Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 201

201. Sword of the North Sea

The leader of the Twelve Sky Sovereigns was, as always, the First Sovereign.

The Second and Third Sovereigns flanked him, forming ranks on either side, following the First Sovereign.

And three more formations, each consisting of three sovereigns, began to follow from the left, right, and rear, like spreading wings.

Clatter, clatter.

The departure of the Twelve Sky Sovereigns wasn’t particularly fast.

However, in a heartbeat, the spears, held upright, were lowered to face forward, and the mighty warhorses of the North Sea began to thunder across the ground.

Doo-doo-doo.

The twelve riders swiftly became a unified force, galloping towards Woonhyun.

The twelve sharp spear tips, radiating a chilling aura, were aimed at Woonhyun with unwavering precision.

Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwak.

The speed of the galloping horses was astonishing.

Moreover, the sheer size and power of the massive warhorses were enough to crush a person, even without the spears flashing at the front.

An immense destructive force that would not stop even against an army.

It was precisely when that overwhelming violence was about to crash down on Woonhyun alone.

Sbahk.

The moment the spear blade was within reach.

Woonhyun took a step forward and swung his sword.

It was an extremely gentle and fluid swordsmanship, utterly out of place in the current situation.

However, at that moment, the First Sovereign at the head saw something he could scarcely believe.

Woonhyun’s sword was approaching the tip of his spear as leisurely as a butterfly.

‘……This is!’

At times, martial artists experience time slowing down.

It could be a life-or-death moment where lives are exchanged, or a moment of profound enlightenment.

The First Sovereign was witnessing such a scene right now.

Woonhyun’s sword, leisurely cutting through the air, was completing its trajectory faster than his own spear tip, which was rapidly approaching on horseback.

As if time was flowing slowly, or as if the whole world was waiting for Woonhyun’s sword.

Sarak.

The First Sovereign clearly saw the moment when the tip of Woonhyun’s sword lightly touched the tip of his spear.

And the next moment.

Whoosh.

A gentle breeze seemed to brush past the First Sovereign, and the world turned upside down before his eyes in an instant.

‘Heok!’

Even in his shock, the First Sovereign immediately tried to regain control of his horse.

But it was already too late.

The warhorse, which had been galloping at full speed, was already airborne.

And it fell onto the heads of the sovereigns who were running alongside with tremendous force.

There was no time to do anything, not even to shout a warning.

Thud.

The First Sovereign and his warhorse fell mercilessly onto his fellow sovereigns.

“Kuaaaak!”

Heeheehing!

The collision of the massive warhorses was an unbelievably spectacular sight.

Moreover, it wasn’t only the First Sovereign who was sent flying into the air.

The sovereigns who were following him were also scattering into the sky.

Like flower petals fluttering in the spring breeze.

An utterly unbelievable sight was unfolding before their eyes.

Kwa-gwak, thud.

Heeheehing.

“Keuheok!”

The surroundings instantly became chaotic.

Large horses and warriors were tumbling on the ground, and the charging warhorses collided and tangled with each other, plummeting along with the sovereigns.

The sovereigns who had not been prepared had to bear the full brunt of the tremendous impact.

The surroundings were instantly filled with the screams of warriors and the mournful cries of horses.

It was truly a moment’s work.

“……What, what is it.”

Zegal Giho muttered with a blank expression.

He had clearly seen what had just happened.

“What on earth just happened?”

“……It’s simple.”

Dok Gorang said.

Even he, who was always calm, could not hide his faintly trembling voice.

“He simply redirected the force of the charging cavalry. It’s not that uncommon a technique, is it?”

“Redirect? The technique of transferring flowers [a martial arts technique that redirects an opponent’s force]? Such nonsense…….”

Zegal Giho couldn’t finish his sentence.

In the martial arts world, there are techniques that utilize the opponent’s strength. The so-called transferring flowers or using four ounces to move a thousand pounds [leveraging a small amount of force to overcome a larger one].

But there’s a limit to that.

