Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 369

369. Her Invitation

This happened when Unhyun was still staying with the Moyong Clan.

The Grand Palace Lord’s carriage was making its way through the bustling streets of Gaebong.

The sun was setting, and colorful lanterns were beginning to illuminate the streets.

Clatter, clatter.

The Grand Palace Lord stared out with an indifferent expression, but inside, her mind was in turmoil.

Lost in a storm of emotions she couldn’t understand—or rather, couldn’t control despite understanding—the Grand Palace Lord’s composure was slipping.

Just then, a three-story pavilion, brightly lit in the middle of the bustling street, caught her eye.

“Stop.”

At the Grand Palace Lord’s command, Binghon immediately halted the horses.

“Whoa.”

Click.

The carriage stopped, and the door opened.

Rustle.

The Grand Palace Lord stepped down, followed by Bingseol.

Passersby stared, wide-eyed, but she paid them no mind.

Thud.

Binghon got down from the driver’s seat.

He didn’t ask what was happening; he simply waited.

The Grand Palace Lord quietly gazed at the three-story pavilion with the sign ‘Yeonghwagak’.

The place, lit up in a classic yet extravagant style, was a tavern.

Though the sun hadn’t fully set, the cheerful laughter and music of the patrons inside spilled out into the street.

“For a moment…”

The Grand Palace Lord said.

“Let’s enjoy the night view.”

“Understood.”

Binghon immediately bowed his head.

After entrusting the carriage to the tavern’s servant standing out front, Binghon entered Yeonghwagak.

The Grand Palace Lord silently stared at the pavilion.

The brightly lit interior, the sounds of laughter, and the classic architecture reminded her of the pavilion at Samdaminwol [Three Reflections of the Moon Pavilion] she had visited at Seohou Lake [West Lake].

The very place where she had seen Unhyun tilting his cup alone, gazing out at the lake.

Rustle.

The Grand Palace Lord stepped into Yeonghwagak.

Bingseol followed her, her face as blank as ever.

The sun was setting in the west, but the bustling streets of Gaebong were blooming brilliantly with countless colorful lanterns.

***

The Grand Palace Lord’s eyes fluttered.

Unhyun was supporting Bingseol.

His eyes were wide with surprise, but he was still the same as before.

It was as if no time had passed since the day they met under the night sky of Bukhae [Northern Sea].

Swoosh.

The Grand Palace Lord turned her head away from Unhyun.

Silence hung in the air, but not for long.

Thud.

With the sound of his footsteps approaching, the Grand Palace Lord’s heart began to race.

Thud, thud.

Unhyun slowly climbed the stairs.

She was in front of him.

Although the Grand Palace Lord kept her head turned, Unhyun didn’t take his eyes off her.

With each step he took, he drew closer and closer.

Thud.

Unhyun stopped on the third floor.

The Grand Palace Lord remained turned away.

Unhyun, too, had come up impulsively and was now hesitating, unsure of what to say.

Just then…

“Oh dear!”

Unhyun turned his head at the sound from behind.

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the manager of the establishment, spoke with a troubled expression.

“What is going on here?”

The manager, who had come up after hearing about the commotion on the lower floors, frowned at the sight of a young man collapsed on the third floor as well.

“No, what are you trying to do…”

The manager, about to sternly question him, suddenly met Gekaong’s eyes.

‘Ugh.’

The manager flinched.

Even at a glance, Gekaong’s aura was extraordinary.

His indifferent gaze only intensified the manager’s fear.

Gulp.

The manager swallowed.

Even in the face of intimidation, he continued with his thorough professionalism.

“If you know how this unfortunate incident happened, could you please explain…”

He even put his hands together and asked cautiously.

But Gekaong was not one to give explanations.

Swoosh.

It was the moment Gekaong raised his hand.

“There was a slight disturbance.”

Unhyun said from the end of the stairs.

As the manager looked up at Unhyun, Gekaong lowered his hand.

“A, a disturbance?”

“Yes. A minor misunderstanding. The kind that always happens at a drinking party.”

The manager looked suspicious.

But Unhyun’s expression was gentle, and his words were polite, so he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

Unhyun continued.

“I will compensate for the damages. I’m staying at the Moyong Clan, so you can send someone there.”

The manager’s face, which had begun to brighten at the word ‘compensation’, changed.

“Mo, Moyong Clan?”

In Gaebong, the influence of the Moyong Clan was absolute.

It was beyond comparison with the families of the young men sprawled out in such an unsightly manner.

“Yes. That’s right…”

“It’s not necessary.”

A clear voice cut off Unhyun’s words.

Rustle, rustle.

The Grand Palace Lord passed Bingseol and approached Unhyun.

Without even looking at Unhyun, she threw something towards the manager below the stairs.

Whoosh.

The manager reflexively caught it.

It was a small silk pouch.

“I’ll compensate with that.”

The Grand Palace Lord said, looking down at the manager.

The manager opened the pouch, and his eyes widened.

Inside was a large pearl that looked extraordinary at a glance.

“Ah, understood.”

The manager quickly put the pouch in his arms and bowed his head.

Then, he glanced at the young man collapsed on the third floor and asked.

“Um, what about Young Master Wang…”

“I don’t know him.”

The Grand Palace Lord said without hesitation.

The manager was a little flustered, but since she said she didn’t know him, he had nothing more to say.

“Ah, understood. Then I’ll take care of it right away.”

He headed down the stairs to call a servant.

As the manager disappeared, the Grand Palace Lord asked Gekaong.

“What will happen to Binghon?”

“He means the warrior here.”

Unhyun quickly added.

“I think you can release him now.”

“He’ll be released if you leave him alone.”

Gekaong said calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Binghon began to move.

“Ugh.”

