Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 244

244. Exploiting Chaos

The woman who raised her hand was the same one who had asked about the Tang family earlier.

“I have a question for Secretary Yun.”

“Please, Miss Hwangbo.”

At Zhuge Yeon’s words, she smiled brightly at Yun Hyun.

“Nice to meet you, Secretary Yun. I’m Hwangbo Seonhye from the Southern Sea Sword Sect.”

Her smile was so radiant that it was easy to forget they were in the Martial Alliance Assembly Hall.

She looked particularly young and had a bright, cheerful personality, as well as outstanding swordsmanship, making her quite popular during the Martial Arts Tournament.

‘Ah, the Southern Sea Sword Sect.’

Yun Hyun could guess why she was showing him favor.

The Southern Sea Sword Sect was the sect of Pa Jinhan, whom Yun Hyun had helped at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

“There’s a sentence in the report that says the Nangong Family estimates the Surochae Union and Green Forest alliance to be around ten thousand strong.”

Hwangbo Seonhye said in a clear voice.

“But from what we’ve confirmed, the ones who annihilated the Black Blood Society were the Green Forest. Their numbers are far short of ten thousand. It seems their forces have been 分散 (fēnsàn) [dispersed], but why would they do that?”

“It’s probably because the ten thousand figure is a lie to begin with.”

Hyeokryun Pil blurted out.

However, neither Yun Hyun nor Hwangbo Seonhye paid him any mind.

“Firstly, it’s because they are confident they can defeat the Martial Alliance.”

Yun Hyun answered calmly.

“In my opinion, Moon Wang is a very cautious and meticulous person. He even stationed scouts along every official road leading to Hangzhou.”

The representatives buzzed with conversation.

They were hearing for the first time that Moon Wang had scouts on the official roads.

“If that’s the case, then the reason for the 分散 (fēnsàn) [dispersal] of forces is clear. It’s because they can win.”

“Hmph! What nonsense…….”

Hyeokryun Pil spoke again.

Normally, the other representatives would have agreed with Hyeokryun Pil.

However, the Black Blood Society had been annihilated, and the Iron Blood Four Kings had revealed themselves.

Yun Hyun’s words couldn’t help but be taken seriously.

“Secondly, it’s because of Exploiting Chaos.”

Hwangbo Seonhye tilted her head.

“Exploiting Chaos means thieving during a fire…… Ah!”

“That’s right.”

Yun Hyun nodded.

“There’s an old saying that you should strike hard when there’s a fire, and there will never be a better time to seize the Yangtze River than now.”

A great commotion arose.

If the number of ten thousand was true, and they were targeting the sects and martial artists in the Yangtze River region, the result was obvious.

“So it’s safe to assume that the Yangtze River has already fallen into the hands of the Surochae Union.”

Yun Hyun said bitterly.

In fact, even merchants were not launching ships on the Yangtze River.

“The messengers you sent to your respective sects probably haven’t even crossed the Yangtze River.”

“If that’s the case.”

Hwangbo Seonhye let out a soft sigh.

If the enemy was stronger than expected and even help couldn’t be expected, the conclusion was clear.

“We really need to prepare for the worst.”

“That’s absurd……!”

“I agree.”

Before Hyeokryun Pil could say anything, another woman’s voice rang out clearly.

It was Moyong Mi, the representative of the Moyong Family.

“I also suggest that we immediately evacuate the civilians within the Alliance, as Secretary Yun suggested in his report.”

The representatives turned to Moyong Mi with puzzled expressions.

Was it because of the shocking content and conclusion?

No one had noticed that such a suggestion was in the report.

“It’s true.”

Hwangbo Seonhye exclaimed softly as she checked the report.

“Um, but in the current situation…….”

“Didn’t you say there was no basis for it in the first place?”

“First, we should inform the family head…….”

The Assembly Hall became noisy again.

“Silence!”

Zhuge Yeon shouted again.

He sighed and said.

“We have already heard the necessary statements, and Secretary Yun has admitted that the basis is insufficient. So let’s end the discussion here for now.”

In any case, it was not a matter to be decided at the representatives’ meeting.

Once the representatives reported Yun Hyun’s statements to the heads of their respective factions, only then would real measures be decided.

Looking back at Yun Hyun, Zhuge Yeon said.

“Thank you for your hard work, Secretary Yun. You may leave.”

Yun Hyun rose from his seat.

And he bowed to the representatives.

“The situation is more urgent than you think.”

