Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 397

397. Pure Breeze, Bright Moon

Hangzhou, House of Gathered Immortals.

Yunhyun entered the House of Gathered Immortals with Gekoong and Yeonghojun.

“Oh, welcome.”

Gisaeng [Korean female entertainer, similar to a geisha] Yeonhong greeted the three with a bright smile.

Yeonghojun returned a gentle smile.

“You are always beautiful. Have you been well?”

“I am always well, except for not being able to sleep while waiting for the Plum Blossom Sword.”

After giving Yeonghojun a playful glare, Yeonhong bowed to Gekoong and Yunhyun.

*Sarak.*

“Thank you for visiting us again.”

Yeonhong continued with a smiling face.

“Sowol has been waiting for you. Please, come this way.”

The three followed Yeonhong.

The first floor of the House of Gathered Immortals was still full of young men and women.

Yunhyun saw many who looked young and was reminded of how much time had passed.

“Has the Shim family said anything since then?”

Yeonghojun suddenly asked Yeonhong.

Yeonhong, who was walking ahead, covered her mouth with her sleeve and giggled.

“What could they say? With the head of the family imprisoned, they must be busy trying to find a way to survive. Now that the Shim family is gone, those who used to do bad things with them are holding their breath and watching carefully. Thanks to that, the streets of Hangzhou have become very pleasant.”

“Is that so? It seems the inspector has finally done his job properly after a long time.”

Yeonhong smiled at Yeonghojun’s words.

He spoke as if it were someone else’s business, but everyone knew that the Azure Dragon Alliance was behind this.

People who were worried that the Azure Dragon Alliance might become tyrannical like the previous Hero Alliance praised them, saying, ‘Indeed, a righteous sect alliance.’

There were still some who said that martial artists were all the same, but this sentiment did not gain traction in the face of the clear differences the Azure Dragon Alliance had actually brought.

*Sabak, sabak* [sound of footsteps].

Walking, Yeonhong asked.

“Does the Azure Dragon Alliance not protect the brothels?”

“I wish it did.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“Then the sects here would have nothing to do, right? Have them choose a suitable sect to contract with, as before. If you don’t know, I can recommend one.”

“I see. I understand.”

*Tak.*

Yeonhong stopped in front of a door.

“This is the place. Have a good time.”

“Thank you.”

Yeonhong smiled at Yunhyun’s words.

“You’re welcome.”

Yunhyun, Gekoong, and Yeonghojun went inside.

The maids brought light snacks and tea, and the scent of tea began to fill the room.

The three sat down and savored the tea.

Soon, Sowol entered.

*Sabak, sabak.*

Sowol walked in with a calm step and stood before Yunhyun and his party.

“Thank you for coming.”

*Sarak.*

Sowol bowed politely.

She was still elegant and dignified.

The only difference was the faint smile on her lips.

She raised her head.

“I contacted you because I received the answer I mentioned before.”

“Please, sit down first.”

Yunhyun offered her a seat.

As Sowol sat down, Yunhyun tried to place a teacup near her as before.

But before Yunhyun could put down the teacup, Sowol reached out her hand.

*Seuk.*

Her slender, white hand received the teacup.

“Thank you.”

Sowol said, looking at Yunhyun.

Yunhyun was slightly embarrassed.

“Ah, you’re welcome.”

Sowol, who had received the teacup, quietly savored the tea.

Then she smiled at Yunhyun.

“The aroma is very good.”

It wasn’t the tea Yunhyun had brought, so it was a bit ambiguous, but he nodded anyway.

“I’m glad.”

*Tak.*

Putting down the teacup, Sowol said.

“As I mentioned before, I asked Lady Wolju what to do. She wants to meet you in person.”

“Oh, really?”

Yunhyun’s face brightened.

There had been little progress in finding a musician or famous entertainer affiliated with the government, so Sowol’s words were welcome.

“That’s a relief. Where is Lady Wolju?”

“In Nanjing.”

Nanjing was not far from Hangzhou.

Of course, it couldn’t be said to be very close, but it wasn’t as far as Wuhan, where the temporary headquarters had been located recently.

“Go to the House of Pure Breeze, Bright Moon in Nanjing and look for Wolhyang. She is Lady Wolju.”

“Is there a reason why you call her Lady Wolju?”

Yeonghojun suddenly asked.

The title of Wolju was certainly unique.

“That’s what we call her among ourselves—the entertainers who have received help from Lady Wolju.”

Sowol continued quietly.

“…We are powerless.”

There were entertainers who made a name for themselves in the current era, but most of them had to live a difficult life.

If there was any trouble, the brothel would choose its own safety over protecting the entertainer.

So, as Sowol said, entertainers were bound to be powerless.

“If you say that Sowol of Hangzhou introduced you, Lady Wolju will know. I only told her that you are a martial arts expert and that you are looking for someone among the entertainers.”

Sowol said calmly.

“I see. Thank you for your help.”

Yunhyun nodded.

“I want to repay you, but is there anything…”

Sowol quietly shook her head.

“No. I don’t need anything.”

Yunhyun looked at Sowol with a puzzled expression.

“Still, you’ve gone to so much trouble…”

“All I did was convey your intentions to Lady Wolju.”

Sowol said in a quiet voice.

“If you just visit me when you want to listen to music, that’s enough.”

Sowol’s eyes were firm.

Yunhyun knew that asking any further would be rude.

“I understand.”

Yunhyun said with a smile.

“Then, may I ask you to play now?”

A smile spread across Sowol’s lips.

“Yes, with pleasure.”

She called the maid outside.

The seven-stringed zither [a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, also known as a guqin] was brought in, and soon the preparations for the performance were completed.

Sowol sat in front of the seven-stringed zither in an elegant posture.

Then she reached out and gently placed her hand on the strings.

