Stay Out of This
Im Yeok trotted over to the middle-aged man’s side and took his place. After offering a respectful bow to Bang Jin-yu, he turned a piercing glare toward Bukjin. His face contorted into a scowl as he barked at him.
"Aigoo! Why are you just standing there like a statue? Get over here and pay your respects to our father! He is your uncle—the only elder you have left in this world!"
My uncle? That guy?
Bukjin rubbed the bridge of his nose, a dry smile tugging at his lips. How fascinating. This 'uncle' and 'cousin' were nowhere to be found when half the people in the 3rd Academy were breathing down my neck, ready to kill me. And now they show up to lord their authority over me?
"I beg your pardon, but my relatives have been dead and gone for a long time," Bukjin said flatly.
"You insolent brat!" Im Jin-nam’s face flushed with sudden, violent rage. "You... you worthless wretch! How dare you say such a thing! Get over here and get on your knees this instant!"
As the words left his mouth, Im Jin-nam struck. He lashed out with his hand, sending two streaks of azure sword qi whistling toward Bukjin’s knees. He clearly intended to sever the boy's tendons and force him into a submissive posture.
Watching the blue light streak toward him, Bukjin felt a surge of cold fury. This son of a bitch... Does he have a death wish?
Cho Heun, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, realized things were about to turn ugly. He stepped in front of Bukjin and threw a heavy punch.
BOOM!
The collision of mystic energies produced a deafening explosion. The azure sword qi shattered against Cho Heun’s steel fist, dissipating into nothingness.
"Im Bukjin is a representative student participating in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition on behalf of our academy," Cho Heun roared, his voice thick with indignation. "His status is guaranteed by the Board of Education, and he is protected under Imperial Law! Patriarch Im, what do you think you're doing? Are you trying to make an enemy of the 3rd Academy?"
Im Jin-nam let out a cold, sinister chuckle. "That wretched boy is not only ignorant of his place, but he is also insufferably arrogant. His reputation is filthy, and his conduct is beyond despicable! Our family laws cannot tolerate such behavior. I am merely attempting to teach him a lesson on behalf of the Im clan to turn him into a decent human being. Does the 3rd Academy truly intend to interfere in the private affairs of the Im family?"
Cho Heun burst into a fit of mocking laughter. "Family laws? Im Bukjin is under the protection of Imperial Law. Do you truly believe your family's petty rules supersede the laws of the Empire? My, my... I had no idea the Im clan’s influence was so grand."
Im Jin-nam’s complexion paled. He stole a glance at Bang Jin-yu, who stood silently beside him, before snapping back with feigned righteousness.
"Teacher Cho, do not try to slander me with such sophistry. Everyone here knows exactly what I meant! Since the founding of our North Sea Empire by the Holy Martial Emperor, education has always been our core pillar. Education means loyalty to the sovereign, love for the people, respect for one's teachers and elders, and filial piety toward one's parents. Yet this Im Bukjin is cold-hearted by nature; he enjoys tormenting others and seeks out wickedness! As his elder, I am simply trying to educate him! Are you suggesting that even this is wrong?"
Cho Heun replied icily, "I may be just a simple teacher, but I am not blind. I can tell the difference between someone trying to 'teach a lesson' and someone trying to maim a child! It seems the Patriarch finds the mere sight of Bukjin unbearable, so I shall take him and leave. I would hate for the Patriarch to lose his temper again and 'educate' him further! Hahaha!"
With that, Cho Heun began to lead Bukjin and the rest of the 3rd Academy group away. It was the classic 'Thirty-Six Stratagems'—when in doubt, run away.
Bang Jin-yu, the Provincial Director of Education, finally spoke.
"Patriarch Im makes a fair point. Historically, our Empire has placed the utmost importance on education. Showing respect and filial piety to one's elders is a virtue that can never be neglected. Im Bukjin, since you have encountered an elder of your house, come here and pay your respects before you depart."
Tension gripped Cho Heun and Ban Oe-min as Bang Jin-yu halted their retreat. However, they soon let out internal sighs of relief. Offering a single bow wasn't a difficult task. The two teachers signaled Bukjin with their eyes, urging him to just swallow his pride and get it over with.
But Bukjin stood his ground, unmoving.
Since arriving in this world, Bukjin had generally gone with the flow, handling situations as they arose. He lived by the principle of avoiding unnecessary conflict to keep his life easy. Bowing to someone else was a small price to pay, and it wasn't something he couldn't endure.
Yet, despite his logical reasoning, his legs refused to take a single step forward.
"What are you doing?" Bang Jin-yu asked, stroking his beard. "Are my words falling on deaf ears?"
"And why exactly should I listen to you?"
The words tumbled out of Bukjin's mouth before he could stop them. The moment he said it, a wave of regret washed over him. He felt like slapping himself. Why did I say that?
