Chapter 27
Buzz buzz
Evening after the exam ended.
A large paper was posted in front of the Great Training Ground.
It is the process of the special admission screening for the examiners who graded the first exam to reveal the results of the exam that day.
The people of the Taeeul Sect who saw the results could not help but be astonished.
“Is that true?”
“How does such a result come out?”
…….
18th. Song Ja-mun.
19th. Gye Cheol-yeong.
20th. Gwak Sam-nam.
…….
Gye Cheol-yeong, who saw the exam results, could not close his mouth.
The number of disciples who took the exam was 63.
Although it could be seen as the upper rank, considering it was an exam selecting one person, it was by no means an excellent rank.
Moreover, he was in a situation where he had spent a huge sum to even invite a teacher.
The teacher who was hired receiving a huge sum was even more astonished.
It was an impossible matter for him that a disciple he taught in his lifetime produced such a score.
Gye Cheol-yeong was not a genius in his view, but a level that could be seen as a talent. Clearly, the understanding and memorization of the expected exam he produced were also finished.
Eventually, it meant the expected questions he produced were not correct.
“Isn’t this nonsense!”
Jang Sa-gun grabbed Lee Ja-gon, who was organizing the exam and trying to move to the lodging provided by the Taeeul Sect.
“Cheol-yeong being 19th, this cannot be!”
“…….”
When Jang Sa-gun shouted loudly, Lee Ja-gon’s face turned cold.
“Senior. Are you doubting the fairness of the Inspection Envoy?”
“!”
No matter that he was a senior from the Inspection Envoys, the position of Inspection Envoy administered by the Murim Alliance puts fairness and justice at the very forefront. Jang Sa-gun realized he had made a fatal mistake due to his excitement.
“I mean that such a result being derived does not fit reason.”
No matter how he spun it, it eventually meant he could not accept the result. Lee Ja-gon’s expression sank further.
Jang Sa-gun’s eyelids trembled. But even so, he could not back down. The fact that the score dropped even though there was no problem with Gye Cheol-yeong was no different from saying there was a problem with himself.
“No matter that it is Senior, I think there is no need for us to prove the fairness of the exam…… however, thinking that Senior has raised an objection that the Taeeul Sect originally should have done, I will show you.”
Lee Ja-gon took out the one placed at the very top of the exam papers and showed it to Jang Sa-gun.
“This is the exam paper of the child who took 1st place.”
Jang Sa-gun examined the questions quickly.
The total of 50 questions were questions regarding basic common sense of martial arts, the operation method of sword formations, the composition elements of formations, and the distinction between poisonous herbs and medicinal herbs that a warrior must know.
“The direction of the scores was divided in the questions in the 40s. Question 42 regarding the possibility of qi deviation and response methods, which was set for the first time in this exam. Question 43 regarding the method to distinguish Preservation Arts and Disguise Arts. Question 46 which had to state the characteristics and response methods of Hiding Arts. Question 48 regarding the method to discharge poison qi through breath regulation…… etc.”
“T-These came out?”
Since Jang Sa-gun was also human, there was a limit to predicting the exam.
However, even so, the prediction missed by a long shot this time.
“Aren’t these things not included in the scope of the basic exam?”
“Due to the excessive enthusiasm of the exam applicants, distinguishing the examinees became increasingly difficult. Especially, thanks to the activity of ‘teachers’ like Senior, many perfect scorers appeared, so the level of the exam clearly went up.”
Lee Ja-gon’s words stabbed sharply at Jang Sa-gun, but Jang Sa-gun still hadn’t come to his senses.
“S-Still, isn’t it strange? We also educate about these parts. But aren’t contents like qi deviation or Preservation Arts not contents that examinees who completed basic martial arts would learn? How can there be 18 people ahead of Cheol-yeong?”
At Jang Sa-gun’s words, the scholars who supervised the exam tried to step forward one by one with angry expressions, but Lee Ja-gon raised his hand to stop them.
“Of course, it is not a study examinees would likely learn but……. Wouldn’t it be a study that all warriors doing basic study should do?”
