Chapter 37: Saying No When Everyone Says Yes (1)
Chapter 36 – Saying No When Everyone Says Yes (1)
Having achieved an overwhelming first place in the first trial, Namgung Cheon settled into a lodging in a relatively quiet spot.
Although it was a detached annex, making it somewhat disappointing for interacting with other cadets, it had a rear garden, which was the perfect condition for practicing internal energy without distraction.
Well, it was also true that there were no cadets who wished to associate with the child of the Great Killing Star.
In any case, Namgung Cheon rose at the crack of dawn and was circulating his energy in that rear garden.
The clear, bright energy arising from his dantian coursed refreshingly along his meridians.
As an unprecedented energy rose like a haze from his entire body, his long robe slowly swelled and radiated warmth.
How long had he been concentrating on his mental cultivation method like that?
As he channeled the Heavenly Lightning Sovereign Divine Art, he felt a heavy energy racing without restraint.
‘It is definitely different.’
He felt it every time he circulated his energy, but the quality of his internal energy was completely different from that of his past life.
Naturally, it had to be so.
In his past life, he had picked up and copied whatever this guy or that guy was doing.
As someone who could clearly see the flow of energy, he had easily mastered any standard mental cultivation method after copying it just a few times.
Of course, just because it was visible did not mean that managing the flow of qi in the exact same way was an easy task.
Still, compared to those who could not see it, it was possible for him to master it much faster.
So he had unhesitatingly picked up and gathered whatever mental cultivation method looked good at the time.
Because he had to survive day by day immediately.
Thanks to the First Sight Skill-Breaking Eyes, there was no worry of suffering from qi deviation.
‘By learning all kinds of miscellaneous skills like that, I did become strong in my own way.’
However, there was a limit.
It was because he lacked a foundation.
Orthodox martial artists sometimes shouted at the Unorthodox or Demonic martial artists, “Hey, you rootless bastard!” but that was incorrect.
Because the truly rootless one was none other than himself.
To put it nicely, it meant he was a free spirit who was not bound to any single thing.
However, freedom was prone to becoming unruly, and the quality of his internal energy had been the very definition of unruliness.
It was rough, consumed quickly as a result, and sometimes, he would even lose control and run wild.
But now, it was different.
The internal energy surging from his dantian was pure and solid.
It overflowed with power.
Crackle… Crackle…
The fine hairs on his entire body stood on end.
As he progressed in the Heavenly Lightning Sovereign Divine Art, lightning qi began to dwell within his internal force.
The only disappointing thing was that his internal energy was lacking.
It was still not even sixty years’ worth of internal energy.
Of course, possessing sixty years of internal energy at his age was no easy feat.
Unless he had been born into a family overflowing with spirit elixir pills like Tang Wu-gi.
It was a fact that many martial artists died without ever laying eyes on a spirit pill or elixir in their entire lives.
Namgung Cheon was at least able to accumulate close to sixty years of internal energy thanks to the Nine Dragons Iron Heart Pill he had consumed at his family’s residence.
‘Still, it is a relief that the energy he originally possessed was not small. Even though he had to walk on eggshells since childhood, it seems that old man took care of him in his own way despite the family’s difficult circumstances.’
Indeed.
Was he not the child of the daughter he had cherished like gold and jade?
No matter how much he disliked him, he probably could not bring himself to treat even his grandson so harshly.
In any case, unlike his past life, now that he had a foundation, the quality of his internal energy had improved incomparably.
This was also the reason why Namgung Cheon practiced internal energy so often lately.
‘Practicing internal energy like this makes me feel so good.’
It was when he had been immersed in the mental cultivation method for a long while.
At one point, Namgung Cheon opened his eyes sharply and reached for the Emerald Silk Sword placed beside him.
Swooooosh!
In an instant, the Emerald Silk Sword shot out in a straight line, echoing with a rumble of thunder.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
Vibrate…
The Emerald Silk Sword, embedded in the wooden pillar, vibrated violently.
Below it, Yun Jong-seung was collapsed on the ground, his eyes brimming with tears.
“What is it?”
When Namgung Cheon asked bluntly, Yun Jong-seung brushed off his seat, stood up, and shouted.
“Hey! Honestly, you should apologize first…!”
“What?”
When Namgung Cheon stared intently at him, Yun Jong-seung flinched and continued speaking.
“…I should… apologize first. Me.”
“Apologize for what?”
“I am sorry for barging in and disturbing you like this.”
“Forget it. If you have nothing else to say, leave.”
“Wh-When are you going to teach me?”
“What?”
“The way… to get stronger.”
Yun Jong-seung’s voice grew increasingly fainter.
