Chapter 58 – Yongbongjihoe (3)
The test was simple. Make a mark on the giant rock set up inside the tent.
Of course, it wasn’t an ordinary rock.
In a world where energy exists, there were all sorts of amazing things, and the rock called the “Fengnian Stone” was one of them.
This rock was made by transforming a stone that was rich in earth energy, and the land where this rock was discovered was said to have good harvests, so it was named the Fengnian Stone.
Interestingly, if you grind this rock into a fine powder and sprinkle it like fertilizer, even barren land can produce good crops.
Perhaps the earth energy inside the Fengnian Stone had a positive effect.
As for its other characteristics…it was incredibly hard.
Just as a sword becomes even harder when tempered, the Fengnian Stone, which was infused with a lot of earth energy, had an incomparable hardness compared to an ordinary rock.
“Even a first-class warrior would only leave a slight mark if they struck it with all their strength. That’s why we’re using the Fengnian Stone for the test…”
“Hmph!”
Ignoring the test proctor’s attempt to force knowledge about the Fengnian Stone into me, I swung my sword while listening to his words.
Clang.
Oh. It really is hard.
The sword energy that I could use without lifting my energy was able to leave a clear mark on the white Fengnian Stone, which was emitting a faint white energy that symbolized the peak.
“Did I pass?”
“Yes…write your name on the list over there and make sure to come back on time…”
The test proctor, who had interrupted his explanation, nodded his head and pointed to a small desk next to him.
Looking at it now, I felt a little sorry, but I couldn’t help it. He just kept explaining endlessly…
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had followed me, seemed bored listening and was playing by scratching the ground with a branch and drawing a picture.
Ohyangjangyuk, Tangchoricheok, Eohyangyuksa, Hwahwajak…
After the bitter experience in Nakyang, I only ate dumplings and noodles, but did she want to eat meat?
Let’s eat something delicious today to celebrate our arrival at the Muryeong Sect.
When the next person, Peng Soso, stood in front of the Fengnian Stone, the test proctor, who had turned pale again, resumed his explanation.
“Oh, when using the Fengnian Stone for the test, a lot of debris naturally accumulates, but don’t worry, you can sell it to nearby farms for a cheap price…”
“Hah!”
Interrupting the test proctor’s words like I did, Peng Soso swung his sword.
Of course, he left a much deeper mark than me. He still has a long way to go.
As I watched Peng Soso calmly strike the rock, something suddenly occurred to me, so I asked Hong Yeon-hwa.
“But isn’t this a disadvantageous test for a warrior without a weapon?”
“Not necessarily.”
Chapter 58 – Yongbongjihoe (3)
Hong Yeon-hwa kicked away the food drawings she had made on the ground with her foot, as if preparing to leave.
“It’s a shame that you drew them so well.”
“The reason why that rock is so hard is because it’s filled with energy. If you scatter it, it will just turn back into an ordinary rock.”
“I see.”
“If I can properly utilize the techniques of my inner energy, I might even pass the test more easily.”
Hong Yeon-hwa added that kicking was a basic move when hitting something harder than your own fist.
Although Hong Yeon-hwa was learning basic martial arts from me these days, she didn’t know much about it in depth.
“Maybe the test proctor talks so much to give us clues on how to beat the test.”
“That may be true, but you’re not just an ordinary warrior. You may have been placed here by higher-ups, but at least the test proctor himself seems to just like talking.”
I glanced over and saw the test proctor, who had become even more sullen, instructing his subordinates to collect the debris that had fallen to the ground.
That face…he really looks disappointed.
On the other hand, his subordinates seemed to be exuding a feeling of disgust.
We wrote our names on the list and left the tent with Peng Soso.
Now, all that’s left is to improve our skills as much as possible until the day of the preliminaries.
***
“So-so, do you want to learn a thing or two from me starting today?”
After dinner at the inn, which was located in a shabby corner and had a shabby building, Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly spoke to Peng Soso.
“Sure, but is that okay?”
“What’s not okay about it? You’re not an outsider.”
“Hong unni…!”
Until now, my priority was to help me embody enlightenment, and Peng Soso did well on his own, so I just left him alone.
But now that I’ve reached the peak of my enlightenment, I have the luxury of being able to spare some time for Peng Soso.
“Unlike the prince, your talent is exceptional, so it should be fun to teach you.”
“It sounds like you’re saying I wasn’t fun to teach.”
“Watching your steady growth is a very rewarding thing. …But it’s just that what the princess can teach you is too limited.”
