Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 386

386. The End of the League of Heroes

The Dark Sky Demon Emperor and Bi-ryeon disappeared with Yeom Jung-bu.

However, the road was littered with what Yeom Jung-bu had left behind.

Yun-hyun couldn’t simply abandon everything, so he decided to wake up the coachmen first.

“Huh? What in the world happened…?”

The first dozen or so coachmen who woke up were bewildered.

They couldn’t understand how they’d fallen asleep while driving the carriages, and the changed situation upon waking was even harder to grasp.

However, the sight of their fellow coachmen and the Iron Blood Squad sprawled all over the road, still fast asleep as if dead, confirmed that this was no delusion.

“I’m sorry for the sudden change, but we’ll be returning to Hangzhou.”

“Yes? To, to Hangzhou?”

The coachmen hesitated.

Yeom Jung-bu had vanished, and a young man dressed as a scholar was giving orders, making it difficult for them to accept.

Besides, hadn’t they burned down the League of Heroes headquarters when they left Hangzhou?

The coachmen’s hesitation was understandable.

“W-well, when the warriors wake up…”

“It’s alright.”

Yun-hyun reassured the coachmen with a gentle expression.

“They will not wake up. We will return to Hangzhou and hand them over to the authorities, so please move them to the carriages.”

The coachmen had no choice.

Moreover, the oppressive aura emanating from Dok-seon and Geomseong made it hard for them to even breathe.

“A-alright.”

In the end, the coachmen glanced at Dok-seon and Geomseong and nodded.

Yun-hyun turned to Dok-seon and said.

“Elder.”

Dok-seon silently nodded.

And as if by magic, the remaining coachmen began to wake up.

Rustle. Swish.

“Ugh, where is this…?”

The coachmen couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight.

Fortunately, all the sleeping coachmen were unharmed.

Some had sustained minor injuries during the battle, but even those were just scratches.

Meanwhile, not a single member of the Iron Blood Squad stirred.

The coachmen who regained their senses cleared away the broken carriages and redistributed the luggage.

The gold and silver treasures scattered on the road tempted their greed, but the presence of Geomseong and Dok-seon deterred them from even considering anything untoward.

After confirming that the cleanup was underway, Yun-hyun turned his head.

Geomseong remained lost in deep silence.

This was because Yun-hyun had told him about the death of Shinseung Bulyeong.

“…Are you alright?”

“Hmm.”

Geomseong slowly nodded.

However, Geomseong’s silent demeanor revealed that he, too, was deeply affected by Shinseung’s death.

How could he be indifferent when they had shared so many trials and tribulations together?

Dok-seon was also quietly observing Geomseong.

Rustle, rattle, thud.

Amidst the slightly chaotic scene, Yun-hyun quietly mourned Shinseung Bulyeong with Geomseong.

***

The procession of freight wagons, now heading in the opposite direction, arrived in Hangzhou at dawn.

The fire at the League of Heroes headquarters had burned itself out.

The buildings, hastily constructed on the site where the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] had once stood, were poorly built, and the fire had subsided quickly.

With no other buildings nearby, the fire hadn’t spread beyond the League of Heroes headquarters.

So, when Yun-hyun returned, the League of Heroes headquarters was nothing but ashes, with faint smoke rising under the brightening eastern sky.

“Oh my.”

“Heo, it’s really all burned down.”

The gathered people looked at the ruined League of Heroes headquarters, murmuring amongst themselves.

The expressions of those who had been awakened by the fire in the middle of the night were filled with shock and fear.

They worried that the previous chaos might erupt again.

Clatter, clatter.

Meanwhile, Yun-hyun, accompanied by nearly fifty carriages and a procession of over a hundred horses, entered the city.

“League Leader! Over here!”

Yun-hyun, riding alongside a coachman, saw Dam So-ha waving at him.

Next to her was Jin Ye-rim with a surprised expression.

The Chief Military Officer, Yeongho-jun, had instructed her to accompany him, saying that he ‘might need help,’ but ultimately had her stay in Hangzhou for safety.

“Wow, what is all this?”

Dam So-ha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Excluding the broken carriages, there were still fifty freight wagons.

“Where is Yeom Jung-bu?”

Jin Ye-rim asked in a clear voice.

The people next to her flinched in surprise, but Jin Ye-rim paid them no mind.

“…He is no more.”

Yun-hyun said quietly.

Yun-hyun’s voice echoed softly among the silent onlookers.

