Book 20 Chapter 30

"Flying Thunder Saber"

Chapter 1: Show Me the Money!

: After arriving at Machon Peak

Yeongryeong thought she wouldn't have to pay any more money when she passed through the fearsome and gruesome 'Gwimun'. However, that was a premature misjudgment.

A well-dressed man in his mid-thirties, with a bit of a robust build, greeted them.

"Welcome to Machon Peak for the first time."

Introducing himself as 'Jeopgwan' (Customer Relations Manager) Lee Cheong, he led them to a place. Entering a secluded path on the right, they found a large, three-story building built quite luxuriously. The strong smells of stimulating food, rice, and alcohol wafted on the lake breeze.

"This is 'Jajukru,' your officially designated accommodation for the time being. According to the rules, sleeping outdoors is not permitted, so please register your names here and stay until the test. Do you have any questions or concerns?"

Lee Cheong said, pointing to the building with one hand. Yeongryeong quickly raised her hand.

"Yes, the lady over there."

"How long is 'for the time being'?"

"Hmm, it should take about a week."

"Are you telling me you charge for accommodation here too?"

If the accommodation was free, the duration of 'for the time being' wouldn't matter much. However, if it wasn't free, the duration would become a very important issue.

"You speak strangely, asking such an obvious question. Of course, we charge for accommodation. Who else would pay for your food, firewood, and facility maintenance if not you, the users? There is no free lunch in the Dark Path. You are all sprouts about to step onto the Dark Path, so please don't forget that."

"As expected."

Yeongryeong sighed deeply, as if she had already known this. It was a moment when her earlier ominous premonition came true without the slightest error.

Although the accommodation fee was incredibly expensive compared to other places, having to pay for it three times in a row no longer shocked her. Feeling keenly how familiarity can sometimes dull the mind, Yeongryeong put her hand into her silk pouch and let out a long sigh.

'At this rate, I might go bankrupt before even taking the test…'

Chapter 2: Machon Peak's Test

: The deceived is worse than the deceiver

"Uh… we at Machon Peak do not prevent cheating. Our philosophy is that the deceived is worse than the deceiver. So, if you can deceive, go ahead and deceive. However, if you cannot deceive perfectly, do not attempt it in the first place. We punish half-hearted attempts without mercy. This is because we know 'very well' from experience that such a terrible lesson will prevent you from trying such clumsy tricks again. As deception is fully permitted, we have been thoroughly trained to avoid being deceived by others. To reiterate, the one who cannot see through a deception is more responsible than the one who deceives. A naive person who is not prepared for any situation deserves to be deceived! That is the creed of Machon Peak. Therefore, if you intend to deceive others, be prepared to perfectly deceive your opponent with the firm resolve of risking your own life. Is everyone ready?"

"Yes! We are ready!"

The applicants for admission answered in unison with loud voices.

"Please do not test us, the examiners. We have seen and overcome too many deceptions. We are tired of it. However, if you have any novel and ingenious tricks left to try, you are welcome to attempt them. But remember, no matter how ingenious an idea may be, the moment it is discovered, it is no longer ingenious! At that moment, you will regret why you ever conceived such a shoddy idea. We will joyfully await that moment."

All the aspiring applicants listened intently, holding their breath. Yeongryeong was among them.

'It says, "If you can deceive, go ahead and deceive"…'

The entrance exam supervisor's long speech was completely contrary to Yeongryeong's way of thinking. It couldn't help but raise suspicions.

'What kind of place is this? Is this even allowed?'

Full-scale cheating permitted… The entrance exam seemed to be more challenging than she thought.

"Then, let's begin!"

Chapter 3: Flattery is Dangerous

: Geum Yeongho's Boast

"You want to hear? You want to hear?"

Geum Yeongho asked Hyun-un in a pleading tone.

"Don't push that broad face so close. It's overwhelming."

"Then say you want to hear."

Geum Yeongho said, still not moving his huge face away.

'This is practically blackmail.'

"Alright, what should I say I want to hear?"

"Of course, my skill in borrowing the arena used for special events like the finals of the Samseong Mujae."

'Come to think of it, he said he'd tell me later!'

It was true that it was best not to make promises that couldn't be kept.

"Yes, it was a good move. How did you do it?"

Hyun-un asked reluctantly.

"Ahem! You know a thing or two. I had to put in some effort to sweet-talk the person in charge. But according to my calculations, the name value of Ami Goddess Jin So-ryeong should be enough."

