Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 281

281. The Night of the Pearl River

“Hmm, in some ways, it feels even better now…”

Yunhyun muttered, looking down at the hand holding his sword.

He wasn’t stronger than before.

The inner force that his sworn brother, Ilchunghyun, had given him had virtually disappeared due to the shock at that time.

However, Yunhyun’s emptied inner strength was slowly but surely being replenished.

Perhaps it felt like it was returning to where it was originally meant to be.

“…Or perhaps.”

Yunhyun thought of the sword of his mind.

‘Maybe it’s thanks to you.’

The unconscious mental training might have been thanks to Yunhyun’s subconscious, the sword of his mind.

Even when he turned away and ignored the sword, the sword of his mind had embraced and healed Yunhyun.

Just like Dokgorang, who had smiled and sent him off.

“Hmm.”

Yunhyun let out a soft groan.

Even he thought it was too sentimental.

How could such a thing happen when a sword wasn’t a living being?

But he couldn’t deny it entirely.

At least, not for Yunhyun himself.

Swish.

Yunhyun lightly waved his hand and swung the sword, then sheathed it.

Clang.

The sword disappeared with a soft sound.

Then, Yunhyun raised his arm and subtly smelled himself.

“Whew, the smell is definitely less than before.”

Another phenomenon that appeared as he began training in earnest was sweat.

The thick sweat he used to sweat whenever he had nightmares had begun to emit a terrible stench.

As soon as Head Manager Kang heard Yunhyun’s words, he forcibly dragged him to the doctor.

And the doctor diagnosed it as a kind of ‘healing crisis’ [a temporary worsening of symptoms as the body recovers].

It was a natural symptom that appeared as the body recovered from a major shock.

Head Manager Kang tried to prescribe a tonic, but Yunhyun strongly refused.

He knew that they were not well-off, and the fundamental reason for his body’s recovery was thanks to training.

Now, after about half a month, the stench had lessened considerably, and his body seemed to be in better condition than before.

“Good.”

Yunhyun said to himself and straightened his clothes.

And as he was about to leave the open space, he suddenly noticed someone approaching from the front.

Step, step.

“Oh…, Sister Huiyeon?”

The girl walking with a sulky expression was Yunhyun’s cousin, Yun Huiyeon.

Step.

“What’s wrong?”

Yunhyun asked cautiously.

He couldn’t figure out why she was so upset.

“What did you do to Head Manager Kang?”

Huiyeon asked in a sharp voice.

“Head Manager Kang?”

Yunhyun tilted his head.

“Well, I don’t think I did anything in particular…”

“When I asked Head Manager Kang where you were, he wouldn’t even tell me, saying I shouldn’t disturb you. I finally found you by asking the other servants.”

“Ah….”

Only then did Yunhyun realize why she was angry.

Not only had Head Manager Kang not told her, but she was upset by the fact that he was taking care of Yunhyun more.

Huiyeon frowned and said.

“Why is that taciturn person so concerned about you?”

A smile appeared on Yunhyun’s face.

Feeling Head Manager Kang’s consideration anew, Yunhyun replied in a soft voice.

“He’s originally a kind person. He may look cold, but he is.”

“That’s true, but….”

Huiyeon still looked unconvinced and bit her lip slightly as she replied.

But she couldn’t argue any further because it wasn’t exactly wrong.

“But why? What’s going on?”

“Ah.”

When Yunhyun asked, Huiyeon seemed to remember and became sullen again.

“It’s a guest.”

Huiyeon said in a tone as cold as a winter wind.

“I got a call earlier, so she’ll be arriving soon. You better get ready and prepare yourself.”

Yunhyun, unable to understand, looked at Huiyeon with a puzzled expression.

Huiyeon said as if throwing it away.

“She’s coming. That rags-to-riches young lady.”

“Ah!”

Only then could Yunhyun understand the situation.

And why Huiyeon had such a cold expression.

The young lady from the Hacheong Merchant Guild, with whom marriage talks were taking place, was coming to see Yunhyun.

