Chapter 8: The Evaluation (1)

Time flew by.

A month later, a group of students lined up in formation on the main training ground.

They were the students participating in the monthly evaluation.

Clang! Clang!

The sight of over a hundred students drawing their swords in unison was truly impressive.

“This batch has a promising look in their eyes,” Chung-hyeon, the Head Instructor of Dongcheon Hall, said, surveying the students with a satisfied nod. He was wearing his formal uniform for the occasion.

“Haha, we’ve put a lot of effort into training them,” Yeom-gwang replied, his eyes gleaming with pride.

“What’s the plan for today?” Chung-hyeon asked.

“I thought we’d start with a demonstration of the Four Directions Sword Formation.”

The Four Directions Sword Formation was a basic formation used to counter a single, powerful opponent.

Four students formed a small formation, and five groups of four, totaling twenty students, formed a large formation. It was one of the most fundamental formations in the Murim Alliance.

“Very well. Proceed.”

With Chung-hyeon’s approval, Yeom-gwang barked, “Group leaders, step forward!”

The students shuffled into their designated groups, and the leaders stepped forward.

Yeom-gwang surveyed them with a satisfied smile.

‘This evaluation is going to be a breeze.’

Although it was just a demonstration, the Four Directions Sword Formation was a crucial formation that all students were expected to master.

Yeom-gwang always made sure to give the students who had shown him “appreciation” a chance to shine.

And of course, the student who had shown him the most appreciation would receive the most attention.

“Sagon.”

“Yes, Chief Instructor!”

“You have the best understanding of formations, so I’m putting you in charge of the large formation.”

“Thank you, Chief Instructor! You honor me!”

Clang!

Sagon stepped forward and drew his sword, and the other students followed suit.

Just then, a voice interrupted the proceedings.

“Instructor Yeo, can anyone participate in these training sessions?”

“Not everyone participates, but anyone is welcome to join if they wish. After all, mastering basic formations is essential for advancement.”

“Is that so? I heard it was more exclusive…”

The students tensed, their swords raised.

A hush fell over the training ground.

Yeom-gwang glared at the source of the interruption.

“Instructor Cho, is there a problem?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You’re doing a fine job of it.”

“I was just curious. I know someone who’s interested in participating, but they were told they weren’t allowed. I was wondering if there was a specific reason.”

Yeom-gwang’s eye twitched.

The other instructors exchanged nervous glances.

It was an unspoken rule that Yeom-gwang’s favored students would always take center stage during formation training.

As the formation leader, they would receive favorable evaluations, which would boost their chances of promotion.

Yeom-gwang often received bribes from students who were eager to secure a leadership position.

“What is he doing, stirring up trouble?” one instructor whispered.

“He has no sense of decorum,” another muttered.

“Quiet! Look at Chief Instructor Yeom’s face!”

Chung-hyeon frowned.

“Chief Instructor Yeom, what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing, Head Instructor. The new instructor must be mistaken.”

Yeom-gwang’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Cho Un-hwi.

‘That clueless idiot…’

Why was he making a fuss about something that everyone else simply accepted?

‘I won’t let him get away with this.’

Cho Un-hwi’s constant needling was starting to get on his nerves.

***

The formation demonstration concluded, and the students were evaluated on their performance.

Next, they were assessed on their mastery of the Shinmu Sword Technique and their individual martial arts skills.

“Sagon, your mastery of the Shinmu Sword Technique is impressive.”

“You’re lacking. You need to show me the true essence of the technique.”

“Good. You’ve definitely improved.”

Yeom-gwang moved among the students, offering praise and criticism as he evaluated their skills.

He made sure to lavish praise on the students who had shown him appreciation.

It was all going according to plan.

But then, just as they were about to begin the sparring portion of the evaluation, an unexpected event occurred.

A lone student stepped forward, his head bowed respectfully.

“I would like to participate in the sparring matches.”

It was the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall.

***

“Namgung Yun-ho?”

Yeom-gwang was stunned.

‘Why is he here?’

He had ridiculed and belittled Namgung Yun-ho for his lack of skill on several occasions, driving the young man into seclusion.

He had never expected him to show up for a group training session.

The other instructors were equally surprised.

“He’s still here?”

“Namgung Yun-ho? Who’s that?”

“Ah, you’re new here, so you wouldn’t know.”

“He’s the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall…”

Yeom-gwang’s gaze swept across the training ground, and he spotted Cho Un-hwi, grinning mischievously.

‘That bastard is behind this.’

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Namgung Yun-ho had always been a thorn in his side.

When the young man had first arrived at the academy, Yeom-gwang had seen him as a potential source of income.

‘But he turned out to be a dead end.’

Fortunately, Namgung Yun-ho had retreated into seclusion, sparing Yeom-gwang any further trouble.

But he still felt uneasy whenever the young man’s name was mentioned.

“Instructor, I’m here.”

“Yes, it seems there was a misunderstanding. Anyone is welcome to participate in these sessions.”

“Is that so? I was told otherwise, but I suppose it was a mistake.”

“Yes, well, good luck.”

Yeom-gwang’s blood boiled as he listened to their casual conversation.

‘It was you all along!’

What was he up to?

He was starting to panic.

He overheard Cho Un-hwi talking to Namgung Yun-ho.

“Alright, it’s a shame you missed the formation demonstration, but it’s not a big deal.”

“I’ve been here for five years. I mastered the Four Directions Sword Formation a long time ago.”

“An experienced newbie, huh?”

“But do I really have to participate in the sparring matches?”

“Of course you do! Have some confidence! I trained you, didn’t I?”

