Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 433

433. The Day of the General Assembly

Hunan Province, Yueyang, the main residence of Ilchung-hyeon.

After finishing breakfast, Woon-hyeon had tea with his party.

Chief Military Advisor Yeongho-jun and Woon-hyeon discussed the events that had transpired, and Inspector Jo Gwan also reported on the disposition of the Ssanggeom Gate [a fictional gate or faction name] and Hoam Merchant Group.

Meanwhile, Il A-yeong silently sipped her tea, staring intently at Woon-hyeon.

“…Why?”

Woon-hyeon finally asked.

Il A-yeong chuckled dryly.

“I’m just realizing it’s true. Uncle Woon is the leader of the Changryong Alliance [a fictional alliance name] and a Special Inspector…”

She sighed deeply and said,

“Who in the world would believe that?”

In her eyes, Woon-hyeon was still a quiet scholar.

The only difference from the beginning was that the hesitation in his eyes had disappeared.

“Ah, I don’t mean it in a bad way. I like it better that Uncle Woon hasn’t changed.”

“I like that point very much too.”

Yeongho-jun said with a smile.

“Old books say that a strategist’s greatest concern is not to offend his lord. It’s hard enough doing the work, but to have to consider the other person’s feelings, how exhausting is that?”

Several people nodded in agreement at those words.

Woon-hyeon felt the same way.

Gaekong, who had never been under anyone else, was unresponsive, though.

Yeongho-jun continued.

“Ah, and speaking of which, there is something I would like to ask of Miss Il.”

“Me?”

It was when Il A-yeong asked Yeongho-jun.

“Young lady.”

The voice of the old butler was heard from outside the door.

Il A-yeong replied.

“Yes, come in.”

Click.

The door opened, and the elderly butler bowed his head and said,

“A guest has arrived from the Geumga stronghold [a fictional stronghold name].”

“A guest? Who is it?”

“It’s Miss Geum Hye-rin and a person named Neung Hwa-yeong.”

Il A-yeong looked at Woon-hyeon with a puzzled expression.

She wondered if Woon-hyeon had called them.

However, Woon-hyeon shook his head.

“Is that so? Please, show them inside.”

“Understood.”

The old butler bowed his head and closed the door.

Il A-yeong smiled and said to Woon-hyeon.

“It seems the Alliance Leader has a visitor.”

Woon-hyeon gave a bitter smile.

He didn’t even know who Geum Hye-rin had come to see, but Il A-yeong was teasing him.

***

It was true that Geum Hye-rin and Neung Hwa-yeong had come to see Woon-hyeon.

After expressing polite gratitude to Gaekong, Geum Hye-rin sat facing Woon-hyeon in the back garden.

Neung Hwa-yeong, who had come with her, was looking around the garden with a curious expression.

“The Internal Affairs Manager of the Hoam Merchant Group has proposed a deal.”

Geum Hye-rin said in a quiet voice.

The Internal Affairs Manager of the Hoam Merchant Group, Lee Hak-bung, had proposed an unconventional deal.

The content was that in exchange for providing a large sum of money to the Geumga stronghold every year, they would have to prioritize the Hoam Merchant Group’s requests.

In the past, it would have been a welcome proposal, but the Hoam Merchant Group had already revealed its desire to swallow the Geumga stronghold.

Naturally, they couldn’t help but suspect their intentions.

“My father said we should hear Young Master Woon’s opinion.”

Although they said they would listen to his opinion, it was the same as entrusting him with the decision-making power.

The head of the stronghold, Geum Sa-yeol, had complete faith in Woon-hyeon, who was Ilchung-hyeon’s sworn brother.

“Hmm, that’s like saying they’ll take control of the Geumga stronghold’s operations.”

Yeongho-jun, who was next to him, said.

Jo Gwan, Hang Jang-ik, and Dam So-ha had left for the government office to talk, and only Yeongho-jun, Il A-yeong, and Gaekong remained with Woon-hyeon.

“If that happens, the Geumga stronghold won’t be able to do anything on its own. It’s practically being handed over to the Hoam Merchant Group. But if we reject the offer, we won’t even have a place to stand in Hunan Province, so it’s a dilemma.”

Yeongho-jun’s analysis was accurate.

However, Geum Hye-rin asked with a wary look.

“…Excuse me, are you the Great Warrior Yeongho-jun?”

Yeongho-jun wore a smile.

