Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 443

443. The Gentleman and the Unclear

Outside Hangzhou, in the rear garden of the Azure Dragon Alliance’s temporary headquarters.

It was early morning, and more people than usual were gathered in the garden.

Unhyun, Guest Ong, Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung, Flying Sword Gongson-wol, and Geum Hwa-young were present.

Geum Hwa-young seemed unfamiliar with tea, taking only small sips, while Unhyun and Guest Ong leisurely enjoyed their rest.

Flying Sword Gongson-wol silently lifted his teacup, and Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung looked around the garden, tilting his head.

“The Alliance Leader’s method of tending the garden is a bit… unique.”

Unhyun looked up.

Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung spoke with a calm expression.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a garden arranged like this. Is it perhaps meant to express the ideology of a new faction?”

At those words, Unhyun gave a wry smile.

The arrangement of a garden isn’t just for aesthetic appeal.

It involves intricately arranging flowers and trees, as well as stacking stones to represent mountains [a practice known as ‘jiashan’] or recreating rivers and lakes.

This is a way of embodying the Taoist or Buddhist idea of a celestial realm or the grandeur of nature.

In comparison, the rear garden where they were now was quite peculiar.

There was a wide open space with only a few large trees around, and almost nothing else.

At least the short grass showed a green hue, but this was more like an outdoor field than a garden.

“Well, it’s not that……”

“Lee Geom-hak did it.”

Guest Ong said, as if tossing the words out.

“That damn One Sword to the Sky blew away all the flowers and trees. Thanks to him, it’s refreshingly clear now, though.”

The eyes of Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung and Flying Sword Gongson-wol gleamed.

“……The Sword Saint used One Sword to the Sky, you say?”

Following Gongson-wol, Je Gal-myung quietly asked.

“Then the opponent was…….”

Ssk.

Guest Ong simply gestured towards Unhyun with his eyes, as if there was no need to answer.

Unhyun smiled awkwardly.

However, Je Gal-myung and Gongson-wol’s gazes did not leave Unhyun.

While Gongson-wol’s gaze was one of admiration, Je Gal-myung’s eyes flickered with anticipation.

“It’s only this much because he stopped midway.”

Guest Ong said, frowning.

His expression wasn’t good, as if the memory was unpleasant.

However, Je Gal-myung’s eyes grew even brighter.

‘Stopped midway, that means…….’

The meaning was clear.

Even the Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak’s One Sword to the Sky couldn’t immediately end the duel.

“Ahem.”

Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung cleared his throat.

“I am deeply grateful that the Alliance Leader has accepted the Je Gal Clan. Though it may seem redundant, I offer my thanks once again.”

Ssk.

Je Gal-myung rose from his seat.

And he bowed to Unhyun.

Unhyun quickly rose from his seat and returned the greeting.

“Not at all. I am the one who is grateful that the Je Gal Clan has decided to join forces with us.”

“I am thankful that you say so, Alliance Leader.”

Je Gal-myung gave a gentle smile.

“Furthermore, the Azure Dragon Alliance, as a righteous martial arts alliance, is for the martial artists of the Jianghu [the martial world]……”

“That’s enough with the introductions.”

Clack.

Guest Ong interrupted the two men’s conversation.

He looked straight at Je Gal-myung and said.

“So, what do you want?”

Je Gal-myung smiled.

“Why, a duel, of course.”

His answer was straightforward.

Turning to Unhyun, Je Gal-myung said.

“I heard that you exchanged swords with the Flying Sword in Gyerim. Though it may be a sudden request, would you allow me the opportunity to witness the Alliance Leader’s swordsmanship?”

Je Gal-myung’s eyes were shining.

They were the eyes of a martial artist, not the head of the Je Gal Clan.

“I gladly accept.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Unhyun said.

His eyes were also shining.

***

Unhyun and Je Gal-myung stood facing each other in the middle of the garden.

Je Gal-myung, with his white beard, had the air of an old scholar, but his eyes were more intense than anyone else’s.

Unhyun also stood facing him with a calm expression.

Swish.

The wind blew, and the tree branches swayed.

“People call me the Gentleman Sword.”

Sreung.

Je Gal-myung drew his sword.

The ‘Gentleman Sword,’ which was also his title, revealed its form.

