Chapter 33
Promotion Examination (1)
“Senior Heo! It’s heading your way!”
At Namgung Jun’s shout, Heo Il’s laughter echoed from beyond the distant bushes.
“Leave the rear to me!”
A moment later, a heavy thud rang out alongside the sound of something slicing through the air. When Namgung Jun finally caught up, a massive wild boar was lying dead in front of Heo Il.
A dagger was buried deep in the exact center of the boar’s forehead.
It appeared that a single throw had pierced through the beast’s thick hide and skull.
*With a small, thin dagger, that shouldn’t be easy. His concealed weapon skills are at a very high level.*
After examining the boar, Namgung Jun lowered his head.
“Senior Heo did all the work. I only got in the way.”
“Haha. It’s fine. If you were good even at hunting, I’d have nothing left to teach you, and that would be quite disappointing. Young Hero Namgung is already exceptional enough as it is.”
Namgung Jun and Heo Il dragged the boar back to the campsite.
The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were busy preparing camp.
“Oh! A wild boar!”
“As expected of Heo Il. He’s never disappointed in this sort of thing.”
The swordsmen became visibly excited at the sight of the boar and hurried about even more energetically. They were already planning a feast.
Rolling up his sleeves and drawing his dagger, Heo Il beckoned to Namgung Jun.
“Young Hero Namgung, come here. I’ll teach you how to butcher a beast. Ah, and I should leave some of it aside and show you how to make jerky as well.”
Muttering excitedly to himself, Heo Il skillfully began peeling away the boar’s hide.
Namgung Jun stood right beside him, watching intently. Several other Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen who were observing nearby chuckled.
“So our youngest has something he’s not good at after all.”
“Now he finally feels like the youngest among us. Whenever he picks up a sword, even most veterans would have to concede a move or two.”
Listening to their comments, Namgung Jun smiled.
*My perspective really was narrow.*
In his previous life, he had devoted his entire existence to the sword and to chivalry.
Those were the only things he saw—and the only things he wanted to see.
Things he had once considered insignificant now felt different.
Would his previous life have turned out differently if he had broadened his horizons by experiencing, learning, and living through all the countless things under heaven, no matter how trivial or mundane?
Namgung Jun felt grateful for this life, where he could realize such things.
And an even greater sense of preciousness settled into his fingertips.
*Which is exactly why I cannot afford to fail.*
By the time he finished his thoughts, Heo Il had completely butchered the boar and was nodding in satisfaction.
“Senior Heo, you’re talented in many areas.”
“I’ve simply lived a chaotic life. The skills I learned are no different.”
With a bitter smile, Heo Il wiped the blood from his dagger.
“Is that so? I see it differently.”
“How so?”
“If the twists and turns of your life are someday melted into your sword, they’ll lead you to a new achievement.”
Heo Il set down the dagger and looked at the sword hanging at his waist.
“Hearing you say that makes me think it might actually happen. You seem to possess talent for the sword that even surpasses the Hall Master’s.”
“Heo Il, what did you just say?”
At some point, Lee Seha had cut into the conversation, but Heo Il pretended not to hear and continued speaking.
“Young Hero Namgung. If the opportunity arises, I’ll tell you some stories about my past. They won’t be particularly interesting, though.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Namgung Jun nodded with a smile.
Heo Il clearly seemed to have quite a story of his own. He was curious, but decided to leave it for another day.
---
Crackle!
Each time fat dripped from the boar meat, the campfire flared up irritably and danced wildly.
After following Heo Il’s advice and becoming reasonably proficient at roasting meat, a large shadow suddenly loomed beside Namgung Jun.
“Namgung Jun.”
“Senior Gong.”
Gong Junam placed a piece of perfectly roasted meat in front of him.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I didn’t lose my arm. I owe you a debt.”
Recalling what had happened at the headquarters of the Reverse Karma Cult, Namgung Jun shook his head.
“Senior Gong trusted me and risked his life. It was only natural that I succeeded.”
