Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 322

322. Fierce Skirmish

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

It wouldn’t matter if the Thousand Hands Divine Nun won.

As planned, Dang Byeok-hu would defeat the Thousand Hands Divine Nun and crush the remaining forces of the Emei Sect.

But what if Bingseol won?

The glory of defeating the Emei Sect would entirely go to the Northern Sea Clan.

Without the Dang Clan or other clans even getting a chance to intervene.

That was something Dang Seol-yeon absolutely did not want.

‘Should I use the next best option?’

Dang Seol-yeon didn’t just have one plan.

With just one signal from her, the Emei Sect’s territory would instantly be plunged into chaos.

By her other forces, who were waiting even at this moment.

“Hold back.”

Dang Byeok-hu’s heavy voice echoed in Dang Seol-yeon’s ear.

“If we turn this into a free-for-all here, we’ll give the Emei Sect a pretext for disobedience. If the situation drags on, things will get complicated.”

Even though Sichuan was under the Dang Clan’s control, the Emei’s influence couldn’t be ignored.

The Emei Sect’s lay disciples had established sects and escort agencies scattered throughout Sichuan.

In fact, if the Emei had actively expanded their power, the Dang Clan wouldn’t be enjoying its current dominance.

That’s why it had to end quickly.

Everything had to be over before voices defending the Emei came from influential families or the Emei Sect’s lay disciples started to move.

Sabeok.

The decision was swift.

Dang Seol-yeon quickly walked towards the Northern Sea Clan.

Jabeok, jabeok.

The Third Palace Lord turned her head.

Dang Seol-yeon was approaching with a smile.

Tak.

Dang Seol-yeon stopped and smiled brightly.

“The power of the Northern Sea Clan is indeed impressive.”

“Thank you.”

The Third Palace Lord lowered her head demurely.

Just as she had learned from her sister.

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyebrows twitched, but it soon disappeared behind her smile.

“Isn’t this enough?”

“Pardon?”

It was a genuine question, asked out of ignorance.

But Dang Seol-yeon maintained her smile.

“The Northern Sea Clan’s victory is already enough to shake the Jianghu [the martial arts world]. However, there will be many within the Taipeh Alliance who won’t welcome the Northern Sea Clan’s excessive involvement.”

The Third Palace Lord clearly understood what she was saying.

The Third Palace Lord feigned a troubled expression.

“Well, but…”

“Of course, appropriate compensation will be provided. The Taipeh Alliance will be grateful for the Northern Sea Clan’s consideration, and I will consider myself in debt. And I will cooperate as much as possible with whatever the Northern Sea Clan requires.”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a quiet smile.

“I promise on my name.”

It was an extraordinary condition.

But the Third Palace Lord sighed.

“It’s not possible.”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes sharpened.

But the Third Palace Lord shook her head and said.

“It’s not something I can do.”

“What…”

“I can’t.”

The Third Palace Lord continued with a firm look in her eyes.

“Drawing a sword means risking one’s life. Stopping a warrior who has drawn their sword is a great insult. Especially Bingseol? No one can do it.”

“No, but…”

“It’s not something I can do. It’s not an option.”

The Third Palace Lord’s eyes were serious.

Dang Seol-yeon could finally understand.

‘It’s not an option…’

The stage for negotiation had already passed.

The moment Bingseol stepped forward, no one could stop her.

“Are you sure it’s okay to be so uncooperative?”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a venomous look.

It was blatant intimidation.

But the Third Palace Lord chuckled.

“And if it’s not okay?”

The Third Palace Lord said, looking directly at Dang Seol-yeon.

“All the responsible parties agreed, and you agreed. Is the Taipeh Alliance’s Chief Military Advisor someone who can’t keep their word?”

The two women’s eyes clashed sharply.

But the Third Palace Lord didn’t back down.

“Hmph.”

Dang Seol-yeon laughed lightly.

“It’s ridiculous that you can’t even control one of your subordinates properly.”

“It’s better than not being able to keep one’s own word.”

The Third Palace Lord also said with a smile.

The word choice was a bit strange, but its meaning was clearly conveyed to Dang Seol-yeon.

Sarak.

Dang Seol-yeon turned away without regret.

Jabeok, jabeok.

Dang Seol-yeon walked away with slightly rougher steps.

The Third Palace Lord frowned.

“That woman seems more like someone from the Northern Sea than someone from here.”

Binghon said quietly.

“Military Advisor Dang Seol-yeon is from the Dang Clan.”

