Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 162

162. The Power to Change a Chaotic World

“You weren’t defeated.”

A deep voice suddenly echoed around them.

Un-hyun and Lee Seo-yeon simultaneously turned to look at Dokgo-rang.

Dokgo-rang, with his signature expressionless face, repeated.

“The Great One was not defeated.”

Click.

Dokgo-rang added nonchalantly as he held his teacup.

“It simply wasn’t the right time.”

Slurp.

Un-hyun and Lee Seo-yeon stared blankly at Dokgo-rang.

However, Dokgo-rang didn’t say anything more.

He simply savored his tea in silence.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Un-hyun said with a bitter smile.

Dokgo-rang’s words were right, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been inadequate.

Un-hyun turned his head towards Lee Seo-yeon.

“Come to think of it, I heard that the Hoam Merchant Guild is also experiencing difficulties because of that?”

“Ah, yes.”

Lee Seo-yeon, still not fully recovered from her surprise, replied.

Un-hyun nodded.

“Well, in fact, the situation in Bukhae [Northern Sea region, often associated with foreign influence] is not entirely unrelated to him…”

He was hesitant to say that the mysterious being called ‘The Merchant’ was behind everything.

“The Dark Sky Demon is connected to Bukhae?”

“It’s not certain yet.”

Un-hyun cautioned Lee Seo-yeon against jumping to conclusions.

However, Lee Seo-yeon’s mind immediately began to race.

‘The Dark Sky Demon, and the foreigners of Bukhae?’

After the defeat of the Namgoong Family, the major merchant guilds had become desperate to obtain information about the Dark Sky Demon.

The control of the Jang River, the central waterway of the continent, could determine the fate of a merchant guild.

However, they couldn’t find out anything about the Dark Sky Demon.

Yet now, Un-hyun was casually talking about the Dark Sky Demon, something no one else knew.

Information that would be worth a fortune to some people.

‘Who are you…’

Lee Seo-yeon stared at Un-hyun.

Right now, she was as surprised about Un-hyun as she was about the Dark Sky Demon.

‘Just who are you?’

Lee Seo-yeon had used the power and connections of the Hoam Merchant Guild to investigate Un-hyun.

But she had found out almost nothing.

The only thing she had confirmed was that ‘no one in the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] could tell Un-hyun what to do.’

Perhaps that was only natural.

No one could easily treat a master like Un-hyun lightly.

The problem was his origin and background.

What kind of background did he have, what kind of backing did he possess, that even the arrogant representatives of the Murim Alliance respected him?

“What are you planning to do, Brother?”

Lee Seo-yeon’s shining eyes were fixed on Un-hyun.

Un-hyun didn’t meet her gaze and instead caressed his teacup.

“I wonder? I think I’ll probably have to go to Bukhae…”

Lee Seo-yeon quietly stared at Un-hyun.

That wasn’t what she had asked, but it didn’t matter.

The way Un-hyun looked right now, his reaction, was more important to her than anything else.

“There are more pressing matters to worry about right now.”

Un-hyun sighed.

Then, he looked up at Lee Seo-yeon.

Lee Seo-yeon was already smiling brightly at Un-hyun.

“I see.”

Lee Seo-yeon said as she put down her teacup.

“Do whatever you wish. As I said, I’m on your side, Brother. Always, and everywhere.”

It was a slightly burdensome statement, but Un-hyun smiled.

“Thank you, Seo-yeon Nuna [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend].”

“I should get going.”

Lee Seo-yeon suddenly said.

“I’d like to stay with you a little longer, Brother, but I have things to do.”

“Ah, is that so.”

Un-hyun nodded.

Lee Seo-yeon had said she came to the Murim Alliance for business.

Naturally, she wouldn’t be able to spare much time.

Click.

Lee Seo-yeon stood up from her seat.

“Stay a little longer, Brother. The tea here is quite good.”

Lee Seo-yeon said with a smile and turned her head towards the Lone Guest, Dokgo-rang.

