Chapter 323: Chapter 324: Hands-on Training (4)

After the morning training session, students gathered in the hallway leading to their rooms.

They were all looking upwards while talking to each other.

Their focus was drawn to the massive wooden board hanging above.

Every student’s name was listed on the board for a single reason.

It displayed their grades for training and performance over the past two months.

-Brother Chu, did you do well?

-I’m doomed… My name’s closer to the bottom than the top. My father’s going to beat me.

-Same here… I’ll probably be kicked out of the house when I return.

A mix of joy and despair filled the air among the students.

Some sank into despair, while others sighed in relief, seeing their names near the top.

Though they’d face this again in the future, it was their first time experiencing such pressure.

After all, they were still Young Prodigies with little experience in the Central Plains.

For those from sects or prestigious clans, it was likely their first time being ranked.

This might serve as a wake-up call to reality.

They were chosen for their talents, but there were always greater geniuses above them.

Step.

The hallway fell silent at the sound of a single footstep.

-Hey, hey!

All of the students quickly their gazes away from the board.

All eyes turned toward the figure approaching them.

Step.

With each approaching step, the crowd of students instinctively parted, making way.

“Thank you.”

The young man smiled warmly, thanking the crowd.

“…Meteor Sword!”

The man cutting through the crowd was a well-known figure at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

He was not only strikingly handsome but also incredibly talented.

He was none other than Jang Seonyeon, the Meteor Sword, and the son of the current Leader of the Murim Alliance.

In just two months, most sword-specializing martial artists had gravitated to his side.

This was a testament to their respect for his talent and character.

A student, likely a swordsman, cautiously addressed the Meteor Sword.

“C-Congratulations, Master Jang.”

Jang Seonyeon glanced at the student, whose voice trembled with nervousness.

The student flinched, but Jang Seonyeon smiled kindly, acknowledging him.

“Thank you.”

At that, everyone gazed up to him in admiration.

Everyone congratulated Jang Seonyeon, whose name was at the top of the board, marked with the number “two.”

This indicated he had ranked second out of hundreds of students, an impressive achievement.

Rumor had it he excelled in both lectures and hands-on training, and no one questioned his accomplishments.

Nearly everyone agreed that the Meteor Sword was more than deserving of his high rank.

It also showed how good of an image Jang Seonyeon had.

The fact that the Academy this year was filled with monsters, something not only the students but everyone in the Central Plains knew.

Among them were bloodlines from the Four Noble Clans, as well as descendants of sects and clans just beneath them.

Earning second place in a field of prodigies, including the Six Dragons and the Three Phoenixes, was a remarkable feat, and he deserved the praise.

Crack.

Yet, Jang Seonyeon ground his teeth as the congratulations poured in from every side.

He struggled to suppress the anger welling up inside him.

…I feel sick.

The students’ voices were nothing but noise in his ears.

His frustration threatened to make him physically ill.

I just want everyone to shut their mouth.

Despite his thoughts, Jang Seonyeon didn’t let it show through his expression.

He couldn’t let this minor annoyance undo everything he had worked for.

Blocking out the noise, Jang Seonyeon began scanning the names on the board.

He barely recognized any of the names listed at the bottom.

After all, he didn’t waste his time remembering the names of those he considered beneath him.

…The Water Dragon and the Sword Dragon ranked low.

He noticed that two of the Dragons and one of the Phoenixes had ranked surprisingly low.

Rumor had it the Water Dragon skipped lectures to take naps, while the Sword Dragon struggled in academic subjects.

Those reasons explained their poor rankings.

It was clear they didn’t particularly care about their standings at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

With that thought, Jang Seonyeon clicked his tongue in annoyance.

I feel a bit better now.

Geniuses without greed.

It made him feel a bit glad.

Yet, he couldn’t fully approve—it seemed as though they lived their lives carelessly.

He wasn’t able to explain his emotion.

But it’s better this way.

That was his conclusion.

Yes, it was better this way.

If they had taken things seriously and become his rivals, it would have only caused him more trouble.

