Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 274

274. What Heaven Desires

That evening, Head Butler Kang, who was casually greeting Unhyun as he entered the Un-ga Merchant Guild, was startled.

A dark shadow hung heavily over Unhyun’s face.

“Young Master!”

At Head Butler Kang’s words, Unhyun looked up.

His eyes were dark and troubled.

The head butler got straight to the point. “…How about a drink tonight?”

Unhyun was puzzled. “Why suddenly a drink…?”

Ignoring Unhyun’s question, Head Butler Kang grabbed his arm and steered him toward the Nanhwa Brewery. He feared that if he didn’t, Unhyun might do something drastic overnight.

***

Clang.

The jade and gold nameplates chimed as Eunuch Park, Byeongpil Taegam [a high-ranking eunuch official] of the Eastern Depot, entered the main hall with his characteristic quick steps.

The Geumui guards [royal guards] flanking Eunuch Park stood motionless, like stone statues.

Rustle.

Eunuch Park settled onto a long chair in front of the main hall with a docile posture. Though his manner was somewhat effeminate, no one dared to criticize him.

“Was there a report from the Office of the Inspector General?”

Eunuch Park asked after taking his seat.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Another eunuch standing nearby bowed deeply and replied, respectfully placing a scroll on the desk.

However, Eunuch Park didn’t immediately unfold it.

“What about the Left and Right Vice Censors-in-Chief of the Office of the Inspector General?”

The Left and Right Vice Censors-in-Chief were the heads of the Office of the Inspector General, responsible for its operations.

“They have not arrived.”

At the eunuch’s reply, Eunuch Park smiled.

“Go and tell them this,” Eunuch Park said softly. “If they don’t want to be wearing a cangue [a wooden collar used as a form of punishment] and sitting in prison tomorrow morning, they better come running right now.”

By the Emperor’s decree, Eunuch Park, Byeongpil Taegam of the Eastern Depot, had been granted full authority over the Office of the Inspector General, even if temporarily.

Moreover, Eunuch Park was virtually untouchable. It was no exaggeration to say he could imprison even the Right and Left Vice Censors-in-Chief of the Office of the Inspector General, who held the rank of Second Senior Grade [a high official rank], if he wished.

“Yes! Your Excellency.”

The eunuch immediately hurried out. Only then did Eunuch Park reach for the scroll on the desk.

Flap.

Eunuch Park’s eyes widened as he read the scroll. He looked surprised, as if he had discovered something unexpected, and then suddenly smiled brightly.

“Heh heh heh.”

Eunuch Park looked up from the scroll, the smile still on his face.

“Who brought this report?”

A nervous manager stepped forward.

“I, I brought it, Your Excellency.”

He was an Assistant Censor, helping the Censor-in-Chief of the Office of the Inspector General with his duties. He was like an aide, the most essential person in terms of practical work. He had just heard that the Right and Left Vice Censors-in-Chief might be imprisoned, so he was understandably anxious.

Rustle.

“This phrase here…” Eunuch Park pointed to a part of the scroll and read, “One of the widespread rumors in the Yangtze River region is this: The only one who can stand against the Hero Alliance is…”

A smile returned to his face. “The Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Eunuch Park raised his head. “What does it mean?”

It probably wasn’t a genuine question. But he couldn’t simply state the obvious.

The Assistant Censor quickly bowed his head and said, “It’s a rumor about a mysterious figure called the Azure Dragon Sword Master who opposed the Hero Alliance during the Hangzhou Bloodshed.”

“Hangzhou Bloodshed…” Eunuch Park muttered. There was no way he wouldn’t know about it. Wasn’t it thanks to that very incident that he had been able to eliminate his most dangerous enemy and drive his rivals out of the imperial court?

The Assistant Censor continued, “The Hero Alliance rose to prominence by defeating the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] in Hangzhou. At that time, a mysterious figure called the Azure Dragon Sword Master, though not affiliated with the Murim Alliance, was said to have aided them.”

Eunuch Park nodded. “So that mysterious figure…” He paused, smiled, and said in a clear voice, “Why is he the *only* one who can stand against the Hero Alliance?”

The Assistant Censor hesitated, then opened his mouth. “Although it’s not written in the report, there are many stories behind it.”

The Assistant Censor himself had compiled and summarized the news from various sources to create the report. Therefore, he knew many details that weren’t included.

“Oh? What kind of stories?”

“For example, the Azure Dragon Sword Master fought against a man known as the Iron-Blooded Evil Monarch and saved the lives of several Murim Clan leaders.”

“Oh.”

As Eunuch Park showed interest, the Assistant Censor grew more confident. The tension that had made his legs tremble disappeared.

“Among those saved by the Azure Dragon Sword Master are members of the Murong Clan, the Danmu Clan, the Hyeokryeon Clan, and even the Head of the Southern Sea Sword Sect.”

The name Murong Clan caught Eunuch Park’s attention.

Eunuch Park asked again, “Is that Iron-Blooded Evil Monarch strong?”

“Murim people tend to exaggerate, making it difficult to discern the truth. However, the Iron-Blooded Evil Monarch is widely considered one of the five strongest martial artists in the world.”

“The strongest in the world…” If he fought against the Iron-Blooded Evil Monarch and saved people, it meant the Azure Dragon Sword Master was also among the world’s strongest.

A deep smile spread across Eunuch Park’s face.

