Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 380

380. Upheaval

Sichuan Province, Chengdu, the main headquarters of the Taepyeong Alliance.

Clang.

Dang Seol-yeon, the Chief Military Officer, looked up at the sound of the bell.

“Come in.”

Rustle.

The door to the office opened, and a subordinate entered.

The subordinate spoke with an urgent expression.

“Chief Military Officer! Naval Commander Jin Rim is dead.”

“What?”

Dang Seol-yeon frowned and looked up at the subordinate.

“Here are the details…”

Dang Seol-yeon snatched the document the subordinate offered.

Rustle.

Dang Seol-yeon’s expression hardened.

The document contained rumors about the death of Naval Commander Jin Rim.

And the source of the rumors was none other than the Heroic Alliance’s branches.

“Is this true? The Heroic Alliance killed the Naval Commander?”

Dang Seol-yeon glared at the subordinate and asked in a sharp voice.

The subordinate nodded.

“Yes. The rumors are rampant along the Yangtze River. Although they are trying to keep it quiet, each branch of the Heroic Alliance is thrilled. They say the Heroic Alliance has shown the government what’s what.”

“This…”

Dang Seol-yeon was speechless.

To dare kill the Naval Commander was beyond words.

“This is too much! How could they do something like this unless they’re crazy!”

Thud.

Dang Seol-yeon slammed the desk and shouted.

It might be a heroic tale to the bandits.

They boast about killing officials and harming government soldiers.

But anyone with a little sense would know that the Heroic Alliance had made a huge mistake.

“How are they going to handle the aftermath! Are they trying to ruin the entire Jianghu [the martial arts world]!”

It was natural for Dang Seol-yeon to shout.

The Naval Commander was the highest-ranking officer in the military.

Now that the Naval Commander was dead, the Imperial Court would never stand still.

All the sects would be subject to surveillance and searches.

Even those unrelated to the Heroic Alliance, or even those who simply carried a sword, would be arrested, detained, and tortured.

A storm of blood would sweep through the Jianghu.

“It seems that Yeom Jung-bu is determined. They say that the leader of the Heroic Alliance, the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu, will personally lead the attack on Wuhan this time. As a result, the momentum of the demonic figures and bandits is soaring.”

Clench.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

In Yeom Jung-bu’s position, it was understandable.

Once naval training began, the Heroic Alliance would wither away.

But this was tantamount to everyone dying together.

“Find out if the rumors are true immediately. Now!”

“Yes!”

The source of the rumor that the Naval Commander was killed was still only the Heroic Alliance branches.

Hoping that this was a misunderstanding or a distortion, Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

“…And there’s one more urgent message.”

Dang Seol-yeon turned her head sharply to look at the subordinate.

“What is it?”

The subordinate carefully took out a letter.

The sealed letter was for Dang Seol-yeon alone.

Rustle.

Dang Seol-yeon received the letter.

“Leave.”

Dang Seol-yeon spoke in a stern tone.

The subordinate bowed and quickly left the office.

Clack.

The door closed, and Dang Seol-yeon opened the letter.

Soon, her eyes widened.

Clench.

Dang Seol-yeon gritted her teeth.

But the shock she received was not long.

“Hmph.”

Rustle.

She put down the letter and sneered.

“I knew this would happen.”

Perhaps it was more shocking news than the rumor of the Naval Commander’s death.

The letter briefly stated that the Zhuge Family had withdrawn from the Taepyeong Alliance and joined the Changlong Alliance.

The Zhuge Family, along with the Tang Family, was considered the backbone of the Taepyeong Alliance.

“Okay. Nothing matters anymore.”

With a cold gaze, Dang Seol-yeon muttered.

“We’re going all the way. Just like Yeom Jung-bu.”

Dang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

Her eyes gleamed with venom.

***

Wuhan, Changlong Alliance Temporary Headquarters.

Chief Military Officer’s office.

Thud.

The door opened roughly, and Jin Ye-rim rushed in.

Yeongho-jun, who was struggling with documents, looked up.

“What is it? Vice Chief Military Officer.”

“Something terrible has happened!”

