The Examination Results
Jang Muhwi had left Ma Uiryong here and departed on his mission. Roughly a month had passed since then. By now, Ma Uiryong should have returned to his family.
“By any chance, has the Ma Uiryong I asked you to look after gone back?”
“That fellow still has a long way to go. Didn’t you ask me to turn him into a proper person?”
Jang Muhwi’s eyes widened at Pajuk Seonsaeng’s laughter. He hadn’t expected the old man to still be holding on to Ma Uiryong.
Seeing Jang Muhwi’s expression, Pajuk Seonsaeng continued.
“You must care for him quite a bit. I thought as much.”
“I care for Ma Uiryong?”
“Otherwise, why would you have asked me?”
Pajuk Seonsaeng laughed heartily. In that moment, Jang Muhwi realized there had been a slight misunderstanding. Pajuk Seonsaeng was the emperor and crown prince’s tutor, a great scholar respected by all Confucian students. Asking such a man to take someone in was no ordinary request. It seemed he had thoroughly disciplined Ma Uiryong.
“He is someone special to me.”
“Then I’ll show you the results.”
Pajuk Seonsaeng looked toward Geomhui. Receiving the signal, Geomhui quickly glanced toward the kitchen. She snapped her fingers, and someone came running out like lightning, carrying a tray. It was Ma Uiryong.
Yet something was strange. The domineering aura he once exuded was nowhere to be felt. That wasn’t all. Even his face had changed. His own relatives wouldn’t recognize him now.
Seeing Jang Muhwi’s surprise, Pajuk Seonsaeng spoke.
“What do you think?”
“It’s astonishing. But even his appearance…”
“A person’s face reflects their true nature. At this point, we can say his nature itself has changed, can’t we?”
“As expected of you, sir.”
Jang Muhwi nodded and looked at Ma Uiryong with a meaningful gaze.
Three days later.
Jang Muhwi left Pajuk Seonsaeng’s residence. Over the past few days, he had learned the habits of Confucian scholars from the old man. There were several rules to those habits. The most important was to act like a newborn calf that knows no fear of tigers. The second was to pretend to be a virtuous gentleman on the surface, yet crumble when faced with profit. Everything about them felt like merchants. Then again, could a person’s nature truly change based on their profession?
Of course, he had also been thoroughly drilled in how to hold a brush and the proper etiquette for meals—so that no small difference would expose his true identity.
Thud. Thud.
Even Jang Muhwi’s gait now resembled that of a scholar. His steps carried not a trace of inner energy.
Thud. Thud.
Footsteps echoed from behind. He had been alone on the way up, but now there were two. Following him was Ma Uiryong.
The forged identity Haomen had provided belonged to a fairly influential household. It was only natural for such a person to have at least one servant. Ma Uiryong was perfect for the role. Instead of a spear, he carried a bundle slung over his shoulder. No one would recognize him now. On top of that, Ma Uiryong became as docile as a lamb in front of Geomhui and Pajuk Seonsaeng.
Jang Muhwi, of course, knew the reason. He glanced back. Ma Uiryong was muttering under his breath with a displeased expression. The moment they left Pajuk Seonsaeng’s residence, his true nature seemed to stir again.
At the sight, Jang Muhwi spoke.
“Shall I call for Lady Geomhui?”
“Hrk.”
Ma Uiryong let out a groan. After a moment, he gritted his teeth.
“You demon.”
“That’s no way to speak to your superior. Still, once this matter is over, I’ll ask the old man to send you back.”
“Really?”
“Your speech is getting casual again.”
“Is that true, Young Master?”
Hope flickered in Ma Uiryong’s eyes. Jang Muhwi nodded.
“I promise. But if your identity is exposed, I’ll report everything to Pajuk Seonsaeng exactly as it happened—so be careful.”
“Aigoo. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Ma Uiryong suddenly switched to formal speech. Jang Muhwi turned his head and looked back toward Pajuk Seonsaeng’s dwelling. The old man’s ironclad rule was simple: if you can’t keep up, the cane will teach you. Failing to follow in studies meant a lack of effort; failing to follow in character meant a lack of beatings. And if even the cane couldn’t fix someone’s character? Then they simply hadn’t been beaten enough yet. Of course, he never forced anyone to stay. If they didn’t like it, they were free to leave—that was his educational philosophy. But Ma Uiryong was an exception. At Jang Muhwi’s request, he had even lost the freedom to leave.
Jang Muhwi thought this was enough; he could send Ma Uiryong back now. But since he was sending him anyway, he might as well use him one last time in a way that would be helpful.
Meanwhile, Ma Uiryong quietly turned his head. He couldn’t understand the current situation. It was true that he had been forced to stay here. But even his own family hadn’t come looking for him. Just then, Jang Muhwi’s voice echoed through the mountains.
“Stop dawdling and keep up.”
“Ah, yes, Young Master.”
Ma Uiryong followed behind Jang Muhwi with a hunched posture. Without realizing it, he was already submitting to Jang Muhwi.
In front of the Jangryong Merchant Group’s guest house.
The guest house was bustling with scholars. They had gathered to take the mid-level scribe examination for the Jangryong Merchant Group. Experience at a large merchant group was recognized even by the Murim Alliance. Accumulating such experience opened the path to becoming a scribe for the Murim Alliance later on. Aside from the state examinations, the only way scholars could make a living was by joining a sizable organization. That meant either the Murim Alliance or a merchant group. As a result, many scholars who had failed the provincial exams flocked here. They stood with books tucked under their arms, exchanging information.
“I heard nearly three hundred people showed up this time.”
