If the site of White Lotus Gate was wide enough to be like a village, in the case of Cheonmu Palace, it was not an exaggeration to call it a large site. In terms of the number of pupils receiving education, Round Academy and Seongjin Military Academy were at a level that could not be matched, and the number of high-ranking hunters actually produced was overwhelming. Befitting the huge population, rare high-ranking hunters also appeared relatively often.
‘I need a lot of hunters as well.’ Most of the countries that suffered a lot from the appearance of small gates were countries with large territories, and China also suffered considerable damage. This was because gates without hunters appeared and were neglected, and then a gate wave occurred and suffered tremendous human damage.
As a result, China was sensitive to the leakage of its own hunters to the outside to maintain public order, and as a result, Chinese hunters were restricted from overseas activities. ‘If there was no such thing, everyone with a large population would do it.’
Curriculum was also important, but the hunters’ outputs were basically battles of odds. Countries with larger populations always had an advantage. If the small gate had not occurred, the hunter industry and the international community would have been eaten by powerful countries with large populations.
“Kang Yoo-sik, we have arrived at the North Gate of Cheonmu Palace.” Kang Yoo-sik looked ahead at the call of Ihwa Danju and Lao Chang, who were driving the car
Kang Yoo-sik clicked his tongue at the appearance of the signboard saying Cheonmu Palace, which was nicely attached. “It’s so big… You said that was about 50m, right?”
"Yes. That’s about the approximation.” To think that there were more gates of that size in the east, west, and south, all connected by a 30m-high barrier.
Unable to imagine how much money it would have taken, Kang Yoo-sik looked at the scenery of Cheonmu Palace. After passing through the North Gate and entering the interior, the 8 lanes stretched out and the buildings erected here and there spread out, and he could see people coming and going on the sidewalk.
‘It looks like this school uniform.’ It was largely divided into white and black clothes, which seemed to indicate that they belonged to Cheonmu Palace, which trained martial arts, and Taeheomun, which trained martial arts, respectively.
‘And is skill expressed by the number of stars on the chest?’
Cheonmu Palace did not classify students by grade, but divided them into a total of 10 stars according to performance. And in order to graduate, achievement of 7 stars or higher was required, and because of that, Cheonmu Palace boasted an incredible dropout rate of only 1 out of 100 students entering.
‘Unlike other educational institutions that select and accept them, they accept everything and filter out the babbling.’
In a way, it could be seen as inefficient, but in the process, gemstones that would otherwise have been missed were discovered, so it was not such a bad method. However, the problem was that it required a lot of hands, but this was also possible because it was covered on a huge scale unique to China, and it was actually Cheonmu Palace.
‘Come to think of it, I think the exchange party said it was a goodwill match today. How is it going…?’ When Kang Yoo-sik recalled the text message he received from Kim Jin-hyuk and Lee Byung-ho and was looking outside with a curious expression.
Lao Chang, who was driving, glanced at him and opened his mouth. “Kang Yoo-sik.”
"Yes?"
“There was something I wanted to ask you before.”
Kang Yoo-sik looked at Lao Chang with a slightly unexpected expression as he spoke in a serious voice.
Lao Chang. As the second S-class hunter in the White Lotus Guild, he was usually called Ihwa Danju, but his real name was different. An S-class hunter with excellent martial arts skills and a strong body, recognized as the pinnacle in China, where martial arts practitioners overflow. That was what Lao Chang is, the man!
‘That's what I wanted to ask you from before… What is it?’ Kang Yoo-sik asked with a slightly nervous expression, as he had never talked to Lao Chang before. “What are you doing?”
To Kang Yoo-sik's question, Lao Chang answered with a serious expression while staring straight ahead. “Could you please sign it?”
"What?"
“I’d like to get an autograph from Kang Yoo-sik.”
“….” Kang Yoo-sik looked at Lao Chang’s answer, which was different from what he expected, with a slightly deflated expression.
“An autograph?”
"Yes. It’s just that my brother is a fan of Kang Yoo-sik… I know it's inappropriate as an escort, but I'll ask you just once.”
Kang Yoo-sik smiled bitterly at Lao Chang's response as if he had committed a sin while asking for an autograph. ‘I vaguely knew this before, but… … He's really an inflexible man.'
