Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 268

268. The Great Matters of Human Relations

Ha Yong-han calmly weighed the pros and cons.

If the person had nothing, it wouldn’t be much of a problem.

The Hacheong Merchant Group had more than enough resources to support a scholar down on his luck.

‘If I open a suitable academy and support him…’

The fact that the other party was a scholar who had passed the civil service examination also pleased him.

It was also a good idea to completely separate his daughter from the affairs of the merchant group through this opportunity.

Moreover, he had passed the civil service examination and served as a scholar in Beijing, so the academy seemed to have a promising future.

Since ancient times, educators have been respected by all, haven’t they?

‘My son-in-law is the head of the academy… No, it would be better to call him the president.’

President (學長) [dean or head of the academy].

The sound of it was good.

Being related to a prominent figure in the local education community would not be a bad thing for the Hacheong Merchant Group.

‘Good.’

Ha Yong-han was convinced that this marriage was a profitable deal.

“Where is he staying now?”

“At the Unga Merchant Group. He is said to be a nephew of Un Il-pyeong.”

“The Unga Merchant Group…”

When things are meant to be, heaven helps.

“Isn’t the Unga Merchant Group having some difficulties these days?”

“Since the deal with the Hwanam Merchant Group was cut off, the impact must be significant.”

“Then there’s a high possibility that they will actively pursue this marriage proposal as well.”

“Very likely.”

“Hmm.”

Ha Yong-han nodded. His thoughts were long, but his decision was quick.

“Good.”

With a satisfied smile, Ha Yong-han said to Chief Manager Joo.

“Proceed with it!”

“Yes!”

Chief Manager Joo replied energetically.

***

“It’s really splendid.”

Sitting down, Un-hyeon looked around the brothel and said.

Chief Manager Kang, sitting across from him, asked with a surprised expression.

“Aren’t the brothels in Beijing more splendid than this?”

“Ah, well… I haven’t been to places like this very often.”

It wasn’t that he hadn’t been there often, but almost never.

At the academy, he had always declined his colleagues’ invitations, and in the palace, it was something he couldn’t even imagine. At best, he had drunk a few glasses of wine alone by the West Lake in Hangzhou.

It was even more impossible here in Guangzhou, so it seemed he had little connection with the world of entertainment.

“Is that so?”

Chief Manager Kang had a suspicious expression.

It was hard to believe that someone who had lived in the big city of Beijing for over ten years had never been to a brothel.

Thinking that it might be because he was a rigid scholar, Chief Manager Kang said.

“Still, sometimes a place like this can be a change of pace.”

The reason the two of them came to this Nanhwa Brothel was at the suggestion of Chief Manager Kang.

Un-hyeon’s appearance had greatly improved.

His physical weakness was still there, but it was incomparable to what he looked like a few months ago.

However, Chief Manager Kang did not miss the dark shadows that occasionally crossed his face.

Hoping that he might open up if he drank some alcohol, he had come to the Nanhwa Brothel with him.

“You’ve worked hard to learn the ways of the merchant group.”

“No, rather, Chief Manager Kang…”

Chief Manager Kang shook his head.

“Even with the same transaction conditions, the results vary greatly depending on the merchant. Young Master, you are achieving very good results.”

Even with those words, Un-hyeon’s expression did not brighten easily.

After being silent, Un-hyeon asked quietly.

“…Can I do well?”

Chief Manager Kang smiled gently.

“The only thing Young Master lacks is practical experience. If you learn step by step, there will be even better results.”

‘Good results…’

Un-hyeon repeated Chief Manager Kang’s words quietly.

What is a good result?

Is it really good just because things go the way you want?

No, does he even want anything in the first place?

Chief Manager Kang looked at Un-hyeon, who was lost in thought, with a pitiful heart.

‘Oh dear, what on earth happened…’

Chief Manager Kang now knows that Un-hyeon’s dark shadows are not due to alcohol or pleasure.

If he, who gets up at dawn and sweeps the yard, is not diligent, who in the world can be said to be diligent?

After ordering a few dishes and light drinks, Chief Manager Kang asked again.

“How are you doing?”

“It’s good. My uncle is treating me well too.”

“You’re still sweeping the yard in the morning.”

“I’m just doing it to calm my mind.”

To calm down also means that the mind is cluttered.

As Chief Manager Kang was inwardly worried, Un-hyeon suddenly asked.

“Ah, come to think of it, my uncle said that Hui-yeon follows me well…”

Chief Manager Kang nodded.

“Actually, Miss has always wanted to meet Young Master. She even tried to send a letter.”

“To me?”

Chief Manager Kang raised his glass and said.

“She seems to have admired the fact that there was a scholar cousin in the merchant family. That was already…, five or six years ago?”

“…That’s an old story.”

It’s an old story that’s been five or six years.

Un-hyeon raised his glass with a bitter expression.

“But last time, Young Master’s clothes…”

It was then.

“Excuse me.”

Chief Manager Kang’s words were interrupted by a sudden, clear voice.

Chief Manager Kang, who raised his head, said with a surprised expression.

“Yo, Young-ryeong Miss!”

A beautiful young lady in a gorgeous silk dress was none other than Ha Young-ryeong.

Adorned with luxurious accessories, she was looking down at Un-hyeon with a somewhat displeased expression.

Thump.

“It’s been a while, Young-ryeong Miss.”

Chief Manager Kang got up from his seat and greeted her.

“It’s been a while, Chief Manager Kang.”

She said, bowing her head lightly.

Chief Manager Kang introduced her to Un-hyeon.

“Young Master, this is Ha Young-ryeong Miss of the Hacheong Merchant Group.”

Since Chief Manager Kang formally introduced them, he couldn’t help but greet her.

Un-hyeon got up from his seat.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Un-hyeon.”

