Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 153

153. Another Farewell

“Since the Great Patriarch has spoken thus, it is truly a blessing for Shaolin. Though I am inadequate, I will ensure the child who inherits the Great Patriarch’s mantle…”

“Halt!”

Both the Abbot and Unhyun were startled.

Although it didn’t carry any internal energy [qi], the force within Wabul’s rebuke was not to be ignored.

“Who said anything about inheriting the mantle! Do you truly wish to discard even this!”

Wabul seemed genuinely enraged, shouting loudly.

Passing on the mantle signifies that the successor inherits the master’s will and enlightenment.

And inheriting Wabul’s mantle was no small matter.

Wabul, the former Great Patriarch.

Inheriting the authority and name of Wabul, the highest authority in Shaolin and, in terms of seniority in the Jianghu [martial world], unmatched.

Even Shinseung Bulyeong could not disregard someone who inherited Wabul’s mantle.

Moreover, and more importantly, it would signify Wabul’s official return from seclusion.

“I-I apologize. I misspoke…”

The Discipline Hall Abbot’s neck shrank in. The once-imposing Abbot was now pathetically cowering before Wabul’s rebuke.

“A-As you command, I will proceed accordingly.”

The Abbot hastily tried to turn away.

However, Wabul’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Stop for a moment.”

As the Abbot awkwardly turned back, Wabul said with a fierce glare.

“Since when has Shaolin become a place that doesn’t greet its benefactors?”

At Wabul’s words, the Abbot wore a bewildered expression.

He couldn’t understand the sudden mention of a benefactor.

“Benefactor, you say…”

Instead of answering, Wabul glanced at Unhyun.

Unhyun was even more surprised by that gesture.

“Me?”

Unhyun was clueless.

The Discipline Hall Abbot looked back and forth between Unhyun and Wabul, equally bewildered.

“If this one hadn’t shown me his sword, I wouldn’t have attained this enlightenment. So, how can he not be a benefactor of Shaolin?”

“Ah, I…”

As Unhyun tried to interject and the Discipline Hall Abbot stood awkwardly, Wabul’s rebuke fell.

“Or are you saying you have no intention of being grateful for this!”

The Abbot quickly bowed his head to Unhyun, palms together in respect.

“This humble monk, Jeon-gak, expresses his gratitude to Shaolin’s benefactor.”

Unhyun, caught off guard, bowed his head and received the Discipline Hall Abbot Jeon-gak’s greeting.

‘So, his Dharma name is Jeon-gak.’

Unhyun heard his Dharma name for the first time.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t even properly introduced himself.

“That’s enough. Now, be gone.”

Although Wabul’s words were spoken, the Discipline Hall Abbot Jeon-gak couldn’t take his eyes off Unhyun for a while.

If he had given enlightenment to the former Great Patriarch Wabul, he couldn’t be an ordinary person.

But no matter how much he looked, Unhyun was still the same Martial Alliance clerk he had seen before.

“Not leaving?”

Wabul said curtly.

“Or do you want to live here too?”

“A-Absolutely not.”

The Discipline Hall Abbot Jeon-gak quickly moved his feet.

As he hurried away, Wabul clicked his tongue.

“That one is Jeon-gak. But he can’t even do half of what Jeon-gak should do. He only rose to the position of Discipline Hall Abbot because he’s from the same faction as the current Abbot.”

Wabul continued with a displeased expression.

“That Abbot doesn’t even come near this place. It’s only natural since he wouldn’t hear anything good even if he did.”

Swish.

Wabul turned to Unhyun and chuckled.

“Still, receiving a formal greeting from the Shaolin Temple’s Discipline Hall Abbot is a rare occurrence, so you can brag about it wherever you go.”

“The, the benefactor you mentioned…”

“Huh? Didn’t I tell you?”

Wabul said with wide eyes.

“Your training sword was quite impressive to me as well. It reminded me of a few interesting techniques after a long time. I could have just been satisfied on my own, but I also owe Shaolin a debt, so I repaid it instead.”

Unhyun had already heard Wabul’s evaluation of the White Tiger Training Sword.

But this was the first time he had heard that it had led to enlightenment.

Then suddenly, a thought occurred to Unhyun.

“Then, even if I hadn’t done that red eye thing…”

Strictly speaking, Wabul owed Unhyun a debt.

If Unhyun had continued to ask for guidance, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse.

“Ahem. That’s a different matter.”

Wabul feigned seriousness, but Unhyun’s lips were already pouting.

“How is it different? You would have just told me anyway.”

“Hmph. It’s not like that.”

“Do you know how much I suffered to make that flower rain or snow or whatever it was?”

Unhyun grumbled, but Wabul could only repeat the same words.

After all, he had called him a ‘benefactor’ with his own mouth, hadn’t he?

Thanks to that, the tables had turned on Unhyun.

As if this was his chance, Unhyun’s grumbling didn’t stop for a while afterward.

***

Unhyun was unfolding the White Tiger Training Sword.

Swish.

The wind blew, and the clouds flowed.

The sword in Unhyun’s hand was revealing its presence even more clearly.

It couldn’t be helped.

This was Unhyun’s mind, and there was nothing but his sword there.

The wind, the clouds, and the fleeting memories were merely remaining fragments; what resided in Unhyun’s heart was always a single, proud sword.

Wooong.

With a low hum, the first form of the White Tiger Training Sword unfolded.

The steps of a beauty, shyly revealing herself, soon became whispering secrets, leading to the third form.

Hoo-oook.

The fifth form sparkled like a smile, and the seventh form chattered as clearly as a stream.

