Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 225

225. The Examiner

Un-hyun glanced up at the second floor of the inn.

Though he couldn’t see them, he could hear the murmur of voices.

“Who was that young man from earlier?”

Un-hyun wondered, thinking of Namgung-jun, the young man who had displayed particular hostility towards him.

“He’s one of the candidates for the Hidden Dragon Selection,” Namgung Bi-yeon said, biting her lip.

“…And he declared that if he is chosen as the Hidden Dragon, he would marry me.”

It was clear what Namgung Bi-yeon thought of the young man.

Her eyes showed her disgust as she spoke.

In fact, Namgung-jun had been constantly flirting with Namgung Bi-yeon, even though he clearly knew she disliked it.

“So, you were being friendly with me to make him give up on you. It was probably a silent display of power.”

Un-hyun could guess why she had been so unusually close to him from the start.

“Ah, there’s that too, but…”

Namgung Bi-yeon smiled brightly.

“I also like Scholar Un.”

“…Pardon?”

Un-hyun looked surprised at the completely unexpected answer.

“I’m not brazen enough to cling to the arm of someone I don’t even like, even if there are other reasons.”

Namgung Bi-yeon’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

‘Oh…’ While Un-hyun was flustered, unsure how to react, Namgung Bi-yeon stood up.

Click.

“I’m really sorry for revealing your status so carelessly, Scholar Un.”

Namgung Bi-yeon bowed deeply.

“But thanks to you, they have no choice but to come to the main house. I’m really sorry, and thank you.”

Her revealing Un-hyun’s status was an action with political calculation.

With the successor of the Sword Saint and the disciple of the Divine Monk visiting the Namgung Clan, a mere faction would have no chance of receiving attention.

For them, there was nothing more to gain by holding out.

“Well, it’s alright.”

The unpleasant feeling he had felt for a moment was now gone.

After all, wasn’t he here to help the Namgung Clan?

Rather, Un-hyun was inwardly impressed by Namgung Bi-yeon’s political sense and quick wit.

Swish.

Namgung Bi-yeon lifted her head and smiled.

“Thank you, Scholar Un.”

“Um, but…”

Un-hyun hesitated for a moment before carefully asking.

“Then, wouldn’t that be considered an incestuous marriage?”

Namgung Bi-yeon, who had been wondering what he meant, smiled slightly.

“The Namgung Clan is a family with a long history. They and I are very distant relatives, if you want to get technical.”

“Ah, I see.”

Un-hyun’s expression lightened.

Namgung Bi-yeon also said with a relieved expression.

“Thank you again for coming. Please stay at this inn tonight. I’ll prepare the best room for you.”

“Thank you.”

Un-hyun expressed his gratitude to her.

Namgung Bi-yeon smiled and lightly bowed her head.

He thought that she looked best when she was smiling.

***

The next day, Un-hyun and Dokgo-rang met Namgung Byeok, the Lord of the Namgung Clan, also known as the Iron Sword.

“Thank you for coming.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok looked quite haggard.

Although he was burly and seemed experienced, he didn’t show the strong spirit that had earned him the title of Iron Sword.

Perhaps that was why he looked small despite his large frame.

“I heard you have a connection with the Sword Saint.”

“That’s right.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s eyes lit up.

But it didn’t last long.

“Amazing. To be recognized by the Sword Saint at that age…”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok smiled faintly.

The smile felt somewhat pathetic.

“There will be a banquet tonight. It’s a gathering of the clan members, and since you are Bi-yeon’s guest, I think it would be good for you to join us. What do you say?”

“Thank you.”

Un-hyun accepted Namgung Byeok’s invitation.

“Make yourself comfortable during your stay. And someday… I would like to talk about swordsmanship.”

Perhaps it was just a formality.

Un-hyun paid his respects and left the Lord’s office.

Back in his room, Un-hyun stared blankly at the Namgung Clan visible through the window.

The ancient buildings and well-kept gardens seemed to show the power of a traditional clan.

