Chapter 290 – So So-woon And Noh Shik (1)

The frail young man, So Woon.

A martial artist who feared the sight of blood, So Woon.

However, just as a young bird eventually leaves the nest to fly, So So-woon had also grown.

So Woon’s gaze, as he looked at Noh Shik, was cold and composed.

Martial artists from West Sky Castle are not well-regarded by sects affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

This is because West Sky Castle is a hegemonic sect that straddles the line between orthodox and unorthodox factions.

Yet, here was a Beggars’ Gang leader warmly approaching him first.

This, at least, was enough to heighten his wariness.

“Don’t look at me so harshly. Did I say something strange?”

Noh Shik said this while casually picking his nose.

His careless demeanor made it hard to stay on guard against him.

So Woon forced himself to lower his voice.

“How did you find out?”

“Find out what?”

“My identity.”

Noh Shik let out a loud laugh, almost barking.

“Even if I weren’t part of the Beggars’ Gang, everyone knows who you are, Young Master So.”

“…What?”

“The son of the Nine Spear King. One day, you showed up, wielding five spears, and crushed the martial artists of the Unorthodox Union. Did you really expect to keep your name hidden?”

So Woon scratched his temple.

The only thing strapped to his back now was a single spear.

He felt it excessive to carry all five spears around the temple.

“If I couldn’t recognize the Five Spears of West Sky Castle, I wouldn’t make it as a beggar.”

“…Haha.”

In the end, So Woon could only let out an awkward laugh.

And just like that, his youthful expression returned.

“Not just me—everyone else probably knows too.”

“Do they…”

“Why do you think no one has spoken to you? Didn’t you already know?”

He didn’t know.

He had merely thought he was being excluded because the others already had close ties. He had no idea it was because he belonged to West Sky Castle.

Was its reputation really that bad?

“Then why are you…”

“Trying to act friendly? It’s because I want to be friends with you, of course.”

So Woon still couldn’t completely let his guard down around Noh Shik.

“As I said earlier, aren’t you the sworn brother of the Immortal Divine Dragon?”

“Hahaha…”

“Oh, by the way, very few people know this. It’s not exactly a famous rumor.”

The story of the West Sky Castle Lord’s son forming a sworn brotherhood with Baek Yi-gang, the Immortal Divine Dragon, hadn’t spread.

Naturally, it was because their relationship wasn’t truly one of sworn brothers in the formal sense.

“My elder brother looked favorably upon me. Haha! I even shared a bond of brotherhood with Peng Gu-in.”

But over time, the hardships So Woon had endured alongside Peng Gu-in and Yi-gang had become glorified.

So So-woon still held deep respect for Yi-gang.

Noh Shik chimed in.

“I’ve experienced the righteousness of the Immortal Divine Dragon myself. In fact, I entered the Five Elements Tomb with him.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. The memories of that time are still so vivid… even now.”

Sharing a common memory was perhaps the best way to build camaraderie.

“Back then, pitch-black darkness descended inside the Five Elements Tomb. At a moment when swords were aimed at one another, suddenly, a bright light flashed.”

“Wow…!”

“Young Master Baek was holding a sword. I think it was some kind of technique, but I don’t recall the details. However, I do clearly remember the words he shouted.”

“What did he say?”

Noh Shik mimicked Yi-gang.

“…To those who know and trust me, come to me!”

“Whoa!”

“After that, well, it was over. He subdued the successors in an instant and ended the fight.”

It was a moment that had left a deep impression on Noh Shik as well.

So Woon’s expression softened significantly.

“If someone like the Immortal Divine Dragon recognized you as a sworn brother, then surely you must also possess great righteousness, Young Master So.”

“Hahaha! No way, righteousness? That’s far from me!”

“Hahaha!”

The cheerful conversation continued between them.

However, not everyone in the hall was engaged in such lighthearted banter.

In fact, quite the opposite.

“Your words are too much! I’ve heard that Zhongnan’s sword is fast, but I didn’t expect its tongue to be just as quick.”

“Are you done talking?”

The martial artists sprang to their feet with such force that their chairs nearly broke.

While no swords had been drawn, the atmosphere seemed ready to erupt into a fight at any moment.

They were martial artists from Zhongnan and Diancang.

When a group of hot-blooded young talents gathers, spending every day bickering, it’s no surprise that fights would break out.

“Yeah, I’m done talking!”

“Do you even know who I am…!”

They shot to their feet, but perhaps they weren’t fully committed to fighting, as they glanced around nervously.

Surprisingly, no one stepped in to stop them.

