Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 429

429. The Unexpected Turn of Events at Geum Family Manor

Honam Province, Jangsa, Geum Family Manor.

Yunhyun, Gaeong, and Irahyeong, having arrived at Geum Family Manor, were treated with the utmost hospitality.

Geum Sayul, the head of the family, personally greeted the group at the front gate, accompanied by his daughter, Geum Hyerin, and Cheonilgeom [Thousand Mile Sword], Neung Hwayoung.

As it was daytime, there was no grand banquet, but the light meal served was prepared with meticulous care.

The elderly head of the family, Geum Sayul, spoke of past ties with a bright smile, and Yunhyun also reminisced about Ilchunghyun after a long time, enjoying a comfortable atmosphere.

It was as they were finishing their meal, sharing tea, and continuing the story of Ilchunghyun when…

Clink.

Putting down his teacup, the head of the Geum family inquired.

“So, how have you been since leaving the Imperial Palace?”

Yunhyun gently swirled his teacup and replied with a calm expression.

“I was briefly involved with the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance].”

“The Murim Alliance?”

“Uncle Yun was working as a secretary in the Murim Alliance,” Irahyeong added from the side.

Geum Sayul pressed further.

“Then, perhaps, when the Murim Alliance collapsed…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm.”

Geum Sayul said with a pitiful expression.

“I see. You’ve been through a lot.”

He, along with the old woman, looked at Yunhyun with concerned faces.

Yunhyun smiled reassuringly.

“It’s alright. I’m currently working with the Changryong Alliance…”

He omitted the fact that he was the leader.

Only Irahyeong and Ilchunghyun’s wife knew that Yunhyun was deeply involved with the Changryong Alliance.

“I see. That’s a relief.”

Geum Sayul hesitated for a moment before asking a delicate question.

“…May I ask if you are promised to someone in the future?”

“Not yet.”

Yunhyun replied with a gentle smile.

“But there is someone who attracts me.”

At those words, not only Irahyeong but also Geum Hyerin and Neung Hwayoung’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Geum Sayul seemed slightly disappointed but quickly nodded.

“I see.”

The elderly Geum Sayul fiddled with his teacup, falling silent for a moment.

The old woman also remained silent, her face stiff.

Yunhyun asked quietly.

“Is something wrong?”

“That is….”

Geum Sayul sighed deeply.

As if having made up his mind, he looked directly at Yunhyun.

“What can I hide from you, Master Yun? Our Geum Family is in a very precarious situation right now.”

Geum Sayul continued in a hushed tone.

“Suddenly, the Twin Swords Sect is oppressing us, and even the Hoam Merchant Guild is pressuring us to hand over the Geum Family. Dealing with one would be difficult enough, but with both attacking at the same time, the future looks truly bleak.”

“I know that Lady Neung’s martial arts are very strong, but….”

At Yunhyun’s words, Geum Sayul offered a bitter smile.

“That’s right. But how can we face the Hoam Merchant Guild with swords alone? If we get on the wrong side of the Hoam Merchant Guild, we won’t be able to set foot in Jangsa, or even Honam Province.”

Leaving Jangsa, where their ancestors had taken root for generations, would mean the practical end of the Geum Family.

The elderly Geum Sayul lacked the strength to start anew in an unfamiliar land.

Despite the good deeds he had done, he harbored a deep sense of doubt about how things had turned out this way.

“So, I’m going to ask Master Yun for an unreasonable request.”

“Father!”

Geum Hyerin exclaimed with a surprised face, but Geum Sayul continued without pause.

“Could you entrust my daughter Hyerin and Lady Neung to Master Yun for the time being?”

“To me?”

At Yunhyun’s question, Geum Sayul said with a firm expression.

“It would be fine to take them to the main family of Great Warrior Il in Akyang, or even to another province. No, if possible, please take them far away from here.”

“Father! I can’t do that….”

“I can’t do that either,” Neung Hwayoung stated in a resolute tone.

“I will never leave this place until I repay the grace of the previous generation.”

“You have already repaid the grace, Lady Neung,” Geum Sayul said with a bitter smile.

“Lady Neung’s loyalty in coming to us from afar when everyone else was turning away has been a great comfort and strength to us. I am truly grateful, Lady Neung.”

Geum Sayul’s expression was filled with deep regret.

“But I cannot allow Lady Neung to incur another grudge because of us. Lady Neung must go out into a bigger world and make a name for herself. Master Yun is trustworthy, so please follow my wishes.”

“No.”

It was Yunhyun’s voice that cut through the air.

