Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 307

307. Shadow of the Divine Victory

Un-hyun followed Lady Tang Yi-ryung of the Tang Family into the arena.

The seat Tang Yi-ryung guided him to was quite high-ranking, even among the VIP seats.

It was the kind of seat that anyone could see was meant for the heads of the Seven Great Families.

“Is this really my seat?”

Un-hyun asked, just in case.

Tang Yi-ryung replied politely, “Yes. If you would prefer a different seat…”

“No, this is fine.”

It didn’t matter where he sat anyway.

Un-hyun thanked Tang Yi-ryung and sat down.

Jin Ye-rim stood behind Un-hyun, guarding him as a bodyguard.

However, instead of leaving, Tang Yi-ryung sat demurely next to Un-hyun.

Rustle.

Un-hyun looked at her with a puzzled expression, and she smiled softly.

“I thought I could answer any questions you might have about the Alliance. Unless it makes you uncomfortable…”

“No, thank you.”

Un-hyun gratefully accepted her kindness, as he wanted to know who was who anyway.

Most of the VIP seats were empty, perhaps because the competition hadn’t started yet.

In fact, Un-hyun should have been talking with Tang Seol-ryun as originally planned.

Un-hyun raised his head and looked around the arena.

‘It’s much bigger than the Murim Alliance one.’

The VIP seats were very close to the martial arts stage, which made the arena look even bigger and more magnificent.

It was a clear indication of the Taepyung Alliance’s dedication to this competition.

“Hehe, is that really so?”

“Hahaha.”

Several people entered the VIP seats with cheerful laughter.

And Un-hyun jumped up.

“Ah!”

The people who were entering also noticed Un-hyun.

And the expression on the face of a woman standing in the middle of them changed instantly.

Un-hyun said in a bright voice, “Young Lady Lee!”

Thud.

Un-hyun, who had stood up, walked towards her as if he was happy to see her.

And her, Lee Seo-yeon’s, expression was frozen in astonishment.

“It’s been a while, Young Lady Lee. No, Seo-yeon noona [older sister/female friend].”

Un-hyun didn’t hide his delight.

He looked like he might even grab her hand.

“U, Un oppa [older brother/male friend]…”

Lee Seo-yeon had an expression of disbelief.

Un-hyun gave a gentle smile.

“Yes, it’s me, Seo-yeon noona.”

Jin Ye-rim frowned at the sight.

‘Again?’

She couldn’t understand why Un-hyun met women he knew everywhere he went.

Besides, the women’s reactions were unusual.

Tang Seol-ryun, the Taepyung Alliance’s Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, had turned pale, and this woman couldn’t hide her shock either.

‘Who is that…?’

As Jin Ye-rim shook her head and sighed quietly, Lee Seo-yeon barely managed to speak.

“…How, how are you here, oppa…”

“I was invited.”

Lee Seo-yeon’s eyes wavered for a moment.

An invitation? The Taepyung Alliance had invited Sword Master of Azure Clouds, Un-hyun?

‘How could this be…?’

Lee Seo-yeon was even more confused.

Then, did that mean the Taepyung Alliance knew where Un-hyun was?

What was their intention in inviting Un-hyun here?

Lee Seo-yeon couldn’t help but be bewildered as the assumptions she had made collapsed.

“Then, is your injury…”

Un-hyun smiled.

“It’s fine. Thank you for your concern. Oh, how are Sister-in-law and Ah-young noona doing?”

“Ah, yes. They’re doing well.”

The people to Lee Seo-yeon’s left and right looked at Un-hyun with puzzled eyes.

Un-hyun realized that he had been holding her for too long.

It was like blocking someone on the street.

“Then let’s talk more later.”

Un-hyun smiled and returned to his seat.

However, Lee Seo-yeon couldn’t move from that spot for a while.

Her eyes were fixed on Un-hyun as if she were seeing a ghost.

Lee Seo-yeon was just the beginning.

The same scene was repeated several times as the people of the Taepyung Alliance’s Seven Great Families began to enter.

“U, Secretary Un?”

“Heok!”

“How, how did that guy get here!”

They didn’t care about the sect or age.

Whether it was the Taepyung Alliance representative of some family or the head of some sect’s outer hall, they all showed shocked expressions when they found Un-hyun.

Each time, Un-hyun would just nod with a light smile.

The reaction afterward was always the same.

They made an effort to avoid Un-hyun and hurried to their seats.

The exceptions were Pa Jin-han and Hwangbo Seon-hye of the Namhae Sword Sect when they appeared.

