Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 468

468. Reward

The news that the Azure Dragon Alliance was holding an inaugural ceremony spread far and wide.

The Azure Dragon Alliance, which had brought down the Heroes Alliance and humbled the Taepyeong Alliance, was finally making its official debut in the Jianghu [martial arts world] world.

People everywhere were talking about the Azure Dragon Alliance’s inaugural ceremony.

It was a given that the Four Great Orthodox Sects—Shaolin, Wudang, Huashan, and Emei—as well as the Namgung Clan, the Zhuge Clan, the Hyeonryeon Clan, the Moryong Clan, and the Gongsun Clan would attend.

Well-known sects and clans from each province were all invited, as were influential figures from all walks of life and major merchant guilds.

In short, it was going to be a large-scale event where influential figures from all over the world would gather in one place.

However, people were not only excited because of the scale of the event.

The inaugural ceremony was the first time the Azure Dragon Sword Lord would officially reveal himself, and it was a monumental event that would declare the beginning of the Azure Dragon Alliance’s era to the world.

People were already packing their bags for the Azure Dragon Alliance’s inaugural ceremony, which was a few months away.

The world was vast, and the inaugural ceremony was not a place to go lightly, so considering the preparations and travel, a few months was by no means a generous amount of time.

The Jianghu martial world was buzzing.

Azure Dragon Alliance Headquarters in Hangzhou, Main Hall.

The Azure Dragon Alliance’s main hall, with its still vibrant dancheong [traditional Korean decorative coloring on wooden buildings] paint, was a simple yet elegant wooden building.

Compared to the name Azure Dragon Alliance, it could not be said to be very large, but considering it was an office built for the Alliance Lord alone, it could not be said to be small either.

The main hall, simple yet dignified, built only for one person, was now crowded with guests.

“I smell new construction.”

Gongsun Wol, the head of the Gongsun Clan, the Sword of Flying, said as he looked around the interior while sitting at the table.

Perhaps because the main family’s expansion had recently been completed, he seemed particularly sensitive.

“That’s not a smell, it’s the scent of wood. As time passes, it will deepen. Everything needs time to mature.”

Zhuge Myung, the head of the Zhuge Clan, the Sword of the Gentleman, said.

He spoke to Yunhyun, who was sitting in the center seat of honor.

“More than that, Alliance Lord, wouldn’t it be better to set up a separate study on one side since it’s so spacious? Even if it’s the main hall, it seems like there should be a place to rest.”

Yunhyun gave an awkward smile.

Zhuge Myung’s point that there was no place to rest was true.

There were no fancy decorations or large furniture in this place, where the entire main hall was a single space.

Yet, rather than feeling empty, it gave off a quiet and solemn feeling.

“Haha, I think it’s better this way.”

The Hidden Master of the Emei Sect, Thousand Hands Shinni, said with a smile.

“It feels like I’m in a pure training ground, and even my heart becomes calm.”

She quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer.

Namgung Byeok, the head of the Namgung Clan, the Iron Sword, who was next to her, agreed in a blunt tone.

“I like it too. This is my taste.”

Namgung Byeok turned to Yunhyun and said.

“You built it very well.”

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun replied with a smile.

In fact, this main hall was the result of combining Yunhyun’s taste and Yeongho-jun’s beliefs.

At first, Yunhyun thought about hanging calligraphy or paintings or creating a bookshelf on one side, but Yeongho-jun’s idea was different.

He said that this was, after all, where the Alliance Lord conducted his business.

This was in line with the principle of dividing space into public and private areas, which he had often seen in the Imperial Palace, so Yunhyun had no choice but to agree.

Swish.

Yunhyun turned his head and asked Moryongmi.

“Are you uncomfortable? Miss Moryong.”

“No, I’m fine.”

The beautiful Moryongmi wore a graceful smile.

Holding the teacup with both hands, she said in a soft voice.

“I have a feeling that things will go well if I’m here.”

Perhaps that was true.

There was nothing else to do.

“Really? I think I’ll want to leave as soon as my work is done.”

Clink.

The Grand Palace Lord of Bukhae Ilmun raised her teacup.

