Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 167

167. The Zhuge Family Banquet

Toc.

Someone approached the carriage with a light step, heading specifically towards Zhuge Giho’s side.

Zhuge Giho immediately instructed the coachman,

“Stop for a moment.”

Clatter.

The carriage halted, and a young woman bowed to Zhuge Giho.

She was a beautiful young lady dressed in elegant martial attire.

“Who are you?”

“Excuse me. I am Namgung Biyeon from the Namgung Family. Are you perhaps from the Zhuge Family?”

‘Ah.’

She was someone Unhyun recognized.

Namgung Biyeon, the young lady he had seen at the previous Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

Unhyun vividly recalled her bold demeanor against Pajinhan of the Southern Sea Sword Sect.

“Yes, I am. But what is the matter?”

Zhuge Giho asked with a rather indifferent tone.

Namgung Biyeon’s attractive eyebrows twitched.

To receive such a reaction despite revealing her Namgung Family affiliation was almost unheard of until recently.

However, she controlled her emotions and continued calmly.

“I came to see the Lord of the Zhuge Family on urgent business, but…”

She bit her lip slightly.

“…the gatekeeper won’t grant me entry.”

Not even the vice-chief, but a mere gatekeeper.

She had been rebuffed by the gatekeeper, who told her to bring a recommendation letter to see the Lord.

It was an unbearable slight, but she couldn’t even afford to be angry.

The Namgung Family’s decline was common knowledge, and they were now in a position to request assistance.

Then, they happened to spot this carriage bearing the Zhuge Family flag.

“Is that so? So? What do you want?”

Zhuge Giho repeated indifferently.

Unhyun noticed Namgung Biyeon clench her fist tightly.

But she didn’t raise her voice.

“Please inform the Lord that we have come with important business.”

“Heo.”

Zhuge Giho sighed.

“Look.”

Zhuge Giho gestured to the numerous people and carriages filling the road.

“All these people are waiting their turn. Everyone believes their business is crucial. Would it be fair to try and circumvent the process?”

Zhuge Giho regarded Namgung Biyeon with a stern expression.

Namgung Biyeon’s eyebrows furrowed.

“But we…”

“Tsk, I understand.”

Zhuge Giho frowned and cut her off.

“I’ll speak to the gatekeeper this time only, but I trust you’ll be more mindful in the future. As a member of a prestigious family, you should set a better example, shouldn’t you?”

Namgung Biyeon was speechless.

She simply endured the humiliation with a rigid expression.

“Let’s go!”

Zhuge Giho instructed the coachman.

“Giddy up!”

The carriage slowly resumed its journey.

Until then, Namgung Biyeon hadn’t noticed Unhyun.

Clatter, clatter.

“This is quite a predicament.”

Zhuge Giho remarked to Unhyun with a troubled expression.

“It’s gratifying to be trusted, but people request help indiscriminately. Many lack gratitude, so wisdom and discernment are essential when assisting others. Hahaha.”

“Indeed. Wisdom is needed to help others.”

Unhyun responded with a gentle smile.

“And consideration for the other person is also necessary. Those in distress are easily hurt.”

That was a rather pointed remark for Zhuge Giho.

His attempt to flaunt the Zhuge Family’s influence had instead created a negative impression.

But Zhuge Giho smiled brightly and said,

“Of course, you’re right. Secretary Un’s words are truly wise. Hahaha.”

Clatter.

Before they knew it, the carriage stopped in front of the Zhuge Family’s main gate.

Click.

The door opened, and Unhyun and Zhuge Giho alighted.

Zhuge Giho addressed the vice-chief who rushed over to pay his respects,

“The Namgung Family representatives are waiting over there, so grant them entry.”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I understand.”

The vice-chief in charge of the main gate looked slightly puzzled but quickly bowed his head and obeyed Zhuge Giho’s command.

“Shall we proceed then?”

The plump Zhuge Giho asked with a good-natured smile.

Unhyun bowed his head slightly.

“Then I’ll be intruding.”

“Oh my, intruding? Secretary Un, really, hahaha.”

Zhuge Giho laughed heartily and entered the Zhuge Family estate with Unhyun.

Behind them, the expressionless Dokgo Rang followed silently.

***

Zhuge Giho led Unhyun and Dokgo Rang to a classic building.

‘Are we meeting someone high up in the Zhuge Family?’ he wondered, but surprisingly, it was lodging prepared for the two of them.

Zhuge Giho departed, instructing them to rest comfortably.

It was unexpected, but Unhyun considered it fortunate.

He hadn’t had a proper wash due to the hurried journey.

“Oh oh.”

Unhyun exclaimed upon entering the lodging.

The room wasn’t as lavish or spacious as he had anticipated.

However, the old-fashioned yet cozy decorations and the calligraphy hanging on the wall perfectly suited Unhyun’s taste.

“Huh? This calligraphy is…”

Unhyun stood before the calligraphy, his eyes gleaming.

If his guess was correct, it was undoubtedly the work of a master calligrapher.

Unhyun turned to Dokgo Rang and asked.

“Was there calligraphy hanging in Dokgo Je’s room as well?”

“I don’t know.”

Dokgo Rang replied.

Well, he wouldn’t know.

He hadn’t even been inside his room.

“Then let’s go. There seems to be something quite impressive hanging there too.”

Unhyun was about to lead the way to Dokgo Rang’s lodging when…

Swish.

Dokgo Rang turned his head and looked towards the door.

After a moment, an old servant with white hair appeared.

