Appearance of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 102
The examinees who had escaped Gwi-rim gathered in small clusters to rest.
They spoke of how they’d survived, what dangers they’d faced, what they’d discovered.
And as time passed, more and more examinees emerged from the forest carrying Strange Bird’s Eggs.
They’d ventured deep into the woods in search of the eggs, which meant their returns came staggered and late.
“They found a Strange Bird’s Egg.”
“Of course they hunted for it together. But if they all found one, whose achievement is it anyway?”
“Look there! Eun-ryeong and Young Master Jin are here too!”
The expected had discovered the expected, while the unexpected had simply gotten lucky—or so the whispers suggested.
Unlike the Red Badge trials, even the examination proctors now watched the examinees reporting their egg discoveries with curious eyes.
“That one’s surprising. Aimed for the wild boar, did he?”
“That route is certainly easier if you plan it well. He’s clever with tactics, after all. But those two—I assumed they’d come back with one for certain.”
The proctor’s gaze turned toward two examinees sprawled on the ground off to one side.
Two examinees whom the proctors had subdued and dragged out because they’d refused to stop fighting even after hearing the trial’s end signal.
Gwang-o and Wi Yu-hwa.
“Those two were so busy fighting each other they never made it past the yellow boundary.”
“Ah, so that’s what happened.”
Rivalry among examinees was natural law within Maryong Hall.
They all wanted the same things, and only a few could obtain them.
It happened often that examinees would check each other’s progress and both end up empty-handed.
“Still, it’s a shame. Given their abilities…”
They were certainly capable enough to deserve a squad leader’s position.
“Don’t worry. Time finds the right person for the right place.”
The proctors’ gaze settling over the examinees grew calm and measured.
* * *
As the head count of returned examinees drew to a close.
Thud.
A figure descended into the space where the examinees and proctors had gathered.
Though it had been only two weeks since they last saw him, the moment the examinees laid eyes on him, they unconsciously held their breath, their bodies tensing.
The Master of Maryong Hall. Gwi-ya-gaek.
He descended with the same reluctant air as always, then slowly swept his gaze across the examinees.
Then, step by step, he approached the proctors.
Man-cho, who was overseeing the head count, offered a light salute and made his report.
“All have returned except one.”
One.
Both Man-cho and Gwi-ya-gaek knew which examinee that was, so Gwi-ya-gaek nodded slowly.
“Then let’s—”
“Wait.”
Gwi-ya-gaek, about to issue orders for the return to Maryong Hall, turned his attention elsewhere.
Gu-yeong spoke urgently.
“One examinee has not yet arrived.”
Gwi-ya-gaek nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
At that casual response, Gu-yeong pressed further, bewildered.
“You mean to leave her behind?”
“Yes.”
Gu-yeong’s expression hardened visibly.
The examinee who hadn’t returned was Yeon-woo.
As time wore on without any sign of her, he’d grown increasingly anxious.
But in the end, she never appeared, never came back.
‘Leave her behind?’
Just like that?
No. It couldn’t be.
For the examination, Gwi-rim had been carefully maintained so that it posed no genuine threat to the examinees’ lives.
But once the proctors departed, Gwi-rim would no longer be safe.
If the suppressed Ghostly Energy ran wild, intermediate-level Jiangshi would emerge—and the beasts would grow far more vicious.
‘If we leave her here…’
She would surely die.
Gu-yeong stepped forward urgently.
“Give me time, and I’ll bring the examinee back myself.”
“Gu-yeong. Stop.”
It was Man-cho who moved to hold Gu-yeong back.
The only one in this place besides Gwi-ya-gaek who knew of Yeon-woo’s situation—this instructor knew the circumstances.
Man-cho had tried to calm Gu-yeong, understanding why he would leave the student behind.
“That’s fine.”
“?!”
Both Gu-yeong and Man-cho turned to stare at Gwi-ya-gaek in surprise.
Remarkably, Gwi-ya-gaek had consented to Gu-yeong’s intention.
Gwi-ya-gaek nodded with an impassive expression.
“It’ll be fine.”
“…Pardon?”
“Wait in front of the Strange Bird’s Nest. Bring him out when he comes.”
The Strange Bird’s Nest…!
Gu-yeong and the other instructors were taken aback.
“You mean he went in…? Into the nest…? But why didn’t you bring him out…!”
“If you go….”
Gwi-ya-gaek’s quiet voice cut off Gu-yeong’s words.
He turned a measured gaze toward Gu-yeong and spoke.
“If you go, you’ll understand. Go and see.”
“…!”
“Bring him out. That’s an order.”
“…Yes.”
Gu-yeong gave a brief bow toward Gwi-ya-gaek and immediately left his seat.
