Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 109

109. Dang Seol-ryeon’s Proposal

“This concludes the final proposal. Are there any objections?”

Jegal Yeon, the representative of the Jegal Clan, spoke in an official tone at the Murim Alliance Grand Assembly Hall.

However, none of the representatives answered.

Although they all wore dissatisfied expressions, Jegal Yeon knew that if they were truly unhappy, they wouldn’t remain silent.

“Then, we will confirm the Murim Alliance branch expansion as the final proposal.”

With Jegal Yeon’s declaration, the agenda that had been sluggishly dragging on for the past few months was decided.

In fact, it wasn’t much different from the initial draft, but the debates and tug-of-wars that had occurred in the meantime were beyond description.

“Are there any other matters to discuss?”

Jegal Yeon asked, looking around at the representatives.

There is no designated chairman in the Murim Alliance representatives’ meeting. However, in most cases, the representative of the Jegal Clan led the meeting.

This was a custom that had been passed down since the era of the Divine Monk, but it was also because it wouldn’t make much difference who else did it.

Because the representatives of the Murim Alliance, at least officially, all had equal authority.

“Then, let’s conclude here…”

“I have a proposal.”

A clear, ringing voice echoed through the Grand Assembly Hall.

Jegal Yeon raised his eyes towards the owner of the voice, Dang Seol-ryeon.

The Snowflower of the Dang Clan, Dangmun Seolhwa [literally, ‘Snow Flower of the Dang Clan,’ a title of beauty and prestige], Dang Seol-ryeon, spoke with a seductive smile.

“I propose that the Murim Alliance expel the successor of the Sword Saint, or rather, the one known as the successor of the Sword Saint.”

Dang Seol-ryeon’s tone was so confident that Jegal Yeon doubted his ears for a moment.

“…Expel, you say?”

“Yes.”

Moving her red lips, Dang Seol-ryeon said,

“Dismiss him from his position as secretary and kick him out. Out of the Murim Alliance, that is.”

A silence fell over the Grand Assembly Hall.

The representatives frowned, pondering Dang Seol-ryeon’s intentions, and some whispered among themselves.

“I understand that this has already been agreed upon.”

Jegal Yeon said with a sullen expression.

Regarding the successor of the Sword Saint, it had already been decided to keep a distance, neither too close nor too far.

Although about a month had passed since then, nothing had changed.

Therefore, he didn’t understand the Dang Clan’s intention in bringing him up again.

Dang Seol-ryeon smiled and said,

“But there’s no need to keep someone useless in the Murim Alliance, is there? Especially according to the final branch expansion proposal that was just decided.”

Rummaging through the final Murim Alliance branch expansion proposal, Dang Seol-ryeon continued.

“Coincidentally, there are a few secretaries left over.”

Jegal Yeon frowned.

It was true that there were a few secretaries left over. But that wasn’t a matter to be discussed at the representatives’ meeting.

The important thing was what she had said just before.

‘Someone useless, could it be that the Dang Clan has discovered something new?’

Jegal Yeon pondered for a moment.

‘…Or perhaps they’re just trying to provoke the Divine Monk.’

Expelling the successor of the Sword Saint, who had been confirmed by the Divine Monk, was an act of challenging the Divine Monk’s authority.

Jegal Yeon couldn’t be sure whether Dang Seol-ryeon’s proposal was because they had discovered something new, or whether it was an attempt to use the Murim Alliance representatives’ meeting to provoke the Divine Monk.

Swoosh.

Jegal Yeon looked at the other representatives.

They seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Jegal Yeon, frowning and lost in thought.

And no one was easily opening their mouths.

‘Well, I suppose so. The opponent is none other than the Divine Monk…’

Jegal Yeon smiled wryly inwardly.

The name that had protected the Murim Alliance for the past few decades, Divine Monk Bulyeong Daesa.

That name was both a pillar of the Murim Alliance and a thick curtain that hung over the Murim Alliance.

Therefore, the desire to one day remove that curtain and create their own world was a longing that was equally stirring in every clan.

