Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 398

398. Can’t You Hear Me?

Un-hyun and Gaek-ong were led to a room in Cheongpungmyeongwol [a high-end courtesan house].

The room was a harmonious blend of antique calligraphy and paintings with colorful decorations, exuding both elegance and splendor.

“Oh, this calligraphy is exquisite,” Un-hyun said, carefully examining the artwork.

Gaek-ong, who was savoring his tea, didn’t even glance up.

However, Un-hyun then began to admire the porcelain nearby.

“The color is amazing, isn’t it? How can it have such an iridescent glow? Besides, the shape of the flying crane is very impressive.”

Un-hyun was engrossed in examining the sculptures, porcelain, and calligraphy in the room.

“This vase has such fluid lines. Don’t you think so?”

Gaek-ong said indifferently, still holding his teacup.

“Don’t touch them. It’ll be a hassle if they break.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

Having said that, Un-hyun continued to admire them with shining eyes.

The porcelain and sculptures, which seemed to be placed randomly, were all extraordinary upon closer inspection.

It was then that they heard footsteps approaching from outside.

*Scribble, scribble.*

Gaek-ong raised his eyes, and Un-hyun also turned his head.

*Click.*

The door opened.

And two women appeared.

One was a mature woman with a gentle and elegant air, and the other was a young woman with sharp eyes and a sword at her waist.

The young woman’s eyes quickly scanned Un-hyun and Gaek-ong.

Her expression changed instantly.

*Whoosh.*

The young woman immediately grabbed the other woman’s sleeve and pulled her sharply to the side.

“Eek.”

The elegant woman’s eyes widened, and then the door closed right away.

*Thud.*

The two women were no longer visible.

Un-hyun looked back at Gaek-ong with a puzzled expression.

Gaek-ong also frowned and stared at the closed door.

At that moment, a small voice was heard from outside, as if whispering.

“Yeon-hwa, I told you not to pull me so suddenly! This dress comes undone easily.”

It was a voice that sounded half-crying, quite embarrassed.

“I couldn’t help it. They’re real masters.”

The sharp voice, lowered as much as possible, clearly belonged to the young woman called Yeon-hwa.

Un-hyun gave a wry smile.

Perhaps because she was flustered, she didn’t seem to realize that they could hear her from inside.

“I know. So-wol told me they were masters.”

Even in the midst of her embarrassment, the voice was trying to maintain composure.

There was also the sound of rustling as she adjusted her clothes.

“Even so, I didn’t know they were this strong.”

The woman called Yeon-hwa said, still in a tense voice.

“If that old man is determined, I can’t stop him.”

“That strong?”

“Yes. I couldn’t decide what to do for a moment. I can’t be sure, but he’s an incredible master.”

“……Yeon-hwa.”

The woman said in a calm voice.

“Then, wouldn’t they already be listening to our conversation?”

Silence fell.

And after a moment, the door slowly opened.

*Rustle.*

An elegant woman with a gentle demeanor appeared.

The young woman was still staring at Gaek-ong with sharp eyes.

Perhaps because she didn’t have much experience, she was surprisingly clumsy, but her skills were definitely present.

“……Excuse me.”

*Rustle.*

The gentle woman bowed politely.

The elegance and refined feeling she gave off were very similar to So-wol.

The woman raised her head.

Small, ornate ornaments swayed and sparkled under the light.

“I am Wol-hyang. I am the owner of this Cheongpungmyeongwol and the one who taught So-wol.”

Her poise and voice were imbued with mature elegance.

But she looked very young to be So-wol’s teacher.

She certainly looked older than Un-hyun, though.

“I am Un-hyun.”

Un-hyun returned her greeting with a polite attitude.

“I know it’s a sudden visit, but I came to seek help.”

Wol-hyang suddenly felt like she had heard the name somewhere.

But there was a more important issue now.

“If you don’t mind.”

*Rustle.*

Wol-hyang said to Gaek-ong.

“May I ask for your name?”

Martial artists have strong pride.

Moreover, the eccentricity of masters was well known, so Wol-hyang’s attitude had to be cautious.

