Book 2 Chapter 30

The events were about to unfold.

Before Biryuyeon met Moyonghwi,

while he was with Janghong and Hyoryong, checking the room assignments posted on the public bulletin board within the academy.

As he carefully checked the names written on the bulletin board,

Hyoryong and Janghong let out near-screams of questions.

"Ehh, you're the top scorer of the special admission?"

Both Hyoryong and Janghong were astonished. They were testing the expansion rate of their pupils to their limits, their faces clearly showing that they couldn't believe such a shocking fact. They simply couldn't comprehend it at all.

"Uh, how did you know?"

Biryuyeon asked, wondering how they knew, as he hadn't told them. The two, resentful of Biryuyeon's utter carelessness in stating as fact what they believed to be a lie, wore expressions of disbelief. Their faces were almost in tears.

"Of course. Look closely at who your roommate is!"

"My eyes are wide open right now. Who is it?"

All Biryuyeon knew was his name, written next to his own.

"You really don't know?"

"I haven't checked yet. I'm not a fortune teller, how could I know someone I haven't met yet?"

"Sigh, do you really need to see it with your own eyes? People aren't only known by what they see, but also by what they hear."

Janghong sighed. Then, he tapped the name written next to Biryuyeon's on the very first line of the announcement with his finger. It was a silent protest, urging him to look again and confirm. But no matter how many times he looked, the result didn't change.

"Seven Absolutes Divine Sword Moyonghwi! The top scorer of this Ascension Martial Arts competition, meaning the winner!"

Seven Absolutes Divine Sword Moyonghwi!

At the tender age of twenty, he had already earned the title of Divine Sword, the foremost prodigy of the martial arts world. As the second son of the Moyong clan, the foremost among the Eight Great Clans, he had been a prodigy since childhood, garnering attention from the martial arts world with his exceptional talent and genius. Although he could have easily passed through the special admission using the influence of his clan, the foremost of the Eight Great Clans, he volunteered for the Ascension Martial Arts competition. He proudly defeated countless masters and was admitted to the Cheonmu Academy as the top scorer.

His admission to Cheonmu Academy as the top scorer, not by relying on his strong and powerful background but solely through his own strength and ability, was indeed commendable and a great achievement. Biryuyeon was claiming not to know a famous figure that even three-year-olds would recognize.

"Oh, really?"

Despite his words, he showed little surprise. Hyoryong sighed, thinking he was incredibly dense. 'This is worse than me. It's sickening.'

"It's not just anyone. Only the highest scorer of the special admission exam gets to share a room with the winner of the Ascension Martial Arts competition."

Janghong said again to Biryuyeon, with exaggerated gestures.

"Right!"

"What?"

"I am indeed the highest scorer of that special admission exam or whatever it's called."

Janghong's eyes widened to twice their normal size. His eyes were now focused on one single desire. Gazing intently at Janghong's eyes filled with intense longing, Biryuyeon precisely read his wish.

"Are you hoping I'll deny reality right now?"

"I'm merely feeling a moment of doubt about this heartbreaking reality where falsehoods are spoken as truth."

Biryuyeon smiled.

"When the truth is spoken as truth, why should there be any hesitation? It's natural for me to win."

Although they hadn't known each other long, having observed Biryuyeon's actions for a short time, Janghong absolutely did not want to accept the fact that Biryuyeon had won the special admission, the most prestigious and authoritative exam, surpassing countless disciples. He didn't want to despair about the future of Cheonmu Academy and the martial arts world just yet. However, it seemed his wish was unlikely to be fulfilled.

"Are you really the winner of the special admission exam?"

"Yes."

Still, Biryuyeon merely nodded nonchalantly, as if to say, 'Is that so?' To that, Hyoryong and Janghong felt a sense of disbelief. Others would have puffed up their chests and boasted to everyone, but he took it so casually. However, Janghong and Hyoryong's eyes of incredulous disbelief soon turned into eyes of admiration. Especially for Hyoryong, the change was striking, though Janghong didn't change much.

Not only Hyoryong and Janghong, but several other new disciples who were nearby also looked at Biryuyeon with envious eyes, as if his situation was very enviable, regardless of Biryuyeon's own intentions. He didn't feel particularly good about it. But he decided to ignore it because it was bothersome. Biryuyeon truly wanted to ignore it. He couldn't understand why they were staring at him so intently with such admiring gazes for such a trivial and insignificant matter. That's why he hadn't paid much attention to Moyonghwi, his roommate, a famous person. But now, a problem had arisen, and he couldn't help but pay attention. The problem began to emerge subtly from their first meeting.