“……The Taeeul Sect predicted what even I couldn’t predict?”
“That wasn’t it. Since I also found it strange, I gathered the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and asked, and they said the Eldest Disciple of the Taeeul Sect gathered the children who were neglecting their studies and taught them one by one. Even making books personally.”
“The Eldest Disciple?”
Jang Sa-gun’s gaze turned to Jin So-un, who was chatting noisily with children on one side.
“Of course, studying for the exam is good too, but I think the talent needed by the Murim Alliance is ultimately not a person strong only in these exams, but someone who possesses knowledge about martial arts in general.”
With those words as the end, Lee Ja-gon headed to the lodging with the scholars, and Jang Sa-gun stared with burning eyes at the people of the Taeeul Sect, including Jin So-un and the Hall Masters, blankly for a long time.
***
“How did this happen!”
It is natural that a devastating result leads to a shout like frost.
Gye Yeon-seok burst out the anger he had never shown before in front of Jang Sa-gun to his heart’s content.
“Didn’t you tell me to just trust you! Didn’t you say you would definitely make him pass!”
The tone of extreme politeness had changed to half-politeness before one knew it, but Jang Sa-gun didn’t say much.
Because he had received the attitude changes of zealous parents so much it was sickening.
When a child’s issue is involved, even high officials bow like they are bowing to the Emperor in this field, but conversely, if the result is not remarkable, he had to endure the opposite treatment.
“I am sorry. It seems the focused study to make examinee Gye Cheol-yeong’s grades close to perfect actually held him back.”
“If it stays like this…… If it stays like this…….”
“Do not worry. The 2nd exam will be different from the 1st exam.”
“Do you have a countermeasure?”
“The thing we put the most effort into during the past time is the 2nd exam. In the 2nd exam, they test the martial arts of the affiliated martial sect.”
“Cheol-yeong learned the Forms but did not learn the internal energy heart method!”
“Do not worry. Because the difference in level of the One Hundred Eight Peaks is stark, the Murim Alliance excludes internal energy and tests only regarding Forms. Especially since one can receive a higher score if they can unfold the Forms skillfully without internal energy, isn’t there no one in the Taeeul Sect with higher martial arts proficiency than examinee Cheol-yeong?”
“……Khm. I will watch and see.”
***
“The 2nd exam is a test to gauge how high the understanding of the sect’s martial arts is.”
At Lee Ja-gon’s words, somehow the countenances of the Rooster Dragon Merchant Group side’s figures brightened.
“The exam will have each person unfold the sect’s martial arts in front of 10 Inspection Warriors. However, for safety, the use of internal energy is strictly prohibited.”
At Lee Ja-gon’s words, Gye Yeon-seok spat out an exclamation of ‘Right!’ He shouted so loudly that the elders and the Sect Leader on the platform looked at Gye Yeon-seok, but Gye Yeon-seok’s gaze was fixed on the exam ground.
“If internal energy cannot be used…… eventually Senior Brother Gye will be first place.”
Geum Pyo, standing next to me, muttered.
The eldest son of the mill house who hates Gye Cheol-yeong the most among the disciples attending the Taeeul Sect’s Buseng Hall.
Since he claimed to be the eldest brother of Eun-ho and Dong-ryong, and also the eldest brother of other disciples and took good care of them, there were many children following him.
“Are you worried?”
“I am not worried…… saying that would be a lie. Doesn’t Senior Brother Gye hire famous martial arts masters every time to do private training?”
Since the Forms of the Taeeul Sect, where fast swords are the main focus, have a monotonous side, from the perspective of Gye Cheol-yeong who had already learned various Forms, he could possess even more proficiency.
Actually, if they did Forms sparring without using internal energy, the only person who could beat Gye Cheol-yeong in most sparrings was me, and only Sa-ryeon achieved parity.
“Eldest Brother, please make sure to take first place.”
“Didn’t you have a higher score in the written exam?”
I had deliberately adjusted the rank to about 5th place to control the ranking.
