Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 513

513. Showdown at the Temple

In the early dawn, Mount Yeo stood near Seoa.

The ancient Taoist temple was shrouded in the twilight.

Tae-eul Jin-in, the elder of Hwasan [a prominent Taoist sect], sighed softly as he surveyed the scene.

“To think that Il-dae Sang-in [Great Master of the Age] was in a place like this…”

He recited a Taoist mantra quietly.

“Hwasan was so close, yet I didn’t even realize it.”

They had already arrived at Mount Yeo.

They had been waiting near Seoa with the rest of their group, and as soon as they received Seol Young-dae’s call, they moved to Mount Yeo.

Thanks to this, they were able to arrive at this Taoist temple before Unhyun.

“I was just as unaware,” Cheongsong Jin-in of Wudang [another prominent Taoist sect] said with a bitter expression.

“I’ve passed by this place more than once or twice, but I never paid any attention to it.”

This Taoist temple wasn’t hidden deep in the mountains.

Below Mount Yeo were Hwacheong Palace and Hwacheong Pond, famous for the story of Yang Guifei [a renowned concubine in Chinese history], a must-visit for travelers.

Numerous people visited Hwacheong Palace and admired the scenery of Mount Yeo, but no one realized that Il-dae Sang-in’s palace was there.

Swish.

Cheongsong Jin-in turned his head and looked towards Seoa.

The sky was already bright, but Seoa, visible in the distance, was shrouded in the morning mist, still asleep.

“They say that Il-dae Sang-in’s name is a play on the character for sky [天, pronounced ‘Tian’], and indeed, it is arrogant to no end. To place Seoa, the capital of so many dynasties, beneath his feet.”

The meaning of Seoa was very significant.

The first capital recorded in history was near Seoa, and Seoa’s old name, ‘Chang’an,’ is still widely used to mean a large city.

Although it was not as prosperous as before, the symbolic meaning of Seoa had not faded at all.

It was quite significant that Il-dae Sang-in was in this place overlooking Seoa.

“Moreover, to dare to place his palace in a Taoist temple…”

Tae-eul Jin-in bit his lip and said.

“What else could this be but declaring himself to be like a god?”

The palace of a Taoist temple is a place to enshrine gods.

Therefore, the arrogance of Il-dae Sang-in felt by the two Jin-ins was truly appalling.

Gwanilgeom Mo Yong-dancheon [Gwanil Sword, Mo Yong-dancheon], who was next to them, silently listened to the conversation between the two Jin-ins.

He also agreed that Il-dae Sang-in was arrogant, but he was also inwardly impressed by Il-dae Sang-in’s boldness in not fearing the eyes of the people.

‘But that’s the end of it.’

Mo Yong-dancheon looked down at the Taoist temple.

Today, one of the advantages that Il-dae Sang-in had—secrecy—was gone.

Now, Il-dae Sang-in would clearly be branded as a public enemy of the world. That is, if he could survive today.

Tap tap tap tap.

Mo Yong-dancheon’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

The two Jin-ins turned their heads, and Mo Yong-dancheon’s eyes lit up.

Dozens of warriors emerged from the Taoist temple.

In their hands, sharp swords gleamed.

“Who are you!”

A warrior shouted fiercely.

“How dare you try to invade this place! Get lost quickly…”

Whooooosh.

A tremendous force poured out from Mo Yong-dancheon.

The warrior’s complexion changed instantly.

Although the warrior’s level was not low, he could not be compared to Mo Yong-dancheon, who had reached the pinnacle of mastery.

Mo Yong-dancheon fixed him with an intense gaze.

“You’re mistaken.”

The warriors flinched at the heavy voice filled with inner strength.

Mo Yong-dancheon glared at them.

“You are the invaders. And no one will escape this place.”

Mo Yong-dancheon’s eyes were terrifying.

The usual serious appearance and gentle expression were gone.

Grit.

The warriors gritted their teeth.

