Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 166

166. Turns Out He Was a Good Person

‘Ugh. What on earth is going on?’

Jegeal Giho was inwardly perplexed.

He never imagined ‘that Unhyun’ would be such an ordinary-looking fellow.

As a secretary, his scholarly attire was understandable, but it hardly matched the title of ‘successor to the Sword Saint.’

And to think, the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang?!

He was a master of extreme sword energy manifestation and the most talked-about figure in the Jegeal Clan recently. Why would he participate as a mere guard?

It was no wonder Jegeal Giho was taken aback.

Just then, Gwanjibu spoke.

“Here are the Martial Alliance’s letter and gifts to be delivered to Bukhae.”

Gwanjibu respectfully presented a small box wrapped in luxurious silk.

“Ah, yes.”

Unhyun responded absentmindedly.

At that moment, Jegeal Giho quickly stepped forward.

Swoosh.

“I’ll take care of that.”

Contrary to his seemingly dull appearance, Jegeal Giho’s movements were quite swift.

Usually, such tasks were handled by the vice-envoy, but there was no reason to object since the chief envoy, Jegeal Giho, offered to do it.

Besides, for Unhyun, the setting sun sword hanging on his back was already heavy enough.

“Shall we depart now, then?”

At Unhyun’s words, Jegeal Giho quickly nodded.

“Y-yes, let’s.”

Unhyun tilted his head at his flustered demeanor.

‘He’s supposed to be a good person, but did I misunderstand someone?’

Pyeoneo had clearly said that Jegeal Giho was a good person.

However, to Unhyun, he seemed more like a fussy and strange person.

‘If the chief envoy is like that on the way to Bukhae, it’s a bit unsettling as the vice-envoy…….’

With Unhyun’s worries, the group boarded the prepared carriage.

Chief Envoy Jegeal Giho and Vice-Envoy Unhyun rode inside, while the guard, Dokgo Rang, took the driver’s seat.

Gwanjibu and Byeon Giryang stood side by side, bowing respectfully.

“Have a safe trip. We hope for good results.”

Unhyun lightly waved his hand out the window in response.

“Giddy up!”

Clatter, clatter.

With the coachman’s cry, the carriage slowly began to move.

The journey to the distant land beyond the border, Bukhae, had now begun.

***

The delegation’s carriage smoothly traveled along the wide main road.

They stopped at inns in the evening to rest and woke up early in the morning to hasten their journey.

Dokgo Rang sat in the driver’s seat, silently guarding the surroundings.

Thanks to him, the coachman was on pins and needles, but after a few days, he seemed to get used to it.

However, he was very bored due to the lack of someone to talk to.

Clatter, clatter.

“Secretary Unhyun, where are you affiliated?”

Unhyun turned his head at the sudden voice.

Jegeal Giho, who looked like he was dying of boredom, had finally spoken to Unhyun.

It was inevitable.

It had already been three days since they departed, and there had been almost no proper conversation during that time.

“I am affiliated with the Guest Services Division.”

Unhyun replied.

“Come to think of it, I heard that the chief envoy is from the Jegeal Clan…….”

“Just call me comfortably. What’s the point of distinguishing between chief and vice when it’s just the two of us?” Jegeal Giho waved his hand.

‘Well, rank is still important…….’

That’s what Unhyun thought, but he decided to do as the chief envoy wished anyway.

“Are you well-versed in formations or academics, Young Master Jegeal?”

Unhyun decided to call him Young Master Jegeal for now.

Jegeal Giho sighed and shook his head.

“I’m a bit of a blockhead, so I’m not good at that kind of thing. Besides, I have so many smart siblings.”

Jegeal Giho said with a grin.

“I just do a little bit of everything.”

“I see.”

Unhyun smiled and said to Jegeal Giho, who had a kind smile.

“Still, aren’t you called polymathic [having expertise in many different fields of study]? Knowing one thing deeply is good, but knowing many things broadly is also important.”

At those words, Jegeal Giho’s eyes lit up.

