After they had been knocked out of their rounds, Xuiyang and Chenhui focused on trying to keep the recruiters from becoming too intrusive for their teammates. Chenhui noticed he did not have as many recruiters to contend with even though Junseo seemed likely to earn a higher standing.

When Junseo noticed Chenhui looking over at how busy Xuiyang seemed he chuckled saying, "I guess word got out that Hae-sung might be shopping around for a better placement. Good thing I am still considered too junior to sign-on to most of the training yards."

"Is that it? Just your age?" Chenhui looked bit scandalized.

"That, and the unsavory company I seem to keep." Junseo continued to joke. "Don't you remember the palace investigator saying I'm a magnet for trouble."

"Like any of it is your fault," Chenhui did not realize he was being teased until Junseo winked. "You stinker," Chenhui stamping his foot and tried to keep a straight face but then they both started laughing. The officials frowned at them for being loud so they bowed and went to check the match line-up.

It looked like Junseo's hand-to-hand and fencing bouts were scheduled in the same time slot so they needed to find someone to sort out the schedule. Unfortunately, the only solution was for Junseo to compete in hand-to-hand at the same time as the champion fencing exhibition. Chenhui looked very disappointed so Junseo told him to watch San Jin's match. "You can hold a space for me in the stands and I will be along as soon as I can," Junseo offered.

"Are you sure? Don't you want to change before you come to watch?" Chenhui held up the bag he was carrying.

"In case you hadn't noticed I do know how to dress myself," Junseo took the bag and went on his way. He spotted Jong Tai Yi waving so responded in kind. He did not recognize the burly men in fur capes who accompanied his young friend but he spotted his grandfather standing beside them. He made a quick acknowledgement and then found his place on the mats.

His opponent for this round was a young man he recognized from temple practices so he asked if they were still allowed to use classic forms. Once his proposal had been approved, he asked the temple initiate which set direction they should start on. This courtesy apparently came as a surprise to the other competitor who hesitated for a moment before making his suggestion. Junseo was familiar enough with the pattern but took a minute to rehearse the allowed moves in his head before offering the opening bows to each compass point, the referee, and his opponent. The other boy scored first but Junseo quickly answered with a double point move. In trying to respond the temple initiate took a warning for breaking form and then lost a point for stepping out of bounds. Right after they broke to shift directions Junseo's aerial combination gave him the win.

"Our Training-master said using classic forms might help but I can see you have kept up the discipline of the terraces."

"Thank you. I wasn't sure how much of the level had stuck. Lucky for me that we didn't start on the eastern point." Junseo offered with a warm smile. He bowed his thanks and was going to retrieve his bag but was pre-empted by a signal from his grandfather. Ambassador Kim presented the delegation from Psyonan province, including the former head of the counsel of regents and their current military commander.

His friend Tai Ji squirmed and tried to gesture his apology when the commander made a rude comment about how the contest they just witnessed, seemed to be more about ritual than martial arts. "My nephew assured me you helped him keep up with our Northern traditions," he looked Junseo up and down then shrugged.

"I  have the privilege of training in the palace yard occasionally. The masters there encourage many different forms. Trainee Park Sen Dou has also been kind enough to teach me some of his traditions." Junseo could not guess where this heading when he spotted a worried looking training master from the palace.

"Trainee Park is here for the exhibition matches, is he not? Let's see what skills the practice partners offered to our young lord." The former regent's request came as more of a command. Junseo looked to his grandfather for guidance. The slightest tilt of his elder's head told Junseo court manners were still required. Junseo thought another match an easy enough favor to grant the northerners if it would make Tai Ji's situation a bit easier. Soon he and Park Sen Dou were putting on padded vests and shin pads.

"I just got the heads up on this," Sen Dou explained quietly while they sorted out the equipment. "We can't hold back our strikes like we do at the yard. The former regent wants to turn this into a point of honor and make a claim the truce has been violated."

"Oh right. If the hostage's regular business was to advance his education, then not having instruction in the northern forms prevented him from continuing that business." Junseo's speculation was met with a curt nod. "Okay. Let's give them a good show but just try not to bruise me up too badly," Junseo whispered then patted Sen Dou on the back.

It was a relief to switch into a combative approach after having to concentrate on keeping to strict forms most of the day. When it wasn't obvious, he put a bit of a break on his strikes. Sen Dou offered the same courtesy but there was still a lot of force behind the kicks so Junseo did his best to avoid them. They each got a whistle for being out of bounds and Junseo did manage to score before Sen Dou took him out with a complicated combination.

They bowed to each other and then referee. They looked over to see if their demonstration satisfied the northerner delegates. Tai Ji gave them a quick grin and a thumbs up before putting a formal expression back in place. The military man came over and thanked them sincerely for the demonstration, he also acknowledged the palace training master. The former regent just gave them a sour look and turned away.

The ambassador then took delight in reminding the delegation how his grandson had been the youngest competitor in the senior finals this year. Junseo could only blush and try to escape as quickly as possible. He did not like the speculative look he was getting from the military commander.