Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 434

434. VIPs and Big Shots

Lee Hak-bung stared blankly at the beauty.

The woman, with a slightly cold aura and an almost snow-like feel, quietly walked towards Lee Hak-bung.

Swoosh, swoosh.

Her footsteps echoed softly in the otherwise silent surroundings.

She stopped in front of Lee Hak-bung.

“Excuse me. Is this the main branch of the Hoam Merchant Guild?”

Even her clear voice was incredibly charming.

Lee Hak-bung snapped out of his daze.

“Y-yes, it is. Welcome to the Hoam Merchant Guild. I am Lee Hak-bung, the Chief of Internal Affairs.”

Lee Hak-bung bowed with a polite demeanor.

A smile, a long-standing habit, was etched on his lips.

However, the woman simply nodded lightly with an expressionless face.

“I see. I am the Sect Leader of the Bukhae Ilmun.”

‘Bukhae Ilmun!’

Lee Hak-bung couldn’t hide his surprise.

Bukhae Ilmun was a rising force in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.

Located in Shanxi, through which the Yellow River flowed, it had joined the Azure Dragon Alliance and was expected to wield significant influence over the Yellow River’s logistics in the future.

‘For the Sect Leader of Bukhae Ilmun to come here in person!’

Of course, he had sent an invitation and received a reply that they would attend.

He had expected a Vice Chief or a working-level employee at best, but the person who appeared was surprisingly the Sect Leader herself.

Only then did Lee Hak-bung recall the rumors that the Sect Leader of Bukhae Ilmun was an extraordinary beauty.

He had always taken such rumors with a grain of salt, but after meeting her in person, he felt that the rumors didn’t do her justice.

“And this person is the Deputy Chief of the Outer Affairs of Bukhae Ilmun.”

At the words of the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader, Lee Hak-bung turned his gaze.

Only then did he notice another young woman standing next to the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader.

“Nice to meet you. I am the Deputy Chief of the Outer Affairs of Bukhae Ilmun.”

She, too, was a considerable beauty with a cute vibe.

Lee Hak-bung gave a gentle smile and spoke politely.

“It is truly an honor to have the Sect Leader and the Deputy Chief of Outer Affairs here. Please, come inside. I will guide you personally.”

“Thank you.”

The expression of the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader remained cold.

Lee Hak-bung led the Bukhae Ilmun party to the Grand Banquet Hall, the venue for the general assembly.

Step, step.

“I have heard rumors about Bukhae Ilmun. It is said that there is no rival sect in Taiyuan. Haha.”

Lee Hak-bung tried to start a conversation with a compliment.

But that was just his wish; the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader didn’t say a word.

Not even the Outer Affairs Deputy Chief, the guards, or the maids beside her changed their expressions.

Thanks to that, Lee Hak-bung had to walk silently to the Grand Banquet Hall with an awkward smile.

“This is the place.”

The seat Lee Hak-bung guided them to was quite high up.

Suddenly, the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader asked.

“Has anyone from the Azure Dragon Alliance arrived yet?”

Lee Hak-bung smiled bitterly inside.

He figured they would be looking for the Azure Dragon Alliance.

“They will be here soon. Please wait a moment.”

Lee Hak-bung bowed politely.

The Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader nodded, and Lee Hak-bung left the seat.

Leaving the Grand Banquet Hall, Lee Hak-bung let out a soft exclamation.

Even aside from the beauty of the Bukhae Ilmun Sect Leader, Bukhae Ilmun, which had made its name in the Azure Dragon Alliance alongside renowned sects, was a force that could not be taken lightly.

Lee Hak-bung moved his steps towards the main gate.

What awaited him there was another unexpected VIP.

Clatter.

As Lee Hak-bung arrived at the main gate, a carriage stopped.

A handsome young man, a beautiful young woman, and a cute little girl got out of the carriage.

In particular, the young woman with an elegant aura was beautiful enough to make people turn their heads.

“Is this the place?”

The little girl looked up at the young woman and chattered.

“Yes. You have to be well-behaved. Got it?”

The young woman said.

The cute little girl nodded vigorously.

“Yes. I understand, Sister.”

The young woman smiled.

Lee Hak-bung also wore a warm smile without realizing it.

Step, step.

The handsome young man, the young woman, and the cute little girl holding the woman’s hand walked towards Lee Hak-bung.

Lee Hak-bung said with a smile.

“Welcome. I am Lee Hak-bung, the Chief of Internal Affairs.”

