WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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Chapter 19: Episode 3: Great Exorcist Order Entrance Exam (12)
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The day after all the examinations had ended.
A total of sixty-seven successful applicants stood in the examination grounds, their mood far more relaxed and excited than it had been the day before.
Eight were ordinary people who would become external affiliates. The other fifty-nine were cultivators who would become inner disciples.
They had gathered for the final procedure of the entrance examination, the induction ceremony.
As the applicants stood in orderly ranks, the top five scorers took their places at the very front.
First place, Ise.
Second place, Hae Unchan.
Third place, Hong Wonseo.
Fourth place, Seolryeong.
Fifth place, Pi Garam.
Other than Hong Wonseo, a member of Hong Mi-hee’s Yeomhwa Hong Clan who had placed third, all of them had been members of Ise’s team.
It was likely because of their outstanding performance and overwhelming victory in the final examination.
Seolryeong’s rise was especially remarkable. She had leaped from eleventh place all the way to fourth.
“I never thought I’d be standing here with all of you.”
Hae Unchan tossed out the teasing remark, and Ise snickered.
“You poured that many spirit artifacts into the test. Really, the spirit-artifact artisan who made them earned you your rank.”
“What are you talking about? Being able to use spirit artifacts is a skill too. Do you think just anyone can put this many artifacts to good use at the right time, like I can?”
“Hmm. Is that so...?”
Grumbling, Seolryeong nudged Pi Garam and told him to say something too.
“I thought I would be fourth.”
At Pi Garam’s dry observation, Seolryeong stuck out her lips and muttered that there was no talking to him.
“We will now begin the induction ceremony.”
The chatter died down as Kang I-tae and Hong Mi-hee appeared on the platform.
Several procedures resembling a formal ceremony followed. Soon afterward, several cultivators carried out a cauldron as large as a person.
It overflowed with auspicious energy. It was a spirit artifact, or more precisely, something close to a sacred relic.
“One at a time, come forward, offer a drop of blood, and swear your oath. This is a soul-binding contract that will mark you as members of Great Exorcist Order. First place, step forward first.”
Ise walked forward and stopped before the cauldron.
He took out his hatchet, cut his palm, and let a drop of blood fall. A faint ripple of spiritual energy spread outward.
The oath contained two clauses.
First. Do not commit acts that betray Great Exorcist Order.
Second. Do not share, record, or pass on Great Exorcist Order’s secret cultivation arts to others.
“What happens if someone breaks it?”
It was only a question asked to confirm the details.
Kang I-tae turned a flat look toward Ise.
“Nothing will happen immediately.”
“...”
“But once Great Exorcist Order learns of it, we will send someone to bring the offender to justice.”
“What is the standard for betrayal?”
“That depends on your state of mind.”
It was an ambiguous answer. Did that mean that even an act which ultimately harmed Great Exorcist Order would not violate the oath if it had truly been done for the Order’s sake?
Ise had many more questions, but he stepped aside for the sake of those waiting.
Once every disciple had completed the soul-binding ritual, they began distributing privileges to the top-ranking applicants.
First was a private meeting with a great cultivator of the Core Formation Realm, awarded to first and second place.
Without hesitation, Ise chose Haeil, the Azure Dragon Hall Master.
“The Azure Dragon Hall Master is always busy with official affairs. We do not know when instruction will be possible. Will you still choose Haeil?”
“Yes. I’ll adjust to Haeil’s schedule whenever it is available.”
“Very well. I will pass that along.”
It was then Hae Unchan’s turn to choose.
Hae Unchan also wished to receive instruction from Haeil, an ancestor, but that option was no longer available.
Instead, Hae Unchan chose to receive private instruction from Ahsan, the White Tiger Hall Master.
“Cultivator Kang, could I speak with the children for a moment?”
Kang I-tae glanced at Hong Mi-hee, who had suddenly stepped forward, then nodded.
She had never even attended this event in previous years. From the moment she had appeared at the induction ceremony, he had guessed she wanted something.
Hong Mi-hee approached the five top scorers and asked with her usual alluring gaze.
“Why did you become cultivators? Is there a wish you hope to achieve?”
Caught directly in Hong Mi-hee’s gaze, Ise could not easily answer the sudden question.
Hong Mi-hee smiled softly and asked again.
“You can be honest. There will be neither rewards nor penalties. I’m only asking because I want to make spirit artifacts suited to your dispositions and goals.”
Even then, Ise could not answer.
His greatest goal was revenge. But now that he had chosen to walk the path of immortal cultivation, could he really give such an answer?
When Ise’s hesitation dragged on, Hong Mi-hee turned to Hae Unchan beside him.
“It seems your top scorer has a lot on his mind. You answer first.”
“I want to become a great cultivator of the Core Formation Realm, travel beyond the Eastern Continent, and explore the entire world. In the end, my dream is to draw a map of the world.”
“A map of the world...”
Hong Mi-hee nodded with interest at the unvarnished answer.
“And what about our clan descendant?”
Hong Wonseo answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“To restore my clan and ascend to the Heavenly Realm.”
“Oh my. That is quite an ambition.”
It was practically a declaration that Hong Wonseo would become an immortal of the Spirit Transformation Realm.
Hong Mi-hee laughed brightly and fluttered her fan.
Her gaze then moved to Pi Garam.
“I don’t have anything in particular.”
