Chapter 8

Act 3. The Great Martial Path Entrance Examination

Verdant Mountain.

The name conjured images of lush forests and rugged peaks, yet what spread before Yise's eyes was a sizable city built into the mountainside, as though an enormous slope had been carved away to make room for it.

Too large to be called a town, yet too small to be considered a fortress.

One thing was certain—the entire mountain radiated an auspicious aura.

So this is what the books meant by "a mountain rich in spiritual energy."

Compared to Subu Village, the place was overflowing with people. Crowds surged through the streets alongside horse-drawn carriages, porters carrying heavy loads, and even curious travelers with no idea what was going on. The bustling noise never ceased.

The comforting smell of freshly cooked rice.

The sharp fragrance of incense.

The pungent stench of fish.

It was filled with the scent of people living their lives.

Passing a sign marked "Verdant Mountain Capital", Yise stepped into the city.

What made the atmosphere even stranger were the countless shops displaying objects he had never seen before.

Rows of talismans hung from storefronts. Vendors sold demon fangs, spirit relics, mystical artifacts imbued with unusual energies, magical treasures, weapons, and inns catering to cultivators.

For someone who had never left Subu Village or Gwisu, it felt like stepping into another world.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he stopped in front of one of the treasure shops.

A wooden sign beside the entrance read:

"We accept both coin and Spirit Stones."

As Yise examined one of the talismans, the shopkeeper noticed him and quickly approached with a theatrical cough.

"Welcome! That's an anti-demonic-energy talisman that's extremely popular among disciples of the Great Martial Path."

"This?"

Yise asked instinctively.

He couldn't accurately perceive spiritual energy, but he could at least sense the auspicious aura emitted by magical artifacts and treasures.

This talisman, however, felt completely ordinary.

"It just looks like a normal talisman."

"What? Are you accusing me of selling fakes?"

"...That's not what I meant. How much is it?"

"Thirty thousand coins. Or one Spirit Stone will do."

It cost more money than he possessed.

Silently, Yise placed the talisman back on the shelf.

Looks like most of the goods sold here are counterfeit... and there are more thieves than merchants.

The disciples of the Great Martial Path wouldn't fall for scams... These people are targeting applicants taking the entrance exam.

"You're here for the entrance examination?"

"Yes."

"Then I'd recommend this instead."

The shopkeeper produced another talisman.

Written across it were the words:

"Success in the Examination."

"The disciple who ranked first in last year's entrance exam bought this very talisman before going in."

The man puffed out his chest proudly after clearing his throat.

"I hope you sell many of them."

Ignoring the city's countless swindlers, Yise headed toward the center of Verdant Mountain Capital.

Finding the registration office turned out to be much easier than expected.

He simply followed the enormous stream of applicants.

"Great Martial Path Entrance Examination Registration Office."

The building was neat and modestly constructed.

After waiting in line for about four hours, Yise finally entered.

Several clerks wearing the robes of the Great Martial Path sat behind desks at different counters.

"Next."

The line gradually shortened until it was finally his turn.

"Name."

The clerk didn't even bother looking at him.

"Yise."

"Place of origin."

"Subu Village."

"Age."

"Sixteen this year."

"Affiliation."

Yise hesitated for a moment.

Should I mention Gwisu?

In the end, he answered,

"None."

It wasn't because he didn't feel attached to the temple.

He simply wasn't sure whether he was allowed to reveal it.

"Copy this."

What a lifeless person.

Thinking that to himself, Yise unrolled the scroll handed to him.

I, [ ], acknowledge that I will raise no objections should I suffer injury or death during the entrance examination. I further agree not to disclose any details regarding the examination to outsiders. Should I violate this agreement, I accept any penalties or punishments imposed upon me.

As he copied the statement, he asked,

"Are there many casualties?"

"We don't intentionally kill or injure anyone."

Once he finished writing and set down the brush, the clerk took back the application.

"Here's your registration token. Lose it, and you cannot register again."

"The examination begins two days from now, at the Hour of the Goat (1–3 PM), on the training grounds at the entrance to the Training Institute atop the mountain. Climb the mountain beforehand and wait there."

"Understood."

How unfriendly.

Leaving with that brief impression, Yise walked outside.

With so many applicants, perhaps the staff had simply become mechanical.

Having completed the most important task, Yise headed for an inn.

The city itself no longer interested him.

His plan was simple: eat his fill and spend the next two days training.

Choosing a clean, moderately sized inn, he stepped inside.

The moment the door opened, the aroma of sizzling meat, rich broth, and hot stew rushed into his nose.

"Staying the night or just here to eat?"

"Both. I'd like a room for two nights."

"An exam applicant, huh? Sit by the window."

The moment he sat down, Yise carefully studied the menu.

"What do you recommend?"

"Our braised meat is the best."

"Then one bowl of chicken soup, three servings of braised meat, one bowl of thin noodles, one order of steamed dumplings, one steamed egg casserole, one large kimchi pancake, and plenty of rice."

The innkeeper's writing hand froze.

"...Are more people coming?"

"No. Just me."

"Then why'd you ask for a recommendation?"

"Because I planned to order a lot."

Silence.

The innkeeper shook his head.

"Just don't leave any leftovers."

Then he walked away.

People sure say strange things.

