Chapter 14
At the Martial Alliance (2)
The guards at the reception hall immediately checked the admission slip Kang Yong-un was holding as if it were a travel pass.
“Candidate number 50.”
“Over there. Do you see that small pavilion? That’s your examination hall.”
This was a disaster.
“Ah, actually, I…”
“The strategist exam begins early, so it won’t be disrupted by the uproar of the martial duels. Ah! It looks like it’s about to start. Hurry inside.”
“Quickly now.”
This was maddening.
“T-this isn’t what I—”
Revealing his true purpose wasn’t possible, but if he actually took the exam, he’d only be adding another competitor to the field—a nuisance to others.
“Hahaha. What do you mean it isn’t? It’s fine. Just pour out the knowledge you’ve accumulated without regret.”
“Show your ability to the fullest. Hahaha.”
He had no choice.
Led by the reception guards, Kang Yong-un reluctantly headed toward the examination hall.
Ha… this is insane.
He truly had no intention of sitting for an exam…
Hong Rugae and Dam-oh tilted their heads.
“Huh? Where’s that guy going?”
“Looks like he really did register three days ago, Master.”
“Did he? He’s heading to the Military Strategy Division?”
“The Strategy Division? To become a tactician?”
Their expressions showed total disbelief—almost a sense of betrayal.
“That fellow turned down all my invitations, pretending he’d never join any faction, and in the end he goes there?”
“Ungrateful brat. After sucking up everything he could from us, he runs off to become a high-paid strategist in the Military Division?!”
They looked as wronged as women abandoned after a one-night stand.
“Shameless rascal. I knew he was stubborn and stiff, but to try and become a book-bound strategist?!”
“Exactly, Master. Better to roam the world freely as part of our Beggars’ Sect than to rot at a desk.”
“The man he’s searching for—his name was Jin Yeong-hwi, right?”
“Yes, Master. He’s been asking about him everywhere these past three days. Looks like he was close friends with his grandfather.”
A brief silence. Then Hong Rugae sighed.
“Maybe I should’ve told him money could move us.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Dam-oh blinked, and Hong Rugae explained.
“You told him our Beggars’ Sect’s network can’t be moved by personal money, that it acts only for the greater cause of the martial world.”
“Well of course. Isn’t that the truth?”
Dam-oh tilted his head, confused. Hong Rugae muttered in regret.
“And that’s why he chose to go to the Martial Alliance instead, to become their strategist.”
“Ah—!”
Too late to regret it.
Kang Yong-un disappeared toward the Strategy Division under the guards’ escort.
“Bah. Never mind. Forget the bitterness for now and focus on preparing for your own match.”
“Tch. Yes, Master.”
Following Hong Rugae’s words, Dam-oh began warming up. He, too, was a contestant in the Heroes Tournament.
What a predicament.
He had never planned this, and yet here he was, forced to take the exam.
Should I just walk out now?
But that would look suspicious. His reason for being here was to uncover someone’s identity. If he left without taking the test and started questioning people around instead?
They’d grow suspicious.
Worse, he could be caught and interrogated.
That would throw my plans completely off course.
After a moment’s hesitation, Kang Yong-un made his decision.
Fine. Since I’ve gotten this far, I’ll take the test quickly and get out.
The goal: be the first to leave. The result didn’t matter.
Once I’ve taken the exam, I can wander around as if sightseeing, asking questions without drawing suspicion.
Confidence was the key. If he acted like someone already chosen as a strategist, people would answer without doubt.
That’s the plan. But first…
As he entered the hall, Kang Yong-un tested the waters with the guards.
“A few days ago I saw someone enter here—an elder dressed all in white, looking like an immortal. Do you know who he was?”
His first probe.
“An elder in white robes?”
“Immortal-like? Do you mean an old man?”
The two guards exchanged puzzled looks, racking their memories.
“Perhaps a senior from Wudang?”
“Or from Mount Hua?”
“True, both sects’ elders favor white robes.”
“Their disciples wear blue, but yes, the elders usually wear white.”
Slightly disappointing.
So the person I saw may have been a Wudang or Mount Hua elder…
Still, it was too soon to give up. He’d need to ask around more.
“Go on inside.”
“Best of luck. Hahaha.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Carrying that disappointment, Kang Yong-un entered the exam hall.
A hundred people already?
Even arriving early, nearly a hundred candidates were already seated cross-legged in silence.
He took a place at the very back, not caring about the test itself, scanning instead for any trace of the elder he’d seen three days ago.
Time passed.
The doors opened wide. A dozen officials of the Strategy Division entered.
“Oh! The Grand Strategist himself!”
“That’s him?”
“Look at the lady behind him—so beautiful!”
“That’s Deputy Strategist Lady Jegal Hyeryeong.”
“Wow. Just seeing her in person is a blessing. She’s dazzling—!”
The scholars, silent until now, whispered in awe.
Hmm. Understandable.
Kang Yong-un nodded slightly. Jegal Hyeryeong’s beauty was indeed breathtaking. And her qi core?
