Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 279

279. White Tiger Training Sword Twelve Forms

The grounds of Shaolin Temple were thick with the scent of incense offered by pilgrims.

Despite the recent, terrible events in Hangzhou, Shaolin Temple was bustling with people, seemingly untouched by the chaos.

In front of one of the halls, two young men in martial arts uniforms sat, looking somewhat out of place.

They were none other than Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword, Yeong Hojun, and his junior brother, Jin Haseong.

While Jin Haseong was completely absorbed in the sights of Shaolin Temple, Yeong Hojun sat with his eyes closed, waiting for someone.

Rustle.

“I apologize for the wait.”

Yeong Hojun opened his eyes.

A handsome young man in a monk’s robe greeted him with a *hesook* [a hand gesture of respect unique to Shaolin, honoring the Zen master Hyega].

“My name is Hyecheon.”

Yeong Hojun knew this was the person he had been waiting for.

Hyecheon’s eyes and the aura emanating from him were anything but ordinary.

“I am Yeong Hojun.”

Yeong Hojun replied with a respectful bow.

“And this is my junior brother, Jin Haseong.”

Jin Haseong bowed, and Hyecheon returned the greeting.

“Let’s move to another place first.”

At Hyecheon’s suggestion, Yeong Hojun nodded.

The gazes of the pilgrims, pouring in and noticing their martial arts uniforms at Shaolin Temple, were already making them uncomfortable.

The place where the three moved was quite secluded.

A small pavilion was nestled deep in the forest, out of sight of pilgrims and other halls.

“It’s a good place.”

Yeong Hojun said, savoring the passing breeze and the subtle sound of birds.

“I apologize for bringing the honored guests from Mount Hua to such a place.”

Hyecheon said in a polite tone.

“But now is not a good time. No, to be honest…”

After letting out a soft sigh, Hyecheon frowned.

“No one welcomes your visit.”

His attitude was quite unfriendly.

However, Yeong Hojun did not lose his smile.

“I know.”

Yeong Hojun said with a gentle expression.

“If I had tried to meet the higher-ups of Shaolin, I wouldn’t have even been able to enter the temple gates. Isn’t that right?”

Yeong Hojun’s eyes suggested he already knew everything.

After a moment of silence, Hyecheon opened his mouth quietly.

“That’s right.”

Not only Yeong Hojun, but after the Hangzhou incident, all disciples of Shaolin, as well as lay disciples, were strictly prohibited from entering and leaving the temple.

Pilgrims were allowed as usual, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they closed the temple gates entirely soon. Especially to Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword, Yeong Hojun.

“How is Abbot Taeheo?”

Taeheo is the Abbot of Shaolin.

Hyecheon did not answer.

“I heard he was seriously injured….”

“That is not the case.”

Hyecheon said quietly.

“……Officially.”

Jin Haseong from Mount Hua, who was listening from the side, widened his eyes.

Hyecheon’s answer was as good as an affirmation.

Shaolin’s Abbot, Taeheo, was seriously injured? That was truly shocking news.

But the words of his senior brother, Yeong Hojun, surprised Jin Haseong even more.

“I see. Mount Hua is the same.”

“Pardon?”

Jin Haseong asked his senior brother, Yeong Hojun, with a shocked expression.

“No, I thought the Abbot had entered secluded training….”

“It’s an excuse.”

Yeong Hojun replied briefly.

“And I can’t explain everything one by one, so try to understand.”

Jin Haseong quickly shut his mouth.

Yeong Hojun turned his gaze towards Hyecheon.

“Wudang and Emei must be in the same situation. Many elite disciples died escaping from Hangzhou, and even the Abbot was seriously injured. I’d like to rush to the Heroic Alliance right away to take revenge, but there’s a problem.”

Yeong Hojun said with a bitter smile.

“I can’t be sure who the traitor is.”

Jin Haseong’s expression stiffened for a moment.

Traitor? It was the first time he had heard such a thing.

But Hyecheon didn’t look surprised at all.

“The Tang Clan is the most suspicious, but what about the Zhuge Family? Did the Gongsun Family, whose main residence was burned down, really suffer damage?”

