Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 76

076. Three Days Are Enough

“Haa!”

Kiiiik.

The clash of swords and blades created a grating screech that spread around the arena.

Yet, no one frowned or covered their ears.

“Taha!”

Clang.

Swords and blades separated again, the two figures on the arena once more aiming their weapons at each other.

“This duel seems to be unfolding favorably for the young man from the Black Blade Society.”

Yunhyun nodded at the Vice Lord’s words.

“Yes, but there’s still plenty of room for a reversal. More than anything, his opponent is also desperate, and it’s hard to say the momentum has completely shifted.”

Yunhyun replied, watching the two young men on the arena.

However, the young man Yunhyun thought still had a chance was already wearing a deeply distorted expression.

‘Damn, is he giving up already? There’s still plenty of potential…’

Yunhyun clicked his tongue inwardly.

He had often seen this kind of situation in the duels of new Gold Unit recruits.

The difference between them, in Yunhyun’s eyes, was only a small thing.

Yet, they were giving up far too easily in front of that small wall.

Of course, walls are despairing for anyone, but Yunhyun was not satisfied with those who gave up easily in front of them, nor with those who became arrogant after overcoming that small difference.

‘Hmm.’

Yunhyun really wanted to say something to that young man whose sword tip was already wavering.

It was only a few days ago that he thought he didn’t care about things like the Dragon Phoenix Gathering [a martial arts tournament], but Yunhyun was already completely absorbed in the duel.

“Who stands out the most to you, Scholar?”

The Vice Lord’s voice reached Yunhyun’s ears as he was intently watching the duel.

Yunhyun gave a slightly embarrassed smile and turned to the Vice Lord.

“How can I say such a thing?”

The Vice Lord smiled.

“That’s excessive modesty. I already know that your insight is exceptional.”

There was no way she wouldn’t know.

It was because Binghon was still casting a suspicious gaze at Yunhyun.

Wondering if he was someone hiding his martial arts with intention.

The Vice Lord thought Binghon’s worries were excessive, but she certainly knew that Yunhyun’s insight was exceptional.

At the Vice Lord’s words, Yunhyun scratched his head slightly.

“Well, in my opinion…”

Yunhyun turned his gaze towards the younger generation of each sect surrounding the arena.

“The young men from the Wudang and Mount Hua sects, and the Zhuge Family, seem to have outstanding achievements.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Yunhyun nodded without hesitation.

As the saying goes, a talented person stands out no matter where they are.

Yunhyun could clearly tell that much just from their gait, their eyes, and what he had seen in the duels on the first day.

“And the young ladies from the Namgung and Moyeong families also seem to have good skills.”

The reason he coughed was to avoid revealing his liking for Moyeong Mi.

It was then.

Moyeong Mi turned to where Yunhyun was, even though she couldn’t have heard Yunhyun’s voice.

Swish.

As their eyes met, Moyeong Mi smiled and gave a nod.

Yunhyun reflexively bowed in return, but he felt embarrassed for some reason and quickly turned his gaze elsewhere.

“And…”

Yunhyun’s gaze, which had been scanning the younger generation of each sect, fixed on one person.

“That young man also shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

The Vice Lord’s eyes sparkled as she followed Yunhyun’s gaze.

“Didn’t he lose in the duels on the first day?”

Yunhyun nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. But those who set their minds are different yesterday and today. As the old saying goes, if a scholar sets his mind, he should be looked at again after three days with a fresh perspective.”

A proud smile even appeared on Yunhyun’s face as he spoke.

The Vice Lord once again turned her gaze to that young man, Pajinhan.

Indeed, Pajinhan’s eyes were vividly alive, just as Yunhyun had said. But that wasn’t much different on the first day either.

Although a shadow had been cast after defeat and ridicule.

“Ah, of course, if we’re talking about the most noticeable people…”

Yunhyun suddenly continued.

The Vice Lord realized that Yunhyun was looking at Binghon and Bingseol.

Binghon, as if aware of Yunhyun’s gaze, glared sharply at Yunhyun.

Yunhyun shrugged and smiled at the Vice Lord.

“Roughly, that’s about it.”

“It’s an honor that you think so highly of Binghon.”

The Vice Lord said with a smile.

“Somehow, you seem very different from the others, Scholar.”

Her words were sincere.

Here, her group was an outsider to the end.

There were many gazes of curiosity or hostility, but there was no fair evaluation.

“Yes? What do you mean…”

“Ooh!”

As he was about to ask what she meant, a low exclamation erupted from the surroundings.

Yunhyun quickly turned his gaze to the arena.

“Kuh-uk.”

One person had his neck offered to his opponent’s blade, while the other wore a triumphant smile.

The victor was the young man from the Black Blade Society, who had been gaining the upper hand. In the end, no reversal had occurred.

Clap, clap, clap.

As always, applause came from only some of the surrounding people.

The two who had decided the victory or defeat left the arena, and another young man stepped up in order.

“Hoo.”

The Vice Lord looked at the young man who had stepped onto the arena and said to Yunhyun.

“It’s the turn of that young man you mentioned, Scholar.”

Yunhyun nodded.

The young man standing on the arena was none other than Pajinhan of the South Sea Sword Sect.

And another young man rose from his seat.

‘That person is…’

Yunhyun remembered the young man who would be Pajinhan’s opponent.

