Book 2 Chapter 15

Na Junghae's Desperate Professionalism

Na Junghae felt as if he'd been hit on the back of the head unexpectedly.

His neck buzzed. Na Junghae's eyes snapped open. Anger surged.

He had inwardly rejoiced at the sight of the two people about to leave,

and had relaxed the worried heart he'd been trying to quell, thinking he had resolved one matter. But then came a question that doused Na Junghae's chest with cold water. Na Junghae felt like crying.

Had he really done so many bad things?

To the extent that the heavens would unleash such a great punishment? He even felt regret.

"Uh, so, you see, that is…"

Shocked by the fact that the unwelcome burdens he thought he had dealt with had returned, Na Junghae couldn't immediately answer Biryu Yeon's question. He was overwhelmed with trying to manage his tangled thoughts. His mind was a jumbled mess of tangled threads that refused to unravel. To expect a proper answer from him when his mind was in such a state was absurd.

"Does this hesitant silence perhaps mean you still haven't found a solution?"

Biryu Yeon spoke in a cold voice, tinged with a hint of threat. The way he clenched and unclenched his fist looked undeniably menacing. The ominous sight of his fist, opening and closing, and the accompanying cracking sound of his knuckles, presented a significant threat both visually and audibly. Perhaps this threat was highly effective, as Na Junghae, having regained his composure, waved his hands and said,

"Ah, no. Who do you think I am? I am Na Junghae of Sunpung Obstetrics and Gynecology, with 30 years of experience in information brokerage. Do you think I, a man of such experience, am incapable of solving such a trivial and minor problem?"

Intentionally ignoring Biryu Yeon, who was about to nod in agreement, Na Junghae cleared his throat and continued. It wasn't mere talk, but an oration meant to persuade others. However, just as he was about to launch into his speech, his face suddenly lit up, his eyes twinkled with an unusual light, and as an unusual current seemed to swirl deep within his pupils, Na Junghae seemed to have something else up his sleeve.

"The Ascension Martial Festival (昇天武祭), this is a qualifying examination for martial arts prodigies who have achieved a certain level, to soar towards their dreams, in order to be admitted into the foremost martial arts training institution in the current martial world, the Cheonmu Academy. The number of participants in this annual examination is truly countless. However, the difficulty of the Ascension Martial Festival is so immense and arduous that only about five hundred out of tens of thousands are able to overcome this wall and become true members of the Cheonmu Academy. This iron barrier is so high and solid that the number of people eliminated in the first stage, the document screening, is countless, let alone the first and second preliminary rounds, which are notoriously difficult. Among the numerous participants, the ones who can actually reach the main stage, the finals, and showcase their skills and talents in front of everyone are truly few and far between, countable on one's fingers."

Na Junghae demonstratively counted on his fingers. Then, he calmly took a breath, his earlier ragged breathing now regulated.

"Given the nature of the Ascension Martial Festival, its rules and regulations are exceedingly strict and severe. It is renowned for its unyielding nature, like Mount Tai. Therefore, now that the application period has long passed, if you have not applied, there is frankly no way to participate in this year's Ascension Martial Festival."

"……"

Biryu Yeon was puzzled as to why Na Junghae was droning on about facts they already knew.

"Howeve r……"

Na Junghae emphasized each syllable, enunciating each word clearly. This was the crucial part of his speech, the beginning of the main point. The preceding part was merely a preface to draw in the story that was about to unfold. This was the real substance.

"That does not mean that all paths to entering the Cheonmu Academy are blocked. There is indeed one way to enter the Cheongwan (天館) without going through the Ascension Martial Festival, or rather, the Seungmuje (昇武祭)."

"Really?"

At Na Junghae's words that there was a way, Biryu Yeon's eyes began to sparkle with interest. Having successfully piqued his interest and made him focus on his story, Na Junghae continued.

