Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 441

441. The Chief Inspector of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group

Jangsa, Honam Province, at the main house of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

On the morning of the second day of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group’s general meeting, surprising news arrived.

During what was expected to be a casual breakfast, the council of elders unexpectedly nominated a new head for the merchant group.

“On behalf of the elders of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group…”

Elder Lee Heon-seong, sporting a long beard, stood on the platform and continued speaking in a composed voice.

The other elders wore stiff expressions, and the senior officials of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group struggled to conceal their bewilderment.

“…Accordingly, we nominate the current Chief of Internal Affairs, Lee Hak-bung, as the head of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.”

Lee Heon-seong concluded his announcement quietly.

The grand banquet hall fell silent as all eyes turned to Lee Hak-bung, the Chief of Internal Affairs.

Lee Hak-bung rose from his seat and walked to the platform.

He calmly recounted his journey within the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

“…This is truly an undeserved honor. However, to repay even a fraction of the grace that the Lake Tiger Merchant Group has shown me, I will dare to take on the important role of the head of the merchant group.”

The grand banquet hall erupted in noise.

“Oh!”

“Congratulations!”

“This is truly a fortunate event.”

Lee Hak-bung’s acceptance speech lacked any expression of gratitude towards the council of elders who had nominated him, but no one seemed to notice or care.

People rose from their seats to offer congratulations to the new head of the merchant group.

Lee Hak-bung moved around the grand banquet hall, greeting dignitaries and senior officials one by one.

Some senior officials and dignitaries remained confused, unable to fully grasp the situation.

The absence of Lee Yu-geol, a strong contender, and the elders’ departure from the grand banquet hall with grim expressions were perplexing.

However, they understood that something significant had transpired overnight.

They were unaware of Lee Yu-geol’s expulsion or that the elders who had left the banquet hall had gone to the Inspector’s Office.

“Thank you, truly thank you.”

Lee Hak-bung, the new head of the merchant group, said with a smile.

With his competitor eliminated and the council of elders, who might have kept him in check, out of the picture, the Lake Tiger Merchant Group was practically Lee Hak-bung’s.

But not entirely.

After exchanging greetings and standing on the platform, Lee Hak-bung spoke with a determined expression.

“From today, the Lake Tiger Merchant Group will be renewed. To prove that this is not just empty words, we will establish the position of Chief Inspector within the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.”

“Chief Inspector?”

People murmured.

As if prepared, Lee Hak-bung began to outline the duties and authority of the Chief Inspector.

The expressions of the senior officials listening changed from moment to moment.

The Chief Inspector was a groundbreaking position with the authority to inspect all departments of the merchant group at any time and directly suggest actions to the head of the merchant group.

With the backing of the head of the merchant group, the Chief Inspector would wield considerable power within the Lake Tiger Merchant Group, to say the least.

“…For this position of Chief Inspector, as the head of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group, I nominate Il Ah-young.”

The dignitaries whispered.

The name Il Ah-young was unfamiliar to almost everyone present.

Rustle, rustle.

A beautiful woman in a fancy dress walked to the platform.

Her youthful and vibrant appearance immediately captured attention.

Some senior officials recalled that she had been with Lee Seo-yeon, the former Secretary-General.

“I am Il Ah-young.”

Il Ah-young, standing on the platform, spoke without hesitation.

Although younger than the other senior officials, her resolute eyes conveyed her suitability for the role of Chief Inspector.

“For the new Lake Tiger Merchant Group, I will do my best with all my heart.”

After a brief greeting, she bowed lightly.

People stood and offered their congratulations.

The first to congratulate her was the new head of the merchant group, Lee Hak-bung.

“Please take good care of me.”

Lee Hak-bung said.

It was a perfunctory greeting, but its meaning was significant.

Although Lee Hak-bung had appointed Il Ah-young himself, she was supported by the Chief Military Officer of the Azure Dragon Alliance and the Alliance Leader.

In reality, they were the ones who held the lifeline of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

“I should be the one saying, please take good care of me.”

Il Ah-young replied with a slight bow.

Her eyes showed no intimidation, even in front of the head of the merchant group, Lee Hak-bung.

A few days prior, Chief Military Officer Yeong Ho-jun had asked her to take on the position of Chief Inspector of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Chief Military Officer Yeong Ho-jun had said to Il Ah-young.

“The Alliance Leader also thinks the same way. He believes that Miss Ah-young will do well.”

“But I am young…”

“Don’t you know the Lake Tiger Merchant Group well?”

