Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 55

055. Company

“What’s the matter?”

The woman in white asked, noticing Unhyun’s hesitation.

Unhyun seized the opportunity and began to speak.

“I wanted to properly thank this person for helping me…”

It was a little awkward, but he needed to start a conversation somehow.

He couldn’t just ask about the sword out of the blue.

The woman in white turned to the warrior.

“Binghun, this person wishes to express their gratitude.”

The warrior, called Binghun, frowned at Unhyun.

“No thanks are necessary.”

Unhyun was taken aback by his cold rejection.

However, the woman in white seemed intrigued by Unhyun’s disappointed expression.

“Is there something you wish to say to Binghun?”

Unhyun’s eyes brightened.

Perhaps there was hope.

Unhyun cautiously began, “Actually, I had the opportunity to learn some martial arts while working as a scholar.”

The woman in white’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Unhyun quickly continued, “But this person’s swordsmanship seems very unique. If it’s not too much to ask, I was wondering if I could observe the sword style, even for a moment…”

*Sak.*

Unhyun’s voice was abruptly cut off.

The woman in white had raised her hand.

“Binghun only draws his sword when facing an opponent in a duel. It would be best if you didn’t say any more.”

Her tone was gentle, but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Unhyun had no choice but to fall silent.

In the martial arts world, inquiring about another person’s martial arts is considered very rude, even dangerous.

“Ahem.”

Unhyun cleared his throat and subtly glanced at Binghun.

‘Ugh.’

As expected, Binghun’s gaze was even colder than before.

‘I knew it…’

Unhyun sighed inwardly.

Just then…

“But you said you were a scholar?”

The woman in white suddenly asked.

“Yes.”

Unhyun nodded absentmindedly as he answered.

He didn’t notice the flicker of interest that crossed her eyes.

***

The awkward atmosphere didn’t last long.

Thankfully, the woman in white initiated conversation with Unhyun.

She mainly asked about local culture and customs, and Unhyun, feeling awkward just standing there, answered as sincerely as he could.

He learned that she was not only beautiful but also quite insightful and intelligent.

However, he still hadn’t exchanged a single word with Binghun, the person he was most interested in.

Before they knew it, the carriage was approaching a fairly large village.

*Click.*

The door opened, and Unhyun stepped out of the carriage.

Following him were Binghun, the attendant girl, and the woman in white.

“It’s a quiet village.”

Still, it was quite large for a rural village.

It seemed likely he could find a carriage going to a larger city, so Unhyun sighed in relief and politely bowed to the woman in white.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for helping me out of a difficult situation.”

“You’re welcome. Rather, your insights were a great help to us.”

Unhyun gave an embarrassed expression.

What he had said was nothing special.

He had simply explained local customs and values.

He still didn’t know her name.

‘Binghun probably isn’t his real name either.’

Unhyun sensed that the people of the Northern Ice Palace had a unique perspective.

They were secretive about their names and seemed willing to kill thieves without hesitation, which seemed quite dangerous.

He was convinced they would soon be involved in serious trouble.

But he no longer had any reason to interfere.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

Unhyun bowed again.

*Thud.*

Unhyun turned away, regretting that he hadn’t seen Binghun’s sword in action.

He needed to find an inn to rest.

Just then…

“Scholar.”

Unhyun stopped.

Turning his head, he saw the radiant figure of the beautiful woman with an enchanting smile.

At that moment, Unhyun felt a strange premonition.

A premonition that something troublesome was about to happen, and that he would inevitably be caught up in it.

But he couldn’t simply ignore her.

“What is it?”

The woman in white said softly, “Actually, we are on our way to Hangzhou to attend the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly [a gathering of martial artists] at the invitation of the Martial Alliance.”

‘Martial Alliance!’

The term immediately piqued Unhyun’s curiosity.

Wasn’t the Martial Alliance a cornerstone of the martial arts world?

“However, since this is unfamiliar territory, we are finding it difficult to navigate. Would you be willing to help us?”

It was a perfectly reasonable request.

They were asking a scholar for help because they were unfamiliar with the land and the road was difficult. How could he refuse?

Besides, they were going to the same destination.

‘Hmm.’

But Unhyun was conflicted.

Normally, he would have eagerly agreed.

They were going to the same place, and it was a request from an incredibly beautiful woman.

Plus, he might get to see the swordsmanship of the North Sea.

However, the unknown premonition made him hesitate.

It felt like stepping into a clearly visible swamp.

“If you help us, we will compensate you fairly. Although we are traveling, we have sufficient silver…”

Unhyun’s face twisted.

If she thought he was hesitating because of money, it was insulting.

As Unhyun’s expression changed, the woman in white looked flustered.

“Did I perhaps make a mistake? In the North Sea, failing to offer fair compensation is a great insult, so I mentioned it…”

Unhyun’s hardened expression softened at her explanation.

With such different customs, their journey was bound to be difficult.

