Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 374

374. What Happened in Wuhan

Hubei Province, Wuhan.

Having arrived in Wuhan, Unhyun and his party settled into their lodgings before heading to the Yellow Crane Tower.

Unhyun had always wanted to visit the Yellow Crane Tower, not only because of Yeonghojun’s recommendation but also because of its fame in old poems.

Swaaaaa.

“Wow, it’s so refreshing.”

Only after chatting at the Yellow Crane Tower did Damso smile, as if he could finally breathe.

“I wondered why the Yellow Crane Tower was so praised, but it seems it’s because the wind blows so coolly.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

That might not be the only reason, but the wind was indeed very refreshing upon reaching the Yellow Crane Tower.

The scenery from each floor was slightly different, and the beautiful view of the Yangtze River from the highest floor was also very pleasing.

Royal Inspector Jo Gwan and Gaekong seemed to like the place as well, their eyes softening.

Yeonghojun leaned against the railing, reciting poetry in a low voice, and some of the young ladies who were out for a stroll couldn’t take their eyes off him.

“The sun is setting,” Yeonghojun said suddenly.

The sight of the Yangtze River dyed in the sunset was truly beautiful.

People forgot to speak for a moment, gazing at the sky and the Yangtze River turning red.

“Hoo.”

Yeonghojun sighed softly and muttered to himself.

“If I were to have a fateful encounter with an attractive woman in a place like this, I would fall in love at first sight, wouldn’t I?”

Hearing those words right next to him, Unhyun gave a bitter smile.

“Maybe it would happen to Commander Yeonghojun, but I don’t think it will happen to me.”

It might happen to Yeonghojun, who attracts women’s attention just by standing still, but it’s impossible for me.

“Is that so?”

Yeonghojun wore a meaningful smile.

But Unhyun didn’t particularly respond.

Swaaaaa.

Relaxing and savoring the blowing wind, Unhyun quietly watched the spectacle unfolding before his eyes.

For some reason, Wuhan began to feel familiar.

After descending the Yellow Crane Tower, Jo Gwan headed to the Regional Inspector’s office for a report.

Yeonghojun said he was going to find a real estate agent to find a house to chat in.

I don’t know why he’s looking in a tavern, though.

“Then I’ll see you at the lodgings later. It’s a beautiful city, so please take your time to look around,” Yeonghojun said to Unhyun with a smile.

In the past, Yeonghojun always stayed by his side, saying he had to protect the Lord, but since Gaekong joined, he didn’t care at all.

Well, with Gaekong around, what worries would Yeonghojun have?

After Yeonghojun and Damso left in a carriage, only Gaekong and Unhyun remained.

“Where are we going?”

Was it because of the afterglow of the sunset seen from the Yellow Crane Tower?

Gaekong also seemed to want to look around Wuhan.

Since we had to eat dinner anyway.

“Commander recommended a few restaurants, so let’s go there.”

Gaekong nodded.

We could have hailed a passing carriage, but walking leisurely didn’t seem so bad.

“Let’s go.”

Unhyun started walking with Gaekong.

The night streets of Wuhan, hung with colorful lanterns, gently embraced the two.

***

The night streets of Wuhan had a different charm from Gaebong.

Perhaps because it was a key point for Yangtze River logistics, street food made with all sorts of ingredients tempted Unhyun and Gaekong from all directions.

Unhyun and Gaekong enjoyed a leisurely moment, looking at the brightly lit shops and the people coming and going.

Then suddenly, Gaekong spoke.

“There.”

Unhyun followed Gaekong’s gaze and looked up.

A tall pavilion stood, lit with colorful lanterns.

“The scenery seems quite good.”

The pavilion seemed to be either a tavern or a teahouse.

Unhyun, still impressed by the Yangtze River dyed in the sunset, nodded.

“It seems we can see the night view of the Yangtze River. Shall we go?”

There was no need to ask.

Gaekong was already heading towards the pavilion.

Unhyun smiled and followed behind.

Chwrak.

Drawing back the long, colorful curtain, Unhyun stepped inside.

And then, he flinched for a moment.

“Oh my, welcome.”

A beautiful middle-aged woman in a fancy dress greeted Unhyun with a bright smile.

But Unhyun couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

This place, lit with colorful lanterns, was not a tavern or a teahouse, but a brothel.

