Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 136

136. Those Who Are Bound

Kwang!

A massive explosion and a violent shockwave swept over the two men.

Whoosh!

The storm created by the clash of two swords made their hair fly wildly.

However, the eyes of the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor and Lightning Sword remained fixed on each other, unwavering.

Swish.

The two men stepped back to create distance.

Standing face to face, they exchanged sharp glances, swords in hand.

“Indeed.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor was the first to speak.

He looked at Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon and said in a low voice,

“A martial prowess worthy of the name Lightning Sword.”

“You flatter me.”

Namgung Jincheon said with a wry smile.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor shook his head lightly.

“Not at all. Meeting you today, I have finally seen the true sword of the Namgung family. If I had known you sooner…”

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor paused.

“We would not have met like this.”

Namgung Jincheon could tell that he was sincere.

And also, unlike himself, the opponent’s momentum remained unchanged from the beginning.

“Huhu.”

Namgung Jincheon chuckled softly.

The Demon Emperor’s tone was somewhat arrogant, but he was a man who deserved it.

None other than Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon himself acknowledged it.

Namgung Jincheon made up his mind.

“You said you are the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor?”

The Demon Emperor nodded.

Namgung Jincheon looked straight at the Demon Emperor and said,

“I will consider it an honor to have crossed swords with you today.”

Namgung Jincheon’s eyes slowly began to sharpen.

The anxiety that had been clouding his mind was already gone.

No, at this moment, everything was clear and precise.

The eyes of the Lightning Sword, looking at the Demon Emperor, were brighter than ever.

“I, too, shall consider it an honor.”

Woong.

As if responding to the Lightning Sword’s resolve, his sword cried out.

And the Lightning Sword’s sword energy changed.

Unlike before, it seemed to subside slowly, but it materialized with an intense presence like steel.

The Demon Emperor’s expression changed at the sight.

“Me as well.”

Woong.

The Demon Emperor’s sword also cried out softly.

And the same change appeared in the Demon Emperor’s sword.

“Indeed.”

The Demon Emperor said, looking straight at the Lightning Sword.

The two men said no more.

However, they could clearly see the intense flames flickering in each other’s eyes.

It was the instinct of a martial artist and the unavoidable fate of those who wielded swords.

Woo Woong.

The silence was long.

But the wait was momentary.

Swish.

The first to move was Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon.

His sword emitted a blue light as it lunged towards the Demon Emperor.

It was a tremendous momentum that seemed capable of splitting even Mount Tai [a sacred mountain in China, often used metaphorically for immense weight or difficulty].

On the other hand, the Demon Emperor’s sword moved slowly, as if wielding a heavy blunt weapon, a step behind.

The momentum was still enormous, but the Demon Emperor’s sword was clearly slower than the Lightning Sword.

‘I’ve won.’

It was not unreasonable for the Lightning Sword to think so for a moment.

Because he had no doubt that his sword would cut through the opponent first.

Whoo Woong.

And the Lightning Sword saw a sight he could not believe.

The Demon Emperor’s sword was clearly late.

And it was slow.

But it never stopped.

And before he knew it, the Demon Emperor’s slow sword was lunging in front of the Lightning Sword’s eyes.

On the other hand, the Lightning Sword’s own sword had not yet reached the opponent.

‘How!’

The Lightning Sword was shocked.

He couldn’t understand it, but he already knew the answer.

The Demon Emperor’s level was higher than his own.

Kwaang!

The explosion erupted.

The clash, which was too long for the Lightning Sword but only a moment for others, ended like that.

But people did not see the result.

Because the dust that followed covered the two men like a thick curtain.

“Ugh.”

“Kuk.”

Heeheehing.

The elite of the Namgung family groaned, and the horses were agitated by the aftermath of the clash.

The shock brought about by the two men’s clash shook even their internal energy [qi or chi, the vital life force in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts].

Even the representatives of the Martial Alliance, who were keeping their distance, bit their lips.

Such a confrontation was beyond even the representatives’ imagination.

While raising their hands to cover their faces because of the dust, the representatives did not turn their eyes away to see the result.

Whoooo.

As the wind blew and the dust cleared, the result of the clash appeared before everyone’s eyes.

“…How can this be.”

Someone muttered like a groan.

The result was clear.

The Demon Emperor and the Lightning Sword, who had passed each other, were still there.

However, compared to the Demon Emperor who was standing, the Lightning Sword was kneeling on one knee, barely holding on with his sword as a support.

‘The head of the Namgung family…’

Lee Seoyeon bit her lip.

‘…Lost.’

The Lightning Sword had lost.

No one could open their mouths in the face of that shocking result.

The elite of the Namgung family, the Great Yellow Sky, and even the bandits who were far away, were all immersed in heavy silence.

“Hehe.”

The kneeling Lightning Sword laughed helplessly.

He had lost.

But his mind was not confused.

There was no anger, no sadness, not even regret.

As a martial artist, the Lightning Sword was more than satisfied with this confrontation.

Sreung.

The sound of the Demon Emperor sheathing his sword was heard.

The Lightning Sword turned his head.

The Demon Emperor, who had put away his sword, walked towards the Lightning Sword.

Step, step.

The Demon Emperor stopped in front of the Lightning Sword.

Looking down at the Lightning Sword kneeling on one knee, the Demon Emperor said,

“It was a great sword.”

There was no mockery or arrogance in the Demon Emperor’s eyes.

“You as well.”

The Lightning Sword replied with a calm expression.

The Demon Emperor nodded, accepting the Lightning Sword’s praise.

“Close the gates for three years.”

