Chapter 38
“The Golden Eagle Guard, huh?”
I had to take on three rounds at the Great Sword Gate, simply because three of their swordsmen were eager to challenge me. Each of them seemed to hold a significant rank within their sect.
The sparring arena was packed with Great Sword disciples, all of them shooting me glances that were far from friendly—more like they’d have loved to slice me up. This wasn’t just some secret getting leaked; the gossip was widespread, and everyone knew.
‘This is…’
The first to step forward was none other than the Grandmaster Seong Kyu, a tall man in his thirties who approached with confidence.
“You’re Baek Woong from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, aren’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“I am the Grandmaster of the Great Sword Gate, Seong Kyu. Let’s have a match!”
In that moment, his sword erupted from its sheath, shining with an unnatural brilliance.
Surprised, I exclaimed, “Is that a true sword? I thought this was a sparring match, not a death duel!”
Standing beside him, the sect leader smirked and replied, “Practice like it’s real, and real like it’s practice.”
“…”
“Get ready to fight. Of course, if you prefer, you can use a wooden sword instead.”
There was no hesitation in the leader’s tone. It dawned on me that while the secret had been leaked, they really didn’t have to bother with some formal sparring request. The reason they’d set up this fight was simple—they wanted to see my true abilities firsthand. If I flopped, it would put a dent in their honor.
‘These guys really think they can look down on me.’
But for some reason, I felt a surge of defiance. I made my way over to the weapon rack and picked up a wooden spear. This was clearly a training tool, and the tip wasn’t even sharp enough to prick a finger.
“I’ll use this!”
Whispers erupted among the trainees, and Seong Kyu’s face twisted with disbelief, veins bulging on his temples. He exploded with anger, “You little punk! Are you serious? You think you can face me with a wooden spear?!”
“Of course.”
“You’ll regret this!”
As soon as he finished, Seong Kyu lunged at me. This was his famed Breakthrough Cloud Sword Technique, and his strikes erupted like a raging storm.
But I could read his movements, the tip of his sword, the angles, and even his mindset. Inside, I couldn’t help but click my tongue at the fact that this guy was a Grandmaster. Compared to battling the elite Jin So-cheong, it felt like child’s play.
‘Is this all he’s got? I see right through him.’
Having trained for five years at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School had taught me a lot—skills that one could never learn from books alone. Particularly because Jin So-cheong taught me how to properly handle qi, my perception of an opponent’s strength had sharpened immensely. With the added benefit of the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng enhancing my powers, I could easily gauge an opponent’s abilities.
And honestly, Seong Kyu’s skill level wasn’t impressive at all. The wooden spear I chose felt more than adequate.
In an instant, I darted forward like a shadow, effortlessly slipping behind Seong Kyu. Just as he turned to react, I had the wooden spear pointed right at the back of his head.
Victory was a foregone conclusion.
“…”
Seong Kyu’s complexion turned ghostly pale. He likely didn’t even see me move because of how quick it was. Unlike the past when I merely relied on my inner power to run, I now utilized my Terror Cloud Step effectively, channeling the powers of the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng through my legs. In a split second, I could toy with a warrior of Seong Kyu’s caliber.
With a calm demeanor, I remarked, “But this is a sparring match—so a wooden spear is all I need.”
“Ugh…”
With arms crossed, the sect leader coldly interjected, “That’s enough. Baek Woong wins.”
As we finished the sparring match, the whispers in the crowd grew louder. With enhanced hearing, I could tell that among the ordinary disciples, there were hardly any who could outmatch Seong Kyu.
Then two more Grandmasters stepped forward. While typically each sect has a primary Grandmaster, the Great Sword Gate was large and competitive, leading to multiple titles being granted across varied individuals.
“I am the Grandmaster of the Great Sword Gate, Wang Lu! Let’s have a match!”
“I am the Grandmaster of the Great Sword Gate, Bal Ji! Let’s have a match!”
But I couldn’t even be bothered to face them for long.
“Eh?”
“I won.”
“No…!!”
“I won.”
Similar to the previous match with Seong Kyu, I used the Terror Cloud Step to expertly exploit their weaknesses. Wang Lu and Bal Ji held out a few seconds longer than Seong Kyu, but that was all. I won so easily it was almost anticlimactic.
