Chapter 88

## Chapter 88. Seven (七)

“I’ve been waiting.”

The moment the stranger suddenly blocked his path, Xuan Yuan Gang immediately placed his hand on his sword hilt and emitted a fierce killing intent like a wild beast.

Startled by this, Nangong Seok, who was approaching, stopped in his tracks.

“...What is it?”

“Who the hell are you?”

Xuan Yuan Gang’s overly sensitive reaction made Nangong Seok break out in a cold sweat.

‘I heard he’s a famous troublemaker, but I didn’t expect this much. Moreover...’

Swallowing hard, Nangong Seok found himself unconsciously taking a few steps back.

He had heard many rumors about Xuan Yuan Gang, but seeing him in person felt completely different.

His uncle had said that while he had talent, he was born lazy.

‘Can a lazy martial artist emit such a killing intent?’

“Hey. What do you mean? Are your ears blocked?”

Startled for a moment, Nangong Seok’s expression hardened at Xuan Yuan Gang’s confrontational tone.

No matter how strong the opponent’s momentum, Nangong Seok was the bloodline of the Great Nangong Clan, a youth who would never bow to anyone out of pride.

“It’s not about me. The person I’m looking for is behind you.”

“...What?”

At that moment, for some reason, Xuan Yuan Gang’s expression turned even more demonic.

Xuan Yuan Gang, who was blocking Gong Sun Shou’s path, drew his sword halfway and growled.

“What do you want with my old man?”

“...I meant the person next to him.”

“Wei Zitian?”

Xuan Yuan Gang’s expression finally relaxed a bit, but he remained on guard.

In the somewhat tense atmosphere, Wei Zitian stepped forward with a bewildered look.

“Yes? Why me...”

Despite the absurd situation caused by Xuan Yuan Gang, Nangong Seok ignored it and delivered his declaration.

“This year’s top student will be me.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t act so smug, as if you’ve already won the top spot just by beating a rookie.”

“When did I...”

Wei Zitian’s perplexed expression made Nangong Seok snort derisively.

“Are you putting on an act, or laying the groundwork for future humiliation? You must have heard what people are saying about you.”

“...”

Nangong Seok’s mood had been the worst in recent days.

It was all because of the name “Wei Zitian” he kept hearing from all directions.

The best talent in the past ten years, a hidden dragon entering the Azure Dragon Academy, the top spot is as good as secured.

Even Nangong Xue, a member of the Ten Sages whom Nangong Seok admired, mentioned the name during their lunch today.

-Do you know about Wei Zitian?

‘Damn...’

He should have been the one receiving everyone’s expectations and attention.

The bloodline of the Great Nangong Clan.

He had always met the immense expectations and the heavy burden that came with it.

Although he was admitted to the Azure Dragon Academy after his older brothers, Nangong Seok saw this as an opportunity.

-From your generation, the Azure Dragon Academy will change.

His uncle, Nangong Shu, had made such a promise, and Nangong Seok agreed.

He was proud that he was unmatched by anyone of his age, both in talent and effort.

He thought there could be no match for him in the Azure Dragon Academy, the weakest of the Five Great Academies.

Until Wei Zitian appeared as a thorn in his side.

“...I’ve never been smug. I’ve never thought I would definitely be the top student.”

“Hmph.”

To Wei Zitian’s cautious words, Nangong Seok snorted and put on an arrogant expression.

He thought Wei Zitian was scared by his declaration.

“Fortunately, you seem to know your place. It’s a bit pitiful that you’re already backing down...”

“But I think I can win you.”

“...What?”

Nangong Seok’s expression twisted at the sudden reversal.

Xuan Yuan Gang, who had been watching with a displeased look, chuckled and said, “Look at that?” Gong Sun Shou, looking at the two boys facing off with bright eyes, muttered, “Youth...”

Wei Zitian, not avoiding Nangong Seok’s gaze, continued calmly.

“You provoked me first. Our teacher said that whoever starts the fight will get double the punishment.”

“Th...that?”

Nangong Seok was more bothered by the term of address than the content of Wei Zitian’s words.

Surely not.

