Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 263

263. What are you so addicted to that you’ve become a wreck?

That night, Unhyun couldn’t sleep properly. He was exhausted from the long journey and should have fallen asleep quickly, but strangely, sleep eluded him.

Was it the unfamiliar bed? Or the hot, humid Gwangju climate?

Tossing and turning all night, Unhyun finally gave up on sleep in the early dawn, before sunrise.

*Swish.*

Unhyun rose, shed his pajamas, and changed into the clothes his uncle had prepared.

They were clean and neat, clothes he hadn’t worn in a long time. Yet, they felt awkward, like someone else’s.

Sitting blankly at the desk, devoid of books, Unhyun abruptly stood.

He slowly pushed the door open and stepped outside.

*Creak.*

Cool morning air enveloped Unhyun as he opened the door.

The sun hadn’t yet risen, but the darkness was clearly waning.

The Unga Merchant Guild was silent, everyone seemingly fast asleep.

*Rustle.*

Carefully, Unhyun moved.

The mansion, once so vast, now seemed small, even cozy, as Unhyun saw the Unga Merchant Guild again after over a decade.

In truth, the Unga Merchant Guild wasn’t a particularly large mansion.

After a short walk, Unhyun, with nowhere to go, turned toward the backyard.

“Hoo.”

Unhyun gasped as he reached the backyard.

He felt breathless despite the minimal walking.

After a moment to recover, Unhyun slowly surveyed the garden.

Befitting an old mansion, the Unga Merchant Guild’s backyard was neatly arranged.

Even ten years ago, the backyard had been his favorite place in the mansion.

Unhyun leaned back in a rough wooden chair in one corner of the garden and stared blankly at the dark sky.

How long had he been sitting there?

*Chirp, chirp, chirp.*

Coming to his senses, he realized it was bright, filled with birdsong.

He thought he’d only been sitting a short while, but considerable time had passed.

Unhyun quickly rose.

Fearing an encounter, Unhyun hurried from the backyard.

The morning at the Unga Merchant Guild was slowly dawning.

***

Early in the morning, Unhyun greeted his uncle, Un Il-pyeong.

His uncle inquired about any discomforts and said he needn’t greet him separately in the future.

“You must have a lot to think about.”

Unhyun understood this meant he should gather himself and decide on his future.

Unhyun bowed and quietly retreated.

After eating the meal brought by the servant, Unhyun paced his quarters all day.

On the second day, still unable to sleep, Unhyun went to the backyard at dawn and sat blankly.

He was exhausted from the long journey and lack of sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come.

After sunrise, Unhyun left the backyard and spent the day wandering his quarters.

On the third day, Unhyun, who had been in his quarters all morning, finally left the room.

As he carefully walked around the Unga Merchant Guild, he encountered Chief Manager Kang, directing servants.

“Young Master?”

“Ah, Chief Manager.”

Unhyun found him difficult to deal with, as he seemed to have ten years ago.

“Are you going out?”

A guest with nothing to do. Unhyun mumbled an answer.

“No. It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve been here…”

In other words, he was aimlessly wandering.

“Well, then, I’ll be going…”

Unhyun tried to leave, but Chief Manager Kang’s voice stopped him.

“Young Master, just a moment.”

Chief Manager Kang finished instructing the servant and turned.

“I have something to tell you. Let’s go together.”

Unhyun had no choice but to nod at his firm words.

*Step, step.*

Chief Manager Kang led Unhyun to the backyard where Unhyun had been at dawn.

The small pond and flowering trees displayed their beauty under the bright sunlight.

“Are you feeling well?”

Unhyun nodded at Chief Manager Kang’s words.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

However, Chief Manager Kang frowned slightly.

Even at a glance, Unhyun’s appearance was poor.

His dark eyes, haggard face, and thin frame indicated his physical condition was far from normal.

Looking closely, faint black spots were visible on his face.

‘He must have gone through some difficult times, or he’s addicted to something.’

Chief Manager Kang had seen many like this.

People who suddenly gained wealth in Gwangju, were swept away by pleasures, and lost everything.

“You may not know this, Young Master, but the guild’s situation is dire.”

Chief Manager Kang spoke bluntly.

“In the worst case, we may have to liquidate the guild. It may be presumptuous of me to say this…”

As far as Unhyun knew, Chief Manager Kang had protected the Unga Merchant Guild for a long time.

For him to say this meant the situation was serious.

“…Whatever decision you make, do it quickly. You can’t continue like this, can you?”

A moment of silence passed.

Unhyun, speechless, nodded quietly.

“I understand.”

Chief Manager Kang stared at Unhyun, bowed, and left.

Even after he left, Unhyun remained motionless.

“Hoo.”

Unhyun sighed deeply.

Chief Manager Kang was right. He had to decide.

But what decision?

Unhyun slumped onto the wooden chair.

His legs were weak.

“Hoo hoo.”

Another sigh escaped.

