Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 142

142. A Different Perspective

Un-hyun entered the training hall.

As he had for the past few days, he was immediately met by the gazes of the young disciples of the Moyong Clan.

‘Ah.’

Un-hyun smiled awkwardly.

He thought he had gone a bit too far the previous day, and he assumed they would avoid his gaze as before.

However, their reaction was different from what he expected.

*Thump.*

The disciples who had been resting stood up, and those who had been standing straightened their postures.

*Snap.*

Ko Jin-chul clasped his hands in a respectful bow towards Un-hyun.

Without delay, he lowered his head and said, “Greetings, Great One.”

“Greetings, Great One!”

The young disciples bowed their heads in unison, paying their respects.

The wide training hall echoed with their greeting.

Un-hyun couldn’t hide his surprise.

The young disciples did not raise their heads.

‘Ah.’

Un-hyun felt a warmth in his chest.

He smoothly clasped his hands respectfully and accepted their greeting.

“Greetings.”

Only then did Ko Jin-chul and the young disciples raise their heads.

A gentle smile spread between Un-hyun and the young disciples.

*Step, step.*

Un-hyun walked towards them.

*Step.*

“It’s good to see such spirited faces. Is everyone alright?”

“We are fine.”

Ko Jin-chul spoke on behalf of the group.

“There’s no one here who would falter so easily. Rather, we are looking forward to today as well.”

Un-hyun smiled at those words.

“Is that so?”

The young disciples looked at him with shining eyes.

Un-hyun hadn’t originally planned to do it again that day, but he couldn’t back down in the face of their eagerness.

“I see. Then shall we do it properly today?”

The expressions of the young disciples became slightly awkward.

*Properly?* Did that mean he was just doing it casually yesterday?

“First, let’s go over the basic sword forms again. There wasn’t enough time yesterday, so we skipped over many things. And…”

Un-hyun said, noticing Ko Jin-chul’s bewildered expression.

“Excuse me, but could someone please bring me a brush and paper?”

“Pardon?”

Un-hyun’s request for writing tools signaled his seriousness.

Even if Ko Jin-chul didn’t know that, he could clearly see Un-hyun’s enthusiasm.

“Ah, well…”

As Ko Jin-chul was about to say something, Un-hyun turned to the young disciples and said firmly, “What are you doing? Get in formation.”

Proper alignment is the most basic of basics.

Having always seen the disciplined appearance of the new Gold Cloaks [elite imperial guards] in the Imperial Palace, it was a natural thing for Un-hyun to say.

However, to the young disciples, Un-hyun’s firm words were a declaration that he would now take the lead.

“F-Formation!”

At Ko Jin-chul’s command, the young disciples quickly lined up, and another person ran off to get the writing tools.

“Good.”

Before they knew it, Un-hyun was standing on the platform where the instructor usually stood.

Scanning the young disciples, Un-hyun smiled.

“Then let’s have fun today as well.”

Un-hyun’s words were exactly what the Gold Cloak instructors usually said.

Having heard it so often, it came out naturally without him realizing it.

However, Un-hyun didn’t know how much the new Gold Cloaks gritted their teeth at those words.

And the young disciples of the Moyong Clan instinctively realized it.

Today was going to be an even longer day than yesterday.

Unlike the crumpled faces of the young disciples, Un-hyun’s expression was more relaxed than ever.

No, he even looked refreshed.

***

Late in the afternoon, the head of the Moyong Clan, Gwanilgeom Moyong Dancheon, was holding a meeting in his office.

“Good. Now that the Yeo-nam County branch has been established, southern Henan Province is considered organized. Well done.”

At Moyong Dancheon’s words, the head of the Outer Affairs, Moyong Mi, lowered her head demurely.

“Thank you.”

The Moyong Clan was a prestigious clan that had been making a name for itself in northern Henan Province for generations.

Now that they had even taken southern Henan Province, they had truly established themselves as the overlords of Henan Province.

“Yes, the overlords of Henan Province…”

Moyong Dancheon muttered.

However, his expression wasn’t particularly moved.