Yun Hyun said in a calm voice.

“So please prepare for the worst. And don’t forget to consider the people here.”

Yun Hyun’s eyes were shining.

His words were clearly a warning.

“Hmph.”

Hyeokryun Pil scoffed to the end.

However, Yun Hyun didn’t care.

Click.

Yun Hyun came out, and the door to the Assembly Hall closed.

Thus, the representatives’ meeting adjourned. As always, without deciding anything.

***

The Abbot Taeheo of the Shaolin was meeting with Representative Jinmyeong in his chambers.

“Heo-eo.”

Taeheo let out a long sigh and softly chanted the Buddha’s name.

“Did Sasuk [Senior Brother] really say that we should prepare for the worst, assuming the Martial Alliance will lose?”

The Sasuk he was referring to was Yun Hyun.

“Yes.”

Representative Jinmyeong lowered his head.

Taeheo sighed again.

Jinmyeong carefully continued.

“But everyone didn’t seem to understand at all. First of all, the statement that the Martial Alliance would lose was too 황망 (hwangmang) [preposterous], and that… Sasukjo [Senior Brother’s Nephew] seems to have some awkwardness with others…….”

Taeheo was well aware of this.

Yun Hyun, once known as the successor of the Sword Saint and now the disciple of the worst patron, Shinseung Bulyoung.

It was only natural that he was being checked, and even his temperament was so different from the people of the Martial Alliance that he didn’t even extend a hand of compromise or negotiation.

So how could it not be awkward?

Taeheo was not much different from the people of the Martial Alliance.

The laws of the sect were 엄한 (eomhan) [strict], but how could he gladly welcome this young man who suddenly appeared and became Sasuk [Senior Brother]?

Taeheo’s honest desire was to keep his distance from Yun Hyun.

“Heo-eo.”

Taeheo sighed once more, chanted the Buddha’s name, and closed his eyes.

In fact, the person Taeheo was awkward with was not Yun Hyun but Shinseung Bulyoung behind him.

He had lived his whole life covered by the shadow of Shinseung.

Even after Shinseung left Shaolin and he became the Abbot, that did not change.

Much time had passed, and just when Shinseung’s shadow seemed to be fading a little, Yun Hyun suddenly appeared.

‘……Sasuk [Senior Brother] is 괴롭히시는구려 (goerophisineun-guryeo) [tormenting me] to the end.’

Taeheo realized that he had no choice.

If Shinseung Bulyoung was behind him, there was only one thing he could do.

“Jinmyeong.”

“Yes.”

Taeheo opened his eyes and said softly.

“Prepare for the worst in case the Martial Alliance is defeated. As a top priority.”

“Yes?”

Representative Jinmyeong asked back with a surprised expression.

“But whether or not it’s true has not yet been confirmed…….”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Abbot Taeheo answered quietly but firmly.

“The most important thing at this point is that Yun Sasuk [Senior Brother] is in the Martial Alliance.”

Jinmyeong couldn’t understand at all.

However, Taeheo knew.

‘It was like that before, too.’

Even during the Righteous-Demonic War, when he couldn’t see an inch ahead.

The people who appeared by chance became the core of the incident, and trivial matters became decisive problems.

And behind those unbelievable coincidences was always Shinseung Bulyoung.

Just like now.

“Heo, heona…….”

Representative Jinmyeong still had a bewildered expression. But Taeheo did not explain.

Perhaps he wouldn’t understand even if he told him.

That if it was a matter related to Shinseung Bulyoung, it was best to be on the same side as him unconditionally.

“The other sects will do the same. So keep that in mind when preparing measures.”

“The other sects? But they…….”

Taeheo shook his head.

Jinmyeong still doesn’t know the fear of the Martial Alliance.

The other families and sects will already be preparing for the worst.

With Yun Hyun’s warning added to that, the measures will be prepared more carefully and thoroughly.

In other words, Yun Hyun’s warning, the moment it was uttered, had already done its job, unlike what it seemed on the surface.

Just like Shinseung Bulyoung’s schemes always do.

“You must have a lot to do, so go out quickly.”

“……Yes.”

Jinmyeong still had an uncomprehending expression, but he followed the Abbot’s will.

Tak.

After he left, Taeheo, left alone, softly chanted the Buddha’s name.

“Heo-eo.”

Was it because he felt the shadow of Shinseung Bulyoung after a long time?

An inexplicable anxiety lingered in one corner of his heart, as if the Righteous-Demonic War would start again.

