Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 440

440. Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s Request

Hoam Merchant Guild Main House, Guest Quarters.

Yun-hyun, having woken at dawn, sat at a table.

A subtle fragrance rose from the teapot before him, but the teacups remained stacked.

Click.

The Guest Elder emerged.

It was from the room where Geum Hye-rin was resting.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s figure was briefly visible as the door closed.

“Are you awake?”

The Guest Elder asked calmly, having noticed Yun-hyun.

“Yes. How is Young Miss Geum?”

“Good.”

The Guest Elder’s answer was simple.

He moved outside.

Yun-hyun gathered the teacups and teapot as if it were natural.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Yun-hyun turned at Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s voice.

“Are you perhaps going out?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong asked as she came from the room.

Yun-hyun smiled and replied.

“I was thinking of going for a walk and doing some training.”

“Training? Guest Elder?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong immediately showed curiosity.

“No. I am.”

“Really? I’ll go too then.”

She spoke without hesitation but then paused.

“Ah, is it… alright if I go?”

Yun-hyun smiled at Nyeong Hwa-yeong, who was cautiously watching him.

“Yes. Please come.”

“Thank you.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong quickly followed the Guest Elder outside.

Yun-hyun took one more empty teacup before leaving the room.

Then, he noticed a mirror hanging next to the table.

Swish.

Yun-hyun looked at his reflection.

It was familiar, but upon closer inspection, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

‘…What has changed?’

Yun-hyun frowned.

“What are you doing?”

The Guest Elder’s voice came from outside.

“Coming.”

Yun-hyun quickly went outside.

He carefully closed the door, lest the cold wind enter, as Geum Hye-rin, Il A-yeong, and Yeong Ho-jun were still asleep.

The three didn’t walk far.

A garden was nearby.

It was likely for the honored guests to walk and relax, as no one else was around.

Clatter.

Yun-hyun placed the tea tray on a small pavilion table.

“Aren’t you wearing that outfit from yesterday?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong, who was sitting, asked Yun-hyun.

She meant the flamboyant coat Yun-hyun had briefly worn.

The new clothes Yeong Ho-jun had prepared were so assertive that anyone could tell he was no ordinary person.

Il A-yeong widened her eyes and praised it, but Yun-hyun thought it was too flashy.

He did like that it wasn’t gaudy, though.

“It’s not something I can usually wear.”

Saying that, Yun-hyun filled the Guest Elder’s and Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s cups with tea.

Pour, pour.

“What about your tea?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong looked up at Yun-hyun and asked.

The Guest Elder answered.

“Later.”

Clatter.

Taking the teacup, the Guest Elder continued.

“It would be good to watch closely from now on.”

The Guest Elder savored the tea without looking at Nyeong Hwa-yeong.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong looked back and forth between the Guest Elder and Yun-hyun with a puzzled expression.

Yun-hyun smiled.

Rustle.

Holding the Sword of the North Sea, Myeong, Yun-hyun left the pavilion.

Sigh.

The cold morning air tickled his nose, and a gentle breeze brushed the grass.

Yun-hyun stopped.

The surroundings were still dim.

However, the slowly changing sky showed that morning was approaching.

Yun-hyun quietly took a breath.

Buzz.

Myeong made a soft sound.

Yun-hyun slowly drew his sword.

Under the pre-dawn [未明] sky, Myeong’s blade sparkled with a soft light.

***

“Hoo.”

Yun-hyun quietly exhaled and sheathed Myeong.

Clang.

Myeong’s shining blade disappeared, and Yun-hyun felt the lingering sensation before turning around.

Thud, thud.

Yun-hyun approached, but Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s expression didn’t change.

“Are you alright?”

Yun-hyun asked.

Only then did Nyeong Hwa-yeong flinch.

“No, that, I….”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong, unable to speak properly, took a deep breath.

“The tea is getting cold.”

