Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 428

428. Each Person’s Circumstances

Hunan Province, Changsha, Twin Swords Gate.

The elderly Gate Lord, Crimson Blood Twin Swords Dam Wi-geol, sitting in his office, frowned.

“What are you saying? The Gongsun Family has withdrawn?”

Deung Beom-yu, the leader of the Twin Swords Gate’s action squad, nodded.

“The rumors are already widespread in Guilin, Gate Lord.”

“Is that so?”

Gate Lord Dam Wi-geol paused for a moment, then asked,

“Will it interfere with our work?”

Jiangxi Province, where the Gongsun Family’s main residence was located, bordered Hunan Province.

However, Deung Beom-yu shook his head.

“There’s no problem at all. No matter how things proceed, the Gongsun Family won’t have time to pay attention to other matters for the time being.”

Dam Wi-geol nodded.

“That’s a relief then. More importantly, I heard that the Howling Tiger Merchant Group visited the Geum Family Manor?”

Gate Lord Dam Wi-geol returned to practical matters.

To the Twin Swords Gate, the Gongsun Family was like a being above the clouds anyway.

“That’s right. It seems Lee Hak-bung is trying to swallow the Geum Family Manor and make it his achievement. Isn’t the competition for the position of owner of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group fierce right now?”

Lee Hak-bung is the cousin of the deceased Lee Ho-am and the Chief of Internal Affairs who oversees the internal affairs of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group.

He had never hidden his ambition, and he was desperate to take over the Howling Tiger Merchant Group at this opportunity.

“Surely the Geum Family Manor won’t fall to the Howling Tiger Merchant Group, will it? It’s just a shell now, but it’s still the Geum Family Manor, isn’t it?”

The Geum Family Manor’s reputation and popularity, built on generations of benevolence, were quite substantial.

Even though that reputation and popularity were not very helpful in the face of practical difficulties.

“We can’t be complacent. We need to finish the job before the Howling Tiger Merchant Group takes action in earnest.”

Dam Wi-geol frowned at Deung Beom-yu’s words.

That meant ultimately resorting to drastic use of force.

“But the disciples we sent yesterday were beaten to a pulp and returned, didn’t they? An unknown female martial arts master joined the Geum Family Manor…”

The Twin Swords Gate disciples, who were sent to intimidate them appropriately, returned without even being able to use their hands properly in front of Neung Hwa-yeong’s sword.

However, Deung Beom-yu said with a relaxed expression.

“I don’t know who that female martial arts master is, but she can’t beat Blind Demon Lord, can she?”

Gate Lord Dam Wi-geol’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about? Blind Demon Lord?”

Blind Demon Lord was one of the most notorious figures in Guangxi Province.

He had survived and established himself in Guangxi Province, which was teeming with heretics, so his skills were definitely solid.

How could they bring in such a Blind Demon Lord?

“He’s currently in Changsha. It’s because he lost his base due to the Taiping Alliance’s attack on Gangnam.”

Dam Wi-geol couldn’t hide his surprise.

As the Taiping Alliance began to take action in earnest, the notorious figures of Guangxi Province lost their bases and scattered to the surrounding areas.

Hunan Province was geographically close and a wealthy area, so it was a place that the notorious figures would consider targeting.

Although the power of the government was strong, so it wouldn’t be like Guangxi Province.

“…Have you met him?”

“I’ve already sounded out his intentions through someone. He says he’ll move as long as he’s given enough silver.”

“Is that so?”

Gate Lord Dam Wi-geol was lost in thought for a moment.

Blind Demon Lord was an opponent that the Twin Swords Gate or the Geum Family Manor could hardly handle.

He was worried that he might have other intentions, but he was also certain of his abilities.

“Did he really just say he needed silver?”

“Yes. He said he doesn’t like it here because the power of the government is too strong.”

Dam Wi-geol was convinced.

The notorious figures could run wild in Guangxi Province because of its rugged terrain, but Hunan Province was by no means an easy place.

“I understand. No matter how much it costs, bring him in. We have plenty of silver, don’t we?”

Deung Beom-yu’s face brightened.

With Blind Demon Lord, the Geum Family Manor problem was as good as over.

“I understand.”

Deung Beom-yu bowed his head to receive the Gate Lord’s will.

Then he got up from his seat and left the office.

He had to catch Blind Demon Lord before his mind changed.

Tak.

After Deung Beom-yu left the office and Gate Lord Dam Wi-geol was left alone, he let out a sneer.

“Hehe, this is funny.”

Dam Wi-geol muttered with a bitter smile.