“And the League of Heroes is no more either.”

“Gasp!”

The people gasped and swallowed dry saliva, stunned.

They couldn’t believe he would make such a statement so openly in front of the League of Heroes headquarters, even in its burned-down state.

However, Yun-hyun remained unfazed.

“Vice Chief Military Officer. Please hand these people and these loads over to the authorities.”

The people Yun-hyun referred to were the Iron Blood Squad Leader and the Iron Blood Squad, still unconscious.

And the contents of the freight wagons were, strictly speaking, profits generated from criminal activities.

Naturally, it was right to return them to the state.

“Okay.”

Jin Ye-rim nodded.

“And I will report the detailed situation to the Dochalwon [Censorate, an ancient government surveillance agency] as well. It won’t be easy for the Pojungsa [police agency] or Ancharsa [secret investigation agency] here to make a decision on this issue alone.”

Jin Ye-rim’s assessment was accurate.

The League of Heroes was not just a problem for Hangzhou, and Yun-hyun was a special inspector appointed by the court.

“Thank you. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Yun-hyun got out of the carriage.

Jin Ye-rim immediately began speaking with the coachmen, and Dam So-ha bowed politely to Dok-seon and Geomseong.

Thud.

Yun-hyun slowly walked towards the League of Heroes.

The acrid smell of smoke permeated the air, and wisps of smoke still rose from various spots.

Thud.

Yun-hyun stopped in front of the ruins of the collapsed League of Heroes sign.

Various thoughts flashed through Yun-hyun’s mind.

He had met many people here, including the young palace lord of Bukhae [Northern Sea Palace, a powerful faction].

He met Geomseong, as well as Mo Yong-mi, Yeongho-jun, Pa Jin-han of the Namhae Sword Sect [South Sea Sword Sect], and Namgung Bi-yeon of the Namgung family for the first time here.

He had witnessed the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, sometimes admiring it and sometimes growing angry at the behavior of the so-called latecomers.

And it was right here that he had met Shinseung Bulyeong.

His unique laughter still echoed in his ears, but Shinseung, who had saved Yun-hyun’s life, was already gone.

All that remained were memories of the past that had already vanished, like the ruins before him.

A wind stirred in Yun-hyun’s heart.

“…You did well.”

Yun-hyun raised his head at the sudden voice.

Dok-seon was standing behind him.

“Bulyeong would have been happy too. He would have bragged to me, saying that his late disciple was admirable.”

“Yes.”

Geomseong also said in a heavy tone.

“He would have. Because that’s who he was.”

The calm voices of the two men resonated in Yun-hyun’s heart.

“…Yes, that’s who he is.”

Yun-hyun said in a slightly trembling voice.

And he turned his head.

Rustle.

Under the brightening morning sunlight, the ruins of the once imposing League of Heroes headquarters lay spread out before him.

Yun-hyun let out a low sigh.

Yun-hyun could finally realize that one chapter had come to an end.

***

Shaanxi Province, Hanzhong.

Hanzhong is an ancient city steeped in history and a crucial gateway to Sichuan.

On the top floor of Hanzhong’s Daru [tea house], the Great Palace Lord of Bukhae was savoring tea.

Bingseol and Binghon, two of the Twelve Beauties of Bukhae, and the Young Palace Lord were also present.

Swish.

Suddenly, Binghon turned her head and looked towards the door.

As expected, the door opened and the manager of the Daru appeared.

“Guest.”

The neatly dressed elderly manager bowed politely and said.

“Someone wishes to join you.”

“Such requests.”

Putting down her teacup, the Great Palace Lord said.

“I told you to refuse them all, didn’t I?”

Many were captivated by the Great Palace Lord’s beauty.

People from all walks of life, believing in their family and status, or wielding their power, constantly sought to join her.

The reason she had rented the entire top floor of the Daru was to avoid such disturbances.

“Yes. I know.”

The manager continued in a polite tone.

“But this person is…”

“It’s me.”

Step.

A woman entered, interrupting the manager’s words.

Dressed in flamboyant clothes and with sharp eyes, she was Tang Seol-ryeon, the General Military Officer in charge of external affairs for the Taepyeong Alliance [Great Peace Alliance, a political/military organization].

Looking directly at the Great Palace Lord, Tang Seol-ryeon said.

“Are you still going to refuse?”

The Young Palace Lord, who was drinking tea next to the Great Palace Lord, couldn’t hide her surprise.

