Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 325

325. One-Man Alliance

Jo Gwan, his official robes billowing, was furious.

The sword he wore was the Suchundo [a ceremonial sword], bestowed upon him by the Emperor.

Hang Jang-ik, also in official robes, Dam Soh-ha, and Jin Ye-rim appeared behind him.

People began to whisper in surprise, and Dang Seol-yeon’s face changed.

‘Of all times.’

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

She knew he was a government official, but she hadn’t expected him to be a Royal Inspector [an official directly appointed by the Emperor to investigate and oversee regional affairs].

The Royal Inspector was closely related to the Investigation Commissioner, who oversaw criminal law and inspection, and belonged to the State Censorate [an agency that monitored the efficiency of other government agencies], so he could even mobilize the Regional Commander leading the government troops if necessary.

Jo Gwan’s words were by no means a bluff.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Dang Seol-yeon bowed to Jo Gwan and said.

“We were merely expressing our disagreement with Lord Yun, not threatening an official of the court.”

“You still dare……!”

Yun-hyeon reached out and stopped Jo Gwan.

“I accept Lady Dang Seol-yeon’s explanation.”

‘Ha!’

Dang Seol-yeon was dumbfounded.

It was a typical, childish push and pull.

But she had no choice but to play along with this childish act.

“Thank you.”

Dang Seol-yeon smiled and bowed lightly.

“But I am curious.”

Dang Seol-yeon said, a faint smile on her face.

“This is a dispute between sects. Shouldn’t Lord Yun have no reason to intervene?”

“That’s right.”

Yun-hyeon said with a calm expression.

“Not yet.”

‘Not yet?’

Dang Seol-yeon frowned as Yun-hyeon turned to face the Emei Sect.

The Taepyung Alliance [Great Peace Alliance] was being told to wait for a moment.

Normally, Dang Seol-yeon would have hurled insults and sarcasm, but with Royal Inspector Jo Gwan glaring, she couldn’t act rashly.

Yun-hyeon bowed to Celestial Nun.

“I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Yun-hyeon.”

Celestial Nun replied with a bow.

“I am Celestial.”

Celestial Nun’s eyes were shining as she looked at Yun-hyeon.

Just now, people were surprised and called Yun-hyeon the ‘Azure Dragon Sword Master’.

The court’s Royal Inspector protected him and treated him with respect, and even the arrogant Dang Seol-yeon was careful with her words.

For Celestial Nun, it was an astonishing sight.

But the young man before her, as his attire suggested, seemed to be nothing more than a simple scholar.

Celestial Nun couldn’t help but be intrigued by Yun-hyeon.

“I have something to say to the Emei Sect Leader.”

“Hye-wol is unavailable for the time being.”

Celestial Nun replied to Yun-hyeon.

“But Beop-yeong is taking care of Emei’s affairs, so you can discuss it with Beop-yeong.”

Step.

Before Celestial Nun could finish speaking, Beop-yeong stepped forward.

She bowed to Yun-hyeon and said.

“I am Beop-yeong.”

“I am Yun-hyeon.”

Yun-hyeon said, bowing in return.

“I also have the undeserved reputation of being called the Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

He felt embarrassed to introduce himself that way.

But he couldn’t avoid it.

“I know.”

Beop-yeong replied in a calm voice.

“Aren’t you also a disciple of the Divine Monk?”

Celestial Nun next to her was greatly surprised.

A disciple of the Divine Monk? It was hard to believe.

Beop-yeong bowed again, lowering her head.

“Thank you for taking care of the emergency.”

“I am grateful that you have generously overlooked my rudeness.”

The atmosphere was quite friendly.

So much so that Dang Seol-yeon, watching, felt annoyed.

“May I ask why you have come to Emei?”

The elderly Beop-yeong treated Yun-hyeon with great respect.

As a disciple of the Divine Monk, he was, in terms of seniority, equal to her senior, Celestial Nun.

Yun-hyeon smiled.

“Actually, I have recently formed an alliance.”

“An alliance?”

“You’re forming an alliance?”

