Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 312

312. Hero

The meeting between the heads of the Seven Great Families and Unhyun concluded with polite, lighthearted conversation.

Unhyun bid farewell to the heads of the Tang, Zhuge, and Murong families, exchanging brief greetings with the other representatives.

Tang Seol-ryeon, the chief military strategist in charge of external affairs for the Tang family, personally escorted Unhyun out of the main hall.

*Click.*

The door closed, and Tang Seol-ryeon spoke to Unhyun.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

Tang Seol-ryeon, often called the snowdrop of the Tang family, or Tang Mun Seolhwa [Tang family’s Snow Flower], said with a charming smile.

“Shall we move to a more private location?”

Unhyun, who had already anticipated and planned for a private meeting with her, nodded.

“Yes, let’s.”

Tang Seol-ryeon turned and began to walk ahead with a gentle smile.

Unhyun and Jin Ye-rim quietly followed her.

*Sigh. Sigh.*

Behind them, as they left the main hall, several servants followed in a respectful line.

After a short walk, Unhyun passed through several corridors and arrived in front of a door concealed by an ornate screen.

Tang Seol-ryeon dismissed the servants and opened the door herself.

*Rustle.*

“Please come in.”

As Unhyun stepped into the room and Jin Ye-rim moved to follow, Tang Seol-ryeon said, her tone firm,

“Miss Jin, please wait here.”

“I cannot do that.”

Jin Ye-rim replied, her expression serious.

“I am sworn to protect you, Lord.”

“Hehe.”

Tang Seol-ryeon chuckled, a hint of mockery in her voice.

“You? Protect the Azure Dragon Sword Lord?”

Jin Ye-rim’s expression tightened, and Tang Seol-ryeon continued, a sharp glint in her eyes.

“This is not a place for someone of your… standing.”

The two women’s gazes locked in a sharp, silent battle.

Although Jin Ye-rim’s inner strength was no match for Tang Seol-ryeon’s, her determination was unwavering.

“Miss Jin.”

Unhyun said in a gentle voice, breaking the tension.

As Jin Ye-rim turned sharply, Unhyun offered a reassuring smile.

“Do as you wish, Miss.”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, while a triumphant smile spread across Jin Ye-rim’s face.

She raised her head slightly, looking down at Tang Seol-ryeon, and declared,

“I will wait here.”

Her choice was unexpected, a subtle victory.

Tang Seol-ryeon’s frown remained, a sign of her displeasure.

In the end, while Jin Ye-rim remained outside as Tang Seol-ryeon had intended, Jin Ye-rim had won a small, personal victory.

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-ryeon swept into the room.

Casting one last glare at Jin Ye-rim, who wore a triumphant smile, she closed the door.

*Clack.*

Jin Ye-rim, who had been smiling, sighed softly in front of the closed door.

She, too, understood the underlying meaning of Tang Seol-ryeon’s words.

“Haa.”

Sighing once more, Jin Ye-rim turned and stood guard in front of the door, her posture rigid and alert.

Even though she knew that no sound could penetrate the door’s defenses, she couldn’t help but strain her ears.

Tang Seol-ryeon, having closed the door, lowered the screen that concealed it.

*Rustle.*

The large screen completely covered the door, blending seamlessly with the surrounding decor.

Not only the door but also the walls on all sides were covered with similar screens.

These screens, crafted from a thin membrane of a special material layered several times, provided superior soundproofing compared to most walls.

This created a spacious room with a surprisingly cozy and intimate atmosphere.

“Please, sit down.”

Tang Seol-ryeon gestured for Unhyun to take a seat.

Three or four antique-style lamps softly illuminated the room, and a teapot on the low table emitted a gentle, inviting fragrance.

“It’s a pleasant space.”

Unhyun said as he sat down.

Tang Seol-ryeon chuckled softly.

“Still, how can it compare to the imperial palace?”

“The imperial palace is surprisingly austere. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all that impressive.”

Tang Seol-ryeon carefully lifted the teapot.

“Is that so? But you already possess the greatest treasure of all: absolute power.”

*Pour, pour, pour.*

Tang Seol-ryeon personally filled Unhyun’s teacup.

She made sure to fill it three times, a traditional sign of welcoming a guest.

“This tea is called Mongjeong Hwang-a [Yellow Sprout from Mount Meng]. It’s a rare tea found only on the summit of Mount Meng in Sichuan Province. It has been renowned as a famous tea since ancient times.”

