Cheol Ji-ak looked at Jegal Rin with a baffled expression.
Jegal Rin hurriedly spoke, as if making an excuse.
"N–No. It was just that you spoke so meaningfully, as if you already knew everything, so I thought we'd been found out."
"... Fine. Then why, in that situation, did you suddenly ask the vice commander about how to deal with the water bandits?"
At Cheol Ji-ak's question, Cheon Woojin answered calmly.
"I didn't know you were from the Murim Alliance, but I did know the boatman was a master. Honestly, I was a bit confused, but just before my head was about to be split open by a falchion, you were releasing your aura."
"... You saw that?"
When Cheon Woojin nodded, Cheol Ji-ak pointed at Jegal Rin and asked again,
"Then what about her?"
"Well, the boatman—a master like you—was pretending to be overwhelmed by water bandits who weren't even worth a finger flick, and this young lady was subtly provoking the water bandits so they'd have no choice but to fight, while also overseeing the whole situation as if she intended not to miss a single detail..."
As Cheon Woojin continued speaking, Cheol Ji-ak's eyes began to gleam.
"So it looked like we were controlling the situation?"
"Yes. To be honest, I was wondering if you two might be villains, so it's a relief to hear you're from the Murim Alliance."
"Heh, would you look at this brat. And if we were villains?"
"Well..."
But Cheol Ji-ak already knew.
If that were the case, this boy's Crane Feather Fan would have been pointed at both him and Jegal Rin.
Cheol Ji-ak soon burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha, excellent. A later-generation disciple of the Righteous Path ought to have a bold, chivalrous streak. It's like I'm looking at myself when I was young—especially the face. It's a bit similar."
Jegal Rin narrowed her eyes and stared at Cheol Ji-ak.
"I don't think so..."
"Hey!"
Regardless, Jegal Rin gave Cheon Woojin a strange look and asked,
"Your name?"
"Cheon Woojin."
"Your sect?"
Cheon Woojin hesitated for a moment.
His Black-robed Master had many enemies in the martial world, and the warning not to reveal it carelessly came to mind.
"I can't say."
"Well, who doesn't have a secret or two? I like that."
"What is it that you like?"
"…Nothing. Just sit down. Not just you, Young Hero Cheon—everyone, sit. It'll be hard to keep your balance."
While no one yet understood what Jegal Rin meant,
Cheol Ji-ak, the Commander of the Black Tortoise Division, picked up an oar that had been set aside.
Seeing this, Cheon Woojin quietly grabbed the railing of the boat, and the quick-witted Song Iyeon followed suit.
Everyone assumed Cheol Ji-ak was about to row with it.
Swae-aek—!
Instead, Cheol Ji-ak swung the oar toward the rear, releasing a blade-like gust of force.
No—perhaps it should be called an oar wind.
In any case, the recoil sent the boat shooting forward, brutally cleaving through the current.
"U–Uaaah!"
Several later-generation disciples tumbled awkwardly across the deck.
Cheon Woojin, however, did not move an inch even amid the chaos, and Cheol Ji-ak and Jegal Rin looked at him with peculiar expressions.
**
The Murim Alliance .
The grand federation of the Righteous Path martial artists, including the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans.
Though it had originally been formed to oppose the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the prevailing assessment now was that it had long since surpassed the Demonic Cult altogether.
Cheon Woojin—who rarely showed surprise—lifted his chin slightly, eyes wide.
It was the first time in his life he had seen walls this tall.
The gates alone were larger than the hut where he had lived with his two masters, and the number of people far exceeded even that of a village festival marketplace.
Among those coming and going through the Murim Alliance, there was no martial artist who met Cheon Woojin's standard of a true master.
That might change deeper inside the Alliance, but not here.
Still, even the lowest-ranking martial artists, though lacking in martial attainment, possessed spirit.
Their eyes were sharp and full of vigor, their movements lively, their bearing confident.
'This reminds me of Master Baekno.'
There were many people in the Murim Alliance who resembled Master Baekno, regardless of age or level of martial attainment.
On the other hand, there wasn't a single person who resembled Master Cheokno, which made Cheon Woojin think, So this really is the Murim Alliance.
As he took in the scenery of the Murim Alliance, a conversation between his masters suddenly came to mind.
— Woojin, the hypocrisy of those so-called righteous sect bastards is generally disgusting, but do you know which ones are the worst of all? The Murim Alliance. They solve everything with force, yet they prattle on about peace and fairness and whatnot...
— Hey now. Where else is there that upholds the righteous spirit of the orthodox path as properly as the Murim Alliance?
Whenever the Murim Alliance came up, the two masters would argue.
Master Baekno cherished the Murim Alliance greatly, while Master Cheokno always showed open hostility toward it.
Their arguments always ended with words like these.
— Hah, then I suppose we'll just let Woojin see it for himself and judge. See how disgusting the Murim Alliance really is.
— Fine. Woojin, you must see it with your own eyes. Feel their chivalry up close, and you too will become a chivalrous hero.
As Cheon Woojin recalled their vivid exchange and let out a soft chuckle, Song Iyeon openly exclaimed in admiration, one after another.