“Blind Demon Lord, who was chased out because of the Taiping Alliance, bows his head and comes in front of the Taiping Alliance’s money. Hehehe.”

He couldn’t help but find it funny the more he thought about it.

Dam Wi-geol’s sneer soon turned into a triumphant smile.

It was as if the heavens were helping him.

***

Changsha, Howling Tiger Merchant Group Chief of Internal Affairs’ office.

Lee Hak-bung, the Chief of Internal Affairs who oversees the internal affairs of the merchant group, frowned.

“Geum Sa-yeol isn’t listening?”

The Deputy Chief quickly bowed his head.

“Yes. We went to him with the debt certificates, but he beat up the servants and drove them out. He said that our Howling Tiger Merchant Group should pay back the debt instead…”

“Hmph!”

The Deputy Chief flinched at Lee Hak-bung’s snort.

“Geum Sa-yeol is crazy. He’s asking for money when he doesn’t have the ability to pay. And he dares to beat up and drive out the people of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group?”

The servants of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group were the ones who caused trouble first, but that didn’t matter.

What mattered was that Geum Sa-yeol had disobeyed his orders.

“If he doesn’t have the ability, he should just stay quiet. Doesn’t he even know his place? That’s why the Geum Family Manor is in this state.”

“But the newly joined master is unusual. She’s a female master whose sect hasn’t been revealed…”

Lee Hak-bung’s eyebrows twitched.

“A master? Are there still people left in the Geum Family Manor who are willing to keep their loyalty?”

“That’s, it’s said to be a past connection.”

Lee Hak-bung clicked his tongue.

The Geum Family Manor’s power, built on generations of benevolence, was not to be underestimated.

That’s precisely why he was aiming for the Geum Family Manor.

“The Geum Family Manor must be ours unconditionally. To beat Lee Yu-geol, that is.”

Lee Hak-bung’s eyes gleamed.

Lee Ho-am, the owner of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group, had died, and Lee Hak-bung had no doubt that he would be the next owner of the merchant group.

However, Lee Ho-am’s son, the young Lee Yu-geol, suddenly began to receive attention.

The reason why Lee Hak-bung coveted the Geum Family Manor was precisely because it was an important card to counter Lee Yu-geol.

“But is the Geum Family Manor really worth it? It’s just the reputation of the past now…”

“Don’t say such things. The reputation of the past is even better.”

Originally, the Howling Tiger Merchant Group was in alliance with the Namgung Family.

Fortunately, the Namgung Family had lifted its seclusion, but they were busy with their own affairs for the time being.

At this point, if Lee Hak-bung absorbed the Geum Family Manor and said that he would have his own military force in the future, he would definitely receive support from the elders.

The elders would still remember the former reputation of the Geum Family Manor.

“Tsk, the Twin Swords Gate also aims for the Geum Family Manor, and suddenly there’s a master in the Geum Family Manor…”

Lee Hak-bung tapped the luxurious table with his finger.

The work that he thought would end smoothly had suddenly encountered two obstacles.

The Deputy Chief, who had been silent, spoke cautiously.

“It’s not that there’s no way at all, but…”

The fact that he trailed off meant that there was something bothering him.

Lee Hak-bung raised his head.

“Speak.”

At Lee Hak-bung’s words, the Deputy Chief hesitated and opened his mouth.

“…There’s a man called Tyrant Blood King. He’s originally a reclusive master of the Demonic Sect, but he happened to drift here after the Hero Alliance collapsed.”

Lee Hak-bung understood what that meant.

It meant that he was one of the former Demonic figures who came out into the world when the Hero Alliance was in power, but had nowhere to go.

“So?”

“His skills are certain. The Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] even issued an extermination order in the past. However, what he wants is that…”

“Money?”

“Not that, he says he wants the position of the Geum Family Manor Lord.”

Lee Hak-bung frowned.

The Deputy Chief quickly waved his hand.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to swallow the Geum Family Manor. He said that if he’s given the position of the Manor Lord, he’ll become a loyal subordinate of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group.”

To be exact, he said ‘close cooperative relationship,’ but that didn’t matter.

Either way, it meant that he would come under the Howling Tiger Merchant Group.

‘The position of the Geum Family Manor Lord…’

The reason why Tyrant Blood King wanted the Geum Family Manor was clear.

It was to establish a legal base in Changsha.

“But if the new Manor Lord is Tyrant Blood King, it won’t look good, will it?”

“Of course, he’ll change his alias. He’ll have to disguise his name and identity, of course.”

The Deputy Chief continued as if he had been waiting for it.

