Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 357

357. Aftermath

Sichuan Province, Chengdu, the main headquarters of the Taepyung Alliance.

Dang Seol-ryun, who was reviewing reports in her office as Chief Military Officer for external affairs, paused at one document.

“What is this?”

Rustle.

As Dang Seol-ryun picked up the document, her subordinate said,

“It’s a report on the annual training of the Yangtze River Fleet.”

“So what? Is there a problem?”

The annual training of the fleet was a routine event.

There was no reason for a special report to be sent to Dang Seol-ryun.

“The situation is slightly different from previous years, it seems.”

The fleet’s training plan was usually a military secret, making it difficult to access.

However, due to the large number of people and resources involved, the general outline was common knowledge.

“…The amount of supplies being prepared is twenty times that of previous years?”

Dang Seol-ryun frowned.

The document indicated that this fleet training would be conducted on an unprecedented scale.

“What does this mean? Are you saying the fleet participating in the training is twenty times larger?”

Normally, fleet training was conducted by a select few, not the entire Yangtze River Fleet.

Twenty times larger would mean nearly half of the Yangtze River Fleet would be participating.

“Of course not.”

The subordinate replied immediately.

“We estimate the size is about three times larger than before. The surge in supplies is likely due to an extended training period.”

“The period is extended?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm.”

Dang Seol-ryun was lost in thought.

Until now, fleet training involved ships lining up and sailing along the Yangtze River, mainly between major cities in short sections.

The period was about a month, but the actual time the fleet ships were on the Yangtze River was only about ten days.

Even the bustling Yangtze River became quiet during that time.

No one, whether merchants or sects [martial arts clans], wanted to cause trouble with the Yangtze River Fleet.

‘But the scale is three times larger, and the training period is extended?’

Dang Seol-ryun’s eyes sharpened.

“Where is the training location?”

“It hasn’t been announced yet.”

“Find out.”

“Understood.”

The subordinate replied immediately. But Dang Seol-ryun spoke again.

“Even if it’s difficult, you must find out. Understood?”

Dang Seol-ryun’s eyes shone intensely.

The subordinate bowed deeply.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Good. You may leave.”

At Dang Seol-ryun’s words, the subordinate bowed and left the office.

Left alone, Dang Seol-ryun bit her lip and pondered.

‘I hope this is just a groundless fear…’

The Yangtze River Fleet wielded absolute power.

It had always been there, like a mountain or a river, but if Dang Seol-ryun’s fears came true, the result would be a disaster.

‘Could it be that he’s done something again?’

It was only natural that one person’s image came to mind.

Gritting.

Dang Seol-ryun unknowingly gritted her teeth.

The beautiful face, once called the Snow Flower of the Dang Family, was distorted, but she didn’t notice.

***

Hero Alliance of Hangzhou, Main Hall.

Sitting on a luxurious chair, the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu slammed the armrest.

Bang.

“Find out the training plan immediately!”

Yeom Jung-bu shouted in anger.

Like a scalded bull, he couldn’t hide his rage.

“But, but this is the limit.”

The subordinate dressed as a scholar replied in a flustered manner.

“We have few connections in the government, and especially with the navy, so there’s no way to find out…”

“Is that a reasonable excuse?!”

Flames poured from Yeom Jung-bu’s eyes.

“What are we saving money for? What are you carrying a sword for? Bribe, coax, or threaten someone who knows, but find out!”

Crack.

The armrest of the chair Yeom Jung-bu was sitting on broke.

But Yeom Jung-bu didn’t care.

“Find it! Find out why the supplies needed for naval training have jumped twentyfold, and where the training location is! If you don’t find out, I will tear you apart and kill you!”

Whoosh.

The enraged Yeom Jung-bu emitted a violent killing intent.

The subordinate dressed as a scholar instantly turned pale and trembled.

“Cough, cough…”

Yeom Jung-bu’s killing intent was overwhelming.

