Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 512

512. As One Pleases

The surroundings were silent.

The shock of the fierce battle had vanished as if it were a lie, and only traces of destruction remained in the dawn twilight.

Swish.

Guest Ong looked down at his hand.

All that remained in his empty hand was the lingering echo of the Poisonous Skill.

The Poisonous Skill that Sa Ilcheon had taught him a little while ago, a secret even from Guest Ong himself.

“Impressive.”

Sa Ilcheon’s voice reached Guest Ong’s ears as he was lost in thought.

Guest Ong turned his head.

Sa Ilcheon looked at Guest Ong and said, “Indeed, your Thousand Fragrance Butterfly is truly beautiful. It’s really amazing.”

“Of course.”

Rustle.

Guest Ong lowered his hand as he spoke.

“How could it be called a supreme art if it weren’t beautiful?”

“Indeed.”

Sa Ilcheon nodded.

“Looking at the result, it’s more than beautiful; it’s even terrifying.”

Nothing remained where Guest Ong’s third Thousand Fragrance Butterfly had struck directly.

Not only were there no corpses of In Tae-sang or Ji Tae-sang, but there wasn’t even a trace, making one wonder if they had escaped.

However, Ji Tae-sang’s greatsword, lying among the surrounding debris, half-rotted, clearly showed the result of this battle.

Now, In Tae-sang and Ji Tae-sang were no more in this world.

“…What was that?”

Guest Ong asked in a stiff voice.

He was asking about the Poisonous Skill that Sa Ilcheon had taught him.

The fact that he could unleash the third Thousand Fragrance Butterfly was thanks to Sa Ilcheon.

The extremely pure and resolute energy operation, which even felt artistically beautiful, still sent shivers down his spine.

And this was none other than Guest Ong, the master of the Poisonous Skill.

“It’s naturally the Poisonous Skill. As you already know.”

Guest Ong frowned at Sa Ilcheon’s answer.

“That’s not what I’m asking. Who on earth created such a mon…”

Guest Ong paused, about to say ‘monster-like Poisonous Skill’.

As expected.

Sa Ilcheon said in a quiet voice.

“My mother created it.”

A faint smile bloomed on his face.

Guest Ong’s face contorted.

But he couldn’t say anything.

If someone created such an incredible Poisonous Skill, they naturally deserved respect.

Sa Ilcheon chuckled, seeing Guest Ong’s scowling face.

“No need to worry. Sooner or later, you would have reached that level anyway. The fact that you could manifest the third Thousand Fragrance Butterfly is proof that your Poisonous Skill was close to perfection.”

Guest Ong’s eyebrows twitched.

“Does that mean the Poisonous Skill you taught me is the most perfect?”

“Of course. There is no Poisonous Skill greater than that in the world.”

Sa Ilcheon did not hesitate to answer.

After frowning for a moment, Guest Ong eventually sighed.

Giving up on the conversation, Guest Ong turned his head to look at Unhyun.

Unhyun said with a smile.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“I haven’t worked hard.”

Guest Ong replied in a calm voice.

“It was just something I had to do eventually.”

Winning doesn’t erase past defeats.

However, Guest Ong was satisfied enough with just the fear and astonishment in In Tae-sang’s eyes.

“What happened to the one who created the Soul Severing Pill?”

The Grand Palace Lord said in a clear voice.

“He escaped.”

“Just as expected.”

While Guest Ong was engaged in a fierce battle with the two Tae-sangs, the creator of the Soul Severing Pill, Physician No, fled with his subordinates.

Their escape was expected from the beginning, and it was what Unhyun and his group were aiming for.

“The Snow Shadow Squad has already tracked them, so we’ll soon know where they’re going, no matter where they go.”

“Hmm.”

Guest Ong said quietly.

“It would be good if the First Supreme Merchant was there.”

“Yes, I agree.”

The Grand Palace Lord, answering politely, turned to look at Unhyun.

“Shall we leave now? There’s nothing left here anymore.”

In fact, there wasn’t nothing left.

Above all, the facility where the Soul Severing Pill was manufactured remained intact.

However, the Grand Palace Lord’s words were accurate.

