Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 378

Startling news rippled through the Murim [martial arts world].

It was the report that the secular disciples of the Wudang Sect [a prominent Taoist martial arts sect] had driven out the Hero Alliance’s Wuhan branch.

The rumor struck the Murim world like a thunderclap.

Since the Yangtze River became the Hero Alliance’s territory, this was the first time one of their branches had fallen.

And it happened in Wuhan, a major city on the Yangtze River.

People were largely pleased, but they also watched closely to see how the Hero Alliance would react.

Even with the Wudang Sect involved, few believed the Iron-Blooded Death King, Yeom Jung-bu, would simply back down.

Following this, the rumor that the Changryong Alliance had established a temporary headquarters in Wuhan further piqued public interest.

The eyes of the entire Murim world were now focused on Wuhan.

Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

Taepyung Alliance Headquarters, Office of the Chief Military Officer for External Affairs.

“A temporary headquarters for the Changryong Alliance?” The Chief Military Officer for External Affairs, Dang Seol-ryun, inquired.

“Yes, that’s correct,” a subordinate answered respectfully.

“They haven’t constructed a separate headquarters building, nor have they formally hung a signboard. However, they seem to be effectively performing the functions of a headquarters.”

“I suppose so. Every organization needs leadership.”

Dang Seol-ryun frowned slightly, lost in thought.

Both Alliance Lord Yun Hyun and Chief Military Officer Yeong Ho-jun would be present.

After a moment of silence, Dang Seol-ryun suddenly asked the subordinate, “What about the Hero Alliance?”

“The Hero Alliance has canceled its plan to send ten former Great Demons to Wuhan.”

Dang Seol-ryun chuckled.

“They have no choice. Facing a master from the Wudang Sect, they might act rashly without considering the consequences, but facing the Alliance Lord of the Changryong Alliance would be suicidal.”

Dang Seol-ryun knew Yun Hyun’s martial prowess very well.

And so did the Iron-Blooded Death King, Yeom Jung-bu.

No matter how skilled the former Great Demons were, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Yun Hyun.

“However, it doesn’t seem like the Hero Alliance has given up on Wuhan. Rumors are circulating in Hangzhou that something big is brewing. The general mobilization order issued to all branches of the Hero Alliance has not been rescinded either.”

“They haven’t rescinded the general mobilization order for the branches?”

“No, that’s correct.”

The subordinate continued, “However, some details have been adjusted. The assembly date has been set, and orders have been issued to disperse and wait in the vicinity of Wuhan.”

*Rustle.*

Dang Seol-ryun picked up a document from her desk.

The document contained detailed intelligence about the Hero Alliance.

Large-scale armed groups could no longer move freely as they did when the Murim Alliance collapsed.

Each branch of the Hero Alliance was to be divided into the smallest possible units, move separately, and wait scattered around Wuhan.

Dang Seol-ryun smiled faintly as she read through the contents.

“As expected, the Iron-Blooded Death King wouldn’t simply back down.”

Dang Seol-ryun put down the document.

Then, she tapped the desk with her finger, a habit she had when deep in thought.

“Chief Military Officer.”

The subordinate spoke suddenly, a serious look in his eyes.

“How about we seize Chongqing in this opportunity?”

Chongqing was a key trading hub in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

If they could seize Chongqing, the Tang Clan [renowned for their poison and weaponry] and the Taepyung Alliance could confidently gain a foothold in the Yangtze River trade.

“No, that’s not a good idea,” Dang Seol-ryun answered without hesitation.

“We’re seeing firsthand how the Hero Alliance is reacting to the fall of the Wuhan branch. Are you suggesting we invite that trouble upon ourselves?”

With a fierce glint in her eyes, Dang Seol-ryun continued, “Even if we were to try to take Chongqing, it would have to be after the Hero Alliance collapses. If you’re going to spout such nonsense, you can quit right now.”

Her reaction was sharp.

“I apologize,” the subordinate said with a stiff expression.

Dang Seol-ryun turned her gaze away from the subordinate and pondered again.

“…However.”

A faint smile appeared on Dang Seol-ryun’s lips.

“The idea itself isn’t bad. Everyone will be considering that possibility.”

“Yes?” the subordinate asked, puzzled.

*Click.*

Dang Seol-ryun rose from her seat and spread a map on the desk.

*Whirr.*

A map of Jiangnan [region south of the Yangtze River] unfolded before Dang Seol-ryun and her subordinate.

