The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 67

Chapter 67
Chapter 67. The ‘First’ Trial of the Hell Regular Exam

Having successfully driven a wedge right through the internal solidarity of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly before departing, I recalled the bewildered expression on Jong Byeok-gi’s face, which was my final glimpse of him, and smirked.

“With that completely friendless scoundrel isolated like that, scheming against Taeul Sect won’t be an easy task for him anymore.”

In my past existence, both Hwa Jeong-san and Jong Byeok-gi had been equally detestable bastards to me.

Furthermore, the events of today hadn’t made me wipe the slate clean regarding my grudge against Hwa Jeong-san.

‘A true gentleman can wait a decade for his vengeance; it is never too late.’

Regardless, I had successfully sowed discord between those wretched fools who used to cooperate flawlessly when committing misdeeds, meaning it would take an eternity for them to mend their bond.

While they scrambled to pick up the pieces, Taeul Sect simply had to carry out its preparations gradually.

Right then.

“Huh?”

Detecting a recognizable aura, I gradually reduced my pace.

“Young Master Jin…”

Having materialized out of nowhere, Murong Seol addressed me, her face laced with hesitation.

I replied cheerfully.

“Lady Seol. How can I help you?”

“Uh… You see…”

Murong Seol cast her eyes downward, nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other against the dirt.

Witnessing this side of her, which was completely absent in my past life, an involuntary grin spread across my face.

“Please, feel free to speak your mind. You are a welcomed guest here, after all.”

“I… wished to express my regrets regarding yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yes… I spoke out of turn and said things I shouldn’t have.”

“Oh?”

I scanned through my recollections to determine if she had committed some blunder against me, but she had merely behaved in her usual manner.

There was no offense to speak of.

“What exactly are you talking about?”

“…When I questioned if you were being overly harsh on Hwa Jeong-san… I spoke from ignorance, lacking a proper understanding of the ways of the Jianghu. I wanted to ask for your forgiveness.”

Murong Seol’s face flushed a deep crimson.

Ah, so that was how it worked.

Embarrassment caused her cheeks to burn like that.

A chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“Hahaha, what nonsense… Wasn’t that a perfectly reasonable observation to make?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Regardless of my motives, there’s no denying I backed him into a corner. Your perspective wasn’t incorrect.”

“…”

“In fact, what you said kept me from losing all faith in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly. If an organization like the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly abandons fundamental righteousness to yield to sheer might, how would we be any better than the villainous Black Path?”

Murong Seol gaped at me in sheer dumbfounded silence.

Her youthful countenance possessed an incredibly rich spectrum of emotions.

In my recollections of my prior life, she only ever wore a helpless, faint smile or a heartbroken expression as she fought back her weeping.

Seeing her dynamic reactions now filled me with profound relief and joy.

“Lady Seol. I genuinely admire that quality in you.”

“What? W-What do you mean by…”

Catching her completely off guard as though a sudden bolt of lightning had shocked her, Murong Seol’s eyes grew as wide as a startled hare’s.

Simply observing her fluctuating expressions brought amusement.

Was this the reason she was always described with the moniker of a legendary beauty capable of bringing down empires?

At what point had this vibrant part of her vanished back then?

If it occurred following the passing of Murong Sang-won, then my intervention to rescue Murong Sang-won had already paid for itself completely.

“Ah… I only meant that I respect your sense of righteousness.”

Hearing my clarification, a flicker of letdown passed through Murong Seol’s gaze.

“Ah… I see.”

I still owed Murong Seol an immense amount of gratitude from the past.

“Please don’t carry any remorse. If you do… wouldn’t I feel burdened, as if I had fundamentally altered who you are?”

Murong Seol’s gaze wavered erratically.

Maintaining that stunned expression for several moments, she abruptly snapped out of it, her cheeks flushing once more.

“Oh… I also discovered that you rescued my father.”

“Ahaha. You didn’t need to find out about that so quickly.”

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.

