Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 106 – Finding the Head (1)

I studied really hard.

I read books on the history of the martial world, military strategy and tactics books, geography, organizational management, espionage, information management, and even books on arts, literature, philosophy, and medicine that weren’t directly related to military affairs. I even read books on architecture and climate.

Seeing me absorbed in books, my father and mother were once again surprised.

They hadn’t thought I had this side to me.

“A great scholar is emerging from our family.”

At my mother’s joke, my father just laughed.

Anyway, they were satisfied with my belated studies. It was a common belief that an uneducated sword dies faster.

A month passed since I started studying.

Already, one wall was full of books I had read. I had started studying to enter the Righteous Thought Pavilion, but now I was purely enjoying the pleasure of reading books.

“I’ve bought all the books on the list you gave me.”

Gwang-du entered the room carrying a load of books. Seeing the pile of books he had brought last time now stacked with the books I had finished reading, Gwang-du shouted in surprise.

“You’ve already read them all? You’re lying, right? You just skimmed through them, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Since you’re admitting it so readily, you must have actually read them all.”

“Of course.”

“How do you read books so quickly? Do you understand everything?”

“Some I understand, some I don’t. You need to get rid of the obsession that you have to understand everything perfectly when reading a book.”

“Ah!”

At his loud exclamation, I raised my head to look at Gwang-du.

“That really struck a chord with me. When performing a move, I should get rid of the obsession to execute it perfec-“

“You’ll die if you do that. You must execute it perfectly.”

“Yes, sir.”

I chuckled at his quick change of stance, and Gwang-du laughed along.

“I heard things are going well with Do Soon. You look happy.”

“How does someone who only reads books in his room know so much about what’s happening outside?”

“There’s a world in books too, you know.”

“I’m sorry, but the real world is out there beyond that door! Do Soon is out there too.”

“Hahaha.”

Yes, that’s right. I’m cooped up here to go out into that world.

One thing that surprised me while studying:

I found out that, unexpectedly, many martial arts masters had written books unrelated to martial arts.

For example, Du Yang-su[1], the Northern Sea Divine Spear[2], had published a book on calligraphy and painting, or Jeong Chung[3], the Western Poison Whip[4], had left travel writings. Especially Jeong Chung, who didn’t seem like someone who would even read books, let alone write them.

‘This person wrote a book like this?’

I was truly surprised many times. Moreover, when I read books written by people I knew, it was really a novel experience.

I thought that perhaps I had been living like a frog in a well.

When dealing with all sorts of affairs in the Alliance, you feel like you know everything about this martial world. When meeting all kinds of people, you feel like you understand people well.

But I realized while studying this time.

I had lived a very one-sided life, and I didn’t actually know much about the martial world. I didn’t even really know what kind of people those I had talked face to face with were.

Of course, I don’t regret that life. Because I lived that way, the martial world was peaceful. Otherwise, would they have had time to write books?

When Gwang-du had brought books about five more times, flowers started blooming on the tree visible outside the window. March had finally come.

Although I had only been immersed in reading books for two months, I gained one realization.

I realized that this study was related to martial arts as well.

Of course, it didn’t directly affect martial arts. But the study affected me.

Reading books changed me as a person. As I changed, the martial arts I performed also changed. Although the change was subtle, it was a meaningful change.

It was a moment when something I had vaguely felt several times since being reborn as Byeok Ri-dan became certain.

That when I live a new life, I can reach new realms in martial arts.

I could now be certain that my martial arts change when I change.

***

Before leaving Shandong for the exam, I met Song Hwa-rin for the last time.

“You’re going back to Wuhan tomorrow?”

“I think I’ll have to be away for a while.”

“I’ll miss you.”

Her tone was calm, but now she expressed her feelings directly.

“It won’t take too long.”

If I fail the Righteous Thought Pavilion entrance exam, I might come back right away.

“I heard you’ve been engrossed in studying lately?”

“Has the rumor spread this far?”

“Everyone in Shandong probably knows. You know, right? Shandong seems wide, but it’s actually a very small place.”

The same was true for the entire martial world. The Central Plains was vast and expansive, but sometimes it moved as one body.

“Everyone must think I’ve gone mad.”

