Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 165

165. The Northern Sea Delegation of the Murim Alliance

“Hmph.”

Lee Mu-shim scoffed.

Then, he put strength into pulling out his sword.

Shick.

Lee Mu-shim’s sword, now imbued with an unfamiliar energy, tore away a chunk of flesh near the Red Blood Demon Lord’s chest.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

The Red Blood Demon Lord had already breathed his last.

Thud, crash.

The massive body of the Red Blood Demon Lord tilted to the side and collapsed to the ground.

That was the end of the Red Blood Demon Lord, who had been the leader of the Jang River Water Bandits Alliance.

“There’s no need to feel wronged.”

Lee Mu-shim said, looking down at the fallen Red Blood Demon Lord.

“Didn’t you also climb to that position by killing someone? So it’s only right that you die by the sword.”

After speaking arrogantly, Lee Mu-shim turned his head to look at the bandit leaders.

Swish.

Lee Mu-shim’s eyes flashed as he opened his mouth.

“The Red Blood Demon Lord had a violent nature and was not fit for the position of leader, so I, Lee Mu-shim, have dealt with him. Does anyone here object to this?”

The bandit leaders’ expressions were grim.

However, no one raised an objection.

Rather, the bandit leaders were subtly watching someone’s reaction.

Not the sword-wielding Lee Mu-shim, but a young man sitting in the VIP seat, hiding his face with a fan.

Swish.

The young man in the fancy clothes picked up a piece of fruit from a silver platter as if this tragedy had nothing to do with him.

He looked like a well-bred young nobleman, but none of the bandit leaders dared to ignore him.

That young man was ‘Prince Moon’, and the Yellow Sky Squad in yellow uniforms were guarding him tightly.

The bandit leaders didn’t even dare to look at him because of the intimidating aura emanating from the Yellow Sky Squad.

“Ahem.”

Lee Mu-shim cleared his throat, and the bandit leaders all turned their gazes at once.

Lee Mu-shim felt a sense of satisfaction as he faced their fearful gazes.

“The leader has passed away due to an unforeseen accident, but we cannot leave such an important position vacant indefinitely. I believe someone suitable should succeed to the position of leader. What do you all think?”

He killed him and called it an ‘unforeseen accident’; it was clear that Lee Mu-shim was twisting the meaning of words.

But no one dared question it now.

Silence fell over the banquet hall for a moment.

Swish.

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar quietly stood up.

With a long beard, he bowed to Lee Mu-shim and spoke in a clear voice.

“It is fitting that Leader Lee Mu-shim, who punished the brutal tyrant, should ascend to the position of leader.”

He was the strategist named ‘Jang Ja-bang’ who had come with Lee Mu-shim.

In other words, he was on Lee Mu-shim’s side.

It was obvious to everyone that this was a setup, but neither Lee Mu-shim nor Jang Ja-bang’s expression changed.

“Ahem, how could I handle such an important task…”

Lee Mu-shim looked at the bandit leaders, pretending to decline.

Then, several bandit leaders immediately reacted.

“Leader Lee Mu-shim should ascend to the position of leader!”

“Y-yes! It is right that Leader Lee becomes the leader!”

The bandit leaders who were on Lee Mu-shim’s side began to shout.

The other bandit leaders followed suit.

The bandit leaders, who were quick-witted due to their long lives as bandits, immediately realized that the power dynamic had shifted and immediately agreed with Lee Mu-shim.

“Leader! Please become the leader!”

“Please lead the Water Bandits Alliance, Leader!”

“Long live the leader!”

The atmosphere heated up in an instant.

There were still some bandit leaders who had uncomfortable expressions, but they couldn’t say anything.

Their skin was tingling from the eerie murderous intent pouring out from the Yellow Sky Squad.

If they could kill even the Red Blood Demon Lord, who was the leader, without hesitation, they wouldn’t hesitate to take the lives of one or two bandit leaders.

“Oh dear, this is… I didn’t intend to do this…”

Lee Mu-shim let out a hearty laugh while holding a sword that was still stained with blood.

“Since the will of my brothers is so, I have no choice.”

The shouting bandit leaders held their breath and watched Lee Mu-shim and Prince Moon’s reactions.

Lee Mu-shim also glanced at Prince Moon.

After confirming that Prince Moon’s eyes were smiling thinly, Lee Mu-shim nodded his head greatly and said.