Tang Seol-ryeon filled her own cup with tea and sat demurely opposite Unhyun.

“The aroma is exquisite.”

Tang Seol-ryeon smiled at Unhyun’s compliment.

“Indeed. Mongjeong Hwang-a is characterized by its delicate, long-lasting fragrance.”

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-ryeon retrieved a long, thin box from within her robes.

Applying slight pressure, she opened the box.

*Click.*

Inside, several slender silver needles rested on a bed of red silk.

“When people think of the Tang family, they usually think of poison, hidden weapons, or elaborate schemes. As a result, everyone is perpetually wary, even of something as simple as a cup of tea.”

Tang Seol-ryeon picked up one of the silver needles with her long, elegant fingers.

“How about it? Would you like to test the tea?”

“Do you suspect you’ve been poisoned?”

“No. Why would I do that?”

Tang Seol-ryeon laughed, as if amused by the suggestion.

“Then there’s no need to test it.”

“Oh my, one never knows, does one?”

Tang Seol-ryeon said, widening her eyes in mock surprise.

“I might have boldly added poison, taking advantage of your trust.”

“The possibility of poison on the silver needle itself cannot be ignored either. By the way, can you test for all poisons with silver needles?”

Tang Seol-ryeon smiled at Unhyun’s question, acknowledging his knowledge.

“That’s a perceptive question. In truth, the number of poisons that can be detected with silver is quite limited. Moreover, the distinction between poison and medicine is often blurred.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said, subtly moving the silver needle in her hand.

“The same substance can be medicine in one instance and poison in another. Besides, there are substances that are not technically poisons but are far more dangerous. Like Hundred Days Intoxication, which induces a hundred-day-long stupor, or various aphrodisiacs that incite uncontrollable lust.”

In reality, the Tang family possessed a vast arsenal of both medicines and poisons, far beyond those examples.

From remedies that cured the most debilitating diseases to toxins that induced subtle symptoms or agonizing deaths, their knowledge was unparalleled.

And the person at the pinnacle of that knowledge was Dokseon [Poisonous Immortal].

The fact that he was incapacitated meant that more than half of the Tang family’s power had been neutralized, at least temporarily.

All because of Unhyun.

“What could possibly be in this tea?”

Tang Seol-ryeon asked, her voice laced with a subtle challenge.

Unhyun offered a wry smile.

“Didn’t you say it was Mongjeong Hwang-a?”

Tang Seol-ryeon simply smiled, offering no further clarification.

“Of course, that may not be the case…”

*Rustle.*

Unhyun grasped the teacup.

“If one has to be so wary of a simple cup of tea, then something is undoubtedly amiss.”

*Swish.*

Unhyun raised the teacup.

And brought it directly to his lips.

But Unhyun never got to taste the tea.

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-ryeon’s pale hand covered Unhyun’s teacup, stopping him.

Her fingertips were close enough to brush against Unhyun’s lips.

“What…”

Unhyun was startled as he looked up.

Tang Seol-ryeon’s alluring face was now mere inches from his own.

“I have no patience for cowards, but I also dislike recklessness.”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s eyes were serious, devoid of their earlier playfulness.

She gently pressed down on her hand, lowering Unhyun’s teacup.

*Swish.*

“Why all of a sudden…”

As Unhyun began to voice his confusion, Tang Seol-ryeon dipped the tip of the silver needle into Unhyun’s teacup and withdrew it.

Then, she turned the silver needle upside down, allowing the tea to trickle down its length.

“Hmm.”

Tang Seol-ryeon carefully examined the reaction of the silver needle, scrutinizing its surface.

Then, she brought her face even closer to Unhyun.

“Uh…”

Before Unhyun could utter a word, Tang Seol-ryeon lowered her head and brought her lips to the teacup Unhyun was holding.

*Swish.*

Tang Seol-ryeon’s hair, cascading down as she bowed her head, brushed against Unhyun’s hand like a silken waterfall.

After a moment, Tang Seol-ryeon raised her head.

The tea clinging to her red lips sparkled in the soft lamplight.

Tang Seol-ryeon subtly licked her lips with her tongue.

“It’s safe.”

Tang Seol-ryeon declared after observing the reaction for a while.

Perhaps it was due to Unhyun’s flustered expression, but Tang Seol-ryeon chuckled softly.