But there was no need to immediately expel or antagonize the Divine Monk.

‘I thought that would naturally happen as time passed and generations changed.’

However, the situation did not turn out that way.

The Divine Monk had laid down everything and hid in Waryongheon, but his name had instead become a myth.

And while the representatives were doing nothing, the successor of the Sword Saint appeared before them.

Bearing the combined aura of the Divine Monk and the Sword Saint.

‘The successor of the Sword Saint, confirmed by the Divine Monk…’

Recalling the name Unhyun, Jegal Yeon frowned slightly.

Fighting against the Divine Monk’s reputation was like fighting against fog; there was no substance.

However, Unhyun, the successor of the Sword Saint who had been confirmed by the Divine Monk, was different.

‘If he’s really a useless person, or just a latecomer who is wearing the aura of the Divine Monk and the Sword Saint…’

Then it would be possible to tarnish the name of the Divine Monk, which was close to being sacrosanct.

And that would mean a generational shift in the Murim Alliance.

The world that all the great clans, the representatives, uniformly desired.

“Hmm.”

Jegal Yeon unconsciously let out a faint groan.

His heart was pounding just thinking about it.

But even so, Jegal Yeon couldn’t help but hesitate.

‘…But would that Divine Monk have handled things so carelessly?’

That was the problem.

Was the successor of the Sword Saint, who had been confirmed by the Divine Monk, really a ‘useless person’?

Had the Dang Clan really caught something concrete, or were they once again using a scheme to incite the other representatives?

‘This is…’

Thinking, Jegal Yeon couldn’t hide his bitter smile.

The Grand Assembly Hall was silent without a single word.

Even Jegal Yeon was lost in thought, so how could the other representatives be any different?

In the temptation that they might be able to provoke the Divine Monk and the suspicion that it might be the Dang Clan’s secret plan, everyone was unable to find their way.

On the other hand, Dang Seol-ryeon was smiling faintly, as if savoring the results of her proposal.

“Hoo.”

Jegal Yeon sighed.

He was about to say something when.

“I request a postponement regarding the Dang Clan’s proposal.”

A heavy voice came out before Jegal Yeon could speak. The speaker was Muk Hyeol-yeop, the representative of the Black Dao Society.

‘Postponement’ meant discussing it at the next meeting.

Jegal Yeon nodded, seeing that it was the same proposal he was about to make, and looked around at the other representatives.

“Are there any other opinions?”

There were no other proposals, and Dang Seol-ryeon also nodded lightly, expressing her agreement.

“Then, we will discuss the Dang Clan’s proposal at the next representatives’ meeting.”

Jegal Yeon sighed lightly and continued.

“Let’s conclude here.”

After confirming that most of the representatives nodded in agreement, Jegal Yeon picked up the final proposal regarding the branch expansion.

He suddenly felt tired.

***

After the meeting, the representatives left the Grand Assembly Hall one by one.

Dangmun Seolhwa Dang Seol-ryeon, who had been watching their figures until the end, quietly rose from her seat.

“You seem to be free today? You always leave as soon as it’s over.”

A voice came from behind, but Dang Seol-ryeon didn’t even turn her head.

“It seems that Plum Blossom Sword is also relaxed today. You’re the one who never stays until the end.”

Yeonghojun, the Plum Blossom Sword, who was sitting in a disheveled posture, smiled brightly.

“I’d rather ask how you know that…”

Dang Seol-ryeon just chuckled and didn’t respond.

Swish.

She moved her feet and tried to leave the Grand Assembly Hall.

“Are you really trying to provoke the Divine Monk?”

Dang Seol-ryeon stopped walking. She slowly turned her body and looked at Yeonghojun.

“What do you think, Plum Blossom Sword?”

Clunk.

Yeonghojun shrugged his shoulders and got up from his seat.

“Well? I think it’s still too early. The other representatives will feel the same way.”

That was an obvious point. But Dang Seol-ryeon smiled.

“But you can’t ignore it. The temptation that you might be able to provoke the Divine Monk is by no means light.”

