Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 470

470. Departure

Bingseol’s eyes snapped open.

Her vision was filled with the rapidly approaching ground.

Reflexively, she channeled her inner energy and twisted her body.

Thud.

Her feet, one knee, and a hand touched the ground in quick succession.

Bingseol lifted her head.

Yunhyun, looking surprised, was reaching out to her.

Bingseol blinked.

“Haa. What a relief.”

Yunhyun sighed softly.

He’d been worried she might be injured, but judging by her expression, she seemed fine.

Swoosh.

Yunhyun withdrew his hand.

Bingseol was still staring up at him.

With a worried look, Yunhyun asked again.

“…Are you alright?”

Bingseol snapped out of her daze at his words.

She stood up.

Rustle.

Bingseol checked herself over.

No injuries, nothing broken or damaged.

The only difference was their location.

But there was a bigger, more important change.

Whoosh.

Bingseol gripped her sword with both hands.

She bowed politely.

“I lost.”

It was a remarkably straightforward declaration of defeat.

But Yunhyun shook his head.

“No. I only managed to deflect your sword; the match isn’t decided.”

Yunhyun looked directly at Bingseol.

“Let’s postpone the end of this duel a little longer.”

“…I understand.”

Bingseol bowed her head, complying with Yunhyun’s wish.

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun raised his head.

People were staring at them with surprise or hardened expressions.

Yunhyun bowed lightly to the crowd.

Swish.

Yunhyun, having sheathed Myeong, walked toward Gaeong.

“Let’s go.”

Gaeong said indifferently.

He was already turning to leave.

Yunhyun hurried to catch up.

Step, step.

“What was that all about?”

Gaeong asked suddenly.

Yunhyun answered as if he’d been waiting for the question.

“It’s a technique Il-eun used to use. It wouldn’t have been a problem with a regular sword, but Bingseol’s skill is so outstanding that the impact…”

“Not that.”

Step.

Gaeong stopped and turned to face Yunhyun.

“That *gyeongsin* [a technique for moving swiftly and lightly] technique you used to fly into the air.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Yunhyun smiled faintly.

“Strictly speaking, it’s not *gyeongsin*. It was a movement to unfold the sword path, so it should be called footwork.”

All sword techniques involve footwork, the specific movements of the feet.

It looks similar to *gyeongsin*, which lightens the body, or *gyeonggong*, which allows for long-distance movement, but there’s a clear difference.

Yunhyun was clarifying that his earlier movement was footwork, not *gyeongsin* or *gyeonggong*.

“Should I say I just took a step to strike the sword where I wanted to?”

“What did you do when you came down?”

Gaeong asked.

Yunhyun had descended slowly from the air.

That seemed impossible without *gyeongsin*.

“I applied Geum Yeohyeop’s technique.”

Gaeong frowned.

‘Geum Yeohyeop’ clearly referred to Geum Hwayeong.

But he didn’t recall her ever demonstrating such a technique.

“When I first met Geum Yeohyeop, I saw her change direction in the air. Her momentum rotated strongly for a moment. I used that method.”

Yunhyun smiled awkwardly, as if embarrassed.

However, Gaeong’s frown didn’t ease.

Even if Geum Hwayeong’s *gyeongsin* was excellent, it wasn’t surprising to Gaeong, and he barely remembered it.

But to see that and create such an amazing display?

“Come to think of it, I think I’ve seen similar things a few times before, but I didn’t remember them because they weren’t sword paths.”

Gaeong sighed softly.

Step.

He turned and started walking again.

Yunhyun followed.

“What about *gyeonggong*?”

Gaeong asked as he walked.

If *gyeongsin* is about body movement, *gyeonggong* is for moving long distances quickly.

They’re similar and often taught together.

“*Gyeonggong* and *gyeongsin* both move the body, but their goals are very different. The way of using inner strength seems quite different.”

Gaeong nodded at Yunhyun’s answer.

*Gyeonggong* is specialized for one purpose, like stealth or disguise.

It’s more of a skill, difficult to master without specific training.

“But you have something in mind, right?”

Gaeong said.

Yunhyun smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

No explanation was needed.

Gaeong walked on calmly, and Yunhyun followed with a smile.

The afternoon sun gently warmed their shoulders.

The next day, the group heading to the Blood Cult’s base gathered at the Alliance Lord’s Hall.

It included Cheonsu Shinni of Emei, Tae-eul Jin-in of Mount Hua, Cheongsong Jin-in of Wudang, and Hyecheon of Shaolin (who had come to Emei with Yeongho-jun), as well as Cheolgeom (Iron Sword) Namgung-byeok, Gunjageom (Gentleman Sword) Jegal-myeong, Bigeom (Flying Sword) Gongson-wol, Gwanilgeom (Piercing Sun Sword) Moryong-dancheon, and Bingseol of Bukhae Ilmun (North Sea One Clan).

It was a truly impressive sight.

Leading them was Changryongmaeng Alliance Lord Yunhyun, accompanied by Gaeong.

Auditor Jo Gwan and his bodyguard Hang Jang-ik were also present, but Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun couldn’t join them.

“Please be careful on your trip, Alliance Lord.”

Yeongho-jun said, looking worried.

He glanced at the elders and family heads and sighed.

Someone had to protect the Changryongmaeng headquarters, but he also had a personal reason.

“Going on a long journey with so many elders… I can’t do it.”

“They’re all good people, aren’t they?”

Yunhyun replied with a smile.

