Chapter 43: The Midterm Exam (3)

Baek Ri-seol swiftly secured six consecutive victories.

The matches were brief. Before a single breath could be fully taken, her opponents found themselves staring at their own swords flying through the air, conceding defeat. She was truly a flower wielding a sword.

“Hahaha, another easy win.”

Baek Ri Seon-ho watched as Baek Ri-seol walked off the platform without a backward glance, his mind racing.

‘I wasn’t mistaken. She’s incredibly talented. It would be worth investing everything the main family has in her.’

His worries about the Muhan Branch vanished as he witnessed her skill. A talent like hers could easily overshadow any of his shortcomings.

‘Didn’t they say she created the White Crane Sword Technique herself?’

Not only did she possess exceptional martial arts talent, but she also had the insight to create her own sword technique at such a young age. Her potential was limitless.

‘Perhaps I’ll live to see the Baek Ri Clan rise to prominence again.’

Baek Ri Seon-ho couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across his face.

***

Meanwhile, Namgung Yun-ho, Jegal Tan, and Baek Ri-seol continued their winning streak.

The drums pounded relentlessly, match after match.

While there were other talented students, their performances paled in comparison to the three prodigies. The excitement in the air began to wane.

Sensing the shift in mood, Ma Gil-sang asked, “Chief Instructor Dokgo, are those three the only students Instructor Cho is responsible for?”

“There’s one more,” Dokgo Yul replied calmly. “But she specializes in unarmed combat, so her matches will be later.”

“I see. What’s her name?”

“Mo Yong So-hye.”

The dignitaries, already impressed by the previous matches, turned to Mo Yong-ju, the representative from the Mo Yong Clan, and offered their congratulations.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the Mo Yong Clan student can do.”

“Haha, I heard even that stubborn instructor was impressed by her. I wonder what kind of performance she’ll give us…”

“Congratulations in advance.”

Mo Yong-ju beamed and bowed.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

But inwardly, he was ecstatic.

‘Heeheehee, they said my So-hye impressed even that stubborn instructor?’

According to Dokgo Yul, Instructor Cho was an exceptional teacher, but he was also eccentric and unconventional.

‘And that peculiar man showered my So-hye with praise.’

She was his precious granddaughter, the apple of his eye. He had doted on her even more after her parents’ untimely death.

Although her talent for martial arts reminded him of his deceased son and daughter-in-law, he decided to savor the moment.

“Haha, I can’t wait to see what she can do.”

Mo Yong-ju was overjoyed.

***

The swordsmanship matches ended, and the unarmed combat matches began.

“Student Mo Yong So-hye is on the fourth platform,” Dokgo Yul announced.

The dignitaries turned their attention to the fourth platform.

But then…

“What’s going on?”

“Why are they forfeiting without even fighting?”

“Head Instructor Chung-hyeon, are your students lacking in spirit?”

Chung-hyeon’s face flushed red.

Three opponents had forfeited in a row.

It was a disgrace. His students were avoiding confrontation. He had no excuse.

“These students have no fighting spirit.”

“This is why we’re lacking in real-world talent.”

“Is Dongcheon Hall particularly weak? The righteous Murim shouldn’t be this cowardly.”

The criticisms stung, and Chung-hyeon’s face grew even redder.

“Oh, this student isn’t forfeiting.”

“That’s how it should be.”

Finally, Mo Yong So-hye’s first match was about to begin.

“It’s starting.”

“Haha, let’s see what she can do…”

All eyes were on Mo Yong So-hye as she took her stance on the platform.

Mo Yong-ju tilted his head.

“Did we have that stance in our clan?”

He couldn’t recall ever seeing that stance before.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as she gives a good performance.’

All that mattered was that his granddaughter shone brightly.

The drums sounded.

And then, something completely unexpected happened.

“Oh…”

“Hmm…”

“…Dear me.”

The dignitaries, who had been full of anticipation just moments ago, fell silent.

“Shouldn’t we stop this?”

“This is a sparring match! A sparring match!”

“Hey, referee! That kid’s going to die!”

“Referee, you bastard! Stop the match!”

It was a brutal scene.

Mo Yong-ju’s face turned pale.

His gaze was fixed on his granddaughter, who stood with her back to them, her fists hanging limply at her sides.

Her opponent lay motionless at her feet, his limbs twisted at unnatural angles.

He was face down, his face hidden from view, but the pool of blood spreading around him was substantial.

He was clearly unconscious.

Mo Yong So-hye shrugged, her fists dripping with blood.

“Sob… sob…”

It was unclear whether she was crying or simply trying to contain her frustration.

“Forfeit!”

“Forfeit! I forfeit!”

“Please spare me! I forfeit!”

Red flags were raised all over the platform.

The dignitaries’ assessments also changed.

“It’s wise to know when to retreat.”

“That wasn’t a sparring match.”

“Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor.”

Mo Yong-ju felt a sense of distance from the dignitaries who had been praising him just moments ago.

He covered his face with his hands.

‘Instructor Cho, you bastard…’

What kind of talent had he seen in his precious granddaughter?

He was furious.

***

While the dignitaries were horrified, the ordinary students were impressed.

‘Thank you, Instructor.’

Cho Un-hwi grinned as Namgung Yun-ho bowed to him.

The other instructors looked at him with envy.

“Student Namgung Yun-ho’s progress is remarkable.”

