Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 344

344. Naval Commander Jinrim

After leaving the Namgung Clan, Woon-hyun joined forces with Royal Inspector Jo Gwan.

Click, clack.

Inside the carriage, Jo Gwan spoke to Woon-hyun.

“First, I have arranged for Miss Il-ahyoung to be taken to your residence.”

“Thank you. What did you think of her?”

To Woon-hyun’s words, Jo Gwan replied.

“She didn’t seem to be in high spirits, but she seemed to be over the initial shock. Fortunately, it seems the Moon King didn’t treat Miss Il-ahyoung too harshly.”

“…Is that so.”

Woon-hyun’s heart was heavy.

But it was already in the past.

Composing himself, Woon-hyun asked Jo Gwan.

“Are there any other new facts?”

“No. There are a few additional details, but they are not very important.”

Jo Gwan also investigated the surrounding fishing villages and the origin of the ships remaining on the island.

However, almost nothing new was discovered.

“I see. So, we can go directly to the Naval Commander?”

“Yes. All the procedures have been completed.”

Click, clack.

The carriage carrying Woon-hyun’s party was heading to Nanjing.

Although the navy’s battleships and military camps were scattered among the major military fortresses along the Yangtze River, the Naval Command, which oversaw military administration, was located in Nanjing.

“Naval Commander Jinrim…”

Youngho-jun frowned and said.

“I hope he’s someone we can talk to.”

The thinking of martial artists and government officials is fundamentally different.

Having experienced the behavior of government officials through the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance], Youngho-jun couldn’t help but worry.

“I hope so.”

Surprisingly, Jo Gwan also nodded.

“I hope he’s someone we can talk to.”

“Wait, can’t officials communicate with each other?”

At Youngho-jun’s words, Jo Gwan gave a bitter smile.

“If the jurisdictions are different, it’s like being in completely different worlds. It’s like they look at each other like a chicken looks at a duck. Moreover, my political position is different from Lord Woon’s…”

Jo Gwan thought it would be fortunate if they didn’t come out openly hostile.

“I was prepared for difficulties anyway.”

Woon-hyun said.

“If it is the will of Heaven, a path will open somehow, so let’s go with a peaceful mind.”

“Then, if it doesn’t work out, is that also the will of Heaven?”

Dam Soha suddenly asked.

Woon-hyun smiled and said.

“Wouldn’t it be better to think that way? That way, we can at least gain peace of mind.”

“Hehe. I guess so.”

Dam Soha laughed, and Youngho-jun shrugged.

Perhaps because he was a scholar who had studied Confucianism [a system of thought and behavior emphasizing morality and social harmony], Woon-hyun’s way of thinking was quite different from that of ordinary martial artists.

Click, clack.

The carriage carrying the four people sped along the straight main road.

Toward Nanjing, the ancient capital that had experienced countless rises and falls as the capital of six dynasties.

***

Woon-hyun’s party arrived in Nanjing and settled into an inn.

They had some time before visiting Naval Commander Jinrim, so Woon-hyun’s party decided to enjoy the scenery of Nanjing and relieve their fatigue.

In fact, they had been moving non-stop from Mount Emei to the Hoam Merchant Group, Poyang Lake, and the Namgung Clan, so the party was in dire need of rest.

“Leave Nanjing to me.”

Youngho-jun said confidently.

That boast was by no means an exaggeration, as Youngho-jun knew every corner of Nanjing so well that it was hard to believe he was a Taoist from Hwasan.

“How can you be called a romantic nobleman if you don’t know Nanjing? And Nanjing isn’t that far from Hangzhou anyway.”

It was not at all like a Taoist, but Youngho-jun’s knowledge was very helpful.

Thanks to him, the party was able to enjoy good food and relax for the first time in a long time.

A few days later, Woon-hyun’s party visited the Naval Command.

The first thing that greeted Woon-hyun’s party as they entered was the sound of cannons firing.

Boom, boom, boom.

The loud cannon sounds echoed in succession.

It was fired from the shipyard located on the Yangtze River, but the sound was so loud that the buildings in the nearby command also shook.

“Oh, dear.”

Youngho-jun wore a bitter smile.

“It starts like this from the beginning.”

There was only one reason why the cannons were fired at the time of Woon-hyun’s arrival.

