Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 257

257. Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang

Whoosh.

In Tae-sang floated into the air.

At the same time, In Tae-sang’s fists struck towards Woon-hyun like a storm.

Bang, Kwa-gwa-gwang.

“Quite impressive. I never imagined there would be someone like you.”

In Tae-sang said in a raspy voice, continuously unleashing blows.

However, In Tae-sang’s eyes held complete astonishment.

Woon-hyun was blocking his relentless barrage of fists with incredible ease.

There was no flamboyant swordsmanship, nor tremendous speed.

Simply by moving his sword slightly, Woon-hyun was completely neutralizing In Tae-sang’s attacks.

To an outsider, it would seem as if the two were practicing a routine.

Kwa-gwa-gwang, Bang, Bang.

“Heh heh, is all you can do just block? Show me more!”

Whoooooosh.

In Tae-sang’s eyes gleamed, and soon, an immense force gathered in his fists.

Woon-hyun didn’t rush, naturally raising Myeong.

It was a completely different sword trajectory from In Tae-sang’s fist attack, but he didn’t care.

The moment that sword path ended.

Kooong.

A heavy impact echoed around them.

Woon-hyun’s sword, Myeong, was perfectly blocking In Tae-sang’s fist.

No, In Tae-sang’s fist had reached Woon-hyun’s sword.

As if they had planned it together.

“Heh, you rascal.”

In Tae-sang said, sounding dumbfounded.

“Just what did you do?”

His fist attack was not something that could be seen.

Nor could it be predicted.

Yet, Woon-hyun had blocked it.

And not as a momentary improvisation, but as if he had known it from the start.

Shwiiik.

Woon-hyun drew Myeong down instead of answering.

“Oops!”

Whirlick.

In Tae-sang pulled his body back.

“You’re quite the prickly one.”

In Tae-sang said, laughing playfully.

However, a chilling murderous intent was clearly visible in the corners of his narrow eyes.

“Not even answering? You’re a very bad boy.”

In Tae-sang sneered, as if offended.

“Well, it’s all the same anyway. I’ve been feeling sluggish lately…”

In Tae-sang moved his thick neck from side to side.

Even though his fist attacks had all been thwarted, In Tae-sang’s expression remained relaxed.

“Let’s play a little!”

Para-lack.

In Tae-sang’s plump body soared into the air.

And soon, his fist attacks rained down like a storm.

Kung, Kwagwang, Kooong.

Explosions erupted incessantly between the sword and the fists.

Dokgo-rang watched the battle between Woon-hyun and In Tae-sang with gritted teeth.

He knew from the start that it wasn’t his place to interfere.

But he felt miserable having to just watch like this.

Ssk.

Dokgo-rang looked at the other old man, Ji Tae-sang.

Ji Tae-sang was silently watching Woon-hyun like a stone statue.

The light in his eyes flickered like flames.

Kwaang.

“Heh, kid. Where did you learn such amazing skills?”

In Tae-sang said playfully, flipping his body in the air.

It was an almost comical pose, but the fist attacks that followed were anything but.

Kwakwakwang.

“Ouch, my hand bones are tingling. If you’re going to do it, do it harder. That way, my hand will break.”

In Tae-sang kept talking non-stop.

Dokgo-rang could tell that his voice was more than just chatter.

‘…Sonic Art(音功) [a technique using sound waves to attack].’

In Tae-sang’s voice carried a strong inner force.

That was why his voice was ringing in his ears so strangely, grating like rough metal, and now even causing a headache.

If Dokgo-rang was feeling this way, how much worse must it be for Woon-hyun, who was right in front of him?

Dokgo-rang knew why Woon-hyun hadn’t said a word since earlier.

“Kahaha! Kid! Can’t you come to your senses!”

Kaang.

In Tae-sang exploited Woon-hyun’s opening with ghostly movements.

However, Myeong’s blade blocked In Tae-sang’s path first. It was a difference of a hair’s breadth.

