Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 78

078. Stolen Victory

Pa Jinhan’s swordsmanship was actually better than most of the younger generation disciples.

It was just that he had been humiliated and angered, his youthful spirit driving him into a corner.

Of course, as Unhyun pointed out, he also lacked a deep understanding of his family’s sword techniques.

‘Still, he worked hard.’

Admitting one’s shortcomings is never easy.

Especially for young people who are proud and full of energy.

However, once he acknowledged his shortcomings, Pa Jinhan’s outstanding talent began to shine.

In fact, those gathered here were among the top younger generation disciples from each sect.

Even if they weren’t great masters yet, their talents were superior to most others their age.

So, it wasn’t strange that Pa Jinhan had changed so remarkably.

‘Hehe.’

Unhyun smiled with satisfaction.

Pa Jinhan’s sword now exuded the spirit of the vast sea.

Sometimes fast, sometimes heavy, Pa Jinhan’s sword clearly showed how hard he had worked.

To reach this point, even with Unhyun’s help, how much sweat must Pa Jinhan have shed?

The result was now unfolding before everyone’s eyes.

‘At most, about ten moves?’

Unhyun could already foresee the outcome of this martial arts contest.

Of course, even if Pa Jinhan won, Unhyun would gain nothing in return.

But Unhyun felt a sense of pride.

He felt like his efforts over the past few days were being richly rewarded.

And soon after, as Unhyun had predicted, the martial arts contest ended.

Clack.

Pa Jinhan’s sword stopped.

The tip of the sword was precisely aimed at the center of Jegal Ryong’s chest.

Murmur, murmur.

It was an expected result for Unhyun, but not for the others.

Moreover, Pa Jinhan didn’t even have any colleagues to celebrate his victory with.

Among the spectators, there was no applause or cheers, only murmuring sounds.

Swish.

Pa Jinhan sheathed his sword.

“I hope your sword will be sharper next time.”

After saying a few words to Jegal Ryong, Pa Jinhan turned around.

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause came from a few people.

Pa Jinhan silently descended from the martial arts stage.

Then, for a moment, his gaze flickered towards the group from the Northern Ice Palace, especially towards Unhyun.

‘Huh?’

Unhyun’s heart skipped a beat.

It was only for a moment, but their eyes met. And the expression on Pa Jinhan’s face was definitely a smile.

Unhyun was taken aback.

‘Was I found out?’

It was at that moment.

“This is unacceptable!”

Someone’s agitated voice burst out. Unhyun turned his head.

“I, Namgung Sanghyuk of the Namgung family, formally raise an objection to Great Warrior Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword.”

The person speaking loudly was a young man from the Namgung family.

He spoke with an agitated expression, as if he couldn’t accept the outcome at all.

“An objection?”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword frowned.

Namgung Sanghyuk stepped forward.

He looked around at the other younger generation disciples, pointedly avoiding the Plum Blossom Sword, and said.

“Everyone knows that the swordsmanship of the Southern Sea Sword Sect is inferior to that of the Jegal family. Moreover, Young Master Jegal Ryong has a high reputation in the Jianghu [martial arts world] due to his many chivalrous deeds, while that person from the Southern Sea Sword Sect was defeated by our Namgung family’s junior sister on the first day and rolled on the floor, didn’t he?”

That was quite a stretch.

There was no guarantee that one would always win just because their family’s swordsmanship was superior, and Jegal Ryong’s reputation was also exaggerated.

However, it was also true that people were curious about Pa Jinhan’s rapid improvement, so murmuring sounds spread from here and there.

“If he had been hiding his skills, why would he have rolled on the floor in humiliation from the first day?”

“So, what’s your point, Young Master Namgung?”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword looked indifferent.

No matter what he said now, the result of the martial arts contest wouldn’t change.

But Namgung Sanghyuk wore a triumphant smile.

“It is clear that he used some kind of trick.”

“A trick?”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword’s expression became serious.

Complaining would be meaningless.

But using a cowardly trick was a completely different matter.

In a martial arts contest held in the name of the Martial Alliance, especially at the Yongbongjihoe [gathering of young heroes], a trick was unimaginable.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“I don’t have any evidence. But……”

Namgung Sanghyuk’s voice, as he was about to say something more, was cut off by Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword.

“You have no evidence?”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword stared straight at Namgung Sanghyuk.

Namgung Sanghyuk flinched at the sharp gaze.

“Then I want to make it clear that you will have to take responsibility for everything that happens afterward.”

The Plum Blossom Sword’s voice even contained a chilling coldness.

The Martial Alliance is a unique organization that has brought together sects that were thought to be absolutely incompatible.

The Martial Alliance, which values consultation and cooperation in everything, absolutely does not tolerate two things.

One is defying the Martial Alliance, and the other is deliberately inciting discord among the Martial Alliance sects.

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword’s warning about the lack of evidence was precisely about that.

“N, no, that’s not what I meant.”

Namgung Sanghyuk stepped back at Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword’s fierce gaze.

“Huh, that’s not what you meant?”

Namgung Sanghyuk raised his voice again at Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword, who was laughing in disbelief.

“But didn’t an unacceptable result come out from a common sense perspective? Unless he used some kind of trick, how could this have happened? And a person who used a trick would not have left any evidence behind.”

He must have used a trick. But there is no evidence. Because he used a trick so that no evidence would be left behind.

Namgung Sanghyuk’s words were a typical conspiracy theory.

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword didn’t want to play these word games anymore.

“Bring evidence. Or……”

“I formally request a rematch.”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword’s expression slightly distorted at Namgung Sanghyuk’s sudden words.