The Chief Manager asked quietly.

“Shall we expand the branch outside of Henan Province?”

“No.”

Moyong Dancheon answered calmly.

“The clan’s capabilities are not yet sufficient for that. Now, we must focus on strengthening our internal affairs.”

The Chief Manager nodded.

Even to him, who was in charge of the clan’s finances, the Clan Head’s judgment was accurate.

“Besides, there is no justification.”

Clan Head Moyong Dancheon stroked his beard and said.

“Great things cannot be accomplished solely by human will. Now is the time to wait.”

If the Moyong Clan’s influence were to extend beyond Henan Province, there would be immediate checks and balances from various places.

Above all, the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] would not stand idly by, so there was no need to provoke unnecessary conflicts.

“Well, it won’t take long, though.”

At the Clan Head’s meaningful words, Moyong Mi raised her head.

“Are you referring to the events on the Yangtze River?”

The news of the Namgung Clan’s shocking defeat on the Yangtze River was already shaking the *Jianghu Murim* [martial arts world].

Since the incident had occurred on the waterway that crossed the continent, it was bound to be chaotic for some time.

Moyong Dancheon smiled faintly and asked Moyong Mi in return.

“How do you view this matter?”

“The Murim Alliance will not take action immediately.”

Moyong Mi answered without hesitation.

“The Namgung Clan’s defeat is shocking, but the backers of the Surochae Alliance are unclear, and their intentions are ambiguous. I don’t think the large sects, which prioritize their own interests, will be able to unite.”

“Correct.”

Moyong Dancheon nodded.

“But they will never let it pass. A great chaos will surely arise in the near future.”

Moyong Mi nodded at those words.

The power that defeated the Namgung Clan would not simply fade away.

The current situation was more like the calm before the storm.

“Chaos is sometimes an opportunity. Therefore, what we must do is wait for that time and prepare.”

Moyong Dancheon, who had been speaking, turned his head and looked at the Chief Manager.

“Isn’t that right? Chief Manager Shim.”

Chief Manager Shim, who was in charge of the clan’s finances, bowed deeply and agreed with the Clan Head’s intentions.

“What about the Murim Alliance’s investigation team?”

Clan Head Moyong Dancheon asked Moyong Mi.

“They say they are canceling all their plans and returning to the Murim Alliance.”

Having heard the news from the Yangtze River, Dang Mun Seolhwa Dang Seol-ryun and Mae Hwa Geom Yeongho-jun decided to return to the Murim Alliance immediately.

It was only natural.

“What about Great One Un?”

The Clan Head always referred to the young Un-hyun as a Great One.

It was a clear expression of Moyong Dancheon’s desire to show respect to the acquaintance of the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

“I don’t know exactly, but I think he will probably return with them.”

“Is that so?”

Moyong Dancheon muttered with a regretful expression.

His desire to meet the Azure Dragon Sword Master was evident on his face.

After thinking for a moment, Clan Head Moyong Dancheon suddenly opened his mouth.

“The reason I said that the time would soon come is not only because of the events on the Yangtze River.”

Moyong Dancheon said with a firm expression.

“A large tree casts a large shadow. If we have the right capabilities, the clan’s influence will naturally grow.”

Moyong Mi nodded.

It was an extremely obvious statement.

However, Moyong Dancheon’s words were not yet finished.

“So, the connection with the Sword Master can only be called a stroke of good fortune for us.”

Moyong Mi flinched.

“Grandfather, that’s…”

“Are you thinking of involving the Sword Master?”

Moyong Jin’s voice was faster than Moyong Mi’s.

Moyong Dancheon chuckled at his somewhat tense voice.

“Would I ever do that?”

Moyong Dancheon said with a glint in his eyes.

“How could I possibly drag my benefactor into trouble when I can’t even repay their kindness? The Moyong Clan would endure hardship for their sake, but we would never use them for our own benefit.”

Clan Head Moyong Dancheon’s voice was firm.

Moyong Mi, Moyong Jin, and the Chief Manager all bowed their heads and followed the Clan Head’s will.

