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Chapter : 17
My Cheat Luck Is a Status Window (17)
Model Student
Wumyeonga took me to an empty building.
It looked like a reception hall where they normally entertained guests — full of tables and chairs.
After he sat down, he waved a hand for me to sit too.
“Who the hell are you?”
“…Sorry?”
What kind of sudden nonsense was that?
Didn’t I just take the exam and come here to learn martial arts with the White Tiger Squad?
Why ask the obvious?
“No sect. Doesn’t know his master’s name…”
Feet on the table, Wumyeonga swept back his bangs and spoke in a tone full of disbelief.
“What the hell are you, brat.”
His sharp gaze suddenly stabbed at me.
Come on…
I really don’t have a sect, and I really don’t know my master’s name.
“My name is Dancheon…”
“No, you little shit! I’m asking where the hell you rolled in from.”
“Well… it’s a bit long to explain…”
“Go on.”
Wumyeonga leaned back and folded his arms.
Meaning he had plenty of time.
Fine.
I had a story prepared.
Whew… using this for the second time, huh?
Just like the past I spun for Dongchang.
Just add a sprinkle of Lotus Ring (Yeonhwanjang) and it’s fine.
Even Saryegam nodded along.
Wumyeonga wouldn’t be much different.
Though this time I had to include how I stayed at Dongchang’s safehouse before coming to the Alliance.
Tell as much truth as possible — that way the lies hide smoothly.
“I grew up as an orphan and beggar in Xiaoshan of Zhejiang. Then I was taken in by an organization called Banghuipae…”
And so began my tearjerker biography.
“What?! Then that letter was proof that the governor of Jiangsu, Wei Jicheon, was salt-smuggling?”
“Yes. That’s correct. I was shocked too. So—”
Wumyeonga hadn’t reacted even when I spoke of killing Hyeokseong and fleeing, but when I reached the letter that Gidaeseung received, he jolted upright.
“I figured going straight to Beijing would get me killed. So in Sunhwa of Hebei, I sent the letter to the Capital Police Bureau in the name of the Dongchang eunuch.”
“Huh? Why? Why not send it straight to him?”
“I thought Jinyiwei might intercept it.”
“Oooh… makes sense. Continue.”
I wrapped up the story — meeting the eunuch, delivering the letter, staying at the safehouse, and coming south for the White Tiger exam.
“So you learned martial arts from that Hyeokseong fellow?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s confirm.”
“Excuse me?”
—Shffft.
His palm slithered like a snake and shot toward me.
A test!
Someone like Wumyeonga could hit much faster—
He slowed it on purpose to see how I’d react.
Flowing Water from Lotus Ring Palm.
Using the fifth technique, Wrist Deflection, I parried his hand.
Easier than expected — his arm slid aside.
“…!!”
At the same moment, his left foot swung toward my head.
He supported his entire body on one hand and kicked — like an acrobat.
This time I used the body techniques from Trinity Mind Arts (Jangsam Shingong appendix) to roll across the floor.
I wanted to dodge cleanly, but risking a bruise on the temple was not wise.
“Oho! Focus. Here comes another!”
The assault didn’t stop.
His heel descended toward me as I lay on the floor.
Fast!
A whole level faster than the attacks so far!
To live, I had to give it everything.
Trigram Step — Quick Shedding.
I poured all my energy into the technique and rolled away.
—KRACK!
Barely dodged.
The floor split in a cross where his foot landed.
Holy damn…
If that hit, my spine would’ve been powder.
“Is Hao Sect martial arts always this varied?”
Wumyeonga grinned, arms folded.
Great.
Now you’re nervous?
Your martial arts are leagues above mine.
Let’s just let this end peacefully, please.
Was this a political inquisition or what…
“I’m not sure. I just learned what I was taught…”
“The footwork smells like Hao Sect, yeah. Seems made for scouts, not fighters.”
Exactly what Oh Chong said.
Amazing. Masters are frighteningly sharp.
Martial arts aren’t just brawling — they’re deep scholarship.
Seeing through someone’s style in a few exchanges?
That’s insight only vast experience grants.
“But your hands — that trick you used to knock mine away — not Hao Sect.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Not Central Plains. Smells like the West.”
“W–West?”
“There are unarmed specialists out there. Saw them in Dunhuang once. Looked similar to what you did.”
The West?!
My art is clearly Lotus Ring Palm!
Though… who knows where it actually came from.
“I only learned what I was taught.”
“Fine, I’ll believe it.”
He sat back down and gestured for me to sit.
Was the test over?
My head stays attached?
I’m staying alive?
“Dancheon. Your case caused debate up top.”
“Yes.”
“Even before — but after this letter, it got louder.”
Thud.
He tossed a folded letter on the table.
Seal of the Great Ming Emperor
大明皇帝之璽
Stamped bright red in the middle.
Seal of the Great Ming Emperor?
What the hell?
“Don’t you read?”
“N–no, I can.”
“Good. Read it.”
“It says ‘Seal of the Great Ming Emperor’…”
“What’s it mean?”
