Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 343

343. A Thousand Soldiers and Horses

The Namgung Family’s Chief Manager guided Yunhyun and his party not to the Lord’s office, but to the Grand Assembly Hall.

In the Grand Assembly Hall, the Family Lord, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon, the heads of both the Inner and Outer factions, and key officials were already present, awaiting Yunhyun.

Thud.

As Yunhyun appeared, Family Lord Iron Sword Namgung Byeok rose from his seat.

Rumble.

As the key officials stood up in unison, the sound of chairs briefly stirred the Grand Assembly Hall.

But it was only for a moment.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok spoke to Yunhyun.

“The Namgung Family pays its respects to the Alliance Lord.”

Namgung Byeok brought his hands together and bowed his head.

With him, all the key officials paid their respects to Yunhyun.

There was no shouting, but it was a deeply meaningful event.

“As the Alliance Lord of the Azure Dragon Alliance,”

Yunhyun said quietly.

“I pay my respects to the Namgung Family.”

Bringing his hands together, Yunhyun bowed his head.

And as he raised his head, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok also lifted his head.

All the key officials also raised their eyes to look at Yunhyun.

“The order is a bit reversed, but…”

Yunhyun said with a smile.

“I, as the Alliance Lord of the Azure Dragon Alliance, permit the Namgung Family’s affiliation.”

“Oh…”

A sigh escaped from the people’s lips.

With this, the Namgung Family became a formal member of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Clap, clap, clap.

The applause that started from someone quickly spread throughout the Grand Assembly Hall.

The Namgung Family’s key officials clapped with deeply moved expressions towards Yunhyun and Family Lord Iron Sword Namgung Byeok.

After experiencing internal and external troubles following the death of the previous Family Lord, Thunder Sword Namgung Jincheon, the Namgung Family was finally beginning to rise again.

Centered around the new Family Lord, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, who possessed stronger leadership than ever before.

“Thank you, Alliance Lord.”

The Grand Assembly Hall fell silent in an instant at Iron Sword Namgung Byeok’s heavy voice.

The key officials looked at Namgung Byeok with shining eyes.

Namgung Byeok looked at the Grand Assembly Hall and said.

“The Namgung Family has become a member of the Azure Dragon Alliance. Now, we must fulfill the weighty responsibilities of opposing the Hero Alliance.”

The eyes of Namgung Byeok, as he spoke, were shining.

For him, who had lost the previous Family Lord to Hwangcheon [Yellow Springs, the underworld in East Asian mythology] and the Dark Sky Demon Emperor, the word ‘opposing the Hero Alliance’ could not help but have a special meaning.

“All key officials, offer your opinions and gather your wisdom.”

“Yes, Family Lord!”

The key officials paid their respects to Namgung Byeok in unison.

As Namgung Byeok nodded, they all sat down.

Rumble.

The sound of chairs briefly filled the Grand Assembly Hall, and Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said to Yunhyun.

“Let us go. A seat has been prepared for the Alliance Lord.”

Yunhyun nodded.

The Grand Assembly Hall was already filled with heated discussions.

The eyes of the key officials were shining with enthusiasm.

The Namgung Family, which had been almost in seclusion, was now beginning to engage in external activities under the banner of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

“Wow, this is…”

Yeonghojun clicked his tongue at the sight.

“It is indeed a sight worthy of the Sword King Family.”

At those words, Namgung Byeok smiled.

“You can look forward to it. I will show you what it means to have gained a thousand soldiers and horses.”

That was by no means an exaggeration.

In the past, during the days of the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance], the movement of just one hundred and fifty disciples of the Namgung Family was enough to make all the sects of the Murim Alliance nervous.

Even Shinseung had said that even the Tang Clan and the Zhuge Family were wary of the Namgung Family.

“Wow.”

Dam Soha was also impressed by Namgung Byeok’s spirited assertion.

Family Lord Namgung Byeok, Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon, and Yunhyun’s party left the Grand Assembly Hall.

The Namgung Family’s Grand Assembly Hall was more heated than ever before.

Family Lord Namgung Byeok’s office.

Yunhyun’s party sat at a table with Iron Sword Namgung Byeok and Chief Inspector Namgung Biyeon.

Fragrant tea had already been prepared, and Yunhyun’s party relaxed from the fatigue of their journey, slowly calming down the excitement of the Grand Assembly Hall.

