Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 228

228. The Hidden Dragon of the Namgung Clan

The participants of the Hidden Dragon Selection frowned, and a commotion rippled through the onlookers.

“Stay until the end?”

“Then, are they suggesting a free-for-all? That’s something only the likes of the Hao Clan would do…”

“Unbelievable!”

A free-for-all, where multiple people fight at once, was not the kind of competition befitting a prestigious family that prided itself on being the Sword King Clan.

Especially not for the Hidden Dragon Selection, which would determine the future leaders of the family.

However, Unhyun’s expression remained calm.

“We will not have a free-for-all.”

Unhyun said, looking at the young men.

“There will be no sparring either. You simply need to endure in that spot.”

Swish.

Unhyun drew his sword.

The sword of the Northern Sea, Myeong, revealed its beautiful blade under the sunlight.

Admiration rippled through the crowd, but Unhyun did not look back.

“You were born and raised as members of the Namgung Clan. The Namgung Clan was your pride and a strong shield. But now, that shield is gone.”

Unhyun said with a calm expression.

“From now on, you will face numerous difficulties. You must protect the Namgung Clan against those difficulties. Therefore, what is needed is not individual fame, martial prowess, or pride, but…”

Woo-oong.

Unhyun’s Myeong began to hum softly.

“…an indomitable will that never backs down, no matter what happens.”

Whoosh.

A blue aura rose from the blade of Myeong.

And it soon revealed itself as a terrifying force.

“Gasp!”

“K, Sword Qi [a martial art technique that uses internal energy to project a powerful force through a sword]!”

It was Sword Qi.

The very Sword Qi that only the Hwanwoo Five Venerables could display in the past, and that Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon had achieved, was now manifesting from Unhyun’s sword.

And that wasn’t all.

Whooooong.

Unhyun’s Sword Qi wrapped around Myeong and grew even larger.

Even the Sword Qi that Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon had last shown seemed insufficient compared to Unhyun’s Sword Qi now.

“W, Wait a moment!”

The urgent voice from behind was that of Namgung Cheol, the head of the Junggyeong branch.

“Are you planning to kill them all!”

Unhyun chuckled.

But he didn’t turn around.

Looking at the candidates, Unhyun continued calmly.

“There’s no need to worry. I won’t move from this spot.”

The participants swallowed hard at Unhyun’s cold gaze.

“But it won’t be as easy as you think…”

Unhyun said with a grin.

That smile was more terrifying and frightening than any smile the candidates had ever seen.

“You’d better draw your swords.”

Clang, clang, clang.

Without exception.

The candidates hurriedly drew their swords.

And they raised their inner energy, facing their swords against him.

Wooong, woong, woong, woong.

As befitting the Hidden Dragon candidates of the Namgung Clan, each of their swords emitted a sword cry.

But it was not comparable to Unhyun’s Sword Qi.

“Then.”

Unhyun said softly.

“Let’s begin.”

“W, Wait…”

Namgung Cheol tried to shout something, but the voice trailed off.

Whoosh.

Unhyun’s sword cut through the air.

Then, the tremendous force that followed rushed towards the candidates.

Whooooooosh.

“Kugh!”

The candidates set up their swords and poured out all their inner energy.

It wasn’t just them.

The aftermath of the Sword Qi that Unhyun had unleashed engulfed not only the onlookers but the entire Great Training Hall in an instant.

“Heok!”

“Aaaaaagh!”

Screams erupted and objects tumbled.

As if caught in a storm, the Great Training Hall was plunged into chaos in an instant.

Moreover, Unhyun’s sword did not end there.

Whoosh.

Unhyun’s sword cut through the air again.

Kwaaaaaaah.

The violent sword force ruthlessly rushed towards the candidates.

The energy was even more powerful and destructive than the previous strike.

Unhyun’s Sword Qi had become even stronger.

“C, Crazy…”

Someone muttered, but couldn’t finish the sentence.

Because the aftershock of the Sword Qi had engulfed even the onlookers.

Kwaaah.

Still, they were those who had some influence in the Namgung Clan.

People hurriedly gathered their inner energy and resisted the aftershock.

But Unhyun’s sword force was even greater and stronger than they had thought.

“Ugh!”

“S, Stop it!”

“Kuh-heok.”

People tumbled and groans and screams erupted from here and there.

But Unhyun did not stop.

Unhyun’s sword was drawing the next sword path without any hesitation.

Kwaaaang.

A roar erupted, and an even more intense shock shook the Great Training Hall.

The sword path that grew stronger with each strike was the characteristic of the Namgung Clan’s sword, Azure Sky Sword.

But no one noticed it.

No one could withstand that tremendous sword force.

Except for one person.

Whoosh.

When Unhyun stopped his sword, the storm-like force subsided as if it were a lie.

People looked up at Unhyun and the training hall, still lying on the floor.

The training hall was literally a mess.

The candidates were lying unconscious here and there.

For some reason, white frost had settled everywhere, and a chilly coldness covered the training hall as if winter had suddenly arrived.

It was truly a formidable sword force.

In the training hall swept away by that amazing sword force, there was still one person standing.

One person who withstood Unhyun’s unbelievably strong Sword Qi and was still standing with a sword in hand.

That person was Namgung Biyeon.

“Heh heh.”

Unhyun smiled lightly.

Even the best, Namgung Jinhwi, had knelt on one knee.

Not to mention the other candidates.

The onlookers had only experienced the aftershock, but the candidates had to bear the full brunt of the results caused by Unhyun’s sword.

