Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 331

331. The Incident at Hoam Merchant Guild

“So, what is this urgent message about?”

At the nobleman’s words, Gil Sang-in snapped back to his senses.

“Ah, yes.”

Gil Sang-in took out a letter wrapped in silk from his chest.

It was a carefully prepared letter, wrapped in high-quality silk and tied with tassels.

With a respectful attitude, Gil Sang-in handed over the letter.

“Here it is, esteemed guest.”

The nobleman smiled as he received the letter.

“That’s not me.”

“Pardon?”

The nobleman, taking the letter from Gil Sang-in’s dazed expression, said,

“I am Yeong Ho-jun, bearing the title of Plum Blossom Sword, and I am escorting the Alliance Lord. Ah, the Alliance Lord is the Sword Lord of Azure Dragon.”

While Gil Sang-in was bewildered, Yeong Ho-jun examined the silk wrapping the letter.

“Who exactly sent this letter?”

“Uh, that is. It’s from the Head Manager of Hoam Merchant Guild.”

“Head Manager, you say…”

Yeong Ho-jun turned his head to look at Un-hyeon, who was sitting next to him.

Un-hyeon replied with a calm expression.

“It must be Miss Lee Seo-yeon.”

Gil Sang-in was taken aback.

Not only did the scholar sitting next to him naturally join the conversation, but he also knew the Head Manager of Hoam Merchant Guild accurately.

While Gil Sang-in was looking at Un-hyeon, Yeong Ho-jun brought the letter to his nose and smelled it.

“Hmm. No poison. But it smells a bit like sweat.”

Gil Sang-in was embarrassed.

Of course, it was bound to smell like sweat.

He hadn’t taken the letter out of his chest, day or night.

Moreover, to smell it with his nose, his expression unknowingly crumpled.

But the surprise was yet to come.

Yeong Ho-jun respectfully handed the letter to Un-hyeon.

“Here it is, Alliance Lord.”

‘Gasp!’

Gil Sang-in turned his head again to look at Un-hyeon.

Alliance Lord meant the Sword Lord of Azure Dragon.

That the plain scholar next to him was the Sword Lord of Azure Dragon was astonishing.

Moreover, he hadn’t even properly paid his respects to him.

“S-Sword Lord of Azure Dragon!”

Thud.

Gil Sang-in jumped up.

No, he tried to get up.

Swish.

Before he knew it, a blade was gleaming on his shoulder.

Yeong Ho-jun had drawn his sword and placed it on Gil Sang-in’s shoulder.

“It’s dangerous if you move any further.”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a charming smile.

“If you get up so suddenly, I might be startled and accidentally cut you down.”

Contrary to his words, Yeong Ho-jun’s eyes were icy cold.

Gil Sang-in forced strength into his trembling legs and slowly sat down.

In the meantime, Un-hyeon untied the tassels and opened the letter.

Rustle.

Yeong Ho-jun glanced at the letter.

With just a light glance, Yeong Ho-jun grasped the contents of the letter.

‘The Hoam Merchant Guild Lord and… Il A-yeong?’

It was the first time he had heard that name.

Un-hyeon’s expression hardened as he read the letter.

Rustle.

Un-hyeon folded the letter and turned to Gil Sang-in.

“What happened to the Hoam Merchant Guild?”

“W-well, actually…”

Gil Sang-in’s expression twisted greatly.

He said with a mournful expression.

“The Hoam Merchant Guild’s main branch… was attacked.”

Gil Sang-in continued, half sobbing.

“Many people were killed and injured. Moreover, the Guild Lord was kidnapped by the monsters…”

Unable to continue, Gil Sang-in said to Un-hyeon.

“Please help us! The Head Manager said that only the Sword Lord of Azure Dragon can save the Guild Lord. Please! Sob sob.”

Gil Sang-in began to sob, overwhelmed by emotion.

Yeong Ho-jun sheathed his sword and asked.

“Do you know the Head Manager of Hoam Merchant Guild? And who is Miss Il A-yeong?”

Gil Sang-in had only mentioned the Guild Lord, but the letter also mentioned another person who had been kidnapped.

It was Il A-yeong.

“Head Manager Lee Seo-yeon is someone who has helped me greatly. And Miss Il A-yeong is…”

Un-hyeon gritted his teeth.