All the floors were divided into small rooms, and the laughter of women and the sound of music could be heard from all directions.

It was clear that this was a place where courtesans sold their smiles and talents.

“I’m Hwaseol. Is this your first time here, both of you?”

Hwaseol said with a friendly smile.

“Ah, well, we are…”

Just as he was about to say that they had come to the wrong place, Gaekong suddenly spoke.

“Where is the place with the best view of the Yangtze River?”

“Why, of course, it’s the highest floor.”

Hwaseol continued with a smile.

“But unfortunately, there are already guests there. That floor is an entire room [private room], so we can’t accommodate any more people.”

Seuk.

Gaekong looked up.

The pavilion had a very high ceiling because of its open center.

Gaekong stared at the ceiling for a moment without saying a word.

“There’s a room available on the floor right below. The night view from there is also very beautiful. It’s a great place to see our girls’ talents…”

It was when Hwaseol was continuing in a clear voice.

“It seems there’s a problem.”

Gaekong said quietly, looking at the ceiling.

“Yes?”

Unhyun wore a puzzled expression.

But when he focused quietly, looking at the ceiling, he could definitely hear a different sound.

It was a young and thin scream, completely different from the laughter of the women flowing out from here and there.

Unhyun’s expression hardened.

Taktaktak.

“B, big trouble.”

A servant rushed out from inside.

He spoke to Hwaseol with a pale face.

“The guests are doing something to Yehyang…”

Hwaseol’s expression changed.

Yehyang was the most prized courtesan they had sent to the highest floor.

“What about Yehyang?”

“Well, the guests slapped Yehyang on the cheek and, and tore her clothes.”

Hwaseol’s expression stiffened.

This was a place that sold laughter and talent.

Touching a courtesan was a serious problem. Tearing her clothes was even more absurd.

‘Why now….’

Hwaseol bit her lip.

The guests on the top floor were people whose displeasure should never be incurred.

No, in Wuhan, no one dared to defy them.

But she couldn’t just ignore the courtesan’s plight.

Hwaseol turned to another woman nearby and said.

“Can you guide these gentlemen?”

“Yes, I understand.”

The woman immediately bowed her head and obeyed Hwawol’s command.

Hwaseol smiled at Unhyun and Gaekong and bowed politely.

“Then, have a good time.”

Sarak.

Hwaseol, lifting her head, turned around.

And hurried away with the servant.

Gaekong and Unhyun were watching Hwaseol’s retreating figure.

“This way, gentlemen. To…”

Just as another woman was about to guide them, Gaekong suddenly spoke.

“I don’t care if there are guests already.”

Jeobeok.

Gaekong said as he moved his feet.

“If there are rats messing around my house, I’ll have to chase them out.”

The expression ‘my house’ wasn’t exactly wrong.

They were about to set up a temporary main base in Wuhan anyway.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

Gaekong walked towards the stairs.

Hwaseol and the servant had already passed this floor and were stepping onto the stairs leading to the third floor.

“Let’s go together.”

Unhyun followed behind Gaekong.

Amidst the laughter of people here and there, Unhyun hurried his steps, worried that he might fall behind.

***

Before the Martial Arts Alliance collapsed, the influence of the lay disciples of the Wudang Sect [a prominent Taoist martial arts school] in Wuhan was absolute.

Even if the sects or martial arts centers they belonged to were different, they did not hesitate to help their fellow disciples, united by the pride of Wudang.

Ordinary disputes were often resolved just by the rumor that the lay disciples of Wudang had stepped in.

But everything changed as the Martial Arts Alliance collapsed and the Heroes Alliance took control of the Yangtze River.

At the center of it all were the Ghost Mask Demon Lord and the Gloomy Murderous Devil.

“Keuhahaha! What are you doing?”

The Ghost Mask Demon Lord laughed loudly, holding a wine glass.

He shouted at the musicians as if he was enjoying himself.

“Sing! Play the instruments! Shouldn’t there be a song at a time like this! Hahahaha!”

However, the musicians were terrified and couldn’t do anything.

Some even closed their eyes and turned their heads.

Because they were witnessing something they couldn’t bear to see right in front of them.

“P, please forgive me. Please…”

The courtesan of this place, Yehyang, trembled, covering her torn front with both hands.

The marks of being slapped were evident on her cheeks, and her lips were torn and bleeding.

