Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 235

235. Merely Observed

Dang Seol-yeon’s fury threatened to erupt towards Woon-hyun at any moment.

“How dare you…!”

“Enough.”

Dok-seon’s heavy voice stopped Dang Seol-yeon.

“That’s enough now.”

“Grandfather!”

Dang Seol-yeon turned her head sharply to look at Dok-seon.

Her eyes, which had been flickering with anger, were now filled with pitiful tears.

“He… he did that to me…”

At her tearful voice, Dok-seon sighed deeply.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

Dok-seon said, looking at his granddaughter with gentle eyes.

“He is entitled to do so.”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes widened.

Dok-seon continued, gazing intently at Dang Seol-yeon, who couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Initially, Bul-yeong [a Dharma name, referring to a Buddhist monk] mistook him for the successor of Yi Geom-hak.”

Dok-seon slowly turned his head to look at Woon-hyun.

“But now he has publicly declared him his fellow disciple. Do you understand the difference?”

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

The person Dok-seon was looking at was not her, but Woon-hyun.

No matter what she said here, it wouldn’t reach Dok-seon’s ears.

Because Dok-seon was that kind of person.

“A successor is a subordinate, but a fellow disciple is a brother. Bul-yeong has placed him on the same level as himself, or rather, as us.”

Dok-seon’s gaze towards Woon-hyun was calm.

“So, he is fully entitled to say that.”

“I appreciate your words, but it is not quite so.”

Woon-hyun spoke in a still gentle tone.

“The reason I forgave Lady Dang Seol-yeon is because I know that Dok-go does not want revenge.”

Dang Seol-yeon turned to look at Woon-hyun so sharply that it made a sound.

Despite her resentful gaze, Woon-hyun continued.

“Forgiveness is originally like that. Only the person involved, or someone qualified to represent their will, can grant it. Whether strong or weak.”

“Heh heh.”

Dok-seon let out a dry laugh.

“Your foolishness remains unchanged.”

Dok-seon said, staring intently at Woon-hyun.

“But even that is better than those who drift aimlessly, changing their stance.”

His voice felt somewhat hollow.

“The path you are about to take is a very difficult one.”

But that feeling was fleeting, as Dok-seon looked straight at Woon-hyun.

“It is not a path that can be walked with mere intention.”

“But without intention, power is merely violence.”

Woon-hyun said calmly.

“Just as powerless intention is nothing more than incompetence.”

“Yes, that is indeed so.”

Dok-seon said with a smile.

“So, I must confirm whether you have the power to realize your intentions.”

Hook.

Dok-seon’s eyes changed.

With that, the surrounding atmosphere changed instantly.

The somewhat relaxed atmosphere disappeared without a trace, and tension began to fill the air.

It was as if everything around them, from the grass and trees to the passing wind, was focused on Dok-seon and Woon-hyun.

Woon-hyun couldn’t understand.

“Why are you trying to stop me? You clearly….”

“The Hwasan Pledge has not been broken.”

Dang Seol-yeon said in a clear voice.

“But not the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance]. You already know, don’t you? That the Murim Alliance has declared a break with Bul-yeong.”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a sneer.

“Now the Hwasan Pledge no longer binds Grandfather. Not the Sword Saint, not Bul-yeong, and not you either.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Woon-hyun shook his head.

Looking straight at Dok-seon, Woon-hyun asked.

“Why are you trying to stop me?”

Was Dok-seon really blocking Woon-hyun to antagonize the Murim Alliance?

Why would Dok-seon, who could cover the Murim Alliance with poison with a single gesture, come to Woon-hyun?

“The world of Murim gives nothing to the powerless.”

Dok-seon said calmly.

“If you want to get an answer.”

Sreuk.

Dok-seon, who had been holding his hands behind his back, extended one hand towards Woon-hyun.

As if demanding something, his palm was facing the sky.

“Show me your power.”

Hook.

Dok-seon gestured lightly. It was a small movement as if telling him to come, but the result was anything but small.