“It was nice to meet you, Great Hero Dokgo-rang.”

Dokgo-rang remained silent.

“Then, Brother, I’ll be going now.”

Rustle.

As Lee Seo-yeon turned away, Un-hyun quickly said.

“Ah, please give my regards to Sister-in-law and Ah-young Nuna.”

Thud.

Lee Seo-yeon stopped and slowly turned around.

Then, she said with an exceptionally radiant expression.

“Of course.”

Lee Seo-yeon left with light steps.

Swish, swish.

After she disappeared, Un-hyun picked up his teacup again.

“Hoo.”

Un-hyun sighed and suddenly noticed Dokgo-rang, the Lone Guest, staring in the direction Lee Seo-yeon had disappeared.

“Is something there?”

Swish.

Dokgo-rang turned his head towards Un-hyun.

And said quietly.

“It’s nothing.”

Un-hyun chuckled.

Despite his title of Lone Guest, Dokgo-rang could be quite silly at times.

Click.

Un-hyun lifted his teacup.

It had cooled down a bit, but the tea, known as a masterpiece, still emitted a pleasant aroma.

Un-hyun smiled.

But at that moment, there wasn’t a trace of a smile on Lee Seo-yeon’s face as she left Daru.

Click.

Lee Seo-yeon boarded the luxurious carriage that was waiting for her.

The door closed, and the carriage soon began to pass through the streets of Hangzhou.

Clatter, clatter.

‘I wonder?’

Listening to the sound of the horse’s hooves, Lee Seo-yeon recalled Un-hyun’s answer from earlier.

‘That’s not right. If I ask you what you’re going to do, you should have given me a better answer than that.’

In times of chaos, in a so-called chaotic world, what is the most important thing?

Is it power, or is it unparalleled martial strength?

Lee Seo-yeon didn’t think so.

What she thought was most important was desire.

The greedy will to seize power, even if it meant enduring anything.

Even if it meant walking a path stained with blood, an absolute self-righteousness that allowed no one but oneself.

That was the power to change a chaotic world.

Such fierce ambition was the fundamental driving force for opening a new world.

Lee Seo-yeon thought so.

Therefore, Un-hyun’s answer was, to her, very disappointing.

‘But.’

Lee Seo-yeon thought as she looked at the bustling scenery of Hangzhou flowing outside the carriage.

‘He’s still the most valuable card to bring the greatest profit.’

Already revealed cards, such as the Eighteen Sects or the Murim Alliance, were unlikely to bring great profits.

To gain the world, one had to invest in future possibilities that others couldn’t see.

Therefore, Un-hyun, along with the Dark Sky Demon, was still the most attractive card to Lee Seo-yeon.

Moreover, unlike the Dark Sky Demon, whom she couldn’t even get close to no matter how hard she tried, Un-hyun was already within her reach, wasn’t he?

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage was now passing along the shores of West Lake.

Looking at the serene and beautiful scenery of West Lake, Lee Seo-yeon whispered softly.

“You’ll have to try harder, Brother. Otherwise…”

Her red lips moved.

But the rest of her words were drowned out by the sound of the carriage.

Even to herself.

***

The person waiting for Un-hyun, who had returned to the Murim Alliance, was Kwan Ji-bu, Un-hyun’s superior and the head of the Hospitality Hall.

Kwan Ji-bu, who had been pacing anxiously in front of the main gate, rushed over as soon as he spotted Un-hyun.

“What’s wrong?”

Un-hyun asked with a puzzled expression.

Why was Kwan Ji-bu, who was always busy, waiting for Un-hyun at the main gate?

But there was no need to ask.

Kwan Ji-bu spoke before Un-hyun could even finish his sentence.

“Q, quickly, go to Waryong Hall. Right now, at Waryong Hall…”

Forgetting Un-hyun’s request to treat him casually, Kwan Ji-bu continued with a pale face.

“The Sword Saint has come.”

“Yes?”

