Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 388

388. Aftermath

Yunhyun gazed at the ruined Hero Alliance.

The Hero Alliance, which had roamed the Yangtze River as if it were their own, was now nothing more than burnt and collapsed remains.

And beneath it, the traces of the Martial Alliance, which once looked down upon the *Kangho* [martial world], would be buried.

Swish.

Yunhyun turned his head.

He looked at Yeonghojun, who had asked, ‘How big should we build the Azure Dragon Alliance’s main base?’

“Build it big.”

Yunhyun said with a gentle smile.

“Big enough for all the sects of the *Kangho* [martial world] to enter.”

“Yes?”

“Huh?”

“What did you say?”

Yeonghojun, Dam Soha, and Jin Yerim asked back in surprise.

Even Royal Inspector Jo Gwan and his aide, Hang Jangik, who were next to him, widened their eyes.

“No, that doesn’t make sense. To do that, even covering the entire Hangzhou would not be enough… Ah!”

Dam Soha, who was speaking, sparkled her eyes.

Jin Yerim also gave a bitter smile.

It was because she realized what Yunhyun meant by those words.

“So that all the sects in the world can come in, is it?”

Yunhyun nodded at Jin Yerim’s words.

“Yes, that’s right. So that even sects that are not affiliated with the Azure Dragon Alliance can have the opportunity for dialogue and consultation here.”

That could be said to be a non sequitur to the question of ‘how big’.

However, it was a wise answer in that it suggested the direction of the architecture.

“That’s interesting.”

Yeonghojun shrugged his shoulders.

“It might be simpler than we think? Instead of building walls, we can just say that the whole world is the Azure Dragon Alliance’s main base, right?”

“Then everyone will be forced to join the Azure Dragon Alliance. Should we ask them to pay membership fees too?”

Dam Soha muttered to herself.

Yeonghojun flinched at those words.

Dam Soha’s words suddenly made him feel like a corrupt merchant.

“Ahem, just kidding. Then we should place the guest quarters at the front. And build the main gate in an open form if possible……”

In fact, how to build it might not be a big problem.

The Martial Alliance was also a consultative body at first, but it soon became corrupted by the large sects.

However, the construction of the main base was by no means a minor issue in that it revealed the will of the Azure Dragon Alliance.

It was because the entire *Kangho* [martial world] was watching the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Step, step.

Yunhyun turned his head at the sound of footsteps from behind.

Sword Saint Yi Gyeomhak and Guest Elder were walking over.

“You were here.”

At Guest Elder’s words, Yeonghojun immediately paid his respects politely.

He had come here as soon as he got off the ship, so he had not yet met Guest Elder.

“Have you been well……”

Yeonghojun, who was speaking, opened his mouth wide.

It was because Sword Saint Yi Gyeomhak was standing right in front of him.

How could Yeonghojun not know the Sword Saint?

Yeonghojun, who had the Sword Saint, the sky of swords, in front of him, could not hide his surprise.

However, Dam Soha and Jin Yerim greeted him without any fuss.

It was because they had already been introduced to him by Yunhyun, and they had met him every day for several days until Yeonghojun came to Hangzhou with the rest of the group.

“Welcome, Elder.”

“You’ve arrived.”

Even the Sword Saint lightly nodded in return.

Yeonghojun looked at Jin Yerim with surprised eyes.

“Do you, do you know who this is?”

“Yes.”

Jin Yerim answered with a rather puzzled expression.

“He’s ‘Sword Old Master’, right?”

“Sword Old Master?”

“Oh, that’s…… He introduced himself as a person crazy about swords, so we just call him that among ourselves.”

Sword Saint Yi Gyeomhak does not hesitate to call himself a person crazy about swords.

However, they could not call the elder that, so Dam Soha and Jin Yerim decided to call him Sword Old Master.

The word Sword Old Man was also considered, but Guest Elder and Yunhyun opposed it.

Guest Elder’s reason was ‘I don’t want to be associated with this guy again with a similar title’, and Yunhyun’s reason was ‘There is a person called Sword Old Man among the Three Supremes’.

So, in the end, it was decided to call him Sword Old Master.

Of course, only within Yunhyun’s group.

“Huh.”

Yeonghojun let out a hollow laugh.

What would Jin Yerim and Dam Soha say if they knew that this old man was Sword Saint Yi Gyeomhak?

Maybe they would just accept it like they did with Guest Elder.

However, Yeonghojun, who knew the weight of the title of Sword Saint, could not do that.

Swoosh.

Yeonghojun paid his respects to the Sword Saint with the utmost respect.

The opponent was none other than Sword Saint Yi Gyeomhak.

The sky of swords recognized by the world, and the one who stood tall as a huge wall in front of countless masters.

He was a legendary figure who had virtually reigned as the pinnacle of the *Kangho* [martial world] along with the Martial Alliance’s Divine Monk.

So how could he not pay his respects?

