Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 323

Kwaang!

With a thunderous boom, the two figures recoiled.

In that instant, however, Celestial Hand Shinni unleashed her Tan Geum-ji technique, a specialty of the Emei Sect [a finger flicking technique that uses internal energy to launch projectiles].

Ssae-aek!

As the Tan Geum-ji tore through the air, Bingseol twisted her body mid-air and slashed her sword directly at it.

Peok!

The onslaught of the Tan Geum-ji vanished into thin air.

Sabak.

Bingseol landed lightly, and Celestial Hand Shinni also touched down.

Tak.

“Impressive.”

Celestial Hand Shinni said, catching her breath lightly.

“To so easily nullify my Tan Geum-ji. It’s the first time I’ve seen such precise control of internal energy.”

To receive the power imbued in the Tan Geum-ji without any impact meant her control of internal energy was exceptionally refined.

“When the sword is light, it’s like a feather, and when it’s heavy, it’s like Mount Tai [a metaphor for something of immense weight and importance].”

Celestial Hand Shinni said, sighing softly.

“Truly worthy of being called one of the best under the heavens.”

Her admiration was genuine.

Bingseol’s sword was undoubtedly worthy of contending for the title of the best under the heavens alongside her.

However, those words were nothing short of shocking to others.

“O-One of the best under the heavens?”

They had thought of the Northern Sea Clan as a border sect from Shanxi Province.

But for a high-ranking nun of the Emei Sect to acknowledge her as one of the best under the heavens was a story that could instantly ignite the Jianghu [the martial world] martial world.

“Especially the ability to so gently conceal such formidable force is most astonishing. It must not be easy at your age.”

Bingseol said nothing.

Celestial Hand Shinni sighed softly.

“My heart desires to spar with you all night long, but it’s a pity that the situation doesn’t allow it. Neither you nor I have light burdens to bear.”

Sarak.

Celestial Hand Shinni, with her arms spread, slowly brought her hands together.

It was Celestial Hand Shinni’s show of respect towards Bingseol.

Hwirik.

Bingseol’s sword lightly drew a circle.

Grasping the sword upside down, Bingseol bowed her head towards Celestial Hand Shinni with both hands clasped.

Bingseol was paying her respects to Celestial Hand Shinni.

The Third Palace Lord was greatly surprised as he watched.

“Bingseol, showing respect?”

Even within the Northern Sea, no one had received Bingseol’s respect.

Especially not in a martial arts contest.

For Bingseol to show respect to an opponent in a martial arts contest meant that she acknowledged the opponent’s martial prowess and, at the same time, was willing to risk her life to take the opponent’s life.

“Isn’t this the first time?”

Binghon shook his head at the Third Palace Lord’s words.

“No. This is the second time.”

“The second time?”

The Third Palace Lord questioned, but Binghon couldn’t answer.

Now was not the appropriate time to talk about the martial arts contest between Unhyun and Bingseol that had taken place on the shores of West Lake.

However, the Third Palace Lord was quick-witted.

“Ah, it was Seo-gi, wasn’t it?”

At that moment, the exchange between Bingseol and Celestial Hand Shinni began again.

“Haa!”

Swiik.

Celestial Hand Shinni and Bingseol rushed towards each other in an instant.

As if engraving patterns, Celestial Hand Shinni’s two hands cut through the air, and Bingseol’s sword emitted a sharp aura, intertwining chaotically.

Kung, Kugugung, Kwaang.

The clashes continued incessantly.

Ssae-aek. Swiik.

The Tan Geum-ji tore through the air, and Bingseol’s sword neutralized the onslaught.

The techniques that Celestial Hand Shinni had achieved by dedicating her entire life were pouring out relentlessly, but Bingseol’s sword was rendering all those techniques futile.

Both Celestial Hand Shinni and Bingseol clearly knew that the end was approaching.

Eudeuk.