“No, but…”

Clicking her tongue, the Third Palace Lord continued.

“She just turns around without even a greeting when things don’t go her way. I thought people here valued etiquette.”

“It means she doesn’t have any leeway [lit. 余裕; margin for error or flexibility].”

Binghon wore a faint smile.

“We made her that way.”

“Yes.”

The Third Palace Lord smiled proudly.

“We made her that way.”

Her smiling face was quite cute and charming, but the only person watching that 모습 [Korean: figure/appearance] was Zhuge Giho.

“Indeed.”

Zhuge Giho smiled.

“That young lady is attractive when she smiles, you know? Her figure is also quite… ahem, sorry.”

Moyong Mi also coughed slightly and turned her head.

Even though the other party was the Taipeh Alliance’s Chief Military Advisor, she had unknowingly glared at him.

“Anyway, it’s amazing. I had 예상 [Korean: expectation], but I didn’t know Bingseol was this strong.”

‘Is it the influence of 운 Daein’s [Name] sword?’

The technique Bingseol used a moment ago was familiar to Zhuge Giho.

It was clear that she was trying to recreate the very scene that 운hyeon [Name] had shown in the Northern Sea.

“Is her name Bingseol?”

At Moyong Mi’s voice, Zhuge Giho shook his head.

“It’s not a name, but more like a title? People from the Northern Sea don’t give out their names easily. That Bingseol is also called one of the Northern Sea Twelve 비 [Korean: Bi; roughly translates to ‘handmaidens’ or ‘attendants’].”

“Northern Sea Twelve 비?”

Zhuge Giho said, as if 질렸다는 듯 [Korean: 질리다; to be fed up/bored].

“Yes. It means there are twelve people like that.”

Moyong Mi couldn’t hide her surprise.

To think that there were twelve people with the 무력 [Korean: martial prowess] to 날려 보내 [Korean: to blow away] the Emei Sect’s Twelve 선사 [Korean: Seonsa; Buddhist monks] at once!

“Ah, of course, not all of them will be like that Bingseol. Bingseol seems to have a special position even among the Northern Sea Twelve 비.”

“I see.”

Moyong Mi was lost in thought.

Zhuge 세가 [Korean: family name] looked back at her and asked.

“Is there something 걸리는 게 [Korean: 걸리다; to be caught/bothered]?”

“That woman, Bingseol, isn’t just a 호위 [Korean: escort/guard], is she?”

“Of course. The 호위 is that Binghon.”

“If so.”

Moyong Mi said, looking at Bingseol.

“Why did Bingseol come to the 무림맹 용봉지회 [Korean: Murim Alliance Yongbong Assembly; a martial arts gathering] in the past?”

“Pardon?”

“절정고수 [Korean: top-tier experts] never move 함부로 [Korean: carelessly/recklessly]. The fact that a 고수 [Korean: expert] in a special position called the Northern Sea Twelve 비 came to the 무림맹 means there’s a 중대한 일 [Korean: important matter] that matches it. For example, dealing with the Emei Sect like now.”

“That makes sense.”

Zhuge Giho nodded.

Moyong Mi continued.

“But what happened then? Nothing happened.”

Nothing 중대한 일 happened at the 무림맹 용봉지회 in the past.

The Northern Sea’s 소궁주 일행 [Korean: Sogungju group; young palace lord’s party] gave up the 비무 [Korean: martial arts contest] before the 본선 [Korean: main event], and there was a 잠시 말썽 [Korean: brief trouble] at the 연회 [Korean: banquet] afterward, but that was it.

“Then why did Bingseol come?”

Nothing happened at the 무림맹 that would make a 절정고수 appear.

Then why did Bingseol 동행 [Korean: accompany]?

“Well?”

Zhuge Giho shrugged.

“Who knows? It’s said that there are 허다한 [Korean: numerous] things 감춰진 [Korean: hidden] in the 강호 [the martial arts world], isn’t it?”

Moyong Mi bit her lip slightly.

She didn’t tell Zhuge Giho, but there was a 검성 [Korean: Sword Saint] at the 무림맹 at that time.

The 인연 [Korean: connection/relationship] between the 검성 and the Northern Sea is too 유명하다 [Korean: famous].

But really, nothing happened?

Suddenly, one thought 스쳤다 [Korean: to flash] Moyong Mi’s 머릿속 [Korean: head/mind].

‘운 학사님 [Name with honorific].’

At that time, 운hyeon [Name] was part of the Northern Sea 빙궁’s 일행 [Korean: Ice Palace’s group].

