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Day Two Dawned

The second day broke.

It was still around the time when we hadn’t received lodging yet.

Having already quelled the demon beasts and resolved the financial side of things, I returned to rest right after the banquet.

Well, saying I rested was somewhat misleading; honestly, I wandered around a lot more. Since my body didn’t need sleep, I roamed a bit during the night to gather some information.

I needed to understand what was happening in the current situation, and I should’ve walked around a bit more just for status assessment.

Thanks to that, I was able to grasp quite a bit.

‘There’s just… too little going on.’

Right now, this was truly a time of emptiness. There was nothing particularly problematic, and the demon beasts only showed green and blue, so there wasn’t much else going on.

A time of peace, literally.

A transitional period before moving into the generation of Yuseong.

From a historical standpoint, there was nothing to record during this unremarkable time.

‘What am I supposed to do, exactly?’

What was my task here? What intention did my mother have in sending me? I couldn’t tell. With no specific arrangements, the information and situation were both ambiguous.

‘Still, I suspect it’s related to my father.’

It was obvious that my mother’s intentions were linked to my father. The context and my instincts suggested as much.

That’s why I had been trying to get closer to my father somehow.

‘…Hmm.’

Getting close is fine, but what exactly am I supposed to do?

I still didn’t know.

“Baek Yangcheon. Verification of your entry permit, please. You may enter.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

I stepped through the door. As soon as daytime arrived, I sought out the Martial Alliance. I had heard that there was an early morning assembly.

Without even taking a nap, I headed towards the Blue Dragon Clan I had visited yesterday.

There were indeed some gazes on me along the way, but I brushed them off easily. It was clearly the fallout from the Pejon.

“Yesterday, the Pejon….”

“At the Blue Dragon Clan’s banquet….”

I didn’t know where the rumor spread from, but it was known far and wide that the Pejon had attended the Blue Dragon Clan’s banquet.

It seemed that the reason behind it was well-known too, that it was because of me.

‘Damn, that spread fast.’

Seriously, rumors always seem to spread like wildfire.

Holding back a sigh, I continued onward. Before I knew it, I entered the residence of the Blue Dragon Clan.

When I walked in, I found everyone I had seen yesterday already gathered.

I thought I was relatively early, but they had arrived much faster than I expected.

“Hey! Over here!”

Do-yun waved at me as he welcomed me. I naturally walked over and stood beside him.

“Why is everyone here so early?”

“What do you mean? You’re the late one.”

“…Huh?”

That couldn’t be right; I felt like I had come earlier than the gathering time?

Looking at me as if I was crazy, Do-yun instead seemed confused.

“No, of course, it’s normal to arrive a quarter early.”

“…?”

I grimaced. What was the point of arriving early when there’s a set gathering time? I really didn’t get it.

Seeing my expression, Do-yun scratched his cheek.

“Umm… Ah. Well, that makes sense.”

‘…This guy?’

As soon as I saw his reaction, it was clear. This guy just gave up trying to explain.

“Anyway, focus up; the seniors will be here soon.”

Everyone seemed to be on edge, probably due to how So-i had gotten mad yesterday.

Observing this, I heightened my Qi perception. I felt it was about time, and sure enough, auras began to emerge as if waiting for this moment.

“Oh, looks like everyone’s here already.”

With a hearty voice and a sharp presence, Cheongyeol Sword Master stepped out from the residence and into the open area.

‘And my father is here too.’

My father, who hadn’t been at the banquet yesterday, followed Cheongyeol Sword Master and ascended the platform next to him.

Led by Cheongyeol Sword Master, the martial artists from the Blue Dragon Clan took their seats.

“Nice to see you all. Did you all sleep well?”

“Yeah—!”

“…Yes.”

Everyone replied with vigor to Cheongyeol Sword Master’s question, except for me.

Cheongyeol Sword Master smiled at the response.

“Good ki! I apologize for dragging you out early, but as we are going to become comrades now, there are a few things I need to confirm.”

Confirm, huh? What exactly do they want to confirm, I wondered as I looked at Cheongyeol Sword Master with curiosity.

“There’s a tradition in the Blue Dragon Clan that spans generations.”

As he spoke, Cheongyeol Sword Master wiggled his fingers. Suddenly—

Swish—!!!

A sword flew from his sword sheath, slicing through the air.

“Gasp…!”

“Is that…!?”

Everyone was astonished by the technique that could only be used once one reached the Transformation Realm.

‘…What’s the point of this show-off?’

It didn’t seem to hold much power, really. It felt more like a display than anything else.

Cheongyeol Sword Master’s sword danced through the air, swiftly drawing a large circle around the area where we all stood.

Swirrl—!!!

Quickly etching the circle on the ground, it then returned to its sheath at Cheongyeol Sword Master’s waist.

“The thing is, when we accept a new recruit, we hold a brief session to test their skills. It’s known as the Blue Dragon Tournament.”

