Chapter: 274

“It’s made with cold steel.”

There was a small etching that said ‘Demonic Cult’ on the blade, with a hint of sword qi from the etch. It seemed like it was etched by a warrior.

“That etching is left by the Lord himself. It is a gift given directly from the Lord, only given to masters.”

Hou Jinchang spoke proudly, but Yeowun became cold. It was maybe an honor to ordinary cadets or cultists, but it wasn’t for him. Yeowun placed the dagger on his belt. He had the urge to throw it away right now, but he couldn’t do it in front of Lee Hameng the Left Guardian, or the other instructors. He then changed the subject to hide his feelings.

“So, can I be informed of the sixth test?”

Lee Hameng grinned. Maybe the sixth test was the best one that Yeowun might have been waiting for. The sixth test that was issued less than ten times in the entire history of the academy was only given when the cadet was at the level of superior warrior. This was why most cadets weren’t even given the chance before graduating from the academy. And this was why Lee Hameng also skipped mentioning this test on the first day of the academy. After 70 years, there was finally one worthy enough to take the test.

“Master Chun. You have the right to take the test.”

‘Finally...! The sixth test!’

‘I didn’t think I would see it in my days!’

Instructors were excited. Even Hou Jinchang, who had worked for the longest time within the academy, never saw any cadets who earned the right to take the sixth test.

“The sixth is to challenge our finest warriors, or our elders. You must challenge one of them.”

Yeowun’s eyes began to shake.

Lee Hameng stayed behind while everyone left his office. He grabbed the silver medal that Chun Yeowun had returned and thought.

‘He’s grown much.’

Yeowun was completely different from three years ago. He was no longer a boy who was eager to avenge his mother. He knew he could challenge one of the twelve elders, but he held back his emotions. This looked just like the cold-hearted Lord who was a father to the boy.

[Is there any specific elder you wish to challenge?]

[Is it okay if I think about it for a while?]

Yeowun had grown very thoughtful and did not act on impulse. Hameng thought that Yeowun would choose to fight Baek Oh, the leader of the Poison Clan for Yeowun’s hatred toward poison.

‘He is too dangerous to just challenge for revenge.’

Baek Oh, the Monster Poison. Without considering the level of martial arts, he was the most dangerous man within the six clan elders for his ability to kill. He was reinstated as an elder after being released from his prison sentence for two years. With the Poison Clan having much of their power decreased, and Baek Oh having accepted his consequences, he had been decreased of his rank to 12th elder.

‘And the Lord wants to keep him close.’

With the incident that happened three years ago, the Sword Clan paid its price and the entire six clans had to lay low for three years. But even if they were weakened, they still consisted of 30% of the cult’s power and there was no way these old and powerful clans could stay quiet forever. It was only a little more time for the academy to soon close, so it was about time they show their claws.

‘If the time comes, the cult will be in a bloodshed.’

There wasn’t much time for Chun Yeowun to be ready for the upcoming strife.

Chun Yeowun went straight to the library. He was in deep thought ever since he left the Chief’s office. He had not expected that the sixth test was to challenge one of the 12 elders. A warrior at the superior level was one of the top-ranking warriors within the cult, so they were given the right to challenge the elders to replace them. If the challenger defeated an elder, then the challenger was appointed as a new elder. And this wasn’t only it. With the passing of the fifth test, Yeowun was told that there were hidden underground floors of the library that he can enter if he passes the sixth test. But Yeowun was too busy to think about getting the chance to fight elders in a public duel.

‘I can go after the elders from the six clans.’

He was to start a war against the six clans right after his academy, but this was a chance for him to defeat one of the elders ahead of that war. He had someone in mind already, but he needed to be careful. Yeowun wasn’t afraid of him, but needed to make preparations considering what he would gain and lose.

Yeowun got to the library while thinking. He saw the instructor taking care of entries sitting down on the desk in front of the library. He had a thick fur coat over him, but it still seemed very cold as his nose was very red.

“Ohh!”

The instructor got up instantly as he saw Yeowun after a long time. The job had been very boring now as only a few cadets now visited the library after the third test. It seemed like he was happy to see an old face.