Everyone seemed eager for some entertainment.

Even So Woon found himself captivated by the unexpected spectacle.

At that moment, Noh Shik quietly stood up.

“Let’s step outside for a moment.”

“Huh? Right now?”

“Yes. Right this moment.”

“Ah…”

The usually laid-back Noh Shik now wore a serious expression.

After hesitating briefly, So Woon followed him.

Having already finished their meal, they returned the utensils and left the dining hall.

“Wowwww!”

“Fight, fight!”

And eventually, the disciples of Zhongnan and Diancang clashed.

The successors cheered wildly, forgetting their dignity as they watched the fight unfold.

So Woon left the scene with a tinge of regret.

Despite dragging So Woon outside, Noh Shik showed no intention of leaving the vicinity of the dining hall.

Instead, he smiled slyly and asked,

“Do you know why I stopped you from watching the fight, which is almost as entertaining as a fire?”

“…No, I don’t.”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

With that, Noh Shik gestured with his chin.

Turning to look in that direction, So Woon flinched in surprise.

Standing there was a high monk in an orange kasaya, accompanied by five warrior monks.

So Woon recognized the high monk’s face—it was someone he’d seen once before.

“You are Grand Master Hyun Gak, head of the Guest Hall.”

Hyun Gak, the head of the Guest Hall.

The Guest Hall didn’t seem particularly remarkable.

Unlike the Dharma Hall, the Arhat Hall, or the Thirty-Six Chambers of Shaolin that studied Shaolin’s divine techniques, the Guest Hall simply managed hospitality duties.

“Do you know the venerable Grand Master Hyun Gak’s epithet?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s the Great Wrathful Asura.”

The Great Wrathful Asura—such an epithet seemed excessive for a monk.

“Even Shaolin, as renowned as it is, does not tolerate disturbances, even from guests. Causing trouble in the Guest Hall always comes with a hefty price.”

This was news to So Woon.

The warrior monks entering the dining hall with Grand Master Hyun Gak all simultaneously drew staves.

So Woon rubbed his eyes in surprise.

And the moment they entered the hall together—

“Si-lence!”

A lion’s roar exploded from the dining hall, loud enough to hurt even So Woon’s ears from outside.

“How dare you cause an unauthorized conflict within the gates of Shaolin!”

The monk’s lion’s roar was powerful enough to shake one’s very core.

So Woon felt his inner energy in turmoil and quickly circulated his True Qi to stabilize himself.

Meanwhile, Noh Shik, who had already covered his ears, smirked.

“Shaolin is probably the only place in the world where they can wield staves against talents of this caliber.”

“Th-that’s true.”

The disciples of Zhongnan and Diancang who started the fight would face severe punishment.

And the innocent successors who were merely spectators would likely receive a lengthy lecture.

At that moment, a woman somehow managed to slip out from the entrance of the dining hall.

Noh Shik turned around in a panic.

“Pretend you don’t know me. Pretend!”

“What are you talking about…”

But turning his back didn’t do much to hide Noh Shik’s ragged attire, which stood out too much.

The one who rushed over, angrily yelling, was none other than Hwa So-so.

“Traitor!”

“…Haha.”

So Woon had no idea what she meant by “traitor.”

But he soon understood as the conversation unfolded.

“You said we’d help each other and exchange information, but then you sneak away by yourself? What happened to our alliance?”

It seemed Noh Shik had made some kind of agreement with Hwa So-so.

Hwa So-so clearly felt betrayed by Noh Shik slipping away right before the Guest Hall’ master and the warrior monks barged in.

“How could a beggar like me dare interrupt Young Lady Hwa while you were having such a pleasant conversation?”

“You only call yourself a beggar when it’s convenient, huh? You keep talking to people without hesitation all the time!”

Thinking of how easily Noh Shik had struck up conversations with him earlier, So Woon found her accusation accurate.

“I was gathering information too, about what the test might involve.”

“Oh, did you find anything?”

“It’s nothing extraordinary, but for starters, they’re selecting five people…….”

Hwa So-so’s gaze flickered briefly toward So Woon.

So Woon quickly cupped his fists in a respectful greeting.

“I am So So-woon of West Sky Castle. In the martial world, I am known by the title of West Sky’s Five Spears.”

“I’m Hwa So-so, also known as Plum Blossom Radiance. Nice to meet you.”

Fortunately, Hwa So-so didn’t seem to mind So Woon’s West Sky Castle background.

Noh Shik quickly interjected.

“I was thinking it’d be great if Young Master So joined our alliance too.”

