Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 519

519. What Happened After

The Grand Palace Lord stood gazing in the direction where Unhyun had disappeared.

Beside her, Bingsel also couldn’t take her eyes off the place where Unhyun had walked.

“What was that light just now?”

The Grand Palace Lord asked quietly in the language of the Northern Sea.

A moment ago, light had soared from the direction where Unhyun, Gaeong, and Sa Ilcheon had vanished.

It disappeared quickly, but the radiance that shone under the morning sunlight was breathtaking.

“I do not know.”

Bingsel said calmly.

However, her eyes subtly trembled.

“I have never seen such a light. And even now…….”

Bingsel gritted her teeth.

The light had disappeared, but the intense presence emanating from that place was chilling. It made her want to rush in there immediately.

“Indeed.”

The Grand Palace Lord said in a low voice.

“To stand beside the Blue Wolf, one needs strength.”

Her mind was already made up.

Asking Bingsel if she would be on her side was as good as the Grand Palace Lord declaring her intention to become the master of the Ice Palace.

To stand beside the Blue Wolf, one would have to have the qualifications to match.

“If it is him…”

Bingsel said in a firm voice.

“He will accept the Grand Palace Lord as you are now.”

“You say the same thing as the Third Palace Lord.”

The Grand Palace Lord chuckled.

Staring straight in the direction where the light had soared, the Grand Palace Lord said.

“But I cannot allow it myself. I want to be someone he is not ashamed of.”

Bingsel said no more.

She didn’t know much about matters between men and women, and this was something the Grand Palace Lord had to decide for herself.

As the two of them were looking in the direction where Unhyun had disappeared,

Swish.

Bingsel turned her head.

And said quietly.

“Those who were outside are coming.”

At those words, the Grand Palace Lord frowned.

At the same time, the sound of wind was heard.

Flutter.

Thud.

The person who landed lightly on the ground was none other than the Supreme Master, Geum Hwa-yeong.

“Are you alright? How is Young Master Unhyun?”

She immediately turned her head and looked at the place where the light had soared.

“Is it that way? I’ll go right now…….”

“Wait.”

The Grand Palace Lord said to Geum Hwa-yeong, who was about to take off.

“The Alliance Leader told you to stay here.”

It was a polite tone, but her eyes were firm.

Geum Hwa-yeong nodded.

“I understand. I’ll wait here. But what’s the situation right now…….”

Before she could finish speaking, other people appeared.

Flapping their sleeves and flying with the lightness skill of the Ascendants, they were the elders, family heads, and Supreme Masters who had been surrounding the outside of the temple.

Whiririk, Thud, Thud.

The elders of Hwasan and Wudang, and the Thousand Hands Shinni of Emei landed next to the Grand Palace Lord.

The Thousand Hands Shinni lightly put her palms together and asked.

“How is the Alliance Leader?”

“I do not know yet.”

The Grand Palace Lord said with a light bow.

“How is the outside?”

“The government troops have arrived.”

The Thousand Hands Shinni said with a stern expression.

“They have already surrounded this place, so no one will be able to escape.”

At those words, the Grand Palace Lord frowned slightly.

The Iltae Merchant Group was located in Mount Yeo, which was close to the metropolis of Xi’an [modern-day Xian].

It was only natural that the Grand Palace Lord would doubt whether she could trust the government troops here.

“We have to trust them.”

The one who answered was the Gentleman’s Sword, Je Gal-myeong.

He stepped forward and said.

“Even if there was collusion, they wouldn’t dare to do anything foolish now that the Alliance Leader has given his orders. Otherwise, the head of the local governor would be the first to fly.”

The words ‘head would fly’ were by no means a metaphor.

Disobeying the orders of the Special Inspector General was tantamount to treason.

“What happened to the Iltae Merchant Group?”

Gwan Il-geom, Mo Yong-dancheon, asked.

The Grand Palace Lord shook her head.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet.”

She turned her body and looked in the direction where the light had soared.

“We cannot know anything right now.”

