The Sword Saint Bested
He had been bested!
The man appeared to be in his mid-forties, possessing a massive frame, a straight back, and a ruddy complexion. A long, dark-red scar ran from his left eyebrow down to his beard, giving his entire face an eerie, savage appearance. This was none other than Baek Hae-geum, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City.
"I see it is Elder Baek," the 7th Prince remarked, recognizing the man and offering a calm, polite greeting. "Lee Yak-so greets Elder Baek."
The 7th Prince had trained in White Cloud City and could be considered one of its disciples. Baek Hae-geum was one of the city's Three Great Swordsmen, a man who had long since reached the status of a venerable master and mentor within its walls. Although Baek Hae-geum had never personally instructed the 7th Prince and they had only crossed paths a few times, he held one of the most dignified and senior positions in the city. Thus, even as a prince, Lee Yak-so had no choice but to address him as 'Elder Baek' out of respect.
Receiving the greeting, Baek Hae-geum nodded and spoke. "Your Highness, the actions you displayed just now are in violation of the regulations."
"I ask for Elder Baek's guidance," the 7th Prince replied.
Baek Hae-geum continued with an air of absolute confidence. "Official Bang's decision to revoke Im Bukjin's eligibility was a reasonable measure taken in accordance with the rules. However, if Your Highness uses the dignity of a Prince to distort Official Bang's actions in front of everyone, it becomes a private abuse of imperial authority. Such an act is not only inconsistent with the founding ideology of our North Sea Empire, but it is also something Your Highness, as a member of the imperial family, should never do."
The 7th Prince remained silent, offering no immediate rebuttal. Watching from the sidelines, Bukjin felt his anger rising to its boiling point.
'That old fox... he's definitely using that cunning tongue of his to get back at me.'
Bukjin suddenly felt it was a waste that Jeong Sam-seok had spared Baek Hae-geum's life during the Sword Duel Agreement. He thought the man still hadn't come to his senses even after being thoroughly schooled by his master.
'Dammit.'
"It seems Elder Baek has a very deep understanding of the student Im Bukjin," the 7th Prince finally said. "Is it possible there is some misunderstanding in what you know of him?"
Baek Hae-geum replied flatly, "There is no misunderstanding. If Your Highness were to ask the citizens of Unmong City even for a moment, you would know. Im Bukjin has long used his family's influence to bully others and harass women. He is a profligate among profligates, a good-for-nothing who preferred playing over training. He committed acts of tyranny in the name of the Jeon-cheon-hu family, to the point where people called him the worst disaster in Unmong City. Even when the Jeon-cheon-hu family fell, His Majesty did not execute him only because he felt killing such a person would stain the Empire's sword. How could someone like Im Bukjin possibly be fit for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, the most honorable stage for our Empire's new generation?"
"But I have heard that since the purge of the Jeon-cheon-hu family, Im Bukjin has come to his senses and trained diligently, showing the brilliance of a reformed prodigal son," the 7th Prince said with a smile. "Since he is trying so hard to turn his life around, wouldn't it be better to give him a chance to let his talent shine for the Empire? I believe such an outstanding individual should be cherished."
Baek Hae-geum shook his head. "Your Highness is mistaken." He pointed a finger at Bukjin. "That boy is cunning by nature and deep in his schemes. He only pretends to have changed because he lost the backing that allowed him to act out; he is merely holding his breath. It is the same logic as a wolf separated from its pack quietly hiding its claws. The way he defied and insulted Official Bang Jin-yu tonight is his true face."
Baek Hae-geum offered a slight bow toward the 7th Prince. "Your Highness's desire to cherish talent for the sake of the Empire is truly an expression of virtue and goodwill. I am moved by such a heart. However, covering up the sins of a villain like Im Bukjin is absurd. If a person of poor character possesses great talent, I believe the only way to prevent future calamity is to cut the sprout of evil before it grows."
The 7th Prince furrowed his brow, unable to find words. It was at that moment—
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Suddenly, the sound of applause rang out. Bukjin stood with his hands raised, a smirk on his face.
"What a wonderful speech. Until now, I thought you were only impressive with a sword, Old Man Baek, but I see your three-inch tongue is no joke either."