Her carefully decorated hair and ornaments had long been disheveled and ruined.

Her prized seven-stringed zither [a traditional Chinese stringed instrument] was also lying discarded over there.

“Keuheuheuh. Who said they were going to kill you?”

The Gloomy Murderous Devil said, his eyes gleaming.

In his hand, curled like a bird’s claw, was a torn piece of Yehyang’s clothing.

“Isn’t this because this old one is trying to cherish you?”

The Ghost Mask Demon Lord and the Gloomy Murderous Devil were former Great Devils.

Both of them looked to be middle-aged, but they were already old monsters of the Jianghu [the martial arts world] who had experienced all sorts of hardships.

They had been the targets of the Martial Arts Alliance’s assassination attempts for their various misdeeds, and they had been hidden for a long time, but they were here in Wuhan.

“Keukeukeu.”

The Gloomy Murderous Devil looked at the fair chest revealed between Yehyang’s torn front with greedy eyes.

“Ah!”

Yehyang flinched and pulled at her torn front.

She looked around desperately, but there was no helping hand.

“It’s no use.”

The Gloomy Murderous Devil wore a sinister smile.

“Because there is no one in this Wuhan who dares to defy this old one’s will. Keukeukeu.”

They were heinous and even had dirty personalities, but their skills were real.

Unless it was a master from the Wudang headquarters, the lay disciples could not defeat the Gloomy Murderous Devil and the Ghost Mask Demon Lord.

As the number of lay disciples who died at the hands of the two former Great Devils exceeded ten, the lay disciples of the Wudang Sect eventually began to hold their breath.

While Wudang forbade its disciples from leaving the mountain gate, Wuhan fell into the hands of the two former Great Devils and the Heroes Alliance.

“Aren’t you going to play?”

The Ghost Mask Demon Lord frowned, glaring at the musicians.

The musicians turned pale at the momentum that suddenly came at them.

They hurriedly began to play their instruments.

But there was no way that a performance filled with fear could be done properly.

Kkiing, kkiing.

A strange sound echoed, and the Gloomy Murderous Devil reached out to Yehyang.

“Come on, come here…”

It was just then, when Yehyang’s face turned blue as if she was about to faint.

Dalkak.

The door opened and Hwaseol entered.

The Gloomy Murderous Devil, who had been teasing Yehyang, and the Ghost Mask Demon Lord, who had been tormenting the musicians, both turned their heads.

“What is it? Spoiling the mood.”

The Ghost Mask Demon Lord frowned.

The Gloomy Murderous Devil also did not hide his uncomfortable expression.

“Get lost. I didn’t call for you.”

His voice was murderous.

Hwaseol clasped her trembling hands together and smiled.

“I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment.”

Hwaseol said with a smile.

“But Yehyang is a child who doesn’t know how to please men. She is not enough to entertain you.”

“Heung!”

The Ghost Mask Demon Lord snorted.

“Who do you think you are to decide such a thing? Stop talking nonsense and…”

“So?”

The Gloomy Murderous Devil showed interest.

He said to Hwaseol with a sinister smile.

“Are you saying that there is another girl who can entertain us?”

“Of course.”

Hwaseol said with a bashful smile.

But she couldn’t help but tremble.

Because many lives depended on her every word now.

“They are beautiful and know how to please men. Right now…”

“Take it off.”

Hwaseol paused at the sudden words.

But the Gloomy Murderous Devil looked at Hwaseol with gleaming eyes and said.

“Take it off. Everything, without leaving anything behind, right here and now. Then I’ll do as you say.”

“Huhu.”

Hwaseol covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed.

“Even if you look at someone like me…”

“I.”

The Gloomy Murderous Devil said, his eyes shining.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

In that moment, Hwaseol realized.

Even if Hwaseol took off her clothes, he would not keep his promise.

He was just trying to humiliate Hwaseol and enjoy it.

That blatant intention was clearly revealed in the Gloomy Murderous Devil’s eyes.

Hwaseol bit her lip.

But now she had no choice.

Hwaseol reached for her own clothes with trembling hands.

It was just then.

Sarak.

Someone stepped forward in front of her.

She could only see his back, but Hwaseol could quickly tell who he was.

One of the two guests she had seen for the first time a little while ago, the scholar who had seemed particularly quiet, was standing in front of her.