Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 35

035. Scheme

Cheol Mu-woong couldn’t understand it at all.

Moyong Dancheon’s swordsmanship hadn’t changed. His inner strength hadn’t increased to a surprising extent either.

But it was different.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but his sword had changed somehow.

Moreover, he had become much bolder than before.

The gray-haired old man was threatening him with more unconventional attacks than the young Cheol Mu-woong himself.

He simply couldn’t overcome that subtle difference.

He hated to admit it, but Moyong Dancheon was clearly a superior master to him.

So much so that he couldn’t even bring himself to ask for another duel.

“Hey!”

Cheol Mu-woong suddenly shouted.

Jang Kyung-gyu was startled, and Cheol Mu-woong frowned and continued.

“Is there really no way?”

Jang Kyung-gyu smiled awkwardly. Cheol Mu-woong glared at him.

“Really none?”

Cheol Mu-woong’s way of solving problems was simple.

He would order his subordinates, or rather, his strategist Jang Kyung-gyu, to do it.

He would pass on troublesome problems to Jang Kyung-gyu, and complex problems as well.

If it didn’t work out, he would harass him relentlessly, and then Jang Kyung-gyu would rack his brains and somehow come up with a solution.

As expected?

Jang Kyung-gyu said with a troubled expression.

“Well… it’s not that there isn’t a way…”

Cheol Mu-woong’s eyes lit up.

“What is it?”

“Well, you see.”

Jang Kyung-gyu swallowed hard.

“In fact, quite a few sects are suspicious about Moyong Dancheon’s sudden increase in martial arts.”

It wasn’t just simple suspicion, of course.

Beneath the surface lay envy and greed.

“So?”

“Although the Moyong family’s power is at its peak right now, if the sects of Henan Province join forces, how can they ignore it?”

“Hmm.”

Cheol Mu-woong thought for a moment.

“I understand what you’re saying, but will it work?”

“We have to make it work. First, we spread rumors.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

Jang Kyung-gyu grinned.

“That the Moyong family has obtained a great opportunity.”

Cheol Mu-woong’s eyes sparkled.

It was very difficult for sects to unite.

Because their thoughts and interests were too different.

But if he stimulated their greed, it was definitely possible.

“Hmm.”

Cheol Mu-woong leaned back in his chair and pondered.

Jang Kyung-gyu gained confidence from his reaction.

“Curiosity about Moyong Dancheon’s martial arts is already at its peak. So, if we say that the Moyong family has encountered a great opportunity and obtained a peerless secret manual, everyone will be tempted. At that time, we subtly make a suggestion.”

A sly smile spread across the strategist Jang Kyung-gyu’s face.

“Good neighbors should share good things, so let’s join forces to put pressure on the Moyong family. No matter how powerful the Moyong family is, they can’t ignore us if we unite. Won’t they cough up something? Something like that.”

Cheol Mu-woong frowned.

“Share?”

Jang Kyung-gyu quickly continued.

“Right at that moment, we reveal our trump card.”

“What card?”

“We side with the Moyong family.”

“What?”

Cheol Mu-woong looked surprised at the completely unexpected words.

Jang Kyung-gyu smiled triumphantly and said.

“If we take the side of the Moyong family, what does it matter how many small and medium-sized martial families gather? It’s more profitable for the Moyong family to hand it over to us than to cough it up to several sects. Of course, other sects will complain that we broke our promise, but since it was just a robbery without justification, they won’t openly raise the issue. With the Cheol family and the Moyong family joining forces, how dare other sects oppose us?”

Cheol Mu-woong’s heart began to race at Jang Kyung-gyu’s fluent words.

Jang Kyung-gyu’s eyes sparkled.

“The most important thing is that the Lord can also have whatever it was that made Moyong Dancheon strong. That way, the Lord’s martial arts will also make great progress, and the next step will naturally be the expansion of the Cheol family’s power. Other sects protest? Then we use that as an excuse to devour them. Isn’t that right?”

“Y-you bastard…”

Cheol Mu-woong stuttered, seemingly genuinely impressed.

