The Temple of the Sword
The day after the visit to the Temple of the Sword, the sun shone brilliantly, and the air was crisp and clear. The academy bell tolled, signaling the arrival of thousands of students streaming through the gates. The previously quiet campus was instantly transformed into a bustling hive of activity.
Bukjin emerged from the Bamboo Garden and strolled along a narrow forest path, where he happened to cross paths with Ak Hong-hyang coming from the opposite direction.
"Good morning, Bukjin!" Ak Hong-hyang called out, waving a hand in greeting.
Bukjin offered a warm smile. "Junior Sister Ak, how is your arm? Is the injury healing well?"
Ak Hong-hyang lifted her slender, pale arm to show him. "It’s completely better! No lingering pain or stiffness at all!"
"That’s a relief," Bukjin said, his smile brightening. Knowing that her arm—which hadn't fully recovered since the preliminary rounds of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition—was finally healed was excellent news for him as well.
The two began walking side-by-side, drawing the attention of countless onlookers. Since the conclusion of the preliminaries, both Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang had become the talk of the 3rd Academy. While Ak Hong-hyang wasn't necessarily considered the most stunning beauty in the school, her fair skin, athletic physique, and serene, elegant aura gave her a classic, sophisticated charm. She was regarded as one of the academy's 'goddesses' and had a significant following of admirers.
"By the way, Junior Sister Ak," Bukjin asked in a casual, offhand tone, "don't you have a younger brother?"
"Yes, I have one younger brother. And two sets of twin younger sisters," she replied.
Six siblings? Bukjin was internally stunned. He couldn't help but think her parents were quite impressive in their own right.
"Is your brother's name Ak Hong-seol, by any chance?"
"Huh?" Ak Hong-hyang stopped, her eyes widening in surprise. "How did you know that, Bukjin?"
So he really is her brother. Bukjin nodded. "Ah, I happened to stop by the Yuelai Inn for a meal recently, and I noticed a young waiter there who seemed quite capable. We ended up introducing ourselves, and since his name was so similar to yours, I took a guess."
"Yes, that’s him! Our family's financial situation isn't great, so... my brother is working at the inn to help pay for my tuition. My biggest dream is to graduate, find a good job, and earn enough money so my family can live comfortably."
As she spoke, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, as if she were embarrassed by her own ambition. "Do you think my dream is too ordinary?"
Bukjin chuckled. "Not at all! I’m the same way. My dream is to eat well, sleep well, live a long life, and then close my eyes peacefully when the time comes! Haha!"
Ak Hong-hyang blinked in disbelief. "You’re joking, right?"
During their time at the training grounds, she had seen Bukjin leave early in the morning and return late at night, looking utterly exhausted. She was convinced that after the fall of the Jeon-cheon-hu Manor, Bukjin had turned over a new leaf like a reformed prodigal son, training silently every day and fighting desperately for his future.
Seeing her skeptical look, Bukjin brushed it off. "Anyway, I went back to the Yuelai Inn yesterday, but your brother wasn't there. Did he quit recently?"
Ak Hong-hyang nodded. "Yes. Apparently, the inn had to send some goods to another region, and they dispatched him for the delivery. It’s been six days since he left. I heard he should be back in about ten days. It’s hard work, but they said the pay was very good. Even though he’s younger than me, he has an incredible sense of responsibility. I trust his decisions."
Hearing this, Bukjin finally understood the situation. Ak Hong-hyang had no idea what was actually happening to her brother. Clearly, Bang So-baek had manipulated things so she wouldn't find out, or perhaps Ak Hong-seol himself had hidden the truth to keep his sister from worrying.
Bukjin decided it was probably for the best that she remained in the dark for now. It would prevent her performance in the main rounds of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition from being affected. Besides, even if she knew the truth, there was nothing she could do about it.
As Bukjin was lost in thought, a familiar voice rang out.
"Senior Bukjin, Senior Ak! Good morning!"
It was Mok Sim-wol, the girl known as the 'People's Princess.' She was dressed in a form-fitting swordsman's uniform that accentuated her voluptuous, hourglass figure. In terms of raw physical appeal, Mok Sim-wol was arguably the most well-endowed woman Bukjin had encountered since his transmigration. She possessed a blend of innocent charm and mature allure; though she still had a touch of girlishness, it was clear she would be a peerless beauty once she reached full adulthood.
Despite failing the preliminary rounds, she remained the most popular girl at the 3rd Academy. However, the moment Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang saw her, they acted as if they had made a pact. Without a word or even a glance in her direction, they simply walked right past her.
They treated her as if she were nothing more than thin air.
The bright smile on Mok Sim-wol’s face slowly froze. She stood there in silence for a moment, head bowed, before letting out a long sigh and heading toward her own classroom.
Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang parted ways at the academic building. When Bukjin reached the door of Class 9, Grade 2, he found the elegant Baek Geum-un waiting for him. Upon spotting him, she marched over with a confident stride.
"Senior! You’re finally here! Come on, let's go practice our swordsmanship!"
"Not interested," Bukjin replied, sounding annoyed.
"Special training starts the day after tomorrow! I still haven't fully mastered the Cloud-Piercing Light Sword I acquired recently. I need your help, Senior!" Baek Geum-un said excitedly.
"If you agree to coach me, I’m willing to pay! Twenty silver coins per session! What do you say?"
"W-What?" Bukjin stammered, crossing his arms over his chest in mock alarm. "What exactly are we doing 'per session'?!"
Baek Geum-un looked at him as if he were asking the obvious. "Training together, of course! I’ll pay you twenty silver every time you spar with me!"
Tsk, watch your phrasing so I don't get the wrong idea! Bukjin often felt that the women in this world were surprisingly bold with their word choices. Losing interest, he replied, "I’m not some local punching bag. I don't do 'service' for money. Go find someone else."
"What? No! Senior!"
The moment Bukjin stepped inside, the atmosphere in the room heated up. A crowd of female students swarmed him, peppering him with questions about cultivation and trying to strike up a conversation. In truth, Bukjin wasn't particularly interested in romance, but since his reputation in this world was that of a lecherous scoundrel, he had to play the part.
He flashed a charming smile, discussing martial arts and regaling them with tales of his 'heroic' exploits during the preliminaries. Then, like a classic flirt, he used the excuse of palm reading to take their hands one by one, telling them about their fortunes in business and love.
As he sat surrounded by a bevy of laughing girls, he heard someone call his name. Without even turning his head, he shouted back, "I’m busy right now!"
But a second later, the girls gasped and scrambled back to their seats. Bukjin realized something was very wrong.
"Huh? Where are you going? What’s the matter?"
Bukjin turned around to find Cho Heun, the Grade Dean, glaring at him with eyes full of murderous intent. Undaunted, Bukjin stood up and offered a perfectly innocent smile.
"Dean Cho, good morning! I was just fostering some friendly bonds with my fellow students!"
"Quiet! Get out here. We’re going to the Temple." Cho Heun ignored his nonsense and gestured toward the door.
A short while later, they arrived at the central plaza of Unmong City. There, the Temple of the Lord of Swords stood tall and imposing. The deity designated as the national religion of the North Sea Empire was none other than the Sword Lord. This shared faith was the reason why the empire boasted so many swordsmen, earning it the moniker 'The Empire of Blades.'
Like the many other deities of this world, the Sword Lord had numerous temples throughout the North Sea Empire, where countless devotees offered sacrifices and burned incense. Since Unmong City was considered a lower-tier city with a smaller population, it possessed only one temple. In larger metropolises, it wasn't uncommon to find several.
"Be extremely careful with your words inside the Temple. You must never act out of line in the presence of the Divine!" Cho Heun warned as they stepped out of the carriage.
Bukjin nodded vigorously. He had no desire to offend a god and end up being struck by divine lightning. Whether or not he could awaken his Mystic Energy attribute was a secondary concern compared to staying alive.
The two ascended the stairs leading to the massive plaza. Hundreds of devotees of all ages and genders were present, kneeling on the stone slabs with their hands clasped and eyes closed in prayer. Along the sides of the plaza stood ten statues of legendary swordsmen, each nearly thirty feet tall. Looking at the Temple, Bukjin felt an inexplicable sense of majesty and holiness wash over him.
Cho Heun led Bukjin across the plaza to the front of the Temple entrance.
"Is that you, Dean Cho Heun?" a pleasant female voice called out.
A woman dressed in a white hooded robe and a long priestess's skirt was waiting for them at the entrance. She exuded an air of profound beauty and grace. A faint, silvery light seemed to emanate from her entire being, giving her a sacred and holy appearance.
"High Priestess Jin! I didn't expect you to greet us personally. Please forgive my intrusion," Cho Heun said, bowing deeply with the utmost respect.
Taking his cue from the Dean, Bukjin followed suit and bowed low.
"It is no trouble at all, Dean Cho."
The woman known as Jin Ju-je lowered her hood, revealing her face. She appeared to be a priestess in her mid-twenties, possessing exceptionally refined and beautiful features.