Still, it was good he was the escort, so there was no worry of getting stabbed in the back. Kang Yoo-sik nodded coldly. “How great is my autograph…? If you need Ihwa’s, I’ll do it for you.”
“Thank you."
“What thanks… By the way, is this younger sibling also a member of the White Lotus Guild?”
At Kang Yoo-sik's question, Lao Chang shook his head. "Nope. He is still attending Cheonmu Palace. The age difference between us is 22 years.”
“Then can I meet her here in person?”
“I think it will be difficult because he’s currently in Korea as an exchange student. That is why I was asked for you to sign an autograph.”
“… … Are you going to Korea?” Kang Yoo-sik's eyes flashed at Lao Chang's answer. He didn’t know who his brother was, but if he was a fan of his, he could easily create a debt relationship with a little spice
‘If this doesn’t work, you can use his brother.’ Kang Yoo-sik asked with a smile at the opportunity that presented itself. “Can I know what your younger sibling’s name is?”
“Lao Yen.”
"Ah, Lao Yen… … Army… … Yo?" Kang Yoo-sik nodded whilst making a confused expression. He wondered if he heard the name wrong, but no matter how much he was to think about it, he didn’t think so.
Yoo-sik pondered for a while about a situation he could not understand and then asked again. “I’m trying to refer to the design of the sign, but I wonder what your brother’s main weapon is….”
“Ah, he’s not yet good enough compared to Kang Yoo-sik, but he’s been called a child prodigy since he was young, and he’s still outstanding enough to reach 9 stars.” Lao Chang proudly talked about how much he cared for his brother.
Kang Yoo-sik, who saw her, was only then convinced. ‘No matter how you look at it, he’s that bastard?’
Shinchang Lao N. He was China's representative S-class hunter, and one of the five heroes who beat him! He said, ‘I don’t remember him having any brothers… What the hell is this?’
Besides, if they were brothers, he thought that they would have been known even before the return, so he hadn't even thought about it… Lao Chang continued the story. "Ah. And one more thing to tell you….”
"Yeah?"
“Please keep the story that Lao Yen is my younger brother a secret.”
“A secret?” Kang Yoo-sik asked a curious question, and Lao Chang answered with a slightly bitter expression.
"Yes. Because of my position, I thought that there was nothing good to be involved with. According to the family register, our relationship is almost like that of a stranger’s, even though we have the same last name.”
“Then only you know this… … “
“Right now, it’s just you and Minju.” Hearing Lao Chang's story, Kang Yoo-sik suddenly realized what was going on. He was a cherished younger brother to Ihwa Danju, who was an S-class hunter and the escort of White Lotus.
“The 2nd lord of White Lotus suggested it, and I accepted it. Looking at the situation now, I think it was fortunate that I accepted the offer at the time.”
Kang Yoo-sik made a strange expression at Lao Chang's appearance, which was a bit bitter but calm. “Why are you telling me such a great secret?”
It was far too big and a useful secret to say it was just to get an autograph. To Kang Yoo-sik's question, Lao Chang answered calmly. “Because I think the future of the Guild is in Kang Yoo-sik’s hands.”
"Yes? Until then….”
“Kang Yoo-sik might think otherwise, but at least I think so.”
To Lao Chang, Kang Yoo-sik was a very gigantic person who accomplished what he couldn't do at once, regardless of force. “That's why I'm talking about my brother. If you don't know the secrets that can control me, it may be difficult for you to cope with me in the future.”
He had decided to disclose all of his weaknesses so that things did not go wrong because of himself. Kang Yoo-sik looked at Lao Chang with an interesting expression.
‘The situation has suddenly turned very good?’
Since there was no debt yet, there was no debt relationship, but this was indeed a good stepping stone. Lao Chang and Lao Yen. In a situation where the current S-class hunter and the future S-class hunter were rolling in at the same time, Kang Yoo-sik calmed his twitching lips and replied. “I understood the words of Ihwa. Unknowingly, the burden on me is proving to be a lot.”
"I’m sorry."
“You don't have to be sorry. Because Ihwa is also a colleague who carries the burden with me.”
“….” Lao Chang, who was behind the wheel, slowly widened his eyes, and Kang Yoo-sik, who saw it, finished it off. “So let’s work hard together.”