“Ouch, kid. Be careful!”

Even as he said that, In Tae-sang hesitated for a moment.

The battle continued, but Woon-hyun was not shaken in the slightest.

Even if it meant pushing himself, now was the time for a change.

“Taha!”

In Tae-sang made up his mind.

Kwagwaak.

In Tae-sang unleashed a powerful fist, attempting to break through Woon-hyun’s Myeong.

Woong.

Woon-hyun’s Myeong cried out.

The moment Myeong grazed his fist, In Tae-sang saw the world spinning before his eyes.

‘Gasp.’

Heaven and earth were instantly turned upside down.

“Haaaa!”

In Tae-sang immediately roared and drew upon all his power.

Kung.

His two feet landed on the ground with a heavy thud.

And that was also the moment when In Tae-sang’s position was precisely fixed.

Shwiiik.

Woon-hyun’s sword, Myeong, fell towards In Tae-sang’s head.

Without even a moment to think, In Tae-sang raised both hands and crossed them.

The irreversible result of a single misjudgment.

He was already prepared to suffer a great loss.

Whoooooosh.

Just then, a massive force fell from the sky towards Woon-hyun.

Woon-hyun immediately turned Myeong back.

Shweeik.

Myeong soared into the sky. And collided head-on with the massive force.

Tss-tsaeng.

It was a sharp sound, like a mirror breaking.

And an enormous impact followed.

Kuuuuung.

The forest roared and the earth trembled.

Dokgo-rang, as well as In Tae-sang, had to lower their bodies to withstand the impact.

“Ugh.”

Dokgo-rang, who let out a low groan, raised his head.

The identity of the massive force that had fallen from the sky was none other than Ji Tae-sang.

The one who was only crazy about the sword, Sword Old Man (劍翁) [a respectful title for a master swordsman] Ji Tae-sang.

He had aimed for a single moment and fell with his sword, striking down on Woon-hyun.

A devastating blow that made the ground roar and the forest tremble.

However, that blow did not even surpass the tip of Woon-hyun’s sword, Myeong.

Woooooong.

The tip of Myeong, which had risen like a flag, was precisely touching the tip of Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang’s sword.

‘Good heavens.’

Ten Old Man In Tae-sang groaned without realizing it.

It was a truly bizarre sight.

As if Woon-hyun had lifted it, Ji Tae-sang and his great sword were suspended in the air.

Tszzzzzz.

White frost spread from under Woon-hyun’s feet.

“You rascal!”

Kwagwaak.

The plump In Tae-sang immediately launched a fist attack towards Woon-hyun.

Sabeok.

Woon-hyun stepped aside, deflecting In Tae-sang’s fist attack.

But thanks to that, Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang was able to descend to the ground.

Teok.

The large Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang and the plump Ten Old Man In Tae-sang were both silent.

They stared at Woon-hyun with hardened faces.

‘That monster.’

It was only for a moment, but Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang’s stay in the air was not of his own volition.

He had been caught by the tip of Myeong’s sword.

It was only natural that the eyes of the two men looking at Woon-hyun were shaking.

Sarak.

Meanwhile, Woon-hyun, who had stepped aside, regained his stance.

Woon-hyun raised his head, holding Myeong diagonally in one hand.

His eyes were still shining, and even his breathing was not disturbed in the slightest.

“Why are you doing this?”

Woon-hyun said with a calm expression.

“Didn’t you say you were going to take me away?”

“Yes.”

In Tae-sang said with a smirk.

“You will come with us. Definitely!”

Tat.

Before he could even finish speaking, In Tae-sang rushed towards Woon-hyun and unleashed a fist.

Behind him, Ji Tae-sang’s sword glinted sharply, aiming for Woon-hyun.

The clash between the two Tae-sangs and Woon-hyun had begun.

No, it was only just beginning.

Bang, Kooong, Kaang.

