The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 25

Swordmaster Wants to Live in Peace – Episode 25

Swordmaster Wants to Live in Peace 25

The Dragon Born at Night (2)

In the heart of Sehyun City, the Korean Swordsmanship Association’s headquarters, a building that commanded respect, resonated with the vigorous shouts of trainees.

Baek Woo-hyun, leading the way, announced, “The dojang [training hall] occupies the 1st to 5th floors. Only members of the Korean Swordsmanship Association guild can access the 6th to 10th floors. I’m here today to guide the trainees.”

“This building is disgustingly huge.”

“We have to teach hundreds of trainees at once. Plus, there are many independent trainees.”

Upon entering, Baek Woo-hyun removed his hat, sunglasses, and mask.

Young trainees, recognizing him, bowed respectfully.

“Instructor, hello.”

“Yes, hello. How are you all doing?”

“Great! We’re working hard!”

“Good job. See you later.”

“Yes! See you later!”

The trainees, beaming, headed inside.

Looking around, Yoo Seong-woo noticed a large number of young trainees on the first floor.

“The training curriculum changes on each floor. The 1st floor focuses on physical strength and basics, the 2nd on basic stances, and the 3rd floor and above are for advanced techniques,” Baek Woo-hyun explained.

“I see. It’s similar to a place I know.”

“Did you attend any dojangs?”

“Well, nothing this grand. There’s a Sword Tower.”
A tower dedicated to swordsmanship, the Sword Tower.

Also known as the Hell of Swords, the Tomb of Swords.

He didn’t particularly want to revisit those memories, so he waved his hand dismissively and asked for a tour of the interior.

Nox, still clinging to Yoo Seong-woo’s pants, watched the students training on the first floor with keen interest.

“Can humans overcome their racial limitations through training?” he asked.

“…That’s difficult. Human limitations are pretty clear. Training alone isn’t enough to overcome them.”

“Then how did you, Mister?”

“I fought like a madman. I didn’t just train; I crossed the line between life and death countless times, killing enemies.”

That’s how I became this strong, almost without realizing it.

Yoo Seong-woo finished speaking and followed Baek Woo-hyun.

Nox couldn’t begin to imagine the bloody path he had walked.

The three of them took the elevator to the upper floors.

They headed to the 5th floor, where the most advanced trainees practiced.

A smaller group than on the 1st floor, they wore uniforms and concentrated intently on their training.

“Swing harder!”

“Hah!!”

“Hah!!!”

The shouts were powerful.

Baek Woo-hyun gestured for Yoo Seong-woo and Nox to be quiet, then quietly removed his shoes and entered the dojang.

Yoo Seong-woo and Nox followed suit.

“That area is the spectator seating. I’ll change clothes quickly, so please look around. I’ll explain everything in detail when I get back.”

“Alright.”

“Yes.”

At Baek Woo-hyun’s words, they sat in chairs at the back of the dojang, observing the trainees wielding swords under the instructor’s guidance.

It seemed like a warm-up, as everyone repeated the same movements.

Soon, Baek Woo-hyun returned from the locker room, wearing the same uniform as the trainees.

“From now on, I’ll directly teach Korean swordsmanship. The trainees on the 5th floor have several years of training. Please excuse any shortcomings.”

“…Is that really necessary?”

“So, from your perspective, everyone looks clumsy? Including me?”

“That’s not wrong. Of course, they’re training because they’re lacking. Go do your thing. I’ll watch.”

“Yes.”

Baek Woo-hyun walked to the front of the trainees, drawing their attention.

A Diver [a person with supernatural abilities] admired by all young people.

About Yoo Ji-woo’s age, with the ability and skill of an S-class Diver.

Everyone acknowledged his skill, hence the nickname ‘Omnidirectional Vagabond’.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t ask what Ji-woo is called.’

He made a mental note to ask later, then watched Baek Woo-hyun instruct the trainees.

The trainees were highly motivated, receiving direct instruction from Baek Woo-hyun.

The shouts were filled with strength, and as 5th-floor trainees, their movements were precise.

“Hello. Are you here to observe? Or to register?”

While he watched the trainees wielding their swords with precision, a woman in a uniform approached.

