The Weight of a True Swordsman
"Technique only matters when the gap in skill is narrow. Against me, it is utterly meaningless."
Bukjin’s figure began to blur. It was the Fragrant Jade-Crushing Steps. His form lunged toward Mi Yeo-yeon at a speed that far eclipsed her own, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Then, Bukjin swung his sword.
Startled, Mi Yeo-yeon had no time to dodge. She gritted her teeth and raised her broken rapier, bracing herself to parry the blow. She prepared to throw her body backward, anticipating a massive impact. However...
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of clear, metallic rings echoed through the arena. The heavy impact she had imagined never came. Instead, the rapier in her hand shattered into dozens of fragments, raining down onto the stone floor. Before she could even blink, Bukjin’s longsword was leveled at her throat.
A biting chill emanated from the tip of the blade. It felt as though the very wind Bukjin’sHyeongi had stirred up in the arena had frozen solid. Mi Yeo-yeon stood paralyzed, without even the slightest opening to counterattack. her face stiffened.
"Student Mi. You’ve lost."
Bukjin withdrew his sword and stepped back, no longer posing a threat. Mi Yeo-yeon stared down at the empty hilt remaining in her hand and let out a bitter smile. The rapier she had wielded was a custom-made weapon, shaped like a willow branch to complement her Wind-attribute Hyeongi. She had poured all her martial arts into a style specifically designed for that peculiar blade. But in the face of a powerhouse like Bukjin, all her preparations were for naught.
Before the match, her confidence had stemmed from that very sword. She had never imagined she wouldn't be able to hold out for even a single exchange. The gulf between her and Bukjin was simply too vast. The strength Bukjin displayed in this duel was far more terrifying than anything he had shown in the previous trials. Moreover, every word he had spoken during the fight served as proof that true confidence comes from overwhelming, righteous strength.
In truth, she had focused more on researching methods to differentiate herself from others rather than honing her fundamental power. She had mastered unique, unpredictable techniques and combat styles. But such tricks only brought shame when confronted with a truly powerful opponent and a massive disparity in skill. This battle was the ultimate proof of that.
Despite wielding heavy swords weighing a hundred pounds each, Bukjin had swung them with effortless grace. He had even demonstrated the incredible finesse required to destroy her weapon without transmitting a single ounce of shock to her body. She had been utterly defeated in power, technique, experience, and skill.
"I thank you for your guidance, Student Im."
As she reflected on the duel, Mi Yeo-yeon felt a strange sense of relief. She wasn't angry; instead, she felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Bukjin. She had gained a new realization. With sincere respect, she performed the formal salutation of a swordsman, dropped the useless hilt onto the floor, and turned to leave the arena.
In that moment, the noisy stadium fell into a profound silence. The way Bukjin had pulled his strength at the moment of impact, using superior skill to destroy only the weapon and spare his opponent from humiliation—and the way Mi Yeo-yeon had accepted her shortcomings with grace and a resolve to improve—everything about the scene resonated with the true spirit of the sword. It was a display of character that commanded respect from everyone present.
The elegance of the combat, the profound martial arts displayed, and the mindset of the two swordsmen... it all struck a chord in the hearts of the spectators. Moved by this display of true swordsmanship, the audience began to clap, almost unconsciously. Within moments, the entire stadium erupted into a thunderous standing ovation. The sound of applause rolled through the arena like a massive tidal wave.
Even the heads of the prestigious academies sitting in the VIP section nodded slightly, their faces filled with admiration. And right at that moment, Bukjin was busy grinning like a fool.
Not wanting to miss this golden opportunity, Bukjin raised his two swords high into the air, turning them toward the spectator stands to display the words engraved upon the blades. As a conscientious businessman, he was doing his absolute best for the CEOs who had paid him.
[ AN MO-HUI’S PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION ]
[ O BONGGOK’S PREMIUM WATERMELONS ]
Bukjin had not forgotten his true identity.
The atmosphere in the stadium shifted instantly. The spectators who had been clapping felt like slapping themselves across the face.
'I must be out of my mind.'
'As if Im Bukjin would ever have something like a "swordsman’s spirit"!'
Enraged proctors stormed onto the arena floor and dragged Bukjin down. The citizens watching the match didn't know whether to laugh or cry. To them, Bukjin felt like that one troublesome child every family has—someone who behaves for a moment when praised, only to immediately cause another disaster. Bukjin was a walking headache.
Once the commotion settled, the second round continued smoothly. Chang San-seol, So So-yeon, Ju Ga-a, and Zuoqiu Musshang all passed their matches. Ya Mi-ang once again displayed her overwhelming power, crushing her opponent. The excitement in the arena reached a fever pitch. The martial arts Ya Mi-ang wielded were both powerful and dazzling, captivating the public's gaze. Her battles were like magnificent performances, and the crowd was soon lost in cheers.
