797 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- Chapter 797: Childhood Friend of the Zenith (천하제일인의 소꿉친구) "What on earth do you think you're doing!" The bellow of the Dual Righteous Illusion Sword (쌍의환검) reverberated across the surroundings. Craack-! The desk he struck shattered in half and fell apart. Those nearby stared at him in shock. I was no exception. Why is he acting so erratically? His face was flushed red, unmistakably seething with rage. Curious, I looked at him and asked, "Senior, is there something wrong?" "Why is he making such a fuss?" Oops. I'd blurted my thoughts, covering my mouth in realization. The words had switched between my mind and my mouth. This caused Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's expression to twist even further. "Sword King (성왕), what did you just say?" "Hahaha... My apologies. That was a slip of the tongue." A grave slip, indeed. I offered an awkward smile and continued. "So, why all the fuss?" "..." Having come this far, I thought it best to just continue. That was my intention. Upon hearing this, turbulent Qi began to surge from Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's shoulders. "...Do you honestly not know?" "Indeed, I'm asking because I don't. If I knew, why would I inquire?" Creak. I rose from the chair I was seated in. Standing, Dual Righteous Illusion Sword was slightly taller, but it didn't hinder our eye contact. "I distinctly told you, didn't I? If you're not satisfied, just leave. So why the sudden fuss?" Crunnch-! With those words, a rough sound emanated from Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's clenched fists. "...Sword King." "Yes, Squad Leader (대주)." "Do you think this is mere child's play?" His voice was laden with fiery emotions. "Child's play?" "Just because the world lauds you as a hero, do you think everything is just a game?" "Hmm." Listening to his words, I nodded. I even performed a gesture as if I didn't understand what he was saying. "I think some further explanation is needed." "Explanations aside, if this isn’t tomfoolery, then what is it?" "Why? I'm working diligently, am I not?" "Hah, it's laughable. Is this what you call working diligently?" He pointed with his hand somewhere. It was the gathering of the applicants. Among them was the direction where those I'd eliminated had grouped. "This is not just any test; it's to select members for the Alliance's Sword Unit." "Indeed." "And knowing that, do you propose such absurd methods to recruit members?" At his words, the eliminated applicants nodded in agreement. "When so many participants join right after the announcement, it's a sign of how significant this test is. Regardless of how highly the Alliance views Sword King, you're undermining both the pride of these candidates and the Alliance's standards." The murmurs escalated with each word. Those dissatisfied with my examination methods. Specifically, the eliminated ones. Honestly, it's understandable. They must have prepared extensively, only to be immediately disqualified. From their perspective, they had reason to be disgruntled. Yet. 'What can I do about what I see?' It's not my fault if I can see clearly. In the first place, why set up the War Battle Sword (열투전검) as the benchmark? It wasn’t just wordplay; it genuinely was the standard for me. 'A criterion for passing.' The entrance of the matured Peak Realm. The realm of War Battle Sword was precisely that level and my minimum criterion. If pressed, it meant the standard was indeed high. When one's realm reaches the Peak, they're already called a master in Central Plains. Furthermore, elite martial artists of the Alliance are mainly in the Peak Realm, and if one is at the mature Peak, they're considered lieutenant level. In these circumstances, how could War Battle Sword serve as the standard? 'It's just my preference.' To be frank, it was simply my whim. The ones I didn't like, I disqualified, and that was all. Searching for a deeper meaning here was needless. "Why? If this also doesn't please you, are you planning to ask me to stop?" A sneer appeared on Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's face. "If you desire that, I will heed it. After all, this is within your domain, Sword King. However." He interrupted, glancing at the eliminated applicants before adding. "If this is how things run from the start, it's questionable if you'll get support as a leader, even apart from being a martial artist." "Hmm." Hearing this, I also looked at the applicants. They seemed to share his sentiment. 