Chapter 14: Do It Again

“Over there!! Cheon Sojin!! I will kill you!!”

Ignoring the shout coming from afar with one ear.

“Gu Yang Sojeo… Please calm down for now. Aren’t others watching?”

“Let go of me! I will kill that person right now and prove my innocence!”

“I’ve never seen Gu Yang Jihee act like this.”

“Same here. What kind of secret could it be…”

“Doesn’t it seem suspicious the way she’s acting like this?”

“Hey… be careful with your words. Gu Yang Jihee saw you…”

They made their way to the Muhak Gwan.

There were too many people at the front gate, so it could become troublesome.

Let’s go through the back gate.

She was still shouting fiercely and jumping around.

If I were to fight her, a peak-level expert like her, I’d surely be defeated in this situation.

But in the end, Gu Yang Jihee couldn’t do anything.

She was always like that.

“Over there!! Cheon Sojin!!!”

“What’s all this commotion? It should be personal training time, right?”

“The teacher has arrived!”

The noise from behind gradually quieted down.

And they hadn’t even started yet.

This was just a preview.

The main course hadn’t even come out yet.

‘Enjoy your happiness until then.’

Now that my meridians had been opened, I had to prepare for the next level.

In the martial world, strength rules.

I don’t even wish for the White Flower.

I must at least reach the level of the Ten Flowers to be able to remove the troublesome poisonous weeds.

The goal is, of course, the Yin-Yang Pill.

If I knew where the precious elixir was, I would get it before anyone else, but for now, all I know is that it’s a prize for winning the martial arts tournament.

It was the same in the novel.

The fastest way to get it is to participate in the martial arts tournament.

It would be great if I knew the method of acquisition…

Although the tournament might not seem like much,

because of the history and tradition of Muhak Gwan, most of the top powers and the Nine Factions gather here.

The winner can gain fame, precious elixirs, and offers of recruitment from various forces. Everyone prepares with burning eyes.

Only the top 1000 in Muhak Gwan can participate, and they must have succeeded in martial arts missions ten times or more, so it’s time to act now…

Bang!

“Die! Die!!!”

Who said that?

As I moved toward the back gate of Muhak Gwan, a sharp, heavy sound of blows was heard.

Who would do such a thing in broad daylight? They must be out of their minds.

Turning the corner, I arrived at the secluded back door, where four men and women were mercilessly beating a fallen female disciple.

Each of them had a significant build, like four wild boars.

“Really garbage.”

“Why are you even alive? If it were me, I would have killed myself.”

“Why are you still here when your family has fallen apart?”

She was crouching pitifully.

Even in a place like the Muhak Gwan, which trains the pillars of the martial world, there was bullying and exclusion.

It might be even worse because it’s a hypocritical righteous faction.

“Die!! Die already!! How dare you fall in front of me?”

Watching the scene of tormenting someone, instead of helping them, felt strangely reassuring.

I wonder if the Murim Alliance will be alright.

Perhaps the rise of the Blood Sect and the Demonic Sect isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Still, since I don’t know the full situation, it’s too early to make any judgments.

Did she fall and destroy her parents’ last keepsake, or accidentally get stabbed with a knife…?

Maybe there’s something I don’t know.

I spoke as kindly as possible to the four blocking the back door.

“Get lost. You’re in the way.”

Everything’s fine, but just don’t block the path.

“Wh-what are you? Don’t you understand the situation? Get lost already!”

Am I crazy?

Why should I go back because of you?

“This bastard is Cheon Sojin, right? Useless cripple.”

“Cheon Sojin? Is that him? I’m seeing him for the first time.”

“Spreading rumors and insulting Namgung Jin like that…!”

“It’s true? I hadn’t seen him for a while… Well, that’s good.”

They stretched their bodies and slowly approached.

…Phew.

I can’t even remember the last time I was treated like this.

An ancient sage once said that actions are more important than words.

That means you should strike before speaking.

Like this.

CRACK!

A huge boar flew through the air.

It was a rare sight to see such a large body soaring through the sky.

“Th-this bastard’s talking!”

“Quick, attack him!!”

The remaining three quickly raised their energy and charged.

They seemed to be lackeys of Namgung Jin, but they were too clueless about the situation.

Rumors are always vague.

Some are completely baseless, while others carry some truth.

“1100…”

The ones who had been grumbling for a long time collapsed to the ground, fainting.

From the foam in their mouths, it seemed they were very tired.

Go ahead and sleep well.

I reached out toward the girl blocking the path.

The cute girl with long green hair down to her waist looked up.

‘Ah, it was her?’

“Wow, you’re handsome…”

Her teal-colored eyes were as clear and deep as a lake.

“… …”

“What, what did I just say? No! … Thank you for helping me.”

Her face turned bright red, and she babbled while bowing her head.

