Chapter 13

Chapter 12. The Three Lives Koma Offers (2)

The Wu Guan Hall is not a lower or upper branch, but is located within the main hall.

It is a talent development institution representing the main school, which is directly managed by the main hall.

Naturally, the Tai Huang Pavilion is quite far away, so Xue Hui had no choice but to travel with Ge Yun for quite some time.

Hostility: 77% (Warning)

A subordinate of the First Disciple of the Heavenly Horse, a spy (細作).

'When did the First Disciple plant this spy?'

Xue Hui repeatedly confirmed the information that appeared before his eyes.

He was able to obtain astonishing information due to the ability to read minds.

If this information is true, it would secure a favorable position in his relationship with Koma.

'It can't be... wrong, can it?'

Although he had some doubts, he had no choice but to believe it for now.

So far, the information that appeared before his eyes had never been false.

Even if it were not true, he was not in a position to uncover the truth.

"Here."

Thud.

The man named Ge Yun, who had stopped walking, pointed to a place.

At the end of his gesture, a grand octagonal pavilion could be seen.

A five-story building representing the main school, a talent development center.

"Since the tour is over, I will leave."

Annoyance could be clearly felt in Ge Yun's response.

He had not even spoken to Xue Hui during the entire journey here.

"..."

Just as he was about to turn and leave.

Xue Hui's eyes narrowed.

Text had appeared.

▶ Please take out another Bi Long Pill given by Mr. Koma.

▷ Do you have something you want to say to me?

▷ [Expression] Smirks.

'...'

Xue Hui's emotions changed strangely.

A Bi Long Pill?

Hadn't he already received one from him?

This text made him a bit perplexed.

But most importantly.

'Expression? What... should I do?'

The word "expression" was emphasized, which caught his attention.

It seemed to indicate an action rather than a dialogue.

'What should I choose?'

3... 2...

As the paused time was about to end, Xue Hui subtly lowered his gaze.

He then chose one of the texts.

<You have chosen "Do you have something you want to say to me?">.

The process continues.

"What?"

Thud.

Ge Yun, who had momentarily stopped walking, turned his gaze towards Xue Hui.

A palpable sense of hostility could be felt.

"What do you mean by that?"

Repeating the question, Xue Hui finally met his gaze.

"Just... I'm curious."

"About what?"

"The Wu Guan Hall is a place where selected individuals from specific institutions gather. Not only promising talents but also accomplished experts, those who surpass the first-class, are mostly here."

"So?"

"Mr. Koma must know my abilities well. Giving me the spirit medicine at the beginning also indicates that surviving here is difficult. So, I thought about it."

"..."

Ge Yun, with an uncomfortable expression, did not respond.

Xue Hui continued naturally.

"Is it really enough to just go this way? Can I survive here just by improving my inner strength?"

"Hmm."

Ge Yun closed his eyes for a moment.

Then, with his chin raised, he thought about something and continued speaking while untying his waist belt.

"Indeed. It won't be easy. Here, take it."

'What?'

Thud.

He extended the sword he was carrying.

Xue Hui, with a bewildered expression, took it, and Ge Yun said,

"This place is where only those selected by the leaders of the core branches enter. You will learn the secret techniques representing the main school and various abilities suitable for mission execution. The Fourth Disciple's consideration in giving you this... "

Ge Yun, baring his teeth, emphasized,

"You must not forget your gratitude."

"Yes..."

Xue Hui, enveloped by the hostility, could not speak further.

He felt a sense of unease, as if speaking carelessly would cost him his life.

Swoosh.

When the man named Ge Yun was a bit further away.

Xue Hui held the hilt of the sword he received and opened the scabbard.

And.

[You have obtained a Duan Ying Sword. Do you want to view its stats? Accept / Decline]

As Xue Hui nodded and turned his head, text appeared one after another.

[Weapon - Sword]

Health + 2

Inner Strength + 2

Attack Power + 5%

Agility + 2%

Special: A strange effect that makes you feel good.

"Hehe..."

Xue Hui let out a hollow laugh.

Although he should be used to it by now,

He still found it hard to adapt to the new text appearing.

* * *

After passing the reception area, a door blocked the way ahead.

The fan-shaped building welcomed him with a series of endless gates.

Xue Hui looked down at the Duan Ying Sword attached to his waist.

'Quite a good one... '

The sword, made of iron, had a beautifully engraved dragon pattern and looked quite impressive.

Its subtle jade green color caught his eye from time to time.

'Just in case, should I put it in the storage?'

If he carried such a good item and had to submit it later, it would be troublesome.

It might even be taken away.

Xue Hui focused on the tool in the upper right corner.

[Do you want to open the tool box?]

Xue Hui quickly accepted and

lifted the sword to the window in front of him.

[Tool Box]

Herbs + 1

Yan Yang Geng + 1 (one bite eaten),

Secret Manual (map) + 1

Duan Ying Sword + 1 (new)

[It has been safely stored in the tool box.]

"Now it's done."

He opened the gate with a relieved mind.

