### Chapter 285
Chirp—
Pieces of rock are rolling around.
Small dust motes swirl in the wind, creating a bit of a ruckus.
The warmth that had been wafting gently through the air quickly dissipated, swept away by the winter wind.
“What’s going on right now…?”
With the casually uttered words of an unknown sega member, the previously quiet surroundings erupted into a sudden commotion.
“They said eternal iron was mixed in, but how did it end up like that?”
“There’s a hole in it!”
Those who had taken the exam earlier,
had barely passed with a scratch the size of a fingernail.
Yet here were some who just shattered it to pieces.
Of course, that reaction was unavoidable.
However, the one responsible for this disaster was hardly in a position to bask in admiration.
‘Should I have dialed it back a bit?’
No, I shouldn’t have mixed in the heat at all from the start.
Even if it’s not a tiny scratch like others,
this kind of destruction is a tad excessive.
‘I told you to take it easy, you fool!’
No matter how much I needed to vent my anger,
there’s such a thing as overdoing it.
And then—
Heh heh…
Why is that person here again?
From the moment I moved to the plains for the exam,
among the instructors verifying the schedule,
I spotted a familiar face.
‘I guess that’s what you meant by finding out.’
The woman, who was trying to suppress laughter as she watched my blunder,
was none other than the Plum Blossom Swordswoman.
‘I heard that this Shinryongwan is managed by Kunlun.’
Why on earth is she here in this situation?
It’s one thing for the swordswoman to be an instructor here.
‘Did the head of Kunlun accept this offer?’
It’s unexpected for a high-ranking warrior of another sect to assist,
but having Geomhu around is quite surprising.
Hearing that Qinghai Ilgeom, the Grandmaster of the Kunlun Sect, is presiding over this,
the fact that the Plum Blossom Swordswoman is also teaching draws even more curiosity.
In a world where fame and attention are paramount,
it’s strange that Cheonghae Ilgeom accepted this without hesitation.
‘There must have been some negotiations, I suppose.’
But I couldn’t know those details.
By the way—
‘…There must be more, right?’
I was uttering this while eyeing the stone pillar I had ruined with my own hands.
Surely they wouldn’t be out of spares?
This was Kunlun, after all, so that would be unlikely.
But what if there aren’t any?
‘What should I do?’
It should work out somehow…
As I wiped my face and took stock of the situation,
the swordswoman, who had been chuckling for quite a while,
finally managed to contain her laughter long enough to say,
“Group 2, Gu Yangcheon. Pass.”
The swordswoman’s voice, mixed with a flutter of excitement, called out my name.
“Gu Yangcheon…?”
Only then did the people around begin to register my identity.
“True Dragon Gu Yangcheon?”
They started to recognize me.
Oh… but I still can’t quite get used to the weird title prefixed to my name.
In the midst of this,
Crack!
I caught a glimpse of someone stealthily scratching another stone pillar as they passed.
Just a light tap created an almost imperceptible crack.
Amid the clamoring voices,
the instructor who was watching said,
“Group 2, Bi Eejin… Pass.”
Upon hearing that, Bi Eejin turned my way and offered a slight smile.
‘That guy?’
It seems that Bi Eejin is planning to sneak past while the commotion about my mishap distracts everyone.
Clever, damn it.
…I was thinking of doing the same thing.
‘I got outsmarted.’
I never thought we’d have the same idea.
‘Yeah, past the point where a so-called patchy guy wants to stand out here.’
What do you expect to achieve by standing out in this rabble of kids just starting to sprout their fur?
‘That guy knows this too.’
I’m in the same boat.
That’s why managing your rage is crucial.
Can’t just let emotions run wild and create unnecessary trouble.
I turned away from the debris scattered on the ground.
I stepped into the crowd, where voices were still echoing.
The exam was still a long way off.
Slinking into the throng, I pondered.
‘…Since it’s come to this.’
If I’ve caught their attention anyway,
maybe it’s best to go all in and make my mark.
I heard from Maehwaseon.