“Forgive me. I ought to have expressed my gratitude far sooner. Remaining oblivious to such a deed…”

Murong Seol offered a profound, respectful bow.

Moving swiftly, I pulled her back upright and looked directly into her eyes.

“Lady Seol. I only repaid a kindness that was given to me once upon a time. If you act like this, it only makes me feel unworthy.”

“…Um, my… hand…”

“Ah, apologies. I took hold of it without thinking.”

With a tinge of reluctance, I released the hand I had gently grasped.

“Lady Seol. Our acquaintance means a great deal to me. Because of that, I want our interactions to be completely natural and unburdened.”

“Excuse me? What do you…”

“If you are constantly harboring guilt or feeling obligated to me, wouldn’t that make it impossible for us to interact without awkwardness?”

“Y-Yes, that makes sense.”

“Therefore, please be at ease around me. It suits me much better that way.”

Her face now resembling a bright, fully ripened persimmon, Murong Seol managed a faint reply.

“…Understood.”

“What is the current progress of the project?”

On the following day, accompanied by Jegal Cheon-gi, I sought out Yu Ji-ryang.

Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yu Ji-ryang conducted us straight to the location where the Mystic Gate Formation was currently being set up.

With the decision to close off the gates finalized, finishing both the Mystic Gate Formation and the supplementary Mechanism Formation was our absolute highest priority to deter any external trespassers.

They were intentionally constructing the Mystic Gate Formation on a grander scale, erecting boundaries that extended well beyond the initial borders of Taeul Sect.

Following my advice, my father had been acquiring the surrounding isolated plots of land, setting up outer walls to match those dimensions, and subsequently installing the intricate components of the Mystic Gate Formation within that perimeter.

“We are currently sitting at roughly thirty percent completion.”

“Is that all?”

When I voiced my concern over the slower-than-anticipated advancement, Yu Ji-ryang let out a soft laugh.

He appeared noticeably more exhausted now than he did upon emerging from the hazardous Demon Spirit Plateau.

“Hmm… Things are moving slower than I hoped.”

“Is there a reason for your haste?”

“Circumstances might force us to engage the defenses much earlier than our initial timeline suggested.”

“Is that the case? …Well, it shouldn’t present a major obstacle.”

“But at a mere thirty percent… wouldn’t running the defense system be highly impractical?”

“Had we stuck to building a standard Mystic Gate Formation, we would easily be past the eighty percent mark by now… however, we opted for an innovative approach this time. Because of this adjustment, the array can function reasonably well even if we have to trigger it in its incomplete state.”

“An innovative approach?”

Rather than offering a verbal explanation, Yu Ji-ryang turned his attention to Jegal Cheon-gi, who stood at my flank.

Noticing my bewilderment, Jegal Cheon-gi unrolled a massive parchment blueprint.

“I created this blueprint to seamlessly integrate the functions of the Mystic Gate Formation and the Mechanism Formation into a single system.”

“…Merging both fields together? Is such a feat truly achievable?”

This concept was an uncharted territory that even the Jegal Cheon-gi from my past existence had never dared to explore.

In that timeline, his inquiries into Mechanism Formations had been strictly limited to maximizing efficiency while minimizing expenses.

“With the invaluable assistance of Great Hero Yu Ji-ryang, we successfully incorporated the Mechanism Formation directly within the framework of the Mystic Gate Formation.”

Hearing Cheon-gi’s praise, I glanced toward Yu Ji-ryang, who merely offered a self-deprecating grin.

“I deserve very little credit; it is entirely due to the brilliant talent of Young Master Cheon-gi. The expert Spell Practitioners belonging to my order expressed deep skepticism initially, yet they were ultimately forced to concede entirely once they reviewed the meticulous designs brought forth by Young Master Cheon-gi.”

To put it in simple terms, the mechanism worked as follows.

By embedding automated traps right into the defensive array, the combined layout of the Mystic Gate Formation and Mechanism Formation could neutralize trespassers automatically without requiring constant manual oversight.