At the Guest Elder’s words, Yun-hyun and Nyeong Hwa-yeong turned.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong plopped down and gulped down the cold tea in one go.

Yun-hyun poured his tea from the teapot.

Pour, pour.

The tea was still warm.

Yun-hyun held the teacup with both hands and savored the aroma.

Then, Nyeong Hwa-yeong suddenly spoke.

“You, no, Your Excellency… Uh, what should I call you?”

It seemed she was confused about the title since Yun-hyun was the Lord of the Azure Dragon Union.

With a gentle smile, Yun-hyun said.

“You can call me comfortably.”

Swish.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong looked up at Yun-hyun.

“You said you had something to ask of me, didn’t you?”

This time, her gaze didn’t waver.

Although her tone was that of an older person, Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s beautiful, youthful eyes stared straight at Yun-hyun.

“Yes, I do.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a bit of a different story….”

Yun-hyun picked up the teapot and filled Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s teacup.

Pour, pour.

“Madam Nyeong, are you planning to return once the Geum family’s affairs are settled?”

“No.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong answered without hesitation.

“My grandma…, ah, thank you.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong, holding the teacup Yun-hyun handed her, continued.

“…My master told me to leave the mountain altogether, with one condition attached.”

Yun-hyun tilted his head.

“Is it to repay the Geum family’s kindness?”

“No. I’ll talk about that again, but anyway, I have no intention of returning to the mountain.”

Although a little puzzled, Yun-hyun continued.

“If Madam Nyeong has no other plans, how about becoming a member of the Geum family?”

“A member of the Geum family?”

“Yes.”

Clatter.

Putting down the teacup, Yun-hyun said.

“Although the Geum family has overcome the immediate difficulties, the fundamental problem remains: the family head is old, and there is no successor.”

“So?”

“It’s presumptuous to say, but…”

Yun-hyun paused for a moment, then continued.

“If Madam Nyeong is willing, please become the adopted daughter of the family head and take over the Geum family. With Madam Nyeong and Young Miss Geum, you will be able to raise the Geum family wonderfully.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong blinked.

Even at the unexpected words ‘adopted daughter,’ Nyeong Hwa-yeong wasn’t surprised.

What she asked was a different matter.

“…If I do that, can we really raise the Geum family?”

“Of course.”

The Guest Elder said quietly.

“If the Geum family gains you, they will rise as a strong force in Henan Province. No one will question your origin or sect.”

Even if one’s martial arts were excellent, origin and sect were still important in the Jianghu [martial world].

At the Guest Elder’s words, Nyeong Hwa-yeong nodded.

“Really? Then I’ll do it.”

She decided without hesitation.

Yun-hyun was taken aback.

“Well, becoming an adopted daughter is…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong interrupted Yun-hyun.

“I was originally an orphan. If I can serve the family head couple as my parents, it would be more than I deserve. And it’s even better that Young Miss Geum will become my younger sister.”

Yun-hyun smiled.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s lack of hesitation meant she saw the Geum family in a good light.

She usually called Geum Hye-rin ‘Young Miss Geum’ and cherished her.

“That’s a relief. Then I will quietly ask the family head about it.”

“But, well…”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong asked hesitantly.

“Then who among us will you marry?”

The Guest Elder’s eyebrows twitched.

Yun-hyun almost spat out his tea.

“…Pardon?”

“Well, if Young Miss Geum and I become members of the Geum family, who will you choose… Ah, perhaps both?”

“No.”

Yun-hyun quickly replied.

He had to correct her misunderstanding.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ve never thought about anything like that.”

“Really? But the family head said he wanted to entrust the Geum family to you…”

Yun-hyun gave a bitter smile.

“Madam Nyeong and Young Miss Geum will raise the Geum family. I have things I need to do.”

“Well, the Lord of the Azure Dragon Union must be busy.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong nodded, then frowned again.

“But if you decline the Geum family and don’t marry me or Young Miss Geum, then there’s nothing beneficial for you, is there?”