“Hmph, how nice for you?”

After throwing a word at Yunhyun, Huiyeon turned around.

It was then.

“Ah, Sister Huiyeon.”

“What?”

Yunhyun said to Huiyeon, who answered curtly.

“Thank you for the new clothes.”

Huiyeon was startled.

The new clothes that Head Manager Kang had given him before were bought by Huiyeon.

“H, how did you….”

Huiyeon stammered in embarrassment.

But Yunhyun lightly raised his hand in greeting and walked away.

‘Oh, geez. I told him not to say anything….’

If it wasn’t Head Manager Kang, there would be no one to tell him.

Huiyeon, feeling embarrassed and resentful of Head Manager Kang, bit her lip and watched Yunhyun’s retreating figure.

Thanks to that, she didn’t even think to ask why Yunhyun was holding a sword.

***

“Welcome. Young Lady Yeongryeong.”

Head Manager Kang greeted the guest with a polite bow.

Ha Yeongryeong bowed her head in response.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Head Manager Kang.”

Head Manager Kang’s expression, which seemed inflexible, was the same as always, but Ha Yeongryeong could tell that his eyes were softening.

“…Are you, alright?”

Ha Yeongryeong asked cautiously.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Head Manager Kang was an innocent victim.

Of course, Ha Yeongryeong didn’t do it directly, but it was clear that she had caused it.

“I’m sorry. I was foolish.”

Rustle.

Ha Yeongryeong bowed her head politely in apology.

A smile appeared on Head Manager Kang’s lips.

That little child had grown into such a big lady, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s alright.”

Head Manager Kang replied in a soft voice.

“Come this way. He’s waiting.”

She didn’t need to ask who was waiting for her.

With a stiff expression, Ha Yeongryeong followed Head Manager Kang’s guidance.

For some reason, her heart was pounding.

Head Manager Kang quietly opened the door.

Yun-hyeon was sitting inside the room.

Ha Yeongryeong’s heart sank.

“Welcome.”

Yun-hyeon stood up and bowed politely.

He wasn’t particularly handsome or dressed impressively, but just seeing his face made Ha Yeongryeong’s heart race.

‘Why am I like this? It’s so annoying, really,’ she thought to herself.

Muttering inwardly, Ha Yeongryeong spoke in a very courteous voice.

“I apologize for visiting you so suddenly.”

Her elegant demeanor made her seem like a young lady raised with impeccable manners in a strict family.

Yun-hyeon was momentarily surprised but soon offered her a seat.

“Please, sit down.”

Ha Yeongryeong nodded lightly in thanks.

Then, turning her head, she said to Head Manager Kang.

“Thank you for the guidance, Head Manager Kang.”

Head Manager Kang bowed his head and left the room.

Click.

The door closed, and Ha Yeongryeong sat down demurely.

Yun-hyeon watched her with a somewhat astonished expression.

He even doubted if this elegant lady was the same person he knew.

Rustle.

Sitting down, Ha Yeongryeong raised her head.

“What?”

Ha Yeongryeong said, looking straight at Yun-hyeon.

“Why are you staring like that? Is there something to see?”

Yun-hyeon gave a wry smile at her sharp tone.

Now she seemed like the Ha Yeongryeong he knew.

“No, it’s just that you’re a little different than I expected.”

Ha Yeongryeong frowned and said.

“I’m not so thoughtless that I’d be rude to my elders.”

“I see.”

Yun-hyeon smiled.

Ha Yeongryeong clicked her tongue, disliking that smile for some reason.

“Hmph.”

“Ahem.”

Yun-hyeon cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed.

If he had something to say, there was no need to drag it out.

“…I know why you’ve come, Miss,” Yun-hyeon said with a calm expression.

His eyes were utterly sincere, but Ha Yeongryeong disliked that even more.

‘I came all the way here…’ she thought, feeling a sense of disappointment.

It was too heavy and stiff.

