Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 256

256. Manong In Tae-sang

“The problem is.”

*Whoosh, whoosh.*

While listening to the sharp sound of air tearing past his ears, Unhyun spoke.

“Whether Yeom Jung-bu will be fooled by the Samtaesang…”

As he spoke, Unhyun frowned.

“…I was wrong.”

“Pardon?”

At Dokgo-rang’s question, Unhyun said in a low voice.

“They are coming.”

*Crack.*

Dokgo-rang gritted his teeth.

Even though he was already using all his strength for his lightness skill, Dokgo-rang drew even more power.

*Pabat.*

Now, Dokgo-rang’s speed was almost beyond his control.

The passing branches became sharp weapons, rushing past Dokgo-rang at terrifying speed.

Wounds increased all over Dokgo-rang’s body, and Unhyun also sustained small injuries.

However, no one complained.

How long had they been running through the dark forest?

“My lord.”

“I see it too.”

Light was visible through the darkness.

It was time to decide whether to avoid it or confront it.

“If it is the Shaolin, we might be able to get help.”

Unhyun knew that the probability of Dokgo-rang’s words being true was not high.

But it was already too late to detour.

“Let’s do that.”

Unhyun said.

Dokgo-rang threw himself towards the light with all his might.

*Pabat.*

As the light drew closer, the sound of weapons clashing could be heard.

This meant that they were a sect that had escaped from the Murim Alliance together.

‘Could it really be Shaolin?’

Unhyun widened his eyes.

And the next moment.

*Rustle.*

The bushes parted, and Unhyun and Dokgo-rang landed amidst the torches.

*Tak.*

At the same time, a blue blade lunged towards the two.

*Whoosh.*

Dokgo-rang immediately twisted his body while holding Unhyun.

*Whir, tak.*

The blade cut through the air.

Dokgo-rang, who had retreated, frowned deeply.

“…I am sorry, my lord.”

Dokgo-rang said in a low voice.

“It was not Shaolin.”

They were disciples of the Danmok Family and the Namhae Sword Sect.

Dokgo-rang and Unhyun had jumped into the middle of a battle where the Hwangcheon Squad was besieging them.

“It’s alright. It’s not your fault.”

Saying that, Unhyun quickly got out of Dokgo-rang’s arms.

*Thud.*

The people of the Danmok Family and the Namhae Sword Sect finally recognized Unhyun.

In particular, Danmok-gi, the eldest disciple of the Danmok Family who had swung the sword, looked very embarrassed.

He had reflexively swung his sword at something flying out of the forest, but it seemed to be someone from the same Murim Alliance?

“Secretary Unhyun!”

That clear voice echoed distinctly in the quiet surroundings.

The owner of that unusually clear voice, even in this situation, was Hwangbo Seon-hye of the Namhae Sword Sect.

It was then.

*Whoosh.*

A warrior from the Hwangcheon Squad behind her swung his sword at Dokgo-rang.

Dokgo-rang immediately drew his sword.

*Slice.*

There was no metallic sound.

Because the sword that the Hwangcheon Squad warrior had swung was cut off.

Dokgo-rang slowly turned his head and glared at the Hwangcheon Squad warrior.

*Whooong.*

Dokgo-rang’s sword rippled with blue energy, his disheveled hair and the sharp wounds left by the branches, and his eerie eyes flickering like ghost fire.

It was natural for the Hwangcheon Squad warrior to flinch and step back.

Meanwhile, someone from the Namhae Sword Sect called out to Unhyun.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

It was Pa Jin-han.

Unhyun, who had not seen him in the Murim Alliance, widened his eyes.

“Hero Pa Jin-han.”

Come to think of it, there was no way he wouldn’t have been at the Murim Assembly, so it seemed they had just missed each other.

But now was not the time for such greetings.

“Was it the Iron Blood Four Kings?”

At Unhyun’s question, Pa Jin-han bit his lip.

“…Yes.”

Unhyun could immediately understand the situation.

