How Dare You Provoke Me?
Im Gun-hyeon subtly expressed his displeasure at Baek Hae-geum’s decision to expand the scale of the event to encompass the entire Pung-eo Province. While the younger boys failed to grasp the weight of his words, the older guests immediately picked up on the tension. However, they didn't let Im Gun-hyeon’s remarks bother them too much.
The reason dignitaries from various major cities had gathered for this Sword-Testing Covenant was twofold: to witness the duel between the two legendary swordsmen of White Cloud City, and to watch the younger generation they had brought along compete. Each of them wanted to see which of their successors would prove to be the most outstanding.
The winner of the youth tournament would earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study martial arts at White Cloud City. This was the primary motivation for the guests assembled here. If one of the genius youths they sponsored won and gained entry to White Cloud City, they would receive instruction from Famous Masters and advance their cultivation significantly. Furthermore, they would build an immense network within the martial world.
White Cloud City was home to many members of the Imperial family. Even the Crown Prince and the Imperial grandsons received their education there. It was a hub for the children of the empire’s most powerful families and the high officials of the nine provinces. Even if a student didn't gain much from the training itself, the connections forged with the nobility would ensure a prosperous future. In short, it was a golden ticket to a life of power and influence.
"I would like to offer my gratitude to all the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence. Representing White Cloud City, I shall offer a toast to you all."
Baek Hae-geum rose from his seat and raised his cup. The guests followed suit, showing their respect. Once Baek Hae-geum had finished and the Lord of Unmong City—the host—had given his toast, it was technically Jeong Sam-seok’s turn, as he was seated to the left.
However, Jeong Sam-seok remained seated in silence, showing no intention of standing. Baek Hae-geum glanced at him but didn't seem to care. He set his cup down and spoke.
"It seems Senior Brother Jeong prefers to keep his words brief, so we shall begin the banquet immediately. This Sword-Testing Covenant is divided into two parts. The first is a competition of martial skill among our young swordsmen. I believe everyone is already familiar with the specific rules..."
The crowd nodded in unison. The rules of the Sword-Testing Covenant were well-known to all.
"Allow this old man to add a few more words. The winner of this youth tournament will be granted the opportunity to study at White Cloud City. The runner-up will receive the 3-star Mystic Qi Cultivation method, the White Cloud Qi Gathering Manual, and the 3-star sword technique, the Cloud-Emerging Peak-Light Sword. And for third place, a White Cloud Sword and a White Cloud Plaque..."
Before the event officially commenced, Baek Hae-geum detailed the prizes he had prepared. The eyes of the young participants began to sparkle. The rewards were incredibly lavish.
The White Cloud Qi Gathering Manual and the Cloud-Emerging Peak-Light Sword were exclusive techniques of White Cloud City. Although they were ranked as 3-star techniques, they were on an entirely different level compared to the 3-star manuals found in ordinary academies or sects. They were considered the absolute best for a warrior in the Martial Warrior Rank to build a solid foundation and cultivate their potential within the North Sea Empire. Naturally, everyone coveted them.
However, these techniques could only be practiced by those who had received special permission from White Cloud City. Anyone caught practicing them without authorization would be hunted down by the city's enforcers to prevent the leakage of their secret arts. Thus, no one dared to learn them illicitly. Winning them in this competition was the only legitimate way for an outsider to gain access to such power.
Then there was the White Cloud Sword. It was forged in the Sword Casting Pavilion, one of the three most famous smithies in the North Sea Empire, using Mystic Heaven Sword Steel. It was currently ranked second among the standard-issue swords used in the empire, even surpassing the Heavenly Creation Sword crafted by the famous Master Beom. The White Cloud Sword was only distributed within White Cloud City and was never sold or exported. Like their secret techniques, only those with special permission could carry one.
The White Cloud Plaque was a specially crafted item that allowed the holder to call for help from any nearby White Cloud City disciple in times of danger.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to study at the holy land of swordsmanship, two secret techniques, a legendary sword, and a protective plaque... the prizes for this Sword-Testing Covenant were truly unprecedented. The youths were filled with anticipation, their desire for the rewards burning intensely.
