Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 104

104. Neither Too Close, Nor Too Far

For Shinseung [a highly respected elder of Shaolin known for his wisdom and impartiality] to confirm someone as the Sword Saint’s successor was a statement of considerable significance.

Beyond a simple acknowledgment, it could be interpreted as an offer of patronage, depending on the circumstances.

“I regret to say, this humble monk also knows nothing about it,” Jinhe said quietly, shaking his head.

“Shinseung is a pillar of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts sects], even before being an elder of Shaolin. How could we know what you do not?” His words were quite persuasive.

Shinseung secluded himself in Waryongheon [his personal residence] and rarely ventured out. Even Shaolin found it difficult to meet with him. Meeting him in secret was virtually impossible.

“However, one thing seems certain.”

A clear voice echoed through the conference room. Tang Mun’s Snow Flower, Tang Seol-ryeon of the Tang Clan [a family renowned for their mastery of poisons and hidden weapons], spoke with a smile. “That a successor to the Sword Saint exists, and that he is likely a disciple of the Orthodox Factions [sects traditionally considered righteous and honorable].”

“That’s right!” Thump.

With a heavy thud, Mookhyeop, the sturdy representative of the Black Demon Society [a group often associated with unorthodox or ‘demonic’ martial arts], spoke in an agitated voice. “We cannot help but feel concern and anger about this matter. How can such a significant issue only circulate among the Orthodox Factions?”

The issue of the Sword Saint’s successor had been initially raised by Wudang [a Taoist sect known for its internal martial arts], with Hwasan [a sect famed for its swordsmanship] and Shaolin implicated and pointed to.

Being excluded from such a momentous matter was a serious problem for the Black Demon Society.

“We demand an immediate investigation into this matter!”

“Please, calm down for a moment,” a middle-aged man with the refined air of a scholar interjected. With a stylish beard, he was Zhuge Yeon, the representative of the Zhuge Family [a clan known for its strategic thinking and intelligence].

“First, let me state that the terms ‘Orthodox’ and ‘Unorthodox’ Factions are no longer relevant within the Murim Alliance. And this matter is by no means an issue for only some factions,” Zhuge Yeon calmly continued. “Do you not understand the implications of Shinseung confirming the Sword Saint’s successor?”

Shinseung’s confirmation went beyond simply acknowledging the successor’s existence.

In an extreme scenario, the Sword Saint’s successor could potentially become Shinseung’s own successor, inheriting his influence and standing.

“So,” Mookhyeop, the representative of the Black Demon Society, said with a dissatisfied expression, “what is the Zhuge Family’s intention?”

“It’s simple,” Zhuge Yeon replied with a serious look. “It is to maintain a relationship that is neither too close nor too far (不可近 不可遠) [a balanced approach, avoiding excessive intimacy or distance].”

The representatives frowned slightly at his words.

Zhuge Yeon smiled and continued, “The first thing we must do is bring him into the Murim Alliance. And the next is…”

“A mutual non-aggression pact, isn’t it? Not between him and us individually, but between all of us,” Tang Seol-ryeon of the Tang Clan continued with a seductive smile. “Bring him into the Murim Alliance and keep him within sight, but no one makes a move on him first. Isn’t that it? Just like how we treat Shinseung.”

Zhuge Yeon smiled and slightly bowed his head. “That’s right. As expected of Lady Tang Seol-ryeon.”

‘Yeohyeop’ [female hero] was a more fitting title for her than ‘Sojeo’ [young lady], but Zhuge Yeon was well aware of Tang Seol-ryeon’s preferred title.

Zhuge Yeon looked around at the other representatives and said, “Just as with Shinseung, the Sword Saint’s successor, regardless of their sect affiliation, must become a member of the Murim Alliance.”

With a gleam in his eyes, Zhuge Yeon continued, “Furthermore, any attempt to claim the rights of a sect or exert undue influence over the successor will be severely punished as an act that threatens the very existence of the Murim Alliance.”

Silence fell in the conference room. The representatives were inwardly calculating their potential gains and losses, carefully observing the reactions of their peers.

“Then what position will he hold within the Alliance?” The question came from Tang Seol-ryeon.

It was enough to capture everyone’s attention. What position should be granted to the Sword Saint’s successor?

“That is…”

“Well, we have no choice but to give him whatever he asks for, do we not?” Meihwa Sword Yeongho-jun [a master swordsman known for his flamboyant style] interjected before Zhuge Yeon could respond.

