Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 395

395. How Could I Not Be Happy?

Sowol couldn’t hide her surprise at Unhyun’s revelation that he was the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance and the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

Flustered, she took a few deep breaths before she could barely calm herself down.

“Are you alright?” Unhyun asked.

Sowol stared at Unhyun silently.

To think that this quiet and gentle scholar was the Azure Dragon Sword Master; she still couldn’t believe it.

But it didn’t seem like they were lying.

She often had guests who would try to win her favor with bluffs or ridiculous lies, but at least these people weren’t like that.

From the start, they were helping others without any personal gain.

“…So you’re looking for someone who is incredibly strong and skilled in music, which is why you asked about my teachers.”

Sowol, having regained her composure, looked at Unhyun and said.

“Yes, I thought they might know something.”

“Is the person you’re looking for old?”

“…That’s, I don’t really know.”

Unhyun wore an awkward smile.

“All I know about him is that he is extremely skilled at playing the Xiao [a Chinese vertical end-blown flute], and he is strong enough to be unmatched in the world. Oh, and he’s wealthy too.”

“Not just very skilled.”

Guest Ong said nonchalantly.

“His music gave me goosebumps. Both the melody and the energy.”

At those words, Unhyun thought about Il-eun again with a fresh perspective.

Then suddenly, Unhyun noticed that Sowol was lost in deep thought.

“…Do you perhaps have someone in mind?”

He held a slight expectation, but Sowol shook her head.

“No. I don’t know anyone like that. Perhaps my teachers might know, but I don’t think they would easily tell me. If it were someone like that, I would keep my mouth shut too.”

The fact that such a person’s name was still unknown meant they were trying to hide themselves.

Anyone with sense would never talk about it carelessly.

Even Sowol herself had no intention of blabbing about meeting the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

She didn’t want to offend him.

“But perhaps the Moon Lord might know…”

“Moon Lord?”

Unhyun asked, taken aback by the sudden mention of a new person.

It was an uncommon title, so he couldn’t tell if it was a position or a name.

“Who is the Moon Lord?”

But Sowol didn’t answer.

After pondering for a moment, she looked up and said to Unhyun.

“Could you give me some time? I’d like to contact the Moon Lord and ask what to do.”

Unhyun glanced at Yeonghojun.

Yeonghojun nodded.

It was better to do as Sowol wished.

“I understand.”

Unhyun said to Sowol.

“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“I’m sorry. But I felt like this was an issue I shouldn’t decide on my own.”

“No, it means you’re taking it seriously.”

Sowol was inwardly surprised at Unhyun’s words.

For the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance to speak so politely to a courtesan like herself was highly unusual, even if it was just a facade to get help.

Most people treated courtesans rudely, and she was lucky if they didn’t treat her like a mere prostitute, like the young master of the Shim family.

“…Thank you for understanding.”

Sowol said, holding the teacup tightly with both hands.

Unhyun smiled gently.

“Ah, now that I think about it, you mentioned you do calligraphy and painting?”

“Yes. Though it’s not that great…”

“If it’s alright, could I see it sometime? I’m very interested in calligraphy and painting.”

Unhyun’s eyes were shining as he spoke.

Some entertainers were famous for their calligraphy and painting, so it was no surprise that Unhyun was looking forward to it.

Besides, he had never seen a woman doing calligraphy and painting before.

Sowol smiled and said.

“I’m worried it won’t meet your expectations. But since it’s your request, I’ll pick up the brush.”

Yeonghojun admired her smiling face inwardly.

Sowol, who had a dignity unlike a typical courtesan, became even more beautiful when she smiled, as if her beauty was blossoming.

If she put her mind to it, she would be unmatched in Hangzhou, not just in playing the zither [a Chinese plucked string instrument], but in beauty as well.

“Then please wait a moment.”

Sowol got up and called a maid outside.

The writing tools were prepared, and soon the scent of ink began to fill the room.

