Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 487

Yu Hogi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, who had been rescued from the animal market, locked himself in his house and refused to emerge.

Inevitably, rumors spread like wildfire about the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War being found tied up in the animal market.

Though no one dared to say it aloud, the story was spreading rapidly among the officials.

Yu Hogi could barely eat or sleep, feeling the weight of their mocking laughter pressing down on him.

On the third day,

Yu Hogi, his eyes bloodshot, took a carriage to a mansion in the heart of Beijing.

It was the same carriage he always used, but this time, the windows were completely covered with curtains to prevent anyone from seeing inside.

The carriage made its way to the residence of Minister of Rites, Jangwi.

“Is this even believable!”

In Jangwi’s study, Yu Hogi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, exclaimed, his voice filled with fury.

“How dare a mere Censor [an official who monitors the conduct of other officials] humiliate the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War! It’s practically treason against the Emperor’s authority! Just thinking about it makes me… *sob*.”

Yu Hogi’s heart was overflowing with resentment and anger, bringing tears to his eyes.

However, Minister of Rites Jangwi, seated across from him, frowned.

“Tsk, I’ve heard your account…”

Jangwi stroked his gray beard.

The Ministry of Rites was responsible for the country’s diplomacy and education.

Jangwi, the head of the Ministry of Rites, was the most senior figure in the faction to which Left Vice Minister Yu Hogi and Yu Bunggeol, who had been dispatched to Gansu, belonged.

“So, what do you intend to do? We can’t make this a public matter, can we?”

“A public matter? Absolutely not!”

Yu Hogi was taken aback.

The thought of the court officials learning about the humiliation he had suffered made him want to disappear.

“But we can’t simply ignore it, can we? I must…”

Yu Hogi ground his teeth, picturing Unhyun.

He wished he could tear him apart, limb by limb.

“If we don’t simply ignore it?”

Yu Hogi looked at Jangwi, surprised.

“Elder! A mere Censor, relying on the power of Eunuch Park, recklessly invaded the residence of a court official! Furthermore, he humiliated me with force, so he deserves to be executed…”

“What kind of situation do you think we’re in?”

Jangwi’s cold voice cut off Yu Hogi’s words.

Frowning, Jangwi continued sternly.

“Even though Eunuch Park has stepped down from his position in the Censorate, he remains the Byeongpil Taegam [a high-ranking eunuch official] of the Eastern Depot [a secret police agency]. He has been suspended from all duties and is awaiting punishment, but the Emperor still trusts him.”

Petitions calling for Eunuch Park’s dismissal from his position as Byeongpil Taegam and demanding his punishment were constantly being submitted.

However, the elderly Emperor paid them no heed.

Ordinarily, court officials couldn’t interfere in the affairs of the eunuch organization, but this was clear proof that the Emperor still trusted Eunuch Park.

“If this continues, we don’t know when Eunuch Park will regain his power. Right now, the most urgent and important thing is to completely remove Eunuch Park, who is corrupting this country.”

*Tak.*

Minister of Rites Jangwi struck the desk and said,

“But what will you accomplish by making an issue of the Censor’s actions now? Besides, Eunuch Park is no longer connected to the Censorate!”

Yu Hogi flinched.

However, his desire for revenge remained undiminished.

“Then, at least dismiss that Censor…”

Jangwi’s expression became even more displeased.

“How so?”

Jangwi asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

“That Censor was directly appointed by the Emperor’s decree. Dismissing him would be like questioning the Emperor’s judgment. What do you hope to gain by upsetting the Emperor now!”

Jangwi’s voice even carried a hint of anger.

“Besides, do you think that Censor will remain silent? He will document all your wrongdoings and present them to the Emperor! That’s the privilege he was granted.”

*Tang.*

Jangwi struck the desk once more.

“What if Eunuch Park seizes that opportunity to regain his influence and strike back!”

Unhyun is a Special Censor.

He doesn’t need to report to anyone, isn’t subject to supervision from higher authorities, and can exercise extrajudicial powers anytime, anywhere.

