The Second-Rate Warrior Dominating the Exam (3)
“The third exam will be a real combat martial arts duel. The sixteen examinees selected from the previous two rounds, please step forward.”
At Yi Ja-gon’s words, the children who hadn’t made the cut retreated to one side of the grand training ground. Strangely enough, unlike his previous life, there was no trace of regret or resentment on their faces. It seemed that just witnessing Gye Cheolyeong fail to stand out for his personal greed had left them with no regrets about the exam.
“We will determine rankings based on the duel results, so give it your all until the very end.”
At that moment, one of the children outside the training ground shot up his hand. It was Gwak Sam-nam, the third son of the Gwak family, whose father worked in the inn’s kitchen.
“Isn’t the exam supposed to select just one person to go to the Murim Academy? Why select based on rankings?”
“Of course. However, to reward those who studied diligently, we’ve prepared special prizes as well. Do your best.”
The eyes of the sixteen selected children began to sparkle. With the top spots already swept by Hong Saryeon and the Geum Pyo brothers, they couldn’t aim for first, but second or third was still up for grabs. Moreover, the gifts from the Murim Alliance were surely rare treasures not easily obtained even at the Tae-eul Gate.
“Senior Brother, what’s going on?”
Geum Pyo approached with a puzzled look.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why is Senior Brother ranked eighth?”
I had adjusted my ranking to match Gye Cheolyeong’s score from the first exam.
“This is what happens when you slack off on training and studying.”
Geum Pyo clicked his tongue.
“Don’t talk nonsense. You recited the past exam books and even taught us the improved Socheon Sword Technique. And this is the result?”
“You little punk. Looks like you need a good spanking from your senior brother to fix that mouth of yours.”
I’d grown up like brothers with the Geum Pyo trio since childhood, so we were casual with each other. Besides, Geum Pyo, the eldest of the three, was only a year older than me.
“Be honest. Are you yielding to us juniors on purpose?”
“Kid, I’m going to win the third exam anyway. What does it matter if I bombed the first two?”
“……”
The response came not from Geum Pyo, but from the side.
“Is that it?”
Geum Pyo whipped his head around, startled, bowed his head in a fluster, and scurried away. Even the mature Geum Pyo felt uneasy in front of the Ken Seong Sa-ja.
“What do you mean?”
“Your scores turning out like this.”
“As you might have heard, it’s because I slacked on studying and skipped training often.”
“And yet you picked the exam questions like a pair of tongs?”
How did he know that?
“I heard from the top scorers.”
“Is there a problem?”
“It could be, if the exams leaked.”
“Leaking the Ken Seong Sa-ja’s exam papers from the Murim Alliance? That sounds terrifying just to hear.”
Yi Ja-gon’s words didn’t hold water from the start. Exam security was so tight even the Myriad Communications Division’s top officials couldn’t touch it. A leak in this situation? The exams would be invalidated, and the 108 Peaks’ positions would shake. But that wasn’t what Yi Ja-gon meant.
“I’d like to hear your side.”
“The exam’s about to start.”
Hong Saryeon, first in overall score, and I, eighth, stepped onto the grand training ground. Moments later, the judging Ken Seong martial artist signaled the start of the match.
“You’re eighth, coincidentally.”
I let out a small sigh. I couldn’t say I’d seen the exam papers in my previous life, so excuses came naturally.
“The exam’s basically a formality anyway. Each sect already decides who goes to the Murim Academy. Ours is just… a bit special.”
I glanced at Gye Cheolyeong. His eyes, fixed on the arena, were bloodshot like a man who hadn’t slept, his chest heaving with excitement.
“I know your sect’s situation. Nothing new there. What intrigues me is this: this exam is different from before. You couldn’t predict from past ones.”
Yi Ja-gon didn’t seem to like beating around the bush. I nodded readily.
“I got lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“I used the exam as an excuse to teach things that’d help at the Murim Alliance later. Good motivation, right?”