It felt different to hear such words from the ‘successor to the Sword Saint,’ someone who had only pursued the sword.

“I heard that Secretary Unhyun is knowledgeable in academics.”

At Jegeal Giho’s words, Unhyun gave a bitter smile.

“Rather than being knowledgeable in academics…”

Unhyun sighed and continued.

“I just know how to do well on exams.”

The days when the civil service examination assessed academic achievement were long gone.

Now, it was more important to strictly adhere to the prescribed format and rules so as not to offend the examiners.

Even a small mistake could render years of study useless, and not a single character could be added or subtracted according to one’s own will.

Therefore, Unhyun’s statement that he knew how to do well on exams rather than being knowledgeable in academics was absolutely correct.

Unhyun was the one who knew that better than anyone else.

“Oh, is that so?”

The burly Jegeal Giho shrugged his shoulders.

“Still, isn’t it amazing to pass the civil service examination? It’s not easy to come out of the Jegeal Clan, you know.”

Unhyun smiled bitterly.

It wasn’t just passing, but being at the top.

However, he didn’t want to point that out.

“I was just lucky.”

Clatter, clatter.

Was it because of the emptiness that washed over him?

Unhyun unknowingly turned his head to look out the window.

Jegeal Giho watched Unhyun and his eyes sparkled.

‘Successor to the Sword Saint…….’

His eldest brother, Jegeal Yeon, said that he was the successor to the Sword Saint.

When Jegeal Giho heard that story, his heart raced.

No, anyone who wielded a sword would have felt that way.

Sword Saint.

A living legend with a single sword, Hanwol.

There were many who revered him and countless who opposed him, but no one could ever ignore him.

That was the Sword Saint.

If the fact that he had a successor became known, the world would inevitably be shaken.

That was the weight of the name Sword Saint.

It was more than understandable that the Martial Alliance kept it a secret.

‘But.’

The Sword Saint’s successor was very different from Jegeal Giho’s expectations.

No, there wasn’t even one similar aspect.

Rather, his guard, the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang, was more suited to be the ‘successor to the Sword Saint.’

‘It’s amazing that he even has the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang as a guard, but…’

A master of extreme sword energy manifestation who appeared like a comet and a lone wolf wandering the world.

That was the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang.

However, Dokgo Rang’s attitude toward Unhyun was like a subordinate treating his lord.

At this point, it was definitely not just a simple guard.

In the first place, it didn’t make sense for the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang to be a guard.

Furthermore, Unhyun treated Dokgo Rang familiarly, calling him ‘Dokgo, brother.’

For Jegeal Giho, who was born and raised in the Jegeal Clan with its strict hierarchy, it was a fresh shock.

‘His aura is definitely unusual, but…….’

Jegeal Giho was also one of the promising young talents.

There was no way he wouldn’t know the aura that naturally flowed from Unhyun.

The problem was that the aura wasn’t that great.

It didn’t seem that outstanding compared to the Lone Wolf Dokgo Rang, let alone Jegeal Giho himself.

‘It can’t be the realm of returning to simplicity from extreme skill in myths, either.’

It was said that if one became an amazing master and reached the pinnacle, they would appear ordinary.

However, Unhyun’s current appearance was definitely far from ordinary.

‘I don’t know.’

Jegeal Giho shook his head.

It was then.

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

Unhyun asked.

Jegeal Giho realized he had been lost in thought for too long.

“It’s not really a worry, but…….”

Jegeal Giho quickly changed the subject.

“How about stopping by the main family on the way? It would be a bit of a detour, but it wouldn’t affect the schedule…….”

Before he could finish speaking, Jegeal Giho knew that Unhyun would agree.

“The main family, you mean the Jegeal Clan?”

Unhyun’s eyes sparkled with undisguised curiosity.

“Yes, the Jegeal Clan.”

Although he was in the Martial Alliance, the world of martial arts was still an unknown and longed-for place for Unhyun.