It was fine for Moyonghwi, considered the foremost talent of the martial arts world, to be absorbed in his own world and maintain extreme cleanliness. Who could blame someone for wanting to live in a clean environment? The human desire for cleanliness should be praised, not resented. However, Moyonghwi's desire for cleanliness was now becoming a target of Biryuyeon's resentment and irritation.

The problem wasn't the essence, but the excessiveness of the degree. It could have been tolerated if he suffered from an incurable mysophobia and put excessive effort into maintaining cleanliness. But Biryuyeon's desperate wish was that he be spared from being dragged into it. However, he could feel the subtle pressure from his roommate about cleanliness, tidiness, and organization. He couldn't tolerate it. He had no desire to be forcibly infected with his roommate's illness.

This Moyonghwi, who was an object of admiration for others, was unexpectedly fussy when they started sharing a room. Should we call him a perfectionist? With a resolute will to never tolerate a single speck of dust, he meticulously arranged all his belongings and cleaned the room as if it were a blank sheet of pure white paper. Biryuyeon was sick of this perfect, flawless orderliness, as if measured by a ruler. He had a strange and amazing talent for making people sick of cleanliness alone. It seemed he couldn't tolerate even a tiny speck of dust in the corners and crevices, or a single slightly askew or bent object. It was almost at a pathological level.

He had transformed the room into a completely colorless and sterile space of his own. Within his domain, Biryuyeon was merely a speck of dirt. He seemed to put up a defensive wall, as if very averse to any uncleanness approaching him.

Being near him seemed to lead to one of two outcomes. Either he would contract Moyonghwi's mysophobia, or he would suffocate due to the effects of the mysophobia. Both were outcomes Biryuyeon wanted to avoid. He disliked how difficult it was to approach him, and he disliked how he acted clean by himself. There were countless things he disliked, from beginning to end. Thinking he had to share a room with such a person for twelve months a year made Biryuyeon feel inexplicably displeased, and his future seemed bleak.

Therefore, Biryuyeon began to think that he needed to take some action for his bright future and hopeful tomorrow. Although no concrete plan had been made yet, Biryuyeon, who naturally disliked getting caught up in others' affairs, decided to devise a method. He decided to formulate the plan slowly and observe for a while. For now, he could still endure new stimuli. In any case, now that Biryuyeon had decided to hatch some kind of conspiracy for his future, Moyonghwi's future, which had been smooth sailing thus far, would not be so smooth either.

While Biryuyeon was suffering from the fierce mental assault of Moyonghwi's excessive cleaning, a visitor arrived. They had just finished tidying up: Hyoryong and Janghong, and a young man in a martial arts uniform that Biryuyeon had never seen before. Biryuyeon, exhausted by Moyonghwi's extreme mysophobia, found their visit to be like a refreshing tonic.

However, what was strange was that there were three visitors, not two. One was someone Biryuyeon had never seen before, a young man still with a boyish charm. The young man in the martial arts uniform followed behind Hyoryong and Janghong as if he were an appendix. Biryuyeon pointed at the boy with his index finger and asked,

"Who is this? I've never seen him before."

Biryuyeon's gaze turned to the young man standing behind the two. He had a neat appearance with a seemingly timid demeanor and a friendly face.

"Ah, allow me to introduce him. This is young master Yun Junho, who will be sharing a room with us. He's from Nak-an Peak of Hwasan?"

At the mention of "young master," the young man blushed and said,

"Young master is too great a title. I am Yun Junho of the Hwasan Sect."

"Ah, that Hwasan Sect! I know of that place. Nice to meet you. I'm Biryuyeon."

He greeted them without hesitation, uttering words that naturally made one wonder, 'Is there anyone who doesn't know the Hwasan Sect?' The young man's first impression must have been quite good. Even Biryuyeon, who was ignorant of the martial arts world's affairs and power dynamics, knew of the Hwasan Sect. He hadn't known before, but among the sixteen disciples of the Jujak Clan, there was Hwa Muyong, a disciple of Hwasan, and he learned of it through her. Before that, he had almost no knowledge of the famous Nine Sects and One Clan.

This young man was from the same special admission as Biryuyeon. Despite his delicate appearance, he had been admitted here on the recommendation of Jong Hakyeon, the Plum Blossom Sword Master, the former head of the Hwasan Sect. He seemed shy and introverted, as he couldn't even make proper eye contact with Biryuyeon.

