Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 44

044. Mo Yongmi

Late at night, Mo Yongmi sat at her desk, her posture impeccable.

The room was silent, but her eyes remained fixed on the letter unfolded before her in the candlelight.

Rustle.

Carefully, she turned the page.

Despite the late hour, she read with unwavering focus.

It wasn’t her first time reading it.

She had read it so many times she’d almost memorized it, yet still, she found herself drawn back to its words.

“Haa.”

A sigh of admiration escaped her lips.

“Just who is this person…?”

Before her lay a letter from the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

Clan Lord Guan Ilgeom, Mo Yong Dancheon, had entrusted it to her. Originally, the eldest disciple, Mo Yongjin, would have been the recipient, but now Mo Yongmi was the only one deemed worthy to receive it.

This letter, carefully stored in an antique cabinet, had captivated her from the moment she first laid eyes on it.

The contents themselves weren’t entirely novel.

As a woman from a martial arts family, trained in swordsmanship since childhood, she had undoubtedly heard similar sentiments before, perhaps even dismissed them as commonplace.

However, the sheer force of conviction flowing through the words captivated her. The letter discussed the Mo Yong family’s swordsmanship, yet didn’t stop there, instead venturing into new, uncharted territories of the sword. This boldness and originality revealed the touch of a true master.

It was like standing on a mountain peak after the fog had cleared, the vista suddenly breathtaking.

“Haa.”

Another small sigh escaped her.

She hadn’t achieved a grand enlightenment like Clan Lord Mo Yong Dancheon, but the contents were such that she couldn’t help but marvel at them anew each time.

It was no wonder Clan Lord Guan Ilgeom, Mo Yong Dancheon, was so determined to find this mysterious individual.

Rustle.

Calming her racing heart, Mo Yongmi began to read the letter once more.

Suddenly, a sound from outside startled her, and she turned her head.

“Are you inside?”

The voice was unmistakably that of Clan Lord Mo Yong Dancheon.

“Yes.”

Carefully putting away the letter, she tidied her desk and rose.

Swoosh.

The door opened, and Mo Yong Dancheon, the Clan Lord of the Mo Yong family and her grandfather, entered.

“Sit down, make yourself comfortable.”

“I’m fine, Grandfather.”

Looking at his elegant granddaughter, Mo Yong Dancheon couldn’t suppress a pleased smile.

“I know it’s late, but I saw the light on as I passed by and thought I’d stop in. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Mo Yongmi responded with a faint smile.

“So, what do you think?”

The question was abrupt, but she knew exactly what he meant.

From the moment he entered, his gaze had been fixed on the letter on her desk.

“It’s astonishing every time I read it.”

She spoke softly.

“Although it’s just a letter, it’s no less valuable than the sword manuals passed down in the main family. Above all…”

She paused.

“The amazing insight into the sword truly reveals the excellence of a master.”

Clan Lord Mo Yong Dancheon nodded, pleased with her assessment.

“Indeed. If one were to name a master of the sword, the Sword Saint [the undisputed strongest swordsman in the land] would naturally come to mind. But the Azure Dragon Sword Master is no less than him.”

Perhaps mindful of potential eavesdroppers, he was always extremely cautious when discussing the letter.

“The Sword Saint, you say?”

Mo Yongmi looked at him, slightly surprised, but he nodded firmly.

‘The Sword Saint…’

She quietly repeated the title.

The Sword Saint. An absolute powerhouse, unanimously ranked first among the Heavenly Rain Five Venerables [the five most powerful martial artists], said to be the strongest under the heavens, and the supreme being of the sword.

So revered that even proud martial artists readily called him the Sword Saint, and even the Martial Alliance [the governing body of the martial world], which reigned over all martial artists, acknowledged his supremacy.

Mo Yong Dancheon was placing the Azure Dragon Sword Master on the same level.

In truth, no one could accurately gauge the Sword Saint’s swordsmanship, so his words revealed the depth of his reverence for the Azure Dragon Sword Master.

