Chapter: 282
A day passed.
As soon as the morning arrived, I stepped out of the inn.
Since it was part of a prearranged schedule, I had been prepared to leave some time ago.
Winter was still cold, but compared to that, the sky was clear.
The rain that had been falling for days felt almost like an illusion.
“It’s so damn high.”
While moving, I couldn’t help but sigh deeply at the towering mountains.
What a crazy town this is.
Is there really a mountain like that in Hanam?
Every time I see it, I’m left dumbfounded.
In my previous life, I fainted halfway while climbing this mountain.
‘What an idiot.’
If it’s hard, just take a break halfway.
Caught up in others’ gazes, I was trying too hard.
In the end, I ended up embarrassing myself.
It was a mortifying story that gives me chills just thinking about it.
This is one of the major reasons I’m grateful for my return.
“In the past.”
As I diligently climbed the mountain, Dang So-yeol, who was following behind, spoke up.
“They say this mountain was created during the Blood Demon War.”
She lightly wiped away her sweat while explaining.
Apparently, I must have worn my face with the question, ‘Why the hell is this mountain here?’
“The mountain was created?”
“Yes…! I heard it was formed during a battle with the reigning king.”
“…?”
Hearing Dang So-yeol’s words, my expression scrunched up in shock. It was an utterly astonishing tale.
When speaking of the reigning king, it would refer to the other title of King Cheolgeum Yeonilcheon.
So this mountain was created during the battle between Yeonilcheon and the Blood Demon.
Not from a natural disaster.
What kind of bizarre claim is it to say a mountain was created through battle?
‘What, some man-made natural disaster?’
How could humans possibly create such a massive mountain from fighting?
‘…Hmm.’
Even while pondering this, I thought objectively. I could probably create at least a small hill myself.
Still, this level is absurd.
This is Mt. Taishan!
‘First of all, let’s put that aside.’
I couldn’t tell if it was just a rumor or an exaggerated tale.
Setting that aside for now, something other than physical exertion was wearing me down while climbing the mountain.
‘They’re staring at me way too much; it’s disgusting.’
All those gazes hitting me were unsettling.
The path up the mountain was long and wide.
And since the time was set, many people were hustling to be on time.
Most of them are lower-tier in rank…
No, to be exact, it’s correct to say they are all lower-tier.
The few scattered others were likely the guards for the Sega’s bloodline.
Excluding them, it was truly packed with nothing but young martial artists.
Our group was enough to catch their attention.
Whispers kept fluttering to my ears.
– Dokbong…? Isn’t that guy Dokbong?
– Isn’t the one next to him a snow peak?
– Wow… unbelievably pretty.
Most of the chatter was filled with admiration.
The fact that there wasn’t a single word about Namgungbi-ah all this while was because
She had wrapped her face well and was concealing her presence.
‘I’m glad she’s making good use of it.’
I was a bit worried since it seemed like it had been a while since she last used it.
“…”
Namgungbi-ah seemed to feel burdened in a crowded place and hid herself.
Thanks to that, things became relatively more comfortable.
But it didn’t mean I was totally at ease.
– Then who’s that guy? Who is he?
– Who? The one behind?
– No, the scary-looking one at the very front.
– There are two men, but why single out the one in front?
– The guy behind is handsome.
– Oh!
Those brats…?
As I cast a piercing gaze at them for mumbling something continuously, they flinched and shut their mouths.
That handsome guy in the back, for reference, was Gujeol-yeop.
Even out here, there’s discrimination based on looks.
Life continues to be ruled by appearance.
Damn.
‘Fortunately, it seems they don’t know who I am.’
Maybe that’s because I hadn’t done anything notable since the Yongbong meeting.
Back then too…
‘I’m glad I deliberately covered my face.’
Just like Namgungbi-ah did.
I too wandered around with my face hidden.
To be precise, I was only hiding my presence.
I couldn’t go all out since I had to participate in the martial competition.
I kept it just visible enough to remember properly if I focused hard.
‘That’s why I’m curious.’
A few days ago on the street,
When I subdued Jinryong and Yeongpung,
– That face…! It’s Jinryong!
Someone detected me.
At the time, everyone seemed to think it was nothing and moved on.
I was left wondering about it.
‘Who could that have been?’
In the end, I couldn’t deduce who it was, but the uneasiness remains.
What a coincidence, though.
Such coincidences couldn’t occur if precautions were in place.
If it were a martial artist past their peak, breaking through my presence detection to see my face would probably be possible, though.
For a martial artist of that caliber,
I didn’t think they’d run about and proclaim, “Hey, it’s Jinryong!” among ordinary folks.
Plus.
‘I didn’t sense him at all.’
The fact that he escaped through my senses was puzzling enough.
There were more than enough points that raised questions.
‘It seems I’ll have to be careful.’
