Academy Introduction
After the martial contest ended, inside the Namgung Clan's villa in the Outer Academy.
Ye Hajun opened his eyes, grateful for the chance to sleep in a proper bed for the first time in ages.
Namgung Clan, you're the best.
The identity plaque he'd received yesterday from Namgung Gyeom — the opponent he'd beaten in the contest — had proven astonishingly useful. At first, he'd hesitated to go in, half-expecting them to take revenge on the man who'd defeated their young master. But the moment the person at the gate checked the plaque, their entire attitude flipped.
"Our young master finally has a friend…!"
What followed was lavish hospitality. Something about the whole situation felt oddly familiar to Ye Hajun.
This is classic 'parents meeting their kid's friend for the first time' energy…
Warm bathwater, a comfortable bed, a feast so extravagant the table nearly sagged under the weight of it. After receiving one over-the-top courtesy after another, Ye Hajun slept deeply for the first time in a long while — and the moment he woke, he posted a glowing review on the gallery.
He browsed the gallery for a while longer, checking other posts, until he suddenly sensed someone outside his door and rose from the bed.
"Have you awakened, Young Master Ye?"
"Ah, yes."
"A guest has come to see you. We've left a change of clothes outside the door — please change and come downstairs."
A guest? Wondering who would come looking for him, Ye Hajun changed clothes and headed downstairs to check.
The guest waiting there caught sight of him and waved lightly.
"Hey there, Cadet Ye Hajun."
A scruffy, unkempt beard and an air of casual swagger. If there was one striking thing about a man who didn't exactly inspire trust at first glance, it was the empty left sleeve hanging limp at his side — he was one-armed.
The moment that memorable appearance registered, Ye Hajun asked,
"You were at the contest yesterday…"
"Instructor Baek Mudan. Also known by the moniker Doksu — Single Hand. Call me whichever you like."
"Yes, Instructor."
"I came to tell you that you passed. Not particularly thrilled?"
At the casually dropped word — passed — Ye Hajun's eyes went wide, then he exhaled in relief.
"I… passed. Whew. I was a little worried."
"Worried? Cheonmu Academy isn't so prestigious that talent like yours would fail to get in. Must've heard some strange rumors. Or maybe…"
Baek Mudan stretched out his remaining arm and dragged another familiar face into Ye Hajun's line of sight.
"…this guy was just that weak?"
"…Good to see you again."
Looking thoroughly exhausted, Namgung Gyeom offered a greeting. Ye Hajun gave a small nod in return.
"Good to see you too. You're not hurt anywhere?"
"It wasn't the kind of loss worth fretting over. More importantly, Instructor — perhaps we should relocate…"
Namgung Gyeom's unease became reality almost immediately. The moment a servant spotted his face and cried out "Young Master!", a woman came stomping over with heavy footsteps.
"Young Master! If you were going to come, you should have said so! Sending your friend alone with just an identity plaque—!"
"…This is what I was trying to avoid."
"Don't you mutter under your breath! As the future head of the Namgung Clan, you ought to carry yourself with more dignity. And to send off the first friend you've made since coming to Cheonmu Academy by himself! The Clan Head will thrash you for your lack of manners."
"He's not my friend…"
Watching the nanny launch into a lecture and Namgung Gyeom endure it with a sour expression, Ye Hajun realized his earlier suspicion had hardened into certainty. In that case, it was clear which side he needed to get on good terms with.
He smiled and greeted the nanny warmly.
"Please don't worry. I'll stay close with him going forward and bring him here often."
Visibly moved, the nanny clasped both of Ye Hajun's hands in hers and bowed her head.
"Our young master may be a bit lacking in social graces, but he's a good person — please stay friends with him for a long, long time. And whenever you'd like a cup of tea, you're always welcome here."
"Yes, of course. Thank you for your kindness."
Once the commotion had settled and they stepped outside the estate, Namgung Gyeom grumbled,
"Since when exactly did I become friends with you… The nanny was just making a fuss."
Baek Mudan twisted around and slapped Namgung Gyeom across the face with his empty left sleeve, the fabric cracking sharply.
"That, you idiot, is called social grace. Learn some. When someone shows you consideration, you say something that puts them at ease."
"…I shall endeavor to learn. Should the opportunity arise."
"Good grief."
Baek Mudan sighed and turned to Ye Hajun.
"This is the kind of guy he is. A bit short on social skills, but he doesn't mean any harm — so look after him, will you?"
"…? Uh, sure."
"You don't get it. I'm saying you'll be sharing a room from now on, so try getting a little closer."
"Ah. With him?"
Ye Hajun glanced at Namgung Gyeom, who muttered gloomily,
"So it would seem. We appear close enough in age, so speak comfortably. It'll be easier for both of us that way."
"Works for me. Should we reintroduce ourselves?"
"No need. Ye Hajun and Namgung Gyeom — once you know each other's names and that both are skilled martial artists, what more is there to discuss?"
"Fair enough."
Once the introductions were done, Baek Mudan cut in with a grin.