When Geomhu confronted Cheonghae Ilgeom,
the gaze of Cheonghae Ilgeom wasn’t exactly warm.
With the circumstances being what they are,
I suppose anything less wouldn’t be expected.
Such meetings with ulterior motives,
wouldn’t have been possible without the volcano’s grand master.
“Do you wish to come as an instructor to the Shinryongwan scheduled for next month?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
Cheonghae Ilgeom’s cold glare fixated on Geomhu.
That keen sense is typical of someone who has spent a lifetime with a sword.
Even so, Geomhu stood firm.
This scenario could easily have been anticipated.
“I won’t buy any of your pretenses about educating the younger generation.”
“Do you think that’s not the case, Master?”
“You’re well aware that the world isn’t so simple, so don’t readily believe such hollow words.”
“…”
Right.
Such tender conversations belong to a world that has vanished with the opening of the demon gate.
Geomhu knew this better than anyone.
“It seems you have your own desires.”
“Yes.”
Thus, Geomhu replied truthfully about having work to do at Shinryongwan.
Upon hearing this, Cheonghae Ilgeom stared intently at Geomhu.
The conversation was about to take a turn.
“It was a request from Plum Blossom. She told me to handle it as I see fit, so for now, I will not refuse.”
“Thank you…”
“If you’re willing to grant my request.”
Whoosh.
In an instant, a refreshing breeze filled the room.
Geomhu had to tense up, feeling the chill in the air.
The wind filling the room at that moment could become razor-sharp at any moment with but a thought from Cheonghae Ilgeom.
“You have two choices, Geomhu.”
“…I’ll listen.”
“One, state your reasons and fulfill my small favor.”
Why do you want to become an instructor at Shinryongwan? State your reasons.
In return, I will ask for a small favor.
Geomhu listened quietly to Cheonghae Ilgeom’s proposition.
“I would like to hear the second option.”
Geomhu sought a different route.
Despite Cheonghae Ilgeom making it clear that he would only honor the first option if the reason was given,
there must be a reason for presenting two alternatives.
As expected,
“The second option, without stating a reason.”
Cheonghae Ilgeom provided the very answer Geomhu hoped for.
“…Make a significant request.”
“Then I will choose the second.”
Geomhu made his choice without hesitation.
Cheonghae Ilgeom appeared somewhat surprised at this.
“It seems you find it difficult to articulate your reasons.”
“…If there’s an option that doesn’t require explaining, I’d prefer to choose that.”
“Hmm… Do you know what I’m asking?”
“I will listen.”
Geomhu’s words carried no hesitation.
Cheonghae Ilgeom pondered thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand.
Was it an uncomfortable request?
Geomhu patiently awaited the forthcoming words.
After quite some time deliberating,
Cheonghae Ilgeom finally unveiled his request.
“…A red demon gate has appeared in Cheonghae.”
Upon hearing that, Geomhu’s eyes widened as if they were lanterns.
“A red magic gate…”
As time passed, the entrance exam arrived.
Geomhu accepted Cheonghae Ilgeom’s request.
Now, under the title of instructor, he found himself at Shinryongwan.
Yet the words of Cheonghae Ilgeom still echoed in Geomhu’s mind.
“…A red magic gate appeared and is said to open soon.”
He mentioned it was likely to happen around next autumn.
What Geomhu deemed crucial about this statement wasn’t just the existence of the gate.
If Cheonghae Ilgeom’s words turned out to be true,
the appearance of the magical scripture wasn’t the only concern.
Moreover, traces of an already opened magic realm stared back at him—
and the notion of it being opened in autumn was merely an aside.
The biggest problem, if Cheonghae Ilgeom was indeed truthful, was quite different.
The issue at hand was the emergence of the red magic scripture, which hadn’t shown its face for a long while.
This was undoubtedly a grave concern.
“If that’s true…”
Why didn’t Cheonghae Ilgeom inform the sect about this development?
“And yet, why ask me for help?”
Furthermore,
“In situations like this, what’s your role?”