The sect leader evaluated all the sparring results before nodding and shouting, “Baek Woong’s victory is confirmed. Is there anyone who disputes this recommendation to the Golden Eagle Guard?”
“No!”
“Now all disciples return to your training routines.”
With that, about a hundred Great Sword disciples scattered under their master’s direction. Now, only the sect leader and I remained in the empty arena. He stood there silently for a moment before addressing me.
“So, what do you think? Pathetic?”
“No, everyone was skilled.”
With a scowl, the sect leader frowned, “Are you trying to flatter me? You don’t sound like a disciple of Lee Kwang. Speak honestly—if they’re trash, say they’re trash.”
“…I’m sorry.”
I turned my head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. Still, it didn’t feel appropriate to call my opponents trash right in front of their leader. It seemed the sect leader didn’t care much for formality, however.
The sect leader spoke again, “Though it was a friend’s request to recommend someone like you, it’s truly a miserable situation.”
“……”
“The Iron Blood Gate Leader, myself, and the head of the Twin Gate Sect can each recommend one disciple from our sects to the Golden Eagle Guard per year. But the talents capable of going in have mostly already been chosen or have established their own branches elsewhere. The remaining disciples’ skills aren’t up to snuff for my name.”
“I see.”
I understood why the sect leader had called this sparring event—it was likely to impress upon us the gap in strength so that rumors wouldn’t circulate afterward. I grew curious and asked, “You’re a renowned expert in the world, but I can’t understand why your disciples lack talent.”
The sect leader chuckled, “Ha, you’ve become a bit more honest. That’s good.”
He grinned and continued “Truth be told, the skills of Seong Kyu, Wang Lu, and Bal Ji are considered top-tier among the masses. If they seem weak, it’s probably due to your exceptional martial arts taught by prodigies. Since you’re used to battling masters, it’s hard not to feel a sense of superiority when facing lesser opponents.”
“Hmm…”
“Talent is simply out of one’s control. No matter how hard I try to teach them, if they lack potential, they’ll fizzle out. Finding geniuses in this world is truly a daunting task…”
The sect leader’s lament felt heavy. Despite the numerous talents in Luoyang that the Great Sword Gate accepted, cultivating even a single top-notch martial artist seemed a near-impossible task. A moment later, the sect leader asked with suspicion, “But, are you sure you came here due to a lack of talent? At your age and skill level, you are more than capable of being a genius.”
It seemed that Lee Kwang had written about my supposed talent deficiency in that letter. I smirked and replied, “There’s a true genius who puts me to shame. I’m clumsy, so I hope you can tolerate me.”
“Ha ha ha, you really are Lee Kwang’s disciple. Your luck is far better than mine.”
The sect leader chuckled bitterly. I imagined it must be disheartening to see one’s friend and rival’s disciple outperform their own.
“Is there any chance that previous disciples from the Great Sword Gate could return to the Golden Eagle Guard?”
“The Golden Eagle Guard isn’t just any martial organization; it carries out the secret orders of the royal family. So its very existence is a confidential matter. Old disciples sometimes visit for a drink, but we can’t pry into each other’s business. A return is simply impossible.”
“That must feel lonely.”
“Heh… It can’t be helped. Want to grab a drink?”
“I won’t refuse.”
Afterward, I shared some simple snacks and drank with the sect leader. Of course, dealing with someone like him required decorum and effort to maintain customs. I sensed right away that although he acted casual, he still demanded a level of decorum and politeness in front of him.
Whether my behavior earned favor or not, the sect leader began speaking again after a few drinks.
“I don’t understand why you’d be reported by that Three Refined Master for lacking talent. You’ve clearly stepped into the realm of experts with formidable inner strength!”
“Ha ha…”
“Three Refined Master has an even better disciple than you? The world truly is unfair…”
“……”
I returned to my quarters after the drinking session, collapsing onto the bed. As expected, despite consuming almost four bottles of liquor, I felt barely tipsy. My stomach was a bit full, but after sweating it out, my mind felt perfectly clear.
But sleep eluded me. Now that I was part of this world, I realized just how strong I had become.
But the real issue was, even knowing I was stronger than before, there was little satisfaction. This was probably because my master and senior brother were both geniuses. With their presence overshadowing mine, it was hard to shake off feelings of inferiority.
‘Forget it. I’ll just take a nap.’
