Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 155

155. The Sword Aiming at the Sky

Clang, Kwaaaang.

The duel on the road between the two warriors exploded with tremendous force.

However, raw power and internal strength weren’t the only factors at play.

Shheeing.

Muje’s massive sword traced a fluid arc as he lunged toward Unhyun.

But Unhyun’s wooden sword was already there, blocking Muje’s attack as if he had foreseen it.

Hoong.

The path of Muje’s sword twisted the instant it met the wooden sword.

It wasn’t forced away by brute strength.

In terms of pure internal energy, Unhyun’s sword was no match for Muje’s.

However, victory isn’t solely determined by internal strength.

Unhyun’s wooden sword was already redirecting Muje’s attack, guiding it back toward Muje himself.

It felt as natural and welcome as meeting a lover on a stroll.

“Hmm.”

A low groan escaped Muje’s lips.

And then, in the next moment.

Hooook.

Muje’s sword forcefully twisted Unhyun’s sword path.

Not with finesse or technique, but with sheer, overwhelming power.

‘Ugh.’

Unhyun frowned.

Muje’s sword, forcibly twisting and intruding, was utterly reckless.

That absurd insistence demanded a tremendous toll from Muje, but he willingly paid it.

Kwaang.

A deafening blast erupted, filling the air with dust.

When the wind cleared the scene, Muje had retreated two steps.

But Unhyun remained standing firm.

Woong.

Unhyun slowly raised his wooden sword.

His gaze didn’t waver.

“Impressive.”

Muje exclaimed.

Unhyun didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

The impact from the exchange had shaken him deeply.

‘I didn’t expect it to be this intense…’

Unhyun bit his lip.

Even the internal strength that his sworn brother, Il Chung-hyun, had painstakingly cultivated throughout his life wouldn’t have been enough against Muje.

‘Just a little more.’

He couldn’t help but think that if he had trained harder, started mental cultivation sooner, and become more attuned to the path of the mind.

If that were the case, he wouldn’t have had to endure Muje’s stubbornness.

Seuk.

However, unlike Unhyun’s inner turmoil, Muje didn’t hide his admiration and delight.

“Truly remarkable. Your sword is unlike any I’ve ever faced, as if it descended from the heavens.”

‘Perhaps the sword of the Saint [a highly revered and powerful figure] is similar to his?’

But Muje kept the thought to himself.

No matter how strong the impression, comparing the Saint and Unhyun was a taboo.

‘A sword that descended from the sky, huh.’

Unhyun chuckled softly.

And said, knowing he should return the compliment.

“Your sword.”

At Unhyun’s words, Muje’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

What would Unhyun say about his sword?

It was an irresistible temptation.

“It’s like seal script [an ancient style of Chinese calligraphy].”

Muje looked puzzled at the unexpected comparison.

“Clumsy yet possessing an archaic charm, powerful and intense yet retaining a certain softness, your sword is the same.”

Unhyun continued calmly.

“Seal script is a gift from the heavens, intended to be offered back to the heavens.”

All scripts are, in a way, but seal script originates more directly from oracle bone script [the earliest form of Chinese writing, used for divination].

Oracle bone script, derived from the patterns on turtle shells used to interpret the will of heaven.

Therefore, seal script has been used since ancient times as a script carved in stone to proclaim messages to heaven and earth.

“Therefore, your sword…”

Unhyun said, looking directly at Muje.

“…is a sword aiming at the sky.”

Kung.

Muje was stunned.

And at the same time, he understood it perfectly.

Unhyun had articulated his deepest longing, a desire he himself only vaguely recognized.

A sword standing beneath the dark sky, yearning to reach the heavens.

That was precisely Muje’s sword.

“…Indeed.”

Muje’s voice trembled slightly.

Unhyun had described a sword that even he didn’t fully comprehend.

This realization shocked Muje and filled him with a sense of reverence for Unhyun.

“Indeed.”

Muje murmured.

He couldn’t say anything more.

Because his sword was vibrating with joy at the chance to face Unhyun, at this destined encounter.