“That’s right. I am a disciple of Hwasan [a fictional sect name], and I have the honor of bearing the title of Plum Blossom Sword.”

Although the handsome Yeongho-jun showed a gentle smile, Geum Hye-rin’s wariness did not disappear.

Instead, Neung Hwa-yeong reacted.

“Plum Blossom Sword? Are you the Plum Blossom Sword of Hwasan?”

She stared straight at Yeongho-jun, her eyes shining.

“I’ve heard that Hwasan doesn’t grant that title to just anyone. Would you like to spar with me?”

“I’ll have to decline. I don’t fight women.”

Yeongho-jun politely refused.

Woon-hyeon thought, ‘Was Yeongho-jun always like that?’ but there was something more important to do now.

“What are your thoughts, Miss?”

Woon-hyeon asked Geum Hye-rin.

“You came all the way here because you had something in mind, didn’t you?”

“…I can’t hide anything from you, Young Master.”

Geum Hye-rin, who had a bitter smile, said with a serious look.

“There will soon be a general assembly to determine the next owner of the Hoam Merchant Group. The reason why the Internal Affairs Manager is urging the Geumga stronghold for an answer is precisely because of that. In fact, the fate of the Geumga stronghold depends on who becomes the new owner of the Hoam Merchant Group.”

If they rejected Internal Affairs Manager Lee Hak-bung’s proposal and he became the owner of the Hoam Merchant Group, the Geumga stronghold would be finished.

Of course, there was no guarantee that the Geumga stronghold would be safe even if someone else became the owner of the Hoam Merchant Group.

“Let me see the Hoam Merchant Group’s general assembly directly. I’ll leave the decision after that to Young Master Woon.”

“That’s not a good idea.”

Yeongho-jun blurted out.

“It’s better to make your attitude clear before the general assembly. If you’re not careful, you could get on the wrong side of whoever becomes the new owner of the Hoam Merchant Group.”

“I know.”

Geum Hye-rin said quietly.

Postponing the answer until the general assembly was, in the end, no different from rejecting Lee Hak-bung’s proposal.

No matter what decision they made after that, they would not be able to avoid appearing opportunistic.

“But the fate of the family is at stake. Although you may not understand it now, please trust me. This is the most sensible, no, the only choice.”

It could be said to be the worst choice, but Geum Hye-rin’s will was firm.

Yeongho-jun glanced at Woon-hyeon.

He had already discussed the Hoam Merchant Group with Woon-hyeon, and the decision was up to Woon-hyeon anyway.

Whether it was the Geumga stronghold or the Hoam Merchant Group.

“I understand.”

Woon-hyeon said quietly.

“However, it’s on the condition that you go to the general assembly with me.”

Geum Hye-rin had a puzzled expression.

But she soon nodded and stood up.

Swish.

With her hands clasped together, she bowed politely to Woon-hyeon.

The silver ornament in her hair sparkled and swayed in the sunlight.

Geum Hye-rin said in a slightly trembling voice.

“I know very well that it is presumptuous to burden you with the past relationship. Really, thank you.”

Woon-hyeon gave an awkward smile.

“It’s not just because of our relationship. There’s something I want too.”

Geum Hye-rin raised her head.

“What is it that you want?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Whatever it is.”

Without hesitating, Geum Hye-rin said.

“If it’s something I can do, I will definitely do it.”

Her eyes were shining.

But Woon-hyeon gave an awkward smile.

It was because Il A-yeong was watching with a fascinated look.

Geum Hye-rin also realized it and blushed.

“No, this isn’t a strange meaning, but…”

Geum Hye-rin’s gaze unconsciously turned to Neung Hwa-yeong.

She knew that she was concerned about Woon-hyeon.

However, Neung Hwa-yeong’s reaction was different from Geum Hye-rin’s expectations.

“I’ll do it too.”

Neung Hwa-yeong said without hesitation.

“If the Geumga stronghold’s affairs are resolved safely, I’ll grant you any request. Even if it means fighting those, Hwanwoo… um. Anyway, those kinds of people.”

She seemed to have forgotten the words ‘Hwanwoo Five Heavens’ [a fictional group name], and she slightly mumbled.

But Neung Hwa-yeong’s eyes were sincere.

“That’s a relief.”

Woon-hyeon smiled and raised his teacup.

“I was going to ask you two for a favor anyway.”

Slurp.

