Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 354

354. The Mount Hua’s Decision

The day at Mount Hua begins early.

Before dawn even breaks, the Taoists and Mount Hua disciples rise from their beds, chanting mantras as they circle the grounds.

Pilgrims visiting Mount Hua are no exception, also rising early from their bedding.

However, the small building where Unhyun and his party are staying remains silent even after sunrise.

They were fast asleep, exhausted from their long journey and the late-night treatment.

Of course, no one blamed them.

Instead, Mount Hua assigned two disciples to guard the building, ensuring Unhyun and his party were not disturbed during their rest.

In reality, Gaeong and Unhyun, who seemed like they would be the most tired, had been up since dawn.

“Hmm.”

Gaeong, who was listening to Unhyun’s story, picked up his teacup.

“That’s an amazing story.”

“Yes. To be honest, I still can’t believe the illusion I saw from the Myriad Year Ice Crystal, or that the aura of the Setting Sun is within me.”

“No, I’m talking about your White Tiger Swordplay.”

Gaeong stared intently at Unhyun.

“It’s astonishing that such a sword technique exists in the world, and it’s truly unbelievable that you glimpsed such an extreme realm through it. No wonder the Il Dae Sangin [One of the Great Dignitaries] would consider you the owner of the document.”

“Some call it divine luck.”

Unhyun said in a low voice.

“Perhaps it’s a fortunate encounter. But it’s clear that it wasn’t achieved by my power alone.”

If it weren’t for his sworn brother, Il Chung-hyun, Unhyun would never have embarked on the path of the sword.

He might have retired to the countryside to establish a private academy, or perhaps he would have spent his days idly in the Azure Dragon Hall.

Clack.

“Ahem.”

The door opened, and Dam So-ha came out, stretching.

“Oh, you’re already up?”

Thump.

Just then, Royal Inspector Jo Gwan also emerged from his room.

“I apologize. I overslept.”

Unhyun smiled and said to the two of them.

“It’s alright. Actually, it’s still early morning, so you could have slept longer…”

Clatter.

The door opened, and Plum Blossom Sword Yeong Ho-jun entered the building.

“Ah, it seems everyone is already awake.”

Yeong Ho-jun looked at the group and said.

“The Elder Council is scheduled to convene shortly. Will you be attending?”

Unhyun nodded.

“Yes. I will attend.”

“Then I will let them know.”

“Huh? We haven’t eaten yet?”

Dam So-ha asked with a surprised expression, and Yeong Ho-jun replied as if he had been waiting for the question.

“The breakfast time has already passed. But I’ve already spoken to the cook, so you should be able to eat after the Elder Council meeting.”

“Not before the meeting?”

Yeong Ho-jun smiled.

“You don’t know much, do you? Traditionally, you eat after the meeting so that the meeting ends quickly. The conclusion comes out quickly too. Ah, Gaeong, what would you like to do?”

“I don’t mind.”

Gaeong was particular about food, but he didn’t overeat or indulge in gluttony.

Rather, he found the roasted grains that came with the tea quite delicious, so Gaeong was already satisfied.

“Understood. Then I will come to escort you shortly.”

Yeong Ho-jun waved lightly and went outside.

Dam So-ha, feeling hungry, looked around, but all that remained was fragrant tea and a small amount of roasted grain left by Unhyun.

***

Hua-san Sect’s Jaha Hall.

Over ten Hua-san Sect elders and Unhyun’s party were seated.

The elders’ faces were noticeably brighter than the day before.

Taoist Tae-eul, holding a Buddhist whisk, spoke with a gentle expression.

“I thank you once again. Hua-san has received a great favor, Alliance Leader.”

Unhyun bowed his head.

He had already received the elders’ gratitude, but Taoist Tae-eul still seemed to feel it wasn’t enough.

The other elders also nodded.

“Fortunately, the situation has been resolved, ahem. We intend to convey the prescription presented by Gaeong to Shaolin, Emei, and Wudang. What do you think?”

Taoist Tae-eul said, subtly watching Gaeong’s reaction.

“That would be good.”

Unhyun nodded.

“We will handle conveying it to Emei. If there are any who have been poisoned, please ask them not to overreact.”

