Chapter 100 :

Chapter 100. The Third Checkpoint of the Hell Official Exam (3)

Who rules the murim world today?

When asked this question, people think of the Martial Alliance.

For the past several centuries, the murim world had been reorganized around the Martial Alliance.

Prosperity had spread throughout the murim world on that foundation, and wherever the government’s authority could not reach, the Martial Alliance extended its hand.

Because of that, people trusted the Alliance more than the government.

Then who could be considered the rulers of the Martial Alliance?

Broadly speaking, one could name the Nine Great Sects centered around the Righteous Path Association and the Five Great Families centered around the White Path Association.

The Twelve Peaks Fortress also existed, but compared with those two powers, it was still a rising faction and could be excluded.

In terms of strength, the White Path Association could not compare with the Righteous Path Association.

The presence of the two giants within the Righteous Path Association was simply too overwhelming.

The Buddhist Shaolin Temple.

The Daoist Wudang Sect.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that these two giants represented not only the Nine Great Sects and the Martial Alliance, but the entire murim world.

Therefore, becoming enemies with Wudang or Shaolin was no different from becoming enemies with the entire murim world.

“Why would such a Wudang Sect deliberately choose Young Master Jin and the Taeul Sect as though they had been waiting for them?”

If I had to search for a reason, the incident on the Maling Plateau came to mind.

But could that truly be called my fault?

Yong Soa was the one who tried to flee the Soul-Extinguishing Formation to save himself.

I had only attempted to stop him and was dragged into the formation instead.

Was it not natural that those who barely survived after witnessing the tragedy would unite regardless of whether they belonged to the righteous or dark factions and curse Yong Soa together?

Had Yong Soa merely been a disciple of the Diancang Sect, every survivor of the Maling Plateau would have gathered at Diancang and staged a hundred-day protest demanding that they surrender the criminal.

The fact that the matter had been quietly buried and he had not even received much criticism was proof of Wudang’s immense influence.

“Yong Soa’s presence overshadowed them, but the skills of the disciples of the Hyeon generation are said to far surpass those of others their age. If they harbor hostility toward the Taeul Sect, abandoning the examination may actually be one possible choice.”

After seeing the list of duelists for the third checkpoint, every Taeul Sect disciple except me had been left stunned.

Moyong Jaehwa, who had intelligently arrived early to choose his own opponent, had declared that he could not forgive such unreasonable and one-sided tyranny and gone to confront the Wudang Sect.

“If we abandon the third checkpoint, we may fail the examination completely.”

Possessing a third-checkpoint plaque meant that a person had the corresponding ability, wealth, and family backing.

Stealing a plaque from such people would never be easy.

Even if one managed to take it, one would also have to devise a way to escape the other pursuers.

Moreover, some people moved separately from their checkpoint plaques.

In the end, when comparing whether one wished to become a fugitive immediately or become a fugitive after stealing someone else’s plaque, the former was clearly much easier.

“Haa…”

That was why Young Ladies Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were worrying about our examination before they had even chosen their own opponents.

Click.

At that moment, the door opened and Moyong Jaehwa entered, breathing heavily in anger.

Naturally, we stopped speaking and looked toward him.

“My prediction was correct.”

“What prediction?”

“As expected, they had no particular reason. They claimed there were questions they needed to ask about their junior brother’s disappearance, but the timing does not make sense.”

Strictly speaking, it was not entirely unfair.

The Wudang Sect had so many disciples that it was natural to divide them among the four checkpoints spread across the country.

It was also natural to seek the weakest-looking opponents at the third checkpoint.

And if that weakest-looking opponent happened to be someone who had stained the name of their sect, they had even more reason to eliminate him.

“Yes, I expected as much. You should go back outside and choose your own opponent first.”

Moyong Jaehwa was still an examinee.

I appreciated that he had acted for my sake, but he could not neglect his own examination.

“I already chose one.”

“Hmm? Did you not just return from confronting Wudang?”

“Yes. They refused to listen, so I told them I would personally teach them a lesson.”

“Challenges are all well and good, but should we not also produce the first person in history to enter the Martial Academy from the Taeul Sect?”

Third Checkpoint Duelists

Wudang Sect’s Hyeongun — Moyong Family’s Moyong Jaehwa

“At this point, should we not accept him as a lay disciple of the Taeul Sect?”

Geumpyo said that while looking at Moyong Jaehwa, who was even more enraged than the actual Taeul Sect disciples.

“I am not sure. If we did, Elder Broken Sword would either grind the Taeul Sect into dust or cripple Jaehwa’s legs.”

Since he would never cut the sole eldest son of the direct family line in half, he would probably choose to grind the Taeul Sect into dust.

Would we be safe once Cheongi completed the mechanical formation?

