Things Are Getting Interesting
Things were certainly getting interesting. Ha Je-do, the hidden guard who had been quietly observing every word Mok Simwol uttered, almost couldn't resist the urge to applaud.
She’s truly incredible!
From Ha Je-do’s perspective, the girl named Mok Simwol was decisive, ruthless, and exceptionally clever. Her acting was superb, and she was a master at seizing an opportunity and riding the momentum. She was, quite literally, the perfect choice for this scheme.
After Mok Simwol stepped down, several other students and teachers from the 3rd Academy were dragged forward to give similar testimonies. The core of their statements was always the same: Bukjin had undergone a massive, inexplicable transformation in an impossibly short amount of time.
"Im Bukjin, do you admit to what they say?"
Dam Gogeum, who held complete control over the proceedings, asked once more.
"I will not answer any questions. Everything will be handled by my lawy— No, I misspoke. What I mean is, the testimonies of the witnesses who came before me prove nothing. They are merely clouding the truth of the matter."
Bukjin spoke through gritted teeth. His expression was solemn, but internally, he was reeling.
"Ho-ho, even with things having come this far, you still refuse to admit it?"
Dam Gogeum nodded calmly.
"It matters not. I am no tyrant who handles affairs through forced torture or coercion. I shall make you confess of your own volition. Men! Bring out the other witnesses!"
Good grief! There are more witnesses? Bukjin was nearly speechless. When it rains, it pours!
Experts from the investigation team carried out four beds. Lying on them were Im Yeok, Dongbang Jeon, Mo U-chon, and Jeong Seok. They were the members of the Baekun Lake team from the group battle of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. All four were in a state of semi-consciousness, groaning on their stretchers as black smoke drifted from their bodies. Their faces, in particular, were stained black—a clear sign of Demonic Possession.
"Do you see this?" Dam Gogeum asked.
"Since their battle with your team yesterday, these four have shown symptoms of demonic infection, just like Jo Pacheon. Fortunately, their condition is not as severe as his; the demonic energy has not yet penetrated to the depths of their bodies..."
Bukjin replied, his voice dripping with disbelief. "As I recall, I never even traded blows with them. Why on earth do you think this is because of me?"
"You did not fight Im Yeok and the others personally. However, your teammates did."
As he finished speaking, a flash of fury crossed Dam Gogeum's face. He lunged forward, pointing a finger at Baek Geum-un, Han Bul-bu, Ak Hong-hyang, and Mi Yeo-yeon.
Instantly, the experts from the investigation team rushed forward and apprehended the four who had been Bukjin's teammates. Bukjin’s face twisted into a snarl.
"Lord Dam! What is the meaning of this?"
"We are acting because there is reasonable cause for suspicion. They are suspected of either being associated with a demon worshiper like yourself or being controlled by you through demonic power. Otherwise, there is no explanation for why Im Yeok, Dongbang Jeon, and the others would show signs of demonic infection."
A sharp, predatory look appeared in Dam Gogeum's eyes.
"Consequently, these four are also under heavy suspicion. They must undergo the same investigation as you."
"This is absolute, utter bullshit!" Baek Geum-un shouted, struggling against her captors and spewing curses. Mi Yeo-yeon, Ak Hong-hyang, and Han Bul-bu also began loudly proclaiming their innocence.
Watching them, Dam Gogeum let out a cold smirk.
"Is that so? Then explain yourselves. How did you, who weren't even worth a single punch before the group battle, manage to defeat the likes of Im Yeok in one-on-one combat during the finals? How did your strength increase so absurdly overnight? What you displayed was even more nonsensical and incomprehensible than Im Bukjin’s sudden growth! I believe everyone who watched the match yesterday harbors the same doubt."
Dam Gogeum’s words struck a chord, bringing to the surface the massive question that many had been holding in their hearts. Everyone who had witnessed Mi Yeo-yeon and the others completely overwhelming Im Yeok’s team during yesterday's group battle had been deeply shocked.
"That was because Senior Brother Im performed the Transference Divine Art and shared his cultivation with us for a short time!" Mi Yeo-yeon countered loudly.
"The Transference Divine Art?" Baek Hae-geum interjected. "I have spent years in White Cloud City studying all manner of secret combat techniques. I have never heard of such a thing!"
Hearing Baek Hae-geum’s dismissal, Cho Heun could no longer remain silent and shouted back.
"There are thousands, tens of thousands of techniques in this world! How can one man claim to know them all? Furthermore, similar techniques already exist! For instance, the Mystic Connection Art or the Successive Victory Secret Art! Student Mi Yeo-yeon’s claim is not impossible at all. To use it as a criterion for judging demonic possession is far too extreme!"
At that moment, the 7th Prince finally broke his silence. He nodded and spoke up.