“Times are hard, so everyone’s gathered here.”
“Still, this place ranks among the top ten in Qinghai, doesn’t it? Better than struggling at some small merchant group.”
“Only if you’re guaranteed to pass. By the way, have you studied arithmetic?”
“Isn’t that obvious if you’re taking the merchant group scribe exam?”
Listening to their conversation, Jang Muhwi made his way to a corner seat and opened his book. Ma Uiryong narrowed his eyes at the sight.
“Have you… studied arithmetic, Young Master?”
Ma Uiryong still seemed unaccustomed to using formal speech. But if he wanted to return to his family, he had no choice. He understood that all too well.
Jang Muhwi smiled and replied.
“Don’t worry about me. Just order a few dishes. Order plenty—even if we can’t finish it all.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Ma Uiryong’s eyes sparkled. Come to think of it, this would all be over in a few days. If Jang Muhwi failed the scribe exam, there would be no need for him to remain a servant. Jang Muhwi passing the exam? The merchant group’s scribe examination covered everything from the Analects and poetry to arithmetic, astronomy, and other miscellaneous studies. Ma Uiryong predicted that Jang Muhwi would be eliminated in the first round. A martial artist was a martial artist, and a scholar was a scholar.
When the waiter arrived, Ma Uiryong rattled off dish after dish without pause—enough that the two of them couldn’t possibly finish it all. It was a petty act of revenge, meant to trouble Jang Muhwi. At the very least, he could drain the man’s purse quite a bit.
When the table was piled high with food, Ma Uiryong glanced sideways at Jang Muhwi.
“Will this do, Young Master?”
“Yes. Good work.”
“This must have cost quite a bit…”
“I only need to eat this much. You take your time and eat, then come out.”
Jang Muhwi picked up a single dumpling and walked outside. Ma Uiryong’s eyes widened.
“Young Master, you need to pay before you go.”
“There’s plenty of money left. You ordered it, so pay for it yourself.”
Jang Muhwi disappeared somewhere. Ma Uiryong ground his teeth and checked his own purse. In an instant, his eyes grew moist. Only enough money remained to cover the cost of the meal. When he had first arrived at Pajuk Seonsaeng’s hut, his purse had held quite a few silver coins. But during his stay there, a great deal of money had been spent. Some might wonder what there was to spend money on in the mountains, but Ma Uiryong had been required to pay tuition. Nothing—food, lodging, or education—was free.
The next morning, Jang Muhwi stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the entrance of the Jangryong Merchant Group. A long line of people stretched so far that the end wasn’t visible. Yet among those in line, few wore scholar’s robes. Most scholars were reading their books in the shade. Those standing in line were their servants, most of them sweating profusely. Ma Uiryong was among them.
Just then, someone approached along the wall. It was an old woman carrying a wooden box. She staggered past the scholars.
“Would you like to buy some pancakes? Oh my.”
But the scholars didn’t even glance her way. The old woman stumbled toward Jang Muhwi. In that moment, he extended his hand.
“One, please.”
“Oh my, thank you, young man.”
“Here you are.”
Jang Muhwi handed over a coin and received the pancake. He moved to a corner and checked the paper wrapping it. The old woman from earlier was none other than Sa Hwayeon, the leader of Haomen. Jang Muhwi hadn’t expected her to come in person. Haomen was helping him with genuine sincerity—more than he had anticipated. He knew exactly why. They wanted to learn more about the promising new expert who had defeated the Madman—that is, Jang Muhwi. They hadn’t neglected their surveillance of him, whether outside the Murim Alliance’s Sichuan branch or outside Pajuk Seonsaeng’s residence. After all, the Madman was a matter of the past, but Jang Muhwi’s actions represented the changes that would come to the murim in the future. That was Sa Hwayeon’s thinking. In truth, Jang Muhwi didn’t find their gaze uncomfortable. If anything, he was grateful. Whenever he needed information, he could simply ask for it, which made things surprisingly convenient. What Haomen had just delivered was the answer sheet for the upcoming examination. Jang Muhwi quietly looked toward the Jangryong Merchant Group.
That afternoon.
Ma Uiryong stared at the firmly shut gates of the Jangryong Merchant Group. He wasn’t the only one camped out in front of the gates. Most of them had their hands clasped together, muttering prayers under their breath—incantations wishing for their masters to pass. If their masters passed, the servants would have an easier time too. Only then could they receive a generous reward. But one person was different. Ma Uiryong’s eyes were bloodshot as he prayed for Jang Muhwi’s failure.
“Please fail. Please fail.”
His fervor was so intense that the other servants nearby took several steps back. Just then, the gates opened and someone emerged. Judging by his attire, he held a fairly high position within the merchant group. He ordered his subordinates to post the results and then shouted to everyone.
“The results are out. Those who took the exam will come out shortly, so rest in the shade until then. The list being posted now is the result of the first examination. Examinees will appear after the final interview, so please wait.”
In an instant, people rushed toward the posted list. The exam was over, and the interview would follow immediately. Unless there was some major incident, the results on the list wouldn’t change. Everyone stared at the list without blinking. Ma Uiryong was no exception. He swallowed dryly again and again.
“Fail.”
As if his prayers had been answered, Jang Muhwi’s name wasn’t on any of the lists posted so far. Ma Uiryong’s face relaxed. The final list contained only the top scorers—there was no way Jang Muhwi’s name would be there. But then it happened. Ma Uiryong’s eyes widened to their limit.
“What in the world…”
At the very top of the last list posted was Jang Muhwi’s name, written in bold letters.