"Good. Anyway, Cadet Ye Hajun — thanks to you, our academy can breathe a little easier. This one's staying, after all."
Ye Hajun tilted his head.
"Not sure what that means, but is there some kind of perk in it for me?"
"No special benefits tied to that specifically. For the general perks and how academy life works, you can hear it from Namgung Gyeom. I'm just here today in my capacity as an instructor to give you the rundown."
Baek Mudan threw an arm around Ye Hajun's shoulder.
"First off — welcome to Cheonmu Academy. A dream of a place where martial artists and rising talents from the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic paths all gather. Finish the required courses and the minimum class load, and you're free to leave whenever you like. If you want, you can stay at Cheonmu Academy forever."
"I'm a little curious about those required courses. Do you get kicked out if you skip them?"
"Hmm. Yes, you do. That's the whole reason Cheonmu Academy exists in the first place. Still, they get canceled more often than you'd think, so don't worry too much."
"They get canceled often?"
"You'll understand once you know what the class is about. It's on the Jeonggoe."
Jeonggoe. The memory of the Black Shadow Ghost he'd encountered before made Ye Hajun's expression twist. Baek Mudan noticed and asked,
"You've already run into one, have you?"
"A Black Shadow Ghost, once."
"Mmm. Those are tricky. Unless you drive internal force through them with Amgyeong, they're nearly impossible to put down. Impressive that you managed it."
Baek Mudan clapped Ye Hajun on the chest with a laugh.
"Right. The Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic paths all gathered in one place to stand against those nasty things."
"Shaolin got hit."
Shaolin? Even with Ye Hajun's limited grasp of the current Jianghu's political landscape, he knew that name. The Mount Tai and North Star of the martial world — one of the two great pillars leading the Orthodox path.
The gallery hadn't been much different.
Namgung Gyeom, who had been listening quietly beside them, cut in — and Baek Mudan scolded him for it.
"It's more shocking if they hear it in class. Why spoil it early?"
"They'll learn it in the first lecture anyway, so saying it now will save time. Hajun — are you aware that Shaolin sealed its gates?"
"I'd heard the rumors, more or less. People said it was something that happened fairly often in the past."
"This is different from the past. The world was told they sealed their gates, but the truth is that Shaolin Temple was forced into isolation. They're still busy containing a swarm of Jeonggoe that appeared nearby and keeping them from spreading."
Namgung Gyeom went on, listing the names of several sects and clans in succession.
"The Jeonggoe first appeared along the border between Hebei and Henan Provinces. Shaolin, the Jinju Eon Clan, the Shandong Ak Clan, the Hwangbo Clan, the Hebei Peng Clan, and even the military are all pooling their strength to hold them back. The situation is still ongoing. The Demonic Cult also suffered considerable losses from the Jeonggoe's appearance, from what I hear."
"That's why the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic paths joined forces," Baek Mudan continued. "The Jeonggoe haven't fully spread yet, but they're a formidable enemy. With a common foe, there was no reason not to unite. Hell, I'm from the Unorthodox path myself. They paid me well to come here."
He pointed at himself with a grin and pressed on.
"Because of these monsters that just popped out of nowhere, they built Cheonmu Academy here in Sichuan — far enough from both the Demonic Cult and Hebei Province, but still central enough, and useful as a military stronghold if things go south. You understand why Cheonmu Academy was founded?"
"Yes. I understand."
"Which is why the most important thing here is, first, the Jeonggoe — and second, the Jeonggoe. Gathering information on them, learning their types and how to deal with them, takes absolute priority. Everything else is free: mingle like martial artists do, hold contests, fall in love, whatever. Remember that, and you'll be fine for the most part."
Having roughly finished his explanation, Baek Mudan spun around to face Ye Hajun directly.
"I've got high hopes for you. A hermit master's disciple showing up out of nowhere at a time like this is a real boon for us. Here's hoping you have a great time at the academy."
"Yes."
"Ah, and one more thing. Are you by any chance from Hao Clan?"
Ye Hajun's brow furrowed the moment he heard that.
"Me?"
"Your face gives everything away, doesn't it. Not the Yangtze Water Fortress or the Golden Sand Tower, then… so Heuksabang or the Black Battlefields?"
Familiar Unorthodox faction names tumbled out one after another, and Ye Hajun's expression went rigid. Baek Mudan smirked and gave his shoulder a light shove.
"Just kidding — we placed bets on your background. I put money on you being from the Unorthodox path. If you've got questions, come find me. Fellow Unorthodox man — I'll answer them for you."
"I'm not Unorthodox."
Baek Mudan made a dubious face at Ye Hajun's answer, then took his leave.
"Are you from the Unorthodox path?" Namgung Gyeom asked.
"Would it change anything if I were?"
"Not particularly. If you'd rather not say, don't. There are plenty of people from the Demonic Cult here as well."
With that, Namgung Gyeom started walking ahead.
"I'll continue showing you around the academy. Follow me."
"Sure."