Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 458

458. The Secret of the Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword

The Joint Peace Hall’s guest house.

Yunhyun’s expression, as he sat at the table, wasn’t great.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Nung Seyoung offered a gentle smile.

“Your actions were justified. Foolish individuals need appropriate discipline.”

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun replied with a faint smile.

However, he didn’t seem cheered up.

Only the scent of tea quietly filled the guest house.

“Great Hero.”

A cautious voice came from outside.

“I’ll open it!”

Geum Hwayoung quickly got up and opened the door.

Creak.

Mujin, one of the Later Seven Stars [a group of prominent disciples within the Joint Peace Hall], stood before the guest house.

He bowed respectfully to the group.

“I’ve come to inform you that the schedule regarding the Subduing Tiger Sword has been set.”

Yunhyun’s test was over, but he couldn’t see the Subduing Tiger Sword immediately.

They said they needed to observe the movements of the heavens and choose the most auspicious time. [This practice is rooted in Taoist beliefs about aligning actions with cosmic energies for optimal results.]

Considering that the Joint Peace Hall was a Taoist sect and the significance of the Subduing Tiger Sword, it was only natural.

The old woman, Nung Seyoung, said,

“You’ve worked hard. Come inside.”

At Nung Seyoung’s words, Mujin entered the guest house, and Geum Hwayoung closed the door.

“Will you sit?”

“Thank you, but I must return immediately.”

Mujin straightened his posture and continued.

“Tonight, at midnight, you will be able to see the Subduing Tiger Sword. I will come to escort you all.”

“Tonight? That’s sooner than I expected.”

Nung Seyoung said with a puzzled expression.

She hadn’t expected the auspicious time to arrive so quickly.

Mujin chuckled softly.

“Hyun Gija said that for Great Hero Yun, there’s no need to worry about ordinary good or bad omens.”

“I suppose so…”

Nung Seyoung also chuckled.

The aura that Yunhyun’s namelessness had emitted was vividly recalled.

It was probably Hyun Gija’s consideration for Yunhyun.

“Ah, and…”

Mujin said as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“Ji-myung asked me to convey his gratitude. It’s about the Five Elements Inn that you saved.”

Mujin continued with a wry smile.

“He doesn’t seem to have the face to see you directly. Ji-myung is also one of the Five Elements, after all [referring to his affiliation with the Five Elements Inn].”

In truth, that wasn’t the only reason.

The Taoists who had witnessed Yunhyun’s aura in the Great Training Hall all felt a sense of awe, bordering on fear.

They had clearly confirmed that Yunhyun was not only the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance but also a ‘Sword Master of the Azure Dragon.’

That astonishing sight made them feel an emotion close to reverence for Yunhyun.

The reason why Ji-myung couldn’t come to see Yunhyun directly, and why no one was loitering around the guest house, was precisely because of that.

“I see. Please tell him that I received his gratitude well. I hope we can meet the Five Elements members together later.”

“Thank you, Great Hero. Then, I’ll be on my way.”

Mujin bowed to the group and left the guest house.

Geum Hwayoung, who had closed the door, returned to her seat.

And as she picked up her teacup, she noticed something.

Yunhyun’s expression was much better than before.

Geum Hwayoung looked back at the old woman, Nung Seyoung.

“Ahem.”

Nung Seyoung cleared her throat as if telling her to stay quiet.

Geum Hwayoung quietly savored her tea.

The tea’s fragrance was much softer than before, Geum Hwayoung thought.

***

As midnight approached, Mujin visited the guest house.

He led Yunhyun’s group to a large Taoist temple built into the cliff.

It was the very place that had caught the group’s attention because it seemed to be buried in the cliff.

The cliffside Taoist temple, flickering with lights in the middle of the night, added to its mystique.

“Oh.”

Geum Hwayoung’s eyes widened in amazement as she looked up at the Taoist temple.

The interior of the cliffside Taoist temple was wider and deeper than expected.

It seemed that a natural cave had been expanded, but no one asked about it.

The anticipation of seeing the Subduing Tiger Sword soon was greater than the temple’s origins.

Step, step.

How far had they walked, following the dimly flickering lights in a row?

Suddenly, a large door blocked their path.

“This is the place.”

Mujin stopped.

“I cannot enter here yet, so I will wait here.”

