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Chapter: 02
Called Cheonyeonggeun
“What is this Yeonggeun test?”
Indeok asked nervously as he was led along by Ganghyeon.
“It seems like there are different types of Yeonggeun. Maybe they’re trying to rank them,” Ganghyeon replied calmly.
“Is that so?”
Indeok’s worry eased a little at Ganghyeon’s nonchalant tone.
“You don’t worry about that. Just think about returning home. Your parents will be worried.”
“Ah… okay. I’ll do that.”
Indeok nodded again, promising.
By the time they reached the tower, there happened to be an empty spot, and they went there.
“Come forward.”
The person waiting looked to be about thirty, with the dignified air of a scholar.
“Hello. I’m Ganghyeon. This is Hwang Indeok.”
“Ah, hello,” Indeok said hesitantly.
“Good. Step forward and show me your wrist.”
The scholarly man didn’t say anything further and simply held out his hand. Ganghyeon hesitated briefly, then extended his arm.
“Let’s see… hmm?”
The scholar pressed two fingers to Ganghyeon’s wrist and closed his eyes.
After a moment, he opened them in surprise and stared at Ganghyeon.
“What’s the matter?” Ganghyeon asked cautiously.
“You are Cheonyeonggeun.”
“Huh? What does that mean?”
Ganghyeon frowned, confused by the unfamiliar word.
“Cheonyeonggeun!”
From nowhere, Yanggwang, floating beside them, asked the scholar.
“It seems so, by my limited knowledge,” the scholar replied.
“Really?” Yanggwang turned his gaze toward Ganghyeon. His eyes glowed faintly blue with golden light.
Ganghyeon stared, astonished, as the golden light flowed into his body.
“Truly Cheonyeonggeun… But your element is Wood?”
Yanggwang looked a little disappointed, yet intrigued.
“What should we do?”
“Monitor him specially. You know what I mean?”
“Of course.”
Then Yanggwang’s gaze shifted to Indeok behind Ganghyeon. His eyes still glowed blue, but golden light also flowed strongly toward Indeok.
After a moment, Yanggwang laughed heartily.
“What a destiny! You!”
“Yes, sir,” Ganghyeon replied, bowing respectfully.
“Do you know the boy behind you?”
“Yes, we grew up together in the same village.”
“Childhood friends? Excellent! Perfectly wonderful!” Yanggwang exclaimed.
“Hyungak!”
“Yes, sir,” Hyungak, the scholarly man, replied, bowing.
“The boy behind you carries the power of Gold and Lightning.”
“Gold and Lightning Yeonggeun?” Hyungak asked, astonished.
“No, no. He has a special Lightning with Gold energy. A unique Cheonyeonggeun called Gold Lightning,” Yanggwang clarified.
“Is… that even possible?”
“You wouldn’t know since you haven’t mastered Lightning yet. Normally Metal and Lightning are related, but certain unique energies exist in Lightning, including Gold Lightning.”
“Then this boy…”
“He’s very special. And most suitable for our Cheonroeum Sect.”
Ganghyeon realized that if he didn’t act carefully, Indeok might not be allowed to return home. He spoke up.
“He doesn’t want to participate in the Grand Selection. He just wants to go home.”
“Impossible!” Yanggwang bellowed.
“That boy will become the future of Cheonroeum. Do you think I would let him live among commoners? Never!”
Golden light swirled from Yanggwang’s eyes, imprinting onto Ganghyeon and Indeok.
“I have engraved a mark on you. You are now disciples of Cheonroeum.”
He turned to Hyungak.
“From now until the end of the Grand Selection, you will take care of these children.”
“Am I to be their master?” Hyungak asked.
“Hmph! Do you think someone like you can teach a Cheonyeonggeun? You’ll be surpassed in decades, foolish question.”
“Then… what should I do?”
“Until the Grand Selection ends, you cannot take them to the main sect. Teach them the basics while you keep them. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I will provide ample training resources, so it will not be a loss for you.”
“Thank you.”
“But never let anything happen to these children. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
With Yanggwang’s emphasis, Hyungak bowed deeply.
“I will leave now. Hyungak, take care.”
“Yes, sir. Do not worry.”
After Yanggwang floated away, Hyungak turned to Ganghyeon and Indeok.
“Return to the other children and act as if nothing happened. I will call for you later.”
“Um…” Ganghyeon started to protest about Indeok’s return home.
“Do as you’re told! No more words!” Hyungak interrupted.
Ganghyeon held Indeok’s wrist and stepped back from the tower.
“Ganghyeon… what should we do?!” Indeok asked, pale and worried.
“Sigh… I’m sorry.” Ganghyeon’s expression was gentle as he comforted Indeok.
“You won’t be going home now, right?”
Indeok looked at him, silently pleading.
“Most likely.”
“Because I have special Yeonggeun, right?”
“Yes. Yanggwang seems to value you especially, Indeok.”
“A-ah… Mom…”
Indeok called out softly and silently let tears fall, though he did not panic, understanding there was no choice.
Ganghyeon comforted him, stroking his back. Meanwhile, other children were being tested for Yeonggeun. Those who didn’t come forward were tested by the scholars themselves.
“Are they marking which children have been tested?” Ganghyeon wondered aloud.
“I counted… Forty-two Cheonroeum scholars are testing, each with nearly a hundred children,” Indeok replied.
“Really?”
“But it seems they don’t test the same child twice. I don’t know how they manage that without communicating.”
“Wow, you were paying attention?”
“Not really. I was watching the golden light.”
Ganghyeon realized the golden light appeared whenever someone used a technique. Even Yanggwang’s feet glowed faintly when standing in midair.
“Indeok.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you feeling a little better?”
“Yes… I can’t go home yet. But maybe later, after ten years of the Grand Selection, I’ll have a chance.”
“That might not work.”
Indeok’s eyes were pitiful, but Ganghyeon spoke honestly.
“It might be better to work hard and earn a reward. If you ask to visit home as a reward, maybe they’ll allow it.”
“Ah… I see.”
“You have important Yeonggeun, so you’re significant. They might grant a wish.”
“You’re clever, Ganghyeon. Then I’ll follow your plan.”
“Alright. For now, do as I say. Eventually, you’ll think for yourself anyway.”
Indeok stopped crying and focused on his food. Ganghyeon watched, content, remembering how he had practically raised him.
“Ganghyeon… I’m sleepy.”
Since they were brought in near sunset, they hadn’t eaten. Indeok, with his big appetite, was now feeling it.
Ganghyeon quietly took out some dried grain from his pack.
“Eat.”
“Huh? What is this?”
“Crushed and kneaded grain… just eat it. And drink water too.”
He handed Indeok a gourd of water.
“Ganghyeon, you’re amazing. You prepared all this!” Indeok exclaimed.
“Drink,” Ganghyeon urged.
“Thanks! gulp gulp! But you?”
“I’m fine. I’m not hungry.”
Indeok hesitated.
“You said I should go home right away if we end up in the Grand Selection. But now, I ate what you prepared…”
Ganghyeon smiled gently.
“Don’t worry. Hyungak will take care of it. Other kids too. You’re fine.”
Indeok relaxed and focused on his food. Ganghyeon watched, pleased.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in Ganghyeon’s mind:
“Everyone, gather here! Come to this place!”
“It’s Hyungak calling us.”
“Let’s go,” Ganghyeon said, taking Indeok’s wrist, and they walked toward him.