Geum Pyo was 4th place, the rank right above me.
“Still, I wish Senior Brother would go to the Murim Academy.”
“It’s not over yet. Also, have you learned all of the Small Sky Sword Technique I taught you before?”
“Of course.”
“Then you may look forward to it.”
“To what?”
Instead of answering, I looked at Lee Ja-gon continuing his speech.
“Therefore, the Inspection Warriors will only use the Taeeul Sect’s basic sword technique, the Small Sky Sword Technique. The examinees likewise need only use the Small Sky Sword Technique to defeat the Inspection Warriors’ Forms within 50 moves.”
At Lee Ja-gon’s words, the faces of the Hall Masters and the Sect Leader hardened stiffly.
Inspection Warriors are existences formed of those above Murim Alliance’s third rank warriors.
No matter that the disciples of the Taeeul Sect were proficient in the sect’s martial arts, great difficulty followed in defeating their Forms.
However.
“Use only the Small Sky Sword Technique?”
“He clearly said that, right?”
“I heard it clearly too.”
The disciples somehow could not hide their excitement with excited voices.
To the children who came to me asking me to teach the Small Sky Sword Technique after the battle with Namgung San, I taught the Ascending Formula of the Small Sky Sword Technique.
Forms that underwent transformation of Forms based on the Breaking Sword Formula to eliminate weaknesses and further develop strengths.
Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say it was most specialized in destroying the original Small Sky Sword Technique.
The Rooster Dragon Merchant Group heated up in a different meaning.
“Look here! Teacher Jang Sa-gun! What on earth is going on!”
The person who let out a shout of anger forgetting the silence of the exam was Gye Yeon-seok.
Jang Sa-gun’s expression also hardened more stiffly.
……
6th. Gwak Il-nam
7th. Gye Cheol-yeong
8th. Song Gyeong-mun
……
In the second day’s exam, Gye Cheol-yeong’s final score barely entered within the top 10.
***
“What are you going to do now!!”
Gye Yeon-seok’s tone, which had maintained at least half-politeness, eventually changed to low form.
Jang Sa-gun’s eyelids trembled from the humiliation.
“Father. There is still a chance.”
Jang Sa-gun spoke desperately even using honorifics, but distrust was full in Gye Yeon-seok’s eyes.
“Ultimately, what occupies the most points in this special admission screening is the third exam. Fortunately, Cheol-yeong’s second score is not bad, so we can flip the board as much as we want.”
“Keep talking.”
“……The third exam is an exam where only the top 16 from the previous two exams are selected to unfold a duel. The preceding exams are actually nothing more than preparation for this exam.”
Of course, it was a lie.
The third duel is an exam to recognize the comprehensive depth of martial arts at a level where the heat does not overheat.
Eventually, if the level of skill does not differ here, one gets influenced by the scores of the preceding exams.
‘However.’
Speaking conversely, if one can win overwhelmingly in the duel, the preceding exam scores become meaningless.
“Hmph! Although the Taeeul Sect is a third-rate sect, there are bitches and bastards inside who show quite some aptitude. How can you guarantee that Cheol-yeong can overwhelm them and win?”
Gye Yeon-seok was now talking completely like he was treating a subordinate. Jang Sa-gun clenched his teeth tightly regardless and spoke.
“I also know. Geum Pyo, Eun-ho, Dong-ryong. These three mill house brothers have a decent depth of martial arts within the Taeeul Sect, and Hong Sa-ryeon, the daughter of Sect Leader Hong, displays the most outstanding capability among the children of the Buseng Hall.”
“One guy is missing. Jin So-un! I still cannot believe it, but he is the guy who defeated Blood Wolf Iron Sword Seong Mo-hyeon and New Era Divine Dragon Namgung San. How on earth can Gye Cheol-yeong overwhelmingly beat those guys?”
Gye Cheol-yeong, who was being cursed wholesale because of Jang Sa-gun, trembled in body.
But knowing the gravity of the matter, he didn’t say much.
“Father. You must trust me.”
“I believe only when you give credibility!”
