Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 205

205. The Grand Martial Arts Tournament

Samgungju’s promise of royal treatment proved accurate.

The accompanying merchant guild was enormous, and Unhyun, Jegal Giho, and Dokgo Rang were indeed treated like royalty.

The carriage prepared for them was so large and spacious that they could comfortably stretch out and relax.

In fact, Jegal Giho was half-reclined on thick furs, enjoying the fruit wine served by a maid.

“Wow, this is truly the life. This is what real luxury feels like,” Jegal Giho said, flashing a smile at the maid.

The maid, with her exotic features, had been specially hired by the guild leader for their exclusive service.

Though they couldn’t communicate verbally, her attentiveness was remarkable, which Jegal Giho greatly appreciated.

“If only we could travel at this pace forever,” he mused.

Even though the group was taking a more circuitous route than on their journey to Bukhae, the merchant guild ensured their utmost safety and comfort.

They were so relaxed in both body and mind, and above all, they had successfully achieved their mission’s primary goal: establishing friendly relations with Bukhae, which made the experience even more rewarding.

Unhyun smiled wryly, gently caressing the teacup in his hand.

Unlike Jegal Giho, Unhyun abstained from alcohol.

Dokgo Rang rarely even touched tea.

“So, Secretary Un, what are your plans upon our return to the Murim Alliance?” Jegal Giho asked, his familiarity now bordering on brazenness.

He treated Unhyun with the casualness of an older brother.

Unhyun, perhaps due to the camaraderie forged during their long journey, didn’t rebuff Jegal Giho’s approach.

At the unexpected question, Unhyun paused thoughtfully.

“Well, I simply wish to live quietly. To practice my sword without deceiving or harming others.”

“Hmm,” Jegal Giho shrugged.

“That’s a rather difficult wish to fulfill.”

“Pardon?” Unhyun inquired, puzzled.

Jegal Giho smiled knowingly.

“Aren’t you aware of what the people in this merchant guild are saying? They’re calling you the God of War of Bukhae.”

Unhyun, failing to grasp the connection, blinked in confusion, prompting Jegal Giho to elaborate.

“They’re referring to Secretary Un as the God of War of Bukhae.”

“Huh?” Unhyun uttered, surprised.

“M-Me?”

In contrast to Unhyun’s bewilderment, Jegal Giho smiled leisurely and gestured for the maid to refill his glass.

The exotic-looking maid promptly obliged.

“No, why would I be…?”

“It’s unavoidable. The people of Bukhae practically worshipped Secretary Un,” Jegal Giho explained.

“W-Well…”

The influence of the ‘Blue Wolf’ title in Bukhae was undeniable.

Even if Unhyun himself didn’t promote it, the merchant guild members couldn’t help but notice how the Bukhae people knelt and paid their respects wherever he went.

“And aren’t you already known as the successor to the Sword Saint?” Jegal Giho added, raising his glass as if in a toast to Unhyun.

“The world is a harsh place. When you acquire a name, envy and jealousy often precede respect. Many are uncomfortable simply with Secretary Un being alive. No, now there will be countless such people in the world.”

Jegal Giho continued casually, draining the remaining wine from his glass.

“Therefore, what Secretary Un will experience in the future will be unlike anything he has encountered before.”

That was undoubtedly true.

Unhyun quietly contemplated the implications of those words.

“Perhaps the time for a choice will soon arrive,” Jegal Giho suddenly added.

When Unhyun looked up, his eyes met Jegal Giho’s.

“It doesn’t matter what you choose. It’s Secretary Un’s prerogative. But once you’ve made up your mind, never look back.”

Jegal Giho spoke with an uncharacteristic seriousness.

“The world of Kangho [The martial arts world] is a place where survival demands sacrifice. Everyone survives by losing an arm or limping on one leg.”

His words resonated deeply within Unhyun.

Jegal Giho concluded quietly.

“This is the only advice I can offer. Though perhaps it’s merely the ramblings of a drunkard.”

Jegal Giho refilled his glass and smiled jovially.

Unhyun nodded silently.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Jegal Giho shrugged.

He then resumed flirting with the maid, despite their inability to understand each other.

