I’ll Take That
After hearing the full explanation, Bukjin felt a surging desire to participate in the measurement immediately. Currently, he lacked a clear understanding or objective judgment of his own true strength. Consequently, an accurate measurement was exactly what he had been hoping for.
He expected that this opportunity would allow him to better comprehend the extent of his abilities. Bukjin decided he would choose whether or not to reveal all the cards in his hand as the measurement progressed.
"You are the pride and hope of our 3rd Academy. Whether we can reclaim our past glory depends entirely on your shoulders," Cho Heun said, his voice thick with anticipation.
The deans of the other grades chimed in with similar words, showering the four students with praise.
"Now, let the measurement begin. Student Baek Geum-un, please step forward..."
Just as the elderly teacher was about to start the process, another voice cut through the air.
"Wait! Hold on a moment."
From the direction of the voice, a handsome boy with flowing golden hair walked slowly toward them. Following behind him were a security teacher from the Mageom-gwan and two officials from the Unmong City Department of Education. Among them was Lee Cheong-hyeon, known as the Iron-Faced Poison Tongue. Lee Cheong-hyeon’s complexion was grim; it was obvious at a glance that he was in a foul mood.
Lee Cheong-hyeon stepped forward to introduce the newcomer.
"Dean Ban, Dean Cho, Dean Ryu. This is Young Master Jo Pacheon from White Cloud City. He has come to deliver an invitation to the Sword Trial Pact by the order of his master, the Great Master Baek Hae-geum."
Jo Pacheon?
At Lee Cheong-hyeon's words, Bukjin’s gaze shifted toward the golden-haired boy. Dressed in a white robe, the boy called Jo Pacheon appeared to be around sixteen years old. He was tall with a straight, sturdy build. A look of supreme confidence was etched onto his exceptionally handsome face. The aura radiating from him was immensely powerful. Between his looks and his presence, he was a peerless figure that one could hardly forget after a single glance.
Is that the brat? The 'Sword Genius' Master Jeong raised, only to be betrayed by him? Bukjin thought silently.
At that moment, by chance, Jo Pacheon’s eyes met Bukjin’s. The second their gazes locked, Bukjin’s eyes narrowed. It wasn't a conscious action, but an instinctive reaction—the wariness a wild animal shows when encountering a formidable predator.
Staring into Jo Pacheon’s eyes, Bukjin felt a strange sensation. The golden-haired boy's eyes held an intense, undisguised hostility. It felt as if he were facing a mortal enemy. Bukjin suspected that if there weren't so many witnesses present, Jo Pacheon would have drawn his sword and unleashed a killing strike the very instant they met.
After a moment, Jo Pacheon averted his gaze.
"Haha, it seems I have committed a discourtesy by barging in on the three of you so abruptly," the boy said lightly, a faint sense of superiority dancing on his face.
Cho Heun and the other two deans exchanged formal greetings with Jo Pacheon. As a genius from White Cloud City and the disciple of the Great Swordsman Baek Hae-geum, his status was far from lowly. However, due to past events, the deans did not have a favorable impression of him. Because of this, it was difficult for them to engage in friendly conversation.
Jo Pacheon acted as if he didn't care in the slightest.
"I heard that the 3rd Academy made history by sending four 'geniuses' to the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. Haha, so I came here personally to see if these four are truly geniuses worthy of receiving an invitation to the Sword Trial Pact."
His words were laced with blatant arrogance and mockery. The three deans of the 3rd Academy furrowed their brows. However, despite their displeasure, they couldn't openly show their discomfort to a boy so much younger than themselves while maintaining their dignity as elders.
At that moment, Han Bul-bu stepped forward. His brow was creased, as if he were deep in thought.
"And how exactly do you plan to 'verify' this?"
In response, Jo Pacheon held out his palm. His hand flickered with a faint light, and suddenly, a dark red invitation materialized above his palm. It seemed he possessed a Dharma Treasure capable of storing items.
The sight sent a wave of shock through the three deans.
Is it because he's a disciple of White Cloud City? He's covered in treasures.
A specialized Dharma Treasure, which could be called a crystal refined through Mystic Arts, required immense technological and spiritual skill to create. They were not items one saw every day. Even powerful noble families might only possess one or two, if any. For ordinary people, they were practically mythical. Thus, even though the deans of the 3rd Academy were skilled and well-resourced, they had never seen a Mystic Artifact like the one Jo Pacheon held. It was a testament to how much Baek Hae-geum doted on his disciple.
◈ INVITATION TO THE SWORD TRIAL PACT ◈
A dark red scroll radiating a sharp, chilling aura.
"It’s simple. If you can catch this invitation, then you can say you have the qualification," Jo Pacheon said, flashing a contemptuous smile at Han Bul-bu. "But you... you won't do."
Han Bul-bu replied calmly, "Stop talking nonsense and just send the invitation over."