Still as charming and cold as an ice flower, she said in a clear voice.

“Because there’s nothing to do here but work.”

Her words were also correct.

One of Yeongho-jun’s beliefs was, ‘If you’re done with work, you should leave work early.’

Yunhyun smiled and looked around.

There were many people here now.

In addition to the Guest Elder sitting next to him, Gwan Ilgeom Moryong Dancheon, the head of the Moryong Clan, Tae-eul Jin-in, the elder of Huashan, and Cheongsong Jin-in, the elder of the Wudang Sect, were also silently savoring their tea.

Bingseol, exuding a cool aura next to the Grand Palace Lord, Cheongpunggeom Moryongjin, the great disciple of the Moryong Clan, Gongsun Kang, the great disciple of the Gongsun Clan, and even Zhuge Giho were there.

Normally, the mere gathering of these people would have attracted the attention of the world and led to all sorts of speculation.

But now, even if they found out, they would just assume it was about the inaugural ceremony.

Clink.

Yunhyun rose from his seat.

And with his hands together, he bowed politely.

“Thank you for coming all the way here.”

Rumble, rumble.

The people who were sitting stood up all at once.

They paid their respects to the Alliance Lord in the ways of Taoism, Buddhism, or their respective sects.

Yunhyun raised his head and smiled.

“Thank you. Please sit down.”

The people who had stood up sat down again.

After a moment of silence, Yunhyun continued.

“As I have already told you, the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult are threatening the safety of the world. And the danger of the Iltae Sangin [One Body, Three Forms] is still present.”

The expressions on people’s faces hardened. But they were not surprised.

Most of them were people who had received Yunhyun’s letters.

There was no room for doubt.

It was something that Yunhyun, the Alliance Lord, had experienced himself, and the Guest Elder was also there.

But there were really a lot of questions to ask.

As if understanding their feelings, Yunhyun smiled.

“I’m sure you’re curious about many things. Please, ask me anything.”

As soon as Yunhyun finished speaking, Tae-eul Jin-in, the elder of Huashan, asked.

“The Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult, how on earth did they regain their power?”

“Can we trust the Gongdong Sect?”

“What kind of person was the Blood Demon?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to inform the world and warn them?”

All sorts of questions poured out.

Yunhyun calmly answered their questions.

How long had the conversation continued?

After a long time, people finally came to one conclusion.

Clink.

Zhuge Myung, the head of the Zhuge Clan, the Sword of the Gentleman, put down his teacup.

“For now, we have no choice but to deal with it secretly while avoiding as much confusion as possible, and all the sects must cooperate. Depending on the situation, we must also work closely with the court.”

Perhaps it was too obvious a conclusion.

But it was very important that everyone had the same understanding.

“You said that to face those called Blood Demons, one must reach the level of Sword Energy Manifestation?”

Gwan Ilgeom Moryong Dancheon, the head of the Moryong Clan, asked.

Yunhyun nodded without hesitation.

“That’s right. But it’s dangerous to face them alone. The Blood Demons have strange abilities that we don’t know about.”

“Heo.”

Moryong Dancheon sighed.

He had reached the level of Sword Energy Manifestation before his great disciple Cheongpunggeom Moryongjin.

He still thought it was not enough, but he had been secretly proud of himself, so he could not help but sigh when he heard that it was dangerous to face the Blood Demon alone.

“Then do we have no choice but to wait?”

That voice belonged to Moryongmi.

Moryongmi’s eyes shone as she spoke in a calm tone.

“We should avoid causing confusion with excessive reactions, but I don’t think it’s good to only react defensively. Shouldn’t we predict the other party’s intentions and move preemptively?”

“That’s right.”

Yunhyun nodded.

“As Miss Moryong said. That’s why Chief Military Officer Yeongho-jun has prepared something.”

Chief Military Officer Yeongho-jun immediately rose from his seat and respectfully placed a book in front of Yunhyun.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the not-so-large book.

“This book was written by the Chief Military Officer with the cooperation of the Gongdong Sect. It details the typical methods of the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult, as well as how to deal with them.”

People’s eyes lit up.