“No way. Your reputation in Shandong has completely changed. If someone were to pick the most promising young master now, they’d pick you.”

It was because of the Small Sword Squad’s activities. There was no one among the young masters my age who was doing such big activities. Anyway, it’s not bad that positive rumors are spreading. After all, I plan to dominate starting from this Shandong.

“Is your trip to Wuhan this time related to your studies?”

I nodded at her question. I didn’t want to lie unnecessarily, but I couldn’t tell her that I was going to get Gal Sa-ryang.

“Occasionally, go and check on the Small Sword Squad kids.”

“Me?”

“It’s a Sword Squad we created together, isn’t it?”

Her hesitation wasn’t about justification. I could guess what she was worried about.

“With your skills, you can overwhelm them. So have confidence.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I’m sure. Trust me.”

The Splendid Lady of Solitary Mountain’s Vibrating Splendor Sword Art was incomparable to the martial arts of the Small Sword Squad members. If I had to find a comparable martial art, it would be the Seven Forms of the Southern Sea that Gwang-du had learned.

“Martial arts quickly hit a limit if you practice alone in the training hall. When you mingle with people, you grow faster and can overcome walls more easily.”

She nodded with a serious face, as if she could relate. The Vibrating Splendor Sword Art itself was a martial art that gave a sense of loneliness, so my words must have resonated with her even more.

“Okay. I’ll drop by occasionally.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll be off.”

“Take care.”

After leaving the Song family mansion, I headed straight for Wuhan.

My heart was pounding. I was on my way to get the most important person for my future grand mission.

Will I be able to win Gal Sa-ryang’s heart as Byeok Ri-dan, not Cheon Hajin?

***

Wuhan, where the Martial Righteous Alliance headquarters was located, was bustling with people who had come to take the entrance exam. The streets were filled with applicants who had flocked from all over the Central Plains.

With so many people gathered, all sorts of human types also congregated.

A middle-aged man whispered secretly in my ear.

“For just ten taels, I’ll tell you the secret to passing.”

I had lost count of how many of these fly-like humans had already approached me.

“No need.”

“You’ll lose big by saving pennies!”

From the man who hurled curses as he left, to the braggart who claimed he had helped over twenty martial artists pass, all sorts of rascals were overflowing.

While the exams for other organizations were all held in the training grounds, only the Righteous Thought Pavilion’s exam was held indoors.

As I entered the exam room, I concealed all but half a level of my internal energy. Hiding my aura and internal energy was a very difficult task, but it was something I could do well.

Of course, if a greater master than me examined my body, they would discover that I had hidden my internal energy. But until then, no one could find out.

As I sat in the designated seat waiting for the examiner, I felt strange.

Who would have thought that a day would come when I would take the Martial Righteous Alliance entrance exam?

Looking around, everyone looked visibly nervous, and indeed, most were men in scholarly attire. They all looked so smart that I was secretly worried if I could pass.

The first test was a written exam. It asked basic knowledge questions. Mostly expected questions came out. I took it without much difficulty.

The test results came out in the afternoon, and fortunately, I passed. More than two-thirds of those who took the test failed.

Those guys, they looked terrifyingly smart, but they were all frauds.

It felt good to be recognized for something other than martial arts.

“Those who passed should come for the second test tomorrow!”

The next day, I went to take the second test.

This time the questions were more difficult. Compared to the first test where we just had to find answers, this time we had to present our own opinions as well.

Fortunately, questions came out in areas I knew well. There were questions about various strategies and tactics related to war.

For example, questions like these:

Given a specific terrain, with a certain number of allies and enemies. How should the formation be arranged for defense? When and how should we infiltrate for attack?

A spy who has infiltrated the enemy knows certain confidential information. He has been captured by the enemy. To rescue him, there will inevitably be some casualties. Should we rescue him at the cost of sacrifices, or should we abandon him?

These were the kinds of questions.

When it came to fighting, I was more of an expert than the people who set these questions or would grade them. I wrote my answers combining my existing knowledge with what I had learned from the books I read recently.

While everyone else seemed to be struggling, I took the test without much difficulty.

About two hours after submitting the answer sheet, the examiner appeared again.

He announced the successful candidates. Fortunately, my name was among them, but I noticed the examiner observing me closely when he called my name.

