Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 231

231. Armed Reconnaissance

The Janggang [Yangtze River] Water Fortress Alliance’s declaration struck the Kangho Murim [martial arts world] like a storm.

The fact that they were declaring war against the Murim Alliance was unprecedented, and the fact that the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest [group of bandits] were the ones doing it shocked people.

It was because they had launched an unexpected counterattack, even though they were thought to have been destroyed by the Murim Alliance.

The world was seething.

The Murim Alliance, upon receiving the Water Fortress Alliance and Green Forest’s ‘Declaration,’ also initiated emergency protocols.

But that wasn’t because they were afraid of them.

“Haa.”

Moyong Mi, who had returned to her lodgings, sighed.

“You’ve worked hard. Why was the meeting so long…?”

Great Disciple Moyong Jin spoke to his younger sister, Moyong Mi, with concerned eyes.

“Yes, what’s the conclusion?”

“If there was a conclusion, I wouldn’t be so tired.”

Moyong Mi said, plopping down on the chair.

“You’re saying there’s still no conclusion?”

“Yes.”

“Sister! Drink this.”

Moyong Sang-ah quickly pushed the tea forward.

It was a little cold, but it was refreshing for Moyong Mi.

“Thank you, Sang-ah.”

Moyong Mi picked up the tea and drank it straight away.

Moyong Jin said, looking dumbfounded.

“No, how can you not come to a conclusion after such a long meeting…?”

“What’s the situation?”

Family Head Moyong Dancheon asked. Moyong Mi answered calmly.

“The sects are largely divided into two sides. One side wants to end the situation quickly with an active response, and the other side says we shouldn’t move at all, arguing that the Murim Alliance coming forward will only give them strength.”

There was no sect that was truly wary of the Water Fortress Alliance or the Green Forest.

It couldn’t be helped.

How could a mere group of bandits and mountain bandits dare to declare war against the Murim Alliance?

The Murim Alliance sects were only discussing ‘how to win and by what means,’ and no one was worried about the possibility of defeat.

“Even within those sides, their opinions differ. The sects that advocate an active response are saying that they will be at the forefront, while the sects that say they shouldn’t move are arguing about who is responsible for this situation.”

Moyong Mi said, sighing quietly.

It was absurd to try and assign blame in this situation.

“Hmm, well, that’s natural for them…”
Moyong Jin muttered, stroking his chin.

“But I’m still worried.”
Moyong Mi said with a firm expression, holding the teacup.

“If what Master Yun said before is true, this will not be just a brief period of unrest.”

Yun Hyun had already told her everything about the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor and the One Trade Merchant.

There was no way that such individuals would engage in such seemingly meaningless actions without careful calculation.

“And there are many suspicious things.”

“Suspicious?”

At Moyong Jin’s question, Moyong Mi continued quietly.

“First of all, I can’t properly grasp their size. The Murim Alliance estimates that there are between 1,000 and 3,000 of them, but even that is just an estimate, not an accurate count.”

“One thousand to three thousand… Isn’t that too many? How can mere bandits and mountain bandits have as many as 3,000…?”

Moyong Mi shook her head at Moyong Jin’s words.

“No. Considering the number of water forts that gathered at the Gaepa War [war to open a port], there may be even more than that.”

“Rumors tend to be exaggerated. If it’s the Water Fortress’s Gaepa War, wouldn’t that number be even more unbelievable?”

“Brother.”
Moyong Mi sighed and looked at Moyong Jin.

“I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes as we did during the Grand Assembly.”

Moyong Jin flinched.

He could see why the representatives’ meeting was not coming to a conclusion and was dragging on.

“Th, then what’s the second suspicious thing?”

“I don’t know exactly where they are.”

“What?”
Moyong Jin asked back with a puzzled look.

“You’re saying you don’t know where thousands of people are moving?”

“The Murim Alliance is essentially a union of sects. Which sect would welcome an independent intelligence organization or its own armed group?”

Even a union can form and operate subordinate organizations.

However, if an intelligence organization or armed group unique to the Murim Alliance is created, to whom will the authority be given?

It is absurd to hand it over to a specific sect, and everyone is reluctant to give power to Shinseung [a high ranking position].

In the end, the Murim Alliance’s intelligence gathering and use of force had to rely entirely on affiliated sects.

