Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 299

299. Special Royal Secret Inspector

Park Gonggong looked at Unhyun and said,

“Scholar Unhyun, you only need to raise your hand and point. Tell us who the ringleader of the rebellion is and who their accomplices are.”

Park Gonggong continued without hesitation.

“Then the Dongchang [Eastern Depot, imperial secret police] and the Geumuiwi [Royal Guard] will immediately butcher them, and the million-strong imperial army will trample them, leaving not a single blade of grass behind.”

His voice was chilling.

However, Unhyun understood more than enough.

Because Park Gonggong’s words were now expressing the imperial family’s feelings without an ounce of exaggeration.

“……I understand.”

Unhyun nodded.

“I will gladly accept this task.”

“Thank you.”

Swish.

Park Gonggong bowed so deeply that his head almost touched the ground.

Young Master Ho watched the scene with a satisfied expression.

“Now, let’s all stand up.”

Young Master Ho stood up.

Unhyun and Park Gonggong also rose from their seats.

“Shouldn’t we check the surroundings for safety before moving…….”

“It’s alright.”

Young Master Ho interrupted Park Gonggong.

Smiling at Unhyun, Young Master Ho said,

“It is said that Scholar Unhyun’s side is the safest place, so shouldn’t we move together?”

“Oh, indeed.”

Park Gonggong also said with a smile.

“Ahem.”

Unhyun feigned a cough and avoided eye contact.

He didn’t realize it earlier, but hearing it through someone else’s mouth made him extremely embarrassed.

This is why everyone tries to hide their past deeds.

“Then, let’s go. Heh heh.”

Park Gonggong took the lead with light steps.

Young Master Ho followed behind him, and Unhyun quietly guarded the very end.

***

Following the old man’s guidance, the three left the mansion.

After crossing several unfamiliar mansions through secret passages between high walls, doors that looked like walls, and changing guides, they finally reached a secluded forest.

There, hundreds of fully armed soldiers were already standing guard with an iron-clad defense.

“It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Young Master Ho smiled at Unhyun.

“Let’s meet in a slightly bigger house next time.”

“Thank you.”

Unhyun politely bowed.

Young Master Ho nodded and turned around.

“Ah, and.”

Young Master Ho, who had taken a few steps, turned back to look at Unhyun and said,

“Welcome to the Forbidden City.”

It was a seemingly incomprehensible remark.

However, Unhyun fully understood Young Master Ho’s words.

Swish.

Instead of answering, Unhyun politely bowed his head.

Young Master Ho smiled and turned away.

As he got into the carriage, hundreds of government troops began to move.

Thud, thud.

With thick dust, Young Master Ho left the forest.

Still, over a hundred government troops remained.

“It’s not always this chaotic.”

Park Gonggong said as if making excuses.

Unhyun nodded.

“I know.”

This iron-clad security posture was probably due to Unhyun’s warning through the letter.

Swish.

At Park Gonggong’s gesture, a high-ranking military officer brought something like a box covered with red silk.

Rustle.

The silk was removed, and a luxurious wooden box, not too large, was revealed.

Park Gonggong opened the wooden box.

Click.

Inside the wooden box were a red silk scroll, an intricately carved identity plaque, and a book.

“This is His Majesty the Emperor’s decree to bestow upon Scholar Unhyun the position of Special Royal Secret Inspector. It is a very special position that does not require reporting or supervision from higher authorities and can exercise extra-legal powers anytime, anywhere.”

Park Gonggong, who was smiling faintly as he looked down at the scroll, suddenly said,

“Ah, of course, there are also vouchers for immediate use and a book recording things that you might find useful. I put my heart and soul into writing it, word by word.”

“You did?”

Unhyun looked at Park Gonggong with a questioning expression.

Because he had never seen him write, whether it was a sentence or a letter.

“Yes. I did it myself. Hoho.”

Park Gonggong covered his mouth with his sleeve as if he was embarrassed and laughed.

Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since he’s seen that smile.

Thud.

Park Gonggong closed the wooden box.

Park Gonggong, who received the wooden box from the military officer, politely handed it to Unhyun.

Rustle.

“Congratulations.”

Unhyun looked down at the box for a moment.

However, he soon nodded and accepted the wooden box.

