Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 412

412. As Expected of the Elder

Wolhyang declined the gifts that Unhyun had presented.

Her reason was that she couldn’t accept such great wealth without a proper cause.

While there was some justification, Wolhyang shook her head.

“Still, I cannot. I appreciate the thought, but please allow me to accept only your sentiment.”

Unhyun couldn’t insist any further.

Shunning unearned wealth wasn’t a virtue exclusive to officials or scholars.

“I understand.”

Eventually, Unhyun nodded.

Yeonhwa, Wolhyang’s guard, looked regretful, but Wolhyang simply smiled.

However, Unhyun’s words weren’t finished yet.

“Actually, I don’t really know the value of these things. I only know that they are rare.”

Wolhyang nodded.

Before her, nine volumes of books, delivered by the head of the Hangyeong Merchant Group, were neatly stacked.

“As I discussed with you before, I would like to entrust the disposal or processing of these items to you, Wolju.”

Famous calligraphy and antiques weren’t easy to dispose of, and items like jade, coral, and pearls needed to be processed into ornaments.

“Is that possible?”

After a moment of thought, Wolhyang replied.

“Yes, it’s possible. There are many wealthy people who desire calligraphy or goods from the Western Regions [referring to areas west of China, often associated with exotic goods], and I also have some knowledge of excellent artisans.”

It was a bit surprising that Wolhyang knew even artisans, given her wide network.

However, Wolhyang said with a gentle smile.

“When dealing with the so-called upper class, you naturally come to know such things.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

It seemed that the wealthy and powerful always lived differently from others.

In fact, Unhyun, as the leader of the Azure Dragon Society, was among the highest of the upper class.

“I see. Then I will send all the remaining calligraphy and precious metals this way as well.”

“Pardon? Remaining items?”

At Unhyun’s words, Wolhyang asked back with a surprised expression.

Were there more besides what was written in the nine volumes?

But Unhyun looked at Wolhyang with an even more puzzled expression.

“Yes. There’s much more.”

The logistics going up and down the Yangtze River were enormous.

The scale of the treasures amassed by the Heroic Alliance, which controlled that waterway, especially by the greedy Yeom Jung-bu, was beyond imagination.

Wolhyang let out a soft sigh.

“…If a lot of goods are released in a short period, the value drops sharply. And artisans also need time to produce. Please send the remaining items slowly.”

Unhyun smiled at Wolhyang, who emphasized ‘slowly’.

“I understand. I will do so.”

Wolhyang wore an awkward smile, while Yeonhwa looked bored.

It was then.

“Build a brothel.”

Guest Elder, who had been savoring his tea, suddenly said.

Wolhyang and Yeonhwa turned to look at Guest Elder.

“A very large and luxurious one.”

That was another unexpected remark.

Guest Elder continued without even looking at Wolhyang.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s in Nanjing or Hangzhou. I don’t care if it’s a brothel or a tavern. Just build one that is so grand and luxurious that it becomes famous throughout the world. To the point where anyone would readily consider it the best.”

That was a completely unexpected, truly unconventional request.

To build the best brothel in the world?

It was impossible without tremendous wealth, as well as a vast network and ability.

“Can’t you do it?”

Guest Elder looked at Wolhyang.

His gaze was calm.

Wolhyang bit her lip.

After thinking for a moment, she raised her eyes.

“I can do it.”

“Good.”

Guest Elder wore a faint smile.

“Use only the best, whether it’s people or things. Down to the teacups. Especially to the point where even the most knowledgeable people’s eyes widen in surprise.”

“Of course.”

Wolhyang nodded firmly.

How could it be called the best in the world if it was only outwardly luxurious?

“If you do it properly, I will entrust that brothel to you.”

Wolhyang’s eyes lit up.

She had thought it might happen, but her heart swelled when Guest Elder actually stated it before her eyes.

“If you need anything, tell Hyun. After all…”

Guest Elder glanced at Unhyun.

“It’s Hyun’s anyway.”

Wolhyang looked at Unhyun with shining eyes.

The best brothel in the world was truly an exciting prospect.

However, Unhyun couldn’t hide his awkward expression.

This was originally Guest Elder’s idea.

Guest Elder, on the other hand, was nonchalantly savoring his tea as if it were no longer his concern.

***

The next day, Unhyun’s group left Nanjing, after saying goodbye to Wolhyang.

The carriage sped along the main road and soon arrived in Hangzhou, where Unhyun headed to the place where the Azure Dragon Society’s headquarters was being built.

That was where Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun would be.

“Welcome, Leader.”

Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun greeted Unhyun with a smiling face.

Yeongho-jun, who had been talking with the construction manager, Daemok, said to Unhyun and Guest Elder.

“This is perfect timing. I need to give you a report on the progress, so let’s go somewhere quiet.”

The three moved to the small teahouse they had visited before.

Enjoying the soft tea fragrance and warm atmosphere, the three took a short break.

Clink.

Setting down his teacup, Yeongho-jun asked.

“How did your trip go? Did you find Il-eun?”

“Yes. I met him.”

Yeongho-jun’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

Thinking that his reaction was the same as Wolhyang’s, Unhyun told Yeongho-jun about what had happened.

Yeongho-jun nodded, constantly marveling.

When it came to the part about the duel with Il-eun, he even gaped.

“…Good heavens. Why is someone like that hiding?”

“He said he had unspeakable circumstances.”

“Hmm, unspeakable circumstances…”

Yeongho-jun shook his head.