The gazes of Geum Sayul, Geum Hyerin, Neung Hwayoung, and Irahyeong all turned to Yunhyun.

“I understand the head of the family’s intentions. I am also willing to help the head of the family, who is a friend of my brother. But not in this way.”

“That’s….”

Yunhyun turned his head to Gaeong without listening to Geum Sayul.

“Elder, is there no other way?”

“There is a way,” Gaeong answered bluntly.

“There is that child here. No one can ignore her, whether it’s a merchant guild or anything else.”

Gaeong pointed to Cheonilgeom, Neung Hwayoung, with his chin.

As he said, there was nowhere that could ignore a master of Sword Energy Emission [a martial artist who can project their inner energy into their sword strikes].

“But overcoming the current situation is a separate matter. We can’t just kill everyone we don’t like. We need to accurately understand the opponent, as well as persistent patience and skillful negotiation. Sometimes, we need the courage to make threats.”

Ssk.

Gaeong looked at the head of the Geum family, Geum Sayul.

“The question is whether you have the will to do so.”

Geum Sayul gave a bitter smile.

Gaeong’s words accurately pointed out Geum Sayul’s inner thoughts.

The biggest problem was that the elderly head of the family, Geum Sayul, had no passion left.

He was already prepared to face the end with the Geum Family.

Entrusting the safety of his daughter and Neung Hwayoung to Yunhyun was his last act of concern.

“I see.”

Yunhyun said that and fell into thought for a moment.

Yunhyun, who had been fiddling with his teacup, suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Geum Hyerin.

“Can you trust me, Miss?”

It was an unexpected question, but Geum Hyerin nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, I trust you. But this problem is….”

“Why? You don’t even know me, do you?”

Geum Hyerin, who had a puzzled expression, gave a bitter smile.

“Well, there are many reasons, but the answer I can sincerely give you is this.”

Looking straight at Yunhyun, Geum Hyerin said.

“Your eyes are telling me so.”

Her eyes were shining.

But the next moment, Geum Hyerin regretted it inwardly.

Geum Hyerin quickly turned to Neung Hwayoung.

But Neung Hwayoung was nodding as if she agreed.

“…Is that so?”

Yunhyun said quietly.

Even though a flower-like beautiful lady said she trusted him, Yunhyun’s expression remained calm.

No, he even seemed slightly disappointed.

Yunhyun said to the head of the Geum family, Geum Sayul.

“Head of the family. I have an idea, so would you entrust this situation to me?”

Geum Sayul couldn’t hide his puzzled expression.

But Yunhyun didn’t explain any further.

“…I understand.”

Sighing, Geum Sayul said.

“I will give you full authority over the Geum Family.”

His words were unconventional.

Geum Hyerin was surprised, but Geum Sayul continued with a firm expression.

“However, if things don’t go well, I want you to take care of Hyerin and Lady Neung.”

“I understand.”

Yunhyun nodded.

Only then did Geum Sayul and the old woman breathe a sigh of relief.

“…Thank you.”

Geum Sayul’s wrinkled eyes became moist.

He also said to Irahyeong.

“It must have been an uncomfortable story for you, Miss, but thank you for listening to the end.”

Geum Sayul also knew that Irahyeong was working for the Hoam Merchant Guild.

But Irahyeong shook her head.

“No, it’s not. If there’s anything I can do to help, please tell me anytime.”

Geum Sayul smiled.

“Well, instead of staying here, let’s move to the back garden. I’ll tell Master Yun the details….”

But his words were cut short.

Tap tap tap.

“Head of the family!”

The old chief manager rushed in.

His pale face indicated that something unusual had happened.

“What’s wrong?”

“T, the Twin Swords Sect has invaded!”

“What?”

Thud.

Geum Sayul jumped up.

“No, the deadline for the answer is still more than half a month away, isn’t it?”

“That’s not all.”

The chief manager said urgently.

“The Hoam Merchant Guild has also come. There are more than ten warriors with swords….”

Geum Sayul’s complexion changed drastically.

“What on earth is going on….”

For the Twin Swords Sect and the Hoam Merchant Guild to arrive simultaneously on the same day was too coincidental to be a mere coincidence.

“Let’s go.”

Yunhyun’s voice broke through Geum Sayul’s bewilderment.

Thud.

Rising from his seat, Yunhyun addressed the chief manager.

“Please guide me. The head of the family has just entrusted me with full authority over the Geum Family, so this is my job now.”

The old chief manager looked back and forth between the head of the family, Geum Sayul, and Yunhyun with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What is going on?’

