Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 489

489. Secret Letter

Un-hyeon returned to the Changryong Alliance headquarters in Hangzhou with Guest Ong.

In front of the towering main gate of the Changryong Alliance headquarters, the carriage stopped. As Un-hyeon and Guest Ong alighted, Chief Strategist Yeong Ho-jun greeted them with a smile.

“Welcome, Alliance Leader, and Elder.”

“Have you been well?” Un-hyeon returned the greeting and asked Yeong Ho-jun.

Yeong Ho-jun smiled gently.

“Yes, I have been well. We have recruited many people to work, and thanks to the Alliance Leader’s recruitment of talented individuals like Young Lady Mo-yong, I have some spare time now. Hahaha.”

Royal Inspector Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik were summoned back to Beijing, but Jin Ye-rim and Dam So-ha, who were in the same group, had given up their official duties early and were fully dedicated to the Changryong Alliance’s work.

As the headquarters building was completed, they hired enough clerks and warriors. In particular, thanks to the arrival of high-caliber talents like Mo-yong Mi, Yeong Ho-jun was relieved of his heavy workload.

“Instead of standing here, let’s go inside the headquarters.”

At Yeong Ho-jun’s words, Un-hyeon nodded.

Receiving the greetings of the warriors guarding the main gate, the three walked into the Changryong Alliance headquarters.

The wide-open main gate was already bustling with people coming and going.

It was always open not only for the Alliance Leader Un-hyeon but for everyone, just as Un-hyeon had wished.

Step, step.

The buildings inside the headquarters were elegant and stylish.

If the former Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] mainly exuded an imposing and solemn atmosphere, the Changryong Alliance gave a soft and warm feeling.

It was the result of Un-hyeon and Yeong Ho-jun’s tastes aligning.

Some places were still under construction, but the headquarters’ functions were fully in place.

“Have all the elders left?” Un-hyeon asked.

The elders he mentioned were the heads and elders of the noble families and the supreme masters who had participated in the subjugation of the Blood Cult.

He thought they would have already returned to their respective families and sects since the journey to and from Beijing was not short.

However, Yeong Ho-jun gave a wry smile.

“No one has left.”

“What?” At Un-hyeon’s question, Yeong Ho-jun smiled gently and replied,

“They are all in Hangzhou, at the mansion we used as a temporary headquarters.”

“No, all the family heads and elders?”

“Yes. Even Lady Nyeong and Lady Geum, and even the Ice Snow Lady of the Northern Sea One Gate are here. The elders and family heads said there was no rush anyway.”

Un-hyeon was dumbfounded.

“No rush? Don’t they know that the Demonic Sect tried to infiltrate each sect and family?”

“Of course, they know. I already told them everything.”

Yeong Ho-jun shrugged.

“But they are handling it well on their own, and they said there’s nothing they can change even if they go. They also said that the younger generation is working hard with a sense of responsibility, so it’s better for the adults to stay here quietly and let them gain experience.”

In short, the elders and family heads were staying here leisurely for that reason.

“Why on earth…?”

Un-hyeon couldn’t understand at all.

In a situation like now, where the threat of the Demonic Sect is real, they are staying here for such a reason.

“They are here because they have to be,” Guest Ong suddenly said.

When Un-hyeon turned his head, Guest Ong continued in a nonchalant voice,

“The current situation is beyond what a single sect or family can handle. What do you think the quick-witted family heads and elders felt while subjugating the Blood Cult?”

Guest Ong said, staring intently at Un-hyeon,

“The Changryong Alliance, or rather, you, are the only person who can influence the current situation and the most important person. That’s why they are here.”

Un-hyeon immediately understood Guest Ong’s words.

The influence of the elders of the great sects and the heads of the noble families is enormous.

However, the power to move those great sects and Murim families as one lies only with the Alliance Leader of the Changryong Alliance, Un-hyeon.

He had already gained the trust of all the family heads and elders while subjugating the Blood Cult, and he had even proven his ability, hadn’t he?

It was not strange that the family heads and elders, who had experienced all kinds of hardships, judged as Guest Ong said.

Un-hyeon gave a wry smile.

“I am not such a great person.”

However, Guest Ong didn’t even pretend to listen.

“They will bother you quite a bit.”