“I am Gaek-ong.”

Gaek-ong said without even looking at Wol-hyang.

It was a name she had never heard before.

Wol-hyang looked at Gaek-ong with doubtful eyes, but Gaek-ong didn’t say anything more.

*Swish.*

Gaek-ong picked up his teacup and savored the tea.

As silence continued, Un-hyun had no choice but to step forward.

“You don’t have to worry. He holds no grudges against you, elder, do you?”

“Ah, I see.”

Wol-hyang nodded as if relieved.

Come to think of it, there was no reason to be afraid of Gaek-ong unconditionally.

But Yeon-hwa didn’t feel that way.

In her eyes, Gaek-ong was literally a walking disaster.

The only solution was to not get close, regardless of grudges or anything else.

“I’m sorry. Yeon-hwa is a bit sensitive.”

Wol-hyang sighed softly and slightly adjusted the collar of her neck.

Since it was a dress that slightly exposed her shoulders anyway, Un-hyun’s gaze naturally turned to Wol-hyang.

“Ahem.”

He quickly averted his gaze and cleared his throat, but it was already after he had met Yeon-hwa’s sharp gaze.

Wol-hyang asked Un-hyun, unaware of anything.

“You said you were looking for someone?”

“Ah, yes.”

Un-hyun quickly replied.

“He is extremely skilled at playing the Xiao [a Chinese vertical end-blown flute], and he is so strong that no one in the world can compare to him.”

Looking at Wol-hyang, Un-hyun continued.

“And other than that, nothing is known about him. Not his face, not his age, not even his name.”

“……He’s a very unique person.”

Wol-hyang said with a soft smile.

Neither her voice nor her eyes wavered in the slightest.

“I know many people who are good at playing the Xiao. But if you’re looking for someone so strong that no one in the world can compare to him…”

Wol-hyang chuckled.

“Could it be that you’ve come to the wrong place?”

“I don’t think so.”

Un-hyun also smiled.

“Because…….”

As he was speaking, Un-hyun suddenly raised his head.

And a heavy male voice was heard from outside.

“Master.”

Wol-hyang gestured to Yeon-hwa.

Yeon-hwa opened the door.

*Click.*

The man who had spoken to Un-hyun earlier was standing outside.

“What’s wrong?”

Wol-hyang asked.

The man said with a troubled expression.

“That’s…….”

No explanation was needed.

*Smash.*

“Eek!”

The sound of something breaking and a scream were heard.

Judging from the loud shouts that followed, something seemed to have gone wrong.

*Rustle.*

Wol-hyang stood up from her seat.

“I’m sorry. Please wait a moment.”

With those words, Wol-hyang turned and headed outside.

Yeon-hwa also frowned and followed her.

After the two left, Un-hyun gave a wry smile.

“Why does trouble always happen every time I come to a brothel? Isn’t it too coincidental to be a coincidence?”

“Trouble is commonplace in the martial world.”

Gaek-ong said indifferently.

“Even in seclusion, trouble never ceases. How can there not be conflict and strife in a place where people gather?”

There was some persuasion in those words.

Un-hyun sighed.

“But still, isn’t it too much? I’ve only been to a brothel a few times in my life, and trouble happens every time I go. Is it because of the alcohol and women?”

“Alcohol is not to blame. Nor are women.”

Gaek-ong continued calmly.

“It’s just that there’s too much trash in the world.”

He didn’t think that was the case, but he couldn’t argue.

Gaek-ong must have seen more things than Un-hyun.

“Are you going to go?”

“Yes, I have to go.”

Un-hyun said, getting up from his seat.

“You said it’s commonplace, didn’t you?”

It was an unavoidable thing, like drinking tea and eating every day.

If so, it was better to accept it.

“Hmm.”

Gaek-ong seemed displeased.

But he also got up from his seat.

*Step, step.*

Un-hyun stepped out of the open door.

Amid the noisy shouts of the men, someone’s arrogant voice was clearly heard.

“Oh, you lowly things, how dare you defy whose orders? You’ll be shedding tears once you’re locked up in jail!”

He didn’t shout loudly, nor was he jumping up and down in anger.

