Volcanic Age - Chapter 17

The Lotus Peak’s admission examination began.

There were two sections to the evaluation. It was literacy and intelligence.

The question of intellect wasn’t particularly challenging. They were evaluating a minor, which was the initial reason.

What would they initially hope from a minor? Not brains, but martial arts was what mattered most in martial arts.

mumble mumble

“My teeth hurt, ugh.”

“They’re all garbage, hmph.”

Above the Lotus Peak’s ready drill hall.

There were around 100 disciples in this area, and they were all between the ages of six and twelve.

These were all youthful martial artists who would put up a fight in the test.

Because they were young, there was a lot of noise, and the responses varied as well.

Due to the high level of anxiety, some people started crying, others became rock-hard, and others even started looking around them.

To avoid drawing notice, Ju Seo Cheon waited in a quiet area.

‘Who’s that?’

“No idea.”

While Ju Seo Cheon waited for his turn, he received unwanted attention.

“Is he too old to contest the assessment?”

He had quickly become undetectable as a result of his cliff-climbing and internal energy. Despite being just eleven years old, he had the appearance of a teenager.

Ju Seo Cheon may not have been qualified to be reviewed as a result of what they said to each other.

“Why be concerned about him? In any case, he won’t pass.”

A snort was heard. It was blatantly mocking.

“I have previously looked at all potential competitors.

He is not a terrific person, judging by the fact that he is not in my memory.”

If you were old enough, you could have a new examination at Lotus Peak.

Adulthood in the Midlands was at fifteen years old. Even if you entered at fourteen years old, several benefits followed it.

There was nothing to say about the honor of being a graduate of the Lotus Peak, and most of all you could receive outstanding training that was on another level.

It didn’t matter even if that period was one year.

Because of this, people preparing to enter the Lotus Peak were abundant and their effort was also incredible.

The evaluation changed every year but because many of them failed the test, they investigated each other thoroughly. It was to find a method that would let them win against others, even if it was by a little.

Whatever the case, the person called Ju Seo Cheon wasn’t in their investigations.

 

Part of it was because he didn’t get along with others but also because he started to receive attention just recently.

 

“Wait.”

 

Someone recognized Ju Seo Cheon.

 

“That face, I saw it a short while ago…Ah right. He’s the disciple of the Smiling Gentle Sword.”

 

A while ago several visitors went to find Yu Jong Mok to congratulate him and there were some even inside Mount Hua Sect.

 

It seemed like there was a disciple related to those visitors.

 

Some kids mumbled at the name of Smiling Gentle Sword.

 

“Hmph!”

 

A high-nosed kid snorted.

 

“His prestige became high recently but I have never heard that his disciple was special!”

 

‘Mm, good. I will just let it slide.’

 

He was planning to crush them right here if they spoke badly about their master even by a little but he let it pass as if it was a compliment. He didn’t feel bad either.

 

“It will be better to move a little bit more rather than pay attention to that guy!”

 

“Right, it’s just like you said. Let’s go.”

 

The two kids that liked to speak left.

 

“Hm, they are all kids that will fail the test. I will be able to enter easily with no effort.”

 

Ju Seo Cheon laughed after getting relieved.

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Exactly one year later, the fourth-generation disciples despaired in front of the examination.

 

“No, I’m doomed!”

 

Screams filled everywhere.

 

Even the disciples that had sneered at Ju Seo Cheon before the examination began looked pale.

 

“How do we defeat her?”

 

Some kids lost their will to fight even before trying.

 

“I knew that a genius would appear some day…”

 

“But who would have thought that day was today!”

 

A child that was next to him despaired and walked away without strength while dropping his shoulders.

 

“Next!”

 

The examiner nominated the next disciples waiting for their turn.

But most of them returned without strength.

 

“Hoo.”

 

Ju Seo Cheon also looked at the examination stage with a surprised look. A young girl was standing in the middle of the stage, in front of the examiner.

 

‘Nak Seo Wol!’

 

A fourth-generation disciple that was a year younger than Ju Seo Cheon. She was also a famous being in Mount Hua Sect.

Information about Nak Seo Wol passed into Ju Seo Cheon’s head. It was because she was such a great figure even in his previous life that remained in his memories.

 

‘The Plum Blossom Sword Peak…!’

 

The Plum Blossom Sword Peak, Nak Seo Wol.

 

She was a descendant of the Iron Plum Sword, one of the only women among the current Five Elders.

 

Their relationship of master and disciple was already something not normal, but the girl herself was a great figure that shouldn’t be ignored.

 

She didn’t have the talent to shake an entire generation but she still showed great talent since she was young.

 

With her talent, effort, and having one of the Five Elders as her ancestor, her future was no different from being secured.

In his past life, Nak Seo Wol grew up at an overwhelming pace and became a Plum Blossom Examiner.

 

After that, she got recognized to the point she received the nickname of ‘Predator‘. That was one of the best even among the latter levels of the Righteous Faction in Murin.

 

However, she was also called the unhappy beauty.

 

After the era of war opened up, Nak Seo Wol achieved great merits and became a hero but died without even becoming thirsty.

 

Her power was something else and when she turns the marriageable age she becomes one of the best beauties of Murim.

 

One of the heroes Ju Seo Cheon chased the back. One of those people was the Plum Blossom Sword Peak Nak Seo Wol.

 

“Ha, they are so unlucky… they tried to get examined as if they were taking a stroll.” No one could threaten them among the other disciples.

