Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 120

120. An Unpleasant Reunion

Thump.

Namgung Jincheon slammed his fist on the table once more.

The faces of those in the Council Hall reflected dismay.

Since the end of the Great Righteous War, no disciple of the Namgung Clan had ever been killed outside.

Yet, that impossible event had occurred today.

Grit.

“Who is the culprit?”

The Clan Lord asked through gritted teeth.

The Head of the Outer Clan quickly bowed his head and replied,

“The ones who ambushed the subjugation squad were about thirty martial artists. The bandits called themselves the Hwangcheon Group [Yellow Sky Group] and their martial arts skills were comparable to those of the main family’s First Generation Disciples.”

A murmur spread throughout the Council Hall.

The Namgung Clan’s First Generation Disciples were virtually at a high level in the Jianghu [martial world].

Of course, they weren’t quite at the level of top experts, but no one could disregard them, except for the heads and elders of various sects.

Namgung Gwan, who led the subjugation squad this time, was a First Generation Disciple.

If there were thirty such individuals, it was no wonder the subjugation squad was annihilated.

“Is that true? Really comparable to the First Generation Disciples?”

Someone asked, half in doubt.

The Head of the Outer Clan lowered his head and answered,

“It is the testimony of a Second Generation Disciple of the main family who was at the scene. Considering the damage suffered by the subjugation squad, it would have been impossible otherwise.”

Silence fell in the Council Hall.

And after a moment, someone said quietly,

“There must be someone behind them.”

That was what everyone was thinking.

A mere band of thieves could not have annihilated the Namgung Clan’s subjugation squad and killed a First Generation Disciple.

The question was, who was behind them?

“Clan Lord.”

The Head of the Inner Clan said quietly,

“This is an issue that could bring serious repercussions to the entire Jianghu [martial world]. You must consider it deeply before acting.”

The only ones with the power to kill disciples of the Namgung Clan were, in effect, the Eighteen Great Sects of the Martial Alliance.

There was a risk of an all-out war between sects within the Martial Alliance.

It was only natural that the Head of the Inner Clan requested caution.

However, that was not the case for the Clan Lord, Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon.

“The Clan’s disciples are dead.”

Namgung Jincheon said with angry eyes.

“And you’re telling me to be patient?”

“But Clan Lord…….”

“The Namgung Clan is the Sword King Clan!”

Namgung Jincheon did not listen to the Head of the Inner Clan.

“If a mountain blocks our path, we cut down the mountain, and if the sea blocks our way, we split the sea! But the elders of the Namgung Clan are just sitting here talking!”

No one in the Council Hall could respond to Namgung Jincheon’s words.

Namgung Jincheon glared at them and declared,

“No matter who is behind this, I will surely avenge the blood of the Namgung Clan! Head of the Outer Clan!”

Namgung Byeok, the large Head of the Outer Clan, bowed his head.

“Prepare a subjugation squad! The size will be the same as before, but this time, it will be composed only of the Clan’s disciples!”

A look of surprise flashed across the faces of the people.

Composing a subjugation squad of one hundred and twenty disciples solely from the Clan meant that the Namgung Clan was putting all its strength into this matter.

It also meant that Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon’s feelings about this matter were extraordinary, but it was not something to be decided lightly.

“Clan Lord, if so many disciples move, the Gongsun Clan and the Wudang Sect will not stand still.”

“That’s right. Moreover, using all our strength against a band of thieves would be a problem for the Clan’s prestige…….”

“The Clan’s prestige, you say?”

Namgung Jincheon said in an angry voice.

“Disciples are dead, and you speak of the Clan’s prestige? Hasn’t our prestige already fallen to the ground!”

Thud.

Namgung Jincheon, who had risen from his seat, shouted loudly,

“I, Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon, will not rest until I have appeased the spirits of my brothers with the blood of the culprits!”

Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon said, emitting a blue aura from his eyes.

Everyone in the Council Hall knew that the Clan Lord would never change his mind.

Swish.

One by one, everyone in the Council Hall rose from their seats.

They paid their respects to the Clan Lord and said in unison,

“We will follow the Clan Lord’s will.”

Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon looked down at them with gleaming eyes.

The furious energy of Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon filled the Namgung Clan’s Council Hall.

***

The news of the Jang River inevitably reached the Hangzhou Martial Alliance.

People were surprised and gossiped about the changes in the Jang River.

They also debated how the Namgung Clan would react in the future.