Namgung Cheon stared intently before asking again.
“Did you leave some secret manual with me or something?”
“Th-That is not it, but… ah, right! Wouldn’t it be advantageous for our group if I get stronger, even if only by a little?”
“Every group is bound to have a weak link. We can just act as if you’re not there.”
“I don’t want to be a weak link!”
“Hmm.”
As Namgung Cheon stared intently at him, Yun Jong-seung flinched but did not back down easily this time.
“What…? Why…? Wh-What are you going to do…?”
It was a timid rebellion in his own way.
Namgung Cheon smirked.
“Do you know why the Red Lotus Palm is called the Red Lotus Palm?”
“That is because it leaves a lotus-shaped wound.”
“Can you even make one?”
“What?”
“A lotus, that is.”
“Th-That is because I haven’t mastered it yet…”
“That’s not it. Once you master it, the lotus will only become larger and darker.”
“……!”
“The important thing is a complete lotus, even if it is faint. You fail because you blindly rely on brute strength. If you understand, get lost.”
“Huh? Is that it?”
Look at this guy. He was always like this.
Save a drowning man, and he would always demand his bundle back.
Just as Namgung Cheon was about to glare at him, a female cadet’s voice was heard.
“I think you should practice next time. The gathering time for the second trial has come.”
Turning around, Namgung Cheon saw that it was the female cadet who had appeared last night following Paeng Su-hyeok.
The female cadet glanced at Yun Jong-seung and furrowed her brow slightly.
“Could it be… is he in the same group as us, too?”
Yun Jong-seung flared up inwardly.
‘What’s with that pathetic look! Even so, at one time…!’
But soon, his shoulders slumped.
Well… even back then, there had been nothing.
Looking back, he had only taken the lead in tormenting Namgung Cheon because he had not wanted to be bullied by Song Won-gyo’s crowd.
‘Like a fool, thinking I was actually somebody…’
He let out a long sigh, but the female cadet’s subsequent words made him flare up again.
“Isn’t he a bit weak?”
“Eek! Who is weak? If not for me, who would even join a group like this? Where else is there someone who wants to be in the same group as the child of the Great Killing Star…”
Whack!
“Ack!”
Yun Jong-seung, whose back of the head was on fire, clutched his head and groaned.
“You really do ask for a beating every time.”
Namgung Cheon patted the back of Yun Jong-seung’s head and continued.
“Unfortunately, what this insolent bastard is saying is true. If not for a pathetic guy like this, there’s no one else who would join my group.”
“Then our group has two pushovers.”
At the female cadet’s indifferent murmur, Yun Jong-seung flared up again but held it back.
Namgung Cheon pulled the Emerald Silk Sword out of the pillar and asked.
“By the way, who are you?”
“What? Don’t tell me you don’t know my name?”
Namgung Cheon turned to look at Yun Jong-seung.
However, Yun Jong-seung also stole a glance and shook his head.
This time, the female cadet frowned.
“You don’t know my name either?”
“Sorry.”
Yun Jong-seung looked off into the distance.
The female cadet grumbled in disbelief.
“It’s understandable for Cheon since he lost his memory, but how can you not know my name when we’ve spent over a year together?”
“I know your face, but… you were always so quiet…”
“Forget it. Jin So-hong. That’s my name.”
“Ah.”
Yun Jong-seung nodded blankly.
Namgung Cheon sheathed the Emerald Silk Sword and asked.
“Jin So-hong. Why do you want to join the same group as me? I can understand this guy since he’s a pushover, and that Paeng guy is originally a bit lacking anyway. But you?”
If Paeng Su-hyeok had heard this, he would have run wild with rage.
Jin So-hong smiled faintly.
“That’s because I trust my own eyes rather than rumors. Since I saw you take first place overwhelmingly, I might as well invest in you. The riskier the gamble, the higher the guaranteed returns, right?”
Because she answered so naturally, he had nothing to say.
Indeed. If she had eyes, she would have seen how great he was. After all, he had truly given it his all in the first trial.
To do his best in everything was the belief he had just formed.
As Namgung Cheon moved his steps, Paeng Su-hyeok turned the corner and shouted.
“Why are you dragging your feet like this? The gathering time is already here!”
“I’m on my way.”
“Namgung Cheon! Keep this clearly in mind. The only reason I joined your group is to give you a fair opportunity as well!”
“You found a suitable excuse overnight.”
“S-Shut up! I am absolutely not doing this because I think I can gain something by staying near you! I absolutely do not expect anything like inspiration from you! This is my absolute truth!”
“Whatever you say.”