“You’re going to make the ground sink.”

Startled, Unhyun looked up at the clear voice.

A young lady in beautiful silk clothes stood there. She looked about twenty, frowning at Unhyun.

“If you have time to sigh, why not help with the guild’s work?”

The impudent young lady resembled his uncle.

Unhyun recognized her.

“Ah… Hee-yeon Nuna [older sister/female friend, term of endearment].”

She was Un Il-pyeong’s daughter, Un Hee-yeon.

She was Unhyun’s cousin, but he remembered her as a child and hadn’t spoken to her much.

*Step, step.*

Un Hee-yeon plopped into the chair opposite him.

She stared at Unhyun and asked, as if interrogating him:

“What happened?

Didn’t you pass the civil service examination and become a scholar in Beijing?”

Unhyun could only smile bitterly.

“You look healthy, so it doesn’t seem like you’ve been punished. What are you so addicted to that you’ve become such a wreck? Alcohol? Gambling? Or women?”

“Nu, Nuna.”

Before Unhyun could reply, Un Hee-yeon rose.

*Rustle.*

“Well, never mind. It’s probably trivial.”

Un Hee-yeon looked down at Unhyun.

“We can’t afford to care for lazy good-for-nothings. If you’re going to eat here, do something.”

*Rustle.*

Un Hee-yeon, turning, stopped as if remembering something.

“Ah, and don’t sit here every dawn looking pathetic. This is my spot. Got it?”

With those words, Un Hee-yeon left without looking back.

She resembled her uncle, but her personality was like her aunt’s when young. Unhyun didn’t know that.

“Hoo.”

Unhyun sighed softly.

He was tired.

He thought he could forget everything and live quietly in Gwangju, but realistic problems tormented him.

“Yes. I can’t continue like this.”

Unhyun muttered.

His uncle, aunt, Chief Manager Kang, and Un Hee-yeon were right.

He couldn’t stay like this forever.

He had to do something, soon.

But what, and how?

“All I’ve learned is how to read.”

Unhyun muttered self-deprecatingly.

He said without realizing it:

“And the sword…”

Hearing those words, Unhyun jumped up.

He hurried away, like someone being chased.

***

“Heok!”

With a short scream, Unhyun woke up. Everything tormenting him vanished.

It was a dream.

“Heo, heok.”

Unhyun gasped.

It was a terrible dream.

Regaining his senses, Unhyun looked around.

He was in his quarters, his room in the Unga Merchant Guild in Gwangju.

*Rustle.*

Unhyun rose and went to the table. After gulping water, he took a long breath.

“Hoo.”

His mind slowly calmed. As the nightmare’s emotions faded, his surroundings came into view.

“Oh no…”

His body was soaked in sweat.

The bedding was also soaked.

Unhyun began tidying the bedding and pajamas.

*Rustle, rustle.*

The sweat-soaked pajamas and bedding smelled bad. Unhyun, mindful of others, was concerned.

But his nightmare was more concerning.

A dream where Ilchung-hyeon disappeared, the young master of Bukhae left, and Dogo-rang, soaked in blood, appeared and shed tears of blood toward Unhyun.

That nightmare had returned.

“…Am I going crazy?”

Unhyun muttered.

He had nightmares every time he slept.

He woke up groaning, soaked in sweat.

He felt as if the smell of blood lingered.

“Hoo hoo.”

Unhyun sighed.

Only sighs increased.

―You’re going to make the ground sink.

Unhyun recalled Hee-yeon’s voice.

“The ground will sink.”

Unhyun muttered bitterly.

He couldn’t stay like this.

For himself, and for others.

After tidying the bedding and changing, Unhyun opened the window.

*Click.*

It was still dark.

But Unhyun couldn’t sleep.

That morning, as soon as it was light, Unhyun went to see Chief Manager Kang.

Chief Manager Kang was organizing his day’s work in his office.

“Chief Manager Kang.”

“Young Master?”

Chief Manager Kang looked at Unhyun, arriving early, with surprise.

“What’s going on?”

“I’d like to ask you something.”

“Ask?”

Chief Manager Kang frowned. He wondered what this was about. But Unhyun was serious.

“Chief Manager Kang is right. I can’t stay like this. But I have no idea what to do, or what I can do. All I can do is…”

Unhyun gritted his teeth.

“Because all I can do is read.”

After a moment, Unhyun continued.

“But I thought Chief Manager Kang would know what I should do.”

Chief Manager Kang was silent.

He stared intently at Unhyun.

“Are you asking for my advice?”

“Yes.”

Unhyun nodded.

Chief Manager Kang frowned.

Getting involved in other people’s lives is more than advice. Especially for Chief Manager Kang, with his strong sense of responsibility.

He didn’t want to, but this was the owner’s nephew, Un Il-pyeong. Besides, his eyes were serious.

Finally, Chief Manager Kang sighed.

“I understand. If you’re okay with me…”

“Thank you. Chief Manager.”