Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 6

A fierce battle unfolded between the two, a dance of sword light and saber shadows. They moved with a chilling grace, leaping and dodging, as if performing a sword dance.

Their swords and sabers clashed repeatedly, making it difficult to determine who held the upper hand. Han Li couldn’t tell who was superior, but he found their movements to be incredibly intense and beautiful. As someone unfamiliar with martial arts, he had no way of knowing who was truly better.

“Junior Brother Han, I don’t know which Martial Uncle [a senior male disciple in the sect] you train under, but since you’ve just come out of closed-door training, your cultivation must have greatly improved, right?”

Bbasak, unable to hold back any longer, politely inquired about his master. Generally, all inner disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect would complete two years of basic training at the Hundred Refinements Hall. Then, they would take a senior figure as their master to train in a higher level of martial arts. Only after this period would they be assigned specific duties within the sect.

This was the typical path for a disciple. However, if someone displayed exceptional talent during the entrance exam, they could skip the two years of basic training and directly enter the Seven Absolutes Hall, becoming an inner disciple of the sect leaders and learning the sect’s secret techniques. It was like a carp leaping from a stream to become a dragon [a metaphor for achieving great success].

Also, disciples who showed outstanding performance during their basic training could be noticed by elders, hall masters, or honored guests of the sect and be accepted as direct disciples. Even if they were not as prestigious as the sect leader’s inner disciples, their future was bright. They were often given important positions within the sect.

Upon hearing that Han Li had just emerged from closed-door training, Bbasak naturally assumed that he was a disciple of a relatively high-ranking figure within the sect. That’s why he asked so politely, hoping to build a connection in advance.

“I was noticed by an Honored Guest a few years ago and became his disciple. I don’t think it’s appropriate to mention which elder it is specifically,” Han Li said, pretending to be humble, having read Bbasak’s thoughts.

“I see. Senior Brother Han, you are truly fortunate. You will surely rise to a high position within the sect and have a promising future. If the opportunity arises, please guide this unworthy junior brother as well.”

Bbasak didn’t mind that Han Li didn’t want to reveal his master’s name. After all, no matter which Honored Guest it was, they wouldn’t be stronger than his own master.

“Senior Brother Han was like a pearl hidden in the mud. It goes without saying that your path to success will be as smooth as riding the wind and clouds,” Bbasak said, outwardly praising Han Li while inwardly muttering,

‘This guy looks so dull and stupid at first glance, how did he become a disciple of an Honored Guest? Even someone as clever as me couldn’t catch the eye of a big shot!’

Han Li chuckled inwardly as he heard Bbasak’s tone change and suddenly address him as ‘Senior Brother Han.’ However, he didn’t feel any disdain for him. It was human nature to flatter those in power. Who wouldn’t want a better life and a higher position? Just from his nickname, Bbasak, it was clear that he was someone who was quick to calculate gains and losses and only sought things that benefited him. But this time, he had clearly miscalculated. Although what he said wasn’t a lie, his status as a disciple of an Honored Guest was just an empty title. It was a big mistake to see him as a great tree to rely on.

Han Li smiled wryly inside, pretending to be ignorant as he listened to Bbasak’s flattery, and reluctantly responded to his words.

“With Senior Brother’s high level of martial arts, you could easily defeat that sword-wielding fellow in a duel. Absolutely.”

He continued to spout flattering words while observing Han Li’s every little movement with his eyes.

‘Huh? That’s really strange. If he’s a disciple of an Honored Guest, his inner strength should be incredibly deep and powerful, but why can’t I sense that from him?’

Han Li looked just ordinary. The more he observed Han Li, the more frustrated he became.

“The match is over,” Han Li said, pulling Bbasak out of his thoughts. Startled, he quickly turned his gaze back to the duel. The one wielding the saber had dropped his weapon and was tightly pressing his arm to stop the bleeding. His face was flushed, and he didn’t seem completely convinced of his defeat. This was because the two were evenly matched in martial arts, but he had been momentarily careless and fell into his opponent’s trap, losing by a hair’s breadth.

Bbasak looked regretful and kept saying how unfortunate it was.

“What’s so unfortunate?” Han Li couldn’t understand what was going on and couldn’t help but ask.

“If An Ddong’s side had won this match, they would have won three times, and there would be no need for another match. It’s a pity they didn’t win.”

“Ah!”

“But it’s okay. There’s only one match left, and the person coming out from An Ddong’s side is the strongest among them. They say his ‘Rushing Thunder Saber Technique’ is so powerful that it can break rocks and cut through iron. Haha! Just being able to see that senior brother use his saber technique makes this trip worthwhile. No matter who comes out from Jang Jeong-Gwi’s side, we’ve already won.”

Bbasak was regretful at first, but by the end of his words, he was filled with excitement. It seemed he had great faith in that Senior Brother Ryeo.

“It’s already the last one?” Han Li asked, surprised that the duel was already at its end.

