Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 113

113. Rejection

The Great Hall of the Murim Alliance.

Representatives from major clans were holding a meeting.

The biggest issue on the agenda was the expansion of the Murim Alliance branches, as decided in the previous meeting.

Although the representatives had already agreed, the official approvals from each clan had only just arrived.

Therefore, unlike previous meetings, this gathering was merely a formality, devoid of disputes or intense conflicts of interest.

“With this, the expansion of the Murim Alliance branches is officially approved.”

Zhuge Yeon spoke in a businesslike manner.

However, everyone knew his voice was slightly trembling.

It was inevitable.

At this moment, the Murim Alliance had transformed from a simple council of clans into a massive organization encompassing the entire Jianghu [the martial arts world].

‘The birth of the greatest alliance under heaven.’

It was no wonder Zhuge Yeon thought so.

No force in the Jianghu could stand against the Murim Alliance.

Furthermore, with branches established throughout the land, the Murim Alliance would monopolize almost all interests related to the Jianghu.

In essence, the greatest alliance under heaven, holding the Jianghu in its hands, was being born.

‘Of course, internal competition will continue.’

The imperial court was rife with infighting because that was where the power lay.

Similarly, as wealth, power, and honor poured into the Murim Alliance, internal competition would only intensify.

‘Still.’

Zhuge Yeon wore a faint smile.

‘Victory will belong to our Zhuge Clan.’

If the Murim Alliance encompassed the world, then the Zhuge Clan would control that Murim Alliance.

Zhuge Yeon had no doubt about it.

And so did the other representatives sitting in the Great Hall.

“…Then, the next item on the agenda.”

Awakening from his reverie, Zhuge Yeon glanced at the next item on the table.

His eyes momentarily hardened, but most of the representatives, lost in thought, did not notice the change.

“It concerns the disposition of the ‘successor’ proposed by the Tang Clan.”

The word ‘Sword Saint’ was omitted to exclude the weight that the Sword Saint’s name carried.

Zhuge Yeon continued in a businesslike tone.

“Before the resolution, are there any opinions?”

Rustle.

A white hand went up.

It was Tang Xue Lian, the Snowflower of the Tang Clan.

“May I speak first?”

“Of course.”

Tang Xue Lian rose from her seat.

She addressed the representatives with her captivating eyes.

“My position remains the same as previously stated.”

Tang Xue Lian’s clear voice echoed through the spacious Great Hall.

“It has been many days since ‘he’ joined the Alliance. Everyone here knows what he has been doing during that time. If I may be so bold…”

Tang Xue Lian paused briefly.

Then, wearing a seductive smile, she said,

“It can be said that he has done nothing.”

‘That’s a stretch.’

Zhuge Yeon thought to himself.

What more could one expect from a new clerk other than clerical duties?

‘But it’s not wrong either.’

However, he was more than just a clerk; he was the ‘successor of the Sword Saint.’

From that perspective, it was also true that he had done nothing.

A clerk and the ‘successor of the Sword Saint’ were clearly different.

“Today, our Murim Alliance has truly become a massive organization encompassing the world. Now, only the banner of the Murim Alliance will flutter in the Jianghu.”

Tang Xue Lian continued with a smile.

“Therefore, shouldn’t we expel those who do not fit the new Murim Alliance, such as the useless and outdated?”

Zhuge Yeon unconsciously smiled wryly.

She was not only talking about the successor of the Sword Saint but also, ultimately, calling for the expulsion of Shin Seung.

“I look forward to the wise judgment of the representatives.”

After a light bow, Tang Xue Lian sat down.

Rustle.

Sitting down, Tang Xue Lian smiled.

She clearly saw the representatives’ eyes wavering at her words.

‘Good. This is enough….’

Pitting the new Murim Alliance against the old and useless had been quite effective.

Most of the representatives would likely sympathize with Tang Xue Lian’s words.

‘It’s worth a shot.’

In fact, even she did not expect this motion to pass today.

Shin Seung was still powerful, and the representatives suspected the Tang Clan’s true intentions.