Jang Seonyeon kept his eyes scanning the board, his face still wearing the mask of a smile.

The Poison Phoenix… as I expected.

As expected, the weakest of the Phoenixes, the Poison Phoenix, hadn’t achieved a high rank.

He’d heard she had been spending time with the daughter of the Peng Clan, but it didn’t concern him.

The Poison Phoenix was far too weak for Jang Seonyeon to waste any thought on her.

For that reason, she held no interest for him.

The Snow Phoenix…

The Snow Phoenix, with similar martial prowess to the Poison Phoenix, ranked higher than Jang Seonyeon had anticipated.

She had excelled in lectures, earning one of the top scores in that category.

Impressive.

He knew the Snow Phoenix was more talented in other fields rather than martial arts, but he didn’t expect her to earn such a rank.

Of course, none of them had claimed the highest rank.

As he got closer to the top of the board, he began to see familiar names.

One of them,

The Sword Dancer is unexpected.

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

…Ugh.

Jang Seonyeon fought to suppress his anger at the sight of her name.

The memory of their encounter during the entrance exam still stung.

He still wasn’t happy about his defeat.

He recalled the overwhelming presence she exuded, effortlessly commanding intense Lightning Qi with her hand.

I didn’t expect her to do well in the lectures.

She had scored lower in lectures compared to the Snow Phoenix or himself, but it seemed like her martial strength saved her score.

He wasn’t fond of it.

Whether it was the fact that he had lost to someone he had once defeated,

-You are boring.

Or the words she said to him, he wasn’t fond of either.

He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts.

…What about her?

He then started to look for the name he wanted to see the most.

She was the one he desired above all.

He already knew her name would be, so he didn’t have to search long.

Third. Wi Seol-Ah.

Her name was directly underneath his.

So she worked hard it seems.

She was an idiot without any intellect before, but Wi Seol-Ah worked on her flaws and earned a good score in lectures as well.

After all… She is the descendant of the Sword Venerable.

Her talent in martial arts was monstrous, and she never forgot anything she learned.

Her beauty was also incredible.

Jang Seonyeon’s thoughts continued to churn.

So I’ll make her mine.

He swore to himself that he wouldn’t let Wi Seol-Ah slip away.

He remembered the promise he made with her.

If he claimed first place by the end, she would be his.

For that reason, he had no intention of letting her outscore him, no matter the cost.

…There is a problem though.

Crack.

Despite how well things seemed to be going, Jang Seonyeon clenched his fist at the sight of the problem that lay before him.

It was the same problem that had been gnawing at him, the one that had haunted his mind for years.

Jang Seonyeon raised his eyes and looked at the name that was written above his.

“…Ha.”

He struggled to contain his emotions as he gazed at that name.

Why? How could that bastard’s name be on the list?

Seeing it sent a wave of darkness through his emotions.

-The first place this time will probably be…

-Probably the Meteor Sword…

-What about the hands-on training…

Shut up.

The voices around him seemed to grow louder, as if determined to make him feel worse.

He wanted to rip all of their mouths.

Wouldn’t that make them become silent?

I can’t do that though…

However, he couldn’t afford to do such a thing.

He had to protect the image he’d carefully crafted and endure, just a little longer, for the sake of his future.

As Jang Seonyeon secretly fixed his expression along with that thought,

“What’s all this fuss about?”

A sharp voice stabbed into the crowd.

Step.

Unlike Jang Seonyeon’s calm, measured steps, his footsteps were rough, carrying the irritation of someone dragged there unwillingly.

“…Eek!”

One student recoiled in shock at the sight of him.

His reaction was a stark contrast to the one he had when he saw Jang Seonyeon earlier.

To that reaction, the person who just arrived, frowned.

“What’s wrong with him? Woocheol, is something happening today?”

“I heard something was being announced, so wouldn’t that be the reason why everyone is gathered here?”

“Announced?”

A man with a towering physique explained to the smaller young man in front of him.

Pe Woocheol.

Even Jang Seonyeon remembered who he was.

Then, another handsome young man spoke with a smile.