 

Excluding one person, Nak Seo Wol.

 

“Next!”

 

But.

 

It didn’t mean that there were no challengers at all. There were some that this examination was the last one for them.

 

They climbed the examination stage and challenged Nak Seo Wol so their efforts until now weren’t in vain.

 

Cheeeng!

 

“Aghh!”

 

Every time Nak Seo Wol swung her sword, the challengers fell off like leaves. It was an obvious thing.

 

Some examiners clicked their tongues and shook their heads sideways. It seemed like they didn’t need to see anymore.

 

Nak Seo Wol was the granddaughter of one of the Five Elders. She had received the outstanding teachings of her master in martial arts. Her talent was added on top of that so victory and defeat were obvious.

 

The various feelings like nervousness, hope, and passion had disappeared. They only saw despair.

 

The level of the challengers wasn’t level at all.

 

All of the fourth-generation disciples in this place were at the upper levels.

 

The Lotus Peak was an association of the elites before they became adults. The level of the challengers also increased naturally precisely because it was a place where only talents gathered at.

 

It was just that their opponent was bad.

 

“They say that the roots of heroes are different…”

 

Ju Seo Cheon feigned laughter and stood from his place.

 

“Next!”

 

The examiner checked his surroundings and raised his voice but no one stepped up.

 

“This year is over…But we still have the next year…”

 

“She’s also young…Why did it have to be this year…!”

 

Modes:

 

0

Resignation and despairing sighs came out from everywhere. It seemed like the examination ended this year.

 

“I’m still here.”

 

But someone completely unexpected appeared.

 

‘He’s the disciple of the Smiling Gentle Sword.’

 

The examiner recognized Ju Seo Cheon.

 

“That stupid fool!”

 

The fourth-generation disciple that had laughed at Ju Seo Cheon half an hour ago laughed as if it was absurd. It was a clear ridicule.

Sighs of resignation and hopelessness could be heard everywhere. This year’s exam appeared to have finished in this manner.

 

“I am still present.”

 

But an unexpected visitor showed up.

 

He is the Smiling Gentle Sword’s disciple.

 

Ju Seo Cheon was identified by the examiner.

 

“That stupid idiot!”

 

The fourth-generation disciple who had earlier made fun of Ju Seo Cheon laughed incoherently. It was blatantly mocking.

 

Both success and failure were already decided. In this arena, Nak Seo Wol had no rivals who could beat him.

 

No, more exactly, it was a question of how long they could persist rather than whether they would succeed or fail.

 

In addition, Ju Seo Cheon’s name wasn’t even included in the list of competitors they needed to be aware of. Actually, the majority of the examiners had reservations.

 

“Is he insane because he wants to be humiliated?”

 

“No, he hasn’t got a single notion in his head. He can behave in such a brave manner because he is ignorant about Nak Seo Wol.”

 

The environment once more began to murmur.

 

“May I begin?”

 

Examiner Ju Seo Cheon was questioned.

 

And instead of responding, the examiner simply nodded.

 

“I’ll be in your care,”

 

He was received politely by Nak Seo Wol. Even though she was only nine years old, manners were ingrained in her physique.

 

In response to Nak Seo Wol’s greeting, Ju Seo Cheon nodded and knelt in readiness to begin right away.

 

He looked to his front while strengthening the sword-holding hands. He maintained the same expression throughout.

 

Nak Ju Seo Cheon caught Seo Wol’s attention with a mystifying gaze.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone look at me with a serene expression.”

“Why are you so mature at nine years old? I should be the one asking.”

Ju Seo Cheon smiled at the absurdity despite himself.

He was astounded by the manners imprinted on her body as he was by how calmly and accurately she spoke.

Additionally, children of all genders tend to be innocent and simple, but he couldn’t sense it in Nak Seo Wol at all.

“The more I see, the more amazing everything is. When you speak, you have an aged appearance.”

“Really?”

He was a geezer, not just an old man.

“I’ll let you go first,” she said.

Nak Seo Wol displayed a laid-back demeanor.

“Thank you.”

Ju Seo Cheon smiled brightly while smirking.

“I have to enter the Lotus Peak without drawing attention,”

Because of his opponent, the results of his victory would be remarkable. If it occurred, he might become well-known beyond Kang Ho.

However, he was unable to lose either. It was due to his uncertainty about whether or not he would succeed.

If that were the case, he would have to present a convincing impression of difficulty rather than a stark disparity in ability to win.

“Why did it have to happen this way?”

He would be able to pass the assessment if it weren’t for Nak Seo Wol and if it were any other genius.

However, the top genius Nak Seo Wol had to show up, thus his skull was forced to hurt.

I have the technique, but I don’t have the time to wait a year.

“All well, I’ll leave now.”

The movement of Ju Seo Cheon’s internal energy to his feet.

“In three seconds, it will be over.”

One of the inspectors muttered.

The other viewers had the same response. Everyone had that thought

However…

“Huup!”

He inhaled deeply, giving his body energy.

His thighs’ delicate muscles tightened before swelling.

Ju Seo Cheon launched himself while pushing the earth away with his swinging legs.

Paat!

In a moment, Ju Seo Cheon was in front of Nak Seo Wol.

Nak Only blinked in response to her opponent’s surprise speed Seo Wol.

The audience was also taken aback. The examiners’ faces started to shift as they grew increasingly bored.

* * * *

Translated by novel multiverse

Edited by beetlesme