< Episode 27 Benefits (1) >
Mujangyak always has a cheerful and bright appearance which makes the viewers feel excited.
The morale of the group members was strong as they still had smiling faces.
However although she did not show it as much as possible the eyes of the military commander were turning to Mo Kyung-un at every moment without anyone knowing.
As a result he kept his crew safe.
It can be seen that he has performed his role as a team leader well from day one.
‘…..Tree farming.’
The events of last night were completely imprinted in my mind.
No I was quite concerned.
Mumyak recalled what happened last night.
[no. Would it be better to kill you now? Or I was wondering whether it would be better to keep him alive.]
[crazy!]
[I know what the situation is now.]
The members of Mujangyak were dumbfounded by Mok Gyeong-un’s absurd words.
In the current situation Mo Gyeong-un had no choice.
If anyone touches it everyone will be eliminated at the gate.
But coming out like that is pretentious.
[Do whatever you want!]
[If they are saying that we should all be eliminated how can we stand by?]
[Let’s do it!]
His team members who had been waiting and believing in the strategy of armed medicine also took a stance as if they could not bear it anymore and prepared to fight.
It was the same for Mok Yu-cheon.
On the other hand Mujangyak who came up with this plan stared at Mokgyeongun in silence unlike them.
‘what?’
What on earth do you believe and come out there?
Mu Jang-yak heard about what happened at the second gate from Mo Yu-cheon who could be considered his half-brother and realized that Mo Gyeong-un was no ordinary person.
That’s why the plan was made so thoroughly.
‘No matter how much I think about it there are no loopholes in this plan. But what is that attitude?’
Mu Jang Yak was intelligent from a young age.
Because he was good at reading the psychology of others he could guess their emotions and thoughts through various factors such as their eyes and behavior.
But Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes and tone of voice.
It was difficult to read those emotions at all.
‘I can’t tell if it’s bravado or sincerity.’
What is it?
Did he just say that because he couldn’t control his emotions?
That said he may have an excessive side but that guy named Mok Gyeong-un had a temperament as clever as himself.
In fact he didn’t reveal it to everyone but if the first move worked he was going to break his assistant’s leg as soon as daybreak as Mok Kyung-un said.
If that happens he could naturally eliminate him and his teammates.
In the end only Mok Kyung-un could read his thoughts.
Perhaps that was why Mu Jang-yak was concerned about what Mo Gyeong-un had just said.
At that time Mok Kyung-un looked at him and said with a sigh.
[Let’s end it like this this time.]
[what?]
Mok Yucheon questioned Mok Gyeong-un’s words as if they were the same.
Are you talking like you’re showing me mercy when my guy is in a disadvantageous situation?
Although they followed Mu Mu-yak’s plan there were three people on this side who reached the peak.
In the room Yeon Moo-ung Mu-Woong and himself are guarding the hostages.
They were numerically superior to the other side so if they fought they would have an advantage but they were never at a disadvantage.
[Don’t be bluff. Wood tillage.]
[Let’s do what we can and send the two people there. It would be fair for this side to also be held hostage until morning.]
[We are the ones holding the sword hilt but quite a bit…]
[good.]
[what?]
Mu Jang-yak readily accepts the offer even though he is about to refuse it.
His team members including Mok Yu-cheon could not hide their surprise at his attitude.
There is no need for them to accommodate themselves so why do they do this?
Mu Mumyak spoke to them.
[Since that side also gave in there is no benefit in provoking them further.]
[but…]
[Trust me.]
In the end an agreement was reached between the two sides to exchange hostages and the night passed safely.
However Mu Jingyak heard Mo Qingyun mumbling quietly.
[It’s a shame. I hoped it wasn’t wise.]
-Shudder!
The moment he heard that a strange chill went down his spine.
What on earth is that guy?
He was confident that among his peers there was no one he could care about.
I didn’t think Yeon Mu-woong from Secret Scripture Yeom-ga from Jusal-gok Mo-ha from Mohwabang or even Mo Yu-cheon whom I got to know this time were special.
But for the first time a sense of caution arose in someone.
That was Mokgyeongun.
He said ‘Anyone who becomes an enemy may have to be killed…..’