“Even so, I received your help. I’ll repay the favor.”
As blunt as ever, Gong Junam said what he wanted to say and left.
Namgung Jun chuckled and looked down at the meat Gong Junam had left behind.
The properly cooked meat was still warm.
He picked up a piece and took a bite.
A smile curved his lips.
“It’s delicious.”
“Looks like everyone’s gotten pretty close to you now. I’m feeling a little jealous.”
Before he realized it, Lee Seha had occupied the seat beside him and tilted her head.
“Master.”
“Heo Il is one thing, but Junam isn’t the type to stick close to his comrades. He must really like you.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m glad.”
Lee Seha placed a piece of meat directly into Namgung Jun’s mouth and lowered her eyes.
“There’s still blood seeping through your bandages. You said you were fine, but your injuries really were serious.”
“I’m truly fine.”
“I can’t exactly tell you not to push yourself. Still, spare a little thought for how your master feels.”
Namgung Jun nodded before looking her over.
“Master, were you injured anywhere?”
“Of course not. Who do you think I am?”
Apparently pleased by her disciple’s concern, Lee Seha smiled brightly and spread both arms wide.
“Someone like the Crescent Moon Saber Demon was no problem at all. Besides, a certain outstanding fellow had already landed a solid blow on him beforehand. Speaking of which...”
Trailing off, Lee Seha subtly moved closer.
“The Crescent Moon Saber Demon’s left shoulder. How exactly did you do that?”
“Ah, you mean the technique of converting sword-force qi into the Internal Heavyness Method through transmitted sword intent?”
As Lee Seha’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, presences began gathering from all directions.
The campfire wavered dangerously under the winds that suddenly swept in from every side.
“Wait, you’re going to listen to something that interesting all by yourself?”
“That’s a bit much, Hall Master.”
“What exactly did the youngster just say?”
Before anyone realized it, all of the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen had gathered around Namgung Jun. Every one of them was focused on his face—or more precisely, on his mouth.
Seeing this, Lee Seha shook her head.
“I was trying to have a nice private conversation with my disciple for once. None of these people have any sense.”
But the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen showed no signs of backing down.
“Enough of that! Continue what you were saying earlier!”
“I have a feeling this is going to become a whole new topic of discussion.”
“To be honest, I’ve been curious about it for quite some time. How exactly did the youngster hold off a supreme master? That’s not the sort of gap in cultivation that can be bridged with talent alone.”
Faced with the expectant gazes of his seniors, Namgung Jun smiled and nodded.
“Then I suppose I should start with the part where I consumed the inner core of the Solar Fire Raccoon without any breathing exercises or meditation.”
Those opening words were so shocking that the Heavenly Sword Hall members were instantly drawn into his story.
The youngest continued speaking calmly while roasting meat, and his seniors listened with complete concentration, not even touching their alcohol or food.
Thus, the campfire illuminating the Heavenly Sword Hall showed no sign of going out for a long, long time.
***
Geukmu Hall (Hall of Martial Supremacy)
A martial force belonging to the Three Pillars of the Sword Fragrance Division.
It was regarded as virtually the strongest among the Three Pillars and was therefore the object of admiration for the martial artists of the Changcheon Society.
Among new recruits joining the Changcheon Society, most of the top-ranked entrants chose Geukmu Hall.
It was also the hall that had produced the greatest number of Sword Lords of the Heavenly Will, giving it tremendous prestige even among the Ten Halls.
As such, even the martial artists of Geukmu Hall could not help but be surprised by the rumors that had recently spread.
“I hear Heavenly Sword Hall completed that mission flawlessly. It was quite a significant operation too.”
“Was it Namgung Jun? I heard that rookie from Heavenly Sword Hall distinguished himself again.”
“I heard the rumors as well, but they’re hard to believe. Not only did he break through to the Peak Realm in actual combat, he even exchanged blows with a supreme master at the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown stage and survived.”