Yeongho-jun shrugged as if it were a simple matter. “He is the successor to the Sword Saint, and this is the Murim Alliance. This is a place where power dictates everything…”

Smiling wryly, Yeongho-jun continued, “Of course, we have no choice but to grant him whatever he desires. Even if he wants the position of a representative.”

The representatives’ faces immediately shifted. Yeongho-jun spoke casually, but the position of a representative carried significant authority.

In the Murim Alliance, where all matters were decided through consultation, becoming a representative meant wielding influence over various major and minor events within the Murim world.

It was, in effect, the birth of a one-person sect (一人門派) [a figure with power equivalent to an entire martial arts sect].

“Impossible!” Hyeokryun-pil of the Hyeokryun Family [a relatively new sect seeking to establish its influence] strongly protested. The Hyeokryun Family had been classified as a new force during the past Righteous-Demonic War [a historical conflict between orthodox and unorthodox martial arts factions].

“No matter how much he is the Sword Saint’s successor, how can…”

“Then,” Yeongho-jun cut off Hyeokryun-pil’s words and said in a calm voice, “can the Hyeokryun Family defeat the Sword Saint? Or is Hyeokryun-pil confident in defeating the Sword Saint’s successor?”

Depending on interpretation, it bordered on an insult.

However, Hyeokryun-pil did not become angry. He couldn’t afford to.

The other sects felt the same.

Because the opponent was the Sword Saint.

An absolute being who had pacified the Northern Sea with a single sword strike, one of the Hwanwoo Five Greats [five legendary martial artists], whose martial arts reached the heavens, making everyone unhesitatingly call him the greatest swordsman in the world.

Any sect that dared to antagonize the Sword Saint had to be prepared for complete annihilation.

So, even if Hyeokryun-pil remained silent now, no one would fault him.

“Humph,” Hyeokryun-pil sneered, clenching his jaw. “The Sword Saint’s successor is not the Sword Saint! You only know what is long and short after comparing them [a proverb meaning one can only judge something by comparing it to something else].”

Yeongho-jun did not respond. He simply thought to himself, ‘If you only know after comparing, you shouldn’t be here as a representative.’

“Yeongho-jun is right, but…” The speaker was Cheongjin Taoist of Wudang.

“Will he even try to join the Alliance? The Sword Saint’s successor, of all people.”

It was well known that the Sword Saint was not bound by organizations such as sects or the Murim Alliance.

Why else would they call him a person crazy about swords?

If that was the case, there was no reason to believe his successor would be any different.

Zhuge Yeon of the Zhuge Family nodded. “Of course, it won’t be easy. But no matter the cost, we must…”

Click.

Zhuge Yeon stopped speaking and turned towards the sound from outside. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Gwanjibu, who went to Waryongheon,” a servant’s voice announced from beyond the door.

Zhuge Yeon assessed the reactions of the other representatives and nodded. “Let him in.”

The most crucial aspect of the Sword Saint’s successor was their identity.

The only individuals who could definitively answer that question were the Sword Saint himself and Shinseung.

Therefore, it was only natural that the Murim Alliance representatives had dispatched an inquiry to Shinseung, Great Master Bulyeong.

Of course, there was virtually no expectation that Shinseung, who rarely even showed his face, would actually respond.

Click.

The door to the Grand Conference Hall opened, and Gwanjibu entered, carefully carrying a book.

Gwanjibu bowed to the twenty or so representatives seated in the Grand Conference Hall.

“What happened?” At someone’s question, Gwanjibu bowed deeply.

“Gwanjibu of the Guest Hall, acting under the orders of the respected representatives, dared to visit Waryongheon this morning. Fortunately, Great Master Shinseung Bulyeong did not reject this humble one…”

Zhuge Yeon frowned as Gwanjibu’s explanation dragged on.

“Aren’t I asking what happened?”

Gwanjibu flinched and answered in a stammering voice, “S, Shinseung Bulyeong gave an answer.”

The representatives’ eyes widened.

Thump.

“Who is it?”

“Which sect are they from?”

“Did he say where they are?”

The Grand Conference Hall instantly erupted in noise. As questions poured in from all directions, Gwanjibu hurriedly opened the book he had brought.

Flap.

“Th, that is, his name is Unhyeon, and his hometown is Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. He passed the civil service examination in the past and worked as a scholar in the imperial palace for ten years before resigning and returning to his hometown, and he is currently residing in Hangzhou.”

