Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 127

127. Everyone Has Secrets

“They’re leaving?”

Moyong Dancheon, the head of the Moyong Family, nodded at Moyong Mi’s question.

“Yes. They are preparing to depart now. It seems they intend to investigate the letter held by Godokgaek [literally ‘Lone Guest’], Dokgo-rang.”

“He will be leaving with them, too, right?”

Moyong Dancheon knew who Moyong Mi was referring to.

“Of course.”

Moyong Mi paused, then spoke with a serious expression.

“Please request that I accompany the investigation team.”

Moyong Dancheon asked with a puzzled look.

“What are you saying? You want to go with them?”

“Yes. I saw the letter myself, so I can be of assistance to their investigation.”

“But, why?”

Moyong Dancheon didn’t understand.

Moyong Mi’s presence would indeed be helpful to their investigation.

But was there a need to help them?

“There’s something I want to confirm. Not with the investigation team, but with him.”

Moyong Mi hadn’t reported to Moyong Dancheon, the family head, about the possibility of Unhyun being the Azure Dragon Sword Lord himself.

It might just be her own speculation.

Moyong Dancheon was lost in thought for a moment.

He, too, didn’t want to let Unhyun go like this.

And it wasn’t just Moyong Dancheon or Moyong Mi who felt that way.

“I will go with you as well.”

Moyong Jin, who was standing beside them, spoke up.

“Brother.”

Moyong Mi looked surprised, but Moyong Jin was serious.

“The Murim Alliance’s investigation team is not to be taken lightly. Especially Dang Seol-ryeon, who seems to be wary of Master Unhyun. Considering the possibilities, it’s dangerous for Mi’er [a familiar, affectionate way to call someone] to go alone.”

“Jin is right.”

Moyong Dancheon nodded.

He looked at Moyong Mi and Moyong Jin and said,

“Go together. And protect that man.”

Considering the level of Unhyun’s martial prowess that Moyong Jin had witnessed, it was absurd to think that the two of them could protect him.

However, more hands were always better than one, and one could never live in the world alone.

Especially in the world of Murim [martial arts world].

“Yes, I understand.”

Moyong Mi and Moyong Jin spoke almost simultaneously.

With firm expressions, they bowed their heads and accepted the head of the family’s command.

***

Clatter, clatter.

Yeongho-jun, riding in the carriage, was half-dozing off.

Dang Seol-ryeon’s gaze, as she watched him, was naturally not pleasant.

“Why did you allow them to accompany us?”

Yeongho-jun, who seemed to be dozing, replied.

“Well, of course……”

“If you’re going to say it’s because it seemed interesting, then don’t bother.”

Yeongho-jun gave a wry smile.

“Don’t you think you’re hiding too much from me?”

“Me? Ahaam.”

Yeongho-jun yawned and moved his neck from side to side.

“Yes. From the composition of the investigation team to allowing them to accompany us, and even going to the Shaolin Temple in the first place.”

Dang Seol-ryeon said with a sharp glint in her eyes.

“What exactly are you hiding?”

Yeongho-jun was a famous playboy in Hangzhou.

Known for his eccentric and dissolute lifestyle, Dang Seol-ryeon knew his true colors.

That’s why she constantly suspected his intentions.

“I allowed them to accompany us because I’m weak to the requests of beautiful women.”

Yeongho-jun said in a calm voice, looking at Dang Seol-ryeon.

Although he looked like he had just woken up from a nap, his naturally handsome face was enough to captivate anyone.

Except for Dang Seol-ryeon in front of him.

“The reason I suggested going to the Shaolin Temple was in the hopes of finding something worthwhile, and as for why I suggested forming an investigation team.”

Yeongho-jun smiled faintly.

It was a smile as beautiful as a painting.

“It’s a secret. Just like the reason you’re accompanying us is also a secret.”

Dang Seol-ryeon paused.

“And I won’t bother asking the real reason you insisted on investigating Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang.”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, winked one eye.

“Everyone has secrets. Ah, but this carriage is too uncomfortable.”

Muttering, Yeongho-jun crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and leaned back.

Even as she watched him acting like a lazy loafer, Dang Seol-ryeon couldn’t hide her tension.

‘He already knew?’

Dang Seol-ryeon bit her lip slightly.

Yeongho-jun said he wouldn’t ask, but it was clear that he had noticed Dang Seol-ryeon’s intentions.