“Understood. And would it be alright to mention that the Alliance Leader treated the poisoned individuals?”

“I merely helped to improve the situation.”

Unhyun said with a calm expression.

“It was not I who treated them, nor can I guarantee that they will necessarily recover. If you specify that, then it is fine.”

“I will do so.”

Taoist Tae-eul nodded.

“This information will be conveyed discreetly only to the elders of Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei, so you need not worry about false rumors spreading.”

Prestigious sects would not publicly reveal their flaws.

This Giheondan incident was sure to be buried discreetly as another secret history of the Jianghu [Martial World].

“This humble Taoist has a small request.”

A plump Taoist with a long, thin beard spoke abruptly.

“The Azure Dragon Alliance has raised the banner of anti-Hero Alliance. I would like to ask what specific measures you have in place.”

The one who answered Taoist So-cheong’s question was Yeong Ho-jun.

“I, as the Chief Strategist of the Azure Dragon Alliance, will answer that.”

Yeong Ho-jun politely bowed to the elders before speaking.

“Measures against the Hero Alliance have already been taken, and are continuing to be taken.”

Taoist So-cheong frowned.

“What does that mean? Already taken?”

It was widely known that the Azure Dragon Alliance had saved Emei from the Taepyeong Alliance, but there had been no news of anything done in relation to the Hero Alliance.

It was natural for Taoist So-cheong to be puzzled, but Yeong Ho-jun wore a triumphant smile.

“In the future, any ship flying the flag of the Hero Alliance will face great difficulties passing through the Jang Gang River [Yangtze River]. This is because the Jang Gang River Fleet has begun extensive training.”

“The Fleet?”

“Training?”

The elders did not understand Yeong Ho-jun’s words.

Yeong Ho-jun smiled.

“Of course, this is merely an annual training exercise. However, its scale will be unprecedented, and all passing ships will be subject to inspection. Ships flying the flag of the Hero Alliance or those associated with it will be subject to particularly strict scrutiny.”

Taoist So-cheong’s eyes changed.

The other elders also realized the meaning of Yeong Ho-jun’s words.

“Then could it be…”

Yeong Ho-jun nodded.

“Yes. The Jang Gang River Fleet Admiral has already promised his full cooperation.”

“Ooh.”

“Is that really true?”

The elders couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

Taoist So-cheong and Taoist Tae-eul were no exception.

Yeong Ho-jun said with a relaxed expression.

“Furthermore, the Namgoong Clan has ended its seclusion and begun external activities as a member of the Azure Dragon Alliance, and will soon regain its former influence.”

The Hua-san Sect elders were well aware of the power of the Sword King Family, Namgoong Clan.

If they were to obtain the covert protection of the Jang Gang River Fleet, the consequences were unimaginable.

“I dare say that the momentum of the Hero Alliance has now been broken. The Alliance Leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance has effectively cut off the Jang Gang River.”

The elders could not hide their astonishment.

Yeong Ho-jun’s statement that they had cut off the Jang Gang River was by no means an exaggeration.

If the fleet were to block the Jang Gang River, the damage suffered by the Hero Alliance would be enormous.

“Truly astonishing.”

Taoist Tae-eul said in admiration.

“I thought Hua-san would be a great help to the Azure Dragon Alliance, but at this rate, we will be benefiting from the Azure Dragon Alliance instead.”

“Haha, you’re right.”

Taoist So-cheong, as well as the other Taoists, could not hide their admiration and joy.

“Therefore.”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a gentle expression.

“As the Chief Strategist of the Azure Dragon Alliance and a senior disciple of the Hua-san Sect, I have a proposal for the elders.”

The elders all looked at Yeong Ho-jun.

With a very relaxed expression, Yeong Ho-jun continued.

“A very special proposal that you will regret missing this opportunity.”

Yeong Ho-jun’s eyes were shining more intensely than ever before.

***

That afternoon, Unhyun and his party left Hua-san Sect.

Originally, they were scheduled to examine patients for several days, but their symptoms had already improved, so there was no need to stay.

Whether those who had been poisoned by Giheondan would be able to endure the withdrawal symptoms and aftereffects and return as disciples of Hua-san Sect was now a matter for them and Hua-san Sect to resolve.