“I, Lee Mu-shim, will accept the position of leader with a self-sacrificing spirit.”

The bandit leaders immediately rose from their seats.

“Long live the leader!”

“Long live the Jang River Water Bandits!”

“Long live Leader Lee Mu-shim!”

A great cheer erupted as if the banquet hall would collapse.

Still holding a sword that was not yet dry with blood, Lee Mu-shim continued to laugh heartily with a satisfied expression.

It was the moment when the Jang River Water Bandits Alliance, which had been nominal, welcomed a new leader, and Lee Mu-shim, who had been just a bandit leader, gained the title of Iron-Faced Ruthless.

***

Yun-hyun packed his bags, left his lodgings, and headed towards the main gate of the Murim Alliance [a large martial arts organization].

It was to depart for the Northern Sea.

‘But is it okay to just leave like this?’

Yun-hyun’s luggage was simple.

He didn’t have much luggage in the first place, and he didn’t know what to pack.

‘What do I need to take to the Northern Sea?’

Yun-hyun didn’t know, and neither did anyone else.

The advice from the other new scribes was only at a common-sense level.

Like preparing warm clothes because it would be cold, or packing extra shoes because it was a long journey.

‘The Alliance said they would provide clothes, and I’m riding in a carriage, so I don’t think I need shoes.’

Just in case, he packed extra shoes.

Still, Yun-hyun’s luggage was very simple.

The only unusual thing was.

The Setting Sun Sword, wrapped roughly in hemp cloth, hanging next to his backpack.

‘Setting Sun Sword…’

Yun-hyun pondered about the Setting Sun Sword, or rather, the secret hidden within the Setting Sun Sword.

‘There was nothing in the wooden box.’

There was nothing in the old wooden box that contained the Setting Sun Sword.

Some unique patterns were engraved on it, but even those were old and worn, so they couldn’t be properly identified.

Still, he couldn’t throw it away, so he carefully placed it in one corner of his lodgings.

‘It’s really an amazing famous sword, no, a treasure sword…’

Yun-hyun glanced at the Setting Sun Sword dangling next to his backpack.

The Setting Sun Sword was truly worthy of being called a treasure sword.

The straight sword body and sharp blade were enough for Yun-hyun, who didn’t know much about swords, to quickly recognize its greatness.

So much so that he felt sorry for hanging it next to his backpack, wrapped in rough hemp cloth like this.

If he had time, he would have examined it more, but he had to leave for the Northern Sea only two days after receiving the Setting Sun Sword, so he didn’t have time.

‘A breakthrough…’

Yun-hyun sighed, recalling the words of the Sword Saint, who said that it ‘might become a breakthrough’.

In the past, swords and training had been his comfort, but now they had become a major source of worry.

“Hoo.”

Sighing, Yun-hyun hurried his steps.

Before he knew it, the main gate of the Murim Alliance was approaching.

And there, Yun-hyun discovered unexpected, very familiar people.

‘Huh?’

“Brother Yun! Over here!”

The person waving his hand was Ahn Soo-jae, a new scribe like Yun-hyun.

Not only that.

Next to him stood Jo Doo-shik, yawning, and Pyeon Eo-doo, whose eyes were bloodshot as if he had stayed up all night.

They were all new scribes who had entered the Murim Alliance with Yun-hyun.

“No, how did you all get here…”

Yun-hyun quickly approached them with a surprised expression.

Jo Doo-shik smiled and said.

“We heard that Brother Yun is going on another long journey, so we came to see you off.”

“S-see me off?”

Yun-hyun couldn’t hide his surprise at something he really hadn’t expected.

“How can they suddenly send you to the Northern Sea after only being back for so long? It’s too much!”

Ahn Soo-jae frowned.

His tone was somewhat blunt, but his concern for Yun-hyun was evident.

Yun-hyun smiled and replied.

“What can I do? I have to do it if they tell me to.”

“It’s not all bad.”

Pyeon Eo-doo, who was next to him, chimed in slyly.

“Being appointed as the vice-envoy of the Northern Sea delegation means your abilities have been recognized, doesn’t it?”

Yun-hyun was the vice-envoy of the Northern Sea delegation.

It was a position to assist the chief envoy, but it was quite unusual to appoint a scribe as the vice-envoy.

“Tsk, still.”

Ignoring Ahn Soo-jae, who was clicking his tongue, Pyeon Eo-doo said to Yun-hyun.