The Supreme Masters could clearly feel the aftermath of the clash between the two.

The radiance that had soared under the morning sunlight, and the unknown aura that was pressing down on all sides even now.

“Where is Gaeong?”

Old Woman Neung Se-yeong asked with a stern expression.

Just as the Grand Palace Lord was about to shake her head,

Whoosh.

Suddenly, the strange pressure that had been pressing down on the surroundings disappeared.

“There!”

Geum Hwa-yeong shouted with wide eyes.

The group’s gazes all turned to one place.

‘Ah!’

The Grand Palace Lord’s eyes widened.

Two people were walking from far away.

The one wearing the attire of a scholar and slowly moving his steps was none other than Unhyun.

Behind him followed an old man with the demeanor of a divine immortal, Gaeong.

“Alliance Leader!”

“Young Master Unhyun!”

The group exclaimed with surprised expressions.

Unhyun smiled from afar.

Step.

The two quickly reached the group.

Unhyun smiled and bowed to the group.

“I have returned.”

“You have worked hard. What about the Iltae Merchant Group?”

The Thousand Hands Shinni asked.

Unhyun answered quietly.

“He is no longer in this world.”

That was a slightly strange expression.

But to be no longer in this world meant that he was dead, so the group could finally rest assured.

The Thousand Hands Shinni put her palms together and chanted a Buddhist prayer.

“Is the Alliance Leader alright?”

“Yes. He is fine.”

Unhyun, having expressed his gratitude, turned his eyes and looked at the Grand Palace Lord.

The Grand Palace Lord quietly lowered her head without a word.

Raising her head, she looked straight at Unhyun.

“I will be going now.”

Unhyun wore a puzzled expression.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. Now that the matter of the Iltae Merchant Group is over…….”

The Palace Lord said, her eyes shining.

“Because I have things to do.”

Unhyun was momentarily taken aback.

But he couldn’t stop her.

“I understand. Then later again…….”

“Yes. See you again.”

The Grand Palace Lord smiled slightly.

Her ice flower-like smile was so charming that Unhyun was momentarily speechless.

Rustle.

In the meantime, Bingsel embraced the Grand Palace Lord and lightly flew away.

Before Unhyun could say anything, the two disappeared in an instant between the temple buildings.

As Unhyun watched that sight, he heard the voice of Old Woman Neung Se-yeong in his ear.

“Are you alright? You seem to have overdone it.”

Those words were directed at Gaeong.

Gaeong answered indifferently.

“I have not overdone it.”

“Is that so?”

Neung Se-yeong smiled.

“Still, thank you for returning safely.”

There was no answer from Gaeong.

But he didn’t say that there was no reason to accept thanks either.

He was just silently keeping his mouth shut.

“Alliance Leader, where is Il-eun?”

Suddenly, Gentleman’s Sword Je Gal-myeong asked.

“Ah, that person…….”

“He left.”

Gaeong interrupted Unhyun’s words.

“Wasn’t he originally Il-eun (One Hidden)? Just as Lee Geom-hak left, he too has left.”

Je Gal-myeong was momentarily puzzled, but soon nodded his head.

The Hwanwoo Ohcheonjon [Five Gods of Hwanwoo] were originally unpredictable people, so it wasn’t that strange even if Il-eun had left without a word.

“Is that so? That’s a pity.”

Je Gal-myeong, as well as the others, couldn’t hide their disappointment.

This was because the opportunity to learn about the mysterious Il-eun had disappeared.

“How is the outside?”

At Unhyun’s question, Thousand Hands Shinni answered.

“The government troops have surrounded this place. They are waiting for your orders, so let’s go quickly.”

“I understand.”

Unhyun nodded his head.

Unhyun, who was about to move his steps, suddenly stopped.

And turned his head to look behind him.

Geum Hwa-yeong, seeing that sight, wondered what was going on and turned her head, but there was nothing to be seen.

“What…….”

It was at that moment.

Rumble.

Along with a heavy sound, the sound of something collapsing was heard.

The main hall, which had already partially collapsed, had finally failed to withstand it.

