Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 339

339. Insensitivity

Un-hyun moved slowly.

Step, step.

Only his footsteps echoed eerily in the dark forest.

Swish.

Suddenly, Un-hyun stopped.

A sharp thread of Cheonjamsa [a nearly invisible, incredibly sharp wire used for assassination] was stretched taut at neck level.

It was so thin it was hard to see, but it couldn’t escape Un-hyun’s notice.

Thud.

Un-hyun cut the Cheonjamsa with Myeong [his sword]. Lacking internal energy, the Cheonjamsa quickly lost its fatal sharpness and drooped.

‘Strange.’

Un-hyun looked at the mansion in the distance.

There were no more attacks after the thirty fighting dogs.

It felt too 허술 [Heosul – 허술하다 (Heosulhada) means 허점이 많다 (Heojeomi manta) which translates to ‘full of loopholes’] as Moon-wang’s plan to deal with him.

Perhaps he was assuming Un-hyun was poisoned.

The thirty ferocious fighting dogs would have been hell for a poisoned Un-hyun.

‘But.’

Why doesn’t Samtaesang [one of Moon-wang’s top subordinates] come out?

If Samtaesang came out with Il-a-young as a hostage, could Un-hyun have faced them?

No, in the first place, why was there a need to ambush Un-hyun?

‘Maybe.’

Maybe it wasn’t that he didn’t do it, but that he couldn’t.

Jeolmyeongbi [a cursed dagger], Lee Seo-yeon’s betrayal, and thirty fighting dogs may have been all that Moon-wang could mobilize now.

Young-ho-joon insisted that Moon-wang was so desperate he had to kidnap her.

But if so, Il-a-young’s life becomes even more dangerous.

You never know what a cornered person will do.

Suddenly, Lee Seo-yeon’s face came to mind.

Was she also cornered?

To the point where she had to betray Un-hyun?

“Kuh.”

As soon as he thought of Lee Seo-yeon, pain rushed to his chest.

Un-hyun gritted his teeth.

It was then.

Pee-ree-reek.

A sharp flute sound echoed in the night sky.

When Un-hyun raised his head, he saw something like a small spark rising.

And after a moment.

Bang.

Silver fireworks bloomed in the night sky.

‘That’s?’

It was definitely a signal.

It was clear Moon-wang was trying something again.

Gritting his teeth, Un-hyun looked at the mansion.

The brightly lit mansion loomed over him like a giant.

“…I.”

Un-hyun muttered, as if telling himself.

“I have to save A-young noona [older sister or close female friend].”

Step.

Un-hyun moved.

Desperately pushing aside the memory of Lee Seo-yeon’s voice and expression, Un-hyun headed towards the mansion.

***

Moon-wang found Lee Seo-yeon in front of his audience hall, Daejeon.

“Ah, welcome.”

Lee Seo-yeon said with a bright smile.

“It looks like you’ve been somewhere? Everything is ready here.”

In front of her, Il-a-young sat slumped in a chair, unconscious.

Moon-wang gnashed his teeth.

“…Do you think you’ll be safe after this?”

Lee Seo-yeon smiled.

“I’m doing this to *be* safe.”

In her hand, a sharp dagger gleamed.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to antagonize you. I’m just…”

Swish.

Bringing the dagger to Il-a-young’s neck, Lee Seo-yeon said.

“…trying to choose the most effective method.”

“Immediately.”

Moon-wang said lowly, grinding his teeth.

“Get rid of it.”

“I’ll follow your orders.”

Swish.

Lee Seo-yeon readily withdrew the dagger.

However, it remained close enough to Il-a-young’s neck to strike at any time.

“But think about it.”

Lee Seo-yeon said softly.

“Il-a-young doesn’t know anything right now. But what will happen when she finds out the truth?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Being kidnapped in a conflict with the Sangdan [a powerful merchant guild] and being taken hostage to kill her 의숙부 [uisukbu – uncle (mother’s side)] are very different. Moreover, if she finds out that you are the one trying to kill her relatives…”

Lee Seo-yeon smiled.

“I’m worried she might become an irreconcilable enemy.”

Moon-wang flinched.

He gritted his teeth and said lowly.

“…It doesn’t matter. A-young Sojeo [young miss] is just a hostage.”

“Of course. But now that Il-a-young is asleep and doesn’t know anything, killing Changryonggeomju [Azure Dragon Sword Master – Un-hyun’s title] is the best option. Isn’t it? Ah, what was that signal a little while ago?”

“…Retreat signal.”

Moon-wang hesitated before answering briefly.

“Heung, that sounds like a lie?”

Lee Seo-yeon said with a smile.

“But since you say so, I’ll believe it.”

Swish.

Bowing politely, Lee Seo-yeon said.