Yise lived by three principles.

Eat well.

Sleep well.

Train every single day without fail.

No matter what kind of food it was or how much there was, he had never once left food unfinished.

Before long, dish after dish arrived.

Steaming chicken soup.

Glossy braised ribs.

Fluffy steamed eggs.

Then the food began disappearing into Yise's mouth.

Calling it eating was inaccurate.

It was closer to sweeping everything straight down his throat.

The diners throughout the inn stared in horror.

"What kind of monster is that...?"

The innkeeper could only click his tongue.

Just then—

Bang!

The inn door burst open.

"Owner! Two of every dish you've got!"

A bronze-skinned boy strode inside.

He had a sturdy build and handsome features.

His clothes were made from expensive fabric, and even his neatly groomed hair spoke of wealth.

At first glance he looked like a farmer, but clearly he wasn't.

He lacked refinement, yet carried the unmistakable air of someone born into privilege.

The boy quickly sat beside Yise and slapped the table loudly.

Oddly enough...

He smelled of the sea breeze.

"Wow. You can really eat. Here for the exam?"

Rather than answering, Yise simply nodded.

"If things go well, we'll be classmates. We'd make perfect meal buddies."

"So you're an applicant too. Let's both do our best."

Yise replied politely before resuming his rapid assault on the food.

"Owner! Hurry up with the dishes!"

"Damn it! Order one thing at a time!"

The boy burst into laughter at the innkeeper's grumbling.

"What's your name?"

"Yise. Owner, another serving of every dish over here too, please."

"That's a strange name. Wait... you're ordering more? Slow down. Nobody's stealing your food. Meals are supposed to be savored."

I need to finish eating and get back to training.

Why does he keep talking to me?

People who get friendly this quickly are such a hassle.

"My name's Hae Unchan."

The instant those words left his mouth...

The inn fell silent.

Chopsticks stopped moving.

Conversations died away.

Only the clatter of Yise's dishes echoed through the room.

Though he noticed the sudden shift in atmosphere, Yise ignored it and focused entirely on eating.

Seeing that Yise had no interest in chatting, Hae Unchan also turned his attention to his own meal once the food arrived.

Meanwhile, Yise completely cleaned off his table and smacked his lips in satisfaction.

After ordering several more rounds...

Everyone else had left.

Only the two of them remained.

Politely raising his hand, Yise placed what he intended to be his final order.

"Owner. One more bowl of meat soup and two more plates of dumplings, please."

"We're out! Out of everything, you hungry ghosts! We're completely out of ingredients!"

"Then just bring me whatever ingredients you have left."

"You want me to show you the empty kitchen?"

"..."

I'm helping them make a fortune, so why is he so irritated?

And why is he sweating so much?

Back among the Dogwi, Chanmo had cooked hundreds of times this amount all by herself without breaking a sweat.

Yise looked as though he'd lost his country.

Then his eyes drifted toward Hae Unchan's table.

It was still piled high with warm, delicious-looking food.

Quietly sliding over, Yise smiled as naturally as he could.

"Didn't you say something earlier about being meal buddies?"

"I'm sorry... who are you?"

The righteousness of the martial world has truly fallen to the ground...

Yise sighed inwardly.

***

The following day.

Yise climbed Verdant Mountain.

For the past two days he had eaten well and never skipped training.

His condition was perfect.

Whatever the Great Martial Path's examination entailed, he was confident he could perform at his best.

Still...

A new concern had appeared.

Food is far too expensive here.

He had merely eaten as much as he normally did, yet the cost had been much higher than expected.

Compared to what he'd eaten among the Dogwi...

He almost felt guilty.

The Great Martial Path provides meals, right?

While entertaining the idle thought, he arrived at the examination waiting hall.

It was much larger than he'd expected.

Even so...

The massive hall felt cramped because of the sheer number of people packed inside.

There had to be well over a thousand applicants.

Most were boys and girls around his own age, though a few already radiated extraordinary presence despite their youth.

"Silence. The Chief Examiner is arriving."

One of the Great Martial Path instructors shouted, and the hall immediately quieted.

The doors opened.

A man with a neatly trimmed beard walked inside.

At that instant—

An overwhelming pressure engulfed the entire hall.

"Greetings. I am Kang I-tae, this year's Chief Examiner."

The silent hall erupted into whispers.

"...Kirin Hall Master Kang I-tae."

"I can't believe we're seeing him in person."

"So that's the aura of a Core Formation Realm grand cultivator..."

The man standing before them was Kang I-tae, one of the Hall Masters of the Eleven Inner Halls, the core military strength of the Great Martial Path.

He never told the applicants to be quiet.

He simply infused his voice with spiritual energy, forcing everyone into silence.

"There are quite a lot of applicants this year."

"So many that it's suffocating."

Deep lines—whether wrinkles or irritation—creased his forehead, while his gaze remained razor sharp.

"But don't worry."

"There'll be plenty of room soon enough."

It was a strange statement.

Yet Kang I-tae seemed to have no intention of explaining it.

"The entrance examination consists of seven different tests conducted over seven days. I'll explain the details after the first test is complete."

"Now then."

"Let's begin."

"The first test is simple."

His voice remained perfectly calm.

"You only need to pass through the main gate of the Training Institute."