That’s true. Even if Hong Yeon-hwa tries to teach me something great, my talent is not enough to learn it properly.
In the end, all that’s left is to teach the basics of the Muryeong Sect’s inner energy philosophy and how to fight in tough battles.
“But if it’s you, So-so, you can learn the countless martial arts that the princess knows and their essence.”
Among them, Hong Yeon-hwa was excited to teach Peng Soso the martial arts of the Jungpa that she had learned through the Jungma War.
“I get it. You’re saying you’re excited to teach me properly.”
“I understand, but… it’s just something.”
Hong Yeon-hwa looked at my expression, then suddenly widened her eyes as if she had realized something.
“So-so. So-so. Listen carefully.”
“Yes?”
Peng Soso bent his knees to accommodate the small Hong Yeon-hwa and she began to whisper with a smile.
Whisper, whisper.
This time, Peng Soso’s eyes widened.
I tried to focus my inner energy on my ears to listen, but I couldn’t hear anything clearly.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Uh-huh…”
“Hee-hee…”
Instead of answering my question, they both giggled and approached me, grabbing my arms.
Squish.
The soft touch from both sides. Hong Yeon-hwa was overwhelming, but Peng Soso was not to be underestimated either.
But suddenly, Hong Yeon-hwa poked my cheek and asked, “Do you envy Peng Soso?”
“Envy?”
This time, Peng Soso spoke while tickling my ear.
“Yes, envy. Until now, Hong unni has only taught him the training of the Jin Ga-ga.”
Was that envy just now? It felt a bit complicated…
“Hey, it’s not envy. It’s not like I’m jealous of anyone, especially not Peng Soso.”
“Is that so? Don’t you feel like you’ve lost something when you see your newly found love playing with your best friend?”
“It’s okay.”
I’m not a kid who gets upset when I see my closest friend playing with someone else… I don’t get upset about that kind of thing.
“Really? Then… why are you making such a pouty face?”
Peng Soso slowly extended his index finger and gently touched my face.
“Look at this. Your eyes are strained and your mouth is stiff. What else could this be but a pouty face?”
“What?”
Finally, I realized that I was involuntarily tensing my facial muscles.
Is it really true…?
I tried desperately to control my expression, but I became even more flustered and ended up making a strange face.
Even without looking in the mirror, I knew. I must be making a really weird face right now.
As I tried to relax my face, suddenly…
Smack.
Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly kissed my right cheek.
“Don’t be too upset. Although I like Peng Soso, you are always my top priority.”
Smack.
Then, I felt another set of lips on my other cheek.
“Hong unni is right. After all, we are all women of the Jin Ga-ga.”
Peng Soso whispered in my ear with a giggle.
“It’s really not like that…”
I tried to pretend like nothing was happening, but the two of them kept kissing me with giggles and laughter.
Every time they did, my tense expression would loosen up a bit, and before long, I was completely back to my normal self.
Or was I even more relaxed now?
“Alright then, now that you’re feeling better, let’s start training for real, Peng Soso!”
“Yes, Hong Unni!”
They quickly got up, leaving me behind to pout and chase after them.
“Hey, what are you guys doing? Let me join in too!”
“No way, it’s forbidden to interrupt training. Forbidden.”
“That’s right, Jin Ga-ga. We’ll make it up to you later, so just be patient for now.”
Of course, there was no way I could catch up to the two of them, who were both better than me.
…I needed more strength.
The power to hold them down and shower them with kisses until they squirmed and begged for mercy!
My desire to train burned hotter than ever.
***
There was about a week left until the preliminary round of the Yongbongji Society.
We spent all our time training, except for eating and sleeping.
…Honestly, it was tough, but whenever we made progress, Hong Yeon-hwa and Peng Soso would reward me with nighttime training sessions, so it was bearable.
One day, as we repeated our routine of sword practice during the day and lower body training at night, Hong Yeon-hwa and Peng Soso left first, and I stayed behind to talk to the innkeeper about getting water for the night.
Clang.
I didn’t expect anyone else to come into this small inn.
As soon as he entered, he spoke in a low voice that echoed throughout the room.
“I’m looking for my daughter. She’s around the age of the society’s regulations, and about the same height as the Sohyup in that area. She’s carrying a sword on her back that’s similar to mine… Ah, yes.”
He paused for a moment, then spoke with even more force.
“She looks very pretty, like my deceased wife. I’m not saying that just because she’s my daughter, objectively speaking, she’s a very beautiful girl… Is there anything you know about her?”
Um… well…