Therefore, the probability of the representatives agreeing to this motion was very low.

‘But.’

What Tang Xue Lian was aiming for was what came after.

‘Even a large branch can break if enough snow accumulates.’

Even if the successor of the Sword Saint was not expelled, a critical and skeptical atmosphere towards Shin Seung would definitely form.

If these incidents that damaged Shin Seung’s authority continued to accumulate, it would eventually be possible to escape Shin Seung’s shadow.

Even seemingly light snow can eventually topple an old tree if it continues to accumulate.

Leaning back in her chair, Tang Xue Lian thought,

‘I wonder what the result will be? I’m looking forward to it.’

Tang Xue Lian had no doubt that criticism and dissatisfaction towards the successor of the Sword Saint and Shin Seung would pour out.

It was then.

Swish.

A large hand went up.

It was Mook Hyul-yeop, the representative of the Black Tortoise Society, the Fiery Blood Saber.

“Do we really need to…”

Mook Hyul-yeop spoke with a nonchalant expression, not waiting for Zhuge Yeon’s words.

“…bother with such matters first?”

‘What?’

Tang Xue Lian’s beautiful eyebrows twitched.

Mook Hyul-yeop continued,

“There are no problems now. So, I think it’s right to maintain the previous agreement as it is.”

The Black Tortoise Society was one of the central clans of the Demonic Faction within the Murim Alliance.

He, who should feel more hostility than anyone else towards the Sword Saint, known as a Righteous Sect member, and his successor, was saying to just let it pass.

‘What is he thinking?’

Tang Xue Lian glared at Mook Hyul-yeop with sharp eyes.

However, Mook Hyul-yeop leaned back in his chair with his large body, arms crossed, clearly expressing his opposition.

It was also a clear expression of intent to the other Demonic Faction clans.

A brief murmur arose among the Demonic Faction clans.

However, no more representatives requested to speak.

Just as Tang Xue Lian could not take her suspicious gaze away, it was then.

“I agree.”

A businesslike voice echoed through the Great Hall.

The owner of the voice was Zhuge Yeon, the representative of the Zhuge Clan.

Tang Xue Lian stared at Zhuge Yeon, unable to hide her surprise.

Zhuge Yeon continued in a businesslike voice.

“There is no need to create unnecessary disturbances during this important time. Therefore, I agree to maintain the previous agreement.”

He said unnecessary disturbances, but Zhuge Yeon’s thoughts were more resolute than that.

‘We must never let him leave the Murim Alliance.’

Zhuge Yeon thought with a firm expression.

‘That’s like releasing an uncontrollable beast into the wild.’

What would happen if the successor of the Sword Saint was expelled from the Murim Alliance?

Immediately, it would damage Shin Seung’s authority.

But the problem was what came next.

The ‘successor of the Sword Saint,’ no longer affiliated with the Murim Alliance, might come to the great clans, such as the Zhuge Clan, and formally request a duel with the head of the clan.

In that case, no one could refuse the duel.

The moment they refused, the head of the clan would be branded a coward, and the Zhuge Clan’s reputation would be dragged through the mud.

However, accepting the duel was also absolutely impossible.

Although Zhuge Yeon’s faith in the head of the clan was unwavering, there was no reason to take risks against the ‘successor of the Sword Saint.’

‘No, even if it’s not our Zhuge Clan….’

There were many renowned clans in the Jianghu.

If the successor of the Sword Saint began to defeat the heads of famous clans and gain a reputation, people would quickly gather.

With just one capable strategist added, the successor of the Sword Saint would immediately form a large force.

The name ‘Sword Saint’ already had enough influence to do that.

‘On top of that.’

If even Shin Seung joined the successor of the Sword Saint, the Murim Alliance would face the worst possible opponent.

Zhuge Yeon suddenly shuddered at this thought.

‘It would truly be a nightmare.’

The worst nightmare.

So, they must never let him out.

But they couldn’t put him in a key position within the Murim Alliance either.

‘Neither too close nor too far.’

That was the wisest, and the only possible, solution.