Namgung Biyeon, although her clothes and hair were disheveled, was still standing there.

“Hoo, hoo.”

She was breathing heavily.

Each time, white vapor formed in the air.

White frost had settled on her long hair and clothes, but it did not cloud her shining eyes.

A single sword was still in her hand, and an unyielding fighting spirit was clearly shining in her eyes.

Swish.

The Sword Qi disappeared from the blade of Myeong.

Unhyun sheathed his sword.

“Ju, Juna!”

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Junggyeong branch, shouted.

Namgung Cheol, who was about to run to his fallen son, stopped for a moment.

Swish.

Unhyun turned to the people.

Looking at the chaotic scene, Unhyun opened his mouth calmly.

“This person.”

Unhyun’s voice echoed in the Great Training Hall.

“Is the Hidden Dragon of the Namgung Clan.”

The Great Training Hall fell silent.

No one raised an objection, and no one protested.

Recalling the sword force that had swept over them a moment ago, people couldn’t hide their shock.

With no one saying anything, Unhyun turned his head.

“I have selected the Hidden Dragon according to the authority delegated to me. Do you approve?”

The family head, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, was still sitting in his seat.

He was one of the few who had not tumbled.

“I approve.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said.

Unhyun turned his head and looked at the people.

“Now that the family head has approved, this person is now the Hidden Dragon of the Namgung Clan. If anyone raises an objection or refuses to acknowledge this, it is a grave insult to me and the family head.”

Whoooosh.

Energy poured out from Unhyun’s entire body.

“I will never overlook it.”

The faces of the people turned blue.

The force of Unhyun, who they faced directly, was beyond terrifying; it was frightening.

It was felt that the candidates who had to face this force were rather amazing.

“Keu keu keu.”

The old Elder Noh let out a dry laugh.

He was also still sitting in his place.

“I should have made you Byeon’s sworn brother, not Iron Sword, your sworn brother, you bastard?”

The Elder Noh, who was laughing as he looked at Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, got up from his seat.

“I saw something good for the first time in a long time. Keu keu keu keu.”

The Elder Noh left his seat, laughing.

Unhyun bowed to the people and turned his body.

And he left the Great Training Hall with Dokgo-rang.

“W, What on earth…”

Someone muttered, but no one answered.

Even after Unhyun disappeared, people couldn’t open their mouths for a long time.

But only one thing was clear.

The Namgung Clan’s Hidden Dragon Selection was over.

***

Namgung Clan Head’s office.

Unhyun was sitting across from Iron Sword Namgung Byeok.

“Are you leaving?”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok asked.

Unhyun replied in a soft voice.

“Now that the task I was entrusted with is over, I can no longer be a burden.”

Namgung Byeok let out a laugh.

“If it were Grand Master Un, who would say anything even if you continued to stay?”

“No.”

Unhyun said.

“It would be better if I were not here.”

Namgung Byeok was silent for a moment. And said.

“Thank you.”

His voice echoed softly in the office.

“This is all I can say.”

Namgung Byeok bowed politely.

“I am grateful.”

Unhyun bowed in response to Namgung Byeok’s gratitude.

After a while, Unhyun opened his mouth.

“May I ask why you appointed me as the examiner?”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok had only seen Unhyun once.

Yet, he readily entrusted his fate to Unhyun.

Considering the authority that the Hidden Dragon would have, the word fate was by no means an exaggeration.

Could it really be just because he was a disciple of the Divine Monk, or because he was recognized by the Sword Saint?

“That is.”

Namgung Byeok wore a bitter smile.

“Because you are the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Unhyun was startled. But he soon understood.

Unhyun had already revealed his identity in the Murim Alliance [a large group of martial artists].

If it was the Namgung Clan, who had been recognized by the Divine Monk and already knew Unhyun’s status, they would not have missed that fact.

But there was still something he couldn’t understand.

“But even so…”

What did being the Azure Dragon Sword Master have to do with entrusting the fate of the family head?

“I know about you. No, to be precise.”

Namgung Byeok continued with a look of regret.

“I remember what my brother said about you.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s brother was none other than the previous family head, Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon.

After a moment of silence, Namgung Byeok slowly opened his mouth.

“Your letter was a major event. Although it was hardly known to the outside world because those who received the letter were thoroughly tight-lipped, it did not escape the attention of our Namgung Clan.”

Namgung Byeok’s gaze was tracing back to distant memories.

“From the beginning, my brother had goodwill towards you. Although he never received a letter from you, perhaps my brother found something he had lost in you.”

Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon had an extraordinary passion for the sword.

However, the responsibility of being the head of the family and protecting the family among the Murim Alliance’s giant factions made his life miserable.

What surprised him was the letter from the Azure Dragon Sword Master of the Heavenly Beyond.

Namgung Jincheon was also surprised by the fact that those who received the letter all showed infinite trust and goodwill towards the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

―Byeok-ah.

Namgung Byeok frowned at Namgung Jincheon’s words.

―Why would I meet someone who can’t even reveal his name? Brother.

―You little rascal, you’re sulking. But doesn’t he seem like someone you’d want to meet? He might help you with your training.

―I don’t need help from someone like that.

Namgung Byeok said firmly.

―To me, you are the best, Brother.

―Hehe, is that so?

Namgung Jincheon laughed. Both of them were over middle age, but they were laughing like children.

―Still, I want to meet that person.

Namgung Jincheon said with a lonely smile.

―If the world of martial arts is just about schemes and power, it would be a very sad thing.”