This place would now be burned down, and the pharmacists scattered in all directions would be captured without exception by the Snow Shadow Squad.

There was no longer any reason for Unhyun or Guest Ong to stay here.

Unhyun nodded.

“Yes, let’s go.”

His voice was somewhat gentle, but his eyes were resolute.

The time to face the First Supreme Merchant again was approaching.

***

As the dawn twilight gradually faded, the expression of Celestial Tae-sang, who was observing the heavens, suddenly darkened.

“Hmm.”

He let out a soft groan.

He had just seen the energies of In Tae-sang and Ji Tae-sang scattering.

He tried to examine it in detail, but the sky was already turning a hazy white.

Moreover, the celestial energies were fluctuating, so there was no other way to confirm.

“It seems…”

Celestial Tae-sang couldn’t finish his sentence.

He had firmly warned them to be careful and even had Ji Tae-sang accompany them, but their fate seemed to end here.

Celestial Tae-sang let out a soft sigh and fell into deep regret.

But it didn’t last long.

Swish.

Celestial Tae-sang turned his body.

He had to meet the First Supreme Merchant right away.

The moment Celestial Tae-sang stepped into the First Supreme Merchant’s residence, he saw it.

The Dark Sky Demon Emperor was already prostrating before the First Supreme Merchant.

Not only the eerie Poisonous Demon, but also Bi-ryeon, who followed the Dark Sky Demon Emperor like a shadow, was kneeling before the dragon throne.

The First Supreme Merchant had also sensed what Celestial Tae-sang had discerned through the celestial phenomena.

Rustle.

Celestial Tae-sang carefully approached the dragon throne, knelt down, and lowered his head.

“My lord, it seems that Ji Tae-sang and In Tae-sang have met their fate.”

The First Supreme Merchant did not answer, keeping his eyes closed.

But paradoxically, that silence clearly showed what Ji Tae-sang and In Tae-sang meant to him.

Celestial Tae-sang carefully continued.

“Also, the fluctuation of celestial energies is intensifying. It’s enough to cloud the celestial phenomena, so the time will soon come.”

“I know.”

The First Supreme Merchant said quietly.

Flash.

His eyes shone in the darkness.

And at the same time, a terrifying pressure enveloped the surroundings.

‘Kuh.’

Celestial Tae-sang bit his lip and suppressed a groan.

It was neither killing intent nor even force.

Just by existing there, the First Supreme Merchant was distorting the beings around him.

Like a bottomless abyss that sucks everything in.

Despite the First Supreme Merchant’s pressure, the expressions of the Dark Sky Demon Emperor and Bi-ryeon remained unchanged, but joy flickered in the eyes of the Poisonous Demon.

“Soon, they will come.”

The First Supreme Merchant said in a heavy voice.

“Also, the owner of the document will seek me out, so today is truly a joyous day.”

A faint smile appeared on the First Supreme Merchant’s lips.

But it quickly disappeared.

After glancing at the Poisonous Demon’s face contorting with jealousy, Celestial Tae-sang asked respectfully.

“My lord, please give your command.”

The First Supreme Merchant looked down at Celestial Tae-sang without a word.

Even Celestial Tae-sang found it difficult to withstand that immense pressure.

“None.”

With that quiet voice, the force pressing down on Celestial Tae-sang disappeared.

The First Supreme Merchant looked down at Celestial Tae-sang, the Dark Sky Demon Emperor, Bi-ryeon, and the Poisonous Demon and said.

“Do what you must do on your own. That is my command.”

Thud.

Celestial Tae-sang slammed his head on the floor.

“This humble servant will carry out the lord’s command with my life.”

Thud, thud.

Celestial Tae-sang rose from his spot after hitting his forehead three times.

Then, he bowed respectfully and slowly retreated.

Swish.

The Dark Sky Demon Emperor also rose to his feet.

He put his hands together and paid his respects to the First Supreme Merchant in the manner of a warrior.

The First Supreme Merchant still showed no reaction, but the Dark Sky Demon Emperor did not care.

Swish.

The Dark Sky Demon Emperor turned and walked away.

Bi-ryeon also rose from her spot and paid her respects to the First Supreme Merchant.

