Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 416

416. The Owner of the Brothel

Elder Ko’s gaze was calm.

But within it was a will that no one could change.

It was Elder Ko’s conviction, his very life.

Tang Seol-yeon bit her lip.

*Swish.*

Elder Ko turned his gaze to Tang Cheon-byeok, the head of the Tang family.

“Now, go back. You’ve received enough courtesy.”

Tang Cheon-byeok sighed softly.

If Tang Seol-yeon couldn’t change her stubborn mind, no one in the Tang family could.

“Understood.”

Tang Cheon-byeok bowed his head, accepting Elder Ko’s will.

Elder Ko turned around.

“Grandfather.”

Elder Ko stopped turning.

Tang Seol-yeon looked up at Elder Ko and said.

“Does being with him mean that Grandfather’s intentions lie with the Azure Dragon Alliance?”

Her sharp eyes were directed at Unhyun.

Elder Ko glanced at Unhyun.

And chuckled.

“What is this Azure Dragon Alliance?”

Elder Ko looked at Tang Seol-yeon with pity.

“I, who know neither poison nor medicine, would I have intentions for something like an alliance?”

Tang Seol-yeon, as well as Head Tang Cheon-byeok, were taken aback.

“Then why…”

“This one.”

Elder Ko interrupted Tang Seol-yeon.

And glanced at Unhyun, saying.

“Is the owner of the brothel.”

Tang Seol-yeon and Tang Cheon-byeok’s brows furrowed slightly.

*Clearly, he is the Azure Dragon Sword Lord and the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, but what does the owner of the brothel suddenly mean?*

Under the gazes of the two, Unhyun gave an awkward smile.

But he didn’t deny it. No, he couldn’t.

Even though the brothel hasn’t even been built yet, let alone having a signboard, it’s true that he’s going to be the owner.

*Swish.*

Elder Ko stared intently at Tang Seol-yeon.

“Stay healthy, Yeon-ah.”

That was the end of the conversation.

Elder Ko turned around.

And slowly began to climb the stairs.

Step, step.

Unhyun, Tang Seol-yeon, Head Tang Cheon-byeok, and Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, who had just raised his head, silently watched his retreating figure.

Elder Ko’s figure soon disappeared.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t see you off separately.”

Suddenly, Unhyun’s voice rang out.

As Tang Seol-yeon, Tang Cheon-byeok, and Tang Yeop watched, Unhyun said with a gentle expression.

“Then please be careful on your way. Ah, and.”

Looking at Tang Seol-yeon, Unhyun said.

“The Plum Blossom Sword asked me to send his regards to Miss. Come to think of it, the two of you have similar positions by coincidence. Chief Commander and General Commander. Hehehe.”

Unhyun chuckled, as if amused by something.

That appearance further fueled Tang Seol-yeon’s animosity.

“You…”

*Whoosh.*

Instantly, a cold aura enveloped the inn.

Tang Seol-yeon, who was about to say something, flinched, and Tang Cheon-byeok and Tang Yeop also widened their eyes.

The aura was pouring out from Unhyun, who was right in front of them.

“I’ll just let you go this time. I’m just the owner of the brothel.”

*Whoooooosh.*

Unhyun’s eyes were as cold as ice.

The gentle expression from just now was nowhere to be found.

“But someday, definitely.”

Looking down at the three with cold eyes, Unhyun said.

“I will hold the Tang family responsible for the Death Severing Throwing Stars.”

At that gaze, Tang Seol-yeon shuddered without realizing it.

*There shouldn’t be any evidence that Unhyun’s ambush was directly related to the Tang family.*

*Even if they raised suspicions, there would be countless excuses or explanations.*

However, none of them came out of her mouth.

Now that Unhyun had made up his mind, Tang Seol-yeon couldn’t reverse it.

*Fwoosh.*

The chilling aura that seemed to cut the skin disappeared in an instant.

Unhyun, who had been looking down at the three, turned around.

Step.

Unhyun slowly climbed the stairs.

The very stairs that Elder Ko had climbed just a moment ago.

Unhyun’s figure also soon disappeared beyond the stairs.

But the chilling aura was still lingering inside the inn.

“Hmm.”

An uncomfortable groan escaped from Tang Cheon-byeok’s mouth.

Only then did Tang Seol-yeon realize that she was still kneeling.

