Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 328

328. The Beginning of the Azure Dragon Alliance

Yeong Hojun turned to face the crowd.

“The Azure Dragon Alliance will grow. Much bigger than it is now.”

He spoke with confident eyes.

“Would you join hands with the Hero Alliance? They are, in every sense, textbook villains, and the government is keeping a close eye on them as troublemakers. Joining hands with them is practically suicide.”

Hyecheon smiled wryly at the expression ‘textbook villains’.

“Then, do we go to the Taepyeong Alliance? Of course not. The Taepyeong Alliance is hell-bent on swallowing existing sects. If they had swallowed the Emei Sect this time, they might have become the trend, but even that failed, so people will be even more wary of the Taepyeong Alliance.”

Regardless of the uncomfortable expressions of the Emei Sect monks, Yeong Hojun said,

“Then where else would you go? Of course, you should come to our ‘Alliance Leader’, the disciple of the Divine Monk [a highly respected and enlightened Buddhist figure] and the rightful successor of the Murim Alliance!”

Yunhyun thought that Yeong Hojun seemed to have a talent for making people uncomfortable.

But Yeong Hojun was right.

Jin Yerim pondered and said,

“Then, wouldn’t it be more of an anti-Taepyeong Alliance than an anti-Hero Alliance? It seems that the Taepyeong Alliance is suffering more damage because of the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

“Excellent point.”

Yeong Hojun even gestured exaggeratedly.

“As expected, you are worthy of assisting the Royal Secret Inspector [a government official who investigates corruption]. You said your name is Jin Yerim? Miss Jin, please work with me.”

Jin Yerim frowned, but Yeong Hojun didn’t care.

“Oh, right. When are those thirty elites from Hangzhou coming? You said you’ve already contacted them?”

Jin Yerim had already sent letters to the thirty young martial artists who had been with Dokgo-rang.

This was because Yunhyun had expressed his intention to join them.

“Tell them to bring all the people they know when they come. I’ll get them all jobs. The Alliance needs a lot of people.”

“What about money?”

Dam Soha asked.

“The Alliance Leader is the highest-ranking official, what’s there to worry about?”

“Ah, I’m not quite at the level of a high-ranking official…….”

As if he didn’t even hear Yunhyun’s words, Yeong Hojun answered Dam Soha.

“The good thing about the country’s money is that you can spend it all as you’re given. If you don’t spend it, it’s dereliction of duty. And later, we’ll receive money from the sects as well, so don’t worry about the Alliance’s finances.”

“Ugh.”

Dam Soha was speechless.

With the authority of Eunuch Park [a castrated male servant in the imperial court], dealing with one or two alliances would be easy.

The affiliated sects would also make contributions.

“So, there’s nothing to worry about. The moment the Alliance Leader declared its establishment, the Azure Dragon Alliance has already become one of the three major powers in the Murim world [the martial arts world], and it will continue to grow. As long as our excellent Alliance Leader is here.”

“Three major powers?”

At Jin Yerim’s words, Yeong Hojun said without hesitation.

“Yes. The Hero Alliance, the Taepyeong Alliance, and the Azure Dragon Alliance. In terms of legitimacy and justification, we’re number one. All of this happened the moment the Alliance Leader said he would establish the Alliance.”

The eyes of the people turned to Yunhyun.

If Yeong Hojun was right, wasn’t Yunhyun really a great person?

“Ahem.”

Yunhyun cleared his throat and turned his head.

“Returning to the topic, as Miss Jin Yerim pointed out, the Taepyeong Alliance is the one suffering the most damage. So, Alliance Leader, please don’t leave my side for the time being.”

That was a strange conclusion.

“Why?”

When Dam Soha asked, Yeong Hojun said as if it was nothing.

“I’ve been poisoned by Military Advisor Dang Seol-yeon more than anyone else in the world.”

It wasn’t that he knew about it, but that he had been poisoned by it; it was a strange reason, but one thing was clear.

The Taepyeong Alliance would become hostile to Yunhyun.

Suddenly, Jin Yerim said,

“Sir Yun, or rather, Alliance Leader, is it okay that you are a government official? Murim sects are wary of government officials.”

“Are you talking about the Azure Dragon Sword Lord, who is the disciple of the Divine Monk, the successor of the Sword Saint [a legendary master swordsman], and the only one who can stand against the Hero Alliance?”

Yeong Hojun smirked.

“The court will probably be happy to acknowledge our Alliance Leader. That’s how people’s minds work. Of course, the enemies will be unhappy, but still.”