Any invader stepping into the zone would find themselves trapped; if they understood the properties of the Mystic Gate Formation but lacked knowledge of the Mechanism Formation, they would fail, and the reverse held equally true.

“Our order was completely awestruck by this groundbreaking technique, prompting us to explore methods to refine this concept to an even higher level.”

Historically, the Maoshan Sect had trailed slightly behind the renowned Jegal Clan.

This meant that through Cheon-gi’s innovative design, they envisioned a real opportunity to finally eclipse their rivals.

“Every bit of this success… belongs to Young Master Cheon-gi.”

Yu Ji-ryang directed his gaze toward the boy, wearing an incredibly weary yet genuine smile.

Filled with immense pride, I affectionately ruffled Cheon-gi’s hair, causing the young prodigy to lean into my touch like an eager pup.

In moments such as these, it was easy to overlook the fact that he was revered as an unparalleled prodigy.

Observing this interaction, Yu Ji-ryang offered me a respectful nod.

“Furthermore, I owe you my gratitude, Great Hero Jin. Your influence has profoundly expanded my understanding of the martial world.”

“When all is said and done, won’t these developments ultimately serve to benefit our Taeul Sect?”

As a wide smirk broke across my face, a fleeting shadow of apprehension crossed Yu Ji-ryang’s features.

My word, the man possessed incredible intuition.

“…Regarding those matters. Truth be told, our days are already packed to the brim with research, refining the arrays, and handling miscellaneous duties.”

“Hmm… Would it cause a great inconvenience if I chose this particular moment to honor a past commitment?”

Yu Ji-ryang’s posture visibly tensed as his shoulders dropped.

Conversely, Jegal Cheon-gi’s gaze lit up with intense curiosity.

Reaching inside my robes, I retrieved a manual containing the firsthand observations I had compiled while navigating the treacherous Soul-Destroying Formation, extending it toward them.

“During the deep stages of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, despite losing the proper trajectory, I managed to reorient myself back onto the true course. I have documented all the realizations and structural logs from that ordeal, and I trust you will find them highly beneficial.”

Yu Ji-ryang’s mouth twitched slightly as his eyes locked onto the manual.

On the other hand, Jegal Cheon-gi was already flipping through the pages with absolute enthusiasm.

Maintaining a perfectly placid demeanor, I posed a question to Yu Ji-ryang.

“Great Hero Yu, seeing as we have this information at hand, what do you think about weaving the terrifying properties of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation into our current layout?”

“What did you say?”

He was clearly feigning ignorance.

I broadened my grin significantly.

“I firmly believe it would enhance our defenses.”

“Excuse me?”

Yu Ji-ryang resolutely maintained his act of having completely missed my words.

Answering a request from Hong Mun-gi, I made my way over to the Great Mysterious Hall.

Likely owing to the fact that the previous evening’s festive drinking session had persisted into the early hours, Hong Mun-gi, Kang Chae-seok, and my own father all appeared thoroughly drained.

“I recall advising you all to get ready to rise to new heights. If things continue like this, you will find yourselves collapsed on the ground instead.”

Hearing my remark, Kang Chae-seok turned to complain directly to Hong Mun-gi.

“Observe this, Sect Leader. I warned you about the insolent tone this brat uses. He speaks to a respected Hall Master as though addressing a common pet!”

Aware of the unique dynamic shared between Kang Chae-seok and myself, Hong Mun-gi simply let out a mild laugh.

He then wasted no time in addressing the core matter.

“For this venture, Great Hero Murong Gang has offered to accommodate a few exchange disciples from our ranks. Furthermore, he promised to facilitate the assimilation of Clear Bright Pills for those chosen individuals.”

“Understood.”

“From your perspective, which pair of disciples would be the most suitable candidates for this journey?”

“Just a pair? Didn’t his offer extend to providing three Clear Bright Pills in total?”

Hong Mun-gi offered a warm smile.

“Ought we not reserve a place for you, considering your position as the Eldest Senior Brother among the fourth-generation disciples?”

