The Evil Martial God Chronicles - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Legend of the Evil Martial God

Chapter 58

“If I use it, it’ll draw attention. If you use it, it’ll just look like you came in through connections.”

“Tch. I understand.”

“Wigang. The children there are weak, so you need to handle them gently. You understand? If they accidentally get grazed by your fist, they’ll die.”

“I understand.”

“And even if the kids there pick fights with you, don’t kill them. Got it?”

“Yes. I’ll just give them a light beating.”

He says he’ll give them a light beating, but why am I so worried?

“Right. Do that. But don’t let anyone who acts rudely toward you off easy. Don’t endure it either. Got it? Beat anyone who disrespects my boy just enough that they won’t die.”

“Yes. Grandfather.”

The next day.

Near Heavenly Martial City.

Cheonmu Valley, a massive gorge surrounded by cliffs on all sides.

The cliffs had rocky protrusions that could be climbed to the top, and numerous caves that appeared to be training ground entrances were hidden here and there.

On the ground stood a massive hall built as if perfectly fitted to the space, displaying its majesty, with a large signboard carved in bold calligraphy reading “Museong Pavilion.”

Jeok Wigang, who had received Geum Hwangryeok’s letter of recommendation, arrived at Museong Pavilion.

He had instructed Taecheon and Chu Sohwan that since they couldn’t stay together for a while, they should help with Yeom Hwa’s training while training themselves.

At the center of this massive gorge was built a hexagonal Martial Training Ground, where one could advance in rank by challenging and defeating higher-ranked opponents.

Each person could challenge and refuse three times each, and if they failed or refused all three times, they would be expelled from Museong Pavilion.

And if they wanted to become stronger, they could enter the Abyss Star Training Hell that existed within Museong Pavilion to forge their body and mind.

There, the body was strengthened through various methods including extreme heat, cold, pressure, poison, and Yin Energy – it was called training, but it was essentially no different from torture.

There was also a space for strengthening mental power.

Adhering to the principle that those with weak minds were not proper martial artists, it was a place that showed trainees their greatest fears through illusions and made them overcome them.

Despite such extremely harsh conditions, trainees who wanted to become stronger voluntarily entered that place.

Since trainees who emerged from the Abyss Star Training Hell actually returned incredibly stronger, others gritted their teeth and entered to avoid losing to them.

The ranks at Museong Pavilion were divided into seven levels total, called the Seven Star Ascension Method.

There were levels from seventh rank to first rank, and the lower the number, the stronger one was.

From fifth rank onward, one was recognized as an official martial artist of Heavenly Martial City, and the higher the rank, the higher one’s status in Heavenly Martial City.

Reaching first rank allowed one to challenge for successor status, and success in that challenge granted qualification to become the next fortress lord.

The ultimate goal of many who entered Museong Pavilion was first rank.

Entering first rank to become a candidate for Heavenly Martial City’s successor.

But entering first rank was more difficult than plucking stars from the sky.

Only truly chosen ones could reach that place, and currently no one was in first rank.

Due to the high difficulty, most people couldn’t surpass third rank and left Museong Pavilion to establish themselves in Heavenly Martial City.

There were two methods of advancement: defeating a late-stage practitioner of higher rank than oneself, or challenging the Seven Star Ascension Tower.

Higher-ranked trainees had to respond when challenged by lower-ranked trainees, though they could refuse up to three times.

Three refusals meant expulsion.

Challenges at the Martial Training Ground were only possible from seventh rank to fourth rank.

From third rank onward, one had to challenge the Seven Star Ascension Tower or receive recognition from Heavenly Martial City for advancement, usually proven by fighting and defeating martial artists designated by Heavenly Martial City.

If fighting at the Martial Training Ground was too troublesome, one could challenge the Seven Star Ascension Tower.

The Seven Star Ascension Tower was a place where one could advance multiple ranks at once regardless of current rank, if capable.

But so far, no trainee had reached first rank through the Seven Star Ascension Tower.

Most gave up without even surpassing third rank, and eventually almost no trainees advanced through the Seven Star Ascension Tower.

Only lower ranks challenged to move up, and even that was difficult, so they never challenged again.

The Seven Star Ascension Tower had special Formation Methods installed on each floor, and entering each floor presented tests appropriate to that rank through illusions.

Passing those tests carved patterns onto one’s body, which indicated that person’s current rank.

Anyone belonging to Museong Pavilion could challenge the Seven Star Ascension Tower at any time regardless of when they entered.

Succeeding in the challenge immediately upon entry meant advancing from seventh rank to sixth rank simultaneously with admission.

Museong Pavilion was a place that gave late-stage practitioners opportunities to develop their abilities.

People thought this was a place for nurturing late-stage practitioners, but that wasn’t actually the case.

Those who already possessed sufficient talent displayed their abilities, and Heavenly Martial City selected talented individuals from among them – it was mutually beneficial.

Therefore, there was no set time for admission.

The admission method was available to anyone belonging to or connected with forces related to Heavenly Martial City, and passing the admission test allowed entry into Museong Pavilion.

Admission always started at seventh rank regardless of whether the person was strong or weak.

After admission, one could decide whether to train alone, choose a master for training, or immediately challenge the Seven Star Ascension Tower for advancement.

Everything was autonomous.

One could enter and just live without doing anything.

