The Unseen Connection: Wi-Fi

The beach was bathed in moonlight. Im Jin stood exactly where she had been during the day, perched on the edge of the coastal cliff, gazing out at the distant sea. A night breeze swept in, tossing her thick black hair. Watching her tresses flutter softly in the wind made the darkness of the night feel all the more intoxicating.

It was then that Ya Mi-ang approached from a distance. Im Jin didn't even turn her head, though she had sensed the other woman's arrival long ago. Ya Mi-ang stopped about ten feet away and, like Im Jin, stared out at the horizon. While Im Jin seemed to be observing the world of mortals, Ya Mi-ang was looking at the stars shining deep within the dark void. The two stood side by side, separated by a brief span of empty air.

"Tell me," Im Jin said slowly. "What are your terms?"

Ya Mi-ang replied calmly, "My condition is simple. Do not join Im Bukjin's team."

Hearing this, Im Jin let out a soft laugh. "That's it? That's all?"

"Yes. It is as simple as that."

"And you think I'll actually accept those terms?"

"I believe you will."

"And if I refuse?"

"You know full well what the consequences would be."

"So, if I say no, you'll act exactly as those absurd, nonsensical scriptures of yours dictate—without regard for the cost? Is that it?"

"Watch your tongue," Ya Mi-ang's eyes flared with a hint of rage. "Insulting the dignity of the God is intolerable. I suggest you stop testing my patience."

Im Jin laughed again. She tilted her head slightly, lost in thought for a moment, before a thin smile crossed her lips. "Why are you so intent on this? I can only imagine one reason, but surely you aren't going to tell me that's actually it?"

Ya Mi-ang answered impassively, "That is none of your concern." She hesitated for a moment, but her curiosity finally won out. "In truth, I wanted to ask you the same thing. Why did you give up your spot among the Final Ten? I know it wasn't because you were afraid of making an enemy of me. I can only think of one reason, but I find it impossible to believe."

Im Jin raised a hand to brush back her hair, her voice light yet resolute. "If the reason you've imagined is that I gave up my spot just to become a member of Im Bukjin's team... then I should congratulate you. You guessed correctly. But don't expect a prize for getting the answer right."

Ya Mi-ang considered this for a moment. "If that is truly the case, then I must stop you all the more."

Im Jin fell into a brief silence, but she didn't hesitate for long. "Fine. I accept your terms."

Having received her answer, Ya Mi-ang turned and walked away without another word. Im Jin didn't bother looking back. A strange smile, rare for her, played on her face.

"This is getting more interesting by the second."

Ding!

Two notification windows popped up simultaneously. Bukjin stared at them, falling into deep thought. What does this mean?

Bukjin knew exactly what Wi-Fi was in his previous world. However, in this world of martial arts and cultivation, the function would undoubtedly be transformed into something far more mystical.

What kind of effect will Wi-Fi have? Can I connect to other people's brainwaves and read their thoughts? Mind reading? Or can I transmit special waves to change their minds? Memory manipulation? No... that's too overpowered...

As his theories spiraled, Bukjin felt a surge of excitement. If it was even half as powerful as he imagined, his future struggles would be over. He decided to test it immediately.

"Shin-shin, activate Wi-Fi."

It occurred to him that it had been quite a while since he last summoned his voice-activated AI, Shin-shin.

Shin-shin's clear, cute voice rang out. Bukjin didn't hesitate. "Start scanning."

A message appeared on the screen indicating the scan was in progress. Bukjin watched intently. What will it find? His curiosity was at its peak. After about ten seconds, a window appeared.

It was a list of connectable signals. My god! Was I right? It connects to people's brains? Wait...

Seeing A-kwang on the list meant it wasn't limited to human brains. A-kwang was a beast, after all. Does this mean I can connect to the mind of any sentient creature?

Bukjin was thrilled. But then... Wait. I can scan Cheon-cheon and Cheong-cheong, but why isn't Wang Chung showing up? Does that old man lack loyalty toward me?

Puzzled, he asked Shin-shin for clarification.

