Chapter 71

## Chapter 71. Today is a Day Off

A month.

To some, it felt as short as the blink of an eye, while to others, it seemed unbearably long.

Time was fair to everyone, but the results achieved during that time were far from fair.

“This is the Blue Dragon Academy…!”

Gongsun Shou looked up at the large sign with an expression of awe.

Blue Dragon Academy.

The bold calligraphy seemed to come alive, wriggling as if it had a life of its own.

Gongsun Shou clenched his fists, unable to contain his overwhelming emotion.

“To think I’ve finally made it here….”

“Geez. If someone hears you, they’ll think you’ve already passed. We just came to apply for admission, and you’re making such a fuss.”

Xian Yuanjiang grumbled from the side, but his words did little to dampen Gongsun Shou’s profound feelings.

“Haha! They say a good start is half the battle!”

He had really worked hard.

His martial uniform, made of tough, nameless cloth, was worn out in many places and had faded to a grayish hue. His hands were calloused, and the calluses had torn and formed again, a testament to his diligence.

Standing here, he couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of emotion.

“Still, the line is really long.”

Wei Jitian looked at the long line in front of them. The boy had gained quite a bit of muscle compared to a month ago.

“Last year and the year before, it wasn’t this bad… This year, there are a lot more people.”

In contrast, Xian Yuanjiang had lost a bit of weight and his jawline had become sharper over the month. However, his body felt more solid.

Despite starting their early morning training and immediately setting off, a long line was already waiting for them.

“Haha! Truly fitting for one of the Five Great Martial Academies! There are so many enthusiastic young people!”

‘Does this old man not know that the Blue Dragon Academy is the weakest among the Five Great Martial Academies? Or does he not care…?’

Xian Yuanjiang was suddenly curious, but he wasn’t so clueless as to ask such a question here.

“Hahaha!”

Gongsun Shou was extremely excited.

He kept looking around and marveled at even the smallest things, like a child on a festival trip with his parents.

People around them glanced at him, but Gongsun Shou paid no attention.

“You guys, do you know what’s good about getting older? Your skin gets thicker!”

“We’re not that thick yet, so stop it….”

“Grandpa….”

The two people, blushing from the gazes, asked Gongsun Shou to stop, and he patted their backs and laughed heartily.

Looking down at his calloused hands, Gongsun Shou smiled and muttered to himself.

“…Time really flies. There are only four days left until the admission test.”

In four days, the Blue Dragon Academy admission test would finally begin.

Applications through documents had been accepted for a month, but personal registration started today.

To participate in the admission test, which would begin in four days, one had to complete registration within those four days.

The reason the three of them were here today was to register for the admission test.

Rustling.

The city had been bustling with applicants for the admission test from all over the country for several days.

“Applicants for the admission test, please prepare your identity tokens and recommendation letters in advance!”

A guard shouted at the main gate.

To take the Blue Dragon Academy admission test, one had to prove that there were no issues with their identity and obtain a recommendation letter from a martial academy, sect, family, or a trustworthy guarantor.

“Hmph. They say it’s to weed out spies from the evil sects… but where are the proper evil sects these days? They’re just going to filter people out from the start.”

Xian Yuanjiang’s cynical words made Wei Jitian feel a bit uneasy inside.

He wasn’t a spy from the evil sects, but he was from one of the Eight Great Families, which had once been a pillar of the Blood Sect.

‘The Blood Sect fell before I was even born, but….’

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried about his identity being exposed.

In the past, he had even thought he might have to hide his identity for the rest of his life.

However, Bai Shulong, who had brought Wei Jitian to this city and given him a new identity, and his grandfather Wei Jilie, had strongly supported his admission to the Blue Dragon Academy.

- Jitian, forget about the Blood Sect from now on. Live as a righteous martial artist.

Last night, Wei Jilie, the last patriarch of the Wei family, had sat across from his grandson and said as much.

- It’s impossible to hide for a lifetime. Rather, blend in. Enter the Blue Dragon Academy as the top student and graduate as the top student. That way, no one will doubt you.