However, for most people, the events in the Jang River were just one of many surprising news items that had nothing to do with them.

Especially for the incredibly busy new clerks.

“Greetings.”

Early in the morning, Unhyun entered the Guest Hall and bowed politely.

Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang, who were already there, responded to Unhyun’s greeting.

“You’re……here?”

“Ah, you’re here?”

Two greetings, one semi-formal and one formal, came out simultaneously. The former was from Gwan Jibu, and the latter was from Byeon Giryang.

Unhyun gave an awkward smile and slightly lowered his head.

Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang also lowered their heads again.

After exchanging a few awkward greetings, Unhyun went to his seat.

‘It’s still early…….’

Unhyun glanced at Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang and sighed inwardly.

The place where Unhyun was officially assigned in the Martial Alliance was this Guest Hall.

On his first day of work, recalling his past experiences, Unhyun came to work quite early.

He didn’t want to be late this time.

However, Unhyun met Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang, who had come even earlier.

The next day, Unhyun hurried even more, and Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang came even earlier.

After several days of gradually advancing the start time, it eventually returned to normal when Unhyun gave up.

He would have had to give up his training and come in otherwise.

‘But I can’t give up training.’

Unhyun sighed.

That wasn’t the only problem.

On his first day of work, Gwan Jibu and Byeon Giryang treated Unhyun very politely, as if he were their superior.

Unhyun declined, saying it was okay, but neither Gwan Jibu nor Byeon Giryang listened.

In particular, Byeon Giryang did not stop using honorifics to Unhyun, saying, ‘How can I, who only came in a little earlier, claim to be your superior?’

Since Byeon Giryang and Unhyun were equal in terms of position, there was no justification for refusing.

In the end, Gwan Jibu agreed to use a semi-formal tone, and Byeon Giryang agreed to use mutual honorifics.

Flip.

Sitting down, Unhyun opened the Guest Hall log.

‘The people coming today are……, five from the Namgung Clan alone.’

The Guest Hall’s job was to greet and manage those who visited the Martial Alliance.

Recently, perhaps because of the events in the Jang River, the Namgung Clan had been visiting the Martial Alliance frequently.

There were more than a few things to discuss and coordinate with other sects.

‘Namgung Clan…….’

Unhyun suddenly thought of Namgung Biyeon of the Namgung Clan, the opponent who competed against Pajinhan of the Namhae Sword Sect at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.

Her flexible yet sharp swordsmanship had left a good impression on Unhyun.

‘Come to think of it, it hasn’t been that long.’

When you think about it, not much time has passed since the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.

However, the fact that it felt like a long time ago meant that the situation had changed greatly.

Moreover, now that he had become a clerk in the Martial Alliance, he even missed the freedom he had back then.

In fact, he had been quite stressed at the time due to quitting his official position and the uncertainty of the future.

‘People’s minds are truly…….’

Clack.

Closing the Guest Hall log, Unhyun gave a bitter smile.

***

The people of the Namgung Clan arrived at the Martial Alliance around lunchtime.

As if to show the Clan’s status, they arrived proudly at the Martial Alliance’s main gate in a large and luxurious carriage.

“Welcome.”

Gwan Jibu greeted them with a bright smile on his face.

His attire and attitude clearly conveyed the atmosphere of welcoming distinguished guests.

The Namgung Clan people entered the Guest Hall, following Gwan Jibu with satisfied expressions.

“This is the Guest Hall. Please wait here for a moment, and I will bring Grandmaster Namgung Hyeon soon.”

The person to greet the Namgung Clan people first was naturally Namgung Hyeon, the representative of the Namgung Clan.

Gwan Jibu left his seat, and the Namgung Clan people drank the prepared tea and relieved the fatigue of their journey.

It was then.

“Oh, who is this?”

A young man from the Namgung Clan, who was sitting down, said to Unhyun.

Unhyun, who was sitting in his seat, raised his head, and the young man continued,

“I didn’t expect to find a man of high spirit here.”

It was clearly a mockery.

And Unhyun recognized who the young man from the Namgung Clan was.

It was Namgung Sanghyuk, who participated as a promising disciple of the Namgung Clan at the last Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.

He had insisted that Pajinhan of the Namhae Sword Sect had used underhanded tactics when he won the match, and he had a major falling out with Unhyun, who scolded him for it.

“This is quite a pleasant surprise, isn’t it? Hahahaha.”

In Namgung Sanghyuk’s eyes, the animosity he had shown that day was blatantly gleaming.