“Biyeon… no, Chief Inspector, is it alright for you not to be in the Grand Assembly Hall?”

“It’s alright.”

Namgung Biyeon smiled.

“The Chief Inspector only deals with corruption or dereliction of duty. The elders will decide the family matters.”

Originally, the Chief Inspector was a position to check the Family Lord.

However, with Namgung Biyeon, the Family Lord’s only daughter, becoming the Chief Inspector, the blade of check was instead directed at the key officials.

“In fact, it has become virtually nominal, so I am thinking of stepping down at the appropriate time.”

Namgung Biyeon’s words were correct.

From the beginning, the Chief Inspector was an unprecedented position.

“I wonder if it is alright for me to interfere.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“It would be a waste to simply give up a position that has already been created. Adjusting the authority and responsibilities and utilizing it in the right place would be even better. A position should not be abolished carelessly.”

Namgung Biyeon, who already knew Plum Blossom Sword, her eyes shone.

“Is that so? Then, would you lend me your wisdom? Great Hero Plum Blossom Sword.”

“Please call me Chief Strategist. As a request from a member, I will gladly comply.”

Yeonghojun wore a charming smile.

“Especially if it is a request from a beautiful woman.”

“Hehe. Thank you. I will tell you the details later.”

Namgung Biyeon smiled leisurely.

Dam Soha said quietly.

“There are women who are not affected by the Chief Strategist’s smile.”

Yeonghojun glared at Dam Soha once, then smiled and took his teacup.

Family Lord Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said to Yunhyun.

“Thank you, Alliance Lord.”

“No. I am just…”

“For fulfilling my brother’s wishes.”

Namgung Byeok’s eyes were slightly moist.

The previous Family Lord, Namgung Jincheon, had ordered not to attempt great things until strength had been built up.

Now that the Namgung Family had reunited and was about to venture into the Jianghu [Martial World] under the banner of the Azure Dragon Alliance, his feelings were quite different.

Yunhyun, of course, knew that feeling, so he could only nod quietly.

“Order anything.”

Namgung Byeok said without hesitation.

“The Namgung Family will entirely submit to the Alliance Lord’s will.”

Namgung Byeok’s eyes were full of trust towards Yunhyun.

It was not just from a personal relationship.

From the time the Murim Alliance collapsed to the time he saved the Emei Sect and raised the banner of opposing the Hero Alliance, the actions Yunhyun had shown were enough to earn Namgung Byeok’s trust.

“Seeing the Namgung Family’s current state, I have nothing more to say.”

Yunhyun said in a soft tone.

“You can discuss future matters with the Chief Strategist, Great Hero Plum Blossom Sword.”

“I will gladly do so.”

Yunhyun bowed his head in gratitude, then raised his teacup.

Namgung Byeok also savored the tea, calming his mind.

And suddenly, Namgung Byeok said.

“Seeing the Azure Dragon Alliance, I am truly happy. But for the Alliance to last long, one problem must be solved.”

Yunhyun leisurely sipped his tea, listening to Namgung Byeok’s words.

“The problem is none other than the issue of the Alliance’s successor…”

Yunhyun almost spat out his tea.

Why was the issue of succession coming up now?

“No, that’s…”

Yunhyun was about to say something, covering his mouth with his sleeve, but Yeonghojun interjected first.

“That is correct. Throughout history, countless dynasties have been shaken by that very problem.”

“That’s right. Considering the Alliance Lord’s age, it would not be too early to prepare from now on.”

Yeonghojun and Namgung Byeok nodded as if they had suddenly become of one mind.

Yunhyun looked at the two with an absurd expression.

Suddenly thinking about his age? What was wrong with his age?

“So, if the Alliance Lord is alright with it, how about I arrange a suitable marriage prospect?”

Namgung Byeok looked at Yunhyun with a subtle gaze.

Namgung Biyeon’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Yunhyun said with a serious expression.

“I have no thoughts of that right now.”

“Huh, no thoughts? That’s…”

“Alliance Lord. This is not the time to be shy.”

Yeonghojun stepped forward as if this was the moment.