However, the Great Palace Lord’s expression remained unchanged.

“How can I mistreat the General Military Officer in charge of external affairs for the Taepyeong Alliance, of all people?”

Smiling, the Great Palace Lord said.

However, Tang Seol-ryeon did not miss the sharp glint in her eyes.

Rustle.

The Great Palace Lord rose from her seat.

“If you don’t mind, please come this way. The scenery here is quite beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Seol-ryeon also smiled and replied.

Step, step.

Tang Seol-ryeon approached with light steps and sat down.

The seat the Great Palace Lord offered was opposite her.

The manager bowed and left, and a maid entered and placed a teacup in front of Tang Seol-ryeon.

Pour.

A soft fragrance rose as the teacup was filled.

It was an irresistible temptation for Tang Seol-ryeon, who had been traveling all night, but she didn’t touch the teacup.

Her eyes were fixed on the Great Palace Lord.

“What is the reason?”

Raising her teacup, the Great Palace Lord asked.

“The General Military Officer in charge of external affairs for the Taepyeong Alliance is so busy that she has come all the way to Hanzhong.”

“I just stopped by for a moment.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said with a smile.

“Hanzhong is like my front yard to me.”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s words were accurate in the sense that it was a gateway to Sichuan.

But it was definitely not close enough to simply ‘stop by’.

“But what brings the Palace Lord here? It must have been quite a long way from Taewon to here?”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s gaze was sharp.

However, the Great Palace Lord replied with a relaxed expression.

“This distance is just a light outing from Bukhae.”

The Great Palace Lord continued, holding her teacup.

“I simply came to see the scenery of Hanzhong, which is famous.”

The people of Bukhae are renowned for their horsemanship.

But it was too far to simply come for sightseeing.

“Heh heh. Just came to see…? With over a hundred warriors?”

The Great Palace Lord was not alone.

Even now, the first floor of the Daru was filled with Bukhae Ilmun [Northern Sea Palace Disciples] warriors.

They were likely engaged in a silent battle of nerves with Tang Seol-ryeon’s bodyguards.

“Warriors also need a change of pace.”

Putting down her teacup, the Great Palace Lord said.

“Or, perhaps you can’t even go on outings as you please here?”

The smile had vanished from her face.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

Tang Seol-ryeon replied.

“But if warriors with swords swarm around in groups, anyone is bound to pay attention. Especially if they are foreigners from Bukhae…”

“They would have nothing to say even if they were struck by a sword in the street.”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s eyes were filled with murderous intent as she spoke.

But the Great Palace Lord’s eyes did not waver.

“Is that so?”

The Great Palace Lord smiled lightly.

“The people here are gentle. If you had spoken to someone like that in Bukhae…”

Looking directly at Tang Seol-ryeon, the Great Palace Lord said.

“You would have been beheaded right now.”

The eyes of the two women met sharply. It was as if sparks would fly.

“Hmph.”

Tang Seol-ryeon snorted softly.

Clatter.

Rising from her seat, Tang Seol-ryeon looked down at the Great Palace Lord and said.

“I should be going now. As you said, I’m busy.”

“Please do.”

The Great Palace Lord picked up her teacup.

She didn’t even glance at Tang Seol-ryeon, who had stood up.

“I won’t see you off.”

Swish.

The Great Palace Lord turned her gaze out the window.

Tang Seol-ryeon gritted her teeth but soon turned to leave.

Step, step. Thud.

Tang Seol-ryeon exited with a rather forceful stride.

But the Great Palace Lord wore a sneer.

Being stabbed in the back is something that all strategists, especially someone like Tang Seol-ryeon, are even more reluctant to risk.

To prepare for the worst, the Tang family’s power must be dispersed.

Just by staying here, Bukhae Ilmun has perfectly fulfilled its role of keeping her in check.

“…Um, Sister.”

The Great Palace Lord turned her head at the Young Palace Lord’s voice.

The Young Palace Lord, as cute as ever, hesitated and said.

“Are you really just going to look and leave? There are things I want to buy here…”

Perhaps the Young Palace Lord had taken the earlier conversation literally.

“It’s okay.”

The Great Palace Lord said in a soft voice.

“Buy as much as you want. Buy anything you want to give as a gift. There’s plenty of time.”

“Really? Thank you, Sister!”

The Young Palace Lord smiled brightly and rejoiced.

A warm smile bloomed on the Great Palace Lord’s lips as she watched the scene.