“Disciple, do you know him?”

One of the Namgung Clan’s group asked Namgung Sanghyuk.

“I met him when I came to the last Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, Senior Brother.”

“Is that so?”

At Namgung Sanghyuk’s words, he glanced at Unhyun once and then turned his head again.

Even Byeon Giryang, who was in charge of the Guest Hall, was not the object of his attention, so there was no way he would pay attention to a clerk like Unhyun.

However, Namgung Sanghyuk continued with a sneer,

“Hmm, a clerk in the Martial Alliance…… That’s a good choice.”

Namgung Sanghyuk nodded, looking up and down at Unhyun.

“It’s a truly cunning choice, befitting a scholar who has read many books. Well, it’s a good thing. Now you can avoid being killed by my hand. Hahaha.”

He had told Unhyun, ‘The day you step on the Namgung Clan’s land will be the day of your memorial service.’

At that time, Unhyun had retorted, ‘I am not afraid of the sword of someone who has no pride.’

His thoughts have not changed even now.

However, Unhyun did not respond. It was not because he had nothing to say, but because he was not worth talking to.

However, Namgung Sanghyuk was persistent.

“Come to think of it, where did that haughty young lady of the Northern Sea Palace go?”

Namgung Sanghyuk looked around as if he was looking for someone, then smiled at Unhyun.

“Now that you’ve lost the skirt she was protecting you with, shouldn’t you quickly find someone else? Hahahaha.”

He laughed as if he was quite pleased.

Perhaps he was enjoying openly mocking Unhyun.

However, Unhyun completely ignored Namgung Sanghyuk’s words.

Dealing with such a person was a disgusting thing in itself.

The person who turned pale was someone else entirely.

It was Byeon Giryang.

“Ah, well…….”

Byeon Giryang looked back and forth between Unhyun and Namgung Sanghyuk with an anxious expression.

“That’s enough, Disciple.”

Just then, one of the Namgung Clan’s people stopped Namgung Sanghyuk.

“We didn’t come here to play.”

Namgung Sanghyuk’s expression immediately hardened.

“I understand, Senior Brother.”

With his Senior Brother’s one word, Namgung Sanghyuk shut his mouth.

Byeon Giryang breathed a sigh of relief.

But it didn’t last long.

“Hey.”

Namgung Sanghyuk said to Unhyun.

“Is the accommodation ready?”

Byeon Giryang immediately answered.

“Of course. Whenever you want…….”

“Guide me.”

Thump.

Namgung Sanghyuk got up from his seat.

His Senior Brother frowned, but Namgung Sanghyuk said with a nonchalant expression.

“I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’ll greet Great Senior Brother separately.”

Namgung Sanghyuk turned his head towards the middle-aged martial artist who was leading the group.

“It’s okay, right? Uncle.”

The middle-aged martial artist, who was called Uncle, glanced at Namgung Sanghyuk and said in a heavy voice.

“Do as you please.”

“Thank you.”

Namgung Sanghyuk smiled brightly.

Regardless of his Senior Brother’s frowning face, he walked towards Unhyun.

“What are you doing? I told you to guide me.”

His Senior Brother, who was watching, sighed.

Everyone could tell that Namgung Sanghyuk had something against Unhyun.

But this was the Martial Alliance.

He shouldn’t act recklessly as Namgung Sanghyuk usually did.

“Disciple. This is…….”

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother.”

Namgung Sanghyuk said with a smile.

“Do you think I would draw my sword against a clerk like him?”

Turning his head to look at Unhyun, Namgung Sanghyuk grinned.

“Someone like this weakling, who looks like he’ll cough up blood and die if I just nudge him.”

The Senior Brother frowned.

However, Namgung Sanghyuk refused to back down, and the middle-aged martial artist, who was the person in charge and the oldest, remained silent.

So, he couldn’t say anything more.

“Grandmaster, I will guide you to the accommodation…….”

Byeon Giryang stepped forward. However, Namgung Sanghyuk hardened his face.

“I told him to guide me. Are you daring to ignore my words?”

Byeon Giryang’s face turned blue.

Namgung Sanghyuk’s energy was not something that an ordinary person like him could handle.

Thump.

Unhyun got up from his seat.

“I will guide you.”

Unhyun said, looking straight at Namgung Sanghyuk.

A triumphant smile spread across Namgung Sanghyuk’s lips, but Unhyun’s expression remained calm.