‘At first, I thought the guides had gone crazy.’

Assigning all the newly brought children to the Geomwangjeon.

It was an unprecedented decision.

Some even threatened them, accusing them of looking down on the Geomwangjeon.

When Eom Sa Hon insisted on accepting only half of them from the top after conducting the Geomwangjeon’s own test, Ma Jung replied like this.

“Very well. But how about not setting a quota? Instead, it’s okay if you don’t accept even a single one if you’re not satisfied.”

As he confidently claimed, the talent of the children Ma Jung brought that day surpassed common sense.

Whether it was their physique or bloodline. They even had exceptional mental strength, as if they had gone through some terrible experiences.

Seeing them staggering with their ragged bodies, performing training surpassing trainees who had trained for several years, one couldn’t help but realize it.

That these children were the future pillars who would become the Cult’s future.

In the end, Elder Eom Sa Hon accepted all twenty children from Bonglimchon as trainees of the Geomwangjeon.

‘I wondered if there was a mountain with tremendous spiritual energy in Bonglimchon.’

Eom Sa Hon didn’t bother to hold back the laughter that unintentionally escaped him.

“Elder Eom Sa Hon. May I have a moment?”

“Hm?”

At someone’s call, Eom Sa Hon hurriedly composed his face and put on a strict expression.

The one who called him was a young instructor with a youthful face who had recently become an elder.

“What is it?”

“It’s just that a young child has come to the Geomwangjeon. But−.”

The young instructor glanced around to check if anyone was listening and lowered his voice to continue.

“The child has brought the Cheongnyongpae (Blue Dragon Tablet).”

“The Cheongnyongpae?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Cheongnyongpae was the symbol of the Dongcheongung.

This meant that Gong Son Wu, the Protector, was proving his identity and that the same level of authority should be granted to him for convenience.

‘Not even the Bukcheongung, but the Dongcheongung dares to disregard our Geomwangjeon to this extent.’

Coming without any prior notice, just holding the Cheongnyongpae and demanding special treatment.

Eom Sa Hon felt his insides boiling and seething.

For him, who believed that the Geomwangjeon deserved to be promoted to the Geomwanggung, such behavior could only be seen as the Dongcheongung treating the Geomwangjeon as inferior.

And to think that it was a young child who brought the Cheongnyongpae.

“Shall I report this to the Jeonju (Sect Leader)?”

“No.”

Eom Sa Hon firmly refused.

He couldn’t bear to see the Jeonju personally stepping forward and bowing his head to welcome a young child just because the child brought the Cheongnyongpae.

“The Jeonju is busy organizing the agenda for the Jeongwanhoe (Council) meeting. I will handle it for now, so let him know.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The young elder left with a much more relieved expression, perhaps because he had passed the responsibility to his senior.

On the other hand, Eom Sa Hon’s expression was as sharp as a sharpened blade.

‘I will take this opportunity to eradicate the bad practices.’

Meanwhile, Na Rin was standing in front of the Geomwangjeon, fiddling with the Cheongnyongpae that Gong Son Wu had handed her.

She had been told that there would be no problem as long as she showed this, but.

‘Judging by how his face turned pale and he rushed out, this doesn’t seem to be an ordinary identity tablet.’

Na Rin flipped the Cheongnyongpae back and forth, examining it.

The identity tablet was engraved with a dragon made of blue jade wrapping around it, and in the center, the characters “Cheongnyongpae” were vertically inscribed.

It definitely looks expensive.

Even considering its value as an accessory alone, it was clearly no ordinary item.

“Are you the young child who brought the Cheongnyongpae?”

As Na Rin raised her head, Eom Sa Hon, who had a physique like a large rock, was standing there, casting a shadow.

“Yeash−.”

“When an elder asks you a question, you should answer first!”

What the? Why are you suddenly picking a fight?

Na Rin was more dumbfounded than angry.

Even if you’re being unreasonable, there’s a limit. Since when do you start getting angry before even exchanging greetings?

‘Unless you’re deliberately trying to find fault.’

And Na Rin was not the type to avoid a fight that was coming her way.

“How would I know that?”

“You insolent little thing!”

“If you have a problem with my upbringing, please take it up with my father.”

