Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 484

484. Uninvited Guests

Yunhyun smiled as he looked at Eunuch Park.

“I’m relieved to see you’re safe.”

Even though it was planned in advance, Yunhyun was worried at heart.

Power struggles are unpredictable, and the situation can change rapidly.

Fortunately, Eunuch Park looked the same as before.

Only then could Yunhyun relax.

“Relieved to see I’m safe? That’s exactly what I should be saying,” Eunuch Park said with a sigh.

“To go after the Blood Cult with only a few martial artists and without the government’s help? Please, don’t ever do anything so dangerous again.”

Eunuch Park lamented.

“The reason I recommended Scholar Yun as a special inspector was to give you the power of the government, not to assign you dangerous duties. I told you so many times that if Scholar Yun only pointed them out, we would mobilize a million imperial troops to crush them. Yet, you went with only martial artists? What face would I have to see Scholar Yun with if you were to get hurt?”

Eunuch Park’s lament flowed out like a torrent, as if he had been holding it in for a long time.

In fact, this wasn’t the only time Yunhyun had caused a ‘problem’.

The same was true during the Hero Alliance incident.

Although the government’s cooperation and the position of special inspector were helpful, Eunuch Park saw it as Yunhyun single-handedly destroying the Hero Alliance.

The real mastermind, Iltae Merchant, was separate, but that didn’t mean the Hero Alliance was an ordinary group.

Yunhyun gave a wry smile.

“When you’re working, there are times when you have to take risks, aren’t there? And anyone can get hurt to some extent…….”

“No, you mustn’t,” Eunuch Park said firmly.

“You absolutely must not get hurt. Do you understand?”

Eunuch Park said, widening his eyes.

Yunhyun couldn’t help but be surprised.

It was almost as if Eunuch Park had never spoken like this before.

“Ah, I understand,” Yunhyun nodded unconsciously.

It felt like he was being scolded.

However, Yunhyun also looked straight at Eunuch Park and said.

“You mustn’t get hurt either. Understand?”

Eunuch Park was surprised by Yunhyun’s serious gaze this time.

But Yunhyun was sincere.

He didn’t want to experience losing precious people anymore.

“……Yes,” Eunuch Park said with a smile.

“I will keep that especially in mind, Scholar Yun.”

He put his hands together and bowed his head.

He looked like a eunuch receiving orders from his lord.

“No, you don’t have to be so formal……,” Yunhyun waved his hand in embarrassment.

When he thought about it, Eunuch Park was the Byungpil Taegam [a high-ranking eunuch] of Dongchang [Eastern Depot, a Ming dynasty secret police agency] and a powerful figure in the court.

He wondered if he had spoken too casually to such a person.

“Hehe.”

Eunuch Park covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.

“Scholar Yun is still the same. To someone like me…….”

As soon as he stepped down from his position in Dochalwon [Censorate, an agency that supervised government officials], the officials began to mock Eunuch Park behind his back.

Even if other factions were hostile to Eunuch Park, the officials of the same faction remained silent.

What they respected was Eunuch Park’s power, not Eunuch Park himself.

But Yunhyun was consistent.

Whether he was an insignificant Eunuch Park or the Byungpil Taegam of Dongchang, he was still Eunuch Park.

“Someone like you? What’s wrong with you?” Yunhyun said, feigning anger, but Eunuch Park’s reaction was indifferent.

“Yes, yes. I understand. But……,” Eunuch Park said with a smile.

“Scholar Yun, this isn’t the only reason you came to Beijing, is it?”

“Well, I wanted to see you too……,” Yunhyun said, fiddling with his teacup.

“I happened to hear about Yoo Ho-gi, the Vice Minister of War, and Yoo Bung-gul, the Commander of the Right Guard.”

“Haa.”

Eunuch Park sighed abruptly.

Then, he asked with a displeased expression.

“Is it Jin-rim?”

Yunhyun nodded.

“Yes, Commander Jin-rim told me.”

Eunuch Park sighed again.

Then, he frowned.

“I didn’t think he was like that, but Jin-rim is more talkative than I thought.”

As Jin-rim feared, Eunuch Park was very upset.

