Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 306

306. The Full Authority Delegate

The clerk of the Taepyung Alliance, whose mind had grown dull from simple, repetitive tasks, took a moment to process the new arrival.

But once he understood what was happening, he jumped up, startled.

“Ah! You can’t wait here!”

“Pardon?”

“Please, just a moment! One moment, please!”

The clerk rushed away, leaving Yunhyun standing there.

In his hand, the invitation card with golden patterns fluttered.

A moment later, the clerk returned, panting, with a middle-aged man in tow.

“W-welcome. Esteemed guest.”

The middle-aged man, dressed in splendid silk robes, bowed deeply.

Wiping his brow, he forced a smile.

“I was waiting at the entrance, but it seems we missed each other. I apologize for the inconvenience, esteemed guest.”

In truth, it wasn’t entirely the middle-aged man’s fault.

Who would have expected the full authority delegate sent by the court to be standing in the general admission line without any fanfare or escorts?

Moreover, his attire, while neat, was that of an ordinary clerk, and his sole escort wasn’t even a woman.

“It’s fine. Is there something wrong with the invitation?”

Yunhyun asked.

“A problem? Not at all.”

The middle-aged man waved his hands dismissively.

“You’ve come at the perfect time. A seat has been prepared especially for you, so please, follow me.”

The middle-aged man said with a bright smile.

Yunhyun nodded and began to walk.

Jin Yelim, in her practical martial attire, quietly followed behind them.

Then, a thought struck her.

‘At first glance, it looks like servants trailing after their master.’

This was because the middle-aged man’s robes were far more splendid and luxurious than Yunhyun’s simple clothes.

However, the middle-aged man kept smiling and attentively watching Yunhyun’s every move.

‘Hmph.’

Jin Yelim smirked and quickened her pace.

Finally, they entered the Taepyung Alliance’s Martial Arts Dragon and Phoenix Assembly hall.

The Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, Dang Seol-yeon, was exchanging greetings with distinguished guests.

In particular, Lee Seo-yeon, the young Director-General of the Hoam Merchant Guild, which had risen to become one of the three great merchant guilds in the world, was an important figure.

“You have truly amazing insight. I’m very impressed.”

Lee Seo-yeon smiled at Dang Seol-yeon’s compliment.

As Director-General, Lee Seo-yeon’s business acumen was indeed remarkable.

It was said that thanks to her alone, the Hoam Merchant Guild’s profits had doubled.

“I was just lucky. I’m not seeing the truly important issues properly.”

“Important issues?”

When Dang Seol-yeon inquired, Lee Seo-yeon paused slightly before smiling knowingly.

“Men.”

At those words, Dang Seol-yeon gave a wry smile.

“Ah, I feel the same.”

“Pfft.”

The two women burst into laughter almost simultaneously.

It was then that Dang Seol-yeon received a telepathic message.

—Chief Strategist, he has arrived.

A slender telepathic message reached Dang Seol-yeon’s ears.

Dang Seol-yeon smiled and bowed to Lee Seo-yeon.

“Then, please enjoy the assembly, Director-General.”

“Yes, thank you, Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs.”

Step, step.

Dang Seol-yeon quickly excused herself.

Swish.

As her subordinate appeared, Dang Seol-yeon asked.

“Where is he now?”

Her voice was slightly tense.

“He is being guided this way.”

“Everything was done as instructed, right?”

“Yes, but….”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“He was standing in the guest line for quite some time.”

Thud.

“What?”

Dang Seol-yeon stopped and glared at her subordinate.

The subordinate immediately lowered his head and continued.

“His attire was that of an ordinary clerk, so he was unrecognizable. He didn’t have the 관 [Guan: official seal/insignia] on his carriage, and he only had one escort.”

Given those circumstances, it was understandable that he hadn’t been recognized.

However, Dang Seol-yeon’s expression didn’t ease.

Because the discourtesy that had occurred as a result could not be undone.

‘Why… Is he trying to play some kind of game?’

The full authority delegate’s actions were incomprehensible.

He wasn’t hiding his identity or traveling incognito, so why would a dignified official, especially Park Gonggong’s full authority delegate, stand in line and wear the clothes of a clerk?

Just as Dang Seol-yeon was trying to decipher the other party’s intentions, she heard.

“He’s coming.”

Rustle.

Dang Seol-yeon immediately raised her head.

A bright smile bloomed across her face as if by magic.

Smiling like a flower, Dang Seol-yeon approached the esteemed guest with light steps.

Step, step.

Although the distance was still considerable, Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes were sharply scrutinizing the approaching figure.

‘Indeed.’

As she had already been told, the man was wearing simple clerk’s clothes.

Although he was neat and tidy, compared to the splendid attire of the others, he stood out in a different way.

He only had one escort.

A woman wearing simple martial attire, who couldn’t even be called particularly beautiful.

In comparison, the bright and beautiful young lady from the Dang Clan’s collateral line, who had been specially selected to be a guide, looked far more outstanding.

The two were smiling and talking to each other.

‘Good.’

With a smile full of joy, Dang Seol-yeon approached the esteemed guest like a butterfly.

However, Dang Seol-yeon’s light steps didn’t last long.

Thud.

It wasn’t just her steps that stopped.

The flower-like smile that had filled her face also vanished.

Her beautiful eyes were wide with astonishment.

Strolling and smiling, the esteemed guest and the Dang Clan’s young lady also noticed Dang Seol-yeon.

“Ah.”

The young lady said to Yunhyun with a smile.

“This person is the Taepyung Alliance’s Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs….”

“Y-you….”

The young lady’s words were cut off by Dang Seol-yeon’s voice.