“Even at such a young age, you’re already relying on your backing and being arrogant!”

Backing?

‘Ah. So that’s it.’

Na Rin casually tossed and caught the Cheongnyongpae she was holding in her hand.

It was clear that this identity tablet, which looked quite unusual, had offended that bastard’s temper.

They said there would be no problem as long as I had this, but this is causing a problem.

“You, you…!”

As Na Rin absentmindedly fiddled with the Cheongnyongpae, Eom Sa Hon’s face changed color every moment.

From Eom Sa Hon’s perspective, that action felt like she was saying, “Hey. Don’t you know what the Cheongnyongpae is? Bow down and crawl?”

“Your arrogance reaches the heavens! Alright, I will correct that bad habit of yours myself!”

Elder Eom Sa Hon rolled up his sleeves.

It seemed he intended to spank her or something.

‘Ridiculous. For a little thing like you.’

Na Rin smiled and stood crookedly, saying,

“Go ahead and teach me then−.”

−Ah!

… Just as she was about to shout, a voice suddenly rang out.

“What are you doing, Elder Eom?”

At the sudden voice, Eom Sa Hon’s body tensed up.

A man wearing a white martial arts uniform seemed to have noticed the commotion and stepped in to quell it.

‘Is he a high-ranking person?’

Na Rin tilted her head.

He looked to be in his early thirties, which was young for the leader of the Geomwangjeon.

“Elder Eom Sa Hon pays his respects to the Boju (Overseer) Jeon Si Yeol!”

Aha. So he was the Boju of the elders.

In other words, Eom Sa Hon’s direct superior.

Jeon Si Yeol alternately looked at Eom Sa Hon and Na Rin, then spoke sternly.

“I asked what you were doing.”

“This child was being extremely rude, so I was teaching her a lesson!”

“Is she a child of the Geomwangjeon?”

Eom Sa Hon’s body trembled.

He hadn’t expected to be questioned in such detail.

“No, no, she’s not.”

“Then does the child not have parents or a teacher to teach her?”

“……”

Eom Sa Hon’s mouth clamped shut.

Ha! Serves you right!

“I asked you, Elder Eom.”

“No. I heard she has a teacher.”

“The child doesn’t belong to the Geomwangjeon and has a teacher. Was the child so rude that you had to teach her a lesson?”

To be honest, Na Rin hadn’t done anything particularly wrong.

The greater fault lay with Eom Sa Hon, who had gone overboard in trying to gain the upper hand against a child.

But he had never imagined that this matter would escalate to such an extent.

He thought it was no big deal for him, who teaches hundreds of trainees, to intimidate a young child.

‘Out of all people, I had to be caught by Jeon Boju.’

If worse came to worst, he was going to pretend he hadn’t seen the Cheongnyongpae. But his opponent was bad.

Jeon Si Yeol. He was known for being so impartial that people wondered if his arm bent inward or outward.

Eom Sa Hon answered in a reluctant, crawling voice.

“…No.”

“Elder Eom Sa Hon.”

“Yes, Boju.”

“The rude one in my eyes is you.”

Jeon Si Yeol turned his body to face Na Rin and said,

“I will apologize on behalf of the guest. Please forgive Elder Eom’s rudeness with a generous heart.”

“Bo-, Boju!”

When a person of a certain rank bowed deeply and apologized in front of everyone, Na Rin no longer felt like picking on him further.

However.

“For free?”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

‘If not for free, then?’

At that moment, Jeon Si Yeol’s eyes fell upon Na Rin’s hand holding the Cheongnyongpae.

Seeing the identity tablet indicating that she came from the Dongcheongung, he could roughly understand the situation.

‘Elder Eom has really caused trouble this time.’

Jeon Si Yeol glanced at Eom Sa Hon, his direct junior.

His pride in the Geomwangjeon was usually excessive, but he showed enthusiasm in his work to that extent, so he thought it was fine. But he should have stretched his legs only as far as his blanket allowed.

‘Even if the Dongcheongung’s power is weak, they won’t be able to endure such disrespect.’

If he wasn’t careful, it could lead to a big problem. Not only for Eom Sa Hon, who acted arrogantly, but also for himself, who had the responsibility of managing him.

