We’ve Merely Been Playing Our Parts
Bukjin continued to retreat, consistently keeping Ak Hong-hyang behind him to shield her. On the other side of the clearing, Sim Bi was locked in a fierce duel with Im Jin. The battle between these two top-tier geniuses was rapidly reaching a fever pitch.
Suddenly, a group of about a dozen people approached rapidly from the distance. It was Lee Do, a genius from the National Imperial Junior Academy who stood as a rival to Do Manseong, leading his followers toward the fray.
"Do Manseong! You, the representative of a gang, dare to surround Senior Sister Im Jin and attack other students?" Lee Do shouted as he came to a halt a short distance away.
Lee Do had never been able to face Do Manseong head-on before, but it seemed he had finally found his opportunity. Upon seeing Lee Do and his group, Do Manseong’s expression twisted with anxiety. He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Paeng Il-myeong! Move! Take your group and pin down Lee Do and his lackeys!"
The situation had become urgent. Do Manseong needed to defeat Im Jin and Bukjin as quickly as possible and shatter their stone plaques. Only then could he return to his territory with the results he desired. If he could just destroy their plaques, it wouldn't matter if Lee Do reported his actions later—the water would already be spilled. He might face punishment, but the outcome of the trial would remain unchanged.
The boy called Paeng Il-myeong was the student ranked 7th on the stone pillar rankings. He was a well-known talent from the 4th Academy. He had been working in tandem with Do Manseong and held a high position within their faction. Paeng Il-myeong immediately led a dozen students to intercept Lee Do’s group.
With that, a third battle erupted.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing steel echoed incessantly around the lake. Bukjin grit his teeth, sensing that a critical moment had arrived. Driven by desperation, Do Manseong’s attacks were growing faster and more frantic. Bukjin felt as though his entire being was being compressed like a spring, energy coiling and storing deep within his body.
As Do Manseong’s offensive intensified, Bukjin felt his boiling power refusing to vent outward, instead accumulating layer upon layer inside him. A vast, indescribable energy was filling his frame. He felt as though the power within him was a volcano, waiting for the perfect moment to erupt.
It felt strangely similar to when he practiced the Peerless Sword Body. Furthermore, it felt like the signs of a breakthrough in his mental strength, as described in the Understanding Mental Strength - Beginner manual.
Is it even possible to break through in two different techniques at once? Besides, my actual body has almost zero talent for martial arts; I’m only training because I have these apps running on my smartphone. Can a breakthrough actually happen in reality like this?
A flurry of thoughts raced through Bukjin’s mind. In that split second when his focus wavered, Do Manseong did not miss the opening.
Thwack! Thwack!
Do Manseong’s longsword erupted with two flashes of light like white snakes, piercing both of Bukjin’s shoulders. The moment the blade struck, Bukjin felt a massive shockwave ripple through his entire body. It felt as if he had been struck by iron weights. He was sent flying backward, stumbling and nearly falling flat on his back.
"I didn't originally intend to wound you this severely, but... blame yourself for pushing me this far!" Do Manseong said, his voice cold.
The strike Do Manseong had just unleashed carried immense power. Against a normal person, it would have been enough to shatter their shoulder blades. Bukjin looked down at his shoulders. Blood was seeping from the puncture wounds.
However, they were merely two shallow gashes. Do Manseong’s sword had failed to reach the bone. While the surface wounds stung, they didn't hinder his movement in the slightest.
This is definitely... the power of the Peerless Sword Body.
Bukjin realized he had vastly underestimated the Peerless Sword Body technique. So this is what it feels like to tank a sharp blade with a tempered body? He finally began to understand why downloading the technique had consumed so much data.
Peerless Sword Body
"Are you okay...?" Ak Hong-hyang, who had been protected behind him, rushed forward. She drew her sword and stood in front of Bukjin, whispering urgently, "I'll hold Do Manseong off! You get out of here first!"
Ak Hong-hyang, I’m not trying to look down on you, but you don't have the skill to block even a single strike from Do Manseong! Bukjin screamed internally, though he couldn't say it out loud.
Right then.
"Do Manseong, stop!"
Lee Do’s voice thundered as he rushed over from the other battlefield. Lee Do’s skill was significantly higher than Paeng Il-myeong’s. He had unleashed his full power to break through the defensive line and sprinted toward them. Hearing his voice, Bukjin was overjoyed.
"Brother Lee Do!" Bukjin shouted, a beaming smile on his face as he spread his arms wide. The arrogant attitude he had shown when rejecting Lee Do’s earlier invitation was long gone.
Lee Do was incredibly fast. Like an arrow released from a bow, he arrived at the lakeshore in an instant. However, contrary to Bukjin’s expectations, Lee Do merely spared him a glance before ignoring him entirely. He raised his sword and charged toward Im Jin.