Ignoring the puzzled gazes, Dang Seol-yeon said in a trembling voice.

“How are you here….”

Dang Seol-yeon’s face was a mask of shock and confusion.

“It’s been a while.”

Park Gonggong’s full authority delegate, Yunhyun, said with a gentle smile.

“It’s good to see you again, Miss Dang.”

Yunhyun bowed politely.

However, Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t even return the greeting, let alone speak.

Why was Yunhyun here?

Where was the court’s esteemed guest, and why was Yunhyun standing in his place?

The very Yunhyun who was rumored to have had his energy center destroyed and become a cripple, or even to have died?

Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t grasp the situation.

The Dang Clan’s young lady, who was guiding them, noticed the unusual atmosphere.

“Lord Yun, please come this way. Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, I will escort the esteemed guest to his seat as you ordered.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

Dang Seol-yeon said with a bewildered expression.

In fact, she didn’t even know what she was saying.

“Please come this way, Lord Yun.”

The guide skillfully led Yunhyun away.

Yunhyun nodded and followed her.

Step, step.

The Dang Clan’s young lady, Yunhyun, and Jin Yelim walked past Dang Seol-yeon.

Jin Yelim glanced at Dang Seol-yeon, but Dang Seol-yeon didn’t even seem to notice.

She was just staring at Yunhyun’s back with a confused expression, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

Jin Yelim frowned slightly.

She had no idea what had transpired between Dang Seol-yeon, the Taepyung Alliance’s Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, and Yunhyun.

‘Could it be another love affair?’

Jin Yelim’s eyebrows furrowed, but Yunhyun didn’t notice.

He was simply listening attentively to the Dang Clan’s young lady’s explanation.

***

Inside Dang Seol-yeon’s temporary office in the assembly hall.

The Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs, Dang Seol-yeon, entered the office with heavy steps.

Bang.

Dang Seol-yeon slammed the door shut and gritted her teeth.

“What are you up to!”

Crash.

The table groaned as if it would break, and her shrill voice echoed loudly in the empty office.

Still not relieved, Dang Seol-yeon waved her hand roughly.

Smash.

The luxurious teacups on the table flew helplessly into the air.

Sharp fragments scattered throughout the office, but Dang Seol-yeon didn’t care.

“Why did you show up here!”

Dang Seol-yeon placed her hands on the table.

Her red lips twisted beneath her white teeth.

Her hair, which she had carefully styled for today, and her splendidly dressed attire were disheveled.

“Ha!”

Dang Seol-yeon took a short breath and swept her hair back with one hand.

She couldn’t accomplish anything by getting worked up.

But how could she not be?

“…Yunhyun.”

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

Sword Master of Azure Dragon, Yunhyun, was her enemy.

Yunhyun was the one who had snatched away the Murim Alliance [Murim: martial arts world], which they had believed would be theirs once Shin Seung died. Because of Yunhyun, she and the Dang Clan had lost the support of Dokseon.

It was because of Yunhyun that the Moryong Clan had preserved its power, and because of Yunhyun, things called Azure Dragon Branch were stirring.

Even after he disappeared, he was still causing trouble, wasn’t he?

But why did he have to appear at this assembly, where Dang Seol-yeon had poured her heart and soul into it?

As the most important full authority delegate of Park Gonggong.

If he wasn’t her enemy, then who was?

“How many times do you have to ruin my plans to be satisfied!”

Bang, crack.

The table groaned, and cracks spread across its surface.

Dang Seol-yeon vented her anger, even doing things she would never normally do.

Grind.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

‘The problem isn’t just that.’

Yunhyun knew.

Before the Murim Alliance collapsed, Moonwang had contacted Dokseon and Yeom Jungbu.

Although there was no concrete evidence, it was only natural to suspect the Dang Clan’s involvement in the Murim Alliance’s downfall.

Even though people were already whispering that the founding of the Taepyung Alliance was a betrayal of the Murim Alliance, what would happen if Yunhyun revealed that fact?

The Dang Clan would be branded as traitors in an instant and lose all legitimacy.

‘No, they’ve already lost their legitimacy.’

Yunhyun was Shin Seung’s disciple.

The moment people saw him, they would think of Shin Seung and the Murim Alliance.

The Murim Alliance, which had been the only orthodox force in Gangho [Gangho: the martial arts world].

The ghost of the past that the Taepyung Alliance had been trying to bury would be revived in an instant.

‘Should I kill him here?’

Perhaps it was the simplest and most certain solution.

If only she could.

‘…No, that’s impossible.’

Even if Yunhyun had lost all his inner strength, she couldn’t do that.

If the court’s full authority delegate was assassinated, not just the Taepyung Alliance, but the entire Murim might be destroyed.

“Haaa.”

Dang Seol-yeon’s shoulders trembled as she took a deep breath.

She was the Taepyung Alliance’s Chief Military Strategist for External Affairs.

Even on the battlefield, she shouldn’t lose her composure and calmness, so she shouldn’t get worked up over something like this.

But just thinking about Yunhyun’s smiling face made her blood rush to her head.

Clench.

A rough sound escaped from between Dang Seol-yeon’s red lips.

“…A way.”

Dang Seol-yeon muttered with a cold gaze.

“I have to find a way.”

It was an opportunity she had prepared with all her heart, literally pouring everything into it.

She couldn’t let Yunhyun ruin it all by himself.

She had to come up with a plan and find a way.

But how?

‘You….’

As if Yunhyun was right in front of her, a fierce aura rose in Dang Seol-yeon’s eyes.

Her beautiful hands, clenched tightly, were trembling with barely concealed anger.