Taeheo closed his eyes again.

And he repeated the Buddha’s name in his heart several times until the anxiety disappeared.

***

“Did you say we need to form a formation?”

At Jang Cheonho’s words, Dokgo Rang nodded.

“To block arrows with shields, it’s best to form a formation. Three or five should be enough. And be sure to re-tie the straps on the shields. That alone will greatly free up movement.”

The people filling the guest house were seriously listening to Dokgo Rang’s words.

The suspicious 마음 (maeum) [feelings] had long since disappeared.

Dokgo Rang’s one word was a story that could determine their lives.

“Always hold the shield at an angle. If you’re hit directly by that black arrow, even a thin wooden shield will be easily pierced.”

Jang Cheonho recalled the gruesome appearance of the black arrow.

The unusually short and hard arrow was clearly meant to kill those who had learned martial arts.

If it was a crude shield, it would be pierced in an instant, as Dokgo Rang said.

“Holding it at an angle means…….”

“Like this.”

Dokgo Rang showed his palm upright.

“With the thought of 흘린다는 (heullindaneun) [deflecting] rather than blocking.”

“Oh-hora, indeed…….”

The people nodded.

Deflecting rather than blocking was a principle of martial arts that they were familiar with.

The expressions of those who felt threatened by the black arrows became much lighter.

“What about the Black Spear Cavalry?”

Someone asked.

Dokgo Rang looked at Jang Cheonho.

“Do you have anything prepared?”

“That’s…….”

Jang Cheonho couldn’t answer properly.

“We’ve thought of a few things, but nothing proper…….”

“Tell me.”

At Dokgo Rang’s words, Jang Cheonho hesitated before opening his mouth.

“Someone suggested tying up the grass in advance…….”

Disappointment appeared on the faces of the guest house martial artists all at once.

It seemed they had come up with it from the old tale of 결초보은 (gyeolchobo-eun) [repaying kindness by tying grass], but it had no reality at all.

But Dokgo Rang nodded.

“Not bad.”

“Yes? No, really 풀 (pul) [grass]……?”

Jang Cheonho’s question was not 이어지지 못했다 (ee-eo-ji-ji motaetda) [continued].

“Of course, we can’t do that. But the idea of 봉쇄 (bongswae) [blocking] their mobility is a good one.”

Dokgo Rang said, spreading his hands.

“Gather this much of hooks and nets. It’s what the border troops used to use, and it will be effective.”

“I understand.”

Jang Cheonho stood up immediately.

“You! And you! Go to the Alliance immediately and request hooks and nets. And you guys lead people to Hangzhou and bring all the hooks and nets you can find.”

Hooks and nets are mainly used for fishing.

Since Hangzhou has lakes and rivers, the quantity was sufficient.

Sending people directly at the same time as requesting from the Alliance was much faster.

“Yes! I understand!”

Several people immediately ran out of the guest house.

The 술판 (sulpan) [drinking party] had long been forgotten.

“The important thing is collective action, unity, and speed.”

At Dokgo Rang’s words, people’s eyes shone seriously.

“Never hesitate, and move as promised in advance. Also, no matter what happens, you must keep your place. Leaving the ranks only means death for yourself and your comrades.”

The people nodded with stiff faces.

“If possible, divide the camps by sect. That way, it’s easier to coordinate and the hierarchy is clear. It’s fatal for the command system to be 흐트러지는 (heuteureojineun) [disrupted] on the battlefield.”

Dokgo Rang’s point was clearly 짚고 있었다 (jipgo isseotda) [pointing out] even the parts that people hadn’t thought of.

“Ah, and it would be good to pick a few outstanding people from each sect and train them separately. There may be times when emergency support is needed depending on the situation.”

“I understand.”

Jang Cheonho nodded greatly.

Then he slyly looked at Dokgo Rang.

“……Could Great Hero take charge of them?”

Dokgo Rang nodded.

“I will.”

Jang Cheonho’s face brightened.

Taking charge of training and command was the same as Dokgo Rang directly 나서겠다는 (naseogetdaneun) [stepping into] the fight.

But Dokgo Rang’s words were not over yet.

“But it’s only training. I have someone I have to 섬겨야 (seomgyeoya) [serve].”

Disappointment flashed in Jang Cheonho’s eyes. But soon he 마음을 가다듬었다 (maeumeul gada듬eotda) [composed himself].

‘There will be another opportunity.’