“Then why rank yourself eighth?”
“Someone who can do that…”
“I’ve heard about you. Never forgets what you’ve seen once?”
Yi Ja-gon would later earn the moniker Iron Fist Sword. Famous for his meticulous personality and flawless duels, it seemed that trait was showing here. Brushing him off lightly wouldn’t work.
“To keep the exam fair.”
“So the exam isn’t fair?”
“The exam is fair. I just wanted to take it alongside my juniors.”
“And you lowered your rank on purpose?”
“Yes.”
“Why go that far?”
“Someone’s already viewing the exam as unfair.”
My gaze shifted to Gye Cheolyeong, and Yi Ja-gon followed. He stared for a moment before speaking.
“That senior still hasn’t realized shortcuts can become dead ends.”
“Won’t you stop him?”
“Stop what?”
A master like Yi Ja-gon couldn’t miss the anomaly. He was pretending not to notice.
“Give face to that senior?”
In the past, Yi Ja-gon had publicly dismissed Jang Sagun’s opinions on exam strictness in front of everyone. That let the disciples believe the exam was fair.
“A Ken Seong Sa-ja isn’t swayed by any Murim Alliance branch, let alone old favors.”
“I see.”
“You seem suspicious but won’t complain?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll make it fair.”
Yi Ja-gon looked at me like some exotic creature.
“““Waaaaah!”””
“Awesome!”
Just then, Un Ji-hyang’s sword flew, and the Ken Seong martial artists declared Hong Saryeon’s victory. Disciples and hall leaders alike applauded her brilliant swordsmanship.
The exam didn’t take long.
In the first group, Hong Saryeon never exceeded thirty exchanges per duel with the disciples. She didn’t use the Great Battle Divine Art or Thunderclap Sword she’d learned secretly, but her Busengdang studies and nightly practice in the sect leader’s private ground were unbeatable. She defeated Eunho, who’d reached the semifinals, securing the finals.
Up to here, it wasn’t much different from his previous life.
In the latter group with me and Gye Cheolyeong, however, he displayed overwhelming skill. Where Hong Saryeon stayed under thirty exchanges, Gye Cheolyeong didn’t pass ten, shocking everyone. With free martial art use in the third exam, he wielded the Three Shadows Sword without hesitation, slicing his first opponent’s Cheonggang Sword clean off.
“Next match: Gye Cheolyeong versus Jin Sowoon!”
At the Ken Seong martial artist’s call, Gye Cheolyeong and I faced off on the training ground. The winner would face Hong Saryeon last.
“I knew I’d meet you here eventually.”
Unlike usual, Gye Cheolyeong radiated massive killing intent in all directions. The unchecked aura stung the skin just standing before him.
“Tired? Your eyes are bloodshot.”
“Yeah. Tired. Want to end it quick and rest.”
As Gye Cheolyeong assumed his stance, the central Ken Seong martial artist stepped back. Instead of mirroring him, I approached.
“Not that. You want to end it fast because of the Pogeukdan, right?”
“…!!!”
Gye Cheolyeong’s eyes bulged. In his previous life, he’d used Pogeukdan worrying about Hong Saryeon close behind. I’d learned this reading Myriad Communications Division files during the Upright-Demonic Great War, far too late to fix.
“How…”
“I’ll correct the wrong.”
Before he could speak, I took my stance and thrust at his throat.
Clang! His sword block sent heavy force crashing in.
“You can’t do anything!”
“Think so?”
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
I channeled Five Stars inner energy, unleashing the true Socheon Sword Technique. Confident Gye Cheolyeong countered with Three Shadows Sword, my swift strikes shattering against his sword shadows.
“Show me your tricks. Stick out a hand, I’ll cut it off. A foot, same. I’m not indecisive like Namgung San!”
