Chapter 118 - The Black Flame Dragon Wearing Golden Clothes (3)

After the results of the Murim's standard exam were announced to the world, Hefei in Anhui Province was buzzing with the names listed in the results.

"Taiyi Sect? Was there such a sect?"

"Aren't they talking about the Taiyi Martial Arts Hall?"

"Taiyi Martial Arts Hall? Hey! Do you not know about the authentic Taiyi Sect?"

"Hey, you punk! Do you think I don't know you always mocked them, spouting nonsense about the Taiyi Sword Emperor?"

Although interest had suddenly skyrocketed, the people's curiosity could not be satisfied because the Taiyi Sect had taken down their signboard and sealed their gates.

However, that did not mean it was ignored within the Taiyi Sect either.

No, on the contrary, a rather large banquet was held inside the Taiyi Sect.

"Hehehe, to think our Sowoon actually took first place."

"Didn't you always curse at Eldest Senior Brother Sowoon, Hall Leader Kang Chaeseok?"

"Hey, punk! That was all just because I have that much affection for him!"

"Then you must not have any affection for Senior Sister Soso. You've never been able to curse at her even once to her face."

"You, come here. Have you fully mastered the Twin Heaven Sword Art?"

"Who trains during a banquet?"

The hall leaders and disciples all gathered in one place, and the parents of the disciples were all invited as well.

Among them, the ones who definitely drew the people's attention were the parents of the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, who ran a mill.

"Congratulations. How did you manage to get all three brothers into the Murim Academy? Please tell us your secret."

"Ah..., well, we just worked..."

"Oh my, the children must have been motivated by watching their parents. How exactly did you do it?"

"Ah... well, I just told them to listen well to their senior brothers and masters..."

The parents of the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, who had been subtly looked down upon their whole lives while running a mill, were unable to fully process the current situation and could only nod their heads.

"Phew... Now that Eldest Senior Brother has entered as the top student, our shoulders will become even heavier from now on."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Gwak Samnam looked at Wang Soso and Zhuge Cheongi, who were eating chicken skewers.

"Won't people from the Taiyi Sect be criticized in the future if they don't achieve results on the level of Eldest Senior Brother?"

"I'm not going to take the Murim standard exam, though?"

"What?"

At Wang Soso's words, Gwak Samnam's eyes widened like a rabbit's.

Even though she had started learning martial arts later than him, hadn't Wang Soso's achievements risen steeply? In particular, her achievement in internal energy was overwhelmingly beyond words.

Even though he could clearly beat her in swordsmanship and footwork, Gwak Samnam had never once defeated Wang Soso because she would pour out her overwhelming internal energy like a tidal wave.

To think that such a Wang Soso was not going to take the standard exam?

"I'm going to the Murim Alliance through mandatory service."

"... As a lower-class warrior, you mean?"

He had heard that Wang Soso was so precious to Wangga Manor that they had kept her tightly hidden in her room her whole life.

In addition, there were even recent rumors that she had started taking part in her family's affairs and was generating immense profits. How could such a Wang Soso enter the Murim Alliance as a lower-class warrior?

"Because that's the only way I can work alongside Eldest Senior Brother."

"..."

At that moment, Zhuge Cheongi mumbled while chewing on a chicken skewer.

"I'm going to enter as a lower-class warrior too. Samnam, it seems the burden placed on your shoulders is quite heavy."

"What do you... No, then I will also..."

"No way! We're lay disciples. You have to take the Murim standard exam."

"Where is there such a rule?"

"It's right here, where else?"

"Then I'll send Yuseong instead of me."

"Pardon?!"

Kang Yuseong, who had been taking care of his younger sisters' food, was startled.

"You entered the sect later than me, but you have much greater skill than I do."

The Taiyi Sect children who had gone to the Moyong Noble Clan as exchange disciples carrying their swords returned with vastly improved skills.

Furthermore, even though Kang Yuseong had begun learning the Taiyi True Scripture later than the other disciples, he was already at a level where he could compete with Kang Chaeseok's achievements.

Gwak Samnam patted Kang Yuseong's shoulder.

"You are exactly the disciple who will spread the name of the Taiyi Sect far and wide in the next term. I'm counting on you, Yuseong."

"No, I, I also want to go as a lower-class warrior..."

Yuseong made a face as if he were about to cry at any moment, and Gwak Samnam, Wang Soso, and Zhuge Cheongi looked at each other and giggled.

A little ways away from the four of them.

"Why are you all alone?"

Someone spoke to Jin Taesan, who was sitting alone, unable to blend into the joyous atmosphere of the banquet.

"Ah, you have arrived, Lord."

Wang Geumsan stopped Jin Taesan from standing up, sat down next to him, and placed a liquor bottle down.

"This is called Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Liquor."

Jin Taesan's eyes widened. Wasn't that the famed liquor of the Imperial Palace, said to be made with a hundred types of flowers? A mysterious fragrance was already wafting from its narrow opening.

"Isn't it fitting to drink on a day like today?"

"It-It is too much for me."