“Thank you for guiding us.”

At Yunhyun’s words, Mujin smiled.

“You’re welcome. It is an honor for me, Great Hero.”

Mujin bowed respectfully and opened the door.

Creak.

The old, worn door opened with a sound.

Beyond the door was a short corridor, and behind it, an open space could be seen.

Yunhyun’s group stepped inside.

Thud.

The door closed behind them, but no one paid attention.

A breathtaking sight unfolded before them.

“Wow.”

Geum Hwayoung exclaimed without realizing it.

The group had entered a large, hemispherical space.

It was unbelievably large and vast, considering it was inside a cliff.

The hemispherical walls of stone were engraved with Taoist mantras [sacred syllables or phrases believed to have spiritual power] in flowing calligraphy, densely filling the space up to the high ceiling.

Except for the empty circular pattern in the center of the ceiling.

“This is the Subduing Dragon and Tiger Hall.”

At the voice of Honwon Jin-in, the group turned their heads.

Honwon Jin-in stood there with a dozen Joint Peace Hall elders.

“And this is…”

Turning his head, Honwon Jin-in said,

“The Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword.”

Behind the elders, in the center of the circular space, a stone pedestal could be seen.

A massive sword rested there.

“Heo.”

The old woman, Nung Seyoung, sighed.

“That’s a sword?”

It was only natural for her to say that.

What rested on the circular pedestal was a massive sword that was much taller than a person.

If it weren’t resting there but stuck in the pedestal, one would have thought it was a large symbolic object.

“It would be difficult to wield that, wouldn’t it?”

Geum Hwayoung muttered.

She seemed to remember the saying, ‘Once wielded, the demons of the three thousand worlds submit, and twice wielded, even the dragons of the heavens bow their heads.’ [This saying highlights the sword’s immense power and legendary status.]

Swish.

Yunhyun bowed to the elders.

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun continued in a respectful voice.

“I am well aware that showing me this sword is not an easy decision.”

“Not at all.”

Chunwoonja, the acting head of the sect, said.

“The Great Hero’s request was not for himself but for the Joint Peace Hall. Therefore, we should be the ones offering thanks.”

Rustle.

The dozen elders simultaneously clasped their hands [a gesture of respect and gratitude].

Chunwoonja also clasped his hands respectfully.

“The Joint Peace Hall has already resolved to be with the Great Hero. Although the laws of our sect are strict, and we cannot join the Azure Dragon Alliance…”

The eyes of Chunwoonja, who was speaking, were shining.

“The Joint Peace Hall will surely be there where the Azure Dragon Alliance confronts the Blood Cult and the Demonic Sect.”

That meant that the Joint Peace Hall would join hands with the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Swish.

Chunwoonja chanted a Taoist invocation [a sacred phrase or prayer] and bowed his head.

Along with him, the dozen elders also chanted Taoist invocations and bowed.

The Joint Peace Hall’s council of elders was paying respect to Yunhyun.

Yunhyun was momentarily speechless.

“…Thank you.”

Slowly, Yunhyun lowered his head.

No one was unaware of the sincerity contained in that bow.

After exchanging the silent greeting, Yunhyun and the head elders raised their heads after a moment.

“Then, it is now the Alliance Leader’s turn to awaken the Subduing Tiger Sword. Hahaha.”

Honwon Jin-in said with a smile.

His expression and those of the elders were much brighter than before.

The same was true for Yunhyun.

“It’s truly amazing. That such a large sword is the Subduing Tiger Sword.”

Yunhyun said, looking at the massive sword placed on the pedestal.

The Subduing Tiger Sword was made of a single piece, from the blade to the hilt, and its overall shape was similar to ancient bronze swords.

However, there were no patterns or decorations at all, giving it an even more crude feel.

Yunhyun could understand why Honwon Jin-in had called it a ‘dull sword.’

Still, Yunhyun was inwardly impressed.

‘Indeed…’

It was said to have been left behind by a legendary Taoist who had attained the Dao of Heaven [a state of enlightenment and harmony with the universe], and it was a truly extraordinary sword.

“Before the Alliance Leader awakens the Subduing Tiger Sword, there are some things to be aware of.”

Chunwoonja said with a stern expression.

He looked at the Subduing Tiger Sword.