Biryuyeon's gaze towards Yun Junho held a slight hint of unusual interest. He, who seemed timid and not at all like a martial artist, was now sending hot(?) eyes of admiration towards one person: the cleaning fanatic Moyonghwi. Biryuyeon couldn't understand why he was looking with such admiration and respect at Moyonghwi, who was diligently cleaning every corner of the room, leaving not a single speck of dust.

"What are you staring at so intently?"

"Yes?"

Yun Junho, who had been staring blankly at Moyonghwi, snapped back to attention, startled. He must have been so lost in thought that he didn't know what Biryuyeon had said. Seeing his bewildered state, Biryuyeon took the trouble to ask again.

"What are you staring at? You'll bore a hole through him."

At his words, Yun Junho blushed and lowered his head. 'Hmm, does he have a strange hobby?' He blushed at such a trivial question.

"Uh, could it be you like him?"

"Excuse me? What are you talking about? I am a perfectly normal person. Please don't misunderstand."

However, with his face flushed red, which was perfect for misunderstanding, he earnestly defended himself.

"Then why were you staring like that?"

"Because he's my idol," Yun Junho said in a voice so low it was like a mosquito buzzing. If Biryuyeon's hearing hadn't been trained by martial arts, he might not have heard it. Biryuyeon tilted his head and looked at him with a gaze that said, 'You're really strange.'

"What's so worshipful about that stone-like cleaning fanatic that you consider him an idol? Although his cleaning and organizing skills are surprisingly amazing."

This time, Yun Junho looked at Biryuyeon as if he were looking at a strange creature.

"Seven Absolutes Divine Sword Moyonghwi is an idol to all the late-stage disciples of our generation. Didn't you know?"

Of course, he didn't. What good would knowing something like that do? To judge the veracity of his words, Biryuyeon looked at Hyoryong. Surprisingly, Hyoryong nodded. Was it a consideration to give his friend respect and surprise? If so, it wasn't a very welcome consideration.

"That's right. Seven Absolutes Divine Sword Moyonghwi is indeed an outstanding figure, so much so that he's an object of admiration for late-stage disciples of our generation. His skills are so exceptional that there are rumors he's the most likely candidate for the future number one master in the world. Some even form groups that follow him. In particular, the Seven Absolutes Club, a women's organization and fan club for older men who fanatically follow him, is unmatched in its actions and activities. It's scary beyond surprise. There was a time when they observed his daily routine, from waking up to going to bed, without missing a single detail. If you were to carelessly say something dismissive about him in front of them, like you just did, you probably wouldn't be safe. Be careful."

The more Hyoryong explained, the more astonishing it became.

"Really?"

"Of course. Not long ago, a late-stage disciple in his twenties said something dismissive about him at a tavern while drunk, and a lady sitting next to him sliced off his left arm. That female swordsman was a member of the Seven Absolutes Club. The man became a one-armed swordsman afterward. It's quite a famous story."

"Wow, that's amazing."

After Hyoryong finished his detailed explanation, Biryuyeon looked at Moyonghwi with new eyes. However, that didn't mean Biryuyeon's attitude would change.

"Well, of course, he's quite handsome, and he seems to be good at martial arts, and he's on the smarter side, but that alone isn't enough to be an idol to others."

Hyoryong smiled slightly at Biryuyeon's words.

"Of course, by your expression, it might seem a bit lacking to be an idol. But the general public's assessment of him is that he's an extremely handsome man, his martial arts level is immeasurable, and his wisdom is said to surpass ten thousand books. So, he has enough qualifications to be an idol. Unlike you, who is so stingy with your scores. Furthermore, his family background is also strong, so he's a top candidate for a husband, isn't he? He has enough qualifications to make the hearts of countless women flutter. And he's already doing so."

"Yes, does he seem that great? I don't see him as that great no matter how I look at him."

Biryuyeon spoke his honest opinion. He kept tilting his head and objecting. He remained suspicious about what was so great about that cleaning fanatic over there.

"That's the difference in perspective. The evaluation of an object changes depending on the observer's criteria and standards. Even an inanimate inkstone can appear in various shapes depending on the viewing direction, that is, just by shifting the position of your gaze. How much more so for humans, with their unique personalities, temperaments, and levels?"

"Hmm…"

Only then did Biryuyeon show a face of acceptance. Of course, he didn't stamp his approval on Moyonghwi's qualifications as an idol, but he decided to drop further arguments about him. Suddenly, Biryuyeon asked Hyoryong,

"So, are you like that too?"

The question was whether Hyoryong was also part of the group of inferiors who considered Moyonghwi an idol.

Hyoryong shook his head.

"If you're asking if I'm one of his many followers, you're wrong. I can say I'm his rival."