Sword lights flashed and impact sounds erupted continuously.

The fight was entering a new phase with the two Tae-sangs’ combined attack.

***

Kooong.

Iron Blood Death King Yeom Jung-bu clicked his tongue at the explosion that shook the surroundings.

‘That monster.’

Even while watching with his own eyes, Yeom Jung-bu couldn’t believe it.

Woon-hyun was not being pushed back at all against Ten Old Man In Tae-sang and Sword Old Man Ji Tae-sang.

‘How can he withstand the combined attack of the two Tae-sangs…’

He couldn’t withstand Ji Tae-sang’s attack for even ten seconds.

But now, Woon-hyun didn’t show any signs of urgency even in front of the two Tae-sangs.

No, he even occasionally pushed the two Tae-sangs back.

He was facing two Tae-sangs at the same time, something that Yeom Jung-bu wouldn’t even have dared to approach unless he was prepared for a mutual destruction, in this situation.

Yeom Jung-bu could only click his tongue as he watched.

‘…But.’

Yeom Jung-bu frowned.

‘Something’s a little strange?’

Iron Blood Death King Yeom Jung-bu was an old monster who had experienced all kinds of hardships.

He was instinctively aware that something was wrong with this match.

‘Why is that guy doing that?’

His gaze was directed towards Woon-hyun.

The higher the level, the more absolute and cruel the results of even the smallest gap.

Of course, there were exceptional situations such as ambushes, poison, and hidden weapons that exploited a moment’s carelessness, but in a head-on match between experts, the result was always one of two things.

Either the match couldn’t be decided, or the victory or defeat was unilaterally decided.

In this case, Woon-hyun should have won long ago.

And overwhelmingly so.

But the current fight, at least on the surface, was continuing in a tense battle.

Woon-hyun was blocking the storm-like combined attack of the two Tae-sangs.

‘Is he perhaps trying to buy time?’

Kung, Kaang, Kugung.

Ji Tae-sang’s great sword and In Tae-sang’s fist attacks emitted a dazzling aura.

And the soft sword path drawn by Woon-hyun’s Myeong was perfectly neutralizing their attacks.

“Heo.”

Yeom Jung-bu unknowingly let out a sigh at the sight of the picture-like beauty.

And soon, he gnashed his teeth with anger and jealousy.

Adeudeuk.

It was perhaps a very familiar feeling.

The figures of his long-time rival, Divine Monk Bulyeong, and Sword Saint, who had been a lifelong wall, were vividly resurfacing through Woon-hyun now.

Huuuk, Kung.

The sound of impact shook the forest.

Yeom Jung-bu’s eyes, looking at Woon-hyun, gleamed with a flame-like greed.

***

Whirlick.

In Tae-sang and Ji Tae-sang widened the distance.

Woon-hyun lightly swung his sword to adjust his stance.

Ssk.

‘Amazing.’

Woon-hyun was as surprised as the two Tae-sangs.

What he had unfolded was the sword of the Northern Sea shown by the Eternal Ice Crystal.

Woon-hyun was certain that even the Dark Sky Demon Emperor would not be able to withstand this sword.

But these two old men had endured the sword of the Northern Sea.

Moreover, they had been relentlessly launching fist attacks and sword strikes until now.

If there had been another Tae-sang in this place, the outcome would have been difficult to guarantee.

‘Indeed, it’s understandable why Senior Dokseon told me to avoid them.’

The fist attacks and movements of the plump and short old man, In Tae-sang, were also surprising, but the first sword strike of the large and grand old man, Ji Tae-sang, was enough to shock even Woon-hyun.

He had to leave this place as soon as possible.

‘But.’

Turning his back and running away from these two people was no different from suicide.

Woon-hyun gritted his teeth.

‘If I wait, the time will come.’

Time was not on Woon-hyun’s side, but hasty judgment would only lead to the worst possible outcome.

Woong.

Woon-hyun set up Myeong and shone his eyes.