Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 320

Tang Seol-yeon announced, “Bukhae Ilmun will go first, followed by Tangmun.”

“You can decide the order as you wish after that.”

The heads of each clan’s eyes gleamed with ambition.

This meant they could have the honor of defeating the last non-Buddhist martial artist from the Ami Sect.

“Then I will prepare for the sparring match. Please inform me when the order is decided.”

Tang Seol-yeon bowed and left the room, seemingly uninterested in further involvement.

*Sabeok, Sabeok* [sound of footsteps].

The remaining leaders immediately buzzed with anticipation.

However, Tang Seol-yeon, with a subtle sneer, didn’t look back.

‘There’s no way I’ll have to intervene after the second match anyway.’

Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, Tang Seol-yeon moved with a light step.

“I’ll also step back,” Mo Yong-mi said.

“The Mo Yong Clan will abide by your decision on the order.”

*Sabeok.*

Mo Yong-mi exited the room.

“Ah, then the Je Gal Clan will also follow your lead,” Je Gal-giho’s voice echoed from behind as he quickly approached Mo Yong-mi.

“Can you just leave? We don’t know how the order will be decided.”

“According to Military Strategist’s words, there’s no point after Tangmun’s turn anyway,” Mo Yong-mi replied without pausing.

“Well, that’s true…”

Je Gal-giho continued, walking alongside Mo Yong-mi, “Perhaps Tangmun won’t even get a chance to step in. If that young lady from Bukhae Ilmun comes out, that is.”

*Tak.*

Mo Yong-mi stopped walking.

Je Gal-giho was already gazing towards Bukhae Ilmun.

His gaze landed on a woman who appeared to be a servant.

She was definitely present when Bukhae Ilmun first appeared at the Taepyung Alliance banquet hall.

‘No, wait a minute.’

He remembered seeing her before.

She was definitely there when Unhyun visited the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] with the Bukhae group.

“Maybe Military Strategist Tang Seol-yeon will get angry again? Hehehe.”

Je Gal-giho muttered to himself, a satisfied expression on his face, as if he found the situation amusing.

***

Sam Gung-ju returned to the Bukhae Ilmun group and nodded to the escort warrior, Binghon.

“It went according to plan.”

“There are many eyes watching,” Binghon said quietly.

“It would be better to lower your voice.”

The unique appearance of Bukhae Ilmun was sure to attract attention.

Moreover, Sam Gung-ju’s beauty was no less than her sister’s, so the Oryong Sambong [Five Dragons and Three Peaks, likely a group of influential figures] had been glancing at them since earlier.

“It’s okay.”

Sam Gung-ju chuckled.

“What are the odds these people understand our language? They’re the kind of people who think they’re the best.”

In fact, very few people present understood the Bukhae language.

This allowed her to speak freely without concern.

“Bingseol.”

Sam Gung-ju said, turning to Bingseol.

“Twelve. Are you okay?”

Bingseol, who had been standing quietly like a servant, nodded slightly.

No words were spoken, but it was enough.

“Good.”

Sam Gung-ju smiled.

“Take them all down.”

Bingseol’s eyes sparkled.

“But…”

Binghon interjected from the side.

“Is it okay to follow Bukhae’s laws here?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Sam Gung-ju gave an ambiguous smile.

‘According to Bukhae’s laws’ meant taking the opponent’s life.

“…Maybe it’s okay? I think they said life and death didn’t matter earlier…”

“Sam Gung-ju.”

Binghon said with a serious expression.

“This place has different customs from Bukhae. We must be careful because this kind of problem can easily cause great misunderstandings.”

That was a lesson learned from his experience traveling with Unhyun.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Sam Gung-ju looked embarrassed.

“They used the word ‘Of course (勿論)’ before saying ‘life and death don’t matter’? But 勿 (Mul) means no. I’m confused whether this is just an emphasis or a strong affirmation because it’s a double negative… Besides, they said it as a question. It’s even harder because I have to guess the other person’s intentions.”