Yeong Hojun’s words continued without a break.

“What about the other aristocratic families who escaped from Hangzhou? What about the Taepyeong Alliance [Great Peace Alliance]? Was it really established as a last resort, or was it intentional from the beginning? Can we really trust the Taepyeong Alliance? Or are they also enemies?”

Hyecheon didn’t answer anything.

Yeong Hojun stared straight at Hyecheon and said.

“So, we have no choice but to be careful. I don’t know who to trust at all. Even if our precious disciples die and the Abbot is seriously injured, even if the sect is divided due to internal strife, we can only watch. Because we can’t do anything now.”

Hyecheon closed his eyes tightly.

Yeong Hojun’s points were all correct.

The damage suffered by Shaolin, although shocking, was not fatal.

The problem was that the departure of the Taepyeong Alliance had completely collapsed the Murim Alliance system [a coalition of martial arts sects].

The Hwangcheon Squad [Yellow Sky Squad] and the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor, who sealed off the Namgung Family, the Black Spear Cavalry and the Short Bow Unit, the Soul-Stealing Squad who annihilated the Black Demon Society, and the Heroic Alliance and the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jungbu, and even the Blood Demon Prince Munwang, who is said to be behind them.

In the face of these powerful enemies, who can we trust? Who can we trust?

It was also a big problem that Abbot Taeheo, who should lead Shaolin, was seriously injured and unconscious.

Therefore, the only response Shaolin could choose was to lower its body and watch the situation.

Just like Mount Hua, Wudang, Emei, and other sects that did not join the Taepyeong Alliance.

“Shaolin has a long history.”
Hyecheon opened his eyes and spoke quietly.

“The foundation built over many years is still intact, so it will not end like this.”

His point was also correct.

Shaolin’s pride was greatly *kkeokgigo* [꺾이고, humbled/broken] and suffered considerable damage.

But the roots of Shaolin have not been *ppophyeo* [뽑혀, uprooted] gone.

Although it will take time, Shaolin will once again stand as the Taesan Bukdu [the leading figure] of Murim.

“Of course. Mount Hua is the same.”

Yeong Hojun nodded.

“But what about the pain the world will have to endure in the meantime? When you were enjoying the glory as the Murim Alliance, is it okay to turn your back and ignore it as if it were a secular matter now?”

Yeong Hojun’s eyes were blazing as he spoke.

“Is that really the way of Buddhism?”

“Originally, living is suffering and agony. So, it is natural for there to be suffering in the world.”

Hyecheon quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer.

Yeong Hojun frowned.

But Hyecheon’s words were not over yet.

“But the one who threw himself into the world of suffering was Buddha himself, so I, as a disciple of Buddhism, cannot ignore his will.”

Yeong Hojun’s eyes lit up.

Hyecheon sighed.

“……In fact, I was hoping that Shaolin would be reborn as a place of complete Buddhism through this opportunity. But I think that Shaolin withdrawing from Murim as it is now is a more irresponsible act than intervening in the interests of Murim.”

After a moment of silence, Hyecheon raised his head.

“……I understand.”

Hyecheon said, looking at Yeong Hojun with deep eyes.

“Since it is also the will of the Buddha that you came to me, I will accompany you.”

“Don’t you ask what I’m going to do in the future?”

At Yeong Hojun’s words, Hyecheon smiled.

“I will only not go if it is not the way, and if the paths diverge, the relationship will only last until then.”

It may have been an obvious statement, but it clearly showed Hyecheon’s will.

“I see. I understand.”

Yeong Hojun smiled contentedly.

Rustle.

Hyecheon stood up from his seat.

“I will go and tell the elders of the temple. Please wait here a little longer.”

“Will a little be enough?”

It was a time of great confusion.

Even for a Shaolin monk of Hyecheon’s caliber to venture out into the Jianghu [martial world], it was not something that could be approved in a day or two.

“Yes, it is enough.”

However, Hyecheon’s answer was firm.

“Now that I have decided, there is no need to seek separate permission.”

There may be people who oppose or worry, but they cannot overturn Hyecheon’s decision.