No, it would be stranger if someone as intelligent as Yeongho-jun didn’t know.

Just as Dang Seol-ryeon knew Yeongho-jun, Yeongho-jun also knew Dang Seol-ryeon’s true colors.

‘But the fact that he’s just letting it go, does that mean he has a plan, or does it mean he trusts ‘him’ that much?’

Dang Seol-ryeon turned her head.

Moyong Mi and Moyong Jin, each on horseback, were visible beside the roofless carriage carrying the attendants.

And Unhyun was sitting inside that carriage.

Dang Seol-ryeon frowned without realizing it at the sight of him leisurely looking at the passing scenery.

It was, in a way, an amazing talent to ruin the mood of Dang Seol-ryeon, who was known as the Ice Flower of the Dang Family, just by being there.

Clatter, clatter.

With the monotonous sound of hooves, Yeongho-jun nodded off and began to doze.

Yeongho-jun dozing in the front and Unhyun enjoying the scenery in the back.

Thanks to the two men, the mood of Dang Seol-ryeon, the Ice Flower of the Dang Family, worsened even more.

“The young lady Dang is glaring, you know?”

Moyong Jin, who was riding a horse, said quietly.

“Pretend you don’t notice.”

Moyong Mi replied without even looking at Dang Seol-ryeon.

“She’s not looking at us.”

“I know that, but still.”

Moyong Jin glanced at Unhyun sitting inside the carriage.

Unhyun, who happened to meet his gaze, smiled and raised his hand.

Moyong Jin also lightly bowed his head in response.

“Where are we going now?”

Moyong Jin’s question was directed at Moyong Mi.

“We’re going to Cheoljeong Mountain in Shandong Province. I heard that Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang, will appear there.”

“I’ve heard of Godokgaek, but……”

The name of Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang, was quite famous.

His name, as he continued to win challenges against the prominent sects of Anhui Province, was bound to become famous for better or for worse.

Until he disappeared from sight.

“How did it suddenly turn out like this?”

“Godokgaek hasn’t shown himself in the world of Murim for a while.”

Moyong Mi’s answer was without hesitation.

As the head of the outer hall, she was already aware of the rumors surrounding Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang.

“Then, recently, he issued a challenge to Taeheo Gate in Shandong Province.”

“Taeheo Gate? If it’s Taeheo Gate, then certainly……”

That was a sect that Moyong Jin had also heard of.

“Yes. It’s the largest sect among those based in Mount Tai. Unlike what’s known as a Taoist sect, there are many rumors behind the scenes. They claim to be the overlords of Shandong Province, but their influence doesn’t extend beyond the Mount Tai area.”

“I see.”

Moyong Jin nodded.

“It seems that Godokgaek was in that Mount Tai. He must have chosen Taeheo Gate as the first sacrifice to set foot in the world of Murim again.”

Mount Tai was a famous mountain where most of the year was shrouded in mist.

If Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang, had been training his sword alone, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have been in Mount Tai.

“What about the rumor that he possesses a peerless secret manual?”

Moyong Mi wore a slight sneer.

“The head of Taeheo Gate probably spread it. Thanks to that, the fact that he couldn’t even withstand a single sword strike from Godokgaek was definitely buried.”

“A single sword strike to the head of Taeheo Gate?”

Moyong Jin asked back in surprise.

The head of Taeheo Gate was a fairly well-known figure in Shandong Province.

There were rumors that he could perform Taoist magic, and there were some absurd aspects, but at least in terms of martial arts, he was comparable to Cheol Mu-woong, the former head of the Cheol Family.

“A single sword strike is just a rumor. But it’s a clear fact that he defeated him.”

“Hoo.”

Moyong Jin felt a subtle sense of competition rising within him.

A man who suddenly appeared, defeated the strong with a single sword, and disappeared.

Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang, was certainly an interesting subject for those who wielded swords.

“Godokgaek is now cornered. It’s not easy for even a strong wolf to face a pack of wild dogs blinded by greed alone.”

Moyong Jin nodded.

“So, that’s why he’s in Mount Tai?”

“Not now. I told you, he’s being chased.”

Moyong Mi said with a faint smile.

“Considering his past movements and the location of the pursuers, we’ll probably meet him around Cheoljeong Mountain.”

Moyong Jin smiled at her confident words.

