Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 420

420. Toxic Intentions

Un Hyun walked along the riverbank with Guest Elder.

The boat they had arrived on had already been sent back before the martial arts exchange, and a short walk would take them to a village where they could hire a carriage or horses to return to Guilin.

The flowing river, the blowing wind, and the bizarre peaks lightened their steps.

As they strolled leisurely, Un Hyun suddenly asked,

“What did you think, Elder?”

“Are you talking about your sword?”

Un Hyun gave a wry smile at Guest Elder’s words.

“I’m talking about Bi Geom’s sword.”

“It was better than expected.”

Guest Elder said without hesitation.

“To reach the state of sword and spirit as one, surpassing even sword energy, one can see how much the Gongsun Family has been grinding their teeth. If Lee Geom Hak had seen it, he would have been quite pleased.”

Un Hyun nodded.

Gongsun Yue’s final move, the Rising Sword of Bi Geom, was praised by Guest Elder as being beyond expectations.

Other sects and families must have achieved their own results as well.

“What about you?”

“Pardon?”

Guest Elder chuckled at Un Hyun’s question.

“I already know that mentioning the Mengwon was just an excuse. Weren’t you planning to accept the Gongsun Family anyway?”

An awkward smile appeared on Un Hyun’s lips.

It was as good as admitting Guest Elder’s words were true.

“Is it because of Bulyeong?”

“…Yes.”

Un Hyun said in a quiet voice.

“Despite the extreme animosity caused by the Righteous-Demonic War [a major conflict between good and evil factions in the martial arts world], the Venerable Seung accepted them. So I will not refuse either.”

The Righteous-Demonic War had divided the Jianghu [martial arts world] in two.

In the accumulating revenge and resentment, the vicious cycle seemed like it would never end.

However, the Venerable Seung Bulyeong embraced them in the name of the Martial Alliance.

Although it did not fill the deep gap carved by blood, the Venerable Seung’s attempt could be called a success.

Now, no one forces anyone to choose one side.

“But the Changryong Alliance will not become another Martial Alliance.”

That was outside Guest Elder’s interest.

“Do as you please. So, what about Bi Geom’s sword?”

“It was more than I expected.”

The reason Un Hyun demanded conditions from Gongsun Yue that he didn’t from other sects was not just because they joined late.

As he said himself, Un Hyun wanted to see the sincerity of Bi Geom Gongsun Yue’s martial arts.

The Rising Sword of Bi Geom, which Gongsun Yue called ‘everything of mine,’ was impressive enough.

Swaaaa.

The river wind of the Yijiang River softly embraced the two.

As they walked quietly, Un Hyun suddenly asked.

“Is the Gongsun Family Head’s words true?”

“That the Tang Clan is trying to devour the Gongsun Family?”

“Yes.”

The revealed fact is that two high-ranking officials of the Gongsun Family died in ‘unfortunate accidents.’

It was unreasonable to consider it evidence supporting Gongsun Yue’s speculation.

“If it’s the Tang Clan, they are capable of doing that.”

Guest Elder said indifferently.

“No, if they don’t do that, they wouldn’t be the Tang Clan.”

Un Hyun’s eyes widened at his assertion.

However, Guest Elder continued as if it were natural.

“If the Tang Clan wants to dominate Gangnam [a region in China], they can’t leave the Gongsun Family and the Hyeonryeon Family as they are. The best way is, as Bi Geom said, to leave only a good-looking shell.”

Guest Elder moved his feet nonchalantly.

“Bi Geom’s guess is correct. No, anyone who knows the Tang Clan would come to the same conclusion. Because the Tang Clan is not the Tang Clan without toxic intentions.”

During the Righteous-Demonic War, the Tang Clan belonged to the middle ground between the so-called Righteous and Demonic factions, between Righteousness and Evil.

This was not because they maintained strict neutrality, but because they prioritized only the Tang Clan’s interests, regardless of Righteousness or Evil.

It was a course of action that could be attacked from both sides, but the Tang Clan survived to the end.

What made that possible was the Tang Clan’s strength and toxic intentions.

“Then the Hyeonryeon Family must have noticed too… Ah!”

Un Hyun sighed as he spoke.

