Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 492

492. Intrigues

Dang Seol-yeon left the Azure Dragon Alliance’s main headquarters.

Yun-hyeon, along with Gae Ohng, saw her off at the main gate, with Chief Strategist Yeong Hojun also present.

“Please be careful on your journey.”

Yun-hyeon said to her.

Hiding her face behind a black veil, Dang Seol-yeon politely bowed.

“Thank you, Young Master. I will see you again soon.”

Dang Seol-yeon turned her head and bowed to Gae Ohng as well.

Gae Ohng, with his hands behind his back, silently watched Dang Seol-yeon, but Yun-hyeon could clearly see the pity in his eyes.

Dang Seol-yeon turned away.

She boarded the carriage prepared by Yun-hyeon, or rather, arranged by Chief Strategist Yeong Hojun.

Clack.

The door closed, and the carriage soon departed.

Clatter, clatter.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Yun-hyeon said,

“Do you think Lady Dang Seol-yeon will be able to persuade the Sect Leader?”

“Who knows?”

It was Yeong Hojun who answered.

“She will do whatever it takes. Although she is good at lying, she is not one to make promises she cannot keep.”

Sighing, Yeong Hojun continued,

“I’m just worried that she might be pushing herself too hard.”

Seeing the concern in his expression, Yun-hyeon couldn’t bring himself to argue.

He thought it didn’t make sense that she was good at lying but didn’t make promises she couldn’t keep.

But seeing Yeong Hojun sighing, he felt sorry for him instead of arguing.

Yun-hyeon nodded and said to Gae Ohng,

“Elder, let’s go inside.”

Gae Ohng said nothing.

He was still looking in the direction the carriage carrying Dang Seol-yeon had left.

Swish.

Gae Ohng turned around.

With his hands behind his back, he stepped inside the main headquarters, and Yun-hyeon and Yeong Hojun followed him.

The surprised voices of the women who recognized Chief Strategist Yeong Hojun could be heard from behind, but few recognized Yun-hyeon.

Yun-hyeon smiled and even waved at the women, watching Yeong Hojun.

He thought that this appearance was better than sighing.

“Let’s go.”

Saying that to Chief Strategist Yeong Hojun, Yun-hyeon headed to the Alliance Leader’s hall with Gae Ohng.

***

Dang Seol-yeon remained silent throughout the journey back to the Tang Clan.

She barely spoke unless absolutely necessary and remained deep in thought even in the carriage or on the boat.

Her loyal subordinate did not disturb Dang Seol-yeon and silently accompanied her.

Having arrived at the Tang Clan in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Dang Seol-yeon headed straight to the Sect Leader’s office without rest.

Swish, swish.

The Tang Clan’s historic corridor leading to the Sect Leader’s office was elegant and antique.

It seemed a little narrow, but that only enhanced the ancient feel.

“How is the Sect Leader?”

Dang Seol-yeon asked.

The elderly Deputy Chief, walking in front, replied with a smile,

“He is as always. He has been waiting for the arrival of the Chief Military Advisor.”

Dang Seol-yeon chuckled.

“That goes without saying. Then should I assume that the Deputy Chief is not on my side?”

The old Deputy Chief flinched.

He was also of the Tang Clan’s bloodline and had served Sect Leader Dang Cheon-byeok for a long time.

Asking such a person whose side he was on was, in fact, a foolish question.

However, the Deputy Chief’s response was quite different.

“I am always on the side of the Tang Clan.”

A faint smile spread across Dang Seol-yeon’s lips.

“Is that so? That’s a relief. Because so am I.”

Clack.

Dang Seol-yeon stopped.

The elderly Deputy Chief, who was walking ahead, also stopped.

“How is the Sect Leader?”

It was the same question she had asked a moment ago, without a single word changed.

But the answer was different.

“The Sect Leader is preparing to temporarily suspend the authority of the Council of Elders by his own authority. There has been no official order yet, but he is coordinating opinions with some of the elders.”

Dang Seol-yeon immediately knew what the Sect Leader was trying to do.

Suspending the authority of the Council of Elders meant concentrating all decision-making power in the Sect Leader.

To quell the backlash that would naturally erupt as a result, he would be coordinating opinions, or rather, the conditions of backroom deals, with some of the elders.

In other words, Sect Leader Cheong-yeon-gun [Azure Cloud Lord] Dang Cheon-byeok was planning to declare a state of emergency.

What would happen after that was all too clear.

“I see.”

Dang Seol-yeon smiled.

“Thank you. I won’t forget this.”

The elderly Deputy Chief bowed deeply.

Watching him, Dang Seol-yeon said,

“Shall we go? I hear he’s waiting for me.”

The Deputy Chief started walking ahead again.

Dang Seol-yeon followed him.

Her expression had already hardened.

The office of the Tang Clan’s Sect Leader, Cheong-yeon-gun Dang Cheon-byeok, was spacious and bright.

A soft fragrance wafted from the jade incense burner, and every calligraphy and painting hanging on the walls was a masterpiece.

Swish.

Dang Seol-yeon, entering the office, bowed respectfully.

“You summoned me?”

“Come in.”

Cheong-yeon-gun Dang Cheon-byeok said quietly.

He didn’t even look at Dang Seol-yeon, but was holding a brush and painting orchids.

Orchids are often compared to virtuous scholars and women of integrity, and are often drawn in calligraphy and paintings as one of the Four Gentlemen [a collective term referring to the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum in East Asian art].

Swoosh.

Dang Cheon-byeok’s brush moved, and an orchid revealed its elegant form on the white paper.

However, Dang Cheon-byeok frowned as if he didn’t like something after putting down the brush.

“Hmm.”

Clack.

Dang Cheon-byeok put down the brush.

Only then did he turn his head and look at Dang Seol-yeon.

“So, did things go well?”

Dang Cheon-byeok said as he walked to the table.

Thud.

Sitting in the chair, he picked up a teacup with rising steam.

“I have not been able to reach them yet. I went to Poyang Lake and left a mark, but there has been no response.”

Dang Seol-yeon said quietly.

She was supposed to have gone to Poyang Lake.

Because that was the last place Mun Wang was before he died.

“Is that so?”

Sect Leader Dang Cheon-byeok continued in an indifferent voice.

“Well, I guess it won’t be as easy as before. Mun Wang is dead, too…”

Slurp.

After drinking the tea, Dang Cheon-byeok was lost in thought for a moment.

Clack.

Putting down the teacup, Dang Cheon-byeok said,

“I understand. Keep trying. You may leave.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Dang Seol-yeon bowed respectfully.

“Ah, and.”

Dang Cheon-byeok’s voice caught Dang Seol-yeon, who was about to turn around.

“I’m thinking of going on a hunt for a while. How about you come with me?”

Dang Seol-yeon looked puzzled.

Hunting leisurely in this situation?

Dang Cheon-byeok smiled.

“The Sect Leader must show composure and strength, especially in times like these. That’s how the subordinates can feel at ease. So let’s do that…”

Thump.

Dang Cheon-byeok got up from his seat.

Asking how she felt was just a formality; Dang Cheon-byeok had already made the decision.

As always.

Swish.

Dang Cheon-byeok picked up the brush again.

He looked down at the orchid he had drawn and said,

“Go and rest. You’ve traveled a long way.”

Dang Seol-yeon looked at Sect Leader Dang Cheon-byeok.

However, Dang Cheon-byeok was focused on the calligraphy and painting and didn’t even look back at Dang Seol-yeon.

Rustle.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Dang Seol-yeon bowed respectfully once more.

And quietly left the office.

Until then, Sect Leader Dang Cheon-byeok’s gaze was fixed on the orchid he had drawn.

Clack.

The door to the office closed.

Dang Cheon-byeok slowly moved the brush and said,

“Where did that child go?”

“Poyang Lake.”

A voice was heard even though no one was there.

It was a very low and small voice, so hard to hear.

But Dang Cheon-byeok didn’t care.

“And?”

“Nothing.”

Dang Cheon-byeok frowned.

But the voice was not over yet.

“However, there are times during her stay in Poyang Lake when her whereabouts are unclear.”

“Is that so?”

A strange light flashed in Dang Cheon-byeok’s eyes.

“Does that mean she deliberately avoided your gaze?”

“I cannot be certain.”

Dang Cheon-byeok was silent for a moment.

“…If so.”

He muttered softly.

