Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 290

290. A Glimmer of Hope

Tang Il-gi, a master from the Taepyung Alliance [a powerful martial arts organization], continued speaking with a leisurely air.

“I have no doubt that this event will greatly strengthen the relationship between the Taepyung Alliance and the Jo Clan.”

“This, this cannot be happening!”

Jo Woong’s enraged voice echoed through the hall.

‘Father! No!’

Jo Hong looked at his father with a heavy heart.

He understood his father’s feelings all too well.

But wasn’t the outcome obvious?

“How can this be, when the morality of the Kangho [the martial arts world] still exists…!”

Tang Il-gi maintained his relaxed smile and said,

“Hehe, wasn’t it Clan Leader Jo who first requested help from the Taepyung Alliance?”

“But, but!”

“And wasn’t it Clan Leader Jo who took the lead in cooperating to help the Taepyung Alliance establish itself here?”

“That’s not true! That was…”

“Then.”

Tang Il-gi’s expression changed in an instant.

“Are you saying that Clan Leader Jo intends to tear down the Taepyung Alliance’s signboard?” [An idiom meaning to openly defy or challenge the alliance]

Whoosh.

A tremendous killing intent poured out from Tang Il-gi.

Tearing down the signboard was essentially a full-scale declaration of war.

Who in the world would dare to challenge the Taepyung Alliance so directly?

Tang Il-gi looked like an enraged beast.

“Ugh.”

“Kuh.”

Groans leaked out from various people in the room.

Jo Woong was no exception.

Tang Il-gi was such a powerful master that he could overwhelm the clan leaders and sect leaders present with just his killing intent.

“…Of course.”

Whoosh.

The killing intent vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Tang Il-gi continued with a smile.

“I believe that is not your intention. Isn’t that right, Clan Leader Jo?”

Faced with his smiling yet chilling gaze, Jo Woong couldn’t even muster a proper response.

Swish.

Tang Il-gi looked around at the people.

“The Taepyung Alliance wishes to establish good relations with everyone. We look forward to your active cooperation.”

Tang Il-gi was still smiling, but the people didn’t even dare to breathe deeply.

“Then, please enjoy yourselves.”

With those words, Tang Il-gi’s greeting ended.

The music started again, and the banquet hall slowly began to regain its liveliness.

However, Jo Woong’s pale face did not return to normal easily.

“This isn’t, this isn’t what I wanted… This isn’t…”

Jo Woong muttered like a man in a daze.

His son, Jo Hong, bit his lip.

“Father…”

He wanted to leave this place immediately, but he couldn’t just get up and leave recklessly.

If he were to further antagonize the Taepyung Alliance here, he wouldn’t even be able to protect the reputation of the Jo Clan.

Jo Hong bit his lip.

It felt like blood would come out, but he didn’t feel the pain. No, he couldn’t allow himself to feel it.

That day, Clan Leader Jo Woong, upon returning to the Jo Clan, fell ill.

Perhaps the shock was too great? Bedridden, Jo Woong couldn’t get up easily.

His son, Jo Hong, despite his difficult circumstances, sought out doctors and elixirs from all directions, but they all just shook their heads.

***

Taepyung Alliance’s External Affairs Military Advisor, Tang Seol-ryun’s office.

Rustle.

Tang Seol-ryun, who was reviewing documents, suddenly smiled.

“The Jo Clan has requested a doctor?”

“Yes. It seems they have decided to rely on the Tang Clan’s medical skills after all.”

Her subordinate bowed and said.

Tang Seol-ryun chuckled.

It was inevitable. Jo Woong’s illness could only be truly treated by the Tang Clan, who had caused it.

“The son is quite clever, though.”

“Yes. Unlike his father, he is very cooperative.”

“But we can’t trust him.”

Rustle.

Putting down the report, Tang Seol-ryun said,

“They are the ones who believe they have suffered damage. They will try to repay their grudges someday, so tell Tang Il-gi not to forget this point.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, so we have established a base in Seoseo Province as well?”

Seoan was a large city, but it was difficult to see significant profits there.

They couldn’t engage in active activities for fear of provoking Hwasan [a powerful and influential sect].

