Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 304

304. Ice Snow Brightness

Suha answered Dang Seol-yeon politely.

“I don’t think it’s because of this.”

Rustle.

A small scroll was handed to Dang Seol-yeon.

The moment she saw the scroll with a golden dragon pattern that seemed to fly on the red silk, Dang Seol-yeon flinched.

“It arrived just a moment ago.”

Suha said with a smile.

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes wavered.

That was because it was the formal reply to the invitation she had personally written and sent with special care.

“…Could it be.”

“Yes.”

Suha bowed her head and said.

“It was sent by Eunuch Park, the head of the Eastern Depot [a secret intelligence agency] and a key figure of power.”

Swish.

Dang Seol-yeon, reaching out for the scroll, had a slight tremble in her white hand.

She couldn’t help it.

To receive a reply from Eunuch Park, whom she thought it would be a success just to have her name known, even the snow flower of the Dang Clan couldn’t help but have her heart race.

Dang Seol-yeon immediately untied the scroll.

Flap.

The scroll was not very long.

Dang Seol-yeon read the sentences written in a soaring script with shining eyes.

It was only a moment before her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Full authority delegate?”

Muttering the unfamiliar word, she examined the contents of the scroll again.

However, she could not discern any other intentions.

Because, apart from the formal and lengthy rhetoric, the content itself was extremely simple from the start.

Clack.

Dang Seol-yeon put down the scroll.

Noticing the gazes of her subordinates, she said briefly.

“Eunuch Park can’t come. But his full authority delegate will come.”

The word was unfamiliar to the subordinates as well.

However, they dared not question Dang Seol-yeon, who was lost in thought.

Dang Seol-yeon tapped the desk with her long, white fingers.

Tap, tap.

‘But why did the Inspector or the Provincial Administration Commissioner make such a decision?’

If a power figure’s full authority delegate comes down from the central government, wouldn’t the local officials usually rush out barefoot to greet them?

Especially if it’s a place where that full authority delegate is attending, everyone would try to show their face.

However, the Sichuan Province local officials are doing the opposite when it comes to attending the competition, even if greeting barefoot is something to be seen.

‘Perhaps.’

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

Her red lips twisted under her white teeth.

‘Does that mean Eunuch Park’s full authority delegate might be a harbinger of death?’

To officials, the Eastern Depot and the Censorate [an agency that monitors the efficiency of governmental agencies] are no different from death gods.

But the more that is the case, the more they would try to look good.

‘I don’t know.’

She couldn’t understand at all.

However, when officials, especially arrogant local officials, are cautious, there is definitely a reason.

“Humph.”

Rustle.

Dang Seol-yeon got up from her seat.

Her eyes were shining challengingly.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter. The top power figure of the court is sending a full authority delegate. Right here, to the Taiping Alliance.”

Eunuch Park, who holds the Eastern Depot and the Censorate in one hand, and is already recognized as the top power figure of not only now but also the next regime.

If someone is delegated his full authority, they themselves would certainly not be insignificant in the central political world.

“That’s enough.”

Dang Seol-yeon gave a subtle smile.

Whether he was a grim reaper or an ambitious and power-hungry hero, it didn’t matter.

Dang Seol-yeon was confident that she could make him her ally.

No, she had to do so unconditionally.

No matter what the cost.

“I need to review the competition situation again.”

Tap.

Dang Seol-yeon placed her hands on the table and sharply examined the documents.

The biggest purpose of the competition has changed.

With just Eunuch Park, no, just the court’s full authority delegate alone, this competition will have tremendous significance.

“Re-inform the progress managers about the important guests and tell them to treat the full authority delegate as the top priority no matter what. Especially since everyone is busy during the competition, make sure there are absolutely no mistakes… No, it would be better to designate a dedicated manager separately.”

Flap, flap.

Dang Seol-yeon turned the documents and poured out words without hesitation.

“Re-adjust the seating arrangement of the venue, and select martial arts matches or gatherings to recommend to the full authority delegate to attend. So that they can increase their understanding and favor of the Taiping Alliance. Prepare about three young ladies from the Dang Clan’s collateral line who are intelligent and beautiful to escort him. Ah, and a pretty boy just in case.”