Especially the martial arts clans like the Jegeal Clan, it couldn’t help but pique Unhyun’s interest.

“Would it be okay for me to go?”

“Of course.”

Jegeal Giho said with a kind and generous smile.

“You are welcome anytime, Secretary Unhyun.”

At those words, Unhyun smiled.

It was the brightest and most radiant smile Jegeal Giho had ever seen.

Looking at that smile, Jegeal Giho muttered inwardly.

‘Damn it, I prepared more than ten excuses.’

If he had known it would be this easy, he wouldn’t have worried.

Anyway, it was a good thing it worked out.

‘If we go to the main family, I might be able to get a grasp of Unhyun’s identity.’

In the Jegeal Clan, there was the head of the family, Gentleman Sword Jegeal Myeong.

He would surely reveal what kind of person this mysterious secretary was.

That’s what Jegeal Giho expected.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage sped along the wide main road without stopping.

Bukhae was far away, but Jinan in Shandong Province, where the Jegeal Clan was located, was still a long way off.

***

The group’s carriage smoothly headed towards the Jegeal Clan.

Whether it was thanks to the Martial Alliance’s flag or Dokgo Rang’s gaze, there were no daring robbers who caused trouble for the carriage.

And before they knew it, the carriage was entering Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province.

“Jinan is in sight!”

The coachman said with a particularly cheerful voice.

In Jinan, he would be able to meet a better conversational partner than the taciturn Dokgo Rang, at least.

“So this is Jinan, Young Master Jegeal.”

At Unhyun’s words, Jegeal Giho also looked out with a proud expression.

“Yes. It’s a very good place. Much more than you think, Secretary Unhyun. Haha.”

Unhyun and Jegeal Giho had become quite comfortable talking to each other.

There was nothing to do but talk on the boring carriage ride, and Jegeal Giho was very sociable.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Jinan was a historic ancient city.

Unhyun’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the old-fashioned buildings passing by outside the window.

It was as if scenes from history that he had only seen in books were flashing before his eyes.

“Jinan is a key point in Shandong. The amount of goods and people passing through here every year is by no means small. It will continue to develop in the future.”

As Jegeal Giho said.

As the carriage entered the city center, splendid and bustling buildings began to appear.

“But is the clan located in the middle of the city?”

Unhyun asked with a puzzled expression.

The estates of large clans were usually built a little outside the city.

However, the carriage kept going into more bustling areas.

“It wasn’t originally, but…”

Jegeal Giho said with a grin.

“It is said that the place where the Jegeal Clan settled became the most bustling place. The center of Jinan is our Jegeal Clan.”

It was a rather arrogant statement.

However, it was also an undeniable fact in Jinan.

“Is that so? That’s amazing.”

At Unhyun’s words, Jegeal Giho’s expression became even prouder.

It was then.

“Whoa! Whoa!”

The coachman slowed down and soon the carriage stopped.

Jegeal Giho asked the coachman.

“Why are you stopping?”

“Well, the road is very congested.”

Unhyun leaned out and looked at the front of the carriage.

A tall gate that appeared to be the main gate of the Jegeal Clan could be seen in the distance, and people and carriages were crowded around.

It was no wonder the carriage had stopped.

“Didn’t I tell you to put the clan’s flag on the carriage?”

The coachman then made an ‘ah’ expression.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

The coachman hurriedly took out a small flag and attached it to the carriage.

Then the surroundings buzzed and people and carriages began to move aside.

The road was cleared at once with just one flag.

‘Hoo.’

Unhyun was surprised, but Jegeal Giho said to the coachman as if it were natural.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes. Giddy up!”

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The carriage slowly moved forward.

It was inevitable that people and carriages would be inconvenienced by clearing the road in the originally crowded street.

However, no one complained.

Rather, there were even people who bowed to the carriage.

It was a scene that directly showed the power of the Jegeal Clan in Jinan.

It was when Unhyun was looking at the scene with a somewhat complicated feeling.

“Just a moment.”

Unhyun turned his head at the sudden voice of a young woman.