Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 445

445. Distant Journey

Outside Hangzhou, in the temporary headquarters of the Azure Dragon Alliance, specifically in the Alliance Leader’s office.

Tension filled the room, which felt more like a study than an office.

Swish.

With a flourish of his ornate sleeves, the Sword Master of the Gongsun Family, Gongsun Yue, clasped his hands together and raised them to face level.

Then, he bowed his head.

“As the head of the Gongsun Family, I request to join the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

Yun Hyun returned the gesture.

Rustle.

Raising his clasped hands, Yun Hyun said,

“As the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, I grant the Gongsun Family’s membership.”

“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”

Sword Master Gongsun Yue smiled faintly.

With this, the Gongsun Family formally joined the Azure Dragon Alliance.

“Congratulations, Family Head Gongsun.”

The Gentleman Sword of the Zhuge Family, Zhuge Ming, offered his congratulations.

Geum Hwa-yeong, who was beside him, also congratulated Gongsun Yue.

But the person who welcomed him more than anyone else was Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun.

“Welcome, Family Head.”

Yeongho-jun, who had returned to Hangzhou just yesterday, said with a bright smile.

“Now, all that remains is for the Gongsun Family to spread its wings again with the Azure Dragon Alliance.”

Gongsun Yue gave a bitter smile.

The conditions that Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun had presented to the Gongsun Family were by no means light.

However, if the Gongsun Family could spread its wings again, it could not be said to be too expensive.

“Thank you, Chief Strategist. I look forward to working with you.”

“I am the one who should be saying that. Now, please, take a seat. I have prepared some good wine.”

The office was not very large, but it was enough for Yun Hyun, Gaeong, Geum Hwa-yeong, and the two family heads to sit.

Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun served tea to Gaeong and fragrant wine to the others.

“This is a wine with a good fragrance.”

Zhuge Ming said.

As the head of the Zhuge Family, he had tasted all kinds of famous wines, so he knew that this wine was unusual.

The first glass was drunk together as if performing a ritual, but after that, light conversation followed.

And the topic naturally led to the martial arts contest in the backyard a few days ago.

Geum Hwa-yeong put down her teacup and asked.

“…So, have you made up your minds?”

The targets of her question were Zhuge Ming and Gongsun Yue.

Although the young Geum Hwa-yeong was speaking informally, neither Zhuge Ming nor Gongsun Yue took issue with it.

“Well, I don’t know? That’s…”

Gongsun Yue let out a slight groan and looked at Zhuge Ming.

“Let me be honest.”

Zhuge Ming put down his wine glass.

Clang.

“No matter what, giving up the position of family head is impossible.”

The position of family head is by no means a light one.

No matter that the opponent was Gaeong, giving up the position of family head for a single martial arts contest was certainly an absurd request.

“Who on earth would give up their position as family head for just one duel…?”

“I didn’t say one time.”

Gaeong’s heavy voice echoed through the office.

He picked up his teacup and said.

“I only said one person.”

Slurp.

Gaeong drank his tea with a calm expression.

“I’m not saying you have to do it right away. It doesn’t matter if you hold on to the position of family head for the rest of your life and have no regrets in the world.”

In terms of age, Gaeong was older than the family heads, but it didn’t seem like he would leave the world first.

Gaeong is the ‘ruler of life and death,’ after all.

“Then, then…”

It was when Zhuge Ming’s expression was about to brighten.

“But will it still be your turn then?”

Gongsun Yue and Zhuge Ming’s expressions changed at Gaeong’s words.

Geum Hwa-yeong grinned as if she knew it would happen.

“As expected, I’m the one who should learn a thing or two from Elder Gaeong…”

“There have been some interesting movements in each sect lately.”

It was Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun’s voice.

Smiling, Yeongho-jun said.

“Now that the situation has stabilized thanks to the Azure Dragon Alliance, there is a movement that the position of sect leader should no longer be left vacant.”

With the establishment of the Azure Dragon Alliance, the internal turmoil of each sect gradually began to stabilize.

As the external crisis was resolved, they regained their composure.

As a result, a consensus was formed that the positions of the sect leaders, who had been virtually absent, could not be left as they were.

“Of course, there are other reasons as well. The new sect leader is relatively free from past responsibilities. In other words, it is an artificial generational change for political purposes.”