“This junior from Mount Hua, Yeonghojun, greets Sword…… Old Master.”

The title had to be changed.

Yunhyun and Guest Elder, and even the Sword Saint himself, seemed to have accepted it.

“I know.”

The Sword Saint said in a calm voice.

Yeonghojun wore a surprised expression.

It was because he had never met Yi Gyeomhak personally.

“Bulyeong told me.”

“……Is that so.”

Yeonghojun gave a bitter smile.

But that soon disappeared.

“Are you planning to build the main base here?”

The Sword Saint asked Yunhyun.

“Yes. That’s right.”

The Sword Saint nodded at Yunhyun’s answer.

“Then I can come here.”

That meant that he would come to Yunhyun as he had always sought Bulyeong.

Yeonghojun was surprised once again at those words.

The fact that the Sword Saint was coming had a significant meaning.

If this was known, even the large sects would be shocked.

However, Yunhyun was calm, and Guest Elder rather frowned.

“You’re coming again?”

“Why? Do you not like it?”

Guest Elder did not answer the Sword Saint’s words.

However, Guest Elder’s still frowning face was enough to tell the answer.

“Hehe.”

The Sword Saint laughed.

Yunhyun also wore a pleased smile, and Dam Soha and Jin Yerim also chuckled.

The old elders’ fight was somehow funny.

However, Yeonghojun was surprised.

Guest Elder’s words a little while ago meant that he would not leave Yunhyun’s side until the Sword Saint came again.

“We’ll have to build a lot of guest houses.”

Jin Yerim muttered, looking at the ruins of the Hero Alliance.

The bright sunlight of Hangzhou was shining down on the burnt remains.

And that afternoon, Royal Inspector Jo Gwan, who had visited the Surveillance Commissioner, brought a letter from Eunuch Park.

It stated that the Crown Prince had greatly praised Yunhyun’s hard work, and that all the assets of the Hero Alliance would be bestowed upon Yunhyun.

***

Sichuan Province, Taepyeong Alliance Main Base.

Urgent reports were pouring into the office of Dang Seollyeon, the Chief Military Advisor for External Affairs.

Urgent reports were flying in from all over the Yangtze River region, from Chongqing and Wuhan to Nanjing and Hangzhou.

The situations and contents were of course diverse.

But in the end, the core was one thing.

The Hero Alliance had collapsed.

It was not just that the main base had been burned down, but that all the branches of the Hero Alliance had virtually lost their function.

‘How could this be?’

Dang Seollyeon gritted her teeth.

‘What on earth did you do to make this happen? Yeom Jungbu!’

The Hero Alliance could not have collapsed in such a short period of time.

The Yangtze River is long and the ships that come and go are countless.

Naturally, the wealth flowing into the Hero Alliance is also enormous.

To blow it all away in an instant like this, Dang Seollyeon could not understand at all.

‘I thought you would hold out until the end……’

Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jungbu is by no means an easy opponent.

She thought that he would do his best to strike the Azure Dragon Alliance before the naval training began, avoid the intervention of the government as much as possible, and struggle in any way possible.

She thought that he would survive to the end and not retreat from the Yangtze River.

But the Hero Alliance’s main base was burned down and collapsed in an instant, and the Hero Alliance branches scattered along the Yangtze River were neutralized as if it were a lie.

What was most surprising was the fact that the Il Dae Merchant did not move.

‘Even though King Mun is dead, could it be to this extent.’

The fact that Yeom Jungbu is missing is probably due to the Il Dae Merchant’s intervention.

However, the Il Dae Merchant eventually abandoned the Hero Alliance.

If this is the case for Yeom Jungbu, who knelt directly before King Mun, then the Taepyeong Alliance is out of the question.

‘No, there’s no need to jump to conclusions yet.’

Tuk, tuk.

Dang Seollyeon tapped the desk with her finger.

Her gaze was fixed on the unfolded map of Gangnam.

“Put Chongqing on hold for now. It’s not good to deviate too much from the original plan just because the situation has changed.”

The subordinate bowed his head and replied.

“Yes. Chief Military Advisor.”

Dang Seollyeon looked at the subordinate and said.

“What about Bukhae Ilmun? Are they still in Hanzhong?”

“Yes. But it seems they will be leaving soon.”

Now that the Hero Alliance had collapsed and the threat to the Azure Dragon Alliance had disappeared, there was no reason for Bukhae Ilmun to remain in Hanzhong.

“Good. Prepare so that they can depart as soon as they move.”

“I understand.”

Even after the Lord of the Tang Clan left with the elites, Dang Seollyeon had to remain in Chengdu.

It was because of the threat of Bukhae Ilmun.

As soon as they leave Hanzhong, Dang Seollyeon will also join the Lord.

“Go out.”

“Yes, Chief Military Advisor.”

The subordinate paid his respects and left the office.

Dang Seollyeon, who was left alone, bit her lip.

