Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 230

230. Return of the Family Head

That afternoon, the very day he met the Lord of the Namgung Clan, Unhyun boarded a carriage with Dokgo-rang.

“You’re leaving.”

The one who came to see Unhyun off was Namgung Biyeon.

Namgung Biyeon, who had become the ‘Chief Inspector’ as the Hidden Dragon of the Namgung Clan, came out in person.

“I will never forget what you have done for me, Brother.”

Unhyun smiled.

“I have done nothing. It is all what you have achieved, Miss.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Namgung Biyeon shook her head.

When Unhyun unleashed the first sword form, Namgung Biyeon recognized it as the first stance of the Azure Sky Sword.

She couldn’t not know.

She was the one who had brought the Azure Sky Sword’s manual to Unhyun.

“If I hadn’t known that sword was the Azure Sky Sword, I wouldn’t have been able to endure to the end.”

The influence of mindset on a person is enormous.

Especially for a martial artist.

Just knowing that an even stronger sword stance was coming was enough for Namgung Biyeon to steel herself.

And that resolve made her endure to the end.

“Any disciple of the Namgung Clan should know that much. And not everyone who knows can do it.”

Some people give up because they know.

If it hadn’t been Namgung Biyeon, the result would have been quite different.

“Thank you.”

Namgung Biyeon smiled brightly.

After a moment of silence, Namgung Biyeon asked.

“……Did you know I would stay?”

“Yes.”

When Unhyun met Namgung Biyeon in the Zhuge Clan, he knew she had a strong will.

Enduring shame and ridicule and moving forward is not a common trait.

Namgung Biyeon had exactly that.

So Unhyun could be sure.

“I knew it from the first, no, the second time I saw you, Miss.”

“The second time? Hehe.”

Namgung Biyeon covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed.

Why does something so trivial sound so pleasing?

“Ah, right.”

Suddenly, Unhyun reached into his chest as if he remembered something.

“I’ll return this now.”

Swish.

In Unhyun’s hand was a white jade pendant.

Namgung Biyeon had given it to Unhyun in the past.

After hesitating for a moment, Namgung Biyeon quietly reached out and took the jade pendant.

Namgung Biyeon gently stroked the jade pendant, warmed by Unhyun’s body temperature.

“……Now.”

Namgung Biyeon clearly understood the meaning of returning the jade pendant.

“I shouldn’t call you Brother anymore, should I?”

This small jade pendant is the beginning of the bond between Unhyun and Namgung Biyeon.

Returning this jade pendant, which didn’t need to be returned, had only one meaning.

The two people’s sworn brotherhood is now over.

“Still, I will remain your patron, Miss.”

Unhyun said with a smile.

“Because you are the Hidden Dragon I chose.”

Namgung Biyeon gave a bright smile.

Her smile was brighter and more beautiful than ever.

***

After the Hidden Dragon Selection, a meeting was held in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Namgung Clan.

It was a full meeting presided over by the Lord and attended by all direct descendants.

The factions of the Namgung Clan, as well as the candidates who participated in the Hidden Dragon Selection, were also among them.

“The Hidden Dragon Selection is over.”

The Lord, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, said in a heavy voice.

Beside him, Namgung Biyeon, who had been appointed as the Chief Inspector, stood proudly.

“I will not tolerate any more chaos. All blood relatives must carry on the legacy of the previous Lord…….”

“The Hidden Dragon Selection is over, but the problem is not over yet.”

The one who interrupted the Lord’s words was Namgung Jun, the son of Namgung Cheol, the head of the Chongqing branch.

Unhyun, who was the examiner, had left. The fact that Namgung Biyeon is a woman and the Lord’s only daughter has not changed.

The power structure itself has not changed at all.

Namgung Jun spoke in a rather triumphant tone.

“Many people are questioning the Lord’s decision. From the beginning, the very act of appointing an examiner that has no precedent is being criticized as the Lord’s tyranny…….”

