Chapter v18c21

## Namgung-Sang’s Crisis

– Flying Daggers

“Hey, Gungsang-ah!”

Namgung-Sang flinched at the voice calling his name. It pierced his eardrums like a ghostly wail from the depths of hell. He had just begun to relax, thinking he had finally escaped, only to be caught again. It was a nightmare. He turned around reluctantly, his weary eyes meeting the gaze of the person who had called him.

“Eldest Senior Brother…”

There he was, Bi Ryu-Yeon, a terrifying smile playing on his lips. Why was he always caught, despite using every tracking technique he had learned to avoid his Eldest Senior Brother within a thirty-zhang radius, his senses as sharp as a hunted animal? Bi Ryu-Yeon always appeared behind them without a sound.

Namgung-Sang recalled his reflection in the mirror that morning. He looked like a malnourished corpse. His eyes were bloodshot and sunken, dark circles etched beneath them like permanent tattoos. His once rosy cheeks were hollow, his cheekbones prominent, his skin pale and dry. His shoulders slumped under the weight of exhaustion. Even No-Hak, the scruffy beggar from the Beggars Sect, looked like a nobleman compared to him. And the culprit responsible for his current state was standing right there before him. He had cruelly interrupted his brief moment of respite, his escape from the “training” that was nothing more than a “slaughter.”

“Don’t look so glum. You’re making me feel like the bad guy. I’m not going to eat you, you know.”

Namgung-Sang almost nodded, the words, “You’ve already devoured me, leaving only bones,” burning on his tongue. But he held back. He was too young to become a martyr for truth.

“Oh, you got one too?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, noticing the gold armband on Namgung-Sang’s right arm.

“Huh? You have one too, Eldest Senior Brother?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon was also wearing a gold armband, identical to Namgung-Sang’s. The armband had the characters “Cheonmu” inscribed on it in black.

“Yeah, it’s not exactly stylish, but they wouldn’t let me refuse.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon grinned, making a gesture with his thumb and forefinger.

“So I had to give in.”

“We have to wear these ‘armbands’ if we’re chosen as entrance exam judges. It’s the rule. What can we do?”

“But what I don’t understand is why they made such a pointless rule. What’s the point? Is it just to show off the judges? I think there’s something more to it.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon had been suspicious ever since he received the armband.

“There’s no way they could have tampered with a simple piece of cloth, right? They probably just gave it to us for identification purposes.”

“Identification? For what?”

“W-well…”

Namgung-Sang was at a loss for words.

Why would they need to identify the judges? For whom? For what purpose?

The old man’s words, “There will be some changes to the entrance requirements this year,” were also suspicious.

“There’s definitely something going on.”

“Then why are you still wearing it?”

It wouldn’t have been surprising if Bi Ryu-Yeon had ripped it off and thrown it in the trash. It was more surprising that he was still wearing it.

“It’s a deal.”

“Huh?”

“I accepted this entrance exam judge position as part of a deal. So I can’t break it. It would go against my principles.”

“Ah, I see.”

He said that, but he didn’t understand at all.

“Oh, by the way, where are you headed, Eldest Senior Brother?”

Namgung-Sang asked.

“The Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch.”

“Why?”

“I have some business to attend to. I received a message yesterday that a shipment arrived.”

“Did you order something?”

“No. I’m just checking to make sure the shipment arrived safely.”

“You’re not even part of the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild.”

“There’s a reason. Do you want to come with me?”

He knew he would just be Bi Ryu-Yeon’s errand boy, but he was afraid of the consequences if he refused. Bi Ryu-Yeon never forgot a slight, even a minor one. He probably had a reason for calling him over. Namgung-Sang wasn’t ready to gamble with his fate just yet.

“Why are you so hesitant? It’s not a big deal. If you have time, come along. If not, don’t. Save your energy for something more productive.”

“N-no, I’ll come. I’ll accompany you.”

“Really? You really want to go?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, his tone skeptical.

“Y-yes, of course. It’s not like I have no connection to that place.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon gave him another suspicious look.

“Alright, then let’s go.”

“Yes!”

* * *

“Master Yoo!”

The woman beckoned the young man.

“What is it, Miss Ryu?”

Yoo Un-Bi asked, his face puzzled. Ryu-Ran pointed with her right hand.

“What do you think of those guys? One of them isn’t even carrying a sword. He’s full of openings.”