“I also heard the rumors and know. The divine might that child Jin So-un showed is ultimately like a suicide attack of the mutually assured destruction level. In this exam, the examiners will stop everything before it goes to such a situation.”
“State the main point! The main point!”
At Gye Yeon-seok’s pressing, Jang Sa-gun swallowed his saliva. And when he nodded toward the female warrior, the female warrior who hesitated for a moment took out a red wooden box from her bosom.
When the wooden box was opened, five pills of a wicked red color popped out from inside.
“What is that?”
“It is a secret method to send Cheol-yeong to the Murim Academy.”
“…….”
“It is called the Exploding Blood Pill.”
Gye Yeon-seok’s eyes opened wide and his mouth trembled.
“Y-You have decided to cut off the lineage of the Gye family!! How dare you bring such a wicked drug!!”
“Father. Do you know why the Demonic Cult was destroyed in the old days?”
“Why bring up that story all of a sudden!”
“Isn’t it strange? Countless Unorthodox Factions and Black Ways are committing all sorts of atrocities in the Jianghu, but the Murim Alliance does not destroy them. But why was only the Demonic Cult destroyed?”
“…….”
“There are various reasons, but if there is the biggest reason, it is precisely because of this secret method. The Exploding Blood Pill is because of the efficacy that raises potential power by a whopping two times without any conditions.”
“Right, and it makes the person a cripple.”
“No.”
“What?”
“It is known so, but actually, it is not. That is why the Murim Alliance of that time, who feared the Demonic Cult’s power becoming mighty and coveting the world, destroyed the Demonic Cult.”
“I am hearing such words for the first time.”
Jang Sa-gun nodded to the male scholar this time.
The male scholar took out a blue-green wooden box from the pack and opened it to show.
“It is a thing called the Sleeping Blood Pill. After raising potential power with the Exploding Blood Pill, if one puts the potential power back to sleep with the Sleeping Blood Pill, one can wield maximum power with minimum aftereffects.”
“…….”
Gye Yeon-seok’s two eyes began to shake.
Like Jang Sa-gun’s words, there was no way there would be absolutely no side effects cleanly.
If there was such a drug, the Exploding Blood Pill wouldn’t have been distributed this secretly.
However, he had no choice but to contemplate.
The point that there is a counter-drug called Sleeping Blood Pill. Additionally, the point that as of now, Gye Cheol-yeong’s scores were not enough to go to the Murim Academy, etc.
Gye Yeon-seok, looking at Gye Cheol-yeong, spoke to Jang Sa-gun.
“If you do not speak honestly, I will chase you to the end of hell and make you ruined. …What is the aftereffect of that drug?”
Jang Sa-gun gulped down his saliva.
“……If it exceeds one hundred moves, it leaves a permanent wound on the dantian.”
“This…… beat to death…….”
“But think about it. Father. In Cheol-yeong’s dantian, there is a whopping 30 years of internal energy. Even if the child named Sa-ryeon and the child named Jin So-un worked to death with the Taeeul Sect’s martial arts, they wouldn’t have filled even 20 years of internal energy. They won’t be able to easily withstand even one move of Cheol-yeong who ate the Exploding Blood Pill.”
In a fight between experts, one hundred moves is a moment of an instant, but at Cheol-yeong’s level, one hundred moves means exhausting before filling them all.
Moreover, considering duels that do not exceed a total of five times, eating the Exploding Blood Pill wasn’t such a bad idea.
“Father. You must trust me.”
At that moment, Gye Cheol-yeong stepped forward.
“Father! I will eat this.”
“It is not time for you to step up.”
“Think about it. Father. Even though Hero Namgung San could only use three tenths of his internal energy, Jin So-un and the Hero couldn’t even exchange a total of fifty moves.”
Gye Yeon-seok, who contemplated for a long time, eventually ground his teeth.
“If even a fingernail-sized wound appears on Cheol-yeong’s dantian, I will tear you to death.”
Jang Sa-gun also answered with the feeling of standing at the edge of a cliff.
“Trust only me. Father.”
