Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 170

170. The Gentleman’s Sword’s Favor

‘Gasp.’

Je Gal-chi was helpless against Namgung Bi-yeon’s blade, which halted mere inches from his throat.

“H-How….”

Confusion and bewilderment etched across his face, Je Gal-chi stared at Namgung Bi-yeon.

However, Namgung Bi-yeon was equally surprised.

‘How could this….’

She had simply executed the stances Yun-hyun had taught her.

Yet, Je Gal-chi had practically offered his neck to her sword.

It was as if he were guided by an unseen force.

She couldn’t comprehend how it had happened.

But one thing was undeniable.

She had won.

Even if it wasn’t a formal duel.

Clap, clap, clap.

Breaking the silence, applause echoed through the banquet hall.

It was the Family Head, the Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung.

“Good swordsmanship. Thank you both for providing such an enjoyable spectacle.”

Thud.

Ignoring the bewildered gazes, the Family Head rose from his seat.

“I’ll take my leave. Please, continue to enjoy yourselves.”

“F-Family Head!”

Confusion rippled through the crowd, but the Family Head exited the banquet hall. Several people hurriedly followed, and a buzz of conversation erupted.

“W-What? Why….”

Swish.

Namgung Bi-yeon sheathed her sword.

“Thank you.”

She bowed lightly to Je Gal-chi, who remained in shock.

Rustle.

Turning, she saw Yun-hyun already standing, extending a hand as if inviting her to leave with him.

“Hehe.”

Namgung Bi-yeon laughed softly, a sound as bright and cheerful as her name, Bi-yeon [meaning “flying swallow” or “jade swallow”].

Swoosh.

Her steps towards Yun-hyun were light and cheerful.

“If you had left it to me,” Dokgo-rang said quietly to Yun-hyun as she approached.

“There would have been no need for you to intervene.”

“Well, of course, that would have been the case.”

Yun-hyun agreed. Dokgo-rang could have overwhelmed Je Gal-chi with sheer force, without Yun-hyun needing to teach him anything.

Though Je Gal-chi’s survival wouldn’t have been guaranteed, and Namgung Bi-yeon wouldn’t have had the chance to shine.

“But that wouldn’t do.”

Yun-hyun shook his head, his voice serious.

“I can’t send my precious sworn brother against someone like that.”

That was Yun-hyun’s honest feeling.

Asking a master of Sword Energy Emission [a technique where the user projects their internal energy into their sword strikes] to face someone like Je Gal-chi was an insult.

“Ah, it’s not like I’m looking down on Namgung Bi-yeon or anything….”

Yun-hyun, searching for the right words, turned to Dokgo-rang with an awkward smile.

Dokgo-rang regarded him with his usual expressionless face.

“Well, that’s how it is.”

He mumbled, as Namgung Bi-yeon drew closer.

“Shall we go?”

Namgung Bi-yeon asked, her smile radiant.

Yun-hyun smiled back.

“Yes, let’s go.”

The two left the banquet hall side by side.

Dokgo-rang silently followed, and as Yun-hyun had predicted, the banquet ended abruptly. No one spared Je Gal-chi a second glance.

***

The Je Gal Family Estate was quiet at dawn.

The splendid banquet of the previous night seemed like a dream, as the estate was now submerged in the tranquil twilight.

Swoosh.

Yun-hyun strolled slowly around the guest accommodations.

The neat promenade and well-manicured garden, prepared for visitors, put him at ease.

His only regret was the lack of a training area.

Especially now that mental training was restricted.

“It’s a shame.”

Yun-hyun muttered under his breath.

Just then, he sensed someone approaching.

“What is it that you regret?”

Thud.

The voice was closer than he expected.

And it belonged to someone he hadn’t anticipated.

“Was your stay comfortable?”

With a long white beard, it was none other than the Family Head of the Je Gal Family, the Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung.

Yun-hyun clasped his hands together and bowed.

“Yes. I rested comfortably, thank you.”