“It is not because my sword is gentle or merciful. Just as a brush expresses the will of the one who wields it, the Je Gal Clan’s sword represents the Je Gal Clan’s will and resolve.”

Je Gal-myung said, along with the blade shining under the sunlight.

“Before this blade, all pretense and hypocrisy disappear, and only the truth remains, just as virtue (德) does for a gentleman. That is why the head of the Je Gal Clan is called the Gentleman Sword.”

Unhyun could fully understand those words.

A gentleman is not a word that signifies a scholar or status.

A person who lives by following the mandate of heaven, accumulating virtue, and pursuing the ultimate path is a gentleman. Therefore, a gentleman was rather a word closer to the martial path (武道).

“I am the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Sreung.

Unhyun said, drawing Myeong.

Who here wouldn’t know that?

However, Unhyun spoke to Je Gal-myung.

“That is because I am the master of the Azure Dragon Sword. And there is only one way to show you the Azure Dragon Sword.”

Ssk.

With that beautiful blade scattering light, Unhyun said.

“Come.”

Those words sounded truly arrogant.

Who else in the world would dare to tell the head of the Je Gal Clan to come?

However, not only Guest Ong, but also Gongson-wol and Geum Hwa-young, who were watching, and even Je Gal-myung, who was facing him, took it for granted.

The Azure Dragon Sword Master was qualified to do so.

He was the Alliance Leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, the disciple of the Divine Monk, and the one who had withstood the Sword Saint’s One Sword to the Sky.

“I shall.”

Ssk.

Je Gal-myung took a stance.

Woooong.

His sword, leaning diagonally, emitted a low wail.

Gongson-wol, who was watching, groaned inwardly.

The energy rising from Je Gal-myung’s sword was already familiar to Gongson-wol.

That blue light was none other than sword energy.

Next to him, Geum Hwa-young muttered quietly.

“Oh ho. The old man is quite something.”

Gongson-wol frowned.

A young woman, whose name he had never even heard, was saying that the head of the Je Gal Clan’s sword energy was quite something?

But there was no time to pay attention to that.

Whoosh.

Gentleman Sword Je Gal-myung took a large step forward and brought down his sword.

It was a very simple movement, but the result was by no means simple.

Kooong.

The earth shook beneath Je Gal-myung’s feet.

Not only that.

Hooook.

The force of the Gentleman Sword falling towards Unhyun was terrifying, as if it would crush even Mount Tai.

However, Unhyun’s sword, Myeong, remained still.

His sword, which showed no sword energy or any force, moved towards the approaching Gentleman Sword.

Sreuk.

It seemed as if Unhyun had made a fatal misjudgment.

But Je Gal-myung did not stop his sword.

Because Unhyun’s eyes, looking at him, were as clear as the blue sky.

And Je Gal-myung’s judgment was correct.

The moment the Gentleman Sword, emitting sword energy, and Unhyun’s indifferent Myeong met.

Hook.

‘Gasp!’

Heaven and earth were instantly turning upside down before Je Gal-myung’s eyes.

There was no time to be surprised.

“Taha!”

Je Gal-myung immediately drew upon his inner strength.

Koong.

The moment his two feet touched the ground again, Je Gal-myung’s sword split the air, scattering blue sword energy.

Booook.

However, Unhyun was no longer in front of that sword path.

‘Keuk.’

Je Gal-myung gritted his teeth.

Unhyun was standing behind him, on the other side.

Although it was only for a fleeting moment, Je Gal-myung had completely missed Unhyun.

“Hmm.”

Gongson-wol, who was watching, let out a low groan.

“……So that’s how it was.”

“That’s how it was.”

Guest Ong said quietly.

Geum Hwa-young’s eyes widened, and her mouth was even open.

“……Is that even possible?”

Geum Hwa-young said, as if she couldn’t believe it.

Guest Ong chuckled.

He picked up his teacup and said.

“You’ll know once you experience it.”

Gongson-wol nodded slightly, as if agreeing.

However, Geum Hwa-young couldn’t take her eyes off Unhyun.

“Heo.”

Je Gal-myung let out a low sigh.

“Amazing. Do you perhaps have a connection with the Wudang Sect?”

Indeed, Je Gal-myung’s insight was extraordinary.

