Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 298

298. A Teacup

The portly Manong [respected elder], In Tae-sang, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, this is truly bothersome.”

Stroking his thin, long white beard, In Tae-sang looked down.

He was currently sitting atop a high pavilion.

Despite the fierce wind, his gaze was fixed on a modest building in the middle of a residential area.

“That rascal Geomong, he definitely heard about it with me and then ran off alone?”

In Tae-sang muttered, unable to shake off his annoyance.

“Ugh, damn you. I hope you get hit by a blind sword while walking down the street.”

He cursed, but In Tae-sang knew very well that it wouldn’t happen.

If anyone else met Geomong, they might get hit by a sword instead.

“Ugh, what a hardship at this age? But I can’t pretend I didn’t hear the young master’s request…”

The young master he was referring to was Mun Wang.

Mun Wang was a very special existence to the Three Great Images.

The fact that Mun Wang was still not recognized by the First Great Image was unfortunate for the Three Great Images.

That’s why he couldn’t refuse even more.

Even if this matter was merely Mun Wang’s personal revenge or venting, unrelated to the First Image’s intentions.

‘Damn it, if it weren’t for that crazy old monk.’

Because of the old monk, Shin Seung, In Tae-sang missed Unhyun.

The First Great Image was greatly disappointed by the fact that he missed the Azure Dragon Sword Master, who might be the owner of the document, and that the collaborators in the court were wiped out at once.

So, In Tae-sang was also responsible for Mun Wang’s predicament.

Rustle.

Someone appeared behind In Tae-sang.

“The confirmation is complete.”

“Is it certain that he is there now?”

“Yes.”

They were subordinates Mun Wang had sent for this task.

In Tae-sang was moving alone, but it was necessary to monitor the Imperial Palace’s entrances and exits.

He didn’t want to do such things at his age.

“One of the three is definitely Eunuch Park. There are seven hidden guards who seem to be experts from the Eastern Depot [secret intelligence agency]…”

“Unnecessary.”

In Tae-sang cut off the subordinate’s words.

“What does it matter? Just smash them all, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

In Tae-sang didn’t hear the subordinate’s question.

“Ahem, then where…”

Swoosh.

In Tae-sang rose from his seat.

And slowly, he began to gather his inner energy [qi].

Whooosh.

The portly In Tae-sang’s body swelled, and his clothes fluttered as if caught in a strong wind.

The subordinate behind him stepped back with a pale face.

The subordinate’s level was not low, but even he couldn’t handle In Tae-sang’s aura.

“Haaa.”

It was the very moment In Tae-sang gathered his hands near his chest.

Clatter.

The shutters of the house in the distance opened.

In that instant, In Tae-sang’s eyes widened.

He squinted as if the sunlight was dazzling, and he saw someone In Tae-sang could never forget.

‘That, that guy!’

In a fleeting moment, countless thoughts and calculations crossed In Tae-sang’s mind.

Was he mistaking him for someone similar? Or was it truly a stroke of luck?

Was the opening of the shutters a mere coincidence, or a scheme to plot something?

Why did he reveal his face at this very moment?

He couldn’t be sure of anything.

But one thing was clear.

The look in Unhyun’s eyes, far away, was definitely directed at In Tae-sang himself.

Grind.

In Tae-sang made up his mind.

There was only one thing to do anyway.

Just smash them, as he had said.

“Haaa!”

In Tae-sang gathered all his inner energy.

It was at that very moment.

Flash.

Something sharply gleamed from the shutters.

In that instant, In Tae-sang could clearly sense it.

Something was flying towards him with tremendous force.

‘Gasp.’

In Tae-sang didn’t hesitate.

He immediately stretched out both hands with all his might.

Clang, Screeeeeech.

The explosion and the eerie sound were almost simultaneous.

The sound that should have been heard first followed only now.

Crack, crack, crack.

The collision in the air scattered a tremendous shockwave in all directions.

In Tae-sang’s clothes and hair, as well as the roof tiles of the pavilion, were helplessly blown into the air.

The subordinate immediately lowered his body, but he was not safe from the aftermath of the shock.

“Ugh.”

The subordinate gritted his teeth and groaned.

And soon, the shockwave disappeared.

Pitter-patter.

Tiles fell, and the voices of surprised people were heard from below.

He had to hide immediately, but the subordinate couldn’t do that.

Because In Tae-sang was still standing on top of the pavilion.

“…Bastard.”

In Tae-sang muttered through gritted teeth.

His appearance was a mess.

His hair and beard were disheveled, and even his clothes were torn here and there.

But the most surprising thing was the fragment of something he was holding in his hand.

Crumble.

As In Tae-sang put strength into his hand, the fragment shattered without a trace.

It was a piece of a teacup.

The teacup that Unhyun had sent flying had penetrated In Tae-sang’s full-force fist and flown right in front of his nose.

“…He’s become an even greater monster than before.”

In Tae-sang could clearly feel it.

Unhyun’s cold gaze was still fixed on him, and a chill ran down his spine.

‘How on earth?’

He couldn’t understand.

He had clearly destroyed Unhyun’s dantian [energy center].

Even with divine medical skills and elixirs, he couldn’t have recovered already.

But how could that bastard be even more of a monster than before?

Tap.