* * *
This is an unprecedented situation in which about a quarter of the cadets are eliminated before even passing the gate.
This caused quite a bit of controversy but since it was not a violation of the rules the gate proceeded without raising any issues.
Of course this situation created one more limitation.
“From now on until all gates are completed fighting or harming one another in private is completely prohibited among cadets.”
This was to prevent further variables.
The third gateway was to subdue the opponent through medical examination as previously announced.
The name of the checkpoint is Cheonjipalmyeongjin (天地八銘陣).
If the previous head of the Heaven and Earth Association was able to perfectly unfold the examination based on the changes in the eight trigrams and overpower the opponent he would pass.
The period given for practice was only three days.
The three days passed quickly.
The remaining 16 members of the two groups were the most highly skilled among the cadets who entered Sihyeolgok.
Naturally both groups easily passed the third gate.
At the third gate it was Mu Jang Yak not Mo Gyeong-un who received the senior award.
Mokgyeongun’s group also used the examination well to subdue the opponent but the armless medicine group completely subdued the opponent with the examination without a single wound.
In conclusion there were no flaws.
As his leader he was considered to be superior in terms of his ability to judge and operate the examination so Mu Mu-yak was able to obtain the senior hand at this gate.
* * *
The fourth test was a test of passing through a tracheal system installed in the invisible darkness.
The criteria was simple.
If you burn a scented candle that can measure time and come out before one-third of it burns you will pass this test with the qualification of preliminary sobriety and can take the final test.
And if you come out before about two-thirds have burned you will be eligible to take the title but you will be disqualified from taking the next test.
Of course those who did not pass this were eliminated even though they still had the qualifications of senior warrior.
Originally the gate to be taken this time was a test using the iron balls obtained during the iron ball competition but since there were only 16 people it was inevitable that the test would be taken straight to the fifth gate.
This was just as Mok Gyeong-un had intended.
In this way sixteen cadets passed the fourth test.
The result was 6 people who came within 1/3 of the time.
Five people entered within two thirds of the area.
A total of 10 people were unable to enter the final gate with 5 people unable to enter within the third quarter.
Although the five people who did not pass the gate were disappointed they had to be satisfied with the qualifications of senior warriors and the five people who came within the third quarter were still able to receive the qualifications of great masters.
Senior warrior Kwak Moon-gi spoke to Gokju Lee Ji-yeom.
“There were two variables but the number of people who were expected to some extent passed.”
The two variables mentioned by Kwak Moon-gi were the hostages of the Yeonmok Geomjang of the political faction sent by Hoeju.
He naturally thought that these two people would not be able to survive the first or second hurdle and would die.
But that expectation was completely shattered.
“I see. “Is it them?”
Six people standing side by side in the square.
Those who passed the fourth gate were Moharang and Armed Medicine of Mohwabang Mohwaung of Mohwabang Mokgyeongun Mokgyucheon Jusalgok Cheap Secret Garden Yeonmuung Mohwabang and so on.
“Who passed Jejin the fastest?”
“….This is Mok Gyeong-un.”
“Thorough cultivation?”
‘It’s him after all.’
Lee Ji-yeom nodded his head as if he had expected it to some extent.
Even though he had not regained his former martial prowess he naturally thought that he would easily pass the gate.
“How much time did it take?”
“It came out when the scented candle was about six-quarters burned not one-third burned.”
“Six quarters one?”
At those words Lee Ji-yeom’s eyes lit up.
Of course he thought he would get through it the fastest but this was unexpected.
At this level it was almost like running straight ahead on flat ground.
“…Sokha was very surprised.”
It was Kwak Moon-gi who was dumbfounded when he saw the scented candle.
No matter how great your sense of humor is this is ridiculous.
It was hard to understand how a guy who seemed to only be able to do first-class pull-ups could come out ahead of those who had reached their peak.
‘Are you hiding your martial arts skills?’
No that couldn’t have been possible.
If that was the case he had to be at a higher level than he was at the peak but I was sure that Mok Gyeong-un who was only seventeen couldn’t possibly be that kind of person.
What the hell is he like?
