Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 169

169. Three Moves

Thud.

The young man rose from his seat and stepped into the center of the banquet hall.

He stood in the space usually reserved for dancers and performers, drawing his sword.

Swish.

The sharp blade gleamed under the light.

The banquet hall fell silent as the young man grasped his sword and bowed to the head of the family.

“I am Jegal Chi. I may be inadequate, but I will perform a sword dance for you.”

The head of the family nodded.

Jegal Chi turned and bowed to the others in the banquet hall as well.

The moment his eyes met Unhyun’s, Unhyun’s expression hardened.

The look in Jegal Chi’s eyes as he gazed at Unhyun and Nangong Biyeon was filled with undisguised malice.

Diring.

The musician began to play music for the sword dance.

As if responding, Jegal Chi’s blade danced under the light.

Swish, whoosh.

‘Hmm.’

Unhyun carefully watched the trajectories his blade drew.

Although it was called a sword dance, the swordplay he displayed clearly showed the Jegal family’s swordsmanship.

‘…Indeed.’

Regardless of his personality, Jegal Chi’s swordplay was excellent.

It was a moment to confirm that the Jegal family’s reputation was not in vain.

‘But.’

Unhyun smiled wryly.

Even at its best, Jegal Chi’s swordsmanship wasn’t particularly impressive.

If Master Wabul were here, he would have chided, ‘It’s because you’ve unnecessarily raised your standards.’

Swish. Swish.

Charararararang.

As the music intensified, Jegal Chi’s blade began to scatter light in all directions.

The others also spared no admiration and praise for Jegal Chi’s sword dance.

Just as a satisfied smile began to appear on the face of the middle-aged man who had recommended him, Unhyun was instead wearing a bitter smile.

He realized that Jegal Chi’s flamboyant sword dance was gradually approaching him.

‘Oh, dear.’

Watching the blade fly towards him, Unhyun reached out to Dokgo Rang.

Sleek.

The moment Unhyun’s hand touched Dokgo Rang, Jegal Chi turned and swung his sword.

Whoong.

The blade rushed towards Unhyun and Nangong Biyeon’s eyes.

However, Unhyun didn’t even blink, watching the trajectory of the blade.

Unhyun knew.

That Jegal Chi’s sword was only a threat, and that Dokgo Rang was also aware of it.

He was only worried that Dokgo Rang might draw his sword in anger, which was why he reached out.

However, Nangong Biyeon, who was sitting next to him, couldn’t do the same.

“Ah!”

Seeing Jegal Chi approaching, she had thought it couldn’t be, but when the tip of the sword brushed past her eyes, she instinctively leaned back.

Although she was a woman from a martial arts family, she had never imagined that he would do something so dangerous at a banquet.

No, perhaps it was because she was well aware of the danger of a blade imbued with inner force [qi or internal energy].

However, to those far away, it could only appear that Nangong Biyeon was frightened and overreacting.

“Heh.”

Jegal Chi smirked triumphantly and spun around to continue his sword dance.

“Pfft.”

“Hoho.”

Some people began to laugh as they looked at Nangong Biyeon.

Nangong Biyeon, who was trying to suppress her embarrassment, also turned red.

“Young miss.”

Just then, Unhyun’s voice was heard.

When Nangong Biyeon turned to look, Unhyun continued to speak without taking his eyes off Jegal Chi’s sword dance.

“It seems that young man has ill intentions towards us. We can’t just let him get away with this, so would you like to try something?”

“How?”

Only then did Unhyun turn his head to look at Nangong Biyeon.

“First, remember this sword path well.”

Unhyun raised a finger from under the table and moved it lightly as if it were a sword.

Once, twice, and three times.

Nangong Biyeon’s eyes sparkled.

She, too, was a promising talent in martial arts from her family.

Although her level wasn’t high, she wasn’t so ignorant as to not understand the meaning of Unhyun’s movements.

“That’s…….”

“How dare I discuss the Jegal family’s swordsmanship.”

