Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Cheol Ji-ak looked at Zhuge Rin with a dumbfounded expression.
At that, Zhuge Rin spoke as if making an excuse.
“N-No. He was speaking so meaningfully as if he clearly knew something, so I thought we were discovered.”
“…Right, why did you suddenly ask the Vice Squad Leader about the treatment of the pirates in that situation?”
When Cheol Ji-ak asked, Cheon Woo-jin continued speaking calmly.
“I didn’t know you were from the Martial Alliance, but I knew the boatman was a master. Actually, I was confused, but just before my head was about to be split by the broadsword, you were releasing your energy.”
“…You saw that?”
When Cheon Woo-jin nodded, Cheol Ji-ak pointed at Zhuge Rin and asked again.
“Then what about her?”
“Well, a master like the boatman was acting like he was being bullied by pirates who aren’t even worth a single exchange of blows, and this young lady was subtly provoking the pirates so that they had no choice but to fight, while observing as if determined not to miss any situation, so…”
As Cheon Woo-jin’s words continued, Cheol Ji-ak’s eyes shone.
“It looked to you like we were controlling the situation?”
“Yes. Actually, I was pondering whether you two might be villains, but since you are from the Martial Alliance, that’s a relief.”
“Ha, look at this punk. What if we had been villains?”
“Who knows.”
However, Cheol Ji-ak knew.
The fact that this lad’s Crane Feather Fan would have been directed at himself and Zhuge Rin.
Soon, Cheol Ji-ak burst into boisterous laughter.
“Hahaha, excellent. A rising talent of the Righteous Path should naturally have a chivalrous side. It feels just like looking at my younger days. Especially the face is somewhat similar.”
Zhuge Rin narrowed her eyes and looked at Cheol Ji-ak.
“I don’t think that’s true…”
“Ahem!”
Regardless, Zhuge Rin looked at Cheon Woo-jin with a peculiar look in her eyes and asked.
“Your name?”
“I am Cheon Woo-jin.”
“And your sect?”
Cheon Woo-jin pondered for a moment.
He was reminded of the words of Master Black Elder telling him not to reveal it carelessly, as he had many enemies in the martial world.
“I cannot say.”
“Well, who wouldn’t have secrets? Fine then.”
“What is fine?”
“…I just said it, so sit down. Not just Young Hero Cheon, everyone sit down. It will become difficult to keep your balance.”
Right when everyone failed to understand Zhuge Rin’s words.
Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak picked up an oar lying on one side.
Cheon Woo-jin, seeing this, quietly grabbed the railing of the boat, and the quick-witted Song Yi-yeon followed Cheon Woo-jin’s lead.
Everyone thought Cheol Ji-ak would row with that, but.
Whoosh!
Cheol Ji-ak swung the oar toward the rear, releasing a wind of blade energy. No, should it be called oar wind?
At any rate, with that repulsive force, the boat cut through the water currents fiercely and shot forward.
“A-Aaargh!”
Several rising talents rolled comically across the floor.
Naturally, Cheon Woo-jin did not move in the slightest even amidst that, while Cheol Ji-ak and Zhuge Rin were looking at Cheon Woo-jin with curious eyes.
* * *
The Martial Alliance.
The grand alliance of Righteous Path martial artists, including the Nine Great Sects and One Clan and the Five Great Clans. Unlike in the beginning when it was created to confront the Heavenly Demon Cult, the prevailing evaluation nowadays was that it had already far surpassed the Demonic Cult.
Cheon Woo-jin, who rarely showed surprise, had his jaw slightly open with his head raised high.
It was his first time in his life seeing such high walls.
The gate doors alone were larger than the hut where Cheon Woo-jin had lived serving his two masters, and there were several times more people than in a marketplace where a village festival was held.
Among those coming and going from the Martial Alliance, there was no martial artist who could be called a master by Cheon Woo-jin’s standards. If one were to enter deeper into the Alliance, that might be another story.
However, even the lowest-ranking martial artists had formidable spirit, even if their martial prowess was low. Both eyes were full of vigor, and their movements were lively and brimming with confidence.
