Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 223

223. The Girl He Met at the Inn

*Slurp.*

Shinseung drank his tea.

Unhyun quietly watched him before speaking.

“Thank you.”

“What? For something so trivial…”

“I mean, for calling me your junior brother.”

Shinseung flinched.

But soon, he chuckled.

“What’s so great about being the junior brother of an old monk? It’s nothing compared to what you’ve suffered because of me.”

His voice was gruff, but Unhyun’s heart felt warmer than ever.

That’s why he was even more worried.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“About what?”

Shinseung acted as if he knew nothing.

But Unhyun knew.

Shinseung’s name resonates throughout the world.

In some ways, he is a greater figure than the Sword Saint; that is Shinseung, the Buddha Shadow [a title signifying his enlightened yet elusive nature].

How could it be a small matter for such a Shinseung to publicly declare him as his junior brother?

The fact that the Murim Alliance people are talking about ‘successor training’ also speaks to the weight of Shinseung’s name.

Therefore, the political fallout that Shinseung will have to bear—although Unhyun doesn’t know much about the politics within the Murim Alliance—will certainly not be small.

Shinseung is willing to endure all of this for Unhyun’s sake.

“What are you standing around for? Aren’t you leaving?”

At Shinseung’s words, Unhyun smiled.

For some reason, Shinseung seemed embarrassed.

The man who holds all the people in the world in the palm of his hand and mocks them.

“I should go.”

“Yeah, hurry up and go.”

*Slurp.*

Shinseung said casually as he drank his tea.

“And don’t come here anymore. Take care of things yourself from now on.”

“Yes?”

That was something he hadn’t even considered. Don’t even come to visit anymore?

“What do you mean…?”

Shinseung frowned.

“How long are you going to cling to my robes and follow me around? I’m not interested in getting involved in your affairs anymore.”

If you think about it, Unhyun was the one who got involved.

Feeling wronged, Unhyun unknowingly made a strange expression.

Shinseung laughed at the sight.

“Heh heh, look at that face.”

Shinseung, who was laughing cheerfully, fiddled with his teacup.

“…The reason is that I won’t be here even if you come. I’ll be leaving soon.”

Unhyun was even more surprised.

“You’re leaving?”

Shinseung leaving Waryongheon? But Shinseung chuckled.

“Did you think a monk in training would live in this kind of place for thousands of years? I’ve lived here long enough; it’s time to leave.”

“No, but…”

“No buts.”

Shinseung cut off Unhyun’s words.

“Hurry up and go. This old man is tired.”

Shinseung waved his hand, driving Unhyun away.

“No, but at least tell me where you’re going…”

“I don’t even know, so what can I tell you? Originally, a monk’s steps have no fixed destination. Stop asking and go!”

“But, but…”

Unhyun said something, but Shinseung waved his hand.

He seemed unwilling to say anything more, so Unhyun had no choice but to leave Waryongheon.

Even when he paid his respects, Shinseung didn’t look at Unhyun.

‘Why is he being like this?’

He was puzzled, but he couldn’t figure it out.

*Thud.*

Stopping halfway, he turned back to look at Shinseung, but Shinseung was still holding his teacup and looking elsewhere.

Thinking that he looked particularly small, Unhyun left Waryongheon.

And Unhyun’s uneasy feeling immediately became a reality.

The separation between the Murim Alliance and Shinseung became known.

***

Unhyun submitted a leave request to the Secretariat.

Going to the Namgung Clan was a purely personal matter.

The Secretariat granted Unhyun’s leave without question and even provided a small carriage.

Perhaps it was because he was Shinseung’s junior brother, but Unhyun decided to accept it without complaint.

“I’m sorry, Lord Un.”

Moyong Jin said to Unhyun.

Standing at the main gate of the Murim Alliance, his face was full of regret.

“If it weren’t for the Murim Alliance’s resolution, I would have personally escorted you…”

Moyong Jin wanted to accompany Unhyun this time.

However, the Murim Alliance’s resolution—that is, the decision that no one should leave the Murim Alliance—held him back.