Dust rose greatly from the place where the light had soared.

“Huh, what is that…….”

The elders, the Thousand Hands Shinni, and the family heads couldn’t help but be amazed as they watched the rising dust.

However, Unhyun was no longer looking at that place.

Step.

Unhyun moved his steps.

Gaeong silently followed behind him.

Rumble, Thump.

The loud noises continued to be heard.

Once one side began to collapse, the connected buildings were collapsing one after another.

But neither Unhyun nor Gaeong looked back.

Because there was no one there anymore.

***

The Changryong Alliance Inauguration Ceremony was held on an unprecedented scale.

Numerous people flocked from all over the world, and the venue was filled with invited guests alone.

Not only martial arts sects and merchant groups, but also influential figures from the government flooded in with requests to participate, to the point where there was a self-deprecating saying that if you weren’t invited to the Changryong Alliance Inauguration Ceremony, you weren’t an influential figure.

This was because Park Gong-gong, the most powerful figure in the current imperial court, was sitting to the immediate right of the Changryong Sword Lord, who could be said to be the master of the Inauguration Ceremony.

“Hehehe.”

Park Gong-gong covered his mouth with a fan and chuckled.

“It is truly deeply moving. To think that Scholar Unhyun would be in such a wonderful form.”

Looking at Unhyun, Park Gong-gong’s eyes shone.

“You are truly admirable.”

“Please don’t say such things. I’m dying of awkwardness.”

Unhyun said with a bitter smile.

The clothes that Unhyun was wearing now were embroidered with five colors and adorned with a dragon pattern specially permitted by the imperial family.

The sword Yongrin (Dragon Scale), which the Crown Prince had bestowed, was also neatly tied around Unhyun’s waist, although he had never used it even once.

“What does it matter? It looks good.”

Park Gong-gong couldn’t stop smiling.

Unhyun gave an awkward smile.

“More than that, I heard that you declined the position of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.”

“Yes.”

Park Gong-gong said with a bright expression.

For his contribution to suppressing the forces of the Demonic Sect and saving Nanzhou, the Emperor tried to give Park Gong-gong the position of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

It was truly an unprecedented and rewarding position, literally the highest position under the Emperor.

But Park Gong-gong declined.

“How can a eunuch like me be worthy of being the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet? Such a position is only suitable for Scholar Unhyun, who is highly learned. I am content to simply run errands for the imperial family.”

At those words, Unhyun’s expression changed.

“Please don’t say such things. You are more wise, sincere, and trustworthy than anyone else I know.”

Park Gong-gong smiled.

“Thank you. But I am not ashamed of the fact that I am a eunuch. Isn’t it because I was a eunuch that I met Scholar Unhyun? Hehehe.”

“Me too.”

Unhyun said with a gentle expression.

“Although the Changryong Hall was not the place I wanted to be, even if I could go back to that time, I would still go to the Changryong Hall. That’s how I would be able to meet my sworn brother and you.”

Park Gong-gong blinked his eyes.

And quietly wore a smile.

“Thank you. Now, if only Scholar Unhyun’s cute child could be in my arms, I would have no more wishes.”

“Ahem.”

Unhyun coughed at Park Gong-gong’s sudden words.

“Speaking of which, the charming young lady of the Mo Yong family is over there, but where is that beautiful person from the Northern Sea?”

“Ah, are you talking about the Grand Palace Lord? She has returned to the Northern Ice Palace. She said that we will see each other again soon.”

“Hoo.”

A different light flashed in Park Gong-gong’s eyes.

Unhyun continued with a gentle expression.

“She has been away from the Northern Ice Palace for a long time, so she must have many things to take care of. The help of the Northern Sea was not small this time, so I plan to repay them greatly when she returns.”

“Ah, I see.”

Park Gong-gong nodded his head.

Unhyun raised his eyes and looked at Mo Yong-mi.

Her figure, conducting the Inauguration Ceremony with a dignified appearance, was literally shining.