Aha! So distance matters!Bukjin recalled how Wi-Fi worked back on Earth—you had to be within range to catch the signal. Distance makes sense, but what about Affinity?

He looked closer at the list and noticed something he'd missed. The signal strength for Cheong-cheong and Cheon-cheon was about two bars. A-kwang's signal, surprisingly, was at four bars. Since five was the maximum, the rat was only one bar away from a perfect connection.

Interesting. So Affinity determines signal strength? That means the bars on my phone represent how close my relationship is with that person. If I were to take Cheon-cheon and Cheong-cheong to my bedroom and spend the night with them, would their Affinity skyrocket to five bars?

He considered the thought but decided not to act on it just yet. He also refrained from connecting to any of the signals on the list. Bukjin left his room and headed down to the first floor. He looked around, but Wang Chung was nowhere to be found. He asked the two maids, but they simply shook their heads, having no idea where the butler had gone.

Just then, the Ghost RatA-kwang scurried over, holding a small chalkboard with writing on it.

Huh?! You learned how to write! You little monster! Despite the slight misspelling, Bukjin was impressed. My brilliant guidance and the homework Cheon-cheon and Cheong-cheong gave him finally paid off!

Bukjin reached out and stroked A-kwang's head. "Why did he go to find the Seong-gwan so late at night?"

A-kwang let out a purring sound like a cat, clearly enjoying the attention, and began scribbling on the board again.

In truth, Bukjin hadn't expected much from the organization known as the Seong-gwan. He figured it was just something Wang Chung had put together to keep himself busy while making money, and he didn't think it would be particularly useful. A report? Suddenly?

Bukjin recalled the strange behavior of Lee Ung-bu at Manseung-ru earlier that evening. He wondered if those "weeds of the street" had actually managed to dig up some useful information. Just as he was pondering this, footsteps echoed from outside. It was Wang Chung.

"You damn butler! Where have you been wandering off to in the middle of the night instead of looking after the house!" Bukjin barked, trying to seize the initiative.

Wang Chung met his gaze with a sly grin and opened his mouth to speak, but then seemed to think better of it. He dismissed the two maids first, sending them away. Once they were gone, Wang Chung leaned in close.

"Young Master, Gong Gong just contacted me urgently. He said something major has happened within Unmong City. Do you have any idea what it might be?"

Bukjin, his curiosity already piqued, snapped back, "Stop stalling and just tell me while I'm still being nice."

"Yes, Young Master." Wang Chung lowered his voice to a grave whisper. "Bang Jin-yu, the Provincial Education Chief who harassed you at Manseung-ru a few days ago... he was murdered on his way back, before he could even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leave Unmong City."

What?!Bukjin was genuinely shocked. The Education Chief of Pung-eo-haeng-do was assassinated on the road? This is...

This was a massive incident. A high-ranking official of a provincial administrative district had been killed in the field. This wasn't just a scandal for Pung-eo-haeng-do; it was a crisis that would shock the entire North Sea Empire. A chief administrator of the provincial government had been liquidated. Since Bang Jin-yu died within the jurisdiction of Unmong City, neither the City Administration nor the Unmong-wi would be able to escape the blame.

No wonder Lee Ung-bu looked like his own father had died when he rushed off to the City Administration...

"Who on earth did it?" Bukjin asked.

Wang Chung shook his head. "We don't know for sure. But the Unmong-wi has already launched an investigation. The atmosphere is incredibly tense. According to the intel Gong Gong gathered, High Priestess Jin Ju-je of the Temple has even descended the mountain. Given that, this might be related to the Heavenly Evil Gods."

The Heavenly Evil Gods? The image of Sim Bi flashed through Bukjin's mind. Has that bastard shown up again?

However, the possibility seemed slim. Sim Bi was strong, but he wasn't powerful enough to assassinate a martial artist of the Grandmaster Realm. Furthermore, Bang Jin-yu was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a man of high status and rank; he would have been protected ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠by numerous elite bodyguards in addition to his own strength. Even a demon-possessed Sim Bi couldn't have pulled that off. After a moment of contemplation, Bukjin decided this didn't have much to do with him and quickly lost interest.