“They created branches to overcome that limitation, but they are still in the early stages and have not properly established themselves. Besides, the closest Namgung Clan and Gongson Clan are not here…”

Currently, the Murim Alliance was in a temporary information vacuum.

It takes too long to contact their sects, and there are not enough people to send scouts to assess the situation.

“So, you’re saying that even though the bandits and Green Forest are invading, you don’t know where they are?”

“It has been confirmed that there is a group heading to the Murim Alliance along the Janggang River.”
Moyong Mi frowned slightly.

“But news has come from Anhui Province and Hubei Province that martial arts centers and sects in the Janggang River area have been attacked by the Water Fortress Alliance.”

“If it’s Anhui Province and Hubei Province, isn’t that the opposite side of the Murim Alliance?”

“Yes. That’s why it’s suspicious. They also said that numerous bandit gangs and mountain bandits suddenly rushed in.”

Moyong Jin tilted his head.

“Does that mean they divided their forces?”
Moyong Mi chuckled lightly.

“While coming to attack the Murim Alliance? That doesn’t make sense.”

“But isn’t that the truth? If their words are not lies…”

Moyong Mi sighed again.

“That’s why the discussion is getting more complicated.”

“What about the Tang Clan?”

Suddenly, Family Head Moyong Dancheon asked.

The Tang Clan headed to the Gongson Clan’s main residence in Namchang with the Gongson Clan.

Whether it’s to grasp the exact situation or to provide urgent military support to the Gongson Clan, they are the closest.

“I can’t get in touch.”
Moyong Mi bit her lip.

“I haven’t heard anything except for the regular report they sent a few days ago.”
A moment of silence flowed.

She had a strong feeling that something was wrong.

But this is the Murim Alliance, a place where the heads and masters of huge sects are gathered.

Is it possible for something to go wrong?

“I suggested that we contact the government first.”

“Ask for help from the government troops?”
Moyong Jin frowned.

Moyong Mi chuckled helplessly.

“The representatives had the same reaction. They said that if the fact that the Murim Alliance asked for help from the government became known, no sect in the world would fear the Murim Alliance.”

Not asking for help from the government is not just a matter of pride.

For martial arts groups, relying on the government was actually shaking the foundation of their existence.

“However, the Black Spear Cavalry attacking the Gongson Clan and the Water Fortress Alliance and Green Forest declaring war on the Murim Alliance are clearly against the imperial law. Even for the future, we must clearly inform the Regional Commander.”

The Regional Commander is a local official who oversees the military administration of the region.

Moyong Mi’s words were correct. Of course, it was not accepted.

“He’ll be doing it.”
Moyong Mi turned her head at Family Head Moyong Dancheon’s words.

Moyong Dancheon continued quietly.

“Of course, he won’t ask for help. But an agreement to tacitly approve the Murim Alliance’s response in the future will already be made under the surface.”

The collusion between the Murim Alliance and the Hangzhou local government is an open secret.

Not only the Regional Commander, who is in charge of military administration, but also the Provincial Administration Commissioner, who is in charge of administration, and the Surveillance Commissioner, who is in charge of inspection and criminal law.

“Then that’s a relief.”
Moyong Mi nodded.

“Hmm.”

Suddenly, Great Disciple Moyong Jin groaned.

“Master Yun went to the Namgung Clan, I wonder if he’s okay.”

The image of Yun Hyun clearly came to Moyong Mi’s mind.

His appearance in simple scholar’s clothes, his relaxed demeanor, and his friendly and comfortable smile.

“…He’ll be fine.”
Moyong Mi said, as if persuading herself.

“Because he’s Master Yun.”

He is the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.

Perhaps he is the person in the world who needs the least worry.

Besides, Dogo-rang, the ultimate master of Sword Energy Manifestation, is by his side, isn’t he?

But Moyong Mi couldn’t help but worry.

Clatter.

Moyong Mi unknowingly gripped her teacup tightly.

But her cup was already cold.

***

The actions of Iron Masked Indifference, Lee Musim, who leads the Water Fortress Alliance, surprised the Kangho Murim.

He not only declared war on the Murim Alliance, but also declared that he would take down all the signboards of the Murim Alliance sects and martial arts centers in the Janggang River area.

The Janggang River is a long river that crosses the continent from east to west. Naturally, the number of sects and martial arts centers is also countless.

