Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 479

479. Erosion

The First Merchant sat on the dragon throne.

Darkness shrouded him, but the chair, carved with the image of a great dragon, perfectly reflected its master’s imposing presence.

Ssk.

The First Merchant’s eyes snapped open.

A moment before, the surroundings of the dragon throne had been still, but now a powerful aura surged.

“My lord.”

Dogyo knelt on one knee, bowing her head in respect.

Her radiant red dress and exquisite beauty seemed to glow even in the darkness.

However, Intaesang, standing next to the First Merchant, frowned.

Ssk.

Dogyo raised her head.

Looking up at the First Merchant with respectful eyes, Dogyo spoke.

“The Blood Cult has fallen.”

“I know.”

Dogyo wasn’t surprised.

It was only natural that the First Merchant would already know everything.

“And this is…”

Rustle.

Dogyo opened the wooden box she had placed beside her.

“The Blood Cult’s demonic sword and Blood Jade.”

Click.

Inside the wooden box lay a bead the size of a newborn’s head and a short sword.

The bead, emitting a radiant light even in the darkness, was so beautiful that even Intaesang was momentarily captivated.

However, the eerie energy emanating from the bead was also unmistakable.

Woo-oong.

“Tsk.”

Intaesang clicked his tongue.

“To dare bring such an evil object before the Lord…”

Intaesang stopped speaking.

The First Merchant was staring intently at the bead.

Intaesang couldn’t hide his surprise.

‘…My lord?’

His lord, the First Merchant, had never shown interest in anything external.

The only exception was the First Merchant’s sword, Cheonha [roughly translated as ‘Under Heaven,’ implying dominion or supreme power].

Even then, he had merely worn an indifferent expression, but now he was showing such blatant interest, and towards that eerie Blood Jade, no less.

It was no wonder that Intaesang’s heart was momentarily filled with unease.

It was then.

“…Unnecessary.”

The First Merchant’s voice echoed.

His voice was as heavy and calm as ever.

Seizing the moment, Intaesang quickly said to Dogyo.

“What are you doing? Get rid of it at once.”

Dogyo lowered her head.

Click.

The wooden box closed, and the Blood Jade and demonic sword disappeared from view.

Intaesang inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

And that relief soon turned into annoyance towards Dogyo.

‘That eerie thing…’

The First Merchant had not left the dragon throne since issuing the Soul-Calming Order.

Intaesang, concerned about the First Merchant, stayed by his side without rest.

As such, Intaesang could not possibly like the Blood Jade, which had stolen the First Merchant’s attention even for a moment, or Dogyo, who had brought it.

“If you have nothing more to report, leave.”

Intaesang said, as if dismissing her.

However, Dogyo did not rise.

“After the fall of the Blood Cult, the people of the Azure Dragon League headed to Hangzhou. And I…”

Looking only at the First Merchant, Dogyo said.

“I saw the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Even Intaesang couldn’t help but flinch at those words.

Intaesang gritted his teeth without realizing it.

Crack.

His long, white beard trembled.

However, he could not show his anger in front of the First Merchant.

“What was he like?”

The First Merchant asked.

A faint emotion flickered in his eyes.

Rather than hostility or anger, it was closer to affection, something he had never shown to Dogyo.

Even if it was just a fleeting moment.

“He is foolish and reckless.”

Intaesang frowned.

However, Dogyo continued.

“While being extraordinary himself, he pretends to be ordinary and enjoys being surrounded by insignificant loved ones. Yet, he dares to oppose the Lord, who is like the heavens, so where can there be someone as foolish and reckless as him?”

Dogyo bit her lip.

Her alluringly shining red lips twisted beneath her pearly white teeth.

“He is truly terrible.”

Intaesang didn’t like Dogyo, but he fully agreed with her assessment.

The Azure Dragon Sword Master, Unhyun, is a nightmare.

In fact, Intaesang still shuddered when he recalled the time he had cut down the King of Literature.

