Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 350

350. Once You Do It, You’re Experienced

Un-hyun and his group returned to the Namgung Clan.

The chief steward greeted them respectfully, and the group headed straight to the main office.

Jin Ye-rim was impressed to see the disciples and key figures of the Namgung Clan respectfully greeting Un-hyun as they passed by.

“The Namgung Clan is very polite to you, Master Un?”

Coming from a small to medium-sized martial family in Hangzhou, she was surprised by the extreme courtesy shown by members of the prestigious Namgung Clan.

“Ah, you didn’t see it, did you?”

Dam So-ha chimed in.

“At first, it was absolute chaos. Before we even arrived at the Namgung Clan, a path opened through the crowd, and people were shouting praises for the Alliance Leader! Besides, over a hundred disciples of the Namgung Clan bowed all at once….”

Jin Ye-rim frowned.

She doubted they would go that far.

Jin Ye-rim knew very well the pride held by disciples from a large clan like the Namgung Clan.

However, seeing the polite attitude of the Namgung Clan disciples now, it seemed like Dam So-ha’s account wasn’t a complete exaggeration.

Step, step.

The group arrived at the Clan Lord’s office before they knew it.

Click.

The door opened, and the Clan Lord, Iron Sword Namgung-byeok, stood up with a bright smile.

“Welcome….”

But his voice trailed off.

Iron Sword Namgung-byeok’s eyes widened.

“No way….”

He was an indomitable warrior with the title of Iron Sword, but even he couldn’t help but be surprised at this moment.

Before him stood one of the Illusory World Five Heavens [a group of the five most powerful martial artists in the world], the infamous Poisonous Immortal, a symbol of terror during the Righteous-Demonic War [a large-scale conflict between martial artists who followed different ideologies].

“This person is a guest elder,” Un-hyun quickly said.

“He has decided to stay with me for a while.”

Namgung-byeok was bewildered.

It was clearly the Poisonous Immortal, but what was this about a guest elder, and what did he mean by staying with Un-hyun for a while?

Namgung-byeok looked at the Poisonous Immortal, his mind racing.

“I am a guest elder,” the Poisonous Immortal said quietly.

From his calm voice and eyes, Namgung-byeok immediately understood the Poisonous Immortal’s intention: this was not up for debate.

“Ahem. Yes, Guest Elder.”

If the Poisonous Immortal was a guest elder, then he was a guest elder.

Namgung-byeok bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for visiting the Namgung Clan. Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable.”

Namgung-byeok’s attitude toward the Poisonous Immortal was cautious.

It couldn’t be helped. Even the position of Clan Lord was meaningless before one of the Illusory World Five Heavens, and the Poisonous Immortal was known for being picky and capricious.

“Hmm.”

The Poisonous Immortal sat down on a chair without even a word of thanks.

Namgung-byeok stared at him with disbelief.

“Clan Lord, please sit down as well,” Un-hyun said.

At Un-hyun’s words, Namgung-byeok finally came to his senses and sat down.

When everyone was seated, a maid brought tea.

The Poisonous Immortal leisurely savored the tea’s aroma.

“Good.”

Watching him, Namgung-byeok frowned at Un-hyun.

“…What is going on?”

With an awkward smile, Un-hyun replied, “It just happened this way.”

“Heo.”

Namgung-byeok sighed.

Then he suddenly remembered what Un-hyun had said earlier.

“The Poison…, the Guest Elder has decided to stay with the Alliance Leader. Does that mean it’s a personal matter?”

“That’s right.”

Indeed, there was no way that the Poisonous Immortal, one of the Illusory World Five Heavens, would join the Alliance now.

Unless he were to create his own alliance and become its leader.

‘I see. So….’

He could understand why the Poisonous Immortal was acting as a guest elder.

It meant that he didn’t want his presence to be revealed carelessly.

“I understand, Alliance Leader. I will issue an order to the clan to be especially mindful.”

The younger generation wouldn’t recognize the Poisonous Immortal.

But those who had experienced the Righteous-Demonic War were different. If they were to encounter the Poisonous Immortal within the Namgung Clan, the terror would be unimaginable.

“Heo, you truly have a knack for surprising people, Alliance Leader.”

Namgung-byeok was genuinely impressed.

If Un-hyun hadn’t come with him, Namgung-byeok would have thought that the Poisonous Immortal had come to annihilate the Namgung Clan.

For those who had experienced the Righteous-Demonic War, the fear that the Poisonous Immortal inspired was absolute.