The difference in strength was clear, but the order that had already been given was absolute.

“Charge!”

Swish swish swish.

With a shout, the warriors kicked off the ground all at once.

Mo Yong-dancheon raised his sword as he watched the dozens of warriors rushing in.

The two Jin-ins also drew their Songmun Ancient Swords [swords from the Songmun sect] and took their stances.

“You are foolish to the end,” Cheongsong Jin-in said quietly.

Wooong.

Mo Yong-dancheon’s sword let out a quiet cry.

His sword was already rippling with complete sword energy.

However, the momentum of the rushing warriors did not change at all.

“Haaaaaa!”

The warriors roared and charged.

Woo woong woong.

“I will enlighten you to your foolishness today,” Tae-eul Jin-in glared at the warriors and said.

Mo Yong-dancheon was still silent, but his eyes were coldly sinking.

***

Step, step.

Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak strode forward indifferently.

Dozens of warriors were lying behind him, but Lee Geom-hak didn’t even glance at them.

Lee Geom-hak didn’t care that he was supposed to be besieging this Taoist temple until Unhyun arrived.

“Hmm.”

Gongson-wol, the head of the Gongson family, watched Lee Geom-hak’s back, but neither he nor Cheonsu Shinni of Emei [a sect known for its female disciples] could say anything.

Step, step.

Lee Geom-hak strolled through the temple grounds as if he were taking a walk.

He encountered a few people dressed as Taoists from a distance, but they were startled and ran away as soon as they saw Lee Geom-hak.

Those who appeared to be working at this temple also bowed their heads and quickly disappeared.

Step.

Lee Geom-hak stopped walking.

A man and a woman were standing in the wide space in front of the ancient Taoist hall.

A man exuding such an intense aura that it could be felt from afar, and a woman who looked so weak that she seemed about to collapse at any moment.

They were none other than the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor and Bi-ryeon.

A strange light flashed in the eyes of Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak.

“So you were here.”

Lee Geom-hak’s gaze was directed straight at the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor.

Just that alone was enough to change Bi-ryeon’s expression, but the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s eyes did not waver at all.

“Were you looking for me?”

“It’s not so much that I was looking for you,” Lee Geom-hak said in a calm voice.

“I was looking for someone who could face my sword. It seems I’ve found the right one.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s expression hardened.

“I am waiting for the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.”

He said that, but the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor knew that Lee Geom-hak would not back down.

“You cannot become a good warrior if you are picky about your opponents,” Lee Geom-hak said in a calm voice.

“Or is this your way of weakening Hyun’s strength for the sake of your lord? That is not a good idea at all. Originally, people can develop further when they face a wall. Your lord as well…”

“My lord,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor said in a heavy voice, “does not wish for such a thing.”

“Is that so?” A faint smile appeared on Lee Geom-hak’s lips.

“Then there is no reason why you cannot cross swords with me.”

His eyes were already sparkling with life.

It was an appearance that showed why Lee Geom-hak was said to be crazy about swords.

“That’s right. Or perhaps,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor said quietly, his eyes also flickering like flames, “perhaps I too have been waiting for this moment.”

The opponent is the living legend of the sword, Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor also knew about Lee Geom-hak, and perhaps he had been waiting for the moment to face him with a sword for a long time, like many warriors in the world.

“Good,” Lee Geom-hak said with a smile. “With this, we can settle the match that we couldn’t finish in Cheonsan [Heavenly Mountain].”

Whooooosh.

The Sword Saint’s energy poured out explosively.

Bi-ryeon gritted her teeth without realizing it at the force.

The energy from before was also unusual, but even that could not be compared to now.

“Yeon.”

Bi-ryeon’s eyes widened at the sudden voice, and she turned to the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor with an unbelievable expression.

How long had it been since he called Bi-ryeon ‘Yeon’?

But the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor did not look back at Bi-ryeon.

“I have something to say to you when this fight is over.”

