Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 164

164. Shouldn’t You Know to Serve Me Well?

‘Ugh.’

The fact that only Unhyun could do it made Shin Seung’s words even more burdensome.

Shin Seung smiled again, seeing Unhyun’s expression twist.

Come to think of it, Shin Seung seemed to enjoy it whenever Unhyun was in trouble.

“Well, there’s nothing to worry about. He’s a formal envoy of the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance], so they won’t recklessly take his life. If necessary, there’s also the 낙일검(Fallen Sun Sword) [a powerful sword or swordsman, likely a title], and 북해제일지(The Greatest Intellect in the North Sea) [a title referring to a highly intelligent individual] wouldn’t want the worst-case scenario.”

‘북해제일지(The Greatest Intellect in the North Sea)?’

Unhyun suddenly became curious about the person known as ‘The Greatest Intellect in the North Sea.’

It meant the most intelligent person in the North Sea, and from what he had heard before, it was the mother of the young palace lord of the North Sea.

“Ah, but you should worry about your chastity.”

Shin Seung said.

For a moment, Unhyun wondered if he had misheard something.

“Pardon?”

Chastity? Why was that word coming up now?

No, before that, was it the chastity he was thinking of?

Unhyun was confused.

As expected.

Shin Seung chuckled as if he was enjoying himself and continued.

“She said she’d go with you. That child, the seventh child of the Ice Emperor and the daughter of The Greatest Intellect in the North Sea.”

The explanation was so long that it was even more confusing.

But the person Shin Seung was talking about now was clearly the Third Palace Lord of the North Sea.

“The, the Young Palace Lord?”

Unhyun’s expression changed complexly.

He already knew she would be involved.

But he never imagined that she would go all the way to the distant North Sea with him.

“You have to be careful.”

Shin Seung said with a subtle smile.

“Guys with a strong sense of responsibility like you, whoever picks it up first owns it. Well, if she’s as pretty as that child, it wouldn’t be bad to think of it as fate and live tied to her.”

Shin Seung even winked one eye.

“It’s a good opportunity, so do well. Got it?”

Unhyun couldn’t answer those words that made him wonder whether he should be careful or do well.

Shin Seung’s triumphant laughter echoed gratingly in Unhyun’s ears as he gave a bitter smile.

***

The 제갈(Jegal) Family [a prominent family known for strategy] is renowned in 강호(Gangho) [the martial arts world] for their outstanding strategies.

However, the martial prowess of the 제갈(Jegal) Family could not be overlooked either.

There was also the bone-carving effort of the heads of the 제갈(Jegal) Family, who keenly felt the need for martial power, but in fact, among the sects that survived the Great War between Righteous and Evil, there was virtually no place with weak martial power.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) [Jegal Yeon’s name], the representative of the 제갈(Jegal) Family to the Murim Alliance, was also like that.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon)’s martial arts, unfolded with a judge’s pen, and his outstanding insight were drawing great attention not only within the Murim Alliance but also within the 제갈(Jegal) Family, his own family.

“We have a guest.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon), who was stroking his beard and looking through documents in his office, raised his head.

“Bring him in.”

“Yes.”

Swish.

The door of the office opened, and a young man appeared.

“Great Senior Brother!”

The slightly chubby young man came into the office with a bright expression.

And he bowed with exaggerated gestures, putting his hands together.

“제갈기호(Jegal Giho) [Jegal Giho’s name] greets Great Senior Brother.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) smiled contentedly and replied.

“Come in, it’s been a while.”

“I am also very happy to see Great Senior Brother after a long time. Haha.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) did not hide his happy expression.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) gladly responded with a smile as his round face smiled.

“You haven’t changed, you rascal. Sit here.”

“Yes, Great Senior Brother.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) willingly sat at the table.

While the maid was respectfully preparing tea, 제갈기호(Jegal Giho) looked around the office as if it was amazing.

“Wow, the Murim Alliance is different. It’s big and fancy, isn’t it?”

“You rascal.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) chuckled and picked up a teacup.

“Did you have any difficulties coming here?”

“Difficulties? Who would dare to touch our 제갈(Jegal) Family?”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) raised his thick arms and clenched his fists as if showing off his strength.

“And I’m not the kind of person who would just stand still if someone touched me.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) nodded.