“How has Great One Un been spending his time lately?”

Moyong Jin answered the Clan Head’s question.

“He has been guiding the training of the young disciples.”

“What?”

Moyong Dancheon had a rather surprised expression.

Moyong Mi also looked at Moyong Jin with surprised eyes.

“Guiding the disciples?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Jin nodded and said to Clan Head Moyong Dancheon.

“Yesterday, Sanga came to me and asked if it was alright for Great One Un to guide the disciples a little. Of course, I told her it was fine.”

“Is that so? As expected…”

Clan Head Moyong Dancheon readily accepted it.

He had already guessed that Un-hyun’s level was quite extraordinary.

Although Un-hyun had denied it, he thought that he might be a disciple of the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

“Heavenly luck.”

Moyong Dancheon smiled contentedly.

“After Great One Un leaves, have Jin guide those disciples separately. There will probably be great progress.”

“Yes.”

The chief disciple, Moyong Jin, replied with shining eyes.

However, Moyong Mi couldn’t hide her doubts.

“Can they really make that much progress in just a few days?”

Moyong Dancheon smiled.

“The skills of the disciples of so-called prestigious clans and those of minor clans are qualitatively different, so much so that they can be compared to the difference between heaven and earth.”

Moyong Mi nodded.

That was an obvious statement that didn’t need to be said.

“Do you know why that is?”

“It must be because of the traditions and power that prestigious clans have accumulated over generations.”

“Of course.”

Moyong Dancheon nodded.

“But as individuals, there wasn’t originally a big difference in their talents. Rather, there are many among the disciples of prestigious families who lack talent. Yet, they develop outstanding skills over time.”

Looking at Moyong Mi, Moyong Dancheon asked.

“Why is that? Is it because prestigious clans have better secret manuals and training methods? What exactly are the traditions and power of the clans that you mentioned?”

“That’s…”

Moyong Mi couldn’t answer easily.

Secret manuals and training methods, or even elixirs, are undoubtedly important.

However, even among the disciples of prestigious martial families, only a very few can enjoy the benefits of special secret manuals and elixirs.

Although the martial arts of the clans are different, with the exception of some cases, it is ultimately a battle of how much one has achieved.

So, why do the disciples of prestigious martial families have better skills than other sects?

“It is because what they look at is different.”

Moyong Dancheon said quietly.

“The disciples of prestigious families are always seeing their teachers and senior brothers achieve realms that they could never have dreamed of. Therefore, they never settle for low levels.”

Moyong Dancheon continued with shining eyes.

“Also, they do not regard small difficulties as trials. They have seen their senior brothers overcome even greater difficulties and achieve success.”

Moyong Mi was already listening intently to the Clan Head’s words.

“Therefore, they never doubt their potential, that they can do it too. Because their senior brothers who trained with them are succeeding.”

Moyong Dancheon said in a firm voice.

“There is no greater teaching than showing directly, and that is tradition and power. That environment is the driving force that draws out their potential.”

Moyong Dancheon smiled and said to the chief disciple, Moyong Jin.

“You will have a great responsibility. They have already seen Great One Un’s sword.”

Moyong Jin also smiled.

“Yes, I understand.”

Moyong Mi couldn’t say anything.

The Clan Head’s words were clearly correct.

The disciples who saw Un-hyun’s sword would definitely not be the same as before.

Even if they didn’t have the insight, their goals might have become higher.

But how much can they change in just a few days?

Moyong Mi couldn’t grasp it.

“Consider having sparring matches between the disciples who have received Great One Un’s teachings and the other disciples. It will probably be a good stimulus.”

Clan Head Moyong Dancheon said.

The Clan Head seemed to have great expectations and had a satisfied expression.

“Of course, I will do so.”

The chief disciple, Moyong Jin, also answered with a smile.

Moyong Mi felt a sudden sense of alienation, as if she was the only one who didn’t know.

However, the contented smiles on the faces of Clan Head Moyong Dancheon and chief disciple Moyong Jin did not leave for a long time.