Geum Hye-rin and Neung Hwa-yeong looked at Woon-hyeon, who was leisurely savoring the tea, with puzzled expressions.

But Woon-hyeon didn’t say anything more.

Only Gaekong, who was next to him, slightly frowned.

***

Hunan Province, Changsha, the main residence of the Hoam Merchant Group.

The area around the main residence of the Hoam Merchant Group was crowded with people from early in the morning.

Not only the executives and elders of the Hoam Merchant Group who were attending the general assembly, but also the distinguished guests invited by the Hoam Merchant Group gathered.

Some had already arrived in Changsha a few days ago and were staying in luxury inns, but many had arrived yesterday or today.

Clatter, clatter.

The main gate of the Hoam Merchant Group was overflowing with people, mixed with the luxurious carriages that came in one after another and the merchant group’s people who were there to greet them.

“Hahaha, welcome.”

The person wearing splendid clothes and greeting the distinguished guests was none other than Internal Affairs Manager Lee Hak-bung.

He was doing the work that the owner of the Hoam Merchant Group should have been doing.

“Oh, isn’t this the Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group?”

Lee Hak-bung said with a feigned surprised expression.

“You must be busy with the affairs of the merchant group, so how did you come all the way to this distant place?”

Lee Hak-bung’s words were not mere formalities.

The distinguished guest wearing luxurious clothes was the Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group, one of the most prominent in the world.

The Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group replied with a bright smile.

“How could I miss the occasion where the new owner of the Hoam Merchant Group is being decided? First of all, congratulations in advance.”

Lee Hak-bung did not decline his congratulations.

The smiles of the two showed that they had already established a friendly relationship.

“That’s right, and I am truly impressed by this Chief Lee’s skills.”

The Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group said with a surprised expression.

An unusual light flashed in Lee Hak-bung’s eyes.

“Haha, what skills are you talking about…”

“To bring in the Chief Military Advisor of the Changryong Alliance, no less. These days, everyone is trying to get in line with the Changryong Alliance, aren’t they?”

Lee Hak-bung wore an ambiguous smile.

The Chief Secretary smiled and continued.

“We’ve been trying to meet them somehow, but it’s a complete iron wall. How on earth did you do it?”

The Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group seemed genuinely curious.

He thought that there must be a hidden reason why the Hoam Merchant Group had accomplished something that the Mawoon Merchant Group, one of the most prominent in the world, had not been able to do.

Whether it was a secret deal or an unknown relationship.

But Lee Hak-bung had nothing to say.

It was because he never expected that a reply would come to the invitation he had sent as a matter of courtesy, let alone that the Chief Military Advisor of the Changryong Alliance would attend in person.

“Haha, it was just good luck.”

Lee Hak-bung mumbled.

But Chief Secretary Kang wore a meaningful smile.

“Anyway, congratulations. This occasion has become even more meaningful. Please introduce me to the Chief Military Advisor later. Hahaha.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll actively help you.”

Lee Hak-bung’s face was full of smiles, but he was smiling bitterly inside.

It was because he knew the real reason why the arrogant and heavy-bottomed Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group had come all the way here.

Even if Lee Hak-bung interfered, he would definitely find a way to greet the Chief Military Advisor of the Changryong Alliance.

“Thank you. Then let’s see each other later. There are many things we need to discuss at length.”

The Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group wore a meaningful smile.

There were many things to talk about if Lee Hak-bung became the new owner of the Hoam Merchant Group.

After the Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group went inside, Lee Hak-bung looked at the scene in front of the main gate again with a fresh perspective.

‘Somehow…’

He thought that the ranks of the people who had responded to the invitation had become strangely high.

Just a moment ago, even the Chief Secretary of the Mawoon Merchant Group was originally scheduled to have the Deputy Chief Secretary or a working-level person come.

But Lee Hak-bung’s mood was not bad.

It was because the occasion of him becoming the new owner of the Hoam Merchant Group would shine even more.

Clatter, clatter.

Lee Hak-bung turned his head at the sound that suddenly rang out.

And he frowned slightly without realizing it.

‘What is that?’

Lee Hak-bung couldn’t hide his puzzled expression.

A large, snow-white carriage that was very luxurious at first glance was arriving.

The gazes of the people who were crowded in front of the main gate, as well as Lee Hak-bung’s, all turned to the white carriage.

The large white carriage stopped in front of the main gate.

Click.

The door opened.