Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 317

317. The Beginning of Conflict

Jo Gwan waited for Unhyun’s reply.

He had already learned that the woman was the leader of the Bukhae Ilmun [North Sea First Clan] from Shanxi Province.

However, Jo Gwan was certain that Unhyun had another reason for his reaction.

It was because Unhyun’s usually relaxed face was stiff.

Just like when he went to find Dokgorang’s body in the Hangzhou Heroic Alliance.

“…She is.”

It was the moment Unhyun was about to open his mouth.

Sabeok. [Sound of footsteps]

Dang Seol-yeon and the Bukhae Ilmun’s party stopped in front of Unhyun.

Unhyun turned his head.

And his eyes met with the young palace lord.

Swaaaaa. [Sound of wind]

A wind blew in his heart.

Under the night sky of Bukhae, which seemed to be filled with stars, her figure playing the pipa [a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument] quietly floated like a dream.

Her soft voice and those beautiful eyes that looked at him, too.

“Young Palace…”

Sarak. [Sound of fabric rustling]

The young palace lord lowered her head and sat down.

As softly and gracefully as a butterfly landing, the young palace lord knelt on one knee.

“To the Martial God of Bukhae.”

The young palace lord said with her head bowed.

The pure white silk clothes were scattered on the floor, and her black hair flowed down like a waterfall.

“The leader of Bukhae Ilmun pays her respects.”

Unhyun’s chest felt tight.

The young palace lord called Unhyun by an unfamiliar title.

Her own title was also very different from the name in Unhyun’s memory.

That unfamiliar feeling was blocking Unhyun’s mouth.

“What is it?”

“What’s going on?”

A murmur arose among the people.

The leader of Bukhae Ilmun was clearly giving a deep bow to Unhyun.

It was unknown whether it was a courtesy to the plenipotentiary of the imperial court or to the Sword Lord of Changryong [Azure Dragon Sword Lord].

Sarak. [Sound of fabric rustling]

Meanwhile, the young palace lord stood up.

And looked straight at Unhyun.

Her beautiful eyes did not waver in the slightest.

“…In the end.”

Unhyun gritted his teeth.

And said quietly.

“It has come to this?”

“From the beginning.”

The leader of Bukhae Ilmun said with a faint smile.

“I told you it would be like this.”

She had already said it.

That unless she did not change her mind and Unhyun did not put down his sword, the two people’s paths could not become one.

Those words had become a reality today, here.

Sarak. [Sound of fabric rustling]

The young palace lord turned her body.

And walked to her seat.

As if nothing had happened.

“Uh, um…”

The cute charm of the Twelfth Palace Lord tried to say something, but soon turned her head and followed the young palace lord.

The bodyguard Binghon, and Bingseol, who still looked like a maid, quietly turned their bodies following the young palace lord.

The fat middle-aged man also sweated and hurriedly followed.

“Hmph.”

The quiet laugh was Dang Seol-yeon’s.

“That’s a relief.”

Dang Seol-yeon said, looking up at Unhyun with a firm gaze.

“Because she is wiser than you.”

Sabeok. [Sound of footsteps]

Dang Seol-yeon also turned her body and walked away.

A triumphant smile never left her lips.

And until then, Unhyun was not saying anything.

“Lord.”

Jo Gwan said quietly.

Unhyun, who had been silent, suddenly let out a long sigh.

“Hoo.”

Looking at Jo Gwan, Unhyun quietly opened his mouth.

“Let’s go back. It seems like we’ve met everyone we needed to meet.”

Unhyun said calmly.

It was rather surprising to Jo Gwan.

Jeobeok. [Sound of footsteps]

Unhyun moved his feet without waiting for Jo Gwan’s answer.

Damsokhwa and Hang Jang-ik also rose from their seats.

Jin Ye-rim glared at Dang Seol-yeon once.

But Dang Seol-yeon was not even paying attention to this side.

Jeobeok, jeobeok. [Sound of footsteps]

Unhyun’s party headed out of the banquet hall.

Dang Seol-yeon glanced at the sight, and Hwangbo Seon-hye bit her lip and watched quietly.

Moyong Mi smiled and talked with other VIPs as if she had no interest at all.

However, in her hand, she held a small note that Jin Ye-rim had given her.

