Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 107

107. Hatred

“Heh heh.”

Shin Seung chuckled.

“Are you that happy? If I knew, I would have become a clerk sooner.”

Yunhyun smiled.

Then, Shin Seung suddenly spoke.

“……Why don’t you come to Waryongheon [a secluded hermitage]?”

Yunhyun frowned slightly, thinking it was another one of Shin Seung’s playful jokes.

However, Shin Seung’s eyes were calm as he spoke.

Yunhyun slowly shook his head.

“I am satisfied with my current situation. It is the path I chose myself.”

“But if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here.”

That was quite unexpected for Yunhyun.

Judging by his tone, it seemed Shin Seung felt a great sense of responsibility, but Yunhyun didn’t think there was any reason for him to feel that way.

“What do you mean…….”

“You wouldn’t have gotten involved with Bukhae [Northern Sea Sect] either.”

Only then did Yunhyun realize what Shin Seung was talking about.

‘Come to think of it.’

The reason he had a martial arts contest with Bingseol, the hidden master of Bukhae, was because of Shin Seung, the Buddhist Master Bulyeong.

It was because Shin Seung told them that Yunhyun was the owner of Nagil [a legendary sword].

‘Hmm.’

Looking back, it’s not that he wasn’t angry. No, he was really angry back then.

But thinking about it, it’s not something to just be angry about.

“……Well, it’s okay.”

Yunhyun sighed softly and said.

“It’s not entirely your fault, Master, and thanks to it, I had a good experience.”

The person who entrusted him with Nagil was the Sword Saint.

Rather, Shin Seung was surprised and even asked the Sword Saint again.

Although he didn’t tell Yunhyun in advance what would happen afterward.

And the contest with Bingseol was truly an unforgettable experience for Yunhyun.

“And isn’t it all over now?”

Bingseol, one of the Bukhae Twelve Secrets and a hidden card prepared by Bukhae, was defeated.

So, in Yunhyun’s opinion, this matter was as good as over.

“Heh heh, is that so?”

However, Shin Seung’s words cast a shadow of unease over Yunhyun’s thoughts.

“Why, why are you saying that?”

At Yunhyun’s question, Shin Seung frowned and said.

“I’m grateful that you don’t blame me, but it’s not over yet. If you’ve heard a young lady’s secret, shouldn’t you take responsibility as a man?”

“Gasp!”

Yunhyun let out a strange sound without realizing it.

“H, how did you…….”

“Keu keu keu.”

The wrinkles on Shin Seung’s face spread into a smile.

“Did she really tell you her name? Really?”

Yunhyun’s face contorted.

He realized he had been caught up in something.

“Ahem, a secret doesn’t necessarily mean a name…….”

Yunhyun tried to fix it, but it was already too late.

“Wow, this is a big deal? In Bukhae, you should never give out your name carelessly.”

Shin Seung pretended to be playful.

“If you do well, you might get a beautiful Bukhae bride. If you do wrong, you might die by her sword.”

Yunhyun’s face contorted.

But Shin Seung continued, as if he found it quite amusing.

“If you want to go to Bukhae, just tell me anytime. I’m also responsible, so I’ll do that much. Heh heh heh.”

“No, thank you.”

Yunhyun said firmly.

But Shin Seung’s laughter still didn’t stop, and Yunhyun just sighed.

“Ah, by the way.”

Yunhyun suddenly asked Shin Seung.

“Is there a place in the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] where I can quietly train in the early morning?”

“A place to train?”

“Yes. I’d like a quiet open space.”

Shin Seung looked puzzled at Yunhyun’s words.

“If you’re going to train, why not do it at the sparring arena? I think there are quite a few here and there?”

“Well, it’s just that I think I’ll be a little conspicuous.”

There are many sparring arenas in the Murim Alliance. However, Yunhyun thought that if the clerk occupied one, there would naturally be complaints.

Besides, there was another problem.

Originally, clerks can obtain residences outside.

However, Yunhyun, who needed to save money, wanted to enter the accommodation provided by the Murim Alliance.

The problem was that the accommodation was located within the Murim Alliance, albeit in a corner, so there was no place to train.