Unhyun repeated the same movement several times and spoke quietly.

“If it’s the level of that rude young man, it’s not that difficult.”

Unhyun smiled.

It was the most wonderful smile Nangong Biyeon had ever seen.

Boom.

Diring.

At the urgent music and the sound of the blade cutting through the air, Unhyun and Nangong Biyeon raised their heads.

Jegal Chi’s sword, bearing an arrogant sneer, was once again approaching them.

And, as expected.

Swish.

Jegal Chi’s sword brushed past Unhyun and Nangong Biyeon again.

This time it was even closer than before.

Whoong, hooong.

The blade flashed under the light, and everyone else was watching with interest.

Now they clearly understood Jegal Chi’s intentions.

Like Jegal Chi, they wanted to see the daughter of a fallen rival family and a rude secretary squirm.

Whoosh.

The wind from the tip of the sword shook Unhyun’s hair once again.

However, Unhyun and Nangong Biyeon’s reaction defied their expectations.

This time, neither of them showed any reaction.

“Tsk.”

A sound of regretful tongue-clicking was heard from somewhere.

Jegal Chi, who was continuing his sword dance, also frowned.

‘How dare they.’

Jegal Chi felt a surge of anger.

Originally, he had only wanted to see the secretary, who was always showing off, tremble, and the young lady of the fallen family turn pale.

At first, it was quite successful.

When that proud young lady, biting her red lips and enduring humiliation, let out a short scream, he even felt a kind of perverse desire boiling up.

But now they were looking at him without even a hint of fear.

As if they were mocking Jegal Chi.

‘Hmph, I didn’t originally intend to go this far, but.’

He didn’t intend to draw blood.

But if they came out like this, the problem was different.

‘How dare they not know their place.’

Even if she was a young lady of the Nangong family, it was already a ruined family.

Even if he was a secretary belonging to the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance], there was no need to worry about the aftermath.

The sharp-looking man next to her was a concern, but this was the Jegal family.

No matter how skilled a master of the Jianghu [martial world] was, what could he possibly do in the heart of the Jegal family?

Jegal Chi hardened his heart.

‘Let’s see if you can still glare at me after this.’

If it was the young lady of the Nangong family, it would be enough to cut her clothes and shame her.

But Unhyun couldn’t get away with it like that.

An ear, or an eye.

Or it would be good to create a long scar on that unsightly face.

A scar that he would regret for the rest of his life.

It was when Jegal Chi, who was continuing his sword dance, turned towards them.

Rustle.

Nangong Biyeon rose from her seat.

“Family Head.”

At her voice, the Family Head paid attention.

Nangong Biyeon bowed lightly and continued in a calm voice.

“A sword dance is more enjoyable when there is an opponent. Would it be alright if I were to be Young Master Jegal’s opponent, even though I am inadequate?”

‘Hmph. They don’t even know their place.’

Jegal Chi, who had briefly stopped his sword dance, sneered inwardly.

He had already seen Unhyun talking to Nangong Biyeon.

It was clear that Unhyun had instigated Nangong Biyeon.

“That’s good.”

Before the Family Head could say anything, Jegal Chi spoke first.

“If it’s Young Lady Nangong, I would like that too, Family Head.”

Jegal Chi said with a confident expression.

“Is that so?”

The Family Head glanced around.

Everyone’s eyes were shining with anticipation.

They wanted to see Jegal Chi defeat the sword of the Nangong family, who had always claimed to be a family of sword kings, in this place today.

Even if the opponent was a young lady from the Nangong family.

“Do so.”

Family Head Jegal Myeong readily agreed.

It was unlike his usual self, as if he was indifferent.

But no one cared about that.

Step.

Nangong Biyeon walked to the center of the banquet hall.

Her supple figure and smooth movements clearly showed that she was a young lady from a martial arts family who had undergone long training.

Chang.

Nangong Biyeon drew her sword.

The straight blade gleamed under the banquet hall lights.

Swish.

Nangong Biyeon grasped her sword and bowed to the Family Head.

