Chapter 35
Promotion Examination (3)
The Flying Divine Hall Lord was at a loss for words.
And understandably so.
Something completely beyond his expectations had just occurred.
Never had he imagined that while overseeing a Second-Rank Promotion Examination, he would find himself doubting his own eyes.
Forget sword qi—he didn't even infuse internal energy into his sword. He cut through Blue Jade Stone with nothing but a pure sword strike?
Of course, it was something the Flying Divine Hall Lord himself could accomplish.
But he was a Hall Lord, one of the Society's Four Clouds. It would be stranger if he couldn't.
But what about Namgung Jun?
He was merely a newly promoted member who had only just earned his first cloud.
He had not even practiced martial arts for half a year.
Yet a casual sword strike from that boy had split the Blue Jade Stone stele with absurd ease.
Come to think of it, reaching the Peak Realm in the first place makes no sense. Even cultivating demonic arts shouldn't allow someone to progress this quickly. This truly is talent bestowed by the heavens.
The judgment of a supreme master who had reached the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown stage was as swift as a flash of light.
The boy before him had been abnormal from the very beginning.
Trying to judge him by ordinary standards had been the mistake.
As long as Namgung Jun had not cheated, that was enough.
No matter how he had done it, he had achieved it through his own ability.
The Flying Divine Hall Lord clapped slowly, still somewhat dazed.
“Outstanding. I never expected to witness a sword strike like this from a newly recruited member.”
He nodded while looking at Namgung Jun.
“You'll be standing on the same stage as us before long. Perhaps the list of candidates for the next Sword Lord of the Heavenly Will has just gained another name.”
To become the next Sword Lord of the Heavenly Will, one needed at minimum to rise to the rank of Hall Lord—and preferably one of the Three Pillars.
For the Flying Divine Hall Lord to mention such a possibility while looking at a youth not yet twenty years old was the highest form of praise.
So this is Namgung Jun. If anything, the rumors understated him.
Has he really been learning martial arts for less than six months?
He's a monster.
The gazes of the other First-Rank members became complicated.
Admiration.
Shock.
Envy.
All sorts of emotions filled their eyes.
“There is truly nothing to criticize. At this rate, you'll be taking another promotion examination before long.”
The Flying Divine Hall Lord pulled out an iron token from his robes and tossed it.
The token shot forward at tremendous speed, carrying a trace of internal energy.
The other First-Rank members could do little more than flinch.
But blue lightning qi had already gathered in Namgung Jun's hand.
Using the principles of the Heavenly Thunder Palm Art, he casually caught the token.
“I wanted to see your palm techniques as well. It seems those aren't lagging behind either. Continue training them and don't neglect them.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
The Flying Divine Hall Lord nodded.
“From this day forward, Namgung Jun rises to the rank of Second-Rank Member. You may leave first.”
Namgung Jun saluted not only the Hall Lord but also the other candidates.
“I wish you all good fortune.”
The others awkwardly returned the greeting and watched blankly as he descended the mountain.
Only after his figure disappeared behind the trees did one of them finally speak.
“Did Namgung Jun just achieve the fastest promotion since joining the Society?”
“Now that you mention it, I believe so.”
“And the youngest promotion as well.”
“His advancement is as swift as the quick sword he displayed.”
Their voices carried unconcealed admiration.
Passing a promotion examination on the first attempt was already uncommon.
Passing it as effortlessly as Namgung Jun had was even rarer.
They say those destined to become Hall Lords reveal their greatness even while holding the lowest ranks.
When they had heard such stories from their seniors, they had never thought much of them.
Now, however, they understood.
A shiver ran through their bodies.
Namgung Jun might continue climbing through the ranks at an astonishing pace.
Hall Lord.
Or perhaps even higher.
As the First-Rank members continued staring blankly at the path Namgung Jun had taken, the Flying Divine Hall Lord cleared his throat.
“Who will go next? You still have attempts remaining.”
His words reminded them that they were still in the middle of an examination.
Their eyes sharpened once more.
