Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 360

360. Qingsong Jinren

The old man who entered Taecheong Hall with Qingsong Jinren was someone the elders of the Sword Sect could never fail to recognize.

‘Why is Dokseon here?’

Hag Woo-ja unknowingly murmured his Taoist name with surprised eyes.

However, Taoist Jeokpung Jinren reacted a little differently.

‘Hmm?’

Jeokpung Jinren narrowed his eyes and studied the young scholar.

‘What was that just now?’

The young scholar’s outward aura was no match for the old man beside him.

However, the moment Jeokpung Jinren saw the young scholar, he felt a sudden burst of light emanating from him.

But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

‘……Did I imagine it?’

Jeokpung Jinren tilted his head.

Perhaps it was just a trick of the light when the door opened.

It happened so fast it could have been an illusion.

But it definitely felt like some kind of auspicious energy.

‘Hmm.’

Jeokpung Jinren, who had spent his entire life as a Taoist of the Wudang Sect, frowned and focused his attention on the young scholar.

Then, he noticed Elder Yeongcheonja from the Medicine Hall trembling.

No, it wasn’t just Yeongcheonja who was surprised.

The elders of the Sword Sect were all wearing expressions of astonishment.

But the most shocked person was Yeongcheonja of the Medicine Hall.

“H-How could you…….”

Yeongcheonja said in a trembling voice.

He seemed unable to contain his agitation and abruptly stood up from his seat.

Thud.

“Why are you here!”

Yeongcheonja shouted, reaching out towards the old man.

The old man was none other than Dokseon, one of the Hwanwoo Five Venerables [a group of highly skilled martial artists], who had terrified everyone, friend and foe alike, during the Demonic War in the past.

“I am.”

Gaekong’s voice echoed softly in Taecheong Hall.

That alone made Yeongcheonja flinch, and Gaekong said quietly.

“I am Gaekong.”

Yeongcheonja’s expression twisted.

“What does that……!”

“Please calm down for a moment.”

Qingsong Jinren interjected.

He recited his Taoist name in a low voice and then addressed the elders.

“This person is Gaekong, and he is here personally with Great Warrior Woon, the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

The elders who knew Dokseon couldn’t hide their doubtful expressions.

Clearly, it was Dokseon, but he was being called Gaekong?

Then, Hag Woo-ja suddenly spoke.

“Did you say personally?”

Qingsong Jinren nodded.

“That’s right.”

‘Personal’ meant that he wouldn’t be acting in an official capacity or drawing public attention.

Hag Woo-ja, as well as the other elders, began to understand the situation.

Qingsong Jinren said in a soft voice.

“So, I hope everyone will set aside their old memories for a moment.”

Dokseon was a symbol of terror, but there was no direct conflict or hostile relationship between him and Wudang.

The elders nodded at Qingsong Jinren’s words.

“So that’s how it is.”

Hag Woo-ja looked at Gaekong and Woonhyun with renewed surprise.

The elders of the Sword Sect also calmed down.

However, Yeongcheonja from the Medicine Hall did not.

“That’s nonsense!”

Yeongcheonja strongly protested.

“Set aside old memories! How can you say that!”

Yeongcheonja, turning his head towards Gaekong, flinched when their eyes met.

As a pharmacist without inner strength, he found it difficult to withstand Gaekong’s intense gaze.

Yeongcheonja quickly looked at Qingsong Jinren and said.

“He did something to our Medicine Hall……!”

Yeongcheonja, realizing his mistake, stopped speaking.

Qingsong Jinren asked with a doubtful look.

“What do you mean? If there is a valid reason, please explain in detail.”

However, Yeongcheonja couldn’t answer.

The elders looked at Yeongcheonja with questioning eyes.

All the elders knew that the Medicine Hall and Dokseon had some kind of history in the past.

However, the only ones who knew the specific details were the previous sect leader, the elder from the Medicine Hall at the time, and Yeongcheonja.

The other elders only suspected that the Medicine Hall had lost to Dokseon in a medical contest.