Even in my previous life, Moyong Jaehwa had been unable to follow his own path because of Elder Broken Sword’s excessive interference.

The duty of the only man capable of continuing the direct family bloodline was tragic by nature.

“In any case, we will abandon the third checkpoint.”

“What?”

At Geumpyo’s sudden declaration, Eunho and Dongryong nodded simultaneously.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Unable to understand him, I tilted my head.

Yet Geumpyo tilted his head back at me.

“If we are injured during the duel, we will be unable to help you during the Great Journey. Surely you are not planning to go alone?”

“Hmm?”

Geumpyo finally struck his chest in frustration and shouted.

“How are we supposed to fight Wudang swordsmen?”

Was this not insubordination?

How dare he raise his voice at his Eldest Senior Brother, who was as high as the heavens?

“Geumpyo…”

“Yes!”

“Your voice is rather loud.”

“Hmm… I do not think so.”

I could understand their reaction.

How frightening were Wudang swordsmen?

Even ignoring the depth and efficiency of their sword forms, there was no comparison in internal energy alone.

Did Empty Azure Stone Milk flow through the waters of Mount Wudang?

Did they devour Ten-Thousand-Year Polygonum roots with every meal?

The average disciple of barely twenty years of age possessed more than half a cycle of internal energy.

And that was merely the average.

Disciples talented enough to enter the Martial Academy examination would possess even more.

Hyeonsu, who had chosen me, would rank first among this year’s examinees in my previous life and later enter the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.

Yong Soa’s overwhelming brilliance had made the other disciples of the Hyeon generation seem half-baked.

However, viewed separately, each of them would eventually leave their name in the history of the murim world.

By simple calculation, all three Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers would have to attack simultaneously to face a single Wudang swordsman.

However, the Martial Alliance would never accept them saying, “There is a difference in internal energy, so all three of us will participate.”

Their fear that taking part would only worsen Wudang’s grudge, leave them seriously injured, and prevent them from completing the Great Journey was not unreasonable.

“Of course, we do not believe you would fail the examination without us. Even so, would it not be easier to have us beside you than to go without us?”

“Geumpyo…”

“Yes.”

“I will overlook it this once.”

“Hehe… Yes!”

For some reason, Geumpyo rubbed his hands together and smiled servilely.

Eunho sighed while looking at his elder brother.

“Do you want us to refuse to yield to the impossible? If so, we can certainly do that. However, when looking at the larger picture, we believed continuing to travel with you would be more helpful.”

Dongryong repeatedly nodded while tightly hugging the Azure Dome Sword.

“Why are you already thinking about losing?”

“…”

“Do you know that the spirit among essence, energy, and spirit cannot accept negation?”

All three Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers tilted their heads in the same direction.

“Tsk, tsk. Studying martial formulas alone is not enough. Without understanding and insight into all things in the world, you will become trapped within your own limitations.”

“Will understanding and insight into all things overcome the difference in internal energy?”

How dare Eunho show such disrespect while his great Eldest Senior Brother was speaking?

He must have been poisoned by the demonic energy of the Dark-Side Soul-Severing Corps.

“Geumpyo.”

“Yes!”

“Aaaargh!”

After Geumpyo placed Eunho in a chokehold, Eunho frowned deeply and rubbed his neck.

I continued.

“The moment you begin thinking, ‘What should I do to avoid losing?’ the thought that you will lose has already been planted in your mind.”

“Then what should we do?”

“You must think about how to win before you can find a method of victory.”

“A method of victory?”

“Think carefully. The clues are close to you.”

By common sense, there was no way a Taeul Sect disciple could defeat a Wudang swordsman.

However, if one considered the nature of a duel and approached the final objective not as incapacitating or killing the opponent, but as obtaining the checkpoint plaque, other methods appeared.

Moreover, was their Eldest Senior Brother not a third-rate warrior who had memorized the breaking formulas of every Nine Great Sect?

The only problem was that I knew only the breaking formula for Wudang’s Taiji Sword.

But that also meant this was the only problem we had to solve.

If they recalled how I had dealt with Namgung San in the past, they should be able to find the answer.

“…Ah!”

After thinking for a long time, Eunho opened his mouth as though he had realized something.

“Have you discovered it?”

“Do you perhaps believe in some new religion? Something like believing hard enough will make it happen?”

“I cannot believe I have to waste my time on something like this.”

Hyeonsu had heard that Ilgak of Shaolin had obtained three first-checkpoint plaques and two second-checkpoint plaques.

Compared with Hyeonsu’s original objective of obtaining five first-checkpoint plaques and two second-checkpoint plaques, it was nothing impressive.

Even so, he could not help envying Ilgak at the moment.