The person behind Pa Jin-han, bleeding and being carried by another disciple, was the Lord of the Namhae Sword Sect.

The head of the Danmok Family was in a similar situation.

Those who were escaping with the seriously injured family heads had failed to shake off the Hwangcheon Squad’s pursuit.

“Still, it is fortunate. It is a blessing to have met Scholar Unhyun…”

“No. We also…”

Unhyun shook his head and was about to say something when.

“Hahahaha!”

A loud laughter echoed through the forest.

“*Keuk.*”

Pa Jin-han quickly gathered his inner strength.

Danmok-gi, the eldest disciple of the Danmok Family, and Hwangbo Seon-hye also covered their ears.

“Indeed! So you are Unhyun.”

*Pararak.*

With the sound of wind, two old men descended.

It was the small, fat Manong In Tae-sang and the tall Ji Tae-sang with a long beard.

*Thud.*

In Tae-sang, with a smile, stepped forward.

“Why? Aren’t you running away anymore?”

He looked like a kind and humorous grandfather.

But the energy shining in his eyes was by no means ordinary.

“Tae, Tae-sang!”

The Hwangcheon Squad warriors hurriedly tried to pay their respects.

However, In Tae-sang waved his hand dismissively.

*Hooook.*

The Hwangcheon Squad warriors, who were about to pay their respects, flinched and stepped back.

An invisible force had pushed them away.

“Step back. It’s noisy.”

In Tae-sang said, displeased.

To him, the Hwangcheon Squad was just a hindrance.

The Hwangcheon Squad warriors immediately obeyed.

*Rustle.*

The dozens of Hwangcheon Squad warriors who had been surrounding the area retreated.

With them, the lights that had been illuminating the surroundings disappeared, leaving only the fallen corpses and torches on the ground.

“W-What on earth…”

Danmok-gi, the eldest disciple of the Danmok Family, was flustered when Unhyun’s voice was heard quietly.

“You all should also flee.”

Pa Jin-han bit his lip.

However, the situation did not give him a choice.

“…I understand.”

“Are you alright?”

Danmok-gi asked Pa Jin-han.

He meant whether it was okay to follow Unhyun’s words.

He was also suspicious of Unhyun, whom he didn’t know well.

“Secretary Unhyun…”

Hwangbo Seon-hye said in a clear voice.

She looked at Unhyun and said.

“Is trying to save us now.”

Hwangbo Seon-hye’s eyes towards Unhyun were almost wistful.

Danmok-gi frowned slightly, but decided to follow her words.

After all, he had no choice either.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Pa Jin-han said with a complicated expression.

“Please, take care.”

Unhyun nodded.

Hwangbo Seon-hye also lightly bowed to Unhyun to express her gratitude.

“Now, let’s go quickly.”

As if her words were a signal, the disciples of the Namhae Sword Sect and the Danmok Family immediately moved.

*Whir, pabat.*

Danmok-gi, who was the last to remain, glanced at Unhyun and soon darted into the dark forest.

*Tat.*

After he disappeared, the only people left were Unhyun and Dokgo-rang, and Manong In Tae-sang and Ji Tae-sang.

“Finally.”

In Tae-sang said with a grin.

“I get to meet you.”

*Tadak, tadak.*

Amidst the torches abandoned among the dead bodies, Unhyun faced two of the Samtaesang [Three Grand Masters of the Hwangcheon Squad].

***

*Whoosh, whir.*

Running through the dark forest, Danmok-gi glanced back.

There was no pursuit.

The figures of the unknown old men, as well as the Hwangcheon Squad, were nowhere to be seen.

Danmok-gi slightly changed direction and approached Pa Jin-han.

*Tat.*

Pa Jin-han, who noticed his approach, looked at Danmok-gi.

“Who was that just now?”

Danmok-gi asked, but Pa Jin-han only had a stiff expression and did not answer.

Pa Jin-han also knew that Unhyun was in the Murim Alliance.