A black belt encircled her waist.

She was an instructor, like Baek Woo-hyun.

Yoo Seong-woo nodded slightly.

“I’m observing. Woo-hyun told me to come and watch.”

“You’re a friend of Head Instructor Baek Woo-hyun! He doesn’t talk about himself, so I didn’t know he had friends.”

Was she implying he had no friends?

The instructor greeted Nox lightly and continued, “What do you think of what you’ve seen? The Korean swordsmanship taught by the Korean Swordsmanship Association is among the best in the world.”

“I heard it’s been restored and reinterpreted.”

“Yes. The Korean Swordsmanship Association not only restored Korean swordsmanship but also reinterpreted it in a more practical way, compressing the 33 forms into 21. It’s so excellent that people come from foreign countries to learn it.”

Looking closely, he noticed foreigners among the trainees.

That’s how highly regarded Korean swordsmanship is in Korea today.

It has greatly elevated the status of martial arts Divers and strengthened their fundamentals.

“…Hmm, is it really that great?”

Yoo Seong-woo’s eyes remained unconvinced.

Regardless of the trainees’ proficiency, he didn’t believe the forms and sword paths of Korean swordsmanship were particularly advanced.

“Of course, it’s great! Few swordsmanships can compare. We often compete with other countries, and Korean swordsmanship is always a top contender.”

“You have great pride. But in my opinion, it doesn’t seem that impressive.”

Moreover, Yoo Seong-woo felt something important was missing from Korean swordsmanship.

The flow connecting forms to forms.

The abrupt movements when creating space with limited sword paths.

There was a clear limit to the current Korean swordsmanship.

“Oh, you know something about swords? More than me, a Korean swordsmanship instructor? Even if you’re a friend of the Head Instructor, I can’t ignore this insult to Korean swordsmanship.”

“I know swords very well… I’ve never lost with a sword.”

That wasn’t entirely untrue.

He might have lost a few sparring matches when he first started, but he had never lost in a real fight.

The instructor frowned at Yoo Seong-woo’s provocative words, then pressed her fingers to her forehead.

“If you insist, I have to test your skills. Would you like to spar with me?”

“Oh, that sounds good.”

Yoo Seong-woo smirked and stood up.

The Head Instructor, who had been instructing at the front, noticed the scene. Baek Woo-hyun hurried over and stood in front of Yoo Seong-woo.

“What’s going on, Seong-woo?”

“She wants to spar with me. I agreed.”

“Sparring?”

“Yes. Sparring.”

“No, Head Instructor, step aside. This person insulted Korean swordsmanship!”

“Instructor Baek Oh-yeon, it’s okay to be ignored sometimes.”

“What are you talking about?! How can I not be angry when Korean swordsmanship is insulted?”

Yoo Seong-woo gestured for Baek Woo-hyun to move.

Baek Woo-hyun hesitated, then stepped aside.

“I understand. I’ll judge the sparring. Let’s go to the 4th floor; there are no classes there right now.”

“Good! I’ll show you how excellent Korean swordsmanship is.”

“That sounds fun.”

Yoo Seong-woo motioned for Nox to follow.

Baek Woo-hyun instructed the trainees to practice independently and led the three to the 4th floor.

The dojang was empty, as he’d said.

“I’ll make you regret insulting Korean swordsmanship.”

Baek Woo-hyun closed his eyes tightly at Baek Oh-yeon’s words.

He knew she was proud of Korean swordsmanship, but he hadn’t expected her to cause trouble.

Baek Oh-yeon was Baek Woo-hyun’s cousin. A cute younger sister full of pride in Korean swordsmanship and herself.

Currently a B-class Diver, she aspired to become an S-class someday.

However, Baek Woo-hyun believed she had chosen the wrong opponent.

‘…Well, she needs a good smackdown to learn when to back down.’

Confidence is good, but too much is as bad as too little.

Especially for a Diver, where your life is always on the line.

Baek Woo-hyun hoped this sparring match would be a valuable lesson for Baek Oh-yeon.

“These are wooden swords for sparring.”

Baek Woo-hyun handed wooden swords to Yoo Seong-woo and Baek Oh-yeon, positioning them about two meters apart.