Such a sight was unimaginable even for Zegal Giho, who was well-versed in the affairs of the martial world.

At least, it would take the ultimate skill of a sect, for example, the Taeguk Hyegom [Supreme Ultimate Sword Art] of Wudang [a famous Taoist mountain and martial arts school].

However, perhaps unable to bring himself to mention the ultimate skill of Wudang, Zegal Giho could only repeat the same words once more.

“……This is impossible.”

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing before his eyes.

And that was the same for the warriors of the North Sea.

“How…….”

Yongsa Kabul muttered in disbelief.

“How could this happen…….”

The charge of the Twelve Sky Sovereigns had been shattered in an instant.

It was a result that was impossible to accept even after seeing it directly.

“……Heo.”

A low sigh came from beside him.

“The charge of the Twelve Sky Sovereigns, defeated with a single sword…….”

Overlord Doba Yanto couldn’t finish his sentence.

He was also a warrior and a martial artist.

Overlord Doba couldn’t help but tremble at the sight unfolding before his eyes.

Even if those who had been defeated were his own Twelve Sky Sovereigns.

‘Indeed.’

Overlord Doba repeated, biting his lip.

‘He is the one who will inherit the name of the Sword Saint, the sky of swords.’

Overlord Doba could deeply understand why the Ice Emperor had allowed him the name of the Blue Wolf.

The shadow of the Sword Saint was still covering the North Sea, even after decades.

Overlord Doba stared at his Twelve Sky Sovereigns, who were lying on the ground, with a stern expression.

Throb.

The old scar on his chest ached anew.

He didn’t know if this pain was due to his past defeat or the suffering of his brothers-in-arms.

But what he had to do now was clear.

“……I will.”

Overlord Doba slowly opened his mouth.

Woonhyun turned his head and looked at Overlord Doba Yanto.

Despite achieving this incredible feat, Woonhyun’s breathing was not disturbed at all.

However, the slight flush on his cheeks was probably an expression of joy at having achieved what he intended.

“I admit that I misjudged you. You are…….”

“Please wait.”

Yongsa Kabul interrupted Overlord Doba’s words.

“There are still those who will test him.”

Overlord Doba frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

“We still have Yongsa [Elite Warriors].”

Kabul turned his head.

There, thirty-six cavalrymen were waiting, fully armed.

They were also shocked by the sight that had unfolded before their eyes, but as elites of the North Sea, their fighting spirit was still alive.

In fact, it was more accurate to say that they didn’t understand what had happened.

“It’s a pointless act.”

But for Overlord Doba, it was a futile effort.

“Didn’t you see what he did?”

How could they test him further after seeing that sight?

It was an extremely obvious statement for Overlord Doba, but not for Kabul.

“We cannot stop here. No, we must not.”

“What did you say?”

Without waiting for Overlord Doba’s words, Kabul shouted towards the cavalry.

“The one from the South!”

Kabul’s eyes were blazing.

“Has defeated the Twelve Sky Sovereigns with bizarre sorcery! I command you to break his sorcery and test his true strength!”

“Uwooooo!”

The cavalry’s cry erupted, and Overlord Doba’s face instantly contorted.

He immediately realized the meaning of Kabul’s actions.

“……Is it the First Palace Lord [implying Kabul is acting on someone else’s orders]?”

Kabul did not answer. Instead, he said.

“We also have the right to test him. We cannot accept defeat without even wielding our spears once.”

That was just an excuse.

Overlord Doba already realized that things were out of his hands.

Meanwhile, Kabul shouted towards the cavalry.

“Charge!”

For the cavalry, charging was the most sacred order.

The cavalry, who had undergone harsh training and actual combat to the point where it was ingrained in their instincts, immediately followed the order.

“Charge!”

“Charge!”

The thirty-six cavalrymen slowly began to advance.

It was only a matter of time before they formed a pointed formation and gradually increased their speed.

Clatter, clatter.

The fully armed cavalry lowered their spears and began to charge.