“I see. But here, mentioning payment first is considered an insult.”

“Ah, I understand.”

She nodded as if she understood.

Unhyun sighed slightly.

He had already offered advice, so he couldn’t refuse now.

Besides, they knew he was going to Hangzhou, and he had nothing else to do.

“I understand. It would be impolite to refuse a request from someone who has come from so far, so I will do my best to help with all my heart.”

The woman in white gave a bright smile.

It was such a beautiful smile that Unhyun felt dizzy for a moment.

“Thank you. I am truly happy that you have agreed.”

‘Oh dear. Stop it, stop it.’

Unhyun composed himself, reminding himself not to be swayed by her smile.

He had seen enough beautiful women’s smiles at the Changyin Pavilion [a famous courtesan house] in the Forbidden City [the imperial palace]. And he knew how their attitudes would change once they knew Unhyun’s true identity.

Still, he couldn’t help but smile, as her smile was pleasing to the eye.

“Ahem.”

Feeling Binghun’s sharp gaze, Unhyun cleared his throat for no reason.

The woman in white bowed lightly and greeted Unhyun again.

“Let me introduce myself properly. I am the Lesser Palace Lord [a high-ranking position] of the Ice Palace, this is Binghun who is guarding me, and this is Bingxue who is assisting me.”

The girl named Bingxue, who appeared to be a maid, didn’t move at all.

And Binghun, too, only offered a sharp glare instead of a greeting.

But Unhyun didn’t have time to dwell on that.

“Lesser, Lesser Palace Lord?”

Unhyun looked at her in surprise.

He had guessed she was of high status, but he never imagined she would be a Lesser Palace Lord.

In a way, wasn’t she like the Crown Prince of the Forbidden City?

However, the Lesser Palace Lord smiled charmingly and replied, “There are many Lesser Palace Lords in the Northern Ice Palace. I am just one of them, so you don’t have to be so formal. Besides, you are not a person from the North Sea.”

“I, is that so?”

“Then, Scholar, I look forward to working with you.”

The Lesser Palace Lord bowed to Unhyun.

“Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you too, Lesser Palace Lord.”

Unhyun quickly returned the greeting.

Only then could he understand Binghun’s excessive vigilance.

‘Lesser Palace Lord… So that’s why.’

The Lesser Palace Lord might not mean much to him, but she would be like a goddess to Binghun.

It was no wonder he was wary of Unhyun, a stranger and outsider.

“Then, please get back on the carriage.”

At the Lesser Palace Lord’s words, Unhyun willingly re-entered the carriage.

*Thud.*

The door closed, and the carriage soon left the village and began to move.

*Clatter, clatter.*

Thus, Unhyun headed to Hangzhou with the Northern Ice Palace party.

In a way, he had gotten a direct ride, but Unhyun couldn’t relax.

He didn’t know if traveling with this precarious Northern Ice Palace group would be beneficial or detrimental.

However, the only consolation was that he might get to see Binghun’s swordsmanship again.

***

*Clang, clang.*

Sharp sounds and chaotic shouts filled the air.

“Block them! Block them, damn it!”

“Y, you bastard!”

The rough-looking men were shouting threats and wielding large swords, but they couldn’t stop Binghun, who was wreaking havoc among them.

“Ugh!”

“Aaaagh.”

Unhyun clicked his tongue at the screams.

“Tsk tsk, but they won’t die, so they should know that it’s all thanks to me.”

Unhyun, sitting on the driver’s seat and observing Binghun, muttered to himself.

He had persuaded the Lesser Palace Lord, saying, ‘Taking lives is excessive, and you must show mercy to be respected by the people.’

Because of this, Binghun was no longer allowed to kill recklessly.

If it weren’t for Unhyun, many heads would have already rolled.

‘I don’t know if they always risk their lives once they draw their swords in the North Sea…’

No matter how ruthless the martial arts world is, there are always limits.

Excessive responses are criticized as cruel.

Even if the opponents are a gang of thieves targeting the carriage.

“Tsk tsk, they should run away quickly…”

Unhyun clicked his tongue as he watched the thieves who still hadn’t retreated.

They probably believed in their numerical superiority, but in Unhyun’s view, it was a hopeless situation.

Their skills and Binghun’s were on completely different levels.

“By the way, how do they even manage to be thieves with such pathetic skills?”

In Unhyun’s view, the thieves’ skills were laughable.

But then he remembered that he himself had almost fallen victim to such thieves in the past.

“Oh dear, I told them to run away, but in the end…”

Unhyun shook his head as he watched one of the men scream and fall.

As the battle completely turned against them, the men began to hesitate and show signs of fleeing.

Without delay, Unhyun jumped up and shouted.

“Binghun! That’s enough!”

At Unhyun’s voice, Binghun stopped his sword and turned his head.

In that moment, the remaining men turned and fled.

Unhyun’s shout had come at just the right time.