Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 36

36. Let’s Talk About the Martial Arts Tournament

Chief Manager Shim shook his head.

“There was no way to confirm it.”

Since the escort agency that received the request remembered it that way, there was no way to confirm it further.

Moyong Mi was lost in thought.

‘A merchant… could it be that I am a hidden master who conceals their aura?’

“Hmm, Hebei Province….”

Moyong Mi’s thoughts were interrupted by Moyong Dancheon’s voice, which sounded like a sigh.

“Henan Province and Hebei Province. They were so close….”

Although Henan and Hebei Provinces were adjacent, they were not as close as one might think.

The continent was vast, and even one province was comparable to a decent-sized country, so even adjacent provinces were not like neighboring villages.

Nevertheless, the fact that Moyong Dancheon said that showed how great his regret was.

“We can’t necessarily say they are in Hebei Province. Considering the circumstances, it might have been a passing route.”

Perhaps they had heard about the Moyong family in Hebei Province.

However, one thing was certain: any further clues had been cut off.

“The disciples dispatched for the investigation are still staying in Beijing.”

At Chief Manager Shim’s words, Moyong Dancheon said in a low tone.

“Tell them to put in a little more effort.”

Chief Manager Shim bowed deeply, receiving the family head’s instructions.

In fact, further investigation was impossible. In the past, he would have given up without hesitation.

However, Moyong Dancheon’s heart would not allow him to give up like this.

“Hmm.”

Moyong Dancheon still seemed regretful, unable to let go of the documents.

It was a very unfamiliar yet refreshing sight for Moyong Mi.

The overlord of Henan Province, Moyong Dancheon, was a kind grandfather and an unwavering absolute being to Moyong Mi.

Even when Moyong Dancheon was defeated in the martial arts tournament and confined himself to Manhyujeong, Moyong Mi’s conviction did not change.

As if to prove it, Moyong Dancheon made a splendid comeback.

It was only natural that Moyong Mi was so happy that she teared up, and that her trust and respect for her grandfather, Moyong Dancheon, grew even stronger.

But that Moyong Dancheon was so regretful about not being able to contact the mysterious person known as the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

Was he not even subtly showing the utmost respect?

‘The Azure Dragon Sword Master of the Heavenly Beyond….’

Moyong Mi repeated the name in her mind.

Moyong Mi had already read the letter in question.

She was the only person besides Moyong Dancheon who was allowed to see the letter.

Indeed, the contents of the letter were truly remarkable.

She was so impressed by how such deep insight could be expressed so clearly and simply that she couldn’t help but admire it.

However, the content that was close to a lucky chance for Moyong Dancheon did not apply equally to Moyong Mi.

She could definitely feel that it was amazing, but she could not reach a new level.

It was then.

Tap, tap, tap.

A hurried footstep stopped, and soon a low voice was heard from outside.

“Family Head.”

Moyong Dancheon gestured, and Chief Manager Shim went outside without delay.

Click.

The door closed, and Moyong Dancheon and Moyong Mi waited silently for Chief Manager Shim.

In response to the sudden event, tension flowed in Moyong Mi’s eyes, but Moyong Dancheon remained calm.

Tap.

Chief Manager Shim came back in. His face was slightly flushed.

“You should go out and see.”

Chief Manager Shim said with a firm face.

“People from the Iron Family and other sects are gathered in front of the Moyong Family, and their energy is unusual.”

Moyong Mi looked at Moyong Dancheon with a surprised expression.

“Family Head, this is….”

Moyong Mi, who was about to speak to Moyong Dancheon with a worried voice, flinched.

It seemed that she had seen a smile fleetingly pass across Moyong Dancheon’s lips.

“How can dust not rise when the Peng [a mythical giant bird] begins to flap its wings?”

Tap.

Moyong Dancheon got up from his seat. He headed towards the door without hesitation, as if he had been waiting for this.

‘Dust….’

Moyong Mi, who was left behind, repeated Moyong Dancheon’s words in her mind.

Suddenly, a short smile flashed across her lips as well.

***

“So, what happened? Did Gwanilgeom [Sword of Penetrating Sunlight, Moyong Dancheon’s epithet] win the rematch?”

At Unhyun’s voice, asking with shining eyes, the storyteller nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. Gwanilgeom Moyong Dancheon won triumphantly. It is said that Ildoyangdan Cheol Mu-woong [Iron Blood Pill, Cheol Mu-woong’s epithet] even lost his beloved Heuksal [Black Evil, likely a weapon or technique] and knelt down. Isn’t that a perfect revenge match? The people gathered in Nogyapyeong were all cheering….”

“That’s enough.”

Cutting off the storyteller’s words in the middle, who was about to go on at length as if he had seized an opportunity, Unhyun asked the storyteller.

“What was the specific move that Gwanilgeom Moyong Dancheon used at the end?”

The storyteller, whose words were cut off in the middle, frowned slightly and shook his head.

“I can’t say for sure since I didn’t see it myself. According to what I’ve heard, not many people saw it properly. Of course, if I had been there, I would have captured Gwanilgeom’s movements without an inch of error, but without an expert like me….”

However, Unhyun was no longer listening to the storyteller.

Although there was a hint of regret, Unhyun’s expression was bright for the first time in a while.

“Indeed, Gwanilgeom won.”

It should have been like this from the beginning.

Unhyun nodded with a satisfied expression.

However, the only regret was that he could not know the Moyong Family Head’s response to his letter.

Although Gwanilgeom Moyong Dancheon won, he could not be sure that it was because of his letter.

Still, Unhyun felt happy that the person he had sent the letter to had won, as if it were his own business.

“But, the story doesn’t end here. The Iron Family, who lost their position as the overlord of Henan Province, couldn’t have stayed still.”