Un-hyeon asked back with a puzzled expression,

“Bother me?”

Instead of answering, Guest Ong stared at Un-hyeon.

‘Ah!’

Un-hyeon realized.

What the family heads and supreme masters wanted was clearly a martial arts contest.

Jegal-myeong, the head of the Jegal family, openly wanted a martial arts contest, and Bingseol of Bukhae had stepped forward without hesitation, hadn’t she?

In the case of Geum Hwa-yeong, a young supreme master, she was constantly looking for an opportunity.

Un-hyeon smiled gently.

“If it’s a martial arts contest, that’s what I want too.”

Guest Ong let out a snort.

It seemed like it was not just a martial arts contest, but Guest Ong didn’t say anything more.

Before they knew it, the three had arrived in front of the Changryong Alliance Leader’s office.

“Alliance Leader,” Chief Strategist Yeong Ho-jun suddenly said.

“I have something to tell you before you go in.”

“What is it?”

“A secret letter has arrived for you from the Tang Clan.”

Not only Un-hyeon but even Guest Ong stopped walking.

Guest Ong frowned, wondering if the Tang Clan had done something, but Yeong Ho-jun continued,

“The person who brought the secret letter has been waiting in Hangzhou for several days, to receive the Alliance Leader’s reply.”

“Do you know what the matter is?”

“Not yet. You will naturally know when you see the secret letter. But at least…”

Yeong Ho-jun paused for a moment.

“It is clear that it is something that will determine the fate of the Tang Clan.”

Guest Ong’s face hardened.

Yeong Ho-jun’s expression, who had closed his mouth, was also stiff.

***

General Yu Bung-geol, the supreme commander, had completely changed.

Yu Bung-geol, who had been defeated in the Demonic Sect’s lure operation, no longer had his previous arrogant and imposing appearance.

When he returned to Nanju, he had a blank, unfocused look in his eyes and had even lost his helmet.

The number of government troops who returned with him did not even reach ten thousand.

Even if the stragglers who returned later were added, it reached thirteen thousand, but losing more than half was a complete defeat.

The condition of the government troops who survived was also serious.

Those who were even slightly injured had wounds that festered, and those who survived suffered from nightmares.

Nanju was instantly engulfed in fear.

And General Yu Bung-geol, the supreme commander, who was captured by the shock and fear of the defeat, chose to escape from reality.

“Euhahaha. Drink up! Drink up!”

General Yu Bung-geol, the supreme commander, was heavily drunk.

After being defeated and returning, he held banquets every day in the mansion he used as his official residence.

He called in not only alcohol but also musicians and courtesans, literally creating a lavish place of pleasure.

The expressions of the local dignitaries who were present were bitter.

It was not the time to be holding such a banquet.

“Hoo.”

Someone who was fiddling with his glass sighed.

He glanced at the drunk Yu Bung-geol and quietly said to the person sitting next to him,

“Have you heard that the people are leaving Nanju?”

“Have I only heard it? I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

The middle-aged man sitting next to him clicked his tongue.

“The merchants in the market are also packing their bags. There are still many people who believe that the walls of Nanju will protect them, but…”

He looked at Yu Bung-geol.

“The commander who leads the army is like that…”

Yu Bung-geol, who was flirting with the courtesans in front of him, was also a person who believed in the walls of Nanju.

Yu Bung-geol, who had been defeated and returned, was psychologically completely weakened.

He did not accept his defeat and did not try to go out of the walls of Nanju.

He said that if he only defended Nanju, he could prevent the ‘followers of the rebellion’ from advancing to Xi’an.

In addition, the letter sent by Yu Ho-gi, the Vice Minister of War, saying that he would increase supplies and troops, further strengthened Yu Bung-geol’s determination.

“That’s right! I am a great person! Tens of thousands of government troops move at my command, and the central government does not spare its cooperation with me, so how can I not be a great person? Hahahaha.”

General Yu Bung-geol, the supreme commander, hugged one of the courtesans and burst into laughter.

Looking at that, the dignitaries clicked their tongues or shook their heads.

But they already knew.

Yu Bung-geol, who had been defeated and returned, could not even sleep without being drunk.

Tak, tak, tak.

At that time, someone ran into the banquet hall.

