Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 187

187. Intruders

Un-Hyun had nothing more to say after Dokgo-rang declared he preferred to be alone.

Dokgo-rang was well-known enough to have earned the moniker ‘Solitary Guest.’

Moreover, Un-Hyun had to consider that he, unfamiliar with such situations, might only hinder Dokgo-rang.

“Well, if that’s the case, there’s no helping it. But be careful. Don’t get hurt.”

Un-Hyun eventually nodded. Then, smiling, he added,

“Ah, and if it gets too overwhelming, feel free to send one or two of those beasts my way. Believe it or not, I’m quite confident in my martial skills. Hahaha.”

It was a joke, but Dokgo-rang did not laugh.

Dokgo-rang nodded silently.

And then, he turned and walked away.

Thud, thud.

Watching him recede into the distance, Un-Hyun couldn’t hide his concern.

‘Will he be alright?’

It was Dokgo-rang, no less.

A master of Sword Qi Manifestation [the ability to project one’s internal energy into a sword’s blade], and a solitary swordsman more accustomed than anyone to facing enemies alone.

Perhaps it was absurd for Un-Hyun to worry about him, but he couldn’t help but feel concerned.

Dokgo-rang was Un-Hyun’s only sworn brother and the only one who knew the truth about the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.

“Hoo.”

Un-Hyun sighed and glanced back.

The firmly shut, ancient door stood steadfast.

Beyond it were the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea and the Young Palace Lord.

And also, Bing-hu and the unconscious Bing-je.

“The responsibility is immense, isn’t it?”

When he first came to the Northern Sea, he never imagined things would turn out this way.

Un-Hyun caressed the sword at his waist.

It was a Northern Sea sword that he had requested separately from the Young Palace Lord.

Since Falling Sun had no blade, and the wooden sword didn’t seem suitable for guarding, he had asked for it.

Of course, he carried the wooden sword as well.

Sometimes, the familiar is better.

‘The path here was completely one-way, with only one corridor. I hope we don’t get suffocated by smoke or something?’

The Young Palace Lord had said there was no need to worry.

Indeed, the ventilation seemed to be working well.

Despite being deep underground, a faint breeze could be felt, and perhaps it was just his imagination, but breathing felt easier.

Swish.

Un-Hyun once again stared at the old door.

At that moment, the faint sound of a pipa [a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument] echoed in Un-Hyun’s ears.

Ddi-ri-ring.

‘It has begun.’

It had finally begun.

The moment that would determine the life of the Northern Sea Ice Emperor, and the fate of Un-Hyun and many others.

Un-Hyun unconsciously tightened his grip.

The Northern Sea sword in his hand felt particularly cold.

‘Its name was… Myeong, wasn’t it?’

The name of the sword that the Young Palace Lord had given him was Myeong (未明) [meaning “not yet clear” or “before dawn”].

A time when the darkness has not yet cleared, but a name filled with fervent hope for the day that will soon dawn, Myeong.

‘Somehow.’

Un-Hyun thought that it was a name that suited the current situation perfectly.

***

Thud, thud.

Dokgo-rang silently walked down the wide, long corridor.

Despite being deep underground, the corridor was so wide that it didn’t feel like it at all.

It was meticulously maintained, with no dirt to be seen, but the traces of time were unavoidable.

—If it gets too overwhelming, feel free to send one or two of those beasts my way.

Dokgo-rang recalled the words Un-Hyun had said a little while ago.

And the expression on Un-Hyun’s face as he smiled.

—Believe it or not, I’m quite confident in my martial skills.

Dokgo-rang chuckled.

‘A little’ confident? That’s not something someone who has shown such tremendous swordsmanship should say.

But Un-Hyun probably sincerely thought so.

That he was ‘a little’ confident.

So, Dokgo-rang couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“To send the beasts to the Great One, that cannot be.”

Thud.

Dokgo-rang muttered quietly, then stopped and turned around.

Un-Hyun was no longer visible.

Only the corridor swaying in the dim light maintained its silence.

But even that eerie sight meant nothing to Dokgo-rang.

“Because I have already received so much from the Great One.”

He had received such great teachings that he had decided to serve him as a teacher.

He even volunteered to be his servant to repay the favor.

But he had repaid nothing.

No, rather, Dokgo-rang had received something even greater than teachings or favors.

It was deep trust and warm affection.

Perhaps Un-Hyun was simply lonely.

Even if it had been someone other than Dokgo-rang, Un-Hyun might have treated them the same.

But the fact that Dokgo-rang had received trust and warmth from him was undeniable.

So, how could he put him in danger?

How could he allow a situation where he might be in danger because of him?

The reason Dokgo-rang had decided to guard this place alone was precisely because of that.

He had to make sure that he would never hinder Un-Hyun, even in the slightest possibility.

Swish.

Dokgo-rang, who had been staring into the darkness, turned his head.

Unusual presences were being felt from the entrance.

‘They’re coming, as expected.’

He had already anticipated that there would be an ambush.

This was the only chance for the beasts.

If the Ice Emperor regained consciousness here, the situation would become extremely unfavorable for them.

So, they had no choice but to break into this place.

Even if the person guarding this place was the successor of the Sword Saint.

‘Not even a hint of engagement.’