Family Head Je Gal-myung nodded.

“Yesterday, my son was rude due to his immaturity. I apologize as the Family Head. I will ensure he is properly disciplined, so please, do not take it to heart.”

He spoke casually, but the act of apologizing as the Family Head carried significant weight.

Yun-hyun readily accepted the apology.

“I am the one who is sorry for spoiling the banquet.”

Yun-hyun didn’t bother concealing the fact that he had taught Namgung Bi-yeon the stances.

The Family Head likely knew already.

“No, it’s quite alright. It was merely a diversion.”

The Family Head said with a gentle smile.

However, Yun-hyun noticed the unusual brightness in his eyes.

“Have you ever witnessed the Je Gal Family’s swordsmanship before?” the Family Head asked.

“Yes. I saw it at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering [a martial arts tournament for young talents].”

“The Dragon Phoenix Gathering, so yesterday was….”

“The second time.”

“Haha.”

The Family Head stroked his white beard and chuckled.

“So, you deciphered the Je Gal Family’s swordsmanship in just two encounters?”

“It wasn’t the Je Gal Family’s swordsmanship, but that young man’s swordsmanship. As you said, he was immature.”

The Family Head offered a wry smile.

‘Immature’ was only true from the Family Head’s perspective.

If the direct descendant of the Je Gal Family, who had dedicated his life to mastering the family’s swordsmanship, was considered immature, who could be deemed mature?

“It may be an overestimation, but I worry that the Je Gal Family’s swordsmanship might be judged solely by that child’s performance.”

A light gleamed in Family Head Je Gal-myung’s eyes.

Yun-hyun’s eyes mirrored the light.

‘Could it be….’

Could he be about to demonstrate a move himself?

Yun-hyun couldn’t contain his excitement.

As expected?

Swish.

The Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung slowly raised one hand diagonally.

It was an empty hand, but as he straightened it, the surrounding energy began to swirl.

Whoo-oong.

The Gentleman’s Sword’s clothes fluttered.

Yun-hyun watched silently.

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of harming your master.”

The words were directed not at Yun-hyun, but at Dokgo-rang.

Dokgo-rang, who had revealed himself, stood behind the Gentleman’s Sword, his hand resting on his sword.

The Gentleman’s Sword’s energy was so immense that even Dokgo-rang, a master of Sword Energy Emission, couldn’t conceal his tension.

Swish.

The Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung slashed his hand down.

Whoosh.

It was just an empty hand.

However, as his hand cut through the air, a sharp wind brushed past Yun-hyun.

Rip.

The sleeve of Yun-hyun’s robe was sliced off.

Yun-hyun’s smile stopped Dokgo-rang from intervening without him even realizing it.

“How is it?”

Je Gal-myung asked.

“Amazing.”

Yun-hyun answered honestly.

Je Gal-myung smiled.

However, Yun-hyun wasn’t finished.

“But I can’t say for sure without seeing the next move.”

“The next move?”

Je Gal-myung frowned.

It was as if no such thing existed, but Yun-hyun continued calmly.

“The sword path was cut off in the middle, without reaching its conclusion. There are several ways to continue, but I’m curious which one you chose.”

The smile vanished from Je Gal-myung’s face.

But only for a moment.

The Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung stroked his beard.

“You are a truly interesting person.”

Je Gal-myung continued, his gaze intense despite his gentle appearance.

“I would like to talk to you all day if possible.”

“Me too.”

“Hahahaha.”

At Yun-hyun’s words, the Gentleman’s Sword burst into hearty laughter.

“What could be fun about spending time with an old man like me? It would be better for you to be with a beautiful lady like the Namgung Family’s daughter.”

“That’s not true.”

Yun-hyun said seriously.

He realized the Gentleman’s Sword was testing him.

“I have no relationship with Namgung Bi-yeon. And I am more looking forward to talking with you, Family Head.”

He had left the banquet hall with Namgung Bi-yeon, but that was all.

