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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The examination was over.
I submitted the flags I’d collected in the second examination.
The second-generation disciple acting as examiner stared at me in disbelief.
“…That’s enough flags for dozens of people.”
“Yes.”
I replied casually.
As expected, no one had gathered more flags than my group.
In other words, I’d placed first in the second examination.
“…”
The examiner was silent for a moment, then twitched slightly, as if receiving a message through Sound Transmission.
‘Probably a message from a Mount Hua elder.’
I nodded slowly.
My performance must have been unbelievable, even to them.
Defeating Seol Ah-yeon, a child prodigy, was likely beyond their expectations.
‘Of course, I wouldn’t have stood a chance without the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship.’
I’d long surpassed the level of the average probationary disciple, but so had Seol Ah-yeon.
Moreover, she was the daughter of the Mu Gyeong Clan Leader and had likely been raised on rare elixirs.
Yet, I’d defeated her with a single moment of insight.
‘An elder will probably contact me soon.’
I waited patiently.
After a while, the examiner, looking slightly bewildered, finally spoke.
“…The examination is over. Rest for now. The elders will bestow your rewards soon.”
“Understood.”
I bowed my head slightly.
Even I wasn’t immune to fatigue.
After completing two examinations, even if I received a reward, I’d need time to recover and confirm it.
“Whew.”
I turned and sighed briefly.
I hadn’t expected to attract the attention of the higher-ups so quickly.
I wondered how much my actions would impact the Mount Hua Sect.
‘Still, tired is tired. I need to sleep as soon as I get back to the dormitory.’
I smiled with satisfaction.
Sleep was calling.
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After the second examination, the elders of the Mount Hua Sect gathered in the main hall for a meeting.
Once the Sect Leader and other key figures had arrived, a heavy silence fell over the room.
The matter of the newly discovered genius required careful consideration.
Finally, one of the elders spoke,
“…What are your thoughts?”
“…”
Silence again.
The subject of the question was unspoken but understood.
Hyun Mujin-in, the Mount Hua Sect Leader, who had been impressed by Eun Ha-seong’s match against Seol Ah-yeon, grew impatient with the elders’ silence and spoke.
“The more prodigies our sect has, the better.”
“…!”
“The greater their talent, the more we must guide them on the right path.”
The elders shifted uneasily.
They agreed with the Sect Leader, but the Mu Gyeong Clan Leader, who had been away, was now present.
‘It’s unusual for him to attend these meetings.’
Myeong-ryong-geom, a Mount Hua elder, thought to himself.
The Mu Gyeong Clan Leader was considered second only to the Sect Leader in terms of skill.
And his only daughter, whom he cherished deeply, had been unexpectedly defeated by an unknown boy.
The elders were all acutely aware of his presence and carefully observed his reaction.
“…”
The Mu Gyeong Clan Leader remained silent, his expression unreadable.
He was known for his reserved nature and few words, so the elders waited anxiously for his response.
Finally, he spoke,
“…The Sect Leader is correct.”
“Hmm…”
“That boy, Eun Ha-seong, deserves a grand reward.”
“…!”
The elders stared at him in surprise.
They hadn’t expected him to say that, especially after his daughter’s defeat.
But he continued without hesitation,
“Just because he defeated my daughter doesn’t change the facts.”
“…”
“The match between Eun Ha-seong and Ah-yeon was unfair to begin with. It’s against the sect’s rules for someone who has already learned martial arts to enter as a probationary disciple. Yet, we allowed Ah-yeon to do so.”
The elders listened intently.
The Mu Gyeong Clan Leader, sensing their attention, cleared his throat and continued,
“…But he still won fairly against Ah-yeon. He deserves a greater reward than the other disciples.”
“Hmm…!”
The Sect Leader let out a sound of admiration.
He hadn’t been sure how the Mu Gyeong Clan Leader would react.
His own intervention had been prompted by the elders’ reluctance to address the matter, given the Clan Leader’s absence.
‘He truly is a once-in-a-millennium prodigy…!’
Hyun Mujin-in marveled inwardly.
Even the Mu Gyeong Clan Leader, despite his reserved nature and love for his daughter, had acknowledged Eun Ha-seong’s talent.
He turned to the Clan Leader and asked,
“What kind of reward would be appropriate?”
“…”
The Mu Gyeong Clan Leader paused for a moment, then replied,
“A few of the sect’s elixirs and instruction in suitable high-level martial arts should suffice.”
“…I agree. Let it be so.”
The Sect Leader nodded and made his decision.
The elders, who had been silent, seemed to snap out of their stupor and nodded in agreement.
“…Indeed.”
“That sounds appropriate.”
Hyun Mujin-in tapped his fingers on the table.
“Hmm…”
He’d been prepared for a lengthy discussion, but the Mu Gyeong Clan Leader’s rational approach had expedited the process.
Satisfied, he nodded and addressed the assembly.
“…This meeting is adjourned.”
The elders exchanged greetings and dispersed.
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“…Come out.”
It was dawn.
I was awake, preparing for my usual morning run, when someone called for me.
I clicked my tongue, threw off the blankets, and stepped outside.
‘…What’s going on?’
I tilted my head in confusion.
Being summoned at this hour must be related to yesterday’s examination.
“You’ve arrived.”
“…Greetings, Elder.”
I instinctively bowed.
It was one of the Mount Hua elders I’d seen during the examination.
He had a kind, middle-aged face and smiled faintly.
“There’s no need for such formality.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m not here to punish you. This is about your reward. There’s no need to be so stiff.”
“…”
I remained silent.
He cleared his throat.
“…I am Myeong-ryong-geom. Your name is Eun Ha-seong, correct?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Follow me. This isn’t a suitable place to talk. We’ll go to one of the inner buildings.”
Myeong-ryong-geom started walking.
The dawn air was crisp and clean, but still cold.
I crossed my arms against the chill.
Myeong-ryong-geom glanced back at me and handed me a simple blanket.
“Here. Wear this.”
“…Thank you.”
I thanked him briefly and followed quietly.
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Hmmm…extra reward?