The Circumstances of the Duel of Swords
Bang Sobaek watched Bukjin’s retreating figure until he vanished into the distance, her body trembling slightly. Soon, the strength left her legs, and she collapsed onto the ground. Ak Hong-seol rushed over to support her, his voice tight with anxiety.
"Sobaek-nuna... A-Are you alright?"
Bang Sobaek gasped for air, struggling to steady her breathing. "I’m fine. I just forced my Hyeongi to suppress the anesthetic, and my internal energy is a bit turbulent. You... did you already know that man?"
Hearing her question, Ak Hong-seol recounted everything that had happened at the inn earlier that evening.
"He asked you to deliver meals for the next two days to the Bamboo Garden at the 3rd Academy?"
Bang Sobaek’s eyes narrowed as she pieced things together. Ak Hong-seol continued in a low voice as he helped her walk.
"Yes. That big brother was very polite and dignified. He even gave me a silver coin as a tip."
"There are several private villas in the 3rd Academy. Only those with high status or incredible talent can live there. Judging by his bearing, he seemed to be around forty or fifty years old... but with that mask, it’s impossible to be sure. Forget it. Since he didn't reveal his name, he likely looks down on people from gangs like ours."
Bang Sobaek spoke with a self-deprecating smirk. "Seol, you think I was too cold to him just now, don't you?"
Ak Hong-seol remained silent, offering no answer. Seeing this, Bang Sobaek sighed deeply.
"You’re too soft for your own good. You still don't know how terrifying the world can be. Living in a gang, I’ve faced more dangers than you can imagine. In this world, people of the same blood point swords at each other, and friendships are discarded for the sake of profit. It happens every day. Countless people look righteous on the surface, but the moment you turn your back, they reveal their fangs. I’ve seen too many people betrayed and left as corpses in the street. We’re lucky that man didn't have any ill intent. If he did, you’d already be dead."
"I understand... But Sobaek-nuna, I believe that trust between people is sometimes..." Ak Hong-seol tried to explain.
"Quiet!" Bang Sobaek snapped, her expression stern. Ak Hong-seol slumped his shoulders and fell silent. Bang Sobaek sighed again, then reached into her robe and pulled something out to hand to him.
"This is White Jade Bone-Knitting Ointment. Take it. With this, your sister's arm will recover in no time."
Ak Hong-seol took the medicine, his face clouded with guilt. "If it weren't for this medicine... you and Big Brother Dae-jang wouldn't have been ambushed and injured by those bastards from the Thousand-Mile Merchant Alliance. It’s all because of me..."
"Don't say that," Bang Sobaek said, her expression softening into a smile. "The ones I don't trust are outsiders and strangers. You’ll understand in time... You are one of us, a member of the Gale Brotherhood. We were all children who grew up poor and struggling. We have to help each other. If we don't, who will? Those high-ranking officials sitting in their ivory towers? They wouldn't spare us a single glance. Now, take this medicine and go home. I’ll take Dae-jang to get his wounds treated."
The two spoke for a moment longer until Bang Sobaek’s condition improved, then they parted ways and returned to their respective homes.
The next day.
When classes began, Bukjin was greeted with thunderous applause and a warm welcome from everyone in Class 9 of the 2nd Grade. The class president, Yun Yeok, and the others cheered, celebrating their hero.
Bukjin was the first student from the 3rd Academy in decades to advance to the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. Because of this, he had become an idol not just for the 2nd grade, but for the 3rd grade as well.
This year, a total of four students from the 3rd Academy had made it to the finals: the 1st-grade genius 'Dark Horse,' Bukjin and Ak Hong-hyang from the 2nd grade, and the 3rd-grade genius Han Bul-bu. This year’s results were nothing short of historic. Bukjin’s second-place finish in the preliminaries, in particular, was an achievement that would be remembered for ages.
However, a short while later, when the Hyeongi class began, Bukjin felt a wave of disappointment and worry. The teacher standing at the podium was not Jeong Sam-seok, but someone else.
Something must have happened to Master. Where on earth did he go?
Lost in thought, Bukjin eventually slumped over his desk and fell asleep. The teacher saw this and simply shook his head. He didn't have anything particular to say to Bukjin.
After class, Bukjin headed to the faculty office to find the Grade Dean, Cho Heun.
"Hm? Teacher Jeong Sam-seok? He’s entered seclusion," Cho Heun said.
"Seclusion?" Bukjin asked, puzzled. "Why so suddenly?"
Cho Heun replied, "An old rival has come to Unmong City to challenge him to a duel. That’s why he’s entered meditation—to check his condition and prepare for the fight."
A duel? I had no idea! Bukjin was genuinely surprised.