Bukjin, however, remained remarkably detached as he listened to the descriptions. Superior techniques or legendary swords held little meaning for him. He possessed the ultimate cheat—his smartphone. He could simply download an app for any martial art and train it to perfection. His future was already paved with endless opportunities.
But the girl sitting next to him, Baek Geum-un, felt differently. Her face was flushed with excitement, and she clenched her fists tightly. She seemed to be steeling her resolve, her eyes screaming that she would seize those prizes at any cost. Her reaction was only natural; for every young swordsman in the North Sea Empire—excluding transdimensional anomalies like Bukjin—White Cloud City was the ultimate pilgrimage site.
A moment later, the competition officially began.
Guards from the city administration stepped forward and set up twenty square stone tables in the open space in front of the banquet seats. Following them, twenty veteran swordsmen who had been invited as guests rose and approached the tables. Each of them placed a sword upon the table before them. The number of swords each veteran provided varied. Among them was Cho Heun, the Grade Dean from the 3rd Academy.
Wait a minute. Something’s weird. This Sword-Testing Covenant seems like a very prestigious and exclusive event... None of the teachers from the National Imperial Junior Academy were invited, so how did a Grade Dean from a third-rate academy like Cho Heun get an invitation?
Bukjin fell into deep thought as he noticed the anomaly.
"Every true swordsman must possess the sword that suits them best. But what defines the perfect sword? Everyone has a different answer. A sword is not a mere tool; it is a companion to the swordsman. Therefore, the first round of this competition is very simple. We will test your intuition and your eye for quality."
Yeo Nak-yeon, the administrative official in charge, stepped forward to explain the rules of the first round.
"Young swordsmen who have received an invitation, before you on these tables are longswords carefully selected by your seniors. Now, step forward and choose the one sword you believe is most suitable for you. You must make your choice before this single stick of incense burns out."
1. Observe the swords provided by the twenty veterans.
2. Select the single sword that best suits your nature.
3. Observation is by sight only; touching the swords is forbidden until a choice is made.
4. The trial ends when the incense stick is extinguished.
About a dozen boys and girls rose from their seats and approached the tables. Baek Geum-un practically leaped out of her seat, hopping toward the tables like an excited rabbit. She paused to look back at Bukjin.
"What are you just standing there for? Hurry up and go pick a sword!"
Bukjin slowly stood up, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, and began to move. As he walked forward, he scanned the other young swordsmen. A total of twenty invitations had been issued. By logic, there should have been twenty participants. However, there were twenty-one youths standing before the tables. Among them was Jo Pacheon.
Is this grand Sword-Testing Covenant really this sloppy? They can't even get the headcount right?
In truth, on the day Jo Pacheon had visited the 3rd Academy with the invitations, his target had been Bukjin. He knew Bukjin was Jeong Sam-seok’s prized disciple and the one who had been granted the Sword of Virtue. Jo Pacheon had intended to flaunt his influence and humiliate Bukjin, but through a stroke of luck, Baek Geum-un had managed to snatch an invitation first. This forced Jo Pacheon to pull out a second invitation to give to Bukjin.
His original plan was to make it impossible for Bukjin to earn an invitation, humiliate him, and then toss one at his feet like he was offering scraps to a dog. He never imagined Bukjin would use such a bizarre method—one even Jo Pacheon couldn't decipher—to secure the invitation. Jo Pacheon had been forced to retreat with a heavy heart and a bruised ego. None of the other students, including Bukjin, knew the full details of that scheme.
The square tables were laid out. Some held only a single sword, while others were cluttered with several. The swords varied wildly in shape, scabbard design, blade length, hilt style, and color. There were heavy Greatswords that required two hands, and nimble Single-handed Swords. There were also Soft Swords, Rapiers, and Daggers.
The youths circled the tables, examining the weapons with intense focus. The most important rule was that they could only observe with their eyes. They weren't allowed to touch or lift the swords. The moment someone picked up a sword, it was considered their final choice. Furthermore, only those who had presented a valid invitation were allowed to participate.
Bukjin gave the tables a casual glance. As he did, he spotted the group of boys who had been with Jo Pacheon at the pavilion earlier. Among them, only Dongbang-jeon had the right to choose a sword. The others, like Hahu-chung and Hahu-ang, could only watch with envious eyes, unable to participate in the selection.