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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Family Ties Exposed
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Eight weeks had passed.
"My eyes are throbbing so badly. Is it from taking those waterfall hits?"
[Your eyes are all bruised.]
Just as Moomyeong said, both my eyes had turned black and blue, as if I'd taken a punch to each one.
On top of that, my feet—hidden by my shoes—and the palms of my hands were covered in wounds.
"I should get some gloves."
My hands had gotten so rough that even a simple brush against my eyelids left scratches.
"Finally, today's the day."
Separate from the promotion exam only for those assigned to Chunmu Hall, all the disciples from every hall had gathered in one place for the announcement of the group members who'd be stuck together for the next six years.
"Waistbands."
Everyone except those assigned to Chunmu Hall was wearing a waistband embroidered with gold letters indicating their current hall, and they held a plaque in one hand engraved with the letters of their assigned Chun, Ha, Chu, or Dong hall.
The people from the other halls were in a cheerful mood, but among those assigned to Chunmu Hall, a subtle tension hung in the air.
[Stay sharp, host.]
"Don't worry. I trained pretty hard these past eight weeks, didn't I?"
[That's not what I mean.]
Moomyeong continued calmly.
[There might be someone here gunning for your life.]
I scanned my surroundings.
I still didn't know which one among them was from the Moyong Family.
I examined the faces of the people filling the training ground.
It wasn't all sharp impressions.
There were fresh-faced young men who looked kind-hearted, like proper martial artists' sons, and even strikingly handsome men and beautiful women whose jaws would drop.
This kind of structured gathering and training was something I'd never experienced in any of my past lives.
It felt like stepping into the other world I'd always envied.
I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't pounding.
'I must look so shabby compared to them.'
It was a fleeting thought as I gazed at their splendor.
"Attention."
Gang Buryong strode to the center of the assembly, his cloak billowing at the hem.
"Congratulations on officially joining Cheonsubakryeonsa, you fledglings. You are now full-fledged members of Cheonsubakryeonsa."
His sturdy tone was the same, but unlike when he'd first provoked us, his words now carried a subtle gentleness.
"I trust the disciples have already met their assigned group instructors and achieved meaningful results under their guidance over the past eight weeks. Before we begin the Chunmu Hall promotion exam, I'll now announce the group rosters. The groups consist of three members each. Regardless of your original hall, you'll share one instructor during your time here at Cheonsubakryeonsa, so this could become a bond thicker than blood. Make the most of this opportunity for a good connection."
Everyone raised their arms in cheers.
The roar shook the entire Cheonsubakryeonsa.
"Ah."
Amid the cheering crowd, a familiar figure caught my eye in one corner of my vision.
Long silver hair swayed near her hips.
My skills were still too low to gauge someone's prowess by eye, but the aura emanating from her petite, slender frame was more immense than anyone else gathered here—it was suffocating.
She wasn't dressed like the disciples.
The Haseo Physician had said she wasn't a disciple but an enforcer of Cheonsubakryeonsa.
I didn't know exactly what that entailed yet, but at least I knew she wasn't undergoing the same training as me.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, she glanced sideways.
When I'd been gutted by a knife at Cheonsubakryeonsa and collapsed, she had saved me.
Her words from that day came back to me.
-Huashan Sect Shinsinwi, Eunseolryeong. That's who I am now.
'She said she was from the Huashan Sect.'
I remembered it was a prestigious sect, but after some mysterious incident decades ago, its power had waned, placing it in the lower-middle ranks among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
'But... something feels off.'
I didn't know exactly what a Huashan Sect Shinsinwi was.
But enforcer or whatever position she held, her appearance looked no older than her early twenties, even giving her the benefit of the doubt.
It didn't add up.
'...I'll figure it out someday.'
Her eyes looking down at me as I lay there had seemed like a coldly sharpened silver blade.
I'd never seen silver pupils before.
They held an aloof, lofty gaze.
Since she was nearby, I decided to say something.
"Um, excuse me."
Did she not hear?
No reaction.
I gathered my courage, made some noise to get her attention, and raised my hand.
She lifted her head.
Our eyes met.
"Long time no—"
"Hm?"
She tilted her head, then looked away.
[She's forgotten you.]
"...Shut up."
[Forgotten.]
"Quiet. Annoying."
I bit my lip and scratched the back of my head.
Just as the Haseo Physician said, it might've been a big deal for me, but for her, it was probably just another routine occurrence among dozens.
Moomyeong added,
[Who knows. You might end up in the same group and build a connection.]
"Bullsh—"
I stopped mid-sentence.
Maybe.
I'd made it into Cheonsubakryeonsa, a place even minor sects couldn't enter, and now I was grouped with renowned martial artists.
If fate aligned, not just Eunseolryeong, but I might end up in a group with a beauty like her.
You never know with the world.
"Haha! We've met once before, but seeing all my disciples gathered like this makes me even happier."
Pahwanggun's voice boomed out.
"Lord Pahwanggun!"
I welcomed him with a bright face—no, more precisely, my heart raced at the thought of who my first official jianghu connection would be.
And then.
"..."
Standing in front of me were nothing but dudes.
With Pahwanggun and me, it was perfectly four men.
[I can feel your fingertips trembling.]
"Shut up."
As I simmered down my boiling frustration, someone spoke to me first.