He decided to create an atmosphere with words that would create a bond, such as that of colleagues or burdens, to give the other person the answer they wanted. An opponent with hostility might not know it, but an opponent with goodwill would inevitably get a positive response, and if it was an honest man like Lao Chang, the result was obvious.
[The debt relationship conditions are met.]
[The registration of the debtor ‘Lao Chang’ is confirmed, and the debt grade is judged as D.]
The debt relationship was formed as expected, and Kang Yoo-sik smiled with satisfaction when he saw the notification window. Even though he had never been directly in debt, it seemed that he was quite grateful for what happened at White Lotus this time, considering that he had accumulated this much.
Meanwhile, Lao Chang slowly opened his mouth. "Thank you, Kang Yoo-sik.”
If it weren't for the interior of the car, he would have looked this way and deeply bowed his head. In response to that, Kang Yoo-sik felt satisfied and answered, “I really appreciate it. Oh, I'll give you an autograph when I get to the dorm after work today.”
"All right." Lao Chang focused on driving again, and Kang Yoo-hik, who saw that, smiled and took out his cell phone.
-Teacher. I think I found a good candidate.
Then, he sent a short text to Ryun Namgoon, who was in Korea.
* * *
Arriving in front of the main building of Cheonmu Palace, Kang Yoo-sik looked up at the building in front of him. Unlike the North Gate, which was built in a traditional style, it was a 10-story building built in a modern
‘I'm really not kidding….’ Kang Yoo-sik and Lao Chang went inside the building, which boasted a scale that could not be compared to any other school.
“I have been waiting,” An old woman greeted them by bowing her head as they entered. Her dress was a uniform with a white background, just like her pupils, but the design was a little different, perhaps because it was the teacher's, and an embroidery symbolizing a dragon was embroidered on the chest instead of a star.
“My name is Ba Yun-fa, the owner of the Blue Dragon of Cheonmu Palace. Today, I was entrusted with guiding the main building on behalf of Lord Cheonmu.”
Just like Seongjin's class, the Four Sins were divided according to the level of students. Among them, the Blue Dragon Troupe was the best. It meant that within Cheonmu Palace, this person was the second in power after Zhao Xinku, the ruler of Cheonmu Palace.
“When will the Lord Cheonmu come back?”
"It looks like he’ll be back in two days at the earliest."
“I see." She explained that he went on a business trip yesterday, so it was likely related to the Heavenly Army, but it appeared that something important was about to happen.
However… The secret of the vacuum incense burner, the clue to immortality, has arrived. There is no choice but to come together.’
Kang Yoo-sik smiled inwardly and looked at Ba Yun-fa. “Where are the other cadets?”
“Currently, a friendly sparring is in progress at the Blue Dragon's sparring arena.”
"Ah… … Were you still doing it?”
"Yes. Due to a change in schedule… .”
Yun-fa spoke a little awkwardly. Kang Yoo-sik, who felt something at that appearance, asked calmly. “Then can we go there now?”
“…All right." Ba Yun-fa, head bowed, took the lead, followed by Kang Yoo-sik and Lao Chang, who walked in. The areas used by the Blue Dragon were the 7th and 8th floors. Among them, the training ground was on the 8th floor, and the three of them quickly reached the entrance.
“Keugh!” Lee Byung-ho, who was on top of the training ground, fell backwards. Kang Yoo-sik came in just as the sparring had just ended, drawing attention naturally, and Lee Byung-ho's face turned bright red when he found Kang Yoo-sik after falling to the floor.
"Ah, Y-Yoo-sik… … .” Lee Byung-ho's expression was a mixture of shame and embarrassment. Kang Yoo-sik merely looked at him in confusion, wondering why he had lost.
"What… Is that guy Kang Yoo-sik or something?” Another voice coming from the arena. When he turned, he saw a woman with a slender body looking at him with a fierce expression, raising the corners of her mouth.
Realizing that she was a disciple of the Blue Dragon, Kang Yoo-sik naturally checked the number of stars on her chest. ‘…That’s an 8-star?’
Kang Yoo-sik made a bewildered expression. The woman slung her huge sword over her shoulder and twisted her mouth. “They said you were great, but you’re just a gentleman. However, if you are to create any trouble here…”
In the face of such a condescending woman and Lee Byung-ho, who was trembling as if he found the situation humiliating, Kang Yoo-sik smiled. ‘These guys…’
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