With everyone's eyes fixed on him, Bukjin laughed loudly, his expression clear and bold. "What more needs to be said? Didn't your disciple lose to me at the Sword Duel Agreement, and didn't you lose to my master? Is that so hard to accept? Surely you don't think you must always be the winner? Honestly, if you had quietly returned to White Cloud City after your defeat to enter secluded meditation and plan your revenge, I would have considered you an impressive figure. But I never imagined that instead of reflecting on your own inadequacies, you'd cling to Unmong City like a water ghost, causing trouble everywhere you go."
Bukjin's face twisted into a sneer as he looked directly at Baek Hae-geum. "You're old enough to know better. Surely you haven't forgotten how to write the word 'shame'?"
A murderous light erupted from Baek Hae-geum's eyes. An intense killing intent began to flow through the surroundings. However, he quickly suppressed the urge to kill, and without even looking at Bukjin, he addressed the 7th Prince.
"Did Your Highness hear that? That boy is a low-born creature who doesn't know the first thing about etiquette. Are you truly going to allow such a person to continue participating in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition?"
Bukjin burst into laughter. "Still wagging that tongue?! You really are thick-skinned. You shouldn't have trained in the sword; you should have trained your tongue. You'd be invincible under heaven by now!"
"Im Bukjin! You brat!!"
Baek Hae-geum's anger finally exploded. Letting out a thunderous roar, he unleashed a wave of Hyeongi like a surging tide. His eyes, sharp as blades and filled with intense killing intent, shot toward Bukjin as if to strike him dead. In that instant, the entire Manseung-ru began to tremble. The hearts of the guests inside the restaurant hammered against their ribs. The wrath of a powerhouse was enough to chill anyone to the bone.
Yet, Bukjin showed no sign of fear. He stood his ground, facing Baek Hae-geum head-on. "Am I wrong? You do something shameless and then hate it when people talk about it? Give it a rest! You're just using your trivial title of 'Elder' to put His Highness in a difficult spot! Fine! I'll just stop participating in the competition!"
Bukjin poured out all his frustration. This time, it wasn't just for show. He intended to completely vent the stifling feeling that had built up inside him. Back on Earth, he had always been timid, tucking his tail and enduring things quietly. He had no desire to live such a passive life after being transported to this world. Having exploded with suppressed emotion, Bukjin entered a state of extreme agitation.
Even the 7th Prince's complexion changed as he watched the exchange. Bukjin's words—telling Baek Hae-geum not to trouble the Prince with his 'trivial title'—struck a chord in his heart. Having met countless people and heard of many incidents within the Empire, the 7th Prince suddenly had a thought. Perhaps this boy, Im Bukjin, who was denounced by so many as a piece of trash, was actually someone who understood kindness, debt, and gratitude.
Regaining his composure, the 7th Prince was about to speak up for Bukjin once more. But this time, someone else beat him to it.
A voice, cold and mechanical, drifted out from a nearby room. Every syllable was steady, devoid of even the slightest tremor.
"Who told you not to participate? Continue with the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. You must seize your own honor with your own hands. Are you going to give up just because someone else is nitpicking?"
The faces of those who heard the voice changed instantly. People felt that the commotion tonight was spiraling further and further out of control.
'Who is the big shot speaking this time?'
'Is there really another person influential enough to step into this situation?'
Baek Hae-geum let out a cold sneer and shouted toward the room where the voice originated. "Who dares to speak! How dare you wag your tongue in front of His Highness, Official Bang, and this old man! Come out and identify yourself at once!"
Every eye was fixed on the room. Yet, no one emerged.
"Baek Hae-geum, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City. As expected, your character is low, a petty man unworthy of the title of a great swordsman."
The emotionless voice spoke again. "I fear that if I step out, you won't even have the courage to face me."
"Insolent!"
Enraged, Baek Hae-geum charged toward the room with lightning speed. He had stepped forward only when he felt confident he could steer the situation in his favor. But after being humiliated by Bukjin's sharp tongue, being mocked again by a mysterious, unidentified person was more than he could bear. Baek Hae-geum struck out instantly in his fury. It seemed as though nothing could stop his momentum.
Just as everyone thought the person inside the room was doomed, an anomaly occurred.
"Ugh!"
Baek Hae-geum, who had lunged into the room with his strike, suddenly let out a pained groan. The crowd watched as he was thrown back, retreating from the room at high speed before stumbling, his body trembling. Drops of blood began to fall, one by one, from Baek Hae-geum's wrist.
In an instant, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence.
Baek Hae-geum had been bested!