Yeom-gwang finally understood what was happening.

‘That bastard! He couldn’t find any students, so he recruited Namgung Yun-ho!’

He had actually managed to drag the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall out of hiding.

He had been completely outmaneuvered.

But it didn’t matter.

‘This is unexpected, but it’s not a problem.’

He knew Namgung Yun-ho’s skills well. He had spent a considerable amount of time observing the young man, hoping to exploit his connection to the Namgung Clan.

And he had come to one conclusion:

‘He’s a failure.’

He had no talent.

He was quiet, timid, and utterly lacking in confidence.

A loser.

‘This is my chance to get rid of both of them.’

He approached Cho Un-hwi, intending to humiliate Namgung Yun-ho and crush his spirit.

“Are you serious about this?”

“About what?”

“I hate to say it, but Student Namgung doesn’t seem qualified to participate.”

“Didn’t you say that all students in Dongcheon Hall are qualified?”

“A martial artist’s qualifications are determined by their skill, wouldn’t you agree?”

Namgung Yun-ho closed his eyes as Yeom-gwang’s gaze fell upon him.

Yeom-gwang smirked.

‘Still too timid to speak up for himself.’

He felt a surge of satisfaction as he watched Namgung Yun-ho flinch under his scrutiny.

‘I might be able to get rid of him with a few well-placed insults.’

Dealing with weak-willed individuals was child’s play.

He continued, his voice dripping with false concern, “I can offer you some private lessons later. I understand you’re eager to prove yourself, but rushing your training will only do more harm than good.”

“Are you saying…”

“Go home and rest today. Unless you want to embarrass yourself further.”

“…”

Namgung Yun-ho remained silent, his face flushed with shame.

“And you call yourself an instructor?” Cho Un-hwi interjected.

“Instructor Cho!” Yeom-gwang snapped.

“Do you have any idea how busy I am?”

“I barely have time to train the promising students!”

“Efficiency is paramount!”

“Aha,” Cho Un-hwi said, grinning.

“So you’re saying he’s inefficient?”

“That’s not what I said!” Yeom-gwang roared.

Cho Un-hwi laughed.

“What do you think, Mr. Inefficient?”

Namgung Yun-ho opened his eyes, his gaze steady and resolute.

“I want to participate in the sparring matches.”

***

Chaos erupted.

Not only had the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall reappeared, but he had also sparked a confrontation between Chief Instructor Yeom and the new instructor.

Cho Un-hwi’s words had sent shockwaves through the training ground.

“I thought he was just a newbie, but he’s completely insane!”

“He thinks the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall has talent?”

“What talent? He’s a hopeless case!”

“Haha, this is too good to be true!”

The students watched the unfolding drama with amusement.

It was a welcome distraction from their monotonous training routine.

The instructors, on the other hand, were horrified.

“Oh, shit, that crazy bastard!”

“I knew he was a troublemaker, but I didn’t think he’d cause a scene like this.”

“Why did he have to drag the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall into this?”

Yeo Mae-hong cautiously voiced her concern.

“Um… do you think this might backfire?”

“Backfire? What do you mean?”

Instructor Yang, the master of the Nine Hundred Iron Fist technique, scoffed.

“Even the Namgung Clan has given up on him. There’s no way he’s going to suddenly become a prodigy.”

“But you never know.”

“Instructor Yeo, are you serious? Namgung Yun-ho is a failure. Don’t you understand what that means?”

A failure.

A reject.

“He’s such a disgrace that his own clan disowned him. Even if he somehow manages to perform well today, it’s not going to end well for him.”

“Why not? It would be a good thing if he could prove himself.”

“Are you kidding? Do you think his family will be happy to see their forgotten son suddenly rise from the ashes? Especially with the Little Sword Dragon just starting his training here? It would be a disaster.”

They were right.

A failure.

It wasn’t just about his lack of talent. He was a pariah, a ghost whose existence had been denied by his family and the world.

That was Namgung Yun-ho’s reality.

And yet…

“Namgung Yun-ho.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

“Go out there and show them what you’re made of.”

Cho Un-hwi stood tall, his gaze unwavering, as everyone else watched in disbelief.

***

“Sagon.”

“Yes, Chief Instructor.”

“Don’t be intimidated by the Namgung name. He’s a failure, even his own clan has abandoned him.”

Sagon had heard the rumors about the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall.

He had even seen him a few times, lurking in the shadows of the dormitory.

But he couldn’t shake off his nervousness.

“Your mastery of the Shinmu Sword Technique is among the best in your class. You know that, right?”

“Yes, Chief Instructor.”

Of course he knew.

He had gone to great lengths to impress Yeom-gwang.

He was confident in his swordsmanship skills, at least when it came to the Shinmu Sword Technique.

But there was one thing that bothered him.

“Are you sure it’s okay to fight someone from the Namgung Clan?”

He was just a nobody from a minor sect. What would happen if he injured the heir to the Namgung Clan?

But Yeom-gwang simply laughed.

“Is that what you’re worried about?”

“Of course it is!”

“Then let me tell you a little secret.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Why do you think he’s called the Ghost of Dongcheon Hall?”

“Because he’s… unskilled?”

“No, even if he was unskilled, they wouldn’t treat the heir to the Namgung Clan like that.”

“Then what is it?”

“I was asked to make him disappear. To make everyone forget about him. It wouldn’t do for a ghost to suddenly show signs of talent, would it?”

Sagon’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he understood the implications.

“I see. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure there are no repercussions. Oh, and stick to the Shinmu Sword Technique during the match. It’ll be more dramatic that way.”