Shaolin revered in the north.

Wudang honored in the south.

People described the murim world’s two great pillars that way.

However, it had been a long time since the scales had shifted toward Wudang.

Was that not obvious from the fact that the Martial Alliance’s headquarters was located in Hubei Province, where Wudang stood, rather than Henan Province, where Shaolin was located?

Commoners who enjoyed indulging in vulgar spectacles always wanted two sides to fight each other.

They wanted Wudang to have a rival, and Shaolin was the closest thing available.

Therefore, even if ignorant people compared Shaolin to Wudang, there was no reason to become offended.

However, even those standing at the highest position had to prove themselves.

The moment Henan Province was assigned as the examination site for this Martial Academy entrance examination, Hyeonsu had intended to defeat Shaolin and once again demonstrate Wudang’s value to the murim world.

“But the Taeul Sect?”

He had obtained one first-checkpoint plaque and was searching for another mountain stronghold to acquire his next one.

Remembering that Yong Soa, the Eldest Senior Brother of the previous class, had entered the Martial Academy with a record-breaking performance, Hyeonsu had been prepared to surpass not only Ilgak but Yong Soa’s record as well.

However, Hyeonsu’s examination stopped there.

The main sect obtained and delivered a medicinal treasure, then immediately sent Hyeonsu and his junior brothers to Namak.

“It cannot be helped. We may ignore the words of ignorant people, but they directly invoked Eldest Senior Brother’s name.”

Another victim of this examination, Taemyeong, spoke.

As he said, the rumors had become too loud for the great Wudang Sect to ignore.

“Hmph! What an utterly rootless epithet. Black Flame Dragon?”

Ever since their Eldest Senior Brother, Hyeoncheong, received the epithet Yong Soa through the Martial Academy entrance examination, Yong Soa had symbolized Wudang’s power and become a source of pride for its disciples.

Even the nickname Little Buddha was merely a star in the night sky compared with the sun that was Yong Soa.

Yet the lawless rabble of Cheukdo had brought out some disciple from the rootless Taeul Sect, granted him the epithet Black Flame Dragon, and compared him with Yong Soa.

There appeared to have been some misunderstanding, as people from righteous faction sects also occasionally cursed Yong Soa.

Hyeonsu did not pay much attention to it.

If Senior Brother Hyeoncheong had made such a choice on the Maling Plateau, then it must have been the best choice available at the time.

“Even so, considering Elder Broken Sword vouched for him, perhaps the martial arts of the Taeul Sword Emperor truly have returned.”

“How many times has that old man behaved strangely? He probably used another absurd and unpleasant excuse to call some martial art of uncertain authenticity the Taeul Sword Emperor’s martial art.”

Had the Henan Daoist Compound Head not said that no examination had ever been as chaotic as this one?

Bizarre rumors and strange incidents continued occurring.

Even the fact that Jin Sowoon, who was expected to be dragged here by Taejeong, had reached Namak under his own power was proof enough.

“Even so, I hope that rumor is true.”

“Ah, you mean that one?”

Was it said that he possessed nine first-checkpoint plaques and seven second-checkpoint plaques?

If that were true, entering the Martial Academy as the top examinee ahead of Ilgak would not be impossible.

Of course, the information itself was difficult to believe.

“Senior Brother, it is time.”

The first duel scheduled for today belonged to Hyeongun, the youngest among them.

There were only four Taeul Sect disciples, so they had intended to find another appropriate opponent for him.

However, Moyong Jaehwa suddenly barged in, became furious by himself, and demanded a duel without warning.

“Do not worry too much. The Moyong Family’s Heaven and Earth Wave-Splitting Sword is exceptional, but Moyong Jaehwa’s comprehension is far inferior to that of the Smiling Iron Sword.”

“I am not worried.”

The grand training ground was filled with people waiting for their examinations, those waiting for other examinees, and spectators who had merely come to watch.

After every member of the Wudang Sect entered the grand training ground, the Taeul Sect disciples and their companions arrived shortly afterward.

“They look rather strange.”

Moyong Jaehwa still appeared furious.

Jin Sowoon and Dongryong of the Taeul Sect looked no different from usual.

In contrast, Geumpyo and Eunho looked haggard, as though they had not slept at all throughout the night.

“They look as though they have already surrendered the duel.”

“Do not lower your guard until the very end.”

Although Hyeonsu said that, he could not suppress his inner sneer.

This was what it meant to face Wudang.

The very thought placed this kind of burden upon an opponent.

“Begin!”

At the judge’s shout, Hyeongun and Moyong Jaehwa assumed their opening stances.

Hyeongun used Wudang’s pride, the Taiji Sword.

Moyong Jaehwa used the Moyong Family’s primary sword art, the Heaven and Earth Wave-Splitting Sword.

