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Chapter 284: The Entrance Exam

“Damn it.”

As I let that slip out, the surrounding area fell silent all of a sudden.

It must have been such a blatant curse that the tension and excitement in the air condensed into shock.

Especially since the target was the renowned son of the clan leader.

Even Gu Jeolyub, who was behind me, and Gu Yeonseo, who usually wore a blank expression, had shocked faces before subtly backing away.

Geez… These bastards…

They wanted to make it clear to everyone that he wasn’t one of us, but had they forgotten that they were all wearing the same Gu Clan martial robes?

To betray like that so dumbly and even faster than anyone else…

Well learned.

Yeah, life’s gotta be lived that way.

‘But still, I’ll see Gu Jeolyub later.’

What a brat.

I shivered.

Maybe feeling a chill, Gu Jeolyub patted my shoulder vigorously from behind.

Jang Seonyeon, who had just heard the fierce curse, wore a dazed expression for a moment before slightly lifting the corners of her mouth into a smile.

“…You’re still the same.”

No, that’s not it.

That’s not a smile; it’s a mask, maybe much thicker than before.

“You still seem to hate me.”

“That’s what you get for saying that. You hate me too, don’t you?”

“Not at all! If I hated juniors, I wouldn’t have bothered to greet you, would I?”

“Goodness, that’s some nonsense right there.”

Holding back a laugh, I moved closer to that bastard.

“How is it?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I asked how it is.”

I moved even closer.

As our eyes met, his handsome face was annoyingly close, but I could endure that much.

“Can you see?”

“…!”

At my question, he seemed startled, his eyes shaking for a moment.

Even with that thick mask on, he’s shuddering this much…

That’s just pathetic.

“…What’s going on?”

“I’ve just been tolerating my annoyance and coming closer. Can you see it? Can’t you?”

Rolling his eyes was so obvious.

I must’ve reached a higher realm.

And he was probably curious about how much I had improved.

This was what I had done to that Sleeping Dragon in my previous life.

Pretending to be nice and observing whatever he could.

This time the target just changed to me.

And I wanted that.

Of course, that said…

“Impossible to see, you’re just a nobody.”

He wouldn’t be able to see what he wants to see.

My presence isn’t insignificant enough to fit in his eyes.

A slight grinding of teeth was heard.

It was a fleeting moment, but it reached my ears undeniably close.

“Haha.”

The guy who seemed to waver for a moment put the thick mask back on.

I could tell that he had improved somewhat since last time.

His deceptive nature had grown.

Not bad.

‘It’s actually satisfying to break something that’s thicker.’

The thicker it is, the more satisfying it is to break.

Whether to crush it, grind it down, or burn it.

Choosing to spare wasn’t even an option anymore.

If that was the case…

It would be better to bite my tongue and die after my return.

The surroundings fell eerily silent.

It was obvious that this wasn’t a normal situation; everyone felt like they were holding their breath.

Was it called a standoff?

In the eyes of others…

– Isn’t that a Holy Being? Is there some trouble brewing?

– Who’s he? Why is he like this? Bad temper.

– Look at his appearance. He doesn’t seem nice. How unfortunate that a Holy Being got entangled with this odd character.

– Where is he from? I’ve never seen him… Ah, there…!

Mount Shan Clan.

They seemed to have figured out where I was affiliated with just by looking at my martial robes.

Murmuring remarks that began to silence again.

-…Swords Peak.

At the quietly spoken nickname, people nodded as if that made sense.

Even my crazy temper somehow justified the image in their eyes.

‘…What have I been doing?’

At this point, I began to wonder about what Gu Huibi was truly doing.

Just as a deep sigh was about to escape my lips…

– Wasn’t Jin Ryong also from that side?

I vaguely heard whispers of me.

-…Jin Ryong? The Jin Ryong?

If it was Jin Ryong, so be it, but what does ‘the’ even mean?

– Does that mean that guy is Jin Ryong?

– Isn’t he the good-looking dude in the back?

