Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 363

Rustle.

Yunhyun’s White Tiger Sword Training had ended.

No, it wasn’t the end, but merely a pause.

As if savoring the lingering sensations of the training, Yunhyun took a moment to regulate his breathing and gather the subtle energy.

Sreung.

As the beautiful blade of subtle energy disappeared, the others finally came to their senses.

“……Hoo-ah.”

Dam Soha exhaled, as if sighing.

The Twelve Forms of the White Tiger Sword Training were already over, but its fluid and beautiful movements still seemed to linger before her eyes.

Youngho Joon and Gaek Ong were even more astonished, still unable to take their eyes off Yunhyun.

However, Real Man Jeokpung’s emotions were unique.

‘To have lived my entire life as a Taoist of Wudang…….’

He had been fascinated by the principles of divination, understanding the harmony of heaven and earth, and had embarked on the path of a sorcerer.

But no matter how much he understood the will of heaven and discussed the harmony between heaven and earth, he could not ignore the reality that ‘the sorcery of Taoists is all about rhetoric.’

But today, Real Man Jeokpung had finally seen it.

Yunhyun’s sword, that beautiful and magnificent sight.

Perhaps it was the very image that Real Man Jeokpung had been searching for his entire life.

‘Only today…….’

Real Man Jeokpung’s eyes welled up as he looked at Yunhyun standing under the moonlight.

‘Do I realize that my life has not been in vain.’

Real Man Jeokpung closed his eyes tightly.

Tears flowed, but he didn’t care.

With an incomparably bright and gentle expression, Real Man Jeokpung continuously chanted the Taoist mantra.

Sigh.

Yunhyun, who had been looking up at the night sky of Wudang, turned around.

And he saw Gaek Ong and Youngho Joon looking at him with firm expressions.

Step.

“Come to think of it, is this the first time I’ve shown you two my training?”

“It’s my first time too.”

Dam Soha interjected abruptly.

“I knew you were doing it every dawn, but I was being careful not to disturb you.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Yunhyun said to Dam Soha.

“Every dawn?”

Gaek Ong suddenly asked.

Yunhyun nodded.

“Yes. But there are many times when I can’t.”

When staying at an inn or when circumstances didn’t allow, he practiced mental training.

Looking back recently, he had rarely held a sword and trained directly.

“But I plan to do it consistently from now on.”

“Is that so?”

Gaek Ong said.

“Is it okay to watch?”

Yunhyun was slightly surprised.

Youngho Joon was also wide-eyed with surprise.

For Gaek Ong of all people to ask for permission, it was unbelievable.

“Yes. Of course, it’s fine.”

Gaek Ong nodded slowly, as if satisfied.

Youngho Joon had the words ‘Me too’ rising to his throat, but he couldn’t bring himself to say them.

He knew what it meant in the Jianghu [martial arts world] to watch someone else’s training.

But Dam Soha was different.

“Me too!”

Dam Soha said quickly.

Youngho Joon was hesitating whether to speak or not, and Jo Gwan was quietly silent, but Yunhyun said with a smile.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not like there will be any problems if someone watches.”

Youngho Joon and Jo Gwan wondered if those words applied to them as well.

As he was speaking, Yunhyun noticed Real Man Jeokpung closing his eyes and chanting the Taoist mantra.

“Taoist Master.”

At Yunhyun’s voice, Real Man Jeokpung slowly opened his eyes.

Yunhyun and the others were slightly surprised by Real Man Jeokpung’s unusually bright appearance.

“Great Hero.”

Real Man Jeokpung said in a gentle voice.

“What is it that you are truly worried about?”

Yunhyun was momentarily taken aback.

But Real Man Jeokpung spoke without any hesitation.

“You asked me what you should do in the future. But what you truly want to know is something else, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Yunhyun nodded.

“What I really want to know is something else.”

“What is it?”

After a moment of silence, Yunhyun opened his mouth.

“First Lord told me. That my sword must become a sword that cleaves the heavens.”

It might have sounded like an absurd statement.

But Real Man Jeokpung’s eyes were serious.

“Hmm.”

Real Man Jeokpung closed his eyes and chanted the Taoist mantra.

And soon, he opened his eyes and looked at Yunhyun.

“Taoists observe the heavenly secrets and act accordingly. But they must not reveal the heavenly secrets carelessly, because it could disrupt the will of heaven.”

Yunhyun’s eyes lit up.

Did that mean Real Man Jeokpung had realized something?

“Are you saying you saw the heavenly secrets?”

At Yunhyun’s question, Real Man Jeokpung smiled.

“How could I, in my 부족한 자 [insignificant self], dare to fathom the will of heaven? But I can say this much.”

Real Man Jeokpung looked straight at Yunhyun.

His eyes were shining brightly.

“The teachings of Taoism say that the saint abides in non-action [聖人處無爲].”

Non-action literally means not acting for anything.

“But non-action does not mean doing nothing at all. It is not being indifferent to everything, nor is it judging arrogantly as if transcending the mundane.”

Real Man Jeokpung continued in a clear tone.

“The saint teaches all by acting without speaking [行不言之敎]. Who can gain enlightenment from someone who does nothing, is indifferent, or is arrogant?”

Smiling gently, Real Man Jeokpung said.

“So, for the saint to abide in non-action means to go one’s own way without being bound by the mind, like water flowing and clouds drifting.”

Looking at Yunhyun, Real Man Jeokpung nodded.

“Great Hero, go your own way. Do not be bound by this or that, but follow your own will and heart. Then everything will reveal itself.”

Perhaps it was baseless encouragement or comfort, as many Taoists and monks do.

But Real Man Jeokpung’s eyes and voice told him that he was speaking sincerely.

