Haneul's mind returned to the present.
He saw a plump young man walking toward him, smiling with red, chubby cheeks, and waving his hand while holding a steamed bun.
Wang Zheng... A friend...
Haneul's face brightened, and he smiled as Zheng approached.
"How have you been?" Haneul asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Good. Why? We just met three months ago," Zheng replied, chewing on his steamed bun.
Three months... that's worth an entire lifetime...
"Haha, it's been three months already? No wonder I missed you!" Haneul said brightly.
However, Zheng's reaction was quite different his plump face suddenly turned serious.
"What are you, a eunuch?" he asked in a deep tone.
"Huh?..."
A silence fell, stretching for what felt like a century until Xiao jumped in between them, breaking it.
"Haneul and Young Master Zheng, you'll be late if you continue this conversation. Please continue it later!" Xiao said a little loudly. She grabbed their wrists and pulled them along at a quick pace.
They finally arrived at the gate.
Two guards stood with swords at their hips, and in the middle was a man wearing the sect's hanfu made of blue cloth, with each edge bearing a flowing symbol that represented the sect's philosophy.
"Good afternoon, juniors. May I see your pass?" the man asked.
Pass?... Right the sect pass, which could be obtained either by purchasing it or by getting noticed by a Righteous Sect Blade inner disciple or any higher-ranking senior. Mine should be with Xiao.
Xiao pulled out two golden bars with a symbol in the middle a pass. She handed it to the man, allowing both herself and Haneul to enter. Zheng did the same.
"Thank you for your cooperation, juniors," the man said with a slight bow.
Haneul, Xiao, and Zheng nodded in response.
If I remember correctly, your standing in the Murim doesn't matter in any of the five Righteous Sects. Even if my father is one of the elders here, I wouldn't get any special treatment to ensure fairness.
Haneul smiled in amusement as he entered the sect, gazing at the structures.
Fairness, huh?... A word created by the weak.
The group of young people began walking ahead of them, led by a man in his early twenties wearing the sect's hanfu. His face had striking features, but he didn't speak much.
He stopped in front of a stage where eight seated individuals appeared, each representing a weapon or a mastery. In the middle sat the most ordinary-looking man an old man with grey hair tied in place by a golden sangtu. Each piece of the hairpin bore a flowing wind design, matching its pin.
He wore a blue hanfu with an outer robe of sky-blue. On each side of the stage stood two individuals in black hanfu. On the left chest of each was an embroidered title "Core" and both wore white masks with a black flowing logo on the right side.
In front of them, the man they had been following since earlier suddenly yelled:
"EVERYONE, FORM LINES OF 30 STUDENTS EACH! SERVANTS, PLEASE REMAIN IN THE BACKGROUND!"
As the students heard the order, they began lining up, each row consisting of thirty people.
Wow… I almost forgot. People in this world are far more cooperative than those in the higher realms…
The old man at the center of the stage slowly stood up.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Tang Shi, the Sect's Strategy Elder. I stand here today on behalf of the Sect Leader, who sends his apologies for not being able to attend. Now, let us begin." He took a deep breath.
"Elder Hwa Dū, please stand."
From the side, a woman in a crimson robe rose gracefully. Her beauty was striking despite being nearly fifty, she looked no older than thirty. Beside her was a wooden table with a unique carved design, upon which lay a crimson flute.
"Hello, everyone. I am Elder Hwa Dū, one of the Sect Leader's concubines… though soon to be his official wife~," she said in a teasing tone.
A group of students whispered among themselves.
"Brother, do you see those white mountains?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
"Still… if I get strong enough, I'll build my own sect and gather all the beauties of the world!" the boy said, clenching his fist.
Haneul smirked and turned his gaze to the right.
Huh?…
A student stood there wearing a blue hanfu similar to the sect's uniform, though the sleeves were cut off at the shoulders. His long brown hair framed a face twisted in anger. He bit his lip until it bled, his fists clenched tightly.
"F-Fuck… h-how can she just say that… after destroying a happy family?" he muttered under his breath. His voice was quiet, but not quiet enough to escape Haneul's ears.
Then, before Haneul's eyes, a blue light appeared from thin air it was the System.
[EVENT TRIGGERED: HWA MYSTERIES]
Haneul's eyes widened, his mind deep in thought.
If I'm not wrong, that guy is Hwa Bong-hee… In my past life, I never triggered any quest about him because I never encountered him. Looks like this time, I will do exactly as the System says.
Haneul chuckled.
Hwa Bong-hee… Is this fate? The former demonic warrior who slaughtered his own sect his own bloodline.
He smirked again, shifting his attention back to Hwa Dū.
Then, Elder Tang Shi's voice rang out, strong and clear:
"Listen well, juniors. This is important. Each of you will face the Seven Trials each trial testing one of the core masteries of our sect. These trials will be overseen directly by the elders themselves.
You may leave at any time… but leaving will show the world that you lack the will to endure, that you are not righteous enough to carry the title of a Martial Artist.
Do not fear for your food or lodging; the sect will provide them during your trials. Should you pass all seven, you will be accepted as outer disciples and remain here for five years. In those years, you may rise in rank perhaps even becoming an inner disciple.
And should you ever reach the rank of core disciple…" he gestured to the two masked figures standing on either side of the stage "…you will be trained by the very best our sect has to offer."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Now, let us begin the first trial. Elder Hwa Dū will use her Crimson Flowing Flute against you. With each round you survive, the intensity will increase, and your reward will grow."
From his sleeve, Elder Tang Shi produced a small circular blue pill.
"This will be the reward for those who endure. Now… prepare yourselves, juniors!"