“Uh…”

Despite seeing my hesitant look, Hong Mun-gi simply dismissed my reservations.

“Do not sacrifice your own growth for the sake of your juniors. The legendary Sword-Breaker offered to instruct you directly. Passing up such an exceptional prospect would be utterly foolish.”

As he spoke, Hong Mun-gi’s expression radiated a profound sense of trust and paternal fondness.

Ah, it appeared he was laboring under a complete misconception…

“No… that isn’t the issue. I simply cannot participate.”

“Oh? What is the reason?”

I delivered my explanation nonchalantly.

“As it happens, I must sit for the Murim Academy Regular Exam.”

“…?!”

The air in the room grew incredibly tense in a heartbeat, causing both Jin Tae-san and Kang Chae-seok to spring up from their chairs.

“Say what?!”

“What did you just say, you rascal?!”

Faced with their explosive displays of astonishment, I merely offered a casual shrug.

“The schedules conflict completely, don’t they?”

Faced with my serene attitude, even Hong Mun-gi was left utterly speechless and stunned.

Scanning the bewildered faces focused entirely on me, a massive grin spread across my lips.

“Did I not mention it six months back? I already mapped out a grand strategy for the destiny of Taeul Sect.”

At the break of dawn, the members of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly made their departure.

Not a single junior disciple swarmed around the exiting Dragon and Phoenix Assembly to beg for signatures while they paid their respects to the Sect Leader and senior leaders.

Instead, they merely trailed the departing figures with intensely resentful glares.

Following their exit, Murong Gang along with the trio of designated disciples got ready to embark on their trek.

Hong Mun-gi had stood firmly against my participation in the Regular Exam until the final moment; however, once I argued that securing a position through Murim Academy was crucial for ensuring the safety of our juniors when they eventually entered the Murim Alliance, he ultimately relented, granting his quiet approval.

My initial assumption was that the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings would be the ones dispatched to the Murong Clan, yet the selection ultimately fell on Kang Yu-seong along with two alternative youths to serve as exchange disciples.

Rumor had it that the Sect Leader held his temples in pure frustration when those three insisted on trailing after me to undergo the Regular Exam.

I had taken it for granted that the Sect Leader would flatly deny permission for the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers to sit for the Regular Exam, so discovering that they had somehow managed to sway his mind and secure permission left me deeply intrigued.

“Eldest Senior Brother… is it genuinely acceptable for me to take this spot?”

Kang Yu-seong voiced his apprehension, keeping a close eye on how the remaining junior disciples were responding.

In reality, the credit for putting forward Kang Yu-seong’s name belonged entirely to me.

Judging strictly by formal rank or duration of training within the sect, there was no denying that Kang Yu-seong lagged behind the others.

Nevertheless, his innate gifts and sheer work ethic completely outshone any structural disadvantages.

Throughout my past life, his solitary training had driven him to attain the esteemed status of a legendary Sword Fool entirely on his own merits.

I found myself unable to fathom the incredible heights that future Sword Fool might reach if he enjoyed the mentorship of the Sword-Breaker from such a tender age.

“Yu-seong. Do you view this assignment as an exchange disciple as some sort of unearned privilege?”

“…Is it not one?”

Observing the young boy’s uncertain expression, I gave a firm shake of my head.

“Far from it. Taking on the role of an exchange disciple means stepping forward to bear a massive burden.”

“A burden?”

“Precisely. It is the obligation to forge ahead and master skills on behalf of your peers who were denied this educational opportunity. Your mission is to satisfy that heavy duty.”

The remaining junior disciples gathering nearby nodded their heads in subtle agreement.

Kang Yu-seong dipped his chin slightly, reflecting deeply upon my explanation.

“…Ah.”

“Consequently, you cannot afford to squander a single moment; you must immerse yourself entirely in your martial studies. While you are away, the martial artists staying here at Taeul Sect will be diving into the True Inheritance of the Taeul Sword Emperor.”

The youth raised his eyes to meet mine.

Every trace of uncertainty had vanished from his gaze.