“What are you thinking about?”

Dokgo-rang suddenly asked.

“Well, I’m impressed again.”

Un-hyun turned his head and replied.

“There was no disarray in the eyes or actions of the people here. Even in this situation where the Lord’s authority is shaken and there is chaos, it’s like this. What was it like before?”

That was Un-hyun’s honest impression.

“Honestly, I wonder if I have the ability to help them.”

“You have enough.”

Dokgo-rang didn’t hesitate at all.

“Because no one in the world can surpass a Great Man.”

“…Dokgo, it makes me feel awkward when you say that.”

Un-hyun said with a hollow laugh.

“And from now on, add the phrase ‘as far as I know.’ You don’t know everyone in the world.”

“Yes, Great Man.”

Un-hyun smiled and turned his head.

Then he sighed softly.

“To find what they don’t even know they’ve lost.”

Un-hyun muttered, looking at the Namgung Clan through the window.

“This is…”

The rest of the words didn’t follow. But Un-hyun’s sigh was enough to express his feelings.

***

Banquets were already familiar to Un-hyun.

He had experienced them at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, in the Zhuge Clan, and in the North Sea.

But this banquet at the Namgung Clan was quite different.

Instead of excitement and light conversation, tension and gloom filled the banquet hall.

It was a stark representation of the current situation of the Namgung Clan.

Swish.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok rose from his seat.

“Thank you for attending. Thank you all for your hard work in coming from afar.”

The Lord gave his words of thanks, but the people’s reactions were not good.

The clan members and elders in the banquet hall, as well as Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, and his son Namgung-jun, did not hide their uncomfortable expressions.

“And this person.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok turned to Un-hyun and said.

“This is Great Man Un, who came as Bi-yeon’s guest.”

Bi-yeon, who was sitting next to him, turned to Un-hyun, and Un-hyun rose from his seat and paid his respects.

“I am Un-hyun.”

“A guest?”

“At a time like this?”

People whispered.

“Great Man Un is a secretary of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans]. And…”

Before the Lord could finish speaking, a clicking sound came from somewhere.

Originally, it was something that could never have happened.

But Namgung Byeok calmly continued.

“He was once known as the successor of the Sword Saint, and now he is also a disciple of the Divine Monk.”

People buzzed.

The way they looked at Un-hyun was completely different from before.

“Thank you for visiting the Namgung Clan, Great Man Un.”

Un-hyun bowed his head in response to Namgung Byeok’s greeting.

People’s eyes turned to Dokgo-rang, who was standing behind him, but Namgung Byeok did not introduce Dokgo-rang.

“Then, I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

The Lord sat down and the music began to play.

But the music soon had to stop.

Click.

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, rose from his seat.

“Thank you for the welcome.”

Namgung Cheol said, looking around.

“But I don’t think this is the time to enjoy the banquet comfortably. Shouldn’t you first reveal when the Hidden Dragon Selection will begin?”

It was a rather provocative remark, but Iron Sword Namgung Byeok did not get angry.

“The Hidden Dragon Selection will begin in three days.”

His voice was calm.

As if it had nothing to do with him.

“As promised, the one selected as the Hidden Dragon will be granted the authority to oversee internal and external activities, and will be allowed to create a direct military group.”

The authority to oversee is originally intended to uncover corruption or irregularities.

But it could be used for completely different purposes.

That is, to stop whatever was being done according to the Lord’s orders, under the pretext of oversight.

The already weakened influence of the Lord would be rapidly reduced, and the Hidden Dragon would emerge as the de facto [in reality] power of the Namgung Clan.

Namgung Bi-yeon’s statement that the Hidden Dragon Selection was to determine a ‘new successor’ was not an exaggeration.

“Thank you, Lord.”

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, said with a bright smile.

Un-hyun saw Namgung Bi-yeon biting her lip.

But the face of the Lord, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, was expressionless.

“How will the Hidden Dragon Selection proceed?”

