Chapter 7

To be recognized (3)

"Is there any doubt about the evaluation of your innate abilities?"

"No."

"Are you curious about the test method? It's simple."

The examiner said in a detached tone.

"Unleash your fastest sword technique as quickly as you can. One strike is enough. I will observe and judge."

'Simple enough.'

Jeong Yeonshin felt relieved.

He had guessed that there might be a more complicated method.

Although Hyun Wonchang's anxious expression suggested otherwise, being judged by a single sword strike, though seemingly narrow-minded, was a generous approach.

After all, in actual combat, there were all kinds of variables, as Jeong Yeonshin had experienced.

The first test seemed to serve as a sieve.

"Can I start now?"

He took a few steps back and asked. The examiner nodded.

"I'll go first!"

It was Hyun Wonchang. He made a face as if to say, "I'm so nervous, I'm sorry."

Jeong Yeonshin, who didn't mind much, nodded slightly.

Hyun Wonchang, who had taken the place where the boy had stood, gripped his sword hilt.

He glanced at the examiner, who had crossed his arms as if to say, "Draw your sword whenever you're ready," and then took a serious stance.

Though not an outstanding posture, Jeong Yeonshin sensed the qi waves emanating from his entire body.

'Strong.'

A well-polished momentum, even stronger than some wandering knights he had seen on the way to Yangyang.

'If the qi is refined, there's no waste. All the power can be fully concentrated in the sword.'

As Jeong Yeonshin thought this, Hyun Wonchang's sword draw split the air.

"Wow! That martial artist is different."

"I didn't see anything."

"I could only see a faint blur."

The onlookers burst into exclamations of admiration. Some gamblers even placed bets on the outcome.

"Good."

The examiner nodded.

A bright smile bloomed on Hyun Wonchang's face, and the examiner took the number card from him.

Hyun Wonchang, who had returned to Jeong Yeonshin's side, whispered.

"If the martial artist receives a card, he passes. If he is told to return the card to the registration desk, he fails."

"Is the first test usually passed on the first try?"

"Hmm. The second test, the sparring, has always been the problem."

"Is there a third test?"

"It's an interview with the Lord of Rihuang City. Some martial artists come to Yangyang just for that, hoping to gain insights or enlightenment."

"I see."

Jeong Yeonshin nodded and stepped forward.

Those who had shown mixed reactions to the outcome of the bet on Hyun Wonchang, and those who had looked doubtful, now showed puzzled reactions.

"Is he really a test-taker?"

"He's a young swordsman with spirit."

"Indeed. If you're from a distant place, when else would you get to display your sword skills in front of Rihuang City's martial artists?"

"Even a single piece of advice would be a precious experience."

The murmuring crowd included gamblers who didn't even place bets.

Some smiled as if watching a performance.

Jeong Yeonshin, who silently placed his hand on his sword hilt, looked at the examiner.

The examiner nodded with an indifferent expression.

"You may begin."

The next moment.

"......"

Nothing happened.

The only change was that Jeong Yeonshin's sword was now drawn.

It was as if the action had been fragmented in the blink of an eye. The examiner, with a stiff face, nodded.

"The future of Rihuang City lies here."

An incredible compliment. The onlookers and Hyun Wonchang showed reactions as if they couldn't believe their ears.

Some gaped, others looked at their neighbors as if they had misheard, and especially Hyun Wonchang's dazed expression was a sight to behold.

Jeong Yeonshin was surprised in a different way.

'I couldn't even see it, and I was using a sword.'

The examiner seemed to have seen the fast sword technique that was invisible even to Jeong Yeonshin's eyes.

Is this what real eye technique is? They say reading an opponent's attack is also a martial art.

"Give me the card."

"......Yes."

"Hmm. Thirteen."

The examiner, who took the card and seemed to engrave it in his mind, wrote the characters with one hand.

Various emotions seemed to be intertwined in his eyes, which were carefully observing Jeong Yeonshin.

He then closed his eyes as if resigned and nodded, a gesture indicating that Jeong Yeonshin should leave.

"Alright."

Jeong Yeonshin sheathed his sword, made a bow, and left the training ground.

Hyun Wonchang, who had been standing stiffly, hurriedly followed.

The close-up glances were slightly annoying.

"Why are you doing that?"

"Y-You... Are you perhaps the offspring of a famous family?"

Jeong Yeonshin laughed at the cautious formality.

"What difference would it make? I understand that after entering Rihuang City, martial arts, talent, and effort are all that matter."

"Indeed... You truly intend to pass the Rihuang Examination."

"That's why I came. Not just me, but Hyun Won as well."

"......That's right. You're correct."

Hyun Wonchang fell silent.

He, who was staying at a different inn, remained quiet for a while, then said goodbye and disappeared.

Jeong Yeonshin hoped to pass the second test with this friendly and talkative man.

* * *

The cycles for the first and second tests were one week and two months, respectively.

When Jeong Yeonshin passed the first test, the second test was about three weeks away.

During this time, he practiced Jeongga Donggong, Kuaijian Jue, and the amplification technique of qi he named Shike Jing.

In the mountains outside the town where the inn was located, he practiced all three, and when he returned to his room, he practiced Shike Jing.

Although creating new martial arts was good, he believed that, given the upcoming practical test, it was right to focus on refining the skills he already had.

Sparring. Comparing the martial arts you have learned.

The final Rihuang Examination was said to end by revealing your martial prowess to your opponent.