***

Seongdu, Sichuan Province, a detached building of a splendid brothel.

That place, where fragrant wine and laughter should have blossomed, was filled with anger.

And that anger soon took shape.

In the worst form.

Swish. [Sound of a sword]

A cold sword light flashed and red blood spurted out.

“Ugh, aaaack.”

The young man, Gongsun Yeon, screamed and grabbed his right arm.

But the arm had already been cut off.

Tteonggeureong. [Sound of something heavy falling]

The arm holding the sword fell to the floor, spurting blood.

“You, you bitch! You bitch!”

Gongsun Yeon screamed.

But he could not even continue his words because he was in a state of panic.

“Humph!”

Ji-sim, one of the Twelve Seonsa [Celestial Masters] of the Emei Sect, said with a sword in her hand.

“Even with your arm cut off, that dirty mouth is still the same. Where did the courage to draw a sword against me go?”

Her eyes were blazing with anger.

She had cultivated Buddhism all her life, but she had never been so angry as now.

Not only did they greet the monks of the Emei Sect in a brothel, but they also set the table with alcohol and meat.

The young Gongsun Yeon, who was in charge, greeted the Emei Sect with courtesans on his left and right, and kept throwing obscene jokes at the young Ji-sim.

It was doubtful if he was in his right mind at all.

Unless the Taepyung Alliance [Great Peace Alliance] had decided to insult the Emei Sect, how could this be possible?

It was natural for Ji-sim to be angry.

However, Gongsun Yeon was arrogant.

When Ji-sim got angry, Gongsun Yeon overturned the table and drew his sword without hesitation.

The meaning of drawing a sword first in the Gangho [Martial World] martial arts world was clear.

It meant that even if the opponent died, there was nothing to say.

So, it would be right to say that Ji-sim cutting off his arm was rather merciful.

“You, I will definitely…”

Gongsun Yeon shouted in an angry voice.

But the words could not be continued.

Pak. [Sound of a strike]

The middle-aged man standing behind Gongsun Yeon used his hand.

Gongsun Yeon, who had been hit in the blood point, lost his mind as it was.

Tteolseok. [Sound of a body falling]

As Gongsun Yeon fell, the middle-aged man said to the bodyguards.

“Take him away.”

The bodyguards immediately stopped Gongsun Yeon’s wound and recovered the severed arm.

And disappeared out of the brothel, holding Gongsun Yeon.

The middle-aged man watched the scene and turned his head to Ji-sim.

“Indeed, it is a skill worthy of the Twelve Seonsa.”

Although the smell of blood was still full, the middle-aged man was smiling.

Ji-sim’s eyebrows twitched.

“You are…”

“Be careful, Sajae [Senior Sister].”

Hye-ryeong, who was behind her, stepped forward.

“He is not an ordinary person.”

Her hand was already on the sword handle.

“I have no intention of harming the two of you.”

The middle-aged man lightly let out a sneer.

“But you have cut off the arm of a person who came out representing the Taepyung Alliance, even in a place where we sat face to face for negotiations… Tsk.”

The middle-aged man shook his head and clicked his tongue.

“No matter how much it is the Emei Sect, isn’t it an excessive outrage?”

“Humph.”

Ji-sim snorted.

“Sit face to face for negotiations? Are you saying that even after insulting our Emei from beginning to end? Besides, this!”

Swish. [Sound of a sword]

Ji-sim’s sword drew a line across a liquor bottle.

The porcelain liquor bottle was cut off so easily that the fragrant liquor flowed out.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know that you were playing tricks here?”

“What does it matter what’s in the liquor? You don’t even drink liquor.”

Hwik. [Sound of a hand waving]

The middle-aged man waved his hand.

Peok. [Sound of something breaking]

The liquor bottle was smashed as it was, and the liquor flowed everywhere.

“The important thing is that the Twelve Seonsa of the Emei Sect cut off the arm of a senior member of the Taepyung Alliance.”

The middle-aged man said, looking straight at Ji-sim.

“I clearly tell you, you will have to pay the price for it.”

“I also say it.”

Ji-sim looked at the middle-aged man.

“The crime of insulting Emei cannot be excused with just one arm. If the Taepyung Alliance does not apologize for this, Emei will never stand still.”