“Your Majesty, the esteemed Moon-wang.”

Lee Seo-yeon’s gaze, with a smile on her face, did not leave Moon-wang.

Moon-wang’s face twisted.

***

Un-hyun stopped in front of the mansion.

Tick, tock.

The sound of torches burning echoed.

No sign of life could be felt in the large mansion.

Un-hyun carefully entered.

The moment he passed through the middle gate and reached the front of the Daejeon, Un-hyun gritted his teeth.

Lee Seo-yeon was smiling.

Her thinly raised lips were clearly a sneer.

“Welcome. Orabeoni [term used by a younger woman to address an older man she is close to, like an older brother or boyfriend].”

Lee Seo-yeon said in a clear voice.

In front of her was Il-a-young, sitting unconscious in a chair.

And a little further away, Moon-wang and his subordinates stood.

The subordinates were drawing their bows at Un-hyun.

“I’m so glad to see you again like this.”

Swoosh.

A sharp sound tore through the air.

Un-hyun slightly moved his head.

The arrow grazed his ear.

Moon-wang’s subordinate had fired.

“Amazing. You had such talent?”

Lee Seo-yeon said, feigning admiration.

“But if you dodge the next one…”

Swish.

A dagger flashed in her hand.

“A-young will hurt instead.”

“Even if the hostage’s limbs are cut off…”

Un-hyun said lowly.

“You must have heard Mae Hwa-geom Daehyeop’s [Plum Blossom Sword Grandmaster] words not to give up the initiative.”

“Oh my, I’m disappointed you’d say that.”

Lee Seo-yeon said with a 서운 [Seoun – feeling hurt or regretful] expression.

“Call me Seo-yeon noona like before. And I…”

Thud.

The dagger lightly pricked Il-a-young’s shoulder.

“…have a personality that I can’t believe unless I check it myself.”

Lee Seo-yeon drew the dagger.

“Stop it!”

Moon-wang shouted, but it was useless.

Tear.

The clothes tore, and the skin split under the blade.

Il-a-young’s arm was soon stained with blood.

“This much is okay, right?”

Lee Seo-yeon said with a smile.

Il-a-young was still unconscious, probably drugged.

“There will be scars, but not on her face. Of course, once she dies, it won’t matter where the scars are.”

Un-hyun’s face hardened.

But he had no intention of being manipulated.

“I’ll say it clearly.”

Un-hyun said.

“There is no one here who can stop what I am going to do. So if you want to save your life, the only way is to let go of A-young noona and leave.”

“Ah, Un orabeoni, Un orabeoni.”

Lee Seo-yeon shook her head.

“That’s not how you bluff. I already know you can’t use geomgi [sword energy].”

Swish.

Lee Seo-yeon put the dagger to Il-a-young’s neck and pressed hard.

Blood slowly seeped out and flowed along the blade.

“So please die quietly. Isn’t this also your fate?”

Lee Seo-yeon said, glaring at him.

“Shoot.”

“Wait.”

It was Moon-wang.

He said to the subordinate holding the bow.

“I’ll do it.”

The subordinate was momentarily flustered.

But he handed the bow and arrow to Moon-wang.

Moon-wang skillfully placed the arrow on the string and took a stance.

Creak.

The bowstring was pulled taut, and his arm twitched slightly.

Lee Seo-yeon frowned.

“Just in case, I’m telling you.”

She said, glaring at Moon-wang.

“Don’t get the order wrong. If Changryonggeomju doesn’t die, your wish will not be fulfilled.”

“I know.”

Moon-wang said firmly, without looking at her.

Lee Seo-yeon bit her lip, but there was nothing she could do.

“Okay. Then.”

She said, staring straight at Un-hyun.

“Shall we watch the last moment of Changryonggeomju together?”

Creak.

The bowstring tightened.

Moon-wang stared intently at Un-hyun’s figure.

He had practiced archery many times.

He was confident he would never miss at this distance.

Un-hyun’s eyes, visible beyond the arrow, were shining.

‘It’s similar.’

Suddenly, Moon-wang thought.

In fact, it couldn’t be similar.

Il-a-young and Un-hyun had no blood relation at all; 따지자면 [Ttajijamyeon – if one were to be precise], they were just 의숙부 [uisukbu – uncle (mother’s side)] and niece.

Click.

The bowstring tightened as if it would break.

Whoosh.

Moon-wang twisted his body.

As soon as Lee Seo-yeon’s figure was visible, he let go.

Thwack.

It was a distance that could not be avoided.

However, Lee Seo-yeon didn’t trust Moon-wang.

“Crazy bastard! Are you out of your mind?”

Whirr.

Lee Seo-yeon immediately stepped back and twisted her body.

It was unavoidable.

And Un-hyun didn’t miss that moment.