"Young Hero! Look over there—the Murim Alliance flag!"
Where Song Iyeon pointed, a blue flag symbolizing the Murim Alliance was fluttering proudly high above.
Jegal Rin lifted her small yet straight nose slightly and spoke with pride.
"Impressive, isn't it? Our Murim Alliance."
Cheon Woojin, still slack-jawed, merely nodded his head.
At that sight, Jegal Rin couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
Is this really the same man who severed water bandits' wrists in an instant?
Cheon Woojin was a truly fascinating man.
When facing water bandits, he had been cold and ruthless, like a martial artist who had killed people as easily as eating a meal.
Yet now, he looked guileless, like someone who had never even stepped on an insect.
Jegal Rin had never before seen a person in whom such stark black and white coexisted in such contrast.
"Alright, pull yourselves together. The first-stage exam isn't over in other areas yet. I'll arrange temporary lodgings for you to use while you wait. Still, five people is more than I expected—I thought maybe two. That's probably thanks to you, Young Hero Cheon."
As she said that, Jegal Rin shot a look at Song Iyeon.
Song Iyeon's shoulders twitched.
Originally, he hadn't planned on stepping in either.
"Hehe... Let's get going, Vice Commander."
Song Iyeon moved his feet with an awkward grin, and Cheon Woojin naturally followed behind him.
Watching the two from behind, Jegal Rin furrowed her brow.
"Those two are basically guaranteed to pass… but why does it feel like that slippery one will pass too?"
As they headed toward their lodgings, Jegal Rin continued her explanation.
"On every route across the country that leads to the Murim Alliance, instructors like the Commander are stationed. Even those who come by unusual routes will, without exception, undergo the first-stage exam like the one you experienced on the boat. We prepared this exam for a full year. The Commander actually spent an entire year living on a boat."
Song Iyeon nodded.
Until Black Tortoise Commander Cheol Ji-ak and Vice Commander Jegal Rin revealed their identities, he hadn't noticed a thing.
Especially Cheol Ji-ak—anyone would have thought he was just a boatman who'd spent thirty years on the river.
Song Iyeon glanced sideways at Cheon Woojin.
No matter how I think about it, he's a strange young hero.
He'd never even heard the name before, yet his martial prowess was so strong it couldn't even be gauged, and his judgment was sharp as well.
Just where in the world had a monster like this come from?
"Hey! Are you listening?"
Startled by Jegal Rin's sharp voice, Song Iyeon hurriedly blurted out whatever came to mind.
"Ah, of course. But was there always a process like this in the Murim Alliance recruitment exam? I've never heard of it."
A deep crease formed between Jegal Rin's brows.
"That's right. It's an order from the newly appointed Alliance Leader. A martial artist who doesn't understand righteous chivalry can never set foot in the Murim Alliance, or so he says..."
"Th–The Alliance Leader Buk Ri-cheon?"
When Jegal Rin nodded, Song Iyeon's eyes sparkled like stars.
"He's one of the Three Great Sword Masters of the Righteous Path! He's the martial artist I want to resemble the most—Alliance Leader Buk Ri-cheon!"
"... You're a blade user. The Alliance Leader is a swordsman."
"Details, details."
Just thinking about the Alliance Leader seemed to make Song Iyeon's heart race.
A man who had barely passed his coming-of-age, who claimed the position of Alliance Leader purely through his own skill, without background or privilege.
The symbol of self-made success! The ultimate goal of every later-generation disciple!
"Hah, the more I think about it, the cooler he gets."
Song Iyeon shook his head as if intoxicated by the thought.
Beside him, Cheon Woojin spoke.
"What is the Alliance Leader's sobriquet?"
Song Iyeon looked at Cheon Woojin as if surprised.
"Our Young Hero Cheon, curious about something like that? Could it be that even the stoic Young Hero Cheon sees the Alliance Leader as a dream and a goal? Let's see now—what was the sobriquet again...?"
As Song Iyeon tried to recall it,
Jegal Rin spoke, sounding somewhat incredulous.
"White Heron Sword Saint , obviously. You call him a goal and you don't even know that?"
"Oh, right."
Song Iyeon scratched his head awkwardly.
Cheon Woojin let out a sigh.
"So it wasn't him after all."
White Heron Sword Saint.
Right—sobriquets were usually like that.
Was there really a martial artist in this world who went by a name like 'The Sword Slower Than a Turtle'?
Seeing Cheon Woojin's disappointed expression, Song Iyeon asked,
"What's wrong?"
"To be honest, I didn't come to take the exam. I came to find someone."
"Huh?"
Song Iyeon made a strange noise.
He had thought they would pass the exam together and become eternal rivals going forward.
Jegal Rin also spoke with a serious expression.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I only boarded the boat because the boatman—no, the Black Tortoise Commander—told me to."
"That's not right. I checked the roster on the way here, and the name Cheon Woojin was definitely on it."
"Hmm?"
He didn't even come to take the exam—then how?
After pondering deeply for a moment, Cheon Woojin let out a sigh.
There were only two people who would pull something like this—his masters.
They knew I would head for the Murim Alliance.
After all, Master Baekno had written it that way in his will.