"As you know, the Seungmuje is a general examination that anyone, be they ordinary people or martial artists from the Jianghu, can apply for and be tested on their qualifications and abilities fairly. However, besides the Seungmuje, there exists a special selection examination in the Cheongwan for special people, by special people, and for special people."

"Ho, what is that? That sounds like a very interesting story."

"Yes, in addition to the Seungmuje, the Cheonmu Academy reserves a portion of its admission quota for students with special talents, those referred to as prodigies or gifted individuals. They are given special privileges befitting their talent and ability. The details are as follows."

Na Junghae began a lengthy explanation based on his desperate professionalism.

"This system can be considered a form of recommended admission. It allows the sect leaders of reputable martial arts sects and the leaders of major Jianghu factions to recommend individuals, who are then admitted into the Cheonmu Academy after a simple qualification check. The regulations stipulate that the background and sect of the recommended individual are not considered. This is to uphold the spirit of discovering unique talents hidden in the Jianghu, regardless of their origin or status. However, this original spirit has been lost, and in reality, it is almost never followed anymore. Who would sacrifice the honor of producing a Cheongwan disciple (天館徒: a term for Cheonmu Academy entrants), which would bring glory to their own sect? One hundred percent of the time, the reality is that they recommend disciples affiliated with their own sects and factions. But a rule is a rule, and it is clearly documented in the regulations related to the Cheonmu Academy admission system (天武學館入館濟度關聯法規). In principle, one can be nominated by the sect leader of another sect. However, as this is a special examination, the number of benefits is strictly limited in inverse proportion to the advantages. Only a very select few sects and factions recognized as top-tier by the Cheonmu Academy can recommend a single individual, and even then, the simple qualification review is not as easy as it sounds; the Cheongwan can arbitrarily reject a recommended candidate at any time if they deem their talent and ability insufficient. They sift and sift to separate the wheat from the chaff. Thus, the gate is as narrow as a needle's eye. So, which sect would be willing to give up that spot? This is the biggest problem…"

As if he had a hidden agenda, Na Junghae trailed off, leaving an opening. As expected, Biryu Yeon's reaction was exactly what Na Junghae had hoped for. This simple and straightforward response was Biryu Yeon's characteristic.

"Is that so? Then we should go and negotiate peacefully, shouldn't we?"

Whether he knew he was falling for Na Junghae's ploy, Biryu Yeon just smiled brightly.

"Then, where is the closest top-tier sect around here? Of course, I mean a sect that possesses that recommendation right. I don't want to travel far, and it costs a lot of money, so the closest one would be best."

Biryu Yeon, even in such matters, was concerned about the cost and efficiency – ways to make things less troublesome. His attitude was that the sect's influence or size was irrelevant as long as efficiency could be increased, hassle reduced, and costs cut. Na Junghae replied with excitement.

"Yes, it is the Hua Garden (호아장), a martial arts estate located within Nanchang City. Its master is Ho Cheonsang, the Fierce Tiger Sword (호아 맹검). The Hua Garden was built from the ground up by him with just a sword, and it has entered the ranks of the top Jianghu sects solely based on his martial prowess. His ultimate skill, the Fierce Tiger Strikes Swordplay (맹호비격검법) 26 forms, is so potent and ever-changing that there are extremely few who can match it in the Jianghu."

"And the distance?"

"Yes, as it is located within Nanchang City, it's close enough that you can reach it in less than two shichen (a unit of time) on foot."

"Is that so? Then please tell me its location."

Despite Na Junghae's lengthy explanation, Biryu Yeon seemed unimpressed.

"Th-the location? Surely…"

Though he spoke as if surprised and about to stop Biryu Yeon's actions, Na Junghae inwardly smiled triumphantly.

"Surely what? Just tell me quickly."

Na Junghae inwardly rejoiced. Biryu Yeon, being simple and unintelligent, had fallen into his carefully laid trap too easily. Everything Na Junghae had said and done up to this point had been orchestrated to lead to this very situation. He had analyzed and understood the personalities and behavior patterns of Biryu Yeon and Yeomdo, and had subtly guided them to this outcome. And just as planned, Biryu Yeon had been caught in the net he had cast. Of course, Yeomdo, tagging along, had also been caught in his net.