Yeong Ho-jun had said with a smile.

“You were with Secretary-General Lee Seo-yeon, so you know how the merchant group’s work flows. I heard that you have been reading various reports recently.”

Il Ah-young paused, then shook her head.

“But that’s just common sense. Professionally…”

“That’s why it’s good.”

Yeong Ho-jun had replied.

“Judging with common sense is the most important thing. If we take non-sensible things for granted by emphasizing customs or peculiarities, how can that be right? Of course, there is a proper line, but an organization must have someone who can point out what is strange. ”

With a smile, Yeong Ho-jun had continued.

“And the Alliance Leader trusts Miss Il Ah-young completely. In fact, from my point of view, this is the most important thing.”

Yeong Ho-jun’s smile was as captivating as a painting.

But Il Ah-young’s expression was more serious than ever.

Il Ah-young had accepted Yeong Ho-jun’s request, which felt more like an order.

And now, with the announcement of the new head of the merchant group, Lee Hak-bung, she was officially appointed to the position of Chief Inspector.

With the announcement of the new head of the merchant group, the atmosphere of the grand banquet hall immediately became lively.

The biggest uncertainty surrounding the Lake Tiger Merchant Group, the absence of a leader, had been resolved.

Senior officials and dignitaries greeted the new head of the merchant group and the Chief Inspector, and began to discuss future plans.

Some merchant group officials proposed new deals or discussed business opportunities with the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

In this way, the general meeting of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group was proceeding successfully.

***

At the same time as the general meeting, Woon-hyeon and Gae-ong were preparing to leave the main house of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

Geum Hye-rin and Neung Hwa-young were already in the large carriage.

Geum Hye-rin’s expression was still pale, but the vitality shining in her eyes was clear to see.

Chief Military Officer Yeong Ho-jun was there to see them off.

He still had matters to attend to at the general meeting.

“You have worked hard, Alliance Leader.”

“Not at all. You are the one who has worked hard, Chief Military Officer.”

Woon-hyeon, standing in front of the carriage, said to Yeong Ho-jun.

“Please take good care of Miss Ah-young. I’ll see you at my brother’s house later.”

Woon-hyeon planned to visit Geumga Village first and then return to the house of his sworn brother, Il Choong-hyeon.

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

Yeong Ho-jun bowed lightly.

Just then…

Rustle.

“Alliance Leader.”

It was the Great Palace Lord of the North Sea One Sword Clan.

Behind her, the Third Palace Lord, Bing-hon, and Bing-seol were also walking.

Woon-hyeon looked slightly surprised.

“I didn’t expect you to come out like this. Thank you, Great Palace Lord.”

The Great Palace Lord remained silent.

Woon-hyeon smiled quietly.

“…It was nice meeting you.”

“Me too.”

The Great Palace Lord said briefly.

She raised her head and looked at Woon-hyeon.

“Is the next stop the main branch in Hangzhou?”

“Yes. I believe that’s the plan.”

The construction of the Azure Dragon Alliance’s main branch was progressing smoothly.

Since other sects had also made requests, they were planning to hold something akin to an opening ceremony as soon as the main buildings were completed.

“I’m going too!”

The Third Palace Lord waved her hand and exclaimed.

Woon-hyeon smiled.

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

Woon-hyeon exchanged greetings with the Great Palace Lord and the Third Palace Lord in turn, and also made eye contact with Bing-hon and Bing-seol.

Then, he got into the carriage with Gae-ong.

“Giddy up!”

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage carrying Woon-hyeon quickly disappeared into the distance.

The Great Palace Lord remained in her spot, watching until it was gone.

Her expression as she looked at Woon-hyeon’s carriage was not particularly cheerful.

Woon-hyeon, upon arriving at Geumga Village, received a warm welcome from the village lord and his wife.

Village Lord Geum Sa-yeol and his wife, who had already learned about their daughter’s condition through a letter, even shed tears.

Village Lord Geum Sa-yeol was deeply saddened not only by the shallowness of some people’s hearts but also by his daughter’s tragic fate.

Geum Sa-yeol, in his old age, couldn’t stop crying at the news of Geum Hye-rin’s recovery.

Seeing this, Neung Hwa-young also shed tears, and even Woon-hyeon felt a lump in his throat.

They decided to slowly share stories about Neung Hwa-young and Geumga Village, and then Woon-hyeon left Geumga Village with Gae-ong.