Unlike most of the participants who were tense, he was sitting in his seat, wearing a relaxed smile and chatting.

He was Zhuge Ryong, who had called Pajinhan’s technique a ‘new form of Thunderous Dragon Strike’ on the first day.

“Is this what you call a coincidence? Or should we call it cunning?”

The Vice Lord said with a sneer.

She was certain that this was no coincidence.

There is a plan in everything. Especially in important matters.

The Vice Lord was convinced that the influence of the Zhuge Family had permeated this ‘plan.’

The Zhuge Family’s blatant and clear influence to suppress the South Sea Sword Sect.

“…Perhaps it’s fate.”

Yunhyun muttered, looking at the arena.

‘Fate?’

While the Vice Lord was puzzled by Yunhyun’s somewhat sudden words, the two young men on the arena were bowing to each other.

“I am Pajinhan of the South Sea Sword Sect. I look forward to the Gongja’s [a respectful title for a young master] sword.”

Pajinhan bowed politely first.

“I am Zhuge Ryong of the Zhuge Family. Perhaps I may not live up to that expectation.”

The Zhuge Family’s Gongja, Zhuge Ryong, continued with a bright smile.

“Because I can’t think of a technique comparable to your Thunderous Dragon Strike.”

Laughter leaked out from among the people.

Pajinhan frowned slightly.

And said quietly.

“I pray that the Zhuge Family’s sword is as sharp as your tongue.”

This time, Zhuge Ryong’s eyes twitched.

The Zhuge Family was well known for its mysterious formations and strategies.

However, their pride in their family’s swordsmanship was also great.

They had even believed that they were no less than the Namgung Family, which was recognized as a sword family.

However, the world’s evaluation was different.

‘The Zhuge Family became one of the Four Great Families of the Murim [martial arts world] world during the Righteous-Demonic War with only their glib tongues.’

That was the most humiliating thing for the Zhuge Family.

Swish.

Zhuge Ryong slowly drew his sword.

“Then I should hope that you are at least as wise as a donkey. If you want to avoid my sword.”

The sharp blade gleamed in the sunlight. Pajinhan also drew his sword.

“We’ll see soon enough.”

In Pajinhan’s eyes, there was no anger, no humiliation, not even a tremor.

All that was there was a quiet yet firm hostility towards the opponent.

The two men’s gazes, as sharp as blades, began to intertwine in the air.

Yunhyun clenched his fist without realizing it.

***

Sharp metallic sounds erupted from the arena in succession.

Clang, cla-clang, clang.

Zhuge Ryong’s sword attacked Pajinhan relentlessly and sharply.

However, Pajinhan was calmly receiving the attacks like flowing water.

It was a completely different aspect from the hasty quick sword he had shown before.

Swoosh, clang.

Zhuge Ryong’s sword, imbued with internal energy, struck Pajinhan.

However, Pajinhan was not to be trifled with either.

Kaga-gak.

Zhuge Ryong failed to achieve his goal. His sword was blocked by Pajinhan’s sword.

Tap.

Instead of competing with each other’s internal energy, Zhuge Ryong immediately retreated.

Thanks to this, the continuous back-and-forth exchanges were met with a moment of silence.

“How is it?”

Zhuge Ryong said with a relaxed expression, turning one hand behind his back.

“Does it seem like there’s been some progress in the secret training I’ve been doing?”

It was a mockery of Pajinhan, who had not shown his face at the banquet.

Zhuge Ryong’s unwavering breathing showed that his confidence was not a bluff.

However, Pajinhan was not swayed by those words.

“Pathetic.”

Pajinhan said.

“Can’t you stand it unless you insult your opponent like that? Are you that insecure?”

Zhuge Ryong’s eyebrows twitched.

“Hmph, a dog that lost the fight still knows how to bark. But the result anyway.”

Tap.

Zhuge Ryong’s foot kicked off the ground, and a sharp blade rushed towards Pajinhan.

“Doesn’t change!”

Kaaang.

Pajinhan and Zhuge Ryong’s swords began to clash again.

“Interesting.”

The Vice Lord, who was watching the duel, said quietly.

Yunhyun nodded and said.

“Yes. It seems one-sided, but both of them are not losing their rhythm. It’s still hard to say who will win easily.”

Inwardly, Yunhyun was impressed.

Indeed, the Zhuge Family’s sword was great. Enough to understand why Zhuge Ryong was so arrogant.

The Vice Lord nodded and said quietly.

“But I’m more impressed with the young man from the South Sea Sword Sect. On the first day, he quickly lost his rhythm when he was pushed into a corner.”

The beautiful Vice Lord looked at Yunhyun and smiled.

“Your words that a person who has set his mind should be looked at again were not wrong, Scholar.”

Yunhyun avoided her gaze with an embarrassed expression.

In fact, almost no one expected the duel between Pajinhan and Zhuge Ryong to last this long.

Because Zhuge Ryong was somewhat arrogant, but his skills were better than other members of the younger generation.

But the duel did not end easily.

People were unknowingly drawn into the duel between the two.

“But.”

The Vice Lord suddenly said with a puzzled expression.

“Somehow, the South Sea Sword Sect’s sword seems to have become heavier.”

Yunhyun flinched at her remark.

“Ahem.”