Naturally, their gazes drifted toward the Blue Jade Stone stele.
The stele lay split diagonally in half, covered in dust and looking rather pitiful.
One of the candidates finally raised a hand.
“Hall Lord... how exactly are we supposed to take the examination now?”
Only then did the Flying Divine Hall Lord realize the problem.
The Blue Jade Stone, which was supposed to stand upright, had been cleanly cut in half and was now lying on the ground.
“...Hm.”
He examined the stone thoughtfully.
Fortunately, Namgung Jun had split it so cleanly that it could probably still be used if stood upright again.
The problem was lifting it.
Even divided in half, Blue Jade Stone remained absurdly heavy.
Its weight was not something even martial artists could handle casually.
Damn it. Physical labor isn't exactly my specialty.
He wanted to ask the candidates for help, but doing so would damage his dignity as a Hall Lord.
Letting out a bitter smile, he looked toward them.
“Wait a moment.”
With a determined expression, the Flying Divine Hall Lord rolled back his sleeves and began circulating his internal energy.
He was preparing to lift the stele.
***
When Namgung Jun entered Heavenly Sword Hall, the seniors waiting there stared at him in surprise.
“What? You're back way too quickly.”
“No way.”
“Youngest, don't tell me... you failed to even take the test?”
Faced with their worried questions, Namgung Jun quietly reached into his robes.
Then he revealed the iron token of a Second-Rank Member.
The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen stared blankly for a moment before erupting into cheers.
“As expected! If it's our youngest, passing in one attempt is only natural!”
“The youngest and fastest promotion!”
“Heavenly Sword Hall has another achievement to brag about!”
They had heard that Lee Seha herself was one of Heavenly Sword Hall's greatest prides because she had become a Hall Lord at the youngest age in history.
“Could the youngster even surpass the Hall Master's record?”
“At this rate? Absolutely.”
“The disciple surpasses the master! Truly, the student has outgrown the teacher!”
As congratulations poured in from all sides, Namgung Jun clasped his fists again and expressed his thanks.
At that moment, Heo Il approached carrying a large earthenware jar on his shoulder.
“Young Hero Namgung. I believed you'd pass the examination, so I prepared this in advance.”
The jar Heo Il carried had a large label attached to it bearing the words Yeongga Gongju Wine.
“Yeongga Gongju? Isn't that the liquor Heo Il obtained when he returned from a mission to Jangdeok half a year ago?”
“And not just ordinary Yeongga Gongju, either. Didn't he say it was a premium vintage and treasure it like his life? He wouldn't even let us taste it.”
At the swordsmen's uproar, Heo Il smiled in satisfaction.
“Young Hero Namgung. I received this wine after helping the Chwiho Pavilion in Jangdeok. On a day as joyous as this, shouldn't there be a special drink to accompany it?”
The Chwiho Pavilion was the largest and most famous tavern in Jangdeok.
A premium bottle of Yeongga Gongju from such a place would be worth an enormous sum.
Knowing this, Namgung Jun could not help asking with concern,
“Senior Heo, are you certain it's alright to open it today?”
“Haha. Don't worry about it. I brought it out because today finally feels like the proper occasion.”
Thud!
As Heo Il set down the jar, the other seniors also stopped their training and began bustling about.
Apparently, everyone had prepared something of their own.
One by one, they brought food and alcohol.
As the offerings gathered in the middle of the training grounds, the atmosphere quickly turned into a celebration.
Namgung Jun raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
“I didn't realize the seniors had prepared this much.”
Gong Junam, who was approaching with a massive venison leg draped over his shoulder, spoke in his usual calm tone.
“This is how we've always celebrated. We never know when joyful moments will come, or when they'll leave us. So whenever an opportunity presents itself, we celebrate.”
Heo Il nodded.
“The Hall Master has already departed on another mission, but don't be too disappointed. Young Hero Namgung, you have us.”
The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen immediately grimaced.
“Hey, Heo Il. Cut out the embarrassing speeches. Are you already drunk?”
“That's right. The guest of honor should raise his cup already.”
