Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 73

073. People Met at Dawn (1)

Shin Seung smiled.

It was a smile completely different from before, soft and warm.

“That’s what they call getting old.”

Shin Seung’s forehead creased slightly at the Sword Saint’s sudden counterattack.

“Oh, really? Come to think of it, the way you look at that girl from the Northern Sea isn’t so innocent either. Now that I think about it, you went back to the Northern Sea about twenty years ago, didn’t you? Perhaps at that time……”

Shin Seung narrowed his eyes and looked at the Sword Saint, but the Sword Saint answered firmly.

“Since that day with Bingje, I have never seen her again.”

Shin Seung’s expression twisted at that answer.

However, he didn’t give up easily.

“Well, still, she’s worthy of being called the daughter of the Northern Sea’s greatest beauty. It’s not easy to show such confidence against the two of us here. She has a pretty face, and her eyes are quite sharp.”

As he spoke, Shin Seung glanced at the Sword Saint’s expression.

The Sword Saint remained silent.

“No matter how this turns out, that child will have a great influence in the Northern Sea in the future. It’s a good thing for us. The fact that she asked us for evidence means that she doesn’t want bloodshed either.”

Shin Seung frowned slightly as he spoke.

“I’m a little worried that the young ones might be too hasty and cause trouble……”

Shin Seung trailed off.

As expected, the Sword Saint, who had been silent, frowned.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why? You said you have nothing to do with her?”

Shin Seung pursed his lips. The Sword Saint sighed softly.

“Alright. I lost, so tell me what you mean.”

Shin Seung smiled contentedly at the Sword Saint’s surrender.

“If you don’t understand, just wait and see. Thanks to you, it looks like it will be quite interesting. Heh heh heh.”

Shin Seung smiled, wrinkling his face.

The Sword Saint frowned but knew clearly that he couldn’t get any more answers.

The evening sunlight gently fell on Shin Seung’s shoulders as he smiled with satisfaction.

***

The day after visiting Waryongheon, Unhyun headed to the sparring arena early in the morning.

‘Since the banquet last night ended quite late……’

A banquet for the promising young talents was held last night.

However, Unhyun didn’t go either, thanks to the Northern Sea Ice Palace group not attending the banquet.

He heard that the banquet continued until late at night.

‘There won’t be anyone at the sparring arena today.’

Unhyun hoped so.

But just in case, he came out earlier than usual.

If someone, like Pajinhan, came out, he could finish before that.

As Unhyun happily walked, he suddenly remembered what Shin Seung had told him.

“A secretary of the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance]…….”

He had decided to travel around the famous scenic spots of the world at this opportunity, but in fact, that was only possible when he had future plans.

He could vividly imagine his uncle’s nagging when he arrived in Hangzhou, and his purse was getting lighter day by day, so how could he travel around with peace of mind?

“Since the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was just a fancy name and didn’t seem to have much to see, should I just stay in Hangzhou and prepare for the exam?”

The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, which he thought would allow him to see the true colors of the promising young talents, only disappointed Unhyun.

It was still unknown since the full-scale sparring had not yet begun, but it could not be compared to the masters he met yesterday.

Step, step.

Unhyun walked, lost in thought.

It was a concern, but in fact, the conclusion had already been reached.

‘If it’s an exam, I’m somewhat confident……’

He didn’t know what the Murim Alliance exam was like, but if it was to select scholars, it wouldn’t be much different from the civil service exam.

With a sudden surge of confidence, Unhyun’s steps toward the sparring arena became much lighter.

‘But what does it mean to erase the sword from my heart?’

Unhyun suddenly remembered what he had heard at Waryongheon yesterday.

That great master, who left such a strong impression that he even forgot to ask his name, said something meaningful, but he had no idea what it meant.

What Unhyun wanted to see was the world he had seen through the White Tiger Training Sword, to reach that level again.

He was not interested in putting the sword in his heart or erasing it.

‘Anyway, a sword is a sword. Putting it in my heart or erasing it doesn’t seem that important…….’

Unhyun tilted his head.

Still, it was advice from such a great master, so it would be worth trying.

‘If I try it today, I might find something out…….’

There was no waiting or worrying.

If he tried it himself, he would find an answer.

With such expectations, Unhyun entered the sparring arena.

And at that moment, Unhyun’s expectations were shattered.

“Haa!”

A loud shout rang out, cutting through the cold morning air.

The young man, soaked in sweat and wielding a sword, was none other than Pajinhan of the Namhae Sword Sect.

‘Oh, no.’

Unhyun frowned.

‘When did he come out?’

Judging by his appearance, he didn’t seem to have just started training, so he couldn’t even guess how early he had come out.

‘Hoo.’

Unhyun sighed.

He thought about just going back, but he decided to wait for a while, thinking that the training might end soon.

Swoosh, whoosh.

Pajinhan’s sword was drawing dazzling trajectories, seemingly unaware that Unhyun had come.

Heat emanated from his flushed body as Pajinhan moved, cutting through the cold morning air.

“Taha!”

Whoosh.

Pajinhan’s moves, unfolding through the cold morning air, were familiar to Unhyun.

They were the very moves he had used in the sparring match on the first day.

‘Hmm.’

Unhyun suddenly wondered if he should be watching such things.

