1076 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: Martial Arts Master’s Childhood Friend, Chapter 1076: Northern Rabbit After the storm passed, I prepared alone amidst the silence of many. I could feel their stares constantly. Damn it, even trying to ignore them wasn't easy. The murmuring whispers felt like a buzz in the background. Curiosity, envy, jealousy—emotions so familiar that they were almost comforting. "Who on earth is that?" "He looks young. Probably from some noble family." "...If not from a family, maybe a martial school." "What does he possess that the Overlord wants to take him as a disciple?" "He doesn’t look like much... Ah, but his face is quite intimidating. Yikes!" As irritating remarks reached me, I glared, causing a man to flinch. I was really getting annoyed. With a sigh, I remembered a feeling I hadn't experienced in a while. 'That wretched old man.' Just as I was trying to discreetly gather information, this had to happen. Was this really a coincidence? It didn’t seem like it, at least not to me. "Sigh..." I brushed my hair back. 'What did he feel?' What did the Overlord sense when he looked at me? The power of Tua Pacheon within me was undetectable. The resonance was concealed the moment I felt it. I’m sure the Overlord didn’t notice it. So, it mustn’t be due to the resonance. Then what remains... ‘The reborn body.’ My youthful appearance and the body I shed during my transformation. I realized these were what the Overlord had been searching for. That must be why he was so eager to take me as his disciple. So, again... ‘Is it about that?’ Even from afar, he seemed to identify it, and that's likely why he approached suddenly and touched my body. But still... ‘Can you really discover something just by touching the forearm?’ Could touching me tell him anything? He didn't even harness energy. He truly only touched me, yet the Overlord seemed to sense something. ‘Tsk.’ This is troublesome. If the Overlord becomes obsessed, that would be quite the predicament. ‘What should I do? Change my identity again?’ I could change my face or body easily and alter my identity using my powers. So that part wasn't an issue. ‘The timing is the problem.’ Joining the Martial Alliance is an issue. I heard today is the last day for the entrance exam. Missing today would mean waiting a year for another chance. Changing my identity now would be excessive. ‘Or...’ Should I steal someone else's identity within the Martial Alliance and disguise myself? That could be a solution, indeed. While pondering such thoughts momentarily... "Next. Step up." A voice called from the front. I lifted my head to see someone on the martial stage, looking bored. This was the first entrance exam of the Alliance. I noticed multiple people standing on different martial stages. The first exam was simple. Spar with the examiner on the stage. The examiner decides your pass based on a few exchanges. Indeed, it was an extraordinarily simple test. And. ‘Utterly corruptible test.’ Designed so that bribery or networking could easily guarantee success. ‘Indeed.’ If it were the Martial Alliance I knew, it would already be teeming with bribes or requests. I wondered how the Alliance is now. ‘Even with the Sword Master’s era, is it different?’ In the prime era of the Martial Alliance. With the Sword Master as the leader, wouldn't things be different? With such expectations, I looked at the martial stage. ‘Huh?’ Lost in thought, I didn’t notice at first. My examiner. ‘I've seen this face before?’ It seemed familiar. Like someone I knew. Who was it? I squinted, trying to recall, but nothing quite triggered my memory. While I was staring at him intensely, he finally looked at me. As our eyes met, the man grimaced and said: “Step up.” ‘Ah.’ Was it my turn? I ascended the martial stage. The examiner started at me with an odd expression. His gaze held raw emotions, ‘This brat caught the Overlord’s attention?’ “Hmm.” He cleared his throat, speaking soon after. “I am Beom Dong from the Flying Dragon Unit.” “Ah.” I widened my eyes at the introduction. No wonder he looked familiar. It’s him, isn’t it? He was the one I beat for being annoying. “Why do you ask?” The young Beom Dong seemed like he hadn’t reached his full prime. My reaction appeared odd to him, so he asked with a curious look. “Oh, it’s nothing. You resemble someone I know.” “Hmm. Really? It’s rare to find someone like me. If you’re here to make contacts, I advise you to refrain.” Beom Dong said it plainly. His demeanor indicated a strict refusal of any underhanded dealings. Interesting. ‘Was he like this back then?’ Beom Dong, in my memories, was one who had completely fallen from grace, yet the current him seemed different. While pondering over this change... “As per the rules, you need to either defeat me or earn my acknowledgment.” Out of nowhere, Beom Dong smirked. “Or make it easier by offering something.” “...” He formed a circle using his thumb and index finger as he said that. I squinted my eyes further. “Ha ha, just kidding.” A joke? Not really. It felt more genuine than not. ‘Such misplaced expectations.’ Despite thinking he might have been corrupt due to life experiences, he turns out to be inherently like this. It’s oddly comforting. At that moment. "Don't be too frightened." Swoosh. Beom Dong drew his sword and spoke. "I'll go easy. I have no intention of doing much against someone at the post-acquisition level." Beom Dong didn’t seem that much older than me. Considering he mentioned the Flying Dragon Unit, he must have been a member even back then. His martial prowess... ‘At the peak level.’ Barely over the threshold of mastery. Impressive for his age. Even more so, considering the Beom Dong I knew was a formidable warrior, so his talent was undoubtedly exceptional. “What weapon do you use?” “I don’t use any.” “You’re a martial artist, then. Very well.” Beom Dong twirled his sword end toward me slightly. “Come at any time.” “...” I stared intently at the sword. "I'll give you the first move." With those words, Beom Dong suddenly collapsed onto the ground. "Huh?" "…What?" "What the…?" The onlookers at the martial arts match widened their eyes in disbelief. I nudged the fallen Beom Dong aside with my foot, sweeping him far away. "He said I could come anytime." I had approached and delivered a finishing blow to his chin. As much as I wanted to rearrange his face, there were too many eyes on me. With a slight smirk, I cleared Beom Dong aside and turned to the examiner. "Do you need any further confirmation?" "…Uh… uh, no." The examiner stammered, addressing me in a fluster. "From the Guangdong Bai Clan, Bai Yangcheon. P-pass... you've passed." The first round of the test was complete. As expected. * * * I quickly headed to the second exam. Thankfully, I didn’t have to linger or anything like that. At the next location, those who had passed were already seated and busy with something. Upon closer inspection, there was paper laid out on the tables. Most of them were scratching their heads. "Are you one of the passers?" Asked an examiner inside the room. “Yes." “Please, take a seat here.” I approached the indicated spot. There was paper and a brush placed on the desk as well. Upon sitting, I noticed: ‘This thing.’ It was literally a test. The paper was filled with questions about demon beasts. “Answer the questions presented. You have half a shichen to complete it.” “...” I quietly examined the paper. Most questions were about green and blue demon beasts, with a few concerning red ones. But such questions were extremely rare. It made sense. ‘This is a time when red demon beasts don’t appear frequently.’ These were the days when the attacks of demon beasts had been stabilized and a systematic approach had been developed. As these issues got resolved, it was a time when conflicts among people started to increase. "Hmm." Observing the questions closely. However, ‘This is easy.’ The questions were incredibly simple. ‘Being a former top student.’ For someone who was the top student at Shinryonggwan. This was nothing. I picked up the brush and quickly penned down my answers, and soon after, I raised my hand, catching the examiner’s attention. "Hmm?" Spotting my raised hand, the examiner chuckled. “Try a bit harder. If you've given up already—” “I've solved everything.” “What did you say…?” At my response, the examiner’s eyes widened. "You’ve... solved everything?" “Yes.” "…That's impossible." The time limit was a whole half a shichen. Not even half an hour had passed. And here I was, claiming to have finished everything already. He seemed bewildered. “Just scribbling down half-hearted answers would be as bad as not answering.” “I assure you, I haven’t. Feel free to check.” "...." With a doubtful look, he took my paper to verify. After a brief moment passed... “Ha…” He let out a short sigh. "…Everything's correct?" Not a single mistake. "May I leave now?" "No…" Pondering how this was possible, the examiner seemed to realize something and nodded. “…I see. You're one of those, aren’t you?” “Pardon?” “Never mind... Ha, nothing I can say will change it. You may go.” His gaze felt slightly unsettling. He seemed heavily displeased. Seeing his expression, I understood as well. ‘Ah, this man.’ Due to my quick completion, he probably suspected I had cheated through connections to get the answers. That seemed to be his concern. Moreover, based on what he had said. ‘You're one of those, aren’t you?’ It implied that someone else had indeed orchestrated something similar. ‘Hmm.’ It was absurd to be misunderstood, but nevertheless, I had passed. With that, I turned and exited promptly. ‘The third one is...’ Once the last test is done, I'll officially join the Alliance. 'Ridiculous.' In my past life, I never wanted to be dragged here, yet here I was, taking exams to join voluntarily. It was absurd. As I scratched my cheek and moved to continue walking. “Excuse me.” “Huh?” Someone called out to me. I turned my head. “Are you coming out after passing the exams?” A woman's voice, low and somewhat chilly. Curious about who it was, I looked her way. And then... "....Uh?" I instinctively reacted with surprise. She was a beautiful woman. Despite her somewhat cold expression and frosty eyes, she was undeniably someone who would be called beautiful anywhere. She appeared to be just beyond her youth, and strangely enough, she reminded me of the playful spirit from the Murong family. But more importantly, I recognized this woman. "If so, I have a proposition—" "Lady Mi?" "Pardon me, what?" At my words, the woman frowned. It was none other than Mi Hyoran of the Baekhwa Chamber of Commerce.