Was there a problem with my answers?

Anyway, most people failed this test.

The next day was the final interview test.

When I entered the room, my heart stirred with intense emotion. The interviewer waiting in the room was Gal Sa-ryang.

Why was he here?

It’s unlikely that several military officers came out for the interview. This means he was in charge of this task. It seems he’s been holding up well within the Righteous Thought Pavilion.

Anyway, if I’m facing him like this from the start, it might be better.

I calmly walked and sat in front of him.

Suddenly, I was reminded of when I entered the room where the Sword Emperor was and sat in front of him. The battle from now on will be ten times harder than that battle.

My relationship with Gal Sa-ryang starts now. This moment is more important than after passing. I need to catch his eye and get close to him.

But I shouldn’t stand out too much either. Gal Sa-ryang disliked subordinates who stood out. I need to naturally catch his eye.

“Byeok Ri-dan, heir of the Byeok Clan Sword Manor in Shandong.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The Byeok Clan Sword Manor is a traditional martial arts family in Shandong, so why did you apply to the Righteous Thought Pavilion?”

“I’ve had aspirations to become a Martial Righteous Alliance military officer since childhood.”

His gaze, which had been looking at me for a moment, turned to the documents in front of him.

“You got the highest score in the second test.”

“Ah, is that so? I didn’t know.”

So that’s why the examiner looked at me so closely.

Gal Sa-ryang started reading my test answers.

“I think I was lucky.”

Gal Sa-ryang’s gaze, which seemed like it would just glance over, didn’t leave the test paper.

He might be sensing the scent of Cheon Hajin from my answer sheet.

When Gal Sa-ryang raised his head towards me again, his attitude had changed. His eyes showed deeper interest than the previous businesslike demeanor.

“How are your martial arts skills?”

“Although it might not be very necessary in the Righteous Thought Pavilion, I’m confident in my martial arts.”

“Can you show me?”

“Yes.”

I stood up confidently.

I got a piece of scrap paper and threw it into the air.

Shik shik!

The paper instantly became four pieces, and they overlapped and landed on the blade of the sword.

Shik shik shik shik shik!

I threw the paper on the sword blade into the air again and cut it into several pieces. The finely cut paper fluttered like snow.

“Oh! Excellent!”

Gal Sa-ryang exclaimed. Although he didn’t possess martial arts himself, he had spent his whole life beside me, seeing all sorts of martial artists. He could tell an opponent’s skill just by looking at how they held a sword.

I demonstrated the skill level I had when I achieved mastery in the White Moon Sword Arts. It was the highest level of skill that he, or anyone else, could comprehend.

There will be plenty of smart people here. Gal Sa-ryang himself was smarter than anyone.

Judging from the fact that he asked me to demonstrate my martial arts, it suddenly occurred to me that the person he needs might be a subordinate who can perform martial arts to some extent.

If not? If it backfires?

I can only hope it doesn’t.

A few more questions followed, and that concluded the interview.

“The results will be announced in two days.”

“I look forward to your favorable consideration.”

I bowed politely and went outside.

As I came out, I looked around carefully. This place where the test and interview were held is unfamiliar as it’s the outer court of the Alliance. I had always been in the inner court, and even when I went out, I moved through passages used only by the Alliance Leader.

The flowers blooming along the path to the main gate swayed in the spring breeze.

Two days later, I went back there to hear the announcement of successful candidates.

The examiner came out to make the announcement. Gal Sa-ryang was not visible.

“I will now announce the final successful candidates.”

The twenty or so second-round passers who had gathered to hear the results all tensed up at once.

To be honest, I was nervous too. Ah, I think this is the first time I’ve been this nervous.

“There are five successful candidates in total.”

While other organizations recruited dozens of new members or more, the Righteous Thought Pavilion only recruited five this time due to its nature.

The examiner called out the names of the successful candidates in succession. Cheers and exclamations alternated.

Fortunately, my name was also there at the end.

“…Byeok Ri-dan! These are the five. Congratulations.”

The examiner called the five successful candidates to the front and said with a pleased face.

“From today, you are proud martial artists of the Righteous Thought Pavilion.”

From Alliance Leader to new martial artist, this is how I returned to the Martial Righteous Alliance.

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