While doing so Gokju Ijiyeom stuck out his tongue and then asked.
“Who is the one who comes out the fastest next?”
“It’s a cheap price for Jusalgok.”
“Hoo.”
“Yanga passed Jejin when almost one-fifth of it was on board.”
This could also be said to be an excellent result.
In fact in the history of Jejin Gate no one has ever passed within a fifth of the time.
Today two people from the tree cultivation group broke that one time.
These two people passed by so quickly that it seemed as if they were passing through a bright place rather than darkness.
“Jusalgok sent the right talent.”
“I think so.”
However I guess I’m unlucky this time.
He is not in the limelight because of a complete monster named Mok Gyeong-un.
“What about the third?”
“The two Moharangs from the Armed Medicine Mohwabang passed in about a quarter of the way and the two Yeonmuungs from the Mokyucheon Secret Gate passed within a third of the time.”
“The standards have improved a lot this year.”
Many variables came into play but this was the first time that more than one or two people passed within a quarter of a day while I was in charge of the Sihyeolgok.
In fact just passing within one-third of the time was a great feeling.
In that respect this selection could have been seen as a success for executives who wanted the best talent.
“What are you going to do? The senior trophy is of course…..”
“Hasn’t it been decided?”
“…That’s right.”
Senior warrior Kwak Moon-ki reluctantly answered.
A former hostage who was forcibly brought in by the political faction ended up taking the top prize three times after defeating all the talented people in this conference.
It was natural that it was considered undesirable.
‘Softwood swordsman…’
How on earth did he teach his children so that not one but two of them reached the final hurdle of the Sihyeolgok?
However even though they were sent by order of the Lord of the Association would the warriors of the meeting be able to accept if two people who were merely pawns were to take up positions in the main meeting?
-widely!
Standing in front of the podium in the square Sihyeolgokju Lee Ji-yeom spoke while holding his senior plaque.
“Mok Gyeong-un come forward.”
“yes.”
Mok Kyung-un walked to the front of the podium.
Then Lee Ji-yeom gave a light look and gave Mok Gyeong-un the senior trophy.
And he spoke as if everyone should listen.
“The fourth senior plaque is given to Mok Gyeong-un who passed the gate the fastest.”
Hearing his words the five people standing side by side looked at Mo Kyung-un with different expressions.
In fact since this was their third time most of them were not particularly impressed by receiving the senior trophy.
However I had no choice but to react to the next words from Lee Ji-yeom.
“This song provides a reward to those who have received the senior plaque before the final hurdle.”
‘!?’
compensation?
Wasn’t it simply given as an honor?
However there were at most two people who received senior awards here.
It is wood tillage and armless medicine.
Three of them were in Mo Qingyun’s hands.
I don’t know what the benefit was but it was almost like monopolizing it.
“Anyone who gets a senior plaque will be rewarded with a heaven and earth altar created according to the vision of this meeting.”
‘!!!!!’
At these words Yeon Moo-ung from the secret gate and Moharang from the mohwa room could not help but be surprised.
I heard that Cheonjidan is made with a secret elixir from the Cheonjihoe and that it takes ten years to mature.
In addition I heard that the medicinal ingredients used in one of them are close to a thousand gold and the number is quite small.
But I never thought it would be given as a reward.
‘You’re lucky.’
Even though he didn’t show it he liked it deep inside.
This was because by consuming the refined elixir Cheonjidan one could obtain almost 10 to 15 years of internal power.
-….Damn you. You changed your name.
‘name?’
Mok Gyeong-un was puzzled by Cheongryeong’s unexpected words.
Then the young man snorted and said.
-It is not Cheonjidan but Wolmyeongdan. The vision of the Heaven and Earth Association is a mess.
Judging by her anger it seemed like there was some secret to this that only she knew.
As I was doing this Sihyeolgokju Lee Ji-yeom continued speaking.
“It is a benefit for those who have two senior plaques. You can go to the Sihyeolgok Bogo (寶庫) and get a non-level book of your choice. Of course most of them are of the low rank of rising uneducated.”
‘Rising uneducated!’
For the first time everyone showed interest in the second benefit.
< Episode 27 Benefits (1) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