"What kind of duel is it?" Bukjin asked. If it were a struggle between gangs like Bang Sobaek’s, he would have watched from the sidelines without a care. But if it involved Jeong Sam-seok, the situation was different.
"In eight days, there will be a Duel of Swords," Cho Heun explained.
Eight days? That’s too soon! Bukjin frowned. "Who is the opponent? Does Teacher Jeong have a good chance of winning?"
Cho Heun shook his head. "A chance... it’s hard to say. His opponent is Baek Hae-geum, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City. In their last Duel of Swords, Teacher Jeong was defeated."
White Cloud City? One of the three great holy lands of swordsmanship in the Empire? Bukjin felt a headache coming on. This was clearly not an easy opponent.
"Take a look at this." Cho Heun handed him a crimson scroll. Bukjin took it and unfurled it, realizing it was an invitation. It requested his presence at the government manor on the night of the full moon to witness the Duel of Swords. Two lines of text were written inside.
On the night of the fifteenth, moonlight floods the heavens.
Atop the government manor, a single sword pierces the profound.
The calligraphy was sharp and spirited, as if the words had been slashed onto the paper with a blade. As Bukjin read the lines, he felt a sudden chill, as if a sharp sword-point were aimed directly between his eyes.
"This invitation was written by Jo Pacheon, the top disciple of Baek Hae-geum. His understanding of swordsmanship is embedded within those strokes," Cho Heun said, before adding a bit more explanation.
"Jo Pacheon was once a student of Teacher Jeong. He came from such humble beginnings that he didn't even have the chance to attend the academy. Teacher Jeong discovered him and taught him with all his heart, and he soon became a genius of Unmong City. But unfortunately, during the last Duel of Swords, he betrayed his master and entered the tutelage of Baek Hae-geum. He has returned to Unmong City with him."
Jo Pacheon? Betraying one's master was an act that earned the hatred of all. Bukjin didn't know who this man was, but the fact that he could betray Teacher Jeong and still be accepted by one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City meant he was undeniably talented.
"Dean Cho, I want to attend this Duel of Swords and see the fight. It seems like a great opportunity to broaden my horizons. Could you take me with you?" Bukjin asked. Perhaps on the day of the duel, he could offer some small measure of help to Jeong Sam-seok.
However, Cho Heun shook his head regretfully. "I’m afraid that’s impossible. Only thirty-six invitations were sent out for the Duel of Swords. Twelve were sent to the highest-ranking and most powerful nobles in the city, twelve to the famous masters of the sword, and the remaining twelve to the most outstanding young geniuses. Each invitation is strictly for one person only. I was surprised to even receive one myself this year. I’d love to take you, but it’s simply not allowed."
Hearing the circumstances, Bukjin had no choice but to accept it. "Then where is Teacher Jeong meditating? I’d like to visit him once."
Cho Heun replied, "He has entered a Death Seclusion where no one can approach. Even if you go, you won't be able to see him. Besides, there is nothing you can do. You must not distract him at such a critical time."
Bukjin felt a heavy weight in his chest. He knew Cho Heun was right, but since he owed Jeong Sam-seok a great debt, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Ah, by the way, the Education Committee plans to conduct special training for the four candidates from our Unmong City to prepare for the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition next month. The training will begin in ten days. Before it starts, the candidates can submit a list of any martial arts, resources, or anything else they might need. The committee will do its best to provide them."
Bukjin’s eyes lit up. "I need a martial art that can train my mental power."
"Mental power? You’re saying you’re already training your spirit?" Cho Heun’s eyes sparkled. This was excellent news. The difference between a warrior who trained their mental power and one who didn't was immense. A warrior with spiritual cultivation fought on an entirely different level.
Bukjin explained, "While I was at the training grounds, I was able to obtain the Basic Understanding of Mental Power through Im Jin. I’ve made some small progress while practicing it, but I’m still finding it difficult to specifically manifest and utilize it. I need a martial art related to that."
Bukjin didn't think his spiritual training was something he needed to hide. A smile spread across Cho Heun’s face. Rumors of what had happened between Bukjin and Unmong City’s top genius, Im Jin, had naturally reached his ears. However, he had no intention of interfering in their business; it was something for the two youngsters to handle themselves.
"There should be a few techniques related to mental power in the academy’s hidden library. Go and choose for yourself."
Cho Heun reached into his robe and handed over a small silver medallion.
◈ Grants access to the Hidden Library of the 3rd Academy.
◈ Allows the selection of up to three secret manuals.
"This is a pass to enter the academy library. Ah, let’s do this. Take this and find Ak Hong-hyang from Class 8. Go together and choose the martial arts that suit you best. I’ll give you the chance to pick three manuals each. Don't get too greedy; it’s better to master a few than to dabble in many."
"Thank you, Dean!" Bukjin expressed his gratitude, his heart swelling with excitement.