When Namgung Cheon indifferently spat those words and walked on, Paeng Su-hyeok snorted and moved his steps.
He suddenly turned to look at Jin So-hong, who was walking alongside him, and asked.
“Come to think of it, you…”
“Why did I choose Namgung Cheon?”
“No… who are you?”
At that moment, a vein popped slightly on Jin So-hong’s forehead.
* * *
Two hundred cadets who passed the first trial gathered in the Grand Martial Arena.
It was by no means a small number, but compared to the cadets and commoners who had participated in the opening ceremony, it felt like a very small crowd.
Tang Ye-seol, who had ascended the high platform, looked around at the cadets and cast her gaze on Namgung Cheon.
‘So he formed a group after all?’
A faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
Namgung Cheon.
He had caught her interest from the very beginning, and indeed, he did not disappoint.
Of course, since there were two hundred people who passed the first trial, if they formed groups of four, it was unlikely for anyone to be left out.
However, the nickname of the official pushover of Dragon Heaven Academy and the label of being the bastard child of the Great Killing Star were not easy things to deal with.
Because one could easily end up falling into the status of a pushover alongside him.
‘So I thought there would be cadets who would rather choose to fail, but…’
Rather, the others had approached him first?
Her gaze directed toward Paeng Su-hyeok and Jin So-hong.
‘Well, this is the fun of the competition. Let’s see what you do, Namgung Cheon.’
Having collected her thoughts, Tang Ye-seol raised her voice.
“The second trial will be held at Mount Mulan until tomorrow morning! You will pass if you gather back here at the Grand Martial Arena just before dawn! However!”
The cadets focused their attention.
Tang Ye-seol looked down at those cadets and curled the corners of her mouth slightly.
Swish!
As she turned around abruptly and flicked her wrist, two daggers flew like lightning toward the VIP seats.
On the railing of the VIP seats was a large scroll, and the daggers thrown by Tang Ye-seol cleanly cut the cloth binding the scroll with precision.
Snap!
Unfurl… Flutter…
As the large scroll unfurled, characters packed tightly together filled the cadets’ vision.
Inside the scroll, names that were unfamiliar yet somewhat heard of were written.
Blue-Scaled Silver-Thread Snake
Silver-Blooded Human-Faced Spider
Red Flame Spider
Fire Spirit Insect
Silver Snow Crane
Copper-Feathered Spiritual Bird
……
……
Watching the buzzing cadets, Tang Ye-seol continued speaking.
“These are the spiritual beasts currently released on Mount Mulan. As you can see, low-grade spiritual beasts are the most numerous, but one special-grade spiritual beast is also included. There are thirty in total. Regardless of the grade, you pass if each group catches just one! The means and methods are free!”
The cadets buzzed even more.
Hwangbo Seung raised his hand.
“I have a question. Will we be treated without differentiation as long as we catch one, whether it is low-grade or special-grade?”
“Yes. So you should catch the easy ones quickly, right? Otherwise, the other groups will catch them all.”
Only then did the cadets stealthily exchange glances with one another.
Mount Mulan was vast.
There were only thirty spiritual beasts.
Even among those, there were ones with unfamiliar names whose appearance they couldn’t even grasp.
If they had known this, they should have studied instead of dozing off at the academy.
Knowing the appearance of the spiritual beasts well was also a problem.
Many of the mid-grade or higher spiritual beasts were difficult to catch even if one used lightfoot techniques.
In short, although there were thirty of them on Mount Mulan, there was no guarantee they could all be caught.
Ultimately…
‘We have to go as fast as possible and find the easiest ones to catch first!’
The passing groups would definitely not reach thirty.
Once their thoughts reached this point, the cadets, without exception, began to run like the wind.
“Run!”
“Let’s go!”
Dash!
Paeng Su-hyeok also flinched and turned.
“These guys!”
Just as he was about to kick off the ground…
“Alright, shall we head out?”
Namgung Cheon stretched lazily and slowly moved his steps.
Paeng Su-hyeok’s eyebrows twitched relentlessly.
“You… what are you doing?”
“What else? I’m heading to Mount Mulan.”
Unable to watch any longer, Yun Jong-seung chimed in.
“This is not the time to be doing this! We have to go quickly and catch one!”
“It’s fine. They said thirty of them were released. Rest easy.”
Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue.
A person must have composure.
One ought to know how to walk alone when everyone else runs, and shout ‘no’ when everyone else says ‘yes.’ Tsk, tsk.
As Namgung Cheon took his sweet time walking, Tang Ye-seol, watching from atop the platform, wore an intrigued expression.
‘Namgung Cheon. What on earth are you planning?’