Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 207

207. The Divine Monk’s Tea

Yun-hyun needed to report to the Divine Monk Bul-yeong anyway.

Yun-hyun rose from his seat and bowed.

“Thank you. Then, I’ll be going.”

Jegal-yeon also stood up and returned the bow politely.

As Yun-hyun turned to leave, he noticed that Jegal Gi-ho, who had also stood up, wasn’t moving at all.

Jegal Gi-ho even waved lightly at Yun-hyun, indicating that he wasn’t coming.

‘Well, they are like brothers.’

They probably have many personal things to discuss.

Yun-hyun turned away.

Just as he was leaving the office, he heard Jegal Gi-ho’s voice from behind.

“Ah, Secretary Yun. Don’t forget about our trip to the pleasure house later!”

‘Huh?’

Did they make such a promise?

Perhaps such words were exchanged during their journey, but he didn’t remember making a specific promise.

Thud.

But the office door was already closed.

Yun-hyun shrugged and looked at Dokgo-rang, who was standing outside.

“Let’s go, Dokgo Je.”

Dokgo-rang nodded silently.

And the two headed towards Waryongheon.

In fact, the very person who sent Yun-hyun to Bukhae, the Divine Monk Bul-yeong, would be waiting for Yun-hyun.

Thud.

As the office door closed, Representative Jegal-yeon frowned slightly.

“A pleasure house?”

“Secretary Yun seems to have a taste for the finer things in life.”

Jegal Gi-ho replied nonchalantly.

“The women he knows are all beautiful and charming, you know? Both in Bukhae and the Nangong family’s young lady. Well, I guess he has high standards. After all, he’s the successor to the Sword Saint, isn’t he?”

Jegal-yeon let out a faint chuckle at Jegal Gi-ho, who was nodding to himself.

It was obvious that he was scheming, but he didn’t bother to scold him.

“If you’re going anyway, go to a good place. The most extravagant and expensive place in Hangzhou.”

Jegal Gi-ho’s eyes lit up at Jegal-yeon’s words.

“It doesn’t matter how much money it costs. Building a friendship with Secretary Yun will be a great asset to the family, not just to you.”

Jegal Gi-ho wore a triumphant smile.

Those words clearly indicated what kind of decision the Jegal Clan had made regarding Yun-hyun.

He had already guessed it after confirming the Lord’s intentions, but it was clear that an even more unconventional decision had been made than he had thought.

“More than that.”

Rattle.

Jegal-yeon took a thin letter from his chest and placed it on the table.

It was another report that Jegal Gi-ho had secretly sent to the Jegal Clan, recording only information about Yun-hyun.

“What is this supposed to mean? He annihilated over fifty cavalrymen with a single sword strike?”

“That’s just a rumor.”

Jegal Gi-ho leaned forward and said.

“But it’s a definite fact that he single-handedly neutralized over fifty cavalrymen with just one sword. And that was in just two exchanges, no, since they didn’t actually clash, it wasn’t an exchange…”

Jegal Gi-ho tilted his head and shrugged.

“He just swung his sword twice in the air. And the fifty-odd cavalrymen were annihilated. That’s all there is to it.”

Jegal-yeon’s frown didn’t disappear.

“Are you telling me to believe that? Even the Sword Saint himself wouldn’t be able to do that.”

“Is that really the case?”

Jegal Gi-ho sighed.

“Actually, don’t we not know? We’ve never heard of the Sword Saint fighting against cavalrymen before.”

That was also true.

Jegal Gi-ho leaned back in his chair.

“Anyway, I realized very thoroughly this time. Secretary Yun and the Sword Saint aren’t human. They’re just completely different from me, like beings who frolic in the heavens. It’s impossible to even comprehend them.”

Jegal Gi-ho’s sincerity could be glimpsed in those words.

Jegal-yeon knew that he wasn’t lying or exaggerating, at least.

But does that mean he should believe these words as they are?

“What’s this about the Supreme Mystery Sword?”

There was another unbelievable story in Jegal Gi-ho’s report.

It said that Yun-hyun had used the mysteries of the Supreme Mystery Sword to neutralize twelve cavalrymen.