Seeing the smile spreading across Unhyun’s lips, Park Gong-gong said as if to himself.

“Perhaps my wish will be fulfilled sooner than I thought. Hehehe.”

Unhyun looked at Park Gong-gong with a puzzled expression.

But Park Gong-gong changed the subject.

“Well, it seems like it will soon be the Alliance Leader’s turn to step forward, so please prepare yourself.”

Unhyun raised his eyes.

Mo Yong-mi, who was conducting the Inauguration Ceremony, turned her head and was looking at him.

The gazes of the people filling the venue were also directed at Unhyun.

Unhyun nodded his head.

“That’s right. Then I’ll be off.”

Step.

As Unhyun stood up from his seat, Park Gong-gong said to him.

“Do well. You have to end it with this one time.”

Unhyun turned to look at Park Gong-gong and gave a bitter smile.

Park Gong-gong waved his hand slightly.

Step, Step.

Unhyun, wearing splendid clothes, walked forward.

The smile on Park Gong-gong’s lips was constant as he watched that figure.

***

Early summer, the Imperial Palace.

The majestic Forbidden City was enjoying a tranquil moment under the warm sunlight.

But not everyone could enjoy that leisure.

“Huk, huk. This is a big problem.”

A scholar in official robes muttered with a flustered expression.

It wasn’t hot weather, but beads of sweat were forming on the scholar’s forehead.

The still youthful face and the somewhat awkward official robes showed that he was a first-timer at the Imperial Palace.

“At this rate, I won’t be able to make it on time. Where on earth…….”

The scholar, anxiously looking around, suddenly spotted a person.

The one hurrying along was a eunuch wearing red attire.

The red eunuch’s attire meant that he was of high status, but the scholar didn’t realize it.

Moreover, that eunuch was alone without any guards.

“Hey, you there!”

The eunuch stopped walking.

He turned to look at the scholar and tilted his head.

The scholar shouted urgently.

“Could you possibly tell me where the Changryong Hall is?”

Even though the distance was far, the scholar could clearly see the eunuch smiling.

The eunuch seemed to mutter something into the air, then trotted towards the scholar.

“Did you say you were looking for the Changryong Hall?”

The eunuch’s voice was thin and feminine.

The scholar realized that the eunuch was older than him.

“Y, yes. Ahem.”

After clearing his throat, the scholar said.

“I placed first in the recent state examination and have been assigned to serve His Highness the Crown Prince. But the truth is, I don’t know where the Changryong Hall is…….”

The scholar trailed off.

The reason he couldn’t ask for directions was probably because of the pride of someone who had placed first in the state examination.

The eunuch wearing red attire smiled.

“Ah, I see. To place first in the state examination at such a young age, you are truly amazing.”

The scholar cleared his throat.

But his expression was full of pride.

“In that case, of course I should help you. Come, follow me.”

The scholar was overjoyed.

To be lost in the Imperial Palace and to receive help from a eunuch who was familiar with this place was truly a lifeline from heaven.

“Th, thank…….”

Tap tap tap.

Before the scholar could even express his gratitude, the eunuch started trotting.

The eunuch, who was small in stature, was surprisingly fast, and quickly went far ahead.

“W, wait a moment. L, let’s go together…….”

The scholar quickly followed the eunuch.

Glancing back at the scholar who was desperately following him, Park Gong-gong wore a smile.

“You said you were bored last time, didn’t you?”

Moving his feet, Park Gong-gong muttered to himself.

“I’m taking a new recruit to relieve Scholar Unhyun’s boredom, so please teach him well. Hehehe.”

Park Gong-gong covered his mouth with his hand and laughed as he imagined Unhyun looking at him with a flustered expression.

He could almost see him sighing, saying what new recruit when there’s no work to do in the Changryong Hall.

Unhyun, who was strong in responsibility, would not simply dismiss this new scholar.

Tap tap tap.

With the sound of light footsteps, the young scholar followed Park Gong-gong, who was going ahead, panting.

It was the moment when Unhyun, the only scholar in the Changryong Hall, gained a new junior.