Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 508

508. Fate

Upon hearing the news from Il Ayung, Unhyun acted immediately.

He sent letters through Young Hojoon to the major merchant guilds, ordering them to recover the Soul Exchange Pills. He also requested that they keep a close watch on places buying large quantities of medicinal herbs.

He sent letters explaining the situation to the Mount Hua Sect, Wudang Sect, and Shaolin Temple, which were relatively close to Xi’an and Chongqing, to prepare for any eventuality. He also informed the Tang Clan, Murong Family, and even the Bukhae Ilmun.

“We can’t ignore the possibility of it spreading along the Yangtze River.”

Murong Mi said, looking at the map.

“It would be good to ask the Namgoong Family and Gongsun Family to pay special attention, and to inform all the Changryong Alliance sects to be vigilant.”

“I think so too.”

Young Hojoon said, lost in thought.

“The public sentiment is already volatile, but it’s better to be overly cautious than to be caught off guard. If we just tell them to be careful, they won’t feel it, so let’s subtly leak the damage caused by the Soul Exchange Pills in Wudang and Mount Hua.”

Unhyun nodded.

Young Hojoon continued as if he had been waiting for this.

“Oh, and on this occasion, it would be good to widely publicize the achievements of the Alliance Leader and the elders. No sect would dislike hearing that their elders have made contributions. If we keep telling them to be careful, they will resist, so we need to appease them like this.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

However, Unhyun agreed with Young Hojoon’s words.

People are not beings who move only by facts.

“Then the question is, who will go to Chongqing and Xi’an…….”

Young Hojoon glanced at Unhyun.

“Even if I try to stop you, you will go, Alliance Leader, right?”

“Yes.”

Unhyun nodded without hesitation.

“This is something I must do.”

Young Hojoon sighed quietly.

“Actually, at times like this, it would be more helpful for the Alliance Leader to stay at the main headquarters to stabilize public sentiment. People would think that the dangerous situation has passed. But if that is your will, I must follow it.”

Young Hojoon looked at Elder Kyeok.

“Then, Elder will also…….”

Elder Kyeok nodded silently.

Young Hojoon sighed once more.

“I’m going to get scolded by Yeon Mae. For making Elder suffer.”

Muttering something to himself, Young Hojoon shrugged.

“Then what about the other elders?”

“They’re probably here, right?”

Unhyun said, tilting his head.

“Everyone will be busy with the martial arts competition.”

The elders, family heads, and supreme masters had already headed to the mansion outside Hangzhou.

They were quite excited because Sword Saint Lee Gumhak had declared an unrestricted martial arts competition.

Of course, there was a condition that it had to be an opponent that the Sword Saint liked.

Besides, with Ilun also there, there was no way they wouldn’t be excited.

“I see. Then, escorts…….”

Unhyun shook his head at Young Hojoon’s words.

“We don’t need them. If support is needed, we can get help from the surrounding sects.”

Near Chongqing and Xi’an, there were not only Mount Hua and Wudang, but also the Tang Clan and the Common Faction [a loose alliance of smaller, independent martial arts schools].

They could come running at any time if necessary, so they could handle any situation.

“I want to go with you, but…….”

Murong Mi said regretfully.

“The things to do here are important, so I can’t help it.”

A smart person like her would definitely be helpful.

However, when public sentiment was unstable like now, her role as the Changryong Alliance’s head of external affairs was even more important.

Unhyun smiled.

“No. Rather, I don’t know how reassuring it is to have Miss Murong here. I am truly grateful.”

Murong Mi’s cheeks flushed slightly at those words.

She bowed her head and replied quietly.

“Yes. Scholar Unhyun.”

“Then only the two of you will go this time.”

Young Hojoon said with a calm expression.

Young Hojoon also had to stay in the Changryong Alliance.

Because the news that he had helped the government army defeat the Demonic Cult’s forces had spread, the eyes of the Kangho Murim [martial arts world] were all focused on the Changryong Alliance.

There was a limit to dealing with all those inquiries with only Murong Mi, the head of external affairs.

In the end, it was decided that Unhyun and Elder Kyeok would go to Chongqing and Xi’an.