Jang Kyung-gyu nodded with proud self-esteem.

“You really have an amazing brain.”

Jang Kyung-gyu frowned at the words that didn’t sound like praise.

However, Cheol Mu-woong was already getting excited.

“Good! Very good.”

“Ah, and we must say that the Moyong family’s opportunity is definitely a secret manual. Because elixirs can’t be shared. Well, since the Lord is the only one who has dueled with Moyong Dancheon, everyone will believe it. And we must never leave any written evidence like documents. Verbal promises can be easily denied, but if there is evidence in writing, the problem becomes complicated. We also need to carefully calculate which other forces to bring into the alliance and which sects will take the blame instead…”

Jang Kyung-gyu began to explain additional details, but Cheol Mu-woong was no longer listening.

As if the Moyong family’s opportunity was already in his hands, Cheol Mu-woong’s face was full of smiles.

“In any case, secrecy and speed are the key to this ‘Unlimited Justice Operation.’ Keep that in mind…”

“What?”

A strange word caught Cheol Mu-woong’s ear as he listened half-heartedly.

Jang Kyung-gyu, who was continuing to speak, scratched his head sheepishly at Cheol Mu-woong’s question.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a plausible operation name? Should I change it if you don’t like it? ‘Shock and Awe Operation’ or something…”

Cheol Mu-woong looked at Jang Kyung-gyu and let out a snort as if he was ridiculous.

“You son of a bitch. No matter what, you have to live honestly. What kind of frozen justice are you talking about in a robbery to take other people’s things? Anyway, carry it out as is. Leave out the operation name or whatever. Got it?”

Jang Kyung-gyu clicked his tongue regretfully and bowed his head.

“Oh, right.”

Jang Kyung-gyu raised his head at Cheol Mu-woong’s words.

Cheol Mu-woong, whose smile had disappeared and whose expression had hardened, said quietly.

“Moyong Dancheon is not an easy opponent. Keep in mind that you may shed blood.”

No one will hand over their things willingly when asked to do so by force.

Especially if the opponent is Gwanilgeom [Sword of Unification], Moyong Dancheon.

Jang Kyung-gyu nodded.

“Go.”

As Cheol Mu-woong finished speaking, Jang Kyung-gyu bowed once again and retreated from the Lord’s presence.

Watching him leave the room, Cheol Mu-woong muttered to himself.

‘That bastard. Those who have read a few books are all so cunning? They seem different on the outside and inside…’

Thud.

After closing the door, Jang Kyung-gyu also muttered to himself.

‘What? Live honestly? You’re the first to do bad things if it seems even a little profitable… Mind your own business, you jerk.’

Jang Kyung-gyu trudged along, and suddenly he realized that his situation was pathetic.

Where did the figure of the scholar who dreamed of becoming a decent official go, and now he was working under Cheol Mu-woong?

Jang Kyung-gyu muttered to himself without realizing it.

“Ah, if only I hadn’t failed the civil service exam three times in a row…”

That’s what he said, but he had safely overcome another crisis anyway.

But the real trouble would start now.

Jang Kyung-gyu’s steps as he headed into the Cheol family’s internal war were by no means light.

***

The night of the Moyong family, which had established itself as the ruler of Henan Province, was busy.

Not only had external activities become more active since defeating the Cheol family, but also many people were constantly visiting, making the Moyong family bustling until late at night.

However, the place that truly illuminated the night of the Moyong family was not the banquet hall crowded with people, but the conference room located deep inside the inner quarters.

“These are the status reports from each branch for the past month.”

Moyong Mi said, handing a thin book to Moyong Dancheon.

Chief Manager Shim also respectfully presented three or four books to the head of the family, Moyong Dancheon.

“This is a report recording the movement and inflow/outflow of goods within the family.”

Moyong Mi opened her mouth while Moyong Dancheon was examining the books.

“The overall situation is as I roughly reported. However, Chief Manager Shim has expressed concern about the high expenditures at the Yeo Nam-hyeon branch.”

Even after Moyong Dancheon resumed his duties as the head of the family, Moyong Mi still had to handle the external affairs of the Moyong family.