Bai Shulong had given similar advice.

He had even used his position as a current Blue Dragon Academy instructor to write a recommendation letter for Wei Jitian.

‘I owe my teacher a debt of gratitude that I can never repay.’

Wei Jitian pressed the recommendation letter in his pocket.

He resolved to do his best, not just for himself, but for the two people who had believed in him.

‘I don’t know if I can be the top student….’

Honestly, he had never even dreamed of being the top student.

Wei Jitian just hoped to pass, and he watched the line slowly shorten with a nervous expression.

“Is the teacher inside? He must have come in early….”

“Probably not. The life guidance teachers are quite busy. They’ll be even busier preparing for the admission test.”

Xian Yuanjiang, who had been standing beside him, answered with a slightly smug look.

Since he still got beaten during sparring, today was one of the rare opportunities for him to assert his seniority and authority over Wei Jitian.

“Relax. It’s not a big deal.”

Xian Yuanjiang’s arrogance today was the reason his shoulders were tense.

In fact, returning students could enter the Blue Dragon Academy without waiting in line, but he insisted on standing in line with them and giving various explanations.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

“Yes, Senior!”

“Haha. It’s reassuring to have a senior around.”

As the line gradually shortened, the turn for Wei Jitian and his companions was getting closer.

At that moment, a commotion arose from inside the Blue Dragon Academy, and a man who looked like an instructor walked out.

The man shouted loudly, using his inner strength so everyone could hear.

“Currently, many applicants are crowding the Blue Dragon Academy, making it very chaotic! From now on, only the applicants themselves will be allowed to enter. Family members and friends are prohibited from entering the academy!”

Soon, complaints erupted from all directions.

“Where did this rule come from all of a sudden!”

“We came from far away!”

Parents who had come with their children and friends who had come to cheer (and also to sightsee) grumbled about the sudden rule.

However, the Blue Dragon Academy’s policy did not change.

At the main gate, the guards checked the admission application forms and recommendation letters, allowing only the applicants to enter.

Wei Jitian and his companions were also in a dilemma.

“Haha. If that’s the case, Hei Ying, you’ll have to wait outside.”

“…Sir, I cannot do that.”

Hei Ying, who had been standing quietly without a word, shook her head.

Her mission was to accompany Gongsun Shou wherever he went and protect him with her life.

“If I’m not by your side, I won’t be able to handle any sudden situations.”

“Those are the rules of the Blue Dragon Academy. And what could possibly happen inside?”

“Just in case….”

Assassination attempt.

Hei Ying couldn’t bring herself to say it, but Gongsun Shou understood perfectly.

He smiled and said,

“Worrying is part of one’s fate. If something were to happen, it would have happened already. And I have such reliable classmates by my side.”

Gongsun Shou stretched out his hands and put his arms around Wei Jitian and Xian Yuanjiang. Xian Yuanjiang grumbled that he wasn’t a classmate but a senior.

‘These two are quite strong, but….’

Still, Hei Ying couldn’t feel at ease. She sent a mental message to Gongsun Shou alone.

[If it’s really impossible, I’ll use my stealth techniques to follow you.]

“Don’t do that.”

Gongsun Shou shook his head firmly and sent a mental message back.

[There are many martial experts inside. Do you think you can deceive all of them?]

[…I’ll try.]

Most of the martial arts Hei Ying had learned were specialized in stealth, concealment, and assassination.

Her instructor had confidently stated that she was the best among his trainees.

[If I only stay in the outer areas…]

[No.]

Gongsun Shou shook his head, cutting off Hei Ying’s message.

[If you’re discovered, it will be very troublesome.]

A trained assassin sneaking into the Blue Dragon Academy?

The moment this fact was exposed, Hei Ying and Gongsun Shou would have to reveal their identities to explain themselves.

And if Gongsun Shou’s identity was revealed… he wouldn’t be able to take the admission test at the Blue Dragon Academy.

It wouldn’t just be the admission test; the Blue Dragon Academy would be turned upside down.

[I want to take the test without any interference, purely based on my own abilities.]