Jin Yerim nodded.

Even she thought that was highly likely.

“Um, I’m not the successor of the Sword Saint…….”

“Come to think of it, what happened to that Azure Dragon Branch or something? Who were they? They seemed to be disciples of great aristocratic families.”

At Yeong Hojun’s question, Yunhyun smiled wryly.

“I clearly warned them not to use my name.”

Jin Yerim nodded, but Yeong Hojun lamented.

“Oh dear, why did you do that?”

Yeong Hojun said as if he was disappointed.

“You should have said that you understand everything and would gladly accept them, so contact them first.”

“No, wait a minute.”

Jin Yerim said as if she didn’t understand.

“Isn’t it better to draw a firm line with such people? They are…….”

“Are you planning to start purging before even taking power?”

Jin Yerim was speechless at Yeong Hojun’s words.

“Purging is something you do after you’ve seized power. If you pick and choose from the beginning, nothing will be left. Of course, there will be people who dislike it, like Miss Jin. But if it seems like we’re going to win, they’ll overlook it even if they have complaints. So, even if we cut them off later, we should gather them if they seem similar. That’s politics and power struggles.”

Yunhyun and Jin Yerim couldn’t say anything.

Yeong Hojun clicked his tongue.

“What a waste. You only did good things for Miss Dang Seol-yeon. There must have been some Taepyeong Alliance disciples among them…….”

After pondering for a while, Yeong Hojun said to Hyecheon.

“Let’s do this. From today, Hyecheon is the head of the Azure Dragon Branch. Now, Alliance Leader. Affiliation…….”

“Wait a minute.”

Hyecheon said urgently.

“Head? Besides, the Azure Dragon Branch is…….”

Yeong Hojun smiled.

“Is there a law that says there can only be one Azure Dragon Branch? If we make it, that’s the Azure Dragon Branch. We’ll say that we won’t reveal their identities to protect the Alliance members, so don’t worry. Ah, but there has to be some activity, so please raid a suitable Hero Alliance branch with a few martial monks from Emei. Don’t forget to wear masks and shout.”

Yeong Hojun even clenched his fist and raised it as if he was about to shout a slogan.

“Is there a need to do that?”

Jin Yerim asked with a frown.

“Then instead of masks…….”

“It’s not that, is there a reason to bring in the Azure Dragon Branch?”

“There is.”

Yeong Hojun said with a serious look.

“First, it’s to embrace the people who sympathize with the cause they put forward. Second, the justification for the Azure Dragon Alliance will be further strengthened, and third, that’s how we can seize the initiative over the Azure Dragon Branch and expect their internal division.”

Yeong Hojun shrugged as if it was obvious.

“And isn’t it better to have even one more Alliance member?”

Jin Yerim and Hyecheon’s expressions twisted, but there was no objection.

“Well, now that it’s come to this, Hyecheon will be in charge of activities that require external force. I’d like to ask Sir Jo to continue contacting the court as he does now, and Miss Jin and Young Master Dam to help me with my work. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“The rest?”

“The Alliance’s organization, personnel, finances, adjusting opinions among Alliance members, and even the Alliance Leader’s protection. Wow, this is a lot of work, I’m in trouble?”

Jin Yerim was dumbfounded at Yeong Hojun’s jesting appearance.

“You seem happy even though you say that?”

“That’s right.”

Yeong Hojun said with a bright smile.

“I’ve been getting ideas since earlier? I think this is my calling.”

Looking around at the people, Yeong Hojun nodded.

“Well, now that we’ve roughly decided on the roles, let’s all shout together.”

Yeong Hojun clenched his fist and shouted.

“We are! The Azure Dragon Alliance that follows the will of the Azure Dragon Sword Lord!”

But no one followed.

Yeong Hojun smiled as if it was nothing.

Only Dam Soha was secretly lowering the hand he had raised.

***

The events that took place in Mount Emei shook the world.

The fact that the Azure Dragon Sword Lord single-handedly confronted the Taepyeong Alliance and saved the Emei Sect was truly the epitome of a hero.

The story that Emei immediately joined the alliance he founded, followed by Shaolin, Mount Hua, and even the Namgung Clan, surprised people, but they soon nodded when they heard that the Azure Dragon Sword Lord was originally a disciple of the Divine Monk.

As a disciple of the Divine Monk, the founder of the Murim Alliance, it was no exaggeration to say that he was the rightful successor of the Murim Alliance.

