Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 326

326. Retreat

‘……Un-hyeon.’

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

‘You again!’

Dang Seol-yeon’s fury was so intense she felt as if her blood was boiling.

But there was nothing she could do now.

“Congratulations.”

Dang Seol-yeon said in a clear voice.

Un-hyeon turned his head, and Dang Seol-yeon wore a faint, bitter smile.

“Now that a government official of the court has become the Alliance Lord, no one will be able to touch you.”

It was a clear taunt.

“As I said before.”

Un-hyeon said with a smile.

“I will not refuse a duel. Even if it is a life-or-death struggle.”

It was a declaration that the Azure Dragon Alliance belonged to the Jianghu [martial arts world] martial world.

“Did you clearly say a life-or-death struggle?”

“That’s right.”

“I am glad to hear that. As expected, the Azure Dragon Sword Lord respects the laws of the Jianghu martial world.”

Dang Seol-yeon turned to the side as she spoke.

“Chief Military Strategist.”

“Yes!”

Je Gal-giho quickly stepped forward.

Dang Seol-yeon asked.

“The situation has become like this. The authority I was delegated at the Clan Lord meeting was only for the Emei Sect, not the Azure Dragon Alliance. If I continue the duel in this situation, would it be an overreach of authority?”

“Certainly, it would be.”

Je Gal-giho shrugged and said.

“The Clan Lord meeting has not decided anything about the Azure Dragon Sword Lord. Therefore, it would be reasonable to proceed with future matters after they have been decided at the Clan Lord meeting.”

Je Gal-giho said with a grin.

He even winked, glancing at Un-hyeon.

“I see. Thank you for the advice.”

Dang Seol-yeon turned back to Un-hyeon.

“To celebrate the founding of the Azure Dragon Alliance, I will withdraw from this place today. But in the Jianghu martial world, where power and influence are everything, an alliance with only the Alliance Lord and the Emei Sect….”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a sneer.

“It’s a bit ridiculous.”

It was not just a simple mockery.

The story of the Azure Dragon Sword Lord saving the Emei Sect would be the talk of the Jianghu martial world, but an alliance with only the Alliance Lord and the Emei Sect would be enough to be laughed at anywhere.

Rustle.

Dang Seol-yeon was about to turn around.

“About that.”

Un-hyeon’s voice stopped Dang Seol-yeon.

“I feel I must speak, as it seems there is a misunderstanding.”

“……What do you mean?”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes flashed sharply.

However, a corner of her mind was slowly being eroded by unease.

Un-hyeon turned his head.

“Come out.”

Dang Seol-yeon, as well as the people of the Taepyung Alliance and the Emei Sect, turned their heads following Un-hyeon’s gaze.

And they saw an astonishing sight.

Rustle.

Two people appeared.

A young monk wearing a Buddhist robe and a young master in splendid clothes.

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

“Plum Blossom Sword!”

The handsome young master was none other than Yeongho-jun, the Plum Blossom Sword.

“As you may already know, allow me to reintroduce them. The Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua and Hye-cheon of the Shaolin Temple.”

Hye-cheon quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer and clasped his hands, while Yeongho-jun, the Plum Blossom Sword, lightly raised his hand.

“Yo, long time no see. Miss Dang.”

It was like greeting an acquaintance in downtown Hangzhou [a major city in China, known for its beauty and commerce].

Dang Seol-yeon’s expression twisted miserably.

She did not respond to Yeongho-jun’s greeting and turned her head towards Un-hyeon.

“……Did you also bring in Shaolin and Mount Hua?”

“No. The two of them are merely joining in a personal capacity.”

Un-hyeon shrugged.

“People won’t think that way.”

It was none other than the Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua.

If he had joined the Azure Dragon Alliance, it meant that Mount Hua’s intentions were the same.

The same went for Shaolin.

Besides, Un-hyeon was a disciple of the Divine Monk, so what more needed to be said?

“Ah, and.”

Rustle.

Un-hyeon took out a letter from his chest.

“The Namgung Clan has also sent a letter requesting to join the alliance. Of course, it was written directly by the current Clan Lord, the Iron Sword Namgung-byeok.”

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

The monks of the Taepyung Alliance and the Emei Sect could not hide their surprised expressions.

If the Emei Sect, Shaolin, Mount Hua, and even the Namgung Clan joined, the Azure Dragon Alliance could be called a major righteous alliance.

‘……This won’t be the end.’

Dang Seol-yeon could see what would happen in the future.

Although the Hero Alliance and the Taepyung Alliance seemed to dominate the Jianghu martial world, there were actually many more sects remaining.

Those who were once called the Eighteen Great Sects of the Martial Alliance had even greater potential than the Taepyung Alliance or the Hero Alliance.

However, in the world of the Taepyung Alliance and the Hero Alliance, they had no choice.

In that situation, the Azure Dragon Alliance had raised its banner.

The Azure Dragon Sword Lord, who was the disciple of the Divine Monk, the rightful successor of the Martial Alliance, and the only person who could stand against the Hero Alliance.

What would happen next was all too obvious.

Dang Seol-yeon turned her head and ignored Un-hyeon.

And immediately got on her horse.

“Depart!”

After shouting in a sharp voice, Dang Seol-yeon spurred her horse forward.

The people of the Taepyung Alliance hurriedly mounted their horses.

Those who had come so confidently were now leaving like a disorganized rabble.

Sigh.

The Third Palace Lord approached Un-hyeon.

“Then, see you next time.”

Un-hyeon nodded.

“And.”

The Third Palace Lord hesitated for a moment before saying in a small voice.

“……Please take care of my sister.”

As Un-hyeon flinched, the Third Palace Lord turned and ran.

The group from the Northern Sea One Sword Clan, who had mounted their horses, left the front of the mountain gate following the Taepyung Alliance.

Un-hyeon responded with a smile to Mo Yong-mi’s slight smile.

With that, the Taepyung Alliance left the front of the mountain gate.

“Hoo.”

As the dust settled, Dam So-ha let out a sigh of relief.

“They’re gone.”

“Good work, Disciple Dam.”

Un-hyeon said with a smile.

After thanking Jo Gwan, Hang Jang-ik, and Jin Ye-rim, Un-hyeon turned his head.

“Yo, Un Dae-in [a respectful title], No, Alliance Lord. Good work.”

Yeongho-jun, the Plum Blossom Sword, approached with a beaming smile.

He had arrived in Chengdu, Sichuan [a province in China], just recently.

Hye-cheon silently clasped his hands towards Un-hyeon, and Un-hyeon also bowed his head to him.

Yeongho-jun stood next to Un-hyeon and continued to speak in a friendly manner.

“To receive the respect of the Emei Sect’s nuns, I’m really envious. As a man, it’s a very respectable thing. Oh my, how can this person be so beautiful and yet become a nun… Cough.”

Yeongho-jun, who was talking to one of the nuns, quickly coughed at Beop-yeong’s glare.

Beop-yeong said to Un-hyeon.

“You helped the Emei Sect in a difficult time, so we are truly an alliance bound by blood. It seems there is much to talk about, so would you like to come inside?”

At her invitation, Un-hyeon hesitated for a moment.

“Is it okay for a man to enter?”

The Emei Sect was famous for being composed only of nuns.

“Anyone can visit for worship, regardless of gender.”

Beop-yeong said with a warm smile on her wrinkled face.

“Even if there are restrictions, surely there would be an exception for the Alliance Lord, wouldn’t there?”

“I, is that so?”

Un-hyeon was grateful for her consideration, but also a little uncomfortable.

Having lived in a hermitage with only men, Un-hyeon was still not used to women.

Of course, Yeongho-jun was sparkling with interest.

“Hehehe.”

Looking at Un-hyeon, the elderly Beop-yeong chuckled.

Her smile, full of wrinkles, was truly warm and gentle.

***

“Hoo, hoo.”

Do Gwan-baek, a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, sat down heavily, panting for breath.

The seat was just a low rock, but it was still better than the dirt floor he had just torn up with his training.

“Haa.”