"We're acquainted, right?"
I looked at him.
I value manners, you know.
I try not to curse in front of others.
Sure, I curse inside plenty, but I don't spit it out unless I have to.
Everyone curses inwardly, don't they?
But even without a beauty in sight, facing this guy made curses bubble up uncontrollably.
"You."
"Whoa, even after I winked at you, this? Man, this is some harsh loneliness."
He had a sturdy build, black semi-curly hair, and sly, raccoon-like eyes.
It was the same guy who'd caught my eye by chance during the entrance exam, winked, and given me a thumbs-up.
Staring at that disgustingly sly face stirred an uncontrollable rage deep inside me.
[Your future won't be smooth.]
With Moomyeong's assessment, my vision blurred.
I turned to look at the remaining one.
"..."
A tall man with short black hair tied back by a headband, cold and intellectual-looking, with pale skin. A handsome guy. No doubt some female disciples kept glancing our way as they passed because of him.
Still, judging by his looks, this one seemed normal enough.
"I don't care who you bastards are. Just don't drag me down. Interfere, and I'll kill you."
"..."
At this point, I wondered if they gathered nothing but problem children here.
Unlike my reddening face, Pahwanggun shouted energetically.
"Now, you'll be facing each other day in and day out while under my guidance, whether you become allies or enemies. So how about some simple introductions? Let's say name, likes, and goals. First up..."
Pahwanggun looked at me.
After all, we'd butted heads every day for eight weeks.
I couldn't ignore his gaze.
I mumbled through my introduction.
"My name is Moyong Bi. As you can see, I'm still very inexperienced in many ways. My dream is to eat meat until I'm stuffed, and my goal is to earn recognition at Cheonsubakryeonsa and grow stronger."
Pahwanggun said while trimming his nails.
"Also, this guy's calm usually, but once his eyes start rolling, he's a mad dog like no other. Watch out, everyone."
"Lord Pahwanggun..."
"What? It's true, isn't it? Anger management issues?"
I had nothing to say.
"How do you rate your own skills, Moyong Bi? Be honest."
It was a sudden question from Pahwanggun.
I hesitated, then answered.
"Coldly speaking, probably 'third-rate.'"
The tall guy with the headband narrowed his eyes like axes.
"Third-rate? Don't drag me down. If you do, I'll kill you. Pathetic."
"..."
At this point, I wanted to scrap the whole group thing.
"Hmm, that's your assessment. Got it. Next introduction?"
The pale-skinned tall guy who'd glared at me took over.
"My name is Jin Mujae. I like training. My goal is to repay a blood debt."
His words were like frost, each one clipped and deliberate.
His stance was disciplined, dignified, with an extraordinary presence.
Jin Mujae added,
"Oh, and I'm from the Wudang Sect."
"Wudang? The Taoists there are all dignified folks, but you're just a thug bi—"
Jin Mujae glared at me.
"Sorry."
"...'By necessity,' I'm currently in Chunmu Hall awaiting the promotion exam, but I'll climb up as fast as possible. Drag me down, and I'll say it again: I'll kill you."
Why did this supposed Wudang Taoist end every sentence with "kill"?
Was he really a Taoist?
Maybe he was from an unorthodox sect.
With each introduction, I felt the shadows lengthening over my jianghu future.
"You all have such energy. Last one, introduce yourself."
"Shall I?"
The semi-curly haired guy grinned like he was the happiest man alive and spoke casually.
"What I like most is women and booze, of course. Gambling too! And good food! Oh, that Moyong Bi over there said his dream is stuffing himself with meat—meat's great too!"
I'd already achieved enlightenment.
I'd let it all go, so this was just cute now.
"Oh, and my name and former affiliation... not sure if I should reveal it. Jeez."
He even scratched the back of his head shyly.
Then he suddenly looked at me.
"...?"
Something felt off.
"About my name."
His smile felt endlessly light, not in a good way.
"It's Moyong Ryu."
I doubted my ears.
Moyong Ryu smirked.
"From the same family as that Moyong Bi over there. Looks like he doesn't want to talk about it, but oh well. Gotta say it, right? Yeah?"
My breath caught.
The atmosphere shifted.
"What did you just say...?"
"Third Young Master of the Moyong Family. Huh? Our little brother's face got so cold. Whoa, cool eyes, bro!"
I tried to stay calm, but I couldn't.
I didn't know what expression to make.
Suspicion and confirmation were worlds apart.
I'd suspected, but I hadn't expected him to reveal it so openly.
As I drowned in confusion, Moyong Ryu continued.
"Anyway, introductions end here. Little bro, I'm genuinely impressed."
"Impressed by what?"
My voice sank endlessly.
"What else is there to be impressed by in this situation?"
-Clap, clap, clap.
Moyong Ryu's applause echoed in the dry air.
"You're still alive, that's what."
Something hot surged up my throat.
[Host, hold it in.]
The powder keg in my chest ignited.
Savoring my expression, Moyong Ryu delivered his final words.
"I thought for sure you'd died after hearing you got stabbed in the gut."
Pahwanggun closed his eyes.
"This is bad."
-Snap.
My reason snapped.
I lunged at Moyong Ryu.
"You bastard, what the hell?!"
The Heavenly Demon Copies Martial Arts