On the morning of the entrance exam, a massive crowd gathered around the Azure Dragon Academy. In keeping with the festive atmosphere, a large number of pop-up stalls had also been set up.
“Rice cakes! Get your rice cakes! Freshly made rice cakes for good luck!”
“Good luck charms for the exam! Small enough to carry in your pocket!”
“Attention, young warriors! Co and have a hearty bowl of soup before taking your test!”
Needless to say, the shrewd rchants would never pass up such an opportunity to profit from the applicants, even if it ant that they had to start work much earlier than usual.
“Look over there! It’s Shaolin!”
“Idiot, just because he’s bald doesn’t an he’s from Shaolin.”
If you′re seeing this, you are at the wrong place.
“Whatever… never mind.”
“Sir! Are you from Wudang Sect?”
“Ahem, I’m just a lay disciple…”
All over the city, bright-eyed children could be heard squealing excitedly, eager to see young martial artists only a few years older than themselves. Normally, the martial artists would frown at such rude questions, but today they just smiled and let it go. After all, these kids didn’t know anything about the murim, and it wouldn’t do them any good to raise their voices in front of the Azure Dragon Academy on such an important day.
The gates of Azure Dragon Academy had not yet opened. In front of the gate, the applicants who were waiting to take the exam, along with their families, friends, and acquaintances, were saying their farewells. There were solemn, tearful, and even embarrassing scenes everywhere.
“My son, you must pass the exam!”
“Father, I will pass and bring back the Azure Dragon Emblem!”
“Yes, you must pass! Think of all the money we spent sending you to a martial arts academy… Oww! Honey!”
This is a non-profit translation. Ads? What ads?
“What are you thinking ntioning such things in front of our child?!”
Parents warmly hugged their children.
“Orabeoni,1 what will I do if you leave for the Azure Dragon Academy…?”
“Don’t cry, Yeon-Mae. It’s not like we’re parting forever.”
“I’m worried you’ll fall for a female student at the Azure Dragon Academy…”
“Why would you worry about such a thing? I already have you, my dear…”
“If you ever cheat on , I’ll personally co and tear you apart.”
“Ahem, that’s one of the reasons I fell for you, Yeon-Mae.”
Why aren′t you reading this at ?
Naive lovers declared their eternal love for each other.
“Disciple, don’t be nervous and just show half your skills. You won’t be able to fail even if you tried.”
“Yes! I’ll be back, Master!”
Masters patted their disciples on the shoulder in encouragent.
At an inn known for its exorbitant rates, a young man looked down at the Azure Dragon Academy from the top floor. “Hoho, what a nice atmosphere,” he remarked.
Another young man sitting across from him asked, “What’s so nice about it?”
“Isn’t it heartwarming to see the faces of young martial artists chasing their dreams? I wonder what kind of talented kids will show up this year?” the young man replied like an elder, despite his youthful appearance.
If there were others in the inn, they would have found this scene strange, but since the two n had rented out the entire floor, no one was around to notice.
The second man said matter-of-factly, “Half of them will have to pack up today, and the other half will go ho tomorrow. In the end, only a handful will be left.”
“You’ve always lacked romanticism. Isn’t it too early to talk about hard truths?”
“We have more applicants this year than ever before. However, the only reason this is happening is because we have lowered the application requirents to an unbelievably low level, to the point where anyone can take the exam.”
“Mmhmm.”
“But this year will be different. I am going to change the Azure Dragon Academy.”
“Yes, you should.” The young man who had been looking out of the window smiled faintly and turned to look at the man sitting across from him. For a mont, his gaze was cold as ice. “Or rather… you must.”
Read this at , or else.
“…Yes.” Namgoong Su lowered his head, not daring to et the young man’s eyes directly.
RUMBLE!
Finally, the gates of Azure Dragon Academy opened wide. Mae Geuk-Lyom, the gatekeeper for the day, demanded that the applicants remain calm and orderly as they entered.
