Nano Machine Chapter 32: Second Round Test (C)

*Chit-chat, chit-chat!*

After trudging along for some time while recounting his fights with the avatar, before he knew it, Cheon Yeo Woon found himself back at his room in Dormitory One

"He's here!"

"He's back!"

"And look. He doesn't have a scratch one on his body."

It was apparent from the way the Group Eight cadets were cautiously whispering among themselves that the six spectators who were there at the fight had already informed them of his fight with Cheon Moo Geum.

It was the first major blow to the tyrannical control and clout that Cheon Moo Geum's Buk Ma clan had among the cadets in Group Eight by virtue of their strength and prestige.

The news of his victory was enough to give the cadets in Group Eight a whole new perspective of Cheon Yeo Woon, the once most infamous figure in the entire faction.

But, still afraid of Buk Ma clan's authority, none of them dared speak a word to him.

"Cha cha cha!*

As Cheon Yeo Woon walked through the aisle to find his bed, all the cadets began to back step in order to make way for him.

It was quite the different feeling from what Cheon Yeo Woon was used to before entering the academy, when all the attention he ever got in public were either looks of pity or derision.

-This must be what having power feels like?–

There was not a single look of contempt or belittlement on anyone's face.

In his mind, he had done only one thing— he defeated one of the Grand Prince candidates of the six pillar clans. But, the change it made on everyone's attitude and perspective towards him was so drastic that he almost laughed out loud.

Yet, leery of Cheon Moo Geum, who wasn't even in the room, none of cadets attempted to strike a conversation with him.

-Where is my bed again?-

While Cheon Yeo Woon stood lost looking around for his designated bed, someone suddenly made quick steps towards him.

It was none other than Cadet Number Twenty Three who had a blue bandana on his head, the same cadet who had attempted to physically disable Cheon Yeo Woon with a knife in the dispensary weeks ago.

He used his two hands to politely direct Cheon Yeo Woon to his bed.

"Sir gongja, you bed is over this way."

"Oh yeah?"

Cadet Number Twenty Three, who had since being in the dispensary together walked on egg shells around Cheon Yeo Woon wasnow acting like a servant before his master.

Meanwhile, the other cadets were looking on at the strange spectacle with curiosity.

-What the? What's gotten into him?-

… was what most of the cadets were wondering, but for Cadet Number Twenty Three it was a life or death situation. He was essentially putting all of his eggs in one basket by choosing sides with the victorious lone wolf.

And, this was just the beginning.

-Darned bastard! You think you're all that because you're a Grand Prince candidate?!-

Since the big incident at the dispensary, Cheon Moo Geum frequently taunted Cadet Number Twenty Three by threatening to destroy his dinky clan once he left the academy, which as a result further enraged Cadet Number Twenty Three.

Consequently, when Cheon Moo Geum returned to the dormitory about four hours ago with injuries all over his body and his defeat was made known, Cadet Number Twenty Three made a drastic decision.

-My life is already over at this point. Why not make it double-or-nothing by betting the moneyline on the underdog?-

He decided to go all-in on Cheon Yeo Woon in this year's "Battle for the Princeship."

Now that he made his final decision, he naturally saw Cheon Yeo Woon as his master which accordingly then affected his actions.

"You're acting a little different than last time."

Of course, Cheon Yeo Woon got a whiff of his changed attitude.

Unlike the time in the dispensary, Cheon Yeo Woon could see a spirit of servitude in his eyes.

"Is there something you want from me?"

After a brief moment of hesitation at Cheon Yeo Woon's question, Cadet Number Twenty Three enthusiastically got on one knee in front of everyone his hands doing the wushu salute (a bow accompanied by the touching of one's right fist and left open palm).

"I, Cadet Number Twenty Three Heo Bong will serve you, sir gonja, as my master!"

*Gasp! Chit chat, chit chat!*

At Cadet Number Twenty Three's unexpected pledge of allegiance all the cadets in the room gasped with surprise, including Cheon Yeo Woon himself.

Just like all the other Grand Prince candidates, Cheon Yeo Woon also was hoping to one day form his own power base.

But because he believed that the time was not yet, this sudden turn of events came across to him as a surprise.

"You're going to serve me as your master?"

"I am still regretful about what I've done in the past. I am still truly penitent over it. So then please receive me as your underling, sir gongja, that I may be at your humble service."

As Cheon Yeo Woon looked at Heo Bong, who seemed to be sincerely seeking his patronage, Cheon Yeo Woon began to seriously contemplate what to do.

The reason for his hesitation lied in his many childhood experiences of being tricked and backstabbed that made him a naturally suspicious person.

"An underling…"

Unlike Master Jang who was merely assigned by the Grand Master to serve him, it was the first time that someone volunteered to be under his influence. As he looked on at Heo Bong, he began to feel a new sense of resolve rising up within him.

Since acquiring the nano machine and then gaining East Grand Lord Seop Maeng as his teacher, things began to make a drastic turn around in his life even as he began to change in many different ways himself.

-Please! Please!-

Suddenly Cheon Yeo Woon looked down at Heo Bong and cracked a grin as he gave him a nod.

Knowing that his gesture was a positive affirmation, Heo Bong, in pure elation began to bow his head to the ground in gratitude.

"Thank you! I will serve you faithfully!"

That's when he walked in…

"Ha! I was gone for two minutes and what the hell is B.S.?

The voice was that of Buk Ma clan's Grand Prince candidate Cheon Moo Geum.

He had returned after being outside to get some air and blow steam after being defeated by Cheon Yeo Woon. With him was Cadet Ja Hyeon, who was also outside not blowing steam, but on the main training field receiving supplemental training from Im Pyeong all night.

"You little worm. Who are you pledging your allegiance to right now?"

Although he was exhausted by the all-night training session, Ja Hyeon was still furious enough to rain down angry insults at Cadet Number Twenty Three Heo Bong.

-Uh-oh!-

Despite his allegiance to Cheon Yeo Woon, as soon as Group Eight's alpha dog and his right-hand man showed up, Heo Bong began to shake in his boots as his heartrate shot up.

The way that he was trembling made it apparent that he was terrified.

Cheon Yeo Woon slowly turned his head toward Ja Hyeon and made a suitably strong retort.

"And, who told you you can my call my underling a worm?"

"What?"

At Cheon Yeo Woon's heavy, low-toned voice Ja Hyeon's face was momentarily filled with hesitation.

If Cheon Yeo Woon was the same dinky guy he knew from the past, he would have shouted some obscene word at him and rushed right in for the attack. However, he had already heard from Cheon Moo Geum his master that he was defeated by Cheon Yeo Woon, although he claimed that it was because he let his guard down.

"I think you're the brown-nosing worm around here, aren't you?"

"Wha, what?"

"Why are you stuttering your words like that? You scared or something?"

At the taunting words, Ja Hyeon's eyes began to take on a murderous look as he gave Cheon Yeo Woon the death glare.

It didn't come natural for him to view Cheon Yeo Woon, who he once regarded as less than nothing, in a new light of superiority.

"You worthless piece of crap!"

Unable to hold back his anger, Ja Hyeon quickly kicked off the ground and dashed towards Cheon Yeo Woon while gearing up the third form of Buk Ma clan's martial art.

But, something extraordinary happened in that moment.

Cheon Yeo Woon effortlessly turned his body to evade the strike, and with the blade of his hand struck Ja Hyeon as with a sword on the back of his neck.

*Puk!*

"Aagghh!"

After taking a hit to his nape, Ja Hyeon's eyes flipped backward as he instantly fainted on the ground.

Unfortunately for him, the third form of Buk Ma clan's martial art, Tayeon Gyeokgong, was used by Cheon Moo Geum's avatar simulation an enumerable amount of times on Cheon Yeo Woon, which made it very easy for him to now counter it.

"Man, he's nothing compared to the avatar."

Heo Bong stared at Cheon Yeo Woon, who was nonchalantly mumbling something to himself, with both shock and a sense of awe.

-Aahhh yeah! I definitely made the right decision!-

Although he had already made up his mind to serve Cheon Yeo Woon as his master, there was inevitably a part of him that was still uncertain about the whole thing.

But after watching him completely destroy one of the Buk Ma clan cadets with the flick of a hand, all his doubts were suddenly washed away.

"What you want me to fight me again?"

Cheon Yeo Woon pointed his finger at Cheon Moo Geum who was standing near the doorway with an angry look in his eyes and began to incite him.

Cheon Yeo Woon was apparently still a little mad about the taunting words that Cheon Moo Geum's avatar had thrown at him during the simulation.

However, Cheon Moo Geum's attitude was quite the contrary.

"…hmph, enjoy it while it lasts. You think you've got the upper hand now that you got yourself one little minion, huh?"

After saying those words and without not having made a single eye contact with Cheon Yeo Woon, he went over to his bed and quietly lie down.

"Did, de we just saw Cheon Moo Geum cower away, right?"

"Unbelievable!"

It shocked all the cadets to see Cheon Moo Geum act so cowardly.

It was apparent that the proud and belligerent Cheon Moo Geum had just lost in the dominance-asserting staredown against Cheon Yeo Woon.

With the start of this day, many changes had occurred Group Eight's dorm room atmosphere.

Those who initially walked on eggshells because of Cheon Moo Geum began to slowly show a friendly interest in Cheon Yeo Woon.

Although none of them made an all-out pledge of allegiance to him in fear of the backlash from Buk Ma clan, a great majority of them began to entertain the thought of "maybe" in their minds.

Meanwhile, two days had swiftly passed as the second round test was already at hand.

All the cadets were standing in formation on the main training field with nervous looks on their faces in no small part to the fact that they were ordered to equip themselves with real swords and iron shields for the upcoming test.