The questions came not only from Beop-yeong but also from Celestial Nun, Dang Seol-yeon, the Three Palace Lords, and Mo Yong-mi.

“The name is…… Ah, that’s right. It’s called the Azure Dragon Alliance. Right now, it’s just me alone.”

Dang Seol-yeon’s face instantly contorted.

She immediately realized what Yun-hyeon was about to say.

“Heh heh. Alone, an alliance?”

Dang Seol-yeon said, laughing in a clear voice.

Jo Gwan glared, but this was not the time to worry about that.

“What kind of alliance does one form alone? Lord Yun, you don’t seem to know much about the ways of the martial world…….”

“There’s no law that says you can’t form an alliance alone.”

Yun-hyeon said with a smile.

“Could you please tell me where that’s written?”

Gritting.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

“……No one will recognize it.”

“I don’t care.”

Yun-hyeon said without hesitation.

“However, if anyone tries to take down the Azure Dragon Alliance’s signboard, they will have to face me.”

Swish.

Yun-hyeon turned to face Dang Seol-yeon, his hands behind his back.

With a cold gaze, Yun-hyeon continued.

“If it’s a fair duel, I will accept it at any time, regardless of my official position.”

Whoosh.

At that moment, an intense aura poured out from Yun-hyeon.

A cold, knife-like wind swirled around Yun-hyeon, and white frost spread beneath his feet.

Tszzzzzz.

‘Ugh.’

Despite the distance, Dang Seol-yeon couldn’t help but falter at the force of his aura.

Neigh.

The horses neighed, and the faces of those with low inner strength changed.

The aura that Yun-hyeon emitted was truly overwhelming.

Dang Seol-yeon unconsciously turned to look at the old man, Dang Baek-hu.

However, Dang Baek-hu’s expression was also stiff.

Whoosh.

Yun-hyeon’s aura vanished in an instant.

As if nothing had happened, Yun-hyeon wore a gentle smile.

However, the pure white frost still remaining beneath his feet told them that what had just happened was not an illusion.

“Ahem.”

Yun-hyeon cleared his throat and turned away.

He felt somewhat guilty using the Sunset Sword Technique in front of the Bukhae Ilmun [North Sea One Sect], and Bing-seol’s eyes were shining so brightly at him that he felt burdened.

“I apologize, Master Beop-yeong.”

“No, no.”

At Yun-hyeon’s words, Beop-yeong shook her head in surprise.

“I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but now I see that the rumors don’t do you justice.”

“I am ashamed.”

“Then you are.”

Beop-yeong’s eyes became serious.

“Have you come to invite Emei Sect to join the alliance?”

“That’s right.”

Yun-hyeon nodded.

Beop-yeong suddenly looked around.

The faces of the Taepyung Alliance members were filled with confusion and embarrassment.

Especially Dang Seol-yeon’s face, unlike her usual self who held everything in her hands, was distorted as if she had bitten something bitter.

‘Huh.’

Beop-yeong let out a hollow laugh.

The situation had changed so drastically because of Yun-hyeon alone that she couldn’t help but laugh.

“You called it the Azure Dragon Alliance?”

“That’s right.”

“Then you must be the alliance leader?”

“That’s how it will be.”

“What is the purpose of the Azure Dragon Alliance?”

“First and foremost, it is an anti-Hero Alliance.”

“Anti-Hero Alliance?”

“That’s right. At the center of all the current chaos are the Hero Alliance and their backers.”

Yun-hyeon said with a serious look.

“That’s why it’s an anti-Hero Alliance.”

Perhaps that was a purpose that suited the Azure Dragon Sword Master very well.

—The only one who can stand against the Hero Alliance is the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

Wasn’t that the widespread rumor in the martial world?

Moreover, Yun-hyeon was a disciple of the Divine Monk.

He was like the legitimate successor of the fallen Martial Alliance, so there could be no more legitimate reason.

The Taepyung Alliance members whispered among themselves.

“An anti-Hero Alliance…….”

“Anti-Hero Alliance…….”

The Taepyung Alliance had declared that it would not interfere in the interests of the Yangtze River region.