“If he couldn’t stay still, he should have risked his own neck and submitted a memorial [formal written complaint to the Emperor]. Why to Scholar Yun of all people…….”

Yunhyun said with a smile.

“It’s okay. I would have found out anyway, and I have no intention of moving according to Commander Jin-rim’s wishes. I just want to hear your thoughts on Yoo Ho-gi and Yoo Bung-gul.”

“Can’t we just pretend we didn’t hear it?” Eunuch Park looked straight at Yunhyun.

“Their end is already determined anyway. I know what you’re worried about, Scholar Yun, but no matter what anyone says, their behavior won’t change.”

Yunhyun didn’t answer.

But his gentle smile showed that he had already made up his mind.

After a moment of silence, Eunuch Park opened his mouth reluctantly.

“……They are the worst.”

Clack.

Holding the teacup, Eunuch Park lowered his gaze and continued.

“As soon as Yoo Bung-gul was appointed as the Supreme Commander, he ordered the military commissioners of Gansu, Sichuan, and Shaanxi provinces to do nothing and wait until he arrived.”

Yunhyun’s eyebrows twitched.

Doing nothing and refraining from hasty military action are very different meanings.

Yoo Bung-gul’s order as the Supreme Commander clearly showed that he was only concerned with his own achievements, not the safety of the people.

“Vice Minister Yoo Ho-gi holds banquets at his home every day and accepts bribes. He is taking care of all kinds of requests and interests as if he were already the Minister of War.”

“Even though there’s a disaster in Gansu?”

“Yes. It’s even worse. The more serious the situation, the more anxious people become, and they flock to those in power to ask for favors.”

Yunhyun was dumbfounded.

The two men’s behavior was no different from that of unscrupulous merchants who took advantage of people in difficult circumstances.

“Scholar Yun,” Eunuch Park said in a quiet voice.

“It’s not like there haven’t been people like them before. No, there are many more corrupt officials. That’s why Dochalwon and Dongchang exist.”

Looking at Yunhyun’s stern expression, Eunuch Park continued calmly.

“Besides, aren’t they walking into the abyss of their own destruction? If we leave them alone for a while, they will soon receive their due punishment. No, I will definitely make them receive it. So, don’t let those people stain your hands, Scholar Yun.”

His sincerity deeply touched Yunhyun’s heart.

“So, you’re saying we should pretend we didn’t hear it?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. But I can’t do that. No, I won’t,” Yunhyun said with a soft gaze.

“I’ve decided to act as my heart leads me.”

His gaze was soft but firm.

Eunuch Park knew that he couldn’t change Yunhyun’s mind.

As always.

“I understand,” Eunuch Park said in a quiet tone.

“Do as you wish. Leave the rest to me.”

Yunhyun shook his head.

“No. How can I cause trouble for Eunuch Park? Don’t worry about that.”

“Is that so?” Eunuch Park shrugged.

“If I remember correctly, you were a very demanding person, from laundry to letters sent all over the world, weren’t you?”

Yunhyun was momentarily embarrassed.

When he thought about it, he had asked Eunuch Park to do his laundry back in his days as a scholar.

When he lived soaked in sweat from training.

Besides, he had also entrusted Eunuch Park with sending letters.

Even though he had given him some silver, it was undeniable that he had received his help.

“Th, that’s……,” Yunhyun couldn’t find an excuse.

Eunuch Park smiled at Yunhyun’s embarrassment.

His smile was full of trust in Yunhyun.

***

The residence of Yoo Ho-gi, the Vice Minister of War, was in Beijing.

The large, old residence showed that his family had been in office for a long time.

Despite the dangerous situation in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu, and despite being the Vice Minister of War in charge of military affairs, a banquet was being held at Yoo Ho-gi’s residence tonight as well.

“It’s a truly joyous day,” Yoo Ho-gi, the Vice Minister of War with a beard, said with a big laugh.

“How can I not be happy that such precious people trust and come to me, who is so inadequate? Hahaha.”

Many guests were lined up in the banquet hall.

All of them were high-ranking officials or belonged to influential families.

Those in large merchant groups were also present.