“…like family to me.”

Yeong Ho-jun sighed softly.

He could immediately tell how the situation was unfolding.

“…You must go.”

Un-hyeon said, looking at Yeong Ho-jun.

“Yes. I must go.”

Gil Sang-in, who had been sobbing, raised his head sharply.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

He repeatedly bowed to Un-hyeon.

Yeong Ho-jun shook his head and said to Un-hyeon.

“I can’t stop you, can I?”

Un-hyeon knew why he was saying this.

Yeong Ho-jun was convinced that this was a trap.

Un-hyeon also knew it.

For something like this to happen at this time was neither an accident nor a coincidence.

“Even so, I must go.”

Un-hyeon’s voice was calm.

But his eyes were resolute.

“Definitely.”

“I understand.”

Yeong Ho-jun nodded and said.

“If that is the Alliance Lord’s will, then there’s nothing I can do. I will go with you as well.”

“You too, Great Hero?”

“Just call me Chief Strategist. And there’s no other choice, is there?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Yeong Ho-jun said.

“We need someone to calmly assess the situation, and if anything happens to the Alliance Lord, everything will be in vain.”

Yeong Ho-jun’s words reminded Un-hyeon of his heavy responsibility.

Un-hyeon gave a bitter smile.

“I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, compensate me later with something realistic. Well then, since there’s no time, shall we go quickly?”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a gentle smile.

He acted as if he were going on a leisurely trip, but Un-hyeon’s expression was stiff.

It couldn’t be helped.

Il A-yeong. She, the only daughter of his sworn brother Il Chung-hyeon, had been kidnapped and her life was unknown.

Crack.

The letter crumpled in Un-hyeon’s clenched hand, making a sound.

***

In addition to Un-hyeon and Yeong Ho-jun, Royal Inspector Jo Gwan and Dam So-ha joined the group heading to Hoam Merchant Guild.

It was because of Yeong Ho-jun’s words that there might be a need for the power of the government.

“But why do only I and Brother Hang have to stay behind?”

Jin Ye-rim, who was left behind with Hang Jang-ik, said with a dissatisfied expression.

Yeong Ho-jun shrugged his shoulders.

“If everyone leaves, who will take care of the cow—no, the Azure Dragon Alliance? Besides, the elite troops of Hangju Martial Arts Center will arrive soon, so shouldn’t we welcome them?”

His words were correct.

But Jin Ye-rim was not convinced.

“There are too many things related to the Azure Dragon Alliance. Are you saying that the two of us have to do all of that?”

“Of course, you shouldn’t do that.”

Yeong Ho-jun shook his head and said.

“Miss, this is Emei [a mountain known for its Buddhist monasteries]. There are many smart people around who can recite difficult Buddhist scriptures, and there are many who have reached the level of masters. Moreover, the elderly monks are well aware of the ways of the Jianghu [the martial arts world] martial world, having experienced the Martial Alliance for many years. Wouldn’t it be good to utilize these high-level talents?”

Jin Ye-rim was momentarily stunned.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t thought of that.

“I’ll temporarily hand over the personnel rights to you, so use them as you please. Just don’t appoint anyone above me, the Chief Strategist. That position is for the Alliance Lord. Do you understand?”

Jin Ye-rim, who had inadvertently taken over the personnel rights of the Azure Dragon Alliance’s Chief Strategist, was dumbfounded.

“Just so you know, monks and Taoists listen well when you ask them with a pitiful expression. These people are originally weak to emotions. Sometimes, there are those who are weak to money. Anyway, flatter them appropriately and try to make good use of them.”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a straight face.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you. Acting Chief Strategist.”

Jin Ye-rim couldn’t say anything.

She simply frowned once at Dam So-ha’s chuckling.

That’s how the group heading to Hoam Merchant Guild was decided.

***

Receiving a send-off from the acting Abbot of Emei Sect, Beop-yeong, the group headed to Changsha, Hunan Province, where the main branch of Hoam Merchant Guild was located.

The fastest way was to take a boat down the Yangtze River.

Of course, the Heroes Alliance was holding out, but it didn’t matter to the group.

It was because Royal Inspector Jo Gwan had prepared a government ship.