Flash.

Un-hyun’s sword, Myeong, rushed towards her.

He didn’t know why Moon-wang had changed his mind, but he had no time to think.

“Kuh!”

Thwack.

Lee Seo-yeon gritted her teeth and kicked the chair Il-a-young was sitting on towards Un-hyun.

Her kick, trained in Namgoongsega [a prestigious martial arts clan], was strong enough to send Il-a-young flying.

Thwack.

The chair and Il-a-young flew towards him, and Lee Seo-yeon took out another dagger from her bosom.

It was a hidden card, recovered during the earlier commotion, prepared to deal with Moon-wang after Un-hyun died.

‘That’s!’

Un-hyun recognized it.

The black blade was the Jeolmyeongbi that had stabbed him.

He didn’t know if there were two from the beginning, or if she had recovered it from the 부두 [budu – dock] in the meantime.

If he was stabbed by that dagger again, even he would have a hard time surviving.

But Un-hyun didn’t waver.

An ambush taking advantage of carelessness would be one thing, but the dagger flying in front of his eyes was no threat.

However, Lee Seo-yeon sneered.

Swish.

With poisonous eyes, she 날렸다 [nallyeotda – threw] the Jeolmyeongbi.

Its target was Il-a-young, whose back was fully exposed.

Un-hyun was startled.

In that moment, Lee Seo-yeon realized it.

The only way to buy time.

Whoong.

Myeong immediately began to move.

And at that moment, Un-hyun saw it.

Moon-wang was flying towards Il-a-young with a bow in one hand.

Perhaps it was a natural choice.

To survive Un-hyun’s anger, he had to either flee or take Il-a-young hostage again.

However, it was 의아할 [euiahal – strange] that he didn’t care about the approaching Jeolmyeongbi.

Clang.

Un-hyun’s Myeong hit and dropped the dagger.

And he 베었다 [baeotta – cut] Moon-wang.

Slash.

“Cough.”

Moon-wang collapsed.

“Your Majesty!”

The subordinate shouted, and Lee Seo-yeon 펼쳐 경공 [pyeolchyeo gyeonggong – used light footwork] with all her might and 도주했다 [dojuhaetda – fled].

Her 경공 [gyeonggong – light footwork] wasn’t great, but Un-hyun couldn’t catch up.

At that time, the Jeolmyeongbi rolling on the floor was visible.

Un-hyun reached out and grabbed it.

And without even turning his head towards Lee Seo-yeon, he 날렸다 [nallyeotda – threw] it.

As if 펼치듯이 [pyeolchideusi – unfolding] a sword.

Slide.

The Jeolmyeongbi flew.

And it 적중했다 [jeokjunghaetda – hit] Lee Seo-yeon’s shoulder.

“Aagh!”

With a scream, she covered her shoulder and dropped.

Her figure disappeared into the dark forest, but Un-hyun no longer cared.

No, he couldn’t.

“Kkeuaaaaaaa!”

In-taesang’s scream echoed.

Un-hyun held Myeong and stood.

Flutter.

With the sound of the wind, a small, fat old man, In-taesang, 내려 섰다 [naeryeo seotda – descended].

“Doryeonnim [young master]! Doryeonniim!”

In-taesang grabbed the bleeding Moon-wang and 절규했다 [jeolgyuhaetda – screamed].

However, Moon-wang’s eyes were already fading.

He raised his trembling hand towards the fallen Il-a-young.

He 달싹였지만 [dalsakyeotjiman – moved slightly] his lips as if trying to say something, but his hand soon lost strength.

Slide.

Moon-wang’s eyes lost their light, and his head fell 힘없이 [himeopsi – limply].

“Nooooo!”

In-taesang 두드렸다 [dudeuryeotda – hit] Moon-wang’s 요혈 [yohyeol – vital points] like a madman.

But Moon-wang’s eyes, which had already lost their light, could not return.

“You! You bastard!”

In-taesang shouted at Un-hyun.

“Do you know who this person is! The noble person who will be the owner of this land! You! You dare!”

Step.

Un-hyun looked down at In-taesang with cold eyes.

Even though a person had died, Un-hyun’s heart was 냉정 [naengjeong – calm] without any agitation.

Like the 만년빙정 [mannyeonbingjeong – eternal ice crystal] of Bukhae [North Sea].

“If his life is precious, so is my 의제 [uije – sworn sibling]’s life.”

Un-hyun said coldly.

“He was not someone you could touch.”

Swish.

Un-hyun 치켜들었다 [chikyeodeureotda – raised] Myeong.

“I will 거두겠다 [geoduggetda – take] your life here.”

In-taesang 떨었다 부들부들 [tteoreotda budeulbudeul – trembled] while holding Moon-wang.

He remembered.