Clatter, clatter.

Inside the carriage, Dam So-ha couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Wow. How can you get a hundred Hua-san Sect disciples, a branch building, and even a budget with just a few words?”

“Ahem, not just a few words. And it’s not that we got a hundred people, but that we got a promise to support a hundred people.”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a rather serious expression.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without Gaeong and our Alliance Leader. In fact, isn’t making a significant contribution to the Azure Dragon Alliance right now the best investment for the future of Hua-san?”

Yeong Ho-jun proposed to the Hua-san Sect elders that they actively contribute to the Azure Dragon Alliance.

The benefits of restoring influence in the Jang Gang River alone were enormous, and if they were to establish themselves as a dignified orthodox alliance in the future, it would be a loss not to do so now.

He emphasized that the Emei Sect had shown infinite trust in the Azure Dragon Alliance, and that the Namgoong Clan was even looking ahead to their descendants, emphasizing that this was an opportunity that would never come again.

As a result, he obtained the Elder Council’s promise to support a hundred Hua-san Sect disciples.

Of course, there was a condition that they had to consult with the Elder Council in advance, but the fact that they could mobilize a hundred Hua-san Sect disciples was very significant.

“Actually, I was going to try to squeeze out some elixirs or secret manuals, but the elders were too stingy to part with those.”

Dam So-ha said with a dumbfounded expression.

“Is that okay since it’s your own sect?”

“It’s okay because it’s my own sect.”

Yeong Ho-jun said confidently.

“It’s fine. There are many disciples who are itching to go outside anyway. And if we subtly leak this fact, Emei and the Namgoong Clan won’t stand still.”

Dam So-ha clicked his tongue.

“So, that’s at least three hundred people?”

Three hundred disciples from Hua-san, Emei, and the Namgoong Clan was a tremendous force.

In the past, the Martial Alliance was shaken by the movement of just a hundred disciples from the Namgoong Clan.

“That’s about how many we need to do anything worthwhile, isn’t it? We need at least three hundred to look decent…”

“Would three hundred be enough?”

Jo Gwan suddenly said.

“If I contact the local Regional Commander, we can mobilize about three thousand government troops at any time. If military force is needed, rather…”

“Lord Jo.”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a smile.

“I know. You are the Alliance Leader who moves the Naval Command, how could I not know that? However, the weight that Hua-san, Emei, and the Namgoong Clan carry in the Murim [Martial Arts World] is a bit different.”

If it were simply about military force, three thousand government troops would naturally be greater.

However, for sects or merchant guilds, the name of Hua-san Sect or Namgoong Clan was more fearsome and effective than government troops.

“And…”

Just as Yeong Ho-jun was about to say something, it happened.

“Gaeong! Chief Strategist!”

Unhyun suddenly shouted loudly.

“Understood!”

Gaeong, who immediately responded, thrust his palm towards the carriage door before the others could even wonder what was happening.

Thwack.

The door shattered in an instant.

“Ugh!”

“What…!”

Thud.

As Dam So-ha and Jo Gwan exclaimed, Gaeong grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and threw them out.

Whoosh.

Yeong Ho-jun also hugged Unhyun and immediately jumped out.

That was the moment.

KWA-AAAAANG.

The carriage exploded with a tremendous sound.

Along with the horses’ cries, dirt and debris flew in all directions, and a storm-like force swept around.

Whoosh.

Gaeong lightly landed on the ground, still holding Dam So-ha and Jo Gwan by the scruff of their necks.

Yeong Ho-jun also landed next to him with Unhyun.

Thud.

“No, what on earth is going…”

Dam So-ha said with a bewildered expression.

But no one answered.

Gaeong, Unhyun, and Yeong Ho-jun were staring sharply at the center of the dust cloud.

In particular, Gaeong’s usual expressionless face was nowhere to be seen, and he was clenching his teeth with a hardened expression.

Whoosh.

The dust cloud parted like a curtain.

And a person appeared.

Thud.

A massive physique, intense eyes, and an unbelievably overwhelming presence.

Unhyun knew instantly who he was.

Grind.

Unhyun gritted his teeth.

He was the one hiding in the shadows, Il Dae Sangin [One of the Great Dignitaries].