Despite Un-hyeon’s greeting, she did not return the greeting.

For some reason, she had an angry expression.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Saying that in a cold voice, Ha Young-ryeong turned around.

It was an action that did not doubt that Un-hyeon would follow.

“That’s difficult.”

Ha Young-ryeong’s feet stopped.

She looked at Un-hyeon with a dumbfounded expression.

“What did you say?”

Her beautiful eyes were slightly raised.

However, Un-hyeon’s mood was already soured by the other party’s rudeness.

“I was with the Chief Manager. How can I leave him alone and follow Miss? If you want to talk, please ask the Chief Manager for his understanding first.”

It was extremely reasonable, but it did not suit a woman’s heart.

Especially to a lady like Ha Young-ryeong, who was already angry.

“Are you now…”

The moment her sharp voice was about to burst out, Chief Manager Kang said to Un-hyeon.

“Young Master. I’m fine.”

“But Chief Manager Kang.”

Chief Manager Kang said in a calm tone.

“Since Miss came to find you, it must be important. For now, do as Miss wishes.”

Chief Manager Kang, who had been working for the merchant group for a long time, knew how to read the atmosphere.

Un-hyeon was dissatisfied, but he knew that it was better to follow his advice.

“I understand. Then please wait a moment, Chief Manager Kang.”

Chief Manager Kang nodded.

Step.

“Young Master.”

Chief Manager Kang whispered to Un-hyeon as he passed by.

“If you don’t approach the deal coldly, you will always suffer losses.”

At those words, Un-hyeon suddenly came to his senses.

He realized that he had become too emotional without properly understanding the other party’s intentions.

“Thank you.”

Un-hyeon replied quietly. And he said to Ha Young-ryeong in a soft voice.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Let’s go.”

Ha Young-ryeong’s eyes flashed at Un-hyeon’s changed attitude.

“Hmph.”

However, that was it. Ha Young-ryeong snorted and moved her feet.

The place she was heading to was a large staircase leading to the second floor of the Nanhwa Brothel.

The second floor of the Nanhwa Brothel was not a place where just anyone could enter.

Not only money, but it was impossible to even go up unless you were a famous family or merchant group.

The place Ha Young-ryeong entered was one of the small rooms on the second floor of such a Nanhwa Brothel.

“Sit down.”

Ha Young-ryeong, who entered the room, said, leaning back on a large, ornate red chair.

It was a small and cozy room, but there was almost no sense of confinement, perhaps because thick curtains were hung instead of walls.

Since it was his first time in a place like this, Un-hyeon looked around with curious eyes and carefully sat down on the opposite chair.

Rustle.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Ha Young-ryeong, who was looking at Un-hyeon’s appearance, muttered as if she was dumbfounded.

Un-hyeon’s mood was soured, but he calmed his mind by recalling Chief Manager Kang’s words.

“What’s the matter?”

Un-hyeon asked politely.

The room is small, so the distance to Ha Young-ryeong is close.

Ha Young-ryeong, whom he saw again, was quite pretty.

The sophisticated clothes and fancy accessories further enhanced her beauty, and her mature figure, which was at her peak age, exuded an undeniable charm.

The subtle lighting of the brothel also made her look more alluring.

Click.

Ha Young-ryeong reached out to a jade-colored glass.

“I heard you passed the civil service examination? And you were a scholar in Beijing.”

She asked, holding the glass.

Un-hyeon was inwardly displeased.

He didn’t like Ha Young-ryeong’s attitude of only saying what she wanted to say without answering the question.

But he calmed his mind by recalling Chief Manager Kang’s advice.

“That’s right.”

“I heard you were dismissed and returned as a wreck… Alcohol? Gambling? Or women?”

Ha Young-ryeong asked as if she knew everything.

Un-hyeon smiled bitterly.

‘What’s with this neighborhood…’

The question was no different from what his cousin Un Hui-yeon had said.

Perhaps many people become wrecks because of that problem.

“I guess you’ve been completely cleaned out to the bottom? Hehe.”

Ha Young-ryeong said mockingly, bringing the glass to her lips.

Her red lips held the fragrant wine.

Clunk.

Ha Young-ryeong put down the glass without changing her expression.

“So, how do you feel now?”

She looked straight at Un-hyeon and said clearly.

“It must feel like gold fell from the sky? You must be thinking, what a windfall.”

Her gaze towards Un-hyeon was sharp.

With clear hostility in her eyes, Ha Young-ryeong said mockingly.

“But now that you’ve woken up from that dream, what should you do?”

Un-hyeon was more bewildered than angry.

He couldn’t understand what the other party was saying at all.

“Excuse me, but what are you talking about…”

“Ah! Are you pretending not to know? I hate this.”

She shook her head with an exaggerated gesture.

Ha Young-ryeong’s beautiful eyes were directed straight at Un-hyeon.

“I’ll make it clear.”

She said, shining her red lips.

“I will never marry you.”

“Pardon?”

Un-hyeon frowned without realizing it.

At her absurd words, he forgot Chief Manager Kang’s advice and revealed his true feelings.

“Wh, what? What’s with that expression now.”

Ha Young-ryeong’s beautiful eyebrows were distorted.

She would understand if he had an expression like the sky was falling.

It would be natural for him to fall into shock and disappointment.

But what is that ridiculous, strange expression?

Doesn’t it seem like he’s saying, ‘How dare you even think that with your status?’

Ha Young-ryeong was furious.

“Hoo.”

Un-hyeon sighed deeply and covered his forehead with his hand.

Un-hyeon did not know that his appearance was further provoking Ha Young-ryeong’s pride.

‘Another misunderstanding? This is sickening.’

It’s something he’s been through so much that he’s sick of it.

Un-hyeon tried to calm his mind and raised his head.

“I think you’ve mistaken someone.”