Wearing a military uniform, he was one of the adjutants who assisted General Yu Bung-geol, the supreme commander.

Cheok.

The adjutant, who respectfully saluted the drunk Yu Bung-geol, said with a firm expression,

“There is suspicious movement of the enemy outside the castle!”

The dignitaries and courtesans who were sitting as guests were startled.

However, the drunk Yu Bung-geol only frowned.

“So?”

The adjutant was momentarily embarrassed.

But he soon said again,

“Please give me your orders.”

“…None.”

Yu Bung-geol said with an indifferent expression.

He didn’t even look at the adjutant.

“There are no separate orders to give. Tell the person in charge of the guard to take care of it, hic. And don’t go outside the castle.”

Yu Bung-geol waved his hand as if he was annoyed.

The adjutant stood blankly, and Yu Bung-geol put his hand on the courtesan’s chest.

“Hehe, your skin is so beautiful. Let’s build a relationship with you today.”

“Oh, come on. Elder.”

The courtesan twisted her body while flirting.

But Yu Bung-geol hugged her even more strongly.

Then suddenly, Yu Bung-geol raised his eyes.

It was because the banquet hall was quiet.

Seeing people’s eyes on the adjutant, Yu Bung-geol frowned and said,

“Why don’t you get out of here quickly!”

“Yes, yes!”

The adjutant quickly saluted and left the place.

The musicians started playing again, and laughter bloomed in the banquet hall.

However, the expressions of the dignitaries were only dark.

The military officer who heard the order of General Yu Bung-geol was dumbfounded.

Take care of it on your own, but don’t go outside the castle?

First of all, the order didn’t make sense, and saying never to go outside the castle meant just watching the enemy move?

After thinking about it, the military officer ran to the camp of General Yang Cheon-man of the Right Wing Garrison, who had come with Yu Bung-geol.

“General. The enemy’s movements are suspicious.”

“Suspicious, how so?”

Yang Cheon-man of the Right Wing Garrison was a veteran general who had experienced several battles.

Although his words had never been accepted by General Yu Bung-geol.

“It seems that they are bypassing Nanju at night and heading to Xi’an. But the commander told me to just stay still…”

General Yang Cheon-man frowned.

“Raise the flags on the walls and light the fires, as if we are about to go to war right away.”

He continued calmly.

“And shoot the cannons at them. As loudly as possible.”

“But it won’t reach because it’s far away.”

At the military officer’s words, Yang Cheon-man shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s enough to show them that we can go out at any time.”

“What if they don’t stop moving?”

“Then I will go out to war.”

General Yang Cheon-man said without hesitation.

“The commander will understand. We must stop them from heading to Xi’an no matter what.”

To the anxious military officer, Yang Cheon-man continued in a calm voice,

“Don’t worry. This movement is probably to check our readiness. It’s a self-defeating move for them to head to Xi’an with us behind them.”

If the Demonic Sect’s forces bypass Nanju and head to Xi’an, General Yang Cheon-man would rather want that.

He could link up with the government troops in Xi’an and strike them from the front and back.

But the Demonic Sect is not stupid.

No, looking at the way they lured the government troops last time, they were rather cunning.

“Anyway, we must stop them from heading to Xi’an. There is a possibility.”

“Yes! I understand.”

The military officer saluted with a disciplined movement and left the camp.

His expression was lighter than when he came in.

Tak, tak.

Yang Cheon-man, who was left alone after the military officer left, let out a long sigh.

“Heo, don’t do anything…”

That was something that could not be imagined as an order from the commander who leads the army.

“…It won’t be easy to defend Nanju.”

No matter how strong the walls are and how many soldiers there are, if the commander does nothing, they are just a mob in a sandcastle.

He closed his eyes tightly.

The appearance of the monster-like demons who lured them like ordinary peasant soldiers and suddenly popped out from behind vividly appeared before his eyes.

Even General Yang Cheon-man, who was a veteran, felt chills, so it was understandable that Yu Bung-geol, who had been promoted through connections, was showing a disheveled appearance.

But understanding and abandoning responsibility are completely different matters.

General Yang Cheon-man sighed.

Kung, kung.

The sound of cannons installed on the walls firing came.

However, Yang Cheon-man’s worries were deepening.