Dang Seol-ryun, examining Sichuan Province where the Tang Clan was located, Chongqing, a central trading city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the regions beyond, smiled.

“Tell the Hyeokryun Family and the Gongson Family,” Dang Seol-ryun continued, her eyes fixed on the map.

“Tell them I want to meet the family head, or the acting family head with full authority, in secret because there is an important matter to discuss urgently.”

“Only the Hyeokryun Family and the Gongson Family?”

Excluding the other families could potentially cause problems later.

It was understandable that the subordinate asked again.

“Yes. Only the Hyeokryun Family and the Gongson Family,” Dang Seol-ryun did not correct her words.

“It will be a very interesting affair,” Dang Seol-ryun said with a faint smile.

Her eyes shone brightly.

***

Wuhan outskirts, Changryong Alliance temporary headquarters.

Jin Ye-rim frowned, standing before a large mansion with an antique charm.

“This is the headquarters?”

The mansion was quite large and had an elegant atmosphere, but it didn’t look like the headquarters of an alliance.

It didn’t even have a signboard, so to the uninitiated, it would simply look like a large, private residence.

Yeong Ho-jun smiled.

“It’s a temporary headquarters, just like you are a temporary Deputy Chief Military Officer, Miss Jin.”

Jin Ye-rim sighed.

“What exactly is that title of temporary Deputy Chief Military Officer? Who bestowed that title upon me without my knowledge?”

“I, the Chief Military Officer, did it. I wanted to remove the ‘temporary’ part, but the Alliance Lord said it couldn’t be done without your consent… If we just push ahead, things usually work out, but our Alliance Lord is too principled, don’t you think?”

“That’s because you’re wrong, Chief Military Officer. The Alliance Lord is right.”

Yeong Ho-jun continued, barely listening.

“Anyway, for the time being, please take charge of the guests. Just assess them and decide whether to accept them as cooperative clans or not.”

“Cooperative clans?” Jin Ye-rim asked, puzzled by the unfamiliar term.

“The Alliance Lord doesn’t want the Changryong Alliance to grow too large. He believes it would be sufficient to have cooperative relationships with most clans. He doesn’t want the Changryong Alliance to become another Murim Alliance.”

Jin Ye-rim’s eyes sparkled.

In the past, the Murim Alliance had wielded absolute power, to the point where it created the term ‘Murim Alliance System’ in the Murim world.

While it was true that they ended the Righteous-Demonic War and resolved the chaos with that power, the side effects that followed were considerable.

Jin Ye-rim, who grew up as the daughter of a small martial arts school, knew that very well.

“As expected of the Alliance Lord. Then, should I review and organize those applications and submit them to you, Chief Military Officer?”

“Submit what?” At Jin Ye-rim’s question, Yeong Ho-jun responded as if it were obvious.

“Didn’t I tell you to decide? If you approve it, they’re a cooperative clan from then on, and if you don’t, they’re not. You can bring it to me if you find it difficult to decide.”

At those words, Jin Ye-rim couldn’t hide her surprise.

“No, you’re giving me that authority? The authority to decide on the Changryong Alliance’s cooperative clans?”

“It’s not an affiliation, it’s cooperation, so why are you so surprised? And the Alliance Lord said so. If you assign work and don’t give authority, it’s just making them suffer. I’m simply giving you the authority that matches the job, so don’t worry about it.”

However, Jin Ye-rim couldn’t help but worry.

“No, but I’m not from a prestigious family, so such an important role…”

“Your skills have already been proven, haven’t they? You organized Changryong Alliance branches in Emei [a famous Buddhist martial arts sect] and with the Namgung Family [a prominent martial arts clan].”

Jin Ye-rim was speechless.

It was certainly true, but that was because there was no one else suitable.

Now, the Changryong Alliance had Shaolin [the most famous Buddhist martial arts sect], Mount Hua [a prestigious Taoist martial arts sect], Wudang, Emei, as well as the Namgung Family, the Moyeong Family, and even the Bukhae Ilmun [Northern Sea School].

To be given such an important role, surpassing such prominent talents?

It was a moment when the title of ‘temporary Deputy Chief Military Officer’ felt particularly heavy.

“Well, if someone more talented than you comes along, don’t hesitate to quickly hand over the work.”

Jin Ye-rim gave a bitter smile at Yeong Ho-jun’s words.

“Then I’ll be resigning sooner than I thought.”

“Resigning?” Yeong Ho-jun frowned and said, “How much work is there to do, and you’re resigning? You should go to another department. Oh, have you met your friends from Hangzhou? I heard they’re hanging out with the secular disciples of the Wudang Sect these days.”