“Yes, how is the main family these days?”

“Hey, Great Senior Brother knows better than I do, right? Haha.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who looks kind and easy-going, is also one of the 후기지수(rising stars) [promising young talents] who are showing their potential.

And that means that he is by no means foolish or dull.

Very different from what it seems.

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), realizing that Great Senior Brother 제갈연(Jegal Yeon) was asking for his answer, gave a bitter smile.

“It’s not very good. Things in the 산동(Shantung) area [a region in China] have gone a little wrong. Thanks to that, my sister, who planned this, was also hit hard… Well, she’ll make up for it soon. Because they are very smart people.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) nodded, holding a teacup.

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who was talking, suddenly put his hand in his arms.

“Ah, and.”

Rustle.

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) took out a thin letter.

“This is the message from the head of the family.”

It is the head of the family’s letter delivered directly through 제갈기호(Jegal Giho), not through the usual route.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) certainly knew its importance.

However, 제갈연(Jegal Yeon) nonchalantly received the letter and put it in his arms.

And he said to 제갈기호(Jegal Giho).

“You’re leaving for 북해(North Sea) [the Northern Sea region] tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who was answering, sighed deeply.

“But Great Senior Brother, isn’t this too much? To come all the way to 항주(Hangzhou) [a city in China] and leave without even holding a gisaeng’s [Korean geisha] wrist.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) said as if he was really wronged.

“I am grateful for giving me the important task of representing the Murim Alliance, but the schedule is too tight. Can’t you do something about this?”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) knew what 제갈기호(Jegal Giho) was thinking, who was speaking with a tearful face.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) chuckled.

“You don’t have to say such probing words to me.”

He said it like a joke, but 제갈기호(Jegal Giho)’s intention was clear.

He is trying to find out if he really has the authority of an envoy, and if so, to what extent.

Clatter.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) put down the teacup and said.

“Because the real one is separate, as you suspect.”

Disappointment flashed in 제갈기호(Jegal Giho)’s eyes.

But that was momentary.

“I knew it. I thought it was strange to entrust such an important task as an envoy to an unknown soldier like me.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who was scratching his head, asked again.

“Who is it? Who is the real one?”

“Did you hear who is accompanying you?”

“Yes. I heard that there is a guard and a scribe. It was decided to join the party of the young palace lord of 북해(North Sea) near the border. I’m looking forward to it because I heard that the young palace lord is so pretty…”

“Before joining the people of 북해(North Sea).”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) said with a serious look.

“Make sure to visit the main house. Since you’re going anyway, you can make a suitable excuse.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) nodded.

That’s not difficult.

The problem is that Great Senior Brother 제갈연(Jegal Yeon) has not yet answered 제갈기호(Jegal Giho)’s question.

But the answer came right away.

“However, you must go with that scribe. No matter what.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho)’s eyes twinkled.

He realized that the scribe was the real one 제갈연(Jegal Yeon) was talking about.

Not an envoy in name only like himself, but the real key figure going to 북해(North Sea).

“I understand. I’ll do that. But…”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) smiled and asked.

“Who is that scribe?”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) was silent for a moment.

But it wasn’t long.

“What I’m about to say is not originally allowed for you. So listen and forget. Do you understand?”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) shrugged as if it was natural.

But his eyes were shining more than ever.

“He is.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) gave a bitter smile and picked up the teacup.

And he said nonchalantly, hiding his agitation.

“He is the successor of the Sword Saint.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) blinked.

But it wasn’t long.

“Pardon?”

“And maybe.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) brought the teacup to his lips and continued.

“He may become the successor of Shin Seung.”

Slurp.

The taste was not properly felt.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon), who put down the teacup, saw 제갈기호(Jegal Giho)’s expression strangely distorted.

It was natural.

He would have reacted like that even if it was him.

Clatter.

제갈연(Jegal Yeon), who put down the teacup, continued in a calm voice.

“There’s nothing to worry about. The fact that he is Shin Seung’s successor is only a possibility.”

The fact that 운현(Unhyun) [Unhyun’s name] stayed at the Shaolin Temple for a while was already known to all the representatives.

The Shaolin Temple denied the connection, but there would be no one who did not know its meaning.