I decided to stop overthinking. The most important thing was to get into the Golden Eagle Guard, so I’d do what I had to do first and think later. It was my learned attitude towards life gained after facing death.
Two days later, I followed the sect leader as we passed through the gates of the imperial palace. After a brief inspection, I heard the sound of clattering hooves and the horse-drawn carriage rolling in. Perhaps it was because I was sitting across from the sect leader, but I felt a tingle in my backside.
As we rode in the carriage, the sect leader said, “We’ll soon arrive at the Golden Hall. My escorting you ends here; once inside, you’ll meet with the Lord of the Golden Eagle Guard. If you pass the interview, you’ll start working the very next day.”
“Is there anything I should be cautious about?”
The sect leader gave a bittersweet smile, “Not particularly. The recommendation from the Twin Gate Sect is honored by the royal family, which is why you received it. No one who’s ever held a recommendation has failed the interview, so just act as you normally would.”
“I understand.”
I suddenly felt the weight of that recommendation’s power. It was a 100% chance of acceptance into the Golden Eagle Guard—considered to be an esteemed position among martial officials! It symbolized the Twin Gate Sect’s reputation and gave clarity as to why the sect leader chose to pass the recommendation to an outsider. While the recommendation was near guaranteed success, if the individual was inadequate, it would undermine their sect’s credibility.
As the carriage stopped, I dismounted alongside the sect leader and bowed genuinely.
“I won’t forget this favor.”
“Wishing you a good outcome.”
A short while after the sect leader’s carriage departed, I walked into the Golden Hall. At the inner gate, two Golden Eagle Guards stood watch, and their prowess was evident. They seemed at least two or three levels above the Grandmasters I had just sparred with, displaying the aura of seasoned warriors.
The guard on the left spoke, “Are you the recommended candidate scheduled to arrive today?”
“Yes, I am Baek Woong, coming under the recommendation of the Great Sword Gate.”
“From the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He looked perplexed, tilting his head slightly. “Typically, recommendations must be utilized within the sect; this is unusual. Nevertheless, if you wish to meet the Lord, follow me.”
I followed him into the Golden Hall. The lavish architecture and decorative silks within were truly befitting of the imperial palace. Eventually, facing the Lord of the Golden Eagle Guard made me tense up.
‘Hm?’
Something felt off.
This was my first time laying eyes on the Lord of the Golden Eagle Guard, and I could feel an aura like nothing I had ever sensed before. However, the presence of the two men flanking him felt strangely familiar—there was no way I had never come across them before.
‘What is this? Those two, I’ve seen them somewhere.’
It was definitely a resonance I recognized from somewhere.
I wracked my brain but couldn’t recall where I had seen them before.
The Lord specifically wore a white mask, revealing only his right eye. When he glared at me with his dark gaze, he addressed me, “Baek Woong. Welcome to the Golden Eagle Guard.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
He shuffled through a white paper. It appeared to be a document regarding my background.
“Your background check is complete. You moved out of your small village five years ago to join the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, and since then made no significant waves. Your past is pristine, which I find quite appealing.”
“Thank you.”
The Lord seemed to smirk slightly. “However, I’m disappointed in the Great Sword Gate. To think they would recommend candidates so unexceptional…”
“……”
“In any case, you can now follow Kwang Cheon-ho to receive your uniform and weapons. Today, he will fill you in on the rules and all aspects of duty for the Golden Eagle Guard.”
I followed Kwang Cheon-ho, who was waiting at the door. He was a higher-ranked officer within the Golden Eagle Guard, akin to an escort leader. Perhaps because of this, his martial prowess exceeded those guards at the entrance.
As he walked, Kwang Cheon-ho explained, “From this day forward, you are a member of the Golden Eagle Guard. Every action you take is for His Majesty the Emperor, which means your life and death are tied to the royal family. That is the duty of a Golden Eagle Guard.”
“Understood.”
“Your skills seem impressive, so I won’t delve into that. After our session today about the rules and operations, you’ll be assigned to the sixth unit and thrown straight into a mission.”
Kwang Cheon-ho certainly seemed powerful. Even while hiding my energy, he deduced my abilities from just my movements—clearly, he was on a different level, which struck me as impressive.
‘Isn’t Cheon-ho basically on the level of the elite ranking system in the Golden Eagle Guard? Yet he’s got this level of skill?’