“Although the Sword Master is not a member of our family, his insights into our family’s swordsmanship are invaluable. Therefore, you must never be careless in studying its contents. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

She replied softly.

He smiled, admiring his granddaughter.

Rustle.

Time passed.

He, who had been watching her, spoke carefully.

“Mi-ah.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

He hesitated before continuing.

“Why don’t you go to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?”

“The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering…?”

She looked up at him.

He nodded.

“This year is the year it’s held, every three years. You know the Martial Alliance sent an invitation.”

The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was a large tournament held by the Martial Alliance for promising young talents.

Invitations were sent to almost all organizations affiliated with the Martial Alliance, including famous sects from each province, and even to large sects in foreign lands, though only as a formality.

However, in reality, only a few sects that could be called the overlords of each province responded, most making excuses not to attend.

They knew how the promising young talents of minor sects were treated when they went.

Everyone was invited, but not everyone could be the protagonist.

The protagonists were the promising young talents of the Martial Alliance’s core sects, and the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was a festival for them.

Nevertheless, it was the dream of all young martial artists.

Even knowing the truth, young people couldn’t help but be excited, so every three years when it was held, the young people of the martial world stayed up all night.

“But Grandfather, I…”

She was a young lady in her prime.

It would be a lie to say that she, as a woman of a martial arts family who wielded a sword, had no interest.

However, most of those who attended were around the age of twenty.

She was twenty-four this year.

Although still a beautiful young lady, it was slightly awkward for her to mingle with them.

Besides, the Mo Yong family had never paid much attention to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

“This is not a word from a grandfather, but a request from the Clan Lord to the head of the Outer Hall.”

He continued seriously.

“The Mo Yong family is now at a more important crossroads than ever before. Whether we remain as one of countless minor families, or whether we can lay the foundation to move beyond Henan Province to the world and establish ourselves as a new member of the Five Great Families [the five most powerful and influential martial arts families in the land] will be decided in my generation.”

A member of the Five Great Families.

These were words he would never have uttered in the past.

However, to her, they sounded so natural.

“Go and see the wider world. And find out who will be our enemies and who can share our goals. Everything you see and hear as the head of the Outer Hall will be a very important milestone for the Mo Yong family’s future.”

She was silent.

But her shining eyes already answered.

After a moment, she quietly bowed her head.

“I will follow the Clan Lord’s command.”

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

However, his expression remained serious.

“There will be a lot of checks and balances. But there will also be many who share our thoughts, so there must be an opportunity. You must carefully observe the situation and always act cautiously.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Her eyes held a firm resolve.

Always a bright and confident child.

He finally relaxed his hardened expression at the answer of his granddaughter, whom he trusted more than anyone.

“And if possible, it would be nice to pick up a grandson-in-law, hahaha.”

“G-Grandfather.”

She stammered at his sudden joke.

Looking at his granddaughter, whose face was flushed as if she was really embarrassed, he smiled brightly.

“I’m really sorry, Mi-ah.”

His voice was filled with regret.

Her heart ached at that voice, and she shook her head.

“No, Grandfather.”

“No, it’s not. To entrust you with the heavy burden of the family… I have no face to see your father in the afterlife.”

After letting out a small sigh, he continued.

“But I will promise you this one thing for sure. No matter what happens, I will never sacrifice you or Sang-ah for the sake of the family. Whoever you choose, do as you please, as your heart desires. Do you understand?”

“Grandfather.”

Tears began to well up in her eyes.

The words he had just spoken were the greatest promise he could make.

Among the daughters of so-called influential sects, where was there a case where a marriage partner was not decided according to the family’s wishes?

No matter how free-spirited the women of the Jianghu [the martial world] were, that was only before a marriage partner was decided.

When they reached the age of marriage, their own wishes were nowhere to be found, and the family and sect were always given the highest priority.

Therefore, she knew how significant his promise was.

And the heart of her grandfather, who was making that promise.