The Naval Commander did not welcome Woon-hyun.

“Let’s go in.”

Woon-hyun moved his steps toward the building where the Naval Commander’s office was located.

A naval officer in full military uniform greeted Woon-hyun politely.

He seemed to be showing respect for the special inspector of the Inspector General’s Office, a direct agency of the Emperor.

“I have brought a guest.”

At the officer’s words, a voice was heard from inside the office.

“Come in.”

Click.

The door of the office opened.

The first thing that came into Woon-hyun’s view was the excessively luxurious decorations for a Naval Commander’s office, and the figure of Naval Commander Jinrim, who had a plump physique.

Swish.

Naval Commander Jinrim rose from his seat.

“To think that a noble from the Imperial family would come all the way here…”

Jinrim said with a grin.

“This Jinrim is so sorry that I don’t know what to do.”

Jinrim’s voice was quite sly.

The title ‘noble’ meant that he knew about Woon-hyun, but Jinrim’s eyes were by no means friendly.

“Please sit here. You, go and report.”

The officer who had guided the party bowed and stepped back.

Woon-hyun’s party sat facing Naval Commander Jinrim.

“So, what brings you here? Has the Inspector General’s Office finally decided to inspect this poor Jinrim?”

Jinrim pretended to joke.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Woon-hyun.”

“Ah, I know, so there’s no need for introductions.”

Jinrim said, picking his ear.

Even his fingers were so thick that it seemed like they wouldn’t fit into his ear.

“This person is…”

Woon-hyun introduced his party.

No, he was about to introduce them.

“The Special Inspector of the Inspector General’s Office didn’t come all the way here just to have a chat.”

Jinrim interrupted Woon-hyun’s words.

“Tell me your business. I’m a very busy person, you see.”

Jinrim’s eyes were gleaming.

As one of the highest-ranking officials in charge of military administration, directly receiving the Emperor’s orders, Jinrim was fully entitled to say that.

Woon-hyun stared straight at Jinrim.

“I intend to cut off the Yangtze River, which is controlled by the Heroic Alliance.”

Woon-hyun said directly.

“I need your cooperation in this matter.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Jinrim said in an indifferent voice.

“But I am only the Naval Commander. I oversee military administration, but I do not have the authority to move the navy and engage in combat. Unless the Commander-in-Chief, who receives the Emperor’s orders, comes… Ah, perhaps you have taken on the position of Commander-in-Chief without my knowledge?”

Normally, the person in charge of military administration is the Commander, but the person who formally commands the army is the Commander-in-Chief, who has received the Emperor’s decree.

Considering that the Commander-in-Chief is appointed only in times of war, Jinrim’s words were nothing more than sarcasm.

“That’s not the case.”

“Is that so? I thought…”

Jinrim chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

His actions were very rude, but even Inspector Jo Gwan could not say anything.

Unless he was the target of the inspection, he had no authority to interfere.

“What I want is…”

“Then I have no reason to cooperate.”

Jinrim did not listen to Woon-hyun’s words.

He said with an indifferent expression.

“Go and get the Emperor’s decree and come back. Then I will give you even my head. Wouldn’t it be easy with the power of Eunuch Park, who is said to bring down even birds from the sky?”

Woon-hyun stared straight at Jinrim.

Jinrim also glared at Woon-hyun without backing down.

Unlike his seemingly light words and actions, his eyes had spirit.

‘…Amazing.’

The assessment that Jo Gwan had made, that he was ‘a person who cannot be bribed,’ was true.

There was no way that underhanded methods would work on someone with such eyes.

But something was a little strange.

Like the words of Namgung Byeok, the head of the Namgung Clan, Jinrim’s first impression and the appearance of his office were no different from those of a high-ranking official who was fond of wealth.

“…It seems like today is not the right time.”

“Tomorrow will not be the right time either.”

Listening to Jinrim’s sarcastic voice, Woon-hyun rose from his seat.

“Excuse me. I will visit you again.”

“Well, do as you please.”

Jinrim didn’t even look at Woon-hyun and said, grooming his nails.

“Ah, next time, bring something with you. Isn’t that the etiquette of visiting the Naval Commander?”

Woon-hyun gave a bitter smile.