If this incident occurred in Kunlun’s territory, not elsewhere,
even as the head of Shinryongwan,
the emergence of the red magic gate would certainly take precedence.
For those at the levels of green and blue,
the tasks would be manageable at best.
However, the caliber of the recorded red monsters could not be treated lightly.
Geomhu was skeptical of why Cheonghae Ilgeom would leave his territory for Shinryongwan.
He never considered Cheonghae Ilgeom to be one who would prioritize fame and honor over the threats looming over his homeland.
“What could be the reason?”
Not just for himself,
there must have been back-and-forth discussions regarding Cheonghae Ilgeom as well.
Unless, of course,
there’s no way he’d come despite knowing the complaints of the members.
Hmm.
With a multitude of thoughts swirling through his mind,
Geomhu ultimately accepted the offer.
Later on, if the red magic gate truly opened,
it would be a plea for assistance.
From Geomhu’s perspective,
even though it concerns another region,
should the red magic gate open,
he would have made the journey regardless of this deal.
“So for now, it’s best to concentrate on what lies ahead.”
Geomhu reflected on the reason for being here.
“I need to find it quickly.”
The plum blossom stone expected to be somewhere in Shinryongwan.
A relic even the Plum Blossom Swordswoman was unaware of.
Had it not been for the tip-off from ‘him’,
Geomhu would have been completely in the dark about it.
The moment he knew, he had to hunt it down—
for the sake of the future and what awaited him.
“…Group 2, Seon-ui-suk. Pass.”
After announcing the final pass from Group 2,
the sun had quietly dipped below the horizon.
With the urgency of completing the second exam today,
it was bound to stretch until dawn.
Afterward, the instructors gathered to summarize the day’s events.
From those belonging to the Murim Alliance to those from the Kunlun Sect,
most had nicknames or, even if not, they had distinct abilities.
Their gazes were almost entirely directed at Geomhu.
The title of the Sword Queen naturally didn’t belong in a place like this.
With all eyes on him, Geomhu appeared unbothered, wrapping things up.
“…Only half fell off.”
“I’m surprised so much is still left.”
“Yes, this batch is definitely different from the others.”
“In this situation, over a hundred people….”
Since the quota for passing was fixed, it was a real hassle for the instructors.
Amidst the organization and tidying up,
one instructor threw out a thought.
“Based on what we’ve seen, there are at least ten reliable candidates.”
That seemed to resonate with others,
for those ten candidates immediately sprang to mind for everyone.
“…The chief too. I think that decision has probably been made.”
At these words, many turned their attention to one spot,
where bits and pieces left uncleaned were clearly remnants of pillars from Kunlun.
The witnesses still held vivid memories of that moment.
Of how someone who hadn’t yet crossed the line,
had shattered a pillar with a single thrust.
‘Could I do that?’
That same question gripped their minds.
If it were him, would such ferocity be imaginable?
And on top of that,
‘True Dragon.’
At this juncture, the young man’s nickname was etched firmly in the instructor’s mind.
Geomhu regarded those individuals with a unique gaze.
‘I guess I really went overboard.’
Truth be told, that impression was somehow satisfying.
While it was true that he sought out Shinryongwan for specific reasons,
Guyangcheon was certainly a significant factor.
His disciple had spoken at length about his older brother entering Shinryongwan this time,
and it piqued Geomhu’s curiosity about how much the kid had grown.
Geomhu couldn’t help but recall a fierce-faced young man in his thoughts.
‘If there’s anyone capable of being the greatest of the next generation, it must be that boy.’
An audacious thought, perhaps, but nonetheless,
it was simply the truth that Geomhu believed.
He knew well that if Guyangcheon continued to develop and reached his prime,
the title of the greatest in the next generation would undoubtedly be his.
Guyangcheon possessed the presence and talent to make it so.
At least, in Geomhu’s eyes.
As Geomhu tucked the letter safely into his robe,
“Were there any unusual occurrences in Group 1?”
The instructor from Group 2 inquired of Group 1.
