The Hidden Killing Move
A hidden killing move? It was only after hearing Jo Pacheon’s words that the crowd finally recalled what Bukjin had claimed earlier.
‘That’s right! He did say that!’
Bukjin had previously boasted that he could perform swordsmanship not only with his right hand but with his left as well. In truth, it had been a blatant lie just so he could justify picking three different swords.
“He makes a fair point. I believe I mentioned it when Student Im Bukjin was selecting those three swords, didn’t I? I said that if he failed to prove he could use a left-handed sword style, his eligibility for the Sword Covenant would be revoked and he would be expelled from the government office,” Jin Ryeon-sin said with a solemn expression.
“Now, Student Bukjin. It is time to take responsibility for your words.”
A thick tension began to permeate the air. Anxiety flickered across the faces of Baek Geum-un and Cho Heun. Jo Pacheon, meanwhile, smirked inwardly, relishing the perfect opportunity he had engineered. He had intentionally kept quiet about this while Bukjin faced other opponents. By bringing it up now, in the middle of their duel, Bukjin would be forced to use an awkward, unpracticed left-handed style. It was a guaranteed victory.
Since Bukjin was the one who started the left-handed nonsense to begin with, Jo Pacheon figured the boy would have no one to blame but himself.
‘Hmph! That’s what you get for being so greedy for swords that you’d make such a ridiculous guarantee.’
“Im Bukjin. If you cannot use a left-handed sword, you will have to drop to your knees right here and admit defeat,” Jo Pacheon sneered. “To think you’d try to deceive everyone in such a sacred place just because you were greedy for two extra blades. You’ve exposed your lowly nature for all to see! Your father is already a traitor who committed a great sin against the Empire. And your master…”
Jo Pacheon paused, pointedly turning his gaze toward Jeong Sam-seok, who was seated nearby. He turned back to Bukjin with a venomous expression.
“A disciple is a reflection of his master. It’s only natural that you’d be this shameless, having learned under a master who is both disloyal and unjust.”
“Hah! You certainly have a lot to say for someone with such a big mouth,” Bukjin replied, his voice dripping with contempt.
“I thought betraying your own master was the lowest a person could go, but it seems I gave you too much credit. Dragging Master Jeong into this petty squabble? You’re lower than a beast. Even a dog wagging its tail knows its owner after spending enough time together. Just how much of a mutt are you to mock your former teacher in front of so many people without a shred of shame? You’re so disgusting it makes me want to vomit.”
The scathing criticism sent a wave of shame crashing through Jo Pacheon. His lip curled in a defensive snarl.
“Do you really think Jeong Noe is qualified to be my master? If he hadn’t wasted three years of my life by taking me as a disciple, I would already be a core disciple of White Cloud City!”
‘Jeong Noe? That name…’Bukjin tilted his head. ‘Wait, is Master Jeong Sam-seok’s real name Jeong Noe?’
When he mentally broke down the character for Noe that Jo Pacheon had used, it was indeed composed of three Seok characters. Three stones. Sam-seok.
“You ungrateful son of a bitch,” Bukjin said, looking down his nose at him. “If you want to see my left-handed sword so badly, just say so! If that’s what you want, I’ll be happy to show you!”
Bukjin raised his left hand and drew the Doran Sword from his waist.
“You seem to love wagers, don’t you? Let’s make a bet. If you win, I’ll take that Chamcheon Sword of yours. If I lose, you can pick any one of my three swords and do whatever you want with it. How about it?”
The crowd gasped. Sa Un-yeong looked up at Bukjin with a startled expression. Jo Pacheon’s eyes bulged with fury at the provocation.
Bukjin continued, relentless. “What’s the matter? You were acting so high and mighty a second ago. Are you losing your nerve now?”
Jo Pacheon let out a cold laugh. “If you lose, I’m taking all three of your swords.”
Bukjin shrugged as if it were of no consequence. “Fine.”
He then whispered under his breath, “Sinsin, are you ready?”
"Yes, Master. Left-hand sword mode has been configured. The transfer of experience points is also complete."
The voice of the AI, Sinsin, rang in his ear. Simultaneously, on his smartphone screen, the shadow figure atop the Jesujeon Sword Technique app—which looked exactly like Bukjin—switched its sword to its left hand.
Back when Bukjin had been putting on his performance about Quantum Wave Speed Reading, he had already finished scanning the Jesujeon Sword Technique and generated the app. If he had tried to learn the technique through his own natural talent alone, it would have taken him over a month just to grasp the basics. Everything happening now was the result of his meticulous preparation.
“Now, let’s continue.”
Bukjin raised his blade. He was using the Doran Sword. He began to swing it with his left hand, and suddenly, sword light flashed as the roar of a massive tide echoed in all directions. It sounded like a clap of thunder.
“W-what in the world…?”
“Is that…?”
“He’s even stronger?!”
