Chapter 83: The Greatest Prodigy of the Demonic Way (2)

A few days later.

After reviewing all the reports on the disciples submitted by Chu Il-hwan and pondering for several more days, Yeom Ga-hwi summoned Chu Il-hwan to his place.

"I will personally attend the second test of the new disciples that will be held soon."

"Understood."

Chu Il-hwan showed no particular surprise at Yeom Ga-hwi's announcement.

He usually attended tests or training sessions three or four times a year.

However, his purpose wasn't to observe the disciples.

The original role of the Hall Master was to monitor the "instructors," not the disciples.

The instructors of the Hall of the Demonic Way were all individuals who had mastered Demonic Arts to a certain level, which meant they were all suffering from side effects.

Although they could control themselves to some extent and thus perform their duties as instructors, they were all like ticking time bombs.

The Hall Master's role was to keep these instructors in check.

Of course, if his intention was to monitor the instructors, it would make sense to conduct surprise inspections without prior notice, but Yeom Ga-hwi never acted that way.

Known for his straightforward character, he always expressed his intentions in advance before attending.

It was precisely because of this personality that Heavenly Demon had appointed him as the Hall Master.

In the first place, the role of the Hall Master was more about 'preventing' the instructors from going berserk. Cleaning up after the instructors who caused an accident was merely a byproduct of that.

Ultimately, it meant that it was crucial to make the instructors constantly aware that the Hall Master was watching them, thereby encouraging them to exercise self-restraint.

In that sense, Yeom Ga-hwi's straightforward personality was perfectly suited for the position of Hall Master.

Chu Il-hwan, knowing Yeom Ga-hwi's personality, naturally assumed this observation was meant to monitor them, but...

'Hmm. While checking on the instructors' condition, I need to assess the Eighth Young Master's true character.'

In truth, Yeom Ga-hwi's real purpose was to observe Il-mok.

The evaluations of Il-mok were so mixed that the Hall Master wanted to see for himself in detail.

"There might be a bit of a shortage of manpower for this examination, so I will also take on the role of supervisor alongside the instructors."

It was to observe Il-mok in detail, but Chu Il-hwan clasped his hands in salute with a moved expression.

"I can only express my gratitude for your consideration, Hall Master. This Chu will ensure that no unfortunate incidents occur during this examination."

"Good. You must be busy with work, so you may go now."

As Chu Il-hwan left the Hall Master's chamber at Yeom Ga-hwi's dismissal, he thought,

'They've been doing well enough on their own, but I should still pass along the message to the instructors. That they need to be extra vigilant this time.'

Of course, those who ‘need to be vigilant’ included Chu Il-hwan himself.

***

The next morning. It was Instructor Chu Il-hwan's martial arts training session, same as always.

However, instead of immediately beginning the training, Chu Il-hwan gathered the disciples' attention, saying he had an announcement to make.

"Five days from now, it will mark two months since you all entered this Hall of the Demonic Way. And as you might have gathered from the last test, the second one will be held in five days.”

Il-mok, who had been listening to Instructor Chu Il-hwan's words with a disinterested expression, nodded his head.

'Hmm. It was an exam notice?'

He felt indifferent about it.

Since the last martial arts competition, Il-mok had truly done his best to rest for over twenty days—so much so that he hadn't drawn his sword even once outside of martial arts training hours.

Even during training, he merely pretended to swing his sword halfheartedly.

'I'll just get through it and rest again.'

As Il-mok was thinking about taking another nap in the training ground today, Instructor Chu Il-hwan continued his explanation.

"The reason I'm telling you about the test in advance is because the Hall Master will be observing this test."

"!!!"

The eyes of the Upper Class disciples listening to Instructor Chu Il-hwan's explanation grew more intense.

Glancing over those disciples, Instructor Chu Il-hwan added his final words.

"Of course, I believe none of you would take the test casually or halfheartedly even if the Hall Master wasn't watching. However, since the Hall Master will be observing, I hope you'll be even more focused. That is all."

For some reason, as he spoke the words ‘casually or halfheartedly,’ he stared intently at Il-mok.

'Ahem.'

Il-mok quickly averted his eyes from that intense gaze. Not because he felt guilty.

'Damn. He still hasn't given up?'

It was because whenever he made eye contact with Chu Il-hwan, goosebumps kept rising on his skin.

Meanwhile, unlike Chu Il-hwan's focus on Il-mok, others were more stimulated by his words.

'The Hall Master is observing! He must be here to see me!’

'Hehe. It seems the Hall Master has taken an interest in my talent as well.’

Dokgo Pae and Bang Mihwa, who had been receiving special training from Yeom Ga-hwi thanks to Il-mok's concession, had similar thoughts.

They believed that the reason the Hall Master was coming to observe was to directly verify the results of their special training.

Naturally, both of them looked toward Il-mok.

'Hehehe. It won't be so easy this time!'

'Hohoho. Since the Young Master is too embarrassed to apologize, it wouldn’t be bad for me to make him kneel before me this time!’

After all, to show the results of their special training, they needed to teach the top-ranked Il-mok a lesson.

'What are those idiots up to now?'

Of course, from Il-mok's perspective, it just looked like those lunatics were plotting some other crazy stunt.

After announcing the exam, Chu Il-hwan gave an order.

"Now begin your training."

As soon as his order fell, the disciples spread out widely across the training ground and began wielding their weapons, keeping appropriate distances from each other.

Occasionally, sparring sessions were held under the supervision of Chu Il-hwan and his assistants, but martial arts training sessions had been proceeding in this way for some time.