He bowed politely to Unhyun and Dokgo Rang and said,

“The Lord has invited you both to the evening banquet.”

“Banquet?”

Unhyun asked back.

It was customary to pay respects to the Lord or the elders of the Zhuge Family since they had come to their estate.

But being suddenly invited to a banquet was unexpected.

The elderly servant smiled kindly and said,

“It is a gathering where the Lord shares a meal with close relatives. You can attend with a light heart.”

“Ah, I see.”

It seemed like they were invited to a family dinner.

“Thank you. I will gladly attend.”

Unhyun accepted with a light heart.

***

Zhuge Giho headed to the office of the Lord, Wise Sword Zhuge Myung.

“Welcome.”

Wise Sword Zhuge Myung, sporting a long white beard, greeted Zhuge Giho with a smile.

Sitting upright and reading a book, he resembled a white-haired scholar more than the Lord of a martial arts family.

However, the aura flickering in his eyes clearly indicated that he was indeed the Lord of the Zhuge Family.

Zhuge Giho bowed respectfully and retrieved a thin letter from his chest.

“This is a letter from Senior Brother.”

“Is that so? Let me see.”

Rattle.

The Lord, upon receiving the letter sent by Zhuge Yeon, the representative of the Martial Arts Alliance, read its contents immediately.

“Hmm.”

The letter was brief.

Rattle.

The Wise Sword folded the letter and said,

“I invited him to the evening banquet today.”

Zhuge Giho considered the Lord’s words natural.

However, the following words were unexpected.

“Do not attend. And do not mention him to anyone else.”

Zhuge Giho immediately understood the Lord’s intention.

“I understand.”

Zhuge Giho smiled and bowed his head.

As expected, Lord Wise Sword Zhuge Myung was taking the initiative.

Now, after the banquet, the evaluation of Unhyun, the so-called ‘successor of the Sword Saint,’ would be determined.

And consequently, the Zhuge Family’s policy regarding him.

“Ah, and.”

The Lord suddenly said.

“Did you say you brought in the daughter of the Namgung Family?”

“Yes. I did so because he showed interest.”

“The daughter of a fallen family and the successor of the Sword Saint who claims to be a secretary…”

A faint smile touched the Lord’s lips.

“An interesting situation may arise.”

The Lord, who was muttering to himself, raised his head and said to Zhuge Giho.

“You have worked hard. You may leave.”

Zhuge Giho bowed deeply and carefully withdrew from the Lord’s office.

Toc.

The door closed, and Wise Sword Zhuge Myung placed the letter on the table.

The smile had vanished from his lips.

But his eyes shone even more sharply.

***

The evening banquet was held in a large hall.

The moment he entered, Unhyun couldn’t help but stop.

‘This is…’

Unhyun smiled wryly.

‘He told me to attend with a light heart.’

The old servant had clearly stated that it was a gathering where he would share a meal with close relatives.

Of course, that was true.

Except that there were more than thirty ‘close relatives’.

“Hahaha.”

The brightly lit hall buzzed with people wearing luxurious attire.

They enjoyed fine tea and fragrant wine, chatting amongst themselves or sharing light laughter.

Only Unhyun and Dokgo Rang felt out of place.

‘It’s fortunate that the clothes are new.’

Unhyun smiled wryly.

New clothes for Unhyun and Dokgo Rang had even been prepared in the lodging.

Perhaps it was out of consideration that they didn’t have suitable attire for the long journey.

The old servant apologized for the sudden preparation, but it was far better than the clothes Unhyun had been wearing.

“Come this way.”

Following the maid’s guidance, Unhyun and Dokgo Rang took their seats.

It wasn’t the seat of honor, but neither was it a lowly position, just an ordinary seat.

‘Hasn’t the Lord arrived yet?’

Unhyun turned his head absentmindedly and spotted an unexpected face right next to him.

‘Huh?’

A charming young lady with a slightly nervous expression, quietly holding a teacup alone.

It was Namgung Biyeon of the Namgung Family.

“Hello.”

Unhyun greeted her.

Namgung Biyeon, who was alone, looked at Unhyun with wide eyes, slightly surprised.

Unhyun offered a gentle smile.

“I don’t know if you remember me, but I am Unhyun, whom you briefly met at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”

“Ah!”

Namgung Biyeon’s expression brightened.

Contrary to his expectation that she might not recognize him, she remembered Unhyun clearly.

“You are the scholar who was with the young lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

“Yes, that’s right. I am currently a secretary of the Martial Arts Alliance.”

Unhyun bowed lightly to her.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

Namgung Biyeon also bowed her head slightly.

“But you are a secretary of the Martial Arts Alliance, weren’t you supposed to leave with the people from the Northern Sea?”

“Ah, I was only with them during the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, a smile appeared on Namgung Biyeon’s lips.

“Your appearance at that time was very impressive.”

“Yes?”

“I’m referring to when you stood up for Young Master Pajinhan of the Southern Sea Sword Sect.”

Namgung Biyeon was referring to the incident where Pajinhan had his victory unjustly taken away even after winning.

Unhyun had been very angry at those who tried to overturn the outcome of the martial arts contest by relying on their family’s power.

‘Come to think of it, the opponent of Young Master Pajinhan at that time was someone from the Zhuge Family…’

The person who refused to accept the result and even exchanged harsh words with Unhyun was from the Namgung Family.

Suddenly, Namgung Biyeon said.

“I will apologize on behalf of my older brother.”