She tried to decline, but Moyong Dancheon did not easily give up on the abilities she had shown.

In the end, Moyong Mi received the title of Head of the Outer Affairs and took charge of the Moyong family’s external activities.

Moyong Mi accurately grasped the head of the family’s intentions and pursued an active expansion policy, while at the same time striving to minimize friction with timely responses.

Thanks to the strong will of the head of the family, Moyong Dancheon, and the meticulous planning of the Head of the Outer Affairs, Moyong Mi, the power of the Moyong family was growing day by day.

“Hmm.”

The head of the family, Moyong Dancheon, closed the report.

“What is the opinion of the Head of the Outer Affairs regarding the Yeo Nam-hyeon branch?”

Moyong Mi answered as if she had been waiting.

“Although there are many expenditures, it is temporary. Yeo Nam-hyeon is a key point that can oversee the entire southern part of Henan Province, so I think we should further strengthen our support.”

“What does Chief Manager Shim think?”

Chief Manager Shim bowed his head and replied.

“Considering the current inflow/outflow situation of the entire family, the expenditures of Yeo Nam-hyeon are not that worrying. However, I think it will be a problem if the increase in expenditures exceeds six months.”

“Head of the Outer Affairs, how long do you expect it will take to normalize the Yeo Nam-hyeon branch?”

“Four months.”

Moyong Mi’s answer was seamless.

The head of the family, Moyong Dancheon, was lost in thought for a moment. But it wasn’t long.

“Let the Head of the Outer Affairs execute the plan. And provide more support to the Yeo Nam-hyeon branch with some of the third-generation disciples.”

The Head of the Outer Affairs, Moyong Mi, and Chief Manager Shim bowed their heads and obeyed Moyong Dancheon’s command.

Moyong Mi moved on to the next agenda item.

“Next is the report on the investigation you ordered.”

Moyong Dancheon’s movements stopped as he skimmed through the report.

Moyong Dancheon raised his head, his eyes shining, and looked at Chief Manager Shim.

“Chief Manager Shim, please report.”

At Moyong Mi’s words, Chief Manager Shim took out a thin document from his chest and respectfully presented it to Moyong Dancheon.

Rattle.

Moyong Mi also looked at the report with shining eyes.

The contents that Chief Manager Shim was about to report were of great importance to them.

Because the results of the secret investigation ordered by the head of the family were written in that document, about the ‘Azure Dragon Sword Master,’ who had opened a new future for the Moyong family, and whom no one knew except for the three people here.

Rustle.

Moyong Dancheon’s eyes quickly scanned the report.

After a while, what appeared in his eyes was a clear look of disappointment.

Chief Manager Shim bowed his head deeply as if he was sorry.

“We have confirmed that the sender of the letter is from Hebei Province, but we have not been able to find out anything about the client’s identity.”

Moyong Mi sighed softly at Chief Manager Shim’s words.

It was a fully anticipated event.

Nevertheless, the reason why Moyong Mi herself and Moyong Dancheon were disappointed was because the expectations they had placed on it were not small.

Chief Manager Shim’s report continued.

“The first place to receive the request to transport the letter was the Beijing branch of the courier company in Hebei Province. According to the person in charge, the client did not reveal his identity and has not visited again since then. The commission fee was paid in advance, and entrusting letters is a frequent occurrence, so the courier company accepted it without much suspicion.”

Moyong Mi asked Chief Manager Shim.

“Couldn’t you find out anything about the client’s appearance?”

Even if the client did not reveal his identity, they might have been able to see his face.

Chief Manager Shim’s answer followed Moyong Mi’s question.

“I asked about that too, but they said they couldn’t remember. However, the client’s atmosphere was…”

Chief Manager Shim hesitated for a moment and said.

“They said they got the impression that he was a young merchant wearing fairly luxurious clothes.”

“A merchant?”

Moyong Mi frowned slightly.

This was because she had guessed that if it was the Azure Dragon Sword Master or someone related to him, they would naturally have the atmosphere of a martial artist.

“Are you sure you didn’t mistake him for someone else?”