He seemed resentful over Namgung San. His Pogeukdan-infused sword struck like a boulder. I switched to the unorthodox Socheon Sword Technique, targeting vitals.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The unorthodox strikes accelerated; Gye Cheolyeong couldn’t keep up, his control slipping on the sudden qi surge. His clothes tore, small wounds appearing.
“You bastard!”
Blood drawn, he unleashed full-body energy. His killing intent rivaled famed masters.
“I won’t forgive you.”
I didn’t know what I’d done, but his sword, laden with past grudges, transcended sparring.
Oddly, Ken Seong Sa-ja Yi Ja-gon didn’t stop it.
What?
I set aside distractions, raising inner energy to Seven Stars. Gye Cheolyeong, frustrated at failing to fell me despite full power, let it show in his sword.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
His strikes, fully powered, flew. Without my Black Dragon Sword—exams banned treasured blades—I watched Cheonggang Sword chips scatter.
“You ruined it! You ruined everything!”
Our duel speed far exceeded examinee level. Disciples couldn’t look away.
Thud. Boom!
Gye Cheolyeong’s downward strike shattered marble, fragments flying.
“Sh-shouldn’t we stop this?”
“Cheolyeong seems off.”
Hall leaders and even Ken Seong martial artists eyed Yi Ja-gon uneasily, but he just shook his head silently.
Timing right, I surged to Ten Stars inner energy.
Clang! Gye Cheolyeong staggered back three steps for the first time.
“Senior Brother, that’s exactly a hundred exchanges. Looks risky beyond this. You okay?”
“!!!”
Pogeukdan’s safe limit: hundred exchanges. He’d passed it at 120.
“Give up. No need to ruin your life for the Murim Academy.”
“You… you keep thwarting my grand ambitions!”
A larger aura erupted. Pogeukdan’s second explosion.
“Hup!”
“That’s!”
“Sword aura?!”
Crowds gasped at the red aura on his blade. Beyond his level, thanks to Pogeukdan—but disastrous. Permanent dantian damage, risk of qi deviation.
“No!”
Someone in the stands cried desperately, but eyes stayed fixed.
“I’ll kill you. Kill you. Must kill you!”
Gye Cheolyeong charged like a madman.
“Know how many sins you’ve committed, Senior Brother?”
He charged insanely, deaf to me. I met him head-on.
Sins: Using Murim Academy to become Alliance executive, enslaving juniors as big senior brother. Sending disciples to Upright-Demonic frontline for merit. Ignoring Tae-eul Gate’s crises.
“I’ll atone them all here!”
“Die! Die! Die! Die!”
He swung wildly, screaming death. I dodged into his guard, unleashing Yuyunmun’s Lotus Bind from This Flower Grafting Hand, spinning him three times.
Thud. Boom.
Painless, he sprang up, charging.
Clang-clang-clang!
Unstable but real sword aura. No blocking with ordinary Cheonggang Sword. Cracks formed on mine.
“Pathetic, Jin Sowoon!”
He spoke as if victory certain.
Fitting. Sword aura, first-rate realm, was idolized by kids like divine swords.
“Kill you! Go to Murim Academy! Rise!”
His drooling lips, bloodshot eyes screamed certainty.
“Killing me is disqualification, Senior Brother.”
“Shut up!”
Red aura doubled; he unleashed full Three Shadows Sword. Three fierce auras pinned vitals.
Excellent move, even with Pogeukdan.
But…
Past foes spewed sword aura like toys.
“Think this meager feat handles them?!”
One step. Into sword shadows, first aura grazes vitals.
Two steps. Second brushes ear.
Three steps. Socheon Sword Technique thrusts at final swing.
Shrieeek. Clang!
Eardrum-piercing metal; half my Cheonggang Sword flew.
Gye Cheolyeong’s eyes widened in glee. “I win, Jin So…”
But briefly. Sword flung open his guard; I stepped through.
“Atone for life, Senior Brother.”
Twice with half-sword.
Slash! Slash!
