The Chairman's Cold Heart
I’m screwed. It’s the Chairman personality…
Bukjin’s face flickered with momentary surprise before he erupted in a display of grand fury. "You absolute sub-human bastards!"
He made a move to dash toward the spot where Ak Hong-hyang was being held.
"I wouldn't move if I were you," Do Manseong said with a cold, mocking sneer. "Unless, of course, you want to see her get hurt."
Bukjin froze in his tracks. His voice dropped to a glacial temperature. "There are rules to this selection trial. You are strictly forbidden from causing grievous injury to another student, and killing is out of the question. You can’t lay a finger on her."
Do Manseong let out a contemptuous laugh. "As long as it isn't 'grievous,' a few minor wounds should be fine. Besides, I already have her stone tablet in my hand. One word from me, and it’s shattered. If that happens, Ak Hong-hyang will be disqualified all because of your mistake. If you don't believe me, go ahead—give it a try."
Bukjin fell silent.
He knew Ak Hong-hyang’s life wasn't in actual danger. The regulations of the selection trial were incredibly strict; murder was a capital crime, and the consequences would be severe. Do Manseong wasn't stupid enough to cross that line. However, breaking a stone tablet was a simple matter. If Ak Hong-hyang was disqualified because of this…
Bukjin couldn't help but feel a heavy weight of guilt. Over the past few days, he had poured all his energy into finding the Star Emblems, completely neglecting hunting or foraging. He had survived on the vegetables and fruits Ak Hong-hyang provided, and she had even shared the small portions of meat she managed to catch. Even though it had started with Bukjin giving her a chicken, a debt was still a debt.
He had already planned to help her advance to the main competition. If he acted impulsively now, her disqualification was guaranteed, and all his plans would turn to ash.
"What do you want?" Bukjin asked.
Do Manseong finally smiled, looking satisfied. "Now you're talking sense. To be honest, I’m not actually interested in you. A piece of trash like you isn't even worth my time. You’re just a useful tool to lure Im Jin here. After all, who told you to go and become her boyfriend?"
"So, you're using me as bait for Im Jin?" Bukjin said, as if just realizing the situation.
"Obviously."
Bukjin was so dumbfounded he was momentarily speechless. He had never actually sparred with Im Jin, but since his mental cultivation had reached the level of Entering the Chamber, he had developed a sharp seventh sense—a keen intuition. That intuition was currently screaming at him that Im Jin was ten times more dangerous than Do Manseong.
From what Bukjin could sense, even if all thirty students gathered here attacked at once, they wouldn't stand a chance against her.
"I could never handle Im Jin on my own," Bukjin muttered. "She’s like an untouchable princess."
A flash of indignant coldness flickered in Do Manseong’s eyes. "But she’s too arrogant. She looks down on everyone. That attitude of hers was bound to make enemies. I’m not the only one who wants to teach her a lesson. Think about it. What do you think will happen if the top genius of Unmong City… no, the top genius of the entire region, is disqualified during the preliminary trials?"
Bukjin thought about it for a moment. It would certainly be a shocking headline.
"But I’m really not dating her," Bukjin said. "Even if you hold me here, she won't come."
"Heh, you’d better pray she does," Do Manseong chuckled darkly. "Now, tie him up and bury him just like the girl!"
Several students approached Bukjin, brandishing ropes.
"Wait, hold on!" Bukjin shouted. "I don't mind the tying, but you can't bury me! My Four Pillars of Destiny are overflowing with the water element. Earth is my natural counter—it'll ruin my luck!"
"…? Too much water in your fortune?" Do Manseong sneered. "Fine. If you love water so much, tie him up and throw him in the lake."
A moment later.
Splash!
Bukjin was tossed into the water, bound hand and foot. His Virtue Sword was now in O Sobang’s hand.
"Take this and show it to Im Jin," Do Manseong commanded. "Tell her that if she doesn't want Im Bukjin to be disqualified, she needs to come here immediately."
O Sobang took the sword and set off to find her. Do Manseong’s plan was meticulous; his lackeys had been monitoring Im Jin’s movements all day.
"She won't come!" Bukjin yelled from the water. "She’s just playing with me! Don't you know she hasn't even visited me once lately?"
"That’s not for you to worry about. If she doesn't show up, you should be more concerned about what happens to you." Do Manseong sat on a rock by the shore and resumed his fishing as if nothing had happened.
Bukjin shouted again. "I’m already tied up! At least let Ak Hong-hyang go! You’re supposed to be a genius from the National Imperial Junior Academy—is bullying a girl the best you can do? Don't go dragging the reputation of the Imperial Academy through the mud!"
Do Manseong paused, thinking there was some merit to Bukjin’s words. He decided he didn't need to torment the girl any further.
