The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 64 - End of Intermediate Swordsman Exam
Xue Zhan and the others immediately checked the information seal tied on each other's wrists, looking at the 'pass' inscription there with teary eyes.
The four of them stared at each other while cheering.
"WE SUCCEEDED!!"
Then happily the three jumped up, Xian Shen hugged Xue Zhan who was laughing heartily carried away, only Jiazhen Yan who was standing still there.
He had always thought that relying on himself alone was enough, but now it seemed that he would need more stupid friends to keep him afloat.
"Well, these lousy people. Don't have too much fun. We're back to square one to meet with the committee."
He turned around and passed by just like that, but at first glance he smiled faintly.
Xian Shen barely believed and sneered.
"Well, really Lord King who is ungrateful. We helped you, at least say something. Haish."
Jiazhen Yan raised one hand without turning his head, "I accept your criticism and advice, commoners. Next time I will do good. Wait till the sun rises from the west."
Xue Zhan and Xiao Rong chuckled, walking side by side following Xian Shen who was running while grumbling at Jiazhen Yan in front of him. In the end they managed to pass the test despite being stuck with each other and fighting non-stop.
*
All the participants gathered at the point of the location where a huge firecracker was launched, his voice alone could be heard up to hundreds of meters away. After the exam ended, hundreds of organizers scattered throughout the city to collect the bodies of participants who failed to pass the test. One by one they carried the participants' bodies by pinning numbers on their bodies as identification marks. The numbers are taken from the participants' sequence numbers themselves.
Xue Zhan watched his surroundings, still in disbelief that he was able to pass this Intermediate Swordsman Exam. So happy can prove to his teacher, to the people who underestimate him and even to those who make fun of Kang Jian that he is capable of becoming a hero and one step closer to his goal.
His footsteps began to feel light, one obligation had been fulfilled. However in front of him there would be more things waiting for him, Xue Zhan was always preparing for it all. Especially after seeing for yourself how the might of one of the Six Red Fanged Light. The Sacred Sword Swordsman of course was not necessarily able to fight a draw with Lan Shuiyang, the man could rise a thousand times while his opponent would definitely be killed thousands of times facing him. That's a terrible difference.
His eyes opened clearly at the enemy he was about to face, Xue Zhan could not remain silent after this. He has to train harder.
After the fight against Lan Shuiyang, Xue Zhan realized the one thing that made him even stronger.
Those who want to be protected.
All this time Xue Zhan had only thought of fighting to win, but the thought was so pseudo. After winning, what? Hollowly.
But when he raised his sword to protect others, his soul was like it was burning, he was as sharp as a sword, his heart was determined to always walk in the path of a true fighter, fighting for the sake of protecting others.
While at the Intermediate Swordsman Examination Xue Zhan did not realize that he insisted on passing to protect one thing; the hope of his Master. And that's what delivered him in this place, where all the participants who passed received a promotion badge and held a loyalty ceremony as an Intermediate Swordsman.
Night descended illuminated by torch fire surrounding the 174 participants who passed, happy faces coloring with blue haru. There all the organizers who had been their directors gathered in front.
The yellowish glow of the torch revealed part of their faces, the torch flames continued to move with the wind currents, the atmosphere of the afternoon would be so remembered Xue Zhan. Evidence of his struggle so far and all the heavy exercise he followed to bleed.
"You stand here with the honor of being an Intermediate Swordsman, it's not easy to get to this point and you deserve to be proud of this achievement! Be the hero who protects the country of your birth, fighting to protect the people you love and serve the Emperor. Don't forget the learning and experience you've gained from here because it's all worth it."
"We will celebrate your victory with a bang! Feel free to skip tonight with madness, before you meet anything more terrifying than this test!"
The man with the mask mask in the third preliminary round raised a clenched hand.
"Victory to all of us!!"
The cheers and shouts of the new middle-level warriors reverberated loudly in the city, twenty organizers scattered throughout the ranks handing over the iron badges with engraved names hooked on their shirts. It was an honor for them, as a fighter officially recognized by the entire Empire.
Each name was called forward one by one to perform an oath of allegiance, one of which did not violate the code of conduct, and carried out the orders under the Emperor's auspices willingly and fought to the point of the final blood. The historic night was so meaningful.
The oath of allegiance ends. Xue Zhan lowered his face, staring at the badge in his hand as he clasped it.
"I did it, Master."
He was so eager to show this victory to Kang Jian, that figure was a huge merit to him. If it were without Kang Jian, Xue Zhan would not have made it here. Maybe he will end up being a vagrant, a thief or a criminal who swore the world with all his injustice.
Suddenly the wind rippled, the torch fire was moved chaotic by the wind from the gap of the trees. Then someone walked in the middle of the Exam Executors. The charismatic aura from him felt so strong, Xue Zhan was familiar with the aura. Yet seeing all the participants crouch down and salute he did the same.
The entire committee crouched down while looking down with sword eyes stuck to the ground.
"Honor the Chairman!" call one of those committee. There was a loose laugh from the man, Xue Zhan still did not dare to raise his face until the voice spoke.
"What about the exam? Are you facing difficulties? Of course, it's not an easy thing to get here. I am proud of you, thanks to your struggles and hard work you have proven that you are worthy of being a warrior."
Xue Zhan raised his face and glared, but Xian Shen suddenly forced him back down.
"Close your head stupid."
Whispering forced.
"In-dia—" Xue Zhan stuttered.
Xian Shen explained it briefly, clearly, densely.
"really. He was the Red Lightning of the Eternal Valley. The head of the Intermediate Swordsman Exam this year."
"Don't he say he's just a core committee?" Xue Zhan's breathing was choked.
"Don't you know your teacher is the chairman? Jiazhen Yan just knows."
Xiao Rong chimed in guiltlessly amidst his respect. Xue Zhan tried to turn his head towards Jiazhen Yan and the young man blabbed.
"I'll call you stupid."