Take That Back
The day of the Sword Testing Covenant arrived. The weather was exceptionally fine, even better than usual. The sky was a clear, deep azure, devoid of even a single stray cloud. Within Unmong City, a peculiar tension hung in the air, a vibration felt only by those of significant standing.
As was his custom, Bukjin spent the day enjoying a pleasant slumber in his classroom until the final bell rang. It was then that a classmate, Im Seol-geum, approached him cautiously and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Bukjin, someone is here to see you."
Bukjin raised his head with a dazed expression and stood up. He glanced toward the classroom door, where a young girl was waving at him with a bright smile.
"Huh? Who's that?"
For a moment, Bukjin couldn't quite place the girl greeting him. When he failed to react, the face of the girl at the door, Baek Geum-un, darkened instantly. While she wasn't exactly vain, she was still one of the most talked-about figures in the academy. Seeing Bukjin look at her as if he had no memory of her existence left her momentarily speechless.
"Today is the day of the Sword Testing Covenant," Baek Geum-un said, her voice now flat and expressionless. "Dean Cho Heun has already departed for the Provincial Administration. He instructed me to bring you along."
"Oh?"
Bukjin rubbed his eyes and stretched. Only then did he recognize the girl before him as the top genius of the first-year class—the one who had risked her life at the Demon Sword Hall during the last evaluation to secure an invitation to this very event.
"Right. Let's go."
Bukjin wiped a trace of drool from the corner of his mouth and stepped out of the classroom.
A short while later, a carriage rattled quickly through the gates of the 3rd Junior Swordsman Academy. Leaning against the interior of the carriage, Bukjin stared blankly for a moment before drifting back into sleep. Sitting across from him, Baek Geum-un watched him with a pouting, disgruntled expression.
She had spent the last few minutes racking her brain for topics of conversation, but Bukjin had merely offered vague grunts and avoided any real dialogue. It was painfully obvious that the man known as the 3rd Academy's greatest troublemaker had absolutely no interest in talking to her.
Is it possible he doesn't think I'm pretty? Is it because my chest is too small? Are my legs not long enough? Or is my butt too small...? No, that's not it. I'm just a little short for now; I'm not lacking in any other department!
Baek Geum-un began touching various parts of her own body, her face clouded with uncharacteristic anxiety. Without even realizing it, Bukjin was earning the resentment of a young girl.
I heard he was a famous wastrel and a lecher, yet here we are, alone in a carriage, and he hasn't even offered a greeting, let alone shown any interest...
The usually confident and beautiful Baek Geum-un felt a sting of insult. As she glared at the sleeping Bukjin, her eyes began to sparkle with a dangerous resolve, wondering if she should take the initiative to test her charms—but at that moment, the carriage came to a halt.
"We have arrived!" the coachman called out.
The moment the voice reached his ears, Bukjin's eyes snapped open. He stood up and hopped out of the carriage. Spread out before him was the Provincial Administration of Unmong City.
This was Bukjin's first time visiting the city's seat of government. He looked around with curious eyes. The complex was massive and exuded an overwhelming aura, resembling a grand imperial palace. The warriors lined up on either side of the main gate possessed formidable presences. The guards inspected Bukjin and Baek Geum-un's invitations, and soon, a servant dressed in blue emerged to escort them inside.
The grounds of the Provincial Administration were vast. Every building was elegantly constructed and aesthetically pleasing. Pavilions, towers, gardens, exotic flora, and small ponds were harmoniously arranged, boasting a refined and beautiful landscape. It was clear that a famous architect had been commissioned to calculate every vista from the moment of its conception.
Walking through the stunning scenery, Bukjin felt moved to say something profound. However, no matter how much he racked his brain, no eloquent words came to mind. In the end, he simply whispered to himself.
"This is insane!"
The banquet for the Sword Testing Covenant was being held in the Flower Garden located behind the main buildings. Bukjin and Baek Geum-un passed through a long corridor connecting the structures and arrived at the garden. It was already crowded with people, and the atmosphere was vibrant. There was still some time before the main event began, but many guests had arrived early to show their respect for the occasion.
The thirty-six invitations issued for this event had been sent to three distinct groups: the city's high-ranking nobility, Sword Masters, and young sword geniuses. Everyone present was either a household name in Unmong City or possessed an aura of great authority. The attendees were gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices.
"Haha! So you're the famous Im Bukjin of the 3rd Academy! You've finally arrived."
A loud, boisterous laugh rang out from somewhere. The speaker was a boy who looked to be about sixteen. He had tanned skin and wore purple cotton robes, with a headband featuring a white jade the size of a thumb. He had a lively appearance and was currently waving at Bukjin from the entrance of a pavilion near a small pond.