“By the way, how did things go with your visit to the Naval Commander?”

“Fortunately, it went well.”

Un-hyun briefly told him about how Naval Commander Jin-rim had agreed to cooperate.

Namgung-byeok nodded.

“I understand. I will soon develop a detailed plan and send it to the Naval Commander.”

Namgung-byeok smiled as he spoke.

“You said you would cut off the Yangtze River, and you really did it.”

The banner of the Azure Dragon Alliance was to oppose the Heroic Alliance.

Namgung-byeok knew that it would be difficult to realize that immediately.

No, everyone in the world thought so.

But Un-hyun had made it a reality. He had effectively cut off the Yangtze River, which was considered the Heroic Alliance’s territory.

Namgung-byeok clearly knew that this was not something that could be done simply by being the Imperial Court’s plenipotentiary [an official with full power to take action on behalf of their government].

“Thank you.”

Un-hyun expressed his gratitude for Namgung-byeok’s praise.

Namgung-byeok nodded and suddenly said, “Now, shouldn’t the Alliance establish a main headquarters?”

The answer came from Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun, who was next to him.

“Ah, for the time being, the Azure Dragon Alliance will not establish a separate headquarters.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it would be inefficient given the current state of the Alliance,” Yeongho-jun answered as if he had been waiting for the question.

“Even if the sects gather now, there will only be a lot of talk. For the time being, it is sufficient for the Alliance Leader and each sect to cooperate closely.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.”

Namgung-byeok nodded.

Yeongho-jun and Un-hyun had already discussed this issue.

The biggest reason Yeongho-jun opposed the establishment of a headquarters was because of the potential pride battles between the large sects.

He was concerned that Un-hyun’s authority would be shaken if they started to voice their opinions.

The authority of the Azure Dragon Alliance should be concentrated on Azure Dragon Sword Lord Un-hyun. That was Yeongho-jun’s judgment.

“So, how about establishing a branch of the Azure Dragon Alliance within the Namgung Clan? The Emei Sect has already….”

“Of course, we will do that,” Namgung-byeok nodded before Yeongho-jun could finish speaking.

“I was planning to prepare a separate building for the Alliance Leader anyway, so use that building and decide on the necessary personnel in consultation with the Chief Inspector.”

“Thank you, Clan Lord.”

Yeongho-jun smiled and expressed his gratitude.

Jin Ye-rim was inwardly surprised by this.

Coming from a small to medium-sized martial arts family, she couldn’t believe that the Namgung Clan, which was difficult to even step into, was so easily giving away buildings and people.

“Did you hear that? Acting Chief Strategist.”

Jin Ye-rim was momentarily flustered by Yeongho-jun’s sudden voice.

“Yes, yes?”

“You can do the same thing here, just like you did in the Emei Sect.”

“Yes?”

Jin Ye-rim wondered what he was talking about, but she soon frowned.

“You want me to do that again? I already did it in the Emei Sect….”

“That’s even better. As they say, once you do it, you’re experienced, and twice you’re an expert, right?”

“…Is that really a saying?” Dam So-ha muttered next to her, and Namgung-byeok opened his mouth.

“Oh, so you organized the Azure Dragon Alliance branch within the Emei Sect? It must have been difficult since the monks of Emei don’t listen to others….”

Namgung-byeok looked at Jin Ye-rim with shining eyes.

The four major sects of the Buddhist and Taoist traditions were not only proud but also stubborn. They wouldn’t listen to others, and they even fought among themselves over the interpretation of scriptures, so it was natural for Namgung-byeok to be interested.

“No, that’s….”

Jin Ye-rim was flustered and tried to say something, but Yeongho-jun interrupted.

“Oh, by the way, what happened to the thirty elites from the Hangzhou martial arts families who were supposed to come?”

“They arrived last time. For the time being, I’ve entrusted their training to Hye-cheon of the Shaolin Temple.”

“Did the attack on the Heroic Alliance branch go well?”

“Yes. It wasn’t a very large branch anyway, and we chose a place that hadn’t been attacked by the Azure Dragon Association. I also confirmed that rumors were spreading afterward.”

“Are there any particular problems in the Emei Sect? For example, complaints about the Azure Dragon Alliance….”

Jin Ye-rim gave a bitter smile.

“What complaints could there be? I gave the people who were already frustrated positions related to external affairs, so they were happy.”

Jin Ye-rim frowned as she spoke.