“It does not have to be related to immortal cultivation.”
“If I had to choose, I want to grow stronger and approach the truth.”
“The truth... That is a somewhat dangerous thing to say, isn’t it?”
The answer made her tilt her head, but Hong Mi-hee let it pass.
Seolryeong had flinched ever since Hong Mi-hee stood before them. Before Hong Mi-hee could even ask, Seolryeong suddenly shouted.
“I want to become the greatest Shaman, just like you, Senior!”
“Oh, how cute. Your eyes are so lovely. You have eyes that can pierce the heavens.”
“Gasp, how did you know...?”
“Now, how could I have known? With your talent, you would make an excellent next Vermilion Bird Hall Master. Grow up quickly and come to me, all right?”
Seolryeong trembled with joy, then stood there as if dead.
Amused by each of their answers, Hong Mi-hee turned to Ise one last time.
After hearing his companions answer so honestly, he answered without embellishment as well.
“To be honest, my first goal was revenge. But since I have entered a cultivation sect and chosen to walk the path of immortal cultivation, I’ve been wondering if I should live as a cultivator with such an impure desire.”
Hong Mi-hee seemed to understand why he had hesitated.
“Walking the Dao does not mean you must abandon the goal you had at the start. If that goal does not stray from the proper path, it can be suitable motivation.”
Ise considered her words for a moment, then added more.
“I want to become strong. Revenge comes first, but that is only a narrow goal... Ultimately, I want the strength to be free.”
“Freedom through strength? What kind of strength is that?”
“I want the freedom not to lose anything. Not what is mine, not the people I care about, and not my convictions.”
It was the first time he had put it into words, but it was a thought that had lingered in his mind for years, since losing his family in Subu Village and fighting the Infant-Cry Dragon Horse.
It was not the grand goal of protecting others. It was closer to the personal resolve never to lose anything again.
“That is a good goal.”
Hong Mi-hee looked at the five applicants with interest as she gently waved her fan.
“Normally, I would make standard spirit artifacts as your privilege... But for you five, I will use all my skill to make artifacts worthy of being called sacred relics.”
The five top-ranking disciples brightened at her words, while envious exclamations escaped the other disciples.
A few more rituals followed, and the ceremony was nearly at its end.
Kang I-tae gave his final address.
“For one year, you will remain here as entry disciples, cultivate, undertake missions, earn contribution points, and gather resources. Survive safely, then come to the headquarters one year from now. When you do, be sure to greet me properly.”
Thunderous cheers and applause erupted.
‘At last, I can finally cultivate.’
It was a moment Ise had long awaited, and he could not contain his excitement.
“Lastly, we will recite the Ten Precepts of Demon Hunting together and conclude the entrance examination. Everyone, you have worked hard.”
The applicants’ resounding voices rang powerfully through the examination grounds.
First. Do not advance toward an enemy you do not understand.
Second. Protect yourself before attacking your opponent.
Third. Judge every situation calmly.
Fourth. Learn your prey’s information, but do not trust it blindly.
Fifth. Begin the hunt only after you have already secured victory.
Sixth. Hunt every demon with your full strength, no matter how weak it may be.
Seventh. Make certain to cut off the breath of a fallen enemy.
Eighth. Once you think you have cut off its breath, check again.
Ninth. Do not be ashamed of attacking together or retreating.
Tenth. When retreating, abandon everything but your life and run.
* * *
By the time the ceremony ended, dusk had settled over the grounds.
A crescent moon hung crookedly in the sky, as if it had been stitched there with a thread of white silk.
The dormitory room assigned to Ise was a private room, slightly larger than the one he had used as an examination applicant.
The difference in size was not great, but the entrance alone was clearly different.
Ise gripped the doorknob. The knob and his spiritual energy exchanged light as though they resonated with each other.
It was a type of barrier that prevented anyone except the designated owner of the room from entering.
Everything inside was of fine quality. There was even a locked safe.
A warning had been attached to it, saying that if he lost the key, it would be nearly impossible to open again.
As he unpacked and looked around the room, someone knocked at the door.
When he opened it, a cultivator about his age stood outside, smiling brightly.
The cultivator held out a hand and introduced himself to Ise.
“I’m Park Gangseo. I entered two years ago. My mission is to help you adjust for the next year. Let’s get along.”
“Ah...”
Ise took his hand.
Park Gangseo was a cultivator in the Qi Condensation Realm, and their realms were not very far apart.
The man before him did not seem especially dependable for someone responsible for teaching and guiding another person.
‘Did they say that Great Exorcist Order concentrates its resources on cultivators who survive on their own?’
Ise was reminded once again that Great Exorcist Order considered even the time spent on Qi Condensation Realm cultivators too valuable to waste.
He hid his thoughts and answered politely.
“I look forward to your guidance. What should I call you? Senior? Fellow Daoist Park?”
“Just call me brother, or Mr. Park if you prefer. We’re in the same Qi Condensation Realm, so calling me senior feels strange. And Fellow Daoist sounds a little distant.”
“Yes, Mr. Park.”
“Good, little brother. My role is to introduce you to life at the Training Compound and answer questions you have. I’ll also lead you when you go out on official missions once every six months. I know you probably have a lot to ask, but I’ll explain it later. First, I have to greet the other entry disciples too.”
He gave Ise’s shoulder a couple of friendly pats.
Footnotes:
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