Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 216

216. Foolish Brother, Dokgo Rang

Dokgo Rang, who was about to leave the sparring arena, stopped in his tracks.

The one who called out was Gongson Myeong, who was supporting Gongson Kang.

“Who the hell are you?”

Gongson Myeong said, grinding his teeth.

“There’s no way someone like you is just a wandering swordsman! Reveal your sect and affiliation! Who are you from where?”

Dokgo Rang turned his head.

Gongson Myeong and Gongson Kang, as well as everyone else, were focused on Dokgo Rang himself.

“Sect and affiliation, huh…”

Muttering quietly, Dokgo Rang slowly opened his mouth.

“The only one in this world who taught me the sword is one person, and the only one I serve is also just one. The grace I received is like the sky, but I am a lacking and foolish one who cannot find a way to repay it.”

Facing the numerous gazes directed at him, Dokgo Rang said.

“I am Dokgo Rang, the foolish brother of the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

It was Dokgo Rang’s sincere self-confession.

It was also the image of Unhyun as seen by Dokgo Rang.

The successor of the Sword Saint is a false name.

The Blue Wolf of the North Sea is also just a superimposed name.

However, the Azure Dragon Sword Master is the most honest version of himself that Unhyun told him.

Azure Dragon Sword Master of Heavenly Beyond.

That name was the only title that signified Unhyun to Dokgo Rang.

Who else could he be called but Azure Dragon, frolicking in that high realm of swordsmanship?

However, the result of that confession was immediate confusion.

“What? Azure Dragon Sword Master? Who is that?”

“What are you talking about? Wasn’t Dokgo Rang a solitary swordsman?”

“What’s with ‘foolish brother’?”

The surroundings instantly became noisy.

To the people at this moment, what was important was the fact that Dokgo Rang, the master of Sword Energy Manifestation, had a teacher and someone he served.

He was not a solitary wanderer.

People began to buzz.

Swish.

Dokgo Rang turned his body and tried to walk away.

It seemed the duel would end with that moment of commotion.

However, Gongson Kang knew the name ‘Azure Dragon Sword Master’.

Grit.

“Did you say Azure Dragon Sword Master?”

Gongson Kang rose to his feet.

Without even wiping the blood flowing from his mouth, he glared at Dokgo Rang with blazing eyes.

“So there was a backer. Did you think I wouldn’t know that person is related to the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor?”

“Dark Heaven Demon Emperor!”

The surroundings began to become noisy again.

The one who killed the head of the Namgung Clan, caused the Namgung Clan to retreat, and instigated the Janggang River Bandit Alliance.

Here in the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans and sects], the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor was an undeniable enemy.

Swish.

Gongson Kang raised his hand.

Clang.

The five disciples of the Gongson Clan drew their swords simultaneously.

They exuded a palpable killing intent, forming a formation as if to surround Dokgo Rang.

“I will reveal you and your backer without fail. And also the reason you infiltrated the Murim Alliance.”

Gongson Kang said, grinding his teeth.

“Take this guy away! And immediately contact the main headquarters…”

It was at that very moment that Dokgo Rang’s eyes flashed sharply.

“Stop.”

A clear, ringing voice was heard from somewhere.

Gongson Kang frowned.

Thud, thud.

A young man dressed as a scholar walked towards the sparring arena.

It was Unhyun.

“I am Dokgo Rang, the foolish brother of the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

The moment that voice rang out clearly, Unhyun’s heart was greatly agitated.

‘Dokgo, my brother…’

Dokgo Rang called himself a foolish brother, but in truth, Unhyun was also a foolish brother.

Even though he received the care of his sworn brother, Ilchunghyun, he did not know it, and he did not realize his sworn brother’s concern for him until the moment of his death.

Dokgo Rang said that he was a lacking and foolish one who could not find a way to repay the grace he received, which was like the sky, but it was rather Unhyun who was like that.

Unhyun was indeed a foolish brother.

“So there was a backer. Did you think I wouldn’t know that person is related to the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor?”