He had realized that Unhyun’s move was based on the same principle as the Wudang’s Tai Chi Wisdom Sword.

However, he still couldn’t understand how he could do that against sword energy.

“No, I don’t.”

Unhyun said quietly.

“Anyone can know the principle.”

“Heo heo.”

Je Gal-myung let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s right. Anyone can know the principle. However, expressing it with one’s own sword is another matter.”

There was a deep regret mixed in his voice.

After looking at Unhyun for a moment, Je Gal-myung said.

“It seems this duel cannot be dragged on for long.”

Sarak.

Je Gal-myung straightened his sword.

His sword was still rippling with blue energy.

“Actually, I wanted to show this sword to the Sword Saint. But you, Alliance Leader, are qualified enough.”

Huuuuuk.

A storm-like energy erupted from Je Gal-myung.

Even though there was no wind, his clothes fluttered, and the Gentleman Sword in his hand spewed out streaks of blue energy.

Woooong.

“This is.”

Je Gal-myung said beyond the blade rippling with blue energy.

“My everything.”

Sarak.

Je Gal-myung released his hand from the sword.

However, his sword remained in place.

Woooooong.

The Gentleman Sword, enveloped in deep blue sword energy, was surprisingly floating in the air.

“Gasp!”

Gongson-wol, who was watching, let out a groan without realizing it.

Geum Hwa-young also widened her eyes, and Guest Ong also frowned.

‘Could it be…….’

It was none other than ‘Sword Control,’ which meant controlling the sword with inner force.

The realm that the legendary Sword Immortal (劍仙) [a being who has transcended mortal limitations through mastery of the sword] had achieved was being partially recreated.

Ssk.

Meanwhile, Je Gal-myung formed sword seals with both hands.

And without delay, he extended them towards Unhyun.

“Haaa!”

Shwiiik.

The Gentleman Sword, wrapped in sword energy, rushed towards Unhyun.

It was as fast as lightning, but Unhyun’s Myeong was not still either.

Woooong.

At the same time as Myeong made a sound, a chilling cold formed on his sword.

Kwang.

A burst of sound erupted.

The result was clear.

The Gentleman Sword had been knocked into the air.

However, everyone knew that it was not the end.

“Heup!”

Je Gal-myung gathered sword seals in front of his chest.

Hook.

His Gentleman Sword stopped in the air.

And once again, it flew sharply towards Unhyun, drawing a low trajectory.

It was a sword path that no human could ever achieve.

Swaeaeaeak.

Kwang.

Once again, a burst of sound erupted.

This time as well, the Gentleman Sword could not overcome Unhyun’s Myeong.

But it didn’t matter.

“Ha!”

Shwiik.

With Je Gal-myung’s cry, the Gentleman Sword was shot towards Unhyun again.

“Amazing.”

Unhyun said.

His eyes, which had been calm until now, were now shining.

Shwiik, Kwang.

A burst of sound erupted, and the Gentleman Sword flew through the air and bounced off.

“But you said that only the truth remains before the Gentleman’s Sword.”

Sreuk.

Unhyun slowly raised his sword.

It was just that, but Guest Ong could tell what Unhyun was trying to do.

Tszzzzzz.

An untimely frost spread beneath Unhyun’s feet, and a coldness that seemed to pierce the skin covered the rear garden.

Along with it, Unhyun’s sword began to exude an immense presence.

It was not energy or inner strength, but a presence that was literally like a thousand-year-old tree.

“I will test your sword with my sword.”

Unhyun’s shining eyes were saying that those words were by no means a lie.

Eudeuk.

Je Gal-myung gritted his teeth.

As Unhyun said, now was the time for his sword to be tested.

“Haaaa!”

Je Gal-myung shouted loudly and stretched out both hands.

Hook.

His Gentleman Sword, floating in the air, shot towards Unhyun.

The Gentleman Sword flowed with blue sword energy and rushed towards Unhyun like a shooting star.

The moment a faint smile appeared on Unhyun’s lips, his sword, Myeong, moved.

Ssk.

It was just a simple sword strike.

However, at that moment, Je Gal-myung saw it.

Unhyun’s sword, soaring high into the sky, falling towards him and his Gentleman Sword.

It was a scene like Mount Tai collapsing.