Flap.

“Adjust my competition schedule as well. I have to be the first person he meets every day and the last person he sees. Got it?”

“We will prepare accordingly.”

“Report to me as soon as the schedule and details are confirmed.”

“Yes, Military Advisor.”

Dang Seol-yeon was slightly excited.

She thought it would be a success just to receive a congratulatory letter, but Eunuch Park sent a delegate with his full authority.

She didn’t know if it was a misfortune or a blessing.

It could mean that they want to join hands with the Taiping Alliance, or it could mean that the government wants to directly interfere in the martial world.

However, the important thing is that he is trying to have a conversation with the Taiping Alliance.

‘It can’t be helped. Because there is no alternative other than the Taiping Alliance.’

The court can never join hands with the League of Heroes.

Then the only choice is the Taiping Alliance.

Because the current martial world is the world of the League of Heroes and the Taiping Alliance.

“Hehehe.”

Laughter flowed from between her red lips.

The snow flower of the Dang Clan, Dangmun Seolhwa, Dang Seol-yeon, could not hide her excitement.

The day when the Taiping Alliance is recognized as the only legitimate force in the martial world and the Dang Clan stands tall as the true number one clan in the world seemed to be just around the corner.

***

A faint lamp illuminated the room in the darkness.

It was so dark that they couldn’t even read the words, but it didn’t matter.

Because this level of darkness was not an obstacle for those gathered here.

“Are you saying that the Azure Dragon Sword Master has appeared?”

A surprised voice popped out from a young man’s mouth.

“Yes.”

A clear, woman’s voice answered.

“The Azure Dragon Sword Master himself.”

“Oh oh.”

Voices of admiration spread.

Everyone couldn’t hide their surprise, and the woman smiled knowingly and continued.

“Not only that. He will show up at this Taiping Alliance competition.”

The surprise grew even bigger, and someone asked with a puzzled voice.

“How did you know that? Where is he now?”

In a relaxed voice, the woman answered.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal that yet.”

“Why?”

“It’s the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s will.”

A moment of silence flowed.

Her words and attitude were enough to make it seem like she had a secret communication with the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

No, that was true.

She knew the whereabouts of the Azure Dragon Sword Master, which no one else knew, and even what he was trying to do.

“…Does he know about our meeting?”

“What did he say?”

“Does he know about Junwi’s incident last time?”

Voices popped out from here and there.

But the woman smiled.

“Isn’t the important thing not that?”

People frowned as if asking what she meant.

The woman said with a smile.

“The important thing is that the Azure Dragon Sword Master has appeared. We need to think about what impact this fact will have on our meeting, don’t you think?”

“What impact…”

A young man said, puzzled.

“What is there to think about? The name of the Azure Dragon Sword Master is like a symbol against the League of Heroes, so of course our meeting will gain strength, right?”

“That symbolism.”

The woman said with a slight sigh.

“We created it. Although the Azure Dragon Sword Master may be his title, the Azure Dragon Branch is ours. Isn’t that right?”

To be precise, they were just riding the rumors.

But it was undeniable that the rumors grew even bigger thanks to their activities.

“…So, are you saying that we should take the initiative?”

“Of course.”

The woman said firmly.

“There are far more young people within the Taiping Alliance who want to join us than before. There are also many people who are angry at the tyranny of the Dang Clan and the Zhuge Family.”

She continued without hesitation.

“What about the Yangtze River [a major river in China]? Rumors are spreading throughout the world that the Azure Dragon Sword Master is the only one who can stand against the League of Heroes. Who created this situation?”

The woman smiled thinly.

“It’s us. Our Azure Dragon Branch has created this current situation. It is proof that righteousness is on our side and that the will of heaven is in this meeting.”

Her beautiful eyes shone.

“So we must be the ones to move the world. Even if the opponent is the Azure Dragon Sword Master, nothing changes.”

Her words were, at least to those here, an unadulterated truth.

“What you say is very true.”

Someone said quietly.

