Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 418

418. Sharing Blood with Shared Intentions

Conson Sega’s Outer Hall Leader, Conson Wi, was deeply uncomfortable.

He didn’t want to witness the Sega’s idol and revered head pleading for help.

The reaction of the other party, Azure Dragon Sword Master Unhyun, was similar.

No matter how high his position as the Azure Dragon Alliance leader, how could he casually dismiss the head of the Conson Sega with a simple, ‘Why should I do that?’

If Dokseon, who styled himself as a guest, wasn’t present, he would have immediately blushed from the impropriety.

However, he dared not show his displeasure in front of Dokseon.

The image of the Conson Sega’s previous head, who had warned him, ‘In front of him, even breathing could lead to death,’ remained vivid in his mind.

So, Conson Wi could only stare at the bottom of the boat with a blank face.

“That’s not something I can answer.”

Conson Wi heard the voice of the head, Bigeom Conson Wol, in his ear.

Conson Wol spoke with a gentle expression.

“I am the head of the Conson Sega. If I command, anyone in the family will gladly obey. That’s not because my words align with their intentions or are understandable, but because it is ‘the head’s command.’ That is why they obey.”

Looking at Unhyun, Conson Wol continued.

“But if Great Warrior asks for a reason ‘why should I do it,’ I cannot give that reason. The only person in the world who can give Great Warrior a reason would be Great Warrior himself.”

It was truly an excellent question and an excellent answer.

Instead of presenting various advantages or compensations, Conson Wol acknowledged that the only person who could move Unhyun was Unhyun himself.

It was the same as saying that this matter depended entirely on Unhyun’s will.

Unhyun said calmly.

“You make me ashamed. I am not such a great person.”

“No, you are great.”

Conson Wol said firmly.

“How many people in the world do you think the head of the Conson Sega would ask for help?”

Unhyun realized that he could no longer feign humility.

And he also knew how desperate Conson Wol was to come to this place.

He didn’t care at all about Unhyun’s cold response, which was intended to provoke him.

Unhyun looked at Conson Wol and said.

“Even if you don’t recover the influence of the Yangtze River, the abundant resources of Gangnam [region south of the Yangtze River] should be enough to preserve the Conson Sega.”

It was like saying, ‘Isn’t the ultimate goal of asking the Azure Dragon Alliance for help to regain the rights to the Yangtze River?’

“I won’t say there are no self-serving reasons. But the reason I decided to ask Great Warrior for help is not just for the rights to the Yangtze River.”

Conson Wol said with a serious look.

“At this rate, the Conson Sega will be nothing more than a hollow shell.”

“Why? The Taepyung Alliance’s conquest of Gangnam seems quite successful.”

With a bitter smile, Conson Wol continued.

“Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan have very rugged terrains and greatly different customs and climates. For the Conson Sega to take root here, it will take at least ten years, or even more.”

The areas Conson Wol mentioned were places that even the imperial family could not fully control.

The majority were ethnic minorities, and the geography was so treacherous that even if a rebellion broke out, the best they could do was block the roads and prevent it from spreading elsewhere.

So, there was no way the martial artists of Gangnam would readily accept the Conson Sega’s rule.

“That’s not all. The Tang Clan will never be satisfied with just conquering Gangnam.”

“What do you mean?”

When Unhyun asked, Conson Wol gritted his teeth.

“I lost two family talents who had been nurtured for decades. It was an unfortunate accident, but I don’t believe it. Perhaps such accidents will never stop until the conquest of Gangnam is over.”

The Tang Clan will pretend to concede and continue to drive other sects into dangerous areas.

The family’s talents will continue to die, and the Gangnam regions occupied by the Conson Sega will endlessly devour people and resources.

It would not be difficult for the Tang Clan to gradually encroach on the Conson Sega, which is in a dilemma.

“By the time the conquest of Gangnam is complete, the Tang Clan will have virtually swallowed the Conson Sega. No, only after swallowing the Conson Sega will the conquest of Gangnam be complete.”