Thud.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok rose from his seat.

All eyes turned to Namgung Byeok, and Namgung Byeok asked without taking his eyes off Namgung Jun.

“Chief Inspector, how should one punish those who are disrespectful to the Lord?”

Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon replied with a stern expression.

“They are imprisoned, severely beaten with the cane, and if the matter is serious, their lives are taken.”

The cane is a tool used for corporal punishment.

“Lord. This is…….”

It was when Namgung Cheol, the head of the Chongqing branch, was about to say something.

“What is the crime for disrupting the discipline of the family?”

Namgung Biyeon flinched.

But she could not refuse to answer the Lord’s question.

“Regardless of status, they are immediately dismissed, their martial arts are abolished, and they are expelled. If the matter is serious……, they are held responsible with death.”

Thud.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok slowly walked towards Namgung Jun.

“How should one punish those who stir up discord in the family in the face of the enemy?”

Namgung Jun’s face turned blue.

Namgung Biyeon also hesitated, unable to answer.

“Speak, Chief Inspector. How should one punish them?”

Namgung Byeok asked again.

Namgung Biyeon steeled herself and answered.

“Those who cause division before the battle are executed.”

Swish.

Namgung Byeok’s sword, the Iron Sword, revealed its form.

Not only Namgung Jun, but also Namgung Cheol and no one else dared to open their mouths.

Namgung Byeok looked down at Namgung Jun and said.

“No one can punish the bloodline of the Namgung Clan.”

For a moment, relief flashed across everyone’s faces.

But that was too quick of a judgment.

“Only those outside the Namgung Clan.”

Whoosh.

It was a moment when Namgung Byeok’s Iron Sword fell down.

But at that moment, people could clearly see the blue sword energy swirling around Namgung Byeok’s sword.

“Aaaagh!”

Namgung Jun rolled around, clutching one shoulder.

“Jun!”

Namgung Cheol was greatly shocked and immediately sealed Namgung Jun’s blood points [pressure points to stop bleeding].

Tap, tap.

The blood stopped immediately.

But he could not reattach the already severed arm.

“Damn it!”

Namgung Cheol was furious.

His son’s arm was cut off before his eyes, so it was natural for him to be angry enough to lose his mind.

However, the moment his eyes met Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, Namgung Cheol felt a chill down his spine.

Because Namgung Byeok’s cold eyes were looking straight down at him.

Woo-oong.

Namgung Byeok’s sword, with its swirling sword energy, was still emitting an eerie cry.

“Namgung Cheol, the head of the Chongqing branch, is dismissed for his negligence in his duties.”

A voice as cold as his eyes fell.

“Reflect and await punishment.”

Waiting for punishment was nothing short of a political death sentence.

But Namgung Cheol could not say anything.

Because he knew that the moment he opened his mouth, Namgung Byeok’s sword would cut off his neck.

Originally, in a bloodline group, the authority of the Lord is absolute.

This is especially true for martial families with force.

The one who has power comparable to an absolute monarch, or even more powerful than that, is the Lord of the family.

“The reason I didn’t take your lives is only because you have the blood of the Namgung family.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said in a cold voice.

“Repay with your bones and flesh.”

From Namgung Cheol’s point of view, it was a word that made him grind his teeth.

But Namgung Cheol dared not express his anger.

Absolute obedience.

That was the law and discipline of the Namgung Clan.

“……Thank, thank you.”

Namgung Cheol gritted his teeth and slowly lowered his head.

His shoulders trembled, but in the end, he had no choice but to pay his respects.

“……Thank you.”

Thud.

Namgung Cheol’s forehead touched the ground.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok still looked down at Namgung Cheol, who was bowing his head, with cold eyes.

Swish.

Namgung Byeok raised his head.

And he faced the gazes that filled the Grand Assembly Hall, looking at him.

“The Namgung Clan is a Sword King Family.”

The voice was low, but everyone heard it clearly.