Step, step.

Yeonghojun approached Dang Seol-ryeon without hesitation.

At a distance where he could reach out and touch her, Yeonghojun smiled and said,

“The wariness that you might be played by the Dang Clan won’t be light either, will it?”

The sight of the handsome Yeonghojun and the attractive Dang Seol-ryeon looked like a friendly couple who matched well.

However, the momentum contained in their conversation was quite different.

“Yes. But at least they’ll try to confirm it.”

Dang Seol-ryeon said confidently.

“And your lovely secretary will be quite annoyed by this.”

Yeonghojun smiled bitterly.

Dang Seol-ryeon still had the previous conversation in mind.

She was the one who said ‘I think I’m falling in love,’ but still.

“Does that have any meaning? If it’s just going to be annoying…”

“And if he reveals himself a little more because of this, that’s what I want.”

Dang Seol-ryeon interrupted Yeonghojun and continued.

“I hate things that remain ambiguous and keep bothering me. If they collapse altogether this time, it would be even…”

“Hahahahaha.”

This time, Yeonghojun’s laughter interrupted Dang Seol-ryeon’s words.

Yeonghojun smiled and said to Dang Seol-ryeon, who was frowning,

“Will that secretary really collapse easily? I don’t fall in love with just anyone.”

Smiling charmingly, Yeonghojun continued.

“Of course, it would be fun in its own way if he collapsed.”

For Secretary Unhyun to collapse would be the same as the Divine Monk’s authority being shaken.

The storm of generational change that would sweep through the Murim Alliance as a result would never end with just ‘fun’.

Swish.

Yeonghojun brought his face closer to Dang Seol-ryeon.

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Snowflower of the Dang Clan.”

Yeonghojun said in a small voice, as if whispering. And he moved his feet and left the Grand Assembly Hall.

Step, step.

“You can look forward to it.”

Clack.

Yeonghojun, who had stopped walking, turned his head.

Dang Seol-ryeon stared straight at him and continued.

“I’ve been good at ruining other people’s precious toys since I was young.”

It was a rather venomous gaze, but Yeonghojun replaced his answer with a bright smile.

Step, step.

Yeonghojun disappeared, and Dang Seol-ryeon, who was left alone, bit her lip slightly.

In her fascinating eyes, a sharp venom was blooming.

***

After the meeting, Jegal Yeon was organizing the contents to be reported to the clan in his office.

After recording the details of the Murim Alliance branch expansion, the reactions of the representatives of each clan, and the gains and losses that resulted from this, he put down his brush.

Clack.

Jegal Yeon, holding a teacup, took a break for a moment.

As the details of the branch expansion were organized, he naturally thought of Dang Seol-ryeon’s proposal.

‘As expected.’

The conclusion came out quickly.

‘It’s better to leave it as it is.’

His conclusion was to keep a distance, neither too close nor too far, as he had initially proposed.

There was no need to create trouble on this side when they weren’t causing problems on that side.

Above all, now was an important time to expand the influence of the Jegal Clan within the Murim Alliance.

The will of the head of the Jegal Clan and the elders was also the same.

‘It would be a different story if we could really provoke the Divine Monk…’

Certainly, that was an irresistible temptation.

But Jegal Yeon was still not letting his guard down against the Dang Clan, and above all, against the Divine Monk.

Although Heo Heo-sil-sil [a strategy of appearing weak to deceive the enemy] was one of the Divine Monk’s many schemes, it didn’t seem like he would decide on something so carelessly, especially with the name of the Sword Saint on the line.

‘Still.’

Clack.

Putting down the teacup, Jegal Yeon muttered.

“It wouldn’t hurt to check it out either.”

Swish.

Jegal Yeon got up from his seat and took out the documents that had been organized in the bookcase.

It was the data on the new secretary, Unhyun.

Rummage.

Jegal Yeon slowly read the documents.

Most of it was about what Unhyun himself had written and confirming simple facts.

‘I should have dug a little deeper after all?’

Jegal Yeon clicked his tongue.