The two exchanged polite greetings with Un-hyun and headed to their seats with a smile.

But the others were glaring sharply at Un-hyun’s back, biting their lips.

Eventually, Jin Ye-rim, unable to watch any longer, asked.

“My lord.”

Jin Ye-rim asked, whispering in Un-hyun’s ear.

“Why is everyone acting like that?”

Un-hyun was startled and turned to Jin Ye-rim, rubbing his ear.

“…You surprised me.”

Un-hyun said as if he was resentful, but Jin Ye-rim’s eyes were sharp.

“Ahem, to them…”

Un-hyun cleared his throat and glanced around.

Those who met Un-hyun’s eyes quickly turned their heads.

In a bitter voice, Un-hyun said, “…Perhaps it’s because I look like a ghost to them.”

“Yes?”

Jin Ye-rim asked back.

The guide next to him, Tang Yi-ryung, also looked at Un-hyun with puzzled eyes.

Un-hyun continued with a bitter expression, “They see the shadow of the Divine Victory in me. The ghost of the past that they turn away from and try to ignore.”

The name of the Divine Victory soon symbolizes the Murim Alliance.

And Un-hyun is the Divine Victory’s martial brother.

Therefore, they see the shadow of the Murim Alliance in Un-hyun along with the Divine Victory.

The Murim Alliance that they pretend never existed, that they don’t even mention.

“Hmph.”

Jin Ye-rim let out a quiet sneer.

“They’re fools. The past doesn’t disappear just because you ignore it.”

Un-hyun sincerely agreed with those words.

“Yes, you’re right.”

Un-hyun said quietly.

“It doesn’t disappear just because you ignore it.”

With eyes full of regret, Un-hyun looked up at the sky.

It was then.

“Oops!”

Someone’s cheerful voice was heard.

Un-hyun turned his head.

Jegeal Gi-ho, with his large physique, was smiling and approaching Un-hyun.

“Isn’t that Secretary Un?”

“Ah, Young Master Jegeal!”

Un-hyun also stood up from his seat.

Jegeal Gi-ho suddenly grabbed Un-hyun’s hand and smiled broadly.

“Oh my. It’s been so long? Secretary Un. No, you’re not a secretary anymore, are you? Hahaha.”

“It’s nice to see you, Young Master Jegeal.”

“What brings you here? I didn’t hear you were coming.”

“I received an invitation. To be exact, my friend did. I ended up coming instead.”

“Oh, really? You must have a very reliable friend. Hahaha. Oh, by the way, I’ve also been promoted.”

Jegeal Gi-ho said, sticking out his chest.

“I’m the Chief Military Strategist for Internal Affairs of the Taepyung Alliance. Well, the name is grand, but that’s all it is. Hahahahaha.”

“Congratulations, Young Master Jegeal.”

“Thank you.”

The two smiled and exchanged greetings.

Everyone in the VIP seats was watching the scene closely.

They nodded as if they finally understood.

Because the things Jegeal Gi-ho asked were the things they were also curious about.

“Ah, now that I think about it, the Family Head has also arrived.”

Jegeal Gi-ho stepped aside, bowing politely.

Thud, thud.

A man with a long white beard walked over.

He looked more like an elderly scholar than a martial artist, but the extraordinary aura emanating from his eyes showed that he was indeed Jegeal Myung, the Gentleman’s Sword.

Un-hyun bowed politely.

“It’s been a while.”

Thud.

Jegeal Myung, the Family Head of the Jegeal Family, the Gentleman’s Sword, stopped walking.

He frowned and said, “I told you to come and visit me, but why have you been so distant?”

It was a reproachful tone, but it was a very friendly one.

“Honestly. Is it that hard to come and see me?”

Un-hyun smiled and said, “I’m sorry. I wanted to visit, but things didn’t work out for various reasons.”

“If things didn’t work out, then it can’t be helped.”

Family Head Jegeal Myung looked at Un-hyun intently and said, “Everyone has unavoidable circumstances.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

It was a seemingly pleasant scene, but the conversation was quite meaningful.

It was then.

Thud, thud.

“Oh, who is this!”

A deep voice burst out.

Un-hyun and Family Head Jegeal Myung turned their heads.

Moyong Dan-cheon, the Family Head of the Moyong Family, the Gwanil Sword, was walking over.

“Aren’t you Grand Master Un? Hahaha.”

Moyong Dan-cheon was neither surprised nor confused.

He approached Un-hyun with a smile on his face.