“It seemed like they made a ranking.”

It was the Water Dragon.

The Water Dragon who had brushed off Jang Seonyeon’s approach with a lazy expression, now wore a completely different look.

“How pointless. They need to calm down.”

The young man responded bluntly to the Water Dragon, then continued toward the board.

The students parted instantly as the fierce-looking young man drew nearer.

Gulp.

Some even gulped in nervousness.

…Bastard.

Jang Seonyeon frowned the moment he laid eyes on him.

The young man noticed him too and responded with a smile.

Ignoring how unsettling that smile was, Jang Seonyeon ground his teeth again, knowing full well it was meant to mock him.

“Been a while huh?”

“…Good to see you. Master Gu.”

Jang Seonyeon forced the greeting out, each word painful to utter.

“Your face twists every time you look at me.”

“I’m not sure what you are talking about.”

“I see, just keep pretending then.”

By now, Jang Seonyeon’s teeth were nearly worn down from all the grinding.

That bastard never failed to get under his skin.

Maybe it was the way his insults were always so blatant.

“Oh, brother.”

“What.”

“You came in first.”

“Is that so?”

But more than that, he was the biggest obstacle standing in his way.

First place,

Gu Yangcheon.

He had claimed the top rank among all the students in the Academy.

He had the highest score in the entrance exams and was the most infamous student at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, though for all the wrong reasons.

…True Dragon.

He was the one person Jang Seonyeon wanted to eliminate the most.

Why?

Jang Seonyeon began to wonder.

Jang Seonyeon already knew that he was talented in martial arts.

How could he forget the humiliation he’d suffered during the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament?

He was a monster, after all.

Jang Seonyeon had no choice but to admit that.

The True Dragon was a monster.

He was able to admit that much.

But he is also intelligent?

It was unbelievable.

Jang Seonyeon never thought Gu Yangcheon would put in the effort, yet he’d still outscored even the Snow Phoenix.

…How is that even possible?

How could that be? Perhaps, he’d made a deal with the instructors behind the scen-

“Hey.”

“…!”

“You must be very frustrated, huh?”

Gu Yangcheon’s words snapped Jang Seonyeon out of his thoughts, and he quickly masked his expression.

Gu Yangcheon smirked at him.

“Work harder next time. Though I’m not sure if there will be a next time.”

“…Master Gu.”

“It’s because you don’t eat that much. Work on your appetite.”

Gu Yangcheon continued to mock and get on Jang Seonyeon’s nerves.

What made it worse was that Gu Yangcheon didn’t even seem to care about his rank.

Jang Seonyeon wasn’t fond of it.

Are you saying it was obvious?

Was he implying that being in first place was a given?

Jang Seonyeon wasn’t happy about it.

He did everything he could to build his image and maintain it, but Gu Yangcheon did everything he wanted, and he didn’t care about what others thought of him.

…

Jang Seonyeon’s fists clenched as an emotion surged within him.

It was jealousy.

The Meteor Sword, feeling jealousy over a bastard like him.

He couldn’t admit it.

I have to get rid of him.

He truly needed to wipe him out.

He had to ensure Gu Yangcheon ceased to exist before it was too late, before the wall between them became insurmountable.

Jang Seonyeon’s gaze shifted to a member of Gu Yangcheon’s group.

It was the person hiding in fear behind Pe Woocheol.

Cheol Jiseon.

He was the most important key to Jang Seonyeon, and a very useful person for his future paths as well.

Thanks to him, Jang Seonyeon was able to endure all of the insults.

Soon enough, the smirk on Gu Yangcheon’s face would turn into despair.

“Congratulations, Master Gu.”

Knowing this, Jang Seonyeon maintained his smile.

“As expected, you are impressive.”

Gu Yangcheon’s face twisted in disgust at Jang Seonyeon’s congratulations.

“You really are a nasty bastard… I wouldn’t be able to smile due to anger, yet you somehow manage.”

“Haha, why would I be mad at you when you deserve my praise?”

“I might lose my appetite if I stay here any longer. Let’s go.”