A young man, Namgung-jun, shouted.

It was rude, but no one seemed to be displeased, at least not except for Namgung Bi-yeon.

“The Hidden Dragon Selection will be conducted by an examiner.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok continued calmly.

“Everything, including the method, progress, and judgment of the Hidden Dragon Selection, is the authority of the examiner.”

“Examiner?”

People began to murmur at the unfamiliar title.

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, asked with a suspicious expression.

“If you mean examiner…”

“Originally, personnel matters are the sole authority of the Lord. But if I preside over the Hidden Dragon Selection, many people will not be convinced, so I will appoint an examiner and delegate all authority to him.”

People nodded.

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, also brightened up.

“That is truly the right thing to do. Then the examiner will be from the elders of the family…”

“No.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s voice cut off Namgung Cheol’s words.

“I will ask Great Man Un, who is here, to be the examiner.”

It was a declaration that no one had expected.

People were bewildered, and Un-hyun couldn’t hide his puzzled expression.

Even Namgung Bi-yeon looked surprised and turned to her father, Namgung Byeok.

“Ah, Father!”

Before Namgung Bi-yeon could say anything, someone shouted.

“He is an outsider!”

“That’s why he will be more fair.”

Namgung Byeok replied calmly.

“It’s unprecedented!”

“Is the Hidden Dragon Selection a precedent?”

Objections poured in, but Iron Sword Namgung Byeok did not waver.

However, the situation in which objections were raised to the Lord’s decision and each one was refuted showed that the Lord’s authority had already fallen.

“It is common in the Jianghu [martial arts world] to entrust judgment to someone with high seniority. Great Man Un is a disciple of the Divine Monk and a martial uncle of the current Abbot of Shaolin. In terms of seniority, there is no one to compare.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said, looking around at the people.

“Also, Great Man Un is someone who has been recognized by the Sword Saint. Yet, would you say that he is insufficient as an examiner?”

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, trembled.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s words were all correct.

But Namgung Cheol did not back down.

“But this is a matter within the family.”

Namgung Cheol said, looking at the elders and others.

“If the Namgung Clan cannot even decide its internal affairs and relies on outsiders, it will be a truly disgraceful thing.”

His argument was also correct.

But Iron Sword Namgung Byeok gave a bitter smile.

If it’s disgrace, we’re already suffering it.

“So the Lord…”

“Then it would be fine if he wasn’t an outsider.”

Namgung Cheol frowned as if asking what he meant.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said to Un-hyun.

“It’s sudden, but would you become Bi-yeon’s sworn brother?”

It was a very sudden and embarrassing statement.

Asking him to become Namgung Bi-yeon’s sworn brother meant asking him to become sworn siblings with her.

Click.

It was before Un-hyun could say anything.

Namgung Bi-yeon rose from her seat. And walked towards Un-hyun.

Rustle.

“L, Lady.”

Un-hyun was startled.

Namgung Bi-yeon knelt on one knee and paid her respects to Un-hyun.

She didn’t care that her clean clothes were getting dirty.

“Great Man.”

Namgung Bi-yeon said in a trembling voice, raising her head.

“Would you become my sworn brother?”

Her eyes were shaking pitifully.

Un-hyun let out a soft sigh.

“I, it’s absurd! Where does such a forced thing…”

Namgung Cheol, the head of the Jungyeong branch, shouted, finally realizing the situation.

But Namgung Cheol’s voice could not continue.

“I will.”

Un-hyun said softly, looking at Namgung Bi-yeon.

“In my name, I will gladly do so. Sworn sister.”

He had many thoughts, but the decision was simple.

What would a person who came to help do if he didn’t help?

Moreover, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok was a person recognized by the Divine Monk.

Un-hyun’s mind was already made up.

“Ah.”

Namgung Bi-yeon looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected it either.

She also knew that her father’s words were forced.

Besides, she had already caused trouble for Un-hyun once.

Yet, she had not expected him to accept so readily.