Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 514

514. Each of Their Own Paths

As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Unhyun arrived at Mount Lushan.

Unhyun, accompanied by Gaeong, Sa Il-cheon, and the Great Palace Lord, ascended the mountain to find the old woman, Neung Se-yeong, and Geum Hwa-yeong, awaiting them before the ancient Taoist temple’s main gate.

“Welcome.”

The old woman, Neung Se-yeong, greeted the group.

Unhyun bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

“Efforts? It was nothing, really. And…”

Neung Se-yeong turned her gaze towards Gaeong.

Gaeong wore his usual indifferent mask, but Neung Se-yeong could sense it.

He had just emerged from a fierce battle.

However, Neung Se-yeong didn’t betray her awareness.

“Did you conclude your task successfully? No difficulties?”

“Nothing difficult,” Gaeong replied calmly.

“It was my duty.”

“Still, it couldn’t have been easy,” Neung Se-yeong said with a gentle smile.

“How about resting for a while? The scenery here is quite beautiful.”

Indeed, the view was spectacular.

The Hwacheong Palace nestled below the mountain and the city of Xi’an, veiled in the morning mist, exuded a serene atmosphere.

“That would be nice,” Gaeong said quietly.

“When this is all over.”

Neung Se-yeong chuckled softly.

She knew Gaeong was nearing exhaustion.

Yet, he remained stubbornly resolute.

However, Neung Se-yeong didn’t attempt to dissuade him. She didn’t want to.

The reason Unhyun remained silent was the same.

“I understand. Then I’ll remain here,” Neung Se-yeong said with a gentle smile.

“You promised me, so don’t make me wait too long.”

“Understood,” Gaeong replied, his voice almost indifferent.

But that was enough for Neung Se-yeong.

“U, Unhyun Gongja [Young Master]! Why don’t you rest for a while too…?”

“I’m fine,” Unhyun replied softly to Geum Hwa-yeong’s suggestion.

Unhyun smiled at Geum Hwa-yeong’s slightly sulky expression.

“Let’s all go on an outing together later. Xi’an is a very beautiful city.”

“R, really? Then it’s a promise!”

Geum Hwa-yeong’s face brightened instantly.

Unhyun nodded with a smile.

*Swish.*

Turning his head, Unhyun gazed at the imposing Taoist temple.

The tall and ancient main gate appeared no different from any other Taoist temple.

But this was where the Il Dae Sangin [One Great Master] resided.

And he would be waiting for Unhyun as well.

The smile vanished from Unhyun’s face.

“Ah, and Unhyun Gongja,” Geum Hwa-yeong said, as if suddenly remembering something.

“It seems someone had a duel inside. I think it might be Sword Old Master…”

The ‘Sword Old Master’ she referred to was Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak.

“Tsk.”

Gaeong frowned and clicked his tongue.

He hadn’t expected Lee Geom-hak to wait patiently outside, given his personality, but the fact that he had actually gone in alone was still absurd.

“The aftermath alone was truly amazing. Be careful, just in case,” Geum Hwa-yeong said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

If her master, Neung Se-yeong, hadn’t been present, Geum Hwa-yeong would have undoubtedly rushed into the temple herself.

Geum Hwa-yeong’s obsession with swords often overwhelmed her self-control.

“Thank you for letting me know, Geum Sojeo [Young Miss],” Unhyun said, bowing lightly to Geum Hwa-yeong.

Then, he turned and began walking towards the temple.

*Step.*

Gaeong, Sa Il-cheon, and the Great Palace Lord followed behind.

Geum Hwa-yeong looked back at her master, Neung Se-yeong, with a longing expression.

However, Neung Se-yeong shook her head.

They had to protect this place in case of an emergency.

Just as the other elders, family heads, and supreme masters were doing now.

Neung Se-yeong smiled wryly at Geum Hwa-yeong’s disappointed expression and watched the backs of the four figures entering the temple.

Gaeong didn’t look back, but Neung Se-yeong maintained a gentle smile.

Unhyun, Gaeong, Sa Il-cheon, and the Great Palace Lord entered the temple.

Dozens of warriors, seemingly defeated by Neung Se-yeong and Geum Hwa-yeong, lay unconscious, but they didn’t even spare them a glance.

“It’s quiet,” the Great Palace Lord said softly.

The temple interior was eerily silent.

Even at dawn, Taoist practitioners and devout worshippers would normally be bustling about.

However, the temple was strangely still, and only the sound of Unhyun’s group’s footsteps echoed.

“Perhaps it’s the influence of the Il Dae Sangin.”

“Pardon?”

The Great Palace Lord couldn’t conceal his surprise.

No matter how powerful someone was, how could one person’s energy affect an entire vast Taoist temple?

However, the Great Palace Lord quickly composed himself and said with a firm expression.

“…I see.”

Since Unhyun had stated it, it must be true.

Even if it was difficult to believe.

*Step, step.*

The four moved forward quietly.

As they passed through the middle gate and reached a large Taoist hall, Unhyun spotted a familiar figure.

It was none other than Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak.

“Elder,” Unhyun called out softly.

Lee Geom-hak turned his head.

“You’ve come,” Lee Geom-hak said in a heavy voice.

Gaeong clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, what’s with that appearance?”

Lee Geom-hak’s appearance was disheveled.

His hair was unkempt, and his clothes were torn in several places.

However, his eyes shone with intense light.

“It’s nothing. I simply met an old acquaintance and briefly crossed swords.”

Lee Geom-hak spoke as if he had encountered someone he knew in passing.

However, the phrase ‘crossed swords’ carried significant weight.

It implied that the opponent was someone Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak acknowledged.