And he was later known as the 검성’s 후계자 [Korean: successor], and he went to the Northern Sea with Zhuge Giho.

Is it too much of an 억측 [Korean: speculation] to think that that 일련의 일들 [Korean: series of events] is related to that Bingseol?

“Finally, she’s 나서는군요 [Korean: 나서다; to step forward].”

Zhuge Giho said quietly.

Moyong Mi looked up.

The 노승 [Korean: old monk] who was talking to 법영 [Name] was slowly stepping forward.

The second, and perhaps the last, 비무 [Korean: martial arts contest] between the Thousand Hands Divine Nun and Bingseol had begun.

***

Sabeok.

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun, wearing 낡은 승복 [Korean: old/worn monastic robes], stopped in front of Bingseol.

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun 예를 표했다 [Korean: to show respect] with 합장 [Korean: putting palms together in prayer].

“I am called 천수 [Thousand Hands].”

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun asked with a 푸근한 미소 [Korean: warm/gentle smile].

“How do you 칭하는가 스스로를 [Korean: refer to yourself]?”

Bingseol said quietly.

“Bingseol.”

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun couldn’t 알아듣지 못했다 [Korean: understand] that 말 [Korean: word/language].

Because Bingseol 답했다 [Korean: answered] in the 언어 [Korean: language] of the Northern Sea.

“Is that so? I don’t know well, but it has a 좋군 울림 [Korean: good resonance].”

펄럭 [Sound of flapping].

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun 가볍게 벌렸다 [Korean: lightly opened] her 팔 [Korean: arms].

The 소매 [Korean: sleeves] of the 낡은 승복 부풀어 올랐다 [Korean: swelled up] 품고 바람을 [Korean: embracing the wind].

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun 천천히, 다시 한번 마주했다 [Korean: slowly, once again faced] her 두 손 [Korean: two hands].

“I am 기쁘네 [Korean: happy] to 마주하게 되어 [Korean: to meet] with you 오늘 [Korean: today].”

펄럭, 펄럭 [Sound of flapping].

The 소매 of the 합장한 Thousand Hands Divine Nun 계속 펄럭이고 있었다 [Korean: continued to flap].

Even though the 바람은 [Korean: wind] now 불지 않는데도 [Korean: not blowing], her 소매 더욱 팽팽하게 부풀어 오르고 있었다 [Korean: sleeves were swelling up even more tightly] like a 돛 맞은 바람을 [Korean: sail catching the wind].

“Now I can 떨칠 수 있게 되었으니 [Korean: shake off] 내 마지막 미련을 [Korean: my last lingering attachment], 말일세 [Korean: you see].”

스릉 [Sound of drawing a sword].

Bingseol 뽑았다 [Korean: drew] her 검 [Korean: sword].

Her 검 that didn’t 나오지 않던 [Korean: come out] 마지막 순간까지 [Korean: until the last moment] 상대로 지심 앞에서 [Korean: in front of Jisim] 그 모습을 드러낸 것이다 [Korean: revealed its appearance].

The Thousand Hands Divine Nun 지었다 빙긋 미소를 [Korean: wore a slight smile].

“If I 꺾는다면 [Korean: break/defeat] you, I can 능히 자부할 수 있지 않겠나 [Korean: proudly boast] 천하제일이라 [Korean: the best under heaven]?”

후우우욱 [Sound of wind].

A 기세 [Korean: aura/momentum] like a 폭풍 [Korean: storm] 쏟아져 나왔다 [Korean: poured out] from the Thousand Hands Divine Nun.

And the 다음 순간 [Korean: next moment].

훅 [Sound of rushing wind].

The 기세 of the Thousand Hands Divine Nun 사라졌다 거짓말처럼 [Korean: disappeared like a lie].

With that, Bingseol and the Thousand Hands Divine Nun 짓쳐 들었다 [Korean: charged] 향해 서로를 [Korean: towards each other].

쉬익 [Sound of wind]. 콰앙 [Sound of explosion].

At the same time as the 소리 가르는 바람을 [Korean: sound of cutting wind], a 폭음 [Korean: explosion] 터져 나왔다 [Korean: erupted].

맨손 [Korean: bare hands] and 칼 [Korean: sword] 부딪혔는데 [Korean: collided] 마치 천둥 같은 충격음이 들려온 것이다 [Korean: a shockwave like thunder was heard].

“마, 맙소사 [Korean: Oh, my god].”

누군가가 [Korean: someone] 지켜보던 탄식을 흘렸다 [Korean: sighed in amazement].