“I am Mo Yong-jin, the Head of the Outer Hall of the Mo Yong Family.”

The young man bowed politely.

Lee Hak-bung was momentarily puzzled. The Head of the Outer Hall of the Mo Yong Family was clearly Mo Yong-mi.

But soon, he recalled the story about the Mo Yong Family.

‘Ah, this young man is the Clear Breeze Sword Mo Yong-jin….’

After revealing his sword energy at the Martial Arts Alliance competition, Mo Yong-jin gained the title of Clear Breeze Sword and attracted the attention of the Jianghu [martial arts world] martial world.

The opponent, the chief disciple of the Gongsun Family, had also manifested sword energy, but their confrontation did not reach a conclusion.

Because the Martial Arts Alliance collapsed before the competition ended.

“Nice to meet you. It is truly an honor to have the new Head of the Outer Hall of the Mo Yong Family, Clear Breeze Sword, visit us.”

Clear Breeze Sword Mo Yong-jin smiled.

“Thank you. These are my younger siblings.”

“I’m Mo Yong-mi.”

Mo Yong-mi was the former Head of the Outer Hall.

Lee Hak-bung seemed to know why they had come together.

It was a kind of handover.

“I’m Mo Yong-sang-ah.”

At the voice from below, Lee Hak-bung lowered his gaze.

Little Mo Yong-sang-ah was admirably bowing her head.

Lee Hak-bung smiled warmly again.

“Nice to meet you. Please, come this way.”

Lee Hak-bung personally guided the Mo Yong Family party to the Grand Banquet Hall.

Being members of the same Azure Dragon Alliance, they were guided to a seat right next to the Bukhae Ilmun party.

After seeing the Mo Yong Family and Bukhae Ilmun exchange greetings, Lee Hak-bung returned to the main gate.

‘Somehow, I’m getting a little tired.’

The general assembly hadn’t even started yet, but Lee Hak-bung was already feeling tired.

That was not so much because of his age, but because unexpected VIPs had appeared one after another.

Bukhae Ilmun was one thing, but the Mo Yong Family was also a rising family that could not be ignored.

Lee Hak-bung sighed softly.

But his surprise was just the beginning.

***

Yun-hyun and his party headed to the main branch of the Hoam Merchant Guild.

Geum Hye-rin, who was riding in the carriage with him, couldn’t hide her uneasy expression.

Yun-hyun asked with a puzzled look.

“Why is that?”

“Is it really okay for you to go to the general assembly?”

Geum Hye-rin’s concern was directed at Yun-hyun.

Yun-hyun tilted his head.

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t go?”

“It’s not that, but if it becomes known to the Hoam Merchant Guild that you are associated with the Geum Family Manor, it won’t be good for Young Master Yun. And also, Young Miss Il….”

Geum Hye-rin trailed off.

Il Ah-young was also in the carriage.

If the Hoam Merchant Guild found out that she had sided with the Geum Family Manor, she would obviously be at a disadvantage.

Yun-hyun, too, would not want to be disliked by the Hoam Merchant Guild, one of the three great merchant guilds of the world.

But Yun-hyun smiled.

“You don’t have to worry about that. The Hoam Merchant Guild will know about us.”

Yun-hyun and his party were not yet aware that the words of the Deputy Chief of Internal Affairs, who was locked in the dungeon, had been ignored.

Still, it was only a matter of time before Yun-hyun and Il Ah-young’s presence became known.

“…Is that so.”

Geum Hye-rin’s worried expression did not brighten much.

She tried to change the subject.

“More than that, it’s amazing. You’ve managed to secure seats in the Grand Banquet Hall where the general assembly is being held. It’s not easy to even enter the main branch….”

The only people who could enter the Grand Banquet Hall were the guild’s elders, senior officials, and VIPs with invitations.

Originally, Geum Hye-rin had planned to enter the main branch and watch the general assembly from outside the Grand Banquet Hall.

But this morning, Yun-hyun had said that he had secured seats inside the Grand Banquet Hall.

“It’s all thanks to the competence of Plum Blossom Sword.”

When Yun-hyun said that, Yeong Ho-jun, the Plum Blossom Sword, smiled.

Geum Hye-rin was still wary of Yeong Ho-jun, but she still bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage was already arriving at the main branch of the Hoam Merchant Guild.

Geum Hye-rin’s expression hardened even more, and Neung Hwa-young also couldn’t hide her anxiety.

The carriage they were riding in soon stopped in front of the main gate.

“Shall we get off?”

Yun-hyun said to Geum Hye-rin.