“But the Azure Dragon Sword Master probably doesn’t have good feelings about the Taiping Alliance either. The Taiping Alliance is, in a way, a betrayal of the Murim Alliance [a large organization of martial artists].”

The one who burned the Murim Alliance was Blood Prince Munwang, but the establishment of the Taiping Alliance is what effectively collapsed the Murim Alliance organization itself.

Azure Dragon Sword Master Unhyun is a disciple of the Divine Master who founded the Murim Alliance, so he naturally couldn’t have a good view of the Taiping Alliance.

“So, how about revealing our identities and asking him to join us? If the Azure Dragon Sword Master joins us, we can gain great justification.”

The justification that the ‘Disciple of the Divine Master’ has is very great.

It was no different from meaning that he was the legitimate successor of the Murim Alliance founded by the Divine Master.

The Azure Dragon Branch, which is just a meeting, would overwhelm the Taiping Alliance, at least in terms of justification.

“I fully agree with the Great Hero’s words.”

The woman said in a clear voice.

“But I’m a little doubtful as to whether now is the appropriate time.”

The young man who brought up the topic asked with puzzled eyes.

“Why?”

“First, the Azure Dragon Sword Master doesn’t yet know the importance of our meeting.”

The woman continued in a calm voice.

“He has Shaolin [a Buddhist monastery known for martial arts] and also the Murong Family. Although he is full of righteousness, I don’t know how important he will think of us, who are still just a meeting.”

No one could argue with that.

Because she was the only one who had close communication with the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

“Secondly, revealing our identities is dangerous, even to the Azure Dragon Sword Master. Since it is clear that the Taiping Alliance will oppose him, it is better to keep a distance for the time being. If our meeting is revealed now, we will ruin the great cause.”

Slightly looking back at the people who were listening to her, the woman gave a soft smile.

“Finally, time is still on our side. If the Taiping Alliance’s foreign policy does not change and the tyranny of the Dang Clan continues, dissatisfaction will eventually erupt within the Taiping Alliance. Then we just…”

Slightly clenching her white hand, she said.

“All we have to do is reach out and grab it. We will take control of the main positions of the Taiping Alliance, and the will of the Azure Dragon Branch will cover the martial world.”

Her words sounded very sweet.

But there was also a great deal of impatience.

“There are many who want to join us now. How much longer are we going to wait?”

The woman smiled brightly.

“It won’t be long. But not yet. A clumsy attempt will only make the enemy prepare.”

Another young man said cautiously.

“The Dang Clan’s dominance may become entrenched after the competition. It is good to be cautious, but aren’t we going to miss the opportunity?”

“As I said, time is on our side.”

The woman continued with a soft expression.

“Dang Seol-yeon is taking the pride of other clans too lightly. Although they cannot leave the Taiping Alliance due to realistic problems, there is no clan that will stand by and watch the Dang Clan’s behavior of trying to rule openly. In the end, this competition will deepen the dissatisfaction within the Taiping Alliance, and the relative deprivation will grow even greater. That’s when we come to the fore.”

Smiling softly, she said.

“After that, we must punish the League of Heroes. Then, wouldn’t the Azure Dragon Sword Master be happy to be our vanguard?”

“Indeed, indeed!”

Someone exclaimed in admiration.

“Your wisdom is so outstanding that you can truly be called Ice Snow Brightness. Dang Seol-yeon is called Snow Flower, but how can she compare to you?”

Ice Snow Brightness means wisdom that is as cold as snow and as transparent as ice.

Also, the words were an expression that greatly praised her beauty.

“You flatter me.”

The woman answered with a bashful smile.

But her expression was flushed.

“It seems like a conclusion has been reached.”

Another young man said in a serious voice.

“Righteousness is on our side, and the wisdom of Ice Snow Brightness is also with us, so the day when we raise up the collapsed morality of the martial world is not far off!”

The woman’s voice followed as if she had been waiting.

“Also, the day when we strip off the hypocrisy of the detestable Dang Clan and stand as the true legitimate force of the Murim is also not far off.”

They simultaneously met each other’s eyes.

And shouted in an excited voice.

“For the Azure Dragon Branch!”

The eyes of those who raised their voices were shining fiercely even in the darkness.