“I’m actually looking forward to it.”

“Looking forward to it?”

Yeongho-jun shook his head.

“Do you know how particular the elders’ tastes are? They’ve lived lives far from compromise. It won’t be easy.”

Yeongho-jun continued.

“Well, it’s fortunate that Moryong Sojeo is there.”

Moryong-mi joined the group as a temporary strategist in place of Yeongho-jun.

She was knowledgeable about the affairs of the *jianghu murim* [the martial arts world] and would be able to fulfill the role.

“Yun Daein.”

Cheongpunggeom (Clear Wind Sword) Moryong-jin, standing next to him, said.

“It’s a pity. I want to subdue the Blood Cult too, but…”

“No.”

Yeongho-jun said firmly.

“Don’t you two have work to do with me?”

Cheongpunggeom Moryong-jin wasn’t the only one who couldn’t participate.

Gongson-gang, the eldest disciple of the Gongson family, also had to stay.

He wanted to go instead of Bigeom Gongson-wol, but Gongson-wol was determined.

“Chief Strategist, please take care of things here.”

Yunhyun said.

Yeongho-jun smiled and replied.

“Yes, don’t worry about this place. If all goes well, you’ll be back before the *Gaepae Daejeon* [Grand Sect Founding Ceremony], but even if you’re late, don’t worry.”

Shrugging, Yeongho-jun said.

“I’m confident in postponing it, even if I can’t bring it forward. If things get serious, the *Gaepae Daejeon* won’t matter.”

Yeongho-jun, speaking pessimistically, bowed politely.

“I wish you all good luck.”

Yunhyun bowed in return.

He turned to the Great Palace Lord of Bukhae Ilmun.

“Thank you for your help. You said there’s no need to bow, so I’ll replace it with this.”

Yunhyun said with a soft smile.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Yes.”

The Great Palace Lord stared at Yunhyun and replied.

“Later.”

Yunhyun nodded and turned.

The elders of each sect, the family heads of the *se-ga* [martial arts families], and the masters who had reached the peak of their skills were looking at him.

“Thank you again for joining us.”

Yunhyun said firmly.

“We’re leaving now.”

No long speeches were needed.

People nodded, their eyes shining.

Clatter, clatter.

That day, several carriages left the Changryongmaeng headquarters.

The carriages carrying the spirit of Changryongmaeng soon arrived at the port, and the people boarded the government’s fast ship.

The expedition to subdue the Blood Cult’s base had begun.

***

Cheongha Lake, meaning Blue Sea Lake, was a lake so large it could be called an inland sea.

Dongjeong Lake was large, but Cheongha Lake was even larger.

It wasn’t well-known because it was located in a distant region called Saeoe.

Splash.

The waves crashing on Cheongha Lake looked like the sea.

Even though it was an inland lake, the waves contained salt.

The endless horizon, the tall, desolate mountains overlooking the lake, and the arid desert created a magnificent and beautiful sight.

“Cough.”

A soft scream echoed in the valley.

In the desolate valley overlooking Cheongha Lake, a warrior in a white uniform collapsed, a red spear piercing his chest.

He was one of the Seolyeongdae (Snow Shadow Unit) monitoring the area.

“Hehehe.”

Jiok Hyulryong (Hellblood Dragon) sneered.

“Did you think you could deceive me? No way.”

His red eyes flashed eerily.

The blood-colored spear remained embedded in the warrior’s chest.

“Let’s see how you are.”

Woo-oong.

As Jiok Hyulryong spoke, the blood-red spear vibrated.

The energy of the *Hyulma-in* [Blood Demon] rushed into the warrior’s chest along the spear.

The fallen warrior began to tremble.

Whoo-oong.

“Cough!”

The warrior, who had lost consciousness, opened his eyes wide.

His bloodshot eyes seemed ready to burst, but he didn’t care.

He couldn’t.

“Ugh, ugh, aaaaaagh!”

A desperate scream echoed in the desolate valley.

His blood drained out, replaced by Jiok Hyulryong’s eerie energy.

Thud.

The warrior collapsed.

The blood-colored spear withdrew.

Swish.

The blood spear, made of *Hyulma-in*’s blood, was absorbed into Jiok Hyulryong’s hand.

“Hehehe.”

Jiok Hyulryong smiled bitterly.

He licked his lips, satisfied.

“Get up.”

Swish.

The fallen warrior slowly rose.

His movements were awkward and unnatural, but his blood-red eyes stared at Jiok Hyulryong.

“Kneel.”

At Jiok Hyulryong’s command, the warrior paused.

But only for a moment.

Thump.

The warrior knelt on the rough ground and bowed his head.

Looking down, Jiok Hyulryong said.

“From now on, you are my *Hyulin* [Blood Puppet].”

Swish.

“…Yes, sir.”

The *Hyulin*, formerly a warrior of Seolyeongdae, said awkwardly.

It was the language of Bukhae, but it didn’t matter.

Jiok Hyulryong’s will dominated his mind.

The unnatural behavior would soon become natural.

“Keuheuheuh.”

Jiok Hyulryong smiled with satisfaction.

He looked at the distant, rippling Cheongha Lake.

“Now, come quickly.”

Jiok Hyulryong said, spreading his arms.

“A hell is prepared for you. Kehahahaha.”

Jiok Hyulryong’s laughter echoed in the desolate valley.

The wind carried the sound away, but Jiok Hyulryong’s eyes shone bright red.