Chapter 131: The Military Examination (4)
Hamryang Hall was the name of the pavilion where the officials held their meetings.
It was originally a modest building built to serve as quarters for the eunuchs, but its name had been grandly changed. This was due to Jang-yang’s stubborn refusal to allow the officials to carry themselves with an air of authority.
Now, the officials in charge of evaluating the imperial examination gathered here. The number of those seated in rows to the left and right reached about a hundred.
Since the evaluation was complete, only the public announcement remained.
The soldier standing guard at the entrance shouted loudly.
“The General has arrived!”
All the officials rose to their feet.
At the entrance, Jang-yang appeared side by side with So-mu.
“There is no need for formalities, so everyone please sit.”
Jang-yang sat in the seat of honor, with his adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong and So-mu sitting to his left and right.
Once all the officials were seated, a satisfied smile spread across Jang-yang’s face.
“You have all worked hard. Now, report the results of the civil examination first.”
The chief administrator rose from his seat and unfurled a scroll.
“There are fifty final successful candidates for the civil examination. The top scorer is a woman named Jin Yoo-so from Meixian.”
Astonishment rose on the faces of the officials.
The women, who were allowed to take the imperial examination for the first time in history, must have lacked preparation time. Even in such a disadvantageous situation, the fact that someone had passed as the top scorer could not help but be impressive.
Jang-yang laughed heartily in delight.
“Hahaha! A wise and intelligent woman has proudly taken the top spot. Is this not truly joyous news?”
The administrator continued to read out the list of those who passed. Those from Hanzhong were the most numerous, and there were also a significant number of well-known scholars.
This imperial examination was conducted with miscellaneous subjects included in the civil examination. Therefore, they would be appointed to various government posts according to their grades. Ranging from high positions like county magistrates or magistrates to officers at postal stations, they would scatter to various parts of Shaanxi to fill the necessary vacancies.
The smile never left Jang-yang’s face.
“It already makes me happy just thinking about building a better world with such outstanding talents. Haha. What are the results of the military examination?”
The administrator swapped and unfurled another scroll.
“There are eighty-seven successful candidates for the military examination. However…”
Everyone’s eyes focused on him.
As he hesitated, Yang Yeon-jeong, who had been watching silently, urged him.
“Why are you hesitating? Out with it.”
The administrator’s voice grew quieter. He, too, had only just noticed the problem.
“Well… the top scorer has not been selected. The two most outstanding candidates received the exact same score…”
Curiosity rose on Jang-yang’s face.
“Who are those two?”
“One is a man named Seol Pung from Sichuan. He was someone who already held a military post, but for some reason, he resigned from his office there and took the examination again in Shaanxi.”
A meaningful smile appeared on Jang-yang’s face.
“He must have his own reasons. And the other?”
The hesitating administrator said cautiously.
“…It is So-so.”
The officials began covering their mouths as if they couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“Pfft!”
“Haha…”
Everyone had seen So-so loitering around the testing grounds. Seeing her performing so well, they had wondered, but to think she would climb to the level of a top candidate. It was both funny and admirable.
While everyone was busy trying to keep a straight face, Jang-yang fell into deep thought.
“Hmm… what are we to do about this? We cannot not choose a top scorer…”
So-mu, who had been watching silently, spoke to the administrator.
“Bring the scorecards of the two to me.”
Receiving the documents, So-mu examined the scores for each subject in detail. Then, handing them back to the administrator, he said:
“I told you to apply a penalty to this candidate in the tactics subject, but it seems it wasn’t properly applied. Deduct one more point.”
“Pardon…? Ah, understood.”
In any case, what So-so wanted was a squad-leader-level patrol officer position, which was at the junior ninth rank. Since it was the lowest rank, the placement did not matter. Thus, So-mu wanted to give the opportunity to the man named Seol Pung.
Returning to his place, the administrator announced the list of successful candidates once more.
“I will make the final announcement. The top scorer is Seol Pung from Sichuan, and the runner-up is So-so.”
Applause burst out every time the name of a successful candidate was called. Since the imperial examination had ended successfully, everyone could not hide their joy.
Once the ranking confirmation was complete, Jang-yang dismissed the officials.
“Everyone must not have slept properly, so please rest well for today. That is an order.”