'I see.' Finally, I understood why the Dual Righteous Illusion Sword was making such a fuss. 'Politics from the outset, huh.' It was an approach using both the applicants and the situation to his advantage. He aimed to cast doubt on my qualifications and sway public opinion against me. I thought it was a decent method. My actions were indeed primed for criticism. I’d acted excessively and recklessly, so the fact that Dual Righteous Illusion Sword, who already viewed me unfavorably, seized this opportunity wasn’t a bad choice. However. "Oh, so, ultimately, what you're saying is..." If there's a problem here. "You're upset that I eliminated all the informants you sneaked in. Is that what you're saying?" It's when there's no justification from my side. "...What...?" The sneer that had been on Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's face vanished. All that remained was bewilderment. It disappeared quickly, but I didn’t miss it. "What are you talking about? Informants!" As if indignant at such unfounded accusations, he tried to lash out once more. "Third, fourth, and ninth." "...!" The numbers I swiftly uttered shattered his expression. "Am I right?" The numbers were no different. They were the very informants planted by Dual Righteous Illusion Sword. "Besides that... let's see...." As I turned to quickly scan the remaining applicants to perhaps find more. "What nonsense are you spouting!" Bang-! He interrupted, flipping the table in front of me. "Is it not enough to fool around with the evaluation, and now you're trying to falsely accuse me!?" "A false accusation?" "Indeed. Without proof, you're trying to..." "Why do you assume there's no evidence?" "...!" Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's eyes wavered violently. To be honest, I had no concrete evidence, but his response confirmed it for me. "Seeing your eyes quiver, it seems true." "Nonsense...!" Translated and Implemented Instructions --- Realizing his mistake too late, Dual Righteous Illusion Sword (쌍의환검) understood his error, yet it was already too late. ‘Though truthfully, I had already been certain.’ The reason I was sure they were spies. It was none other than this: ‘Some of them emit similar Qi.’ The energy sensed from their bodies. My heightened perception and Mind's Eye (심안) had detected it. It was proof they were practicing similar martial arts. Of course, determining they were spies just from that would be insufficient. They could have belonged to the same sect or come from the same lineage. Moreover, their skill levels weren’t bad, so if I wanted, I could have selected them. The Qi I mentioned being similar... It applied not just to those three but also... ‘...to Dual Righteous Illusion Sword as well.’ It was akin to the energy of the Golden Dragon Squad Leader (금룡대주). This implied that those individuals were likely part of the same clan as Dual Righteous Illusion Sword. Why would figures of such skill not join the Golden Dragon Squad and instead apply for the Star Dragon Squad? It was only explainable if they were spies. By weeding out such spies, it seemed I'd angered him greatly. “So, who was really playing games with the examination?” From my perspective, it was a ridiculous situation. “I'm fairly certain it wasn't me.” As I continued with a slight grin, Dual Righteous Illusion Sword's expression gradually twisted. “W-what nonsensical talk...! I pointed out that the Sword King was disrespecting this examination and the Martial Alliance. Stop diverting the topic!” Desperately, he tried to steer the subject back. At that moment, “Indeed, Sword King.” Another voice interjected. It was the Hidden Wave Sword (은랑검), who had been quietly listening. “I believe the issue with this examination, as the Golden Dragon Squad Leader indicated, might hold truth.” ‘And who’s this guy now?’ Hidden Wave Sword, suddenly interjecting when Dual Righteous Illusion Sword seemed to be faltering. ‘So he quietly steps in now?’ It seemed likely this person was entangled in the matter too. He appeared so composed, after all. “Is this also what the Iron Dragon Squad Leader (철룡대주) thinks?” "…While this exam is entirely under Sword King's supervision and thus immune from intervention, the favoritism is indeed a concern." "Favoritism?" Confused, I furrowed my brows. What on earth was he talking about? "What favoritism are you referring to?" "Upon review, several applicants appear to have personal connections with the Sword King." Expanding on his explanation, Hidden Wave Sword glanced at the sparring ground. “Not to mention the War Battle Sword standing there. But the lady beside her…” He paused momentarily while looking at Namgung Bi-ah (남궁비아). She continued to look solely at me, ignoring Hidden Wave Sword completely. “…is known to have an arranged engagement with the Sword King.” “Huh?” “What do you mean-!" The people who were observing Namgung Bi-ah with Hidden Wave Sword turned to look at me. Their expressions, absurdly enough, bore hostility. ‘Who do these people think they are?’ It was ridiculous that they dared to show hostility. “Sword King’s fiancée...?” "Is she truly the Sword King's woman?” "Come to think of it, I've heard rumors. That the Sword King's fiancée was known as the Sword Dance of the Namgung family." "What? Sword Dance... Are you referring to An Hui’s most beautiful woman?" “I had only heard rumors... But I never expected her to be this extraordinary.” The responses began to shift. Recognizing this, Hidden Wave Sword quickly added. "Moreover..." Rustle. His gaze inspecting the letter here and there. “Most of the martial artists who participated in the previous battle against the Hundred-Class Demon seemed to have applied.” "..." I nodded at Hidden Wave Sword's comment. He was correct. Many martial artists from the last battle applied this time, for reasons unknown. “So, Iron Dragon Squad Leader, you imply that I'm favoring personal connections in my evaluations?” "While not definite... isn’t that the situation?" "Ah..." Is that how it's going to be now? Laughing briefly, I spoke to him. “So you assume it seems that way?” “If not, I cannot comprehend why capable individuals are being eliminated without assessment.” "Hmm." The implication from the Iron Dragon Squad Leader was that he believed I was utilizing personal connections, eliminating candidates without evaluation. Frankly, even such accusations didn't particularly bother me. One of the conditions I had proposed to Mok Yeon was, ‘I would bring in five individuals, regardless of the circumstances, whom I desire.’ Such a condition had been set. So considering the individuals I intended to bring in later, such statements didn’t concern me much. ‘But constantly being prodded like this is rather annoying.’ Sighing, I addressed the Hidden Wave Sword. "Apologies, but the reasons for elimination were purely because they didn't meet my standards. It has nothing to do with personal connections. Additionally, I was planning to eliminate the lady over there purely because of her being my fiancée.” "Because she’s weak… What assessment led you to that judgment? Moreover," His eyes shifted back to Namgung Bi-ah. “The fact that Miss Namgung scored to pass, compared to other eliminations, is incomprehensible. Your hastily provided excuse hardly differs.” “…What?” “Is that not the case?” Well. This was quite a predicament. ‘...How incredibly irritating.’ I intended to let it slide, but he managed to ignite my irritation. I wasn’t bothered about other matters, but having Namgung Bi-ah dismissed angered me considerably. ‘How should I handle this?’ Should I just pull out a limb and ensure they can’t get back up again? As that contemplation flitted through my mind, ‘…’ I was struck by a sudden thought and glanced at Namgung Bi-ah. -Hey. I promptly conveyed a sound transmission. Upon receiving it, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head, puzzled. -How are you feeling? -...What…? -I’m asking, how are you? -...I’m fine. -Answer honestly. -… The sound transmission paused briefly. She appeared to be contemplating something. After a few seconds, -How well… do I need to be? Her response echoed back. Listening to this, I glanced at Hidden Wave Sword beside me and inquired, -This gentleman next to us. Can you take him on? -... Namgung Bi-ah studied Hidden Wave Sword after hearing my question, and before long, her response came. Upon receiving it, I spoke straight to Hidden Wave Sword. "Iron Dragon Squad Leader." "Yes. Do you have something more to say..." "Want to make a bet?" "…Pardon?" My sudden proposition caused Hidden Wave Sword's eyebrows to twitch. An utterly out-of-the-blue suggestion, indeed. But still. Translated and Implemented Instructions --- "What a strange thing to say..." "If I lose this bet, I’ll hand over the Star Dragon Squad (성룡대) to you. If you wish, I’ll even kneel and lick your feet." "…" "What do you say?" Hidden Wave Sword's (은랑검) expression turned curious as he asked. "...What kind of bet are you proposing?" He took the bait.