Considering that the epithet Wind-Splitting Sword had originated from the Heaven and Earth Wave-Splitting Sword, it was not a sword art that could be ignored.

However, what mattered was the ability of the person using it.

“It is over.”

The tip of Moyong Jaehwa’s sword trembled faintly as he assumed his opening stance.

An ordinary person might not notice it.

However, someone who had achieved unity between divine sword and body could immediately recognize the deficiency.

The Heaven and Earth Wave-Splitting Sword elevated two incompatible principles, heaviness and speed, into a single sword art.

Because of that, unless one reached a certain level and achieved personal enlightenment, its destructive power could not fully manifest.

By contrast, the Taiji Sword was based upon yin and yang, the two fundamental properties of all creation.

Even without enlightenment, merely practicing it for a long time could eventually lead to enlightenment.

It was an extremely efficient sword art.

Clang, clang, clang!

As expected, once they passed thirty exchanges, Moyong Jaehwa’s hands and feet began tangling.

Merely shifting from yin to yang and from yang to yin prevented Moyong Jaehwa from properly performing his own sword art.

The anger that had filled his face gave way to confusion.

Eventually, he looked ready to cry.

Unable to decisively cut through the Taiji Sword with speed or smash it apart with heaviness, Moyong Jaehwa was dragged around by the intersecting blades until a sword finally touched beneath his throat.

“Stop! Examinee Moyong Jaehwa! Will you continue?”

“Huff, huff, huff, huff.”

Had he chosen an appropriate opponent and fought a normal duel, he would likely have passed the third checkpoint.

However, by recklessly challenging a Wudang swordsman despite having no chance of victory, he had acted in a manner unworthy of a martial artist, who should always examine himself with calm reason.

The frustration born from such a foolish choice could only be directed toward himself.

“Answer me! Will you continue?”

“…I lost.”

The spectators exclaimed as Moyong Jaehwa lowered his head.

Wudang had not even displayed its true strength.

Yet merely seeing a small portion of Wudang’s power was enough to inspire awe.

That was Wudang’s standing in the murim world.

“The next duelists are Hyeonsu of Wudang and Jin Sowoon of the Taeul Sect!”

The cheers throughout the arena grew louder when Hyeonsu’s name was called.

Yong Soa’s fame had prevented him from standing out, but Hyeonsu was already famous for possessing unbelievable internal energy and skill for his age.

At barely twenty, Hyeonsu already possessed a full cycle of internal energy and was known as Wudang’s Young Dragon.

“Senior Brother Hyeonsu, they say the Taeul Sect’s new sword art combines illusory sword and transforming sword techniques.”

At Taemyeong’s words, Hyeonsu could not suppress a sneer.

“They claimed it had changed, yet it is merely illusion and transformation? All of you should remember this as well. Mere illusion cannot shake Taiji.”

“We will remember!”

When Hyeonsu climbed onto the grand training ground, Jin Sowoon was already standing there dressed entirely in black, from his martial uniform to his sword.

“You did well not to run away.”

“Run away? Me?”

The sight of Jin Sowoon pointing at himself with exaggerated innocence shattered the peace Hyeonsu had cultivated through Daoist training.

He suddenly wanted to break the man’s finger.

“I admire your courage, so I will yield three moves.”

Jin Sowoon tilted his head.

Naturally, he must have found it difficult to understand why someone who was effectively his mortal enemy would yield three moves.

“I wish to see the sword art of the Taeul Sword Emperor that you supposedly obtained. Would the people gathered here not be disappointed if the duel ended before they could witness that legendary martial art?”

Laughter erupted throughout the arena at Hyeonsu’s words.

“Ahahahaha!”

Jin Sowoon continued thinking for a moment before asking the judge,

“Is that allowed?”

He pointed at Hyeonsu with the same finger Hyeonsu wanted to break.

“If both parties agree, there is no problem.”

“Understood. You are truly certain?”

“Use as many as you wish…”

While Hyeonsu was still speaking, Jin Sowoon’s black martial uniform swelled as though it were about to burst.

At the release of ominous energy, Hyeonsu’s heart sank.

His emotions warned him that something was dangerous, while his reason insisted otherwise.

The two contradictory judgments collided and caused his movements to falter.

The instant Jin Sowoon swung his sword, Side Dragon Swords appeared in every direction.

Front and back.

Left and right.

Even the sky was filled entirely with black swords.

Hyeonsu knew they were illusions and transformations.

However, there were so many that he could not distinguish which one was real.

Forgetting entirely that he had promised to yield three moves, Hyeonsu instinctively unleashed the Taiji Sword.

‘Which one am I supposed to block first?’

There were too many swords.