“He was quite an interesting fellow.”

*Swish.*

Lee Geom-hak turned his head.

His gaze was fixed on the Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

Though panting heavily with his arms hanging down, he remained standing.

His sword was still firmly gripped in one hand.

Lee Geom-hak looked at the Dark Heaven Demon Lord and continued.

“He suddenly surged with power at the end. He broke his own limits in a situation where most would have surrendered. He’s like a fierce wolf.”

His voice was filled with admiration.

However, the Dark Heaven Demon Lord smiled bitterly.

“But the victory and defeat are clear.”

“Victory and defeat are not important,” Lee Geom-hak said firmly.

“Some fall with a single defeat, while others rise again despite it. Though scars may remain, wouldn’t those also be testaments to overcoming frustration and despair?”

Lee Geom-hak’s eyes shone intensely as he spoke.

“But a warrior’s defeat is…”

“I,” Lee Geom-hak interrupted the Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

“I want to see the future of your sword.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord’s eyes widened slightly.

His expression reflected inner conflict, but it quickly subsided.

“…Next time,” the Dark Heaven Demon Lord said, looking up at Lee Geom-hak.

“I will not disappoint you.”

A smile spread across Lee Geom-hak’s face.

He met the Dark Heaven Demon Lord’s gaze directly and said, “I’ll be expecting it.”

A smile finally appeared on the Dark Heaven Demon Lord’s face as well.

*Swish.*

He turned his head towards Unhyun.

“It’s been a while, Azure Dragon Sword Lord,” the Dark Heaven Demon Lord said with a faint smile.

“I was waiting for you, but this person beat me to it. Would it be alright to postpone our duel for a while?”

Unhyun nodded.

“Anytime is fine.”

“Thank you.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord attempted a light bow.

But he quickly frowned and gritted his teeth.

The effects of the fierce battle still lingered.

*Sarak.*

Bireon immediately supported the Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord silently accepted her help, which he would have normally refused.

*Sreung.*

Lee Geom-hak sheathed his sword.

Then, he turned to Unhyun and said, “I’ll be going now.”

Gaeong frowned at those words.

“You? Right now, from here?”

If it were the usual Lee Geom-hak, he would likely insist on fighting the Il Dae Sangin.

But Lee Geom-hak said calmly, “It’s already enough. And…”

After glancing deeper into the temple, Lee Geom-hak continued, “That’s not what I desire.”

Gaeong frowned, wondering what he meant.

But Unhyun understood Lee Geom-hak’s words.

“I understand. Then I’ll see you in Xi’an later.”

“I might not be there.”

“If you’re not there, I’ll assume you’ve left.”

Lee Geom-hak nodded.

Then, he turned without hesitation.

*Step, step.*

Lee Geom-hak walked away.

His presence was so powerful that his departure left a palpable void.

Unhyun, who had been watching Lee Geom-hak’s back, turned his head towards the Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

*Swish.*

Unhyun paid his respects.

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord also tried to return the gesture, but found it difficult even to bring his hands together.

In the end, the Dark Heaven Demon Lord answered Unhyun’s bow with a nod of his head.

*Step.*

Unhyun turned and moved forward.

Gaeong, Sa Il-cheon, and the Great Palace Lord quietly followed Unhyun.

*Step, step.*

The four slowly moved deeper into the temple.

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord, who had been silently watching them, turned his head towards Bireon.

“Yeon.”

Bireon’s eyes widened slightly at those words.

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord quietly continued, “I am going to leave this place. As one who has received grace, I should devote my life to serving that person, but that person has chosen a path that I cannot follow.”

Bireon bit her lip.

She already knew that the Il Dae Sangin had changed.

From the moment he granted power to the Demonic Sect and the Blood Sect, or perhaps even before that, when he issued the Soul-Releasing Order, the Il Dae Sangin had already changed.

“Since he has told me to do what I must do, I will now break free from grudges and walk the path of pure martial arts [Dao – the Way].”

She already knew what the Dark Heaven Demon Lord would choose.

Because he was a martial artist at heart.

“Yeon.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord quietly continued, “Stay by my side.”

Bireon tried to answer quickly.

But her voice caught in her throat.

“…Okay,” Bireon barely managed to say.

Her voice trembled, but it didn’t matter.

Because her eyes were already filled with tears.

“I will. I’ll be by your side forever.”

Bireon’s tone was different from before.

The relationship between the two had now returned to what it once was.

“Thank you,” the Dark Heaven Demon Lord said quietly.

Then, he turned his head and looked towards the place where Unhyun had disappeared.

*Mungkeul.*

The scenery shimmered as if heat haze was rising.

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord knew it wasn’t just an illusion.

“Let’s go, Yeon. Now…”

The Dark Heaven Demon Lord couldn’t finish his sentence.

The aftermath of the Sword Saint’s One Sword Piercing the Heavens was so severe that even the Dark Heaven Demon Lord, who had been barely holding on, eventually lost consciousness.

*Seureuk.*

“Cheon!” Bireon quickly caught the falling Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

Bireon checked his condition and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He was simply severely exhausted, with no serious internal injuries or wounds.

*Sarak.*

Bireon lightly stroked the cheek of the unconscious Dark Heaven Demon Lord.

After gazing at him for a moment, Bireon stood up.

Then, she gently lifted the sturdy Dark Heaven Demon Lord into her arms.

*Tat.*

The slender Bireon lightly soared into the air with the Dark Heaven Demon Lord in her arms.

Her figure seemed to fade away, and soon disappeared without a trace.

But at the moment of disappearing, an exceptionally bright smile graced Bireon’s face.