Jegeal Myung, the Family Head of the Jegeal Family, turned to Un-hyun and said, “Then I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes.”

Moyong Dan-cheon, who had approached in the meantime, exchanged light greetings with Jegeal Myung.

Jegeal Myung and Jegeal Gi-ho moved to their seats, and Moyong Dan-cheon looked straight at Un-hyun.

“It’s nice to see you, Grand Master Un.”

It was a short greeting, but Moyong Dan-cheon’s eyes were warmer than a thousand words.

“It’s nice to see you too, Family Head.”

Un-hyun couldn’t help but have a slight tremor in his voice.

That was all for the greetings.

Moyong Dan-cheon turned his body and headed to his seat.

Following him were Moyong Jin and Moyong Mi.

“Grand Master Un.”

Moyong Jin also bowed to Un-hyun with a touched expression.

“Great Warrior Moyong Jin.”

Un-hyun lowered his head.

There were many things he wanted to say.

But this was not a place to open up his heart.

Un-hyun and Moyong Jin had to be satisfied with exchanging glances full of emotion.

Rustle.

Moyong Mi stood in front of Un-hyun.

She put her hands together and bowed deeply.

Her appearance was like a flower.

“Ah, Young Lady…”

As Un-hyun was about to say something, Moyong Mi raised her head.

Smiling softly, she said, “I’m really happy to see you again, Scholar Un.”

That was all, but everyone in the VIP seats could clearly see.

What Moyong Mi’s true feelings for Un-hyun were.

“Yes, Young Lady.”

Un-hyun also replied with a smile.

Moyong Mi headed to her seat, and Un-hyun also sat down.

Only then did Un-hyun realize that his seat was near the other Family Heads.

It was an enormous consideration to be seated alongside the Family Heads of the Taepyung Alliance’s Seven Great Families.

Of course, it wasn’t originally meant for Un-hyun.

‘I guess the others couldn’t make it.’

The Family Heads of the Hyukryun Family, the Danmok Family, and the Namhae Sword Sect are, at least officially, in closed-door training.

They can’t even show their faces because of the injuries they sustained from Yeom Joong-bu.

The Gongson Family was also unable to leave their family because they were busy rebuilding their burnt-down main residence.

‘But why isn’t the Tang Family Head visible?’

The Family Head, who should be there, is nowhere to be seen.

As Un-hyun was wondering, he suddenly heard Tang Seol-ryun’s voice.

“Esteemed heroes of the world.”

Tang Seol-ryun was standing on the high platform.

She fluttered her splendid clothes and looked down at the arena with a confident expression.

“Even if the world is chaotic, righteousness will not be broken, and even if everyone hides, the righteous will surely rise up.”

Her voice, filled with inner strength, echoed clearly throughout the wide arena.

The people who filled the seats were holding their breath and looking up at Tang Seol-ryun.

“The Taepyung Alliance dares to declare to heaven and earth through this competition today.”

Tang Seol-ryun smiled faintly.

“The new era of peace in the Gangho Murim [martial arts world] will be achieved by us, the Taepyung Alliance!”

At the same time as Tang Seol-ryun stretched out her hand, huge banners unfolded from all directions.

“Ooooooh!”

The people exclaimed.

Flutter, flutter.

It was truly a spectacular sight.

The banners, wide enough to cover about ten adults, were unfolding downwards simultaneously.

It was an amazing sight in itself, but the words ‘Taepyung Alliance’ revealed on the banners were all embroidered in splendid gold.

Tang Seol-ryun spread her arms wide.

“Welcome to the gathering of young dragons and phoenixes who will lead the new era!”

Bang, bang, bang.

Fireworks exploded here and there, and colorful paper fluttered.

The excitement of the people, who were already filled with anticipation, soared to its peak.

“Waaaaaah!”

Tremendous cheers and applause erupted.

Not only the people who were friendly to the Taepyung Alliance but also others were swept up in the excitement and shouted.

Tang Seol-ryun smiled and looked down at them.

And after bowing gracefully, she came down from the platform.

Rustle, rustle.

Tang Seol-ryun quietly said to her subordinate, who was waiting below the platform.

“Start it.”

“Yes!”

The subordinate immediately bowed his head and obeyed the order.

The Taepyung Alliance Murim Yongbongjihoe [martial arts competition] began with the declaration of Tang Seol-ryun, the Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, not the Tang Family Head or the Family Heads of the Seven Great Families.

Tang Seol-ryun’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and a confident smile lingered on her lips.

However, she herself knew very well that she was deliberately not looking towards the VIP seats.