Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 457

457. Admonishment

The Grand Martial Arts Stage of the Mount Hua Sect.

Amidst the gazes of all the disciples of Mount Hua, Unhyun stood facing five young disciples.

Considering that the Old Three Extremes were elder masters just moments ago, this was somewhat unexpected.

However, thinking about the Later Seven Stars [a group of highly skilled disciples], it seemed that the Old Three Extremes were the exception.

Indeed, these young and ambitious-looking disciples standing before Unhyun possessed an extraordinary aura.

Just like the young disciples of the Later Seven Stars he had seen before.

Swish.

“I am Muheo,” Muheo said, drawing his sword.

“My Five Elements Sword Formation will test your skills, Great Hero.”

His words were exactly the same as those spoken by the Acting Sect Leader Cheon Unja just now.

However, the feeling was quite different.

“I see,” Unhyun said with a faint smile.

“You may begin at any time.”

Muheo’s eyebrows twitched.

Unhyun’s reply sounded strangely dismissive.

With a stiff face, Muheo said quietly, “Open the formation.”

Swish, swish.

Simultaneously with Muheo’s words, two male and two female disciples took their positions.

Unhyun stood still until then.

His Myeong [his sword] shone under the sunlight.

Whirr.

Five swords surrounded Unhyun, their sharp blades gleaming.

The energy flowing from their swords was by no means inferior to that of the Old Three Extremes.

Rather, it emitted a more intense and clear sword cry.

However, Unhyun’s Myeong remained pointed towards the ground.

‘Hmph, as expected.’

Muheo sneered.

He was clearly planning to face the Five Elements Sword Formation as he had faced the Old Three Extremes.

Showing the composure of a so-called righteous hero.

“Haa!”

Thud.

Muheo unleashed his energy and lunged towards Unhyun.

At the same time, the Five Elements Sword Formation surrounding Unhyun began to move.

Clang, Thud.

The sound of metal clashing and a heavy impact echoed through the martial arts stage.

The inner strength of the young disciples was definitely superior to that of the Three Extremes elders.

Although their swordsmanship and formation control lacked perfection, combined with the aggressive nature of the Five Elements Sword Formation, the five young disciples unleashed relentless and intense sword strikes.

Unhyun’s sword naturally became busy as well.

But that was all.

Thud. Clang.

Okro Jin-in, watching Unhyun’s dazzling swordsmanship, let out a quiet sigh.

“…We still have a long way to go.”

Honwon Jin-in, sitting next to him, nodded.

“Indeed. In the past, we were greatly stimulated by the martial prowess of the Thousand Illusions Sword and poured our efforts into nurturing the next generation, but this must be the reality of Mount Hua.”

In the past, it was shocking that Cheon Il-geom, Neung Se-yeong, had killed the Blood Fiends and annihilated the Blood Demon alone.

Although Mount Hua had provided assistance, it was ultimately Cheon Il-geom, Neung Se-yeong, who had killed the Blood Demon.

From then on, the elders of Mount Hua devoted themselves to nurturing the next generation.

As a result, five of the Later Seven Stars and one of the Five Elements reached the realm of manifesting sword energy.

Considering the size and circumstances of the Mount Hua Sect, it was a remarkable achievement.

“I wonder what the Later Seven Stars of Mount Hua will show against the Azure Dragon Sword Lord,” Okro Jin-in said, his eyes gleaming.

However, Honwon Jin-in did not have high expectations.

Unhyun’s sword, facing the Five Elements Sword Formation, was still not emitting even a sword cry.

Tap.

Muheo finished his turn and stepped back.

The Five Elements Sword Formation, moving according to the principles of mutual generation and overcoming, continued their sharp offensive while protecting each other.

However, the young Muheo was not satisfied.

‘As expected, this is not enough…’

Unhyun’s sword was still scattering light in the air, deflecting the attacks of the Five Elements Sword Formation.

Muheo sensed that it was time to take a gamble.

“Five Elements Sword Formation!”

Muheo’s voice, filled with inner strength, echoed loudly.

“Speed Formation!”

Whoosh.

As soon as those words were spoken, the energy of the Five Elements Sword Formation changed.

The movements of the five disciples forming the Five Elements Sword Formation suddenly accelerated.

Clang, Clang, Thud.

Six swords intertwined rapidly.

The five swords facing Myeong meshed together intricately like gears, continuing their offense and defense.

Moreover, their movements were becoming even faster.

