You Will Know When the Time Comes

Bukjin didn't even have a chance to sit down before he was heading back out of Juk-won. There, standing under the moonlight in her snow-white priestess robes, was the beautiful young girl, Ya Mi-ang. Bukjin's face contorted into a look of sheer fluster.

"What... what are you doing here?" Bukjin asked, his voice laced with genuine surprise.

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he had asked Im Jin the exact same question just moments ago. Usually, Bukjin prided himself on having a conscience as clear as a mountain spring, but at this particular moment, he felt a sharp prick of guilt.

"Brother Jin, is this where you're staying? It's so quiet and atmospheric. It feels like the secluded residence of a hidden master. May I come in and take a look?" Ya Mi-ang asked with a sweet smile.

Her captivating grin was like a lily blooming under the warm morning sun. It felt as if one of the world's most beautiful landscapes had suddenly unfolded right before his eyes, threatening to shake his very soul. After a moment of agonizing deliberation, Bukjin maintained his awkward smile and shook his head.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. This is a temporary residence provided by the academy. Outsiders who aren't affiliated with the school aren't allowed to enter. I'm sorry."

A bright, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠adorable smile remained on Ya Mi-ang's face despite the rejection.

"That's quite alright! Oh, right! I actually came to give you this..." She pulled out a small bottle carved from white jade. "I heard you were injured, Brother Jin. This is a sacred medicine from our temple with exceptional healing properties. It's particularly effective at replenishing severely depleted blood and vital energy."

A strange expression crossed Bukjin's face. What is even happening right now? It's one thing for them to be rivals in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, but do they have to bring the exact same medicine bottles too?

After a brief pause, Bukjin spoke with a serious tone. "Priestess Ya, the truth is, I am not injured. Therefore, I cannot accept your medicine. It would be better for you to keep it and give it to someone who truly needs it."

It was a formal, polite refusal. A flicker of surprise danced in Ya Mi-ang's eyes. She looked like she wanted to say more, but seeing the gravity in Bukjin's expression, she could only offer a soft smile.

"I'm just glad to hear you aren't hurt, Brother Jin. I'll be going now, then. Good luck with your match tomorrow!"

"Good luck to you as well, Priestess Ya," Bukjin replied.

Ya Mi-ang gave him a small, encouraging fist-pump before turning around and disappearing into the night. A breeze swept through the bamboo grove, sending leaves fluttering through the air.

"Phew. You're a cold one, kid. That young priestess definitely left with a wounded heart."

A sigh drifted from the shadows. Bukjin turned and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Hae."

The man who appeared was none other than the elderly temporary teacher for the second-year students of the 3rd Academy.

"That priestess who just visited clearly has feelings for you," Elder Hae remarked. "Why were you so heartless in your rejection?"

The retort that he had so many women after him he couldn't even count them nearly bubbled up Bukjin's throat. However, he knew better than to be that arrogant. A man had to know when to show restraint. Bukjin let out a deep sigh, gazing at the distant horizon to set the mood before speaking.

"They say a famed steed requires the whip... Being too kind only makes things harder for a beautiful woman in the long run. I am no longer the philanderer I once was. If I cannot give someone a place in my heart, then kindness is merely a burden to them. It's better to draw a clean line in the sand."

"You're still young with a long life ahead of you. How can you be so certain you have no room in your heart?" Elder Hae countered. "If that's the case, why did you accept the medicine from the girl of the Im family?"

"Because she and I have braved storms together since the preliminary trials," Bukjin answered. "And on the Night of the Sword Covenant, she saved my life. I simply couldn't bring myself to cruelly reject her gratitude."

"Is that all?"

"That is all."

Elder Hae fell into a brief silence upon hearing Bukjin's answer. Soon, he spoke in a calm, measured voice.

"If your master had been able to practice that kind of realization in the past, he wouldn't have met the end he did... They say one must forge a heart of iron, unshaken by private emotions, to survive the storms of the secular world. But the truth is, no divine technique or secret manual can truly overcome those storms. One can cleave through ten thousand mountains and rivers with a sword, yet fail to untangle a single thread of affection. Even the spirits of heaven and earth cannot fully conquer love and hatred; how can a mere mortal living in this world be so confident in training a heart strong enough to overcome emotion?"

"Well, I'm still a bit too young for such deep conversations."

Bukjin felt a surge of curiosity regarding Jeong Sam-seok's past, but he didn't pry. Elder Hae found it strange that Bukjin was being uncharacteristically cautious, but he didn't push the subject. Instead, he moved on to a different question.

"Do you know the contents of tomorrow's trial for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition?"