But he didn’t bother to avoid it.

‘This is a public place, so it’s not my fault.’

If anything, it’s Pajinhan’s fault for training in such a place.

Unhyun thought so.

He also had some resentment for being disturbed in his morning training.

But wanting to avoid being suspected of secretly watching, Unhyun subtly made a sound.

“Ahem.”

Thud.

Pajinhan’s sword stopped at Unhyun’s cough.

Pajinhan slowly turned his head and looked at Unhyun.

“Ah, hello.”

Unhyun greeted him first.

At that greeting, Pajinhan suddenly raised his head and looked at the sky.

“Is it already dawn…….”

Unhyun realized that he had not come out in the morning from his small mutter.

“……Don’t tell me you stayed up all night?”

Pajinhan did not answer.

He lightly sheathed his sword and politely bowed to Unhyun.

“Greetings, Scholar. You’re here again.”

“Ah, hello.”

As Unhyun answered absentmindedly, Pajinhan readjusted his sword and took his stance again.

He was starting training again.

Thud, shriek.

Pajinhan took a step, and his sword embroidered dazzling trajectories in the air.

‘Huh?’

Unhyun noticed something strange in that sight.

‘……Did something happen?’

It was definitely different.

Unlike yesterday, when he was conscious of Unhyun’s gaze, Pajinhan was now unfolding his swordsmanship without hesitation.

He seemed to be focusing on the sword, but Unhyun could clearly see that the tip of his sword was shaking.

That meant that Pajinhan’s mind was in turmoil. So much so that he had to focus on the sword.

Unhyun tilted his head.

In any case, he had made it known that he was watching, so he could now watch Pajinhan’s training without hesitation.

Swish.

Unhyun simply took a seat next to the sparring arena.

His eyes naturally followed Pajinhan’s sword, and his head was filled with thoughts about his swordsmanship.

‘……It’s too hasty after all.’

Unhyun frowned.

‘He’s too conscious of being a quick sword, so he feels like he’s being chased. Is it because he’s still young…….’

In fact, Unhyun wasn’t that old either, but he couldn’t help but think that Pajinhan looked young.

Most of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering participants are young people around twenty years old.

They have been training in their family’s martial arts since they were young, but it is also true that they lack experience.

Moreover, personality is often unrelated to skill, so even promising young talents were not much different from their peers.

No, rather, they were often more immature because of their pride as descendants of prestigious martial arts families and promising young talents.

‘So I can’t just give advice……’

It’s a very sensitive age.

Their unfounded pride is soaring, so they won’t listen to what others say.

So Unhyun had no choice but to swallow the words he wanted to say in his heart.

“Tahap!”

Whiriririk.

Pajinhan’s dazzling swordsmanship continued without stopping.

As the dawn sky gradually began to brighten, Unhyun, who had been watching Pajinhan’s training, muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Being fast doesn’t mean being hasty…….”

Thud.

Pajinhan’s movement suddenly stopped.

He turned his head, looked at Unhyun, and asked.

“What did you just say?”

Pajinhan’s eyes were quite unusual.

Unhyun was flustered because he never thought that Pajinhan would hear his voice.

But Pajinhan was already in the process of finishing his training.

The time when he was focusing on the sword to shake off his emotions had already passed, and rather, he was more conscious of Unhyun’s gaze.

So there was no way he couldn’t hear even a small voice.

“No, that’s…….”

“As I said yesterday.”

Pajinhan looked down at Unhyun and said.

“If you have any great insights, please tell me directly.”

There was no emotion mixed in.

But he couldn’t hide his pride, so Pajinhan’s voice was somewhat challenging.

Unhyun also couldn’t help but feel something welling up in his chest.

“What I want to say is.”

Unhyun looked straight at Pajinhan and opened his mouth.

“The Young Master is too caught up in being fast. There is always a moment of calm before the storm, and even a great flood must stop for a moment after rising high, isn’t it?”

Once he opened his mouth, the words he wanted to say poured out.

“And…….”

“I understand.”

Pajinhan’s voice cut off Unhyun’s words.

Unhyun saw the burning heat in his eyes.

“But martial artists speak with their swords. Can you prove those words to me with your sword?”

It wasn’t just simple pride or stubbornness.

It wasn’t even a threat.

Martial artists speak with their swords.

Therefore, Pajinhan’s words were a fundamental question about whether Unhyun was qualified to discuss swords, and a perfectly legitimate request.

There are always those who mock a lifetime of sweat and passion with their tongues.

Unhyun, who met Pajinhan’s gaze, could clearly understand that as well.

“……I see.”

It was when Unhyun was about to nod.

Rustle, rustle.

Someone appeared with small footsteps.

Pajinhan and Unhyun naturally turned their gazes.

‘Huh? That young lady is…….’

The person approaching the sparring arena was a graceful young lady wearing a light pink coat.

Pajinhan, who was in the sparring arena, sheathed his sword and put on the coat he had taken off.

“Hello, Young Master Pa.”

The young lady, who had come close, bowed slightly and greeted him.

“Greetings, Miss Moryong.”

Pajinhan, who was coming down from the sparring arena, bowed and returned her greeting.

‘Miss Moryong, you said?’

Unhyun looked at her with a slightly surprised expression.