One 술잔 [suljan – wine cup] 날린 [nallin – thrown] by Un-hyun from afar made him 물러서게 뒤로 [mulleoseoge dwiro – step back].

If Un-hyun wanted to kill him now, he had no way to stop it.

It was then.

“Kuh.”

Un-hyun frowned and 움켜쥐었다 [umkyeojwieotda – clutched] his chest.

The agitation of emotions that inevitably arose when he thought of Dok-go-rang made the 극독 [geukdok – extreme poison] of Jeolmyeongbi 요동치게 [yodongchige – fluctuate] again.

In-taesang did not miss that moment.

Thud.

He 날렸다 [nallyeotda – threw] his body while holding Moon-wang’s body.

He didn’t even think that Un-hyun’s sword might 벨 [bel – cut] his back.

That choice saved his life.

Thud.

In-taesang’s figure disappeared as if 녹아들 [nogadeul – melted] into the dark forest.

Un-hyun, 움켜쥐고 [umkyeojwigo – clutching] his chest, 천천히 내렸다 [cheoncheonhi naeryeotda – slowly lowered] Myeong.

There was no one in front of Daejeon now.

Moon-wang’s subordinates had also disappeared.

Step.

Un-hyun turned.

And 걸어갔다 [georeogatda – walked] to the fallen Il-a-young.

Swish.

Un-hyun, 굽힌 몸을 [gupin momeul – bent over], 뻗어 손을 확인했다 [ppeodeo soneul hwaginhaetda – reached out and checked] Il-a-young’s breath.

Fortunately, she only 정신을 잃었을 [jeongsineul ileosseul – lost consciousness], and there seemed to be nothing wrong.

“Hoo.”

Un-hyun 쉬었다 [swieotda – took] a deep 한숨 [hansum – sigh].

He saved her.

He 날렸다 [nallyeotda – threw] the Jeolmyeongbi at Lee Seo-yeon 도주하는 [dojuhaneun – fleeing] and 베었다 [baeotta – cut] Moon-wang.

Blood Gongja Moon-wang died by his sword.

It was the first time he had killed someone.

But strangely, there was no feeling.

‘Ugh.’

Pain rushed to his chest again.

Un-hyun consciously 비우고 마음을 [biugo maeumeul – emptied his mind] and 가라앉혔다 [garaanhyeotda – calmed] all emotions.

Rustle.

Faintly, frost 번져 갔다 [beonjyeo gatda – spread] from under his feet.

Un-hyun 바라보았다 [baraboatda – looked at] the 모습을 [moseubeul – sight] with cold eyes.

***

Daejeon was 내려앉아 침묵 [naeryeoanja chimmuk – sunk into silence].

But Samtaesang could 알 수 [al su – know] that Il-daesang-in [Moon-wang’s father] was 분노하고 [bunnohago – enraged].

It was because Samtaesang’s skin was 저릿저릿할 정도 [jeoritjeorithal jeongdo – numb] by his 노기 [nogi – wrath].

“That.”

Il-daesang-in said.

“Is it all true?”

“Y, yes.”

쿵 [Kung – thud].

In-taesang 찧었다 [jjieotda – slammed] his head on the floor.

쿵, 쿵 [Kung, kung – thud, thud].

“It’s all my fault. I, I! Euheoeoeong.”

쿵 [Kung – thud].

In-taesang’s 머리가 터져 [meoriga teojyeo – head burst] and blood 흘렀다 [heulleotda – flowed].

But he did not 멈추지 [meomchuji – stop].

Slide.

Il-daesang-in 일어났다 [ireonatda – stood up].

Samtaesang 조아렸다 고개를 [joaryeotda gogaereul – bowed his head].

In-taesang 역시 들지 못했다 머리를 [yeoksi deulji motaetda meorireul – also could not lift his head].

“It’s 기묘하구나 [gimyohaguna – strange].”

Il-daesang-in said in a 나지막한 음성 [najimakhan eumseong – low voice].

“What my son meant to me, he made me realize by killing my son. He made me know myself that even I didn’t know…”

Il-daesang-in 내렸다 시선을 [naeryeotda siseoneul – lowered his gaze].

Samtaesang, 부복하고 [bubokhago – prostrating], 떨었다 몸을 [tteoreotda momeul – trembled].

The strongest Cheon-taesang 역시 마찬가지였다 [yeoksi machangajieotda – also the same].

“Changryonggeomju.”

Il-daesang-in said with 서늘한 시선 [seoneulhan siseon – cold gaze].

“You are 기어이 끌어내리고야 [gieoi kkeureonaerigoya – determined to drag down] me from above the sky.”

전율 내달렸다 [jeonyul naedallyeotda – shivers ran] on Samtaesang’s 등 [deung – back].

Part 2 End