Gongson Kang spoke in a chilling voice, but Unhyun’s heart did not waver.

No, rather, he became even more certain.

What he had to do now.

“Take this guy away! And immediately contact the main headquarters…”

“Stop.”

Unhyun stepped forward.

Thud, thud.

Gongson Kang frowned.

Gongson Kang already knew who Unhyun was.

“…Now is not the time for Secretary Un to step in.”

“No.”

Unhyun said quietly.

There was no hesitation.

Even if he was a foolish brother, he could not become a shameful older brother.

Like his sworn brother Ilchunghyun, who silently chose death for his sake, Unhyun had to be great.

“I am.”

Unhyun said firmly.

“The Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

There was not the slightest tremor in his eyes.

A moment of silence passed.

However, Unhyun’s eyes were shining more earnestly than ever before.

“…What does that…”

“I told you, I am the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Unhyun raised his head.

“So if there is anything you need to ask my sworn brother.”

Facing the gazes pouring towards him, Unhyun said.

“Ask me.”

People instantly became engulfed in confusion and doubt.

All sorts of voices and shouts erupted from all directions.

Gongson Kang and Gongson Myeong were the same.

However, the gazes between Dokgo Rang and Unhyun were gentle and warm.

And on the faces of Moryong Jin and Moryong Mi, who were looking at the two, shock was rising.

***

Thud thud thud thud.

A horse, running madly, was crossing through the city of Hangzhou.

The horse nearly hit passersby several times, but it did not stop its gallop and was heading towards its destination.

The passersby who were almost in serious trouble cursed at the person riding the horse, but he did not have the strength to hear those voices.

Thud thud thud thud.

And after a while, the martial artist guarding the main gate of the Murim Alliance discovered a mad horse rushing towards the Murim Alliance.

“Wh-what is it?”

“Stop it quickly!”

The martial artists were startled by the sight of the horse, foaming at the mouth, running without even a rider in sight.

“Quickly, spears!”

They immediately grabbed their spears and stood in front of the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

Other martial artists who were waiting also rushed out all at once to deal with this unexpected event.

Thud thud thud thud.

Looking at the horse rushing towards them, the Murim Alliance martial artists swallowed hard.

They were prepared to throw themselves to stop the mad horse if necessary.

Clatter, clatter.

Whether the martial artists’ determination moved the heavens, fortunately, the horse began to slow down.

The horse, unable to overcome the momentum of its run, roughly raised its front legs and cried out right in front of the martial artists.

Heeheeheeheeing.

“Whoa, whoa.”

The relieved martial artists tried to calm the horse.

And then they finally discovered a person lying prostrate on the horse’s back.

The middle-aged man with a sturdy physique was already covered in blood.

“It’s a person!”

“Quickly, call a doctor!”

The middle-aged man regained consciousness at the sound of the martial artists shouting.

He said in a voice that seemed about to break.

“…The Gongson Clan… Contact the Clan Lord…”

None of the martial artists realized that he was the Inner Hall Leader of the Gongson Clan.

It was an event that occurred three days after the main rounds of the World Martial Arts Tournament were suspended, and on the evening of the day the duel between Dokgo Rang and Gongson Kang took place.

***

The Murim Alliance fell into chaos due to the sudden news.

It was the tragic news that the main family of the Gongson Clan had been attacked and burned down.

No one wanted to believe it.

Even though the Clan Lord and key figures were out at the Murim Alliance, the main family of the Gongson Clan, one of the Four Great Clans of the world and one of the Eighteen Great Sects of the Murim Alliance, had fallen?

However, the person who came running covered in blood was none other than the Inner Hall Leader of the Gongson Clan.

The Murim Alliance could not help but be shocked and confused.

The Clan Lord of the Gongson Clan, Gongson Wol, and his disciples immediately departed for the main family, and a countermeasure meeting was held at the Murim Alliance.

Since the leaders of the Eighteen Great Sects were all gathered, the meeting proceeded quickly.