Geum Sayul sighed.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll go too!”

Neung Hwayoung jumped up from her seat and declared.

Her hand was already resting on the hilt of her sword.

“Alright. But you must follow my instructions in any case. Do you understand?”

At Yunhyun’s words, Neung Hwayoung nodded.

“I understand. I will do so.”

“I’ll go too.”

This time it was Irahyeong who spoke up.

“My words might carry some weight with the Hoam Merchant Guild.”

Yunhyun doubted it, but he lacked the confidence to dissuade Irahyeong’s stubbornness.

“Me too.”

This time it was Geum Hyerin.

“How can I leave our affairs to you and pretend not to know? If there is any responsibility the Geum Family must bear, I will bear it.”

Her words were perfectly reasonable.

“Alright. Then let’s go.”

The chief manager, who was still hesitant, nodded when the head of the family, Geum Sayul, nodded, and quickly led the group.

Yunhyun and Neung Hwayoung followed the chief manager, with Irahyeong and the Geum Sayul couple trailing behind.

Gaeong, who had been savoring his tea, finally put down his teacup.

Tak.

Gaeong quietly rose from his seat.

***

Tension hung heavy in the air at the main gate of the Geum Family.

Not only the Geum Family disciples blocking the uninvited guests, but also the thirty or so disciples of the Twin Swords Sect, and the ten or so warriors escorting the Hoam Merchant Guild, were on edge.

In particular, Dam Wigeol, the head of the Twin Swords Sect, was grinding his teeth as he glared at the Deputy Chief Manager of Internal Affairs of the Hoam Merchant Guild, rather than the Geum Family disciples.

‘Why do those bastards have to be here today….’

He had been in a hurry to finish the job before the Hoam Merchant Guild took action, but he never anticipated running into them in front of the Geum Family’s main gate.

‘Damn it, I even paid Dokanmaje [One-Eyed Demon] extra to move up the date….’

He had encountered the Hoam Merchant Guild despite spending more silver, receiving no reward for his efforts.

In a way, it was fortunate, but it felt like facing a tiger while carrying food, leaving him uneasy.

“This is different, isn’t it?”

Dokanmaje, standing next to him, said in a cold voice.

Dokanmaje, who covered one eye with an eyepatch, glared at Dam Wigeol.

“You didn’t mention that the Hoam Merchant Guild was here, did you?”

Dam Wigeol’s expression hardened.

But he couldn’t afford to treat Dokanmaje carelessly.

“…I will not be stingy with the reward. You must not let them take over the Geum Family.”

“Hmph.”

Dokanmaje snorted dismissively.

“If that’s the case, then I don’t care.”

Dam Wigeol inwardly gritted his teeth at his arrogant demeanor.

His stomach churned at the thought of the additional silver he would have to spend.

The Deputy Chief Manager of Internal Affairs of the Hoam Merchant Guild was experiencing similar frustration.

‘Ugh, I didn’t know the Twin Swords Sect would move so quickly. I barely persuaded Paedohyeolhwang [Overlord of Blood and Iron]….’

It had been difficult to convince Paedohyeolhwang.

Even after promising him the position of head of the family, Paedohyeolhwang was dragging his feet.

Paedohyeolhwang, a seasoned and ruthless individual, immediately recognized that the Hoam Merchant Guild was the one in a desperate position.

“Did the Twin Swords Sect already step in? They said it would be later?”

Paedohyeolhwang frowned.

“Y, yes, that’s right. But since they are the ones we have to deal with anyway….”

“Where is the Geum Family’s daughter? The woman who will be my wife.”

Even though he was already an old man, Paedohyeolhwang’s eyes gleamed with blatant greed.

The Deputy Chief Manager clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Well, if you take over the Geum Family, you will naturally….”

“I hope she’s really pretty? I won’t stay still if you’re lying.”

Paedohyeolhwang even subtly threatened him.

The Deputy Chief Manager’s complexion changed, but he couldn’t challenge Paedohyeolhwang’s imposing presence.

Clearly, the person who had hired Paedohyeolhwang was the Deputy Chief Manager himself.

“T, that’s….”

Thud.

At that moment, the main gate of the Geum Family swung open.

The ten or so Geum Family disciples quickly turned their heads.

However, the person who appeared before their eyes was not the elderly head of the family, Geum Sayul.

The person who emerged from the gate was a scholar in a neat outfit.

Even in the face of dozens of murderous warriors, he showed no fear.

“What is all this commotion in front of someone else’s house without an invitation?”

Yunhyun asked without hesitation.

“Leave immediately.”