“I shall risk my very existence, maximizing every single fraction of an hour to absorb these arts before making my return.”

In recent days, the determination burning within these children had reached an almost terrifying intensity.

Good grief, it wasn’t as if I could simply tell them to slack off. *Ahem.*

Masking my profound satisfaction, I gave the young man a reassuring tap on his shoulder.

“…Come now, there’s no need to speak of risking your life. Remember your sisters, alright?”

As those words left my mouth, Murong Gang completed his parting courtesies with the senior masters of Taeul Sect and walked toward us, accompanied by Murong Seol, Murong Jae-hwa, and Jong Byeok-gi, the latter of whom now had his fractured arm secured within a rigid splint.

“These young pupils show far greater promise than their Eldest Senior Brother. At the very least, these young ones aren’t completely obsessed with seeking amusement like their senior counterpart.”

“Who says I am just seeking amusement? I am applying myself fully to my duties.”

“Heh heh. You would do well to exert yourself. It won’t be long before the three youths under my tutelage surpass their Eldest Senior Brother and pull ahead completely.”

Faced with Murong Gang’s teasing grin, I found it difficult to maintain a serious countenance.

Had the solemn significance of Taeul Sect’s farewell not been completely derailed by his playful banter?

Bringing my palms together, I offered a formal salutation.

“There is a particular matter I wish to clarify.”

“Speak.”

“Should an individual happen to strike you while you are participating in an eccentric excursion, does that act register as an assault on your traveling persona, or does it count as striking the actual persona of Senior Murong Gang?”

This was genuinely the query that intrigued me the most.

Murong Gang stared at me in brief, open-mouthed surprise before erupting into booming laughter.

“Hoho, observe this rascal. You truly refuse to learn your lesson. Sect Leader Hong!”

“Ah! Wait, no! It was merely a question born out of genuine curiosity!”

Moments later, a knowing smirk graced the features of Murong Gang as he locked his fingers behind his spine.

“The blow is attributed solely to the traveling persona of the eccentric excursion.”

“Oh! Really?”

“Naturally, should I find myself in a particularly foul temper, it might simultaneously be deemed an attack on Murong Gang himself.”

“And here I thought you possessed absolute dedication to the art of the eccentric excursion. How disheartening.”

“Heh-heh-heh. It truly is a shame that you aren’t accompanying us.”

Casting a fleeting look toward Murong Seol, Murong Gang brought his focus back onto me.

“I have a query of my own to pose.”

“What would that be?”

Was I merely imagining things, or was there an intense, unreadable intensity flashing within his eyes…?

“Are you currently betrothed to any young lady?”

“…What prompts such a sudden question?”

“Purely out of curiosity. I am merely wondering if your father settled an engagement for you beforehand.”

As if such a thing were possible.

Releasing a dry chuckle, I countered.

“Senior, remember our standing as Taeul Sect. Throughout Hefei, the common consensus is that a woman is better off marrying a lowly baggage carrier from a transport bureau than a martial artist from Taeul Sect.”

“So no such commitment exists. In that case, do you harbor affection for a specific lady?”

“Why must you persist with these inquiries?”

In that brief second, my eyes instinctively drifted toward Murong Seol.

She, too, was observing me with an unusually intense gleam in her eyes, but the moment our gazes locked, she rapidly averted her head.

“Heh heh. Just as I suspected, empty-handed. Though honestly, what sort of woman would cast her eyes upon a disheveled youth like yourself?”

The elder certainly possessed no filter when speaking his mind.

“Senior? To what region will your upcoming eccentric excursion lead you? I am highly eager to find out.”

“I intend to remain within the estate of my own clan for the time being. It has been quite a while since I last oversaw the training of youngsters. Ha ha.”

After indulging in a prolonged bout of hearty laughter, Murong Gang’s demeanor suddenly shifted into one of grave gravity.

“You hold a vivid recollection of the obligation you owe me, correct?”