The village lord tried to persuade them to stay, but Woon-hyeon and Gae-ong returned to Il Choong-hyeon’s house in Akryang, using Geum Hye-rin’s need for continued rest as an excuse.

And there, they encountered an unexpected guest.

“Miss Mo-yong!”

Woon-hyeon exclaimed in surprise.

Mo-yong Mi, who was talking to Il Choong-hyeon’s wife, was equally surprised.

She had assumed that Woon-hyeon was still at the main house of the Lake Tiger Merchant Group.

“Scholar Woon!”

“Brother!”

Mo-yong Sang-ah was also present, of course.

Mo-yong Jin had remained at the Lake Tiger Merchant Group’s general meeting, but Mo-yong Mi had come to greet Il Choong-hyeon’s wife.

She had already heard about Il Choong-hyeon from Woon-hyeon.

Woon-hyeon strolled around the back garden with Mo-yong Mi for a while.

Rustle.

Mo-yong Mi, after hearing the story of Geum Hye-rin’s healing, smiled.

“I see. I’m glad it ended well.”

Mo-yong Mi paused and looked intently at Woon-hyeon.

Woon-hyeon, feeling somewhat self-conscious, said.

“Ah, well, it wasn’t me who did it, but Elder Gae-ong…”

“Scholar Woon seems like a really good person. When I think about it, my grandfather and Mo-yong Jin also received great help from Scholar Woon.”

The debt that the Mo-yong Family owed to Woon-hyeon was immeasurable.

At first, Mo-yong Mi had been wary of Woon-hyeon’s identity, but now she considered it a blessing to have met him.

“But even if you help others, the world doesn’t always reward you.”

Mo-yong Mi said quietly.

The world is imperfect, and there’s no guarantee that good people will receive good fortune.

“I…”

Rustle.

Mo-yong Mi stopped walking.

“I hope Scholar Woon is happy too. As much as you have made others happy.”

These were likely Mo-yong Mi’s true feelings.

Woon-hyeon felt a warmth in his heart.

“…Thank you.”

Woon-hyeon said with a smile.

“Miss Mo-yong’s kind thoughts are more than enough.”

At those words, Mo-yong Mi’s face flushed slightly.

Woon-hyeon suddenly realized his blunder and quickly added.

“No, well, I didn’t mean anything strange…”

Woon-hyeon stammered.

Seeing Woon-hyeon’s flustered demeanor, the feeling of distance she had felt yesterday vanished.

Because the person in front of her was still the same old ‘Scholar Woon’.

Rustle.

Mo-yong Mi smiled, her beautiful hair fluttering in the wind.

It was a truly warm and gentle smile.

***

Thud, thud.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Il-dae Sang-in [Great Merchant] opened his eyes.

Il-dae Sang-in, seated in a high chair in the splendid grand hall, looked at the sturdy warrior approaching him.

It was none other than the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor.

Swoosh.

The Dark Heaven Martial Emperor knelt on one knee and paid his respects to Il-dae Sang-in.

“I have returned.”

He said in a dry voice.

“Gansu Province is now as the Lord commanded.”

“Hmm.”

A low grunt was Il-dae Sang-in’s only response.

After gazing down at the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor for a moment, Il-dae Sang-in slowly spoke.

“What do you think of my ‘Soul-Soothing Order’?”

A strange light flickered in the eyes of the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor.

Il-dae Sang-in had never asked anyone’s opinion about his decisions, not even once.

Just as he had not consulted anyone when he issued the ‘Order of the Supreme Ruler’.

Swish.

The Dark Heaven Martial Emperor lowered his head.

His answer was already determined.

“I will only follow the Lord’s will.”

“…I see.”

A strange smile touched the lips of Il-dae Sang-in, sitting in the large and splendid chair.

This was another change that had occurred after Il-dae Sang-in met Woon-hyeon.

Swish.

Il-dae Sang-in rose from his seat.

Whoosh.

That single action caused an enormous force to swirl within the grand hall.

Looking down at the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor, Il-dae Sang-in said.

“It’s not far off now.”

Il-dae Sang-in’s voice echoed throughout the grand hall.

Looking down at the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor, Il-dae Sang-in said.

“The moment when the seat of the supreme becomes mine.”

Hook.

In an instant, Il-dae Sang-in’s eyes flashed.

It was an intense gaze that would have caused ordinary people to lose consciousness, but the Dark Heaven Martial Emperor remained calm.

Swish.

The Dark Heaven Martial Emperor quietly lowered his head and paid his respects.

But his eyes trembled slightly.