A slight regret lingered in her eyes as she looked at the First Supreme Merchant, but it too did not last long.

Rustle.

Bi-ryeon left, following the Dark Sky Demon Emperor.

Left alone, the Poisonous Demon raised her head.

And looking at the First Supreme Merchant with shining eyes, she said.

“…May I kill them?”

She didn’t say who.

And the First Supreme Merchant didn’t ask.

Swish.

The First Supreme Merchant looked down at the Poisonous Demon.

Unlike before, there was something that could be called ’emotion’ in his eyes.

But that too quickly disappeared, and the First Supreme Merchant replied in a heavy tone.

“Do as you please. But there is no need to die again.”

The Poisonous Demon could not understand the First Supreme Merchant’s words, ‘there is no need to die again’.

However, her face was filled with joy.

“Yes.”

The Poisonous Demon couldn’t hide her excitement.

The First Supreme Merchant’s answer sounded as if he was saying that she was a special being.

Rustle.

Slowly, the Poisonous Demon rose from her spot.

Just by doing that, an eerie aura emanated from her.

After paying her respects extremely politely, the Poisonous Demon quietly retreated from before the First Supreme Merchant.

Her lips were glistening bright red under the light.

***

Physician No hastily fled to Seoa with his subordinates.

Riding in a carriage was out of the question, and Physician No headed to Mount Yeo (驪山) [a mountain in the northeast of Seoa], clinging to the back of a subordinate on horseback.

A huge Taoist temple near the summit of steep Mount Yeo.

The deepest part of that tranquil temple, usually frequented only by devout pilgrims, was where the First Supreme Merchant’s palace was located.

Thud.

Physician No entered the main hall, supported by his subordinates.

Celestial Tae-sang appeared before them, as if he had been waiting.

“It’s a disaster!”

A subordinate cried urgently.

“Now, the Soul Severing…”

“I know.”

Celestial Tae-sang cut off the subordinate’s words.

He frowned and asked.

“What about In Tae-sang and Ji Tae-sang?”

“I, I don’t know. When we left, they were still…”

“That’s enough.”

Celestial Tae-sang turned his head.

He glared at Physician No and said.

“You go to the medical bureau and prepare to take refuge. If you are caught by the authorities, immediately surrender yourself.”

“Why not just kill me here?”

Celestial Tae-sang’s brow furrowed at Physician No’s words.

However, Physician No continued nonchalantly.

“Surrender myself? Why would I take my own life? Even the most foolish poisonous insect wouldn’t do that. If I’m going to die, it must be with a poison that surprises me. A poison so potent that it burns my blood and rots my flesh.”

Physician No rolled his eyes.

“Tsk.”

Celestial Tae-sang clicked his tongue.

He turned to look at the subordinate and said.

“Go and prepare for an invasion. You don’t need to report on the Soul Severing Pill manufacturing facility anymore.”

It was an incomprehensible order, but questioning was not allowed.

The subordinate immediately lowered his head.

“Yes.”

He turned and ran outside.

The temple was already bustling due to the special alert issued by Celestial Tae-sang.

Thud.

Celestial Tae-sang, who had turned his body, moved his steps.

Physician No’s indifferent voice caught his feet.

“What should I do?”

Celestial Tae-sang frowned.

“Do as you please.”

Swish.

Looking back at Physician No, Celestial Tae-sang said.

“I don’t care whether you live or die. Flee or hide as you wish. But if I meet you again next time…”

Celestial Tae-sang glared at Physician No with sharp eyes.

“I will definitely take your life. Not with poison, but with a sword.”

As if to say it wasn’t just words, the sword hanging on Celestial Tae-sang’s waist shook.

It was a sword that Taoists carried for exorcism or dispelling evil spirits, but Celestial Tae-sang’s sword was not just for ceremonial purposes.

Physician No pursed his lips but said nothing.

Swish.

Celestial Tae-sang, who had been glaring, turned his body.

Physician No, watching Celestial Tae-sang slowly walking away, shrugged his shoulders.

“Since he said to do as I please…”

Chuckle.

“I guess I’ll have to do as I please.”

Physician No let out a bitter smile.

However, his eyes were shining more sinisterly than ever before.