“…”

He was referring directly to the pledge I had uttered when Murong Gang stepped in to intercept Jong Byeok-gi.

“It remains fresh in my mind. What is your demand?”

“I have no desire to collect on it at this juncture. Doing so now would skew the balance between us entirely too much. However, bear this firmly in mind: I have firmly established my rights regarding your future.”

“…?”

True to his reputation as the enigmatic Strange Chivalrous Eccentric, Murong Gang left me with riddles that defied straightforward comprehension.

Noticing that Murong Gang was on the verge of taking his leave, I swiftly extended a parting salute to Murong Seol and Murong Jae-hwa.

“May your journey be free of peril. I look forward to our next crossing of paths.”

“…Ah, indeed. Until our next meeting.”

It seemed Murong Seol was still wrestling with her lingering remorse regarding our past interactions, as her face flushed a deep crimson while she returned my gesture.

“Great Hero Jin! Our interactions were brief on this occasion, but when we next meet, I, Murong Jae-hwa, firmly intend to share an extensive dialogue with Great Hero Jin.”

Murong Jae-hwa expressed this with eager, gleaming eyes, prompting me to view him with a mixture of conflicting emotions.

‘Reflecting on it, I failed to offer him any guidance.’

His formative years were destined to be characterized by aimless drifting.

Despite knowing that his path ahead held extended periods of disillusionment and hardship, my preoccupation with my personal struggles had prevented me from offering him a single piece of advice.

Dropping my voice to the faintest murmur, I conveyed a quiet message directly to his ear.

“Young Master Jae-hwa. Mark my words well.”

“Yes?”

“Avoid becoming completely consumed by the path of the blade.”

“…??”

Murong Jae-hwa’s expression turned entirely uncomprehending.

Given that Murong Gang, the formidable Clan Head, was observing us with a piercing gaze, this minimal caution was the absolute limit of what I could offer.

“The sword is not the sole avenue through which an individual can carve out an exceptional legacy.”

The instant Murong Gang detected something out of the ordinary and directed his attention toward us, I promptly assumed a polite posture and spoke aloud.

“It is my sincere wish that Young Master Jae-hwa discovers a trajectory uniquely his own.”

Murong Jae-hwa remained thoroughly perplexed by my cryptic remarks.

Concluding the final rounds of goodbyes, Murong Gang promptly departed from the grounds of Taeul Sect.

As a parting gesture, he delivered a sharp swat to the skull of Jong Byeok-gi, who had been attempting to linger behind.

Gathering my personal belongings, I made my way out onto the main courtyard.

Waiting there were Kang Chae-seok alongside my father, whose features carried a profound weight of fatigue.

He had evidently become so utterly consumed by the satisfaction of his labor that the passage of an entire sleepless night had completely escaped him.

What would become of him if he pushed his physical well-being to such an extreme break…?

“Father, perhaps it would be wise to consume some restorative elixirs?”

“…!”

Overwhelmed by this display of filial devotion, my father advanced toward me with open arms for an embrace, but upon spotting the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings marching up as a unit, Kang Chae-seok intervened just in time to restrain my father from executing such an overt display of emotion.

The Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings were clad in matching dark martial garments, their modest travel sacks arranged precisely at their flanks.

“Where did you manage to procure those identical uniforms?”

Geum-pyo responded proudly,

“Do we not hold the honor of being the direct juniors to the illustrious Great Hero Black Flame Dragon?”

Ugh, that wretched title of Black Flame Dragon.

I pressed my palms against my aching temples.

“…Let me make this perfectly clear beforehand: I harbor an absolute distaste for that specific moniker.”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong trio inclined their heads in perfect unison toward the flank.

“It is a title that invokes the majesty of a dragon, Senior Brother. Furthermore, you wield the actual Black Dragon Sword.”

“…That is precisely why it bothers me. Objectively speaking, it sounds impressive, yet I personally despise it.”

Eun-ho, who had silently observed our exchange, interjected with a smirk.

“You’ve grown ungrateful.”

“Watch your tongue, you little rascal!”