At this rate, he would die right now, not later.

“…M-Master, please, have m-mercy…”

Gritting.

Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu gritted his teeth.

He wanted to kill all these incompetent subordinates.

But that wouldn’t solve the problem.

The Hero Alliance was essentially a hastily formed organization, lacking proper systems and personnel.

Moreover, since it started with pirates and bandits, it was unlikely to have any connections with the government.

Yeom Jung-bu withdrew his killing intent.

Thud.

The subordinate collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.

“Haa, haa. Cough.”

Looking down at him, Yeom Jung-bu said with a cold gaze.

“Find out, no matter the means or method. Understood?”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

The subordinate replied, dripping with sweat.

But his vision was blurring.

He was told to use any means or method, but what could he do against a government official, especially a high-ranking military officer with access to military secrets?

Then, Yeom Jung-bu suddenly said.

“…Search the courtesan houses in Nanjing.”

Yeom Jung-bu continued to think and then spat out.

“Threatening a military officer is too risky, and even if we bribe them, it will take time. Instead, search the courtesan houses in Nanjing frequented by naval officers.”

No high-ranking military officers would readily accept bribes.

Even if he spent money, building connections would require time and patience.

“Military officers are naturally virile, so there must be someone deeply infatuated with a courtesan. Have the courtesan extract the training plan. It doesn’t matter what means they use against a courtesan.”

If it was a courtesan, not a military officer, he could do whatever he wanted, whether it was persuasion or intimidation.

It would be a piece of cake for the Hero Alliance bandits.

“Understood, Master!”

The subordinate’s expression brightened as he bowed.

“I’ll make it clear.”

Yeom Jung-bu glared at the subordinate.

“If you fail, I will tear you apart and kill you.”

“Yes, yes!”

The subordinate trembled.

Yeom Jung-bu frowned and said.

“Leave.”

The subordinate quickly bowed and hurriedly backed out of the main hall.

Left alone in the large main hall, Yeom Jung-bu gritted his teeth.

Gritting.

He never expected them to come in so aggressively.

He thought the Changryong Alliance would compete with the Taepyung Alliance, even though they were anti-Hero Alliance.

Or perhaps that was an accurate assessment.

If the opponent was a typical martial artist.

“…That bastard.”

Yeom Jung-bu spat out with an angry expression.

Burning with an unquenchable rage towards the one person flickering before his eyes.

***

Cheontaesang slammed his forehead on the floor of the Daejeon Hall [Great Hall].

Thud.

“Please punish my subordinate’s rudeness.”

Thud, thud.

The sound of Cheontaesang slamming his forehead echoed through the silent Daejeon Hall.

Ji-taesang and In-taesang, kneeling behind him, took it for granted.

“Stop it.”

Il-daesang-in [First Grand Master], who was standing with his back turned, said.

Cheontaesang flinched and stopped moving.

“It was my whim to see him.”

Rustle.

Il-daesang-in turned around.

There was no displeasure in his voice.

“Also, now that I have confirmed that he is the owner of the sword…”

Step, step.

Il-daesang-in walked towards the large chair placed in front of the Daejeon Hall.

And quietly sat down in the chair.

“I have no intention of holding anyone accountable.”

Il-daesang-in’s gaze, looking down at Cheontaesang, was still intense but even softer than before.

The three Taesangs could tell that Il-daesang-in was satisfied.

“In addition to awakening the Pawayueilsik [a sword technique] on his own, an even greater sword…”

Il-daesang-in said, resting his chin on one hand.

“Isn’t it truly worth the wait?”

His lips were clearly smiling as he spoke.

Cheontaesang, Ji-taesang, and In-taesang were all silent.

Il-daesang-in said it was a whim, but the initial motive was curiosity about the death of Mun-Wang and Woon-hyun, and he wanted to know who did not exploit that death.

However, in front of Woon-hyun’s sword, all those things lost their meaning and faded away.

