Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 209

209. I Won’t Use Sword Energy or Internal Force

The middle-aged man casually suggested, but Dokgo-rang didn’t even respond.

The man shrugged and pulled a chair next to him, plopping down.

He knew Dokgo-rang wouldn’t move easily.

However, he was confident that the wait would be worthwhile.

“I wonder if anyone’s betting?”

The middle-aged man muttered, looking around.

And his wait didn’t last long.

Thud.

A man stepped onto the dueling platform.

The warrior, with a large dao [a single-edged Chinese sword] and an equally large physique, had intense eyes and countless scars.

Thud.

Stopping in the center of the platform, he opened his mouth.

“I am Jeong Balsan from Shandong.”

His words caused a stir here and there.

“Jeong Balsan? From Shandong?”

“Black Tiger Jeong Balsan of Shandong!”

A light exclamation escaped, as if he were a well-known figure.

Seemingly satisfied with the reaction, Jeong Balsan wore a faint smile.

Then, he reached behind his back and released the large dao.

Clang.

The end of the scabbard struck the dueling platform.

Jeong Balsan spoke in a weighty voice.

“Who will teach me?”

Although not a loud voice, the internal force behind his words echoed loudly around the dueling platform.

People waited in silence for a challenger.

However, no one came forward.

It was when Jeong Balsan was about to wear a sneer.

Thud.

People’s gazes turned to one person.

It was Dokgo-rang who was ascending the dueling platform.

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know? Someone I don’t recognize?”

Amidst the murmurs, Dokgo-rang slowly walked and stood facing Jeong Balsan.

Jeong Balsan chuckled.

“Who are you?”

Dokgo-rang said calmly.

“I am Dokgo-rang.”

“Dokgo-rang?”

Jeong Balsan frowned. But soon, shock spread across his face.

“The Lone Guest, Dokgo-rang!”

Others were equally surprised.

“The Lone Guest?”

“The Dokgo-rang of Sword Energy Manifestation?”

The murmurs spread quickly among the people.

“They say he defeated the Taeheo Gate Lord with one sword?”

“They say he caused a mass slaughter at Cheoljeong Mountain?”

And the murmurs soon converged into one.

“No, why is a master of Sword Energy Manifestation here?”

Jeong Balsan also agreed with those words.

“It seems this is not a place for a master like you.”

It was a polite tone, but his eyes clearly showed displeasure.

However, Dokgo-rang said calmly.

“I will not use sword energy.”

Jeong Balsan’s eyes gleamed.

“I will not use internal force either. Only my own strength and this one sword.”

Swish.

Dokgo-rang raised his sword and continued.

“I will engage in a duel.”

Dokgo-rang’s eyes were shining as he spoke.

“Are you still afraid?”

“Heeheehee.”

A sound, whether a groan or a laugh, leaked from Jeong Balsan’s mouth.

“Frankly, it’s a very tempting offer.”

Defeating a master of Sword Energy Manifestation would be very meaningful.

Although there was a restriction that he would not use internal force and sword energy, a match was still a match.

Even if it was just a chance, if Jeong Balsan won, he would surely make a name for himself in the Jianghu [the martial arts world] martial world.

“Isn’t there a chance you might use sword energy without realizing it?”

“If that happens.”

Dokgo-rang said calmly.

“I will admit my defeat.”

Jeong Balsan’s eyes gleamed.

‘This is an opportunity.’

A tremendous opportunity.

The fame of defeating the Lone Guest Dokgo-rang was by no means small, and the possibility of him winning was by no means small.

No, Jeong Balsan was now clearly convinced that he would win.

He had experienced as many real battles as anyone, and above all, he was allowed to use internal force, wasn’t he?

“Alright.”

Swish.

Jeong Balsan drew his dao.

And he threw the scabbard out of the dueling platform.

Thud.

Discarding the scabbard meant he was betting his life on this duel.

Jeong Balsan held his large dao with both hands and bowed to Dokgo-rang.

“Jeong Balsan, the Black Tiger of Shandong, will learn a thing or two today.”

Jeong Balsan’s eyes, looking at Dokgo-rang, were burning fiercely.

And Dokgo-rang also drew his sword.

Swish.

He didn’t discard the scabbard or anything.

He raised his sword and said quietly.

“It’s Dokgo-rang.”

Dokgo-rang’s eyes shone.

