Chapter 118 :

Chapter 118. The Black Flame Dragon in Golden Robes (3)

After the results of the official martial examination were announced throughout the world, Hefei in Anhui Province became abuzz over a name appearing on the list.

"The Taeul Sect?"

"Was there a sect like that?"

"Are they talking about the Taeul Martial Hall?"

"The Taeul Martial Hall?"

"You fool! Do you not know about the venerable Taeul Sect?"

"Hey, bastard! Do you think I do not remember how you always mocked them while talking about the Taeul Sword Emperor?"

Interest in the Taeul Sect suddenly soared, but the people's curiosity remained unsatisfied because the sect had removed its signboard and closed its gates.

However, that did not mean the Taeul Sect itself simply ignored the result.

On the contrary, a celebration grand enough to be called a major feast was held within the Taeul Sect.

"Khuhuhu. Our Sowoon really took first place."

"Hall Master Kang Chaeseok, did you not curse Eldest Senior Brother Sowoon every day?"

"Hey, bastard! That was all because I cared about him so much!"

"Then I suppose you have no affection for Senior Sister Soso."

"You have never once dared to curse in front of Senior Sister Soso."

"You, come here."

"Have you mastered the Twin Heaven Sword Art?"

"Who trains during a celebration?"

All the hall masters and disciples gathered in one place, and the disciples' parents were invited as well.

Among them, the people who attracted the most attention were the parents of the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, who operated a mill.

"Congratulations."

"How did you manage to send all three of your sons to the Martial Academy?"

"Please tell us your secret."

"Ah... Well, we simply worked..."

"My goodness, the children must have watched their parents and found motivation on their own."

"How did you raise them?"

"Ah... We merely told them to listen carefully to their Senior Brothers and masters..."

The parents of the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers had operated a mill and endured subtle contempt throughout their lives.

Unable to fully comprehend their current situation, they could do nothing but nod.

"Whew... Now that Eldest Senior Brother has entered with the highest score, the burden upon our shoulders will grow even heavier."

"Huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

Gwak Samnam looked at Wang Soso and Jegal Cheon, who were eating chicken skewers.

"Will people not criticize us if future Taeul Sect disciples fail to achieve results comparable to Eldest Senior Brother?"

"I am not taking the official martial examination."

"What?"

Gwak Samnam's eyes widened like those of a startled rabbit at Wang Soso's words.

She had begun learning martial arts later than he had, but her achievements had risen rapidly.

Her progress in internal energy was especially overwhelming beyond description.

Although Gwak Samnam was clearly superior in sword arts and footwork, Wang Soso poured out her overwhelming internal energy like a tidal wave.

As a result, he had never defeated her even once.

Yet Wang Soso said she would not take the official examination?

"I am joining the Martial Alliance through mandatory service."

"...As a low-ranking warrior?"

He had heard that the Wang Family Estate considered Wang Soso so precious that they had hidden her safely inside her room throughout her life.

There were even recent rumors that she had begun participating in the family's affairs and was generating enormous profits.

How could someone like Wang Soso enter the Martial Alliance as a low-ranking warrior?

"That is the only way I can work together with Eldest Senior Brother."

"..."

At that moment, Jegal Cheon spoke while chewing on a chicken skewer.

"I will enter as a low-ranking warrior as well."

"Samnam, it seems a heavy burden rests upon your shoulders."

"What are you talking about?"

"Then I will also—"

"No!"

"We are lay disciples."

"You must take the official martial examination."

"What kind of rule is that?"

"The rule that exists right here."

"Then I will send Yuseong in my place."

"What?!"

Kang Yuseong, who had been bringing food to his younger sisters, jumped in surprise.

"You entered the sect later than I did, yet you possess far greater talent than me."

The Taeul Sect children who had gone to the Moyong Family as exchange disciples together with the Sword Breaker had returned after making remarkable progress.

Although Kang Yuseong had begun cultivating the Taeul True Scripture later than the other disciples, his accomplishments had already reached a level comparable to Kang Chaeseok's.

Gwak Samnam patted Kang Yuseong on the shoulder.

"You are the disciple who will spread the name of the Taeul Sect during the next examination."

"I am counting on you, Yuseong."

"No, I... I also want to become a low-ranking warrior..."

Yuseong looked ready to cry.

Gwak Samnam, Wang Soso, and Jegal Cheon looked at one another and chuckled.

A short distance away from the four of them—

"Why are you sitting alone?"

Someone spoke to Jin Taesan, who sat by himself, unable to blend into the festive atmosphere.

"Ah, you have arrived, Estate Lord."

Wang Geumsan stopped Jin Taesan from rising, sat beside him, and placed a bottle of liquor down.

"This is called Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Wine."

Jin Taesan's eyes widened.

Was that not a famous imperial liquor said to be made from one hundred different flowers?

A mysterious fragrance was already escaping from the narrow mouth of the bottle.

"Is it not suitable for a day like this?"

"It is far too precious for me."