Even Baek Geum-un and Ak Hong-hyang were cheering loudly. Watching the brilliant battles of these genius students was a great help to them as well. They could learn much just by observing and could gauge the distance between themselves and the true prodigies. In fact, many students were gaining insights through observation. To them, these fierce clashes between "dragons and tigers" were as valuable as a fortuitous encounter. Even students who couldn't get tickets gathered in small groups at their respective academies to analyze the matches via crystal screens.
The atmosphere of wild enthusiasm continued. Baek Geum-un was cheering so loudly it seemed as if she had never been to a stadium in her life. This fervor lasted until Han Bul-bu stepped onto the arena floor.
As Han Bul-bu’s match was announced, the smile on Baek Geum-un’s face slowly stiffened. Ak Hong-hyang’s expression also grew serious, her brows furrowing. The instructors from the 3rd Academy, including Ryu Gye-hae and Cho Heun, felt a chill run down their spines. They had never imagined in their wildest dreams that the bracket would be drawn this way.
Han Bul-bu’s opponent was none other than Jo Pacheon.
When Jo Pacheon appeared, the crowd's roar grew even louder. Bukjin, watching from the waiting room, felt a surge of worry for Han Bul-bu the moment he saw the matchup. Jo Pacheon and Bukjin were bitter rivals, and Jo Pacheon harbored a deep grudge against him. He feared that the malice might be directed toward Han Bul-bu instead.
At this moment, Bukjin wanted nothing more than to send word through an official to tell Han Bul-bu to forfeit. But he suppressed the urge.
'Where are we? This is the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. The stage of dreams for these boys and girls. If he were to give up without even trying just because he knows he’s outmatched, it would be an insult to this stage and the greatest shame of his life.'
Bukjin knew that urging Han Bul-bu to forfeit would be a grave insult to his friend. Bukjin’s body tensed with anxiety. He began to stare intently at the crystal screen in the waiting room.
The Arena.
"Heh heh. Student Han. I didn't expect you and I to be the final match of my individual round. This is getting me quite excited."
Jo Pacheon grinned broadly, looking genuinely amused. Han Bul-bu remained silent, offering no reply. The moment he stood before Jo Pacheon, Han Bul-bu instinctively knew that his journey would end here. Furthermore, Jo Pacheon was not the type to show mercy. If the battle continued, avoiding serious injury would be difficult. But even so, he could not give up. Even against an insurmountable foe, he had to face them until the end. That was the dignity a swordsman of the Empire had to maintain.
"Student Jo. I look forward to the match."
Han Bul-bu performed the swordsman's salute with perfect posture. Then, he drew his sword. The heavy blade cast a shadow on the floor. Han Bul-bu’sEarth-attribute Hyeongi glowed with a deep yellow light, enveloping his body. He looked like a solid, immovable mountain. However, Jo Pacheon showed no intention of drawing his own sword.
Jo Pacheon smiled calmly and spoke.
"I know you are very close with Im Bukjin. Therefore, I’m sure Im Bukjin is watching our fight with great tension right now. Tell me, Student Han... do you think Im Bukjin is worried about your safety? Or do you think he’s more interested in the strength I’ll display in this fight?"
Han Bul-bu had no intention of answering. He silently raised his sword and took the opening stance of the Half-Mountain Sword Style. He waited quietly. Jo Pacheon shook his head.
"Student Han, I hope you haven't grown too confident just because that sword style of yours managed to withstand Im Jin’s offensive. I can completely shatter your defense in a single move. Now! Watch closely!"
Jo Pacheon’s figure blurred, appearing within ten feet of Han Bul-bu in an instant. He still hadn't drawn his sword; instead, he raised his fist and threw a punch. A terrifying aura erupted from him. His fist, infused with Metal-attribute Hyeongi, was like a devastating iron mace.
Taking a deep breath, Han Bul-bu planted his feet firmly on the ground as if merging with the earth itself. He raised his sword in a rock-solid stance. His Earth-attribute Hyeongi manifested as a sturdy shield in front of his body, meeting Jo Pacheon’s incoming fist head-on.
BOOM!
The golden fist slammed into Han Bul-bu’s blade. A colossal pressure surged. A shockwave, visible to the naked eye, rippled outward in all directions with Han Bul-bu at the center. Blue veins bulged on Han Bul-bu’s arms as he gripped his sword. An impact like a collapsing mountain crashed into him, making him feel as though his entire body was being pulverized. Gritting his teeth, he pushed his Hyeongi to its absolute limit, struggling to stay upright with everything he had.
"Heh, not even close."
Jo Pacheon maintained a calm smile and applied even more force to the fist pressed against the blade.
"Ugh... Cough!"
Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, Han Bul-bu coughed up blood. His body was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut.