Chapter 17: The competition

"Remember all we've been practicing and training. If we all work together and always help each other out, I believe we can win this competition" Ji-woo encouraged her group members once again.

She began training in Deungdae a day after accepting the offer from the supreme ruler.

On her arrival, she had thought she would be assigned to the same group as Ji-soo's but to her dismay she was assigned to a different group.

At first she was disheartened but after interacting with her group members she found them lovable and accommodating, it didn't take too long for her to flow with them.

A month of intense training and preparations had passed, it was eventually the day of the competition.

The Court was packed with all of Deungdae's students in their fighting gear, each group formed circles where they discussed with one another.

Sangho stood on the pavilion to address them.

"Greetings Deungdae students"

"The competition will begin any minute from now, each group will be allocated with different maps, each map will take different directions but all will lead to the same location 'Mount Ri' on Wang island.

Sangho paused and signaled to his right hand man to bring something to him.

Sangho slowly unfolded the unknown item wrapped in red cloth and waved it in front of the students.

"On Mount Ri' an identical jade sword to this was carefully hidden. Each group is meant to work together to find it, the first group to find it and return return safely with it will become the winner of this competition" Sango expressed in details still raising the sword high for all to see.

When Sangho was done talking he invited Master Seojun to further explain details to the students.

Seojun came up to the pavilion also dressed in his unique fighting gear with a large golden drawing of a dragon In the middle of his breastplate unlike those of the Deungdae students which had a small golden sun on theirs.

" Each person will receive a plaque with their names and groups name, each person will also get a horse from the stable for the journey. I sincerely wish for the best for all of you". Seojun added and bowed slightly before leaving the stage.

Ji-soo had been anticipating the competition unlike many who were feeling nervous or tensed, Ji-soo felt happier than ever to finally have an adventure.

Each group were named after the four cardinal points 'aniyo(north), namjjog(south), dongjjog(east) and seojjog (west)'.

"Ji-soo seojjog group" she read out excitedly when she got her name plaque.