Sam Gung-ju’s expression was almost tearful.

“What should I do? Should I go ask again?”

Binghon shook his head.

“No. Given their habits, there is a high possibility that they will look down on Sam Gung-ju.”

“Then what should I do?”

Binghon was lost in thought.

Recalling Unhyun’s words and his experiences traveling with him, Binghon found an answer.

“There was an incident like this. It was about what constitutes an undisputed victory or defeat in a sparring match…”

Sam Gung-ju’s eyes sparkled.

Wasn’t that exactly what she needed right now?

“The conclusion was until the opponent admits defeat on their own.”

“Isn’t that too much trouble?”

Sam Gung-ju frowned.

“It’s cleaner to just cut off their heads.”

“In my case.”

Binghon coughed slightly and said.

“I made it so that the opponent could no longer stand holding a sword.”

“Really?”

If the opponent couldn’t hold a sword, the result was definitely clear.

Sam Gung-ju nodded, and Bingseol’s eyes also lit up.

In the past, she had seen Binghon make the young master of the Namgoong Clan roll on the ground several times in the Murim Alliance until he admitted defeat on his own.

“Then let’s do that.”

Sam Gung-ju turned to Bingseol.

“Bingseol, are you okay with that?”

Bingseol nodded.

Sam Gung-ju did not doubt that she would do it.

Even if the opponent was the mighty Ami Sect.

While the Ami Sect and the Taepyung Alliance were each deciding on their sparring partners, Mo Yong-mi stared blankly at the Ami Sect’s gate.

“What are you thinking about?”

Je Gal-giho suddenly appeared and asked.

Mo Yong-mi let out a hollow laugh.

“You seem to have a lot of free time.”

“What can I do? I’m just a Chief Military Strategist in name only, and Military Strategist Tang Seol-yeon has all the power here.”

That was true, but it wasn’t something Je Gal-giho, the person involved, should say.

Mo Yong-mi couldn’t say anything more to his good-natured words.

“I was looking at the gate.”

Ami’s gate was made of old and worn wood.

The passage of time and the dignified atmosphere of the temple were fully revealed.

“It’s a good view,” said Je Gal-giho.

“Well, if Ami loses, they might even have to take that away and sell it.”

That was the first time she had heard that.

“What did you say?”

“Didn’t you hear it earlier?”

Je Gal-giho shrugged.

“What Military Strategist Tang Seol-yeon said about demanding compensation from the Ami Sect.”

She certainly said that.

But she didn’t think it was that important.

Je Gal-giho continued.

“What’s more important than closing the gate is compensation. Military Strategist Tang Seol-yeon is going to take this opportunity to completely uproot Ami, so that they can’t rise again, not in ten years.”

‘Ah.’

Mo Yong-mi realized what Je Gal-giho was saying.

“So you’re saying they’re going to demand compensation that the Ami Sect can’t afford?”

“Yes.”

Je Gal-giho nodded.

“If the Ami Sect says they can’t pay, they can use that as an excuse to do anything. Whether it’s tearing down the main hall, looting the library, or even pulling out the gate entirely. They will thoroughly trample on them so that they can never stand up again.”

Mo Yong-mi felt a slight chill.

The Mo Yong Clan had also experienced a time when their family fortunes had declined significantly.

At that time, she felt lost in every direction and saw no hope.

So the terrible situation that Ami Sect would face did not feel like someone else’s business to Mo Yong-mi.

“Well, at least fewer people will die, so should we call it fortunate?”

Mo Yong-mi couldn’t be sure if that was really fortunate.

Mo Yong-mi was silent.

Je Gal-giho, who was quick to notice, didn’t say anything more.

And after a while.

*Sabeok.*

A woman walked out of Bukhae Ilmun.

And the Taepyung Alliance warriors began to whisper.

It couldn’t be helped.

She wore plain white clothes that looked like a servant, except for the sword, and she actually had the name Servant.

However, Je Gal-giho knew who she was.

No, he couldn’t help but remember.

“…As expected.”

Je Gal-giho smiled.

“I knew this would happen.”

The twelve servants only for Bukhae, the Twelve of Bukhae.

It was the moment when Bingseol, the first of them, appeared in the Gangho Murim [martial arts world].

***

Ami Sect’s first sparring partner was Ji-sim.

She was the youngest of the Twelve Immortals, and therefore the most active, but now her expression was extremely determined.

‘It’s my fault.’

She had cut off Gongson-yeon’s arm, but no one blamed her for it.

Rather, they were angry together and considered her actions natural.

Since Tangmun’s intention was like this from the beginning, the result would have been the same no matter what she did.

There is no meaning in right or wrong for a dog trying to fight in a dogfight, in a mud fight.

‘If only I had acted more cautiously…’

However, Ji-sim could not think that way.

Even if the result would have been the same, it was clear that her actions had provided the excuse.

A great crisis had befallen the sect because of her imprudent actions, so the guilt she felt was indescribable.

*Crunch.*

Ji-sim gritted her teeth.

‘I can’t let them cut off my arm.’

Ji-sim had clearly heard Tang Seol-yeon’s words to cut off her arm.

If she could save the sect with that, she would gladly give up both of her arms.

However, what Tang Seol-yeon, what the Taepyung Alliance wanted was not just that.

They want Ami.

They want to thoroughly destroy Ami’s pride, long history, and self-esteem.

So she could never give up her arm.

Because she has to hold a sword and cut down Ami’s enemies.

‘Instead, I’ll give my life.’

The precept against killing (殺生戒) [Śīla, a Buddhist principle] is the most serious precept of Buddhism.

Therefore, the moment she resolved to cut down the enemy, Ji-sim no longer looked back on her own life.

She only hoped that until the moment their swords took her life, she could cut down as many evil enemies as possible.

Even if her monastic robe was covered in blood.

*Sabeok.*

However, the moment Ji-sim saw the first sparring partner of the Taepyung Alliance, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth.

‘Why!’

She clearly thought the Gongson Clan would come out.

However, the person standing in front of her was a stranger she had never seen before.

*Crunch.*

Ji-sim gritted her teeth.

‘You’re cowardly and pathetic to the end.’

Ji-sim could not tolerate the Taepyung Alliance’s behavior of putting irrelevant people forward even more.

*Seuk.*

Ji-sim looked at the woman standing in front of her.

“What do you have to do with this?”

Ji-sim frowned and asked.

She would have been polite in normal times, but she didn’t have that luxury now.

She was only displeased by the actions of this woman who had suddenly intervened, and she was filled with anger at the cunning behavior of the Taepyung Alliance.

However, the woman did not answer.

She didn’t even reveal her name, let alone be polite.

“Are you not even going to answer?”

Perhaps it already meant that dialogue was unnecessary.

Either way, it was enough to turn Ji-sim’s anger.

“Since it’s what you chose…”

Ji-sim slowly drew her sword.

*Sreung.*

“Don’t blame me.”

*Teng.*

Ji-sim’s scabbard falls to the floor.

It meant that she would not put the sword back in.

*Hwirik.*

Ji-sim’s sword, shining in the sunlight, drew a light circle and headed towards Bingseol.

‘Taecheong Sword Technique!’

Mo Yong-mi let out a low sigh as she watched.

It was the opening stance of the Ami Sect’s martial art, the Taecheong Sword Technique.

It is rare to see the Twelve Immortals of the Ami Sect directly performing the Taecheong Sword Technique.

Not only Mo Yong-mi but also other people held their breath and watched Ji-sim.

However, Bingseol did not draw her sword.

Her white hand was holding the sword hilt, but the blade was still hidden inside the scabbard.

“How dare you…!”

Ji-sim, who was about to get angry at the arrogance, flinched.

Bingseol’s cold eyes were looking straight at Ji-sim.

Filled in those eyes was not arrogance or recklessness, but a momentum like a single blade.