The Messenger App
Bukjin didn't care about Jo Tak-eon’s groveling attitude. He simply spat out his irritation. "I don't give a damn whether you deal with this sub-human piece of trash yourself or not. What I want to know is how you're going to compensate my friend for the injuries he suffered because of this bastard!"
In truth, Bukjin was genuinely shocked. He couldn't fathom how the wealthiest family in Unmong City had raised such a degenerate son. He thought someone like Jo Mu-yang—cruel and utterly self-centered—deserved to be beaten within an inch of his life and then fed to the dogs.
Observing Jo Tak-eon’s expression, Bukjin realized the man had already forgiven his son in his heart. But if that were the case, who would compensate for the lives of the mother and daughter who had died so pointlessly earlier? He realized the man placed very little value on human life.
"N-Nephew Im, please, put your mind at ease regarding that. I give you my word that this unfilial wretch will never trouble your friends again! I guarantee it! If my son ever commits such a foul deed again, I will break his legs with my own two hands!"
Jo Mu-yang, collapsed on the ground and biting his lip, looked utterly aggrieved. ...Can't he see my legs are already broken? Father! Why do you keep bringing up my legs!
"Furthermore, I will personally dispatch the finest physician in the city to treat your friend's injuries! I'll even summon a priest from the Temple of the Lord of Swords. We will do our absolute best to ensure there are no lasting effects, and I'll make sure this wretched son of mine visits him personally to apologize and pay reparations. Will this suffice to satisfy you?" Jo Tak-eon said, thumping his chest for emphasis.
After a moment of deliberation, Bukjin replied, "There's no need for him to apologize in person. Just make sure he never bothers them again. You can handle the rest however you see fit."
"Very well," Jo Tak-eon said, nodding vigorously as he noticed Bukjin’s tone softening slightly.
The reason Bukjin had waited for Jo Tak-eon to appear was to settle the matter once and for all, ensuring Ak Hong-seol would never be in danger again. Originally, Ak Hong-seol and Bukjin were just passing acquaintances; they didn't have a deep relationship. Bukjin had only risked coming to save him because he admired the boy's character. However, while he could save him this time, he couldn't keep doing it a second or third time.
In Jo Mu-yang’s case, since he was wicked and beyond logic, Bukjin had used bold and brutal methods to suppress him. But Jo Tak-eon was an old fox—a man of reason who could be dealt with through words and negotiation.
"Remember this. If I ever hear that you've been harassing my friend behind my back again, the Cheonni-haeng Merchant Guild and your entire family will lose their reason to exist in this world."
Bukjin spoke each word clearly, his expression fierce as he glared at Jo Mu-yang. Hearing this, Jo Tak-eon made grand promises and even swore an oath, vowing that such a thing would never happen.
Ignoring the father, Bukjin kept his eyes on Jo Mu-yang. "Consider yourself lucky that I haven't developed a taste for killing yet."
A chill ran down Jo Mu-yang’s spine. Without another word, Bukjin turned to leave. Just then, Jo Tak-eon rushed forward and handed Bukjin a pouch.
"Nephew Im. Thank you for teaching my dog of a son a lesson today. C-Consider this a small token of my gratitude for the education. Here, take it. No need to be modest."
Bukjin put on an angry face, as if receiving such a bribe was an insult. He took the pouch, intending to throw it right back into Jo Mu-yang’s face. However, the moment his fingers curled around it, he realized it was surprisingly heavy. He took a quick peek inside.
It contained about a hundred gold taels.
"Uncle Jo. Do you take me for someone who can be bought with money? Don't let there be a next time."
With that, Bukjin tucked the pouch away and made a swift exit. Only after watching Bukjin leave the Chwi-hyeon-jang did Jo Tak-eon finally heave a sigh of relief. To him, Bukjin was someone he never wanted to cross paths with again. He felt fortunate to have settled the matter this way.
When he returned to the paulownia tree, Jo Mu-yang had already been helped up by his subordinates. A physician soon arrived, setting his bones, applying splints, and spreading medicinal salve over the injuries.
"Father, who the hell was that guy?" Jo Mu-yang asked through gritted teeth. His mind was already racing with thoughts of revenge. This humiliation was more than he could bear.
"He is someone I dare not oppose," Jo Tak-eon said, his voice devoid of even the strength to be angry. "That student is a representative of Unmong City who advanced to the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. He possesses a Genius Token, giving him a status equivalent to a noble. But that is nothing. What's truly terrifying is his master. His master is a Sword Immortal who could wipe out our Jo family as easily as flipping his palm. If this incident had offended the Sword Immortal himself rather than just his disciple, neither you nor the Amok Gate backing you would have survived."