After glancing at Dokgo Rang, who remained silently vigilant, Unhyun brought the teacup to his lips.

The future remained uncertain.

He couldn’t foresee what absurd misunderstandings and rumors might arise, or what unimaginable events might unfold.

‘…Is this what Kangho is truly like?’ Unhyun mused, suddenly feeling that the days of longing and fantasy were perhaps preferable.

Thus, the carriage carrying Unhyun and his party continued its southward journey.

***

Good roads are short, and comfortable days pass swiftly.

The merchant guild’s procession, including Unhyun and his group, was already crossing the border and entering the main road.

Jegal Giho expressed his delight, remarking that even the air felt different, while Unhyun felt a sense of relief at the familiar scenery after their long absence.

“It won’t be long before we reach Hangzhou,” Jegal Giho said with a hint of regret.

It was a natural sentiment, as their luxurious carriage journey was nearing its end.

“How many days remain?” Jegal Giho asked the middle-aged manager.

The manager, responsible for the trade operations, had grown quite close to Jegal Giho.

Jegal Giho, with his adept social skills, hadn’t been idle during the trip.

“It depends on the conditions along the main road, but it seems there will be a slight delay.”

“Pardon? Delayed?” Unhyun interjected.

The guild leader quickly bowed his head apologetically.

“I apologize. We are doing our best, but the recent rumors are so alarming that we must exercise caution…”

“No, it’s not your fault, Manager…” Unhyun quickly reassured him.

Unlike Jegal Giho, the manager was noticeably wary of Unhyun.

This was partly due to Unhyun’s quiet demeanor and the pervasive rumor of him being the ‘God of War of Bukhae,’ even though Jegal Giho held a higher position.

“Rumors? Has something happened?” Jegal Giho subtly pressed.

Unhyun deferred to Jegal Giho, remaining silent.

“Ah, well…” The manager glanced at Unhyun before addressing Jegal Giho.

“These days, mountain bandits and waterway bandits are rampant. Of course, they’ve always been a problem, but recently, even the main roads are unsafe. Therefore, we are choosing the safest route possible…”

“Then it’s unavoidable. Safety is paramount,” Jegal Giho nodded in agreement, then suddenly inquired, “But from here to Hangzhou, most of the area falls under the Murim Alliance’s jurisdiction, doesn’t it?”

It was understandable near the border, but on a well-maintained main road, the government would typically oversee security, and Murim Alliance sects would be stationed nearby.

It seemed unlikely that mountain bandits or waterway bandits would dare to operate there.

However, the manager shook his head.

“That’s because the Murim Alliance sects are currently unable to focus on this issue.”

“Pardon?” At Jegal Giho’s question, Unhyun also widened his eyes in surprise.

The main road was dangerous, and the Murim Alliance couldn’t intervene?

“What is…” Before Jegal Giho could finish his sentence, the manager explained.

“Right now, the Murim Alliance, no, the entire Kangho is in turmoil. The Grand Martial Arts Tournament is being held at the Murim Alliance, of all places…”

“Ah!” Unhyun and Jegal Giho exclaimed simultaneously.

They had completely forgotten about it while in Bukhae, but they now recalled the decision made before the delegation left the Murim Alliance.

“The Grand Martial Arts Tournament!”

It was the Grand Martial Arts Tournament organized by the Murim Alliance.

Of course, the purpose of this tournament wasn’t to determine the strongest individual or to select the best sect.

The term ‘Grand’ simply meant that all sects were welcome to participate, and in reality, it was primarily intended as a check on the Janggang Waterway Bandit Alliance.

However, the Murim community interpreted its significance differently.

The Murim Alliance, which nominally governed Kangho, was hosting the ‘Grand Martial Arts Tournament’ on its grounds.

Not only young martial artists seeking to make a name for themselves, but everyone in Kangho couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

“So that’s why…” Jegal Giho nodded in understanding.

With the Grand Martial Arts Tournament underway, which sect would prioritize dealing with mountain bandits or waterway bandits?

Jegal Giho fully grasped the situation and accepted it as a matter of course.

However, Unhyun remained unconvinced.

‘…Something.’

It was originally intended as a tournament to monitor the Janggang Waterway Bandit Alliance.