If that were true, it would be a significant blow to the pride of the Medicine Hall, as well as Wudang, so it was natural for Yeongcheonja to remain silent.

The previous sect leader and the elders who knew the situation had already passed away.

“Ugh.”

Yeongcheonja groaned.

And he slumped back into his chair.

“……It’s nothing.”

When Yeongcheonja remained silent, no one else raised any objections regarding Gaekong.

Some of the younger elders looked at Gaekong with curious eyes.

Rustle.

Hag Woo-ja stood up from his seat.

“This humble Taoist is called Hag Woo-ja.”

He paid his respects to Gaekong and Woonhyun.

“I am called Woonhyun.”

When Woonhyun returned the greeting, Hag Woo-ja said in a low voice.

“I have already heard that the Divine Monk has passed away. I offer my condolences.”

Not only Hag Woo-ja but all the elders recited their Taoist names and bowed their heads.

They held a mixture of wariness and respect towards Woonhyun, but no one objected to the mention of the Divine Monk.

“……Thank you.”

Woonhyun politely returned their respects.

“Thank you for visiting Wudang like this. Please, have a seat.”

It was a special privilege to offer a seat to an outsider in the Council of Elders.

It would have been impossible if Woonhyun hadn’t been the Divine Monk’s disciple.

Rustle.

Yeongcheonja watched Woonhyun and Gaekong, who were sitting down, with a displeased expression.

Jeokpung Jinren was also observing Woonhyun.

He could sense a direct gaze and pure energy from Woonhyun, but he couldn’t perceive the same auspicious sign as before.

‘Was it just a misunderstanding after all?’

However, Jeokpung Jinren still couldn’t take his eyes off Woonhyun.

Meanwhile, Hag Woo-ja said to Woonhyun.

“I have heard that Great Warrior established the Azure Dragon Alliance and aided Mount Emei and Mount Hua. This is a great blessing for the Murim world [martial arts world], and we thank you for it.”

Woonhyun’s response pleased Hag Woo-ja.

Not only Hag Woo-ja but also the elders from the Sword Sect were showing Woonhyun considerable favor.

“I have heard that Mount Emei and the Namgung Clan are with the Azure Dragon Alliance, and Mount Hua has also joined. Naturally, our Wudang should also lend its strength to promote the safety of the Murim world, but…….”

That statement was intended to be heard by the other elders.

As expected?

The expressions of the elders who weren’t from the Sword Sect weren’t very welcoming.

“Due to some procedural issues and the greatly differing opinions of the elders, we have not yet made a decision. I personally find it very regrettable.”

“I understand fully.”

Woonhyun nodded.

“It is entirely up to the Wudang Sect to choose who to align with.”

Woonhyun continued in a calm voice.

“But you don’t have to worry about the affairs of the Murim world anymore. Fortunately, the Jang River Naval Command has understood my intentions and agreed to cooperate.”

The elders’ expressions instantly hardened.

One elder asked Woonhyun.

“Y-You said the Jang River Naval Command?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Woonhyun said with a relaxed expression.

“Commander Jinrim, who oversees the Jang River Navy, has agreed to fully cooperate with me. Large-scale naval training is already being prepared, so…….”

Woonhyun smiled.

“The saying that the Jang River is the domain of the Heroes Alliance will soon become a thing of the past.”

The elders began to murmur amongst themselves.

“Does Mount Hua know this?”

Hag Woo-ja asked with a surprised expression.

The fact that the Jang River Naval Command had taken action was a shock to him as well.

“Of course.”

Woonhyun said without hesitation.

“How could there be anything to hide from a sworn ally who shares the same goals?”

Hag Woo-ja’s pupils trembled.

No matter what the Heroes Alliance was, it was insignificant compared to the Jang River Navy.

Although it wasn’t a full-scale subjugation, Hag Woo-ja could immediately foresee the implications of the ‘large-scale naval training’ that Woonhyun had mentioned.

Moreover, the Azure Dragon Alliance already had Mount Hua, Mount Emei, and the Namgung Clan.