“Come.”

It was a provocation.

Jeong Balsan gritted his teeth.

Grind.

But the opponent was someone who deserved to be arrogant enough.

He was an opponent who was worth more than enough to defeat with all his might.

Whoong.

Jeong Balsan’s great dao, imbued with internal force, let out a low cry.

And Jeong Balsan wore a triumphant smile.

Just as he was no match for a master of Sword Energy Manifestation, Dokgo-rang, who didn’t use internal force, was no match for him.

Jeong Balsan’s strong feet confidently kicked off the dueling platform.

“Tahaaa!”

Whooooosh.

Jeong Balsan’s great dao, imbued with internal force, poured towards Dokgo-rang like a storm.

However, Dokgo-rang’s eyes did not waver in the slightest.

***

The number of sects and individuals gathered at the Murim Alliance’s World Martial Arts Tournament was enormous.

While small and medium-sized sects and emerging martial arts schools were engaged in fierce preliminary rounds to survive, large sects and clans leisurely awaited the main rounds.

And finally, when the fourteen sects that had passed the preliminaries were determined, the Murim Alliance officially declared the opening of the World Martial Arts Tournament.

“Welcome to everyone present here.”

Jinheo, the representative of Shaolin and the general manager of the World Martial Arts Tournament, opened his mouth in a weighty voice.

“Seeing all of you, fellow martial artists of the Jianghu, fills this Jinheo with boundless emotion.”

Jinheo continued, slowly looking around.

The dueling platform where he stood was filled with martial artists.

Not only the large sects and clans known as the Murim Alliance’s Eighteen Great Sects, but also all kinds of sects and martial artists filled this place, in addition to the fourteen sects that had passed the preliminaries.

Among them was the Murong Clan, which had proudly passed the preliminaries.

“Grandmaster Jinheo is overseeing the martial arts tournament?”

Murong Mi said in a low voice.

Murong Jin nodded.

“Yes. He’s personally taking care of all the duels from the preliminaries. He’s a very rigid person, as befits a Shaolin monk. Even martial artists avoid him when they see him, haha.”

Shaolin’s Jinheo was very strict and adhered to the rules.

His infamous reputation spread during the preliminary rounds.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Murong Mi said.

“I’m sorry for being late, Brother.”

“No, don’t worry about it. I know very well that the clan’s work is busy.”

Murong Jin smiled.

“And anyway, the main rounds aren’t starting now, are they?”

Murong Jin’s eyes were shining as he spoke.

It starts now.

It was when the name of the Murong Clan would be known to the Murim Alliance, and to the world.

“Jin Oppa! Do your best!”

Murong Sang-ah, sitting next to him, clenched her small fist and said.

Murong Jin smiled.

“Yes, thank you. I feel energized by Sang-ah’s support, you know?”

“Hehehe.”

Murong Sang-ah laughed.

Murong Mi wore a smile at the sight of her cute younger sister.

Murong Mi was not the only one who joined late.

Not only his younger sister Murong Sang-ah, but also the clan leader, Gwan Il-geom Murong Dancheon, was there.

Most of the leaders or clan heads of the Murim Alliance’s Eighteen Great Sects also attended.

Of course, they don’t directly participate in the duels.

However, those who can be said to be the core of each sect and clan all registered for the martial arts tournament.

The significance of this martial arts tournament was that great.

Since the establishment of the Murim Alliance, it was virtually the first official martial arts tournament where the capabilities of each sect could be measured.

“But there are so many people. Are they all sects that have made it to the main rounds?”

Murong Sang-ah asked, looking around.

Murong Mi shook her head.

“No. There are many who have been eliminated, and even many who have nothing to do with the martial world.”

“Why are the eliminated people not going home?”

Murong Mi gave a wry smile at the childlike, straightforward words.

“It’s to see the results of this tournament to the end. A lot can change depending on the results of this tournament. And it’s also an opportunity to directly confirm the skills of each sect, which have only been rumored.”

“Ah, I see.”

Murong Sang-ah nodded and suddenly said.

“But what about Yun Oppa?”

Murong Mi and Murong Sang-ah’s eyes simultaneously turned to Murong Jin.

“Ah. Yun Daein is not here.”

“He’s not here?”

“He’s not here?”

The two younger sisters asked at the same time, and Murong Jin gave a wry smile.