“His mastery of the Shinmu Sword Technique is beyond that of an ordinary student.”

“He’s even generating Sword Qi. He couldn’t even grasp the basics a few weeks ago…”

“It’s safe to say he’s guaranteed to be promoted this year.”

The manifestation of Sword Qi.

It meant that he had become a second-rate swordsman.

But the instructors’ praise was muted, perhaps due to his age. He was almost twenty.

Yeom-gwang was fuming, so the other instructors kept their comments to themselves.

He was furious that the student he had deemed hopeless was now excelling.

‘Damn it, what am I going to do about him?’

He wanted to get rid of Cho Un-hwi, but he was hesitant after witnessing his terrifying aura in the supply room.

‘I have to do something…’

He was trying to calm himself down when he heard the drums again.

***

“Student Baek Ri-seol, winner!”

“Student Jegal Tan, winner!”

They were winning their matches with ease, as if they were on a completely different level.

It was infuriating.

“Well, it’s only natural.”

And then there was that smug bastard, praising himself.

There was something else that bothered him.

“Sa-son, defeated!”

Sa-son, the student from the Yeongcheon Sword Clan whom he had invested so much in, had lost his fifth match.

“Ugh.”

Meanwhile, that annoying instructor’s student was winning by default.

“Forfeit! Forfeit!”

“Eek! I forfeit!”

‘My head is killing me.’

He was so angry that his blood pressure was rising.

‘Nothing good ever happens when I’m involved with that guy!’

He was massaging his stiff neck, trying to calm himself down, when…

“It’s a shame. We could have witnessed the legend of the Bloody Fist.”

“Come on, the poor girl is crying.”

“She needs to toughen up if she wants to survive in the Murim…”

“You’re so mean.”

Yeo Mae-hong patted Cho Un-hwi’s arm consolingly.

They looked so comfortable and familiar with each other that Yeom-gwang felt even more irritated.

“Damn it.”

He wanted to flip the table and storm out.

But then, something happened that fueled his jealousy even further.

“Where’s Instructor Cho?”

Seon In-hyeok, the proud Chief Administrator, and Ma Gil-sang, the legendary swordsman, had arrived with a group of Murim Alliance dignitaries.

Yeom-gwang’s eyes burned with envy.

***

“Those were some impressive matches.”

The instructors froze as Seon In-hyeok approached them.

He was the Chief Administrator of Shincheon Hall, a figure of immense authority.

“Oh, it was nothing, really. Ack.”

Cho Un-hwi winced as Yeo Mae-hong pinched him in the ribs.

‘Behave yourself.’

He bowed and said, “It’s all thanks to my students’ hard work.”

“Haha, you’re more humble than I expected. You’re not as bad as I’ve heard.”

“I know how to behave myself when the situation calls for it.”

“I’ve been watching your students’ matches. They’re all very impressive. I wanted to congratulate you personally, but everyone else seemed to be busy.”

Jegal Yang-so was the first to speak.

“Our Tan has found a good teacher. I won’t forget this kindness.”

“Please express your gratitude with money. Dongcheon Hall instructors are poorly paid… ugh.”

Jegal Yang-so chuckled as Cho Un-hwi winced again.

He was in a good mood and didn’t seem to mind Cho Un-hwi’s lack of manners.

Baek Ri Seon-ho stepped forward.

“Instructor Cho, was it? Thank you for looking after Seol-i. I’d like to invite you to dinner sometime. There are a few things I’d like to discuss with you.”

The dignitaries from the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans also offered their congratulations. They were clearly impressed by the students’ performances.

“It’s reassuring to know that we have instructors like you.”

“I’m looking forward to the promotion exams.”

“I’ll be sure to attend.”

The atmosphere was generally cordial, but not everyone was friendly.

“You’re Yun-ho’s instructor?”

It was Namgung Il-jun, the Sword of the Middle Heavens.

He looked at Cho Un-hwi with a wary expression, then stepped back.

“I’ll be watching you.”

And then there was Mo Yong-ju, who looked like he was about to explode.

“You… you… my So-hye…”

His face was red, and his expression was unreadable.

Seon In-hyeok smiled inwardly as he watched Cho Un-hwi interact with the Murim Alliance dignitaries.

It was unusual for such prominent figures to attend the Dongcheon Hall midterm exams.

And it was even more unusual for them to personally congratulate an instructor.

‘They say you only see what you know. It seems they haven’t realized what a treasure Instructor Cho has unearthed.’

He watched as Cho Un-hwi greeted the dignitaries, his face a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

‘It’s an honor to meet such prominent figures. This kind of support will motivate him to work even harder for the academy.’

Dokgo Yul had said…

‘He’s underrated.’

‘He has no background, and his personality isn’t suited for organizational life.’

‘It’s important to give him freedom and win him over slowly.’

Seon In-hyeok glanced at Dokgo Yul, who was watching Cho Un-hwi with a sharp, unwavering gaze.

‘He’s a meticulous man. Inviting Dokgo Yul to the academy might be the best decision I’ve ever made.’

He smiled warmly and said, “I’ve interrupted your break. Let’s move on to the next exam.”

***

Dokgo Yul, however, was not amused.

He glared at the woman who had dared to pinch his lord’s ribs.

‘Is she number one hundred and eighty-three?’

Then, he saw Baek Ri-seol running towards them, her eyes shining.

‘One hundred and eighty-four?’

His lord was truly remarkable.

His ambition was boundless.