“….”

Hei Ying was lost in thought.

Since she started learning martial arts at the White Dragon Hall, Gongsun Shou’s transformation had been hard to believe.

His body, which used to shiver at the slightest cold breeze, had become healthy enough to perform the Almond Seed Step, and he no longer needed to drink the medicinal soup he used to take daily.

Most astonishingly, his face was now full of vitality.

Despite the daily muscle aches from unfamiliar training, Gongsun Shou always wore a satisfied smile after training.

“Hahaha. I’ve never felt such fulfillment in my life.”

Hei Ying didn’t mind his transformation.

However, her mission was to protect her charge with her life.

Having lived a life of obedience to orders and dedication to her mission, she tried to find a way.

After a moment of contemplation, Hei Ying thought of a solution.

[If I’m discovered, I’ll remain silent about you. I’ve been trained to withstand torture, so you don’t need to worry. If necessary, I’ll cut out my tongue…]

Hei Ying stopped speaking.

Gongsun Shou’s expression had twisted into a terrifying scowl, something she had never seen in the years she had protected him.

“Do you want to make me angry?”

He spoke aloud, not through mental communication.

His voice, trembling with anger, made Hei Ying flinch and respond aloud.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way….”

“Grandpa….”

Gongsun Shou walked up to Hei Ying and stretched out his hand.

Hei Ying slightly bowed her head, prepared to receive a slap.

A slap would be nothing if it could calm Gongsun Shou’s anger.

However, Gongsun Shou did not slap her.

[Hei Ying.]

Instead, he grabbed her shoulder and looked her in the eye, sending a mental message.

[I don’t know how you feel about me, but I consider you like a daughter.]

“….”

[How would you feel if someone said that to you?]

“I’m sorry….”

Hei Ying didn’t know how to respond or what expression to show.

She hadn’t been trained for such situations.

Sighing softly, Gongsun Shou patted her shoulder and said,

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll give you an order. Today is your day off.”

“Y-Yes…?”

Hei Ying’s eyes widened in surprise.

Gongsun Shou smiled and continued,

“Go and eat whatever you want, buy clothes and accessories, and visit any places you want to see.”

“Sir…?”

“I’m giving you an order. If you disobey, I’ll remove you from my guard detail.”

“….”

Gongsun Shou’s firm gaze left Hei Ying no choice but to comply.

“Understood.”

“We’ll register for the admission test and return by evening. Enjoy your day off.”

“…Yes.”

“Go now.”

Hei Ying, pushed from behind by Gongsun Shou, wandered around for a while, unsure where to go, before slowly heading towards the market.

* * *

“…What did you say to Hei Ying just now?”

Xian Yuanjiang asked, feigning disinterest.

However, he had been glancing at Hei Ying’s retreating figure, clearly curious about their mental conversation.

“You didn’t hear? I’m giving her a day off to enjoy herself.”

“Why give a day off like that? She looks like a rejected puppy….”

“Senior. People in the world have all sorts of stories.”

Gongsun Shou didn’t elaborate further.

He didn’t know everything about Hei Ying’s life.

It would be arrogant and rude to speculate about things he didn’t know.

“Tch….”

Xian Yuanjiang didn’t press for more details, just grumbling out of habit.

“Still, she’s a unique girl. At her age, most people would be dating and having fun, but she’s working as a bodyguard for an old man….”

“…Senior Yuanjiang, do you have any interest in Hei Ying?”

“Huh? Interest in what….”

“Good. She’s like a daughter to me.”

“…Wait. What does that sigh of relief mean?”

“Hahaha….”

“Who said I’m interested? This old man….”

“Hahaha!”

“I’m not interested! Hey, Wei Jitian! Why are you smirking like that!”

“Senior, so that’s your taste….”

Just as Xian Yuanjiang was about to flare up at their teasing, the guard at the front of the line called out.

“Next applicants, please come in!”

The three of them hurriedly took out their documents and approached.

And then.

“Doesn’t it fit?”

“….”

A pair of eyes quietly watched the three of them from a distance.