Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 501

After finishing his conversation with Eunuch Park, Unhyun exited the military tent.

He lightly waved to Eunuch Park, who had come out to see him off, and then Unhyun boarded the carriage.

Clatter, clatter.

The scene of the Naju Grand Camp flashed by outside the carriage.

The Naju Grand Camp, with its hundreds of thousands of soldiers, was practically a small city.

The sight of carts busily carrying supplies and people coming and going gave the feeling of being in a bustling street or market.

Except that everyone was wearing military uniforms.

In fact, behind the Naju Grand Camp, towards the direction of Xi’an, merchants had gathered to form a fairly large market.

However, security was strict.

The carriage Unhyun was riding was no exception, and it had to stop several times for inspection.

The sight of soldiers and disciples from the Joint Faction being stationed together showed thorough preparation against mounted soldiers.

It was a distinctly different scene from before.

Thus, the carriage carrying Unhyun left the Naju Grand Camp and headed to a small town nearby.

It was there that the other members—the elders of the sects, the heads of the clans, and the supreme masters—were staying.

***

“So, in the end, the new Lord of the Tang Clan will not be coming here?”

Jegeal Myeong, the head of the Jegeal Clan, known as the Gentleman’s Sword, said as he held his teacup.

He seemed calm, but his tone revealed his discomfort.

“It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped,” Tang Seol-yeon said with a regretful expression.

“The new Lord can’t leave his position to rebuild the family estate that was burned down, can he?”

“Is that so? If the Jegeal Clan had burned down, I think I would have come here anyway…”

It was an unbelievable statement, but Tang Seol-yeon smiled silently.

She knew that Gentleman’s Sword Jegeal Myeong’s intention was obvious.

‘He’s trying to undermine the new Lord’s authority.’

Even though Tang Hyeok was a master of Sword Energy Manifestation and the Lord of the Tang Clan, he couldn’t compare to those present here.

Among them were Gentleman’s Sword Jegeal Myeong, as well as Flying Sword Gongson Wol and Iron Sword Namgung Byeok, all seasoned veterans who had survived the Righteous-Demonic War [a large-scale conflict between righteous and demonic factions].

Even Iron Sword Namgung Byeok and Gwanil Sword Moryong Dancheon, who were younger than them, were difficult opponents for Tang Hyeok.

“Hmm, that’s truly a shame.”

The Buddhist Nun of Thousand Hands from the Emei Sect said, caressing her teacup with both hands.

“There were so many rumors that the new Lord of the Tang Clan was the hero of Chengdu and the hope of the Tang Clan, so I wanted to take this opportunity to see his martial prowess…”

“Hmm. That’s what I’m saying. We might have even been able to spar.”

Even Flying Sword Gongson Wol added a word.

Tang Seol-yeon said with a gentle smile.

“Don’t be too disappointed. Since the Tang Clan has become a member of the Azure Dragon Alliance, won’t there be opportunities in the future?”

She said that, but Tang Seol-yeon had no intention of pitting the Buddhist Nun of Thousand Hands or Flying Sword Gongson Wol against Tang Hyeok at all.

The sparring match between the Buddhist Nun of Thousand Hands and Bingseol of the Northern Sea One Clan was still vividly etched in Tang Seol-yeon’s memory.

To compete with someone like the Buddhist Nun of Thousand Hands was something that should never happen until Tang Hyeok reached at least the level of the Azure-Crimson Twin Fiends.

‘No, in the first place, the heads of the clans and the supreme masters of the sects are sparring? This is truly insane.’

Tang Seol-yeon couldn’t understand it at all.

They weren’t wandering martial artists, but absolute power holders and the last bulwark of the sects—the heads of the clans and the supreme masters.

For them to spar without hesitation and comment on each other’s martial arts was a story she would never have believed if she hadn’t seen it herself.

As Tang Seol-yeon, who was accustomed to being wary and suspicious of each other and secretly making deals like in the days of the Martial Arts Alliance, it was a very unfamiliar sight.

‘…But this is the new order created by the Lord of the Azure Dragon Alliance.’

The intelligent Tang Seol-yeon immediately recognized the meaning of this sight.

What they had was not just a pure passion for martial arts (武道) [Wudao, the martial way or path].

The elders, clan leaders, and supreme masters here had agreed to a tacit understanding.

The result of that agreement was obvious without even looking.