But the fact that mountain bandits and waterway bandits were allowed to run rampant because of the tournament itself seemed illogical.

‘Something’s strange?’ Unhyun couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, or that he was missing a crucial piece of information.

However, there was nothing they could do at the moment.

Thus, the carriage carrying Unhyun, who felt a sense of unease, and Jegal Giho, who had regained his relaxed demeanor, continued southward.

***

Kwan Jibu, the head of the Jigaekdang [Hospitality Department] of the Murim Alliance, was enduring a daily ordeal.

This was because the Grand Martial Arts Tournament, or rather, the countless sects that had gathered from all over the world to participate, were causing incidents and accidents on a daily basis.

The responsibility for handling these incidents fell squarely on the Jigaekdang, which was in charge of the Murim Alliance’s hospitality.

―Kwan Jibu, we have a crisis. The Sodu Sect and the Northern Faction got into a brawl, resulting in dozens of pieces of damaged furniture and blown-off lodging doors.

―Kwan Jibu! The Qinghae Sect is refusing their assigned lodging and leaving! The leader of the Qinghae Sect has formally complained about the Jigaekdang’s handling of the situation!

―Kwan Jibu, we have a crisis! The Black Path Faction overturned the tables in the restaurant. They are demanding corrections, claiming they can never eat something like this…

―Kwan Jibu! The Blood Blade Sect and the Divine Sword Sect…

―Kwan Jibu, we have a crisis! The Great Saber Sect…

―Kwan Jibu, we have a crisis…

“Kwan Jibu!”

“Ugh!” Kwan Jibu screamed involuntarily and jumped to his feet.

He was now startled simply by hearing his name called.

“I’m swamped, and you’re taking a nap in the middle of the day?”

“What?” Kwan Jibu turned his head, dazed.

Byun Gilyang stood there, looking disgruntled.

Byun Gilyang, carrying a stack of documents, placed them on the desk and slumped down.

“Well, you’ve been working all night for four days straight, so you must be exhausted.”

He must have dozed off without realizing it.

However, Kwan Jibu was staring at the pile of documents Byun Gilyang had brought.

“That…”

“Yes. Reports and countermeasures for all the incidents that occurred yesterday. If we want to organize all of this and devise countermeasures, we’ll have to work all night again tonight.”

Byun Gilyang sighed at Kwan Jibu’s distressed expression.

“The scribes who wrote them are also having a tough time. After all, they have to deal directly with the angry martial artists.”

It wasn’t just the Jigaekdang that was suffering.

From the scribes who had to listen to the martial artists’ complaints to the working servants and hired laborers, everyone in the Murim Alliance was struggling.

Except, of course, for the higher-ups.

“What else can we do?” Kwan Jibu sighed in resignation.

“We can only hope that the martial arts tournament ends soon.”

But Kwan Jibu and Byun Gilyang both knew that that day wouldn’t come anytime soon.

“End? The formal sparring hasn’t even begun, and more and more people are gathering every day?”

Rumors spread, and people followed.

As more sects and martial artists than expected flocked to the Murim Alliance, interest in the Grand Martial Arts Tournament intensified.

Not only sects and martial artists seeking to participate late, but also pleasure-seekers wanting to watch were arriving in droves, putting a strain on the metropolis of Hangzhou.

So, what more could be said about the situation within the Murim Alliance?

“There’s even a rumor that former great devils are targeting this martial arts tournament.”

Kwan Jibu frowned at Byun Gilyang’s words.

“What? Former great devils?”

“I’m referring to the hidden masters of the Demonic Path or the Evil Sect.”

“I know that. But why would they?”

“Well, they harbor many grudges against the Murim Alliance. It could be revenge, or they could be trying to boost their reputation…”

“Nonsense,” Kwan Jibu interrupted Byun Gilyang.

“Do you know how many masters are currently in the Murim Alliance? It’s like all the sects in the world have gathered here. What crazy devil would show up? Unless they’re planning to die, there’s no way they would.”

His point was undeniably valid.

“The fact that such rumors are even circulating doesn’t make sense. Did the devils even announce their plans?”

Now that he thought about it, that was true.