The Assistant Censor couldn’t understand what Eunuch Park’s smile meant. What did the Iron-Blooded Evil Monarch’s strength have to do with it? But it was clear that Eunuch Park was reacting favorably to his story.

“Also, the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s disciples are said to have saved countless disciples from martial arts academies and sects near Hangzhou. Though they keep it quiet due to the Hero Alliance’s power, the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s disciples are revered as legendary heroes in Hangzhou.”

“I see, I see.”

Eunuch Park listened with shining eyes.

The Assistant Censor continued, “After the Hangzhou Bloodshed, the Azure Dragon Sword Master disappeared. Then, a group of people who rebelled against the Hero Alliance appeared, claiming to follow the Azure Dragon’s will and calling themselves the Azure Dragon Society (蒼龍志會) [loosely translated as Azure Dragon Will Society].”

“The Azure Dragon Society… Ah, it’s here,” Eunuch Park said, looking down at the report.

“But their power is weak. They may just be using the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s name. It hasn’t been confirmed whether the Azure Dragon Society is actually organized and exists.”

Eunuch Park paused, lost in thought.

“So, where is the Azure Dragon Sword Master said to be now?”

“That is…” The Assistant Censor hesitated. “No one has been able to track his whereabouts. The Taepyeong Alliance [another martial arts group] is reacting very sensitively to the Azure Dragon Society, but they also seem to be unaware of the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s location.”

“No one knows…” A soft smile touched Eunuch Park’s lips as he muttered quietly. The old name brought back the face of someone he cherished.

The letters he had delivered, the trivial stories they shared in Munyeongak [a library or study], and even the resolute farewell on the day he sent him away.

“Your Excellency?”

Eunuch Park snapped out of his reverie at the Assistant Censor’s voice.

The Assistant Censor, watching Eunuch Park’s expression, asked, “Shall I order an investigation into the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s whereabouts?”

“No, not yet.” Contrary to expectations, Eunuch Park’s answer was firm. “Send someone to Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, immediately. Thoroughly investigate whether there is a person named Unhyun. The investigation results are…”

He had known Unhyun’s hometown for a long time.

Eunuch Park paused and smiled.

Palak.

Eunuch Park raised a small fan to cover his eyes. “Report to me as the top priority.”

The Assistant Censor bowed deeply. “I will obey your command.”

At the same time, the eunuch’s voice was heard: “The Left and Right Vice Censors-in-Chief of the Office of the Inspector General have arrived.”

The Assistant Censor was inwardly surprised. He hadn’t expected such high-ranking officials to act so quickly. But he understood. If they faced imprisonment and the cangue, anyone would hurry.

“Tell them to come in,” Eunuch Park said quietly, still covering his face. “They are lucky.”

Eunuch Park muttered, gazing at the Left and Right Vice Censors-in-Chief of the Office of the Inspector General as they rushed in. “Because today is a very happy day.”

The only one who heard those words was the Assistant Censor, who stood closest. He didn’t understand why today was a happy day for Eunuch Park. All he knew was that his superiors had avoided a grim fate.

***

The Nanhwa Brewery was one of the most famous breweries in Guangzhou. Pursuing a luxurious atmosphere, it was a popular spot for wealthy young people seeking novelty.

But the brewery’s splendor and the Pearl River’s night scenery held no appeal for Unhyun. The amber liquor sloshing in his glass failed to attract his attention.

“Young Master,” Head Butler Kang called.

Unhyun replied quietly, “…Yes.”

“Is something wrong?”

Head Butler Kang knew Unhyun had many worries, especially with marriage and reality intertwined. But that didn’t explain Unhyun’s sudden darkness.

Unhyun, who seemed fine yesterday, had become so somber in just one day.

Unhyun hesitated, toying with his glass before finally speaking with difficulty. “Head Butler Kang.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“You once said something, right?” Unhyun asked quietly, swirling the liquor. “Sometimes you have to protect something more important than immediate gain, even if it means suffering a loss.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then…” Unhyun said quietly, “What should a person who has lost that important thing, who has failed to protect what he must protect, do…?”

Unhyun’s voice trembled.

Clatter.

The glass rattled in Head Butler Kang’s hand.

Silence stretched between them.

Head Butler Kang slowly picked up his glass and emptied it.

Tak.

Head Butler Kang put down the glass and spoke quietly. “It is said that time is like flowing water, so the past cannot be reversed or returned.”

Head Butler Kang smiled bitterly. “But what you have done is never truly gone or forgotten. Sometimes I think it has faded with time, but I always realize I haven’t moved an inch from that moment, no matter how much I struggle or try to escape.”

His voice sounded like he was talking to himself.

Head Butler Kang picked up the bottle and refilled his glass.

Gurgle.

“Perhaps it’s only natural. Bearing the consequences of your mistakes is fundamental, even before considering karma or sin, like this wine in front of me.”

Head Butler Kang raised the glass and emptied it again.

Tak.

“But the world isn’t only like that.” Head Butler Kang put down the glass and looked at Unhyun. “There are also reconciliation and forgiveness. There is also recovery.”

Unhyun looked up at Head Butler Kang, who met his gaze.

“No matter how barren the land, life will grow again in the spring. No matter how deep the wound, it will heal if you are alive. Seeing these things, I believe that what heaven desires is not punishment, but forgiveness.”