A Moment of Peace

Jeong Sam-seok handed several small booklets to Bukjin.

"Since you have already mastered the Intermediate Mystic Energy Condensation to its absolute limit, further practice would be fruitless. This is the Advanced Mystic Energy Condensation. Take it and begin your training. If there is anything you find difficult to grasp, you may seek out Dean Cho Heun and ask him. Also, this is the Moon-Shot Sword Style. It is a 1-star sword technique I have personally selected for you. If practiced well, it will supplement the combat skills you currently lack. Your basic technique, the Close-body Triple Link, no longer suits your current level of strength—not even the Big Dipper Descent. The Moon-Shot Sword Style is considered the pinnacle of 1-star techniques. If you master it to its peak, you will be able to perform its hidden killing move, the Moon-Shot Flying Immortal. At that point, you would even be able to hold your own against 3-star techniques."

He paused, handing over another, thicker manual.

"This is the proper manual for the Peerless Sword Body you have been practicing. What you had before was merely an abridged version; this contains far more profound insights. However, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to achieve its full effects... I know you saw some results with the condensed version, but mastering this will be no easy feat. Still, give it your best effort. Finally, this is a 1-star movement technique called Cloud-Feather Footwork. If you learn this alongside the Moon-Shot Sword Style, you will at least be able to protect yourself, even if you cannot yet defeat a Martial Warrior rank expert."

Jeong Sam-seok explained each manual in detail before passing them to Bukjin. It seemed he was unaware that Bukjin had already obtained two 2-star techniques from Principal Im Tae-heo. An unidentifiable, strange emotion welled up in Bukjin’s heart. Just as he was about to respond, Jeong Sam-seok suddenly unfastened the blue longsword from his waist and placed it on the table.

"This is the Blue Bird Sword, a new release from Master Beom. It is forged from high-purity iron and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠possesses excellent elasticity. It is a 1-star quality blade. I am giving this to you as a gift. In exchange, return the Virtue Sword to me. I have a use for it."

"Yes, I’ll go get it right away," Bukjin replied.

As he turned to leave the main hall, Bukjin’s expression was complicated. He carefully opened his smartphone app.

He returned to the hall and politely presented the sword with both hands. Jeong Sam-seok took the Virtue Sword, fastened it to his waist, and gave Bukjin a light pat on the shoulder.

"You possess a rare talent for the sword. You are a prodigy that appears perhaps once in ten thousand. Continue to practice diligently and become a true swordsman. Remember... remember what I have told you..."

With those final words, Jeong Sam-seok turned and left the villa. His figure gradually receded through the bamboo forest outside the Juk-won. Standing at the gate, Bukjin watched his master’s retreating back, his brow furrowed.

The atmosphere is strange. Why did he sound like he was saying goodbye?

Bukjin shook off the feeling, strapped the Blue Bird Sword to his waist, and changed his clothes. The sharpness of the new blade was clearly superior to ordinary weapons. Furthermore, seven Mystic Runes were engraved on the blade. Its Hyeongi conductivity was exceptional, making it perfectly suited for performing star-ranked sword techniques.

Donning a small mask to hide his eyes, Bukjin cautiously stepped out of the 3rd Academy. It was his first time leaving the school grounds since the fall of the Jeon-cheon-hu family. Wang Chung had begged to come along, but Bukjin left him behind at the villa. He had already put a great deal of effort into his disguise and choice of clothing; bringing his butler along would make his identity far too easy to compromise.

Although the Genius Token meant he no longer had to fear those targeting him, his infamy as the "Street Sweeper of Unmong City" was still very much alive. If his identity were exposed, it would only lead to unnecessary trouble. Besides, he wasn't going out to clean the streets today.

As he walked, Bukjin observed the people passing by. The warm sunlight hitting the streets lifted his mood. Unmong City was a small coastal city with orderly, well-maintained roads. Buildings constructed of stone and wood stood everywhere. The clean streets and sturdy structures were beautiful to behold, reminiscent of the architecture he had seen in classic Chinese films back on Earth.

He noticed sewers, horse-drawn carriages serving as public transport, and even convenience stores. While there was no electricity or internet, it was a sufficiently modernized small city. The only difference was that this world had flourished through the development of Martial Arts rather than science, leaving no trace of a scientific civilization.