Namgung Sanghyuk is a participant in the Yongbongjihoe hosted by the Martial Alliance.

Even Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword could not arbitrarily ignore his formal request.

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword could tell from the beginning that Namgung Sanghyuk was aiming for this situation.

“Is that an official request?”

“Yes, it is.”

Namgung Sanghyuk said confidently.

If Namgung Sanghyuk had been a party to the martial arts contest, his protest would have sounded like a loser’s stubbornness or excuse.

But Namgung Sanghyuk is clearly a third party.

That fact was making it impossible to reject his request.

“Hoo.”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword sighed openly.

“Then there’s no choice.”

Jegal Ryong’s face, which had been defeated, brightened, and Pa Jinhan’s expression instantly crumpled.

And murmuring arose among the younger generation disciples.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m saying that I will convey it to the Martial Alliance, not that I acknowledge your words.”

The Plum Blossom Sword noticed the surrounding atmosphere and clarified his statement.

But he couldn’t reverse the atmosphere that had already been formed.

Suspicion was cast on Pa Jinhan’s victory.

Namgung Sanghyuk said with a triumphant expression.

“The victory or defeat of the Yongbongjihoe’s martial arts contest must be accepted by everyone. I have no doubt that the elders of the sects will make a wise decision.”

A sneer hung on the lips of Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword.

Namgung Sanghyuk’s request will first be reported to the Martial Alliance.

And from then on, this becomes a political issue, regardless of whether it is true or not.

A political issue in which the Jegal family is overwhelmingly more advantageous than the Southern Sea Sword Sect.

Of course, there is no evidence, so there will be no rematch, but it was obvious that this martial arts contest would also be invalidated because it had to be ‘fair’.

So it was natural for the Plum Blossom Sword to laugh in disbelief.

Namgung Sanghyuk, who spoke as if he had the spirit of a martial artist, was extremely political and calculating.

“This is also absolutely necessary for Young Master Pa Jinhan of the Southern Sea Sword Sect. To clear up the suspicion and honorably……”

It was right then, as Namgung Sanghyuk’s brazen voice echoed.

“Absolutely not!”

A voice of anger burst out.

People all turned their heads.

The source of the voice that cut off Namgung Sanghyuk’s words was Unhyun, dressed as a scholar.

“This is unjust and unreasonable, so it can never happen!”

Unhyun’s eyes were shining intensely. There was not a shred of hesitation in his eyes.

Originally, scholars are considered to be physically weak.

However, when it comes to things they consider unjust and unreasonable, they are more stubborn than anyone else. These are scholars.

Because they believe that the words of the sages they have learned are the truth, they never back down on things they consider unreasonable.

The fact that most of the loyal subjects who died throughout history were scholars is clear.

Of course, that was only possible for scholars who had not been tainted by the world, but wasn’t the Changryong Hall where Unhyun stayed an isolated island in the Forbidden City, isolated from the world?

“This martial arts contest is something that everyone has seen directly, and the result is also clear! But how can you try to steal a martial artist’s honor with just a few empty words!”

Unhyun couldn’t stand it.

Pa Jinhan was silently bowing his head without being able to come down from the martial arts stage.

How could he allow someone to steal the value of the days he swung his sword to shake off the humiliation, the blood and sweat he had to shed to show amazing achievements in that short period of time, and the meaningful victory he had achieved, with just a few words?

The more Unhyun thought about it, the more anger surged.

Perhaps it was because he was reminded of the image of his sworn brother, Ilchunghyun, who had to die under false charges of treason even after silently upholding loyalty and integrity.

“Can you even dare to call yourselves martial artists after doing that!”

Unhyun’s rebuke was piercing.

However, there were not many people who were moved by that piercing criticism.

“Who are you!”

Namgung Sanghyuk asked in a rough voice.

Unhyun stared straight at him and replied.

“I am Unhyun!”

“Unhyun? Huh!”

A look of disbelief appeared on Namgung Sanghyuk’s face, and soon it began to distort with anger.

“What does a mere scholar know to come forward! Does he even know where this is……”

“Even that mere scholar knows the pride and honor of a martial artist!”

Unhyun raised his hand and pointed straight at Namgung Sanghyuk and said.

“How can you not be ashamed even when holding a sword!”

“What!”

Sparks flew from Namgung Sanghyuk’s eyes.

When had he, who had grown up as a precious son of a prestigious family, ever been insulted like this?

Especially in a public place full of younger generation disciples from other sects.

Gritting.

Namgung Sanghyuk gritted his teeth. And it was right at that moment when his hand was reaching for his sword.

“Stop.”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword, who had been watching, said. But Namgung Sanghyuk, who was furious, didn’t hear him.

“But Great Warrior! This person……”

“I clearly told you to stop.”

Yeonghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword stared straight at Namgung Sanghyuk and continued.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

Yeonghojun’s eyes were as cold as could be.

Namgung Sanghyuk, who had been angry, suddenly stiffened as if he had been doused in cold water.

“And.”

Yeonghojun turned his head and looked at Unhyun.

“Did you say Unhyun? Then, Scholar Un’s current remarks…”

Unhyun nodded, and Yeonghojun’s words followed.

“Is it okay to see it as the official position of the Northern Ice Palace?”

Unhyun realized his mistake.

He is not an official participant in the Yongbongjihoe.

He had not received an invitation and was only here as part of the Northern Ice Palace’s group.

So, strictly speaking, it was okay to say that Unhyun had no independent right to speak in this place.

For a scholar who values reason and principle, this was a very fatal point.