Chapter 27 – Footsteps in the Inner Court
The promotion trials had arrived.
The outer court was abuzz with excitement and anxiety. For many disciples, this was their one chance to climb the ranks and earn the coveted entry into the Inner Court—a place where elite cultivation resources, advanced techniques, and true recognition awaited. For Kim Mu-won, however, it was just another step in a long game of domination.
"Are you participating, Mu-won?" asked Seon Yu, a fellow disciple who'd occasionally trained with him.
Mu-won simply nodded. "Of course."
Yu grinned, unaware of the storm brewing behind those calm eyes. "Good! I hear only five will be accepted this time. And the trials... they're brutal."
Mu-won didn't respond. His mind had already calculated a dozen ways to secure his place—and more importantly, to bait out those watching him from the shadows. The scroll incident wasn't over. Someone wanted to test him further. The Inner Court was the perfect stage for both elevation and exposure.
Later that day, the trial grounds opened.
Hundreds of outer court disciples gathered around a towering stone arena. Elder Nam, the cold-faced judge known for his ruthlessness, stood before them with hands behind his back.
"This year's promotion trial will consist of two parts," he declared. "A combat round... and a survival round."
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Combat will determine your strength. Survival will reveal your instincts. Only five shall advance."
A gong echoed. Matches were drawn. Mu-won's first opponent: Jin Tae—a brute known for overwhelming strength but little technique.
The fight began swiftly.
Tae roared, swinging a heavy iron staff like a battering ram. Mu-won didn't even draw a weapon. He stepped forward, ducked under the swing, and struck Tae's ribs with a flick of his wrist. A crack followed, then silence. Tae collapsed.
One move.
The crowd gasped. The elder's brow twitched. But Mu-won simply returned to his place like nothing happened.
By the end of the combat round, Mu-won had downed all three of his opponents without receiving a single hit. Still, he made sure not to reveal too much—just enough to stand out without becoming suspiciously flawless.
That night, before the survival round, Mu-won sat cross-legged in meditation. But his mind wasn't calm. He could feel it—an unusual presence near the edges of the forested trial zone. Not a beast. Not a disciple. Something... older.
When dawn came, the final round began. The disciples were thrown into a deep mountain ravine with no rules—survive for three days, gather five trial tokens, and return.
Mu-won stepped into the ravine with a subtle smile.
"They think this is a test," he murmured. "But it's a battlefield. And I've already buried my enemies in it."
Far above, hidden behind a talisman that warped space, two hooded figures watched him.
"That boy… he's too composed," one said. "He doesn't belong in the outer court."
"No," the other whispered. "He doesn't belong in this era."
Mu-won disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
The true hunt had begun.
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