"Pull her out and keep a close watch on her."
A moment later, Ak Hong-hyang was yanked out of the ground like a carrot. Still bound, she was dumped in the tall grass by the lakeshore. It seemed they didn't intend to release her yet, fearing she might expose their location.
Bukjin continued to float in the water. In reality, he was only pretending to be helpless; his hands were clasped behind his back, and he was using his internal energy to stay buoyant. He could snap the ropes whenever he wished.
Good. This is manageable, Bukjin thought, deciding to observe the situation for now. Let’s see exactly what kind of trap Do Manseong has laid.
He waited patiently, keeping a silent vigil. About an hour later, O Sobang returned.
He was a mess. His clothes were torn, he was covered in bruises as if he’d been trampled, and he was limping and groaning in pain. Walking behind him with a light, airy step was Im Jin.
There wasn't a hint of tension on her face. She looked as if she were merely out for a casual stroll. At this distance, it was impossible to tell which of her personalities was currently in control.
Ugh! These damn monsters! Whether it’s Im Bukjin or Im Jin, they’re both devils! I told her politely that I’d lead the way, and she just started beating me for no reason… O Sobang cursed them both in his heart, nursing his wounds.
Meanwhile, Bukjin was staring in shock from the water. That arrogant Im Jin actually came? Does she actually have feelings for me? This wasn't supposed to happen…
Im Jin reached the shore. She spared a brief, sideways glance at Bukjin floating in the water before vanishing like a wisp of smoke.
In the next heartbeat, she reappeared on the rock where Do Manseong was sitting. Without giving him a chance to speak, she raised a hand as delicate as white jade and swung it down toward him with merciless force.
Do Manseong’s face paled instantly. "Hahaha! Excellent!"
Fighting spirit flared in his heart. He had lived in the shadow of this peerless genius for far too long. He was determined to have a proper showdown with her today.
"Sky-Severing Finger!" Do Manseong thrust his finger toward Im Jin’s palm.
It was a technique Bukjin recognized. On his first day in the territory, Do Manseong had used this very finger art to pick a fight with him. It was a move that hid a lethal hidden strike within it. Even Jeong Sam-seok had been furious enough to intervene personally to neutralize the hidden force back then. Though his master had stepped in, Bukjin had already used his Peerless Sword Body to dismantle the power behind the strike.
BOOM!
Im Jin’s palm collided with Do Manseong’s finger. A thunderous shockwave erupted, echoing through the surroundings. True Qi swirled violently in every direction. Massive ripples surged across the surface of the lake, and the sand on the shore was whipped into the air. Faint glimmers of Mystic Energy pulsed in the space where they met.
Both geniuses of the National Imperial Junior Academy had already reached a level rivaling a Martial Warrior. Only those at that rank could project their Mystic Energy outside their bodies.
"Ugh…"
A stifled groan escaped. Do Manseong was sent flying, his face twisted in agony. His right finger was bent at a sickening, unnatural angle. It was a clear defeat. The battle had been decided in a single exchange.
Skidding across the water, Do Manseong coughed out a pained breath before forcibly circulating his Mystic Energy to use the buoyancy to leap back onto the shore.
"Im Jin! Stop now, or the man you love is going to suffer!" Do Manseong screamed.
"Hmph! That piece of trash? If he got himself tied up for the sake of a woman, then he can deal with the consequences himself!" Im Jin shouted coldly.
I’m doomed. That’s definitely the Corporate Chairman personality…
As soon as she finished speaking, Im Jin vanished again, reappearing on the shore to strike at Do Manseong once more. Her speed was like a gale. The air around her distorted with every movement of her hand. A faint silver radiance shimmered on her palm—a sign that the Mystic Energy within her body was being discharged externally.
"You crazy bitch! Are you really okay with Im Bukjin being disqualified?!" Having already tasted her power once, Do Manseong didn't dare counterattack. He moved his body desperately, retreating as fast as he could.
But Im Jin’s palm didn't stop. She pursued him with relentless momentum, refusing to give him even a moment’s respite. Do Manseong could do nothing but fall back continuously. Yet even then, she caught up in an instant, her palm looming right in front of his face.
Right then.
"Sky-Severing Finger!"
A slender, white finger shot out from the tall grass beside where Im Jin stood, striking her palm directly.
CRACK!
The two techniques collided. The ground shook violently under the force of the impact. Im Jin’s figure wavered slightly as she was pushed back. She kicked off the surface of the water and landed gracefully back on the rock. Her elegant movements were like those of a celestial maiden.
The owner of the finger that had suddenly emerged from the grass stumbled back four steps before managing to steady themselves.
"As expected of Unmong City’s top genius. That strike felt like it had the full power of a Martial Warrior behind it, didn't it?"