Conson Wol raised his eyes.

“If you want wealth, I will give you as much as you want. If you want the family’s martial arts secrets and elixirs, I will do so. Even if you want to show the world that the Conson Sega has succumbed to the Azure Dragon Alliance, I will gladly accept it.”

Conson Wi’s shoulders twitched behind him.

But Conson Wol said with a determined look.

“So please, help the Conson Sega.”

Unhyun was silent for a moment.

And then he let out a soft sigh.

“If you’re willing to go that far, wouldn’t it be better to stay with the Taepyung Alliance?”

Conson Wol’s words were tantamount to giving up the Sega’s pride.

How could the Conson Sega endure such humiliation?

“No.”

Conson Wol asserted without hesitation.

“Do you think the Conson family’s bloodline will be properly maintained under the Taepyung Alliance?”

‘Ah.’

Unhyun could clearly understand Conson Wol’s intention.

For Conson Wol, this was not a simple matter of profit and loss or pride.

If the Tang Clan were to effectively control the Conson Sega, they would not leave the Conson Sega’s bloodline alone in order to eliminate future troubles.

‘Bloodline (血統)…….’

From the imperial family to ordinary commoners, the succession of bloodline is a value that takes precedence over everything else in this era.

Moreover, for Sega based on clans, the meaning was bound to be significant.

Quite differently from ordinary sects.

“……The head would not be a skilled merchant.”

Unhyun said with a bitter smile.

“You are showing all your cards like this.”

Hiding one’s cards is fundamental in a deal.

But now, Head Conson Wol was showing all his cards without leaving any behind.

No matter what Unhyun demanded, he would have no choice but to accept it.

Conson Wol also gave a bitter smile.

“But I can’t help it. How can I ask for Great Warrior’s help without sincerity and truth?”

Perhaps Conson Wol was a great gambler.

As he said, the only thing that could move Unhyun’s heart was sincerity and truth.

Unhyun was silent for a moment.

Splash.

The waves of the Yigang River made a sound on the railing of the cruise ship.

“……The Kangho Murim [martial arts world] gathers and disperses according to the logic of gains and losses and power. Or perhaps that’s how the world works.”

Unhyun said in a quiet voice.

“But ‘Alliance (盟)’ means sharing blood with shared intentions. I don’t want to decide this matter with the logic of Kangho Murim.”

Conson Wol’s eyes lit up.

That meant Unhyun’s intention was decided.

“So, show me that the Conson Sega is qualified to share intentions.”

“How?”

“People can be deceived, but their swords cannot.”

Unhyun smiled.

“If you want to know the sincerity of a martial artist, what else is there besides a duel?”

Conson Wol’s eyes widened.

But there was no falsehood in Unhyun’s eyes looking at him.

He wanted not the influence of the head or the Sega, but the sincerity of a martial artist.

‘……Martial Artist (武人).’

That was a word that couldn’t help but make Conson Wol’s heart race.

He is also a martial artist.

Moreover, the opponent was once known as the successor of the Sword Saint, the disciple of the Divine Monk, and the Azure Dragon Sword Master Unhyun, the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

How could his heart not race at the thought of sharing swords with him?

“Good.”

Conson Wol said, his eyes shining.

“I will gladly do so.”

Conson Wol’s intense gaze had returned to being a martial artist, Bigeom Conson Wol, not the head of the Sega.

***

On the Yigang Riverbank in Gyelim, in an unnamed vacant lot, Unhyun and Conson Wol stood facing each other.

On one side, a bamboo forest swayed in the wind, and on the other, the waves of the Yigang River flowed, splashing.

Unhyun’s eyes were clear, and Bigeom Conson Wol’s eyes showed a sense of determination.

But both of them couldn’t hide the tension before the duel.

Swish.

The river breeze fluttered their clothes.

Clang.