“That it’s the Emperor’s official seal…”
“Correct. A letter from the Emperor was delivered to us. Rare. Know why?”
“No.”
He pointed at me.
“…Me?”
“Yes. You.”
Say it faster, man!
“Open it. We already checked.”
“Yes…”
I unfolded it.
To Hye-gong, Leader of the Martial Alliance.
I, the Emperor, issue this decree—
It praised the Alliance’s contribution against Yuan, then:
Dancheon… played a crucial role in helping Us ascend the throne…
His wisdom and courage…
Allow him to fully exercise his gifts…
He will bring peace and prosperity to the martial world.
Imperial Letter, by the Emperor’s own hand
“……!!”
What in all nine hells?
The Emperor wrote a personal letter… for me?!
How is this remotely possible?
Then it hit me—
The eunuch!
Only he could do this.
“He liked me enough… to recommend me to the Alliance?”
Coins — sure.
Wishing me luck — fine.
But this?
A letter under the Emperor’s seal?!
Was my backing now the Imperial Court?
Is that… good?
“This is real?”
“You didn’t know?”
“No.”
“We verified it. It’s real.”
“…I see.”
“And after hearing your story today, I’m sure. The eunuch must value you.”
“So it seems…”
“He’s been itching for a reason to crush the Jinyiwei. You saved him from losing his justification.”
“Ah…”
“You saw him in person?”
“Yes.”
“Strong, was he?”
“Well…”
Everyone’s strong to ants.
A rabbit or tiger, same difference.
“You wouldn’t sense his true power.”
“No. I just felt scared and thought I should obey.”
“He’s an incredible master.”
“Oh?”
“During the purge, he butchered an elite Jinyiwei squad single-handedly.”
“…Wow.”
No wonder.
That laugh of his was unsettling.
I made a good impression on a monster like that?
Guess I am doing okay.
“Anyway, we can’t keep you in the Abandoned Talon Unit. Too risky with the Imperial Court watching.”
“Yes.”
“From today, you’re a full White Tiger squad member.”
“Ah!”
“Imperial-endorsed background fits better. Right?”
“Absolutely.”
“One less worry. Hard to structure lessons with only one student in a unit. Can’t hire an instructor just for you.”
“Missed a chance for apprenticeship learning, huh?”
“No. We narrowly avoided a future where every class was self-study.”
“…Right.”
“But for now stay in the Abandoned Talon lodging. The White Tiger dorm’s undergoing repairs. Couple months.”
“Understood.”
Better that way!
I hadn’t absorbed the inner core yet — a crowded dorm would be miserable.
“That’s all. You may go.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
I left the reception hall.
A weight lifted.
Was half afraid they’d expel me—
or brand me heretic.
All gone.
“Lord Dancheon!”
Gwak Eun and Dang Jisang waited.
“Huh? Why are you here?”
“We heard noise. Thought something happened.”
“Oh… he just tested my skills.”
“What?! You’re okay? Any injuries?”
“None.”
“Phew…”
They still checked me head to toe.
Live with these two a year and I’ll get attached.
“Let’s go eat.”
“You haven’t eaten?”
“No. We were waiting.”
“Oh man, sorry. Let’s go.”
The cafeteria was almost empty — buffet downside.
I ate some cold leftovers and returned to my room.
Time to focus again.
Prajna Divine Art.
I opened the manual.
Need to learn fast.
Before moving to White Tiger quarters, I must absorb the intermediate core.
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form…
Reading again and again.
Ten days later
A week gone with barely any lessons — just rules and lifestyle.
Lots of personal time — all spent cultivating Prajna.
And today, day eleven,
Time to try the intermediate core.
“Sss… ha—”
It still released a pristine fragrance.
Amazing medicine.
Ten days of study.
My comprehension now far eclipsed the old me who learned Trinity Mind Art.
An intermediate core?
Doable.
Let’s go!
Gulp.
No hesitation— swallowed.
Fire rolled down. Energy surged in the dantian.
Prajna is Calm + Insight.
Calm cultivation energy.
Insightfully guide it.
It’s moving!
Qi rose from dantian through Mingmen and Jade Pillow, struck Baihui, dropped through Tanzhong and returned.
Got it!
Once the circuit forms, the rest is easy.
Qi dissolved and flooded in.
Oh yes—
I felt my inner power swelling full.
But stay focused.
Lose concentration — flow collapses.
Huuu…
About half an hour later—
Core fully absorbed.
Status window.
[Name: Dancheon]
[Title: White Tiger Squad Member]
[Combat Power: 1,341]
[Rank: Third-rate]
[Skills: Trinity Mind, Trigram Step, Lotus Ring]
[Mission: Pass exam to join Flying Dragon Squad]
[>View Details]
Leveled up.
Combat power now in the thousands.
Before absorption: ~800.
Nearly doubled.
Nice!
Stronger! Stronger still!
I can keep rising.
A bright future.
And also—
rustle
I lifted my blanket.
One more intermediate core, fragrant and gleaming.
“One left.”
That’s right.
One more.
I’ll down it before moving to the White Tiger dorm.