“But why are you suddenly asking me about that here? I’ve already reported everything in writing.”

“That’s right. I received it very well. Thank you for your hard work, Acting Chief.”

Yeongho-jun nodded with satisfaction and said to Namgung-byeok, “Did you see that? From planning and preparation to execution, as well as confirming the results and reporting, she’s very thorough. Whether it’s the strict monks of Emei or the energetic elites of the martial arts families, they can’t do anything in front of the Acting Chief Strategist.”

Yeongho-jun proudly said to Namgung-byeok.

Jin Ye-rim was dumbfounded. Was that all her ability?

“Hey, that’s only because Master Un is the Alliance Leader….”

“And her respect for the Alliance Leader is also certain.”

“Indeed.”

Yeongho-jun and Namgung-byeok nodded to each other.

Jin Ye-rim was so speechless that she couldn’t even continue.

Yeongho-jun said with a smile, “Don’t worry. This time, we also….”

That’s when it happened.

“Clan Lord.”

The chief steward’s quiet voice was heard from outside.

Namgung-byeok’s expression hardened.

“What is it?”

He had already told them not to disturb him, so it must be an urgent matter.

Click.

The door opened, and the chief steward came in.

“It’s a message from Emei.”

“From Emei?”

The eyes of everyone, including Namgung-byeok, turned to the chief steward.

The chief steward respectfully handed a thin letter to Namgung-byeok and left the office.

Namgung-byeok frowned as he took the letter.

“The Alliance Leader should see this.”

Namgung-byeok handed the letter to Un-hyun.

The recipients of the letter were the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan and the Alliance Leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Un-hyun opened the letter.

Rustle.

“Hmm.”

Un-hyun groaned quietly as he examined the contents.

“What’s wrong?” Namgung-byeok asked.

“It seems like something has happened to the Mount Hua Sect,” Un-hyun said with a firm expression as he looked at the letter.

“What? Something happened?”

Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun, who was sitting next to him, immediately looked at the letter.

The Mount Hua Sect was his sect.

“This is….”

Yeongho-jun’s expression twisted severely.

Un-hyun handed the letter to Namgung-byeok.

Namgung-byeok’s face also hardened as he examined the letter.

Un-hyun said to the group, “It is said that an unidentified drug called the Soul-Binding Pill has spread in the Mount Hua Sect, and quite a few people have been poisoned.”

The Poisonous Immortal’s eyebrows twitched.

With a firm expression, Un-hyun continued, “The Mount Hua Sect believes that the Heroic Alliance is behind this and has alerted the Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei Sects to the danger.”

The four major sects based on Buddhism and Taoism had been closely linked since the days of the Martial Arts Alliance.

The Mount Hua Sect, believing that the Soul-Binding Pill was a scheme of the Heroic Alliance, considered the other sects to be in danger as well and sent them the news.

Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun said with a serious face, “We must leave immediately.”

“I need to ask Monk Hye-cheon to find out the situation in the Shaolin Temple,” Jin Ye-rim said.

“Ah, and just in case, I’ll see if there are any Emei monks who have connections in the Wudang Sect.”

“Please do so. That’s a very timely response,” Yeongho-jun nodded.

“Your judgment and actions are so accurate that I can trust you to handle it.”

“I’m not the Acting Chief anymore, am I? And what are you entrusting me with?” Jin Ye-rim protested, but Yeongho-jun said with a serious expression.

“You are the Acting Chief again from today. We will go to Mount Hua, so please take good care of organizing the Azure Dragon Alliance branch in the Namgung Clan as you said earlier.”

Jin Ye-rim’s expression crumpled at those words.

But she couldn’t say anything to Yeongho-jun, whose sect was in crisis.

Un-hyun said to Namgung-byeok, “Just in case, please check the situation in the Namgung Clan as well.”

“I understand,” Namgung-byeok nodded and said to Jin Ye-rim.

“Tell me if you need anything related to the branch organization. I will actively cooperate.”

Jin Ye-rim couldn’t say anything at Namgung-byeok’s trusting gaze.

Yeongho-jun said to Jin Ye-rim with a serious expression, “To receive the support of the Namgung Clan and the trust of the Clan Lord, isn’t this a great opportunity to show your abilities? Then, I’ll leave it in your hands. Acting Chief Strategist.”

Jin Ye-rim’s crumpled expression did not ease.

Clatter.

Since there was no time to delay, the group immediately got up from their seats.

Dam So-ha, who was the first to get up, was quickly escaping from the office.