Jin Taesan's hands trembled as he received the Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Liquor.

It was a liquor that was incredibly precious to a drinker. Seeing this, Wang Geumsan chuckled.

"Are you not pleased?"

Jin Taesan, who had been drinking the Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Liquor halfway, suddenly stopped moving.

Debating whether he should finish the remaining liquor in his cup or stop for now, Jin Taesan eventually drained it all.

Then, as if he were marveling at the aroma of the liquor or lost in deep thought, he stared into the empty cup for a long time.

"... Where in the world is there a father who does not rejoice in his child's success?"

Jin Taesan's eyes, gazing at the empty liquor cup, were full of regret.

"Still, I just worry that he might fall and get seriously hurt after climbing too high."

A child's success is linked to a parent's anxiety.

The anxiety that they might not be able to act as a safety net when their child falls.

The anxiety that their child could have flown higher, but was limited because of the shackle that is themselves.

Every time a child takes a big step in growing up, the parent ends up looking back at themselves.

"Aren't you worrying too quickly? It seems he has only just begun to fly."

"I was someone who worried if he would even do well in the position of External Hall Leader. I am a person with only that much capacity. Yet, my son just flapped his wings once and made the entire world ring out loudly, so I can't help but be anxious."

It was a ladder that could not be climbed through normal methods.

That was why it was obvious that he had made unreasonable moves and taken gambles.

Considering that the only thing one can bet on the gambling table of life is one's own life, he didn't even want to guess how many times the boy had risked his life to reach that position.

"Is it because of his connection to the Underworld Murim?"

"..."

A prime example of that must be his alias, the Black Flame Dragon.

Jin Taesan smiled bitterly and poured the Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Liquor into his cup himself.

"Still, isn't it fortunate? Didn't the bigwigs of the Underworld testify that he had absolutely nothing to do with them?"

"*Pfft. *"

"No, why waste such precious liquor?"

Jin Taesan, whose mouth had become fragrant due to the spat-out liquor, looked at Wang Geumsan with bewildered eyes.

What kind of fool in this world would see that spectacle and think that Jin Sowoon had no relation to the Underworld Murim? Even he himself was wondering how that rotten brat Jin Sowoon had gotten involved with those Underworld bastards right now.

"..."

"It's a joke. A joke."

Wang Geumsan patted his shoulder and poured him more Hundred Flowers Jade Dew Liquor.

"..."

This person was looking more and more different from when he had first seen him.

He kept making silly jokes.

Because of the unique solemnity and seriousness he possessed, it was confusing, making it hard to laugh easily even when he joked.

"So doesn't that mean Hall Leader Jin just needs to work harder? You just need to become a good safety device that is safe for him to fall onto at any time."

"I heard that if you become the academy representative, you have to form an executive staff as the academy representative. Would there really be anyone willing to help a kid with no money or background?"

If he sent all the profits coming from the mine right now, they could probably form an executive staff with money, but if he did that, the foundation of the Taiyi Sect, which was just starting to settle down, would be completely uprooted, so that was also impossible.

"If that is difficult, there is a slightly easier method as well."

"What method do you mean?"

Wang Geumsan took a brief pause as he poured the liquor.

It was something he felt every time he drank it, but the aroma was truly amazing.

To the point where he wanted to lick up what he had just spat out.

"Have a drink."

"What method is it?"

"... Listen while you drink."

Jin Taesan slowly savored the bright golden liquor.

"How about he enters as the son-in-law of Wangga Manor? That seems like it would make for a good background."

"*PFFT!!! *"

* * *

"You're joking right now, aren't you?"

"..."

I had anticipated that life at the Murim Academy would not be easy.

But to think they would plot such trickery before the semester had even begun.

Truly, it was obvious that the Murim Alliance and the Murim Academy were rotten from their very roots.

"This isn't funny. Stop this and just give me some proper clothes."

"... These are the clothes."

"... There's something I failed to tell you in advance. I don't really like jokes."

"..."

Looking at the faces of the maids, who stood silently with blunt expressions, it didn't seem like a joke, which made me even more anxious.

"These are really the clothes I have to wear at the banquet?"

The clothes the maids brought were an extravagant design embroidered with golden threads on white silk cloth.

Furthermore, the ceremonial headpiece and gold-leafed sash. Down to the white shoes that seemed completely useless for everyday life, it looked exactly like the clothes worn by Daoist immortals descended from the heavens.

Up to this point, it was fine. However...

"Really? Do you swear?"

The problem was the golden word 'Top Seat' engraved as large as a gate across the chest.

I could not hide my shock that these clothes, which looked like nothing more than a punishment game no matter how I looked at them, were the ceremonial robes worn by the top admitted students throughout history.

"I'll just go wearing my martial arts uniform."

I'd rather walk around stark naked than wear something like this.

As I tried to walk past the maids to attend the banquet, the middle-aged woman who looked the oldest blocked my path.

"It is the ceremonial robe that all past top admitted students have been required to wear. You cannot take a single step out of here without wearing this."

"... If so, I won't attend the banquet."