‘Is Shin Seung really going to hand over the Alliance to him?’

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) would not be the only one who came up with such suspicions.

Thanks to this, this unexpected agenda of sending an envoy to 북해(North Sea) was passed without any objection.

Everyone wanted to send 운현(Unhyun) far away at this important time before the 천하무림대회(World Martial Arts Competition) [a major martial arts tournament] because everyone felt the same way.

No matter what Shin Seung’s hidden intentions they didn’t know might be.

“Haha, this is true.”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded.

“The successor of the Sword Saint and the successor of Shin Seung. What kind of absurd status is this? No, what is a scribe for such a person?”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who was grumbling, asked.

“So, what is the name of that great person?”

“Name?”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon), who was lost in thought, asked back.

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) nodded.

“Yes. I need to know his nickname or 존성대명(respectful name) [honorific name] to serve him well, right?”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) chuckled at the completely sarcastic words.

“There isn’t one.”

“Pardon?”

제갈기호(Jegal Giho) frowned again.

But 제갈연(Jegal Yeon) slowly picked up the teacup.

“There isn’t one. Murim Alliance Scribe 운현(Unhyun). That’s all.”

제갈연(Jegal Yeon) quietly savored the tea, looking at 제갈기호(Jegal Giho), who was frowning as if it was another joke.

The taste of the tea, which was definitely the best in 항주(Hangzhou), was still not felt.

***

The 장강(Yangtze River) [longest river in Asia] 수로채(Waterway Garrison) Alliance [a group controlling waterways] was a nominal place until recently.

However, even if it is only a name, there must be an owner.

The 총채주(Chief Garrison Lord) [leader of the Waterway Garrison] of the 수로채(Waterway Garrison) Alliance, with the grandiose nickname 적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) [Red Blood Demon Lord], was the owner.

Until just a moment ago.

“Cough.”

적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) spat out blood.

He looked down at the sword that pierced his chest as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You son of a bitch.”

이무심(Lee Musim) [Lee Musim’s name], the 채주(Garrison Lord) [leader of a garrison] of 무심파(the Heartless Sect) [a martial arts sect], said with a seemingly angry expression.

“How dare you say that this seat has no roots? How dare you spew such nonsense?”

이무심(Lee Musim), who usually pretended to be solemn while writing letters, spat out blatant swear words.

“Kkeu, kkeueuk.”

적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) couldn’t believe it.

It was a word thrown out sarcastically, as 무심파(the Heartless Sect)’s momentum was so high.

Isn’t it true that 이무심(Lee Musim) has no roots?

But to draw a sword right away at that one word?

Even at this banquet where other 채주(Garrison Lords) are lined up.

“This, this is ridiculous…”

However, what 적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) couldn’t believe was not 이무심(Lee Musim)’s crazy 짓(act) [crazy act].

적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) is also an old 괴(monster) [monster, referring to a powerful and experienced figure] who has experienced all kinds of things in 강호(Gangho) 무림(martial arts world) [martial arts world].

No matter how sudden it was, he couldn’t have failed to block 이무심(Lee Musim)’s sword.

But the moment his sword collided with 이무심(Lee Musim)’s sword, it shattered.

“How, how… Cough.”

이무심(Lee Musim)’s sword was piercing 적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord)’s chest.

The unfamiliar energy rippling in the sword was definitely 검기(sword energy) [sword energy, a powerful martial arts technique], even though it looked rough and turbid.

The 검기(sword energy), which is the symbol of a master, appeared from 이무심(Lee Musim)’s sword.

“Kkeueueuk.”

적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord) turned his head.

The banquet hall, which was full of excitement just a moment ago, was now filled with a cold silence.

The 예기(entertainers) [female entertainers] who were dancing and playing instruments were terrified and gathered in one place, and 적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord)’s subordinates could not even draw their weapons in front of the 칼날(blades) [blades] touching their necks.

In that short time, men in 누런(yellow) 무복(martial uniform) [martial uniform] had subdued the others.

The 채주(Garrison Lords) sitting around the banquet hall also had surprised expressions.

Some 채주(Garrison Lords) are shocked, and some 채주(Garrison Lords) frown.

But one thing was the same: no one stood up for 적혈마군(Red Blood Demon Lord).