That was only at that time.

***

Outside Hangzhou.

In the backyard of the old Changryong Alliance headquarters mansion, the elders of Wudang and Mount Hua, the heads of families, and the supreme masters were sitting.

The backyard was full of traces of sword strikes, as if there had already been a martial arts competition.

In fact, it was embarrassing to even call it a backyard now, but the group was still sitting at a table in one corner, savoring tea.

“Really? You’re going to Chongqing?”

Sa Ilcheon said, holding a teacup.

Unhyun and Elder Kyeok had just come and told them what had happened.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“Yes?”

Unhyun asked with a surprised look.

Elder Kyeok also frowned.

“You?”

Sa Ilcheon nodded.

“Yes. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Chongqing.”

Clatter.

Sa Ilcheon put down the teacup and smiled.

“I don’t think I would entrust the manufacturing of the Soul Exchange Pill to just anyone.”

Unhyun gave a wry smile.

“Senior also thought so.”

The manufacturing of the Soul Exchange Pill is a difficult and complicated process.

It uses expensive medicinal herbs and is something that should never leak to the outside, so Moon Wang or Il Dae Sangin [One of the Great Merchants] would not entrust it to just anyone.

Therefore, the place where the Soul Exchange Pill is made was likely to be directly connected to Il Dae Sangin in some way.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean to do anything myself.”

Sa Ilcheon clearly drew a line.

But Unhyun didn’t care.

“Good. Then together…….”

“Hmm.”

Sword Saint Lee Gumhak, who was listening from the side, stroked his beard.

“Then I’ll go too.”

“What?”

This time, even Elder Kyeok was surprised.

He frowned and looked back at Lee Gumhak.

But Lee Gumhak said with a calm expression.

“Isn’t Il Dae Sangin the master of that Amcheon Mujae kid I met before? If it’s that kind of person, I’m naturally interested.”

Lee Gumhak smiled.

“I’m quite looking forward to it.”

Elder Kyeok glared at Lee Gumhak with a frown.

But Lee Gumhak didn’t even blink an eye.

“Hoo.”

In the end, Elder Kyeok sighed.

“Okay. But don’t interfere with Hyun by trying to compete with swords…….”

“We will also go.”

Suddenly, Zhuge Myung, the Gentleman’s Sword, said.

Elder Kyeok, as well as Unhyun, turned their heads to look at him.

Zhuge Myung’s expression was firm.

“The harm that Il Dae Sangin and Moon Wang have caused to the Kangho Murim is truly great. So how could this be only the Alliance Leader’s business?”

Bi Geom Gongson Wol and Kwan Il Geom Murong Dancheon nodded.

Taeul Jin-in, an elder of Mount Hua, quietly chanted a Taoist mantra.

“Also, they have already caused great harm to each sect through Moon Wang and the Demonic Cult. So we cannot say that we are unrelated to the affairs related to Il Dae Sangin.”

Cheongsong Jin-in of Wudang and Cheonsu Shinni of Emei also chanted Taoist and Buddhist mantras, expressing their agreement.

Old Madam Neung Se-young also smiled and opened her mouth.

“I don’t have any particular interests with those people, but I want to see the face of the person who helped the Blood Cult rise again.”

Geum Hwa-young, who was next to her, nodded diligently, as if afraid of being left out.

There was no need to ask Bingseol of Bukhae Ilmun.

Her eyes, looking at Unhyun, were already shining.

“……I see.”

Unhyun said in a quiet voice.

“My thinking was short. Your words are truly correct.”

Unhyun smiled and said.

“Then shall we all go together?”

No one said anything against it.

Everyone nodded and rejoiced, and Elder Kyeok snorted.

“Hmph. What a bunch of annoying things…….”

But Unhyun could clearly see Elder Kyeok’s eyes shaking slightly.

Unhyun himself was also trying to suppress the warmth in his heart that he had been feeling since earlier.

Tuk.

Suddenly, Sa Ilcheon’s hand was placed on Unhyun’s shoulder.

“That’s good.”

Sa Ilcheon said, looking at Unhyun.