The 승려들도 [Korean: monks] 물론 [Korean: of course], 아미파의 [Korean: Emei Sect’s] 태평맹 [Korean: Taipeh Alliance] 안색이 굳었다 [Korean: faces hardened].

Because 아무도 [Korean: no one] 제대로 보지 못했기 때문이다 [Korean: could properly see] 두 사람의 움직임을 [Korean: the two people’s movements].

생각하면 [Korean: considering] 이곳에 있는 이들의 무위를 [Korean: the martial prowess of the people here] 놀라운 일이 아닐 수 없었다 [Korean: it couldn’t help but be surprising].

“하아 [Exclamation]!”

The 일장 [Korean: palm strike] of the Thousand Hands Divine Nun 달려들었다 [Korean: rushed] 노리고 [Korean: aiming for] Bingseol.

But Bingseol 흘려 냈다 [Korean: deflected] 공격을 [Korean: attack] of the Thousand Hands Divine Nun 바람처럼 [Korean: like the wind].

콰앙 [Sound of explosion].

The 충격음 [Korean: shockwave] 터져 나온 의미였다 [Korean: meant] 아니라는 것은 [Korean: that it wasn’t] 무산된 [Korean: thwarted] 완전히 공세가 [Korean: the attack] of the Thousand Hands Divine Nun.

But 노리고 [Korean: aiming for] 순간을 찰나의 [Korean: a fleeting moment] 검광이 [Korean: sword light] 번뜩였다 [Korean: flashed] 그 [Korean: that].

쉬익 [Sound of wind].

터져 나왔다 연이어 [Korean: erupted in succession] 폭음이 [Korean: explosions] 함께 궤적의 빛 가르는 허공을 [Korean: along with the trajectory of light cutting through the air].

쾅, 카강, 콰앙 [Sounds of explosions and clashing].

갈랐다 바람을 [Korean: cut through the wind] 권장이 [Korean: palm strikes] 위력의 강맹한 [Korean: powerful and fierce] and 번뜩이고 검기가 [Korean: flashing sword energy].

The 공방 [Korean: exchange of attacks] of 두 사람 [Korean: two people] 격렬했다 [Korean: was fierce] 숨 쉴 틈도 없이 [Korean: without a moment to breathe] 그야말로 [Korean: truly].

But 알 수 있는 사람은 거의 없었다 [Korean: almost no one could know] 진행되고 있는지 어떻게 비무가 [Korean: how the martial arts contest was progressing], 누가 우세한지 [Korean: who was winning].

애초에 파악할 수가 없었다 [Korean: from the beginning, it was impossible to grasp] 움직임조차 제대로 아니 [Korean: not even the movements properly],.

The 승려들은 [Korean: monks] 아미파 [Korean: Emei Sect] 손에 땀을 쥐고 [Korean: with sweaty hands] 비무를 [Korean: the martial arts contest] 마음으로 초조한 지켜보았다 [Korean: anxiously watched with their hearts].

걸려 있었기 때문이다 [Korean: because it was at stake] 운명이 사실상 아미의 비무에 이 [Korean: the fate of the Emei in this martial arts contest].

The 표정도 [Korean: expressions] 무사들의 [Korean: warriors] 태평맹 [Korean: Taipeh Alliance] 좋지는 그리 않았다 [Korean: were not so good].

생각한 사람은 없었다 [Korean: no one thought] 보리라 이런 무위를 [Korean: they would see such martial prowess] 해도 나섰을 때만 빙설이 일문의 북해 [Korean: even when Bingseol of the Northern Sea took action].

변하게 하기에 충분했다 [Korean: it was enough to change] 그들의 안색을 [Korean: their expressions] 권격은 강맹한 [Korean: the fierce palm strikes] of the Thousand Hands Divine Nun 터져 나오는 연이어 그러나 [Korean: erupting in succession, however].

낼 수 있을까 버텨 [Korean: could they withstand] 일격을 저 자신들이라면 [Korean: that one strike themselves]?

깨닫고 있었다 절실하게 [Korean: they were realizing keenly] 얼마나 오만한 것이었는지를 [Korean: how arrogant it was] 생각이 무릎 꿇리겠다는 아미파를 그들은 [Korean: their thought of making the Emei Sect kneel].

변해 가고 있었다 싸늘하게 [Korean: changing coldly] 듯 각오한 무엇인가를 [Korean: as if resolved to something] 표정만은 당설련의 그러나 [Korean: only Dang Seol-yeon’s expression, however].