It blazed, radiating light far greater than his own. Clearly her martial skill matched it.
“Silence—!”
Jegal Hyeryeong’s inner strength carried her voice across the hall.
“The exam for selecting the Martial Alliance’s strategist begins now.”
Officials distributed answer sheets.
“Hoho. Thank you for gathering, so many talents.”
Grand Strategist Jegal Seonhu spoke warmly.
“Show us the full measure of your ability.”
Then he announced the test question himself:
“The problem is simple. In the Battle of Gaixia, the last stand of the Overlord of Chu, he was trapped by the Heaven-Net Formation. Imagine not the Overlord, but yourself caught in it. Break through and survive.”
Gasps erupted everywhere.
What?! That’s the question?
Even Kang Yong-un was stunned.
The great Overlord of Chu had perished unable to escape that formation. And they wanted mere scholars with no martial skill to survive it?
Still… dying isn’t an option, even in theory.
Though it wasn’t real, a strange fighting spirit welled up in him.
I must survive, no matter what.
He had planned to scribble something quickly and leave. But the moment he heard the problem, he was drawn in.
He truly imagined himself in that desperate battlefield.
How could I live through this? What must I do to survive?
His mind spun like a storm.
As if his family’s honor were at stake, he immersed himself fully.
Then—
A flash in his eyes.
Yes. There’s only one way!
He had found a method.
His brush flew across the page in a single breath, strokes swift and sure.
While others still clutched their heads in despair, Kang Yong-un calmly filled his sheet.
Two people noticed.
Oh?
He’s writing without hesitation.
Grand Strategist Jegal Seonhu and Lady Jegal Hyeryeong.
Though seated at the very back, his confident strokes caught their attention.
Already?
Did he truly solve that impossible problem so quickly?
They exchanged glances as Kang Yong-un rose boldly and strode forward.
A genius? Or a braggart spouting nonsense?
He must have scribbled nonsense, Uncle. No way he solved it.
Was she right?
Snatching his sheet, Jegal Hyeryeong opened it.
Impossible…
Her eyes widened as she read, her hands trembling. Jegal Seonhu took it from her, equally astonished.
Ho—!
Even the flowing cursive script alone drew admiration. And the content—
The exact solution Jegal Seonhu himself had devised after much thought.
This man… a true talent!
His eyes glimmered strangely as he looked between the answer and Kang Yong-un.
Meanwhile—
“Since I’ve submitted my paper, may I leave now?”
Kang Yong-un’s voice rang with confidence, bordering on arrogance.
“Ah, yes. Well done.”
Jegal Seonhu’s smile deepened.
“Thank you. Then—!”
With a short bow, Kang Yong-un slipped out, grinning.
Perfect. Now I’ve got time to investigate without suspicion.
As planned, he moved freely, acting as though the strategist’s seat was already his.
“Excuse me, I just finished the exam and have a question…”
It didn’t take long. He learned that the elder he had mistaken for his grandfather had in fact been a senior of the Wudang Sect.
The next afternoon.
“Phew. Nothing more to gain here.”
After endlessly questioning people around the Heroes Tournament, Kang Yong-un concluded the search was over.
—“Hey, didn’t you already ask me this a few days ago?”
—“You again?! You asked me the same thing yesterday!”
—“I told you, I don’t know!”
Now people reacted that way just seeing his face. There was nothing more to dig up.
“Let’s go. To Hunan Province.”
He decided to seek out the former Provincial Commissioner of Hunan, said to have retired two years ago.
“The duels here are entertaining, but…”
He had no heart to enjoy them. All he wanted was to reach Hunan quickly and meet the man.
“Still, I should do the proper thing first.”
He headed toward the Beggars’ Sect’s tent.
“What business do you have?”
“Huh?!”
A guard blocked him warily, but Dam-oh, inside, spotted him and lit up.
“You came? Move aside, fool. This is my sworn brother.”
“That’s him? The junior brother you spoke of?”
“Right. Hehehe.”
Dam-oh emerged, seizing Kang Yong-un’s hand and shaking it eagerly.
“Did you see my match?!”
“Yes, brother.”
Kang Yong-un gave a firm thumbs-up.
“You were incredible.”
“Hahaha! This big brother’s got some skill, eh?”
“Yes, brother. I wish you continued victories and great success.”
“…Wait. Why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye?”
Dam-oh frowned, sensing something.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Heh. I thought you were aiming to become a strategist. But no, that’s not it, is it?”
“I only sat the exam to probe the Strategy Division, brother.”
“Ohh, I see. And? Did you learn anything?”
“Yes. A few things. But there’s nothing more to be found here. That’s why I’m leaving.”
Dam-oh nodded, then offered his blessing.
“May you find your grandfather.”
“Thank you, brother. And may you achieve the glory you seek.”
With that, it ended.
Kang Yong-un turned and walked away, his face calm.
Parting the crowd like waves, he strode out of the Martial Alliance grounds.
