Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 371

371. The Grand Design of the Martial World

Moyong Manor in Henan Province, in the office of Moyong Mi, head of the outer hall.

Yunhyun and his group were gathered in the office with Moyong Mi.

“The affiliation of Bukhae Ilmun……”

Youngho Joon sighed softly and said.

“It’s sudden, but it’s not an incomprehensible proposal.”

“But wasn’t Bukhae Ilmun going to join the Taepyung Alliance?”

Dam Soha tilted her head and said.

“They even oversaw the martial arts competition of the Taepyung Alliance at Amisan.”

“They didn’t formally join the Taepyung Alliance. Besides, the state of the Kangho [martial world] has completely changed in the meantime, hasn’t it?”

With that said, Youngho Joon tapped the table with his finger as if he was thinking about something.

“……Hmm, was that the meaning of the Taepyung Alliance’s composition?”

“What is it? Let’s hear it.”

At Dam Soha’s words, Youngho Joon raised his eyes.

“The Taepyung Alliance’s attack on the Ami Sect has failed, thanks to the Alliance Leader creating the Changryong Alliance [Azure Dragon Alliance]. And Ami and the Namgoong Family, followed by Hwasan and Wudang, Shaolin, and now even the Moyong Family have joined the Changryong Alliance. Do you know what this means?”

“Has the Changryong Alliance established itself as a major righteous alliance?”

“It’s not just that.”

Moyong Mi said softly.

“It means that the Changryong Alliance has completely taken control of Gangbuk [north of the river].”

“That’s right. As expected of the head of the outer hall of the Moyong Family.”

Youngho Joon smiled and slightly bowed his head to Moyong Mi.

“In fact, the situation in Gangbuk was likely to turn into a confrontation. The Taepyung Alliance, led by the Zhuge Family, the Moyong Family, and Bukhae Ilmun, was facing off against the Changryong Alliance’s Hwasan, Shaolin, and Wudang.”

Dam Soha immediately realized what Youngho Joon meant.

“But the Moyong Family has joined the Changryong Alliance.”

Youngho Joon nodded.

“That’s right. From the Taepyung Alliance’s point of view, they have completely lost the center of Gangbuk, that is, the Central Plains, to the Changryong Alliance before even starting. And at the same time, Bukhae Ilmun and the Zhuge Family have been put on the defensive.”

Geographically, the Zhuge Family had to face both their long-time rival, the Namgoong Family, and the emerging Moyong Family at the same time.

The same was true for Bukhae Ilmun, located in Shanxi Province to the north.

With the Moyong Family joining the Changryong Alliance and Shaolin, Wudang, Hwasan, and the Namgoong Family holding their ground, the path to the south was virtually blocked.

“I looked into Bukhae Ilmun last time, but it doesn’t seem to encompass the entire Shanxi Province yet. For now, it’s only about Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province.”

“Really? Bingseol, the woman called Bingseol, had amazing martial arts skills, but they’ve only taken control of Taiyuan?”

At Dam Soha’s words, Youngho Joon frowned.

“Even Taiyuan is a big deal. Organizations don’t grow quickly just because one or two people are outstanding. Look at the great Iron-Blooded Death King, Yeom Joong-bu, still struggling.”

Youngho Joon thought for a moment and said to himself.

“Perhaps young lady Dang Seol-ryun was trying to expand her power as quickly as possible in the midst of the chaos in Gangbuk. The reason she was trying to bring in Bukhae Ilmun was to encroach on Gangbuk while Hwasan, Shaolin, and Wudang were not moving.”

After the collapse of the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance], the expansion of the Taepyung Alliance, that is, the Tang Family, was centered on Gangbuk.

It was also mainly concentrated in the areas where Hwasan and Wudang were located.

“But now Hwasan, Shaolin, and Wudang have all started to move. Besides, the Moyong Family has also joined.”

“That’s right.”

Youngho Joon gave a bitter smile.

“In short, the Taepyung Alliance’s Gangbuk strategy has failed. And Bukhae Ilmun is at a crossroads.”

“Whether to go to the Taepyung Alliance or come to the Changryong Alliance?”

At Dam Soha’s words, Youngho Joon shook his head.

“No. Bukhae Ilmun has no choice but the Changryong Alliance anyway. The choice is just whether it’s now or later. Of course, the situation is likely to become more unfavorable for Bukhae Ilmun as time goes on.”