Perhaps the reason he stayed by the First Merchant’s side was to escape that nightmare.

“…He is foolish.”

Intaesang raised his eyes at the First Merchant’s voice.

Dogyo also raised her head to look at the First Merchant.

The First Merchant slowly continued.

“And reckless too. But…”

A light smile flickered across the First Merchant’s lips.

Intaesang and Dogyo couldn’t hide their surprised expressions.

But it wasn’t a mistake.

“Isn’t that precisely why he can lead me to the supreme seat?”

The First Merchant leaned back, clasping his hands together.

He looked quite relaxed and satisfied.

“Leave him be. He is simply doing what he must do.”

Dogyo immediately bowed her head.

Unexplained anger and instinctive hostility were meaningless in the face of the First Merchant’s command.

Intaesang’s expression also brightened.

It had been a long time since the First Merchant had spoken so much.

So Intaesang could ease his worries.

The worries about the First Merchant, who had not moved from the dragon throne since transferring power to the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult.

The First Merchant fell silent again.

The dragon figure carved on the dragon throne flickered in the dim light.

***

Swish.

Unhyun and his group, having left Mt. Gongdong, passed through Xi’an and traveled along the Yellow River.

The atmosphere of the group was bright.

Smiles lingered on the faces of the elders and family heads, as well as the supreme masters.

The sense of camaraderie from fighting against the Blood Cult together made them feel close to each other.

Of course, there were occasional skirmishes, but Moryongmi intervened appropriately, preventing them from escalating into serious disputes.

Thanks to this, the journey back to the Azure Dragon League in Hangzhou felt like a leisurely trip with close elders, unlike the journey here.

“I can’t believe it.”

Moryongmi said with a hollow laugh.

“Who would have known that the elders of the Four Great Sects and the heads of the noble families would become so close? And also Elder Neung, Yeo Hyeop Geum, and even Bingseol.”

Unhyun smiled.

Bingseol was still aloof, but Neung Seyoung and Geum Hwayoung had become quite close to the elders and family heads.

In particular, the family heads would cheerfully talk to the cold Bingseol.

Although there was no reaction from Bingseol.

“How will the Demonic Cult react?”

Moryongmi suddenly asked.

She sighed softly.

“I hope it ends without any incident, but I guess it won’t?”

Unhyun nodded.

“Yes. They won’t give up.”

Turning to Moryongmi, Unhyun said.

“But I won’t give up either. So don’t worry, Miss Moryong.”

However, Moryongmi shook her head.

“I’m not worried.”

Looking at Unhyun, Moryongmi said.

“But promise me just one thing.”

“Promise?”

Moryongmi gave a gentle smile to Unhyun, who asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Promise me you’ll come back.”

Unhyun’s heart swelled.

Before, she had said, ‘Scholar Unhyun is never alone.’

She also said, ‘You can come to the Moryong family anytime.’

Now she was telling him to come back.

“I understand.”

Unhyun said quietly.

“I will.”

Moryongmi couldn’t say anything more.

But her eyes were filled with warm feelings for Unhyun.

***

Anhui Province Capital, Hefei, Namgung Family.

Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon walked, her robes fluttering.

Her expression was stiff, and the warriors of the Namgung family following behind her also had sharp, alert eyes.

Namgung Jin-hwi, a member of the collateral line and a former participant in the Hidden Dragon Selection [a competition to identify promising young martial artists], was also guarding Namgung Biyeon’s side.

Step, step.

They soon arrived in front of a large building.

Within the Namgung family, only those who were direct descendants of the family and held high positions could reside in such a large building.

Even the family head, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, had to show respect to the family elders, even if they weren’t the real power.

“W-What’s going on?”

A white-haired old servant guarding the front of the building asked.

The stern aura of Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon and the warriors was enough to make even the servant, who was familiar with family matters, stammer.

“Move.”

Namgung Biyeon said coldly.

