Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 530

Extradition 11. What? Murim, you say?

The Demon Sword shattered into pieces.

The fragments scattered on the floor shimmered briefly before fading.

The sword’s mournful cry vanished, and silence returned.

“Hoo.”

A young man named Seorin sighed in relief.

“It’s finally over. I’m glad I could honor my teacher’s wishes.”

“Yes.”

Sonbin, who had destroyed the Demon Sword, smiled.

“I’m relieved. I hope Jin-in can rest in peace now.”

“If that’s the case.”

Suddenly, Gaekong spoke.

“Will the Demon Sword never appear again?”

Sonbin turned his head, a gentle expression on his face.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The Demon Sword will reappear. However, this time was a bit… unique.”

“Unique?”

Gaekong questioned, but Sonbin simply smiled and remained silent.

“The heavenly secret that First Under Heaven Merchant spoke of…”

Gaekong trailed off.

Although he appeared to be the same age as Unhyun, he was Sa Ilcheon’s father.

After a moment of contemplation, Gaekong turned to Sa Ilcheon.

“Were you talking about your father?”

Sa Ilcheon smiled brightly and said.

“No. The heavenly secret he spoke of is correct.”

Swish.

Turning his head, Sa Ilcheon looked at the faint mist in the air.

“He was referring to this. To be precise, he was referring to this incident itself.”

“Incident?”

“That’s right. It’s quite unconventional for a gate to open and for my father to come here.”

Gaekong’s eyebrows twitched at Sa Ilcheon’s proud demeanor.

However, he didn’t comment on it.

“…Then what was First Under Heaven Merchant aiming for? What was he trying to do…?”

“He’s trying to cross the gate.”

Unhyun’s voice cut in.

Gaekong turned his head, and Sa Ilcheon also looked at Unhyun.

Unhyun continued in a low voice.

“As he said, he’s trying to tear the sky and open a new one.”

Gaekong’s expression hardened.

First Under Heaven Merchant’s words, which he had dismissed as a metaphor, suddenly felt significant.

“Hyung [older brother/term of respect for a male friend]. Let’s go back now.”

Seorin, who was standing nearby, said.

“Yes. Let’s go back.”

Sonbin nodded and turned to Unhyun.

“Do you still have Outer History records?”

Unhyun looked puzzled.

‘Outer History’ referred to unofficial records of events outside of officially documented history.

Sa Ilcheon answered.

“There are no Outer History records. It’s been maintained for quite a while, but I guess there’s no one to replace my father.”

“I see.”

Sonbin’s expression looked somewhat wistful.

However, Sa Ilcheon smiled and said.

“But people with good intentions always appear again.”

Swish.

Turning to Unhyun, Sa Ilcheon smiled brightly.

“He has the same intentions as my father. And coincidentally, he’s helping a place called Yewol. Just like the old Yewon.”

Sonbin’s expression brightened.

He looked at Unhyun and said.

“Is that so? That’s really good news.”

Unhyun smiled.

“It’s just a connection; it’s not a big deal.”

“But it’s something I’m truly grateful for.”

Sonbin smiled and looked at Unhyun.

“I’d like to talk more, but I don’t have much time. I have something to show you for a moment; would that be alright?”

“Yes. That’s fine.”

Unhyun nodded.

Sonbin smiled lightly and reached for his sword.

Swish.

A beautiful blade appeared.

Gaekong flinched.

Sonbin’s sword was incredibly beautiful and mysterious.

Even Gaekong couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“This sword style.”

Sonbin said quietly.

“It’s the first and most cherished sword style I’ve ever properly executed.”

Swish.

He raised his sword.

Holding the sword with both hands and extending it forward, it was an ordinary posture with nothing special about it.

However, Gaekong could clearly feel the tension building at that moment.

The wind died down, and the sound disappeared.

It was as if the entire space was holding its breath with that one sword.

The moment the tip of his sword seemed to shine.

Whoosh.

The blade fell.

The blade, drawing a graceful line, rose softly upward.

And then it headed downward again.

However, the sword style did not continue.

The movement stopped in the middle.

That was all—an incomplete sword style that lasted only one and a half seconds.

However, Unhyun couldn’t help but be surprised.

Gaekong was the same.

His eyes were filled with astonishment.

“Hoo.”

Sonbin took a slow breath.

And slowly sheathed his sword.

Swish.

The enchantingly shining sword disappeared from view.

“What… is that?”

Unhyun asked.

His voice was trembling slightly.

“It’s called the Jade Dragon’s Reverse Scale Strike.”

Sonbin said with a gentle smile.

“Next time, let’s talk more. Slowly, for a very long time.”

Unhyun did not hesitate to answer.

“Yes. I will definitely do so.”

Sonbin smiled with a satisfied expression.

And turning his head, he said to the two women.

“Let’s go back.”

“Okay, Bin-rang [term of endearment].”

Sa Sooyeon replied, and the woman wearing a veil nodded.

Seorin waved his hand at Unhyun and Gaekong.

“See you again, Hyung! Goodbye, Grandpa!”

Unhyun smiled involuntarily at his bright appearance.

Gaekong’s hardened expression was also slightly softening.

Tak.

Seorin took the first step.

The light mist gently embraced him, and Seorin’s figure soon disappeared into the mist.

Sonbin, Sa Sooyeon, and the woman wearing a veil followed behind him.

Tak tak.

Whoosh.

The figures of the three people soon disappeared into the mist.

Only Sa Ilcheon remained.

“I’ll be going too.”

He said to Unhyun and Gaekong.

“It’s been a long time, but I’m glad I could meet you. Oh, and give my regards to Cheon Ilgeom [Heavenly Sword].”