It was strange to say marriage was a benefit, but Yun-hyun couldn’t argue.

He feared what might come out if he kept talking about marriage.

“The Geum family has been bestowing favors here for a long time.”

Rustle.

Holding the teacup, Yun-hyun said.

“It would be a shame for such a place to disappear. So, it’s enough for me if Madam Nyeong and Young Miss Geum raise the Geum family.”

Yun-hyun smiled.

“It would be even better if you could take care of my sworn brother’s house.”

“Leave that to me!”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong said, puffing out her chest.

“Thank you.”

Yun-hyun said softly.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s cheeks flushed slightly, but it soon disappeared.

“That’s a shame.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong said, holding the teacup.

“I was thinking of volunteering to be your bodyguard…”

She seemed embarrassed, avoiding Yun-hyun’s gaze as she drank her tea.

She had talked about marriage confidently earlier, but she was shy about being a bodyguard.

“The one who protects me is already by my side.”

Yun-hyun looked back at the Guest Elder.

The Guest Elder’s expression was still indifferent, but Nyeong Hwa-yeong frowned.

“When are you ever going to teach me a move, Elder? It’s not like it’ll wear out, but you’re very narrow-minded, Elder. Even my grandma…”

The Guest Elder didn’t respond.

But Yun-hyun was surprised.

A person who could call the Guest Elder narrow-minded and still be fine had appeared.

“More than that, Madam Nyeong.”

Yun-hyun interrupted Nyeong Hwa-yeong.

“Didn’t you say that Madam Nyeong’s master had something to say earlier?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s eyes became serious.

“I was just about to say that.”

Looking back at Yun-hyun, Nyeong Hwa-yeong said.

“Won’t you come with me to meet my master?”

“Pardon?”

Yun-hyun asked without realizing it.

‘Could it be another marriage story?’ he thought, but Nyeong Hwa-yeong continued.

“My master told me that there are countless people in the world with skills like mine, and many from whom I can learn. So, she told me not to act recklessly.”

Yun-hyun gave a bitter smile.

Saying that to Nyeong Hwa-yeong, whom even the Guest Elder acknowledged, must have been a master worrying about her disciple’s safety.

In reality, the Jianghu [martial world] was full of hidden masters and hermits.

“Then she said this: If you meet someone from whom you don’t even think about learning, but who has reached an amazing level, immediately return and tell your master, without even telling me the reason.”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong looked straight at Yun-hyun.

“I swear, I have never seen a sword like yours. You are the only person who has shocked me with a sword. So, I’m asking you.”

With a determined look, Nyeong Hwa-yeong said.

“Please, can you go with me to see my master?”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s eyes, looking at Yun-hyun, were desperate.

She seemed to not think much of her master in words, but it showed Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s inner thoughts.

“I see.”

Yun-hyun’s decision didn’t take long.

Yun-hyun, having decided, looked back at the Guest Elder.

The Guest Elder nodded as if he felt the same way.

Yun-hyun smiled and said.

“I was also interested in Madam Nyeong’s master. Let’s go together.”

What kind of person had raised a master like Nyeong Hwa-yeong?

Yun-hyun couldn’t help but be curious.

“Th, thank you!”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong even teared up.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“No. Rather, I…”

“My grandma has a bit of a bad personality, but she’s a kind person. And she was very pretty when she was young. She’s lived in the mountains for a long time, so she knows a lot about delicious medicinal herbs. She also has a good eye…”

Nyeong Hwa-yeong began to tell stories about her master.

Yun-hyun watched with a happy expression.

Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s appearance, like a child boasting about her mother, made him smile.

Yun-hyun quietly raised his teacup.

“Once, you see, I caught a snake. Then she screamed ‘Eek!’ and was so cute…”

Yun-hyun and the Guest Elder savored the tea with relaxed expressions.

In the early morning garden, Nyeong Hwa-yeong’s clear voice didn’t stop.