“Yes. I asked as soon as I came to the Murim Alliance, but they said he went to the North Sea and hasn’t come back yet.”

Yun Hyun had already returned, but Murong Jin didn’t know.

That’s because the time he asked was before Yun Hyun returned.

So Murong Jin thought Yun Hyun was not in the Murim Alliance.

“The North Sea?”

“Where is the North Sea?”

Murong Jin nodded at the questions that came out at the same time again.

“It’s a distant place. They didn’t tell me why he went.”

Murong Mi said with a puzzled look.

“It’s strange that he went to the North Sea when the Alliance is holding the World Martial Arts Tournament.”

“Then Yun Oppa isn’t here now?”

Murong Jin nodded.

“Yes. But maybe he’s here, so I’ll check one more time. I haven’t been able to pay attention to it because I’ve been busy with the preliminaries.”

“Then I’ll check it out.”

Murong Mi said.

“Yes. First, try going to the secretariat.”

Listening to Murong Jin’s words, Murong Mi quietly pondered.

‘The North Sea, I wonder if something happened?’

Meanwhile, the words of Jinheo, the representative of Shaolin Temple standing on the platform, continued.

“…In particular, any killing moves that can harm the opponent are strictly prohibited under any circumstances, and if violated, the qualification will be revoked regardless of the victory or defeat, and the affiliated sect will be held responsible for management.”

Jinheo’s words were quite serious.

Murmurs arose from all sides.

It was understandable.

In a real sword duel, there are countless precarious moments.

Then, from where to where will it be judged as a killing move?

There was no choice but to be dissatisfied because even a strict penalty of disqualification and sect censure came out for a judgment standard that could be quite subjective.

It was then.

“Heroes of the Murim Alliance!”

Jegal Yeon, the representative of the Jegal Clan, stepped forward, fluttering his handsome beard.

Jegal Yeon said, looking around at the people with a smiling face.

“The World Martial Arts Tournament is a place for you! Unleash the skills you have honed at this Murim Alliance to your heart’s content. Fame and wealth will be guaranteed to the winner, and a noble position will be guaranteed to the victorious sect!”

The atmosphere began to heat up at once.

An opportunity to seize martial arts, honor, and fame with one sword.

The World Martial Arts Tournament was truly an opportunity sent from heaven.

In addition, the fact that Jegal Yeon separately mentioned the ‘victorious sect’ was even more significant.

This is because, with the Namgung Clan virtually closing its doors, the new sect to fill that position could be decided through this martial arts tournament.

Facing the excited gazes of the people, Jegal Yeon shouted with an excited voice.

“I, Jegal Yeon, on behalf of the Murim Alliance’s Eighteen Great Sects, now declare the opening of the World Martial Arts Tournament.”

Waaaaah.

A tremendous roar covered all sides.

It was a fanatical reaction that seemed to shake the Murim Alliance.

The representatives of the Murim Alliance’s Eighteen Great Sects, who were sitting in a separate place, wore satisfied smiles.

However, the complexion of Youngho-jun of the Mae Hwa Sword was not so bright.

“What are you dissatisfied with?”

Dang Seol-yeon asked in a small voice as if whispering.

Her face was also slightly flushed with light excitement and joy.

“Hmm, how should I say it? I was wondering if the opening declaration had to be made in the name of the Eighteen Great Sects.”

“Then in whose name should we do it? Shin Seung?”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a smile.

“I think it’s enough now. Living under the name of Shin Seung, I mean.”

The eyes of the world were literally focused on this World Martial Arts Tournament.

However, Shin Seung still did not show his face, and even his name did not appear anywhere.

Therefore, Jegal Yeon’s opening declaration was also a declaration announcing the beginning of a new era centered on the Eighteen Great Sects instead of Shin Seung.

Even though not many people knew the meaning.

“Yes. It’s enough. It’s time to break away now. Finally, a new generation of the Murim Alliance is beginning.”

Dang Seol-yeon said as if whispering, looking at the cheering people.

Waaaaah.

The heat was getting hotter.

The voices of the people who were cheering for the Murim Alliance were literally shaking the heavens and the earth.

“A new generation.”

Youngho-jun let out a small sigh.

“What if that new generation is the beginning of another chaos?”

That voice was buried in the cheers of the people. Dang Seol-yeon was also not paying attention to his words.

Thus, the main round of the World Martial Arts Tournament began.