‘Who is this Senior Brother Ryeo? Is he someone I know?’

“Senior Brother Ryeo! Senior Brother Ryeo! Senior Brother Ryeo! …”

As a young boy from An Ddong’s side stepped forward, the arena was filled with excitement, and everyone began to call out his name as if they had agreed to do so.

The sound echoed throughout the cliff. At this moment, it was as if they had forgotten about the class distinctions, and everyone became one, pouring out cheers of support for him.

“This Senior Brother Ryeo seems to be very famous. What’s his background?”

“You don’t know Senior Brother Ryeo?”

“I’ve been in closed-door training for several years.”

“Ah, that’s right. I have a good memory, but I didn’t think there would be anyone in the sect who didn’t know Senior Brother Ryeo. I forgot for a moment that you just came out of closed-door training.”

Bbasak finally came to his senses and said,

“Can you tell me about Senior Brother Ryeo?”

“Senior Brother Han! Of course. All of us young disciples know about Senior Brother Ryeo’s journey.”

Bbasak, seeing that no one from Jang Jeong-Gwi’s side had appeared yet, immediately began to tell Han Li about the various legends surrounding this famous figure.

“It’s not that this Bbasak is exaggerating, but when it comes to Senior Brother Ryeo, not only young disciples but also many senior brothers with higher ranks are interested. Initially…”

He began his story with enthusiasm, explaining with such vigor that it was as if he were the protagonist of the story. The story he told about Senior Brother Ryeo was truly colorful.

Senior Brother Ryeo had also come to the main sect four years ago, but he failed the exam and became a nominal disciple of the same rank as Han Li. However, half a year later, he not only achieved first place in all the exams but also lasted over 30 seconds in the final duel. This was an unprecedented achievement within the sect and attracted the attention of high-ranking figures.

However, the sect’s diagnosis revealed that his bone structure was ordinary, and his potential seemed limited, so the path to becoming a high-ranking disciple was shattered.

After completing his basic training, he entered the tutelage of an ordinary protector and learned only a few common martial arts.

The ‘Wind and Thunder Saber Technique’ was one of them, merely an intermediate martial art of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

But if he had stopped there, his story would not have been talked about. It would have been nothing more than a flash in the pan.

However, not long after, he relied on this ‘Wind and Thunder Saber Technique’ to achieve brilliant results in the martial arts competition held the following year.

He made it into the top 16 in one go, the only newly entered disciple to be at the forefront.

He continued to achieve good results in various competitions, and his actions greatly boosted the morale of the newly entered disciples.

Also, last year, he won third place in the martial arts competition. The disciples who took first and second place had been training for over a decade and were now in their late twenties, with much deeper cultivation.

Therefore, among the disciples, the prevailing opinion was that if Senior Brother Ryeo’s inner strength was similar to theirs, he would have easily taken first place.

In this way, Senior Brother Ryeo attracted the attention of the sect and was called upon to participate in important events of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

While other young disciples were struggling to focus on martial arts training, he was already representing the Seven Mysteries Sect, making contributions and gaining fame in the martial world.

It was said that he would soon enter the Seven Absolutes Hall to learn more advanced martial arts.

Upon hearing this, Han Li couldn’t help but be moved. If all the stories were true, this Senior Brother Ryeo was not someone to be trifled with.

To achieve such tremendous results with just the status of a nominal disciple, he couldn’t help but admire him.

After a long time of pushing each other, one of Jang Jeong-Gwi’s disciples reluctantly got up and walked out.

The boy who came out didn’t look weak either. He pulled out a shimmering soft sword from his waist.

This soft sword was about the thickness of a finger and very flexible, seeming to require no strength to wield.

It was clearly no ordinary weapon. Senior Brother Ryeo, sensing someone approaching, slowly opened his eyes.

A mysterious light shone from his eyes. He suddenly let out a tremendous roar, like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, making everyone’s ears ring.

The opponent in front of him trembled in surprise, and his face was filled with fear.

However, he immediately drew his long sword and swung it, creating a flash of sword light.

He unleashed a series of moves, creating an illusion that the sword’s shadow had multiplied into a dozen, weaving a dense net around his opponent with his sword.

The opponent seemed a bit flustered, but the soft sword’s movements were unpredictable. He blocked all of Senior Brother Ryeo’s attacks without a single gap.

“Who is that person?” Han Li couldn’t help but ask again.

“That’s Jo Ja-Ryung, a disciple of Elder Oh. He’s a tricky opponent. He uses the ‘Willow Swaying Sword Technique’ with his soft sword.”

“How does he compare to Senior Brother Ryeo?”

“Of course, he’s no match.”

Bbasak replied with pride.

“Haha. So Jo Ja-Ryung was the most skilled among them. Well, who among the younger disciples could match Senior Brother Ryeo? It would be the same no matter who they sent.”

Indeed, although Jo Ja-Ryung’s swordsmanship was not bad, it lacked momentum and was completely blocked by Senior Brother Ryeo’s sword.
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