“The sword of the Namgung Clan is to cut down mountains if they block the way, and to split the seas if they block the path.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s eyes were burning.

“We will rise again. I will not forgive anyone who hinders this, even if they are direct descendants of the Namgung family, so each of you must be loyal in your positions.”

Everyone could clearly understand the will contained in that voice.

It couldn’t be helped.

Just now, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok had blown away one faction.

With that blue sword energy that was still emitting its sword cry.

“The answer?”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok frowned and said.

Namgung Biyeon immediately rose from her seat.

Thud.

“We will follow the Lord’s will!”

As she put her hands together and paid her respects, others also began to rise quickly.

Thud, thud.

“We will follow the Lord’s will!”

“We will follow the Lord’s will.”

Voices began to pop out here and there.

It was easy for those sounds to merge into one.

“We will follow the Lord’s will!”

A loud noise that seemed to shake the Grand Assembly Hall echoed.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok was looking at the people filling the Grand Assembly Hall with cold eyes.

Those who realized that his appearance was exactly the same as that of the previous Lord, Lightning Sword Namgung Jincheon, trembled without realizing it.

‘Finally.’

Everyone in this place, regardless of faction or status, could clearly understand.

‘The Lord has returned.’

The time of chaos is over.

The one who wields absolute power has finally returned to the Namgung Clan.

He was none other than the Lord of the Namgung Clan, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok.

***

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage driven by Dokgo-rang stopped on the side of the main road after leaving the metropolis of Hapbi.

Unhyun did not ask why it stopped.

Dokgo-rang also did not explain.

It was when the carriage stopped by the side of the road, and even the horse was making a strange noise as if it were wondering.

Flutter.

“Go to Shaolin.”

Suddenly, Dokgo-rang said.

“Although you are a secular disciple, you are the granduncle of the Shaolin Abbot. Shaolin will never mistreat you, Great One.”

“……I can’t do that.”

Unhyun replied quietly.

“If I don’t convey such important matters, how can I say that I have fulfilled my duty?”

“Didn’t you already send a letter?”

After hearing Namgung Byeok’s words that the Murim Alliance would become a death trap, Unhyun immediately sent a letter to the Murim Alliance.

“So leave the Murim Alliance alone. Instead, gather forces based on Shaolin and the Namgung Clan. If the Murim Alliance collapses, the cause of justice lies with you, Great One.”

Dokgo-rang’s calm voice continued without stopping.

“There are many people who have been indebted to you, Great One. There are also many who want to help you. If the Murim Alliance collapses and you establish your will, they will surely gather to you, Great One.”

Dokgo-rang said in a firm tone.

“The world of Gangho Murim [martial arts world] is a world of power. Without power, no will can be carried out.”

Unhyun sighed quietly.

“……Don’t come anymore, Reverend Shinseung said.”

Unhyun said, recalling the blunt voice of Shinseung Bulyoung.

“I guess that’s what he meant.”

Perhaps Shinseung had predicted all of these things.

His words not to come to Unhyun meant not to return to the Murim Alliance, not Waryongheon.

“Then…….”

“But I have to go back.”

Dokgo-rang’s face hardened.

“……It’s a path to death.”

“That’s why I have to go back even more. Because there may be those I can save.”

He sent a message, but will the Murim Alliance believe it?

The Moryong Clan would take it seriously, but others would not.

What about the ordinary people and scribes working in the Alliance, not to mention the Murim people, and what about Guan Jibu and Byeon Giryang of the Hospitality Hall?

Unhyun had no choice but to return.

If it’s his words, at least they will pretend to listen.

“And above all.”

Unhyun said with a hollow laugh.

“I haven’t submitted my resignation yet.”

Dokgo-rang’s hardened expression did not soften.

But he could clearly see.

That Unhyun would not give up his will.

“……As I said before.”

Dokgo-rang said in a calm voice.

“I will serve you anywhere.”

Unhyun was so grateful for those gruff words.