“Do you...not know my name?”

“And I’ve also decided what I want to do if I become the top student.”

“...You!”

Wei Zitian had smoothly changed the subject, but it was enough to infuriate Nangong Seok.

Gong Sun Shou, curious, asked from the side.

“Zitian. Can I ask what you want to do if you become the top student?”

“...The freshman representative speech.”

“Hm?”

If you become the top student, you get to give the freshman representative speech at the opening ceremony.

It’s a prestigious position where you can express your aspirations in front of the instructors, fellow freshmen, upperclassmen, and many seniors in the martial world.

This year, only one freshman would stand in that position.

“...I have something I want to say from that position.”

Given Wei Zitian’s usually reserved nature, Gong Sun Shou and Xuan Yuan Gang were quite surprised to hear him say he wanted to stand before a large audience.

Of course, to Nangong Seok, it felt like a provocation.

“No. You won’t be able to say anything. Because both the freshman and the senior representative speeches will be mine.”

“...I’m not interested in the senior representative speech.”

“Arrogant brat...!”

The two boys glared at each other, their expressions showing they would not back down.

Their gazes clashed in the air, sparks flying.

Xuan Yuan Gang, pressing his temples, which were throbbing, said to Nangong Seok.

“Hey. If you’re done, can you move? I’m a bit sensitive right now.”

“Get lost yourself.”

“Huh?”

If he had backed down just because someone told him to, he wouldn’t have been called the troublemaker of the Azure Dragon Academy.

A stream of coarse words poured out of Xuan Yuan Gang’s mouth.

“Do you think a puny brat like you will step aside just because a revered senior tells you to? You must be planning to die today.”

“Crazy...”

Not just Nangong Seok, but others were startled by Xuan Yuan Gang’s slightly deranged appearance.

“...Zitian. It seems Senior Xuan Yuan Gang has a lot built up inside him.”

“Yes...”

“Haha. You and I, this brat!”

Just as Xuan Yuan Gang was about to grab Nangong Seok’s collar, a powerful voice filled with inner strength echoed.

“Stop it!”

A person dropped between the two.

The crowd, which had been watching the confrontation with great interest, exclaimed in surprise at the new arrival.

“Student Council President!”

“It’s Dugu Jun!”

“The Azure Dragon Academy Student Council!”

Led by Dugu Jun, the student council members, including Tang Xiaoxiao and the Azure Dragon Twins, pushed through the crowd.

“Seeing the commotion, I came to check...”

Dugu Jun looked at Xuan Yuan Gang with a weary expression.

He had met this troublemaker, who was his classmate, many times over the past three years.

“Xuan Yuan Gang. You seemed to have calmed down for a while, but you’re causing trouble again.”

“Hey. This time, he started it first.”

“...The afternoon exam is about to start. Stop and step back. Nangong Seok, the same goes for you.”

As he said this, Dugu Jun quietly gathered his inner strength.

From past experience, he knew this troublemaker wouldn’t back down easily. Some level of conflict was inevitable.

‘I need to subdue him as quickly as possible and...’

However, the conflict Dugu Jun expected did not happen.

Xuan Yuan Gang turned around as if he had been waiting for this.

“Got it. Old man! Wei Zitian! We don’t have time, so let’s go in quickly!”

“Hm?”

“Yes?”

“Let’s go and prepare. Aren’t you going to take the exam?”

The aggressive demeanor he had just moments ago was gone.

Xuan Yuan Gang pushed Gong Sun Shou and Wei Zitian’s backs.

“What...”

To the bewildered Nangong Seok, Xuan Yuan Gang smiled and said,

“Make sure you pass. We’ll see each other often.”

“Xuan Yuan Gang!”

“Got it, got it.”

Xuan Yuan Gang, shrugging, passed by Dugu Jun, who was glaring at him, and chuckled.

“Well, I’ll take my leave.”

Watching Xuan Yuan Gang disappear into the Azure Dragon Academy, Dugu Jun frowned.

Then a suspicion suddenly dawned on him.

“Could it be... He deliberately caused this commotion to draw us out?”