The instructors were quick to exchange glances and use Spirit Transmission among themselves.
– What’s this about? The nest? An examinee went into the nest?
– I’m as confused as you. More to the point, the missing examinee….
Wasn’t it an examinee named Yeon-woo from the Maryong Hall?
The one who passed the first test first?
The expressions on the instructors’ faces grew grave.
Yet none of them stepped forward to ask for details, and they soon led the examinees back to the Maryong Hall.
* * *
Fifteen more days had passed.
Gu-yeong, who had been leaning against a tree in front of the nest, now watched a man sitting in lotus position before the nest entrance, utterly motionless.
‘The Am-yeong Majun.’
When Gu-yeong came here on Gwi-ya-gaek’s orders, he had learned everything about the situation from him.
He’d been honestly taken aback when he heard that the Strange Bird wished to become a fortuitous encounter for the boy.
Yet it made sense—because it was that boy.
For that boy, it seemed even the Strange Bird would open its heart.
‘But then again….’
“It’s been a while! Your face looks healthier too—getting better sleep these days?”
It had been five years since they last met.
After completing his duty guarding the boy at the frontier, Gu-yeong had clashed with Amhyang’s group and returned directly to the tower of the Heavenly Demon, meeting him for the first time since.
Yet he spoke as if they’d seen each other yesterday, asking after his wellbeing in such a casual manner.
‘Nothing’s changed.’
This shameless affability of his hadn’t either.
Gu-yeong released a sigh that escaped unbidden and recalled the past.
‘He definitely said then that we’d meet again soon.’
Was this what he’d meant?
Had this man known from that time that he would become an instructor at the Maryong Hall?
‘How much does the Heavenly Demon trust this man?’
It was while watching him with such thoughts, utterly still and silent.
“….”
The Am-yeong Majun opened his eyes.
Then he suddenly rose from his seat.
Gu-yeong straightened his posture as well.
‘Is he finally coming out?’
He wondered if the boy was sensing the man’s awareness of his approach.
Slink—
“…!”
The moment the Am-yeong Majun rose, he suddenly drew his blade.
Then he turned the blade carefully, examining it with meticulous attention.
Gu-yeong approached him.
“What are you doing?”
“Setting my stance before we begin. You might say.”
“…What kind of stance?”
“Combat readiness.”
Gu-yeong’s brow furrowed slightly as he turned to glance back at the nest.
“Has something happened to the child?”
Of course—the Strange Bird would never let her go so easily.
“No. I’m preventing something from happening to her.”
“…? What do you…?”
That was when it came.
“…!”
Gu-yeong’s head snapped around.
His gaze fixed on the forest across from the nest.
From that direction—
‘They’re coming.’
A tremendous force approached.
And this force—
‘They’re the dead.’
The Ghost Soul Majun and the army of the deceased he commanded were drawing near.
Shwip—
Gu-yeong drew his spear.
Am-yeong Majun glanced at him and spoke.
“How do you know whether this decision will harm or benefit our sect? Why do you bare your blade so rashly?”
Gu-yeong turned to face him.
“Are you saying, then, that it will bring harm?”
Protecting the child?
“Perhaps. In one sense, you may lose something that cannot be replaced by a single child’s life.”
“…I understand.”
Gu-yeong calmly raised his spear again.
Am-yeong Majun’s lips curved into a thin smile.
“And you choose the same path again?”
Even after I’ve told you it would harm the sect—you still choose to protect the child.
Just as you did five years ago.
“Is the child so precious to you? You haven’t even known her that long.”
Gu-yeong fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke, his voice low.
“I’m not trusting my own limited judgment.”
As Am-yeong Majun said, Gu-yeong had not known Yeon-woo for long.
If he counted only the time he had actually spent with her, it was barely two months.
But.
“You have observed the child far longer than I have.”
“That’s true.”
Nearly every day for the past five years.
“I trust that judgment. Your eyes, which have watched over her through all that time, unlike mine.”
Gu-yeong met his gaze.
“Are you not fighting now because you wish to protect her?”
You’re not choosing not to protect her, are you?
“….”
“I believed you would never make a choice that harms Gyojoo and our sect.”
Am-yeong Majun’s smile deepened considerably.
His sword spun lightly in his hand—whoosh, whoosh.
“Our pup has grown clever in my absence.”
“I’ve said it before—I’m not your dog. And besides…”
The Heavenly Demon’s dog. And now, the Examiner of Maryong Hall.
Yes. Gu-yeong was the Examiner.
“As Examiner, protecting the students is my duty.”
Gu-yeong raised his spear straight.
Across the forest, an army of several hundred emanating the aura of death now stood before them.
“It cannot possibly be the wrong choice.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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