Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 297

297. My Side Is the Safest

Young Master Ho suddenly asked Unhyun,

“So, I suppose you don’t have something like the Azure Dragon Sword?”

Unhyun was slightly taken aback.

However, he soon realized that it was a question about a weapon, not a sword technique.

It seemed Young Master Ho thought Unhyun might possess such a sword.

“I do not have it.”

“Is that so? That’s a bit disappointing. I was hoping to see some great treasured sword…….”

There was a treasured sword.

Because Unhyun’s luggage and sword, which the old man had accepted earlier, were placed on one side.

The Sword of the North Sea, Myeong, was more than enough to be called a treasured sword.

“My sword.”

However, Unhyun did not look at Myeong.

Lightly touching his chest, Unhyun said,

“It is here.”

Smiling, Unhyun looked at Young Master Ho.

“Just like the one you have, Young Master.”

“Hahahaha.”

Young Master Ho laughed heartily.

“Indeed, that is so. I also have my sword.”

“That sword.”

Unhyun said quietly.

“I hope that neither anger, greed, nor fear grips it.”

Young Master Ho smiled faintly.

“Do not worry. The one who grips my sword will always be myself.”

Unhyun bowed deeply.

“Thank you for accepting my presumptuous words.”

“It’s alright.”

Young Master Ho chuckled.

“I am well aware that scholars are stiff-necked and like to meddle in other people’s affairs. Hahahaha.”

Swish.

Young Master Ho turned to Eunuch Park.

“Eunuch Park, I was curious about who you wanted to meet so badly, and it was this kind of person.”

“I am sorry.”

Eunuch Park bowed deeply and replied.

Young Master Ho nodded.

“He has a somewhat idealistic tendency, but that’s not necessarily bad.”

Young Master Ho turned to Unhyun and said,

“However, it is quite different from what I expected.”

It had to be different.

He expected to meet a martial arts master and see something amazing, but instead, he met a scholar and felt like he had listened to a lecture.

“I will test your strength at an appropriate opportunity…….”

Young Master Ho turned to Unhyun and Eunuch Park and said,

“It’s been a while since you two met, so please talk more. I will get up first.”

Click.

Young Master Ho got up from his seat.

Unhyun and Eunuch Park also stood up at the same time.

However, what Unhyun said was not a farewell greeting.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Hmm?”

Without answering Young Master Ho’s questioning look, Unhyun asked Eunuch Park.

“Eunuch Park, are you currently residing in a private residence?”

Eunuch Park smiled faintly.

“Please use more respectful language, Scholar Unhyun.”

“No, but how can I to you…….”

“If you do not, I will not answer.”

Eunuch Park made a sulky face and even turned his head.

Unhyun was dumbfounded.

However, Park Hwan-gwan’s stubbornness was extraordinary, and it was an urgent matter, so he couldn’t help it.

“……Ahem, are you staying at a private residence now?”

“No, I am not.”

Eunuch Park smiled brightly as if he had never been sulky.

“Whether in the past or now, the only place I stay is the Imperial Palace.”

Most eunuchs who had seized power left the Imperial Palace and lived in large mansions.

It was common to bring in several concubines and adopt children.

It was to show off their power and compensate for their inferiority complex.

However, Eunuch Park only stayed in the Imperial Palace.

Considering the power he had, it was a very unusual case.

“Then, have you ever left the Imperial Palace…….”

“This is my first outing in several years. Hehe.”

Eunuch Park smiled happily.

However, Unhyun’s expression hardened.

“Young Master.”

Unhyun looked at Young Master Ho and said,

“I apologize for the intrusion, but it would be best if you stay with me for a while.”

“Why is that?”

Young Master Ho asked with a puzzled expression.

Unhyun replied.

“Because my side is the safest.”

Young Master Ho was momentarily stunned.

But soon he chuckled.

“Hahaha. No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh……. Hahahahaha.”

Young Master Ho stopped laughing and smiled faintly.

“You don’t need to worry about my safety.”

“Scholar Unhyun, this residence…….”

Eunuch Park was about to say something, but Unhyun cut him off.

“Even if seventy people guard this place instead of seven, I cannot rest assured, Eunuch Park.”

Eunuch Park’s expression changed in an instant.

This was because Unhyun had accurately stated the number of Dongchang [Eastern Depot, a Ming Dynasty secret police agency] masters secretly guarding this place.

Young Master Ho also realized that the situation was unusual.

Unhyun continued with a serious expression.

“You may have already received my letter, but they are likely to target you. They would not dare to do anything to you inside the Imperial Palace, but they would think it is worth targeting you now.”

Unhyun’s words made sense.

Currently, Eunuch Park had drastically reduced his escort to move secretly.

“Hehe.”

However, Eunuch Park smiled faintly.

“That level of danger is not even amusing to me. I have already experienced threats from much more cunning and vicious groups. But…….”

Eunuch Park said to Young Master Ho.

“It would be wise to avoid danger.”

He was already prepared, but Young Master Ho might get caught up in it.

That should never happen.

“Hmm.”

Young Master Ho soon made a decision.

“Then I will do as Scholar Unhyun says.”

Thud.

Young Master Ho sat down.

“Thank you.”

Unhyun bowed politely.

The three sat back at the table.

“Then, you two should talk.”

Young Master Ho said, raising his teacup.

It meant that he didn’t want to be bothered.