"Im Bukjin, what are you doing standing there like an idiot? Come here and pay your respects to Senior Brother Jo of White Cloud City. He is a genius who hails from our very own Unmong City."
In the center of the pavilion sat a round table. Jo Pacheon occupied the seat of honor, leaning back comfortably with a faint, composed smile. Nine other youths of similar age sat around the table with him. Each of them possessed an extraordinary aura; they were clearly the elite talents of Unmong City's current generation. However, all nine of them were acting with extreme politeness and caution toward Jo Pacheon, as if they held the genius from White Cloud City in immense awe and respect.
As the boy in purple spoke, every eye in the pavilion turned toward Bukjin. Unlike ordinary students, the nine youths at the table were those qualified to participate in the Sword Testing Covenant. Each was considered a genius at their respective academy, possessing high status and influence. They were well-informed and knew exactly what had transpired during the 2nd-year qualifiers of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. Consequently, they viewed Bukjin with wariness. Furthermore, they were potential rivals who might have to face him in the upcoming event. Their gazes were filled with suspicion, as if they were measuring his worth, and some even held a hint of hostility.
Jo Pacheon, sitting at the head of the table, watched Bukjin with a sneer, idly swirling a white liquor bottle in his hand.
Bukjin scanned the pavilion for a moment, then turned away without a word. He decided that finding Jeong Sam-seok to pay his respects was a much higher priority than dealing with this lot. As Bukjin turned his back, the boy in purple who had greeted him looked awkward for a second before shouting again.
"Im Bukjin! I'm talking to you! Are you deaf? The person sitting in this pavilion is none other than Senior Brother Jo Pacheon, the genius among geniuses from the empire's holy land of swordsmanship, White Cloud City! He is the idol of every young swordsman in Unmong City! What do you think you're doing, walking away without offering a greeting?"
Bukjin continued to ignore him. He was simply too busy scanning the surroundings for Jeong Sam-seok. This only served to infuriate the boy in purple.
"Hey! Im Bukjin! Are your ears clogged?" He marched up to Bukjin and glared at him. "This is an order. Go to the pavilion right now and apologize to Senior Brother Jo for your rudeness."
Bukjin clutched his forehead as if he couldn't believe his luck. Why are there so many people in this world looking for a fight? If you want to be someone's dog, just be a dog. Why do you have to drag me into it?
"I'm busy, so get lost. Otherwise, things aren't going to end well for you," Bukjin replied without hesitation.
The boy in purple turned red with rage. "How dare you speak to me like that?!"
"And who are you exactly?" Bukjin asked, genuinely curious.
"I am Hahu-chung, a third-year at the National Imperial Junior Academy!" the boy declared arrogantly. "Apologize to me. Right. Now. Then go to the pavilion and bow to Senior Brother Jo Pacheon. If you don't..."
"If I don't?" Bukjin asked indifferently, his eyes still searching for Jeong Sam-seok.
"If you don't, I will challenge you to a duel," Hahu-chung threatened.
Bukjin blinked, looking surprised. "Is private dueling between participants allowed at the Sword Testing Covenant?"
At that moment, another tall boy in purple walked out of the pavilion. He looked down at Bukjin with a sneer, as if he were looking at a country bumpkin. "Tsk, tsk! What a pathetic, ignorant fool. Of course it's allowed. Young people competing in sword dances to entertain their seniors is one of the primary purposes of this event. As long as you don't take a life, dueling is not only permitted but encouraged."
"Ah, I see. And who are you?" Bukjin turned his head to ask.
"Me? Hahaha! Your level is far too low to even know my name. Defeat Hahu-chung first, then come back and ask me again," the tall boy said, tilting his chin up.
"Hahahaha!" Hahu-chung laughed loudly, drawing his sword. "Listen, Im Bukjin. To be honest, in the eyes of true young swordsmen like us, you're nothing more than a piece of arrogant trash who doesn't know his place. I heard you got lucky and used some underhanded methods to crawl into the finals. If I were you, I'd be too ashamed to show my face in public. I never imagined you'd be stupid enough to act all high and mighty just because that pathetic 3rd Academy gave you a little praise. You shameless scoundrel! You are a disgrace to the 3rd Academy."
As Hahu-chung spat out his provocations, Bukjin's expression briefly flickered with confusion. Underhanded methods? There's no way he knows about the Map app, right? No, no, that's impossible.
It was then that a voice spoke up from behind him.
Baek Geum-un, who had been standing quietly behind Bukjin, had finally opened her mouth.