Yun-hyeon had chosen the exact opposite path.

“Hmm, so ultimately, the purpose of the Azure Dragon Alliance is to bring stability to the martial world.”

“That’s right.”

“I heard that the Divine Monk also had the same intention when he founded the Martial Alliance.”

It was a subtle way of emphasizing that Yun-hyeon was the Divine Monk’s disciple and the legitimate successor of the Martial Alliance.

“I dare not compare myself to him.”

Beop-yeong smiled at Yun-hyeon’s answer.

“What authority does the alliance leader have?”

“I see. The authority of the alliance leader…….”

Yun-hyeon hesitated for a moment.

It was the second time, following when he had answered the name of the alliance.

“The alliance leader has full authority over joining and leaving the alliance. All other matters will be decided by the agreement of the alliance members.”

“Similar to the Martial Alliance.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then what benefits will Emei gain by joining the alliance?”

Yun-hyeon gave a wry smile.

“Aren’t you, a monk cultivating the path of Buddhism, too concerned with gains and losses?”

The old Beop-yeong laughed and replied.

“When you empty your mind, your head becomes clear and your calculations become very fast.”

“Hmm, benefits…….”

This time, he answered relatively easily.

“Since we call it an alliance because we bind ourselves together with blood, we can help each other in times of difficulty.”

“For example, acting as a martial artist on behalf of Emei?”

“If you wish.”

Yun-hyeon smiled.

A bright smile spread across Beop-yeong’s wrinkled face.

Step.

The elderly Beop-yeong turned around.

The ancient Emei mountain gate and the thirty-odd Emei Sect disciples looking at her came into view.

“Disciple Beop-yeong, on behalf of Sect Leader Hye-wol, declares!”

Master Beop-yeong raised her voice.

It was a clear and pure voice, as if chanting a sutra.

“From this moment on, Emei declares its affiliation with the Azure Dragon Alliance!”

Swish.

The thirty-odd Emei Sect monks bowed in unison, lowering their heads.

There was no cheering or applause.

However, the monks’ low Buddhist chants clearly echoed in front of the Emei mountain gate.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

But she was not given a chance to step forward.

Step.

Beop-yeong turned back to Yun-hyeon.

“Emei has decided to join the Azure Dragon Alliance. Will the alliance leader permit it?”

“I gladly permit it.”

“Thank you.”

Beop-yeong bowed respectfully, clasping her hands together.

Yun-hyeon also bowed his head in response to her greeting.

“With this, Emei has become a member of the Azure Dragon Alliance!”

Beop-yeong’s clear voice echoed through the mountain gate.

“All disciples of Emei, pay your respects to the alliance leader!”

At her words, the thirty-odd Emei Sect monks bowed to Yun-hyeon in unison, clasping their hands together and lowering their heads.

Rustle, rustle.

It was a silent ceremony without any boisterous cheers, but its meaning was by no means small.

At this moment, the Emei Sect recognized Yun-hyeon as their alliance leader.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

Crunch.

“What are you going to do?”

The old man, Dang Baek-hu, said quietly.

“What should I do?”

Dang Seol-yeon asked, still glaring at Yun-hyeon.

A moment of silence passed.

“It’s difficult.”

Dang Seol-yeon’s eyebrows twitched at Dang Baek-hu’s words.

“I was going to say it earlier, but even I didn’t see him intervene. That man’s level is definitely above mine.”

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

Yun-hyeon had destroyed the Poisonous Hand Technique.

Then Dang Baek-hu, who was below him, was out of the question.

“What if we deploy the reserves?”

Dang Baek-hu shook his head.

“It’s impossible right now. Heaven’s timing, geographical advantage, and harmony among the people are all unfavorable.”

This was Emei Mountain, which could be called enemy territory.

Moreover, the Taepyung Alliance was a coalition of several clans, so the command system was not clear.

Above all, Royal Inspector Jo Gwan was standing guard next to Yun-hyeon.

It was not the time, the place was not right, and their preparations were not even properly made, so everything was out of sync.