Swish.

Sowol sat in front of the paper and picked up the brush.

Her figure was like a single, elegant flower.

Swish, swish.

The brush flowed, and an orchid bloomed on the white paper.

In the midst of the subtly flowing tea and ink scents, the night at Hangzhou’s Chwiseon House was slowly deepening.

***

A few days later, at the Azure Dragon Alliance’s temporary headquarters on the outskirts of Hangzhou.

Unhyun was talking with Yeonghojun in the study.

“The Yangtze River naval training is proceeding as planned.”

Yeonghojun said to Unhyun.

“The navy is very excited about this new endeavor, and the budget has already been set, so it would be difficult to cancel it now.”

“I see. Is the Naval Commander doing well?”

“Very well.”

Yeonghojun said with a hollow laugh.

“He’s actually happy that his influence in the court has increased because of this.”

“What about Aryeong?”

Guest Ong, who was sitting at the table, suddenly asked.

Aryeong was the young daughter of Naval Commander Jinrim, and the child Guest Ong had treated.

“She’s very healthy, Elder.”

Yeonghojun answered respectfully.

“Aryeong has been wanting to see you, and she asked me to tell you to please visit her. She’s grown a lot taller, too.”

“Hmm.”

Guest Ong nodded indifferently.

Unhyun thought that he should visit Naval Commander Jinrim’s residence with Guest Ong soon.

“The most anxious party when the naval training starts as planned is actually the Gongson family.”

Yeonghojun said.

“They are currently part of the Taepyeong Alliance and are trying to conquer Gangnam [a region in China south of the Yangtze River], but they are desperate to regain their influence over the Yangtze River. In fact, Gangnam and the Yangtze River are incomparable.”

Although Gangnam was rich in products, the Yangtze River was like the lifeblood through which goods from the southern part of the continent flowed.

Considering that the Gongson family’s fortunes had faltered after losing the Yangtze River to the Hero Alliance, it was only natural that they wanted to regain their influence over the Yangtze River at all costs.

“But the Namgung family won’t let that happen. And with our Azure Dragon Alliance, even the Gongson family will have a hard time, right? Hahaha.”

The Hero Alliance had fallen, but that didn’t mean everything would automatically return to the way it was in the past.

The merchants who had sought protection from the Gongson family in the past now knew who the master of the Yangtze River was.

As a result, the Gongson family had not been able to regain its former influence, except for some adjacent tributaries.

“It will be even harder for them to move when the naval training starts. The Namgung family’s influence will continue to grow. Let’s see how that arrogant Gongson family will react.”

Yeonghojun smiled gleefully, as if he was looking forward to it.

Unhyun smiled awkwardly and asked.

“How are the Tang Clan and the Taepyeong Alliance doing?”

“They are still conquering the unorthodox sects of Gangnam. If you only look at the expanding territory, they are unstoppable, but we need to see how much substance there is. How the sects will divide the territory is also a problem.”

The Taepyeong Alliance was a group gathered for profit, not for a cause.

In fact, that was true of any group, but the Taepyeong Alliance was particularly bad.

Therefore, the division of Gangnam among the Taepyeong Alliance sects was perhaps the biggest risk factor.

“Ah, and I also investigated the Shim family. Vice Commander Jin Yelim is from there, so he knows the situation well.”

Swish.

Yeonghojun said, placing a thin document on the table.

“They were worse than I thought.”

The document recorded the misdeeds committed by the Shim family, backed by the power of the Hero Alliance.

Even though it only listed the major incidents, it was enough to fill a page.

“I contacted the Inspector and had the head of the Shim family thrown into jail this morning. After a few days in prison, he’ll remember what he did when he was three years old. Let’s take this opportunity to shake them down until they don’t have a single copper coin left.”

Unhyun couldn’t hide his bitter expression as he looked down at the document.

Even though the Hero Alliance had fallen, their evil deeds still remained.

