Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 336

336. Island

Ilyoung stood frozen before the door, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach.

‘What am I even supposed to say?’

She couldn’t imagine what she could possibly say to the warriors guarding her. Asking for the person in charge seemed pointless; she’d already met him yesterday, and the thought of facing him again filled her with reluctance.

‘Hmm.’

Just as Ilyoung’s brow furrowed in frustration…

Creak.

“Eek.”

The door swung inward, startling her. But the man who opened it didn’t seem surprised at all.

“What’s wrong?” Munwang asked, his brow furrowed.

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

Thud.

Munwang stepped out, crossing the threshold into her room. Ilyoung instinctively retreated a step, allowing Munwang to scan the space.

“Is there anything you need?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over the room.

“No… Well, yes, there is,” Ilyoung corrected herself, catching her initial denial.

“It’s stifling being cooped up in here. I’d like to be allowed to walk in the garden, at the very least. And one meal a day isn’t enough. Also, I want my ring back.”

Munwang chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“You’re quite bold.”

Ilyoung’s expression tightened, but Munwang continued before she could retort.

“You can use the garden, but if you try to go beyond it, I can’t guarantee your safety. I’ll increase your meals to two a day. As for the ring, as I said before, it’s gone.”

Munwang’s gaze lingered on Ilyoung, taking in her appearance.

“You’ll need a change of clothes, too. And shoes.”

Ilyoung’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but Munwang remained unfazed.

“I’ll return tomorrow. Don’t cause trouble for my men, and wait quietly.”

“Ah, yes… No, wait!” Ilyoung protested, her voice rising.

“I’m not the one causing trouble. You’re the ones who started this…”

“Then argue with me. As you said, I’m the person in charge.”

Ilyoung inwardly clicked her tongue. It was surprisingly easier to deal with someone so brazen.

“Then let us go, even now. Me and the head merchant.”

“That won’t happen.”

Munwang’s refusal was immediate and final. He turned to leave.

“Hey, wait!” Ilyoung reached out, but two swords barred her way.

‘Ugh.’

In the meantime, Munwang strode through the garden and disappeared from sight.

Ilyoung sighed, frustration bubbling inside her.

‘What was that all about? So sudden.’

It was still an incomprehensible situation, but she felt a little lighter than before. Turning to the warriors, she said, “Didn’t you hear? He said I’m allowed in the garden. The person in charge said so.”

The warriors’ steely gazes wavered for the first time. Ilyoung allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. She was still a captive, but somehow, she felt like she’d won a small victory.

***

Munwang returned to his residence.

“Hmph.”

A chuckle escaped his lips as he replayed Ilyoung’s reaction in his mind. Just then…

Swish.

A subordinate appeared before him.

Munwang frowned, and the subordinate spoke quickly, “In Tae-sang has arrived.”

“What?”

Before the words had even finished, a gust of wind swept down from above.

Flutter, thud.

The figure who landed gracefully was none other than Manong, In Tae-sang.

The short, stout In Tae-sang stroked his white beard and smiled. “Young master.”

Munwang’s frown deepened. “Why did you come? I didn’t summon you.”

His tone was sharp, bordering on rude, but In Tae-sang’s smile didn’t waver.

“How could this old man miss out on what the young master is doing? I had to come and offer my assistance. Hehehe.”

“Hmph!” Munwang turned away.

“You couldn’t even break the Azure Dragon Sword Master’s dantian [energy center], nor could you restore the life of a eunuch. What help could you possibly be? Besides, the Merchant [leader of the Iltae Merchant group] already told you not to interfere, didn’t he?”

In Tae-sang’s smile faltered, becoming somewhat awkward. He had no excuse for his past failures.

“The Merchant only said to leave the young master alone, not that we shouldn’t help.”

“Ha! Leave me alone?”

Munwang gritted his teeth, his frustration with the Iltae Merchant’s indifference reaching a boiling point.

“Does that mean he’s abandoning me altogether?”

He was determined to prove them wrong, to show them that even stripped of his authority, he was still capable of capturing the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

“Th-that’s not it, young master. The Merchant…”

“Enough,” Munwang snapped, cutting off In Tae-sang’s words.

“Grandpa, just watch over the area around Poyang Lake. Keep an eye out for any movements by government troops.”

“Government troops?”

Munwang scowled. “There might be! I’ll inform you when this is over, so just do as I say. Or leave.”

“Ah, I understand, young master,” In Tae-sang said, bowing his head quickly.

He turned to leave, but Munwang’s voice stopped him.

“Grandpa.”

After the Hangzhou Bloodshed, he had lost everything. The only person who had remained by his side, despite being practically abandoned by the Iltae Merchant, was In Tae-sang.

“…Thank you.”

The simple words were enough to touch In Tae-sang deeply.

“Just trust this old man, young master. I won’t let any government troops get near Poyang Lake.”

Poyang Lake was vast and sprawling, making it seem impossible for one person to watch over it all. But In Tae-sang’s words were not an empty boast.

Swish.

In Tae-sang vanished as quickly as he had appeared. Munwang stared at the empty space for a moment before turning back to his seat.

***

The carriage provided by the Hoam Merchant was far more luxurious than Unhyun had anticipated. Pulled by two horses, the interior was so comfortable that one could easily sleep in it. It was a welcome feature, considering they might have to camp out.

However, Unhyun insisted on sitting on the driver’s seat the entire time. He couldn’t bear the thought of Lee Seoyeon driving alone.

Clop, clop.

“I’m sorry, Brother. Because of me…”

“It’s alright, Sister Seoyeon. Don’t worry so much. Everything will be alright,” Unhyun reassured her.

“Hehe.”