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-yeon rose from her seat.

Her knees were trembling, but she didn’t show it.

However, she couldn’t help but bite her lip until it seemed like blood would seep out.

“Let’s go.”

Tang Cheon-byeok said.

The three left the Cheonhwa Inn.

And got into the carriage that was waiting.

*Clack.*

*Clatter, clatter.*

The lights of the downtown passed by the window.

The carriage soon arrived at the Gwangseo branch of the Taepyeong Alliance.

But until then, the three were silent.

“…What should we do?”

Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, asked quietly.

The carriage had already stopped, but no one got out.

Because the head, Tang Cheon-byeok, didn’t even seem to want to get out.

“What do you mean, what should we do? What *can* we do?”

Tang Cheon-byeok gave a bitter smile.

“We can only accept what that person said.”

*If the Eccentric Hermit calls himself Elder Ko, then he is Elder Ko.*

*The old saying ‘bringing a deer and calling it a horse [指鹿爲馬: zhǐ lù wéi mǎ – deliberately misrepresenting something]’ is reproduced as it is, although the meaning is different.*

“What is the Eccentric Hermit’s intention…”

“Not the Eccentric Hermit.”

Tang Cheon-byeok interrupted Tang Yeop, saying.

“It’s Elder Ko. The person we met was not the Eccentric Hermit. Understood?”

Tang Yeop immediately bowed his head.

Head Tang Cheon-byeok’s words clearly intended to minimize the repercussions of this incident.

“The results aren’t entirely absent.”

Tang Seol-yeon said quietly.

She raised her head towards Head Tang Cheon-byeok.

“Grandfather still has no intention of returning to the Tang family. It’s unfortunate, but.”

Tang Cheon-byeok’s brow furrowed slightly.

The Eccentric Hermit returning to the Tang family was not entirely welcome, at least not for the head, Tang Cheon-byeok.

“Also, he didn’t join the Azure Dragon Alliance. He’s with that guy, but it’s probably just another one of Grandfather’s eccentricities.”

No one knows the Eccentric Hermit’s mind better than Tang Seol-yeon.

Head Tang Cheon-byeok said quietly.

“So, you mean he won’t get involved in the affairs of the Jianghu [江湖: martial arts world] in the future?”

“Yes. It’s clear.”

Tang Cheon-byeok was lost in thought.

If the Eccentric Hermit is not associated with any alliance or sect, there will be no change in the situation.

Although the third squad of the Black Tortoise offended the Eccentric Hermit and fell into a slumber, that kind of thing is commonplace in the Jianghu martial world.

Of course, it’s hard to call it commonplace, as both the Eccentric Hermit and the third squad of the Black Tortoise have a unique weight.

“How much do the other sects know?”

“They didn’t seem to know anything yet. But they won’t be able to hide it for long.”

Even if the Danmok family or the Southern Sea Sword Sect don’t know, the Gongsun family or the Hyeonryeon family are by no means easy opponents.

If the Eccentric Hermit is not leaving immediately, it’s only a matter of time before they notice.

Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, said.

“Should we control access to the inn?”

“No, there’s no need to do that.”

Tang Cheon-byeok shook his head.

That could potentially offend the Eccentric Hermit.

“However, in the future, the Tang family’s people should not enter that inn… No, this is not good either.”

If they prohibit access to the inn, it might rather provoke curiosity and attract attention.

“Let’s hold a banquet.”

Tang Seol-yeon said.

“The conquest of Gwangseo Province is almost complete, so it’s time to commend the achievements and boost morale. Let’s hold a banquet in the name of the Taepyeong Alliance, and have all the sects attend.”

Without any hesitation, Tang Seol-yeon continued.

“Especially the disciples of the Tang family, without exception.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Cheon-byeok liked Tang Seol-yeon’s proposal.

If they hold a banquet in the name of the Taepyeong Alliance, the Tang family’s financial burden will be reduced.

“Let’s do that.”

“But the possibility of other sects getting involved with that person still remains.”

Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, said.

It’s not strange for a minor quarrel to turn into a big fight.

Wasn’t the reason why the third squad of the Black Tortoise fell also due to a minor quarrel?

Considering that the Taepyeong Alliance warriors are acting arrogantly in this Guilin, Tang Yeop’s concern was natural.

But it wasn’t for Head Tang Cheon-byeok or Tang Seol-yeon.

