Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 239

239. The Murim Alliance’s Response

Squad Leader Jo, who had been listening to the conversation between Prince Mun and his subordinate, tilted his head.

‘To not know Samjeon Undefeated Dokgo Rang… then was the question earlier about the Murim Alliance Secretary?’

“What did he say?”

Prince Mun’s voice echoed again.

Squad Leader Jo hesitated for a moment but soon answered.

“The Samjeon Undefeated Swordsman said nothing. However, the Scholar revealed himself as Yun Hyun, the Murim Alliance Secretary…”

“Indeed!”

Prince Mun said in an excited voice.

“So, Changryong Sword Master Yun Hyun has come!”

He knew Yun Hyun would return.

The letter he sent to the Murim Alliance was already in Prince Mun’s hands.

But he couldn’t be certain.

The Murim Alliance would soon become a land of death. Naturally, anyone would want to avoid it.

In fact, Yun Hyun was also recommending refuge in the Moryong family in his letter.

Yet, he himself is returning to the Murim Alliance?

“Truly, he has returned!”

Crack.

The silk fan made a sound in Prince Mun’s hand.

Prince Mun’s eyes gleamed with greed and joy.

However, Squad Leader Jo, who was bowing his head, was rather confused.

‘What?’

Changryong Sword Master is an indispensable figure in the story of the Samjeon Undefeated Swordsman.

Wasn’t Dokgo Rang the one who claimed to be his disciple, benefactor, and sworn brother?

‘That Changryong Sword Master is the Secretary I met?’

Although not as much as the Samjeon Undefeated Swordsman, there were various rumors and speculations about the Changryong Sword Master.

But that Changryong Sword Master is the Secretary he met?

Squad Leader Jo couldn’t help but be confused.

“And?”

Prince Mun asked, urging him on.

“What else did he say?”

Squad Leader Jo remembered that he was in the middle of reporting.

“Ah, yes. He asked if we were Green Forest bandits [bandits operating outside the law, often in mountainous or forested areas] and if we were under Prince Mun’s command. I, of course, said nothing…”

Prince Mun’s eyes flashed.

“He.”

Prince Mun said, not hiding his joy.

“He knew my name?”

“…Ah, yes.”

A smile hung on Prince Mun’s red lips hidden behind the fan.

Prince Mun couldn’t hide his delight.

“Hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo.”

A low laughter flowed from behind the fan.

He stared intently at Squad Leader Jo.

“Yes. And?”

“Uh, and…”

Squad Leader Jo searched his memory.

And he recalled one very important fact.

“He seemed to have noticed that all the routes to Hangzhou are in the same situation.”

That was a very important matter.

But Prince Mun snorted.

Flap.

“Hmph, if he’s the Changryong Sword Master, that’s only natural.”

Prince Mun said, lightly fanning himself.

The opponent is someone who has seen through all of Prince Mun’s schemes.

It’s only natural that he would notice that the scouted paths are not just one place.

“But, but.”

However, Squad Leader Jo couldn’t hide his doubt.

If he is the sworn brother and teacher of the Samjeon Undefeated Swordsman, shouldn’t he be an incredible master or a great person like a divine immortal?

Recalling the impression of the Murim Alliance Secretary, who was far from extraordinary, Squad Leader Jo said without realizing it.

“That Secretary seemed very young…”

Squad Leader Jo swallowed hard before he could finish his sentence.

Because the energy pressing down on him had turned murderous.

‘I’m dead.’

He had broken the warning to only answer the questions.

In the silent tent, Squad Leader Jo closed his eyes tightly.

How long had it been?

“That’s why.”

Flap.

Prince Mun said, lightly waving his fan.

“He is even more important.”

Being young is a very important factor in discussing hegemony [leadership or dominance].

Although there is a disadvantage of lacking experience, it clearly shows the potential for development, bold challenges, and that his era will last a long time.

“Besides that, did he say anything else?”

Prince Mun asked.

“Uh, no.”

Squad Leader Jo quickly replied.

Prince Mun lightly waved his fan with a satisfied expression.

The subordinate immediately took the hint and had Squad Leader Jo step down.

Squad Leader Jo, who had risen, bowed his head and stepped back out of the tent.

Swish, swish.

Prince Mun, left alone with his subordinate, let out a thin laugh.

“Changryong Sword Master, Changryong Sword Master!”

It was no wonder he was excited.

The absolute interest of a merchant is the ‘owner of the document’ [a person who holds significant influence or power].

And isn’t the Changryong Sword Master the closest person to that?

“If I get him in my hands…”

Prince Mun couldn’t hide his joy.

Prince Mun strongly clenched his white hand like a rake.

“Everything will be as I wish.”

The subordinate next to him said quietly.

“Report to the Merchant…”

“No!”

Prince Mun said, turning his head sharply.

The look in his eyes as he looked at the subordinate was even eerie.

“Not yet.”

Gritting his teeth, Prince Mun said.

“The report will be made, but only after I have the Changryong Sword Master in my hands. Do you understand?”

In front of Prince Mun’s gleaming eyes, the subordinate slowly lowered his head.

“As you command.”

Prince Mun wore a bitter smile.

And he slowly raised the fan he had lowered to cover his face.

“…Heh heh, heh-heh-heh.”

Leaning back in his chair, Prince Mun looked at the empty air and let out a quiet laugh.

The subordinate silently bowed and left the spot.

Because he knew that Prince Mun would not listen to anyone’s words now.

Swish.

Inside the ornate tent, only Prince Mun was left.

“Heh-heh-heh.”

That quiet sound, whether it was laughter or crying, did not stop for a long time afterward.

***

What greeted Yun Hyun and Dokgo Rang as they entered Hangzhou was the unusually bustling appearance of the city.

As if a grand festival was being held, the streets of Hangzhou were filled with bright lights and bustling people.

“Hmm?”

Yun Hyun, who was riding in the carriage, frowned.

Hangzhou is originally a splendid and beautiful place.

But it wasn’t to the extent that all the shops were brightly lit and crowded with people like now.

Surely the news that the Suro Army and Green Forest bandits were invading the Murim Alliance had been delivered, yet Hangzhou seemed even more boisterous than before.

Clatter, clatter.

“This is unexpected.”

Yun Hyun said to Dokgo Rang, who was driving the carriage.

Even if there was the Murim Alliance, he thought there would be at least a minimum sense of crisis.

In fact, it wasn’t easy for Yun Hyun and Dokgo Rang to cross the Yangtze River.

Because all the boats and merchants were keeping a low profile.

However, the sight of Hangzhou unfolding before his eyes was very far from worry or anxiety.

“They must have heard the news; are they not even worried?”

“No.”

Dokgo Rang said in a low voice.

“I have seen this kind of sight before. A street excessively excited to cover up tension and anxiety.”

Dokgo Rang’s eyes, looking at the bustling downtown, were cold.

At those words, Yun Hyun took a fresh look at the people.

‘Ah.’

It was as Dokgo Rang said.

The streets were crowded with people, but their faces all lacked composure.

Everyone who was laughing or talking had eyes that seemed to be escaping from something.

“…It’s like being in a border region.”

Yun Hyun wore a troubled expression at Dokgo Rang’s words.

“A border region…”

A border region is a place full of the danger of war.

To maintain the military, the court releases money and supplies, and that money and supplies make the border region bustling.

But that can’t be proper prosperity.

The same thing was happening here in Hangzhou now.

The splendid appearance before his eyes was paradoxically showing how great their anxiety was.

Clatter, clatter.

Yun Hyun, who had been silently watching the street, suddenly asked Dokgo Rang.

“Were you in a border region?”

“There was a time when I wandered around for a while.”

Originally, Dokgo Rang had been wandering around the world alone, so there was no way he hadn’t been to a border region.

“…It wasn’t as satisfying as I thought.”

Yun Hyun knew that it wasn’t about the pay or the environment, but about the opponents.

“It must have been.”

Yun Hyun nodded, recalling the words that his sworn brother Ilchung Hyun had told him.

“Some people say that actual combat is the best training, but because victory or defeat is decided by small differences in a short time, there are clear limitations. Deep martial arts and elaborate and delicate swordsmanship are difficult to obtain without systematic training or sparring.”

The goal of actual combat in the border region is to efficiently subdue the enemy in a short time.

Of course, the battle itself may be prolonged, but to a martial artist who has reached a certain level, it is just a repetition of simple sword strikes.