Bukjin nodded. "Dean Ryu told me. I believe tomorrow's category is Movement Techniques."

"And what, in your opinion, is a movement technique?" Elder Hae asked.

Bukjin thought for a moment before answering. "Isn't it the art of moving the body rapidly in various directions, shifting and turning with agility?"

Elder Hae nodded, looking satisfied. "Exactly. Remember this: the path of martial arts is a single thread from beginning to end. Martial arts pursues only two things to their absolute limit: Power and Speed. The swordsmanship trial was the same, and the movement trial will be no different."

Bukjin found himself in deep agreement with the elder's words. Elder Hae continued.

"What movement techniques are you currently practicing? Demonstrate them for me."

Bukjin hesitated for a moment before performing Flying Rain in the Clouds and the Fragrance-Stealing, Jade-Breaking Step.

"The Flying Rain in the Clouds technique has already reached its limit; it's no longer suitable for you. As for the Fragrance-Stealing, Jade-Breaking Step... that is quite interesting. Though it's only a 2-star technique, the principles of body movement contained within are comparable to an average 3-star technique. You should continue using that one for the time being..."

Elder Hae gave a comprehensive evaluation after watching Bukjin's movements. He pondered for a moment before speaking again.

"I shall pass down a movement technique to you now. Its name is the Floating Light, Sweeping Shadow, Wave-Treading Step. It is a technique that harmonizes perfectly with your water-attribute cultivation, the Fish-Dragon Transformation. Watch closely."

Suddenly, the sound of rushing water filled the air.

Elder Hae moved his left foot lightly. His figure blurred, transforming into something resembling a faint shimmer of light as he shot forward like an arrow. Without his feet ever touching the ground, Elder Hae sprinted through the air, reappearing instantly thirty yards away. His blurred form slowly solidified as he descended back to the earth.

"Second Form: Sweeping Shadow."

This time, Elder Hae tapped the ground lightly with the tip of his right foot. His body soared upward, and using the bamboo leaves high above as stepping stones, he leaped even higher. As he moved, his figure left behind a trail of afterimages, as if he were using a cloning technique. When he finally returned to his original spot from the high heavens, the afterimages scattered and vanished.

Bukjin's eyes sparkled with excitement. That's an incredible technique!

He could cover thirty yards in a single bound, and the height he could reach was staggering. Moreover, the speed was blinding. The name Floating Light, Sweeping Shadow—referring to light reflecting on water and a passing shadow—was perfectly fitting.

"Did you see it clearly?" Elder Hae asked.

Bukjin nodded vigorously. "I saw it. The first form turns one's body into a beam of light reflected on water, making it impossible for an opponent to track the trajectory. The second form uses the shadows of one's own figure to create afterimages, preventing the enemy from finding the true body. The first form is faster, while the second form ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is more complex in its variations. And while maintaining these two movements, the most important thing is to embody the essence of Wave-Treading, correct?"

Elder Hae burst into a hearty laugh. "Indeed! Remarkable! This old man did not misjudge you! You truly are a genius among geniuses!"

Bukjin puffed out his chest triumphantly. "Well, that's—"

He stopped mid-sentence as a wave of bewilderment washed over him. Wait, this is weird! I only used my smartphone to record the movement; I haven't even generated the app yet! How did I just explain the core essence of the Floating Light, Sweeping Shadow, Wave-Treading Step so accurately? Am I... am I actually a genius?!

Bukjin began to seriously doubt his own identity. Just then, Elder Hae pulled a manual containing the explanation of the technique from his robes and handed it to Bukjin.

"I know about the bet you made with Jo Pacheon," Elder Hae said. "I never expected you, who always looked for a way out like a slippery loach, to show such fiery spirit."

Bukjin feigned ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠humility. "Sigh, I must have been crazy. I shouldn't have acted so impulsively..."

Bukjin expected Elder Hae to say something like, 'A young man should have fire in his belly.' Instead, the elder, his green hair shimmering under the moonlight, nodded with a look of deep sympathy.

"Indeed. I thought you had finally lost your mind. Had I been there, I certainly would have stopped you. Did you think a man from White Cloud City would be that easy to defeat?"

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" An ominous feeling suddenly swirled in Bukjin's gut.

"You will know when the time comes," Elder Hae said, shaking his head. "Give your all to this competition. The truly important trial in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition is the team battle held on the arena stage. The tests you've taken so far are nothing more than a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠warm-up. Your current scores are excellent, but it's too early to celebrate. The moment you let your guard down, you will sink into the abyss. If you win, Jo Pacheon dies; if you lose, you die."

"Wait, what?"

While Bukjin was still processing the weight of those words, Elder Hae vanished from before his eyes.