The students’ eyes nearly popped out of their heads. To anyone watching, the Jesujeon Sword TechniqueBukjin was performing with his left hand was vastly more powerful than when he had used his right.
Clang—!
Bukjin and Jo Pacheon’s swords collided. Both were executing the first form of the Jesujeon Sword Technique. Their blades clashed repeatedly, but Bukjin’s momentum while using his left hand was as immovable as a great mountain. Jo Pacheon’s stance began to waver.
Jo Pacheon’s face paled. As he traded blows, he could feel it—the lethality of Bukjin’s left-handed style far exceeded his right-handed one. Until now, Jo Pacheon had been able to overwhelm Bukjin based on his superior Hyeongi cultivation. But now, Bukjin’s comprehension of the Jesujeon Sword Technique with his left hand far surpassed Jo Pacheon’s own understanding. He was being dominated.
‘Dammit! How is this possible?!’
Fury boiled within Jo Pacheon. He held a secret that no one else knew: he had actually received the manual for the Jesujeon Sword Technique a full day ago and had been practicing in secret. No one knew this except for him and his master, Baek Hae-geum. Not even Elder Hae, the overseer of this round, was aware. This was the source of his absolute confidence.
Because he had started training before anyone else, he couldn't accept that he was being pushed back by a "trash" like Bukjin, who had supposedly learned the technique in the time it took for a single incense stick to burn. It felt like proof that his talent was inferior to that of a notorious delinquent.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their swords continued to strike. The Doran Sword in Bukjin’s hand was like a reef splitting the waves, its solid momentum shattering Jo Pacheon’s forms as Bukjin unleashed a continuous assault. With every movement of Bukjin’s sword, a fierce wind howled, accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. The spectators felt as though they were standing on a massive cliff, looking out over a raging ocean.
Jo Pacheon’s attacks were dismantled time and time again.
‘Dammit! This 2-star Jesujeon Sword Technique isn’t enough to fully utilize my cultivation. And since his comprehension of the technique is higher than mine, I’m at a disadvantage! If this keeps up, I’m going to suffer a humiliating defeat in front of everyone!’
Panic began to set in. Suddenly, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
‘Pacheon, I will teach you one form to prepare for any eventuality. This is the Bright Moon Cold Water Strike, a hidden killing move I personally created based on the foundations of the Jesujeon Sword Technique. If you find yourself in a crisis tomorrow, use this. Your opponent will surely suffer heavy injuries, and Elder Hae will see you in a new light.’
Those were the words Baek Hae-geum had spoken to him the day before. Jo Pacheon’s victory today was supposed to be a foregone conclusion. He never expected Bukjin to be such a massive obstacle.
“Im Bukjin, I’m taking your head today!”
With those words, Jo Pacheon’s sword style shifted abruptly. He unleashed the twentieth and twenty-first forms in rapid succession. At the peak of the sequence, he gripped the Chamcheon Sword tightly with both hands. In an instant, a massive ripple of water erupted from the blade, followed by a blinding light.
It was the hidden killing move, Bright Moon Cold Water Strike.
A violent energy exploded throughout the dueling area. Spectators clutched their ears at the deafening sound of waves. The wind pressure was so intense it was difficult to keep their eyes open; it felt as though a literal tidal wave was crashing into their faces. The students scrambled backward in terror.
“W-what is that?!”
“Was there a move like that in the Jesujeon Sword Technique?”
“Could it be… a hidden killing move revealed only when the technique is mastered to the extreme?”
Even the veteran swordsmen were shouting in surprise. Elder Hae watched Jo Pacheon with a heavy, troubled expression. A look of perplexity crossed his face.
“No, this is…”
BOOM—!
Bukjin and Jo Pacheon’s swords collided with terrifying force. Bukjin activated the Rain in the Clouds movement technique, retreating nearly fifty feet. He stumbled, barely managing to steady himself. Half of his body felt numb, as if he had been struck by a giant iron mace.
“The battle is decided,” Jo Pacheon said, standing tall with a haughty sneer. “Im Bukjin, you have already lost.”
He was certain. He had poured everything into that hidden killing move. He assumed Bukjin’s body was paralyzed, his internal organs shaken, and his Hyeongi tangled—a recipe for severe internal injuries. He believed Bukjin had lost all capacity to fight. Though Bukjin didn't look heavily wounded on the outside, Jo Pacheon was sure the damage was done. His only regret was that he hadn't managed to take the boy's life.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Bukjin said, raising his hand.
“I’m just a little dizzy, you idiot.” Bukjin’s voice was clear and steady as he spoke each word with deliberate precision.
“You really think you’ve won just because you learned some freakish, mutated killing move from somewhere? Heh. Let me show you what the true killing move of the Jesujeon Sword Technique looks like.”
Whoosh—!
The Doran Sword began to move with blinding speed. A flash of sword light tore through the air.