Without either of them acting first, they drew their swords.

Unhyun’s Myeong and Conson Wol’s Bigeom sparkled under the sunlight.

“Let me say this in advance.”

The guest, who was watching, suddenly said.

“You’ll have to give it your all from the beginning.”

Conson Wol knew who that advice was directed at.

Whoosh.

As if answering the guest’s words, a rough aura poured out from Conson Wol.

At the same time, his sword let out a low cry.

Buzz, buzz.

But Unhyun’s sword remained silent.

There was no surprising aura, let alone any common anticipation.

“……I’ll go.”

Conson Wol said.

But those words were unnecessary.

“Anytime.”

Unhyun replied quietly.

Conson Wol frowned slightly, but he didn’t hesitate any longer.

Sleek.

At the same time as slightly pulling his sword, Bigeom, inward, Conson Wol’s feet kicked off the ground.

“Haa!”

Whoosh.

In an instant, Conson Wol’s figure disappeared.

And with the sound of tearing silk, Conson Wol’s Bigeom drew a line in the air.

Shred.

It was Bijo Chuwal, one of the Conson Sega’s ultimate moves.

Like a bird flying through the moonlight, Conson Wol became one with his Bigeom and charged straight towards Unhyun.

And until then, Unhyun’s sword, Myeong, had not moved at all.

‘Could it be?’

Conson Wol hesitated for a moment.

But Bijo Chuwal is not a sword that can be unfolded with 잡념 [japnyum – stray thoughts/distractions].

Conson Wol shot towards Unhyun with his Bigeom.

It was right then.

Rustle.

Unhyun’s sword moved.

It was too slow and belated a response.

Moreover, it was not a great technique, let alone a special stance.

Just a very simple movement of diagonally raising the sword he was holding.

Even before Unhyun’s sword tip pointed to the sky, it seemed like the duel would be over.

But the result was not so.

Swoosh.

Unhyun’s sword moved slowly enough to feel relaxed.

But the slow sword tip was somehow accurately facing Conson Wol’s Bigeom.

‘How can this be!’

At that moment, Conson Wol was shocked by the unbelievable situation.

Swoosh.

Like fate, the two swords met.

There was no impact, not even a sound.

But the really surprising thing happened next.

Whoosh.

Conson Wol’s vision rotated violently for a moment.

Literally, heaven and earth were turning upside down before his eyes.

‘Keuk!’

There was no time to grasp the situation.

Conson Wol immediately drew up his inner strength.

Clang.

The tips of the two swords parted, and the shockwave swept around.

Unhyun’s clothes and hair fluttered violently.

Rustle.

Unhyun sheathed Myeong and turned his head.

Conson Wol was landing as if falling from the sky where his gaze was directed.

Flap, thud.

Conson Wol’s expression was not good.

Unhyun was still standing still, while he had to support himself on the ground with one hand.

“Give it your all from the beginning.”

Unhyun said quietly, looking at Conson Wol.

“Didn’t the elder say so?”

Unhyun’s eyes looking at Conson Wol were cold.

Those eyes seemed to see through the bottom of Conson Wol’s heart.

“I understand.”

Swoosh.

Conson Wol got up.

It’s not that he didn’t heed the guest’s advice.

The Bijo Chuwal unfolded by Bigeom Conson Wol was nothing short of an ultimate technique of the Conson Sega.

But if you ask if that was Conson Wol’s ‘all,’ it wasn’t.

Looking straight at Unhyun, Conson Wol said.

“I will gladly do so.”

There was no reason to hesitate any longer.

The next moment, a knife-like aura erupted from Conson Wol’s entire body.

Thud.

The grass under his feet shook violently, and startled birds flew out of the bamboo forest.

And a dark blue aura began to ripple on Conson Wol’s sword.

Whoosh.

The dark blue aura pouring out from Conson Wol’s Bigeom, that was sword energy.

Only then did a faint smile spread across Unhyun’s lips.