Gongsun Yue and Zhuge Ming’s expressions hardened slightly.

Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun looked at the two and said.

“Hwasan and Wudang are doing it right away, and Emei is also considering it. Could it be that the Zhuge Family or the Gongsun Family are thinking similarly?”

“Ahem.”

Gongsun Yue cleared his throat.

In fact, he was going to introduce the new head of the Gongsun Family at the Azure Dragon Alliance’s founding ceremony.

Precisely for the reason that Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun mentioned.

“Take your time to think about it.”

Yun Hyun said with a gentle expression.

“There’s no need to rush, is there?”

“Th, that’s right. Why would there be any need to rush? Hahaha.”

Zhuge Ming laughed awkwardly.

He also thought that a generational change was needed in the Zhuge Family.

In other words, both Zhuge Ming and Gongsun Yue were going to step down from their positions as family heads anyway.

Slurp.

Zhuge Ming drank the tea next to him as if his throat was burning.

In the quiet office, the sound of the two drinking tea echoed, and Gaeong looked at Yeongho-jun.

He didn’t say anything, but his gaze clearly conveyed satisfaction.

Yeongho-jun bowed his head lightly to express his gratitude.

***

Gansu is a vast region where many ethnic minorities have historically lived.

Gansu Province, once the gateway to the East-West Silk Road trade and home to Jiayuguan [a major pass of the Great Wall, marking its western end], once enjoyed economic prosperity.

But now, due to its desolate mountains, plateaus, desert terrain, and swarming bandits, it was a region that could be called the most remote of the remote areas.

Of course, it was much better than Xinjiang, which was beyond Jiayuguan.

Clatter, clatter.

A large carriage was running along the main road.

The carriage, heading west towards Jiayuguan, was carrying Yun Hyun, Gaeong, Geum Hwa-yeong, and Censor Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik.

Gaeong, Yun Hyun, and Geum Hwa-yeong’s expressions were the same as usual, but Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik’s expressions were not good.

This was because the journey from Hangzhou to this place was a very long journey across the world.

If it hadn’t been for the express ships prepared by the government and the horses of the relay stations, it would have taken several months longer.

Swish.

Yun Hyun looked out the window.

The majestic appearance of the Qilian Mountains in the distance told him that this was Gansu.

“Miss Geum.”

Yun Hyun called Geum Hwa-yeong.

Geum Hwa-yeong, who had been immersed in the scenery of the Qilian Mountains, blinked and turned to Yun Hyun.

“Whereabouts is your teacher located?”

“Um, well. I know the way, but it’s hard to explain. I came out through Jiayuguan, so I’ll have to go that way.”

The Qilian Mountains are very wide and deep.

There are many places where people have never set foot, let alone have a name, so it would be difficult for anyone to explain it in words.

“Jiayuguan, the western end of the Great Wall.”

Censor Jo Gwan muttered quietly.

He said to Yun Hyun.

“The frontier is often not subject to central control. Of course, who would dare to go against the will of the Great Master, but please be especially careful.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Geum Hwa-yeong said before Yun Hyun could answer.

“I won’t let anyone touch a single hair on your head.”

She puffed out her chest as if she was confident.

But the person who attracted the most attention among the group was the young and beautiful Geum Hwa-yeong.

Even at the inns they had visited so far, people were busy looking back at her.

Of course, Gaeong had blocked the possibility of trouble from the source.

“Thank you, Miss.”

When Yun Hyun smiled, Geum Hwa-yeong blushed slightly and cleared her throat.

“Lord Yun. Are there no large sects here?”

Censor Jo Gwan asked.

Yun Hyun tilted his head.

“Well, I don’t know much about it either…”

If it’s about the martial arts world, Chief Strategist Yeongho-jun knows it well.

But he couldn’t come with them.

Geum Hwa-yeong didn’t seem to know either, so Yun Hyun looked at Gaeong.

“There is the Common Faction.”

Gaeong said in an indifferent voice.

“Its history is long, but it is closed off, so there is not much interaction with other sects. Even during the Righteous-Demonic War, they kept their distance from the Central Plains martial arts world.”

The Sichuan Tang Clan constantly tried to go out into the Central Plains martial arts world, but the Common Faction kept its distance from the Central Plains martial arts world.