She spoke like a man. Despite her beauty, she preferred the gleam of a sword to any jewel.

“Ah, you mean the one in black and the one in white?”

“Yes, those two.”

“They seem alright. Not very strong.”

“How could someone so full of openings be wearing that ‘golden armband’?”

Ryu-Ran said, her tone scornful.

“Maybe he’s a martial artist who uses his fists?”

Ryu-Ran dismissed his suggestion immediately.

“His sleeves are too loose for a martial artist. And he doesn’t look like a Foot technique user either. And what’s with his hair? It’s so long it covers his eyes! How can he even see? He must be weak.”

She concluded confidently.

“He does look weak. And so does the swordsman in white.”

“Judging by his clothes, he must be from a prestigious family. And that pale face… I suspect he’s from the Beggars Sect. His back is hunched, and he has no spirit. Do you know which sect he’s from?”

“From his gait, I’d say he’s not from the Nine Great Sects. Probably one of the Eight Great Families. Judging by his clothes, I’d say he’s from the Namgung Family.”

“Hahaha, one of the Eight Great Families? Even better! This is our chance to show them the true strength of the Nine Great Sects.”

There was still a rivalry between the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families. A century of animosity wouldn’t disappear overnight. Some of the older masters criticized them for clinging to the past, but there was no real solution. Humans were still too immature to let go of the past. It was especially sad to see young disciples like Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi, who represented the future, trapped in the past. But they didn’t realize that the invisible chains of past karma were holding them back. They didn’t know that the senseless hatred that sometimes welled up inside them was just the residue of past karma.

“They turned the corner!”

Their targets disappeared around a corner.

“Let’s follow them!”

They started tailing their prey.

They didn’t realize that they had just stepped into the jaws of hell.

* * *

“Gungsang-ah, do you recognize them?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, his gaze fixed ahead.

“No. I don’t think so. Maybe you do, Eldest Senior Brother?”

Namgung-Sang replied, his steps never faltering.

“I don’t either. Why would I ask you if I did?”

“That’s true.”

“Hmm, maybe they’re just some disgruntled troublemakers.”

“Well, it’s not unusual for you to be attacked on the street, Eldest Senior Brother.”

Namgung-Sang said casually. It was hard to find anything extraordinary in everyday life. Even for Bi Ryu-Yeon.

“That’s true, but…”

There were still many in the academy who found it morally and aesthetically unacceptable for Bi Ryu-Yeon and Na Ye-Rin to be together. They would occasionally gang up on Bi Ryu-Yeon.

“But I’ve never been followed by only two people before.”

There were usually at least four or five. He had never been subjected to such a half-hearted attempt.

“Are there still fools who would be so reckless? Maybe they have business with you. It’s happened before, after your reputation grew.”

“I wouldn’t call those attacks. They were more like duel requests.”

“Did you win?”

“Of course.”

“All of them?”

“Naturally. I’ve never lost. If I had, the entire academy would know by now. It would be the talk of the town. Everyone would be gossiping about it. The more famous the Vermilion Bird group becomes, the more challengers we attract. And besides…”

“Besides?”

“We’re still alive.”

He added,

“If there were rumors of me losing, you wouldn’t have let it slide, Eldest Senior Brother. We wouldn’t be alive.”

“That’s true.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon conceded.

“What should we do, Eldest Senior Brother?”

They could either lose them or confront them.

“I hate it when flies buzz around my head. It’s itchy.”

“Then it’s decided.”

“Yeah!” Bi Ryu-Yeon nodded.

“Let’s finish this before we reach the end of this alley.”

“Yes!”

* * *

“Huh?”

“What?!”

Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi gasped. Their targets had vanished. They had stepped into a small clearing between two alleys, and the targets had disappeared from their sight.

“This is… Let’s go after them!”

“Y-yes!”

Ryu-Ran shouted, using her lightness skill. Yoo Un-Bi followed. They emerged into a larger clearing. Ryu-Ran quickly scanned the area, but she couldn’t find them.

“Looking for me?”

A voice behind them. Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi whirled around. A man with long bangs covering his eyes was sitting casually on a rock.

‘B-but there was no one there…’

She had just scanned the area. He hadn’t been there. She hadn’t sensed any presence. Had he appeared the moment she turned her head?

‘Impossible!’

She wanted to dismiss it as a hallucination, but it had happened right before her eyes. It was baffling.

“Why were you following us?”