“Going to Hangzhou wouldn’t have been impossible either.”

Hangzhou is by no means a short distance from Poyang Lake.

But it is incomparably easier than going from Chengdu in Sichuan to Hangzhou.

Above all, Dang Cheon-byeok already guessed Dang Seol-yeon’s intentions.

As a child, she was the one who followed the Poisonous Lineage, whom everyone feared, better than anyone else.

“I understand. You may leave.”

There was no sound or sign of anyone, but Dang Cheon-byeok knew they had left.

Click.

Dang Cheon-byeok put down the brush.

On the white paper, a beautiful orchid was revealing its slender figure.

Looking at it as if savoring it, Dang Cheon-byeok muttered softly.

“Yes. If there are too many leaves, it is not beautiful.”

Dang Cheon-byeok’s voice was calm.

But his eyes were flashing coldly.

“Whether it’s an orchid or a person.”

***

The elders, family heads, and supreme masters of each faction who participated in the subjugation of the Blood Cult were still staying in Hangzhou.

They resided in a mansion on the outskirts of Hangzhou, which had been used as the temporary headquarters of the Azure Dragon Alliance in the past.

In any case, this place was a large mansion that had been used as a temporary headquarters, and here they didn’t have to worry about people’s attention.

However, the only downside was that the steward who managed this place was increasingly worried because the backyard was becoming more and more desolate day by day.

Thwack.

With an explosion, dust and dirt soared.

A slender woman flew through the air amidst it.

Whoosh.

The woman flying through the air twisted her body.

And landed lightly on the ground as if by magic.

Clack.

She was none other than Bingseol of the Northern Sea One Sword.

The sword in Bingseol’s hand had a clear blue aura.

Whoooo.

“Hmph, so this method doesn’t work either.”

Someone’s voice flowed out.

The dust and dirt were blown away by the wind, and the Gentleman’s Sword, Je Gal-myeong, appeared.

Swoosh.

The sword flying through the air returned to the Gentleman’s Sword’s hand.

It was a technique he had used while sparring with Yun-hyeon, but its momentum was much more restrained than before.

“Family Head Je Gal’s sword is not compatible with Bingseol Yeohyeop [a respectful title for a female martial artist].”

Cheolgeom Namgung-byeok, who was sitting down, said.

“Since the two people’s techniques are similar, Bingseol Yeohyeop, who is delicate and skilled, will inevitably gain the upper hand. Family Head Je Gal, aren’t you getting old?”

Bi Geom Gongson-wol, who was sitting next to him, nodded.

He was about to drink tea, but after seeing the dust on the cup, he threw the tea away to the side.

“I cannot agree with that statement.”

Amipa Cheonsu Shinni [a Buddhist title, meaning Divine Nun] said in a calm voice.

“As you get older, you become more delicate and sensitive in everything. You come to realize things you didn’t see before. Don’t you think so?”

“Shinni’s words are indeed correct.”

Old Madam Neung Se-yeong nodded.

“I think Family Head Je Gal needs to be more bold rather than delicate.”

Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myeong gave a bitter smile.

It was something no one could have imagined that the family heads and supreme masters of the clans would openly spar and even evaluate each other.

Even Je Gal-myeong himself couldn’t believe that this was happening naturally within this mansion.

Yun-hyeon’s promise to spar was a big part of how things turned out this way.

As with Bingseol before, Yun-hyeon never hides sparring.

So, there was a consensus that ‘if the techniques and skills are going to be revealed anyway, there is no need to hide them,’ and the benefits of watching each other’s sparring were also very great.

Considering how hard masters work to break their walls and limitations, this situation was nothing short of heavenly luck for them.

Sreung.

Je Gal-myeong sheathed his sword.

“Thank you, Bingseol Yeohyeop.”

Bingseol also put away her sword and bowed to Je Gal-myeong.

Je Gal-myeong smiled.

The meaning of showing each other’s techniques was also there.

It was a strong expression of not antagonizing the other party.

No one shows their skills to the enemy.

So, the elders, family heads, and supreme masters here had already concluded a tacit peace agreement with each other.

At the same time, it also acts as a kind of deterrent by showing off their skills.

Literally, a gathering that could influence the direction of the Kangho [martial arts world] is now taking shape here.