A Shameless Victory
In other parts of Unmong City, a massive commotion was unfolding. To be precise, the entire Unmong City business district was in an absolute frenzy. The merchants who had rejected Bukjin’s proposal the previous night felt as if their stomachs were turning inside out with regret. They hadn't imagined that the "sponsorship" and "advertising" Bukjin mentioned would be this effective.
These were people who had dedicated their lives to commerce, experts at reading market trends. As they watched the scene unfold, they naturally observed the reactions of the citizens around them. They quickly realized that every action Bukjin took had an incredible promotional effect within Unmong City, and that advertising during the Academic & Martial Arts Competition broadcast would bring an unprecedented boom to the commercial world.
'That brat, Im Bukjin! If he had such a brilliant idea, he should have explained it properly last night!'
"What are you all doing?! Prepare the carriage immediately! Get ready to go to the 3rd Academy and meet Young Master Im Bukjin!"
"Isn't Young Master Im currently taking his exams at the National Imperial Junior Academy?"
"We wait for him at the 3rd Academy! It's already too late to go to the Imperial Academy! Even if we go now, there will surely be a long line! Block the path to the Imperial Academy entrance!"
"If Im Bukjin can generate that kind of advertising effect, other genius students might be able to do it too!"
A massive wave of change was sweeping through the Unmong City business world.
National Imperial Junior Academy, 2nd Martial Arts Hall.
"Hmm, very good. Student Im, you may step down."
The gaze of O Bonggok, the Supervising Proctor, was now filled with affection and warmth as he looked at Bukjin. He wore a benevolent expression, like a grandfather looking at a precious grandson. The strictness he had shown just moments ago was nowhere to be found.
"But don't I have to retake the test?" Bukjin asked back.
O Bonggok smiled and replied, "This Proctor has just given it deep thought. I have concluded that Student Im’s words hold merit. While smashing a watermelon with a sword might differ from the conventional method, it is certainly a technique within the boundaries allowed by the rules. In fact, the method Student Im just demonstrated proves his exceptional intellect and wit. I have realized that Student Im is a student who approaches combat with his whole heart. In real combat situations, great wisdom and ingenuity are often required. One cannot win a battle through simple repetitive training and fixed, conventional methods alone. Therefore, I have decided to grant a passing grade for this exam!"
'Huh?!'
Bukjin was genuinely shocked. 'Is this even possible? This proctor’s principles are...?'
Bukjin had merely played along with the proctor's tune to provide the advertisement. Yet, the proctor had immediately retracted his previous statement and declared he would give Bukjin a passing grade. 'What a unique individual!'
Bukjin said nothing, gave a deep bow, and stepped down from the platform. 'If the proctor says I passed, then I passed!'
The other proctors and students in the testing hall were all wearing expressions of pure shock. They doubted their ears, wondering if they had misheard.
'I-Is this a joke?!'
'This is the Academic & Martial Arts Competition!'
'The dream stage for the youth of Unmong City!'
'The largest event in the educational world, supposed to be fair and just!'
O Bonggok had just reversed his own ruling, which was essentially the same as spitting in his own face.
"I object! This is...!" Jo Pacheon was the first to roar. He almost let a curse slip. Jo Pacheon was on the verge of exploding with rage. He had used all his skill to achieve the best possible result, only for it to feel meaningless. 'Is the Academic & Martial Arts Competition some kind of child's play?!'
"I will not accept any objections," O Bonggok said, cutting him off. He was the Supervising Proctor of this exam, and in this place today, his word was law. He even had the authority to refuse orders from those with higher official ranks. This was a sacred power granted by Imperial Law.
"This makes no sense!" Im Yeok couldn't hold back and shouted. "If Im Bukjin’s score is valid, then all the students who haven't taken the test yet should be allowed to smash the watermelons the same way! If that's the case, what's the point of cutting them with a sword at all!"
"Student Im Yeok has made an excellent point. That is exactly what I wanted to say," O Bonggok said with a smile. "Exercising one's own wit to participate in the exam through means others haven't thought of is only valid once. Therefore, I will forbid other students from imitating him. From now on, students participating in the exam will not need to smash watermelons."
"Why on earth?! If Im Bukjin’s score is valid, why can't other students imitate him!" Dongbang Jeon argued loudly. "Proctor, this is not fair!"
Supervising Proctor O Bonggok countered as if he had already prepared an answer for such a question. "How is this unfair? I believe it is very fair. Let me ask you this. In a real combat situation, suppose you think of a brilliant and special method to suppress your opponent once. The next time you meet that same opponent, would you be able to use that same method again? And would the opponent actually fall for it?"