If such a Unhyun directly informed the Emperor of this matter, there was no telling what might happen.

Because the Emperor still trusts Eunuch Park.

“I, I don’t have any wrongdoings…”

Yu Hogi stammered.

However, Jangwi’s expression remained cold.

“Even I’ve heard about them, do you think the Censor wouldn’t know?”

Yu Hogi was speechless.

He had never hesitated to use his power to accumulate wealth and personal gain.

He had taken many concubines and amassed a considerable fortune.

These were actions unbecoming of a government official, but Yu Hogi was rather proud of them.

His wealth had protected him thus far, and he considered it foolish not to use his abilities when he had them.

“I, I’m sorry. I was only doing it for the country…”

Yu Hogi offered an absurd excuse and lowered his head.

Even so, he didn’t forget to glance at the small box placed in front of Jangwi.

Because the box Yu Hogi had given to Jangwi contained precious pearls.

“Ahem.”

As expected?

Jangwi cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“The most important thing now is to earn the Emperor’s trust by achieving a significant accomplishment. That’s why your role is crucial.”

Jangwi said with a stern expression.

“How is the rebellion in Gansu progressing?”

“Don’t worry, Elder.”

Yu Hogi bowed his head and said,

“Commander Yu Bunggeol will handle it. A mere rebellion by insignificant rabble…”

Yu Hogi suddenly flinched as he spoke.

The gruesome image of his beloved concubine, Chaehong, transforming into a demon flashed before his eyes.

“Ahem, a mere rebellion will collapse on its own as soon as the army intervenes.”

However, Jangwi’s expression didn’t soften.

Instead, Jangwi frowned and glared at Yu Hogi.

“…What did that Censor say?”

“Yes?”

Yu Hogi involuntarily repeated.

“Why did he seek you out? There’s no way someone who brought down the Heroic Alliance [likely a powerful martial arts organization] would do such a thing simply to humiliate you, is there? It must be because of the Gansu situation!”

Jangwi’s reasoning was sharp.

If it were revenge for Eunuch Park, he would have targeted Minister of Rites Jangwi rather than Yu Hogi.

Yu Hogi bowed his head and said,

“That, that’s… There’s a Demonic Cult [a heretical or evil religious group] behind the rebellion…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence properly.

‘Demonic Cult’ was a term they had suppressed in order to shift the blame onto Eunuch Park.

A moment of silence passed.

“Send more support to Yu Bunggeol, who has gone to Gansu.”

Jangwi said quietly.

“Organize reinforcements and send plenty of military supplies—no, send more than enough. Send everything he needs, whether it’s cannons or anything else.”

“But, but that’s too much…”

“It’s better to have too much.”

Jangwi continued in a firm voice.

“Than to fail.”

Jangwi’s eyes were cold.

Yu Hogi immediately bowed his head.

“I will do as you command, Elder.”

Jangwi nodded.

However, no matter how much support was sent from the rear, it was uncertain whether Commander Yu Bunggeol would make good use of it.

Because Yu Bunggeol’s perception of the chaos in Gansu was the same as Left Vice Minister Yu Hogi’s: a ‘rebellion’.

“Make sure there are no mistakes.”

Jangwi said in a cold voice.

“Suppress this rebellion no matter what it takes. If you succeed, I will never forget your contribution.”

“Thank, thank you, Elder.”

Yu Hogi bowed his head again.

However, the thought of having to let Unhyun off the hook like this made his stomach churn.

“Once Eunuch Park loses the Emperor’s trust and is completely removed,”

Jangwi looked down at Yu Hogi and said,

“What’s so difficult about dismissing a Censor like him? After that, you can torture him or behead him and display his head—I don’t care.”

Yu Hogi’s expression brightened instantly.

He repeatedly bowed his head towards Jangwi.

“Thank you, Elder! Thank you so much.”

However, Jangwi’s gaze towards Yu Hogi was cold.

He said he wouldn’t forget his contribution, but he had no intention of associating with a corrupt and incompetent person.