In the midst of the clash, Celestial Hand Shinni gritted her teeth.

‘…At least.’

She couldn’t win.

But at least she had to neutralize Bingseol.

Otherwise, the Emei Sect would have no hope for the future.

Kwang.

In the fleeting moment created by the explosion, Celestial Hand Shinni gathered all her internal energy.

“Haaaaaa!”

The immense force gathering in her two hands caused her monastic robe to flutter as if caught in a storm.

However, the blue energy swirling around Bingseol’s sword was already rushing towards Celestial Hand Shinni’s neck.

Swiik.

Faced with that chilling aura, Celestial Hand Shinni wore a faint smile.

Although her neck would be pierced by that sword, her twin palms would surely neutralize Bingseol.

‘…I leave the rest to you, Beopyeong.’

Finally, Celestial Hand Shinni uttered her Buddhist name softly and unleashed her twin palms.

“Taha!”

It was at that very moment.

Sarak.

Suddenly, a breeze blew.

It didn’t originate from her twin palms or Bingseol’s sword.

‘Ah!’

Celestial Hand Shinni saw it.

Bingseol’s sword, which had been rushing towards her neck, had stopped.

Her own twin palms, which had been aimed at Bingseol’s chest, were also the same.

It was as if the world had stopped as if by a lie.

Seuk.

Realizing that Bingseol’s gaze was about to move, Celestial Hand Shinni also turned her eyes.

But before her vision could reach the desired direction, Celestial Hand Shinni saw it.

A sword entering between herself and Bingseol.

Sueuk.

The sword fearlessly cut through the space created by her twin palms and Bingseol’s sword.

Only that one sword was freely swimming in the midst of everything being frozen as if by a lie.

Hook.

The sword lightly brushed past Bingseol’s sword first.

It was doubtful whether it had even touched, but at that moment, Bingseol’s sword began to soar upwards.

That wasn’t the end of it.

Tok.

The tip of the sword then lightly struck one of Celestial Hand Shinni’s twin palms.

And Celestial Hand Shinni could understand why Bingseol’s sword had soared upwards.

‘Heok.’

The world was turning upside down before her eyes.

It wasn’t that Bingseol had twisted her sword upwards.

Celestial Hand Shinni’s twin palms were still moving forward, but what lay at the end of them was not Bingseol’s chest but the solid earth.

All of this had happened in an instant.

Kwaaaang.

With the impact, a massive cloud of dust covered the surroundings.

People instinctively knew that the outcome had been decided.

Those who were watching covered their faces with their hands and squinted, trying to confirm the result of the martial arts contest.

“Ugh. Ptoo, ptoo.”

“H-How did it turn out! The martial arts contest!”

The dust slowly settled.

And people saw a completely unexpected sight.

In the place where Celestial Hand Shinni and Bingseol had been fighting, another person was standing.

“What? Why are there three of them…”

“What happened?”

People murmured in bewilderment.

Dang Seol-ryeon was the same.

However, only Mo Yong-mi recognized it instinctively.

“Ah!”

Tears seemed about to burst out.

The third person who had suddenly appeared.

It was none other than Unhyun.

Celestial Hand Shinni staggered back a step.

She couldn’t hide her bewildered expression.

The scene she had seen a moment ago, that unbelievable event, seemed like an illusion.

But if it was an illusion, how could her twin palms have struck the ground and Bingseol’s sword have slashed through the air?

“H-How on earth…”

Celestial Hand Shinni couldn’t even imagine how such a thing was possible with just one sword.

Sarak.

Unhyun quietly sheathed his sword.

The beautiful sword, which had been shining under the sunlight, disappeared from view.

Unhyun bowed politely to Celestial Hand Shinni, who was staring blankly at the sight.

And he bowed to Bingseol as well.

Bingseol remained expressionless.

But without the slightest hint of embarrassment, Bingseol withdrew her sword.

Seureung.

If it were anyone else, she would never have tolerated it.