“It’s alright.”

Unhyun said with a smile.

“Resolutions must be kept, and my matter is personal.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Moyong Mi said in a low voice.

“It was beyond our ability.”

That was referring to another decision of the Murim Alliance.

The Murim Alliance had parted ways with Shinseung.

It was only after hearing about the resolution from Moyong Mi that Unhyun could understand why Shinseung had said those things.

Although there was no explicit order to vacate Waryongheon, the Murim Alliance’s decision was tantamount to telling him to leave.

That’s why Shinseung said, ‘I won’t be here.’

‘Once this is over,’

Unhyun resolved.

‘I must visit him no matter where he is.’

This outcome may not be entirely his fault, but he cannot deny that he was the direct cause.

It is only right to visit Shinseung and express his gratitude once again.

“Ah, have you checked if the Green Forest [a common term for bandits] is involved in the Gongson Clan’s matter?”

Unhyun had already told them everything.

About the movements of the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor and the Il Dae Merchant [One Great Merchant], as well as the suspicious activities of Surochae [a shadowy organization] and the Green Forest.

Moyong Mi nodded and replied.

“Yes. I asked the representative of the Gongson Clan. They also know about the rumors.”

After the Gongson Clan’s main residence was burned down, rumors spread that the Green Forest was responsible.

Not many people believed it, but it was an intolerable disgrace for the Gongson Clan.

It meant that the Gongson Clan of the world had been burned down by Green Forest bandits.

“But they only confirmed that it was a false rumor. All the mountain fortresses of any size were empty.”

“Empty?”

“Yes. The Gongson Clan thinks they got scared and ran away.”

That was a plausible story.

No matter how false the rumors were, there was no guarantee that the Gongson Clan’s anger would not be directed at the mountain fortresses.

“Hmm, that’s true, but…”

However, Unhyun felt something was amiss.

He wondered if there was another reason why the mountain fortresses were empty.

But he couldn’t know for sure right now.

“Unhyun Oppa!”

At the clear voice, Unhyun lowered his head.

The small Moyong Sang-ah waved her hand and said.

“Have a good trip! Make sure to eat well. Okay?”

Holding Moyong Jin’s hand tightly, she was as small and cute as ever.

Unhyun smiled without realizing it.

“Okay. Sang-ah, take care of yourself. I’ll buy you something delicious when I come back.”

“Wow!”

Looking at Moyong Sang-ah, who was smiling brightly, Unhyun paid his respects to Moyong Jin and Moyong Mi.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

The two also returned the greeting politely, and Unhyun got into the carriage.

The one holding the reins was Dokgo Rang, as always.

*Clatter, clatter.*

“Have a safe trip, Lord Un!”

“Have a good trip, Oppa!”

As the carriage moved, Moyong Jin and Moyong Sang-ah shouted, and Moyong Mi quietly waved her hand.

Unhyun turned back and waved his hand.

Amidst the farewells of the three, the carriage carrying Unhyun and Dokgo Rang left the Murim Alliance.

*Clatter, clatter.*

How long had it been?

“I’m sorry.”

At the sudden voice, Unhyun raised his head.

The voice belonged to Dokgo Rang.

“You have suffered hardship because of me, Lord.”

Unhyun chuckled.

“What hardship? It’s nothing. It was something that had to be revealed sooner or later anyway.”

“No.”

Dokgo Rang said in a low voice.

“…I was imprudent.”

Mentioning the name of the Azure Dragon Sword Lord publicly, especially in the Murim Alliance, was an imprudent act.

But Unhyun thought differently.

“It was just bad luck. There’s no need for Dokgo Je to blame himself.”

In fact, Dokgo Rang’s declaration was something that would have passed with just a brief moment of confusion.

If Gongson Gang, the eldest disciple of the Gongson Clan, hadn’t known the name.

However, Dokgo Rang shook his head with a firm expression.

“From now on, I will never…”

“Still, it was cool.”

“…Yes?”

Dokgo Rang turned his head and asked.