“I see.”

Yun Hyun nodded, and Gaeong continued.

“It is also a sword sect famous for its Subduing Demon Sword Technique.”

Yun Hyun’s eyes twinkled at the words ‘sword sect’.

Gaeong chuckled.

Clatter, clatter.

Even in the midst of this, the carriage carrying the group continued along the main road.

The deep blue greenery gradually disappeared, and the desolate plateau gradually became more prominent.

Jiayuguan, the western end of the Great Wall and the gateway to the Silk Road trade, was gradually approaching.

The group arrived at a small and medium-sized city adjacent to Jiayuguan and secured accommodations there.

After staying there for a few days to wash away their fatigue, Yun Hyun, Gaeong, and Geum Hwa-yeong rode horses into the Qilian Mountains.

Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik decided to stay at the accommodation in case of an emergency.

Clang, clang.

The horses that the three were riding were not very large packhorses.

Listening to the sound of the packhorses’ bells, the group began their trek.

At first, it was an ordinary mountain path, but the path soon became rough.

Later, there was no path at all, and deep valleys, high peaks, and cliffs also appeared.

The colorful cloth-covered rock shrines also caught their eyes, but only for a moment, and eventually the three had to dismount and walk.

Thud, thud.

Gaeong walked up the rough and rugged mountain path as if he were taking a stroll with his hands behind his back.

Yun Hyun was only carrying a light bundle, but the luggage that Geum Hwa-yeong was carrying was very large.

It was so large, about the height of an adult, that Yun Hyun asked with a worried expression.

“Isn’t it heavy?”

“Ah, it’s okay. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Grandma, so there are many things I want to bring…”

Geum Hwa-yeong’s expression as she answered was filled with a happy smile.

Most of the luggage she was carrying was bought from the lower village.

Yun Hyun also smiled because he liked the way she thought of her teacher.

“The road is rough, but it’s a really wonderful place.”

“Isn’t it? It’s annoying because there’s a lot of snow, but the scenery is pretty good.”

Judging by the fact that she described the snow as annoying, it seemed that there was a lot of snow here.

“But it’s quite hot in the summer. When the season comes, the valleys are filled with colorful flowers…”

Geum Hwa-yeong continued in a clear voice.

How long had they been going deep into the Qilian Mountains like that?

“It’s there.”

Suddenly, Geum Hwa-yeong said.

Yun Hyun raised his eyes.

A fairly large building built under a cliff came into view.

Yun Hyun, who had been expecting a small hut, couldn’t hide his puzzled expression.

“That’s it?”

It was certainly deep in the mountains, but the building was quite ornate.

Even though the colors had faded, he could clearly distinguish the yellow roof and red pillars.

“Yeah. It was originally a temple. But no one has ever come to visit.”

Geum Hwa-yeong nodded and said.

There are always people who build temples in so-called ‘places with good energy’ to pray for their own success.

It seemed to have been built for that reason, but since they couldn’t visit often in such a deep and rugged place, it would naturally have been abandoned over time.

“I see. Then…”

As Yun Hyun was speaking, he suddenly noticed someone standing in front of the building.

“That person is…”

“Grandma!”

Geum Hwa-yeong shouted in a bright voice.

Even with a large load, she lightly leaped forward.

Tap, tap.

Geum Hwa-yeong quickly reached the front of the building.

And she hugged someone without hesitation.

Smack.

“Grandma!”

“Hehehe.”

An elderly woman with white hair gave a gentle smile.

The old woman, who evoked the words ‘gracefully aged,’ embraced Geum Hwa-yeong.

“It’s been a while.”

The old woman said in a soft voice.

She was clearly Geum Hwa-yeong’s teacher and the woman who was once known as Cheonilgeom [Thousand Mile Sword].

Swish.

The old woman released the arm that had been holding Geum Hwa-yeong.

And she looked at Yun Hyun and Gaeong.

“Oh ho.”

A strange light flashed in the old woman’s eyes.

“I didn’t expect to see the *dokseon* [unique immortal] in a place like this.”

Gaeong’s eyebrows twitched.

Gaeong, who was staring intently at the old woman, asked.

“Who are you?”

“Hehe.”

The old woman did not answer.

But her eyes were shining sharply even in front of Gaeong.