Gu Yangcheon turned around as if he wasn’t amused anymore.

His group immediately followed, without hesitation.

It seemed like it wasn’t just Gu Yangcheon.

No one in his group seemed to care about their rankings.

Jang Seonyeon had to continue working hard.

If he let his guard down for even a moment, his killing intent might slip.

He kept the smile plastered  on his face as he watched Gu Yangcheon walk away.

Then, he silently vowed.

Just you wait.

I’ll have you on your knees.

******************I scratched my back as I headed toward the cafeteria.

It’s so itchy.

The constant prick of killing intent tickled my back.

I suppose having sharper senses wasn’t entirely a good thing.

It made it impossible not to feel Jang Seonyeon’s irritating killing intent.

Ha.

Seeing Jang Seonyeon’s face was bad enough, but that nasty aura of his made it unbearable.

I might’ve actually lost my appetite if I stayed there longer.

Nothing ruins my appetite faster than looking at that bastard’s face.

As I continued to walk, Pe Woocheol spoke.

“Brother, you’re amazing as always…! First place!”

“You’ve already said that three times.”

My name was at the top, but he seemed happier about it than I did.

“Where was yours written?”

Pe Woocheol paused, thinking about my question.

“…I think it was written around the middle, but I’m not sure. I didn’t really pay that much attention.”

“You should’ve focused on your name more than mine, you idiot…”

I didn’t expect him to score high; he always looked half-dead during lectures. As expected, he landed somewhere in the middle.

But first place huh?

I didn’t really feel that proud since I expected it.

However, I was worried about the possibility of instructors taking points off because of how rude I was to them.

Thankfully though, it seemed like none of the instructors held any grudges.

Or maybe they did take some points off, but I ended up in the first place anyway.

I said it before, but I knew more about Demons than anyone else.

I’d encountered countless Demons during my time serving the Heavenly Demon and consumed endless Demonic Stones for Qi.

I should obviously know a lot.

“Stop the flattery, and let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

“I heard there’s meat today.”

“Why are you happy? You know you’re supposed to be a Taoist, right?”

“What’s a Taoist? Is that something to eat?”

“…Never Mind. Just eat it all will you.”

By now, I was used to the Water Dragon’s constant nonsense.

Despite being in a different group, he was always hanging around mine.

It really seems like he is going to follow me around every day.

Also,

Ignoring the Water Dragon, I shifted my gaze to Cheol Jiseon, who trailed behind us silently.

-Are you going to continue acting that way?

“…!”

Cheol Jiseon flinched when I addressed him telepathically.

That sour expression of his had been obvious since earlier.

-I told you it’s fine.

I knew exactly what was on his mind.

Because of that, I had to give him a helping push.

-Don’t worry about it, and do what the Jang bastard tells you to do.

“Um…!”

“Hmm?”

Cheol Jiseon started to speak aloud without realizing, then quickly clamped his mouth shut.

“Sorry… I bit my tongue accidentally.”

“Are you okay?”

“Y-Yes.”

Seeing that, I sighed.

What if he fails his mission?

-Hey friend, you know that…?

Cheol Jiseon shook his head, unsure of what I meant.

It seemed like he didn’t know what I was referring to.

-If you don’t do as I say, I’m going to kill you.

“…!”

-You said you wanted to live.

Cheol Jiseon’s face went pale at my threat, laced with killing intent.

I didn’t want to push him this far, but if he failed, it’d be a huge problem.

-So, let’s do a good job, yes?

Cheol Jiseon nodded as I spoke with a smile.

Judging by Jang Seonyeon’s expression, it seemed he was planning exactly what I’d expected. Everything now depended on how well Cheol Jiseon followed him.

I could tell from the way Jang Seonyeon looked at me earlier, and from the prick of his killing intent.

It wasn’t long from now.

I even made a backup plan just in case.

All I had to do was just wait.

Everyone was playing their part, just as I had planned.

I just hoped nothing unexpected came up.

And just like that, a few days passed.

“Your hands-on training begins now.”

The day that bastard and I had been waiting for finally arrived.