“Thank you.”

The wooden box was not heavy at all.

However, the meaning contained within was not.

“And this is.”

Park Gonggong received another item from the military officer.

It was a sword.

“This is bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The scabbard, decorated with red silk tassels and ornate gold patterns, showed that this sword was quite extraordinary.

“It is called Yongrin (龍鱗) [Dragon Scale], and he thought it suited Scholar Unhyun’s name.”

Yongrin means dragon scale.

It must have been considering that Unhyun is the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

Rustle.

Unhyun accepted the sword from Park Gonggong.

“Well, if you don’t like it, you can just sell it. Surely His Highness wouldn’t ask for something he gave back, would he? Hehehe.”

Park Gonggong said, seemingly delighted.

Selling a sword personally bestowed by the Crown Prince—who would do such a thing unless they didn’t value their life?

But Unhyun smiled wryly because it seemed like Park Gonggong would really do it.

Park Gonggong gestured to the military officer.

The military officer immediately saluted and returned to his position.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Park Gonggong said in a calm voice.

“Do you understand what I meant when I said that the fate of the world depends on this matter?”

“If this goes wrong, even by a small chance.”

Unhyun replied quietly.

“Doesn’t it mean that the next heir to the throne could change?”

Park Gonggong smiled.

“That’s right. As expected of Scholar Unhyun.”

Park Gonggong, who was nodding with a satisfied expression, continued,

“The Dongchang is a place that should never be moved carelessly. If the Dongchang comes to the forefront and fails to achieve proper results, the responsibility cannot be replaced by the lives of just one or two people.”

It meant that the authority given to Unhyun should never be used carelessly.

Or perhaps it was like a double-edged sword.

A sharp sword that could endanger Unhyun himself, Park Gonggong, and even the Crown Prince if he was careless.

“Originally, this was started to root out the remaining rebels and the sects that sympathized with them. But if they dare to harm the officials of the imperial palace and even plot a rebellion, this is something that can never be overlooked.”

Unhyun sighed quietly.

“I am rather surprised that such a decision was made based solely on my words.”

Even if it’s about Ildaesangin [Great Clan Merchants] or rebellion, it’s still just Unhyun’s words.

Unhyun rather didn’t understand the decision of Park Gonggong or the Crown Prince, who unconditionally believed his words.

What is the reason they send such infinite trust to Unhyun?

“The Imperial Palace is a den of demons.”

Park Gonggong’s words were too obvious.

The place where demons are lying in wait, the place where you never know when their cruel nature will pop out, is the Imperial Palace.

“But if you doubt everyone, nothing will change. Coldly look at the facts, but believe in the people you decide to believe in until the end. That is how His Highness and I survived in the Forbidden City. That’s how you can get real people [gain genuine allies].”

Unhyun couldn’t hide his surprise.

Words are easy, but doing it is extremely difficult.

Perhaps the word ‘heavenly luck’ should be used for Park Gonggong, not Unhyun.

“Amazing.”

Unhyun sincerely admired.

“Believing to the end must not be easy.”

“Of course, it depends a lot on who it is. Both His Highness and I are quite picky about people. Hehehe.”

Park Gonggong, who was laughing, suddenly said,

“……Did you know?”

“I knew.”

Unhyun nodded.

“He was very different from what I thought.”

Unhyun knew from the beginning who Young Master Ho was.

The term Hogun (濠君) means a member of the Ho family, but it also means a person from the Ho (濠) region.

And the region where the current imperial family started is Hoju (濠州) [Haozhou].

“Perhaps His Highness thinks so too.”

That seemingly vague question and answer was probably to get to know Unhyun.

And they decided: to believe in Unhyun.

The welcome greeting at the end must have meant that.

“But he seemed to like you quite a bit? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him smile and be surprised like that.”

In fact, the Crown Prince seemed to have already made up his mind before meeting Unhyun.

Perhaps Park Gonggong had a significant influence on that decision.

“I was surprised too. I couldn’t imagine that His Highness would suddenly come out.”

“Didn’t you hear me say that I asked you to treat him with the etiquette of the imperial family?”

Park Gonggong said with a joyful smile.

“How can I talk about the etiquette of the imperial family while privately inviting a guest? His Highness wanted it, so I did it. Hehehe.”