‘……Yunhyun.’

Dang Seollyeon said to Yunhyun.

No matter how great a master he is, he cannot do anything alone.

To destroy the Hero Alliance full of the Yangtze River, he would have to cover the world with chaos.

So she confidently reached out her hand.

She said that the only solution was to join hands with her.

But Yunhyun refused Dang Seollyeon’s hand, and even told her to be on his side.

Of course, Dang Seollyeon scoffed.

Even though he was an unparalleled master and had the backing of the influential figures of the court, Yunhyun was completely alone in the martial world.

Wasn’t the Azure Dragon Alliance he founded also an absurd form of a one-man alliance?

But that Azure Dragon Alliance soon emerged as the third force in the *Kangho* [martial world], became a major righteous sect alliance that occupied Gangbuk, and finally destroyed the Hero Alliance in a form close to bloodless entry.

It is true that the elites of each sect protected Wuhan, but how can it be compared to the achievement of destroying the Hero Alliance’s main base?

In fact, the world had changed due to Yunhyun alone.

Yunhyun’s face, looking down at her and sneering, seemed to be right in front of her eyes.

Gritting.

Dang Seollyeon gritted her teeth.

Her face flushed red with shame and anger.

Although no one ridiculed or laughed at her, her crumpled face could not be smoothed out for a while.

***

Shaanxi Province, Hanzhong.

Binghon, wearing white martial attire, got on a horse.

After looking back at the hundred or so Bukhae Ilmun warriors lined up on horseback, Binghon lightly raised her hand.

Swish.

A hundred or so Bukhae Ilmun warriors began to move all at once.

Ttak, ttak.

The warriors riding the fine horses of Bukhae confidently crossed the center of Hanzhong, scattering unusual eyes and momentum.

The sight of a hundred or so martial artists moving on horseback was quite a spectacle.

Everyone stopped and watched the procession of Bukhae Ilmun.

But people’s eyes were focused on the white, ornate carriage in the middle of the procession.

It was because the so-called beautiful Lord of Bukhae Ilmun was riding in that carriage.

The only time the Lord of Bukhae Ilmun officially appeared was at the Taepyeong Alliance’s banquet.

At that time, the sects, merchants, and influential families who were at the scene spared no praise for the beauty, elegance, and haughty atmosphere of the Lord of Bukhae Ilmun.

Only a very few people in Hanzhong were able to see her, but they also could not help but admire the Lord of Bukhae Ilmun.

Rather, there was even talk that the rumors did not live up to her beauty, and some even said that she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

But the people of Hanzhong could not see the rumored beauty of the Lord of Bukhae Ilmun.

It was because the white, dense veil completely covered the window of the carriage.

Ttak, ttak.

Sogungju, who was looking out the window from inside the carriage, sighed.

“This was quite a nice place……”

“There are many cities better than this.”

Daegungju said quietly, reading a book.

“And there is still a lot of work to do in Taewon.”

Although Bukhae Ilmun had seized Taewon, there were still many unresolved issues.

In addition, there is a long way to go to expand influence throughout Shanxi Province.

Rather, it was unusual to stay in Hanzhong for so long.

“But, sister.”

Daegungju raised her head at Sogungju’s voice.

Sogungju asked, sparkling her eyes.

“Did something happen?”

“What?”

Daegungju frowned.

She could not understand what Sogungju was suddenly talking about.

“Why, when you went to meet the Blue Wolf. When I saw you when you came back, your atmosphere had completely changed?”

‘Ah.’

Daegungju realized what Sogungju was talking about.

She went to Sorimsa to find Yunhyun, but Daegungju could not come forward in front of him.

She ran into Yunhyun in Gaebong, but her heart wavered and she had to turn around after conveying her intention to join as if notifying him.

But after that, Daegungju changed her mind and even went to find Yunhyun in Moryongsega.

Although Sogungju did not know that fact, she realized that Daegungju had changed something.

“……Nothing happened.”

Daegungju suddenly realized as she left Gaebong that day.

Her own appearance was doing a dangerous tightrope walking between her heart and political ambition.

And that it was already the same as Binghu and her appearance that she never wanted to be.

So Daegungju turned back.

Without even a trace of regret.

“I just realized that I was fighting someone who was not an enemy. And someone I should never fight.”

“That’s right!”

Sogungju said with a bright smile.

“I told you. Seo Gi *oppa* [older brother/term of endearment] will definitely accept you. So hurry…… Ugh.”

Sogungju shut her mouth.

It was because she saw Daegungju’s eyes turning fierce for a moment.

Sogungju lowered her head and slyly turned her gaze out the window.

Daegungju chuckled at that sight.

And then she brought her gaze back to the book.

Ttak, ttak.

In the swaying carriage, Daegungju quietly looked at the book.

But her page did not turn for a while.

Bingseol was watching that figure with an indifferent gaze as always.