I figured he was an absolute peak expert.
The power level of the Golden Eagle Guard seemed much higher than I had initially thought. I said nothing of my surprise.
“The sixth unit?”
“The Golden Eagle Guard operates with ten units, from the first to the tenth, totaling a hundred members. Those with superior attributes might become leaders such as Cheon-ho or even the Vice Leader, while others are assigned to different higher units. You will be part of the sixth unit, currently engaged in classified missions, so you’ll need to give it your all.”
After that, Kwang Cheon-ho led me into a closed room, where he instructed me on the rules and organization of the Golden Eagle Guard, including power dynamics within the imperial palace. Incredibly, I also had to memorize the names of every royal and noble family member.
Surprisingly, there didn’t seem to be any mental conditioning involved. It appeared that they had a mountain of information to relay, and they must have believed that anyone who wouldn’t get betraying the Golden Eagle Guard was simply not sane.
After Kwang Cheon-ho finished what he considered a two-sitting session, he drank a gulp of water and remarked, “You’re remarkably sharp. I’ve never seen anyone grasp things as quickly as you.”
“Is that right?”
“Usually, it’s blockheads who just cultivate martial arts their whole lives getting in the way in the Golden Eagle Guard. Teaching newcomers this stuff is even tougher than teaching martial skills.”
I had always been knowledgeable enough, with a fair share of reading experience and good memorization. Compared to the average Golden Eagle Guard member, I felt rather clever. As I pondered over everything I had heard, I asked, “Which unit do you belong to?”
“I’m part of the Fifth Unit. Soon, the head of the Sixth Unit will come to pick you up.”
At that moment, the door creaked open, and a man dressed in black entered. Kwang Cheon-ho waved cheerfully at him.
“Hey, Ryu! You’re right on time. Just finished distributing weapons and training.”
“You’ve worked hard. Is this the new recruit?”
I jumped up and introduced myself, “Yes! I’m Baek Woong!”
“Oh, I like your energy. I’m Ryu Cheon-ho, the captain of the Sixth Unit. Let’s get along well from here!”
“Sure!”
Once Kwang Cheon-ho handed me off, I followed Ryu Cheon-ho wherever he led us.
“First, you’re getting a break for one session. Rest up in your personal quarters; you’ll be going straight into your first mission shortly after.”
“What kind of mission?”
“I’ll fill you in later. Any last questions?”
Before long, we arrived at the entrance to my new room. After resting for a session, I’d be sent off for my first mission as a Golden Eagle Guard. I couldn’t help but examine the iron sword they had just issued me.
As I thought it over, there was finally something I needed to ask.
“Who were those two standing next to the Lord? Are they in the Sixth Unit too?”
“Those two are the Vice Leaders. There are three Vice Leaders in total. One oversees the ten groups, and the other two typically guard the Lord or take on special assignments.”
“……”
This was indeed puzzling. I was certain I recognized those two, yet they held the title of Vice Leaders in the Golden Eagle Guard? In all my life, I couldn’t fathom where I may have crossed paths with any of them. It felt like a riddle—a solvable one—yet I still couldn’t pinpoint the connection, and that added to my frustration.
I spent the time leading up to my assignment examining the spear, sword, and dagger I had received. Like one would expect from the Golden Eagle Guard, they were crafted from excellent steel, and the quality of craftsmanship was evident. With weapons like these, I didn’t have to worry about them breaking or dulling anytime soon.
With nothing else to occupy my mind, I sprawled out on the bed.
By the time my break was almost over, I had been caught up in my thoughts.
‘I definitely know them from somewhere… but where…’
And then it hit me. I recalled Mangnyang and the words he had shared. The phrase ‘the Nameless Ritual Book’ buzzed through my mind, and suddenly everything clicked. I was shocked to stand up straight.
“……!!”
Of course! Those two Vice Leaders—they were the ones who thwarted Master Hyuncheon’s ambush in the tragic village! Rare experts capable of using the combination technique known as Harmonized Assault weren’t often seen, and the aura I felt from them back then matched precisely to what I sensed now.
‘Does that mean…’
Just then, the door swung open. A voice called out from outside.
“Time for your mission. Hurry up and come out, Baek Guard!”
It was Ryu Cheon-ho, the chief of the sixth unit calling for me. I responded quickly, “Coming!”