The representatives were taken aback. They had posed the question, but they had never anticipated such a straightforward answer.

Gwanjibu, who had been reading frantically, paused and continued stammering, “Also, he recently applied for the Murim Alliance scribe recruitment exam…”

Gwanjibu swallowed hard. “A, and passed.”

Silence fell.

But only for a moment; the Grand Conference Hall instantly descended into chaos.

“What are you talking about!”

“You scoundrel! How dare you mock us…”

“Great Master Jinhe! Please go to Waryongheon. What nonsense is that guy spouting?”

As the atmosphere instantly turned grim, Gwanjibu desperately began to protest. “No! Great Master Shinseung Bulyeong clearly told me.”

Gwanjibu shouted, holding up the book he was carrying for the representatives to see. “The Sword Saint’s successor is this person!”

The representatives looked at the book Gwanjibu held out.

The book was a standard Murim Alliance report, distributed only to the representatives of each faction and Great Master Shinseung Bulyeong.

“At first, Shinseung silently opened the book and showed it to me. And he told me to take this and… to inform everyone like this.”

With a rather serious expression, Gwanjibu said, “’This person is that person,’ he said.”

Silence fell again.

Gwanjibu swallowed hard, awaiting the representatives’ reactions.

‘I, it’ll be okay, right?’

His worry stemmed from omitting Shinseung Bulyeong’s words: ‘Throw this to those chattering bastards.’

How could he relay such disrespectful words to the representatives?

“If so,” Zhuge Yeon said in a seemingly dejected voice, “is the Sword Saint’s successor a scholar, no, a recluse scholar? Moreover, he passed this scribe recruitment exam?”

“N, not just passed,” Gwanjibu quickly added to Zhuge Yeon’s words. “He passed at the top of his class.”

“What?” At Zhuge Yeon’s frowning reaction, Gwanjibu hurriedly rummaged through the book.

“U, that is, he generally scored excellent marks on the exams that asked about ancient texts, old poems, and common sense, but on the questions that asked about basic understanding of martial arts, his answer sheet… received a perfect score.”

Gwanjibu swallowed hard. “According to the examiners, he discussed the basic stances and meanings of eighteen martial arts, and the level was so high that even the examiners were amazed.”

That was the first time most of the representatives had heard of it. They had also received the book, but who would be interested in the test scores of a new scribe?

“In the end, he received an overwhelming evaluation that surpassed other applicants with the unanimous agreement of the examiners.”

The conference room was silent.

“I don’t know much about the affairs of scholars, so…” Mookhyeop of the Black Demon Society frowned and asked the person next to him. “Didn’t you clearly say he was a scholar earlier? But can he be so knowledgeable about martial arts?”

Representative Gongsonchang of the Gongson Family [a family known for its scholarly pursuits], who was sitting next to him, shook his head. “Our Gongson Family is not ignorant of learning, but this is highly unusual. No, it is absolutely impossible. Especially since he passed the civil service examination in the past.”

Gongsonchang understood the implications of passing the civil service examination and serving as an imperial scholar.

That’s why he could say with certainty.

Just as martial artists devote themselves to the sword, scholars dedicate themselves to passing the civil service examination and honing their learning.

It is impossible to achieve such a feat while focusing on other pursuits.

“Then that means there is another truth after all,” Tang Seol-ryeon said with a bright smile.

“Another truth?” Gongsonchang frowned.

“Yes, another truth,” Tang Seol-ryeon continued with a smile. “I’m truly curious. What is the reason he is deceiving everyone in this way and entering the Murim Alliance?”

The representatives’ faces noticeably hardened. The Sword Saint’s successor was already within the Murim Alliance.

Moreover, he was concealing his identity under the guise of a scribe.

What was he aiming for by doing this?

“I guess we have no choice but to hear it directly?” At Tang Seol-ryeon’s clear voice, the representatives remained silent.

Of course, that was the most obvious and straightforward approach.

But would his answer be equally obvious and simple?

The representatives now feared that possibility.

Perhaps with a single word, the Murim Alliance, the entire Gangho Murim [the martial arts world], might descend into chaos.

“Um, then…” Gwanjibu, still unaware of the tense atmosphere, spoke, looking at the representatives’ faces. “Shall we cancel his acceptance due to false information in his personal history?”

The representatives’ faces all frowned at once. [End]