The steps of the officials leaving Hamryang Hall were very light. After they departed, only the highest-ranking generals remained: Jang-yang, So-mu, and Yang Yeon-jeong.
Yang Yeon-jeong still had a puzzled expression on his face.
“This man Seol Pung, who passed the military exam as the top scorer—why did he go as far as to give up his post there to come here?”
It was only natural that his actions seemed suspicious, but Jang-yang’s reaction was calm.
“If my guess is correct, he and I are likely old acquaintances. He is someone we can trust, so I would like to appoint him as a lieutenant and have him join us.”
As the top scorer of the military examination, he could receive the rank of a lieutenant, up to the junior sixth rank.
Although doubt still lingered on Yang Yeon-jeong’s face, he trusted Jang-yang’s judgment more than anyone.
“Understood. Since you say so, General, he must be someone who will be of help to us.”
As the jurisdiction expanded, many generals were needed. Even in Hanzhong, the core of Shaanxi, Lieutenant Wi Jin-cheol was left alone, spending hectic days. In addition, there was the management of the growing number of recruits. In such a situation, a talent like Seol Pung was always welcome.
Jang-yang looked at Yang Yeon-jeong and So-mu in turn.
“The appointment ceremony will be held in four days, but you two will not be able to attend.”
“For what reason?”
He shared with Yang Yeon-jeong the details of the army’s messenger being killed, as well as their future plans.
Suppressing his rising anger, Yang Yeon-jeong barely managed to regain his composure.
“Then I must head to Hanzhong.”
Jang-yang nodded and said:
“The duty of an adjutant is heavy. Since this is an operation that requires secrecy, please prepare it quietly.”
“Understood. Leave it to me.”
Jang-yang’s gaze turned back to So-mu.
“You are the one I worry about the most. When it comes to brutality, Liu Guangshi is even worse than Zhang Jun, so he will not be easy to deal with.”
The Chief of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Zhang Jun, whom they had disposed of in Hanzhong without anyone knowing. It was hard to imagine someone with an even more brutal nature.
When So-mu had fought in the allied forces in the past, the difference in rank between him and Liu Guangshi was too vast for them to even meet, but now he was fully qualified.
“Do not worry. Unlike the messenger they killed this time, they will not be able to do anything to me.”
“Be careful anyway. In that case, I should also go somewhere for a bit.”
“Are you by chance going to meet General Yue Fei?”
Jang-yang seemed slightly surprised.
“Haha. Sometimes it feels like you are reading my mind.”
Yue Fei, who had formed the volunteer army, had attacked Hangu Pass and Wuguan at Jang-yang’s request. He was definitely needed for this plan as well. However, since he was a man who would not move if it went against his beliefs, they could not rest easy.
“Persuading him will not be easy.”
“Do not worry too much. I have already received a letter from my senior brother. He said he would lend his strength whatever I ask.”
So-mu’s expression brightened. The effort he had put into keeping him alive was bearing fruit.
“That is a relief then.”
“It will go well. We will all be busy for a while.”
***
Two days had passed since the imperial examination ended.
Inside the barracks, So-mu and Il-gwang were preparing for a long journey. Their destination was the encampment of Liu Guangshi’s army stationed in Hubei Province.
Moving by horse would take ten days, but for martial artists of the Transformation Realm traveling by lightfoot technique, it was a distance that could be covered in a single day.
So-mu, who had put on his official uniform first, stepped toward the door and said:
“Wait a moment. I have somewhere to drop by.”
Il-gwang, who had not yet put on his uniform, narrowed his eyes and asked:
“Where are you going?”
“Mount Yangzhou. I should say goodbye to So-so. I won’t be able to see her for a few days.”
Il-gwang hastily stopped him.
“W-wait a second!”
So-mu, who was about to open the door, looked back with a puzzled face.
“Why?”
“Let’s go together. I need to say goodbye to our So-so too.”
Il-gwang’s behavior was a bit suspicious. So-mu couldn’t tell his intention, but what did it matter?
“Suit yourself. Follow slowly.”
When So-mu stepped outside, Il-gwang rushed out without even fastening his outer robe.
“Let’s go.”
“So you just wanted to see her one last time.”
“Of course. I won’t see my niece for a few days…”
When they came out the door, the sunset was already fading. Since So-so had been left in the care of Yeon Seo-hwa, unless something unusual happened, the two would be together at this hour.