For Yunhyun, this was quite a serious problem.

“Is that so? I don’t think anyone would say anything…… Anyway, I understand. I’ll let you know later.”

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun was sincerely grateful.

He had been desperate because he hadn’t been able to train properly.

“Heh heh, you’re only thanking me now. Do you like an empty space to train more than a pretty Bukhae lady?”

Yunhyun made an awkward expression.

He felt like he would be teased no matter what he answered.

“But.”

Shin Seung, who was laughing, suddenly said.

“I heard earlier that if you’re late, you’ll get penalty points or something, is it okay for you to be here this long?”

Yunhyun was taken aback.

Come to think of it, it was quiet with no one around.

“T, then I’ll be going…….”

Even in a hurry, Yunhyun didn’t forget to pay his respects to Shin Seung.

Shin Seung couldn’t stop laughing as he watched Yunhyun’s hurrying back.

“That guy, his eyes have gotten so much better in the meantime. He seems to have made up his mind to some extent. So he was able to give those guys a hard time.”

Shin Seung also knew that Yunhyun had declined the position of representative.

And he also knew how much that decision had confused the other representatives.

“But you fool. People change easily.”

Buddhist Master Shin Seung Bulyeong sighed.

“Even if you have that mindset now, you have to be very careful not to be eaten by the monster that is the Murim Alliance.”

Buddhist Master Shin Seung Bulyeong, who was quietly chanting the Buddha’s name, had a deep sense of loneliness on his face.

Buddhist Master Shin Seung Bulyeong, who had been staring at Yunhyun’s receding figure, couldn’t leave the spot for a long time even after Yunhyun disappeared.

***

Dang Mun Seol-hwa, Dang Seol-ryeon, the snow flower of the Dang family, was sitting on the second floor of a building inside the Murim Alliance.

Originally a place for representatives exhausted from meetings, this emergency room was actually where important matters were decided more often than the Grand Assembly Hall.

The scenery of the outside of the Grand Assembly Hall and Hangzhou, which can be seen from here, was also a sight only allowed to representatives.

Dang Seol-ryeon, who was savoring the scenery beyond the railing, reached out her white and beautiful hand and lifted a small bell.

Ting.

With the sound of the bell, an elegant door opened and someone entered.

But it was not the servant Dang Seol-ryeon was expecting, but Yeongho-jun, the plum blossom sword of Hwasan [a prestigious sword style and sect].

“Ah, Miss Dang Seol-ryeon.”

Yeongho-jun approached Dang Seol-ryeon with a bright smile.

It was an attractive smile from a handsome young man, but Dang Seol-ryeon’s expression was not very happy.

No, rather, Dang Seol-ryeon’s beautiful eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

“What’s going on? Great Warrior Yeongho-jun. You’re talking to me first.”

Yeongho-jun’s smile did not disappear despite Dang Seol-ryeon’s cold voice.

“How can it be strange to greet the beautiful snow flower of the Dang family?”

Despite his praise, Dang Seol-ryeon still had an unpleasant expression.

But Yeongho-jun sat down across from her without hesitation.

When the servant appeared late, Yeongho-jun naturally asked for tea, and Dang Seol-ryeon also sighed and ordered her to fill the empty teacup.

Clatter.

The servant left, and Yeongho-jun rested his chin on his hand and looked beyond the railing.

Yeongho-jun’s profile, bathed in the soft afternoon sunlight, was as flawless as a master’s sculpture.

But Dang Seol-ryeon knew too much to be deceived by his appearance.

“You seem to be in a good mood?”

“Life is truly amazing, isn’t it?”

Yeongho-jun smiled and looked back at Dang Seol-ryeon.

“Just a small thing has changed, but the world looks so different.”

“Hmph. Are you perhaps in love?”

Clatter.

The servant brought tea and a soft fragrance spread.

Dang Seol-ryeon lifted her teacup and continued coldly.

“If so, that’s good. At least the night streets of Hangzhou will be a little quieter now.”

Yeongho-jun smiled. And slowly caressed the teacup, savoring the scent.

“It might be similar. But the other person is a man.”