The young man stood up. “Let’s go. If we’re late, that annoying geezer Noh Gun-Sang will nag .”
“Yes, Uncle.”2
The young man left the inn with his hands behind his back, and Namgoong Su politely followed one step behind him.
“By the way, aren’t those kids under your tutelage also taking part in the entrance exam? One of them is a mber of the main family, if mory serves.”
“Yes, you won’t be disappointed.”
“Hoho, I hope you’re right.”
Namgoong Su looked at the sword swinging at the young man’s waist and bowed his head. On the sheath of the sword, the characters “Blue Sky” (蒼天) were clearly engraved.
Only one martial artist in the murim could possess this sword.
Why aren′t you reading this at ?
“You’re astonishingly popular. If I had known that earlier, I would have made you co forward right at the very beginning,” Noh Gun-Sang remarked, shooting envious stares at Namgoong Je-Hak.
“Hoho, they’re just kids. I think they’re more excited because I’m one of the Ten Kings than because of my personal fa,” Namgoong Je-Hak replied with a hearty laugh.
You ought to read this at .
The two martial artists had been friends since their youth, often eting for duels and drinks. Although they couldn’t et as often now, their bond remained strong.
“Even though I invited you, I didn’t really expect you to co. Aren’t you busy with things at the Heavenly Martial Academy?” Noh Gun-Sang asked.
Namgoong Je-Hak waved away Noh Gun-Sang’s concern. “Not at all, the younger generation is in charge of everything now. Anyway, I’ve long wanted to visit the Azure Dragon Academy, so everything worked out perfectly.”
“Thank you. Because of you, those kids are more motivated than ever.”
The two old n turned toward the arena. The first round of selections was underway.
“Haaap!”
“Urachacha!”
After being divided into twelve groups, the applicants were now being tested in the outer arts, the inner arts, and physical fitness under the watchful eye of the instructors.
Hearing the vigorous shouts echoing from all around, Noh Gun-Sang smiled contentedly. “This year’s Azure Dragon Academy will be different. You’ll be surprised.”
“Oho! I certainly hope so,” Namgoong Je-Hak replied leisurely, raising an eyebrow.
“You look skeptical. Want to make a bet? I bet you’ll be surprised,” Noh Gun-Sang suggested.
“I don’t know what makes you so confident, but sure. What’s the stake?”
“At our age, what else but a drink?”
Namgoong Je-Hak laughed heartily and nodded. Having gotten used to the high standards of the Heavenly Martial Academy, he found the skills of the Azure Dragon Academy’s applicants painfully lacking.
Why aren′t you reading this at ?
Judging by the level of these applicants, I highly doubt that the Azure Dragon Academy’s performance at the Heavenly Martial Festival will be any better than before. Even the top applicant here would be diocre there, he thought, but he kept his opinion to himself so as not to hurt Noh Gun-Sang’s pride.
“Group 12, number 85!” an examiner called.
“Yes! I’m here!” an old man replied, stepping forward confidently. Wearing a snow-white martial arts uniform and a headband tied tightly around his forehead, he stood out strikingly from the crowd of young children.
Hmm…? Have I seen him sowhere before? Namgoong Je-Hak wondered.
“I am Gongson Su, a pioneer graduate of the White Dragon Manor. I look forward to your guidance!”
“W-WHY IS THAT PERSON HERE!?” Namgoong Je-Hak shouted, jumping to his feet.
It was the first ti the Blue Sky Sword King had lost a bet before it even comnced.
Orabeoni: Female honorific for elder brother, the archaic/extra-respectful form of “Oppa”. A quick reminder, for males: “elder brother” = “hyung”, “elder sister” = “noona/noonim”, and for females: “elder brother” = “oppa/orabeoni”, elder sister = “unnie”. ↩
Uncle: 백부(伯父) is an archaic term referring specifically to one’s eldest uncle. ↩
Reviews
All reviews (0)