It was unimaginable in the past, but looking at that sly expression, it seemed possible.

The situation, which had been noisy, was now neatly resolved with the arrival of the student council.

If all of this was Xuan Yuan Gang’s plan?

‘Xuan Yuan Gang... You’ve definitely changed.’

Moreover, Dugu Jun was impressed not just by Xuan Yuan Gang.

Even though he had only seen them briefly, Nangong Seok and Wei Zitian were impressive enough to make him marvel.

‘Both of them have already surpassed the level of a freshman.’

Additionally, while not as talked about as Wei Zitian and Nangong Seok, there were quite a few outstanding candidates among this year’s applicants.

“This year... It’s definitely different.”

Dugu Jun clenched his fist and looked up at the massive sign of the Azure Dragon Academy.

* * *

Rustle, rustle.

“Please take your seats, esteemed guests in the audience. The sparring exam will begin shortly!”

Guo Tie Wu, the deputy head of the Azure Dragon Academy, announced loudly, and his voice echoed throughout the academy.

The Azure Dragon Academy’s admission exam was a grand festival in the local martial world.

Especially the sparring exam, which was about to start, was the highlight.

The sparring exam, where current Azure Dragon Academy students and new applicants face off,

was an opportunity to see both the present and the future of the Azure Dragon Academy, attracting even prominent figures from the martial world.

Ten sparring platforms were set up in the grand training hall.

The applicants, waiting on the benches around them, tried to relieve their tension in various ways.

“Phew...”

“I’m so nervous I’m about to go crazy...”

“I can do it. I can do it. I can do it!”

These were still young martial artists.

Even from the audience’s perspective, a mix of emotions was inevitable.

“Excuse me. Is this your first time watching the admission exam?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. I’ve been coming here for over thirty years. I can tell just by looking.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

The man, with a face so common it would be hard to recognize him, smiled and nodded without showing any annoyance at the talkative old man’s question.

The old man, now in high spirits, continued to chatter.

“I’m not a martial arts expert, but I have a keen eye. I can tell just by looking. Whether that kid will pass or fail, whether he will become a master in the future or not.”

“I see.”

The old man didn’t mind the lackluster response.

He just needed someone to vent his thoughts to.

“However, what’s your name? Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Despite the old man’s persistent questions, the man smiled and said,

“I’ve forgotten my name, but my comrades call me Seven (七).”

The man, introducing himself as Seven (七), was carefully observing one of the many applicants.

There, Gong Sun Shou was warming up.

* * *

Rustle, rustle.

“Please take your seats, esteemed guests in the audience. The sparring exam will begin shortly!”

Guo Tie Wu’s voice echoed throughout the Azure Dragon Academy.

The admission exam of the Azure Dragon Academy was a grand festival in the local martial world.

Especially the sparring exam, which was about to start, was the highlight.

The sparring exam, where current Azure Dragon Academy students and new applicants face off,

was an opportunity to see both the present and the future of the Azure Dragon Academy, attracting even prominent figures from the martial world.

Ten sparring platforms were set up in the grand training hall.

The applicants, waiting on the benches around them, tried to relieve their tension in various ways.

“Phew...”

“I’m so nervous I’m about to go crazy...”

“I can do it. I can do it. I can do it!”

These were still young martial artists.

Even from the audience’s perspective, a mix of emotions was inevitable.

“Excuse me. Is this your first time watching the admission exam?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. I’ve been coming here for over thirty years. I can tell just by looking.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

The man, with a face so common it would be hard to recognize him, smiled and nodded without showing any annoyance at the talkative old man’s question.

The old man, now in high spirits, continued to chatter.

“I’m not a martial arts expert, but I have a keen eye. I can tell just by looking. Whether that kid will pass or fail, whether he will become a master in the future or not.”

“I see.”

The old man didn’t mind the lackluster response.

He just needed someone to vent his thoughts to.

“However, what’s your name? Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Despite the old man’s persistent questions, the man smiled and said,

“I’ve forgotten my name, but my comrades call me Seven (七).”

The man, introducing himself as Seven (七), was carefully observing one of the many applicants.

There, Gong Sun Shou was warming up.