“Indeed. If one cannot even drink a cup of tea without suspicion, then something is fundamentally wrong. Unfortunately, there are those who have made such suspicion a daily routine.”

Unhyun’s expression hardened, his earlier surprise replaced by concern.

“Then, could it be that you…”

Could it be that Tang Seol-ryeon was also a victim, caught in the web of the Tang family’s internal power struggles and poison schemes?

“Don’t misunderstand.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said firmly, dispelling any such notion.

“If anyone is being targeted, it’s you, not me. There are far more people who would benefit from my downfall than you might imagine.”

*Ah.*

Only then did Unhyun realize the full implications of the situation.

If Unhyun were to be poisoned here, Tang Seol-ryeon would inevitably be held responsible.

For those who sought Tang Seol-ryeon’s failure, even the plenipotentiary of the court was a target they could readily exploit.

No, *especially* because he was the plenipotentiary.

“Don’t worry.”

Tang Seol-ryeon smiled lightly as Unhyun’s complexion changed, recognizing his understanding.

“This silver needle is not as simple as it appears. Depending on how each section reacts, it can differentiate hundreds of poisons. And since I tasted it myself…”

“That’s not the point.”

Unhyun said, his expression stern.

“Weren’t you putting yourself in danger? Why did you take such a risk?”

Even after testing with the silver needle, Tang Seol-ryeon had personally tasted Unhyun’s tea, exposing herself to potential harm.

Unhyun was genuinely concerned, even bordering on anger.

Tang Seol-ryeon, who had been observing him with a slightly flustered expression, suddenly let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha.”

Tang Seol-ryeon, biting her lip, stared directly at Unhyun.

“Your concern is unnecessary.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said, her gaze unwavering.

“I am a woman of the Tang family. I developed resistance to hundreds of poisons during my youth, and I can identify them all with a single taste.”

Tang Seol-ryeon’s eyes flashed with a hint of anger.

“Do I appear to be a foolish woman who rushes into danger without any preparation?”

Unhyun had no immediate response.

Even though his words had been born of concern, they had inadvertently wounded her pride.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright.”

Tang Seol-ryeon didn’t dwell on the matter.

“And don’t let your guard down so easily. The Tang family also has poisons that can be applied directly to the lips.”

That implied that there were instances where poison could be administered even while feigning a taste.

Unhyun offered a wry smile.

“If you intended to do that, you wouldn’t have warned me.”

“Would I not?”

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-ryeon settled back into her seat.

“The essence of using poison lies not in the specific poison itself, but in how one breaches the other person’s defenses. If you can induce even a momentary lapse in vigilance, the type of poison or the method of delivery becomes irrelevant.”

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-ryeon said, raising the teacup once more.

“Especially against someone like you.”

“Someone like me?”

“Yes.”

Tang Seol-ryeon replied calmly, holding the teacup with an air of nonchalance.

“The absolute master, and the hero of this era.”

She tasted the tea without hesitation.

“Ahem.”

Unhyun cleared his throat, feeling a growing sense of unease.

“Even if it’s merely a ceremonial compliment, it’s still uncomfortable to hear it to that extent.”

“Surely not.”

*Clack.*

Tang Seol-ryeon said, placing the teacup back on the table.

“Have you forgotten? I know who you truly are. I clearly remember how the Divine Monk and the Sword Saint treated you, and what the Iron-Blooded Death King and your grandfather said about you.”

Tang Seol-ryeon held the teacup with both hands, her grip tightening slightly.

As if to conceal her trembling fingertips.

“I even witnessed you overcome my grandfather’s Orchid Twelve Leaves and Thousand Fragrance Butterfly techniques. And yet, you believe it’s just a ceremonial remark?”

Tang Seol-ryeon continued with a faint smile.

“I know very well what you accomplished on the day the Murim Alliance collapsed. No, perhaps no one knows you as intimately as I do.”

She looked directly at Unhyun, her gaze intense.

“So, that’s what I’m trying to convey.”

Unhyun remained silent for a moment, absorbing her words.

Soon, he offered a bitter smile and began to fidget with his teacup.

“…Is that so?”

The true hero is not himself, but Dokgo-rang.

But he couldn’t bring himself to voice that truth.

Unhyun, who was absentmindedly holding the teacup, noticed the faint trace of lipstick on its rim and consciously avoided touching that spot with his lips.