“I see. If my sister says so, then it will definitely be so.”

Moyong Mi looked at Moyong Jin at his words that conveyed absolute trust.

However, Moyong Jin was already sparkling with anticipation of meeting Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang.

“Godokgaek……”

Moyong Jin muttered quietly.

It seemed that his competitive spirit had already been ignited.

Moyong Mi let out a chuckle and looked at Unhyun sitting in the carriage.

Unhyun also seemed to sense Moyong Mi’s gaze and slightly lowered his head.

Swish.

Moyong Mi bowed her head while riding her horse in response to his gesture.

And she confirmed that Unhyun’s eyes were also sparkling with anticipation.

Just like her brother, Moyong Jin.

‘As expected, he heard everything.’

The conversation between the two continued while they were close to the carriage.

Even if it were someone else, Unhyun wouldn’t have missed the conversation just now.

‘The letter that Godokgaek, Dokgo-rang, has.’

Clatter, clatter.

Moyong Mi thought as she listened to the monotonous sound of hooves.

‘It’s probably from the Azure Dragon Sword Lord. Unlike the other strange letters.’

Moyong Mi could tell.

She knew that different, heterogeneous letters had been sent to the world of Murim since some time ago.

‘Even the Murim Alliance seems to be confusing those letters.’

Moyong Mi had read the Azure Dragon Sword Lord’s letter over and over again.

Now, she could recall not only the sentences but even each letter clearly.

So, when she heard that strange letters had flowed into Suyeo, Moyong Mi could clearly tell.

‘That’s not the Azure Dragon Sword Lord’s letter.’

The Azure Dragon Sword Lord that Moyong Mi had encountered through the letters that came to the family was solely passionate about the sword.

He would never be the kind of person to send letters to bandits to cause chaos in the world of Murim and shake the Murim Alliance.

Unless that bandit had an extraordinary desire for the way of the sword.

Swish.

Moyong Mi turned to look at Unhyun again.

He seemed to be nonchalantly looking at the passing scenery, but Unhyun’s eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

‘……They’re so similar at times. My brother, Scholar Unhyun, and even Sang-ah.’

Moyong Mi suddenly thought that the eyes of the three were very similar.

They were surprisingly intelligent but so bright and pure, like a child whose attempts to hide something were clearly visible.

Moyong Mi smiled without realizing it.

The thought that she might be able to confirm Unhyun’s identity through this incident was already fading away.

***

The investigation team and Moyong Jin and Moyong Mi’s group arrived at Cheoljeong Mountain in Shandong Province around dusk.

“Well, a night hike is not what I desire,” Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, joked, but Dang Seol-ryeon didn’t even pretend to listen.

“If you want to meet him, you should hurry. Godokgaek arrived at this mountain yesterday, I heard. Of course, leading a whole bunch of pursuers.”

Dang Seol-ryeon stepped lightly out of the carriage.

And she called the person with the highest status among the attendants.

“Scout the nearby villages and stand by at the closest one. If an emergency occurs, send a signal as promised in advance.”

The attendant bowed his head and accepted Dang Seol-ryeon’s command.

“Ah, and Secretary Un.”

Dang Seol-ryeon glanced at Unhyun, who was getting out of the carriage, and said.

“He will be going with us, so let it be known.”

“We will go too.”

Moyong Jin, who had approached, said to Dang Seol-ryeon.

Dang Seol-ryeon looked at Moyong Jin and Moyong Mi standing behind him and frowned.

“Do as you please. But I cannot be responsible for your safety.”

Moyong Jin nodded.

Dang Seol-ryeon turned to Yeongho-jun, who had gotten out of the carriage.

“Shall we go now? I’ll be able to witness the famous lightness skill [Qinggong – martial art technique to enhance speed and agility] of Mount Hua again.”

“How can I compare to the Ice Flower of the Dang Family?”

It was when Yeongho-jun was saying that with exaggerated gestures.

“Ah, over there……”

Unhyun said from behind.

When Yeongho-jun and Dang Seol-ryeon turned around, Unhyun asked with a troubled expression.

“What should I do?”

Yeongho-jun said with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean what should you do? Of course, you’re coming with us, aren’t you?”

“But……”

Dang Seol-ryeon’s eyes shot up at Unhyun’s expression that he was in trouble.

“Don’t tell me you mean you won’t accompany us?”

“No, that’s not it.”