The fragrant wine and dishes prepared in front of each person were appetizing, but few people touched them.

“I sincerely thank you, Vice Minister Yoo, for welcoming us like this,” a man with a goatee stood up from his seat and said.

He smiled broadly and clasped his hands together to pay his respects to Yoo Ho-gi.

“But what is most gratifying is that the Vice Minister has restored the authority of the court, isn’t it? You have driven out the treacherous subjects who confuse the eyes of the Emperor, so it is clear that the Vice Minister will be recorded in history. Haha.”

It was a flattering remark, but Yoo Ho-gi frowned slightly.

As the man with the goatee was flustered, another person sitting next to him quickly opened his mouth.

“Hey, how can you call Lord Yoo the Vice Minister! He will soon be the Minister of War in charge of the Ministry of War, so you should call him Minister Yoo, shouldn’t you?”

He raised his glass and said.

“Congratulations, Minister!”

A smile spread across Yoo Ho-gi’s face.

The others did not miss the opportunity and raised their glasses all at once.

“Congratulations! Minister!”

“Hahaha, thank you. I’ll take it as a compliment,” Yoo Ho-gi stroked his beard and raised his glass.

Everyone in the banquet hall drank with Yoo Ho-gi.

Tak.

As the glasses were put down, the maids got up and refilled them.

As if to show off the family’s wealth, maids were attending to each guest.

After refilling the glasses, the maids knelt down again and bowed their heads.

“I am truly grateful for your kindness in cherishing me, who is so inadequate,” Yoo Ho-gi said, stroking his beard.

“But I am not yet the Minister, so I hope you will only say such things here. I am afraid that others will hear and laugh. Hehe.”

The man with the goatee quickly stepped forward to Yoo Ho-gi, who was speaking with feigned modesty.

“Who would dare to laugh at you, sir?” He spat as he spoke, trying to make up for his mistake earlier.

“Where else is there a subject who serves the Emperor with such loyalty as you, sir? Moreover, you have the Emperor’s deep trust, so how can you stop at just being the Minister? It is clear that you will soon be appointed to the position of Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, who oversees the Six Ministries!”

A strange light flashed in Yoo Ho-gi’s eyes.

The Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, who oversees the Six Ministries, was virtually the position of one person above all others.

The thought of the world moving according to his will sent a thrill through Yoo Ho-gi’s body.

“Haha, this inadequate person as the Grand Scholar of the Cabinet……,”

Yoo Ho-gi seemed to be backing away, but everyone could see the light of greed in his eyes.

“No! You will surely rise to the position of Grand Scholar of the Cabinet!”

The man with the goatee shouted loudly.

He thought he had gone too far, but he couldn’t stop because he could see that Yoo Ho-gi was satisfied.

The more satisfied Yoo Ho-gi was, the less the price for the favor would be.

“Haha, this is really……,” Yoo Ho-gi reached for the glass with an awkward smile.

The fragrant wine and greasy dishes were waiting for his touch.

In the meantime, the man with the goatee shouted even more vigorously.

“I guarantee it even if I have to risk my neck! You will definitely…….”

The man’s voice, which had been rising, suddenly stopped.

Yoo Ho-gi, who was holding the glass, raised his head with a puzzled expression.

And he saw a strange sight.

The man with the goatee, who had been shouting passionately, was frozen with his mouth wide open.

‘Huh?’

As Yoo Ho-gi frowned, the man with the goatee closed his eyes and slumped into his chair.

Thud.

His face was buried in the greasy dishes.

That wasn’t all.

Thud, thump, crash.

Sounds echoed from all over the banquet hall.

The guests fell forward or sideways, and the kneeling maids lay helplessly on the floor.

Thump.

“Wh, what is this……,” Yoo Ho-gi muttered with a surprised expression, still holding the glass.

The banquet hall, which had been so lively just a moment ago, was silent without a sound.

It was then.

Rustle.

Yoo Ho-gi raised his eyes at the sudden sound.

And he saw two people entering the banquet hall.

A young man dressed as an ordinary scholar and an old man with a long beard and sharp eyes, they were Yunhyun and Gaekong, who had not been invited by anyone.