“Why should we care about that?”

Tang Seol-yeon said in a cold voice.

Tang Yeop was rather embarrassed.

Why shouldn’t they care if the Eccentric Hermit might have trouble with other sect members?

“That person is not the Eccentric Hermit, but Elder Ko.”

Tang Seol-yeon’s voice was cold.

“Anyone who claims to have met the Eccentric Hermit must first prove that the person they met *is* the Eccentric Hermit.”

Tang Yeop understood what Tang Seol-yeon was saying.

In short, it means that they will not acknowledge the facts and will ignore them.

“But if rumors spread…”

“Rumors?”

Tang Seol-yeon let out a sneer.

Her eyes seemed to be saying, ‘Is that all you’ve got?’

“When were there no rumors? Is it because the Eccentric Hermit was there that the Tang family started the Taepyeong Alliance? How many times have other sects tried to find ridiculous fault with our Tang family?”

Tang Seol-yeon’s eyes seemed to be sparking.

“If you’re worried about the Tang family, keep your mouth shut. That’s the best thing to do.”

Her harsh words were merciless.

Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, had a clear look of displeasure, but he didn’t open his mouth any further.

Because, as Tang Seol-yeon said, that’s the best thing to do right now.

Head Tang Cheon-byeok smiled.

“Then I’ll leave the rest to the General Commander.”

“Yes.”

*Rustle.*

Tang Seol-yeon bowed her head.

“I will gladly follow the Head’s will.”

With that, the conversation ended.

But there was still something to say.

*―I will hold the Tang family responsible for the Death Severing Throwing Stars.*

The voice and cold eyes of Azure Dragon Sword Lord Unhyun were vivid in front of her eyes.

But no one opened their mouth about it.

Because everyone knew that there was nothing they could do by talking about it.

*Click.*

The door opened, and Head Tang Cheon-byeok got out of the carriage.

Tang Yeop, the head of the Black Tortoise, with a stiff expression, and Tang Seol-yeon, the General Commander with sharp eyes, also came out.

*Swoosh.*

The night breeze of Guilin shook her hair.

Without paying attention to her fluttering hair, Tang Seol-yeon looked around somewhere.

That place was the direction of the Cheonhwa Inn, where Elder Ko was staying.

*―Stay healthy, Yeon-ah.*

Thinking of Elder Ko looking at her with pity, her heart ached.

‘Please be healthy too, Grandfather.’

Tang Seol-yeon turned her head, repeating the words she couldn’t say in her heart.

*Thud.*

Her expression, walking confidently, had already returned to Tang Seol-yeon, the General Commander of the Taepyeong Alliance, the snow flower of the Tang family, Tangmun Seolhwa.

***

The next day, early dawn.

Unhyun was standing in the vacant lot behind the Cheonhwa Inn.

The morning mist covered the world, and the bizarre peaks that appeared through it were like entering a fairyland.

The night had already lost its power, but the sun had not yet risen, and the whole world was asleep in silence, except for the occasional sound of early morning birds.

*Click.*

Elder Ko held a teacup.

Elder Ko, savoring the warm tea scent, didn’t even glance at Unhyun.

But Unhyun felt comfortable just by Elder Ko being there.

*Swish.*

Unhyun drew Myeong.

Even under the dim light, Myeong’s blade sparkled as if showing off its beauty.

Unhyun slowly calmed his breath.

*Whoooooong.*

A gentle flow wrapped around Unhyun.

What was as light as a passing breeze soon became a huge flow, the flow of stars passing through the world.

The sky, the earth, and the fate of all people were shining and flowing within it.

The new world he had seen someday, but the scene he had to wake up from in the end, was now fully 펼쳐져 [pyeolchyeojyeo – unfolded] in front of Unhyun’s eyes.

*Rustle.*

Unhyun held the sword.

What he held in his hand was the sword of the Northern Sea, Myeong, but the sword he had set in his heart was not Myeong.

*Whoosh.*

Unhyun’s sword cut through the air and moved.

There was no fear or hesitation.

Myeong had already become an Azure Dragon, swimming in that majestic flow that embraced and flowed through the world.

Slowly, but without any hesitation.

The White Tiger Cultivation Sword, but Unhyun’s sword style, which can no longer be called just the White Tiger Cultivation Sword.

It was the beginning of the Azure Dragon Sword.