‘In the end, the Kangho [martial world] will move according to their will. No, to be exact, according to the Lord’s will.’

Tang Seol-yeon felt a chill.

Unhyun had created not just a simple alliance, but a secret group that moved the Kangho martial world.

“But isn’t the new Lord too young?”

Flying Sword Gongson Wol’s voice suddenly awakened Tang Seol-yeon from her reverie.

Tang Seol-yeon reflexively smiled and said.

“You’re right. But he’s the perfect person to instill new hope in people. Hope seems empty, but it solves countless problems. He’s actually leading the Tang Clan wonderfully.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Gongson Wol nodded.

“I was thinking of stepping down from the position of clan leader soon anyway. When times change, people must change too.”

Tang Seol-yeon’s eyes sparkled.

For the head of the Gongson Clan to consider such a change in this situation was truly tremendous news.

“Weren’t you all planning to step down from your clan leader positions anyway?”

Sword Master Je Gal-myung said nonchalantly.

He savored his tea and continued.

“Around the time of the Azure Dragon Alliance’s inaugural battle, everyone will be undergoing generational shifts. The younger folks might get along better.”

Tang Seol-yeon was taken aback by Je Gal-myung’s words.

More than the fact that the heads of the Je Gal Clan and Gongson Clan were changing, it was that everyone seemed so indifferent to the news.

‘…So they already knew,’ she thought.

Tang Seol-yeon bit her lip without realizing it.

Her suspicion that they were the ones moving the Kangho [martial arts world] had been confirmed, but she wasn’t happy.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that the Tang Clan was falling behind.

‘But it’s okay.’

The Tang Clan has Elder Baek.

As long as he’s around, the Tang Clan won’t be excluded from major decisions in the Kangho.

But the regret that they were late was unavoidable, and Tang Seol-yeon sighed without realizing it.

“Oh, excuse me…”

A young woman spoke to Tang Seol-yeon.

Tang Seol-yeon recognized her.

‘Geum Hwa-yeong of the Geum Family.’

Though similar in age, Geum Hwa-yeong was a master in her own right.

Her teacher, Neung Se-yeong’s martial prowess was acknowledged even by Elder Baek.

“Ah, Lady Geum.”

Tang Seol-yeon said with a bright smile.

“I’m Tang Seol-yeon from the Tang Clan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She stood up from her seat and bowed politely.

Geum Hwa-yeong seemed momentarily flustered but soon returned the greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I am Geum Hwa-yeong. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you…”

The young woman’s tone was strangely formal, but Tang Seol-yeon didn’t mind.

“A favor? What is it?”

“If the new Lord is going to hold a martial arts contest, please put in a word for me. The elders keep trying to exclude me.”

Tang Seol-yeon was momentarily stunned.

She blinked, wondering what was going on, when Thousand Hands Shinni smiled and said.

“Haha. Lady Geum, aren’t you still young? You should date and travel the world to broaden your horizons. One must understand life to deepen their martial arts.”

“Yes. I agree with that.”

Said the gentle-looking old woman, Neung Se-yeong.

But Geum Hwa-yeong still looked dissatisfied.

“But no one says that to Bingseol.”

At those words, Thousand Hands Shinni and Neung Se-yeong turned to look at Bingseol.

Bingseol was sitting quietly to one side.

Had Geum Hwa-yeong not mentioned her name, they might not have even noticed her presence.

But Tang Seol-yeon already knew.

That Bingseol, who looked like a maid, was one of the Twelve Blades of the North Sea.

“Her circumstances are a bit different…”

Neung Se-yeong trailed off with an awkward expression.

Bingseol was someone who had clearly cut ties with the secular world.

Moreover, as one of the Twelve Blades of the North Sea, her situation couldn’t be the same as Geum Hwa-yeong’s.

Tang Seol-yeon smiled wryly as she looked at the still dissatisfied Geum Hwa-yeong and Bingseol.

But her mind was racing.

‘Indeed…’

Tang Seol-yeon thought with a firm expression.

‘This is why Jun Lang told me I had to come here.’

The reason Tang Seol-yeon, who was busy with the reconstruction of the Tang Clan, was here was simple.

It was because Jun Lang, the Chief Strategist Yeong Ho-jun, had strongly urged her to come.

He said this was far more important than rebuilding the Tang Clan.