Binghon groaned and slowly lowered his sword.

His movements seemed a little uncomfortable, but otherwise, there seemed to be nothing wrong.

But his expression wasn’t good.

It was only natural, as he had been subdued without even having a chance to react.

The Grand Palace Lord lightly bowed her head to Gekaong.

“Thank you for your mercy.”

Gekaong didn’t answer.

The Grand Palace Lord sighed slightly and spoke again.

“Would you like to come up here, if you don’t mind?”

Gekaong silently climbed the stairs.

Since Unhyun had already gone up, he was going to go up as well.

In the meantime, the tavern’s servants came up to the third floor and cleaned up the collapsed young man and the broken furniture.

The first floor was also somewhat cleaned up, and the tavern had returned to its usual atmosphere.

The soft music and the sounds of laughter began to be heard again.

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

The manager, who had come up to the third floor, smiled and bowed to the Grand Palace Lord, Gekaong, and Unhyun.

“Then I hope you continue to have a good time.”

Unhyun smiled wryly at the words that somehow didn’t fit the situation.

Rustle.

The manager left, and the curtain closed.

Unhyun turned his head and looked at the Grand Palace Lord.

“To the Blue Wolf of Bukhae.”

The Grand Palace Lord bowed politely.

“The Grand Palace Lord of the Ice Palace pays her respects.”

Swoosh.

She didn’t kneel or anything like before.

She simply raised both hands and gathered them horizontally, bowing her head, but even that figure was as beautiful as a painting.

Bingseol and Binghon also paid their respects to Unhyun.

Unhyun returned their greetings.

The Grand Palace Lord, having raised her head, looked at Gekaong.

“I am the Grand Palace Lord of the Ice Palace. It is an honor to meet one of the Hwanwoo Ohcheonjon [Five Venerable Heavens of Hwanwoo]…”

She already knew who Gekaong was.

“I am Gekaong.”

Gekaong said, interrupting the Grand Palace Lord’s words.

The Grand Palace Lord, briefly puzzled, soon smiled faintly.

“I see. It is an honor to meet you.”

The Grand Palace Lord paid her respects, but Gekaong didn’t even answer.

As if she had already expected it, the Grand Palace Lord simply wore a light smile.

“Young Palace Lord.”

The Grand Palace Lord paused at Unhyun’s voice.

Rustle.

The Grand Palace Lord turned around.

“As I said before, I am the Grand Palace Lord. And I am also the head of the Bukhae Ilmun [Northern Sea First Clan].”

The Grand Palace Lord said with a cold gaze.

“I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

Her gaze coldly pierced Unhyun’s heart.

“…Understood.”

“Thank you.”

The Grand Palace Lord was about to turn her body.

Unhyun quickly spoke.

“But how did you come all the way here?”

The Grand Palace Lord paused.

“…Why?”

Rustle.

She turned her head and looked straight at Unhyun as she spoke.

“Am I not allowed to come here?”

There was even anger flowing in her eyes.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Unhyun said, flustered.

“I’m just happy to see you.”

Unhyun said with an awkward smile.

“I’m glad to meet you. Grand Palace Lord.”

That was Unhyun’s true feeling.

So, he could look her straight in the eye and say it.

But the Grand Palace Lord’s eyes were trembling slightly.

Swoosh.

The Grand Palace Lord turned her head away from Unhyun.

Unhyun’s words might just be a formality.

But why was her heart racing so much at those simple words?

Why did the anger that was raging as if it would burst out disappear like snow at a single word without any embellishment?

After biting her lip slightly, she turned her body towards Unhyun.

Swoosh.

“I’m glad to see you too.”

The Grand Palace Lord said in a clear voice, bowing her head slightly.

The trembling in her eyes had disappeared, and her beautiful eyes were shining coldly.

“This might be fate.”

The Grand Palace Lord continued, wearing a light smile.

“If you don’t mind, join me. The night view from here is quite beautiful.”

Her words and expression were relaxed and leisurely.

But to Unhyun, it seemed somehow awkward, as if she was hiding something.

Like when she deliberately stalled for time after the sparring match with Bingseol at Seohou Lake.

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t guess what it was.

No matter how skilled the Grand Palace Lord was at scheming, it didn’t seem like she would make a reckless attempt in front of Unhyun and Gekaong.

As Unhyun didn’t answer, the Grand Palace Lord’s eyes turned sharp.

“Do you dislike it?”

“Ah, no.”

Unhyun quickly answered.

This was the Grand Palace Lord as always.

“I’m fine with it. Elder…”

Unhyun asked, turning to Gekaong.

Gekaong, who had been staring at Unhyun, muttered.

“…Two more wouldn’t matter.”

“Yes?”

As Unhyun was puzzled by what he meant, Gekaong moved his feet.

And he went to sit in the seat that the Grand Palace Lord was offering.

The Grand Palace Lord smiled softly.

“Thank you. It is an honor to have Gekaong with us.”

Having said that, the Grand Palace Lord turned to look at Unhyun.

Unhyun was a little confused by the Grand Palace Lord’s intentions and Gekaong’s words, but he quickly nodded his head.

Because the Grand Palace Lord’s eyes were about to turn sharp again as she looked at Unhyun.

Unhyun went to his seat and sat next to Gekaong.

“Thank you.”

She said in a somewhat perfunctory tone.

Although even that figure was incomparably charming.

Rustle.

The Grand Palace Lord quietly sat down.

Coincidentally, it was a seat directly facing Unhyun.

The two people, who had briefly met in passing at the Taepyeong Alliance banquet after leaving Bukhae, were finally sitting face to face in a tavern in Gaebong.

The Grand Palace Lord’s eyes, looking at Unhyun, were shining as beautifully and coldly as snowflakes.