Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 396

396. Moon and Orchid

Upon Mo Yongmi and Mo Yong Sang-ah’s visit, Unhyun couldn’t hide his joy.

Unhyun immediately welcomed the two into his study.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you.”

Mo Yongmi said with a gentle smile.

She was as elegant and beautiful as ever.

*Rustle.*

Mo Yongmi entered the study.

“Ah, instead of this, we should go to the back garden…”

Unhyun, while speaking, realized that the state of the back garden was not what it used to be.

It hadn’t been restored yet after the duel with the Sword Saint.

“Ah, the back garden won’t do. It’s a mess right now…”

“If it’s about dueling, I can do it.”

Suddenly, Guest Elder spoke.

He seemed to still mind that the back garden was ruined because of the duel.

Mo Yongmi wondered what he meant but politely bowed to Guest Elder.

*Rustle.*

“It’s nice to see you again. I am Mo Yongmi from the Mo Yong Family.”

Her reintroduction was a consideration for Guest Elder.

Mo Yong Sang-ah also bowed her head.

“I’m Mo Yong Sang-ah! Grandpa, have you been well?”

“Yes.”

Guest Elder said without even turning his gaze.

Considering that Guest Elder usually didn’t acknowledge most people, it was still a decent reaction.

“Please, have a seat.”

Unhyun offered seats to Mo Yongmi and Mo Yong Sang-ah.

Mo Yong Sang-ah jumped and sat on the chair next to Guest Elder, and Mo Yongmi also took a seat next to Mo Yong Sang-ah.

Unhyun sat down with Yeonghojun.

“What brings you so far away?”

Mo Yongmi was the head of the outer hall of the Mo Yong Family.

She was already busy, so coming all the way to Hangzhou was definitely not an easy task.

“The family has a gift to deliver to the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

Mo Yongmi said in a soft voice.

“I came with that excuse. Sang-ah wanted to come too.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Unhyun expressed his gratitude.

“It’s nothing much…”

“No, I’m really glad that Young Lady came all the way here.”

He meant it sincerely.

Mo Yongmi smiled.

It might have been a light greeting, but Unhyun’s words seemed to wash away the fatigue of the long journey.

“Oppa, what’s that?”

Suddenly, Mo Yong Sang-ah asked.

Unhyun turned his head.

It was a piece of calligraphy and painting, half-unfolded on the desk.

“Ah, that’s…”

“Someone drew it for me.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“It’s nothing special.”

Mo Yongmi nodded.

Unless Unhyun had drawn it himself, she wouldn’t have much interest in someone else’s calligraphy and painting.

But Mo Yong Sang-ah was different.

“Can I see it?”

“Sure. You can take a look.”

Before Unhyun could finish speaking, Mo Yong Sang-ah jumped off the chair.

And with her small hands, she unfolded the calligraphy and painting on the desk.

*Rustle.*

The gracefully extended orchid revealed its form.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah said with wide eyes.

“What kind of grass is this?”

Unhyun smiled.

“That’s called an orchid. The shape of its leaves is beautiful, and its fragrance is subtle, so it’s considered elegant and noble.”

“There’s also a very small moon here? Only this is slightly colored.”

“Ah, the moon is usually…”

“I’m sorry, but I think I should get up first.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“Since the back garden isn’t in good condition, how about going out to Hangzhou city? The scenery around West Lake is beautiful, and there are many delicious restaurants.”

The person who reacted to those words was Mo Yong Sang-ah.

“Wow! I want to go!”

Yeonghojun winked at Mo Yong Sang-ah.

“If our little miss goes, I should buy her some delicious sweets, right?”

Those words made Mo Yong Sang-ah even more excited.

Mo Yong Sang-ah looked back at Unhyun and Mo Yongmi and asked with sparkling eyes.

“Can we go?”

Unhyun smiled.

And he turned to Mo Yongmi and said.

“Would that be alright? If you’re tired…”

“It’s okay. I want to see West Lake too.”

Mo Yongmi also said with a smile, and the group got up from their seats.

Of course, Guest Elder was with them too.

*Rustle, rustle.*

Yeonghojun smiled and watched the people.

After everyone left the study, Yeonghojun went to the desk.

And immediately rolled up the calligraphy and painting.

“Hoo, our Alliance Leader, really…”

Yeonghojun sighed.

