“Skysword1 is coming? Then who’s protecting the Emperor now?” Gongson Su asked, startled. He had just heard the news that Skysword, the Royal Guard’s strongest and one of the Ten Supres, was coming to personally escort him.
“It was the Emperor himself who sent Skysword,” Shadow replied, kneeling on one knee.
Overwheld by the Emperor’s concern, Gongson Su closed his eyes. “Hoho, what an honor for an old man like …”
Since the assassination attempt a few days ago, the Imperial Palace had been in turmoil. On the orders of an enraged Emperor, a frenzied manhunt for the culprits had been launched. Several suspects were already in custody, and the thought of the iron-fisted Gongson Su returning to power sent shivers down the spines of many officials, corrupt or no.
“…Many officials have reached out. What should I do?”
“Tell them all the sa thing: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. They will pay for their sins.”
“Yes, sir.”
With a stoic face, Gongson Su continued packing. He had few possessions, including only a few martial arts uniforms, a handful of beloved books, and his trusty wooden practice sword, so it was a quick task.
He stroked the sword, chuckling, “Hoho, how is my sword already so worn out?”
“…You never let it go, even in your sleep,” Shadow said with a warm smile. She knew all too well the extraordinary effort Gongson Su had put into learning martial arts. Weaker and slower by nature, he had to push himself far harder than his peers, pondering and refining his swordsmanship after every swing and never hesitating to consult his master with even the slightest doubt.
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“If the kids at the Azure Dragon Academy worked half as hard as you, Elder Gong, they’d win the Heavenly Martial Festival every year…”
Nostalgia filled Gongson Su’s eyes as he recounted how Baek Suryong often praised him for his hard work. Before he knew it, he had already trained here at the White Dragon Manor for over a month. “It feels like a dream,” he whispered.
“…A dream that ca true,” Shadow added.
“Hoho, you’ve really improved your way with words, haven’t you?”
“With you and Mr. Baek around, it’s hard not to.”
“You’re getting bold! Will you challenge to a duel next?”
“I might just do that now.”
“What? Hahaha!” Gongson Su burst out laughing.
Shadow’s smile widened. Since her arrival at the White Dragon Manor, she too had changed, her smile becoming more natural with each passing day. Even though she hadn’t formally studied under Baek Suryong, she had absorbed a lot just by observing.
“We’ve both learned a lot here.”
“…Yes. I will miss it.”
Gongson Su picked up the only new item in the room, a small jade plaque carved into the shape of a coiled dragon—the Azure Dragon Emblem (靑龍牌), granted only to those admitted into the Azure Dragon Academy. Just yesterday afternoon, they had announced the entrance exam results.
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“Congratulations again on passing.”
“That was a close one. I should have started looking from the bottom of the list.”
“It was amusing watching you search from the top.”
“You little…” Gongson Su glared at Shadow with feigned indignation.
Shadow averted her gaze, muttering, “Passing is passing, no matter the rank.”
Although he was the top from the bottom, Gongson Su had indeed passed the Azure Dragon Academy entrance exam.
“Hoho! Indeed, passing is passing,” Gongson Su acknowledged, pinning the Azure Dragon Emblem to his chest before leaving his room for the last ti. “Before we leave, I must thank Mr. Baek once again. eting the best teacher ever has made all the difference,” he added.
“…If Mr. Baek is the best teacher, then you are the best student.”
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“Oh my, one should stick to one’s opinion. Haven’t you heard that it’s bad to keep changing your mind?”
“Just indulge this once, it’s our last day.”
“Tsk tsk. Such a wild child, who will marry you…”
“Grandpa!” Wiji Cheon suddenly called out, running toward Gongson Su.
“Why are you so late?” Hyonwon Kang grumbled, still pale.
Wow, is this kid even human? Gongson Su thought. Even with his elixirs and Baek Suryong’s healing techniques, it was a miracle that Hyonwon Kang was able to walk again within a few days after his serious injuries.
Still, I’m glad to see him well before we depart.
Taking one last look around the familiar White Dragon Manor, Gongson Su said, “Let’s not be late for the entrance ceremony.”
Today was a big day at the Azure Dragon Academy. For Gongson Su, it was also the day he would return to the Imperial Palace.
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