Unhyun smiled.

“I’m talking about your new title. Foolish younger brother, Uje Dokgo Rang. Isn’t it quite cool?”

Lowering oneself is an expression often used by masters.

Just as a master calligrapher calls himself a poor writer.

“I knew Dokgo Je was good with a sword, but I didn’t know he had a literary sense as well. It’s a really good expression. Hahaha.”

At that time, Unhyun was actually surprised.

No, it wasn’t just surprise.

At Dokgo Rang’s words, Unhyun felt embarrassed and overwhelmed at the same time.

Who wouldn’t be moved by hearing that heartfelt confession?

So, it was perhaps only natural that he stepped forward.

In order not to become a shameful sworn brother to Dokgo Rang.

“Ah, come to think of it, shouldn’t I change my title too?”

Unhyun said as if talking to himself.

“A foolish older brother with a foolish younger brother, Uhyung, perhaps.”

Unhyun subtly watched Dokgo Rang’s reaction.

*Clatter, clatter.*

However, Dokgo Rang silently held the reins and didn’t even look back.

But Unhyun could clearly tell that his back view was somewhat embarrassed.

“By the way, do you know the way to the Namgung Clan?”

Remembering the time when he had wandered around, Unhyun asked.

“Yes. I know it.”

“Thank you. For even driving the carriage like this…”

Perhaps Unhyun is the only one who rides in a carriage driven by a master of Sword Energy Manifestation [a high level of martial arts mastery].

Even though Dokgo Rang wants to do it, Unhyun feels nothing but sorry.

“It’s not like that.”

Dokgo Rang said in his usual blunt voice.

“Wherever it is, I will escort you, Lord.”

Unhyun smiled gently.

“Thank you. Dokgo Je.”

Dokgo Rang nodded lightly in response.

Unhyun suddenly raised his head.

“The weather is really nice.”

Looking at the clouds floating in the blue sky, Unhyun said as if in admiration.

The complicated thoughts that had been bothering his mind disappeared somewhere, and the bright sunlight just felt warm.

Thus, the two men’s carriage was heading towards Hepfei, the metropolis where the Namgung Clan was located.

***

The distance from Hangzhou, where the Murim Alliance is located, to Hepfei, where the Namgung Clan is located, was not very close.

However, the official road from Hangzhou to Nanjing was well maintained, and there were many large merchant ships traveling the Yangtze River from Nanjing to Hepfei.

The carriage carrying Unhyun and Dokgo Rang was able to arrive in Hepfei without much difficulty.

“Lord, this is Hepfei.”

Dokgo Rang, who was driving the carriage, said.

Unhyun, who was half-dozing, raised his head.

“Ah, have we arrived already?”

*Clatter, clatter.*

Whether it was already night, the carriage was entering a bustling night street.

“Oh oh.”

While Unhyun was captivated by the spectacular night view of Hepfei, the carriage stopped in front of a large inn.

“It’s already dark, so let’s stay here. It would be better to visit the Namgung Clan tomorrow.”

Unhyun nodded at Dokgo Rang’s words.

“Let’s do that.”

Leaving the carriage to the inn’s groom, the two went inside.

*Clang.*

“Hahaha.”

“Hoho.”

The bell on the door made a small sound, and the smell of food and the laughter of people rushed in.

The inn was large and bustling.

As befitting a metropolis, there were many different kinds of people, and the servers seemed very busy because it was evening.

“Let’s go over there.”

“Alright.”

Unhyun followed Dokgo Rang to a seat that seemed relatively quiet.

It was then.

*Tap tap tap.*

“Scholar Un!”

Just as he thought he heard hurried footsteps, a clear female voice called out to Unhyun.

Unhyun turned his head without realizing it.

“Oh, Miss Namgung?”

The woman standing on the stairs leading to the second floor was none other than Namgung Biyeon.

The young lady of the Namgung Clan whom he had first seen at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering [a martial arts competition] and later met at the Zhuge Clan.

“So it really was Scholar Un.”

She was still calling Unhyun a scholar.