These siblings truly possessed zero boundaries when it came to sassing their Eldest Senior Brother.

I directed a stern gaze at each of the three siblings in turn.

“What possesses you all to adamantly trail behind me? Now that Taeul Sect has secured access to such formidable techniques, shouldn’t your priority be remaining here to master them? The Murim Academy Regular Exam is an incredibly brutal ordeal.”

A singular misstep could easily result in a fatality.

The moniker of the Hell Regular Exam was entirely justified by its lethality.

“Did Senior Brother himself not declare that spilling blood in defense of one’s kin is the ultimate hallmark of a genuine Taeul Sect practitioner?”

“…Huh?? What sort of absurd fabrication is that?”

This statement was completely foreign to my ears.

Given my flawless retention of past occurrences, there was absolutely no possibility that my recollection was failing me.

“In addition, didn’t you state that a true follower of Taeul Sect should be prepared to sacrifice their very life for the good of the clan?”

“Absolutely not, I am certain I never uttered those words.”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong trio completely brushed aside my flawless recollection, exchanging knowing nods with one another.

“Besides, regarding the acquisition of secret techniques, our Senior Brother possesses a perfect memory and can instruct us in person, correct? Furthermore, we faithfully executed every task you assigned us. We completed the trek to Mount Hwaun five times daily without fail, and we have fully mastered the Sword Formation you imparted to us.”

“My instruction was to do it three times.”

Eun-ho allowed a sly smirk to develop on his face.

“We calculated that by increasing the frequency to five times, you would find it impossible to justify leaving us behind.”

At the very least, the physical forms of the three siblings appeared remarkably robust, reflecting the rigorous conditioning typical of external martial style practitioners.

“I shall be the judge of that through a direct demonstration. Should your performance fall short of my expectations, you will be staying behind.”

“Shall we commence the exhibition immediately?”

“Proceed.”

With that, the trio began unfastening their travel packs to retrieve their gear.

Kang Chae-seok inquired from the side, “Are you genuinely considering leaving them behind?”

“I cannot fathom what possessed the Sect Leader to grant these youngsters permission to participate in this exam.”

“Are you unaware? The boys argued that rival organizations deploy scores of martial artists for this assessment, rendering a solo attempt on your part highly dangerous. They swore an oath that they would personally guarantee their Eldest Senior Brother’s enrollment into Murim Academy.”

“…”

Good grief, who exactly was sponsoring whose entry here…?

Interlocking his fingers behind his waist, Kang Chae-seok calmly observed the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings.

“Allow them to accompany you. The dedication they have poured into their practice over these past months is extraordinary.”

“…What are you implying?”

“Observe for yourself.”

Directing my gaze toward the spot indicated by his outstretched hand, I discovered that the Geum, Eun, and Dong trio had bound dark strips of fabric over their eyes and stuffed dense tufts of light cotton into their ears.

“Wait, how can they possibly execute a complex Sword Formation under such sensory deprivation?”

As I voiced my utter shock, Kang Chae-seok merely gave a quizzical tilt of his head.

“Was it not your own instruction that even if stripped of sight, hearing, and speech, the three of them must display absolute synchronicity?”

“No, that… I was merely using that as a metaphor for the level of teamwork they should aim for.”

“Well… you ought to exercise greater caution with your phrasing in the future. Now quiet down and watch. You are in for quite a spectacle.”

I fixed a highly skeptical gaze upon the three siblings.

“Commencing the demonstration.”

Geum-pyo rapped the earth three times using the tip of his scabbard.

Instantly, the three victories unsheathed their blades in three distinct directions simultaneously.

*CLANG—*

Returning their blades to their sheaths in perfect synchronization, they executed a fluid rotation to swap locations before unleashing a powerful downward vertical slash in unison.

Following this maneuver, they shifted fluidly back to their initial alignment, surged ahead collectively to activate the full defensive capabilities of the array, and subsequently coalesced into a tight defensive triangle to cover each other’s blind spots.