The Cheon Ilgeom he was referring to was the old woman, Neung Se-yeong.

That title had already been passed on to her disciple, Geum Hwa-yeong.

“Huhu. I’m looking forward to seeing what Grandma Neung will say when she finds out that her descendant helped me.”

He said to himself and laughed lightly.

Gaekong frowned, wondering what he meant, but he didn’t get an answer.

Whoosh.

Sa Ilcheon flew away.

His figure disappeared into the mist in an instant.

The surroundings became quiet.

After a moment of silence, Gaekong let out a soft groan.

“Um, what is this…?”

It was then.

Whoo-oong.

The mist rippled and emitted light again.

Unhyun and Gaekong stared at the mist with hardened expressions.

Whir.

Someone with a small build flew out of the mist.

Tak.

He landed on the ground and frowned.

“What? Why is no one here?”

He was a small old man.

Although he was small, his long white beard and snow-white eyebrows made him look like a divine immortal.

Although his tone and impression were far from that of a divine immortal.

He looked around and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk. It’s already over. I told them to go quickly, but Yeong-mae had to pack everything…”

He was grumbling, but his expression wasn’t too bad.

Whir.

He turned to Unhyun.

“Everything okay? Is the Tang Clan doing well?”

Gaekong reflexively answered the sudden mention of ‘Tang Clan’.

“They’re doing well, but who are you?”

“Someone who lives with a woman from the Tang Clan.”

The old man, who spoke without hesitation, chuckled.

“Isn’t it admirable?”

The women of the Tang Clan are strong-willed. Moreover, the Tang Clan is famous for its poison, so it wasn’t exactly wrong to say it was admirable.

The old man suddenly shrugged.

“Well, if you think about it that way, Bin is more admirable than me. How he can smile and live with such wives… Ugh.”

He shuddered.

Then he turned around.

“I have to go quickly. If I’m late, Yeong-mae will worry again.”

It was the moment he was about to fly away.

“Elder.”

Unhyun called out.

The old man frowned and turned around.

“Call me No-gun. But why?”

Rustle.

Unhyun bowed politely and said.

“How can one reach the pinnacle of martial arts?”

The question was impulsive.

The one-and-a-half-second sword style that Sonbin showed had greatly stimulated Unhyun’s martial instincts.

The old man, who identified himself as No-gun, frowned.

But soon he chuckled.

“Isn’t it said that if you can define the Way, it is not the true Way? I don’t know either, so don’t ask me.”

He said in a heavy voice.

“You must find your own path.”

No-gun’s gaze towards Unhyun was strong and gentle.

A smile spread across his wrinkled face.

“See you again.”

Whir.

He flew into the mist.

The mist gently accepted him, and No-gun’s figure disappeared completely.

And the mist also shone for a moment before dissipating.

As if nothing had happened.

Neither Unhyun nor Gaekong spoke.

Nothing remained except for the precarious state of the main hall and the surrounding lush forest.

As if all the events of a moment ago were just a dream.

“…Let’s go.”

Gaekong said.

Unhyun nodded.

The two turned around silently.

There was nothing left here anymore.

“Hoo.”

Park Gong-gong said with shining eyes.

“To think that such a thing happened; it’s truly unbelievable.”

“But it’s true. That’s why I decided to leave the Azure Dragon Alliance and come here.”

Unhyun said in a calm voice.

“You did well. After all, this place is much quieter and better than the Azure Dragon Alliance headquarters. Huhu.”

Park Gong-gong covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.

Then he tilted his head as if thinking about something.

“Then you should have a child soon.”

Unhyun was slightly taken aback.

What did the current story have to do with children?

“What do you mean…?”

“That way, you won’t fly away, will you? You promised to see them again three times. So you should have three, no, four children, right?”

Park Gong-gong must have been counting the number while listening.

Unhyun let out a hollow laugh.

“I won’t leave you behind, so don’t worry.”

Park Gong-gong’s eyes sparkled.

“Really?”

“Yes. Really. And more than anything…”

Unhyun said with a gentle smile.

“I like it here.”

Rustle.

A gentle spring breeze brushed against Unhyun’s cheek.

The golden double-roofed palace and halls showed off their grandeur, and the endlessly connected red walls silently stood their ground.

Spring, which came with the warm sunlight, was no exception here, and the Forbidden City was filled with the energy of spring.

“It’s not like you can only hide from the world in a deep mountain valley.”

A bright spring was also blooming on Unhyun’s face as he spoke.

“Even if it’s a little boring.”

“Huhu.”

Park Gong-gong laughed.

“Yes. That’s right. It’s a good place.”

Park Gong-gong said with a bright smile.

“Even though it’s boring.”

The red[紫] Forbidden[禁] City(城) [The Forbidden City, a historical palace complex in Beijing].

In that place where power and wealth pulsed, Park Gong-gong and Unhyun were spending a leisurely time.

***

“Hoo.”

Recalling what had happened a few days ago, Unhyun sighed.

The young scholar flinched at the sigh, shrinking his shoulders.

He thought it was a reaction to his lateness.

Being late on the first day was a mistake that couldn’t be excused.

Unhyun looked down at the young scholar.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

Park Gong-gong said, ‘He’s a new recruit. Take good care of him. Huhu,’ and then scurried away.

A new recruit in the Azure Dragon Hall, where there was no work to do, left Unhyun dumbfounded.

But he couldn’t just keep him standing there.

“You.”

“Yes, yes!”

The young scholar flinched and answered.

Unhyun smiled wryly.

And he asked, clearing his throat.

“Have you ever heard of Murim [the martial arts world]?”

The young scholar blinked.

He forgot that he was in front of a senior scholar and that he was late.

“Yes?”

He asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Murim, you say?”