Considering that Woonhyun was the Divine Monk’s disciple, it was only a matter of time before Shaolin joined.

‘This is bad.’

Hag Woo-ja bit his lip.

At this rate, Wudang might be the only one left out.

The elders of the Sword Sect, who were well-versed in the affairs of the Murim world, were also reaching the same conclusion as Hag Woo-ja.

“Everyone.”

Hag Woo-ja said with a firm expression.

“I propose that we discuss joining the Azure Dragon Alliance again. Since the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance is here, wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to directly confirm anything you’re curious about?”

“However, the sect leader is currently absent.”

One elder pointed out.

“To have such an important discussion without the sect leader is…….”

He looked at Jeokpung Jinren and Yeongcheonja as if seeking their agreement.

This was because Jeokpung Jinren and Yeongcheonja were the ones who had most strongly objected due to so-called ‘procedural issues.’

However, neither Jeokpung Jinren nor Yeongcheonja said anything.

Both of them were just staring intently at Gaekong and Woonhyun.

Suddenly, Hag Woo-ja asked.

“What is Jeokpung Jinren’s opinion?”

“Hmm. That’s…….”

Jeokpung Jinren hesitated for a moment.

He was unsure how to respond to the situation.

He didn’t want to simply agree, as it felt like being pressured by the Sword Sect, but he couldn’t object either, because the energy he had sensed from Woonhyun earlier, or thought he had sensed, still bothered him.

Jeokpung Jinren feigned reciting his Taoist name, closed his eyes tightly, and said.

“……I think we can discuss it as much as we need to.”

Hag Woo-ja’s pupils sparkled.

He sensed that Jeokpung Jinren’s attitude had shifted.

He asked Yeongcheonja of the Medicine Hall with shining eyes.

“What about Yeongcheonja?”

“Ahem. I…….”

Yeongcheonja, trying to speak firmly with a frown, faltered.

Gaekong was staring directly at him.

“I, I…….”

Yeongcheonja stammered.

Gaekong’s cold eyes seemed to be warning that the past could be revisited at any time.

‘Ugh.’

In the end, Yeongcheonja had no choice but to concede.

For the pride of the Medicine Hall, and for the Wudang Sect.

“……I, I don’t really care.”

Yeongcheonja’s expression was contorted as he spoke.

On the other hand, Hag Woo-ja’s face lit up.

“Thank you. Does anyone object?”

No one raised any objections.

The elder who had mentioned the sect leader also fell silent after seeing the attitudes of Yeongcheonja and Jeokpung Jinren.

Hag Woo-ja nodded and said.

“Then let’s begin the discussion right away.”

“Wait.”

Yeongcheonja said with a stiff expression.

“The discussions of the Council of Elders are inherently confidential, so it is not appropriate for the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance to be present. If there is anything you wish to ask him, it would be better to arrange another meeting.”

The elders nodded in agreement.

Hag Woo-ja turned to Woonhyun and Gaekong.

“How about you two rest in the guest hall for a while?”

“I understand. And perhaps…….”

Woonhyun said to Hag Woo-ja.

“Could I see those who are addicted to the Gihondan [a type of medicinal pill]?”

Qingsong Jinren’s pupils shone.

Even at this crucial moment when Wudang’s potential alliance with the Azure Dragon Alliance was being discussed, Woonhyun hadn’t forgotten Qingsong Jinren’s request.

However, the reactions of the other elders were different.

Most of them didn’t hide their discomfort.

Wudang wasn’t yet a member of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

It was bound to be uncomfortable to show their addicted disciples to Woonhyun, an outsider.

Hag Woo-ja said cautiously.

“Great Warrior Woon, that is…….”

“I will take responsibility.”

That voice belonged to Qingsong Jinren.

Step.

Qingsong Jinren took a step forward.

The elderly Qingsong Jinren said in a clear voice.

“I will take all responsibility by staking my position as an elder. So please allow Great Warrior Woon to examine the disciples of our sect.”