Unhyun’s eyes gleamed.

“Ooh!”

The elders and disciples watching also exclaimed.

Another form of the Mount Hua Sect’s sword formation, the ‘Speed Formation,’ had appeared.

Moving, cutting, and retreating exactly as determined, without a single error, in a state of mental emptiness.

A form only possible for the disciples of Mount Hua who could operate the formation even unconsciously.

Clang, Clang.

The incessant sound of metal clashing filled the martial arts stage.

However, Acting Sect Leader Cheon Unja frowned.

‘Tsk.’

The Speed Formation was certainly useful for inducing the opponent’s confusion and exploiting weaknesses.

However, this form quickly consumed the formation’s sustainability.

In other words, it could not be maintained for long.

If Unhyun’s sword did not falter at all, as it was now, there was a higher possibility of exposing their own weaknesses rather than the opponent’s.

However, Muheo, who was leading the formation, was reckless.

He was not only not withdrawing the Speed Formation but was also pushing it even faster.

‘…A reckless act.’

Cheon Unja watched Muheo’s accelerating Five Elements Sword Formation with a displeased expression.

As expected?

The Five Elements Sword Formation began to waver before Unhyun.

‘Ah!’

Jimyeong, who was in charge of one direction of the Five Elements, realized with a start.

His sword strike had gone deeper towards Unhyun than he had intended.

Even though it was only two or three inches, that slight difference was enough to allow Unhyun an opportunity to counterattack.

Swish.

Unhyun’s sword was mercilessly shooting towards Jimyeong.

However, Jimyeong was not afraid.

According to the principle of mutual generation and overcoming in the Five Elements Sword Formation, the person in the next direction would block Unhyun’s sword strike with him.

Moreover, the next direction was Muheo, the strongest of the Five Elements.

Thud.

Jimyeong moved along with the sword formation.

And according to the determined formation, he thrust his sword towards Unhyun.

However, even though Unhyun’s Myeong was right in front of him, Muheo’s sword, which should have been blocking Unhyun with him, was nowhere to be seen.

Puzzled, Jimyeong did something that should never be done during the ‘Speed Formation.’

He raised his eyes and looked for Muheo.

Swish.

It was not difficult to find Muheo.

However, Muheo was not in his original position.

Muheo’s sword, clad in sword energy, was not there to protect Jimyeong but was lunging towards Unhyun’s back.

‘…Ah!’

At that moment, Jimyeong realized.

The reason why Muheo had forced the Speed Formation until now, despite it being unreasonable, and the meaning of the words ‘I will handle him.’

Muheo had put Jimyeong himself, or rather, all the other disciples of the Five Elements Sword Formation, in danger.

Solely to inflict an unexpected blow on the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.

‘Oh, my god.’

His intentions were all too clear.

No matter how unexpected the blow, he would not be able to defeat the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.

Since Muheo’s actions had collapsed the Five Elements Sword Formation, the Azure Dragon Sword Lord could easily subdue the five disciples.

However, the fact that the Azure Dragon Sword Lord had allowed Muheo to strike him would remain.

From the beginning, Muheo had aimed for that.

The reputation of ‘a young Later Stage expert who struck the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.’

Whoosh.

However, Jimyeong’s realization was too late.

Unhyun’s sword was sharply lunging towards him.

In Jimyeong’s eyes, filled with despair, the distorted smile of Muheo, who had achieved his goal, was clearly imprinted.

It was then.

Rustle.

Suddenly, the wind blew.

And at that moment, everything visible in Jimyeong’s field of vision stopped.

No, not everything.

Only Unhyun’s sword was still moving, cutting through the air.

‘Ah!’

Jimyeong could not believe the sight before his eyes.

The blade of Myeong was flowing towards Muheo’s sword.

As if it had been so from the beginning.

That was not all.

Swoosh.

Unhyun’s Myeong was cutting through Muheo’s sword, which was rippling with sword energy.

So easily, as if cutting through nothing.

And the next moment, a tremendous explosion erupted.

Boom, Crack!

“Ugh!”

Jimyeong groaned and stepped back.

The Five Elements Sword Formation had stopped, but it did not matter.

The Five Elements Sword Formation had already collapsed when Muheo had recklessly jumped out.

Whoosh.

A violent energy swept through the Grand Martial Arts Stage.

Jimyeong lowered his sword and raised his head.

“…What are you doing?”

His voice was stiff and belonged to Unhyun.

Muheo glared at Unhyun, his sword drooping.