For Geum Yeongho, success in a transaction was akin to a warrior's boast.

"How exactly did you do it?"

"Do you want to know?"

"Of course! I really want to know!"

In times like these, quick agreement was the way to finish it faster.

"Alright! Then I'll tell you. First, I went to the elder in charge of the arena. And then I said this."

Geum Yeongho cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

"Elder! It's the Ami Goddess, the Ami Goddess! You know, right? The famous Ami Goddess of the Ami Sect, known for being incredibly beautiful and incredibly strong. The Ami Goddess who is famous for rarely showing herself in the martial world, burning the hearts of countless men with her supreme firepower. You've heard of her name, haven't you? Wouldn't you like to see her?"

"At that point, the elder must have nodded."

Hyun-un interjected to egg him on.

"Exactly. Moreover, the elder is still unmarried at nearly forty years old. He nodded vigorously."

"And then?"

"I didn't miss the opportunity and said, 'Ah, Elder, you too. I am too. We are comrades. Furthermore, isn't the Ami Goddess one of the Five Swords of the World? Wouldn't witnessing the martial arts of such a famous master broaden the horizons of our Cheonmu Academy disciples?'"

Geum Yeongho was speaking as if the elder were right in front of him. It was as if he had brought that moment from the past to the present.

"What did he say then?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? He said yes, of course. By this point, the elder was ready to listen to me! If I missed that chance, how could I be called 'Geum Yeongho, the Golden Tiger of the Great Geumho Trading Company!'? I said in a slightly dejected voice, 'But… Elder… the opponent is the Ami Goddess, who possesses the esteemed title of one of the Five Swords of the World. No matter how much we beg, wouldn't it be inappropriate to display her martial arts in a small, humble arena? You know… uh… there's dignity, isn't there? Dignity.'"

"The elder said yes again, didn't he?"

Hyun-un interjected again, but an excited Geum Yeongho waved his hand, telling him not to interrupt.

"Elder, people of high standing require treatment befitting their status. Failing to provide that is disrespectful in itself. It's the same as tarnishing the reputation of Cheonmu Academy. Should our great Cheonmu Academy be known for its poor judgment of character? No, it shouldn't! Small arenas scattered everywhere are simply not fitting for her status. A very special, spacious, and clean arena is needed!"

Geum Yeongho paused here to savor the lingering moment.

"So? What happened then?"

No Hak, who had joined them, urged him on.

"Then he leaned close to me and asked like this."

As if reenacting the moment, Geum Yeongho's eyes widened, and he leaned his face close to Hyun-un's.

"Where is that?"

His tone was full of gravitas.

"So you said, 'Only here!' And you got his approval."

"That's exactly right. He hesitated for a moment at the end, but he readily agreed when I mentioned that he might be able to meet the Ami Goddess herself if he became involved. Ahem!"

Geum Yeongho puffed out his chest proudly, as if asking, "How about that? Isn't it amazing?" Of course, his paunch protruded along with it.

"Stop pushing that paunch out, it's overwhelming," Namgung San-san complained from the side. Her face was also very gaunt from several days of preparation.

"Hey, this isn't a paunch, Miss Namgung!"

Geum Yeongho protested, his belly fat jiggling.

"If it's not a paunch, then what is it?"

Geum Yeongho said with a proud and smug face, patting his paunch, "Thump! Thump!"

"This is my character, my character."

At his words, all the women of the Jujak Squad looked bewildered.

"My goodness, I can't believe it… Haven't you heard that a man's paunch is a disgrace?"

They seemed to have experienced a huge cultural shock at his sheer audacity.

"No, no, what he's saying has some merit!"

No Hak, who was standing nearby, chimed in.

'Why is that guy agreeing with Geum Yeongho?'

No Hak, a scholar, had always been at odds with Geum Yeongho, who came from a wealthy family. The reason for this was revealed in his next remark.

"His character is filled with nothing but crap."

As expected. Only then did they feel relieved that one of their friends wasn't getting angry.

The depth of character was quickly revealed.

"What did you say! Do you want to die, you beggar!"

Geum Yeongho shouted back furiously.

"Hmm, indeed, the depth of character is not proportional to the protrusion of the paunch."

Dang Sam offered an academic opinion.

"It could be inversely proportional, couldn't it? You should consider that, Dang Sam!"

Dang Mun-hye pointed out.