People sensed that another change had begun in the Murim world.

Following the Hero Alliance of the Yangtze River and the Taepyeong Alliance of Sichuan, the great orthodox alliance, the Azure Dragon Alliance, was finally born.

Along with the stories that the Azure Dragon Sword Lord was originally known as the successor of the Sword Saint and the owner of the strange letter, the rumors of the Azure Dragon Alliance were spreading throughout the world.

Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Tang Clan.

“It’s troublesome.”

The low voice of the Clan Lord, Azure Flame Lord Dang Chun-byeok, echoed.

In front of him, Dang Seol-yeon was kneeling with her head bowed.

“At a time when we’re so busy……. Tsk.”

Dang Chun-byeok clicked his tongue with a displeased expression.

“But this matter is not entirely the fault of the Chief Military Advisor.”

A heavy voice flowed out.

An imposing old man in a blue, ornate robe stroked his white beard.

“No one expected the Azure Dragon Sword Lord to appear in Mount Emei, did they?”

“Also, he is also the plenipotentiary of the court.”

Another old man in red robes said.

He was so similar to the old man in blue robes that they could be called twins, but his eyes were very sharp.

“Since Dang Byeok-hu turned away, it was inevitable for the Chief Military Advisor. Hehe.”

Dang Byeok-hu is a master of Poisonous Energy Art.

If it’s something that even he can’t do, it’s impossible from the start.

Clan Lord Dang Chun-byeok said to Dang Seol-yeon.

“The Blue and Red Elders say that this was inevitable. Do you think so too?”

“If we couldn’t make the impossible possible, today’s Tang Clan wouldn’t exist.”

Dang Seol-yeon said with her head bowed.

“There is no inevitability in human affairs. It is all my responsibility for not preparing in advance.”

“Hehe.”

Clan Lord, Azure Flame Lord Dang Chun-byeok, chuckled.

“Indeed, an answer that is not ashamed of the name of the Tang Clan.”

He stared intently at Dang Seol-yeon.

“But we don’t have time. You know that, right? Why I entrusted you with the position of Chief Military Advisor.”

“I know.”

The Taepyeong Alliance is a collection of seven divided pieces.

The only thing that binds them together is the extremely strong and obvious reason of realistic profit, and there is no other justification or bond.

Therefore, there is only one way to maintain the Taepyeong Alliance.

That is to continue to expand its power and maintain an overwhelming advantage.

Constantly devour other sects and extend influence in all directions, so that no one can oppose the Taepyeong Alliance or doubt its absolute superiority.

The moment that stops, the Taepyeong Alliance will fall apart at once.

“Therefore, this incident is a very fatal mistake as the Chief Military Advisor.”

“Yes.”

Dang Seol-yeon replied quietly.

The Blue Elder in blue robes said in a heavy voice.

“But from that point of view, the Chief Military Advisor’s performance this time is highly commendable.”

The Blue Elder looked down at Dang Seol-yeon and continued.

“Not only has she achieved many successes externally, but she has also greatly elevated the Tang Clan within the alliance. The benefits that have arisen from that are also very great.”

“Of course.”

The Red Elder in red robes smirked.

“It would have been even better if she had concluded a secret agreement with that damn plenipotentiary and brought the Emei Sect to its knees.”

The Red Elder’s eyes were gleaming with hatred.

Azure Flame Lord Dang Chun-byeok bent down towards Dang Seol-yeon.

Swoosh.

“Once.”

Dang Chun-byeok said as if whispering.

“A mistake is enough. Do you understand?”

Dang Seol-yeon shuddered slightly.

Now, there is no longer any place for her to retreat.

Because there are no lies to Azure Flame Lord Dang Chun-byeok.

“The failure to conclude the secret agreement and the failure of Mount Emei are all because of one person. Isn’t that right?”

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

“Yes.”

“What’s the plan?”

Dang Seol-yeon nodded.

“I have one.”

Dang Chun-byeok smiled.

He straightened his body and said.

“You can use anything, anyone, as you wish. Make them thoroughly realize what it means to become an enemy of the Tang Clan.”

“I understand.”

Dang Seol-yeon replied with a firm expression.

Looking at that appearance, Dang Chun-byeok smiled.

“Yes. My daughter will never repeat the same mistake.”

The Clan Lord of the Tang Clan, Azure Flame Lord Dang Chun-byeok, and the Blue and Red Elders chuckled quietly.

In that laughter, Dang Seol-yeon was biting her lip.