He was even explaining it when he should be hiding it; Yeonghojun was dumbfounded.

Perhaps Unhyun himself thought it was just an ordinary calligraphy and painting.

But if Mo Yongmi heard that the orchid mainly symbolizes elegance and nobility, detached from the mundane world, and that the moon means joy, she might notice something.

In Yeonghojun’s view, she was surprisingly perceptive.

Moreover, if she knew that the person who drew this calligraphy and painting was the courtesan ‘Sowol,’ even more so.

“Dangerous. Dangerous.”

Muttering to himself, Yeonghojun quickly put the calligraphy and painting out of sight.

Unhyun, perhaps because he had received such calligraphy and painting for the first time, even suggested hanging it in the study, but it seemed like he would have to oppose that.

“Chief Strategist. Aren’t you coming?”

Suddenly, Unhyun peeked his head in from outside and said.

“I’m coming now.”

Yeonghojun smiled.

—I cannot tolerate anyone touching my people.

Recalling the vivid voice in his ear, Yeonghojun quickly followed Unhyun.

***

Hangzhou, West Lake.

Unhyun and Mo Yongmi were walking along the shore of West Lake.

The cool breeze and beautiful lake scenery fully conveyed the charm of Hangzhou.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

Mo Yongmi said, looking at the lapping waves of West Lake.

The wind gently swayed her hair.

“Many things have happened, but I think the first time I came here is the most memorable.”

“I see. When was the first time you came?”

Unhyun asked.

Mo Yongmi turned her head to look at Unhyun.

“During the Martial Alliance’s Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. That’s when I met Scholar Unhyun.”

“Ah, that was my first time too. The swordplay that Young Lady showed was truly beautiful.”

“Pardon?”

Mo Yongmi’s eyes widened at the unexpected compliment.

Unhyun, flustered, quickly added,

“Um, it’s just that I hadn’t really seen the martial arts of female warriors *properly* until then…….”

“……Ah, I see.”

Mo Yongmi smiled.

However, she couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of disappointment.

Unhyun smiled awkwardly and continued,

“I still remember it clearly. It was a sword style that revealed a firm resolve even within its gentle movements.”

During the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering [a martial arts tournament], Unhyun went to the sparring arena for early morning training and met Pajinhan and Mo Yongmi.

In the end, he couldn’t train, but Unhyun was able to see Mo Yongmi’s swordsmanship for the first time there.

“Just as you can infer a person’s character from their writing, you can tell what kind of person they are from their swordplay. Young Lady’s sword was truly upright and beautiful.”

You can deceive people, but you cannot hide your sword.

Swordplay is his humanity and character revealed through the sword.

If a person hesitates in their heart, their swordplay becomes dull, and if they are full of greed, so is their sword.

Mo Yongmi’s swordplay, as Unhyun saw it, was straightforward, clear, and without hesitation in everything she did, regardless of her beautiful movements.

“I, is that so?”

“Yes, it is. Really.”

Unhyun nodded without hesitation.

The beautiful and flexible movements of Mo Yongmi that he had seen that day were vivid in his mind.

Mo Yongmi lowered her head slightly.

Her cheeks were flushed red, but Unhyun didn’t notice.

*Sabeok, sabeok* [sound of footsteps].

Mo Yongmi moved her feet silently.

Suddenly, she became quiet, and Unhyun asked with a puzzled expression.

“Young Lady?”

“Ah, now that I think about it.”

Startled, Mo Yongmi quickly said whatever came to mind.

“How, how did the backyard end up like that?”

“Ah, that’s because I sparred with Sword Saint…….”

*Tuk* [sound of stopping abruptly].

Mo Yongmi stopped walking.

She looked back at Unhyun with surprised eyes.

“Sword Saint?”

“Ah, I guess you wouldn’t know about that. Actually…….”

Unhyun told Mo Yongmi about what happened when the Heroic Alliance collapsed.

Information about the situation at the time had already been conveyed to all the sects of the Azure Dragon Alliance, but Mo Yongmi was hearing about the Sword Saint and the Dark Sky Demon Emperor for the first time.

Mo Yongmi’s expression could not help but stiffen.

“……I see.”

“Yes. I didn’t reveal anything about the Sword Saint on purpose. I didn’t think the Elder would want me to.”

Anyone else would have been anxious to spread the word.