“What are you doing, a grown woman crying so easily when you’re not even a child?”

Even in his casual words, there was a slight tremor.

He suddenly rose from his seat.

She tried to follow him, but he had already opened the door.

“That’s enough. Don’t come out and get some rest.”

Despite his dissuasion, she stood up and saw him off as he left.

Looking at his retreating figure, she couldn’t wipe away the tears that were still welling up.

She thought that her grandfather’s retreating figure looked very broad and warm.

***

“No, no. That looks too stiff.”

Short Mo Yong Sang-ah waved her small hands.

“But didn’t the one from before look too flashy?”

Mo Yongmi, holding a slightly darker coat, said with an uneasy expression, but Mo Yong Sang-ah did not back down.

“No way. Flashier suits you better, Sister.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah, who had been sitting on the chair and playing as if splashing water with her short legs, finally jumped down.

“What are you going to do with this drab thing when you’re a young lady in her prime like you? We’re going to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. It’s not like you’re going to meet stuffy old men.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah snatched the dark coat before Mo Yongmi could say anything.

Mo Yongmi shook her head.

“How can you… How can a twelve-year-old say so many things?”

“What’s wrong with being twelve? I know everything I need to know. Especially…”

Mo Yong Sang-ah took out the brightest and most colorful coat among the many clothes hanging on one side.

“I know what kind of clothes suit our pretty sister well.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah skipped over to Mo Yongmi with the clothes.

“Here, this is Sang-ah’s recommendation.”

Mo Yongmi sighed softly and took the clothes that Mo Yong Sang-ah was holding out while even standing on tiptoe.

Swish.

A splendid silk coat with a light pink color and a slight gold pattern was gently placed on Mo Yongmi’s slender shoulders.

In that moment, Mo Yong Sang-ah felt as if the room had brightened.

“How is it?”

Mo Yongmi asked with a slightly shy expression.

But there was no need to ask.

Mo Yong Sang-ah clapped her small hands with a bright smile.

Clap.

“So pretty. You’re the best, Sister!”

At those words, Mo Yongmi’s face flushed slightly.

Mo Yong Sang-ah said with wide eyes.

“That’s it! If you smile like that, any man will fall for you, so don’t worry. But you can’t smile at just any guy. Got it?”

“You.”

Mo Yongmi pretended to flick Mo Yong Sang-ah’s forehead.

However, she didn’t seem to dislike the clothes her sister had chosen, as she looked at herself in the mirror with a satisfied expression.

“But, Sister. Why are you leaving so early? There’s still time until the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah asked Mo Yongmi, who was packing a sword with antique decorations.

“I’m going to visit a few branches on the way. There are also some things I need to prepare…”

“Haa, the position of Hall Lord is as busy as I am.”

At Mo Yong Sang-ah’s words, which she said as if sighing, Mo Yongmi burst into laughter.

“You must be very busy too?”

“Yeah.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah nodded.

“There are so many people in the family that I have to take care of. I mean, nothing works properly without me, you know?”

The sight of the little girl speaking with a serious expression was so cute that Mo Yongmi stroked Mo Yong Sang-ah’s head.

“Okay, I’m leaving, trusting only you.”

Mo Yong Sang-ah nodded with a smile full of joy.

“Oh, right.”

Mo Yongmi bent down and brought her face close to Mo Yong Sang-ah.

“If Brother Jin comes back, you have to take good care of him, okay? Don’t forget to greet Grandfather morning and evening.”

“Okay. Don’t worry, Sister.”

Mo Yongmi also smiled at Mo Yong Sang-ah’s cheerful answer.

Then someone’s voice was heard from outside.

“Hall Lord, everything is ready.”

Mo Yongmi, who had been slightly bent over Sang-ah, straightened her back and stood up straight.

It was time to leave.

“Sister, do well!”

Answering Mo Yong Sang-ah’s cheerful support with a smile, Mo Yongmi moved her steps towards the outside.