The scent of the beauty, connected to the splendid ninth form, finally became the twelfth form, fully revealing her figure.

‘Ah.’

He forgot the forms.

He forgot the sword.

Unhyun forgot everything at the sight that finally revealed itself.

A place where even himself did not exist.

Woooooo.

A vast current embraced the world and flowed.

A vast current where nothing, no meaning, existed.

Before that overwhelming current, Unhyun could not recall anything.

Tears flowed.

And Unhyun opened his eyes.

Blink.

Unhyun was still sitting in front of Wabul.

However, the lingering impression of that amazing sight still remained, and Unhyun trembled without realizing it.

He still couldn’t believe where he was.

A fragrance, the nature of which he couldn’t discern, lingered in the air like a remaining memory.

And a single stream of tears was finally felt on his cheek.

“…Well done.”

Wabul quietly said to Unhyun.

“Well done.”

That quiet murmur conveyed Wabul’s emotion even more strongly.

Unhyun slowly nodded.

He couldn’t help but smile even as tears flowed.

“You brat, there’s no need to be so happy.”

Wabul said gruffly.

“You’ve only just learned how to control your mind, what’s with all this… Your suffering starts now.”

His voice was rough, but Wabul’s eyes were smiling.

At that sight, Unhyun also smiled.

Dogo-Rang, who had been silently watching, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Just learning how to control his mind, he says…’

The sight of Unhyun he had seen a moment ago was by no means that.

A scene like a Taoist’s enlightenment.

Dogo-Rang had never even imagined that a martial artist could reach such a state.

Moreover, what was that unknown fragrance, and that faint light?

Dogo-Rang quietly shuddered.

The thrill that had flowed through his entire body had not yet subsided.

And the lingering ‘afterglow’ faintly floating around was still not disappearing.

***

The next day at dawn.

Unhyun, who had quietly finished his meditation, got up and picked up a broom.

Swish.

The broom made an unusually soft sound.

The morning air was refreshing, and his body felt like it could fly.

The effects of the mind training were that amazing.

Swish, swish.

No one could disturb Unhyun, and nothing could block Unhyun’s sword.

The sword flowed as Unhyun willed, and the sword extended as Unhyun’s heart desired.

Wabul had told him to focus on training, but Unhyun wanted to cling to it even more.

Unhyun, who had finished cleaning, leaned the broom against the back of the hut and prepared tea.

Clunk.

The hut door opened around the time the tea fragrance began to spread subtly.

Unhyun politely bowed.

“Have you risen? Master.”

Wabul did not answer.

Unhyun, who raised his head, had a puzzled look.

Unlike usual, Wabul was neatly dressed in his monk’s robes.

“Give me tea.”

Wabul, sitting on the platform, said quietly.

Unhyun carefully poured tea and offered it to Wabul.

Clack.

Wabul received the tea offered by Unhyun and quietly savored the aroma.

That appearance was like that of a solemn high priest, and Unhyun naturally smiled.

‘…Somehow, it seems to suit him.’

It was a sight that made him laugh when he thought of Wabul as he usually was.

But that pretense of being a high priest was also very natural, so Unhyun couldn’t hide his smile.

Although he couldn’t laugh openly.

‘But what’s going on all of a sudden? Is he going somewhere?’

Tak.

Wabul drank Unhyun’s tea three times and quietly put down the teacup.

And he took something out of his bosom and placed it on the platform.

Swish.

It was a small pouch made of rough cloth.

As Unhyun blinked, Wabul quietly opened his mouth.

“Thank you for putting up with this grumpy old man all this time.”

Rustle.

A letter was placed on the platform as well.

“And this is a letter to that Bulyeong, so deliver it to him.”

Unhyun was speechless for a moment.

However, Wabul didn’t care about Unhyun’s reaction and got up from the platform.

“Master…”

“The future is up to you.”

Wabul, standing in front of the hut door, said.

“Whether you manage to control it, or whether you get eaten up and dragged around, it’s ultimately up to you.”

Unhyun knew the burning affection contained in that voice, which was even somewhat cold.

Just like his sworn brother Ilchung-hyun, Wabul was now sending Unhyun away.

Creak.

“Go.”

Wabul said that along with the sound of the door.

And before Unhyun could say anything, the door closed.

Thud.

In front of the old door that seemed like it would open again at any moment, Unhyun couldn’t say anything.

Even the sound of Wabul’s dry cough, which was always heard, was not heard now.

Unhyun gritted his teeth.

And he got up from the platform and stood in front of Wabul’s hut door.

Swish.

Unhyun slowly gave a deep bow.

His clothes would get dirty on the dirt floor, but he didn’t care.

Once, twice, and three times.

“…Master.”

It wasn’t unexpected.

But he couldn’t help but feel a tingling in his nose and a burning in his eyes.

He couldn’t hide the fact that his voice was trembling slightly.

“Please live a long, long life.”

Unhyun remained kneeling for a long time.

But the hut door did not open again.

Carefully getting up, Unhyun put the pouch and letter on the platform into his bosom.

He could tell what was in the pouch without opening it.

Rustle.

Unhyun looked back at the hut door again.

Still, no sound was heard from inside the hut.

Moving his feet, which he couldn’t bear to take, Unhyun left the hut.

Dogo-Rang also silently followed behind Unhyun.

But Dogo-Rang did not forget to lightly bow his head towards the hut at the last moment.

Thud, thud.

Thus, the two left Wabul’s hut.

Lonely silence was returning to Wabul’s remote hut.