“Brother Yun, I found out that the chief envoy, Young Master Je-gal Gi-ho, doesn’t have a bad reputation. He’s said to have a cheerful personality and be a good person, so it won’t be too difficult to serve him.”

Pyeon Eo-doo is always well-informed.

He seemed tired, but Yun-hyun couldn’t help but be grateful that he had found out about the delegation.

“Thank you. You all must be tired, but you came all the way in the morning…”

Yun-hyun felt a lump in his throat.

“What’s a little bit of overtime? You take care of yourself, Brother Yun. It would be a big problem if you got sick on the long journey.”

Jo Doo-shik waved his hand.

But his bloodshot eyes and constant yawning said otherwise.

Yun-hyun felt a warmth in one corner of his heart.

It was even more so because it was a send-off he had never expected.

“Thank you. Brother Jo, Brother Ahn, Brother Pyeon.”

Yun-hyun bowed with sincerity.

How could he treat lightly those who cared about him?

“We should go now. We want to see you off, but we’re also busy with work these days. Well, take care.”

The three lightly waved their hands and disappeared into the Murim Alliance.

And Yun-hyun didn’t turn his eyes away until they disappeared.

It was a small consideration, but he was really grateful.

So much so that his empty heart was warmed.

‘Oh, no, I’m going to be late.’

Yun-hyun quickly pulled himself together and passed through the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

As expected.

A large carriage and a group of people were already gathered outside the main gate.

Yun-hyun hurried his steps.

“Ah, welcome. Scribe Yun.”

Gwan Ji-bu and Byun Gi-ryang recognized Yun-hyun and said.

Yun-hyun bowed politely.

“I’m sorry. I’m a little late.”

Yun-hyun breathed a sigh of relief at Gwan Ji-bu’s words.

Then, he turned to the side and said.

“You were here, Dokgo Je.”

Dokgo-rang, with his sharp eyes, bowed his head.

Dokgo-rang would be participating as a guard for this delegation.

Yun-hyun had recommended him in the capacity of vice-envoy.

He needed a reliable guard, but anyway, Dokgo-rang would have tried to follow him to the Northern Sea alone.

“We thank you on behalf of the Murim Alliance for being with us, Great Hero.”

Gwan Ji-bu, who was accustomed to welcoming guests, bowed politely.

At that time, a luxurious carriage approached the Murim Alliance.

“Ah, it seems the chief envoy has also arrived.”

Yun-hyun turned his head at Byun Gi-ryang’s words.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage stopped right in front.

A slightly chubby young man got out of the carriage.

Gwan Ji-bu bowed politely.

“Welcome, Young Master Je-gal.”

“Ah, nice to meet you. But where is that person…”

The young man, called Young Master Je-gal, looked around and suddenly met Dokgo-rang’s gaze.

Dokgo-rang’s gaze was cold as always, but Young Master Je-gal’s expression was stiffening.

“…Hmm, indeed.”

It was when the large-bodied Young Master Je-gal muttered that to himself.

“Young Master Je-gal. This way…”

Gwan Ji-bu quickly said.

“This is the vice-envoy, Scribe Yun-hyun.”

Young Master Je-gal, who had been having a staring contest with Dokgo-rang, frowned.

This was because the person Gwan Ji-bu had just introduced was not the extraordinary Dokgo-rang, but the young Yun-hyun dressed as a scholar.

“What did you say?”

Regardless of Je-gal Gi-ho’s question, Gwan Ji-bu said to Yun-hyun.

“Scribe Yun, this is the chief envoy, Young Master Je-gal Gi-ho.”

Yun-hyun bowed politely to Je-gal Gi-ho.

“Nice to meet you. I am Yun-hyun.”

Je-gal Gi-ho’s expression was clearly flustered.

But soon, he put his hands together and bowed.

“Ah, th-that. N-nice to meet you. I am Je-gal Gi-ho.”

Still unable to hide his embarrassment, Je-gal Gi-ho looked at Dokgo-rang and asked.

“Then that person is…”

“That person is the Lone Guest, Dokgo-rang.”

Gwan Ji-bu replied.

“He will be in charge of guarding this delegation.”

“Lone Guest!”

Je-gal Gi-ho’s eyes widened in surprise.

But soon, he managed his expression as if nothing had happened.

“I-is that so? Ha, haha. Please take care of me.”

He greeted Yun-hyun and Dokgo-rang once again.

But his expression was not very good.