If I went out wearing that, my social reputation that I had built up so far would be thrown to the ground, and at the same time, my authority as the Eldest Senior Brother respected by my juniors would hit rock bottom.

I would never wear it.

"What are you all doing? The Young Master is changing his clothes."

"Uh, hey! Wh-What are you doing! Let go of me! I'll tell you right now, I recently gained 180 years' worth of internal energy!"

I tried to resist, but I could not ultimately block the relentless hands of the maids.

"Here, look. Don't you look like a fine and majestic gentleman?"

"..."

A maid proudly held up a bronze mirror for me.

"I feel like I've seen this look somewhere before."

"Where do you mean?"

"In street plays, the princes or noblemen's children who have become fools usually come out wearing clothes like these."

The Head Maid lightly ignored my words and nodded.

"Then please enjoy the banquet pleasantly."

"I'm already in a bad mood, though..."

"... Your thoughts will probably change once you see the other people looking up to you, Young Master."

* * *

"*Pfft! *"

"*Keugh! *"

As soon as Geumpyo and Eunho saw my appearance, they bit their lips tightly, their faces turning red.

See? I told you I'd definitely become a laughingstock.

"Are you laughing?"

"N-No. I was just thinking about how wonderful it would be if the Sect Leader and the people of the Taiyi Sect could see such a proud sight... and I unwittingly got emotional... *Sob, sob. *"

Geumpyo turned his head away, letting out a strange sound that made it impossible to tell whether he was crying or laughing.

From the side, Eunho spoke.

"Eldest Senior Brother, could you lend me some silver coins?"

"What for... Do you have some use for them?"

"If I want to quickly go and fetch a painter right now..."

"Shut it."

Dongryong and Moyong Jaehwa were staring with blank eyes.

"Is it that weird?"

When I awkwardly asked, Dongryong shook his head.

"You look exactly like a prince descended from the heavens."

"Brother, it seems you have worn clothes that truly suit you."

"..."

Their words, full to the brim with sincerity, made me even more embarrassed, and Geumpyo and Eunho finally burst into a fit of laughter.

It became even harder for me to endure, so I quickly changed the subject.

"What about the ladies?"

"Don't women naturally take a long time to get ready?"

Fortunately, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers and Moyong Jaehwa ended up sharing a room. Originally, dormitories were assigned in order of grades, but Moyong Jaehwa, who had an Admission Token, wanted to share a four-person room with the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, so it was assigned that way.

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were assigned to two-person rooms, but they ended up sharing with different people. However, the distance wasn't far, so neither of them was too disappointed.

"What about Saryeon?"

I had tried to meet Saryeon as soon as we entered the Murim Academy.

However, Saryeon, who had shown her face to the Geum-eun-dong Brothers, was not showing her face to me alone.

I didn't know the reason behind her telling me to let our first meeting be at the banquet hall, but knowing it wouldn't take too long, I had waited quietly.

"Senior Sister Saryeon will also be coming soon."

"Everyone is late."

"Let's head on inside first."

"Let's do that."

The gazes of the servants coming and going outside the banquet hall bothered me. Since I was radiating light alone in an area full of darkness, it was natural for gazes to gather, but those bizarre smiles that I couldn't tell were from admiration or mockery were enough to make me self-conscious.

As we headed toward the banquet hall, there was a long line starting right from the entrance.

It seemed they were waiting to go inside one by one under the guidance of the maids, but everyone's attire was quite extraordinary.

Myself and the Geum-eun-dong Brothers were wearing ceremonial robes that were clearly provided by the academy, but the other academy students were wearing luxurious clothes embroidered with patterns symbolizing their families or sects.

That extravagance was no less than my clothes, which were gold-leafed with 'Top Seat'.

Seeing that the clothes worn by the Geum-eun-dong Brothers did not have the characters for 'Taiyi' engraved on them, it seemed the academy students had each ordered and worn their own ceremonial robes.

"Like this, it's hard to tell who the main character is."

Just as Eunho said, it felt as if I had become their clown, and they looked like the very people who had come to enjoy this banquet.

"Are you Jin Sowoon?"

While we were waiting at the very end of the line, someone who looked like an official spoke to me.

"Please come this way. The Top Seat's place has been prepared separately."

"Now you seem like the main character."

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers and I started walking forward, bypassing the line under the official's guidance.

The gazes of the academy students standing in the long line gathered on us. However, their gazes were not kind.

"If you wait here for a moment, a maid will guide you to your seat."

The official who said that disappeared once again.

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers, having come to the very front, were blankly staring at the massive scale and extravagance of the banquet hall glimpsed from the entrance. Just as I was also marveling without showing it, a familiar voice rang out.

"For the Murim Alliance's top educational institution, aren't the facilities too subpar?"

Upon confirming the owner of the voice, I suppressed my excitement and spoke.

"... You passed in the end, I see."

"Tell me about it. When my admission token was taken by you, Young Master Jin, I thought I was helplessly eliminated. I've barely managed to grasp the opportunity to get my revenge again."