The young elites from the Hangzhou martial arts school in Emei had come early to protect the temporary headquarters.

Thanks to the secular disciples of the Wudang Sect being very friendly to the Changryong Alliance, they were getting along and building friendships with each other.

“…That’s good,” Jin Ye-rim, who knew very well that she wouldn’t have time for that, answered indifferently.

“Now, hurry up and go look at the piled-up letters and do some basic research. There’s a lot of it.”

“Letters?” Jin Ye-rim was bewildered.

She wondered what he was talking about, suddenly mentioning letters, but Yeong Ho-jun chuckled.

“Because the rumor that there’s a Changryong Alliance temporary headquarters in Wuhan has spread, everyone is in an uproar right now. There are already so many letters overflowing, not only from clans hoping to join, but also from people who just want to meet you once without any conditions.”

Originally, it was customary to send a preliminary note when visiting someone.

Thanks to that, the temporary headquarters was now piled high with letters delivered by people from the security bureau.

Jin Ye-rim sighed.

“To be greeted with work as soon as I arrive… Are you going to give me a hefty monthly salary?”

“Give you a lot? I’ll make sure you get your regular salary, so don’t worry. As you know, our Changryong Alliance is very financially stable, isn’t it?”

With the powerful figures of the court and the giant clans sponsoring them, there was no way they would lack funds.

“Take this opportunity to work hard thinking about saving up for your marriage fund. Youth is fleeting, but money lasts a long time. Deputy Chief Military Officer Jin Ye-rim.”

Yeong Ho-jun smiled brightly.

It was pleasing to see his handsome face smiling, but even that smile was annoying to Jin Ye-rim.

***

A few days later, a man came to visit the Changryong Alliance temporary headquarters.

He didn’t have a letter announcing his visit, nor did he have a letter of introduction, but Jin Ye-rim had no choice but to guide him to the Alliance Lord, Yun Hyun.

That was because he was the young master of the Zhuge Family, Zhuge Gi-ho.

“It’s very nice to see you, Secretary Yun. No, you’re the Alliance Lord now. Hahahaha.”

Zhuge Gi-ho laughed heartily with his large frame.

He had once traveled to Bukhae with Yun Hyun, and now, as the Chief Military Officer for Internal Affairs of the Taepyung Alliance, he had personally visited the Changryong Alliance temporary headquarters.

“Welcome. It’s been a while,” Yun Hyun greeted Zhuge Gi-ho with a smile.

Zhuge Gi-ho entered Yun Hyun’s office with a friendly smile.

“Please, have a seat,” Yun Hyun said, inviting him to sit. Zhuge Gi-ho sat down with a hearty thud.

Yun Hyun brought out fresh tea for his guest.

The preparation was quick because there was already warm water.

*Pour, pour.*

Yun Hyun poured the tea himself.

“Oh, it smells good,” Zhuge Gi-ho picked up the teacup.

After savoring the aroma, he looked around the office and said, “Alliance Lord’s office is like a study.”

Yun Hyun’s office was filled with books and the scent of ink, giving it a quiet and elegant atmosphere.

“Of course, I don’t like it very much. I don’t like books. Hahahaha.”

Yun Hyun smiled at Zhuge Gi-ho’s hearty laughter.

Zhuge Gi-ho was the same as before.

Zhuge Gi-ho sipped the tea and put down the teacup.

*Clink.*

Staring intently at Yun Hyun, Zhuge Gi-ho asked, “Do you know why I came?”

“Yes,” Yun Hyun answered while holding the teacup.

“Didn’t you come to convey the Zhuge Family’s intention to join the Changryong Alliance?”

That was, at first glance, a ridiculous notion.

For the Zhuge Family, a pillar of the Taepyung Alliance along with the Tang Clan, to join the Changryong Alliance was an unimaginable scenario.

However, Zhuge Gi-ho’s eyes widened.

“No, how did you know?”

Yun Hyun smiled quietly and savored the tea.

Then he said softly, “Bukhae Ilmun has joined the Changryong Alliance. That’s because the trend in Gangbuk [region north of the river] has already been decided, and they knew that the Taepyung Alliance would be heading to Gangnam [region south of the river] in the future.”

Putting down the teacup, Yun Hyun continued, “Then wouldn’t the Zhuge Family, which is in the same situation, have similar thoughts?”

Yun Hyun looked at Zhuge Gi-ho and smiled.

The smile was gentle, but his eyes were full of conviction.