Just notifying them was enough.

“Ah, right.”

Hyecheon said as if he had suddenly remembered something as he was about to turn around.

“While you’re here, wouldn’t you like to pay your respects to the former Great Patriarch?”

Yeong Hojun’s expression hardened.

He said with an awkward smile.

“No, well, that’s…….”

Yeong Hojun hesitated and continued as if making an excuse.

“Actually, I had a pretty terrible experience in the past. Not yet…….”

“I understand.”

Hyecheon nodded as if he fully understood.

He also had to go through all sorts of hardships and endure trials to obtain the ‘small insight’ of the former Great Patriarch, the Reclining Buddha.

Of course, thanks to that, no one but the Reclining Buddha could interfere with Hyecheon.

Yeong Hojun had a similar reason.

It was by no means ordinary for Yeong Hojun to leave the temple gates in Mount Hua, which was in the same situation as Shaolin.

“Then, I’ll be back soon.”

Hyecheon bowed lightly and walked away.

Yeong Hojun was frowning as if he was reminded of his past nightmare, and only Jin Haseong, who did not understand the conversation between the two, had a bewildered expression.

It was the moment when another scheme arranged by the ‘Divine Monk’ long ago was finally coming to light.

***

In the early morning, Head Manager Kang visited Yunhyeon’s lodging.

“I brought this because I thought you might need it.”

Swoosh.

With his characteristic calm expression, Head Manager Kang handed over a long wooden box.

“This is…….”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Head Manager Kang said, looking at Yunhyeon.

“I just thought that it would be more useful to Young Master than hanging as a decoration in my room.”

Yunhyeon looked down at the wooden box.

He already knew what was inside.

He would never have been able to receive it yesterday.

But now it was different.

Rustle.

Yunhyeon’s hands were shaking slightly, but he did not hesitate to accept Head Manager Kang’s wooden box.

The weight felt from the wooden box felt unfamiliar.

“I will take the old ledgers.”

Head Manager Kang said, looking at Yunhyeon.

“What Young Master needs to face is not the ledgers of the merchant guild, at least.”

Holding the old ledger, Head Manager Kang disappeared into the early morning twilight.

Rustle.

Yunhyeon bowed deeply towards his departing figure.

After Head Manager Kang left, Yunhyeon carefully opened the wooden box.

Click.

As expected, an antique sword was placed inside the wooden box.

The carefully crafted scabbard and the elegantly decorated jade told that this was not a common iron sword.

“Hoo.”

Yunhyeon let out a soft sigh.

After staring at the sword as if having a staring contest, Yunhyeon slowly reached out and grabbed the sword.

Swoosh.

With a light force, the sword slid out smoothly.

The sharply honed blade told that this sword was by no means for decoration.

Yunhyeon, who had put down the empty wooden box, slowly brought his fingertip to the blade.

Rustle.

A chilling sensation flowed through his fingertip.

The result of bringing his hand to the blade was that a drop of red blood was flowing down.

‘That’s right.’

Yunhyeon quietly muttered, staring at his fingertip.

“A sword has a blade.”

It’s a fact that even a child knows.

But that obvious fact was now approaching Yunhyeon with great meaning and weight.

“And…….”

Yunhyeon said, looking straight at the blade.

“The one holding it is me.”

Not all swords inflict violence. Swords protect lives and save people.

But the moment of choice always comes.

Who to kill and who to save, what to abandon and what to take?

That choice is up to Yunhyeon.

Perhaps he was just turning a blind eye.

Yunhyeon’s sword has already cut down and decided on so many things.

But because he did not properly prepare for that clear fact, Yunhyeon eventually lost.

Things that must be protected, people who are so precious.

Swoosh.

Yunhyeon moved slowly and took a stance.

Buzz.

As if waiting, an image of a sword rose in his heart.

Quietly calming a strand of longing rising in his chest, Yunhyeon slowly began to unfold the swordplay.

Smoothly like flowing water, delicately like silk, but without hesitation for even a moment.

It was the beginning of the White Tiger Training Sword Twelve Forms.