Left shoulder to right waist, right shoulder to left waist. Two gashes crossed his body.
Splurt!
Blood burst like ruptured fruit.
“Cheolyeong!”
Gye Yeonseok bolted like lightning, cradling him.
“Snap out of it! Cheolyeong!”
Covered in crimson, eyes rolling; Gye Yeonseok screamed.
“What are you doing? That bastard Jin Sowoon used killing blows on our Cheolyeong!”
Yi Ja-gon ascended at his shout.
“Match over. Winner: Jin Sowoon.”
Handing son to physician, Gye Yeonseok foamed.
“What nonsense? He used killing blows! Are your eyes blind?!”
“Gye Cheolyeong first unleashed sword aura and killing blows!”
“…But… but…”
“Leave. Parent or not, I won’t tolerate more.”
As Yi Ja-gon turned, eyeing me curiously.
“Kuh… Kill… Kill…”
Gye Cheolyeong sprang from physician’s arms. Eyes fully red, white steam from mouth despite no winter. Pogeukdan rampage.
Lifetime in bed now.
As I turned.
“Your fault… You! You ruined my plans!”
Shoving physician and father, he kicked off, flying.
“…Even if I end here, I’ll kill you!”
His voice boomed; disciples flinched.
I braced.
But.
Whoosh.
Yi Ja-gon appeared above Gye Cheolyeong’s head, palm-striking down.
Thud. Crash!
One blow pinned him to the ground, blood from seven apertures.
“Cheolyeong! Cheolyeong!”
Gye Yeonseok rushed, checking.
“What is this? A Ken Seong Sa-ja does this to an examinee?!”
Yi Ja-gon’s low voice to raging Gye Yeonseok:
“Know the penalty for examinees using banned drugs?”
“!!!”
“You should. I’ll visit Gye-ryong Merchant Group after special admissions end.”
“……”
Gye Yeonseok ground teeth, scanning wildly.
“Jang Sagun!!! Jang Sagun!!! You bastard!”
Seeking the culprit. But Jang Sagun and aides, whispering earlier, vanished.
“Hall Leader! Move Young Master first!”
“Kuhk! What are you waiting for? Move Cheolyeong!”
Foaming, Gye Yeonseok watched warriors and physician carry Gye Cheolyeong out of Tae-eul Gate swiftly.
“You knew.”
“Why didn’t you speak up stronger? If you had, this wouldn’t have happened.”
I said incredulously.
“You’re asking why I didn’t defy the Ken Seong Sa-ja?”
“If rules are wrong, speak up, risks be damned.”
Yi Ja-gon spoke like testing something.
“You’re quite shameless.”
“You’re different from what I expected.”
I couldn’t grasp his prior hopes as he smacked lips regretfully.
“If I couldn’t handle it, I’d have stopped the exam somehow.”
“You had the power but didn’t?”
“Using banned drugs in a fair exam warrants expulsion. As you know, Tae-eul Gate can’t punish him normally. But we can’t ignore it.”
“Hah, so you knew and let it play out?”
“Yes.”
Yi Ja-gon’s eyes narrowed.
“Now you, Sa-ja, must take responsibility for overlooking it.”
He twitched lips, suppressing a laugh.
“To whom?”
“Education Hall’s under Myriad Communications Division, right? I’ll petition there. Know someone personally.”
Of course, getting close meant a Myriad Communications post—mere bluff.
Yi Ja-gon laughed openly.
“Education Hall’s Myriad Communications but immune to external influence save the Hall Lord. Total Strategist’s request, though… different.”
I tilted head, uncomprehending.
“Before leaving Alliance, Total Strategist said: report on Tae-eul Gate’s Jin Sowoon.”
“!”
Jegal Somyeong hadn’t given up despite my refusal.
“Thanks to you, I can report your brilliant mind and even better skills. He’ll love it.”
For the first time, I failed expression control, furrowing brows deeply.