Hyoryong said with a smile. However, his statement might have been considered excessive by an ordinary person. And if they were members of the Seven Absolutes Club, they would have unequivocally called him crazy. Yun Junho and Janghong looked at him with surprised eyes at his answer. They knew from their brief encounters that he wasn't the type to speak empty boasts so lightly.

'If he's a master swordsman who has reached the level of perfect sword defense at that age, it's not impossible.'

Janghong thought, recalling Hyoryong who had blocked the terrifying storm of sword fragments with a silvery-white sword defense during the recent destruction of the Sword Forest. Even to his eyes, Hyoryong seemed like an outstanding master who wouldn't lose to Moyonghwi. The only flaw was his ambiguous origin.

Indeed, Biryuyeon, who was standing there, was no less ambiguous in terms of his origin. The ambiguity of their origins was one of the biggest headaches plaguing Janghong right now. No matter how much he looked, he couldn't find any clues. It was something he had never forgotten. However, he was still avoiding the worst-case scenario. If the worst-case scenario happened by chance, he would have to lose his two new, cheerful friends forever. And that would be by his own hand… His usually boisterous head throbbed after a long time. Damn it, he really hated this feeling.

Biryuyeon looked up at Yun Junho again.

"So, you're one of his followers, is that it?"

Yun Junho nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it's an honor to meet you like this."

Biryuyeon looked at Yun Junho, whose eyes were shining with joy, with a look of pity.

"Honor? What damn honor. You're the same age, a fellow entrant, and you're idolizing him? Is that even reasonable? A man should have the ambition to surpass him! If you idolize him and only look up to him from below, you'll never surpass him, even if you were reborn five times. You'll always remain beneath him. Don't tie yourself down to some trivial cleaning fanatic. That's just a waste of time."

Biryuyeon's words were extremely harsh.

"B-but I don't have much talent…"

He had entered Cheonmu Academy, which boasted the highest competition and standards that everyone desired, yet he lamented his lack of talent. He seemed like someone who didn't understand the ways of the world, too naive.

"You fool, nothing is impossible with effort and perseverance. Besides, you have talent. Believe me, I'm telling you. So don't give up. Understand?"

"Yes…"

Yun Junho lowered his head and replied in a faint voice. His voice still lacked pride, courage, and ambition. There was no sense of grit. It was unusual for Biryuyeon not to crush the opponent to the point of incapacitation, but instead to coax him.

However, Moyonghwi continued to clean silently and indifferently, even while the conversation about him was going on. Biryuyeon hadn't spoken quietly to make him react, nor had he spoken loudly to get his attention. But there was no reaction from Moyonghwi, as Biryuyeon had secretly hoped.

Moyonghwi maintained an attitude of considering them unworthy of his attention. It was clear that he only cared about himself and his surroundings, and nothing else.

"Alright, alright, let's stop the boring talk and go for dinner, shall we?"

As the day darkened and dinner time approached, Janghong suggested they all go to the dormitory cafeteria to eat together. At Cheonmu Academy, students had to do their own laundry and cleaning, but meals were provided for free. Of course, there were regular restaurants within the academy, but the difference between the two was that the latter was paid, and the former was free. Therefore, private restaurants were difficult for those who were not children of wealthy families or disciples of large sects to use frequently.

Disciples from Taoist or Buddhist sects and those from minor factions mostly used the free dormitory cafeteria. This place was also operated with a large budget from Cheonmu Academy, so the taste and quality were not significantly inferior. Still, befitting the name Cheonmu Academy, it had carefully selected ingredients and skilled cooks. Everyone nodded in agreement to Janghong's suggestion, and Janghong looked at Moyonghwi and said. Moyonghwi was still engrossed in cleaning. What a terrifying person!

"Hey, won't you join us too?"

It wouldn't be polite to go eat without inviting the person beside them, so he asked. But he received an unexpected answer. Moyonghwi, who seemed like he was the only one in heaven and earth, nodded in affirmation. The group was quite surprised that Moyonghwi, famous as the foremost prodigy, accepted their invitation. Yun Junho, from Hwasan Sect, widened his eyes like a rabbit's, clearly showing his excitement. How could he not be moved to have a meal at the same table as his idol?

Thus, Biryuyeon, Janghong, Hyoryong, Yun Junho, and Moyonghwi got up to go to the communal dining hall, about ten rooms away from the Geomhon Hall, to have dinner. Geomhon Hall was a dormitory for males only, but the dining hall was a communal space for all six male and female dormitories. However, as a place where many people of various backgrounds gathered, it was also a place where unexpected incidents could occur.