Though I intended to let things slide,
Looking at the scene, I figured it was time to keep my guard up.
Along with the need for fame came my worries.
‘If my name gets out, idiots will start swarming.’
It’s the case in any situation.
I had already predicted this would happen.
‘Still faster than I thought.’
Who could it be?
Or rather, where?
No.
If I’m curious, I should investigate.
If I just try to grasp it, I should be able to find the answer.
I’m somewhat of an expert at digging up information.
While pondering, I played with my lips.
“Are you okay?”
Mo Yong-hee, walking beside me, asked.
“Am I okay?”
“Your expression… it’s a familiar one.”
“Familiar?”
Do I often wear this expression?
“Oh no. Just one I often associate with.”
“Hmm?”
What a curious thing to say that was.
When I voiced my confusion, Mo Yong-hee added an explanation.
“Just wait until you catch me; I’ll show you the meaning of hell.”
“…huh?”
“It’s the expression I often make when feeling the same way, and you were making that exact expression, Confucius.”
“…”
Her accuracy left me momentarily speechless.
Seeing my expression of utter disbelief, Mo Yong-hee broke into a bright smile.
“Confucius, you really can’t hide your expressions well.”
“…I hear that a lot.”
I thought I’d been good at hiding them.
After my regression, though, it hasn’t been working out well.
I wonder why.
Could it be that I’ve become used to peace?
“I guess I should fix that.”
“You don’t need to.”
“Hmm? Why’s that?”
“Because I like you just as you are, Confucius.”
“…”
Words flowed smoothly, creating a slight pause.
Seeing her face, I began to think,
‘…Is she blushing?’
In rare moments, I saw Mo Yong-hee’s cheeks turning faintly red.
It seemed she hadn’t meant to say that at all.
“The apples are ripe. They’re red.”
“Ugh….”
My playful remark made Mo Yong-hee’s icy expression melt away.
She looked cuter than I had expected…
‘…Cute?’
What an absurd thought.
Seeing the world’s best Mo Yong-hee and finding her cute?
Have I gone mad from climbing?
‘Not like it’s particularly difficult.’
I’ve trained hard enough over time. I shouldn’t have trouble with something like this.
Maybe I’m just a bit more tired today.
I brushed my hair back.
Then, a refreshing breeze continued to flow, making me feel slightly better.
Shinryonggwan is located on the mountain’s peak.
But we weren’t headed there.
It was slightly less deep than that.
To enter the well-known Shinryonggwan,
I damned well had to take this entrance exam.
This meant they wouldn’t accept just anyone.
It also implied that the educational institution would only consider those with high-quality talent.
A prestigious family name.
Moreover, because these were late indices sent from well-known schools, they were composed entirely of excellent individuals.
Among them, they specified that they would filter further.
In some ways, it could be a blow to one’s pride.
However, the personnel chosen were implicitly the most outstanding among these talents.
This is the kind of tale that would make those obsessed with honor and reputation drool.
Once you’re in like that,
Being in tight-knit groups would make networking easier.
The original goal of education felt somewhat insignificant.
Of course, even excluding everything else,
I had already known that my reputation as a Shinryongwan was what brought me here.
‘And.’
As they say, they are renowned as the finest martial arts training institutions.
The education level isn’t bad either.
‘…Most things a reputable family could teach you at home.’
Especially if they are blood relatives.
With elders and founders around, there’s little need to come to an institution.
“Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Clan. Confirmation complete. Proceed to Group 2.”
Perhaps because it’s part of the Alliance’s property?
Those verifying were also members of the Murim Alliance.
After completing the identity check, I made it to the group verification.
A glance.
During the verification process, I caught the glance of someone who acknowledged where I was from and my name.
Their eyes carried the message, ‘Is this punk really that guy?’
Looks like I’ll be scrutinized for a while.
Now I can’t even muster the effort to get angry.
‘Those who didn’t show up, tomorrow?’
The reason I couldn’t see the sleeping dragon or sword dragon was likely because those who belonged to the sect would take separate tests the next day.
Today, only the clan’s blood relatives were taking priority tests.
With some exaggeration, it seems like all the late indices from across the country gathered.
One day simply wouldn’t suffice.
‘Group 2.’
It was clear each group was sorted by rank.
As evidence, there was Mo Yong-hee and Dang So-yeol.
There, Namgungbi-ah was placed in Group 1.
‘Why am I in Group 2?’
I’m not upset about not being treated as a noble family.
I felt it was objectively strange.
A clan should be recognized well enough, and being in Group 2 isn’t particularly a level of neglect.
Considering the position of the clan in current Jianghu,
It was just an ambiguous rank.
“Hmmm….”
Honestly, I didn’t really care that much.
It seemed like they just categorized the groups without any special privileges or biases to consider.
It probably wouldn’t be a huge problem.