Since his transmigration, Bukjin had thought of nothing but returning to Earth. Even when he traveled by carriage, he had never taken the time to truly observe the city. Walking the streets now, the realization hit him with renewed force: he was truly in a different world.

Bukjin looked around in surprise. Many people on the streets wore unique and fascinating clothing. Upon closer inspection, he realized most were merchants or travelers from other nations across the sea. Though Unmong City wasn't large, its location in the southwest of Pungeo Province made it a bustling port with active trade and frequent maritime traffic. It wasn't unusual to see foreigners or people in exotic attire. The city was thick with an international atmosphere.

Bukjin currently held a total of thirty-one IOUs, all obtained on the day of the badge auction. He intended to use this time to collect his debts. Although he wasn't intimately familiar with the city's geography, it was no problem at all.

Two hours later, Bukjin had successfully collected 1,300 gold. The IOUs were not only legally binding but also carried a religious weight for the citizens of the North Sea Empire, making them incredibly effective. Essentially, no one could refuse when presented with one. Bukjin had been meticulous when drafting the contracts, specifying exact repayment dates to ensure the money was returned quickly. He left no room for excuses.

Having finished his collections, Bukjin finally felt a sense of leisure. He wandered the streets like a tourist in an ancient city. When he saw something interesting, he bought it; when he saw something delicious, he ate it. This rare moment of relaxation put him in high spirits.

As evening approached, he stepped into an inn.

"Yuelai Inn?"

The name felt strangely familiar. A faint smile played on Bukjin’s lips. In the countless wuxia novels he had read on Earth, the name "Yuelai Inn" appeared constantly. He hadn't expected to see the same name in this world.

As he entered, a young waiter approached him.

"Welcome, sir! Please, come this way. Are you here for a meal, or do you require a room for the night?"

"No room needed," Bukjin replied.

"Understood. Right this way, then."

The waiter looked to be about twelve years old. Back on Earth, he would have been too young to work. The boy had a clean appearance and bright, intelligent eyes. He led Bukjin to the Flower and Bird Hall and brought him a menu.

Bukjin struck up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a conversation with the boy while ordering. He learned that the Yuelai Inn was actually the largest chain of inns in Pungeo Province.

"You seem quite young. Are you not in school?" Bukjin asked.

The boy smiled. "My family is poor, so paying for tuition is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠difficult. My talent is only average anyway, so it's better for the family if I work and earn money. Besides, I have to work so I can pay for my sister's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠schooling..."

When he mentioned his sister, the boy’s eyes shone with pride.

"You might not know, sir, but my sister is incredibly talented. She even made it through the qualifiers for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition and advanced to the main tournament!"

"Is that so? That’s truly impressive," Bukjin said sincerely.

As a participant himself—albeit in the 2nd-grade division—Bukjin knew that anyone who made it to the main tournament was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses.

A short while later, a feast was laid out on the table. They were all dishes recommended by the young waiter. Back on Earth, Bukjin had always heard that if you wanted a proper meal in a new place, you should look for the small restaurants tucked away in the alleys. No matter how many rare ingredients a hotel or fancy restaurant used, the true local flavor could only be found where the common people ate. This held true in this world as well.

The dishes at the Yuelai Inn were made from common ingredients, but the taste was exquisite. Bukjin’s palate was delighted. He finished the hearty meal, only to find the bill was a mere 75 coins.

"This cheap?" Bukjin was genuinely surprised.

The boy laughed at his reaction. "The dishes I recommended are the most affordable and delicious ones we have. It’s more important to us that you’re satisfied and come back often. Oh, and we have many more delicious things you haven't tried yet. Our inn even offers delivery, so if you want to eat our food again, just place a reservation and we’ll deliver it right to your door!"

What? They even have delivery?

Bukjin was stunned. Without hesitation, he ordered several more dishes for the next two days and instructed them to be delivered to the Juk-won.

As he left the inn, Bukjin realized he had spent only two silver coins the entire day. The young waiter was running a very honest business. Bukjin couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the boy.

Stepping out into the twilight, he wandered the streets with a light heart. For the first time since his transmigration, Bukjin relaxed, free from pressure, and simply enjoyed the scenery of this new world.