Everyone knew the names of the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult, but very little was known about them.

It was not even clear whether they were heretical groups from outside the country or a kind of secret society.

So that book would be a very important guide to prevent the dangers of the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult.

“The Chief Military Officer will tell you more about the contents of this book. But there is something more important than that right now.”

Yunhyun said, meeting the gazes of the people looking at him.

“Just recently, we received a message from Gansu. They said they found a base of the Blood Cult near Qinghai Lake.”

People’s eyes widened at once.

“Heo.”

The Taoists and Buddhists chanted Taoist and Buddhist prayers, and the heads of clans and elders could not hide their surprised expressions.

“Then shouldn’t we move quickly?”

Sword of Flying Gongsun Wol said immediately.

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok also nodded.

“That’s right. We have to strike before they realize it. I’ll take my disciples right away…….”

“The opponent is a monster that cannot be faced without a master of Sword Energy Manifestation.”

The clear voice of the Grand Palace Lord echoed.

In a tone that was almost cold, she said.

“It’s not an opponent that you can defeat just by rushing in hastily.”

Sword of the Gentleman Zhuge Myung frowned.

He could not hide his uncomfortable feelings toward the Grand Palace Lord, or rather, toward Bukhae.

“Then what does Bukhae Ilmun intend to do?”

“My thoughts are.”

Clink.

The Grand Palace Lord said, putting down her teacup.

“The same as the Alliance Lord.”

The Grand Palace Lord turned her head and looked at Yunhyun.

Her sharp eyes were almost provocative.

Yunhyun gave a bitter smile.

The Grand Palace Lord knows that Seolyeongdae discovered the base of the Blood Cult.

The intelligent her had already come to a conclusion, and she was sure that Yunhyun had also reached the same answer.

“As you said, it is right to move quickly. However, in order to prevent meaningless sacrifices, we must limit it to those who have the ability to face the Blood Cult.”

It was clear who ‘those who have the ability to face the Blood Cult’ referred to.

At least those who have reached the level of Sword Energy Manifestation, that is, those who are here.

“This will not be known.”

Yunhyun said in a calm voice.

“There will be no fame or praise for subduing the Blood Cult. There will be even less of becoming a hero. Because the world will not know.”

The subjugation of the Blood Cult must not be known.

The threat of the Demonic Cult still remained, and if it became known to the world, it would only fuel confusion and anxiety.

The Blood Cult did not occupy interests or territories like the martial arts clans, so there was nothing to gain.

“But we will know.”

Yunhyun continued quietly.

“We will never forget those who willingly risked their lives in times of difficulty, their noble intentions.”

“That’s right.”

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok said in a heavy voice.

“It is only when we share our intentions and shed blood together that we can call it an alliance (盟), so I, Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, will gladly follow the Alliance Lord’s intentions.”

Thousand Hands Shinni of Emei, Sword of Flying Gongsun Wol, and Gwan Ilgeom Moryong Dancheon also nodded.

It was then.

“……Your intentions are truly touching.”

Sword of the Gentleman Zhuge Myung quietly opened his mouth.

“I am the kind of person who thinks that even friends should have something to gain from each other in order for the relationship to last. Ah, don’t misunderstand. I will gladly follow the Alliance Lord’s intentions as well.”

Zhuge Myung said with a rather relaxed expression.

“However, wouldn’t I be more motivated if there was some visible reward (賞給)? How can I lead this old body to the distant frontier without such a thing?”

Yunhyun smiled.

“What do you want?”

Sword of the Gentleman Zhuge Myung shrugged his shoulders.

“Well? To be honest, I don’t want much at this age. I’ve enjoyed enough fame and luxury, and I don’t even have time to use my wealth anymore…….”

“Speak quickly.”

Suddenly, the Guest Elder’s voice interrupted Zhuge Myung’s words.

Zhuge Myung smiled.

“A duel.”

He turned to Yunhyun and said.

“If I can duel with the Alliance Lord again, I will gladly take up my sword at any time.”

The fact that he was the head of the Zhuge Clan, his position as an elder of the clan, did not matter.

His eyes were already those of a martial artist, that was all.