The Murim Alliance recognized this situation as a serious criminal act and resolved to completely identify and punish the ‘marauders’ who attacked the Gongson Clan.

However, they could not make any mention of the identity of the ‘marauders’ themselves.

The Jianghu [the martial arts world] began to stir.

***

Thud.

Unhyun stopped in front of the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance.

Unlike the Medical Hall, the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance was not very large.

However, this place was the center of the Murim Alliance.

This was because only the leaders of the so-called Eighteen Great Sects could enter this place.

“Let’s go.”

Kwan Jibu said quietly.

Unhyun nodded and moved his feet.

He was now entering the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance.

However, it was by no means out of goodwill, or even good intentions.

“This is Kwan Jibu.”

Kwan Jibu said politely in front of the door.

Creak.

The door opened without a reply.

The interior of the main headquarters revealed itself before Unhyun’s eyes.

The appearance of the main headquarters, with its large, red pillars and high ceiling, was quite imposing.

On three sides, excluding the entrance, six ornate chairs were placed, and each of those sitting exuded an extraordinary aura.

The attire varied from monastic robes, martial arts uniforms, and silk clothes like those of high-ranking officials, but most were old and seemed to have deep experience.

“Please, sit down.”

A old monk with white eyebrows and a white beard said.

A chair was prepared in the center of the main headquarters.

Unhyun did not know that there was originally no chair there, but he could tell that the arrangement was designed to surround one person.

“Thank you.”

Unhyun bowed lightly and sat in the chair.

Kwan Jibu said from behind.

“I will step down now.”

“Do so.”

The old monk wearing monastic robes nodded.

Kwan Jibu, who was still standing outside, bowed, and the door closed in front of him.

Clack.

Unhyun once again looked at those in the main headquarters.

Among them were people Unhyun knew.

And he could also tell that one seat each on the left and right were empty.

It was the seats of the Namgung Clan and the Gongson Clan.

“Thank you for coming.”

The old monk who offered Unhyun the seat said.

“This humble monk is Taeheo, the Abbot of Shaolin.”

The Abbot, whom he could not even meet at the Shaolin Temple, was sitting in front of Unhyun.

“I am Unhyun.”

Unhyun also bowed lightly while seated.

Taeheo continued.

“The reason we asked you to come here is to hear your direct explanation regarding several suspicions.”

“I see.”

Unhyun nodded.

“You mentioned suspicions, what kind of suspicions are they?”

Unhyun said, calmly meeting the gazes of the sixteen people directed at him.

Taeheo was silent for a moment before answering quietly.

“We suspect that you have been colluding with the mastermind behind the Janggang River Bandit Alliance.”

Unhyun’s eyes twitched.

“What is the reason you have come to think so?”

Clack.

A old man wearing silk clothes slammed the armrest of his chair.

“How dare you act recklessly, knowing where this place is! We are the ones asking!”

His eyes and voice were quite stern, but Unhyun was not afraid.

No, rather, he even thought, ‘Is such a reckless person leading a faction?’

“Enough, Benefactor Hyeokryeon.”

He was Hyeokryeon Cheolhu, the head of the Hyeokryeon Clan, the Overbearing Sword.

Taeheo stopped Hyeokryeon Cheolhu and sighed softly.

The reason he was assigned this role was because of Unhyun’s relationship with the Divine Monk.

If it weren’t for that, he would not have taken on such a difficult role.

Taeheo asked Unhyun again.

“You said you are the Azure Dragon Sword Master. Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then does that mean you acknowledge that you are the one who sent unidentified letters to various sects of the Jianghu [the martial world] several years ago?”

“That is correct. However, I have never sent letters to the Janggang River Bandit Alliance, nor to the mountain fortresses of the Green Forest.”

Several people let out low groans.

Taeheo asked again.

“Are you saying that you are not the one who sent letters to the River Bandit Alliance?”

“That is correct. I did not send them.”

A moment of silence passed.

Then the head of the Hyeokryeon Clan asked.

“Have you ever met a bandit called the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor?”

Unhyun did not answer. He did not even avert his gaze.