"He is correct. Techniques like the Mystic Connection Art and the Successive Victory Secret Art certainly have the effect of sharing a master's cultivation with those within a certain range. Teacher Cho’s point is valid. Moreover, if we are to question a sudden increase in strength, the power Student Jo Pacheon and his teammates displayed during the group battle also far exceeded their original capabilities."
Though the 7th Prince was young, he was of the Imperial bloodline, and his words carried a different weight. Im Gun-hyeon did not miss the opportunity, nodding as he added his voice.
"That is something I also wished to ask the Great Master Baek. How exactly did your disciple manage to raise his cultivation to the 4th Grade Master Realm overnight?"
Baek Hae-geum gave a chilling smile. "It was a secret technique of White Cloud City."
"And what technique would that be?" Im Gun-hyeon pressed.
Baek Hae-geum replied, "It is a top-secret matter of our sect and cannot be disclosed to outsiders."
Im Gun-hyeon’s face darkened at the response. Just as he was about to retort, Dam Gogeum cleared his throat lightly, cutting off the debate.
"Enough. It seems the conversation is straying off course. Whether what Im Bukjin used was the Mystic Connection Art or a demonic spell is not something we can determine through words. Let us leave the judgment to the High Priestess."
Dam Gogeum’s suggestion was incredibly rational. With that single statement, Im Gun-hyeon and the 7th Prince were forced to swallow their words. In that instant, every eye in the crowd focused on the beautiful young priestess.
Jin Ju-je said nothing. Under the weight of countless gazes, she slowly approached Baek Geum-un and the other three. She raised her slender, elegant fingers and pressed them against their foreheads one by one, casting her divine arts to begin the investigation.
After about fifteen minutes, Jin Ju-je announced the results.
"There is absolutely no demonic energy within the bodies of these four."
A stir rippled through the crowd. Im Gun-hyeon, Cho Heun, and the others let out sighs of relief. Jin Ju-je held the most noble and highest position within the temple. Therefore, her word carried the ultimate authority regarding anything related to Sama. This young High Priestess was a legendary figure even within the Temple of the Lord of Swords. Her influence was immense, not just in Unmong City, but throughout the entire lineage that served the Sword Lord. This was precisely why the investigation team sent from Pung-eo-haeng-do had not brought their own priest when investigating the murder of Bang Jin-yu.
Next, Jin Ju-je approached Im Yeok and the other three injured students. After a brief examination, she delivered her conclusion.
"The demonic energy within their bodies definitely entered through external wounds. This cannot be considered Demonic Possession."
Both groups had been cleared of being demon worshippers. Another wave of murmurs broke out among the spectators. Dam Gogeum nodded slightly; he seemed to have been mentally prepared for such a result. Afterward, Jin Ju-je examined Jo Pacheon once more, using her divine arts to slightly ease his pain. She announced the same result: Jo Pacheon had not fallen into a demonic state of his own accord but had been wounded by external demonic energy.
Hearing her words, Baek Hae-geum let out a quiet sigh of relief. Wait, that’s strange. The High Priestess has the power to suppress demonic energy. Why didn't she step forward and treat Jo Pacheon earlier?
Bukjin was startled by the realization. If she had acted sooner, she could have at least eased Jo Pacheon’s agony, even if she couldn't fully cure him. Hmm... things are certainly getting interesting!
As Bukjin was lost in thought, Jin Ju-je’s soft hand pressed firmly against the space between his eyebrows. Bukjin almost instinctively pulled away. He was terrified that his secret—the fact that he was a transmigrator—might be exposed. But in the end, he chose to endure it.
I’ve visited the temple several times already and nothing happened. My secret shouldn't be revealed that easily, right?
If Bukjin refused the investigation now, Baek Hae-geum and the others would seize the opportunity to push him even harder. Bukjin felt a wave of warmth flowing through his brow. Jin Ju-je’s fingertips were warm and soft, and the sensation made his heart flutter unexpectedly.
Perhaps because Bukjin had been a shut-in in his twenties who did nothing but play games before his transmigration, he felt a stronger attraction toward women in their twenties. A woman like Jin Ju-je, who was in the full bloom of her youthful beauty, easily shook his heart. Of course, girls like Im Jin and Ya Mi-ang were incredibly beautiful and pure, but they were still just young girls; he felt no romantic impulse toward them.
Jin Ju-je closed her eyes and cast her secret art. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. This was the first time Bukjin had observed her face from such a close distance. She was a peerless beauty, as if she had stepped right out of a painting. Her features were as perfect as an AI-generated image of a once-in-a-millennium beauty, and her supple, snow-white skin was without a single blemish. Her red lips, her hair as soft as clouds, and the faint fragrance drifting from her... her beauty felt almost sacred. Bukjin couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment.