Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 122

122. Suppression

Smack.

A sharp sound echoed.

Namgung Sanghyuk turned his head, looking at the Great Senior Brother with bewildered eyes.

The Great Senior Brother had slapped his cheek.

“How dare you defy my words!”

Namgung Hyun spoke in an utterly cold voice.

“Go back to your quarters immediately and reflect on your actions!”

Having said that, Namgung Hyun bit his lip.

How could he not understand the bewildered eyes of his junior, Namgung Sanghyuk, the feeling of being betrayed?

If the opponent had been another scribe, or even a martial artist from another clan, Namgung Hyun would have sided with his junior.

However, the opponent was… different.

‘Why did it have to be the heir of the Sword Saint?’

The identity of Scribe Unhyun is a secret known only to representatives and higher-ups.

So, it would take at least a few years for Namgung Sanghyuk to understand what happened today.

That is, if he ever holds a significant position in the Namgung Clan.

Swish.

Under the Great Senior Brother’s stern gaze, Namgung Sanghyuk’s sword drooped powerlessly.

Seeing that, Great Senior Brother Namgung Hyun turned towards Unhyun.

And Namgung Sanghyuk had to doubt his ears.

“I apologize for the rudeness of my foolish junior.”

Namgung Hyun was apologizing to Unhyun.

Namgung Hyun, the representative of the Namgung Clan in the Martial Arts Alliance, was apologizing to a mere scribe.

“This will never happen again.”

Namgung Sanghyuk couldn’t believe it. But for Namgung Hyun, it was a perfectly reasonable apology.

The opponent *was* the heir of the Sword Saint.

There were times when there were suspicious eyes on him, mainly from the Tang Clan, but not anymore.

No one in the Martial Arts Alliance doubts the heir of the Sword Saint.

“It’s nothing.”

Unhyun said with a wry smile.

“I was too harsh as well. I apologize to Great Hero [a respectful title for a martial artist].”

Namgung Hyun gave a seemingly generous smile to Unhyun, who was showing courtesy.

“Thank you. What good is it to quarrel among members of the same Martial Arts Alliance? Hahaha.”

It’s no good.

In particular, causing problems with the heir of the Sword Saint is not what any of the Martial Arts Alliance representatives want.

Neither too close nor too far.

Unhyun, the new scribe who could neither be approached nor distanced, had become a moving Waryongheon [a strategic point or person of great importance] before anyone knew it.

A Waryongheon that no one would dare to touch.

“That’s right. It’s no good.”

Unhyun said with a bitter smile.

Thus, the small conflict ended.

After that day, the representatives of the scribes talked about the magnanimous demeanor of Namgung Hyun, the representative of the Namgung Clan, but that was only for a moment.

***

A few days later, a heated debate was taking place at the Martial Arts Alliance representatives meeting.

“Absolutely not!”

Namgung Hyun, the representative of the Namgung Clan, said in a strong tone.

“The subjugation of Suchae [a region or area] has already been decided. Also, this is entirely an event of the Namgung Clan, so the intervention of other sects can never be accepted!”

“But it’s not just a matter for the Namgung Clan.”

Cheongjin Taoist of the Wudang Sect said calmly.

“Our Wudang Sect cannot accept the claims of the Namgung Clan.”

Suchae of the Mindless School is within the Wudang Sect’s territory.

There was no way the Wudang Sect would readily tolerate the Namgung Clan’s elite force of one hundred and twenty moving in.

“It’s about getting revenge for the blood of our dead disciples.”

Namgung Hyun said firmly.

“The Namgung Clan will not seek anyone’s permission for this matter.”

Thump.

Kongsun Chang, the representative of the Kongsun Clan, slammed the table.

“What does that mean?”

The Kongsun Clan, which had always competed with the Namgung Clan, raised its voice greatly.

“Is the Namgung Clan saying they will leave the Martial Arts Alliance now?”

Namgung Hyun glared at Kongsun Chang instead of answering.

Kongsun Chang also returned a fierce look.

“Everyone, calm down for a moment.”

Zhuge Yeon of the Zhuge Clan attempted to mediate.

“I fully understand the position of the Namgung Clan. But this is also a challenge to the Martial Arts Alliance. If we remain still even though this kind of thing is happening, how can the Martial Arts Alliance say it is working for the good of the Kangho [the martial arts world]?”

“Whatever the Martial Arts Alliance decides, the Namgung Clan will respect that decision.”

Namgung Hyun said firmly.

“But the subjugation of the Mindless School must belong to our Namgung Clan.”

Zhuge Yeon smiled slyly.

Just now, Namgung Hyun said that he would ‘respect whatever the Martial Arts Alliance decides.’

That meant there was room for compromise and negotiation.

If only the subjugation of the Mindless School was guaranteed.

And that statement also had another meaning.

‘The resources of the Hoam Merchant Group must be larger than I thought.’

The Namgung Clan is too large an organization to be moved by revenge alone.

The fact that the Namgung Clan is acting like this meant that the Hoam Merchant Group was a larger source of funds than the world thought.

“I understand. Then, after taking a short break…….”

Since the intention to negotiate has been expressed, time is needed to compromise.

Time for secret deals to take place, not official discussions.

It was then.

“Shouldn’t we investigate the mastermind?”

Zhuge Yeon raised his head at the voice that suddenly rang out.

Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun of the Mount Hua Sect continued to speak calmly.

“Isn’t it said that there is an unidentified force behind the Mindless School? There was also the story of that old letter.”

“But Younghojun Great Hero.”

Cheongjin Taoist frowned slightly and said.

“That’s just a rumor.”

“But Plum Blossom Sword is very interested in such rumors.”

Tang Seol-yeon’s voice rang out clearly.

“Because he was disappointed that the letter from the Azure Dragon Sword Master was not formally put on the agenda of the Martial Arts Alliance.”

That meant that this matter, like the previous agenda, was meaningless.

However, Younghojun smiled faintly.

“Not this time. Isn’t there a proper entity called Hwangcheon Group?”

The eyes of the representatives shook slightly.

Everyone already knew about the Hwangcheon Group, which had annihilated the Namgung Clan’s subjugation force.

That was also why the Martial Arts Alliance could not ignore this matter.

The force shown by the Hwangcheon Group was something that Suchae could never have.

“I agree.”

Namgung Hyun, the representative of the Namgung Clan, said.

“The Namgung Clan will actively cooperate with the investigation of the mastermind. If you want, I will also accept participating in the subjugation. But I can never give up on striking the Mindless School.”

At that, Zhuge Yeon of the Zhuge Clan smiled bitterly.

Even though cooperating with the investigation was nothing, allowing participation in the subjugation was a great concession.

That meant accepting the surveillance of the Martial Arts Alliance.

‘That means he’s that confident. And this will secure justification as well.’

Justification may seem like nothing, but it actually has tremendous value.

Now, other sects could never make excessive demands on the Namgung Clan.

Because the Namgung Clan had conceded first.

“I understand. Then, including this proposal…….”

“Ah, and.”

Younghojun’s voice once again interrupted Zhuge Yeon’s words.

“Everyone seems to be only interested in participating, so I’m saying this because it seems like I’ll be in charge of the investigation team anyway.”

That statement was too hasty but accurate at the same time.

It would be more important to directly watch the Namgung Clan’s power than the vague ‘mastermind investigation’ that may or may not have results.

“I can select the members of the investigation team as I please, right?”

Zhuge Yeon frowned slightly.

He had no choice but to ask what Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun was thinking when he said these words.

“Do you have someone in mind?”

“I’m not good enough, so I want to take someone smart with me.”

Younghojun said with a smile.

“Wouldn’t the scribe who passed this time at the top of his class be good enough?”

Zhuge Yeon frowned.

He couldn’t understand what he was thinking, taking the heir of the Sword Saint with him.

“That’s…….”

“Or would you leave ‘him’ alone in the Martial Arts Alliance? ‘Him’?”

Zhuge Yeon flinched at Younghojun’s words.