Perhaps these were the biggest harms left behind by the Hero Alliance.

“Please do so.”

Unhyun said with a firm face.

“Those who clung to the Hero Alliance must never set foot in Hangzhou again.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Yeonghojun bowed respectfully, accepting Unhyun’s will.

“Has there been any contact from Chwiseon House?”

Unhyun asked.

Sowol had promised to contact Unhyun as soon as she received a reply from the Moon Lord.

“Not yet. Ah, and I requested a list of musicians affiliated with the government from the Investigation Censor, and I’ve also started investigating famous entertainers.”

There was no guarantee that the ‘Moon Lord’ Sowol mentioned knew Il-eun.

As Unhyun had discussed with Yeonghojun before, he had begun to investigate musicians affiliated with the government and famous entertainers.

“But it’s not easy. I’ve also requested cooperation from the Namgung family, but they probably know very little about entertainers.”

The Azure Dragon Alliance shared intelligence through the branches of each sect.

But they wouldn’t know about entertainers.

They might know about other sects or merchants, though.

“I see. Anyway, thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes. And while we’re on the subject, everyone is eagerly awaiting your visit, Alliance Leader.”

“Me?”

Unhyun looked at Yeonghojun with a puzzled expression.

Yeonghojun smiled.

“You’re the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance and the best martial artist in the world, aren’t you?”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

That was what Sowol had said at Chwiseon House.

“I’m…”

“Of course, I’m just kidding.”

Yeonghojun quickly said.

“But I’m not entirely kidding. Just your visit alone would be a great encouragement to the sects.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Yeonghojun continued.

“Or maybe it wouldn’t be bad to go with a mysterious image.”

“I don’t like that.”

Unhyun shook his head.

Knowing how the Divine Physician had lived in Waryongheon, Unhyun didn’t want to follow in his footsteps.

“But it won’t be easy right now. After all, the Vice Commander has to go with you, but he’s busy with the construction of the headquarters, isn’t he?”

Yeonghojun was in charge of the practical matters.

Even if Unhyun visited the sects, Yeonghojun had to accompany him in reality.

“Thank you for understanding. Then let’s postpone visiting the sects until later. That’s all for today.”

Thud.

Yeonghojun said, closing the document.

Unhyun sighed.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

“The Azure Dragon Alliance is just getting started.”

Yeonghojun’s expression was calm.

But Unhyun, who knew how hard he was working, couldn’t be calm.

“I’m sorry. I’m putting too much burden on the Vice Commander.”

“It’s hard, but it’s fun, so it’s okay.”

Smiling, Yeonghojun continued.

“It’s also secretly nice to make others suffer. They say that sharing difficulties makes them half as bad, and I guess it’s true.”

Unhyun could only smile awkwardly.

He knew that Jin Yelim and Dam Sohaga were complaining because of Yeonghojun.

Unhyun was thinking that he should have a meal with them later when.

Step.

“Alliance Leader.”

The voice of the head of the mansion was heard from outside the door.

“I’ve brought a guest.”

Unhyun was puzzled.

The head of the mansion had never brought a guest to the study before.

“Ah, I told him to bring them.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“I thought you’d be happy.”

Click.

In the meantime, the door to the study opened.

“Ah!”

Unhyun stood up without realizing it.

It wasn’t just because the person standing in front of the door was a young woman with elegant beauty.

“Scholar Unhyun.”

Moyongmi said with a gentle smile.

Unhyun muttered with a surprised expression.

“M-Miss Moyong…”

“Brother Unhyun!”

A clear voice caught Unhyun’s attention.

Unhyun found a small, cute child running towards him.

Tap tap tap.

Unhyun quickly lowered his body.

Thud.

“Brother! How have you been?”

Moyongsanga said with a bright smile.

Unhyun smiled without realizing it.

It was a moment when he felt the words of the ancient sage, ‘Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?[有朋自遠方來, 不亦樂乎]’ in his heart.