“Congratulations even more.”

Clatter.

Putting down the teacup, Dang Seol-ryeon wore an attractive smile. But her eyes were icy.

“Thanks to you, the poor women of Hangzhou are safe.”

“Hahaha, I’m sorry, but that’s not it. I love beautiful women.”

Yeongho-jun’s subtle gaze at the end of his words was enough to shake anyone.

But Dang Seol-ryeon ignored that gaze with a light snort and lifted her teacup.

“Come to think of it, I also have a question for you…….”

Yeongho-jun’s words were cut off.

“Are you curious as to why I’m not interested in him?”

Yeongho-jun gave a bitter smile at Dang Seol-ryeon’s calm words.

Yeongho-jun and Dang Seol-ryeon already knew who ‘he’ was.

Although the name was never mentioned, the topic of their conversation was Yunhyun, the successor of the Sword Saint.

“Tsk tsk, no matter how clever you are, Miss, it’s no fun if you say what the other person is going to say. How are you going to hear words of love from your lover?”

“It doesn’t matter. And at least I don’t want to hear it from someone with the title of Plum Blossom Sword.”

Dang Seol-ryeon put her red lips to the teacup and savored the tea.

Yeongho-jun waited with a smile until she put the teacup down again.

Clatter.

“So what? Why aren’t you interested in him?”

Dang Seol-ryeon never took the initiative in this matter regarding the successor of the Sword Saint.

This was completely different from her usual appearance, where she always showed her presence in the Murim Alliance’s major issues.

Dang Seol-ryeon smiled faintly.

“Do you think I’m not interested?”

Yeongho-jun’s eyes widened.

“Then you are interested?”

“I’m not interested.”

Dang Mun Seol-hwa, Dang Seol-ryeon, the snow flower of the Dang family, said with a cold smile.

“I just have hatred.”

“Hatred?”

Yeongho-jun’s eyes widened.

“Hatred…… Did you perhaps get dumped in the past?”

Dang Seol-ryeon frowned.

“It seems you don’t want to have a conversation.”

“I’m sorry.”

Yeongho-jun apologized immediately.

“But when I look at you, Miss, I just want to joke around. You used to find it fun too…….”

Yeongho-jun spoke, glossing over it with a laugh, but it backfired.

Seeing Dang Seol-ryeon’s expression turn coldly, Yeongho-jun immediately shut his mouth.

“……Hoo.”

The snow flower of the Dang family sighed deeply.

“I don’t know why I’m having this conversation with you here.”

Yeongho-jun looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back because it was obvious that it would only provoke Dang Seol-ryeon’s temper further.

After calming her emotions for a while, Dang Seol-ryeon picked up the teacup again.

“……The essence of the problem is simple.”

Dang Seol-ryeon continued in a calm voice.

“The successor of the Sword Saint, the clerk, none of that really matters. What really matters is.”

Dang Seol-ryeon said, shining her beautiful eyes.

“The fact that he was confirmed by Shin Seung.”

Yeongho-jun tilted his head.

“What does that mean?”

Dang Seol-ryeon chuckled.

“Do you not know, or are you pretending not to know? No, it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Putting down the teacup, Dang Seol-ryeon continued.

“Shin Seung confirmed him. He, who hadn’t left Waryongheon for the past ten years, moved for the successor of the Sword Saint.”

“But that’s…….”

Yeongho-jun tried to argue.

The meaning of the name ‘successor of the Sword Saint’ is extremely great in the Gangho Murim [Martial Arts World].

So even Shin Seung, who had been living in seclusion, had no choice but to step forward?

In particular, Shin Seung is the only friend who knows the Sword Saint’s will.

But Dang Seol-ryeon’s words were not over yet.

“And that successor of the Sword Saint confidently entered the Murim Alliance. He distracted everyone with his flashy actions of choosing the clerk position instead of the representative position.”

Her voice was already filled with a subtle heat.

“Do you still not understand? He is the successor that Shin Seung has put before our eyes. Not the successor of the Sword Saint, but the successor of Shin Seung, and soon, the successor who will take over the Murim Alliance.”