While Zhuge Yeon was solidifying his intentions, Tang Xue Lian, the Snowflower of the Tang Clan, bit her lip.

Crack.

Tang Xue Lian could tell that the tide had turned, or rather, had already been decided.

With the Black Tortoise Society and the Zhuge Clan acting like that, there was no way that condemnation or criticism of Shin Seung would come out.

Moreover, Zhuge Yeon counterattacked, saying that Tang Xue Lian’s proposal was an unnecessary disturbance.

‘I’ve been had.’

Tang Xue Lian had no choice but to admit that her plan had failed.

But there was also something she couldn’t understand.

‘How did those two….’

Tang Xue Lian looked at Mook Hyul-yeop and Zhuge Yeon with sharp eyes.

Changing attitudes based on gains and losses was commonplace in the Murim Alliance.

However, it was extremely rare for the Black Tortoise Society and the Zhuge Clan to agree.

So much so that even Tang Xue Lian had not anticipated it.

But at that moment, Zhuge Yeon and Mook Hyul-yeop were thinking something completely different from Tang Xue Lian’s expectations.

‘Tsk.’

‘Hmm.’

Mook Hyul-yeop clicked his tongue inwardly, and Zhuge Yeon frowned.

But the content they thought of next was the same.

‘They already knew.’

The blatant opposition just now was by no means a thoughtless decision.

It meant that they had both arrived at the truth about the ‘successor of the Sword Saint.’

That truth would soon be known to the other representatives as well.

There were no secrets in the world, and even less so in the Murim Alliance.

‘Leaving him alone is the only solution.’

Zhuge Yeon smiled wryly.

The other representatives who learned the truth would also reach the same conclusion.

If he wanted to be a clerk, they had to let him be a clerk.

Although it was like holding a beast in their arms, they couldn’t let it loose in the wild.

They didn’t know what kind of monster he would become and return as later.

“Then, the Tang Clan’s proposal…”

Zhuge Yeon opened his mouth without even looking at Tang Xue Lian.

“…seeing as there is no reason, I will reject it.”

Tang Xue Lian’s expression visibly distorted, and Mook Hyul-yeop of the Black Tortoise Society snorted.

With this, the attempt to expel ‘him’ and shake Shin Seung’s authority was thwarted.

Tang Xue Lian had been defeated.

‘But this won’t be the end.’

Zhuge Yeon thought, glancing at Tang Xue Lian’s distorted expression.

The Murim Alliance was a den of intrigue.

Even if ‘his’ sword was extremely high, the Murim Alliance was not a place that could be navigated with that alone.

In this place where power, greed, suspicion, and secret schemes wriggled, what kind of figure would the successor of the Sword Saint become?

Even Zhuge Yeon could not dare to predict that.

“Then, I will conclude the meeting here.”

Zhuge Yeon confirmed that there were no objections and gathered his documents.

The other representatives also rose from their seats, carrying the final approval for the establishment of the Murim Alliance branches.

Although there was a brief commotion at the end, the core of this meeting was the change in the Murim Alliance.

Tang Xue Lian watched the representatives leave with an uncomfortable expression.

‘…What happened?’

She didn’t know the details, but one thing was clear.

The Zhuge Clan and the Black Tortoise Society had decided not to touch Yun Hyun, the successor of the Sword Saint.

What on earth had made them make such a decision?

‘Hmph, but anyway….’

It was different from what she had expected, but it didn’t matter.

Tang Xue Lian’s plan was still in place, and the successor of the Sword Saint would soon face her test.

Rustle.

Tang Xue Lian gathered her documents and rose from her seat.

As Tang Xue Lian inadvertently raised her head, her beautiful face contorted.

It was because Yeong Ho-jun, the Plum Blossom Sword, was sending her a smile.

It was an attractive smile that anyone could fall for, but Tang Xue Lian’s frowning eyebrows did not smooth out.

“Hmph.”

Ignoring Yeong Ho-jun’s sarcasm with a short snort, Tang Xue Lian quickly left the Great Hall.