It’s right to respond with a fist to a fist, and with courtesy to courtesy.

“It’s nothing. Sojeo, are you alright?”

“Thanks to you. Ow… my arm…”

“Sojeo, you should get treated right away. Be careful.”

I tried to pass her and head deeper into the Muhak Gwan.

No, I was about to enter.

“Excuse me, wait a moment!”

She was grabbing the corner of my clothes.

This is bad.

I need to get out of here quickly.

“Sojeo, what’s the matter?”

“I… I don’t know where the medical area is…”

“Could you… tell me where it is?”

Her face was flushed, and she twisted her body, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

“Sojeo, it’s in the building at the far corner behind the main hall.”

“I’m not sure where that is…”

What do you mean you’re not sure?

She was fidgeting with her thighs, and it seemed like she had impure intentions, but I didn’t show it.

“That’s unfortunate. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”

“Wait! Wait a moment!”

I continued walking into the main hall.

If it were that idiotic Cheon Sojin, I would’ve just let it slide, but this was different.

Without the Sword King, I have to survive on my own, so I can’t afford to be bothered any longer.

Knock knock

“Come in.”

“Please go in.”

Once the master gave permission, the Kyodu opened the door and entered.

“Master, good day.”

“Ah, Sojin. What’s the matter? If you’ve come for a transfer from the faction, it’s too late. You’ll have to wait until the next term.”

It was Master Raeji, a dignified middle-aged man whom I had seen in the main hall.

He must have been dealing with similar requests from other students because the first thing he said was related to that.

“No, that’s not it. I came to see you because I need your permission.”

“Permission? What permission?”

“I want to travel to the Zhongyuan alone. Please grant me permission.”

“Impossible.”

Master Raeji rejected me decisively as if there was nothing more to say.

“Master… Please.”

“Sojin, are you out of your mind? I know you’re anxious, but if you go to Zhongyuan with your current abilities, you’ll die suddenly. Calm down and reconsider.”

Even if I reconsidered, this seemed like the fastest path.

Of course, he must be a good master to worry about me and refuse.

“I understand. I know. I’m asking because I understand. Master.”

“Sojin, do you know? You have both success (成) and reality (實). Why are you so impatient? In due time, you’ll achieve greatness. Also, since you’ve dissolved the Jingcheon faction, you’re no longer the faction leader, right?”

“That’s why I said I would go alone.”

Master Raeji sighed deeply, then pulled out a book from the shelf and opened it.

“Do you know what rank 3061 means?”

“I know.”

A walking punching bag, a student with a 0% win rate in the academy.

The book contained information about Cheon Sojin, that is, me.

“Well, it’s impressive. You’ve never won once.”

“That’s your rank. In Muhak Gwan alone, there are 3060 people stronger than you. So, how many skilled fighters in the vast martial world would be above you?”

“Please, Master.”

I looked at Master Raeji with eyes full of determination.

There was no other choice if I wanted to qualify.

Master Raeji, who had been looking at me for a while, sighed heavily, as if the earth were about to swallow him.

“Someone who never caused trouble suddenly… Fine.”

“Thank you, Master!”

“My words aren’t finished yet. If you really want to go, prove your skills.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if you defeat about 10 people above you in rank… and win fairly in a martial contest, I’ll grant you permission to go to Zhongyuan.”

“Do I just need to beat anyone?”

“Let me see… the students in the 2000th rank… No, since you’re going to Zhongyuan anyway, try fighting those in the 1000th rank. You have one week starting tomorrow!! If they aren’t in the 1000th rank, I won’t accept it!!”

Master Raeji said proudly, as if daring me to try.

One week, meaning I would have to fight one person per day, and three would be left.

So, it meant I would have to fight consecutive matches.

In fact, unless my skills were good enough to consecutively defeat students in the top 1000, I might as well give up on the Zhongyuan trip.

“If you can’t do even this, then sadly, I won’t give permission. You might think I’m a bad master, but… this is the best option. Understand?”

“Understood.”

“Well… now go.”

Master Raeji waved his hand, signaling for me to leave.

Creek

“Only ten?”

Ten… well, even if it were a hundred, it wouldn’t matter.

I could tell just by looking at Namgungjin’s skills.

“This is going better than expected.”

The condition Master Raeji set was meant to be a rejection, but that was his mistake.

Starting tomorrow, I could challenge one person at a time for martial contests.

Given my reputation as the incompetent Cheon Sojin, if I asked for a duel, no one would refuse. If they did, they would just be ridiculed by others.

When I returned to my dorm, a person with pink hair was waiting at the door.

She glared at me with eyes full of malice.

“You… where have you been until now!!!”

“Gu Yang Jihee.”

She must have come back, wanting more after savoring the delicious bitterness earlier.