Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 417

417. Why Should I?

Guangxi Province, Guilin, Taiping Alliance Guangxi Branch.

Clatter, clatter.

From early dawn, half a dozen riders galloped out of the Taiping Alliance headquarters.

They were messengers heading to the branches of each sect affiliated with the Taiping Alliance.

Most of the branches were located in or around Guilin, so the news carried by the messengers spread quickly.

It was the announcement that the Taiping Alliance would be hosting a grand banquet.

This banquet, intended to commend those who had contributed and to console everyone for their hard work, was a grand event lasting fifteen days, starting that very day.

Despite the sudden announcement, everyone welcomed it as it aimed to unite the strength of the Taiping Alliance and strengthen the bonds between the sects.

In fact, everyone was exhausted due to the continuous suppression efforts, injuries to disciples, and the unfamiliar climate and environment.

Moreover, it was a timely decision in that it proclaimed the Taiping Alliance’s control over Guangxi both internally and externally.

Not only the various sects of the Taiping Alliance but also the entire city of Guilin began to buzz with this news.

However, not everyone in the Taiping Alliance was distracted by the grand banquet.

Gongsun Family’s Guilin Branch, the Lord’s office.

“The Lord of the Tang Clan?”

Family Lord, Flying Sword Gongsun Yue, frowned.

Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall, lowered his head.

“Yes. He visited Tianhua Inn last night, accompanied by Chief Military Strategist Tang Xuelian and Black Tortoise Captain Tang Ye.”

“The reason?”

“I have not been able to ascertain it.”

“Tianhua Inn, you say? That’s where a squad of the Black Tortoise Unit lost consciousness.”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm.”

Gongsun Yue stroked his beard, lost in thought.

The incident involving the Tang Clan’s Black Tortoise Unit was likely due to some misunderstanding or a distorted rumor.

In fact, the Tang Clan had withdrawn from Tianhua Inn the previous night.

They, who would normally cling on to the end, given their usual character.

But the Lord of the Tang Clan, Qingyan Lord Tang Tianbi, had visited the inn himself, accompanied by the Chief Military Strategist and the Black Tortoise Unit?

‘Strange.’

The presence of Chief Military Strategist Tang Xuelian was understandable.

But if the arrogant Lord of the Tang Clan, Qingyan Lord Tang Tianbi, moved personally, it could only mean something was amiss.

‘Moreover, the sudden hosting of a grand banquet…’

Gongsun Yue was already suspicious of the Tang Clan’s intentions.

The thought that something was not right did not leave Gongsun Yue’s mind.

‘Wait. Could it be…’

He thought it couldn’t be.

Logically, there was no connection.

But Gongsun Yue’s animalistic sense was telling him that this might be a sign of something.

The sign of ‘contact’ written in the letter from the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall, noticed the change in Gongsun Yue’s expression and asked.

“What is it?”

“If the grass moves, what lies beneath it?” Gongsun Yue asked abruptly.

Gongsun Wei was bewildered but immediately replied.

“A snake, perhaps?”

Gongsun Yue gave a wry smile.

“You are indeed a martial artist. Out of so many things, you answer with a snake.”

Gongsun Wei was slightly embarrassed.

“I apologize. The saying ‘startle the snake in the grass (打草驚蛇) [a Chinese idiom meaning to make a move that alerts the enemy]’ suddenly came to mind…”

“It’s alright. I thought so too.”

Gongsun Yue interrupted Gongsun Wei.

Click.

Standing up from his seat, Gongsun Yue said.

“I must go to Tianhua Inn.”

“Yes?”

“Now that we’ve seen the grass moving, shouldn’t we check if it’s a snake or a frog?”

“But if you are to attend the grand banquet…”

“It’s alright.”

Gongsun Yue said with a smile.

“I’m just stopping by on the way anyway.”

“Understood.”

The head of the outer hall, Gongsun Wei, bowed his head to receive the Family Lord’s command.

Contrary to his words, Family Lord Gongsun Yue’s expression was stern.

However, they did not realize that one of the Gongsun Family’s second-generation disciples had already headed to Tianhua Inn.

***

Guilin, Tianhua Inn.

Yun Hyun left the room with Guest Ong.

Step, step.