Rather, Sangju was the strategic area that the Taepyung Alliance was aiming for.

Now that their efforts had paid off, the profits coming in from Sangju would be substantial.

“What should we do about the Jo Clan’s request?”

“We must send them. We must keep our word.”

Tang Seol-ryun said with a smile.

The document in her hand contained a detailed list of the key figures in Sangju who had been poisoned by Tang Il-gi.

Most of them would not have any noticeable symptoms, but she could make them collapse like the Jo Clan Leader whenever she wanted.

“However.”

Rustle.

Looking down at the list, Tang Seol-ryun said,

“The Jo Clan Leader is old. Fortunately, even if he recovers completely, old people don’t last long due to the aftereffects. Unfortunately…”

It was a death sentence for Jo Woong, the Jo Clan Leader.

Tang Seol-ryun continued calmly,

“It would be good if news of his son being critically ill comes around this time next year. He is a filial son, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to suffer after his father’s funeral.”

“Understood.”

The subordinate bowed and accepted her order.

Tang Seol-ryun nodded in satisfaction.

“Now that the first expansion plan is over…”

Rustle.

Picking up a new document, Tang Seol-ryun said in a rather cheerful voice,

“It’s time to hold a competition, isn’t it?”

She looked down at the document with sparkling eyes.

The words “Taepyung Alliance Martial Arts Tournament” were written there in a sweeping script.

“Hehe, I miss it.”

Taepyung Alliance’s External Affairs Military Advisor, Tang Clan’s Snow Flower, Tang Seol-ryun smiled.

Her red lips sparkled seductively under the light.

***

With the government’s flag raised, nothing could stop Yun-hyun’s group as they traveled along the main road.

Ten or so mounted soldiers took turns guarding the four-horse carriage that Yun-hyun was riding in, followed by thirty government soldiers and two large carriages carrying luggage.

Yun-hyun had invited the Inspector General’s party to ride in the carriage with him.

They initially declined, but they soon accepted Yun-hyun’s kindness.

Riding a horse all day was more tiring than they had thought.

Thanks to this, Yun-hyun was able to become somewhat friendly with the Inspector General’s party.

He also learned that Hang Jang-ik, Jin Ye-rim, and Dam So-ha were not official government officials.

It was not uncommon for the Inspector General to appoint temporary officials locally, so Yun-hyun quickly understood.

Of course, things would be different if they wanted to become official government officials.

What was surprising was Jin Ye-rim’s background.

“You are from a martial arts family?”

“Yes, sir. I haven’t been with the Inspector General for long.”

Jin Ye-rim replied. Her voice felt somewhat distant.

“May I ask which sect you are from…”

“It’s not a significant one. My martial arts are no match for Hang, either.”

Hang Jang-ik was preparing for the military examination as the son of a high-ranking military official.

Yun-hyun did not ask further, as Jin Ye-rim clearly did not want to talk about it.

“I see. I have some connection to the martial world, so I asked.”

Jin Ye-rim’s eyes changed.

However, she did not ask.

She knew very well that she was just a guard.

“I was in the Murim Alliance [another name for the martial arts world].”

Yun-hyun, guessing her thoughts, spoke first.

“For a while, as a scribe.”

A look of disappointment appeared in Jin Ye-rim’s eyes.

Dam So-ha, who was always cheerful, suddenly asked,

“Is that why you are going to Hangzhou?”

Hang Jang-ik gave Dam So-ha a look, but it was already too late.

Yun-hyun smiled bitterly.

“…Something like that.”

It wasn’t solely because of the Murim Alliance.

But it was related to the Murim Alliance.

Because it was something that happened on the very day the Murim Alliance collapsed.

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

The four-horse carriage sped along the main road without hesitation.

After several days of travel, Yun-hyun’s party entered Hangzhou.

“After this, we plan to head north along the canal by boat.”

Inspector General Jo Gwan said to Yun-hyun.

“We can’t stay long, sir.”

“I understand.”

Yun-hyun said quietly.

His voice was unusually subdued.

The scenery of Hangzhou passing by outside was no different from before.

