Chapter 5: Passed Candidates 1

Lee Yeon-seong, having briefly summarized the final report on Baek Moo-jin and signed the documents, told his subordinate.

“Take this and report it immediately.”

“Right now?”

Lee Yeon-seong nodded, and the deputy supervisor who received the documents on Baek Moo-jin exited the annex first.

Lee Yeon-seong called Baek Moo-jin back.

“With skills like these, I suppose you must have thought you could have applied for a fourth-rank position or higher.”

Baek Moo-jin answered honestly.

“Hmm… I did think that.”

“You’ll gradually come to understand why such restrictions were placed.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, you seem surprisingly calm. You passed that notoriously difficult Fourth-Rank Martial Artist examination, yet you look as if this were the most natural thing in the world.”

“Ah, I’m just a bit dazed.”

Only then did Baek Moo-jin smile brightly, and Lee Yeon-seong said with a smile.

“That’s the end of your schedule for today. You’ll need to stay in the waiting area for now. Another assessment is waiting.”

Lee Yeon-seong tossed in a joke.

“If you’re interested in the Execution Bureau, speak up quickly. I’ll submit an additional report.”

“The Executive Bureau?”

Just hearing the name made Baek Moo-jin shake his head, imagining a desk job requiring mental labor.

“To be honest, I don’t even know what kind of work they do. I think gaining experience in a military organization first…”

Lee Yeon-seong laughed and continued.

“You’re joking. Even if you wanted to join, you wouldn’t be assigned to the Executive Branch immediately.”

Lee Yeon-seong addressed someone else.

“Supervisor Jang.”

“Yes.”

“Escort Baek Moo-jin to the waiting room.”

“Understood.”

Lee Yeon-seong nodded to Baek Moo-jin as if signaling him to follow the man called Director Jang, adding,

“Baek Moo-jin, one last thing I want to say to you.”

“Yes.”

“Since we have limited information on your martial arts skills and the Snow Mountain Hundred Families, I should inform you that an investigator may be sent to Snow Mountain.”

“Ah, understood.”

“Good. Rest well.”

“I’ll see you again.”

Lee Yeon-seong watched Baek Moo-jin leave the annex, then turned to the deputy supervisor seated at the end of the table, his expression hardening.

“Have you determined his martial arts level?”

The man addressed shook his head impassively.

“No. We only just learned of this place called Seolsanbaekga. Who could possibly know the martial arts he used? We should have had the elders present. This was beyond our expectations.”

Lee Yeon-seong, who had been speaking as if offering words of encouragement to Baek Moo-jin, shifted to a completely different tone the moment Baek Moo-jin disappeared.

“Is that so? In any case, further investigation is necessary. Send someone suitable. Since no one in the Alliance knows him, have them probe around Mount Snow.”

“Understood.”

“If trouble arises, it falls on us. Keep it quiet.”

“Understood.”

Lee Yeon-seong said as he picked up another document.

“Who’s next?”

“Fifth-Rank Military Officer candidate Seo Mun-geuk, followed by Fifth-Rank Military Officer candidate Ju Ja-un.”

“Seo Mun-geuk? You mean that Seo Mun-geuk everyone keeps talking about?”

“That’s likely the case.”

“Well now… all sorts of people are coming this year.”

“Indeed.”

After a moment of silence, Yi Yeon-seong appeared deep in thought.

“If Baek Moo-jin were a talent without any issues, that is.”

“Yes.”

“Just how strong do you think he is? He didn’t go all out earlier, you see.”

“Well… He defeated Commander Kang so easily. Perhaps even the Commanders wouldn’t stand a chance? Kang Yeop isn’t weak either.”

“I suppose so?”

“Yes.”

“We still don’t have a clear picture yet, but for now, keep it under separate management to avoid external exposure. We also need to verify its combat strength a bit more.”

“Understood.”