Although the relationship between the two was still ambiguous, Na Junghae decided to worry about that later. In any case, they were certainly in cahoots, and that was enough. There was something more important at hand.

"To find the Hua Garden (虎牙莊), you should go towards the main road by the north gate of Nanchang City and ask any passerby. It is the largest and most famous estate in the vicinity, so you should be able to find it easily and without difficulty."

"Is that so? Thank you. Well then, we should be going. You've been a great help."

"No, are you leaving already?"

Na Junghae, with a smile full of genuine pleasure, offered pleasantries that were the exact opposite of his true feelings. He genuinely worried that these foolish individuals, lacking the courtesy of refusal, might linger and actually come back later, but thankfully, the two showed no intention of staying longer.

"Then, take care."

As Biryu Yeon, who spoke first, rose from his seat, Yeomdo, who had been sitting silently with a scowl on his face, also stood up. Then, the two opened the door and quietly disappeared, unlike when they arrived. Watching their retreating backs, Na Junghae shouted,

"If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to find this humble servant at any time. I am always at your service, so feel free to use me as you wish."

He shouted with all his might, spouting words that held less than half of a half-formed eyelash of sincerity, filling the entire room until his ears were ringing. Unmindful of the proverb that the mouth is the source of all evil and the wise men's advice that words become reality, Na Junghae had spoken too lightly.

The two had arrived like a storm and left, leaving only the scene of devastation behind. As soon as their figures completely disappeared from sight, Na Junghae's face turned deathly pale. He felt as if all the strength had drained from his body. Initially pale and cold, his complexion gradually turned redder, veins started to bulge, and eventually, his face became as red as heated iron.

It was a grotesque sight, as if the veins on his forehead would burst from unbearable rage and spew blood. With his face flushed to the limit, Na Junghae used his surging resentment as fuel and roared at the outside. The pent-up frustrations of the past exploded out in a wave of sound.

"You sons of bitches who deserve heavenly punishment! You damnable bastards! You will surely face the judgment of heaven. Just you wait and see, just you wait. Uhahaha…"

Na Junghae, unlike a leader responsible for an organization, poured out curses that were unspeakable and unwriteable. As he did, his mind began to calm down and settle. Furthermore, thinking about the situation he had created brought him a sense of satisfaction.

The two hateful scoundrels, who had arrived like a sudden storm and left behind only the aftermath of a disaster. There was one thing that Jeongsun (경순) Na Junghae had not told the two scoundrels, whom he felt he could have beaten to death and still not be satisfied, towards whom he had not told them. It was the fact that if Yeomdo wished to enter the Cheonmu Academy as a martial arts instructor, he could demand the right to a special examination as a condition. The Cheonmu Academy, facing an absolute shortage of martial arts instructors, could never refuse such an offer, as even one more skilled individual was precious. For the Cheonmu Academy, gaining a prominent figure like Yeomdo as a martial arts instructor was a minor price to pay. However, Na Junghae did not tell them this easy and simple method. If this were true, there would be no need for Biryu Yeon and Yeomdo to go hand in hand to find the Hua Garden. Na Junghae deliberately hid this fact and intentionally sent the two to the Hua Garden. In fact, objectively speaking, the probability of the Hua Garden being able to stop Yeomdo was virtually nonexistent.

The Hua Garden (虎牙莊), the foremost martial arts estate in Nanchang!

Of course, it is not a place to be taken lightly. The fact that it can proudly display its banner and act as a sect right in front of the Cheonmu Academy, a temple of martial arts, is enough proof of the Hua Garden's extraordinary potential. However, this was not because of its master, Ho Cheonsang, the Fierce Tiger Sword (虎牙猛劍) of the Hua Garden.