Hye-ryeong’s eyes, who was standing next to her, were also the same as Ji-sim’s.

How could the Twelve Seonsa stand still when Emei was insulted?

“Hehehe. Good.”

The middle-aged man laughed.

What flowed from his mouth was a bitter sneer.

“Then let’s go all the way to the end.”

The middle-aged man and Ji-sim’s eyes collided in the air.

No one backed down.

No, neither of them could back down.

***

The story that the Emei Sect cut off Gongsun Yeon’s arm spread in an instant.

Seongdu, which had been bustling with the beauty of Bukhae Ilmun and its leader, was instantly heated up with the Emei Sect issue.

Some said that the Taepyung Alliance should have been more careful, and some said that the Emei Sect was reckless.

However, no one took the side of the Emei Sect.

This was because the Taepyung Alliance was the one whose arm was cut off, and Seongdu was already the Taepyung Alliance’s territory.

A few days later, the Emei Sect formally demanded an apology from the Taepyung Alliance.

Of course, the Taepyung Alliance flatly refused.

The dispute between the Emei Sect and the Taepyung Alliance began to escalate out of control, and all other issues were pushed back.

The identity of the suddenly appeared Bukhae Ilmun, Dang Seol-yeon’s decision to introduce them without consultation, and the Sword Lord of Changryong were also fading from people’s attention.

Taepyung Alliance headquarters, Dang Seol-yeon’s office.

“Military Advisor.”

At the voice of her subordinate, Dang Seol-yeon raised her head.

“The results of the emergency family head meeting are out.”

“The results?”

Her voice was calm.

Even if she didn’t listen, the results were already decided.

“Sanctions against the Emei Sect were resolved with six in favor and one against.”

“Against?”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Yes. The family head of the Moyong family expressed his opposition.”

“The reason?”

“The reason is that this is only a matter between the Emei Sect and the Gongsun family. However, since the sanctions have been passed, they will have no choice but to participate.”

“Hmm.”

Dang Seol-yeon tapped the table lightly with her finger.

‘Something’s fishy?’

The Moyong family has no connection or grudge with the Emei Sect.

The distance is thousands of miles away.

There is no reason to oppose while enduring the resentment of the Gongsun family and the decline in reputation within the alliance.

“Has there been anything unusual in the recent movements of the Moyong family?”

“No.”

“Any traces of contact with him?”

‘He’ is none other than the Sword Lord of Changryong, Unhyun.

The only person that Dang Seol-yeon, who is always accurate, vaguely calls ‘he’ is Unhyun.

“Not found.”

If the Dang family can’t find it, it’s the same as not having it.

But she couldn’t let her guard down.

“The contact he sent? Haven’t you figured out where and what he sent yet?”

On the morning of the last banquet, Unhyun contacted someone through An Chalsa [Regional Inspector].

It was probably assumed to be a report to the Dochalwon [Censorate, an imperial surveillance agency], but it could not be certain.

The local officials were also very wary of Unhyun’s existence, so they could not expect the usual cooperation.

“It’s not easy. Perhaps, it seems impossible anymore.”

Once out of Sichuan Province, the influence of the Dang family is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, if it is about the Dochalwon of the central government, there is nothing that can be done.

‘What is he trying to do?’

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip slightly.

‘What the hell are you trying to do? Unhyun.’

She never underestimated Unhyun.

Saying that he was an absolute master and a hero of the time was her honest sincerity.

However, whether she had feelings of reverence was a separate matter.

“Any traces of him contacting the Emei Sect?”

“No.”

The answer came without hesitation.

This was because the movements of the Emei Sect had been thoroughly monitored since three months ago, or even before that.

Dang Seol-yeon was lost in thought.

Numerous possibilities appeared and disappeared in her head.

After a while, Dang Seol-yeon made up her mind.

“Implement as planned.”

Dang Seol-yeon said to her subordinate.

“Strengthen surveillance on him and continue to look for internal information from the government.”

“I understand.”

The subordinate bowed his head and immediately left the office.

Tak. [Sound of a door closing]

The door closed, and Dang Seol-yeon, left alone, wore a faint smile.

“Now, it’s starting.”

From now on, it was really starting.

A new era for her, the Dang family, and the Taepyung Alliance.