With that in mind, Jeon Si Yeol lowered his body to an excessive degree, trying to resolve the matter within his means, and said,

“There is no reason. If there is anything you need, please command us.”

“Hehe. Do you really mean it?”

“Bo-, Boju! Command, you say!”

Only Eom Sa Hon, who couldn’t understand the situation, was frustrated and dumbfounded.

Yes, he knew the child was from the Dongcheongung.

It was true that she had brought the Cheongnyongpae.

But since when did the Geomwangjeon become a subordinate of the Dongcheongung?

By what authority could that young thing even command Jeon Si Yeol, whom he had always respected?

“Elder Eom, shut your mouth!”

“Boju!”

“The more you open your mouth, the more the Geomwangjeon’s sins increase. If you can’t keep your mouth shut, leave this place at once!”

Seeing Eom Sa Hon, who had no choice but to shut his mouth with a very aggrieved expression, Na Rin giggled.

It’s nice to take matters into your own hands, but it’s quite fun to borrow someone else’s hands to teach someone a lesson like this.

“But what business do you have at the Geomwangjeon?”

“Ah, right!”

Na Rin showed the Cheongnyongpae she was holding to Jeon Si Yeol and said,

“I want to go to Bongmadong. I heard that the trainees are managed here.”

“Bongmadong…? Don’t tell me you came to the Geomwangjeon for that?”

Nod.

Jeon Si Yeol fell into thought as he looked at the Cheongnyongpae Na Rin showed him.

Bongmadong was the graduation exam of the Geomwangjeon.

‘She’s too young to even enter.’

For the Geomwangjeon trainees, the minimum age was fifteen.

The training period had to be at least five years to even prepare for the Bongmadong exam.

It wasn’t simply because it was difficult.

The exam process itself, where one had to overcome difficulties alone without the eyes of the elders, assumed danger.

At times, even death.

‘No matter how much she has the Cheongnyongpae, I can’t drive a young child to a dangerous situation.’

Jeon Si Yeol spoke with difficulty.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you an examination ticket.”

“Even with this?”

Na Rin shook the Cheongnyongpae, but Jeon Si Yeol only showed a troubled expression.

“I’m really sorry to say this, but as far as I know, the Jigukcheonwang (Earth Lord) doesn’t have any young disciples or children.”

What is he suddenly talking about?

Na Rin blinked her eyes, unable to understand Jeon Si Yeol’s intention.

“I’m not doubting the Jigukcheonwang’s brilliance. However, he is too outstanding to understand how fragile a growing child is and what level of trials they can endure. I presume he would take Bongmadong lightly, but it’s not the same for you, young lady. I’m really sorry that you went through the trouble of coming here.”

Jeon Si Yeol deeply bowed his head after finishing his words.

It wouldn’t be easy to refuse more politely than this.

Jeon Si Yeol’s opinion to prohibit the Bongmadong exam considering the child’s safety was reasonable and logical to anyone.

If Na Rin’s inner energy wasn’t at the 4th dan level, that is.

“Are you saying I can’t do it because I’m weak?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s right. I have no doubt that you will improve by leaps and bounds before long, but I believe it’s not the right time yet.”

I guess persuading him with words will be difficult.

Then with force…!

‘Wait. This is why my persuasion skills don’t improve.’

Trying to resolve things with force as soon as words don’t work well was Na Rin’s bad habit.

Of course, most problems could be solved with force, but.

It’s not desirable to use force in every matter.

‘Especially to such a kind person.’

If the other party had been Elder Eom Sa Hon, she wouldn’t have hesitated at all, but Na Rin quite liked Jeon Si Yeol.

So instead of immediately resorting to violence and asking, “Do I still look weak?”, she decided to make a different suggestion.

“What should I do to make you believe I’m strong?”

“Pardon?”

“You said I can’t do it because I’m weak.”

Jeon Si Yeol showed a troubled expression but soon made up his mind.

It wasn’t uncommon for trainees at the Geomwangjeon to try to persuade the elder in charge because they wanted to take the Bongmadong exam quickly.

It’s not desirable as an educator to suppress that enthusiasm without reason.

“If you insist, then let’s do this.”