Lee Seoyeon offered a faint smile. “Somehow, I feel relieved when you say that, Brother. And please, speak casually. It’s just the two of us.”

Unhyun hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Then I will. Oh, right, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Could you teach me how to drive the carriage? I can’t leave all the work to you…”

“Yes, I understand,” Lee Seoyeon said with a smile. “You’ll learn quickly. You’re an amazing person, Brother.”

Unhyun smiled shyly, but the expression quickly faded.

“It’s dangerous!”

Swish. Thwack.

As Unhyun instinctively shielded Lee Seoyeon, an arrow struck the roof of the carriage. The arrow, which didn’t seem to be aimed at them directly, had a small note attached to it.

Lee Seoyeon stopped the carriage, and Unhyun unfolded the note.

“Hmm.”

“What does it say?”

Unhyun answered Lee Seoyeon’s question. “It says to turn right at the next fork.”

“Haa.”

Lee Seoyeon sighed softly. “At this rate, I can’t even guess our destination. Were we even heading towards Poyang Lake in the first place?”

Unhyun remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“I should send a message to the Merchant at the next inn.”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

Unhyun nodded slightly, his grip tightening on the note in his hand.

Crinkle.

The note crumpled in Unhyun’s fist.

***

The carriage carrying Unhyun and Lee Seoyeon continued to change direction, guided by the kidnappers’ ever-shifting demands. Sometimes they were led in completely the wrong direction, and other times they were forced to backtrack.

However, the carriage was generally heading towards Poyang Lake.

Clop, clop.

Lee Seoyeon was asleep beside Unhyun. She hadn’t had a proper rest even before Unhyun’s arrival, and driving the carriage had only added to her exhaustion. As soon as Unhyun had a basic understanding of how to handle the reins, he’d insisted on taking over.

Instead of sleeping inside the carriage, Lee Seoyeon had chosen to stay close to Unhyun. Perhaps the attack had left her afraid of being alone.

Clop, clop.

Even now, Lee Seoyeon was clinging to Unhyun’s arm, fast asleep. At first, she had only leaned on his shoulder, but after nearly falling off once, he had no choice but to offer his arm.

Unhyun carefully guided the carriage, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

Clop, clop.

‘Hmm?’

A flash of red caught Unhyun’s eye. Something fluttering from a tree.

He slowly steered the carriage closer.

Flutter, flutter.

It was a long, draped red cloth. The word ‘Right [右]’ was clearly written on it in large letters.

After a moment’s hesitation, Unhyun urged the horses forward.

Clop.

At the next fork in the road, he turned right. The vast expanse of Poyang Lake slowly came into view.

As evening approached, the carriage, which had changed direction countless times, finally arrived at Poyang Lake. They reached a small, nameless fishing village.

A small, rather luxurious pleasure boat, seemingly out of place in the remote village, awaited them in the twilight.

“Will this be alright?” Lee Seoyeon asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“It’ll be alright,” Unhyun replied quietly.

The two boarded the boat. The boatman, as if expecting them, immediately raised the sail.

Swish.

The shallow-bottomed boat quickly glided out into the middle of the lake.

“Sister Seoyeon,” Unhyun said softly.

“Yes?”

“Do you know where we are?”

Lee Seoyeon shook her head. “Poyang Lake is enormous. There are countless fishing villages like this scattered around its shores. Besides, it’s too dark to tell where we are.”

Rustle.

Lee Seoyeon wrapped her arm around Unhyun’s. He could feel her hand trembling, so he remained silent.

“Will Father be safe?”

“He’ll be safe.”

Unhyun turned to look at Lee Seoyeon. “Sister Seoyeon, no matter what happens, don’t leave my side.”

Lee Seoyeon nodded.

Unhyun continued, “And if something happens to me…”

“Brother!”

But Unhyun pressed on. “Don’t worry about me. Try to escape. Alright?”

“No, Brother. I…”

“As long as nothing happens to Sister Seoyeon,” Unhyun said firmly.

“I’ll be alright.”

Lee Seoyeon bit her lip, then slowly nodded, hugging Unhyun’s arm tightly.

Swish.

How long had they been sailing? Darkness had completely enveloped them, making the lake seem like a vast, open sea. But then, a large island loomed in the distance.

“…Is that the place?”

At Lee Seoyeon’s question, Unhyun nodded. “Probably.”

Even in the darkness, the island appeared quite large. One side was a sheer cliff face, but the rest was covered in trees. It was large enough to house a village of considerable size.

The boat approached a dock that jutted far out into the water, brightly lit by torches. The mansion perched near the top of the island, previously hidden from view, was now visible. The sight of the mansion illuminated in the darkness was rather eerie.

Thud.

Unhyun and Lee Seoyeon stepped onto the dock, the wooden planks worn with age.

Thud, thud.

They had only taken a few steps when…

Swish.

“The boat is leaving!” Lee Seoyeon exclaimed.

Unhyun turned to see the boat disappearing into the darkness. In an instant, it was gone, leaving them alone on the silent dock.

“…Let’s go,” Unhyun said, and Lee Seoyeon nodded.

They slowly walked along the dock towards the island.

“How will we get back?”

“Saving the two people is our priority,” Unhyun replied quietly. “It won’t be difficult to leave the island when it gets bright…”

Thud.

Unhyun’s words were cut short. A large red parasol stood where their gazes converged.

No, the word ‘parasol’ didn’t quite capture it, especially on such a dark night.

“Hoo.”

A low chuckle echoed from beneath the parasol. The handsome young master, flanked by his subordinates, covered his mouth with a fan and said, “Welcome. Is this our first time meeting in person?”

Unhyun knew instantly who the handsome young master with the bitter smile was. It was none other than the Blood Prince, Munwang.