But even with just that voice, Un-hyun was already starting to feel unpleasant.

That was the kind of thing only someone with power behind them could say.

***

The first floor of the brothel was a mess.

*Crash, bang.*

Six or seven men were overturning tables and causing a ruckus.

The guests had already fled outside, and the maids and entertainers were going up to the second floor, watching the situation with anxious eyes.

However, the brothel’s sturdy servants were not properly responding to the men’s rampage.

“Hmph, so hurry up and accept the lord’s orders.”

A man with a thin goatee said to Wol-hyang.

He was Jang, the vice-commander of Seo Geuk-yoon, the magistrate [a local governor] of Namgyeong.

A magistrate (通判) is a position that governs a district of a city, and his rank was higher than that of a district magistrate (知縣), who governs a county with a population of 100,000.

Moreover, the magistrate of the large city of Namgyeong had more authority than an ordinary vice-governor, so no one dared to touch even his vice-commander, let alone Seo Geuk-yoon.

That’s why Vice-Commander Jang is causing a ruckus at the brothel with peace of mind.

“So why are you making such a fuss?”

Vice-Commander Jang said, as if he were lecturing.

“How could this have happened if you had obediently followed the lord’s will?”

“I can’t do that.”

Wol-hyang said in a firm tone.

“I cannot accept such a shameful request.”

“No, what’s so shameful about the lord wanting to enjoy the moonlight and wind? Isn’t he just saying that he wants to take a small boat at night and enjoy the moon together intimately?”

It wasn’t the first or second time that Magistrate Seo Geuk-yoon had been seducing and raping courtesans and entertainers in that way.

But Vice-Commander Jang said shamelessly instead.

“The lord is being kind enough to favor a washed-up courtesan like you, and you should be grateful, but how dare you refuse!”

He said that, but his eyes were constantly stealing glances at Wol-hyang’s body.

Even though her prime was over, Wol-hyang’s beauty had only become more mature, and she was still one of the most famous entertainers in Namgyeong.

“A lowly courtesan doesn’t know her place because the lord is being so nice to her. Tsk, tsk.”

Vice-Commander Jang openly clicked his tongue.

*Grit.*

Yeon-hwa gritted her teeth, but she couldn’t draw her sword.

If she were to swing her sword at Vice-Commander Seo Geuk-yoon, the magistrate of Namgyeong, this brothel would literally be blown away.

“Oh my, look at this girl’s eyes. You little thing! How dare you glare at me!”

Vice-Commander Jang pretended to scold Yeon-hwa.

And he turned to look at Wol-hyang.

“Now, don’t be like this and just go to the lord now.”

Vice-Commander Jang grabbed Wol-hyang’s hand.

“Ah!”

Wol-hyang was startled.

But Vice-Commander Jang smiled lewdly.

“Oh, you’re going to go anyway, so what’s the point of dragging it out? Who knows? Maybe the lord will even take you as a concubine…….”

Wol-hyang’s face stiffened with shame, and Yeon-hwa’s patience reached its limit.

“Eek!”

It was the moment when Yeon-hwa, unable to bear it any longer, was about to reach for her sword.

“Let go.”

A clear and melodious voice rang out.

At that moment, the people in the brothel all stopped moving.

And they turned their heads to look at the owner of the voice.

*Step, step.*

A man dressed as a scholar and an old man were walking out.

It was Un-hyun and Gaek-ong.

Un-hyun walked towards Wol-hyang.

And he looked straight at Vice-Commander Jang.

“Who are you?”

Vice-Commander Jang said bluntly.

“How dare you…….”

It was then.

“Aaaagh!”

Vice-Commander Jang jumped up in surprise and stepped back.

It was because he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm.

Vice-Commander Jang looked down at his arm.

But there were no wounds anywhere.

“I told you to let go.”

Vice-Commander Jang raised his head at the sudden voice.

Un-hyun said with a cold look.

“Can’t you hear me?”

It wasn’t an incredibly loud voice, nor was it a sharp voice that made you frown.

But Un-hyun’s voice was clearly ringing in the ears of everyone there.