“I’ve heard that there are many eccentric hermits in the martial world, and it seems that’s true.”

Saying that, Yeongho-jun picked up his teacup.

“Oh, right, as you said, I sent some of your wealth to Nanjing. No security firm would accept it, so I had no choice but to commission a merchant group. At least there’s no risk of them running off with it.”

“Thank you for your trouble. Since the topic came up, I think it would be good for the Chief Strategist to know the situation as well.”

Unhyun briefly told him the story with Wolhyang.

There was nothing to hide from Guest Elder and Yeongho-jun, if no one else.

As expected, Yeongho-jun’s eyes lit up when he heard the story.

“Leader.”

Yeongho-jun said with sparkling eyes.

“I will follow you for life.”

Unhyun was slightly taken aback by the sudden remark.

Yeongho-jun continued in an excited tone.

“My wish has always been to become friends with the owner of a brothel. And to be the owner of one of the best brothels in the world, no less. Just thinking about it makes my heart race.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

“It hasn’t been built yet…”

It was only just being discussed, let alone built.

But Yeongho-jun couldn’t hide his excitement and anticipation.

“The idea of gathering information through a brothel is also very excellent. Of course, I also think that you might be approaching the problem too naively, but we’ll see what the results are.”

Unhyun closed his mouth, about to say that it was originally Guest Elder’s idea.

He didn’t want to embarrass Yeongho-jun unnecessarily.

“How was it here?”

“Very good. Everyone is properly enjoying the joy of labor.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

“I see. How about we have a meal together as a sign of consolation?”

“If you’re buying something expensive, I’m always welcome. Anyway…”

Yeongho-jun took out a thin letter from his pocket.

Rustle.

“This came a few days ago.”

Yeongho-jun handed Unhyun the sealed letter.

Nothing was written on the outside of the letter.

“You can look at them first from now on. Except for things that are too personal.”

If it was an urgent matter, Yeongho-jun needed to know even more than Unhyun.

Yeongho-jun smiled and said.

“Yes. I will do so from now on. As you said, letters from the young ladies are excluded.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile and opened the letter.

Unhyun frowned slightly as he read the letter.

“What’s wrong?”

Unhyun handed Yeongho-jun the letter and said quietly.

“The head of the Gongson Clan wants to meet me.”

“You?”

“The Gongson Clan?”

Guest Elder and Yeongho-jun said at the same time.

The Gongson Clan was one of the Eighteen Great Clans of the Martial Alliance in the past and now belongs to the Taepyeong Alliance.

“Yes. He wants to set a place separately and meet there.”

Yeongho-jun examined the letter while Guest Elder frowned and continued.

“That Bi-geom [alias of Gongson-wol] is out of his mind. If he wants to see you, he should come here himself. Who does he think he is, telling you to come and go?”

Bi-geom was the alias of Gongson-wol, the head of the Gongson Clan.

Guest Elder didn’t hide his displeasure.

Yeongho-jun said, looking at the letter.

“He’s saying to meet in a place that’s neither the Azure Dragon Society nor the Gongson Clan. So, strictly speaking, he’s not telling you to come and go, is he?”

“It’s the same thing.”

Guest Elder continued in a blunt tone.

“If it were me or Lee Geom-hak he was dealing with, would Bi-geom dare to say such a thing?”

“That’s true. The Elder’s words are indeed correct.”

Unhyun gave an awkward smile at Yeongho-jun’s nodding agreement.

Yeongho-jun sighed and continued.

“But the position of leader is not one where you can only assert your pride. Even if the other party is rude, isn’t it the leader’s duty to smile and meet them for the sake of the world’s peace?”

Yeongho-jun’s words were correct.

However, Guest Elder’s expression didn’t soften.

“Let the emperor worry about the world’s peace. It’s enough to crush such a rude bastard. Hyun has every right to do so.”

As a martial artist, Guest Elder’s words were perfectly justified.

“Well, that’s true.”

Yeongho-jun shrugged.

“When you think about it, that might be more efficient. For the sake of peace in the martial world, too.”

Unhyun was flustered.

Yeongho-jun, who seemed like a moderate, suddenly turned into a hardliner.

Because of one wrong letter, Bi-geom Gongson-wol was being branded as a traitor in an instant.

Unhyun calmly opened his mouth.

“True courtesy is not in appearance but in the mindset. Shouldn’t we look at the intention rather than the formality? Still, he’s suggesting a conversation.”

“Conversation?”

Guest Elder scoffed.

“Those go better after you’ve crushed them.”

“As expected of the Elder.”

Yeongho-jun chimed in.

“Originally, you need to make them properly aware of reality for the conversation to flow smoothly. But you know…”

Yeongho-jun, who had been nodding and marveling, subtly lowered his voice.

“…Wouldn’t it be fun to watch the other person act up without knowing anything? Then suddenly slam them with an iron mace! It would be so refreshing.”

There was even a sinister smile on Yeongho-jun’s lips as he spoke.

For him, who was originally a Taoist, no, who is still clearly a Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua, to say such a thing.

Unhyun thought that Yeongho-jun’s workload must have been too heavy.

“Hmm, that’s not bad either.”

Guest Elder nodded.

Turning to Unhyun, Guest Elder asked.

“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

Unhyun said with a wry smile.

It wasn’t just anyone, but the head of the Gongson Clan was asking to meet, so he couldn’t refuse just because he didn’t like the letter.

“I see. Let’s go.”

Guest Elder said.