Jin Ye-rim said with a stiff expression.

“The Naval Commander is dead. By the Heroic Alliance!”

Yeongho-jun’s expression hardened.

He frowned and asked.

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

Jin Ye-rim nodded.

“The rumor is all over the Yangtze River…”

“Hoo.”

Yeongho-jun sighed in relief.

“Why, why?”

Jin Ye-rim asked with a puzzled expression, and Yeongho-jun said.

“I was shocked. I thought it was news from the government.”

“Ah, no, but everyone is talking about it…”

“Vice Chief Military Officer.”

Yeongho-jun looked at Jin Ye-rim and said.

“Rumors in the Jianghu are not to be trusted. If you only listen to others, you’ll be swayed here and there. Just like now.”

Jin Ye-rim blinked with a puzzled expression.

“Have you confirmed the truth of the rumor with the government?”

“As a matter of fact, the Censorate [an imperial surveillance agency] is on his way to the Regional Inspector’s Office. He said he’s going to check the details…”

“That’s the right attitude.”

Yeongho-jun continued in a serious voice.

“What do you think will happen if the Naval Commander is killed by the Heroic Alliance?”

“Um, that’s…”

Jin Ye-rim soon deduced the result.

“All the sects in the Jianghu will have to close their doors. Maybe there will be a law banning swords.”

“It’s not just maybe, it will definitely happen. A world where you can be arrested just for carrying a sword. Countless martial artists, regardless of whether they are righteous or evil, will die. Do you think the Heroic Alliance, or Yeom Jung-bu, can do that?”

“But you never know.”

Jin Ye-rim retorted.

“They might be willing to die together, or they might not leave any traces. Maybe they’re confident they can survive on their own…”

Not leaving traces and the rumor being rampant on the Yangtze River are contradictory.

Anyway, it’s not entirely impossible.

But Yeongho-jun shook his head.

“That won’t happen. No, even if it does, it’s impossible to kill the Naval Commander. Unless Yeom Jung-bu takes the lead himself.”

“Why?”

“Because the Eunuch Bureau’s experts are already escorting the Naval Commander.”

That was something even Jin Ye-rim couldn’t imagine.

“Yes? No, since when…”

“From the beginning.”

Yeongho-jun continued in a calm voice.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? It’s enough for one of the Alliance Leader’s adopted daughters to be kidnapped. I’ve been taking measures to ensure the safety of the Naval Commander for a long time. As well as the Alliance Leader’s family, relatives, and the bereaved family of his sworn brother.”

Jin Ye-rim had a blank expression.

“Ah, by the way, your family is also under protection. The ranking isn’t high, so it’s not the Eunuch Bureau’s experts, but if the Magistrate is watching over them, there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

That was enough to embarrass Jin Ye-rim.

Amused by the sight, Yeongho-jun smiled brightly.

“Now that you know, go and do your job. The Censorate is going through unnecessary trouble. Nothing will happen anyway.”

Muttering to himself, Yeongho-jun turned his eyes back to the documents.

“Then the rumor is just a distortion?”

“It could be, but I think it’s quite intentional.”

“Intentional?”

Yeongho-jun continued without taking his eyes off the documents.

“It’s to raise morale by instilling a sense of crisis ahead of the decisive battle. It’s meant to show that Yeom Jung-bu is so determined that he killed the Naval Commander and is taking the lead himself. Of course, the morale of the Heroic Alliance’s bandits and demonic figures will also rise.”

“But if it turns out that the Naval Commander is alive…”

Rustle.

Yeongho-jun sighed and looked up.

“People will only realize that after the naval training has begun. Until then, the rumor that the Naval Commander is dead will spread like wildfire. The Heroic Alliance is openly spreading it, and it’s much more sensational.”

Once a rumor starts, it’s not easy to quell it.

The rumor that the Heroic Alliance killed the Naval Commander and the fact that it’s not true are completely different in impact.

Only the Naval Commander and the Heroic Alliance will remain in people’s memories.

Until the naval training begins and the testimony that Naval Commander Jin Rim is fine spreads.