“The Subduing Tiger Sword can never be lifted by one’s own strength alone.”

“By one’s own strength, you say?”

“That is correct.”

Chunwoonja nodded.

“We understand it as a lesson to awaken the importance of unity.”

“I see.”

No matter how strong one was, it would be impossible to lift that large sword alone.

Chunwoonja’s words made sense, but it wasn’t as if there was absolutely no way to lift it alone.

“Of course, the Alliance Leader might think of using internal energy.”

“That’s right.”

Yunhyun readily nodded.

Among the Internal Energy Arts, there were those that explosively enhanced physical strength.

With such methods, one could lift the sword alone.

“But it is impossible. Because internal energy cannot be used on the Subduing Tiger Sword.”

“What?”

The old woman, Nung Seyoung, turned to Chunwoonja with a surprised expression.

Geum Hwayoung, as well as Guest Elder, frowned.

“Internal energy does not work on the Subduing Tiger Sword. No, to be precise, no internal energy is of any use. No matter how much internal energy is applied, not even a single change occurs, like a bottomless abyss.”

“That can’t be…”

Nung Seyoung said in disbelief.

Chunwoonja gave a wry smile.

“Perhaps it is a teaching to make us realize the limitations of humanity… Even I cannot understand it.”

Chunwoonja shook his head.

“Therefore, the Alliance Leader must be extremely careful. Many people who tried to awaken the Subduing Tiger Sword with internal energy suffered great setbacks. If this sword were not left behind by our founder…”

Chunwoonja softly chanted a Taoist invocation.

“I would have called it a Demonic Sword.”

It was not something a Joint Peace Hall elder should say, but Chunwoonja’s expression was serious.

He was sincerely warning about the dangers of this Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword.

“I understand. I will be especially careful.”

Yunhyun expressed his gratitude.

Chunwoonja bowed his head and chanted a Taoist invocation.

Then, along with the other elders, he stepped aside.

Geum Hwayoung, Nung Seyoung, and Guest Elder also moved out of the way.

Yunhyun walked towards the Subduing Tiger Sword.

Step, step.

Yunhyun’s footsteps echoed in the hemispherical space.

The Joint Peace Hall elders watched Yunhyun, holding their breath.

Yunhyun paused for a moment to gather his breath.

Then, he slowly raised his hand and brought it to the blade of the massive Subduing Tiger Sword.

Rustle.

Yunhyun’s hand touched the Subduing Tiger Sword.

But nothing happened.

‘Hmm.’

The surface of the Subduing Tiger Sword was smoother than expected.

And above all, a faint warmth could be felt.

It was impossible, considering the cold stone pedestal.

‘Strange.’

He examined the Subduing Tiger Sword up close, but there was nothing particularly noticeable.

It was still just a large, heavy, and dull-looking ancient sword.

‘…Perhaps.’

Although Chunwoonja had warned him, it seemed there was no choice but to use internal energy.

“Be careful.”

Guest Elder said from behind.

He had also noticed that Yunhyun was about to use internal energy.

“Yes, Elder.”

Yunhyun said, turning to Guest Elder.

After gathering his breath once more, Yunhyun quietly stirred his internal energy.

Whoong.

‘What!’

It was only for a moment, but Yunhyun was startled.

The internal energy he had stirred instantly disappeared into the Subduing Tiger Sword.

‘Truly amazing.’

Yunhyun couldn’t help but be amazed.

In that fleeting moment, Yunhyun could tell.

That this Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword was empty, so vast that it could truly be called a ‘bottomless abyss.’

The saying that it was meant to make one realize the limits and finiteness of humanity could not have been more accurate.

Before this Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword, anyone was merely an extremely small, dust-like existence.

It was so unimaginable how something like this could exist.

‘Hmm…’

Yunhyun hesitated for a moment.

He had a competitive spirit that made him want to pour all his internal energy into it.

But he soon shook his head.

Just as the internal energy contained in the Myriad Year Ice Crystal of the Northern Sea was so vast that no one could handle it, the existence that could fill this Subduing Dragon and Tiger Sword could not even be called human in the first place.

‘Still, back then, the Setting Sun Sword…’

It was at that very moment.

A single word flashed through Yunhyun’s mind.

“Ah!”

Yunhyun exclaimed without realizing it.

That word was ‘Resonance.’