“What?”

Hwa So-so’s eyes widened.

So Woon was equally surprised. This was completely unplanned.

Noh Shik gave him a look as if asking if he didn’t like the idea.

“Uh……”

To be honest, he didn’t dislike it.

In fact, joining them seemed appealing, especially in this isolating environment.

But Hwa So-so wasn’t easy to win over.

“And why should I?”

Her question carried the implicit meaning, Why should I share my information?

Noh Shik spoke on behalf of the hesitant So Woon.

“Young Master So is the sworn brother of the Immortal Divine Dragon, Baek Yi-gang.”

“…”

What did that have to do with qualifying for the alliance?

So Woon didn’t fully understand.

However, Hwa So-so seemed to grasp the implication behind Noh Shik’s words.

“Alright.”

She nodded decisively and extended her hand.

It took So Woon a moment to realize the meaning behind her gesture.

Flustered, he quickly reached out and clasped her hand.

Although Hwa So-so wasn’t a typical noblewoman, So Woon still felt slightly awkward holding a woman’s hand.

But Hwa So-so nodded in satisfaction.

“I’ve heard the Immortal Divine Dragon likes this kind of gesture. It seems your connection is genuine.”

“Y-yes.”

Yi-gang often did this, calling it a handshake.

Satisfied, Hwa So-so smiled and walked away.

So Woon turned to Noh Shik with a look demanding an explanation.

But Noh Shik just smiled and responded.

“Let’s hear what the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword has to say about tomorrow’s test first.”

“Alright….”

So Woon nodded in agreement.

The next day arrived.

During lunch that day, everyone gathered once again in the Guest Hall’ dining hall.

However, unlike the previous day, the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword and several mid-level martial artists from the major sects were present.

These martial artists belonged to the generation one or two cycles ahead of the participants in the Dragon-Phoenix or Seven Stars Conferences.

They were skilled young masters in their late twenties, about to enter their peak as martial artists.

Among them, Hwa Mu-cheon, known as the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword, took the lead.

“There are all sorts of baseless rumors going around, so let me clarify.”

The method for selecting candidates to inherit the monk’s inner energy was about to be revealed.

Everyone sharpened their focus, eager to grasp the details.

“First, we will select five candidates.”

According to Hwa Mu-cheon, those eligible to receive the Divine Monk’s internal energy must be prodigies under the age of twenty-five with pure and untainted internal energy cultivation.

Some of the successors let out sighs of relief.

This meant that powerful martial artists like Hwa Mu-cheon wouldn’t be participating.

Those who qualified pricked up their ears and listened intently.

It was explained that those standing at the front would act as examiners to assist Shaolin in selecting the candidates.

“Details cannot be disclosed.”

However, as the explanation continued, the successors couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Hwa Mu-cheon provided almost no information.

“The test format is confidential.”

They didn’t even know how the selection would be conducted.

“You don’t know when the test will occur. In fact, it may have already started.”

The duration of the test wasn’t disclosed either.

“And we cannot tell you when it will end. However, those selected will know they have passed. Before we choose the final five, more candidates might be selected.”

There was no specific information at all.

“That concludes the explanation.”

Hwa Mu-cheon even ended the session without taking questions.

Sighs erupted among the successors.

So Woon also let out a shallow sigh.

But Noh Shik, seated next to him, smiled instead.

“Good, this is perfect.”

“What’s so perfect about this…?”

Noh Shik whispered to So Woon.

The foul odor of his breath made So Woon try hard not to grimace.

“In my opinion, even the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword and the others don’t know the exact details of the test.”

“…What?”

But the statement was surprising enough to make him momentarily forget the smell.

“Shaolin didn’t explain everything clearly. If they revealed all the details, these people would leak the test contents to their disciples.”

“Ah… that makes sense.”

It was a reasonable explanation.

However, So Woon still didn’t understand why this would be advantageous for him and Noh Shik.

“This is exactly the kind of situation where we can use personal connections.”

“Personal connections?”

“Let’s go ask the Immortal Divine Dragon.”

“…What?”

It was said that Yi-gang was staying at the Second Founder Meditation Room with Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering.

“Young Master Baek must know something. After all, he’s been here the longest.”

“That’s… a bit…”

“All you need to do is say, ‘Brother, please help your lacking younger brother!’ and he’ll definitely help!”

Noh Shik suddenly stood up.

Noh Shik urged So Woon to hurry along.

“…Shall we go meet him, then?”

After some hesitation, So Woon decided to follow.

In any case, he wanted to take this chance to see Yi-gang again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep