After checking the entry application documents and identification tags at the main gate, the three finally entered the Blue Dragon Academy.
"Oh! I can't believe I'm entering the Blue Dragon Academy...!"
"When will this old man stop being so moved?"
"Hahaha."
The entry registration took place at the main building of the Blue Dragon Academy.
Since their identities had already been confirmed at the main gate, the registration process itself was quick.
The examiner, who checked Gongsun Shu's age, asked with a surprised expression.
"Are you really here to apply yourself? You're not here to apply on behalf of your child or disciple?"
It could have been a rude question, but Gongsun Shu laughed heartily as if he was in a good mood.
"Hahaha. Yes, I'm here to apply myself!"
Then he bent his arm to show a small muscle to the examiner.
"What does age matter in learning? Go ahead and feel it. I've endured hellish training for this day!"
"Ah, yes..."
"Just in case, have there been any applicants older than you?"
"In the ten years I've worked here, you are the oldest, sir."
"Hahahaha! I thought so! How old are you?"
"I'm forty-four..."
"You're young. You can do anything if you set your mind to it!"
"Ah, yes..."
"Old man, stop being so silly..."
After much ado, they finished the entry registration and left the main building.
"Then you two can look around a bit more before leaving."
Hyeonwon Kang had a look like a cow being led to slaughter.
He wasn't just there to guide the two around the Blue Dragon Academy; he had other business to attend to afterward.
"Damn it. A meeting with the headmaster..."
As a condition for leaving the dormitory, Hyeonwon Kang had to meet with Maek Geukryeom regularly to report on how he was doing.
Although he had worked hard enough over the past month to face Maek Geukryeom confidently, he still didn't like it.
"... Anyway, see you later."
"Senior, I'll see you at the White Dragon Hall in the evening."
"Go safely."
Hyeonwon Kang headed to the dormitory, clearly showing his displeasure.
Left alone, Weiji Cheon and Gongsun Shu planned to look around the Blue Dragon Academy.
"Shall we go to the training ground first?"
"We can't enter the library unless we're students, right?"
As their steps quickened with excitement, a strange voice called out from behind.
"Weiji Cheon?"
Weiji Cheon turned around to see who had called him.
The owner of the voice smiled broadly.
"It seems I was right."
A tall and thin boy stood there.
His narrow eyes and thin, upturned lips gave a sly impression.
Weiji Cheon tilted his head, as it was a face he had never seen before.
"Who might you be...?"
"You're Baek Suryeong's, no, Teacher Baek Suryeong's disciple, right?"
"..."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jo Maksaeng. I'm taking martial arts lessons from Teacher Namgoong Su."
Jo Maksaeng extended his hand with a wide smile.
Weiji Cheon, caught off guard, shook his hand.
As they shook hands, Jo Maksaeng's eyes turned cold.
'Look at this? He's a complete rookie.'
Having quickly assessed his opponent, Jo Maksaeng resumed smiling as if nothing had happened.
He pointed with his chin to the back.
"Those over there are my fellow students."
A boy with a stern expression and a girl with a haughty look were standing there, watching them.
"Ah, yes... I'm Weiji Cheon. Nice to meet you."
Weiji Cheon felt a strange sense of discomfort from them, but since they had introduced themselves with a smile, he couldn't ignore them.
"I happened to hear your name while passing by. I heard it from Teacher Baek Suryeong before."
"Me? Why..."
"What? You mean you don't know at all?"
"Know what..."
Suddenly, Jo Maksaeng chuckled and turned to Namgoong Seok and Jin Jin behind him.
"It seems they didn't tell him about the bet?"
"Hmph. They probably didn't mention it because they knew they'd lose. It's a wonder they didn't run away."
"..."
Jin Jin turned her head with a snort, as if she didn't want to deal with them.
Meanwhile, Namgoong Seok silently observed Weiji Cheon.
"What? A bet? What..."
Seeing Weiji Cheon's innocent expression, Jo Maksaeng felt a surge of desire to torment him.
That was his nature.
When he saw happy faces, he wanted to make them cry in pain, and when he saw those pretending to be innocent, he couldn't resist the urge to taint them.
"I heard you're quite skilled? Teacher Baek Suryeong was boasting about you, saying you'd be the top student this year."
"What, what? No, why would the teacher say something so burdensome..."
Weiji Cheon waved his hands in genuine embarrassment.
Jo Maksaeng's eyes narrowed further, and his smile deepened.
"Oh, come on. There must be a reason he said that."
"Haha... Thank you."
How should he torment this small and weak animal? Should he make him wet himself in front of everyone watching? Should he provoke him just enough to make him attack and then make him realize his place?
'The exam is in three days, so I can't cause a big scene...
But there are plenty of ways.'
As Jo Maksaeng's sadistic smile deepened, Gongsun Shu, who had been quietly observing them, joined the conversation with a smile.
"Hmm. Teacher Namgoong Su is the top instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy, isn't he?"
Seeing the unfamiliar old man, Jo Maksaeng asked with a slightly wary look.
"Who might you be, sir?"
"Hahaha. No need to be formal. I'm also an entry exam candidate like you."
"... What?"
For a moment, Jo Maksaeng thought he had misheard and asked again.
His narrow eyes widened briefly.
Gongsun Shu burst into hearty laughter and extended his hand for a handshake with Jo Maksaeng.
"We might become fellow students soon, so let's greet each other in advance. I'm Gongsun Shu."
"Ah..."
Jo Maksaeng, like Weiji Cheon before him, shook hands in a daze.
He still looked doubtful as he asked.
"Are you really an applicant like us?"
Gongsun Shu laughed heartily and put his arm around Weiji Cheon's shoulder.
"I'm learning martial arts together with this friend at Teacher Baek Suryeong's place."
"May I ask your age..."
"I'm sixty-five this year. Still a youthful spirit!"
Gongsun Shu winked and flexed his arm to show a small muscle, causing the unsuspecting Jo Maksaeng to burst into laughter.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to laugh..."
"It's fine. Isn't it the age to laugh at falling leaves?"
Gongsun Shu laughed kindly.
Jo Maksaeng also laughed awkwardly in return.
However, inside, he was seething.
'What? This old man is my fellow exam candidate?'
He had heard rumors, but he thought the Blue Dragon Academy had really hit rock bottom.
Accepting someone so old that it wouldn't be surprising if they died any day now meant the standards had dropped significantly.
'He'll fail the exam in three days anyway...'
The fact that such an old man thought he could try was itself unpleasant.
Jo Maksaeng was still smiling, but inside, he was boiling with anger.
Gongsun Shu continued to laugh heartily in front of him.
'This one seems more fun to torment.'
Jo Maksaeng, with cold eyes, changed his target.
An old man shamelessly trying to learn martial arts.
He couldn't stand by and watch someone spoil the atmosphere.
"Sir, since we've met like this, why don't we have a light spar to get to know each other better?"
Jo Maksaeng spoke with a friendly smile, but his eyes shone like a snake's.
He didn't think the old man would refuse.
'An old fool.
He'll gladly accept if young people invite him to play.'
As expected, Gongsun Shu's eyes lit up at the word 'spar.'
"Oh, a spar?"
Having only sparred with Weiji Cheon, Hyeonwon Kang, and Heuk Yeong, he couldn't help but look forward to a new opponent.
But that wasn't the only reason.
"But is there a place here suitable for sparring?"
"I know a place. I've been here a few times before. Weiji Cheon, are you coming too?"
"Um..."
Gongsun Shu gently pulled Weiji Cheon's sleeve towards him and said.
"It seems like it will be fun, so why not come along?"
At that moment, Weiji Cheon saw it.
The smile on Gongsun Shu's face as he turned towards him.
Unlike the kind and warm smile he had seen before, it was a sharp smile like a blade pressed against his neck.
Gulp.
Weiji Cheon swallowed dryly, feeling tense without realizing it.
One thing was clear.
Gongsun Shu hadn't agreed to the spar without reason.
"Yes... Alright."
"Hahahaha! Then lead us to the sparring ground!"
"Do you two want to come too?"
Jo Maksaeng glanced back and asked Namgoong Seok and Jin Jin.
"Are you crazy? Why would I go there?"
Jin Jin replied curtly.
As if he expected that, Jo Maksaeng shrugged his shoulders and left with only the two of them.
Jin Jin watched their backs with annoyance.
"What is he doing all of a sudden? He's the weakest among us... Hey, Seok brother. Shall we just go by ourselves today?"
"..."
Namgoong Seok didn't even glance at Jin Jin, who was trying to charm him.
He seemed to be thinking about something for a moment, then followed the others, saying.
"If you want to go, go by yourself."
Namgoong Seok's gaze was fixed on Weiji Cheon from start to finish.
"What? I'll go with you!"
Jin Jin hurriedly followed after him.
"A beautiful young lady whose name I do not know. What brings you to drink alone in a place like this?"
"..."
Was this the fifth time? Heuk Yeong sighed as she looked at the man who approached her.
This time, the guy looked particularly sleazy.
"You look like you've been heartbroken. What kind of fool made such a beauty cry?"
"..."
The man sat down next to Heuk Yeong without permission.
He looked out the window at the people and started talking nonsense.
"... So I defeated those five villains and saved the children. The scar on my arm is from that time..."
As the Blue Dragon Academy's entry exam approached, many drifters came to the city.
Some came to take the exam, while others came to scam people or, like this guy, to hit on women.
"I'm tired, please leave."
Heuk Yeong spoke briefly and poured herself another drink.
But the man was persistent.
He took her bottle without permission and spoke in a supposedly sincere voice.
"Drowning your sorrows in alcohol is like drinking poison. Tell me your story. I'll listen to it all..."
He then subtly wrapped his arm around Heuk Yeong's shoulder.
When she didn't immediately resist, his hand slowly moved down to grope her.
"Sigh."
Heuk Yeong sighed and, with lightning speed, twisted the man's wrist and slammed his head onto the table.
Crack!
To silence his screaming mouth, she knocked him out with the bottle.
"Gurgle..."
Leaving the man foaming at the mouth, Heuk Yeong stood up.
As she left the tavern, she thought.
'Why are there so many flies buzzing around when I'm trying to think quietly?'
Was it a mistake to buy clothes at the market? The tight-fitting red dress was just uncomfortable.
The shopkeeper had recommended it, saying it would suit her, but... was it too flashy after all?
'I prefer my black martial arts uniform.'
Heuk Yeong had learned the skills of an assassin.
She had worn the clothes of a common woman and even the clothes of a courtesan.
She could apply makeup whenever she wanted.
But ever since she became Gongsun Shu's bodyguard, she had worn only the black martial arts uniform for years.
It felt like the perfect fit for her, just like her bodyguard duties.
-Today is a day off.
It was the first vacation she had ever received in her life.
So she didn't know what to do.
-Go and eat whatever you want, buy clothes and accessories, and visit places you've wanted to see.
Have fun.
She did as she was told.
She bought clothes and changed into them, wore pretty shoes, and drank alcohol she hadn't touched in years.
But she didn't get even a little drunk.
It felt like she had been abandoned rather than given a vacation.
It seemed like the elder no longer needed her.
'Since learning martial arts at the White Dragon Hall...'
No, it was disrespectful to think like this.
'No, I can't do this.
I should follow the elder and guard him.'
Even if he said he would dismiss her from her duties if she followed, it didn't matter.
If she got caught by a master from the Blue Dragon Academy along the way... she would take her own life to avoid causing trouble for the elder.
Having made up her mind, she turned the corner.
At that moment, she ran into the person she least wanted to see.
"Heuk Yeong?"
Baek Suryeong, carrying bundles of luggage on both hands and shoulders, widened his eyes at the sight of Heuk Yeong.
"Where's the elder, and why are you alone... What's with those clothes?"
"..."
For some reason, Heuk Yeong felt an overwhelming urge to hide anywhere.