"A frog in a well truly doesn't know the height of the heavens," Jo Pacheon sneered, his eyes flashing. "Have it your way, then."
PAANG—!
The dark red invitation rose slowly from his palm and drifted toward Han Bul-bu. Its speed was incredibly slow, yet it was accompanied by a bizarre, high-pitched whistling sound. Han Bul-bu took three steps forward and reached out to grab it.
He wasn't being careless. He had pushed his Hyeongi to its absolute limit and planted his feet firmly on the ground like a sturdy tree. A faint glow of Mystic Energy covered his hands—a sign of energy manifesting outside the body. As the top genius of the 3rd year, Han Bul-bu was showing a serious and cautious attitude. He was perfectly prepared; he felt confident he could catch it even if it were a bolt from a siege crossbow instead of a mere invitation.
But in the next instant...
KWAANG—!
A sound like an explosion echoed through the hall.
"Agh!"
The moment Han Bul-bu’s right hand touched the invitation, a blast erupted. Fresh blood sprayed in all directions. As if he had collided with something massive, Han Bul-bu was sent flying back nearly thirty feet before collapsing onto the floor.
This is bad.
Ban Oe-min, the 3rd-grade Dean, moved like a flash to catch the falling Han Bul-bu. He immediately funneled his own Hyeongi into the boy's body to provide emergency treatment. Ban Oe-min looked at Jo Pacheon with dark, narrowed eyes.
"It seems you aren't qualified to receive the invitation," Jo Pacheon said flatly.
The invitation that had struck Han Bul-bu had somehow changed direction in mid-air and returned to hover over Jo Pacheon’s palm. The atmosphere inside the Mageom-gwan turned suffocatingly heavy. Han Bul-bu, the top genius of the 3rd year and the one everyone pinned their hopes on, hadn't been able to withstand even a single move. The teachers' expressions were grim.
"Is there anyone else who wants to try and take the invitation?"
Jo Pacheon’s gaze shifted toward Bukjin. Bukjin remained silent. Han Bul-bu’s skill was by no means inferior to his own. He was a talent who had proven himself as the valedictorian and earned his place in the finals. His strength was beyond doubt. Yet, even he couldn't catch a thin slip of paper. Perhaps there was a force from a specific martial art contained within Jo Pacheon’s technique, rather than just a terrifyingly high level of cultivation.
Bukjin realized that if he stepped forward blindly, he might end up just like Han Bul-bu. He needed wisdom, not just bravado.
As Bukjin was contemplating his move, Jo Pacheon spoke with a smile.
"Or perhaps the beautiful female student over there would like to try first?"
The moment he finished speaking, the dark red invitation rose slowly once more.
PAANG—!
Its speed was so slow it felt like a cloud drifting through the air. However, with every inch it moved, a sharp, piercing sound rang out. The invitation was flying toward Ak Hong-hyang.
With a hardened face, Ak Hong-hyang quickly drew the sword from her waist.
CHWARAK—!
As the sword light flashed, nine 'Sword Flowers' resembling snow lotuses bloomed in the air. The nine silver petals shimmered and merged into one as if they were alive, attempting to swallow the invitation.
TANG—!
The resonant sound of metal clashing rang out. Immediately after, silver metal fragments scattered like stars. The longsword in Ak Hong-hyang's hand had shattered into dozens of pieces. Her body was sent hurtling backward, and Cho Heun rushed to catch her. Crimson blood trickled from her lips.
The red invitation changed direction again and returned to Jo Pacheon’s hand.
"It seems you aren't qualified either," Jo Pacheon laughed softly. He made no effort to hide his contempt for the students.
Bukjin saw blood seeping through the bandages on Ak Hong-hyang’s right arm. It seemed the impact of the collision had reopened her previous wounds.
"The so-called 'greatest geniuses' of the 3rd Academy aren't much to look at," Jo Pacheon said, lightly waving the invitation as if disappointed.
Just as Bukjin was about to speak up in response to the mockery, a voice intervened.
"I'll take it."
A cold, clear voice echoed through the Mageom-gwan. Baek Geum-un, the top genius of the 1st year, moved fiercely. Her speed was incredible as she lunged forward, reaching out to snatch the invitation right off Jo Pacheon’s palm.
"Hmph!"
Jo Pacheon gave a dismissive snort and flicked his palm. The invitation drifted slowly toward Baek Geum-un’s hand. Seeing this, Baek Geum-un let out a sharp kiai and lowered her stance, pinching the invitation between her thumb and middle finger. Simultaneously, she pulled her arm back smoothly and began to spin her body rapidly, as if trying to minimize and redirect the impact of the Am-gyeong hidden within the invitation.
Watching this, the eyes of Ryu Gye-hae, the 1st-grade Dean, sparkled.
A very clever choice. She thought to move first and dissipate the force.
The move Baek Geum-un showed was wise and excellent. However, a cold sneer still lingered on Jo Pacheon’s face.