Creak.

As he opened the door, a vast space came into view.

And at the center of that space,

an old man sitting in a chair with a table in front of him could be seen.

The Guardian Messenger of the Sect.

They are the supervisors of all the Wu Guan Hall exams.

Their strength is said to be one level below the head of the Tai Huang Pavilion.

However, no one in the Sect dares to treat them carelessly, as they receive orders from the main hall.

Approaching carefully and showing respect, the Guardian Messenger raised his head.

The old man with white hair, whose eyes were hard to tell if they were open or closed, asked in a monotonous voice,

"Xue Hui. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Is that so."

As Xue Hui answered, the old man extended a piece of bamboo on the desk.

Rustle.

"Choose one."

Xue Hui bowed his head.

Four pieces of bamboo, each with a single character written on them.

Shen (身) Yan (言) Shu (書) Pan (判)

'Shen Yan Shu Pan (身言書判)?'

Xue Hui thought.

Interpreted as characters, they mean body, speech, writing, and judgment.

So, choosing one of these four will determine the content of the Wu Guan Hall exam.

'Shen is probably about physical ability. Yan is about speaking. Shu is about writing. Pan is about making a cold judgment.'

Xue Hui pondered.

The most advantageous path would be to choose the one he was most confident in. However, since he did not know what the exam would entail, it was difficult to choose.

"You will do all four anyway."

As if to say that thinking about it was meaningless, the white-haired Guardian Messenger explained.

Xue Hui pointed to one of the characters.

"I will choose this one."

Swoosh.

The Guardian Messenger took the piece of bamboo.

"You chose Shen (身)."

He raised his head.

Only then did Xue Hui realize that the old man had opened his eyes.

His small eyes were slightly moving.

"Take it."

He detached the piece of bamboo and handed it to Xue Hui.

"You need to collect six pieces of bamboo with Shen (身) on them. The time limit is one day. If you can last until this exact time, the exam is over."

"..."

"Go through the far right door. You can return through the same door."

Xue Hui felt a sense of bewilderment.

There would likely be others who received the same conditions as him in this area.

Asking him to collect six such pieces of bamboo was almost equivalent to telling him to kill them.

The Guardian Messenger, not paying much attention to the others, added a few more explanations.

"There are many things inside. Secret manuals that everyone wants. Treasures that help in battles. Weapons used to kill enemies. The more you explore, the more you can obtain what you desire."

"Ah..."

Xue Hui immediately understood the intention.

The more you explore, the more advantageous items you can obtain. In other words, the more you explore, the more you are exposed to danger.

To obtain what you desire, you must explore as much as possible.

"Start immediately."

At the Guardian Messenger's words, Xue Hui raised his head.

There were four doors on the back wall.

He had a rough idea of what the four doors represented.

When he looked back at the Guardian Messenger,

he was closing his eyes.

* * *

Xue Hui, stepping out of the door, was momentarily lost in the scenery before him.

It was beautiful.

Like the famous gardens of the Jianghu he had heard about, an endlessly beautiful artificial pond, bridges, stone walls, and trees were spread out.

'The buildings... '

The pavilions added even more diversity to the scenery.

Two-story, three-story buildings.

From red roofs to blue octagonal roofs, yellow and green ones as well.

Countless buildings of various colors were spread out endlessly amidst the grand trees, like a rainbow.

"Is it a slaughter from the beginning?"

Xue Hui carefully moved, observing his surroundings.

He knew it would not be easy, but he had not expected such a setting.

This was not a training session but an exam.

Moreover, he had no information about who his opponents were or what martial arts they used.

Whip.

Xue Hui observed his surroundings and crouched down below the stone wall. Although he did not sense any presence, it was better to be cautious.

'The hostility is intense.'

A slaughter amidst a beautiful scenery.

It was not a cliff with many hiding spots or a dark cave, but a place chosen by the examiners.

It felt like a game set up by someone.

'I must become stronger. Somehow.'

The colorful scenery around him made his resolve even stronger.

This was the life he had chosen.

A new life he had obtained, even though he should have died.

If he did not become stronger with such an opportunity, he would have no excuse.

Swoosh.

Observing his surroundings again, he did not sense any presence.

He did not know if he had arrived too early or if the others were lying in wait.

'Shall I go there first?'

The closest red-roofed octagonal building.

A three-story building, with the first and second floors tightly sealed like a vault.

'Let's go.'

Xue Hui carefully observed his surroundings and leaped forward, using the lightest movement technique he knew.

Thud.

He arrived at the door of the red-roofed building.

And there was nothing around.

"Phew... Fortunately..."

At that moment, something changed.

It did not change but stopped.

[Warning! An unknown enemy has found a weakness in Mr. Xue Hui. How will you respond?]

'What is this!'

It was the status window, but the atmosphere was different this time.

▶ Counterattack.

▷ Defend.

▷ Flee.

9... 8...

It was different from before.

And he had no confidence in anything.

Previously, the text had appeared when he found a weakness in the enemy.

▷ Counter