Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 316

316. The Northern Sea One

An inn on the outskirts of Chengdu, Sichuan.

“Hoo-ooo.”

Early in the morning, Unhyun quietly regulated his breathing.

Calming his breath after finishing his dawn training had become a habit.

Swish.

The Northern Sea Sword, Myeong, quietly disappeared into its scabbard.

Unhyun savored the lingering sensations of his training for a moment before turning his head and speaking softly.

“It’s done.”

Thud.

As if in response, Jo Gwan appeared.

While Unhyun straightened his clothes, Jo Gwan approached him.

“Do you always train like this?”

“No.”

Unhyun gently stroked Myeong as he replied.

“Today, I was just feeling a bit reminiscent. More importantly, has there been any progress in the investigation?”

Jo Gwan shook his head.

“There was nothing to indicate a connection between the Taepyeong Alliance and the Hero Alliance. The local officials in Sichuan are close to the Tang Clan, but there were no signs of involvement from the Hero Alliance or Mun Wang.”

“I see.”

That was the result he had already anticipated.

The Taepyeong Alliance, or rather, Tang Seol-yeon, wouldn’t handle things sloppily.

“But the Taepyeong Alliance’s financial scale is quite significant.”

“Financial scale?”

“Yes. They have close relationships with the Three Great Merchant Guilds and local guilds.”

“Is that a change that came about with this competition?”

“No. It’s been like that from before.”

Jo Gwan continued in a serious tone.

“Rather, building relationships with local guilds is a recent development. The Three Great Merchant Guilds showed a friendly attitude as soon as the Taepyeong Alliance was established. It’s as if…”

“They knew in advance?”

“That’s right.”

Jo Gwan nodded.

“Tonight’s final banquet will also be attended by representatives from the Three Great Merchant Guilds. All of them hold key positions in their respective guilds.”

“Guilds…”

Unhyun was lost in thought for a moment.

He didn’t know much about guilds.

All he learned in Gwangju was how to keep accounts; he knew nothing about operations or organization.

“Is it possible to inspect the guilds?”

“It’s possible, but there are no inspectors who know much about guilds. However, we can obtain data.”

Guilds were not a major target of inspection.

However, obtaining even secret data was not difficult.

Guilds could not resist the government’s investigation.

“Then please do that. Oh, and…”

Unhyun said to Jo Gwan.

“There’s something I’d like to get your opinion on, so come with me. I happen to have some good tea.”

“Understood.”

Jo Gwan bowed his head.

And quietly followed Unhyun.

***

The final banquet of the Taepyeong Alliance Martial Arts Tournament was extravagant beyond words.

The large pavilion, open on all sides, was brightly lit like daytime, and the dignitaries dressed in silk greeted each other with smiles.

The venue was filled with people, including key figures from the Seven Great Families, influential families from Sanggye and Sichuan, and representatives from various sects [martial arts schools].

The banquet hall was filled with fragrant wines and exotic dishes, enough to delight the assembled dignitaries.

The happiest person was none other than Dam Soha.

“Wow, this is delicious! It’s unique.”

“Is it?”

Jin Ye-rim picked up a piece of Dam Soha’s food and ate it.

Soon, she flinched and frantically searched for something.

Eventually, Jin Ye-rim pulled a small cloth from her sleeve, spat out what was in her mouth, and gulped down tea in one go.

“Ptoo! Why does this taste like this?”

“It’s unique. I think it’s delicious.”

“Unique? This tastes like…”

Jin Ye-rim couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence when Jo Gwan said to Unhyun.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

Unhyun smiled faintly.

“I can’t eat without a silver needle [used to detect poison].”

“Pardon?”

“Just kidding.”

Suddenly lowering his voice, Unhyun said.

“There will probably be something special happening at today’s banquet.”

“Something special?”

“Yes.”

Unhyun nodded.

“The fact that Military Advisor Tang Seol-yeon presented this banquet to me as a deadline must have a purpose.”

Tang Seol-yeon had notified Unhyun of today’s banquet in a letter.

Unhyun didn’t think she would have designated this banquet without any intention.

Tang Seol-yeon intended to show Unhyun something at today’s banquet.

“Ah, and.”

Unhyun asked Jo Gwan.

“What happened with the things I mentioned this morning?”

“I did as you asked.”

“The result?”

“It seems to be the Emei Sect.”

“I see.”

Unhyun nodded, and Jin Ye-rim’s expression slightly hardened.

Again, Unhyun asked.

“Are there any among us who can use telepathy?”

“No, but…”

Jo Gwan said with a puzzled expression.

“Doesn’t the Lord do it?”

“I can’t.”

Unhyun gave an awkward smile.

“Actually, there’s not much I can do.”

People assume that a master can do anything.

Well, they surpass human abilities, so it’s understandable.

However, even masters have limitations.

“Is it a woman?”

Jin Ye-rim, who was next to him, suddenly asked.

When Unhyun turned to look at her, she spoke again.

“Is the target you want to secretly convey a message to a woman?”

“Oh, yes, but…”

As if she knew it, Jin Ye-rim smirked.

It seemed like she was misunderstanding something, but before Unhyun could say anything, Jin Ye-rim lightly continued.

“Then write a note and give it to me. I’ll deliver it.”

“How?”

“In a banquet hall like this, there’s always a space just for women. Women have more things to worry about than you think.”

From the side, Dam Soha muttered, ‘My sister doesn’t.’

Jin Ye-rim glared at Dam Soha once before continuing.

“Secretly delivering a note is easy. Whether it’s a love whisper or a curse towards a rival.”

“But is there a reason why you have to deliver it here?”

Dam Soha asked Unhyun.

“There are eyes watching outside.”

He already knew that the inn was being watched.