Unhyun thanked him and turned to Eunuch Park.

“……Have you been well?”

That short greeting contained many emotions.

Unhyun knew what life was like in the Imperial Palace.

It was a place where one could lose their life with a moment’s mistake and suffer from being vaguely caught up in something.

How much more would it be for a eunuch who was not even treated like a human being?

So Unhyun knew very well that Park Hwan-gwan could not have been doing well.

“Of course, I have been well.”

Park Hwan-gwan said with a smile.

“I have surprisingly many friends.”

Unhyun could see that his eyes were getting moist.

Numerous emotions that could not be expressed in words were conveyed to Unhyun’s heart through that short sentence.

“Scholar Unhyun, have you been well?”

“Yes.”

Unhyun nodded.

“I have been well too.”

He couldn’t help but feel his voice tremble slightly.

Because Unhyun’s eyes were also getting hot.

Unable to continue speaking for a moment, Unhyun simply fiddled with the ambiguous teacup.

“……A while ago.”

The first one to speak was Eunuch Park.

“I have overthrown a faction that had been rooted in the court for a long time. They had enjoyed honor for generations and had also caused numerous incidents in the imperial family and the court.”

Eunuch Park said in a rather sonorous voice.

“There was nothing that could not be done with their words, and nothing could be done without their permission. They even tried to influence the succession to the throne.”

Unhyun listened with serious eyes.

“But they made a fatal mistake by trusting in their power. They conspired with rebels to paralyze the administration, inspection, and military affairs of Hangzhou. There were even clashes of thousands of troops in Hangzhou, which is an undeniable act of treason.”

Unhyun agreed with that statement.

What country could condone the movement of thousands of armed troops?

Moreover, if it was systematically concealed, the word treason would not be enough.

“Since their sins have reached the heavens, how can they survive? Their families were wiped out overnight, and those who enjoyed the glory with them were also captured and imprisoned without exception.”

Eunuch Park said with fierce eyes.

“Just like they falsely accused and killed countless innocent people in the past.”

‘Ah.’

Unhyun could understand.

Park Hwan-gwan had finally taken revenge.

It was the very faction that had caused the death of Geumgun Gyodu Il Chung-hyun [Captain Il Chung-hyun of the Golden Military Guard] and forced Unhyun to leave the Imperial Palace.

“……Well done, Eunuch Park.”

His heart swelled.

“It should be so, it should be…….”

There was no feeling of exhilaration.

However, something was slowly melting in a corner of Unhyun’s heart.

“Now there is no longer their power in the court and the imperial family.”

Eunuch Park said calmly.

“But the League of Heroes still remains.”

“It’s not the League of Heroes.”

Unhyun said calmly.

“The one who plotted the affairs of Hangzhou was Munwang, and the one behind him is a man called Ildaesang.”

Eunuch Park’s eyes changed, as well as Young Master Ho’s.

“……Indeed.”

Eunuch Park said with a smile.

“It was the right choice to have Scholar Unhyun with us.”

Eunuch Park continued with a firm expression.

“The court does not fear those so-called martial artists. However, we do not want to make the mistake of stirring up the grass and missing the viper, nor do we want a situation that could turn into a wildfire. This is especially true when considering the new era that will open.”

The analogy was accurate.

Park Hwan-gwan did not want to suppress the martial arts sects indiscriminately, miss the core, and leave behind future troubles.

It was also unacceptable for the public sentiment to become turbulent and society to become unstable due to these events.

This was especially true when considering the rule of the new emperor who would ascend to the throne and rule the world.

“But it was not easy to find the right person. This is because the person would be given great authority, and there was no one in the government who could influence the martial arts world.”

There were often cases where Sogajeja [disciples from small families] threw themselves into the military.

However, it was difficult for them to exert great influence in the martial arts world.

Moreover, considering the authority that would be given, they could not easily appoint someone.

Depending on the situation, the fate of a sect could be determined by his words.

“The same goes for martial artists. In fact, there were many sects who were willing to volunteer, but we could not trust them. Because their way of thinking is different from ours.”

There were many sects and families who would gladly reach out if Park Hwan-gwan wanted.

But could they be trusted?

Could they really trust those who prioritize their pride over the authority and dignity of the imperial family and calculate their gains and losses before managing the world?

Absolutely not.

“But if it is Scholar Unhyun, it is a different story.”

Eunuch Park smiled faintly.

Park Hwan-gwan knew well what kind of person Scholar Unhyun was.

He knew what kind of person he was and what kind of mindset he had.

He knew that he was a Munsan [a scholar recluse] from the root and that he was sometimes a stubborn person who pursued the right path.

If such a person could defeat one of the five strongest people in the world, what could be better than this?

“Scholar Unhyun. I…….”

“Wait a moment.”

Unhyun interrupted Eunuch Park.

Click.

Holding the teacup, Unhyun got up from his seat and turned his head.

There was only a large window with closed shutters.

“Scholar Unhyun?”

Park Hwan-gwan asked with a puzzled voice, and Young Master Ho also looked at Unhyun, but Unhyun did not look back at them.

“……Indeed.”

Unhyun said quietly.

“Still, it’s a relief. Because it’s not the worst case.”

“What is that…….”

Step, step.

Without answering Park Hwan-gwan’s words, Unhyun walked to the window.

And he opened the shutters wide with both hands.

Clunk.

The afternoon sunlight poured in through the window.