What I was slightly worried about was if any of the kids from Gu Clan lost their temper…
‘That shouldn’t be an issue…’
Holding a slight worry, I glanced at Gu Yeonseo.
Gu Yeonseo wore quite a blank expression.
Looking at that, it seemed the inspector really did heed my request and visited late at night.
I secretly let out a small sigh while observing.
‘Even if it’s not perfect…’
Rather than wiping the memories away,
They felt covered up by something else.
The best approach for the inspector ultimately was,
If they couldn’t extricate themselves,
To prepare someone adequate to pursue after them.
It’s to entice them with swords.
So they wouldn’t even think of anything else.
Of course, that too could trap them in a psychic state.
Chasing after a useless sword is also a sin.
One thing, though,
I thought it might not be bad for Gu Yeonseo.
‘Of course, if this doesn’t work…’
I meant to try ‘something else’ but felt it wouldn’t be necessary.
At least not yet.
‘Will I even pass this ordeal?’
Gu Jeolyub has been rolling along and doesn’t have worries.
But Gu Yeonseo is slightly ambiguous.
While she’s certainly better than other late indices,
Being at the end of the herd isn’t bad.
But whether she can actually join Shinryonggwan is a bit uncertain.
Conversely, Gu Jeolyub is at a level where he won’t fall behind unless he is utterly careless.
Rather, I should worry about him falling well.
‘Because he’ll get hammered by me.’
What a shameful display for the neighborhood; I raised him diligently.
If he can’t clear this hurdle,
He’ll definitely be in for some serious trouble. Quite serious.
Shudder.
Suddenly Gu Jeolyub, who was behind me, flinched as though he felt a cold chill, instinctively stepping back.
I asked, noticing this.
“Why?”
“…It’s nothing. I just felt for some reason that I was about to get hit just now.”
“Tsk… You’re quite perceptive.”
“Y-Yes…?”
Gu Jeolyub wore a comical shocked expression.
Oh, and I’m definitely not joking.
If he falls, I’ll certainly have a real go at him.
While I was amusing myself teasing Gu Jeolyub, I sensed something approaching.
Who could that be, the person coming this way?
Right now, there’s no one coming for me.
As I focused, trying to pinpoint them,
Tsk.
I had to click my tongue as soon as I recognized it.
An atmosphere saturated with uneasiness filled the air.
‘Naturally, that brat must have followed along too.’
After all, I remembered it and came in.
It’s not too odd.
Yet still.
“It’s been a while.”
He’s still a bothersome presence to deal with.
Especially since the intention of approaching was so obvious.
Seriously, why’s he coming closer?
This guy is quite something.
He approached and greeted me with a smile.
The white uniform adorned with black patterns remained the same.
His good-looking face still shone as before.
He must have been training hard.
And I can see that he’s improved since back then.
“How have you been?”
“Fine.”
I choked back the murderous intent rising in my throat.
If I couldn’t rein it in and let it spew forth, I could really mess things up.
Not for me, but for the people around me.
While I’d rather just toss that aside for now.
I had to stay patient for the future.
So, first of all, I had to hold back and express myself as comfortably as I could.
I smiled at the individual in front of me.
I spoke to Jang Seon-yeon.
If possible, in the most amicable way.
“You bastard.”
“…”
This was the best I could manage.
Hwaruk.
The energy I intended to unleash through my shoulders scattered into the void.
I meant to slice through in a single sweep with just the right amount of strength.
Ironically, the energy I aimed to contain got lost and dissipated.
Crunch.
The arm that was moments away from reaching for the handle froze.
It was blocked, unable to be pulled out by anyone else.
The one who sought to draw the sword—
Wi Seol-ah glared with icy eyes at the person obstructing her.
“You’re more violent than I expected.”
It seemed fast yet simultaneously slow.
His voice carried a heavy, lethargic vibe.
The palpable yet undefined atmosphere around him made Wi Seol-ah on high alert.
Noticing it, the young man continued speaking.
“Well, if you take after your master, it’s reasonable.”
“…”
“I don’t know what you intended, but it’s best to hold back. Unless you want to go home like this.”
The young man smirked while cautioning her.
How did he know?
Just as Jang Seon-yeon made to approach him,
Wi Seol-ah attempted to pull out her sword.
To prevent him from coming closer.
But—
‘When?’
The young man had come to his side without her noticing.
He broke the stillness.
So that nobody could catch on.
Wielding a sword without any intent, such acts were effortless for Wi Seol-ah.
Thus, it was strange that the young man noticed this at all.
Wi Seol-ah fixed a keen gaze on him.
“I guess you’re curious about who I am.”
The young man addressed Wi Seol-ah with a somewhat cryptic grin.
“I am Jin of the Rain Clan. My name is Jin of the Rain.”
Upon hearing the name, Wi Seol-ah had to wear a truly surprised expression.
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