Chapter 275: Chapter 273

Cloud Mist Pavilion.

Managed by the orthodox factions, this place was known as the martial pavilion most grounded in real combat among the Five Great Clans and the Nine Sect Alliance.

The reason was simple.

The Gonryun Sect, located in Cheonghae Castle, was the closest to where the Demon Demonic Cult was located.

The central region’s dike that first confronted the entry of the demonic cult into the central plains.

The pride of the orthodox sect that still maintained its force amidst the Righteous and Demon Great War, where blood was washed with blood.

That was Gonryun, symbolized by ‘clouds and dragons.’

“I’m tired of coming up short.”

As always, beginning his day, Jong Mu-ryang, the pavilion master of the martial pavilion, reviewed the list of people seeking to enter the pavilion.

The war with the empire was still not over, and after the Demon Demonic Cult ended their closure, it was unpredictable when and where a variable might occur.

No matter how many talented recruits there were, it was never enough.

But, it was rarer to find someone who could truly make use of among those knocking on Cloud Mist Pavilion’s door than finding beans during a drought.

“How about the kids directly selected by the Martial Alliance this time? Though not from prestigious families, I see some from fairly known martial families.”

Jong Mu-ryang asked the sidekick Taek, the chief supervisor.

The aged Taek, the chief supervisor, was the practical housekeeper of Cloud Mist Pavilion, taking care of everything from major events to odd jobs.

“Yes. They certainly learn fast, but they are too young. It will be quite a while before they are ripe enough.”

“As expected, it seems I have no choice but to bring in the rogues or gangsters if we want to use them urgently.”

Though he did not like using such underhanded methods away from the eyes of the leaders of the factions,

if he wanted to achieve results, he couldn’t choose his methods.

Above all, to oppose the demonic cult, they had to put aside notions like righteousness and human relations.

“In our case, quantity is more important than quality, isn’t it? In that sense, we can always procure expendables. Even today, more than 300 of them have gathered.”

“Hmm. The more cannon fodder, the better.”

Jong Mu-ryang nodded his head.

Soon, the two men left the inner house and headed to the training grounds.

Buzzing!

The training ground was already a sea of people.

Tsk.

Jong Mu-ryang clicked his tongue harshly.

‘If I’m not hoping for first- or second-rate, at least let there be some third-rate mid-level talent. Was I asking for too much?’

He had thought he set his expectations low, but the actual sight was even worse.

Well, if someone was skilled, they wouldn’t be receiving identity plates in a martial pavilion in the outskirts, but would be back by a family and head to a prestigious central martial pavilion instead.

That’s when…

‘Hm?’

Jong Mu-ryang narrowed his eyes, which had only been spewing complaints.

From the front… he felt a rather weighty aura.

Three men and a masked person.

The man laughing in front was nothing special, but the rest were all quite out of the ordinary.

‘Ho. Not just a bunch of scarecrows it seems.’

Perhaps it will be a rather interesting test.

“Taek, the chief supervisor.”

“Command me, Pavilion Master.”

“Begin the test immediately. I want to see the results quickly this time.”

Jong Mu-ryang sat down, his eyes filled with anticipation.

＊＊＊

“The Seven Star Heavenly Sword, ‘Cheondoak’, at your service.”

“Ho. To meet the owner of the seven swords said to dominate Cheonghae. I’m Cheongho. Commonly known in the world as ‘Thunder Spirit Cloud Sword’.”

“Ooh! Of course, I’ve heard of it. Great to meet a remarkable figure like you. Hahaha!”

“I am known as ‘Tae Ryong’ of the Invincible Divine Fist.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Incredible. To meet the famous Tae Ryong himself!”

“To see in person the protagonist of the incident that once shocked the martial world.”

“This test is bound to be the fiercest ever. With so many exceptional talents gathered, it feels like my heart is pounding already.”

Everyone was busy introducing themselves.

The sound of hearty laughter was nearly painful for the ears.

“What’s Seven Star Heavenly Sword? And Thunder Spirit Cloud Sword? Absolute experts who survived the Righteous and Demon Great War? Wol-yeong, do you know them?”

Jin-hyeok spoke casually.

“I haven’t heard of them either.”

“Supposedly these are incredible guys who dominate Cheonghae?”

“From what I see, they only seem to dominate their parents’ spines…”

“No, there must be something.”

It was difficult to adopt Invincible Divine Fist as a nickname without real confidence in one’s abilities.

Even the way I used to shout ‘The sun is setting’ gave the impression that these were not average joes.

Instinct told me…

… that they were definitely ‘real’.

If not, they had to be.

“What’s this major event they’re talking about? Surely it was some terrifying incident with all sorts of conspiracies and masked people running amok, right?”

“Now that I think of it, I remember hearing that a food carriage on its way to the Demon Demonic Cult was robbed. The carriage, entrusted to servants, had no escort at the time.”

“……Hmm. They do seem somewhat like retired hidden experts.”

Jin-hyeok muttered as he scratched his cheek.

“Titles or whatever aside, I don’t feel comfortable in these clothes.”

Eris, who had bought her clothes before coming here, looked at them with dissatisfaction.

Given her preference for elaborate and antique-style clothing, it would feel a bit plain.

“Just bear with it. Your usual outfit would be too conspicuous here.”

“Even so, I prefer a crown. The kind made of furs and. A golden staff too!”

Was this the idea of playing a little queen?

I felt like confining her within a stroller.

Eris continued to whine, but Jin-hyeok let every complaint pass through one ear and out the other.

Maybe he would just buy her a hairpin or something later.

That’s when…

“Attention!”

A loud voice came from the podium.

“The identity plate test of Cloud Mist Pavilion will now commence.”

Taek, the chief supervisor, with a stern expression, looked down at the training ground.

All eyes were focused.

“When you entered, each of you should have received a copper coin.”

“Now that you mention it……”

“Right. They gave me a black copper coin……”

“Me too. Is this it?”

One by one, they each brought out the small copper coins they had kept in their pockets.

Fo…