He had many things he wanted to say and ask, but he knew that Unhyun was hiding his identity, so he deliberately did not look for him.

Then he met Unhyun like this, but he was running away without saying anything.

Leaving everything to Unhyun.

*Crack.*

Pa Jin-han gritted his teeth.

He could immediately tell that the two old men’s martial prowess was great.

They were opponents that they could never handle, as they were suffering from the Hwangcheon Squad’s pursuit with their family head seriously injured.

Unhyun had stood against such opponents.

So Pa Jin-han had no face to answer Danmok-gi.

*Tat.*

“That person is a disciple of Shinseung Bulyeong [Divine Monk Bulyeong, a legendary figure].”

Hwangbo Seon-hye answered.

She approached and said while using her lightness skill.

“In the Murim Alliance, *huhu*, he held the position of secretary.”

‘Ah!’

Danmok-gi finally realized.

Unhyun was the famous ‘Secretary Unhyun’, and Hwangbo Seon-hye had feelings for him.

Danmok-gi, who had secretly been fond of Hwangbo Seon-hye, felt jealous.

But he was not foolish enough to confuse public and private matters.

“…We owe him a great debt.”

“And one more thing.”

Hwangbo Seon-hye said in a subtle voice.

“That person is the Azure Dragon Sword Lord. Isn’t it amazing?”

It was as if she was telling a great secret.

But for Danmok-gi, it was the first time he had heard that name.

*Swish.*

Danmok-gi glanced at Pa Jin-han.

He was still silent, but he seemed to already know.

With a bitter expression, Danmok-gi thought.

‘…Our family is still far behind.’

He thought that they had finally come to stand shoulder to shoulder with the giant factions of the Murim Alliance.

But it was a delusion.

He had ignored Unhyun’s warning, but the situation had turned out as he said, and other factions had even prepared, unlike the Danmok Family.

Even the Moyong Family and the Namhae Sword Sect, which were also part of the New Five Great Families, were like that, so the only ones who had not thought of anything were the Danmok Family.

*Pabat.*

With a somber expression, Danmok-gi checked on the safety of the family head.

The head of the Danmok Family, who was being held by a disciple, was still unconscious.

The same was true for the Lord of the Namhae Sword Sect, so Pa Jin-han was also running through the darkness with a stiff face.

*Kugung.*

“*Heok!*”

Danmok-gi was surprised by the sudden explosion from behind and turned his head.

Pa Jin-han and Hwangbo Seon-hye also turned around with surprised expressions.

A heavy impact sound was coming from where they had just left.

***

“Hmm.”

Manong In Tae-sang stroked his beard and looked at Unhyun with interest.

“Are you the Azure Dragon Sword Lord?”

“That is correct.”

*Sreung.*

Unhyun drew his sword and said.

“And the owner of the document?”

“I am not.”

Unhyun’s answer was without hesitation.

Like the blade of Myeongmi that he had already drawn, Unhyun’s eyes were shining.

“Is that so? But you are not the one who decides that.”

Manong In Tae-sang chuckled.

“So you will have to come with us.”

*Tat.*

In Tae-sang’s figure disappeared in an instant.

It was a speed that even Dokgo-rang could not react to, belying his fat physique.

And the next moment.

*Kwaang.*

Unhyun’s sword, wrapped in blue energy, was blocking In Tae-sang’s fist.

The sound of impact erupted when the sword and bare hand collided.

*Whooong.*

“Hehe, you rascal.”

The fat In Tae-sang twisted his body greatly and said.

“You are very rude. Not even greeting an elder!”

*Whir.*

In Tae-sang’s large body rotated lightly like a ball in the air.

And In Tae-sang’s fist, filled with tremendous force, lunged in.

*Kwaaaang.*

A roar erupted.

The two men’s clothes fluttered, and the trees shook.

In Tae-sang’s fist was once again blocked by Myeongmi.

“Not bad.”

In Tae-sang smiled. That was the beginning.