Dongbang Jeon was speechless. It was a very logical point. He couldn't think of a single word to refute it. However, the feeling that something was fundamentally wrong remained. Bukjin, who was quietly observing the whole situation, was internally amazed. Since coming to this world, he had met countless thick-skinned and shameless individuals. But none could surpass the O Bonggok standing before him. The man seemed like someone who would throw away everything just to sell a few watermelons. As things reached this point, even the usually shameless Bukjin felt a slight twinge of embarrassment.
"Enough! This Proctor has already confirmed the number of watermelon pieces Im Bukjin fragmented! Im Bukjin’s score is..."
Candidate: Im Bukjin
Technique: 1 Strike
Result: 72 Pieces
Grade: Super Grade A++ (High-High)
O Bonggok’s voice echoed through the hall. The next student stepped onto the platform with a stiff face. People couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition was heading in a very strange direction. The watermelon cutting... no, the Sword Speed Battle, finally came to an end amidst this bizarre atmosphere.
Following that, the second gate of the sword technique exam began. The second trial was the Sword Might Battle. This was the part where students used their swords to strike an Array-testing Stone imbued with the energy of a formation to measure their power. In some ways, it could be seen as similar to the Strength Battle held yesterday, but it was actually very different. This was because the use of Hyeongi (Mystic Energy) was permitted in this exam.
The application of Hyeongi could significantly enhance physical strength. When Jo Pacheon and Bukjin had exchanged blows at Manseung-ru previously, the reason Jo Pacheon had overwhelmed Bukjin was that he had used Hyeongi to perform a secret technique. If they had clashed using only physical strength, Jo Pacheon would have been the one bested by Bukjin.
The jade watermelons, which had played a crucial role in the previous exam, finally exited the stage of history. In their place, a square object about one jang in size, made of an unknown material, was placed in the hall. Its surface was extremely smooth, appearing similar to metal at a glance. A faint, black mist-like energy flowed over the object, making it look as if it could absorb any attack.
The testing method was simple. One just had to strike the black object using their most powerful technique. An Innate Array was operating inside the black square object. The moment it was struck, the object would analyze comprehensive factors such as the attacker's Hyeongi realm, Hyeongi attribute, the grade of their martial arts, and their physical strength. Then, through a specially designed formula, it would calculate the power of the attack. This was a very fair method. It was a simple and clear test where those with absolutely higher cultivation, like Jo Pacheon, would have the advantage.
The test proceeded for about two hours, and the rankings for this Sword Might Battle were determined.
Im Bukjin: 14th Place (88 Points)
Im Jin took the top spot with a perfect score of 100. Ya Mi-ang came in second with 99 points. Jo Pacheon took third with 95 points. So So-yeon and Wang Hyeong-yeo were also within the top rankings. What defied everyone's expectations was the fact that Bukjin received only 88 points, placing him at a lowly 14th. Furthermore, even more bizarrely, when Bukjin had struck the square object, he had suddenly stumbled and collapsed to the floor for an unknown reason. Although Bukjin had stood up very quickly, everyone had already witnessed this strange occurrence.
With that, the gates testing sword speed and sword might were both completed, and the third day of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition finally ended, leaving behind many questions. Then, a striking scene unfolded. The moment the end of the exam was declared—meaning the moment the sacred authority granted to the Supervising Proctor by Imperial Law was revoked—other officials from the Education Bureau, clad in armor, rushed in and took O Bonggok into custody. It appeared his career as a civil servant was completely over.
However, much like a football match on Earth, the results of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition could never be changed, regardless of any referee errors or strange situations that occurred. Only the person who acted as the referee would be disciplined. Bukjin watched O Bonggok being dragged away, feeling a sense of awe for the most thick-skinned person he had ever met, while shedding a small internal tear for him.
"What happened today will return to you as a great disgrace," Jo Pacheon said in a cold voice as he approached Bukjin.
"I don't see how that's any of your business," Bukjin snapped back without hesitation. Then, without a shred of guilt, he sold out the former Supervising Proctor, O Bonggok. "As everyone saw, I strongly demanded a retest. But the Supervising Proctor refused to accept it. Surely you don't think an ordinary student like me could rebel against a decision made by the Supervising Proctor?"
Jo Pacheon spoke as if he found it absurd. "He will face the appropriate consequences for what he did. And you... haha, your filthy reputation will once again plummet to the rock bottom."
"Huh? What did you say?" Bukjin said with a look of mock horror. "Are you saying I still had a reputation left that could actually plummet?"
"..."