Dam Soha couldn’t hide her surprise.

But Youngho Joon said as if it were obvious.

“Didn’t I say? The Taepyung Alliance’s Gangbuk strategy has failed. Young lady Dang Seol-ryun is the type of person who never looks back once she decides something is not working. Do you think she will support Bukhae Ilmun while taking losses? Absolutely not.”

“Hmm, so that’s why Bukhae Ilmun said they would join.”

“That’s right. From our point of view, it means that there is no need to worry about being backstabbed, so it would be nice to delay the affiliation and get this and that as conditions……”

The strong steeds and animal furs of Bukhae, rare medicinal herbs, and precious metals are coveted by everyone.

Youngho Joon shrugged his shoulders and said to Yunhyun.

“The authority to affiliate and withdraw belongs entirely to the Alliance Leader, so I have no complaints no matter how you decide.”

Yunhyun looked back at Moyong Mi.

This was because the Moyong Family was the closest sect geographically to Bukhae Ilmun.

“We don’t mind either.”

Moyong Mi said in a soft voice.

“We didn’t join the Changryong Alliance together with such calculations in mind.”

Her words touched Yunhyun’s heart warmly.

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun lightly bowed his head, and Moyong Mi received it with a smile.

“Leaving Bukhae Ilmun aside, how will the Taepyung Alliance fare in the future?”

Dam Soha asked Youngho Joon, but Moyong Mi answered.

“They will try to advance into Gangnam [south of the river].”

“Gangnam?”

Moyong Mi nodded.

“Yes. You can easily tell by looking at the remaining Taepyung Alliance sects. Just look at the Gongsun Family and the Hyeokryun Family, who are long-time powerhouses in Gangnam.”

Her judgment was accurate.

Gangbuk had already been handed over to the Changryong Alliance, so the only remaining option was Gangnam.

Dam Soha looked at Yunhyun with surprised eyes.

“Wow. I knew that Yun Dae-in was amazing, but this is really surprising. Now that naval training has begun, the Yangtze River will also be blocked, so you’ve pushed out the Yeongung Alliance and the Taepyung Alliance at once.”

“That’s exactly it. Who would have known that our Alliance Leader was planning such a grand design for the Kangho martial world?”

At Youngho Joon’s words, Yunhyun gave a bitter smile.

He had said that he would cut off what the great merchant had gathered and connected, but he had not been planning the grand design of the Kangho martial world.

But Youngho Joon continued, as if surprised.

“I heard that you sent a note to the Moyong Family, so I thought you were being led by personal feelings, but this is such an amazing result……”

“It’s personal.”

Yunhyun said, looking back at Moyong Mi.

“Because they are very special people to me.”

Moyong Mi smiled brightly.

Youngho Joon, who was looking at them with a pleased expression, sighed.

“Anyway, this is a big problem. The Alliance Leader is so capable that the function of the main headquarters is needed earlier than expected, isn’t it?”

The sects that have joined the Changryong Alliance have increased to Shaolin, Hwasan, Wudang, Ami, the Namgoong Family, and the Moyong Family.

Considering Bukhae Ilmun, which may join in the future, and other sects, the function of the main headquarters was essential.

Even considering basic information sharing and minimal activity coordination.

“That’s not to say we should establish the main headquarters right away, but we need a place to perform the functions of the main headquarters first……”

“You can do that at the Moyong Family.”

Moyong Mi said, but Youngho Joon shook his head.

“Thank you for your words, but the other sects will not stand still. They will all be clamoring for you to come to their sect.”

Youngho Joon frowned and pondered.

“Geographically, the Moyong Family is a really good choice, but this is……”

“How about the government office?”

Suddenly, Inspector Jo Gwan said.

“If it’s the regional inspector’s office, it’s easy to contact the court, and it’s easy to communicate using the government’s communication methods.”

At Inspector Jo Gwan’s words, Youngho Joon’s eyes lit up.

The government office is actually the most well-organized communication system in the world.

Isn’t the government road that stretches in all directions the country’s property?

Recently, the group used government ships when traveling up and down the Yangtze River.

Yunhyun asked cautiously.

“Wouldn’t it be a political burden for Lord Park if we used government facilities privately?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Jo Gwan shook his head.

“Yun Dae-in has been formally appointed to a government post, and the activities of the Changryong Alliance are not unrelated to his duties, so there is no problem.”