The storyteller lowered his voice and continued the story in an exciting tone.

However, Unhyun’s reaction was disappointing.

“That’s enough. You said you didn’t see it yourself, right?”

“No, but is this a normal thing? The Iron Family’s counterattack is just about to begin, and how the Moyong Family will deal with it….”

The storyteller raised an objection in an excited tone, but Unhyun’s reaction was lukewarm.

“You weren’t at the scene, so you don’t know what the Moyong Family Head’s last move was, do you? Let’s talk about the martial arts tournament you saw yourself.”

“Kaa!”

The storyteller sighed regretfully and shook his head.

“To miss this interesting story, if you don’t listen to the dignified and beautiful performance of Moyong Mi, the head of the Outer Hall, and the heartwarming story of the spirited Moyong Family disciples, you won’t be able to go anywhere….”

The storyteller, who was boasting about his eloquence while spitting, realized something cold and closed his mouth.

Unhyun looked straight at the storyteller and said.

“That’s enough.”

It was a short word, but the storyteller hid his neck between his shoulders.

Seeing that he was not going to joke around anymore, Unhyun sighed slightly and picked up the brush he had put down.

“Then tell me about the martial arts tournament you witnessed in Anhui Province.”

The storyteller nodded obediently.

There was nothing scary about the scholar in front of him, but he could not ignore the momentum of the Geumuiwi [Royal Guard] standing on the left and right, glaring like tigers.

“Well, if it’s a martial arts tournament that I saw myself, it’s naturally the story of Dokgo-rang, a master who appeared like a comet in Anhui Province….”

Swish, swish.

In the loud voice of the storyteller echoing in the tall building, Unhyun’s brush sound flowed quietly.

***

“Ah, Eunuch Park.”

Unhyun, who was returning to Munyeongak [Hall of Literary Glory], found a familiar figure at the entrance.

It was Eunuch Park Gyu, who was about to enter Munyeongak.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Eunuch Park smiled brightly and bowed deeply.

Unhyun also bowed politely in response to Eunuch Park’s greeting.

He had told Eunuch Park several times that there was no need to be polite, but he kept doing this, so Unhyun had no choice but to respond with courtesy.

“Are you done with your morning work?”

As Eunuch Park asked, Unhyun moved his steps into Munyeongak and nodded.

“Well, I’ve roughly finished it. It will still take a few more days, but….”

A slight smile hung on Unhyun’s lips as he answered.

“What does it matter since I have plenty of time now?”

It was a slightly self-deprecating remark, but Unhyun’s expression was calm.

Before they knew it, the two had entered the miscellaneous books section of Munyeongak, and Unhyun organized the books and writing tools he had brought.

“It’s been a while since this storyteller was summoned, hasn’t it?”

Unhyun nodded at Eunuch Park’s words.

“That’s right. Maybe that’s why there were so many interesting stories.”

“That’s a relief.”

A smile appeared on Eunuch Park’s face.

Unhyun suddenly remembered something and said to Eunuch Park.

“Ah, come to think of it, I have another letter to ask you to deliver.”

Unhyun searched among the books on the desk and found a letter.

As always, it was thick and carefully tied with a tassel.

Eunuch Park carefully received Unhyun’s letter with both hands.

“Hee, it hasn’t been long since you sent the last letter…. Your affection is very passionate, hoho.”

“Stop with the silly jokes.”

Seeing Unhyun flustered, Eunuch Park covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.

“Oh, by the way, do you need more silver? You must have sent quite a few letters….”

As Unhyun watched Eunuch Park put the letter in his arms, he asked, but Eunuch Park shook his head lightly.

“There’s still plenty. Since I’m asking people who are passing by anyway, you don’t have to worry about the silver, hoho.”

“Is that so? Anyway, thank you.”

Eunuch Park shook his head again at Unhyun’s words.

“You’re welcome, it’s naturally my job. But….”

Eunuch Park carefully looked at Unhyun’s complexion and cautiously opened his mouth.

“I heard that you are no longer going to the Geumuiwi training ground, what’s going on?”

“Ah, that….”

Unhyun scratched his head awkwardly.

“The new Geumgun Commander [Gold Military Commander, a high-ranking officer in the Royal Guard] who came as the chief….”

—What? A scholar? A scholar should be digging into books, what’s he doing at the Geumuiwi training ground….

That thick voice flashed through Unhyun’s ears.

A while ago, a new Geumgun Commander was appointed as the chief through so-called connections.

Seeing Unhyun in the training ground dressed as a civil official, he naturally couldn’t just let it go.

—Changryongjeon [Hall of Flourishing Dragons]? Well, being so ambiguous, that’s all you can be, a scholar.

Despite Unhyun’s calm explanation, he was rude. And he was firm.

—Get out of here right now. This is not a playground.

That was the end.

Unhyun could no longer visit the Geumuiwi training ground.

“It seems he thought my presence was hindering the training of the Geumuiwi.”

“Oh my!”

Eunuch Park clicked his tongue. However, Unhyun shook his head instead.

“No. Thanks to that, I was able to look back on myself.”

Perhaps that Geumgun Commander was right.

Right now, he was in an ambiguous state, neither one thing nor the other.

He couldn’t become a military officer by training in martial arts, and he couldn’t devote himself to learning now.

Being recognized by His Highness the Crown Prince as a scholar of Changryongjeon was hopeless from the start, and it was certain that he was out of favor with some high-ranking officials, so he had no future as an administrator either.

“Then are you going to stop training in martial arts now?”

Eunuch Park asked cautiously.

Unhyun smiled awkwardly.

“Ah, that’s…. I’m actually doing something else….”

“Something else?”

Eunuch Park’s eyes twinkled.