Jin Taesan's hands trembled as he accepted the Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Wine.

To a drinker, it was an incomparably precious liquor.

Watching him, Wang Geumsan gave a faint smile.

"Are you not pleased?"

Jin Taesan's body froze while he was halfway through drinking the wine.

He wondered whether he should stop or finish what remained in his cup.

In the end, he drank it all.

Perhaps he was admiring the liquor's fragrance, or perhaps he had fallen into deep thought.

For a long while, Jin Taesan stared into his empty cup.

"...What father in this world would not rejoice at his child's success?"

Regret filled Jin Taesan's eyes as he stared into the empty cup.

"Even so, I merely worry that he may climb too high, fall, and suffer a terrible injury."

A child's success was connected to a parent's anxiety.

The fear that they might be unable to serve as a safety net when their child fell.

The fear that their child could have flown even higher, but had been limited by the shackles of having them as a parent.

Whenever a child took another great step forward, the parent could not help but reflect upon himself.

"Are you not worrying too soon?"

"It seems he has only just begun to fly."

"I am someone who once worried whether that boy could even perform properly as an outer hall master."

"That is the limit of my own capacity."

"Yet my son flapped his wings only once, and his name thundered throughout the world."

"How could I not feel anxious?"

It was a ladder he could not have climbed through ordinary means.

He must have taken unreasonable risks and made desperate gambles.

Considering that the only thing one could wager in the gambling den called life was one's own life, Jin Taesan could not even imagine how many times his son had risked death to reach that position.

"Is it because of his connection to the dark faction's murim?"

The nickname Bloodflame Dragon was probably the clearest example.

Jin Taesan smiled bitterly and poured himself another cup of Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Wine.

"Still, is it not fortunate?"

"The great figures of the heretical faction testified that they had absolutely no connection to him."

"Pfft!"

"Why would you spit out such expensive liquor?"

With the spilled wine leaving his lips fragrant, Jin Taesan stared at Wang Geumsan in astonishment.

What fool could witness that scene and believe that Jin Sowoon had no connection to the heretical faction's murim?

Even Jin Taesan himself wanted to know how that rotten brat Jin Sowoon had become entangled with those heretical bastards.

"..."

"It was a joke."

"Only a joke."

Wang Geumsan patted his shoulder and poured him another cup of Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Wine.

This man seemed increasingly different from when Jin Taesan first met him.

He kept making pointless jokes.

Because of Wang Geumsan's naturally dignified and solemn demeanor, it was difficult to tell when he was joking, making it hard to laugh along.

"Then Hall Master Jin merely needs to work harder."

"You need only become a dependable safety net capable of catching him whenever he falls."

"I heard that if he becomes the academy representative, he must form his own executive staff."

"Will anyone truly help a boy with neither money nor background?"

If the Taeul Sect sent him every bit of revenue from the mine, he could probably assemble an executive staff with money.

However, doing so would tear out the foundations of the Taeul Sect just as it was finally beginning to establish itself.

That was impossible.

"There is also a somewhat easier method, should that prove difficult."

"What method?"

Wang Geumsan paused and poured more liquor.

Every time Jin Taesan drank it, he was struck anew by how extraordinary the fragrance was.

It was tempting enough to make him want to lick up the liquor he had spat out earlier.

"Have another cup."

"What method?"

"...Listen while you drink."

Jin Taesan slowly savored the brilliantly golden liquor.

"How about having him marry into the Wang Family Estate?"

"That would provide him with an excellent background."

"Pfft!"

"You are joking, correct?"

I had expected life at the Martial Academy to be difficult.

However, the semester had not even begun, and they were already preparing such underhanded tricks.

The Martial Alliance and the Martial Academy were clearly rotten from their very roots.

"That is not amusing."

"Now bring me proper clothes."

"...These are the proper clothes."

"There is something I failed to tell you earlier."

"I do not enjoy jokes."

Seeing the maids standing motionlessly with expressionless faces made me even more uneasy because they did not appear to be joking.

"These are truly the clothes I must wear to the banquet?"

The clothes brought by the maids were extravagantly fashioned from white silk embroidered with golden thread.

There was also a ceremonial crown, a gold-plated belt, and white shoes that appeared completely useless in everyday life.

The entire outfit resembled something worn by immortals descending from the heavens.

That much was still acceptable.

However...

"Are you serious?"

"Swear to me."

The problem was the enormous golden word "First Place" embroidered across the chest.

No matter how I looked at it, the outfit seemed like nothing more than a punishment.

I could not hide my shock upon learning that this was the ceremonial attire traditionally worn by every top-ranked admitted student.

"I will simply wear my martial uniform."

I would rather walk around naked than wear something like this.

I tried to pass the maids and leave for the banquet, but the oldest-looking middle-aged woman blocked my path.

"This is ceremonial attire that every top-ranked entrant throughout history has been required to wear."

"You cannot take a single step outside this residence without putting it on."

"...Then I will not attend the banquet."