‘It reminds me of Master White Elder.’
In the Martial Alliance, there were many people who resembled Master White Elder, regardless of age or martial prowess. On the other hand, since there was not a single person who resembled Master Black Elder, he thought it truly was the Martial Alliance.
Looking at the scenery of the Martial Alliance, he was suddenly reminded of his masters’ conversation.
– “Woo-jin, the hypocrisy of the Righteous Path bastards is generally on the disgusting side, but do you know who among them are the absolute worst? It is none other than the Martial Alliance. When in reality they solve everything through strength, yet babble on about peace, fairness…”
– “Good heavens, where else is there a place that establishes the righteous spirit of the Righteous Path as properly as the Martial Alliance!”
His two masters fought whenever the topic of the Martial Alliance came up.
Master White Elder cherished the Martial Alliance dearly, while Master Black Elder always displayed hostility.
The end of their fight always ended with words like this.
– “Ha, then we can just let Woo-jin see and experience it for himself to judge. Just how disgusting a bunch the Martial Alliance is, that is.”
– “Very well. Woo-jin, you must definitely confirm it for yourself. By feeling their chivalry up close and personal, you, too, will become a chivalrous hero.”
While Cheon Woo-jin broke into a soft chuckle recalling the vivid conversation of his two masters, Song Yi-yeon openly let out exclamations of admiration one after another.
“Young hero! Look over there. It’s the flag of the Martial Alliance!”
At the place Song Yi-yeon pointed, the blue flag symbolizing the Martial Alliance was fluttering high.
Zhuge Rin raised her small but straight nose slightly and spoke as if proud.
“Amazing, isn’t it? Our Martial Alliance.”
Cheon Woo-jin merely nodded with his jaw still open.
At that sight, Zhuge Rin burst into an involuntary chuckle.
‘Is he really the same person who cut off the pirate’s wrist in a single stroke?’
Cheon Woo-jin was an exceedingly intriguing man.
When dealing with pirates, he was incomparably cold like a martial artist who killed people as casually as having a meal, yet right now, he looked as innocent and simple as a person who had never stepped on a single bug.
Even to Zhuge Rin, a person in whom black and white coexisted in such stark contrast was a first.
“Now then, get your bearings. The preliminary exams haven’t ended in other places yet. I will assign temporary quarters for you to use while waiting. By the way, five people is more than expected. I anticipated about two. It’s probably thanks to Young Hero Cheon, though.”
Having spoken thus, Zhuge Rin glared at Song Yi-yeon.
Song Yi-yeon’s shoulders flinched.
Because originally, he had not intended to step forward either.
“Hehe… let us hurry along, Vice Squad Leader.”
Song Yi-yeon smiled sheepishly and moved his steps, while Cheon Woo-jin naturally followed behind him.
Zhuge Rin looked at the backs of the two, then narrowed her brows.
“Over there is practically confirmed to pass. Why do I feel like that slick fellow will pass as well?”
* * *
While moving to the quarters, Zhuge Rin’s explanation continued.
“On all paths leading from across the country to the Martial Alliance, instructors like Squad Leader and me are stationed. Even those who come through unusual routes will take the preliminary exam that you young heroes took on the boat, without exception. We prepared for this exam for an entire year. The Squad Leader actually rode a boat for a year.”
Song Yi-yeon nodded his head.
Until Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak and Vice Squad Leader Zhuge Rin revealed their identities themselves, he had not noticed at all.
Cheol Ji-ak in particular looked like a boatman who had steered a boat for thirty years to anyone who looked.
Song Yi-yeon glanced at Cheon Woo-jin.
‘No matter how much I think about it, he’s a fascinating young hero.’
‘He had never even heard his name, yet his martial prowess was so strong that it could not even be fathomed, and his judgment was sharp too.’
‘Just where did a monster-like young hero like this pop out from?’
“Hey there! Are you listening?”
At Zhuge Rin’s sharp voice, Song Yi-yeon was startled and babbled whatever came to mind.
“Ah, of course. But did the Martial Alliance member selection exam originally have such a process? I have never heard of it.”