Do Gwan-baek sighed.

And looked at the sword in his hand.

He had tried to calm his mind by swinging his sword around, but his mind only became more confused.

“Hoo.”

As he sighed again, the scenery of Mount Hua came into his eyes.

The mountain range, which could be called a masterpiece, and the infinitely high sky.

It was a landscape that seemed to naturally foster a sense of grandeur just by looking at it.

But never before had this landscape felt so suffocating as it did today.

“Hoo.”

He felt suffocated.

That’s why he couldn’t stop sighing.

It was then.

Rustle.

Do Gwan-baek jumped up from his seat as if he had been shot.

His hand gripping the sword instinctively tightened, but then he heard a voice.

“You’re sharp.”

Do Gwan-baek’s wariness soon subsided.

“Ah, Senior Brother…….”

Rustle.

The person who came out of the shadows of the forest was his senior brother, Jo Ho-seon.

Do Gwan-baek sheathed his sword.

Click.

The sword disappeared into its scabbard, and Do Gwan-baek bowed to his senior brother, Jo Ho-seon.

“Were you training?”

Jo Ho-seon asked.

Do Gwan-baek nodded at his question, glancing at the traces left on the dirt floor.

“Yes.”

“Hmm, you’re still diligent. The other disciples can’t hide their shock and are all just spacing out.”

The Martial Alliance had collapsed.

The main disciples of the sect had died or returned seriously injured, and rumors were circulating that the Sect Leader, who was said to be in closed-door training, had also suffered severe internal injuries.

Mount Hua had reduced its external activities and prohibited disciples from entering and leaving the mountain gate.

The Yangtze River [a major river in China] had become the world of the Hero Alliance, and rumors that the Taepyung Alliance would dominate the world were incessant.

For the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, who had been full of dreams of ruling the Jianghu martial world, it was as if the sky had fallen.

“……Because this is all I have.”

Do Gwan-baek replied with a bitter expression.

Most of the disciples of Mount Hua were from good families.

This was a result of the degeneration that began after Mount Hua, originally a Taoist sect, began to enjoy the prestige of a large sect.

Therefore, they had nothing to worry about even if they left Mount Hua.

However, Do Gwan-baek was different.

For him, the only way was to succeed in Mount Hua and in the Jianghu martial world.

“So.”

Jo Ho-seon said quietly.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Do Gwan-baek couldn’t answer.

Jo Ho-seon sighed as if he was pathetic.

“Huh, haven’t you made up your mind yet?”

“B, but that’s…….”

“Yes. It’s the same kind of elixir that the Hero Alliance uses.”

Jo Ho-seon unhesitatingly uttered words that were taboo in Mount Hua.

Rather, it was Do Gwan-baek who was startled.

“But that’s why the effect is certain.”

It was said that the reason why the Dark Sky Demon Emperor had cut down the former Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan with a single sword, and why the Hero Alliance, which was only a group of bandits and green forest outlaws, was able to burn down the Martial Alliance, was all thanks to that elixir.

However, Do Gwan-baek couldn’t answer.

“Do you have Jang Jin-won among your disciples?”

Jang Jin-won was the most outstanding among his peers.

The reason why Do Gwan-baek had started training separately here was to defeat him.

Do Gwan-baek, who had been nodding, flinched.

“D, don’t tell me…….”

“Yes.”

Jo Ho-seon sneered.

“It’s been quite a while already.”

His words were shocking.

The reason why Jang Jin-won had gone ahead was thanks to this elixir.

Jo Ho-seon said quietly.

“There are many others besides you who want this elixir. The things they are willing to offer are also very big. But what can you give?”

He had nothing.

Jo Ho-seon chuckled.

“Gwan-baek. The reason I came to you is out of pure goodwill. But if you still can’t make up your mind.”

Shaking his head, Jo Ho-seon said.

“I can’t anymore…….”

“I will do it!”

Do Gwan-baek said urgently.

Jo Ho-seon, who had turned halfway, asked with a sullen expression.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Do Gwan-baek bit his lip and nodded.

Jo Ho-seon smiled.