She had returned to her companions, and Yun-hyun had returned to his accommodation with Dokgo-rang.

“Hehe.”

A smile spread across the Gentleman’s Sword’s wrinkled eyes.

“Thank you for the kind words, even if they are empty.”

“It’s not empty words….”

Swish.

The Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung reached into his chest.

He withdrew a small green jade pendant with a red tassel.

“When the affairs of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans and sects] are concluded,” the Gentleman’s Sword said, handing the jade pendant to Yun-hyun.

“Come and visit sometime. If you show this pendant to someone from the Je Gal Family, they won’t dare to mistreat you.”

He spoke casually to Yun-hyun.

That was fine.

But Yun-hyun was embarrassed for another reason.

“I-I can’t accept such a precious gift without a reason.”

The delicately engraved patterns on the surface of the jade pendant and the elegant red tassel indicated its value.

“It is precious, but it doesn’t matter in your hands. And if you need a reason….”

The Gentleman’s Sword smiled.

“It’s because I want to talk to you again. Regardless of age and circumstances, I want to talk to you frankly.”

Yun-hyun could see the sincerity in his words.

‘Hoo.’

Yun-hyun was susceptible to the kindness of elders.

With the Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung, an old man with a white beard, making such a request, Yun-hyun had no choice but to accept the jade pendant.

“Thank you.”

Yun-hyun received the jade pendant politely with both hands.

“I am the one who is grateful.”

“No. I am just grateful for your kindness.”

“Did you say you were going to the Northern Sea?”

The Gentleman’s Sword asked suddenly.

He must be referring to the Northern Sea delegation.

“Yes.”

“It’s a long journey.”

The Gentleman’s Sword muttered quietly and said to Yun-hyun with a smile.

“Have a safe trip. If you need anything, our Je Gal Family will assist you at any time.”

It was an incredible statement.

The Family Head of the Je Gal Family had pledged full support in the name of the entire family.

However, Yun-hyun didn’t take the words in a special way.

Receiving new clothes was already more than enough.

“Thank you.”

“Then, until we meet again.”

With a light greeting, the Gentleman’s Sword turned to leave.

Swish.

Dokgo-rang stepped aside to make way for him.

He remained wary, but his hand was no longer on his sword.

Thud, thud.

‘That insight and that realm.’

As he walked away, the Gentleman’s Sword mused.

Yun-hyun’s insight is truly remarkable.

But what’s even more surprising is that Yun-hyun wasn’t intimidated by my technique.

That’s not something that can be achieved through knowledge alone.

Just as everyone knows the immensity of the sea but trembles before its massive waves, everyone is awed by the Gentleman’s Sword’s technique.

Even Dokgo-rang, who has reached the pinnacle of mastery, couldn’t hide his tension.

‘But.’

Yun-hyun was different.

He wasn’t terrified, nor was he particularly amazed.

There’s only one explanation for that.

‘It means he’s already looking beyond that.’

Thud.

The Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung stopped.

And he sighed deeply.

“I thought I had almost reached it, but in the end, is this all I am?”

Sword Saint.

That title is revered by all martial artists, yet it remains an insurmountable wall.

It was the same for the Family Head of the Je Gal Family, the Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myung.

That’s why he couldn’t help but be excited when he heard about the ‘Successor of the Sword Saint’.

What kind of person would the Sword Saint recognize?

What level of mastery has he reached, and what kind of character does he possess?

Will I be disappointed, or will I be amazed?

So, the Gentleman’s Sword waited.

For Yun-hyun, who was recognized by the Sword Saint and would indirectly reveal the gap between himself and the Sword Saint.

“Hehe.”

The Gentleman’s Sword let out a hollow laugh.

“Did they say that deep water is silent?”

He quietly repeated Yun-hyun’s words from the previous day.

Before he knew it, the dawn sky was brightly lit, but the Gentleman’s Sword’s heart was sinking into a deep darkness.