Moving downstairs, Yun Hyun said.

“Would you like to take a tour of the Li River today? I’ve been wanting to ride one of those bamboo rafts.”

“Be careful.”

Guest Ong said, as if throwing the words.

“I heard there are experts who drowned because they couldn’t swim.”

“Yes?”

Yun Hyun couldn’t believe it.

Even an expert drowning?

“Well, they say someone skilled in hand-to-hand combat dragged him to the bottom.”

“Ah, I see.”

Yun Hyun nodded.

Even an expert couldn’t hold their breath indefinitely, so that situation was understandable.

“But even experts must always be careful. In the martial world, you don’t die from meeting someone stronger than you, but from carelessness. Especially near water, always be cautious.”

Guest Ong frowned, as if he had some bad memories related to water.

Yun Hyun smiled and replied.

“Yes. I will be careful.”

Tap.

Yun Hyun, who was walking, suddenly stopped.

Guest Ong also stopped and looked at Yun Hyun.

Yun Hyun looked at Guest Ong and said quietly.

“…Thank you.”

Guest Ong frowned slightly.

But he soon realized what Yun Hyun was saying.

“Humph.”

Guest Ong snorted.

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m just doing what I want to do.”

With those words, Guest Ong walked ahead of Yun Hyun.

Step, step.

Yun Hyun smiled as he looked at Guest Ong’s retreating figure.

And he followed him.

It was when the two reached the stairs leading down to the first floor.

“There they are!”

A sharp voice pierced Yun Hyun’s ears.

Several warriors were gathered on the first floor, looking up at him.

One of them pointed at Yun Hyun and shouted.

Swish.

He drew his sword without hesitation.

And shouted with a triumphant expression.

“That old man is an accomplice too! Don’t let them get away!”

Yun Hyun’s eyebrows twitched.

He was one of the group that Guest Ong had subdued last time.

Just as the Tang Clan had identified Yun Hyun and Guest Ong as suspects in the Black Tortoise Unit incident, they had the same thought.

With the expectation of solving a case that even the Tang Clan couldn’t solve, their expressions were quite excited.

“Tsk.”

Guest Ong clicked his tongue.

Yun Hyun was also at a loss.

Everyone on the first floor was looking at Yun Hyun and Guest Ong.

Moreover, they were not unrelated guests, but mostly warriors from the Taiping Alliance.

The only fortunate thing was that there weren’t many people because it was morning, but it wasn’t much of a consolation.

“What to do about this…”

It was when Yun Hyun muttered in a troubled voice.

Clack.

A quiet sound rang out.

The result was immediate.

Thud, thud, thump.

Sounds were heard from here and there as people lowered their heads.

Those who were standing lost consciousness and collapsed, and those who were sitting hit their heads on the tables.

The inn, which had been tense, was instantly plunged into silence as if by a lie.

“…Elder.”

“Why?”

Yun Hyun said with an awkward expression.

“Wouldn’t this make things even bigger?”

It was already the place where the Tang Clan’s Black Tortoise Unit Third Division had lost consciousness for no reason.

If the same thing happened again, it would surely attract people’s attention.

“What if it gets bigger?”

Guest Ong turned to look at Yun Hyun.

“Those guys should be worried about that, not you.”

Guest Ong said as if it were obvious.

“If things get bigger and someone has to leave Guilin, it won’t be us.”

Yun Hyun gave a wry smile.

But Guest Ong was right.

Guest Ong, who looked down on even the Lord of the Tang Clan, would not care about the other sects of the Taiping Alliance.

“I see. Shall we go then?”

“Alright.”

Yun Hyun went down the stairs with Guest Ong.

He glanced at the fallen man as he passed by, but there was no point in asking someone who had lost consciousness ‘Who are you calling an old man?’

It was then.

Clack.

The two stopped.

“Humph.”

Guest Ong snorted.

“So, they know to come looking on their own.”

Click.

The door of the inn opened, and two people entered.

It was Gongsun Yue, the Family Lord of the Gongsun Family, Flying Sword, and Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall.

They were not flustered either, as they had already noticed the presence of Yun Hyun and Guest Ong.

But they couldn’t hide the surprise on their faces.

