I Will Surely Have My Revenge
"That's right! Bukjin, the friend I mentioned—the one I wanted to find to craft the Heavenly Horse Meteor Arm—is right here. This is Yang Chim-ju," Cho Heun said with a grin.
"He is a master of weapon forging and alchemy. The techniques passed down through his lineage are truly formidable. Why don't you stay a while? I'd like you to hear his thoughts on that alchemy blueprint you brought."
Upon hearing this, Bukjin's eyes widened, and he replied hastily, "N-no, that's quite alright! I'm not really interested in the technical details."
Without another word, he bolted out of the shop and vanished into the street.
"It seems you think very highly of that boy, Elder Brother Cho," Yang Chim-ju remarked, sensing the depth of their bond.
Cho Heun nodded firmly. "A reformed profligate is worth more than his weight in gold. Our Bukjin is currently the top genius of the 3rd Academy. In fact, with only a hint of exaggeration, one could call him the greatest genius in all of Unmong City."
Yang Chim-ju and Yeong-juk exchanged a meaningful glance. They both recalled the arrogant way Bukjin had held his chin high just moments ago. Then, Ban Oe-min chimed in.
"He's absolutely right! A year ago, when the War God brought Bukjin to the 3rd Academy, every teacher—myself included—opposed his admission. But who could have known? That famous scoundrel didn't just restore our academy's honor; he did it almost entirely on his own. Given everything he's accomplished, calling him the greatest genius of Unmong City is no overstatement!"
Finally unable to contain her curiosity, Yeong-juk asked in a soft, inquisitive voice, "Just what exactly did that young master achieve?"
The events at Bukhwang Mountain were currently being kept under wraps by the authorities. In particular, the shocking feats Bukjin had performed there were classified as top-secret. Cho Heun and Ban Oe-min found themselves in a difficult position, unable to divulge the details.
"You'll find out when the time is right, Sister-in-law," Cho Heun said with an awkward laugh.
Yeong-juk's face flushed at the title. She had left the Sinjin Territory and traveled to Unmong City, a small coastal town, solely for Yang Chim-ju's sake. Her reasons were obvious to anyone with eyes. However, since it hadn't even been a year since Yang Chim-ju's father passed away, the two had yet to hold a wedding ceremony. Though they weren't officially married, hearing Cho Heun call her 'Sister-in-law' brought a shy smile to her lips.
"Anyway! What was it you wanted to show me, Elder Brother?" Yang Chim-ju asked, skillfully changing the subject.
Cho Heun reached into his robes, pulled out the alchemy blueprint for the Heavenly Horse Meteor Arm, and handed it over. "Chim-ju, take a look at this."
"This is..."
As soon as Yang Chim-ju took the blueprint, he became utterly absorbed. Time passed—long enough for a stick of incense to burn down—and Yang Chim-ju remained frozen in place, his eyes wide as he pored over every line of the diagram. Finally, he blinked and snapped back to reality.
"Elder Brother Cho... where on earth did you get this?"
After a moment's hesitation, Cho Heun decided to be honest. "Bukjin found it and gave it to me. It might be the only way to solve the problem of my missing arms. Chim-ju, you come from a prestigious background and possess deep knowledge of alchemy and casting. Can you actually build this Heavenly Horse Meteor Arm according to these specifications?"
Yang Chim-ju looked at the blueprint once more, an irrepressible excitement lighting up his face. He considered it carefully before answering with confidence.
"If I can obtain the necessary materials, I can definitely make it. The design of this metallic prosthetic, its functions, and its projected effects are nothing short of miraculous. Yet, the construction method and the required materials aren't impossibly difficult to find. I can do it. I will do it!"
Yang Chim-ju marveled at the paper again. "Elder Brother, your student has truly done you a great service! It seems losing your arms to save him at Bukhwang Mountain was worth it after all!"
Cho Heun shook his head. In truth, he was the one who owed his life to Bukjin.
"Regardless, I'd appreciate it if you kept this blueprint and Bukjin's involvement a secret," Cho Heun requested.
"Of course... Wait. The three main materials needed for the Heavenly Horse Meteor Arm... I already have them."
Yang Chim-ju pulled out the three swords he had just purchased from Bukjin. "These three blades contain Soft Gold, Resonance Gold, and Ink Gold, respectively. And the purity is quite high. In terms of market value, they're worth at least five hundred gold coins. If I can extract the materials from these swords, I'll have more than enough to forge a pair of metallic arms."
Cho Heun stared at him, dumbfounded. "Five hundred gold coins?! Didn't you just buy them from Bukjin for a hundred?"
Yang Chim-ju gave a sheepish, good-natured smile. "When I bought them, I thought he was just a spoiled brat from a fallen noble family. I might have... swindled him just a little bit."
Cho Heun slapped his forehead. "Hahaha! Chim-ju, I never thought a man as honest and upright as you would do such a thing. Haha! Whatever you do, never let Bukjin find out. If he does, he won't let you hear the end of it."