This was not the kind of meeting Ha Yeongryeong had wanted at all.

“I’m…”

“Ah, really.”

Click.

Ha Yeongryeong interrupted Yun-hyeon and stood up.

Looking down at Yun-hyeon, who had a puzzled expression, Ha Yeongryeong said, “Shall we go out for a bit?”

Ha Yeongryeong said this as if it were nothing.

Yun-hyeon looked surprised, but Ha Yeongryeong had already turned around.

“Ah, yes.”

Since they had to talk anyway, Yun-hyeon had no choice but to get up and follow her.

Clack.

Picking up the sword that had been placed next to the table, Yun-hyeon hurriedly followed her.

Head Manager Kang, who was bringing tea, looked puzzled, but Yun-hyeon could only say that they were going out for a moment.

***

Clatter, clatter.

The two got into the carriage that Ha Yeongryeong had arrived in.

The carriage moved without a word, but Ha Yeongryeong only stared out the window, saying nothing.

Yun-hyeon quietly remained silent, as it didn’t seem like there was anything to say inside the carriage.

Clatter.

When the carriage stopped, the two had arrived at a pier on the Pearl River, where the sunset was beautifully spreading.

Ha Yeongryeong got off at the pier and boarded a waiting boat.

‘A boat?’ Yun-hyeon wondered.

It was a small boat, commonly used for Pearl River cruises, that could accommodate about ten people.

During the day, it had an awning like a roof to block the sunlight, and at night, it had lanterns and was a typical small cruise ship for enjoying the night view of Guangzhou and holding simple banquets.

“Get on,” Ha Yeongryeong said as Yun-hyeon looked at the boat.

“Ah, yes.”

Yun-hyeon boarded the boat.

The old boatman immediately skillfully set the boat on the waves of the Pearl River.

Splash, splash.

The river water of the Pearl River crashed against the boat, making a splashing sound.

Following the Pearl River that embraced Guangzhou, the boat slowly moved forward into the sunset.

“Hoo.”

Ha Yeongryeong took a deep breath.

Tucking her long hair, which was flying in the wind, behind her ear with one hand, Ha Yeongryeong looked at the passing scenery with a much lighter expression.

Yun-hyeon sat facing her on the same gunwale [the upper edge of a boat’s side].

It was a bit awkward since it was in the opposite direction, but watching the slowly receding scenery also had a different charm.

“The breeze feels nice.”

Ha Yeongryeong opened her mouth for the first time since leaving the Yun-ga Merchant [likely referring to the Yun family’s trading company].

“Do you come here often?”

“I come when I feel stuffy.”

Ha Yeongryeong turned her head and looked at Yun-hyeon.

“When I float on a boat like this on the river, it feels like everything is flowing slowly, so I feel comfortable, right?”

“I see.”

Yun-hyeon nodded.

He definitely felt better.

“Of course, I also come when I meet a nice guy. The atmosphere is amazing at night.”

Yun-hyeon gave a wry smile at those words.

Ha Yeongryeong immediately glared at Yun-hyeon.

“Are you laughing at me right now?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Yun-hyeon reflexively tried to make an excuse but stopped.

Clumsy excuses wouldn’t work with Ha Yeongryeong.

“…I’m sorry.”

Yun-hyeon lowered his head.

He was prepared for her scolding and criticism, but Ha Yeongryeong’s reaction was very different from Yun-hyeon’s expectations.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Yun-hyeon raised his head.

Leaning against the gunwale and looking at the river, Ha Yeongryeong said quietly.

“That’s how I’ve lived.”

Yun-hyeon’s guilt deepened at her somehow desolate voice.

“I’m sorry.”

Yun-hyeon apologized once again politely.

When he thought about it, how foolish was it to judge others based on just a few words, without really knowing them?

“You’re quite generous today, aren’t you?”

Ha Yeongryeong said, her eyes sparkling.

“I thought you would definitely say something, even if you had to use difficult words. Like, don’t live like that.”