“There’s an unmarried daughter in the Geum Family Manor, so if we bring him in as a son-in-law, the justification will be certain. Moreover, if that happens, we’ll have Tyrant Blood King’s weakness, won’t we?”

Lee Hak-bung’s eyes lit up.

The fact that the new Manor Lord of the Geum Family Manor was a former Demonic figure was definitely a fatal weakness.

“Either way, someone has to be appointed as the Manor Lord. If it’s Tyrant Blood King, the Twin Swords Gate won’t even dare to think of coveting it.”

The Deputy Chief’s plan pleased Lee Hak-bung.

In particular, the fact that several problems with the Geum Family Manor would be solved at once.

“Good. Do it that way.”

The decision was quick.

The Deputy Chief bowed his head.

Lee Hak-bung looked down at the bowing Deputy Chief and said.

“The Howling Tiger Merchant Group’s general meeting is not far away.”

The main figures of the merchant group, as well as many distinguished guests, will be invited.

More importantly, the fact that the new owner of the Howling Tiger Merchant Group will be decided at that meeting.

“Everything must be finished before that. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Chief of Internal Affairs.”

The title ‘Chief of Internal Affairs’ sounded particularly grating to his ears today.

But this wouldn’t last long, Lee Hak-bung was so sure.

***

Hunan Province, Yueyang, Ilchung County Main Residence.

Yun-hyeon, sitting at the table, was looking at a letter.

“Why?”

Guest Elder, who was drinking tea, asked.

Rustle.

Yun-hyeon quietly put down the letter and smiled.

“I’m just a little surprised.”

The letter was an invitation from the Geum Family Manor.

Surprisingly, the letter sent by Manor Lord Geum Sa-yeol mentioned the connection between the Geum Family Manor and Ilchung County.

“I was also very surprised.”

I Ah-yeong said, caressing her teacup.

“I didn’t know that the Geum Family Manor had a connection with us. And my mother knew about it too…”

The person who first told them about their connection was I Ah-yeong’s mother, the wife of Righteous Knight Ilchung County’s Lord.

When she told her the story of going to the Geum Family Manor, she was surprised and told her.

It was natural that Geum Sa-yeol had a good feeling about Ilchung County, who was an upright warrior before he went into office.

The two of them transcended age and became like-minded, and shared a deep friendship until Ilchung County went into office.

“The Manor Lord also apologized again for the rudeness the other day. My mother told me to go, so I don’t think I can refuse the invitation.”

I Ah-yeong shrugged and said to Yun-hyeon.

“What are you going to do, Uncle Yun?”

The reason she asked was because Yun-hyeon seemed to have a lot on his mind.

Yun-hyeon was silent for a moment.

“Is it because of that master?”

“It’s not just that.”

Guest Elder suddenly said.

He turned his head and looked at Yun-hyeon.

“It’s not strange that you’re interested in the master. But why don’t you say anything about that child?”

‘That child’ that Guest Elder was talking about meant Geum Hye-rin.

Yun-hyeon hadn’t said anything about her, whom Guest Elder had said ‘It’s a miracle that she’s still alive’.

Yun-hyeon, who wouldn’t have just passed it over normally.

“…I can’t hide anything from you, Elder.”

Yun-hyeon gave a bitter smile.

Even if he kept his mouth shut, you could see right through Yun-hyeon’s mind, so there was no way to hide it.

“Actually, there’s something that bothers me. I can’t say for sure what it is yet, but…”

“I understand.”

Guest Elder cut off Yun-hyeon’s words.

“That’s enough. It’s enough to tell me when you’re sure.”

“…Thank you. Elder.”

Yun-hyeon said, but Guest Elder didn’t even answer.

Yun-hyeon somehow felt that the indifferent appearance was warm.

“Then aren’t you going?”

I Ah-yeong asked Yun-hyeon.

Yun-hyeon smiled.

“I have to go. How can I not go when Ah-yeong is going?”

I Ah-yeong smiled.

Yun-hyeon thought that she really resembled Ilchung County.

Although he didn’t see Ilchung County smile often.

“When I see you like this, I know that Uncle Yun is not ordinary?”

“Not ordinary? What?”

“It’s nothing.”

I Ah-yeong turned her head.

Yun-hyeon, who was looking at her with a puzzled expression, said to Guest Elder.

“Elder, why don’t you come with us? We have plenty of time until the Chief Strategist comes anyway.”

“Okay.”

The answer was short.

It was so indifferent that it could be considered insincere, but Yun-hyeon didn’t care and quietly picked up his teacup.

The fragrant tea scent felt very soft today.