– …Ah… That could be. He is handsome.

I couldn’t figure out why being handsome would determine anything.

Hearing the mention of Jin Ryong out of nowhere felt strange.

It came from the renowned Heat Blade hero who was feeling the chill behind me.

“…Huh?”

Seeming surprised by the sudden attention on him, he rolled his eyes.

– Jin Ryong didn’t say he was a Sword Master?

– Could be a hobby.

– True enough.

What kind of “true” is that, you crazy bunch?

Having everyone’s eyes on me was more annoying than I’d wanted.

I hadn’t wanted to attract attention this early.

Feeling the eyes that shoved themselves into me…

I spoke to Jang Seonyeon.

“Now that you’ve seen it all, you can leave, right?”

“…Seen it all?”

As Jang Seonyeon whispered softly at that moment…

‘Hmm?’

I felt something slipping through the opening.

A vile energy tried to creep in.

‘Ah, no.’

With force, I grabbed hold of it.

At that, Jang Seonyeon’s eyes widened slightly.

As if she hadn’t expected me to catch it.

“This bastard…”

Sigh.

Unbelievable.

“I was just holding back, so why test my patience?” The energy felt like blood coursing through my entire body. Woo Hyeok.

The energy filled my Lower Dantian.

A warmth seeped into my breath.

Crack.

As I clenched my fist tightly, the energy I had been gripping shattered and scattered.

This was definitely Blood Qi.

What he sent my way was Blood Qi.

Still relying on this damn energy, it seemed.

‘Unbelievable.’

I reached out.

To grab his throat.

But contrary to my will, I failed to succeed.

Crack.

Someone grasped my wrist and stopped me.

The grip was heavy.

…

!

No matter how hard I tried to go further, I faced an overwhelming pressure.

‘Who is it?’

As I scouted out with a cold gaze.

A heavy gaze stared back at me.

“Your Blood Qi is impressive, but…”

In stark contrast to the crisp voice, his expression was quite blank.

“With so many eyes watching, it seems you need to tone it down a bit.”

Pejon Bi Ju.

No, it was Bi Yi-jin from the Bi Family.

As soon as I confirmed that, I let out a faint sigh within.

Why this guy?

Is he seriously intending to intervene now?

Just as I was desperately trying to avoid him, running into him at this moment felt quite uncomfortable.

‘Moreover.’

Despite coming this close, I hadn’t sensed a thing.

Even if I was momentarily furious and lost focus…

The honorable ones surely are different after all.

In the meantime, I had to figure out why Pejon was so intent on blocking me.

I thought he wasn’t the kind to meddle in such matters.

‘What’s his aim?’

I couldn’t figure out his intentions.

Seeing the way he was looking at me, it felt like he was hoping for something…

But what that was remained a mystery.

Staring at Jang Seonyeon while holding my wrist,

I saw her flinch.

Jang Seonyeon trembled the moment she met Bi Yi-jin’s gaze, which appeared devoid of any emotion.

Actually, it’s tough to even face someone who looks that lacking in emotional depth.

“Junior should refrain from doing unnecessary things.”

Seemingly aware of Bi Yi-jin’s iffy reputation, Jang Seonyeon quietly murmured.

“Before the exam, you wouldn’t want to cause trouble, which might prevent you from even sitting for the test.”

With Bi Yi-jin’s words, clarity began to wash over my mind.

‘Oh, you little brat.’

That was a curse directed at me.

As much of an ass as Jang Seonyeon was, she wasn’t someone who would be so blatant in her actions.

I had lost my cool and looked at that despicable face, causing my temper to flare.

Was that idiot’s goal to provoke me deliberately so that I couldn’t sit for the test?

I felt irritation washing over me.

Jang Seonyeon, upon hearing that, spoke of something other than denial.

“…What’s your connection to this?”

“Like you see, there’s not much of a connection, but my nature is just a bit broad-minded.”

On hearing that, I immediately thought otherwise.

There’s just no way.

A broad mind from someone quite the opposite of who he seemed?

