The Weight of Genius
"That is correct," Im Ji said, his voice as flat as a blade's edge. "I investigated you. Is there a reason I shouldn't have?"
"Hehehe, of course it’s fine. More than fine, really!"
Bukjin’s voice shifted instantly, turning into the sycophantic purr of a cat rubbing against its master’s legs. He plastered a beaming, wide-mouthed grin on his face.
"You are welcome to investigate me anytime, as much as you like! I, Im Bukjin, am a true gentleman who harbors no impure thoughts. I am a sincere and adorable husband-to-be, a man of great character filled with chivalry! Furthermore, I am a man of peerless beauty whose conduct is so upright that even my shadow wouldn't dare bend! I have absolutely nothing to fear from a background check! Hehe!"
Im Ji remained expressionless, his tone chillingly calm. "A true gentleman with no impure thoughts? Then what about Qingqing and Cheon-cheon, the maids who attend to you every night and even bathe with you? I don't believe my younger sister knows about this yet."
Bukjin nearly hit the ceiling, jumping like a rabbit that had just stepped on a fresh pile of dung.
"Y-You... You even know about that?"
Im Ji didn't bother denying it. Bukjin scrambled to find his words, speaking with frantic urgency.
"L-Listen, let me explain first. There is absolutely no personal feeling or... physical contact between me and those maids. I am a perfectly innocent and clean person!"
Wait, hold on! Why am I making excuses to this guy?!
A flicker of weary resignation passed through Im Ji’s eyes. "I thought you would have properly considered the proposal I made to you previously."
"You mean about joining the military?" Bukjin shook his head and waved his hands dismissively. "I’m not going. No way. I don't want to die."
"It seems," Im Ji noted, "that you haven't truly grasped the gravity of what I told you."
"Actually, I did want to ask," Bukjin replied. "Is the situation at the front lines really that bad?"
"It wasn't originally this urgent," Im Ji answered. "But after your father’s defeat in battle, the situation has become far from optimistic."
Ugh... Bukjin regretted asking.
"Well, it'll probably be fine," Bukjin said after a moment of thought, forcing a smile. "If the Empire is truly on the brink of destruction, I'll head out to the battlefield then."
"A great calamity might strike you long before that day comes," Im Ji said with a cold sneer. "Why do you think Bang Jin-yu, despite his high status and position, was so wary of you today? Do you honestly think it's just because he's jealous of your 'extraordinary talent'?"
Bukjin blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Is it... not?"
"I am not joking. This is not a laughing matter."
Bukjin maintained his fawning, sycophantic smile. "Is it because my missing father didn't wipe properly after finishing his business, and now the mess is affecting me?"
"A disgusting metaphor. But essentially, yes," Im Ji said. "I originally had no intention of involving myself in your trivial, useless affairs. I only spoke up to stop you after I heard you were planning to withdraw from the Academic & Martial Arts Competition of your own accord. Do you know why I did that?"
"Was it for your sister?" Bukjin asked.
Im Ji fell silent for a moment. "Do you know why my name is Im Ji?" He looked up, his gaze boring into Bukjin.
"Um... because it sounds cool?" Bukjin continued to flatter him with a grin.
Im Ji continued, his voice unwavering. "It is because when I was twelve years old, I cut a man one thousand and eight hundred times. I executed him by Lingchi—the slow slicing—in the most cruel and agonizing way possible."
"Ah? Well, that person must have committed a truly heinous crime then."
Ignoring Bukjin’s comment, Im Ji continued. "I did it because he enraged me. And from that day until now, the number of people I have personally executed by Lingchi may not be a hundred, but it is certainly at least ninety."
Im Ji stared directly at Bukjin. "Therefore, it would be wise for you not to mistake me for someone who is easy to talk to, nor should you use that bizarre personality of yours to test my patience. Do you understand?"
As he met Im Ji’s piercing gaze, Bukjin felt a chill run down his spine, as if his entire body were being sliced by dozens of sharp daggers. He trembled slightly as he replied.
"Yes! G-Great Hero!"
Im Ji raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose, a gesture meant to hide the look of utter helplessness in his eyes. He had carried out countless slaughters on the front lines. His hands were stained with the scent of blood, and wherever he went, people trembled in fear—not just the enemies from the Aurora Empire, but even the soldiers of his own North Sea Empire. In the world of martial arts, he was known as the Blood Hand Asura.
He had reached his current position by treading through endless carnage and battle. He had faced more death and separation than he could count. He had long believed his heart had turned to cold steel, and that no one outside his immediate family could ever cause a ripple in his emotions.