However, Yun-hyun’s expression as he looked at it was quite dark.

‘…Finally.’

He had returned. To this very place where he should have returned long ago.

Yun-hyun bit his lip.

Only the indifferent sound of hooves echoed inside the large carriage.

***

After settling into a large inn, Yun-hyun went outside with Jo Gwan’s party.

In fact, he had tried to go out alone, but Jo Gwan had insisted on accompanying him.

Yun-hyun, who had come out of the inn, hailed an empty carriage passing by.

After Yun-hyun spoke to the coachman, the party got into the carriage.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage soon left Hangzhou city.

Jo Gwan was a little embarrassed, but he assumed that Yun-hyun was trying to meet someone secretly and observed the situation.

However, Jo Gwan’s embarrassment grew even greater when Yun-hyun got out of the carriage in the middle of the main road and walked into a field with no path.

Hang Jang-ik, Jin Ye-rim, and Dam So-ha were also puzzled, but they silently followed Yun-hyun.

Thud, thud.

Yun-hyun strode through the field, then into the forest.

It was such an aimless trek that it was doubtful whether he had even lost his way.

How long had they been moving through the forest like that?

Rustle.

A small clearing appeared as they pushed through the bushes.

Only then did Yun-hyun stop.

He had not rested even once until he reached this place.

“Hoo.”

Jo Gwan caught his breath.

He calmly looked around.

‘Hmm.’

The surroundings were an ordinary forest.

But there was one difference.

A faint stench was emanating from the area.

‘What is this?’

Jo Gwan gestured to Hang Jang-ik, Dam So-ha, and Jin Ye-rim.

The three immediately began to look around.

Dam So-ha unfolded a map to check their location, and Hang Jang-ik looked around at the trees and surrounding terrain, guarding the area.

However, Jin Ye-rim’s expression was stiff.

Jo Gwan asked quietly,

“What’s wrong?”

Jo Gwan suddenly remembered that Jin Ye-rim’s family home was in Hangzhou.

Could it be that this place had a meaning that only the people of Hangzhou would know?

“This is… No, it’s not. But…”

Jin Ye-rim was biting her lip and seemed to be confused about something.

At that moment, Hang Jang-ik and Dam So-ha approached Jo Gwan.

“We have found the source of the stench.”

“What was it?”

“That is…”

Dam So-ha spoke instead of the hesitant Hang Jang-ik.

“They buried bodies. More than ten bodies, without even digging deep enough.”

Jo Gwan frowned as he looked at the place Dam So-ha was pointing to.

One part of the terrain was bulging out so much that anyone could tell.

“Who would do such a thing…”

Jo Gwan muttered and looked back at Yun-hyun.

And he suddenly realized that Yun-hyun’s condition was strange.

“Sir?”

Yun-hyun was standing alone in the middle of the clearing.

Clenching his fists and closing his eyes, Yun-hyun was gritting his teeth so hard that anyone could tell.

“Sir, what…”

It was when Jo Gwan was approaching and saying that.

“…I’m sorry.”

Yun-hyun said in a completely trembling voice.

“Please wait a moment. Maybe, maybe perhaps…”

His voice contained an agitation that he himself could not control.

Jo Gwan looked at Yun-hyun with a puzzled expression.

Why was Yun-hyun suddenly reacting like this?

It was at that moment.

“Ah, shoot!”

Yun-hyun suddenly looked back at Jo Gwan as if he had remembered something.

“Get out of here quickly!”

“Yes?”

Jo Gwan, as well as Hang Jang-ik, Jin Ye-rim, and Dam So-ha, looked at Yun-hyun with puzzled eyes.

However, Yun-hyun said in an urgent voice,

“Someone will be here soon. It’s dangerous if you are here!”

Yun-hyun, shocked by the glimmer of hope that had unexpectedly appeared, had forgotten about Jo Gwan’s party.

Yun-hyun was anxious, but Jo Gwan was even more confused.

“Then you should also leave…”

“No, I… Ah!”

Yun-hyun made a frustrated expression as he spoke.

At that moment, a loud laughter echoed from all directions.