They didn’t even realize that the person lying on the floor was one of the Gongsun Family’s second-generation disciples.

“Could it be…”

Gongsun Yue, the Family Lord of the Gongsun Family, Flying Sword, said with a sigh.

“Are you Poisonous Master?”

Even though he knew, he couldn’t help but ask about the existence of one of the Hwanwoo Five Venerables [a group of highly skilled and respected martial artists], Poisonous Master.

But Guest Ong said in a blunt tone.

“I am Guest Ong.”

Gongsun Yue did not understand Guest Ong’s words.

Yun Hyun gave an awkward smile as he looked at him, still surprised.

It seemed like he wouldn’t be able to ride a bamboo raft today.

***

Guilin, Li River (漓江).

Yun Hyun couldn’t ride a bamboo raft.

Instead, he was able to enjoy the scenery of the Li River on a small cruise ship.

This was because Gongsun Yue, the Family Lord of the Gongsun Family, had suggested taking a boat.

Creak.

An old boatman wearing a bamboo hat moved the boat with a long pole.

The boat was slowly drifting along the winding Li River.

“It’s truly amazing.”

Gongsun Yue, the Family Lord of the Gongsun Family, smiled.

“I never expected to see you here, Elder.”

Gongsun Yue spoke to Guest Ong in a respectful tone.

Guest Ong didn’t even pretend to listen, but Gongsun Yue didn’t feel offended at all.

It was already a great thing that Poisonous Master, the synonym for terror, was here with them.

Gongsun Yue turned to look at Yun Hyun.

“I received a message that the Alliance Lord would be contacting us, but I never imagined you would come here.”

Yun Hyun smiled.

“I just wanted to come and see it.”

It was unclear whether he meant the scenic spot of Guilin or the stronghold for the Taiping Alliance’s conquest of Jiangnan [a region in southern China].

“Haha, is that so?”

Gongsun Yue let out a hearty laugh.

But inside, he was quite surprised.

‘He’s not just bold.’

It was not easy for the Alliance Lord of the Azure Dragon Alliance to come to the heart of the Taiping Alliance’s territory, especially to the stronghold for the conquest of Jiangnan.

But Yun Hyun’s appearance was so relaxed, as if he had come for a tour.

Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall sitting behind Gongsun Yue, was also inwardly impressed.

“The Tang Clan must have been quite surprised to see you, Elder…”

“This person is Guest Ong.”

Yun Hyun said quietly.

“That’s all he is.”

Those words confirmed several things for Gongsun Yue.

‘As expected.’

Poisonous Master does not interfere in the affairs of the martial world.

He is Guest Ong, after all.

The reason why the Tang Clan was suddenly holding a grand banquet was also clear.

It was to divert people’s attention and cover up the existence of these two.

“Then…”

It was when Gongsun Yue was about to open his mouth.

Swish.

Guest Ong raised his head and looked somewhere.

Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Wei immediately turned their gaze in the same direction.

Even though he was called Guest Ong, they couldn’t help but be nervous in front of Poisonous Master.

But there was nothing there.

As always, the bizarre peaks were showing off their beautiful scenery.

“Tsk.”

Guest Ong clicked his tongue quietly.

Then Yun Hyun said.

“Shall we chase them away?”

“No. There’s no need to worry about it.”

Guest Ong turned his eyes back to the flowing scenery.

Yun Hyun also turned his head and looked at Gongsun Yue.

“It seems they’ve left. But you should be careful in the future.”

Yun Hyun’s expression was calm as he spoke.

But Gongsun Yue’s eyebrows were furrowed.

If Yun Hyun was right, it meant that someone was following them and they hadn’t even noticed.

“Hmm.”

Gongsun Yue groaned.

Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall, was the same.

But how could they not believe the words of Poisonous Master?

Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Wei’s expressions were distorted.

“Then, shall we hear why you wanted to meet me?”

Yun Hyun said with a calm expression.

Gongsun Yue raised his eyes and looked at Yun Hyun.

His graying beard fluttered in the river breeze.

“Great Hero.”

Gongsun Yue said with a firm expression.

“Please, help the Gongsun Family.”

Gongsun Wei, the head of the outer hall behind him, frowned.

But Yun Hyun asked back with a calm expression.

“Why should I?”