“This is a matter concerning the Alliance’s survival, so I, as the Chief Strategist, will step forward…”

“Tsk, anyway, there are no female Taoists in Mount Hua, and only female monks in the Emei Sect, right? This kind of thing is better left to an adult like me…”

Before he knew it, Namgung Byeok and Yeonghojun were debating over who should take charge of this matter.

Yunhyun quietly turned his head.

Then, he suddenly met Dam Soha’s gaze.

From Dam Soha’s openly admiring expression, Yunhyun could easily imagine what Jin Yerim would say later.

‘Is it another woman problem?’

There are many problems, but in reality, there is no substance.

Yunhyun smiled bitterly and brought the teacup to his lips.

The tea was fragrant and smooth, warmly enveloping Yunhyun’s heart.

***

“The Naval Commander?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Yunhyun nodded.

Earlier, Yunhyun had told Iron Sword Namgung Byeok about his plan.

Namgung Byeok gladly expressed his welcome.

For the Namgung Family, which had to block the Zhuge Family’s expansion to the north and regain influence over the Yangtze River to the south, they could not help but be pleased.

The problem was whether the Naval Commander would readily cooperate.

No matter how influential Public Official Park was, he could not infringe upon the Naval Commander’s military authority.

“Hmm, the Yangtze River Naval Commander is a man named Jinrim, and we, the Namgung Family, have some acquaintance with him.”

Namgung Byeok said quietly.

Yunhyun, as well as Yeonghojun, were surprised.

That the Namgung Family had an acquaintance with the Naval Commander.

However, Namgung Byeok’s tone when talking about the Naval Commander was neither bright nor respectful.

“If you need it, I will give you a letter of recommendation from the family.”

“No, there is no need for that.”

Yunhyun politely declined.

“I have already officially sent a note announcing my visit through Inspector Jo Gwan.”

Through Inspector Jo Gwan, Yunhyun had informed the Yangtze River Naval Commander of his intention to visit.

Because the Naval Commander was one of the chief officers of military authority who received orders from the Emperor, he could not be visited carelessly.

“But it is surprising. That the Namgung Family has an acquaintance with the Naval Commander.”

“Rather than an acquaintance…”

Namgung Byeok smiled bitterly.

“It is more like sending gifts every year. Jinrim is quite a greedy person.”

“Yes?”

That was another new fact.

Inspector Jo Gwan had said that ‘bribes do not work,’ but Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said that he was ‘greedy.’

Which statement was correct?

“He probably only accepts the gifts and does not grant favors.”

Dam Soha shrugged her shoulders and said.

“That may be true. I have never put in a request before.”

Namgung Byeok also nodded.

In fact, for the Namgung Family, having an acquaintance itself was already enough.

Because if the Naval Commander had the mind to do so, it would be easy to harass the Namgung Family’s ships.

“Just in case, I will prepare some gifts.”

“No, there is no need…”

“It is said that it is hard to be poor when traveling.”

Namgung Byeok said with a smile.

Namgung Byeok called the Naval Commandery a foreign land.

Perhaps that was true.

Because that place was a position where Yunhyun’s authority or influence did not work at all.

“But the Namgung Family must also have many things to use…”

“Hahaha.”

Namgung Byeok laughed.

“Have you ever heard the saying? ‘Even if a rich man goes bankrupt, he lasts for three generations.’”

Yunhyun was speechless.

Come to think of it, the other party was the Namgung Family.

The overlord of Anhui Province, whose influence overflowed along the Yangtze River, the giant family that was counted among the Eighteen Great Families of the Murim Alliance.

“The Namgung Family’s finances are much stronger than the Alliance Lord thinks, so there is no need to worry. The contribution to the Alliance will also begin right from today, so you do not have to worry about finances. Hahahahaha.”

Namgung Byeok could not stop laughing.

It seemed that Yunhyun’s concern for the Namgung Family’s circumstances was quite refreshing for him.

But Yeonghojun smiled.

“Do you perhaps know what our Alliance Lord’s title is?”

“Is it not Azure Dragon Sword Lord?”

Namgung Byeok replied with a puzzled expression.

“There is another phrase in front of that. It is Heavenly Beyond Unearthly.”

“Ah, I know. But what does that…”

“So, our Alliance Lord is…”

Yeonghojun leaned closer to Namgung Byeok and whispered something.

It seemed that he heard the words ‘national budget’ or something, but Yunhyun decided to pretend he did not hear it.

“Hmm.”