It was the victor’s demand.

Since the head of the family had lost, closing the gates for three years was perhaps a natural consequence.

“After those three years.”

The Demon Emperor said, looking at the Lightning Sword.

“I look forward to meeting you again.”

“Hehehe.”

Instead of answering, the Lightning Sword laughed.

“There will be no next time.”

Ssk.

The Lightning Sword stood up.

His sword was still in his hand.

“My duel with you will end here.”

The Demon Emperor frowned.

“Our duel is not over yet.”

The Lightning Sword smiled.

As a martial artist, the Lightning Sword agreed with the Demon Emperor’s words.

No, he was truly happy to hear those words.

But not as the head of the family.

Ssk.

The Lightning Sword turned his body.

And he looked at the elite of the Namgung family looking at him, and Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok, the head of the Outer Hall and his younger brother, standing in front of them.

“Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok!”

Namgung Jincheon’s voice echoed through the valley.

Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok got off his horse without hesitation and knelt on one knee.

Kung.

His knees shook the ground, and he answered the head of the family’s call as if screaming.

“Namgung Byeok! I await the head of the family’s command!”

Namgung Byeok looked at Namgung Jincheon, the head of the family and his older brother, with his big eyes.

A determination to risk even death was flickering in his eyes.

“First! You must ensure that the Namgung family never forgets today’s humiliation.”

“I obey!”

Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok shouted without hesitation at the head of the family’s words.

Namgung Jincheon continued to speak.

“Second! From this moment on, let Namgung Jin succeed to the position of the head of the Outer Hall.”

“I obey!”

“Third! Do not attempt great things until you have built up your strength.”

“I obey!”

“From this moment on, the head of the Namgung family… is you.”

Namgung Byeok could not answer.

Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon smiled and looked at Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok.

“I am entrusting you with a great burden.”

Thick tears began to flow from Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung Byeok’s eyes.

Tears were falling from the eyes of the man who had never been seen crying, the man who had earned the title of Cheolgeom (Iron Sword).

At the sight of his younger brother, Namgung was heartbroken.

But at the same time, Lightning Sword felt relieved.

With this, his defeat became that of the ‘former head of the family.’

Namgung Jincheon’s reputation would fall to the ground, but the Namgung family would not bear that yoke.

There was also no reason to accept the humiliation of closing the gates for three years to save the head of the family’s life.

Now, it was time to fulfill his last duty as the ‘former head of the family.’

‘No, perhaps.’

Namgung Jincheon thought that perhaps this was the wish he had been hoping for.

This moment, when he could exist as a martial artist named Namgung Jincheon, not as the Lightning Sword.

Ssk.

“I am glad.”

Namgung Jincheon said, raising his sword.

Namgung Jincheon’s eyes were shining, but the Demon Emperor frowned.

“Do not do foolish things.”

The Demon Emperor had no intention of taking Namgung Jincheon’s life.

Even if the opponent wanted it, the Demon Emperor did not want it.

Namgung Jincheon also knew that.

Therefore, there was only one thing Namgung Jincheon could do.

“Haaaa!”

Shouting, Namgung Jincheon lunged at the Demon Emperor.

The Demon Emperor frowned and grabbed his sword.

With such a reckless attack, it would be too easy to incapacitate the opponent.

It was then.

Shuririk.

The Demon Emperor immediately turned his body and swung his sword at the eerie energy felt from behind.

Swish, Kaang.

The black arrow flying in the darkness was blocked by the Demon Emperor’s sword and bounced off.

But the arrows were not just one or two.

Shushshush.

The black arrows were lunging at Namgung Jincheon.

“What are you doing!”

The Demon Emperor shouted.

His gaze was directed towards the place where Moon King was, beyond the darkness.

The warriors who were with Moon King were shooting arrows at Namgung Jincheon.

The Demon Emperor clearly saw Moon King’s smiling face.

Swish, Kaang.

The Demon Emperor, who had knocked down the flying arrows, flew towards Moon King.

“Stop it…….”

Shururururu.

A disturbing sound like a snake passing by rang in his ears.

In the place where the Demon Emperor’s gaze was directed, he saw Bireon holding a small short bow.

And the arrow that should have been on her bow was already passing by the Demon Emperor’s side like flowing water.

The arrow aimed at the very moment the Demon Emperor flew.

It was Bireon’s ultimate skill, Flying Arrow.

Thud.

“Kuk.”

Namgung Jincheon groaned at the same time as the Demon Emperor turned his head.

Gritting his teeth, the Demon Emperor stopped his feet.

Bireon’s arrow had already pierced Namgung Jincheon’s heart.

“Huhu.”

An incomprehensible smile flowed from Namgung Jincheon’s mouth.

Looking at the Demon Emperor’s distorted expression looking at him, Namgung Jincheon said.

“So, you were not free either.”

Namgung Jincheon continued with a smile.

“It is truly ridiculous that someone as strong as you is not free, truly…, cough.”

Namgung Jincheon twitched and convulsed, spitting out a handful of blood.

The Demon Emperor closed his eyes with a mournful expression, opened them, and answered in a low voice.

“That is the same for you as well.”

Namgung Jincheon’s last choice could never be said to be that of a martial artist.

Because all Namgung Jincheon could gain from death was fulfilling the responsibility of a failed head of the family.

“Huhu.”

Namgung Jincheon laughed.

“Yes, that’s right. So…….”

Namgung Jincheon’s voice was getting thinner and thinner.

Anyone could tell that his life was fading away.

“It’s a ridiculous thing.”

With those words, Namgung Jincheon’s body collapsed.