“That’s just my guess, but…”

Jegal Gi-ho sighed.

“I couldn’t think of any other term. You can’t send twelve heavily armed cavalrymen flying with something like ‘Deflecting Force’ or ‘Four Ounces Deflecting a Thousand Pounds,’ can you?”

“Send flying?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Gi-ho said with a serious look.

“The heavy warhorses were just fluttering in the air. I thought they had turned into butterflies.”

He deliberately added some exaggeration, but that actually added more credibility.

At least, it was clear that something had happened.

“Hmm.”

Jegal-yeon groaned and leaned back.

This letter from Jegal Gi-ho had passed through the family and was delivered to him.

That meant that the Lord, Jegal-myeong, had judged this report to be credible.

The reason why Jegal Gi-ho was acting so relaxed was because he knew that fact.

“This matter…”

Rustle.

Jegal-yeon folded the letter and put it in his chest as he said.

“Keep it to yourself for the time being.”

“Understood.”

Jegal Gi-ho replied as if he had expected it.

Jegal-yeon had reserved his judgment.

In any case, the Jegal Clan’s attitude towards Yun-hyun had already been decided, and this fact wouldn’t change much.

“When we return to the family…”

Jegal-yeon looked straight at Jegal Gi-ho and continued.

“There will be many things to do. The Lord has allowed you to learn martial arts manuals and family management. You must take that intention to heart and devote yourself deeply.”

Jegal Gi-ho’s eyes sparkled.

Jegal-yeon’s words meant that Jegal Gi-ho would be entrusted with important responsibilities in the family in the future.

And Jegal Gi-ho knew the reason for that.

“I’ll have to treat Secretary Yun very well, won’t I?”

He joked, but Jegal-yeon could tell that his voice was trembling slightly with excitement.

Jegal-yeon chuckled.

“Do that. Anyway, once you return to the family this time, you won’t be able to come out for a while.”

To handle the important responsibilities of the family, one must have the ability to match.

Although Jegal Gi-ho had been given an opportunity, if he didn’t have the capacity to handle it, the Lord could change his mind at any time.

So Jegal-yeon’s words that he wouldn’t be able to come out for a while were perfectly correct.

“Hoo.”

Jegal-yeon sighed softly and leaned back in his chair.

He savored the fragrant tea and gathered his thoughts.

‘With this, the matter of Bukhae has been settled, but…’

Perhaps they have harbored an even bigger problem inside, named Yun-hyun.

After thinking for a moment, Jegal-yeon shook his head.

Right now, there were many more things to think about than that.

“You’ve worked hard. You can go now.”

At Jegal-yeon’s words, Jegal Gi-ho smiled.

“Yes. Then I’ll be going. Ah, if you know any good pleasure houses, please let me know, Senior Brother.”

Jegal-yeon chuckled at Jegal Gi-ho’s jesting.

And instead of answering, he picked up the silk pouch he had prepared and threw it lightly.

Thud.

Jegal Gi-ho immediately caught the pouch.

And he smiled at its weight.

“Tell me anytime if you need more.”

A faint smile spread across Jegal-yeon’s lips.

“You deserve it enough.”

Those words from Senior Brother Jegal-yeon pleased Jegal Gi-ho more than any compliment.

Before he knew it, Jegal Gi-ho’s face was filled with a triumphant smile.

***

“Are you alright?”

Yun-hyun was awakened from his thoughts by Dokgo-rang’s voice.

Before he knew it, the two had reached the vicinity of Waryongheon.

“Ah, I’m fine.”

Yun-hyun was dumbfounded.

Even though he was lost in thought, was he walking without properly looking around?

If Dokgo-rang hadn’t been by his side, he would have definitely gone to the wrong place.

“I just had something to think about…”

Dokgo-rang didn’t ask what it was.

He just silently stared at Yun-hyun.

The trust in his eyes made Yun-hyun confess.

“Actually, I’m a little worried about something.”

Dokgo-rang’s eyes urged him to continue

Yun-hyun continued.

“The merchant obtained the Gangnam Waterway through the Dark Sky Demon. He also tried to appease Bukhae. But what if that merchant has also taken control of the Green Forest [a collective term for bandits]?”