Someone like Yu Hogi was easy to manipulate, but he could also become a liability or an obstacle.

Looking at Yu Hogi, who was constantly bowing his head in front of him, Jangwi smiled.

He felt as though he could see the position of Naegak Daehaksa [Grand Secretary, a high-ranking official], who was second only to the Emperor and oversaw the Six Ministries on his behalf, right before him.

***

The golden double roof sparkled under the sunlight, and the red building exuded majesty.

Unhyun calmly gazed at that magnificent yet familiar sight, holding a teacup in his hand.

“I heard you took down the Blood Cult.”

Sa Ilcheon said.

Sa Ilcheon, the only scholar of Changryong Hall and also known as ‘Ilheun’, looked at Unhyun while savoring the warmth of the teacup.

“I’m glad you appear to be safe.”

Unhyun smiled gently.

“Not at all. Rather, I should be the one thanking you. Didn’t you prevent the rise of the Demonic Cult and the Blood Cult a long time ago?”

“It wasn’t something I did alone, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Sa Ilcheon said calmly.

His demeanor as he savored the tea was that of a meticulous senior scholar.

“Besides, it was something I had to do anyway. Don’t worry about it.”

“Still, thank you.”

Unhyun said sincerely.

Sa Ilcheon chuckled, but he couldn’t hide the joy in his eyes.

“Was there anything noteworthy about the Blood Cult?”

“If you’re asking about noteworthy things, everything was noteworthy…”

In the first place, the very existence of the Blood Cult was an extraordinary event.

From Blood Demons to Blood Fiend Demons, what wasn’t special?

“They said the Demonic Sword has returned.”

“Demonic Sword?”

Sa Ilcheon showed interest.

Unhyun nodded.

“Yes. They said that since there is no Divine Sword, there is no one to stop the Demonic Sword from awakening.”

“Did they mention the Blood Demon manifesting?”

“Yes, they did.”

Sa Ilcheon smiled bitterly.

“The manifestation of the Blood Demon—it’s been a long time since I’ve heard that. This must also mean that the time is near.”

Unhyun’s eyes lit up.

“Time for what?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just referring to the time when my long-standing duty comes to an end.”

*Clink.*

Sa Ilcheon said as he set down the teacup.

“It also signifies the time when you settle things with the First Merchant.”

Sa Ilcheon’s expression was filled with complex emotions.

It was a mixture of regret and longing.

“Who are you, Elder?”

Unhyun asked.

Instead of answering, Sa Ilcheon stared at Unhyun.

Then, he sighed softly.

“Yes, I can tell you. Because you’ve already witnessed the truth of the world.”

It was a sudden statement.

However, Unhyun immediately understood why Sa Ilcheon was saying such a thing.

It must have been because of the great void he had seen within the Bokryong Bokma Sword [likely a powerful artifact].

“I am one who remained in this world according to the will of another. All those I love are in another world.”

His words were reminiscent of those of a Taoist or a celestial being.

Those who hide and protect the order of the world.

“Another world, then…”

“Of course, it doesn’t mean they’re dead.”

Sa Ilcheon said with a gentle smile.

“Don’t you understand now? That this world is just one possibility among many worlds.”

He picked up the teacup.

“But it is such a precious and beautiful possibility, truly a miracle.”

Sa Ilcheon’s words resonated deeply within Unhyun’s heart.

The reason why this world is beautiful and precious is because of the shining relationships.

From Eunuch Park and his sworn brother Il Chung-hyun, to his sworn brother Dokgo-rang and those who remain by Unhyun’s side, what else could it be but a miracle to have met those precious and dear people?

“Yes, that’s right.”

Unhyun said in a quiet voice.

“So, we must protect it.”

Sa Ilcheon nodded.

“Our will is the same.”

The ‘we’ he spoke of clearly referred to his loved ones in another world.

Unhyun quietly raised his teacup.

The cold wind of the imperial palace fluttered his collar, but the hearts of the two were filled with warmth.