However, making no effort toward advancement for a full year resulted in permanent expulsion and being forever banned from setting foot in Heavenly Martial City.

Upon entering Museong Pavilion, living spaces were divided by rank, with treatment varying according to rank.

Seventh ranks lived in poor communal accommodations and the food quality was also terrible.

It was mainly just thin noodles or one vegetable side dish with rice.

Moving up increased both the number of dishes and their quality.

Reaching fifth rank provided individual accommodation, and higher ranks received better halls.

This was a method of drawing out motivation from lower-ranked trainees through thorough discrimination.

Jeok Wigang presented his letter of recommendation to those in charge of Museong Pavilion admission screening.

“Hmm. Cheonjang Gong personally recommended you?”

The examination panel looked at Jeok Wigang with surprised eyes.

“Even though Cheonjang Gong recommended you, you can’t enter immediately. You must go through the basic test.”

“Yes. I’ll do it.”

“Good. Follow me.”

The examiner walked toward Jeok Wigang carrying documents.

There was a rock that looked solid even at first glance.

“The first is an Internal Energy Power test. That rock only reacts to and breaks from Internal Energy Power. Try to scratch that rock. The more scratches, the better.”

Jeok Wigang approached the rock and carved into it with his finger as if digging through sand.

Crack-.

The examiner was surprised.

“Huh. Your Internal Energy Power is considerable. You pass the Internal Energy test.”

He hadn’t used any Internal Energy at all.

No, he couldn’t use it since he didn’t have any to begin with.

The examiner couldn’t even imagine that he had dug through that rock with pure strength alone.

Moving to the second location, devices that looked ready to strike at the slightest misstep were installed everywhere.

“The second test will examine your light body technique. You need to pass through there.”

The floor was made of logs that would immediately rotate with the slightest pressure, and above were logs ready to fly toward Jeok Wigang at any moment.

When the examination official looked at the documents and shouted to begin, Jeok Wigang calmly crossed the area.

He avoided the logs flying from all directions too easily, walking as if on flat ground.

“Ho! Your light body technique is truly remarkable. You pass.”

It wasn’t light body technique.

He had just walked.

The flying logs were so slow that he almost yawned.

The third room was for testing mental power.

One had to maintain a sound mind and exit from a room filled with killing intent.

But this also posed no threat to Jeok Wigang whatsoever.

Jeok Wigang passed through too easily.

The examination official showed a surprised expression.

“Huh! It’s been a long time since such talent has entered.”

An excited expression.

“That’s enough. You pass.”

It was so anticlimactic that he wondered if this was really a test.

Jeok Wigang didn’t know.

How notorious these tests he had taken were.

Why the examination official was making such a fuss.

When the stamp was pressed on the documents, a red seal with “Pass” written on it was clearly visible.

“Take this and go inside there. You’ll be able to hear detailed explanations once you enter.”

“Thank you.”

“Cheonjang Gong’s recommendation?”

Inside Museong Pavilion, when he handed the passing documents received from the examination official to the administrator, they looked at Jeok Wigang with an expression of disbelief.

After staying like that for a while, they scribbled something frantically and handed it back to Jeok Wigang.

The administrator’s gaze was sharp.

“The childish behavior you showed outside won’t work here. Sign there with your blood.”

A single sheet of paper placed before Jeok Wigang.

It was the Museong Pavilion oath document.

[I, as one who bears a sword under heaven, swear to follow the will of Heavenly Martial City

and dedicate my life from the moment I enter Museong Pavilion.]

An oath document beginning with such a preamble.

Below it were individual clauses, three in total.

The first was a life-and-death oath.

It was a vow that it was acceptable to die during training or duels.

The second was about martial arts.

It was a clause swearing to use the martial arts learned here only for the honor and purpose of Heavenly Martial City.

The third was a clause about not leaking any information related to Museong Pavilion, and the fourth was a clause swearing to use everything else learned here, besides martial arts, only for Heavenly Martial City.

[I certify that I have read and understood the above oath and entered of my own free will, signing with my blood and hand.]

Below that was a space for signing.

Jeok Wigang’s body couldn’t be wounded by anything.

The only being who could wound his body was himself.

When he bit his finger, blood came out, and he signed the oath document with it.

The wound on his finger immediately healed.

No administrator saw this happen.

After the signing was complete, the administrator shuffled through documents.

Then they spoke.

“There’s an opening in Seventh Rank Third Group. Follow that person.”

When Jeok Wigang turned his gaze, a one-eyed man spoke in a blunt voice.

“Follow me.”

After Jeok Wigang disappeared following the guide, the staff members gathered and whispered.

“He looks like a scholar.”

“Does anyone think that guy would do blacksmithing work? It’s probably just a favor from Cheonjang Gong’s acquaintance.”

“Really? Would Cheonjang Gong write a letter of recommendation just because someone’s an acquaintance?”

“This isn’t iron-related work. It’s not like he’s asking to be put in a blacksmith shop, so that’s probably why he wrote it.”

“Forget it. We’ll see whether that guy is real or not.”

“Sigh. All the recent recruits have only gotten in through connections.”

“Forget it. They’re all sent by the higher-ups, so what power do we have?”

“Ugh. These days it’s not the Museong Pavilion of old. It used to be more spirited and lively.”

“How did the great Heavenly Martial City end up like this?”

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