There is no room for the development of elaborate sword forms or deep martial arts.

“That’s right.”

Dokgo Rang expressed his agreement. The reason he roamed the world in search of opponents was the same.

“Still, I was able to experience various things.”

Yun Hyun nodded. If it was Dokgo Rang, he would never have wasted time meaninglessly.

Clatter, clatter.

In the meantime, the carriage had already reached the Murim Alliance.

“It’s the Murim Alliance.”

Yun Hyun wore a troubled expression as he stared at the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

The front of the Murim Alliance was more crowded than the downtown area. The main gate of the Murim Alliance was so full of people coming and going and carriages carrying supplies that it filled the surroundings.

“The Murim Alliance is releasing money after all.”

People were entering and leaving the main gate of the Murim Alliance with swords or carrying luggage without even checking their identities.

The warriors guarding the main gate were glaring at the people, but it was largely a formality.

Neither the other warriors nor the busy people coming and going paid attention to this side.

But Yun Hyun’s case was an exception.

“Stop.”

Two warriors shouted at Yun Hyun’s carriage.

“Who are you? Identify yourself.”

Their spearheads were aimed at the carriage, but it was largely perfunctory.

Clatter.

The carriage stopped and Yun Hyun got out of the carriage.

“Greetings. I am Yun Hyun, belonging to the Guest Hall.”

Yun Hyun bowed politely with a gentle expression.

“Ah, Secretary Yun.”

One of the warriors recognized Yun Hyun.

“It looks like you’re coming back from somewhere. Go in.”

He said, withdrawing his spear.

Yun Hyun’s voice caught him as he was about to return to his post.

“What’s going on in the Alliance?”

“Huh? Haven’t you heard the news yet?”

The warrior shrugged his shoulders and said.

“The Suro Army and Green Forest bandits are invading. So, the Alliance has requested cooperation from Hangzhou and nearby martial arts centers.”

The words ‘request for cooperation’ and ‘has issued’ didn’t match, but in a sense, it was true.

There wouldn’t be any martial arts school big enough to dare ignore the Murim Alliance’s request.

“Thanks to that, the Alliance is in chaos right now with all the people who have flocked here. Well, it’s no wonder. How much silver are they going to pay…”

The warrior clicked his tongue, looking at the busy main gate.

“Thanks to that, everyone is having a hard time. Secretary Yun, you should go in quickly too.”

“I understand.”

Yun Hyun bowed, but the warrior lightly raised his hand and returned to his post.

“The Murim Alliance is responding more properly than I thought.”

Dokgo Rang said.

The Murim Alliance’s response was appropriate even to Yun Hyun. Gathering people in the name of the Murim Alliance and securing supplies by releasing silver.

That silver was what made the streets of Hangzhou bustling.

“That’s right. It’s a proper response.”

Yun Hyun muttered quietly.

“However, there will be a big difference in the perception of reality.”

Yun Hyun’s bitter expression as he looked at the Murim Alliance’s main gate, which was crowded with people and supplies, did not disappear.

***

Yun Hyun, who had returned to the Murim Alliance, first went to the Guest Hall.

The Guest Hall seemed as busy as it had been during the World Martial Arts Competition.

It was only natural since not only all the martial arts schools and martial artists in the vicinity of Hangzhou, but also the wandering warriors who had come to see the World Martial Arts Competition had gathered.

“Secretary Yun!”

Manager Kwan wasn’t at his seat, but Byun Ki-ryang recognized Yun Hyun and was delighted.

Byun Ki-ryang, who usually followed Yun Hyun as if he were his follower, began to tell him about the events that had happened in the meantime, as if complaining.

“…So, in the end, the Black Demon Squad members returned covered in blood with black arrows all over their bodies.”

Yun Hyun’s expression hardened as he had already roughly guessed from Dok Sun’s words.

“The Black Demon Squad?”

“Yes. Leader Jin Mu-ryang passed away, and Great Warrior Mook Hyul-yeop was also seriously injured. The Black Demon Squad members who returned alive were barely breathing. The doctors were extracting those black arrows all night… Hoo-igoo.”

Byun Ki-ryang trembled as if he was getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

The unusually short and thick arrows, with dark red blood clotted on them, were as eerie as snakes that had burrowed into the body.