The broken sword and a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth indicated that Muheo had suffered internal injuries.

However, Unhyun did not care.

“I asked what you are doing.”

“…Wh-What do you mean?”

Muheo said, stepping back.

His appearance was clearly flustered, but the light in Muheo’s eyes, gritting his teeth, was even filled with murderous intent.

Whoosh.

Myeong cried out.

“You just disregarded your fellow disciple’s danger. No, in fact, you pushed him in front of my sword.”

Crackle.

Frost began to spread beneath Unhyun’s feet.

And a blue sword energy began to ripple on Unhyun’s sword, Myeong.

Unhyun’s voice echoed in the ears of the surprised Mount Hua disciples.

“For your childish strike.”

Whoosh.

The cry of Myeong grew louder.

The blue sword energy rippling on the sword’s blade had already passed the tip of the sword, scattering its eerie energy in all directions.

Not only the watching disciples but also Muheo’s complexion turned blue.

“Was that so important?”

Unhyun’s gaze, looking down at Muheo, was extremely cold.

Jimyeong, who was watching, bit his lip.

Unhyun’s words were exactly what Jimyeong wanted to ask.

“N-No, it’s not like that!”

Muheo shouted desperately.

Not towards Unhyun but towards the other disciples in the Grand Martial Arts Stage.

“I was trying to check him! I never abandoned Jimyeong…!”

“It doesn’t matter if you have a strong pride.”

Whoosh.

Unhyun said amidst the ear-splitting sword cries.

“Sometimes it’s okay to chase fame. Everyone has such foolish times.”

Looking straight down at Muheo, Unhyun asked.

“But if that is more important than your fellow disciples.”

Whoosh.

A cold wave swept around.

“You don’t deserve to be standing here.”

The disciples and elders who filled the Grand Martial Arts Stage could not dare to open their mouths.

They had all clearly seen what Muheo had just done.

So what face could they have to open their mouths?

Whoosh.

Unhyun’s energy was pressing down on the entire Grand Martial Arts Stage.

The blade of Myeong was hidden by the tremendous sword energy and could not even be seen anymore.

That formidable sword energy seemed as if it would cut down Muheo at any moment.

‘Hmm.’

Cheon Unja, the Acting Sect Leader, gritted his teeth.

Just as he was about to step forward at the risk of danger.

Whoosh.

The energy pressing down on the Grand Martial Arts Stage disappeared like a lie.

Not only that formidable sword energy that had been eerily rippling until just now but even the sword cry was no longer heard.

Only the untimely white frost remained around Unhyun.

“…This is the meaning of admonishment.”

Unhyun’s cold voice echoed quietly in the Grand Martial Arts Stage.

Muheo seemed disoriented by the sudden disappearance of the oppressive feeling and could not come to his senses.

However, Unhyun did not care.

Slap.

“Cough!”

Unhyun’s hand struck Muheo’s cheek.

Although it was not imbued with inner strength, Muheo could not withstand the sudden impact and fell.

Muheo’s sword, cut in half, lay scattered on the martial arts stage.

Clang.

The sound of metal echoed in the quiet Grand Martial Arts Stage.

However, no one made a sound.

Because everyone here had clearly seen what Muheo had done.

And also what kind of anger Unhyun had originally intended to pour out on Muheo.

Swish.

Unhyun turned his head and looked at Jimyeong, one of the Five Elements Sword Formation.

Jimyeong flinched.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah… yes.”

Unhyun, who nodded, turned to look at Acting Sect Leader Cheon Unja.

“Continue.”

It was clear what he meant by continuing.

However, Cheon Unja let out a long sigh instead of answering.

“Hoo…”

There was no longer any reason to test Unhyun’s qualifications.

Moreover, who would test whose qualifications when the shame of Mount Hua had been revealed?

“As the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

Swish.

Cheon Unja said, putting his hands together in a gesture of respect towards Unhyun.

“I will approve the Great Hero’s request for the Subduing Dragon and Subduing Demon Sword.”

Cheon Unja continued without lowering his hands.

“I apologize for Muheo’s foolishness. And… thank you.”

Cheon Unja’s words of gratitude contained many meanings.

Unhyun returned the gesture of respect towards Cheon Unja.

And turned his body towards his seat.

Behind the surprised Geum Hwa-yeong and Neung Se-yeong, Gaek Ong sat with an indifferent expression as if it were natural.

Thus, the test of Mount Hua ended.