Encouraged by the others, Namgung Jun lifted his wine cup with a smile.
“Thank you.”
***
The day after receiving Heavenly Sword Hall's celebration, Namgung Jun received a summons and headed for the Ink Fragrance Division.
Upon arrival, he found Kang Mong waiting outside one of the buildings.
“Scholar Kang. It's been a while.”
“I knew you'd pass.”
Kang Mong handed him a bundle wrapped in silk.
“Go ahead and open it.”
When Namgung Jun unwrapped it, he found a blue martial robe embroidered with two clouds, a black bamboo hat, and a sword.
“The robe only has one additional cloud embroidered on it, but take a closer look at the hat and the sword.”
As Namgung Jun examined them, his eyes widened slightly.
“The quality is different from the ones I received before.”
“The hat is made from Cheuk Bamboo. It's light, yet remarkably durable. In an emergency, it can serve as a shield against concealed weapons or even block an enemy's strike. The sword is also forged from superior steel.”
Kang Mong nodded approvingly as Namgung Jun tried on the bamboo hat.
“It suits you. You look like a proper young man already, despite how little time has passed.”
“Thank you.”
“I knew you'd rise to the rank of Second-Rank Member quickly.”
“Did you?”
A strange sense of pride appeared on Kang Mong's face.
“Because I personally received one of your sword strikes.”
Remembering that moment seemed to deepen his smile.
“Thanks to you, I gained an insight and advanced my martial cultivation by another step. It's something I should be grateful for.”
“I'm glad I could help.”
Although most scholars of the Ink Fragrance Division practiced martial arts, Kang Mong seemed particularly devoted to it.
Namgung Jun had heard that Kang Mong served directly beside the Society Lord. Seeing someone so accomplished in both scholarly and martial pursuits was truly impressive.
After handing over the bundle and exchanging pleasantries, Kang Mong finally moved on to the real reason for the meeting.
“Namgung Jun. Can you depart on a mission immediately? It's a solo assignment. We're severely short-handed at the moment.”
Now that he had become a Second-Rank Member, Namgung Jun was qualified to undertake independent missions.
Without hesitation, he nodded.
“What is the mission?”
“Recently, wandering martial artists and members of the unorthodox factions have been causing trouble in Hapbi. Their movements appear to be connected.”
“So there may be someone directing them from behind the scenes.”
Kang Mong nodded grimly.
“Our intelligence network has weakened considerably. At present, this is as far as we've been able to investigate.”
“Is there a particular reason?”
“Partly because everyone's attention is focused on the movements of the Sun Moon Demonic Cult. More importantly, many of our supporting sects have disappeared.”
Originally, countless sects and martial artists had assisted the Changcheon Society in opposing the Sun Moon Demonic Cult's ambition to dominate the martial world.
The Society relied not only on its own intelligence network but also on information gathered by allies throughout the jianghu.
However, as the Sun Moon Demonic Cult continued to expand its influence, those allies gradually vanished.
Most were eliminated by the cult.
“If I discover the mastermind, may I act immediately depending on the situation?”
“Ordinarily, your mission would be to identify the mastermind and return. That is the assignment.”
The authority to alter or adjust a mission based on circumstances normally belonged only to members of the Four Clouds or those of Hall Lord rank and above.
“However.”
Kang Mong turned to look at the buildings of the Ink Fragrance Division.
“The Society Lord has granted special permission for this mission alone. Act as you see fit.”
“I understand.”
Namgung Jun immediately turned to leave.
Watching his departing figure, Kang Mong let out a thoughtful hum.
“I hope he succeeds.”
The reason the Society Lord, Yun Gyeongjong, had granted Namgung Jun such authority was not merely because of high expectations.
Anhui Province alone was said to be larger than many nations.
Travel consumed enormous amounts of time, and the Society lacked the resources to dispatch martial artists repeatedly.
That was why Yun Gyeongjong intended to resolve the situation in Hapbi in a single stroke by using Namgung Jun—a card whose reliability had already been proven.
“I wonder how he'll bring this mission to an end.”