“The sparring continues until one side admits defeat or drops their sword. Injury is unlikely, but avoid direct hits.”

“Yes, Head Instructor.”

“Alright.”

“Then, begin.”

At Baek Woo-hyun’s command, Baek Oh-yeon drew her sword and held it at her chest.

It was a basic Korean swordsmanship stance, ‘Jigeomdaejeokse (持劍對賊勢) – Stance of Holding a Sword Against the Enemy’.

“I’ll give you the first move.”

“Then I’m grateful.”

After observing Baek Oh-yeon’s stance, Yoo Seong-woo stepped forward and slowly swung his sword.

He didn’t adopt any particular stance, nor did he imbue the strike with any force.

Thud. Yoo Seong-woo’s wooden sword made contact with Baek Oh-yeon’s raised sword.

Baek Oh-yeon, who had been building up tension, couldn’t react to the unexpected attack.

“Huh?”

“What are you doing? I made the first move. Aren’t you going to attack?”

“Are you kidding me right now?!”

Baek Oh-yeon frowned and tried to push away Yoo Seong-woo’s sword, which remained in contact with hers.

But.

“Eek-!!”

She couldn’t budge it.

Yoo Seong-woo’s sword remained stuck and unmoving.

It felt like pushing a mountain with a sword; an immense force was being suppressed.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

Yoo Seong-woo watched Baek Oh-yeon’s reaction, then released his sword and stepped back.

‘…It’s the difference in strength. I’ll use speed and technique.’

Baek Oh-yeon changed her stance.

She lowered her center of gravity slightly and extended both arms forward.

‘Menghoeunrimse (猛虎隱林勢) – Stance of a Fierce Tiger Hiding in the Forest’, mimicking a tiger preparing to pounce.

A forward movement leading to an attack.

Baek Oh-yeon quickly advanced and unleashed ‘Gyeokjajibeop (擊刺之法) – Method of Striking and Thrusting – Jinjeonsaljeokse (進前殺賊勢) – Stance of Advancing and Killing the Enemy’, striking down from above.

Yoo Seong-woo dodged her sword by a hair’s breadth and easily parried the continuous thrusts, ‘Jwahyupsuduse (左挾獸頭勢) – Stance of挟獸頭勢 – Left Flank Beast Head Stance’ and ‘Yongyagiljase (勇躍一刺勢) – Stance of Leaping and Thrusting Once’, by striking the tip of her sword.

‘Why, why?!’

Her Korean swordsmanship was flawless.

As a qualified instructor, her attack was textbook perfect, without any wasted movements.

“Eek!”

“You said Korean swordsmanship is the best, but is this all you can do?”

“It’s not over yet!”

Yoo Seong-woo continued to provoke her, baiting her attacks.

She unleashed her sword continuously at maximum speed.

Hyangjeonsaljeokse (向前殺賊勢) – Stance of Killing the Enemy Forward.

Huilgyeokse (後一擊勢) – Stance of Striking Once Later.

Anjase (雁字勢) – Wild Goose Formation Stance.

Jikbuseongseose (直符送書勢) – Talisman Messenger Stance.

She poured out Korean swordsmanship, venting her anger.

A fierce assault with the sound of the wooden sword cutting through the air.

However, Yoo Seong-woo deflected her sword slightly or simply avoided it by taking a few steps.

Always just barely out of reach.

Baek Oh-yeon, her anger reaching its peak, drew her sword back, lifted one foot, and glared.

Korean Swordsmanship – OUI (本國劍法-奧義) – Secret Technique.

Geumgyedongnipse (金鷄獨立勢) – Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg Stance.

Mengtugyejo (猛鬪鷄爪) – Fierce Fighting Chicken Claw.

“Wait, Baek Oh-yeon!”

Baek Oh-yeon didn’t even hear Baek Woo-hyun’s warning.

She finally unleashed the secret technique of Korean swordsmanship, a fierce slash.

It was a wooden sword, but she was a B-class Diver.

The power contained in the sword was immense.

Energy rippled through the wooden sword, splitting into three strands.

And at that moment, Yoo Seong-woo moved.