Unhyun let out a hollow laugh.

He heard such words through the Inspector Jo Gwan.

But he only knew that it meant to treat him with respect; who knew that it was really a place where the etiquette of the imperial family was applied?

“By the way, Scholar Unhyun, you’ve become so accustomed to distrust, you must have lived in a pretty rough place. Tsk, tsk.”

Park Gonggong said as if he was sorry.

Unhyun let out a hollow laugh.

If it’s a rough place, where is there a place worse than the Imperial Palace?

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Park Gonggong said with a light smile.

“Do you know a place called the Taepyeong Alliance [Great Peace Alliance]?”

“I’ve only heard stories.”

“The place that is most actively reaching out to the court is the Taepyeong Alliance. Unlike the old Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance], the Taepyeong Alliance wants to improve relations with the court. If it wasn’t for Scholar Unhyun, there would be no other alternative.”

In the world of the Heroic Alliance and the Taepyeong Alliance, the only choice besides the Heroic Alliance is the Taepyeong Alliance.

This was the case not only for the court but also for merchants and other small and medium-sized sects.

There was no alternative to the Taepyeong Alliance in the current Gangho Murim [Jianghu Martial World].

“They say they are holding a big gathering called the Murim Yongbong Assembly [Martial Dragon Phoenix Assembly] this time.”

“Yongbong Assembly?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Yongbong Assembly is a meaningful word for Unhyun too.

Unhyun smiled bitterly without realizing it.

“They sent me a very polite invitation. The gifts they sent with it were also quite substantial. Originally, I would have sent even a low-ranking official to convey congratulations.”

Rustle.

Park Gonggong took out a letter.

It was a very fancy and luxurious letter at first glance.

“But I don’t know if it’s okay to trust them, so I’m having a hard time making a decision.”

Park Gonggong frowned, shaking the letter.

There is no other alternative to the Taepyeong Alliance.

However, from the court’s point of view, there was not much difference between the Taepyeong Alliance and the Heroic Alliance.

Although the Taepyeong Alliance is actively expressing its intention to cooperate, it could not be easily trusted.

“So, I was wondering if it would be a good first mission for the Special Royal Secret Inspector—what do you think?”

“I understand.”

Unhyun smiled and reached out his hand.

“Let’s check it out.”

Park Gonggong also smiled and handed the letter to Unhyun.

Rustle.

Unhyun stared intently at the fancy letter.

Unhyun had heard many stories about the Taepyeong Alliance.

There are more than one or two suspicious things related to the collapsed Murim Alliance.

Therefore, the Taepyeong Alliance was one of the places that Unhyun had to check.

“Ah, and you’ll need people to help you. The inspectors who accompanied you here are said to be quite capable.”

“That would be good.”

That suggestion was already expected.

Inspector Jo Gwan was trustworthy, and he knew about Unhyun and Yeom Jung-bu’s affairs, so it was much easier.

“I’m sorry for giving you a hard time. Murim is said to be a rough place, so please take care of yourself.”

Park Gonggong smiled and sparkled his eyes.

“Next time, I’ll make sure you come in through the Omun (午門) [Meridian Gate].”

The Omun is the main gate of the Forbidden City.

The large and splendid Omun, also called Obongnu (五鳳樓) [Five Phoenix Tower], was like a symbol of the emperor’s authority and the dignity of the Forbidden City.

“I’ve already been through it, so is there a need to do that again?”

Unhyun said with a calm expression.

In the past, the top graduate of the civil service examination entered the Forbidden City through the Omun and was directly appointed to a government post by the emperor.

Therefore, Unhyun had entered the Forbidden City through the Omun.

“You are more precious to me than the Omun, so please take care of yourself.”

Unhyun said with a smile.

Park Gonggong couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

“……U, Unhyun wasn’t this kind of person. To say such cheesy things so shamelessly……. Where did that pure scholar go…….”

Park Gonggong muttered with a truly shocked expression.

However, Unhyun smiled bitterly.

Because he knew what Park Gonggong would say soon.

“Of course, I’m just kidding. Hohohot.”

Park Gonggong laughed, covering his mouth with his sleeve.

It was the brightest and most heartwarming smile Unhyun had ever seen.