The target was only one person, Woonhyun.

It was an absurdly small number of opponents for dozens of cavalrymen to charge, but there was no carelessness in the eyes of the cavalry.

They had clearly seen what he had done with a single sword just a moment ago.

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

The mighty horses of the North Sea kicked off the ground, and the cavalry’s charge became even faster.

There was nothing that could stop them now.

Overlord Doba Yanto turned his head and looked at Kabul.

“You have betrayed me.”

Kabul bit his lip.

“I have no choice. I…….”

“And you have falsely incited the Yongsa, driving them to their deaths.”

Overlord Doba continued with a cold gaze.

“The blood brothers who have weathered the battlefields with you.”

Overlord Doba’s words of death were not an exaggeration.

Overlord Doba could well imagine what would happen if Woonhyun, who had created that scene just a moment ago, harbored murderous intent.

“You are no longer a Yongsa. Kabul.”

Overlord Doba asserted.

“And no longer a blood brother.”

“……This sin.”

Kabul said.

“I will repay it with death later.”

His voice was resolute.

But Overlord Doba didn’t hear it.

Because an immense force had suddenly enveloped the surroundings.

‘Ugh.’

Overlord Doba turned his head sharply.

And beyond the charging cavalry, he saw Woonhyun’s sword emitting a blue aura.

‘That, that is…….’

Woong.

The radiance soaring towards the sky was shining blue.

It was a completely different stance from when he had neutralized the Twelve Sky Sovereigns just a moment ago.

Although Overlord Doba didn’t know it, it was the same appearance that Woonhyun had seen in his illusion.

Woong, woong-woong-woong.

The radiance gradually increased its light.

Now, even the shape of the sword could not be seen properly.

It was a sight that would shock anyone, but the cavalry did not stop.

No, they couldn’t stop.

Woong-woong.

“As expected…….”

Woonhyun muttered quietly, holding the Myeong [name of the sword].

He already knew what this power was.

The Sunset’s SimSang [Mind’s Image], resonating and harmonizing within him even now, and the immense presence felt beyond it.

It was the power of the Eternal Ice Crystal revealing its form through Woonhyun.

“Although it’s not to that extent.”

The appearance that Woonhyun had seen in the illusion was even more overwhelming than this.

But it couldn’t be helped.

This was the limit for Woonhyun right now.

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

Looking at the thirty-six cavalrymen charging towards him, Woonhyun said quietly.

“Let’s go. Binghon [Ice Soul].”

Whooooosh.

The shape of the blue sword emitting light was swung towards the cavalry.

And a storm of immense force struck the galloping cavalry.

Whooooong.

The force created by the massive blue aura passed right through the cavalry.

All they felt was a cool breeze; the cavalry was neither cut down nor bounced back by the destructive force.

‘Huh?’

But even their bewilderment was brief, as the massive blue sword swept through the cavalry once more.

Whoosh.

Again, the blue aura simply passed through the cavalry.

But this time, it brought a clear result.

A result that anyone in the cavalry could immediately recognize.

Thud.

Along with a chilling tremor, the riders felt as if they were falling downwards.

No, it wasn’t just a feeling.

The galloping warhorses were plummeting straight to the ground.

As if the ground beneath their feet had suddenly collapsed.

‘Heok.’

Clang.

The riders tumbled helplessly to the ground along with their horses.

Neither the bravery that roamed the battlefields nor the skilled techniques were of any use.

As if the mighty warhorses were collapsing on their own, dozens of riders were also plummeting along with their horses without being able to do anything.

The energy in their entire bodies had disappeared.

Clatter.

Heeheehing, purrrr.

The groans of the riders and the pitiful cries of the horses were laid low on the desolate earth.

No one spoke.

Overlord Doba Yanto, gritting his teeth, Kabul, unable to hide his shock, as well as the Twelve Palace Lords and Zegal Giho, and even Dok Gorang and the former elders.

Everyone was silent at the sight before their eyes.