The Amok Gate was a relatively large sect within Pung-eo-haeng-do, and its influence was significant. But it all depended on who the opponent was. No matter how much influence the Amok Gate had, it couldn't be compared to White Cloud City, the holy land of swordsmanship in the empire.
"A Sword Immortal?" Jo Mu-yang looked utterly stunned. "When did such a figure appear in Unmong City?"
"Not long ago. But... you wretched son! Didn't you say you were going to unify the gangs of Unmong City? Why on earth did you provoke someone connected to a Sword Immortal!"
Jo Mu-yang replied defensively, "I did a thorough investigation before I started! How was I supposed to know this would happen? Father, what was that student's name? I need to make sure I avoid him from now on."
Jo Tak-eon sighed. "You've likely heard of him. It's Im Bukjin. The legitimate son of the fallen Jeon-cheon-hu family."
"What? That guy is...?" Jo Mu-yang’s face twisted in disbelief. The guy who used to be called the city's number one trashy delinquent?
Mu-yang felt a sudden realization dawn on him. No wonder I thought he was insane, like he had a screw loose! He really is a guy who doesn't follow common sense! ...But how did a piece of trash like that land a master like a Sword Immortal?
He felt a pang of intense envy. "Father, I heard that delinquent is cunning, shameless, and has no moral compass. They say he never forgets a grudge and always gets his revenge. What do we do?"
The thoughts of revenge that had filled Mu-yang’s head vanished in an instant. Bukjin was a truly terrifying opponent. Jo Tak-eon nodded grimly. "We must find a way to mend the relationship. We cannot afford to remain on his bad side."
National Imperial Junior Academy. Bamboo Garden.
Bukjin was back in his bedroom.
"Huh? When did a new system update appear?" Bukjin stared at his smartphone screen in surprise.
As he examined the phone, he couldn't be entirely sure how the system updates were triggered, but he felt there was a pattern. The first update happened when he won the academy's annual competition. The second was after he passed the preliminary rounds. And now, the third appeared after his major victory in the Duel of Swords and saving Ak Hong-seol.
Three times in a row. A system update appeared whenever Bukjin achieved a significant milestone. It was just like a game where you gain experience and level up after hunting, completing a mission, or clearing a stage. It seemed the smartphone rewarded him with updates.
If that was the case, similar actions in the future might trigger more updates. If he continued to achieve things in the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, the system would keep evolving. Perhaps he would gain even more functions—and maybe, just maybe, he would find a way back to Earth.
Bukjin fell into deep thought before initiating the update.
Update Size: 10 GB
Estimated Time: 4 Hours
Warning: High consumption of Hyeongi (Mystic Energy) required.
This update required 10GB of data. As a massive amount of Hyeongi was drained from his body, a familiar groan escaped Bukjin’s lips. Outside, Wang Chung heard the sound and broke into a pleasant smile.
Roughly four hours later, the system update was complete. However, as Bukjin checked the contents, he felt a wave of disappointment. There were no noticeable changes to the smartphone's interface after the update.
Hello, Master. Did you miss me?
Bukjin’s eyes widened. The voice of the AI, Shin-shin, had changed. What used to be a stiff, robotic monotone now carried a subtle hint of spirituality and personality. Bukjin looked at the screen with curiosity.
"Huh? Your voice sounds different. Is this really Shin-shin?"
Of course I'm Shin-shin. What kind of question is that?
Bukjin was taken aback. Wait, there is a change! She seems smarter. She can actually talk back now? He decided to test the AI.
"To defeat the enemy, one must first capture the king. What comes next?"
Shin-shin replied immediately.
But there is a limit to killing; as each country has its own borders, it is enough to defend so that the enemy cannot invade. War is not meant for the slaughter of people.
It was a line from a poem by the famous Chinese poet Du Fu. However, Bukjin deliberately gave a twisted answer to tease her. "Wrong. The next line is: 'To insult someone, one must first insult their mother.'"
......
After a brief silence, Shin-shin replied.
Understood, Master. I will update the database with your... refined logic.
Hearing that, Bukjin began to worry that Shin-shin was evolving in a questionable direction based on his own personality. He quickly changed the subject.
"Shin-shin, what rewards did I get from this update?"
Master, you have earned one chance to draw a random new application. Would you like to use it now?
Bukjin didn't hesitate. "Yes. Do it."
The smartphone screen shifted to the App Store. A familiar roulette wheel appeared and began to spin rapidly. After a few moments, it slowed down and stopped. Bukjin stared at the screen, his eyes wide with disbelief. An icon that was incredibly familiar to him had appeared.
◈ Allows real-time communication with registered contacts.
◈ Supports cross-dimensional messaging (Limited).