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun bowed to Real Man Jeokpung.

“I will deeply engrave your words in my heart.”

“I am the one who is grateful.”

Real Man Jeokpung smiled and bowed his head.

“Meeting the Great Hero is a blessing in my life. Hahaha.”

Real Man Jeokpung said, even chanting the Taoist mantra.

The bright smile on his wrinkled face did not leave him for a long time.

***

The next day, the Wudang Faction Elders’ Council made a sudden decision to join the Azure Dragon Alliance.

From the beginning, it was what the sword faction elders wanted, and furthermore, Youngcheonja and Real Man Jeokpung, who had opposed it, actively supported it, so the resolution proceeded smoothly.

“I understand.”

Yunhyun said, standing in Taecheonggak.

“As the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, I permit Wudang’s membership.”

“Oh oh.”

The Wudang Faction elders rose from their seats with bright expressions.

“Wudang pays its respects to the Alliance Leader.”

Yunhyun respectfully returned the bow offered by the eleven elders.

Cheongsong Jin-in’s emotions were even greater, and he was so happy that he even shed tears.

Hak Wooja smiled and said to Yunhyun.

“It is truly a joyous day. Now, the Jianghu [martial arts world] will be straightened by the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

Yunhyun smiled, and Youngho Joon, who was standing behind him, also wore a pleased smile.

“Well, then…….”

It was when Youngho Joon, the Chief Strategist of the Azure Dragon Alliance, was about to say something.

“Ah, and Youngcheonja says he has a gift to give to the Alliance Leader.”

At Hak Wooja’s words, people’s gazes turned to Youngcheonja.

“Ahem.”

Youngcheonja cleared his throat and approached Yunhyun, holding a wooden box the size of a book.

“Thank you for your efforts for the disciples of Wudang. This is So Cheongdan, prepared by the Medicine Hall.”

“So Cheongdan!”

Youngho Joon’s eyes widened.

So Cheongdan was the second most amazing elixir of Wudang, after Taecheongdan.

Youngho Joon, who knew how precious the sects considered elixirs, couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Originally, it is a secret that is not to be taken out of the sect, but how can I hesitate to give it to the Alliance Leader who has sworn an oath with blood to share our intentions?”

Swish.

Youngcheonja handed the wooden box to Yunhyun.

“Please accept it.”

Yunhyun looked at Youngcheonja with a troubled expression.

Although he didn’t know about So Cheongdan, Yunhyun could clearly understand the meaning contained in this wooden box.

“May I dare to accept something like this?”

“Although the elixir is important, how can it be compared to a person’s life?”

Youngcheonja said calmly.

Judging by the fact that the other elders were not surprised, it seemed that there had already been an agreement in the Elders’ Council.

“And through this, the Medicine Hall has changed greatly from before.”

Youngcheonja said, seemingly looking at Gaek Ong.

“Please be sure to confirm it.”

His challenging gaze was full of pride in the medicine of the Medicine Hall.

“It is truly a heavy responsibility to receive something so precious.”

Yunhyun said with a serious look.

“Thank you. I will deeply engrave the kindness Wudang has shown me today in my heart.”

Youngcheonja wore a gentle smile.

Yunhyun accepted the wooden box with antique patterns engraved on it.

“Ah, and.”

Hak Wooja, who was nodding, said.

“What does the Alliance Leader want Wudang to do in the future?”

Instead of answering, Yunhyun turned to Chief Strategist Youngho Joon.

“I will tell you that.”

Youngho Joon naturally stepped forward and said.

“I am Youngho Joon, the Chief Strategist of the Azure Dragon Alliance. First of all, I would like to briefly tell you about the cases of Mount Hua, Emei, and the Namgoong Family. Oh, and of course, about Commander Jinrim, the chief of the Janggang Navy.”

The Wudang Faction elders immediately showed curiosity.

Youngho Joon grinned.

“First of all, shall we all sit down? The story won’t be short.”

It didn’t take long for the Wudang Faction elders to be completely immersed in Youngho Joon’s story.

Yunhyun thought that Youngho Joon looked like a fish in water.

***

That evening, Yunhyun and his party left Wudang Mountain, receiving a warm send-off from the Wudang Faction elders.

“Three So Cheongdan…….”

Tak.

Inside the carriage, Youngho Joon said, closing the wooden box.

“It seems Wudang wanted to show great favor to the Alliance Leader.”

“Isn’t it a strangely subtle number?”

Dam Soha said, looking slightly disappointed.

“Only three? I thought there would be about ten in there.”

“There’s no way that ten So Cheongdan would be circulating around.”

Youngho Joon smiled.

“But soon, things comparable to this will gather, so if you add them all up, it will be about ten. If we inform Mount Hua, Emei, and the Namgoong Family, they won’t stay still either.”

Dam Soha clicked her tongue.

Chief Strategist Youngho Joon had already received the full support and cooperation of Wudang.

The scale was larger and more full-fledged than the previous Mount Hua, Emei, or Namgoong Family.

The elders also took that level for granted, perhaps because of the past practices of the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance].

But to receive more from other places?

“Aren’t we receiving too much?”

“Oh, taxation must follow the principle of fairness, so that no one is unfairly paying more than others. Everyone must contribute generously together so that there are no complaints, wouldn’t you agree?”

Dam Soha gave a bitter smile.

Because Youngho Joon’s words sounded like a greedy corrupt official.

But since it was the Azure Dragon Alliance that was becoming richer as a result, Dam Soha didn’t say anything more.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage carrying the proud Youngho Joon and his party sped along the main road.

The place they were heading to was none other than the Taesan Bukdu [leading figure] of the Murim [martial arts] world, Shaolin.