But Unhyun was an exception.

As long as she was one of the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea, the exception that would never change was him.

“I apologize for intruding at such a crucial moment.”

Unhyun said in a gentle voice.

“However, it seemed that the contest between the two of you was turning into an unwanted life-or-death struggle, so I dared to intervene. If you wish to punish me, I will gladly accept it.”

Celestial Hand Shinni was flustered.

It would have been less disconcerting if he were an enemy or an ally.

But since he was paying his respects so naturally, she didn’t know how to react.

Seureuk.

Suddenly, Bingseol bowed her body.

Celestial Hand Shinni looked at Bingseol with surprised eyes.

Bingseol knelt on one knee on the floor and lowered her head.

In a small voice, she said.

“I greet the Azure Wolf of the Northern Sea.”

Although she didn’t understand the language of the Northern Sea, there was no one who didn’t know that Bingseol was paying her utmost respects.

Unhyun gazed down at Bingseol intently.

“Please rise.”

It was in the language of the South, but Bingseol stood up.

Celestial Hand Shinni asked without realizing it.

“W-Who are you?”

Unhyun smiled gently.

“Before that, it seems we must first conclude the outcome of this martial arts contest. What do you think, Shinni?”

Celestial Hand Shinni laughed in vain.

What did she think?

That was the only thing she could answer in the midst of this confusion.

“I lost.”

There was no regret, no resentment, not even lingering attachment.

With this one contest, Celestial Hand Shinni clearly saw her own limitations.

Celestial Hand Shinni’s expression was even light.

“Thank you.”

Unhyun bowed lightly and looked at Bingseol.

“Shinni has acknowledged her defeat. What will you do?”

There was no answer from Bingseol.

She simply nodded to indicate her agreement.

“I’m glad that both of you acknowledge it.”

Unhyun smiled gently.

“I apologize once again for intruding.”

“No, it’s alright. More than that…”

Celestial Hand Shinni asked with a still bewildered expression.

“Just who are you…”

Sabak.

Before Celestial Hand Shinni’s question could finish, Bingseol turned her body.

And she slowly walked away towards the place where the Northern Sea Clan was.

Sabak, sabak.

Bingseol was retreating.

Celestial Hand Shinni stared blankly at the sight.

It was then.

“It’s the Azure Dragon Sword Lord!”

Someone shouted.

One of the warriors of the Taipeh Alliance had recognized Unhyun.

In particular, the expressions of the promising disciples who had been selected as the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes and had seen Unhyun up close hardened instantly.

“T-That’s right.”

“H-How did the Azure Dragon Sword Lord come to be here…”

Celestial Hand Shinni looked at Unhyun with a puzzled expression.

‘Azure Dragon Sword Lord?’

It was a title she was hearing for the first time.

But unlike that arrogant title, Unhyun, dressed in the simple attire of a scholar, was simply smiling gently.

***

A few days ago, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

The morning of the day the Taipeh Alliance Assembly ended.

After finishing his dawn training, Unhyun sat facing Jo Gwan at a table.

Fragrant tea was steaming warmly, and Unhyun quietly savored the warmth of the teacup.

However, Jo Gwan, who was sitting across from him, was quite nervous.

It was because Unhyun had said that he wanted to hear his opinion on something.

Considering the current situation and Unhyun’s personality, it was certain to be something important.

Dalkak.

Unhyun, who had put down his teacup, opened his mouth.

“First, I would like you to deliver these letters.”

Baseurak.

Unhyun took a few letters from the desk and handed them to Jo Gwan.

“I have already written down the places to send them.”

Jo Gwan carefully examined the destinations of the letters.

The destinations were quite unusual.

“I understand. I will deliver them as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you. Ah, and.”

Unhyun said as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“Would it be possible to find out the recent activities of the large sects in and around Sichuan Province and Chengdu? Especially in relation to the Taipeh Alliance.”