'Fierce Tiger Strikes Swordplay 26 Forms (猛虎飛擊劒法 26式)'. Although it is a powerful sword technique, even if its master, Ho Cheonsang, had mastered it to its utmost perfection, Na Junghae had never for a moment thought that it could defend against Yeomdo's signature skill, the Fire Spirit Flame Heaven Saber Style (火靈焰天刀勢), True Red Seventeen Flames (眞紅十七炎). Yeomdo, with his personal true energy alone, was more than sufficient to be evaluated as equal to, or even superior to, top Jianghu sects. Na Junghae, who collected and dealt with vast amounts of information scattered throughout the Jianghu, knew this better than anyone.

Yeomdo was a person who deserved such recognition. Of course, keep in mind that personality and character were excluded from the evaluation criteria. Therefore, if Na Junghae had only considered the Hua Garden as the force to deal with Yeomdo and the unlucky brat who came with him, he would not have lured Yeomdo and Biryu Yeon there in the first place.

However, Na Junghae had a trump card. That person, who could be considered an unexpected variable, was currently staying at the Hua Garden. The person who was the practical reason for the Hua Garden's current standing. It was the master of the Hua Garden, Ho Cheonsang, the Fierce Tiger Sword's master. The person who imparted the truth of the sword to Ho Cheonsang, the Fierce Tiger Sword, and allowed the Hua Garden to establish itself and gain influence within Nanchang City. He was confident that his Cold Ice Sword (寒氷劍), which could even freeze moonlight, would be enough to stop Yeomdo.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that in this Jianghu, only he could stop Yeomdo. That is why Na Junghae, with the sentiment of "Let these guys have a tough time!", lured Yeomdo and the ill-mannered brat to the Hua Garden. That person, who could confront Yeomdo, one of the Five Great Sword Masters (天下五劍手) of the world, mentioned alongside the Five Great Saber Masters (天下五大刀客) and simultaneously revered and admired by martial artists, was currently staying there.

Thinking of that, he felt a surge of excitement and his mood lifted. His turbulent heart quickly calmed down. Yeomdo would probably face a great defeat this time. Na Junghae firmly believed so. However, after sending the two to the Hua Garden, he felt a lingering unease, like a half-picked booger, and a vague sense of anxiety began to creep in. So, Na Junghae prayed to the heavens. He prayed with all his heart for the two to be utterly destroyed. Whether heaven would hear his prayer or indifferently cast it aside was solely up to heaven…

It was only then that Na Junghae called out to Heuksam (흑삼), a low-ranking disciple who had been pacing nervously outside, and urgently instructed him on what needed to be done. It was a very important and urgent task.

"Heuksam."

"Yes, Master."

"Go quickly and bring me a whole cart of rock salt!"

"What? Rock salt?"

For a moment, he couldn't understand what Na Junghae was saying. Why salt, of all things? And especially emphasizing the word "rock" (Wang, 王).

"Yes, and make it coarse."

As a low-ranking disciple, Heuksam was in charge of miscellaneous tasks at the Sunpung Hall. Even if he doubted the Master's mental state, he couldn't voice it. He had no choice but to do as he was told.

Na Junghae had ordered Heuksam to bring one cart of rock salt, but after ordering it, he felt it was insufficient. Considering what he had gone through today, one cart of salt wouldn't be enough. So, Na Junghae shouted out the window again.

"Heuksam, that's not enough. Bring another cart of rock salt! And, summon a Daoist priest too. I need to perform a major exorcism today. I've been cursed with bad luck, really bad luck! A huge, monstrous curse!"

Jeongsun Na Junghae, feeling that one cart of salt was insufficient, ordered an additional one. Then, he personally sprinkled coarse rock salt meticulously throughout the room. He also spent money to call a famous Daoist priest for an exorcism and plastered the entire place with expensive talismans while chanting incantations.

However, even with carts of salt sprinkled around, exorcisms performed, and talismans hung, could this truly end the ill-fated entanglement between Na Junghae and the two walking disasters…?