The shutters in the distance closed.

And Unhyun’s figure disappeared.

Grind.

In Tae-sang gritted his teeth.

He said quietly.

“Let’s go back.”

“B-But we can’t. The order is to risk our lives…”

“If we could have done it that way, we would have done it already.”

In Tae-sang frowned and said.

“And this news is several times more important than your insignificant life.”

Manong In Tae-sang didn’t say it twice.

Whoosh.

He immediately disappeared.

The remaining subordinate hesitated for a moment, but there was no choice.

Swoosh.

No one was left on top of the pavilion anymore.

Only the broken spire and tiles showed that something had happened here.

***

Sizzle.

Pure white frost spread beneath Unhyun’s feet.

The untimely frost stopped only when it reached the table where Eunuch Park and Young Master Ho were sitting.

Young Master Ho and Eunuch Park, who had risen from their seats, couldn’t hide their surprised expressions.

Tap.

Unhyun closed the shutters.

The surroundings darkened as the bright afternoon sunlight disappeared.

But that was only for a moment; as their eyes adjusted, the surroundings slowly returned to their original appearance.

“Hoo.”

Unhyun, who had been holding onto the shutters until then, let out a soft sigh.

And he raised his head.

“I’m sorry, Eunuch Park.”

Unhyun said with a forlorn smile.

He soon politely bowed to Young Master Ho as well.

“I apologize for startling you, Young Master.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Young Master Ho’s expression was clearly surprised.

But that look soon turned into amazement and admiration.

“Impressive.”

It was definitely impressive.

In an instant, an explosive aura erupted from Unhyun, and the teacup shot out with an eerie sound.

And that was just with Unhyun lightly moving his hand.

There was no impact from the shockwave, but the explosion that erupted in the air could definitely be heard.

“Are you alright? Scholar Unhyun.”

Eunuch Park asked with a worried voice.

Unhyun wore a faint smile.

“I’m fine. It just happened to be someone with whom I had a personal grudge… But with this, the danger has disappeared.”

Unhyun couldn’t fail to recognize the old man’s appearance.

One of the Three Great Images, Manong In Tae-sang.

The one who threw Unhyun’s corpse and poured fatal poison on Dokgo-rang.

He wanted to catch him right away, but he couldn’t.

In Tae-sang’s lightness skill was beyond Unhyun’s ability to follow, and there were people he had to protect here.

But he couldn’t help but be swept up in the turmoil.

So he had to hold onto the shutters and calm his mind for a long time.

“I should apologize.”

Unhyun turned his head at Young Master Ho’s words.

Young Master Ho said with a serious look.

“I laughed when you said that being by your side was the safest place.”

Unhyun was startled.

“That’s not possible. How could you say such a thing…”

That could never happen.

The person before his eyes should never admit his mistakes.

An apology was even more absurd.

Heaven is never wrong and never bows its head to anyone.

“No.”

Young Master Ho said with a firm expression.

“I hope you will forgive my rudeness.”

He didn’t bow his head.

Just one word, that was all the apology.

But Unhyun quickly lowered his head.

Eunuch Park also bowed deeply.

It was a demonstration of Young Master Ho’s trust in Unhyun and an unconventional courtesy.

After a while, the three sat facing each other at the table again.

The frost had now disappeared without a trace.

“Who was the one outside?”

Young Master Ho asked.

“One of the Three Great Images under the First Great Image.”

“The First Great Image, the one you said was behind it all earlier.”

“That’s right.”

“An arrogant one. To dare to call himself great [大] alone [一].”

Heaven [天] has long been known to mean being great alone.

Therefore, calling oneself the First Great Image was no different from claiming to be Heaven itself.

“That’s not it.”

Unhyun said quietly.

“He doesn’t see himself as Heaven itself, but as someone above [上] Heaven [天], a person [人].”

Young Master Ho’s expression hardened.

Merchants are generally titles referring to Taoists with deep cultivation.

But Unhyun pointed out that there was another meaning to the name.

“Then what does he want…”

“This is just my personal opinion, but perhaps it’s exactly what the name implies.”

“Daring!”

Thump.

Young Master Ho slammed the table in anger.

“Is he plotting to usurp the throne!”

Young Master Ho did not hide his anger.

Since ancient times, the Emperor has been the one who governs all people on behalf of Heaven.

Therefore, standing above Heaven was nothing short of blatant treason and blatant rebellion.

“Eunuch Park.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Eunuch Park immediately bowed his head.

Young Master Ho said with a serious expression.

“If the situation is like this, shouldn’t the Eastern Depot step in?”

“Your words are truly wise, Young Master.”

Eunuch Park said with a soft smile.

“However, since the full details of the matter have not yet been revealed, it would be best to wait a while. Once the ringleader of the treason is clear, how could we hesitate even if you were to mobilize a million imperial troops?”

“That’s right.”

Young Master Ho nodded.

Eunuch Park turned to Unhyun.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Eunuch Park said with a serious look.

“This is not just about rooting out the rebels, but also about the fate of the world.”

His words were somehow meaningful.

“The Young Master and I want to entrust that fate to Scholar Unhyun. Will you take on this task?”

Unhyun pondered Eunuch Park’s words.

And asked back.

“What do you want from me?”

“Anything that threatens the peace of the world…”