Geum Hye-rin nodded silently.

Click.

The door opened, and Yun-hyun got out of the carriage first.

Geum Hye-rin steeled her heart and stepped outside.

The expression of Lee Hak-bung, the Chief of Internal Affairs who was welcoming VIPs at the main gate, was full of fatigue.

It was because unexpected VIPs and big shots had appeared one after another.

And the moment he discovered a woman getting out of the carriage, Lee Hak-bung frowned.

‘…The daughter of the Geum Family Manor.’

Lee Hak-bung clearly remembered the appearance of Geum Hye-rin, who had come to the Hoam Merchant Guild with Geum Sa-yeol, the head of the Geum Family Manor.

She had appeared at the Hoam Merchant Guild’s general assembly.

‘So, they’re going to judge the results and then decide?’

Lee Hak-bung chuckled.

The Geum Family Manor had not given Lee Hak-bung any answer until today.

In the end, they had rejected Lee Hak-bung’s hand.

‘It doesn’t matter. Let them do as they please. But I will make them pay the price for weighing me.’

A sneer appeared on his lips.

Step.

Geum Hye-rin walked towards Lee Hak-bung.

Her expression was stiff.

“It’s been a while, Chief of Internal Affairs.”

Geum Hye-rin said politely.

Lee Hak-bung snorted.

“Hmph, why is someone who wasn’t invited….”

But Lee Hak-bung’s words were cut off.

“C-Chief!”

A working-level employee of the guild standing next to him said urgently.

Lee Hak-bung frowned.

Before he could even turn his head, the employee’s words continued.

“The Chief Military Advisor of the Azure Dragon Alliance has arrived!”

Lee Hak-bung’s eyes widened.

The Chief Military Advisor of the Azure Dragon Alliance was by far the most important VIP.

“W-where is he!”

Lee Hak-bung was saying urgently.

“I’m here.”

A handsome young nobleman said softly.

He was standing right behind Geum Hye-rin.

“Welcome!”

Lee Hak-bung said with a smile on his face.

“I sincerely welcome you to the Hoam Merchant Guild….”

“Rather than that.”

Yeong Ho-jun, the Chief Military Advisor of the Azure Dragon Alliance, interrupted Lee Hak-bung’s words.

“I think you were about to tell Miss Geum just now to ‘go back since she wasn’t invited,’ is that correct?”

Yeong Ho-jun said with a charming smile.

But his eyes were not smiling.

Lee Hak-bung was frantically racking his brain.

The answer came quickly.

“How could that be?”

Lee Hak-bung said with a smile.

“The Geum Family Manor is a very old friend of the Hoam Merchant Guild. Miss Geum’s visit is always welcome. Hahaha.”

Yeong Ho-jun smiled.

“I see. I must have misunderstood.”

Fortunately for Lee Hak-bung, Yeong Ho-jun didn’t press the matter any further.

He looked back at his party and said.

“The Chief of Internal Affairs is welcoming us so warmly. Everyone, let’s go inside.”

Geum Hye-rin, as well as Yun-hyun, Guest Elder, Il Ah-young, and Neung Hwa-young, all passed in front of Lee Hak-bung.

Still, Yun-hyun and Il Ah-young at least nodded lightly, but the others didn’t even greet him.

But Lee Hak-bung had no time to look back at that.

“I-I will guide you….”

“Just a moment.”

Yeong Ho-jun’s voice stopped Lee Hak-bung.

When Lee Hak-bung turned around, Yeong Ho-jun brought his face closer.

“This is a secret, but the Alliance Leader has a great interest in this general assembly.”

‘Gasp!’

Lee Hak-bung was startled.

For the Alliance Leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance to be interested in the Hoam Merchant Guild’s general assembly, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

Even without that, the Hoam Merchant Guild was going through a crisis after the death of Guild Leader Lee Ho-am and the disappearance of Chief Secretary Lee Seo-yeon.

If they could gain the favor of the Azure Dragon Alliance Leader, they could overcome the crisis in one fell swoop.

It was truly a golden opportunity.

“W-what should we do?”

Lee Hak-bung used the most honorific language without realizing it.

“…Well.”

Yeong Ho-jun frowned.

Lee Hak-bung’s heart sank.

“Our Alliance Leader hates those with power bullying the weak….”

“I will correct it immediately.”

Lee Hak-bung’s answer was without hesitation.

He could tell what he was talking about.

Hadn’t the daughter of the Geum Family Manor entered with the Chief Military Advisor’s party just now?