They were flawlessly executing the intricate White Tiger Sword Forms, a variation developed by Jegal Cheon-gi derived from the standard White Tiger Sword Art utilized by the official forces of the Murim Alliance.

“In the beginning, they completely abandoned rest. They drilled the tactical array continuously utilizing blunt practice weapons, and there wasn’t a single setting sun that didn’t find them covered in bruises. Yet, within a mere fortnight, their movements achieved absolute harmony. By the conclusion of the second month, they operated in flawless silence, and by the fourth, they could maintain the arrangement even with total auditory blockage. This is the first instance where I am witnessing them completely obscure their vision as well.”

“…”

“I cannot fathom the precise motivation driving these boys to exert such fanatical effort, but possessing that caliber of unyielding resolve ensures they can effortlessly match the combat value of ten standard martial artists.”

Struggling to keep a profound wave of warmth from breaking into my voice, I offered my assessment.

“…A mere ten? They are bound to exert the combat capability of a hundred men easily.”

Soon after, the three siblings concluded the final stance of the White Tiger Sword Formation, pulled down their dark blindfolds, verified their final alignment, and broke into jubilant celebrations together.

“You witnessed our performance, correct, Senior Brother? You are bound by your word now.”

Regaining control over my emotions, I offered a firm pat to their shoulders.

“Very well. Secure your provisions. Kindly pass along my formal departure message to the Sect Leader.”

Kang Chae-seok monitored our group with a proud smile, adding a final piece of advice.

“Exercise extreme caution. Should the situation grow perilous, do not hesitate to withdraw. The current Taeul Sect is blessed with countless paths forward.”

“I shall return bearing an official entry pass.”

I offered a respectful bow toward my thoroughly spent father.

“I shall take my leave now.”

“…You troublesome scoundrel.”

It appeared my father had recently developed a certain degree of playful animosity toward me.

Departing from the gates of Taeul Sect alongside the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings, our group made a direct line for the regional headquarters of the Murim Alliance located within Hefei.

The vicinity surrounding the compound was absolutely swarming with an immense throng of individuals drawing from every tier of society.

Along the expansive perimeter wall of the Murim Alliance, a series of identical placards had been affixed side by side, drawing a crowd of heavily armed youths who were venting their furious indignation as they scanned the contents.

“Hah! These lunatics have lost their minds!”

“How can anyone possibly consider this reasonable?”

“Is their objective to actually enlist candidates, or are they deliberately trying to fail everyone?”

“This completely explains why the roster is perpetually dominated by the elites of the Nine Sects and One Gang alongside the Five Great Clans!”

“Ugh! Bloody hell!”

After reviewing the testing criteria, the applicants at the front of the line spat on the dirt in disgust and walked away.

“…”

Entirely oblivious to the cause of the commotion, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers merely tilted their heads in confusion, gradually advancing through the thinning crowd as frustrated martial artists abandoned their spots.

Ultimately, our small party arrived directly in front of the public placard.

His gaze wavering with intense anxiety, Geum-pyo managed to utter, “This has to be some sort of prank, correct?”

Eun-ho let out a forced, nervous chuckle.

“Haha, Brother, there is absolutely no way this is serious… Is there?”

Dong-ryong simply stared ahead, blinking rapidly as he awaited my assessment of the situation.

“…”

I found myself devoid of any comforting words.

After all, the fearsome reputation of the Murim Academy Regular Exam as the ultimate meat grinder was not earned without good reason.

● Murim Academy Regular Exam First Trial

Restoration of Public Order

Objective— Eradicate one or multiple outposts of outlaw factions.

Context— The territories are presently plagued by widespread lawlessness due to outlaw bands terrorizing local populations.

For those candidates who aspire to embody the true virtues of the Murim, step forward to enforce righteousness without a moment’s delay.

Stipulations—

● Operations must target exclusively those strongholds that meet or exceed the official classification parameters established by the Murim Alliance.

Eradicating heavily fortified or larger strongholds will yield a proportionally higher point allocation.