To test skills, huh? That meant—

“In simpler terms, let me put it this way: starting now, the seniors will point at each of you one by one. You’ll just need to show your skills. Easy, right?”

‘…So.’

To put it even more simply, they were saying, ‘Fight against a senior right in front of you.’

The seniors check the juniors’ skills. Since we’d be fighting shoulder to shoulder in the future, confirming each other’s abilities was a good reason, but there was another underlying meaning.

‘They want to establish discipline early on.’

They intended to firmly grip the juniors so that they wouldn’t rise too fast. In the martial world, nothing was more important than skill, so this was also a way to easily control us.

‘In that sense, it’s a straightforward and convenient method.’

Considering my position, I could understand their reasoning.

Upon hearing the announcement, tension quickly filled my fellow recruits.

While I watched this unfold, Cheongyeol Sword Master said, “If you understand, shall we begin? And for our first match, let’s have our youngest go first.”

At the mention of this, the beautiful lady seated at the far end, So-i, stood up abruptly.

“Who do you want to fight, our youngest?”

“I….”

So-i glanced down at the floor while speaking. Her gaze made the juniors quickly avert their eyes. They’d all seen how ferocious she was yesterday and didn’t want to face her.

In the midst of this, So-i’s eyes landed on me.

‘Huh?’

Wait, is it me?

I was about to narrow my eyes, thinking she might be aiming to choose me, when—

“I want to fight with Baek—”

“The Great Lord—!”

One of the seated individuals stood up suddenly. It was Nangong Jin.

Seemingly uncomfortable with the sudden interruption, Cheongyeol Sword Master looked at him.

“What’s going on?”

“I want to go first.”

“Oh?”

Apparently bothered by the abrupt action, Cheongyeol Sword Master raised an eyebrow at Nangong Jin’s words.

“I like your spirit! Who do you want to fight?”

As per Cheongyeol Sword Master’s words, Nangong Jin’s gaze turned towards me.

Oh, hell. I wanted to believe it wouldn’t happen, but the situation left no room for doubt.

“I’d like to see the skills of Baek Yangcheon, my junior.”

He grinned as he pointed at me.

Damn it.

‘So this is how it goes, huh?’

I had a feeling something was bound to happen, but it ended up being exactly this.

“Baek Yangcheon, huh…?”

The Sword Master also looked at me, then alternated his gaze between Nangong Jin and me.

“Alright. Let’s see it.”

It seemed like he viewed it as something entertaining, as a smile spread across his face, granting approval.

As soon as the approval was given, Nangong Jin descended. The juniors had already ghosted out of the circle.

He approached me, his unique blue eyes shaped like crescent moons, grinning.

“Baek junior.”

“…Yes?”

“I’m so pleased to meet you like this. You feel the same, right?”

“…Would you believe me if I said no?”

“Well, I personally find it pleasing.”

Why even ask if you’ve already made up your mind?

“I thought you were reluctant to kneel before me yesterday, so I came to offer you my help.”

“Ah….”

So you want to make me kneel by your own hand?

“Hmm… is that so?”

“How about it? Isn’t your kind senior nice?”

“Yes, let’s just say that. Ha.”

I ruffled my hair.

I was still pondering over it.

“Don’t worry too much. I won’t kill you.”

“…Hmmm.”

“For someone like you, it’ll only end up as a lesson. Oh, you might not be able to walk for a while, though.”

“….”

“See? If you had just knelt before me nicely, we wouldn’t have to be here.”

Stopping mid-sentence to consider my next move, I suddenly came to a decision.

“Nice.”

At this point, I figured I was ready enough.

“Three times. That should do.”

“Hmm? What are you saying?”

“Nothing. I was just contemplating something. And now it’s settled.”

“…Ha, you’re so deep in thought in front of me?”

“Of course. It’s necessary.”

I said this while smiling.

“If you don’t, you really might die.”

“…What?”

As Nangong Jin’s face contorted at my words.

“Begin.”

The Sword Master spoke, his cue prompting Nangong Jin to place his hand on his sword.

But—

“Let’s see what level you’re at.”

Clank.

“Hmm?”

The sword didn’t come out.

What’s going on? Why can’t he draw it? Nangong Jin looked at the sword, bewildered.

“Uh?”

Of course, it wouldn’t come out. I had my palm firmly pressed against the end of the hilt.

Seeing this, Nangong Jin rushed to respond.

“L-….”

Swish—!

“Crack!”

My fist dug into Nangong Jin’s abdomen.

Thud—!

Stunned by the impact, Nangong Jin fell to his knees.

“Ughhh!”

He immediately hurled his breakfast onto the ground.

“See?”

I said calmly as I looked at Nangong Jin.

“You’re a pathetic weakling thinking you could mess with me.”

And then, I stomped on his face.

 

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