Various opinions were voiced, but the general consensus became that there was probably very little exaggeration in the rumors.
After all, Namgung Jun’s actions since joining the Changcheon Society had been completely different from those of an ordinary newcomer.
And because of that, people were willing to believe it.
Swish!
In a corner of Geukmu Hall’s training grounds, Baekri Cheong, who had been practicing alone, wiped away his sweat with a cloth and thought of Namgung Jun.
If Brother Namgung hadn’t chosen Heavenly Sword Hall, I probably never would have come to Geukmu Hall.
His original goal had been to win the martial arts tournament and gain admission to Geukmu Hall.
Joining Geukmu Hall had been one of the objectives he absolutely had to accomplish.
Yet he had entered not through victory, but through fortune.
Because of that, alongside his self-reproach, he had developed feelings of gratitude toward Namgung Jun.
As expected, little brother is making a name for himself quickly.
Baekri Cheong smiled as he recalled Namgung Jun’s shocking sword strike.
But his expression soon hardened.
While his fondness for Namgung Jun was deep, so too was his burning desire to surpass him.
A worthy rival brought forth all manner of emotions.
Baekri Cheong was sincerely grateful that he had met a rival like Namgung Jun.
First, I need to earn my promotion.
Like Namgung Jun, Baekri Cheong was still a First-Rank member.
In terms of martial ability alone, he could challenge the promotion examination immediately.
The problem was that he lacked sufficient merit.
“Baekri Cheong. A mission has been assigned.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare immediately.”
“If you complete this mission successfully as well, you’ll be eligible to take the promotion examination.”
“Yes.”
After sheathing his sword with a flourish, Baekri Cheong looked up at the sky for a moment.
At some point, whenever he looked upon a clear blue sky, he found himself thinking of Namgung Jun.
As a result, even during intense training, he would occasionally pause to gaze upward and steady his mind.
As though Namgung Jun were standing right before him.
I will definitely catch up to you.
Taking in the flawless blue sky, Baekri Cheong followed his seniors and set out.
For the sake of promotion, he too was venturing into the jianghu.
***
Namgung Jun returned to the Changcheon Society’s main stronghold four days after Baekri Cheong had departed.
The Heavenly Sword Hall members smiled faintly as they looked upon their hall.
This place was as good as home, and merely seeing it already put them at ease.
“We’re finally back.”
“Damn it. I probably won’t get much rest before being assigned another mission.”
“It would be best to fully recover from your internal injuries before leaving again.”
Upon arriving at the Heavenly Sword Hall building, Namgung Jun’s eyes narrowed with interest.
Someone who normally had no reason to be there was standing nearby.
Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be a scholar from the Ink Fragrance Division.
The other seniors, however, acted as though this was a familiar occurrence and casually headed toward their quarters.
The scholar approached directly, as if he had been waiting for Namgung Jun.
“Young Hero Namgung. I’ve come from the Ink Fragrance Division.”
“Yes. What is the matter?”
“There is something we urgently need to confirm.”
The scholar bowed politely and continued.
“According to the preliminary report submitted by the Heavenly Sword Hall Master, Young Hero Namgung has reached the Peak Realm. Is that correct?”
“That is correct.”
“If this causes any offense, I apologize. Cases of someone advancing their cultivation realm during actual combat are exceedingly rare, so the Lord requested that we verify it personally.”
Namgung Jun nodded in understanding.
“You also played a major role in this mission and accumulated significant merit. As such, you have been granted the qualifications to challenge the promotion examination. What would you like to do?”
The promotion examination.
At last, the moment he had been waiting for had arrived.
There was no reason for Namgung Jun to delay his promotion.
If anything, the sooner the better.
“Very well. I will apply for this promotion examination.”
“Understood.”
The scholar handed him a neatly folded document.
“The Second-Rank Promotion Examination has just begun.”
“Right now?”
“That is correct, Young Hero Namgung.”
Namgung Jun stared at the scholar with a bewildered expression.