After all, the Sword Saint Lee Geomhak, the sky of swords, had come and stayed with him, and he had sparred with him without being defeated.

Moreover, the fact that the Sword Saint would come again was so astonishing that he didn’t know where to begin.

‘Well, if it’s Scholar Unhyun…….’

Mo Yongmi let out a hollow laugh.

Unhyun is the very person who hangs out with Dokseon, who was a synonym for death during the Righteous-Demonic War [a major conflict between orthodox and unorthodox martial arts sects].

At one time, Unhyun was even known as the successor to the Sword Saint, so perhaps it was only natural.

“However, the reason I didn’t tell you about the Dark Sky Demon Emperor or the One-Star Merchant…”

Unhyun said with a firm expression.

“…is because I thought it was a problem I had to solve myself.”

Perhaps it was just a vague feeling without any basis.

However, the One-Star Merchant that Unhyun saw was definitely not an opponent that could be defeated with martial arts or power alone.

Unless he reached a level equal to him, he would not be able to understand him or predict what would happen.

It was like not knowing what a move in Go [a strategic board game] means or what results it will lead to.

“So, I’ll have to handle it all on my own.”

Having said that, Unhyun paused for a moment in thought.

*Swish* [sound of wind].

The wind blew.

Unhyun’s hair fluttered lightly in the West Lake breeze.

Suddenly, Mo Yongmi felt a pang in her heart.

It was as if he would disappear like this, to a distant place she didn’t know.

“Scholar Unhyun…….”

“Yes?”

Unhyun raised his head and looked at Mo Yongmi.

Unhyun’s pure and upright eyes were no different from when Mo Yongmi first saw him at West Lake.

“You are never alone.”

Unhyun’s eyes widened.

“So, don’t try to handle everything alone. I know I’m not of any help…….”

Mo Yongmi bit her lip slightly.

Her tightly clenched hands seemed to speak of her feelings.

“No, you are.”

Unhyun smiled brightly.

“Young Lady has been a great help to me. I’m very happy just that you came to see me like this.”

Unhyun was smiling brightly as he spoke.

Mo Yongmi came to deliver the Mo Yong Family’s gifts to the Azure Dragon Alliance.

Considering that she didn’t necessarily have to come herself, Unhyun’s words were not wrong.

However, her heart ached even more because that smile somehow looked lonely.

“I…….”

She was just about to say something when.

“Sister!”

*Taptaptap* [sound of running footsteps].

Unhyun and Mo Yongmi turned their heads.

Mo Yongsangah was running towards them with sweets in one hand.

“Look at this! Grandpa bought it for me!”

*Pak* [sound of an embrace].

Mo Yongsangah, who had run over, hugged Mo Yongmi as she was.

Behind them, Gaekong and Yeonghojun were walking slowly.

Gaekong was as taciturn as ever, and Yeonghojun lightly raised his hand towards Unhyun.

“I have some for you too, Sister! There are two flavors, which one do you want to eat?”

Mo Yongsangah looked up at Mo Yongmi with sparkling eyes.

Mo Yongmi smiled and stroked Mo Yongsangah’s head.

“Really? That’s great. Did you say thank you?”

“Yes!”

Mo Yongsangah, who was nodding, held out the sweets to Unhyun.

“I have some for you too, Brother Unhyun! Ah, after Sister chooses.”

Unhyun and Mo Yongmi laughed.

Amidst the lapping waves of West Lake and the cool breeze, the five of them enjoyed a moment of leisure.

***

Three days later, the Azure Dragon Alliance’s temporary headquarters mansion.

Mo Yongmi and Mo Yongsangah could not stay long.

Mo Yongmi, the head of the Outer Affairs Hall, had taken time out of her busy schedule with difficulty, so the two had to return to their family after three days.

Along with the family’s escort warriors who had come with them, Mo Yongsangah and Mo Yongmi boarded the carriage.

Unhyun said to Mo Yongmi.

“Please be careful on your way.”

“Yes, Scholar Unhyun.”

Mo Yongmi replied with a smile.

Not many people call Unhyun ‘Scholar Unhyun.’

It was a precious and valuable relationship.

“Goodbye, Brother! Goodbye, Grandpa!”

Mo Yongsangah put her small hand out the window and waved.

Unhyun also smiled and waved back.

Gaekong was just watching calmly, but he didn’t turn his gaze away.

*Clatter, clatter* [sound of carriage wheels].