Confirming the power of the Namgung Clan was an opportunity that could not be missed.

Of course, all the representatives would participate, and only the Divine Monk and the heir of the Sword Saint would be left in the empty Martial Arts Alliance.

Would that be okay?

‘Hmm.’

Zhuge Yeon pondered for a moment.

In fact, he hadn’t thought much about this issue until now, but after hearing Younghojun’s words, he felt uneasy.

“You wouldn’t have ‘him’ participate in the subjugation either.”

At Younghojun’s words, the other representatives also distorted their faces.

That was absurd.

Having the heir of the Sword Saint with them in such an important position was something to be avoided at all costs.

Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun shrugged his shoulders and said.

“Then I think it’s okay for me to take him?”

Zhuge Yeon smiled bitterly.

No one else had any objections.

“I understand. Then…….”

Younghojun gave a triumphant smile at Zhuge Yeon’s words, who was sighing slightly.

But that was a bit premature.

“Me too.”

Rustle.

A white hand rose, and a woman’s clear voice rang out.

“I’ll go with you. To that ‘strange letter mastermind investigation team’.”

She was Tang Clan’s Snowflower, Tang Mun Seolhwa, Tang Seol-yeon.

Pretending not to notice Younghojun’s distorted expression, Tang Seol-yeon said.

“Would that be okay?”

At her words, Zhuge Yeon looked around at the representatives with a sullen expression.

Everyone seemed suspicious of Tang Clan’s true intentions, the ulterior motive for giving up participating in the Namgung Clan’s power, but there were no objections.

“I understand. Let’s do that.”

Zhuge Yeon said.

With Tang Seol-yeon’s inscrutable smile and Younghojun’s distorted expression, the Martial Arts Alliance representatives meeting declared a temporary recess.

***

Clatter, clatter.

“Haa.”

Mixed with the sound of the carriage’s horse hooves, a beautiful woman’s sigh flowed out.

However, Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun looked out at the passing scenery and pretended not to hear it.

No matter how beautiful and attractive the woman was, she was Tang Clan’s Snowflower, Tang Mun Seolhwa, Tang Seol-yeon.

Eventually, Tang Seol-yeon, who had given up on attracting his attention, had no choice but to ask first.

“What on earth are you up to?”

Younghojun finally turned his head at her sharp voice.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Tang Seol-yeon’s eyes narrowed slightly at his puzzled expression.

“Are you going to play dumb?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. The scenery was so beautiful that I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“Are you talking about this ordinary road?”

Her question was natural.

The carriage they were riding in was quite nice, but the passing scenery was just monotonous.

“Travel is bound to be completely different depending on who you are with.”

Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun said with a smile.

But what came back was Tang Seol-yeon’s cold reaction.

“We’re not traveling.”

“I don’t think it’s much different.”

Younghojun shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway, who in our investigation team would expect great results? So, even if we enjoy our leisure time for the first time in a while, it wouldn’t be a big mistake.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“That’s exactly it?”

Tang Seol-yeon asked Younghojun, who was asking back, with a serious expression.

“At this time when the eighteen great sects of the Martial Arts Alliance are all eager to participate in the Namgung Clan, what are you thinking when you take on this investigation team that is only in name? And…….”

Tang Seol-yeon glanced back.

In the open carriage where the escorts were riding, a little behind, Unhyun’s figure could be seen.

Unhyun was so busy with something that he was holding a book and reading hard even on the carriage.

With a wooden sword wrapped in cloth next to him.

“Why did you bother to bring him along?”

Younghojun smiled faintly.

“Then why did Tang Clan’s Snowflower participate in this investigation team that is only in name? Even though you are busy with what happened in the Yangtze River.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Mun Seolhwa Tang Seol-yeon snorted.

“Only fools rush to something because there’s something there.”

“I totally agree.”

Younghojun nodded greatly.

“What’s fun about being covered in blood and fighting with swords? Rather than seeing that, I’d rather…”

Plum Blossom Sword Younghojun glanced back.

“This side will be more fun.”