Swish.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s gaze turned to Bi-ryeon.

“Will you wait?”

Bi-ryeon’s eyes trembled.

She bit her lip and barely nodded her head.

A gentle smile spread across the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s lips, but it disappeared immediately.

Step.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor stepped forward.

Bi-ryeon, who was left behind, bit her lip and did not take her eyes off the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor.

Step, step.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor, who had walked out, stood facing Lee Geom-hak at a distance.

They hadn’t even drawn their swords yet, but the energy between the two was clashing as if a storm was blowing.

“Well, then,” Lee Geom-hak said with a grin. “Shall we begin?”

“Yes,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor said with intense eyes. “Let’s begin.”

Clang.

A sharp impact erupted before the words were even finished.

The swords of the two people, who had already revealed themselves, were facing each other in the air.

Woo woong.

Lee Geom-hak’s sword, Hanwol [Cold Moon], and the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s sword cried softly as they collided with each other.

“As before, you are very hasty,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor said in a calm voice.

“How can I not be hasty?” Lee Geom-hak readily admitted.

“I am always hungry, and so is my sword, Hanwol.”

Kwa kwa kwak.

Lee Geom-hak’s sword, Hanwol, increased its momentum and pushed back the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor.

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor retreated flexibly instead of resisting, but that was a mistake.

Kaaang.

It was a momentary gap, but Lee Geom-hak did not miss it.

He seemed to be pushing with momentum, but he suddenly poured out a series of attacks.

Kang, Kang, Kaaang.

A storm of incredibly fast quick swords poured down like rain.

Lee Geom-hak’s series of attacks were so sharp and fierce that even Bi-ryeon could not properly distinguish them.

Moreover, unlike other quick swords that only focus on speed, each of his sword strikes contained tremendous inner strength.

It was as if he was striking with a huge axe instead of a sword.

However, the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor was not just being beaten.

“Haa!”

Kwaaaang.

A roar erupted.

At the same time, the bodies of the two people flew into the air.

Tak.

Lee Geom-hak landed lightly on the ground.

“Amazing,” Lee Geom-hak said with a surprised expression.

He looked at the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor and could not hide his smile.

“You are the first opponent to push back my series of attacks with force.”

“I am also surprised,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor, holding his sword, said in a heavy voice.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes could not hide his admiration.

“Even my all-out strike does not work against the Sword Saint.”

Lee Geom-hak chuckled.

“That was not all of you.”

The Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s expression changed, but Lee Geom-hak did not care.

As if recommending it, Lee Geom-hak said, “Now, show me all of you.”

“Gladly,” the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor gripped his sword again. “I will.”

Sarak.

The wind stopped for a moment.

Tension spread in all directions, centered on the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s sword.

It was as if the entire surrounding space was being eroded by the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor’s energy.

Lee Geom-hak’s eyes also changed.

“Heh heh.”

With a laugh, Lee Geom-hak’s eyes began to gleam.

Woo woong.

His sword, Hanwol, cried, as if knowing Lee Geom-hak’s heart.

Lee Geom-hak willingly responded to the call of Hanwol, his only understander and friend, who had been with him through countless life-and-death moments.

“Yes,” Lee Geom-hak said quietly. “Let’s go, Hanwol.”

Hook.

At that moment, Bi-ryeon, who was watching, widened her eyes.

Hanwol was still shining in the Sword Saint’s hand, but it was no longer a sword.

Literally, the sword, which contained all of Lee Geom-hak, was already Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak himself.

‘Ah.’

Bi-ryeon let out a sigh without realizing it.

The sword was none other than Sword Saint Lee Geom-hak’s ultimate skill and everything, One Sword to the Sky (一劍衝天) [a technique where the swordsman becomes one with their sword].

Kwa kwa kwa kwak.

The surrounding air fluctuated even though the swords had not yet collided.

And the next moment.

“Haa!”

The two people roared at the same time.

With everything they had in one sword, they rushed towards each other.