If I went outside dressed like that, all the social prestige I had accumulated would be hurled into the dirt.

At the same time, my authority as the Eldest Senior Brother respected by my junior brothers would collapse.

I absolutely refused to wear it.

"What are you waiting for?"

"The Young Master wishes to change his clothes."

"H-Hey!"

"What are you doing?"

"Release me!"

"I am warning you in advance!"

"I recently obtained three hundred and sixty years of internal energy!"

I resisted, but ultimately could not stop the maids' relentless hands.

"Now, look."

"Do you not resemble a magnificent and dignified man?"

"..."

The maid proudly held up a bronze mirror for me.

"I feel as though I have seen this appearance somewhere before."

"Where might that have been?"

"In street plays."

"Usually, foolish princes and the sons of noble families appear wearing clothes like these."

The head maid casually ignored my words and nodded.

"Then please enjoy the banquet."

"My mood is already ruined."

"...Perhaps you will feel differently after seeing how the others look up to you."

"..."

"Pfft!"

"Urgh!"

The moment Geumpyo and Eunho saw me, their faces turned red as they tightly bit their lips.

See?

I knew I would become a laughingstock.

"Are you laughing?"

"N-No."

"I merely thought how wonderful it would have been if the sect leader and the people of the Taeul Sect could have witnessed such a proud sight."

"My emotions simply overwhelmed me before I realized it... Ugh..."

Geumpyo turned his head away while making a strange sound that made it impossible to tell whether he was laughing or crying.

Eunho spoke beside him.

"Eldest Senior Brother, could you lend me some silver coins?"

"What?"

"Do you need them for something?"

"I need to hurry and summon a painter—"

"Silence."

Dongryong and Moyong Jaehwa stared at me with blank eyes.

"Does it look that strange?"

When I asked awkwardly, Dongryong shook his head.

"You look exactly like a prince who descended from the heavens."

"Brother, it seems you have finally put on clothes that truly suit you."

"..."

Their completely sincere words made me feel even more embarrassed.

Geumpyo and Eunho finally burst into laughter.

Unable to endure it any longer, I hurriedly changed the subject.

"Where are the young ladies?"

"Do women not normally take a long time to prepare?"

Fortunately, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers had been assigned to the same room as Moyong Jaehwa.

Dormitories were normally assigned according to examination results.

However, Moyong Jaehwa, who possessed an admission plaque, requested to share a four-person room with the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, so the academy granted his request.

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were assigned to two-person rooms, but each shared her room with someone else.

At least their rooms were not far apart, so neither was particularly disappointed.

"What about Saryeon?"

I had intended to meet Saryeon the moment I entered the Martial Academy.

However, although Saryeon had shown herself to the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, she had refused to show herself to me.

She had said we should meet for the first time at the banquet.

I did not understand why, but I knew it would not take long, so I waited quietly.

"Senior Sister Saryeon will arrive soon as well."

"Everyone is late."

"Let us enter first."

"Very well."

The glances of the servants moving outside the banquet hall bothered me.

It was only natural that people would stare when I alone shone in an area filled with darkness.

However, their strange smiles, which could have represented either admiration or mockery, were more than enough to irritate me.

A long line stretched from the entrance of the banquet hall.

Everyone appeared to be waiting for the maids to guide them inside one by one, but their clothing was extraordinary.

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers and I wore ceremonial clothes clearly provided by the academy.

However, the other academy students wore luxurious garments decorated with patterns representing their families or sects.

Their splendor was no less impressive than my clothing, upon which "First Place" had been embroidered in gold.

The clothes worn by the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers did not have the word "Taeul" embroidered upon them.

It seemed that the other academy students had individually ordered their ceremonial outfits.

"At this rate, I cannot tell who the main character is supposed to be."

Just as Eunho said, I looked like their clown, while they appeared to be the true participants who had come to enjoy the banquet.

"Are you Jin Sowoon?"

While we waited at the very end of the line, a man who appeared to be an administrator approached me.

"Please come this way."

"A separate seat has been prepared for the top-ranked entrant."

"Now I finally feel like the main character."

Following the administrator's guidance, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers and I ignored the line and walked toward the front.

The academy students who had been waiting in the long line turned their eyes toward us.

Their gazes were far from friendly.

"Please wait here for a moment."

"A maid will guide you to your seat."

After saying that, the administrator disappeared once more.

Now standing at the very front, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers stared blankly at the enormous scale and splendor of the banquet hall visible through the entrance.

I was also admiring it without showing any reaction when a familiar voice reached my ears.

"Are the facilities not rather poor for the finest educational institution of the Martial Alliance?"

After identifying the owner of the voice, I suppressed my agitation and spoke.

"...So you passed after all."

"Indeed."

"When Young Master Jin took my checkpoint plaques, I believed I had unquestionably failed."

"Fortunately, I have once again obtained an opportunity to take my revenge."

The man whom I had believed I had eliminated from the examination for the sake of the future was standing directly before me.