After observing the first day's duels, Chu Il-hwan would tell each disciple what they needed to correct or improve. Then the disciples would train, keeping those points in mind.

Chu Il-hwan and his assistants would walk around checking on each person's condition, and if someone seemed to be struggling, they would offer guidance through direct sparring.

The same had happened after the previous test and martial arts competition. Chu Il-hwan would point out mistakes or flaws shown in the test or competition, and the disciples would reflect on their martial arts accordingly during training.

In other words, that's how the others were training.

Except for Il-mok.

When Il-mok stared intently at somewhere, the trio there bowed their heads and approached Il-mok.

They were the very trio who had picked a fight with Il-mok on the second day and gotten thoroughly beaten up.

In particular, Choi Woong, who had passed information about Il-mok to the seniors, felt especially guilty that he even used his lightness skill to approach Il-mok.

Choi Woong and the trio took positions around Il-mok and began training with their weapons.

It was a kind of human barrier. One to shield from the gazes and interest of Chu Il-hwan and other crazy people.

Using the three as shields to block others' gazes, Il-mok just swung his sword halfheartedly within that protection.

"Hwaaaahm."

Complete with an exaggerated yawn.

***

The five days passed quickly as he spent his days in a lazy manner that would make Jin Hayeon or Heavenly Demon rush to cut off his head if they knew about it.

The disciples of the Upper Class and the Lower Class left the main gate of the Hall of the Demonic Way with the instructors just like the last time.

But after arriving at the gathering place from the last time, something was different.

"Team One: Dokgo Pae, Choi Woong, Kang Taeseok, Gwak Sul, Ju Seo-yeon."

First, each team had five members instead of four.

"The groups whose names have been called, please come this way."

And instead of moving them in groups in advance, they were merely sorting them.

"Last team, Team Four: Il-mok, Seong Hwan, Jeong Hyeon, Lee Gyun, Bu Gayeong."

Il-mok quickly scanned the members of his team.

Seong Hwan was from the Upper Class like Il-mok, and like Choi Woong, he was one of the trio who had picked a fight with Il-mok.

And for some reason, Choi Woong was looking at Seong Hwan with envious eyes.

'Damn it. I should have been the one on Young Master Il-mok's team.'

It was because he got a taste of what Il-mok was capable of during the previous test.

Moreover...

"Hahaha! Everyone just trust your team leader!"

Looking at the self-proclaimed team leader Dokgo Pae, who was laughing confidently, he couldn't help but think they were doomed.

Meanwhile, Il-mok quietly sighed to himself.

'Did I show off too much in the first test and martial arts competition?'

Of the five members in Il-mok's team, only he and Seong Hwan were from the Upper Class. The other three, including Jeong Hyeon, were all from the Lower Class.

It seemed to be a maneuver to balance the skill levels between teams. Conversely, the First Team, led by Ju Seo-yeon, who ranked at the bottom of the Lower Class, had three Upper Class disciples, including Dokgo Pae.

Not that he thought they were at a disadvantage. He could easily make up for two or three Upper Class disciples himself.

It’s just that...

'I was planning to take it easy, but... tsk.'

Maintaining his rank while taking it easy would be somewhat more challenging with this kind of team composition.

Inwardly shaking off his disappointment, Il-mok looked at Jeong Hyeon.

'At least Instructor Eun Ryeo granted my request.'

As Jeong Hyeon had requested the day after the first test, Il-mok had requested Instructor Eun Ryeo to put him and Jeong Hyeon on the same team.

Fortunately, Instructor Eun Ryeo had granted Il-mok's request.

"I'm counting on you, Disciple Jeong."

As Il-mok said this and took a step toward Jeong Hyeon...

"I-I-I look forward to working with you."

For some reason, Jeong Hyeon trembled and retreated further than the distance Il-mok had approached.

"Eek!"

Then, belatedly realizing she had gotten close to another teammate, she let out another strange shriek.

'Young Master is a liar!'

After following Il-mok's advice and doing the mental training, it had become even more difficult for her to get close to him.

Just getting a little closer made her remember what happened in that mental world, causing her face to flush and her whole body to twist uncomfortably.

Seeing Jeong Hyeon looking like he might have a seizure at any moment, the rest of the team thought.

'Seems like we got stuck with a bad team...'

'One member is practically useless.'

'Still, with the Eighth Young Master here, there might be a glimmer of hope.'

While they were lost in their own thoughts, Instructor Chu Il-hwan, who had finished forming the groups, stepped forward and said.

"The test will begin in one hour from now. The content of the test is simple. You must survive my pursuit."

With those words, Instructor Chu Il-hwan took out a small bell from his pocket and tied it to his belt.

"I will pursue you while wearing this bell. You will move one hour ahead to move out, erase your tracks, and evade my pursuit. The longer your team survives, the more bonus points you will receive. However, if you try to leave Taecheon Peak and get trapped in the formation, you will fail the exam, so be careful. Lastly..."

As if to draw the disciples' attention, Chu Il-hwan paused briefly before continuing with his characteristic mischievous smile.

"Any team that succeeds in taking this bell from me will receive the highest score, regardless of time."

It was a smile that seemed to challenge them to try if they could.

"Well, the explanation is over, so start moving now!"

As soon as Instructor Chu Il-hwan's command fell, all teams scattered and began running in different directions.

Following them, the waiting instructors and assistants also deployed their stealth techniques and pursued their assigned teams.

Among them was Hall Master Yeom Ga-hwi.

'An exam close to actual combat. When several people are mixed together in such situations, their true nature tends to emerge.'

The team he was following was none other than the fourth team, the one to which Il-mok belonged.