As Woon-hyun left the office, Jinrim said from behind.

“I won’t see you off.”

Thud.

The moment the door closed, Woon-hyun thought he heard Jinrim’s laughter.

***

“How was it?”

Jo Gwan asked as they left the Naval Command.

Woon-hyun shook his head.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem easy.”

“He told us to bring something, so how about giving him a gift?”

At Dam Soha’s words, Youngho-jun gave a bitter smile.

“No, that won’t work on someone like him. Judging by his face, he’s so thick-skinned that he’ll just take it and that’ll be the end of it. It’ll be a complete waste.”

“Woong, then what should we do? Should we give up thinking it’s the will of Heaven?”

Woon-hyun shook his head.

“It’s just the beginning, so let’s look for a way a little more.”

As the four people said that and moved away from the Naval Command, it was then.

“Scholar Woon.”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice called out to Woon-hyun.

Woon-hyun turned his head without thinking.

The moment he found the person who called him, Woon-hyun wore a bright smile.

“Instructor Jangwon!”

A military officer in naval uniform gave a bitter smile.

“My name is not Jangwon, but Gwan Cheol-hoon. I’m no longer an instructor either.”

He was the high-ranking military officer that Woon-hyun had met on his way to the Northern Sea.

Gwan Cheol-hoon, who had placed first in the military examination and was an instructor in the Golden Uniform Guard [an elite military unit], was met again here.

“What brings you here? Judging by your appearance…”

Woon-hyun examined Gwan Cheol-hoon’s attire.

“Have you become a naval officer?”

“It’s a demotion.”

Gwan Cheol-hoon said with a bitter smile.

Considering the tradition of valuing the army, being assigned to the navy was definitely a demotion.

Just like going from the Golden Uniform Guard to a high-ranking military officer on the border was also a demotion.

“Fortunately, Commander Jin took me in, so I am now working as an aide.”

“Is that so? That’s fortunate. That’s very good.”

His meeting with Woon-hyun was not a coincidence.

He already knew that he was visiting Naval Commander Jinrim.

“Scholar Woon.”

Gwan Cheol-hoon said with a serious look.

That title showed that he still had goodwill and trust in Woon-hyun.

“I have something to tell you about Commander Jin.”

Woon-hyun noticed that his expression was quite unusual.

“I understand.”

Woon-hyun nodded and said.

“Then let’s go somewhere quiet and talk…”

“No.”

Gwan Cheol-hoon interrupted Woon-hyun’s words.

“Come with me.”

“I understand.”

Woon-hyun didn’t ask or question.

Gwan Cheol-hoon smiled faintly.

Even though time had passed and the situation had changed, Woon-hyun was still the same.

***

Click, clack.

The carriage carrying Woon-hyun’s party followed Gwan Cheol-hoon, who was riding ahead.

How long had they been going like that?

The party arrived in front of an old mansion on the outskirts of Nanjing.

Gwan Cheol-hoon got off his horse.

“This is the place.”

Woon-hyun’s party also got out of the carriage and looked around.

The mansion seemed quite old for its size.

The colors were faded, and it didn’t seem to be particularly well-maintained.

Step, step.

Gwan Cheol-hoon walked ahead and said.

“This is Commander Jin’s residence.”

“This mansion?”

Woon-hyun asked back with a puzzled look.

Considering Jinrim’s impression, it was definitely unexpected.

He seemed like the type to live in a palace-like mansion in the middle of Nanjing, living it up.

Perhaps realizing his thoughts, Gwan Cheol-hoon gave a bitter smile.

“You will understand the reason when you see it.”

Creak.

Gwan Cheol-hoon opened the door of the mansion.

An old man who appeared to be the chief manager ran out, but after Gwan Cheol-hoon said a few words, he nodded and stepped back.

It was a scene that showed Commander Jinrim’s trust in Gwan Cheol-hoon.

Step, step.

As if already familiar, Gwan Cheol-hoon moved his steps without hesitation.

It was when the party entered the back garden of the mansion.

“Ah!”

A slender voice was heard in Woon-hyun’s ear.

“Uncle Gwan!”

A clear voice was heard from the middle of the garden.

And soon, the sound of small footsteps followed.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

The person who ran out of the garden was a very small girl.