Even Un-hyun was surprised this time.

“The Sword Saint?”

Suddenly, the Sword Saint?

But at the same time, anticipation surged.

If it was the Sword Saint, wouldn’t he be able to answer his concerns?

“Hurry, hurry, hurry and go. He’s been waiting since earlier!”

Kwan Ji-bu said anxiously.

And for good reason.

Making the Sword Saint, one of the Hwanwoo Five Venerables [esteemed group of martial artists], wait was an unimaginable discourtesy for Kwan Ji-bu.

“I understand.”

Un-hyun nodded.

After lightly waving goodbye to Dokgo-rang, Un-hyun quickly moved his feet.

His steps towards Waryong Hall were even light.

Waryong Hall, which he had visited again after a few days, was unchanged as always.

A place that was located in the deepest part of the Murim Alliance, yet didn’t feel like the Murim Alliance at all.

That was Waryong Hall.

Step.

Un-hyun, who had entered Waryong Hall, was soon able to find the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint, Lee Geom-hak, was sharing tea with the Divine Monk, Bulyeong, at a table in the courtyard.

“You were looking for me?”

Un-hyun bowed respectfully.

Swish.

The Sword Saint, Lee Geom-hak, turned his head.

At that moment, Un-hyun saw a sharp aura emanating from his eyes.

‘Hmm.’

Un-hyun hardened his face.

The Sword Saint, Lee Geom-hak, was unleashing his aura towards Un-hyun.

Just like when they first met.

Whoaaaa.

There was no prelude or warning.

A storm of tremendous aura swept towards Un-hyun.

‘Indeed.’

Un-hyun smiled bitterly.

As expected, the Sword Saint, Lee Geom-hak’s aura was formidable.

Even the destructive aura of the Dark Sky Demon seemed to pale in comparison to the Sword Saint’s overwhelming energy.

Crackle, crackle, crackle.

In the face of the tremendous aura rushing towards him, Un-hyun slowly composed himself.

Flutter, flutter.

Un-hyun’s hair fluttered and his clothes flapped.

But Un-hyun still stood in the middle of it.

The ferocious storm of aura seemed as if it would swallow Un-hyun at any moment, but Un-hyun remained there quietly.

As if standing in a calm breeze.

“Hmm.”

The Sword Saint let out a low groan.

At that moment, the storm-like aura disappeared.

Whoosh.

“Hoo.”

Un-hyun breathed out quietly.

And when he raised his head, Un-hyun was able to meet the Sword Saint’s gaze.

“…Excellent.”

The Sword Saint said.

The Divine Monk, who was sitting across from him, frowned, but the Sword Saint’s eyes were shining brighter than ever.

“Very, excellent.”

The Sword Saint’s expression was still calm, but his eyes couldn’t hide a subtle excitement.

“Enough.”

The Divine Monk said to the Sword Saint as he lifted his teacup.

“If you two start fighting here, the only house I have left will be destroyed. Do that after I die. Got it?”

“Hmm.”

The Sword Saint only let out a low groan and didn’t answer.

But the surging competitive spirit seemed to have subsided a bit.

Un-hyun sighed quietly and said in a soft voice.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has been a while.”

The Sword Saint answered Un-hyun’s greeting.

“But.”

The Sword Saint continued, looking straight at Un-hyun.

“What are you afraid of?”

“Yes?”

Un-hyun asked without realizing it.

But the Sword Saint was still staring at Un-hyun with intense eyes.

‘Ah.’

Un-hyun realized that he couldn’t hide anything in front of him.

“…I met someone called Muje. I fought him, and I couldn’t win.”

The reason he didn’t say he lost was because of Dokgo-rang.

He had never lost, that’s what Dokgo-rang had said.

“So, are you afraid of him?”

The Sword Saint asked.

“Or are you afraid of his sword?”

Un-hyun shook his head.

“No.”

Un-hyun answered, looking straight at the Sword Saint.

“I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid of his sword, nor am I afraid of him at all.”