At the Temple.
"Oh? Is that what happened?" asked High Priestess Jin Ju-je, who was standing before the divine statue in prayer.
Ya Mi-ang, standing beside her, spoke with visible excitement. "Yes, Master! I saw Im Bukjin use healing arts with my own eyes! It was incredibly similar to the Immortal Thousand Hands described in the scriptures. If that power really is the Immortal Thousand Hands, then he must be the person from the prophecy!"
"I see. You may leave for now," Jin Ju-je replied calmly.
"Master, but..." Ya Mi-ang started to protest.
Jin Ju-je interrupted her. "Don't worry. I've already submitted the report regarding you. You've been granted permission to participate in the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. Now, you may go."
"Wow! Thank you, Master!" Ya Mi-ang squealed, throwing her arms around Jin Ju-je and planting a kiss on her cheek.
The Temple of the Sword Lord held certain special privileges. One of them was the right to select one young priest or priestess to enter the finals of the competition without having to go through the preliminary selection process. Ya Mi-ang had been looking forward to this for a very long time, and finally, her wish had come true.
Jin Ju-je remained stoic, gently pushing Ya Mi-ang away. "You little brat, why are you so worked up? You've been training at the temple for ten years, yet your impulsive nature hasn't changed a bit. Don't act rashly. Many geniuses have emerged in Unmong City this year, so don't feel pressured to win. Just do your best."
Ya Mi-ang clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination. "No! I want to duel the famous Im Jin! I'm going to show her exactly who the greatest genius in Unmong City really is!"
Jin Ju-je shook her head, thinking her disciple was truly a handful. "Will you get down from there already!"
"Master," Ya Mi-ang noted before leaving, "you seem like you have something on your mind today."
Jin Ju-je didn't answer. Her expression grew increasingly solemn as she knelt before the statue and closed her eyes, returning to her deep meditation. Seeing this, Ya Mi-ang stuck out her tongue playfully and quietly slipped out of the temple.
"A-choo!"
On his way back to the academy, Bukjin couldn't stop sneezing. Is someone talking about how handsome I am behind my back?
When he reached the academy gates, classes were still in session. However, he unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.
"Student Im! You've finally returned!"
It was Mu-hong, the tall, sturdy survivor of the Fire Rose Adventurers. She approached him with quick strides.
"I've been waiting for you."
"Sister Mu-hong? What brings you here?" Bukjin asked, surprised.
"We've found a lead on Captain Pung Sa-nang's whereabouts. I'm planning to leave Unmong City soon to rescue her. But before I go, there's something I needed to tell you," Mu-hong said.
"After returning to the city yesterday, the first thing I did was investigate So-ryeong's whereabouts. Last night, I went to our old base and found her body there... She had already been dead for quite some time. I was hoping you could come with me to see for yourself."
"What? So-ryeong is dead?" Bukjin let out a heavy sigh.
Though he had suspected such an outcome, a wave of bitterness washed over him. Such was life. Just when one tried to look toward a bright and beautiful future, life would often bared its sharp fangs, revealing the cruelty of the world when least expected.
Pung Sa-nang and the other female swordsmen of the Fire Rose Adventurers had been brutally violated by the evil adventurer alliance and sold off to other regions. Escaping such a fate would be an monumental struggle. Bukjin felt that the destiny of Pung Sa-nang, So-ryeong, and the rest of the group was far too cruel.
"Today, I officially disbanded the Fire Rose Adventurers. They are now a thing of the past, gone from this world..." Mu-hong's eyes welled with tears, despite her imposing stature.
She lowered her head in silence for a moment, then looked up with a fierce, resolute expression.
"No matter the cost, I will rescue Captain Pung Sa-nang and the others. I can't guarantee I'll make it back alive, but... our Fire Rose Adventurers were never a group with a long history or great fame. However, we never betrayed a friend, and we never repaid kindness with malice. That is why I asked you to confirm So-ryeong's body. I wanted you to see that the person who attacked you that night wasn't her, and that our group did not sell out a friend."
For many warriors in this world, innocence and honor were sometimes more important than life itself.
After a brief silence, Bukjin spoke. "Then, have you figured out who was impersonating So-ryeong?"
Mu-hong shook her head. "Not yet. But as long as I draw breath, I will find out who it was."
Bukjin sighed softly. "The sincerity you've shown me is more than enough. I'll handle the investigation from here on my own. As for So-ryeong's body... please, see to it that she is laid to rest properly. I believe you."
Mu-hong looked at Bukjin as the setting sun bathed him in light. Standing with his back to the horizon, he seemed to glow with a brilliant, pale gold radiance.
"Thank you."
Mu-hong gave a deep, respectful bow and turned to leave. Bukjin called out to her retreating figure.
"Sister Mu-hong! You must... you must be careful!"
Mu-hong didn't look back, marching forward with a steady, determined stride.