It was the moment when Yeong Ho-jun’s foresight, his expectation that the power of the government would be needed, quickly came to fruition.

Swish.

Standing on the deck where the water splashed, Yeong Ho-jun nodded.

“Indeed, even the Heroes Alliance wouldn’t be able to touch a government ship.”

“That’s right.”

Jo Gwan said as if it were obvious.

There was no group daring enough to attack a government ship on the Yangtze River.

“And recently, Monk Hye-cheon and State Preceptor Ji-sim also moved on a government ship.”

Those who had left to attack the Heroes Alliance branches in the name of the Azure Dragon Assembly also moved along the Yangtze River on a government ship.

They frowned at the prepared masks and dark martial uniforms, though.

“Indeed.”

Yeong Ho-jun said, admiringly.

“So that’s why the Taepyeong Alliance tried to gain the support of the government.”

No matter how much the Yangtze River was the world of the Heroes Alliance, they couldn’t stop a government ship with its flag raised.

The moment they gained the support of the government, they would virtually escape the influence of the Heroes Alliance.

Considering how boldly the Taepyeong Alliance had revealed its ambition towards Emei, almost everywhere except the Yangtze River might have become the Taepyeong Alliance’s.

“Well then.”

Yeong Ho-jun said, turning to Un-hyeon.

“First, shall we hear the Alliance Lord’s story?”

“Story?”

Yeong Ho-jun nodded at Un-hyeon’s question.

“Yes. Especially those related to Hoam Merchant Guild.”

Un-hyeon sighed softly.

It was something he had to do sooner or later anyway.

“Um, well, it was after the Martial Alliance’s Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”

Swoosh.

Facing the blowing river wind, Un-hyeon told the story of the past.

Starting from the first time he met Lee Seo-yeon on a merchant ship with the Namgung Family warriors, to visiting his sworn brother’s house in Yueyang.

It turned out that someone from Hoam Merchant Guild had received a favor from his late sworn brother, and they had come to repay the debt.

“Although they were only repaying the favor they had received, it was something I was very grateful for. From then on, I became close to Miss Lee Seo-yeon. After that, I entered the Martial Alliance as a secretary.”

“So, it was pure goodwill.”

Un-hyeon nodded at Yeong Ho-jun’s words.

“Yes. That’s right. It was when I was a humble, unemployed scholar with nothing. So there’s no need to doubt Miss Lee Seo-yeon.”

“As a human being, of course, I should do so. But as a Chief Strategist, I cannot.”

Smiling, Yeong Ho-jun continued.

“And you can’t say that you’re insignificant just because you’re unemployed. Our Alliance Lord is too humble.”

Yeong Ho-jun already knew what kind of secretary Un-hyeon was in the Martial Alliance.

Hadn’t he been known as the successor of the Sword Saint since he entered?

“Come to think of it, Miss Lee Seo-yeon is someone you met recently.”

Dam So-ha said, as if suddenly remembering.

“It was definitely on the first day of the Taepyeong Alliance’s Martial Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, wasn’t it?”

At the time, Un-hyeon had told Jo Gwan and his group in detail about the events that had taken place in the Taepyeong Alliance.

Among them was the content of his reunion with Lee Seo-yeon on the first day.

“That’s right. She’s even someone you met at the Taepyeong Alliance not long ago…”

Yeong Ho-jun muttered softly.

“Well, let’s decide after we see her in person first. There’s nothing certain right now anyway.”

The news that had been conveyed to the group was only that the main branch of Hoam Merchant Guild had been attacked by monsters and that the Guild Lord and Il A-yeong had been kidnapped.

As Yeong Ho-jun said, the judgment was to be made after further assessing the situation.

Swish.

The waves crashed on the deck.

Carrying Un-hyeon’s heavy heart, the ship was heading relentlessly along the majestic Yangtze River.

***

Several days later, the ship carrying the group arrived at the vast Dongting Lake.

The sight of Dongting Lake, like a vast ocean, was enough to captivate people’s attention.

However, neither the magnificent scenery of Dongting Lake nor the historical atmosphere of the city of Yueyang entered Un-hyeon’s eyes.

The group got off the ship and took a carriage.

Originally, they would have visited his sworn brother Il Chung-hyeon’s main residence, but due to the urgent situation, they headed straight to Hoam Merchant Guild.