“These relationships are much better than the aloof scholar of the Imperial Palace. Don’t you think so?”

Unhyun quietly nodded.

Unhyun’s eyes, looking at the group, were already moist.

***

With the send-off of Chief Military Officer Young Hojoon and Head of External Affairs Murong Mi, Unhyun and his party left Hangzhou.

It had only been five days since they had returned, but no one complained.

Rather, they joked, ‘I didn’t know I would be so active in my old age,’ or even rejoiced, saying, ‘I have something to brag about to my children.’

Sa Ilcheon liked it, saying, ‘As expected, traveling is comfortable with a lot of money,’ and Sword Saint Lee Gumhak was also satisfied, saying, ‘Traveling with a group is better than I thought.’

Elder Kyeok still had an unpleasant expression, though.

The group arrived in Nanjing by carriage and immediately changed to the navy’s fast ship.

And they began to go against the waves of the mighty Yangtze River.

Chwaaa.

The navy’s fast ship cut through the water.

Thanks to Young Hojoon’s meticulous planning in advance, the fast ship docked at major areas of the Yangtze River and took breaks, and each time, the group could taste the local cuisine.

Young Hojoon, who had heard that everyone was going together, said that ‘the elders must enjoy their meals unconditionally’ and considered the meal to be the most important thing.

Thanks to this, the group was able to enjoy a luxury that was second to none, at least when it came to eating.

It was when the ship, going against the Yangtze River, reached Chongqing.

The fast ship slowly approached the pier.

The sailors were busy preparing for arrival, but the group was leisurely standing on the deck, looking at the city of Chongqing.

Tat.

“Huh?”

The shadow of someone kicking off the deck of the fast ship and flying up caught everyone’s attention.

The shadow, flying into the sky like a nimble bird, lightly twisted its body in mid-air.

Pararak.

She fluttered her clothes and slowly landed on the pier. It was Bingseol.

‘Ah!’

Unhyun could quickly understand the reason.

The large, white carriage standing on the pier belonged to Bukhae Ilmun.

Sarak.

Bingseol lowered her body and paid her respects.

Then the door of the carriage opened.

The person who got off was the Great Palace Master of Bukhae.

She looked down at Bingseol and said in a clear voice.

“You’ve worked hard, Bingseol.”

That was the language of Bukhae.

Bingseol raised her head.

“I have only done as you commanded, Great Palace Master.”

Her voice was rough and unfamiliar.

But the Great Palace Master smiled.

“It seems like it was a good experience. I’ve never seen such a satisfied look on your face before.”

Bingseol did not deny it.

She bowed her head to express her gratitude.

The reason why Bingseol was able to be with Unhyun was because of the Great Palace Master’s permission.

The Great Palace Master said quietly.

“You can stand up now.”

Sarak.

Bingseol got up from her seat.

The Great Palace Master turned her body.

On the deck of the fast ship that was docking at the pier, Unhyun, Elder Kyeok, and the group were gathered.

Their gazes were directed not at the white carriage or Bingseol, but at the Great Palace Master.

“……Amazing.”

Zhuge Myung muttered quietly.

The Great Palace Master’s beauty was already known, but her actual beauty was more than the rumors.

Everyone was clearly surprised by the Great Palace Master’s appearance, which was like a transparent ice flower, and even the elders could not hide their admiration.

She even felt a subtle dignity like a woman of the imperial family, so Cheonsu Shinni, as well as Neung Se-young, quietly sighed.

Geum Hwa-young was so stunned that she couldn’t take her eyes off the Great Palace Master.

“Now it’s time to welcome the honored guest.”

The Great Palace Master said in the language of Bukhae.

“Because the Blue Wolf of Bukhae, who holds our destiny, has come.”

The Great Palace Master smiled quietly, looking at Unhyun standing on the deck.

Sighs flowed out from here and there at that smile, and even the people passing by stopped walking.

Her smile seemed to brighten even the surroundings.

“Did you find Il Dae Sangin’s residence?”

Bingseol asked quietly.

“Don’t worry.”

The Great Palace Master said, not taking her eyes off Unhyun.