Human ethics and morality, as well as the bonds of blood, were merely remnants or vestiges in front of Il-daesang-in.

As he himself had said to Woon-hyun.

Swish.

Cheontaesang raised his head.

Despite the blood flowing from his forehead, he spoke to Il-daesang-in.

“Then what will happen from now on…”

Cheontaesang flinched as he spoke.

“My Lord!”

Cheontaesang exclaimed in a surprised tone.

Ji-taesang and In-taesang, who had been wondering, also flinched and were shocked.

The clothes of Il-daesang-in, who was sitting in the chair, specifically the side of his waist, were torn.

The part that had been hidden by the hem of his outer garment was now revealed.

“H-How did this…”

“Hoo-hoo-hoo.”

Il-daesang-in chuckled.

The three Taesangs flinched.

With his chin resting on his hand, Il-daesang-in continued.

“Pawayueilsik always produces results.”

Swish.

Il-daesang-in looked down at his waist.

Only the hem of his clothes was cut; there was no trace of blood or even a wound.

“And this was the best result I could have chosen.”

Il-daesang-in clearly remembered that moment.

The only possibility Il-daesang-in could choose in front of the sword of Yae that Woon-hyun had unleashed was this.

Even with his own sword, Cheon-ha, drawn.

If Woon-hyun’s sword had been deeper and able to split the sky, Il-daesang-in would have had no choice but to regret his misjudgment.

“Hoo-hoo.”

Il-daesang-in chuckled again.

This trace meant that the time of endurance he had spent remaining human had not been in vain, so he could not help but be pleased.

However, it was a shock and unbelievable astonishment for the three Taesangs.

Cheontaesang gritted his teeth.

He had to completely revise his assessment of Woon-hyun.

“Where is Mu-je?”

Il-daesang-in suddenly asked.

Cheontaesang bowed his head and replied.

“He has not yet returned from his journey to Cheonsan [Heavenly Mountain].”

“Bi-ryeon must be with him as well.”

“That is correct.”

Il-daesang-in said no more.

Cheontaesang asked.

“Shall I order them to return?”

“No.”

Il-daesang-in said without hesitation.

“Let his fate guide him. It is unfortunate for Bi-ryeon’s obsession, but that is also his.”

Mu-je, Bi-ryeon, and Mun-Wang were all personally taken in by Il-daesang-in.

Cheontaesang bowed his head in obedience to Il-daesang-in’s will.

After a while, Cheontaesang spoke again.

“…What shall we do with Cheonhapae-ryeong [Heaven Uniting Spirit Tablet]?”

In-taesang’s eyebrows twitched.

Cheonhapae-ryeong was what Il-daesang-in had entrusted to Mun-Wang. It was both a spirit tablet and a symbol of Il-daesang-in’s will.

Now that Mun-Wang was dead, Cheonhapae-ryeong was being kept without an owner.

Il-daesang-in said calmly.

“Since that child is gone, there is no plan for that child either.”

At those cold words, In-taesang lowered his head.

Now Mun-Wang had become a completely forgotten existence.

Gritting.

In-taesang gritted his teeth in revenge towards Woon-hyun.

“Then should we retrieve Cheonhapae-ryeong…”

Cheontaesang was about to speak again, but Il-daesang-in interrupted him.

“Just leave it.”

Rising from his seat, Il-daesang-in said.

“Since the owner of the sword and Cheonhapae-ryeong have a deep connection, it will also flow as Heaven has ordained.”

At those words, the three Taesangs thought of Amcheon Mu-je.

If Amcheon Mu-je returned from his journey to Cheonsan, he would be more than qualified as the new owner of Cheonhapae-ryeong.

“…I thought the wait might be in vain and I would have to leave empty-handed in the end.”

Il-daesang-in, who had risen, said quietly.

“Isn’t it truly a joyful day?”

Swish.

Il-daesang-in raised his head and looked at the sky.

His eyes were shining brightly.