Seuk.

Muje raised his sword.

And said with utter sincerity.

“I pay my respects to you.”

Unlike Muje’s shining eyes, Unhyun wore a wry smile.

Because this respect would be anything but gentle.

“Therefore, in this one sword…”

Woong.

Muje’s sword resonated.

“…I will pour everything I have.”

‘Hoo.’

Unhyun sighed inwardly.

‘I wish a beautiful woman would say those words.’

He wondered if he’d feel better.

Perhaps it was because he’d spent too much time with Wabul and his friend, who interpreted every analogy as a romantic entanglement.

Woooooong.

Muje’s sword now pulsed with an eerie aura, far beyond a mere resonance.

Unhyun had almost no options left.

Seuk.

Unhyun raised his sword.

In truth, the outcome was already decided.

Because Unhyun had been forced to endure Muje’s stubbornness earlier.

But he couldn’t run.

No, he didn’t want to.

Unhyun braced himself for the inevitable fate.

“I’m coming.”

Muje said.

Hook.

And Unhyun saw it clearly.

Muje’s intense eyes, and his sword, even more overwhelming, rushing toward him.

It was at that moment that Unhyun’s heart stirred.

Seureuk.

Without realizing it, Unhyun lowered his sword.

Muje’s eyes flickered for a moment, but Unhyun didn’t care.

Swaaaaa.

A wind swept through Unhyun’s heart.

He forgot the stance he had always valued.

He relinquished the internal strength passed down by his sworn brother, Il Chung-hyun, more precious than life itself.

Even the sword of the mind, which was always his own, vanished.

He was utterly defenseless.

‘Could it be?’

At the very moment Muje thought Unhyun was trying to commit suicide.

Sarak.

The dignified her turned her eyes to Unhyun.

The most beautiful woman in the world, no, in all the worlds, looked at Unhyun.

And a vast current gently embraced him.

Hoooooo.

Unhyun’s heart was instantly captivated by her.

Muje’s momentum and his overwhelming sword were no longer in Unhyun’s awareness.

All that existed was that beautiful current and an unknown fragrance.

Unhyun’s wooden sword followed his heart.

And at that moment, Muje saw it.

‘Gasp.’

Unhyun’s figure had disappeared.

Not because he had concealed himself, or moved too fast to follow.

Unhyun was still standing there.

However, Unhyun’s wooden sword, that single sword, blocked Muje’s path.

It was no longer a wooden sword.

The sword, devoid of internal strength, had become a colossal mountain filling the sky and the earth.

It offered Muje only overwhelming despair.

Eudeuk.

But Muje didn’t stop.

No, he couldn’t.

―Your sword is a sword aiming at the sky.

Those words resonated within Muje.

Unhyun’s words spurred Muje forward, even in the face of despair.

Kwagwak.

Muje’s sword emitted a strange energy.

It surged toward Unhyun’s wooden sword like a dragon ascending to the heavens.

But it was a futile struggle.

Because she wouldn’t allow his ascension.

Therefore, at the moment when the inevitable outcome was about to occur.

Paaak.

‘Ah.’

Like a cruel joke, Unhyun’s wooden sword shattered before his eyes.

Before Muje’s sword could even touch it, Unhyun’s wooden sword crumbled.

‘Keuk.’

Muje hurriedly withdrew his internal strength and diverted his attack.

But it was never easy to retract a sword imbued with everything he possessed.

Kwaaaang.

With a deafening roar, a tremendous force swept through the surroundings.

“My lord!”

“Muje-nim!”

Dogo-rang and Bi-ryeon shouted simultaneously.

But they couldn’t recklessly intervene.

The thick dust and the storm-like force obscured their vision and senses.

Swaaaaa.

The wind blew, and the dust dissipated.

And Dogo-rang and Bi-ryeon saw it.

The figure of Unhyun holding a broken wooden sword, and the figure of Muje holding his greatsword, standing near him.

“Keuk.”

Unhyun groaned first.

The wooden sword crumbled and slipped from his grasp, and Unhyun staggered, unable to support himself.