“There were quite a few incidents…”
He held back, choosing his words carefully.
Group 1 was where most of the elite gathered.
Every notable name imaginable—
the unique lineage coming from the clan,
descendants from Peng’s royal line,
even the renowned sword dance from Namgung Family.
All the daughters of the four great houses were in attendance.
Plus, there was even phenomenon of the Brain Dragon opting out of the entrance exam due to clan matters.
When looked at in this light,
most of the key individuals expected to lead the future of the martial world were clustered in Group 1.
Curiously enough, however,
there were no incidents that could rival what Guyangcheon had caused.
Only a couple of small occurrences come to mind.
The renowned beauty of a sword dancer had shown up,
arriving wearing a cotton mask,
and must have been tired, managing only to make a shallow cross on a pillar before disappearing.
Plus, some divine entity showcased a long sword.
And—
“Is that true? That there are descendants of the Sword Master among you.”
The first descendant of the current Three Heavenly Lords had been spotted.
“…Indeed.”
Yes, it’s the descendant of the Sword Master.
The tale had spun ever since the moment she appeared and swung her sword.
Her remarkable beauty and grace,
distinctly bore the characteristics of the Moonlight Dance sword style created by Geomjon.
If it weren’t for True Dragon shattering the pillar,
one can only imagine how the conversation would’ve been filled with stories of the Sword Master’s lineage.
Among them, Jo Wi-seok, the instructor of Group 1, kept his silence.
‘The divine has become chief? What a laughable notion.’
He felt embarrassed for having reached a conclusion based solely on superficial observations.
He had to reluctantly swallow hard while recalling the shows of the elite in Group 1.
The sword dancer who managed only a shallow knife’s mark?
She was undoubtedly far beyond that lightweight performance.
The tempo at which she swung her sword was languid and casual, yet the lines etched were remarkably clear.
It was impossible to gauge just how magnificent it might have been if executed properly.
Though a tad disappointing,
the unique show from Seolbong fell short of expectations,
and the other performance from Dokbong didn’t fare any better than what had been said.
Others agreed.
When compared to former peers of their generation,
the level was just completely different.
The conversations about the Sword Master’s descendant were all about
‘It was one grand sword.’
Nearing the final turn,
the strike that split the pillar in half secured an undeniable presence.
The spotless cross-section observed while clearing away the debris showed how perfectly it was executed.
The enchanting energy displayed by that woman at that moment,
was unmistakably what enthralled all, from the master of the sword.
It truly felt like a nest of monsters was in season.
Jo Wi-seok had to acknowledge this.
Is this the star-studded generation?
If so,
this Shinryongwan was bound to be anything but smooth sailing.
It was bizarrely clear…
which is to say, there was simply an outrageous number of shining stars gathered in one spot.
And thus, the secondary examination commenced.
Gu Yangcheon found himself wearing a deep frown.
After all, he was already irked by the long wait,
but upon hearing the details of the examination, something snapped inside him.
The content they shared was ludicrous,
but much more absurd was—
“What a pleasure to meet you.”
“Let me ask you something first.”
Gu Yangcheon replied curtly to the melodious voice that reached his ears.
It made sense.
While others were facing off against opponents like dog bones,
he found himself against someone far from ordinary.
“…Is this random assignment?”
“Of course.”
The woman responded with a cheerful smile at Gu Yangcheon’s question,
yet he felt no trust at all.
Rustling.
With the sweet sound of falling petals echoing,
the delightful fragrance of plum blossoms permeated the air.
Of course, beyond the pretty scene,
the energy laced in the blade was as lethal as could be.
Amidst it all, whether she realized his thoughts or not,
the woman leaned closer, whispering to Gu Yangcheon,
“Let’s have some fun.”
Seeing that smile, Gu Yangcheon let out a defeated chuckle.
“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be… Really.”
As she took her stance in front of him wielding her sword,
‘…Why is it only me they’re tormenting?’
It was the Plum Blossom Swordswoman standing there.
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