But now, Im Ji felt his strength draining away just by looking at the boy before him.
This eccentric brat... If it weren't for Jin, I would have beaten him to death instantly.
"Im Bukjin. Remember this. The only reason you weren't purged before was because you were a pathetic, mentally unstable delinquent. The Emperor let you be, and your father's political enemies didn't consider you worth their time. But the talent you are displaying now has shocked many. I do not know what the Emperor thinks, but your father's enemies can no longer afford to leave you alone."
Im Ji watched Bukjin, who was nodding his head repeatedly in agreement.
"You have already distinguished yourself," Im Ji continued. "Even if you try to live quietly again, they will never allow it. Therefore, you have no choice but to keep moving forward. Currently, winning the Academic & Martial Arts Competition is the only way to earn the right to protect yourself. The winner of the competition is protected by the supreme laws of the Empire. Aside from the Emperor himself, no one will be able to touch you recklessly. For the sake of your own survival, you must not walk away from that competition. Do you understand?"
Bukjin fell into deep thought for a moment before answering. "I understand."
In truth, however, Bukjin didn't think it was that big of a deal. If things get really bad, I can just kneel before Old Man Hae and follow him out to the Great Sea to become a member of the Sea Race, right?
Nevertheless, he could feel that Im Ji’s advice was for his own benefit. He had to acknowledge the favor Im Ji was showing him. Bukjin didn't consider himself a particularly 'good' person, but he was someone who believed in repaying grudges with grudges and kindness with kindness. He was not a heartless scoundrel who would trample on another's goodwill.
Furthermore, now that the bet with Jo Pacheon was set, Bukjin had nowhere left to retreat. If he lost to Jo Pacheon and tried to tuck tail and run to Old Man Hae without keeping his word, the old man would likely slice him in half and turn him into fish food on the spot.
"So, how confident are you?" Im Ji asked.
"If I say I'm not confident..." Bukjin’s eyes sparkled. "Will you teach me some peerless divine art? Like that technique you used to crush Baek Hae-geum just now?"
For a split second, the impulse to beat Bukjin to death surged within Im Ji once more.
"If you aren't confident, you should start thinking about how to ensure your death is as painless as possible," Im Ji said flatly.
The light in Bukjin’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a dark gloom.
"And I want you to seriously consider my proposal," Im Ji added. "The winner of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition receives special treatment upon enlistment. You can begin your military life as an officer from the moment you join. If you can gain military power, you can protect the people you cherish as much as you want."
Protect the people I cherish? Bukjin pondered the thought. I don't really have many...
Bukjin had a few friends, but they didn't exactly need his protection. There were a few teachers and elders he was close to, but they didn't need him either. In fact, it was usually the other way around—they were lucky if they didn't get into trouble because of him. As for Wang Chung, if Bukjin disappeared, the old man would probably go on to live an even more glorious and prosperous life.
"I have said all I needed to say. Your fate is in your own hands. Whatever path you wish to take, choose it yourself and forge it yourself."
With those words, Im Ji signaled that the meeting was over. Bukjin lingered for a moment, looking disappointed.
"Are you really not going to give me anything? Not even one little technique?"
Im Ji waved his hand dismissively. Bukjin spoke up again.
"Let me ask one more thing. Just how serious is the situation at the front lines? If the line breaks, how long would it take for the Aurora Empire's army to reach Unmong City?"
Im Ji looked up again, scrutinizing Bukjin. Bukjin quickly added, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not asking so I can time my escape if things go south. It's just a bit of curiosity."
Im Ji spoke slowly. "Are you not curious why I executed that man by Lingchi when I was twelve?"
"Um... because he was being too annoying in front of you?"
"No," Im Ji replied. "It was because he made my sister angry."
"..."
A chill so cold it seemed to freeze his very marrow swept through Bukjin’s body. B-Brother-in-law! That’s a bit much! L-Let’s talk like civilized people! Why are you suddenly threatening me!
"I will give you three breaths' time. Vanish from my sight."
Im Ji seemed to have lost all interest in continuing the conversation. He looked as though if they kept talking, he might actually lose his self-control and kill Bukjin.
"U-Understood, Great Hero!"
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Bukjin shouted the word 'Great' at the top of his lungs and bolted for the door. As he fled, he shouted back an explanation.
"I really wasn't trying to be annoying on purpose this time! I swear! The words just... they just come out of my mouth on their own!"
"Get out!" Im Ji roared in disgust.
SLAM! The door flew open and shut in the blink of an eye.