Lee Yeon-seong gathered his thoughts. Various thoughts were jumbled in his head. For starters, this young man was completely unknown to the outside world. Those who knew about the Snow Mountain Hundred Families would be extremely rare. Lee Yeon-seong was considering that if Baek Moo-jin proved trustworthy, his potential uses would be diverse. He could be infiltrated into rival organizations, and since his identity was unknown, he could be sent to probe around problematic factions or black market forces.

‘With proper polishing, he could be useful… But first, I need to verify his martial arts skills.’

2.

Dang Ji-woon, the leader of the Black Sword Corps, who had rushed over upon receiving the report, was looking down at Kang Yeop, who was lying face down on the bed. A vivid red handprint was clearly imprinted on his shoulder blade where the needle was stuck.

Kang Yeop, who had been lying face down, heard the leader arrive and spoke in a defeated voice.

“I’m sorry.”

Dam Ji-woon offered no reply, his gaze fixed on the handprint. A long silence stretched before he spoke in a quiet tone.

“How does it feel to be lying on a bed of needles after being struck by the Gaze?”

Kang Yeop replied in a tone that suppressed his temper.

“What do you mean, how? It sucks.”

“Yeah. It sucks.”

Dang Ji-woon answered as if agreeing with Kang Yeop’s words, then unexpectedly continued.

“When I was your age, I went to take the fifth-grade exam and fought someone, you know.”

“During the unit commander exam?”

“No, it was before I became a squad leader. He was about my age and had a very respectful attitude. He passed the paperwork review with flying colors, and his martial arts skills were stronger than mine.”

Hearing that far, Kang Yeop had a sudden realization.

“Ah, so the person I fought back then was the Grand Master.”

“Yes. It was me. That bastard was a spy prepared by the Iron Blood Sect. I didn’t realize his true identity until he walked out on his own. After that, we had to change everything, starting with the secret language.”

Kang Yeop waited quietly for Dam Ji-un to continue. Dam Ji-un spoke.

“It was hellish. Ice-type, you said? The Execution Bureau can handle their paperwork and rumors. The one who took the hits knows best. How was it?”

“Yes. It hurt.”

“Want me to make it hurt more?”

“Go ahead. Let me rest for a while.”

Dam Ji-woon sighed before continuing.

“Seolsanbaekga? There was such a place? Am I supposed to believe that?”

Kang Yeop, who had been lying face down, quietly rose and only then turned his head to look at Dam Ji-woon.

“I understand what you’re saying, but…”

Kang Yeop paused, lost in thought, then shook his head.

“If getting hit once could reveal its true nature, I’d be the first to volunteer.”

“Still as good as ever at getting yourself beaten.”

“Master, that Hanbing Palm technique came to mind. It was powerful, no doubt. It felt strange. Like my whole body was soaked in snow and weighed down? That’s all. It must have been a weak strike; I should recover quickly.”

“I’ll take note.”

“Anyway, it doesn’t feel like me. If you push it that way, you might lose a valuable talent.”

“Talent?”

“Why are you acting like this? When you promoted me to Deputy Commander, you said I was a talent of the Silent Sword Corps. But that bastard beat me, didn’t he?”

“You crawled your way up from the bottom, but he didn’t. In my eyes, he still isn’t talent. Anyway, the Executive Council seems to want to see more of his martial prowess. Whether I step in or find another way, I need to see Baek Moo-jin with my own eyes soon. Rest now.”

Kang Yeop called out to Dam Ji-un as he left.

“Send someone else.”

When Dam Ji-woon stopped walking, Kang Yeop continued.

“Because I’m stronger than the Grand Master.”

“Hmph.”

Dam Ji-woon snorted and walked straight out.

3.

The man who introduced himself as Jang Yuseung and Baek Mujin had arrived in front of the waiting area.

Jang Yuseung spoke.

“The servants will provide everything you need. You may eat or do as you please, but alcohol is strictly forbidden.”

“Yes.”

Baek Moo-jin hadn’t uttered a word during the entire journey here. Jang Yoo-seung asked with a smile.

“Are you usually this quiet?”

Baek Moo-jin blinked and replied.

“Ah, no. Actually, it’s been quite a while since I’ve spoken as much as I have today. Seeing so many people suddenly has me a bit overwhelmed.”