*Sarak.*

Her tightly closed eyelashes trembled slightly.

And after a while, her hand began to pluck the strings.

*Ttang, ttadang.*

Unlike before, it was a solo performance, but the melody of the seven-stringed zither was very beautiful.

Yunhyun was quickly drawn into her performance.

Gekoong also closed his eyes and savored the song, and Yeonghojun was drinking tea, washing away the fatigue of the day.

Sowol’s seven-stringed zither performance continued for three songs.

For her efforts, Yunhyun offered her tea again and talked about the songs she had played for a while.

Then Yunhyun and his party got up.

*Ttak.*

“Thank you for the performance.”

Yunhyun said to Sowol.

“I wish I could listen more, but I think I have to go.”

“No, I’m the one who is grateful.”

Sowol bowed her head.

Yunhyun added as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“The last song had a slightly melancholic feel. I don’t know much about music, but it was a good performance that touched my heart.”

Sowol smiled silently at Yunhyun’s words.

*Jeobeok.*

Gekoong and Yunhyun left the room.

Yeonghojun, who was following behind, suddenly stopped.

“Ah, now that I think about it, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Yeonghojun said to Sowol.

Sowol looked at Yeonghojun with a puzzled expression.

“As you know, we are planning to hold something similar to a sect founding ceremony when the headquarters is completed. A lot of prominent people from all walks of life will come.”

That was obvious.

If the Azure Dragon Alliance held a sect founding ceremony, the attention of the world would be focused on it.

Naturally, people would flock to it and it would become a hot topic.

“I’m thinking of doing a performance then—not just playing at banquets, but as a formal event.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“If you’re interested, I might ask you to do it. Ah, of course, the treatment will be guaranteed. What do you think?”

Sowol’s eyes sparkled.

As an entertainer, how could she refuse such an opportunity?

Rather than enlivening banquets, a formal performance was something she had been hoping for.

“That sounds good. I’ll do it.”

“Then I’ll contact you later.”

Yeonghojun waved his hand lightly and left the room.

This would be enough as a reward for what Yunhyun was trying to do.

No matter how good Sowol’s performance was, the money she received from the brothel would not be much.

“Let’s go together.”

Yeonghojun said to Yunhyun and Gekoong, who were already going down the stairs.

But his steps were quite leisurely.

***

The next morning, the Azure Dragon Alliance temporary headquarters in Hangzhou.

Yunhyun, Gekoong, and the Royal Inspector Jogwan and Hang Jangik boarded a carriage.

It was to go to Nanjing.

“Then, have a safe trip.”

Yeonghojun said with a smile.

“I sincerely want to go with you, but I have important responsibilities, so I can’t help it.”

But Yeonghojun didn’t look sad at all.

He looked at Jin Yelim and Dam Soha standing next to him and continued.

“If I’m not here, these people will have too much work to do.”

Jin Yelim and Dam Soha’s expressions were crumpled.

They wanted to complain, but they knew how much work Yeonghojun was doing, so they couldn’t say anything.

Royal Inspector Jogwan said to Dam Soha.

“While I’m away, please take good care of the communication between the Alliance and the court.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Dam Soha’s expression, which had been hopeful, was tinged with disappointment.

He was just envious of Hang Jangik, who was going with Jogwan as his escort.

Yeonghojun patted Dam Soha on the shoulder.

“Now, let’s work hard today. Ah, and Vice Chief Military Officer too.”

Jin Yelim frowned but remained silent.

She knew that she would not get anything out of speaking.

“Then, thank you for your help.”

Yunhyun said to Yeonghojun, Jin Yelim, and Dam Soha.

“Yes.”

“Have a safe trip.”

“Have a good trip.”

With their send-off, the carriage began to move.

*Ttagadak, ttagadak* [sound of carriage wheels].

The carriage carrying Yunhyun, Gekoong, Royal Inspector Jogwan, and Hang Jangik raced powerfully along the main road leading to Nanjing.

***

Yunhyun’s party arrived in Nanjing.

After settling into their lodgings, Jogwan and Hang Jangik headed to the Nanjing government office to report.

And Yunhyun went out to the downtown area with Gekoong to find the House of Pure Breeze, Bright Moon that Sowol had mentioned.

The downtown area of Nanjing was larger and more bustling than Hangzhou, with many passersby and carriages, and luxurious shops and tall pavilions everywhere.

“That’s it.”

Gekoong was the first to find it.

When Yunhyun raised his head, he saw the words ‘House of Pure Breeze, Bright Moon’ engraved in a soaring script on a large signboard.

This tall pavilion was the brothel that Sowol had mentioned.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

Yunhyun stepped into the brothel with Gekoong.

*Chwarak.*

As they parted the curtain made of colorful beads, bright lights and beautiful music flowed out.

Even though it was still daytime, there were many people inside the brothel.

The fact that there were many people enjoying the talents of the entertainers meant that Nanjing was a wealthy and splendid city.

Yunhyun muttered with a surprised expression.

“This is the biggest and most luxurious brothel I’ve ever seen.”

“How many places have you seen?”

Gekoong asked.

Yunhyun gave a bitter smile.

“This is the third place, including the ones I went to with you, Elder…”

“Excuse me.”

Someone interrupted Yunhyun’s words.

Yunhyun turned his head.

A tall, sturdy man was looking at Yunhyun with a grin.

“How may I help you?”

The man asked.

He had his hands together in front of him and was in a polite posture, but his eyes were quite intimidating.

But Yunhyun was rather pleased that the man had spoken to him.

Others might find him intimidating, but Yunhyun found him to be very polite.

“I’m looking for someone named Wolhyang.”

Yunhyun said with a soft smile.

“Is she here?”

The man’s eyebrows twitched.

But Yunhyun’s expression was just relaxed.