Dumbfounded, I just stared at Bi Yi-jin.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a hidden benefit for either of us in this encounter; perhaps we should part ways here?”

Bi Yi-jin offered Jang Seonyeon a smile.

Additionally, he added, “If you dislike that, I can showcase my broad-mindedness even more.”

As he spoke, “…!”

Chills raced down my spine.

As soon as I felt that, instinctively I took a step back.

It wasn’t because Bi Yi-jin released any kind of energy or murderous intent.

He was merely speaking.

In an instant, I felt every hair on my body stand on end.

‘Indeed.’

I found myself sending new glances at the Pejon.

Though he claimed to have practiced the Rejuvenation Technique…

Before the Heavenly Demon emerged, he was among the top three strongest in the Central Plains.

There was no mistaking the experience he carried as a powerful being.

By just the atmosphere alone, he could create this kind of feeling.

It seemed Jang Seonyeon wasn’t immune to it either.

Her steps wavered slightly.

Then she looked towards me and sighed deeply.

Why is she sighing at my face? Damn it, what a mood killer.

“…Your side seems to always have people gathered around.”

“What are you talking about?”

That’s a disturbing comment.

With the emotions sticking to her voice, I felt the urge to smack her.

But…

The grip on my wrist didn’t budge.

Of course, if I strained myself, things might flip.

‘But that seems like more of a problem.’

If I let go of that hand, something bad would probably happen.

Moreover…

Everyone watching around us had a rather nuanced gaze.

As the Holy Being had directly mentioned the Two Dragons, it seemed those paying attention had recognized that Bi Yi-jin was indeed the Two Dragons of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

Given that he was grasping my wrist…

What’s this? Do I seem suspicious now?

I’m not on good terms with that guy at all!

I absolutely wanted to deny it.

But with Bi Yi-jin’s gaze feeling keenly perceptive on me, I couldn’t voice my defiance.

Jang Seonyeon, who had been glancing at me for a moment, once again broke into a smile.

The expression she had shown for an instant seemed as if it had never existed.

“I just came by to greet you today.”

“That’s a rather intense greeting. I suppose that’s your style?”

“…I hope to meet you again next time.”

As if she hadn’t heard my words, she disregarded them and turned away, heading back to where she originally was.

Finally, Bi Yi-jin released the grip he had on my wrist.

Leaving Jang Seonyeon aside…

Initially, I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

But I had to ask the question.

“Why did you block me?”

I couldn’t comprehend why someone who should be wary of drawing attention would do that.

“As I said earlier, it’s just being broad-minded.”

“That doesn’t seem like your personality.”

“Oh?”

At my words, Bi Yi-jin’s expression turned curious.

“You seem to know me quite well.”

“…Just a hunch.”

“Whatever it is, you’re not incorrect.”

The moment he spoke, his gaze brushed over my body.

“I don’t wish for you to leave here.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Just as I said.”

If I were to cause a scene here, the chance of returning home would be high.

Meaning he stepped in personally to prevent it.

Had he not done so…

He knew exactly what I might do to Jang Seonyeon.

A smirk formed on my face.

Bi Yi-jin’s smile was inclined toward deception.

Unlike the heavy mask Jang Seonyeon wore, his expression bore true meaning in combat.

“I have a bit of interest in the Prince.”

“…Excuse me?”

Upon hearing that, I hurriedly took a step back.

Because it sounded eerily similar to something I had heard from the madman of the Peng Clan long ago.

Was my response amusing to him?

Bi Yi-jin let out a brief laugh.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that expression; I thought I wouldn’t see it again.”

“…Could it be…”

“I like women.”

“Seriously?”

That halted my retreat.

What a relief; the Peng guy’s question had made it sound even worse.

“Or it might not be.”

This guy…

What’s his deal?

I felt a sense of discomfort.

Am I more popular with men?

What with Yeongpung and that Sleeping Dragon from my previous life…

It felt like I was having issues with nothing but men lately.

 

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