A pale-faced swordsman in white appeared, blocking their exit.

“Let’s hear your business.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said casually.

Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi exchanged glances. They turned back to face their targets, cupped their right fists with their left hands, and bowed respectfully.

“My apologies, seniors! My name is Ryu-Ran, a disciple of the Emei Sect.”

“I’m Yoo Un-Bi from the Jeomchang Sect.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon and Namgung-Sang’s eyes glinted with interest.

“At least they’re not small fry.”

Namgung-Sang said. It seemed like Bi Ryu-Yeon’s casual way of speaking was rubbing off on him.

“S-small fry…”

Ryu-Ran was speechless. She had never been called such a thing. But Bi Ryu-Yeon hadn’t even spoken yet.

“No, I think they’re just brats.”

“B-brats…”

Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi felt like coughing up blood. They swore to themselves that they would avenge this humiliation.

“So, what’s your business?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked. Ryu-Ran stepped forward.

“Ryu-Ran of the Emei Sect and Yoo Un-Bi of the Jeomchang Sect challenge you to a duel, as aspiring entrants to Cheonmu Academy.”

“The Ascending Martial Arts Competition hasn’t even started yet. Shouldn’t you be waiting for the official start?”

Namgung-Sang asked, his face puzzled.

“No. The exam has already begun.”

Ryu-Ran retorted confidently.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Namgung-Sang said.

“Then what’s that golden armband on your right arm, senior?”

“This…”

“Isn’t that a symbol of your status as an entrance exam judge for the Ascending Martial Arts Competition?”

“It is.”

Namgung-Sang answered.

“Then you have to duel us.”

“Why should I bother?”

“Because it’s the rule.”

Ryu-Ran answered firmly. Bi Ryu-Yeon raised his hand, silencing them.

“Wait! Rule? What rule?”

“The new entrance requirements.”

Ryu-Ran said it as if it were obvious, but it wasn’t obvious to Bi Ryu-Yeon and Namgung-Sang.

“New? What’s new? How?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked.

“You really don’t know?”

“No!”

He answered curtly.

“How is that possible… Alright, I’ll tell you.”

Ryu-Ran took out a letter from her pocket and read the rightmost passage.

“Cheonmu Academy Entrance Exam Requirements for the 101st Year.”

Someone muttered, “They’ve held a lot of these,” but the words were quickly swallowed.

“One. Any aspiring entrant to Cheonmu Academy may challenge an entrance exam judge wearing a golden armband with the characters ‘Cheonmu’ inscribed on it, and the judge must accept the challenge.”

She looked at Bi Ryu-Yeon and Namgung-Sang expectantly. Namgung-Sang still looked confused.

“Should I read another one?”

Her gaze shifted slightly to the left.

“two. Duels must be one-on-one. However, multiple challengers may fight a single judge with the judge’s consent. But only one challenger may claim the golden armband.”

“What’s the point of this armband anyway?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, flicking his armband with his finger. Her gaze moved to the bottom of the letter.

“three. Aspiring entrants who possess a golden armband are exempt from the first and second rounds of the exam.”

The golden armband was a shortcut to the final round, bypassing the preliminary rounds. It was essentially the same as the “Ascending Token” of the past. The only difference was the method of acquisition.

“That’s impossible! I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Namgung-Sang exclaimed. There had been no such announcement in the academy. How could such a major change be implemented without any notice? It was inconceivable.

“They’ve abolished the preferential treatment for disciples of prestigious sects. The golden armband serves that purpose now. Here, see for yourself. if this is real or fake?”

She held out the letter. Namgung-Sang snatched it and scanned it quickly.

“Well?”

“It has the Cheonmu Academy’s official seal.”

Namgung-Sang confirmed the seal at the bottom of the letter.

“We’ve been had.”

“Huh?”

“Those old geezers tricked us. They deliberately withheld this information to mess with us.”

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they wanted to test the judges as well as the entrants. Those cunning old foxes.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon walked over to a rock and sat down. He waved his hand dismissively at Namgung-Sang.

“This is a pain. Just deal with them quickly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Namgung-Sang replied halfheartedly.

“Think of it as a warm-up.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon added, crossing his legs and resting his chin on his hand.

“Don’t underestimate us, seniors!”

Ryu-Ran was furious. She felt like she had been subjected to a lifetime’s worth of humiliation in a single day. She vowed to crush their arrogance. But her anger seemed to have gone unnoticed by Bi Ryu-Yeon. Or perhaps he was ignoring her again.