"Senior Sister Im, I’ve come to help!" Lee Do unleashed his sword technique. His momentum was as fierce as a dragon or a tiger. Even at a glance, it was clear he was using a high-level sword art.
Watching this scene, the smile vanished from Bukjin’s face, and his expression slowly hardened. His arms, still spread wide to welcome Lee Do, hung awkwardly in the air.
Is this guy blind to my situation?
Even a cursory glance showed that Im Jin, the "Little Phoenix," was in no danger whatsoever. She had been dominating Sim Bi from the start.
The one in actual danger here is me! Bukjin seriously questioned Lee Do’s eyesight. ...Wait, has this guy been jealous of my handsome face this whole time? Bukjin was so annoyed he felt like cursing out loud. He’s just another guy chasing after a girl’s coattails!
It seemed to Bukjin that every "genius" in this world was obsessed with chasing women.
"Hehehe..." Do Manseong laughed mockingly at Bukjin, approaching with his sword raised. But then—
BOOM!
A violent explosion of Mystic Energy erupted. Thud! A figure was sent flying several yards, crashing into the ground right next to Bukjin. It was Lee Do. He lay sprawled on the earth in a wretched state. Strangely, however, a triumphant smirk was plastered across his face. The sword in his hand was stained with blood. And that blood belonged to...
Im Jin.
Bukjin spun around to see Im Jin clutching her shoulder with one hand. Crimson blood was blooming around her shoulder, soaking into her black leather cuirass and dripping down. Yet, her face showed no sign of shock or anger. Instead, she looked at Lee Do with a gaze filled with profound curiosity.
"I see now. You were the true final card," she said calmly.
Lee Do burst into laughter. "Hahaha! That’s right. I am the one truly meant to wound you."
Looking at Im Jin, Lee Do’s face was a cocktail of envy, jealousy, longing, and rage. His complex emotions soon settled into pure triumph. "You’ve realized it too late... but not too late. My sword pierced your right shoulder; you won't be able to hold a blade anymore. Without your sword, your combat power is reduced to a third. It will be impossible to turn this around now. Im Jin, an arrogant person like you probably never dreamed you’d be eliminated from the selection trials like this."
Watching from the side, Bukjin’s jaw dropped.
So Lee Do was in cahoots with Do Manseong all along! Now that Im Jin is injured, she won't be able to handle Sim Bi... and if Do Manseong and Lee Do join in, it’s over! This is going south fast.
Bukjin realized the situation was deviating wildly from the plans he had laid out.
"Classmate Im Jin. You are the princess of the Unmong City Lord’s family and a renowned martial genius. I will give you a chance to keep your pride. Break your own stone plaque and withdraw from the trials now," Sim Bi said with a smile. It seemed he was now the one holding all the cards. The plan he had spent so much time preparing was finally coming to fruition.
Im Jin considered Sim Bi’s words for a moment before speaking.
"First, bring Im Bukjin and the Ak girl over to where I am."
Do Manseong moved to refuse immediately, fearing some unexpected variable. However, Sim Bi was brimming with confidence. He accepted her proposal, saying, "Manseong, it’s fine. There’s no way to flip the board now."
In a situation like this, Im Jin making demands was essentially an admission that she had no more cards left to play. If she had remained stubborn and refused to compromise, it would have been more troublesome.
Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang locked eyes for a moment before quietly moving to the rock where Im Jin stood. Im Jin didn't even spare them a glance, keeping her eyes fixed on Sim Bi.
"You just called Do Manseong by his name, 'Manseong.' Have you two known each other for a long time?"
Sim Bi smiled. "Manseong and I have known each other for two years. Not only him, but I’ve known Lee Do for two years as well."
Two years ago? That was before Do Manseong and Lee Do had even entered the National Imperial Junior Academy. Lee Do spoke up with a smirk.
"Did you really think the rivalry between Do Manseong and me was as bad as it looked? Hmph, we’ve merely been playing our parts for the last two years. You didn't know, but I, Brother Bi here, and Manseong are sworn brothers."
What...?
Lee Do’s revelation was a massive shock not just to Im Jin, but to Bukjin as well. Bukjin’s eyes went wide. The fifty or so students gathered nearby also seemed stunned by the news.
"How interesting," Im Jin said, beginning to laugh as if she found it genuinely amusing. As she laughed, more blood seeped from the wound on her right shoulder, but she seemed entirely unconcerned. "So you’ve been acting for all this time just for today?"
Im Jin looked at Sim Bi. Through their words, she could naturally tell that Sim Bi, the representative of a social gang, held the highest rank among the three. Yet, until this very moment, Do Manseong and Lee Do had pretended not to know him.