Ever since his soul had migrated to this body, he had often thought the original owner was an idiot for acting so arrogant and haughty in front of powerful people. Have I become an idiot too? This is the time to keep my head down!
Bukjin’s single sentence ignited a firestorm. Im Jin-nam and his son, Im Yeok, looked stunned for a moment before their expressions twisted into sneers. He’s even crazier than the rumors suggested! The boy has truly lost his mind.
If you want to die that badly, we won't stop you.
Cho Heun, Ban Oe-min, Ryu Gye-hae, Han Bul-bu, Baek Geum-un, and Ak Hong-hyang were all staring at Bukjin with looks of pure disbelief.
He’s usually so cunning... Did he eat something wrong today?
To pick a fight with the highest official in the provincial education system in front of all these people?
Has his mental illness flared up again?
Lee Ung-bu, the Unmong City Education Director, turned pale and shouted, "How dare you, Im Bukjin! Do you realize you are talking back to Lord Bang? Come forward this instant and confess your transgressions! Lord Bang is a man of great virtue; he will not punish you severely if you repent!"
It was the last lifeline Lee Ung-bu could throw him. Bukjin looked up, meeting the eyes of the man who genuinely seemed to have his best interests at heart. Then, he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! ...I have no intention of doing that."
Lee Ung-bu was at his wit's end. This boy simply will not listen to reason! He struggled to suppress his anger, preparing to speak again, when Bang Jin-yu chuckled beside him.
"He certainly has a temper. He reminds me of myself in my younger days."
The onlookers relaxed slightly, thinking the official was going to let it slide. However, Bang Jin-yu’s next words completely defied their expectations.
"But tell me... how did a student who refuses to show respect to his elders and talks back to his superiors even qualify for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition? Do you truly believe such a student is worthy of the title 'Sun'?"
Before anyone could react, Bang Jin-yu turned his gaze toward Lee Ung-bu.
"If I were to exercise my special administrative authority, I would disqualify such a rude and lawless student from the competition immediately. What do you think? Am I wrong?"
Lee Ung-bu fell silent. He couldn't understand where things had gone so wrong. As far as he knew, there should have been no point of contact—and thus no friction—between a high official like Bang Jin-yu and a boy like Im Bukjin. He couldn't fathom why Bang Jin-yu was pushing this child so relentlessly.
"My Lord, the boy suffers from a mental illness. When he has an episode, he loses his ability to discern right from wrong... When he is sane, he is perfectly normal. I beg of you, just this once..."
Lee Ung-bu tried to salvage the situation. But then, Bukjin spoke up again.
"I am not having an 'episode' right now. My mind is perfectly clear. But this is quite strange, isn't it?"
Bukjin stood his ground, his face filled with dissatisfaction and contempt. He let out a cold sneer.
"Is being a Director really that big of a deal? Whether I greet my uncle or not, what does that have to do with you? Does being a Director give you the right to stick your nose into other people's family business and force them to bow? If you're an official of the Board of Education, you should stick to managing the board and the schools. Don't go thinking that just because you have a fancy title, you can interfere in everything and make the world bend to your will."
Lee Ung-bu was speechless. He realized that the situation had spiraled far beyond his control. There was nothing more he could do to help. Everyone else stood frozen in shock.
Im Jin-nam and Im Yeok were now beginning to fear that Bukjin, acting like a rabid dog biting everyone in sight, would bring disaster upon their entire clan. They were already frantically searching for an excuse to sever all ties with him completely.
Cho Heun and Ban Oe-min felt a massive headache coming on.
"Well said, mmmph—!"
Baek Geum-un, who had been watching the scene with bated breath, felt a surge of catharsis at Bukjin’s refreshing retort. She had been about to praise his words when Ryu Gye-hae quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
Ak Hong-hyang was trembling slightly, her face pale with nerves. Yet, she felt she had to do something. She forced her leaden feet to move, stepping up to stand beside Bukjin.
However, Bukjin’s mind was sharper than ever, and he was fully aware of the gravity of the situation. He quietly shifted his left leg, blocking Ak Hong-hyang and Han Bul-bu as they tried to approach him.
"Stay out of this," he said in a low voice. "Just stand back and keep quiet."
Now that things had reached this point, Bukjin had already steeled himself. The only reason I’m participating in this competition is to make money. I have nothing to lose. If they disqualify me, I’ll just go hunt in Bukhwang Mountain to earn my keep. But I can't let the others get dragged down with me.
Bukjin knew that Han Bul-bu, Ak Hong-hyang, and Baek Geum-un were different from him. They were people of this world, and they were his dear friends. For them, the Academic & Martial Arts Competition was a vital milestone that would dictate their entire futures. This wasn't like the time he had faced off against the third-year students back at the academy. Back then, it was a matter of loyalty among peers; now, it was a matter of collective ruin.