“Huh? Who else am I supposed to underestimate besides a brat who can’t even choose her opponents wisely?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon scoffed. His assessment was as ruthless as ever, his words as sharp as a knife.

“Well, it would be a different story if you had chosen a worthy opponent.”

He twirled his index fingers and pointed at Namgung-Sang.

“You didn’t seriously think you could beat me, did you? Two brats like you are no match for our pathetic brother here.”

They both looked at Namgung-Sang. He scratched his head and said,

“Well, even if it’s true, I don’t think there’s a need to be so harsh…”

It seemed like he agreed with the sentiment, even if he disagreed with the delivery.

No one liked being underestimated, especially by an opponent they had chosen because they thought they were weak.

“We won’t accept defeat!”

Ryu-Ran shouted.

“Neither will I!”

Yoo Un-Bi echoed.

“Well, actions speak louder than words. Why don’t you try and beat him? If you two can defeat our pathetic brother here, I’ll even give you my armband. How’s that?”

“Really?”

Ryu-Ran’s eyes widened at his unexpected offer.

“Of course! Do I look like I have time to play games with brats?”

Now it was Namgung-Sang’s turn to be troubled.

“Eldest Senior Brother, that… that’s…”

He sent a frantic message through sound transmission.

“What? Are you scared?”

“It’s not that, but…”

He was just afraid of the consequences if things went wrong.

“Then it’s fine, right? Let’s finish this quickly and get back to business.”

“What will you do, senior? Are you afraid of losing?”

“Losing? To whom?”

A terrifying aura, a promise of victory, emanated from Namgung-Sang. His earlier awkwardness vanished, replaced by an overwhelming presence that made Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi shrink back. He was no longer the pale, weak-looking man they had seen earlier.

“Come. I’ll show you how vast the world truly is.”

They couldn’t lose now. If they entered the academy, they would have to face monsters like Bi Ryu-Yeon, who defied all logic and expectations. They needed to learn how to deal with them. It was a bit late, but better late than never.

“Then please teach us, senior!”

Ryu-Ran’s eyes blazed with determination.

“Wait!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon interrupted them. They all looked at him, their faces puzzled.

“Three or five?”

He asked Namgung-Sang, alternating between holding up three fingers and five fingers.

“Five.”

Namgung-Sang answered, holding up five fingers.

“Alright, three it is.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon ignored him.

“There are two of them. Why don’t we just go with five? Three seems a bit…”

Namgung-Sang protested.

“You really like five?”

Namgung-Sang nodded.

“Alright, then let’s go with five for both of you combined. No objections?”

“Th-that’s not… It should be five per person…”

“Then how about three for both of you? I don’t mind! What do you say?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, his tone suggestive.

“No, let’s just go with five.”

Namgung-Sang finally gave in. He was no match for Bi Ryu-Yeon.

“You know there’s a penalty for failure, right?”

“How could I forget?”

“Double penalty this time!”

“Why?”

“That’s…”

Ryu-Ran interrupted him.

“What are you talking about?”

She had a right to know what they were discussing.

“It’s nothing.”

Namgung-Sang tried to brush it off. But Bi Ryu-Yeon intervened.

“It’s nothing. We’re just calculating how long it’ll take to defeat two brats. Don’t worry about it.”

They were very worried.

“Are you saying you can defeat us both in five seconds?”

“Well, I think he can do it in three. But there has to be a penalty for failure, right?”

Ryu-Ran’s patience had reached its limit. She felt like she had been subjected to a lifetime’s worth of humiliation in a single day.

“What will you do if you can’t defeat us in five seconds?”

She asked, her teeth gritted.

“Then we’ll admit defeat. If we can’t defeat you in five seconds, we’ll give you both our armbands.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s answer surprised them. It was a disaster for Namgung-Sang. How could he be making the situation worse? He wanted to cry.

“Really?”

“Really!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon answered curtly. Namgung-Sang sighed.

“Ugh…”

Meeting Bi Ryu-Yeon had been a mistake. It must have been heaven’s doing. He was a genius, a genius beyond compare. A natural disaster…

“Come at me together. I’ll take you both on.”

Namgung-Sang, a quick learner, extended his left arm, his hand half-clenched.

“Come.”

His sword was still sheathed. Bi Ryu-Yeon was already in spectator mode.