A deep furrow formed between Zhuge Rin’s brows.
“That’s right. It is an instruction from the Alliance Leader who took office this time. Saying that a martial artist who does not know righteousness and chivalry can never set foot in the Martial Alliance…”
“T-The Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon?”
When Zhuge Rin nodded, Song Yi-yeon’s eyes sparkled like stars.
“He is one of the Three Great Swordsmen of the Righteous Path. The martial artist I want to resemble the most is none other than Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon.”
“…You’re a saber wielder, aren’t you? The Alliance Leader is a swordsman.”
“Regardless.”
Song Yi-yeon seemed to have his heart pounding just from recalling the Alliance Leader.
A man who had just crossed the age of forty, and had seized the position of Alliance Leader purely through his own skill without background or special privileges.
The symbol of a self-made man! The goal of every rising talent!
“Ha, the more I think about it, the cooler he is.”
Song Yi-yeon shook his head as if intoxicated by something.
Cheon Woo-jin, who was beside him, spoke.
“What is the Alliance Leader’s moniker?”
Song Yi-yeon looked at Cheon Woo-jin with surprise.
“Why is our Young Hero Cheon curious about such things for once? Is the Alliance Leader a dream and goal even for the taciturn Young Hero Cheon? Let’s see, what was the moniker again…”
Right when Song Yi-yeon was retracing his thoughts.
Zhuge Rin spoke somewhat bluntly.
“He is the White Egret Sword Saint. You call him your goal and don’t even know that?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Song Yi-yeon scratched his head in embarrassment.
Cheon Woo-jin let out a sigh.
“As expected, it wasn’t him.”
The White Egret Sword Saint.
Yes, monikers were originally like that.
Could there truly be a martial artist in the world who used a moniker like ‘Sword Slower than a Turtle’?
When Cheon Woo-jin showed a look of disappointment, Song Yi-yeon asked.
“Why are you like that?”
“Actually, I did not come to take the exam, but to look for someone.”
“Eh?”
Song Yi-yeon made a strange sound. He had thought they would pass the exam together and become eternal rivals in the future.
Zhuge Rin also spoke with a serious expression.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I only boarded the boat because the boatman… no, the Black Tortoise Squad Leader told me to board.”
“That can’t be? When I checked the roster on the way here earlier, the name Cheon Woo-jin was definitely on it?”
“Hmm?”
How could that be when he didn’t come to take the exam?
Cheon Woo-jin, who had been deep in thought for a moment, let out a sigh.
The only people who would do such a thing were his masters.
‘My masters knew that I would head for the Martial Alliance.’
Because Master White Elder had written it so in his last will.
Both masters wanted Cheon Woo-jin to head for the Martial Alliance, albeit for different reasons. White Elder thought Cheon Woo-jin would feel true virtue in the Martial Alliance, while Black Elder thought he would feel hypocritical evil.
“It seems my master registered me without my knowledge.”
Zhuge Rin tilted her head repeatedly.
“Hmm, well, I will double-check for now, but… so you’re saying you won’t participate? The Squad Leader will probably be terribly disappointed. He was pleased, saying that a proper junior had arrived after a long time.”
Song Yi-yeon also chipped in from the side.
“That is right, young hero. Since you are on the roster anyway, let us just do it. Your master wanted it as well, you said. From ancient times, it was said that the ruler, teacher, and father are one. The ruler! The father! And the teacher! Are one and the same. Young hero, are you going to become an unfilial scoundrel?”
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin looked at Song Yi-yeon with a dumbfounded face.
Zhuge Rin also clicked her tongue, thinking, ‘A fellow whose mouth would float even if you threw him in water!’ But because she hoped Cheon Woo-jin would enter the Martial Alliance, she did not say it out loud.
Looking at the two, Cheon Woo-jin soon spoke in a voice carrying a sigh.
“…I will do it.”
“Right, you thought well. By the way, who were you originally trying to look for?”
Cheon Woo-jin pondered for a moment, and since it was not something related to Master Black Elder, he spoke.