It was completely different from her usual gentle and polite demeanor.

“I can’t. The elder is currently entertaining a distinguished guest…”

Ssk.

Namgung Jin-hwi, who was standing next to her, didn’t wait for the servant to finish speaking.

Namgung Jin-hwi grabbed the servant’s shoulder and pushed him aside.

“Ugh, uhh.”

The servant couldn’t resist Namgung Jin-hwi’s strength and was pushed back.

It was thanks to his consideration that he didn’t fall.

“S-Stop!”

The servant said urgently, but Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon didn’t care.

Step.

Namgung Biyeon and Namgung Jin-hwi ascended to the building with those following behind them.

And they opened the door without hesitation.

Bang.

The door crashed open, revealing the inside of the building.

Namgung Myeong, an elder of the Namgung family, was sitting face to face with a middle-aged Taoist with a beard, sharing tea.

Namgung Beom-cheol, Namgung Myeong’s son, and Namgung Chae-rin, his granddaughter, were also present.

“What is it?”

Namgung Myeong immediately frowned.

Even if Namgung Biyeon was the Chief Inspector, it was clearly rude to act like this towards a family elder.

“I’m conducting an inspection.”

Namgung Biyeon said briefly.

There was no respect for the family elder, let alone a shred of reverence.

“Inspection?”

Namgung Myeong asked back.

His son, Namgung Beom-cheol, jumped up from his seat.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

Namgung Beom-cheol had always been displeased with Namgung Biyeon.

Despite having Elder Namgung Myeong as his father, Namgung Beom-cheol had been pushed out of power.

They were also among those who had shaken the current family head, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok.

Namgung Chae-rin also glared at Namgung Biyeon with sharp eyes.

She said in a shrill voice.

“Biyeon, did you lose sight of everything after becoming the Chief Inspector? Do you think you’ll be safe after showing such disrespect to the family elder?”

However, Namgung Biyeon didn’t respond.

Ssk.

Namgung Biyeon looked at the middle-aged Taoist sitting face to face with Elder Namgung Myeong.

“Who is this person?”

“This person! Do you still…!”

Elder Namgung Myeong reached out and stopped his son, Namgung Beom-cheol.

He said to Namgung Biyeon with an unpleasant expression.

“He is my guest.”

Namgung Myeong continued with angry eyes.

“Even your father wouldn’t do this to me and my guest, so do you think you can avoid the family’s punishment after daring to do this?”

As Elder Namgung Myeong rebuked her, Namgung Beom-cheol and Namgung Chae-rin also became emboldened.

“Yes! Biyeon, you have to take full responsibility for this…”

“Didn’t I already say it?”

Namgung Biyeon answered, cutting off Namgung Chae-rin’s words.

“This is an inspection. You should be grateful that I’m not dragging you out and making you kneel right now.”

“Wh-What?”

“How dare you!”

Namgung Chae-rin and Namgung Beom-cheol widened their eyes.

Elder Namgung Myeong’s expression also twisted harshly.

But Namgung Biyeon didn’t wait for their words.

She turned around and said.

“Jin-in.”

“I understand.”

Step.

The old Taoist who had come with Namgung Biyeon stepped forward.

Unlike the Taoist inside the building, he was an old Taoist who looked shabby and had an ordinary impression.

If it weren’t for the Taoist’s attire, he would look like a servant doing chores in the family.

But as the old Taoist clasped his hands and began to chant, the situation changed.

Woo-oong.

It was a mantra of the Wudang Sect [a prominent Taoist martial arts sect].

The old Taoist’s eyes began to glow faintly, and a clear energy surrounded him.

The result was immediate.

“Ugh!”

Thud.

The middle-aged Taoist, who had been sitting politely, jumped up.

His handsome face was contorted in a fit.

“How dare a fragment of Wudang act in front of me!”

Flap.

He fluttered his robes and drew his sword.

The middle-aged Taoist’s eyes were already turning black.