If Tang Seol-yeon found out that he had contacted someone, the other person might be in trouble.

With Jin Ye-rim’s method, there would be no such worries.

How much time had passed?

It was a time of leisure, with soft music flowing.

Rustle, rustle.

The Taepyeong Alliance’s Chief Military Advisor for External Affairs, Tang Seol-yeon, entered the banquet hall.

Everyone’s eyes turned to her at once.

Her splendid red silk dress and confident gaze were enough to captivate people’s attention.

Step.

Tang Seol-yeon, standing in the center at the front of the banquet hall, lightly bowed her head.

The attendees also bowed their heads in response to her greeting.

Rustle, rustle.

The sight of dignitaries from all walks of life gathered from across the land bowing to her was truly a spectacle.

“Wow.”

Dam Soha exclaimed softly.

“It’s like the queen of Sichuan has appeared.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

But he couldn’t say that Dam Soha’s words were wrong.

Tang Seol-yeon, who had overseen this competition from beginning to end, was already the de facto power of the Taepyeong Alliance.

“Thank you to all the dignitaries who have attended.”

Tang Seol-yeon said in a clear voice.

“With all of you here, I know that an era of peace will soon come to the martial arts world. It is truly a joyous occasion.”

Tang Seol-yeon, with a gentle smile, continued.

“And today, we have special guests with us.”

Unhyun and Jo Gwan’s group’s eyes lit up.

The special event that Unhyun had mentioned earlier was about to unfold.

Rustle.

Tang Seol-yeon turned her body to the side.

In that instant, Unhyun clearly saw her gaze pass over him.

What bloomed on her red lips was the smile of a victor.

“They have come from a very distant place.”

Tang Seol-yeon extended her hand, and everyone’s eyes turned to that side.

Step.

People unconsciously swallowed their breaths.

A young woman as beautiful as a pure white snowflake was entering the banquet hall.

Step, step.

The white silk embroidered with silver thread rippled with her movements.

The woman’s beauty, sparkling under the light, was as if it did not belong to this world.

People forgot even to breathe.

Her beauty, which even gave off a noble feeling, plunged the banquet hall into silence.

Unhyun was no exception.

However, his expression was terribly distorted.

‘…Young Palace Lord.’

She was none other than the Young Palace Lord of the Northern Sea.

She had appeared here, at the Taepyeong Alliance headquarters.

Step.

The Young Palace Lord stopped next to Tang Seol-yeon.

The sight of Tang Seol-yeon in red and the Young Palace Lord in snow-white silk was very contrasting yet beautiful like a painting.

‘Truly a great beauty.’

Inspector Jo Gwan admired inwardly.

Even in the imperial family, such a woman was rare.

It wasn’t just that she was beautiful.

The fact that Jo Gwan thought of the imperial family itself naturally spoke of her dignity.

“…Wow.”

Dam Soha exclaimed.

But Jin Ye-rim couldn’t scold him.

She, too, was captivated by the Young Palace Lord’s appearance.

Step, step.

The people, who had been momentarily lost in thought, realized that someone was entering the banquet hall.

A cute-looking girl holding a pipa [a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument] in her hand was entering with a serious expression.

She, too, was a beautiful woman dressed in white silk, but it couldn’t be helped that she paled in comparison to the woman before her.

Thud.

A cold-looking bodyguard and a maid-like woman also entered the banquet hall.

Finally, a fat middle-aged man entered with a smile on his face.

“Everyone.”

Tang Seol-yeon said in a clear voice.

“I would like to introduce the Northern Sea One from Shanxi Province.”

Rustle.

The Young Palace Lord slowly bowed her head.

“She is the Lord of the Northern Sea One.”

Her voice echoed clearly in the banquet hall.

Someone hastily asked.

“What is your name?”

The Young Palace Lord smiled gently.

“It is sufficient to call me the Lord of the Northern Sea One.”

It was a clear refusal.

As murmurs spread among the people, Tang Seol-yeon stepped forward.

“Names have a precious meaning to these people.”

Tang Seol-yeon said with a gentle smile.

“The Northern Sea One has been building its foundation in Shanxi Province for decades, but at the same time, it is also a place that has long preserved the customs of the Northern Sea.”

It is common for sects or clan villages to preserve old customs.

Even if it is the customs of the Northern Sea, it would be difficult to call them foreigners if they have been in Shanxi Province for decades.

People were convinced by Tang Seol-yeon’s explanation.

The favorability given by the Young Palace Lord’s beauty could not be ignored either.

‘Hmm.’

But Unhyun was different.

The Northern Sea One had been in Shanxi Province for decades, not the Young Palace Lord.

In other words, Tang Seol-yeon was intentionally glossing over the explanation.

And the meaning of the Young Palace Lord appearing at this place was clear.

In a clear voice, Tang Seol-yeon said.

“From now on, the Northern Sea One will share its intentions with the Taepyeong Alliance and maintain a close relationship. Please warmly welcome the Northern Sea One, which will open a new era in the martial arts world together.”

Tang Seol-yeon said in a soft voice.

The fact that she introduced them herself meant that the Taepyeong Alliance valued the Northern Sea One very highly.

People could quickly realize that the Northern Sea One might soon be added to the Taepyeong Alliance.

“Hahaha! This is truly a joyous occasion.”

“The power of the Taepyeong Alliance will become even stronger.”

People immediately offered congratulations to Tang Seol-yeon and the Lord of the Northern Sea One.

Tang Seol-yeon leisurely strolled through the banquet hall with the Northern Sea One party, greeting people.

She did not forget to introduce the Northern Sea One to the representatives of the Seven Great Families, as well as the large merchant guilds, influential families, and sects from various regions.

“…Lord.”

Jo Gwan cautiously spoke.

“Who is that woman?”