studied hard, but......"
"Yes, memorized it all."
Hong Saryeon looked unsure; Wang Soso confident.
"All of it? It wasn't short."
"Only thing to do in my room was read. Easy to memorize."
I nodded slightly.
"Others too?"
"Soso helped the ones who struggled."
"Ho. Good."
Despite my assurance, they tilted heads in confusion.
"Exam starting. Examinees, take seats."
Disciples spaced out in neat rows on small mats. Scholars flipped papers face-up as they passed.
"One hour. Do your best. Copying or peeking means disqualification—remember that. Begin."
A scholar struck a small gong. Disciples flipped papers in sync.
Gye Cheolyeong scanned smugly. Others stared blankly at the white paper and black ink, deflated.
'Get it!'
Minutes passed; confusion crept into Gye Cheolyeong's eyes—unexpected questions. Meanwhile, the wilted disciples started tilting heads, then steadily scribbling answers.
"What the......?"
From below the training ground, Yi Ja-gon frowned at the oddity: all Tae-eul Gate disciples writing nonstop.
Gye Cheolyeong realized he alone was stuck.
"Ha......"
His sigh drew a scholar's whisper.
"Examinee, quiet and focus—or fail."
"Ah...... Y-yes."
He buried his head again but couldn't concentrate.