The Hyeonryeon Family and the Gongsun Family had one crucial difference.

Guest Elder said quietly.

“Yes. The Sword Tyrant has not yet awakened.”

On the day the Martial Alliance collapsed, the head of the Hyeonryeon Family, Sword Tyrant Hyeonryeon Cheolhu, was ambushed by Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jungbu.

And he still hadn’t regained consciousness.

“The person who should have come to you today might have been the Sword Tyrant instead.”

Guest Elder said in a calm voice.

But that would not happen.

The Sword Tyrant had lost consciousness, and the Hyeonryeon Family, located in the southern part of the continent, would think that the Yangtze River or the Changryong Alliance were irrelevant to them.

Un Hyun gave a bitter smile.

Swaaaa.

The river wind of the Yijiang River brushed past the two.

Guest Elder and Un Hyun moved their feet in silence.

The bizarre peaks of Guilin and the winding waters of the Yijiang River somehow looked unfamiliar.

***

The Taepyeong Alliance’s Guilin Grand Banquet began splendidly.

Not only did all the sects of the Taepyeong Alliance, including the Tang Clan, attend, but all the martial artists belonging to the Taepyeong Alliance in Guilin gathered in one place.

Except for those who were out on missions, it was no exaggeration to say that most of the martial artists who participated in the Gangnam conquest had gathered.

The disciples of each faction, who had been exhausted by the unfamiliar climate and unfamiliar food of Guangxi Province, and the bloody battles, relaxed.

And they enjoyed the banquet to their heart’s content.

The heated atmosphere of the banquet naturally spread outside the banquet hall, and the entire downtown area of Guilin was bustling like a festival.

The fact that the head of the Gongsun Family and the head of the Outer Hall were late to attend the opening ceremony of the Guilin Grand Banquet was not even a topic of conversation.

However, regardless of the heat of the banquet, there were those who watched the Gongsun Family with cold eyes.

Taepyeong Alliance Guangxi Branch, Office of the Chief Military Officer for External Affairs.

Tang Seolyeon said in a sharp voice.

“He met with the head of the Gongsun Family and the head of the Outer Hall?”

‘He’ is none other than Changryong Sword Lord Un Hyun.

The subordinate bowed his head.

“Yes. But because he was wary of ‘that person,’ we could not grasp the content of the conversation.”

The beautiful Tang Seolyeon’s eyebrows furrowed.

“He was wary? I clearly told you not to approach him?”

“It wasn’t us.”

Tang Seolyeon paused.

“Then was it the Hyeonryeon Family?”

“We couldn’t confirm. However, there were at least three or more forces monitoring the area.”

Tang Seolyeon thought for a moment at the subordinate’s words.

There would be many people who would want to know the movements of Un Hyun, the leader of the Changryong Alliance and the Changryong Sword Lord.

Even if they didn’t know the identity of Guest Elder.

“So what happened?”

“The family head, Gongsun Yue, had a martial arts exchange with him, and the result ended with Gongsun Yue’s defeat.”

Although they could only watch from afar, they could clearly see the result of the martial arts exchange.

After the final clash, Gongsun Yue knelt on one knee, while Un Hyun was still standing.

“Hmph, a martial arts exchange? What a pathetic act…”

Tang Seolyeon did not hide her blatant ridicule.

The head of the Gongsun Family secretly meeting with the leader of the Changryong Alliance must have been to discuss important matters.

But a martial arts exchange?

Tang Seolyeon could never accept that such an important issue, which required the head of the family to step forward, was decided in that way.

In the Jianghu martial world, one cannot be sure that it is the best even after considering the immediate gains and losses, the future repercussions, and the situations that will unfold afterward.

However, ridiculing and grasping the situation are separate matters.

Tang Seolyeon, lost in thought, muttered quietly.

“…Maybe the head of the Gongsun Family noticed something and had other thoughts.”

“But he didn’t leave a single thing to be suspicious of.”

The subordinate said, but Tang Seolyeon’s thoughts did not change.

“Gongsun Yue is not the type of person to look for evidence. Who was the next target?”

“It’s Gongsun Rim, who belongs to the Inner Hall. He is known to be fond of women and enjoys drinking and music, and he is said to be drunk at the banquet right now.”