The Namgung Clan and Gongson Clan rose up based on the Janggang River, so the number of minor sects and martial arts centers was too meaningless to count.

Surprisingly, this declaration by Iron Masked Indifference further increased the power of the Water Fortress Alliance. This is because many minor sects that had not been recognized by the Murim Alliance joined the Water Fortress Alliance en masse.

There were even rumors that former masters who had been pushed back by the Murim Alliance had reappeared.

Before they knew it, the Water Fortress Alliance had become a symbol of the anti-Murim Alliance.

The rumors only grew.

Not only was it said that the military force of the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest reached tens of thousands, but there were also rumors that their military force had now reached the vicinity of the Murim Alliance, the Jingang River area.

On the other hand, the Murim Alliance’s response was nonexistent.

Everyone was talking about the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest, as well as the Namgung Clan’s closure and the Gongson Clan’s main residence being burned down.

And now they were whispering that it was only a matter of time before the Murim Alliance collapsed.

The world seemed to have changed in a matter of days.

“Heo! Tens of thousands?”
Muk Hyeol-yeop, the representative of the Black Path Society, frowned.

“Nonsense! How can bandits and thieves number in the tens of thousands, and how can they pass through the government’s checkpoint in Jingang? It’s impossible.”

Jingang, where the Janggang River and the Grand Canal meet, has been considered a key point of waterway transportation for generations.

The Grand Canal, which runs south to Hangzhou, where the Murim Alliance is located, and north to Beijing, is also a major military base.

Therefore, it was absurd that the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest, even with tens of thousands of troops, had reached Jingang.

“Of course.”

Jegeol-yeon acknowledged Muk Hyeol-yeop’s words.

“But this rumor is already widespread throughout Hangzhou. Some people are even leaving to avoid the chaos. Moreover, according to the scout’s report, it is also true that armed groups have appeared in the Jingang River area.”

Muk Hyeol-yeop’s eyebrows twitched.

“Armed groups, are you saying that the government just stood by and watched?”

Jegeol-yeon shook his head.

“I don’t know. I sent someone to the Regional Commander’s Office to inquire about the facts, but only received the answer that the Regional Commander is not in his position.”
The representatives’ faces changed.

No matter how much it was a rumor, the Regional Commander, who is the chief of the local military authority, was not in his position at a time like this?

“The Regional Commander’s problem is a matter for later. Now is the time to decide how we should respond.”

Jinmyeong of the Shaolin Temple said quietly, chanting a Buddhist prayer.

“It seems that we can no longer remain silent.”

The inconclusive meeting resulted in a non-response.

As a result, the momentum of the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest became even more rampant, and the rumors were inflated uncontrollably.

He regretted that he should have taken active action from the beginning, but it was already in the past.

“What does Shaolin think we should do?”

Jegeol-yeon asked.

“First, the Water Fortress Alliance and the Green Forest must be declared public enemies of the Murim. Immediately.”

Jinmyeong answered as if he had been waiting.

A declaration of public enemy of the Murim is the same as the Murim Alliance saying that it will see this conflict to the end.

It was clear that not only would they regain their justification and initiative, but also internal solidarity would increase.

Besides, rooting out the Water Fortress Alliance was Shaolin’s consistent argument.

“Hmm, public enemy of the Murim…”
Muk Hyeol-yeop said with an indifferent expression.

“Their military force has reached our doorstep, and you’re saying we’re going to make declarations? Now is the time when action is needed, not words.”

Jinmyeong frowned.

“What do you mean by action?”

Thud.
Muk Hyeol-yeop stood up from his seat.

“Our Black Path Society will check it ourselves. I mean, we’ll find out if the bandit gangs have really reached Jingang and if their military force really reaches tens of thousands.”

Jinmyeong of the Shaolin Temple could not hide his puzzled expression.

Jegeol-yeon was the same.

“Does that mean the Black Path Society will be in charge of reconnaissance?”

It was no wonder that the representatives were puzzled that the Black Path Society, which had been advocating immediate military intervention, was now in charge of reconnaissance.

“That’s right. Reconnaissance.”
Muk Hyeol-yeop answered as if it were natural.

But a bitter smile was on his lips.

“Reconnaissance by force, finding out by directly colliding with swords and cavalry.”