“More importantly, have you sent emergency notices to each sect? Vice Chief Military Officer.”

“Yes. I’ve already sent them.”

“Hmm, the Zhuge Family will have envoys and disciples coming all at once. Mobilizing forces as soon as they join…”

Yeongho-jun shook his head and turned his eyes back to the documents.

But Jin Ye-rim’s words were not over yet.

“But is it enough to request that many people? Bandits are flocking from all the Heroic Alliance branches, and there are so many demonic figures. And if the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu takes the lead…”

“It’s enough.”

Yeongho-jun asserted without hesitation.

“The problem is the Taepyeong Alliance. It would be very difficult if they hit us in the back this time. Especially if we have to deal with the Tang Family’s poison during the melee.”

Tapping the table with his finger, Yeongho-jun fell into thought.

“Well, for now, we can only hope that she does well.”

Jin Ye-rim tilted her head.

“Who needs to do what well?”

Yeongho-jun looked at Jin Ye-rim and smiled.

“You’ll find out later. Vice Chief Military Officer.”

Jin Ye-rim frowned.

But Yeongho-jun didn’t say anything more.

Instead, he picked up a stack of documents from the pile in front of him.

Rustle.

“If you have time to worry about such rumors, help me with my work.”

Jin Ye-rim flinched at the sight of Yeongho-jun trying to hand over the documents.

“No. I’m busy too.”

Jin Ye-rim turned around and left.

Yeongho-jun smiled bitterly but soon began to struggle with the pile of documents again.

There was no tension or anxiety in his expression.

The Heroic Alliance’s entire branches and demonic figures, and even the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu.

It was as if the entire Heroic Alliance was heading to Wuhan, and the rumor was shaking the Yangtze River.

***

Changlong Alliance Temporary Headquarters, Alliance Leader’s office.

Yun-hyeon, Guest Elder, Yeongho-jun, Jin Ye-rim, Dam So-ha, and even Censorate Jo Gwan were all gathered in one place.

“That’s a relief.”

Rustle.

Yun-hyeon put down the letter and said.

It was a letter that Censorate Jo Gwan had officially received through the Regional Inspector.

“The carriage was destroyed, but the Naval Commander is safe. No one was hurt.”

Yun-hyeon handed the letter to Yeongho-jun.

Yeongho-jun immediately read the letter.

The letter contained the detailed situation of the incident.

It was a desperate situation with two carriages crashing in, but the Eunuch Bureau’s experts safely evacuated the Naval Commander.

The carriage was destroyed, but no one was hurt.

However, the coachmen disappeared in the chaos, so the background or motive could not be revealed.

“It seems they didn’t intend to assassinate him from the beginning.”

Yeongho-jun said, examining the letter.

“If Yeom Jung-bu really wanted to kill the Naval Commander, he wouldn’t have done it so carelessly.”

“Of course.”

Yun-hyeon said with a bitter smile.

“Yeom Jung-bu is a very selfish person. He will never do anything that is detrimental to him.”

Others may be horrified by Yeom Jung-bu’s boldness after hearing this rumor, but not those here.

Rather, Yun-hyeon and his party were able to clearly confirm Yeom Jung-bu’s limitations due to this incident.

Yeongho-jun nodded and said.

“As expected, it is highly likely that it will be as the Alliance Leader predicted.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yun-hyeon looked around at the group and said.

“So please prepare thoroughly. The Heroic Alliance’s bandits will be staking their lives on this.”

“I understand.”

Yeongho-jun nodded.

Those gathering in Wuhan are not just the bandits from each branch.

The former demonic figures and all kinds of ferocious people from the heretical factions who have gathered in the Heroic Alliance have been gathering in Wuhan.

Moreover, it is a place where the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jung-bu is taking the lead.

They were determined to make a contribution this time.

“Even if the bandits or demonic figures are like that…”

Yeongho-jun said with a bitter smile.

“The Alliance Leader must be having a hard time. Because he has to catch Yeom Jung-bu.”

“Hard time?”

Yun-hyeon said with a soft smile.

“I have to do it anyway.”

Yun-hyeon’s eyes were calm as he spoke.