Though their reasons differed, both masters wanted Cheon Woojin to go to the Murim Alliance.
Baekno believed Cheon Woojin would find true righteousness there, while Cheokno thought he would come to feel the hypocrisy of evil masquerading as good.
"It seems my masters registered me without my knowing."
Jegal Rin tilted her head repeatedly.
"Hmm. I'll double-check just in case… but does that mean you're not participating? The Commander will be pretty disappointed. He was happy, saying a proper junior had finally come along."
Song Iyeon chimed in from the side.
"That's right, Young Hero. Since your name's on the list anyway, you might as well do it. You even said your masters wanted it. As the saying goes, teacher, father, and ruler are one—the king, the father, and the master are all the same. Are you planning to become an unfilial disciple?"
Cheon Woojin stared at Song Iyeon with a dumbfounded expression.
Jegal Rin, thinking That guy would float mouth-up even if you threw him in water, clicked her tongue—but since she wanted Cheon Woojin to join the Murim Alliance, she chose not to say it out loud.
After looking at the two of them, Cheon Woojin finally spoke in a sigh-laced voice.
"…I'll do it."
"Good. You made the right choice. Still—who were you originally looking for?"
Cheon Woojin hesitated briefly, then answered, since it had nothing to do with Master Cheokno.
"I don't know who it is either. I only know the sobriquet is 'The Sword Slower Than a Turtle.'"
"Pfft. Don't lie. Who in the world would have a sobriquet like that?"
Even Jegal Rin let out a small chuckle.
"I've never heard of such a sobriquet either. If I happen to find out, I'll let you know."
With that, Jegal Rin swung the door wide open.
Song Iyeon let out an exclamation of awe.
"Oh? Is this where we'll be staying from now on? This place is way nicer than I expected."
"It's temporary lodging. Temporary."
Song Iyeon said with a disappointed look.
"By the way, Vice Commander, why are you speaking politely to us? We're nothing but applicants."
"Precisely because you're nothing but applicants. You're not under my command yet, after all. If—and that's a big if—our applicant Song Iyeon here passes and joins the Black Tortoise Division..."
Trailing off, Jegal Rin pointed at Song Iyeon with her index finger.
"...?"
Caught off guard by the sudden gesture, Song Iyeon's eyes widened.
This time, Jegal Rin raised her thumb and drew it lightly across her throat with a bright smile.
The meaning of that gesture needed no explanation.
"I–I didn't say that much..."
"You almost ruined the entire exam because of you, you know?"
Only then did Song Iyeon recall insisting on the boat that Jegal Rin might be from the Zhuge Clan.
He'd quite literally just pushed the idea on her.
She looked intelligent, beautiful, and carried herself with an air of importance, so he'd casually linked her to the Zhuge Clan without much thought.
"So this is how it comes back to bite me..."
Song Iyeon collapsed onto the floor with a thud.
At this point, all he could hope for was to pass the exam without being assigned to the Black Tortoise Division.
Seeing this, Jegal Rin smiled sweetly.
The contrast with her usually cold expression made the smile seem all the more vicious—at least to Song Iyeon.
"Oh, right! Just before the second-stage exam begins, we'll assign individual grades in physical conditioning, lightness skill, kinetic vision, internal energy, and external techniques. It's nothing difficult—just so you know."
Cheon Woojin simply nodded.
Still sitting on the floor, Song Iyeon muttered in a low voice.
"Easy, my ass. Young Hero Cheon, don't believe her. The real exam starts with the grading. You've got to give it everything."
"...Be quiet, will you?"
At Jegal Rin's icy voice, Song Iyeon clamped his mouth shut and nodded quickly.
Smiling once more, Jegal Rin closed the door—then stuck her head back out slightly and said,
"Alright, change your clothes and get some rest. Young Hero Cheon, the slippery one, and those three over there... what were your names again?"
"..."
"Eh, who cares."
With that, Jegal Rin disappeared without a trace.
The three unnamed men—who had just received what felt like a preview of elimination—wore stunned expressions.
Song Iyeon patted their backs and said,
"Cheer up. It's too early to give up. By the way, what are your names, really?"
"...."
Cheon Woojin let out a sigh.
"That's killing them twice."
Of course, Cheon Woojin didn't know their names either.
Song Iyeon approached with a bright grin and casually plopped a hand onto Cheon Woojin's shoulder.
Then, with his smooth, handsome face practically gleaming, he said,
"This time, I'll really show you. Young Hero, I'm actually quite a bit stronger than you think. Don't be too surprised."
"I know."
"No, I mean it! I'm serious!"
Naturally, Cheon Woojin could already see through Song Iyeon's level clearly.
For some reason, Song Iyeon seemed hurt by Cheon Woojin's flat gaze, and as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke again.
"Oh, right. About the person you said you were looking for."
"The Sword Slower Than a Turtle?"
Still amused by the sobriquet, Song Iyeon nodded with a laugh.
"I think I can help you find them."
"How so?"
"Since you helped me pass the first-stage exam, I'll tell you. Now—listen carefully."
Curling the corner of his mouth into a sly grin, Song Iyeon began his explanation.