Kwagwagwag.

A tremendous energy tore through the main road and rushed towards Woon-hyun.

At the same time, Dok-go-rang’s sword emitted a blue aura and cried out.

Hoo Woong.

Without hesitation, Dok-go-rang took a step forward and drew his sword.

Kwaaang.

A roar and impact swept through the main road.

The impact was so strong that it couldn’t be compared to when Dang Seol-yeon attacked earlier.

Parararak.

Dust swept through the main road and a strong wind raged.

And soon the result was revealed before everyone’s eyes.

Hoo Woo.

Dok-go-rang’s hair and clothes were a mess.

With just one clash, Dok-go-rang looked as if he had fought a bloody battle.

Wounds that looked like something had scratched him were scattered everywhere.

“Hoh.”

Dok-seon’s eyes showed interest.

Dok-go-rang was still standing with his sword in hand. The sword energy surrounding his sword was still there.

Woowoowoong.

“A child with skill as outstanding as his spirit.”

Dok-seon’s praise was sincere.

But Dok-go-rang’s condition was not good.

With just one clash, his insides had been completely shaken.

Dok-go-rang’s face, with his teeth clenched, was pale.

“Hoo.”

Woon-hyun let out a soft sigh.

And he gently placed his hand on Dok-go-rang’s shoulder.

Seuk.

“Don’t do this again.”

Woon-hyun said as if rebuking him.

“What if you get hurt doing this?”

Dok-go-rang said with a firm expression, without even turning his gaze from Dok-seon.

“This is my job.”

Woon-hyun sighed again.

“Your job is not to get hurt in my place. Understand? If you do this one more time, I will get angry.”

His voice was quite stern.

But Dok-go-rang didn’t seem to understand at all.

Woon-hyun shook his head at Dok-go-rang’s appearance, still unwilling to move even a step.

And looked at Dok-seon.

“If that is your will, Elder.”

Woon-hyun stood up straight and said.

“I will gladly comply.”

Dok-seon’s eyes sparkled and Dang Seol-yeon frowned.

This development was definitely not what she wanted.

But there was no place for her to intervene now.

Because Dok-seon’s eyes, looking at Woon-hyun, were shining more brightly than ever.

It was the same for Woon-hyun.

Woon-hyun took a step forward and said to Dok-go-rang.

“I leave the rear to you.”

Facing Dok-seon was not something that could be done while looking around.

Dok-go-rang understood that meaning clearly.

Dok-go-rang stepped back.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

Woon-hyun stopped after taking a few steps.

Now there was nothing between Woon-hyun and Dok-seon.

Holding the Myung-gum, Woon-hyun faced Dok-seon on the empty main road.

Hwee-ing.

A gust of wind swept over the main road.

No one moved, no one spoke.

A heavy silence settled on the main road.

A master of Dok-seon’s level could afford to concede the first move, but Dok-seon was by no means looking down on Woon-hyun.

Just like what he said.

Seuk.

At some point, Dok-seon’s hand moved.

He flicked his index and middle fingers at Woon-hyun simultaneously.

Tung.

‘Ah!’

Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t hide her surprise.

‘Nan Hong Sip I Yeop! [Red Petal Finger Flick]’

The technique Dok-seon used now was none other than Nan Hong Sip I Yeop.

Once unleashed, Nan Hong Sip I Yeop, which scatters blood like red petals fluttering, is one of Dok-seon’s signature moves.

From the very first move, Dok-seon unleashed his signature technique.

Woong.

However, the moment Dok-seon unleashed Nan Hong Sip I Yeop, Woon-hyun’s sword, Myung-gum, was also revealing its form.

The faint blue energy lingering on its beautiful blade was none other than sword energy.

Shwik.

Myung-gum cut through the air. The sword drawn horizontally rose diagonally upwards again.

Hwirik.

An extremely simple sword path without any skill or flamboyance.

It looked as if he was swinging his sword as a test.

But the result was by no means simple.

Kwagwagwagwang.

Twelve explosions erupted one after another behind Woon-hyun.

The main road was torn apart and pieces of wood flew haphazardly in all directions.

‘Good heavens.’

Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t hide her surprise.

‘How….’

Dang Seol-yeon knew too well what Dok-seon’s Nan Hong Sip I Yeop was like.

Dok-seon’s signature technique, Nan Hong Sip I Yeop, which even she couldn’t create more than three of.

Woon-hyun had deflected it with a single sword strike.

But there was no time for her to be surprised.

Because Dok-seon’s second move was already beginning.

Hoo Wook.

Dok-seon’s sleeves swelled tautly.

Woon-hyun immediately realized what he was about to unleash.

Seuk.

Woon-hyun raised the tip of his sword to the sky.

A single Myung-gum stood between him and the world.

Parararak.

Dok-seon’s hands danced in the air as if they were dancing.

And the result appeared towards Woon-hyun.

Hoo Woong.

Nothing was visible.

But Woon-hyun could clearly sense the wings of death spreading as if to cover the entire main road.

Hwalarak.

Chun Hyang Jeop [Thousand Fragrance Butterfly] was spreading its wings and rushing towards Woon-hyun.

An overwhelming force that couldn’t be compared to what he had seen before. It was truly a signature technique that revealed Dok-seon’s true nature.

But at that moment, the sword energy was disappearing from Woon-hyun’s sword, Myung-gum.

‘Crazy!’

It was no wonder Dang Seol-yeon thought so inwardly.

Even if he poured all his strength into drawing up his inner strength, it wouldn’t be enough, but he was even withdrawing his sword energy?

Was he perhaps trying to kill himself? That was what Dang Seol-yeon thought.

Seureung.

Woon-hyun’s sword slowly drew a circle.

In front of Chun Hyang Jeop, which seemed ready to rush in at any moment, it was such a powerless movement.

But Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t help but doubt her eyes.

‘T, this is….’

While Woon-hyun’s sword was completing the circle, Chun Hyang Jeop was moving so slowly.

No, it was as if the whole world was flowing slowly.

‘No way!’

Sometimes, a master can see the opponent’s movements slowly.

But this situation was impossible.

Even if Dang Seol-yeon was like that, how could Dok-seon’s Chun Hyang Jeop, no, everything seem to be flowing slowly?

Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t accept what was happening before her eyes.

In the meantime, Woon-hyun’s sword was completing the circle.

Seuek.

The blade of Myung-gum slowly drew a circle.

The moment its beautiful tip faced the sky again, Dok-seon’s Chun Hyang Jeop reached the tip of Myung-gum.

And Dang Seol-yeon saw it.

That the huge Chun Hyang Jeop landed lightly like a butterfly on the tip of Woon-hyun’s sword, Myung-gum.

It was Woon-hyun’s Baekho Siljeon Sword First Form, Ye Geom (銳劍) [Sharp Sword].

Kwaaaang.

The impact covered all directions and a storm-like wind raged.

“Ugh.”

Dang Seol-yeon immediately drew up her inner strength.

But the impact soon disappeared.

“T, this can’t be….”

Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t believe it.

There was definitely an impact. There was also an aftershock.

But the Chun Hyang Jeop was nowhere to be found.

Dok-seon’s Chun Hyang Jeop had disappeared without bringing any results.

“…Amazing.”

Dok-seon said softly.

His white beard was trembling.

“What did you do?”

“I merely observed.”

Woon-hyun said calmly.

“If you lose the central axis, any power is bound to be disrupted.”

“Huh!”

Dok-seon knew that those words were not false.

Chun Hyang Jeop had literally fallen apart.

But how?

“Are you saying you saw what even I couldn’t see?”

Woon-hyun tilted his head.

“I don’t know what you mean, but Master Wabul told me.”

Woon-hyun continued in a calm voice.

“That I have opened my mind’s eye and am looking at the ultimate realm.”