Dokgo-rang fully understood why Yun-hyun thought so.

Hadn’t they actually been attacked by Green Forest bandits on their way to Bukhae?

Moreover, the recent movements of the Green Forest, which are said to be at their peak, are also suspicious.

If this is the merchant’s plan, what is he aiming for?

“Perhaps… No, it can’t be.”

Yun-hyun shook his head.

“That can’t be. I guess I’m overthinking it. They say that both the Waterway Alliance and the Green Forest are already nominal organizations.”

In the past, the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] had thoroughly punished the Gangnam Waterway Alliance and the Green Forest.

There was no better way to secure justification, internal unity, and practical benefits than that.

As a result, the Gangnam Waterway Alliance and the Green Forest were completely disbanded, and now they have become nominal organizations with only their names remaining.

There were no waterways or mountain fortresses that could exert leadership, and all that was left were waterways or mountain fortresses with some power that called themselves the leaders.

The reason why the Gangnam Waterway Alliance is a problem now is actually only because of the Dark Sky Demon and the Yellow Sky Bandits; the waterways themselves are not even on the Murim Alliance’s radar.

That was the truth.

“Hahaha. I’m saying strange things too…”

Yun-hyun tried to laugh awkwardly and move on.

“Please tell me.”

However, Dokgo-rang said to Yun-hyun with a serious look.

“I will listen.”

Yun-hyun knew that he couldn’t hide anything in front of those eyes.

“Looking back on history, there have been times when great achievements were made by bandit groups that everyone despised. It’s a little different, but there was also someone who tried to achieve great things with bandit groups. Maybe that’s why the name ‘Yellow Sky Bandits’ keeps bothering me.”

The one who sealed off the Nangong Family was the Dark Sky Demon.

But those who blocked the Nangong Family’s power were those who identified themselves as the Yellow Sky Bandits.

Yun-hyun sighed softly.

And one sentence, a sentence that he couldn’t shake off even though he thought it was absurd, finally came out of his mouth.

“…The Azure Sky has already died [a historical reference to a rebellion].”

Yun-hyun didn’t say anything more.

Dokgo-rang didn’t ask either.

Waryongheon was already close, but Yun-hyun couldn’t take a step for a while.

***

Yun-hyun entered Waryongheon with Dokgo-rang.

“I’m back.”

When Yun-hyun bowed, the Divine Monk Bul-yeong, who was feeding the birds, stopped his hand.

“You’re here now?”

After saying something that was neither a greeting nor a reproach, the Divine Monk scattered the remaining bird feed haphazardly and shook his hands.

Then he sat down heavily at the table in the yard.

“Come over here.”

The Divine Monk gestured to Yun-hyun.

“And you too. I’m not going to eat your master, so don’t be so scared.”

That was directed at Dokgo-rang.

“Ah, this person is…”

Yun-hyun was about to introduce Dokgo-rang, but the Divine Monk’s voice cut him off.

“I know. Isn’t he the Lone Swordsman or something? I heard you danced with swords quite a bit in Cheoljeongsan?”

Dokgo-rang’s eyes turned sharp.

But the Divine Monk Bul-yeong didn’t care.

“But you don’t have as much bloodshed as I thought. You should change your title at this point, shouldn’t you?”

The Divine Monk said with a smirk.

“Something like ‘Affectionate Sword’ or ‘Sentimental Sword’.”

‘Affectionate Sword’ meant that he had a lot of affection, and ‘Sentimental Sword’ meant that his sword contained affection.

Either way, it was a title that was completely different from Dokgo-rang’s reputation or impression.

“That, Dokgo Je is…”

Yun-hyun was about to say something, but the Divine Monk poured tea into a teacup.

Pouring.

The two empty cups were filled with tea, and a subtle tea fragrance spread around.

“You’ve worked hard, so take a cup each.”

The Divine Monk said with a smile.

“It’s nothing special, but not just anyone can drink it.”

That was true.

How many people in the world could drink tea directly given by the Divine Monk Bul-yeong?

But Yun-hyun couldn’t get close.

He was worried about what kind of meaning it might contain.

What if something huge happens after receiving this cup of tea?