The two unleashed their lightfoot techniques and sped toward their destination. Since it was a hill near the city of Chang’an, they could arrive in about fifteen minutes.
It was just as they passed the entrance of the mountain and were climbing the slope. Suddenly, the roar of a lion echoed from somewhere.
Kraaaah!
The mountain shook violently, and landslides began to occur here and there.
Rumble!
Surprised by the sudden tremors, Il-gwang looked around.
“What is this? What’s going on?”
Rocks rolled down, and tree branches shook as if they would snap. The howling wind swirled fallen leaves so thick they obscured their vision.
Even so, So-mu’s face remained perfectly calm. In fact, he was wearing a pleased smile.
“She’s not bad. To think she’s already at this level.”
At So-mu’s muttering, Il-gwang seemed to realize something and asked:
“Don’t tell me this is the Lion’s Roar So-so has been practicing?”
“Yes. It seems she has achieved seventy percent mastery by now.”
“Seventy percent mastery, and it’s already like this? If I took a complete mastery Lion’s Roar right in front of my face, even I would die!”
“Undoubtedly. But only a fool would stand there and take it. While its power is absolute, it has the disadvantage of taking a long time to cast.”
It was a double-edged martial art that would not work against masters of the Transformation Realm, but that did not matter. The reason she was learning the Dragon-Striking Lion’s Roar was for the breathing technique required to play the True One-Heart Flute Melody.
By the time they finished their brief chat, they had finally arrived at their destination. As it happened, Yeon Seo-hwa and So-so were standing out in the front yard.
A slightly disappointed look appeared on Il-gwang’s face. He kept looking around as if searching for someone. So-mu chuckled at the sight.
“I thought you came to see your niece?”
Il-gwang stammered in embarrassment.
“I did! I told you earlier, didn’t I?”
“Heh. Sure you did.”
A moment later, So-so spotted her father and ran over to wrap her arms around his waist.
“Father, where are you going?”
She was as sharp as a whip. In the past, leaving her behind would have weighed heavily on his heart, but knowing she was with Seo-hwa put his mind at ease.
“I’m going to buy a present for my So-so. I’ll be back soon.”
So-so looked up, pleading:
“Can’t I come with you?”
“But then your master would have to play all by herself. That would make her sad, wouldn’t it? Is that okay?”
Her small, cherry-like lips pouted reluctantly.
“No…”
Just then, Il-gwang, standing nearby, asked with a pout:
“Aren’t you going to miss your uncle?”
Only then did So-so turn her head to look at Il-gwang.
“Is Uncle going to buy So-so a present too?”
“Of course! I will. I’ll buy way more than your father.”
Grinning from ear to ear, So-so quickly wrapped her arms around Il-gwang’s waist.
“Hehehe. I miss Uncle every day! You have to come back quickly, okay?”
Il-gwang lifted So-so up to eye level and asked:
“Do you miss the presents, or do you miss your uncle?”
“Both…”
Just as Il-gwang was about to say something else, Seo-hwa, who was watching from behind, gave him a subtle wink and nod.
“My sister is in the garden behind the hermitage.”
Flustered, Il-gwang averted his gaze and replied:
“Pardon…? D-did I say anything…? H-hmph! Since I’m here, I might as well say hello before I go.”
As Il-gwang disappeared with So-so in his arms, So-mu and Seo-hwa faced each other.
“Thank you, Seo-hwa. Thanks to you, I can leave with peace of mind.”
Seo-hwa crossed her arms, her face expressionless.
“Is that all?”
“No. I have one more favor. Could you go with So-so to the military appointment ceremony?”
“I will take care of that.”
Seo-hwa’s expression was unusual. Moreover, her tone was somewhat blunt.
“Did something happen?”
“You only worry about So-so, while I don’t seem to cross your mind at all.”
Realizing the situation at last, So-mu thought, Ah.
“How could that be? No matter where my body is, my heart is always with you, Seo-hwa.”
At that moment, Seo-hwa’s face glowed beautifully, reflecting the light of the setting sun. In her subtly shifting expression, there was a dignified and elegant grace, like that of an imperial princess.
She stared at So-mu for a long moment before letting out just a single sentence.
“…Buy me one too. A present.”