He was scheduled to fall to his death after losing his footing on the railing of the pavilion while drunk.

Of course, in an unfortunate accident.

But his fate changed at this moment.

“Hmm.”

Tang Seolyeon tapped the desk with her finger.

She wanted to deal with the head of the Gongsun Family.

But at this point, touching the head of the Gongsun Family was too risky.

Even if she succeeded, the aftermath on other factions would not be easy.

‘The Gangnam conquest itself could be shaken.’

Above all, she had to get permission from Moonju Tang Cheonbyeok.

“The person with him was the head of the Outer Hall, right?”

“Yes. It’s Gongsun Wi, the head of the Outer Hall.”

“Let’s do it with him.”

The subordinate understood Tang Seolyeon’s words.

“I understand.”

With that, the fate of Gongsun Wi, the head of the Outer Hall of the Gongsun Family, was decided.

Tang Seolyeon gestured to the subordinate.

The subordinate bowed and left the office.

Tang Seolyeon, left alone, leaned back in her chair.

Click.

The ornate chair softly embraced her body.

‘Yes, the head of the Outer Hall will be enough of a warning. But there must also be a penalty for having other thoughts, right?’

It didn’t take long to come to a conclusion.

Tang Seolyeon got up from her seat and picked up a brush.

Sarak.

The brush ran across the white paper, forming sentences.

Tang Seolyeon, who had written it down in one stroke, put down the brush.

Tuk.

Looking at what she had written, Tang Seolyeon faintly smiled.

“Yes. People only know the value of something after they lose it.”

***

It was dinner time, but Cheonhwa Inn was deserted.

Even though the Taepyeong Alliance martial artists who had filled the seats had flocked to the grand banquet, others still avoided this place.

After all, it would be filled with Taepyeong Alliance martial artists again after the grand banquet was over.

Thanks to this, Un Hyun and his party were having dinner in the deserted first-floor restaurant and leisurely enjoying tea.

Un Hyun, holding a teacup, asked Jo Gwan.

“How is the local government viewing the movements of the Taepyeong Alliance?”

“Officially, they are taking a position of not interfering, but they seem to be secretly welcoming it.”

Click.

Jo Gwan put down the teacup and continued.

“From the court’s point of view, the factions in Guangxi are potential risk factors, while the Taepyeong Alliance is cooperative with the government.”

The high-ranking officials of Guangxi Province, that is, the local magistrates, are all appointed by the central court.

Naturally, the local magistrates, who are in the same position as the court, have no choice but to be wary of the local factions in this area, which are outside the control of the government.

However, the Taepyeong Alliance, which is relatively cooperative and communicates well, is cleaning up the local factions in Guangxi Province, so they are secretly pleased, even if they can’t show it openly.

Of course, the bribes that the Taepyeong Alliance gave them were also an important factor.

“I see.”

“Shall I order them not to cooperate with the Taepyeong Alliance?”

“There’s no need to do that. The primary purpose of my coming here has already been accomplished.”

Jo Gwan looked surprised.

It had not even been four days since he came to Guilin, but he said that he had achieved his purpose.

“Then shall we return to Hangzhou?”

“Since we’ve come such a long way, let’s stay a few more days before leaving.”

Un Hyun said with a gentle expression, but Jo Gwan’s eyes lit up.

This was because he knew that Un Hyun was not the type of person to leisurely go sightseeing.

“I understand.”

“Ah, and.”

Un Hyun said as if he had suddenly remembered.

“Could you deliver this letter to Chief Military Officer Yeonghojun?”

Rustle.

Un Hyun took out a thin letter from his chest and handed it to Jo Gwan.

“Of course.”

Jo Gwan replied and respectfully received the letter.

“Please deliver it as quickly as possible. It may be a matter of life and death for many people.”

At the sudden words, Jo Gwan looked at Un Hyun.

But Un Hyun’s eyes were only serious.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Jo Gwan nodded.

And immediately got up from his seat.

Click.

“Then I’ll see you in the evening.”

Jo Gwan and Hang Jangik bowed to Un Hyun and Guest Elder and left the seat.

As they went out of the inn, Un Hyun sighed quietly, holding a teacup.

However, Guest Elder was silently savoring the tea.