“My lord!”

Dogo-rang immediately rushed to Unhyun’s side.

“Eueuk.”

A groan escaped Muje’s lips as well.

“Muje-nim!”

Bi-ryeon tried to move, but Muje raised a hand to stop her.

And slowly, carefully, he took a breath.

‘Hooo.’

Muje, having regained control of his internal strength, straightened up and sheathed his sword.

Otherwise, his trembling hand might drop it.

Seureung.

The greatsword disappeared into its scabbard, and Muje turned.

Unhyun was there.

Unhyun, leaning on Dogo-rang, was smiling bitterly and looking down at his hand.

All that remained were the fragments of the wooden sword, no longer recognizable as a weapon.

“…It’s a pity.”

Muje said quietly.

What would have happened if Unhyun’s wooden sword hadn’t shattered at the last moment?

Could his sword have broken through Unhyun’s defense and ascended to the sky?

Or would it have fallen to the ground, defeated by that overwhelming power?

Unhyun slowly raised his eyes to meet Muje’s gaze.

“It’s a pity.”

Unhyun said softly.

Unhyun’s wooden sword shattered at the last moment.

Just as it always did.

But one thing was clear.

If Muje hadn’t withdrawn his strength, Unhyun wouldn’t have survived.

“…I.”

Just as Unhyun was about to concede defeat.

Seuk.

Muje straightened and clasped his hands together.

And he bowed to Unhyun.

Politely, courteously, with reverence.

“It seems today was not the day after all.”

Muje said calmly.

“So I will gladly await the day we meet again.”

Unhyun recognized the sincerity in his voice.

Unhyun pushed himself off Dogo-rang and straightened.

His body swayed, but Unhyun clasped his hands together and returned the greeting.

And asked.

“May I ask where your sword originated?”

Muje hesitated for a moment.

But he had nothing to hide from Unhyun.

“My sword came from the Saint.”

Bi-ryeon flinched, but Muje ignored it.

“I wish we could talk for days, but…”

That was Muje’s true desire.

“…it seems there will be interference.”

Muje turned his head.

Unhyun followed his gaze.

And he saw the monks of Shaolin and the martial monks guarding the mountain gate rushing toward them in a frenzy.

It was unavoidable.

They had caused such a commotion so close to Shaolin.

“Take care of yourself.”

Unhyun turned at Muje’s sudden words.

Muje looked at Unhyun with intense eyes.

“From now on, you are another purpose in my life.”

At those words, Unhyun could only smile wryly.

‘I don’t feel particularly happy, even hearing that.’

He’d thought about it earlier, but he needed to hear those words from a peerless beauty.

He wasn’t sure he’d be happy with those intense eyes.

Hwik.

Muje turned.

He ignored Bi-ryeon’s sharp glare at Unhyun and Dogo-rang’s hostility toward him.

“Let’s go, Bi-ryeon.”

“Yes.”

Bi-ryeon answered instantly.

Tak.

As Muje leaped into the air, Bi-ryeon followed.

The two figures quickly disappeared from Unhyun and Dogo-rang’s sight.

“…Oh my.”

Unhyun smiled bitterly and turned to Dogo-rang.

But at that moment, Unhyun’s body collapsed.

Seuk.

Dogo-rang immediately caught him.

Hugging Unhyun in his arms, he looked down at Dogo-rang and said.

“That was really something, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Dogo-rang looked down at Unhyun and replied.

“It was really something, my lord.”

Unhyun smiled wryly.

“I told you to stop using that title…”

But Unhyun couldn’t finish the sentence and closed his eyes.

He lost consciousness as the tension drained away.

But Unhyun’s face held a satisfied smile.

Kkuk.

Afraid of dropping him, Dogo-rang held Unhyun tighter.

But Dogo-rang’s expression was twisted in anguish.

‘…I.’

I couldn’t do anything. All I could do was shout.

How can I repay his kindness, and how can I protect Unhyun with this?

Dogo-rang gritted his teeth.

Toward them, the martial monks of Shaolin were rushing with panicked expressions.