Dokgo-rang wore a sneer.

There was no way that the Northern Sea Ice Palace had no guards.

But they had not encountered any resistance.

That meant that they had more power and influence than he had thought.

And one more thing.

‘Does that mean they are not easy opponents?’

They were invading to take the life of the Northern Sea Ice Emperor, knowing that the successor of the Sword Saint was guarding him.

Their martial prowess, as well as their resolve, would not be ordinary.

They would have already given up on their lives and would not hesitate to make extreme choices to achieve their goals.

Swish.

As expected?

Eyes shining ominously began to emerge from the other side of the corridor.

The killing intent they emitted pricked Dokgo-rang’s skin like countless needles.

‘Twelve.’

Dokgo-rang scanned them with sharp eyes.

There were twelve in total, all wearing white uniforms, covering their eyes with white cloths, and already drawing their swords.

Thud.

One of the white-clad warriors stepped forward.

“…Hmph, so the Third Palace Lord’s dog was guarding this place?”

It was clumsy, but it was definitely the language of the South.

Dokgo-rang answered quietly.

“It’s always been like that.”

Sreung.

With a calm voice, Dokgo-rang’s sword revealed its form.

“The more pathetic the dogs, the louder they bark.”

Oong.

The white-clad warriors’ gazes changed instantly.

The low hum resonating from Dokgo-rang’s sword.

The energy rippling on the blue blade was none other than Sword Qi.

“Come.”

Dokgo-rang said in a chilling voice.

“Because time is precious.”

There was no killing intent or ferocious energy in Dokgo-rang’s quiet voice.

Only the sword hum, quietly weeping, was telling of Dokgo-rang’s resolve.

But that was enough.

Woong.

The white-clad warrior in front gritted his teeth.

‘Even a mere guard…’

Let alone the successor of the Sword Saint, even his guard was showing this much martial prowess.

It seemed that it would be difficult to see good results tonight.

But there was no turning back.

They had already expected this much, and they still had a hidden card.

Swish.

The white-clad warrior turned around.

The eyes of the eleven shone with determination.

Bowing his head slightly, the white-clad warrior said.

“Charge.”

Pat.

With that short voice, three warriors charged towards Dokgo-rang.

Behind them, four warriors, and then another five warriors, surged in.

But even more deadly were the countless hidden weapons that were fired between them.

Pabababat.

The energies of death were being fired towards Dokgo-rang.

But Dokgo-rang was still looking at them with a chilling gaze.

What was ringing in his ears now was Un-Hyun’s voice.

—But be careful. Don’t get hurt.

Woong.

“Yes, Great One.”

Dokgo-rang said in a quiet sword hum.

And at the same time, Dokgo-rang’s sword began to emit energy.

The blade, which had been shedding sword hum, began to emit light as if it could no longer endure.

Dokgo-rang drew that incandescent blade as it was, without the slightest hesitation.

Kwagwagwag.

Dokgo-rang’s shining sword had only cut through the air.

It did not cut down the white-clad warriors, nor even one of the hidden weapons they had fired.

But soon, a storm-like force engulfed the white-clad warriors, their hidden weapons, and the entire passage.

Nothing could escape that force.

***

‘Hmm?’

Un-Hyun, who was standing in front of the door, listening to the melody of the pipa, suddenly turned his head.

Because he felt something from the other side of the corridor, the side where Dokgo-rang had disappeared.

‘Has it already started?’

It was too far away to know exactly, but it seemed that Dokgo-rang had encountered the enemy.

‘There’s no need to force himself too much.’

Un-Hyun already knew very well what kind of person Dokgo-rang was.

He never made excuses and never shirked responsibility.

A person who carried everything alone and walked silently, that was Dokgo-rang.

The reason Un-Hyun had specifically said, ‘You can send one or two beasts’ was because he knew Dokgo-rang well.

Because he was definitely someone who would overdo it.

‘Will he be alright?’

Un-Hyun wondered if he should go now.

But he wasn’t sure that he would definitely be helpful if he went.

Wouldn’t he rather be a hindrance?

‘Hmm.’

Un-Hyun looked at the other side of the corridor and pondered seriously.

It was at that moment.

Dda-ra-rang, ddarang.

The faint sound of the pipa caught Un-Hyun’s attention.

The sound coming from beyond the large door was definitely the Young Palace Lord’s pipa.

The problem was that the melody was extremely unstable, unlike before.

‘What’s going on?’

Thud.

Un-Hyun unknowingly approached the door.

The large, ancient door was still firmly closed, but Un-Hyun could clearly hear the sound of the pipa coming from beyond it.

And also that the current situation was not going well.

He hesitated for a moment, but not for long. Un-Hyun reached out his hand towards the door.

Swish.

The large door opened surprisingly smoothly and quietly.

And Un-Hyun couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight that unfolded before his eyes.

‘This is.’

The place was more like a large grand hall than a room.

In particular, the four walls were bare, without any decorations, and the flickering appearance in the light was clearly like ice.

But there was no time to confirm that.

Hooo woong.

In the center of the grand hall, a huge energy was raging wildly from the curtained bed.

Ddarang, ddararang.

The melody of the pipa was constantly ringing out as if trying to control the energy, but it was not enough.

The energy raging from the bed was about to break free from control at any moment.