Jeong Yeonshin devoted all his remaining time to martial arts, and during this period, Hyun Wonchang did not visit once.

- Murmurs.

And now.

"Here it is......"

Inside Rihuang City, dozens of magnificent and splendid pavilions filled the space.

All the martial artists passing by exuded a stern aura.

The cluster of pavilions, situated next to the vast natural scenery and the horizon visible in the distance, was a sight to behold.

While moving under the guidance of a servant, Jeong Yeonshin saw others in similar situations.

"This is the learning ground of the greatest martial arts......"

"I heard that the white martial uniform indicates a beginner, but how can their aura be so strong?"

"Isn't it obvious? Wearing white alone guarantees a bright future."

"I wonder what kind of hidden dragons will emerge this time......"

"I, Hangshan's Chomu, will become a dragon that stretches its limbs!"

Though they seemed to be strangers, they were talking as if they knew each other. Then, Jeong Yeonshin saw a familiar face.

It seemed that the other person had also noticed him and approached with a welcoming expression.

"Jeong Gongzi! You seem to have grown taller!"

"Hyun Won, you look well too."

"I've made some small achievements."

Hyun Wonchang, still wearing the prominent Huanglong Hero's Mark on his forehead, rubbed his nose.

"Still, it's hard to tell. Winning this test isn't the most important thing. Even if you only participate in one of the two sparring sessions, it's enough to catch the eye of a Rihuang City expert...... That's the hardest part."

"You can fail even if you win in the sparring."

"Exactly. Especially today, the eyes of the examiners will be even higher."

"Why is that?"

"Didn't you hear the rumor? It's said that a Bai Qilin will appear in today's Rihuang Examination."

"Bai Qilin? From the Nangong family?"

"Exactly. He's already famous in Nanzhili. They say he destroyed a notorious bandit group before turning fifteen, and that he defeated a black path sword expert, the Fensha Ke, and that at eighteen, he defeated all the young masters at the Longfeng Assembly, a gathering of young talents from prestigious families. Since no one has denied these rumors, they must be true, right?"

This time, even Jeong Yeonshin couldn't hide his surprise.

If that was the case, he was indeed a strong enough to earn the nickname of a legendary creature like the Qilin.

The reality of the martial world, which he had only heard about occasionally in Xinya County, now felt so close that he could truly feel he had entered the Jianghu.

"If he's a young talent from the Nangong family, he must be well-prepared. Why is he taking the Rihuang Examination?"

"Probably because he's a bastard. He can't become the head of the family."

Hyun Wonchang, who had leaned in close, whispered, covering his mouth.

Jeong Yeonshin, who felt the breath on his ear, frowned and quickly moved away.

Hyun Wonchang, chuckling as if to say, "When did you start being so formal?" said,

"The Lord of Rihuang City is a noble who has maintained a youthful appearance for two hundred years, but even if you only reach the rank of a division leader, you won't envy the head of one of the Eight Great Families. The prestige is even greater. It's a position that maintains the order of the Jianghu in the heart of Central China."

"Is it that significant?"

"Of course. Rihuang City is involved in every aspect of the Jianghu. Are you from a village, not a family?"

Jeong Yeonshin closed his mouth and walked.

Hyun Wonchang, with a smile as if looking at a cute younger brother, followed.

"Please wait here. When your name is called, proceed to the training ground."

The guide left, leaving about thirty hopefuls.

They had stopped at a small garden behind a large training ground. On the opposite side, another garden was also crowded with people.

Green sprouts and blooming flowers were scattered, but no one paid attention to the scenery.

Some meditated with their eyes closed, others stared into space, each in their own way.

Jeong Yeonshin waited, subtly circulating Jeongga Donggong.

Soon, names were called from both sides.

They engaged in sparring among the Rihuang City martial artists, who were seated in a circle in the center.

After the fight, those who went north had shoulders that seemed to touch the sky, while those who returned south were dejected.

"How can they do that......"

Hyun Wonchang couldn't hide his anxiety again.

"Among the martial artists who passed the first test, which filters out the best, there isn't one who hasn't been called a genius. I was called a genius in my county too."

He tried to lighten the mood, but it was pitiful.

"Selecting from among such geniuses is a cruel and difficult task. Especially when you have to display your martial arts among the experts of Rihuang City."

"Isn't it exciting?"

"Hmm?"

"Being recognized for your talent is thrilling. At least it's better than being ignored as a weirdo."

"Jeong Gongzi......"

At that moment, Hyun Wonchang was about to say something.

"From Hennan Province, Nanyang! Jeong Yeonshin of Xinya County, step forward!"

The guide, who had run to the garden, called out.

"I hope to see you again. Here, in Rihuang City."

Jeong Yeonshin, placing his left hand on the sword hilt at his left waist, walked out of the garden with a leisurely pace. Hyun Wonchang's voice echoed from behind.

"We will definitely see each other again!"

* * *

The first sparring was unimpressive.

The opponent was a strange man who seemed to have trained alone in some remote village.

Although there are the Four Books and Five Classics and various sects that teach their own doctrines, most martial artists who haven't learned proper orthodox martial arts live in their own worlds.

The spirit of the times is nothing but the survival of the fittest.

With all kinds of people in Central China, it's impossible to guess the values and behavior of others.

"You're a moth that flutters around without knowing that its destination is despair!"

The swordsman, showing his yellowed teeth in a grin, said.

As soon as the sparring began, Jeong Yeonshin struck the opponent's mouth with his scabbard.