“Haha. I felt the same way at first. By the way, the martial arts demonstration was quite impressive.”

Not knowing how to respond, Baek Moo-jin hesitated to nod before finally answering in a short reply.

“Ah, yes.”

“Well now… feels like talking to a wall. Let’s go inside.”

The two entered the waiting room. Jang Yuseung spoke.

“Originally, this building was used by the White Sword Corps. Somehow, it fits. The Snow Mountain White Clan and the White Sword Corps… don’t you think? Now that I look, you’re carrying something quite similar to the swords the White Sword Corps carries. Though you haven’t drawn it.”

Jang Yuseung stared at Baek Mujin’s sword for a moment before looking at Baek Mujin and saying.

“I’ll be going now. If any other successful candidates come, don’t be so stiff trying to imitate the old master. Chat with them about this and that and get along. Fellow trainees will be very precious.”

“Thank you. For everything… and for your kind words.”

At Baek Moo-jin’s words, Jang Yu-seung finally smiled and said playfully.

“It’s nothing special… By the way, you worked hard today. But what kind of technique was that earlier? The commander of the Mookgeomdae unit seemed completely flustered.”

Was it just a feeling?

Baek Moo-jin noticed Jang Yu-seung’s eyes, which had been smiling the whole time, suddenly flash. Come to think of it, this man was also a martial artist from the North Heaven Alliance who had trained in martial arts. While he’d been chattering incessantly about trivial matters, he’d managed his expression quite well. But when it came to asking the question he was most curious about, even his eyes changed.

Having no particular desire to conceal it, Baek Moo-jin replied.

“The White Flower Palm.”

“The White Flower Palm…”

Jang Yuseung nodded. For a moment, he seemed to be savoring the words ‘White Flower’.

“I’ve never heard of that palm technique before. Ah, let me tell you one thing.”

Baek Moo-jin silently nodded, and Jang Yoo-seung continued.

“If you pass, you’ll be given a waiting period. But from what I can tell, you’ll be quite busy during that time.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded.

“Do you work during the waiting period?”

“No. First, the organization wanting to recruit candidate Baek Moo-jin might request to see you. Besides, you defeated the commander of the Mookgeomdae unit earlier, didn’t you? Honestly… it was a rather overwhelming victory. Rumors spread fast around here. The other unit commanders won’t just sit idly by. Or else, once the major commanders get involved and things get noisy, the headquarters will issue a warning to hold back.”

“What do you mean…”

“I’m talking about duels. It’s commonplace. Many suffer because of it. Anyway, it’s an everyday occurrence here. Some even openly step forward to discipline the new recruits.”

“So that’s how it happens.”

“That’s how it happens.”

Jang Yuseung looked at Baek Mujin with a serious expression, as if about to reveal some profound truth, and pointed his finger toward the ground.

“That’s the atmosphere of the North Heaven Alliance. It’s not called the ‘martial world within the martial world’ for nothing. People end up competing for all sorts of reasons, and unless things get out of hand, the higher-ups don’t interfere. I suppose they think this kind of thing makes it more vibrant.”

Baek Moo-jin stared at Jang Yu-seung at those words.

“Is that how you feel too, Supervisor?”

“Me? No. I stay out of fights like that. It might sound like an excuse, but the Executive Branch I’m in… this is more important than fists.”

Jang Yuseung tapped his temple lightly.

“It’s more necessary. Anyway, whether you fight with fists or with your head, it’s all the same. In any case, welcome to the North Heaven Alliance.”

Come to think of it, Baek Moo-jin realized that at some point, Jang Yoo-seung’s rapid speech had started to flow smoothly into his ears. He smiled and replied.

“It helped me get a feel for the place. Thank you.”

“Rest well.”

As Jang Yuseung nodded and left, Baek Moo-jin, left alone in the waiting area, wore a faint smile.

Baek Moo-jin didn’t take Jang Yoo-seung’s words at face value. Especially not the part about Jang Yoo-seung himself being spared from such a fight.