“I do not know who it is either. However, they said the moniker is ‘Sword Slower than a Turtle’.”
“Pfft, don’t tell lies. How could such a moniker exist in the world?”
Even Zhuge Rin beside them let out a soft chuckle.
“I have never heard of such a moniker either. If I happen to find out, I will let you know.”
Having spoken thus, Zhuge Rin threw the room door wide open.
Song Yi-yeon let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Oh, is this the quarters we will be using from now on? It is remarkably nice, far more than expected?”
“It’s temporary quarters, temporary.”
Song Yi-yeon spoke with a look of disappointment.
“By the way, why does the Vice Squad Leader use polite speech with us? We’re merely lowly applicants at best.”
“That’s because you’re lowly applicants. At any rate, you aren’t my subordinates yet. If, just if, our applicant Song Yi-yeon passes and enters the Black Tortoise Division…”
Zhuge Rin, who trailed off, pointed her index finger at Song Yi-yeon.
“…?”
At the sudden gesture, Song Yi-yeon’s eyes went wide.
This time, Zhuge Rin raised her thumb and made a gesture of slitting her throat, smiling sweetly.
It was an advance notice whose meaning was truly unmistakable.
“W-What did I even do…”
“Everything almost went down the drain this time because of you, didn’t it?”
Only then did Song Yi-yeon recall insisting on the boat that Zhuge Rin was from the Zhuge Clan.
Literally just insisting.
Because an intellectual, beautiful woman was exuding quite a distinguished atmosphere, he had simply linked her casually with the Zhuge Clan.
“To think that would come back like this…”
Song Yi-yeon slumped down onto the floor. He only hoped that even if he passed the exam, he would not be assigned to the Black Tortoise Squad.
At that sight, Zhuge Rin smiled sweetly. Contrasted with her usually very cold impression, it somehow looked even more wicked. At least to Song Yi-yeon, it felt that way.
“Oh, right! Right before the second exam begins, they will assign personal grades in the categories of skeletal structure, lightness art, dynamic visual acuity, internal energy, and external arts. Well, it’s nothing difficult, so just keep it in mind.”
Cheon Woo-jin merely nodded, and Song Yi-yeon, who was slumped on the floor, spoke in a quiet voice.
“Easy, my foot. Young Hero Cheon, do not believe those words. The real exam begins with the grading. You must do your absolute best.”
“…Shall we keep it quiet?”
At Zhuge Rin’s chilling tone, Song Yi-yeon shut his mouth and nodded.
Zhuge Rin, who put on a smile once more, closed the room door while poking only her head out and spoke.
“Then change your clothes and rest comfortably. Young Hero Cheon, slick fellow, and those three over there… what were your names again?”
“…”
“Oh, whatever, who cares.”
Soon, Zhuge Rin vanished like a phantom.
Somehow, the three nameless individuals who had received an advance notice of disqualification wore expressions of shock.
Song Yi-yeon patted their backs and spoke.
“Cheer up. It is too early to give up. By the way, what really are your names?”
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin let out a sigh.
“Killing them twice.”
Of course, Cheon Woo-jin did not know their names either.
Song Yi-yeon approached with a beaming smile and placed a hand firmly on Cheon Woo-jin’s shoulder.
Then, with his smooth, handsome face, he spoke.
“This time, I will properly show you. Young hero, truth be told, I am quite strong, far more than you think. Do not be surprised.”
“I know.”
“No, really, I mean it.”
Naturally, Cheon Woo-jin could see Song Yi-yeon’s realm clearly.
Song Yi-yeon, feeling somehow wounded by Cheon Woo-jin’s dry gaze, suddenly spoke as if he had just remembered.
“Ah, right. That person you are looking for, young hero.”
“The Sword Slower than a Turtle?”
Song Yi-yeon still seemed to find that moniker amusing as he nodded with a chuckle.
“I think I can help you find them.”
“How so?”
“Since I passed the preliminary exam thanks to you, Young Hero Cheon, I shall tell you. Now, listen closely.”
Curling the corners of his lips into a smirk, Song Yi-yeon began his explanation.