Yunhyun nodded.

But Jo Gwan’s words were not over yet.

“……And Lord Park was a little dissatisfied.”

“Yes?”

Jo Gwan gave a bitter smile to Yunhyun, who was surprised.

“He said you haven’t been in touch enough.”

“Ah……”

He hadn’t been sending news often.

Jo Gwan was reporting regularly, so he didn’t know the situation, but the fact that he was conveying such words meant that Lord Park’s heart for Yunhyun was that deep.

“That’s a good idea.”

Youngho Joon suddenly said, thinking about something.

“But it wouldn’t look good to go into the regional inspector’s office, so let’s just borrow the government’s communication methods. We can buy as many buildings as we want.”

Currently, the Changryong Alliance’s finances were very abundant.

They could buy any manor to perform the functions of the main headquarters.

“So where are we going in the end?”

At Dam Soha’s question, Youngho Joon answered without hesitation.

“Wuhan.”

“Wuhan?”

“Wuhan?”

Not only Dam Soha but also Jo Gwan had a puzzled expression.

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province, located south of the Moyong Family, and a large city located on the Yangtze River.

“Why Wuhan?”

At Jo Gwan’s question, Youngho Joon answered.

“Wuhan is geographically central and easy to contact because it is on the Yangtze River. And above all……”

Youngho Joon grinned.

“It’s south of the Yangtze River, that is, Gangnam. Gongsun Family’s Nanchang is right in front of us.”

In fact, it wasn’t that close.

They belonged to different provinces, Hubei Province and Jiangxi Province, and the distance was quite far.

However, it was clear that there were no major sects or forces in between.

“Hehehe.”

Youngho Joon laughed as if he was really enjoying it.

“Young lady Dang Seol-ryun’s liver will be very cold, won’t it?”

Only then did the group understand Youngho Joon’s intention.

In other words, this was a declaration of war against the Gongsun Family and the Taepyung Alliance.

After a while, the meeting ended after discussing several issues.

Click.

The group, having finished their business, got up from their seats.

“Scholar Yun.”

Moyong Mi said to Yunhyun, who was about to get up from his seat.

The change in her title meant that it was a private matter.

“Yes.”

“The disciples of the main sect who you taught in the past said they want to see you. If it’s okay with you……”

“Ah, is that so?”

Yunhyun’s face brightened.

How could he forget them?

Although the beginning was not good, they were the ones Yunhyun had directly taught.

Memories of training together until late at night, even if it was only for three days, were blooming.

“Okay.”

Yunhyun readily agreed.

“Thank you. There will be training in the afternoon, so let’s go together then.”

Moyong Mi said with a bright smile.

Her smile was as bright and soft as the morning sun.

***

That night.

Yunhyun was sitting with Guest Elder in the Moyong Family’s accommodation.

Perhaps because he had met those he had taught in the past, Yunhyun’s face was very bright.

It couldn’t be helped.

Those disciples who couldn’t shed the awkwardness of being new were now warriors with intense eyes.

They did not hide their gazes of respect towards Yunhyun.

Yunhyun’s heart was even warmed by the sight.

“Everyone’s skills have improved amazingly. It wasn’t like that before.”

“Before?”

At Guest Elder’s question, Yunhyun smiled shyly.

“Yes. In fact, when I first came here, the situation was very different. At that time……”

“Hmm?”

Guest Elder, who was holding a teacup, suddenly stopped his hand.

Yunhyun also immediately stopped talking.

Swish.

Guest Elder turned to the window.

“Someone’s coming.”

“Yes, I felt it too.”

Although no one was visible, Guest Elder and Yunhyun were still watching the window.

Then, after a while, Guest Elder suddenly frowned.

“Is it that child again?”

Yunhyun also looked very embarrassed.

This was because the energy he was feeling now was clearly familiar to Yunhyun as well.

Tap.

In the meantime, there was a small sound in front of the door.

The small sound clearly showed the intention of not wanting to inform others.

Thud.

Yunhyun got up from his seat.

And quietly walked to the door and opened it.

Creak.

The door opened, and the figures of the uninvited visitors were revealed.

The person in front of the door was Bingseol of Bukhae Ilmun.

Behind her, still expressionless, stood a woman with a long black veil covering her face.

She was the Grand Palace Lord of Bukhae Ice Palace, whom he had parted with a few days ago at the pavilion in Gaebong.