Then she turned and stood facing Jegal Chi.

“I ask for your kind cooperation, even though my skills are lacking.”

It was like a martial arts etiquette.

Jegal Chi lightly raised his sword and responded to her greeting.

“I ask for your kind cooperation.”

‘Hmph, I guess she thought it was better to come out.’

Of course, it was better to draw a sword and face him than to sit and be threatened.

If she had the skills to do so.

‘No way.’

At a glance, Nangong Biyeon was very young.

Of course, Jegal Chi was also young, but he was older than Nangong Biyeon.

Besides, Jegal Chi had clearly seen Nangong Biyeon frightened by his sword a moment ago.

Jegal Chi, who had not been using his full power until now, couldn’t help but see Nangong Biyeon as ridiculous.

‘Things won’t go the way you think.’

When the sword dance started, he would suddenly pour out all his strength and rush at Nangong Biyeon.

Once he knocked away her sword in a panic, then it would be up to Jegal Chi.

It didn’t matter whether he cut Nangong Biyeon’s clothes to reveal her bare skin, or whether he accidentally slashed the secretary’s face with his sword.

The responsibility would lie with the secretary who failed to avoid the sudden unexpected situation.

Swish.

Jegal Chi raised his sword with a gleaming look in his eyes.

And the music began.

Diring.

Tat.

It was a slow and leisurely performance, but Jegal Chi’s blade was rushing mercilessly towards Nangong Biyeon.

It was truly a sudden surprise attack.

But at that moment, Nangong Biyeon was instead reminded of Unhyun’s words.

―He’ll probably rush in as soon as it starts.

―What? No way.

Unhyun smiled at Nangong Biyeon’s words.

―Impatient people tend to rush things.

He omitted the modifier ‘stupid’ before the word ‘impatient’ that he was about to say.

Because it contained not only an evaluation of the other person but also an insult.

―The sword path he will unfold is probably this.

Unhyun clearly remembered which sword path Jegal Chi was most proud of.

At that time, Jegal Chi was also focusing all his attention on the sword.

―If that happens.

Unhyun’s hand moved, showing three moves.

The first two were natural connections, but the last move was completely out of the blue.

―Unfold the sword exactly as it is.

Nangong Biyeon was doubtful, but Unhyun was so calm that she nodded and asked.

―And then what?

It was a natural question, but this time Unhyun was rather puzzled.

But soon he smiled.

―And then.

Unhyun smiled and replied.

―We’ll be able to leave this boring banquet hall and rest comfortably.

Nangong Biyeon frowned slightly.

She didn’t really understand what he meant, but one thing was clear.

It was much more like her to draw her sword and go out than to sit and suffer humiliation.

Swish.

And now Jegal Chi’s sword was rushing towards her.

Exactly as Unhyun had said.

Woong.

Nangong Biyeon’s sword, imbued with inner force, began to move.

It was a precise and exemplary movement, not even an inch different from the moves Unhyun had shown.

Whirlick.

‘Gasp.’

Nangong Biyeon’s blade made Jegal Chi flinch for a moment.

The expectation that the opponent would be flustered was wrong, and Jegal Chi became even more angry.

But there was no time to be angry.

Before he knew it, Nangong Biyeon’s blade was stabbing towards Jegal Chi.

‘How dare you!’

Jegal Chi’s anger soared to the top of his head.

He put all his strength into knocking away Nangong Biyeon’s sword.

No, he tried to knock it down.

‘Huh?’

But Nangong Biyeon’s sword was not there.

It was a completely unexpected situation.

Jegal Chi reacted instinctively without realizing it.

He moved his body, following the Jegal family’s swordsmanship that he had honed throughout his life, protecting his blind spot.

It was an extremely Jegal family-like, commendable response.

And that response was exactly as Unhyun had foreseen.

Whoosh.

A sword came in towards Jegal Chi from the side.

There was no sign or momentum.

The sword, which had been extended as if by chance, was flashing its sharp blade right in front of Jegal Chi’s neck.