Had she not seen this scene, Tang Seol-yeon might have had a fatal misunderstanding about the power dynamics within the Azure Dragon Alliance.

It was then.

“Young Master Un!”

Geum Hwa-yeong turned her head with a delighted expression.

Tang Seol-yeon, as well as the others, all turned their gaze at once.

Step, step.

Unhyun walked over with a gentle smile.

The handsome Chief Strategist Yeong Ho-jun was with him.

“I’m back.”

Unhyun bowed to the honored guests and elders, saying,

“Respected elders and clan leaders.”

The elders and clan leaders responded to Unhyun in their own ways.

Suddenly, Namgung Byeok of the Iron Sword asked Unhyun,

“Alliance Leader, when can we fight Hwanma?”

People’s eyes lit up.

The reason they came here was to fight Hwanma, a formidable opponent.

According to the records of the Common Faction [a coalition of martial arts clans], Hwanma is a guardian of the Demonic Sect and a legendary figure with strange abilities.

The clan leaders and supreme masters who missed the opportunity to face the Blood Demon [a notorious villain from a past conflict] decided to participate without hesitation in Unhyun’s plan to confront Hwanma.

Of course, the request of Unhyun, the Alliance Leader, was also an undeniable reason for their participation.

“We will soon fight Hwanma,” Unhyun affirmed.

Unhyun looked back at Chief Strategist Yeong Ho-jun.

Yeong Ho-jun nodded and said in a soft voice, “In a few days, the government army will launch a large-scale offensive towards Nanju. At the same time, we will divide into four groups and infiltrate Nanju City.”

“Is there a reason for dividing into four groups?” Namgung Byeok of the Iron Sword inquired.

“This is because there are three places where Hwanma is most likely to be. The Alliance Leader and the honored guest will join whichever group confirms Hwanma’s location.”

“Then we should hurry,” Jegeal Myung of the Gentleman’s Sword said, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

“If we are to finish this before the Alliance Leader arrives…”

His eyes were full of confidence, a sentiment echoed by the others present.

A faint smile spread across their faces, and then Unhyun spoke in a clear voice.

“Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request.”

Unhyun said, looking at the elders, clan leaders, and supreme masters.

“I will never forget that you were by my side in times of difficulty. Thank you sincerely.”

Unhyun clasped his hands and bowed politely.

Thump.

Namgung Byeok of the Iron Sword rose from his seat.

He clasped his hands towards Unhyun and said, “It is an honor to be with the Alliance Leader. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

The other elders, clan leaders, and supreme masters also rose from their seats at once.

They each offered a word of support and bowed to Unhyun.

Tang Seol-yeon watched the scene with a complicated heart.

This was a display of unity and respect that could never be seen in the previous Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] or the Taepyeong Alliance [another martial arts alliance].

***

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

The sound of the cavalry’s hooves shook the ground.

The cavalry, which had departed from Nanju Garrison, spread out to the left and right as if to surround Nanju.

As the cavalry moved far enough away from Nanju Garrison, the government army’s cannons fired as if they had been waiting for the signal.

Thump.

That was the beginning of the assault.

Hundreds of cannons installed in Nanju Garrison opened fire at once.

Thump, thud, boom.

The sound of cannons exploded like a rain of fire.

The incessant explosions were deafening, and the ground shook as if there was an earthquake.

Cannons were fired several times from the walls of Nanju in response, but their impact was insignificant compared to the garrison’s barrage.

Kwarararararararararara.

Eventually, the walls of Nanju could not withstand the endless barrage of artillery fire and collapsed.

The sight of the massive walls collapsing was almost surreal, a testament to the destructive power of the cannons.

Commander-in-Chief Park Gong-gong quietly ordered, “Advance.”

The military officer standing next to him immediately signaled.

Flap.

At the same time as the flag was raised, the sound of cannons that had been shaking the earth stopped.

And a large army poured out of Nanju Garrison.

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

There was no battle cry, only the thunder of hooves.

Ten thousand cavalrymen rushed out as the vanguard, and tens of thousands of soldiers followed in an orderly manner.

The sight of them moving like a giant beast was truly spectacular, a wave of soldiers ready to crash upon the enemy.

The Demonic Sect’s forces were not idle either.

As the cannons stopped, countless demonic soldiers poured out through the collapsed walls and gates.

The battle for the fate of Nanju had finally begun, a clash that would determine the city’s future.